Cookies, lists and common sense

December 21, 2013 10 Comments

Chocolate peppermint cookies

Today has been a beautiful day in Southwest Florida but I have spent almost all of it inside, with the air conditioner cranked up and Christmas carols on. I spent the day baking and making fudge, then allowed myself to take the time to deliver some to an elderly couple I haven’t seen in a while. My first thought was, “I’ll quickly drop it off, so I can deliver others and get back home”. Then, I thought about it some more and said to myself, “No, you will stop and breathe and relax and visit with them because you never take the time to do that anymore”.

I made up my mind that the days preceding Christmas were not going to be stressful this year, and that I would approach it differently . Instead of having unending lists and must-dos because I have to, I decided to take it one day at a time, to do what I can and if something doesn’t get done, so what? Seriously, what’s going to happen if I don’t have all the shopping done by December 20th or I forget to buy all the ingredients for mom’s red velvet cake? Nothing, that’s what.

If I forgot to make half of what I’m responsible for, our family would still have enough food left over to feed another family for a week. And, if lo and behold that one gift I ordered online for my youngest doesn’t come in? Well, then she will live and have a nice surprise a few days late.

I’ve come to the conclusion that we need to all step back and think about WHY we do some of the things we do. Sometimes it seems we’re like hamsters stuck on the treadmill, running ourselves ragged, without accomplishing much. Although I love traditions, if they become rote robotic type activities, they lose their significance and might as well be abolished. What if you just make up a brand new tradition that fits your family?

Yesterday, I went to town to do some of my shopping and had it on my list to pick up poinsettias because I have an empty vase sitting here. I also had two more pages of neatly penned items to do. However, when I noticed my stress level beginning to climb and felt my allergy ridden body begin to tire, I came home. No poinsettias and the list is missing many check marks. I don’t care. No one even knows and wouldn’t know now if I weren’t telling.

That’s my point, I guess. We put ourselves under so much pressure to achieve self-inflicted goals that serve to prove what? That we are exhausted and snappy and stressed?

This attitude is quite the departure from the norm for me as I even say sometimes, “I thrive on chaos”, or “I work better under pressure”. Don’t misunderstand, I believe in responsibility and I take my obligations very seriously. The problem that I’ve always had to contend with is that I over extend myself and give myself way too many “imagined obligations”.

Thankfully, I’ve finally learned my family wants my love and attention more than anything. When we grasp that, the things like baking are actually fun and relaxing. I didn’t set a goal for how many cookies I had to bake and how many people had to receive theirs today…I just baked and danced around my kitchen singing Christmas carols and texted pictures of cookies to family members. It was fun. I’m having fun a few days before Christmas!

As I write this, there are presents to be wrapped and a craft project left abandoned. I will get around to wrapping the presents, but the craft project can wait until next year. My house is clean, decorated and smells like cookies and peppermint. I think we will all live if I fail to make one more decoration, especially if that means I have more time to enjoy my family.

Merry Christmas!

“Memories are the treasures that we keep locked deep within the storehouse of our souls, to keep our hearts warm when we are lonely.” Becky Aligada

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: Baking, Christmas, Cookie, Family, Holiday, Poinsettia, Red velvet cake, Southwest Florida

Glimmer, don’t Gripe

December 19, 2013 5 Comments

christmas lights (Photo credit: harold.lloyd)

While we dream of a White Christmas, children in a dusty street dream of shoes to wear

While we stuff the turkey and then our bellies, many are digging through garbage for dinner

While we share enchanted kisses under the mistletoe, someone somewhere is suffering violence at the hands of a loved one

As we carefully wrap gifts in shiny paper a laid off dad unwraps an envelope containing a bill he can’t pay

As we go caroling and attend plays and parties, the old man down the street cries tears of loneliness, feeling abandoned

While we fill our spare bedrooms and pull out couches with family and friends, a single mom and her children sleep in the street

And as we deck the halls and our homes with sparkling lights, many are searching for just a glimmer of hope

I write all this, not to upset anyone, or make anyone feel guilty for enjoying your Christmas and family. ENJOY your family, really take the time to enjoy each and every one of them! Look into their eyes when they are speaking, pay attention and show your love abundantly. If you are among the blessed, be thankful for your blessings and don’t you dare complain!

