It’s already Tuesday! We got home late in the afternoon on Sunday from our trip to see family, and quite honestly, I couldn’t muster up any desire to even be on the computer, must less create a post. But here I am, bringing you Monday’s food celebrations and Tuesday’s celebrations. Seriously Monday’s were pretty boring, except for the food. We all have to eat, right?
First, I would like to give us all something to think about. Family doesn’t always see eye to eye, they don’t always get along, they may even get upset with each other, but they are still family. Times change, and with them change the traditions that we are used to. This can bring up a lot of feelings. I know for me it has throughout my adult life, and that hasn’t changed. When I was growing up it was tradition to go have Thanksgiving with my dad’s parents and the rest of the family. It was just the way it was. Putting on a big feast was too much for my Grandma K to deal with, and when that side of the family got together it could get really overwhelming. Because of that, she just never hosted it. None of us resented it, it was just the way it was. I don’t know that any of us would have been upset if Grandma Julie didn’t host it either, it just never came up. After she moved to the other side of the mountains it was a non-issue anyway, since none of us really were interested in crossing the mountains in the snow. When I became an adult and had a family of my own, we took turns. One year we would host it, the next my in-laws would. On the years we hosted it my parents would come and join us, on the off years, they did something else. It was just the way it was. After my ex-mother-in-law passed away the torch was passed to my family every year, and that’s the way it continued, even when I married my 2nd (and final) hubby. It’s always been a big deal and special to us. For various reasons we decided that this year we would take a bit of a break and not do anything on Thanksgiving weekend. It was a big decision, and it is bringing up a lot of feelings. Part of me is looking forward to four days of quiet, but another part will miss the house filled with people enjoying a meal together. I’m tired though. Hubby is tired. We are trying to reduce stress in some areas of our life, and though we aren’t saying we are giving up on this tradition altogether, for this year it seemed right for us. Telling family hasn’t been easy, but sometimes doing what is right for yourself isn’t easy for other people to work through, since they are having their lifelong traditions changed because of our decision, but as with all things, this too shall pass, and family is still family. We love each other through it all, and life marches on.
Verse of the Day
October 7, 2019
Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you — majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
With whom do you compare the incomparable? How do you grasp the infinite with a finite mind? When the quintessence of majesty is the God you contemplate, how can you ever speak of majesty about anything else? God exhausts our superlatives. God’s glory bewilders our imaginations. God’s greatness exceeds our wildest dreams. He is beyond what we can know or believe. Yet the Wonder of all his wonders is simply this: he limited himself to a baby, swaddled by loving parents in strips of cloth, and placed in a feed trough because there was no room for them in the inn. Sometimes the greatest of all wonders are not the ones that require our biggest and best words. Sometimes the greatest of all wonders wrap their tiny fingers around our own and capture our hearts.
October 8, 2019
In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
As a minister, I am privileged to be present at many of the most important events in people’s lives. Good or bad, to be there at the crossroads of life is a sacred trust. In those moments that are hardest, dying and death, verses like this one fill my heart with strength and remind me why I answered a call to serve in waters way above my head. God’s promise here is a great reminder that what he began when he redeemed his people out of Egypt, he would also complete by bringing them into the Promised Land. Now, we can hear a more powerful promise behind these words. We can find it even more reasonable to trust them. God did what he said for Israel. Since he did for them, can’t we say with confidence, “I know you will guide us to your holy dwelling?”
www.verseoftheday.com
Tuesday – October 8
Ada Lovelace Day – Ada Lovelace Day was created to celebrate one of the first computer programmers. As the daughter of the poet Lord Byron, Augusta Ada Byron, was brought up by her mother, Annabella, after he passed. Her mother feared that she would inherit her father’s poetic temperament, and gave Ada a strict upbringing of logic, science and mathematics. Ada became fascinated with mechanisms and designed steam flying machines, poring over the scientific magazines of the time and embracing the British Industrial revolution. In 1833, Ada Lovelace was introduced to Charles Babbage whom she helped to develop a device called The Analytical Engine; an early predecessor of the modern computer. Lovelace and Babbage worked together closely for many years in order to refine the Engine. Ada found relative fame in 1842 when she expanded on an article by an Italian mathematician, in which she elaborated on the use of machines through the manipulation of symbols. Although Babbage had sketched out programs before, Lovelace’s were the most elaborate and complete, and the first to be published; so, she is often referred to as “the first computer programmer”. Ada Lovelace died of cancer at the age of 36 a few short years after the publication of “Sketch of the Analytical Engine, with Notes from the Translator”. The Analytical Engine remained a vision for many but until Ada’s notes inspired Alan Turing to work on the first modern computers in the 1940’s. Her passion and vision for technology have made her a powerful symbol for women in the modern world of technology.
