Turtle Time

One of my favorite sweet treats is the combination of caramel, chocolate and pecans. You can put it on ice cream or as a stand alone as a turtle candy. And honestly, it doesn't get much better in my world. When I was a kid my mom used to make the caramel homemade. I am not quite as talented as she is so I am always looking for an easier way to capture the same great taste. This year I did. It isn't exactly a new recipe, but my friend Cheri and I used it this year to create my favorite treat. This is so simple it's something you literally can do with your kids even.

Turtles

a bag of Rolos and or Hershey Caramel Kisses

a bag of round pretzels

a bag of pecan halves

Preheat the oven to 300. On a wax paper lined cookie sheet, fill the sheet with pretzels evenly spaced  and place a piece of candy in the middle of the pretzel. Bake for 2 minutes. Remove the cookie sheet and place a pecan half on each treat and press lightly. Put the cookie sheet into the freezer to firm, just a few minutes. Remove and enjoy!! 

Christmas Treat #1

     I don't know about you and your family celebrate Christmas, but one of the memories from childhood that I have is of my mom and Aunt Sue making candies. And when I say "candies" I mean CANDIES. My mom made the BEST cherry cordials, buckeye balls, almond joy and mounds candy bars, caramel, fudge, and rock candy. They worked for days on these creations. If you've ever made homemade candies like this, you know the painstaking effort it takes to literally paint the molds, mix the fillings, tap, chill, and repeat. I remember the Christmas Eve tradition of listening to music, laughing, creating these goodies while tracking Santa Claus. I literally recall 1984 when, "Do They Know it's Christmastime?" played on the radio throughout the season and loving the moment it came on while we were working in the kitchen. I turned up the radio and made my mom listen to the words.  As I grew, they included me with as much as I was willing to do. One year, when my sister was old enough to "help", she reached her hand across the stove to grab something at the very moment that my mom was pouring the homemade caramel from the pot into a dish. It dripped on my sister's hand and burned it like plastic. She probably still has the scar.  As I've grown, I have discovered that I too enjoy gathering with a good friend and making candies. I am not much of a baker, so this is more up my alley.

     This year I decided that although I still want to make candies, I am changing the game plan just slightly. Instead of the tried and true traditional candies that my mom always made. I am going simple. 5 ingredients or less and little prep/creation time. I can't take credit for many of these recipes but I am happy to share what I have learned and found to be TISHtastic treats. Even if like me, you aren't a baker, you can handle these recipes. You really can!!! Get the kids involved. Or invite a friend over and split the batches you make together.

Today's recipe is for Triple Chocolate Cookie Truffles


1 3.5 oz instant chocolate pudding        1 pkg of Oreo cookies (hold back 4-5 cookies, crushed)
1 cup cold milk                                     1 lb dark chocolate melting chips (not the same as are in cookies)
                                                                    (white chocolate would also work)

Mix together in a bowl the pudding and milk. In your food processor (or the baggy and rolling pin method) crush cookies (hold out 4 cookies). Combine the pudding and cookie mixture and stir until a thick brownie consistency.  Use a small melon scoop (Yeah for my Pampered Chef tool) and scoop these on to a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Place in the freezer for about 15-20 mins in order to set firm.
While they are chilling, melt your chocolate for dipping. Dip each ball, place them back on the tray then sprinkle with the separated cookie crumbles. Put the tray back in the fridge and chill until set.

OOH It's so good!!!! Enjoy  
Let me know if you make any of the recipes I post and how you like them!

Sick

It's been said when momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Believe me, I am not going to argue the truth in that when it comes to our family, for sure. But further than "happy", I dare add in "sick".

I had taken care of issues during the day, ran errands, did a load of laundry and came home. In the afternoon, I just felt, well, blah! I know you have been there. I said to my hubby, "I just don't feel right." Kids started asking, "What's for dinner?"  Dinner?? Shoot! In all the running, I realized I hadn't planned for dinner. Suddenly I also started to process how I was really feeling. My husband asked if I was sick. Sick?? I don't get sick! What are you talking about?? That can't be! I mean, really, it's only an achy body, oh and chills, oh and a hot mouth, oh and burning eyes.WAIT! The thermometer will prove it! 99.5??  I shook the thermometer and checked it again. 100 After a 3rd consult, I had to admit defeat. 100 was the consensus. Albeit, slight..it was in fact a  FEVER!?!? WHAT?? I don't have time to have a fever!!! I have a household to take care of. I have to make dinner. But suddenly I don't have the energy to grip a spatula or pick up the gallon of milk. 

