God, Chicago, Sour Patch Kids and a Geek

2012-01-16T15:44:00.001-06:00

Last week, an article came out in Huffington Post aboutchurch goers not being effected by their church going status. The article can be found here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/14/churchgoing-no-effect-americans_n_1205564.html?ref=religion. Six months ago, I would have been outraged bythe systemic church and the people that go to church.

No longer.

Why? I became aparent.

Three months ago, I started routinely taking my three fosterkids to church. I have a Master’s ofDivinity. I have devoted my entireworking life to the church. If it hadnot been for the Lord and the church, where would I be? – I am completely abeliever in the importance of church. The church has changed me and provided comfort in times of extremediscomfort.

Yet, I get this study now because now I need to worry aboutkeeping my kids somewhat quiet, settled, and listening. I can go to church, sit through the wholeservice and only remember that it took 3 packages of fruit snacks to getthrough the sermon.

So why do I still go during this time? (And I wonder if some of those in the studymight be the same?)

My kids see what isimportant in my life. My now husbandoften tells the story that he was more worried about meeting my church than myfamily. Church is very important to me,and I want it to be important to them.

My kids can be withother families like ours. My familyis multi-cultural, and there are many like us at church. Our family values are also expressed in thesocial justice that my kids learn about at church. My little kids spend time on other dotinglaps, hearts and minds. My kids get avillage not just a family.

My kids may just catchthe God thing as much as I have. Ilove church because I fell in love with it and God when I was a kid. When I hear one of my kids saying prayersthat sound exactly like the pastor’s or when days later they are singing a hymn– it’s completely worth it.

Advent hunger

2011-12-07T10:25:00.001-06:00

We had just finished the last chorus on the last hymn when mySmart Guy said,

“Krista, I am hungry.”

“Well, that’s great, we are headed home to eat now.”

“No, ‘rista I am hungry for THAT bread” pointing over to thecommunion bread. Well, we walked over tothe communion bread talked to the pastor about the bread and then Smart Guy gotthe bread he was so hungry for.

I have been thinking about the scene since….do I hunger forcommunion the way Smart Guy did?

Advent is a time that we prepare the table for a main dishthat we don’t know. The hunger is there,and so is the feeling that the bread may never arrive. This advent I find myself hungering forjustice by asking the questions that I have faced in the past year. When, O Lord, will everyone at least have aroof over their head? When, O Lord, willpeople be seen for who they are, as your children? When, O Lord, will your followers be moreconcerned about helping than judging?

But frankly, more than ever, advent has also become practical for me. We have prepared to have children for two years and they are here. We have prepared to buy a house and make itour home, and while that didn’t happen, a new way of live is emerging in ournew apartment. I am done preparing. Yet, in this phase I indeed am hungering….Iwant justice for my children, I want my neighborhood to be given the benefit ofthe doubt, and I want the communion bread to really mean something in my life.

More than ever, I want to be that the table when the maindish arrives this year. I want to soakin the joy, peace, and hope and love only such a table can provide.

2011-10-26T17:44:00.000-05:00

Last night, I attended Awkward Black Girl: Race, Gender and Hollywood. A discussion about the amazing web series The MisAdventures of an Awkward Black Girl. I saw the discussion posted in an email listing of events that I get and it looked good about a month ago, so I decided that I would take Snap as a bonding activity. She wasn't interested, so I watched the webisodes and decided to go myself. So last night, I was discussing this very awesome show that provides an normal woman image for young people. There were lots of teachers in the room as well. They often spoke of wanting more of this type of influence rather than reality TV for their students. I could identify.

Then I realized - I was relating not as a fellow teacher of sorts, but as a mother.

I want Snap to see this show and see herself not believing that the music videos that she often watches are actually reality. I want Snap to see herself in media, but still on this day in 2011 - she may have to look to people that look more me and even more so Jim, before she sees herself on TV. I want her to have her own Tina Fey. (I probably over identify with Tina Fey.)

I also realized, sitting in the discussion last night, that I will need to be more and more open to be in discussions like these so that I can parent and grandparent Snap, Smart Guy, and Sloth in ways that are affirming to their culture and world understanding. I need to remember that too often my children will be judged based on their skin color. I need to remember that as much as I try - my color will not let me completely understand their experience. And yet, continuing to grasp at more understanding needs to be on my parenting goal sheet.

2011-10-13T09:08:00.002-05:00

Some pictures:

2011-10-13T09:08:00.001-05:00

2011-10-05T22:47:00.004-05:00

In the last few days, I have done a lot of firsts...1. First meeting of the principal to be told Snap is not the most well behaved child in the school. Jim had a first talking to Snap about how to manage the desire to talk back to teachers, managers - they can vent together at home. 2. First trip to the park with SmartGuy and Sloth....horrible! I set myself up - but wow was it a rough day.3. First time washing dishes with SmartGuy - he loves it, which made it more tolerable for me.4. Snap taught me how to prepare TV dinners for S&S. Apparently, they need more salt and pepper than provided.5. First cry reading a parenting article with the realization that I am a parent.6. My house is actually cleaner than pre-kids. Its because we feel the need to keep up instead of letting the house go to pot. I have cleaned something everyday since the kids arrived.7. We had our first family meeting tonight. We discussed calendar events and the guidelines for our house (lots of communication, respect, and listening involved - and their are rules for Jim and I too!). 8. First meeting the new boyfriend. "What are you going to ask him?" Jim and I to each other, "Uh, give us a moment!" We introduced ourselves and then left them in the front room while we were in the kitchen. It makes me feel old!9. First remembrance of the college pact that we made for me to take the jr highers and high schoolers of my friends. 10. First birthday celebrated - well, it was Tuesday but not celebrating until weekend!11. Preparing for the first visit of (great) grandma and (great) grandpa Dutt.11.

2011-10-05T22:32:00.001-05:00

After reading some other foster parent bloggers, I have learned some ways to do it - make up names and post pictures of them doing things as not to show faces. So, let the fun begin of re-naming the kids!First, we have Snap. Snap is a teenager who quickly snaps to attend to her two children and also can easy snap at teachers, authority, and to rude people.Second, we have SmartGuy. He is 3, and he is super smart - already knows how to get to his day care from our house and is able to figure out how to get what he wants.Third, we have Sloth. He is 18 months. He is no sloth in terms of getting around - he waddles everywhere fast! However, he is fairly low key. He likes sitting in his high chair and loves picking stuff up with all his appendages.

2011-09-26T22:28:00.002-05:00

Some fun stuff from today:Someone started to point at the bookcase - I told someone that he could go get any book he wanted. Someone picked out my greek lexicon and my sermon on the mount book that is literally 600 pages. Then someone piled them on a chair and climbed a little closer to the table to eat his dinner, glad they are getting used!Someone Else came home and asked me, "Can you help me learn how to eat healthier?" This after my secret mission was to do just that!Else also came down to talk to me in classic teen sense, "I have a formal on Friday and I don't have a dress." "Oh, I have a formal dress that might fit." in classic mom fix it all tone. She tried on several of my dresses before picking one that she had accessories to match. Now, that made me feel like a mom.

2 to 5 in a week...

2011-09-26T17:21:00.002-05:00

I want to believe that I will write a little more than normal because we now have some kids in the house.....maybe, maybe not.Introductions must be made:After 28 months of prep (that is a freaking long pregnancy - I think elephants only have 24 months), we have a foster daughter and two foster grandsons. They have been with us for 4 days. I feel like I know too little to actually be blogging about these children. But some observations about myself in the last four days...*I feel a bit like I am living in community again! My culture and my thoughts are getting all mixed up when I think "No, you can't have chips for breakfast!" Maybe chips for breakfast aren't that bad?*I want everyone to feel at home, I want everyone to have enough, but I don't want to go on a Target run that I really can't afford. How many clothes do kids need? I have no idea, they didn't cover that in class! *When I woke the sleeping late teen this morning, I really thought - I have no idea how to do this!Last night, I was in bed by 9:30 (yes, I am sick as well) but...hope it gets better!

My thoughts, more elequently...

2011-08-06T21:19:00.001-05:00

More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and to be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.

- Henri Nouwen

(Thanks to Arloa Sutter for posting this and letting me repost)

What is Your Five Year Plan?

2011-04-17T22:36:00.002-05:00

If I had to document hours spent in March, I would label most of the hours as “vocational discernment.” Between a vocation discernment retreat, a discernment event, reading a book and meeting its author about vocation filled my days.

At DOOR, we float “vocational discernment” around a lot. We work with hundreds of college students and college grads who are asking these questions – What should I do? What am I called to do? What can I afford to do?

PBS’s Independent Lens recently followed several folks on their journey to church leadership and the documentary that followed is entitled “The Calling”. This project also created whatsyourcalling.org as a way to share the journey of understanding one’s calling if in or out of church.

I appreciate how Joshua Stanton sees his call:
Watch video here.
Where are you on this journey?

Flying

2011-02-17T23:15:00.001-06:00

Today, I shed some tears in the San Antonio airport very unexpectedly.

On November 10, I was in SAT waiting to go home after what was 26 days out of 31 traveling. I was supposed to have two weeks at home, I was so grateful.

On November 14, I looked towards my kitchen from my bathroom and suddenly couldn’t move. After a month on bed and house (ar)rest, I had surgery. And since then I have been recovering a bit at a time, today being the first time I flew again.

While walking through the airport, I had a mini flash of life. In three months, I have come a long way. In my desire to be optimistic, I often slide past the hard stuff. This has been difficult. But now, I am through the worst. I am grateful.

