What I’m Lovin’ Now… October 10, 2008

1. Whataburger – I never thought I’d hear myself say this but I truly do prefer Whataburger over Chick-Fil-A! What is wrong with me?!?! It could have something to do with the fact that my son and I got sick from eating at a local Chick-Fil-A more than a month ago but I can’t be sure. I just seem to prefer Whataburger’s No. 7 with lemonade over Chick-Fil-A’s No. 1 with lemonade (except, of course, CFA does have better lemonade.) But I can always choose the sweet tea at Whataburger, which isn’t bad. Oh and my son enjoys Whataburger, too, so that helps.

2. My moms group – Our church started a moms group/Bible study a few months ago and it is so great! I’m having a wonderful time chatting with the other moms, making new friends and allowing my son to play with kids his own age. Not to mention I’m learning what God expects of me as a mom and that it is not perfection. Whewwww! That’s good news! But He does expect self-sacrifice, discipline and above all things love.

3. John 13 – For some reason, in the last few weeks, the story of Jesus’ humility in washing His disciples’ feet has been top o’ mind for me. When I read it after not having read it for a while, it just so spoke to me about my own attitude as a servant to my son and husband. “If you know these things, do them and you will be blessed.” I just adore Christ and am grateful for how much He has given up for me and for everyone else.

4. The weather – Fall in the Houston area is quite nice – you can have cool mornings, windy afternoons and brisk evenings. I can actually go to the park and playground at 4 pm and not become drenched with sweat. My son and I have been spending a lot of time outdoors and it’s been great. It certainly does wonders for his napping as well as our electric bill!

5. Honeycrisp apples – So, I’ve always been faithful to Gala apples but recently bought some Honeycrisp apples that were on sale at our local grocery store. And boy were they yummy! They weren’t too sweet but were definitely crunchier and juicier than Gala! I did a little research and found that there’s an entire Web site devoted to this variety of apple. Now, I just need to find more of them at the store and get them on sale. I wonder how homemade applesauce would taste using them?

Seeing God in everything…even Hurricane Ike October 2, 2008

Wow – I haven’t posted in several weeks! That’s what happens when a bout of bronchitis and a horrendous hurricane interrupt life! And another wow is really the only word to describe Hurricane Ike, which blew through southeast Texas and devastated many coastal cities. Where I live only superficial damage resulted but it was a storm that I don’t want to remember.

However, at one point during the aftermath of the Category 2 storm, I wondered if sometimes a hurricane or other natural disasters are used, maybe even needed, to get people to put priorities into perspective. Tons of people lost their homes and possessions. Crawling and digging through rubble, residents in Galveston and other beach-front properties tried to put some semblance of their lives back together. Even if they could only salvage a fork and a spoon, at least it was theirs. If they have nothing, then what do they have?

People who were without power for days and weeks found new ways to cope with significant amounts of time, much of which was spent during hot and humid days. But God was gracious in providing some cooler weather. But what thoughts raced through people’s minds as they were kept back from watching TV or using the Internet due to no electricity? What did they ponder upon? What changed?

There is no immediate way to determine how the hurricane has impacted people’s lives, other than those who are completely homeless. Many people seemed to remain hopeful in spite of the loss but deep down what questions were being held inside? How will I get through this? What will happen next? What if I don’t get my next paycheck? Where will I live? Where is God? Personally, I never heard Paul’s words in Philippians 3:7 more clearly:

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Only a few days after Hurricane Ike, I read my devotional for September 17 and was amazed at how God could be so timely. Only in His perfect and infinite wisdom could He have known that the words written so long ago in Streams in the Desert for that day would be needed for this day. Focusing on seeing God in every circumstance and situation in life, the message says:

To see HIM, and to be sure that His wisdom cannot err, His power cannot fail, His love can never change; to know that even His direst dealings with us are for our deepest spiritual gain, is to be able to say, in the midst of bereavement, sorrow, pain and loss, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

And what truly spoke to my heart and made these words of seeing God in all of life’s trials and tribulations even more applicable was a poem written by A.E. Finn that followed the devotional and I’ll post it here (the last one is MY favorite):

“Give me a new idea,” I said,
While musing on a sleepless bed;
“A new idea that’ll bring to earth
A balm for souls of priceless worth;
That’ll give men thoughts of things above,
And teach them how to serve and love,
That’ll banish every selfish thought,
And rid men of the sins they’ve fought.”

