I cannot even tell you how many times I have tried to make homemade tortillas. They just keep turning out like a flat bread or thin peta. So, when I found some raw, uncooked tortillas for sale at Cost Co you cannot imagine how elated I was! Nothing beats a warm, fresh tortilla and they don't come easier than pre-made!
This evening the girls and I cooked us up a batch, burning the first half because it took that long to regulate the temperature. We spread fresh homemade refried black beans, cheese and salsa and voila! For dessert...coconut oil and honey on one tortilla and butter and cinnamon/sugar on the other! YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY! Took serious will power to stop myself from cooking up some more!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Morning Hike
Nothing clears the senses and the mood like a good brisk hike through the foothills. I feel as though the cobwebs are cleared and I am ready for another day.
New Layout
This will just have to do for now. I like it enough to tolerate. Plus my excellent words can now be read!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Stir Fry Night!
I admit I am not the best cook, but boy do I give it all I've got. I also admit that I am really good at taking someone else's recipe and making it my own. I love trying new recipes and rarely ever follow it to a T, unless it is full of new ingredients then I follow it exactly for the first time.
Tonight I made my first orange chicken stir fry. My recipe (I once heard if you make any changes it then becomes your recipe) goes as follow:
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp ginger (I ran out of fresh so I used powder, I found this to be too strong so I will either lessen the amount of dried or use fresh.)
1 whole orange squeezed (I will double this next time)
orange zest (My orange fell apart while squeezing so the amount of zest was very minimal this time, next time I will use a lot more!)
3/4 T vinegar (I only use Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar in my cooking, I don't see the point in having a cupboard full of different vinegars when one does just fine. Speaking of Braggs vinegar, remind me to write about my vinegar experience.)
1T soy sauce
1 1/2 C water (I like a lot of sauce with my stir fry and these measurements just didn't cut it for me. Next time I will double the sauce!)
2tsp brown sugar (this was plenty sweet enough, just needs more sauce!)
3-5 shakes of red pepper flakes (I really lost count, so that is why the numbers. My kids said it was too hot, I said I do that so they will drink more water at dinner!)
Broccoli (about 3 cups)
Carrots (about 1-2 cups)
I was going to throw in pea pods at the end and I forgot.
And of course Chicken.
(Just a side note: My husband just got home and ate some and said it was absolutely perfect, not to change a thing and that I am an excellent cook.)
A trick I have discovered through trial and error of making a lot of stir fry (one of my favorite things to eat) is to steam the veggies to my desired consistency and then put them in the bubbling sauce. Not only do I get perfect veggies but also I achieve it using no oil.
Today was my first experience cooking chicken in my new and loved pressure cooker. The chicken came out nice and tender! Plus it cooked really fast and I made enough for recipes in the coming days.
I like to add my chicken cubes to the bubbly sauce for a few moments before I stir in the steamed veggies so it can absorb some of the yumminess!
Well there you have it! I can't wait to eat the leftovers tomorrow!
Tonight I made my first orange chicken stir fry. My recipe (I once heard if you make any changes it then becomes your recipe) goes as follow:
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp ginger (I ran out of fresh so I used powder, I found this to be too strong so I will either lessen the amount of dried or use fresh.)
1 whole orange squeezed (I will double this next time)
orange zest (My orange fell apart while squeezing so the amount of zest was very minimal this time, next time I will use a lot more!)
3/4 T vinegar (I only use Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar in my cooking, I don't see the point in having a cupboard full of different vinegars when one does just fine. Speaking of Braggs vinegar, remind me to write about my vinegar experience.)
1T soy sauce
1 1/2 C water (I like a lot of sauce with my stir fry and these measurements just didn't cut it for me. Next time I will double the sauce!)
2tsp brown sugar (this was plenty sweet enough, just needs more sauce!)
3-5 shakes of red pepper flakes (I really lost count, so that is why the numbers. My kids said it was too hot, I said I do that so they will drink more water at dinner!)
Broccoli (about 3 cups)
Carrots (about 1-2 cups)
I was going to throw in pea pods at the end and I forgot.
And of course Chicken.
(Just a side note: My husband just got home and ate some and said it was absolutely perfect, not to change a thing and that I am an excellent cook.)
A trick I have discovered through trial and error of making a lot of stir fry (one of my favorite things to eat) is to steam the veggies to my desired consistency and then put them in the bubbling sauce. Not only do I get perfect veggies but also I achieve it using no oil.
Today was my first experience cooking chicken in my new and loved pressure cooker. The chicken came out nice and tender! Plus it cooked really fast and I made enough for recipes in the coming days.
