Passionate Perseverance

the plan...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:48:13 PST

"...at the origin of every human being there is not something haphazard or chance, but a loving plan of God." ~ Pope Benedict XVI

There are seasons for everything in life. The seasons of motherhood change as my children grow and mature. The seasons in my marriage change right along side it. Some seasons are harder than others filled with strife and storms but everything works together for the glory of the Father. I cling to this knowledge a daily basis.

Things in my house have been hard in recent weeks. Miss Courtney's seizures have been difficult and pretty persistent in disrupting my girls life and her Mama's sleep. I know that this too shall pass although I am not really sure when or how long it will take. I stopped asking those questions long ago. I just know that when these storms come it's a time to hunker down with my daughter, pray more and love deeper as God once more reveals that only He knows the plan for us and all He asks is our trust in it.

Most of the time I am a pretty cheerful person. I love to laugh and it is a rare occasion that I am not smiling. Even in the midst of these challenges God has always brought joy and laughter to lighten things up a bit. This time though is a wee bit different. I have struggled to find the joy amidst the stress.

Last night I was pondering this and I realized that I am in a different season of my womanhood as well. It's not just Miss Courtney that's older, I am now 44 and in the midst of menopause. This changes how I react to things, how I deal with the high level of stress and lack of sleep and finding the joy is proving more difficult.

When I shared OUR STORY, I was blown away by your kindness and words of encouragement. This journey has not been an easy one BUT we are not alone in it. There are so many other families out there struggling with raising special needs children, trying to keep themselves sane and their families together all while seeking joy and contentment in daily life.

So what's a girl to do when the joy is missing and daily life is challenging? I need a new plan. What can I do to bring balance back into the force?

Prayer?

Yes, that could be the issue. Right now most of my prayer time sounds more like a five year old begging for a new this or that. Please God just let her sleep for two more hours. Please God no more seizures tonight. Please God let the VNS adjustment work. etc. etc. etc. I do need to take more dedicated time and just praise Him for everything right and good. Then I need to praise Him for everything that is hard and challenging because He needs me to do it for some reason. He needs Courtney to go through this for some reason. I know it in my head...it's the heart that's hurting. I need to remember in the darkest moment that He has redeemed it all. Every single time I praise, I feel all the dread lift from my shoulders and a little sunshine peek into the heart...so praise we shall...

Bake?

Normally I would say yes. It has always brought me great pleasure and I will admit that the kitchen is my "zen" spot in the house. But I am now in a season of life that if I ate everything I baked, I would be a Two Ton Tessie and that my friends is not only unattractive but bad for my health and well being. I can still bake but there must be an exit strategy for those goodies to leave the house quickly to find a loving home that is not my hips! I can hear my hubby now "Honey the guys in the office love..." Hmmm...OK, maybe we will spend a little time creating in the kitchen...

Exercise?

I have long had a love/hate relationship with exercise. I would much rather hike a mountain that listen to Jillian yell at me during the 30 Day Dread...I mean Shread. Of course there is Miss Courtney to think of so hiking really doesn't happen when you have someone in a wheelchair. Exercise is necessary for sure, especially if I ever hope to give up my dependance on elastic waist pants, but for today...I am not really feeling it. Then again, maybe a walk with my daughter soaking in the rare sunshine for January, allowing ourselves a moment to just be. OK...add that to the list...

Write?

I suppose it's always good to write things out. I would like to give myself a new mandate though. I really don't need to drag the rest of Facebook down with me when I am going through a hard time. Holy smokes. I read my last ten updates and apparently I am clinically depressed and someone is dying! At least that's what I sound like. Life is really NOT that bad. I am just a tired middle aged menopausal woman who has a nineteen year old disabled daughter who is going through a difficult time. OK, that doesn't sound good either but whatever I am too tired to erase it. However, I love when people share quotes and funny things their kids say that make me laugh. That will be my challenge...be lighter, find the humor (even if it's Gallows humor) and share some inspiration. It will help me and others...this I can do...

Sleep?

AHH HAH!! Shazam!!

Huston we have found the answer! Sleep! I need sleep!! I am not twenty-two pulling an all-nighter studying for exams. I am not a new Mama nursing and nourishing a wee one. According to my middle-aged menopausal manual I need eight to nine hours a night. LOL! I don't think that has happened since I became a parent, let alone since seizures entered our world. So this will be the hardest part of the plan. Sleep. But I can do it! I will rise to the occasion of no caffeine after 4 p.m, no eating/snaking after 7 p.m, allowing time for reading before bed to relax the mind and body preparing for rest and finally making sure the CPAP machine is ready to great me at 10 p.m.

Ah that sounds lovely doesn't it. Asleep by 10. This way if Miss Courtney decides that 2 a.m. is a great time to dance than I have had a few hours of solid sleep instead of just a nap. That makes me smile already.

So this year, no resolutions about weight loss or life goals. This year for me it's about beginning to embrace this season of life. To be content right where I am. To laugh more every day. To love more and really savor my family while we are all together in one house because that will not always be. To praise and pray my way through the day even if it involves a little wallowing, to search for that light that is always there. It's time to take better care of this temple God gave me to carry me through the journey He set forth. Time for sleep, rest and proper nourishment when needed.

It's time to say goodbye to elastic waists and embrace a fitted blouse always knowing that on really challenging days, the yoga pants await with open arms to warmly greet me, and there are extra marshmallows in the cupboard for the hot chocolate that will sooth my weary soul.

