Direction

Ask yourself this question, what direction am I headed?  What’s your answer?

Directions: Work, School, Family, Children, Friends, Spiritual, Spouse, Life

John Lajba "Compassionate Christ" Servants of Mary Motherhouse Omaha

God has been such a directional force for me over the years.  Many times I was unwilling to allow Him in to direct me.  True, God will never push us or trespass on our free will.   I believe He will however put people in our lives that help us along the way.  Early on in my career as an adult, I didn’t go through the I don’t have to go to Church phase.  I went and I believed.  However, what I never really understood is how to have a personal relationship with God.   

Now, being a deacons wife I hope to have a relationship with God.  And all relationships take time.  During Advent this past year, I wrote on our refrigerator wipe-off board

“To grow any relationship you must spend time with the person you want to be closer to.  Our heavenly father wants to be close to us.  Pray every day!”

The direction my life is taking has been a process, a journey.  For me the only way to really appreciate it is to look reflectively back at the last time I had a bad mood that I couldn’t get out of.  What?  That doesn’t make any sense.  Sure it does, think about how long ago it was that you were in a mood that could have peeled paint off your car with one glance.  Now how many days, weeks, months ago was that?  For me about 2 weeks.  The mood only lasted about 30 minutes, and I haven’t thought about the mood since.  This revelation didn’t happen over night.  I made the conscience decision to pray everyday and grow my relationship with God.  But how does this affect your mood?  By reminding me that I am not in control of the situation.  Let me repeat that.  I am not in control of the situation.  Who is then?  God!  God is.  He is in control and Mary (Our blessed mother) is in the details. 

What a relief…to know that I don’t have to be in charge.  Even though the human side of me still has the tendency to want to control the situation the relationship keeps me centered and reminds me that I am not. 

But what about your other relationships, like with your husband, don’t they center you?  Good question.  Yes, he does center me and I spend time growing that relationship too.  However, when I think of what all our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has done for us it so humbling that I want to thank Him everyday for the enormous blessings He has given me, especially my husband.  Drawing close to God like a deer to water, lowers my stress level and keeps me coming back for more of His graces. 

Daily prayer is a HUGE part of my life, and so is a Spiritual Direction.  Spiritual direction is a great source of  clarity for me.  A director is there to walk with you on your journey.  Guiding you through your, often times, emotionally driven angst back to God through prayer.  If you don’t pray there is nothing to direct.  I started slowly, 5 – 10 minutes per day to get up to 30 minutes I do now.   Sure, not every day do I sit down and actually pray for 30 minutes at a stretch, but I take God with me through out my day and He is never too far from my current thought. 

I don’t know what direction to take in prayer?  List your blessings and you’ve found a place to start.

 

Back in the Saddle Again

When my creative whims take me on a new journey, it’s easy to forget the things you enjoy. 

Stepping back into the blog, I am reminded that this writing format is a place to create.  

Recently, I’ve spent several nights tossing and turning.  My mind spinning with ideas and projects; it’s trilling and exhausting all at the same time.  Everything from how to redecorate my living room and bed room; to moving my office to the basement; even what to plant in my garden. 

One of these major thrills has been looking for places to use my energy.  Which has given rise to starting my own administrative assisting business.  This part-time adventure is born on the idea of “multiple streams of income”.  http://sites.google.com/site/adminoncall4you/  

With this adventure I noticed something very interesting.  I’m not nauseous about the prospect of talking to people about my business.  This is something that plagued me in my network marketing businesses.  Although the product is OUTSTANDING there was always a sense that it was a sham.  Believing in my product and myself were never the problems.  It was the reaction of other people.   The freeing feeling I have with Admin On Call is that this is all me.  My idea, my creation, my skills.  Albeit God-given, I don’t have a manual I have to memorize, products to conquer people to convince.  Sure there are aspects of both that are the same, the difference?  me.    My outlook of consulting, not only my husband, also God has given me the opportunity for purpose. 

The greatest gift of allowing God to run your life, is how He brings people into (even back into) your life for a certain purpose.  Reconnecting with friends and former co-workers has been an incredible blessing.  Catching up on my blog is something that also grounds me in sticking to something I start.

Thursday January 22, 2009

Today marks the 36th year of the Supreme Courts infamous decision to legalize abortion. 

Today I attended a funeral. 

Why do I comment on both of these events?  They mark dates in history that won’t soon be forgotten.  One, the anniversary of legalized mutilation of baby and mom sanctioned as a choice.  The other, a day of great sadness and joy, remembering the wonderful life of a woman who influenced so many, even though I had only known her in the ceremonial events of her families most recent life. 

I’ve been to funerals of varied aged persons.  Some cut down in the prime of their life and others who may have thought God had forgotten about them.  But this was the mother of a dear friend.  Ending her 62 year journey in this world.  This hit closer to home.   My mom is only a week older than my friends mother.  It could have been my mom and not my friends laid to rest today. 

Being an adult where 1/4 of my peers have been lost to abortion, this day sticks out in my mind as a time of great sadness and joy.  Sadness in the many in our Country who still believe in this horrible choice.  Joy in knowing that with the help of the Nation’s longest running political campaign has changed hearts and minds over the years. 

For all those who have left this world in the friendship of the Lord, rest in peace.  For all those mothers and fathers who are struggling with an unplanned pregnancy, may the Lord turn their hearts and give them the courage to choose life, after all their mother did.

The Crayola Prespective

I recently picked up a book that’s philosophy colored my existace at 17. 

Robert Fulghum All I Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten.

Do you remember this book?  Published in 1986 it was practically an overnight best seller.  The tag line reads Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things.   As I picked up the book I realized I had flagged my favorite stories.  The nice neighbor lady who walked right into a spider web on her way to work.  Including the chaos that ensued and the spiders prospective of the ordeal.  The forgotten Christmas cards found in late August.  Caroling on the deck with with suntan lotion and a cold drink.  But my most favorite is about his gift to his new Godson with the starter set of Crayolas- the short fat thick ones with training wheels.  Grooming his year and a half old Godson on the invention of “wax, color and binder” was a religious experience for Fulghum.  He had so much fun gifting adults and children alike with the 64 box of magic, that he was overjoyed to watch when his prodigy discovered what can be done when the color hits the paper.    

Probably the most common companion with me in my solitary childhood was my imagination and the vehicle with the built in sharpener.  Fulghum is right.   The sly grin of inspiration would curl over my lips and I’d attack whatever writing surface was available.  Creating is sheer bliss.

I did not discover Fulghum and his wonderful book until the fall of 1990.  During which I was Junior in high school.  My folks had filed for divorce and I was thrust into adulthood.  Reading Fulghum’s book not only gave me perspective on my life as a teenager/adult but also on enjoying life no matter what it looked like.  It reminded me that being a kid was okay.  I remember going to the discount store with my friends buying new coloring books. 

I not only used Crayolas in my imagination I used oil, water color, and charcoal.  So many ideas and emotions I had to get out of my head and on to a canvas that gave me sense in my seemly senseless world of parental divorce. 

I found that a box of crayons was not only refreshing it their simplicity, they are also cheaper than a shrink. 

Several years later, married Chris came home to our apartment to find me laying on the floor watching Sesame Street and strewn around me were colors and coloring books.  He smiled as this was not the first time he had seen me resort to crayons. 

But it wasn’t only the “color therapy” that makes me smile when I see crayons, it’s the freedom they bring.

The child-like abandon and imagination that thinks up ways to brighten our world.  The simplicity of wax, color and binder to remind me that I am just a kid at heart and it’s okay to play. 

Adults, as a rule don’t play or imagine  on a daily basis.  Advertisers, artists, kindergarten teachers, I’m sure get a bit of play and imagination worked into their day.  But I mean really sit down with a blank canvas and just create.  Bring forth a creation no one else can duplicate.  Unique entirely to you.  I’m slowing introducing myself to my old friend made of was, color and binder. 

What what the last thing you created?