The new thought, came, just how, I’ll tell:
‘Twas when on bended knee I fell,
And sought from HIM who knows full well
The way our sorrow to expel.
SEE GOD IN ALL THINGS, great and small,
And give HIM praise whatever befall,
In life or death, in pain or woe,
See God, and overcome thy foe.

I saw HIM in the morning light;
He made the day shine clear and bright;
I saw HIM in the noontide hour,
And gained from Him refreshing shower.
At eventide, when worn and sad,
HE gave me help, and made me glad.
At midnight, when on tossing bed
My weary soul to sleep HE led.

I saw HIM when great losses came,
And found HE loved me just the same.
When heavy loads I had to bear,
I found HE lightened every care.
By sickness, sorrow, sore distress,
HE calmed my mind and gave me rest.
HE’s filled my heart with gladsome praise
Since I gave HIM the upward gaze.

‘Twas new to me, yet old to some,
This thought that to me has become
A revelation of the way
We all should live throughout the day;
For as each day unfolds its light,
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight.
Life will, indeed, a blessing bring,
If we SEE GOD IN EVERYTHING.

Yes, we can see God in everything because ALL THINGS can be used for His glory, for our refinement and for others’ encouragement. Yes, even a hurricane. For life will indeed a BLESSING bring if we see God in EVERYTHING!

Is your debt paid? August 25, 2008

Similar to many Americans, I am in the midst of paying down credit card debt. Foolish decisions upon foolish decisions have caused an avalanche of interest-laden debt that is slowing being reduced. Oh, how I long for financial literacy and planning in my childhood years! I believe it should be a required class in school – rather than health! Financial health seems so much more useful – don’t you think?

At times, it seems the situation is hopeless. Pay a little, reduce a little, pay a little, reduce a little. At the rate we’re going, it will take several years to get this monkey off our backs. I do however take full responsibility for my actions and am doing my part now. But paying off this debt leads to an even more difficult decision – have a second child and ensure I will pay off the debt even slower, or continue at the rate we’re going with an only child? Wisdom is needed. But also included among our monthly debts are school loans and a mortgage that I’ve been told are “good debts” or “good credit.” Good in the sense that I now have a college degree and a house – yay for me!

But as I think about my burden of credit card debt and how many, many months it will take to pay off, I am reminded of an even greater debt that I once owed. A debt that I could do nothing about – no amount of money or possessions or anything could have paid off this debt. This debt actually did lead to hopelessness – I was hopeless to do anything about it. Only the sacrifice of a sinless Man cleared the debt I owed. Colossians 2:13-14 explains it well:

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, Christ made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Have you ever nailed something to a wall or nailed boards together? They stay there. You bring the pieces there separately but once they are nailed together or to the wall, they aren’t going anywhere. They are no longer returning with you. This is what Christ did with our sin – our sinful state that separates us from our Holy God. By living lives of sin, we created a debt that could not be paid off by any amount of prayer, penitence or payment of our own. Our Creditor demanded a just payment – and His Own Son became that payment. By willingly dying on the cross, Jesus Christ canceled our certificate of debt once and for all. He has taken it out of the way – for those who believe by faith and for those who profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

To me, this is even greater news than having my thousands of dollars in credit card debt paid off in one fell swoop. Through Christ, I am reconciled to my loving Father and Creator. I can freely approach the Almighty. I am a new creature – the old has gone, the new has come! I can overwhelmingly conquer all things through Christ! Because of one selfless act of love on an old rugged cross, I am free from the burden of sin, the burden of debt, that was held against me. And as an old hymn aptly states it,

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Biblical Womanhood: If I Belittle… August 14, 2008

As a youth leader in my church’s youth group, there are two words I’ve heard more often than anything else among the high school girls I lead: gossip and drama. It appears to be inevitable especially among teenagers. They ask me regularly why there has to be so much gossip and drama? To be honest, it’s pretty cyclical. Things will be calm for a while and everyone is “on fire for God” and then they let worldly desires get the best of them and here comes the cat fight. I’ve questioned my involvement in youth ministry due to this very thing but God has encouraged me to not give up.

