What I Did On My Winter Vacation

Spent a few days in Steamboat Springs.  Just the STP and I.

Most of the time we spent inside, working on projects, drinking hot chocolate, listening to Christmas music, catching up on reading and relaxing, watching it snow.

But we did venture out in the snow--to Fish Creek Falls.

The falls were partially frozen

 A picture postcard perfect kind of day.

And then later in the week we ventured out again to Strawberry Park Hot Springs.

Which was prettier than a postcard.

And way more fun.  

  

Any Thing I Want--Winding Down

I would weed out and organize my recipes
I took several projects with me on vacation last week.  I felt like Mrs. Beaver in Narnia asking the STP to pack my sewing machine.
Organizing my recipes has been on my 'list' since 1992.
My first recipes were in a box.  Copied from my mom's recipes.  Filed in alphabetical order.
Gobs followed by Green Jello Salad
The STP reorganized them somewhere along the way into categories:  Cookies, Cakes, Vegetables
(When I reminded him he had done this, he couldn't remember doing it.  I reminded him how lucky he is to still be married to me.)
The recipe organization degenerated from there to include the original box and two manila folders full to overflowing with magazine pages, recipes written on the back of various items, and recipe cards that never got refiled into the box.  Some recipes I had two or three copies of because it was easier to call my Mom and get the recipe than it was to look for it here.
But last week, in the peace and quiet, with a fire in the fireplace and Christmas music playing, I tackled the recipes.  And I now have two three ring binders with all the recipes in page protectors.
The first step was sorting and weeding out.

Some challenges along the way, but I powered through.

Bean Salad did not make the cut.  This must have been one I copied from my mom when I first left home.  I have never made bean salad.  I can't get past the first ingredient.  My Mom made this at Christmastime.  I did not like it.  I threw this recipe away.

There was a recipe for salad dressing scrawled on the back of this meal ticket.  I threw this one out as well.  Maybe I should have kept it I case I ever have to prove I served these nine days at Mahaffey Camp.  Time off the tribulation and all.
The best part of the recipe project was the nostalgia of where and when and from whom I have gathered recipes over the past 35 years.  The original No Bake recipe that I knew by heart during my senior year of college.  The no-fail pie crust recipe from the blood bank tech at Allegheny General. There were recipes written by my maid of honor, given to me as a wedding gift.  Recipes in my Mom's handwriting and my Mother-in-law's handwriting..  The fluff frosting that was on the cake that welcomed us when we moved to Spring Creek.  A recipe for dishpan oatmeal molasses cookies from the year I baked cookies with my Spring Creek neighbor.  Recipes for several varieties of zucchini bread, chocolate zucchini cupcakes, zucchini pie, zucchini cobbler. Recipes for wassail and cheese balls served when I had people from the church over at Christmas time.  A recipe for beef and noodles that was delivered to the house after a car accident.  The recipe for the soup my sister made during our first sister's weekend in CA.  At least two copies of Joyce B.s Pasta Salad.  So many recipes with an associated person, place, and event.  All good memories. (Evidently and understandably, I don't ask for or keep recipes from bad events or people I don't like.) 
Feeling so accomplished.   And a little hungry.  And so blessed.  And a little over-confident.
Maybe I really could organize my photos....

Who's Counting

I am glad I did not set out at the beginning of the month to list 100 things I am glad about.
I am glad it is warm enough for the precip to be in the form of rain for my trip home from work this evening.
I am glad to have stopped for groceries and gas before I got home so I don't have to go back out this rainy evening.
I am glad to come home to a fire in the pellet stove and a dog who is glad to see me.
I am glad to have a plan for Thanksgiving day that includes the STP, the Goob, friends who invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner, cranberry jello salad and gluten free chocolate mousse cake.
I am glad to have winter tires on my car.
I am glad to be home.

