This is my super-smarty pants girl, Emily!  I’m so proud of her!

My palms were sweaty, a lump was in my throat. I’ve never liked test taking, you know.  Not once in my scholastic history do I remember saying, “Yes!  Its exam week!” or, “I can’t wait to test on this material!”  Nope.  Not my favorite.   Fourteen years ago, I was quite content to be finished with my formal education.

This week, here at the end of our fourth grade year, is the first time that I have done assessment testing with Emily in our home schooling.  We began today with the English Grammar and Composition tests.  In all sincerity, today’s test taking was much worse than taking a test of my own back in school, because really, the outcome of today’s test was an assessment of my teaching just as much as it was an overview of her knowledge.

gulp.

double gulp.

As she quietly answered questions at the kitchen table, I paced up and down the hall.  back and forth.  I tried to be patient.  I tried to stay out of it.  I tried to remain calm.  We spent the better part of our day, doing a section and then taking a break; completing another section and breaking again;  it was far too long to do continuously.

This evening as I sat down to grade her work, I was pleasantly surprised to find my sweet girl at Mastery Level in almost every area, with the exception of one or two small sections, and she came out on top with roughly a 91%.  I couldn’t have been more pleased.  She and I hugged and I kissed her on the forehead and hugged her again and told her how proud I was of her efforts and all that she had learned this year. It was a triumphant moment, to be sure!

mastery level.  I began to think about those words tonight after she went to bed and I had a few moments to myself.  There are so many places in my life where I am learning lessons.  I try to absorb God’s Word and then live it… but, no matter what I do, the test comes to try my heart’s status and I don’t pass.  Surely I’m not the only one in this place… I know what to do, but the smallest thing comes up and I’m not able to do it.

When dealing with my children, sometimes I find myself void of patience- it is one of the areas where I am regularly tested – and regularly, I fail.  Today a situation presented itself.  Gulp.  It was a test, and I knew it the minute it happened.  double gulp.   Two of my sweet little people, who will remain nameless, were pushing my buttons with disobedience and disregard for my warnings. But, I was able to maintain a calm and reasonable response.  My pitch was not tense, and I spoke from my heart firmly, but with love.

Afterwards, I felt the joy of success and the need to fist bump, or high five someone!  But instead, I turned my heart with thankfulness to my Heavenly Father.  “Did you see that!  Did You?!?  I did it!  We did it!”  And I knew He would have high fived me…Okay, I realize its not mastery level.  I’m barely at partial mastery.  Certainly not a 91. Definitely not 100.  But, its a start.  I feel like my heart and mind are beginning to pass the test.   And I’m thankful He hasn’t given up on me yet, the slow learner that I am.

good words to remember from Job 23: 10-11

But He knows the way that I take;
When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
My foot has held fast to His steps;
I have kept His way and not turned aside.

The good news is this:  while I want to be the mother, wife, sister, daughter friend that is following Him with my whole heart, He loves me no matter what – imperfections, wrong answers and all.  Someday, when all is made right and we are with Him forever, the tests will be done – and there will be no more exams ; only Heaven-  the place of total and perfect mastery.  and no more gulping.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the victories today, in the grammar test and on my heart’s test.  All success is from you, and I am so grateful for these results today.  It has brought so much joy to our family.  thank you.  amen.

Many summers ago, at a small little house on King Street in Danville Illinois, I sat out on the sidewalk and “helped” my mom plant lots of tiny flowers.  Red and white ones.  I believe they were geraniums and petunias.  If I close my eyes I can still smell the soil, and feel the mist from the hose.  It felt good to get dirty and dig down deep for the sake of all that beauty.

This summer, I am not too far off from doing the same thing, here at my house.  The EXACT same thing.  I have my dahlias and my rose bushes in the front beds and my begonias and double impatiens on the back deck, some in a planter, some in a hanging basket.  But a few weekends ago, I went back to the nursery to find something special for the front porch, to decorate the entry way to our home.  I had my basket loaded up, when I found what I really wanted and put it all back.  I brought home the red and white “candy striped” petunias – just like the ones Mom planted so long ago.  They are perfect, just what I wanted, and so much of what I remembered from childhood. Recently I posted photos of them on Facebook; I couldn’t be happier with them.

Now, my dahlias, which are my beloved flowers from the beginning, have been doing strange things this summer, and I haven’t photographed them as much as years passed.  I’m almost embarrassed of them.  Why?  Well, they are growing up in a winding, vine-like state, rather than up steadfast and tall, like usual.  And I’m frustrated. I’ve tried to tie them up, so they’ll grow straight – but they have a mind of their own.

