Thursday, October 30, 2008

Satisfaction


Finishing a task is so rewarding. Tonight I have the satisfaction of knowing I have completed making my Christmas cards. I still need to update my mailing list, sign all the cards, address them, put on stamps and get them in the mail. Wow, sounds like I still have work to do, but isn't that rewarding too, knowing you have something else as a goal to strive for?

I have lots more to do! In a weak (out of my mind) moment, I was the one who persuaded my sister to send out "handmade" cards this year. What a year for that, most of you know she is having surgery next week, and well, guess who is making the cards for her to send? Oh well, just for this year, next year she can make her own or maybe make mine.

Doing something for someone else is one of my favorite things, guess that is why so much gets put on the back burner at my house. I love to do for others, it is so much for fun than say....laundry, raking leaves(maybe the kids will do that) or just basic household chores.

All I know, is I am so pleased with knowing I have completed this task. Wasn't sure it would be done before time to mail. And those who get cards from us at Christmas know, the day to mail is the day after Thanksgiving! I am not sure why, but like putting up the Christmas tree, it must be that weekend at least.

This could all be due to the fact as a child we never put up our tree or did anything "Christmasy" until after December 3rd, my sister's birthday. She wanted a birthday, then Christmas. Maybe I will wait to mail her card the day after her birthday this year. I am just glad Lea doesn't make us follow that rule, or we would not have any decorations up until Christmas Eve!

I just hope I stay this focused and on schedule for the remainder of the holiday season!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Patience


Patience, well I guess if you know me, you know I don't have much. Even thinking back to having children, I didn't have any there either. Just could not wait for them to be born, hence early babies.

Waiting is something I do not do well. I could blame it on this instant society we live in, but who am I kidding. It is just me, I want things now. Not just things, but to accomplish task quickly, go on to the next thing.

I think back to cold winter Saturdays when my dad would cook chili. He was not one to cook much, but what he made for us was always such a treat. Chili and fudge were his specialties. They both took time and patience to achieve. He would cook his chili from early in the morning until around 5:00 p.m. when we would all gather as a family to enjoy that scrumptious meal.

I guess that was one of those life lessons my dad tried to teach me, good things are worth waiting for. Again I find myself waiting, impatiently, for the words that my sister is healthy again. I am hopeful that those words will come soon. I could wish for those words tomorrow, but I know that will not be, but I do have faith they will come in time. Until then, I am thankful for my faith and the healing power of our Father in heaven. Mark 10:27

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Sisters


I understand not everyone has an older sister as I do, some of you are thankful you are the oldest, any only child, or just thankful you don't have a sister. You can know you cannot be as blessed as I am to have an older sister like mine. She is the best ever(that may have something to do with the fact that she has a wonderful, much younger sister).

My sister has always been there for so many in her life, my mother, my father, me and so many more. She has been so many things to me through our lives. I am thankful she came to love me, since she had been the only child for nearly seven years when I was born. I am not so sure I would have been such an accepting older sibling, if there had been a new baby in the house just before my 7th birthday. But she somehow tolerated me and came to be my protector.

Yes, she felt it her job to watch out for me. That also turned itself into making sure my parents knew anything I did that she did not approve of as we grew up. Mostly she watched out for me. She has always been there for me. She was there when our dad was sick and was so strong in his last days. She was there when my kids were born and as they have grown into teenagers

Through every thing we have been through - we have become not just sisters but great friends. She is the type of person I would not call from jail - because she would be sitting in the cell right beside me.

The past few days she has become more and more admirable in my eyes. She is facing some tough days ahead, but shows such strength and courage. She is still my protector. She is trying to convince everyone - everything will be fine - six months from now - it will all be good again. Such courage, strength, determination, faith, and gumption she shows.

Guess it just good genes! Sister - I am there for you!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Apple Butter Birthday

What do you do when your mother has an abundance of apples and you are out of freezer space? If you are as crazy as I am, you suggest making Apple Butter. Mom, my sister and I spent my birthday together. We made Apple Butter for Christmas gifts. I think everyone we know will be getting some for Christmas. If I can count, and I am not to sure I could that day, we made 21 BATCHES of apple butter. Each batch makes like 6 cups. That would mean 84 pounds of apples, 21 cups of apple cider vinegar, 42 cups of water, 42 cups of sugar, 42 tablespoons of lemon juice, 48 teaspoons of cinnamon, 10 1/2 teaspoons of all spice, and 10 1/2 teaspoons of cumin. Needless to say my kitchen was rather aromatic with all that apple cider vinegar boiling - I thought it would stink for days, but was back to normal by Sunday.

That day was one of the best in a long time. Just the three of us there most of the day. We aren't sure who was in charge that day, none of us had ever made Apple Butter, but found a rather easy sounding recipe. I suppose we all took turns acting like we knew what we were doing. Mom was probably reliving 30 years ago, trying to get her girls to behave and get along. I truly enjoyed being together, especially the laughter,the silliness, the bossiness we all have, the complaining about the other, and the love we have for each other. That is how we are - some would say disfunctional - we would say just being family.

So, if you are our friends - I guess the secret of your Christmas gift has been spoiled. You guessed it - Apple Butter. Maybe you will forget about it by then and it will be a surprise.

You know the funny thing...

I don't even like Apple Butter. But I have found a way to use it that I like....Apple Pinwheels.

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