Glazed Cinnamon Scones

Welp...here it is Friday already.

My friend, (Girl Scout) Cookie Mom, asked me to email this recipe to her OVER two weeks ago, and I thought to myself, self, I bet a lot of your friends and readers would like this recipe.  You should blog it.  And then send the link to (GS)CM.

Yeah, well, the drier went on strike, the paint color was wrong, and this is the busiest week ever.  And did I mention the people will begin to arrive on Monday?  And the people....They're planning to stay.

Please forgive my silence, friends.

***********

Here's something I bet you didn't know.  Scones taste good.  Actually, scones taste better than good.  Scones taste incredible.  Seven out of 7 taste-testers agree.  And fight over who gets the last one. 

Here's another something I bet you didn't know.  Scones are easy to make.  I know!  Who would have thought?  Scones sound so fancy that they must be difficult, or at least time consuming, to make.  And guess what?  These ones taste like cinnamon rolls.  Without the hours and hours of prep.  It's just about 25 minutes from start to flaky, melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon goodness. 

You're welcome.

I adapted the recipe from here, and I'm gonna go ahead and use her picture because the last time I made these, they were gone before I remembered I was gonna blog about them.  Also?  Her pictures are prettier than mine.

 Yeah.  That's all that was left by the time I got the camera out.



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See?  Much nicer.  And might I just add that I am happy to see that I am not the only blogger in the world whose cookie sheets are less than pristine. 

 

I did make some changes to the recipe, though, so you can stick around here for that...

 

Glazed Cinnamon Scones

2 c. flour

2 T granulated sugar

2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t salt

1/2 c (1 stick) butter

1 egg, separated

3 T honey

1/3 c. buttermilk (or 1/3 c milk, mixed with 1/2 t lemon juice*)

 

Topping:

1 T light brown sugar

1 T granulated sugar

1/2-1 t ground cinnamon

 

Glaze:

1 c. powdered sugar

1/2 t vanilla

1 T milk

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Cut in butter** until crumbly.

 

Separate egg.  Set egg white aside.

 

In a separate bowl, mix egg yolk, honey, and buttermilk (I just mix these in the glass measuring cup I measure the milk into--no need to get another bowl dirty).  Add to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined.  The dough will be a bit crumbly.

 

Gently form dough into a ball and dump onto a greased cookie sheet.  Roll or pat out to half an inch thickness and ~8" diameter (or shape these in a 8" round cake pan, then dump onto the cookie sheet).  Cut into eight equally sized pieces, and pull each piece out a little so it's not touching the pieces next to it.

 

Whisk egg white until frothy and brush over the tops of the scones.  Mix topping ingredients together and sprinkle over egg-white brushed scones.

 

Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

 

Meanwhile, mix together glaze ingredients, adding a bit more milk if necessary.  Drizzle over the scones after they're baked.  Eat warm.

 

You may have noticed that this recipe is basically biscuits with cinnamon/sugar topping and glaze on them.  Yup.  Now you know the secret.  That's what scones are.  So much less intimidating now that you know that, right?

 

Enjoy!

 

* If you're using the milk/lemon juice mixture in place of buttermilk, mix the milk and lemon juice together before you do anything else--it needs a little bit of time to "activate" before adding to the recipe.

 

** I used cold butter in this recipe, since I the kids didn't want to wait for it to soften on the counter.  The cold butter really did a number on my pastry blender (next time I'll use table knives instead), but I think the butter being cold made the scones fluffier and oh-so-tender.  So it's up to you whether you want to let it soften or use it cold.  And yes, use real butter for this recipe.  Totally worth it.

 

 

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

I think my family's very favorite thing to eat for breakfast is cinnamon rolls.  Which is kind of a bummer, because cinnamon rolls, done right, take a long time to make.  Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your perspective, my boys actually prefer the cardboard-esque cinnamon-rolls-in-a-tube.  I kind of feel like a failure because of my kids' obvious lack of discernment when it comes to breakfast sweets.

I tell you this so you will know why I'm always on the lookout for things that taste like cinnamon rolls, but don't take as long to make as cinnamon rolls.

I don't even remember how I came across this recipe, but I knew immediately that I was going to have to try it.

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And so I did.  And we loved them.

 

You know how, with some recipes, you're kind of afraid to try them because they look complicated?  Yeah, that.  Don't let these intimidate you, my friends.  They are super easy, and so very worth it.

 

And just in case you're considering just making your favorite pancake batter recipe and swirling the cinnamon in, don't.  These sour cream pancakes are fluffy and delicious--the perfect compliment to the cinnamon filling.

 

 

To make these, you will need:

Cinnamon Sugar Filling

• 4 tablespoons of melted butter
• 1/4 cup of firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Pancakes

• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons of sugar
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1 cup of sour cream
• 1/4 cup of milk
• 4 tablespoons of melted butter
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

For instructions, visit Melissa over at No.2 Pencil.

