Men's Dessert Bake-off

Our social committee at church plans several events during the year, to bring out the various talents of our church family . . . and yesterday evening was the Men's Dessert Competition.

Now, you've got to know the fun-loving attitude of our members, which was the attitude that led to an obvious increase in testosterone, apparent by a lot of smack-talking the last couple of weeks. One member, Randy, even felt the necessity to do a little intimidation at the campout last weekend. . . just a little ole' cheesecake with oreo cookies as the crust, and peanut butter bars within (whole). He brought it out for dessert after our lunch, and served it to his fellow contestants . . . just to let them know what they'd be up against. ('twas quite funny!)

Well that was all it took for the testosterone to begin bubbling in OUR house, that's for sure. Karl and Matthew put on their thinking caps, and decided to each make a favorite of theirs for entry. Karl made a Caramel Cookie Cake (or Biscotti Torta De Caramella . . . isn't THAT decadent sounding????) And Matthew made Truffles (I had to run to the internet to look up what that even IS when he told me his decision! - sigh - I'm just a country girl at heart!!).

The bake-off was held at the Hostetter's Hanger (they move their plane out for socials sometimes, and they have a bathroom and kitchen built into the hanger) at Siloam Springs airport, and all entries had to be dropped off NO LATER THAN 4:00 pm. As luck would have it, Karl had set appointments for two contractors to come by at 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm to give us quotes on fixing our floors (the "sink" in the dining room, and the "speedbump" in the living room). Well, contractor #1 didn't even leave until 2:40, after contractor #2 had arrived! We live 1 hr (approx) from where the contest was, so we had to leave no later than 3:00 pm. By 2:50 pm Matthew had completed his dessert, but Karl's was just 1/4 finished! Matt took over and completed Karl's dessert, and we ran out the door at 3:10 to go pick up mom. We raced (sorry to break this to you, but YES, I DID SPEED down the road and made it at 3:58 pm. ! Karl had to finish with contractor #2 and drive separately.

No contestants (or anyone else) could be in the building while the judging was going on, so we spent some time at Wal-Mart and getting the car washed. When we arrived back at the hanger, people were filing in . . . Karl was on his way . . . so we went ahead in. What lay before us, was at least four ten-foot long tables (yes, a forty-foot table) decorated in fall motif, just LOADED with desserts! The variety was astounding . . . and talk about smelling good in there!!!!! I didn't count the desserts, but they must of had at least 30 - 40 desserts!!!!

Tables and chairs were also set up for everyone to sit and eat at . . . all with fall tablecloths, decor and candles lit.

Let me just say, the women have all decided that we have found some un-tapped talents . . . and from now on, the men are expected to supply dessert at the once-a-month potlucks!!! yippee!!

We all had chili with fixin's, cornbread and salad . . . then after the judging were allowed tastes of whatever desserts our hearts desired ! YUM-O!

Although neither of my guys were in the top three winners, their desserts were winners in my book, and in everyone elses as well, since there was only a little left of one (which I polished off, since I didn't have dessert there . . . I was too busy snuggling with Megan Elizabeth, our Pastor & Wife's 10 week old daughter - I know, surprise, surprise!).

Our excellent turnout must of been 150 - 200 people . . . and a VERY FUN TIME was had by all!

PS - Pictures will be coming!

Music

Matthew has a love of all kinds of music . . . he plays the guitar, sings, writes music, and last year he joined the Choir in West Fork Middle School. He practiced a LOT after school in the 1st nine weeks, and tried out for All Regions Choir We were all thrilled that he made the All Region Choir, and the opportunity it offorded him. He was able to go to a choir all-day practice with a prestigious teacher from another area of Arkansas, and had the performances at the end of the day. He has a beautiful barritone/bass voice, and all these kids auditioned individually, so they were the cream of the crop from Northwest Arkansas. At the end of the day, they performed 2-4 songs that they learned that day, and the choirs were phenominal. . . and we were mightly proud of him. It is a priviledge and an honor to get there.

This year he is as involved with Choir again, and now is in High School, where he is pumped up to be able to learn from the other guys in the choir. Mr. Gay, his Choir Teacher, is awesome with these high schoolers. The ones who began under him in Middle School have an edge on the first-timers in the choir this year, because they have already learned about music . . . the flats and sharps and tones . . . I've never ever heard the doh-rae-me-sa-te-la-tee-doh ( I know that isn't right, but you get the picture, sung so fast and in so many variations!! They have a period of Choir during the day, and then there are times there are voluntary practices after school.

At our last parent-teacher conference last week Mr. Gay said he thinks Matt is a very good singer, and has the potential of getting choir scholarships in college. He is going to call Dr. Jones, a well-respected professor in the music department at the University of Arkansas, to see if there are any graduate students giving voice lessons that would be involved with mentoring Matt. Matt is SOOO excited about this prospect. We're keeping our fingers crossed and waiting for a reply.

