Resolved to Strengthen My Family...Spiritually

Have you made New Year's Resolutions? Many want to start the new year off "right". Have you negleted a resolution more important than weight-loss, being on-time or getting more exercise? I wonder how many of my friends spend time with their family each day/night by spending time in God's Word, talking about the principles for "right" living. This is a book our family enjoys as part of our daily family devotions. I highly recommend it.

http://www.scripturetruth.com/shop/item.aspx/Our-Family-Time-with-God--Family-Devotions-for-Every-Day-of-the-Year-9780942889154/

We're Hoos...How 'Bout You?

Do you have a special date night splurge with your husband? Is there something out of the ordinary (other than your home, children and family life) that you two share?

A hobby, sport, activity or passion that brings the two of you together...not the run-of-the-mill normal "living" kind of things.


For us, it's football. More specifically, college football.


You see, we've grown up in a college town.

Charlottesville, Virginia...home to The University of Virginia

We are Virginia Cavaliers fans, through and through.

We've known how to "paint the town orange" since we can remember. Well, It probably took a little longer for my country boy to come around as a Wahoo fan, seeing he spent so much of his childhood in the country, chasing fireflies and playing in the creek beds. ;)

Nevertheless, he is a HUGE fan, now!


I grew up watching UVA football games and I even had the privilege of going the women's basketball games with my dad.

My childhood dream was to play college basketball for UVA and attend the UVA Law School.

Twenty plus years later, I am an even bigger fan. My husband and I have found out that we enjoy watching the games TOGETHER. (If you run to the TV to catch the game when your man is not even home, you are, without a doubt a football fan! Yep, that's me!)


What we love even more than watching the game on TV is going TO THE GAMES...oh, my!

It's our "splurge".

A seemingly frivolous thing that brings us together...cheering on the home team, jumping with excitement when they score a touchdown and singing the "Good Ole' Song".

Whatever your splurge is with your "love" make sure that you don't get so busy living life, raising a family and paying the bills that you forget to do that special thing. Take the time to work on and build a strong marriage...one day those kids are going to be "raised" and on their own and you'll be left staring into the eyes of a stranger if you don't build your relationship now.

If you don't have something special, then make up something that can be your own...it doesn't even have to be expensive as long as it's just the two of you, together and enjoying your special friendship.

We even enjoy going for a drive on a pretty day or a warm evening, winding our way along back country roads, taking advantage of an occasional stop sign to lean over a sneak a passionate kiss or two...Or three. ;). It's those kind of things that will bind your hearts together and strengthen your marriage.

Living purposefully goes beyond raising your children...it's also what will make a fulfilling, lasting marriage.

Decking the Halls

I love Christmas....more importantly, I love the warmth, the joy and the family traditions that come along with it.

As I get older (I'm certainly not getting an younger) I find that I spend more time in reflection, savoring moments that may never come again.

One of my favorite times is when we decorate the tree. We get out the hot cocoa and eggnog, then my husband and I sit back to watch the large production of adorning our 9 foot tree. Our children know how it works (we've done it the same ways for years).

When my children were much smaller, I wanted them to be able to enjoy decorating the tree, as well as satisfy my "OCD" ways. ;). Sooo, I bought boxes and boxes of colorful Christmas balls...we have so many balls that they can put them wherever they want with no worries that someone will rearrange them because they are too close. Our tree is LOADED with these simple little balls.

After the hundreds (seriously, hundreds) of balls are on, then we bring out the special ornaments. Everyone gets to place their special ornaments which turns out to be quite a treat for them.

Once the tree is loaded, everyone steps back commenting how beautiful it turned out with the usual, "I love our tree" comments. :)

I love being a mom. I love the privilege that I have to impact and raise these special children that I have been blessed with. My heart overflows with joy!

Tis the Season...Slave or Free

It's interesting that one day seems to be celebrated for a "season"...

December is filled with shopping, parties, shopping, crafting, SHOPPING, cooking, Shopping, caroling, SHOPPING, eating, Shopping, plays and maybe even a little more SHOPPING (imagine that).

