Week Before Christmas HodgePodge

 

Loved the HodgePodge questions again. Thank you to Joyce for doing this.  Click here to learn more. 

1. What's one thing you want to get done before the calendar flips to a new year?

I'd like Dave and I to firm up our  Spring travel plans to New Mexico and actually put a deposit down on the air bnb we found. 

2. What's something that brought a smile to your face this year?

Lots of things!a few of them are:   Getting a proper diagnoses via MRI after a 2.5 year wait for answers regarding daily headaches and upper back pain; having the daily headaches (which ended up being cervicogenic) ease up and not be constant; seeing both daughters get raises at their work places; starting and leading a hiking group; meeting 3 new women friends who love hiking and doing life together; spending time with Dave at a camp literally right on the water near Plymouth MA and just being alone with him with no obligations

3. What do you like on a cracker? Do you have a favorite cracker variety? 

Things I like on a cracker:  roasted red pepper hummus or lemon beet hummus; very sharp vermont cheddar cheese; cucumbers and basil leaves; mozzarella and basil; Saratoga Maple peanut butter.

A fave cracker is this one. SO good.a second fave is this one.  I also like Triscuit Garden and Herb whole grain crackers and in a pinch, a good old low sodium Ritz cracker.  But the ones I linked to are  my absolute faves. 

4. Do you have plans for ringing in the new year in a fun or special way? Are you typically awake at midnight on the last day of the year? 

When our girls were very young (5 and newborn; then up to when the oldest was about 8) we would stay home and have friends over or go out to a party.  When the girls got older, we would invite friends with kids our daughters' age and have a huge party where everyone brought a dish to share, etc and we always provided the drinks.  Once they got to college age, we stopped going out.  It was just the 4 of us or they would be going out with friends and we would stay home. This year, we are having some friends over for drinks, games and snacks. We typically stay up and watch the ball drop from Times Square but last year Dave and I were in Boston for First Night!  We also did First Night once when our oldest was in college..the 4 of us went and spent the entire day and most of the night in Boston and rang the new year in back at the hotel that year. 

My fave way to ring it in is to go to Boston. This year we can't as my husband couldn't get the time off from work. 

5. What are three words that describe your 2024? 

Creative, adventurous; informative 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

WINTER SOLSTICE IS ALMOST HERE!! 

Week Before Xmas Menu

 

Today I decided, before going off to do the weekly food shopping, to get a dinner plan outline mainly so I can see what exactly we need so I don't over spend which is easy to do in the grocery store. I spent $50 less than last week so I feel pretty  successful.  Here's my outline.  (some of these days might get swtiched around as I tend to leave a plan pretty flexible).  We typically eat anywhere between 6:30-7:30 depending on the day. 

• MONDAY:  Shepherd's Pie with ground "impossible meat"; fruit cup of grapes, honeydew, oranges,  pineapple, blueberries, cherries,  and pomegranate. 

• TUESDAY: Oven Baked Parmesan Crusty Chicken; Roasted Sweet Potatoes; Steamed French  Green Beans with fresh Mozzarella and light tuscan italian dressing

• WEDNESDAY: Italian Joes over Garlic Toast; Creamy Orzo with red onion; Tossed salad with Romaine, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red and green pepper.

• THURSDAY: Tofu Scramble (minus the potatoes) over jasmine rice; fresh clementines

• FRIDAY:  Tomato-Basil-Orzo soup; Grilled Cheddar Cheese Sandwiches; Dessert night:  Christmas Ginger Snaps

• SATURDAY:  We might order out or go out.........not sure yet.....

• SUNDAY:  We're having our daughters over to  celebrate the youngest turning 26 the day before. She has requested my Veggie Pot Pie (vegan) and Steamed broccoli, and Vegan Chocolate Crinkles. We will be eating after church as later that evening, we are going Christmas caroling with other choir members. We will either grap Indian food after caroling to eat late Sunday evening or make sandwiches here at home. 

What's on your menu this week? 

