Sleepless in Lorton

No fancy love story here, just plain can't sleep. What do you do when you can't sleep? I often try to pray and hope that somewhere in my prayers my mind will drift off. Tonight I remember some things that I was very, very late in completing and knew I wouldn't fall asleep until I got up and did them. That's all done now, including a few emails that I needed to send and I'm still not sleepy. I hesitate to go back upstairs and read...I make wake up Rich and he just worked a 16 hour day and faces another tomorrow and the next day...any suggestions?

Our of Excuses

I'm all out of excuses for not keeping up with this blog. I'm tempted to make a resolution to be better, but know there will be times I break that resolution and then I'll feel guilty. So, what I'll do is apologize (yet again) and start a new. I'm sorry and appreciate all of you who faithfully check this blog only to be disappointed.

On to the new...you'll soon be hearing about lots of exciting things coming up in women's ministries. You'll be hearing about things that sparkle and shine. Here's some of my inspiration...

Gifts from today

On Saturday and again today, Julie challenged us to notice the small gifts we receive, to acknowledge God in our lives. I may not get them written down on my note cards, but wanted to post some of the gifts I received today.

1. The gift of fellowship with the women of LCC


2. The gift of hospitality given to me by Melissa opening her beautiful home


3. The gift of little kisses when Maryn was supposed to be napping


4. The gift of snuggles and love from Maryn...I ended up napping with her after the dog scared her by coming into her room


5. The gift of rest...no I didn't get the things done that I would have liked to, but they'll still be there tomorrow


6. The gift of Caleb's placement on his basketball team, a great coach and kids he knows


7. The gift of Josh being old enough (and competent) to watch Maryn so I could take Caleb to practice and get some errands done


8. The gift of clean kitchen counter tops...it may not last, but it is an accomplishment none the less!


9. The gift of a quiet evening

How about you? I just wonder what our lives would be like if we consistently counted our blessings!

Organized Christmas

For all my organizing and planning this holiday season, I've really dropped the ball (again) with the LCC women's blog, again I apologize! I thought I was on good path and things would be easy and stress free. Well as usual, I was not correct...I do believe that I will see many blessings from my early planning, but there are things in life that you can't plan for. Take illness for example...who plans to get sick? I surely don't and it's even harder when it's your child who is sick - don't worry it's just a cold. And then there is the potty re-training. I surely didn't plan on that!

All this emphasizes what Julie challenged us to do on Saturday...to look for the daily little blessings throughout this busy time of year. I hope to have some notes from Julie to post on the blog for those who missed it. So, let's look for those small little blessings like an extra smile and hug even if it is from a snotty nosed kid!

Recipes

Thanks to all the ladies who came out on Friday evening! It was a fun evening and we missed you, if you weren't there. Here are the two recipes I promised.

Chicken Cesar Pizza

· Cut chicken into bite size pieces
· Marinade in Ken’s Light Cesar Dressing for at least 20 minutes
· Saute chicken in pan until cooked through
· Roll out (or use pre-purchased) pizza dough
· Layer the pizza:
o Small amount of dressing
o One clove of garlic
o Cooked chicken
o Mozzarella cheese
o Parmesan cheese

· Cook in 400 degree oven for 20-30 minutes until done
· Serve with Cesar salad

Applesauce Cake

2 cups flour (I used half regular and half whole wheat flour)
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. Salk
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup unsalted margarine, melted (I used salted butter, it's what was in the house.)
1 can applesauce 16 ounces

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Sift dry ingredients together in mixing bowl. Dust raisins with a little flour, stir in to distribute evenly. Blend in melted butter and applesauce, beat for 3 minutes with electric mixer (I mixed by hand, too lazy to get the mixer out). Pour batter into 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake 45 minutes or until done.

I made a glaze from confectioners sugar and water for a thin layer of frosting.

Enjoy!

Many thanks

Many thanks to Lauren for opening her home and leading our discussion about planning for Christmas. Thank you to those who were able to attend and for those who couldn't, you can find some of the ideas on the www.organizedchristmas.com website. It is linked from this website. Our next activity is Friday, November 14th, from 7:30-9pm. I hope you can join us!

Daytime Women's Fellowship

This Wednesday we are having a daytime women's fellowship (November 5 from 9:30-11:30). Lauren Mullins has graciously offered to host us and lead our discussion time. Our focus will be on preparation for the holidays. I hope those of you who at home during the day will be able to make it. I know I'm looking forward to doing all I can this year to make the holidays less stressful.

I know there are many ladies in our church who work outside the home or school their children and won't be able to make it. If this topic is of great interest to you, please let me know. Depending on interest and a willing host/leader, we may be able to have a duplicate session.

Our change series is reaching its conclusion. I know there are many things I'd like to change and that will be the purpose of our women's gathering on Friday, November 14th from 7:30-9pm or so at my home.

Details for all our upcoming events are posted on the church calendar. If you are not receiving women's ministry emails, please let me know so you can be added to the ministry distribution list.