Home is where the hearts are

The year Midori was with us I woke up on Mother's Day to the sounds of the cats (Claudette and her now-deceased companion, Pierre) batting around what I thought were wads of paper.

I stumbled bleary-eyed toward the kitchen, finding a somewhat scattered trail of origami hearts and stemless flowers along the way. And then a heart-filled vase with more flowers on the counter. Awwwww ...

Once again, I woke up this morning with no idea what to write about. And I was still struggling when Sharon and John came back from "their" church. And then it hit me ... I'm not at my home, but I am at home. With people who love me and watch out for me and take care of me. And support me. And prod me along. Like this morning. I was contemplating not going to "my" church because I hadn't called anyone for a ride. I was still in my monkey pants drinking coffee and eating Cheerios trying to eke out this post and feeling a wee bit guilty when Sharon and John came in. They modified their after-church plans to get slow-moving me from coffee-drinking mode into get-ready-for-church mode. I think they knew I needed some good ole United Methodist soul tending. As always, I was so glad I went. The pastor's wife delivered an amazing message about the Holy Spirit.

After missing worship last week, it was good to be among my church family today.

(Did you catch on that my sister and I have different church families? We're all ecumenical over here. It's kind of cool.)

So my meditation for today is this: Wherever I'm surrounded by love, I'm reminded that home is where the hearts are.

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Hibernation ... hiver nation

Brrr. It's officially winter. (Oui, c'est l'hiver. Quelle surprise!) Sssscary cold out there.

I'm learning to knit ... a lumpy bumpy scarf.

Another baby shower at 1 p.m. today. That's the big event. Celebrating triplets on the way!

But until then I'm hibernating.

Knit one, purl two ... oops. Sip of coffee. Knit one, slip, slip, purl oopsie daisy. Dang it. Knit knit knit ...  hey, that's not so bad!

What are you doing today to stay warm?

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Fish on Fridays

I always wondered about the eating fish on Fridays thing. Once, I asked a nun about why it was OK to eat fish flesh on Fridays (during Lent) - because really, how is fish NOT a type of meat?  - and she got really really angry. 

I'm simply very inquisitive. Like a cat. I didn't mean to make her angry. I wanted to know and thought she was in a great position to finally enlighten me. I wholeheartedly agree that there are some things we should just "take on faith." But this isn't one of them. Whether it's the "obvious" connection to the ichthus or something rooted in a once-but-no-longer-relevant event in history ... I think it would be good to know the real reason.

A few years ago Scott told me the Fish on Fridays tradition started with a papal decree designed to prop up the fishing industry in Italy at some point in history. I don't recall if it was in the last century or so ... or a really really long time ago. If I were a good researcher (or was really really in need of a shiny diversion) I'd go look that up.

In any event, T.G.I.F. The last two Fridays we went out for fish at a club my sister and brother-in-law and new member Amy and her husband belong to. You have to go down a bunch of stairs to get into this place, so I had the distinct honor of entertaining everyone by riding the little one-seater chair-vator. I just have to remember not to wear stretchy pants. Almost lost my pants that first time. Good gracious. That would have been enough to make some folks think maybe sushi and a cup of miso would be a better Friday evening meal.

So what do you know about the Fish on Fridays (during Lent or otherwise) tradition? 

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Souper Thursday

I'm still pulling from my stash of photos that Lizz uploaded for me before she went back to school. If I were really on the ball, I'd have taken a photo of the soup Cindy brought me a couple of Fridays ago. Soup for lunch, a baby to cuddle and a friend to catch up with. What a treat! 


But I am not so on the ball, and my stash of photos is dwindling. Still, I think this close-up of the newest addition to my "Life is good" wear collection is fitting for the feeling I have recalling our visit. 


Now let's see if I can paint a word picture of the soup ... shrimp and tomato chunks gently bobbing in a subtly blushing broth flecked with slivers of fresh basil. Velvety smooth, surprisingly light in spite of the cream and delicately flavored ... mmmm it was delicious. 


Try it and see for yourself!


