A BEEsy Mama

BEEing A Mom: Papa & Me

2011-11-22T23:18:00.001-08:00

"When someone you love becomes a memory,
the memory becomes a treasure."
~Author Unknown~

Last week I found a treasure wedged between the pages of my son's schoolwork: a picture he drew in his kindergarten class a couple of weeks ago. My eyes filled with tears as I studied the artwork. With big smiles on their faces, two stick figures stand side-by-side next to snow-capped mountains. The picture bears a caption in my son's handwriting:

Papa me
In The mountains

Three months ago, my dad--Hayden's grandpa who he calls Papa Jack--lost his fight against cancer and went to be with the Lord. Hayden adored his grandpa. One of the most difficult moments in my life was telling my five-year-old that his grandpa was gone. My heart ached for my little guy's loss. Since his birth, I'd dreamt of him growing up with his Papa Jack, the two of them going fishing together, playing jokes on one another, and of course, my dad sharing his wise advice with my son.

A few days after my dad's passing, I remember saying to my mom, "I don't want him to forget his grandpa. He's only five. Will he remember the time they spent together?"

My mom stared directly into my eyes as she said, "Did you know your grandfather?"

I hesitated for a moment. I'd never met my mom's dad. He passed away when my mom was fifteen.

"You knew him," my mom said, "because you grew up hearing stories about him, didn't you?"

I nodded. Yes, I knew him because my mom passed on his legacy through her memories of him.

"And Hayden," my mom continued, "will know his grandpa, too."

Deep within, I knew my mom was right. And yet in the weeks that followed, I wondered if Hayden would truly remember his time with his Papa Jack.

Last week when I saw the picture Hayden had drawn at school, I knew he hadn't forgotten the many moments he had shared with his Papa Jack. He remembers.

And so I, too, will carry on the tradition my mom began when I was a child. With Hayden in my lap, I'll tell him about the memories I have of my dad. Hayden will know his grandpa.

Raffle Fundraiser for Sandi Rog

2011-11-18T09:24:00.000-08:00

I'd like to take a few moments today to share a special opportunity to help a family with costs associated with fighting cancer.

On November 1, 2010, Sandi Rog was told by her doctor that she had stage 4 T-cell lymphoma, possibly caused by the medication she had been taking for MS. This was on the same day that her debut novel, The Master's Wall, released. For the last year, Sandi has endured chemo, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant, with the hope of destroying this aggressive cancer. And then, just a few weeks before the release of her second book, new tumors were discovered near her spine that show the cancer has not succumbed the way we had all hoped.

So now, in the face of the holiday season, the Rog family finds themselves settling in for another year of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual battle as Sandi faces more treatments--one of which holds much promise but is not covered by insurance. As you can imagine, the financial cost of fighting cancer can be overwhelming.

Sandi's friends are hosting a fundraiser to help the Rog family with these financial costs. Beginning on November 25th, you can purchase raffle tickets for gift baskets and individual prizes. Every $5 donation gets you a "raffle ticket"--a comment on the blog post containing the basket or item you want.

For more details about the raffle and the gift baskets and individual prizes that will be raffled, please visit the Fundraiser for Sandi Rog Blog.

BEEginings: Blogging at ChannelMom.com

2011-11-09T19:52:00.000-08:00

About two years ago, I began blogging here at BEEsy Mama. It's been such a joy to share my day-to-day musings of the life of a BEEsy Mama trying to slow down to savor the sweet things in life. I realize this last year I haven't blogged here as often as I hoped. My family has faced heartbreaking circumstances this year, and during that time, I sensed I needed to take a short break from blogging.

Now I'm entering a new season of life and looking forward to posting more articles here at BEEsy Mama. Additionally, I'm happy to announce that I will also be periodically contributing blog entries at ChannelMom.com. This website offers a wealth of information and advice for moms of children of all ages. Please check out this website, particularly the ChannelMom Show and my dear friend and talented writer Lydia Shoaf's "Lydisms" blog entries.

My first blog entry was posted yesterday at ChannelMom.com. Here's a link to the article: More Than A Spectator. Please stop by the website and check out my article. I'd love to hear what you think.

Blessings,
Juliet Kennedy
A BEEsy Mama

BEEyond the Hive: Autumn's Splendor

2011-10-05T16:12:00.000-07:00

"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in."

~George Washington Carver~

As an annual tradition, my family and I embarked on a day-long road trip this last weekend through Colorado's mountains. This year, we decided to take a different route than in year's past. We ventured into the mountain's in northwest Colorado near where I grew up. Our journey took us through Silverthorne, Kremmling, Steamboat Springs, Oak Creek, and Vail. The brilliant changing colors on the aspens and foliage dazzled us! Here's a sampling of the photographs I took on my trip. I hope you enjoy them! :0)

Gore Range near Silverthorne, Colorado

Gore Range near Silverthorne, Colorado

Oh, what exquisite cloud formations God painted in the sky!

View from the road between Silverthorne and Kremmling.

A corral between Silverthorne and Kremmling.

A field of hay bales on our way to Kremmling.

Gorgeous foliage on Rabbit Ears Pass.

Rabbit Ears Pass near Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Rabbit Ears Pass

Rabbit Ears Pass

Grove of aspens on Rabbit Ears Pass

Rabbit Ears Pass

I love the beauty of barren tree branches.

Rabbit Ears Pass

View of Lake Catamount from Rabbit Ears Pass

Aspens in Vail, Colorado

BEElievin' God's Word: Hebrews 11:1

2011-09-27T21:03:00.000-07:00

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of
what we do not see.

~Hebrews 11:1~

This Scripture has encouraged me to stand firm in my hope and faith in God as my family and I have faced difficulties and sorrow this year. It's been my faith in God and His promises of who He is and what He's capable of doing that have carried me through these trials.

FAITH breathes HOPE into us.

Here's a song from Kutless that reminds us of how beautiful and powerful faith can be in our lives.

BEEtween the Pages: The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

2011-07-13T18:51:00.000-07:00

The end of the only life I've known, thought Mariah Aubrey, looking back through the carriage window at the shrinking figures of her mother and sister. Nineteen-year-old Julia stood in the foreground, shoulders heaving as she wept. The sight seared Mariah's heart. Their mother stood behind, hand on Julia's arm, in consolation, in empathy--perhaps even in restraint. And there came their father, down the steps of Attwood Park. He had not come out to bid her farewell. He would not, he insisted, "sanction vice, nor seek to lessen its disgrace."

~Opening lines in Julie Klassen's
The Girl in the Gatehouse~

Set in England during the Regency era, Julie Klassen's latest novel, The Girl in the Gatehouse, tells the story of Mariah Aubrey, a young woman banished from the only home she's ever known to live in a secluded gatehouse on a relative's estate. With her faithful servant, Miss Dixon, Mariah begins a new life at the gatehouse, befriending other servants on the estate and residents at the neighboring poorhouse and supporting herself and Miss Dixon by writing novels in secret. Mariah resigns herself to a solitary life with no hopes of ever marrying. But soon she meets the estate's new tenant, the handsome Captain Matthew Bryant, and in the months that follows, an attraction forms between the them. Will Captain Bryant uncover Mariah's identity and secretive past? And how will he treat her once he learns of her impropriety?

This is the second novel written by Julie Klassen that I've read, and I must say that Klassen is becoming a favorite author for me. Not only does she skillfully paint a vivid picture of life in England during the Regency era, but she also crafts a diverse and interesting cast of characters and keeps the reader curious by the mystery she weaves throughout her stories.

I recommend The Girl in the Gatehouse to ladies who enjoy Regency era stories.

For more information about The Girl in the Gatehouse, please visit Bethany House's website.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: Transforming Prayer by Daniel Henderson

2011-04-19T08:51:00.000-07:00

"Worship-based prayer seeks the face of God before the hand of God. God's face is the essence of who He is. God's hand is the blessing of what He does. God's face represents His person and presence. God's hand expresses His provision for needs in our lives. I have learned that if all we ever do is seek God's hand, we may miss His face; but if we seek His face, He will be glad to open His hands and satisfy the deepest desires of our heart."

~Daniel Henderson in Transforming Prayer~

In his new book entitled Transforming Prayer, Daniel Henderson shares with readers the transformation that can happen when they seek God's face before His hands during worship-based prayer. In the first part of this book, Henderson describes how worship-based prayer differs from request-based prayer and how this type of prayer sets us up for an intimate encounter with God.

In the second part of the book, Henderson explores best practices for praying. While he recognizes some of the benefits of prayer lists, he encourages believers to rethink how they are using their "lists" during prayer. "Lists are simply tools," he writes. "It is important to keep in mind that, in any arena of Christian life, tools are meant to be used for a greater purpose, not cherished as the greater purpose."

In the third part, Henderson provides examples of how to adopt worship-based prayer during your daily devotional time. He emphasizes the importance of reading Scripture during your prayer time and meditating on the Scripture to: (1) learn about who God is, (2) give Him reverence, (3) seek how you are to respond to the passage, (4) articulate your requests to God, and (5) ponder on "the mission of your life and the warfare you can anticipate."

This book gave me a fresh perspective on how to pray. Since finishing it a week ago, I've tried some of the suggestions included in it. I can already see a transformation in my prayer life, and I'm encouraged and excited about further adopting worship-based prayer in my daily devotional time.

I highly recommend this book. For more information about it, please visit Bethany House's website.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones

2011-01-20T11:27:00.000-08:00

"... the Bible isn't a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story...It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story. And the center of the Story, there is a baby. Every Story in the Bible whispers his name. He is the missing piece in a puzzle--the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together, and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture."

~Excerpt from The Jesus Storybook Bible:
Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd-Jones~

A few days before Christmas, a friend and I chatted about ways we could share our love for and faith in Jesus with our young children. My friend mentioned a children's Bible she found valuable in imparting her faith to her sons. After our meeting, I hurried to a nearby bookstore and purchased this book--The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones.

Since Christmas, my son and I have been reading the stories in this Bible as part of our bedtime ritual. We've both been richly blessed with the stories and their messages. Over the years, I've purchased several different children's Bibles for my son, and this one ranks at the top as my favorite. With content targeted for children ages four to seven and colorful illustrations on each page, my son is eager each night to read a story from this Bible. And as a mom, I'm thrilled that this book not only teaches him about the different characters and stories in the Bible, but it also whispers Jesus' name in each story, just as the subtitle promises. This book shows children that from the beginning God had a beautiful and marvelous plan to send a Rescuer to save us.

I highly recommend The Jesus Storybook Bible for families with children ages four to seven.

BEE Fulfilled: My Heart's Desire for 2011

2011-01-06T08:38:00.000-08:00

"No matter where you live and what your days look like, you have a choice each day to depend on yourself, to live safely, and to try to control your life. Or you can live as you were created to live--as a temple of the Holy Spirit of God, as a person dependent on Him, desperate for God the Spirit to show up and make a difference."

~Francis Chan in Forgotten God:
Reversing Our Neglect of the Holy Spirit~

Like many, I've spent the last couple of weeks contemplating what resolutions I might set for this new year. In doing this, I reflected on what I learned in 2010 and how I could carry those lessons forward to 2011. Last year was a year rich in learning--learning about God and the Bible, about my family and friends and their needs, about the craft of writing, and about myself.

As I reflected on 2010, the lessons I learned from one of the Bible studies I participated in stood out. During the last three months of 2010, I completed a study of Francis Chan's Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit with some dear friends from my running group. This study challenged me to reexamine some of my longstanding beliefs about the Holy Spirit and my motives for wanting the Spirit's presence in my life. It also challenged me to seek the Spirit and follow Him in all areas of my life, which is a day-by-day journey. I marvel at the growth, wisdom, and understanding each lady in the group gained during the study. Friendships deepened and God transformed hearts. I love how God does that!

So for 2011, instead of jotting down a long list of resolutions, I only have one desire for this year: to follow the Holy Spirit to wherever He wants me to go. That's it. No small feat, I know. But I can't think of anything else I want more in my life. I yearn to be more dependent on God and to be obedient to what He calls me to do each day.

Chris Tomlin's song "I Will Follow" encapsulates my heart's desire for 2011, which you can listen to below. May this song and desire touch your heart as it has mine. :0)

BEEsy in the Kitchen: Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage, Peppers, & Onions Panini

2010-09-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

As Hayden and I prepared for a trip to the zoo this morning, I searched my fridge and pantry for something to pack for our brown bag lunch. Sandwiches sounded good, but I didn't have any deli meats and I wasn't craving PB&J today. I'd just picked up a package of sweet Italian turkey sausage the day before, and I still had some tomato basil bread leftover from a recent visit to Panera. Hmmm . . . Add some sauteed bell pepper and onion slices, a little bit of shredded mozzarella cheese, a few sprinkles of grated Parmesan, and a drizzle of pizza sauce. Voila! A new sandwich favorite. And the best part . . . It's healthier than similar versions I've ordered at sandwich shops. I hope you enjoy this recipe! :0)

A few notes about this recipe: Use your panini press if you have one or toast the sandwiches in a skillet or under the broiler in your oven. You can adjust the amount of olive oil used to saute the veggies and the amount of cheese according to your preferences and dietary needs.

Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage, Peppers, & Onions Panini
Serves 4

4 sweet Italian turkey sausage links, cooked
2 tsp olive oil
1 large sweet bell pepper, sliced thinly
1 small red or yellow onion, sliced thinly
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/4 cup pizza sauce (to drizzle on sandwich and for dipping)
8 slices of your favorite bread
Butter or margarine to spread on bread or cooking/butter spray for bread

Instructions:

(1) Preheat panini press at medium heat or broiler, if using.

(2) Thinly slice each cooked turkey sausage lengthwise. Set aside.

(3) Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper and onion slices and saute until soft, about 3-5 minutes. Set aside.

(4) Spread butter or margarine on one side of each bread slice. (As an alternative, you can spray one side of each slice with cooking spray or butter spray).

(5) Stack the following ingredients in the order listed on the unbuttered side of one bread slice: turkey sausage slices from one link, 1/4 of the pepper and onion mixture, 1 TBSP pizza sauce, 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, and 1 TBSP grated Parmesan. Place the unbuttered side of another bread slice on top of the sandwich filling. Repeat for 3 more sandwiches.

(6) If using skillet to toast sandwiches, heat skillet on medium-high heat. Depending on your toasting method, place prepared sandwiches on the panini press, in the skillet, or under the broiler. Cook until both sides are toasted and cheese is melted. Serve remaining pizza sauce for dipping, if desired.

BEE Fulfilled: The Mountain Peaks Belong to Him

2010-09-27T08:11:00.000-07:00

For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.

~Psalm 95:3-4 (NIV)~

Each autumn, my family and I set out for a day trip to view the fall colors in Colorado's Rocky Mountains. One of our favorite drives is over Fremont and Independence Passes. This last Saturday, we embarked on a 375-mile scenic drive over these two passes. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day for our trek as we marveled at a classic Colorado blue sky, the reddened tundra along the mountainsides, and golden aspen leaves fluttering from gentle breezes. Atop the summit of Independence Pass, I stood in awe at the magnificence and exquisiteness of God's creations. What an imagination our Heavenly Father had when he created the mountains! I'd like to share some of the photos I took on Saturday along with some psalms that sing praises to our Almighty Creator. May they be a blessing to you! :0)

Psalm 95:1-7

¹ Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

² Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.

³ For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.

⁴ In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.

⁵ The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.

⁶ Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

⁷ for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

Psalm 65:5-13

⁵ You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,

⁶ who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,

⁷ who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.

⁸ Those living far away fear your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades
you call forth songs of joy.

⁹ You care for the land and water it;
you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.

