funny?

Isabel has quite the temper. She's strong-willed. She's opinionated. She's stubborn. She's me...the other night she was having a tantrum over something silly. I was sitting on the floor next to her as she was screaming. She looked me right in the eyes and said, "Mommy I do NOT like you."

I had to laugh. Ok, I was a little hurt, but really, does she even know what that means?!

Yesterday, we went to my grandfather's for the first time since Miguel painted our bedrooms. I took Isabel into her PURPLE room. She got a huge smile and started giggling. Without skipping a beat she said, "But where's my PINK room?"

I knew it. I knew it. She'd never fall for the purple room. We're bribing her with pink accents. Because, honestly, who can handle an all-bubblegum-pink room?!

and another...

Yesterday, we had a bunch of errands to run. In one of the stores, I was trying on a dress. Isabel was in the fitting room with me. As I am getting ready to put the dress on, she screams, "Mommy why are you NAKIE?!"

excellent. Yes, lady in the stall next to me. I am nakie, indeed.

quiet

Haven't had much time (or many thoughts for that matter) to post here. But, thought a few Isabel funnies might tide me over until I have some time.

Isabel loves to take her shoes off in the car. I don't care. Go ahead. Not fighting that battle. Today, she says to me, "Mom, I'm taking my shoes off....my toes are freezin' hot!" Right concept, wrong adjective.

candy

My daughter makes me laugh. It's a good thing. or one of us would run away from home. We're in the throws of potty training, for real this time. This was her one-sided conversation with me this morning.

Isabel: "I need more candy."
(then immediately sits on the potty and goes pee-pee.)

pink

Like I've said before, my life has been invaded by pink. I'm more of a blue kinda gal, myself. oh well.

Today in children's church, we were singing, "Jesus loves the little children." Because we're delinquent parents, Isabel does not know this song. yet. So she was attempting to fake it. You know, sing the line a second behind everyone else, so it sounds like you know your stuff. We're going along as planned, singing...."all the children of the world. Red and yellow black and white..."

Isabel yells out, "AND PINK!"

Yes, Isabel. Jesus loves those little pink kids, too. Way to show the class that you really have NO clue.

our Savior, our Brother

Remember this, Christian, and let it comfort thee. However difficult and painful thy road, it is marked by the footsteps of thy Saviour; and even when thou reachest the dark valley of the shadow of death, and the deep waters of the swelling Jordan, thou wilt find his footprints there. In all places whithersoever we go, he has been our forerunner; each burden we have to carry, has once been laid on the shoulders of Immanuel.

“His way was much rougher and darker than mine Did Christ, my Lord, suffer, and shall I repine?”

Take courage! Royal feet have left a blood-red track upon the road, and consecrated the thorny path forever.

--From Morning and Evening, C.H. Spurgeon

peace

Morning by morning I wake up to find
the power and comfort of God's hand in mine.
Season by season I watch him amazed, in
awe of the mystery of his perfect ways

All I have need of his hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me

I can't remember a trial or a pain he did
not recycle to bring me gain. I can't
remember one single regret in serving
God only and trusting his hand

This is my anthem, this is my song, the
theme of the stories I've heard for so long.
God has been faithful, he will be again.
His loving compassion, it knows no end.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

reminder

incase you've forgotten.

Christmas Eating

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. if something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. as for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read these tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

traditions, take 3

Last one. promise. We only have a few traditions of our own.

#1 We tag our tree on Black Friday, then cut it down a week or so later. This ensures that we get a good tree ;-) But I really don't want it up for over a month.

#2 On Christmas Eve, Isabel gets to open one gifts--her Christmas PJs.

#3 We buy Isabel an ornament each year. We try to do something that represents her and her current fascinations. This year, her ornament is a......?

#4 We buy an ornament each year from our vacation spot. This year's ornament, is a.......?

Can anyone guess??? If you guess both correctly, I will package and deliver 4 gourmet cupcakes to you.

traditions, take 2

I love traditions and hope our family establishes many of our own. As a kid we

#3 Drove around Joppatowne after our church's Christmas Eve service to look at all the lights and luminaries. What a fun time together as a family, enjoying the decorated neighborhoods.