Raising Boys by Design: a review

I recently read Raising Boys by Design: what the Bible and Brain Science Reveal About What Your Son Needs to Thrive by Gregory L. Jantz, PhD and Michael Gurian, which was provided to me through Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program for this review.

In Raising Boys by Design, authors Gregory Jantz and Michael Gurian explain what the Bible and brain science show boys need in order to thrive, offering a practical blueprint to help parents build a HERO--one who values honor Enterprise, Responsibility, and Originality.  This unique book combines brain research with timeless truths from the Bible to reveal the deepest needs shared by each boy while also offering ideas for honoring and developing the unique talents, personality and God-given design of your son, in particular.

I liked this book.  I found it so interesting that the latest scientific brain research into what developing boy brains need agrees with what the Bible has to say about raising boys to be men of faith.  The book touches on building character and self-discipline, protecting and supporting boys emotionally, developing healthy sexuality in boys, helping our sons do their best in school, the impact of technology, and rites of passage.  The authors emphasize that both moms and dads, with their unique perspectives, are important contributors to their sons' development.  Each chapter has a section at the end called "Next Steps," which guides readers in how to respond to what they just read.

Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah Press and Blogging for Books for providing this book to me free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

Did you like this review?  Please take a moment to rank it below.  As a thank you, you will be entered into a drawing to win a free copy of this book.

Jesus on Every Page by David Murray: A Review

I recently read Jesus on Every Page: 10 Simple Ways to Seek and Find Christ in the Old Testament by David Murray, which was sent to me by BookSneeze for this review.

In Jesus on Every Page, author David Murray explores 10 different ways to find Jesus in the Old Testament.  I think we've all experienced the apparent dichotomy of the Bible--the God of the Old Testament and the God of the new Testament seem to be so different, it's sometimes hard to believe that it's the same God.  Murray's premise is that the old and new testaments are not all that different, that in fact, the whole of the Old Testament is pointing toward Jesus the Christ, and that Jesus has been present from the very beginning of history and is indeed present throughout the entire Bible.

Murray begins by telling readers of his own journey to discovering Jesus in the Old Testament, before moving on to show what the Old Testament is all about according to Peter, Paul, John, and Jesus himself.  In part 2 of the book, Murray exposes 10 different specific examples of Old Testament scriptures and stories revealing Jesus.

I liked this book.  It really made me examine my attitudes about the Old Testament and the Bible in general.  I also found myself looking for Jesus, not just in the Old Testament, but in my daily life as well.  The book is well written and interesting, and includes a study guide in the back of the book, for individual use, or for use by small groups.  There is also a comprehensive subject index and scripture index, which makes this book useful as a reference work.

Thank you to BookSneeze for providing me a copy of this book, free of charge, in exchange for my honest review.

Shopping--Secret Agent Style

I can't remember when I first heard of Mystery Shopping, but it was a long time ago.  I thought it sounded like fun, but I also thought it sounded a little fishy.  I mean, companies actually pay people to anonymously go in and shop in their stores and give them feedback?  OK, now that I put it out there in print, it makes a lot of sense.  How else will they know what their employees are doing?

This summer, I signed up with a mystery shopping company, and in September, with a little bit of trepidation (how was I going to remember everything I was supposed to remember and comment on?  What if they figured out I was there under false pretenses?  More importantly, what if I couldn't find a parking spot?!), I set off for my first assignment.

It was so much fun!  And I was hooked.  Since then, I've signed up for a couple more companies, and done mystery shops at thrift stores, drug stores, a daycare center, shipping services, and restaurants.  I'm definitely not going to get rich mystery shopping, but it is a fun way to earn a little extra money.


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Sound like something you might be interested in?  Here's what you need to know:

1. Go with a reputable company.  How do you know it's legit?  Make sure it's listed with the Mystery Shopping Providers Association.  Another clue: you will never have to pay a fee to sign up with a legitimate mystery shopping company.

2. Yes, you do need to provide your Social Security number.  Mystery Shopping is a job.  You are an independent contractor, and as such, you do need to report your mystery shopping income and pay taxes on it.  Some companies will allow you to wait to provide your SSN, others require it before you can do any work for them.

3. Mystery shoppers need to have an eye for detail, a good memory, and good written communication skills.  Yes, it's a lot of fun mystery shopping, but clients take these reports very seriously, and, as a mystery shopper, so should you--this isn't something you should just do on a whim.  There are lots of details that need to be assessed and recorded, and your reports need to be well written and professional.  I might spend 15-20 minutes in a store doing the shop, and another 30-45 minutes writing my report.

