My Favorite Things: Lazy Sundays

During the school year, there are very few Sundays that don't require my attention to something school-ish. (There's a special place in hell for people who think teachers only work 8:00 - 3:00 Monday through Friday nine months out of the year. And that special place is filled with ADHD kids who are out of meds and their helicopter parents.) Where was I?

Oh, yeah. There are only a few Sundays during the school year during which I have nothing to do. Today was one of them.

I still have a to-do list a mile long involving books, blogging, writing, school, house, daughters, husband, dogs, cats, dust bunnies, yard work, quantum physics, whatever. But, tomorrow, I have no obligations, so I can work on them tomorrow and take today to be lazy, which is what I've done so far.

I like Sundays anyway. Sunday school and worship services are a great start to the day if for no other reason than that I have to be unplugged. I turn off my phone when we pull into the parking lot and turn it back on when we pull away from the parking spot. For that time, I am unplugged and no one can disturb me. (There are other reasons why I like my Sunday school and worship services, but that's all I'm jumping into at this time in this space.)

We usually go to our friend's pizzeria for lunch--it's a buffet, so there's no arguing and no waiting.

When we get home, I tackle my to-do list for the weekend/Monday.

But, since we are still on Christmas break, I snooze.

I kno what you're thinking: Heather got a new hair cut.
This isn't me. I'm not this tan.
Source

I woke up in time for Daughter 2 to go to her sleepover. Then I shipped Daughter 1 off to her youth group. And here I sit. Relaxing. And blogging.

There's not often that we, in our ever-connected world, get a chance to just sit, so today, I'm taking time to do just that. I'm enjoying a lazy Sunday. It's one of my favorite things.

Also, since The Daughters aren't home, I'm eating the Christmas candy I've stashed throughout the house. It's also one of my favorite things.

My Favorite Things: My Bubby

My Bubby--I'm not sure why I started calling him Bubby; it evolved from Buddy, and I'm not sure why I called him that either. Although he does remind me of Buddy the Elf, I started calling him that way before the movie came out. My friend, FloJo, refers to him as Bubbly part in mock but partially because he is ... He's a bubbly sort of fellow.

When I was putting together my line-up of favorite bloggers to highlight, he was one of my first thoughts. We've been married for almost sixteen years, but have known each other for almost twenty ... we think. We met several times before actually meeting and sticking together.

He's my biggest supporter and the one whose opinion counts heaviest with me. He encourages me in all aspects of our life together and is a great daddy, an awesome teacher, a fabulous husband (read my book, Getting Lucky--you'll understand why) and my best friend.

Check out his Favorite Things post on his blog. This man, my heart, one of my most favorite things.

My Favorite Things: Christmas Eve Services

I love Christmas Eve candlelight services--all Christmas Eve candlelight services. The day leading up to the services is full of cooking, baking, cleaning, fighting, lounging, watching movies. There's an energy in the air, but life goes on.

I yell at The Daughters to put on clean and appropriate clothes. I fuss about having to do all the chores myself even though I told The Daughters I wouldn't ask them to do anything on this particular day. I grumble with Brian because he runs around all day delivering pecans and buying Christmas ornaments because Christmas day has snuck up on his yet again. We'll finally get in the vehicle and the chorus of "Get Me To The Church On Time" will waft through my mind as I sit in the front seat breathing heavy because it took us way too long to get to this point.

Then, we'll walk into the sanctuary. We'll hear the story of a young mother giving birth and how that baby will grow up to offer us a love that the world has never known before. We'll stand together, passing the candle light from one candle to another, and lift our voices in celebration of the miracle of Christmas.

The beauty of this message is this: The yelling and crankiness and fuss and muss of the day leading up to this night falls away; The ugliness doesn't last; I am not in charge of this life (I hear all y'all saying "Thank God," and I follow it up with an "Amen."); There is more than just this world.

There is hope and love and joy and peace and light--and it comes in the symbol of a little baby who can take the cranky world away and replace it with beauty.

It's my favorite night of the year, recognizing once again that there's more to life than this world has to offer. That's a beautiful light in this often dark world.

