Rebecca Homecca

Tonight I went about cleaning and freezing the green & yellow beans we got from the farmer. I’ve been trying to get this project done all weekend and finally got around to it.

I also had 2 very large zucchini I had to deal with. They were too big for eating really and the farmer recommended using them in bread. Since it is kind of hot to do a lot of baking, I decided to shred it and freeze it for later baking.

I have heard of people doing this and thought that sounded like a good idea. I have a food processor that would made quick work of the shredding, so easy peasy.

It was after the shredding that things got a little hairy. I pretty much had shredded zucchini all over the kitchen.

That stuff just went everywhere.

I managed to get 2 bags with 4 cups each and 2 bags with 2 cups each. The recipes I have take 2 cups. I figured this gave me options to make a little or a lot.

I just got done getting all the shreds cleaned up and have the bags cooling in fridge before they head to the freezer. I really hope it all goes well come bread time because it ended up being a little more of a process than I originally thought.

Heard on the way home that the founder of Taco Bell has passed away.

Glen Bell Jr was truly a master. He somehow managed to make a food that is absolutely disgusting and yet totally amazing at the same time. He brought the world of mediocre Mexican food to the masses and we loved it.

Taco Bell is the one food from college that I have not been able to give up. It’s my one downfall. And the more I eat it, the more I want it. It’s like crack in a taco shell.

So here’s to you Glen Bell Jr…for the best worst fast food out there. I’ll be sure to have a couple of tacos in your honor this week.

There are two radio stations (that I know of) that started playing Christmas music last weekend. Not like intermixed with other songs, but 24-7 holiday joy.

It is not even Thanksgiving people!

I had to totally re-do my presets in my car. I do not want to hear it, even for a second.

First of all, there is a limited amount of Christmas songs to choose from. You may have 12 different renditions, but it is still the same song.

It gets old fast.

Secondly, the only time I really enjoy holiday tunes is if I am at a Christmas party (not a Thanksgiving party, or fall celebration) and when I am putting my tree up.

I like to have a little hot chocolate, hear a little Jingle Bell Rock, and get the ornaments out.

All of this occurs AFTER Thanksgiving!

We made it back from the house warming party in Indiana. It was a beautiful weekend for a long drive.

This morning we visited one of our former ministers at his new church. It was just a short drive from the party, so we thought we would surprise him.

He was surprised for sure! And so were we.

That had to be the most welcoming church (or any place for that matter) that I have ever visited. We had a couple of people welcome us before we even got inside. And it wasn’t in a forced annoying way. It was like they were genuinely happy to see a couple of new faces, and wanted us to feel welcome.

Once inside, we weren’t quite sure where to go. Well, it only took a second for a young lady to come to our aid. We told her why were there, and she led us right to his office.

After we took our seats, several people introduced themselves and again, it was in a comfortable, easy way.

During the forced friendliness portion of the activities people traveled from other aisles to welcome us and say greetings to each other. And everyone seemed really happy to see each other and us!

After the service, we were waiting around  to go to lunch with the minister and his family. A few more people made there way to us,  just because they hadn’t introduced themselves. Crazy!

Sometimes, all this friendliness can be overwhelming, but it wasn’t. I think because it was so genuine, and people really seemed like they just wanted to know who we were and make us feel welcome.

We have visited other churches with varying degrees of friendliness. Once we went through the entire thing with not one person saying boo to us, even during meet and greet. We just stood there like dummies.

Now that was awkward.

We made sure to tell our friend about our experience and he was so glad to hear that. Hubs thinks it’s partly because it is a small town in a more rural area. People are just friendlier in those areas I guess.

I wish we could find a place around here that felt as comfortable and welcoming. Maybe we’re out of luck in the big city, and 2 1/2 hours would be a bit too much of a drive…

Today was the first day of school in our area. Since I don’t have kids, this does not affect me much.

