Happy New Year :)

Can you believe that its already here? I am still trying to get over the fact that Christmas is over . . .

Other than watching 24 episodes and eating dark chocolate, I think us Hofpeeps are just gonna lay low tonight. Any parties going on??? ;)


So, resolutions - - - I normally don't go for this sort of thing, but these are more like goals anyway, and I go for goals all the time :)


-The usual - get back in shape ;)

-Get our 2nd bedroom in order. (We are looking to purchase some fitness equipment (see above ;) and make the room more like an office/workout room rather than a junk/craft/everything room ;)

-Landscape our backyard - patio/firepit/magnolia tree/gardening - the whole kit & caboodle.

-Landscape our front yard - rose garden!

-Try out new recipes!

- Have more people over (I need guinea pigs for those new recipes!)

-Visit family

- more to add later ;)

What's on your list???

Merry Christmas :)

Cohoon Fam mantle - complete with some Nutcracker-action ;)

Christmas brunch at my family's - with a spread never short of deliciousness. . .

Kudos to Em for her magic hands!

Windcrest Lights

Christmas Day, we took a little drive for the Windcrest Light-Up. They have some of the most magnificent Christmas lights and displays! ;)

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, we turned off all the lights and lit all the candles around the living room - our advent candles, our mantle candles, and turned on the Christmas lights. Then, we snuggled on the couch and listened to The Festival of Carols cd that is a family tradition for Haven.

How dear this tradition has become to me. . .

This year especially, listening to it, the Lord gave me such peace and contentment as we look back on the year reflectively, and look forward to the year ahead with excitement.

Amen, God is so good to His children!

Happy Pup

We truly spoiled our pup this Christmas. Well, can you blame us? He's so stinkin' cute!

I broke down and we got him a dog bed. . . he loves it - and the couch has been reclaimed by humans!

And yes, then we got him a big bone - a Texas sized bone. . .

Oh boy

;)

Nativity, Texas-Style

Last week, we did something really special. After bundling up with coats, we made a quick stop at Starbucks for mochas and brownies, and then went to an event that a local church was putting on: A 'Drive-Thru Nativity'. Lines of cars weaved around the church parking lot, making stops at each point, as the story of Jesus' birth was told on a cd.

This was all free, all a ministry outreach. What a touching time!

Okay, and we did kind of joke that it was the 'Texas way' to have a 'Drive thru nativity' ;)

Click here for a link to a video someone posted on YouTube

Score!

Well, now I really have NO excuse NOT to cook ;) Haven really surprised me with this KitchenAid set of pots & pans -

Thank you Honey!!!

Oh, and I just cannot fail to mention this other gift he gave me. . . at first look, its an ordinary desk calendar, but my DH wrote me something sweet on EACH day! What a guy ;)

Fourth Sunday of Advent

A simple breakfast -
juice and cinnamon rolls -
&
a sweet Sabbath preparing for the celebration of the birth of of Savior :)

So Much More

For those who know me, I am not a 'happy go lucky', 'always sunshine' kind of girl. Rainbows come AFTER the rain, and great views come on the TOPS of high mountains.

I feel like I have been facing many giants this past month, well, months. The 'demon of inadequacy' perfectly describes it (to borrow the words from my sister). I have posted before about feeling inadequate. Its a depressing feeling. You never feel like you are enough, you never feel like you are doing enough, and you never feel like you will ever be enough. . .

Have you ever felt that way?

It trashes every area of your life if you let it get to you. Most of the time, it stays on the surface, like a beach ball in the pool, but every once and a while it becomes lead and sinks your heart. What happens to the joy that you should have? Well honey, it goes down with you like a Roman ruin.

How does this happen? It begins with wandering. Jesus gave us the straight and narrow, but sometimes, the wide and windy looks more exciting to us. So we veer. We listen to the evil one, whispering deadly nothings into our ears - wouldn't this or that be better? We listen. We stumble. We ate the apple. We are foolish.
We doubt what God has given to us, and more importantly who He has made us. How can I forget that I am a daughter of God? It doesn't just happen by coincidence. I must confess that I chose to deny my identity in Him when I began that veering in my heart.

And in the end, the evil one laughs at me. By believing him, I only feel the burn of inadequacy, and the sting of doubt and misery. I have wandered too far to a foreign place, unknown.

