run your pace…

November 12, 2015January 7, 2017 melodyanndayLeave a comment

A few days ago I came across the sweetest little yellow rosebud that I ever saw. She was hanging on for dear life, on the rose bush in front of my house. Here, in mid-November, she is a bit of an anomaly, waiting patiently to bloom.

She has a hard road a head of her over the next couple of nights when the temperatures are supposed to drop and the wind is supposed to pick up; normal weather for November, but, not for delicate yellow roses.

I can’t help but wonder how she feels about it. Does she feel like she’s blooming at the wrong time? maybe misplaced? or dismissed? There are times when I can identify with her – in many parts of my life, but specifically in my running.

You know, I wasn’t in good shape as a younger person when it would have been normal or convenient. When others were playing ball, beginning new sports or even running, I was sitting on the piano bench practicing for hours at a time and days on end.

So now, here I am at forty, just now taking up with being healthy and I feel like such a late bloomer. I know that this path I’m on has been carefully laid out for me by the Heavenly Father himself. However, that doesn’t help me sometimes. When running with a friend, or with my husband, when I’m working out trying to improve, or running in a race – I’m slow. painfully slow. And I find myself trying to run at someone else’s speed – desperate to keep up with others.

Do you know what I’m discovering? I can only be myself. A little late to be learning at 40, right? But, I’ve arrived at this moment in my life, by His hand. I can only be who He’s created me to be. Regardless of what others are capable of – I can only run my pace. No matter how wrong it may feel at times, He’s created me and He’s thinking of me at every step.

I love this reminder from Psalm 139:14-17

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!

Sometimes it is cold and windy, waiting to bloom in November, but I am not a mistake. and I am not alone.

friends and loved ones · in my kitchen

the latest stop on my journey to the perfect brownie…

November 8, 2015January 7, 2017 melodyanndayLeave a comment

It is true that I’ve made a lot of brownies in my life time. It is also true that I’ve posted several brownie recipes here on the Daily Portion blog. But most of all, it is true that I’ve never made brownies this good before.

I’m not one to say crazy things like, “This is the only brownie recipe I’ll ever use from now on…” nothing like that for goodness sake. But, it will be hard to beat these. very hard.

If you enjoy a gooey, dense, fudgey brownie – this recipe is definitely for you! If you enjoy a fluffy, cake-like brownie, well then, you should just go make chocolate cake.

Anyway… here it is, just in case you need a little chocolate this rainy weekend. The recipe includes inordinate amounts of chocolate, sugar and butter culminating in the glossiest, smoothest batter I’ve ever witnessed. Like I said, it is the closest I’ve come to perfection.

Doubly Decadent Fudgey Brownie.

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) butter (I used kerry gold butter.)
2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups cocoa powder (I used 3/4 cup nestle cocoa and 1/2 cup hershey’s dark cocoa)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tbs. vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
2 cups of chopped semi-sweet chocolate. (I used a large bar of Ghirardelli and a cup of Nestle’s mini chips.)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350º F.
Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with shortening; set aside.
In a medium saucepan melt butter over low heat.
Once butter is completely melted add in sugar and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour sugar mixture into a large bowl.
Whisk in cocoa, salt, baking powder, vanilla, eggs.
Mix until combined.
Stir in the flour and chopped chocolate until well combined.
Spread brownie batter into prepared pan (batter will be very thick).
Bake for approximately 30 minutes.

(Just to be sure I give credit where it is due, I found this recipe on sweetasacookie.com)

a bit of history · friends and loved ones

Never fancied myself a farmer

November 3, 2015 melodyanndayLeave a comment

Growing up in the midwest, I was surrounded by farming communities, in Illinois, and Ohio, and even southern Ontario. Wide-open spaces with rolling hills, and fields upon fields of crops, there were beans and corn, and corn and beans… as far as the eye could see.

And even though I’ve known many, both friends and family, who enjoyed the lifestyle of rural farm life, not once did I say to myself, “I’d like to be a farmer’s wife one day.” It just wasn’t something I aspired to be.

Recently, I realized, that maybe I’ve become a farmer of sorts. It wasn’t intentional by any means… but over time, maybe the last nine or ten years, I’ve eased in to the occupation.

