Fall Check List

Autumn is officially here. Time to get out your fall check list. Don’t have a fall check list? That’s okay. You can use mine.

1. Rake leaves into a pile

2. Jump in leaves

3. Repeat

4. Bake something with "tart apples thinly sliced" in the list of ingredients

5. Bake something with "Pumkin" in the title

6. Treat yourself to some Brach’s Candy Corn and/or Kraft Caramels

7. Get out the box labeled "WINTER CLOTHES" from the store room

8. Lovingly remove each sweater, turtle neck, and Cuddl Dud™ from the box

9. Refill the box with shorts and tank tops

10. Cross the word "WINTER" off the box, and scribble "SUMMER" below it

11. Return it to the storeroom

12. Keep your calendar handy and update as needed with joyfully anticipated concerts, retreats, Holiday parties, and family gatherings. (They'll be here before you know it!)

To help you with number 5, here's a little recipe I like that's fun and easy to make. I found it in a Weight Watcher's Cookbook, so it's not all that bad for you either. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Crescent Rolls

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Baking Time: 9 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup canned pumpkin

3 tablespoons cooking oil

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt.

2. In a small mixing bowl combine pumpkin, oil, and brown sugar. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture, stirring with a fork until combined. Form into a ball.

3. Line a large baking sheet with foil. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough gently for 10 to 12 stokes. Divide the dough in half. Roll each half into a 10-inch circle. Cut each circle into 8 wedges. Starting at the wide end of each wedge, loosely roll toward the point. Place, point side down, about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Curve ends of rolls slightly.

4. Combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over crescents. Bake in a 400° oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Makes 16 rolls.

An Experiment in Self-Discipline

For the past month or so I’ve been conducting an experiment. The results are in!

I wanted to test the following hypothesis: If I practice certain positive behaviors for a period of 26 days, I will see positive results.

The positive behaviors I’m referring to were of this sort: stretch each morning for 8 minutes, sweep the kitchen floor once a day, practice my guitar daily, and so on. Nothing huge. But I had gotten into a bit of a slump. I wasn’t doing much of anything, and I felt a bit like my life was wasting away. So I needed to do something to prove to myself, it didn’t need to be like this. I could do something about it. Or could I? Hence, the hypothesis was formed.

In truth, it took me 37 days to do it. I had a bad week in there. But eventually I chalked off day 26 and my experiment was complete. That was yesterday. Here are the results.

By stretching each morning for 26 days, and doing an assortment of crunches and other simple exercises, I achieved a more limber and toned body. I could actually see and feel the difference.

By keeping a cleaner house for 26 days, it was easier to keep clean, nicer to come home to, and easier to find things. My family appreciated all of those things too, though they never said it. I could just tell.

By practicing guitar daily for 12 days (I added that one about halfway through the experiment) I learned Lisa McCormick's four-step picking style, and have almost mastered St. James Infirmary.

So it worked.

I sort of figured it would. You see, the experiment wasn’t so much to test if it would work, but rather, if I had the self-discipline to keep at it for 26 days. And to be honest, I almost didn’t make it. But in the end I prevailed, and I earned my reward, a brand new copy of Mark Paustian’s book, “Prepared to Answer,” which I recently checked out from the library and decided I wanted to own for myself.

Now, I’m not telling you this story to brag. (Okay, maybe a little.) I’m sharing this with you to try and encourage you to do your own little experiment. It doesn’t have to be anything big. Maybe one of these can be your goal for the next 26 days:

• try to touch your toes each morning and evening
• read one verse of the Bible each morning
• march in place during the commercials when watching TV
• clean off the kitchen counter each day after supper
• eat an apple instead of ice cream for your bedtime snack

Pick something simple to start out with, and see how it goes. It might help to pick a reward for yourself or find a buddy to do it with you. Can’t find one? I’ll be your buddy. Actually, I’m hoping to try for another 26 days. That should take me to somewhere in late October. Maybe you and I could race to see who can complete their 26 days first! Just an idea.