4. Yes, mystery shopping makes a difference.  As I said, clients take mystery shopping reports very seriously.  I did a series of internet inquiry mystery shops, and discovered a flaw in the client's system.  As a result, the client is fixing the flaw to make their customer experience better.

Click here for more general information about mystery shopping.

Still interested?  I do most of my shopping for BestMark and Bare International.  In fact, so far, I've done all of my shopping for BestMark and Bare International.  Check it out.

P.S. If you sign up for BestMark, please enter my shopper ID (WI9625) when the application asks who referred you--I might get a little one time referral fee, depending on the types of shops you choose to do.  They are especially looking for Chevy or Buick/GMC owners with between 4,000 and 100,000 miles.

Disarray

You may have noticed from the above picture that our bedroom is in a bit of disarray, with furniture pulled away from the walls like so many islands in a carpeted sea. 

This is one of the things that I wanted to tell you, but haven't gotten around to until now.  See, we've lived in this house for almost 8 years now.  And up until a few weeks ago, we had a huge mirrored headboard in our bedroom.  It drove me nuts because 1. we couldn't have it up against the wall because of the location of the heating vents and 2. it partially obscured both of the windows on that wall.

So now you know why I've been so ca-raazy the past 7 years.

OK, maybe we can't blame that on the headboard.

Anyway, it really bothered me, and now that I have all this time on my hands when the kids are in school, (hey look, I managed to say that without giggling uncontrollably or being struck by lightening) I decided to do something about it.

We sold the headboard, and I'm making a new one.  But first, we decided to paint.

So our bedroom is in disarray.  Paint goes on the walls starting today.  Yay.

But here's the other thing.  Our drier decided to go on strike.

Ask me how I know.

That's right.  I found out that our drier had demands after I stuck a full load of clean, but wet, laundry in it.  Bummers.

However, there is an upside to this situation.  I've started a new decorating trend.  I really think it's going to catch on.  This is going to be the hot, must have accessory for winter.  I give you...

The underwear valance.

You're welcome.

Help for Hills

I lift up my eyes to the hills.

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

I love these verses from Psalm 121.  They've been some of my favorites ever since I discovered them on a mission trip years ago.  Some translations say "mountains" instead of "hills", and I have always loved mountains.  Seeing mountains reminds me of God's power and my insignificance.  Mountains have always meant peace and comfort and that God is bigger--so much bigger--than any trials that could come my way.

I saw these verses as a reminder that God's there to help.  In kind of a vague, here's-a-resource-for-you kind of way.  And if I ever needed that reminder, I could look at some mountains.  Conveniently, I have a picture of mountains in my living room.

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But today?  Today I read with new eyes.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.

I have a couple of friends who are going through difficult seasons in their lives.  No, not just difficult.  I don't even have the words to describe their struggles.  These women are facing hills.  Steep hills.  Mountains.  Obstacles so vast that it is impossible to see over or around or through them.  They are staring up at these hills and wondering how they will ever climb up and over and through to the other side.  They are wondering if they will survive.

My friends are facing impossible situations.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.  Where does my help come from?

You know how, when a trial first comes upon you, you put your head down and start powering through?  Oh, you might sit around for a while moaning about it, but you're fresh.  You can do this.  You can do anything for a short time.  And you get right to it.  Maybe even cheerfully, because the situation gives you a sense of purpose--something on which to focus.

But then it starts to get old.  You get worn out, weary.  The end of this struggle, which you thought was in sight, turns out to be just a mirage.  The freshness, the faith with which you entered this season, has been replaced by fatigue and doubt, as trouble drags on and on.  My friends need help.  Real help.  Now.

Where does my help come from?

And that's just it. 

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

God.  God is just waiting to carry us through.  When we're at the very end of ourselves, when we cannot take even one more step, God will pick us up and somehow, some holy and mysterious way, give us strength for the next day, or the next hour, or sometimes, even just the very next minute.

Our help comes from the LORD, the Maker of hills and mountains, of ocean and sky.  The Maker of...us.  If anyone knows how to get us over and around and through the obstacles in our paths, it's the Maker of heaven and earth.

Don't you just love it when you suddenly understand an old favorite Bible verse in a new way?

I look ahead of me and I see impossible obstacles in my path. 

How will I ever get through to the other side? 

Will I get through to the other side? 

 I can't do this on my own. 

Who will help me?  Who can help me? 

The LORD God, who made everything, will help me. 

God knows just how to conquer this obstacle. 

God will provide stable footholds for me and will not let me fall. 

 God will watch over me diligently as I am walking this path,

not looking away, not getting distracted, not even resting,

as the LORD protects me and guides me on this journey. 

And this isn't just a short term thing--nope--God will see me through this hardship,

 and over each and every obstacle that comes my way,

for my whole life.