Merry Christmas!

My Favorite Things: My Neighbors

Earlier this month, I filmed a segment for Great Day Green Country (if the link goes online, I'll post it here). The segment was about holiday gifts for your neighbors. These are all items that your kids can make or that you can easily whip up and share with those you have to look at your metal flamingo in the front yard. (Brian says sorry; I think it's cute!)

First up, Spicy Nuts. These are so incredibly yummy and easy! We get our fresh pecans each year at  Schaper Pecan Farms in Ramona, OK. 

2 cups of cleaned pecans

2 T butter

1 T Worcestershire sauce

1 T seasoning salt

2 t garlic powder

pinch(es) of salt

Melt the butter and Worcestershire sauce in a microwavable bowl. Stir in the seasoning salt and garlic powder. Add the pecans and stir until they are well coated. Microwave for one minute, then stir. Microwave for another minute, then stir. Microwave for a third minute, then stir and pour onto a paper towel-lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle with salt and let dry for about an hour. If you don't want to microwave, you can bake at 400 for about thirty minutes, stirring every ten minutes.

~

Marshmallow Straws. These are so good and easy. The girls eat them for breakfast. No, I'm not kidding. Melt chocolate bark (or almond bark). Stick a straw in one end of the marshmallow (I used the ginormous marshmallows) and then dip the marshmallow into the bark. You can add sprinkles for fun. Then they can stir them into hot chocolate or coffee for a great treat. Or, you can eat them for breakfast. 

~

Rice Krispie Tree: Did you know that once you mix the marshmellows into the Rice Krispies, it becomes like play dough? Just butter up your hands. (Really. Add a lot of butter.) And shape and mold the delicious Krispie treats into whatever shape you want. The Daughters made a Christmas tree and decorated it with M & Ms.

~

Santa Soup: Layer one third cup of rice, one third cup of red lentils, and one third cup split peas. Add a Knorr Stock packet, one third cup dehydrated onion, 1 T black pepper, 1 T garlic salt. They add six jars of water to the mixture and let it simmer all night (or day). They can also add eight oz of ham or chicken if they wish.

We did get a pic of the Santa Soup, so here's a pic of the Stock Packet.
They are not paying me to say this, but I wish they would. I love these little things!

~

Easy Breezy Candy Bar Treat: If you don't have time to do any of this, I feel your pain. But, that doesnt' mean you should neglect your neighbors, especially, if you live close to me. So, grab a few giant Hershey bars and add this cute little poem that I got from my scrapbooking buddy, Suzanne, several years ago--but it's been around the block a time or two.

Dashing from the mall

With groceries left to buy

Kids, school, work and stuff

Life's so busy, why?

Bells on our phones ring

Voicemail will take the call

We have no time for family or friends

It drives us up the wall

So, how are you?

How's your life?

We really want to know.

Hope your ready for Christmas

Now many it will snow.

A day or two ago, 

we thought we'd make a treat

For all our special friends

A Holiday treat to eat.

Our intentions were top notch

But our schedules wouldn't budge, 

So, we hope that you enjoy this year's

Davis* Family Fudge.

*insert your own name, duh.

~

And finally, a gratuitous picture of my own personal camera man who took the pics while I filmed. Isn't she adorbs?

My Favorite Things: Shopping With The Daughters

I love my family. 

When Daughter 1 was a itty-bitty toddler (actually, she was never itty-bitty), she used to tell us, "My favorite thing to say is 'I love my family.'" And it was her favorite thing to say. She'd tell waitresses, our pastor, people in line at Hellmart. It's kinda become our motto: I love my family.

This picture has nothing to do with this post. I just really like it.
I should frame it, right?

And it's the truth. I do love my family.

I do not, however, typically love shopping with my family. I'm not a big fan of shopping anyway. I don't like spending money. I don't like going on wild safaris in search of just the right item or fighting crowds--it just doesn't light my fire. The shopping that I have to do for groceries every week wears me out, and I leave The Daughters home for that outing.