Do you have a favorite Friday evening dinner or do you order out/go out every Friday night like we used to?? 

2024 Book Review #53: All The Colors of the Dark

 

Wow. This is deep.  Beautifully written. Powerful. Gripping. I've read this author before and enjoyed the book, the only one I had read by him.  It was called We Begin at the End. Highly recommend.  This one too, is one I can recommend but it's long and often boring in spots.  

STORY SUMMARY

It is 1975 in America.  And things are changing. Ford is President; the Vietnam War is ending, and clothing styles are changing yet again.

And in Missouri, specifically a small town named Monta Clare, girls are disappearing.  

Misty Meyer is the only child of a very wealthy couple in town and she is targeted by a large man in a van.  But a very unlikely hero comes along....a poor boy named Patch, who is the only son of a single mom who is an alcoholic....Patch has one eye and wears a patch over the spot where his other one should be. Thus his nickname. He also likes to pretend he is a pirate. He saves Misty. But..then he disappears.....and that whole town is changed because of it.   He leaves much heartache all around him.  But then.....he's back....thanks to his best friend....a girl named Saint, who is being raised by her grandmother Norma. But Patch is changed. And life is not the same...........

All of the people Patch loves....and Patch himself....discover that there's a fine line between tragedy and triumph. In their search for answers they will be led to truths that could mean losing one another. 

MY THOUGHTS

This is a powerful look at many different aspects of relationships.  This story is part mystery (missing girls), a serial killer thriller, a type of love story and each part all has a unique twist. 

This book is about hope.  It's about loss. It's about betrayals. It's about obsessions. 

The characters are so well developed I felt like I wanted Patch, Saint, Norma and Nix to be real.  And Sammy......the humor in the story, is the character Sammy. He's much loved. 

There's a pervading sense of hopelessness in this book but yet at the same time, there's a pervading sense of hope and persistence. The characters as teens are a tad bit unbelievable because they defy odds and perform deeds that seem to be more of an older person's accomplishment vs a teenager's. In other words.....a tad bit far fetched.  But endearing at the same time. 

The bonds of friendship are elemental in this story. It spans several decades: from 1975-2001.  The book is divided into Parts and each part has a title. 

Some themes in this story are:  friendship, kidnapping, death, domestic violence/abuse; unwanted pregnancy/abortion; single parenthood; class distinctions; love, secrets, theft, betrayal, divorce, suicide, alcoholism, cancer. 

Sadly, there is a lot of swearing in this story and a lot of editing errors.  

The story overall is powerful. A good look at good vs evil and how love, friendship,  and perseverance  overcomes all. 

A favorite quote from the book: 

"to love and be loved was more than could ever be expected, more than enough for a thousand ordinary lifetimes" (pg 570, All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker, c. 2024)

I didn't like the abrupt twists at the end and some of  the narratives throughout the entire book seem to go on forever. It's a beautiful story but it feels too long.....much redundancy regarding Patch and his search for Grace. I much preferred his book from 2020 that I mention above. 

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older (due to mature content).

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 7. 

Chocolate Truffle Christmas Cookies

 

These are a family favorite at Christmas time. I only make them once a year. They're a decadent chocolate  cookie that I"ve tweaked to be a tad bit healthier than the original recipe. 

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CHRISTMAS COOKIES

4 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened baking chocolate

2 c. (or 1 12 oz bag) of vegan (pure cocoa) chocolate chips

(we use the Equal Exchange or Ghirardelli brand)

1/3 c. of Earth Balance "butter"

1 c. raw sugar

3 flaxseed "eggs" 

(see below how to make these)

1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract/vanilla liquer

1/2 c. whole wheat white flour

2 tablespoons of baking cocoa

1/4 tsp baking powder

dash of sea salt

powdered sugar 

• In a glass bowl, melt the first 3 ingredients in the microwave (takes about 3 minutes) and stir well. Set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl (aka a cereal bowl) place 3 Tablespoons of ground flaxseed with 9 Tablespoons of warm water, stir and let "gel" like eggs.  
• Once the chocolate is cooled and the flaxseed eggs have gelled (takes about 5 minutes), pour into large mixing bowl and add in the sugar and vanilla extract.  Mix well.
• Add in the flour, baking cocoa, and baking powder and stir well.
• Add in salt and mix well.
• Chill for 2-3 hours in fridge. 

