Friday Five: Books R Us

Jan at RevGalBlogPals has enticed me out of the spectator seats and back onto the blogger playing field with today's Friday Five.  Books do it for me every time!

1.  What books have you recently read. Tell us your opinion of them.
I'm in a group that is reading Diana Butler Bass' Christianity For the Rest of Us.  I do recommend it, although the lay people in our group don't seem all that inspired by it.  On my last day off, I re-read Eat Pray Love (Elizabeth Gilbert), a book that reminds me what spiritual journey looks like on a modern day seeker apart from the institutional church.

2.  What books are awaiting your available time to be read. 

At the top of my pile is War is a Lie (David Swanson), "a thorough refutation of every major argument used to justify wars, drawing on evidence from numerous past wars, with a focus on those wars that have been most widely defended as just and good."

3.  Have any books been recently recommended?  I'm looking forward to reading Carol Howard Merritt's Reframing Hope: Vital Ministry for a New Generation.  I hope it will begin to answer the question raised for me by Eat Pray Love:  Wouldn't it be great if the church was a place where spiritual seekers found God instead of having to give up church in order to find God?  I am all in favor of exotic locations as pilgrimage destination, though!

4.  What genre of books are your favorite, along with some titles and/or authors you like best?

I don't know if this is an official genre, but I'm sort of a sucker for modern-day morality parables.  The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho) is a favorite, as is The Shack (William P. Young).  I also have enjoyed God on a Harley (Joan Brady), The Knight in Rusty Armor (Robert Fischer), The Dragon-Slayer with a Heavy Heart (Marcia Powers) and The Princess Who Believed in Fairy Tales (Marcia Grad).  If you ever see any of these on a dollar table at a book sale, grab it!

5.  What have you read lately that you have a strong urge to recommend (or condemn)?

I strongly recommend Rita Nakashima Brock's latest book Saving Paradise: How Christianity Traded Love of This World for Crucifixion and Empire.  It is a very life-giving look at the historical make-over, in art and story, of Jesus as shepherd in the earliest church to Jesus the very dead sacrificial lamb. She does some cool things with Song of Solomon, too!  Reading this takes me back to the thrill of seminary learning days.  Yeah, I know, I'm a total church and Bible geek! 

Friday Five: Favorite Things of the Season

The RevGalBlogPals Friday Five today is an invitation to name five things that mark the season for me and one thing that doesn't do it for me.

1.  Candles, including the "fake" window candles

2. Christmas tree lights, any kind, the more the merrier!

3. The movie "White Christmas"

4.  Snow! 

5.  Christmas Eve worship service, especially lighting the Christ candle

The one thing that doesn't do it for me is when those who are most vocal about "Jesus is the reason for the season" tell me that they won't be coming to the Christmas Eve worship service because "family comes first."

Friday Five: Pies R Us?

Brownie in a pie!  Yum!

I'm glad I finished up last week's Friday Five yesterday, so I could play today's RevGalBlogPals Friday Five about pie!


I am two years gluten free, and I've not delved into GF pie crusts yet.  But I did have a pie life before, and hope to have a pie life again someday.  I've discovered and multi-tested a great (very great!) GF brownie recipe, though!


Are pies an important part of a holiday meal?  I didn't grow up with much pie on an every day basis, so a pie does say "holiday" to me.  I did serve a delicious holiday meal yesterday without pie.  The sweet potatoes were like dessert, though.


Men prefer pie; women prefer cake.  Discuss.  My experience says "true" to this one.


Cherries -- do they belong in a pie?  I've never been a big fan of cherry pie.  I prefer them as a topping to cheesecake.  [Note to self:  Find GF graham cracker crumb recipe!]


Meringue -- if you had to choose, is it best on lemon or chocolate?  I'm not a big fan of meringue.  When the choice is lemon or chocolate -- anything -- the choice is always chocolate!  (Anyone remember the boxed pudding cake mixes, back in the day, that came in chocolate or lemon?)