Creamy Shrimp & Tomato Chowder

Ingredients:
2 stalks of celery, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 14.5-oz. cans diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano, undrained
8 oz. medium peeled cooked shrimp
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup water
Ground black pepper
Slivered fresh basil
Focaccia wedges or crusty bread

Preparation:
1. In a large saucepan cook celery and onion in hot oil just until tender. Stir in tomatoes; heat through.
Add shrimp, whipping cream, and water. Cook over medium heat just until hot. Season with pepper to taste.
2. Ladle chowder into bowls; top with basil. Serve with focaccia wedges or crusty bread

Serves 4 (1 1/2-cup servings).
245 calories, 15 g fat (8 g sat fat), 152 mg chol, 1,056 mg sodium, 14 g carbo, 2 g fiber, 15 g protein.


Source: Better Homes & Gardens, April 2008




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Good medicine

Are you following the health care reform debate?

I'm not really. But I'm certainly experiencing the system and recognizing the need for change. And how.

I have started to receive the bills from my broken ankle, surgery and brief hospitalization.

Holy.

Cow.

I am certainly thankful that I have health insurance, mostly subsidized by my employer. (I pay a hefty premium but it's pre-tax.) As someone who has always been basically healthy and is not a big consumer of health care services, I've been guilty of only paying partial attention to how it all works. Deductible? Coverage for various services? In-network, out-of-network, referrals? Typically, our expenses are no more than a couple of hundred dollars. If that. Except for when Lizz had her wisdom teeth removed. THAT was ridiculously costly.

So far, I've received bills with poorly itemized charges for:

Room/board - semi-private room (3 nights)
Pharmacy
Med-sur "supplies"
Lab
DX X-Ray
OR "Services"
Anesthesia (multiple charges)
Physical Therapy
Emergency Room
Recovery Room
"Professional Charges"
"Hospital Charges"
X-Ray Ankle 2 views
X-Ray Chest single view
X-Ray Ankle complete minimum of 3 views

I'll award a roll of TP worth $1,000 for the closest guess on the grand total thus far. (My part will hopefully be substantially less, but seeing the total "cost" is truly frightening.)

Oh, it wears me out to think about this. And it saddens me to think of all the people who are sicker than I and have little or no insurance coverage. I've known for many many years that our system is broken and needs fixing.

On the bright side ... the sun is shining today!

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A toast to non sequiturs

I love to work Latin words/phrases like non sequitur into my sentences.

Like today ... this photo has nothing to do with what I wanted to share: A quote from Julia Child that I found in my copy of The Quotable Cook. Apparently, Julia said, "I have trouble with toast. Toast is very difficult. You have to watch it all the time or it burns up."

I can so relate to that. I have trouble with toast, too.

But I do love blackberry preserves.

And didn't my daughter come up with some nice words in this game of Bananagrams?

Coloring a new week

I always loved this mug of colored pencils when I was a kid. Of course it's been replenished a few times since then (though I'm sure some of the same old pencils - now stubs - are still there). But I loved that just about every color of the Prismacolor rainbow was represented. Given a blank piece of paper, that mug of pencils presented wide open illustrative possibilities.

In that respect - the fresh start and wide open possibilities respect - not too unlike Mondays.

I just saw a friend's post on Facebook about how she loves Mondays. Poor friend - she was accused of being sick for voicing this opinion. I almost joined in with that, because in general I'm not a big lover of Mondays. But I do like that part of the new week. I may grumble on Sunday night. And when punching my alarm in the morning that comes wayyyy too soon. But once I get going, I love how everything seems possible in the week that stretches out ahead.

How about you? Are you a Monday lover? Why or why not?


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Haven't got time for the pain ...

Aunt Linda sent me this darling, happy little combination hot water bottle/ice pack a few years ago. She always sends the most interesting gifts - very often things I had no idea I needed. Or might need some day.

I packed this, along with my herb pillow, when I moved to my sister's house on Jan. 4. (Holy cow - didn't I say I was just going to be here for a week-ish? And now we're ending the third week?) This little treasure has been wonderful for icing my aching wrists and elbows. I cannot understand why they hurt like they do. And everything else, too. I am still YOUNG, for goodness sake.

It's gray, drizzly and gross outside. The kind of Sunday when, if I was at my house, I'd probably find a zillion reasons to stay home from church. Because I'd be alone and wouldn't have someone telling me we had to go. And there would very likely be a sympathetic cat curled up by my side. But today I woke up to the sounds and smells of breakfast being prepared. The hustle and bustle of last-minute preparations for a baby shower this afternoon. I feel kind of bad for missing church but participating in one of these important rituals of the village - this celebration of new life, the sacredness of motherhood and the solidarity of womanhood - this is another way of worshiping God and giving thanks for the love that connects us all.

I'm glad for the baby shower - even though I could be tempted to stay behind with my hot water bottle, heating pad and a good book. It's one more reason to get up and keep moving and remember that even when life is hard ... it goes on. Ice packs, heating pads,  prayers, and loving friends and family help us move through our aches and pains.

I pray that you find the Sabbath rest you need plus abundant sunny spots in this gray day!

Books, books and more books

I like books. LOVE books. A perfect Saturday for me is to wake up, enjoy my coffee and some excellent whole grain toast - or ginger cookies - or both - in bed for a few hours while immersing myself in a good book. Or a few good books. Then maybe putter around for a while (puttering is kind of tough these days) and maybe after lunch find a comfy spot to read and nap until dinnertime. And then read some more before bed.

It wouldn't be a treat if I did it every day. But once in a while ... oh, it's wonderful.

My dad loved books, too, but after a certain point in the progression of his dementia he was more of a collector than a reader. We have been trying to find good homes for his extensive collection of books and other things since he passed away almost two years ago. Today is the last big push in that effort, spurred on by an upcoming book sale hosted by the UMW (United Methodist Women) at our church to raise money for missions. It's just the sense of urgency we needed. And of course I'm sitting here like a one-legged bump on a log. But I'm so thankful it's happening, and that Dad's love of books may help others in the end.

While Dad was adding to his collection of books, magazines, newsletters, tapes, CDs and other media in the last decade or so of his life, maneuvering around his house got increasingly treacherous. The shelves in his office were filled to overflowing. Piles of books and magazines and newspapers were stacked on the sofa (staining the cushions with ink), the coffee table (which eventually collapsed from the weight, so I had it repaired last year), in every corner of every room and closet. In the many hours I spent sorting through the piles, every now and then I'd find a treasure. An apparently well-loved poetry volume that belonged to my mom. A history textbook with my grandfather's scribbles and notes. A book of prayers. Those that I thought had some family memory attached I set aside. The rest? Boxed up for distribution elsewhere. All part of the process of deconstructing a life. Some are meaningful, tangible reminders of a person or a special memory, but for the most part, it's all just stuff.

This whole meditation on stuff is definitely one to revisit ... so today I'll try to focus just on the reading material segment of this topic. If you could keep just three books, what would they be?


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What's on your plate today?

Bwahahahahaha...

Look closely - that's a dinner plate in that there ankle there. Look at all those purty bones. And screws.  My talented artist friend M. Beteh sent this interpretation of the surgical procedure on my (right) ankle. She's so funny.

Doctor Jake was giving me a hard time this morning for not posting since Sunday. He was doing his daily "nothing goods," which he apparently had not done in a few days. So we're all slipping a bit.

Oh! Slipping reminds me that I participated in karaoke for the first time last Saturday. I sang "Slip Sliding Away." It was really really bad. But it was fun. I was also going to try "I haven't got time for the pain" but wasn't sure I could do Carly Simon right after Paul (Simon). Or ever, really. But it was a good idea, right?

And that reminded me that today is recipe day. I was going to share the recipe for the soup Cindy brought last Friday, but I haven't heard back from her yet. So maybe next week.


Today I'll share a super simple recipe for chocolate fondue.

EASY CHOCOLATE FONDUE

Choose your own favorite dipper for this sinfully good, silky smooth chocolate fondue.

1 pkg. (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate morsels

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)

½ cup heavy whipping cream or half and half

1 t. vanilla

Assorted fresh fruit, cake, pretzels, or marshmallows, Rice Krispie treats, brownie chunks, etc. - even rippled potato chips and pretzels! 

Preheat oven to 350F.  Combine chocolate morsels, sweetened condensed milk, whipping cream, and vanilla in deep stoneware casserole/cake pan or in a double boiler.  Bake, or cook on stovetop over low heat, 10 minutes or until chocolate morsels are melted.  Stir until smooth with spoon or whisk.  


This works really well in a stoneware casserole/cake pan - no need to use a special fondue pot or put in a serving dish and stoneware helps keep the fondue warm and melty. I'd say you could double the recipe but it doesn't melt as quickly and evenly in the stoneware when doubled. 


So what's on your plate today? Do tell!


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Where, where, where did the weekend - and twinkly lights - go?

Don't you just hate saying goodbye to Christmas?

Me, too. I think it should last all year. Twinkly lights, decorations, cookies, holiday cheer ... But mostly, the spirit of the season. I wish that would last all year long.

And weekends. I wish weekends would last longer, too. Two days is clearly not enough time to fully relax and recharge.

I have nothing profound to share tonight. I was just feeling bad that I hadn't posted all weekend, and Sharon has been lamenting that she had to take all her decorations down and that made me think about that, too (and the fact that mine will stay up until at least March) and that here it is almost 11:00 on Sunday night and once again I'm wondering WHERE the weekend went?

Well, that's all I have. Except ... when do you undecorate? Are you one of those take-the-tree-down-the-day-after-Christmas people? Or do you wait until all the needles drop off?


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Thank goodness it's Furrrrrrrrriday!

I'm hoping to visit my home and Claudette, my furry former roommate, later today. Do you have any idea what it's like to be uprooted unexpectedly from your home and most of your life for an undetermined amount of time? To be sure, it would be sooooo easy to sit back and relax and rest and take a vacation here at my sister's. I'm getting wonderful care. But you know what they say about fish and house guests? Hmmm, yeah.

I've come to the conclusion that I need a life coach. You know, like Rory's roommate Paris has on Gilmore Girls? Someone to just sort of take over and tell me what to do. Figure out my stuff. Organize me. Take over my finances. Manage all those details that I do not manage well.

I try to "give it all to the Lord," I really do. But I think what that means in practical, everyday reality is realizing I can't "do it all" myself. And that lots of things need to go so I can do some things well - the things I'm meant to do. Whatever those are. And to connect and collaborate fully with others - sharing and helping and accepting help. There's a careful balance. This is some of what I'm processing.

Here I am angsting about myself and my puny struggles even while watching the news about Haiti. (That's one new thing here ... I'm watching the news at least twice a day.) This morning I saw - and heart went out to - the young woman who was air-lifted to Miami after having her leg crushed in the rubble of a crumbling building. And those poor Haitian people - already so devastatingly poor, having endured so much for so long. And now this.

I look back on my 100+ shiny ponderings over the last year and see a common thread ... even when random and frivolously silly or thoughtful on matters of faith, I'm seeking balance. Because when I'm in balance I'm not contributing to imbalance elsewhere. And I can perhaps be a part of tilting things beyond myself in the right direction.

Thoughts? Please do share in the comment area below. And have a wonderful day.

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1. Directly below the "You may also like"  images just below each post, to the far right of the text that begins "Posted by ..." is text that says "xx comments." Click on that text. It will open up a comment box. I promise.
2. Enter comment.
3. Click on Post Comment button below the box.
4. Select Name/URL. You can enter your name or whatever name you want to be known by. If you have a blog or other Web address (URL), go ahead and enter (then curious commenters and others can go visit your blog)  ... if not, leave URL blank. You may also select Anonymous ... but it's much more fun to make up a name than be known as Anonymous, don't you think? 
5. Click on Continue. Sometimes, your comment will publish right away.  Sometimes, the system is stubborn and you'll see some text that says something like "Blogger was not able to publish your comment" or similar. So click on Post Comment again. It will take ... or it will bring up a box with squiggly letters. If your comment appears on the page - you're done!
6. If you get the squiggly letters, enter them in the box. This is protection against spam. I think you'll be prompted to click "Enter" or something similar. Your comment will appear on the page, and you are done.

New Year's Resolution No. 8975757475875207547

Does everyone remember that "we" decided to share recipes on Thursdays? I was so excited when I remembered this last night. 


Anyway, I've been wanting to share the recipe for the Addictive Sweet Potato Burritos Lizz prepared on New Year's Eve. And see how pretty and colorful my plate is in the photo? My mom would have been so proud. She always tried to have at least three colors on our plates.


The burritos were delish. I've resolved that these should always be a part of our NYE tradition. Click on the link below to view/download the recipe and try it for yourself. Yum! (Oh - Lizz used giant whole wheat tortillas/wrappers. I think these contributed greatly to the yummy-ness and nutritional value.)


http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Addictive-Sweet-Potato-Burritos/Detail.aspx


Don't forget this week's request/offer: See the "Follow" button in the upper right of the page? I'd really love to know who is reading Shiny Things. Will you please do me a favor and click on that button and become a member? Next Tuesday I'll announce a randomly selected member to receive a special surprise. 


HOW TO COMMENT
I've been asked to regularly include how-to information for commenting. I'm going to add to the bottom of each post until I'm able to find some other way of putting this on the site (or, ideally, find an easier way for people of all e-abilities to comment). Please COMMENT and let me know if this was helpful! 
1. Directly below the "You may also like"  images just below each post, to the far right of the text that begins "Posted by ..." is text that says "xx comments." Click on that text. It will open up a comment box. I promise.
2. Enter comment.
3. Click on Post Comment button below the box.
4. Select Name/URL. You can enter your name or whatever name you want to be known by. If you have a blog or other Web address (URL), go ahead and enter (then curious commenters and others can go visit your blog)  ... if not, leave URL blank. You may also select Anonymous ... but it's much more fun to make up a name than be known as Anonymous, don't you think? 
5. Click on Continue. Sometimes, your comment will publish right away.  Sometimes, the system is stubborn and you'll see some text that says something like "Blogger was not able to publish your comment" or similar. So click on Post Comment again. It will take ... or it will bring up a box with squiggly letters. If your comment appears on the page - you're done!
6. If you get the squiggly letters, enter them in the box. This is protection against spam. I think you'll be prompted to click "Enter" or something similar. Your comment will appear on the page, and you are done.

Next steps

er ... so to speak. No walking or driving for another six weeks, but we're moving forward in the healing process. 

Today I went to see the surgeon for my follow-up visit. He removed the splinty thing and issued me a fancy CAM (controlled ankle motion) boot that I can take off for bed and to shower. Hooray! I read a blog post of another broken-ankle survivor, who likened the feeling of having the splint removed to the vulnerability of a soft-shelled crab. I was thinking hermit crab when molting (we had a big hermit crab that lived for five year ... he was so big because he ate the other crabs when they molted).

As soon as we got home, DOCTOR John took photos. Some attractive bits of fur clung to my leg from the interior of the splinty thing. After the photo shoot, I went in and washed and washed and then shaved. Ohhhhhhhhhhh that felt so good! What a wonderful surprise. Everyone told me I'd get a cast. I was mentally preparing myself for a cast and six more weeks of showering with a garbage bag on my leg.

After working for a few hours, I accompanied the family to Sammy's birthday party. Sharon is getting a little less nervous about me going out. But she still wouldn't let me go in the basement to play hockey and see all the kids' Christmas toys. Sammy got out his tool kit and worked on the boot for a bit. After the boys got tired of lunging at me so they could enjoy watching me lift my foot up high and out of the danger zone, I spent the rest of the evening in a safe corner and people brought me food and wine and cake.

Here's the medial aspect. I apologize for showing the photo with the fur, but it shows a better view than the clean-leg photo. The two holes right below the ankle area are where two titanium screws were inserted. The scratch above? Well, that was a little damage caused by the broken tibia. We'll just leave it at that. But this is why the surgeon couldn't make an incision there. Typically, there would be an incision on both sides with the procedure I had (ORIF).

Here's the lateral view. 