I like to add my chicken cubes to the bubbly sauce for a few moments before I stir in the steamed veggies so it can absorb some of the yumminess!
Well there you have it! I can't wait to eat the leftovers tomorrow!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Blog Layout Help
I thought I would try my hand at modifying html codes adjusting my new blog appearance, but it just doesn't have the curb appeal I had hoped for. The layout options are endless, but I the great picky one, have not found the perfect layout yet. I have seen a plethora of cutesy layouts that look like scrapbooks, a gazillion that just don't apply to my blog, and plain and simple that just don't shout, READ ME! My blog is so much of who I am inside that I don't want to come across boring or unapproachable. When I came across this new layout I absolutely fell in love! I saw and seriously longed to be right there! Which is exactly how I want my blog to feel. The problem with this new layout is that the words are really difficult to read. Do you agree or disagree?
I have widened the boxes containing all the writing but have yet to figure out how to make the box less transparent. Any clues out there on how to achieve this while still keeping the beautiful background image? I have given myself a headache over this one and I am going to have to throw in the towel for now. I hope to get some feedback from my readers. So, what do you think? Too difficult to read? Any code suggestions (this would be most appreciated)?
I have widened the boxes containing all the writing but have yet to figure out how to make the box less transparent. Any clues out there on how to achieve this while still keeping the beautiful background image? I have given myself a headache over this one and I am going to have to throw in the towel for now. I hope to get some feedback from my readers. So, what do you think? Too difficult to read? Any code suggestions (this would be most appreciated)?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
10 Day Fast - long enough to be a book!
I just completed a 10 day detox fast. Never before have I taken on such an endeavor. Many have asked, "Why would you do such a thing? Is is for health or spirit?" I will answer yes to both. Prior to starting the fast I had great hopes for the end results. I really had no idea what to expect from the very beginning. My sister coached me before I started and was "on call" throughout the remainder of the fast. The week before the fast I began a slight change in my diet. I stopped eating sugar and white flour and almost all dairy (which was limited in my diet to begin with). I also did a one day water fast, which by the way was really hard, in preparation for the 10 day fast. I also ate more veggies that I had around the house, which consisted of carrots, potatoes, canned green beans, and frozen peas and corn (nothing fantastic that is for sure).
Now, before I get into the day to day experiences I will attempt to explain why I did this in the first place. In 1997 I was single and living far from home all alone. I got very sick and didn't know what to do, so I saw a doctor and ingested my first antibiotics...ever! I didn't complete the whole prescription as counseled because, well, I was ignorant. A few months later I got sick again, worse than the last time. This sickness hung on me off and on for months there after. I happened to be living in an old apartment in North West New York at the time the 3 round hit. This particular apartment was, well, let's just say it was nasty. The bathroom was covered in black mold. Don't believe? When I moved in I thought the ceiling was painted black. I don't know what possessed me to not report the issue but none of the previous occupants seemed to mind so I ignored it as well. It was almost as if the mold was some sort of resident and no one wanted to kick it out. Long and painful story made short, I got even more sick. Hives morning, noon, and night plagued me. Nothing gave relief. I simply took the Benadryl to knock myself out, otherwise I was still covered in hives. These events in my life are not fond ones. I had never been so sick and uncomfortable in my life. Did I happen to mention I had an abscess tooth, food poisoning, and the recurring bronchitis at the same time? Ultimately my body was overloaded with toxins, and it has been that way ever since.
Just a couple weeks before I started the detox my husband turns to me with a book in hand and says with exaggerated enthusiastic sarcasm, "Listen to this! 'Retained debris in the colon leads to the absorption of toxins. Symptoms include mental confusion, depression, irritability, fatigue, gastrointestinal irregularities, and even allergic reaction such as hives" (Balch, 2000, p702). Doesn't that sound familiar?" I replied, "Ha ha ha, very funny, Yes it does". So, thanks to an ornery thoughtful husband, I began researching various ways to detox the body and came up with a colon cleanse kit by First Cleanse and the 10 day fast (which too can be found in Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Dr Balch).
Here are the list of physical conditions prior to the fast:
yellow eyes, poor complexion (have dealt with adult acne as long I am not pregnant!), constant bloating (our joke was to rub my belly like there was a baby in there), fatigue, hives controlled with a nightly dose of Zyrtec, stomach cramps after eating, excessive belching, indigestion, heartburn, extreme mood imbalances, and one stinky skunk armpit (no deodorant could mask it).
