On this Christmas Eve's Eve

Oh how I wish I could just press the pause button on life right now.

I want to stay right here, in these moments.

Just for a while longer.

I love having the kids home from school.

I love having this special time of baking and lights,

 the joy, the decorations, and the anticipation of it all.

For school, I have been having to volunteer at a Physical Therapy office.

I love it, but I have to have many volunteer hours and being away from home

so much has been a bit hard. 

I have been enjoying what time I do have at home more than ever.

Cherishing it all...

Oh the goodies me and Jalyn have made!

* My hubbies' favorite - pralines.

* One of my favorites - sugar cookies!

Jalyn had to have different colored icing to decorate the cookies.

More fun that way!  And prettier too!

* And these!  A new addition to our treat making

- yummy chocolate covered cake balls.

Such a mess to make - and a bit of work for sure,

but worth it!

In the midst of much activity, I so enjoy some quiet -

I need some time to myself. 

If only just to sit in the living room -

with the glow of candles and Christmas lights.

And again this morning - up before everyone else.

Bible reading, journaling, coffee and chocolate chip scones.

Wishing everyone peace-filled moments.

Moments spent savoring the season, the goodies, the kiddos,

and the Giver of all.

Oh the holidays...

How I love this time of year...

My most favorite block of months -

from October to December.

I have been enjoying the lights, the already festiveness.

 The glow of the tree just makes me happy.

And finally, it has been cold enough for a fire!

Actually in the 30's in the morning/nights. 

Love it!

If I must study for my Pharmacology final, it can at least be done enjoyably.

Haha, yes, even this is possible!

Especially while sipping a cup of espresso over melted chocolate chips,

with cream stirred in (and a splash of vanilla!)

Add in a most delicious dessert -

and even Pharmacology can be bearable!

To even further get me in the Christmas mood -

I have been

Listening to this:

lovely music



And this too

While I cook, read, eat, read, get ready, or study;
love the folksy sounds!

Even (especially) in the midst of the trials, tests, questions and uncertainties of life,
One must create some time of peace, beauty, and a bit of solitude
to bring peace into a heart and life.
Moments to put aside all cares and worries.

May we all find time for that this season...

It's a "K" Thing!

I so did not need another mug....

But as I told my hubby, while we were browsing through Kirklands, "Look, the one on display has a "K" on it!  And it's so pretty."  I don't have many K things, but love them.

And look at the little matching spoon - and the saucer that comes with it -

A pretty "morning time" touch!

I am so happy with the littlest things :)

LOVE Latte' !

Everytime I go to a coffee shop, I order the same thing.  Actually, it took me a long time of going to coffee shops to figure out the one thing I loved.  But now I know. 

I love latte's!

So, I felt like plurging a bit (if you call spending $35 a splurge - like I do!). 
So, I bought myself an Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte' Machine Thingy.

Funny thing is, I don't like black coffee, or espresso.  Nor do I like to put milk in my coffee.  So, I am stumped as to why I love a latte....  You make espresso, pour it into your mug, then steam the milk (the magic happens to the milk here) till it is all foamy and frothy (sounds lovely, I know) - then pour it in the espresso!  I have figured out for myself, that I prefer my espresso made with a bit less coffee than they recommend.

Viola'!

And at over $3.00 a cup at a coffee shop, I can see making up my $35 - one day (I actually only go to a coffee shop about once a month!).  But still, now I can have the latte any time I feel like it.  Oh, there is actually one problem with the "any time I feel like it" theory.  It makes a bit of noise....  And here I am, up early, with the kids still sleeping (just like I like it), and to make my latte requires a bit of hissing steam. 

Now, doesn't that look delicious?

Hummm....  Which do I prefer, solitude over my morning latte'?  I think I shall sit quietly and wait till I hear footsteps walking down the hallway.  Until then, I may have to revert back to the old coffee maker.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Blue Skies & Coffee Mugs

Yesterday morning, as I walked outside with Jalyn to catch her bus,

this is what I saw.

Streaked across the west and east - how beautiful!

If you look in this one, you can see the pilot coming up in the middle,

making another streak.

Now I have to wonder why is he doing this?  Is it just to bless everyone who walks outside?

Maybe it is for someone he loves (or she).  To say - "This is just for you!"

If so - it was for all of us who happened to look up as well.

I will never know - I am sure - but it was a happy way to start the day.

Then I went back inside - to my waiting coffee.

Speaking of happy - isn't it always cheerful to have something personalized?

My hubby picked this out the other day while we were shopping.

Of course I didn't need another coffee mug - but I don't have one with a "K" on it!

Had to get it!

Here's hoping everyone finds a little something that brings a smile to your face this morning!

My Reading Place

When I want to slip away - by myself....

A good cup of coffee makes it all the better.

A new book gives the reason for slipping away.

Even in the middle of the day.

