Is Honesty really always the best policy?

Okay friends, I have made an observation and wonder what others opinions are on the subject.  I believe in honesty, however I also feel sugar coating things is not always bad.  I have witnessed a couple of people who say "brutal honesty is important no matter what."  Is that really a good idea?
Is it necessary to hurt someone's feelings in the pursuit of honesty?  If someone gossips to you about someone else, shouldn't you just stop the person and say that the rumor is not true?  Not spreading it is a good thing, but do you really have to go to that person and say "so and so was talking bad about you..."  Does it help that person to know that?
I have told people things in confidence that were about myself, only to have them tell someone else.  that person came up and told me what had happened.  Was that necessary?  Did they need to upset me by telling me that the person I trusted was not trustworthy?  Yes, I admit, I do not really speak to the first person anymore.  But, did person 2 really have my best interest at heart or were they just wanting to start a problem?
Today, I saw another example.  A person I know had their feelings hurt badly because someone felt the need to be "brutally honest" with her.  I think what you meant was brutally mean. Sure, there may have been an issue, but do we need to address it in such a manner?  Can we not state things more gently?  
Wasn't Jesus gentle with the truth?   The Bible tells us "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, forgiving each other;as the Lord has forgiven you."  (Colossians 3:12-13)
I know this happens to everyone, but I am curious how others feel about this.  Isn't gentle always better?  Shouldn't we consider the person's feelings first?  Shouldn't we stop and think whether what we are going to say will be helpful or hurtful?

 

Everyone needs a buddy

We are just finishing up a pretty great weekend.  Caitlin met us in Columbus, where we went to the Melting Pot to celebrate Brett's birthday.  If you have never been there, go, it is delicious.  All they serve is fondue, a little pricey, but if you were to buy the ingredients to make fondue this delicious, it would be pricey.  (I know, I have done it.  This is easier) The atmosphere is great and the entire experience is just fun.  Everyone site around a pot of delicious melted cheese or chocolate and dips all sorts of yummy items into it.  Mmmmm.

Day 2 was the Buddy walk to support Downs syndrome.  My cousin, Norah, has a gorgeous child with downs.  Look at this face!  To check out this wonderful way to support Downs, check out this website.  http://www.columbusbuddywalk.org  If you look up Rose Buddies, you can see the wonderful profile my cousin wrote.  Our group was able to raise $2178.  Pretty great for the first year.  The weather was beautiful, and we really enjoyed the atmosphere.  then, it was back to Norah and Doug's house to enjoy a meal with family.  What a fabulous family I have!  It is always fun to spend time together, this trip was no different.
Lastly, we took Caitlin back to the bus station to head back to school.  these are my beauties.  I truly enjoyed myself and am ready to get back to real life again.  I hope this break was exactly what Caitlin needed to get through the rest of her semester.    

The change is coming!

I LOVE FALL!  It is my favorite season.  the crisp, cool air, blue skies, colored leaves, and the smell of a new day, I just love it all.  The combines are out in the fields, apples on the trees, pumpkins in the patches, all of the things that come to mind when you think of autumn.  As the nights are getting a little more chilly, the windows are open letting that clean air into the house.  I love sitting in a cool house, under a blanket, reading a wonderful book or watching a great movie. There are so many fun fall recipes out there, I am looking forward to trying some new ones.
As for trying new recipes, we made campfire cones!  My husband said they were like vertical banana splits, I would say that is a good description.  To make, fill a sugar cone with a chopped banana, semi sweet chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips.  wrap in foil, bake at 350 for 5 minutes.  Just until warmed through. Or, melt over a campfire.  These turned out great, looking forward to making them again.

easy peasy Sticky Buns!

You have to love a delicious sticky bun.  The cinnamon roll, the caramel-like topping, the toasted pecans.  One might think these would be hard to make, but no!  You have got to try this recipe.  they are so easy and wonderfully delicious.  

Super easy sticky buns

topping.

2 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup softened butter

1/4 cup white corn syrup

1/2 cup chopped pecans

cinnamon rolls

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 Tbs cinnamon

1 can biscuit dough

Mix 1/4 cup brown sugar with cinnamon in a bowl, set aside.

Mix 2 cups brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup until well combined.  The mixture will be thick.  spread into bottom of 8x8 or 9x9 pan.  Sprinkle with pecans.

Roll each biscuit into a rectangle.  sprinkle with some of the cinnamon/brown sugar mixture, and roll into a log.  Curve into a "C" shape and pinch ends together slightly.  Place in pan like this.

Bake at 350 for 17-18 minutes until they look like this.

Place a cookie sheet on top of pan, hold both tightly, and invert like this.

Gently shake pan while lifting to reveal the deliciousness!