As a kind of neat note, the choir has a fund-raiser for students to earn credit towards their Tux/Dress (tux's are $100+ through where they get them), which is the responsibility of a parking lot at U of A Razerback football games. You have to be there hours ahead of game time, because Razerback fans are huge on getting there early, setting up smokers and grills, etc. and tailgating. Matt has made it to two of these . . . and the awesome side of this is they then get a ticket to go into the game!

He's been workin' hard! Go Matt!

The day after election day

After all the campaigning it is hard to believe that the Presidential Election for 2008 is finally over. The ballots have been cast, counted and discussed. After only 20% of votes in from the precincts and states, Obama was declared the winner. Not to long afterwards McCain gave his concession speech. Whether or not I voted for Obama or McCain, as I watched TV last night, and saw the crowd assembling in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois I would've had to be "dead" to not feel the energy, excitement, encouragement, pride, democracy in action, voting turnout at its greatest since 1908, and then the anticipation of "Change' on its way.

We truly have so much to be grateful for . . . living in a democratic country!

One of the best days of my life

One day you wake up, and you don't even realize it yet . . . that this is the day . . . one of those few days in your life. . . that will be a BEST day of your life. It's easy for most to imagine . . . but you can't completely know . . . until you experience it . . . you feel that wonderful feeling of love well up inside of you . . . until that day is there for you . . . a day that Your daughter weds HER Heart's Desire. It is a feeling of love, of security, of God's outpouring of santictification, of a oneness that you know . . . especially if you've found Your Heart's Desire. It's a day when you feel as if you are giving a part of yourself away . . . your daughter . . . who you labored to bring into this world . . . who you lovingly raised . . . who you've watched learn, and grow, and hurt, mature, and love unconditionally. This day is emotional . . . it is wonderful . . . words can hardly describe the feeling. . . it is the only day that your only daughter is married.

Cristyane and Don's wedding was a day full of glorious memories. I can honestly say that a good time was had by all who attended this day. Hearts were bonded, romance was felt, unconditional love abounded. Here are some of the pictures from that day:




Mark - Jon - Cristyane - Matthew - Carol

Don - Carol - Cristyane - Mark


Don's Parents - Don - Cristyane - Cris' Parents


Trinity (5) and Cristyane



Trinity - who was flower girl

Falling Leaves and Halloween

It's a beautiful fall day in the Ozarks, and living in the woods, there are falling leaves all around. Though it's only nearing 70 degrees, I have my office window open a bit, and can hear the wind in the trees. What a beautiful day . . . and it's halloween. My thoughts go to our grandchildren, who are all so very far away. Will the weather be good in Maryland and in Utah? Will the children have costume parades at school? Will Trinity be both Cinderella and a Witch on the same Halloween (her Grammy and her Mom both bought costumes, unknowingly)? What costumes will Carter, Ethan and Olivia be wearing? Will the girls be dancing around and twirling . . . with the boys be stoic and scary? What a fun time of year!!!

I have a bowl full of candy in anticipation that NO trick-or-treaters will venture this far out of town . . . and My Soul's Desire (Karl), Matthew (the serious black robe and hooded villain) and I will be left to the daunting task of devouring Snickers, Butterfingers and Almond Joys. Since My Soul's Desire and I will be alone for the evening, we will go trick-or-treating "over the moat and through the woods to Grandmom's house", to take her some of her favorite, Almond Joys.

Speaking of Grandmom (alias Ruth, and Mom S.), she is undergoing Physical Therapy for her very low back pain . . . she's gone for two weeks, and she's not sure if it is helping yet, for she still has a LOT of pain. For a woman who has had such incredibly good health, this is truly a trying time for her. Because of her pain, she has not been able to go to her church calling as a temple worker this month. And I think she's okay with that. What a wonderful woman she is, and it is difficult to see her hurting. She and I have been scheduling our appointments near enough together that I have been driving us in to town. Her car had been in the shop as well, but she has it back for a week or so . . . I am hoping I can convince her to still let me take her in . . . I'm just afraid if she had to brake quickly and hard that she may not be able to with her back pain. Say a prayer for her. . .

We're excited about this weekend . . . it's our church's campout at Robber's Cave State Park in Oklahoma. Because of my health issues, we are not camping . . . but there is a Motel in a little town 5 miles from there, and we may end up spending Saturday Night there. It depends on the schedule of events, etc. I have heard that there is great hiking there . . . and though I can't do the hiking, Karl and Matt can. I'll be there for the social aspect . . . seeing my friends (which are my family here, too), will fill my heart with so much joy . . . I'm really looking forward to it! Plus, with the leaves just midway though changing, I'm expecting beautiful scenary, and taking in the beauty that our Heavenly Father has provided. I have a new bird book that I bought at Blackwater Wildlife Refuge in Maryland, and I will be taking that along, with binoculars and our camera, of course! We're to have wonderful weather in the low 70's all weekend . . . I can't wait!!