Christmas Dinner

Last evening the Bible study friends came for dinner. First Diann, with her yummy chocolate cookies and then a parade of bowls and baking dishes slid onto the kitchen counter. The kitchen filled with friends and their greetings. Can I help? Sure, put the butter on the dish, get the ice, lay out the silver, the rolls, the mugs... I felt like the kitchen was full of 15 of my sister Lulu putting the meal in order. Over dinner, it was gentle conversation and good, reviving laughter. Later, we gathered in a circle to talk a bit about Christmas and worship, exchanging stories... God is good. And collected money enough to send 2 goats and 2 chickens to a family without, somewhere in the world for our Christmas gift. After a plateful of dessert and more talk in little groups, we squeezed in and around the sofa while Larry stood up on a chair to get us all into a photo. Jill and I, sitting in the front, put on our party faces to diguise wrinkles. Then a flurry of finding coats, hugs, best wishes for Christmas and they were gone. It is a good, fortifying thing to know these women pray for me, for my children, for the days ahead we'll have at Christmas. It's a good, hopeful thing to know we'll be back together studying each Wednesday evening in the new year.

Not enough words

I'm reading a book by Marilynne Robinson titled "Home" --follow up to her (pulitzer) Gilead. The most sympathetic character is a feeble clergyman in the care of his single daughter. At one meal he prays "There is so much to be grateful for, words are poor things" -- (pause) "Amen." I love that because I often don't have the words to eloquently express my thankfulness. It brings to mind my favorite old story of listening to Jose Maria of Utrera say, "When we get to heaven and realize the immensity of what God has done for us, we'll spend the first thousand years saying --Gracias, gracias, gracias... "

China Review

Last week Larry and I got in a full week a intense grandparenting and some good time with Micah and Jodi! We stayed with Micah and family in Shanghai and got to know all four of the China Sittigs a bit better. Maryann, no surprise, was adorable. We cuddled her til she gave those sweet little baby coos. But despite all my typical grandparental enthusiasm, I never could seem to have the camera ready for her most hilarious smiles! She is a great little traveler all around town in her stroller and a content little sweetheart at home. We'd already been acquainted with Charlotte, of course. but this was the new, improved Charlotte, a real little person! We read countless stories on our bed, danced to her Elmo sing-a-long toy endlessly and had big fun rolling out Play-doh. She has an impressive attention span and we communincated pretty well, in spite of our dearth of Chinese. Jodi, was her usual warm and chatty self! Standing in the kitchen while she cooked up breakfast or digging into lunch with chopsticks at the table, we traded stories back and forth companionably. We learned about her plans ahead, her hopes for the girls, bits of Micah news... Most of our Micah time was spent over some yummy, memotable meals too. We heard about his studies ahead, the ins and outs of being the science chair/teacher at school, and watched him be the instructive, patient, "funnest" dad around. All in all, we came home with a better sense of life in Pudong --in the small 10th floor apartment, at the market with Jodi, on the playground with the girls and with Micah at school. It was a good trip.

Thanksgiving

We're having a curious junxtaposition here in Brea of Thanksgiving coming and the fires burning across the hills. The hot topic is what you would "save" if you had to load up your car to evacuate-- I'd for sure grab my two books of collected recipes. How would I locate those 35 years of good food again?! And it makes you look around your house and see all the material things you value. I'm suddenly more thankful for our dining table, for the momentos of trips taken, for books I loved reading to my kids. And that leads to thoughts of thankfulness for my children, whom I adore, for darling Jodi and the 2 grand-girls, for our parents still healthy and nearby. I'm thankful we have so many very dear friends we love and can truly respect, people we share our lives with. In spite of the first year with no "Thankful Heart Chart" on the fridge (Where are you Laurel?), I find myself with a overflowing thankful heart. God is good.