In a chicken pie, what are the most compatible vegetables?  Anything you don't like in a chicken pie?  I used to pick out the peas from the pot pies we had as a kid.  I would probably stick with the basics -- carrots, potatoes, celery, onions, peas.

Friday Five (Thanksgiving Day edition): Unexpected Blessings

This is a leftover from last week's RevGalBlogPals Friday Five. We were challenged to name five unexpected things we are thankful for.  In chronological order:

Each of my children:  Of course, it is expected that I am grateful for each of my three now adult children.  Each one's actual entry into my life was unexpected in a special way that I cherish.

Becoming a pastor:  I was the kid in Sunday School that everyone dreaded having in their class.  And, yes, kids overhear teachers saying these things!  My crime was that I had questions that the teachers were not very good at answering to my satisfaction.  My little secret was that, while all the other kids were bored with Sunday School and especially the worship service, I was both fascinated and strangely captivated by the whole thing.  I went to seminary because I had always wanted a graduate degree, and I thought it would be like going to Sunday School full time!  If they could see me now. . . !

Amazing journeys:  I've gotten to travel to a lot of different places, mostly in the U.S., with some travel to Latin America.  The journey of my life has been more wonderful and life-giving than I could have ordered off of the best menu of choices.  The people in my life -- family, friends, parishioners -- have been unexpected blessings over and over again.  Even the rough, rough roads have been unexpectedly blessed.

Church life:  I never expected that I would want to be a pastor, much less be able to, much less derive joy from it.  I get so frustrated sometimes that I feel like I'm stuck in the temple, Jesus-style, whip in hand, either whacking the money changers over the head or wanting to so badly that I'm screaming, mostly on the inside.  Alternately, I'm crying over Jerusalem and feeling so totally impotent that it hurts.  Church life is hard for me because I really do believe Jesus Christ is good news for the world and for the church!  I have gotten to see glimpses of miracles, quickly vaporizing usually, but -- still -- I have been privvy to many unexpected blessings!  

Daniel:  I truly am a person who would have lived a full and complete life, and been totally happy with my own children, if grandchildren had never happened for me. Daniel's advent was totally out of my control, so his presence in this world is, for me, indeed an unexpected miracle.

The Comfort of Quitting

My niece Laura took this picture

I quit.

I quit trying to "win" NaNoWriMo.  Winning would have meant writing 50,000 words of a so-called novel in the 30 days of November.   I started off strong, believing that this was my "winning" year.  As of a few days ago, I have put away NaNoWriMo writing for 2010.  Quitting means that, for the fifth year in a row, I have played and not won.

My inner Pollyanna has struggled a little bit this time in her efforts to turn quitting into winning.  She's a persistent one, though, and has declared that, indeed, I quit one thing so I could win:  

• The opportunity to spend three whole days, and two partial days, with my daughter, son-in-law and grandson.
• Some deliciously long conversations with cherished friends and family.
• A few sacred, unencumbered days to walk with a family through the death of their 45 year old relative.
• The joy of writing and writing and writing on the so-called novel, and now I have won back the joy of a more relaxed writing schedule for sermons, blog posts, and whatever else I want to write.
• Some much-needed goof-off time.  Did I say much needed?

And ... I won the once-in-a-lifetime chance to make 2011 the year I win NaNoWriMo for the first time!

Friday Five: It is Well With My Soul

Not my photo, although it seems very familiar.

The Friday Five invitation at RevGalBlogPals talks about perks and privileges for which we are grateful.  To quote kathrynzj over there:  There are many perks in my life for which I give thanks and then there are some that make everything right in the world during the moment I am enjoying them. I'm wondering what a few of those things - five to be specific - are for you.
I think of perks as those things that are truly the icing on the cake and undeserved or unexpected, like God's grace and falling stars. These are things that I really didn't expect to be part of my life, so they are the perks that come to mind today:

• Chili's:  For me, Chili's represents the privilege of going out to eat and also is a piece of family tradition that dates back to good memories of dining at the first Chili's restaurant in Dallas, TX, way back in the day.  In fact, I enjoyed a bit of the Chili's today for lunch with my first-born.
• Technology:  Include smart phone, computer, iPod, cable TV, Netflix, Skype, internet research, online role-playing games, and even worship technology. I am not very patient with people who vilify technology outright.  I do not use all of those things in any given day, or every week even, but I am grateful for the things, and the people, they bring into my life.
• Meaningful work:  I can't say that my work is always my play, but darn close.  The privilege is sharing faith and life and God together.  The perks are the travel and the many, many people I would never have met otherwise.  
• Corrective Lenses:  In my case, bifocals.  My life would be beyond fuzzy without them.  No driving, movies, or being able to see my congregants' faces during the sermon.
• Being a grandmother:  A grandchild turns out to be a serendipity that was/is totally out of my control to create or wish into being.  Daniel (now 5 months), along with three amazing adult children and a wonderful son-in-law, are all fantastic perks of this time of life.

Some See Fungi

Some "rare" Texas mushrooms

Words:  The dawn of Day Four of NaNoWriMo and I have completed a tenth of the 30-day journey of 50,000 words with a current word count at 5163.

As if the voices in my head are not sufficiently taunting and belittling, Laura Miller at Salon.com opines that NaNoWriMo is a (quote) "waste of time and energy."  "Better Yet, Don't Write That Novel" Laura advises those of us who would give ourselves permission to write a whole lot of *compost* for a whole month.

Better yet, read Carolyn Kellogg's rebuttal (debunking?) of Miller's article.  At LA Times online, she offers Twelve Reasons to Ignore the Naysayers:  Do NaNoWriMo.  Why, she makes it seem almost harmless for a couple of hundred thousand writers -- or "writers" -- to have occupied themselves producing 305,703,617 words so far in 2010!

Picture:  Taken in Southlake, Texas (Dallas/Ft. Worth area) in September, this picture of mushrooms in my sister's front yard is evidence that it does, indeed, sometimes get soggy in Texas.

You say "fungus"; I say "mushroom"!  And then, I write about it, because it's what I do.

Words and Pictures: Day Three

Words:  Slightly ahead of pace with 3410 words.  Mood: satisfied!

Picture:  This sweet daisy bloomed for about a month until 2 nights ago when the freeze seriously wilted it.  The joys of warm weather are captured in this picture, especially the joy of gardening during the warmer season.

Farewell sunny daisies and fluttering butterflies!

Hello simmering soup and flannel robes!

Words and Pictures: Day Two

Coffee & General Synod 2009 "goodie bag"

Words:  I have to write 1666.666~ words a day in order to "win" NaNoWriMo by writing 50,000 words in a 30-day month.  Yesterday, my first day total was 1671.  It was my day off.  Writing my quota today will be more challenging.

Picture: Finding coffee at a United Church of Christ General Synod is easy.  Finding good coffee is divine!  It's not a great picture -- and it may actually be tea! -- but it brings back memories of General Synod in 2009 when I got to sponsor our conference youth delegation:  a two-day drive, fun youth, Habitat houses, amazing worship, old and new friends, and the always-appreciated reminder of why I keep on saying "yes" to this call to ministry.

A Month of Words and Pictures

Good-bye, October!  Hello, November! Pumpkins forever!

The Words:  50,000 of them, courtesy of NaNoWriMo, a.k.a. National Novel Writing Month.  Why?  For the joy of writing, of course!  So many words over there, so there will be pictures over here.

The Pictures:  Lisa Clarke at Polka Dot Cottage is celebrating a Month of Gratitude by taking pictures of things that bring her joy.  Thanks, Lisa, for a great idea and for your invitation to everyone to play.

Today, these small pumpkins make me smile!

Friday Five: Comfort Media

RevGalBlogPals Friday Five today is about Comfort, media style. 

Comfort, yes!  Comfort media, absolutely!  I have my own selection of movies and TV shows that are never old, no matter how many times you watch them.  These are the treats you curl up with during a bad cold or to unwind after a particularly challenging Consistory meeting. Just sayin' ... 