It all began when I received an email from a gracious mother who’s children are in my choir. Her sweet little ones move around the house, singing songs and repeating Scripture I’ve taught them. She thanked me for working with the young people of our church, teaching them things that will last a lifetime. As I read that kind mama’s words I thought about what a pleasure and a joy it is to till the soil, and sow God’s word into these fertile hearts and minds.

The position I find myself is a bit abnormal. In this role, I won’t see the gospel come to fruition later in their lives. I’m a farmer who sows without immediately reaping. And I wonder about their futures, because of my planting…

Will they be drawn to a saving knowledge of Christ? Maybe they will gain great courage from a Scripture we learned together. They might sense the nearness of His presence when they remember a song we rehearsed, right at the moment they need it most. Is it possible they would be encouraged in the darkest of nights, when they recall a hymn full of truth and grace from God’s Word? I guess I don’t know for sure. But, I can recount the times that these kinds of experiences have been reality for me -when a certain Scripture or song I learned in my childhood was come to mind.

What I know for sure: If I will continue the work of planting the seeds, I can have confidence that the Holy Spirit will finish the work that has begun as He sees fit.

With all of this in mind, I’m finding I suppose I don’t mind the idea of farming after all.

from Deuteronomy 6:

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

a bit of history · friends and loved ones · shop talk

answered prayer, wrong day…

November 2, 2015January 7, 2017 melodyannday1 Comment

Yesterday when I woke up it was Saturday. In case you aren’t aware, Saturdays normally belong to me. It just works better that way. I make plans and I get stuff done. Please, I’m begging, don’t mess with my Saturdays. Ever.

So, yesterday… It started out fine, but by lunch time, things were coming unglued. And by unglued, I actually mean, Michael had an accident and we had to go to Doctor’s Express to get a bad cut dealt with. He sliced open the top of his left index finger.

Here’s the thing : on a normal day, my prayer life might consist of asking the Heavenly Father to administer growth in my heart. “Help me to be more like You,” I pray often. “Let my life show Your fruit!” But it is impossible to pray that prayer and know what you’re asking for… I’m never prepared for how He will answer.

As we sat in the waiting room for a physician to look at Michael’s finger, I could feel it happening. Patience was slipping away. And all sympathy or concern was passing, and being replaced with selfishness.

I might as well have told God in my completely self-absorbed way, “Listen, I know what I asked for, but I didn’t mean on my Saturday!”

The truth is, I’ve never resembled Jesus when it comes to showing lovingkindness – My attitude is more like this: “Oh! You’re hurt? I’m so sorry! Now, lets get on with things.” And every time I’m given the opportunity to allow fruit to develop, I destroy it! Especially yesterday, on my Saturday, when all I could do was think: “Look, honey- It is Saturday! I don’t have time for this! I’m sorry you almost cut your finger off – but I have stuff to do…”

Oh, I realize it sounds ugly – but I’m not good at compassion some times. I can be, if it is convenient for me. And even as I type these words, I’m aware (again) of how sinful I am.

Last night, when it was late and dark and rainy and cold, and we realized we were out of bandages that we needed to wrap Michael’s finger, I made a run to Walgreen’s. For some reason on that drive, I was reminded of the Scripture from Isaiah 53:

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.

His death on the cross, bearing every sin, allows Him to understand each one of us deeply in a human way – whether death or suffering or sin or sickness – It was all laid on Him to experience. I will never be able to understand or care for my loved ones to this degree. It is impossible.

But, here is how that Scripture can change me: The more I focus on His complete sacrifice, the less my selfish motives make sense. And, the more I allow His great love to sink deeply into my heart, the more love I will be able to offer others. Maybe when this truly happens, someday, I will be less interested in my prayers being answered on the right day, and I’ll welcome Him to work in my heart on His terms.

in my kitchen

Over the Top…

October 29, 2015September 16, 2022 melodyannday2 Comments

It’s Thursday, the day after I became a 37 yr old. Now, I know, I know. Some of you are a little upset because you thought I was closer to 40 than that. In an effort to make it up to you, who have this grievance, I am giving you a favorite recipe.

Thirty Seven, after being thirty five and thirty six for so long felt, well, over the top. So, I thought it was appropriate to share a recipe for these cookies that I made for an event recently. They are called “Over the Top Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies.” Proportionally they are about as over the top as it felt to turn 37, which was a lot.

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Yesterday someone mentioned to me that, “It’s all down hill from here…” Oh yes, thank you ever so much for that encouragement. I guess it was more over the top than I knew…Once you’re up and over there’s not anywhere else to go than down. oh dear.