Psalm 121 (my paraphrase)

Amen

The Secret to Crispy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

I'm gonna let you in on a little secret that will change your life.

OK, maybe not your life, but this secret will definitely change the way you roast pumpkin seeds.

Oh, you don't roast pumpkin seeds, you say?  Well, you're going to want to start, because these are so yummy.

And yes, I know.  It's kind of hard to find pumpkins right now, today, on the 7th of November, but all of you who bought pumpkins intending to carve them for Hallowe'en but never got around to it?  You're going to be glad you're a pumpkin procrastinator today.

I've roasted pumpkin seeds.  They've been pretty good, but I've never really liked the texture--a little too chewy.  These pumpkin seeds are just over the top crunchy perfection.

Here's what you've gotta do.  Boil the pumpkin seeds before you roast them!

I know!  Crazy, right? 

I came across this tip online and I was super skeptical.  I mean, really!  How in the world is getting the seeds wet going to help them be crispy?

But I tried it, and it worked.  Apparently, boiling the seeds makes them easier to digest as well.

Here it is, step by step:

1. Separate the seeds from the pulp and wash them.  Tedious, but worthwhile.
2. Boil the seeds.  Place the seeds in a pot of salted water--I used about 1 tsp of salt in about a quart of water.  Bring to a boil and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.  Then drain and pat dry.  They don't have to be bone dry, so don't stress over this step--just pat 'em dry and move on.
3. Place the seeds on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil (I bet coconut oil would be terrific too).  Massage the oil into the seeds so that they're all covered--I used about 1 tsp of olive oil for about 1.5 c. of seeds--and spread into a single layer.  Sprinkle with whatever seasonings you like--I just used a generous sprinkle of salt. 
4. Bake in a 325* oven for about 20 minutes, stirring after about 10 minutes and checking carefully from about 15 minutes on.  Careful not to overcook!  The inner seed cooks faster than the outer shell, so they might be done before they look done.

That's it!  Try it, my friends.  You will be treated to the yummiest pumpkin seeds ever.

So many things to tell you...

...so little time.

Crazy, how time trickles away, isn't it?  November already.  Yowza.

I have so many things I want to share with you, but somehow other responsibilities keep filling my days and smooshing blogging over into a neglected corner of my brain.  You know, where even the spiders are afraid to go because of what might be lurking over there.  At this point, so much has happened since the last time we spent time together that I don't think I'll ever catch up.

But!  A journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step.  Or a series of 100 blog posts begins with just one word, so...

I'll start with this:

Bubby was out before the school bus this morning, shoveling our first measurable snowfall of the season.  And yes, that is our old faithful shovel, still with us two years later, at the beginning of a new snowy season.

 

 

When we came out here to look for a house, we left our then-kindergartner, AKD, and his younger brother home with a family friend.  We asked him what we should look for in a house, and AKD's one requirement was a sledding hill.  We moved in to our present home in February, and that first winter AKD, MC, and I sledded on our property every day after school.

 

Today, our current kindergartner wanted to sled in the freshly fallen snow.  Knowing the snow would most likely be melted by the time he returned from school, I got the boy a sled (at great personal peril) and he joyfully abandoned the shoveling to slide down the hill in front of our house several times before the bus arrived to whisk him off to school.

 

What joy, what peace there is in this white blanket covering the earth.  It makes everything new.

 

Bask in the newness today, my friends. 

Apple Strudel Muffins

Oh yes, it's time for another yummy recipe!  You're welcome, my friends.

I had these the other day at a friend's house, and they were so yummy, I just had to get the recipe.  I made my own batch the very next day, and they were gone within hours.  These muffins are moist and cake-like, with just enough spice in the batter and a yummy crisp topping.  What a yummy way to get a fun and comforting taste of the season.

Apple Strudel Muffins

(adapted from here)

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 c. all purpose flour
• 1 t baking powder
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1 t ground cinnamon
• 1/2 t ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/2 c butter, softened
• 1/2 c granulated sugar
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 1 c grated apples + 1 c chopped apples
• 2 heaping T applesauce

Topping:

• 1/3 c packed brown sugar
• 1 T all purpose flour
• 1/8 t ground cinnamon
• 1 T butter

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Grease a 12 cup muffin pan.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together dry ingredients.
3. In a large bowl, beat together 1/2 c butter, 1/2 c granulated sugar, 1/2 c brown sugar, and eggs until smooth.  Mix in vanilla.  Stir in apples and applesauce.
4. Gradually blend the dry mixture into the wet mixture.  Spoon into prepared muffin pan.
5. In a small bowl, mix 1/3 c brown sugar, 1 T flour, and 1/8 t cinnamon.  Cut in 1 T butter until mixture is like course crumbs.  Sprinkle over tops of mixture in muffin pan.
6. Bake 20 minutes in preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.  Allow to sit for 5 minutes before removing from pan.  Cool on a wire rack, or eat warm. 

