12.31.09 ~ Be Looking Both Ways

Waaaaaaaaay back in June a friend asked me what I was going to do with my blog once the year was over, her assumption being that I would stop blogging. I started last January 1st with the goal of spending the year learning to be, sharing my thoughts and daily photographs and looking back at my first post I can see how my prayer that day truly has been answered. God has helped me to be present in each day, soaking it in and living fully. So, it really has been a year of being....a year of being challenged, inspired, awed, a fun teacher, a traveler, sick, listening, happy and most of all learning to be me with God's help.

As 2009 comes to a close in a few short hours and we look forward to 2010 I find that I am quite attached to this venue of expression, to the people it's allowed me to meet and the changes it's help bring to my life. Word's cannot express how this simple little blog has brought about changes in me and to my life and I look forward to continuing to share and grow in this way. But...with some changes. I'll leave the changes coming to "Daily Be" for another day, but I do want to wish a fond farewell to 2009 and a BIG thank you to those of you who stop by to see what's going on in my little corner of the world. My new blog friends from Dancing Robot, Simple Subtleties, and others have really made the world wide web feel a little more like home. I wish you each a wonderous 2010!

I have a funny little feeling that 2010 will unfold just as God has planned and I plan to share that journey right here. Won't you join me?

Happy New Year!

...I couldn't resist sharing a few special memories from 2009....

12.30.09 ~ Be Wraping Up 2009

Wow!! Today when Mackey and I were out for a nice cold walk it struck me that 2009 is ending tomorrow. It's hard to believe that it's been a year (nearly) since I started this little blog. I don't think I had any idea of how it would effect me and my life. But God knew, he had this path planned for me long ago. Recording little bits of my days in words and photographs has enabled me to really enjoy every day of 2009 in some way. Even the simple little pleasures of sunshine on my face, or a furry friend to snuggle with has helped me to see what is truly important in life. I fear that many of us walk through life in autopilot, maybe to shun pain, just absentmindedly floating along, but when we are willing to open ourselves up to life, including the pain, we really live the life He has planned for us. I want to thank each of your for stopping by and reading my simple musing and adventures this year. And as the year comes to a close I challenge each of us to find our way, for each will be unique, to embrace life fully - through a journal, a blog, a friend to chat with each day, a daily gratitude journal...whatever the venue just make it a routine part of your day. I can tell you from my year of daily (well, almost) blogging that it will change the path of your life in wonderful ways.

Show me your ways, O LORD,

teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:4-5

12.29.09 ~ Be Making a Vow

Yummy healthy date to Vegiterranean with my husband last week

I was very lazy today but to be fair both my husband and I have come down with yucky colds, so really being lazy is the only option as we rest up and try to get well. But it was not a lost day, I have used this down time to re-evaluate my recent (oh, say since June) eating habits. Besides the fact that my closet bears only 2 remaining jeans that I fit into comfortably, my body has been telling me I'm not feeding it well (which was proven by yet another cold!). Yesterday I picked up this book, which reminded me of all the reasons that I choose to eliminate dairy and eggs from my diet three years ago. And also reminded me of how good I felt, and how my body found it's happy weight without me counting calories, spending elaborate time exercising, or even really thinking about it. And I really enjoyed all the delicious good for me food too -whole grains, veggies, legumes, nuts, fruits. Feeling good, looking good and enjoying life, it just all came together so naturally. But after over two years of eating plant based meals, gradually I let the foods that don't do my body good slip back in, which is okay for the occasional meal out or dinner at a friends, but eating them regularly has proven that it doesn't work for me or my waistline. Admittedly I've done some silly things in my pursuit of health... there have been years of religiously jogging 1 hour a day even when sick, calorie counting to an obsession, even my green smoothies were too much for me on a daily basis - many of these things though not "bad" were hallow practices that got me to a number I wanted to be, but plant based eating that feeds me and my soul - no numbers, counting or drama involved here, just good wholesome eating. So it is with a hopeful heart I look forward to 2010 and re-new my vows to me - vows to feed myself good healthy foods so that I might live, love and enjoy a long happy and healthy life. Anyone wanna join me?

12.28.09 ~ Be Pondering

1. Christmas Eve Dinner, 2. Brothers, 3. Little Nephew, 4. Niece, 5. A rare smile!, 6. 'O Christmas Tree, 7. Middle Child, 8. Grandpa, Grandma and their Grandkids, 9. The Wisconsin Crew, 10. Oldest Brother, 11. Sisters-in-law, 12. Christmas Eve Dinner

What a a lovely Christmas - friends, family, food, smiles, sharing, giving, laughter...it was a great one! But today I am home, home in my pj's at 1:30 in the afternoon enjoying the newly made memories via my photos.