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These cookies seem to feel right for the Fall season, too. Although, truthfully when does chocolate and peanut butter not feel right? I wouldn’t know – I have an unconditional love for Reese’s cups or anything of the sort. YUM!

So, here is the recipe for you. If you felt deceived about my age, please accept this as a token of my sincere apology. And, I hope this makes things okay between us now.

Over the Top Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup peanut butter
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
32 mini Reese’s peanut butter cups, each cut into 4 pieces

1. Mix the ingredients down to the vanilla. Add soda, salt & flour. Fold in chocolate chips.

2. Using an ice cream scoop, scoop dough (these are big cookies!). place 6 scoops of dough on ungreased cookie sheets. use your hand & slightly flatten each scoop of dough. Cook for 12 minutes at 350.

3. Remove cookies from oven & lightly press 8 cut up pieces of the Reese’s peanut butter cups over the top of each cookie. Return to the oven for 2 more minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes before placing on cooling rack.

Makes 18 cookies

Notes: I’ve used semi sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chunks. In place of the Reese’s pb cups, you could also use mini or regular M & M’s or Reese’s pieces. The photos here show my cookies with a combo of the mini cups and Reese’s pieces.

Also, I do make smaller cookies – using a scant 1/4 cup scoop. and by scant I mean I only fill the scoop about 2/3 full. – just be sure to watch the baking time if you make the smaller cookie – takes about 12 minutes, add the toppers, then bake another 3 or so…

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Enjoy! This recipe was given to me by my lovely and talented sister, Marilyn. 🙂

Originally posted October 4, 2012.

a bit of history · friends and loved ones · who knows?

locked out

October 27, 2015 melodyannday2 Comments

It happened at our church on the first night of children’s choir a few weeks ago. Nothing unusual or out of the ordinary was going on – I arrived at the church with two of my children and started preparing for all of the choir activities I had planned.

My Isaac and Mackenzie were happily situated at the back of the sanctuary on a pew, playing on iPads and waiting for me while I did my thing. I ran upstairs to make some copies and find the rhythm sticks. Without realizing I became a bit distracted chatting with Pastor Chris – when I heard a faint holler.

It was “Moooooooooooooom!!!!” with an urgency – two little voices crying out in the distance. I dropped what I was doing and bolted down the stairs thinking I was about to find one of my children injured. Setting foot in the back of the sanctuary – I could still hear their cries from a far – they were not sitting where they should have been.

I began opening office doors, cry room doors, closet doors – all the time hearing their calls, but never discovering them behind those closed doors. And then finally -I flung open the door to the outside corridor between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. And there they were : locked outside!

At once they began to sob: “We thought you had left us! We didn’t think you were coming for us!” Upon much consoling and wiping of tears, I convinced them that just wouldn’t have happened.

Their account goes like this: they had come looking for me, stepped out into the walkway between the entrances, let one door close behind them before knowing if the other door was unlocked. And so they found themselves – where they weren’t supposed to be. I encouraged them to wait for me next time.

And so my story goes too. Maybe yours too?

Often I struggle with the events of this world. It is so broken by the effects of sin. How can I go on? I wander off the path distracted – looking for ways to fix this world; maybe new government or laws, possibly stronger morals in our communities, or different politics, or new religious ideas…

The reality is, while those may be okay in some aspects, there isn’t true salvation in any of them. When I finally remember this truth, that none of those things are are ever going to work, I come to my senses…

and it is then that I find myself desperately pleading with God Himself, “Come back! Why have you left us here? Have you forgotten us? Are you ever coming back?!?” Not unlike how my children were calling out for me…

The good news is that no matter what is happening on this globe, or where we’ve misplaced our hope for an artificial savior, He has not forgotten. He’s not throwing open closet doors searching for us. He’s not late or distracted. He knows exactly what’s going on – He will come back for us at a very specific time that He has planned, just as He’s promised.

He is the only key to our hope and salvation. His promise in John 14 is as true as it has ever been, and certainly one to cling to:

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

a bit of history · friends and loved ones

blowing on the coals

October 22, 2015 melodyanndayLeave a comment

Krista and I spoke two nights ago over the phone, just as we had planned. She’s my cousin Jay’s wife, so we’re cousin-in-laws I suppose – but more importantly, we are also good friends. Jay and Krista live in Huntsville, Ontario, but they leave with their family mid November for a two year mission term in Papa New Guinea.