So, I am breathing deeply (as the banana bread bakes), walking slowly (feeling my Vitamin D deficiency drift away), embracing the pain and praising HIM for it (Sara Groves is blasting in the background), and I will love this girl who helps me understand what LOVE is all about.

today i...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:56:25 PST

“Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed. Each of us is loved. Each of us is necessary.”

― Pope Benedict XVI

about 60% of the crowd was under the age of 35...amazing...

Today I marched...I marched for my daughter and the dignity of her life. The worlds says she is a burden, my mother's heart says she is the heart of our home and we would not know who we are without her.

Today I marched peacefully along side thousands of others who believe as I do that life begins at conception and every child is wanted and loved.

Today it rained and rained and yet, it was one of the largest crowds I have ever seen at the March for Life. God is moving hearts. He will prevail.

Today I marched for all those babies whose parents chose not to welcome into this world due a disability they felt they could not handle.

Today my mother's heart weeped for those woman and men who have been victims of abortion and all the lies the culture spews about choice. Their children didn't have a choice. They died.

Today I was amazed to see the young church in action. The Roman Catholics, the Anglicans, the Lutherans, the Methodists, the Orthodox Christians, the Greeks and the Jewish communities were represented by so many young people. About 60% of the crowd was under the age of 35. The church is alive and well. Praise God for all of them believing as they do.

Today, I received this picture form Jerry who stayed home with Miss Courtney due to the nasty weather. Usually she marches with us but this year with all of her health challenges, we felt it best for her to remain home and dry. She and Jerry prayed the Rosary for us. She likes to hold the big beads...Daddy helps her move them...

Courtney loves Mother Mary...

Today, I am once more humbled that God chose me to be her mother. Even though I struggle in this role, watching her suffer on a daily basis, I know God is present all the time. I know that there is a purpose for her life and I know that as long as I trust and hope, everything will be OK!

Excerpt From Catholic News Agency:

"An 80 percent abortion rate of those with disabilities shows the need to restore a fundamental respect for human dignity in America, said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia.

He underscored that the plight of disabled babies highlights "a struggle within the American soul" that will shape the future of the nation.

"These children with disabilities are not a burden; they're a priceless gift to all of us," the archbishop said. "They're a doorway to the real meaning of our humanity."

Archbishop Chaput delivered the keynote address at the thirteenth annual Cardinal O'Connor Conference on Life on Jan. 22.

The conference, which was held at Georgetown University, took place one day before the March for Life, at which hundreds of thousands of Americans annually gather in the nation's capital to protest abortion and show their support for the dignity of all human life.

"Abortion kills a child, it wounds a precious part of a woman's own dignity and identity, and it steals hope," the archbishop said. "That's why it's wrong. That's why it needs to end. That's why we march."

He warned that without a strong foundation of faith and morals, America becomes "alien and hostile" to its founding ideals. This threat is clearly demonstrated in the country's treatment of the poor and disabled, which the archbishop said "shows what we really believe about human dignity."

Parents and doctors should be realistic about the challenges, understanding that raising a disabled child will involve "some degree of suffering," he said. However, they should also see the potential and beauty of children with special needs, realizing that no child is perfect.

"The real choice in accepting or rejecting a child with special needs is between love and unlove; between courage and cowardice; between trust and fear," he said.

May I always chose love, courage and trust!

What did you do today?

Mary

a new year...many blessings...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:50:00 PST

Things here at Chez Lenaburg are moving forward at a very clipped pace this New Year. Miss Courtney is finally responding positively to the re-calibration of her VNS device after a pretty rough start. She is smiling once again and is more alert everyday. We still have a ways to go but I am pleased with the direction we're headed in.

This new year snuck up on me. One day I was hanging stockings and before you knew it I was writing 2012 on my checks. Time truly does move much quicker the older I get. With all the recent stress with Miss Courtney's health, I promised myself that I would take a deep breath each morning helping me to stay in the moment. I try to soak in every smile, giggle and snuggle that the good days have to offer so that I had more strength to survive the bad days.

Even in the midst of the busy holiday, the medical emergencies with Courtney, cooking, cleaning, de-cluttering the house room by room, rearranging two bedrooms, pulling up carpet and scrubbing floors until my shoulders were screaming, God was present in all of it.

He really was. He was there in the high fives my hubby and I exchanged after defeating 30 year old carpet with out lungs still intact.

He was there when our son graduated form Northern Virginia Community College with his Associates of Arts Degree. Not the first path he started down but God provided the guidance and perseverance to find his way through some serious emotional weeds. So proud of my boy!

He was there in the simple things like making my first lemon meringue pie and having the lemon curd NOT curdle. Trust me when I say I was praying the entire time and every thing turned out beautifully.

What??

I pray every single time I am in the kitchen and some times it sounds more like begging..."Please God, please God make this work!"

But the blessings don't just come in the kitchen. They come in the renewed patience I feel these days to give myself a break from all the negative self-talk and perfectionism that bears down on me every single day. It's quite difficult to start new habits but I am determined for the betterment of my life and my family's.

One day, one step at a time.

Life is a marathon not a sprint...thank goodness because I am way out of shape...I would puke if I had to sprint!

So many blessings, so many gifts given freely from above with grace and mercy:
#693 ~ #733

#693 - new cookbooks....yea!