But you know something else? Gossip and drama aren’t only limited to teenage girls. I remember about four years ago when I was in the “working world” before my son was born I encountered two women who liked to speak negatively about others in the office. I often ate lunch with them and always tried to redirect the conversation but at one point I began to wonder what they said about me while I wasn’t there. For a few weeks, I ended up eating lunch alone and was quite thankful for the break. But I returned to them with a better idea – let’s start a lunchtime book club so we’re talking about something PRODUCTIVE. I do miss those lunches but not the gossip.

But you know who else knew that gossip would be a problem among women of all ages? Our loving Heavenly Father. In His infinite wisdom, God still created us women even though we like to let our mouths run – some more than others. However, He didn’t leave us without instruction or a guide to dealing with our mouths. He commanded us in Titus 2:3-5 how we are supposed to be:

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

Not malicious gossips…ouch. But isn’t that true? I mean really. What kind of gossip isn’t malicious? You might be thinking that sometimes we just want to keep others around us “informed” about certain situations so we open our mouths. Or maybe what so-and-so did was just so rude that we couldn’t keep the pain of it inside. Yet women are commanded by their Creator to not be this way. Not only is gossip denounced in this passage in Titus, but 1 Timothy 3:11 says the same thing and the book of Proverbs is filled with verses about the use of our mouths. Not to mention James chapter 3 – nothing but description upon description of how our tongue can be used for good and bad.

We have this call to use our words wisely because people are watching. Claiming to be a Christ follower yet allowing your mouth to speak unkindly of others is nothing more than a bad testimony. For those of us who are moms, I can’t imagine what kind of message that sends to our children. I think for me what spoke most loudly about this issue was a recent devo in which great missionary Amy Carmichael wrote:

If, in any way, I belittle those who I am called to serve…

if I talk of their weak points in contrast, perhaps, with what I think of as my stronger points…

if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting to consider the wisdom of the voice that asks me, inwardly, “Who made you different from the one you are criticizing – and what do you have that you have not been given?”

if I can easily discuss the shortcomings of the sins of any man or woman…

if I can speak in an offhanded way, even of a child’s wrongdoing….then I know nothing of Calvary love.

The Calvary love is the love of a sinless Shepherd dying for sinful sheep. A Savior like a lamb who was led to the slaughter yet did not open His mouth, did not say a word. A Man forsaken and forgotten, bearing the iniquities of generations. The Christ who died for all.

Perhaps the negative words the come from our mouths have their beginning a little higher up in our minds. Maybe our thoughts need to be taken captive under the control of Christ so what is in our hearts and minds will become blessings that we want to come from our mouths. Instead of choosing this day to bash your husband, friend or child, even for something you consider justified, ask God to give you only words of encouragement, love and support, and follow the Ephesians 4:29 principle:

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Does God have a sense of humor? August 2, 2008

Have you ever wondered why God, through His Holy Spirit, was bringing to your mind specific Bible verses or passages of Scripture? This usually happens to me while I’m going through some sort of ordeal and I am reminded of people in the Bible who have faced similar circumstances, and then I find comfort in those verses.

Other times, which I’ve noticed this week, God sends me to sections of Scripture to prepare me for something. This has been happening with Psalm 23 and a book I’m reading called A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. It’s a fascinating book that vividly portrays the life of a shepherd in protecting, caring for and loving his sheep, and relates how this is our God, the God of the Bible. “The Lord is my Shepherd.”

The author, a former shepherd himself, describes wonderfully how Christians can rest in their Lord and Savior knowing He is ultimately in control and genuinely cares for the well-being of His children. As a person prone to anxiety, this is the most peaceful thought for me.

However, I didn’t realize until a day ago how important it would be for me to grasp these truths about my Heavenly Father. Through a phone call early Friday morning, I learned that my part-time at-home freelance writing job would take a hit. Cutbacks are expected at this certain publication and I would be restricted to the amount of stories I can write, therefore restricting the amount of money I can earn. Not good news in a lagging economy with high gas and food prices (although I was quite excited to pay $3.69 per gallon for gas – in Texas.)

After I hung up the phone, I expected to go into panic mode but didn’t. It could have something to do with the fact that I was hanging out with my son and didn’t want him to see an emotional response to a situation that God had allowed to come into my life. But more than that, I realized that I had taken to heart (and mind) what God had been teaching me about Himself through Psalm 23.