Take me home again. I just want to go home again.

The Father is truly merciful. How stupid we are, how foolish! Why do you wander child? Why do you wander away from the One who loves you, who holds your identity, who claims you as His own? Why?

All those failures you feel, those feelings of inadequacy, they are wiped clean. I call you Mine, and you are adequate. You are chosen by God, you are made in His image and none other.

Don't let this world get you down. Don't give in to the evil one's words. Everything you need is in Him, our God. When you feel like a failure and you just don't feel enough, remember who you are in Him. Glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Glorify Him through loving your family, Enjoy Him through working in your job, and driving to work in sometimes gridlock traffic. Glorify Him even when you don't understand why He's brought you to a barren place and wants you to stay there for a while. Remember how faithful He always is. Enjoy Him through the changes, the hard times, the trials. He is your Purpose when you feel purposeless. He is your comfort when you are down.

And all those failures? Gone. Throw them out. And when they keep taunting you, keep throwing them out until you've licked them good. Show the world who you really are. Put on your armor and keep it on -
He has made you more than a conqueror in Him.
So much more.

Happy Birthday, Nephew Mine :)

Let's celebrate!!!

Andrew David is 1 today!!!
Happy Birthday Big Boy!!!

Mend

Mom had successful jaw surgery yesterday - her doctors were very pleased with how everything went. She was on the higher end of loss of blood, but a transfusion was not necessary, thank goodness.

She is probably going to be released this very afternoon. We all cannot wait to love her and get her better!

Thank you for your love and prayers!

In Dulci Jubilo

In sweet rejoicing,
now sing and be glad!
All our joy
lies in the manger;
It shines like the sun
in the mother's lap.
You are the alpha and omega!

As I was helping mom with writing these touching lyrics on a poster board I couldn't help but get teary at 'All our joy lies in the manger".
What a beautiful thought, our Saviour, and our King - not just a baby, OUR JOY!!! All of our Joy is in Him! HE IS OUR JOY!!!

This past Sunday, we both woke to the sun rising in our east side window - as it was peeking through the blinds, it caught H's sleepy eyelids and he rolled over back to the fleeting night. I rose, enlivened by the morning and made some oh-so-original Betty Crocker blueberry muffins, turkey bacon, and scrambled eggs. The last time I made any of these items is too long ago to remember. All of them together - don't even ask . . . maybe in the early days of our marriage. The simplicity of the morning made it easier for us to reflect on our Scripture readings and each other. After all, Sabbath meals should NOT be stressful.

Beautiful rest and renewal got us off to a new week, and we are all going to need it this week. Especially my precious mom, who is having jaw surgery this Wednesday to help cure her sleep apnea. Please keep her in your prayers - it will be a long road to complete recovery.

Thank you! May He be your Joy this week!!!

Cold, Wet and Sniffy

No, we are not sick. Just a little sniffy. Mountain cedar seems to be confused. The weather is warm, then wet and cold. It blooms, spreads pollen, and then shrinks. We are happy when it shrinks. Unfortunately, allergies just seem to be year-round here in ol' San Antone.

And speaking of slumps - our poor Spurs are down with our two best players gimping with sprained ankles. . . 2 losses = sad times :( We still love 'em though!

Its been raining all day, tidge on the nippish side of things. Coat weather makes me happy :) H and I dream of getting back to the northwest someday, where days like these are the norm.

Don't worry Texas, we are still here and will be here for a while :)

I tasted the worst thing yet this season. Trying to get in the 'spirit' foodwise, I tried Sonic's new peppermint blast - BLEH!!!! I think that the biggest turnoff was the gaggy "mint" green color (more like green food coloring not all the way mixed).

Gag. The taste was too vile to post.

What possessed me to venture into peppermint land anyway?

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Its been quite some time since I last had a 'birthday post'. It's high time, don'tcha think!? ;)

Today is my dear Mother's birthday - I will not disclose her age ;)

She is a wonderful woman, a daughter of the King, a beloved Wife, Mother to 7, Grandmother to 2, a Teacher, a Mentor, and a Friend and so many other things.

Mom, you are SOOO LOVED!!!!

Happy Birthday to you, I am so glad that you are my Mother!

