Dad and Sherry

My dad sent me this picture last week of him and Sherry.  Loved it!!

He's been telling me I need to get a few recent pics of Holly and Trevor.  Do I please my dad or incur the wrath of my kids?  Well, I have to live with them! The last best picture I have of them together was taken as they walked in front of me on Easter at the Lincoln Memorial.  LOL. There is less opportunity for those pictures now too, since they are not together as often as they used to be!  Love you, Dad, and I'll work on it.  :)

Back to school

I spent Saturday making sure Holly had enough food to take back with her. Robert fixed a few things for her too and helped clean out her fish tank.  Holly did last minute laundry, deciding what to take with her and packing up.

Robert loaded the car up, and we were out of the house nicely early--about 7:30!  Foolishly, I didn't check the weather report before we went.  Expecting it to hit 50 (which had been predicted earlier in the week), it was foggy and misty in DC, in the mid 30s.  Brrr!  I was not ready for that!

We borrowed a moving bin to get everything from the car to her room. Brilliant idea, and we'll have to do this again when there's a lot to carry in or out.  We moved everything in two simple trips, unpacked all of the cooler food and went to Walmart to finish up shopping.  We stopped at Chipotle to get her a burrito to eat for later, and then went to the McDonald's near campus for a quick lunch.

Parking at school is a giant pain.  You can only park by the buildings for 30 mins. at a time, and I'm terrified to go over after getting that parking ticket last year.  Parking in the garages in not convenient, and it's $3 an hour for the privilege to park!  Holly's used to racing around campus (on foot), but I'm not!  So we parked in the garage, tried to check out an unfamiliar classroom, and picked up a few books we're renting from the bookstore.  We went back to her room, where we hung a picture, and hung up clothes that she'd brought back.  Time to go get my car again, bring it close by and finish up a few more things in her room.

Easy drive home, but after McDonald's, and car food consisting of Good & Plenty, Coke, and pumpkin seeds, my stomach was blech.  Instead of the usual endlessly flipping radio stations to try to find something good, I had burned a couple of Skip Heitzig sermons on CD to listen to in the car.

It was a good day, a nice end to a great 5 week Christmas break.  It was wonderful having my girl back home. Spring break is just two months away, and I'm guessing this semester will fly just like second semester did last year.  Now to get back into the routine of regular life.

Finals nights of break

Robert made his long-famous chile rellanos for dinner before Holly left. There were extras that we packed up for her to take back.

Nope, I did not intentionally create the Mexican flag.

Last minute shopping

Holly and I went out to do some last minute shopping. She was looking for a few specific items before heading back to school.

We went out to the mall, and she found just what she was looking for. I thought the post-Christmas sales prices were fantastic!

We ran by the Christian bookstore to find a gift book for our sweet friend Susie, who begins chemo for stage III colon cancer next week.

We stopped at Target, where Holly picked up a few more items.

She'd been planning this trip to coincide with taking us all out to dinner at Cheddar's, so we called Robert and Trevor to meet us at the restaurant.  We were seated in the bar area, which was quite lovely and warm. The menu's been revamped, and that was nice too, a smaller selection with several choice items remaining. She had ribs, and the rest of us ate fantastically giant burgers with french fries and ranch dressing.  It was such a special treat!

The four of us went to Petsmart so she could grab a few things for her fishtank.  We each bought our bettas last Christmas, and surprisingly they are both still alive. 

She had been looking at tablets for school. Her computer gets a lot of use, and the side is broken, preventing the lid from closing. She wanted something that she can take to class when necessary.  Robert and Trevor presented her with a bunch of info, and she looked at a handful of options at Best Buy, eventually settling on an iPad mini.

Such a nice afternoon/evening out with my girl and my family, and good that we got those last minute things done before she heads back to school.

It's a New Year!

I have lots of posts to write, things we did that I want to note, pictures to post--I'll backdate.

A friend's post on Facebook last week spurred me to commit to reading my 365 day chronological Bible again--a Bible set up to be read every day, with events in chron order, over the course of a year.  I first used this book eight years ago. I did pretty well, whatever that means. To me, it meant that I got all the way through September. I'm still pretty happy about that.  There have been a couple of other years I've begun, but I've never held any commitment, making it only a few weeks, or into February, or into spring.

So I made that spur of the moment commitment last week, asked around if anyone wanted to read with me, that we could encourage each other, help with accountability.  Within two days, I had a group of THIRTY-THREE women who want to join a FB group for this purpose.  Wow!  Oh, I know the numbers won't hold up. It sounds like a nice idea, but it's hard to keep reading, every day, every week, every month.  But I was surprised by the response.  Oh, I know it's not really true, but I have this image of a lot of my friends that they are perfect at reading their Bible every day, lol. The group is where my worlds collide, with many of my dear loopies, a couple of friends from elementary school, a family member, a few locals, plus a few friends of those who have joined. 