¹⁰ You drench its furrows
and level its ridges;
you soften it with showers
and bless its crops.

¹¹ You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.

¹² The grasslands of the desert overflow;
the hills are clothed with gladness.

¹³ The meadows are covered with flocks
and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing.

Psalm 36:5-7

⁵ Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the skies.

⁶ Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.

O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.

⁷ How priceless is your unfailing love!

Both high and low among men
find refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 148

¹ Praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD from the heavens,
praise him in the heights above.

² Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

³ Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars.

⁴ Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.

⁵ Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.

⁶ He set them in place for ever and ever;

he gave a decree that will never pass away.

⁷ Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

⁸ lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,

⁹ you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,

¹⁰ wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,

¹¹ kings of the earth and all nations,

you princes and all rulers on earth,

¹² young men and maidens,
old men and children.

¹³ Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

¹⁴ He has raised up for his people a horn,
the praise of all his saints,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 100

¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

² Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

³ Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 8

¹ O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.

² From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

³ When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

⁴what is man that

you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?

⁵ You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

⁶ You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:

⁷ all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,

⁸ the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

⁹ O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

BEEing A Mom: Oh, What a Mess!

2010-09-17T19:46:00.001-07:00

Some rocks, sticks, mud, and water: all the ingredients needed for a boy to embark on a playtime adventure.

As I peeked out my kitchen window earlier this afternoon, I knew this beautiful September day could not be wasted indoors. So I rounded up my crew--my little guy, Hayden, and our golden retriever, Bogie--and off we headed for some playtime at our neighborhood lake.

When we arrived at the lake's southern beach, I realized this trek probably would not end without paws and shoes laden in mud and fur and clothes drenched. I cringed at the gloppy mud bordering the lake's shoreline. I must confess I didn't want to release Bogie from his leash or allow Hayden to veer near the mud and water. Oh, to think of the mess they would make.

But as we strolled along the beach, Hayden inched closer and closer to the shoreline. Just on the edge of the muddy patch, Hayden bent over and gathered rocks, throwing them into the water. A few more steps and he plopped his Buzz Lightyear shoes into the muck. Bogie ran back and forth, begging me with whimpers to allow him to plunge into the lake. I sighed as I knelt to release Bogie from his leash. He dashed for the water, splashing Hayden along the way.

Hayden found a stick and pretended it was a fishing pole. I watched as clumps of mud clung to his shoes. Bogie ran to me and shook his damp fur, splattering drops of mud on my legs and clothes. At this point, keeping clean was a lost cause. So I shrugged when Hayden sat in the mud to empty his water-filled shoes, gathered handfuls of mud in the water, and skated in the mud.

Oh, what a mess it was! But oh, I'd do it again just to hear Hayden giggle and say "wee" every few steps and to watch Bogie act like the frisky puppy he once was many years ago.

BEEtween the Pages: Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

2010-09-10T05:31:00.000-07:00

"Here's a salute to a long life: goodness that outlives the grave, love that outlasts the final breath. May you live in such a way that your death is just the beginning of your life."

~Excerpt from Max Lucado's Outlive Your Life~

What if we as Christians were to follow in the footsteps of those in the early Christian church described in the first twelve chapters of Acts? What if we "rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with God's love and life?" In Max Lucado's newest book, Outlive Your Life, he challenges Christians to do just this. The great works carried out by those in the early church were not intended to occur only once in history but rather to extend over the centuries and generations to follow. Lucado prays: Do it again, Jesus. Do it again.

In the first chapter of this book, Lucado gives readers a snapshot of the heartbreaking problems and issues many face in our world today. He writes:

These are devastating times: 1.75 billion people are desperately poor, 1 billion hungry, millions are trafficked in slavery, and pandemic diseases are gouging entire nations. Each year nearly 2 million children are exploited in the global commercial sex trade and in the five minutes it took you to read these pages, almost ninety children died of preventable diseases. More than half of all Africans do not have access to modern health facilities. As a result, 10 million of them die each year from diarrhea, acute respiratory illness, malaria, and measles. Many of those deaths could be prevented by one shot.

Lucado recognizes the complexities involved in solving these global issues, but he believes that "God has given this generation, our generation, everything we need to alter the course of human suffering." In the chapters to follow, Lucado gives examples of believers throughout history--from those in the early Christian church to those today--who have outlived their lives. He also provides readers with practical ways they, too, can outlive their lives, including opening your door and your heart to others, doing good quietly, standing up for the have-nots, remembering who holds you, not writing anyone off, and praying first and most.

This book ranks toward the top of my list of the best books I've read this year. It stirred within me a deep yearning to seek God's direction on how I, too, can outlive my life. As I read this book, I pondered on how many times I have allowed fear, complacency, and busyness to keep me in my clamshell and prevent me from reaching out to those in need. The believers in the early Christian church showed us how to "let God unshell" us and use us to love and help others. Do it again, Jesus. Do it again.

I highly recommend this book to all readers. It will change your life. :0)

For more information about this book, please visit Thomas Nelson's website.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews

2010-09-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

What would it be like to be hungry all the time? Norman wondered as he looked at the endless rows of corn. There has to be a way this corn can feed the hungry people, he thought.

Right then and there, Norman decided to change the world.

~Excerpt from Andy Andrew's
The Boy Who Changed the World~

In his recent children's book, The Boy Who Changed the World, Andy Andrews tells the story of Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug and his yearning as a child in Iowa to one day feed the hungry. As an adult, Norman accomplishes his dream. But he couldn't have achieved it without the help of Vice President Henry Wallace and the decisions and actions of two men of earlier generations.

This intriguing story focuses on how our decisions today, no matter how small they seem at the time, can profoundly affect future generations. As the mom of a four-year-old, I cherish stories like this one that teaches my son the value of making a difference in the world, of genuinely caring about the well-being of others, and of not being afraid to pursue mammoth-sized goals. With its beautiful illustrations by Phillip Hurst and its timeless story, this book will find a special spot on our bookshelf and in our bedtime reading ritual.

I highly recommend this book to all parents. For more information about this book, please visit Thomas Nelson's website.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson

2010-09-02T08:06:00.000-07:00

"Sometimes, Ruth thought, emotions were like a horsefly. Just when you thought you'd banish it from the kitchen, here it came buzzing back. If only there was a flyswatter that could kill stubborn, stupid, illogical . . . hope."

~From Stephanie Grace Whitson's Sixteen Brides~

If I were to use one word to describe Stephanie Grace Whitson's newest novel, Sixteen Brides, it would be hope. This theme is gracefully woven throughout the pages of this delightful book about a group of widows who journey to the prairies of Nebraska with a dream of owning land.

Their adventure begins in the spring of 1871 when they board a train in St. Louis bound for Nebraska. As an organizer of the Ladies Emigration Society, Hamilton Drake promises each of the ladies one hundred and sixty acres of land free and clear if they stay for five years. But during their stop in Plum Grove, Nebraska--just shy of Cayote, their final destination--the ladies discover that Mr. Drake has not been honest and forthcoming about his reasons for luring them out to Nebraska's prairies. Some of the ladies refuse to continue on the journey and decide to stay in Plum Grove. Soon, seven of them--each with different backgrounds and different reasons for journeying to Nebraska--form a partnership and plan that will have the locals talking and the ladies clinging to hope once again.

I found this book very enjoyable and entertaining to read, particularly its theme, humor, historical setting, and cast of characters. From the first to last page, Whitson masterfully weaves the theme of hope, with each character holding on to it in one way or another. And she had me giggling often at the humorous comparisons and sayings riddled throughout the story. The historical facts and landscape also intrigued me, especially the descriptions of homesteading on the prairies in the late 1800s. But most memorable to me were the characters. Each of the main characters possesses a distinct voice and style and you cannot help but to like them all.

I highly recommend this book to women who enjoy historical and romance novels.

For more information about this book, please visit Bethany House's website.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEE Fulfilled: An Unfailing Love

2010-08-26T07:58:00.000-07:00

"Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,"
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

~Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)~

The more I spend time with God in prayer and in His Word, the deeper my love grows for Him. What grips my heart and soul is God's compassion and unfailing love for us. He loves you and me more than our minds can comprehend. Think about the person you love the most. God loves you so much more than that. And that love remains the same, even in our failings. Mind boggling, isn't it?! Yet, it's so comforting and encouraging to know God's love never fades.

I'd like to share with you a prayer I wrote this morning from three Scriptures in the Bible. For the past several weeks, I've participated in a Bible study at my church using Beth Moore's Living Free book. As part of the study, Beth Moore introduces the practice of praying God's Word. She describes praying God's Word as "speaking His language. It means talking to Him using His words." My assignment for this morning's study on experiencing God's peace involved choosing from a list of Scriptures and spending time praying God's Word using those Scriptures.

May the truths in this prayer be a comfort and encouragement to you today. :-)

Heavenly Father, I call on You, for I know You will answer me. Give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonder of Your great love. You save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes. Lord, keep me in the apple of Your eye. Hide me in the shadow of Your wings. (Psalms 17: 6-8)

Father, show me Your ways and teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God, my Savior. My hope is in You all day long. Remember Your mercy and love, for You say in Your Word they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways. According to your love, remember me, for You are good, O Lord. (Psalms 25:4-7)

Lord, You say in Your Word that though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, your unfailing love for me will not be shaken nor will Your covenant of peace be removed. Thank you, Lord, for Your unfailing love and the peace You give. (Isaiah 54:10) I love you, Father! In Your glorious and precious name . . . Amen.

BEEsy Writer: The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell

2010-08-11T22:35:00.000-07:00

"Sun Tzu wrote: 'He wins a battle by making no mistakes.' My hope is that this manual will help you avoid the mistakes and write stronger books and win the battle to get and stay published."

~James Scott Bell in The Art of War for Writers~

In his most recent book on writing, James Scott Bell shares with writers what he has learned in his 20 plus years as a fiction writer. The Art of War for Writers consists of 77 short chapters organized under the following three sections:

Part I:Reconnaissance focuses on the mental game of writing.

Part II: Tactics offers tactics and techniques on the craft that help "you go deeper, to do things that will set you apart from the vanilla slush that's poured into the offices of tired editors and agents."

Part III: Strategy includes advice on the publishing business.

This compact red book surprised me with the abundance of wise and practical advice it offers to writers. I particularly found the "Reconnaissance" section helpful as it addresses many of the mental battles we writers face on our journeys. Some of the chapters included in this section include:

The writer must understand the essentials of success for a long-term writing career, and count the cost accordingly.
A foundation in discipline is always the first step toward victory.
"Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain."
Status, worry, and comparisons are the ways to madness, not victory.
Stay hungry so your determination will not flag.
Finish your novel, because you learn more that way than any other.

I highly recommend this book to all writers, especially beginning writers. I've placed this book near my computer and plan to refer to it often as I continue on my journey as a writer.

BEEtween the Pages: The Dragon and the Turtle by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark

2010-08-10T06:37:00.001-07:00

Padraig landed on a branch and popped a bug into his mouth. He grinned as he chewed. The bug was crunchy on the outside and squishy on the inside, and it tasted like nuts and sweet oranges.

~Opening lines of The Dragon and the Turtle
by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark~

Released in bookstores today, The Dragon and the Turtle by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark tells a sweet story about prioritizing the needs of a new friend over your own. After embarking on a pirate adventure, a young turtle named Roger cannot find his home and seeks help from his newfound friend, Padraig the dragon. Padraig flies high in the sky in search of a home that looks, sounds, smells, feels, and tastes like the one described by Roger. Padraig is hungry for crunchy, squishy, nutty bugs, but he sets asides his needs to help his friend find his home.

My four-year-old son, Hayden, and I have read this book many times since we received a copy from the authors a month ago. This delightful and entertaining story, which is beautifully illustrated by Vincent Nguyen, tugs at the heartstrings of boys with its description of Padraig's favorite food (crunchy, squishy, nutty bugs) and Roger's love for playing pirates. Parents will especially find helpful the guide at the end of the book, which gives parents ideas on how they can teach their children the valuable lessons about friendship conveyed in the book. And with a recipe included at the back of the book, parents and children alike can indulge in making the Chocolate Chip Snappers that Roger's mama makes for the young turtle and his dragon friend.

For more information about this book and the authors, please visit The Dragon and the Turtle website.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: Thicker than Blood by C.J. Darlington

2010-08-04T19:58:00.000-07:00

"Christy Williams didn't see the cop until his red lights flashed in her rearview mirror. By then it was too late. He was tailing her, and she had no choice but to ease her Honda Accord onto the snowy shoulder of the freeway and let the cruiser slide in behind."

~Opening lines in C.J. Darlington's
Thicker than Blood~

May Williams has not seen her older sister, Christy, in fifteen years after Christy ran away following their parents' deaths. May yearns to be reunited with her sister. But ashamed about the path her life has taken, Christy avoids her younger sister, too afraid that May will not accept her. As Christy faces a series of events that threaten her livelihood and life, including an accusation that she stole a first edition Hemingway book, Christy flees her home to the only place she feels she will be safe--May's ranch in Southern Colorado. But the two sisters soon must confront the deep pain and uncertainties each faces in their own lives and in their relationship.

Winner of the 2008 Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel, Thicker than Blood delivers a heartfelt story about forgiveness, God's grace, and second chances. Blending solid storytelling with an interesting cast of character, this story kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen, especially toward the end of the book with a couple of gripping action scenes. I also found the messages about God's grace to be refreshing and encouraging. I recommend this book to readers and look forward to future books from C.J. Darlington.

For more information about this book, please visit Tyndale Houses Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEE Mine: Thirteen Years Ago

2010-08-02T13:58:00.001-07:00

Thirteen years ago, I awoke to a beautiful summer morning in Western Colorado, knowing the special day ahead would mark the beginning of a new life with my beloved Ryan.

Thirteen years ago, I joined my family and friends for breakfast at the hotel where Ryan and I met each other two and a half years earlier. (We both worked at the front desk of the hotel. But how we met . . . Well, that's a story for another time. :-)

Thirteen years ago, I was a giddy bride, getting all dolled up for the big event.

Thirteen years ago, a friend who I thought was not able to make it to the wedding surprised me by showing up at the church just hours before the ceremony. (She planned the surprise with Ryan months before the wedding. What a wonderful moment that was for me!)

Thirteen years ago, I stood in the lobby of the church with my dad, waiting for the signal to begin our procession down the aisle. Tears filled my eyes when the music began and my dad linked his arm with mine just before we entered the church's sanctuary.

Thirteen years ago, my dad gave me away to Ryan in front of our family and friends, a sweet moment I will cherish always.

Thirteen years ago, I stood next to Ryan at the front of that small church and vowed to love him for my lifetime.

Thirteen years ago, Ryan and I exchanged wedding rings and shared "the kiss," both symbols of the lifelong commitment we made to each other.

Thirteen years ago, my wedding gown swayed back and forth as Ryan and I hurried down the aisle toward the church's lobby, clutching each other's hand and laughing and smiling along the way.

Thirteen years ago, my brother chauffered us to the reception hall in a red convertible. My brother played the role well in his ultra-cool sunglasses and tuxedo.

Thirteen years ago, we danced and laughed and celebrated the glorious event with our friends and family.

Thirteen years ago, I married the man I love deeply and cherish as a friend, so much then and even more now.

BEEsy Writer: Editing Fiction Course

2010-07-07T13:50:00.000-07:00

A lesson I'm learning early on my journey as a writer is to continually seek ways to improve my craft. During the last year, I've enroll in several online writing classes and webinars. Last summer, I stumbled upon the Web site for The Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network (PEN) and discovered this organization offers courses beneficial to not only proofreaders and editors, but also writers.