Hubby turns to me and says, "What would you like me to make for dinner?" No way! That's not his job! That's not necessary, he worked all day. "No, I'll get it." Now seriously, why moms?? Why do we feel the need to be SuperMom all the time? It's really not necessary, is it? I'll be really honest. The struggle didn't last long. I don't have the energy to fight it. Quickly rushing through my head what I have in the house that would be easy enough to "throw together". Chicken.. just get some chicken out of the freezer, put it in water with some salt and pepper. Make some mashed potatoes and cook some frozen corn. TADA dinner!!! So he did. He went right to the kitchen and made dinner. He and the kids sat at the table and ate together while I lay on the couch, unable to move. He then filled the dishwasher and ran it. Then he folded a load of laundry for me. He also made me tea and a sandwich later in the evening. He also made sure I had some Tylenol, tissues and lip balm. Did I mention to you that he had been not feeling all that great himself for the past few days?  

Now let me also acknowledge the fact that my kids are at an age that "self sufficiency" shouldn't be taken for granted. Fortunately, they shower themselves and prepare themselves for bed. They also do their homework on their own. But for the things that they still need parental help, I am eternally grateful that my husband is willing to step in and help a momma out!! Clearly he is aware of the above mentioned adage and doesn't want to deal with an unhappy momma! A sick momma is work enough! 

Doors

Have you ever considered the purpose of a door? Yes, a door. You shut it to keep something out or perhaps something in. You open it to allow access either way. The door provides protection, security and privacy. The doorway is a through way into something new. How many times have you heard, God never closes one door without opening another. ? Of course that means "opportunity". Look at it just a little deeper, opportunities are really blessings. They really are God's way of taking care and showing His love for us. He blesses us with opportunities. So imagine your home without doors. What would  you be missing? How would it be incomplete? How many doors are there in  your home which you can walk through? (I am not going to include closets, rather just rooms and exterior access)  So here is my challenge, for every door you have, name a blessing. I have 13 doors in my home, 5 exterior and 8 interior room doors.

1. Relationship with the only God who provides absolute truth and a perfect way for an imperfect person to enter into heaven then offering that way to me through the death and resurrection of His son. AMEN!

2. My first born... a beautiful, funny, smart, strong-willed and insightful miracle of a daughter.

3. My second born... a smart, funny, handsome, easy going, creative, joy of a son.

4. A hardworking, smart, funny, confident husband who loves me completely just the way that I am.

5. Friends who provide me with laughter, a shoulder, an ear, their time, support, encouragement and love. Not to mention an occasional couch or bed on which to sleep :) 

6. Freedom and those who have fought to provide it for me and my family

7. A nice home in which to raise my children

8. Electricity and all it provides and affords to me..

9. Education and the ability to have paid for it myself

10. The experiences both positive and negative, as well as people in my life who have made me into the person I have become

11. Sunsets, stars and moonlight.. sunrise and sunshine

12. The opportunity and ability to get up and start over when life doesn't go as planned

13. Forgiveness.. both the ability to extend and receive it into my life.

These, like doors in my home, are things that I can't imagine my life without.

I'm gonna love you through it...

A friend recently asked Why is it that so many people, Christians included, offer such trite and shallow responses when faced with difficulties? You've heard them. We've all said them. God won't give you more than  you can handle. You are stronger than you know. This will only make you stronger. What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger. It isn't like these things aren't true. But why is it that these are the things you always hear when life is hard? I mean isn't there something to offer that's deeper with more substance that we can offer? Something with more "verbs"? When we say things like If you need anything, just call. Do we really mean it? Or should we call them because we know they need it? What if what they needed was your time? Everyone's busy, but too busy? What if they need money, your possessions, your shoulder to cry on? Would they have it?

It seems to me that we answer these challenges with trite responses because the truth of the matter is, we don't take the time to really know and love each other. When Jesus was asked "Rabbi, what is the greatest commandment of all?" His response was NOT "Be sure to say the right thing" or "Be kind to one another". No, His response was much deeper than this. His response was to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. (Matt. 22:39) I Corin. 13 tells us that if we speak well with the right answers but don't love, it's like a resounding gong translation: Empty and meaningless words, If I have all the answers, but don't love, I am nothing. If I give all I have to the poor for my own gain, I gain nothing...see Love is patient, kind, doesn't envy, doesn't boast, isn't proud, isn't dishonoring or self seeking, isn't easily angered, and keeps no record of wrong. Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and always perseveres... Now these three remain: Faith, Hope, and LOVE. But the GREATEST of these is LOVE.


