Chris called me on Wednesday of last week and informed me that he had Good Friday off. At first I was a little ticked off, because I had asked him multiple times if he had it of when we were planning our trip to Albany, NY. He assured multiple times that he didn't have it off. Apparently he did. After I got over the fact that we could have been spending Easter with our nieces, new nephew and best friends, I was very excited to realize that Chris and I had an unplanned day together! First, I had to see if my co-worker would work for me, but he said he would.
As I am sure you know, I really LOVE my husband. He is just the funnest guy there is. So having a stolen day with him was like winning the lottery. I kind of felt like we were skipping school or something! We didn't really do anything amazing all we did was have breakfast together at a great bagel joint in town and walked around our local used books store. But for some reason, it was just one of the best days we have had.
I am so thankful for the simple things in life. I am thankful that I have a husband that is okay with just being with me and doesn't always have to be "doing" something. I am thankful that we truly enjoy each other and that we always have something to talk about. I also really like that we can be completely comfortable be silent with each other. It's nice.
I donated 10 inches of my hair to Locks of Love this past month! I figured that if I looked like an idiot with super short hair, I could just tell people who looked at me with a look of, "What did she do to her hair?!", that I donated it to kids with cancer and they would feel like total jerks for thinking that I look like a fool. Fails safe plan, really. It turns out that I don't look like a fool! Yay! I really like short hair. I, personally, think it is a lot easier than my long hair. My long hair always got in my way and tickled my nose a lot. Yay for short hair!
Well, it is kind of decision time for us, concerning infertility. We've done every thing that we can outside of the invasive treatments. Actually, there is one more thing, but I am nervous about doing it. What if it doesn't work? Then I really have to go with intense hormone treatments and the whole sha-bang. I don't have a peace about it, I'm not even indifferent, I'm anxious. That's not a good things. I have decided to wait a few months before we go ahead with it, but we might not at all. I wish I could explain why I feel the way I feel, but I just can't.
We had Chris' "guys" tested and they are swimming like champs. It was really good news and really devastating news at the same time. Basically, it's my fault that we haven't been able to get pregnant. Ouch. We have been talking pretty seriously about adoption, but who knows when that will be. God has been reminding me that we are all adopted into His family. He isn't, technically, our biological father, but He loves us better than any dad could. Chris and I have a lot of love to give. We have always wanted to adopt, just not for a first child, but plans change, circumstances change, lives changes As destroying as infertility can be, I have recently been reminded of this verse.
"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."—Isaiah 61:3.
In the midst of all of these ashes, I can see the potential for something beautiful.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
As a Thank you...
Charlie is home, alive and well! We are VERY thankful for your prayer.
As most of you know, Charlie is, what I like to call, a character or... completely crazy! His tenacity is the soul motivator for his everyday life. "I can destroy that tennis ball." "Those bananas look delicious. I will now jump up on to the kitchen counter and devour them." "Hmmm, a baguette, I think I will jump up onto the counter and eat that too!" Now, keep in mind that Charlie has 4 inch legs. This in no small feet. I guess he thought that a pill bottle would be just as delightful as his other conquests. Not so much. But he is fine and that is all that matters, however he did pick up some bad habits while he was away. Just let me tell you!
When I got him home yesterday, he ran around the house to ensure that nothing had changed and that there were no intruders. After securing the premises, he plopped down in my lap and took a long, hard nap. There was sleep running and barking involved, that's how I know he is really out. Finally he opened his eyes and was ready to go! He ran around again, making sure everything was still the same. I gave him his bone AND his ball and he was in a euphoric state for a few minutes and then preceded to alternate chewing on his bone and playing with his ball. During all of this activity, I was doing my normal "day off" activity, cleaning. I bent over and felt two tiny little legs wrap around my calf. I turned around to see Charlie trying to get a little satisfaction on my leg. Great. He hasn't done that since we removed his manhood. I think he was as shocked as I was, and sulked his way away.
