Thanksgiving at Momma and Daddy's!

I try not to wish for things I can't have, but, really, I would've been okay had Thanksgiving ran straight into Christmas this year. A month-long celebration. I love being at home. I love my family. I love having the same thing to eat (turkey, stuffing, taters, 7-layer salad, Daddy's homemade rolls, corn casserole, desserts galore) every year. I love those extra helping hands for Wilder.

And the safety net that, just for a little while, other people are "in charge."

We don't get out fine china or dress fancily (stay in our PJs most of the time). We avoid the Black Friday crowds and don't make our beds. We talk, talk, talk, watch sports and movies together. Then, poof, it's time to return to normal life.
I adore this picture. It is dark and blurry but that makes me love it more. Wilder and Grandpa Mustache are buds (they had just finished looking at the stars). Wilder's feet never hit the carpet the morning we left.Grammy's tub was much nicer than ours--not cold cast-iron like we have!
My best friend and sister, Erin (Sissy) told ongoing gross stories of her vet-tech job.
Megan, we missed you, especially during our sisters-only gab fest at the mexi restaurant.Oh, here's a peek at Erin and Ryan's Christmas photo shoot at Ryan's family farm. We had fun, except for dodging the cow patties part. I did not like that.
And that was our Thanksgiving.

Wilder update: he is still running fevers but started antibiotics for a sinus infection (hopefully that is all it is). We are holed up, again; please pray for 100% health for him. Also, he's working on a new tooth!

Fruit of happiness

There's this place in the country where
Orange trees line the primitive road
Your rusted Duster jostles on
Still the orange trees beckon
Extending their branches
Wanting you to accept their offering
Taste their fruit, sweet and pure, like a child
So you take one and the juice is sticky on your chin

And you keep the windows down so the wind
Tousles your unruly hair
It ruffles your arm hair, too--tickles it
But you let it, knowing each whirl of wind
Is the heartbeat of heaven
You are close to it
Can almost touch the top of it

You have this urge to sing loudly, so you do
"Oh my darling Clementine"
And you think the sort of adventure it'd be
To drive like this all day
On you drive,
The fruit of happiness
On your chin, fingertips.

~mh

Blessings on Thanksgiving!

Chocolate makes the world go round.

In charge of bringing "something chocolate" for Thanksgiving, I knew right away I'd make my Aunt Tam's wonderful, perfect chocolate cake.

Except this time it didn't turn out perfect...I made two 8-inch round cakes, and one of the cakes stuck to the pan (even after Crisco and flour), its contents now in a ziploc for snacking pleasure. So I used the remaining intact cake and turned her into a Cinderella of sorts. Add Oreos and no one will notice the cake's not double layered, right?

Let's hope it's good.

~

In this moment and every one thereafter, we give thanks.

Every Thanksgiving we go around the table, laden with fluffy buttered tatoes, piping hot stuffing, the steaming bird, Daddy's glistening rolls, to voice what we are thankful for. We usually hear things like, "God, family, good health, wing-spreading experiences."

Joy abounds and for a moment we gingerly, admiringly hold a piece of the thankful person's heart. I wish we could have this everyday. The intimate sharing. The priorities in a person's life, which we hear about at Thanksgiving, demonstrate his longings. We are busy carrying on, surviving, going forward, that we rarely glimpse at what we want, thinking it a weakness in malcontentment, an outflowing of complanatory flotsam.

It's not. It's okay to explore the longings of the heart, formed and placed there by the King. Most would say, and I agree, that though we may wish for more money or a better car or to be naturally blonde or to live closer to family or to be a published writer and women's mentor ;-) really, all that matters is Faith. Family. Optimal health.

And of course those experiences, a time or two in the year, that broaden our wingspan a little wider.

May we fly high and catch all we can.

~mh
happy thanksgiving

Peanut Butter Oat Bites

This is my 365th post...isn't that cool? That's a lot of writing, editing, photo sharing, rhyming and venting. I've come a long way. My pictures are large now (thanks, A!). And I compete only with myself, loving this as an avenue for writing and dreaming.

You have put up with me for a long time... I wish I had some sponsors (but not the annoying ads) and could have a giveaway for a KitchenAid mixer or a cool hand-sewn apron (someday)!

But for now, check out this recipe for peanut butter oat bites. My gorgeous friend L emailed it to me and said I had.to.try.them. She was right. They are decadent.

However, the balls didn't form together very easily for me. In fact I got stressed (imagine that) and enlisted Shawn's help. They're for him to take to a work party anyway!