This year Christmas was all the sweeter because I really truly tried to soak in what Christmas really represents. Not family, not presents, not decorated trees - even though those things are good - but dwelling on the beginning and the end of the Christmas story, Jesus, Immanuel, God with US. I think that like most people in this world I so easily focus on the good family times and traditions that surround this holiday, but loose the much more important foundation of it - He who came to be with us, little ol' you and me!

At church last week the pastor at the church we was visiting asked, "What if Jesus never came? Would your Christmas be any different?" Well, I could still bake cookies and decorate a tree a give gifts...a good question to ponder for the next 364 days or so until we do it all again. How should my Christmas look to really reflect Him who we celebrate? I know I've been blessed by the addition of the Jesse tree, Advent Calendar, and repeated reading of His birth story in Luke and Matthew to our other traditions. As I clean up the wrapping paper scraps, pack away the ornaments and put the tree out to be recycled I hope to be more like Mary who as she discovered the truth of Jesus "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). Any my prayer will be to now go and live and share this truth of Immanuel, God with us, all year long.

12.22.09 ~ Be Starting the Celebrations!

Merry Christmas from our humble abode to yours!

This morning was our family Christmas! By "family" I mean, Joel, Mackey and I -yes, we count the dog too. It had all the special elements...cinnamon rolls, hot drinks, Christmas music, and presents. Joel even surprised me with two presents he wrapped on his own...

...I think gift wrapping is not his strength! :) But the effort was greatly appreciated. Now we are off to the BIG family Christmas in the lovely state of Michigan! Wish us safe driving as we mosey our way up there today and tomorrow. I wish each of you very merry Christmases wherever and however you celebrate!

Hallelujah a King is born, who is Christ the Lord!

12.21.09 ~ Be Preparing...

...for a special morning tomorrow, followed by a long drive. Gifts are getting packed up, a traditional family breakfast goodie is being made, and new presents have appeared under the tree...oh yes, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

12.20.09 ~ Be Shoveling

Greetings from the North Pole, or uh, what looks like the North Pole! We are digging and digging and drinking yummy hot drinks (my husband's the BEST at making delicious hot drinks!). No driving yet...maybe tomorrow...if our road gets plowed. :) Best wishes for an enjoyable week!

A walk to our nearby Starbucks provided some warmth and a chuckle.

That is Joel's car, pre-shoveling

The van, mid-shoveling

Our neighborhood - those large blobs are cars!

And finally my favorite furry friend, who LOVES snow had to have a path shoveled for him since it was above his head!

p.s. It's almost Christmas!!

12.19.09 ~ Be Snowed In!

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Well, the lyrics pretty much sum up my day...about 18 inches of snow and still going strong...but, I'm warm, a little too well fed and enjoying the excuse to be a bit lazy. All you fellow east coasters stay warm and safe!

12.18.09 ~ Be Festive

Pam & I sporting our festive Christmas socks!

I'm not much for light up Christmas sweatshirts or wearing reindeer antler headbands but after receiving some fun Christmas socks as a gift I couldn't resist wearing them to school today as I said farewell to my kiddos for two weeks. I knew my socks had been discovered while I was finishing off reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever when I heard, "look at teacher's socks!" whispered around the rug, needless to say they were a hit with a group of 8 year olds.

As I batten down the hatches here in preparation for "the big storm of the season" (so says our local radio station), I wish you a festive weekend before Christmas! So, Get out that slightly tacky Christmas sweater or vest and enjoy the season to it's fullest!

12.17.09 ~ Be Reminded of the "Good News"

Just passing on some reminders of the "good news" that came my way today...

• "Christmas is not about a religion. Jesus didn't come to give you religion. He came to give you a relationship. Christmas is God saying, "I want to relate to you. I want you to know Me as much as I know you." That's joyful news. It's good news! " (Taken from this devotional thought.)
  
  
• This morning my school's praise team introduced and a new (to me) take on a classic Christmas song...I invite you to check it out. Warning - it sticks with you!

• And, oh yes, I was reminded that tomorrow afternoon my two week Christmas break officially begins - though not the good news, still good news for tired teacher Karri!