* all the culinary possibilities that new cookbooks bring to my kitchen
* clean counter and newly organized kitchen cabinets that allow me to work quickly and efficiently
* bowls of creamy, hearty soup
* fresh baked bread slathered in fresh "churned" butter
* the smile on my beloved's face when carving the roast beast for Sunday supper
* the feeling of providing well for thos you love
* patience that stretches over my life forcing me to stop and listen to where God needs me to be
* new habits, old habits, there all the same just dusted off
* the blessing of praying for other sick children after so many have prayed for mine
* for the miraculous birth and healing of Miles Powers...God is good all the time and He hears EVERY prayer prayed...EVERY single one. This time, He chose to heal and for that we sing His praises!
* for the renewed purpose a New Year brings to those life long goals staring up at me from an old faded piece of notebook paper

#704 - Sunday afternoon naps...sweet...

* for sleeping daughter and Sunday afternoon nap times.
* for the gift of my sight and all it allows me to take in
* to finally understand my relationship with food and how it mimics the way I feel about money. HUGE aha moment this week. Thank you Lord Jesus...thank you!
* praise for Miss Caryl's doctors to discover what was wrong and to fix it!
* praise for Jonathan's achieving his AA diploma. Now prayers begin for what the next step is
* for water bottles jiggling with warm goodness clothed in flannel and fleece
* a toasty bed to crawl into due to those fabulous water bottles
* warm feet in wool socks
* for friends to pray with and for
* hugs...lots of hugs...

#714 - Magic buttonholes...

* for sewing machines that create beautiful buttonholes
* praise for actually finishing a sewing project from start to finish
* praise for a sewing instructor that always encouraged - no matter how beginner my mistake was
* for a graphic print that makes me feel smaller instead of the size of my Grandmothers sofa
* straight line sewing
* measuring twice, cutting once
* praise for a fabulous sewing partner, Miss Pam! For her encouragement and positive attitude
* praise for the sewing machine department being close by my classroom and for the staff that calmed me down as my tension was all flubbed up causing much "tension" in me to rise up!!
* a sewing machine that sews once more...yea!!

#723 - unexpected generosity...so appreciated...

* for the generosity of a family who lost their son and donated his lift and we are the blessed recipients
* for the smile on my husbands face the first day we used the sling and he didn't have to carry Miss Courtney
* for the absolute miracle that the lift actually fits into our very small 1968 home
* to be able to "lift" Courtney all by myself allowing me more freedom in caring for her daily
* for the smell of roses that surrounds her on occasion
* for knowing where the smell comes form...May Our Lady be with us always
* praise for Mr. caleb and his brave parents as they enter a new phase of life today. May I beg your prayers for them. It's a tough day but a very good day
* for the staff at Miss Courtney's school. They love and love and love
* for being able to finally think about the future without my throat closing off as I am consumed with grief and everything that could go wrong
* to be able to serve the homeless in some small way
* to know I am loved beyond reason by My Beloved who gave His life for me, a sinner

Head on over to Ann Voskamp @A Holy Experience to be inspired once more

so true...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:29:37 PST

Source: google.de via Janet on Pinterest

snow and some time away...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:22:20 PST

It actually snowed here today for the first time this winter...Yea!!

Hello my sweet friends,

I pray that 2012 is treating you and those you love with lots of love. Things here at Chez Lenaburg are busy, busy, busy so my time here in this space is quite limited at the moment. Thank you so much for your patience with me. I had hoped to return full-time this week but Courtney's daily needs are intense at the moment so family wins.

Miss Courtney is hanging in and handling the adjustments on her VNS device fairly well. The daily seizures are still present but the ferocity is lessening. We have six more adjustments to go through until her calibration is where we need it to be. This means twice weekly neurology visits plus lots of data tracking and note taking by Mom/Nurse by day and night.

I have been able to get back in the kitchen with a renewed fervor. Always on the look out for new tasty recipes that are fairly healthy I have been able to bring some new flavors to our dinner table. I also have dusted off the sewing machine and started to sew once more. It makes me smile thinking about all the possibilities for the new year in the home dec department. It's time to show some love to our tired little Cape Cod.

Miss Courtney tucked in for a long winters nap...with her stuffed puppy Roxie II...

So onward we go. Once Mis Courtney's VNS is fully calibrated I look forward to being more present in this space. I will be popping in every once in awhile in the next few weeks and I hope you'll still be here. If not, I completely understand.

Thanks for all the prayers and support for my girl. Know that we pray for all of you everyday.

Blessings and Grace my Friends,

Mary

a decision...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:49:30 PST

Today we finally got an answer form Courtney's neurology team on whether or not she would need to have her VNS device replaced. Thankfully the reboot on the device worked and it is functioning once more. Yea!! So over the next three weeks we will head into the Docs office and slowly recalibrate the device so that it's at the settings she needs and pray everything goes smoothly.

So no surgery and hopefully in time the seizures will abate...until then...we keep moving forward...one day at a time...

Thanks so much for all your prayers...see you Sunday!

Mary

no it's not sunday and yet...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:49:08 PST

I know I am taking a little bloggy break but I felt the need to step into this space for just a moment to beg a few prayers for my girl.

We found out yesterday at our regular Neurology appointment that there may be a problem with Miss Court's VNS device. More tests are being run and we will know more on Friday. The two outcomes are either replacing a faulty device, meaning neurosurgery with a brief hospital stay OR the device responds to the new settings and we reprogram working through the kins over the next three weeks.

Right now she's experiencing a higher volume of seizures which could be because of some issue with the VNS or something completely different.

All I know is that I am tired, she is tired and I just want to know how to help her. I have to say that's the most difficult part of parenting a child like Courtney. Most of the time there is nothing to be done but waiting and watching.

