The Year in Posts

This has truly been a great year. 

In looking back at my old posts, I see that there were moments where I was on top of the world and moments where I was down in the dumps. So is life. 

But, the plain and simple fact is I am a blessed woman.

I am thankful for everything I have and do not want to take if for granted.

This is my best recap of 2010. 

It was great going through all my posts and seeing where God's brought my family and me in only one year. Thank you, Lord!

January

Favorite post: Love can be a hard thing.

Favorite story: Ironic

Favorite Recipe: I have a problem. 

(Recipe link to the fabulous Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Zinfandel-Poached Figs)

February

Favorite post: Filthy Rags

Favorite Observation: It's a Rite of Passage.

Favorite Recipe: Yeah, it's Mardi Gras. So what?

(Recipe for Make-Ahead Crepes with Mixed Berry & Cream Filling and Topping)

March

Favorite Post & Story: The Reason My Husband Should Be Blogging Again

April

Favorite Things that Happened: A Smashing Weekend!, I Just Love This Girl., My Stone

May

The Post Where I Almost Kissed Blogging Good-bye: Seriously Reconsidering

The Controversial Post: I blame that high-browed, stiff, legalistic religious denomination.

Favorite Story: Wasted Away Again in Diarrhitaville

Favorite Thing that Happened: There's nothing more irritating than someone talking during one of the most pivotal moments of television history.

Favorite Recipe: No, this is not a cooking blog.

(Recipe - Copycat of P.F. Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps)

June

The Life-Changing Post: Don't say you're not called to go.

Le Petite Belle is good blogging material: Cliptomaniac, I saw her change in an instant.

Favorite Recipe:  Possibly the Best Dessert I've Ever Made

July

Favorite Post: Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover

Favorite Mommy & Wife Moment: Deep Conversations at 9:00 p.m., Little Things Can Speak Volumes

Favorite Things We Did: What Bill Clinton and I Have in Common

Favorite Recipe: Summer on a Plate

(Recipe for Caprese Salad)

August

Favorite Post: I Ponder Things

Favorite Thing That Happened: He's a good dad.

Favorite Recipe: Success

(Recipe for Shrimp Portofino)

September

Favorite Post: Outside of the Box

October

Favorite Post: My Point Exactly

Favorite Things that Happened: Rocktober

November

Favorite Post: All I ever want is to be loved (and a man that will serve me).

Good Times: The Double Standard in Action ... Twice, The weekend was wicked cool! 

Favorite Recipe: I just don't like uneven numbers. 

(Recipe for Egg Nog Creme Brulee)

December

Favorite Post:  It's a good thing God is not defined by us.

Good Times: Oh, What a Night!, Quite Possibly the Sappiest Post I've Ever Written

Happy New Year to you and yours! May 2011 be yours and my best year ever!

Precious Friendships

I have posted before on how grateful I am for good friends.

I really am.

The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to have good girlfriends. And, the more thankful I am for them.

There are times when when the only thing that can cure the doldrums of the daily grime is the laughter shared between girlfriends. There's just something special about it. And, I think God planned it that way.

But, it's sad that a lot of us miss out on these friendships because of our own fear and insecurities. I did for years.

Until one day ... I just decided it was time to put myself out there. That was a good decision.

And, now, I'm a better person for it and I have the closest, dearest friends I have ever had in my life.

One of those precious friends celebrated her birthday yesterday. She wouldn't want me to tell you how young she turned. Needless to say, she's a little older than me (three years to be exact, Sonia, not two). Every year counts.

We (two of my other precious girlfriends) planned surprises on the hour until 5:00. 

These surprises included hot Starbuck's, balloons, lunch, a gift card to one of her favorite stores, and little things like chocolate, soap, pajamas, home decor stuff, cupcakes, and my favorite, Ensure.

It's fun to celebrate those you love!

I truly thank God for all the girlfriends I do have. I have an abundance and feel extremely blessed.

Enough Already.

I pretty much have eaten my weight in food since Thursday.

Here's just a small sample of things that have been laying around my house. And, people keep giving me more. 

Plus, I still have one more Christmas to celebrate this weekend.

Geez.

I am proud to say I did work out four days last week and have only made it once this week (and plan on going more). However, eating thousands of calories and burning only hundreds just doesn't work.

I have to get serious about this soon. Very soon.

But, until then, can I just share a delightful recipe for something I made for Christmas?

The recipe is from Southern Living, which, in my opinion, has some of the best recipes ever known to man.

I had never tasted or even attempted to bake a soufflé due to its nasty reputation.

