Thanksgiving and Christmas

Around this time of year I begin to hear two things predominantly from people in all areas of life.

First: "I'm not ready for Christmas."

Second: "I hate the holidays its too commercial."

These statements are my biggest pet peeves during the holidays because people let these thoughts and concerns define Thanksgiving and Christmas. I will never understand those who say, "I am not ready for Christmas." I do understand that they look at their pocketbook, travel plans, presents to buy, among other things and get stressed out over how much they NEED to do. Lets be honest people, do we need to stress about these things? Thanksgiving is a day of......hmmm craziness....THANKSGIVING! This holiday has become more about food, football, and shopping preparations. (Yes I love to watch football on this day but it is out of thanksgiving........I can't watch the Lions any other time of year).

The holidays are not about this stuff. We need to redefine the holidays this season and CHOOSE to not get stressed out. The reason for the season is too important to let stress and commercialism ruin it. How do you do this?

1) Set aside time each day to read God's word, after all Jesus is the reason for the season.
2) Be thankful everyday! Not just on Thanksgiving.
3) If you don't have what you want, start wanting what you have.
4) Don't go shopping on Black Friday.
5) If stress starts to surface..................STOP! (at least temporarly, it ain't worth the stress).
6) Choose to eliminate stress and commercialism.
7) BUDGET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8) Don't fear family, embrace and love family (thats what they are there for).
9) Listen to Christmas music!
10) KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID! Just have Fun!

Enjoy the holidays everyone and listen to Linus:

Charlie Brown Christmas

Must Try Dessert!

Today I went to Wild Wings Cafe where I enjoyed the company of many Michigan fans and allumni while watching the Michigan-Wisconsin football game. While the results of the game could have been MUCH better, I greatly enjoyed the food. First, I had the White Chicken Chile which I have had before and is fantastic but it was the dessert that got my attention.

I had a:

Cheesecake Chimichanga - $4.99
A crisp flour tortilla filled with cool and creamy cheesecake, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon and drizzled with your choice of syrups.

It is AWESOME! and I have never been a huge Cheesecake person but this is a great dessert. Highly recommended.


In addition this is my 100th post to my blog! Who knew 100 would be about fantastic cheesecake?

Gardening....and Birthday Contest results

Alright, I know everyone is anxious to hear how the contest between my mother and I went last Wednesday. I made plans with a friend to meet up Wednesday evening to win this elusive, wonderful contest but......mom called me during the afternoon....on HER cell phone! I simply answered, "Happy Birthday." Chalk this year up as an easy win!


On a different note, gardening is one thing I enjoy and up until now I have simply grown vegetables. I like the productivity, cost savings, and overall quality of freshly grown vegetables. While I have a very small garden it can yield a good harvest allowing me the luxury of good vegetables for at least a few meals. Unfortunately my garden does not get full sun, and the back third gets very little sun whatsoever. For any of you who know about gardening you know the vegetables don't do very well without full sun. With this is mind I plan on growing flowers for the first time! And not just any flowers, edelweiss. Many of you may know the song (I love this song) about this flower and I decided to research whether or not I could grow it in North Carolina.

Edelweiss best grows in the mountain at high altitude with loose, fine, lime enriched soil. The famous Edelweiss is called Leontopodium alpinium. It is this kind that is the root of the songs and legends about edelweiss. One being that a man shows true love for his woman by braving the elements and climbing the mountain to retrieve Edelweiss for his love. While this is a cool story I simply like the song and the flower and want a new challenge. There are two other types of edelweiss that grow better in warmer climates which are Leontopodium Mt. Everest and Leontopodium jorachayi. I plan to grow one of these varieties and will keep you informed of the process from start to finish, success or failure.

Leontopodium Alpinium
(http://www.iwoman.ru/res/r2/leontopodium_alpinum.jpg)



Leontopodium Mt. Everest
(http://www.edelweissperennials.com/pictures/Leontopodium_%27Mt._Everest%27.jpg)

Shared Birthday Tradition

26 years ago today a tradition started when this competitive boy was born on my mothers birthday. Over the years I have gotten many responses ranging from how cool it is that we share a birthday to whether or not I like having to share "my day." Well I tell you now that I love sharing my birthday, always have, and always will. It is a treat to share ones birthday with family and is something very few people get to experience. For one I rarely experience those parties in which everyone is singing except you because I sing happy birthday to my mom! But seriously, since going to college a wonderful, naturally competitive (If you know me you me at all you are not surprized), tradition. My mom I always try to be the first to say happy birthday on the 4th. Texts, cards, emails, and even voicemail does not count. The birthday wish must be in person or over the phone. In college my mom won every year but finally three years ago I won the fun little contest and haven't lost since. The trick is coming up with new and creative ways to surprise my mom with the phone call. I will update you later on the method this year but I cannot divulge the secret now, being that she might read this post. My shared birthday is an awesome part of my birthday that I wouldn't trade for anything. Goodbye and wish me luck today!

Amazing Faith!

The apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing because they had counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Acts 5: 41-42

Wow! I must admit I rejoice that God has allowed me to live in a country in which I am not flogged as the apostles were in Acts 5. That is an amazing story of faith for me because I know I wouldn't be rejoicing as I was leaving. I wouldn't deny God (I say that carefully knowing Peter said the same thing at the last supper only to deny him hours later) but I don't think I could rejoice in the way the apostles rejoiced. I want a faith like that and will work on that everyday and, while I hope I never have to suffer in this way, Lord make me able to rejoice and loudly praise You if I ever do experience this kind of suffering.