New Year

Resolutions

As I reflect on the year 2008, I am drawn to the end of 2007. I had a multitude of aspirations and goals for the New Year. I would be the successful owner of a multi-million dollar network marketing business and I had every detail of how my prospects would jump at the chance to work with me. I was going to be driving my Mercedes with the help of my dream team.  Making $35,000 per month, Chris was going to be able to minister on a more full time basis if he wanted to. We would have the funds to remodel our house, possibly selling it to move to the country. I will loose upwards of 80 pounds 8 weeks at a time, I would get back into the body I had when we were first married. We were going to be able to start a family and we could plan our month long trip to Italy. I was looking forward to finding a new spiritual director and becoming a daily communicant and weekly confessing my sins. I was never going to work for anyone else ever again. I was never going to allow other people to write my story. I was going to be in complete control.  Can you see where this is going? 

Unrealistic Expectations, is my middle name. 

With the close of 2008 a day away, I am reviewing the year. I am actually heavier than I was before I started my initial weight loss challenge. Loosing and gaining over 30 pounds. I have in-fact quit two jobs and am stressfully waiting for my temporary contract to be over to be hired as a permanent employee.  Because of my time without work, taking a pay cut our fianances are out of wack.  I have been consumed with the lack of money.  Even though I know this is a self-fulfilling prophecy I kept thinking about it.  When March rolled around I all but quit my network marketing business. The dream team I spoke of stopped abruptly severing all communication. Devastated, I put my business on the back burner; I even let my website lapse and I’m not looking for team members.  Then my birthday came.  Normally second to Christmas as my favorite day of the year.  However, I turned 35 in July.  It hit me with such force I was completely unrecognizable afterward.  Because of the state I was in and my second unfulfilling job, I succumbed to the evil one by letting him and not God rule the thoughts in my mind. I knew God was there for me, but I couldn’t see Him to reach out to.

Along the way I still prayed. 

I was so down that, I was not rational, I could not be talked to and Chris could not console me.  I was falling and I couldn’t find foot holds on the mountain I’d made out of a molehill.  I was argumentative. I was mean.  I took my frustrations out on my husband and not my employer, which would have been justifiable, although still not acceptable.  The only comfort I found was in watching television, eating and sleeping.  Although I had episodes off and on until my birthday the severity of my feelings of regret, loss and seeing how much of my life I had wasted were truly painful. Almost a month after the big 3-5, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception I sat in the first pew of St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church. Trying to keep the tears from falling, I prayed for the job I had interviewed for earlier in the week.  I prayed that my boss would take my resignation and treat me fairly.  Most importantly, I prayed to God that His will be done and not mine. I focused on Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane and how I wanted to move past the dark months my mind and soul had been consumed with. I felt cold and alone on that hot summer day. As I returned to work my heart leapt and the clouds in my mind lifted as I was offered my current job. Our Lady, my Holy Mother had given me the gift of her Son in my life with this job. The Fall proved to be a change not only in seasons but in my journey.

Revelations

I have a new spiritual director. Teresa and I have been working together since January. She continues to be a most valuable asset. Teresa walks with me on my journey.  Christ works through her to help me work through these feelings, my desire for Holiness and getting back to that daily prayer I talked about almost a year ago. The Lord through this remarkably Holy woman has helped me realize that I am much richer than I thought. I may not be running a multi-million dollar network marketing business but I am a success.  I have very many things to be thankful for.  I am reminded of what made me happy in the past and evaluating hobbies I had let sit for far too long. I’ve grown in my gift of faith and gained wisdom and am able to look toward the New Year with confidence. I am slowly working on my new routines and changing habits. After an unfortunately busy Fall, Chris and I have been able to get back into our date nights and the value of spending time, even if in silence, together.  Remembering that our relationship is the most important relationship we have next to our relationship with Christ. 

With Teresa’s help, I am realizing that the Lord waits for me. He wants me to turn off the distractions and let Him in. He wants to be able to help me go back to all the hurts, resentments and struggles. He wants to be there with me as I forgive and let go of the memories I hold in the shiny gold boxes in my mind. He has given me the incredible gift of faith and now it’s time to move to the next phase.