Chris got home from work and Charlie did his usual "I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU!" routine: jump on and off the chair by the door in an attempt to reach Chris' mouth and lick him, after that doesn't work, run around the dining room table and bark at each corner, then he finishes it off with flinging himself into Chris' lap as soon as Chris sits down and attacking his upper body with licks. It's actually pretty funny. After all of that activity, he takes a nap until I start making dinner. Then he waits patiently for me to drop something off of my cutting board. Last nights dinner was a simple one and didn't take much time. So we were seated and ready to eat within 15 minutes. Chris has a wonderful ritual of getting up and hugging me while he blesses the food (one of my favorite things). Chris was blessed with his father's ability to make meal prayers way too long. There have been times that I stare at my food praying that Chris will stop so that I can put it in my mouth (yes, all of this happening while he is hugging me). While Chris was probably only in the middle of his prayer and thanking God that Charlie was alive and well, I hear what sounds like a cup of water tipping over and pouring out onto the carpet. When you are a dog owner you know too well what that sound is. I look down and witness Charlie peeing on Chris' leg!! I mean full blown, lifting his leg and peeing on Chris! Chris had no idea until I yelled "Oh my Goodness! Charlie is peeing on you!" At that point Charlie is mid pee and looking up at me like "What? I had to go."
Needless to say, I was rendered useless because of my fits of laughter and Chris was trying to discipline Charlie by laughing "No, bad boy! No!" What a way to say thanks. We drop a wad of money on the dog and he pees on his dad. The best part is that while it happened, Chris was thanking God that Charlie was alive and well! Irony at it's best. Still, we love him!!
As most of you know, Charlie is, what I like to call, a character or... completely crazy! His tenacity is the soul motivator for his everyday life. "I can destroy that tennis ball." "Those bananas look delicious. I will now jump up on to the kitchen counter and devour them." "Hmmm, a baguette, I think I will jump up onto the counter and eat that too!" Now, keep in mind that Charlie has 4 inch legs. This in no small feet. I guess he thought that a pill bottle would be just as delightful as his other conquests. Not so much. But he is fine and that is all that matters, however he did pick up some bad habits while he was away. Just let me tell you!
When I got him home yesterday, he ran around the house to ensure that nothing had changed and that there were no intruders. After securing the premises, he plopped down in my lap and took a long, hard nap. There was sleep running and barking involved, that's how I know he is really out. Finally he opened his eyes and was ready to go! He ran around again, making sure everything was still the same. I gave him his bone AND his ball and he was in a euphoric state for a few minutes and then preceded to alternate chewing on his bone and playing with his ball. During all of this activity, I was doing my normal "day off" activity, cleaning. I bent over and felt two tiny little legs wrap around my calf. I turned around to see Charlie trying to get a little satisfaction on my leg. Great. He hasn't done that since we removed his manhood. I think he was as shocked as I was, and sulked his way away.
Chris got home from work and Charlie did his usual "I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU!" routine: jump on and off the chair by the door in an attempt to reach Chris' mouth and lick him, after that doesn't work, run around the dining room table and bark at each corner, then he finishes it off with flinging himself into Chris' lap as soon as Chris sits down and attacking his upper body with licks. It's actually pretty funny. After all of that activity, he takes a nap until I start making dinner. Then he waits patiently for me to drop something off of my cutting board. Last nights dinner was a simple one and didn't take much time. So we were seated and ready to eat within 15 minutes. Chris has a wonderful ritual of getting up and hugging me while he blesses the food (one of my favorite things). Chris was blessed with his father's ability to make meal prayers way too long. There have been times that I stare at my food praying that Chris will stop so that I can put it in my mouth (yes, all of this happening while he is hugging me). While Chris was probably only in the middle of his prayer and thanking God that Charlie was alive and well, I hear what sounds like a cup of water tipping over and pouring out onto the carpet. When you are a dog owner you know too well what that sound is. I look down and witness Charlie peeing on Chris' leg!! I mean full blown, lifting his leg and peeing on Chris! Chris had no idea until I yelled "Oh my Goodness! Charlie is peeing on you!" At that point Charlie is mid pee and looking up at me like "What? I had to go."
Needless to say, I was rendered useless because of my fits of laughter and Chris was trying to discipline Charlie by laughing "No, bad boy! No!" What a way to say thanks. We drop a wad of money on the dog and he pees on his dad. The best part is that while it happened, Chris was thanking God that Charlie was alive and well! Irony at it's best. Still, we love him!!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Doggy Hospital
I came home from work today to find a chewed up bottle of Tylenol PM in the middle of my living room. Charlie was happy to see me, as usual, but yawning a lot. Apparently he had jumped up on the counter and snagged the bottle of Tylenol and commenced chewing on it. He chewed until it broke, and like any dog, ate what fell out.