Delicious!  Enjoy :)

Tuesday's Tip--Ask for a Discount

I bought some smelly markers the other day. 

Let's just pause here while I bask in your envy.

I have always wanted smelly markers.  You want some, too, don't you?

AKD is doing a chromatography experiment, comparing different types of black inks, and this gave me the perfect excuse to indulge in my childhood fantasy of owning smelly markers.  We're using the black for AKD's experiment, and then giving the package to Bubby for his birthday in a few weeks.  So there are smelly markers in my house.  Win-win-win.

The chromatography markers, including Mr. Licorice Smelly Marker on the left

I went to the teacher supply store, giddy with anticipation at the prospect of having 24-7 access to my very own package of smelly markers.  They were $10 for the package of 12--totally worth it, considering they're the fulfillment of a lifetime of wishes--but you know my mantra.  Why pay full price if you don't have to (and you very rarely have to)?

So I asked for a discount.  I asked if they had any coupons or specials that I could use for the markers.

And they did!  A text coupon good for 15% off was expiring that day.  And even though my phone can't receive text offers (I don't know why, and I'm really torn up about it), they gave me the discount anyway.  AND gave me a free reusable shopping bag just for trying to sign up.

It never hurts to ask, my friends.  So often, there are offers available, and the cashiers or wait staff or front desk people don't think to offer unless we ask.  So ask.  Always ask.

Want some?  Only $7 on Amazon with free super saver shipping on orders over $25, or sign up for a free 30 day trial of Amazon Prime for free 2 day shipping on thousands of items.

 

This post contains affiliate links.  Click here for my disclosure.

Oh, the Horror! (turned out to be not so bad)

Monday, I went on a field trip with my oldest son. 

It has been 4 years since I've been able to go on a field trip with him, and believe me friends, when your teenager tells you he wants you to go on a field trip with him, and you are able to go, you go.  Can't be too many more opportunities for that kind of thing on the way.  I mean, do they even go on field trips in high school?

I have a confession to make.  Middle schoolers kind of intimidate me.  OK, middle schoolers do more than "kind of" intimidate me.  They're hormone-crazed.  And have poor impulse control.  And many of them are bigger than me.  And they're loud.  And terribly judgmental.  I mean, they're OK in small groups, but middle schoolers on a large scale?  No need for Halloween scariness--teenagers are scary enough.

So I was kind of scared.  I didn't really want to go.  I mean, I wanted to go, because I wanted to spend time with my baby and support his education and all that, but the middle schoolers!  They were going to be there, too.  In large quantities.  The last time I spent any time with that group, I was thankful to get out alive.  Seriously. It was touch and go there for a while--my survival was in doubt.

But I summoned my courage and bright and early AKD and I set off for school together.

There were hoards of 8th graders everywhere: a huge mass of perpetually moving teenagers with hormone-drenched brains, who kept talking louder and louder, as far as the eye could see.  I felt such compassion for those poor souls who were just trying to have a nice picnic lunch with their loved ones at the beach.  Imagine trying to carve out a peaceful patch of real estate on which to picnic with more than 400 8th graders milling about.

I had a great time, and learned some stuff, too, amazingly enough.  I'm so glad I didn't let my fears determine my path on this day.  And guess what!  Those scary teenagers were actually pretty good kids.  Loud...hormone-crazed...impulsive...good...kids, just trying to figure out who they're going to be in this world, just wanting to be valued and loved.

And no, I am not going to run out and get my teaching license so I can hang with middle schoolers All. The. Times.  Baby steps, people.

Broken...together

We're all broken.

I sat with a group of women today and realized (again) that we all have unseen struggles.  I never would have realized, just looking at them, at us.  We look so...together.  Most of us had showered, some even put on make-up, we were all dressed.  We smiled and nodded.

But it's an illusion.  You know, kind of how nothing is really solid because it's made up of atoms, which are made up of mostly empty space with some particles moving around?  An illusion.

We are all broken.  But God, in His mercy, has given us each other.  We were not meant to navigate through this life alone. 

The LORD God said,

"It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him...."

Genesis 2:18 (NET Bible)

 What a blessing it is to be able to share our brokenness: our fears, our hurts, our insecurities, our pain, our shortcomings...because in the sharing they become lighter--easier to bear. 

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated,

but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.

Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)

Have you ever thought of those struggles as attacking and defeating?  This is truth, my friends.  We are under attack and in danger of defeat.  Together, we will not be defeated...by any of it: fears, hurts, insecurities, pain, shortcomings.  Together we conquer; together we overcome.

We are all broken.  Every. One.  But in the sharing, through grace, we are made whole.

For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.

