Advent 2015!

Here we go, another year!

This year Lory and I have decided to spend
Advent looking for
The Christ
in the symbols, traditions and
sometimes trappings of what can so easily
become a Christ-less time of year.

Somethings will be no-brainers,
angels,
mangers,
candles.

Others will take a bit of creativity,
yule logs,
eggnog,
and a certain red-nosed reindeer.

Lory and I are up to the challenge.
Kind of.
Sort of.
Maybe....

Really? Rudolph?

Super Simple Spiral Spaghetti

But it's not really spaghetti.

Or even pasta.

It's zucchini "noodles" made possible by 

a Spiralizer.

You can spiralize just about anything.

So far I have done

sweet potatoes,

 butternut squash,

and now zucchini.

This is a win!

It's just a couple of tablespoons of

jarred sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil,

olive tampenade,

garlic 

and zucchini noodles.

Put them all in a skillet and saute till the 

zucchini is tender but firm.

So good!

Chipotle Rice Bowls

Chipotle Rice Bowls 

Lime rice: 1 cup basmati rice to 2 cups water, simmer 20 minutes till water is absorbed then add zest of 1 lime and juice of ½ lime

Black beans

Roasted corn

Sliced black olives

Chop to approx. size of corn and beans:

Orange pepper

Grape tomatoes

Red onion

Avocado

Romaine lettuce, 1 large or 2 small

Juice of ½ lime

Toss together and the dress with:

1.5 oz. Ranch dressing mixed with 1 crushed clove garlic, cumin, smoked paprika

Put rice in bottom of bowl and then top with veges.

Would also be good wrapped in a flour tortilla as a vege burrito.

Lilacs and Grandma's Vase

They both make me smile.

I have not written since December. 

I haven't had much to say.

Well, actually that isn't true, I always have

TOO MUCH to say.

I've been trying to exercise restraint.

But this sight just gave me the overwhelming urge to write.

There is a nice cluster of lilac bushes 

growing in an industrial park not far from here.

I'm pretty sure none of the factory workers 

care much if I come by and pilfer a few stems.

(I hope)

I always put them in this vase 

that belonged to my grandmother.

I don't feel I am saying anything negative about my grandmother 

when I say I was not her favorite. 

It's ok, I worked hard to get that distinction. 

One of my favorite (and I feel defining) stories

about my grandmother and me is from 

when she was dying.

We would all take turns

 sitting behind her on the bed,

 holding her in our arms, 

propping her up 

so as to make it easier for her to breathe. 

I was doing my rotation and at one point she looked 

up at me and said, 

"Merry you really are a good girl."

I said, 

"Grandma, you really don't feel well, do you?"

She really was a crusty old broad.

Guess I know where my smart mouth comes from.

But somehow, 

Lilacs and that vase make me smile

And remember grandma fondly. 

Here's hoping there's something that will make my kids 

smile and hopefully have a fond thought when I'm gone. 

Lord knows, they've put in their time with

this crusty old broad. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

From us.

Frick, Frack, 

and Chuckie the Advent Santa

Luke 24: 1-12

Cue the big music!

the spot lights!

All of heaven singing!

It is Resurrection Day!

Easter.

The reason for EVERY season!

Easter morning is the biggest and brightest to

me if I have observed Good Friday.

If so, I have spent a day reflecting

on the price Jesus paid for me 

and my petty sins.

Seems like they just don't match up...

My prayer is that tomorrow morning, 

Christmas Morning,

shines brighter for Lory and me 

and anyone else who has taken this month

long journey with us.

We have spent a month 

observing and reverencing

the cost to God to send

His own 

beloved son

to come to earth as a 

helpless, innocent baby,

into a poor family,

to grow into a righteous man,

to live a blameless life, 

only to be beaten and die a horrible death

to atone for my sins.

Thank you, God for sending 

Jesus The Christ

for me.

Amen

Royalty

I'm not a loyal royals watcher, but I do confess to a bit of curiosity when the news tease is about William, Kate and baby George.  I mean, they have it all:  good looks, perfect smiles, money, the perfect life.  Whatever they want, they have.  Seems idyllic.  I'm betting George has never known need is his entire, though short, life - and that isn't likely to change any time soon.

You know this is heading to another king, right?  What a contrast, though.  There were no 1000 count sheets comforting Mary's baby, just rough swaddling clothes with a straw mattress poking through.  It was a borrowed bed - borrowed from the cows and donkeys.

After a lifetime of service and giving and loving and teaching, He is laid to rest in a borrowed tomb - dependent again on the kindness of a stranger.  There was no state funeral - quite the opposite, actually.  The burial was hurried and the most basic customs placed on hold in deference to the Sabbath.  At least it was a new tomb.  It could have been a paupers grave if Joseph of Arimathea hadn't stepped up.

William, Kate and George have everything they desire - everything that money can buy, at least.  Jesus had nothing.  Throughout His life He was dependent on the kindnesses of others.  On the other hand, Jesus gave everything: His position, His lifetime, His life.

Now that's a royal I can watch.  

That's a royal I want to emulate.

That's my King!