SimplyLife

It's time to get the Christmas movies and TV specials DVDs out. Since Christmas is just four weeks away, we'd better get started.  The stack of DVDs at Casa Wallace is about ready to go, but we might add something new.  As bonafide Christmas junkies here's what our viewing will include this month. 1.   A Christmas Story - We've already watched this one. A Wallace family tradition for years, we kick off the Christmas season by watching this 1980s classic on Thanksgiving night.  Even though we didn't celebrate at home this year, our hosts graciously let us watch it. (It was tucked in our suitcase.) We continue to laugh over  "You'll shoot your eye out," "a major award," "I double-dog dare you," and "You used up all the glue on purpose. Then there's this little exchange between Ralphie and his mother after he said the worst word of all time: Mother : All right. Now, are you ready to tell me where you heard that word? Ral...

Come ye thankful people come, raise the song of harvest home. All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin. God, our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied, Come to God's own temple, come. Raise the song of harvest home. Holidays are all about the family gathering together and celebrating. For many years, I took this for granted. Our small house in Castile, NY was filled to capacity many times with grandparents, siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews, in-laws, etc. My sister-in-law's home was also bursting at the doorways with people. Card tables were erected for the kids. The kitchen was in chaos--someone was making gravy, another mashing potatoes, the turkey was being carved, and kids were running through, playing tag. It was the usual holiday pandemonium and then the meal was served. Other than the clatter of dishes and the clank of silverware, the decibel level lowered significantly. By the time dessert rolled around, we were semi-comatose in a ha...

Thanksgiving is only days away now and visions of succulent turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, and moist stuffing are dancing through our heads.  However, holiday feasts also bring out those dishes that are made but once or twice a year, some to our delight, and others--not so much. The delightful list for me includes pecan pie, homemade stuffing, and turkey (with some crispy skin). Yup,it's all stuff that will clog your arteries in a heartbeat. Since it's once a year, I think the indulgence is totally permissible. My doctor may say otherwise, but really now, it's Thanksgiving. These decadent dishes are certainly not found in our weekday menus--at least not mine. However, there are some dishes that make it to the Thanksgiving table that should've been left in the kitchen or in the best case scenario, never made at all. Here's a quick list of what NOT to make next week. 1. Jell-O salads. I know, I know. They're traditional. But green gelatin ...

Let's get this factoid out there first thing. No family is perfect. In fact families, including my own are at least a little bit dysfunctional if not a whole lot. But, that's what makes family gatherings a lot more interesting.  The quirky characters, the stories about strange Aunt (fill in the blank), and then wagering with your sister if everyone can get along for one afternoon out of the year--it should sound familiar. And I am thankful for my family--my biological as well as the one I married into. We've got some really great people in the family tree. They've come from all walks of life--pastors, teachers, machinists, musicians, a taxidermist, laborers, truck drivers, cops, nurses, you name it, and you'll find every vocation amongst the branches. Since I was raised by two PK's (PK = preacher's kid), discussions over coffee and dessert could range from dispensationalism to who the Nephilim might be. Music was part of everyday life. My mother playing ...

Photo by The Pioneer Woman The countdown is on until Thanksgiving, Christmas, and then the New Year. The last few weeks of the year go by in a blur of activity and feasting. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen baking cookies and breads, making fudge, Chex Mix, dips--all those celebratory foods that we love this time of year. One of my cooking pet peeves is starting a recipe and not having all the ingredients. I thought it was on the shelf or in the refrigerator, but that container of sour cream, or bottle of almond flavoring just isn't there. So before you get serious about holiday cooking and baking, here are a few tips to save trips to the store and frustration. Preparation for holiday baking starts with what you have on hand in your pantry. The well-stocked holiday baking pantry has these basics:      NON-PERISHABLES all-purpose flour                                    ...