Other than the increased traffic, getting stuck behind the school bus, and worrying about running over children standing at the end of their driveways.

I always loved going back to school when I was a kid. I loved school and have always loved learning new things.

I also loved that I got new clothes. It was usually too hot to wear them on the first day, but sometimes I did anyway.

A new outfit can instill a lot of confidence on that first day.

Not to mention my Smurf’s lunchbox (Or later in life, my sweet Trapper Keeper).

Oh and the school supplies…how I do love school supplies.

Opening a fresh pack of crayons is like opening a box of possibility.

Will it be your family made of stick people next to a house with a chimney coming out of the roof? There might even be some clouds and a sun with a bird flying through the air.

And Nothing says a fresh start like a new notebook and a sharpened pencil.

Things happen in threes. That’s what I hear anyway.

Something is happening, I’m not quite sure what, but it’s going to be good.

And I just got my third clue.

First thing that happened was I read the article about Hobby Lobby giving pay increases to their full time employees. It did not seem significant at the time, but I kept thinking about it for some reason. Maybe because it was a positive story in a sea of negative news. I thought what a great person the founder was for doing that and betting on the future.

Next thing that happened was Hubs and I went to Dave Ramsey’s Town Hall Meeting for Hope. This was significant only because I had gotten an email about it and ignored it. Then the night of the event Hubs casually asked what it was all about and next thing I knew we were going.

The event was about what I expected, I did not come away with any strong feelings. I was glad that someone with such a large audience had decided to step up on the side of hope and was trying to spread that message. It’s going to take a lot of work though to overcome the fear message we hear daily.

The last thing, again by itself, not significant. You all know I have been waiting for weeks for that Dewey book to come in. Well it finally arrived and I started reading it today.

When it got to the part about the farm crisis of the 1980’s, my intuition perked up. It went on to say how in a small way, this library cat was bringing small joy and hope to this little farming town that was struggling. It’s another message of hope in hard times.

It may just be because I am living in these “tough economic times” and like most people am searching for hopefull message (even if we don’t know it). But I feel like this is how it works, you hear a positive word, then another, then maybe you tell someone else about those things, and so on. Then hope is spreading and things are turning around.

I honestly believe that the bad news we hear everyday is spreading a message of fear, and that fear is hindering an economic turn around.

I also believe that a message of hope can be spread too. But we can’t count on the media for that. It’s not going to come from the government either, despite what we were told.

It’s got to be neighbor to neighbor.

If your friend needs help, help them.

If your hear good news, tell someone else.

If you get scared, pray about it. Because that’s where the good news really comes from.

First thing we need to talk about is the fact that it was 60 degrees today. I can’t begin to tell you how much energy warm weather and sun shine gives me. Sadly, it will not stay long, but serves as a reminder that these gray days will not be here forever.

We had a full moon last night, which is really crazy out here. If it’s clear and the moon is bright, it looks like someone is shining a spot light on our back yard. This morning when I was up the moon was still up. We have a strip through our trees where the power lines are. Normally, this is our sunny spot. This morning the snow was glowing in the moonlight.

Then on my way to work the sky was crazy blue with this huge bright moon. I thought, if I had my camera this would be an awesome Photo Friday. Did not have said camera, however, so you’ll have to take my word.

Random topic #2: I got the cards back in the mail today about the art shows I was trying to get into. I did not get in to either show. The worst part, as hubs pointed out, is that you have to pay to enter. So, as a result, I paid these people for this rejection. I usually don’t have high hopes for these things, but I really thought that fish would get in.

Walk for Gilda’s Club update: I have way surpassed my goal of $125.00. Even if the boss hadn’t kicked in a big check I would have exceeded my goal (How smart was I to be the first one to ask the boss???) I am so grateful and excited to turn in my envelope!

Well, I guess that is enough randomness for now.