You are what you do regularly

2010-11-23T13:47:00.002-06:00

You are what you do regularly. Jason Byassee recently wrote http://www.faithandleadership.com/blog/11-02-2010/jason-byassee-you-are-what-you-do-regularly-excellently with these words in the title. Its an inspiring piece and when I read it today I realized why I might be going through a difficult time.

I am not on bedrest regularly. I don’t want to be on bedrest regularly. I hope that I am never this tied to my bed again. But some things that have learning by
being on bedrest may help my regular life:

Life can happen without me.
We all know this most likely in our heads and maybe in our souls, but did I believe it? Probably not. However, I am realizing that good happens when I am not able to control it. Sitting out for a time helps me remember that other folks can do what I usually do.

Knowing when to say I can’t
After a week of bedrest and mostly without the use of my computer and phone thanks to the pain, I really believed that I could schedule a whole day of activities yesterday. Granted, spending 8 hours at the doctor and then having a meal with folks doesn’t sound like too much. I actually was able to say to those I was having dinner with, “Look I scheduled too much – I just can’t.” Yes, maybe I should have thought about all of this in the scheduling process – but being able to say no in the moment is a step in the right direction for me.

Asking for help isn’t a death sentence
My co-workers, my church, my Dwellers, and especially my friend Nadia and my husband Jim have been there for me in ways that I couldn’t have imagined. When I ask for help, I also can let people in. And when I let people in, I can ask for help. I am learning the importance of both.

Creativity can bloom unexpectedly when I can’t do the usual.
In the last week, creativity has had to happen. So, I can’t do my meetings over breakfast, but folks are welcome to my house to talk sometimes. Or instead of co-leading a retreat, I can be a phone presence for the leader when she needs it. If I hadn’t been in bed, there would have been no reason to think creativity – but now there is.

I still will be in bed most of this week, most likely. The time isn’t over. However, hopefully I can get these lessons can become what I do regularly, without the bed.

Vacation Reflections

2010-06-04T15:39:00.001-05:00

I am starting to post a series of vacation reflections on my DOOR blog:

see the most current one, here.

DC musings

2010-05-11T21:09:00.002-05:00

So far - walked around the mall, eatten at all local to DC places, rode a segway, had tea time at the guest house, cried at a museum, seen the Archives, Air and Space, American history, and National History, and gotten ourselves around using the Metro.

When asked at Tea time this evening about the best part of the day? Both Jim and I answered the bus. When we first got on the bus we were joined by twenty 2nd graders. Many of the kids found a newspaper laying around. The kid next to us asked his teacher "is this a number or word puzzle?" And then to Jim, "Sir, do you have a book I could use to do a puzzle?" We gave him or tour book and then started to help with the crossword upon request. At one point, I was helping the little boy and Jim was assisting a little girl next to him. We continued this the whole ride - about 40 minutes.

We have eaten in the two places that Man v Food recommends in DC - one a real hole in the wall that we loved - but walked 2 miles for! This evening we hit a place with a 50 year history for chili dogs, and Bill Cosby and the Obama family eat free. Both were great!

Yesterday, I got picked out of a crowd to recreate the sitin at the counter in Greensboro SC (I didn't ask to get picked, I promise). I cried at the implications of what we were learning about. We have come this far by faith, but so much further to go

Office #3

2010-04-18T23:38:00.001-05:00

My real office

Office #2

2010-04-12T23:07:00.002-05:00

My offices are in no order - well this time cute came into play. Last week I went to Michigan to surprise a friend but I did do some work...and one thing I saw over my computer screen was this adorable kid.

Office #1

2010-04-05T18:25:00.003-05:00

Last week, I got asked where my office was. My co-worker, Brian, laughed.

"Well, I have a home office with a desk and a printer, but really it is anywhere where my computer and phone are."

I office in all sorts of places, all over the country, and in planes going across the country. Its a great part of the job, I suppose. So, I am taking on a new project. I want to document where I office for awhile. I am going to commit to taking a picture wherever I open my computer and have my phone for awhile.

To start, I should take a picture of my actual desk - but instead, I started my assignment at the Garfield Park Conservatory last week, enjoy my favorite picture from that day above!

Holy Week

2010-04-01T17:07:00.001-05:00

As you walk this journey called Holy Week,
May you welcome Jesus into Jerusalem with palm branches
may you travel through all the emotions that the disciples did
may you imagine Jesus washing your feet, passing you the cup, and explaining bread
may you attend to Jesus as he carries a cross on which he then is hung
may you wait, wait, and wait
may you awake to a new understanding of what resurrection truly can mean.

The Courage to Teach

2010-03-23T18:00:00.000-05:00

While I am not a teacher in a school, I am surrounded by them in my life. I know that I have a teacher's outlook on things no matter what my title currently says. So, I picked up The Courage to Teach at a garage sale last summer and finally got around to reading it. WOW! Any leader, any teacher...this is a good read.

Thanks to Amy Dutt for introducing me to Parker Palmer, giving credit where credit is due.

Some quotes from the book that struck me:

Good education may leave students deeply dissatisfied, at least for awhile. I do not mean the dissatisfaction that comes from teachers who are inaudible, incoherent or incompetent. But students who have been well served by good teachers may walk away angry – angry that their prejudices have been challenged and their sense of self shaken.

The hallmark of the community of truth is in its claim that reality is a web of communal relationships, and we can know reality only by being in community with it.
We invite diversity in the (learning) community not because it is politically correct but because diverse viewpoints are demanded by the manifold mysteries of great things.

Becoming a leaders of that sort – one who opens, rather than occupies space – requires the same inner journey we have been exploring for teachers. It is a journey beyond fear and into authentic selfhood, a journey toward respecting otherness and understanding how connected and resourceful we all are. As those inner qualities deepen, the leader becomes better able to open spaces in which people feel invited to create communities of mutual support.

The decision to live an undivided life, made by enough people over a long enough period of time, may eventually have social and political impact. It is a deeply personal decision, made for the sake of one’s one identity and integrity. To decide to live divided no more is less a strategy for attacking other people’s beliefs than an uprising of the elemental need for one’s own beliefs to govern and guide one’s life.

Tights and a skirt

2010-03-16T12:07:00.000-05:00

I often get looks at the airport. It happened again today.
I am fairly good about dressing up for the airport anymore – more professional, mainly because I am usually off to a meeting or some other event that I need to look nice. I usually think that is fake me. I am really the pjs and t-shirt girl, but I can dress up and act the part.
When I am not dressed up – today’s jeans and pullover would be an example, I feel more at home with myself and yet I get the looks.
“Uh, you need to go in that line, lady” was the line at the checkin today.
“No..you can’t come this way.” was the line at the security gate.
Both times, I was right. I have my “I’m special at Southwest ‘cause I fly a lot” card to get me through both the check-in line and a different security line. I am used to being mistaken for a misguided college student and just going with it. Though, today, the security line was really long….so I asked the woman at the security line…”if I show you my card, can I go in that line?” “Oh, yes, maam…I am sorry”, she said, as she let me in the short line.
I could talk about how young folks (or looking young folks) have to prove themselves, or talk about the misjudging that happens in our society for people of color. All good topics, all good journal and blog topics. But not for today…
Thanks for my spiritual director and personal coach (yes, I have both right now!), I have been thinking about two topics that are quite linked – What is God telling you by how you view God? And How to be authentic at work…so as this all is happening today at LAX, I think bingo! This is it!
I feel more comfortable being me – the jeans, sweatshirt, the caring, sweet, passionate church girl from Ohio that loves Chicago more than anything – I think that is the real me. Something that God is constantly asking of me – don’t pretend, Krista, just be you. That’s my image of me.
When I put on tights or even pantyhose and a skirt and look like a business woman, I feel like I am lying in a way….or when I go to these meetings and think – I can’t believe they want my opinion on this, or what do you mean this is solely my decision, or when people are nervous about how I might see them, I can’t believe it – because I don’t see me being anything but passionate church Chicago girl in jeans – that is what I want people to see.
But the thing is….it was me that flew all those freaking miles to get the “I’m special at Southwest ‘cause I fly a lot” card, I secretly like tights enough to wear them under pants sometimes, I am good at working through issues that I am asked to, I am good at paying attention to details in a mulitude of places, I wrote a book (in my jeans, but its. A. book.), I am good at what I do in my skirt and my tights.
Maybe I feel like I have left my true, my whole self out, because I don’t really acknowledge that I, in crass terms, “know my shit” instead of my previously held idea that people needed to learn to know me to find the sweet, compassionate, Chicago loving girl inside. Until I claim the power and respect that I already have, maybe I can’t be content in my skirt or my jeans.
Maybe I should do more tight wearing under my jeans……

All in a week's time

2010-03-06T21:32:00.002-06:00

The other day I realized a reason that my Mom and I may feel the need to go try new things other than just reading the paper (or in my case, blogs) and knowing about stuff. We really take seriously the authority of someone when they say, “You really should go see….experience…..eat….” I complain at times about being such a rule follower, but this may help me take seriously the need to experience and learn. So after that realization, I have been thinking about what I have experienced in the last while that I see as important – and in the last week, it has been a lot.

Last Saturday, I went to a Diversity in Missions Conference at Trinity International Seminary. I have lots of notes, but I found it to be a great way to do some more thinking about the work I am in, how exciting, how scary, and maybe at times profound.

After a day of thinking, I felt the need to veg but not at home where work loomed. Jim and I finally made it to Calumet Fisheries, a highly recommended white box of a place that serves seafood and fries – and that is it. Recently, this hole in the wall got recognized by the Beard Awards – sort of the Oscar of food awards. The funny thing is – the place is such a dive, the owner had to google the Beard Awards!

