Pick a Cookbook Party

Good Monday morning!

The Showcase Pic this week is of Roxie and Brad. Nothing spectacular or earth shattering... just two of my favorite people in the world.

I'm dividing the Gallery Pics into sections this week. Today there are a few shots of Christmas morning and the ABCs of Christmas scrapbook. Tomorrow I'll have pictures of Christmas at Grandmother's, and I'll finish up Christmas on Wednesday with photos of Christmas at Grandma's. I didn't want to overwhelm you with too much on a Monday.

NOTE - It looks as if I'll be posting by 9:30 or 10:00 every morning from now on. With my evening schedule, it is much easier to get everything done in the morning, so if you're looking for NEW info on A Simple Life, it will still be here Monday through Friday... but not until 10:00 a.m.

CHRISTMAS CARD COUNT - What an excellent year! The last count stands at 81! I'll let you know if any strays come in the next few weeks, but I am very, very pleased. It's official. Next year's goal is 100! (And thank you to everyone who went out of their way to send a card. I loved them all!)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - FAITHFULNESS

I wrote about this several months ago. I mentioned it while remembering an older gentlemen who attended my "home" church many, many years ago. When I remember this particular man who had served our church in different capacities throughout his lifetime, that is the word that comes to my mind... faithfulness. He was the custodian for our church when I was growing up. He was always the first one there to unlock the doors, turn on the air or heat, and make sure everything was ready for the services. At that time in his life, he was a background person... and he was always, always someone you could count on.

When I walked into service yesterday morning, and started up the stairs to the balcony where we ALWAYS sit, I saw an elderly man man sitting on the back row... where he ALWAYS sits. We go to a very large church, and while I know many, many people there, I do not know this man's name. What do I know about him? He looks like he may be in his late 70s or 80s. He sits alone, but he knows many of the people around him. He always, always has on a suit and a tie and shiny dress shoes. When he sings, he smiles, and he has a very sweet smile. I've seen him sing everything, too. The new "stuff," as well as the old.

His Bible is old and worn and used... just like a Bible should be.

Everything about him reminds me of the wonderful man from my "home" church years and years ago, but the word that comes to mind every time I see him is "faithfulness."

At 48, there are times I do not want to roll out of bed on Sunday morning, or run to church Wednesday nights after a busy day, or I want to stay home Sunday nights for a little more family time... but "faithfulness" is a lesson best taught to kids by example and NOT words.

I'm not as faithful as the gentleman I mentioned above. If for some reason I am not at church, I know he is sitting on the back pew, smiling as he sings the hymns (old and new) and holding his old, tattered Bible. He is teaching by example whether he knows it or not... and that is my favorite kind of teacher.

There's an old song I love... "Little is much, if God is in it. Labor not for wealth or fame. There's a prize, and you can win it, If you go in Jesus' name." If God is in it, faithfulness is by no means "little." It is HUGE... and I want to be remembered for being faithful when I'm in my 80s. Ahh. A goal!

Monday Mayhem - As I said Friday, our weekend was going to be very much like your weekend, I am sure. After opening the gifts Santa left Friday morning, we slowly got ready to go to my Mom's for Christmas lunch. A good time was had by all as we ate and played with the cousins, and we left Friday evening to go home and get ready for our Saturday Christmas celebration with Mike's family.

Saturday was very similar to Christmas morning except there were no gifts under our tree. We had a wonderful lunch and then, once again, opened more gifts. Of course, having an "almost" two year-old playing Santa Claus and passing the presents out (with a little help from Cousin Roxie) was too much fun. Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner received a Wii, so as you can imagine, the rest of our day was spent Wii-ing.

The only negative on Saturday would have to be when I was bowling on the Wii and threw my arm back and whacked "almost" two year-old Matthew on the head. Not good. Not good at all. All was forgiven after his nap. We don't know if it was because he was just a babe, or it didn't bother him as much as it bothered me, or it was short-term memory loss which his Uncle Mike kept insisting was the problem, but he kissed and hugged me when I asked. There did not appear to be any hard feelings. (I'm giving him another present this coming Saturday for his two year-old birthday. That ought to patch up any lingering resentment. I know a gift usually works for me.)

Sunday was one of my favorite days because after church, I had lunch with three old friends... for three and a half hours. We see each other once a year usually, and even then it is rarely all four of us together. It was a sweet time of catching up. I miss them.

Sunday evening found the Faulkner Five and the lovely Melia enjoying "Did You Hear About the Morgans?" (cute movie) at the RAVE. On the way to dinner, I started feeling a little "under the weather," so Mikie had to drop me off at the house, and I missed that part of the tradition. I was sad, but we'll survive. (I did have another gift waiting when I arrived home. The kids had folded and put away ALL the clean laundry. YEA!!! And just so you know we ain't perfect, Mikie "suggested" and "urged" them to perform this little task. They didn't offer to do it themselves... but I don't care. It's done!)

And that's it. Another lovely Christmas tucked away in our memories... and our memory cards!

Pick a Cookbook Party

I have a lot of parties to plan this coming year. Having received my new cookbook (The Pioneer Woman Cooks), and reading it cover to cover, I thought it might be fun to have a few girlfriends look through the cookbook, too. This is how I see it in my mind's eye.

1. I make a list of dishes to be served at this party (Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Side Dish, Side Dish, Dessert).

2. I let five girlfriends look through the cookbook (whenever I happen to see them... at church, at lunch, after walking, etc.) As each girl flips through the cookbook, she picks one of the things on the list to make and bring to the party (the date of said party will be announced at a later time).

3. Once the five girlfriends have picked a recipe from THE cookbook, I will copy the recipe for them, set the date and time for the dinner, and EVERYONE will bring a dish from my new favorite cookbook (The Pioneer Woman Cooks).

I know what you're thinking. "This is just another name for a potluck!" But it's a potluck with a little more "structure," don't you think? And it's a way for five different people to experience five new recipes at one time (without ALL the hard work).

I like this idea. I like it a lot. Oh, 2010 is going to be a very busy year!

Have a great Monday. Christmas is over and there is STILL NO SCHOOL! Yes! Spend some special time with your kiddos and family this week. There will be time to clean next week. (At least I hope there will be time to clean!) Tomorrow's recipe is very good, so stop by and check it out.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda