Cold Weather Soup

Yesterday the temperature was in the 80's and my air conditioning kicked on automatically forcing me from my chair to turn it off. We sweated until the cold front blew an hour later.

Today, there is snow on the ground and the temperature is 27 degrees.

This adds up to equal Chicken Tortilla Soup. My favorite!

I got home from bible study and boiled the chicken, cutting up the veggies and getting the cilantro chopped up.

Its been cooking on the store, on low, all afternoon. In about 45 minutes I'll add some torn up corn tortillas to the soup and within another five minutes I'll have it dished up with Mexican cheese and jalapenos sprinkled on top.

The house smells yummy and we are warm. This is the perfect way to spend a cold snowy day.

A Sweet Fragrance

Today started out warm and balmy. At one point the A/C kicked on with temperatures in the 80's and I had to go shut it off, reminding myself that December was almost here.

By nightfall the temperature dropped fifteen degrees within ten minutes time and as I write this blog, the temps continue to drop and the rain has started. Its 39 degrees right now.

The weather guy has predicted an arctic blast is headed our way and we are on alert. School may be cancelled. Sleet is forecasted. Unusual for Texas especially since the A/C had run today.

The cold weather put me in the candle mood. I managed to find a candle I had put away last year unused and it was the perfect choice. I think I've found a new favorite scent.

Peppermint!

Its minty and sweet smelling and makes me want to unwrap the candy canes hanging on my Christmas tree but I will hold myself back, enjoying the fragrance instead. But maybe when I'm at the store next time I'll look for low calorie peppermint snacks. I'll also need to buy some more peppermint candles since its obvious that I'll be lighting these up regularly to enjoy.

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Joy to the World!

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him." 2 Corinthians 2:14

That time of year

Its November 28th in Texas. There are still some leaves hanging on the trees although they are looking pretty desparate after a lovely color change this autumn. The sky was sunny today. The temps warm. In fact on some days I come close to thinking about turning on the A/C. Welcome to Texas.

But I know that the season is about to change. The one sure sign arrived today.

The doorbell rang. My favorite irrigation guy stood on my front porch. "Its time!" he announced. He had stopped by to shut off our system. I will put away all the sandals and sleeveless shirts. Winter is on its way.

The evening TV news is abuzz with the information that the county trucks are ready to sand the overpasses. The freeze warnings for pets and plants have started. The water bill is about to drop dramatically since the winter rain will take over watering our lawn.

Best of all: The Christmas tree is up! The stockings are hung by the fireplace with care. The coffee table has a seasonal candle. And my favorite nativity that looks all quilty made by Jim Shore is set out on my couch table complete with the flying angel proclaiming His coming!

I'm all ready. And my sprinklers are turned off.

Soldier Dog

Yesterday afternoon we had a frightening thing happen.

My husband opened up the door to walk up our sidewalk to get our mail.

He left the door cracked open a bit as the dogs were sitting with me, here in my chair. Dora Mae next to me. Thelma Lou in the ottoman.

WIthin seconds Dora sat up and started a growl. Within another split second she and Thelma Lou tore through the door and I heard horrible noises in the yard.

My husband was yelling. Dogs were fighting. And I ran out into the yard to see a large dog with Dora Mae. My husband was yelling over the large dog, trying to get him off without being attacked at the same time.

It seems that while my husband was walking up our sidewalk, our neighbor had his dog off its leash and it charged my husband. In our yard. My dogs in defensive mode, ran to protect him but forgot they are each 15 pounds of short hound.

The maddening thing is that the neighbor stood by doing nothing to get his dog off mine.

As I started yelling too, flailing my arms and screaming along with my husband's screams, the other dog let go of Dora. I ran to the door to let her in while I went back for Thelma who was crouched behind a tree. She had followed Dora for moral support but managed stay safe. Husband picked her up carefully and carried her towards the house.

"Is your dog on a leash?" I asked the neighbor.

"Is yours?" he asked.

