A little luck of the Irish

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Here's hoping you all have a lucky day!

A genealogy project is on my "to-do list" (along with publishing a few books) but in the meantime, I don't think I have any Irish blood flowing through my veins.  I married a guy who is part Irish AND who is an alumnus of The University of Notre Dame.  He seems to be a pretty lucky guy, so maybe there is something to it! ;)

It's been a productive mom-day morning so I'm hoping, if I am lucky, it'll be a productive writing-afternoon!
My next non-writing project is finding that right project!  I do a few things in our community but not much--certainly not enough.  Just in case I wasn't aware of my shortcomings in that arena, I am currently (slowly) making my way through both The Rule of Benedict and Three Cups of Tea.  The former is a spiritual book that makes much sense but I can only absorb a few pages at a time.  It's a good reminder that good intentions are not enough.  The latter is an inspiring tale of one person who lives that idea and proves how much difference one human can really make in this world!  It makes me feel inadequate, thinking of the small impact I've made so far but is a compelling story!

Speaking of making a difference and people who could really use a little luck, I've been reading a few articles about the delays in getting "text-to-donate" donations to the poor people in Japan.  If you are considering sending funds to help in the efforts over there, please donate directly to an organization (use their website, call them, etc.) rather than texting.  Phone service providers are waiting until the end you a billing cycle before sending the funds so if you text your donation, it could take up to three months to get where it needs to go!

Enjoy the blessings today brings!  (Everything else can wait for tomorrow!)

Our little apple didn't fall too far

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once and a while, you could miss it.

 ~ Ferris Bueller

When I was 16, I thought Ferris Bueller was cool.  When I was 19, I thought I'd met a guy like Ferris.  He could talk his way into things, out of things and eventually, even talked me into marrying him!

An advantage to marrying a clever guy is that you may give birth to a son who is quite clever. 

Alternately, you run the risk of giving birth to a son who thinks he is quite clever--or thinks his mom is new.

I'm not new and I'm not this mom.

Sweet!

I had to do something with the bananas.  My daughter and her friend were dancing around with them (a cute ending for a math video they'd been filming) and broke the stems off of the fruit.  They've been here a few days, anyway and are at the point where I usually declare that I need to make banana bread or throw them out.  I hate to throw out food so I make banana bread...and no one eats it.

So...I used one of Jessica Seinfeld's recipes this morning, and made peanut butter and banana muffins (with carrot). (Ssshhh).

 I got distracted (surprise!) in the middle however, and only put in half of the required amount of brown sugar.  Thinking no one would eat these now, either, I went ahead and sprinkled some brown sugar on the top of each muffin and hoped for the best.

My son just ate three.
(Maybe 3 is a bit much--he ate two and finished his brother's--but that has to be better than the 2 or 3 doughnuts I let him eat last weekend!)

The Book Thief

Yes, it has taken me this long!  I mentioned the book in an earlier post but just finally finished reading The Book Thief today.  If you haven't yet read it, go forth and read it.   It's a beautiful book with a simple message:  Words can save your life.

It's just a small story really, about, among other things:

* A girl
* Some words
* An accordionist
* Some fanatical Germans
* A Jewish fist fighter
* And quite a lot of thievery

I couldn't post this immediately upon finishing it as I was still crying.  Since I've become a mother, I admit to crying during movies, television shows and even a few commecials but it is a rare event when a book moves me to actual tears.  Markus Zusak has created characters I will not soon forget.