Starting Monday!

A reminder that 25 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge begins on Monday. No pressure here folks... it's just for fun! Join in on the festivities all 25 days or as many days as you can!

Give Thanks!

We have a winner!

And the winner of the 30 Custom Christmas Card giveaway is:

MIMI43grlz

Contact me (my email is listed on the sidebar) and we'll get started on your order!

Stepping on my soapbox...

The news media is scaring the pants off of people. Read the first paragraph of this "news" story:

"WASHINGTON – The economy took a tumble in the summer that was worse than first thought as American consumers throttled back their spending by the most in 28 years, further proof the country is almost certainly in the throes of a painful recession."

What bother's me about this article is this statement, and this statement alone:

"further proof the country is almost certainly in the throes of a painful recession."

I am not minimizing the fact that thousands of people are losing their jobs... And that the housing market it a mess because of garbage loans... And the stock market won't stabilize...

But, how are we supposed to be pull ourselves up by our bootstraps if the media is hammering home the idea that we are "almost certainly" positively already in a painful (yes, painful!) recession? It's almost as if the media, oh, who am I kidding..., IT IS the media's attempt to make a story. To build chaos! To lure in the viewer, reader, blogger - hehe!

I'm boycotting the news media again! I can't live with this kind of negativity.

Boiling the 'taters

Today will be spent doing prep work for Thanksgiving day which includes, but is not limited to, cooking. I will also be spending the day cleaning. Oh yes... I lead a thrilling life.

Right now, I'm boiling the sweet potatoes for the sweet potato casserole. Yum!


And I'll be perfectly honest here... I haven't even purchased the main event... um, you know, the TURKEY? If you think about it... I do actually lead a thrilling life... no turkey yet? And we'll be feeding 12 people on Thursday? Oh yeah baby... life on the edge.

But, thank goodness I have two extraordinarily gifted helpers today.

Rockstar Chef and Domestic Diva

Fall for me

Fall for me is:
A breezy afternoon before a cool front.
Big, juicy Braeburn apples.
Lighting my candles.
Cool days spent outside.

Do yourself a favor!

Do yourself a favor and try this recipe for Thanksgiving. You will be famous and a legend in your family!

This is absolutely the best cranberry sauce I've ever tried! This recipe is super simple, it makes plenty and it's great on warm bisquits the next morning. And, the best thing is that it's a recipe you can make a day or two ahead.



Apple-Orange Cranberry Sauce

1/2 orange
2 cups water
1 tart apple, such as Granny Smith, Braeburn or McIntosh
3 cups fresh cranberries
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves

Squeeze the juice from the orange and set the juice aside. Remove and discard the membrane from inside the orange rind and cut the rind into small dice. In a small saucepan over high heat, combine the rind and the water and bring to a boil. Cook for 10 minutes, then drain and set aside.

Peel, core and quarter the apple. Cut into 1/2-inch dice and place in a saucepan. Sort the cranberries, discarding any soft ones. Add to the apples along with the orange juice, orange rind, sugar, cinnamon and cloves. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan partially. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, the apple is tender and the cranberries have burst, 10 to 15 minutes.

Transfer the cranberry sauce to a heatproof bowl and let cool for 1 hour before serving. Or cover and refrigerate; bring to room temperature before serving. Transfer the cranberry sauce to a sauceboat and pass at the table. Makes 3 1/2 to 4 cups.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Kitchen Library Series,Thanksgiving; Christmas,by Chuck Williams (Time-Life Books, 1993)

'Tis the season for giving!

My mama always told me it's better to give than to receive. And, I'm pretty sure y'all's mama said the same thing!

So, in celebration of my upcoming 600th blog entry... (yes, 600th!) I'd like to give away some of my time and talent to one lucky individual!

I'm giving away 30 (4x6 size) photo Christmas cards (design shown) with envelopes. All you have to do, is leave a comment on this entry for your chance to win. I'll draw a random winner on Wednesday, November 26th (6:00 p.m CST) and post the results that evening.