"Our dogs came out to protect their human who was charged by your dog on our property."

The neighbor merely laughed. He thought it was funny, I guess. I would have thought an attorney would have been more serious about the situation.

Heading into the house the dogs were shaking. The humans were shaking. I spent the rest of the evening with my soldier dog on my lap, checking her out, making sure she was okay, and loving on her.

Dogs are loyal critters and this long wiener dog is no exception. I adore my Dora Mae.

....but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

In many ways, she reminds me of my Savior: Jesus. So many qualities of His love are demonstrated in this simple critter of a dog. Sticks with me through thick and thin. Always there. Loving. Companion. Protector. Steadfast. Trustworthy. Gentle. Faithful.

Black Friday

I hate crowds but I have this figured out.

I didn't have to stand in line last night in a camping chair in front of Best Buy.

I didn't have to get up early to be at the doors when they opened at 5 a.m.

Instead of battling the crowds and heading to the malls, I opted to "do" Black Friday from my chair and laptop. I logged on.

I found great deals on a flat screen TV that we have been talking about and purchased one from BestBuy.com with free shipping.

Think about the stores you would check for the best deals from your car and in person and head to their online store and check for Black Friday specials. You'll be very surprised at the deals you can find online with delivery either free or very reasonable.

Rocking Sock Time

Its officially sock weather in north Texas.

This means that I don't need to panic over the condition of my toenails. It means that I can dig out my sweaters and locate my coat that is worn a few days between now and March. It means I should try to find my gloves as I might need them too. Not often, but nice and comfy when needed.

It means I sometimes will swap hot tea for my iced and might indeed use the fireplace this year.

Celebrations!

Weddings are such a sweet thing and I'm such a sap that I love the romance. This last Saturday we attended the wedding of our daughter's best friend. They have been friends since sixth grade when we moved into the area and they went to middle school together. Through high school they remained friends and even shared an apartment together after college.

It was a lovely wedding. My gorgeous daughter was a bridesmaid and sang. Her boyfriend tagged along graciously (as we all know guys love weddings like a long-tailed cat loves rocking chairs).

Reminds me of that grand day when our groom will return for us, His bride, to take us to the wedding feast.

"I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." Isaiah 61:10

Jane Phillips

November 13, 2006

She would have been 79 today. She would have known the hundreds of first grade students who walked through her classroom were better people because of the things she taught them.

She would have enjoyed being at high school graduations and weddings, Christmas weekends with funny family gift exchanges with s'mores over the bonfire and fireworks.

She would have gotten to know her eight grandchildren obsessively.

She would have been proud watching her oldest grandson join the Air Force and been jealous of his tour in Germany. She would have been thrilled when he ended up at N.A.S.A. while pursuing his degree, plugged into a church he loves. She would have enjoyed hearing his plots and plans, ideas and goals and meeting his wonderful girlfriend.

She would have loved watching her oldest granddaughter look more and more like her own image year after year. She would have been entertained by her ability to wear clothes with a flare and would have been enchanted by her singing. She would have adored hearing stories of salty snacks and love with an awesome man who fancies ottersssss.

She would have loved HysterSisters. She would have been proud it was created to honor her life.

She would have still had her joy for life, her joy for family, her joy for Jesus.

And still, 24 years later, I still miss Momma.

"My lucky doll, you're in heaven before me
You were my taste of heaven here
Remember we loved to talk about it, we couldn't wait to get there
So you go on and find your way around now
But remember I'm here missing you
Do me a favor and say hey to Jesus
And tell him I'm missing him too
Tell him I'm missing him too." - Breakfast Table - Chris Rice

Thank you Veterans!

Army.
Navy.
Marines.
Air Force.
Coast Guard.
Air National Guard.

Thank you to all the men and women who have proudly served by putting on a uniform and pledging to defend and protect this great nation of the United States.

We owe our freedom to your sacrifice.

We owe our future to your dedication.

Thank you with fifty stars to applaud your bravery.