But, once a year, we take The Daughters out by themselves to go shopping for each other. Brian and I accompany them as the basket pusher and accountant, keeping them within budget.

On these shopping days? I love shopping, and I love shopping with my family.

This year, Daughter 2 took along a notebook and pencil (so she could erase), and she made a list of items that her sister would like (along with the price) then she carefully decided what would make her sister the happiest. There was a lot of thought and consideration that went into her selections.

Daughter 1 spent a great deal of time picking out the exact item that would best suit her sister. This year's gift was not what Daughter 2 specifically asked for, but it's something she would want more and hadn't even considered.

It's in those moments when they consider a gift for each other that the pettiness of sibling rivalry melts away. The harmful words and hurtful grumblings fade to nothingness at the sight of them each pulling from their hearts to select just the right things. Shopping with them for Christmas makes my momma heart pound with pride.

Then we go home and Daughter 2 says, "I got you a One Direction pillow." (She didn't.)

And Daughter 1 says, "You know I hate One Direction."

So Daughter 2 fires back, "So, you have to say thank you anyway; it's the rule."

Then Daughter 1 says, "Well, I hope you enjoy your stupid lime Jell-O because that's what I got for you." (She didn't.)

And Daughter 2 whines, "You know I hate Jell-O! Unless we are at Furrs!"

But, I have that memory of a sweet sister pouring her heart and soul into her gift choice to keep me going until Christmas rolls around again next year.

My Favorite Things: Misti Pryor

Misti is in the middle--with the cleavage.

Misti Pryor is one of my favorite things. I first met Misti when we were both cast in the NWA Listen To Your Mother show in 2012. I began stalking her on Facebook, Twitter and her blog because that's what I do, and I instantly fell in love with her because she was so welcoming and accepting and authentic and just loved you from the get-go. Then I met her in real life and understood that  that was her--the real her. The next year, which was last year, she said I could be her sidekick for Listen To Your Mother 2013 in Oklahoma City. I hope you love her too because unless you are a downright mean person, she loves you too.

Favorite Thing.

I “officially” graduate with my Masters degree in 20^TH & 21^ST century literature on Friday.  I’m not participating in the ceremony, I’m not getting hooded or walking across the stage. I’m just anxiously awaiting the delivery of my diploma.

Graduate school isn’t for the weak, that’s for sure.

I had no idea just how much of it was a pure test of wills versus a test of knowledge until it was all finally over. It was a long, difficult and expensive road that took some twists and turns and in the end, delivered me not into a classroom of a ph.d program like I had planned, but into the world of non-profit leadership advocating for girls and working with volunteers.

As December is 1/3 over, maybe more by the time I finish this post, I look back and take stock and think about the year. If you put any trust in the Facebook Year In Review, you can see that this year was a big one, chocked full of new experience and friends and change.

Listen To Your Mother: OKC was a huge success. HUGE! We donated over $3000.00 in cash and diapers to Infant Crisis Services; we sold out the house and then had SRO for the event. Everyone involved worked well as a team and had a sense of connection to a bigger entity and that was really my goal for this thing.  These women, the cast, the production team, and everyone involved from the sponsors to the staff were beyond anything I ever expected. I’m excited to start work on the 2014 show.

I sold my house to Julie and moved to Norman with Mark. THAT was huge. There were lots of tangles and tangibles and time eating THINGS that came with that. I’m still not unpacked fully. We are still not so organized that I can have all of my clothes and shoes in one closet (Silly historic homes with tiny closets) but it feels good. The transition wasn’t without some bumps. I don’t have any friends here that have known me longer than a year. Not to say that I don’t have any friends here, but really, anyone that knows-me-knows me  well, they don’t live in Norman. And that is lonely many times. Having someone to go grab lunch with on the spur of the moment, or go sit at a bar and have Sunday Funday with and watch some football, that life seems to be on hold right now. That really has been the biggest adjustment to the move.