I’m a touch heartbroken because they aren’t what I’d hoped…

My gardening, is only a picture of my own life, to be sure.  Fruit that I’d hoped would grow is slow to bloom.  Seeds that were planted long, long ago, haven’t produced anything yet.  nothing real or significant anyway. Weeds of sin keep popping up that I can’t seem to keep at bay.   I feel like my dahlias : unruly and rowdy, sometimes fighting the very stakes of truth my heart has been tied to.  Its work; all of this growing and digging down deep in the soil of my heart is pain-staking, back breaking labor.

I can’t help but wonder…  Is He heartbroken over my growth? Is He frustrated over my bull headed and stubborn behavior, when I should be obedient and compliant to His will?    This week I have had to stop and examine it all; its been challenging to take a fresh account of my heart’s garden.  But, do you know what I’ve found in the middle of it all?   I have found a glorious place of refreshment- its a promise of beauty in the middle of all this digging around in the dirt, pulling out weeds, and watering…

The beauty is here at the center of this knowledge : God,  in His mercy, loves me. And as He gardens my heart, He promises to not give up until the work is done, until my heart is renewed.    No matter what, the promise of complete restoration is worth these brief, earthly moments of agony.

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)  ephesians 2:4&5

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

⁶ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;  philippians 1:6.

Do I already know these words?  In my head, yes.  But sometimes, no, a lot of times, my heart forgets.  I feel so alive knowing, that even when I’m not what I would like to be,  He comes to my heart’s garden bringing promises of love and affection, mercy and forgiveness.  And His love will continue until the end of time.  Someday my heart will be perfection. Until then, we’ll keep gardening…

Yes, that’s right.  Four years ago, that Michael and I felt led to give away the majority of our baby “stuff.”  And by majority, I mean – clothes, supplies, stroller, car seat, maternity clothes – almost all of what we had, with the exception of our crib and changing table was donated.  Either we gave it to friends in need, to Good will, or some of it even went to an orphanage in Africa via some friends who were visiting missionaries.

Yep.  almost all of it. gone.

It was three years and 9 months ago that we found out that we were going to have a baby.

Oh my, were we surprised.

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

The first three or four months of the pregnancy passed and I was sick as I could be.  It was so much like my experiences with Isaac, I was absolutely positive that it was going to be a boy.  In fact, I had even picked out boy bedding, and a few boy clothes.  There were only boy names on our list, not one girl name.

When it was time for the ultrasound, there was no doubt.  A girl.

Oh my, were we surprised.

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

Three years ago today, May 13th, I went for my 36 week check up.  I had dropped my sweet children off at their grandmama’s house. For some weird reason I prepared their overnight bag to leave there for whenever the baby came (because the plan was for them to stay there whenever I went into labor)…  It seemed a little early, and I felt a little insane, even over the top doing it. But, all Mama’s do crazy things when they are 36 weeks pregnant, right?

I went off to my appointment and did all of the regular rigamarole for my checkup…. When the doctor came in and took a look at my chart, he glanced up at me and said, “I think we’ll make you an appointment for tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?  You want me to come back for another visit tomorrow?” – and he said, “Nope.  We’re gonna deliver this baby tomorrow.”

Oh my, were we surprised!

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

But, God who is omniscient, and loving and wise – was not surprised.  And my mother’s heart was calmed by the very fact that it is impossible to catch Him off guard.  He’s the one who plans everything – and controls it all.

“For I know the thoughts I have towards you…”

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

It was three years ago, on May 14th, that I was induced, several weeks early.  My nursery at home was a little bit ready.  I didn’t have a car seat or a stroller ready and waiting… As parents for the third time around, Michael and I were taking the relaxed approach.   Fortunately I had returned those few boy things, and there were tiny little girl clothes and blankets ready for her arrival.

I went into labor and delivered my precious Mackenzie within 5 hours, start to finish, and she was healthy, and lovely and wonderful… I still remember that fresh baby smell, those first moments holding her close when she was so new. And although many were praying us through the whole process and I knew I was in His hands, Oh my, were we surprised!

No matter how many times I relive those moments, I am still stunned by his goodness.  A beautiful, sweet baby girl – came into this world, into our care to nurture and love.  It is goodness I don’t deserve. But humble and proud all at the same time, I took the mantle of “mama” for the third time.

