Have you ever been thirsty? I mean really thirsty. Parched. Cotton mouth. Where it’s painful to even swallow. How about in a situation where you had no water and didn’t know where to get some? Perhaps on a hike or other adventure that was longer or hotter than expected. Think about that moment of thirst. Then think about the moment when you finally got a sip--or even a whole glass--of water. How refreshing was that water? How wonderful did it feel? To a parched mouth, water is immensely satisfying. Indeed, there is nothing quite like water to quench a thirst. This past summer, Tom and I had the opportunity to visit Iceland and drink some of the purest water on earth -- fresh glacial melt. This is water that had been frozen as ice for about 900 years -- long before the earth was so polluted by mankind. As it melts, it runs in streams through the glacier, pure, fresh, cold, and refreshing to the core.

As far back as I can remember, my dad's family has had a tradition of making Whiskey Sour Punch at our annual Christmas gathering -- often an open-house style get together on Christmas Eve, filled with food, family, fun, laughter and songs.

It was my Grandpa's recipe, and it was one of the recipes that he submitted for the Family Recipes booklet that they published and handed out to family in the year that I was born. Coincidence? I think not.  Although my Grandpa is no longer with us, this drink is a tradition that the family carries on each year.

A couple of years ago, I decided to bring this tradition over to Tom's family.  I have also started including it in my Halloween Party repertoire.  It tastes great and seems to appeal to most people.  It's citrusy, punchy, not overly sweet.

Doctor Who - yes, the inspiration of this blog post!

I don't watch or read the news very often. One of the reasons for that is that it's often depressing -- with media choosing to focus in on the bad stories that show humanity at its worst, leading me to feel like the world is a mess and there is nothing I can do about it. There's just too much. It's too overwhelming. And I'm just one person.

The problem comes when I let that become an excuse. An excuse for not doing anything. We have indeed made a mess of the world, and I cannot fix it -- but I can do something. Something to make just one person's life better, to make just one person's day brighter. Just because I can't solve the world's problems and bring peace and harmony to all, doesn't mean I can't make some impact, and I need to remember that. Remember that it all matters, and the smallest act of kindness may be more powerful that you ever know. We are all just one person, but together, we are a people, a community, who can reach out and care for one another.

My challenge to myself headed into the Christmas season and the New Year ahead -- and my challenge for you, too -- is to focus on small things I can do on a weekly or daily basis to make someone's day brighter, to let someone know that they matter.

It's a simple concept and nothing new, but I was reminded of it the other day while watching Doctor Who. Yes, you'd be amazed at the life lessons that can be gleaned from Doctor Who. Without going into the back story, there was a flashback to the time when the Doctor was the inadvertent cause of the volcanic eruption of Mount Versuvius, which we know from history destroyed the whole town of Pompeii. The Doctor's companion, Donna, begged him to go back and save someone -- not the whole town -- but just save someone. Here's a clip for your viewing pleasure:



It reminded me that we are responsible to do the good that we can do. We can't do it all on our own, but each of us can do something.

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." - Romans 12:6-8

As I was thinking about this post, something else popped into my head -- a song, that I had to look up because I knew only the words -- "Make someone happy...make just one someone happy".



This Christmas, let's take some time to think of just one someone whose holidays you can make a little bit brighter. Send a card. Give a gift to someone who wouldn't be expecting it. Invite someone over if you know they are going to be alone. Call up a friend who may have a hard time getting through the holidays after the loss of a loved one. Let someone know that you care. Give an extra donation to a charity. Smile and give a friendly greeting to a stranger. Big or small, any act of kindness and giving can impact the world in a positive way. You may be just one person, but you have what it takes to help just one person.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

With Thanksgiving this past week and Christmas around the corner, I've been in a festive mood lately.  We didn't travel over the holiday weekend so it allowed me the chance to have some good downtime and also do some experimenting in the kitchen!  I've been spending [too much] time getting ideas from Pinterest, and I came across this recipe for Cranberry and Pomegranate Bruschetta, which I decided to adapt...and use at least three different ways!  All of these make would make a great addition to a Thanksgiving or Christmas gathering and will add some festive holiday cheer!

We'll start with the primary recipe.

Pomegranate Cranberry Crostini

A Couple Edible Treats



I did make a couple of edible treats so far this year.  I had to bring a dessert to a Christmas party last week, and realized the night before that I didn't yet have anything planned to make!  I opted for some quick and easy Christmas cupcakes.  I used a basic vanilla cake recipe, and added a bunch of red food coloring for some added festive-ness!  I made a cream cheese frosting, then I just smashed up some candy canes to sprinkle on top.  Yum!


I made something else tonight that I have not tried yet.  I actually stole the idea from Pinterest -- it's a pine cone shaped cheese ball!  I used my basic cheese ball recipe, then just stuck in whole almonds on the outside to resemble a pine cone.  I cut a little branch off our Christmas tree for full effect!  

Basic Cheese Ball Recipe:

- 8oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- spices to taste: paprika, red pepper, garlic, salt and parsley

Just mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.  Dump it all out onto a piece of cellophane and shape it within that (keeps your hands clean!).  Instead of a round ball, make an oblong shape that skinnier at one end than the other.  Stick in your almonds starting from the back and work your way to the tip of the pine cone.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve!

Some Edible Gifts

I did also make a few small edible gifts for people.  At least, partly edible.  A couple of my friends helped me come up with most of this idea.  They found these really pretty little votive candle holders -- they are kind of a crackled glass and I purchased gold, red and clear ones.  Instead of a candle inside, I packed them each with biscotti, cocoa mix and candy canes.  I tied a ribbon around the candy canes and added a little branch of berries for extra festivity.  I ended up having to tape the candy canes to the hot cocoa packets to keep everything standing upright.  And I just attached glittery gift tags to each one.