Several things I need to prioritize and organize this year, quickly.  This horrible job has sucked all life from me, and I need to change.  I hate that place. I need to focus on Trevor's junior year, helping set him up to be in the best position for college apps later this year.  Just a year and a half until he graduates, and I want to consciously be spending that time with him, just as I did Holly.

But the only way all of that's going to come together is if I get closer to God, reading His Word every day. I'm desperate for that.

Foolishly, I have been taking the easy way out, opening my computer, passively people watching on FB, looking at news websites and following whatever other pointless things I find.  I need to be more purposeful with my time, not only in the mornings, but all day.

Interesting, this was along the same theme as our sermon at church today.  We've been going to a new (to us) place for several weeks.  Judy and Kurt met us there today.  We started in Galatians today, such a parallel!  Funny that as I sat there listening earlier, I didn't see it--that didn't come until writing now.

So I'm looking forward.  The best is yet to come!

Things randomly placed on my counter . . .

 . . . which are entirely appropriate when you take a second look.

Trevor

Doing what he does best, mysterious and unknown (to me) things on his computer.

Just after installing a new motherboard and processor on his desk top (and doing something with drivers on his laptop?).  He's happy.  I'm happy.

Dog walking

It's been mostly very chilly out with a few nice days in between.  Robert's back and leg have been really, terribly bothersome, but he's enjoyed (I guess!) taking Kota down to the creek, and I've been going along.

Christmas Day

I've been backdating several posts here, just going by what photos I took on that day.

As has been typical for the past several years, Robert and I woke up early.  We got everything set up for the kids--long gone are the days where they would wait, excited and bleary eyed, at the back of the hallway or at the bottom of the stairs, until they had permission to enter the living room!

Robert went back to bed.  I got dressed, and although the kids said they wanted to be woken up at 9:30, no one was awake. Robert got up a little later, and the kids easily woke up at that point.  Lol.  Trevor is always the one who gets all of the presents from under the tree and passes them out.  I don't know how long he's had this job, but I don't remember a time when he didn't do it. It's tradition!

 Even Kota watched!

We quietly celebrated, just hanging out and enjoying each other's company.  (I don't remember specifics, as I'm typing this a week and a half later!)

Dinner was quite non-traditional.  Trevor and I wanted Greek, Robert and Holly put their feet down. We compromised with bbqed flank steak with horseradish/sour cream, my mom's famous Rice and Mushroom Casserole,roasted okra, roasted asparagus, and Mandarin Orange Salad.  Robert made pumpkin pie and rum cake for dessert.

It was a wonderful day, and I am ALWAYS thankful to be celebrating it with my family.

Christmas Eve

The church we've been visiting did not have a Christmas Eve service.  We don't always go, but it was kind of strange not to have the option.  We would've done it.  We're liking what we see and hear here.

Instead, we decorated cookies at home.  Robert made them earlier in the week, and I whipped up the icing tonight.

Robert and I joined in too.  Trevor made certain characters, including Walt from Breaking Bad (and Skyler, but I think he understandably killed her before I got a picture).

For dinner, I made Robert's new favorite food, Pork Green Chile.  He can't get enough of it.  He will eat it on top of Cheerios.  At least he says he will, I haven't seen him do it. Yet.  And when he's not eating about it, he's talking about it to anyone who will listen.

It really is amazing stuff.  I can't believe that these ingredients can come together into something so delicious.

Green Pork Chile

2 lbs. leftover pork roast, shredded
2 T. oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 HEAD garlic, minced (I dumped in a couple of spoonfuls of minced garlic from a jar)
6 T. flour
1 - 15 oz. can tomatoes, drained
2 c. diced green chiles, drained (I used a big can of whole green chiles, a bit more than 2 c.)
3 large tomatillos, coarsely chopped
5 c. chicken broth (or water)
1 T. cumin
2 T. chili powder
1 t. salt

Process half of the green chiles until smooth. (I forgot to do this the last time, and I couldn't tell a difference--so this step is optional.)

Heat oil in a large pot. Add onion; saute until tender but not brown.  Stir in garlic, and cook for a few more minutes.  Stir flour into onion mixture until flour is absorbed by fat.  Add broth.  Cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil and is slightly thickened.  Add shredded pork, drained tomatoes, chopped tomatillos, all green chiles, and spices.  Simmer for at least an hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking/burning on bottom of pan.

Serve in burritos, over burritos, with tortilla chips, with tortillas.  Or anything else. Including Cheerios.
 --
I adapted the above to suit our tastes.  This was the original recipe.

