Christmas Yums!

Yesterday, I conquered the Lowe family favorite cookie: the Chocolate Sugar Puff. As a kid, our house was always full of baking around Christmas time: chocolate chip, pecan-less tarts (dad is deathly allergic to nuts), a tea-ring (basically a cinnamon roll ring that was always my teacher present and is Christmas morning breakfast),

 and the chocolate sugar puff cookie. 

This past week, I decided to conquer the Boso family favorite cookie, the peanut butter no-bake (thanks for the tutorial, Karen!)

And the Lowe family fav: CSP. I posted this on Facebook and had a few requests for this favorite cookie recipe. So, here it is:

Dough ingredients:

1/2 c oil

4-1 oz unsweetened chocolate baking squares, melted

2 c sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 c flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 c confectioner's sugar

- Combine oil, melted chocolate, and sugar with a mixer

- Mix in eggs and vanilla

- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt and add to sugar mixture

- Chill in refrigerator 2-4 hours or overnight

- shape balls around 3/4" diameter (my cookie scooper was perfect)

- Roll dough balls in confectioners sugar

- Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes (on baking times, less is always best)

- As soon as you can (without burning yourself), push your thumb in the middle. 

Icing ingredients:

1 c sugar

1/4 c cocoa

1/4 c milk

4 Tbsp butter

1/2 tsp vanilla

-In a saucepan, bring the first three ingredients to a boil. 

-Boil for 1 1/2-2 minutes, stirring constantly. 

- remove from heat

- Stir in butter and vanilla until smooth

- using a spoon, put icing in thumb holes in cookies

Recipe makes 4 dozen

(Rolling in the sugar is the perfect job for your soux chef)

Buen provecho!

Looking for a JOYOUS new year

As a kid, my OCD self was always very annoyed by the fact that most big buildings chose to leave #13 out of the lineup of floor numbers. Understanding that many people believe that #13 is bad luck, I always thought I could determine the optimism of a corporation by reading the numbers in an elevator. 

As 2013 approached, I felt the same way about the fear in people that 2013 was destined to be a bad year because of the year number alone. I began the challenge presented by the Living Proof ministry website to memorize a scripture on every 1st and 15th of the month. My first scripture came from Isaiah 43:19: "I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts and streams in thirsty lands." I believe when I memorized this scripture, I narrowly believed that "new" meant "good". The scripture was right that something new was being created, just not the new I anticipated. 

With only 16 days left in the year, I have posted my 24th (and final) verse for 2013: "who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion." -Psalm 103:4 

I never anticipated, 24 verses ago, that the year could be filled with pits from which I would need redeeming. With the loss of one of my best friend's daughters, the loss of one of my favorite fellow youth pastor's wives and her unborn daughter, a sudden surgery (and pain meds that made me psycho for 3 weeks), my best school friend retiring, and our miscarriage, 2013 has proven itself to be quite a pit. My "new" was definitely not "good". Through my most painful times, The Lord revealed:

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens" -Ecclesiastes 3:1

And when I felt alone: 

"The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." -Psalm 121:8

When I was tired:

"Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him." -Psalm 62:5

When I felt like things on earth were futile compared to pain that friends were feeling:

"For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him." -Colossians 1:16

And confirming that things on earth were small:

"Yes, everything is worthless when compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake, I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ." -Philippians 3:80

As I confirm that the Word was given to us "... so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." -John 15:11

And when I didn't know what to feel:

"Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as The Lord forgave you. And over all of these virtues, put on love which binds them together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in you, since as members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful..."

I have learned the benefit of memorizing the Word of The Lord so in my weakest moments, God's words echo through my mind.

