haphazard musings

Christmas at

Disclaimer (this seems to be becoming a regular occurrence): This is a random post that lacks any semblance of cohesiveness.  But I wanted to share a few pictures and thoughts.  So there you go.

our house, well actually my parent's house and Ryan's parent's house, looks just about the same.  And its one of my favorite things about our Christmases. 

They are laid back.

I L-O-V-E, love, laid back holidays.  I have never understood why holidays are so stressful for some people. 

We typically don't have the huge meal and big deal.  Depending on where we are its either a good hearty stew or a fondue party.  Both of which for the record - I, again, LOVE.

Maybe I don't understand the holiday stress because I don't have any kids, and in most situations we are still the kids (because our parents are hosting us).  But I really hope that I don't get stressed about holidays when I become the grown-up.

It makes it totally un-fun.

Ryan and I like being "fun."

We have actually been asked this question by the kiddos in youth group, "So, you guys are married?"

We reply, "Yep, sure are."

They respond, "Weird, you guys are to fun/crazy (insert any synonym here) to be married."

Anyway, Chirstmas was a little less fun than it could have been because Ryan was sick and we didn't go to the traditional Christmas Eve service because it was canceled due to white-out conditions.  That never happens. 

Either one.

I don't think I ever remember Ryan being sick or the last time it snowed on Christmas.

Weird.

But here we are jammies and all!

 

Seriously, Ryan loves him some Home Depot.

Finley also got a present.  He even tried to open it himself.

He even found something at the bottom of the bag.

Oh, yes.  He was more than satisfied.

A rare picture of Dad, with a full mouth smile, teeth and everything!

 

Possibly Ryan's favorite gift, a tiny remote control helicopter that takes 6 batteries and will still only fly for about 10 minutes.  Mom found three of them, one for all the guys.  They all thought they were the coolest thing ever, despite a very low price tag.

Its amazing what guys will do for anything that has a remote.

If nothing else, Ryan and I make the most ridiculous faces ever.  Here are our reactions to a very large (literally) gift.  It was wrapped in my dad's pickup truck.  We obviously weren't expecting it.

Interestingly, most of our pictures end up looking like this.  Its sad really.

Never a normal smile.  Almost always one of us has crazy hair. 

I guess its the nature of the beast. 

Whatever that means.

Welcome to our world.  Random as it is.

Hopefully, that will be the end of the posts that include me or anyone else over the age of 15 in their jammies.  We just aren't cute enough.

But here's to a laid back holiday celebration reindeer pants and all.

We decided to

practice motherly type things last week.  Julie and I that is.  Ryan and Andy were uninterested.

Disclaimer:  Neither one of us are in the, how should I say it...hmm..."family way."  We just were visiting while rolling and cutting and mixing that its good to practice these things before we do actually have kids, so that we at least know what we are doing and don't have to learn and teach at the same time.  Ok. Moving on.

 

So we persevered and did our first Christmas baking without our moms.  (At least it was my first...I guess I shouldn't speak for Julie.)

We took on sugar cookies, peanut butter balls, and butter cream frosting.

We listened to Christmas music and baked.  I really enjoyed it.

The cookie making was possibly the easiest and most successful recipe I have ever used.  Not that I have made tons of cookies in my day, but hey...if Paula Dean says its good, then its good.  Here is the link.

For some unknown reason, we couldn't get one batch off the pan.  We can't decide if it was improperly greased or if it was the type of pan that ultimately caused the problem.

It was rough.

Finley thought all the excitement in the kitchen was great fun and wanted to get in on the fun.  We aren't sure how he got into the powdered sugar, but he did.

Sadly, I didn't get pictures of the peanut butter balls, but that's ok, they weren't that great.  They tasted good, but didn't get quite hard enough, and we had to pour the chocolate over the top.  Next time we will try something different. 

However, on a more positive note, the frosting was awesome!  It came out perfectly. 

Four ingredients - butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a tid bit of whipping cream.

I would like to insert a thank you here. 

THANK YOU!

That is for the kind wedding guests that provided gift cards so that we could purchase the Kitchen Aid mixer.

