New Year's Eve and Looking Back

More yummy goodies that my sisters made!
We're home again, and I miss the companionship of my siblings. We had a great Christmas visit together.

I was flipping through some old journals, and I came across the following entry. I used to have a tradition of writing in my journal on New Year's Eve. Here's a peek at the past:

*******************
January 2, 1999

I'm sitting here on Mom's bed folding clothes (kinda) and writing (mainly). Before me I have my journals of the past 2 years. Each New Year's Eve I recorded memories, goals, reflections, or something like that. But this time I goofed! Thursday evening, New Year's Eve, I completely forgot to get out my journal and write. Oh well. Here I am, 2 days later. New Year's Eve, by the way, we were all here at home. Gary and Grandpa Tice came, and Grandpa left Gary [to visit] while he went to his annual New Year's Eve party-they both stayed the night. Anyway, after Grandpa left we spent the evening visiting with Gary. He, Dad, and the boys started a bonfire outside (a big hit!).

What does this new year hold? I'm excited to find out!
"I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future in His hands."
My goal this year-as always, for as long as I live-is to know God. I've come to learn this is the most important thing.

Just to be funny...

What I know will NOT happen this year! :

-I will not get married
-I will not got to Venezuela or India or Guatemala or-
-I will not publish a book
-I will not eat a block of plain tofu
-I will not get another pair of red glasses
-I will not slit a chicken's throat at the DiGennaro farm
-I will not give a speech in front of a thousand people

Things I think MIGHT happen this year:

-I will turn 17 (hey, if I die it won't happen)
-We finish the summer kitchen in the shed
-One of the Eldredge boys gets married
-I attend a VOM conference
-I actually get some sewing done (if our machine works...)
-I make a quilt
-I can at least 40 quarts
-I grow a decent garden bed (no cornstalks)

******************
The really funny thing is, one speculation in particular came true-an Eldredge boy DID get married....to me!

January has always been a month of reflection for me. I think it's good to evaluate where one is and make goals for the future. A "new year's resolution" isn't any good if it's made on a whim and short-lived. A man's treasure is where his heart is. Where is your heart? What do you hope and pray for in the new year? What changes do you want to make? Any bad habits that need to go? What are your goals? These are the questions I am asking myself.

God bless you this New Year!

Christmas Day Breakfast

Christmas in Indiana!

Three of my lovely sisters~ Mara, Naomi, & Keturah~ prepared funnel cakes for breakfast. For many years we have been trying to find the "perfect" recipe, either homemade or a store-bought mix, without success. Finally, we found The One! This is hot, powdered sugar fried Perfection:





Just the right amount of soft/chewy/crunchy, and never oily-even rivaling Silver Dollar City's famous funnel cakes!

And then, to balance it all out, I decided to make fruit salad:



The fresh pineapple was fabulous. So that was our Christmas breakfast-simple and sweet. Always something special, but never the same from year to year!

And the funnel cake recipe? Where to find it, you may ask? That's a funny answer. This past summer, while in Branson, Tom and I went along with my family, the Nails, to visit nearby College of the Ozarks. They had a gift shop of items made by students at the college. We loaded up on jellies, apple butter, and pancake mixes. Then, on a whim, Mom decided to try their funnel cake mix just in case. And it was superb!


Here is a list of products available through College of the Ozarks.

Christmas Eve Prayer for my Children

Hush! my dear, lie still and slumber,
Holy angels guard thy bed!
Heavenly blessings without number

Gently falling on thy head.

How much better thou 'rt attended
Than the Son of God could be,
When from heaven He descended
And became a child like thee!

May'st thou live to know and fear Him,
Trust and love Him all thy days;
Then go dwell forever near Him
See His face, and sing His praise.

Isaac Watts
1709

A Little Light in the Darkness

The Little Darlings

Hosanna (7), Caleb (6), Joshua (6), Havalah (3), and Drew (23 months).
Joshua and Havalah are my littlest siblings. What a cute bunch!

Christmas Bouquet

Sometimes a girl has to buy herself flowers! :) I thought this bouquet ( $3.99 from Aldi's!) was quite lovely with it's crimson tones. The red pears are from Aldi's too. Yes, I shop there a lot...great prices!
I cleared my island of all the accumulation, sprayed it down with a lemon verbena counter-top spray, and put together this little centerpiece. I may add a few tea-lights.
Tom came home and said, "Wow! Our island looks so big with just that on it!" Very funny.
Although few and simple this year, we are all enjoying the seasonal decor.