And now, a Bible passage. This one is from Proverbs 14:23.

All hard work brings a profit.

It’s true. I tested it.

My Must-See TV Favorites

The other day my brother Tim called and we got to talking about a bunch of stuff. At one point I asked him, “How much TV do you watch?” “A lot,” he admitted. “Me too,” I confessed.
It’s true. I love winding down at the end of the day by watching the ol’ boob tube. Here are a few of my must-see TV favorites.

Tuesday nights, The Food Chanel, Chopped

My mother-in-law, of all people, first told me about this show. I watched it once and now I'm hooked. It’s a cooking competition where contestants race the clock to make an appetizer (round 1), an entrée (round 2), and a dessert (round 3), incorporating the items they find in their baskets into their finished products for each round. I’m not even into cooking, but I love this show. Each contestant has their own personality, and their own cooking style, and most are extremely good at what they do. The crazy part is when they open their baskets and find things like fish heads, or goat brain, or frozen waffles. Usually there's at least one ingredient in there I never even knew existed! But 20 minutes later they've turned it into a restaurant quality dish. Amazing stuff.

Wednesday Nights, FOX, Buried Treasure

This relatively new show follows those twin heroes from Antiques Roadshow, Leigh and Leslie Keno, as they travel the US looking for treasure in regular people's homes. Each family has a different story to tell. Some need the money to "save the farm." Others just want the old stuff gone. Whatever the case, the show does a great job of keeping viewers, like me, on the edge of their seats to see if these "treasures" are worth hundreds, thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, or if it’s just old junk.

Thursday Nights, PBS, Doc Martin

I can’t get enough of Doc Martin. This show is so fun, so quirky, so unpredictable, and yet at the same time oddly believable. The title character is a miserable, rude, unattractive and unfriendly man who makes you cringe with his blunt and inappropriate comments. Then why do I love him so? I do not know, but I do. Lots.

And now, for your viewing pleasure, I have for you the very first episode of Doc Martin. But be warned. It's about 45 minutes long, and once you start watching, you're not going to want to stop. Enjoy!

Additional warning: This is a British comedy, so it will also be somewhat racy at times. Funny story…so I was visiting with Jeff’s 94-year-old Grandmother last Thursday and she asked if I watch much TV. Of course I said I do, and then I told her my favorite show was Doc Martin. I gave it a glowing recommendation and encouraged her to tune in. That night there was a scene in the second episode (they show 2 back to back) where the doc walks in on his Auntie Joan having sex on the kitchen table! What will Grandma think! I can only hope she wasn't watching...or that she dozed off by then. How embarrassing. Actually, this episode has a few embarrassing parts in it too. Please don't be offended. If you think you might be, don't watch it. Nah. You should watch it. Learn what Doc Martin can't and "go with the flow!"

Just As I Am

I have a question for you.

Why do you go to church?

To worship God?

To sing His praises?

To strengthen your faith through the Word and Sacrament?

Those are all good answers.

And if you would have asked me that same question a few weeks ago, I probably would have responded with one or all of those answers myself.

But God, in his wisdom, showed me this past month, I may not be the good-little-church-goer I thought I was.

Here’s what happened.

For the past several years I have volunteered my services, in church services, running the projector. As old and traditional as our congregation is, we have one of those large screens that are popping up all over churches these days. We use ours to display the liturgy, readings, hymns and other helpful info during the services. The entire service is programmed into the computer beforehand by church workers, but volunteers are needed during the services to advance the screens at the proper times. It’s not terribly difficult to do, and I like doing it.

In most churches, the projectionist is seated up in the balcony or in the last pew. But at our church, we have what we call "the projection room." It's got a sound panel, several camera monitors, a dvd player, as well as the computer with the pre-programmed service ready to go. It's a pretty cool little room. It’s also a pretty solitary room. When I'm back there, all alone, with the door closed, as I usually am for services, I can sit however I like, sing however I like, talk to myself, laugh, blow my nose, fart (excuse me) and no one can see or hear me do it. I like that too.

