Mid-Week Merriment with the Friday Forum

The holidays are a time for gathering together, enjoying conversation and making merry.  The Friday Forum embraces this attitude all year.  When the holidays roll around we double the fun.  Wednesday we gathered at my house for a holiday lunch and to share the treasures we stuffed into each other's stockings. 

Friday found us back in the office chatting over steaming mugs of fresh ground Sumatran beans, moist chocolate cookies and a tasty snack mix. 
 
Herein are musings from the Forum:

N., on the north end of the hall, not only provided the wonderful chocolate cookies and snack mix we all enjoyed but contributed these thoughts about the Wednesday party:
Favorite moment: Talking about our favorite Christmas movies/shows, even though S. and V. didn’t have one.
Favorite food: dessert – who knew you could put three different kinds of cookie in one ice cream? (Blue Bell Christmas Cookie . . . yum!)
Favorite thing about parties: laughing with friends.

M., on the south end, said:
The Christmas tree, decorated with so many memories of L’s childhood, was an inspiration. Our family tradition has been one new ornament each year, but I now want to incorporate this idea, with that new ornament representing a special memory. I was browsing Pinterest last night and found another inspiration! This year’s ornament is going to be homemade…a clear glass ball filled with sand and sea shells to remind us all of our wonderful family vacation in Virginia Beach! It will be a reminder of how blessed that time together was and keep us smiling until the next time we can all be together again. And, for our precious grandson there just may be a few clear glass balls filled with snowflakes and photos of his far away grandparents loving on him.
E. shared:
I am so blessed to work with such wonderful people. They are always there for me. I look forward to Friday Coffee Break every week. It is so fun to try new recipes and chat and relax for a spell!

M., in the front office, comments on both occasions:
I love the holiday conversations. I learn about so many different traditions that all of us have. I love S.’s Christmas tree which is a walk through her families past. It’s like a huge scrapbook. C.’s family opens one present every hour. How much fun keeping the excitement throughout the whole day! What we did when the kids where home is, between the 7 of them, draw names out of a hat and go to Wal-mart-give each child $20.00 dollars and they shopped for their secret brother or sister's gift. They enjoyed this so much. Plus, this helped me out since I really hate shopping!

Another topic today was personal space issues that come up when we go out to a store or are waiting in line somewhere. C.’s idea of envisioning a hula hoop around you, to mark as your own area to stay in, was fantastic.

Of course the chocolate cookies were fantastic, thank you N. and also getting a new recipe for a party mix from N.’s mom. They were both delicious!

Those of us in the Friday Forum appreciate you stopping by and sharing our fun.  Please take a moment and comment on a Christmas favorite for you, your family or your workplace.

Wishing you and your family/office a very Merry Christmas and successful New Year!

Pictures from:
vectorstock.com
askville.amazon.com
graphicssoft.about.com
christmasfor2012.blogspot.com

2011 Resolution: A Review . . . of sorts

January of 2011 I declared my words for the new year, "Be Not Afraid". With several major family events scheduled I was already feeling anxious.  As a child of God I know I should "be not afraid" so I made it my New Year's resolution to seek the peace in those words.   How did I do? 

Our only child, L., graduates from High School in the spring and leaves for college in the fall.  Spring term is grueling as he works to finish up Senior projects and pass tests earning his International Baccalaureate, as well as his high school, diploma.  Graduation day was exciting with family traveling in to celebrate.

Summer begins, the economy tanks, unemployment jumps and education funds disappear as the state scrambles to fund a system in distress.  Scholarship and loan money we thought would be available are frozen and announced as unlikely to reappear.  Completing my M.Ed. in 2005 was part of our plan toward paying for L.'s college.  I begin to search for full-time positions in earnest.  We sharpen our pencil, tighten our belts and apply for multiple scholarships.  L. puts in as many hours as his job will allow.

Money begins flowing to the university with down payments, fees and reservations.  Unexpected scholarships come in and we meet all the required obligations.  September we pack up and move L. into his dorm.  Tuition is paid, books are bought, housing is charged.  The first year is covered.

Fall, another school year and empty nest feelings settle in.  Lots of job applications, two interviews, no job offer.  My part time job is stable, my office mates are supportive and encouraging.  My husband and I see a marked reduction in the grocery bill, gas consumption and utilities.


How did I do, not being afraid, in 2011?  At each shift that would turn my insides with anxiety I would kneel at my bedside, offer it up to the LORD, ask forgiveness for my weakness and declare, with His help, I would not be afraid.   

2012 brings many of the same issues but I have known peace through 2011.   We have been steadfast; working, adjusting and tightening our finances and keeping God at the center of our lives.  We have met all our obligations and I am not afraid, that we will meet all that are yet to come.