But the angel said to them, "... I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."
Luke 2:10

12.16.09 ~ Be Havin' a Party

My students "finally" getting to open their gifts

Today was my classes much anticipated Christmas party. There was yummy food, fun games, and a present from me (I always get each child a book - to be expected, right?). Watching them enjoy the afternoon's festivities with such joy I decided that there are only two basic things needed to make a party fun - festive music and a positive attitude. The food and games were fun, but I just know that they would have had fun doing anything we declared a "party." Oh, the joy of being a child at Christmas!

12.14.09 ~ Be Blessed

Yummy treat made by a friend

I am blessed. From the deepest depths of my heart I am so grateful for the multitude of blessings in my life, and there is just something about this time of year that brings that further into focus. Whether it be the opportunity to sit and chat with my elderly neighbors, a surprise handmade goody from a friend, or packages bearing gifts and love from my wonderful parents...I've been reminded over and over again this month of how blessed I am. My hope and prayer is that I can live up to the challenge of passing on those blessings as it was so simply and clearly shared here.

Goodies from the neighbors!

12.14.09 ~ Be Receiving

Pam's hands, hard at work

'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

Acts 20:35

....because it is in giving of ourselves

that we are open to receiving Him in our lives.

Outreach gifts created by our ladies Bible study

12.13.09 ~ Be Spreading Christmas Joy

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.

~Janice Maeditere

Where can we spread some Christmas joy this week? Let's open our hearts...there are lots of opportunities, even if it's just sharing goodies with our neighbors. :)

12.12.09 ~ Be Having some Holiday Fun!

Pam & I sporting out Holiday Specs

Ever heard of "Holiday Specs"? Tonight at our staff Christmas party our principal had some out - they were so much fun! They are 3D glasses that turn each little light you look at into a 3D shape - I felt like a kid again running around looking at the lights with each of the 6 pairs they had there. Then when some of the kids showed up I had to show them what the fun was all about and got to do it all over again. Simple joys :) I hope your weekend is full of some holiday fun too!

p.s. I already found some holiday specs online and ordered them for a certain someone I know and love who really loves Christmas lights....don't tell him, Mom! :0

12.11.09 ~ Be Baking!

If I have a one true love in the cooking realm, it's baking cookies. I love cookies, I don't mind any amount of labor required if it produces a yummy cookie. This is a double edged sword because one of my biggest (yes, just one - there are many) weaknesses when it comes to food is cookies, especially chocolate cookies! So it's only right that this holiday season there has been one recipe that has captured my waistline, oh I mean heart...

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

(From the Joy of Vegan Baking - with slight addition)

1 1/2 tsp. Ener-G Egg Replacer & 2 Tbsp. warm water (OR 1 egg)

3/4 cup non-dairy butter (or Butter)

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. peppermint extract

1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup non-dairy chocolate chips (chocolate chunks are even better!)

Crushed Candy Canes, traditional or soft (a personal favorite)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, use a fork to whip the egg replacer powder & water together until it's thick & creamy. Set aside. Cream the butter & sugars together by hand or with an electric hand mixer at high speed. Beat in the egg replacer mixture & the vanilla & peppermint extracts.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, & salt. Add this to the butter mixture along with the chocolate chips. Stir until combined, but do not over-stir, batter will be somewhat dry.

Scoop the cookie batter by rounded tablespoons then roll tops into crushed candy canes before placing onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake the cookies for 10 -12 mins., or until the edges begin to harden. Although they might not appear completely done, the cookies will continue to cook after they're removed from the oven. After removing them from the oven, immediately take the cookies off of the cooking sheet & place them on a wire rack to cool. Yields: 1 1/2 dozen cookies

Oh, by the way these are great for sharing - they store and ship well too! If you are looking for more Christmas goodies to bake check out these sites:

Our Best Bites - a new blog my foodie friend just shared with me, I think I'm in blog love.

Lottie + Doof - doing a 12 days of cookies series right now, more on the high end of baking

Pioneer Woman - another from my foodie friend, this whole site is just - WOW - baking and all!

12.10.09 ~ Be at our Christmas Pageant

What a show!