Stinks and Fragrances

Baking cookies.
Fresh Bread.
Melting chocolate.
Baking apples and cinnamon.
Turkey and Dressing.
Baby powder.
Roses.
Real Christmas trees.
Redken's Bodyful Shampoo
Vanilla candles.
Armani Code.

Fragrances have power. They can cause me to remember. They can cause me to simply stop and enjoy the moment. They can lift my mood (especially if chocolate is involved). They can send me a different direction if the odor is foul.

I'm reminded of the smell of death which is unmistakable. If you've ever had a dead mouse trapped in the walls of your house like I have, it is an odor that can not be missed or covered up. It is an odor that permeates its stench into your nostrils and there is no escape. Since the smell is so horrible, the only choice is to run the other way.

But what about the good fragrances? The odors we are attracted to, enjoy and want to be near?

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?" 2 Corinthians 2: 14-16

The world needs the sweet smell of Christ because the stench of the wages of sin is unbearable. Grab your perfume bottle. Put on Christ. Spread His fragrance.

No one likes stinky people.

No Flukes

If you click this photo of the House of Representatives Chamber you will see right above the U.S. flag these words: In God We Trust.

What do I think when an election turns out like it did last night? I have an easy answer. Its not easy to always swallow but its easy because its plain as daylight to me because I believe God is sovereign.

He establishes thrones and kingdoms and while I do not all ways understand, I trust Him. In God I trust.

"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." Colossians 1:15-17

And I can easily spend the rest of my life trusting Him because folks were not put into office because He fell asleep or went on vacation.

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1

I won't love watching the new Speaker of the House with her views. But I can trust God since He is in control.

Feeling Important

Lately I've been getting phone calls from important people. A politician who lives in the white house in Austin called me. Congressmen and Senators too.

I kinda feel important getting all this attention from such important people. I haven't had the heart to tell them I voted already and they wasted their dime.

Amazing to think that I could get all revved up for a canned, taped message from the governor who wouldn't know me from Adam (or Eve) if I walked up to his door and knocked. I couldn't get through the doors of the White House in Washington D.C. even though I have stood at the gates to peek.

Its a pseudo-importance with those guys.

But even better......I have access to someone bigger. More powerful. And not only do I have access, he knows me. He knows how many hairs are on my head and knows my thoughts before I think them. He knows me inside out and bids me to sit with him and spend my time. The reality of importance. Real value.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16

Thankful and back on track!

Too many desserts and carbs this weekend means I'm back on track with eating better and extra steps with walking on Monday!

I was able to enjoy extended family this weekend. Cousins, aunts and uncles, second cousins twice removed (what does that really mean?) brother, sister in law, nieces, nephews, sister, brother in law and the joy of the announcement that my dad will be a great grandfather. He is thrilled and overjoyed. I am excited to be a great aunt. My sister will be an awesome grandmother. I know this because she is an awesome sister and the best mom to her girls.

Before our meal we did what we do for all our meals only this time the circle of hands was much larger. We bowed and thanked God for the blessings of family and the abundance of love we have from our Savior.

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4

Insert Foot

I'm the daughter of a career Air Force officer. I'm the mother of an Air Force vet. I'm the daughter in law of a career Army Chief Master Sgt.

I could go on with my list, adding people in my life from family and friends who have spent their career or part of their career serving our nation in the military.

I'm also from a family with college educations, many with graduate degrees, including those military men in my life.

Intelligent men who chose to serve our nation in addition to the gaining of their educational degrees.

And so you can imagine the horror and disgust I have once again for John Kerry and his comments about the men serving in Iraq and his immediate refusal to apologize.

Insert his foot into his mouth and insert the end of his chance to run for president in 2008. His party would do well to distance themselves from this man.

And so, I took the time to head to the polls and I voted early. I was extra motivated.

It reminded me again that this is a cultural war that we fight in our nation and a spiritual war we must fight on our knees. And in the ballot boxes.

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." Daniel 2: 20-21