Red Fringed Boots

Back when I was in college, my grandma and great-aunt paid a visit to us in Ohio.  They were sisters, and as sisters often do, they shopped together.  It was a little tradition that at least one of the days during their visits would be spent somewhere shopping together -- all the "girls."

The particular visit I'm remembering was no different.  We headed to the mall.  At some point, when I was walking through the mall next to my Gram, she spotted a young woman with red boots.  These weren't just your ordinary red boots, though.  They had a row of fringe going down the back seam.  They were awesome.  Gram and I both thought so.  I don't ever remember seeing her admire something like that.  I told her that if she liked them that much, she should get a pair!

Right away, she brushed me off.  She didn't think she could pull off such a look at her age.  Gram was the youngest of my two grandma's by about ten years -- so I always thought of her as young, and totally didn't understand why she wouldn't "go for it" and look for boots like we had seen.

Fast forward to today.  Our daughter needed some boots with traction -- not necessarily warm snow-boots, but something that would provide more traction than the flat, short-cut suede boots that she has.  I had seen some really cute rain boots in our adventure to Tractor Supply the other week.  They were a great multi-colored polka-dot-on-black pattern that I'd long admired, and were less expensive at Tractor Supply than most stores.  When I reminded my sweet hubby, he stopped on his way home from work to look for our daughter's size.

He arrived home with not one, but two pair of boots -- the pair of rain boots that I had suggested, and a pair of cute, pink-lined, girly hiking boots.  Our girl went right for the rain boots, but when she tried them on, they were a little big -- and not really her thing.  The hiking boots on the other hand?  B-I-N-G-O!  She loved them.

I looked at the rain boots, unsure.

Could I?  Well, sure -- they were already purchased and sitting right in front of me.

Should I?  They might be "too young" a look for me.

And perhaps most importantly, WOULD I?  Darn right, Baby.  I'm keeping them!
You're only as old as you feel, right?  And I feel like multi-colored polka-dots-on-black.

I feel Gram smilin' down on me.

Today, I am thankful for:
1. safety and no power outages
2. a sump pump that's keeping up
3. a new dehumidifier that's helping
4. a quiet and uneventful day yesterday
5. homemade chicken noodle soup

Thought: If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get. ~Frank A. Clark

A Recipe ~ Meatza Pie

My mom and I got to talking about meal planning the other day.  We're ready to move into those cozy fall-winter kind of suppers.  We were trying to recall some old family favorites, and Mom remembered "Meatza Pie."  "Meatza" meaning: meatloaf + pizza.  I made it recently for dinner, and I thought I'd share the recipe with you.  Maybe it's exactly what you need for a cozy dinner while your riding out Hurricane Sandy.

Here in NEOhio, it has been raining and raining, with wind, and strong wind gusts.  School is cancelled for today (due to "uncertain weather conditions"), and we're praying that the electricity will stay on.  I know that many who have stopped by here are dealing with much more than that...  Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers!

Meatza Pie

1 lb. ground round
1 egg
1/2 c. bread crumbs
2 T. ketchup
1 tsp. garlic salt

Mix egg, bread crumbs, ketchup and garlic salt with meat.  Pat lightly on sides and bottom of a 9" pie pan.

1/3 c. tomato paste
2 T. ketchup
1 T. instant onion (or fresh if you prefer)
1/4 tsp. oregano
3 T. grated Parmesan cheese

Mix tomato paste & remaining ketchup.  Spread over meat.  Sprinkle onion, & mozzarella cheese over sauce. Crush oregano into Parmesan cheese.  Sprinkle over all.  Bake at 375F  for 30-35 minutes -- or until you're confident that the meat is done.  Let stand 5-10 minutes before cutting.

TIP:  I like to let it stand tipped to one side w/ a utensil underneath... to let any grease drain to one side.  Since the meat-crust will shrink up a bit, you'll have room to spoon any grease away.

AND:  You can adapt this recipe to suit your spice or pizza-topping preferences.  Even use your favorite pizza sauce.  You get the idea.

I'm linking up with Sandi @ Rose Chintz Cottage for:

Today, I am thankful for...

1. Scripture that reminds me of God's great love for me

2. sweet bloggers who blog words of encouragement

3. the fact that we knew school was canceled last night -- so the kids could sleep in undisturbed this morning

4. our family :: at home in safety :: together

Thought: (borrowed from Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage) Remember the tea kettle - it is always up to it's neck in hot water, yet it still sings. ~Unknown

Homeschooling: Our Story - Part 4

Today, I was thinking back over our homeschooling story, and I thought I'd share what's going on currently. This fall, our son began his second (and SENIOR) year of public high school.  He has done well, adapting pretty easily.