Amen and Praise the Lord

Today the STP preached from David's Psalm of Thanksgiving in I Chronicles 16.  I am glad to worship with the STP.  Today I sat in a different pew.  It is like visiting a new church.  But the same preacher and the same God.  I am glad to have a God Who is a covenant maker Who is totally faithful.  I am glad to have a God Who is a sovereign creator Who is awesomely powerful.  And I am glad to have a God of salvation Who is mercifully loving.
This afternoon I accidentally took a nap.  I have an overwhelming number of things to do this week, but I am glad that rest is a spiritual discipline that I have just about mastered.  I wish I had woken less cranky, but I am glad that I woke up.  So there.
After my nap, my cranky self and the STP worked on the budget.  I do not know whether I am thankful for Dave Ramsey or not, but I am glad that I only have to budget once a month.  And I am glad to have a new start and money in the entertainment and restaurant envelopes.  And I am glad the STP is mostly patient with my cranky self.  I am glad we have some time away scheduled next week.
This evening I am drinking green tea, eating a Dove dark chocolate and reminding myself how glad I am.

Virtual Tour de Bridge

In honor of Uncle Ronnie's sixtieth birthday and because this was the year of the Tour de Bridge.  And because we didn't manage to schedule a bike ride and because I'm not ready to give this up...

I am glad to announce the 2016 Lane Family Biennial Tour de Bridge--Virtual Edition.

Here's how it works.  

1. Ride your bike.  

You pick the time and the place.  You pick the bike.  (As we are gettin a late start, stationary bicycles are acceptable.)  You pick the distance.  You can even choose the increasingly popular sag wagon option.

2.  Take your picture.

Bonus points if you are wearing an official tour shirt from a previous tour.  

Your picture should include your bicycle.  

Bonus points if your picture also includes a bridge.   Or a tunnel.

Note:  If you choose the sag wagon option, your photo should include a snack or a drink.

3.  Submit your photo.  

Post it on Facebook.  Text it to any and all Lane family members.  Email it to Aunt Brenda.  Print it and mail it to Gram.  

This ride is open to all Lane family members.  Regardless of age.  Old (Looking at you, Uncle Ronnie) or new family members (looking at you, Kord Tagley). 

Lane family wannabes are welcome to participate. 

#2016tourdebridge      #60isthenew35       #happybirthdayron

The Fine Print:  Since this is a virtual tour, photoshopped images will be accepted for consideration.

Be Glad In it

Today we started practices for the children's Christmas program at church....And I am glad there were children at practice....And I am glad that there were adults who were more than willing to help with music and costumes and set construction....And I am glad for my Pinterest board called 'I might help with the Christmas program'....And I am glad the wise people brought gifts....And I am glad that God came to earth in a human body.

I made chicken enchilada lasagna for fellowship dinner...And I am glad I had a plan ahead of time...And I am glad I precooked the chicken and mixed up the sauce Friday evening...And I am glad it is gluten free and doesn't taste gluten free....And I am glad I am not eating dairy free because my chicken enchilada lasagna recipe calls for 1.5 cups of sour cream and 5 cups of shredded cheese.

This afternoon the Steelers lost to the Ravens...And I am glad that will not have any affect on my day tomorrow.

Tonight my small group met to discuss chapter three of "The Good and Beautiful Community"...And I am glad that the designated snack maker made yummy things...And I am glad to be in community with these people...And I am glad to have people who rejoice and are glad with me.

Tomorrow I will be still be expecting a package to arrive containing a surprise and a project....And I am glad that there is a Wyoming, MI and a Wyoming, MN and a Wyoming, NY....And I am glad that so far my package has only traveled to one of those places....And I am glad that I am not in a big hurry...And I am glad for anticipation.

And I am glad for my sister Nancyann who still reads and comments on my blog posts.

