The Super Late Prayer Buddy Reveal!

As a committed blog lurker over the past few years, you run into all sorts of fun blog stuff (I'm sure there is a real word, but I have no idea what it is.) I have yet to really participate, but one jumped out at me...Advent Prayer Buddies. With a brother deployed to a crazy part of the world doing a dangerous job, I'll take all the prayers and I good thoughts he can get! Thanks to TCIE and Mrs. Henderson for putting this whole crazy thing together.

My post is a little late because I have been traveling between family members for the last ten days with a few more days of travel to go. Lesson learned: Write blog posts early and set them 

I was assigned to pray for Celeste and her intentions which I included in my evening prayers around my Advent wreath. It was really fun to read a new blog and a big challenge to not comment! Seriously, I think I only want to comment when I can't! I also loved sending a fun little present which arrived on Christmas Eve but was not opened until Christmas Day. How perfect!?!

Also, thank you to Laura for your extra prayers during Advent, and I am sorry that I slacked on my blog posting during the second half of December!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

It's Beginning to Look a Like Christmas...

In My Apartment! I know, I know...Advent is not over. I do celebrate Advent, but I also decorate for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving. I travel for Christmas every year so it is my chance to enjoy the lights in my home. I am not the most talented at decorating the home. For example, there is not one item hung on my walls. Christmas is the exception as I have accumulated quite a few items between my purchases, gifts, and items inherited from my mom. It looks pretty good!

And, now for the tour...

On my coffee table, I placed a candle holder that I already owned with these glass ornaments. The coffee table is actually the trunk my Great-Great-Great-Grandfather Ring used when he immigrated from Sweden.

My two stockings and a snowman...I'm still not clear on why I own two stockings. The story never quite made sense.

I love my Nativity! There is a really long crazy story about how I ended up with this Nativity which I'll save for another day. The two giants in the photo with me...my brothers. Yes, I am a shorty!

The peace item was from a white elephant exchange! Does anyone else remember the ceramic trees with lights? Scored big getting this one. I hope my brothers actually forget about it.

Just love this simple little Nativity. It is hung on the interior side of my front door.  

Please ignore the plastic hook!

My mom's friend made the glass block gift, and I cobbled together the other items. Biggest coup...the amazing table for only $30! I found it while visiting friends in Milton NC. I did not expect to find it so a friend, Mrs. Farmer's Wife, fronted me the cash. I had been searching for months for a new table in my entrance area.

Two of my mom's nutcrackers...we divided them up between my dad and siblings. I have my mom's Spode collection, and the little crystal candelabra is from my great grandmother.

The very full tree!

With a signed copy of The Polar Express with jingle bells underneath!

Yes, even decor in the bathroom! I can't believe I have turned into a person with a mini-tree and holiday towels in the bathroom!

College Men Will Talk Values!

There are definitely moments when I stop, look around, and think, "How in the world is the awesome experience part of my life?" Earlier this month, I had such a moment while facilitating an officer transition for six fraternity men.

I advise a fraternity chapter at the higher education institution where I work. I used to work with the men below the required GPA. This fall, I decided to move into a different role and was asked to organize and facilitate a leadership retreat.

It was an amazing 24 hours! The men were so enthusiastic, and we covered teambuilding, leadership, goal setting for individual offices and the board as a whole, mission creation, etc. Talking about values with college men is pretty amazing.

What do they want to gain from this experience?

A little game that sneakily leads to a discussion on values. 

Incoming and Outgoing Officers

The outgoing officers joined in for the fun...reviewing responsibilities, discuss successes and challenges of the last year, and a little flag football. I really appreciate their positive attitude about giving up about 7 hours of a Saturday.  They had some great conversations with the new officers. 

Me with the incoming board. I only look their height because Ms. GreenKeen is standing on a rock!

We sat around the campfire talking about our fraternal experiences, challenges, and successes and eating marshmallows. Yes, that is right! I spent almost three hours on a Saturday night talking with college men about how they have grown and changed in college.