So, that's what we will do, wait and watch and pray that we have an answer soon.

I'll let you know when I know...thank you for once again surrounding my girl with love...there are no words to fully convey my appreciation to you all...

Blessings,
Mary

happy new year...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:48:33 PST

Happy New Year my dear readers!! I hope the last week has been filled with lots of family time making special memories to last generations. I know that my family and I have.

I will be taking a little break her on Passionate Perseverance this week as I make a few technical adjustments as well as FINALLY complete the recipe catalog page that will allow readers easier access to the recipes that have been shared here on these pages.

I also wanted a few more days to compile my thoughts in a coherent manner on 2011's challenges and triumph's as well as do a little dreaming, anticipating what's to come in 2012. Of course life doesn't slow down for me to sit in quiet and contemplate, so I am waiting until the house is quiet at night and writing then.

So thank you for your patience my sweet readers. I will be back on Sunday Jan. 8 with lots of laughter, a few stories and some mouthwatering goodness and maybe even a give away or two. You never know what I'll come up with...

ahh the suspense...

see you then!

Mary

pretty, happy, funny, real...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:56:42 PST

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

@Like Mother, Like Daughter

{pretty}

Miss Courtney and her buck teeth...wearing her new Christmas
sweater that Daddy picked out to match her blue eyes.

{happy}

Two of the most precious gifts I have ever received from God...
they make my Mama heart sing.

How do you make an almost 47 year old man break out in 10 year old
glee on Christmas morning??
You surprise him with something he never expected...Legos for DAD!
I knew last summer that I would be doing this. Every time we went
into the Lego store shopping for a nephew or Godchild birthday,
Jerry would pick this box up and read and smile and would often say
"Man to be ten again."
SCORE!!
Of course he will need the assistance of a seven year old to build it.
Noahman we need you!!

{funny}

Check out Miss Courtney's best "Seriously Dad...can you be any slower" look.
I love her facial expressions. They always make me laugh.

{real}

For the first time in a year, Jerry actually had a week off between Christmas
and New Years. There was a list of home projects that have been waiting for
a time when we could work together, along with #1 son. So this past week
we removed the 30 year
old carpet, (yes you read that right, 30 years old! Ick)
from both downstairs bedrooms.
What we found beneath makes me want to rip it out of the entire house right now.
Just awful yuckiness...

Miss Courtney's hospital bed is in, the dresser to the right was bought on
Craigs list along with two other pieces this Fall. I will be repainting in the Spring.
I can't wait! The blue things are her adult diapers that I needed
to find a creative storage space for. Just one of the challenges in
a special needs young adult room.

This is how it looks this morning. The quilt on the wall was made for her
by her Great Grandmother Hunter and her Grandmother Lenaburg.
In the new room configuration, her lift is by the window to easily use in
lifting her between rooms, saving Mom and dad'd backs, her wheelchair is to
the left against the wall, and her stander is set up next to the bed (not in picture).
This Spring we will paint the walls and I will be sewing a bed skirt for the bed
(so we don't see the diapers) as well as figuring out how to cover the side rails so
she doesn't bruise her hands when she whacks them.
A creative challenge indeed!

I think she's happy with it...

The great news on this little reno was that we spent under $100 and that was because hubby needed a new tool box and a crow bar. Everything else we had in the house. In the Spring we will paint and decide what we want to do for the floors. The original clay tiles are not the prettiest thing going but they will do for now.

What are your thoughts? Are hard wood floors worth the cost? Is there something we can do ourselves? Should we just re-carpet? So many choices for the color scheme as well. She has a lot of pink that people have given/made for her and I want to keep it...so I need a wall color that coordinates that isn't green.

Thoughts??

holiday hangover...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 15:43:36 PST

I have a holiday hangover...no not THAT kind of hangover...that would mean there was much merry making in the last few days...I suppose there was but there was also MUCH frustration...oy vey...I am so NOT a technical person...my hangover has required two naps in one day due to the migraine caused by my computer crashing...losing an entire YEARs worth of photos...trying to rebuild the photo library in the midst of prepping for Christmas Eve Mass...dinner for six...still rebuilding photo library...crashing blog site...wrapping presents...baking bread and cinnamon rolls for Christmas Day...almost done rebuilding photo library...do you know how many pictures I take in a year???...sweet mama way too freaking many...still searching for the pictures for the last four days of my Christmas Treats Extravaganza posts...they may appear before the New Years...possibly....maybe...we are a miracle believing family ya know...I need more eggnog to make it all better...in the meantime I offer this lovely picture of what a holiday hangover looks like...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

really...there are no words needed...

merry christmas...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 15:24:11 PST

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

crash...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:50:13 PST

Hello Dear Readers...pardon the blank space. I have spent the last 24 hours retrieving a years worth of photos that were accidentally erased for the computer as I was trying to make this years family Christmas card. AHHHHHH!!! I am a wee bit stressed and can't wait to get back in the kitchen.

I have recipes to and will do so later today.

I so appreciate your patience. You rock!!

Until then...
M

orange cranberry pound cake...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:04:34 PST

baked in a "holiday ring" bundt cake pan...lovely and delish...

It's Day 21 of our 25 Days of Christmas Treats Extravaganza!!! This pound cake was simple to put together with ingredients found in my pantry. It was a HUGE hit at school with anyone taking a bite walking away singing with joy. The cake is moist and filled with spectacular flavor. It just reminds me of Christmas with the cranberries and citrus flavor.

