May I introduce you to my youngest son, Ian.

Handsome fellow…if I do say so myself. With a ‘million dollar smile’.  Literally!   But, the year following his birth was one of the hardest of my life.  I was thrust into a situation for which I had no understanding, no information, and no plan.  Quickly, I had to do all of these things to take care of this little boy who was born with a cleft lip and palate.

After his first surgery, this was my first glimpse of my baby’s face…

And, by the time we left the hospital in NC , 3 weeks later…this was his beautiful face…

This was only the first and there have been many, many, many surgeries to close fistulas,  graft bone, implant teeth, move jaw, straighten nose, and on and on and on.  He is now 28 years old, and in the next year, he will again undergo some more corrective surgery.  This will be either 14 or 15…I lost count around # 10.

Can you imagine how much we have spent on this face and mouth?  We begrudge not a penny, and thank God we had good insurance.  As hard as it has been to see him suffer, he is still a mighty lucky and blessed young man.  Even though this was traumatic, and painful…he was blessed to be born into a family who had the means to take care of his needs.   He belonged to a family that could find the best doctors, who could track down information, who could meet the needs as they arose.  And, he was surrounded by family and school mates and church family that loved him as he was and pulled for him all through life.

There are many, many children in this world who are not so fortunate.  They face banishment from their villages and their families.  Some are left to starve to death.  Others are quickly drowned so that no one will see the shame they believe was brought to their family.  It breaks my heart.  It is so sad that there are those who just don’t know that a face is not who the child is….that he there behind the defect…and he needs love and comfort.  But, also, most of these people know that there is nothing they can do to help their child.  There is no help where they are.  Maybe they don’t even know that the defect can be fixed.

” Unlike many charities that do many different things, The Smile Train mission is focused on solving a single problem: cleft lip and palate.
  Clefts are a major problem in developing countries where there are millions of children who are suffering with unrepaired clefts. Most cannot eat or speak properly. Aren’t allowed to attend school or hold a job. And face very difficult lives filled with shame and isolation, pain and heartache.
  The good news is every single child with a cleft can be helped with surgery that costs as little as $250 and takes as little as 45 minutes.
  This is our mission:
    -To provide free cleft surgery for millions of poor children in developing countries.
    -To provide free cleft-related training for doctors and medical professionals.
  Until there are no more children who need help and we have completely
eradicated the problem of clefts.”      from www.smiletrain.org

“Over the past ten years, we have provided free cleft lip and palate surgery for hundreds of thousands of children.

These children were suffering not because they were born with a cleft, but because they were born too poor to ever afford surgery.”

“Being born with a cleft in a developing country is truly a curse. In fact, every baby born in Uganda with a cleft is given the name Ajok which means literally, “cursed by God.” And no one knows how many newborns with clefts are killed or abandoned right after birth.

And the ones who are lucky enough to find a Smile Train free cleft surgery program, not only survive, they thrive. After a 45 minute surgery hands them back their future, and a second chance at life that they never Thought could happen.”   www.smiletrain.org

Friends, this is such a worthy charity.  I shudder to think of what my own child’s life would have become if we were not able to have the best medical care possible.  Every little bit helps.  Even though we have spent many, many, many thousands of dollars on Ian…through Smile Train, a child can have the cleft surgery for $250!

Gifts may be given in honor of someone or in memory of a loved one.  They accept any amount and will send a card to the recipitent, if you so desire.  We really don’t need more trinkets and baubles and bangles.  We have enough of everything we own to last a life time.  These sweet children will have nothing if those of us who care do not help.

Please go to www.smiletrain.org. for more information.

John Thomas came to stay today,

To explore the house and pet and play.

First, he spotted the garland shiny

It wrapped round and round that boy so tiny.

 Soon he had enough of that stuff

Now he wants to play…and rough!

Here comes Finn, see him run

He only wants to join the fun.

OK Finn, be on your way

There’s more we want to do today.

We snacked and rocked and took a nap

All the while in Aunt Tonja’s lap.

Awwww, Mommy’s here…time to go

Buckle up…..now there you go!

Come back soon…we’ll play again

Until then…be sweet, Little Man.

OH. MY. GOODNESS.  I am not fond of cold weather.  I WAS NOT created to withstand the onslaught of icy wind and freezing temps!  I don’t mind having to wear a sweater, BUT, to have to wear cuddle duds, t-shirt,sweatshirt , knee socks, jeans and a cape is not my idea of being fashionably attired.  And, then add ear muffs, and gloves…and you pretty much are rendered incapable of movement…much less ‘power shopping’.

I know…it’s really not pretty, is it?  But, it was 16 degrees, friends.  16 degrees!!!!!

