First, for those of you who may not be familiar with RevGalBlogPals, it is a blog I found a couple of years ago, "An Open Table set for a diverse group of people -- women pursuing or discerning a Christian vocation -- and their friends -- all are welcome!". You can find it here. It is a blogging community, a place where I have found preaching ideas, support for being a pastor, and lots of fun - and a bunch of bloggers I admire and read. Each week, they have a "Friday Five" meme - a question or list of questions that help us get to know one another. So, read on!
This week's installment, written by Songbird, one of my favorite bloggers, says this:
Whether it's new friends or new loves or new employers, what are five things people should know about you? There's also a link to a cool song from the musical "Rent" but I can't figure out how to post that...someday I will become more sophisticated.
Five Things About Me:
1.I am deeply in love with Starman, and love our three children fiercely. Family time comes first no matter what.
2. I graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Twice. But that does NOT mean I am smart. It means I worked my butt off. I wear my college ring because despite working harder than I ever have before or since, I also had the time of my life there - I met Starman, and many of my friends there, including two who, though they live far away, are still the best friends I have. It also means that I can "talk technology" and I don't appreciate those who think that because I am (a) a woman or (b) a pastor, I can't.
3. I am a Christian United Methodist. I value the tension between social responsibility and liturgical authenticity. I can't see being anything else, although I have strong disagreements with some UM policies. I will work within the system for change, and not leave it.
4. I love to be outside. I need to be outside daily, in any kind of weather. The lake and ravine near our house are part of what keeps me sane. They are where I hear the voice of God
5. I value community. I like having friends and being a friend. If I am your friend, I will do my best to be a good one. I will bake you brownies when you are sad. I will watch your children. I will laugh with you (and I love to laugh) and I will cry with you.
and one more, because five weren't enough!
6.I am a New Englander, actually, to be technical, a Bostonian. Despite living for the past 18 years in the Midwest, I can still pahk my cah in Hahvahd Yahd, or my fahtha's, if you get the idear. I love and miss the mountains, the ocean, the history. Someday, I want to live there again.
Thanks as always, Songbird!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Friday Five - Pancakes!
Sophia over at RGBP writes:
Last week Sally gave us a beautiful, spiritually reflective Friday Five, so it's time for something light and fluffy (literally). It's inspired by the fact that as I write this my dear spouse TechnoGuy, with the assistance of daughter Ladybug, is making a batch of chocolate chip pancakes with two Christmas presents. One is the Knott's Berry Farm mix which came along with jam, boysenberry syrup, and biscuit mix from my aunt (we ended up with two sets, since my parents passed theirs on to avoid sweet and carb-y temptation). The other is the large size Black and Decker electric skillet he was thrilled that I got him online -- our trusty wedding present normal size one still works at going on 20 years, but the Teflon is getting worn, and he wanted more cooking space. So pull up a chair to the kitchen table and tell us all about your pancake preferences.
1. Scratch or mix? Buttermilk or plain?
Pretty much exclusively Bisquik here, funny because with all the other things we make, from brownies to pizza dough, we make them from scratch. But Starman admits I make better pancakes than he does, which, since he is the chief cook, is quite a compliment!
2. Pure and simple, or with additions cooked in?
I like plain, or blueberry, or chocolate chip if I am feeling decadent. Sometimes apple if we have some good apples around. The girls pretty much stick with plain, although Brown Eyes the four year old is always up for some chocolate!
3. For breakfast or for dinner?
Either one! We have them every Saturday morning as a treat for the girls. But we occasionally have "breakfast for dinner" as well - although then I would try to leave out the chocolate chips to be more nutritious (don't ask me why dinner has to be more nutritious than breakfast, it makes no sense I know!)
4. Preferred syrup or other topping? How about the best side dish?
Vermont Maple Syrup, Grade A of course. Growing up in New England, the idea of anything less was anathema. For Skye, it is Strawberry All Fruit Jam, in the microwave for a minute to make it liquid. The girls have not inherited a love of the maple flavor from me - more proof that they are growing up in the Midwest?
5. Favorite pancake restaurant?
In Wilmette, Illinois was Walker's Original Pancake House - the only place I know that would make pancakes that tasted like homemade. Anyplace else, they seem flat and chewy to me. The lines at Walker's on Saturday morning went out the door and down the sidewalk.
Here in the further east midwest city, we haven't found a good breakfast pancake place. I was just saying to Starman the other day that we never go out for breakfast any more. My parents back in New England go out AFTER church every Sunday, but their church service is done before 9 am! Here, we start at 9:30 with Sunday school and usually don't get home before 1 pm!
