The Little Things and Grace

The little things...

This morning I went to Wal-Mart. After paying for my items and loading the bags into the car I noticed a two-pack of baby socks that had been at the bottom of the cart, under the diaper bag. I hadn't paid for them so I quickly ran them back into the store and told the clerk what had happened.

I don't tell this little story to pat myself on the back. I tell it because it reminded me of an experience I had a while back. A few years ago, when we were getting ready to move from Fargo to Ririe, I stopped by the video store to see if we had any overdue charges that I needed to pay. The clerk looked at me funny and I explained that we were moving and I wanted to make sure my debts were paid before we left. I laughed a little and said, “I don't want to get to Heaven and then not be allowed in because of a $2 fine at the video store in Fargo, North Dakota.” The clerk remarked that he hoped we wouldn't be kept out of Heaven for something so small.

I don't want to start a religious debate, this isn't the proper forum for that (is there ever a proper forum for arguing about religion? Discussion, for sure, but never arguing, but that's another topic for another day). Anyway, I'll state my beliefs so you can know where I'm coming from … I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons. I do believe in the saving grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is because of His grace that we will be saved and receive exaltation in the Kingdom of Heaven. Furthermore, I believe what it says in 2 Nephi 25:23, “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” After all we can do we are saved by grace. Picture a ladder that is only tall enough to get within several feet of the ceiling. I can climb the ladder but I will never get to the ceiling. That is where grace comes in. Grace is what gets us from the top rung of the ladder to the ceiling - after we have climbed the ladder.

I thought about it back in Fargo, I've thought about it since and I thought about it again this morning. What is going to keep me out of Heaven – or allow me to go in? I do truly believe that it is the little things. The clerk might have been right in that one little thing won't keep me out, but what about a lot of little things. There's a very slim chance that I will ever have millions of “extra” dollars with which I can open a school for girls in Africa (a la Oprah), rebuild half of New Orleans (a la Brad and Angelina), or even be rich enough to donate to a university to build a gymnasium or science center. Most days we don't even have enough "extra" cash to help an underprivileged Boy Scout go to Scout Camp

So what do I do? If I can't do big things, how about the little things? How about letting the person with two items go ahead of me in line at the grocery store? What about helping the sweet older lady pick up the change that fell out when she opened her wallet the wrong way? Picking up a piece of trash that blew across my path in the parking lot? Smiling to an elderly gentlemen who is sitting on a bench? Making my husband's favorite dessert? Taking a plate of cookies to the neighbor? Staying to visit for a minute when it seems like they want to talk? Holding a baby (screaming or not) for a mother so she can have a minute of quiet to listen during church? Entertaining a child on an airplane flight or in a meeting, even if I only have a watch, a piece of paper and a pen with which to entertain them? I think that all of these little things will add up, like rungs on the ladder, to help me do my part. It's just like little Hershey's kisses. Eat enough of them and the calorie total will be the same as a king sized Hershey's bar.

Mosiah 2:17 says, “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” When I do any (all?) of these little things, I am not only serving those here on earth, I am serving God, too.

I've read and reread this post so many times that I don't know if it makes sense anymore. It's just what's been on my mind as I've cut, chopped and sauteed about a million bell peppers and onions for the chili that will be served at the blood drive tomorrow. (I hate bell peppers and onions so I had to keep my mind occupied - haha.) At the very least, it's something to think about....

On the Timer Today

I have a lot to do today. It's not that I've been lazy this week, I've just been lazier than I could afford to be. We'll blame that on "the screamer" (a.k.a. "Drama Girl", a.k.a. the baby) and also on being a bit sick at the beginning of the week. Be that as it may, I'm "on the timer" today. I set the timer for 15 minutes and see how much I can get done on a particular task, room clean, etc. This morning I started doing 15 minutes in the boys' room (couldn't see the floor) and after the initial 15 minutes, then a break to feed the screamer and put her down for a nap, I went back and finished most of the job (I even went through their clothes). Now they can do the rest of it after school. I'm to the point, now, that I need to empty the large laundry basket full of stuff that does not belong in their room. I hate this task. I always have. I hate this task so much that there is a large laundry basket in the hallway that is FULL of stuff that I need to take care of - and it's been there for more than a month. So.... I'm setting my timer for 15 minutes. I *WILL* empty the laundry basket from the boys' room in that time and then I will allow myself a break (maybe only 15 minutes) before tackling the next laundry basket.