When I look at what I have and the opportunities that have been mine my whole life, my thankfulness must extend to the land in which I live. There are many patriotic songs we sing today, but one doesn't get the recognition I think it should. We borrowed it from the British and put our own lyrics to it in 1831. Samuel Francis Smith, a student at Andover Theological Seminary wrote the words, replacing the British version of God Save the Queen . My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty Of thee I sing Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims' pride From every mountainside, let freedom ring. The radical idea that people could enjoy freedoms that the government couldn't take away birthed the United States of America in 1776. It hasn't been easy to stay that way, and in light of how large and powerful our government is today, who knows how long it will last. We've fought against tyranny and each other. We've welcomed people fro...

Less than an hour from Tampa, Florida, you'll find Tarpon Springs. The small city of about 24,000 in Pinellas County is known for the sponge docks and Greek food. Situated  on the edge of a collection of barrier islands within the bayous, the sponge docks are like stepping into a Greek fishing village. The street is lined with shops selling the usual tourist fare of trinkets, plus piles of natural sponges. Sponge Docks You'll also find Greek restaurants filled with the wonderful pastries. The bakeries have sweet delights such as baklava, that phyllo dough classic layered with honey syrup and nuts served in small wedges. It's so rich, that's all you can handle. Then there's spanakopita, phyllo dough layered with spinach and cheesed, baked to perfection. Dolmades--stuffed grape leaves is another specialty of the Helles Restaurant which is where we like to eat when we're visiting. Spanakopita  In 1905, sponge diving was introduced to Tarpon Springs by J...

In this month of planning and enjoying the Thanksgiving feast, it seemed fitting to begin with the Source of all our blessings. I grew up in a church that sang the Doxology week in and week out, along with "Amen" at the end. I took those words for granted, but now age has given me an appreciation for those traditions. It's a song where we can begin to examine thankfulness. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen. A heart of thankfulness is necessary to keep life in balance and ourselves in perspective. It's recognizing that our lives are not an accident of biology. And understanding that we are not self-sufficient no matter how hard we try. It's not about our circumstances, but trusting the Heavenly Father. The One who made us and the world around us is intimately involved in His creation. He is the Source of everything that is goo...

On a monotonous three-hour drive up the I-10 this week, most of the scenery is desert, and I mean desert. Not much is going on between Tucson and Phoenix in the way of visual entertainment except for the amazing fields of cotton. Most people think that cotton comes out of the South, which is true, but there's also a lot of cotton in Arizona. It's not your run-of-the-mill cotton, but top of the line, long fiber cotton. Arizona cotton is right up there with the coveted Egyptian cotton. It all started with the Goodyear Tire Company purchasing 16,000 acres of desert to grow Pima cotton for vehicle tire threads. This was in 1917 when the automobile was starting to get a real foothold on American transportation. A boll weevil infestation that was decimating Egyptian cotton fields made Goodyear executives search for a similar climate to grow the essential fiber. Now Goodyear, Arizona is a growing city which blends in with city limits of Phoenix. But the fields of white dot the lands...

We left a yard of maples, pines, and an elm tree in New York for a yard of mesquite trees in Arizona. In fact, we have three acres of mesquite trees.  The mesquite is a tough, drought tolerant small tree. Famous for its wood that smokes meat to a delicious flavor, the tree averages about 20 feet in height. Its leaves are delicate and lacy looking, but watch out! Most mesquite varieties have thorns--along the same lines as thorn apples Back East. They are deciduous and when they leaf out in April, it's about the only green we have until the monsoon. There are several varieties of mesquite and the ones most plentiful in our area are the honey mesquite. The tree flowers out in May with a long, fuzzy yellow bloom, and then long pods form once the flowers are gone. Unbeknownst to us, these pods are sweet and have been used in the Southwest for a long time. Our local farmers market has been milling the dried pods for a few years to make flour, so we decided to take a crack at collect...

Our daughter and her husband are in the throes of moving half-way around the world over the next few weeks. Things are crazy for them as you might imagine. But there's more than meets the eye on this move. It's a military move for one. Then there's the fact that her husband, an Air Force captain is stationed in South Korea at the present time. She's in Arizona trying to coordinate this massive transition while waiting for paperwork, selling household goods, vehicles, and transporting their dog to their new duty station. It's a stressful time, full of uncertainty and frustration. Anyone who's ever moved even down the street knows it's not a walk in the park. And if you've been through a military move, it probably sounds familiar, and you have a story or two about that experience. Life is full of pressures or trials, and they are temporary, but not at all pleasant to endure. We know what the ultimate goal is, but the road is usually difficult and full of...