Happy Baking!

Mary

(for more recipes...head over here...click)

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Orange Cranberry Pound Cake

recipe from Betty Crocker.com

1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® golden vanilla or yellow cake mix

1 box (4-serving size) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix

1 cup water

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 to 2 teaspoons grated orange peel

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped (do not thaw frozen cranberries)

Powdered sugar (if desired)

Orange Sauce (if desired)

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 cup butter or margarine

Heat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour 12-cup fluted tube cake pan, or spray with baking spray with flour.

In large bowl, beat cake mix, pudding mix, water, softened butter, orange peel and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Fold in cranberries. Spread in pan.

Bake 57 to 65 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

In 1-quart saucepan, cook sauce ingredients over medium heat about 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Serve warm or cool sauce with cake. Store cake loosely covered at room temperature and sauce covered in refrigerator.

Makes 16 servings

tasty tuesday ~ martha's cranberry coins...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:39:10 PST

Cranberry happiness!

We are almost there my friends. It's Day 20 of our 25 Days of Christmas Treats Extravaganza!! I love cranberries. I am sure you've noticed by now. I also love shortbread. This recipe combines both. Don't these look absolutely lovely. They are screaming holiday happiness!! These just melt in your mouth they are so wonderful and quite simple to make. It will take a bit of time since the dough has to set for a few hours but they will be worth the wait. I promise!

Happy Baking!

Mary

(for more recipes...head over here...click)

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This weeks recipe is being shared with Mouthwatering Mondays @ ASouthernFairyTale, Homemaker Mondays @ 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven, Made by You Mondays @ Skip to my Lou, Tuesday's Tasty Tidbits, Nap Time Creations, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam , Made From Scratch Tuesday @ From Mess Hall to Bistro, Totally Tasty Tuesday @ Mandy's Recipe Box, Domestically Divine Homemaking Link Up, Delicious Dishes, Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table, 33 Shades of Green, as well as the Hearth and Soul Blog Hop@21st Century Housewife. Head on over to their blogs and check out other fabulous recipes.

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shortbread + dried cranberries = absolute perfection!

Martha's Cranberry Coins

(Recipe from MarthaStewart.com)

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries

Directions

Beat butter, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla with a wooden spoon until smooth. Add flour and salt; stir just until combined. Stir in dried cranberries. Divide dough into quarters.

On parchment, shape each portion into a log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 4 inches long. Wrap logs tightly in parchment or plastic. Chill 30 minutes or up to 1 day. (Dough can be wrapped tightly in plastic and frozen up to 1 month.)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. With a sharp knife, slice dough into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Rotate log as you cut to keep it from flattening. Place rounds on parchment-lined baking sheets, 1 inch apart.

Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges just begin to turn golden, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cookies cool on sheets on wire racks. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 weeks.

as many blessings as christmas lights...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:18:16 PST

I have been rather quiet here in this space other than to publish cookies recipes and sweet things these past few weeks. Life has been very challenging and incredibly busy. Miss Courtney's weight loss continues to be an issue that befuddles both us and her physician's as well. I have also had to endure a medical procedure or two in the last month so between the two of us, we have had at least three doctors visits a week. Yippee!

Not to worry though, I am fine and Miss Courtney will be in time...at least I pray so.

With one week until Christmas celebrating the birth of Our Lord, I wanted to take a deep breath, be still for a moment and count my blessings...because there are so many...

#645 ~ 1,650 Christmas Lights for Miss Courtney...

Blessings # 645 ~ #692
* 1,650 Christmas Lights for Miss Courtney
* decorating the family tree
* sharing the story of each ornament as we place it on the tree
* flour, sugar, butter, and cinnamon
* recipes that are passed down from generation to generation
* soy chai tea latte
* making a list and checking it twice
* receiving Christmas cards and letters from friends and family
* being surrounded by the music of the season
* jingle bells
* wrapping stair rails with evergreens and ribbon
* ribbons, tape and holiday wrapping paper hiding special surprises
* finally finding the perfect gift for hubby
* cookie decorating with my favorite guy
* cookies, cookies and cookies

#659 ~ cookies...cookies...cookies!

* humility and grace to face each medical challenge
* playing St. Nicholas delivering joy and love to dear ones
* wool socks and yoga pants
* flannel shirts and mittens
*sparkly party clothes and high heels
* egg nog and spiced rum
* the sweet surprises left by neighbors
* watching the excitement on CollegeMan's face as he snuck in his Christmas gifts, knowing he got just the right ones.
* new fabric and patterns promising hours of creative delight
* chocolate peanut butter fudge wrapped for giving
* teachers and therapists who love my daughter and surround me with love
* walking next to the man who holds my heart
* watching my daughter dissolve into giggles as her big brother reads "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" with his special "CindyLooHoo" voice
* successful medical procedures with clean results
* surviving many seizures with prayer and patience and a bold determination to see the TRUTH of God's provision in each circumstance
* praying to Rosary daily as Miss Court and I drive to school
* holding a precious little one who means the world to her Mama and Daddy, so new at this vocation called parenting.
* a patient spouse willing to take on more so his wife can rest
* the gift of marriage
* holding hands during the Our Father knowing HE is the reason for the season
* looking across the table at the man that I have loved for 25 years and knowing he probably loves me more, if that's possible.
* writing friends who believe that I will accomplish what feels like impossible
* the power of encouraging words and the grace to use them often
* lighting the fourth candle on the Advent wreath
* taste testers who wait in joyful anticipation of my next culinary success
* completing the blog edition of my memoir
* having the guts to begin the revisions for the "book" version of the memoir (that's ALL God's doing)
*celebrating the successes of others
* the honor of praying for others in distress
* Mary, the Mother of God's humble "yes"
* hope for a New Year and all the new opportunities

Head on over to Ann Voskamp @A Holy Experience to be inspired once more

farmgirl follies cut-out cookies...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:15:02 PST

These are instant gratification sugar cookies...no refrigeration required!
From rolling to oven to cooling rack to decorations all in the same afternoon!

