OLDER AND WISER

Yep, that's me. Another year older and another year wiser. Yesterday was my 34th birthday. And while I have become somewhat melancholy around this time in recent years (don't know why exactly), yesterday turned out to be an all right kinda day.

I came downstairs in the mornin' to find my hubby had left me a sweet card along with a dozen beautiful roses. Then I checked my email and found a very humorous ecard from my buddy Sonja who never forgets my b'day. Then my parientos showed up (along w/an engraved Williams-Sonoma apron and a card w/the some lovely green stuff inside!) to whisk me and the chilluns away to our local Mexican restaurant for a birthday lunch. That was a very special treat...maybe even more-so for the kids than the grown-ups. They love that place, and were BEYOND delighted when the amigos who work there gathered round me and put a big sombrero on my head while they sang a song to me in Spanish. I don't know what that song said, but it was hilarious even if I couldn't understand the words. Too bad my camera can't video and take still shots at the same time, 'cuz I would love to have Charity translate for me! Every time I hear those guys sing that song it tranports me straight back to good 'old Hondury. Where all the singers sound exactly alike. No matter what. Julia can appreciate! I guess I'll include the pics of my birthday lunch, proving once and for all that I have no pride.

That evening, Derek showed up from work early and took me to a most wonderful regional restaurant in Lexington, Dudley's. It was the whole package: ambiance (you gotta say that OM-BEE-YONTS!), top-notch service, INCREDIBLE food. We had a wonderful evening out alone just enjoying each other's company and "our" song off the latest Buble' album: "You're Everything" (love that song!).

Just for the kicks of it, I think I'll share our dinner selections with you. Both of us noticed how you could detect the high quality of ingredients in each food selection. It was all exquisite. Appetizer: Thai Chicken Wontons-Wontons filled with sweet and spicy chicken and cashews in a hot and sour dipping sauce. My main course: Penne Primavera w/grilled chicken- penne pasta tossed with green garlic, oyster mushrooms, white wine, herbed tomato butter, and grilled chicken w/asparagus tips. Derek had a perfectly grilled and seasoned Sirloin served atop pancetta polenta. Dessert was a devils food cake and vanilla bean sundae and Chocolate Decadence cake with every kind of chocolate known to mankind in it somewhere. Yes, it was heaven on earth. Our waiter snapped a quick shot of us; dimly lit dining room, but maybe you can get an idea.

I'll post my pics, and then I think I must be off to eat my leftovers from last night for lunch! :)

I am thankful to the Lord for another year of life, and the precious gift of sharing it with those that I love so much. God has been good to me.

Potpourri

As you may notice, it has been a LONG time since my last post! I even hesitate to write now, because there's just so much going on and so much I'd like to share with you and I hardly know where to start!

First, thanks to all of you for your concern re: my health issues. I am still being monitored for my blood pressure, and the doc will be looking further into the diabetes thing next week as well. I'm feeling better this Sunday than I did last Sunday for sure. I spent the better part of Sun night into Mon morning at the E.R. NOT my favorite place to be, but with pressures of 183/125 I didn't really have much choice! Again, thanks for your prayers. I appreciate them and still need them.

Also, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the spirited discussion that took place through my last post. So good for my mind to get to stretch like that! I wish I wouldn't have lost some momentum there for a few days, (sickness)but still I found the thread to be so encouraging, motivating, and convicting. You're a great bunch of ladies!

Last Saturday before all the chaos started around here, we had spent a lovely day together as a family . Went to one of our AWESOME bookstores(used b'day gift card to indulge in 2 new books, and the new Michael Buble' CD!),that sits on a man-made 'lake' where the kids can feed the ducks, etc. Very nice. And then we enjoyed a yummy dinner at the Seafood restaurant there. I'm picky about seafood having spent so many years getting the 'real thing' in FL, but this place is good! HOWEVER, I simply had to post this pic for you, my good friends. !

THIS IS WHAT IT'S COME TO, PEOPLE.
TARA AND A FAKE PALM TREE. SO WRONG.

THE KIDDOS FEEDING THE DUCKS.



On to another truly devastating QUANDRY: I could really use some input. Although, I know exactly what you will all say anyway. I really don't have a choice. You see, our Pastor's wife traditionally buys Christening gowns for all the little babies born into the church. She bought Sophie's four years ago, and it was VERY lovely. It's just her 'thing' and that's fine....USUALLY. For some reason (maybe Tara bad luck) she decided to MAKE Reagan's gown. Now, here's the deal. She's a wonderful seamstress. Does good quality work. But for some reason beyond my comprehension, she made Reagan's gown out of EYELET!!!!!!! EYELET LACE, people!!! My precious bouncing baby boy will be wearing a girlie gown. (did that in my best Arnold impersonation). What am I gonna do? When I opened the package, the first thing I noticed were the little BOWS tied on the ends of the arms. (I have since untied those), and then I pulled out this lovely Christening gown.....for a GIRL! Oy! I just had to share my frustration! So, here are pics of the gown and hat. Give me whatcha got. I can take it....really...I can (wailing.....)