Now, for the fun part... your comment!

When you enter to win, please post 5 things you are thankful for.

Correct me if I'm wrong...

I've been taking a hiatus from the 'doom and gloom' we call the news media for the past two weeks and let me say, it has been liberating! That is not to say I'm burying my head in the sand, although I wish some days I could!

However, I happened upon an article today that caught my attention. It said that the United States could be heading for a cycle of deflation. It went on to say consumer prices dropped 1% in October.

So, correct me if I'm wrong... this is a bad thing? I realize there is a cyclical effect... consumer spending down -- consumer pricing goes down to draw the consumer back in. Consumers decide they'd rather save their money--businesses suffer because of the lack of consumers, etc. etc. I get that part.

But, saving $2.00 on the same gallon of gas I bought just 5 months ago? That's awesome. And spending less on the same amount of groceries I bought 3 months ago? That's even better... because, you know... we still have to eat!

I think we've finally had an "A-ha" moment in that we don't need that iPhone, or 3rd pair of black boots, or Coach purse, or bi-monthly trip to the nail salon, or $150 cut and color, or $80.00 pair of jeans, or blah, blah, blah... Perhaps this crisis in our financial markets will turn us into good stewards of our money. Perhaps?

And, while you're at it... why not begin investing in your local church? In addition to your tithes, how about give offerings? Give like you've never given before. God so desires to pour out his blessing upon us, if we only give Him the chance.

Will you give him the chance to bless you?

Blessed... and then some

John Maxwell visited our church on Sunday and I was asked to serve at the book table selling his books after service. I was hesitant at first because I'll be honest here... money-changing scares me. But, the gals told me that most people pay by credit card, so I'd probably have very little dealing with actual cash! (They were right, by the way...)

Anyway, as we were wrapping up, one of Mr. Maxwell's assistants told us that we were welcome to choose any of the books on the table as a 'thank you' for serving with them. I was thrilled. Because I had my eye on a book but decided I'd just check it out at the library instead. (I'm frugal that way!)

So, I selected this book and so far, it's a great read!

And, by the way... John Maxwell was a phenomenal speaker. Randy and I immensely enjoyed his sermon on trusting God with our finances and resources.

Moving on...

I just finished up a Beth Moore Bible study last week called "Stepping Up". Very good and I highly recommend it. Well, in one of her discussions, she mentioned how important it was to get a good Bible commentary book to help navigate the scriptures. I thought about waiting until Christmas to ask my in-laws to get one for me (because my FIL is a minister and I knew he'd pick out a good one for me) but I really didn't want to wait on getting one until Christmas.

Then, I thought of my local Goodwill. I recalled browsing the religion section the last time I was there and was surprised at the wealth of titles and books (and even Bibles) that they had. So, yesterday I headed out there and found "The New Testament Explorer". 576 pages of New Testament commentary for $2.99!


I also found "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren (hardcover) and bought it too (for $2.99). I've been wanting to read this book, but the mood has never struck me before. But, for $2.99... I think the mood finally struck!

I just love being blessed like that. God knew my heart and my intentions and he blessed me. Thank you, God!

(Oh, and I also found a really nice pair of BCBG Max Azria trouser pants in chocolate brown in my size and in perfect condition! I bought those too... for $6.99!)

Boy, it's true... you can't outgive God! Malachi 3:10

Skeletal Remains

Amy over at Living Locurto had so much fun getting to know our husband's wanted to get to know our husbands even better... so, she posed this question:

"Does your husband own something that drives you crazy? Did he come into the marriage with that dreaded torn up lazy boy chair? Does he refuse to get rid of that 20 year old concert shirt full of holes? Or maybe there is a running joke in your house about something you own that he thinks is ridiculous!"

So, I humbly submit to you to the skeletal remains of an alligator that my husband proudly displays in his office. He had it at his work office for quite a while until he recently changed jobs, at which time he brought home. Yeah. I'm thrilled.