It's Day 19 of 25 Days of Christmas Treats Extravaganza!! Today we tackle...

Sugar cookies.

They require several steps. Refrigeration and waiting. Rolling out and more refrigeration. Then there is the question of wether you should ice them or just use sprinkles. These are critical choices you know.

Which do you prefer? Sprinkles or frosting?

Fo me there is no choice. Any opportunity to make frosting and I am there baby. So when I received the request to research sugar cookies that did not require refrigeration, I grabbed a hot cup of tea and began reading sugar cookie recipes.

I think my snowman needs a shave! LOL!

I had no freakin idea there were so many ways to make sugar cookies! I read my cookbooks. They all called for refrigeration. No good. Then Google and I made fast friends. I read recipe after recipe on-line. That's when I came across the FarmGirl Follies blog. Her cut out cookies recipe does not require refrigeration AND it involves cream cheese frosting!!

SCORE!! Sugar cookies I could get behind.

The secret is the eggs. They bind everything together so the cookies don't loose their cutout shape.

Yea for eggs!

Thank you FarmGirl Follies! You have solved a huge baking dilemma.

For the recipe PLEASE click here!! You won't regret it!!

Happy Baking!

Mary

(for more recipes...head over here...click)

happy little gingerbread men...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 21:00:05 PST

I prefer my Gingerbread Men naked...as in...I am not a huge fan of Royal Icing...
so I left them in their natural state of yumminess...

When I first started this little baking celebration I put out the word on facebook asking if there were any particular recipes that people wanted me to research. Two particular cookies kept popping up. Sugar cookies and gingerbread.

Gingerbread is a new addition to my life. I was not a fan in my younger years but the palette changes as we age and last year I was re-introduced and the search for the perfect gingerbread cookie began. I made Gingerbread Trees with Lemon Icing and fell in love. These cookies were crisp and light, with a lovely hint of ginger, nothing overwhelming mind you. I made them three times over the course of a month.

Yes, they were that good!

Well my friends, I have found another winner with this recipe. The orange zest is the key to happiness here. It breaks through the heaviness of the molasses. The recipe calls for mild molasses but I tried it with blackstrap as well and it was just as yummy I must say.

So let us raise a toast to Day 18 of the 25 Days of Christmas Treat Extravaganza!!

Happy Baking!

Mary

(for more recipes...head over here...click)

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Gingerbread Cookies

(recipe adapted from Fine Cooking)

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

2 1/2 t ground ginger

1 t baking soda

1 t ground cinnamon

1/2 t ground nutmeg

1/4 t ground cloves

1/4 t salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

3/4 cup mild molasses

1 T finely grated orange zest (usually one orange)

Directions:

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt In a stand mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg, mixing until combined, then add the molasses and orange zest and beat on medium until smooth stopping to scrape the bowl as needed, about 2 mintues. On low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients and mix just until the flour is incorporated, scraping bowl as needed, about 2 minutes. The dough will be very stiff and sticky. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured baking sheet and pat into 1-inch thickness. Cover with plastic wrap and refigerate for an hour.

Position the racks in the upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat to 350. Line baking sheets with parchment.

Cut the chilled dough into quarters. on a well-floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thick. Cut out the cookies and space on cookie sheets 1/2 inch apart.

Bake the cookies, rotating and swapping the sheets position halfway through, until firm to the touch and the edges are slightly golden, about 10 minutes. Place the cookies on a rack and cool completely.

mary's cranberry tangerine griddlecakes...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:19:12 PST

A country brunch...ham, eggs, fruit and fabulous griddlecakes...

Today was one of those days. You know the ones. Everything floats along and you don't want it to stop. There were no seizures for Miss Courtney, no bad attitude form Collegeman, no envelopes with windows in the mail and the love of your life is actually home and ready to assist in the holiday merriment.

Maybe it was because I went out of my way to make a spectacular brunch filled with a few of my families favorite things. There was organic ham and lovely free range chicken eggs, fried up in the iron skillet of course. I was thinking pancakes, to round out the plate, but then I saw the bowl full of tangerines on the counter and I knew it was time to experiment.

I started with a griddlecake recipe I have used for years. I changed out the flour to up the fiber content and then I saw the bowel of tangerines a whammo...I had my flavor profile. I added the juice and zest form a tangerine, some cinnamon, and a handful of Craisins. These griddlecakes were light and scrumptious. Not your traditional sweet thing for the holidays but amazing nonetheless.

So here's to Day 17 of 25 Days Of Christmas Sweet Treats Extravaganza!!

Happy Baking!

Mary

(for more recipes...head over here...click)

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See the happy little craisins peeking out...sweet!

Mary's Cranberry Tangerine Griddlecakes

(recipe from Mary Lenaburg)

Ingredients:

1/2 to 3/4 cup buttermilk

2 tablespoon butter-melted

zest and juice of one tangerine

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup Craisins

1 egg

1 cup white whole wheat flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

mix ingredients togther and use buttered gridle. add more buttermilk for thinner pancakes

traditional spritz cookies...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:30:02 PST

Happy Sprinkles!!