I can’t really comprehend what it would be like to do what they are doing, but I’m going to try to be a steadfast prayer partner for her while they are there, in PNG. The whole thing is mind boggling to me. It is epic. Off the charts. Unfathomable.

As we chatted about the journey they are on and shared prayer requests she said something I won’t forget. One of the things they hope to do while there is encourage the other missionaries who have been ministering in PNG for a while; many need Spiritual refreshment (and who wouldn’t?). So, they hope to “blow on the coals” and that the Holy Spirit will use them to revive the passion for Jesus in that community.

blow on the coals, she said.

When we finished, and I was in bed trying to fall sleep, I briefly thought – I sure wish someone could blow on my coals a bit. Truthfully, it has been a bit of a discouraging week and my fire is down to embers.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Jesus, I’m doing all the things I should do. But, I’m not glowing with my normal passion. I’ve been reading the book of John this week; it is my favorite and I really thought I might blow on my own coals, so to speak.

At any rate, tonight I went to children’s choir rehearsal, because that’s what I do. And can you guess what happened? I heard these precious voices singing, praising God, and it was as though my heart was massaged. Their words pressed in and the Holy Spirit used them to minister to me.

We sang together the Romans 11 Doxology, exalting the greatness of our God. Then, To You We Bring The Highest Praise, glorifying His goodness and His gracious work in our lives. There is nothing so refreshing, so revitalizing as praise coming from the mouths of children!

How incredible it is to be a part of the body of Christ where, by His providence, each one of us can be used as He sees fit! I’m so grateful for a Heavenly Father who meets my needs. Even before I ever really knew how to pray, He sent these beautiful children to “blow on my coals” tonight!

friends and loved ones · home schooling · who knows?

here, lately…

October 15, 2015October 15, 2015 melodyanndayLeave a comment

We’ve been in the midst of beginning our Thanksgiving season. At our house we try to celebrate God’s good gifts to us with thankful hearts from Canadian Thanksgiving all the way to American Thanksgiving – which spans about 40 days. (give or take a few)

Mostly, we try to write down and collect up “thankfulnesses” on little cards. Each day we store them up in a jar. Eventually, on Thanksgiving morning, we will spread them out on the dining room table and read them.

Giving regular thanks, right here at this time of year, is a way to combat my own sinful heart in the coming season. The Advent Season is supposed to be about Jesus coming as our Redeemer and Savior – but often times it ends up in a materialistic quagmire and the pursuit of accumulating more stuff. In my heart of hearts I want to enter Advent this December with my mind dedicated to the giving of thanks for Jesus most of all.

In the mean time, let me give thanks to Him for all of his gracious blessings! These small mercies, that are actually really big in my life, make my journey oh so sweet.

my girl, with our newest thankful jar, her own creation.

our homeschooling life, on-the-go learning at Panera

this pup and her girl – both make me smile.

this new music, balm for my (sometimes- weary- mama’s) heart.

Grandma’s pumpkin pie, eaten with my folks at their house a few miles from mine, celebrating Thanksgiving together. (oooh- there are several things to be thankful for, just in that one phrase)

This guy. always. forever thankful.

and my new chair for teaching piano lessons, giving me new perspective.

Happy Season of Thanks y’all!

I’d love to hear what you’re giving thanks to God for these days!

a bit of history · in my kitchen

Grandma B’s Pumpkin Pie…

October 14, 2015October 11, 2022 melodyannday5 Comments

My dear Grandma, and my mum, celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving together in Strathroy ONT yesterday!

(This post was originally written on American Thanksgiving in 2009, but after making my pumpkin pie yesterday I’m thinking of my dear Grandma! I’m just a bit home sick I suppose, for all of my friends and family who do not live close by… To all of my loved ones, while you are miles away from Chattanooga, TN – you are always close to my heart!)

Its thanksgiving tomorrow. I’m prepared, I think. I’ve got gingerbread dough chilling in the refrigerator, ready to roll, cut, bake and decorate. I’ve got the filling for my pumpkin pie mixed up, ready to bake in the morning so it will be fresh. Sweet potatoes are roasting in the oven as we speak so I can make my souffle. My food preparation is well on the way.

