Flu, Schmu!

The Spaghetti Cook-off was Called-off due to a mysterious flu reportedly afflicting a main contender.

The word on the streets is, the competition was too daunting*.

;-)

*daunting: (adjective) seeming difficult to deal with in anticipation; intimidating.

My Patriotic ExPatriate

What do they say?

"You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy."

It's our JOB to spoil him!!

Uncle Dan showing Caleb one of Papa Rick's blender lamps.

Breakfast this morning. Bacon, scrambled eggs, and his mom's homemade pancakes.

He doesn't know it's not Christmas yet ;-)

Is it Ramadan or Hanukkah or Christmas?

I'm don't mind "Happy Holidays" when it's wished in a general sense, and you're not sure which holiday someone celebrates.

But, this nonsense goes too far when it's December 18th, and Hanukkah and Ramadan are now behind us.

I received emails this morning from Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Borders, ToysRUs, etc., letting me know that if I order TODAY, I can get my delivery "in time for the Holidays". So, why don't they just say, "in time for Christmas"? Are there people that actually order ahead in December 2007 for Ramadan and Hanukkah 2008?

And, are the post office and your bank closed for the "Holiday"? Or are they closed for "Christmas"?

Why is everyone afraid to say, "Merry Christmas!!"?

A Christmas Essay

This essay was written by an acquaintance whom I greatly admire, Pamela LaChapell. She has inspired me as a stepmother and as a Christian. I invite you to read it. I've started the article here, and continued it in the comment section...

What Do You Want For Christmas?

Have you ever poured your heart and soul into a gift? Perhaps you searched and searched for just the right gift for a special person. Or maybe you spent hours creating it yourself, adding lots of TLC along the way. Your mind conjured up images of the delight on the recipient’s face as she would unwrap your labor of love. The moment you have been anxiously waiting for finally arrives. Your camera is fixed on her face, so determined are you to capture the grand moment on film. But wait... something’s wrong. Her reaction is not at all what you anticipated. Perhaps she doesn’t appreciate the immense effort you put into this gift, or the price you paid, or maybe she just didn’t grasp the significance of your gift to her. You feel dejected at her indifference. (continued in comment section)

ATWIEJB

And The Winner Is Elizabeth Joy B----------

The final vote for winner in the Word Verification Game was Lori (1), Jessica (2), Rebecca (5) and Elizabeth (7). I've got the $10 Starbucks gift card all ready to present to her.

TWALOF (That was a lot of fun!)

Brevity

I am embarrassed to admit that I am old enough to remember WESTERN UNION telegrams. In fact, for a short time, I worked for a company that sent and received telegrams.

Telegrams were paid for by the word. The trick was to make your telegram say what you wanted it to say in as few words as possible.

Today, while text messaging (on my cell phone, for those who might not actually be functioning in the 21st century) back and forth with my niece and later my daughter, it struck me that things haven't changed all that much in 30 years. True, we don't pay for text messaging by the word, but it's still a challenge to say what you want it to say in as few words as possible!

"ruok? i'm gr8. cu l8tr"

TTFN! ;-)

Exercise Your Right to VOTE!

Take time to review the entries in the Word Verification Game. Then, please vote (at the left) for the Most Creative Person. The winner on December 15th will receive a $10 Starbucks card!


You don't have to have played to vote; the more voters the better! But, no "stuffin' the ballot box"! One vote per person, please... Oh, and you can vote for yourself. No one will know.

=D

It's OFFICIAL!

The people have spoken.



69% is the majority. If you want to play the Exchange Game at the C****/T**** Reunion, bring a WRAPPED, UNTAGGED (neither "to" nor "from") REAL (not gag) gift worth about $15.00.

Christmas Brunch Preview

Every year for many years, our tradition has been to have Christmas Breakfast. I make nutmeg muffins from scratch (with FRESH nutmeg), scrambled eggs, premium bacon, and orange juice.

This year, we are so excited that Caleb, Dave, Debbie and their twin sons Charlie and Greg will join us, as well as Caleb, Mom, Harry and Aunt Lynn, and of course Caleb, Elizabeth, Daniel, Josh, Rebecca and Caleb, and hopefully Parker (did I mention Caleb?).

And, in place of the scrambled eggs and bacon, I'm trying a new recipe! Actually, I had it many years ago at an office party. I remember it was fabulous. What appeals to me is that you make it ahead, freeze it, and bake it when you need it. This frees me up for Christmas morning, since I plan to play with Caleb and his new toys from Gram and Papa! =D

Here it is...

