My Favorite Christmas Carol

I Heard the Bells 

by Henry Wadsworth Lonfellow

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

I readily anticipate the dawn of the new year. The new year, like many things, seems to be something humanity senses together. A fresh start. It's interesting that God created us this way, seeking small changes that make everything new again. The seasons. Spring cleaning. They relieve us and revive us. The simple things.

We've been...

Playing guns...

Opening early Christmas gifts...

 (Andrew got me this pretty necklace. :D)

And some tree trimming too...

Internet Cheer

 

  

I hope amidst the noise and haste you are finding the true cheer of the season, and celebrating the birth of Christ in all it's wonder. His humiliation for our retribution-the wonders of the cross!

R&R

 Feeling pretty puny today, I think I have a cold or sinus infection-esque malady of sorts. I'm also a bit bummed to be home from church today. Although, I must say it's wonderful to be sick on break, as opposed to being at school while sick. Which is lame. We're all just wrapping up the graduation weekend celebrations here in the Clardy household, and will soon be beginning holiday festivities. We leave for San Antonio tomorrow, newly bought gifts in tow. I'm looking forward to some time to really wind-down. It's also always fun to spend time with my husband. Andrew's so good-natured. Due to the typical married sleeping arrangement, I, rather we, have discovered interesting things about my sleeping self. I'm so mean! I don't like to be cuddled, touched, "constricted," confined, etc. And I'll yell at him about it. In my sleep! Ha. I'm awful. On the other hand, he also talks in his sleep. One time he firmly told me, "Shut that door right now!" Which door, Andrew? "The one on the ceiling." Oh, right.

We're funny, we are.

Graduation Time!

My wonderful husband graduated with his bachelors today.

Our niece with her Grandma. Lela's growing up so fast!

I'm so proud of him!

Along with all the graduation excitement, today is filled with Christmas things. My brother-in-law Stephen is staying with us this weekend, and we're all currently drinking hot chocolate and watching White Christmas. What fun! I'll also be doing Christmas shopping soon, probably tomorrow. I haven't gotten any of it done aside from Andrew's. I know you're shocked. I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy inside due to all this cheeriness. Even more so, I feel God's care for me; no matter what situations arise He is True Providence.

Potato Soup and Spicy Burgers.

That's what we had for dinner tonight. It was pretty good! If you would like to try it, here are my "recipes" below. If you can call them that. Also including my pot roast recipe, adapted from Ina Garten's. She uses red wine and beef stock, that's really the only difference.

Potato Soup
You need:
half bag new potatoes (about 5 small ones)
1 leek
1 celery stalk
unsalted butter
flour
paprika
kosher salt
black pepper
chalula
2% milk
Stock
Sour cream
Chives

Make a roux in a large soup pot. (Put 2 pats butter on med-high heat, after it browns add a couple tbs flour, wisk until golden. Easy peasy.) Add app 3 cups milk, turn down heat so it doesn't curdle. Season liberally with paprika, salt, pepper, chalula. Chop potatoes, leek, celery and add to pot. Add a cup of whatever stock you have on hand. Cook on med-low 10 minutes uncovered, 20-30 minutes simmer covered. Before serving, mash all soup ingredients with potato masher and add 3/4 cup sour cream. Top with chives.


Spicy burgers
Cook burgers as normal with salt/pepper and Worcestershire if desired. Serve on hollowed out ciabatta rolls with spicy sweet mustard, mayo, lettuce, and pepper jack cheese.


Pot Roast
You need:
1lb chuck roast
5-6 new potatoes
4 celery stalks
4 carrots
1 whole onion
5 cloves garlic
1 can (small) tom. paste
veg stock
Worcestershire sauce
2 bay leaves
salt/pepper
butter

Brown 3 tabs butter in bottom of large roasting pot on med-high. Preheat oven to 350. Coat all sides of roast very liberally (don't be scared) with kosher slat and black pepper. Kosher salt will change your life. Just use it. Brown each side (a lot) of roast. Add whole garlic cloves, and rough chopped large chunks of vegs. Add a small amount of stock, to coat bottom. Add tomato paste and 2 cans water. Mix well and add two bay leaves along with a cup or so more stock. Bake covered at least 1 hr, up to 2. Serve roast and vegs on platter, and the sauce on the side.