But, this one sounded too delicious to pass up.

I was up to the challenge.

Enjoy!

Red Velvet Soufflés with Whipped Sour Cream

• 1  tablespoon  butter
• 3  tablespoons  granulated sugar
• 1  (4-oz.) bittersweet chocolate baking bar, chopped
• 5  large eggs, separated
• 1/3  cup  granulated sugar
• 3  tablespoons  milk
• 1  tablespoon  red liquid food coloring
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 2  tablespoons  granulated sugar
• Powdered sugar
• Whipped Sour Cream

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease bottom and sides of 6 (8-oz.) ramekins with butter. Lightly coat with 3 Tbsp. sugar, shaking out excess. Place on a baking sheet.

2. Microwave chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 minute to 1 minute and 15 seconds or until melted, stirring at 30-second intervals. Stir in 4 egg yolks, 1/3 cup sugar, and next 3 ingredients. (Discard remaining egg yolk.)

3. Beat 5 egg whites and salt at high speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until foamy. Gradually add 2 Tbsp. sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold egg white mixture into chocolate mixture, one-third at a time. Spoon into prepared ramekins. Run tip of thumb around edges of ramekins, wiping clean and creating a shallow indentation around edges of mixture. (This will help the soufflés rise.)

4. Bake at 350° for 20 to 24 minutes or until soufflés rise and are set. (A long wooden pick inserted in centers will have a few moist crumbs.) Dust with powdered sugar; serve immediately with Whipped Sour Cream.

Note: We tested with Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bar. Soufflés can be assembled through Step 3, and frozen up to 1 week. Bake frozen soufflés as directed.

Whipped Sour Cream

• 3/4 cup whipping cream
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Beat together all ingredients at medium-high speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer 45 seconds or just until lightly whipped and pourable. Serve Whipped Sour Cream immediately.

This would really be a great dessert for Valentine's Day.

I must tell you that the souffle´ is really good, but cannot hold a candle to my beloved crème brûlée.

Nothing really can. But, it was a good attempt by the souffle´.

Christmas Sadness

Another Christmas has come and gone.

There are a few things that made me sad about this particular Christmas.

The first ... that Christmas is a lot less magical for the girls than it used to be, especially the youngest. This was the note she left for "Santa." And, I could get into the whole debate over whether or not a parent should do the whole Santa thing or not, but I won't. We did it and I believe we did it the right way. 

This is the note La Petite Belle left for "Santa" with his cookies and milk.

See? Just a little less magical.

The second ... I really missed my grandmother this year. She's been gone for about eight years, but I seem to miss her more around these times of the year. For me, Christmas has and will never been the same without her. I miss her terribly. I just keep trying to reflect on the great memories I have of all the times I spent at her house and how much she loved me.

The third ... that we put so much emphasis on celebrating Jesus' birth during this time of year, and then quickly forget it December 26th. I truly think we take the gift given to us for granted when we don't continually reflect upon it daily. I know we can never express how thankful we are for such a gift, such a sacrifice. But, I don't want to ever forget and limit my gratitude to once a year. 

God, may I daily stand in awe at what you've given me.

Eat your hearts out, Von Trapps!

From our family to yours ...

Hope your Christmas is blessed!

Why are we afraid to throw down the "female" card?

Yeah, that's right.

I'm a woman.

And, that's exactly how God designed me.

He didn't design me to go out and gather wood for the fire.

But, I could do it if I had to.

He didn't design me to ward off intruders or wild animals.

But, I could do it if I had to.

He didn't design me to be the main provider for my family.

But, I could do it if I had to.

Yes, ladies ... we could.

Lots of single mothers do it every day ... because they have to.

But, for those of us that don't have to, why try?

God designed the man to be the provider, decision-maker, and the protector.

This quality is naturally ingrained in them.

A lot of times ... and I mean, A LOT ... we try to take those jobs from them.

We don't have to.

We can rest in the fact that God has provided us with an example of Himself to take care of us in our husbands ... to love us ... to support us ... to encourage us ... to be faithful to us ... I can go on forever. Do they always succeed at these things? No.

Wow, men ... you have quite a job, don't you?

So many marriages fail because needs aren't met on either side and expectations become major letdowns.

Sad.

No one is perfect. No one.

Our husbands, try as they might, will let us down.

And, we, try as we might, will let our husbands down.

But, ladies, let the man be the man.

And, let's just rest in that. Trust God (even if you don't trust your husband).

God knew what He was doing. We don't have to second-guess His decision. Obviously, He knows better.