Notice how the head has curled underneath it's body? Yeah, it hasn't always been like that.


I could expose him for more stuff that I'd like to 'accidentally' throw away, but I've decided that my marriage means more to me than my dissatisfaction in a disgusting item or two (or four!)

It's a start

A friend of mine was telling me about a pillowcase she saw at a craft show that was custom made with some really cute girly zebra print and hot pink fabric with polka dot ribbon trim. It sounded so cute, but she said that gal at the craft show was selling hers for $20.00 each! Then I got to thinking... I wonder if I could make something like that?

So, I dug around in my remnant fabric and came across this printed fabric that I've been hanging on to for a while. I coupled it with solid black fabric to make this "test" pillowcase. I added the green ribbon (from my stash) and sewed on a criss-cross bow for trim (although I'm not 100% happy with how the bow turned out...)

I think it is a good start. And, it only took a couple of hours (for me... a sewing novice!)

I'm going to look for seasonal fabric and make the girls a Christmas pillowcase. Then, maybe a Valentine's pillowcase... And, then if I get good enough, don't be surprised if I start handing them out as birthday presents for little friends!

Take a Hike!

Beautiful day for a hike!

This thing called life

I learned yesterday, that an attorney I worked for in college, took his own life earlier this week. He left a wife and four children behind. He was 49 years old.

I am deeply saddened by this as you can imagine.

As I contemplated what I wanted to write about this tragedy, I was reminded by God that we never know where another person "is" in their own world. Their pain. Suffering. Sadness. Loneliness. Despair. Grief. Self-Loathing. Fear.

It reminds me that we, as Christians, need to be keenly aware of those around us. Show them love at all times. Let the love of Christ be a light to this dark world. Let the praise of God be continually on our lips. Care for those around us. And be available to others.

Yes, I know that's a tall order to fill. Especially when we get wrapped up in our own world. But, we have a job. A mission. A GREAT commission directed by Jesus Christ himself.

No one can be blamed for the loss of this man. He made his decision on his own accord. But, please seek God today and ask Him to help you be more aware of those around you, so that you can be a light shining bright to them wherever they are in this thing we call "life."

So, I'm curious...

I make no excuses for my husband's desire to spend money infrequently. Translation? He's tight.

And in the course of the (almost) ten years of marriage, I've managed to deal with this in several ways.

1. I always give him a heads up when I need to make unusual purchases. Unusual meaning... stores appearing on the credit card bill that are not the normal gas and groceries I buy each week. Stuff like clothes and shoes for the girls, gifts for birthdays, etc.

2. He gives me a bi-monthly allowance. I get xx amount of dollars to spend at my discretion without him asking why, what or where. It's nice to have cash in my pocket. Cash is king! This money is usually spent at Hobby Lobby, Michael's or if I see a clothing item I want (but do not need...) Basically, non-essential items.

3. Major purchases are discussed and then researched before we head out to the store. We don't make impulsive purchases... ever.

And finally, the purpose of this post...

4. Christmas Budget! Each year about this time, I plan out our Christmas budget. I'll print out the chart, he reviews it and signs it. Yes, signs it! It's our contractual agreement that I can freely spend money!

In the last 7 or more years, our budget hasn't changed much. Truth be told, we still spend the same amount of money on my parents as we did when we were first married. The same is true for my nephews and niece. Our budget has increased a bit since we are now buying for school teachers and school gift exchanges, but for the most part, the bottom line is still the same.

Several years back, my brother's wife and I decided to not buy for the adults in our families, and just buy for the kids. That has worked out beautifully! This year, I contacted my BIL's wife and suggested we do the same. She happily agreed!

I was visiting with my friend yesterday and I showed her my Christmas budget and she said that they have never gone by a 'set' budget for Christmas. Just as she was surprised we did, I was just as surprised that they didn't!

So, my question(s) are:

1.) Do you follow a Christmas spending budget?
And if so, what is your bottom line spending amount -- that is, if you care to share!