But a few weeks ago the projector began experiencing technical difficulties. Actually, I believe it was the computer that was having problems, but whatever the cause, our lovely screen was non-functioning. Consequently, my services as projectionist were no longer needed. I had to sit in the sanctuary with everyone else.

As I took my seat in the pew beside my husband, I began to think about things. Things I hadn't thought about in many months. Things like, "I wonder if my hair looks good," and "There's Mr. So-and-So, and his daughter, but where's Mrs. So-and-So?" When I belted out the wrong words to a hymn, I wondered if anyone noticed, and sang a little softer. During the sermon I wondered if I was fidgeting too much, or if the Pastor saw me when I yawned and took it personally. When I went up to take communion I even wondered how my butt looked in my new dress pants. No kidding! Then I wondered how I could partake in the Lord's Supper with such sinful thoughts circling around in my head. I tried to push them aside, but they kept popping up, each one worse than the one before.

By the time the service ended I realized this had to stop. It’s just wrong to be thinking such things when I’m supposed to be focused on worship.

But the following weekend the projector was still on the fritz, and I was back in the pew. As much as I tried not to let it, it happened again. All those stupid, trivial, self-centered, and inappropriate thoughts came popping back up into my head. Erg.

That’s when I really began to ask myself, “Self, why do you go to church? Is it for worship, to praise the Lord, to hear his Word and be strengthened by His Body and Blood? Or is it to out-shine, out-sing, and check-out everyone else???” The evidence was hard to deny. My motivations were clearly off track.

“Oh, Lord. What a sinner I am. It would be better to put me back in a room all by myself, where no one could see me, and where I could focus on the service and ON YOU without distraction.”

God must have agreed, because the projector’s working again. I’m back in that small room, all alone, and am I ever glad.

As I think about it, I can’t help but wonder if God’s been keeping me back there because He knows what I’m like. He knows how easily I can get distracted, and so He gave me this little volunteer job to keep me from my sin. It’s not only possible. I believe that was His plan all along.

Not only that, I suspect He put me in a pew those few Sundays to help me realize all this. To show me how easily I lose my way, and make me realize how desperately I need Him to wipe away these and all of those other sins I don’t even know I’m doing. What an amazing Lord we have.

I took communion again last week, and as I walked up to the front of church I didn’t care as much how I looked. I only cared that God was letting me come…just as I am. He knows my thoughts are often not where they should be, but He still invites me to come to Him. And as I took the wafer and the wine I knew Jesus was saying, “This is my body, given for you…” and “This is my blood, shed for you.” And I went back to that little room, and worshipped Him.

Just As I Am

Lyrics by Charlotte Elliott

1. Just as I am, without one plea,

but that thy blood was shed for me,

and that thou bidst me come to thee,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

2. Just as I am, and waiting not

to rid my soul of one dark blot,

to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

3. Just as I am, though tossed about

with many a conflict, many a doubt,

fightings and fears within, without,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;

sight, riches, healing of the mind,

yea, all I need in thee to find,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

5. Just as I am, thou wilt receive,

wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

because thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

6. Just as I am, thy love unknown

hath broken every barrier down;

now, to be thine, yea thine alone,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Nature Bike

(Please remember, if you'd like to enlarge
any of the pictures in my blog, just click on it.
Then hit your back arrow to go back
to where you left off.)



As the summer is winding down, I find myself looking for a last bit of excitement.
And even though today was cool and overcast,
it turned out to be a perfect day for a Nature Hike -
or should I say Nature Bike!

I still enjoy riding my bike as much as I did when I was a kid.

See...I can do it with no hands even!


And so this afternoon I biked all the way to the end of our town's bike trail,
and crossed over the Minnesota River.


Then down the highway, and to the public river access.

