Books to curl up with...

It's one of those God things.
I made a random call to thank a listener for supporting 91.5 WCIC when I happened to connect with a published Christian author who was looking for someone to join her writer's group.
Without giving it much thought, I accepted her invitation. A group of us gals met for coffee the other day and for the first time in a long time, I felt energized to share my real thoughts and heart in written form. Now I've got the safety net and expertise of a group of women I can trust to inspire me along this journey...
In the meantime, I've got to share a book that whet my appetite for good fiction. I burned my broccoli-cheese soup last night because I was so engrossed in the page-turner, "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. Set in Jackson, Mississippi in 1962, the stories of three very different women (two of them black maids, one of them an aspiring white writer) are woven together in a tale that brings a fresh perspective to our country's racial divide.

Jeff & I are also reading through the book, "Love & War: Finding the Marriage You Dreamed Of" by John & Stasi Eldredge. A couple of nights a week, we take turns reading through chapters out loud together. When it comes to offering a real life snapshot of marriage, they nail it. Their stories provide a great springboard for intimate discussions on overcoming challenges inherent in most marriages...and Jeff & I look forward to reading through it during our quality time together.
I hope the cold of winter provides one good thing: a good excuse to curl up by the fire (or in my case, the space heater) with a good book!
Happy reading, everyone!

Max & Cheese

On Max's 8th birthday, he coined a new phrase: Max & Cheese.
For his b-day dinner he shoveled heaps of Mac & Cheese onto his plate (both the homemade and Kraft versions) and suggested that we call it "Max & Cheese"in his honor. It's about the only thing he eats. Aside from chicken nuggets and strawberry jell-o, which my mother-in-law also provided in ample supply.
He LOVED it.
I should've asked for a side of Tums.
Happy Birthday, Max!!!

Food is a Family Affair

Gender roles are shifting in homes across the country as more and more women bring home the bacon. I loved hearing from our morning show listeners this week as we discussed how longstanding gender roles in the home are challenged with an increasing number of women out-earning their husbands. Jeff & I both work outside the home full-time but it's always been a tacit understanding between us that I'd do the bulk of the housework. Well, that's become a burden I no longer wanted to bear, so we both agreed to try to equalize our domestic responsibilities.

...And we also decided to include the children in the process! Taking a cue from the Jill & Jeremy Tracey, who decided to make dinner together as a family once a week, I thought it'd be a great idea to do the same with my family.
Every Sunday afternoon once we return from church and have lunch, we get to work on creating a family meal from scratch that we can save and enjoy together on Monday & Tuesday nights. This gives me a break from cooking and teaches the kids valuable skills--like how to make homemade meatballs, how chopping onions makes you cry, and how to use kitchen devices like the food chopper and blender.
As I looked at Max the other day, I thought, "I'm helping to raise a future husband." And that husband, I hope, will someday be a co-contributor in his own home!

Recipe for Compassion

If you’re racking your brain with a way to respond to the devastation in Haiti, Compassion International suggests that you call together a prayer group. You can spend the night praying for Haiti and make one of the most traditional Haitian dishes, Soup Joumou, which they use to celebrate the new year.
This could also provide a unique way to raise some money for relief efforts. You can ask your friends to bring $5 or $10 in exchange for the meal, and send it to Compassion International or Convoy of Hope to deliver much-needed aid.
If you're interested, here's the recipe:

Soup Joumou (Pumpkin Soup)
4 cloves garlic
1 t thyme
¼ t black pepper
1 t salt
1 c sliced green onions
1 pound of stew meat
3 quarts water
1 whole scotch bonnet or habanero pepper
1 pound pumpkin (or winter squash such as butternut), peeled and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 medium turnips, cubed
4 potatoes, cubed
1 pound cabbage, finely chopped
4 ounces vermicelli pasta (or any thin pasta), broken in half
2 limes, juiced
salt and pepper

Combine the first five ingredients in a large plastic bag. Add the stew meat and shake to coat the meat. Leave in the bag for an hour. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot, and add the meat and chili pepper. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 hours. Remove the meat and set aside. Remove the pepper and discard.

Add the pumpkin and carrots, and cook covered until very tender, about 20 minutes. Puree the pumpkin and carrots in the broth, using an immersion blender. Or puree in a standard blender and pour back into the pot. (You may need to do this in several batches.) Add the meat back to the pot.