However, our advice and wisdom is often called for in many situations ... actually, every day.

And, men, you should seek it out. Really, you should. You need it A LOT. It's OK. It's part of how God made us too ... a "help-mate," remember? That should ease some of the pressure for you.

And, FYI ... Beau and I are not having marital issues. And, I hate to brag, but we have a pretty great marriage. Don't get me wrong ... we've had issues in the past that we've worked through and are now much stronger for it. And, no ... I don't tell Beau what to do (unless he needs to be told ... I mean, we are called "help-mates" for a reason). 

Now, look ... This doesn't mean God created women to be weak, fragile, silent creatures.

On the contrary, God created not only men, but us women also in His image too.

I believe women should be strong, powerful, and wise ... using all their God-given talents and abilities to glorify Him and to change their world.

This is possible. Just like allowing your husband to take on His role as the husband in your marriage is possible.

If we, as women, could just fully grasp what God has called us to be, we could really make a difference in the world. And, vice-versa for the men.

Wow ... we've got some work to do.

A Sweet Tooth

Yes, I have been working out faithfully since Saturday.

That's three ... count 'em ... THREE WHOLE DAYS!

Counting the workout that will happen today, I'm headed to my five-day a week goal.

All this right before the multiple Christmas celebrations all filled with loads of foods, especially cakes, cookies, candy, etc.

People, it's just not logical or reasonable to think that I am not going to be eating any of this. Let's be real.

Heck, I'm even baking some of the goodies myself.

In searching for cookie recipes, I came across these delights. Some I would attempt. Others ... not at all. I mean, my skills are limited in the decorating category. But, man, do they look incredible!

Check them out and the links if you dare to try them.

I subscribe to Bakerella. Her stuff is simply amazing. But, this latest cake pop slays me. I'm not even sure the recipe's available. Just check out her site. You will not be disappointed.

We bake sugar cookies every Christmas Eve, but the never turn out like this. And, I've tried. Oh, how I've tried. These look so dainty, yet we all know they're packed with butter. Oh, well. C'est la vie!

Recipe here.

These next three recipes come from Epicurious. What a great site.

I don't even want to think about how these would turn into one big red blob of icing. There are ginger snaps under this icing. Um ... awesome.

Wait ... what? Yes, these are called Stained-Glass Ornaments. But, you eat them. I think I was giddy when I saw them.

Chocolate + Peppermint = Pure Joy. 

May I introduce Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies.

Holy Moly, Martha. I'm impressed. You can make this for me and I won't be mad. This is a cake, people. Yes, a cake.

Orange Spice Cake with White Chocolate Poinsettia Topper

OK, Paula ... You definitely got this one right.

Raspberry and Sherry Trifle

I couldn't finish a post about delectable treats without throwing in a few things from my favorite place to find recipes, Southern Living. You just can't go wrong when cooking anything from this publication. And, let's face it ... Southerners know how to cook.

Holla ... Red Velvet Brownies. 

(No explanation needed.) 

There are multiple red velvet recipes I could add here. What a perfect flavor for Christmas time.

If you're a chocolate lover, look no further. 

Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

This one I may have to try, but am quite uncertain that they will turn out this good. But, you all know I like a challenge. I'm undecided.

Profiteroles with Coffee Whipped Cream

Be sure to also check out the queen of bloggers, Pioneer Woman, another place I head first for new recipes. She's always bound to have something you'll want to try.

And, lastly, my friend, Christy at Southern Plate has some good 'ol recipes that fill homes across the South. Her food is what we'd come to expect at Grandma's house when we visit. Pure comfort food and treats. She also has a new cookbook. I saw it at Sam's the other day. It's on my Christmas list.

I will be baking in the next few days ... Christmas Eve at my house, Christmas Day at the family's house, and more after-Christmas Christmas celebrations.

If I fancy any of the recipes I try, you know I'll be sure to let you know.

It's a good thing God is not defined by us.

The USA Weekend magazine that was in everyone's Sunday papers yesterday put forth the question of "How do you imagine God?"

Initially, I thought ... "OK. This will be good. What a perfect article for this Christmas season!"

Then, I turned to the article.

There were lots of quotes from different people of what their ideas were. Well-known people, and some not-so-well-known.

It started out pretty good.

And, my favorite by Matthew West.

But, just as I loved the descriptions above, I didn't care for the ones below.

What does this even mean? That God just sits up in the clouds thinking? So wrong. 

Ugh.

I would never use the word "kernel" in any description of the Creator of the Universe.

