Lists

I have a to-do list,

a books read this year list,

a birthday by date list,

a books to be read list,

a jewelry business to-do list

The lists go on and on!

Even my basic to-do list is broken down into sub-lists...

housework,

crafts, etc.

Oh and at work I have my to do list too!

But first and foremost on every list

is to live my desire to honor God

and honor my family.

Cooking,

cleaning,

shopping,

cards and gifts

pay bills

organizing...

Make jewelry,

take pictures,

edit pictures,

upload pictures,

post items.

Process orders,

Ship items :-)

But are these things what make me ME?

Nope!

God made me ME, and I seek to live in His will every day.

I believe that He gave me the passion for family and He made our family who we are; I will love them.

I believe that He provides for our every need, so I'll stop worrying about how to pay for the tuition and the oil and the groceries. We will take vacations together; these are memories we can only make now.

I believe that He gave me compassion and talents to share with others, so I ask Him daily how I should do those things on this day that He has made.

This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Psalm 188:24

I write this not only to share this joy, but to remind myself to daily remember my purpose.

How's the Dip Dip

For those who know me well, you'll be surprised that I'm posting a recipe. For those who don't know me well, it's not that I can't or don't cook, it's just not my favorite activity when there's so much reading or crafting to do :-) But this one is definitely worth the chopping time. I recommend making a double recipe!



Several years ago we were at a cookout for my son's baseball team. All four of us in my family were really enjoying a dip made with corn and beans and peppers, with tortilla chips. My daughter, in her early teens, was feeling a bit out of place; one of the kids nearly bumped into her and didn't know what to say. What came out was "How's the dip?" So we have renamed this recipe "How's the Dip? Dip".



My friend John, from Simply Delicious Catering, calls the dip "Autumn Salsa". He has given me permission to share it with you here; the picture and recipe are both from his website (http://sdcatering.net/). Enjoy! (Don't wait until autumn!)



Autumn Salsa
from John Mauro, Simply Delicious Catering

Ingredients:
1 Orange Pepper
1 Red Pepper
½ Red Onion
½ c Pea Pods
1 can Shoepeg Corn
1 can Black eyed peas

In large serving bowl combine:chopped orange pepper, chopped red pepper, chopped red onion, shoepeg corn, and blackeyed peas.
Blanch pea pods. Cool pea pods, chop and add to bowl with other ingredients.
Dressing:
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
½ tsp Tabasco
Sugar to taste
Mix dressing ingredients together and heat in microwave for 1 minute. Cool completely. Add dressing to the bowl and mix. Refrigerate.

Playing the Uncle Keith card

My dear sister was married for only 2 months when her husband was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 23. She was more nurse than newlywed for the next year and few months, and the week before she turned 24 she was a widow. That was in 1998 and we still feel the heaviness of missing Uncle Keith.


On a positive note, we now have an Uncle Chris, introduced by Keith's mutual friend to my sister the following year. We can't imagine life any other way than to have my sister, her (new) husband, and their two kids at every family gathering. However, the lesson has been learned...life is fragile and we need to enjoy all of the time that we do have together because we don't know what tomorrow will bring. I firmly believe that God is in control; we just don't always know how He is going to work things out.


So this week I was discussing with my sixteen year old daughter that I was beginning to regret spending money on tickets for the July 4th celebration at the Museum of Science in Boston. I was blabbering on about spending our money more responsibly, blah blah blah, and she said, "Mom, do I really have to play the Uncle Keith card with you?" I can't remember what I answered, but the lesson sunk home again. And I'm so glad to see proof that our values are being passed down to our children. I will gladly participate in another family outing to Boston, and my wish for you is for you to enjoy your family and friends and the blessings shared every day!