Grace

My hope is that by listening to the Lord I will keep the desire to follow through with the many goals and dreams He has put on my heart. Going back to my roots in my gift of painting.  Playing my guitar.  I’m even researching ideas to write a book.  Motherhood.  Whatever Christ has in store for me on this part of my journey I know through Him all things are possible.

The time I spend in prayer each day with Christ I continue to learn from Him.  By allowing myself to just “be” instead of “do” is a great source of release for me.  My soul is then receptive to the graces Christ is waiting to give me.  Being open to this grace is a humbling experience.  He’s reminds me that I am His child.  Unique and loveable, He loves me unconditionally. 

My bags are packed for my journey and I’m taking what I’ve begun learned with me:

• God is in control and my Holy Mother Mary is in the details

• My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and I have to treat it as such

• Keep your eyes on Christ and do whatever He tells you

I may have wanted 2008 to be great; however, I believe that 2009 will be divine.  Of course with a little help from above.

Incriminating Claus-marks

My grandma Ruth was an amazing woman.  She loved to laugh.  She was good for a joke and loved to entertain.  Card parties were her speciality and she loved to travel.  She was an amazing cook and a wonderful neighbor. 

My time growing up was very blessed with both Mom and Dad’s parents living in North Platte.  I spent a lot of time with both sets of grandparents.  But Grandma Ruth was the last to go home to the Lord, so I spent much more time with her as an adult.

A devoted friend she spent many evenings playing cards with the ”girls”.  Most of them widowed too she was the ring-leader of many escapades.  I remember she was the youngest of the three who took a road trip out West.  She was designated drive at 70!  Thelma and Alma along with her at 80 and 90 years old respectively.  She loved baseball and anything that had to do with being patriotic.  She was also a night owl.  If she wasn’t home by 10:00 pm I knew she was having fun with the “girls”.

She loved humor and unbeknown to many of her friends she really enjoyed the song, Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.  She’d never admit it in mixed company, but she did.

Grandma was diagnosed with cancer in 2003.  She died on the 16th of December.  Tuesday marked the 5th anniversary of her death.  She died at home with her children with her (my Mom and her 2 brothers).  We buried her on a snowy December 22th.  That day, a Monday, we filed into the First Christian Church in North Platte.  Pastor Steve had wonderful remarks and he shared as well as the written memories we had of this wonderful lady.  Grandma wanted her car used in the procession and my cousin Ryan was the driver.  As we left church to the waiting cars, we warmed up waiting for the procession to make it’s way to to Fort McPherson, Ryan reached over and turned up the radio smiling.  Christmas music was serving as the silence breaker and we both laughed (and cried) uncontrollably when Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer was playing on the radio.  To me it was enough to know that Grandma was not only with us but always will be.

Her loss was very profound for me.  I took for granted her mortality.  Although, I was able to say good bye to her, her loss was difficult to adjust to.  But having something of humor to remind me of her has been the biggest blessing during the times I need to remember the joy she brought to my life.    She taught me how to bowl, drive and love my heritage, my roots.  That sentimentality is shown all over my house.  From the model windmill in my back yard to the cistern from the Pollard family farm to the milking stool from my Aunt Wilma’s farm.  These pieces of my heritage are what make me who I am today and what I hope to share with any children we may have. 

Cherishing the memory of Grandma laughing a a quirky Christmas song is one piece of my heritage that will last for years to come. 

Grandma got run over by a reindeer
walkin’ home from our house Christmas eve.
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa.
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

She’d been drinkin’ too much egg nog.
And we’d begged her not to go.
But she’d forgot her medication,
and she staggered out the door into the snow.

When we found her Christmas mornin,’
at the scene of the attack.
She had hoof prints on her forehead,
And incriminatin’ Claus marks on her back.

Grandma got run over by a reindeer,
walkin’ home from our house Christmas eve.
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa,
but as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

Now were all so proud of Grandpa.
He’s been takin’ this so well.
See him in there watchin’ football,
drinkin’ beer and playin’ cards with cousin Belle.

It’s not Christmas without Grandma.
All the family dressed in black.
And we just can’t help but wonder:
Should we open up her gifts or send them back?
(Send them back)

Grandma got run over by a reindeer,
walkin’ home from our house Christmas eve.
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa,
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

Now the goose is on the table.
And the pudding made of fig.
And a blue and silver candle,
that would just have matched the hair in Grandma’s wig.