I'd like to share information about one of the classes I took last year--Editing Fiction. This class, taught by freelance editor Jeanne Marie Leach, teaches participants about the fundamental techniques of good fiction writing, including opening hooks, Point of View (POV), plot development, character development and emotions, proper dialogue, showing vs. telling, active vs. passive writing, and overused words.

As part of this five-week class, participants receive weekly lessons and are assigned homework, which they submit to the instructor and other participants for review. I particularly found the homework assignments to be one of the most valuable parts of the class. These assignments allowed me to apply what I learned during the week's lesson, and the feedback I received from the instructor helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses with each of the techniques explored. In addition, the discussions among the participants and the instructor expanded my understanding of these techniques.

I would highly recommend this class for beginning writers.

The Christian PEN is offering this class from July 19 to August 16. Cost for the class varies depending upon your membership status, ranging from $60 to $90. For more information, please see the course description on The Christian PEN's Web site.

BEEsy Writer: A New Column on BEEsy Mama

2010-06-30T21:11:00.000-07:00

Several months ago, I began a new blog called BEEsy Writer. I had hoped to share my experiences as a new writer on this blog. After careful consideration, I have decided to merge BEEsy Writer with the BEEsy Mama blog.

Next Wednesday, I will introduce here a new column called BEEsy Writer. In this column, I will share my experiences about my writing journey, resources and classes for writers, writing book recommendations, and writing quotes. If you are interested in writing, please stop by and check out this column on Wednesdays.

Please be assured that I am still committed to writing about the adventures of being a mama. Thanks so much for your support of this blog. I greatly appreciate it!

BEEing A Mom: The Nest (Part 2)

2010-06-24T13:33:00.001-07:00

The morning after the blackbirds attacked our mama robin, I peeked into her nest hoping to find the eggs. To my surprise and delight, the babies hatched from their eggs overnight. Tucked away safely in the nest, I could only see the tops of their fuzzy heads. The mama robin sat in the nest with her babies most of that day.

From a quick internet search, I learned that baby robins typically stay in the nest for up to two weeks. The mama and daddy robins hunt for worms for the babies, capturing as many as 100 meals a day.

Over the next two weeks, we watched as the parents cared for the three babies, each taking turns to retrieve worms and guard the nest. I marveled at the dedication exhibited by both parents and how they worked together to nurture their babies.

Hayden and I visited the nest daily to observe the progress of the babies. We kept our visits short, not wanting to disrupt the parents' efforts in feeding them. On two occasions, one of the parents swished by my ear, warning me to not get too close. I quickly stepped away from the nest, respecting the robin's request.

We always knew when the babies were being fed. A raucous of chirps erupted from the nest during each feeding. With the nest just outside my bedroom window, I often awoke early each morning to the babies' indulging on their breakfast of worms.

Three mornings ago, I was about to open the back door to let my golden retriever outside when I saw one of the babies perched on the deck's railing. I held my breath as I watched it explore the world outside its nest. What a glorious sight it was to watch the baby fly!

I checked the nest, and only one of the babies remained in it. Throughout the day, the parents continued to feed this baby, and several times, I found the baby perched on the edge of the nest, contemplating whether to leave it and join her siblings.

As I was cleaning up after dinner that night, Hayden rushed into the kitchen and said, "Mommy, the baby fell out of the nest." I hurried outside with him and searched around the tree for the baby. Moments later, we found the baby standing on a rock below the tree, unharmed and observing her new world.

With nightfall approaching, I had hoped the baby would remain in the nest overnight, as it was safer up there than on the ground. We watched her as she struggled to flutter her wings and fly. My husband and I considered trying to lift her back up into the nest, but when I stepped outside to check on her, I found she was no longer on the rock. We soon found her hopping across the street to our neighbor's front porch.

The mama robin stood on a nearby fence, watching the baby. Every so often, she'd fly down next to the baby and chirp at her. The baby kept fluttering her wings, trying to fly. Each time, she seemed to gain more height. She soon disappeared into the shrubs as the moon rose in the east and night fell on the first day of summer.

Hayden and I entered our house with heavy hearts, once again hoping for the best for the baby robin. As we were saying our bedtime prayers that night, Hayden prayed for the baby robin. He looked up at me and said, "And God hears us."

"Yes, honey," I said. "He sure does." My heart warmed at the faith my son showed me.

I don't know if the baby robin made it through the night. Over the last two days, I've seen at least one of the babies perched in the trees surrounding my house. Deep within, I want to believe she made it.

I'm saddened about the birds leaving the nest, but I'm also celebrating their new lives and the lessons they taught us--how to stand up for the vulnerable, how to be a nurturing parent, and how to believe with our hearts that God really does hear us.

BEEing A Mom: The Nest (Part 1)

2010-06-23T20:43:00.001-07:00

Little did I know four weeks ago that a nest wedged between the branches of a tree in our front yard would bestow upon my family and me valuable life lessons.

We first discovered the nest as we built a planter box underneath the tree. A mama robin sat dutifully in the nest incubating the eggs. At first, she acted skittish around us, flying away as we neared her nest. Not wanting to disturb her, we quickly assembled the planter box and left her alone.

In the days that followed, my son, Hayden, and I visited the mama robin several times daily. Soon, she grew comfortable with us and stayed in the nest. I often talked to her, telling her what a great mama she was. Neighbors who overheard me and didn't know we had a nest in the tree probably thought I had become delusional. But I was proud of our mama robin for her diligence and dedication to her motherly duties.

One evening, Hayden and I discovered a group of blackbirds congregating near the nest. One of the blackbirds acted injured, struggling to climb up an air conditioning unit and flutter its wings. At first, I felt sorry for the injured bird until I realized that the blackbirds were trying to steal the mama's eggs from her nest.

I called into the house for my husband Ryan to seek his help in protecting the mama robin and her eggs. As we devised a plan, a few of the blackbirds swooped in on the mama. Ryan lurched toward the blackbirds and shouted at them. They scattered, many flying to the higher branches in a nearby tree.

I retrieved our garden hose, determined to defend our mama robin if any of the blackbirds neared her. As one inched closer to the nest, I aimed the hose at it and sprayed it. All the blackbirds in the tree flew away.

Hayden jumped up and down and said, "You're the best mommy for fighting off the bad birds."

At that moment, I felt like a hero to my little guy. I later realized that both my son and I learned a valuable lesson that evening about standing up for the vulnerable.

We stood guard until twilight. None of the blackbirds returned. As I entered the house, I hoped and prayed the eggs would still be in the nest in the morning.

*****

~To Be Continued~

Please stop by BEEsy Mama tomorrow for Part 2 of BEEing a Mom: The Nest.

BEEtween the Pages: The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible

2010-05-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

Thomas Nelson's The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible contains a 21-hour dramatization of the New King James Version. Packaged in a 20-CD set, this audio bible features a well-known cast of actors, including Jim Caviezel as Jesus, Stacy Keach as Paul, Louis Gossett, Jr. as John, Micheal York as the Narrator, Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Mary (mother of Jesus), and Marisa Tomei as Mary Magdalene.

With a satisfying blend of readings by the actors, an original music score, and sound effects, this version of the New Testament not only entertained me but also expanded my literacy of the Bible. I was particularly moved by Jim Caviezel's performance of Jesus dying on the cross in the book of Matthew.

The only downside of this audio bible for me was the amount of time it took to complete it. I found the best place to listen to the CDs was in my car. Because I no longer commute to work, it took me about four months to complete the set. Yet, I would recommend this audio bible because it offers listeners an alternative way to expand their knowledge of the Bible and delivers a high-quality production.

For more information about this audio book, please visit Thomas Nelson's Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: Adventures in Odyssey: Take It From the Top (Volume 51)

2010-04-21T15:03:00.000-07:00

Adventures in Odyssey's Take It From the Top includes 9 different stories offering hours of entertainment for children and their parents. Featuring the Parker and Jones families along with John Avery Whittaker of Whits End and his eccentric assistant Eugene, this volume contains creative and thought-provoking stories that will teach valuable moral lessons to your children, such as storing up treasures in heaven, the importance of family, and responsibility.

I was first introduced to the Adventures in Odyssey audio series when I was child, listening to it on the radio on road trips with my family. Many years later as a mom of a preschooler, I was thrilled to discover that Focus on the Family and Tyndale Publishers are still producing this family-friendly series. Both my son and I thoroughly enjoyed this volume. My son giggled at the tale about Whit's Imagination Station while I was moved by the story about the Jubilee Singers. This audio series can easily be used to entertain your children while running your errands around town or during longer road trips.

I highly recommend this volume of the Adventures of Odyssey series to all families. You will cherish the lessons each of the stories will teach your children. For more information about this volume, please visit Tyndale Publishers Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen

2010-04-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

"Ahead lay Chedworth Wood. The warnings of years echoed through her mind. 'Don't stray into the wood at night.' Wild dogs stalked that wood, and thieves and poachers camped there, with sharp knives and sharper eyes, looking for easy game. A woman of Olivia's four-and-twenty years knew better than to venture into the wood alone. But her mother's cries still pulsed in her ears, drowning out the old voice of caution. The danger behind her was more real than any imagined danger ahead."

~Excerpt from Julie Klassen's The Silent Governess~

Set in England in the early 1800s, The Silent Governess tells a tale wrought with secrets and misunderstandings that threaten to jeopardize the fortune and happiness of the story's characters. At the center of this novel is Olivia Keene, a 24-year-old woman who unexpectedly becomes a governess at an English manor house. Fleeing from her a home after a frightening incident, Olivia stumbles upon Brightwell Court and inadvertently overhears a secret that could ruin the future of the estate's heir. Fearful Olivia will divulge his secret, Lord Bradley forces her to take a post at the manor house so he can monitor her actions. As Olivia cares for the children living at the house, an attraction begins to develop between Lord Bradley and her. But as the secrets of both their pasts begin to unravel and intertwine, hope begins to fade that this attraction will blossom into an everlasting love.

In The Silent Governess, Julie Klassen crafts an intriguing and satisfying story that highlights the protocols and challenges of an English governess in the Regency era alongside the personal struggles of the story's cast of characters. Klassen's masterful storytelling shines from the first to last pages of this novel as she skillfully divulges pieces of the mystery at a pace that keeps the reader wondering what will happen in the next chapter. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading other novels from this author.

For more information about The Silent Governess, please visit Bethany House's Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: Sense and Sensibility (Bethany House Insight Edition)

2010-03-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

"We do not have the living dead to offer in our annotated look at Sense and Sensibility. Nor do we threaten her with dull, scholarly analysis. Rather, we leave Jane's classic story untouched and focus on providing notes, facts, and thoughts in the margins that we hope will help you understand the story a little better, see the characters in a new light, or simply make you smile."

~Editor's Note in Bethany House's Insight Edition of Sense and Sensibility~

Jane Austen's first published novel, Sense and Sensibility, tells a timeless tale of two sisters search for true love and the heartbreaking circumstances they endure along the way. Bethany House's new annotated version of this classic offers readers historical and cultural details about England in the early 1800s, facts about Austen's life, references about films based on the novel, themes of faith, and comments about the novel's characters and plot.

Unlike many editions of this novel, Bethany House's version contains a foreword of only two pages and does not give readers a detailed, scholarly analysis of the novel and Austen's life. Instead, this book provides facts and tidbits of information on the pages' margins. I found this edition simple to navigate and many of the notes offered interesting and helpful information to better understand the story. Another unique feature of this version are the scriptural and moral reflections sprinkled throughout the book. The editors often quote verses from Proverbs.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Jane Austen classics and does not need a detailed introduction about the story and the author's life.

For more information about this book, please visit Bethany House's Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEsy in the Kitchen: Easy Chicken Chimichangas

2010-02-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

Rummaging through my fridge tonight searching for something to make for dinner, I celebrated when I discovered I had all the ingredients needed to make chicken chimichangas--shredded chicken, green onions, salsa, cheese, tortillas, and sour cream. This recipe, given to me by a friend many years ago, is quick, easy, and tasty. If you can, cook and shred the chicken the day before you plan on making the chimichangas.

Easy Chicken Chimichangas

2 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
2/3 cup chunky salsa
1/3 cup green onion slices
3/4 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves
1/2 tsp salt
8 flour tortillas
Melted butter or olive oil, to brush on tortillas
1 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese (can substitute with cheddar cheese)
Sour cream, salsa, and guacamole for toppings

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees.

2. In a large skillet, combine first six ingredients. Simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Brush one side of each tortilla with butter or olive oil. Spoon 1/3 cup chicken mixture onto center of unbuttered tortilla side. Top with 2 tbsp shredded cheese. Fold two sides over filling. Fold ends down. Place seam side down in 13" x 9" pan. Repeat for other tortillas.

4. Bake in oven for about 13 minutes or until crisp and golden brown.

5. Top with guacamole, sour cream, and salsa, as desired.

BEEtween the Pages: Once an Arafat Man by Tass Saada with Dean Merrill

2010-01-29T05:36:00.000-08:00

". . . Jesus is our one hope of reconciliation in the here and now. He is the only one I can think of who holds the power, the moral authority, to bring us together. He is the antidote to mistrust and bitterness and resentment. He is the one who convinces an Arab like me that the Jews are not my enemies but rather my cousins, going back to Abraham's house."

~Excerpt from Once an Arafat Man
by Tass Saada with Dean Merrill~

Once an Arafat Man tells the story of Tass Saada, a Palestinian refugee who grew up in Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the 1950s and 1960s. From his experiences as a refugee, Tass learned to hate the Jews of Israel at a young age. When he was 17, he ran away from home to join Fatah and became a PLO sniper and chauffeur to Yasser Arafat. But years later while living in the United States, Tass converted to Christianity and the hatred he harbored for many years soon dissolved. This was the beginning of a new journey for Tass and his family, one focused on love, hope, and reconciliation.

This inspiring story deeply stirred my heart. I was moved by Tass's immense love for the Palestinians and Jews and his committment to reconciliation. He gives a unique perspective of the Palenstians and shows through the Bible how God blessed these people through Abraham's son, Ishmael, and how he deeply loves them still. Tass also gave me a profound understanding of what it means to be obedient to God's calling in our lives and God's faithfulness in providing what we need to fulfill His callings. Tass serves as a great example what it means to walk by faith.

I highly recommend this book to all readers.

For more information about this book, please visit Tyndale's Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEsy in the Kitchen: Feeding the Whole Family By Cynthia Lair

2010-01-21T11:15:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for healthy and nourishing recipes for your whole family? Would you like to include more whole grains in your daily diet but need ideas on how to prepare them?

Cynthia Lair's Feeding the Whole Family might just be the cookbook for you. With more than 180 recipes, this cookbook gives parents a wide variety of recipes to prepare for their entire family, including hot cereals for breakfast, sandwiches, soups, dinner entrees, side dishes, breads, and desserts.

This cookbook offers valuable information about what whole foods are, how to incorporate them into your family's diets, how to prepare them for your baby, and how to raise children who eat healthy food. Lair also provides directions on how to properly cook whole grains (e.g., quinoa, millet, bulgur) and beans. And one of the perks of this book is Lair gives special instructions on how to prepare each recipe for babies six months and older.

About a year ago, I purchased this cookbook after a nutritionist recommended it to me. I've prepared several recipes in this cookbook and most have been delicious. One of my favorites is a recipe for Five-Grain Morning Cereal, which is a hot cereal containing toasted wheat berries, millet, spelt, brown rice, and quinoa. I prefer this hot cereal over oatmeal.

