by kathilipp | Jan 4, 2011 | frontpage, Shameless Self-Promotion, Uncategorized, Writerly Wednesday |
OK so 400 posts may not seem like a big deal, but for me doing anything 400 times that doesn’t involve Starbucks 
is an accomplishment.
The other big milestone around these parts is that my 3rd book, The Me Project, is being released in just a few weeks and I couldn’t be more excited.
If you would like your very own copy, (and since this is my favorite book ever, I hope you will…) you can get it – at a discounted price! – and see more about the book, here. (the book will be discounted until the end of the month.)
And, if your group is interested in finding out more about doing The ME Project, we have a whole leaders kit for you to use. (And of course, I would love to come speak to your group – I promise you we will laugh…)
We will be going through parts of the book on the blog. So if you’ve created a list of goals for the New Year, you’ve already taken the first step in the book. (Doesn’t it feel good to be ahead of the game…)
Thanks for helping me celebrate – and for all your contributions to the book. You are a blessing to me.
by kathilipp | Jan 3, 2011 | frontpage, Me, tips and ideas |
I just did some toy shopping. I ordered a big plush version of Dory from Finding Nemo.
And I bought it for myself. (And maybe, just maybe, I will let my two toddler friends play with it if they promise to be really, really careful.) Let me tell you why I had the sudden need to have a giant stuffed fish on my desk.
Last year, I made a huge list of all the things I wanted to get accomplished in 2010. And you know what? There weren’t a lot of checkmarks.
I started to get really depressed around June. Why wasn’t I getting things done? Why was I working so hard and I wasn’t getting the checkmarks I wanted – ney! – deserved?!?
Until I realized, even though I wasn’t getting the list done, I was getting other things done. God was taking me in new and unexpected directions – it wasn’t what I’d planned on, it was better.
I love how Dory just keeps telling herself, “Just keep swimming”. Don’t get distracted.
That’s my resolution for the year – to just keep swimming. Even if I’m not heading in the direction I though, I need to keep swimming.
So Dory and I are going to be doing 2011 together. I have some things I want to get accomplished (we already made our first Goodwill and dump runs this year – talk about a cleansing ritual…) but I am also going to just keep moving – not get bogged down when things don’t go the way I want them to. I’m going to keep learning, keep seeking God, and keep discovering His plan for me.
So tell me – what is your 2011 resolution this year?
by kathilipp | Dec 27, 2010 | Uncategorized |
I used to be hip and young – I would dance all night in a club called the Dokoro in Kyoto, Japan sipping ginger ale and taking the train back to my tiny apartment carrying my shoes in my hands.
But now I’m old.
If I make it until 11:30 PM on New Years, that’s when I’ll toast the coming year with Martinelli’s in one hand and the Tivo remote in the other.
But don’t feel sorry for me – I’ll be having one of my favorite traditions – Pizza Fondue.
I’ve done this with my kids several times – so if you are home-bound becuase some of your favorite party animals have an eight o’clock curfew – this is still a great way to ring in the coming year:
Pizza Fondue
1/2 lb. ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
2 (10 1/2 oz.) cans pizza sauce
1 tbsp. cornstarch (or korunstarcha, if you prefer)
1 1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
Brown the ground beef and onion; drain. Put meat, sauce, cornstarch, and spices in fondue pot. When cooked and bubbly, add cheese. Spear crusty French bread cubes then dip and swirl in fondue. This is also delicious with bread sticks.
This is so yummy and so fun – and it promotes getting a New Year’s kiss – Tradition states that whomever looses their piece of bread in the pot has to give the cook a kiss.
Happy New Years to ME!
by kathilipp | Dec 15, 2010 | Uncategorized |
In the Fall of 2005, I met a woman who changed my life. Introducing ourselves at a Mothers of Preschoolers group, Chantale shared that she was suffering from stage four lung cancer. The air became thick, and I knew this group would be different.