CHARLOTTE'S* BAKED EGGS

6 bread slices, cut in cubes
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (Hilmar Cheese is the best!)
1 cup smoked, cubed ham
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
6 eggs
3 cups milk

Mix bread, cheese, ham, peppers and onion. Spread in a 13X9 baking dish, treated with Pam. Whisk eggs and milk, pour over the top. Cover with foil and freeze.

To prepare: Thaw and bake uncovered in a pre-heated 375 degree oven for 45 mins. Serve topped with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.

Makes 8-10 servings.

Variations:
French bread; cooked, crumbled bacon or Canadian bacon.

*in memory of Charlotte Boyd, the amazing lady who hosted a Christmas breakfast for our whole office of about 30 people, and passed away shortly thereafter from breast cancer. Rest in peace with Jesus, Charlotte!

Speaking of Word Games...

Have some fun and feed someone!
=o
=p
=)

Made Me Laugh

So, is this the door for impetuous, reckless people to enter the building?

(Saw this outside a pediatrics office at my medical building)

JUMP TO: Family Spaghetti Reunion

The original post is getting buried. Jump here to the latest comments! =D
not2bright: Family Spaghetti Reunion

Comments on the Therapeutic Word Verification Game

Remember, kids! Only game entries on the previous post. If you're not playing, but have some opinions, make your comments HERE!

Therapeutic Word Verification Game!

Channel your frustration into something good for your brain. =O

Here's how to play.

Go to the "comments" link at the bottom of this post.

Take the verification letters at the end of the box ahead of you, and make (an) intelligible, even if silly, sentence(s) out of it. (Please, keep your sentences family-friendly. And don't enter a comment unless you are actually playing.)

Then, transfer the word verification letters you have to type to enter your comment, leaving them in your comment for the next person. (See my leading entry...)

You can play as many times as you want! Just not twice in a row (keeps it honest).

On December 7, I'll put a poll here with the names of all participants, and anyone who wishes can vote for the most creative commenter! (Yours Truly will be exempt.) I'll snail-mail a $10 Starbucks card to the winner!

Eat Your Vegetables and Be Thankful!

Did you know Pumpkin is a healthy vegetable?

If you're into nutrition, that fact will ease your mind when you bake these absolutely delicious

Pumpkin Bars

1 cup vegetable oil (I use light olive oil)
2 cups pumpkin (1 small can)
3 eggs
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsps. cinnamon
2 tsps. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and blend thoroughly by hand or with a mixer. Pour into a greased and floured jelly roll pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 mins.

Cool and top with

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar
7 tsps. melted butter

And you thought vegetables were boring! =D

Giving Thanks

Yvette showed up on my doorstep this afternoon with a gift from Rebecca. Before she left for Singapore, Rebecca made arrangements with her to store a few gifts, and have them delivered when appropriate.

The first one, in August, was a fired ceramic plate for my birthday. It is bright and colorful, adorned with a happy butterfly made from Caleb's footprints!

Today's delivery was a Thanksgiving plate, with Caleb's precious little hand print making a turkey... Although it won't be the same this year without them here, Thanksgiving will seem a little less lonely.

I am so thankful for my beautiful, thoughtful daughter!

Family Spaghetti Reunion

Sunday, December 30th, 2 PM

This won't be interesting to you unless you are a family member. But if you are one of the C---k/T---x clan, read on!

Sunday, December 30 at 2 PM we're all getting together (as many as can) for The Great Spaghetti "I Can't Believe I Ate The Whole Thing!" Cook-Off Challenge. It will be in R-------e, at Barbara's. We're expecting ABOUT 30 people, counting the small fries.

This is the place to post info, sign up to bring food, make suggestions, and just generally "meet" until we meet in person then.

(A word to the wise... please don't post any clearly identifying information such as last names, addresses, etc. We don't want any party crashers!)

~~~

Here's what we know, so far:

The Matriarch is making her famous sauce (I've asked her to write down the recipe as she goes, so we can all replicate it in our own kitchens) and meatballs.

Lori is challenging The Matriarch by bringing her sauce.

Not to be outdone, The Patriarch, is offering his sauce, and challenging a blind-taste test.

We are hoping Debbie brings her meatballs.

Jessica is bringing the spaghetti (pasta).

Elizabeth will bring in the grated Parmesan/Romano cheese.

I (Judi) will bring a huge green salad.

Madeline's bringing in a fruit salad, and by popular request, Uncle Frank's Sugar Cookies. I've been begging for that cookie recipe for over 20 years, but she's loyal to the W----- Clan's sworn secret.

The Patriarch has also volunteered to bring a very expensive Chianti!

Rebecca is providing a dessert. I'm sure we can use more than one!

Barbara's doing the garlic bread... mmm-mm! And Debbie's offering her home-made French bread recipe to anyone who wants to make it. I think Barbara took her up on the offer.

The Matriarch has volunteered her Little Sister (Aunt Lynn) to make a cheesecake. (Funny how bossy Big Sister's are! Right, Lori?)

Dan agrees to bring the paper goods. I think he's banking on having less dishes to do, since he's in that 3rd generation AND a guy!

Each household bring your own beverages! Easier that way; you know what you like!