Other recipes I've tried and liked include Mexican Bean and Corn Casserole (you use polenta in this recipe), Black Bean Tostados, and Orange Millet Raisin Bread (I used dried cranberries instead of raisins--delish!). In the near future, I hope to prepare Thai Coconut Chicken Soup, Mediterranean Quinoa, Spinach Feta Quiche, Pumpkin Pecan Muffins, and Gracie's Yellow Birthday Cake (I may make this for my husband's birthday next week!).

BEEsy Mama Question: What are your favorite healthy cookbooks?

BEEing A Mom: BEEing A Kid Again!

2010-01-19T14:37:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I wish I could be a kid again! To play all day, not worrying about how I'm going to tackle my mile-long to-do list or fretting about my job or finances. How glorious it would be to wake up each morning ready to embark on a series of new adventures--hunting for dinosaurs in the backyard, building a sand castle, or sailing on a pirate ship in search of buried treasure.

Each day I encounter many opportunities to be a kid again. But how? Through my three-year-old son, Hayden. You see, every day he invites me to join him in his playtime adventures. And many times I gladly accept his invitations.

Last week, we journeyed over the high seas as pirates on a quest for a treasure--Hayden as Captain Hook and I as his shipmate Timber Timber (Aye, shiver me timbers!). The snow covered ground became our ocean, pine cones our treasure, and the compartment on Hayden's tricycle our treasure chest. During the hour we played pirates, I began to feel like a kid again--the worries of adult life diminished as I immersed myself in Hayden's playworld.

But I must admit, some days I feel trapped in my adult mindset and miss out on being a kid again. These days often feel like a mad dash as I race through my day trying to cross off as many items on my to-do list as possible. Being so focused on getting things done, I forget to stop and indulge in the joys my son offers in being a kid again. Later, when the quietness of night settles on my household, I realize the opportunities I missed out on and vow to try harder to slow down and enjoy the perks of childhood.

Now, I know we can't abandon all of our adult duties to be kids again 24/7, although some days it's tempting. But just maybe we can learn to slow down and take time each day to join our little ones in the pleasures of being a kid. Mencius wrote, "The great man is he who does not lose his child's-heart." Or for all the BEEsy mamas out there: The great woman is she who does not lose her child's-heart.

BEEsy Mama Question: How do you become a kid again with your children?

New BEEginnings: BEEsy Mama Makeover

2010-01-13T17:08:00.001-08:00

Whew . . . I never realized revamping my blog could be so much work! Over the last day, I've spent hours trying to find the right blog template, learning how to customize it in Photoshop, and fretting (just a bit) when the HTML codes didn't work properly. But finally, I somehow figured it out!

And now--drum roll please--I'd like to present to you BEEsy Mama's new look . . .

(I'd love to hear your comments on BEEsy Mama's makeover! :-)

BEEcoming Aware: National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

2010-01-11T06:12:00.000-08:00

Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. A few days ago, I discovered a song by Take No Glory entitled "Beautiful Slave" that brings awareness to human trafficking. Please take time to view this video and to learn about this issue.

(If you have problems accessing the video below, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jYU9meVXKg.)

BEEing a Mom: Teaching Little Ones About Winning & Losing Gracefully

2010-01-07T16:39:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week, my son, Hayden, and I played a few games of Candy Land. For the first two games, Hayden moved into the lead early on. Each time he drew a card from the pile and moved his game piece, he announced to me, "I'm going to win this game." Smiling from ear to ear and giggling, Hayden was clearly having fun. He won the first two games, and I gave him a "high five" to congratulate him.

But early on in the third game, I took the lead. Hayden's upbeat disposition quickly turned to a glum one. With his bottom lip pushed out and tears forming in his eyes, he said, "You can't win, Mom!" When I reached the Candy Castle and won the game, he announced he didn't want to play anymore. Gently, I tried to explain to him that sometimes we win games and sometimes we lose them, but the reason we play is to have fun. He didn't seem to understand this.

Hours later, I found myself reflecting on this experience, wondering when is an appropriate age to begin teaching little ones how to win and lose gracefully. I flipped through several of my parenting books but couldn't find an answer to my question. I then searched for articles on the Internet and soon learned that Hayden's reaction to winning and losing is common among young children, and I found many examples of other parents beginning to teach their little ones lessons about winning and losing.

With Hayden turning four next month, I believe now is a good time to begin teaching him these lessons. One of the best ways to do this is to model how to win and lose gracefully. When we play board games together, I can model graceful losing by congratulating him for winning and graceful winning by not gloating and by telling him what a great game he played.

But I also realize I need to be cognizant of how I act in other winning and losing situations in life. As we all know, our kids watch us very closely and learn from our actions--the good ones and the bad ones. And they mimic us. So in all our actions, we need to be alert to the unspoken lessons we're teaching them. For example, if we don't receive a promotion at work, we need to model to our kids how to gracefully handle this situation, even when we don't think the outcome was fair.

Another way to teach my son about winning and losing gracefully is to talk to him about how to do this. How do you win gracefully? I might explain to him that you don't brag about it, you don't criticize the loser's performance, and you shake his hand and tell him he played a good game. And how do you lose gracefully? I might tell him that even though he may not be happy about losing, it's always nice to smile and congratulate the winner. I might also tell him when he starts to lose a game, he needs to hang in there and finish it. It's not fair to the winner to forfeit before the game is over, and in any game, an underdog still can pull ahead and win before it's over.

Finally, when my son is in the midst of winning or losing, I can use this situation as an opportunity to teach him about his emotions and how to appropriately respond to them. Young children are learning about their emotions, and they don't always know how to respond to them. But as parents, we're given the job to teach them about their emotions and how to use them. When our children are winning or losing, we can ask them how they feel, help them label that emotion, and teach them how to appropriately respond to it.

I realize teaching my son how to win and lose gracefully will require me to be consistent and intentional. He may not understand these lessons during our next game of Candy Land, but I hope that with each game he plays, he will begin to comprehend and adopt them.

BEEsy Mama Question: How are you teaching your children to win and lose gracefully?

BEEtween the Pages: NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible

2010-01-04T16:52:00.000-08:00

"Thomas Nelson's NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible is intentionally designed as a treasury of the most well-loved and impactful stories from the Bible. This is not a Bible. Instead, this heirloom edition uses Scripture portions from the New King James Version to tell the story of God and His interaction with humankind."

~NKJV Greatest Stories
of the Bible~

Thomas Nelson's NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible contains 250 stories directly quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV). In this heirloom book, you will find a wide variety of stories from the Old Testament (e.g., Adam and Eve Challenge God, The Red Sea Crossing, David and Goliath, Esther Becomes Queen, and Job Tested) and from the New Testament (e.g., John the Baptist Arrives, Jesus' Birth, Loaves and Fishes, Jesus Is Abused and Crucified, Paul and Silas in Captivity, and Final Victory). For a few of the stories, the publisher included scriptural references from different books in the Bible. For example, the story about Jesus' birth quotes Scripture from Matthew and Luke.

This compilation allows readers to easily navigate through the major biblical stories and would especially be beneficial to readers not familiar with the stories as well as families desiring to introduce them to their children. This book does not contain any footnotes or study resources. For me, I would prefer to use my study Bible in lieu of this book. However, as my son grows older, I think this book could be valuable in teaching him about the biblical stories. As a result, I would recommend this book to parents of older children as a resource to teach their kids about these stories.

For more information about this book, please visit Thomas Nelson's Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEsy in the Kitchen: Nut-Filled Pastries

2009-12-16T08:15:00.000-08:00

One of my fondest memories from childhood is baking cookies with my mom during the Christmas season. She'd pull out a tattered book filled with handwritten recipes and thumb through it to find our family's favorite cookies. The hours we spent in the kitchen together nurtured a close mother-daughter bond that has grown over the years. And my mom not only taught me how to bake, but she instilled within me a love for baking.

I'd like to share one of my favorites cookies Mom and I made every Christmas together: Nut-Filled Pastries. I hope you enjoy them! :-)

Nut-Filled Pastries

Pastry Dough
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup butter, softened
2 egg yolks, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream

Nut Filling
2 cups ground walnuts
2/3 cup dark corn syrup

Confectioner's sugar

Directions:

(1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

(2) In a large bowl, blend flour and butter together. Stir in egg yolks and sour cream. Knead dough on a floured surface. Chill dough for at least 20 minutes.

(3) In the meantime, stir ground walnuts and dark corn syrup together. Set aside.

(4) Cut dough in half and roll each half into a ball. With each dough ball, roll out to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut out 2 inch squares. Drop 1/2 teaspoon of nut filling in center of each square. Starting at one corner of square, roll to opposite corner. Shape into a crescent. Place each pastry onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes or until pastries are lightly browned.

(5) Allow pastries to cool for 1 to 2 minutes. Roll warm pastries in confectioner's sugar and allow to cool. When completely cooled, roll pastries in confectioner's sugar for a second time.

Makes approximately 6 dozen pastries.

BEEsy in the Kitchen: Greek Layered Dip

2009-12-14T20:15:00.000-08:00

Appetizers . . . what a wonderful creation! I've often thought I could live the rest of my life eating only appetizers. If you were to browse my cookbook collection, you'd find many devoted exclusively to appetizers.

Appetizers offer a wide range of culinary options: cold and hot dips, meatballs and wings, cheese and crackers, mini quiches and pizzas, tea sandwiches and quesadillas, satays and kabobs, and the list could go on and on. They're creative, petite, and packed with flavor!

I'd love to share with you one of my favorite dips: Greek Layered Dip. It's scrumptious and easy to make. I hope you enjoy it! :-)

Greek Layered Dip
Adapted from a Betty Crocker Recipe

1 (8 ounce) container of chives & onion cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) container of hummus
1 cucumber (peeled, seeded, & chopped)
1 red or orange sweet bell pepper, chopped
3 Italian plum tomatoes (seeded & chopped)
1/3 cup pitted and chopped Kalamata olives
1 (4 ounce) contained crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup pine nuts (optional)
Pita chips

Directions:

1. Spread cream cheese over bottom of 10-inch quiche dish or pie pan. Drop hummus by small spoonfuls over cream cheese and spread evenly. Top with remaining ingredients in order given.

2. Serve with pita chips.

Make Ahead: You can prepare the dip up to four hours before serving. Just cover and refrigerate it until serving.

BEEtween the Pages: Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin

2009-12-12T09:48:00.000-08:00

"It was ironic. I lay in my jail cell on a squeaky iron bunk, gazing at the stained mattress above me, and I remembered the day I first understood the meaning of the word ironic. I couldn't help smiling at . . . well, at the irony of it. The meaning had become clear to me ten years ago on the day my grandmother, Beatrice Monroe Garner, was arrested."

~Opening lines in Lynn Austin's
Though Waters Roar~

Lynn Austin's newest novel, Though Waters Roar, tells the stories of four generations of women and their quests to find meaning and purpose in their lives. Set in Pennsylvania and spanning from 1848 to 1920, this novel captures these four women's struggles and triumphs during several significant events in history, including the Underground Railroad movement, the Civil War, the Woman's Suffrage campaign, War World I, and Prohibition.

Within the first few pages of this book, I knew I was reading a novel crafted by a talented, veteran writer. The story's beautiful prose, profound and diverse characters, and rich historical landscape immediately captured my attention and kept my curiosity throughout. With Austin's careful pacing and the twists and turns she sprinkles throughout this novel, I found myself drawn more and more into the story as it developed. What I especially liked about this book was the reflective, spiritual messages Austin weaves in the characters' actions and dialogue, encouraging me to further grow in my walk with Christ.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

For more information about this book, please visit Bethany House's Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEing A Mom: Christmas Traditions

2009-12-08T15:49:00.000-08:00

"Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world of the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years... Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart."

~George Matthew Adams~

For the last two evenings, my three-year-old son Hayden and I have carried on a family Christmas tradition from my childhood: making cookies together. Last night, we mixed the batter for sugar cookies, rolled out the dough, cut out tree and snowman shapes, and baked them. Tonight, we iced and decorated the cookies. The best part of the activity: the special time we spent together.

Some of my fondest memories from my childhood are the Christmas traditions I shared with my parents and brother. Now as a mom myself, I hope to pass on some of those traditions and create new ones for my family. But how do you choose the best traditions for your family? I've discovered some of my favorite traditions tend to be simple and meaningful. And many are fun for the whole family.

Here are some of my family's Christmas traditions:

(1) Decorating the tree and house together as a family. Every year when we pull out the Christmas decorations from storage, I bubble with excitement as I open the boxes and begin decorating the tree and house with my family. I especially enjoy watching my husband search through the boxes of ornaments to find the ones from his childhood. I can tell many of them bring back special memories of Christmas with his parents and brother. And this year, my son has been fascinated with the nativity set, which has provided many opportunities to begin teaching him about the true purpose for Christmas.

(2) Giving. The true spirit of the Christmas season is to give to others, especially those in need. This represents the ministry of Jesus, and what better way to celebrate his birth than to give to those in need during this season.

(3) Making cookies together. Growing up, my mom and I shared many special moments together in the kitchen making Christmas cookies. As many of you know, I love to bake. But I've also discovered how simplifying this tradition can result in a more relaxed Christmas for my family and me. Before I became a mom, I'd spend days in the kitchen baking hundreds of cookies. Now, I only bake a few varieties and spend less time on this activity. During the last two years, I've especially enjoyed the time I've spent with my son as we make our special sugar cookies. And when we're done baking, we love sharing the cookies with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

(4) Reading Christmas stories together. During a visit with my parents over the Thanksgiving holiday, my mom gave me a book from my childhood: an illustrated book with stories from the Bible. Flipping through it, warm memories filled my mind. As a child, my family read the story about Jesus' birth from this book at Christmas. And now, I'm thrilled about being able to carry on that tradition with my husband and son.

My son and I also enjoy reading other Christmas stories during the season. This year, I purchased a picture book entitled Advent Storybook: 24 Stories to Share Before Christmas by Antonie Schneider. This beautifully illustrated book tells short stories (one for each day from December 1-24) about a little bear's journey as he follows the bright star to see baby Jesus. Similar to Aesop's fables, each story in this book ends with a statement summarizing the moral of the story. For example, for a story about an eagle, the mother bear tells her son, Benjamin, "If we trust in God, he will always catch us before we fall." Both Hayden and I look forward to reading this book each day, and I'm planning on carrying on this tradition in the years to come.

(5) Driving through neighborhoods in our town to view the Christmas lights. During my childhood, my parents loved driving around our small town to view the Christmas lights. And as an adult, I still enjoy this tradition. As Christmas music plays in the car, I find this a relaxing time to spend with my family. Of course, we can't forget to bring hot cocoa on our outing.

(6) Attending church together as a family on Christmas Eve. My parents began this tradition with my brother and me when we were young, and my husband and I have continued on with it since we've been married. This is a precious time to focus on why we celebrate Christmas and to give glory to Christ.

(7) Christmas Breakfast. Christmas mornings in our home often include a special breakfast. This year, it will probably include Ebelskiver pancakes and quiche with orange juice and coffee.

I'd love to hear about your family's Christmas traditions. :-)

BEEtween the Pages: Rose House by Tina Ann Forkner

2009-12-05T21:01:00.001-08:00

"It seemed to be a cottage that was alive, but it was only the vines twining in on themselves and clinging to the structure that were living, not unlike the memories and feelings people had attached to the house over time, making it mean more than mere sticks, pieces of wood, nails, and peeling paint could ever imply on their own."

~Excerpt from Rose House
by Tina Ann Forkner~

Rose House tells the story of a woman coping with immense grief and pain and of her search for healing and hope. In the days following the loss of her husband and two young children in a tragic accident, Lillian Diamon pours out her sorrows outside the Rose House, a serene cottage nestled in the Sonoma Valley. Intrigued by the cottage, she returns to the valley four years later and discovers a painting in a local gallery that precisely captures her grieving moment at the Rose House. As she searches for answers about the painting, she befriends some of the locals and begins to find hope. But she's also forced to confront the mystery and painful secrets surrounding the accident that claimed the lives of her husband and children.