And to also celebrate good eating at Thanksgiving, I have to add my new yumtious recipe:

PUMPKIN TIRAMISU

1 1/2 cups whipped cream
3/4 cup sugar
8 oz. marscapone (or cream) cheese
15 oz. can of pumpkin
1 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
6 oz. box of ladyfingers
2 tab of amaretto
2 oz. crushed amaretto cookies

Whip the cream well. In another bowl, mix the sugar, cheese, pumpkin & spice. Fold it all together. In a 9" springform or cake pan layer 1/2 of the ladyfingers. Sprinkle with amaretto. top with pumpkin filling. Repeat. Sift pumpkin pie spice on top for color and top it all with the crushed cookies. Refrigerate overnight.

This is super delicious--how could you go wrong with all that whipped cream! gobble. gobble. gobble.

Alabanza

Maybe it was because of the early morning call last week from Esperanza, a extra lovable friend from Seville, or maybe because friends who came for dinner on Saturday were asking about our years in Spain and looked at pictures of Seville with us, but Sunday morning when I was up early making cakes for Helen's birthday lunch, I put on an old cassette tape of the church in Utrera singing their church songs. As I mixed up cakes, I sang along, clapped to the stacatto beat and danced around the kitchen. A wonderful, worshipful, joyful morning-- better than hymns in church. "Dios me ha llenado con alegria."
God is good.

Being a Mom

I'm celebrating today. Yahool!! It's Micah's 30th birthday-- Jodi wrote me that in China turning 30 is saying good-bye to being young! (Sorry Micah). He has had a full and, I think, interesting first 30 years. It will be great to watch the next 30 unfold... I'm so deeply thankful he was born and is the kind, loyal, responsible, intelligent, loving person he's become... (besides turning out to be the best husband and dad!).

And I'm celebrating another milestone for me too. 30 years of being a mom! I'd always wanted that job and have to say it's been my most important vocation. My job desciption has changed quite a bit over the years. For a while, I was constantly pregnant, nursing, giving baths and changing diapers-- 4 children in just under 6 years. But they were marvelous, miraculous years of new lives and meeting these little people I would love so much. All the firsts were great fun-- first steps, first words, first bedtime prayers, first days of school... Watching Aaron build with his blocks, Micah drag a book over to ask me to read, Ani and Laurel arranging and rearranging their doll houses...

And school-- I have to confess, it made me proud to watch those kids shine. I loved teaching them to read in English and watching them tackle Spanish schooling. Reading at bedtime, days at Parque Maria Luisa, birthday parties, Christmas advent times together, trapsing through museums on traveling vacations -- I could list 100's of favorite parts of being a Mom. I think the college years were a bigger adjustment for me than for them. It's tough to let go of a job you loved so well, feeling suddenly "obsolete." But getting to share their college days, even long distance opened up new, exciting places and ideas for me too! I loved the parents weekends in Wheaton, the stories of crazy, hard days at caltech, driving up to Berkeley to see Aaron, or trying out new ethnic foods with Ani on visits to the "Hill." A friend had told me that you really learn how to pray when your children start in to college, I found that it was so true!

Now I'm launching into a new mothering phase--it's called mother-in-lawing and grandmothering! More people to love! It was surprising to me how precious Jodi became to me so quickly. --and those adorable girls. I am hoping for chances to make some small, but significant contributions to the lives of Charlotte and Maryann as they learn and live... I hope they know that there is someone who always adores them. Just like I hope my own kids know that well...

A couple of summers ago I went through a mothering "crisis". I couldn't figure out how to be the mom of all these grown children! A lot of walking and talking with mom-friends, a lot of praying , thinking and some crying distilled it for me. I made a list of 3 things to do to be a mom of grown children. I keep it on a 3x5 card by my bed--to remember how to do it well. I know sometimes I mess it up, but I'm still trying to do my best, with God's help.

All that to say, I've loved 30 years of being a mom and thank God for the most wonderful gift of the children who passed through our home.

SF Top Ten

We love our DK Top Ten travel guides. So in the spirit of the top ten, I'd like to suggest the top ten events of our weekend trip to San Francisco to see Ani & Brian and Aaron & Jessica...

