New wheels and memories

It seems the time has finally come to say farewell to our minivan... it just up and quit on us...well, actually the transmission 'broke'...and it's getting too old for any more surgery! We had been thinking it was time for something more suitable since we usually aren't transporting a large family any more. I've enjoyed our old minivan...it was roomy and comfortable and got us (and others) to where we needed to go for the last 9 years, including a number of longer trips...not to mention being used as a 'cargo' van moving people, bikes (can't forget Howardville), sound systems, and drums hither and yon. It could always be counted on.

Howardville (click on picture for larger view)

We may have a little difficulty agreeing on what our next wheels should look like... I've quite enjoyed the higher ride and never worrying if there'd be enough room for passengers and 'stuff'. Hubby, on the other hand, is thinking he'd like to have a car. Oh no... Sonshine just came to mind... how could we possibly do Sonshine again without a van! We're tenters, people...that means hauling a lot of camping stuff! Then again, maybe we're getting too old for the whole tenting scene (sigh) - fun, but a lot of work!

So, any good suggestions out there for us? The scary thing is, we just licensed our old family car...I mean OLD... Pontiac Parisienne for our son to get around with. It left our driveway for a few years while our oldest enjoyed it...but somehow found it's way back to our yard when he needed something better :) It's banged up, rusty, and falling apart ...but loved (by some)! I, on the other hand, would rather not be seen in it, but for now we'll have to get around somehow whilst on our search.

So, if you see a BIG red boat sailing down the road with a little lady in it (seemingly little as she crouches down low - actually the seats are practically on the ground!)...be sure to wave! I'm just making a few more memories!!

Make mine chocolate!

Well...I thought if nothing else, I could post about the wonderful

chocolate dessert I made for Valentine's dinner.
Yes, we stayed home since I wasn't up to much....
but also, everything was booked here in our little city!
I had planned all along to make a nice candlelight dinner
for the three of us - but alas, my man tried once more to see if
he could take me out...
somehow incessant coughing fits and 'romantic dinner out'
don't go well together.
So...we whipped up some Indian butter chicken and brown rice,
some herbed bread and salad - it was wonderful....
but the best part was... these...

Individual German chocolate cakes

They were delicious and I will definitely make them again.
They look like a bit of work, but really not at all - well worth any effort!
I found the recipe a while back on a website for flour....
at the moment, the name escapes me...
but the recipe doesn't - I'll post it in the kitchen !

Oh, another bonus...they taste even better on day two...
I won't tell you how many I ate!

Running on empty - time to reflect

As I sit here convalescing, it came to me how this might be something I needed to go through... in fact, maybe it's good for me! Before you think I'm crazy or I think I'm losing it myself, I better continue. I have been busy 'doing' for so long that I guess my body needed a break... ok, it's more like a 'crash'. I rarely get this sick and I have no choice but to lay low right now. I sure do miss seeing some special little people, but it certainly has given time for reflection... always a good thing.

I wonder....do we sometimes allow things to creep up on us in our spiritual lives? We go and go, keeping busy with all sorts of 'good' things... but perhaps neglecting our spiritual nourishment and quiet rest with God ...running on empty. We need to stay connected to our life-sustainer - our tank-filler! Our creator longs to know us in a personal way... too often we only give Him what's left of our time. If we'd only realize how much we gain from getting to know Him more intimately... how our lives and relationships would benefit and perspectives would likely change.

I'm ashamed to admit that I have been neglecting my quiet times, I mean...the alone time with God where it's just He and I. The times when He hears my heart...not just my prayers... where I get to learn what brings Him joy and what saddens Him. There will always be good things to keep busy with... but more importantly, we need to be filled and that takes a different kind of doing... do it with purpose! Thinking back to when my husband and I were dating - I wanted to spend every minute possible with him and our times together always ended too soon. There wasn't much I wouldn't have done for him and I would have been pretty put off if there was no effort made on his part... if he was content just knowing me...

There is yet another component to this... there are/will be times where we need to be the one helping and doing, even if we don't feel we have it to give, or our own health may suffer for it. However, there is one thing I am confident of... God understands and He will be our sustenance ...we can trust Him to bring us through... so don't grow weary.

"And let us not grow wear while doing good,
for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Therefore, as we have opportunity,
let us do good to all,
especially to those who are of the household of faith." Gal. 6:9, 10

Now... there's another relationship I'm thinking about right now...one that deserves more than what's left over. This being Valentine's week I encourage all you ladies (it is only ladies that read this, right?) to love your special people with all you've got. Talking to my niece only minutes ago about Valentine's plans she said to me, "We celebrate our love every day". If she could have seen the smile she brought to my face!

We are never guaranteed how much time we'll have together, so make it count. Showing love doesn't have to cost money, but should cost you something... your undivided attention for starters. Go for it - get creative - make your someone feel special!

Thank you, God, for giving me this time to reflect! I would, however, love to feel a little better for my Valentine :)

Feelin' a little waterlogged

(a sampling of what I've been drinking a lot of lately)

I've had this terrible sore throat and cough (don't they go hand in hand?) since Saturday.
As soon as the symptoms started (although I wasn't home at the time)... ok, as soon as I got home, I made myself some tea and kept my mug filled. I'm a believer in drinking lots of fluids to flush out those nasty bugs. Well, I've been doing my part... but don't seem to get relief. I've since lost my voice and communicating has become a little challenging right now, not to mention I'm exhausted from lack of sleep (4 hours tops at night - between coughing, throat too sore to swallow, and getting up to, well, you know... get rid of the tea!).

Right now I'm drinking some tea made with a good chunk of ginger and 1 tsp honey.... very soothing, hopefully it helps keep the tickle away, but I was thinking... and maybe I'll be sorry for asking...but there must be some good home remedies out there.

Please do share... I really need to sleep!

p.s. the chicken noodle soup is on