"...Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." -Colossians 3:12-16

Even though in my eyes, the "new" wasn't good, in God's plan, our "good" doesn't matter since "I know the plans I have for you, declares The Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

In the midst of "putting roads in deserts and streams in thirsty lands", I have learned that for roads to be put down, ground has to be torn up and rocks have to be moved. And I have to remind myself to:

"Praise The Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion." -Pslam 103:2-4

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that The Lord has promised to those who love Him." -James 1:12

As I posted my final verse for 2013 today, I was moved to tears that my year has gone from "creating something new" to "persevering under trial" and "redeeming from the pit." I am hoping that the construction of the roads in deserts and streams in thirsty lands is a calmer process. However, I am so grateful for The Lord brought these scriptures to me this year. I have been overwhelmed that these words play in my mind as vividly as a person speaking them to me. 

As we prepare for 2014 "But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ. And through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him." -2 Corinthians 2:14

Lead us, Lord, into 2014 in a triumphal procession in You so we may spread Your love. 

Half-training, week 1 (or 2?)

So, we are in full-swing of half-marathon training. I was using a plan that I couldn't follow well, so "using" is a term I use lightly. I switched back to my tried-and-true Hal Higdon. When I ran Knoxville, I used Higdon's Novice 2 plan. This race, I have gone up a step to the Intermediate plan and am tweaking it a bit.

Yesterday, I ran the long run that's officially scheduled for week 2, but I'm OCD and being off schedule just doesn't work for me. So, my week 1 was week 2. I know. I'm unnecessarily complicated. The last half, I did the majority of my training on the treadmill which did NOT prepare me for such a hilly race. I made a resolve to run hills as much as possible for my next one. Now, this race is flat and could easily be trained on a treadmill. Oh well, such is life. 

Lee and I decided to do long runs yesterday because of the snow/ice storm that is upon us today. I ran 6, Lee ran 9. I'm getting much better at pacing myself for long, slow distances and really enjoyed my run.

(If you see me running and my hands are raised, chances are, I'm not in need; just "raising my praiser")

I have gotten SEVERAL messages asking about what my clothing attire is that enables me to love winter running so much. (I think it's weird that some of my major training times have been in the winter.)

Some of these are year-round staples and some are winter (some are also pricey. Think Christmas gifts and knowing that these last for years and years):

1) Garmin GPS watch. Lee has a fancy, expensive one that he hates. I have a simple, much cheaper one, that I love. It clocks distance, time, average pace, enables you to set timers for speed work. It's small and fits well on my very small wrists. (You can do similar things with the Run Keeper app. I just enjoy freedom from my phone. "13.1 miles of peace and quiet")

2) Running shoes made for YOU. I am a supinator that runs on the outside of my feet. The only shoes that work for me are the Mizuno Wave Riders. I opt for the older models to get cheaper prices. 

2b) I also have a pair of goretex shoes that I save for rainy and snowy days (Look for "GTX" after the model name). Mizuno doesn't make them, so I got a pair of Brooks in a neutral footing. I have had this pair for 3 years bc I only use them when necessary.

3) Marmot Variant jacket. I read about this in Fitness magazine and got one on clearance. It is a MUST HAVE. Down in the front and a thick water repellent material on the arms and back. Thumb holes keep gloves in rock and an inside pocket keeps iPods dry. 

4) Smart Wool running socks. Love them and only need them when the temps are below 35

5) Running tights. I have 2 pair, 1 pair is brand new and only ran in them yesterday. I have run in a pair of Nike's for a few years that are wonderful, buti f the temps dip in the lower 30's or less, I require an extra layer. Lee has been running in the CW-X insulator tights for a few years and I broke down and bought a pair for the Turkey Trot race (that got cancelled.). I ran in them yesterday in the snow and the temps in the upper 20s and was super warm dry (they're water repellent, too).

Other staples are dry-fit shirts under the Marmot, wicking socks for when it's not super cold (I think I got mine at Target or TJ Maxx). I'm currently running in a pair of fleece gloves from Walmart for $2.99. I always keep a tube of chapstick in my pocket and slather my face in a super thick moisturizer before running to keep my face from hurting. (I'm using this Mary Kay product) Also, I had a horrible time last year with keeping my ears warm until my friend, Cindy, told me about the Bondi Bands. ("Will run for chocolate!")