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not be in want.

God is all I need. Everything else is just well everything else. The Lord is my Shepherd – He is guiding me, caring for me, providing for me. I need not worry about a change in income or work because God is in control. What else was fascinating to me was my next thought – God knew long before I found out about this cutback that there would be a bit of a drought. He knew! So, how would I respond?

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8

Amazingly, God brought these verses into my life through a devotional. And I had these verses written on a note card stuck to my fridge. Trust. Would I choose to trust God in this circumstance knowing that He had allowed it, knowing that He is MY Shepherd? Could I possibly be that tree described in Jeremiah that does not fear when the heat comes, that will not be anxious in a year of drought?

The easy answer is yes; but as I stated before I am a person prone to worry. Could I relinquish my anxiety and worry, and truly allow God to do what He does best? Provide for me through fire and drought? For what purpose does worrying have? None, according to Corrie Ten Boom:

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.

So, unbeknown to me, God had been preparing me through His word and specific Scriptures, for a trial to come. He allowed me to meditate upon His word and come to know better His characteristics so I could put into practice what I learned. This is a situation, no matter how scary it may seem to decrease your income, that was only able to come to me by passing through the hands of my loving, Sovereign Heavenly Father. It almost seems funny to me that God would work in this way. Coincidence, no, because God is in control. There are no coincidences for the believer in Christ.

Does God have a sense of humor? My God does.

Biblical Womanhood: Loving Your Husband Until… July 30, 2008

Marriage is an interesting topic these days. Some people are happy to hear that you’re married while others feel sorry for you. A newly-engaged couple may hear jokes about “the funeral” rather than the wedding or the end of their single life. Can you really see yourself married to the same person for the rest of your life?

Women, I believe, probably have far more fairytale dreams and expectations of marriage than men do. I think most men probably assume they will continue living life somewhat as they had (go to work, come home to watch TV, hit the sack, etc.) while women envision candlelight dinners, long talks on the beach and romantic evenings out.

We (yes, I am a married woman) tend to forget that our husbands come to the marriage as we do – with bad habits, annoying problems and most importantly sin. As the honeymoon wears off, we see these men for who they really are – grooms in need of some grooming, or so we think. We complain and whine about the socks they leave on the floor, or how they do everything WRONG (aka, different than the way we do it), and we even contemplate the question, “Did I marry the wrong man?” (Gasp!)

Of course, many women and men who are Christian and non-Christian choose to follow natural instincts and bolt as soon as problems arise. I dare not mention today’s divorce rate – most people already know. With irreconcilable differences a reason for splitting, there are a host of “good excuses” for wanting out. And no one really needs to know the truth.

Yes, I do know there are legitimate reasons for divorce and the Bible outlines those clearly but right now I’m talking to women who are just fed up with their men, who think they can’t go on and are tired of trying to love a husband who seems completely opposite. Women have lost their joy in marriage and have found the best explanation is to blame their husbands. “It’s all HIS fault!” If you ever learned how to decipher a false statement from truth, you know that using the word “all” is a huge hint!

But is that how God intended marriage? Is that how God, the creator of marriage, intended women to view their commitment? Does God want us to stomp around the house nagging and whining? Does God want us to pester and prod until things get done, OUR WAY? And of all things, does God want us to let our husbands know how bad of a job we think they are doing?

According to God’s own Word, I think not. Our Heavenly Father has given us, married women, a command outlined in Titus 2:3-5 through the provision of older women:

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

We are to love our husbands and to be subject to them – meaning we are to submit to their authority in our home. This is what God has called us to do so can we actually do it?

Yes, I believe so. If we are in Christ – we have responded to the Gospel message in faith and believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, rose again and is Lord – His Holy Spirit is living inside us and will guide us into righteous living. We can through Christ love and submit to our husbands. We however must deny ourselves daily (like Christ commanded in Mark 8:34-35) and make a conscious decision to be a servant first to God, then to our husbands. No one said it would be easy but God says it is possible (Philippians 4:13.)