The frosting was the perfect consistency of fluffy and spreadable, but also thick and tasty.

The recipe can be found here.

I would recommend it.  And so would my dad...

He is a frosting connoisseur...self-proclaimed, but nonetheless, an aficionado.

We took him the leftovers to use on graham crackers.

But first, we colored it red and green and enticed the guys (with chips and salsa) to help us out in the decorating.

This one is Ryan's. He worked hard.

If you can correctly identify the frosting design, I will personally buy you your beverage of choice at Sonic.  If several answer correctly, I will have an uninterested party (ie my dad) pick a number.  So without further ado...

 

Happy guessing.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Love, Ryan and Lindsay

Ryan and I have been learning a lot this year about Advent and why we celebrate it.  It has brought a new understanding of Christmas to us and we have really been praying for a God-focused Christmas instead of a world-focused Christmas.

Did you know the four Sundays in Advent are to celebrate Hope, Peace, Joy and Love? 

Well, its true.  

So this Christmas focus on those things that Christ gave to us: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.

The Hope of a savior.

    "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned...For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
    Isaiah 9: 2,6

The Peace of mind.

   "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together...For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Him [Jesus], and through him to reconcile to himself all thing, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace though his blood shed on the cross."
    Colossians 1:15-20

The Joy of salvation.

    "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
    1 Peter 1:6-9

And, the Love of an eternal father in Heaven.

    "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angles nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
    Romans 8:38-39

Kind of puts it all in perspective doesn't it?

What more do you need?

I know I got a little preachy there, but it was on my heart to share.  So maybe someone out there needed to hear that. 

I know I need to hear it a million times. 

I forget.

Thank goodness for grace and Christmas - where would we be without it?

easy craft project.

I made this at the craft retreat a couple weeks ago.  It was super easy and a great gift when paired with a bible study or other book!

 

Here's how you do it.

You will need: one notebook, I used this one. , 4 12x12 coordinating sheets of scrapbooking pages, letter stickers to coordinate, glue stick, Modgepodge, foam brush,  and scissors or exacto knife and cutting board.

Total cost of the project (I already had the modge podge, scissors and foam brush) $7.60.  : )

Total time spent (didn't time it exactly) about 30 minutes plus drying time.

For the rest of the directions, check here from Ashley Ann. *Side note: use a very thin layer of modge podge, otherwise the paper might wrinkle.

I paired the notebook with this book to make a perfect birthday gift.  I think the recipient loved them both!

I really like Philip Yancey - I would recommend him!

    

Because its funny

Apparently Friday is funny video day.  I discovered these guys last year around this time.  They are called Straight No Chaser.

They sing hilarious versions of songs we know, and really amazing (with no instruments but voices) seriously beautiful songs.

Today I like this one.  It is courtesy of Ryan's mom, Cindy.  Thanks.  Its called "The Christmas Can-Can".

A pastor, a dentist, and a technical service specialist...

...all walked into a Mexican restaurant...Ok.  Just kidding.  I don't do jokes.

I can't tell them.

I can't make them up.

And most of the time, I can't remember the punch line.  But...

This guy can.

Jokes.com
Brian Regan - Dora the Explorer
comedians.comedycentral.com
Joke of the Day Stand-Up Comedy Free Online Games

Brian Regan.  He is hilarious.  Seriously.  And not in the way so many comedians think they are funny with lots of swear words and inappropriate innuendo.  I would take a teenager to see him and not be worried.

Anyway, Ryan was beside himself (which is the weirdest expression ever - how can someone be beside themselves?) when he found out that Brian would be in Hutchinson.  The Dora clip might possibly be his favorite one ever.  He says it all the time.  So we went with our friends Andy, Julie, Adam, and Jill.

 

Sorry for the bad picture...it was really dark and my little camera doesn't really get the job done.  Plus I can't hold it still enough to keep the shutter open longer.

We went to the Fox Theatre over in Hutch and to dinner at Playa Azul or Blue Beach as we later figured out.  Check out our extremely talented waiter.  He seemed more than willing ot have his photo taken. : )

I knew this happened when you leave your camera out with our youth group kids, but now I know "grown up" guys think its funny too.