I’ve warned all my friends and neighbors.
“Better watch out for yourselves.”
They should never give a license,
to a man who drives a sleigh and plays with elves.

Grandma got run over by a reindeer,
walkin’ home from our house, Christmas eve.
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa,
but as for me and Grandpa, we believe.
(Sing it Grandpa)

Grandma got run over by a reindeer,
walkin’ home from our house, Christmas eve.
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa,
but as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

Keeping Christ in Christmas

With just a few days to Christmas and I thought it was a good idea to talk about keeping Christ in Christmas. In today’s world it is nearly impossible to not get sucked into the materialism of the season.  Watch any program on television and you will be bombarded with everything you need and everything you want.  Not to mention everything no one really needs.  And some things only come out during the Christmas shopping season.  Cha-cha-cha-Chia Pets and The Clapper.  Followed by a joyous “Happy Holidays!”  Okay, since merchants keep moving the Christmas shopping season earlier and earlier each year, the phrase Happy Holidayscan cover everything from Halloween to New Year.  However, the whole reason for the shopping extravaganza is the birth of Jesus.  It’s called Christmas after all.  For over 2,000 years, billions of Christians have celebrated the birth of Christ.  The Magi came from the East to worship the new King of the Jews.  Not even being Jews they knew the influence a King from the line of David would have on the people of Israel.  The story starts long before the gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Murr were delivered in homage to baby Jesus. 

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.  And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”  But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.  Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”  But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”  And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.  And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;  for nothing will be impossible for God.”   Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Luke 1: 27-38

For over 2,000 years formal traditions in the Church have given rise to many personal traditions.  For as long as I can remember I’ve enjoyed the anticipation of Christmas.  Advent Angels, Wreaths, and calendars marked the days before the blessed event.  Even with all the presents I knew as a child that this was the season of Christ’s birth.  Christmas Eve was my favorite day of the year.  We would gather at Granny’s for dinner and presents.  But before the presents were opened, a candle was lit and we all sang Happy Birthday to baby Jesus.  This simple gesture not only gave us all pause before we dove into the presents, it reminded us of the true reason of the season. 

Recently our traditions have been, Chris assisting at Midnight Mass and a traditional Polish breakfast the next morning with complete with an Oplatki. 

Polish, Slovak and Lithuanian background families are observing this Christmas Tradition. Family members and friends break off a piece of oplatek and give it to one another to eat, expressing the best wishes and blessing upon them and asking for forgiveness.

This is a tender, touching family celebration of love and forgiveness.

What traditions do you carry from your family of origin to your current family?

Movies

I am a huge movie buff.  I love to cheer the good guys and hate the bad guys.  Love to cry and laugh but would rather not be scared.  I was really enthralled with Silence of the Lambs, however, I can only watch it in the day light, ensuring time to clear my mind of it all…“it puts the lotion on its skin, or it gets the hose again.’”  ‘Aaaaahhhhh!  Chris would agree on this whole-heartedly.  He and I were at the theater to see What Lies Beneath when I all but ripped the clothes right off him several times during the movie.  I finally had to compose myself as the people around kept looking as the shrieks were stifled in my coat.

Stop it you’re scaring me! Both movies are fantastic, just a bit to much for my tender heart.  I’m a huge chicken of scary stuff.  I can’t even watch Unsolved Mysteries.

Top 10 Favorite Movies:

1. Dances with Wolves & A Christmas Story (tie for sure)
2. Charlie Brown Christmas
3. Good Fellas (after witness protection & his divorce from Karen, Henry Hill retired to North Platte, NE.  My home town!)
4. Casino
5. Godfather (all three, but 1 in particular)
6. Thunderheart
7. Casa Blanca
8. When Harry Met Sally
9. Legally Blonde (both)
10. Princess Bride (no Chris, it’s not the dumbest movie ever made)

What makes a great movie?  For me it’s the ease at which you become part of the movie.