With beautiful writing and a rich cast of characters, Tina Ann Forkner's second novel captivated me from beginning to end. She breathes life into the characters, skillfully portraying their deep emotions. And interestingly, Rose House finds its own unique role among the characters, its rose brambles and its past bring it to life on the pages of the book. For me, the best part of the book is the epilogue where Tina treats her readers to a well-crafted, poignant ending.

I highly recommend this book.

BEEtween the Pages: Closer by Jim & Kathy Burns

2009-12-02T04:55:00.000-08:00

"Over the past thirty years we have tried almost every marriage devotional, and to be perfectly honest, we have usually failed at having the discipline to continue. The busyness of life or the feeling of guilt because we missed so many days often caused us to silently ignore what we knew was important to our growth. This book is the result of our trying to draw closer to each other while having a true desire to improve our spiritual growth as a couple."

~Jim and Cathy Burns in
Closer: Devotions to Draw Couples Together~

Closer, a new book by Jim and Cathy Burns, contains 52 short devotionals intended to help "draw couples together." Some of the topics covered in this book include setting a nonnegotiable date night, the importance of praying together, rekindling romance, and learning to apologize. Designed for couples to complete over the course of a year, this book provides a practical tool for couples to grow closer in their relationships. Each devotional contains a series of questions related to the topic that couples can complete together.

This book presents a realistic, scripture-focused approach for couples to invest in and nurture their relationships. The wide range of topics covered identify many issues married couples face and offer ideas on how couples can address those issues and grow closer together. I particularly like the list of questions at the end of each devotional and the challenges the authors sprinkle throughout the book, such as "pray together for your marriage each day for sixty days." I'm looking forward to completing this devotional book with my husband over the next year.

I highly recommend this book to any married couple seeking to grow closer in their relationship.

For more information about this book, please visit Bethany House's Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEsy in the Kitchen: Homemade Noodles

2009-11-20T06:11:00.000-08:00

"For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

For every Thanksgiving, my mom makes her homemade noodles. She usually serves them with mashed potatoes in lieu of gravy. These noodles can also be added to your homemade chicken noodle soup. Delicious! :-)

Homemade Noodles

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp salt
3 TBSP unsalted butter, softened
3 eggs
6 cups chicken broth
Freshly ground pepper (to taste)

Directions:

1. Add flour and salt to a large bowl. Cut in butter. Stir in eggs. Mix until dough forms into a ball.

2. On a floured surface, roll dough out to 1/8 inch thickness. Flour dough well and roll up into a log. Slice dough to desired noodle thickness. Stretch noodles out onto cookie sheet and allow to dry for 2 hours or overnight.

3. In a large stock pot, add chicken broth. Bring broth to a rapid boil. Add noodles. Turn down heat to a gentle boil and cook noodles for 20 to 25 minutes, or until broth thickens and noodles are done (not gummy). Add pepper to taste. Enjoy! :-)

Serves 4.

BEEsy in the Kitchen: Winter Fruit Salad

2009-11-19T07:09:00.000-08:00

"To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven."

~Johannes A. Gaertner~

I always look forward to this time of the year because pomegranates come into season. A co-worker in my last job made a fruit salad with pomegranates, pineapples, and kiwi for an office potluck several years ago. I love the combination of the different types of winter fruits and make this salad many times each year while pomegranates are in season. I toss in some coconut and nuts for texture and flavor.

This recipe can add a healthy and colorful flair to your holiday meal. Enjoy! :-)

Please stop by tomorrow for a recipe for homemade noodles.

Winter Fruit Salad

1 fresh pineapple
1 large pomegranate
10 kiwis
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Peel and core pineapple. Cut pineapple into small chunks and place in a large bowl.

2. Separate seeds from pomegranate and add seeds to the bowl with pineapple.

3. Remove skin from kiwis. Slice each kiwi and add to bowl.

4. Add shredded coconut and chopped nuts to fruit. Gently toss salad. Refrigerate before serving.

BEEsy in the Kitchen: Sweet Potato Casserole

2009-11-18T12:21:00.000-08:00

"Remember God's bounty in the year. String the pearls of His favor. Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light! Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude!"

~Henry Ward Beecher~

Several years ago, my grandma shared with us her recipe for sweet potato casserole. With butter, brown sugar, pecans, and coconut, this dish serves more as a dessert than a side. I love anything with coconut, so this was an instant favorite for me. Bon appetit! :-)

Please stop by tomorrow for a healthy recipe to add to your Thanksgiving meal: a winter fruit salad.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet Potato Mixture
3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp butternut flavoring (optional)
2 eggs, beaten

Topping
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 cup pecans
6 TBSP butter, melted
1 cup shredded coconut

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degree.

2. In a large bowl, combine ingredients for sweet potato mixture. Blend well. Place in a casserole dish.

3. In a separate bowl, combine ingredients for topping. Blend well. Spread topping over sweet potato mixture in casserole.

4. Bake in oven for 30 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.

BEEtween the Pages: Fearless by Max Lucado

2009-11-18T09:56:00.000-08:00

"Fear never wrote a symphony or poem, negotiated a peace treaty, or cured a disease. Fear never pulled a family out of poverty or a country out of bigotry. Fear never saved a marriage or a business. Courage did that. Faith did that. People who refused to consult or cower to their timidities did that. But fear itself? Fear herds us into a prison and slams the door."

~Max Lucado in Fearless~

Max Lucado's new book, Fearless, explores the different types of fears people experience, the reasons behind the fears, and the biblical truths exposing why to not fear. Among the fears covered in this book, Lucado examines the fear of not mattering, of disappointing God, of not protecting our kids, of the worst-case scenario, of violence, and of life's final moments. Lucado highlights the courage of men, women, and children facing dire circumstances but not succumbing to fear's immobilizing grip, the greatest example being Jesus' courage when faced with a violent death on the cross.

I found Lucado's book to be an easy-read with a powerful message. This timely book challenged me to face some of my own fears from a biblical perspective. In each chapter, Lucado recounts stories and Scripture from the Bible to emphasize the need for us to listen "to the voice of God calling through Scripture, 'Fear not!'" With fears abundant in our country and world, this book proposes a welcomed approach to living a fearless life.

I highly recommend this book!

For more information on this book, please go to: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=9780849921391&dept_id=110301&TopLevel_id=110000&title=Fearless&author=Max-Lucado

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEsy in the Kitchen: Fiesta Dip

2009-11-17T13:51:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.

~Erma Bombeck~

Twelve years ago, my husband and I celebrated our first Thanksgiving as a married couple. And as an initiation into domestic life, we hosted our first holiday together. Both my parents and his joined us at our house for the gathering. Quite honestly, I don't remember much about the food prepared that day. I can't recall if we served a turkey or a ham. I'm not sure what type of stuffing or cranberry sauce we made. But I recollect one item on the menu--Fiesta Dip. Days before the holiday, I perused my small collection of cookbooks and discovered this recipe. The recipe looked easy and tasty, so I decided to add it to the menu. All of my family loved it, especially the men.

So for every Thanksgiving and Christmas, my dad, brother, or husband make a special request for this dip. I hope this becomes a favorite for your family, too!

Stop by tomorrow for a favorite sweet potato casserole recipe.

Fiesta Dip
From Betty Crocker's New Choices Cookbook

2 cups chopped tomato (about 2 large tomatoes)
1 cup chopped red onion (about 1 small onion)
1/2 cup apple juice
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1 (8 oz) package of light cream cheese
8 oz. Muenster cheese, cubed
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

Cook all ingredients except cilantro in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until cheese melts and mixture is creamy. Stir in cilantro. Serve warm or cold with tortilla chips. Makes 4 cups.

Note: The original recipe called for low-fat Muenster cheese, but I usually cannot locate the low-fat version in my grocery stores. So I use the full-fat version. More fat and calories, but oh-so-delicious! :-)

BEEsy in the Kitchen: Grandma's Cranberry Sauce

2009-11-16T15:28:00.000-08:00

"Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow."
~Edward Sandford Martin~

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I thought I'd share some of my family's favorite recipes for this holiday. I'll post a new recipe each day this week.

The first recipe I'd like to share is for my Grandma's cranberry sauce. It's easy and delicious! I hope you enjoy. I'd love to hear your comments. :-)

Stop by tomorrow for one of my family's favorite appetizers: Fiesta Dip.

Grandma's Cranberry Sauce

1 1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1 package of fresh cranberries
1/4 cup orange juice
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup walnuts, chopped
3/4 cup celery, chopped
3/4 cup apple, chopped
3/4 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp orange peel

Directions:

1. Combine sugar, water, and cranberries in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring often.

2. Add remaining ingredients. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

BEEyond the Hive: Adventures in Ice Skating

2009-11-05T18:07:00.000-08:00

Lesson from Motherhood 101: Take your three-year-old ice skating for his first time. This is the best way to toughen up good ole mom early on in her adventures of mothering.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Last evening I took Hayden to his first ice skating lesson--a parent/tot class at our local rec center. I practically grew up on roller and ice skates and was eager to introduce ice skating to him. But when I signed up for the class, I didn't give much thought to the fact I haven't ice skated in nearly 20 years.

Renting skates from the facility was a comical scene. The teenager at the desk requested our shoe sizes and asked for our shoes. I stared at him for a moment, perplexed at the reasons why he needed our shoes. Isn't the shoe size enough? Does he need a shoe from each of us to make sure the size was correct? I bent down and took a shoe off my foot and then one off of Hayden's and placed them on the counter. The teenager stared at me dumbfounded, and said, "Ma'am, I need both shoes from each of you."

Still, in my mind I was wondering why he needed our shoes, but I bent down once again to retrieve the other shoes. The teenager collected them and returned with two pairs of ice skates for us, but no shoes. It was at that moment a light bulb went on in my head. Ah-ha . . . he needed our shoes as collateral, I thought. I giggled as I walked away from the counter, realizing the teenager probably thought I was ditsy (and I am, sometimes :-)).

After pulling on our ice skates and lacing them up, we joined the instructor and class participants and entered the rink. We lined up, and each parent and child stepped onto the ice. When it was our turn, I almost fell as I stepped on the ice. Did I mention I haven't skated in 20 years? I felt unstable and wobbly as I glided on the ice. I giggled and mumbled under my breath, "Maybe I also need lessons." Fortunately, for the first lesson we barely moved on the ice.

The instructor taught the kids how to march on the ice, get back up on their skates after a fall, and fall without injuring themselves. I must admit, it was tough watching my little guy fall so many times. And the instructor was adamant that parents not help their kids up or allow them to hold onto the parents' hands or legs. After Hayden's first fall, he looked up at me with his big brown eyes and said, "Mommy, the ice is slippery."

As a mom, my natural instinct is to leap forward and help my son up when he falls. It took much restraint on my part not to do this every time he fell on the hard ice. As the lesson progressed, he began to figure out how to balance himself on the ice and pull himself up after a fall. I was amazed at how persistent he was in getting up after each fall.

The lesson was only 30 minutes long, which was plenty of time for preschoolers. At the end of the lesson, Hayden fell hard on the ice and began crying. Then another boy did the same thing. The instructor announced the class was over. I picked up my little guy, wiped away his tears, and told him what a great job he did.

As we walked out to the car, I asked Hayden if he enjoyed ice skating. I wasn't sure how he would respond after his many falls. He nodded and said he liked it, which is good because we have seven more lessons.

BEEginnings: A New Blog

2009-11-04T22:23:00.001-08:00

About two months ago, I entered the blogging world with this blog--BEEsy Mama. I never realized how much I would enjoy blogging. And so I decided to create a second blog--BEEsy Writer.

As you may know, I'm an aspiring writer. Currently I am working on my first novel, a historical fiction that takes place during World War II.

With BEEsy Writer, I hope to chronicle my journey as a writer, with a focus on what I'm learning and the valuable advice I've received along the way. Please visit BEEsy Writer at http://www.BEEsyWriter.blogspot.com.

Of course, I'm still devoted to this blog and my readers and will periodically post articles about being a BEEsy Mama! :-)

BEE Fulfilled: A Ladder to the Moon

2009-10-27T17:24:00.000-07:00

My son, Hayden, began dreaming BIG when he was two-years-old. One evening last fall, my husband Ryan gathered Hayden and our dog for an evening stroll on a neighborhood trail. While on the walk, Hayden noticed a full moon rising in the east, and pointing at it, he announced, "I need to get a ladder to go to the moon." Ryan chuckled at the thought of using a ladder, of all things, to climb to the moon. Later, when he shared this story with me, I also giggled at the thought of finding a ladder and propping it up against the moon.

But then I questioned the feasibility of Hayden's imaginative mode for trekking to the moon. I thought:

Where could we find a ladder tall and sturdy enough to reach the moon?

How much would it cost to buy or build such a ladder?

How could we position the ladder so that it wouldn't tumble down as we climbed each of the rungs?

How long would it take to reach the moon using a ladder? (I'm a BEEsy Mama, and time is a precious commodity!)

Why would we need a ladder to journey to the moon when we have space shuttles?

As I pondered on these questions, I observed a difference between my son and me. As a young child, Hayden is not afraid to dream BIG and wouldn't hesitate in trying to use a ladder to reach the moon, while I probably wouldn't even attempt it, rationalizing why it couldn't or shouldn't be done.

It was at that moment I realized I had forgotten what it was like to dream BIG like a child. But I once was a child, and like my son, I dreamed BIG.

I remember being ten years old and watching Mary Lou Retton in the 1984 Olympics. That summer, I was determined to be the next great gymnast. Every day, I practiced cartwheels, handsprings, and round-offs at the school playground behind my house. I'd balance myself on a narrow beam just inches from the ground, twirl a few times, and then bounce off it to dismount. With both arms extended high above my head, I'd bow to an imaginary audience cheering at my debut performance in the Olympics. Oh, the medals I was going to win!

Many other BIG dreams would follow in my childhood--to be a zoologist, a missionary, and a writer. And although many would never be realized, I found joy in dreaming them.

Then I transitioned into adulthood, and with each passing year, my BIG dreams dwindled until one day I realized I only had small ones, and sometimes, none at all. I noted many reasons for this--fears, complacency, busyness, and failure to seek God's direction on His dreams for my life.

But isn't it amazing how God can use children to show us what's missing in our lives? I'm learning so many lessons from my son, and one of the greatest is to not be afraid to dream BIG. Oh, if we could only dream like young children once again! We'd be fearless, optimistic, creative, determined, joyful, and hopeful as we reach for BIG dreams.

And I'm also learning the best dreams to pursue are those God has planned for each of us. I believe God's dreams for us are BIG . . . not dainty, oh-it-can-wait-until-later dreams. But instead, dreams that give joy, hope, and fulfillment to our lives and those around us. Dreams that require effort on our part but are well worth the extra energy we exert to accomplish them. Dreams that demand courage and commitment. Dreams that glorify God.

In Beth Moore's Breaking Free study, she wrote, "One of the things I love best about God is that He does not frown on our dreams. He simply longs to surpass them . . . God surpasses our dreams when we reach past our personal plans and agendas to grab the hand of Christ and walk the path He chose for us."

Can you imagine how God could use each of us if we allow Him to surpass our dreams?

Won't you join me in finding the unique ladders God made just for you and me? Let's grab them, prop them against the gates of Heaven, and begin climbing toward the dreams God intended for us.