Following will be quick notes that I jotted on a daily basis during the fast. My memory is very poor because I was barely even mentally present during the whole thing.
This is what I ate: Organic fresh pressed fruit and veggie juices (store bought, who in their right mind would make their own while on this thing?), mixed 3 times a day with a hemp protein powder and organic coconut creme. Any time I was in need of nourishment I drank juice straight. I also started putting organic coconut oil on my face before bed. My complexion is beginning to take on a new look and feel.
Day 1 Rough start! I heard my husband come home, so I fell on the floor in a broke sprawled out sort of way with my tongue hanging out. He walked in, saw me, stepped over me, and laughed as he said, "rough day?"
Day 2 I was so hungry I thought I would puke. Everything I did, I did nice and slow!
Day 3 Much better today! I feel like I might make it. I had company around lunch time. I never realized how much energy it takes to talk! I became very weak, shaky, chilled and sweaty during visit and had to down some juice.
Day 4 Bloated belly diminishing. Had a very late night, so exhausted I wanted to puke (I didn't throw up once, although I felt like it several times throughout the entirety). I fell asleep crying and wondered if I should be doing this at all.
Day 5 Toxins begin to release (you don't want to know how I know). Did pretty good until 4pm, thought of giving up. I spent the day rather lazy like (watched 2 movies), barely completed my homework with the little brain power I had. This was the first day I began waking at 530 and couldn't go back to sleep, I stayed in bed and rested though because my eyes and body didn't want to be as awake as my brain (which doesn't make sense now that I think about it. I didn't even have much brain to even have awake!)
Day 6 It's all down hill from here! I tortured myself by baking some cookies for my family. My stomach has shrunk considerably and can tolerate the lack of food much better.
Day 7 My flat stomach is back! I feel thin again. Attended church with better results than I anticipated. About an hour before ending I began to feel nauseated, chilled, weak, and shaky.
Day 8 My eyes are clearing quite nicely.
Day 9 My body has adjusted tremendously! Much more clarity of mind...FINALLY! Really sick of juice (especially the fruit ones, all I want are the straight veggie ones). Read about dry brushing helps eliminate toxins. First dry brushing experience. Afterward I massaged coconut oil from head to toe. My skin was so incredibly soft, smooth and even firmer! I will incorporate this into my nightly routine from here on out!
Day 10 Hallelujah! Food was all I could think about. I planned a menu and grocery list for the days following the fast. My mind is so active and clear, I even submitted homework in an intellectual manner!
I have been off allergy meds for 3 weeks. I experienced a couple tiny tolerable hives the day I noticed toxins releasing, other than that I have been hive free!
This morning I went to the grocery store and bought a cart full of fresh fruits and veggies to make vegetarian meals for the rest of the week (I bought as much organic as possible). Just after checking out and walking back to my car, I realized I was smiling (I don't typically walk around smiling so this was a new feeling for me). As I approached my car I smiled even more as I reflected on what could possibly make me smile out of the blue. Within my grocery bag were things I had never eaten before, yet were the only thing I wanted, things that warmed my heart and soul! Is it possible that FOOD could have such an impact on a person? I am here to tell you it is. For ten days I lived on water and juice. Sometimes food was all I could think about. Other times I was too exhausted to move, let alone think. As I thought about the recipe I was going to make for my first solid lunch and the preparation required, I smiled even more. I reflected on starving individuals who have no food to eat. I thought of how I felt, for a measly ten days, and my heart went out to those who are starving their entire lives. As I drove home I cried, literally tears of joy, for food! Glorious food! Never in my entire life have I longed to eat. I thought of people who starve themselves not out of lack of food but because of their self image (or for whatever other reasons one might have an eating disorder). My heart was surprisingly more full than my stomach possibly ever could be. When I returned home I went straight to my husband and said, "Words cannot describe how I feel!" He said, "That bad huh?" I replied, "No, that good!" That peaked his interest enough to put aside the complicated mathematical equations (that appeared to me as a foreign language) he had been slaving over for 4 hours. I held him and told him, with a tear in my eye, how happy I was to have food to eat! He said I was the cutest thing on the whole darn planet.
For the next hour, with gratitude and tender feelings, prepared a lunch I would be sharing with a new friend. Never before have I prepared a meal with such feelings! Each slice and dice was in gratitude! In addition to these surprising feelings, I was preparing food I had never dreamed of eating, let alone preparing! I was never a huge eater of veggies, however, veggies are not the only thing I am aloud to eat (transitioning back to solid food) for the next two days, it is the only thing I WANT to eat!