Dances with Wolves

Šuŋgmánitu Tȟaŋka Ob’wačhi
What an unbelievable movie.  I have always had a special affection for the American Indian.  Sad is our history with them.  A conquered Nation of Peoples left to live on Reservations. The Governments answer to “what do we do with them now”.  Their buffalo all but extinct, infected with small pox and alcoholism, told they could no longer live where they had for centuries; what does that do to a People?  When the great Chiefs where finally forced to surrender (some at Ft. Robinson, NE) the humiliation of defeat had to be unbearable.  The great Tribes they lead, were now disbanded.

Dances with Wolves is a movie that shows one aspect of the potentially thousands of stories of finding ones inner self in an unexpected manner.  John Dunbar, Kevin Costner’s character discovers that he is more Sioux than a White man when he befriends his neighbors as he realizes that being stationed at Ft. Sedgwick is not a going concern.  Which by the way is a real place near Juelsburg, CO.  Some of the movie was filmed in present day Wyoming, South Dakota and Kansas, but mostly on the Triple U Buffalo Ranch near Ft. Pierre, SD.

I’ve often thought of what it would have been like to be living in that age in Flat Rock the Sioux name for my home town of North Platte.

“Nothing I’ve been told about these people is correct. They are not beggars and thieves or the bogeymen they’ve been made out to be.”  Lt. John Dunbar (Kevin Costner)

A Christmas Story

“You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out!”

Ralphie, the bullies, the Toadies, the Triple-Dog Dare You and the Leg Lamp!  The quintessential Christmas movie from a kids point of view.  I was blessed with a pretty vivid imagination I can completely relate to Ralphie and his day dreaming about the Official Red Ryder BB Gun and the escapades he would have keeping his family safe from Black Bart.

A Christmas Story has become a tradition around our house.  When I put up the decorations I watch the movie.  When I write out Christmas cards I watch the movie.  As I wrap presents I watch the movie.  Then through out the season I watch it a few more times, not to mention the 24 hours of it on TBS.  The unbelievable cult following that this movie Peter Billingsley started in takes place in Indiana in the 1940s.

So many things about the movie are memorable.  The “major award” mistaken for being Italian, the ridiculous bunny costume for a boy anyway.  The F— word.  All of it I laugh until my face hurts.  Even the hillbilly neighbors dogs who eat the Christmas turkey.  “that was the year we were introduced to Chinese turkey.

I applaud the writers, actors and directors for entertaining us.  For making us believe better things will come.  It’s a Wonderful Life Sending us on amazing adventures The Chronicles of Narnia Giving us the spirit to never give up.  The Pursuit of Happiness Helping us laugh until our faces hurt.  National Lampoons Christmas Vacation The classics that have become a tradition in many American households.  The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz and the before mentioned It’s A Wonderful Life continue to be enjoyed by families of all ages.  Movies have become a sanctuary for me.  When I need a good cry I watch Beaches. When I feel the need for revenge I watch Goodfellas. A good love story When Harry Met Sally or Out of Africa.

What movies move you?

Muppets

I have been a fan of Jim Henson’s Muppet’s since I was a kid.

Miss Piggy is my favorite.  Her love affair with Kermit is as timeless as it is hilarious.  Her air of sophistication and street made her the “pig next door” so to speak.   Someone to have tea with and toilet-paper your neighbors house with all in the same afternoon.  Her temper flaired with the speed of the boomeranging fish thrower Lew Zealand. Her style and grace (or lack there of) were something fun to watch.  When I was growing up I enjoyed watching the Muppet Show while my mom was making dinner.  I still enjoy watching the Muppet’s as a reminder of simpler more innocent days.

A few years ago I picked up some of the movies that Kermit and the gang put together.  My favorite is The Muppet’s Take Manhattan. With theater degrees in hand, the new college grads head to NYC to sell their show.  Tragedy befalls them in this slapstick comedy with Kermit as an amnesia suffering Phillip Phil.  Lost in the Big Apple stuck in an accounting firm.  All the while the gang tries to get the show to opening night and Piggy is on the rampage thinking her Kermet was betraying her for Jenny the waitress at Pete’s Diner.  Dabney Coleman, Gregory Hines and Art Carney also star.  I’m not sure if it’s the thrill of watching Muppets co-exist in society or laughing with childlike enthusiasm that rats really can cook food.  Skating on skillets with pats of butter tied to their feet.  This movie has it all.  Mystery, intrigue, love, action, violence (mostly by Miss Piggy) and Joan Rivers.  You remember the makeup counter scene?  What more can you want!