Be the glimmer of hope for someone, whether you think they deserve your attention or not. After all, when we think about the true meaning of Christmas, isn’t it about a gift of love we didn’t deserve? Don’t let anyone on your street be hungry, hopeless or lonely this Christmas season. If we all do that, think of what we would accomplish!

Filed Under: Family and Home, Inspirational Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas lights, Holiday, Religious, True meaning of Christmas

The lost laces

December 18, 2013 7 Comments

Shoe lace on a sneaker (Photo credit: MoHotta18)

I began writing this on November 27, 2013 and about two paragraphs in, I got a phone call that my beloved Granny starring in this little story had gone home to heaven. If you are a follower, you will know I have many posts starring the precious, Granny. I hope you enjoy this one!

Granny lived in the yellow house across from the K-12 school I attended during my elementary years. Words would not begin to express the comfort that was derived from knowing she was so close, knowing that while I studied, she was in her rocking chair with the bible open on her lap, or visiting with one of her many friends, or maybe even baking my favorite chocolate pie.

One day in particular brings back another memory of a day Granny single-handedly turned my grey skies to blue. It was a school day and on that day, I had P.E. as we called it back then, for physical education. This meant I had to bring and wear the required hideous uniform which consisted of blue loose legged shorts which made my bony legs even more apparent, a white t-shirt, tennis shoes and white socks. P.E. went well as far as I recall, except for Tommy calling me chicken legs, which always got him into trouble and upset me far more than I let on.

Afterwards, for some reason that eludes me, several of us had not only removed our shoes, but our laces as well. When it was time to change and go back to class, I discovered that my laces were nowhere to be found. This distressed me greatly and in retrospect, I have no idea why, but it provoked me to tears. Granted, I was well known for losing or misplacing things and I was horrified at the idea of admitting that I had done it again. This was also during a time in our lives when money was tight and I didn’t want to be the reason for another expense, albeit a small one, so perhaps this contributed to my extreme dismay.

I vaguely remember making my way to the office, with one thing on my mind and that was to call my granny. I dialed her number on the rotary phone and when that beloved voice answered, I whispered my dilemma to her looking away from the eyes peering at me from across the counter. Granny told me to come right over after school and not to worry about a thing.

So, when school was out, instead of boarding the hot, smelly school bus, I ran across the street to granny’s house.

After making sure I was well fed and hydrated, Granny and I left for the local hardware store. We lived in such a small town, I remember doubting we would be successful in our quest. Granny swung open the door and I followed as it chimed a greeting to us and announced to the proprietor there were customers. She marched straight up to the counter and asked for white shoe laces, without even mentioning my name, bless her heart. And lo and behold, they had some.

Granny paid and we waited for the little brown paper bag holding the laces to be passed across the counter. I gushed with relief and thankfulness and Granny just smiled and hugged me tightly to her.

Now, I don’t know all of the details and never did ask, but my mother showed up later that afternoon to pick me up and not a word was uttered about missed school buses or missing laces.

My heart still swells with love and gratitude when I remember how granny always made me feel like I was the most important person in the entire world. It’s funny because if you ask my siblings or my cousins they would tell you the same thing. She loved us all and made each of us feel like number one without slighting anyone. Tonight I’m feeling very blessed and thankful for her highly valued presence in my life once again.

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: elementary age, Family, grandparent, Granny, Home, love, Shoelaces, siblings

Weekly Writing Challenge: Collecting Details

December 17, 2013 11 Comments

The weekly challenge was to remember three details from your day or week and write at least a paragraph containing them. This is my take on the challenge.

The endless blue sky was abundant with birds making the south their home for now and the mild, dry temperature, made it a perfectly beautiful day for a walk.

I slowed my pace and glanced backward as I heard the rumbling of a car in the distance behind me. My tennis shoes made crunching sounds in the gravel as they left the smooth black pavement to let the car pass. As the car slowed, and inched closer, I could hear the country music flowing from the radio, and as it closed the distance I could smell the smoke billowing out of the driver side window before I could see it. When it was parallel with me, it became apparent that I could have reached out and wrote words in the dirt on it’s red paint job, but of course I refrained.