I love spritz cookies. You can make so many different shapes. You can use so many different colors of sprinkles. I love sprinkles...they make me so happy. It's the fairy dust of the baking world. These cookies are really so very easy. All you need is a spritz cookie maker which can be purchased on sale your local retailer for under $20. It's a well worth the investment.

Happy Baking!

Mary

(for more recipes...head over here...click)

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Traditional Spritz Cookies

(recipe from about.com)

For success with this Christmas favorite, use real butter and press the cookies upon cold ungreased cookie sheets. Chill cookie sheets for at least 1 hour.

Ingredients:

2 cups unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. almond extract (or your favorite alternate extract)

4 cups cake or all-purpose flour

2 tsp. hornsalt (or 1 tsp. baking powder)

Candied fruit or sprinkles for garnish

Directions:

Place your cookie sheets in the refrigerator or freezer 1 hour prior to baking.

Preheat oven to 375°.

Cream together the butter, sugar, and egg; stir in flavored extracts. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and hornsalt (or baking powder). Gradually stir flour into batter, beating strongly until all is incorporated.

Remove one cookie sheet from refrigerator. Fill cookie press with batter and press shapes onto chilled sheet. Decorate with candied fruit or sprinkles, if desired. Bake in oven 8-10 minutes, watching closely to prevent over-browning or burning.

Remove cookie sheet from oven and slide cookies onto rack to cool; use second cold cookie sheet for next batch.

cinnamon tea cakes...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:42:30 PST

The cinnamon sugar coating just takes this light little
cookie to happy sweet land.

Wahoo! Day 15 of our 25 Days of Christmas Treat Extravaganza!! This was a new recipe to me this year and I was hoping that it would be as yummy as the picture in the cookbook looked. Wilton rarely disappoints and this recipe was no exception. They were delish!

Light and airy with a kiss of cinnamon. A perfect little partner for a hot cup of tea while reading a good book by the fire.

Happy Baking!

Mary

(for more recipes...head over here...click)

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Cinnamon Tea Cakes

(recipe from the Wilton Cookies Exchange Cookbook)

2 cups all purpose flour

1 t ground cinnamon, divided

1/4 t salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar, divided

1 t vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, combine flour, 1/2 t cinnamon and salt. In a large bowl, beat butter, 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add flour mixture; mix only until combined. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets, about 2 in apart.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown. Remove to cooling grid, cool 5 minutes. Combine remaining 3/4 cup sugar with remaining 1/2 t cinnamon. Roll warm cookies in sugar mixture, cool completely.

chocolate toffee delights...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:23:35 PST

crunchy, toffee chewy awesomeness...

Here we are at Day 14 of our 25 Days of Christmas Treats Extravaganza!!! Yes, to answer your question, my jeans are a wee bit snug but I can't recommend a recipe if I have not made it. There are too many duds out there. My friends, I want you to be happy in the kitchen, not cursing my name.

These lovely little delights will have you singing the Halleluia Chorus baby! These are tasty little numbers filled with coconut, almonds, shortbread and dark chocolate. They will make you the MOST popular person in your book club or at the office. Trust me...make these and be happy!!

Happy Baking,

Mary

(for more recipes...head over here...click)

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Chocolate Toffee Delights

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup plus 2 T sugar, divided

3/4 tsp almond extract

1/2 tsp coconut extract

2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup flaked coconut

1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted and cooled

1 jar (12 1/4oz) caramel ice cream topping

3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

In a small bowl, cream butter and 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in extracts. Combine the flour, salt and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.

Press into a greased 13x9 baking pan. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Prick crust with a fork, sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake 15 minutes longer or until set.

Meanwhile, place coconut and almonds in a food processor; cover and process until fully chopped. Transfer to a small bowl; stir in ice cream topping. Spread over crust. Bake 5-10 minutes or until edges are bubblt. Cool on wire rack.

In a microwave, melt chocolate chips, stir until smooth. Drizzle over caramel mixture. Let stand until chocolate is set. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container.

tasty tuesday ~ cappuccino spice chocolate chip cookies...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:00:07 PST

this cookie is like a little latte in a cookie...

It's Day Thirteen of our 25 Days of Christmas Treats Extravaganza!! Wahoo...we are halfway there. So why not celebrate with a little pick me up. A little latte in a cookie. Oh yes indeed my friends this little chocolate spice gem is filled with espresso and cinnamon, two of my favorite flavors on the planet.

It's a dreamy drop cookie packed with an espresso punch!

Happy Baking!!

Mary

(for more sweet treats head over here...click)
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This weeks recipe is being shared with Mouthwatering Mondays @ ASouthernFairyTale, Homemaker Mondays @ 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven, Made by You Mondays @ Skip to my Lou, Tuesday's Tasty Tidbits, Nap Time Creations, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam , Made From Scratch Tuesday @ From Mess Hall to Bistro, Totally Tasty Tuesday @ Mandy's Recipe Box, Domestically Divine Homemaking Link Up, What's Cooking Wednesday @ Tales from the Fairy Blogmother, Raising Homemakers, Delicious Dishes, Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, The King's Court IV, This Chic Cooks, Tuesdays at the Table, 33 Shades of Green, Recipes I Want to Try @ At Home with Haley, Full Plate @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage, Friday Flair @ Whipperberry as well as the Hearth and Soul Blog Hop@21st Century Housewife. Head on over to their blogs and check out other fabulous recipes.

