2012

Back in January, I think I declared 2012 the Year of Hospitality, hoping that for once, I might dictate the upcoming year's theme myself, rather than learning it on the back end, directly from the Author of all my years.

As if.

Around the mid-year mark, the Lord began to reveal a very different theme for the year, and it had nothing to do with hospitality: the Year of Emptying. I may share more on that later, but it was, in fact, frustrating, puzzling, and painful at times.

Frankly, the end of the Year of Emptying could not come soon enough.

So at this moment, it is 2013 in New York, and my friends and I just rang in the new year, as if we were one time zone further east.

We deserve the hour head start, I think.

And we celebrated the answered prayers, revisited the giggle-worthy moments, and dreamed about what 2013 might look like.

As has become my tradition -- no matter the year's theme -- here are 2012's superlatives:

favorite book 

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

most challenging book
The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy and Kathy Keller

most memorable celebration

Little Man's dedication in Athens

favorite new recipe

Chocolate Cobbler

favorite movies

The Grey
Lincoln
Les Miserables

favorite chill trip

Blue Ridge, Georgia, with Nikol and Kels

most painful moment

The ankle roll (and subsequent ten weeks of healing) on a Jemison Trail run

biggest disappointment

Accepting that the 13.1 I'd planned to run wasn't happening (see above)

proudest (only?) craft moment 

The stray photo album

spent my birthday

With Dad in Birmingham

most hilarious moment

Unable to contain inappropriate giggling with Nikol, during a particularly unfortunate performance at a high school show choir dessert cabaret

most pleasant surprise

Alabama Furniture Market

cherished family trip

Cincinnati, to celebrate Haleigh's high school graduation

biggest purchase

My new little house

most rabid organization project
Rearranging my living room furniture

favorite new iPhone apps

My Fitness Pal
Map My Run

favorite new beverage

Publix Diet Green Tea

best quick trip
Wilmington, Delaware, to see Little Man

biggest stretch
Leading a Disciple Now weekend for youth I'd never met

marked off the bucket list
NCAA Football National Championship Game

favorite new song, and embarrassed to admit it (yes, I watch Nashville)
“No One Will Ever Love You” by Connie Britton and Charles Esten

I do love to reminisce, but a fresh clean slate is always welcome.

Happy New Year, folks. Cheers to 2013!

thankful thursday #110

Today is my last day in the hometown, and I've closed it out with some of my favorite people, including this lovely lady ...

... and her family, who is my second family, and together our families make up one big family. I love them so dearly, and am feeling such an appreciation for them.

We go back to sixth grade homeroom, on Kari's very first day in a new school, and my goodness, how much better I am for it! I simply can't imagine my world without her and her family as a part of it.

Before I head back to the real world, I'm heading to see this little tyke ...

... and so really, is there anything to feel about that, other than thankful?

A brand new year is creeping in, friends (praise you, Jesus). Greet it with a thankful spirit; good things are bound to be around the corner.

Go on, be grateful!

a gift they'll remember

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it

is like wrapping a present and not giving it."

-- William Arthur Ward, American author

There is no card enclosed for you in this blog post, of course, but you can make it just as easy on yourself and drop a quick email to the first person that popped into your mind just now.

I bet they'll remember the gift of your gratitude for much longer than they will remember what they unwrap around the tree today.

Merry Christmas, and happy gifting, friends!

hello monday (the eve of christmas)

Advent is rapidly coming to a close, but glory! The Lord has come! Let earth receive her King!

I'm ready to greet this celebration week with joy and thanksgiving. Are you?

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Hello, cousins.

 

I can't think of a better way to start my vacation, than to reunite with you!

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Hello, cozy home.

I'm happy to see our stockings hung by the chimney with care.

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Hello, Dodger.

Thank you for faithfully jumping on visiting me before dawn every morning.

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Hello, baby brother.

 We are the bookends in our family.

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Hello, family Christmas card.

Sad to be apart this week, but happy you're mine.

Whether your family is under one roof, or just thankful to be under the same moon, I hope you are blessed throughout this Christmas week!

thankful thursday #109

The Bible study gals and I spent some time tonight at an assisted living facility with some of the residents.

It was a service project organized through my church, and the staff of the facility had invited us to "assist in memory care."

I did not know what that meant (a game of Memory, maybe?), but I was thrilled at the idea of spending time with another generation, and specifically that generation.