I called to Vet to see if he would be okay, but it turns out that Tylenol is toxic to dogs and any amount can kill them if left untreated. Apparently liver failure could occur with in 24 hours. So Charlie got admitted to the Doggy Hospital just about an hour ago. He will be there for three nights. I cried when the vet told me what could happen to him. I know, I'm a sap. But right now he is my fur baby. You might think that it is lame, but would you pray for Charlie? It would not be a good thing if he died.
I called to Vet to see if he would be okay, but it turns out that Tylenol is toxic to dogs and any amount can kill them if left untreated. Apparently liver failure could occur with in 24 hours. So Charlie got admitted to the Doggy Hospital just about an hour ago. He will be there for three nights. I cried when the vet told me what could happen to him. I know, I'm a sap. But right now he is my fur baby. You might think that it is lame, but would you pray for Charlie? It would not be a good thing if he died.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Laughter
Laughter is a very powerful thing. I love to laugh. It's my preferred reaction to almost everything...unless it is really sad. If something is awkward, I laugh. If something is adorable, I laugh. If something is funny, obviously, I laugh. I laugh when I am excited, I laugh when I am nervous, I laugh when something weirds me out. Laughter is bonding agent, when you laugh with someone, miraculously, I friendship begins to grow. Laughter is also a wrecking ball. When you laugh at someone, something is broken and whether you know it or not, a piece of someone is injured. Laughter is a powerful thing.
Other than the saving and redemptive power of Jesus Christ, laughter is one of the most important parts of my marriage. I just think that Chris is hilarious! And he thinks that I am, too! We laugh at every thing, crack jokes with each other, remember funny television episodes that we have watched together and try to quote a line (I never get them right, but Chris always has them down verbatim). Sometimes when we are in a heated argument, I get so worked up that I start laughing and then Chris starts laughing and we are able to resolve our conflict. God is so good to us to let us have a sense of humor, even in the midst of a conflict. Laughter is a powerful thing.
I just love to laugh. But mostly, I love to laugh with Chris. He is so funny! Charlie makes me laugh too! Here is a funny picture of my little turd. That can't be comfortable! LOL!
Other than the saving and redemptive power of Jesus Christ, laughter is one of the most important parts of my marriage. I just think that Chris is hilarious! And he thinks that I am, too! We laugh at every thing, crack jokes with each other, remember funny television episodes that we have watched together and try to quote a line (I never get them right, but Chris always has them down verbatim). Sometimes when we are in a heated argument, I get so worked up that I start laughing and then Chris starts laughing and we are able to resolve our conflict. God is so good to us to let us have a sense of humor, even in the midst of a conflict. Laughter is a powerful thing.
I just love to laugh. But mostly, I love to laugh with Chris. He is so funny! Charlie makes me laugh too! Here is a funny picture of my little turd. That can't be comfortable! LOL!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Sometimes I Wonder...
When you are a little girl, you wonder what it will be like when you are a big girl. When you are a big girl, you wonder what it will be like when you are a teenage and able to drive. When you are a teenage and able to drive, you wonder what it will be like when you get to college. When you get to college, you wonder what it will be like to be married to the man of your dreams and out of college. When you are married to man of your dreams and out of college, you wonder what it will like to be an adult. Then you realize that you are an adult and whether you like it or not, life went on, even though you still, every once in a while, wonder what it will be like to be a big girl.
Now you have the adult "I wonders"...what will it be like to have a mortgage, what will it be like to have a family, what will it be like to raise teenagers, etcetera etcetera. Mostly you wonder what something will be like when you don't seem to get "it" as soon as other people do. As a girl, I remember being green with jealousy when my sister got her first training bra. When others get something before you do, you wonder what it would be like to get that too.
I can't help but wonder what it would be like to have a positive pregnancy test. After three years of negative pregnancy tests, I will probably faint or throw up when that day comes. It's hard to remain positive when you are staring at a negative, a lot of negatives. But negative gets you nowhere, so I make the choice to be positive. I may have ice cream for dinner that night, but I will be positive!