I passed the house on the corner with the always well manicured lawn and the smell of something wonderful tempted me. I wondered if the couple who live there were enjoying their lunch together, as much as the doves were enjoying their bird feeder. Not a quarter of a mile later, the smell of low tide assailed my nostrils as I passed the canals and creeks along my route. The fiddler crabs hurriedly retreated to their muddy, watery refuge as they realized an intruder in the midst.

All too soon, it was time to turn around and head back home, so as not to overstay my lunch break. This brief repose from work rejuvenates me and strengthens my resolve to face the rest of the day. The time spent on meditation on thankfulness, in prayer and yes even in song, in the midst of God’s glorious creation, soothes me. I can forgive the intrusion of the cars rushing by, because they remind me I’m not stuck inside, at least not for a few moments.

Weekly Writing Challenge: Collecting Detail (dailypost.wordpress.com)
Weekly Writing Challenge: Collecting Detail (blogsondamove.wordpress.com)
One Hundred Miles: Collecting Detail (suzie81.wordpress.com)
Weekly Writing Challenge: Collecting Detail (taciturnalchemy.wordpress.com)
Weekly Writing Challenge: Collecting Detail (aliefiamalik.wordpress.com)
Weekly Writing Challenge: Collecting Detail (paytonswritingawaytheday.wordpress.com)
Weekly Photo Challenge: Escape (Reading while travelling) (chrisbreebaart.wordpress.com)
Weekly Writing Challenge: Collecting Detail (brightlyimagined.wordpress.com)

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: Bird, Creative writing, fiddler crabs, long walks, Walking

Oh Christmas tree, MY Christmas tree

December 8, 2013 10 Comments

Christmas 2013

This Christmas is a first of sorts for my husband and I. December 25, 2013 will be our first Christmas as empty nesters.

Don’t worry; this post isn’t going to be a sappy one lamenting a dismally quiet household and no one to wake up with us on Christmas morning. Although we are disappointed that our eldest can’t make it home this year with our only grandchild, we will have our youngest and her husband here for the holidays.

With all of the ornaments laid out on the kitchen table this year, I made a decision. I was going to split them and ship them! I painstakingly and with absolute fairness, separated them into two large flat rate postal boxes. I wrapped them using bubble wrap and tissue paper and one Christmas dish towel (a little extra). One of the boxes is on it’s way to Louisiana while the other heads for Texas. Why, you might ask? Well, I decided I had a couple of choices. I could hoard them all and continue to have the same old tree year after year, or I could send them each a little piece of home, while also helping these young couples build up their Christmas decoration stock. Why keep them until I’m old and grey? (wait, I’m already grey without color every six weeks) – anyway, I figured I would let them enjoy them and have memories of home hanging from their trees.

What was in it for me? To be honest, as I packed all the cute, kiddie looking ornaments, I was dreaming of a tree similar to one I’d encountered on Pinterest, with a woodland animal theme. You might think I’m not sentimental enough and that I should be pining for the ornament that a 6yr old made in art class. Well, I did keep a couple that were made by their own little hands. However, not for my tree; just for the memory. I much prefer the memories of spending time with them and our conversations and laughter to things.

I marched right to Kohl’s the following day where I had already eyed the ornaments I liked and filled up a basket with owls, foxes, cardinals and others that would match my theme; Then it was off to Target and then Family Christian Store for more tree decorations. I turned on Christmas carols, turned down the A.C. (yes, good old south FL weather) and began. A couple hours later I stepped back, pleased and beamed when my husband said it was beautiful.

As families grow and change, a new tradition or a new twist on an old tradition helps to move us forward. I have beautiful memories with my children decorating and them picking out an ornament every year, but they don’t live here anymore and this tree makes me happy. It let me pour out some creativity and refresh an old theme. We can’t dwell on the past and the way things were. Things and people change and we can’t allow ourselves to get bogged down in the yesterdays and how things used to be. We grow, people pass on, family members move, more members are added.