Bad Clothing Choices Update: The other day I made mention of Angelina wearing bedsheets for clothing. It was then pointed out to me that she had her sheet on backwards. Although, Em & I wondered if it was possible to wear a sheet backwards…

Vitamin D update: On a Photo Friday I talked about adding Vitamin D to my vitamin regimin in the hopes of helping my Seasonal Mood Disorder. Well, it seems to be working! Noticeable improvement in mood and energy level.  I readily admit it could be a possible placebo effect, but I don’t care. Whatever works to keep me from wanting to stay in bed all day with the covers over my head.

Not an update so much as rambling: We have big plans this weekend. We have been plugging away on the trim project this afternoon, but then we are off to a party! Our friends are having a Chinese NewYear party. I don’t know what that all entails, but it sounds fabulous!

Then of course tomorrow is my 2nd favorite holiday (after Thanksgiving), The SUPER BOWL. We are going to some friends house to watch and have snacks. I am a big fan of snacks.

I am voting for the Cardinals to win because I adore Kurt Warner. He came from Arena Football (which sadly no longer exists), so I love that.

Also, I could not tell you anyone who has ever won or lost a Super Bowl except Kurt Warner. I remember clearly when he won with the St. Louis Rams. At the end when they stick the mic in his face he just yelled a very emotional “Thank you Jesus!”

I’m not gonna lie, I teared up.

So what can I say? I’m rooting for the guy.

Around these parts the weather is dominating all conversations. First of all, the weather liars predicted all kinds of snow that never arrived, but did manage to get everyone in a panic.

The thing that did show up, however, is the cold. It’s not just cold here right now, it is painful.

At the ATM the other day, my hand was feeling the pain before I got to the 3rd number in my pin. You literally can not spend any more time outside than it takes to get to your car, and you better hope you parked close.

As soon as you enter the frozen abyss, it hurts your face, your lungs, your feelings. It’s like to cold rushed up and punched you in the face and told you to go back inside.

Which is where you would prefer to be anyway. It was warm in there, why am I out here?

The temps are so low, the ice melt doesn’t work, people’s cars won’t start, and there is an increase in house fires as people find alternate (and dangerous) ways to stay warm.

Even little Marvin was sitting next to vent this morning and seemed to be in no hurry to move. Excpet maybe to get snuggled in the blanket, where his now.

We got a lot of small things accomplished tonight.

We got plastic put up on some of the windows. It would have been more but I bought the wrong size plastic. Who knew it was so complex?

Then hubs installed the towel bars and robe hook in the bathroom. We would have had a mirror up too, except they were out of the one we wanted.

Sigh…I was *this* close to being able to get all the way ready in one bathroom.

Patience Grasshopper…

I put up a vent cover in the basement to try and conserve energy. It was slightly more complicated due to the fact that there is no ceiling around it, but I got it up. Just don’t look at it sideways or we might be in trouble.

Then I hemmed my new pants (that I have had FOREVER so there newness is only relative to the fact that they have not been worn). Three inches they had to come up. THREE. And that is hemmed to wear with heels. Flats are not even a remote possibility.

Anyhoo, they go great with my new sweater set, so I will be all kinds of sassy tomorrow.

Then I worked on some art stuff for a while. I also assembled supplies so that I could have a project for knit-night on Thursday.

Since I don’t, you know, actually knit, I have to find something that I can work on in the coffee shop. Because I will not miss out on crafty fun night with my gal pals.

This week I am going to make some bookmarks. My coffee shop crafting seems to always involve scissors. I sell my bookmarks for a dollar (such a deal!) and make a great gift to give with a book.

I’m just sayin…

I also just got done making a grocery list, so that caps off my activity for the night. I’m in charge of Pie for thanksgiving so I had to get ingredients for that. I make 2 cheater pumpkins. I buy pre-made frozen ones. Far as anyone can tell they taste the same and you can’t make them for what the sell them for. I also make 2 apple with crunchy topping. YUM!

Buzz Buzz! Busy Bees!