So that begs the question, do we love each other? It's difficult to respond to challenges in someone's life if we don't love them. How can we love them if we don't know them? How can we know them if we don't make the investment of TIME into their lives? I mean when we started dating our mate, we couldn't and wouldn't dare say we love them if we hadn't spent time dating and getting to know each other and investing in one another's life, right? Why isn't that the same with other relationships? Are we spending time to get to know our neighbors? Our co-workers? Our congregation? Our own family?

One of the struggles that I wrestle with is vulnerability. I don't see many people being raw and openly sharing their own struggles.So why should I? All too often I see people hurting one another and damaging friendships with gossip and backstabbing behaviors. Would people really love us if they knew our damaged, broken reality? If they take my struggles and twist them and share them with other people, why would I trust them? (more importantly, am I guilty of these sins?...OUCH)

 It's been said that people come in to our lives either for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. For a reason is often to meet a need or teach us something. A season is often to change us and mold us into who we need to be. A lifetime is just a pure gift. I've come to understand that a lifetime relationship is rare because it's so difficult to love and accept people for who they are. Often we try to change each other or expect people to fit a preconceived pattern or mold we set up. If they don't live life like we do, we easily dismiss them. If they don't see life the same way we do, dismissed. The ones in our lives with whom we both let down our guards, accept without pretense, and serve to meet one another's needs are the ones who often stay for a lifetime. We  have made the effort to invest and that makes the world of difference.

It takes time. It requires a commitment on both ends. It commands vulnerability and honesty. It demands that we accept people for who they are, just as they are. Martina McBride, a country singer, has a song dedicated to women who are blessed with loved ones supporting them through breast cancer. She sings, "When you are weak, I'll be strong. When you let go, I'll hold on. When you need to cry, I swear I'll be there to dry your eyes. When you feel lost and scared to death, like you can't take one more step just take my hand, together we can do it. I'm gonna love you through it." 


So I ask myself, how many people do I have in my life that when challenges come along, I respond with "I am here to love you through it?"  Am I willing to loan my possessions or give money without expecting it back?  Do I offer a room to the homeless? Do I make a call to a friend who is hurting just to say are you OK? Can I say in my heart "Because I know you need help, I'm here." See that response puts the responsibility on my me to help carry their burden...to in essence LOVE THEM "This will only make you stronger." although true, assumes no responsibility and offers no love in action.

Without time spent and investment made into one another's lives.. how can we love each other? How is it possible to carry out the greatest commandment in my faith.. to Love the Lord with all my heart and to love my neighbor as myself?

DVAM

October is widely known to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month and understand me when I say, women be aware... take care of you!! We have done a fantastic job in this country to bring awareness to such a needed issue. There was a day (just a mere two generations ago even) when we didn't mention breasts, and most certainly NOT in a public forum. We have broken that wall down and set ourselves free from the stigma that once came with our bodies and keeping them healthy.

 Which is why I am choosing to write about a much darker secret. One that has been kept for too many generations. One that if remains in the dark, like breast cancer, women and children will continue to die. Like breast cancer, it is no respecter of class, age, sex or religion.  Much like breast cancer, there are hereditary markers. That is, it is passed on from generation to generation. UNlike breast cancer however, the stigma is still great.Thankfully, like breast cancer, it too can be stopped. I'm talking about Domestic Violence. October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

Did you know that in the U.S. there are twice as many animal shelters as there are shelters for battered women? Did you know that 3-4 million women in the U.S. are beaten in their own homes each year by their husbands, ex-husbands, or male lovers? Did you know that a woman is beaten by her partner every 15 seconds in the U.S? 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. 25-45% of women who are battered, are battered during their pregnancy   These are STAGGERING statistics. And can you imagine that these statistics are likely low due to the fact that these are only what are reported. 