Well, big day today. I'm worn out. Tomorrow is recipe day! I like having a plan. Now I need to get on a schedule again. I'll start that tomorrow. Maybe.

Member me?

Awwwww ... Claudie all curled up with her new friend, Laura. I wonder if Claudie's doing that daily while I'm away and when Eric and Blue are not there. I wonder if she 'members me? 

Sunday was a busy day. And in all the flurry of activity, I never posted in honor of the one year anniversary of Shiny Things. I did not get 100 comments - or 10 comments - by the 10th. So sad. I also did not announce the winner of the mystery sculpture guesser. I sort of forgot about it. And then Monday came. And all its busyness. Go back to the January 6 post to take another look and read brave Elizabeth K's comments. She will soon receive her very own Muzyka CD! I really am going to get those in the mail soon (I still have not sent Doris's CD). It has been blizzarding here ... I have to package them, and we all know that it takes me a long time to do things even under the best of circumstances. And I have to ask nurse John to take them to the post office. So many logistics.

I don't really see the duck in the sculpture. (Sorry, Lizz.) But I do like the name Duck Man. I see the woman praying, and that's very nice, too.

So here's this week's request/offer: See the "Follow" button in the upper right of the page? I'd really love to know who is reading Shiny Things. Will you please do me a favor and click on that button and become a member? Next Tuesday I'll announce a randomly selected member to receive a special surprise. 

Thanks for stopping by ... have a great day!

We knew the meltdown had to be coming ...

This is what we've come to: photo of the door knob on the guest room closet door. I do like this door knob. It's the only Art Deco-ish one in my whole house. Weird, huh? The rest are very utilitarian - black metal of some sort.

When I began writing this post a little earlier this evening, I didn't know I was working up a nice little meltdown. As I looked through my photo selection, I kept coming back to this one. Lizz thought I was nuts to want a picture of the door knob (and everything else in that room).

But there it is. Illustrative of ... what? When one door closes, God opens a window?

My meltdown was relatively minor. I didn't scream and swear and throw things. There were tears, of course. My very sympathetic sister listened patiently as I vented about how hard it is for me to be disciplined and manage the pieces and parts of my life under "normal" circumstances and how nearly impossible it seems now. This experience is forcing me to slow down and to think ahead ... so contrary to my nature, yet the very thing I've been preaching to myself all year. While lamenting my never-ending to-do lists, I was definitely crying out for a simpler life. For the opportunity to pause and reflect and redirect myself. This experience has brought all of that into sharper focus. Kicked the urgency for change up a notch.

The thing about meltdowns is they usually result in some fundamental changes in shape. I wonder what my new shape will be?

Moooooozyka to my ears!

It really is shameful how entirely focused I am on myself, isn't it? Bragging about the special attention I'm getting from famous, talented musicians. The consuming of specially prepared meals. The being pampered. The wearing of monkey pants day in and day out. The being fanned by palm fronds and eating of peeled grapes. Oh ... I'm just kidding about the palms and grapes.

It was so tough to focus on anything all day Wednesday, because Muzyka was coming here for their weekly practice! I wanted to wait until I had photos before writing about it. Here they are in my sister's family room. And yes, that is a little bit of my foot at the bottom of that first photo, right in the middle. Oops. Don't you just love Lee's smile? It lights up the room! And don't be deceived by the serious expressions on Johnny's and Chuck's faces. Their witticisms, dryly delivered, will have you falling out of your chair. The three together are a brilliant combination. (And when Hillary is included, she adds the frosting and sprinkles ... you know what I mean if you've ever heard Hillary's glorious voice.)

I first enjoyed Muzyka when they performed at our church several years ago. Two of the members (Lee and Hillary, who is now in college) are members of our church. They were known then as Sacred Voices. I fell instantly in love with the group and its performance style - a blend of traditional and original gospel, folk and other tunes - delivered with humor, joy, irreverence and/or reverence (whatever is required by the song or occasion).

Last month when I first mentioned that Muzyka always lifts my spirits and offered their new CD, Enter In, to a lucky commenter, I could not have dreamed I would be blessed to have them come to my home (or home away from home) to perform for me.