Quitting the hair business and moving out of academia and into the non-profit world was also huge. HUGE! The learning curve has been steep, but I feel like I have navigated it fairly well. I just keep saying, “if I can make it to Thanksgivng/Christmas/Through the Cookie Sale” and I have no doubt that I will make it. I’m already looking forward to next year, and how I will do things better than this year. So much better.  But I do miss my clients; I miss doing hair and formulating color and the community of my Salon W family. I miss them terribly. I miss walking into Kamps Meat Market next door and getting some delicious lentil salad for lunch, or grabbing an after work drink and commiserating on all of the crazy that we saw.

We bought our little teardrop trailer and took her out for a few adventures this year. Santa Fe, Colorado, Talihena Oklahoma, Granite (MeMe Lois’ backyard to be exact).  It’s the funnest thing ever and I cannot wait to see where we take her in 2014. Looking forward, that is one of the reasons that I write about these changes and events. I like to make note of them, to place them here so that I can look back and reflect. I don’t focus on the things that I miss, or the bumps in the ever changing road. They are part of the journey.  It’s the looking forward part that really butters my muffin.

Graduate school almost broke me into a thousand pieces. But in a few weeks, I’ll have that piece of paper hanging on my office wall and no one can take that away from me. Gearing down from the ever constant stress has been interesting, and getting to actually read a book or two for fun has been a newly rediscovered joy.

 I didn’t land anywhere near where I thought I was going when I started the program, and Lord how happy that makes me.

That is the biggest take away for me from this entire year.

Joseph Campbell said it, and I’ve read it over and over but it wasn’t until this year that I GOT IT.

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” 

This life that was waiting on me? It’s a pretty awesome one.

In fact, it is my favorite thing.

My Favorite Things: Holiday Cooking

One of the many things I love about blogging is the connections I've made with so many different people from all walks of life--people that if we were to meet at Hellmart, we might not even look twice at each other, but because we have the commonality of blogging, we're soul sisters (or misters). So, on Saturday night when I baked my famous triple chip cookies and they all came out looking like this:

I took to Facebook and tagged some of my foodie blogger friends like Debbie, Julie and Rachel. I figured that they could give me a quick fix. And they did. But so did a lot of other people. In fact, I got sixty-nine comments on my picture of my sad excuse for cookies. In fact, one of my favorite high school sophomores (ahem, Kaycee) said, "Were they supposed to look like fake vomit?" No. No they were not, but I'll keep that in mind for April Fool's Day or maybe next Halloween.

The cookies were still not fixed. I'm blaming old baking soda. PSA: Baking soda expires. Did you know that? I know that (now). They should put that on the box.

The good news is that I made a batch of Spicy Nuts, which I love saying, and didn't need anyone's assistance because they came out fabulously. In fact, they are so good that they are all gone.

 

Of course, the cookies are all gone, too. Even though they looked like fake vomit, they tasted like awesomeness.

I love holiday baking!

My Favorite Things: Sabine Brown

At some point last year, Brian come home and said, "Do you know of a blogger named Sabine of Suburbia?" I hadn't. So, I immediately took to Google and began blog-stalking Sabine Brown. Y'all? She's so funny and honest and refreshing! I immediately subscribed to her blog and then Facebook-stalked her. Eventually I friend requested her and have come to adore her. And her kids. And her humor. I find myself reading her, peeing my pants with laughter and then nodding my head as I take a deep breath saying, "Yes."  Enjoy her, my friends--she's one of My Favorite Things.

Real Deal Parenting Advice

I’m going to share some parenting advice.  Oh I know, you’ve read tons of parenting advice .  Cherish every moment, tell your children you love them everyday, don’t yell, yada yada.  Yeah, we all know that already.  I’m talking about the nuts and bolts of parenting.  The practical aspects.  The things my children would tell you because who better to tell you about parenting than the parented.  (Parented is a noun now, you know.)

So here are just some things my children taught me.

Chickadees are not a suitable substitute for Amy’s Organic Cheddar Bunnies.  “They’re both cheddar crackers.  What’s the difference?” you’re saying to yourself right now.  That’s where you went wrong and that’s why you need me to tell you these things.  They are completely different.  You see, one is a bunny and one is a chick.  One is full of cheesy crunchy goodness and one is a disgusting baby chicken.  Maybe your adult palate can’t detect that, but your kids can.

