December

I have a love/hate relationship with December. I love the season, the snow and Jesus. I hate how busy our lives and jobs get. We don’t get to see each other very often. We are lucky to have most of the year together, sitting on the same cushion of the couch. We are also lucky we love each other so madly. I need to keep reminding myself that December is only one month. I read somewhere that sea otters hold hands while they sleep to keep from drifting apart. Tonight I am going to hold my love’s hand and not let go until its January. This house, our family. I am in love.

Im often reminded of the good in people. The happiness they give off when the smallest thing is given to them.  When the gift of time is given to someone who thinks they’re too late. The small gesture of giving someone a hand when theirs are full. Every moment there is a opportunity to push yourself aside and put someone else at the head of the table. Then, when they are at the head of the table, feed them.

Beef Stroganoff by Martha but twisted by Manda’s Mom

Martha Stewart has a great recipe for a Classic Beef Stroganoff. My mother  does it a little different. We use a crock pot, wine and beef broth. First we browned the meat and onion in a hot pan. Then added it to the crock with about a cup of red wine and enough beef broth to cover the meat and onions. Cook on low for 8 hours. Then add your mushrooms to the hot broth. While your mushrooms are steeping, continue with step two on Martha’s directions.  There will be no picture of this because Beef Stroganoff looks like vomit when photographed.

Martha’s Beef Stroganoff