wishful thinking.: November 2006

30 November, 2006

Thursday already, november 30th.

hm. now I have my days straight, I think. tonight, i had a "Slumber Party". nope, my friends did not sleep over. they came over, and laughed! it was a ladies-only party, with relationship-enhancing items. coo-ool. Do you have any idea how many uses there are for BATTERIES??? and can you even imagine how much fun it would be to own a LOVE SWING? They do exist...you hang it from an eye-bolt in your ceiling, and can take it down easily when not in use. which is good, because I have a house full of children who would find many other uses for it, I am sure. someday, I may get one!

I had the sweetest compliment...the gal hosting the party said that my house seemed incredibly peaceful for having 5 children. I plainly pointed out to her that the children were not HOME right then (ladies only, remember), and she said "No, no...it is just a...an atmosphere...of peace and calm" WOW - as there has been a fair amount of bickering between competitive boys lately. they ALL think they are right, and they all seem to think that a brother should do whatever is asked of him - immediately! I did not even have "peaceful" music playing...it was a Trans-Siberian Orchestra CD...with electric violins and cellos rocking it out to the carol of the bells. The only thing peaceful is the serene painting on the wall.

It was on my heart to make this just after we moved here, before I knew what I know now. The key thing I know now is that Jesus is not the same to mormons as He is to Christians. AND...the cross is typically offensive. can you believe it? I have a quote written in some notes from a sermon I heard once, that reads, "Until Jesus' death on the cross is personal to you, you are not truly saved". I think that very statement made me want to paint such a scene. Ben and I researched the crucifixion, and how it was traditionally performed - which produced what you see here. The crown of thorns on the ground is the reminder of what Christ left behind, and namely, that He is alive and OFF of that cross! Now, when mormon believers walk into my home, that piece of art is the first thing they see. and, they know immediately - "this family is strange". (Or at least not mormon!) And I think it lends a presence of reverence to our home, or at best, the living room. not sure if it affects the laundry room, but that is another blog entry for another day! so...all the fuss over having company for a ladies-only party was completely worth it when I heard that...peace in my home. never mind the fun cream I got as a reward!!! which, btw, you all should try. please email me for details!!

so, I guess I can rest well knowing that I have made a difference. When I heard her comment, I felt like I should say "It is Jesus' presence here", but the words did not come. I was bothered by that and was sharing with Ben later, but he said "Sometimes you do not need words, and sometimes, they might just make you seem weird. sometimes, a peaceful presence is enough. At least if they find that they need peace, they now know where to come to find it."

I hope they do.

29 November, 2006

tuesday, nov. 29.

hm. now it is tuesday. not a whole lot more on my mind...not sure why some kids need to pick on other kids. they just do - guess it is to make themselves feel better, but still!!!!

i need to start wrapping some gifts, to torture the kids who ask daily if they can open presents EARLY. it is not quite december yet.

my brother suggested today that our OTHER brother, who is expecting his first sweet baby next summer, NAME that baby Oliver. with a middle name of Kloezoff. yep. I think nobody liked my suggestion of Herald. Probably because we have an unusual relative named Harold - who has the same last name that the baby would have - guess that would be kind of mean. I think i am now on a search for unusual names, so I can suggest them to micah. i am sure he wants to hear them. please let me know if you think of any!!

RECIPES

Chicken Spring Rolls 1 package spring roll papers. 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded. 1/2 head cabbage, chopped fine. 2 large carrots, shredded. 1 handful fresh, chopped spinach. 1 T chicken soup base. 2 T soy sauce. 1 T brown sugar. 2 T hot asian mustard. 2 T Red or rice wine vinegar. 3 cloves crushed garlic. 3 T finely chopped onion. 2 t creamy peanut butter. 2 t chili powder. Vegetable or peanut oil heated to 400 degrees, about 1 1/2 inches deep. Cook the chicken in liquid, preferably with some soup base, garlic, and soy sauce, until it falls apart easily. this can be done a day or two ahead and kept in fridge. Reserve 3/4 cup of liquid. Chop all veggies quite fine, shred carrots with food processor or on large cheese grater, and cook along with chicken and all seasonings/spices for 5-6 minutes over high heat - until all are just tender. place a shallow plate or bowl in the bottom of your sink, and fill with hot water. Run spring roll papers through the water for 6-10 seconds just until pliable. Place 2-3T of meat/veggie filling onto paper, just below center. fold bottom up onto mound of filling, then the two sides in, the roll it up to the top, setting aside to dry a bit. Continue with remaining papers and filling...you will probably have papers left over. Fry in oil for 3 minutes on first side, turn, 2 minutes on second side. transfer to paper towel-lined plate, allow to cool a bit and serve warm with your favorite sweet and sour sauce. Enjoy!

