Just call me Granna!
 
Congratulations to John and Casie! My first grandchild is due March 23, 2011. I can’t wait to hold that little sweetie in my arms. I have known for several weeks now. Casie came by my office and brought the first ultrasound pictures at 8 weeks. She will be having another ultrasound this Thursday, 13 weeks, and hopes to find out the sex! I can’t decide which I am hoping for. Sometimes, I think I want it to be a boy because John was so loving and sweet. Other times, I think about John and how much he would love a little girl to wrap him around her finger! Either will be great! I pray mother and baby will be healthy.
 
It won’t be long until I will have to climb up in the attic and start digging out baby clothes. I am looking forward to fixing up one of my spare bedrooms into a semi-nursery. I may even go to a yard sale. I have tried really hard not to buy anything until we find out the sex; however, I did break over the first weekend and bought a couple of onesies. One says "If you think I'm cute, you should see my Daddy." The other says "What happens at Grandma's, stays at Grandma's!" I guess they both look like they should be for little boys. I couldn't resist. Last week on my mother/daughter vacation with Hannah, I broke over again and bought a few sale items at Belk. Everything was under $3.00. 80% off rack. And yes, it was all little girl things. So sweet!

Shrimp & Grits "Um Um Good"

I searched and searched for the perfect recipe. This is it! Not too difficult. No hard-to-find ingredients. Instant family favorite!

Shrimp & Grits

4 cups of water
1 cup grits (I use the 5 minute grits)
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese - shredded
1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
6 slices bacon - crumbled
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 T. chopped parsley or 1 T. dried
1 cup chopped scallions (use green part also)
1 large clove garlic, minced
Salt & Pepper

Fry bacon. Cool and crumble. Set aside. Leave grease in pan to fry shrimp.

Prepare parsley, scallions, garlic and lemon juice. Set aside.

Bring water to a boil. Add salt & pepper. Add grits and cook according to directions. Remove from heat and stir in butter and cheese. Cover to keep warm.

Rinse shrimp and pat dry for easy browning. Add shrimp to hot bacon grease. Cook until just pink. Add lemon juice, bacon, parsley, scallions and garlic. Saute no more than 3 minutes. Remove from heat.

Pour grits into serving dish. Spoon shrimp over top. Ready to serve. Enjoy!

Downtown Asheville, NC

My first trip to downtown Asheville! I am in love! Get along home, Cindy, Cindy - I am ready to move! I never thought I could find a town I would love as much as Boone, but then Asheville is like a king-sized Boone. Every street is like King Street. The Arts, crafts, entertainment, food...etc. WOW!

My daughter, Hannah, and I spent three days in downtown over the Labor Day weekend. It was out first mother-daughter trip and we had a BLAST! We drove up Saturday morning and found ourselves in the middle of all the action before 11:00am. The shops were so cool and the people so diverse. We had an early lunch at the Havana Restaurant. The Cuban food was really good and the place was beautiful.

Saturday night found us at the Asheville Community Theatre enjoying the comedy "Scotch Tomedy IV: Get Your Mind Out of the Butter.” Too funny. It had been a while since I attended a play - especially a comedy. It was a great way to start the evening. Later that evening, we enjoyed live music and good food at Hannah Flanagan's Irish Pub. Mom had to call it quits earlier than daughter. Must be showing my age.

We were up early Sunday morning. We visited the Basilica of St. Lawrence, which contains the largest free-standing dome in North America. Amazing. Washington, DC is the only other place I have seen anything to compare to this cathedral. After leaving Hannah at the Asheville Mall, I headed to Biltmore Village and the All Souls Cathedral. I was fortunate enough to be privy to a rehearsal by the organist and flutist. Ava Maria seemed to be my own personal concert as I sat in the peacefulness and beauty of the cathedral. Sunday evening found us walking Pack Square Park, enjoying the lights and fountains.

Monday morning we headed out for a road trip to the Grove Park Inn and the Riverside Cemetery. The Grove Park Inn was as magnificent as the Biltmore House in its own way. Such a beautiful place with the most spectacular view of downtown. The Riverside Cemetery was massive. It held more history than one person could ever know. From Civil War and pauper graves to German soldiers to Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry. Well worth the trip to see these two landmarks.

We headed back downtown to the Mellow Mushroom and one of the best pizzas I have EVER had. We finished off our day with one last walk down Pack Square Park. Neither of us wanted to go home. I am just waiting for the next trip (and it is going to be sooner than you think - I already have reservations!)

Asheville was like a trip into another world, and only 1 1/2 hours from home. Maybe I won't have to move to enjoy more of this area, just fill up the tank and take off!