Boarding Kennel Dog sitting Dude with Clancy as chaperon. At one time or another, dog owners will have to be away and arrange for someone to take care of their four-footed friend or friends. It's not always possible to take Fido with you, although you'll find toy dogs underneath airplane seats or dogs of all sizes in hotels and motels. There are excellent options for care and it's up to you to find the best accommodation. 1. Friends or Family - Dropping off your dog with friends or family is usually the most economical option and  many times for the most comfortable for owners. The dog will have lots of company and attention. However if your dog is thrust into a new family environment it may be stressful both for the dog and caregiver. A dry run with introductions to children, other dogs, the house and the yard may alleviate those stressors. If there are other dogs in the house, separate eating and sleeping areas will help with the visit unless the dogs are old bu...

The term yo-yo dieting has been around for a long time.  As you probably know, yo-yo dieting is a common weight loss problem. The dieter follows the strict ABC or XYZ Diet for a period of time and then once the diet is over, proceeds to overeat and gain back the weight. The person usually gains a few more pounds to boot. Studies show that over time, if the person continues this pattern, it puts a strain on the heart and can lead to heart disease. The metabolism slows leading to weight gain and it can damage you emotionally. Yo-yo dieters may become depressed, feeling like failures. Success is always just out of reach. It's an easy comparison to the Christian who is constantly dealing with the same sin or spiritual growth issue. We decide to finally have a daily quiet time and it will be 30 minutes every day. It starts off well until a missed alarm comes along and we don't have time that morning. Then, one of the kids is sick all night and we're dog tired. We decide to d...

One of life's little pleasures is that deep fried delicacy - the doughnut or its variant - donut. Fall brings the advent of cider and of course, doughnuts. This simple combination of the sweet fruit drink and fried sweet dough has been around for a long time. This is where I have to put a plug in for Schutt's fried cakes from Schutt's Apple Mill in Webster, NY.  I'd love to have a dozen of those beauties. They are the quintessential American fry cake. OK--back to the post. Then there's coffee and doughnuts. Definitely an eyeopener for breakfast - caffeine and lots of refined sugar.  There are two different kinds of doughnuts, the yeast dough type and my absolute favorite, the humble fry cake type doughnut that isn't a yeast dough recipe.  The cake doughnut is heavier since the leavening agent doesn't puff it up like the yeast dough variety.  The fry cake comes in a wonderland of choices - glazed, chocolate frosted, plain, powdered sugar, frosted with spr...

As I've written before, Cochise County doesn't have a long history of law and order. From the early days of the Apache wars to wild times in Tombstone, there's a healthy supply of interesting tales.  Cattle rustling was one enterprise that the Indians, Mexicans and Americans seemed to enjoy.  The terrain is well-suited because of the multitude of canyons, arroyos, and undefined borders which benefited rustlers. Curly Bill's gang (of the OK Corral shoot out fame) headed an active bunch of rustlers whose most famous exploit was killing a group of Mexican smugglers in Skeleton Canyon. After that awful deed, they proceeded to steal 300 head of cattle in Mexico and jubilantly returned to the Tombstone area with their catch. The Mexican vacqueros pursued the bovine bandits back into the U.S. and recovered the cattle and managed to rustle 200 more head on the way back across the Mexican border.  This only escalated the whole affair with Curly Bill who wasn't going to acc...

Yesterday I saw an unusual sight for our neck of the woods. An Amish buggy pulled by a sharp looking bay horse was trotting down a road near the house. It was one of those moments when you stop and try to make sure you're really seeing what you're seeing. I haven't seen any Amish since leaving New York ten years ago.The horse and buggy was out of place. If I'd seen a guy in a cowboy hat astride a horse of any color, I wouldn't have given it a second thought. That's a pretty common sight. The horse and buggy were out of the ordinary. Photo by Christian Homekeeper That little incident made me think about these verses from Matthew 5:    No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Although it's popular for Christians to blend in with the culture an...