Festival of Trees

We visited something new (to us), wanting to appreciate Christmas lights and decorations.  The Hotel Roanoke has a popular tree decorating contest each year, with community organizations competing for votes.  Two dozen organizations are selected to present decorated trees, which the hotel displays for viewing.

We visited this hotel two years ago, celebrating Holly's 18th birthday with a dinner in their very fancy dining room.

Even the walk up from the parking lot was pretty.

The entrance is quite grand.

I snapped pictures of some of our favorites.

This one was adorable, but we found it a bit disturbing that the "Crazy Tree" was sponsored by a mental health organization.

And the very rare shot of me and Robert together!  Thank you, Billie, for being so patient, taking a dozen pics, and getting a couple that we liked!

For several months, we've been planning to go to dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant. We haven't been out to a sit down restaurant in over two months (Holly's last birthday).  We went to Alejandro's and had a wonderful meal.

It was a really, really enjoyable and fun night out for us.

Living Nativity

This has become traditional for us, visiting Parkway House of Prayer's  Living Nativity each year. It's a sweet and quick drive through, winding along the parking lot. At the beginning, each car is handed a CD to listen to during the drive, describing the events occurring at each station.  You are also given a bag of cookies and hot chocolate to enjoy as you slowly drive and listen.

We like watching the scenes unfold, the people dressed in Biblical clothing, and the live animals.  We thought Kota might enjoy seeing them too, haha. Rather than sticking her in her crate at home, we brought her along.  She likes car rides well enough, but I don't want to get her hair in my car.  During the drive to the church, she sat in back with Trevor and Holly, but once we got to the church, Robert invited up front for a window seat.  She's such a pretty dog, and she received a lot of comments and compliments from the participants along the way.

The whole thing lasted about ten minutes.  We enjoyed it, although I'm not sure the dog was too interested in the animals.  She was just happy to be in the car with her own people.  But she's welcome to come again next year. 

Wednesday morning

Robert and Trevor made the drive to pick up Holly yesterday while I was at work.

They got here a bit after 5, and we had a lovely evening.  Robert had packed the car well, and I don't know how Trevor had room in the back seat. 

Already full from their Chipotle lunch, we skipped the dinner plan and snacked on some of the food she brought home with her.   By 6:30, Robert said we were all back to the usual:  Holly settled into "her" spot on the couch, on her computer; me at the kitchen table on mine; and Trevor in his room, playing his latest game.  Even the animals were happy to see her, Kota glad that her pack was together, Vader coming around quite a bit, and Pumpkin meowing back every time Holly spoke to her.  Even her fish seemed to recognize her and was swimming around at the top of his tank most of the evening.  Seriously!

We settled in for tv, watching the Breaking Bad finale, and I am so happy that it came on a day that was special to us!  A fantastically well done wrap up to the series that we've watched for the past two and a half months.  Then we decompressed with Survivor--Trevor and I got Holly hooked on that over Thanksgiving, and then Holly and I happily sank into our HGTV drivel, Property Brothers via Netflix.  I went to bed and Trevor came back out to hang, and I guess I'll find out later how late they stayed up.

The sunrise this morning.  I'm off and looking forward to today!

A fantastic gift

I'm still wishing desperately that I had real time to devote to genealogy, but it makes me happy to know that I'll have something to do when both of my kids are no longer living at home.

 Just a small sampling

My (mom's brother) Uncle Jimmie sent a package today.  He was closer to several of his father's siblings than my mom or Sue. He included different packets for my grandfather, two different great aunts, and a great uncle.  The packets include a variety of random family memorabilia, including original marriage/birth/baptismal certificates, military information, death and burial papers and more. 

There are also a dozen or so correspondences between the siblings--some just brief notes in sympathy cards marking someone's passing, others are several pages, handwritten, revealing much about the relationship between the writer and recipient. Also included are dozens of photos, including some which are personal to me and never seen before: a family gathering including my mom, a photo of my great-grandmother with her two oldest children, and a photo of my Welsh great-grandfather as an older man (see the top center photo above). 

Back: Grandmother Florentine Connor Thomas, great-uncle Ellis Thomas, 

great aunts Isabel Thomas Smith and Helena Thomas FauVel. 

Front: Isabel's son Peter Thomas, my mom, my uncle Jimmie Thomas.

It was completely unexpected, and as I opened each envelope, I stood at the counter for an hour, looking though everything briefly for the first time.  I'm overwhelmed with awe and gratitude that Jimmie gave these to me. 

Tree is up!