   

  

I loved the theatre.  It was awesome Art Deco 1920's stuff! One of my favorite decades.  Check it out.

I would have taken more pictures, but then we saw a sign that said no photography.  So being the ridiculous rule follower that I am (it can get a little annoying), I stopped without being asked.

Except for this one.

 

Thanks Andy, Julie, Adam, Jill and Ryan for a super fun night!  I had a great time!  And Brian - thanks for the entertainment!

Thought of the day...

...or week...

.... or month....

...or a lifetime...

I read this blog called "the Journey" about a young lady named Katie.   She is always inspiring.  To me, she is a wonderful example of how to live like Jesus asks. 

However, it is reassuring to know that she struggles too.  She also struggles to follow Him.  She also has an independent streak - just like mine - that keeps her thinking she as it all worked out. 

Thinking that she can handle it.  Just like me.

Here is an excerpt from her latest post.  You should read the whole thing, but if you don't have time, at least read this.

"Sometimes I still think it should me my decision what I do with my life. He asks, and reasons, and encourages. He gently explains that I do not know what is best for me and that I do not always get what I want. And I just look at Him, not getting it. I whine and sob and shriek, just like a tired, angry three year old.

And so He picks me up, exhausted from struggling, and plops me in the center of His will for my life. And then a funny thing happens. As I kick and scream and struggle, I remember. I like being in the center of God’s will for my life. God’s plan is usually pretty great. It is a whole lot better than mine anyway. I am so glad that He does not allow me to win...

...I am also praying that one day soon, I will begin remembering how much I love and desire God’s plan for my life before I begin questioning, maybe even the first time He asks something of me."

A little fun fact.

Did you know I don't like oranges?  I have adamantly refused to eat them since I was old enough to refuse.  I won't even drink orange juice.

I think its because I have been grossed out by the white stuff. 

The pulp.

Blah.

But, over the weekend I tried a Clementine, which to me is a tiny orange.  But I am not really sure. 

It was good. 

I was shocked.   

I went to the store and bough a whole bag.

I ate two...for lunch.

Yum.

So I guess after 26 years of life, tastes can change. 

Maybe I should try brussels sprouts again...but I probably won't.

Ahhh....

it was a wonderful weekend.  I loved it.  I made a bunch of stuff at our lovely craft weekend at Maple Memories.

I will share more later on what was created as many of the items were Christmas or birthday presents.

But such a wonderful gift during this really busy time of year.  Twelve of us. 

Crafting

Talking.

Growing.

Being ourselves. 

No make up, sweat pants, and just creating and fostering friendships.

For pictures, because I stink at taking pictures sometimes, check out Meg's Blog.  

I feel refreshed (after a nap this afternoon).  I feel ready to be creative in my house and in gifts I give.  I could possibly take on the world - well, the world of creativity anyway.

Isn't it amazing how a refreshing, no pressure weekend can make you feel like that?

I feel like I made new friends and learned new things about myself.  Its awesome how God puts you in the place you need to be with the people who can tell you what you need to hear.

So you should do it sometimes, take a weekend, gather your girlfriends, and get inspired.

Christmas Tea

Do you need something new to drink at your holiday soiree?

Tired of the same old apple cider?

Well, me either, but here is a yummy recipe for something a little different. 

My family calls it Christmas Tea - but there isn't actually any tea in it.

Ingredients

2 quarts water
2 cups of sugar
5 (at least) cinnamon sticks
3 or 4 whole cloves
4 or 5 whole all spice balls (I actually have no idea what those are called.)
1/2 gallon 100% cranberry juice (not the cocktail kind)
2 cups pineapple juice
1 cup orange juice

Directions

In a large pot add water, sugar and spices (works best if you tie them in cheese cloth), bring to a boil (stirring frequently for the sugar's sake).  Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove spices.

Pour in all juices simmer until its hot.

Drink it down!  (Disclaimer: contents of your cup will be hot.  I don't want to get sued for misleading anyone.)

Sorry no pictures, but you know a beverage in a large pot doesn't really photograph well...you'll just have to trust me and my community life group that its good.