Month: December 2011

Foodie Friday: Pistachio sandies

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I came across Dana Carpender’s blog soon after I started my low-carb eating plan, and her 1001 Low-carb Recipes cookbook is now a staple in my kitchen. My seventy-plus-pounds-ago self used to turn up her nose at low-sugar desserts, but Dana has de-carbed some great ones and inspired me to experiment more in the kitchen to alter recipes on my own.

Pistachio sandies

This week’s Foodie Friday is a batch of cookies, based on Dana’s recipe for Pecan Sandies. I didn’t have any pecans on hand, but I had a bunch of pistachios that needed to be shelled and eaten. (Pistachios have about 5 net carbs per ounce, while pecans and almonds have about one and two, respectively — so, it isn’t the lowest-carb nut on the market, but it’s all I had handy.

I chopped the pistachios in a food processor and also added a splash extra vanilla extract … because I like vanilla. 🙂

They turned out just as perfectly “sandy” and melt-in-your-mouth as I had hoped they would.

Writing Wednesday: Last Will & Testament

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I regret that I never got around to doing this sooner, but at least it’s done now. I can give you a list of reasonable excuses as to why I didn’t have a formal will until recently, but when push comes to shove, none of the excuses matter. My family should not have to endure what I/we had to go through (and continue to deal with) after my brother’s death “intestate.” <<That’s legalese for dying without a will.

I’m sure that going through a lawyer is the preferred route to cover all of your bases, but at the very least, I encourage you to use one of myriad free templates available online and have your will notarized. Save the original in a firebox or safe deposit box, and give a copy of the will to your parents, siblings, or whomever you think might need ready access to it, in the unfortunate event of your untimely demise.

If you don’t have a will on file, please don’t let another week go by without taking care of it — even if you don’t have kids! You wouldn’t believe how difficult it is to gain access to someone’s bank accounts when they didn’t leave a will. Something as simple as designating someone so that your family can take care of your financial matters is vitally important.

In addition to the Last Will & Testament that tells your survivors what to do with your belongings and who should have guardianship of your children, another important document is called a Living Will. This is where you instruct doctors and your family on your wishes, if you were ever incapacitated, comatose, etc. To put it bluntly, this document relieves your family from the pressure of knowing when/if to pull the plug, because your instructions have already been recorded.

It’s not a fun task, by any means, but it needs to be done. Don’t delay!

Secret Santa, humbug

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Can I be brutally honest? I’m feeling a little lot jealous lately. Several friends on Facebook, Twitter and even down the hall in other offices are having Secret Santa gift exchanges and planning office parties for Christmas, and although I’m happy for them that they are having fun, I feel like throwing a pity party for myself.

Sure, some friends/old co-workers of mine are getting together for lunch later this week to continue our annual book exchange that we started a couple of years ago (when we actually worked together). I’m really looking forward to it – don’t get me wrong – but it’s not the same as having people in your office with whom to celebrate.

Hearing about everyone else’s office parties just reminds me of how isolated I am.

Before you think I’m completely pathetic, I should note that my division is having a get-together after work this evening, and families are invited. The irony is that one of my kids’ names was left off of the invitation. I know that typos happen. I know that I have a large family. Yet, I also know that the internal database is correct (because I checked it), and I know that if you really know me, then you know that I have five kids – not four. In the effort to make it sound more personal, that sort of mistake makes me feel even less connected. A generic invitation to “Angela & family” would have been better than leaving off one child’s name.

Am I splitting hairs? Perhaps. Do I need an attitude adjustment for my pride? Apparently.

I don’t think I’ve ever been a particularly boastful person. (Please correct me if I’m mistaken, because this is an area that I feel convicted to address right now.) I don’t think that I’ve ever lorded my position over anyone or purposely come across as better than anyone. Yet, despite any of the accomplishments that I could list on my resume, the past couple of months in solitary confinement have been like a back-hand to the face to show me my place in the world.

I don’t mean this to say that I don’t think I have a lot to offer on the job and in life, in general — of course I have potential, but what I’ve come to realize is that my role in the grand scheme of the universe is so inconsequential as to negate any prideful feelings I may have ever had about my abilities. God hasn’t quit taking care of me, and his plan for my life hasn’t derailed. The sooner I come to terms with that fact, the sooner I can cancel the RSVP to my pity party and focus on the blessings in my life — with or without Secret Santas.

Monday Musings: Worship through song

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What’s more beautiful
than hearing your son praise God,
lifting up his voice?

Yesterday’s worship service was particularly moving for me, on several levels. First of all, our pastor has experienced numerous health problems this year, and I felt so thankful that he was well enough to preach. It is also the Christmas season, which reminds me of my brother, so I was feeling a bit emotional about that, already. But, what really stirred my heart was overhearing one of my boys sing.

I don’t even really know how to explain it, because I hear people singing all around me every week. There was just something remarkable that sparked in my spirit when I heard his voice aside from the rest. To be reminded that one day, we too – mother and child, sister and brother – will stand together before the throne and worship our heavenly father forever and ever … that was truly moving.