Tonight this particular group was crafting. They painted snowflakes made from popsicle sticks, and decorated them with sequins and glitter.

Some were meticulous; others were sloppy. Some of the ladies looked forward to hanging the ornaments on their trees; some of the men thought it was silly and just lingered for the company.

We crafted with them, and asked them about their rooms and their Christmas presents and their families. Mrs. Quinn was probably 85 years old, and she shared that her son had passed away from leukemia when he was five.  That was about ten years ago, she said.

We led them in a few Christmas carols, too. Mr. Bill knew all the words to the songs we sang, and when I complimented his singing, he told me he used to be in a choir. When I asked if he'd like to sing "Away in a Manger," he said no, that the manger was back at the house.

I visited for a long while with Dr. Mac. She was the first female chief resident at UAB, in the department of pathology. I asked her how long she'd been on faculty there, and with confidence she answered, Oh, honey, I'm still on faculty there, and chuckled with pride. She told me her story at least three times.

Obviously we were not there to exercise their minds, or refine their memory skills, and the game of Memory was definitely not on the agenda.

We were there just to be friends to the ones whose memories are fading, but who still need people to engage them, listen to them, and love them.

Tonight I'm thankful I had the opportunity to visit with folks who have lived long and well; whose stories are treasures, waiting to be discovered; and whose hearts are full, waiting to be shared.

What generation can you serve this holiday season?  They'll give you an appreciation you won't soon forget.

Go on, be grateful!

the perfect sugar cookie

When I was growing up, one of my friends used to make the best sugar cookies for school functions and holiday parties.

She and her mom would decorate them beautifully, but icing and cookie bling do not win this girl's heart. The perfect cookie consistency does, and hers was pretty perfect.

It was soft and chewy, with the perfect brownness on the bottom. Not crispy around the edges, and not too thin.

When I was tapped to provide the dough for our sugar cookie decorating party last week, the pressure was on.

Will it puff just enough?

Will they be too crispy?

If these don't go well, I'm going to have 90-some-odd cookies that no one eats. No bueno.

I rolled the dice on this recipe, and I must say, it was pretty close to the perfect tea cake that Erin Dukes used to make back in Oconee County.

the perfect sugar cookie

1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 c. white sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

1. Cream the butter and add the sugar gradually. Beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.


2. Stir in the vanilla. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cover and chill dough overnight.


3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.


4. Roll dough out on a floured surface to 1/4- to 1/8-inch thickness and cut into your favorite shapes.


5. Bake 6 - 8 minutes or until cookie is golden around the edges.

*The more flour on the rolling surface, and the colder the dough, the better.  If it gets to a room temperature, your figures will end up, well, disfigured.

*This dough was a breeze to mix, and it took no time, because of the little gem I like to call a stand mixer.  If you have a stand mixer, or a friend with one, use it without hesitation.

*The recipe "serves 3-5 dozen," which I think is a ridiculous statement.  There's a big difference between 36 and 60 cookies, no?  I made two batches, used a variety of cookie cutter sizes, and ended up with probably 75-80 cookies.  Maybe a little more.

Do you have sugar cookie standards?  Happy holiday baking, folks!

sing we now of christmas, the 2012 edition

There is a radio station here in Birmingham that cranks up their Christmas music on November 1st. That really chaps me.

On the other hand, after Thanksgiving when I'm ready to belt out the holiday tunes, the radio stations I endure the most around here (but just barely) don't exactly play my favorites.

They will not steal my joy.

So I make my annual Christmas album purchase; download some other newbies that come recommended from trusted, music-loving people in my life (Deana, I snagged yours from last year); and get about the business of settling into the Christmas spirit.

Without further ado, here is my annual recommended listening list, always intended to supplement, not to replace or stand alone.  There are too many great ones out there to be exclusive!

the only album fully endorsed in 2012:

I bought a particular country artist's holiday album a few years ago on a sale rack, and it was a disaster. I think I threw it away. But, I do love Lady Antebellum's sound, so I gave this one a shot, and I'm glad I did.