A single carrot stick can cause imminent death.  It’s true.  I had no idea that this was possible until my son told me.  I had asked him to finish his carrot sticks before he could have a piece of candy.  This resulted in a dramatic drop to the floor and crying. 

“I tried to chew it and I can’t and it keeps getting stuck in my throat and I had to spit it out!” he whined.

“How did you eat your last 2 carrot sticks?”

“Those carrot sticks were smaller!”

“Why can’t you just take smaller bites?”

Blank stare.  “But this carrot stick is too big and it’s choking me!”

See?  If it wasn’t for my son I never would have know how many times I had almost killed him with carrot sticks and that is why I am sharing this information with you.

If you have subscribed to the bath, brush teeth, bedtime story routine before going to bed, you’re doing it wrong.  You can’t just expect for your children to go to sleep.  No, they need a pre-bedtime routine.  This should consist of several trips from their bed to the living room to tell you about…whatever.   Their new fear, something they learned about trains, to muse about how the moon was formed and how far away it is.  The point is they need to do this for at least 2 hours before they can sleep.

These are only a few things I have picked up from the children, but once you start listening to them you realize just how bad your parenting really is.  So go forth and parent correctly.  And for God’s sake do not give them carrot sticks.

My Favorite Things: ShaRhonda Crow

Today's Favorite Thing is ShaRhonda Crow. I only met ShaRhonda a year ago, but I can tell you this: I love keeping up with her through her blog and on our Facebook. She's the epitome of Super Mom. I hope you enjoy her as much as I do!

My favorite things this time of year are not things for myself necessarily, but activities, traditions and memories that I help create for others.

1. Photo Books: On November 1, I begin gathering our favorite family snapshots for my mother and mother in law. I place these order from November to October 31st story order. I believe firmly in this quote...

2. Before Thanksgiving, my church hosts "A Christmas Gathering". This year was our 10th anniversary. This event is comparable to where Oprah meets HGTV in a church setting. I guarantee you a blessed time. You will walk away with gifts and be ready to face the holiday season the way it is meant to be. I encourage you now to mark your calendars now for the first Sunday in October to get your ticket. They go fast & furious! (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/events/upcoming.aspx)

3. Thanksgiving Eve. Bass Pro Santa in my opinion is the best Santa ever! My kids see the jolly old soul on Turkey Eve every year. Then we go out to eat or like this year I made Cinese at home. We decorate our tree and if the lights are on the house already they get turned on for the first time.

4. Thanksgiving night, the doorbell rings and our Scout Elves appear. This is our third year to participate in The Elf on the Shelf tradition. I make special care not to confuse the true meaning of the season with the elves. My family blog hosts a weekly linkup where you can show what your elf had been up to during the week.

5. Rhema Lights. Enough said. If you haven't driven through this display in my little big city of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma it is a must. I even encourage you to park and walk around. Maybe even a carriage ride.

6. A Very Pinteresting Christmas Party. This year will make my second year to host this fun night of friends, food and crafting. I don't know about you, but I need my girlfriend time. It's very rare that I get to play host and I love hosting. I invite a few of my favorite friends and neighbors over and we craft and eat Pinterest style. December 2-December 20 I will have a daily linkup featuring Pinterest inspired crafts, foods and activities.

7. Christmas Cards. I love getting cards. I love sending cards. My cards are always picture cards. Usually of my kids. Most of my aunts and uncles still do not have social media, so the do not get to see my kids daily. Snail mail is almost obsolete, except for bills. I like for my kids to know that all family members must get a Christmas greeting!

8. Cousins. I have a lot. My kids have 9 on my side and 2 on their dad's side. We make sure that we spend time with cousins during Christmas. Eating, playing with toys, four wheeling, golf carts, feeding cows...it's all about the memories.