He Has Made Me Glad

Yesterday I cleaned my house and watered my houseplants.  In the guest room I discovered a pot of succulents that I had transplanted several weeks ago and promptly forgotten.  Turns out my succulents thrive on neglect.  ...And I was glad for clean water to drink and enough water to water plants just cause I like looking at them.  ...And I was glad to remember a beautiful summer wedding from which I scavenged most of the succulents. ... And I was glad I made a family wedding in CA a priority in my summer.  ....And I was glad for a sister who makes hospitality and generosity look easy. ...And I was glad there is a picture of  lots of my extended family under a big tree in the middle of a vineyard.
I also took down the bats from the front porch.  ...And I was glad that I had bats to hang on the front porch.  ...And I was glad to remember a wedding 6 Octobers ago. ...And I was glad that marriage is even better than that wedding.   ...And I am glad that I have flight reservations for Christmas.

If It's November...

Psalm 92:4   For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.

...I must be thankful.

Today I did not have to go to work so I could go to Ladies Bible Study...and I was glad to listen to Beth Moore and fellowship with a great group of women.
Today I voted for the PennLive boys soccer player of the week...and I was glad that, at the end of the day, my second favorite nephew was the winner. Go Mattie!!
Today the sun warmed the afternoon air and I hauled 4 wheelbarrows full of dead plants out of the West flowerbed...and I was glad to be outside and to get that job done.
Today I talked to Princess Amidala and planned a little surprise...and I was glad to hear her voice and share a plan with her.
Today I stuffed an acorn squash with a sausage and apple filling...and I was glad for the Hinkles who shared their garden goodies with me, and that the recipe turned out okay, and that the STP was home for supper.
Today I shopped online...and I was glad for free shipping and the anticipation of packages arriving.

Tomorrow I plan to be glad most of the day.  And I'm looking forward to it.

Let Me tell You How I'm Voting

For the first time in forever we have an election sign in our yard.  Prior to this year we have never allowed anyone ever to place a sign in our yard (even if we liked them a whole lot), so as to avoid even the appearance of telling anyone how to vote.  (We take the separation of church and state pretty serious around here.)
But this year we have a red, white and blue campaign sign right out in the yard where God and everyone can see it.  As the pundits are fond of saying, this is indeed an unusual election cycle.
I don't have my mind made up on all the issues and fewer of the candidates, but on this issue I am confident of my vote.
We moved to a small town with an outdoor pool when the princesses were middle and highschool age and the Goob was three.  It is good to live in a small town, but it is not easy to move into one.   The small town we had moved from did not have a pool.  The princesses learned to swim at pools in neighboring towns.  The Goob learned to swim at the pool in town.
The pool in town was where we spent summer afternoons. It was where we met other kids and other mothers. It was where we cooled off on hot days.  Some days we packed a lunch and stayed after swimming lessons.  Other days we went later and had supper at the pool.  Some late afternoons and early evenings we had the pool almost to ourselves.  The pool was one place our whole family could enjoy and a place to enjoy each other.  The pool was a place to picnic and swim on the 4th of July. Where the STP had as good a chance as anyone's dad of winning the cannonball contest.  The pool was a place the youth group could rent for an evening swim.  A place to host a party.
The pool was where the Goob learned things besides how to backstroke.  He learned to take turns. He learned that somethings are for adults only, and that 'adult swim'  was a good time to visit the concession stand.  He learned to love Nerd ropes.  He learned to listen to authorities and follow the rules.  He learned that passing the 'deep end test' was a rite of passage that was a cause for celebration and a reason for ice cream.  He learned to be an encourager with the confidence to help his friend overcome his fear of going off the diving board.
When we moved to Dodge City, they only had an indoor pool.  The Goob was a lifeguard there until it was closed.  He was responsible for the safety of children learning to swim, children dropped off by their parents for the afternoon, and middle aged women doing aqua-zumba.  He learned CPR and what to do if someone went into labor at the pool.  (By contrast, the oldest princess, who did not have a pool in her town when she was growing up, worked a summer job at the convenience store selling cigarettes and lottery tickets to people buying gasoline and renting questionable movies.) 
The pool has been closed and gone for several years.  When the best grandkids in the world visited Dodge City, we went to the neighboring town to swim.