So sad. 

I don't think I could ever attempt to describe God.

He has only given us a glimpse into who He is through His Word. And, as we read, we can find new aspects of His character every day.

Despite our opinions, descriptions, or imaginations, He is God and He doesn't change.

We can think whatever we want. It doesn't change who He is.

He is not limited to our idea of who He is. 

In fact, I think He's so much more.

Here's one of those small glimpse:

This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God. I John 4:9-11

Our God is truly an awesome God.

I know you're disappointed in us.

I have no wonderfully romantic story to tell you about our anniversary yesterday.

The day basically went like this:

Work.

Lunch.

Work.

Pick up kids.

Run errands.

Homework.

Wrap presents.

Watch TV.

Go to bed.

Wildly romantic, huh?

However, tonight the celebration begins.

What will we do?

Not totally sure.

Dinner for sure.

After that, anything goes, because we live in a booming metropolis where our choices include going to a movie or sitting at a coffeehouse (I can sit and drink coffee with Beau for free at my house).

To think, last year, we were in New York City, livin' it up!

Oh, how I miss you, Dean & Deluca. Now, that's a coffeehouse I could sit at every day.

I hear Alicia Keys in my head right now ... "In New Yooorrrkkk, concrete jungle where dreams are made of ... " 

I'm ready to go back.

Quite possibly the sappiest post I've ever written.

I try to save my tenderness for days like today.

Days that are very important to me.

Days that have forever changed my life.

Days like December 16th, 1994.

Wow. Sounds like a long time ago, but only seems like yesterday.

It's the day I married the perfect man for me.

Is he perfect? By no means. Am I? Absolutely not. But, together we make the perfect team.

To Beau,

You are still the love of my life. And, I can't imagine my life without you.

In honor of our 16 years together, here are 16 things I love about our marriage:

1. How you'd rather be with me than anyone else in the world

2. How you still make me laugh

3. How you'll iron my clothes for me on occasion (really like)

4. How much fun we have cooking together

5. The way you still write me love letters

6. The sarcasm

7. How arguments are few and far between (mostly because we agree on a lot and you often see that I'm right most of the time)

8. Saturday morning breakfasts

9. How you believe I can do most anything even when I don't believe I can

10. Along those lines ... your massive amount of encouragement

11. Just sitting on the couch next to you

12. How you've never asked me to change or be something I'm not

13. The way you understand me when I'm not understandable

14. The fun we have

15. Having heart-to-heart talks and discovering things we never knew were there before

16. How the mistakes we have made seem to have just strengthened our bond as husband and wife

That was easy!

I could have thought of many more.

I love you, honey! Happy Anniversary!

This was definitely a stretch.

This past weekend was extremely hectic, which was the contributing factor in my not blogging yesterday and that there were no clean towels in the house (drying off with a hand towel = not easy).

Our annual Christmas production happened six times over the weekend. Add rehearsals into that and you have not an ounce of time.

In fact, as I laid in bed night before last, I told Beau that I would be asleep in less than five minutes. I immediately started dreaming of what else? Frantically searching for my microphone to get out on stage to sing my song. I awoke in a panic and started giggling. Then, sighed with relief that it was over.

We had over 4200 in attendance over those six services. It was truly awesome!

This year's theme was "Christmas Around the World."

The stretch I mentioned in the title was that I sang the song in the Asian scene. Asian I am far from. Even make-up couldn't help that much. But, it sure was fun!

La Petite Belle had a dance part in the children's song, where she played an Indian. That was not a stretch for my little brown-eyed, dark-skinned child. She was great!

Here I am with my other Asian friends. Notice there is one to the right that does actually qualify for this part. She helped with my make-up. Thanks, Ashley!

Beau played a guitarron (Mexican acoustic bass) for the first time and sang in Spanish. That was quite interesting and entertaining.

The entire production should be up on the web by the end of the week if you'd care to take a gander. Just go to www.mycrossroads.org.

Judgement-Free Zone

So, I joined a fitness club yesterday.

I'm not a big fan of dishing out money for something like exercising.

I figure if I won't even walk out my front door to run, or simply pop in a DVD and work out, what makes me think I'll drive to work out somewhere else. It's actually less convenient, right?

But, when a deal comes along like this, it's hard to pass up: $1 to sign up, $10 a month, no contract.

Pretty much a no-brainer. And, the club is only 10 minutes from my house.

So, I did it.

Then, I convinced a friend of mine to join in and to hold me accountable for actually going several times a week.

From the first moment I walked into the club, I knew this was my kind of club.