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Cappuccino Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies

(recipe form the Wilton Cookie Exchange Cookbook)

5 t instant coffee or espresso

2 t Vanilla Extract

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 t baking soda

3/4 t ground cinnamon

1/4 t salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 cups milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Dissolve coffee granules in vanilla extract, set aside. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs and coffee mixture, mix well. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoonfulls onto prepared sheet, about 2 inches apart.

Bake 12-14 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Remove from oven; cool cookies in pan 3 minutes. Remove to cooling grid, cool completely. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

grandma stuecken's speculatius cookies...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:30:48 PST

filled with ground almonds, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves...
generations of yumminess...

Today is a special day. I will be sharing my absolute favorite of all time Christmas cookie recipe...my Grandmother Stuecken Specaltius Cookies. I do this in honor of the Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap of 2011 hosted by the fabulous Julie of The Little Kitchen and the lovely Lindsay of Love and Olive Oil. Ladies...it has been a privilege to take part in this awesome event!

To take part in the event I was given three names of other food bloggers and I was required to send them a dozen of my favorite cookies. I chose my Grandmothers Specalatius. In return, I received three dozen cookies from three different food bloggers.

I received these little treats in the mail...they were SPECTACULAR!!

The three cookies I received were (from left to right) Cranberry Rocky Road Cookies from Emma at Emma Clare Eats, Chocolate Snowballs from Jey at The Jey of Cooking, and Chocolate Milk Cookies from Kathia at Pink Little Cake. They were fantastic. All three dozen disappeared in a matter of hours. Thank you my fellow foodies for sharing your baking treasures with me.

Today I am sharing a recipe that has been passed down in my mother's family for the last four generations. These cookies are traditionally made in time for St. Nicholas Day, December 6. This particular recipe makes about 20-25 dozen cookies. They are meant to be given away to neighbors and friends and back in the day they would hang on the Christmas tree by a ribbon as ornaments and the children would pick them off the tree.

I have baked these cookies every year for as long as I can remember. My mother tells stories of her mother teaching her and her sisters to bake them. My Grandmother would tell stories of her mother making them and hanging them on the tree. I love traditions like these. The ones handed down from generation to generation.

So head into the kitchen and enjoy baking with your family. You will make memories to last a lifetime.

Happy Baking!

Mary

(for more treats head over here...click)

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this recipe makes dozens and dozens of cookies...
I said dozens didn't I...just checking...

Grandma Stuecken Speculatius

(recipe transcribed by Mary Lenaburg)

5 lb flour

3 lb sugar

2 lb butter (no margarine)

5 eggs

3/4 lb finely ground unblanched almonds

2 T baking powder

2 heaping tablespoons cinnamon

1 heaping tablespoon ground cloves

1 heaping tablespoon nutmeg

1 1/2 cups whole milk

Mix together all ingredients with your hands in a large bowl or dish pan. Mix very well. Form into six balls. Put on a platter, cover with a cloth and let stand overnight in the refrigerator. Roll dough, one ball at a time in thin sheets and cut with cookie cutters. Keep reserve balls in fridge until ready to roll. Place cut out cookies on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes until lightly browned on edges. When cool store in airtight container.

homemade oreos with peppermint filling...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:25:53 PST

these sweet treats are the BOMB!!

Day Eleven of our 25 Days of Christmas Treats Extravaganza has arrived and we have quite the yummy little treat for you today. These have been taste tested by teenagers (thanks Nicholas and Hannah) and younger children as well (way to go Tori and Noahman!) and they were a huge hit!!

They are so easy to make! I had them done in one hour from start to finish! You can also make them plain by using vanilla extract instead of peppermint. So head into the kitchen and make everyone smile tonight with some yummy scrumdiddlyumtious homemade Oreos. Thanks to Christy from The Girl Who Ate Everything and Jamielyn from I Heart NapTime for posting this recipe.

Merry Christmas and Happy Baking!

Mary
(for more treats head over here...click)

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Homemade Peppermint Oreos

2 boxes Devil’s food cake mix

4 eggs

2/3 cup vegetable oil

Frosting:

1 (8ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

sprinkles or crushed candy cane for decorating

green or red food coloring

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl combine the cake mix, eggs, and oil with a mixer. The batter will be very stiff. Pinch of pieces of batter and roll into 1 inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheets and flatten slightly with fingertips. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove immediately from the cookie sheets with a spatula and cool on a wire rack.

In a small glass bowl, combine the cream cheese and butter until completely blended. Gradually add in the powdered sugar and peppermint extract and mix until the icing is smooth. Color frosting green or red if desired. Spread half of the cookies with icing and top with remaining cookies.

Roll in sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or just leave them plain.

Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container or resealable plastic bags.

caramel cashew clusters...

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:37:08 PST

Oh Baby! Caramel, Cashews and Chocolate! Sweet!

It's Day Ten of our 25 Days of Christmas Treats Extravaganza!! These little diddies will get you dancing in the kitchen my friends. They are sweet, crunchy and with the drizzle of chocolate...so stinking good!

I was having trouble getting my drizzle on! Not pretty but man are they good!

I found this recipe over at My Baking Addiction. It's one of my favorite sites for recipes. You can use any kind of nut with this recipe. Salted peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts...the possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

So click here for the recipe. Be prepared to be inspired my friends. It's a fabulous site.

Happy Baking,

Mary

(for more recipes head on over here...click)