John 14:27 (NIV) "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Pictures courtsey of: 
theeconomiccollapseblog.com
bookfoolery.blogspot.com
history.hazubu.com
vectorstock.com

Empty Nesting Quilt #3

#2 Christmas for D.

As of August, when our only son went off to college, I have been channeling my empty nest emotions through a creative outlet, quilting, (more piecing than actual quilting).  The first two were t-shirt quilts made from his High School tees and tees from K-8.

This fabric is the outside frame

This third quilt is a Christmas gift for my husband D. and is more traditional.  The squares have an applique made from remnants of Christmas fabric originally purchased to make pajamas for L. when he was small. 

#1 Christmas, 2001 for L.

Math has always been a bit of a challenge therefore there are plenty of the same scraps allowing for two quilts made from the same Christmas fabric.  

For convenience and ease of sewing I generally buy a flat sheet, (queen size for this), as backing but single sheets, outside of a set, are becoming increasingly difficult to find.  This is even more challenging when seeking a particular color.  Back to the trusty fabric store, a bit more sewing, an extra touch at the top and the backing is in place.


This quilt took much longer than the T-Shirt quilts and it seemed I was running out of steam.  Perhaps it was time to store the machines, (thank you #1 sister, J. for the serger) until my #2 sister, J., tickled my ears with the idea of the Quilt-As-You-Go method.  I like the idea of quilting but realize I don't have the patience for it.  This method, aptly demonstrated here, is very intresting and, I've decided, worth a try.  Stay tuned for #4.

Thanksgiving Kitchen Triathalon

My husband, D., is a cook.  In his early life he initially wanted to own his own restaurant.  He was actively working toward that goal when I was hired to work at the restaurant he was managing.  Our relationship works very well as I don't mind cleaning up.  I share this to say D. cooks frequently therefore I am well versed in kitchen clean up.

Being a contender in the clean up division I find the Thanksgiving meal to be the triathlon of clean ups.  Ours was a quiet celebration with only four in attendance so we had a small menu and made plans to enjoy it at the mid-meal.  Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry relish, rolls and a cherry pie for dessert.  Of the seven items listed only two were not pre-prepared.  Why, I wondered, were we in the kitchen all day?

The Thanksgiving meal, large or small, appears to require more hours and more kitchen tools to prepare, serve and clean up than any other meal.  We put the turkey in the oven at 9:00am and I was not out of the kitchen for more than a 30 minute stretch until the final wipe down was performed (with a Norwex rag) at 3:30pm. 

My Thanksgiving table.

I will give that I don't use paper goods.  We've eaten on the china since my son came home from elementary school and asked if we had any china.  When I said, yes, and wanted to know why he replied, "Cause my teacher said they only use their china when someone dies."

The good thing about Thanksgiving clean up is there are, generally, more hands to make the job go quickly.  I had the best time storing left overs, drying and putting away dishes in the midst of setting the kitchen to rights while my son, home from college, stood at the sink, elbow deep in dishwater and continued to wash all I put in the water until we were done.  We chatted and laughed and enjoyed each other's company, and the chore was no more.

Example of D.'s artful carving.

It was a wonderful day to enjoy food, family and a day spent together in thankfulness for all our blessings.  I pray your Thanksgiving day was as special.

Were you part of the cooking team or the cleaning team at your Thanksgiving feast?

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Aging Gracefully: Crossing the Threshold

Hitting 50 is the bell ringing, flag waving, socially accepted, certified doorway to old age.  AARP welcomes you under the confetti of mutliple mailings in anticipation of this momentous occasion.  On your 50th birthday you cross the threshold into old.

Since I've turned 50 there has been more than one store clerk ask if I wanted to join their senior's club.  On my receipt, just yesterday, the clerk graciously gave me the 15% senior discount, assuming there was no need to ask.  Don't get me wrong, I'll take a discount at any age.

I've also noticed that remarks concerning the aging body have my ears perking.  I find myself paying closer attention to the indigestion, bloating, acid reflux and Bengay commercials.  During some mild discomfort I went to investigate on the Internet and hit a BINGO for menopause symptoms.  Hello Old Age!

While at the library recently I held the door for an elderly lady walking with a cane.  She said to me, "Oh dear, never get old."  "It's too late!" I wanted to cry, "I've turned 50, I'm at the top of the hill sitting in a wagon!"  Instead I replied, with a smile, "I don't think I have a choice so I'm trying to do it gracefully."

Therefore, here at the threshold, in addition to the Dating and Mating series, Friday Forum posts, Treasures of the Heart, empty nest chronicles, writing commentaries and thoughts in general it seemed timely to pen my progress on Aging Gracefully.

When I crossed over in August, I started taking Vitamin D along with a Women's daily vitamin and have sought information on what helps ease the symptoms of menopause.  I'm a card carrying member of the AARP.