2.) If you don't follow a Christmas budget, have you ever considered doing so? Why or why not?
And... if you care to share, what is your approximate spending?

3.) Finally, just out of curiosity... how much do you spend on each of your children?

4.) Any suggestions/tips you'd like to offer the crowd about spending/saving money at Christmastime?


Here are my answers:

1.) Yes; Our bottom line this year is: $660.00 (give or take... depending on gifts that we need to buy that were not planned for in advance.)

2.) N/A

3.) We spend $100.00 on each kid. I'm sure this amount will increase as their ages increases, but for now... that's what we spend. Two years ago, it was $50.00 per kid.)

4.) We buy a lot of gift cards and that helps to keep the spending amount precise. I know people tend to think gift cards are not personal enough, etc., but I only give them to people I know will appreciate them and use them. I'd never give a gift card to someone who would not use it on themselves. I found out a few years ago that the gift card I gave to a friend for her to use on herself, was actually used on her daughter. Of course, my friend was entitled to use the gift card however she wanted to, but my purpose was for my friend (the mom) to buy herself something that I knew she had wanted from that particular store. Oh well... needless to say, I never bought her another gift card... she gets actual gifts now!

My whereabouts!

I've been tagged by my friend Kristi to give you a run-down on my whereabouts.

• 1 minute ago: going over homework with Elisan.
• 1 day ago: working out, doing laundry, cleaning house, grocery shopping...
• 1 week ago: volunteered at my church.
• 1 month ago: Randy's family was visiting; Had just learned I needed a breast biopsy.
• 3 years ago: 4 year old Elisan and 2 year old Kyla... need I say more?
• 5 years ago: living with my parents while Randy was in Denmark getting settled with his new job. Elisan - 2 years and Kyla was a newborn.
• 7 years ago: Nursing 3 month old Elisan round the clock!
• 10 years ago: working as a claims adjuster in Beaumont, Texas and planning my Dec. 5th wedding.

This was fun and thought provoking! I tag Angie, Amanda and DeAnna.

A Talk Radio Junkie Reformed

I have a confession to make. I am a talk radio junkie. No, people, we are not talking NPR.

I like the hard-hitting shows like:

• Laura Ingraham,
• Rush Limbaugh,
• Neal Boortz, and
• Sean Hannity.

Throw in a little bit of Dr. Laura and Dave Ramsey... and I'm good to go!

However, there is a side-effect to listening to all of these shows and lately it's been known as sleepless nights and anxiety.

Oh, sure, I could turn the dial or put in a praise and worship CD, but the lure is always there... lurking behind my A.M. radio setting #1, #2 and #3. Don't get me wrong, I love to listen to music, but after a while, I want to be mentally stimulated... challenged with thought provoking material while I combat the daily commute.

So, I headed to my local library and checked out a few books on CD. Hello! What a brilliant idea! I can stimulate my mind, while listening to a book! How awesome is that? And, it's free! Even better!

I'm now listening to Jodi Picoult's "Nineteen Minutes" and following that, I will be listening to Charlotte Brontës "Jane Eyre".

I'm excited I've found a new outlet for my addiction. I am a reformed talk radio junkie.

Well, with the exception of a little bit of Dave Ramsey and Dr. Laura... I just love their no-nonsense approaches to money and relationships!

The girls

Too bad Randy isn't in this picture. I'd probably make it our
Christmas card photo. Maybe I can super-impose
him behind my left shoulder. That wouldn't be
too obvious would it?

Friday Fodder

The first pilgrims.

Disclaimer: The materials and information you find on "FRIDAY FODDER"
do not [always] represent the expressed opinion of the author.
In addition, the materials found on Friday Fodder are
oftentimes mass distributed, thus credit is not known.)

Whatta Man, Whatta Man, Whatta Man

My blog friend, Heidi at Minnesota Mom sent me over to Amy's blog at Living Locurto. Today, Amy is hosting a "Meet My Husband" day, honoring the men behind the women of blog-ville!