It's not all sunshine and butterflies

Do you ever have plans you are pretty excited about and them BAM?  We had 2 bang up weeks planned.  Church carnival, husband's Birthday, daughter's ballet and gymnastics, a trip to a waterpark hotel with the oldest meeting us from college, and Scarefest at Cedar Point.  fun, fun, fun!  And then....broken collar bone.
So, now that youngest child is allowed absolutely no physical activity of any type, all plans are off.  We are driving to meet the oldest and meeting with some relatives, but the rest is out.
We are disappointed, but will survive.  "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)  What did we do to make this situation better?  Get a little crafty!
I have to say, she is staying strong.  I know she is in pain, but she has been pretty calm about it.  No drama queen overreaction.  I am impressed at the way she is handling it with poise.
She loves soup, and the weather made a sudden turn to fall last night, so chicken noodle, here we come!  This soup is full of big chunks of chicken and lots of fat noodles, the flavor brings you back to winter nights of your childhood.

Exquisite chicken noodle soup

4 cups diced chicken (I just used leftover breasts from a package.)

1 large onion, diced

3-4 ribs of celery, chopped

1 cup shredded carrots

6 cups chicken broth 

2 Tbs parsley flakes

1 Tbs poultry seasoning

1 bay leaf

1 lb thick egg noodles

salt and pepper

In a soup pot, saute the onions in celery in a little oil until just starting to soften.  Add broth, chicken, salt, pepper, parsley, bay leaf, and poultry seasoning.  Simmer until vegetables are tender and chicken is hot.  Taste broth. Add more seasoning if needed.  Remove bay leaf and add noodles and carrots.  Continue to simmer until noodles are done.  If you won't be serving immediately, don't cook noodles completely.  They will continue to cook while soup cools.  Enjoy!

Operation Christmas Child

If you have never heard of operation Christmas child, check out the website.  http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/  these are the boxes our church has been putting together.  If you are looking for something your family can do to give back, this is a great idea.  just get a shoebox, and fill it with gifts.  For about $10 you can well stock a box and give a wonderful gift to a well deserving child.  You can choose if you want to make a box for a boy or girl.  Another great source of information can be found here.  http://myfrugaladventures.com/2012/08/operation-christmas-child-boxes/.  Have fun shopping with your kids and make someone's day!

Sometimes things just don't go right

You know how it is, sometimes, no matter how hard you try, things just don't go the way you have planned.  Sometimes when you go to your daughter's room, it looks like this, or the asparagus turns out burnt.  Sometimes, even with the best of intentions, you hurt someone's feelings.  What do you do in those circumstances?  Do you get all upset and give up?  Do you try again to make it right?  I must admit, it depends on the day or the situation which way I handle it.  I wish I was always laid back and patient, but I am not.
I find when I want things, I want them.  I may be willing to wait, but am usually despondent about it.
This got me thinking about the way God sees us.  Does he find us amusing; with our trivial problems that get us all worked up into a tizzy?  Or, does he get aggravated when he tells or shows us something over and over, yet we fail to follow?    Do we deserve his compassion?  Am I always worth it?  I fear the answer to both of those questions is no.
Luckily, the Bible tells us "The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression." (Numbers 14:18)  I am so glad that despite my failings, he always loves me. Just as a parent loves a child, they must still be disciplined when needed.
I encourage you, and myself to remember "We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men." (1 Thessalonians 5:14)  May you be blessed by the grace of God today.

Comfort in the bottom of a peanut butter jar.

In recognition of my daughter's discomfort at school this week, I thought I would give a little relief.  Comfort food, what comes to mind when you think of it?  My Mom's beef and noodles and pot roast.  She still makes it whenever all of us come home.  

There are plenty of other greats out there; Grandma's creamed rice, Aunt Vickie's pecan pie, Aunt Gwen's mashed potatoes, My Mother-in-law's macaroni and cheese.  These foods are delicious, yes, but I think it is more the images they conjure in your mind.  

The smells, the sights, the sounds, the happy memories of talking around a table.  They take you back to a time you felt better.  

My daughter usually sends me an email of food requests when she comes home from school.  I am not sure which is her favorite comfort food, but I know she loves my peanut butter brownies.  

These are the best brownies you have ever had the pleasure to put in your face.  They are ooey-gooey, chocolatey, peanut buttery deliciousness.  You may think making brownies from scratch would be difficult, but this recipe really takes about 10 minutes of prep time.  try it, you will be glad you did!  