This sat on the counter (in two buckets).

I've never been to a club that offered free candy at the check-in counter.

Not only are there free Tootsie Rolls, but also this.

Could you read that? There's a Pizza Night and Bagel Morning.

Now, I understand why the guy that signed us up was a little chunky and the club's slogan is "we're a judgement-free zone."

Don't judge me because I run for an hour, but then eat three pieces of pizza or grab a Coke out of their cooler (yeah, Coke in a gym cooler).

But, I'm convinced that this will work.

Wish me luck.

I'll start soon. Maybe Monday ... maybe after Christmas or New Year's.

NO! I'm starting tomorrow.

New Discovery

You could read the Bible cover-to-cover every year and still find things you've never read before or the verses mean or speak to you in a different way than before.

In reading last night, I found this gem.

For who do you know that really knows you, knows your heart? And even if they did, is there anything they would discover in you that you could take credit for? Isn't everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God? So what's the point of all this comparing and competing? You already have all you need. You already have more access to God than you can handle. 

1 Corinthians 4:6-8 (The Message)

Our gifts are gifts from God.

Everything we are is a result of how God made and formed us.

Not only can we take no credit for our accomplishments or the great people that we think we may be, but worse, we have absolutely no right to criticize who we are.

We are God's creation.

When I make something with my own hands, put time and effort into it, and think it's quite good, nothing hurts worse than someone saying it's horrible.

Why would we dare do that to our Creator?

Whew. I've got to watch my mouth when talking about myself.

I think we all need to.

And, as far as comparing ourselves, which we do ALL THE TIME, it's just plain dumb.

We can't be anything else than what God's created us to be, so why do we even try. It's just ridiculous. And, impossible. Because we weren't created to be like someone else. We were created to be only us.

Today, I praise God for the gifts He's given me and the person He's created me to be because I'm unique and one-of-a-kind.

And, so are you, my friend.

Christmas Nostalgia

I love Christmas. If you're a Christian, and you don't love Christmas, there's just something wrong with you. Just sayin'. How can you not love a celebration involving our Savior?

Anyway ...

I have great memories of Christmas from when I was young. My mom always made it special with all her little traditions and mega-decorations. Her traditions I see have become mine. Her Christmas spirit definitely rubbed off on me. Too bad I can't have that same spirit all year.

There are some memories that stand out to me.

We always traveled to my grandmother's house just outside of Baton Rouge on Christmas Eve. The ride was excruciatingly long for a young child ready to open presents. We would cross over the Mississippi River bridge and I would get on the rear deck of the car, just below the back windshield and stare up at the massive, lighted bridge. It was always amazing to me. Funny how now bridges make me a little uncomfortable and I will drive 25 mph just to stay on the inside lanes of the bridge, rather than drive on the outside lane. 

We'd start to sing the same song over and over again once we'd gotten off the interstate and onto the dimly lit country roads. Beau always makes fun of me when I sing it, but I have taught the same song to my girls and we can sing it in a round if need be.

The song ... "Christmas is Coming." You can google it, but it has to do with a goose getting fat and a ha'penny.

Grandma always had yummy snacks and  soup or sandwiches for Christmas Eve. We'd open presents and then I'd get ready for bed.

She lived in the country. It was pitch-black at night.

Lying in bed on those nights, thinking about a fat, gray-haired man creeping around didn't always make me feel comfortable. It would take me forever to get to sleep.

I mean, is that really comforting to kids? Who came up with this idea to begin with?

Yeah, I know he was a real person and his story, but who decided that we carry on the idea of him delivering the gifts, instead of us? Just wondering.

I remember lots of Christmas mornings and discovering many delightful gifts that thrilled me.

But, the gifts I remember most were my first stereo and the albums I got to go with it.

The albums I recall were:

The King and I

Grease

Billy Joel's, Glass Houses

Michael Jackson's, Thriller

and I also burned up my mom's Heart, Fleetwood Mac, and Linda Ronstadt albums.

But, nothing was greater than a K-TEL album. I had many of these, with lots of Air Supply and Leo Sayer, and just a bit of Styx.

Quite a variety, huh?

These albums changed my life. 

I sang and sang and sang, going from one album to the next for hours. Yep, that's what I did. From singing "Hopelessly Devoted to You" to "Barracuda," I liked it all.

I do remember a bike too. I rode that bike a lot.

Oh, and Judy Blume books. I would sit up in our huge oak tree and read those things cover to cover. Those were the best books ever.

So, what memorable gifts did you get when you were a kid?