My dear friend had her baby this week. I look at pictures and yearn for that to be me. I can truly understand why Sarah had Abraham sleep with Hagar. I can't blame her at all, it's hard being patient and waiting. Waiting on the Lord? Sometimes I don't even know if that is what I am doing, but I am waiting. But one thing is for sure, waiting is totally overrated. I had a girl I know from college offer to be a surrogate for me. I have to admit that for a split second, I thought it might be a good idea. But its not. It's making Gods promise fit into my time line and after all of these years of studying Gods word, I should know by now that rushing Gods timing is never a good idea. I just get so impatient.
I get really uncomfortable when someone I love has a baby. I don't know what to do with myself, I go through this period where I am antsy and awkward. I need cave time. Even though I am so happy for them, I am still so sad, so devastated. I hate that mix of emotions.
Still, I'm left to wonder. Wonder what it will be like when it is me. Praying that it will be someday. Chris is going to be a terrific dad.
Now you have the adult "I wonders"...what will it be like to have a mortgage, what will it be like to have a family, what will it be like to raise teenagers, etcetera etcetera. Mostly you wonder what something will be like when you don't seem to get "it" as soon as other people do. As a girl, I remember being green with jealousy when my sister got her first training bra. When others get something before you do, you wonder what it would be like to get that too.
I can't help but wonder what it would be like to have a positive pregnancy test. After three years of negative pregnancy tests, I will probably faint or throw up when that day comes. It's hard to remain positive when you are staring at a negative, a lot of negatives. But negative gets you nowhere, so I make the choice to be positive. I may have ice cream for dinner that night, but I will be positive!
My dear friend had her baby this week. I look at pictures and yearn for that to be me. I can truly understand why Sarah had Abraham sleep with Hagar. I can't blame her at all, it's hard being patient and waiting. Waiting on the Lord? Sometimes I don't even know if that is what I am doing, but I am waiting. But one thing is for sure, waiting is totally overrated. I had a girl I know from college offer to be a surrogate for me. I have to admit that for a split second, I thought it might be a good idea. But its not. It's making Gods promise fit into my time line and after all of these years of studying Gods word, I should know by now that rushing Gods timing is never a good idea. I just get so impatient.
I get really uncomfortable when someone I love has a baby. I don't know what to do with myself, I go through this period where I am antsy and awkward. I need cave time. Even though I am so happy for them, I am still so sad, so devastated. I hate that mix of emotions.
Still, I'm left to wonder. Wonder what it will be like when it is me. Praying that it will be someday. Chris is going to be a terrific dad.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
This is my prayer in the desert.
This my favorite song on the new Hillsongs United album. It's true, and a wonderful reminder that God is still God, not matter what.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE33ejdgWIY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE33ejdgWIY
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Oh Charlie...
If I could only use one word to describe Charlie, I think I would have to choose "character", because if there is one thing that dog has it is character. He never leaves us with a dull moment.
I have been trying to leave him in the house more often, instead of outside, when I leave the house. I am pretty sure he likes it. I would venture to guess that his time at home alone consists of sleeping and staring at the front door willing me to come home. Except when I leave the pantry door open...
Last Wednesday I had to make a quick trip to Walmart to pick up some stuff for our upcoming ski trip. I was pretty tried and unwittingly left the pantry door open in my effort to get out the door. When I got home, Charlie was VERY happy to see me. And I mean more than usual. As I walked to the kitchen to plop the groceries down, I noticed shredded plastic in the dinning area. After further investigation, I realized that Charlie had gotten a hold of my white chocolate baking chips and eaten them ALL. There wasn't a single morsel left. All devoured by my 11 pound pup. I did a quick search on the internet to see if white chocolate was as fatal for dogs as brown chocolate was, and thankfully it isn't at all. Boy was he pleased with himself! All he did while I was cleaning up the plastic confetti was wag his tail and make that dog smile, you know what I am talking about. After a few hours I was pretty sure he regretted his actions because he was totally bloated and looked like he was very uncomfortable. He couldn't even jump into bed.