There have been many surprises since – at least for me – but they do not shock Him. And as a Mother to three blessings, Emily, Isaac and Mackenzie, I am grateful that I have a Heavenly Father who walks with me every step and gives wisdom and grace for every moment.

Happy 3rd Birthday Mackenzie Georgia Day!  We love you so very, very much!

I’m not one to struggle at finding words.  Usually I am verbose, I’ll admit.  But today, as I look at the wealth around me I am at a loss to express how blessed I truly am.  I have a lovely home, an incredible, loving husband.  And I have these three babies, who call me Mama.  My heart absolutely could not be more full.  Really, I deserve none of it!

It is my prayer that I will become more like the Proverbs 31 woman this year.  May the Lord continue His work in my heart!

Whether you have a mom to celebrate, or you are being celebrated as a mother, I hope you have a wonderful day.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Love,
Melody.

When it comes to my kitchen life, there’s a list.  I’ve never written it down.  I’ve never spoken about it or told anyone – but, none-the-less – there’s this list, in my head.  It is a bucket list of sorts; things I hope to learn to do in the kitchen.  Like, how to bake fresh bread or how to make a scratch pie crust – those are things I’ve checked off my list recently.  The more I cross off, the more I add.

Today, I conquered one of the items.  homemade strawberry jam.

I’ve been gathering the supplies and perusing recipes all spring.  I had the fruit a while back, but ended up using the berries for something else.  But, Monday morning, my mother-in-law, arrived on my doorstep with a half-flat of strawberries from Tidwell’s. (she knew of my hopes for jam) And so, I plotted and planned for just the right moment to convert those delicious little fresh morsels into gooey, sweet, spreadable, but not -too- runny jam.  lovely.

I did it this afternoon.

As I looked at the recipe, I knew I was, at best, going to get a little messy- but there was a good possibility that I may get really sticky.  There was the mashing of all the cleaned and hulled berries, then measuring and scooping them into the pot – boiling them with a lot of sugar and pectin, then ladling all of the red, beautiful glossy goodness into the small jars.

Well, it was messy.  and it was very, very, very sticky.  I didn’t realize exactly how all of the timing would work, until I got into it.  Eventually all of it made it into the jars.  But, in the middle of the jam making process, as I crushed the produce and stirred the boiling liquid, I had a few moments of clarity :this process of making jam, was a lot like my life…

All of the mashing and pressing and boiling, hoping for something sweet to turn out in the end.  Often, I look at how things are going – the pressure, the heat, the work that God is doing from the inside out – and for the life of me, I can’t imagine how I’m going to end up anything but a hot mess.

How many times have I tried to hop out of the pot and get cleaned up, so that I could proceed with my own purposes?   Learning how to be patient, how to love,  how to be more like Him…  I would never choose the pain and suffering that goes along with these. not on my own…

But, He promises.  All of this boiling in a pot of trials and hardships, all of this beating to a pulp, down into nothing but mash is for my good…  That is when His heart comes through and I find His sweetness to be so strong.  There may be times that are sticky.  There may be times that  life comes to a rolling boil.  But in the end, it is all a part of the plan for my heart to turn out just right, for my good and for His glory.  The truth of this reality is quite amazing!

These are good words from Job 23 for me to remember.  After all, Job’s situation was much worse than mine…

It was along about Friday morning I became concerned.  Maybe I wouldn’t see it again for a while, my daughter’s smile, that is.  I’d spent all week long out of pocket; no time for cooking, for laundry, for blogging, for working out…  Only medicine and comfort levels, a touch of worry, but mostly searching for that smile.  That was all.

On Friday morning I had to leave for a conference, and my sweet girl was left without her mama.  So, I drove and I thought and I thought some more.  I was heart sick that she was not better yet.  And her little mouth wasn’t healing as quickly as I had anticipated.

You know, as a mother, I can handle if I’m not well.  I can manage if my hubby is ill.  But, my babies – no.  It is not okay with me.  I began to question my Heavenly Father.  Because that is what I do, when I don’t agree with His timing or His plan.  “How can you do this to my girl? And why aren’t you making her body heal quickly?” And there are no answers for these questions this side of Heaven.  Only He has the specific answers.

I realized as I drove to Atlanta that there could be many reasons for this brief trial with my girl…  The foremost reason in my mind  became very clear.  If nothing else, this hardship was exposing my doubt in the goodness of my Heavenly Father.  The moment things do not go my way, I question.  It is embarrassing how it seems immediate.  How fickle I am.  How human!