It's no wonder why so many people get depressed right after Christmas. There has to be a bit of a letdown with all of this leading up to one day (not to mention the credit card bills that start to roll in after all of the shopping).

The thought of being a "slave" to something seems to stick out in my mind of late...

The Bible tells us that we should not be a slave to anything (other than Christ). Yet, have you ever realized how much we allow other things to become our masters?

Any SIN that we allow in our lives becomes our master.

ANY SIN!

Pride, Envy, Hate, Lust, etc.

They are the things that we allow to dictate our behavior, our attitudes, our relationships...the reason that we do the things we do.

Ugh! Not a pretty thought, is it?

It may even be the praise of men...

could it be that sometimes we don't give gifts out of genuine love but instead that we may be thought of well by the one receiving the gift. We spend MORE on a gift because we don't want someone to think we're "cheap" or because we want someone to like us.

Generally, I give gifts out of sincerity. Nothing irks me more than the phrase,
"We'll, you know you have to give them something since they got you a gift."

Really?!?!

I think not- I want to be "real" and act out of heartfelt love and sincerity.

I thought we were giving gifts out of sincere love, to show appreciation and as a sign of affection...not DUTY.

Don't get me wrong, I am no Scrooge. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

I LOVE to give gifts...I'd be bankrupt if I gave everyone what I would like to...I like to put a lot of thought into what I give. My kids laugh because they never ask for anything (I thank God for children that are not so self-centered and want, want, want) but they always seem to be thrilled with the gifts that they get. I think it's because I don't just get things to shove under the tree but spend a lot of time researching, paying attention to what they like, and then thoughtfully choosing a gift for them.

They don't get tons of gifts either. This year they may get 2 gifts each along with a stocking with some small things and goodies.

But I GUARANTEE they are going to LoVE what they get. (I can hardly wait to see them open them ). For goodness sakes, how awful it would be if they had piles of presents and didn't appreciate anything...unwrapping one thing, tossing it aside and going to the next thing.

I challenge you, dear reader to slow down, think about how you are choosing to celebrate this holiday.

Don't become a slave to the commercialism that seems to have invaded this beautiful season.

Instead find joy in the little things...reflect upon Christ and His ultimate gift.

This time of year is wonderful to stop and REALLY think about the sacrifice Christ made for us so that we can be free from the chains and slavery of sin.

The decorating, the parties, the gift-giving...it's all just fine. But try to think about the reason you do what you...make sure you are living in the freedom Christ has given you if you are HIs Child.

Traditions of Purpose

 

 There are just some things that we have to do.

 

Yes, I know the old line " death and taxes".

 

But for me, I feel the need for more...

                                              like family traditions.

Do you have any?

You should- at least that is this writer's humble opinion.

What do "traditions" really mean to your family?

I don't really care what they are but I think that they give a sense of belonging, security and love. You see, your traditions are unique to your family and the things that you do include those that you're close to.

It may be certain foods you cook for a particular occasion, the way you celebrate special days, the way you decorate, games you play, people you visit...the list can go on and on. Whatever they are, they serve a very special purpose.

For my family, we have ALOT of traditions...

I decorate the house for EVERY season. There are certain decorations that have their special place each year. My girls could put everything out with their eyes closed- they've watched me do it for so long. If I tried to do it any different, the house would be in an uproar! ;)

When it comes time for a birthday, we don't really do parties but celebrate with going out for a breakfast date with mom and dad. That evening, we celebrate as a family with a favorite meal- a special request.

 

 

At Thanksgiving, dinner is always very special. The table is decorated beautifully. We get out the silver, cloth napkins and special dishes. Each child finds a festively wrapped ornament at their place.

These special ornaments will be placed on the tree the next day when all of the Fall decorations are put away and the loads of Christmas decorations are brought out.

 

 

When my children are ready to marry and start families of their own, they will have special ornaments from their childhood as a start for their family collection

A few years ago, when our oldest was in college, we went to visit her for Thanksgiving and packed the china, silver and fall decorations. We cooked the entire meal in the hotel room with crockpots and a microwave.