Then, last night, Chris was eating a chocolate bar and dropped some. Charlie is vigilant when it comes to Chris and I eating. He is fully prepared to catch anything that may fall from our hands or mouths. He is really fast. So when Chris dropped the chocolate, it was a lost cause. Shoot. Charlie didn't even chew, he just inhaled it. There was no way we could snatch it out of his mouth. So as any good dog owner, Chris stuck his finger down Charlies throat in an effort to make him puke it out. Charlie was a rock and barely gagged, even with Chris' entire hand wiggling in his throat. As soon as Chris removed his hand Charlie just ran around in a circle and made himself at home on Chris' lap. Great.
Did you know that if you have your dog drink salt water, they will puke. Neither did we, but we tried it after we read about it on the internet. But guess what. Charlie, the dog that will eat ANYTHING and drink ANYTHING wouldn't touch the salt water. What a jerk. Isn't that irony at it's best? I couldn't help but crack up.
Apparently Charlie didn't eat enough chocolate to make him sick and he has been fine all day. All that fuss for nothing. Despite our better judgment, we really love our dog.
I have been trying to leave him in the house more often, instead of outside, when I leave the house. I am pretty sure he likes it. I would venture to guess that his time at home alone consists of sleeping and staring at the front door willing me to come home. Except when I leave the pantry door open...
Last Wednesday I had to make a quick trip to Walmart to pick up some stuff for our upcoming ski trip. I was pretty tried and unwittingly left the pantry door open in my effort to get out the door. When I got home, Charlie was VERY happy to see me. And I mean more than usual. As I walked to the kitchen to plop the groceries down, I noticed shredded plastic in the dinning area. After further investigation, I realized that Charlie had gotten a hold of my white chocolate baking chips and eaten them ALL. There wasn't a single morsel left. All devoured by my 11 pound pup. I did a quick search on the internet to see if white chocolate was as fatal for dogs as brown chocolate was, and thankfully it isn't at all. Boy was he pleased with himself! All he did while I was cleaning up the plastic confetti was wag his tail and make that dog smile, you know what I am talking about. After a few hours I was pretty sure he regretted his actions because he was totally bloated and looked like he was very uncomfortable. He couldn't even jump into bed.
Then, last night, Chris was eating a chocolate bar and dropped some. Charlie is vigilant when it comes to Chris and I eating. He is fully prepared to catch anything that may fall from our hands or mouths. He is really fast. So when Chris dropped the chocolate, it was a lost cause. Shoot. Charlie didn't even chew, he just inhaled it. There was no way we could snatch it out of his mouth. So as any good dog owner, Chris stuck his finger down Charlies throat in an effort to make him puke it out. Charlie was a rock and barely gagged, even with Chris' entire hand wiggling in his throat. As soon as Chris removed his hand Charlie just ran around in a circle and made himself at home on Chris' lap. Great.
Did you know that if you have your dog drink salt water, they will puke. Neither did we, but we tried it after we read about it on the internet. But guess what. Charlie, the dog that will eat ANYTHING and drink ANYTHING wouldn't touch the salt water. What a jerk. Isn't that irony at it's best? I couldn't help but crack up.
Apparently Charlie didn't eat enough chocolate to make him sick and he has been fine all day. All that fuss for nothing. Despite our better judgment, we really love our dog.
Monday, January 18, 2010
As Promised
Meryl Streep was awarded a Golden Globe for her performance in Julie & Julia. I don't usually follow who gets awards and who doesn't, it's usually inconsequential to me. But for some reason I wanted Meryl Streep to win this one. While Chris and I were on our way home from a date last night, I heard on the radio that she was the winner. Even Chris said that she deserved it. Anyone who has watched a movie with her in it knows that she is a talented actress and she has received plenty of affirmation to that fact, but as I stated in a earlier post, there was something about Julie & Julia that really spoke to me.
Julia Childs was not able to have children. She was infertile. Even though the movie did not focus on that particular reality in her life, it was shown. To a woman who is going through the same journey, it spoke loud and clear to me. Really it was shown in very little ways, if you blink, you will miss it. Looking longingly at a baby in a pram passing her in a street. Trying to figure out what to do with all the time that she has. Trying to figure out what it is that she likes to do. Receiving a letter from her sister telling her that her sister is in fact pregnant and falling into tears, tears of joy, tears of grief. Even after she had worked 8 years on getting her cook book published only to be rejected by a publisher she looks at her husband and says "Was this just 8 years of me having something to do?"