This I found to be muddy and unexciting.

But what's this? A trail?

On the muddy banks of the river I note that other explorers have come before me.
Looks like some time ago they built a fire pit.
And these cleft-footed tracks tell me another visitor was here as well,
perhaps earlier today.

Ooo. Look! A Monarch in a tree.
Too bad it's a bit dark here. Too dark for a descent picture.


But here's a lovely little pink flower.
If only the Monarch would fly over here to get it's picture taken.
Some bugs are just camera shy, I guess.

You think I'd be used to it by now,
but it always makes me sad to see the first fallen leaves.
Summer gives way to fall, and fall gives way to winter...

Enough gloomy thoughts.

Time to head back to my bike and continue my little adventure.
But do I go back the way I came (boring)
or take an alternate route through the tall grass?

Why not? It's too late in the year for wood ticks. I should be okay.

The grass was all full of happy bugs, buzzing hither and thither...
including this cute little guy. I named him Charlie.

Time to head back to town. But as I stop to take a second look at the river
I feel something crawling on my arm. I brush it off and discover...


this!

It was one of the biggest spiders I'd ever seen.
And to think, it was probably on me since the tall grass!
I think I'd rather have a wood tick...

No, I wouldn't.

I hate ticks.

Back to the bike trail.


Hey look! There's more Monarchs in these
wild flowers growing along side the trail.
This one is feeding on a lovely wild thistle.
I think blooming wild thistle are just gorgeous! Don't you?

Almost as gorgeous as the Monarchs feeding on them.
These late hatching Monarchs
will likely fly thousands of miles and winter in Mexico. Amazing.

Here are some more of those cute yellow bugs.

But what are they doing...one on top of the other?

Why it's a regular bug orgy. Charlie doesn't know what he's missing!


This poor old Viceroy has been through a lot.


He's lost a chunk of each hind wing, and tons of scales to boot.
Poor fella. Oh well.
At least he doesn't need to fly down south for the winter.
He'll die soon. Viceroys winter as caterpillars in these parts.

I found all sorts of bees and wasps here too.
See the orange ball on this guy's leg?
It's the pollen he's been collecting.
He stores it there. What a smart and busy bee!



After I got tired of looking at bugs I continued on, back through town,
past the grain elevator, and the ball park, and some graffiti covered buildings,
(Between you and me, I find graffiti art to be quite stunning
and pleasing to the eye, but I won't post it here lest there be
some vulgarities in my photo I am unaware of.)
and finally came to just the place I was hoping to find.

A quiet little hill on the edge of town where I could sit and finish my book.

Which I did.

That is the end of my hike,
the end of my blog,
and (unfortunately) the end of summer.

But it's also the end of the hiatus I have been taking from blog writing.
I plan to go back to posting one-a-week from here on out.

Or at least, until next summer.

Bye for now!

Family Football

Last weekend we went up to the lake for my yearly Birthday Bash, and the traditional family football game. This year it was the old people (on the right) vs. Zack and his friends (on the left). We play a combination 2-hand touch (for the girls) /tackle (for the guys).


I played the first quarter, but then Danica subbed in for me, allowing me to capture this epic battle on tape.

Here are a few highlights.



Becca takes holding to a new level, giving Jeff lots of time to find an open man...to no avail.




Jeff's "gaping flesh wound" concerns his teammates.




Bryan to Ashley: "You caught the ball and it's good."




Zack bowls him over.




"Watch Sam!"




"Jeff! Jeff! Jeff! Jeff! Jeff!"




Pretty good for an old guy.



Jeff scores!

But is it enough...






Final score:

Young Ones: 11
Old Folks: 9

Rematch scheduled for next August.


Note: Mandie had some amazing catches and stellar spikes in the end zone, but alas, they were not captured on video. My deepest apologies. I'll try to have a more "fair and balanced" media collection next year.



BONUS VIDEO:
Danica Catches a "Blue Gill"