Bonus: Any tasty recipes out there, for pancakes or other special breakfast dishes? Bring 'em on!
Sorry to say, nothing. I eat the same thing every morning - Quaker Oats, some frozen or fresh blueberries added, and a little dollop of Stoneyfield Farms fat free vanilla yoghurt. There you go - a recipe! It is filling, and quite tasty, and only 4 WW points if you include 8 oz of OJ!
Thanks Sophia! That was fun!
Last week Sally gave us a beautiful, spiritually reflective Friday Five, so it's time for something light and fluffy (literally). It's inspired by the fact that as I write this my dear spouse TechnoGuy, with the assistance of daughter Ladybug, is making a batch of chocolate chip pancakes with two Christmas presents. One is the Knott's Berry Farm mix which came along with jam, boysenberry syrup, and biscuit mix from my aunt (we ended up with two sets, since my parents passed theirs on to avoid sweet and carb-y temptation). The other is the large size Black and Decker electric skillet he was thrilled that I got him online -- our trusty wedding present normal size one still works at going on 20 years, but the Teflon is getting worn, and he wanted more cooking space. So pull up a chair to the kitchen table and tell us all about your pancake preferences.
1. Scratch or mix? Buttermilk or plain?
Pretty much exclusively Bisquik here, funny because with all the other things we make, from brownies to pizza dough, we make them from scratch. But Starman admits I make better pancakes than he does, which, since he is the chief cook, is quite a compliment!
2. Pure and simple, or with additions cooked in?
I like plain, or blueberry, or chocolate chip if I am feeling decadent. Sometimes apple if we have some good apples around. The girls pretty much stick with plain, although Brown Eyes the four year old is always up for some chocolate!
3. For breakfast or for dinner?
Either one! We have them every Saturday morning as a treat for the girls. But we occasionally have "breakfast for dinner" as well - although then I would try to leave out the chocolate chips to be more nutritious (don't ask me why dinner has to be more nutritious than breakfast, it makes no sense I know!)
4. Preferred syrup or other topping? How about the best side dish?
Vermont Maple Syrup, Grade A of course. Growing up in New England, the idea of anything less was anathema. For Skye, it is Strawberry All Fruit Jam, in the microwave for a minute to make it liquid. The girls have not inherited a love of the maple flavor from me - more proof that they are growing up in the Midwest?
5. Favorite pancake restaurant?
In Wilmette, Illinois was Walker's Original Pancake House - the only place I know that would make pancakes that tasted like homemade. Anyplace else, they seem flat and chewy to me. The lines at Walker's on Saturday morning went out the door and down the sidewalk.
Here in the further east midwest city, we haven't found a good breakfast pancake place. I was just saying to Starman the other day that we never go out for breakfast any more. My parents back in New England go out AFTER church every Sunday, but their church service is done before 9 am! Here, we start at 9:30 with Sunday school and usually don't get home before 1 pm!
Bonus: Any tasty recipes out there, for pancakes or other special breakfast dishes? Bring 'em on!
Sorry to say, nothing. I eat the same thing every morning - Quaker Oats, some frozen or fresh blueberries added, and a little dollop of Stoneyfield Farms fat free vanilla yoghurt. There you go - a recipe! It is filling, and quite tasty, and only 4 WW points if you include 8 oz of OJ!
Thanks Sophia! That was fun!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Homecoming
Sometimes
It's worth leaving work early
To see her little four year old face
Light up when I come through the door
To watch her run to me
And feel her whole body wrap me up
In one big
Hug
It's worth leaving work early
To see her little four year old face
Light up when I come through the door
To watch her run to me
And feel her whole body wrap me up
In one big
Hug
Friday, January 2, 2009
RGBP Friday Five - Beginnings and Endings
Sally over at RGBP writes:
As we look back we may come to understand how God has worked in and through us in joy and saddness. how we have grown against what may seem impossible odds. As we look forward we may do so with expectation, and we may do so with fear and trembling. As we look back and forward in New Years liminality I offer you this simple yet I hope profound Friday Five in two parts:
First list five things that you remember/ treasure from 2008
1. Our family trip to Disney World - Three girls, two sets of grandparents, Starman, and me, for a hot week in May. Pure vacation.
2. Preaching the Easter Sunrise service at the cemetery on the hill, sun rising behind me, a foot of snow around me, temperature about 20 degrees F. It was a short sermon, but wow, it was a neat thing to do!