I can't wait to celebrate you later! :)

2nd Sunday of Advent

How refreshing this Sunday was for us - an easy morning, waking up renewed, and me not worrying about putting breakfast on the table. This recipe was so simple and delicious!




We lit candle #2 and enjoyed Scripture readings and enjoying eachother's company over coffee and a little toaste francaise ;)

The whole day was a realization of God's love and the rich depth of His blessings through the fellowship of friends and family - What a gracious Giver!

Christmas Blessings

What sweet surprises have come our way, making our Christmas so merry this year -

Thank you Grammy - the bells are lovely! Seeing you was the best gift of all!

Thank you Dad and Laurel - we love our Spode dishes!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas . . .

Christmas Decorating :)

We need a stocking for our pup ;)

WOHOO!

We kicked 'em back to Dallas!!!

Tonight . . .

A Big ol' Texas rivalry is going to take place . . .

GO SPURS GO!!!

First Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 9:6

6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

After decorating and getting our tree up last night, I felt a little more 'christmasy' (more pictures to come). I guess it really doesn't take all that much. I do love this time of year. But most of all, I love the rich depth we find in remembering Jesus Christ's birth, and all the exciting prophecies of old leading up to it.

This morning, we reflected over these things with some passages of Scripture H had pulled out. It touched me even more deeply this time upon reading because we are going through Matthew in BSF this year. All the new things I am learning through the training I am receiving and through teaching these kids is extremely precious.

I had risen early and made Mandelkrans (*see previous post) and we lit our first candle in our red candle wreath that I uncovered in our unpacking ;) (A little red spray paint made it look more festive.)

Oh yes, a little about the Mandelkrans -

I felt like I was wrestling the dough for 15 minutes of tiring kneading and pulling, stretching and rolling. The dough was just not how I expected it would be. But it finally became malleable enough for me to drape over a bundt pan and fill with a crushed almond and craisin mixture. It tasted delicious. It was a lot of work though ;)

I think next Sunday I am going to try this recipe I saw on Rachel Ray last week :) Looks a little easier - and I love french toast!

French Toast Cups with Fresh Fruit and Cream

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• Dash of vanilla extract, optional
• Dash of fresh nutmeg, optional
• 8 slices white or wheat sandwich bread
• 1 pint fresh berries such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or raspberries
• Whipped cream

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375ºF.

Spray the inside of each cup of a 6-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg. Cut a slit in the corner of each slice of bread from the middle of the slice to the edge.

Dip each slice of bread in the egg mixture then lightly press it into a cup of the muffin tin, overlapping the pieces where you cut the slit to make it fit into the cup without tearing.

Bake the French toast cups for 12-14 minutes, until they're light golden brown.

Allow the cups to cool slightly in the muffin tin before removing them. To serve, arrange the cups on a platter and fill each one with fresh fruit and top with whipped cream.

Hope you had a blessed Sabbath!

Sweet

While researching some fun Christmas recipes, I stumbled on this goldmine of a recipe site - mindspring.com.I did find something rather delicious, which I am very eager to try out on my hubby. I'll let you know how it goes - this looked a little more complicated than the twisted bread recipe I mentioned (which is (as I remember it) basically bread dough twisted together and glazed in a butter/sugar mixture and baked till golden) but sounds even more delicious.

Almond Pastry Ring - Mandelkrans

Makes 1 large or 2 small

• 4 cups flour
• 2 eggs -- beaten
• 4 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons white wine
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 package dry yeast
• ½ cup warm water
• 2 cups butter

• 1 cup raisins -- coarsely ground (hmm . . . not a big raisin fan - maybe I'll try craisins :)
  
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 6 tablespoons almonds -- finely chopped
• 1 lemon rind -- grated
• 6 eggs -- beaten
• 2 egg yolk -- optional
• 2 tablespoons almonds -- ground

• 8 egg whites -- beaten stiff
• 1 cup sugar
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup almonds -- ground

PASTRY RING

Mix flour, eggs, sour cream, wine and salt, blending well.

Soften the yeast in the water. Add to above mixture and blend well.

Knead until bubbles appear on the dough.

Roll out to ¼-inch thickness. Place the butter on the dough, fold over completely, sprinkle with flour, roll and beat gently with the hands until very flat.