If you're hesitant to commit to the entire album, try "All I Want for Christmas is You," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "Silver Bells." Their title track is the only original song, and it's worth hearing, too.

the two Christmas songs i can't stop listening to, even when it's not Christmas:

"You Came Down" - Jill Phillips and Andy Gullahorn
"Winter Snow" - Chris Tomlin with Audrey Assad

I wonder if I will ever leave these two off my annual list. There aren't words to express my love for these two songs.

the novelty album born out of one of my favorite tv competitions:

Pentatonix is the a cappella ensemble that won the Sing-Off last year. The arrangements are borderline wacky at times, but the vocal quality is undeniable.

a couple of secular picks, because i'm not above it:

"All I Want for Christmas" - Michael Bublé

"Winter Song" - Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson

two "silent night" arrangements i particularly love this year:

Michael Bublé (brings back fond memories from this little jaunt)
Sarah McLachlan

Do you have any new favorites this year?  Let me hear them!  Eight more days ...

silent night

"The darker the night, the brighter the stars,

The deeper the grief, the closer is God!"

-- Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment

In a sleepy New England town tonight, all is not calm, and all is not bright.

Instead, I imagine mamas are stifling sobs, and daddies are raging with wild anger.

Brothers and sisters fight sleep, afraid to give in to the nightmares that threaten their peaceful slumber.

Classmates don't understand, and they are tormented by a chaos they will not soon forget.

Were those children going to school today, excited about their holiday parties?

Was Santa coming to read stories to them?

What is sacred in this world anymore?

Come, Lord Jesus.  Come soon.

thankful thursday #108

Tomorrow afternoon the work gals and I are baking and decorating sugar cookies.  If we're lucky, they might look like this ...

... but they probably won't.

At any rate, I volunteered to provide the dough, and because I like to make things as complicated authentic as possible during the Christmas season ...

It will be made from scratch.

Dough for 6-8 dozen cookies?  Sure thing.

But you know what's tough?  Mixing that dough.  Stirring the perfect sugar cookie dough by hand is nearly impossible, and even my hand mixer is kind of a disaster.

But you know what's great?  Friends with Kitchen Aid stand mixers.

Life is all about relationships, people.  And I make mine count in every way.

Makes me thankful.

'Tis the season for enjoying your best friendships.  Who's on your list to appreciate this week?  Go on, be grateful!

o christmas tree

"I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love."
-- Linus Van Pelt, A Charlie Brown Christmas

I was behind this year, where decking my halls was concerned. Per usual, I had my traditional musings.

Why, oh why, have I not yet purchased a pre-lit tree? (Because I never want to the spend the money after Christmas, when they all go on sale.)

Oh, I do love this nativity!

Is this really worth it, so that I might enjoy pretty lights for two measly weeks?

And since decking in a new house, there were some new considerations.

This front porch is worthy of something special.

How am I going to hang this garland on the brick without drilling my house to pieces?

Where can I borrow a ladder to hang the perfect wreath in that perfect spot?

I need to learn how to tie a magnificent bow for my magnificent mailbox.

My 6-foot tree that I've had since the beginning of time looks puny here. I think I need a taller one.

And the road blocks. I don't even have a lot of decorations, but mercy.

There were the tree lights that tested perfectly, and then promptly failed me, once strung on my tree.

There were the four stores that were out of white Christmas lights at 10:00 p.m. on Friday night.

There were the special "brick clips" that the Lowe's staff insisted would work for my garland, but in fact did not.

There was the burlap wired ribbon that neither my sharpest scissors nor utility knife could cut.

It would be great for one thing to go as planned.

Everyone close to me heard me moan about one thing or another in this decking process.

One friend came to my house to offer his suggestion on hanging the garland on the brick.

Mom consoled me, It doesn't have to be perfect this year. There's always next year.

Nikol asked me, Have you let that garland vision go yet? You need to.

In the end, all is fine and well.

I did regretfully put to death the garland-on-my-brick-archway vision. It's now happily (and securely) perched on my front door instead.

I did buy the last five boxes of white lights in an obscure Walgreen's, the apparent savior of the decorating world. And they did all work, when wrapped around my tree.

I kept my small tree for one more year and vowed again to purchase a taller, pre-lit tree after Christmas (but probably won't).

I threw out the burlap wired ribbon that gave me anxiety and safely put down the utility knife.

And my lighted garland and sweet Christmas tree stay lit around the clock, because even when I'm not there, burning the electricity in the name of the operational Christmas lights that I scoured my entire city for, makes me feel better about it all.