Add the celery, onion, turnips, and potato to the soup, bring to a boil, and then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Thin the broth with as much water as needed—it should not be too thick. Add cabbage and cook 15 more minutes. Add the vermicelli and cook until it is tender. Thin again with water as needed. Stir in the lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Like Father, Like Son

The acting bug bit my husband a long time ago...but now he's passed it onto his son. Jeff and Max will be appearing together in the Peoria Players production, "All My Sons." Jeff auditioned over the weekend and was cast in the role he wanted...and when the director mentioned she was searching for a kid to play the part of a 10-year-old boy, Jeff volunteered Delaney, who's an absolute ham and convinced she missed her calling as a child star. But the director wanted to see Max. So Jeff brought him in for an audition tonight and he got the part! (To Delaney's dismay, might I add).
Tonight they were running lines together...pretty cute. I'm thrilled for them but I'm kind of nervous that I won't see either of them in the next couple of months. Delaney and I will be flying solo a few days a week while the boys craft their acting skills. This could be a dangerous thing! Jeff might come home one night and find the house painted pink.

Kids Say the Darndest Things...

-"You're fasting from Facebook? I'm fasting from homework!" announced Delaney.
-"Daddy, why didn't you name me Darn-it? It goes better with Delaney. Darn-it & Delaney!" exclaimed Max.
-"Stop kissing. We get it. Your life is a love story. We don't need to see it," said Delaney.
-"Thanks for making me do laundry," sighed Delaney. "What about Golden Boy over there? What's HE doing?"
-"Catherine, for such a fancy person, you sure don't have a fancy life! I mean, look at your car," said Delaney.
-(I was teasing the kids and asked if they loved me). "Yeah, because you spoil us," said Max. "That's not the only reason, Max!" exclaimed Delaney. "But it's the main one!" he insisted.

The kids had me in stitches on Tuesday night. I love their honesty. It's a refreshing break from the duplicity that runs rampant in most adults. Our pastor delivered a thought-provoking sermon referencing the scandals of 2009. Tiger Woods. John Edwards. David Letterman.
In a culture where image is everything, as believers who know it truly means nothing. This week I've tried to re-examine my motives in everything I did and said. I've got lots of work to do.
I've also got two kids who keep me honest.

Top Ten Games

Just about every night, my family clears the dinner table and lays out a board game. We flip off all the electronic devices in our home to take time to connect and enjoy each other's company without the distractions of our digital age. The kids call their Daddy the "Game King" because he's always up for a board game--but he's suspect if they're not imported from Germany. "Rio Grande" games are his favorite...you won't catch him playing monopoly.
In the past year, I've gotten quite a few requests to recommend my favorite family games. So I thought I'd list them here if you'd like to check them out. Also as I type this, Delaney is peering over my shoulder, insisting that I pretty please post this picture of her in my robe. She wants a blog, too, she says. We'll see about that...

#1) Settlers of Catan (Jeff's all-time favorite)
#2) Dominion (Max votes for this one)
#3) Agricola (I enjoy this one...it involves farming)
#4) Bonanza (the bean game! Great party game)
#5) San Juan (Jeff & I play this all the time)
#6) Notre Dame (Delaney's vote)
#7) For Sale (the kids could play this one over and over)
#8) Princes of Florence (Jeff likes playing this w/his brothers)
#9) Elasund (a great two-player strategy game)
#10) Ticket to Ride (another kid vote)

Out with the Old...

Delaney wants to say, "Happy New Year" with her hug mug in hand and her stepmom lying on the couch in exhaustion...about two weeks late! I'm sorry for not updating my blog since returning from Hawaii. The cloud of depression is just starting to lift. (j/k...kinda)!
To kick off the new year I'm fasting from Facebook for three weeks and limiting my time on the Internet at home. (BTW, if this note pops up on my Facebook profile it's because my blog posts import to Facebook automatically--I promise I'm not cheating)! It's done my spirit and family good to reduce the noise of my virtual life.

I'm grateful to be out with the old and on with the new in more ways than one. We chucked the 1972 tree that Jeff treasured for many years. We compromised on keeping the ornaments.
This year my focus is self-care. For so long I've run my body into the ground by not exercising and gorging on sweets for short bursts of energy... and I've justified going to bed late to spend extra time with my husband (and paid for it in the morning)!
Now I'm blocking time in my schedule to workout at least once or twice a week and I've penciled time in my schedule to spend with the Lord instead of sneaking in my devotional readings whenever I have time to spare... I'm also trying to get to bed by 9:45 so that I can be a little more alert for the morning show. And (gasp) I'm delegating some chores to my husband and kids instead of doing it all on my own! I'm not doing myself or my family any favors by assuming burdens that aren't mine solely to bear.
A balanced life for my mind, body and spirit is the goal for 2010. I hope you're on par for a peaceful and balanced new year as well!