#1. Lunch with Aaron at facebook. Cool space, innovative food, clever presentation and best of all, eating with AA! (a close 2nd best was the pumpkin/hominy/tortilla soup. yummm)
#2. Afternoon in SF with Ani and Brian. Great fun to meet Ani's office friends and I recommend the palatial Williams Sonoma store on Union Square. Inspirational!
#3. Ani found the perfect tapa restaurant for the 6 of us. Sangria, paella, pinchitos, croquetas, tortilla, trucha. What's not to like?! I'm always happy around a table of good food with my kids.
#4. I'm still trying to decide if the Cal game was a top ten or a bottom ten! We were awash in a downpour, but Cal did win big 26-16! And I'd forgotten about all those fun cheers and claps. And of course, sitting with Ani and super Cal fan Brian in the young alumni section is great fun! Add to that the sweet nostalga of being back in Berkeley--great walk across the campus. good times!
#5. Then home and snug in Ani's apartment for another top ten-- her spicy glazed pork chops, with tofu-mushrooms, brocoli, rice, hearty home made bread and apple crisp! Now that's a perfectly yummcious rainy day meal! She's quite a cook! and made us feel so at home.
#6. The Chinese First Baptist church is always a top ten for me. The service was in the historic sanctuary, Ian (Brian's brother) leading the worship, Pastor Lauren's concise and clear message, communion and, of course, those ushers-- Ani and Brian! Good worship with peope who love God.
#7. Milk tea and a little shopping in Chinatown after church-- big fun and a warm up for our impending trip to China!!
#8. Touring Aaron and Jessica's new apartment-- very stylish! The space is well designed (for two designers!) and it was great fun to hear about how they had pulled it all together. Ready for a spread in "Dwell" magazine.
#9. Lunch at Serpentine, a short walk towards the Bay from the apartment. Imaginative brunch dishes and good conversation. I especially liked hearing Jessica's work plans..
#10. And last, but not least two lovely, long converstions on the phone with Laurel as we tootled down the Central Valley on our trip home. Fun to hear about work, pot roasts and her "trick of vote" adventures! What a girl!

China Warm-Up

Larry and I are counting the days until our trip to China to see Charlotte and Maryann and those lovely parents of theirs in November. But this weekend we got a little "warm-up" for the visit! -- three Skype visits with Micah and family.

The next best thing to actually being in China was exchanging "hellos" with Charlotte as she sat in her favorite spot in front of the computer, earphones in place. Super to catch up with Micah a bit and watch Jodi duck in and out in her apron to say hi as she was making dinner. Even Mr. and Mrs. Zhou got in the act-- bringing over baby Maryann so we could have a peek! Sure wish I could speak Chinese to those nice people.

Yep, we're counting the days-- It's 33 today, less tomorrow!

Kitchen

If we have crossed paths in the last 4 months, you most certainly already know that we have a new kitchen! Thanks to hours and hours of hard labor on Larry's part, it's done!! All buttery yellow and shiney new! And today I put on a few finishing touches. I painted the french door out to the little porch a warm golden color and over the kitchen window I painted "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. Psalm 107:1" in a cozy script.

You'd think after a few weeks of being back at cooking up dinners in the new kitchen the excitement would have worn off-- but no! It makes my heart happy every time I crank up that super stove burner or rinse dishes in the perfectly shaped sink.
In honor of the new kitchen and with great thanksgiving for the lovely gift that it is to me, I'd like to pass on my favorite newly discovered recipe that I've been making there:

ORANGE CHIPOTLE CHICKEN

butter
4 chicken breasts
1 1/2 tab soy sauce
1 tab marmelade
1/4 cup green onions
toated almonds

Brown the chicken in butter 5 minutes on each sice. Mix marmelade and soy sauce and brush onto chicken.

then the ORANGE CHIPOTLE SAUCE

3 tab butter
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 tab garlic
1/4 cup chopped basil
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tab brown sugar
1 tab orange marmelade
1 chipotle pepper, minced

Brown the onion in butter, Add garlic and basil. Then stir in the orange juice, broth, soy sauce, sugar and marmelade. Put chicken into the sauce and simmer for 6 minutes. Serve garnished with the green onions and almonds.