Sorry no pictures. Julia Child didn't need pictures. Neither did Irma Redenour. Not that I'm them....just trying to justify my lack of photography.

These are a few of my favorite things...

Thanksgiving/late autumn faves. Top ten. Not in order of importance.
1) Warm buttery toast.
2) Cold floors.
3) Family fun.
4) Sweet potatoes.
5) Time for reflection.
6) Rest.
7) Macy's parade!
8) My birthday, which produced very sweet gifts like this and this.
9) Reading books.
10) Watching the news and hearing about people spazzing over black friday.

More importantly, this year I am giving thanks to God for my sweet husband, my great family, my church, the ability to serve the Lord, constant provision, and the new believers in my life. What are you thankful for?

I know, I know...

...I'm a bad blogger. Forgive me, and take this small offering of recent pictures.

1) Every birthday weekend (mine) needs a happy picture.

2) It also needs a fun outing.

3) Brand new Christmas trees from Target are always recommended.

4) Ones with decorations are even better.

5) Although not a need for my own love life, mistletoe over the bed is always cute....right? I know it brightened my birthday. Haha. Just kidding.

Success!

Although I am sad that I am on my couch and not at the Oak Crest DNOW, I feel an almost unexplainable peace that can only be attripbuted to God's caring for me this week and tonight. My choir from school preformed for the first time, and I conducted for the first time publicly. What a glory it is to God, that after so much supplication and prayer to Him he brought me for such a great performance! I'm not bragging, because my conducting is extremely lackluster. Truly, God was so gracious to me. After these many weeks of work, I am beginning to see the fruits of my labor as God allows, and because of that I'm filled with such joy and peace.


Because of my exhilerated state, I think a sharing of tonight's hilarity is in order.

1) After briefly setting my music down on a nearby bleacher while speaking to my students, I turned around and saw a strange man holding my music while sitting down. I asked for it back, slash, grabbed it out of his hands. Smiling all the while of course. He didn't speak any English. It was awkward.

2) Honestly, I really don't enjoy the hand/body motions that elementary choirs sometimes do. I find them distracting and lame. But, after seeing another choir do lame hand motions, my kids are begging me to teach them these "cool moves." They're SO STRANGE.

3) When my students went on stage to sing with the middle school kids for the second number, I went to sit back down seeing as I was not directing. They had taken up two rows, and I was gone maybe 5 minutes. I turned around and BAM! Amidst all the little kid backpacks, at least 20 non-English speaking peeps were sitting on said bleachers. Smiling at me. So I stared at them. In awe.

4) I am not racist. This is truth. This is my life. Yo no habla espanol.

Currently.

My brain is stuck on fast-forward today, rushing through all of my motions and my words. I'm feeling a little sloppy. It was a good day, but when I'm mentally tired like this I worry over what I've said, whether it's been kind, filled with the fruit of the Spirit. I forget what I've said and what I've only thought of saying. This Friday evening is my kid's first choir concert. I'm so excited for them-mostly because they're so excited for themselves! It makes for a hard week though, because everything is hustle bustle until Thanksgiving it seems. Monday is my PDAS evaluation. If you don't know what that is, just know it's not very fun. I'm am hoping the lesson plans I've made will go over well with the students and make for a good class period.

Even in all this busyness though, something made me stop today. Max, in third grade, made me stop; to be more specific. Because I had so many pouty faces at the end of class, I reminded them that prizes are exciting because not everyone gets one; maybe next week would be their chance! I thought I was extra clever when I told them, "after all, if everyone has one it's no where near as fun! You wouldn't be excited about getting toilet paper. Because everyone has toilet paper."

Max then replied, ever so gently, "not everyone has toilet paper."

No joke, not being fresh, just stating. Everyone doesn't have toilet paper, Mrs. Clardy.

I need to pay attention. I need to understand them. To respect them. To hear them. But when I am absorbed in my world, I see nothing of what they see. And truly, I don't understand.

I look forward to the break, not to necessarily get away from the kids, or escape my job...but to recharge. To be able to really think about what has happened in my life since July. I've been married. I've gone on a honeymoon. Started a new job. Bought a car. So many things. But no time to think, and rest. And just to keep it real, I really want to watch the food network, drink diet coke, and do nothing. Just sayin.