Fold the 4 corners envelope style to the center of the dough and roll very thin. Repeat this procedure 4 times. The dough will be very flaky and rich. To make the ring for which the Danes are famous, fill as follows:

FILLING

Blend first five ingredients together well. Line a baking ring pan with half of the pastry dough. Place filling over this evenly. Cover with rest of pastry dough.

Brush with the beaten egg yolks and ground almonds to make the ring more decorative if you wish.

Let rise until doubled in bulk in a warm place.

Bake 40 minutes in a preheated 325º oven.

Grab Bag

My tummy is warm and full from delicious creamy tomato & basil soup and a grilled cheese sandwich (thank you Steph, you sweetie :)

I just pulled on my jammies and I am determined to go to bed before 11 tonight. . . we'll see if I hold to that - I have to get some laundry done first.

I am looking down at my napping pup - he was rather frustrated with me earlier because I wasn't playing with him. Poor little guy wore himself out being agitated. Now his little belly is sticking out from his sideways position as he snores. He reminds me of a college student, with his ability to sleep anywhere at anytime.

This Sunday is the first Advent - I am contemplating how to make it special. We have a candle wreath somewhere in our junk room - I cringe at the thought of trying to find it.

And food, yes, the food. I always look forward to the food. ;)

I am eager to twist some sweet bread braids this year. I think I have only made twisty bread once, a long while ago.

I am starting to get into the Christmas spirit, slowly, I have one more day to enjoy some sanity.

My lovey comes home tomorrow!

Christmas Delirium

I am confused.

When I walk around our neighborhood, I have to remind myself that Christmas is in 25 days and not tomorrow. But when I see people decorating in in flurries with their lights, electrical reindeer, snowflakes and santas, I can't help feeling a little 'behind'.

Am I strange in that I usually wait till December to decorate? Or that we usually get our tree the 2nd weekend of December or so?

I know that there is no rule of thumb (except for goodness' sake, wait until AFTER Thanksgiving to bring out the trimmings), but I feel off the wagon on this one. And the thing is, I am not going to change either.

We are still in November, right?

I'll see you in a couple days. . .

Just for laughs, of course

My hubby sent me an email with a link to a sled dogging supply, er, I mean, dog sledding site.

We are contemplating a great future for our canine . . . who cares if he's a lab amongst huskies?


* before you worry your little heads off, no, we are not really submitting our house pet to a life of snow-paws and confused identity - we will all stay nice and warm inside.

Jack Frost, you got my number

A cold front is moving in - fast-paced, loud and dramatic - winter's grand entrance.

Hector and I bundled up and went out to meet it. We skipped through the late fall leaves and tried not to get swept away. The rain is soon to follow, but we are now snuggly in our warm little house.

I am doing laundry and watching a delightful movie called 'Band Wagon' - a Fred Astaire movie I have not yet seen :)

The house is almost clean, and I am excited that tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Mom always creates such a feast and I am eager to get over in the morning to help her.

Haven comes home tomorrow afternoon - he has a four day weekend - the poor guy will probably spend most of that just trying to get over the flu he caught :(

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! May God richly bless you with His love through feasting and fellowship!

And one more thing . . .

Phew . . .

Today I was cleared from this charge :)

Things to be Thankful For

Its Thanksgiving week, and today I was beginning to reflect upon some things that I am really thankful for


Like:


God's hand over my life, and the privilege it is to be His daughter.

A Husband who loves the Lord, loves me and works so hard for us

Our families and friends daily reminding us of God's love

Provisions of a roof overhead, transportation, food, financial blessings


Just a few things, and there are so many more I could say. . .

Thank you Lord for Your Faithfulness!!!

Pooch Pillow

UPDATE: This looked hopeful ;)

*****************************************************************************************

Okay, to my dog-loving audience - (or, to those who love sewing things of this nature)

I have a little problem. He's my four-legged, adorable, BUT shedding monster who sleeps on our couch. I don't like this one bit. I always make sure that I have a protective sheet over the couch, but I am getting tired of spoiling him like this. Plus, I really want my couch back! And fur-free!

I want to make this pup his own place to plop. I am reluctant to throw down $60-100+ for a dog pillow, and I am feeling like it'd be fun to make a him cedar chip-filled pillow, just in time for Christmas. Strong fabric is a must - chew-proof would be nice too.