#4 Always put out milk and cookies for Santa, even though we KNEW Santa was our dad. And "Santa" always wrote us a note of thanks in return.

#5 Went to the Nutcracker with Granny. Usually, it was just me, because Sacha couldn't sit still. I got all dressed up, Granny would pick me up, and we'd drive into the city. I can still remember how magical it was sitting in those red velvet seats, watching the dancers, hearing the orchestra and feeling like there was nothing quite as amazing.

traditions

I have a horrible memory. I rarely remember what was said in an argument, so I fight horribly. I don't remember to put food away after dinner, so end up having to throw it away in the morning. And, I really do not have very many memories of my childhood. I wish I was joking. BUT, I figured I would *try* to share some of our family holiday traditions. Hopefully they are real, and not just a recreation of my barely-working-memory.

#1-We always did the chocolate advent calendars. You know, the ones that have horrible milk chocolate in them. You find the number, open the door, and choke down the candy? Well, my grandfather always made his own chocolate at Christmas time. So we received the best tasting, hand painted chocolates in our advent calendar. And usually a solid chocolate lollipop to go with it. and chocolate covered cherries.

#2-handmade everything. My mom was incredibly crafty, as were my grandmothers. And I wish I had've cared enough to learn their skills. We had cute little snowmen laying around. A felt advent calendar. Wonder if my dad still has it so I don't have to cut all those pieces out?! amazing cookies coming out the wazoooo. Cinnamon rolls every Christmas morning. stockings carefully beaded. Christmas cards stamped, embossed, and signed.

How about you? What traditions do you love from your childhood?

not in my kitchen

There are a few holiday cookies that I simply cannot handle: those jelly thumbprints. russian tea cakes. and even hard, flaky sugar cookies.

How about you? what is your least favorite Christmas cookie?

holiday icing

This is not a family tradition. nor is it a recipe I've even made before. BUT, this holiday, I am going to make two types of coffee-infused chocolate cupcakes with these icings:

Irish Cream Icing
1 pound confections sugar (4C)
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 to 4 tablespoons Baileys (or other Irish cream)

Cream butter. Add Irish cream and beat until combined. add sugar and beat until fluffy. If too thick, you can thin it with more Irish cream, water or milk, your choice.

Peppermint Buttercream Icing

1 stick butter, at room temperature
4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 to 3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup peppermint candy (about 7 peppermint sticks), finely crushed

Cream butter. Add peppermint candy (or save for later and sprinkle on top, like I"m going to do). Add confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons milk and peppermint extract. Beat until well incorporated. Increase speed and beat until fluffy. If too stiff, add more milk or water.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Ok, so this isn't exactly a holiday dessert. But we consider it a side dish, anyway. That's how we Tureks roll.

Ma's S.P.S.

• 2 cups crushed pretzels
• 3/4 cup melted butter
• 3 tablespoons sugar, plus 3/4 cup sugar (or sugar substitute; can reduce amount if desired)
  
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese (low fat)
  
• 1 (8-ounce) container whipped topping (low fat)
  
• 2 (3-ounce) packages strawberry gelatin dessert mix (sugar-free is fine)
  
• 2 cups boiling water
• 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen strawberries

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

For the crust, mix the pretzels, butter, and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Press this mixture into a 9 by 13-inch pan and bake for 7 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool.

In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and 3/4 cup of sugar. Fold in the whipped topping, and spread over the cooled crust. Refrigerate until well chilled.

In a small bowl, dissolve the gelatin in the boiling water, and allow to cool slightly. Add the strawberries, and pour over the cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate until serving time.

Holiday Baking

What would this blog be without a recipe or two?! So, the next few weeks, I am going to try and post some of my favorite family festive food recipes. and try not to use annoying alliteration. This week, in honor of my grannies, I will be posting two holiday classics passed down from them.

The first is a classic Lithuanian cookie called "Moon Cookies." As a kid, I was never fond of them. at all. then two years ago, I realized just how good they really are. amazing that adulthood brings about a more refined palate. Apparently, they are traditionally given to others as a token of generosity and thanks. Granny always gave them in a tin, with layers separated by wax paper.