And to serve along side the chicken:

CILANTRO RICE

1 1/2 cups rice
3 cups water
1 tsp salt
1 cup cialntro
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 minced chipotle
1 1/2 tab lime juice
1 tsp oilive oil

Cook rice with water and salt. In the food processor puree the cilantro, onion, chipotle, lime juice and oil. Stir this mixture into the rice when it is done cooking. pretty and delicious.

With a big green salad --greens, avocados,oranges, feta-- it's a spicey, yummy meal. Que aproveche!

Intentionality

It must have been 20 years ago that I remember thinking about a few people I admired deeply-- Paul and Jenni, my Dad and Jose Maria of Utrera. And I tried to think of the common thread that made them so admirable to me. I came up with the word "intentional." They spent their days, made their decisions with great intentionality.

Lately that word has come up quite often. Last year in JH when Jac taught on Intentionality, it sparked some great discussion on defining values and living them out. For Jac, it was loving God and loving people. Last Sunday, first Jay Kessler landed on Intentionality wrapping up his sermon on Lot and Abraham-- and then in Joint Heirs Larry read this verse:

"Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity," (Ephesians 5:15)

In the car last week, I heard a psychologist on NPR talking about happiness. He said the people who were the most happy were those who had defined values and lived up to their own expectations for themselves according to those values. That could mean a lot of different lifestyles depending on a what a person does value. But it sounds like intentionlity to me! For me it's keeping in my mind the values of living a life pleasing to God and one that loves other people unselfishly-- not as easy as it sounds on paper.

When you're in your 50's, you realize you have less opportunties left to live (Epsh 5) than you used to! Luis Palau said your life is a coin you can only spend once. So my hope is to spend my remaining opportunities with great intentionality.

Two Books

I keep a list of the books I've read in a little notebook by my bed. But I've just finished two books that I would love to remember well enough to jot them down here. They could scarcely be more different, but both were great reading for me...

I'll start with "Talking with My Mouth Full." Written by Bonny Wolf, an NPR commentator, it's the food book I would have loved to have written. Every chapter is a different food theme, followed a by a handful of corresponding recipes. She starts with the history of the bundt cake and moves on through her favorite kitchen tools, passing on family recipes ("Family cookbooks have recipes for Jell-O salads and Christmas cookies. No recipes call for foie gras or truffle oil."), crazy state fair food, Thanksgiving dinners and famer's markets from San Francisco to Spain to Israel... She writes personally of friends who cook and dinners she's given, in a very down to earth sort of way. You'd just like to drop by her house for lunch and exchange a few recipes.

More importantly, I just finished "Reasons for God" by Tim Keller. He answers questions culled from years of good talks with skeptics and as a pastor of a large church in Manhatten he's met a few of those. He treats their point of view with respect and understanding and presents, it seems to me, a wonderfully fair-handed look at important questions such as the validity of all religions, or suffering in the world. The books feels as though it was written by a modern day C.S.Lewis and in fact, Keller names him as an influence in the acknowledgments. The book draws widely from a deep range of writers and thinkers, from Bono to Flannery O'Connor, from Nietzsche to G.K. Chesterton. The value of the book for me lies in the way that it confirmed my faith and at the same time brought me up short in matters of sharing financially in a world that has so many physical needs and also gave me a new view at sin in my life that I had managed to overlook for some time. I love God more for having read this book. I wish it were on the bookshelf of every person who wants to know the truth about God.

Prayer

I always thought that by now I would be one of those women who really knew how to pray. After all I've been at it for a long time. But somehow I still feel like a novice with lots to learn... Though I can say I have reason to believe God hears me. Here are two prayer stories from a while back...