Matthew 18:20

Love you, sisters.  Thank you.

*What* was I thinking?

Holymoly, my friends.  What was I thinking?  This is completely the opposite of what I meant when I said that one of my 5 priorities is rest.  Yikes.

Looking over my schedule for the next few days, if I wasn't already tired, I would be tired just looking at it.  I can't even handle my every-day regular schedule, and here all of these extra things have crept stealthily on to my calendar.

Just goes to show, I guess, how easily the busy-ness can sneak up upon a person.  A field trip here, an assignment there, a book fair in the middle...throw added parental responsibilities in, and POW.  Craziness ensues.  It's all good, but it's too much.

Yup, shows how incipient busy-ness can be, and how vigilant we need to be in using priorities to filter possibilities.

Well, after this week--if I survive--I shall once more commence rigorously routing my choices through the filter of my priorities.

Pray for me, people, on both accounts.

Look up

Whew!  Am I tired.  I'm not sure if it's still the getting-into-the-school-routine tiredness or the trying-to-figure-out-who-I-want-to-be tiredness, or the I-should-be-able-to-do-it-all-because-I-have-7- hours-without-kids-each-day attitude that continues to prompt me to actually attempt to do All The Things (that still persists, despite my attempts to convince myself it's a lie), but I am exhausted.  So tired.  Physically, emotionally, you name it, I'm that kind of tired.  Yes, even now, after a full night's sleep, at not even 9 o'clock in the morning.

 

Why am I so tired?  I mean, so and so works full time, shuttles her children to music lessons and sports, feeds them, helps them with their homework, gets them off to bed, and then straightens up the house.  She doesn't look tired.  Not at all.

 

That other person, she's going through a divorce.  She's working part time to afford attorney fees, parenting solo, and keeping her kids well-adjusted and happy, and her home spotless.  She doesn't look tired.

 

Well, and then there's the person who's on multiple committees, even chairs two of them, is painting and redecorating her house in her spare time by herself, and still has time to connect with her children after school every day in between driving them to activities.  She doesn't look tired.

 

Oh yeah, and what about the person who is president of the PTA, works full time, has 4 kids in activities, AND works out 2 hours a day.  She doesn't look tired at all.

 

Don't even get me started on moms who homeschool many children of all different ages.  How?

 

And then there's me.  I don't work (for pay) full time.  I can barely deal with the kids' homework--I fact, there are many nights when a certain child and I are both in tears over it, and I routinely ignore the kindergartner's homework because it doesn't have to be turned in.  The house is...well, OK, but could use a good deep cleaning.  I avoid committees like the plague. I don't have a baby keeping me up nights.  I have hours and hours of kid-free time every week, and all I have to do during that time is keep the house running.

 

And I am so tired.  What is wrong with me?

 

Well, I'll tell you what my problem is. 

 

My problem is, I'm still looking around instead of looking up.  I'm still comparing my intimate knowledge of my imperfections with the outside packaging of others.

 

How many times am I going to have to learn this lesson?

 

I am not the person who has a full time job, 4 kids in multiple activities, and a perfect house.  I am not the person who is parenting solo.  I am not the person on multiple committees.

 

I am not them.  I am me.  And I am tired.  And they probably are, too.  But that's irrelevant.  Me being tired means I need to rest more.  It doesn't mean that I am less than.  It doesn't mean I am more than.  It just is.

 

Look up, my friends.

 

***********

 

*And because I know you love me...

Yes, I know that my tiredness could be due to some medical cause, and yes, I will talk to my doctor about it at my annual exam that's coming up in a few weeks.  The tiredness is not the point, my friends.  The point is that I/we/all of us need to be vigilant in looking to God, not others, for our justification.  In every area of life, even this one.

People pleasing or God-honoring?

I'm a people pleaser. 

By "people pleaser" I mean that I want people to like me.  How about you?  Do you want people to like you?  Sure you do.  We all do.  Humans are social creatures.  We depend on each other, and life is so much easier to navigate when we're liked.

In my life, there is a person that I want to like me.  And so I try to do everything that is expected of me in the context of this relationship.  It's nothing dangerous or immoral or even all that difficult.  The problem is the expectations are mostly unspoken.  And sometimes I don't even realize they're there.

But I try so hard, so very hard, to meet the needs of this person within the context of our relationship.  Because I want him or her to like me.

It all came to a crisis point several months ago, as I was trying so, so hard to meet all of those, mostly unspoken, expectations.  I was doing everything I could to please.  And I thought I was doing well, I really did.  And then I found out I wasn't.  I found out that once again I was falling short in the eyes of this person.

I was devastated.  Devastated.  I shed many heart-wrenching tears that night, and I poured out my heart to God.  Why, God?  Why can I never measure up?  Why do I always fall short?