Yesterday I read a quote that said something along these lines:  My definition of good is anything that benefits me.  God’s definition of good is anything that makes me more like Jesus.   whoa.  These words brought me to my knees.  Oh Lord, let me embrace this short time of difficulty with patience and endurance and belief.

Here are words that are moving me closer to His heart, with belief:

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  ²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

There is One who knows and is moving on my behalf, for my good, which is always His purpose.  After dwelling on this passage, my heart began to endorse His will, over mine. His wisdom, over my earthly knowledge and His timing over my schedule.

Today, it appeared, for the first time in a week.  I can’t tell you how happy I was to see it.  I’m so grateful that we are finally on the mend.   Her mouth, and my heart, both.

Thank you Heavenly Father for the work you continue to do in my heart.  Let me be willing to accept every effort, willing to change my heart and mind.  amen.

I stepped out the front door and walked down the stairs, slightly relieved to be out of the house this morning, if only to water the flowers for a few minutes.  It was a little thick inside.  intense.  and I needed air.

Right-y tight-y, lefty loos-ey…  I had to remind myself how to get the water running from our new faucet at the front of the house. I forever have to remind myself of things I should already know…   I pulled the hose out and began spraying. I’ve been waiting you know, for some flowers to bloom.  Its life-learning : practicing patience, and I’m not doing too well.  My dahlias have been keeping in a tightly packed, brightly colored secret for weeks now.  You know how a watched pot never boils?  Well, a watched bud never blossoms.

At any rate, as I sprayed, I reviewed the week and the coming weekend.  The pressure was mounting on my heart and in my mind as I watered my knock-outs…  they’ve already blossomed a lot.  nothing new here…  I’ve been trying to get my sweet girl better from her oral surgery so that I can go to Atlanta for an overnight trip to the Georgia Home School convention.  And, frankly I’d like to take just a bit of peace of mind with me as I go…  so I can think and plan for the coming year, so I can be refreshed by the time away…  Is that too much to ask?

humanly speaking, maybe.

I kept spraying.  And then, it happened – a faint tiny rainbow…  light showers, combined with rays of sunshine thru the trees and there it was.

My breath caught in my chest,  “Is that for me?”

and of course it was…  because He’s always reminding me, thru His Word, thru His creation – He is a faithful, merciful, promise-keeping God.    It began when He made a covenant with Noah, and with Abraham, and for generations following, He made promises – and He’s in the business of keeping them.  all of them…

I moved down the yard to the bed where my blueberry bushes and my dahlias are…  and I couldn’t help but feel tears well up…  There, was a Dahlia bud, almost ready to crack open.  But, it was very unique because of its size. It was humongous – and by that I mean it is the biggest, heartiest, soon-to-be blossom of a Dahlia I have ever seen, almost the size of a baseball.  I am telling you the truth.  And, here it was, glistening, soaking up the spray, in my bed.

Immediately, I was confronted by my own unbelief…  The same God, who made covenant with Noah and Abraham, is the same God who causes the sun to rise, the earth to turn, the seasons to change, and all things to grow and bloom; He is the same God who has made promises to me:

promise for His presence and protection – from Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

promise for healing  from Isaiah 53:5 : But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

promise for provision  from Philippians 4:19 : And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

promise for peace  from Isaiah 26:3 : You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

promise for wisdom – from Psalm 111:10 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.  His praise endures forever.

Right there in my small flower garden, was His reminder that He intended to continue keeping His Word.  With an early morning rainbow and a small plant, laid here, in this bed of dahlias, He was growing my faith.  I knew I could take my quick over-night trip, with all of these promises tucked deeply into my heart once again, right where they should be.

Thank you Heavenly Father for your mercies that are new and fresh every day and for bringing me face to face with them in ways I never imagined. You are an amazing, creative and loving God.  amen.

I sat in the waiting room.  waiting.  waiting.  waiting.  If I had finger nails, I would have been biting them.  What was taking so long?  I don’t have the nerves for waiting.   Finally.  The doctor appeared at the door;  we’re half-way done and she’s doing well, he says.  And he disappears down the hall.

more waiting. What else is there to do?  Nothing,  that’s what.