I also registered the KERK team in The Doughman – so we are officially headed to Durham, NC to eat and then run! The registration sold out in 15 minutes, so glad I did a little juggling to get it done!

Thursday afternoon, Becky and I went to a Sacred Spaces event entitled, “Discovering Chicago’s Religious Art and Relics” I was amazed at the time. First, what I really liked about the art we talked about was that it was used…vestments, altars, and pieces that were still used in worship. Useable art is important to me! I am also keenly aware of the importance of learning more about worship spaces for history and sacred sake.

Friday, Becky and I did a variety of things – none of which I have ever done. I was planning on us attending a part of “Redefining Neighborly Love” at Wheaton Bible Church – and so when it was a nice day decided we should take advantage of several other suburban options. First, we went to Morton Arboretum, one of those places that I heard was a must see. While, I want to go back in the Spring or the Fall – it was really cool and a great place to celebrate Chicago as it was going above 32 degrees. Second, we headed over to the Billy Graham Center on Wheaton College’s campus. It has a museum that tells the story of evangelical Christians since arriving in the US. It was interesting. While we were there, an exhibit was still being put up of work by Timothy Botts, an artist that I really find meaning in. This exhibit was of work that was based on Spirituals – Bound for Glory. Oh, I could have bought prints of each and every one. I bought two. I highly recommend this free exhibit.
Today, on the first nice weekend in Chicago, we headed to the Zoo. It was pig day at the Zoo, and I was able to get Jim to pose by this car that was a pig!

Poem in short

2010-02-24T23:48:00.000-06:00

Words don’t come for moments like this.
Instead, they are stuck
Inside
A small screaming voice far in my head,
No.
Crying is a must.
Hiding isn’t an option.
Faith is a must.
Solving the questions any other way isn’t an option.
Being there is a must.
Missing moments like this aren’t an option.

Stories of the City

2010-02-23T22:53:00.002-06:00

One of the reasons I haven't been blogging here lately is because I am trying to do a better job of blogging for DOOR.

Here is my latest post there.

At that blog, I tend to comment on news stories, share articles, and share news that effects and celebrates the 6 cities in the DOOR network.

Good soup

2010-02-23T21:59:00.002-06:00

I haven't been posting a lot, and maybe its because I haven't been experimenting lately with food. I am trying to cook more "normal" food due to the pending kid in our house, trying to make good ole American stuff. Tonight, I threw all this in a crockpot and it worked well!

1 big jar of great northern beans
1 large tomato, chopped
1 dry packet of pesto seasoning
half of an onion, chopped
1 large chicken breast that I grilled several days ago, chopped

Low for 4 hours....yummy bean soup!

Served with warm tortilla - Jim had cheese on his, mine plain.

Beautiful Quote

2010-02-09T17:52:00.000-06:00

Margaret Mead's vision of a pro-child culture:

"Perhaps we shall also be able to develop a climate of opinion in which a mother waits with suspended imagination for her unknown child, ready to greet a stranger. And adoption may become so common that the drama of waiting for the unknown child with all the weight of longng that is part of having a child by a deeply loved person will be balanced by the drama of going with a loved person to choose a child already born and ready to curl its hand around its adopting father's finger. Children may face gladly the knowledge that they were chosen for what they could be seen to be, a boy or a girl with white or black or brown or saffron skin and with eyes bright as stars or tranquil as dreams. Or they may know, happily, that they came as strangers and that they were welcomed by their parents who had not chosen them but in whose being they had a creative part."

I copied this from The Paris Project blog

Making the Sunday morning flight worth it!

2009-11-08T13:48:00.000-06:00

While this morning was my first flight as a Southwest A+ member, what makes my airport time enjoyable is actually the people watching. Today, conversations made it fun.

Context: Big line to the down escalator, so a family and I were headed down the stairs towards the security line.

Little girl: (half way down the stairs) …um…I think I am going back up and going to the other stairs…. (she meant the escalator)
Mom: no, this way is fine
Krista: That does look fun, but today the stairs are much faster, as I pass to the left of her.
Little girl: Looks up at me with a smile and wonder in her voice, “Are you going to Disney World too?”
Krista: “Disney World, you get to go to Disney World? No, I am not going there, but I think you will have lots of fun.”
Little girl: “We are going to Disney World for a whole week!”
Dad: “This is her first time.”
Krista: “I was about your age when I went to Disney World for the first time. Have a lot of fun!”
I head over to the expert traveler line in the airport….
Little Girl: “You have fun too…Bye!”

I would have been smiling from that all day but then...

In the expert lane, as I gathered my stuff on the other side of security…

“This is the expert traveler lane, not the I think I am an expert traveler lane.” TSA officer

An experiment for Church

2009-10-26T11:56:00.002-05:00

We had been talking at church about how to address the many areas of violence in our neighborhood. Several of us have noticed 3 or 4 barely teenagers who have started hanging out and selling drugs on the corner. Our pastor asked how we could start interacting with them in a way that reached out to them in a way to say "we know what you are doing and if you want to talk about it let me know..." I answered, "I could make them muffins." Cause that is what I do...I bake for people...but on the other hand, I was sort of joking. Well, the group thought that was a fantastic idea. So, here is what I sent in an email as a report. This happened several weeks ago, I just want to remember it - so this is where I put that kind of stuff.

"We tried the experiment tonight. I made cookies, I figured they would be more appealing than muffins, and Jim and I went out to give them to the kids on the corner. There were two kids. To be honest, we had no idea what to say. I was thankful that we had cookies – at least we could offer the cookies – if nothing else worked. Here is how it went…

Krista: “Hi guys!”
Kids looked at us.
Jim: “Aren’t you guys a bit cold?”
Kids looked at us.
Krista: I made cookies this evening; I was wondering if you wanted some?
Kids smiled at us, and looked at each other.
Krista: I unwrapped the foil so they could see…”they are peanut butter chocolate chip”
Kids laughed and kept smiling.
Krista: “They are all yours, here you go.”
Kid #1: No thanks, maam.
Jim: “Really? You don’t want cookies, I mean I just had like 6 while they were baking…they are great!”
Kid #2: No thanks, man.
Jim: Ok – we’ll just find someone at the church to give them too..
Krista: Well, take care of yourselves tonight.

We went and dropped off the computer in the church, and I left the cookies on faith house steps in case they were watching and wanted them but didn’t want to take them from me directly. They were still there when I got back. Jim couldn’t believe that any kid would turn down cookies. Frankly, I wasn’t that surprised. I mean, you aren’t supposed to take food from strangers.

Jim wants me to mention that he thinks it would cool if we started as a church to bring them something every night, I think we will try to at least go and say hi once a week.

The story doesn’t end there, and that is what is the great part for me. So, I made these full of fat cookies (Jim’s comment was these are no Krista cookies) that we didn’t need to eat…I felt we had to give them away. I didn’t make them for me, I made them for someone else. So, we gave them to Leola, our downstairs neighbor. I was more nervous about offering them to her than I was the kids. Jim kept asking why and I really don’t know. But, I have been thinking for months I wanted to bake for my in house neighbors and just hadn’t gotten around to it. We had a nice conversation and it had nothing to do with the plumbing or the electric or anything else. That may be worth it for me – starting to develop better relationships with our neighbors so that eventually I will know those kids, and maybe they eventually will take our cookies."

Overheard during Houby Fest Parade

2009-10-06T22:17:00.002-05:00

Overheard during Houby Fest Parade

(while a politician passes with her float the music is blaring Lady Gaga's song "Poker Face")

"It's probably not a good idea for a politicians theme song in a parade to be "Poker Face you think?"

-Jim Parker

CTA story

2009-10-06T15:54:00.002-05:00

I keep forgetting to write about this, I thought of it this morning...and I really don't want to forget this time.

When I was coming home from the airport last week, I got on the Harrison bus at Cicero headed east. It was a red light when I got on, and while I paid and settled in to my seat. The bus driver was looking at the windows of the corner liquor store. She then asked if the two guys in the back of the bus would "go check out if the the keg size window displays are real or just cut outs." They did. "No, sorry cutouts...want us to go in the store to see if they have them inside?" "Would you?" The guys go in and now it is a green light. "The store says those are just displays."

And if that wasn't good enough a story...

During all this, it becomes clear that the little boy that is sitting across from me - probably about 6 years old, is the son of the bus driver. He is really struggling with his mom's non-attention to him - I am thankful that she was driving the bus. So, I start a conversation with him. "How was school?" He just looks at me, then his mom says - "Don't you answer her!" He looks at me, and mouths the words, "It was okay..."

I laughed.

Quote

2009-10-02T17:47:00.001-05:00

Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.

- H. Jackson Brown

Apology

2009-09-30T11:58:00.002-05:00

I used to have a list of reasons why I didn't want kids. In college, I believe the list got up two hundred and something reasons. People often told me it probably was a phase - in classes, on dates, and in casual conversations. I disagreed.

A huge turning point in my thinking happened when I was a family advocate. I wanted to work thre because of the life skills training I was so interested in learning. But the true reason that folks sometimes seek life skills training? They want to or have been forced to grow as parents. So while working on budgets and the such, I also worked with the kids - I went to birthday parties, the park and did crafts often with these creatures that still for the most part eluded the crap out of me. I decided that if I ever felt settled enough to have kids, it surely wouldn't be the worst thing. This also was the first time that I encountered the foster care system in ways that made me want to be a part of it. Over the last 5 years, I have been able to grow in my kid love, thanks to many of the children and teenagers that have shown love to me.