3. Being appointed as a licensed local pastor, same job, different title, and new responsibilities...like the wedding I get to officiate at tomorrow! I am enjoying my new role, and loving my continuing work with Wise Pastor.
4. The Chicago Missions trip we took, my last official duty as Youth Minister to our home congregation. Saw old friends, worked very hard, loved every minute of it.
5. Five days at Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada with Starman. He was at a conference, I joined him. Found out that I can keep myself busy and occupied (doing sermon research and planning while he went to talks) and enjoy myself by myself, even when I don't have three daughters clamoring for my attention! Starman had a bad cold, but was a good sport, hiking up the mountains around the lake together.
Then list five things that you are looking forward to in 2009
1. Continuing to learn and grow as a pastor, hopefully attending some training/continuing ed events (Lectionary Homiletics?).
2. Celebrate 25 years of together-ness with Starman come October. Wow.
3. Enjoy my last days with a preschooler and at the same time look forward to having three girls in school for full days come September
4. Spend some time hiking and enjoying New England this summer.
5. Deepen my relationship with God, continuing to see my spiritual director and journaling and reading more.
Sally also gave us this blessing from the Iona Community that I share here:
We stand to face the future:
God behind us in the past
Christ before us; the way ahead;
Christ beside us in this moment;
Christ beneath us in our weakness;
Christ above to shield us-
beneath the shadow of his wings we are safe;
Christ between us to bind us in the unity of his love;
Christ in us equipping us with his all sufficient grace.
Thus armed and guided, and protected we face the new year.
Now we arise and go forth on the journey before us,
knowing that, where Christ leads, life is a journey home.
Therefore we travel in faith, in hope, and in love,
in the name of the Father/ Mother, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
May the blessing of God
be upon us
all this year
and into eternity. Amen.
I echo that blessing to you all. Sally, thank you for adding this time of reflection to my day!
As we look back we may come to understand how God has worked in and through us in joy and saddness. how we have grown against what may seem impossible odds. As we look forward we may do so with expectation, and we may do so with fear and trembling. As we look back and forward in New Years liminality I offer you this simple yet I hope profound Friday Five in two parts:
First list five things that you remember/ treasure from 2008
1. Our family trip to Disney World - Three girls, two sets of grandparents, Starman, and me, for a hot week in May. Pure vacation.
2. Preaching the Easter Sunrise service at the cemetery on the hill, sun rising behind me, a foot of snow around me, temperature about 20 degrees F. It was a short sermon, but wow, it was a neat thing to do!
3. Being appointed as a licensed local pastor, same job, different title, and new responsibilities...like the wedding I get to officiate at tomorrow! I am enjoying my new role, and loving my continuing work with Wise Pastor.
4. The Chicago Missions trip we took, my last official duty as Youth Minister to our home congregation. Saw old friends, worked very hard, loved every minute of it.
5. Five days at Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada with Starman. He was at a conference, I joined him. Found out that I can keep myself busy and occupied (doing sermon research and planning while he went to talks) and enjoy myself by myself, even when I don't have three daughters clamoring for my attention! Starman had a bad cold, but was a good sport, hiking up the mountains around the lake together.
Then list five things that you are looking forward to in 2009
1. Continuing to learn and grow as a pastor, hopefully attending some training/continuing ed events (Lectionary Homiletics?).
2. Celebrate 25 years of together-ness with Starman come October. Wow.
3. Enjoy my last days with a preschooler and at the same time look forward to having three girls in school for full days come September
4. Spend some time hiking and enjoying New England this summer.
5. Deepen my relationship with God, continuing to see my spiritual director and journaling and reading more.
Sally also gave us this blessing from the Iona Community that I share here:
We stand to face the future:
God behind us in the past
Christ before us; the way ahead;
Christ beside us in this moment;
Christ beneath us in our weakness;
Christ above to shield us-
beneath the shadow of his wings we are safe;
Christ between us to bind us in the unity of his love;
Christ in us equipping us with his all sufficient grace.
Thus armed and guided, and protected we face the new year.
Now we arise and go forth on the journey before us,
knowing that, where Christ leads, life is a journey home.
Therefore we travel in faith, in hope, and in love,
in the name of the Father/ Mother, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
May the blessing of God
be upon us
all this year
and into eternity. Amen.
I echo that blessing to you all. Sally, thank you for adding this time of reflection to my day!
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