Happy All Hallow's Eve

What a whirlwind of a weekend!  Saturday morning began with Cavett's baseball game at 10:15, in which Chick-Fil-A followed with Grandmama and Uncle Austin and Aunt Karen. 

Next, we made in to Cavett's school in time for my shift at the Cupcake Walk while Dad (a.k.a. The Cat in the Hat) and Grandmama escorted the kids around. 

Aside--Two weeks ago Cavett decided on Thing One and Thing Two.  Easy--fleece footy-pjs, some white felt and Uldene's blue swim cap from the 1960's.  Then, I found one more wig on the Internet.  The boys kept telling everyone that Dad was going to be Cat in the Hat.  So, on Friday afternoon with the mathematical skills of Stephen, we whipped up a hat and tie.

After the Cheatham Elementary Festival, we headed to Watter's Creek for the festival where Taylor, one of Cavett's little buddies was having his birthday party.  I thought it was a genius party!  Free and fun!  Petting Zoo, magician, tick-or-treating at the shops.  I was a little nervous about the crowds and loosing them, but after realizing that blue hair was easy to spot, I eased up a little bit. 

At 4, I was dropped off at our church festival to get ready for the Cookie Walk that I was in charge of.  I know, I stuck with one theme for the day on purpose.  I sent the boys and grandmama home to get a little rest before hitting one more party.  The day ended with happy faces and sugared teeth.  Stephen has renamed the weekend Cavity-ween. 

Sunday morning brought a nice break in the candy filled hype with a re-focus on the purpose and what All Saint's Day began as--a celebration of the life of those that have gone before.  It also brought a few harder questions from Cavett about the true meaning of Halloween and what it has turned into. 

We ended with a bit of trick-or-treating to our close-by friends and the neighborhood.  They were sufficiently worn out.  I'm glad this holiday is passed again and look forward to our new tradition for Thanksgiving beginning tomorrow.  Stay tuned!

Kitchen Concoction

Here's my latest easiest kitchen recipe.  Of course it is from my favorite recipe book, but I hadn't made it until a couple of weeks ago.  It's out of the vegetable section...need I say more.  But, really it works well as a vegetarian entree/casserole.  Stop and Smell the Rosemary by the Houston Junior is the end all be all of great showstoppers.  If only I could get my kids to try it, I know they'd like it.  Enjoy!

Tamale Pie

2 c. corn
1 c. chicken stock
1 c. masa harina (in the flour section at the grocery store)
1 can creamed corn
1 t. baking powder
2 T. melted butter

2 cans (15 oz.) black beans rinsed and drained
1 t. ground cumin
1 t. chili powder
1/4 t. garlic powder
pinch of cayenne
1/2 t. oregano
1/4 c. tomato paste
1 can (4.5 oz.) diced green chilies
8 oz. Cheddar cheese, shredded (2 c.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 7X11" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.  Puree corn briefly in a food processor.  Add creamed corn, stock, masa, baking powder, and butter and briefly pulse.  Set aside. 

Combine remaining ingredients, except cheese, in a large bowl and mix. 

Spread 2/3 of the corn mixture on the bottom of the baking dish.  Layer the bean mixture and cheese.  Top with remaining masa corn mixture.

Bake 1 hour.  Serve with salsa. 

Estimation

This afternoon we decided to estimate the number of pumpkin seeds that we scooped out of the pumpkin we carved over the weekend.  However, it wasn't all of them out of the pumpkin, because we used a couple handfuls for an art project. 

So, Cavett estimated 201.  We counted them out in groups of 10.  Once we got up to 200, he reassessed and decided, "ok, maybe 230."  He came close.  252 was the actual count. 

Comfort and Hope

Richard Hill and David Dent-
taken Oct. 6, 2002 at my Graduate Recital in Houston.

I am allowing myself one blog this year to remember those who left us last fall--Stephen's Dad (Richard) who passed away a year ago today, his grandmother (Uldene), my grandmother (Eleanor), grandfather (Bert) and my great aunt (Alice)--and 8 years ago my father (David). 

Death is a hard thing and it doesn't matter how you go.  If it is a quick, tragic event where you don't get to say good-bye such as a car accident or if it is a long drawn out cancer, it doesn't matter.  Death is death and there is no easy way to go. And, it's hard on all involved.