Granny's Moon Cookies

6 oz. chocolate bits
½ cup English walnuts
¾ cup butter
7/8 cup of sugar
4 eggs, separated
1 3/8 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350º. Grease a 10x15x½-inch jelly roll pan. Grind chocolate bits and walnuts to a powder in a food processor or coffee grinder. Set aside.

Cream together butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add egg yolks, nuts and chocolate powder, mix.

In separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Carefully fold egg whites into the egg yolk mixture, then lightly fold in the flour (do not over mix). Spread batter evenly in the well-greased pan (batter will be about ¼–½-inch thick). Bake until lightly browned (10–15 minutes or when a toothpick comes out clean).

While cookies are baking, make the frosting

2 tablespoons butter
½ pound confectioners sugar
drops of rum (or vanilla extract if you prefer)
1 tablespoon milk, or more if needed

Cream butter and sugar together in a small bowl. Flavor with drops of extract or rum to taste. Add milk, using more if needed to make frosting creamy, but not runny. Set aside.

Spread frosting on warm cookies so frosting soaks in a bit, but forms a nice glaze. Cool completely. Use a thin-edged glass or deep 2¾-inch cutter, to cut crescent moon shapes. Start at one corner and cut one "full moon," then move over about ½-inch to cut a crescent moon. Continue until each row is finished.

thankful

Some thoughts on thanks.

Famine once we had,
But other things God gave us in full store,
As fish & ground-nuts, to supply our strait,
That we might learn on Providence to wait;
& know, by bread man lives not in his need,
But by each word that doth from God proceed,
But a while after plenty did come in,
From his hand only who doth pardon sin.
& all did flourish like the pleasant green,
Which in the joyful spring is to be seen.
- W. Bradford

Psalm 136
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.

2 years

Two years. As a teenager, those years seemed to crawl by. As a college student, the pace picked up. And now, as a wife and mother, I feel like I blinked and the last two years disappeared. It's amazing to look back and see the changes that 24 months have brought. A daughter. A lost job. A change in financial stability. A new job. A new church and new relationships. A summer at the beach. A loss of both Grannys. WOW. So much change.

Change. No more screaming at 3am (ok, every once in a while). No more poop blowouts (thank God!). No more bottles (and almost no more sippy cups). No more bouncers, swings, or exersaucers.

A lot of laughs. A lot of talking (is she ever quiet??). A lot of reading. A lot of pigtails. A lot of silly clothing choices. A lot of tickles. A lot of crayons and stickers.

I want to cherish this time, since I fear the next two years will disappear even faster. I love you Eesee Girl.

cooking

I like to cook, like to bake. but am famous for mishaps, both irredeemable and salvageable, in the kitchen. yesterday, for example--

**I forgot to put vanilla in my cake. Good thing it's carrot and you can't tell one bit.
**I ran out of foil, and needed to cover my dish for baking.
**I ran out of cinnamon mid-recipe so had to zest a cinnamon stick (does that even work?!).
**I am pretty sure that Miguel and Isabel have eaten more than their fare share of icing, so most likely, I will be short on that, too!
**My cake was too big for the fridge. I have no more room in the fridge and need to put in 2 lasagnas and a huge bowl of salsa. hmmm....can't fix that one!

How about you, any good kitchen antics of late?

all wet

To follow Danielle's example, I want to take a few minutes to reflect on all that I'm grateful for this week. I feel like I have been in a season of extended trial, hardship and anxiety. It would be easy for me to sit and examine every event, every relationship through that lens. I want to make sure that I am stepping back and seeing the good in even the simple. SO, here's proof that I can rejoice in the midst of suffering...er....a flooded basement:

1. A water leak that happened in the basement, so we don't have to worry about wet drywall.
2. A handy husband who quickly directed me in water clean-up.
3. An amazing aunt who drove 2 hours, just to drop off 3 huge fans and a dehumidifier.
4. The chance to purge (since we had to relocate just about everything, why not throw stuff away?!)
5. Realizing that my husband is incredibly calm under stress; I am not. What an example for me to follow.

What are you grateful for this week?