Was this the cat song? I was so entranced, I didn't think to write down the songs.

We learned the difference between the musicians' instruments. Chuck's and Lee's look very similar, but they're not the same. Twenty points if you can name the instruments left to right! (I don't know what we'll do with the points. It just sounded like a good idea to award points.)

Today I woke up with aches and pains from top to bottom. Thinking, as usual, of all of my to-do's. And how much harder it is to do them - and how I may have to let some go and modify others to my current ability. But then I got out of bed (when I was really tempted to curl into a ball ... dang, can't quite do that ... and stay there). And crutchered down the loooooong hall. And was served coffee and breakfast and more coffee. And had pillows and heating pads propped around my aching self. And was harassed about sleeping 'til noon (it was 8:55) and taking cream in my coffee (John's trying to wean me from the 1/2 and 1/2). And started looking at the photos from Wednesday. And the days before that ... and reflecting on all the other ways I've been lifted up the past couple of weeks and really, my entire life, whenever I've been down literally or figuratively.

Today is the two-week anniversary of breaking my ankle. So much has happened in these 14 days. Included are the countless ways I've been reminded of the love that surrounds me. The ways that through  actions big and small we each have the chance to help lift others up with a word, a touch, a smile, a meal or a song. I know it's not about me. But through my experience, I know I am meant to learn and share some important lessons, such as this one: Every kindness shared is a blessing to God's eyes and music to God's ears. I pray that I will carry this lesson in my heart and my actions all the days of my life.

T.G.I.F.

Toes Go In First.

Always a good reminder.

Years ago, when we presented Sean with his "I'm a Big Boy Now/I Can Dress Myself" 30th birthday box at work, specially marked T.G.I.F. socks were among the gifts. Sometimes Sean had issues matching up his socks, tucking in his shirt, zipping his pants, keeping dribbles and crumbs in check ... and other assorted challenges. Another day I'll share some of the great "aught birthday" themed boxes we've done. Can you guess what my theme was for my 40th?

Leaning over to put on my special toe-warmer half-sock (I knew there was a reason I'd kept some of my old favorites with holes in the heels!), my undies and my snowflake flannels today (in honor of Snow Slam! 2010), I was reminded of Sean's T.G.I.F. socks.

Everything takes longer these days. Even putting on socks. I am so thankful that I can take the extra time to learn new techniques, to figure out the logistics of my next move, to be blessed with the love, support, prayers and patience of friends and family. I think of all the days I squandered when everything was "easy." (Even though I constantly kvetched about how hard it was.) I'm learning important lessons that I hope I remember when I have the use of two feet again.

Oh, I'm terribly glad it's Friday, too. How about you?

Olé Guacamole!

Do you like my Christmas present from Franny? The perfect guacamole-making attire, don't you think?

It's easy to forget what day it is. One day just kind of mushes into the next ... like overripe avocados. Just a few days ago I was snapping photos of every square inch of the guest room at home. I wanted Lizz to upload a bunch of pics before she went back to school because I wouldn't be able to do that for a while (that computer is upstairs).

And in my forgetting that today was Thursday, I almost forgot that I was going to share a recipe! But Anonymous-Lee, who has been helping me catch up on the recipes I've mentioned, posted a comment on one of my first posts earlier this year, asking for my guacamole recipe since I talked about it in that post. I thought for sure I'd shared it, but I guess not.

Lee also reminded me that we're close to the one-year anniversary of the launch of Shiny Things. In fact, yesterday marked my 100th post! Two milestones in one week. Wow! Wouldn't it be totally cool if I could get 100 comments by Sunday? Or 10? Ten would be fine. Ten by the 10th. Sound good? And ... be sure to get in your guesses about that carving I showed you in yesterday's post for another chance to win Muzyka's Enter In CD. Also by the 10th. Aahhhhh, I know, too many shiny things for a Thursday.

Olé Guacamole!

Gather all ingredients and necessary equipment (knives for cutting avocados in half and mincing onions, spoon for scooping, garlic press for pressing, citrus press, reamer or spoon for juicing, whisk or potato masher for mashing, spatula for stirring and spatulating into a festive serving bowl ...)