Once dough is chilled, pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees and roll dough into 1 inch balls, placing on foil or parchment paper on baking sheet.  

Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Cool and transfer to large platter or waxed paper on counter.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar. 

Keep in an air tight container. 

ENJOY

Please note:  because this recipe calls for non-dairy butter and ground flaxseed, the cookies will spread flat a little bit vs staying round. This is a low fat and healthier version of regular truffle cookies. 

ps: as with all recipes under the "Faithfixes" label, you DO have permission to download and print out/copy this recipe. 

Love Everlasting

 

Everlasting evergreens. 

As I hiked along a very isolated, deep woods trail with my friend Joan, earlier this Autumn, I couldn't help but be drawn to the balsam branches bending over the path. We were in what's called The Hoffman Notch Wilderness Area of the north-central Adirondacks. Some hikers call this the lower High Peaks region. We were the only humans that day on this beautiful trail leading to a very remote pond. 

The smell of Christmas was all around us. 

I stopped to take the above photo and just inhale this heavenly scent God created for us and couldn't help but think that just like this tree is always green (all year round) so too is God's love for us...everlasting.  I whispered a "thank You, God for your loyal love". 

As I think back to when the girls were little, I tried to explain to them that the reason we have a Christmas tree...aka a balsam tree....is that it represents God's enduring love for us and the Cross at Calvary is sometimes known as "a tree":

That cross was made of wood and wood comes from a tree. And the "tree of life" mentioned in the Garden of Eden story in the Old Testament is a symbol of God's life given as a gift to humanity.  And what was that gift??  JESUS!

As we enter the week before Christmas, I think about all the people I know who are dealing with some hard life issues.  Friends who have to make decisions about aging parents; people who have loved ones in hospitals or nursing homes; people dealing with financial struggles or relationship issues; lonely people; people missing loved ones who have passed away or moved away. Life brings changes.....but one thing that doesn't change is God's love, strength and mercy. 

It's constant. It's ever present. He is ever present. 

My prayer for my friends and family whom I know are going through a difficult time is that they would embrace our Savior...the One who brings comfort and never leaves. 

and..... 

As we bustle around this week preparing for that special day that is so magical and full of joy, let's remember the reason we are celebrating.....

..... Love Everlasting

BIRTHDAY WEEK FAVES

 

Here we are back at Friday and it's been a great week.  It was my birthday week!  And next week I have 2 friends with birthdays and my sister Joy. 

I'm sharing FIVE of the blessings God brought my way...these are the top 5 that made me smile or say a special  prayer of thanksgiving. Won't you join us? head over to Susanne's site to learn how to link up. 

SoulSteps Hikers for 7 December
l-r: Dave, Dave D, Me, Courtney, Hannah, Pat, Maggie
Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve 
photo compliments of Joan B

Erie Canal at Vischer Ferry Preserve
photo compliments of Maggie B 

Our destination...the old Lock on the Erie Canal.
This is where the canal ends. 
l-r: Pat, Joan, Dave D, Hannah, Dave, Courtney, Maggie

• LAST HIKE OF 2024: Last Saturday was cloudy but dry.  It was the afternoon of the last official SoulSteps hike for the year. I had 9 people originally signed up and we ended up with just 1 person bowing out due to a family medical issue. I was super thankful that my oldest daughter and husband signed up, giving our new members, Hannah and Dave D, someone they could relate to.  Hannah and Courtney are just a couple years apart and are already friends from church; Dave D is someone we have known for years who joined our church shortly after we did and when he discovered I have a hiking group, he joined. He's  also friends with my husband Dave (who rarely hikes but knowing another guy was going to go, spurred him to sign up!). I'm so thankful we had time and energy to hike on 3 inches of snow in a local nature preserve (some of the trail was just muddy or frozen grass) for 4.7 miles.  Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves and everyone said they can't wait for March so we can get up to the mountains! 