Any ideas? Thoughts? 'Amy-just go out and buy a dang dog pillow' s? ;)

Thoughts for this morning

My oh my, its a chilly day here. Chills being in the mid-40's (which seems the freezing point for us Texans) I am well aware of REAL COLD, mind you, I lived in Northern Idaho for 4 years. ;)

This morning I was encouraged by a little piece that Nancy Wilson posted. It was kind of convicting for me to read, actually.

Being at this 'phase' of life, I often feel like I am just a tree waiting to produce. Now that seems weird, but the status of being married and yet unchildrened sometimes makes you feel a little dormant in the fruit department. But this was again, convicting to read:

Women tend to think that children are the only kind of fruit there is. And, of course, those little olive shoots around the table are as fruity as can be. But for the unmarried woman, or for the wife without children, you must consider that God has other ways for you to bear fruit if He has not yet given you children.

The entire post is worth reading :)

H is for . . .

Haven, Hector, Hofwoman, House

Hofman

We seem a little partial to the letter

H

Here's the newest addition to our little collection

Which stands for

:)

Hi, my name is Accord.

I was born in 2004, but I still am young and full of spirit.

I have 33k.

I had kind of a big price tag but my parents said I was worth it.

I'm glad.

I'll take care of my owners better than those other wheels they were driving.

Yawn

So sleepy

So sleepy

SOOOO SLEEPY

MUST . . . wake . . . up

NEED COFFEE . . .

NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Humility, at 4am Lord?

This morning was just another reason why I need to seek a new heart from the Lord every MOMENT. . .
It began as it usually does - an alarm sounding at a painful 3 am; me, groggily waking up and trying not to wake my hubby. I pull on my gym pants and a big tee and gather a water bottle and a towel. Oh yeah, and keys. Oh, and my purse.

I then drive about 1/2 mile down the road to my little gym.

Now, there are seldom few who come to the gym at this time. I enjoy the peace and solitude, and the sole possession of the elliptical trainer that everybody likes. Its a funny thing, because there are 5 other elliptical trainers, but just not like This One. So, its sometimes a flip when I walk in to find that its in use.

I am a sharing person. At least I thought so.

Last Friday, there was a woman using it when I came in. She's a regular, and I also discovered that she works at our local HEB store in the deli department. We seem to get this everyother day. I get it first, so she treadmills, or she gets it first, so I treadmill. Its just not exactly what either of us want. We both want that stupid machine.

So, last Friday, I was grumbly. I was ultra grumbly because by the time I got to the gym, saw that she was on the machine through the window, and opened my car door, I realized that I had forgotten my swipe key at home. When I got back to the gym, she was still on it. I really had a bad attitude. I got on the treadmill facing the other direction and stomped out the frustration I was batting around. It was the crummiest workout ever because of my stinky attitude.

So this morning, I got there first. I got on the machine and waited for her to arrive. 15 minutes passed and then I saw her pull up. I suddenly felt uncomfortable and sheepish. I was acting like such a child hoarding this stupid machine. She got on the treadmill and I kept ellipticalling. I stopped at 30 minutes, 15 minutes short of what I usually do, and I got on another treadmill. I felt comfortable again. She didn't get on the elliptical trainer this morning, but I know she probably wanted to.

Its kind of a silly thing I guess, but its a my life for yours thing. I feel convicted when I think of how I have been acting, and what kind of witness I being. It reminds me that the Lord never shuts His eye on His children. He is constantly at work in our hearts, changing stinky attitudes to attitudes that are giving and loving.

Thank you Lord for your reproof, yes, even at 4 am

Waffles

This waffle recipe was lip-smacking good ;) The recipe is not mine, but belongs in an awesome cookbook called Hot Providence (many can attest to it!).

Grandpa's Waffles, submitted by Rachel Hoffmann

2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs


Preheat waffle iron or skillet. Sift together all dry ingredients and make a well in the center. Separate the two eggs, placing the whites into a 1 quart bowl and the yolks into a 2 quart bowl. Beat egg whites until stiff. Set aside. Measure the milk and oil, add to the egg yolks. Beat until frothy and pour into the well of dry ingredients. Beat only until mixed. Add egg whites and fold in gently until creamy. Let stand for 3 to 4 minutes. Cook.

*This made about 8 or 9 waffles for us. Course, we have a smallish heart shaped waffle-iron ;), so maybe 4 for a regular.