Hope

Where do we turn when it seems hope has gone
Seeking for things that will right every wrong

When will we realize that it’s not our fault
It’s so hard to see when we are distraught

We worry and struggle and try hard to gain
Some tiny insight into all of this pain

If we could go back, what would we change
Would small things done differently offer us gain

There’s no need to dwell on things of the past
We must search for meaning in things that will last

On this earth we tarry for only a while
Stand strong and find courage to put on a smile

We all have a purpose for which we must live
Seek for direction and hope it will give

A plan for our future is just out of sight
We struggle and strive with all of our might

If we will stand firm through troubles and trials
Hope will return home in just a short while

"When you are ready, your teacher will come."

The first time I read this statement was in reference to yoga, many years ago. A short time later, I met my yoga teacher. I had long been interested in yoga and eastern religion but had very little opportunity to explore them other than the public library. There is another saying in yoga which states, “At the end of the stretch is where you find God.” I believe the end of the stretch is one of many places that God can be found. He is found in quietness and meditation. “Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10 (NRSV) A familiar bible passage to most of us; one few of us take time to incorporate into our busy schedules.

It was probably 12 years ago when I started practicing yoga and meditation. I enjoyed studying eastern religion and found meditation to be relaxing and energizing. I fell easily into a faithful practice. I was in the best physical condition of my adult life and felt I had a fulfilling spiritual life as well. It was one of the first times I had focused on listening for, instead of talking to, God. I remember vividly one session in which I believe I reached what the yogis call Samadhi. “I” fell away and became part of everything. There was no time, no desires, no emotions. Only oneness. It is hard to put the experience into words. Even though there was no consciousness of self, there was no regret for the loss of self. It was just a feeling of total peace.

The harmony of mind, body and spirit is an important aspect in each of our lives. This concept seems to have drawn a lot of publicity in the last few years; much to the benefit of those who slow down long enough to incorporate some of the ideas into their busy lives. We cannot be completely whole or healthy unless all three of these areas are nurtured and combined in a way that is healthy and fulfilling for the individual. I have found it is essential for my well being that I take time to be alone and quite. I need to spend time enjoying nature and the natural peacefulness I find there. I try to never take for granted this beautiful place God has allowed me to call home. We do ourselves an injustice when we fail to slow down, be still, and experience the beauty and serenity that can be found in the simplest tasks and the natural surroundings that are available to us. It is right in front of our eyes if we will stop long enough to see.

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)

Sweet land of liberty. . .

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Wow! My first trip to our nation’s capitol! I found myself in awe as I walked the streets, rich in history and full of life. Larger than life monuments paid tribute to great leaders of the past, while their words, engraved in stone, spoke out to me as if fresh from their lips. I was struck by the magnitude of headstones contained within the gates of Arlington Cemetery; the final resting place of the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country’s freedom.

The eternal flame marking JFK’s grave; the simple white crosses placed at the graves of Bobby and Ted; memorials to the lost crews of Challenger and Columbia; the impressive guard keeping vigil at the Tomb of the Unknowns; the sight of these brings the history contained in this city closer to home.

To see the gowns of Martha Washington, Jackie Kennedy, and Michelle Obama displayed alongside each other seemed almost surreal. The top hat that President Lincoln wore on the night he was shot remains as a reminder; here to tell a story long after its owner has passed from this life into the next. Lincoln’s pocket watch, and the message hidden inside for so long, revealed at last.

I was touched by DC. My short visit sparked in me an awareness that was not present beforehand. I felt a deep sense of patriotism as I looked across the endless sea of white marble marking the graves at Arlington; the engraved crosses of the majority speaking a silent, solemn testimony of a faith in Christ. As I read the words of Thomas Jefferson, I questioned as to how anyone could ever believe that our country was founded aside from a strong belief in God. I could not help but wonder how our founding fathers would view our country today.

If you want a better president – pray for our president!

If you want a better government – pray for our leaders!

If you want to be a better person – pray for others!

So comes the Spring

Sunshine, green onions, birdsong and dew

All of these things are refreshing and new

Spring is upon us, an old friend so dear

Calmly assuring that bright days are near

We long for the laughter of kids in the yard

The first days of yard work never seem hard

The raking and sowing of seeds in the ground

Will soon lead to blooming of flowers all around

I love the springtime in all of it glory

It cleanses and clears all kinds of worry

The small things so often for granted we take

Forgetting to thank HIM for the beauty he makes

The spring is a symbol of new life for all
Just as the Savior extends forth his call

Come to him freely and at the cross lay

All of your burdens at the end of the day

Jesus will save you from all your distress

When humbly you come to Him and find rest