So, if we’re commanded to love our husbands, how can you practically love yours? How can you love your husband until…death do you part as the vow explains? I am grateful that God does not leave us hanging on this one either. Known as the “Love Chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13 gives us some practical (again not easy) ways in vs. 4-7 of choosing to love on a daily basis:

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Since the beginning of the year, I have made an effort to memorize these verses. I somewhat have it down but still have ways to go. But I read it often to encourage me in how I am to respond to my husband and son. Again, I don’t do it perfectly because I have “my days,” but with God’s help I am more often than not choosing to be patient with my husband and his flaws (knowing that I have mine!), choosing to not brag about things that I might do well, choosing to not be selfish and seek my own rights, and here’s the biggie – choosing to not take into account or remember a wrong suffered. I said it wasn’t easy.

If we say we are Christian, we should strive to live out the life that He did. We should walk as Jesus walked – He allowed Himself to be interrupted by others considering their needs more important than His own. He ultimately died for them, for us, for me. Living in a struggling or challenging marriage will never be easy and we have no idea when, or if, God will change those circumstances. But in all things we can make a choice to live as Christ lived knowing that our testimony under difficult trials will prove our faith genuine and draw others to this Jesus we claim to profess as Lord and Savior.

I challenge you to encourage your husband, pray for him and let him know you do love him. Choose to view yourself and your husband as a team rather than enemies, and make Christ the center of your marriage everyday. For as the Bible also says, two are better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9).

Biblical Womanhood: Collect treasures on earth or in heaven? July 22, 2008

As a mom of a toddler, I am constantly evaluating my priorities and activities. What can I sanely accomplish this week? What needs to really get done, what can wait? And is there anything I need to kick off my list for good? It’s not an easy process, especially when there are so many seemingly good options.

However, I am so thankful that God has provided me with guidance through His word. If you want to know what God thinks about the things you do to fill your time, just scan through the Bible and you’ll be sure to find His priorities. And that can help you line up your priorities.

There are several verses that have been helping me determine how to spend my time. A section of Scripture in Titus 2 is directly specifically to me as a Christian woman and gives a helpful outline on where and how I need to spend my time:

Older women (no age is given as the definition of an older woman but I consider myself one to the teens I work with) likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women (on the opposite end of the spectrum, I am too a young woman since I have not yet reached 30, thankfully!) to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. vs. 3-5

(notes in parenthesis are mine)

There is so much I could go into here but I’ll do that over the few days as I begin what I’d like to call a Biblical Womanhood series of blog posts. However, my focus today is on something briefly mentioned in the above passage – older women teaching and encouraging the younger women.

Before I go on to say more about that, I do need to cite a couple other Scriptures that help guide my priorities as a mom and woman. Matthew 6:33 is the greatest of anti-worry verses saying,

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Nothing sums it up quite nicely – seek Christ first and all other things will fall into place according to God’s plan. But before Christ mentions that command as part of His Sermon on the Mount, He speaks about money and He speaks about collecting treasures for ourselves, and how we are to view our possessions, our earthly treasures, compared to viewing true treasures:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Where is MY treasure? What am I collecting? The connection between this verse and my priorities is very timely for me, as I work part-time from home. I have the ability to take on as much work as I want, or turn down work that I don’t have time for. However, I often choose to take on more work to ensure that I have enough money to pay for necessities and bills.

But today, as my overwhelming week began to taunt me with thoughts of worry and anxiety, I considered in my mind whether I should give up more work that makes money or give up more work that doesn’t make money – my volunteer job as a youth leader. I began to reason that it was necessary for me to make more money yet set aside my involvement with teenage girls so I could ensure that my small family would not feel any kind of financial pinch. While I am a worker at home, caring for my son and our house, my part-time work is also done from home, which is only by the grace of God and something I thank Him for daily.

Money from my job supplements what is made by my husband and helps us make ends meet. Even though we don’t spend much money on possessions, knowing that there is money in the bank brings a sense of security. That in and of itself is a treasure I am collecting on earth. But at any moment it can be taken away – without any warning.

Yet, the Bible also calls me as an older woman to teach the younger women, to leave upon their minds an impression and lesson from God and His word that will hopefully encourage them to teach others. That is the treasure that cannot be taken away. The treasure stored up in heaven of leaving a legacy that glorifies God, of instilling a desire to be faithful to Christ, of teaching about an eternal inheritance that is imperishable, rather than seeking early treasures designed only to impress others and bring a sense of security that should only come from God.