If you find yourself in a new season in life, make a change, do something different, something new and enjoy it!

I am reminded of a similar post called “Gone are the matching bows” that I wrote at a different time in my life last year about Christmas trees and letting them be for the children; you can click on the link below to check it out.

https://longwalksanddarkchocolate.com/2012/11/28/gone-are-the-matching-bows/

Burlap & Memories: Rustic Christmas Tree (lilsuburbanhomestead.com)
The Tree Is Up (karenrossepp.wordpress.com)
ugly sweater ornaments (raesdays.com)

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas tree, Family, Pinterest, Texas, Tree

Christmas threads

December 7, 2013 6 Comments

“Ma’am, may I ask you a question?” The persistent young lady clutching a tube of sea salt, something or other, actually matched my steps for a few seconds as I hurried past the mid-mall vendor. After my “no thank you” didn’t faze her tenacity, I tried “No thank, you I’m not interested” in a more serious tone. When that also failed to weaken her resolve, I decided to just pick up my pace and ignore her. She was intent on making a sale but I was determined to escape.

Moments later, I settled into a seat with my lunch to take a break and re-group. I found myself feeling angry. Why should my leisurely trip to the mall be interrupted by an incident that left me feeling like I’d done something wrong? I don’t like to use my firm tone of voice and I certainly don’t like to ignore people. My day begins with a prayer to show love to others, not return rudeness.

Determined not to lose my joy, I let it go, adamant in my desire to shine a little brighter for the remainder of my day.

I begin to recall memories of Christmas shopping in this very mall with my mom, my husband, my mother in law, my girls and many friends. Some of them are no longer here, but I can meander through the memories and find the moments and share them again.

The heart of Christmas for me lies in my Christian roots; the reality of the gift given to the entire world on that Christmas long ago. When we celebrate Christmas, it’s based on that love and although December can be hurried and harried, that is where the focus must remain.

As I began to look around a few stops later, I noticed the exuberant face of a little boy as he carefully selected ornaments with his mother. She spoke softly to him, love and tenderness in her voice. They were both young and creating “moments” together to be cherished for years to come.

I rounded the aisle and saw what appeared to be a family, according to their similarities in look. There was an elderly woman in a wheelchair, being pushed by a younger woman, who could have been her daughter. I paused to let them pass and they smiled in thanks. Directly in pursuit of them was a younger woman, who was very noticeably pregnant. I wondered if I was perhaps looking at four generations (one still in the oven). They made me smile as they laughed and joked about who was “bringing up the rear”, obviously enjoying each other immensely.

We have to remember during all the hustle and bustle of the season to cherish one another and to savor moments and make memories. Every moment, every event, be it large or small is like a thread, which when woven together with love, create a beautiful garment of memories, that can be thrown around our shoulders to embrace and comfort us time and time again.

And that reminds me of the comforting love of the Father – Have a blessed day and cherish those moments!

Christmas IS in the Air (silviayg.wordpress.com)
Fa-la-la-la-lineman’s first family Christmas… (thelovelylittlelinewife.com)
The Weekend Dish-Christmas Quiz (backyardsisters.com)

Filed Under: Family and Home, Inspirational Tagged With: Christian, Christmas, Christmas tree, Decorations, Family, Holidays, love, memories, moments, Opinions, Shopping

Grateful always

November 28, 2013 Leave a Comment

The sun will soon rise, on this Thanksgiving Day

I’m up with my coffee, to read and to pray

The oven is buzzing, time to take out the yams

Next on my list, replace them with the ham

Ham is now cooking, time to start fudge

On Mom’s recipe card, an old chocolate smudge

This makes me smile and happy memories recall

Family cooking, playing, laughing and having a ball

The fudge turns out nicely, you never can tell

About half the time, my fudge is a fail

My phone begins ringing, my girls on the line

They will be missed this year, those daughters of mine

Topping fudge with pecans and peeking through oven door

My fuzzy socks dancing on my kitchen floor

Dancing with joy, Macy’s parade on t.v.