Muppets often started in movies or speicals with other famous actors.  In 1979 John Denver and the Muppets starred in a television special and an album was made from it.  Of the songs on the album, my all time favorite is the 12 Days of Christmas.   ”Five gold rings” and classic “ba-dum-bum-bum,”   by Miss Piggy

Thanksgiving Past and Present

Turkey Nirvana  noun/adjective: the feeling of pure ecstasy after devouring deep fried Cajun turkey.

For many people the only experience they have with the deep fried turkey concept is the AllState Insurance commercial that came out a few years ago.

I gotta tell you, we have the older version of the turkey deep fryer and if you aren’t extremely careful it is possible to burn yourself, others, or any villagers trying to climb your castle wall.  HA!!  But seriously, to take a line for Sophia Petrillo (Golden Girls), picture it…Bellevue Thanksgiving morning.  Heating 5 gallons of peanut oil waiting for the temperature to rise.  The turkey is injected and rubbed appropriately. Waiting.  Check the potatoes.  Entertain Grandma Hanson, stir the gravy, waiting.  “How much longer is it going to be honey?”  I ask.  “Not much longer now.”  Chris replies from his vigil of oil watching.

New Turkey Fryer

Chris has many hobbies.  Reading, cooking, fishing, teaching, researching.  His favorite is cooking.  Eat your heart our ladies, I married well.  He cooks, I clean.  Yes, I am capable of cooking and during the week I do a lot of the simpler cooking.  Italian, Mexican etc.  I’ve become a fairly good sous chef.  My knife skills are improving and thanks to all the gadgets and tools we have, cooking really is fun.

Turkey Fryer Past

The weather was so nice, Chris and I were in shorts and I wasn’t wearing any shoes.  I know, I know, keep reading.  “Yeah, the oil is ready!”  We attached the bird to the holder.  And attached that hanger contraption to a broom handle.  “Ready?  I’m going to take the lid off and we have to lower it very slowly as the oil will hit the injected turkey and boil over.”  Chris and I lift the bird over our heads, I’m on my tippy toes.  Slowly lowering the bird into the oil.  Whoosh the oil spatters and spurts over as I’m leaning as far away from an impending skin graph as possible.  “Slower!”  “It’s heavy!”  “I know, be careful!”  Finally the bird it covered in the pot and we make a collective sigh of relief as the bird is safely in the pot. 45 minutes later the oil still boiling the bird finished, we raise it out; this was much easier, but still dangerous.  I put on jeans and tennis shoes just to make sure.  The turkey skin is blackened with flavor and the meat is so juicy and tender, even the white meat didn’t need much extra seasoning to remain juicy.  Grandma Hanson was very impressed.  The dinner came together and we ate our selves silly.

After we took Grandma home we surveyed the damage of the oil on the deck.  Stained but not burned.  To this day we have splatter marks from our first experience of deep fried turkey.  Success was tasty and no one was hurt in the making of this dinner.

The left overs were spectacular.  I believe that was the year Chris found the Gourmet Sweet Potato Classic.  This is so good I’m going to share it with you.

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PREP TIME	20 Min
COOK TIME	1 Hr 5 Min
READY IN	1 Hr 25 Min

SERVINGS

8

Ingredients

• 5 sweet potatoes
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

 

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Bake sweet potatoes 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until they begin to soften. Cool slightly, peel, and mash.
3. In a large bowl, mix the mashed sweet potatoes, salt, 1/4 cup butter, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sugar, and heavy cream. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
4. In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup butter, flour, brown sugar, and chopped pecans. Mix with a pastry blender or your fingers to the consistency of course meal. Sprinkle over the sweet potato mixture.
5. Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until topping is crisp and lightly browned.

