goals

I never make resolutions. ever. because I always break them. SO this year, they are called "goals" and are broken down into categories. Each category is further refined. For example, my "Personal Goals" include reading more purposefully.

X. Personal Goals
I. Be more purposeful in my reading this year
A. Read two books a month
1. Read one fiction book a month
2. Read one non-fiction/spiritual book a month

For January, I read "The Violets of March" as my fiction choice and am slooooooowly reading through Piper's "This Momentary Marriage" as my non-fiction selection. Honestly, without my goal in mind, I would've put it down after the first three pages. He's not really my kind of author. Quite repetitive and dry. But...I. Will. Finish. Just to check off January's goal ;-)

What's on your reading list for this year?

2012

I know that 2012 holds many new adventures for me and my family. Continuing to adjust to a new house. Adding a baby. Figuring out a new schedule and routine. Learning to lighten up (with myself and my family, mainly Isabel). Determining what priorities and goals I should focus on...phew, I'm exhausted just thinking about it all.

But I want Proverbs 31:25 to be my life verse.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."

How about you? Any life verses/quotes that you're going to use to keep you going?

honesty

Whether it's confessing to pulling her friend's hair, or claiming the stinky gas that eeked out, Isabel certainly is in a "brutally honest" stage. Today, as we were walking on the Ma and Pa Trail, we were talking about how quickly we'd get to the playground.

Me: "Since we're both running, we'll be there soon."
Isabel: "Mommy, I'm running. You're just walking."

Nothing gets past her.

oh the things

she says...yesterday, while driving in the car, Isabel politely interrupts a conversation to let me know

"When brother comes, and he bites your boobies, I will laugh!"

Um, I think she means when he's breastfeeding, she'll find it humorous?!

lost and found

Apparently, it's been 8 months since I've last blogged...perhaps it's the fact that we moved back to Maryland. Or found out we're expecting a baby boy in February. Or Isabel is a crazy, active toddler. Or all of the above. Let's go with that excuse.

To get back into the swing, I'm posting a simple recipe that Danielle Jones recommended.



Easy, creamy tomato soup

4 cups canned crushed tomatoes
12 fresh basil leaves
1 cup heavy cream (or half and half)
1 stick (1/4 lb) of unsalted butter
Salt to taste
¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper

Simmer tomatoes in saucepan for 30 minutes. Puree, with the basil leaves, in small batches, in blender or food processor, or use immersion blender. I swear by mine. Another great Christmas gift given to me by Miguel If you don't have one, go buy one. Now.

Return to saucepan and add cream, butter, salt and pepper while stirring over low heat. Garnish with basil leaves and serve with your favorite bread.

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.