BEEtween the Pages: Green by Ted Dekker

2009-10-26T05:37:00.000-07:00

"According to the Books of History, everything that happened after the year 2010 actually began in the year 4036 AD. It began in the future, not in the past. Confusing perhaps, but perfectly understandable once you realize that some things are as dependent on the future as on the past."

~Excerpt from Green by Ted Dekker~

Green, Ted Dekker's latest fantasy novel, begins and ends the saga of The Circle Series. This book tells the story of two worlds connected by the Books of History--one world in the past, which existed during the twenty-first century, and one in the future, which was created after the apocalypse destroyed Earth.

This novel centers on Thomas Hunter, who in the future world leads a group known as the Circle. But the Circle begins to fracture as some within the group, including Thomas's son, lose hope in Elyon, their one true God. Desperate to save the Circle and his son, Thomas embarks on a journey to restore the Circle's hope in Elyon, a quest launching him into the past.

I found Green to be a fast-paced fantasy exploring the battle between good and evil in a creative way, although some of the dark sections of this story were disturbing at times. I typically don't read fantasy and have not read the three other books in this series. As a result, I struggled at the beginning to understand the future world, characters, and new terminology. But soon I found this novel to be a page-turner and stayed up late last night to finish it. I'm curious about what happens in the next book in the series, Black, and will probably read it.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasies.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: For the Love of Books

2009-10-21T07:08:00.000-07:00

"There are many little ways
to enlarge your child's world.
Love of books
is the best of all."

~Jacqueline Kennedy ~

At a young age, I developed a love for books. I remember my mom encouraging me to read often. She'd sign me up for the library's reading program each summer, and I recall keeping tally of the books I finished. My mom also shared with me several books she enjoyed in her childhood. A favorite was a collection of poems, which included "Casey at the Bat" and "The Highwayman." Perhaps one of my fondest memories is the time my mom read aloud to my brother and me The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe from C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia series. Each day I could hardly wait for her to read the next chapters in the book.

And now that I am a mom, I desire to pass on a love of books to my son Hayden. One of my favorite activities with him is reading books together. I love it when he gathers a large stack of books in his arms and plops them in front of me for storytime. And I love it when he climbs up into our reclining chair in the den with one of the books, finds a comfy spot on my lap, and says, "Please read me this book, Mommy."

As best I can, I try to bring the books to life, varying the characters' voices and adding emphasis during the dramatic parts. I love to watch and listen to him as the story unravels--he imitates a dinosaur or a choo-choo train, giggles at a silly saying, and points his finger at interesting illustrations. When we finish the book, he often wants to read the same book again or jumps out the chair to grab a different one.

I'm thrilled to watch Hayden develop an interest and love for books. As a recent addition to his bedtime routine, we allow him to browse through books in his bed until he falls asleep. I'm amazed at how this has been soothing to him. Before we began this routine, he struggled to fall asleep in his bed without either his dad or me in the room with him. Now, I can leave him in his room alone as he flips through a stack of books until he eventually falls asleep.

Like many moms and their children, we have our favorite books. I must admit, as I browsed through the books in our home, I discovered I have many favorites, probably too many to list here. But I thought I'd share some with you today.

I'd love to hear about your family's favorite children's books!

Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss: I'm a big fan of Dr. Seuss (you'll see few of his books on my list), and I love Horton the Elephant. He's so kindhearted and, oh, so devoted! A great example for the kiddos! One of my favorite lines in the book is at the end when the crowd of people at the circus run into the tent where the egg has just hatched:

"My goodness! My gracious!" they shouted. "MY WORD!
It's something brand new!
IT'S AN ELEPHANT-BIRD!!
And it should be, it should be, it SHOULD be like that!
Because Horton was faithful! He sat and he sat!
He meant what he said and he said what he meant . . . . "
. . . And they sent him home
Happy,
One hundred per cent!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss: As a child, I loved this Christmas story. I especially looked forward to the cartoon airing on TV during the Christmas season. And guess what? I still love it, and so does my son. I must admit I always feel sorry for poor little Max, hitched in front of the sleigh with an antler tied to his head. A favorite section in this book is when the Grinch hears every Who in Who-ville singing:

And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could this be so?
"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours, til his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas . . . perhaps . . . means a little bit more!"

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss: As a mom, this book is a favorite because I secretly hope it will influence my little one to be more open-minded in trying different types of foods. (Although, with age he's becoming more brave and every so often he'll try something new.) When Hayden and I read this one, I often have him fill in the words. I will read: "Could you, would you with a . . . " And he replies, "Goat!" Then I read on: "Could you, would you in a . . . " And he blurts out, "Boat!" Recently, he's been pulling this book off the shelf every day for our storytime together.

The Hippo-NOT-amus by Tony and Jan Payne: We purchased this book at a Scholastic book fair at Hayden's school two years ago, and it fast became a favorite for both of us. It's about a little hippo named Portly who doesn't want to be a hippo anymore. So he goes on a journey in search of another type of animal he can be. Along the way, he meets a rhino, a bat, an elephant, and a giraffe and tries to change himself so he is like each of them. But he soon discovers he longs to be back home, standing up to his eyes in water all day and eating "boring old grass all day." When he returns home, his mother asks him, "What sort of creature are you?" And Portly replies, "I'm a hippo-gir-ele-bat-onoceros." This is a fun book!

Llama, Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney: I never tire of reading this book to Hayden. One of our favorite parts is at the end: "Llama llama red pajama gets two kisses from his mama . . . " Every time I read this, I give Hayden two kisses on his forehead, and he looks up at me and smiles. I love those moments! One other favorite section, which makes me giggle every time I read it, is:

Baby Llama,
what a tizzy!
Sometimes Mama's
very busy.
Please stop all this
llama drama
and be patient
for your mama.

The Cow Who Clucked by Denise Fleming: I thoroughly enjoy reading books to Hayden with animal sounds. They are so much fun! This book is about a cow who wakes up one morning and discovers she's lost her moo. So she visits the animals on the farm, greeting each with a "cluck, cluck" as she tries to find her moo. In this book, you can "bzzzzz, bzzzzz" like a bee, "glub, glub" like a fish, "squeak, squeak" like a mouse, "chee, chee," like a squirrel, and make many other silly animal sounds. Another book similar to this one that we like to read is a book called The Cow That Went Oink by Bernard Most.

How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague: Have I mentioned Hayden LOVES dinosaurs? A day isn't complete unless he's played with his dinosaurs, crawled around and roared like a scary T-Rex, and sat with his dad or me to read one of his many dinosaur books. This dinosaur book is silly and educational. It teaches kids about good manners at the dinner table. I particularly enjoy this book because Hayden giggles and responds to the questions in the first half of the book. For example, the book asks, "How does a dinosaur eat all his food? Does he spit out his broccoli partially chewed?" And Hayden responds with an emphatic "No!" Then I read on: "Does he bubble his milk?" Hayden laughs and says, "Yes." And this is because Hayden likes to make bubbles in his milk. :-)

Jungle Drums by Graeme Base: This is a beautifully illustrated book with an exciting tale about Africa's smallest warthog name Ngiri Mdogo. The warthogs and other beautiful jungle animals tease and laugh at poor Ngiri because he is so small. Then he meets Old Nyumbu the Wildebeest, and she gives him a set of magic drums. So that night Ngiri beats his hooves on the drums and makes a wish to be changed. The next morning, he finds he's the same, but the other animals have changed. And this when the drama unravels. As a fun addition to this book, the author hid images of Old Nyumbu the Wildebeest on each of the spreads, and some of them are difficult to find.

The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale Retold by Angela Elwell Hunt: For Hayden's first Christmas, my brother and his family gave him this book, and it is unlike any book we own. It tells a beautiful story about "three trees whose wishes come true in a surprising way." Every time I read this book, I cry. It is such a deep and enriching story.

BEEsy in the Kitchen: Pizza Chefs!

2009-10-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

"When the moon
hits your eye
Like a big pizza pie
That's amore."

~Lyrics from Dean Martin's That's Amore~

This evening Hayden and I became pizza chefs. We both slipped on our aprons--Hayden in his monkey one and me in my floral one. Hayden jumped right in, rolling out the balls of dough into individual-sized pies and piling one with his favorite toppings. It's the first time he's helped me make pizza.

A couple of years ago, I began making my own homemade pizza. I studied different techniques in my collection of cookbooks and experimented with them. I enjoy the art of creating pizza--kneading the dough, rolling it out, and loading it up with a variety of toppings. And I've discovered making delicious and even healthy pizza in your home kitchen is not too difficult. But it helps to know a few tips before your begin, including:

One of the best places I've found for placing the dough to rise is in my microwave oven. Before placing the bowl in there, I usually run the microwave on high for about 1 minute with a cup of water. I then remove the water and place the bowl of the dough in the warm microwave (do not run microwave while dough is in there).

For pizza with a thin, crisp crust, either use a large rectangular pizza stone or line the bottom rack of your oven with unglazed quarry tiles made of terra cotta (you can usually purchase these at a tile store).

Preheat your oven to 500 degrees. Place the pizza stone or tiles in the oven before beginning the preheat. If possible, preheat the oven for one hour.

For pizza that is crisp and chewy, use bread flour.

When making whole-wheat dough, your flour should be one-half whole wheat and one-half either unbleached all-purpose or bread flour. Using only whole-wheat flour results in a very dense pizza crust.

Pizza peels are handy tools for sliding uncooked pizzas onto stones or tiles. Coat the pizza peel either with semolina (preferred) or corn meal to prevent the dough from sticking to the peel.

Keep an eye on the pizza because it tends to cook fast with the oven's high temperature. I usually check it every five minutes.

Experiment with toppings. You may be surprised which combinations you like best.

I typically use one of two recipes when making pizza dough--one with white flour only and the other with a combination of whole-wheat and white flour. The recipe I'd like to share today is the whole-wheat recipe. In the weeks to come, I'll share the other one when I post one of my family's favorite calzone recipes, which uses white flour dough.

I'd love to hear about any tips you have for making delicious pizza!

Whole-Wheat Pizza Dough

Adapted from a recipe in Everyday Food

1 1/2 cups warm (115 degrees) water
2 packets (1/4 oz. each) active dry yeast
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for bowl
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 cups bread or all-purpose flour
2 cups whole-wheat flour

1. Place water in a large bowl; sprinkle with yeast. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes

2. Add sugar, oil, and salt to the yeast mixture and whisk together. With a wooden spoon, stir in flours until mixed together. Knead on a floured surface for 3 to 5 minutes, until dough is smooth and elastic. Transfer to an oiled bowl and brush top of dough with olive oil. Cover bowl with a clean kitchen towel and place in a warm area in kitchen (I recommend the microwave--see my tip above). Let dough stand until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.

3. Place dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Divide into two balls for two large pizzas or eight small balls for individual-sized pizzas. (Note: I only used half of the dough tonight, making four individual pizzas. I froze the other ball, which I can take out a day before I plan to use it and make either one large pizza or four individual-sized pizzas.)

4. Roll dough out into desirable size and thickness. Pile on your favorite toppings. For the pizzas we made tonight, we added tomato sauce, pepperoni, pineapples, and a combination of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses to two pizza pies and barbecue sauce, crisp cooked bacon, sliced sweet bell peppers, sliced onions, and feta cheese to the other two pies.

5. Using a pizza peel, slide the prepared pizzas onto a stone or tiles in the preheated oven. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until crisp and golden brown.

6. Allow to cool for a few minutes. Enjoy! :-)

BEEing A Mom: A Campaign for Our Veggie Pals

2009-10-16T05:46:00.000-07:00

I'd like to share a poem I wrote for all moms with kids who won't eat their veggies. I hope you enjoy!

A Campaign for Our Veggie Pals

Calling all mamas from near and far
From north to south to east to west
Come and join this noble quest
To smother veggie prejudice.

Come rally for veggies of all colors and sizes.
Please jump on the wagon for this grand campaign
To proclaim, defend, persuade, and explain
How veggies endured years of preschoolers' disdain.

Stand up and cheer for our beloved green pals,
For spinach, snap peas, and asparagus
For broccoli, string beans, and all sorts of lettuce
Oh, how they desperately do need us.

Let's also support our other friends.
Let's take to the streets, with our signs and our mottos
To represent beets, carrots, and tomatoes
Onions, eggplants, yams, and potatoes

Most veggies I know are hardworking and good-hearted,
But every so often a bad one spoils the bunch.
I'll only name one for which I won't munch.
Pssst . . . It's cauliflower--too bland to be in my lunch!

Moms across this great land of ours
Are weary and frazzled and full of dismay
Tired of begging and nagging and pleading each day
For kids to sample veggies on their dinner tray.

They've tried all the tricks in the modern books
From Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious
To The Sneaky Chef's recipes, creative and nutritious
But soon they discover these ploys aren't expeditious.

Every night at bedtime they read to their kids
A classic Seuss tale they hope will prevail
Of Sam-I-Am for whom moms all hail
As a master persuader who does not fail.

But as much as they hope and pray for a victory
Their little ones still snub yellow squash and zucchini
The kids whine and cry and make Mom feel like a meany
So she dreams of a lamp and three wishes from a genie.

It's time to take action and start a new movement!
We'll swap out their nuggets for bowls of peas
And pile on their plates mounds of lettuce leaves
Then serve them some broccoli and maybe some cheese.

We'll grin and exclaim, "Oh, what a treat!"
"Veggies are so, so good," we'll assert.
Then we'll hope that they finally convert.
And if they don't, then no dessert!

BEEing A Mom: Write Me A Story

2009-10-12T13:57:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, Hayden and I discovered a new educational activity. Saturday afternoon we visited our local toy and teacher supply store. As I browsed through the books and activities for sale at the store, I found a stack of tablets called "Write Me A Story." Three different themes were available: a circus adventure, a fairy tale, and a robot story. After reading the instructions and studying the tablets' contents, I decided to purchase the circus-themed one. I could hardly wait for Hayden to begin creating stories.

Over the last few days, we have written two tales wrought with conflict and featuring scary dinosaurs. Just so you know, none of the 96 stickers in the tablet had dinosaurs. But Hayden LOVES dinosaurs and a story is not complete until a hungry T-Rex enters the adventure.

I'd love to share one of his stories with you. But first, let me tell you a little about the tablets and how they work. Each tablet includes 50 lined pages and 96 theme-based stickers, and they are appropriate for children ages three and older. Because Hayden is three and cannot write words yet, I wrote the story on the lined paper for him, but he created the story. To begin, he selected a sticker and placed it at the top of the page. For the story I've included below, the first sticker he chose was of two monkey trapezists. I then asked him what was happening in the picture, and that is how our story began. Occasionally, he picked out a new sticker and we added it to the page. Both of the stories he created were about four pages long.

I truly enjoyed this activity for a number of reasons. First, it is fun and interactive. Our storytelling experience was filled with goofiness and giggles. Second, I believe it is a valuable tool in introducing literacy to young children. As described in the tablet's instructions, this activity teaches language and communication in a variety of forms - speaking, listening, reading, and writing. For a child who cannot read yet, this activity shows the child how the letters and words are written as the story is being told. And for a child beginning to write words, this activity provides a great opportunity to practice this new skill. Third, it sparks and encourages a child's imagination as well as the parent's. And finally, it introduces children to the basic elements of creating a good story.

As an alternative to these tablets, you could purchase lined paper or an easel-sized tablet of paper and an assortment of stickers to begin your own story writing experience with your kids.