                                                        peanut butter swirl brownies

1 cup melted butter                      2 cups sugar

4 eggs                                         1 cup flour

2/3 cup cocoa powder                1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt                                  1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup peanut butter                  chopped nuts (if desired)

Mix sugar and melted butter until well combined.  Add eggs, vanilla, and cocoa powder.  Mix well, add salt, baking powder, and flour.  Whisk until well combined.  Pour half of batter into a well sprayed 6x9 pan.  Spoon peanut butter on top in large blobs.  Swirl the peanut butter with a knife.  Bake at 325 for 30-40 minutes.  Don't over-bake.

For frosting, mix 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 2 TBS honey, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar.  Whisk well until blended.  For a smoother consistency, add a little milk, for thicker, add a little powdered sugar.  Spread onto warm (not hot) brownies.  Sprinkle with nuts if desired.

All you need is love, love is all you need.

I have a daughter away at college, far enough that a day trip is not really feasible.  Yesterday, she was going through some things and all I wanted to do was get there and give her a hug, but since that is not possible, we talked on the phone.  After she hung up to go to class, I spent the rest of my night thinking about her.  It made me remember one of my favorite blog posts I have ever read.  http://blog.pigtailpals.com/2011/08/waking-up-full-of-awesome/  My desire for my children is that they wake up feeling full of awesome every day.  Look at these girls, they are pretty awesome!

Some of my best friends are carbs

I don't think I have ever met a carb I didn't like, or cheese, or chocolate...oh you get the point.  As this very meaningful relationship has continued, I have begun to grow.  You can imagine, with all of the delicious food around at work, and all of the very necessary sampling, and second sampling, and sometimes third, the pounds have been adding up.  I have decided that this enlargement process has got to stop!

There are some issues with this decision, however.  As I am actually paid for this job I do, the sampling must continue.  (I guess the second and third could stop, but , and I cannot stress this enough, I love carbs.)  There is also that lack of motivation.

Now, in an attempt of size reversal, I have promised myself that I will work out.  I am embarking on this journey starting tonight with a buddy.  "I can do all things," right?  In honor of this decision, today I attempted to make some healthier recipes.  Since we are almost into my favorite season, fall and all of the glorious pumpkin and squash recipes that come with it, I have made cookies with a healthy twist.  You could also bake them as bars.  I am going to try that next.

   Pumpkin breakfast cookies

1 cup oatmeal                                            1 egg, beaten

1 cup pumpkin puree                                 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup pure maple syrup                           1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup honey                                            1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup wheat flour                                    1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 cup white flour                                     1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/2 cup chopped walnuts                           3/4 cup dried cranberries

Mix oatmeal, pumpkin, syrup, and honey in a bowl.  Add flours, spices, baking powder, and baking soda.

Mix well, stir in cranberries and walnuts.

scoop 1/4 cup onto a well greased, parchment lined, baking sheet.  Spread out to form a round or bar.

Bake at 325 for 20 minutes.

Makes 12 cookies.

If you would like to sweeten them a bit more, I also mixed 1/4 cup powdered sugar with a small amount of orange juice and drizzled it on top.  Personally, I prefer them without the glaze, but that is up to you.

This is the life

For the first time in my life I can make this statement...I Love My Job!  I spend my days trying out recipes, and creating some of my own.  What could be better?  The funny thing is, when I applied for this job, I didn't really want it.  I planned on just doing the interview for practice.  Then, after I heard what the benefits package was I thought I would give it a try.  I even almost quit once, but my wise daughter convinced me to give it more time.  Then, I got the position I am in now.

The moral of this story is, you never know when the good thing is coming.  I was absolutely miserable at my old job, but I hung in there, and the reward is fantastic!  So, stay strong friends!  Pray fervently, great things will happen.

So, here is what I made today.  The best thing is, it was easy.

Pumpkin spice bread with Cinnamon-maple glaze

1. package muffin mix (I used the kind from Gordan's)

1 cup canned pumpkin (not pie mix)

2 Tbs honey

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp allspice

1/2 tsp cardamom

Follow directions on your mix package, just use a little less water.  Add the other ingredients and mix well.  Pour into a well sprayed bread pan.  Bake at 325 for 45-50 minutes.

Allow to cool before removing from pan, bread will be moist.

For glaze, mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1 tsp cinnamon.  add a little maple syrup at a time, mixing until you get the right consistency.  Drizzle over bread.

A thought on point of view

I recently attended a training for an organization I volunteer for.  the speaker stated that happiness is basically due to our point of view.  Do you view the glass half full, half empty, or completely full?  I must admit, I can fall into any one of these categories on a given day.  Upon personal reflection, I agree that the way I look at a situation really will affect my attitude towards it.  She suggested that you should always try to think of what went right in the situation, even if it is only a small thing.  I have been trying this, and so far, so good!

A new adventure

I have often spoken of starting a blog to document how a real family lives.  Welcome!  I hope you enjoy getting to know us and seeing that all families are a little dysfunctional and crazy, but we all love each other anyway.