Manage thine classroom.

Today was quiet. Yesterday was not. Dear unnamed teacher: I might strangle all of your first grade class. I might. In other news, I like these pictures:

Morning Glow

On my way to work...

After reading this: 'This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: that you be driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes. And in that it was commanded to leave the stump with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will be assured to you after you recognize that it is Heaven that rules.Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you: break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity.'

Daniel 4:24-27

I remember reading about God humbling Nebuchadnezzar my senior year of high school; reading of him becoming like an animal, roaming the wilderness naked and without shelter. I was struck by humility and what it meant, I had never understood before. I am so blessed to be reading through the book of Daniel, blessed by God's Word.

I also love the last verse: we break away from sin by acting in righteousness. By showing mercy. Not simply by raising hands in worship, praying, or being held accountable. No, instead we act in obedience, committing ourselves to the One we say we believe in, and we find true freedom. True humility.

Maine.

Andrew and I have been on a "Murder, She Wrote" kick lately. In case you don't know, it's an old TV show starring Angela Lansbury. And in case you don't know who she is, (which I would be appalled if you didn't) she's the voice of Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. Enough said.

She plays the character Jessica Fletcher, who writes mystery novels for a living but coincidentally solves a real live one in every episode! Imagine that! Witnessing enough murders in a year for an entire television series season. So charming. Anyway, Jessica Fletcher is just so...pleasant. I have the first season of the show, in case you were wondering, which is why it's been on my mind. Anyway, she jogs every morning, has tea with her friends, eats clam chowder, speaks with an English accent, visits family all over the US every other episode...tell me that's not everything you want to do and be in life! And most importantly, she lives in Maine. Which is precisely where I've decided I'd like to be right now.

See? You want to go to Main now. Right?

For my many readers....

After re-watching the movie Julie & Julia with my husband the other night, I had a revelation. I hadn't really seen an episode of "The French Chef" or even seen a clip in years. Too long! So, I went to the world's most unreliable and most polluted video streaming site, youtube of course, and found this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWmvfUKwBrg

After watching, I immediately made an omelette. I've never seen anything so beautiful.


In other news, Andrew keeps our lives interesting by keeping me abreast (ha!) of the goings-on in his English course with none other than the same professor I had three years ago. She's a funny one. Anyway, this week he came home from school and told me this strange story about having to buy the short story Daisy Miller in the bookstore, and how the cover looked like a romance novel, and how he talked to his coworkers about it....and something about the Rangers...I really didn't get it until I saw this:

Gotta love it.

Meatball Soup.

You should try it! I'm on a soup kick because of the cooler weather. I really enjoy it so I thought I'd share. Be warned that my measuring techniques are very...theoretical.

You'll need: Either a pack of Italian sausage (I like it in the casing) or 1/2 lb ground beef, 1 can or jar spaghetti sauce of your choice, stock, 1onion, 1 bell pepper, white rice, olive oil, butter, basil, oregano, nutmeg, pepper, kosher salt.

First, heat up a couple pats of butter and a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high heat.

Then, add onion and bell pepper, rough chopped. I didn't add garlic, because I feel like every recipe has garlic. I love garlic. But don't wear it out.

Then, cut the sausage casings and form small meatballs. Or, you can use ground beef and add a large handful of Italian breadcrumbs and one egg. Once they're in the pot, add about a tsp pepper and 2 tsp kosher salt.

Wait until they're brown, then add a tsp nutmeg, and a small palmful of basil and oregano, each. Red pepper flakes, if you like.

Add half a box of stock, (I like kitchen basics low-sodium veg stock.) and a can of spaghetti sauce. Then, a cup to a cup and a half of white rice.

Simmer 10 minutes covered, 10 minutes uncoverd, and then add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with cheese on top! I like asiagio.

Mmmm.

20 things I love right now.