But there’s a problem that no amount of preparation or planning can solve. Its a geographical dilemma. I’m a northerner. Yes, I am from the north – and I’m not just a yankee. I’m half canadian. For me, this means that distance is not the only problem. My canadian family already had their Thanksgiving celebrations 6 weeks ago.

My biological family – is very spread out. I have american family as far out west as Oklahoma City, OK and Canadian family as far north as Huntsville, Ontario. I have cousins spread out all across the fruited plain. My own sister is 8 ours away in South Carolina and my parents are in Grand Rapids Michigan.

This is not a new situation, to be sure. I can count on my hands the amount of times I’ve been able to celebrate Thanksgiving with extended family. Because the times are few and far between, that makes the memories that much more sweet.

I remember specifically a canadian Thanksgiving when I was in grade five. We were living in London at the time and so we were privileged to celebrate with the Brubacher clan. That’s my mom’s family, and its big. We are so big we have to meet in church fellowship halls when we get together. On this particular occasion, I was 10. I recall 2 very specific things about this Thanksgiving. The Brubacher family was large enough, even then, for the cousins to form 2 teams for a floor hockey game in the church gym. The game was underway when I was the recipient of my cousin, Lee’s, high sticking – slap shot, across my face. Ah – good times.

There’s another memory from that particular Thanksgiving. It was my first taste of my Grandma Brubacher’s pumpkin pie that I really remember. From that first taste, I knew. That is what Thanksgiving should taste like – it was fluffy and soft, pumpkin-y and spicey all at the same time. I will never forget that little bite of heaven.

There have been other Thanksgivings, and other delicious foods but none can compare to my Grandma B’s pumpkin pie.

This year on thanksgiving we will spend the day with my husband’s parents. Once again my family is too far away to be able to celebrate together. This is my ninth Thanksgiving with the Day family and I have made many wonderful memories. My daughter takes a hike with her grandaddy every year on Thanksgiving before dinner and that is so special. My mother in law, Ellavene, makes a pumpkin roll that’s ‘to die for’. Some day I secretly hope I’ll be able to make it as well as she does for my grandkids. One year she tried to sneak in a store-bought pumpkin roll. It didn’t work – hers is way too good to try to replace it with a Bi-Lo version.

Old memories and new memories alike bring great joy to me. As I think about what Thanksgiving is truly about, I know that I can take part in this holiday with a full heart. Though near and far, I have a family that loves me. I am so blessed in every aspect of my life! And I am very grateful for God’s goodness.

It goes without saying I will miss all of my family tomorrow. But this year, I’m taking Canadian Thanksgiving with me. I’m baking my Grandma Brubacher’s pumpkin pie. If it turns out half as good as hers, it will be delicious! And while I eat those bites of pumpkin pie, I will be celebrating with all of my family whether they are in Ottumwa, Iowa; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Charleston, South Carolina or Toronto, Ontario.

And to Grandma B, I love you – all the way up there in Huntsville! I thank you for the special memory (and the recipe)! This pie’s for you!

(written November 25, 2009)

friends and loved ones

how to turn 40

October 4, 2015 melodyannday1 Comment

The thing is, I wasn’t really sure about this whole turning 40 business. A couple months ago I felt sure I wanted to celebrate, and that if I was going to age, I wanted to do it right. But, I really didn’t know what that meant.

I recognize that I’ve been aging all along, but 40 seems to be a hurdle.

At any rate – what I realized this past week more than ever is this: I wanted to celebrate this life I’ve been given. There is a significant amount of goodness and it is easy to move about my days without recognizing it all.

The good things in my life largely revolve around the gifts of fellowship and relationships – my husband, my children, my parents, and my in-laws, my sister and her family, my husbands’ siblings and their families, and my dear friends. These are the gifts from God that I do not celebrate enough!

This morning twelve friends converged on my home for a birthday brunch. As we sat in a circle in my living room and shared our favorite things with each other, I had to really make an effort to not be tearful. These women are such a large part of my heart and life. Some I talk to weekly, if not daily. Some, I’m only able to visit with once every couple months.

But, I see each one of them and the friendship we share as God’s gracious, beautiful gift to me. This morning that goodness soaked into the very deepest places of my heart and I was reminded that I am greatly blessed. Indeed, I am a very rich 40 year old. If that’s not worth celebrating, I don’t know what is.

So in case, you don’t know, I’ve decided to turn 40 by celebrating God’s gracious gifts in my life! It is really the only way to go, no matter what age you are!