~~~

There will be a Gift Game. Anyone who wants to participate should bring a WRAPPED gift, without a "to" or "from" on it. It's easy to play and a ton of fun! (VOTE in the upper left column for GAG or REAL, and amount!)

~~~

I, for one, can't wait to see you all! ...WATCH THIS SPOT!

~~~

6 Good Reasons to Stay at a Motel 6

I've often joked that the closest I'll get to camping is staying in a Motel 6 with a Denny's next door. I am a creature of comfort and love staying in a nice Hilton or Embassy Suites.

On a recent trip to the coast (see previous post), we decided to take our aunt's advice to try a Motel 6. She said that they've revamped everything, and the rooms are new, clean and pleasant. And cheap! That caught my attention... We compared prices in San Luis Obispo where we were spending a night, and -lo and behold!- Motel 6 was a full $120 less than Embassy Suites (our favorite when we are in SLO). So, we booked!

Here are 6 reasons why we would recommend Motel 6:

1) SAVE ENERGY! Who needs a mini-refrigerator, coffeemaker or hairdryer? (If you really have to have those pesky little perks, bring an ice chest and your own appliances. Oh, and you might want to throw in a box of Kleenex, unless you don't mind blowing your nose with toilet paper.)

2) MAKE NEW FRIENDS! It's easy to chat with your neighbors through those paper thin walls. And truckers with ripped arms are comforting to have nearby.

3) GET CLOSE TO NATURE! A hike doesn't always have to be on a dirt trail, you know. You can encounter plenty of interesting sights along a long exterior concrete walkway, fully exposed to the rain, hail or snow. (If you pack a backpack instead of a suitcase, you can get the full effect!)

4) MULTI-TASK! Brush your teeth, change the TV channel, hang your clothes on the rack, all while sitting on your bed!

5) KEEP UP YOUR FITNESS ROUTINE! Well, if you're into isometrics, anyway. While standing in the vanity/bathroom, anyone 5'5" or above can easily reach the ceiling and tighten those arm muscles! And, if you're 6'4" or more, you'll be doing waistbends...

6) GET A BEAUTY TREATMENT! Where else can you find towels that double as exfoliaters? Mmmm-mmmm, love to scratch my back...

(Seriously, it wasn't all that bad!)

This is the Corrupted Version?!

Rick and I have spent some time last week and this on two different trips to the coast. One to Northern California (Fort Bragg) and one to Central California (Santa Barbara and Morro Bay area).

As we were driving north of Santa Barbara on Highway 101 today, the sun was sparkling on the ocean, a cool breeze stirring tantalizing scents and teasing the palm tree tips, Rich Mullins filling our 4Runner with his classic Creed. I mused, "It doesn't get ANY better than this!"

Then suddenly I thought, "Oh yes, it does!"

This glorious earth with all its breathtaking beauty will one day fade away and be replaced with the Real Deal. This is only the corrupted version!

"All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay." Romans 8:21

"But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world where everyone is right with God." 2 Peter 3:13

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared." Revelation 21:1

I can't begin to imagine what the new world will be like! All I know is that He will be there, and He is more beautiful than the finest day here...

Bittersweet Day

Today's is my youngest child's 18th birthday. Correction: she's not a child anymore!

Legally, in the U.S., you bear responsibility until they turn 18. But, actually, you never quit being a parent. In some ways, the role gets harder when your children are adults. The decisions they make are more weighty, yet your jurisdiction over them diminishes, and sometimes disappears!

It is comforting to me that my children have a Heavenly Father who doesn't take note of the "legal" ages. They have been in His care since conception, and He will continue to watch over them until He brings them to their eternal home.

So... today I celebrate my new-found freedom, but also mourn the passing of a season.

Use It or Lose It

For most of my adult life, I've been active -by design. I've either body-surfed, bicycled, walked, took aerobics classes, cross-country machined, or did resistance training. I've always lived by the axiom, Use It or Lose It.

Last year, I began experiencing pain at the gym. Not the usual did-too-much-today type of pain, but a definite ouch!-type of pain. After six months of trying to push through it, I talked to my Internist, who eventually sent me to a Rheumatologist. I won't bore you with the details, but blood tests and a detailed history suggested Lupus. Treatment: anti-malarial drugs (!) and rest, lots of rest. The M.D. said that the pain I feel is actually damage to my connective tissue, so pushing through it is not a smart idea.