And no, I haven't found the spare cell phone that has been missing for a couple of weeks. It's out of battery or else I'd just call it. I want to send it with the 12 year old when he goes to Oklahoma City tomorrow. Maybe it's in that large laundry basket. It's possible.

And yes, the laundry is going because I am bound and determined to have a folding festival tonight with the kids.

What's Cooking? Wednesday

Welcome to the ninth weekly edition of ....

I'm sorry I didn't do it last week. I just couldn't. Too much sickness, too much holiday, too many kids... too much of a good thing is still too much. But, I'm back this week and raring to go! Kind of.


During my college years I was known as "The Hamburger Helper Queen". That title continued through the early years of my marriage. Thankfully, I learned to experiment with cooking a little more and found some other types of things to cook that were quick, easy, and cheap. Having said all that, we still do have Hamburger Helper on occasion. It's quick, it's easy and it's cheap (especially if I have coupons). Two nights ago I went down to our food storage at the last minute to try to come up with something - anything - to eat that wouldn't make me ill (I'd been suffering from stress-induced "bathroom" issues all day long - I told you last week was bad). I found my stash of Hamburger Helper and remembered I had a pound of browned hamburger (instructions here). Frozen peas completed the meal (you've gotta have a protein, carb and a vegetable for a balanced meal, right?).

So, I guess that the menu "idea" for today is ... There's a time and a place for everything ... even Hamburger Helper!

(Next week I'll share my new favorite cookbook and maybe even have a guest review from my dear friend, Alice!)

(By the way, we made the oreo truffles for New Years. D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S!)

What are you cooking this week? (Please be sure to check the comments section as well as the links.)

What's Cooking? Wednesday

Welcome to the eighth weekly edition of ...

The other day my college roommate, Jen, sent me this email...

"Okay, seriously... if you make these... you'll be best friends with whoever you give them to (so be careful in case you don't want to be best friends with someone). They are DIVINE. I promise. I've had them before - but my neighbor gave us some last night and it reminded me how gooooood they are! And check out the recipe... super easy to make! Only three ingredients! :)

Enjoy!

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/easy-oreo-truffles-95085.aspx "

I clicked on the link and waa-laa. They look sooooo good! They look so good and easy that I'm debating ... do I take them to the Christmas Eve party on Friday night ... or the New Year's Eve party next Friday night ... both parties ... or just make them all in the middle of the night (so no one in the house will know) and eat them all myself??? That is the question. Either way, this is the recipe that I took off of http://sarahkoller.com/?p=1345. Her instructions are a little more idiot proof than the recipe on kraftrecipes.com.
Oreo Truffles

Makes approximately 4 dozen truffles (or maybe a little less, depending on how much of the filling you choose to sample)

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1 pkg. (1 lb. 2 oz.) Oreos (You can also use a generic version to save a little cash; I've tried a few varieties, and they work just as well.)

2 pkg. (8 squares each) Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted (You will most likely use closer to 1 1/2 packages. That's more chocolate for spatula-licking, right?)

1. Set aside 5 Oreos and throw the rest in a food processor until they are finely crumbled

2. Thorougly mix cookie crumbs with cream cheese.

3. Form crumb-and-cream-cheese mixture into balls, approximately 1-inch across each (but don't worry too much about being exact here. They will come out delicious no matter the size!) and place onto a cookie sheet that has previously been lined with wax paper.

4. For best results, pop the formed mixture into the fridge for at least 15 minutes to chill while you complete the next step. If you really don't have the time, the truffles will still taste delicious (so don't worry!), but they will be more difficult to handle and some of the coating with mix with the filling.