I can relate. I am on a constant search for something to do, something that will delight me and give me joy even after a hard days work. I wonder if anyone in this situation finds that. Finds the thing that fills the void of being childless, that not only occupies your time, but gives you joy and a sense of accomplishment. Julia found joy in cooking. I like that
No to mention that her relationship with her husband was really something. They loved each other and were true to each other, even though their love was unable to produce life, they were passionate about each other. They were goofy too! I found this poem that her husband wrote for her on her birthday.
How delightful! How encouraging! A life and love not derailed by infertility. It's easy to feel like damaged property, like if your husband had know that you could not make a baby, he would have chosen someone else. Julia and Paul were madly in love and they had a great sex life. And by the grace of God, the same is true for Chris and I, and even though I have days that I feel otherwise, I know that Chris chose me for me, not because of my child bearing hips :). Infertility can shatter such things in a marriage. If you have never experienced it, you probably don't fully understand and I don't blame you, but to me, this is like a light at the end of a tunnel.
2009 was a year that was derailed by infertility. I was hopeless and frankly, terribly depressed. I believe that God thinks outside the box to get our attention or at least He has to with me. I was void of encouragement, no matter how many times I read about the life and faith of women in the Bible that were barren, no matter how many well meaning people tried to encourage me to "wait on God's timing". It took something like a movie about cooking to snap me out of a funk.
Thank you God for the life of Julia Childs.
Julia Childs was not able to have children. She was infertile. Even though the movie did not focus on that particular reality in her life, it was shown. To a woman who is going through the same journey, it spoke loud and clear to me. Really it was shown in very little ways, if you blink, you will miss it. Looking longingly at a baby in a pram passing her in a street. Trying to figure out what to do with all the time that she has. Trying to figure out what it is that she likes to do. Receiving a letter from her sister telling her that her sister is in fact pregnant and falling into tears, tears of joy, tears of grief. Even after she had worked 8 years on getting her cook book published only to be rejected by a publisher she looks at her husband and says "Was this just 8 years of me having something to do?"
I can relate. I am on a constant search for something to do, something that will delight me and give me joy even after a hard days work. I wonder if anyone in this situation finds that. Finds the thing that fills the void of being childless, that not only occupies your time, but gives you joy and a sense of accomplishment. Julia found joy in cooking. I like that
No to mention that her relationship with her husband was really something. They loved each other and were true to each other, even though their love was unable to produce life, they were passionate about each other. They were goofy too! I found this poem that her husband wrote for her on her birthday.
O Julia, Julia, cook and nifty wench,
Whose unsurpassed quenelles and hot souffles,
Whose English, Norse and German, and whose French,
Are all beyond my piteous powers to praise –
Whose sweetly rounded bottom and whose legs,
Whose gracious face, whose nature temperate,
Are only equaled by her scrambled eggs:
Accept from me, your ever-loving mate,
This acclamation shaped in fourteen lines
Whose inner truth belies its outer sight;
For never were there foods, nor were there wines
Whose flavor equals yours for sheer delight.
O luscious dish! O gustatory pleasure!
You satisfy my taste buds beyond measure.
How delightful! How encouraging! A life and love not derailed by infertility. It's easy to feel like damaged property, like if your husband had know that you could not make a baby, he would have chosen someone else. Julia and Paul were madly in love and they had a great sex life. And by the grace of God, the same is true for Chris and I, and even though I have days that I feel otherwise, I know that Chris chose me for me, not because of my child bearing hips :). Infertility can shatter such things in a marriage. If you have never experienced it, you probably don't fully understand and I don't blame you, but to me, this is like a light at the end of a tunnel.
2009 was a year that was derailed by infertility. I was hopeless and frankly, terribly depressed. I believe that God thinks outside the box to get our attention or at least He has to with me. I was void of encouragement, no matter how many times I read about the life and faith of women in the Bible that were barren, no matter how many well meaning people tried to encourage me to "wait on God's timing". It took something like a movie about cooking to snap me out of a funk.
