Candles, Cocoa And Change

Tonight we lit the Shepherd's Candle of Joy.

We love Advent Sundays in our family.

They are my favorite tradition of the 

Christmas season!

We usually use a brass Advent wreath or 

a red cutout metal Swedish Advent wreath.

But this year, we are using the wood and greenery

wreath that Ahnalin and I made at the Advent Festival

at our old church. 

( More about this below.)

In this picture, we were singing

"The First Noel".

I can't tell you how much I love this picture.

I love love love love it!

Every Sunday night of Advent, 

we read the Bible verses,

sing the songs,

pray the prayers,

and light the candles.

Then we enjoy dessert and 

salted maple hot chocolate.

Last week, we had chocolate cake

and the same salted maple hot cocoa.

Do you see my darling Christmas Goose china?

I love it!

And the first Sunday of Advent,

we had dark chocolate brownies

and salted maple hot cocoa.

And yes, I have lots of different Christmas china.

All of my dishes for the rest of the 

year are super practical,

but I love my wonderful Christmas dishes!

And in case you were wondering,

the "Salted Maple Hot Cocoa"

is my own concoction.

You see, I had been very, very committed

to the Anti-Inflammatory diet, 

and had avoided all sugar, wheat, corn and potatos

for months.

But pure maple syrup is allowed occasionally. 

And I loved the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

at Starbucks, so I wanted something similar for me!

So, here it is!

Salted Maple Hot Cocoa

Serves 4

4 cups milk

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon plus a pinch of salt

3/8 cup pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/3 cup boiling water

whipped cream 

(yeah it has a bit of sugar. I don't care!)

cocoa powder to sprinkle on top

In a medium sauce pan, heat the milk on low heat.

(Be careful not to scald or burn the milk or you get a yucky

brown film on it.)

In a small bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder,

salt, maple syrup, vanilla, and boiling water until foamy.

Carefully blend the cocoa mixture into the hot milk.

Pour into 4 mugs and top with whipped cream.

Sprinkle a bit of cocoa powder on the top of the 

whipped cream. 

YUMMY!!!

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And the change I was referring to.........

Well, we have loved our time at Santa Rosa

First Presbyterian Church,

but we are so excited for our next adventure!

Last Sunday was our final Sunday at First Pres,

and this morning was our first Sunday at 

Sebastopol Christian Church!

Don is the new 

Director of Music and Worship

at SCC! 

We had such a fun time 

in worship with our new fellow

singers and musicians. 

We can't wait to get to know new friends

and serve in new ministries.

God is so good!

And the best part is that 

we will still be able to see

our friends from First Pres because we 

are staying in Santa Rosa!
YAY!!

I am so grateful to God 

for the gift of His Son

and the gift of worship.

Happy Advent!

Move Over Mozart!

Today was Ahnalin's very first piano recital!

She takes group piano lessons at her school

with an organization called

"Move Over Mozart."

She grabbed her friend, 

and fellow piano student, Laura,

to pose with her.

Her teacher is Miss Becky and 

Ahnalin thinks she is wonderful!

Ahnalin played "Bingo".

She has played this song at least 

a hundred million times in the last 

few months, on our piano 

and every other piano she encountered.

She was so nervous this morning

that she was practicing over and over

starting at 6:00 AM this morning.

Don and I were HOPING

she would sleep in until at least 7:00

before the anxiety kicked in.

No Such Luck!

She is begging for piano lessons for 

the summer.

Ey Yi Yi!

But she did such a wonderful job at the recital!

We are so so so proud of her!

And she was proud of herself and so happy

with her performance!

Nana and Papa drove over for a visit

and brought my patio furniture,

so I tried to get Ahnalin to stay still for 

a quick picture. 

I was not too successful there!

Oh, and you may notice that

Ahnalin IS NOT wearing

a new smocked dress at her recital.

Well, I DID get the smocking done,

but then was to tired to sew the dress last night.

And I decided that since I had just made

her a new dress for the Ballet last week,

she would not explode if I didn't make a

new dress for the recital. 

She was ok. 

I still plan to finish the dress,

because the smocking turned out SO CUTE!

And, oh, India wants me 

to bring a dress for my trip on Friday.

She wants us to dress up cute for our

Mother-Daughter date!

Well, maybe I should make a new dress for me!

Maybe......

Well, just maybe!

Happy Sewing!

Trace, Toby and Lime Green Toes!

My oh my!

The Hot Rockin' Hubby took me to see Trace Adkins and Toby Keith

in concert for my birthday.

We sat in the 8th row!!!!

In the spirit of "music appreciation",

I must tell you all that Trace Adkins is a might fine specimen!

Oh man!

I mean, he has NOTHING on my Hot Rockin' Hubby,

but he was very, very fine to look at!

And yes, I cried, like I always do, 

when he sang "You're gonna miss this."

I love that song!

And then when it was Toby's turn, he showed up on stage in a 

sawed-in-half Ford F-150! 

It was crazy!

Now, I am a bigger Trace fan than I am a Toby fan, 

Toby was incredible!!

And Don, being the audio geek that he is, 

had to take pictures of the monstrously huge sound board. 

Hilarious! 

We had a wonderful wonderful wonderful time!

Thank you Hubby!

Earlier in the day, we met my parents up in Truckee, 

for lunch, cake and to get my mom's sewing machine.

And they gave me a yummy chocolate cake!

It was sooooo good!

And we got some cute pics of the grands and their girls. 

After that, we drove home to get Ahnalin to her swimming lessons on time.

And then Don and I headed out to the concert!