Homemade Vegetable Wash

I recently used the last of our "Fit" vegetable and fruit wash, and instead of buying a new one, decided to make my own. I did a little research on Google and apparently the store-bought wash is way overpriced. You can make your own wash at home for just pennies!

The above solution is:
1 T lemon juice
2 T baking soda
1 cup water
I added 10 drops of "Grapefruit Seed Extract"-can't hurt, right?!?
Mix well and pour into a spray bottle. I reused my "Fit" bottle. How thrifty is that?
When ready to use, simply spray your fruits or veggies and let sit at least 20 seconds or preferably a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly in cold water.
You can also soak your fruits and veggies in a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water. Let sit for 5-10 minutes, then rinse well. This is a great way to wash a bunch at once in the sink!
However, don't do mushrooms-they are too absorbent and just need to be rinsed well.

Candle on My Nightstand

I love candles- especially soy candles. Rowena brought me this one from a shop in Colorado which she says was fabulously unique. The candle smells fresh and wonderful, and I haven't even burned it yet. It's kind of rustic looking, and sits in this antique baby cup on my nightstand. The baby cup used to belong to Tom.
I love the cinnamon-y aroma of that candle when I'm falling asleep!

Grandpa Tice Through the Years

Remembering Grandpa

In preparation for Grandpa's visitations and memorial/funeral services, all of us (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren) have been compiling photos, letters, music, anything to be shared in memory of Grandpa or in honor of his life. My house has been filled with music as my sisters have been playing and recording pieces for the memorial dvd.

I found a letter I wrote to my Grandparents on their 50th anniversary. They have been married 56 years. I hope and pray Tom and I have at least that long together!

I have been so blessed by all the words of comfort and practical service I and my family have received these last few days. Thank you!
My good friend Candace shares her thoughts here.


******************************************

July 2002

Dear Grandpa and Grandma,

I am especially grateful for the voices of encouragement you have both been in my life. You are always faithful to encourage and challenge my skills- in reading, writing, sewing and crafts, baking, and whatever developing interests I had as a young person. You encouraged my creativity, and inspired me to keep doing better! I often reflect on how much I appreciated your attentiveness. And still do!

As I look back on special memories made with you, our summer 1999 trip to the west coast stands out. I loved spending time with you as my grandparents, exploring country I had never seen before, and absorbing new experiences. Thank you again for taking the time to invest in my life!

Other enjoyable memories would include family gatherings in Strafford, playing games together, making family “videos”, camping excursions, trips to Silver Dollar City…I’m so thankful for the happy memories!

I’m honored to be your granddaughter, and proud of the 50 years you’ve spent together!
As you pass on a lifetime of memories and wisdom to your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, I pray you’ll be richly blessed. May you reap the rewards of a family that loves you very much!

I love you,
Rachel


******************************************

Thoughts

I loved being on the road with my Grandparents, just the three of us. Grandpa was adventuresome and always willing to explore with me as much as possible. He introduced me to new cultures and experiences that fed my love of travel.

Grandpa was generous. He encouraged my creativity by paying for all my film expenses during our '99 trip! Afterwards, I put together a scrapbook album of our time together for him and Grandma.

Grandpa's love of literature inspired me, too. We browsed use bookstores and spent hours at places like, "The Tattered Cover".

Grandpa had a hearty appreciation for homemade breads! I am a baker and loved to "test" my yeast breads on Grandpa. Of course, he always approved!

Grandpa welcomed and enjoyed each new addition to the family. He would remark how each baby was precious and beautiful. He loved holding his grand and great-grandchildren!

When I think of Grandpa, I remember him smiling and laughing. His famous dimples and laughing eyes lit up his face. He wasn't solemn and reserved-he was right there with us, living in the moment.

It's been 9 years today...

....and I'm still thrilled to be his wife. :)

There is Living, and There is Dying

Early this morning, my Mom called me. She never calls this early in the morning-we're not early risers, usually! I knew something had to be wrong.

"Mom, are my Grandparents ok?"

I have six living Grandparents, including Tom's Grandparents, whom I love deeply and have always had a good relationship with.

Through tears my Mom explained that her dad, my Grandpa Jim Tice, had died suddenly in the night while being transported from one hospital to the next.

Can you feel the silence? When news like that comes it seems to me the earth pauses a moment while I try to take it in.