My lunch recipe:
black beans (just made in my new pressure cooker)
corn
tomato
avocado
cilantro (used to hate it, now I love it!)
green onion (hated, really like now!)
basil (never had fresh before, YUM!)
oil (wished I had the olive oil it called for, used canola instead)
lime
My first bite was not as delicious as I had hoped. HOWEVER, every bite there after was D-LISH! I grew to love it so much I brought the whole big bowl with me to munch on while I type! When my youngest got home from school (she is my veggie lover) she saw the bowl and began devouring it!
To end this lengthy post I want to say this: I believe everyone should do a ten day fast at some point in their lives! The physical benefits are not even fully known to me at this time. I do know that I feel better (physically, emotionally/spiritually, and mentally), I look better, and boy do I have a new appreciation! I liken my body right now to a shiny clean house. You all know what hard work goes into cleaning a house. When the house is clean you require everyone to take their shoes off at the door, no spills are allowed, and absolutely no clutter to be left lying around. I never want to dirty up my body again with junk food, fast food, bleached food, canned food, frozen food, or boxed food; pretty much everything located in the center isles of a grocery store!
Well, there you have it! My ten day fast!
Now, before I get into the day to day experiences I will attempt to explain why I did this in the first place. In 1997 I was single and living far from home all alone. I got very sick and didn't know what to do, so I saw a doctor and ingested my first antibiotics...ever! I didn't complete the whole prescription as counseled because, well, I was ignorant. A few months later I got sick again, worse than the last time. This sickness hung on me off and on for months there after. I happened to be living in an old apartment in North West New York at the time the 3 round hit. This particular apartment was, well, let's just say it was nasty. The bathroom was covered in black mold. Don't believe? When I moved in I thought the ceiling was painted black. I don't know what possessed me to not report the issue but none of the previous occupants seemed to mind so I ignored it as well. It was almost as if the mold was some sort of resident and no one wanted to kick it out. Long and painful story made short, I got even more sick. Hives morning, noon, and night plagued me. Nothing gave relief. I simply took the Benadryl to knock myself out, otherwise I was still covered in hives. These events in my life are not fond ones. I had never been so sick and uncomfortable in my life. Did I happen to mention I had an abscess tooth, food poisoning, and the recurring bronchitis at the same time? Ultimately my body was overloaded with toxins, and it has been that way ever since.
Just a couple weeks before I started the detox my husband turns to me with a book in hand and says with exaggerated enthusiastic sarcasm, "Listen to this! 'Retained debris in the colon leads to the absorption of toxins. Symptoms include mental confusion, depression, irritability, fatigue, gastrointestinal irregularities, and even allergic reaction such as hives" (Balch, 2000, p702). Doesn't that sound familiar?" I replied, "Ha ha ha, very funny, Yes it does". So, thanks to an ornery thoughtful husband, I began researching various ways to detox the body and came up with a colon cleanse kit by First Cleanse and the 10 day fast (which too can be found in Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Dr Balch).
Here are the list of physical conditions prior to the fast:
yellow eyes, poor complexion (have dealt with adult acne as long I am not pregnant!), constant bloating (our joke was to rub my belly like there was a baby in there), fatigue, hives controlled with a nightly dose of Zyrtec, stomach cramps after eating, excessive belching, indigestion, heartburn, extreme mood imbalances, and one stinky skunk armpit (no deodorant could mask it).
Following will be quick notes that I jotted on a daily basis during the fast. My memory is very poor because I was barely even mentally present during the whole thing.
This is what I ate: Organic fresh pressed fruit and veggie juices (store bought, who in their right mind would make their own while on this thing?), mixed 3 times a day with a hemp protein powder and organic coconut creme. Any time I was in need of nourishment I drank juice straight. I also started putting organic coconut oil on my face before bed. My complexion is beginning to take on a new look and feel.
Day 1 Rough start! I heard my husband come home, so I fell on the floor in a broke sprawled out sort of way with my tongue hanging out. He walked in, saw me, stepped over me, and laughed as he said, "rough day?"
Day 2 I was so hungry I thought I would puke. Everything I did, I did nice and slow!
Day 3 Much better today! I feel like I might make it. I had company around lunch time. I never realized how much energy it takes to talk! I became very weak, shaky, chilled and sweaty during visit and had to down some juice.
Day 4 Bloated belly diminishing. Had a very late night, so exhausted I wanted to puke (I didn't throw up once, although I felt like it several times throughout the entirety). I fell asleep crying and wondered if I should be doing this at all.