For all this and more, I am thankful you see

Green bean casserole is next and then my part is done

Then, it’s off to my sisters for more family and fun

This day a reminder to show gratitude always

Every day of the year, not just on Thanksgiving day

Filed Under: Family and Home, Poetry Tagged With: Children and Youth, Family, food, fun, Holiday, Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade, poetry, Thanksgiving

Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving

November 28, 2013 Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: chocolate, food, food preparation, fudge, Happy Thanksgiving, Holiday, sweet potato

A year of blogging

November 21, 2013 12 Comments

Happy Anniversary to me! Today is November 21, 2013 and it was exactly one year ago today on an evening much like this one after church that I started my blog. It read:

I’ve been contemplating starting a blog for a very long time. It’s been easy to put it off because I lead a busy life, but today I decided it’s now or never. Procrastination isn’t going to win the battle this time. The hardest part is deciding the “one” thing I’m most interested in, or what genre my blogging will represent. I can’t do that. So, I decided that this will be a mixture of interests, a conglomeration if you will.

Since this is my first ever entry, I will strive to keep it short and sweet and then let my eldest daughter know it’s done, so I can quickly obtain my first follower.

Something is changing and it isn’t just the weather. My interests are and somewhat dramatically at that! Whereas I used to loathe all things crafty, I found myself in Michael’s on Saturday searching for felt, buttons and ric rac. My mantra was always, “Why make it when you can buy it?” But now, laid out on my dining table in all it’s glory are the materials for my newest project; making these cute little felt owl ornaments I found on Pinterest.

Stroll a few feet further and you will find the kitchen. This used to be a place I barely tolerated. The greatest thing about it was that it housed my coffeepot and that of course is essential. Now, I have recipes galore, new ingredients in my pantry that I’ve only just learned existed and I have a desire for new cookware, bake-ware and am seriously contemplating buying one of those expensive mixers.

My hope is that this journey deep into the heart of middle age (or am I already there?) will prove enlightening at the very least. Hope you will join me!

My hope was to bring encouragement, smiles and yes, even the occasional tear to the eyes of my followers. You see, if I could accomplish this, it would prove to me that my writing could move people.

My eldest daughter has been brutally honest with me. If a post was lacking in emotion, content, creativity or purpose, I have been able to count on her to tell me. Thank you Ashley!

I’ve met new friends and gained much insight from fellow bloggers. They have been very helpful and willing to share knowledge of writing, technology or whatever assistance I needed.

For those of you who read or share my posts, visit my facebook page regularly and shower me with input and encouragement, I am sincerely thankful.

I look forward to continuing on this journey and hopefully make strides in my goal to write that book and be published!

Thank you and God Bless!

Lisa

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: anniversary, blogging, encouragement, People, thanks

An empty suitcase

November 8, 2013 5 Comments

Empty Suitcase (I) (Lomo) (Photo credit: roeyahram)

As I try to think of anything I can possibly do to avoid packing, I find myself here; sitting cross-legged in my comfortable chair with my notebook and pen poised and ready. I might as well jot down my thoughts.

I get loopy in the 24 hours before I travel. Call it travel anxiety I guess, although I’m not afraid to fly. My mind just will not focus and I flit around from task to task getting very little accomplished. I know that I will go to bed tonight with nothing done except perhaps some jeans thrown in the suitcase, or that book I must have on the plane stuffed into my purse.

In the morning, I will calculate and re-calculate how many more hours until I have to leave for the airport and when the count is down to around two, I will go into beast mode and get everything done with time to spare. I have always done this. The length of the trip, where I am going or who I am going with doesn’t seem to matter.

Since I am not a procrastinator normally, this odd behavior on my part puzzles me. The only explanation I can come up with is that somewhere deep down inside, maybe I wonder if I will really end up going so I wait until the last minute. That doesn’t feel like the answer, but what else could it be?

My family doesn’t understand me and I have one aunt in particular who starts preparing for a trip sometimes weeks in advance.

If you have any ideas, please feel free to share. Why would a normally focused, planner-type individual put themselves through this?

Excuse me, while I go do anything but prepare for my journey.