(true story)

*They were a young married couple. She was a mom of 3 small children, one of whom was from a previous marriage. There was a great deal of stress and loss within their family. And nobody really knew how to cope with what they were facing. She was raised in a strict home where she was taught that she was expected to "do what he says or else". He was raised in a home that said "my way or the highway. Too bad if you aren't old enough for the highway, I guess it's my way." They never expected they would end up continuing abusive cycles. He was born to an alcoholic and continued the cycle. She was taught to shut up and take it. So she did. One day she took the kids to the lake for a day out with family. He stayed home and choose to drown his misery and jealousy in his bottle. She came home later than he expected and the fight began. The children were present, as they always were. The oldest, the protector, attempted to shield the younger from witnessing what was likely to come. The oldest recalls the fight getting out of hand and becoming physical. The oldest vividly recalls him holding a loaded gun to their mom's head while shouting and foaming at the mouth. Fortunately, he did not shoot. (Sadly, that isn't always the case.) But the image will never leave. How could it? The children were too young to leave on their own and waited and hoped their mom would have the courage to save them. The violence wasn't always that bad, she would justify. He wouldn't actually pull the trigger. He didn't hit me this time. 

(true story)

* She saw the gun her husband was holding as he stood in the door of the kitchen. After years of intimidation and grief, she thought to herself  not this time, gun or no gun. She turned her back and walked towards the backdoor and asked herself  "where is the phone" just as she saw the cordless on the wall. She grabbed it just as she recounts smelling the gun powder and suddenly hearing the pop. She caught herself on the kitchen table as she realized she had been shot. It didn't hurt. She could breathe but realized something wasn't right. She told him "you shot me, call 911"  He didn't call, he was reloading. She proceeded to dial the phone but before she could dial the second 1, he grabbed it from her hand. "Oh no you don't." She didn't wait, she tried to get to the other phone in the house. But as she started to walk, she felt her knees go weak. The burning moved up her chest and into her throat. She attempted to get out the front door and yell, but her voice was merely a whisper. She begged and pleaded for him to call 911. She apologized for whatever she did wrong and promised never to do it again. He finally called ... she spent 8 days in ICU with 9 more days in regular care.

(true story)

*When she was just 16 years old, he stole her dignity, her self esteem, and her virtue. She thought since her mom would never allow her to talk to someone in person who was over the age of 18,  she would be safe because it was online. He said the sweetest things she believed he was who he said he was. They decided to meet. He looked normal. They dated for 3 months before he told her he loved her and proceeded to take away what was never meant to be his, her innocence. She was sure this was love. Then he hit her with a closed fist in her eye, face, and stomach. He told her she was fat, ugly and stupid. But then he kissed her again and told her he was sorry and wrong. This continued for 8 months. She finally got out. He moved on to someone else. She didn't move on so well. She started cutting herself and later became bulimic. She knew she wasn't good enough and probably never would be. She was devastated and damaged. 

The stories go on and on. Chances are, you know them all too well either from your own family or a close friend. If it has happened once, it will happen again, DON'T LET IT. 

If you or someone you love is being abused END THE SILENCE... GET HELP

1. Call 911, write down the incident report number and keep that safe

2. Seek medical help if necessary. Have injuries documented and photographed

3. Get to a safe place or shelter immediately 

4. Tell someone who cares and whom you trust

5. File a protective order, don't take it back! 

You can be a hero.. You can make a difference.  End the Silence on Domestic Violence! 

Vacations

Who doesn't love a great vacation? Who doesn't want to just get away. I mean it's the perfect time to take a break from the normal routine and focus on something different. It's really necessary for stamina and the ability to  just keep moving forward. Even God took a break when he finished creating the world, after all.  Because of our move, the kids are sorta obligated to spend their school breaks with their dad. Due to financial needs, Mark has been working more than usual. Needless to say, we have had to be creative in what and how we are "vacationing" this year. Part of my "creative" attempts to get through, I have actually been revisiting some previous vacations through pictures and stories. The kids and I have particularly enjoyed reminiscing over some funny stories and enjoyable memories. I enjoy making scrapbooks, particularly for this reason, they keep those memories and are always available for a jaunt down memory lane. (Although worthy of noting, college road trips and weekend getaways will be left for another blog.)

There's really no doubt why Disney World claims to be the Happiest Place On Earth. If you've ever been, I'm pretty sure you know what I mean. I've been 5 times (only 3 of which were actually with my children). You can't help but feel like the biggest kid in the world. I would know,  My home videos,complete with squeals, giggles and lots of excitement, prove that I can't even pretend that this isn't true. When my friend Chad had the opportunity to go himself (without his children, I might add) and see what all my previous excitement was about, I got crazy excited just to tell him how much fun he will actually have. While I was shopping at Wal Mart one evening, my phone rang. I answered, "Hello?"... to hear the response, "THIS IS THE GREATEST PLACE ON EARTH!" being shouted from the other end. He was calling me from inside It's a Small World, I believe. They are so good at what they do, they actually sell a book Be our Guest: A Guide to Customer Service.  It is required that no litter remain on the ground; if a scratch happens in any painted surface they will repaint it; they could be fired for not smiling and greeting everyone with cheerfulness. How could you not enjoy vacationing at a location that I am quite certain, in my opinion, pumps happy gas through the filtration system for its guests to breathe? Whether you have children or not, you simply have to experience Disney World (or I suppose even Land). For goodness sake, go!