Day 5 Toxins begin to release (you don't want to know how I know). Did pretty good until 4pm, thought of giving up. I spent the day rather lazy like (watched 2 movies), barely completed my homework with the little brain power I had. This was the first day I began waking at 530 and couldn't go back to sleep, I stayed in bed and rested though because my eyes and body didn't want to be as awake as my brain (which doesn't make sense now that I think about it. I didn't even have much brain to even have awake!)
Day 6 It's all down hill from here! I tortured myself by baking some cookies for my family. My stomach has shrunk considerably and can tolerate the lack of food much better.
Day 7 My flat stomach is back! I feel thin again. Attended church with better results than I anticipated. About an hour before ending I began to feel nauseated, chilled, weak, and shaky.
Day 8 My eyes are clearing quite nicely.
Day 9 My body has adjusted tremendously! Much more clarity of mind...FINALLY! Really sick of juice (especially the fruit ones, all I want are the straight veggie ones). Read about dry brushing helps eliminate toxins. First dry brushing experience. Afterward I massaged coconut oil from head to toe. My skin was so incredibly soft, smooth and even firmer! I will incorporate this into my nightly routine from here on out!
Day 10 Hallelujah! Food was all I could think about. I planned a menu and grocery list for the days following the fast. My mind is so active and clear, I even submitted homework in an intellectual manner!
I have been off allergy meds for 3 weeks. I experienced a couple tiny tolerable hives the day I noticed toxins releasing, other than that I have been hive free!
This morning I went to the grocery store and bought a cart full of fresh fruits and veggies to make vegetarian meals for the rest of the week (I bought as much organic as possible). Just after checking out and walking back to my car, I realized I was smiling (I don't typically walk around smiling so this was a new feeling for me). As I approached my car I smiled even more as I reflected on what could possibly make me smile out of the blue. Within my grocery bag were things I had never eaten before, yet were the only thing I wanted, things that warmed my heart and soul! Is it possible that FOOD could have such an impact on a person? I am here to tell you it is. For ten days I lived on water and juice. Sometimes food was all I could think about. Other times I was too exhausted to move, let alone think. As I thought about the recipe I was going to make for my first solid lunch and the preparation required, I smiled even more. I reflected on starving individuals who have no food to eat. I thought of how I felt, for a measly ten days, and my heart went out to those who are starving their entire lives. As I drove home I cried, literally tears of joy, for food! Glorious food! Never in my entire life have I longed to eat. I thought of people who starve themselves not out of lack of food but because of their self image (or for whatever other reasons one might have an eating disorder). My heart was surprisingly more full than my stomach possibly ever could be. When I returned home I went straight to my husband and said, "Words cannot describe how I feel!" He said, "That bad huh?" I replied, "No, that good!" That peaked his interest enough to put aside the complicated mathematical equations (that appeared to me as a foreign language) he had been slaving over for 4 hours. I held him and told him, with a tear in my eye, how happy I was to have food to eat! He said I was the cutest thing on the whole darn planet.
For the next hour, with gratitude and tender feelings, prepared a lunch I would be sharing with a new friend. Never before have I prepared a meal with such feelings! Each slice and dice was in gratitude! In addition to these surprising feelings, I was preparing food I had never dreamed of eating, let alone preparing! I was never a huge eater of veggies, however, veggies are not the only thing I am aloud to eat (transitioning back to solid food) for the next two days, it is the only thing I WANT to eat!
My lunch recipe:
black beans (just made in my new pressure cooker)
corn
tomato
avocado
cilantro (used to hate it, now I love it!)
green onion (hated, really like now!)
basil (never had fresh before, YUM!)
oil (wished I had the olive oil it called for, used canola instead)
lime
My first bite was not as delicious as I had hoped. HOWEVER, every bite there after was D-LISH! I grew to love it so much I brought the whole big bowl with me to munch on while I type! When my youngest got home from school (she is my veggie lover) she saw the bowl and began devouring it!
To end this lengthy post I want to say this: I believe everyone should do a ten day fast at some point in their lives! The physical benefits are not even fully known to me at this time. I do know that I feel better (physically, emotionally/spiritually, and mentally), I look better, and boy do I have a new appreciation! I liken my body right now to a shiny clean house. You all know what hard work goes into cleaning a house. When the house is clean you require everyone to take their shoes off at the door, no spills are allowed, and absolutely no clutter to be left lying around. I never want to dirty up my body again with junk food, fast food, bleached food, canned food, frozen food, or boxed food; pretty much everything located in the center isles of a grocery store!