5. Melt the chocolate. There are many ways to do this. I don't have a double boiler, so I just throw my chocolate into a saucepan and heat it on low, stirring frequently, until it is completely melted.

6. Remove pot from heat.

7. Coat previously formed balls with chocolate and return to the lined cookie sheet.

8. Throw the remaining 5 cookies into the food processor.

9. Sprinkle some of those crumbs on top of the (still wet) truffles.

10. Refrigerate for one hour.

You are done! You are now free to package, freeze, and eat. (Of course, you were free to eat during the entire process.)

Variation: swap out regular Oreos for Golden Oreos (semi-sweet chocolate for white chocolate, if you like white chocolate). You will end up with a cheesecake-like truffle.

Adapted from Kraftfoods.com (It's true!)

What are you cooking this week? (Please be sure to check the comments section as well as the links.)

What's Cooking? Wednesday

Welcome to the seventh weekly edition of ... Except that it's Thursday. Sorry. Life got completely out of control and I didn't get this done yesterday.

If you are having ham for Christmas dinner, you might want to try Ham Sauce. It's original name is Raisin Sauce, but no one in the family except me likes raisins so I don't always put them in and I call it Ham Sauce instead.
Raisin Sauce
1/3 cup raisins (optional :P)
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup jelly (any flavor, but I usually use grape)
1/2 cup orange juice
2 Tbs brown sugar
1 Tbs corn starch
Dash of allspice
Dash of salt

Mix raisins, water, jelly and orange juice in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Mix brown sugar, corn starch, allspice and salt in a small bowl. Pour into sauce while stirring constantly. Serve with ham. Enjoy!

What are you cooking this week? (Please be sure to check the comments section as well as the links.)

What's Cooking? Wednesday

Welcome to the sixth weekly edition of ...
Thoughts are at Christmas, this time of year. Most of my thoughts center around purchasing and wrapping gifts, but I am also starting to think about Christmas Dinner. If you are a Christmas Turkey kind of family, you will enjoy this recipe - Turkey Brine. It originated from Emeril Lagasse's television show. We changed his recipe because it called for beer. Here is our recipe....

Turkey Brine

3/4 gallon of water
2 cups apple juice (replaces the beer)
1 1/2 cup orange juice, the stronger the better
1 cup kosher salt (use kosher salt because the granules are bigger)
1 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup chopped fresh ginger (I just guess when I buy the ginger so I add it all)
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
4 fresh bay leaves
4 sprigs fresh thyme (dry works fine, too)

Combine all the ingredients in a container. We use a well scrubbed cooler. Stir to combine completely and to dissolve the sugar and salt. Put in your bird and let it soak for 12 to 24 hours. In some places you can just put it out in the garage because it is cold enough to keep the turkey. In warmed climates you may need to find room in the refrigerator.

What are you cooking this week? (Please be sure to check the comments section as well as the links.)

What's Cooking? Wednesday

Welcome to the fifth weekly edition of....

I almost forgot to post today. We're having scream-yourself-to-sleep week at our house so we're all a little sleep deprived and ditzy - at least I am.

Do you still have leftover turkey? Here's a great recipe that can help you use it up! The recipe actually calls for chicken but you can substitute that leftover turkey that is in your freezer.


Easy Chicken Tetrazine

Medium onion, chopped
2-3 celery stocks, diced
1 pound spaghetti
2 cans cream of chicken
3 cups chicken broth

Brown medium onion and celery in a stock pot. Add spaghetti, broken in half, with 2 cans of cream of chicken and 3 cups chicken broth. Bring to boil and then add chicken pieces and allow to simmer until the broth is absorbed into the noodles. VERY EASY AND QUICK!

(I've made a few changes to make this fit my family - no celery and a little dry minced onion. Large skillet instead of a stock pot, and pasta works just as well as spaghetti without clumping together. If I need to make more then I just add another can of cream of chicken soup and a little more chicken broth. My kids love it!)


What are you cooking this week? (Please be sure to check the comments section as well as the links.)