Boys will be boys....

Kidlet Two is 21 years old.  Over Christmas break in the Snowy North, Kidlet Two could hardly wait to get his snowboard pulled behind the snowmobile or the Ranger. 

The snowy driveway was inviting in the daylight and seemed the perfect "course" for snowboarding.

But the evening hours seemed to "call" to the snowboarders in the family.

Uncle Al would be the offical driver of the Ranger.

Kidlet Three was the official lookout in the cab

The snowboard goes on...

The rope is attached and knotted...

And off into the dark of night they go. 

The only sound I could hear was laughter and giggles.

Boys will be boys!

Fish Stories

Fish stories.  Have you ever heard a fisherman explain how that "big one" got away?  Some of those stories make me giggle and some I just shake my head at.

This fish that Kidlet Three is holding above he caught.  And it brought quite a story with it!  Grandpa and Kidlet can sit in the ice hours for hours fishing.  And the stories that come in....well, I'll spare you the details.  These fish, however, are proof that some of those stories about "the big fight" and "it took all of my strength to pull that fish in" just might be true!  I think the first fish looks like a sea monster.  All of these are "northerns" and over Christmas, we took only our limit of fish from the Up North Lake.

After cleaning the fish, this is what one of the fillets looks like.  Grandpa soaks the fillets in a water/lemon juice solution to cut any "fishy taste" out.  The fillets are then cut into smaller pieces for frying.

Fish is being advertised as such a healthy food.  I'm afraid that might be another "fish story".  Well, at least the way we prepare the fish.  Grandma is the BEST fish fryer ever.  She set out the ingredients and here is where I decided fish prepared the way we like it isn't the healthiest...nuts!

Butter AND oil are heated in a heavy frying pan over medium high heat.  In a plastic bag a combination of flour, corn meal, salt and pepper is added.  Each fillet is shaken in this for the coating.

Into the bubbling bath of butter and oil each fillet goes.  I find myself licking my lips right now just looking at this picture again....

THE SECRET INGREDIENT IS THEN ADDED...

Lemon pepper.  Seriously. You don't know what you are missing until you try it on your fish.

Each piece is gently turned to fry on the other side.  Then, removed to a paper-towel lined plate and whisked, ever so quickly, to the table for our eating pleasure.

This plate, is no fish story. This is a story of memories, loving grandparents, passing along fishing tips and tricks, good recipes, and finger licking around the table.

Fish stories.  I'm glad to write of one that is true!

P-E-A-C-E

"Martin Luther King had a dream for peace
P-E-A-C-E
He wanted people to be free and live in har-mo-ny
He had lots of love to share
He spread kindness everywhere
Martin Luther King had a dream for peace
P-E-A-C-E"

All three kidlets attended the same Christian Montesorri preschool before heading off to kindergarten.  They learned the above words as a song. 

It has been seven years since one of the kidlets was in the preschool but I still know that song by heart.

And each year on Martin Luther King's birthday I sing that song.

I wish you could hear the simple tune with the simple words.

P-E-A-C-E

Actually, peace is not a simple word.  Seems Martin Luther King had a big dream that we would one day have P-E-A-C-E.

Thank you Martin Luther King for the dream.  I dream for peace, too.

Yummy....

This looks drippy sweet, don't you think?

Such colorful berries?

Could that be a sugary crunchy topping?

Oh yummy!!!

Christmas decorations are looking more and more real every year!

I was so sad to pack this one up until next year

It looked good enough to eat!

Winter Lights

Our neighbors recently added lights to their yard

Not solar lights as you might expect

 Luminaries!  Lining their front yard and up to their front door

They look so inviting

So unique

It feels....fun!

I love that they found something to make winter exciting

Some would say winter is a dark season.

Not in our neighborhood!

Ode to Frost

Oh frost!  Oh frost on my work window so thick

You started at the sill and up you went so quick!

Day after day temperatures below zero did soar

Perfect conditions for you!  How did you score?

Today, the scene for me is dismal at best

See you've covered the pane in a great ice fest!

My peek at the outside world is almost gone

As I sit at my work desk with mini blinds drawn.

Four seasons I love including winter, tis true

I used to enjoy looking at it from my work view.

Oh frost!  Oh frost!  It's time for you to leave

I'd like to see the outside world and have a reprive.

Firm Foundation

Happy New Year!  2010...bring it on!

 Have you been reflecting on what you want for this New Year?  I'm sure you have as most people spend these first few days making "resolutions".  Honestly, I don't  do resolutions anymore.  Always at the top of my past resolution lists were to "be nicer, lose weight, love God more, etc."  Those were certainly good goals but I usually blew the list before mid-January! 

Over the past few years I've written my own core values.  These are things I really believe in and strive to protect.  Today I pulled this list out to review, to see if there was anything to add or update.  Here's the list:

• God is my Father, Jesus is my Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit is my guide and I can hear from Him.
• All things work together for good.
• I married my husband for life.
• I am significant.
• Everyone is worth it.

Probably not the list you were expecting, was it.  But these are foundational things I believe and as mentioned above, I protect.

I am such a believer in having a firm foundation.  Of planting and staking my claim to what I believe in.  Many times in the past I've envisioned myself as an explorer to a new place, of reaching the goal that I had in mind and of thrusting my flag into the ground as a visual of accomplishment.  That flag, thrust into firm ground, will stand flying as a symbolic act of my foundation core values. 

Nothing can shake that flag in its firm foundation

What is really, really cool, is that this toy flag-bearer solder, was given to me in September of 2009.  I was being prayed for and the couple stated this "The flag.  It is time to plant your flag.  It is time to show your flag and show your colors.  Where you plant this flag, you declare this belongs to the King."  And then they literally handed me this toy.  Which is much more than a toy to me, since I've had the vision of the explorer establishing his flag for many years.  This was confirmation. 

My flag in Jesus Christ is firmly, firmly, firmly planted.  And it cannot be moved.  My flag is firmly planted in all of the core values that I've declared.

Where is your flag planted?