2011

In my evaluation, I'm currently tagging 2011 the "Year of Change." Although "change" can be scary and might have a negative connotation, I'd take the Year of Change over the Year of Brokenness any day.

Changes in 2011 included

• Selling my house
• A new choir director for Colla Voce
• Baby Felton's arrival
• New offices
• A pastor's sudden passing, and another's retirement

I haven't processed what all the change means, in the big picture.  I can only do so much year-end reflecting at a time.

And naturally, amidst the changes, there are highlights (and low-lights) to remember:

favorite book 

Consumer Detox by Mark Powley

most bittersweet moment

Selling my little house

favorite new recipe

Chipotle Raspberry Black Bean Dip

favorite movies

The Help

Crazy Stupid Love

best new travel destination

Colca Canyon, Peru

priciest meal
Shrimp Cocktail and Filet at St. Elmo in Indianapolis

favorite chill trip
Charleston, South Carolina, with Emily and Molz

most painful-yet-rewarding trip

Providence, Rhode Island, for the 13.1

biggest stretch

Serving on a foreign mission trip

proudest craft moment 

Sewing the interior for a camera bag

spent my birthday

Traveling on planes and buses in Peru

most hilarious moment

Wondering (deliriously) if the Delta blankets on our return flight from Peru were made from baby alpaca

most pleasant surprise

The joy of aunthood

silliest endeavor

Krispy Kreme Challenge in Raleigh, North Carolina

new techno gadget

A Kindle, from Mom and Dad for Christmas

most rabid organization project
Pantry overhaul

favorite new iPhone app

Sleep Cycle

I hope you look back on 2011 with fondness -- I sure do! -- and enjoy a very happy new year!

thankful thursday #58

Last December, the Bible study gals and I embarked on a reading plan that would take us chronologically through the Bible in one year.

Admittedly, it was a challenge that, at times, I wasn't sure we would meet.

One year later, it's laughable to think that for a brief moment, we actually considered the ninety-day reading plan.

Ninety days!

While noble and ambitious, that idea was not practical.

Anyway, praise Jesus, it is finished.  I'm so thankful today that we can celebrate the resolve that undoubtedly came from Him.  (We certainly couldn't muster up that much resolve on our own.)

And more importantly, I'm grateful that when the ninety-day reading plan came up for discussion, the realist friend stepped up and reined in the nonsense.

We're more sane because of it.

What are you appreciating today, as the end of 2011 creeps in?  Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #57

A few weeks ago, we received the good ol' "Holiday Office Schedule" memo.  In particular, our office would be open until noon on Friday, the 23rd of December.

(Boo for those of us whose families are not local.  But, given that we have almost two weeks off, we try hard to keep complaints to ourselves.)

Earlier this week, I heard rumblings of folks "taking off" today and tomorrow.  Interesting.

(Why publish office hours, you ask?  I do not know.)

With that, I will very likely get a little head start on my trip home for the holidays (asking forgiveness, not permission), and I could not be more thankful!

I hope your down time this season starts a little earlier, or lasts a little longer, than you were expecting.

But even if it doesn't, what's giving you some extra pep in your step today?  Go on, be grateful!

epic fail: zoolight safari

If I was not fully embracing the Christmas season before, I certainly am now.

In the past seven days, celebrating has been in full force:

• Bowling with the co-workers, followed by a friendly game of Dirty Santa
• A field trip with friends to Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God concert
• A final choir rehearsal
• A dinner and gift exchange with my accountability group
• A Christmas brunch at work
• Another dinner and gift exchange with Lori
• A musical celebration of Christmas at church
• A weekend visit from my good friends the Burchfields, including ...
• A night at the Zoolight Safari here in town.

All were so fun and festive until that last one.

While Kevin and Amy went out sans kids to celebrate their eighteenth wedding anniversary (cheers!), I took their three girls and my Little to the zoo here in town.

Brave, right?

Supposedly the Zoolight Safari is all the rage with the kids here in town, but I am here to tell you that for us, it was (sadly) a complete and total bust.

I was encouraged when we entered the packed out parking lot, and somehow managed to get the closest space to the entrance.

What a tease.

Unfortunately, that was the evening's highlight and things went south pretty quick after that.

• People were everywhere, and lines were outrageous.
• It was bitter cold outside.
• Animal exhibits were closed.
• Every special "attraction" required a separate, additional ticket.

We snapped this photo before we realized what a drag it would be.  They were still mostly smiling at this point.



Between the extra tickets and the lines, it drove the ten-year old to conclude:

"I hate to say it, but this zoo is boring."  (No, that is not a paraphrase.)

Then the three-year old said, "I have to go potty."