And don't forget the comfort food!  In honor of the last few days of Fair Trade month, treat yourself to some Fair Trade chocolate from Theo Chocolate, the only only organic fair trade bean-to-bar chocolate factory in the United States.  For something hearty and spicy, check out my daughter's yummy Rattlesnake Pasta -- freshly posted today!  Surprise, it's vegetarian!   Be ye comforted to the max!

My media comforts trend toward strong women, slapstick comedy and just plain escape:

Legally Blonde (movie) starring Reese Witherspoon as a blonde who is underestimated by almost everyone but herself.  Witherspoon herself seemed to be underestimated until she won the Oscar for Walk the Line.

The Closer (TV show) starring Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson.  She is sassy, competent, Southern, and is surrounded by a great supporting cast.  I watch every episode I can find, no matter how many times I've seen it before.  It's just a fun show to watch.

Pretty Woman (movie) which is great Richard Gere and great Julia Roberts. I watch the whole movie to get to the last line, which gets me every time.

Fletch (movie) starring Chevy Chase.  I almost have this movie memorized and I still think it's hilarious.

Instant Movie or TV Marathon -- My daughter introduced me to The Deadliest Catch when we watched a bundle of episodes together marathon-style.  I am now watching the first three seasons of Mad Men with my son whenever we get the chance to squeeze in a few episodes.  I love Netflix!

Knew Better, Did Better: Fair Trade Buying

Janee Payne:  Freshly-picked coffee beans

"I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better."  -- Maya Angelou


October is Fair Trade Month.  The "special month" is ending, but the opportunity continues year-round to buy with justice in mind by seeking out fair trade products.


ABOUT FAIR TRADE, from the Fair Trade USA web site:  "The Fair Trade Certified™ Label guarantees consumers that strict economic, social and environmental criteria were met in the production and trade of an agricultural product. Fair Trade Certification is currently available in the U.S. for coffee, tea and herbs, cocoa and chocolate, fresh fruit, flowers, sugar, rice, and vanilla." 


TWO KINDRED SPIRITS:
This week (Oct. 25-31) is International Nestle-Free Week.  Once again, coincidentally, my thoughts are swimming in the same stream as my amazing youngest at Anktangle.  She makes a convincing case for staying away from all things produced by Nestle, and she details how difficult that is to actually do.  Shameless, totally biased plug:  Amy's blog is special (like she is!) and her activism is filled with love for her family, for justice, and for life itself.  Spend a few minutes browsing!


I have been inspired by Jan at Yearning for God who has written regularly about Fair Trade products, especially fair trade chocolate.  Pay her a visit today and wish her a very "Happy Birthday!"


SOURCES FOR FAIR TRADE PRODUCTS:
Equal Exchange:  Fairly Traded Coffee, Tea, Chocolate and Snacks.

Green Mountain Coffee has a fairly extensive selection of fair trade (many are organic) coffees and teas.

Small Farmers, Big Change:  "A green and more just food system starts with small farmers."

Divine Chocolate:  "Divine is the only Fairtrade chocolate company which is 45% owned by the farmers. While Fairtrade ensures farmers receive a better deal for their cocoa and additional income to invest in their community, company ownership gives farmers a share of Divine’s profits and a stronger voice in the cocoa industry."

Sweet Earth Chocolates: This company's "organic fair trade confections for chocolate lovers everywhere" includes wedding favors and bulk ingredients.

Mountain Rose Herbs (also teas, spices and essential oils) is committed to sustainability and ethical stewardship.  A significant number of their products are fair trade and part of the standards and values of their business.


DOING BETTER:  Some of my favorite things are coffee, tea and herbs, cocoa and chocolate, fresh fruit, flowers, sugar, rice, and vanilla.  I will enjoy them all the more by doing justice in the buying of them.

Saturday Video Joy: Garments of Love

"Garments of Love" 

by Christopher Grundy, Eden Seminary professor

Therefore, as God's chosen people, 

holy and dearly loved, 

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. 

Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

[Colossians 3:12-14]

Friday Five: Joy of Friendship

The RevGalBlogPals Friday Five today is about friendship:

Who is the first friend you remember from childhood?  During my preschool days, Yvonne and I were inseparable at school.  One day, she walked in front of someone who was swinging and got kicked in the head and there was blood and she had to leave school suddenly.  Happier memories involved field trip days and our first experiences of going on a "trip" with packed lunches.

Have you ever received an unexpected gift from a friend?  A friend gave me a going away party when we moved from Philadelphia to Dallas.  The party itself -- of young women from our Sunday School class -- was a huge gift, though not unexpected.  The unexpected gifts were that each woman had embroidered a tea towel for me.  (Remember:  Young women, Dallas, luncheon party, in the mid-80s!)  The most unexpected and long-remembered gift was when she played the then-new song "Friends are Friends Forever" and we all cried together.

Is there an old friend you wish you could find again? Or have you found one via social media or the Internet?  Yes to the first question.  There are a couple of people I wouldn't mind finding again, including the women at the party I mentioned above, but I'm not looking for them, either.  To the second question:  Many of our high school friends are reconnecting via Facebook and have had a couple of get-togethers that I have been unable to attend so far.  There is a plan for us to gather for our (*cough*) 40th high school reunion next year, but in a location far, far from any official reunion function(s). 

Do you like to get your good friends together in a group, or do you prefer your friends one on one?  Slight preference for one-on-one.

Does the idea of Jesus as a friend resonate with you?  Yes, among a host of other images.

I'm Wearing Purple Today

Today is "Spirit Day" and I'm wearing purple to speak out against anti-LGBT bullying.  It is also a  reminder to me to speak up whenever I hear language that demeans anyone for any reason.  I am thankful for organizations and groups who have brought LGBT human rights issues into the mainstream and advocated for equality for all.

GLAAD (The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. Go their Wear Purple page to show "Spirit Day" purple on Facebook and Twitter.

The Human Rights Campaign works for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender equal rights.  Find out what actions are taking place in your state by clicking on a drop down menu on the home page.

I'm especially grateful for the Jesus followers who are the United Church of Christ.   The UCC has historically been a pioneer faith in issues of justice and equality, including marriage equality for all.  Geoffrey Black, general minister and president of the UCC, was one of the national religious leaders who signed the Clergy Against Bullying Statement. 

Yearning for God celebrates the "It Gets Better" You-Tube project

Anktangle celebrates the beauty of purple in pictures.

Kristin at Halfway to Normal proclaims "Not up for debate:  Acceptance and love for all"!  Amen!

And Geaux Tigers!  Today, I wear my purple LSU Tiger shirt in solidarity with teens who didn't live until it got better for them. 

Peace. With justice.  Now.

My Spiritual Friend: Thich Nhat Hanh

True story:  I woke up at 4:30 a.m. and was a little restless.  Normally, I would just go ahead and get fully awake and start the day.  Today is my day off, and I really wanted to do that thing that is so unlike me:  stay in bed past 5:00 in the morning!  

So I grabbed my iPod off of the nightstand, and I opened up my thousands of yet-unlistened-to podcasts.  I happened to choose a Zencast selection called "Thich Nhat Hanh in VietNam" and listened to the first 15 minutes of it before his calm voice lulled me back to sleep for another couple of hours.  And now I have discovered that today is his birthday!  So ...

Happy 84th Birthday, Thich Nhat Hanh!  

Some inspiration from this Vietnam-born Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet, and peace activist:

 “The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”

“In order to rally people, governments need enemies. They want us to be afraid, to hate, so we will rally behind them. And if they do not have a real enemy, they will invent one in order to mobilize us.”

If you haven't already crossed paths with his teaching, he is worth getting to know.  I recommend Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life and also Living Buddha, Living Christ.  

"People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle."

Thank you, Thich Nhat Hahn, for making miracles with your life. 

The Joy of Tradition: Enchiladas!

Traditional New Mexican-style enchiladas, with sides!