Oh, yes that holiday right of passage the annual school Christmas Pageant! Every year I look forward to the beautifully imperfect performances, it really couldn't be Christmas time without a child missing their line or singing out of tune loudly. But yet in all it's imperfections it's still loved (and greatly photographed) by all who come to watch. I guess it's the same with each of us, we are imperfect but still loved so much by our Creator. Christmas is the perfect time to stop and soak in just how deep that love goes...deep enough to come as a baby, deep enough to grow up in this flawed world, deep enough to minister to the lowly, deep enough to die for us all.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:6-8

12.9.09 ~ Be Focusing on Immanuel

My students snowflake creations

We seem to make things so complicated, especially this time of year. We think we have to have things just so and create many more problems trying to achieve things that are unnecessary...or at least I do. Yet, even without the special extras we might be striving for, Christmas still is, it does not require our 8 foot artificial trees or elaborate decorating schemes. Those things might make the season special for us, but they are not the real heart of Christmas. The real heart of Christmas is in the love and giving we share because He came - even (or maybe especially) when the giving is a smile or a hug or acceptance or forgiveness and not something wrapped up tight with a shiny bow. Today, and each day this December I pray for the ability to focus on what Christmas really is - Immanuel, God with us.

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel -which means, "God with us."

Matthew 1:23

12.8.09 ~ Be Laughing

Manger Art!

Kids say the darnedest things! One of these days I am going to make good on my promise to write down all the crazy things kids have said to me and that I have said in response to children (like..."leave your clothes on during story time"...and many many more). Whenever I do get that book written this one will surly be added....

Today my students were working on a large scale manger scene in which they each have a person, angel, or animal to draw. My little dear who chose the donkey had this question about half way through: "Can I put lip gloss on the donkey?"

Some days I really really love teaching - it's work and entertainment in one! Oh, and I assured her that the donkey would look just fine without lip gloss although it might just have gotten added anyways. :)

12.7.09 ~ Be Noticing...

sky over my school this afternoon!

...that we weren't the first ones to celebrate with beautifully colored lights. And let's be honest, His are much more impressive than anything I've seen hanging on a tree. In between the wrapping and baking and merry making let's make time to stop and notice what He has done with this time of year, it's truly breathtaking.

12.06.09 ~ Be Delivered (no baby involved!)

Icy pond this morning

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Psalm 34:7

As a child this verse was committed to memory, it was my mom's favorite verse and it became one of mine. We repeated it after nightmares, at scary times and for comfort. It's a habit that has followed me into adulthood. Which explains why it was one of first things I thought of last night after this happened...

The snow had stopped about the time it got dark so we felt perfectly safe to go out. Joel and I met another couple to see the new Christmas Carol movie last night (which I enjoyed, by the way) after dinner we each headed home. It was about 10pm and I was driving down a two lane route, a main traffic thoroughfare in our area. Being a California grown girl my long term winter weather driving experience is about...well, we'll say limited - I stay home on snow days! Because of my lack of experience in winter weather I was going slow...about 45 in a 60 mph zone. About half way home I noticed a few cards on the opposite side of the road which had obviously crashed into the guard rail, this was followed very quickly by noticing a car that had done the same in the lane directly ahead of me, the left lane. I was a safe distance away and slowed down so I could stop. As I took in the scene there was another car off the road on the right side. About 40 feet out from the stopped car I hit black ice and started sliding straight toward the car. I put both feet on the brake and found our anti-lock brakes had initiated and it would not go down, at that point I decided my best option was to try and swerve between the two stopped cars. As I went to swerve I began to fish tail across the road due to the black ice that covered the entire overpass. The van (us) missed both cars and I took in the next scene - two police cards and multiple other cars all over the road evidently victims of the ice as we were. With the anti-lock break doing it's job all I could do was steer towards the side of the road and snow there in hopes it would slow us down. We were heading towards one of the stopped police cars and this time there was another car next to it...so there was no way to swerve around them. As I held on to the steering wheel with white knuckles my husband, who had been expertly instructing me in how to steer ( his teen years in Ohio taught him all about winter driving). But then...as suddenly as this situation began it ended with us coming to a peaceful stop in the right lane. We had hit no one, we had hit nothing, we were fine, although my heart was racing. All I could think was "thank you Jesus!". As I tried to gather myself I saw other cars behind us coming to the same fate...one of which happened to be the couple we'd just been out with, who unfortunately hit the guard rail, but thankfully were unhurt. As one of the officers approached the car to make sure we were okay, that verse learned long ago through my mom's night time whisperings, came to mind. We were okay, and I don't know how but the van had come to a stop on the black ice about 20 feet short of the police car. Needless to say the rest of the way home was a little nerve racking as we saw more and more accidents happen (although in each incident no one appeared injured, well, except the cars!), they even ended up closing the road right before out neighborhood due to such bad black ice on the road.