I thought it would be fun to participate, too. (If you decide to participate as well, head over to Amy's site and link your blog with the auto-link.)


First and foremost, my husband is a man of God and for that, I am the utmost grateful.

My husband is a man of integrity and I have seen God favor him because of it.

He sees things in black or white, which can sometimes be a pain, but I can respect him for it.

He knows the word of God. I can confidently ask him a question about something in the Bible and more times than not, he will have an answer for me.

He is the sole male in a house full of girls... and does a pretty good job at keeping the peace.

He is not a worrier. (I am a worrier...) So, he balances me out.

He has seen to it that we are 100% debt-free. He is vigilant about it. For example, when I want to buy a big-ticket item RIGHT AWAY, he makes me wait until we can pay cash! This has caused some strife in our relationship over the years, but I appreciate him for making us self-sufficient.

He tithes every cent that enters this household. Again, God's favor at work, here folks!

He loves his girls and my girls are in love with their daddy. They literally scream when he walks in the door from work.

He is a man of principle.

He works hard and puts forth 100% effort in everything he does.

He can fix anything. ANYTHING!

Most people don't know this, but my husband has a fabulous personality. The reason why most people do not know this is because he is extremely reserved in public. But, get him home in his comfort zone and he is hilarious and silly. I love that we have the privilege of seeing him for who he really is.

He doesn't cook and he doesn't clean... but he takes care of us in a way I never dreamed worthy enough to experience.

I've 'loved' my husband since 5th grade. I knew that I would marry him one day... and by the grace of God... I did!

We'll be celebrating our 10th anniversary in 29 days. It seems like only yesterday that we got married! I can't wait for the next 50 years!

A new blog to love!

I wanted to share with you a blog (that is new to me) written by a woman named Vicki Courtney. She is a woman of God who is pioneering a ministry geared toward virtuous girls of God called Virtuous Reality Ministries®.

She also resides in Austin... how cool is that?

Check her blogs out! Especially you moms who are growing girls!

I think we all need a reminder

I deliberately did not watch any television at all yesterday and only caught up with the election news, just moments ago. (It's 5:55 a.m.)

But, I feel as if we all need a reminder that God was not "caught off-guard" by the election results last night. He knew the results long before they were given, just as he knows the plans he has for you... plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future! (Jer 29:11)

Yes, this election was disappointing, but we as Christians need to look beyond what man can (or cannot do) for us and turn to God and ask Him, "Now, Lord... what can I do to make your name famous?"

God sees our future... and who knows... maybe a revival is in our midst! Wouldn't that be awesome?

So, take comfort knowing that God is the author of of the universe, our provider, our deliverer, and EVERYTHING in heaven and earth comes from Him. He is the ruler of all things and in His hand is strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. (1st Chron. 29:10-13)

No matter what...

In the Lord I put my trust" (Psalm 11:1)

No matter what happens today and well into the night...

• I will still get up in the morning, say my prayers, have my quiet time with the Lord.
• I will still cling to my God, my religion.
  
• I will still be a mom who gets my kids up, make their breakfasts and brings them to school. Who will still do the laundry, cook dinner, help with homework and chauffeur my them around to ballet and soccer.
• I will still be a loving, caring and submissive wife to an incredible man, my husband (of nearly 10 years!)
  
• In other words... no matter what happens today, tonight, tomorrow or in the future (Lord willing...) I am still me. Erica... wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter.
  

I will not allow a president to make me bitter, enraged or downtrodden. Because the Bible clearly says that we are to put our trust in God, not in man.

And if you need proof, here are a few scripture references just in case you have forgotten!