In September, I made a trip to the Dallas-Fort Worth area to visit my young nieces and, oh yes, my sister Paula and her husband Jeff, too.  The girls and I got to spent some auntie-niece time when the parents went away for a few days.  Out of the 3 nights I stayed with them, at the girls' request, we had enchiladas two of those nights.  It's just what we do, and it's what we love.  In our family, enchiladas are soul food and enchilada night is family tradition.  My youngest niece, who is 11, wanted to help, and I was thrilled to be part of her desire to carry on this family tradition.  I had similar great joy when I read Amy's blog about enchiladas.

Enchiladas are just plain good food.  Really easy.  Relatively inexpensive.  Vegetarian.  Gluten-free, if the sauce is gluten free (Old El Paso wasn't when I first wrote this; they are now; always check ingredients).  The house smells like we took a trip south of the border.  So, as promised, here is the recipe our family loves, and freely adapts, for enchiladas:

Mack Family Enchiladas

This recipe serves one but can be multiplied to serve a multitude!

Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
Get out an oven-proof dinner plate.

Heat 1 can of enchilada sauce (a 15 oz. can will last for 8-10 tortillas) in a pan that is larger in diameter than the tortillas you will use. If you can find Hatch brand sauce, by all means use that.  Old El Paso is good, too.  My grandmother Deedie used to add a little oregano, cumin and garlic powder to the canned sauce as it simmered, so I do that, too.  She also thought that aluminum cans should be opened and allowed to "breathe" before using the contents.  I think my grandmother Lollie made her own enchilada sauce from dried peppers, and I haven't tried that yet.

Meanwhile, chop some onion and make sure you have some shredded cheese.  I often use what's packaged as Mexican cheese. Colby-Jack, Monterey Jack, or mild cheddar will do, too.

When the sauce is good and hot, then ...

Soften 4 corn tortillas per serving (or more, or fewer).  The traditional way to soften them is to pass them through hot lard or oil.  My sister Paula gave me a healthy hint that works great:  I now wrap 4 tortillas in a paper towel, sprinkle just a little water on the towel, and microwave for 45 seconds.  

One at a time, dip each tortilla in the sauce and put on a plate -- flat.  Sprinkle cheese and onions to taste. Continue layering sauce-dipped tortillas with cheese and onions until you have the desired number, usually a number that is between 3 and 9!  Our family fun comes with the special requests:  "no onions, light cheese, heavy cheese" and so on.

Put the plate in the warm oven to keep it warm.  When our whole family gets together, and we always have enchilada night, it takes all the racks of a double oven and one person's job is to keep the list of whose plate is in what place in the ovens.

Fry an egg for each serving, or poached egg works too.  Get the plate out of the oven.  Add the egg to the top and put more sauce over it.  Some people (see this picture) like a lot of sauce!  And some people also like to squeeze just a little lemon juice (totally optional) on top.

Whatever makes it yummy!
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This recipe is participating in Hearth and Soul Hop (Volume 18)

Food on Friday: Fall Comfort Food

Enchiladas at Amy's house

I had this great idea to do a post on my all-time favorite comfort food, and then someone -- and not just any someone -- beat me to it.  And I'm glad she did!  So, beginning with her blog which highlights my all-time favorite comfort food, I will share a few fall comfort foods and encourage you to visit some of these really wonderful blogs:

Enchiladas -- or as Amy more accurately names them -- the Mack family enchiladas.  Amy is my younger daughter and the mother of my grandchild. "Mack family enchiladas" are the generation-to-generation recipe that is the go-to soul food in our family.  My grandmothers made them this traditional New Mexican way, and Amy's pictures and description do them proud.  Amy is a magnificent blogger of the real things of life, especially her passion for motherhood and creating a gentle cozy home for her hubby and infant son.  Take your time browsing the pictures of my amazing grandson -- oh, and his parents, too!  (Love you mucho!)

Tomorrow I will post the recipe for our enchiladas.

Roast Chicken -- Alex at A Moderate Life was inspired by the smell of those super market roasting rotisserie chickens to use her first "pastured heritage breed chicken" from her Amish food club to make Mark Bittman's Simple Roast Chicken from Bittman's How to Cook Everything: 2,000 Simple Recipes for Great Food.  Think of Alex's blog as a doorway to incredible cooking delights, including:

Sweet Potato Fries

Perfect Applesauce -- Pam at From Apples to Zucchini reveals the secrets to making delicious canned applesauce.  I say "Amen!" to her suggestion to use a variety of apples -- let your eyes and nose guide you -- and I am going to invest in an immersion blender to make the job a lot easier.