Chantale later asked if the two of us could meet together in her home. I was honored, but nervous about what I’d say. God reminded me of my gift to write poetry. When I was a child, I wrote songs and psalms to help me cope with my pain and fear. I decided to give it a try. I sought the Comforter for wisdom and direction, and put my pen to paper. Using soothing sounds and memorable imagery, I wrote Chantale a poem about God’s presence. She told me it gave her and her husband peace.
Poems became my regular offerings. I wrote about heaven, salvation, God’s perfect-timing, and other hope-filled topics. Months slipped by, and so did Chantale.
A month after she went to be with the Lord, I attended my first Christian writer’s conference. Several people encouraged me to turn my poetry into a gift book with quotes and Scripture. I went to work, writing, researching, collecting ~ and crafting everything to flow uniquely together. Five years from the time I started writing Chantale poems, my childhood dream of becoming an author came true when, Zondervan published “A Friend in the Storm.”
One of the themes of “A Friend in the Storm” is how God never wastes pain. I saw it in the life and death of Chantale. Christ redeems the past, and graciously turns it into something beautiful that will bless others!
__________________________
Cheryl Ricker
Breezing Heaven’s Comfort
cheryl@charterinternet.com
www.AFriendInTheStorm.com
by kathilipp | Dec 14, 2010 | Uncategorized |
Here is a lesson in how to react when your aunt gives you another Christmas sweater with Jingle Bells attached…click here for a great Garfunkel and Oates video.
by kathilipp | Dec 5, 2010 | Because Sometime? I'm Just All Shallow - You Know?, Christmas |
I’ve really, really missed you.
It has been a whirlwind month with racking up flights on Southwest, meeting new friends in New Mexico, Missouri and hanging out with Mickey in Florida.
But with all that traveling, and the time changes and the altitude (who knew that New Mexico was so high…?!?) I just plain left the my real world (bloggy and home) behind.
Here are some of the things that I missed, in no particular order…
1. My dog Jake
2. Being able to share random thoughts on the blog and having all of you share back with me.
3. My mattress
4. Sharing recipes here
5. Facebook (ok, I did a little of it…)
6. Starbucks (the didn’t have it at the Ghost Ranch in NM and the coffee at Disneyworld is atrocious…)
7. Tivo
8. Cooking
9. Writing
Oh, and did I mention the coffee?
Glad to be home. I will be working on finishing up my next book, The What’s for Dinner Solution. I’m excited to finish it up and be home for a while.
by kathilipp | Nov 22, 2010 | Because Sometime? I'm Just All Shallow - You Know?, Christmas, Travel |
For the Airport
Since I have spent a considerable amount of time on an airplane in the past week – and I know some of you will as well, here are some of the Little Comforts that have made flying cross country a little mroe bareable…
Contigo
I am an unpaid sales person for the Contigo Travel Mug. I evangelize everywhere I go about how much I LOVE this little gadget for one reason and one reason only – it does not spill or leak.
Ever.
There is a button at the back of the lid you have to push in order to take a sip – keeping you from spilling. The cup is dishwasher safe but the lid must be cleaned by hand. That is how confident I am about this mug. It keeps coffee hot for about 3 hours, and tea cold for about 4. I throw my coffee into my computer case – that is how confident I am about this cup.
I was at a conference in the New Mexico desert for almost a week. I was without a car and about 90 minutes from the closest Starbucks. My Contigo became my best friend.
At the airport, I pack it in my carryon and then fill it up once I get past security. That way, if I have a super early flight, my morning Peet’s coffee doesn’t land on the lap of the guy sitting next to me.
Southwest Airlines’ Early Bird Check In
For only $10 one way, you can be in the early borading group assuring that you will at least get the window or aisle seat – whatever your preference. This is definately worth the extra $10 when I’m traveling with Roger or a friend so we can sit together.
Neck Pillow
If you are someone who can fall asleep on a plane or in a car or on a train, (thank you, Dr. Suess…) this little pillow is a must have in order for you to keep from drooling on your seatmate. I always do the Early Bird ticketing so I can have a window seat and fall asleep with my head in the neck pillow, leaning against a window.