We came to live in CA from Spain for a year and since not many of my friends every came to Spain I wanted a CA home that was warm and welcoming. Our rental was furnished with kind donations of church people and it was just fine except for the yellow and black plaid sofa with the heavy wooden arms and back. Ugh. So I decided I would pray for a new sofa. After a couple ugly sofa weeks, Mary Ann called and said to come quick, her neighbor had a sensible green sofa for sale at a garage sale! But alas, when I arrived, it was sold. Disappointed, I grudgingly changed my prayer-- asking God to make me content with the yellow and black sofa. A couple days later, my friend Sue called and asked if we could use her tidy little navy sofa bed! oh joy! I couldn't have been more thankful! So God gave the pretty sofa with a little lesson in contentment thrown in.

In the months before that furlough to CA, we had been a bit short of "work funds" and were hoping the money would come in to help pay for Larry's studies the year we were home. When I would tuck the boys in at night one of things we would pray for was the money for our acccount. But as the weeks went by it never arrived. Finally we packed up our house in Seville and headed up for a couple days of meetings for Larry in Madrid before we flew home. I was wishing the money had appeared, not just for the need, but because I wanted our boys to see God would supply it. The night before we left Spain, Larry came in and said we got a notice that the money had been given to our accounts. Another very thankful moment.

These days I pray. I pray for all the people I love-- health and contentment for our parents, for faith and all the circumstances of life for our kids. I pray with friends for their children, their health scares, their jobs. I pray for the kids I teach--that they would learn and that I would love them well. I pray to grow and be more prayerful and to love God more as my days go by.

"Speak to Him thou for He hears
Spirit with spirit can meet
Closer is He than breathing
And nearer than hands and feel."
--Tennyson

Blueberries and Pecans

Looking through cooking magazines, what makes one recipe appealing and another something you pass right over. For me,it seems, there are certain ingredients that catch my eye. If the recipe calls for chocolate, apricots, cilantro, bacon, cream cheese, mango, blueberries, or almost any kind of nuts, I'm ready to give it a try. So one of my current favorites is a blueberry-pecan coffee cake from an old Cooking Light magazine (with a few adjustments). It's fast, easy, yummy in an uncomplicated kind of way and of course has those eye-catching, mouth watering ingredients-- blueberries and pecans!

BLUEBERRY/PECAN COFFEE CAKE:

5 tab canola oil
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2/3 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp amareto
1 1/2 cup flour
2 cups blueberries
2/3 cup pecans,chopped
powdered sugar

Mix all but the powdered sugar and spoon into a 9" springform pan (or any similar pan) sprayed with Pam.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar through a sieve.
For dessert serve it with whipped cream

So satisfying, not too sweet. Lovely with a cup of tea.

THE LIST

Recently Micah posted a blog with this list of a format. And then Ani picked it up and wrote on the same topics. Great fun to read them both. So I'm jumping on the bandwagon with my own little points of view:

THE U.S. ELECTION: Well, this is the most interesting election in my recollection. And truth be told I'm a bit torn. There are some points of the Republican plank that I hold to--saving unborn children. But listening to Obama, I sense an integrity and generosity of spirit that is very apealling. I am for ending the war soon and all for fiscal responisbility in government. So who do I vote for?

RELIGION: I can only say my faith is more precious to me now than ever. The older I grow, the more aware I am of my own sin/failings and more thankful for the mercy God has extended toward me to allow me to be his. I know that God and our salvation in Jesus can not be scientifically proven--that's why it's called faith. But what is the meaning of life, the basis of morality apart from a perfect God? So many "clues" point to God. I'm reading "The Reason for God" by Tim Keller right now and it's bolstering my faith while pointing to flaws in my life that only God can forgive--an amazing book. God is good.

OLYMPICS: I enjoyed the parts that I did see-- a very American slant on the events. Kept waiting to see those Spanish girls in the rhythmic gymnastics! But I found I liked the side stories on China even more than the events. I guess I'm more of a travel person than a sports person!