As I sat there listening, I could not help but think how random my career has been. No one enters college planning a career in higher education. It something that we all fall into due to our involvement on campus and mentoring from amazing advisors. As an introverted, science major, I could never have imagined that I would talk with students about study skills, goals, career planning, respect for self and others, and smart decision-making in and out of the classroom. How I ever learned to do this is still a bit of a mystery!

Big thanks to my co-facilitator from the fraternity's traveling staff!

Lentils...One of the Best Foods Ever!

Lentils are one of my absolute favorite foods! Seriously, they are amazing... versatile, stick to your ribs full of protein, easy to prep, cheap when bought in bulk....I could go on and on and on.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes to get started. Even meat-lovers will go for these!

Snobby Joes - http://www.theppk.com/2009/11/snobby-joes/

I have to credit this find to my fellow simple-living friend and co-worker Jill. She discovered the great vegan cooking/baking blog Post Punk Kitchen. This recipe was a hit in her house (with two elementary age children), and she knew I would love it. Why? The lentils! It is easy to prepare, a great blend of flavors, and freezes and reheats well.

Lentil Soup (via my mom and a Trader Joe's recipe from a years ago)

To tell the truth...this recipe has been the hold up on this post. I kept forgetting to bring a copy of the recipe to the office. This morning, I remembered that the recipe is also on my computer.

¼ c olive oil

4 c diced yellow onions

4 c chopped leeks (optional)

2 large minced garlic clove

1t kosher salt

2 t ground black pepper

1 T minced fresh thyme leaves*

1 t cumin or to taste

3 c medium-diced carrot

3 c medium-diced celery

2 quarts liquid (water, leftover lentil water, vegetable broth, or chicken broth)

4 T tomato paste (preferably double concentrate in tube - really, it is worth the money and the hunt)

3- 4 cups prepared lentils

2 T red wine or red wine vinegar

Parmesan cheese

If wanting meat: 1 lb uncured polish kielbasa or a similar variety

In a large stockpot over medium heat, heat the olive oil and sauté the onions, leeks, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme and cumin for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are translucent and tender. Add celery and carrots and sauté for another 10 minutes. Add stock, tomato paste, cover and bring to a simmer for about 30 minutes. Add lentils and wine to pot. Slice sausage into desired shapes and add to pot, keeping it at a simmer to warm sausage and lentils. Check for seasoning.  Serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

* I just throw in a sprig or 2 or 3 thyme and fish out the stems later!

Chicken and Lentil Tangine - http://leitesculinaria.com/5329/recipes-chicken-lentil-tagine.html

Mark Bittman is amazing, and that is a topic for another blog post. Anyway, this recipe is in a couple of his cookbooks. I can't find my exact version right now so I found this one online. I know the combo of flavors looks interesting, but they blend so well. I made this with chicken once, but now I usually prepare it without the meat.

I know this is a boring post without pictures, but I know that a few people have wanted me to post recipes for a few weeks now. The camera will move the kitchen tonight!

Advent!

It's Advent, and I love it!  I think it has to do with the shorter days, candles, the ideas of waiting and watching, light in the darkness, holiday lights.

It think it goes back to this place....

The Chapel of the Resurrection at my undergrad which is gorgeous inside and out, but especially at night.

It is so peaceful at with the low lights like little stars. If you look closely you can
see the candles in the walls at Advent-Christmas Vespers.



Gorgeous view of the chancel with the Christus Rex during a Christmas concert.

On to my advent...

My first attempt at an Advent wreath. Last year, I just had the candles in Styrofoam. How sad! 

I straightened the candles after this picture and definitely plan to paint the Styrofoam.

I love lighting my advent wreath during dinner each night. With the lights low and the Christmas tree and other decorations lit, it is easy to remember the true meaning of the season and to reflect on the year past year. I read a little advent reflection which has been on target each day this week. I feel so refreshed after taking a little bit of quiet time to pray and think and relax before the crazy weeks of travel and events.