Noise Canceling Headphones
I didn’t buy noise candeling headphones for a while since I thought if I wanted to get some effective ones I would have to pay the $200 for the ones that are avaiable from foo-foo chi-chi shops. No thanks.
However, after a long flight of trying to watch movies with my cheapo headphones, I knew I had to try something… Sony makes a pair that retails for around $50 that is just great.I can hear every word of How I Met Your Mother on my iPad. And that’s a good thing.
So tell me – what is your favorite travel tip for those long flights.
by kathilipp | Nov 15, 2010 | The "What's for dinner?" Project, Uncategorized |
Every year we have two kinds of turkey; boy turkey and girl turkey.
No, we don’t pay extra to have our birds sexed. The boy turkey is the one that Roger puts in the smoker and tends to all Thanksgiving day, and the girl turkey is the one that I get drunk the night before and throw in the oven late Thursday morning.
Roger’s turkey is has tender meat and a dark, smokey skin. So yummy.
My turkey is juicy and savory and falls off the bone.
Since we are all about saving time, I will not tell you the boy recipe – if your husband is crazy enough to want to buy all the stuff to do it, I will not contribute to the madness.
If you want a delicious, easy turkey that requires a large garbage bag to prepare, (really, it’s not as gross as it sounds…) check out this recipe of Emeril’s here.
Plus, I would love to have your recipe for the dish you just can’t do Thanksgiving without. You know I love a new recipe…
by kathilipp | Nov 12, 2010 | Uncategorized |
Hello to all! While Kathi is teaching this week at CLASS, she decided to give me, her assistant, the opportunity to share a favorite recipe.
I am no cook, but I can make a mean cookie! I am officially known as the Cookie Monster in my house by my children. In the fall, my favorite cookie to make is the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip. Made with real butter, these cookies are moist and delicious with fall flavors. I hope you enjoy making (and eating) these yummy treats!
Ingredients:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softned
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs (I actuall use 1 1/2 because I like my cookie just a little more gooey)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp bakng soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tspground cloves
2 cups milk chocolate chips (Ghiradelli are the best!!)
Instructions:
Heat the ovent to 350 degrees
Using mixer, beat the butter until smoothe. Beat in the white and brown sugars, a little at a time, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla and pumpkin. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Slowly beat the flour mixture into the batter in thirds. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by large, heaping teaspoons onto your baking sheet and bake 15-20 minutes (I cook mine closer to 13 minutes).
by kathilipp | Nov 10, 2010 | Uncategorized |
Every once in a while I like to feature one of my favorite authors and give away some swag. Here is the wonderful Judy Squire talking about her book His Majesty in Brokenness. If after reading her excerpt below you want a copy of the book, just leave a comment below about a time God has worked through your brokeness. I will randomly pick a winner on Monday!
I asked Judy to introduce herself:
Judy has been Mrs. David Squier for 42 blessed years. She is Mama Mia to three adult daughters and Granny Goose to her granddaughter. Her family called the San Francisco Bay Area home for four decades before retiring to southern Oregon. She’s been an inspirational speaker since age thirteen and this year achieved her life-long goal: the publication of His Majesty in Brokenness.
Now here is more about her book:
Born without complete legs, I watched others have all the fun. The whole time I believed that those with legs were living the life I was missing. As I coveted their physical adeptness, their social calendars, and their seeming satisfaction in their own skin, I remained clueless that they indeed shared my condition – a missing “something” in their lives.
Come to find out each one of us could fill a page with a list of what’s missing in our lives: a loving childhood, the perfect figure, a mate, our dream career with sufficient income to pay the bills. Could it be that the very absence of these ingredients provides the stage for God to show up?
His Majesty in Brokenness contains stories of the past sixty-five years of my life lived in intimate relationship with God, thanks to some everyday missing pieces – not just legs, but self-esteem, and courage. Plus it’s not just about me – you, the reader, are invited to apply the life lessons in a section at the end of each chapter called What About You?
Gain strength for the journey as you find the living God, His Majesty, alive and well in your brokenness redeemed.
www.judysquier.com