Its been a week since we were approved to be a foster care home. Small step- the physical structure was approved- not our mental capacity, yet! And while we have been working for awhile on preparing for this, orientation and moving into a bigger apartment - this seems to be the start of the pregnancy. Last month, during a crazy time of believing that our house would not be suitable, seemed to be the time of praying that the stick would just turn pink, already.

The stick turned pink, now its real. I have no idea what I got myself into. For the last week I have been seeing kids and thinking - oh dear, why would anyone trust me with that little person?

We still get to be pregnant for awhile, classes, home studies, and physicals - it is a busy time of preparation. I wait in expectation - scared out of my mind, and yet joyful.

So anyone who told me not liking kids was just a phase, I admit it, for me it looks like it was.

quote

2009-09-25T14:51:00.000-05:00

Who I am really keeps surprising me.

- Poet Nikki Giovanni

How to Care for Introverts

2009-09-14T17:06:00.002-05:00

I hope I am:

2009-09-12T19:06:00.001-05:00

A good cook is a sorceress who dispenses happiness.

- Elsa Schiapirelli

Simple Yummy Soup

2009-09-07T01:40:00.001-05:00

Sweet Potato and Garlic Soup

1 whole garlic bulb
2 sprays of olive oil
1 onion, chopped
10 1/2 oz sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
4 cups chicken broth
4 oz green beans
pepper
4 tbsp lowfat plain yogurt

Preheat oven to 375. Pull the garlic bulb apart and put in small roating pan. Roast in oven for 20 minutes or until soft. Remove and let cool before squeezing out the soft insides. Set aside.

Heat the oil in pan, add onion and sweet potato and cook, stirring constantly for 5 minutes. Add the stock and bring to boil. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat and sinner for 10 minutes. Add the green beans and roasted garlic and continue to simmer for 10 minutes.

Set aside 2 tbsp of green beans and puree soup. Add reserved beans with pepper to taste and heat through.

Divide between 4 bowls, swirl a spoonful of yogurt in each. Serve.

* Servings Per Recipe: 4
* Amount Per Serving
* Calories: 97.3

* Total Fat: 1.9 g
* Cholesterol: 5.1 mg
* Sodium: 982.1 mg
* Total Carbs: 18.5 g
* Dietary Fiber: 3.3 g
* Protein: 3.5 g

Living the Call on the bus

2009-08-30T14:06:00.001-05:00

For a couple days now I have been working with the Radical Journey participants. We have worked on a covenant, shared personal faith stories and lots of other cool stuff. On Tuesday, the leaders asked for questions that people had. Darrell (the other leader) and I looked at those questions and had a conversation – modeling how to have good conversation about things that you may not agree on. One of the questions that we talked probably the most about was How do I know what I am called to do? Darrell shared and I did too.

I talked about my internal sense that it was more than just a passion, almost to the degree of unexplainable. For example, I am passionate about food. However, I can usually describe why I like to cook, bake, or serve food. I really can’t even begin why I feel so passionate, beyond passionate about issues of class and race. I also shared a moment I remember in a SCUPE class that would be the community calling me to work with these issues alongside those may not understand. I told Darrell (and the 20 others that happened to be in the room) that I felt that moment in the SCUPE class happened 10 minutes ago instead of almost 10 years ago – it that strongly effected who I am today.

We finished the day and then Darrell and I took the bus to go back to Jim and I’s house. It was rush hour, but the bus we happened to be on had lots of seats empty. A man got on the bus and sat next to me, after a stop or two looked at me and said:

Man: “Chicago is sure full of lots of cultures.”
Krista:“Yes, isn’t it beautiful?”
Man: “Sometimes it causes a lot of conflict though.”
Krista: “Yes, that happens sometimes”
Silence
Man: “Where you from?”
Krista: “here (Chicago)”
Silence
Man: “What do you think about bi-racial dating?”
Krista: “I think it is fine.”
Silence
Man: “You mean if a german woman with blue eyes and blonde hair started dating an Islam Middle Eastern man, you wouldn’t care?”
Krista: “No.”
Man: “What about the way that culture treats women?”
Krista: “Well, if the woman feels comfortable with the man, then I am okay.”
Silence
Man: I believe you shouldn’t harm anyone.”
Krista: Me too.
Silence
Man: I am not prejudice but I think I would have a problem with if my sisters started dating a black man.
Krista: But you wouldn’t do any harm to them would you? That is what you said you believed, right?
Man: Yeah, but they are so violent…
Krista: Well, not all people live in the stereotypes that are given in society.
Silence
Man: Its hard to find people who are willing to talk about the hard issues
Krista: Yeah, its sorta my job
Man: Oh yeah, what do you do…
Krista: I help direct a program that hopes to teach people to have these hard conversations
Man: Cool
Silence
Man: I guess I don’t live in a lot of the stereotypes of a jewish male…I am not cheap, I tip well.
Krista: Cool. This is our stop (it really was), have a good ride.

Darrell and I spoke of this a bit when getting on the next bus, but the conversation got much more animated when Jim came to dinner with us. Darrell was able to give him the run down of what had happened. Jim’s response? “Oh yeah, that happens all the time. She just keeps them going.”

All in all, we could think of 4 or 5 times in the last 6 months that I i have had conversations like this one. And yes, I do “keep them going”. I engage folks who talk to me. I admit that sometimes I want to ignore people, but I just can’t. I am not saying I am perfect, I can easily stick my nose in a book and put headphones on and ignore the world on the bus.

One of the great things about living in the city is that I can interact with folks that I normally wouldn’t or folks that I disagree with. What if I really took more time to listen? What if I “keep them going” more?

Joke Time

2009-08-17T11:03:00.000-05:00

Krista has her quotes I have my jokes...

"Wow!" exclaimed Jesus. "We really enjoyed your work here. Especially Thriller! I listen to that album every night before I go to sleep."

Michael is a little taken aback. "Thank you, Lord..."

YHWH goes on, "Well, I have a special reward for you. I'm prepared to grant you one wish. Have anything in mind?"

Not one to act selfish and change God's opinion of him, Jackson thinks for a second and decides upon a wish. "I'd like for everyone on earth to always be able to hear the sweet sound of music, not to be interrupted by the noises of the world."

"Done!" exclaims the Prince of Peace. He snaps, and Billy Mays appears next to Jackson.

overheard on Congress

2009-08-16T20:43:00.002-05:00

While cleaning this afternoon Jim asked about the whole cake that was sitting on the counter, "What's the deal with this cake? Is it ours?" I had made it to take with us to the Flaming Meat party yesterday, but forgot it (Thanks and Sorry Eric and Nadia!).
"Yes, its all ours, I thought we could have it for supper."

Fast forward to after a supper of leftovers - I cooked way to much this week, its so fun when I am actually home for several days!

Jim: "Cake time?"
Me: "Sure!"
Jim leaves room and comes back with two pieces of cake, one for each of us.
Jim: "Ok, this is good. Whats in it other than chocolate?"
Me: "a bit of sugar, its actually chocolate chips, a bit of mayo - that's why I bought mayo the other day, and chick-peas..."
Jim:"and there it is...I knew there must be a twist for you to be baking it."

Its true, I probably wouldn't be baking just a chocolate cake.

The recipe follows:

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups garbanzo beans (chickpeas) – cooked if fresh, drained if canned
2 eggs
1/2 cup egg substitute
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
powdered sugar

Place rack on middle level and pre-heat oven to 350 °F.In a small bowl, melt chocolate in microwave oven on medium power for two minutes.In food processor or blender, combine beans, eggs and egg substitute, blending on high for thirty seconds. Add chocolate, sugar, mayonnaise and baking powder and process until smooth.
Pour mixture into 9” heart shaped non-stick baking pan or a round pan, baking for 45 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean. Cool and dust with powdered sugar and serve with pureed and strained raspberry sauce and fresh raspberries as a garnish. (We didn't use the sauce today.)

I got this recipe in a sparkpeople email.

Enjoy!

Quote

2009-08-16T09:53:00.000-05:00

There is no difference between living and learning...it is impossible and misleading and harmful to think of them as being separate.

- John Holt, author

Torn

2009-08-15T08:53:00.002-05:00

In late June, Jim and I went to see Food, Inc. While I didn't see much I didn't know, the way it was presented some new realities came to the front of me. I was disturbed by the circle of injustices that surround the farmers enough so that Jim and I are trying to buy meat that is locally grown and if beef, grass finished. Right now, I feel strongly about this. One place that I can get this type of meat, other than the CSA I am a part of, is Whole Foods, which frankly is a guilty pleasure, in fact I may have a date for lunch there today with a friend.

You all know where I am going, don't you?

This is an op-ed piece from the CEO of Whole Foods. In it he talks about his views on health care reform. I am not convinced his views are as bad as some are making them out to be, even though for the most part I disagree with him. So now what? Do I boycott as some suggest? I wonder what other stores I would boycott if I knew their CEOs stances on health care or treatment of workers or a host of other issues. That doesn't mean I shouldn't know or that I shouldn't decide to boycott - it is just a question. Yes, a boycott would, in this case, be a huge, huge sacrifice for me - a good lesson for me and maybe for Whole Foods. But I really don't know how to address this issue personally.

If you are interested, another article that speaks to this issue is here. I like the idea behind this piece - that CEO Mackey is going against the mission statement of Whole Foods - and therefore we should boycott.