Chocolatey Espresso

I don't really know what to call this, but I saw it on a cooking show the other day - and Yum!



First, you take a bag of these (or any other small pieces of chocolate)



Then you heat milk or half and half (I used half and half) but do not allow it to boil. Add however much chocolate you want - I just used a handful of chocolate chips. Add a teaspoon of vanilla and sugar to your taste.
Stir until chocolate is melted.



Meanwhile if you have one of these, make your espresso.





When that is done, pour it into the milk and chocolate mixture.



Then pour it into your mug.

I actually had to add more cool half and half to the final cup (and an ice cube - too hot for me!)



Yummy!
A new favorite!

Moka Pot

The other day, me and Joshie were strolling through Tuesday Morning - a shop with all kinds of kitchen and house ware stuff - and a few toys for Joshie to look at.




I saw this, and bought it. All I know is that I have seen Giada use it - from Food Network's "Everyday Italian". Also, they were on sale from $20.00 to $7.99. That was a major factor. My husband said I got it because I love the "gadgettiness" of it. Perhaps..... I told him that it actually reminds me of some old fashioned way of making coffee - in a new fangled kind of way. It's just made with heat and steam.

I had to buy a big mug to go with it, though this wasn't what I was looking for. I wanted one of those big round bowl like mugs, but they didn't have any. Also, I do not really like the pattern on this mug. But... I settled.

I LOVE latte's. Of course, I have no way to get my milk or cream all foamy like they do in the coffee shops, unless of course someone knows a trick to that????

So.. I think (emphasis on THINK) that latte's are made with espresso and milk. So, I decided for $8 bucks, it was worth a try.




I honestly didn't even know what to do with it. I read the very limited instructions that came with it. They didn't really help.

So, this morning, I went on the only "place" I know that shows you how to do just about everything - You Tube, and watched several creative videos showing how to do this. I didn't even know it had a name - but of course You Tube does - it's a Moka Pot.



Espresso itself looks a little like the muddy Mississippi.

And no, I do not drink it like that. I'm one of those people who likes a little coffee in her milk!

So, I take a mixture of half and half and milk, and heat it in the microwave, then pour the espresso in (and add sugar of course).

Viola! My version of a latte.

Oh, is it good? I guess. I'll have to try it a few more times to just to see....

Coffee, Coffee, and yes, more Coffee

All of my life, I have heard people say how much they NEED their coffee. How they can't function if they don't have it. How it's the first thing they have to have in the morning.

Well, first thing every morning now - I can't wait to get my coffee going! I'm becoming "one of those people". Now, I wouldn't go so far as to say I can't function without it - I am only drinking decaf. I just wake up and can't wait to smell it and have a cup.

Maybe because I ordered that slightly pricey "Gevalia" coffee. I got my last shipment in - 4 boxes, then I canceled! I'm already almost finished the first box. Whatever will I do when it's gone? I don't think store bought coffee is this good.


Oh, I'm back. I had to really go fix my cup now. Yummm!!

I have been skipping breakfast these days - MY FAVORITE MEAL OF THE DAY. I love it, but come on - what do I love? Bacon, pancakes, sausages, waffles, eggs, muffins..... Do you see something they all have a bit in common?

FAT?

So, I am JUST drinking coffee these days. I know, I know, "breakfast is the most important meal of the day". And I will continue to tell my children this, but hey, I'm getting calories and fat from the "Half and Half" - that's all I need!

Okay, it wasn't so bad

I made it through the PJ's night, very well, all thanks to God - and for all my friends who thought of me, encouraged me and prayed for me.
I was nervous, but as I looked around at all the ladies, most of whom I know well and care for so much, I felt overall at peace. I read through my notes, as everyone also took turns reading passages in their bibles from my notes. My topic was "El Roi", the God Who Sees, so I challenged everyone to remember times when you absolutely know that God saw you and did something for you that no one else could have - to remember them also in times when you can't see Him and you feel unseen by Him. It helps to remember those times that He was so personal to you, it just melted your heart - to know He thought about you and did something just for you. I shared a few personal stories where I so knew that He saw my need, and did something for me out of love. He does all things out of love, but there are times He does things that reminds you of His tender love for us.
Anyway, I don't know if I was comfortable because the subject was near and dear to me, or what. I chose to do that name of God, but what would I have done if I was given, "The Lord is my Banner", or one like that. I really don't even know what that means. I guess that's why it would be good for me to research it and talk about it? I'm not volunteering yet!
A sweet lady who was there even sent me a sweet email thanking me and telling me that others were blessed by what I said. That's another thing God has done for me, giving me encouragement through others, because He knows I need just a little.
I sure did go to bed with a near migraine last night (that is what stress always does to me), so I think I'll just sit back and blend in with the wallpaper for the next few weeks!
Unless God tells me otherwise.