Bruschetta Pizza and Orange Wine

Birthday cards and treats from family 

image from ballet website
The Snow Queen

image from ballet website
Kai and Gerda from The Snow Queen

• BIRTHDAY FUN:  My birthday fun began last Friday evening when my youngest daughter treated me to the Grand Kiev Ballet Company's performance of The Snow Queen (scroll down the page after clicking the link to read about it)down at this amazing theater I hadn't been to in a few years.  We had a marvelous time and the performance was spectacular. Then on Sunday, after  church, my husband and both daughters took me to a newish Italian place where we each ordered different  things and drinks and just enjoyed the fellowship and good food.  I had the Bruschetta Pizza and an Orange wine from California.  My oldest daughter bought a bacon, pesto and roasted red pepper pizza and Dave and my youngest bought the vegan roasted veggie ravioli with a glass of Chianti for Dave and Prosecco for Claire. Courtney stuck with Pellegrino.  We were so full we had no room for dessert and in fact, Courtney and I had leftover pizza for the next day. The girls both gave me beautiful cards with handwritten messages inside and my oldest bought me a pin painted/made by an artist on a website she discovered. Dave bought me Belkin screen protectors for my iphone which i sorely needed. I'm so thankful that although it was kind of shocking to be turning 65 on Monday, that the birthday celebrations brought me smiles and I thank God for my family. I also received 9 birthday cards from far away family and friends. I'm thankful for all the loved ones in my life. 

town park bike path
Tuesday 

Downy Woodpecker

• NATURE TIME:  This past week I had a couple of days out in nature. God's creation is marvelous and I really do enjoy it in all seasons. Tuesday I was running an errand and happened to have my sneakers on so popped over to the bike path to  walk on the path and into the woods a little bit.  There was some icy patches but for the most part I was able to do a good power walk and then a more leisurely one through the trees.  When I got home, I had to refill the bird feeder and spied this guy at our suet feeder in the pear tree. We also saw a hairy woodpecker this week although he was more timid and I couldn't snap a pic. We also get bluejays, cardinals, and nuthatches at both feeders. I'm thankful for time in  nature and for God the Creator of all this December  beauty. 

our home in the evening

a Christmas Display in the church cafe area

• CHRISTMAS DISPLAYS: I'm thankful for all of the beautiful Christmas displays I"ve seen in the neighborhood and at church and in the community.  It's a magical time of year and the pretty displays and lights really make the concept of the "Light of the world" come alive.  I'm hoping to get some more photos at church this weekend as the staff decorated a bit differently this year from previous years. And I'm thankful my oldest daughter was one of the people who helped to decorate the lobby! 

image courtesy of blu-r*y website

image courtesy of w*lm*rt website

• CHRISTMAS MOVIES:  This past week I had time to watch two Christmas movies. The first one pictured above was on Hulu and was so well done.  Not sappy like most of the modern day holiday movies and the gospel was even included in one scene with Jesus' name proclaimed which is very unusual for a secular holiday movie on a streaming service.  The 2nd one is one that is a traditional movie classic.  We started watching it as a family when our youngest daughter was about 4 yrs old. We have watched it every year since, usually on her birthday or mine. Yesterday, she had to pop in on her day off to pick up some packages that were shipped here and so she asked if we could put the movie on. I had nothing planned for the morning and didn't have to leave the house until about 1 pm.  So we watched it together while she did laundry here and it was so much fun to have the morning with her.  I'm thankful for good quality movies.

That wraps up some special blessings from the past week.  As we head into the week before Christmas, I hope you all take time to spend reflecting on the varsious aspects of Advent and keep worshipful eyes on Christ...our real reason for the season.