Peanut butter oat bites
Prep: 30 min.
Yield: 24
Cost per serving:$.20

2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter (I used regular)
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
3 Tbsp honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 cup quick oats
1/4 cup raisins (I omitted but doubled choc chips)
1/4 cup miniature chocolate chips (I used regular sized)
1/4 cup lightly salted dry-roasted peanuts, finely chopped
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Remove pan from heat and stir in peanut butter, confectioner's sugar, honey, and vanilla.
Stir in Rice Krispies and oats and allow mixture to cool.
Stir in raisins and chocolate chips. Form mixture into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in chopped peanuts, pressing to coat.
Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
And if those don't look yummy to you, then:

incredible photo courtesy of Meg D. over at the Whatever blog;
I will "trickle" hers out to you over time
also try Unruh Photography for stunning photos in the NE & KS area

Get better, my little one

I've a sick baby around here. I'm reminded of his itty bitty, more helpless days, when we were up multiple times in the wee hours, when he slept on my chest.

And although I'd give my right, cellulite-clad leg to see this kid 100% better, I wouldn't trade his lying on my chest for an HOUR, his breathing strained under the sickness,

Or our slow-dancing to Christmas music,

Or the vick's vapor rub massage to his precious body.

And even though my cabin fever's about to send me over,

There's never been a better time to be momma.

Ever.

Seasonal Decorating

There's this cool firehouse-converted-store in town, down the street, in fact, called Seasonal Decorating. Not the most creative name for a store, but, their stuff,

Oh. my.

And especially at Christmas!
I went there today and a lady checked out with tons things, totaling $864. Can you imagine having that kind of money to spend? If I did, I'd want to do something for Operation Christmas Child, not Operation Mindy's House.

Anyway, it's still fun to look!

Just had to include this sweet picture of Wilder with his friends L & V, who kept him company ('neath a tent!) while I was at an appointment.~Here's to a groovy "hump day" (Wednesday), as they say~

alma mater--go wildcats!

After a trip to our alma mater, Kansas State University, we're back in town refreshed and ready for the week. I have lots of favorite things about the trip, but my most favorite was this:

Shawn played me a song on the bed and breakfast's piano. He is brilliant. In those moments of dancing melody, I held, in my deepest heart, all the good things that are, have been, or ever will be.

(Babe, thank you for that gift--you are a calming rain; off to buy you a piano)

iPhone photo courtesy of D. Jack

Forever and well

Click image to see it larger. Good night, precious people. Sleep tight.

Things that....

...make my life prettier:
Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara- the mascara I have to use. Just have to.

More active:
Mizuno Wave Rider 12 Road-Running Shoes
These were my companion when training for September's 5K...fit like a glove over my narrow, high arched feet.
Less worrisome:
temporal artery thermometer
The idea of placing a thermometer in Wilder's bum was a mommie line I just wasn't gonna cross. And this is a quick scan across the forehead..when we're bored Shawn and I take turns checking our temps. :-)
More accessorized: This bubble necklace from Etsy vendor StellaJade Designs. I've met the girl in person--she's adorable and so talented. Get yourself a pretty, just because!

Less stressed: Bath and Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint Body Lotion--It is, and will forever remain, my favorite B & B fragrance...and the glass bottle~that's pampering at its best. Thanks for getting me hooked, A. Tam.
And lastly, people who make my life beautiful/rich/a dream:



Seriously.

the bride and groom of 2003

While vacationing, I'd experienced Casa Bonita a few times as a youngster. The food, the size of the restaurant, the in-house high diver...for a small town Kansas girl, these held the "ooh ahh" factor; have some neat memories. (subsequently, Wikipedia indicates that as of 2008, only 2 locations remain open in the U.S.).

Since we were going to be staying in Denver for a few nights during our honeymoon (6 years ago!), I told Shawn, "we have to eat at Casa Bonita. We have to."

So we did.

Came back with full stomachs, and, this:
It's one of my favorite things to look at.

Needless to say the speedo-clad high diver didn't own the same level of novelty this time. But that was ok. We were on our honeymoon!

What a day to reminisce about our love...and when my body was, shall we say, perkier.

Trunk or Treat!!

Part of my growing up is creating happiness and wonder for Wilder's own growing up. Halloween was just another chance to do that. The college capades of dressing up and going out are distant in my memory, shroud in their own haze. We're in a new, wonderful chapter now, and it's lovely.

We joined L, D, & Grey at a Trunk or Treat (thanks for the fun night, peeps)--the parking lot was lined with cars/firetruck/ambulance/activities. W & Grey were a trifle young to really appreciate it, but, it was a delightful eve nonetheless. And the chill didn't stop the treaters from petitioning for candy. There were some cute costumes. I stared alot.

Hey, I haven't completely grown up.
Stereotypes aside, this couple was ornery and fun to observe. And that is one, big tush.

~