Positive changes already in progress have been to lose weight, truly attempt to exercise more, updating my make-up regime and turning my wardrobe towards a more classic look rather then trendy. 

I don't fear age, I fear the problems that come with age.  It isn't my goal to be mentioned by Willard Scott as a Smucker's 100 but with more and more mentions of 102+, if I make it I'd like to be ambulatory and continent.  With those goals in mind there is no better time to prepare than here at the threshold.

I say "Cheers!" to aging gracefully.   

What do you say?                                                  

photos courtsey of:

tp4ww.com

menopauserx.com

dailypainters.com

The Holiday Season Begins with Coffee and the Friday Forum

Each week, in our small office, the Friday Forum meets to enjoy a speciality coffee and tasty treats. Often we give our opinions on new food products.  You can find our previous blogs here.

With so many holiday flavored creamers available it is hard to decide which ones to taste.  Coffee Mate is a front runner with multiple varieties.  We have tried: Warm Sugar Cookie, Gingerbread, Eggnog, Peppermint Mocha, Pumpkin Spice.

Flavored coffees were put aside but we did not forsake good coffee blends.  Starbucks Kenyan blend, Pete's Arriba coffee beans and an office favorite, Magnolia blend from Trianon Coffee in Austin, have been brewed.

Two Snyder pretzels varieties, our test products, were evaluated: York Peppermint Chocolate Pretzel Sandwich, and Milk Chocolate Pretzel Dips.  On this November Friday E. also provided a lovely spread of Philadelphia cream cheese and crackers, pumpkin muffins, and fruit.

M. out front, who provided our pretzel samples, said, "The cream cheese spread had a great blend of veggies that complement any cracker. We also enjoyed the Snyder’s pretzels dipped in Hershey’s chocolate and the York Peppermint pretzel was the hit of the day. I think everyone enjoyed it the most."

N. gives these reviews:
"coffee – delicious!
Sugar Cookie Creamer – delicious!
Gingerbread Creamer – pretty good, not as good as sugar cookie.
Snyder’s peppermint chocolate pretzels – so good! It’s like a Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookie
Snyder’s Hershey’s chocolate pretzels – very yummy and potentially addictive
Thanks to E. for the lovely and tasty spread of cookies, muffins, fruit, crackers, and cream cheese spread! She gets an A+ for both presentation and taste."

This Friday C. provided great kolaches and donuts from Daylight Donuts along with a wonderful Amish coffee cake made by E., our own in-house pastry chef.

M., out front, had these thoughts, "I absolutely loved the magnolia blend coffee. I also put in the warm sugar cookie creamer and it tasted even better. The warm kolaches were fantastic as well as our conversations of family and face book irritations!"

M. agreed, "Coffee was delish as usual and we never seem to lack a tasty treat, but I am sure it is the conversation and gathering that makes everything even better."

Here's hoping your office is a warm and friendly place to celebrate and enjoy the holidays.  From our office to you: Season's Greetings! 

Pictures courtsey of:

wallpaperbordersrus.com

himfr.com

digiwebstudio.com

Dating & Mating #8: Mirror, Mirror On the Wall

No matter how much it is said, "Don't judge a book by its cover" it will be.  We judge most things, initially, by how they appear.  Knowing this it makes sense to encourage everyone to look their best but a quick glance around and it is apparent that that advice falls on deaf ears. 

All kinds of good advice here: DM#7, DM#6, DM#1-5

Today I want to talk about hair; a point of contention for many and a page one issue when dealing with our 'look'.  It is safe to say most people like what they don't have, i.e. thick hair wants sleek (not considering sleek is usually thin and/or oily), thin hair wants thick (dry, heavy, unmanageable) straight wants curly (kinky, unruly, frizzy) and so on.

I, like so many, am on a continual quest to find that perfect hairstyle.  That one that fits the shape of my face (heart, oval, square) along with the right products (de-frizz, conditioner, mousse, gel, Clairol) to make my thick and wavy, dishwater blond, mop to look good.

Without the right products on a windy,
humid day my hair is unruly:

    

Tightening up the waves was
an idea, but even in the 70's
it wasn't the look for me.

Technology allows us to obtain the opposite of what we have.
With the help of a straightening iron I reached sleek and straight.
When your family is used to one way . . . not!

Today, 50 years in with the same hair, I return to the salon hoping the beautician (now there's an old word), may have the skill to produce exactly what I think I want, to look my best.

What I need to do is accept that my hair is a reflection of my personality and/or my feelings at any given point in my life, or moment in the day.  Because it is so easily changed let us join together in solidarity and not try to find that perfect style but rather embrace our hair type and what it has to say about us.

If we are to be judged, let us be judged truly.