My Grandpa had pancreaitis and was recently in the ICU. Over Thanksgiving, I was able to see him. Heavily sedated, it was hard to know how much he recognized my presence.

Mara and I talked to him and told him what was going on in our lives. He was always a good listener. We held his hand and gave little massages. He could give the best back rubs! He looked just the same, even with all the tubes and lines running in and out of his body, only reclined and appearing to be asleep at times. He didn't look deathly ill.

I think we all expected he'd pull through this and laugh about it in the year ahead. We'd say, "Grandpa, do you remember when Mara and I sang to you? We sounded awful." Then he'd laugh that big belly laugh of his and shine his famous dimples. Grandpa had a lovely voice. He sang at my wedding.

Instead, I'm dealing with the reality that my beloved Grandpa is gone. No more intense games of Pente at Thanksgiving. Boy, he could sure play a mean game of Pente! I always rubbed it in when I beat him, for once.

He lived a full and happy life. He has 7 children and too many grandchildren and great-grandchildren for me to keep track of. None of us doubted how much he loved us.

We miss and love you, Grandpa. Already there is a void.

Grandpa is dead to this earthly life...but he's alive to a Heavenly one, and that's another kind of Living-the best kind.

There Was a Little Boy

There was a little boy
Who had a little curl
Right in the middle of his forehead
And when he was good
He was very, very good
And when he was bad he was horrid


Well, not terribly horrid.
But a teensy bit horrid.

Snowball Cookies and Snowflakes on the Tree:: Cozy Winter Evening

Last evening we pulled out some Christmas decorations. I'm a simple girl who doesn't like to get overwhelmed by Christmas Clutter, as I call it, so our tree is an artificial pine tree that we decorate with a white winter theme-snowflakes, icicles, birds.
Hosanna and Caleb decorated it by themselves last night!

We also enjoyed hot Snowball Cookies (recipe below) and hot chocolate.
Tom's brother Andy and his wife Amy came over, too. They are close neighbors and good friends. We listened to holiday music and caught up on our lives. I held Baby Ryley and loved it. Amy and I knitted on the couch. She made an adorable hat for Ryley! Quite a cozy evening. We should do it more often...

3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups flour
1/2 cup chpd nuts
1 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Blend ingredients in order listed. Roll into balls and bake at 350 degrees for 15-2o minutes. Roll hot cookies in powdered sugar to coat well.

Roast Beef Hash

We love roast beef, and we love to use the leftovers in various ways.
Stew/Soup. Rolled in tortillas with black beans, cheese, and salsa.

Last night, I used the last of our leftover roast for what I call "Roast Beef Hash." It's easy, and really good comfort food, in my opinion. I started cooking an onion in "Extra Virgin Olive Oil"-or EVOO as Rachael Ray calls it. Enough to cover my skillet bottom and keep things from sticking, but not enough for deep frying. (My amounts are vague here, as it all depends on how much onion, potato, and beef you want to cook.) After your onions are cooked to perfection, soft and sweet, you can remove them to add later or, as I like to do, leave them as they are to get crispier.

After the onions have spent some time getting happy in the oil, I add chopped potatoes. Here I am using yellow potatoes with the skins on. They are thin and tasty. I love not having to remove potato skins. Cook them on medium heat to crisp and steam cook in the oil.

Then, when the potatoes are nearly done, add chopped cooked roast beef. You are just frying them together for a while, to get a little crispy. When I do this, the beef still tastes tender. I imagine if you add it too early or let it sit too long, it may get dry.

The finished hash. My kids like this with a little ketchup. Don't forget the pepper and salt! Serve with veggies.

Cousins

Left to right: Ian holding Miles. Dylan holding Brady.
I think it is so funny how Ian and Dylan, who are cousins, resemble each other more than they do their own brothers!
They are holding twins Miles and Brady, who were the life of the party at our recent weekend family get-together.

Having a Cuppa

This is what I'm enjoying right now-a second cup of hot lemon tea. With honey.

At this point, there is no baking planned for today. I'm not really sick, but I have a slightly sore throat and feel worn out from company and travels. It's been fun and busy! Now I'm ready to hibernate for the day. There's a little snow on the ground, which makes me want to crawl back in bed and read all day.

Hosanna and Caleb did a little school then rushed outdoors to enjoy the first snowfall. I sat here drinking tea. Drew took the cereal box and liberally sprinkled cheerios all over the living room. I'll clean that up in a little while.

After I drink more tea.