So with that shot to the ego and after a mad dash to the nasty restrooms, we returned to our rock star parking space, strapped everyone in, and left the Zoolight Safari to the rest of the poor deceived people who thought that was a good use of time.

At home we made bagel pizzas that were slightly redemptive, but the zoo experience was such an epic fail, it will take my pride some time to fully recover.

Oh well.  It's good to have a little Griswold family luck to make Christmas extra special.

thankful thursday #56

"A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same."
-- Elbert Hubbard, American writer



Thankful tonight for these lovely ladies!

Their tender hearts.

Their boldness in truth.

Their compassion and forgiveness.

Their undying loyalty.

Their sound wisdom.



And for those spontaneous bursts of happy that join us around the kitchen table!

What're you appreciating (late) tonight?  Go on, be grateful!

sing we now of christmas, the 2011 edition

Exactly one year ago, I posted my all-time Christmas Music Superlatives.

A few of you tipped me off on some of your faves, and those were fun to go and check out!

This year, there is not a comprehensive album I'm prepared to recommend, or slide in above the current placeholders in my list.  (Although, the two favorites from 2010 might soon earn a permanent spot in that list.)

But!  There are so many great songs I've stumbled on this year!  Although they are not necessarily new, most of them are originals.  They bring a little spice to the endless arrangements of "Little Drummer Boy" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (two of my least favorites, by the way).

And so I present to you the official listing of my 2011 Christmas Superlatives.  One day I will remember them as ...

the christmas songs that iTunes wore out in 2011

"You Came Down" – Jill Phillips and Andy Gullahorn
"Adorn" – Alli Rogers
"You're Here"  – Francesca Battistelli
"Mary's Prayer" – Allen Levi, Bebo Norman & Ed Cash
"Christ is Come" – Big Daddy Weave
"It's True" – Sara Groves
"Sweet Little Jesus Boy"  – Natalie Grant
"Peace" – Norah Jones
"Winter Snow" – Chris Tomlin with Audrey Assad (can not ever get enough of this one!)

And I expect each of you to leave your favorites too, old or new.  Ready, go.

thankful thursday #55

On August 21st, I walked out of the hospital room where my one-day-old nephew slept in heavenly peace, all swaddled up nice and tight.

I've been waiting ever since then to squeeze him again!

Here we are, three and a half months later, and very early tomorrow morning, I will flash a smile and this at the TSA officer ...



... and happily hop on a plane.  Here's hoping all flights are on time (ahem, US Airways).

It would be easy to be bitter about our circumstances.  We live so far away from each other, and honestly, flying is hardly a bed of roses.  It's exhausting.  And airports house some of the crankiest, most inconsiderate people in America.

You know what else flies?  Human civility ... right out the window.

But on this Thursday, I couldn't be more thankful for the opportunity to fly!  Although flights can be priced reasonably these days, it is not lost on me that everyone doesn't have the ability, or the income to do so.

Tomorrow, when that person from three rows back thinks he gets to deplane before me, I'll dig deep and remember I'm blessed to have the opportunity that I do, to see my far-away family.

What're you appreciating this week?  Go on, be grateful!

fill in the blank

I'm so excited to be done with traveling, but now that my schedule is quietly opening up, I barely know what to do with myself.

My four-month adrenaline rush is over.  I'm flat.  Crashin' and burnin'.

Not channeling much creativity these days, this fill-in-the-blank list gave me a little nudge to start typing:

1.  I have never been to ... a World Series game, a Superbowl, a College Football National Championship game, or the U.S. Open.  Those are all on my bucket list.  I've also never been to a NASCAR race, and that is not on my bucket list.

2.  When it comes to working out ... I'm super moody and fight the extremes (i.e. the I run three to five miles every day phase, versus the I don't feel like it, so I won't do anything phase).  Exercising is a necessary evil, but I do it because well, loving food comes at a cost.

3.  A woman should always ... have a red lipstick on hand for special occasions, expect chivalry, send hand-written thank you notes, be savvy like a serpent but gentle like a dove, and know she was made beautiful by a master Creator.

4.  I hate to admit it, but sometimes I ... am judgmental.  I can't tell you how many times I think (or say aloud -- I'm not ashamed), Back it up, Robyn.  You don't know her story.  You don't know what he's dealing with.  And you're certainly no better than her.  Oh, that I might one day see people first the way Jesus does.

5.  At the end of the day, the best feeling is ... pulling on my pajama pants, brushing my teeth and climbing into a bed with cold, crisp sheets.

6. I can't get enough ... of this face!



My stars in heaven, when I travel to see this child in two days, I might never come back.

festive eats with christmas flare

Y'all know of my love for The Sing-Off.