So there.  I win.

I'm decked!

thankful thursday #107

This weekend will mark the first off-weekend of my off-season, and for that, I am very thankful.

Praise you, Jesus.

I will finish decking my halls ...

... and let's be honest, since my mailbox is about the only thing with any Christmas flare right now, I'll be more like starting to deck my halls.

I plan to do a little scouting of living room chairs.

Chairs are so expensive.  Why is this so?

And I might just curl up at some point with a good book.

Because I can.

Cheers to the weekend folks!  As the seasonal chaos approaches its peak, be intentional about finding those times, those people, those circumstances to appreciate.  Go on, be grateful!

spinach dip pasta

Spinach Artichoke Dip is old news, I know.  But good ones -- homemade ones -- are still tasty.

And so if you take a tasty indulgence like that, and make it into a dinner?

Why yes, yes I will.

Spinach Artichoke Pasta

1 13-oz. box shell pasta
1 tsp. butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 8-oz. package reduced fat cream cheese (don't go totally fat-free)
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. reduced fat sour cream
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 14-oz. can artichoke hearts (packed in water), drained and chopped
10 oz. chopped, frozen spinach, thawed, drained
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1 c. chopped cooked chicken (optional)
Additional Parmesan for serving

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.  *I used only about half the box of pasta, because I used more chicken and wanted to avoid the dried pasta conundrum.


2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and add garlic. *Burned garlic is the worst, so cook it just about 30 seconds, or even less.  Mine was popping, so next time, I might even start at more medium-low.


3. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Slowly stir in milk; then add sour cream, lemon juice, salt and red pepper flakes. Stir in artichoke hearts, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. *Remember that squeezing the mess out of the artichokes and spinach in a towel is the only way to drain these items.  Otherwise, you're asking for a watery disaster.


4. If you're using chicken, add that last. *I took a package of chicken tenders, chopped them up into bite-size pieces, salted and peppered, and sautéed ahead of time.  Nothing fancy.


5. Drain pasta and add to artichoke mix. Toss and season to taste with salt and additional lemon juice as needed. Serve with additional shredded Parmesan.

If you're like me, and love a good spin dip, but aren't interested in pounding down an entire bag of pita chips (and I would do it, too), this is worth a try.

Happy indulging!

hello monday (welcome home)

What is the deal with 75 degrees in December? I have a hard time pulling Christmas cheer out of that. Am I alone on that?

And if the temps aren't enough to kill the holiday spirit, a couple of snags while decking my halls sure will.

I gave up the fight for tonight and opted instead to greet this week with some hellos. Shall we?

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Hello, welcome home blessing from a dear friend.

At this rate, you might be serving as my Christmas tree.

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Hello, catching up on life. Good grief, my to-do list is so long!

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Hello, home cooking. Eating out for a solid week sounded luxurious when I was seven.  Not so much these days.

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Hello, stamped and sealed Christmas cards.

I'm happy to send y'all on your merry way tomorrow!

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Hello, upcoming haircut, and maybe color? I need some inspiration.

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Hello, Christmas music! I need to decide on the tunes I will purchase this year. Any recommendations?

It's good to be home, and settling into a season of preparation.  Are you happy to greet this week?  I hope so!

thankful thursday #106, the post-indy edition

It doesn’t matter how hard I try, or how much want-to I muster, blogging just doesn’t happen during the week-long work trip to Indianapolis (or anywhere else, for that matter).

Frankly, since I’m using every ounce of my energy to endure a population segment that falls somewhere between Annoying and Very Annoying on the humanity scale (that would be the general population, not my dear colleagues), the Thankful Thursday bit is probably better left postponed, anyway.

But today, I am rejoicing that this fall travel schedule right here?  The one that has stared me in the face every day for the past fourteen weeks?

Dunzo.

That awful spreadsheet will promptly make its way into the trash can upon my arrival in the office tomorrow afternoon, and I will happily reclaim control of my weekends.

Praise you, Jesus.

With that said, I can never end a 7-day work trip like this without giving props to the other segment of humanity – the minority, no doubt – that falls somewhere between Awesome and Very Awesome on the humanity scale:

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

I would lose my mind without these cherished colleagues, and I am grateful for them always.

What’re you appreciating on this Sunday edition of Thankful Thursdays?  Go on, be grateful!