So, as I evaluate again what God has called me to do, I see that my work to bring in money to support my family is important but is not considered more valuable than the “unpaid” job of teaching and encouraging the younger women God has placed in my life. He has reminded me of where my heart truly should be – seeking after the treasure that cannot be stolen or destroyed.

Where is God when you need Him? July 15, 2008

This poem recorded in today’s Streams in the Desert devotional spoke directly to my heart:

It is easy to love Him when the blue is in the sky,
When the summer winds are blowing, and we smell the roses nigh;
There is little effort needed to obey His precious will
When it leads through flower-decked valley, or over sun-kissed hill.

It is when the rain is falling, or the mist hangs in the air,
When the road is dark and rugged, and the wind no longer fair,
When the rosy dawn has settled in a shadowland of gray,
That we find it hard to trust him, and we are slower to obey.

It is easy to trust Him when the singing birds have come,
And their canticles are echoed in our heart and in our home;
But ’tis when we miss the music, and the days are dull and drear,
That we need a faith triumphant over every doubt and fear.

And our blessed Lord will give it; what we lack He will supply;
Let us ask in faith believing – on His promises rely;
He will ever be our Leader, whether smooth or rough the way,
And will prove Himself sufficient for the needs of every day.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Food on Friday: The Creamiest Potato Salad July 4, 2008

In honor of the Fourth of July and the numerous barbecues planned around the nation, I thought a recipe for a good comfort food often found at cookouts would be appropriate. I love potato salad and this recipe has to be the best and creamiest one I’ve tasted. But you can be the judge!

Creamy Potato Salad

Ingredients:
1 cup mayo
1 Tbsp. white vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. black pepper
3 large baking potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 egg
10-15 dill pickles, coarsely chopped

Boil water in one large pot and one small pot. Place the egg in the small pot and boil about 15 minutes until it is hard-boiled. At the same time, place all the potatoes in the large pot and boil about 20 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the mayo, vinegar, salt, sugar and pepper. Mix well and set aside. Once egg is done, run it under cool water while in pot, peel off shell and then coarsely chop. When potatoes are finished, drain and then add the potatoes to the mayo mixture. Add the chopped egg and chopped pickles as well. Combine all ingredients so potatoes are evenly coated with mayo mixture. Serve chilled or at room temperature (it really tastes great both ways.) This recipe serves 4-5 people so feel free to double if a larger amount is needed for a weekend gathering!

My newfound-love for the library July 2, 2008

In our Internet-savvy society, heading to the library to do any kind of research or check out books just doesn’t seem to make sense. It’s inconvenient, time-consuming and sometimes a hassle. Why drive when you can surf – the Net, that is.

Aside from carrying collections of reference, fiction and biographical books, the library is also a great FREE place to participate in fun FREE summer activities with your kids (am I trying to save money or something?) My son loves the story time at our local library and he’s really catching on to hand and finger rhymes the librarian does with such enthusiasm. We even practice them at home. He prefers, however, jumping and rolling on top of the “umbrella,” large colorful parachute that can be used for many things.

But just recently I applied for a library card because I haven’t had a working one for at least 5 years. I thought about checking out books for my son. Instead, I’ve only checked out books for myself! Cookbooks is all I’ve checked out. And I love it! I can scour all these different books, test the recipes, retain what I like and then return the book.

So, what’s the difference between this and finding online recipes? Well, not all that much but I am just traditional, I guess, and like the actual hardcopy. And I can search through pages of colorful pictures rather than online images that are often bad quality. I can take my time, reread recipes and not have to worry about bookmarking a page or running back and forth between my computer and kitchen to bake up a sweet treat. Borrowing the library’s cookbooks – there is nothing like it. I am smitten.

And I am even more excited because the library has caught on to the technological advances of the 21st century and provides a great online Web site for searching for books at other branches and get this – RENEWING your book online! I renewed one of my cookbooks today and it took I think 5 seconds. Amazing.

The library always stirs up fond memories of my childhood, especially during the summer when I spent hours upon hours reading books and writing short stories. My time is limited now but I’m thankful for our library where cookbooks are colorful, plentiful and FREE. Now, if only I could find more FREE time to hide myself away in between the library’s shelves and search…

What do you love about your library? What good book have you read lately?