In the past, I felt horribly guilty for leaving Nina at home (with supervision, of course.) while I went running. Then a friend of mine posted this last week on Facebook and completely changed my outlook on my training. 

I am aware that the list, when added all together, is pricey (And running is supposed to be a cheap sport!). These are things to gradually acquire and to hint and save for. Not all things are must haves for everyone. Hoping a few of my favorite running things may help you! Happy training!

To Dream a Dream

Meet the Walker women. We are basically 5 peas in a pod. A pod that stretches across 3,000 miles, but a pod, nonetheless. (Auntie lives in Seattle) I'm not talking about the fact that 3/5 of us walk with our feet turned out (That's the Stewart in us; Nannie's feet are straight and Lee's genes of turning in were more dominant in Nina), that we often get choked (embarrassingly) on our own saliva, are annoyingly strongly independent, or that we can keep secrets well (as long as not from each other).

(True story: Lee has been known to time us to see how long it takes for news to travel through the whole Walker Women Phone Tree. I never heard the exact results, but it wasn't long.)

Today, I am talking about our weird dreams. WEIRD, Y'ALL. Nannie taught 2nd grade and, after Grandad passed away, she also ran the family exterminating business. She once dreamed that there were little green men jumping out of cinder blocks. She also dreamed that there were alligators in the creek that ran behind her school that swallowed one of her students. She singlehandedly opened the mouth of the gator and removed the boy. This is just the iceberg of our crazy dreams.

When Lee and I first got married, I would wake up to his hazel eyes staring at me. Not in the "I could lie awake, just to hear you breathing... and I don't want to miss a thing" type of stare but as to say "hurry up and tell me every detail before you forget" stare. Often times, I think he has wished my dreams weren't so vivid. For example, one night I dreamed he cheated on me with an Asian lady named "Tamiflu". (Totally during the Swine Flu epidemic.) He might not like them, but he is always fascinated.

Last night, I dreamed that we walked in our house to find that someone had stolen the middle section of our Christmas tree. (Please no angry messages about real trees vs. artificial. I'M ALLERGIC TO ALL FORMS OF NATURE. THEY CAN'T COME IN MY HOUSE, lest I perish. Not really. Hopefully.)

(Even though I did have my eye swell shut during an allergy shot when my tolerance for dust mites reached the top)

(That was after 2 benadryl. I went to the grocery store after. Ain't nobody gonna break my style...)

Anyway. Middle section of the tree was gone. I see the gentlemen collecting our recycling and ask if they know anything about it. They said it was a man that hated me. He had come to our wedding and hated it, therefore, hated me. (Had to have been one of those weird TLC shows) I called a friend of mine who is a police officer and he said "You could involve the cops. But, let's be honest: steal his tree back!" I decided to wait in my house by the window that they had obviously climbed through, locked it, and waited for them to return. And like every good dream: of course they did! I grabbed them by the hands and pulled them in the living room where they got a good solid tongue lashing. I informed them how ridiculous it was to steal the middle section of the tree and how the law enforcement agents had advised me to RIP OUT THE MIDDLE OF THEIR TREE. He said "Now, just because I got a little naughty doesn't mean you have to act so hastily." And I said "Sir. You may be naughty, but I will continue to be nice." and I woke up. 

Intense, y'all. Who steals the middle of a tree?! Still not over it. I totally should have at least stolen the bow off his wreath. 

I got this email from my loving husband today: 

(Shows how well he listens; THEY CAME IN THROUGH THE WINDOW!)

Several years ago, I had a reoccurring dream that I talked about with our pastor who has a degree in counseling. He (correctly) identified some underlying fears in my life. After those dreams stopped, I had a dream that I had a purple pet shark that I walked on a leash. He told me I must have eaten too closely to bed time. I think it's a Walker woman trait that we are blessed to have. There are few places more entertaining than our brains.