Psalm 4:5
Psalm 34:8
Psalm 84:12
Proverbs 30:5
Proverbs 16:20
Psalm 18:30
Nahum 1:7
Psalm 62:8
Psalm 37:3-8
Psalm 28:7
Psalm 56:11
Psalm 56:3
Psalm 31:19,20
Psalm 36:7
Psalm 57:1
Psalm 61:4
Psalm 13:5
Psalm 32:10
Psalm 119:41,42
Psalm 34:22
Psalm 18:2
1 Timothy 4:10
Isaiah 12:2
Psalm 33:20,21
Psalm 143:8
Psalm 7:1
Isaiah 26:3
Psalm 9:10
Psalm 125:1

Good Report!

My biopsy results are CLEAR! I'm so excited and relieved!

I'm still waiting the results from the first biopsy, but my doctor is not as concerned with these results as she was with the second biopsy.

God is so good! He saw me through this ordeal and TOTALLY revealed Himself to me! For that, I'm blessed beyond words! Thank you for your prayers and support!

Much Love,
Erica

Blog Challenge!

I'll be kicking off my second annual "25 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge" on December 1st.

What is that, you ask?

It is 25 days of holiday blogging fun! Beginning December 1st, I will begin posting something (ANYTHING!) each day until December 25th. I'll be posting a commentary, a joke, a picture, whatever! Just something everyday until Christmas day. It doesn't even have to be Christmas related, although... 'tis the season, right?

Hope you can join me!

Doctors, Biopsies, Hospitals, Oh My!

Again, thank you for all of your prayers sent up on my behalf! I'm amazed at the outpouring of love I have received as I've journeyed this path.

Yesterday was my appointment with my general surgeon to meet, discuss and plan my biopsy. But, before that, I woke up at 4:00 a.m., unable to sleep with my brain working non-stop.

So, once I arrived at the drs. office I was anxious and nervous. So, I broke out my "God's Promises for Women" book and was reading the verses on Fear.

I've been praying the verse Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." this week and that verse was in the chapter on Fear. God was reaffirming to me that he was there.

BUT, the more amazing part, was that the verse immediately preceding the Hebrews 4:16 verse in my devotional book was Isaiah 30:21.

As you recall, I've stated over and over how God has:

• Ordered my steps...
• Directed my path...
• Guided my path...

Well, Isaiah 30:21 states "Your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

I mean, could GOD have spoken any more clearer to me in that present moment? Oh man... I've got chills again just thinking about it! HE reminded me, through his word that I'm walking where HE wants me to go. A calm enveloped me at that very moment and I was good to go!

The doctor was AWESOME. She walked right in and got down to business. She examined my breast lump and decided to do a fine needle aspiration biopsy in the office. While she was doing the biopsy, we discussed the more important biopsy of the micro-calcifications. She said, "I'm going to be in downtown Austin today seeing another patient... would you like to set up the stereotactic biopsy today at the downtown hospital and get it over with?" I told her, "YES!"

Okay y'all... this is God's favor at work. I went in to the office thinking I'd only be scheduling the biopsy for next week... but God worked in a way that allowed me to have BOTH biopsies in one day without me having to add an additional burden of a week's worth of worry!

My appointment was at 1:30. I arrived at the hospital, registered and was met by a team... yes, team... of women who work in the breast center. One woman was even designated to hold my hand, pat my back and explain the entire process to me. Isn't that amazing? (For those wondering... no... Randy was not at the biopsy with me. Everything happened so quickly that I had to have him available to pick up the girls from school.)

So, anyway, I was placed on this table (see photo) and once they positioned me in such a way for the doctor to retrieve the slice of tissue from my breast, they finally began. I'll be honest... the machine made the procedure sound horrific, but honestly I didn't feel a thing, thanks to the local anesthetic. The actual tissue removal process lasted about 2 minutes tops. The doctor bandaged me up and I was free to go!
Before I left, the doctor told me that the sample she took didn't look as suspicious as it was originally thought and that she would be surprised if the results came back positive for cancer! And speaking of results... they will be in on Monday!

I truly believe that doctors are so much more proactive in all things breast related these days and I know we have the Susan Komen foundation to thank for that. Breast cancer awareness has made the swift action of treatment possible!

God is so good, y'all! I will be sure to post my results on Monday!