Alvin C. York Day – Today we honor a true American hero. Corporal Alvin C. York, on October 8, 1918, mostly unassisted, captured 132 Germans (three of them were officers), took out about 35 machine guns, and killed no less than 25 of the enemy. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant shortly after and became one of the most highly decorated soldiers of WWI. Today we commemorate his bravery for, and dedication to, his country. In 1941 a film was released called “Sergeant York”, starring Gary Cooper. Check it out and learn all about this amazing and wonderful hero. He exemplified patriotism to the core.
National Face Your Fears Day – We all have fears. It’s something we all have to deal with – sometimes we are afraid of leaving an old situation for a new one. It could be a fear of public speaking, flying or of death. These days many of us are afraid of viruses, what is happening in the economy – losing our homes, not having the money to retire, or to have on hand for an emergency if it arises – these are things we sometimes lay awake at night worrying about. Me? I’m afraid of the wind knocking a tree into my house . . . again. I’m afraid of heights, and snakes . . . and maybe this isn’t a fear, but it’s something that totally flips me out . . . running face first into a spider web on my way to the car in the morning!!! I hate that! You know the reaction that most of us get when that happens? Well, it’s a reaction I have, and I’d like to think I’m not alone in this . . . the flailing of the arms, the screeching and dancing around while trying to make sure that there aren’t any spiders running around in your hair! Oh my -OK, it’s not a fear, but it’s close! “They” say to conquer our fears by facing them . . . sorry . . . not going to deliberately run face first into a spider web to deal with this . . .you’re welcome to if you like . . . let me know how that goes for you. I found a website that listed 100 Weird Phobias . . . the list gets a little long, so if you don’t want to read it all, I understand. I found to be fascinating, so if you have some time . . . enjoy!
Food Celebration of the Day –
October 7
National Frappe Day – So, just in case anyone doesn’t know, what IS a frappe? Well, it’s a drink made of many different things. The actual dictionary definition of Frappe is that it is an ice cream beverage drink. But that leads to a lot of confusion. Some frappes are made with the same ingredients as milkshakes. Others don’t have ice cream at all but use whipped cream instead. Still others use yogurt instead of ice cream, and even others have alcohol in them. Probably the most popular versions are the ones you find in coffee shops and cafes, the coffee and mocha frappes. So, why is this celebration in October? Not sure, but it’s nice that it is so we can enjoy pumpkin frappes! Delicious!
October 8
National Fluffernutter Day – Tell your usual PB&J that today, you’ve got a different lunch planned. The magical combo of marshmallow + peanut butter makes for a great sandwich and beyond. I tried one of these a few years ago – it was interesting. I don’t know that I enjoyed it enough to go to the effort of making low carb bread and low carb marshmallow fluff for it though. If you’ve never tried it, do. It’s something fun to do at least once.
National Pierogi Day – Mmmmmm . . . Pierogis – little Polish dumplings that originated sometime during the 13th century. They were a common peasant food – but peasant or not, they are delicious! Basically, they are a dumpling made of dough and filled with things like potatoes, cheese, sauerkraut, mushrooms and sometimes fruit. You can find them in the frozen food section of many grocery stores – but honestly none taste quite as good fresh. There was this little Russian deli I went to occasionally in Seattle that had pierogis – delicious! You may not have a place near you who makes them, so if you’ve never tried one – give the frozen variety a shot. I really enjoy them cooked in butter and garlic until crispy.
National Salmon Day – Today is the day that has been designated as Salmon Day by Chicken of the Sea, spreading the information about the health benefits of salmon. It is high in protein, rich in omega 3 fatty acids and is recommended to eat twice a week by the American Heart Association. There are so many ways you can use salmon, from grilling filets, baking it in the oven, or making salmon patties with it. It’s good on salads, in pasta, as a main dish or part of a side. Add some pink to your meals with salmon!
As I finish this up on Tuesday evening, I hear it pouring down rain outside. After having had my 1st pumpkin spice mocha today, it seems fitting that the evening brought true Pacific NW autumn weather. Have a great day and be safe. God bless you and I’ll see you tomorrow.
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Celebration list sources:
www.verseoftheday.com www.brownielocks.com www.holidayinsights.com www.thenibble.com www.foodimentary.com
My grandmother made the BEST pierogis! There’s a Polish church near me that has a pierogi festival every year. One of these days my schedule will allow me to go but I always seem to have something planned on the same day!
Oh that sounds delicious! It’s funny, but when my kids were little they went to the daycare my Mom had in her home. I have NO idea why, but Mom called those frozen pierogis from the store “witches hats” – I guess that’s what they looked like to the kids or something. The name stuck. Every time I see t hem, that’s the name that pops into my head.