**I topped this with hot cinnamon apples :) It was MMMmm good!!!

Prayer

For Kelli
(Click to link to her blog)

She is such a sweet spirit, and a dear friend of our family. Please pray for her if you get a chance. Pray that God would lift her pain and her spirits, and provide for her financially.

Thank you

8 Things Random

Kristine tagged me for this:

1. I was born in Fresno, California - known as the 'Raisin Capital of the World'
   
2. Mom said that I didn't cry after I was born, I just looked around at the world
   
3. I love to figure skate and rollerblade
   
4. I used to watch soap operas when I babysat
   
5. I've driven the wrong way on a one way - on purpose
   
6. I have always wanted to go skydiving, but I am kind of a chicken
   
7. I played the violin when I was younger, but it didn't last very long
8. I played softball in elementary school, but quit just before a game when I learned that the boy I had a huge crush on was coming
   

P.S. I am not tagging anyone, this is just for fun. I still would love to hear 8 random things about you - leave it in my comments :)

Subway Love

There was a really sweet story on Good Morning America today, about this guy on a NY city subway train, who saw the 'girl of his dreams :)'

Hopelessly romantic? You might want to see how he found her again.

http://www.nygirlofmydreams.com/

and here's the story on GMA

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=3828525&page=1

Awww ;)

Zapata Dip Dapata

I am unbelievably happy.

Why?

Haven got the job in Zapata, which is pretty much 2 hours away!

Do you know what this means???

He is supervising this project, HIS OWN!

He gets HIS OWN crew!

He has a pretty manly truck!

He will be able to be home on the weekends!

He will be able to go to church again!

I am on schedule to cook again for awhile!

He can take car of these 'honey do's'!

WOHOO!!! Thank you Lord!!!

My Love

Oh . . . Did I fail to mention that my beloved is finally home?

He surely is!!! :)

We had a sweet reunion on Saturday, early afternoon. His plane rolled in right on time. I tell you, welcome home kisses are the best :)

After he was fed and showered, we went to check out the new Costco that opened in OUR neck of the woods. Can you imagine how happy I was to have HIM pick up that big ol' 65-lb bag of dog chow!? !

I made dinner for the first time in months. . . just getting out my pots and pans made me giddy. And, I have never been so happy to see so many dishes flood my sink! ;)

I made some delicious waffles from a Hot Providence cookbook recipe, and we savored each bite with coffee and the newspaper. (I'll post the recipe in a while).

After a wonderful church service and a bit of fellowshipping, we headed home. I packed us a little lunch and we went to a quiet spot by the Guadalupe river in New Braunfels and enjoyed the sunny fall day. It was so nice to celebrate the sabbath with my man! We decided to go see that movie 'Dan in Real Life' with Steve Carell (aka Mr. Michael from 'The Office"). It was actually pretty good :)

So okay, maybe it sound like we are newlyweds or something, but its really been too long since we lived in the same house TOGETHER :)

I am really thankful right now - he has the possibility of getting a project that is only 2 hrs away and so he'd be home on the weekends, for sure. We are both hoping for that, but we are praying to be at peace with wherever God wants him.

God is so good!

Misty Morning

As I drove back from my leader's meeting this wee morn ;), I was enchanted by the misty hazy, low-lying fog coating everything. The newly risen sun was giving it a warm golden glow, and it just made me feel so thankful. I kept thinking 'His mercies are new every morning' for some reason.

I love just love it when God tucks little blessings like these into each day.
Especially on Mondays ;)


How has He blessed you today? :)

Re: I wish I wasn't so blond. . . .

Au Contraire ;)

Today I got my hair 'lit' - she went all out - my hair is rather sunny and this picture doesn't even do it justice. . . trust me. I am blond.

And NO Whining!!!

Awww, shucks

I have a confession to make. . . a little bit delayed, but here goes. . .

I got a ticket for speeding at the end of August. . .

Yes, (shock) I do speed. Unashamed. And frequently.
This time, evidentially, I was going 63 or so in a 45 mph zone. I was in a part of the city that I normally never go, and over the span of 15 miles, it seemed like the speed limit changed at least 4 times. Or maybe I am just making excuses.

The thing was, when I was caught, I was going the speed limit. . . but anyway. . .