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

I am my mother’s daughter.  My mom, Rose, has never been one to slow down too much.    She’s always had the capacity for a high-powered, fast-paced life.  In a lot of ways, I’ve patterned my thought processes by watching her, and I think it can be summed up with this statement: “Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today.”  Perseverance and hard work are highly appreciated, with a “let’s get this job done” mentality…  There is nothing that can’t be included in a day’s work… and in a lot of ways, there is nothing wrong with this ideal…

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

He brought my girl out, wobbly legged and chipmunk-cheeked.  Eyes wide open, a few tears welling – I knew we needed to get home ASAP.  But, we couldn’t.  There was waiting required at the pharmacy.  Slow seconds ticked by and me, I was terribly antsy – almost jittery…  I found myself begging the tech at the window for kindness, and could she hurry for on my sweet girl’s behalf?

20 minutes and we were on the road home.

We got home in record time, just in time for me to realize, we had all the time in the world.  How had I not seen the future? We were going to have to slow down.  No school work, no playing outside, no piano practicing.  Everything needed to be put on hold so that my sweet girl could rest and relax- and let her mouth heal.

I found myself sitting nearby, she on the couch, me in my white leather chair, waiting.  I did some laundry and other bits and pieces of housework. But mostly, I waited on her, keeping track of her medicine schedule, did she need a sip of something to drink? Was she okay, was she hurting?

On recovery day two, I found myself a bit uneasy trying to set aside my need to “do everything”, so that I could focus on just taking care of my girl.  At the end of the day, I found I had spent many of my hours chasing my tail,  trying to mind my other little ones, get house work done, spend moments with Emily, more work, a few meaningful seconds with my younger children and I was exhausted.  Frustrated, I headed to bed.  How could it be that I had done so much and at the same time, a lot of nothing at all!

It was then I realized, this was His way of helping me SLOW.  I could look at these moments over the next few days as an opportunity, or a problem.  Either I could continue in frustration and angst about not working as hard as “normal”, or I could relax and let myself off the hook and enjoy my moments with all of my children.

Examples of ‘new to me’ thought patterns: Is there sand on the floor?  Sure, but let’s read our books first – I’ll sweep later.  Are there a few dishes on the kitchen counter?  Maybe, but Mackenzie won’t want me to play with her and the dollhouse forever; she’ll move on and forget she wanted me to play with her.  Dishes will wait until I go into the kitchen to make lunch.    

And maybe, this was how I should have been considering life anyway…  moment to moment, my time with my kids first, then squeezing in my “work” as needed.

Obviously: Often there are many loads of laundry that need to be done, or the kitchen needs to be cleaned – those things are unavoidable, no doubt.  But, maybe this, my here and now of waiting for Emily to get better, is also a place of transition; It seems permission has been granted for me to rethink how important those things are to me.  Maybe those are the items that need to be squeezed into my day, rather than my children.

Let me add here : I homeschool, so yes, I spend almost all of my waking hours with my children…  But, it is very easy to live a “separated life” where I invest in teaching my children – but don’t slow down to enjoy it.  I’m consumed with completing the work that’s required, but I forget it is OKAY to stop, soak in it, love it- and love them in those minutes.

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

Work is good.  I know that God gave me, as an individual, work to do.  But here is the truth : when perseverance and faithfulness are overcome by an overachiever attitude and a prideful heart – I have made a wrong turn.   And so, today, He’s started here, at the core – beginning His work first in my heart.  Then, I can treat my children as I should, as a treasured gift that the Heavenly Father has given me.   He has put me right smack dab in the middle of the big slow down to help me learn and be renewed in my thoughts!  What a comfort to know He’s moving in my heart and teaching me what I need to learn. And tho’ I’m a slow learner, He is patiently guiding me one day at a time.

Thank you Lord, for giving me the time and a heart to slow.

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

And these are His words of peace to me, from Scripture, today, from Isaiah 54…   in His lovingkindness, He has reminded me of His promises today…His mercy on me, everlasting lovingkindness towards me and peace for my home as I continue in this calling as a mother:

10 For the mountains shall depart
And the hills be removed,
But My kindness shall not depart from you,
Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,”
Says the Lord, who has mercy on you.

11 “O you afflicted one,
Tossed with tempest, and not comforted,
Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems,
And lay your foundations with sapphires.
¹² I will make your pinnacles of rubies,
Your gates of crystal,
And all your walls of precious stones.
¹³ All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And great shall be the peace of your children.
¹⁴ In righteousness you shall be established;
You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;

And then these encouraging words from Galatians 6, taking heart, not growing weary in the middle of this good work… the Spirit will continue it thru me…

⁸ For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. ⁹ And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

I introduced two close friends today.  Yes, I did.  One I’ve known for a really long time – since childhood, really.  The other, only a short time.  But, it was a good thing.  And I think we’re all going to get along quite well; we’ve already bonded.