In a sturdy glass or metal bowl:

mash 1 to 15 ripe (but not too ripe) avocados

blend in the juice of 1/2 to 3 limes

add 1 to 5 cloves fresh garlic (pressed) and 2 T to 1 cup minced onion

season generously (to taste) with sea salt, black pepper, ground cumin and hot sauce

enjoy with hearty corn chips

They call me I-LEAN

Called in to the office on Monday. No sympathy for me there. Gloria asked, "Is this I-LEAN?"

(Woman with one leg ... up against the wall)

I have two things to share today. First, I want to know what the heck this carving is. My dad did it many many years ago. I should have flipped it around and showed different views. I'll let you do that.

Second, Muzyka is practicing here at my sister's house tonight! My own personal performance! They'll bring the CD I need to send to Doris ... helping me honor my Tuneful Tuesday commenter giveaway of a few weeks ago finally. I am sooooo excited I can barely focus on the web content I'm supposed to be writing and editing. Had to punch out for a short lunch and blog break. I'll F - O - C - U - S again in a little bit.

And since I'm sure everyone reading this would like the chance to get a Muzyka CD too, I'll offer a second CD to one randomly selected commenter who comments on thing #1 above there. Let's see ... we'll have the deadline for comments be Sunday, Dec. 10. Sound good?

Can you do this?

Comments make me this happy! If you've been reading Shiny Things for any length of time you know I looovvvvee comments. I'm giddy for comments. So when Anonymous-Lee asked for the recipes for Grandma Wahl's Butter Balls and Pineapple Sticks in the comment section? I had to oblige!

Grandma Wahl’s Butter Balls

1 cup butter

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1 cup finely chopped pecans

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Add flour and nuts. Roll into balls. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets 15 minutes at 350 F. (The recipe does not say to chill the dough first, but when I made these, they were not quite ball-shaped. Tasty ... but more plop-like. Tasty plops. Chilling the dough may make them hold their shape.)

Roll butter balls in extra powdered sugar when cool. Store in airtight container.

Pineapple Sticks

2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup crushed pineapple

4 eggs, separated

1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

1 tsp baking powder

2-1/4 cups flour

pinch salt

1 tsp vanilla

powdered sugar for coating cooled sticks (set aside in a brown paper lunch bag)

Combine sugar and pineapple in non-reactive bowl. Beat egg yolks in separate bowl. Add yolks and vanilla to sugar-pineapple mixture. Stir well to combine. Sift dry ingredients into wet and combine. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Pour mixture into greased and floured 13 x 9 pan and bake 30 minutes in oven preheated to 350F. When completely cool, cut into sticks (like bars - but about half the width). Toss cooled sticks, a few at a time, in powdered sugar. Store in airtight container. These freeze well! 

Cindy, one of my e-mail readers, also sent a note suggesting I post a recipe a week - maybe on Thursdays? Does everyone like that idea? Should I stick with a theme - or whatever Shiny Thing strikes me at the moment? Oh! Oh! Oh! I have an idea! But I'd love to hear yours - let me know what you think in the comment section or send me an e-mail. Yay! We have a plan for Thursday!

Call of the wild

I cannot believe how brilliant my daughter is to have taken this photo, with this backdrop. I mean, I KNOW how brilliant she is. But still. How did she know that eight days after I broke my ankle I'd be lying in bed thinking about watching Tarzan movies on Sunday afternoons and how while I was flat on my back contemplating the loooong trek down the hall to the bathroom all I'd be able to think of was Ungawa and Umbawa and which one meant elephant poo and which one was the command Tarzan used for the elephant to kindly lumber to its feet and pluck a small tree out of his way if you please?

Here it is 2:51 and my biggest accomplishment of the day is to have showered without assistance and to have pushed the button on the coffee maker. I was spent after that. Could barely finish my break-- er, brunch before going back to bed for a nap.

I'll start using my powers for good soon, I promise. But first, I'd like to share this discovery: Paper made from elephant poo! Oh, you have to go check that out. Ungawa!