It was done in bits and pieces but is DONE!  At Holly's request, Robert set it up before Thanksgiving, because she wanted to decorate it, but her part of it never happened.  ;)  We have four boxes of ornaments, including one for each of the kids. I put up the first two, as Trevor was going to hang his with me while I hung Holly's.  That changed at the last minute when he ended up spending the night at Kurt's, so I did both of their boxes too, leaving just a few choice ones out for Trevor to hang.  Robert finished off with just a bit of tinsel.  I love hanging up those ornaments each year, remembering from where/who they came--even if my memory is a bit blurred on some of them.

Don't try this at home

Another spectacular sunrise on my way to work this morning.  If I would leave just THREE minutes earlier, I would be able to find a fantastic vantage point, stop and take real photos.  Snapping randomly from my phone while paying attention to driving just doesn't work at all.

Old reliable

My mom and Mike bought me this little food processor literally decades ago, 1988? 89? 91?

I use it several times a month. It's great for chopping up cranberries, canned artichoke hearts, garbanzo beans, corn flakes and more. I use it to make mayonnaise. It has a little grater attachment that I mostly use for carrots (carrot cake!) and cheese.

It's small (compared to other processors) and doesn't have a lot of useless attachments, so it's easy to store.  It has just a couple of parts, and all of those are simple to toss into the dishwasher.

And every time I pull it out, I think about how much use I've gotten out of this gift, and how long it's lasted.  I am pretty sure that I could never find a similar replacement.  And honestly, I'm terribly impressed that any small household appliance has lasted this long. They aren't made to last anymore.

Because they are cats

Holly brought her fish home at Thanksgiving, and she'll take it back with her in January. 

The cats, naturally, are fascinated by it.

Book Reviews

God's Story, Your Story: When His Becomes Yours by Max Lucado

Typical, easy to read and encouraging Lucado. Comfort food.


Waking Up in Heaven: A True Story of Brokenness, Heaven, and Life Again by Crystal McVea

A pretty good story, mostly about Crystal's life before finding Jesus, and how her life changed after visiting heaven when she died in a hospital.

The Mark of a Christian by Emlen S. ("Charlie") Garrett

Judy first "introduced" me to Charlie several years ago, and I've followed this pastor for several years on Facebook ever since.  When I found that he'd written a book awhile back, I bought it.  It was a very encouraging read, with each chapter addressing a topic often misunderstood/misinterpreted in today's church.  I loved that I could hear Charlie's voice in his writings.

Charlie is one of the most gifted teachers I've ever heard.  You can follow his daily devotional here.  He teaches one verse per day, going through an entire book of the Bible.

Judy and I say that one of these days, we'll drive down to Florida and visit Charlie.  It wouldn't surprise me at all!

Scrooge

Trevor and I went to see the play Scrooge.  It's put on by a local church, which has been doing it for 10+ years.  It's held in the performing arts center downtown, four shows during the first weekend of December. The facility seats over 2,000 and was filled to capacity on the night we were there. 

It was incredible. We've been to the church a few times, and I can't believe a church this size could put on an incredible production like this.  The stage sets took my breath away; the acting, singing, and choreography were professional quality.  Even when the sound glitched for 30 seconds, the actors continued like nothing was wrong.
 

I was thinking, oh, it's just a nice little church play, it will be over in an hour.  It went for two hours! I rushed home and made homemade tomato soup--nothing at all, thankfully, like any yuck from a can. I've made it before, but I don't know if anyone else ate it. Trevor and Robert both thought it was wonderful (but of course by that time, they were starving).

TOMATO BASIL PARMESAN SOUP


1 c. finely diced carrots
1 c. finely diced onion
1 c. finely diced celery
1 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper 1 tsp. dried or 1 T. fresh oregano
1 T. dried or 1/4 c. fresh basil
2 14 oz. cans diced tomatoes, undrained
4 c. chicken broth
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. flour

1 c. parmesan cheese
12 oz. can evaporated milk (I use non-fat--can also sub in 1/2 and 1/2)

 Heat about 1 T. of oil in large pot to medium high. When hot, add in carrots, onion, and celery, and cook, stirring often, until softened but not browned.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Add in crushed oregano and basil, tomatoes, and half of chicken broth.  If you'd like your vegetables smaller, take out a cup or two at a time, process in food processor, and return to pot.  (Be careful you don't burn yourself!) Heat to boil, reduce heat and simmer. 

Prepare roux by melting butter and then whisking in flour.  Continue to cook to let roux brown a bit.  Add in remaining chicken broth, slowly adding in 1/4 to 1/2 c. each time, whisking well before adding more broth.  Slowly whisk this sauce into the rest of the soup.

Stir in the parmesan cheese and the evaporated milk.  Heat very gently on low until warmed through (you don't want to curdle the milk).


Original recipe, including crockpot directions, here.