Well, there you have it! My ten day fast!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christmas Memory #2
The memory I want to share today is of very special quality and I share it with the world to bring a smile to a face and warmth to a heart. Sometimes memories are too precious to share the entirety, so just know as you read that there is much more and I give you only part.
Christmas time is a rather special holiday for my husband and me. It all began Christmas 1999...
For 2 whole months I was tortured over the thought of moving to a state that I found rather intimidating; Utah. My good friend Kevin lived there and I lived in Missouri. The two of us had gotten to know each other rather well and wanted to pursue "dating" and I decided to move closer (I say "dating" because you can't do too much of that states apart). I was invited for Christmas and spent one glorious week. I spent a good deal of the time hunting for jobs and apartments. I was overwhelmed and discouraged due to the reservations I had in regard to Utah in general. But Kevin was very supportive and encouraging all along the way.
On Christmas Eve we drove up to Salt Lake City where Kevin's mother and her family awaited meeting...Me! Can you imagine how I felt meeting all of these family members as a girlfriend trying to fit in? Kevin took me to the famous Temple Square to see the beautifully decorated grounds. He was however, not as enthusiastic and warm and bubbly as he usually was. I was really taken aback by this. He barely spoke a word the whole evening. He held my hand and continually had a far off look on his face. Suddenly out of no where I had this thought "He is going to ask me to marry him".
We walked all around the grounds and saw all sorts of love birds snuggled under trees, walking hand in hand, and I continued to have a strange feeling of distance between Kevin and I. Before I knew it we were back on a bus that would take us back to the truck at the parking garage. Did I mention there was silence the whole way? I began to wonder what I was doing there. Was I doing the right thing by moving to a state I dreaded, to be closer to a guy who barely spoke a word to me all night and acted incredibly awkward, and didn't even propose! I couldn't believe it. Wondering what was going through that boys mind drove me bonkers, which just caused me to withdraw. Which there was mistake number one, I should have not cared and not give it another thought. But I did, over and over and over.
We arrived back at his Grandmother's house where a lot more family awaited our return. There were games, food, laughter, and all sorts of excitement. Awkwardness dissipated and that bubbly energetic Kevin was back as if nothing were different. I felt a wave of relief and relaxed and enjoyed myself.
Christmas morning goodbyes were said and we make the lengthy drive back down to St George where more family awaited our arrival to open some gifts. The ride down was strange. It was a getting to know you session and the oddest questions were asked of me, which to all I answered agreeably.
Upon arrival at his house all his local family were gathered around to open some gifts. Everyone had gifts and laughs over secret jokes and I felt as if I was peeping in on a family tradition I should not have been part of. I squirmed and felt awkward until I was handed a gift at the end. A single priority envelope. I looked around nervously as all eyes were on me, accompanied by grins that seemed to be repressed.
A single invitation lied within the envelope. An invitation to go on a scavenger hunt beginning immediately. There were explicit instructions that I must follow to a T. Kevin's sister was my driver for the activity, I had to wear my very best outfit I had brought, and I must be quick. My heart was racing the entire time! I had never been part of anything so fantastic and exciting before. Coming from a state with zero creativity and dating a man from the most creative state in the country made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.
Each location I had to get to had a small gift and another clue. At one point my gift was surrounded by a small group of elderly folk trying to figure out what it is. When I approached my gift they all turned and said, "Oh this must be for you! The handsome young man who left this here was here just a moment ago". My heart leaped at the thought of him being just steps ahead of me. I wanted to run to him and thank him for the best day, the best gift I had ever been given. But there was more to come on the hunt and I could hardly wait to see what was next.
I had arrived at the final clue, the final destination. It was a place of very special and significant value. I could hardly contain myself as I walked amongst the beautiful grounds, my eyes continually searching for the final gift. My eyes fell upon my gift, Kevin standing under a tree, more handsome than ever. I walked up to him hugged him and thanked him for the most amazing gift. Tears of overwhelming joy were already filling me eyes, so when he said, "There is one more gift", I couldn't hold them back. I couldn't imagine being given more than he had already given me. But then he pulled out a tiny gray box.
Now, don't be upset, I am going to interrupt this fantastic tale to give you a little background to what I am about to think in regard to the tiny gray box.
Kevin had visited me for Thanksgiving just a month before and with him he had brought several tiny boxes. The first tiny box was a necklace given to me at a very special place in St Louis Missouri. The next tiny box was given to me atop the St Louis Arch, 3 rings made of different types of rock. (Which reminds me, the first gift on the scavenger hunt was a tiny white box and within was a ring made out of an old nail.)