 I had some leftover cocoa and candy canes and decided that those would make a good gift for my Sunday School girls!  I just taped the candy cane to the hot cocoa packet then tied a ribbon around it.  I ended up just printing off some bible verses and taping those to the back.




The Card Tree


I think this idea needs some work, but I saw it online and thought it would be fun!  I am always trying to figure out what to do with my Christmas cards.  My mom used to always tape them to one of our doors -- I tried that last year, but I couldn't get them to stick!  So, I decided to try the Card Tree this year.  I gathered some sticks from the back yard to make my "tree" and put them in a pitcher/vase with a bunch of glass stones to keep everything in place.  I think I may need to add something else to the branches -- a few berries or maybe a few small ornaments.  I also thought about spraying the branches with glitter spray for more of icy/wintery effect.  But, alas, I haven't gotten that far yet.  So, it's a work in progress!

1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in egg and vanilla.
3. Combine flour, oats, baking soda and cinnamon in a medium sized bowl.
4. Add dry mixture and pumpkin into the creamed mixture and stir until well combined, then fold in chocolate chips.
5. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter and sugars with an electric mixer.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in syrup and vanilla.
2. Combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.  Add to the creamed mixture and stir until well combined.
3. Fold in the butterscotch chips until well combined.
4. Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto baking sheets.  Bake at 325 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. (*note: these cookies REALLY spread out during baking so be sure to adequately space them – about 2” apart)

1. Place popped popcorn in a large brown paper grocery bag.
2. Melt butter in a medium saucepan and stir in sugar, corn syrup and salt.
3. Bring ingredients to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Remove pot from heat and add baking soda.  The caramel will sort of foam up as you stir it.
5. Once well mixed, pour the caramel over the popcorn in the grocery bag.
6. Shake bag well to coat popcorn.  Stir with a long handled wooden spoon to try to get the popcorn evenly coated.
7. Spread popcorn in a single layer over wax paper to cool.  Once cool, break a part any large pieces and store in an air tight container.

1. In a large bowl, combine olive oil and spices until well mixed.
2. Add peanuts and stir until evenly coated.
3. Spread peanuts out on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.  Mix, then bake for another 15 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and let cool; store in an air tight container.

Only a duck-billed platypus will do
Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy
I want a duck-billed platypus to play with and enjoy

I want a duck-billed platypus for Christmas
I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you? 
He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue
Just bring him through the front door, that's the easy thing to do

I was a little late in getting things ready this year, but I finally have some Christmas decorations up, so I thought I'd share!  While the outside of our house remains dark and uninviting (maybe Tom will actually get around to doing lights next year!), the inside is full of holiday cheer!  Let's start with the centerpiece...the Christmas Tree.  Tom and I went to a nearby Christmas tree farm and he cut one down for us. 

What a man!

For some reason my favorite Christmas song has always been It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. I’m not really sure why I liked it. I think because it had a serious message and just a bit of a different sound than other Christmas songs. The scene where the angels appear to the shepherds is also one of my favorite parts of the Christmas story, and perhaps that had something to do with it. Shepherds were not highly esteemed, yet it was them to whom God chose to reveal the Messiah through his angel messengers and they were among the first to meet the baby Jesus.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. – Luke 2:8-20

There’s now another reason I like this song, though. Last year I read through the lyrics of the various verses and verse three struck me very strongly. I think my fellow RA-warriors will know what I mean when reading the words, so I’ve decided that I’m going to use those words as my Christmas card to the #rheum community:





And if you want to actually listen to the song, I really like this version by Kutless:

1. Place 6 Oreos in a food processor and process until all you have is fine crumbs.  If you don’t have a food processor, you can place them in a sealable plastic bag and smash with a meat tenderizer or anything else that you have handy.  Set these Oreo crumbs aside in a small bowl.
2. Process or otherwise crumble remaining Oreos in the same manner and combine with cream cheese in a large bowl.  *Note: it may look like it’s never going to mix together, but trust me, it will!  If you’re not afraid to do so, use your hands – it works a lot better!  Oh, come on…you know you like the feeling of goop between your fingers!
3. Roll Oreo mixture into about 40 balls, each about an inch in diameter.
4. Melt chocolate chips in a medium saucepan over low heat.
5. Dip or roll each ball into melted chocolate until covered.  Use two forks to pick up each ball and place on a cookie tray covered with wax paper.
6. Sprinkle remaining Oreo crumbs over top of the truffles.
7. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

1. Melt chocolate chips over low heat in a medium sauce pan.
2. Stir in most of the candy can pieces, reserving a small handful.
3. Use a spatula to spread mixture into a thin layer on a wax paper covered cookie sheet.
4. Sprinkle remaining candy cane pieces over top.
5. Refrigerate until cool and hard; break apart into pieces.

1. Beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla, food coloring and flavored extract in a large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
2. Gradually beat in powdered sugar on low speed until well combined.  Towards the end, you may need to use your hands or a wooden spoon to combine the remaining powdered sugar.
3. Place granulated sugar in a small bowl.
4. Roll two teaspoons of cream cheese mixture into a ball, and then roll ball in granulated sugar.
5. Flatten ball into a patty with a fork, making vertical and horizontal lines.
6. Repeat until all cream cheese mixture is used.
7. Refrigerate patties until ready to serve.