I am not sure if I have a logical reason to be wishy-washy or if I am just that connected to Whole Foods that I want to be wishy-washy. I would love others opinions about this and other ethical issues.

quote

2009-08-05T20:19:00.001-05:00

Some days, although we cannot pray, a prayer utters itself. So, a woman will lift her head from the sieve of her hands and stare at the minims sung by a tree, a sudden gift.
Carol Ann Duffy, from "Prayer"

Ponderings

2009-08-05T20:17:00.002-05:00

During a prayer station while in Atlanta, I was thinking about the things that I most hope for at DOOR and generally in my life. Here is the list.

Care
Relationship
Growth
Affirmation
Respect
Hope
Embracing love

Its a big list; but it is really my wish list for my life.

quote

2009-08-03T11:25:00.000-05:00

The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.

- Flora Whittemore, author

A day in Chicago

2009-07-18T21:41:00.002-05:00

I find spending less time in Chicago has made me appreciate it all so much more. After running errands and having breakfast at the same place we did last weekend, we went to the Chicago Botanical Gardens on a whim. Therefore, no camera...but wow is it beautiful, I can't believe I haven't ever been there before! We walked around for several hours enjoying the many gardens and the water displays.

It is way north of Chicago - so we drove by the lake on the way back - not a lake view due to the big manisons that have lake views in their backyards - its pretty amazing. It was way past lunch when we stopped at a place that was called Japanese Restaurant - wow, again. Jim had really awesome beef served alongside several types of sushi and I had perfect Udon soup - it was a hole in the wall in all the great ways!

Continuing down the lake, we stop at the Ba'hai Temple. It is simply elegant. I had taken a summer staff several years ago there; but Jim have never been - he loved it.

Now, I pack and leave tomorrow to see Jannan, Betsy, Russ, Jackie and maybe meet Brandon!

DIA Musings

2009-07-17T17:46:00.002-05:00

Found quote:

To fulfill a dream, to be allowed to sweat over lonely labor, and to be given a chance to create, are the meat and potatoes of life. The money is the gravy.

- Bette Davis, actress

Overheard:

Mom to small child: "We get to board first for once since we have small children."

Small child: angered "I am not small"

Mom: Of course not honey, its your brother they are talking about.

Our Faith and Our Fork

2009-07-09T03:53:00.000-05:00

Last week, I went to a workshop about faith and eating - perfect for me, right?

I learned lots of things - but the thing I want to note here is a new image of God - Divine Chef - Oh, Amen to that one!

Oh, for the love of cooking

2009-07-08T20:09:00.002-05:00

One of the best parts of being home for a week is that I get to cook (right up there with going to the gym, being with Jim, and sleeping in my own bed)in my new to me kitchen. Several weeks ago, Jim and I went to see Food Inc. Don't go see it if you want to keep eating the way you are.

Anyways, we both (not just Krista) came away thinking that we needed to think about some things - mainly eating meat that is locally grown or organic and thinking more about locally produced products in general.

Last week, Jim, expecting to go to a bbq over the weekend, bought some locally produced and grass finished bison that we have been working on eating since he joined me in Ohio last weekend unexpectedly. So tonight we had:

Fresh pasta from Wisconsin - boiled for about 2 minutes (wow was it good)
Sauted broccoli and squash from farmer's type market
1 tomato, chopped
The above were combined with a little olive oil and salt and pepper
Grilled Bison, mine med rare, Jim's med

Oh, a great meal - no matter where the food came from!

Selfish Self Promotion

2009-07-08T19:00:00.003-05:00

So last week, I saw my book for the first time. I signed my book five times (but two were for my parents, so I don't think that counts). I got to have some good conversations about it as well. Oh yeah, and after J Denny Weaver telling me that I would write a book some day I got to sit by him and his new book (Defenseless Christianity written with Gerald Mast)and prove him right.

This week I am in Chicago, before I head out on Sunday to Denver. Its so nice to be home!

quote

2009-06-23T10:32:00.000-05:00

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.

- John Burroughs, essayist and naturalist

2009-06-18T11:11:00.001-05:00

Is it weird that i like to make funny faces when im alone in the elevator?

Journaling Part 4

2009-06-17T22:14:00.001-05:00

I have a feeling that all the previous posts will make it into future writings of mine in one form or another - so I am glad to get just the pieces down now.

Journaling Part 3

2009-06-17T22:05:00.002-05:00

More from several weeks ago!

Took some co-workers from out of town to one of my favorite places today (Hot Dougs)
The food is always good. The owner is friendly. They have owner friendly hours - so he can have a life. He is a good guy who is living his dream - I love supporting stuff like that.

There is always a line which is a part of the charm as well. One of my co-workers mentioned how unique this sort of feel and love for a place by the owner can be. I agreed.

to be continued...

Journaling Part 2

2009-06-17T21:58:00.003-05:00

Again more that I wrote awhile ago that I need to get off scrap paper.

Yesterday (the day after memorial day), Jim fell ill, which sent me to my local Walgreens. To be honest, I don't go there often but the lady recognized me and we had the following conversation.

Clerk: "Are you ready, baby?"
Me: "Yep (placing the pepto on the counter)"
"Oh, who is sick?"
"my husband"
"too much bbq?"
"just the wrong kind of bbq"
"I will be thinking of you and him."
"thanks"

Journaling Part 1

2009-06-17T21:38:00.002-05:00

Several weeks ago, I wrote several short thoughts in journal form - and so I don't lose them am posting them....the funny thing is that it isn't a finished piece but it is more than a thought. Hence my need to get them out of my scrap paper file and into a more permanent setting such as this website - and yet really they aren't ready to share. Oh, the joys and burdens of a blog!

Oh, the Chicago Public Library

My life wouldn't be the same without it. Recently, I said, " I really have no business buying books living where I live." I really love CPL and its many branches which are in most of the 77 neighborhoods of Chicago, including 2 within walking distance from my house. The CPL website recently upgraded so that I can have a book at any library sent to my local library through a click of a button.

In a recent article from the Washington Post, the Post shows the true cost of being poor. From paying more at the local grocerer than the 2 mile away superstore to the many costs of living in a "desert" if consumer goods in general, the article illustrates the mix of costs that are not thought of living in lower class neighborhoods.

I have been thinking about this article quite a bit and I thought about while I was driving to the library today. Yes, the library is free and in almost every neighborhood. However, I often wonder if the library really is free to those whose resources are unknown. Such as:

I have been using a daily check on the CPL website to track a book I really want for about 2 weeks. Seeing that in the entire CPL system, 4 copies at 3 libraries existed. I was constantly tracking which library had it in on the shelf and which ones the book was coming due.
Cost: 28 minutes Resource used: internet

Today, needing to return a book that I had finished, I went on my search for the token book and headed to a library in another neighborhood.
Cost: 20 minutes Resource used: car

After looking on the shelf for the book in question and not finding it - I picked out something else and went to check out the books and ask for a "hold and transfer" of the book to my library. The check out lady asked me to talk to the reference librarian. The reference librarian helped me find the book in the system, called a library that had one on the shelf asked for it to be placed on hold for me.
Cost: 30 minutes

I didn't know there where reference librarians at the library. That might sound silly, but I really didn't. She was quite kind, resourceful, and got me exactly what I wanted. I wonder though about the resources that it took me to that reference librarian - do I as a middle class person have the resources (including time) to lead me to this great reference librarian that those cited in the Post article would not have. Probably. Yes, the reference librarian is a free source of information - but I find it fasinating that it took lots of resources to come to this free resource.

Is this another cost of being poor?

To be continued....

Krista in the comics

2009-06-17T21:37:00.002-05:00

Click here for a comic that Jim found that is so me!

quote

2009-06-15T00:26:00.001-05:00

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing--that's why we recommend it daily.

- Zig Ziglar, motivational speaker

Friday Five

2009-06-12T13:26:00.002-05:00

From RevGalPals blog:

Gals and pals on the West and East coasts, and a few spots in between, may know of Trader Joe's--a quirky, well-stocked, well priced semi-gourmet store that attains near cult status among some. I discovered it through my Aunt Judy, who always brought a couple of their desserts to holiday parties....The best was a chocolate ganache torte that had my four year olds begging for it (and among the only four year olds on the planet to know what ganache is, presumably).

My family has happily Trader Joe'd in southernmost California, up to the Northwest, and back down to southern Cal. And now we're really excited because today a brand new Trader Joe is opening up across the street from our apartment. Wahoo! There are sure to be lots of tasty free samples on opening day and from now on we can just walk across the street to get a lot of our shopping done. I have a new spiritual directee coming tomorrow and she has already mentioned that she'll be stopping in on the way here, leaving me to be jealous cause I'll be spending that noon hour like, praying and preparing and study-vacuuming and everything, and won't be able to stop in till the afternoon.

So in honor of the new Trader Joe's, this week's Friday Five is all about food shopping.

1. Grocery shopping--love it or hate it?

I love it!!!! It is my favorite time of the week generally - chorewise. I love making the list, and then looking through the aisles for new finds.

2. Who is the primary food shopper in your household?

So we are a little silly, I think we both are. We most often go to the grocery store together.

3. Do you have a beloved store like TJ's which is unique to your location or family?

While we enjoy going to both Trader Joes and Whole Foods for special things, Pete's Market is where we shop most. The produce brings joy!

4. How about a farmer's market, or CSA share, as we move into summer? Or do you grow your own fruits/veggies/herbs?

Probably once a month I go to the conservatory down the street to pick up a CSA like basket - order one week in advance a basket full of yummies - but I only do it when I know that I have time to prepare the surprise veggies.