Thank you God for the life of Julia Childs.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Snow in Southern New Mexico
It's snowing again (yes, I typed "again") here in good ol' Las Cruces. This is the THIRD time in the last month that we have had snow grace our desert ground. Desert snow really is different from all the other types of snow fall. The juxtaposition of snow and dry land is mesmerizing, at least to me. There is something so ironic about it, it almost makes it more beautiful, more majestic. I grew up here in New Mexico. As a native, you kind of expect to have mild temperature winters, perfect springs and falls, and a relatively uncomfortable summers. "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas" usually stays in the dream form. But this year, we have snow fall. It really is an amazing sight.
Charlie uses the snow as an excuse to sleep on the couch all day. Every once in awhile he will pop into the room that I am in to check on things, but other than that, he is sleeping. It really is kind of cute. When I have to put him outside to do his business, I have to lift him from his resting place and carry him to the door. During this time he is imitating a wet blanket, limp and unresponsive. Sometimes I wonder if he would prefer a catheter to having to go outside to potty. I am sure if it were possible to ask him his preference, he would hands down go for the catheter. He hates being outside.
I, on the other hand, use the snow as an excuse to drink coffee all day. Yes, all day. Have I ever told you that I love mugs. Well, I do. I feel like a morning will be much better if I get to drink a warm beverage from a fun/beautiful mug. At this very moment, I am enjoying Starbucks Christmas Blend from, what I like to call, my "prize mug". It's shaped like an upside down pear, is a beautiful brick red, and is the perfect shape for cold hands to fold around. Chris got it for me as a prize for making it through a long week at work. He's a good man.
In celebration of a snow day, I am going to make a pie. A cherry pie. My mom's tried and true recipe. Once, at a bake sale to help raise money to send me on a missions trip, my moms Cherry Pie brought in $800! Then the people who bought it, turned around and sold a single piece for $100. Needless to say, it's really good. Yum, pie! Speaking of which, I made a pretty stellar pie for Christmas, a Gingersnap Pumpkin Pie. That was good too. I will share the recipe if you want, but I am not going to type it out without a request...I know, lazy. Sorry, there is no way you will get the Cherry Pie recipe. I have been sworn to secrecy by my mother and to break her trust would reap catastrophic consequences. Just joking...but seriously, I can't.
Happy New Year. New year, new hope.
Look! The leaves are still green and they are covered with snow!!
Charlie uses the snow as an excuse to sleep on the couch all day. Every once in awhile he will pop into the room that I am in to check on things, but other than that, he is sleeping. It really is kind of cute. When I have to put him outside to do his business, I have to lift him from his resting place and carry him to the door. During this time he is imitating a wet blanket, limp and unresponsive. Sometimes I wonder if he would prefer a catheter to having to go outside to potty. I am sure if it were possible to ask him his preference, he would hands down go for the catheter. He hates being outside.
I, on the other hand, use the snow as an excuse to drink coffee all day. Yes, all day. Have I ever told you that I love mugs. Well, I do. I feel like a morning will be much better if I get to drink a warm beverage from a fun/beautiful mug. At this very moment, I am enjoying Starbucks Christmas Blend from, what I like to call, my "prize mug". It's shaped like an upside down pear, is a beautiful brick red, and is the perfect shape for cold hands to fold around. Chris got it for me as a prize for making it through a long week at work. He's a good man.
In celebration of a snow day, I am going to make a pie. A cherry pie. My mom's tried and true recipe. Once, at a bake sale to help raise money to send me on a missions trip, my moms Cherry Pie brought in $800! Then the people who bought it, turned around and sold a single piece for $100. Needless to say, it's really good. Yum, pie! Speaking of which, I made a pretty stellar pie for Christmas, a Gingersnap Pumpkin Pie. That was good too. I will share the recipe if you want, but I am not going to type it out without a request...I know, lazy. Sorry, there is no way you will get the Cherry Pie recipe. I have been sworn to secrecy by my mother and to break her trust would reap catastrophic consequences. Just joking...but seriously, I can't.
Happy New Year. New year, new hope.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Easy as frying an egg...
It's been awhile. Good to be back...I don't really know why I was gone, but I just was lacking the inspiration. I got it back!
Have you ever seen Julie & Julia? If not, you need to. It is a wonderful movie and one that I could totally relate to. I will tell you more about it after you have seen it. I don't want to ruin anything for you. With that said I will give you a few days and then I will continue on with my pontification of the film (I say this like there are so many people reading my blog, but, you never know).
