(no title)

God is with Us

Advent is a time of preparation and waiting. But when I try to write about Advent all I can think of is, why are we waiting for someone who is already here?

The presence of God, the Divine, the Infinite, whatever words you are comfortable with, is all and in all. In Him we live and move and have our being.

If we stopped waiting for someone to come rescue us and instead could see that spark of the divine in all of creation, how the world could change. We might stop destroying the planet. If we could learn to see God not only in ourselves, but in our neighbors and even our enemies, there might even be an outbreak of peace.

Things will not change overnight, but it has to start somewhere. Why not let it start with you and me?

New Holiday Door Decoration

Tea Wreath Copyright 2013 R.A. Robbins — Tea Wreath
Copyright 2013 R.A. Robbins

We live in an apartment building where all the apartments open onto an indoor hallway. We like to decorate our door. The first several years I wrapped the door in holiday fabric and we hung our snow couple wreath. Then I brought the wreath back inside and we started giving our neighbors small gifts hanging from a sign on our front door. We stated with candy canes and continued that several years. Last year we gave away angel ornaments. This year I saw this tea wreath in a magazine so we are giving away tea bags. The original photo I worked from had an open center but we decided to put the sign offering the tea to our friends and neighbors inside in the center.

Thought for Today

Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” ~ Charles Schulz (1922-2000), American cartoonist ‘Peanuts’.

More Heart Healthy Holiday Food Ideas

Thought for Today

“This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone.”
~ Taylor Caldwell (1900-1985), English novelist.

Thought for Today

“The holidays are only holy if we make them so.” — Marianne Williamson from Christmas for Mystics 12/12/12 http://blog.marianne.com/journal/index.php

That Green Bean Casserole

You know the one I’m talking about. That staple at many holiday tables. Unfortunately canned cream of mushroom soup and French fried onions make this a problem for the gluten free. Lose those ingredients and you lose the convenience and the flavor. I’ve tried a few gluten free recipes and decided I would rather do without.

That is until I tried the Green Bean Casserole with Onion Topping from 1,000 Gluten Free Recipes by Carol Fenster. I crossed my fingers and said under my breath, “please Carol, I hope you got this one right.” She did. The sauce looks and tastes like mushroom soup and the onions are crisp and tasty.

This is the green bean casserole we remember from the 70’s and 80’s. It makes a small casserole; but most of us know how to multiply.

As good as this casserole is, remember this is a holiday treat. Don’t forget fresh green beans in season. Lightly steamed with a little lemon juice or sliced almonds they can’t be beat.

Get your own copy of 1,000 Gluten-Free Recipes (1,000 Recipes)through our bookstore.

For more information on Carol visit Carol Fenster Cooks.

Thought for Today

“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.” ~W.T. Ellis

Have you Considered Sending eCards this Year?

The star (Photo credit: Grzegorz Łobiński)

I love to send eCards and I love to receive them — and this from a girl who used to make her holiday cards. There are a few advantages to sending eCards:

1. Many eCards are free. You save money.

2. No postage. You save more money.

3. You don’t have to hand address your cards. You save time.

4. No driving to the post office and waiting in line to mail cards. You save more time.

5. You can attach a gift card so you don’t have to go to crowded stores to shop. You save even more time as well as your sanity.

6. eCards are paperless. You save a tree.

Who knew sending an eCard could make you a Superhero.

Thought for Today

Dalai Lama In D.C. (Photo credit: Talk Radio News Service)

“I truly believe that individuals can make a difference in society. Since periods of change such as the present one come so rarely in human history, it is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world.” — His Holiness the Dali Lama