Tomorrow, June 29th, is Leslie's birthday. She began celebrating with her first b'day card on Friday afternoon, continued through Saturday evening dining with the Indiana Gottschalk Crowd (where Phoenix was dearly missed), and carried over even to today, when I baked her a Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb-Crust Pie. Oh dear, was it delish.
I began searching last week for a recipe and discovered this gem on allrecipes.com. Great site! I spent at least an hour reading over the cooks' reviews and thus made many of their adjustments to the recipe. So, I'm including below the delight in which we partook this afternoon, complete with vanilla bean ice cream and the film Australia. (Great flick, by the way.)
Ingredients:
3/4 c. sugar
3 Tb. flour
1 Tb. corn starch (for thickening)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 lb. fresh rhubarb, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 pint fresh strawberries, halved
1 9-inch unbaked pie shell (I used a deep dish one, worked well.)
Topping:
3/4 c. flour
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. quick-cooking or rolled oats
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
6 Tb. butter (or slightly less)
Directions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, add the sugar, flour and vanilla. Gently fold in rhubarb and strawberries. Pour into pastry shell.
2. For topping, combine flour, brown sugar,spices, and oats in a small bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over fruit. Bake at 400 for 10-15 minutes (if very soupy, do extra 5 minutes). Reduce heat to 350 and back for 35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
Cool on wire rack.
Hope you all enjoy it!
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
28 June 2009
22 June 2009
A barrage of thoughts...
I've been trying, for days, to develop a good post. I want to entertain, to educate, to encourage with my words here. But it's been a dry spell--creativity is far from me.
My mind is constantly churning thoughts, what-ifs, and scenarios about today, tomorrow, next month, and the next few years. I hate not knowing where I'm going, or what road I'm really even on, and that's precisely how I feel these days. Lost. Wandering...aimlessly.
I know our plans for the next year, even next few years. I know that I'm starting school again a year from now, that it'll take me three years to finish, unless I can bully my way through by cramming my days and nights with classes (like I did with Master's degree #1). I know that we won't be out of debt until the end of next summer, but that this summer's salary will pay for next summer's schooling, so we can make that fly. I know that in doing school this way, I'll be partially reimbursed, and that will remain during my entire 3-year part-time student, full-time employee status. I know that if we move, if we relocate so Kyle's days aren't as exhausting and long, all of this could change. That if we bought a house somewhere--here, there, anywhere--it would or could or may change all these plans. I also know how much can change in a year.
I became engaged a year ago. Now I've been married for 9 months. How'd that happen? Where did the time go?
I was reading over the archives of a friend's blog, someone I haven't contacted since college, but who writes well and, at least in college, shared many appreciations with me, for literature, music, and art. She and her husband had made plans to move to a country in Africa, and as the time neared for them to leave, the organization with which they were going switched their destination. She was lamenting not returning to a nation she loves, and yet remained excited for the simple fact that they were still moving to Africa. A week or so later, the organization actually cut them off. For whatever reason, they were no longer going. Her posts were so full of life, vitality--anger, disappointment, anticipation, almost grief at times. Yet they were so trusting, retaining their desire and ability to trust God would understand their hearts, their wishes to be abroad. I believe they are now somewhere in Southeast Asia. Their path had to change in order to get them to where they needed to be, a different country--a different continent, actually. And it's not like their journey is finished, is it? They might end up back in Africa, the exact country they wished to land in the first time around. Maybe the timing wasn't right on the first pass. Maybe it will be later on. Or maybe they'll love SE Asia more.
I contemplate these things constantly. Where am I supposed to be? What am I supposed to be doing? This? Am I to be here, to be librarianing? Is my restlessness legitimate, or is it just my nature to live unsettled, to long for something different, something better, something fresh? The possibilities are pretty much endless, and I could spend many sleepless nights mulling over what we should or could be doing or going or being. But that's not productive, is it?
I know this year is bound to be tumultuous. And, truth be told, we've adjusted to married life rather well, but that's not the issue anymore for me. Kyle is as much a part of my life now as I am. He's that central to my existence. But I feel imbalanced in myself. Internally. I can't pinpoint it, but I do know that it's there. The scales are tipped, but I don't know which way, or why, or how to fix it. Frustrating, as you can imagine.
I haven't been running as consistently as is needed these days, and I'm wondering if my mental imbalance isn't just a way of telling me to hit the pavement again -- every day -- to do something healthy for my body, which incidentally brings my mind to a better state of being. But what if it's not?
See what I mean? Always questions...never resting. I need to get away from here.
My mind is constantly churning thoughts, what-ifs, and scenarios about today, tomorrow, next month, and the next few years. I hate not knowing where I'm going, or what road I'm really even on, and that's precisely how I feel these days. Lost. Wandering...aimlessly.