Not what I wanted to hear! I love being active; it was part of my almost-daily routine. And we are always told, Stay active to be healthy! I pouted, 'All those years of being active have ended here??!'

Well, after six months of rest and medication, I am starting to feel somewhat better. So today, I laced up my trusty Asics and ventured out to our local community college where they have a great new cushioned track (see photo). I did a mile of medium-paced walking. I can say it was uncomfortable, but not too painful.

I am elated... it appears I won't have to Lose It after all! =D

Pointing the Finger

Rick and I, and several young friends of ours, went to Sacramento today to attend a conference with one of our favorite people, John Piper. Time fails to give a fair overview of the exceptional teaching we enjoyed, but one jewel in particular glittered.

If you are a parent, or have ever had a youngster in your charge, you've probably had the following experience. Your very small child, perhaps the age of my grandson Caleb, is toddling by your side and you spot a fluttering butterfly some distance ahead. Excited to share this wonder, you point to it, exclaiming, "Look! Look at that!"

Catching your excitement, the youngster fixes his gaze onto your outstretched finger, not aware of its purpose. Smiling, you say, "No, no... LOOK at the butterfly! Not my finger..."

Poor little tyke... he's locked onto your finger! He can't understand that the finger is not the object, it's only a tool pointing to something beyond.

Everyone loves nature! It's amazing, glorious and intriguing. Who hasn't been transfixed by the nighttime stars and planets, marveled at the height and majesty of an ancient redwood tree, felt humbled by the roar of the ocean? Plants, animals, rocks and elements--- too many to number or comprehend.

All fingers, all pointing. Pointing to the amazing, glorious and intriguing God. He has taken great joy in creating nature to point us to Himself.

"God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see HIS invisible qualities, HIS eternal power and HIS divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God." Romans 1:19 and 20, NLT, (all-caps: mine)

The next time you sigh as a gentle breeze caresses you, or your heart swells watching playful dolphins frolic, lift your gaze from the temporal to the Eternal... He's so much more!

Jingle All the Way!

I've been singing all evening, ever since I got an email from my just-turning-one grandson! He wanted me to know that his Mommy and Daddy had purchased airline tickets to come home for Christmas from Singapore. So, we've got the date and place of arrival.

I've never enjoyed Christmas as an adult; truth be told, I've barely endured it. I've never seen that it had a lot to do with Jesus. The attention due Him always seems lost in the tinsel and tension. I love to celebrate Him all year long!

This year, I can hardly wait until December hits, even with all the traffic and to-do lists. Something much better than watching for Santa and his sleigh will keep my eyes riveted to the sky... an adorable little tanned boy named Caleb on a Boeing 777. He is the only gift I want this year!

Monkey See, Monkey Do!

In case you got here WITHOUT visiting Everyday Singapore, I must recommend a talented YouTube Video, starring my grandson, Caleb.

Monkey Business

I don't know how Rebecca got Caleb to don the hat and sunglasses, or if it's expert editing. Watch it and you'll see what I mean.

A Must-See Movie

This is just a jumping-on post. The fact that it's my first in over six months (and only second-ever) does not imply any special importance.

Have you seen The ULTIMATE GIFT?

The movie came and went too fast in the theaters to gain much attention, and received little press. With apologies and credits to Charles Colson, I quote here part of his review of this sleeper:

The Ultimate Gift tells the story of a wealthy man, Red Stevens, who was so busy providing for his family's physical needs that he failed to teach them real values. Faced with grown children who cared for nothing but money and power, Red makes one last effort to help a family member find redemption.

To the rest of his family, Red leaves money and businesses; but to his grandson, Jason, he leaves a set of instructions on DVD that he recorded before his death.

On the first recording, Red explains to Jason what money without values does to people. "How can I leave you something and not ruin you?" he asks. So to earn his inheritance, Jason has to perform a series of tasks—or "gifts," as his grandfather calls them—that will teach him the value of hard work, friendship, dreams, and other things that the younger man's life has been too long without.

I can recall very few films that have dealt as wisely and as beautifully with so many important themes, like the corruption that wealth can cause, or the redemption that's possible for even the most self-centered human being.

It bothers me that more people did not get to see this film in theaters. You would think a film that starred two Oscar nominees and told a compelling story would have done better. But unfortunately, the fact is that it was distributed by Fox Faith, and the Christian label may have hurt it.


Watch the trailer at http://www.theultimategift.com and see if it doesn't move close to the top of your To Watch list.