1. Learning about marriage, and my husband.
2. Getting to experience the joy of childhood every day vicariously through my students.
3. Colombus/Fair Day; I have Monday off from school!
4. Burt's Bee's chapstick. Was lost, now found.
5. Cooking.
6. Mr. Ia. He is our custodian, and he's basically Mr. Miagi.
7. Learning not to stress out.
8. Cooler weather.
9. Opening the windows at night. 
10. Having places we frequent in Arlington; finally starting to feel like home.
11. Driving around to look at pretty houses.
12. Imagining them with Christmas lights.
13. Dreaming of having our own Christmas tree.
14. Thinking of all the Christmas decorations I want to make for us and our family members.
15. Wearing my jacket.
16. Halloween.
17. Quiet morning drives (when there's not traffic).
18. God's faithfulness to reveal His truth.
19. Redemption.
20. Family.

These are in no particular order. What are you loving right now?

October.

Today  is dwindling slowly to a close this evening, as it usually does when I am by myself. Although happily enough, I haven't had very many lonely nights since I've been married. It's not that I can't appreciate time to myself; in fact, I usually have all of these great productive plans swirling around in my head...until I actually get home of course. I tend to feel rather unmotivated. Hoping for some chutzpah tonight. (Pronounced hoot-spuh. Look it up.)

Andrew is at the church's fish fry tonight, men only of course. I decided in honor of their grand celebration I would have lean cuisine mac and cheese with a baloney sandwich. Refined, I know. I astound myself with my culinary genius, practically every day. All joking aside, it was good. Cooking for one person is overrated for sure!

I've begun reading "Radical" by Platt this past few days. It's actually Andrew's, but he's letting me read it since he doesn't have time to do so yet. Such a captivating book! And incredibly convicting. Platt discusses the contrast in Christian life in countries closed to our religion; their fervor for the Word of God, their hunger for true understanding, and their immediate obedience to what the Bible says. It's so different than my life. It's so different than the life of my church. It's different.

Part of my struggle as a Christian are the many Christian categories culture not only creates, but pressures us to fall into and/or identify with. Perhaps we made the categories ourselves, I don't know. Either way, they exist. The preacher's kid. The accepting, tolerant Christian. The worship leader. The minister. The busybody. The youth. The old people. Singles. College and young adults. Spirit filled. Fundamentalist. Evangelical. Charismatic. Fake. Emotional. Self-serving.


I can guarantee that I have had one person or another who is either a non-Christian or "not practicing" (whatever that means) who has described a Christian person in their life in one of these ways. Numerous times, for different people. Categories. Stereotypes. Perceptions. Regardless of who made them, our Christian walk supports them. Our Christian walk continues them. Our Christian walk defines them. We perpetuate the beliefs that misconstrue God's Word. That is tough for me to take in. I know it, but I don't act like I know it. I know it, yet I don't believe it.

I'm so tired of the worn out words "I can't tithe right now" or "even if you can't tithe"... it's not neccessarily about the subject of tithing, although I could very well go off on a tangent about that considering I qualified for food stamps in college. It's about the deliberate, careful, pointed disobedience. The Bible says tithe, in all situations. There is not a soul in my church who can't tithe; but we perpetuate the lie! Disobedience is okay, in fact, God will bless you with the things of this world despite your disobedience! Crazy?


Now don't get your undies in a wad over my tithe speech. Remember, I'm just sharing about my thoughts on this book, my convictions, my realizations. Work with me here. I'm already convicted and challenged by so much in Platt's writing; there are so many things I value more than my relationship with God. Did you hear me? I value many things, not just a couple, many things in my life more than God. And I'm not telling you because I'm proud of that, I'm certainly not. Admit that for yourself out loud, it doesn't feel good. But I have such a deep feeling of entitlement to so many things...it's got to go! God has ordained us for one thing and one thing only: Himself. We are to serve Him, love Him, walk with Him in newness of life, confess to Him, die for Him. And yet, in knowing this, I still feel so entitled to my desires. My desires, that in no way serve Him or His ordained purposes. I'm not talking about normal, don't seem super important desires; I'm talking selfish, self-serving desires. Higher than God.


I'm working through my own mess, and I'm loving this book! It's not a self-help book; it's a book intended to strip our messed up American culture away so we can understand the words of Jesus. It's cool.


Now then, you're welcome David Platt for your free promo, and here are some fun moments from this past weekend.

Andrew and me before his senior recital Friday: (it was great!!)

Some pictures from Brant and Melissa's wedding; we're so happy their finally married!

Over and out.