And now, I'd like to share one of the stories my three-year-old son, Hayden, created. I hope you enjoy! :-)

Hayden's Story About Monkeys,
Dinosaurs, Clowns, and a Lion

Once upon a time, a monkey was upside down. A T-Rex came along and ate the two monkeys. The T-Rex joined four other T-Rexes and they went inside a cave. The T-Rexes chased the people in the cave. The people screamed and ran. One T-Rex found a triceratops in the cave. Hayden and Mommy were in the cave, and they began to run out of the cave, but they realized they needed to help Daddy escape. With Daddy in tow, they ran home.

They found "scary" clowns outside their house. Hayden, Mommy, and Daddy hopped in the back of the car with the clowns. The clowns and Hayden and Mommy and Daddy chased the dinosaurs back to their cave. The clowns took Hayden, Mommy, and Daddy home. The clowns then drove to the clown house. They played with some toys and lived happily ever after. Or so we thought! The clowns met a lion who liked to garden. THE END :-)

BEEtween the Pages: The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen

2009-10-10T21:36:00.000-07:00

"When we arrived at the end of the year 1919, Siam was laughter, music, color. Many years later I fled the country and the rage of darkness that howled within me. This is our story, my child - Harvey's and mine. These are the years that you can't recall. Sift for the truth. But look to light and learn what those fireflies taught, what draws the moth to the flame and flowers to the sun. It is this that I want you to know: Darkness is only the absence of light."

~Excerpt from The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen~

The Moon in the Mango Tree tells the tale of a woman's journeys from Philadelphia to Siam, Paris, and Rome and her search for a distinct purpose in her life. As a newlywed in 1919, Barbara Perkins sets aside her dreams of being a singer to follow her husband, Harvey, to the mission fields in Siam. Stationed at a post off the beaten path, she struggles to conform to the protocols and mindsets of the region's Christian missionaries and to understand Harvey's passion for serving the Siam people as a physician. Demoralized and frightened after a series of events at the isolated post, Barbara loses faith in Christianity and questions Harvey's love for her. Soon she finds herself torn between her deep love for her husband and children and her yearning to pursue her dream of being a singer.

Within the first few pages of this book, I was drawn into Ewen's exquisite prose. Her beautifully crafted scenes, landscapes, and characters blossom into a rich story that enchanted me from the beginning to the end. Although the story slowed somewhat during Barbara's journeys from Paris to Lausanne, Switzerland to Rome, I understood and appreciated Ewen's inclusion of these scenes after finishing the book. Ewen creates a sense of uncertainty on how the story will end, which made it unpredictable and satisfying to me. Days after completing this story, I found myself still pondering on its characters, craft, and themes. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical and literary fiction. I am looking forward to reading more books from this author.

For more information about this book and its author, please go to http://bhpublishinggroup.com/fiction/authors.asp?a=Ewen_Pamela.

Reviewer's Note: I learned about this book at the American Christian Fiction Writers' annual conference in September 2009. At this conference, one of the first writers I met was Pamela Binnings Ewen. We sat next to each other at the first-time attendees orientation and chatted for several minutes. Ewen was so kind and gracious to me, offering valuable advice to me, a beginning fiction writer. Intrigued by the description about her story, I purchased the book and brought it to a book signing event. As she signed my book, I thumbed through a notebook filled with black-and-white pictures of her grandmother in Siam. The Moon in the Mango Tree is based upon her grandmother's true story.

BEEdazzling Mamas: My Mom - Part 2

2009-10-08T08:33:00.001-07:00

"My prayers were simple. I've never been a big fancy prayer. It has mainly been, 'God, I'm not able to do this. I don't know how to do this. God, I need your help.' I think it's just pouring out your heart honestly . . . and when you get to a place when you truly mean what you pray, God hears you every time. He always does. That type of prayer He will answer."

~Deb Murray on her prayers as a parent~

I recently had the great privilege of interviewing my mom. This is something I have never done before, and I found it to be such an enriching experience. My mom and I have always been close, and over the years she has shared many personal stories and her thoughts with me. And yet, I learned so much more about my mom from this interview. I would highly recommend all daughters interview their moms. You may be surprised what you discover about your own mom.

I hope you enjoy this article and are blessed by it! :-)

As a veteran mom, Deb Murray understands the joys and challenges of raising children. She's experienced the thrills and celebrations at the high peaks of motherhood and the fears and disappointments in its trenches. And yet, after 35 years of being a mom, she still loves this important role God gave her.

At the age of 18, Deb discovered she was pregnant with her first child. She was excited about becoming a mom. "I've always loved kids," she said. During her childhood, she babysat for many of the families in her neighborhood and soon developed a love and passion for kids. "I think I was probably more ready to be a mom than I was to be a wife," she said.

But the early years of being a mom were challenging in many ways, she recalled. Her marriage was rocky during those years, and she often contemplated divorce. "That took away some of the joy," she said about how the marriage issues affected her as a mom.

A life-changing event occurred shortly after she became a mom. "Having a child was the thing that kind of made me think about God again," she said. About a year after the birth of her first child, her father-in-law invited her to attend his church, and on Palm Sunday in 1975, she became a Christian.

She soon developed a close relationship with the pastor of the church and his wife. Bernie and Essie Lovely, whom she affectionately calls "Brother and Sister Lovely," encouraged her in many ways in the early years of being a mom and a Christian. She laughed as she shared a story about Brother Lovely's kind and forgiving heart that happened on one of her many visits to the Lovelys' house. On this particular visit, she accidentally spilled coffee over Brother Lovely's Bible. "He wasn't upset at all," she recalled. "He didn't hate me. As a Christian, that is one of your most precious things and to have someone spill coffee all over it . . . He still loved me."

In late 1978, she moved with her husband and two children from Ohio to Colorado. During the first couple of years in Colorado, she struggled to keep her marriage intact. She soon met two young moms in her church, and the three of them met often to pray together. "It was definitely a group of people who were very innocent, who were young in Christ, and yet God amazingly answered prayer after prayer," she said. One of the prayers answered was her husband, Jack, became a Christian. "The marriage began to get better, and God started to do some really neat things."

As her children grew and her marriage began to flourish, she enjoyed being a mother more and more. She said she centered her life around her two kids, Julie and Luke. She soon landed a job as a teacher's aide at a local school. "There could not have been a more perfect job than that," she said. Being in the school, she was able to keep tabs on what was happening with her kids. During this time, she and her husband also became more involved with their church and volunteered to serve as the church's youth group leaders.

She said she learned many lessons during the elementary and pre-teen ages of her children. "When you have kids," she said, "you realize you need to be an example to them. If you want them to serve God and you want them to do what is right, then you too have to do the right thing. Probably in my younger days, I would have called in sick [for work] and not really been sick. I stopped doing things like that. I tried to be really honest."

During this phase of parenting, she also learned "you have to recognize your kids are human. No matter how good they are, they are going to do things that are wrong . . . You have to make your kids responsible for their actions." And in partnership with her husband, this meant immediately addressing behavioral issues with their kids. But she also learned that she had to find a balance and not be so strict that she pushed her kids into rebellion.

When her kids reached the teenage years, she said there were times she felt she was failing as a parent. "I think the teenage years are really tough," she said, "because kids are starting to get their wings and starting to want to be on their own and they get to the place where they think their parents are really stupid and don't know anything. I think that's normal."

She laughed as she shared a valuable lesson she learned during this phase of parenting. "Pray harder!" On a more serious note, she said, "I think the whole key is that you just need to go to God that much more . . . The key to [my kids] turning out was not me. It was God. It was because I honestly humbled myself before God and said, 'God, I can't do this. I don't know how to do this. I don't know how to be a parent.' I don't thing any of us really do. But God knows how. And I asked Him to help me and show me how to be a parent to my kids."

Now, as a parent of two adult children, she said being a mom during this stage can sometimes be the most difficult time because "you have no control. You have to let them go. It's never too late to pray. And really that's all you can do."

But she also shared the many joys of being a mom to adult children. Because parenting is more relaxed now, she can develop closer friendships with her adult children. Her fondest memories during these years have been the births of her six grandchildren. She said being a grandparent is much easier than being a parent. "As a grandparent, you only correct when the kids are at risk or some big issue. You realize you only tackle the big things. You're more relaxed, more calm."

Her greatest desire for her children and grandchildren is for them to "serve God with all their hearts and all their souls." She said that this is more important to her than the careers and aspirations they may pursue in their lives. "If they can keep their focus for the most part on God . . . they're going to be fine."

When asked about advice she would give to moms in supporting their husbands in their parenting roles, she said, "You always want to encourage. You don't want to really disagree, unless it's something really serious, in front of the kids." She also advised about being careful to not be jealous of the other parent. "Don't worry if the kids love one more than the other, because they do. They go through different stages where they like Dad more than they like Mom and Mom more than they like Dad, but you need to not become jealous of that."

When asked about the advice she would give to moms with children of any age, she say, "The biggest advice is pray. Humble yourself. Realize that the season will pass. But the only thing you can do is pray. It's really in the hands of God."

BEEdazzling Mamas: My Mom - Part 1

2009-10-07T16:05:00.000-07:00

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts." ~Washington Irving~

BEEdazzling Mamas is a new column I created to celebrate the inspirational and beautiful moms I know. And what better way to introduce this column than to feature my own mom. She is truly BEEdazzling to me in so many ways.

Earlier today, I sat at my desk and began jotting down all the qualities I love in my mom. Soon I found my list quite lengthy, and as I reflected on each of the qualities, tears began to tumble down my cheeks as I realized how much I truly admire and love my mom. I'm so excited to be able to share some of those exquisite qualities with you.

Beautiful: As a child and an adult, I've always seen my mom as beautiful on the inside and outside. But as I ponder on this further, I realize that her true beauty shines from the inside out. Her genuine smile, twinkling eyes, and infectious laugh illuminate her true beauty from within. And from within, you will find wisdom, integrity, and kindness of the purest kind. With age, this type of beauty only blossoms.

Encourager: My mom has been the encourager and cheerleader in my life. She has always believed in me, even when I could not believe in myself. She's stood beside me and supported me in all my aspirations, and I know I could not have accomplished many things in my life without her encouraging words and belief in me. Thanks Mom!

Sincere: My mom has always been sincere in what she says and does. I know that I can rely upon her to be truthful in her assessment of circumstances and in the advice she gives.

Trustworthy: My mom is one of the few people I know whom I trust wholeheartedly with all aspects of my life. I know I can share my deepest secrets and fears with her and she will handle them with care and confidentiality. And even more important, I know I can trust her with providing love and protection to one of the most precious people in my life - my son.

Forgiving: One of the greatest gifts my mom has given me are the many examples and lessons on how to truly forgive. I remember her pleading with my brother and me to never leave home or go to bed at night without asking for forgiveness from those we've wronged and forgiving those who we believed have wronged us.

Responsible: My mom taught me how to be responsible in life. In fact, both of my parents showed me what it means to be a responsible member of society. They are hard-workers, and I've always admired that quality in both of them.

Integrity: Over the years, I've watched my mom live a life of integrity. In her jobs and personal situations, she has been placed in challenging situations with no easy solutions. And time after time, she has chosen the high road, even when it was not popular or resulted in criticism. I admire her for her decisions and have sought to follow in her steps in living a life of integrity.

Empathetic: My mom deeply feels the hurt and pain suffered by those she loves. When life serves me disappointments, I know I can go to my mom and pour my heart out to her, and she will attentively listen and sometimes even cry with me.

Nurturer: My mom has always been a natural at nurturing. As a young child, I remember her tending to my many needs. But perhaps the most meaningful way she has nurtured me as a child and an adult is in the way she has encouraged me in my walk with God. In fact, the spiritual nurturing she has provided to my entire family has blessed us immensely and will richly bless her grandchildren and the generations to follow.

Dreamer: My mom has always believed in having dreams. And even though I've witnessed seasons in her life where she thought her dreams may be fading, I still saw a glimmer of hope within her and knew those dreams would not be lost.

The bottom line: My mom is my best friend. Many of us often envision growing old with our spouses, sitting in rocking chairs on a wrap-around porch and reminiscing on the years we shared together. I dream of this as well and am looking forward to the many years ahead with my husband. But I also yearn to pull up another rocking chair and invite my mom over to laugh and cry over the memories we collected together in our lifetimes.

I'd love to hear about the BEEdazzling Mamas you know!

Please check out my blog in the next day or two for the second part of this series: an interview with my mom.

BEEtween the Pages: "Kabul 24" by Henry O. Arnold and Ben Pearson

2009-09-27T23:05:00.000-07:00

Kabul 24 chronicles the gripping story of 8 Western missionaries and their 16 Afghan coworkers imprisoned by the Taliban in 2001. About six weeks before the September 11th bombings of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, armed Taliban kidnapped 24 workers affiliated with Shelter Now International (SNI), a humanitarian organization providing aid to refugees in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This story recounts the eight missionaries' steadfast faith in God, their love for the Afghan people, and their resolve to stay together as they endured more than three terrifying months in captivity.

Kabul 24 is a page-turner and contains many valuable insights about the Afghan culture, the missionaries' unwavering faith in God, and God's unfailing love displayed through the many miracles described in this book. This book humanizes the ordinary people of Afghanistan and gave me a compassion for them. I was saddened when I read stories about the heinous circumstances many Afghans endured under the rule of the Taliban. But I was also encouraged by the faith, love, and loyalty shown by the missionaries, Afghan prisoners, and even some of the Taliban as this story unraveled. I highly recommend this book.

For more information about this book, please visit:

http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595550224&title=Kabul-24&authors=Ben-Pearson-and-Henry-O.-Arnold

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEsy in the Kitchen: Soup Celebration

2009-09-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

I love soup!

I love the savory aromas from a pot of soup simmering in my kitchen.

I love the creativity involved in making a batch of soup. Add a little of this and pinch of that, and oh, what about trying something new!

I love the warmth I feel inside as I sip on a spoonful of steaming soup on a chilly day.

I love the assortment of foods available to accessorize soup: a baguette of french bread, a handful of crackers, a dollop of sour cream, or a wedge of homemade cornbread with honey.

I even love the dishes designed just for soup.

After three days of cold, cloudy, and rainy weather, I am craving a good bowl of soup. One of my favorite soups is White Chicken Chili. It's a simple recipe. I usually have the ingredients on hand so I can make it whenever I crave it. Enjoy! :-)

Juliet's White Chicken Chili

2 1/2 TBSP olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in small pieces
1 (7-8 oz) can chopped green chiles
1 jalapeno, roasted, seeded, & chopped (optional, spicy!)
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp cumin
1 TBSP flour
3 (14 oz.) cans chicken broth
Green Pepper Tabasco Sauce (several drops, to taste)
2 (15 oz) cans great northern white beans (drained)

Suggested toppings: shredded Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, chopped onion, and/or tortilla chips

Instructions:

(1) Heat 2 TBSP olive oil in large stockpot over medium high heat until hot. Add onions, garlic, and chicken. Cook until chicken is done.

(2) Add 1/2 TBPS olive oil, green chiles, jalapeno, thyme, cumin, and flour. Cook for about 1 minute until mixture is thick. Add chicken broth, Tabasco sauce, and beans.

(3) Bring to a boil then simmer on low heat for at least 30 minutes.

(4) Serve with suggested toppings and tortillas or cornbread.

BEEing A Mom: Rainy Days

2009-09-21T16:22:00.000-07:00

My family and I awoke this morning to a cold and rainy day. What should Hayden and I do today? I wondered as I peered outside. It was too frigid and wet for outdoor activities. Hayden watched a few cartoons on PBS this morning, but I did not want us to sit in front of the TV all day. So together we discovered five simple activities perfect for a rainy (or snowy) day.

#1: Drinking Hot Cocoa

As I sat at my desk working earlier this morning, I heard Hayden enter my office. I glanced up at him and laughed at the sight before me. In his mismatched pajamas, he stood in front of me wearing his red Lightning McQueen baseball cap and Batman clogs, twirling an open umbrella above his head.

