The best turkey ever

Those of you who know mild-mannered Seth well know he has a competitive streak a mile wide. (This may explain why he tries to beat his own fuel mileage with each fill-up (he's currently been averaging over 70 mpg).)

One of the ways his competitive streak manifests itself is through his cooking and baking. After sampling each dish he makes, the question is always asked, "Is that the best ____ you've ever eaten?"  Since Kenda and Nate were spending Thanksgiving with us, Seth jumped at the chance to prepare the best turkey ever. We don't usually have the opportunity to host a Thanksgiving dinner since we traditionally have spent T-giving with either my parents or his.

According to his instructions, I had purchased a Butterball turkey and on Thanksgiving morn, he set about his preparations. He made the stuffing from scratch and labored over a buttery sauce which he spread over the turkey before sticking it in the oven. He watched it carefully and covered it when the time was right, all while making a key lime pie, green bean casserole, and mashed potatoes.

After the appropriate amount of time, he pulled his prized possession out of the oven and tested the drumstick with the meat thermometer to make sure it measured 180 degrees.

He then made the gravy and appointed Nate as Carver of the Thanksgiving Turkey. (Kenda served as Keeper of the Young Man Kieran.)

I added sweet potato balls and a salad to the mix, and when all was ready, we gave thanks and feasted.  

Was it the best turkey I've ever had? I'd say it was pretty close. The stuffing, however, definitely ranks at the top of my list. Too bad he didn't use a recipe.

Date Night

I've mentioned before that Seth had a severe distaste for musicals. So once we were married, I gave up on ever going to a show again. Not, of course, that our little town has many "shows" to offer (besides the annual Frog-Jumping Contest); however we live about 45 minutes from the downtown of a rather large city which provides many opportunities for actual shows--shows such as Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Fiddler on the Roof, and so on.

Recently, I saw some promos on TV advertising that the musical Young Frankenstein would be at one of the downtown theaters. Knowing that Seth is a fan of the movie, I thought he may be interested in taking a chance on the musical. And I was right. I almost fell out of my chair when he agreed to go, but I was right nonetheless.

Since my sister and her husband were visiting for the Thanksgiving week, I took advantage of the free babysitting and Seth and I went to see Young Frankenstein on Tuesday evening. It was a real date night--cheese fries from Outback, hot chocolate from Graeter's, and a show in  fancy-schmancy theater.

This time, it was Seth who realized his age. As we were looking over the program before the show began, Seth wondered when the movie had first been released and found that it was 1974. His birth year. "Wow, thirty-six years . . . that was a long time ago. . . . The people who were the age I am now when it was first released are now 72." Somehow, it made me feel a bit better about being almost 50.

I have no words

Actually, I have a lot of words but I'm finding it difficult to form coherent thoughts because I just can't comprehend how a woman could ask people to vote in an online poll whether she should murder her unborn baby. Why, oh why, would she plan to get pregnant only to leave open the option of killing her baby? It's beyond fathomable to me.

I suppose, in a way, the site (even if it is a hoax) highlights the fact that our votes for elected leaders have already caused the deaths of millions of babies over the years. We may not have voted to save or take the life of one particular baby, but electing those who disrespect the Author of life and His commands concerning it has certainly led to policies and laws which allow the lives of thousands of individuals to be taken each day--mostly in the name of convenience, as is the case here.

Please, Lord, save the life of this child, for your glory. Amen.

Rain, glorious rain

This was the view when we returned from a visit with the audiologist. A few days ago, I pulled out Kieran's doctor reports from the past year and realized we were supposed to have returned for a follow-up visit with the audiologist six months ago. And so, six months late, we scheduled and attended that visit. I'd like to say it went well; however Kieran was not cooperative, crying throughout the entire exam, which the audiologist graciously cut short due to the aforementioned crying. He was able to determine that Kieran's ears were clear, meaning no residual fluid resided in his ears from the ear infection he had three weeks ago, and that he was hearing satisfactorily. The audiologist said he had no concerns about Kieran's hearing and recommended yearly visits from now on.

The reason I took the kitchen-window photo today is because It. Rained. All. Day. It was such a relief to hear the continual pitter-patter of rain drops on the roof and watch the drizzle change to a downpour and back and think about the cistern filling and hear the ground soak in the much needed moisture.

Thank you, Lord, for sending rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

The Last Days of Summer

Somehow, the warm air followed my mom from Florida and landed with her when she arrived for a visit last Wednesday.

We were all grateful for the brief cold-weather reprieve. On Saturday, we went to a nearby state park to enjoy the scenery and playgrounds.

It was nice to be able to hang out and enjoy the sunshine and warmth.

A special thanks to my mom who made yummy dinners for us while she was here and changed many diapers -- a huge help to my now-sensitive nose and stomach!

Making a list, checking it twice

Christmas arrives in fewer than two months. If I were someone other than who I am, the list I'm making would be a Christmas list and I would be well on my way to crossing off the gifts on the list one by one. However, I am not someone other than who I am and my Christmas list will probably not be started until December 15 (at the earliest).

Instead, I've been making another type of list. I've posted it here for your reading pleasure.
1. Waves of nausea all day that progressively worsen in the evenings. Check.

2. Extreme fatigue causing me to nap while Kieran naps during the day. Check.

3. Odd cravings for certain foods. Check.

(I should note on this point that Seth has been less than forthcoming on helping me to satisfy these cravings:

"No, I will not stop by the Chinese buffet on my way home from work and get a to-go box for you. . . . No, everyone does not do it."

"No, I will not stop by Dunkin' Donuts on my way home from work and buy you a dozen donuts. . . . No, you do not need them."

"No, I did not read your mind on my way home from work and pick up a pizza at Domino's.")

4. Sudden and inexplicable aversions to previously craved foods. Check.

5. Frequent trips to the little ladies' room. Check. All day and night. Check.

6. Stuffy nose while sleeping, countered by a collection of Breathe-Right strips. Check.

7. Weight gain. Check.

8. Lack of interest in making supper since no food at that time of day sounds good. Check.

9. Having a picture taken that looks like this. Check.

10. Carrying around a new little person who will, Lord willing, make his/her appearance in early May. Check.

Trampoline fun

My mom will be visiting with us next week, so we've postponed Kieran's birthday celebration until then. However, he did get to open a present that came from my parents--an indoor trampoline. And he loves it. (I believe Clifford the Big Red Dog was showing on TV during the time of filming.)

Two years

Two years ago, I entered the hospital as a beached whale and left it, sadly, still as a beached whale but, happily, also with a tiny ball of humanity scrunched into a carseat.

On the morning we left the hospital, the OB greeted us with the news that a Democratic president would shortly be taking office. This morning, we were greeted with much more, for us, pleasant political news.

The interim two years have been interesting, to say the least, but always filled with God's grace and mercy.

Happy 2nd birthday, Kieran! We love you and are so thankful the Lord gave you to us!

The Right View

Our friends Dave and Diane are serving in Florida with New Tribes Mission.

Today, I received this hand-made card from Diane in the mail. I loved it.

I think she has a future in greeting cards, don't you? "Greetings from the Holler" . . . . maybe that could be what catapults us to world fame, eh, Diane?