I do not need a pool to entertain my children, to provide jobs for my teenagers, or to take out of town guests who occasionally visit.  But I will vote YES on the pool issue and I will gladly pay my tax increase on the properties I own in Dodge City.  Because Dodge City does need a pool.  Because a pool is a place where community happens.  

Not What I Really Wanted

Continuing the documentation of the fulfillment of the "anything I wanted" list from the first of the year:

I would have several skin spots checked/removed

So after the big run in June, I scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist in the big city.  And I arrived at my appointment with a mental list of all the spots that needed looked at.  One on my back, one on my hip, one on my knee.  Some of them have been around for a while, one was relatively new. Almost all of them met some of the criteria for skin cancer.  On particularly imaginative days I could convince myself they were all melanomas.  Which is why I waited until after the big race to see the doctor. (I didn't want my chemo treatments interfering with my training.)  I was prepared to have them removed.  The good doctor dismissed my concerns.  Evidently old women just grow big ugly brown spots that have odd medical names that old women can't remember and that are nothing to be concerned about.  The young doctor was not concerned.  He did not remove them.  

He did have a concern about a bump that was growing in the middle of my birthmark.  Dermatologists are always interested in my birthmark.  They have offered to remove the whole thing.  The good young doctor thought it wise to remove the bump in the middle of my birthmark.  So he cut it out, leaving a big hole in the middle of my birthmark.  A big white hole.  I was not prepared for this.  I've always been kind of attached to my birthmark.  To have a big chunk of it missing made me sad.  To have a big white scar in the middle of it a little sadder.  (I contemplated painting it green.) 

But it has healed and filled in and just this week I noticed that it is growing new brown skin on top. This makes me happy.  The pathology report was negative.  This makes me happier.  

Total Count

Seventy two spaghetti squash. 

 As opposed to the 'plant one-get one' economics of onions, spaghetti squash are 'plant one-get twelve'.  Only have a dozen left.  Spaghetti squash seed should be sold individually instead of in packets.  Just saying.

Peculiar and Maladjusted

Endeavoring to do four unselfish acts of kindness or generosity this week.

You know, to remind myself that I am maladjusted to the world.

Reading "The Good and Beautiful Community".

And applying some creative intentionality.

Lot's going on here.  Try to keep up.

And the SFG

 Not to be outdone, the square foot garden produced very well this year as well.

But a note for the future:  Two heads of cabbage is too much for a square foot of garden.  Just saying.

An 'Anything I Wanted' Update

"I would plan and install a garden
 in the backyard of the house next door"

After pinteresting multiple garden designs, I settled on this simple 2 L-shaped bed design. One garden for upstairs.  One for downstairs.  Free bricks from the swap and sell site, put in place by volunteer labor.  Free mulch from the Dodge City branch and leaf pit.  Put in place by forced labor.

The downstairs family planted sunflowers, pumpkins, zinnias, and lettuce.  

The upstairs family moved out just before planting time.

So I planted six spaghetti squash seeds.  

And everything grew.

And this is my spaghetti squash harvest tally.

That's right. Fifty four spaghetti squash to date.

And still more in the garden.

And out of the garden.

I have twenty spaghetti squash in my car to take to church tomorrow.  Because we are sharing.

With the birds.

And the bees.

And the bunnies and the deer.

And with anyone who wants a spaghetti squash.

Son Number One

This guy.

Who had the best quote of the summer.  "I'd rather motor back to shore with one fish than row back with two." 

Who was out on the water, not once, but twice.

 Who hung out with his family.

And was supportive of his sister.

Who got out of the car at three, 

count them,

three national parks.

Who got a haircut.

 And posed for multiple family photos.

 And wore a tie.

That one time.

Before he headed back to school.

  This was the summer we finally cleaned out the toy box (ala Toy Story 3), he learned to cook something other than ramen noodles and cardboard pizzas, we searched for a common interest so that we had 'something other than finances and his future to discuss'.

Enjoyed my summer with this one.  Miss him just a little bit.