I do believe in guardian angels. And I know mine was at work last night. Thank you Jesus!

p.s. Learn a lesson from me as winter begins - the bridges and overpasses DO ice over first! Drive slowly and carefully if you must be out in icy conditions!

12.5.09 ~ Be Snowing!

Snow falling outside of church today...just beautiful!

Our first winter snow has come! It's been the really lovely kind, big fluffy flakes...oh, I just love it! But I am staying warm and dry inside reading up a storm by the fire, today's been a great day for taking in some Blue Like Jazz and a lecture given by Jim Wallis at my almamater. Good day to ponder deeper thoughts. :) Stay warm and dry where every your day might take you!

12.4.09 ~ Be Under the Tree

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.

~Roy L. Smith

Well, I'm not under the Christmas tree, but a nameless furry friend was quite content to cozy up under the tree for a rest. I am hoping for some content coziness this weekend, especially with a possibility of snow (!), but next to the tree instead of under it. Happy Christmas Weekending Everyone!

12.3.09 ~ Be Thinking on Advent

My students Jesse Tree Ornaments!

I always do a little advent calendar with my students, one of those simple ones you can buy at Trader Joe's for a buck. They love it because they each get a turn to open a little door on the cardboard calendar and eat the candy inside and I love it because it gives me an opportunity to talk to them about the real meaning of Christmas, because hey, even though I teach at a Christian school the kids are still present-focused at times! The little seamstress in me is even plotting out making an advent calendar for my classroom for next year. I've been bursting with all the great ideas here. I'm leaning towards this type - I already made myself a pattern for it, although the simpleton in me like this streamlined style too. Either way it will be for next year, so I have time to think and sew later.

Something advent-y that is not waiting for next year is the Jesse Tree idea - a great way to incorporate key Bible stories into tree decorating advent style. Basically I read a passage from the Bible each day and then we place a coordinating ornament on the tree representing something from the story. It's really great and new to me. So today, I had my kids make the ornaments to go with each of the stories that we will read as we decorate our class tree in a Jesse-advent style. They enjoyed the process and I now have some very special ornaments to use for a few years, well, after they are lamenated.

To add yet another advent-y (I'm really loving my new word, aren't I?) and fun thing to my December calendar I am joining the December Photo Project. I'm already here taking and posting photo's everyday so why not join in the fun going on over at Prairie Box? Interested too? Click the link below.

Well as another day of advent comes to a close I wish you fun and meaningful ways celebrate this season too!

12.2.09 ~ Be Advising

My dear friends in blog-land, I have a piece of advice to give each of you tonight, advice hard won out of my own lesson tonight...

...don't buy a scale, after not having one for ages, in the middle of the holiday season.

It's a very un-holiday thing to do and will cause you to do unfortunate things like join the Y at 9pm that very night and proceed to spend some "quality time" with an elliptical machine. Along with many self promises of cutting down on the holiday "treats" and swimming some regular laps at your newly joined pool. Very un-holiday behavior indeed!

So, my friends, you've been dually warned...just hold off until January when holiday cookies and peppermint mocha's might not be calling your name quite so strongly and for now you can blissfully enjoy them.

12.1.09 ~ Be Loving Winter

Three winter joys in one: hot chocolate, a good book, and my furry friend!

Welcome December! It's nearly been a year sine I started my little blog and I can honestly say that it's made me much more thoughtful about my days and life. Every season that has unfolded has seemed new to me as I've attempted to capture it in words and pictures. And, as my husband likes to tease me, each season has been declared my "favorite" only to be replaced when the next one comes along...as this last one for 2009 unfolds I had decided that it's not that I have a favorite season, but that I thoroughly LOVE the changing of seasons, each with it's own unique characteristics. Growing up in California, our seasons were hot and not so hot, which I loved as a child, but now living on the east coast I must admit that I dearly love the newness of each season. So, as I welcome this final season, winter, I eagerly look forward to....

Christmas memories yet to be made,

snow days (Lord, may there be many...),

yummy warm drinks,

warm fires blazing in the fireplace,

long evenings (it's dark by 5!),

scarves, mittens, hats, and warm coats,

chasing Mackey in the snow,

lots of time to sew and read - thank you, long evenings,

ice skating on the National Mall (this year I WILL make it!)

snuggling into our flannel sheets and electric blanket,

wrapping gifts,

soups and muffin dinners by the fire....


...and so many more.


May you be enjoying winter wherever you are, even if your winters fall into the "not so hot" category!