I know our plans for the next year, even next few years. I know that I'm starting school again a year from now, that it'll take me three years to finish, unless I can bully my way through by cramming my days and nights with classes (like I did with Master's degree #1). I know that we won't be out of debt until the end of next summer, but that this summer's salary will pay for next summer's schooling, so we can make that fly. I know that in doing school this way, I'll be partially reimbursed, and that will remain during my entire 3-year part-time student, full-time employee status. I know that if we move, if we relocate so Kyle's days aren't as exhausting and long, all of this could change. That if we bought a house somewhere--here, there, anywhere--it would or could or may change all these plans. I also know how much can change in a year.
I became engaged a year ago. Now I've been married for 9 months. How'd that happen? Where did the time go?
I was reading over the archives of a friend's blog, someone I haven't contacted since college, but who writes well and, at least in college, shared many appreciations with me, for literature, music, and art. She and her husband had made plans to move to a country in Africa, and as the time neared for them to leave, the organization with which they were going switched their destination. She was lamenting not returning to a nation she loves, and yet remained excited for the simple fact that they were still moving to Africa. A week or so later, the organization actually cut them off. For whatever reason, they were no longer going. Her posts were so full of life, vitality--anger, disappointment, anticipation, almost grief at times. Yet they were so trusting, retaining their desire and ability to trust God would understand their hearts, their wishes to be abroad. I believe they are now somewhere in Southeast Asia. Their path had to change in order to get them to where they needed to be, a different country--a different continent, actually. And it's not like their journey is finished, is it? They might end up back in Africa, the exact country they wished to land in the first time around. Maybe the timing wasn't right on the first pass. Maybe it will be later on. Or maybe they'll love SE Asia more.
I contemplate these things constantly. Where am I supposed to be? What am I supposed to be doing? This? Am I to be here, to be librarianing? Is my restlessness legitimate, or is it just my nature to live unsettled, to long for something different, something better, something fresh? The possibilities are pretty much endless, and I could spend many sleepless nights mulling over what we should or could be doing or going or being. But that's not productive, is it?
I know this year is bound to be tumultuous. And, truth be told, we've adjusted to married life rather well, but that's not the issue anymore for me. Kyle is as much a part of my life now as I am. He's that central to my existence. But I feel imbalanced in myself. Internally. I can't pinpoint it, but I do know that it's there. The scales are tipped, but I don't know which way, or why, or how to fix it. Frustrating, as you can imagine.
I haven't been running as consistently as is needed these days, and I'm wondering if my mental imbalance isn't just a way of telling me to hit the pavement again -- every day -- to do something healthy for my body, which incidentally brings my mind to a better state of being. But what if it's not?
See what I mean? Always questions...never resting. I need to get away from here.
09 June 2009
A Lame Blogger
I realize that I've done poorly in getting back into blogging. Life is a whirlwind right now.
For a quick recap:
Add to that the fact that my hands are shot from lifting, shifting, and moving around about 4000 Reference (= heavy, huge, and awkward) books in the last 10 days, and you'll see that I'm a complete wreck. There you will also find your answer as to why I haven't called.
Our weekends are filling up, which is both fun and tiring to think about. We're trying to fit in a couple of Indianapolis Indians games, game nights with friends, cook outs and bonfires with family, as well as keeping time for us to hang out on weekends, since we barely see each other during the week (like tonight -- Kyle got home at 8pm, was in bed by 9pm).
We're heading to Chicago this coming Monday night to meet up with the Wilsons and send off the Ghana crew. 1 year...really? Seems so long. But they are SO ready to be going and we can't wait to hear what God is doing in Accra.
If you want to hang out this summer, give us a call or drop a line and we'll make if official.
For a quick recap:
- Dinner with Amy and Allen at the end of May
- Indy visit the next weekend--I got to see Kate!!!, and Kyle was able to spend hours at a car show with friends
- We gave away our living room furniture (couch, loveseat, & end table) and watched movies on a sheet and blanket with pillows in the front room for about 5 days
- We got mom & dad's blue couch and my favorite stereo of all time (it has an 8-track player and record player all in one giant piece of furniture--we're still awaiting a recliner from them, which will come our way once they get their new furniture)
- Kyle continues to find out more information about being a volunteer firefighter in the area, and has a very important and EARLY test in Indy this Saturday
Add to that the fact that my hands are shot from lifting, shifting, and moving around about 4000 Reference (= heavy, huge, and awkward) books in the last 10 days, and you'll see that I'm a complete wreck. There you will also find your answer as to why I haven't called.
Our weekends are filling up, which is both fun and tiring to think about. We're trying to fit in a couple of Indianapolis Indians games, game nights with friends, cook outs and bonfires with family, as well as keeping time for us to hang out on weekends, since we barely see each other during the week (like tonight -- Kyle got home at 8pm, was in bed by 9pm).