Last week was the competition finale (go Pentatonix!), and this week the "Holiday Special" aired.

(No "Christmas" at NBC, you know.)

Fortunately I have a few friends who share my love of The Sing-Off, too, and we gathered together to watch the holiday extravaganza.

And no one gathers at my place without munchies! 

I confess to plating up some storebought pigs-in-blankets (thank you, Sister Schubert), and some tasty Caramel Cake Bites and Chocolate Mousse Bombs from Iz Cafe. 

But, I did go homemade for these two festive, holiday Christmas recipes I love to prepare.

Pineapple Cheese Ball

My mom used to make this around the holidays, although I think this particular recipe might be a slight variation.  Either way, it is good eats!

2 packages cream cheese, softened
1 8-oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 c. diced bell pepper (green, red, or both if you're feeling extra colorful)
1 green onion, finely chopped
1-2 c. pecans, chopped
Salt to taste
Assorted crackers

Combine cream cheese, pineapple, peppers, and onion.  (I broke down and used an electric beater, but not really necessary.)  Add 1 c. of the pecans, and the salt.  Chill in the fridge until the cheese is firmed up, and then form the mixture into a ball.  If you'd like you can roll it in more chopped pecans.  I suppose that might make it prettier, but I passed on that step.  Put it on your loveliest Christmas platter, and serve it up!

Sausage Stars

Back when I was just starting out on my own, a dear friend shared this recipe with me.  Every time I make it, I think of her and our friendship.  I love how food is such a connector of people!

1 lb. ground sausage (hot if you'd like), browned and drained
1 green or red pepper, finely chopped (again, I use both for flare)
1 1/2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 c. shredded Monterey jack cheese
1/2 - 1 c. Ranch dressing
1 package won ton wrappers

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place won ton wrappers in a muffin tin, and bake for about 5-7 minutes.  I bake around two dozen.  Let them cool on a wire rack, so they crisp up. 
 
2. Mix cooked sausage, peppers, and cheese together.  I like to use my hands for this part, just because it's more fun that way.
 
3. Add Ranch dressing, starting with about 1/2 a cup.  Stir it up, and add additional dressing as needed, until everything is sticking together, but isn't drowning in the Ranch.  Balance, people.
 
4. Scoop the sausage mixture into the cups (don't sress about amounts; I just wing it), and bake for about 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.  Watch the tips of the cups, too.  Burned won ton cups is a deal breaker.

If you're making this ahead of time, tackle steps 1-3 the day before.  Store those little cups in a big Zip-loc bag, and wrap up your sausage mixture to keep in the fridge. You can assemble and bake them the next day when you're ready to eat.

indy or bust

On college football's Championship Weekend, our company partners with a couple of different conferences, so our team is split to cover all events.

This was our first year to work for the Big Ten Conference, for their inaugural championship game hosted by the great city of Indianapolis.

I am so fortunate to work with friends, and I was pumped to work with these lovely gals on this job.



Aren't they beauts?  No mean girls here.  No drama.  Just lots of laughing to get us through the hard work.

And hard work we did!  We were proud of our event, and we were equally excited to have it behind us (somewhat literally in this picture!).



We did have time for a dinner date with Santa one night.



(Does he look a little bit tired?)

And we managed to enjoy a delicious dinner at the infamous St. Elmo Steak House.



(Although, it was enjoyed at almost midnight after an 18-hour work day, yowzaa.)

That was a fine, fine filet, and yes, we all experienced the shrimp cocktail in full force.



Just about any hard work is worth it after you ring up a $1200 dinner, yes?

Indianapolis, you were good to us.  We hope to see you again next year.

thankful thursday #54

I've never been to Indianapolis before, but I'm digging it so far.

Clean downtown.  Hotels convenient to shopping and good eats.  Friendly folks.

Everything seems to be shaping up well for a successful event on Saturday, and I'm working up here with some of my favorite people in the world.

But it's chilly up here! 

For the past three years, I've worked events in Kansas City and Dallas during this Championship Weekend.  Outdoors.  Never been so cold in my life than on some of those days.

But glory to God, although I'm the farthest north I've been for this particular work weekend, our event is indoors. 

And better, our hotel has a skywalk connecting us to just about every place we have to be this week, so going outside is practically optional.

I enjoy fresh air, but spending upwards of ten hours outdoors in the thirty degree weather makes that air go from fresh to frigid, faster than I can reapply my Chapstick.

So happy to be working this indoor event!  And come Sunday, my work travel for this season will be officially over.

I have much to be thankful for this week.  What about you?  Go on, be grateful!