And that's when I realized that I was never going to measure up in their eyes.  Seriously, how can I measure up, how can I meet their needs, when they won't tell me what they want from me?  And that realization, that I will never measure up, was actually quite freeing.

I thought back over the time we had spent together.   Had I done everything that was asked of me?  Yes, and more.  Had I kept the lines of communication open so that this person could verbalize their needs?  Yes.  Had I done everything I could?  Yes.  Was I an ambassador of God's love and light to this person? Yes.  Were my thoughts, words, and actions God-honoring?  Yes.  Well, at least until I decided to throw myself a pity party because my efforts had, once again, fallen short.

And that's when my second realization came.  I needed to stop trying to please this person and instead seek to please God within the context of our relationship.  I will never measure up in this person's eyes, but he or she is not the one sitting in judgment of me.  It's God's measuring stick that I need to be concerned with. 

I want to encourage you this morning, my friends.  There are probably people in your life to whom you will always be a bit of a disappointment.  There are probably people in your life whose needs you will never quite be able to meet.  I urge you, friends, to switch your focus.  Stop trying to live up to expectations you will never meet; stop trying to please people. Instead focus on pleasing God in the context of that relationship.

Isn't it wonderful, my friends, that we don't have to worry about pleasing people?  Sooo much easier to be God-honoring instead.

I know that my next step is to sit down for a conversation with this person.  I need to respectfully and lovingly tell them that I will be happy to do my best to meet their needs if they will verbalize their expectations.  But it's still so raw, it hurts so much, even these several months later, I don't know if I'm ready for that conversation just yet.  Pray for me, friends, that I will be ready when the time comes, and I'll pray for you.

 We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

I Thessalonians 2:4b

 



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Putting Priorities to Work

The other day I told you why priorities are important, and then on Friday, I shared my priorities with you.  Today I'll show you how I'm using my priorities to define my days.

Have you heard this story?

Source

One day, a professor walked into class carrying a large glass jar.  He proceeded to fill the jar with rocks.  When it was full, he looked at his students and asked if the jar was full.  When they said that yes, it was indeed full, the professor reached under his desk and brought out a bag of small pebbles, which he poured into the jar, shaking it lightly.  The pebbles, of course, rolled down into the spaces left by the larger rocks.  He asked again if the jar was full, to which his students responded that yes, the jar was indeed full.  Next the professor brought out a bag of sand, which he poured into the jar, shaking gently, causing the sand to fill the spaces between the pebbles.

Sometimes the story ends there, sometimes the professor pours water or coffee into the jar, proving once again that, even though the jar was full, there was room to add more.

If the professor had added the sand first, then the pebbles and rocks, they would not all have fit, but because he added the larger rocks first, then let the pebbles and sand fill in the gaps, everything fit into the jar.



All right, so my 5 priorities are the big rocks in my jar.  I need to place them first, because if I don't, if I let myself be distracted by all of the pebbles and sand of life, I won't have room for them.

If you want to spend your days with purpose, doing what is important to you, it is worth a few minutes of your time, at the beginning of every day, to place your big rocks.  Or, if you are not a morning person (me!), take a few minutes at the end of each day to plan for the next.  Schedule those priorities, and write them down, so you have a clear plan for your day. 

During my planning time, I also write down my pebbles--those things that need to get done, but don't necessarily fit into one of my 5 priorities, and sand--things I would like to do.  I number them in the order I'd like to accomplish them, and then fit those things in around my priorities.  It's not a schedule, more like a guideline, or suggestion, for my day.

For me this means spending time with God, my number one priority, first thing in the morning.  Family is my next priority, and in the morning when we're getting ready for the day, and again in the afternoon and evening when everyone returns from school and work, I am here for them.  Nothing else is more important during that time.

My next priority is rest, and yes, I schedule this in to my day, first, by not overscheduling, and second, by offering myself grace when my long to-do list doesn't quite get done.

Self-care, my 4th priority, happens first thing as soon as my boys get on the bus in the morning.  If I put it off, it may not happen.

And finally, connection is my 5th priority.  I am blessed to be a part of an amazing sisterhood, and am so looking forward to going deeper in our relationships going forward.

All of the other stuff?  The vacuuming, the errand running, the laundry, the volunteering... there will be time for that, but during this stage of my life, I am making sure that my priorities take precedence over everything else.  Take a hard look at everything that's being asked of you, both by yourself and by others.  If it doesn't fit into or around your priorities--things that are most important to you--then maybe it doesn't need to be done.

How about you?  If you have a formal list of priorities, does it work for you?  If not, how do you spend your days?