We're heading to Chicago this coming Monday night to meet up with the Wilsons and send off the Ghana crew. 1 year...really? Seems so long. But they are SO ready to be going and we can't wait to hear what God is doing in Accra.
If you want to hang out this summer, give us a call or drop a line and we'll make if official.
26 May 2009
Summer fun; Weekend #1
My summer started off with a BANG! And I must say that if this is how my summer is going to play out, then I'm totally on board.
Friday: 2 best friends from college are here for lunch with our favorite professor. A surreal time of hilarity, delicious dining, insane puppies, and long over-due hanging out.
Saturday: Graduation of our students (Yay!), which officially finished our school year. The 3 hour ceremony was closely followed by the arrival of Evan and Emily for a day of tennis, games, and more scrumptious fare from a local eatery.
Sunday: church and grocerying. Tooling around in a friend's Mustang Shelby GT 500, plus more eating out and more ice cream. Purchasing new spectacles, which I haven't done in at least 6 years and was badly needed, since my prescription has progressed markedly in that time frame. I was able to meet Liz's new nephew, Alex, who is only a few months old, to hold him for a while, and to hang out with his mom and sister. That was awesome.
Monday: family get together about two hours away from home. Tons of food, more tennis, games, and lots of people to chat up. It was brilliant.
So, naturally, we crashed by 9pm and awoke to a new work week. A fantastic start to a busy, family and fun-filled summer. Some of my plans include a trip to Chicago with the fam, one or two Indians games, a week with my AZ girls (though not in AZ, sadly), a week with the Edwards & Co. in the Lower Carolina, and some other random fun thrown in there. If you are ever up for games and food, look us up.
I leave you with a picture or two of my new specs. I love them. They are VERY different for me, but cute, I think.
Friday: 2 best friends from college are here for lunch with our favorite professor. A surreal time of hilarity, delicious dining, insane puppies, and long over-due hanging out.
Saturday: Graduation of our students (Yay!), which officially finished our school year. The 3 hour ceremony was closely followed by the arrival of Evan and Emily for a day of tennis, games, and more scrumptious fare from a local eatery.
Sunday: church and grocerying. Tooling around in a friend's Mustang Shelby GT 500, plus more eating out and more ice cream. Purchasing new spectacles, which I haven't done in at least 6 years and was badly needed, since my prescription has progressed markedly in that time frame. I was able to meet Liz's new nephew, Alex, who is only a few months old, to hold him for a while, and to hang out with his mom and sister. That was awesome.
Monday: family get together about two hours away from home. Tons of food, more tennis, games, and lots of people to chat up. It was brilliant.
So, naturally, we crashed by 9pm and awoke to a new work week. A fantastic start to a busy, family and fun-filled summer. Some of my plans include a trip to Chicago with the fam, one or two Indians games, a week with my AZ girls (though not in AZ, sadly), a week with the Edwards & Co. in the Lower Carolina, and some other random fun thrown in there. If you are ever up for games and food, look us up.
I leave you with a picture or two of my new specs. I love them. They are VERY different for me, but cute, I think.
30 July 2008
They say that the best things in life are worth fighting for, they're hard to get, they involve intense struggles.
At the end of my summer, here in the last days of July, I'm exhausted. The highs and lows of my 25th year have all happened within this two month time frame. I'm still reeling.
The good news is I'm learning my own strength, that I can withstand more than I ever imagined, that I am capable of communicating even when I try to run away and am prevented from it. My life of conflict avoidance is officially over. By force or by choice? Not sure. Maybe some of both.
I'm sitting here in front of my computer in my own home and I'm happy and sad all at once. Relieved to be home. Sad to be alone. Yet blessed to know and feel that I am loved, even from a distance.
I will spend the next three nights in my own bed, a novelty for this summer, effectively doubling the nights spent in my dear bed since June.
Though I'm not sure I'm ready to go back to work and climb the mountain of work I left in my wake as I sped toward summer break, I start officially on Sunday by flying to Denver for a Librarian Conference concerning my favorite part of my job -- Reference. We're a dying breed, us Reference Librarians, and the purpose of this gathering is to begin a change in what we do, how we operate. It's actually exciting to me, but my tiredness at present is keeping my enthusiasm in check.
Thanks for putting up with a really lame summer of posts from me. I promise to do better as the year (my school year) begins.
I have so much to be thankful for--most of which I was able to see, smell, and touch this summer: nieces, family, dear friends, my heart's home (the desert), my soul's home (the beach), my parents' home...the list goes on.
Every one who reads this, know that I appreciate you individually for who you are, for what you have brought to my life. Thank you.
At the end of my summer, here in the last days of July, I'm exhausted. The highs and lows of my 25th year have all happened within this two month time frame. I'm still reeling.