Ok, back to this fabulous tale...
I said to myself, upon viewing the tiny gray box, "It's earrings. It's earrings. It's earrings!" As Kevin lowered down onto one knee and opened the tiny box my eyes fell upon the most precious ring of all accompanied with the words I had longed to hear since I was but just a small girl "Suzanna, Will you please marry me?" I stood in shock and wonderment, tears pushing against my eyelids but not quite falling, a smile so large I could no longer feel my face. As I held this amazing man in my arms and thought, "Is this for real? Someone please wake me now if I am dreaming!" Kevin said softly in my ear, "Is that a yes?"
Well, the rest is history! We were married in a very special place in St Louis Missouri where he first tortured me with a tiny box. I was quite pregnant for our second Christmas, and two Christmases after that our second daughter had arrived a month prior and we had a family of four only three years after the greatest day of my life!
Christmas time is a rather special holiday for my husband and me. It all began Christmas 1999...
For 2 whole months I was tortured over the thought of moving to a state that I found rather intimidating; Utah. My good friend Kevin lived there and I lived in Missouri. The two of us had gotten to know each other rather well and wanted to pursue "dating" and I decided to move closer (I say "dating" because you can't do too much of that states apart). I was invited for Christmas and spent one glorious week. I spent a good deal of the time hunting for jobs and apartments. I was overwhelmed and discouraged due to the reservations I had in regard to Utah in general. But Kevin was very supportive and encouraging all along the way.
On Christmas Eve we drove up to Salt Lake City where Kevin's mother and her family awaited meeting...Me! Can you imagine how I felt meeting all of these family members as a girlfriend trying to fit in? Kevin took me to the famous Temple Square to see the beautifully decorated grounds. He was however, not as enthusiastic and warm and bubbly as he usually was. I was really taken aback by this. He barely spoke a word the whole evening. He held my hand and continually had a far off look on his face. Suddenly out of no where I had this thought "He is going to ask me to marry him".
We walked all around the grounds and saw all sorts of love birds snuggled under trees, walking hand in hand, and I continued to have a strange feeling of distance between Kevin and I. Before I knew it we were back on a bus that would take us back to the truck at the parking garage. Did I mention there was silence the whole way? I began to wonder what I was doing there. Was I doing the right thing by moving to a state I dreaded, to be closer to a guy who barely spoke a word to me all night and acted incredibly awkward, and didn't even propose! I couldn't believe it. Wondering what was going through that boys mind drove me bonkers, which just caused me to withdraw. Which there was mistake number one, I should have not cared and not give it another thought. But I did, over and over and over.
We arrived back at his Grandmother's house where a lot more family awaited our return. There were games, food, laughter, and all sorts of excitement. Awkwardness dissipated and that bubbly energetic Kevin was back as if nothing were different. I felt a wave of relief and relaxed and enjoyed myself.
Christmas morning goodbyes were said and we make the lengthy drive back down to St George where more family awaited our arrival to open some gifts. The ride down was strange. It was a getting to know you session and the oddest questions were asked of me, which to all I answered agreeably.
Upon arrival at his house all his local family were gathered around to open some gifts. Everyone had gifts and laughs over secret jokes and I felt as if I was peeping in on a family tradition I should not have been part of. I squirmed and felt awkward until I was handed a gift at the end. A single priority envelope. I looked around nervously as all eyes were on me, accompanied by grins that seemed to be repressed.
A single invitation lied within the envelope. An invitation to go on a scavenger hunt beginning immediately. There were explicit instructions that I must follow to a T. Kevin's sister was my driver for the activity, I had to wear my very best outfit I had brought, and I must be quick. My heart was racing the entire time! I had never been part of anything so fantastic and exciting before. Coming from a state with zero creativity and dating a man from the most creative state in the country made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.
Each location I had to get to had a small gift and another clue. At one point my gift was surrounded by a small group of elderly folk trying to figure out what it is. When I approached my gift they all turned and said, "Oh this must be for you! The handsome young man who left this here was here just a moment ago". My heart leaped at the thought of him being just steps ahead of me. I wanted to run to him and thank him for the best day, the best gift I had ever been given. But there was more to come on the hunt and I could hardly wait to see what was next.
I had arrived at the final clue, the final destination. It was a place of very special and significant value. I could hardly contain myself as I walked amongst the beautiful grounds, my eyes continually searching for the final gift. My eyes fell upon my gift, Kevin standing under a tree, more handsome than ever. I walked up to him hugged him and thanked him for the most amazing gift. Tears of overwhelming joy were already filling me eyes, so when he said, "There is one more gift", I couldn't hold them back. I couldn't imagine being given more than he had already given me. But then he pulled out a tiny gray box.