My Priorities

Earlier this week, I shared why setting formal priorities is important to me at this point in my life.  I think it's a good idea for all of us to periodically reevaluate what's important to us, and use those priorities to determine how we spend our time.  These are what I'm working toward now, this school year.  So here we go--my priorities:

1. God. 
I have a confession to make.  When I have been thinking about this list these past few weeks, God has not entered my head.  I have been thinking mostly about my wants and needs.  After all, I've been thinking about everyone else's wants and needs for so long.  But honestly, my number one need is the saving grace of my Creator, and spending time in God's holy presence has been one of those things that is important, but gets pushed to the end of the to-do list.  I'm not proud of it--just telling it like it is.

2. My family.
Ugh.  How I wish those guys weren't so high on my list.  I want my time to be about me.  Selfish, I know, but after 14 years of giving everything of myself to my children and my husband, I just want to find myself again, you know?  And yet, my family is everything to me.  Everything I do is for them.  And I can't let other responsibilities encroach on my responsibility to my family.

3. Rest.
I am so tired, my friends.  It has been a long haul getting to this place, and I've lost myself along the way.  So rest, renewal, and healing need to be a big part of my days.

4. Taking care of me.
Oh yes, I have not been taking care of myself, physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, creatively.  I've been letting it slide.  Mothering in the trenches.  Keeping my head above water.  Not a whole lot of time for self-care these past years.  I have been promising myself this for years.  It's time.

5. Connection.
We were not created to navigate through this life alone, but it is so hard to form relationships as a mom to small children.  Even if the opportunities are available, dragging a kid along all the time can really get in the way.  I mean seriously, have you ever tried to have lunch with a friend and a toddler? I am looking for deeper connections to my larger community, but only after my top 4 priorities are met.

My hope is that thinking about my priorities will make my choices clearer going forward.

How about you?  What are your top 3 or 5 or 10 priorities?  Do you use them to make decisions in your daily life?  Let me know in the comments.

Snickers stuffed Snickerdoodles

You read the title.  You saw the picture.  Do I really need to go on?  Can't we just sit and marvel in the majesty of that concept?  Snickers Stuffed Snickerdoodles.  Mmmm...

It all started when I found these cute little snickers bites in my grocery store.  They're about half an inch cubes of satisfying snickers goodness.  And unwrapped!  So they're super easy to snack on.  Which may or may not be a good thing in your world.

So I had these snickers bites, and I wanted to do something special with them, rather than just eating them, and that's when it occurred to me that snickers and snickerdoodles were meant to be together.

Use your favorite snickerdoodle recipe.  I used this one from Betty Crocker.  You could even use prepared sugar cookie dough if you're pressed for time.  When you make your dough balls, stick a mini snickers bite in there and close the dough up around it.  Then roll in your cinnamon-sugar mixture, and bake according to the recipe's instructions.  My 7 oz bag of snickers bites would have made 4 dozen.  If I hadn't eaten about 8 of 'em while I was working.  Ahem! 

I would recommend spraying the pan or using parchment paper because the candies might want to stick.  Let the cookies cool for about 2 minutes on the pan (not much longer, or they will stick), then transfer to wax paper or a cooling rack to cool completely.  Or eat warm, 'cause that's ooey gooey peanutty chocolatey caramelly goodness right there.

You are welcome, my friends.  Or, alternately, I apologize for putting that delicious image in your head.

The Importance of Priorities

I've entered a new phase in my life: stay at home mom to school-aged kids. 

I was going to go on, but let's just pause for a moment to say,

YIPPEE!

OK, back to the post:
One would think (I would think) that this would mean I now have virtually unlimited time to do with what I will.  Unfortunately, this is not so.  I have been amazed and dismayed to learn that while I do have 7 hours a day sans kids, I still do not have enough time to do everything I would like to do.

But here's the thing.  It is so tempting to say yes to everything, just because I can.  After 13 years of having my schedule dictated, at least to some extent, by the whims and moods of young children, to have such an extravagant amount of time to spend according to my whims and moods is almost overwhelming.  And it would be so easy to over commit.  Ask me how I know.

Moms group that meets half an hour away? Yes! Volunteer at the food shelf/the clothing ministry/the church office/the homeless shelter/my kids' school (all in the same week)? Sign me up! Breakfast/lunch/coffee with a friend? Absolutely!

In these first few weeks of adjusting to my new normal, I have realized that I need to set priorities--decide what is important to me--and filter all of these opportunities through the lens of my priorities.  It's never easy to say no, but setting priorities makes it easier to decide what I can say yes to and what I can decline. 

Not so different from what all of us should be doing, whether we work full time, part time, or not at all, right?  But in the touch and go world of a stay at home mom to small children, number one priority is keeping our heads above water, and everything else, including setting goals and establishing priorities, goes out the window.

Later this week I will share my priorities in this space.  In the meantime, do you have a formal list of priorities to help you decide how to spend your time?  Or are your priorities less well defined?  Feel free to share your thoughts :)