The good news is I'm learning my own strength, that I can withstand more than I ever imagined, that I am capable of communicating even when I try to run away and am prevented from it. My life of conflict avoidance is officially over. By force or by choice? Not sure. Maybe some of both.
I'm sitting here in front of my computer in my own home and I'm happy and sad all at once. Relieved to be home. Sad to be alone. Yet blessed to know and feel that I am loved, even from a distance.
I will spend the next three nights in my own bed, a novelty for this summer, effectively doubling the nights spent in my dear bed since June.
Though I'm not sure I'm ready to go back to work and climb the mountain of work I left in my wake as I sped toward summer break, I start officially on Sunday by flying to Denver for a Librarian Conference concerning my favorite part of my job -- Reference. We're a dying breed, us Reference Librarians, and the purpose of this gathering is to begin a change in what we do, how we operate. It's actually exciting to me, but my tiredness at present is keeping my enthusiasm in check.
Thanks for putting up with a really lame summer of posts from me. I promise to do better as the year (my school year) begins.
I have so much to be thankful for--most of which I was able to see, smell, and touch this summer: nieces, family, dear friends, my heart's home (the desert), my soul's home (the beach), my parents' home...the list goes on.
Every one who reads this, know that I appreciate you individually for who you are, for what you have brought to my life. Thank you.
04 June 2008
Summer plans
It's finally June, and my work days are nearing an end. I'm struggling to come to grips with the fact that I will not finish this project by Friday, my last day here. I was so ambitious, all certain that I would indeed complete this project and in the process be very impressive to those who knew what was going on.
Reality is, well it always was and will continue to be, that I am not impressive, I don't know what I'm doing, and I will not conquer this task before June 6th, a mere two days from now.
As disappointing as that is, I'm looking past the self-imposed deadline to the weekend, which I will once again spend in Indy doing fun things with fun people. Just around the corner, beginning Monday in fact, is my first adventure for the summer.
Trip #1 (or Adventure #1) entails traveling to Arizona, hanging out with the Formans for a week, being in charge of two small children for the following week, sharing that responsibility for yet another week, and then returning home.
Adventure #2 is on July 5th and is the first huge concert I've been to in years.
Adventure #3 begins July 9th and lasts nearly ten days, encompassing a road trip, a beach, the entire Edwards family, and my dear Sara W.
Adventure #4 comes after a short break in the traveling and excitement, a break that will include an eye exam, a teeth cleaning, etc. Regular maintenance. The 4th Adventure is a Dave Matthews concert, an exciting step for me.
Interestingly enough, the two musicians I'm seeing live this summer (John Mayer and Dave) did not impress me with their original work, years ago. I did not like either of them until at least their third albums. Maybe my tastes changed, or maybe I can only now appreciate stellar musicians when I see/hear them.
This week during the evenings, I'm packing a big suitcase and determining the various things I must do prior to leaving town for an extended period of time.
In the midst of that, I am reminded that my dear friends Liz & Chalupa will be moving far away while I'm gone. It's heartbreaking and I try not to think about it. Yet, as I'm in the middle of my last week in town, I can't help but think about their absence upon my return. Tonight we'll have our Last Supper, of sorts. I will miss them terribly.
Reality is, well it always was and will continue to be, that I am not impressive, I don't know what I'm doing, and I will not conquer this task before June 6th, a mere two days from now.
As disappointing as that is, I'm looking past the self-imposed deadline to the weekend, which I will once again spend in Indy doing fun things with fun people. Just around the corner, beginning Monday in fact, is my first adventure for the summer.
Trip #1 (or Adventure #1) entails traveling to Arizona, hanging out with the Formans for a week, being in charge of two small children for the following week, sharing that responsibility for yet another week, and then returning home.
Adventure #2 is on July 5th and is the first huge concert I've been to in years.
Adventure #3 begins July 9th and lasts nearly ten days, encompassing a road trip, a beach, the entire Edwards family, and my dear Sara W.
Adventure #4 comes after a short break in the traveling and excitement, a break that will include an eye exam, a teeth cleaning, etc. Regular maintenance. The 4th Adventure is a Dave Matthews concert, an exciting step for me.
Interestingly enough, the two musicians I'm seeing live this summer (John Mayer and Dave) did not impress me with their original work, years ago. I did not like either of them until at least their third albums. Maybe my tastes changed, or maybe I can only now appreciate stellar musicians when I see/hear them.
This week during the evenings, I'm packing a big suitcase and determining the various things I must do prior to leaving town for an extended period of time.
In the midst of that, I am reminded that my dear friends Liz & Chalupa will be moving far away while I'm gone. It's heartbreaking and I try not to think about it. Yet, as I'm in the middle of my last week in town, I can't help but think about their absence upon my return. Tonight we'll have our Last Supper, of sorts. I will miss them terribly.
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