However, there is hope.  God has a plan.  He has a reason for everything.  Without this hope and view of such purpose, life and the passing of life is a sad experience. 

I Chronicles 29:15 says, "We are here for only a moment...Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope."  And it's true, we are only here for a blink of an eye in the grand scheme of time, but put here for a purpose.  Without hope it is a hollow, shallow, self-centered existence. 

Just look at Job and how many times the word "hope" is mentioned in his book--at least 18 times depending on the translation.  Psalms--full of hope.  Hope and faith are what bring us through the tough times.  And, those times will come no matter who you are.  This hope is what gives us purpose and to persevere no matter the circumstances. 

We have this hope because God has given us grace.  His grace is an undeserved favor, mercy rescuing us from our own destruction, because we are all sinners and fallen short of His glory.  We can't be made right by doing what the law commands, it just shows us how sin-filled we are. We don't earn grace by doing good deeds either. God gave his son, Jesus as a sacrifice for sin.  (Rom. 3:20-26, 4:16, and Eph. 2:8-9)  And, he conquered the grave.  Death has been defeated and those who put their trust in Him will have eternal life. (John 17:3 and I Cor. 15:56-57) 

This is the comfort and confirmation he gives us. 

Recently, again in choir practice I was reminded by the text of what it will be like.  We were singing Mack Wilberg's "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need."  It's a take on the 23 Psalm with beautiful words, text painting finely woven into the texture of the music accompanied by (every time I've done it) 2 flutes.  The last stanza was the one that really hit home, paralleling verse 6--"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." 

"Thy sure provision of my God attend me all my days.
O may thy house be mine abode and all my work be praise! 
There would I find a settled rest while others come and go,
No more a stranger, nor a guest, but like a child at home."

Our choir director, Phillip reminded most of us about what it feels like to come back home from college--to have that home cooked meal and love lavished on us by parents who have missed us--to feel like a child at home.  Through no fault of anyone, I haven't felt this on earth since the passing of Dadoo.  Mom doesn't live in the same house where I grew up (and I'm glad she doesn't.)  But when I "go home" I don't feel like a stranger or a guest, but I also don't feel "like a child at home."  My hope is that one day with my heavenly Father, I will feel that again.  Not a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home.

I know that Dadoo, Richard, Uldene, Alice, Gran and Granpaw feel that today.  They are settled in and feel that rest in the Lord.  Their work was all praise for Him and now they are at home.  I can't wait to have that feeling with my heavenly father and be reunited with those I love.

I have hope in my Lord, Jesus Christ.

Art: Picasso's Child Holding a Dove

The Good, the Bad

The Good:  This weekend we were blessed by a visit with our dear friends the Alexanders.  We immensely enjoyed the company,the conversation and the catching up.  Our kiddos did as well.  We were also able to celebrate our college friend, Sha-nay-nay's, Renee's birthday.

The Bad:  When we came home that evening, Anna went to check on Walker only to find that he had thrown up at some point.  Bless his heart, it didn't quit.  Unfortunately, this seems to be a trend when they visit.  Hopefully, it won't continue when we reconvene for Anna's birthday in Grand Saline next year. 

My Pumpkins

Yesterday's outing to a pumpkin patch.

Cool Fall Morning Bliss

This morning's adventure was in the kitchen--pumpkin pancakes.  I've been looking for a good kid-friendly recipe with pumpkin that wasn't a cookie or cake.  Cavett's class is having a pumpkin tasting next week and I volunteered to bring something in the non-cookie/cake genre.  Pancakes are on the verge, but I was also looking for something they would actually try.

Compared to some "make from scratch" pancake recipes, this one was pretty easy.  Be ready, these are not Reduced Fat Bisquick style.  Talk about yummy!

2 c. all purpose flour
8 T. packed brown sugar
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 t. pumpkin pie spice
1 2/3 c. buttermilk
1/2 of a can of pumpkin
3 large eggs
2 T. melted butter

Mix the first 6 ingredients in a large bowl and blend.  Whisk buttermilk, pumpkin, eggs and melted butter in a medium bowl until blended.  Add to dry ingredients and whisk until smooth.  Cook in a skillet on medium heat.  Serve with syrup. 

Although, Cavett complained at the start, he said he liked them ok and finished his plate of two.  Kendrick gobbled up two and asked for more.  Let's hear it for vitamin A!