Burrito in a Bowl -- Christy at Home Celebration put this recipe out there a few days ago and it sounds easy and delicious.  I can't wait to try it.

Sweet Potato Fries -- This recipe is not original with me, and I don't remember where I first found it.  I enjoy this simple and delicious and healthy substitute for those also-delicious gooey brown sugary, buttery candied kind.

• Sweet potatoes (as many as you think you need) -- no need to peel, but you can. Cut them lengthwise into chunky-ish (3/4"?) fries.  Cut in half cross-wise if they seem too long.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil -- toss the fries with just enough of this to coat
• Seasonings -- Use your imagination to toss some seasonings in with the potatoes and oil.  I like some cinnamon and a little cayenne pepper and some salt.
• Spread out on a baking sheet (I use a Pampered Chef one) and cook at 400 degrees until they are done, about 30 minutes or so. Turn them over about halfway through.

Beef Stew -- and it brings us back to where we started, at Anktangle.  Amy posted a recipe today for this fall favorite, just a day after I made some stew myself.   Her pictures and the description are treats in themselves. Enjoy!

Knew Better, Did Better: The Dentist

Tuesday, I saw a double rainbow that looked a lot like this.

"I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better."  -- Maya Angelou

It had been awhile since I had been to the dentist.  There were dentist complications in my old congregational setting.  Lesson learned:  No matter how well-meaning, don't let the church drop dental coverage when a dentist in the congregation offers to "take care of it"  because if that dentist is against gay marriage, and the denomination, not the congregation, passes a "Marriage Equality Resolution" ... but that's another story.

Then I moved.
Then I got busy.
Then I was scared to break in a new dentist.
And then I did make an appointment for a cleaning with a dental office I found through my dental insurance (yes, I have insurance again!).  The first appointment was two months into the future.  Then I broke a tooth.

My new dentist is a wonder!  When I told him during our first visit that I was afraid, he said I had come to the right place.  I didn't believe him.

My appointment today resulted in a temporary crown, no need for root canal (praise be!), and an appointment in two weeks that I am actually looking forward to.

I asked him how he got to be so good at the "chair side" manner which got an extra-special workout today with this white-knuckled patient. He said he had been taught in dental school that there is a person attached to those teeth.  He sees dental work as simply technique that he has long-ago mastered.  What makes his practice meaningful to him is treating people's anxiety and fear, and not simply their teeth.  I was in very good hands, after all.

Wow!  Simply WOW!

Dream Job Part Two: What This Pastor Wants

Yes, it's supposed to be Hogwarts.  Makes sense to me!

Following up on yesterday's Friday Five post, I had to write more about what I want in my Dream Job:

I'm a pastor.  I do have a dream job. Given the biological reality that my baby-making and child-rearing years have been fully completed, my other dream job is indeed serving the church.  It's where I breathe; it's what I was made for.  I have had amazing experiences of God active, visible, available and working miracles in and through what we Christians call the church, the body of Christ.  Where else would I be?

I don't even like calling pastoral ministry a job.  Not that there's anything wrong with so-called regular jobs.  I've had a few of those, from my very first job at Kentucky Fried Chicken -- kids, it wasn't always called "KFC" -- to my first career as a medical technologist.  Even jobs are never "just" jobs, depending on the approach and the motivation.  Still, with those jobs, there were defined expectations, finite hours, and definite job descriptions.  It wasn't a life-style or a life commitment.  You didn't have to relate significantly or authentically to co-workers, bosses or customers.  And you could go home and be done with that job at the end of  the day!

I don't expect people in my congregation to understand fully what I do, how I do it, and what it costs me and mine.  They just never could really see it all.  They also can never grasp the deep satisfaction and the incredible joy and the thrill of the "a-ha" moments that are all part of "the job."