A Carnival Cruise (I can't speak of any other cruise line) might be equally amazing, but for completely different reasons. The staff on these ships do a phenomenal  job too of keeping it clean and meeting customer needs. They really are there to serve your vacationing desires. Whether you take advantage of the on ship amenities i.e. pools, hot tubs, casinos, food.. OH THE FOOD!!, shows, dancing, games, or music.. or you further explore off ship excursions: shopping, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, fishing, site seeing.. gosh this list is just too long.. you will not be disappointed if this is your vacation option. In fact, you will likely find you are in need of a week's vacation from your vacation just to recoup and sleep. There's so much to do, it's nearly impossible to get everything done. I mentioned the food. Honestly, the amount of food on these ships is almost embarrassing, able to feed a small country. But the talent in preparing the food on the ships would be rivaled by most around the world. They literally sculpt statuesque figures out of food. The sites you have the opportunity to see will amaze you for a lifetime. Personally, I enjoyed my snorkeling trip and visit to Mayan Ruins in Cozumel, Mexico. If you get a chance, go!

Those are some price consuming options for vacation. Among my top favorite vacation spots are also rather inexpensive. I love the beach. I love the feel of the water rushing over my body. I love burying my feet in the cool crisp sand while the sun wraps it's warm rays around my body in a summer's hug. I can't deny that one of the best vacations I have ever experienced would be that of my honeymoon at the Most Beautiful Place in America. No it wasn't Hawaii, or the Grand Canyon, or Vale, or even San Diego, California. Instead it was right here in Michigan. Yes I said that, recently voted Most Beautiful Place in America by Good Morning America, Lake Michigan. We are blessed to be able to share a family place near Ludington, Mich. My husband and I spent time there on the beach, canoed down the Pere Marquette River, played at the sand dunes, visited Little Sable Lighthouse and climbed "The Project". We ate at great restaurants and shared some fabulous ice cream. We also drove up (past Lk Mich, I realize) and visited Mackinaw City and The Bridge. It's IMMENSELY obvious why Lake Michigan has been given such dubious distinctions! If you haven't been, go!

Some day, Lord willing, when we find ourselves in the retirement phase of life, I have one of two wishes for ways to spend  it. If we are able, I would love to either relocate permanently to Lake Michigan, having a cabin big enough to accommodate our family and friends for frequent visits. Or I have always said, I would love to buy a luxurious motor home and travel the world. My family loves to camp. I think it would be an amazing way to vacation and see the country all the while.

Some of our favorite family memories revolve around camping. We have done some serious hard core camping excursions i.e. sleeping in a wigwam and cooking all our food over an open pit fire and peeing only in a port-a-john and no showers for 3 days.. (yes, major props are due!) Most often, I will confess, we are comfortable in our modest trailer complete with electricity, heat, running water and a/c even. But our memories really have nothing to do with accommodations. More importantly, the times around the camp fire, the bike rides, time with friends, and usually some fireworks/sparklers fun remain in our scrapbooks and memories. We love our traditional (in fact our only one this year) trip to family camp in Vassar, Mich. Sometimes we trek off to a nearby campground just for an easy getaway. It never ceases to feel as though we are in a far off place. Last year, we camped at Sauder Village in nearby Archbold, Oh. They offer a unique interactive historical pioneer village to visit and explore along with your traditional camping amenities. We went in the fall while they offered harvest festivities complete with making your own caramel apples, pumpkin decorating,and  hay rides.  Also, if you camp, you can take advantage of the indoor pool!!  If you haven't tried camping anytime recently, go!

Of course, even though we haven't had the chance to really get away on any big vacations this year, we have made the time and resources this year work for us. We've camped, gone to some concerts, had picnics at the park, a quick trip to nearby Cedar Point among other memory making day activities. The year isn't complete and I do hope to get in a few more jaunts before it is over. The bottom line is, no matter your resources or preferences are get out and make memories. See something new. Do something fun. Experience something out there. It doesn't have to be expensive or lavish. It doesn't have to be a lot of work. I doesn't have to be far away. It just has to be something you like, something to make memories with your family. Just do it, go!