We left Dothan on Monday morning in the very cold weather in Dothan, so we were sorta prepared for what was coming.  But the promise of fun and laughter, and time away with my sister, was overpowering.  Now, she has a broken foot…and has been wearing a big ole cage type boot on her foot.  So, I gracious offered to drive and let her rest her leg.  I sure didn’t want her holding me back when I got to the stores!  🙂  But, no-ooooo…she showed up at my house in her year old Volvo and shoes on both feet.    Yes…it still beeps when you are withing sight distane of any other vehicle.  Yes, it’s still supposed to stop if it gets close too close to another car…but one time, it didn’t. The great and powerful, invincible Volvo was a little down on its game.  We stopped at a big barn-type store (Sikes and Kohn) to peruse the shoes.  Let me just say that they had done a wonderful job of stocking their store with the shoes that make girls giggle with glee and swoon with silliness and start  a shoe trying-on frenzy!  6 boxes made their way to our car!

Well, getting back in the car, heading on our way, the year old Volvo started sending us a message.  “My tires are feeling a little flat!”  I told Joy it was just a cruel joke and to just drive on.  She did…but it sent us another message that said, “I TOLD YOU I’m feeling a little light in the rubber!”  So she stopped and called someone who knows most everything there is to know about anything you would need to know.  And, he said not to worry…check it at a gas station when we get to B’ham.  I told her again that it was because of the cold.  I know these things.  Really.  We made it on to our destination safely and missed the turn off we wanted to take…so we took the next one.  And, do you know what was staring us in the face when we got to the bottom of the exit ramp? 

And that was our first stop!  They were happy to check the tires.  They said the cold was the culprit!  That was NOT news to me.  But, the wonder car was, indeed, not holding his air.  4 pounds low in 1, and 5 pounds low in the other 3.  They were happy to give us aid and soon we were on the road to our first shop!*****Isn’t it amazing how God watches over us even when we don’t realize it?  We prayed, as we always do, before we left Dothan.  We asked God to keep us safe and station His angels around our car to protect us.  Obviously He did…and obviously He decided the car needed to be seen about.  We didn’t just ‘miss’our exit, it was closed to us by our Father.  And, because He loves us and knows that we are not always the wisest ladies when it comes to car maintenance versus shopping…He led us straight to the dealership and a man who was very happy to stop his work and be our hero.  Isn’t that just like a loving Father?  Isn’t it wonderful to know that wherever you are and whatever you do…He is going before you and preparing the way? Always leading us to what is good for us.  I love Him so!*****

And, so the shopping began.  All the top spots…the Summit, Homewood, Patton Creek, and a few in between.   We hurried from the car to the store and back to the car.  None of that leisurely strolling.  We stopped about 4:00 and headed to PFChangs.  How nice to sit quietly and eat and rest our feet!  We decided we were quite revived when we finished…and since we were at the Summit, anyway, made a quick stop at Pottery Barn.  Did I mention that it was cold?  Very cold. This is the fountain in front of Pottery Barn.  Isuffered in the cold just to take these pics for you!  🙂 

And, then, to the motel, get our things to the room, and crash!  Whew!  we were tired!  And glad to have some covers to get under and warm up!  Just a little bit later, Ian came over to the motel to visit.  It was so nice to sit and talk with him and hear about his new job.  He is blessed and happy and enjoying his life. 

Next morning we set about our appointed rounds…and then backtracked to a couple of places, grabbed a sandwich, and headed home.    We talked non stop there and back, and enjoyed the time together so much.  We made it back home about 8:00.  And, today, I am tired!

This morning, my friend, Lucy Jane, came over to make cookies.    She opened and poured…

and stired and cracked and mixed.

Unfortunately, we had to take a do-over with the egg!  We used this funky pan I bought last year after Christmas…I don’t know why.  It is made of silicon.  I scoop a small amt, and Lucy would press it into the pan.  After I went back over them…into the oven they went.  I was a little concerned.  I had never used one of these silicone pans before.  AND, the recipe on the back of the package say to roll these out and cut with a cookie cutter.  It doesn’t say anything about using a baby gingerbread pan.  But..I’m a rebel…and don’t mind living dangerously when the situation calls for it.

Out they come…smelling sooo yummy!

During the wait for the cookies to finish, she played with my scarf and these 4 little stools.  9 minutes can be an eternity to a little one!   You put this on the cookie sheet…and when they come out, we had to wait about another 10 minutes for them to cool!  And here’s the finished products.  A perfect sized to pop into your mouth for one bite!

Now, I’m heading to bed…fighting an allergy to something.  And, I’m keeping sweet John Thomas tomorrow.

Three days spent with people I love.  Nothing could be any better..such a sweet gift during this Season of Love!

The Deep South is in a Deep Freeze!  It is cold!  Very cold…it was 25 degrees at 6 am, and now…at 2 pm, it is only 35 degrees!  And, it’s getting a lot lower tonight.  Why, we even had snow flurries here in our fair city this week!   Just so you know…this is not my idea of a good time!  It’s not supposed to get this cold here!  Anyway, I thought it would be an excellent day for soup.  And…that’s something I can make!  I mean, how can you mess up soup?  Can’t you just add anything and everything and stir it up and call it soup?  🙂 

Well, as you know, the kitchen is not where my talents lie.  But, I can make this soup…even I know this is not hard.  This is Paula Deen’s recipe…and, it’s a good one.