So here’s how it went down:

“Favorit-est ever Chocolate Chip Cookie, I’d like you to meet my new friend, Chocolate-y chocolate Chipper.”  And they hit it off right away, as you can see.

I decided to give something a try.  Basically, I took my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe, and turned it into a chocolate cookie with chocolate chips.  And, it was blissful.  I’m totally smitten, and I have to forcefully pull my hand back from the cookie jar and remind myself, “I made them for the kids…”  (wink, wink)

Anyway, the recipe is my own re-invention, and it turned out pretty well, considering, I have no training as a pastry chef or otherwise, and no real idea what I’m doing when it comes to experimenting on baking recipes.  Having said that, my children made me promise to bake them again, soon, and the cookies aren’t even half gone.

I knew you might want to give these babies a try, so here is the recipe.  I hope you like them as much as we do!

Melody’s Chocolate-y Chocolate Chippers

Ingredients:
12 tbsp butter
10 tbsp shortening
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 3/4 cups ap flour – could probably use another 1/4 cup flour…
scant 1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
dark chocolate chunks

Instructions:  Cream the butter and sugar, add the eggs and vanilla.  Then mix dry ingredients (minus the chocolate chunks) and combine the dry with the wet.  Then, stir in your chips.  I chilled the dough for two hours or so before baking. (I do think that it is important to keep your dough chilled)  drop the dough by teaspoons on the cookie sheet.

bake at 375 for 10 minutes, or so.

And now for the “big” announcement, (drum roll please…. ) I just wanted to let you all know that I have been selected as a guest writer for Incourage again.  I believe my post will be on the Incourage website on May 14th.  I’m a tiny bit excited about it, so I thought I would tell you, my friends without it seeming like I’m bragging, or anything.  I will be sure to give you a link here, the day it is posted.    Hope you’ll check it out!

I had big plans today, you know.  I was going to dive, head first into the sea that is known as strawberry jam.  Today was the day for me to try making jam for the first time ever.  A maiden voyage with new canning supplies.  Except it didn’t happen.

Around 11 AM, when I had not even begun the process, I realized that today was not going to be the day for jam after all.  And the truth is, I had something more important I was focusing on.  My husband was going to arrive home shortly to work for the afternoon on his project in the backyard, which involves a lot of back-breaking labor.  At about 10:30, I chose to divert my attention from making jam to something that I could make that would be special for him, that he could enjoy later when the work was done.

I’m a quick study when it comes to choosing the right recipe.  There was a book on my countertop, just waiting for me to select the right tasty treat, and so I did.  I decided to make my own delightful version of Martha Stewart’s Strawberry Icebox pie.  And that’s what I did.

The really special thing about this particular dessert today is that I made this pie in a very special plate.  It was given to me recently, an “heirloom” I suppose you could call it, that belonged to Michael’s grandma.  Rene Day had passed  long before I ever met Michael, so I can’t say that I knew her well. How I look forward to meeting her in glory someday.  Well, if there is one thing I feel like I do know about her its this: if she were alive today during this blissful season of strawberries, she very well might have made Michael her own specialty-  strawberry custard pie…  I think she also was known for baking (as well as doing a lot of other things) for those she loved.

So, that’s what this is:  a little love, from the “icebox” all because I like to bake for love.  Not to receive love, but to give love.  Its probably one of my favorite things to do. Its a yummy creation for my sweet and hard-working husband.  He totally deserved it.

the pie plate, with its unique cover.

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

Snappy Strawberry Rhubarb Icebox Pie

You can look for the original recipe, I believe, on Martha’s website.  But  here are my exchanges/additions:

for the crust: I made my own crust with melted butter and a combination of gingersnap crumbs and cinnamon graham cracker crumbs and a few tablespoons of sugar.  baked at 350, for 10 minutes.

for the filling:  I cooked two cups of strawberries (give or take) with almost a cup of sugar and a half cup of rhubarb and 1/4 cup of cornstarch – my strawberries were in some of their own sugary juice, so I did not add the juice she suggests.  I put this in a sauce pan and let it cook until it was thickened – I used a masher to break up the large pieces.  When it was done cooking, I added fresh (uncooked) sliced strawberries – probably a half cup or so.  Then I put it in the fridge to chill.

for the topping- I whipped some cream and added some confectioner’s sugar to make it a touch sweet – I spread it over the chilled pie.

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

And that’s it.  If you enjoy your time in the kitchen – you should make this for someone you love.  soon.  It really is wonderful, baking for love.