PARTIES: When I was small my Dad called me the party girl! Not that I'm big at "partying" in the current venacular. But I do love to have friends in the house and feed them. And Sally and I are having big fun organizing little events for the JH ladies nowdays. This Sunday I am making a big Thanksgiving lunch (turkey, orange-cranberry sauce, pecan tarts...) for all the friends who pitched in on the kitchen remodel. Should be a warm, wonderful time to thank them--being with comfortable, old friends is a sweet part of life.

MUSIC: Hmm, I don't have sophisticated musical taste. It seems like I enjoy classical music-- especially harmony laden Bach or any lively,lovely Baraoque and also the type of music I grew up with. That's Joni, James and Van. And some serious hymns feed my soul... Maybe as you age comfort is an asset in music over novelty. Or maybe it's just what I like...

WHERE YOU LIVE: I could write a book on this one! We have lived here in SoCal, Dallas, Costa Rica and Spain. When the time to move to Spain came I was more than recluctant to go. But the years there have become precious to me--not so much because of the place (although there are parts of the Spanish culture i sorely miss), but because of the people. The best part of Dallas were the friends. And why are we here in SoCal? --because our parents and the JH are here. I would pick somewhere more traditional, more beautiful, more green, more friendly if I were just picking a place...

HISTORY: I believe a sense of history is important in making you a wise, knowledgable person, especially the history of other cultures and other peoples. I have to confess much of the history I know is from reading novels (MIchner,Wouk,Stone) or biographies (Jung Chang, Fritz)--not too academic. But when I travel I love to get a sense of the place, in part, by it's history. And it gives me joy to see God's work in people through history...

DAUGHTERS: I can't imagine my life without Ani and Laurel. Ani, sweet and thoughful--insightful into her life and mine as well. She is a model of integrity and care for people. And she's so awfuly pretty! Laurel, clever and and oh so fun-- Gr Lo called her the "joy giver." Lolo is bright and caring, so good to her friends and her mom! and such a great smile--so adorable. I couldn't love my girls more! So it's a bit bittersweet that they are so far away and I can't see them, junk store shop, library browse, cook, tv watch, just plain talk with them as much as I would wish.

DAUGHTERS II: I try to be a loving and faithful daughter to my own mom. It's not hard to be motivated--because there is almost no one I admire more or love as much. She is capable, active and loves God deeply. She cares for me unselfishly and always has.

FOOD: When we travel, one of my favorite occupations is visiting markets and trying new foods-- eg the Naschmarkt in Vienna, the saltmbocca in Rome last summer. And at home I adore shopping, cooking, eating and feeding other people food! Some people like football and some like roller coasters-- but I get my adrenaline finding the perfect recipe in a Bon Apetit magazine and whipping it up for Larry or friends. This week it was orange chipotle chicken with cilantro rice for our "fun" friends--Tim and Jill. --rich flavor, just spicy enough and warm, pretty to the eye. And now I have a lovely new kitchen to cook in (thanks Larry)!! So who wouldn't like coconut pecan cake, banana-nut pancakes, bacon slathered brussel sprouts or a prefect big plate of spaghetti! Don't get me started on food!

Order

The summer was long and lazy, but this is my favorite time of year! Everything falls back into place. The word that keeps running through my mind is "order." Back in the routine of school, cooler weather to bake a pan of cookies, family birthdays and holidays on the horizon, and tonight my beloved Bible study friends meet up again to start our year together after summr break. But the big-time orderliness for me comes from the kitchen remodel being done (thank you Larry!). What joy to have just the right spot for my garlic salt or pie servers, a new hutch to hold tablecoths and platters. Everything in order... at least for now.

Baby Maryann Laurel

After a flurry of blog posts, emails and telephone calls, she's here! That was on our side. In China, bringing forth this little darling was a bit more complicated!! Maryann Laurel Sittig, born to our Micah and Jodi on Sunday the 7th of September-- A taxi/ambulance ride to the hospital, a little waiting and some hard work on Jodi's part all resulted in a sweet miracle of new life.
The thing that makes a new baby so precious is all the hope-- hope for small first steps, for books read together, for drippy popsicles on hot days, for girly giggles and heartfelt conversations, for lasting affection, for a life well lived... So much ahead for little Maryann and all of us who already love her. That's hope.

