The Russell's Daily Blessings

“Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim: well there is such a thing as water. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably, earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.” ~ C.S. Lewis

You may feel guilty about leaving your children for your work and guilty about leaving your work for your children. You will no doubt
also feel guilty about feeling guilty. ~(Harriet Lerner)

“Remember that it is not hasty reading, but serious
meditation on holy and heavenly truths, that makes
them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is
not the mere touching of the flower by the bee that
gathers honey, but her abiding for a time on the flower
that draws out the sweet. It is not he that reads most,
but he that meditates most, that will prove to be the
choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian.”
(Thomas Brooks)

My sweet five year old son is very interested in cameras. Every time we go to a store he asks to go look at the electronics and often times we take him so that he can check out the different models. On a recent trip to Target, we did just that and much to my surprise Hayden struck up a conversation with the sales person. He asked him if they carried the Canon Powershot A540. The young sales man was so nice that he actually told Hayden, “come with me, if we have them they would be over here.” So as my son looks back at me he walks toward the electronics counter with the sales person. They look and they have two other Canon Powershot models, the sales person asks Hayden, “Would you like to look at them?” Hayden of course is game for this and he hold each of them and starts checking out the features of each one. Hayden asked a few more questions about each of the cameras and was very patient when the sales person could not answer them.

Shortly after the last question the sales person asked Hayden, “So, which one of them do you like the best?” Hayden points to one (which one you ask? I cannot remember!) So the sales man proceeds to ask Hayden if he would like for him to ‘wrap one up for him’? The look on my sons face was priceless, he looked at me and shrugged his shoulders and looked at the sales person and said “Sure!?!” I was just enjoying the whole scene, it was simply fun to watch. My little guy looked so independent and so happy, and here I was.. about to burst his reality. I think I handled it okay, I thanked the sales person for his help and I mentioned that it would possibly be a birthday present and that we were just checking things out. The sales person was gracious and asked Hayden if he had any more questions, which of course he did. Before we finally left electronics, the sales man tried to sell us a camera bag and a Wii system.

I cannot believe I forgot to share my garage sale find of the day! It might be because I have not been home the last two days. Anyway, I have been trying to figure out when I should splurge on a set of wire shelves that I could use to organize my craft supplies. I have been putting if off for months and I am so glad that I did!!! A neighbor sold a set to me for three dollars!!!! I cannot wait to organize my craft room and find a home for my papers and supplies. I will post a photo once I get that project completed!

Our annual block party and garage sale were yesterday, it is such a fun tradition and we feel blessed to have such a fun neighborhood.

This year was so much fun, because the kids were a little older and able to join in the fun of setting up, selling and buying. We granted the kids a little more independence than usual (with a watchful momma eye of course). Hayden had fun with his next door buddy.

This is going to be a very long morning! I will have to keep busy and do a lot more than sit on my chair facing the front door, waiting for the doorbell to ring. Today is the day that my order from the new Stampin’ Up! catalog (preview) arrives!! New colors, new stamp sets and accessories!!! Oh what a fun day!!! Don’t be late Mr. Brown!!!!

1:39 PM – **Update** I hear Mr. Brown’s truck in the neighborhood, it shouldn’t be much longer!!!

1:40 PM – **Update** The package is in my hot little hands!!! Okay, off to play!

I had this one other time several years ago and I loved it so I finally got the recipe and tried it out on the Bunko gals last night and it seemed like they enjoyed it as well. I must share it with you.

Pesto Cheese Blossoms

1 (8-ounce) package sliced provolone cheese
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
20 pistachios, shelled
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 ounces oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes

Line a medium bowl with plastic wrap, leaving enough overhang to cover the top. Reserving 3 slices of the provolone, line the bottom and sides of the bowl with the remaining provolone, overlapping the slices. For the cream cheese layer, process the cream cheese, pistachios, and 1 of the garlic cloves in a food processor until blended; scrape the mixture into a bowl and set aside. For the pesto layer, process the basil, parsley, pine nuts, and the remaining garlic clove in the food processor until blended. Dissolve the salt and pepper in the olive oil and mix well.With the machine running, add the oil in a fine stream. Scrape this mixture into a second bowl and set aside. For the tomato layer, drain the tomatoes, reserving the oil. Puree the tomatoes with a small amount of the reserved oil in a food processor. Spread some of the cream cheese mixture over the cheese slices lining the bowl. Layer the pesto mixture, half of the remaining cream cheese mixture, the sun-dried tomato mixture, and then remaining cream cheese mixture in the bowl. Cover with the remaining provolone. Bring the edges of the plastic wrap together over the top and secure with a twist tie. Freeze until firm. Remove the plastic wrap and invert the mold onto a serving platter. Serve with party crackers. This will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Last Friday was one of those days just before the weekend…. My fearless daughter decides to disregard my warnings and wisdom and decides to test my knowledge herself. Surely it couldn’t be that dangerous to ride my dollies stroller on the deck?! Unfortunately, it was a difficult and painful lesson to learn that mom really does know a few things.

Since we had a sitter for that evening, I thought it best to take her in to be checked out and make sure she was okay. The amazing thing is that after falling down three steps off of our deck, she had not a scratch on the rest of her body, just a nice big knot on her noodle. She was acting fine and was probably more upset that I was crying along with her. “Mommy, I am okay, don’t cry”, “Mommy, I won’t try to break my head anymore”. Bless her heart.