Turkey Fryer Present

Lately, Chris has been salivating over the idea of a deep fried turkey.  However not interested in using the “boil the pillagers version” again, he started researching an alternative.  In the older version, the burner has to be as high as a propane tank then the cauldron is on top of that and you must lift the turkey above that.  See how dangerous that can be for someone just over 5 feet tall on a good day!?!?!  So with the timeliness of at least one bought of insomnia a week, Chris researched the new fryer.  My only request is one that cleaned up easier than the old one.  No amount of soap could get the cauldron remotely clean.  What a mess.  That may have had something to do using it only once.

Jennifer and Marcus

Linens n’ Things going out of business.  Chris picks ups many more gadgets from the store, including a safer version of the deep fryer.  Electric, no boiling oil to spill over on the counter etc.  Sounded very awesome, however, in order to make sure there weren’t any flaws or timing issues last week we invited our friends over to try it out.  Chris looked for a fresh chicken, however, was satisfied with pieces; so fried chicken was had.  Omygoodness it was fantastic.  Plus the bonus of it all was the slick clean up.  Remember, I clean, much better than the previous experience.  Over all a great success.

Fast forward to yesterday.  I’ve been excited about this day for several weeks.  Since our Fall has been so busy with weddings for the Deacon, we declined the invitation to travel for the Holiday.  This last week I went through my decorations and realized that many of them are falling apart or full of mold.  Yuck!  Living in such a metropolitan city the week before or days before a holiday the 40% off stickers come out.  I found new brass candle sticks at World Market, a Cornucopia and maple leaf garland at Lanoha Nursery along with our fresh wreath for Christmas.  I was able to create a festive and beautiful arrangement that can be used for years to come.  Don’t you love that when a decorating idea comes together with ease?!  I sure do.

11:30 the house was ready.  Games were on the table in case there was a lull in the conversation.  Sophie was the official greeter and loved every minute of it.

Ryan, my cousin from Wyoming was in town visiting his girlfriends brother.  He had a couple of hours before their feast to hang out with us.  It was a great visit.  It had been too long since our last trip to Wyoming.  Doug and Carol arrived next and they joined in with some of the preparation.  Peel this, mash that, cream this.  It was great fun.  Everyone visiting and laughing a lot to be thankful for.  After the ceremonious turkey drop in the deep fryer, Ryan headed back to his brother in-laws house.  Jennifer and Marcus arrived next.  Jen and Doug both retired from Qwest and reminisced on who they each knew.  Joyce and Larry came next and we were down to the last few moments before the turkey’s were out to rest and be cut.

Everyone brought one dish to the dinner.  Jennifer (my Aunt) and Marcus (her son and my cousin) brought a cranberry compote that even Chris enjoyed.  (He’s a jellied cranberry guy.  He likes the can shape and the vacuum plunk sound it makes when you take it out of the can.)  Doug and Carol (deacon’s from St. Gerald)  brought the jello salad and Joyce and Larry (Chris’s folks) brought the stuffing and pies.  What a feast.  Even though we had a roasted turkey breast, it was definitely out shined by the Cajun deep fried turkey.

Thanksgiving has always been a fun holiday for both our families.  Game playing, football watching, great food eating.  Many of my years as a child were spent at Grandma and Granddad’s (Mom’s parents) and Granny and Grandpa’s (Dad’s parents).  Living in the same town as both of your grandparent’s was an amazing blessing. We would alternate days and the Holiday lasted longer that way.  Being in Nebraska you never knew what to expect.  70s and touch football outside or 20s and ice-skating.  But the one staple regardless of the weather was FOOTBALL!  For years the rivalry between the Sooners of Oklahoma and the Cornhuskers was like a Religion. My uncle Dan played for Nebraska from 1974-1976.  And whenever he was able to bring his family back to North Platte to Thanksgiving we planned dinner around the game.  To this day I’ve never seen Dan sit and watch a Husker game.  To exciting to sit and be a spectator when you’ve played on that field.  And of course sitting at the kids table.  More on that in another blog. 

Once the prayer was said and the passing of the plates began we enjoyed the family, friends and food to the point of Turkey Nirvana…

Larry and Doug