5. What's the favorite thing you buy at the grocery store?

Jim goes on fruit duty at Pete's. We have come home with three kinds of pears before and we see one we like best - that is my favorite part.

Who knew I would meet my grandma in the post office?

2009-06-12T11:50:00.002-05:00

My Grandma Beam had a lot of quirks such as her love of Dawn dish detergent, her ability to be cheap, and then to splurge. One day, we learned she got a new car. She didn't really need one, she had just really admired her bank teller's car and one day she drove past the bank didn't see it. So she went in and saw the said bank teller, asked where her car was, found out that the car had been traded in at a-not-to-near-by town's dealership. Grandma responded by getting in her car and driving to the dealership that it was at and bought it.

Today, I shared an elevator leaving the post office with a fun loving older gentleman who was very talkative with me on the three floor ride and then fist bumped me to say goodbye when we both got off in the underground parking. My car was the first car parked by the elevator I got in and started the car and noticed someone at my window. It was this fun loving older gentleman. I rolled down my window. He wanted to tell me how much he loved the RAV 4 and how he had one when they first came out just like mine.
He said, "that must have been around 10 years ago when it was involved in a crash".
"Yes," I replied, "this is 10 years old."
"Any chance you would part with it?"
"Nope, I plan to drive it until it dies."
"Are you sure?"
"Yep."
"When are you going to take me for a drive? It doesn't have to be today. I will give you my card."
"Nope, I am really not interested in selling this car, sir."
"Okay, (another fist bump) have a wonderful day."
"You too."

As I am driving up out of the parking lot, I am laughing thinking about how I can totally see my grandma doing this. Then I thought about maybe I should have asked how much he would have offered. Oh well, I thought, I really like this car I really don't want to part with it.

At the next stop light, I heard a beep at my side - and sure enough it was this gentleman sitting in my dream car, the Smart Car! Seriously! I want a Smart car, should have taken his card to work out a swap!

Moving and our cat...

2009-06-08T18:46:00.002-05:00

We finally moved this weekend to our new big apartment and during the move our cat MJ sneaked out of our apartment, I wandered around for 30 minutes trying to find her inside and outside and giving up I went back to cleaning but left our back door open in case she decided to come home. After about an hour I happen to walk by our bathroom and tada! there she is...covered in dirt of course. She survived her little adventure and decided to come home. I hope she heard our voices coming out of our place and just wanted to be home...

On a geeky side of things the new cheap $99 iphone is looking mighty good, but I should wait till my contract is up with T-Mobile next June :(

This is so Krista and Jim

2009-05-29T16:15:00.001-05:00

Click Here for a comic that could have happened at our house.

Yet another quote

2009-05-21T17:37:00.001-05:00

Charity depends on the vicissitudes of whim and personal wealth; justice depends on commitment instead of circumstance. Faith-based charity provides crumbs from the table; faith-based justice offers a place at the table. - Bill Moyers,
Television journalist and social commentator

another quote

2009-05-21T10:58:00.000-05:00

"We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once.

- Calvin Coolidge, American president

I need to tape this to my laptop when I get a chance.

quote

2009-05-20T22:08:00.001-05:00

When you stand still, you reject the struggle, and you refuse to change and grow. Ultimately, you reject fulfillment, happiness, the dance for joy and everything else that is eternally good.

- Matthew Kelly, classical actor and game show host

Weekend Report

2009-05-03T22:43:00.002-05:00

Friday:

The car started making horrible noises - noises that even I could have reproduced for Click and Clack on a Saturday morning. I called Jamie, my auto mechanic father-in-law and he told me in a soothing voice to stop driving and come to him. I did just that - well after waiting for Jim to come home.

Saturday:

First, some background: Many of you know either by Jim's post earlier in the week or by personal first hand knowledge that I am nesting. After not caring whatsoever about places that I have ever lived in terms of furniture or decor, I am all of a sudden spending most of time thinking about paint colors, dreaming of what diy projects I could accomplish, measuring for additional shelves in the pantry. It is all quite disturbing to me. I liked not caring, really I did. Friday night was supposed to be spent prepping the walls for painting (gray for the kitchen and a light yellow for the living area) that we would do on Saturday. I guess i should explain that there are two apartments that are turning into one for us. Currently, we have access to one of the two.

I wake up with no alarm on Saturday morning. I am waking up slowly thinking of how excited I am to paint and to move next weekend. The phone rings. Its our landlord telling me that the woman upstairs isn't moving out today, and while she was told that she needed to be out by Thursday, the landlord wanted us to be prepared for a possible no-go on the weekend. I felt like she had told me Chicago was on fire, worse actually. She wondered if we could wait until June just in case. I held it together on the phone, after that for most of the day I was a wreck. First, if we don't move until June - Jim would be doing most of the work as I will be gaining frequent flyer miles by the day all over. However and more importantly, I will feel homeless and not important in the move. Normally, this would be ok but after all the nesting I have done, I need to help and I need to settle. We decided not to paint - why when we might not move and I was convinced for about an hour that I would find another place to move into on Saturday - I have people coming on Saturday to help us move - so I am going to move.

In the middle of this, I need to go pick up the CSA basket at the conservatory - 20 lbs of fruit and veggies on my bike since the car is being worked on. I find my bike and Jim's bike needs air in the tires - we don't have time to go pump them - we have to walk. Its 10 am and I am defeated. Its not a hard walk nor a long one - but nothing is going my way!

In the afternoon with the help of a new game and PBS shows, I calmed down. The car was ready to be picked up, we rode the train and bus to Jamie's house (a long process that we have never done before). Picked up the car and then out to supper at a place called Bodhi, a Thai place that is in Berwyn - not exactly where you would want to go looking for Thai, but the chef (I had read) was amazing. Jim's Pad Thai was the most amazing Pad Thai either of us has ever had. My squash curry was also amazing. We give it 5 tomatoes (that is the best rating - tomatoes being my favorite vegetable). Then right down the road is another place that I had read about being important to eat at because it was worth saving in this recession - and had also heard that Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives was stopping there last week. We decided to have dessert there. Jim had red velvet cake and I had the made to order donut holes. Again, this was a great find (and we noticed Guy from DDD's signature on the wall). We want to go back for a meal, but dessert itself gained the place 31/2 tomatoes.

NOTE: We have decided to keep our moving date on Saturday - so please don't drop out if you said you were coming - we will move everything to the one side the one that is currently empty - in order to use the woman and man power available - then we will live in our apartment down here out of suitcases until both are ready.

Sunday:

Today, I preached a not very good sermon and then led communion. After church several of us talked about children in communion - interesting topic to say the least. The highlight of the day and my week was our trip to Graceland cemetery for a Chicago Architecture Foundation tour (Thanks for my membership, Russ, Betsy, Mom and Dad!). I saw the burial sites of lots of important Chicagians that often we would walk up to them I would read the name and gasp before the tour guide would tell the story - I already knew. Jim laughed enough that the tour guide caught on and asked if I would consider being a docent for the CAF - which I have thought about but it requires a 3 month class that is considered a graduate level class - you even have to write papers. I will consider it when my traveling schedule isn't quite as often.

We stopped at Microcenter, Joanne's - where my nesting tendencies all came rushing back, then grabbed supper at a place in the Entertainment book Mrs O'Leary's that would get 1/2 tomato.

The weekend worked out in the end!

PBS special report from Elkhart, IN

2009-04-29T17:36:00.003-05:00

The following in a link to a news story done on PBS about the faith community and how the hard hits in Elkhart county are interacting. It is an interesting story even if you don't know as many people in Elkhart/Goshen area.

Click here.

Quote

2009-04-29T15:30:00.002-05:00

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.

- George Burns, comedian and television personality

I am not feeling this one today - with one sister friend having a birthday today. Happy Birthday Melissa! Its still really funny.

Internet is back

2009-04-29T14:52:00.001-05:00

Life is good.

Lots of things....

2009-04-27T15:42:00.002-05:00

We went to see B-Sides of the Bible on Friday night which Krista loved and I sort of...got it, My opinion of it that it needed more humor and an easy way to have done that was to have God sitting in on all the stories ad-libbing or commenting in a way he did in one story.

Saturday we cruised around hitting up some second hand stores looking for a headboard for our bed, we actually found a new place call Free Store Chicago, it's a wandering "caravan" where people can drop stuff off and just pick up anything they want.

Sunday morning we picked up the key to our new place and we started cleaning one side, Krista is starting to "nest" and actually wants to paint our upcoming place and it's driving her nuts. We went to Spring Tea event at our church which I've never been to because it's around our anniversary or we were moving during this time frame. The speaker at the event had a lot of computer references...which kept me awake. ;) Sunday night was more cleaning and since Sunday morning the DSL has been out at our place and it's been hard on the both of us so we sat down and watched Slumdog Millionaire which was really good but I don't think it should have been the big Oscar winning movie it was hyped to be.

....man not having the internet at home sucks

2009-04-22T23:09:00.002-05:00

We have been busy…having really good experiences and food lately. Partially thanks to Entertainment Book (you know a fundraiser with tons of 2 for 1 coupons) that Joan gave us (Thanks Joan!) and also thanks to our membership to Chicago Public Radio that also follows the same concept. I doubt it would be worth our money to buy an entertainment book – but it has been fun using it.

Our great weekend started by going roller skating in Lombard, a suburb of Chicago. Click here for their website. (We have one more coupon if someone wants to go.) I wanted to go skating for my birthday and we are three months after the fact and we finally made time to go. Jim wiped out; I didn’t. However, he went a lot faster and is much better than I was. It was really good exercise which got negated by our stop to the 7-11 for a Slurpee.