I have I ever told you that I love to cook? Well, I do, I really do. I haven't really had enough energy to do a lot of it, so it is kind of a rare event for me to be able to get in the kitchen and produce something that wasn't previously prepared and frozen, then purchased out of the grocers freezer. With that confessed, the other day I was watching Rachael Ray (one of my faves!) and she was doing her "Whats for dinner" segment. She prepared a delicious looking "Steak and Eggs Ranchero" and I thought to myself "Self, you should make that. It doesn't look like a hard recipe." So I went to the store and got all the ingredients. I didn't get around to making it until a few days later, but here is how it went.
The general outline of the recipe is this: cook a few steaks, make a quick salsa and red chile sauce, fry a corn tortilla and a few eggs. Really not that complicated, but for some reason frying eggs is a very difficult task for me and in the process, I TOTALLY WRECKED the kitchen. There were dishes and splatters everywhere! And for some reason, my food processor was malfunctioning and it wasn't pureeing ANYTHING. When I turned it on, it created a lovely fountain of beef broth and ancho chile chunks. It's hard to make red chile sauce when you can't puree your ancho chile... Chris got home just in time to see the chaos ensue and graciously went to the office to wait for dinner to be finished and listen to me whoop and holler (picture the dad from "A Christmas Story"). Finally, he heard me announce that dinner was served and emerged from the office to see a messy kitchen, a frazzled wife, and a BEAUTIFUL plate of food (not to brag, but to kinda' brag, it looked very nice. Rachael herself would be proud). We sat down to eat and it tasted as good as it looked. I wish I took a picture.YUM! Here is the recipe. Watch out for those eggs, they can be tricky.
After all was said and done, I looked at Chris rather sheepishly and apologized for making such a mess. Just get how he responded, "What's the point in an awesome meal if the kitchen isn't a wreck? I'll clean." and continued to chow down. There are daily interactions with my husband that remind me why I love this wonderful man, but this one tops them all. I love my husband. Why? Plain and simple, he is profound without even knowing it.
Have you ever seen Julie & Julia? If not, you need to. It is a wonderful movie and one that I could totally relate to. I will tell you more about it after you have seen it. I don't want to ruin anything for you. With that said I will give you a few days and then I will continue on with my pontification of the film (I say this like there are so many people reading my blog, but, you never know).
I have I ever told you that I love to cook? Well, I do, I really do. I haven't really had enough energy to do a lot of it, so it is kind of a rare event for me to be able to get in the kitchen and produce something that wasn't previously prepared and frozen, then purchased out of the grocers freezer. With that confessed, the other day I was watching Rachael Ray (one of my faves!) and she was doing her "Whats for dinner" segment. She prepared a delicious looking "Steak and Eggs Ranchero" and I thought to myself "Self, you should make that. It doesn't look like a hard recipe." So I went to the store and got all the ingredients. I didn't get around to making it until a few days later, but here is how it went.
The general outline of the recipe is this: cook a few steaks, make a quick salsa and red chile sauce, fry a corn tortilla and a few eggs. Really not that complicated, but for some reason frying eggs is a very difficult task for me and in the process, I TOTALLY WRECKED the kitchen. There were dishes and splatters everywhere! And for some reason, my food processor was malfunctioning and it wasn't pureeing ANYTHING. When I turned it on, it created a lovely fountain of beef broth and ancho chile chunks. It's hard to make red chile sauce when you can't puree your ancho chile... Chris got home just in time to see the chaos ensue and graciously went to the office to wait for dinner to be finished and listen to me whoop and holler (picture the dad from "A Christmas Story"). Finally, he heard me announce that dinner was served and emerged from the office to see a messy kitchen, a frazzled wife, and a BEAUTIFUL plate of food (not to brag, but to kinda' brag, it looked very nice. Rachael herself would be proud). We sat down to eat and it tasted as good as it looked. I wish I took a picture.YUM! Here is the recipe. Watch out for those eggs, they can be tricky.
After all was said and done, I looked at Chris rather sheepishly and apologized for making such a mess. Just get how he responded, "What's the point in an awesome meal if the kitchen isn't a wreck? I'll clean." and continued to chow down. There are daily interactions with my husband that remind me why I love this wonderful man, but this one tops them all. I love my husband. Why? Plain and simple, he is profound without even knowing it.
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