9. Christmas Eve Gifts for the Neighbors. Before my children are allowed to open a single gift at our home, they deliver gifts to our neighbors. They don their Santa hats and bag and walk up and down the street. When Miss K was little she was pulled in the wagon. My kids know that it is better to give than receive. I love that the neighbors know my kids and look out for them. Another fun Christmas Eve tradition that my husbands family does is be the first to say "Christmas Eve Gift" to someone- whether in person or the phone.

10. Christmas Day. We always wake up in our own home on Christmas morning. My personal saying is, "if you believe, you receive".  With an almost 13 year old, obviously I am having to emphasize this much more, especially in front of his 6 year old sister.

I say that these 10 things aren't for me, but in a way they are. My favorite things to do are what make me happy and what give me my magic for holiday season. After all seeing the joy of my loved ones is the best gift I can receive from anyone here on earth.

My Favorite Things: Jennifer McMurrain

During the month of December, I want to share with you a few of my favorite things--a few of my favorite bloggers, actually! These writers are so much fun and have so much creativity, and I love being associated with them in our super-secret blogger club. (We don't really have a club, but if we did the first rule would be to not talk about the super-secret blogger club.) 

So today's Favorite Thing is Jennifer McMurrian:

I feel super honored to be here as part of Minivan Momma’s Favorite Things. She’s one of my favorite things as well. Truth be told, when our friend Denise told me she was coming to our writer’s group and she was this super funny big shot blogger, I was intimated. For real. But in all honesty, Heather is one of the best people I know. She’s got energy galore (pretty sure she has a clone. A clone who types weird things on FB or texts friends inappropriate messages. She claims she does it in her sleep. Yeah right, Heather we all know you don’t sleep), she adores her kids aka fabulous mother and I have absolutely no doubt that if I asked her for the shirt off her back (or the stripper shoes off her feet) she would have no hesitation giving it to me, no questions asked.

But enough about Heather, this post is about ME! Before I start I think I’m supposed to post a disclaimer: I am not a paid spokesperson for any of the items I mention in this post. I am not even an actor portraying a paid spokesperson, but any of the companies want to hire me to be a paid spokesperson for their brand, I’m available. The opinions are my own, I make no promises that you find my favorite things as awesome as I find my favorite things.

MY FAVORITE THINGS:

It’s the holidays and one of my favorite things to do is bake. I LOVE baking. Even had a small cupcake business for a while. So I figure you might be baking too and maybe some of my favorite baking tools would help you out.

Favorite thing #1: Baker’s Joy – the spray, not the joy you get from baking. I love this stuff. I line all my cake/bread/brownie/muffin pans with it. You just spray it into your pan, pour in your batter, bake and when your cake/bread/brownies/muffins are ready they will literally fall right out of the pan. This stuff is awesome. You’re welcome.

Favorite thing #2: Frosting decorating tip #1M – Frosting cupcakes takes time, so most people shy away from them. But if you have a tip #1M, frosting cupcakes is a breeze and they look so pretty. This was my go-to tip when I ran my cupcake business. You really can’t go wrong. And if you buy the Wilton brand, you can throw them in the dishwasher. To use, cut frosting bag to fit tip, fill frosting bag with desired frosting, then starting on the outside, using medium pressure, go around the edges in circular pattern until you get to the middle. Viola! Pretty and easy cupcake! You will wonder why you ever wasted so much time frosting with a knife.

Favorite thing #3: 101 Gourmet Cupcakes in 10 Minutes by Wendy Paul – Wendy Paul is a genius. Although I haven’t made it through all 101 cupcake recipes, the ones I have tried have been phenomenal and super easy. If you need something for the bake sale, birthday party or just your average Saturday, this book won’t let you down. Do yourself a favor and try the Black Forest Cupcake… WORTH EVERY CALORIE.

So those are my favorite baking things. I honestly, don’t know what I would do without them. I hope you love them as much as I do.

Jennifer McMurrain is the author of Quail Crossings (historical fiction) and Winter Song (romance). She chronicles her life as a full time mommy/full time author on her blog: A Moment of Jen (www.jennifermcmurrain.com). Jennifer’s next release will be a mini-anthology called Amore: An Anthology of Love in February 2014.