Monday we used our Chicago Public Radio card to try Manny’s – a older than heck Jewish deli in downtown. We walked in and right away Jim said, “And why haven’t we been here before?” The funny thing is that I felt bad that I hadn’t been there before. Its one of those places that anyone who considers themselves a Chicago person should go there. Jim had a corned beef sandwich with a potato pancake. Quote of the hour, “I have no idea what corned beef is, but it is good!” I had a hot roast beef sandwich with mashed potatoes in the middle – I watched them carve the beef.

Tuesday we celebrated our anniversary at the Garfield Park Conservatory (Jim’s idea), and then went to Museum of the Science and Industry (I really wanted to go to the Smart House.), found a new coffeehouse, hit a thrift store, and then ate at Joy Yee’s (Chicago Public Radio card) to reclaim it from our horrible first date.

I am in love with my husband, no doubt. Marrying him 2 years ago may be the best thing I ever did. However, I am also always surprised with how much we are alike in our differences. He really likes being a tourist in his own city, I am glad that we found each other. We continue to like spending time with each other and using our GPS to find new stuff.

Quote

2009-04-20T21:04:00.000-05:00

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could...

- Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer

Dr Phil and ME

2009-04-15T15:36:00.002-05:00

So, I am sick and got sucked into Dr. Phil. However, it isn't that bad - it reminds me of some advice that we gave Betsy and Russ - take those stupid quizzes in magazines to start good conversation.

Dr. Phil is basically counseling a couple that doesn't know each other at all. They gave them a quiz about simple things and they got very little correct answers - these were - Where is your spouse from? Who is their best friend? - sorts of questions.

This couple have been married 8 months, and knew each other a little under 8 months. And Dr Phil's recommendation is to get to know each other.

While I don't think Jim and I have the perfect marriage (who does?), I can say that we really know each other. Wow, Phil just asked if they even like each other. We love each other, but we also like each other - we are friends. That goes along way...

This is making me very happy that my husband is my husband! Thanks sick day Dr. Phil!

Cream of Spinach Soup

2009-04-15T15:18:00.002-05:00

Here is what I made on Monday, it was really good. I was doubtful, so I did stir a tablespoon of butter to the whole pot - but I would recommend it. It has roughly 150 calories a cup - with the butter. Recipe by sparkpeople.com

1 white onion
1 pack fresh spinach
1 medium sized potato (white or red, no skin)
1 chicken breast (boneless, no skin)
4 cups of chicken broth
2 cups 2% milk
2 tbsp corn starch
salt to taste (optional)

Combine the onion, spinach, potato, chicken breast, chicken bullion cube, water and boil until chicken and potato are fully cooked.
Place all ingredients in blender and turn blender on for one minute or until most ingredients are blended.
Return ingredients to stove and add milk and salt to taste. Bring to a boil and add corn starch (dissolve corn starch with 1/4 cup of water).
Bring heat to med-low and stir until desired thickness. If you want thicker consistency add double corn starch mix.
Serve and enjoy.

Yesterday's plane ride

2009-04-15T14:57:00.000-05:00

On top of having a very productive day in the Denver office today, I experienced several strange occurances.
1. Arriving at the airport at 5:11, I printed out my boarding pass headed down the expert traveler security lane at Midway (highly recommend it) and got to my gate at about 5:30. I sat down in a recliner with an outlet and checked email while waiting for my flight (free WiFi at Midway). I soon noticed that my flight was to be shared with lots of high schoolers, many with band instruments. They were loud, and I was feeling very grumpy that they were to be on my flight. I asked one chipper girl if they were indeed a band. “Yes.” Where are you going – Denver or San Diego (the destination of the plane we were lined up to get on)? “Denver, then transferring..” “Oh, where is the final destination?” “DISNEY WORLD” another girl chimed in. “No, not Disney world, oh, I can’t remember the name,” spoke the girl that it seemed to really bother her that she didn’t know her geography. “Anaheim?” I said. “Yes, oh, Yes!” We are marching there for several days. True to high school form, they all were asleep on the flight, it was great.
2. Upon arrival in Denver, Glenn picked me up and headed for “breakfast” which by this point could have almost been lunch for me. We stopped at a new place, walked in and I waited for the hostess to finish with a customer when I realized I knew the hostess! Her aunt and uncle go to our church, and she was once a college student in Chicago and she attended our church during that time. CRAZY, Small World!
3. At “lunch”, Glenn and I’s lunching mate asked if Glenn really didn’t know of any other place other than Racines – his favorite spot to eat. I spoke up saying, “I have been looking forward to Racine’s Salmon Spinach Salad for a week, without ever thinking to ask if we were actually going there – I knew that we would.” The Spinach salad has tomatoes, wild berries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and salmon. (It is also supposed to have curried pecans and feta cheese, but I go without these, you can also order it without the salmon.)
4. Back at the airport, I find a crocs store and have some green chile – a Colorado and New Mexico speciality that I learned to love while living in Colorado. Yummy. Yummy in my tummy. My flight ended up being delayed so I watched Meerkat Manor (again, free wifi in Denver airport). I am almost done with the 2nd season. I get so wrapped up in it…its addicting.
5. We have only 20 people on a big plane, I have the whole first row to myself – a true luxury!

_____

Now, I am home and my ears never popped - its 14 hours after I landed and my ears are full of pressure - making it hard to talk and hear. It has been an interesting day - mostly in bed.

Advice I should listen to...

2009-04-13T09:39:00.001-05:00

A fragment of a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson is telling:

"Finish each day
And be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and
Absurdities have crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can."

Quote

2009-04-13T09:15:00.000-05:00

"Its hard to beat a person who never gives up."
Babe Ruth

Some quotes from my time in Louisville

2009-04-10T17:11:00.000-05:00

Kelly Brown Douglas quotes:
Blues is a felt music.
Blues is without shame, they appreciate the incarnate God.
I was really impressed how she used the method that she teaches. Taking experience to critique culture and to determine God is. She showed this method to a T! She was speaking about her new research on the link of the Blues and God. I even just bought some Blues from Itunes due to how she talked about it.

Other quotes from last week:
“oh, the cool cucumbers…”
“you guys are such love bugs”
“long term gig of service”

Comfort Food

2009-04-07T22:14:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I felt accomplishment. I made Sloppy Joes, oven fries and green beans. Sounds pretty normal right? I realized yesterday that I worry more about making the normal stuff for supper than trying a new unique recipe. It just isn’t me. Then, I remembered a conversation I had with a co-worker last week about how we cook. I had mentioned to her that I rarely attempt Italian with Jim since I doubt I will ever come close to his Italian mom’s cooking. I wonder if I worry and fret more about the regular stuff because comfort food is supposed to be comforting and if it doesn’t measure up then it won’t fit the bill. Its why, though I can make tomato soup, I want campbell’s when I am sick. Its why, though I make a mean mac and cheese, Jim wants Velveeta boxed stuff. Comfort food is to be the normal not different, not exciting, just warm and comforting.

So, that all to say, when I do the normal and it turns out normal – I am more excited than when I normally cook. Jim often looks longingly at the manwich can at the grocery store and I just won’t let it in the cart no matter what. I found this recipe and it went well – I like it better than the not-so-sloppy joes that Betsy and I made from her cool cookbook for kids.

16 oz. 96% ground beef (I used ground sirloin, it was on sale)
1 cup diet coke
10 tbsp heinz one carb reduced sugar ketchup
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp dry mustard
Brown ground beef in skillet. Drain beef and add back to skillet. Add remaining ingredients and stir well. Cook on low for 30 minutes uncovered so sauce can thicken. This is about 4 servings. This is a sparkpeople.com recipe.
The bun was a bit different, they were Arnold’s sandwich thins. I highly recommend them.

Tonight, I made a more Krista recipe, I served with coucous.

Pork with Pineapple Stew
12 oz. boneless pork loin
2 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. canola oil
1 medium onion, sliced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small chili pepper, seeded and minced
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 can (8 oz.) sliced pineapple in juice
1 large tomato, seeded and diced
1/2 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced

1. Trim all visible fat from meat. Cut into 1-inch cubes. Toss with flour to coat.
2. Generously coat deep, medium skillet with cooking spray. Set over medium-high heat. Brown meat, turning it to color on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer meat to plate.
3. Heat oil in pan. Saute onion, green pepper, garlic and chili pepper until onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Return meat to pan. Add 1 cup water, Worcestershire sauce, ginger, salt and pepper. Drain liquid from pineapple into pan. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.
4. Stack pineapple slices and cut into 8 sections. Add fruit, tomato and cucumber to stew. Simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. This stew keeps 2 to 3 days, covered, in the refrigerator.
Makes 4 servings. This is also sparkpeople.com

Video of AJ Jacobs

2009-03-29T10:46:00.001-05:00

I loved the book, and this video shows the author sharing his experience while writing it.

Book

Video

Really great benediction

2009-03-29T10:16:00.000-05:00

I feel a little bad posting this, as I don't know who I should attribute it to, but I do want to remember it.

May God bless you with discomfort at half-truths, easy answers, and superficial relationships, so that you will live deeply and from the heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and the exploitation of people, so that you will work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those in pain, so that you will reach out your hand to them and turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with just enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this old world, so that you will do those things that others say cannot be done.
The blessing of God, who creates, redeems, and sanctifies, be upon you and all you love, this day and forever more. Amen.