 

We spread out the tablecloth, decorated the table, lit the candles, placed the ornaments on each child's plate and enjoyed our family Thanksgiving in the hotel room.

 

 

  My kids loved it!

  

 

 

 

These are the kind of things that they will probably repeat with their own families and the traditions will live on.

This is all part of living purposefully.

We should not just stumble through life, trying to make it from day to day living, being subject to whatever comes our way.

 

Living a life of purpose is much more than that! I don't do all of these things just for me- I do them for my children. I believe it's important. I want my children to feel loved, to be secure and confident in their place in this world...and traditions are tools to accomplish just that. :)

 

Betty Crocker- Keep Your Place

As Thanksgiving arrives, so does the busy-ness of the season. But, just before things get crazy, we pause to celebrate with our church family. We've begun a new tradition at our church...the Tuesday before Thanksgiving we have a banquet, inviting friends and those we know that may not have the abundance that many of us enjoy.

I enjoy cooking.

Making large meals (or large quantities) does not bother me. I don't feel overwhelmed by making 25+ pounds of mashed potatoes (especially when my Abby cuts up the potatoes for me) ;)

It may be because I have a large family or the fact that I was raised doing this sort of thing, thanks to my grandma who, when Christmas came around, had a spread that would make Golden Corral blush.

Once I was old enough to help, my older sister was married and I became her "right-hand-man" ...I was a cheerful little helper, running down to her basement pantry, bringing up ingredients, reading off recipes, watching my papa drill into coconuts, sipping the fresh coconut milk and then helping to grate the coconut for her glorious coconut cakes.

She took NO shortcuts- everything was the best of the best, all home-made from scratch and had no equal! I don't think people cook like that anymore. We've become servants to "Betty Crocker" "Stouffer's" and "Chef-Boy-Ardee". There's no wonder why many of us, as well as our children have health issues, weight problems and can't cook worth-a-lick! Sad. Very Sad.

Anyway, back to the banquet...

So, we enjoy an enormous bounty with our church family and friends. Our ladies seem to have missed the frozen junk food aisle and must have paid attention to their grandma's cooking lessons because they sure can cook! :)

Half the fun of the banquet is the decorating. I am so blessed to have girls that are creative and not only do they have great ideas, they know how to bring these wonderful ideas to fruition.

I am also blessed to have an amazingly creative friend who has such a servant's heart and always goes above and beyond. Her children work so well with mine (very much like siblings) and they make anything they set their mind to look wonderful.

I didn't get any photos of our adult tables but do have the children's tables to share.

Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake with Ganache

Originally, I had seen this recipe on Barefoot Contessa (The Food Network).  But since then, it has been added to several recipe sites.  Nevertheless, it's amazing!

Ingredients
For the crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (10 crackers)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the filling:
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 tablespoon instant espresso coffee
1 3/4 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
For the ganache:
1/4 pound semi-sweet chocolate
1/4 cup heavy cream
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

To make the crust:

Place the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and cinnamon in a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until combined. Pour into a 9-inch springform pan. With your hands, press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 12 minutes. Cool to room temperature.

Meanwhile, chop the bittersweet chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Add the espresso and stir until just melted. Set aside until cooled to room temperature.

To make the filling:

Cream the cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla and almond extracts and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce the speed of the mixer to medium and add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well. Scrape down the bowl and beater, as necessary. With the mixer on low, add the sour cream, and the cooled chocolate mixture. Mix thoroughly and pour into the cooled crust.

Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off and allow the cake to sit in the oven with the door opened wide for 1 1/2 hours. Take the cake out of the oven and allow it to sit at room temperature, until completely cooled.

For the ganache:

Finely chop the semisweet chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Add the cream and stir until just melted. Set aside until cooled to room temperature.

Remove the cake from the springform pan by carefully running a hot knife around the outside of the cake. Leave the cake on the bottom of the springform pan for serving. Drizzle the ganache over the top of the cheesecake.