New Friend Laurel (Kate!)

I spent the last week with a "new" friend-- Laurel, the grown up! It was a lovely 3 days with her in Portland. Stayed in her first real apartment, visited her first non-student job and enjoyed watching her take care of the "family" of room mates. She was a super tour guide and found us some great things to eat... We had lots of fun conversations about kids books, and food, about Portland and home. And a couple hard conversations as well. All in all, I just love my new and improved Laurel and am looking forward to see what is ahead for her...

Chocolate Cookies

Chocolate cookies--really chocolatey chocolate cookies! This sunny summer morning my new oven was ready to bake, after 3 months of kitchen remodeling. And I knew just what I wanted to cook up! It couldn't have been more fun-- mixing up the melted chocolate, the brown sugar, the nuts... dropping the sweet spoonfuls of dough onto the cookie sheet... and then pulling out the hot, fragrant cookies from my shiny new oven. What a glorious moment! They tasted as rich and chocolatey as I had remembered them. So if you want to make some scrumptious chocolate cookies here is the recipe:

SCRUMPTIOUS CHOCOLATE COOKIES

2 2/3 cups chocolate chips (divided in half)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
2 cups chopped walnuts

Melt 1 1/3 cup chocolate chips in ithe microwave (1 1/2 min.) Mix in the brown sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Then add in the flour and baking powder. Finally stir in the remaining chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by spoonfulls onto a cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Oh joy to have the kitchen full of hot, sweet chocolatei-ness again!! I promise you won't be disappointed in these cookies, if you love chocolate as much as I do!

I have a long and loving relationship with libraries. In elementary school, it was the dark, quiet room filled with new friends--Dr. Dolitle, Laura Ingalls, Otis Spofford and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. In summer I would ride my bike to the public library and fill the front basket with a weeks reading. In Jr. High I decided to forego the usual elective class for an hour of dusting and sorting books in the school library. There I met up with historical fiction and a wall of biographies. During college years my part time job was shelving books at a huge public library, but on Saturdays the children's librarian left me to sit in her place at her desk and help children locate their own stacks of books. When we moved to Spain with our small children, the biggest deprivation was the lack of books! How many times did I read Madeline over and over to our boys! So with the help of our church in Fullerton we collected over 1,000 really good children's books to start a children's lending libarry for the missionary families scattered across the province. Nowdays, I prize my card from the Fulerton Library. I slip in the door to a seeming oasis of quiet and restoration. Unlike the mall, you don't have to count up the cost of each item you select, so I stack book upon books with happy anticipation. I take a few more than I know I can possibly read for the luxury of choice of books piled on my beside table. Cookbooks, biographies, historical fiction, travel books, something to make me laugh-- all from the library!

The Thankful Heart

For over 25 years, come the month of November, I post a large. blank page of white paper on the fridge, along with a mug of markers on the counter next to it. It's my Thankful Heart Chart. I started when the boys were tiny-- wanting them to realize they had plenty of reasons to give thanks. By the time Thanksgiving rolls around the chart is full of drawings. The grandparents are always up there, also things like chocolate cake and trees, libraries and the kids's school friends. I have those charts all tucked in a file and you'd think by now with evidence of hundreds of reasons to be thankful, that I would be the most grateful person on earth! But I'm finding that a thankful heart takes a great deal of persistence, a daily blessing count. So I'm working at it. Blessings today? Larry working into the evening on our new kitchen floor, quiet conversatioins this past week when Ani came to visit, muffins and laughter with dear friends this morning, a merciful God I can pray to for the health of a friend, the green of the maple tree out my bedroom window and the banana/chocolate ice cream waiting for me in the freezer. God is good.

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