POTATO SOUP

1 bag frozen hash-brown potatoes…(30 oz. bag)

2 cans chicken broth…(14 oz can)

1 can cream of chicken soup…(10.75 oz. can)

1/2 cup chopped onion…(now, personally, I do not like to smell, touch, peel, slice, or chop onions.  Did you know that you can buy a pkg. of  frozen, chopped onions!  Isn’t that the most wonderful invention?   So, now my soup can have onions in it, too!)

1/3 t. ground black pepper…(that’s not even enough to mess with, is it?)

1 pkg cream cheese….softened…(8 oz.)

In a 6 quart electric slow cooker, combine potatoes, broth, soup, onion, and pepper.  Cover, and cook on low for 5 hours.  Then, stir in cream cheese…and cook for 30 more minutes…stir occasionally until combined.  Garnish with green onion, if desired.   But if you desire  grated cheese  or crumbled bacon. that’s OK, too!

Serves 4  

That’s it…easy enough that even Tonja can do it!  I serve it with cornbread muffins.  And, no. No, I don’t fix a dessert.  There’s ice cream in the freezer!

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FYI:  I wrote this earlier in the week.  The weather has warmed up a bit yesterday and today.  But, it’s heading back down now, and I am heading north for a few days.  For sure, it will be freezing there!  So, if it’s cold where you are, ice and snow on the ground or just a cold wind blowing through the trees…make some soup.  It will warm you to the bone.

One more, for laughs…

Sweet Finn, who is an impish, mischievous soul who like nothing more than  than running and jumping and playing…and he’s not particular who he plays with…just as long as they play!  He had his surgery on Monday to have him neutered.  The Vet called me and said, all went well and while he was asleep, he took out the rest of his baby teeth  (11).  So we figured he was quit confused when he woke up…hurting at both ends.  But, it has not slowed him one bit. 

His big friend, Charla, came over to spend a few days while Adam and Suze were in Savannah on a shoot.  Finn adores her….she finds him a nuisance….

When they are outside, Finn makes every step she makes…except when he is jumping at her trying to get her to run and play.  She is not interested…..

So we let her go out side by herself and keep that little imp inside.  Or Finn would possibly end up in the top of one of those tall oak trees!

We live in a private neighborhood…just one street, but we are responsible for all the repairs and maintenance that is done on our street.  So, we had a Christmas party and meeting last night.  We have had 2 new couples move in and we met them last night.  One is a young couple and one is a retired couple.  And, the house right next door to me is for sell!  Don’t some of you want to come and look at it…it even has a guest house.

Now I must go and get ready for church.  And, end this post….cause I’m already into next week.  Whew!  The weeks are ganging up on me!

PS.  Finn stole and ate one of my shoes!  One of my Toms!  I’m glad he is toothless for a while…serves him right!  🙂

Pantone just released their Color of the Year for 2011: Honeysuckle

They chose the color for its ability to instill “the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.”

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? 

HONEYSUCKLE?

Watermelon…maybe…or red/orange…..or something !  But this color is definitely NOT Honeysuckle.  I imagined a warm yellow/green….but never THIS!

THIS is honeysuckle.  It grows everywhere in these parts.  And, is filled with a single drop of amazing nectar, that has delighted the tongues of many child on a hot summer’s day.

But, when I googled the image of  ‘honeysuckle’…I not only found the above image, but this one, too.

I was amazed!  I had never heard or seen of honeysuckle this color!  Will wonders never cease?  It’s very colorful and it actually looks sorta…kinda… like the Pantone color of the year…2011.

Do you think it’s possible that Pantone, the color specialist since forever,  actually knows more about colors than this grey haired mama in South Alabama?  NAH!  Not a chance!  🙂

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FROM THE PANTONE WEBSITE:

 A Color for All Seasons

Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the year. It’s a color for every day – with nothing “everyday” about it.

While the 2010 color of the year, PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, served as an escape for many, Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.

“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.”

Eiseman continues, “The intensity of this festive reddish pink allures and engages. In fact, this color, not the sweet fragrance of the flower blossoms for which it was named, is what attracts hummingbirds to nectar. Honeysuckle may also bring a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer.”

Honeysuckle is guaranteed to produce a healthy glow when worn by both men and women. It’s a striking, eye-catching hue that works well for day and night in women’s apparel, accessories and cosmetics, and in men’s ties, shirts and sportswear. Add a lively flair to interior spaces with Honeysuckle patterned pillows, bedspreads, small appliances and tabletop accessories. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in Honeysuckle for a dynamic burst of energy in the family room, kitchen or hallway.