Lots of stuff

2009-03-29T10:00:00.002-05:00

I am in Louisville at the Presbyterian Young Adult Volunteer Placement Event. For those volunteers that are interested in serving overseas they all show up and interview with all the coordinators of the various sites. Several of us that are national site coordinators are around to help and provide guidance if folks decide they would like to serve somewhere in the States. It has been a great experience. I helped the coordinator from India conduct his interviews, had some great conversations, and just enjoyed the process.

Some phrases that make me smile....

"I like the mathiness of philosophy, and the philosophy of math."

"Oh, your parents are a Miami merger..."

-------

I am "stuck" at Louisville Seminary for a week. The placement event ended this morning and now I am attending an additional meeting that doesn't start until really tomorrow. While reading the bulletin board (a habit wherever I go) I saw that Kelly Brown Douglas was giving a lecture here. I thought "wow, that is so cool." Then I looked at the date, "Oh crap, I will be here!!!!!" Kelly Brown Douglas is a theologian that we read in college that I have written about, analyzed, and even used her work liberally in my master's thesis. I love her!!!! And I get to meet her tonight. I am so excited, that doesn't even begin to cover how excited I am about this! I know having this reaction to a theologian makes me more than weird...but I have accepted that.

Board Games...

2009-03-27T21:54:00.002-05:00

We sure do love our board games, we like old games like monopoly and RISK but we love playing these recent games like Settlers of Cataan and Carcassonne more and heres a cool article about the creators of those games

Clicky

A few things

2009-03-26T15:49:00.003-05:00

I picked up Kristas cold so thank god for Sudafed....

We've been talking about how we want to design our new apartment coming soon, and while Krista has plenty of Chicago geek posters I don't have so many, looking to this as a chance to do some geek decorating I proposed we decorate on of the rooms in old movie posters. Amazingly Krista agreed! I went a googling for a poster I've always loved seeing at the woodfield mall movie theatre, it's a print of the original title of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi actually titled Revenge of the Jedi, original prints cost...$1000 looks like I can only find the reprints with the logo Return of the Jedi for $16 and not the one that says "revenge" but I think I'll keep looking theres no way I'd pay $1k for a poster!

Heres a pic of it:

2009-03-25T15:02:00.001-05:00

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You, too? Thought I was the only one.’” (C.S. Lewis)

another quote

2009-03-24T09:29:00.001-05:00

Do not be afraid to ask dumb questions. They are easier to handle than dumb mistakes.

- Unknown

Another quote

2009-03-23T20:06:00.001-05:00

if life is a banquet, what am I doing at the Shoney’s salad bar?”
Karen Lee

Quote

2009-03-23T20:03:00.001-05:00

Who I am really keeps surprising me.

- Nikki Giovanni

Extreme Sheep Herding

2009-03-19T18:37:00.001-05:00

debt

2009-03-19T14:38:00.002-05:00

Debt.

Isn't that a "fun" word. Now I have my share of debt(just student loans) but most of my life my father and I have had issues because we have almost identical names(he's a Sr and I'm a Jr) and just last night I got a voice message saying that I was being "invited" to court for something this freaks Krista out as we have enough debt as it is(see theres that word again) and I give a call to them and as usual it's my father they are looking for. Of course they didn't look at my birthdate or SS #. I think they just did some kind of search for a phone number with my name on it and massed called all my names in the chicago area looking for him....all is good though and no more debt for me.

(oooh look at that 2 posts in a day for me)

Shoutouts to some blogs/websites

2009-03-19T11:05:00.002-05:00

I look forward every morning to these great blogs

Not Always Right - a blog about bad customers in customer service, every day there are at least 3 great stories.

Cake Wrecks - Bad cakes that are usually misspelled or just poorly done, plus there are great cakes shown once a week.

This is why you're fat - Awesomely bad food that sounds delicious!

Lifehacker - a blog for various software, they always find interesting applications I never thought I needed

Thats all for now anyone else have interesting blogs?

heard along Congress Parkway

2009-03-17T19:06:00.001-05:00

Jim: doing dishes from the last week You know, when I cook I use a couple of pans and pots all week...lots of cups, dishes, but not hard stuff

Krista: You can start cooking then...

Jim: Ah no, that would be a waste of your talent.

Krista: Thanks

Jim: No, I am serious, your stuff is good, I just make dinner, you seem to invent dinner.

I didn't pay him to say that, and I know that he loves that I cook...just hates the dishes.

Geeky Spouse Link

2009-03-15T07:58:00.001-05:00

Jim showed me this story. Wow, glad to know others "suffer" (aka laugh at) this stuff too.

Click here for Annoying Geek Spouse traits

Quote

2009-03-11T09:32:00.000-05:00

Barbara Brown Taylor

"Here I am. This is the body-like-no-other that my life has shaped. I live here. This is my soul's address."

Quote of the Day

2009-03-06T10:21:00.001-06:00

To swear off mistakes is very easy. All you have to do is swear off having ideas. Leo Burnett

Good will commerial

2009-03-05T21:19:00.003-06:00

I am having a hard time with my clothing fast. I am away from home, and often to pass time in the evenings by shopping in the mall, or Borders, or Thrift stores. So I did that today - went to the mall. Boring if I can't shop for clothes. I walked around for awhile and came back to the hotel. This fast is really showing me how I might be able to spend my time in other ways that are more life-giving.

A funny spin on this is: a goodwill commerial came on the TV about a half hour ago.

A man dressed in a uniform explaining how to shop at goodwill. (He did well.) Then the tag line.

Find the very thing you weren't looking for.

Fun!

Does anyone else remember Weekly Reader?

2009-03-05T21:00:00.002-06:00

I have been thinking about Weekly Reader a lot lately. My passion, when I was a kid, was maps. I had them all over my room and as an earlier post attests my favorite show on PBS was Where in the World is Carmen SanDiego. I remember Weekly reader in general, but the only article I really remember is the one talking about "maps in cars". I remember being really excited and telling at least mom if not dad about cars would eventually have computers with maps on it. I still remember the article, so it most have been something really striking!

Well, I have been thinking of that article, because now I have a maps in MY car. GPS has become in the last month a cool gadget that I don't just think is something fun for Jim. I can live without it, I can't recommend it for everyone, but a weekly reader future report came about in my lifetime, in my car. A victory for education!

Some reflections on lent

2009-02-28T22:27:00.002-06:00

I made a commitment to not buy any clothes during lent, therefore I am worried about the Salvation Army's bottom line.

I have gone by exactly 5 Salvation Army's since Ash Wednesday, most likely all of them would have gotten some of my money. Today, we went by several more thrift stores, this is going to be a huge sacrifice! More than I thought....oh, I miss Unique, Village, Goodwill, and Salvation Army already.

Some thoughts on the last week

2009-02-28T21:59:00.002-06:00

Last weekend, we headed to Valpo for a meeting even though Jim wasn't feeling that well. On Friday afternoon, I stopped by the University Chapel which I had always wanted to - I took pictures from my phone, which aren't good. So I found this website to show anyone who might have interest in some amazing stained glass. Here.

We also found a 5 lb resealable bag of sour patch kids - oh, joy. If you have still not found out about these wonders, that are better than chocolate, see here.

The week was filled with nights in and I cooked each night and loved it. I finally made a corn bread that has Jim's approval and is only 150 calories a serving. We liked it so much, I made it twice (Jim ate it in his lunch almost everyday).

1 c cornmeal
1 c flour
1/4 c white sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 c 1% fat buttermilk
1 whole egg
1/4 c tub margarine

1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Mix together cornmeal, flour, sugar, and baking powder.
3. In another bowl, combine buttermilk and egg. Beat lightly.
4. Slowly add buttermilk and egg mixture to dry ingredients.
5. Add margarine and mix by hand or mixer for 1 minute.
6. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes in an 8-by 8-inch, greased baking dish. Cool, cut into 10 squares.
Makes 10 servings.

I also hit it big with a new chili recipe that was based on a recipe I found in Women's Health with some major changes. I think a lot was added by my addition of the Sweet Red Pepper soup.

1 tsp olive oil
1 small onion
1 tsp garlic
1 lb ground turkey breast
2 cans of diced tomatoes
1 can of chickpeas, black beans and kidney beans
oregano and red chile powder to taste
V8 red pepper soup - one carton

Saute onion and garlic with the oil. Then brown the turkey. Add the tomatoes, spices, beans, and the red pepper soup. Let simmer for 30 minutes.

This morning, I picked up some veggies from Growing Power - a Community Support Ag organization - we got sunflower sprouts (I love these), carrots, broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and a variety of fruit. I am excited to try to figure out what to make.

Today for lunch we headed to Starship. Jim gets a kick out of showing me around the suburbs like I show people around Chicago. This is a place that he just remembered recently that is all about homemade soup and star trek. It is a cute little diner, and we even had a coupon (thanks to Joan for giving us an Entertainment coupon book!. When I saw it, it seemed like something Jim and I would do. Jim coming to me, "I need to a new place for all my collections." "Well, I could make some soup to afford the rent on your storage area...," my response. We came home with 6 frozen soups to try and enjoy. We had beef barley and cream of broccoli today.

Quote of the Day

2009-02-26T10:18:00.001-06:00

To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.

- Edmund Burke

So true!

Meerkat Manor

2009-02-25T16:07:00.003-06:00

Every night for the past 4 nights Krista and I have been addicted to this great Discovery show. The show is about a family of Meerkats that were studied for 10 years in Africa. They develop stories based on the everyday life of these cute animals, some of the stories are kinda cheesy but there is a voice over commenting on everything to do. It's tons of fun so check it out.