This is how much I love my husband: I cheered for Michigan State tonight against a team from Indiana!
I am not from Michigan, and have always kind of scorned the state. But then I married a Michigander! Then my life changed. Now I cheer them! I still am not a fan of the Blue and Gold (or plain ole’ Blue and Yellow, for that matter!), but since Dustin’s family are hardcore State fans, I guess I had to become one! –Particularly when Dustin assertively declared yesterday that WE would be watching the game tonight!– The worst of it is that the opposing team tonight was from my home state, Indiana! (Not that I knew anything about them before tonight either…) The truth is, I like teams because of their relation to me or those I love! Here’s my spirit, even though they lost…
One of the few points where Dustin and I disagree…He likes Soundforth music, and I generally do not!
(For anyone not familiar with Soundforth, it is a Christian music publisher in South Carolina. You can reach their website here. )
Let me explain: I do like the fact that the music is good and clean. We both agree that some songs they have put out are weak; but as a rule, Soundforth music is good, Godly music. I also appreciate very much their music publishing ministry. They have some very good sheet music for sale, and while I do not prefer their choir/vocal pieces as much, I am very thankful for the instrumental sheet music and music books that I have, and use often. I should say here, that in the remainder of this post, when I refer to “Soundforth” or “Soundforth music,” I am referring to their choir music or vocals in general. To me, the vocal pieces lack feeling, or maybe heart behind it. It is exactly in rhythm, and you will not find a note awry, but that’s it, in my opinion.
I am a simple person, and prefer simple, heartfelt music. —And Dustin just turned on Soundforth!— I like vocal music with only a piano or even a capella. I like instrumental solos and duets by themselves, without the “ooooooo” sound of orchestration ALL THE TIME! And I love the hymnbook. Have you ever pondered the words in those old hymns? I know you have, and you know as well as I the power they hold. They are so real and strong that you know the author’s heart was overflowing as he wrote. They described something that really happened in his heart; they were more than ‘words and tunes cranked out for a music industry,’ as someone once said. And speaking of hymns, how, oh how, can they change those precious, old melodies for new and different tunes? If I had to pinpoint one thing I do not like about modern songwriters it might be this. Keep those old, favorite tunes! Please don’t exchange them for the new, flowy “oooooo” sound! —Dustin is teasing me now!—
But, of course, these are just my opinions, based only on my own preferences. As I said before, I know it is good music for the most part. I would strongly recommend it over much of modern “christian” music today (which is not christian at all in many cases!) I just do not prefer it for myself! What do you think? Please give your opinions…we have to solve this disagreement somehow!
Over the slower winter months, I have made an attempt at two new skills: crocheting and knitting. I am no professional, but have definitely enjoyed the experience. I was taught both types of stitching several years ago, but lacked the time, interest, and practice to develop the skill. Now, I made a blanket including both knitting (center piece) and crocheting (outer border), and have crocheted a few doilies. How did I learn? Well, what I remembered from before, combined with internet articles, video tutorials, a little thinking, and a lot of pulling it out and re-doing, has gotten me this far! Here are my two completed projects:
My knitted/crocheted blanketThe doilies I crocheted
I would like to introduce you to the most delicious salsa in the world! I know some of you are more fond of red salsas, but maybe you have never honestly given green a chance…or maybe green just seems forboding for the same reason…GREEN! Well, here is a recipe I would like you to try. I have tried different green salsa recipes, and have never encountered this one’s rival. This recipe was given to me by a Mexican friend, and is one of those that never was “written down.” In fact, I asked for the recipe, and she kind of chuckled and said, no, there is no “recipe.” So I asked her to tell me how to make it, and she did. Here is my attempt to record it onto paper!
Here are the stars of my show!
As you can see, these come in a husk, which is easily removed. They are available in most grocery stores.Small onion
One medium to large clove of garlic1-2 Serrano peppers...not to be confused with Jalapenos. Serranos are typically longer and skinnier. These are available in most supermarkets as well.SaltCilantroOne avocado...also available at most grocers. Be sure to purchase one that is soft, but not mushy. A hard one will ripen in the windowsill, but don't try to use before ripe and soft. It is very difficult to make anything with...I know from experience!
Ingredients:
5-6 medium green tomatillos (Medium as in 2-3″ diameter)
1/4 of small onion…just sliced off the onion (Maybe 2-3 Tablespoons if chopped)
1-2 serrano pepper (to your taste and tolerance!!!)
1 clove of garlic
Salt (In the palm of your hand, about the size of a quarter…maybe one teaspoon or so)
5-6 stems of cilantro (more if you want…to taste)
1 avocado
Boil water in a medium pot. Add the green tomatillos, onion, serrano peppers, garlic; leave until the tomatillos turn from bright green to yellowish. Place in cool water to cool and prevent further cooking. When cool, place in blender. (You probably want to start with half the serrano, and add the other half and other pepper depending on how hot you want it. Every pepper is different…some are very hot, others not hot at all.) Add salt, cilantro, and a handful of water (just what stays in your hand from the sink to the blender!!!…just to allow liquid so it will blend). Taste it when well blended for flavor and hotness. Add more of the serrano if desired, and blend again. Pour into bowl. Open avocado by slicing in half around the seed. Cut one half while still in skin…lengthwise and cross wise. Then slice the cubes out of the skin (turning the skin inside out might work!) and into the bowl. Add the other half of the avocado if you want. Stirr it around into the green salsa. Enjoy the best salsa in the world!!!