It struck me recently that the things that he takes in stride, our daughter often takes to heart.  She is not a drama-queen by any means, but her approach to starting public school this fall was completely different than our son's had been last year.

He was rarin' to go, and excited --plain and simple.  She was (if we're being honest) bitter, anxious, excited, claiming it as her own, begging me to continue homeschooling -- and we rode that wave before school even started!  All of those emotions continued well into the first few weeks of school.  It was a struggle, I won't lie.  The one thing that worked in our favor (I guess you could say) is that our daughter has a very strong sense of what is right and wrong.  When she is away from home, I may worry about her safety, but I never worry about whether or not she will do the right thing.  On the rare occasion when she "messes up" -- she knows it, and feels it strongly.  All that to say that I knew she wouldn't purposely make starting school a difficult experience.  She was simply processing all of the very real emotions that she was experiencing.

There were the nights of homework (a new chore for a former homeschooler!) that seemed never-ending -- but that was only until she got the hang of it.

There were the little "digs" she would gently HURL at Mom when she had a hard day... "This wouldn't be happening if I was HOMEschooled!" she'd say.  I still hear them occasionally -- but definitely less often -- and more gentle.

And the worst part of all?  MORNINGS.  And those are still hard.  She doesn't show any signs of accepting those any time soon.

But... once she's out the door?  She's golden.  Gosh, I'm so proud of her.  *sniff*  *sudden sob*

* no school band has ever had a better cheerleader
* no friend has ever had a stronger ally
* no lunch-time friends doubt where my girl stands in her faith

And the list goes on.

She has worked to follow her brother's first and most important piece of advice to her: work to build friendships with your teachers.  Look them in the eye, and have real conversations.  Give them the respect they deserve.

Yep.  I think it's safe to officially say... she has lived to tell the story.

And um... me too.

I'm linking up with Megan @ Fried Okra for


You can read the first three parts of our story here:
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

Today, I am thankful for:
1. the first quarter of the school year - DONE
2. new beginnings
3. an anticipated lunch-date with a friend

Thought:(spotted on Pinterest) It doesn't matter if the glass is half empty or half full.  Be thankful that you have a glass and grateful that there's something in it.

Thanksgiving 10.28

Saturday, I sat at my computer preparing a "thanksgiving" post for the day and thinking that I had so much to be thankful for.  Yet... putting that into words without making it seem sort of petty and ridiculous was difficult for me in that moment.  The things that I was thinking of were everyday kind of things, and yet to express appreciation almost seemed spoiled and pampered of me.  As if to say, "well God, of COURSE, I NEED that.  Thanks for givin' it to me!"  I don't know -- after all my "preaching" here on the blog, I just couldn't get into it.

And then the phone rang.  It was my sweet hubby, who had run over to church to pick up our daughter.  He had received a call from our son (on his way home from work) to say that he had hydroplaned, and spun out on the interstate.  Our son was fine, and so my husband went to meet him, to take care of the towing, and give him a ride home (his car was not fine).

Upon hanging up the phone, I immediately had a list of things to express thanks for that didn't seem so petty anymore.  And, now that I have gathered my wits about me... I can share them with you.

(this list continues from yesterday, in which I had already expressed thankfulness for our son's safety!)

Today, I am thankful for...
1. cell phones.  Since our son became a driver, I have become especially appreciative of them.  Friday night he texted to say "on my way home..." --and on Saturday morning, it was a call to say "I just hydroplaned on the interstate!"  Also, after hearing the news from my hubby, I could immediately call our son across town and hear his voice to "read" whether he was really okay.
2. seat belts.  They save lives.  'Nuf said.
3. no other cars involved.  Amen, and amen.
4. the man in the business suit, on his way to a "very important interview" that still took the time to stop to see that our son was alright.
5. that everyone at our house got a good night's sleep last night

Thought: Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Thanksgiving 10.27

Today, I am thankful for...
1. my Savior, Jesus Christ
2. a morning to sleep in
3. protection for our son in a hydroplaning incident on the highway today (he was wearing his seat belt!)
4. God's hand in keeping me calm while I spoke to my son & he waited for his dad
5. My sweet hubby in his role as a dad
6. --which makes me so thankful for my dad, too, and all the times he was, and still IS there for me.

Thought: Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone. ~G.B.Stern