Chicken Curry ~ serves 10 ~ 3 Chicken breasts 3 cups long-grain brown rice, cooked (see below) 1 can coconut milk'; return true;" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 3px double; TEXT-DECORATION: none" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;" href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=coconut%20milk">coconut milk Curry seasoning Orange juice concentrate Onion powder Lemon pepper Cayenne pepper Turmeric Dried basil Chicken soup base Salt, to taste Fresh spinach Cook rice with 1 T curry powder, generous dash of lemon pepper, ground black pepper, and water - to desired texture. Meanwhile, slowly cook chicken breasts in large pot with 2 cups of water, 1 can coconut milk, 2 T curry powder, 2 t turmeric, 2 T dried basil - crushed in palm of hand, 2 T frozen orange juice concentrate, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook the chicken thoroughly, and shred or cut into bite-size chunks. Add cooked rice to pot, and cook in liquid from chicken, adding 1-2 cups of water with 2T soup base if needed. more water and soup base would make it a soup, and we like it that way as well. Sprinkle on generous helping of ground cayenne pepper - to taste. Just before serving, stir in 2 large handful of finely chopped fresh spinach, serve with garlic bread.

SOFT GINGER COOOKIES makes 30 or so cookies 3/4 c shortening 1 c sugar 1 egg 1/4 c molasses 2 tsp. ground ginger 1 tsp. baking soda'; return true;" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 3px double; TEXT-DECORATION: none" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;" href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=baking%20soda">baking soda'; return true;" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 3px double; TEXT-DECORATION: none" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;" href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=baking%20soda">baking soda 3/4 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp cloves 1/4 tsp salt 2 1/4 cups flour 1/4 c sugar Blend shortening and sugar together til creamy, then add in other ingredients one at a time. The dough should be at a consistency that you can roll with your hands into balls. If your home is humid, you may need to add more flour. Roll into 1 inch balls, then roll the balls in sugar. Place cookes 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8-11 minutes. Do not brown! The cookies should be almost underbaked in the middle. Let, cool 2 minutes and transfer to a cooling rack. Store in cookie tins. they stay nice and soft!

BRUSCHETTA serve with sliced baguette 1 loaf Italian bread, cut into 1/2-inch slices4 cloves garlic, sliced in half 1/3 cup olive oil 1/8 cup chopped fresh basil or 1/2 tsp. dried 4-5 medium, ripe tomatoes, peeled, coarsely chopped and drained in a strainer for 20 min. pinch of freshly ground black pepper freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired Directions:Combine oil, basil and pepper in a large bowl and whisk together. Add drained tomatoes to the dressing and toss to coat. Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes, maybe 30. Toast bread slices on both sides under the broiler. When toasted, rub the cut side of the garlic on the top of each slice. Top each with some of the tomato mixture. You may serve this now or, if desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and return to the broiler until it melts...it doesn't take long. (This is also good with freshly-baked warm baguette - not toasted!

CHEESEBALL 1 8-ox block Cream Cheese 1 - 1 1/2 lbs. sharp cheddar cheese 3 T worcestershire sauce 3 T minced onion 3 cloves crushed garlic 1 T lemon pepper seasoning 1/2 t. liquid smoke or smoke flavoring generous! dusting cayenne pepper Mix all together well, turn out of bowl onto saran wrap. Place another shet of wrap on top, and mold like play-dough into any shape you can imagine. Christmas trees are pretty in an upright cone or a flat triangle at Christmas time...press on dried bay leave, basil, parsley or cilantro all around to make it green. Chopped pimientos pressed in at random resemble Christmas balls. I have also made a little baby carriage'; return true;" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 3px double; TEXT-DECORATION: none" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;" href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=baby%20carriage">baby carriage, with a slice of thin corned beef hanging over the edge as a "blanket". Or, a ball with grooves pressed into the side with a knife and some clean silk ivy leaves tucked into a deep indentaion in the top to make a pumpkin. A heart coated with paprika is cute for Valentine's Day. and, you can make the shape of anyone's initial on a platter for their b-day or other special occasion.

wishful thinking.

30 November, 2006

Thursday already, november 30th.

29 November, 2006

tuesday, nov. 29.

28 November, 2006

DAY ONE.

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