In other matters of potpourri, I thought I'd mention about the Creation Museum that's been built outside of Cincy and scheduled to open for the public tomorrow. This has been done by Answers in Genesis, that I'm sure most of you are familiar with. This is very HIGH-TECH, HIGH-QUALITY, museum put together by Christian Scientists at the highest level of professionalism. We have been anticipating its opening for about 2 yrs now, since not much big takes place in KY. And this is the only museum of its kind in the USA. It would not be a far drive for several us to do a combined field trip, and a couple of us are already discussing it. So I thought I'd put it out there and anybody else who wants to join in, we can communicate details via emails! I'm going to try to post a link here from a newspaper regarding the museum to give you a better idea.
http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/79412.html

UPDATE HERE: I JUST FOUND OUT THAT FOR GROUPS OF 15 OR MORE, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DISCOUNT. YOU MUST RESERVE YOUR GROUP DATE AT LEAST 14 DAYS IN ADVANCE, AND 25% DOWN IS REQUIRED, BUT THIS WOULD STILL SAVE US A GOOD DEAL OF DOUGH! JUST PASSING IT ON....!


Perhaps the Highlight of the week was a family field trip we took to the Ale8 Factory. Seeing how they bottle the 'good stuff' was like a visit to a magic kingdom. :) I will post pics of that another time! I know you can't wait....!

I am currently reading two new books that I am enjoying very much. They are "Sanctuary" by Pamela Baily, and "How to Raise an American" by Myrna Blythe and Chriss Winston. EXCELLENT books, and I plan to review them and add them to my Recommendation section at the bottom of the page. Also, just FYI, this last week Harper Collins Publishers published "The Reagan Diaries", or rather the first in a series. Turns out President Reagan kept detailed diaries in his own hand for the length of his presidency. These were not written for posterity or for any foreknowledge of publication. These were just because he sought solace TREMENDOUSLY by putting pen to paper. So this is a raw, honest look at life in the White House and of the man himself. I'm looking forward to getting a copy of it, and thought I'd pass it on.

Well, I'm going to bring this one to a close now. Surely I have forgotten something that I wanted to share, but that's okay! This has mostly been mish-mosh anyway. And if you're still with me, as I sign off, then you must indeed be my friend! Blessings on you today!

Brain- Picking....

This is not at ALL like nose-picking. And I should know...! (for those of you who remember my 5 Experience Day story from Ukraine!)

Julia encouraged me to move along to a new blog so that the string of comments would come to an end on my previous one. Hence, she still holds the title strong and true! It was a good discussion, though, and I hope we can continue bouncing that kind of helpful info off of one another. Also, thanks for the birthday well-wishes. I'm old now, and at the stage in life when birthdays don't feel very exciting anymore; usually get a little melancholy, to tell the truth. But Sonja sent me the BEST little e-card that gave me the greatest laugh! Thanks, friend

Back to brain-picking. I have all kinds of little things I'd like your ideas on. First, I always try to plan something for the special services on the church calendar: i.e. Mother's Day. The last few years I've pulled out my best stuff and I'm just coming up blank this year. I would like to find a really great reading or poem about Motherhood that's not just cliche' (I can't bear cliche') or even a nice idea for a dialogue/monologue or something. I think I'm going to share a song entitled The Blessing that I've also heard on the radio lately. It's not specifically about mothers but I like the message it sends. The predominant line in the song is "let it be said of us...." and then goes on to share about the legacy that we as Christians want to leave behind. I did the Nicole Nordiman "LEGACY" song for Father's Day last year, so this will be a nice build on that,I think. SO anyway, if you could send your brilliant brain-waves this direction, I would SO APPRECIATE it! Oh, I did think of one thing I may do. I found a collection of quotes entitled, "what have American presidents said about their mothers?". These are WONDERFUL one and two-liners by a whole host of former Presidents about their moms. I'm a presidential history junkie so I loved these. I thought I would have Derek put them into Powerpoint and have them scrolling on the overhead as people come in for Morning Worship. Whadya think?

Next, I'd like to share that my little sister became engaged on her 29th birthday! (two weeks ago). She was so excited and is planning for a fall wedding. I've been trying to help her with the planning in whatever way I can. She has a pretty good vision for what she'd like but could use some suggestions and fresh ideas too! Would any of you care to share what is your favorite unique thing you've seen done *or had done!* during a wedding ceremony or reception. Julia, I do know she's been looking more into the covenant side of marrriage. I told her that was your predominant "theme" so if you have any tidbits to pass on, she's appreciate that. And Marty, I think you're the only one I remember having taken communion (could be wrong about that), but if you have any ideas on that, great. But this is really open to you all: married and non. Favorite wedding ideas???

And to sum it up, I've been GREATLY enjoying the recipe exchange! Last Friday, I fixed Kayla's Ziti Melt and Heather's cappucinno muffins for dinner. My family did indeed arise and call me "BLESS-ED"!! I ended up having to make a second batch of those muffins on Sunday evening! Kim, these are to die for with a good cup of coffee! Anyway, I am getting ready to remove my pancake recipe and replace with something else. Just a warning if you want to print it off or anything! Back to ideas: I was thinking of hosting the Sunday Dinner on Mother's Day. My mom does it EVERY WEEK like I mentioned before. Serves an army every Sunday. She deserves a week off, doncha think?!? But now I think my Dad is gonna grill something to give us all off for the main dish. I'd like to do some side dishes that are really special though. Once I know what cut of meat we're grilling (t-bone, filet, etc.) I 'll pass it on if that will help. I really wanted to step it up from the typical casseroles: broccoli or green bean, etc. I want something unique and GOOOOOOOOD! Thanks for your ideas in advance.

Well, I hope you take this as a compliment for my deep confidence in all your brilliant minds and not that I'm a mind-less sponge!!!! I look forward to your responses, that I know we'll all benefit from.

Have a most excellent, delightful day!

p.s. I think I had left a couple of responses to people on my previous blog: this is where the blogging gets confusing. How to move from conversation to conversation and not waste a comment! Oy!