Well, like a good and honest citizen, I sold the city of Helotes the rights to my first-born, paid the hundred and forty dollar fine, bought the driver's training video, and now, yes, today, I have to watch the 6 hour thing.

I am not trying to make you pity me either.

Just thought I'd confess. ;)

Quest

Okay, once upon a time, I tasted a delicious dish which was basically like a 'chicken lasagna', and it was love at first bite.

Alas, I cannot remember who made it, but then it dawned on me that someone out there might have a recipe similar up their sleeve . (I love sharing recipes!)

I remember it having a lovely blend of white cheeses, basil, pesto, and tomatoes. . . mmmm

??? Anyone ??? ;)

On mornings like these . . .

Its quarter to 8

I still have to get out the door

Its cold

I'm sleepy

THANK GOODNESS FOR COFFEE!!!

Man Return

My man is coming home next Saturday


WOOO HOOO!!!!

Owl Play

This evening, late, I shoved the dog outside for his usual night-romp before bed. About ten minutes later as I was busy scrubbing the kitchen floor, it occurred to me that I hadn't heard a peep from my usual 'let-me-inside' now, dog.

Hmm. . . I peeked my head outside to see what the pup was up too. All I saw were a pair of glowing eyes staring back at me. I tried to keep my voice down, to not wake my poor neighbors, 'Hector, come on, get in here'. The beast stood there with his hair on the back all ruffed up, and he was intently staring at something on my neighbor's roof.

And there he was. A ginormous owl - peacefully perched on the corner, staring at my confused dog. Yes. I knew this one. He has been over in our neck of the woods (or lack thereof) the past three months, hooting, swooping, and keeping down the rat population. He has a friend owl too - only tonight, that one seemed mia.

The dog was excitedly pacing around the yard, keeping his eye on the owl and coming back to something in the other corner, which I couldn't quite make out, but judging by the soft squeaking, I was pretty sure it was a bunny. Maybe that was why the owl was so interested. It took some treat-coaxing to get my *expletive* dog back inside. . . sigh - sorry neighbors.

To bed we go - I dunno about this owl play.

For the one I love

J & J

Wish y'all lived closer!
So good to see you both - only wish my H could have been there too! :(

This is where I grew up, I think the present owner fixed it up . . .

Oh, little house on Bethany Drive

I spent 17 wonderful years in this cozy house of barely 750 square feet. Squished in a bedroom split down the middle with my brother, and one tiny bathroom with 4 others, the memories are many. My maternal great grandfather Obera originally built this cottage, and he left his prints all over (he planted the leafy green plum tree blocking the house :) That same tree saved my brother in the '89 earthquake). My great grandfather used to bury his garbage on the mountainside, and there were numerous times we would literally stumble upon it (in our bare feet, of course!). My dad added the spacious deck - we used to bbq and stargaze out there. The original windows were french, and I used to love swinging them open for the fresh mountain breezes to come in.


We were nestled in these beautiful redwoods, backed against a climbing hill, with a trickling creek just beyond this 'fort' I once had (below). Above was one of the coolest forts, which gave one the perfect 'spy' advantage because it was set on an incline overlooking the road.

You are probably still mouth-agape at the 750 sq. ft. right? ;)

There were good times, hard times, cramped times, sad times, angry times, and times when we all wished we could kick out the walls and move to a bigger place, but by the time mom and my sister and I moved from there in 2001, we really realized our 'treasure is in heaven' in a new way. . .

I am so thankful we grew up here - what awesome stories I have for my children someday :)

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

I recently saw this with the parents - beautifully done film & Cate Blanchett does a phenomenal job as Elizabeth :) The costumes and cinematography are also brilliant. Don't miss this one!

Counting the days

The last stretch is always the longest, the most trying, and the hardest to get through. . .

Just about one more week to go until H can finally come home. He hasn't been home in about a month, poor guy.

I miss him lots :(

We'll be together again soon - hurray for sweet reunions!

San Francisco Outing

Noni and I took the BART to the Ferry Station - what a beautifully refurbished building!

Bell Tower

Palm Trees and the Bay Bridge

Bus ;)
(Noni told me that the city features buses from all around the world!)

Rainy Day in the city

Inside the Ferry Station, they have an 'open air' market

*Kingdom of Herbs* - made me think of you, Missy! :)