Now, don't be upset, I am going to interrupt this fantastic tale to give you a little background to what I am about to think in regard to the tiny gray box.
Kevin had visited me for Thanksgiving just a month before and with him he had brought several tiny boxes. The first tiny box was a necklace given to me at a very special place in St Louis Missouri. The next tiny box was given to me atop the St Louis Arch, 3 rings made of different types of rock. (Which reminds me, the first gift on the scavenger hunt was a tiny white box and within was a ring made out of an old nail.)
Ok, back to this fabulous tale...
I said to myself, upon viewing the tiny gray box, "It's earrings. It's earrings. It's earrings!" As Kevin lowered down onto one knee and opened the tiny box my eyes fell upon the most precious ring of all accompanied with the words I had longed to hear since I was but just a small girl "Suzanna, Will you please marry me?" I stood in shock and wonderment, tears pushing against my eyelids but not quite falling, a smile so large I could no longer feel my face. As I held this amazing man in my arms and thought, "Is this for real? Someone please wake me now if I am dreaming!" Kevin said softly in my ear, "Is that a yes?"
Well, the rest is history! We were married in a very special place in St Louis Missouri where he first tortured me with a tiny box. I was quite pregnant for our second Christmas, and two Christmases after that our second daughter had arrived a month prior and we had a family of four only three years after the greatest day of my life!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Christmas Memory #1
One of my most heart warming, emotional times was the Christmas 1998. I was on a mission for my church in Niagara Fall New York. I had been away from family for just over a year and had been missing them tremendously. I had been forgotten the previous Christmas and received very little mail the entire year. So, as Christmas time approached yet again and my companion was receiving package after package and letters innumerable, I mentally and emotionally prepared myself for yet another year of silence. I did rather well hiding and covering up the pain inside, and immersed myself in giving, serving, and loving the people I served. It truly was a good holiday season and I was happy the Lord was blessing me with a cheerful attitude.
The countdown to Christmas day was fast approaching, the mailbox was checked multiple times a day, the door step thoroughly inspected for hidden packages the mail carrier may have delivered. And still nothing came. Christmas day came and nothing else. I was broken hearted and gave it my best to suck up the hurt inside. The day after Christmas after returning home from an appointment, low and behold there upon the door step was one single medium sized box. I stared at that box, I hugged the box, I caressed the box, and with childlike dreams wondered what could possible be inside.
With shaking hands and increased heart rate I slowly, and I might add with reluctance, opened the box. Immediately my eyes overflowed with tears, my heart was so full I could not speak. All I could do was sit and cry. Once I had gotten my composure I ever so gently reached into the box and removed the quilt made by my parents, sisters, brothers, and their children. Each square had a hand and a scripture. And right in the middle says, "Suzanna's Praying Hands". I wrapped the quilt around me and literally felt the love and prayers of my family who lived so far away.
To this day, this memory is one of my fondest. I shall never forget that Christmas! The Christmas I received and felt the love of my family.
(I had a pictures taken while opening the package and being wrapped in the quilt. I have looked everywhere for these photos and cannot find them anywhere! I am so downhearted right now, I had wanted to share that moment with you!)
The countdown to Christmas day was fast approaching, the mailbox was checked multiple times a day, the door step thoroughly inspected for hidden packages the mail carrier may have delivered. And still nothing came. Christmas day came and nothing else. I was broken hearted and gave it my best to suck up the hurt inside. The day after Christmas after returning home from an appointment, low and behold there upon the door step was one single medium sized box. I stared at that box, I hugged the box, I caressed the box, and with childlike dreams wondered what could possible be inside.
With shaking hands and increased heart rate I slowly, and I might add with reluctance, opened the box. Immediately my eyes overflowed with tears, my heart was so full I could not speak. All I could do was sit and cry. Once I had gotten my composure I ever so gently reached into the box and removed the quilt made by my parents, sisters, brothers, and their children. Each square had a hand and a scripture. And right in the middle says, "Suzanna's Praying Hands". I wrapped the quilt around me and literally felt the love and prayers of my family who lived so far away.
To this day, this memory is one of my fondest. I shall never forget that Christmas! The Christmas I received and felt the love of my family.
(I had a pictures taken while opening the package and being wrapped in the quilt. I have looked everywhere for these photos and cannot find them anywhere! I am so downhearted right now, I had wanted to share that moment with you!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)