"I wanna go outside in the rain," he said under the canopy of the umbrella.

Grinning, I led him to the back door and allowed him to stand out on the deck with his umbrella for a few moments. I listened as the rain pitter-pattered on his umbrella and our wooden deck, then shivered from a cold breeze pushing through the open door into my living room where I stood. Seconds later, Hayden cried, "I'm cold. I wanna go in."

I reached out onto the deck to retrieve his umbrella and then guided him into the living room and closed the door.

"How about some hot cocoa?" I asked.

He nodded. Minutes later, he sipped on a cup of hot chocolate with a big smile on his face. It's amazing how hot cocoa on chilly day can solve almost any problem!

#2: Making A Mailbox

Remember when I mentioned in an earlier post that I am not a "crafty" mama? I must admit I had so much fun with last week's craft I decided to try another. Today we made a custom mailbox for Hayden.

Using a shoebox, I helped Hayden decorate it with an assortment of scrapbooking paper. We cut a long rectangular hole on top to insert mail and added a flag with a giraffe on the side. Placing my hand over his, we spelled his name and "mailbox" on a piece of paper and glued it to the front. I hope to fill his mailbox at least once a week with something special, like stickers and a letter to him.
#3: Baking Cookies

After lunch, we mixed batter for oatmeal cookies. Hayden enjoyed dumping the ingredients in the mixing bowl, turning the mixer on and off, sampling the cookie dough, and dropping the cookies on the baking sheet. Ten minutes later, I served him one of his specially made cookies with a cup of cold milk. Life is good! :-)

#4: Reading Books

On any day, reading a stack of books with Hayden is such a joy. And today was no different. We sat in our reading chair in our den, and I read a few books to him.

Each summer we participate in our library's reading program. If we read for at least eight hours, Hayden receives a free book of his choice from the library. I decided I would like to continue recording our reading habits, and for every eight hours we read, I thought it would be a treat to go to the bookstore and select a book to add to our own home library. So today I created a "pirate" themed recording sheet and attached it to the bulletin board. I anticipate we will be visiting the bookstore soon to select our first book.

#5: Taking A Nap

After a morning and afternoon filled with activities, Hayden and I lay down for a nap. Oh how cozy it was to curl up with him and a blanket for a snooze on a cold and wet day. Hayden slept for about three hours.

I have come to love a rainy day every so often because it allows me to slow down and spend some quality one-on-one time with my little boy. And by doing this, I'm truly savoring the sweetness of life!

BEE Fulfilled: Breaking Free

2009-09-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

Several months ago, I spent a morning reading scripture in 1 Thessalonians. As I neared the end of this book in the Bible, I read the following three verses:

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all
circumstances, for this is God's will
for you in Christ Jesus."

~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)~

I remember jotting down on a piece of paper the following:

Be Joyful + Be Prayerful + Be Thankful = Be Fulfilled

On the surface, these verses presented a simple equation on how were are to live our lives in Christ Jesus. But as I pondered on the three components of fulfilling God's will, I realized I often struggle to follow this calling. In fact, I was not sure I truly understood what it meant to "be joyful always." And I knew that my prayer life was sporadic and did not qualify as being continual. I expressed thanks in many situations, but I knew I could not make the claim of giving "thanks in all circumstances."

Shortly after reading these verses, I began a Beth Moore bible study called Breaking Free. I love how God places the tools we need for growth just when we need them. I stumbled across this bible study when searching for another study at my local Christian bookstore. The store employee assisting me pulled this study from the shelf and recommended it to me. Somewhat disappointed that they did not have the study I wanted, I hesitated before deciding to purchase it.

That evening, I sat cross-legged on my bed and began reading the first section of the study. Within minutes, I was fascinated as the study delved into a history lesson about the kings during the prophet Isaiah's time. At first, curiosity about the history components of the study drew me to it each day. But soon a desire to learn about the truths found in God's Word and a yearning to mature in my relationship with Him grew day by day.

During the second week of the study, I discovered one of the reasons I needed to embark on this journey at this particular time. In this study, Beth Moore provides the following definition of captivity:

"A Christian is held captive by anything that hinders

the abundant and effective Spirit-filled life God planned for her."

It did not take long for me to discover I had been living in captivity in certain areas of my life for some time. During the study, I came to understand that the only way to find freedom from this captivity is through seeking Christ's help.

Each week as I completed the daily lessons in this study, I found my relationship with Christ deepening, and I began to gain knowledge and understanding of how to break free from the strongholds in my life. I have wept more over the last two months than I have in a long time. The Lord has stirred such a yearning within me to know Him better and to be obedient to His commands and callings in my life. Every morning, I find I hunger to spend time with God in His Word and prayer, a hunger that grew from a few random rumbles and growls just a few months ago to an intense need from deep within me.

Each day, I am learning what it means to "be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances." In the weeks and months to come, I hope to further explore the meaning of these three verses in 1 Thessalonians and share the truths God is revealing to me related to them.

BEEing A Mom: Bumblebee Rocks

2009-09-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

I have a confession: I'm not a "crafty" mama. I wish I were. I admire the creative and cute crafts I find on websites and in books and magazines. But often I read the craft's directions and either don't understand how to complete them or think they will require more effort than I'm willing to devote to them. I usually opt to take Hayden to the zoo or a museum rather than work on a craft. This is where Hayden's preschool teacher, Miss Ashlee, has been a blessing. Each day Miss Ashlee coordinates a craft for the kids in the class. So I'm reassured I'm not depriving Hayden of opportunities to explore his artistic abilities.

But every once and a while, I have a moment when I desire to tackle a craft. This morning I had one of those moments.

After breakfast, I thumbed through a couple of my preschool books until I finally found instructions on a craft I thought I could complete with Hayden. The craft: making bumblebees out of rocks. I quickly perused the directions and thought, "I can do this."

Minutes later, we embarked on an adventure behind our house to find flat rocks to be used as the bumblebees' bodies. After collecting several rocks, we laid them out on the patio table. As I reread the craft's directions, I struggled to understand what to do after cleaning and drying the rocks. The book did not include any pictures, and as I much I tried, I could not comprehend what to do next.

So in a rare moment for me, I decided we would abandon the book and make the bumblebee rocks using our own creativity and the supplies we had on hand. For the next hour, Hayden and I shared a delightful time together painting rocks and putting the finishing touches on them.

And even though our masterpieces may not be worthy of being included in a book or magazine, we were thrilled about how they turned out.

Throughout the afternoon, Hayden discovered many creative ways to play with the bumblebee rocks. My favorite was a new twist to the game of "tag." In our living room, we took turns being the tagger with the bee. My son made the sound of a bee buzzing as he chased me around the coffee table until he finally caught up with me and rather than "tagging" me, he used the bee to "sting" me.

Perhaps I will try to be a "crafty" mama a little more often now!

BEEyond the Hive: An Old-Fashioned Parade

2009-09-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

As a child, I loved watching and participating in my small town's parades. What a thrill it was to sit along the curbside and anxiously wait for candy to be tossed by kids and adults riding on floats, Shriner clowns on their silly bicycles, and cowboys and cowgirls on their horses. With candy scattered along the road, we kids would scramble to our feet and dash this way and that to collect as many pieces as possible. At the end of the parade, we would peer into our bags and gloat over the treasures we accumulated.

As much as I loved parades as a child, I realized a couple of years ago I had rarely attended parades as an adult. But why? Perhaps it was because I became too busy to slow down and enjoy an old-fashioned parade. Or maybe that youthful spirit I once had disappeared for a season.

But it's amazing how having a child often draws out the inner child within us. About two years ago, my family and I ventured to our downtown area for a parade, my first in many years. My son was about 18 months old at the time, and I wanted to share the merriment of parades with him. I soon rediscovered how much I loved parades as the long procession of marching bands, floats, dancers, cyclists, horses, and other participants promenaded past us.

Unable to attend my town's annual Harvest Festival parade last September, I yearned to be there for it this year. At around 9 a.m. this morning, my husband, mother-in-law, son, and I lined up on a curb along the parade route. Within minutes, we were waving at firefighters in their trucks, clapping as marching bands finished their musical performances, and pointing at pieces of candy for my son to collect. We marveled as Mexican dancing horses tapped their hooves to a tune played by a Mariachi band, dancers and gymnasts dazzled us with their twirls, lifts, and back flips, and firefighters accentuated the somber beauty of the bagpipes and drums. Three hours later, the last act strolled past us, and I felt delighted to have been a part of the event.

As I pondered on my parade experience this afternoon, I realized one of the reasons I love parades is they draw me closer to my community, allowing me to witness the playful side of those who live in my town and to see their kindheartedness. During the parade, two kids sitting next to us on the curb picked up pieces of candy and shared them with my son. It warmed my heart to see such generosity from the younger generations in my town.

I also observed parades are timeless. I found few differences in the parade I watched today from the ones I enjoyed as a child. Even with the major technological advances over the last 30 years, hometown parades still have an old-fashioned flair to them. They are simple, yet fun celebrations that bring communities together. And perhaps that I why I loved them when I was a child and love them now!

BEEsy in the Kitchen: Grandma Jobes' Apple Crisp

2009-09-09T08:09:00.000-07:00

I love autumn!

The flickering of yellow leaves as a brisk breeze sweeps through a grove of aspens.

The thrills of listening to elk in the rut bugle in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The kaleidoscope of crimson, chartreuse, gold, and orange peppering parks and neighborhoods throughout my town.

The giggles of young children as they zigzag through a pumpkin patch, stopping occasionally to try to push or lift a pumpkin bigger than they are.

The ambrosial scent of apples just picked from a local orchard.

And sweet flavors bursting in my mouth as I indulge in a bite of freshly baked apple crisp.

With the start of autumn just around the corner, I'd like to share an heirloom recipe from my Great-Grandma Jobes. As a child, I always looked forward to my mom baking my Grandma Jobes' Apple Crisp in the autumn. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I have!

Grandma Jobes' Apple Crisp

6 juicy apples, peeled and cored
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon

(1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

(2) Cut apples into quarters and arrange in greased pie plate or shallow baking dish. Pour lemon juice over apples.

(3) Blend butter, flour, sugar, and cinnamon as for pie crust. Press mixture over the apples.

(4) Bake for 1 hour. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve with milk and/or vanilla ice cream.

BEEing A Mom: Lemonade, Dinosaurs, and Ice Cream

2009-09-08T16:04:00.000-07:00

"What do you want to do today?" my husband asked me yesterday morning.

For several minutes, we brainstormed on possible activities our family could enjoy on the Labor Day holiday. After discussing a plethora of ideas, we finally settled on a visit to the Denver Botanic Gardens. I recalled reading about a dinosaur exhibit at the gardens. My three-year-old son LOVES dinosaurs, so we were certain it would be a hit.

An hour later, the three of us piled into our van and set out for the gardens near downtown Denver. But soon our plans changed. As we drove by the baseball stadium and noticed crowds of people gathering at the gates, an idea popped into my head. "Let's go to a baseball game," I blurted out. "We've been talking about going to one all summer. Let's do it today."

Within minutes, I found a parking space several blocks away from the stadium. I felt a surge of excitement as I thought about spending an afternoon with my family at a baseball game. It had been nearly two years since our last baseball game, and I was eager to watch my son discover the joys and thrills of being at a live game.

We approached the ticket counter and inquired about ticket availability and prices. Stunned by the high prices, we hesitated in buying the tickets. Maybe we should go to the gardens, I thought for a brief moment. But we've talked about going to a baseball game for months and if we don't do it today, we'll probably have to wait until next season. And besides, we only do this every so often, so it'll be worth the cost, I reasoned with myself. Several seconds later, we agreed to purchase the tickets.

As we waited in line to enter the stadium, I glanced down at my son. I spotted a bright smile on his face, and even though his red Lightning McQueen hat covered his eyes, I imagined they sparkled with excitement. Oh, we're going to have so much fun, I thought.

Minutes later, we strolled past the stadium's long line of concession stands, trying to decide on what to eat for lunch. I rarely eat hot dogs, but there's something nostalgic about enjoying a hot dog at a baseball game. With our munchies in hand, we found our seats in the lower deck and waited for the game to begin.

All three of us seemed to be enjoying the game until the second inning. As the inning began, I glanced over at my son and noticed a grimace on his face. I studied him for a moment and discovered he was overwhelmed by the loud sounds within the stadium. Above us, the speakers boomed with music and announcements. The crowd clapped, stomped, roared, screamed, booed, and hollered. Vendors climbed up and down the stairs, yelling sales pitches for beer, popcorn, ice cream, and cotton candy. Never had I noticed how deafening a baseball game really is. And it was too much for my son. Covering his ears, he looked up at me and plead for relief. As I escorted him out of the stands and into the concession area, I wondered if we should have gone to the gardens instead of the game.

"Let's get some lemonade," I proposed. He nodded and smiled. We sipped on lemonade and enjoyed several moments in the concession area before returning to our seats. Within minutes, he again struggled with the noise. Holding him in my arms, I comforted him and covered his ears when the crowd cheered and clapped after an exciting play by the home team or when the announcer's voice bellowed from the speakers above. During the fourth inning, he curled up in his seat, rested his head on my husband's lap, and fell asleep. My husband and I sighed in relief.

A couple of innings later, my son woke up, still struggling with the noise. Recognizing his discomfort, I was about to announce to my husband it was time to leave when Dinger the Dinosaur, the Rockies' mascot, appeared on the field. I stood up with my son in my arms and pointed toward the field. "Look, it's a dinosaur," I said with enthusiasm. My son's eyes widened and a grin appeared as he watched the dinosaur waddle up and down the field. Minutes later, Dinger disappeared below the stands.

"Let's see if we can find the dinosaur. I bet he'll come out again," I encouraged my son. He nodded, and the next inning was blissful as we searched for Dinger. Fortunately, Dinger reappeared briefly at the end of the inning.

By the middle of the eighth inning, my husband and I knew it was time to leave the stands. We bought our son an ice cream cone, and while he savored it, we watched the last inning from the concession area and cheered as the Rockies won the game.

As we left the stadium, my son seemed to be in happy spirits. I asked him if he enjoyed the game. He smiled and nodded. I grinned, grateful for lemonade, dinosaurs, and ice cream.

BEEginnings

2009-09-04T08:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog! I'm so happy you stopped by for a visit. For a few months now, I have pondered on the idea of starting a blog. As you probably already figured out, I'm a late bloomer. But I suppose I have to start somewhere. So here I am blogworld! :-)

Like most moms I know, I am a BEEsy Mama! And similar to many moms, I yearn to slow down at times and savor the sweetness of life. So with this blog, I hope to chronicle my journey as a BEEsy Mama doing just that! Some of my posts will be reflective and serious while others will be light-hearted and fun. In the days and weeks to come, some of the topics I hope to introduce on my blog include:

BEEyond the Hive: Discovering family activities outside the home
BEEing a Mama: Stories and life lessons about being a mom
BEEdazzling Mamas: Celebrating the inspirational and beautiful mamas I know
BEE Mine: Ideas for sparking romance in a BEEsy Mama's marriage
BEE Fulfilled: Exploring the truths found in 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 (BEE Joyful + BEE Prayerful + BEE Thankful = BEE Fulfilled)
Building a Bountiful BEEsiness: Insights and practical advice for work-at-home mamas
BEEsy in the Kitchen: Recipes and other cooking tidbits for the BEEsy Mama
BEEtween the Pages: Book reviews and musings of a writer

I'm excited about sharing this adventure with you and would love to hear your comments from time to time!

Many Blessings to You,
Juliet