And then yesterday, I treated myself to 

the most luxurious and blissful pedicure at Bon Bon Salon.

Oh wow!

It was aromatherapy, leg massage, and pedicure all in one!

Pure heaven!

I know it is goofy, but I had to have lime green polish.
I LOVE lime green and I love my pretty toes.

When I got home,
Ahnalin begged to have matching lime green toes.

I just happened to have lime green polish in my purse,

so I dolled her up as well.

I asked India if she wanted her toes green too and she said she is

waiting for her own pedicure.......

Hmmmmmm her birthday is in September. 

Maybe I should treat us to mother/daughter pedicures. 

Whatcha think?

I had better get back to sewing.

I have to turn in my fair entries this week

and I am running behind due to the broken machine.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes.

I tried to send "thank you" replies but many of you do not 

have your email address listed on your profiles, so the 

replies did not go through.

So, if you did not get a "thank you" from me, that is the reason.

So Thank YOU from me.

Off to sew I go!

Showstoppers Pictures At Last!

At last! Showstoppers pictures!

India introduced herself and spoke briefly about the Diabetic Youth Foundation, and her passion for Broadway music. Then she started off the show with "Putting It Together" from the musical "Sunday In The Park With George."

Next up "Past the Point Of No Return" from "Phantom Of The Opera". In addition to our Phantom and Christine, we had 6 tango dancers. We were so blessed to have a marvelous dancer, Mary, choreograph some of our numbers.



Don did an amazing job as Tevya from "Fiddler on the Roof!" Not only was he perfect for the part vocally, but he danced like a crazy man!

While this song is NOT from a Broadway show, it was certainly a "Showstopper" in every sense of the word. The kids in the choir and drama departments are all pretty hooked on the movie "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" and so they insisted on performing the song "Men in Tights". This left me to make 10 Robin Hood costumes! They are not great sewing, and yes, I used felt. But they looked great and the kids had the dance spot on!

My favorite song of the whole show, or at least one near the very top of the list, was when India and Laurissa sang "Defying Gravity" from the musical "Wicked". They were incredible!!! This song, especially, makes me cry. I am overcome when my beautiful takes command of the stage and sings "And nobody, in all of Oz, no wizard that there is or was, is ever gonna bring me down!" That is how she feels about her diabetes! This disease is not going to stop her. She will not let it! Makes a mama proud!

Then we had "Chim Chiminee" and "Step In Time" from the musical "Merry Poppins". Our Mary and Bert looked just like the original characters! And our chimney sweeps were hilarious!

Dean and Carol Chilecoat represented the Diabetic Youth Foundation and shared about the fantastic and live changing programs that we strongly support.

Showstoppers Tickets for Sale

India's show is just 11 days away!! Please come and support her and her performers as they raise funds for the Diabetic Youth Foundation.

The DYF has been very important our our family life and the lives of many, many diabetic families. They provide training, support, entertainment, encouragement and valuable information at their camps and other services. We LOVE the DYF!

India is 18!

Just 18 short years ago, a tiny baby was placed on my belly. She was so little, yet strong and curious. As soon as the doctor put her there, she put her little hands down and pushed up to look around the room. The doctor and nurses looked shocked and told me that newborns are not supposed to be able to do that yet. But she was born in the posterior position, so her little neck got really strong, really quickly! She also rolled over the very next day. She was so inquisitive! Ready to take on the world with no fear from that very day.

When India was a baby, Don was on staff at First Presbyterian church in Bellingham, WA. The church was right across the street from Western Washington University. The church had a HUGE university ministry called "The Inn" which met weekly and had a congregation of students MUCH larger than the general congregation of the church. The Inn was staffed with some of the most wonderful women I have ever met. And every time I would walk into the church, one of them would grab India out of my arms and I would not see her again until she was hungry or we needed to leave. India never had a fear or strangers or ever worried about her place in the world. She was just always happy and "OK". She knew she was loved and just loved everyone in return.

India has always been confident in who she is. She has not EVER been a "follower" in any way, except for being a follower of Jesus. She welcomes everyone with open arms and an open heart. She will defend you to the death and encourage you constantly. She is a dreamer and a gifted writer. She is an AMAZING singer and if you ever have the chance to hear her, you will be awed! And her acting ability is simply a gift. Often when she is acting, I forget it is her. I get so drawn in and become so emotional, that I have to stop myself and remember that she is not really homeless, or pregnant, or struggling to survive a concentration camp,...............or a floating princess. Yes, she has played SEVERAL princess roles over the years.

You can't really see it well, but she is wearing a tiara. She has several. She has taken the princess role to heart and wears her tiaras whenever she needs a lift. This was her outfit today. Frilly, sparkly, a fluffy crinoline under her dress, and all together fabulous. She is beautiful. She still is pretty pale but she has been ill quite a bit lately. She does not let that stop her though. I am so proud of my precious girl.

Last night, before we went out to Big A for burgers with Grandma, Grandpa, and Papa, Don gave India a very special present. Very special! He gave her his Seagull acoustic guitar. India LOVES this guitar. She has been in love with this guitar since she was about 8 years old. It has a lovely tone and a small neck, so her little fingers fit around it very nicely. India was in shock that her Daddy would giver her this much loved instrument.
She cried so hard she could barely talk. She will write such beautiful songs on this guitar. And she has the best guitar teacher there is, the giver of the gift.

After her Daddy gave her the guitar, we left for Big A, with it's homemade root beer and decadent burgers. She asked her Daddy what were the things he wanted to know when he turned 18. He did his best to impart all of his wisdom to her while we sat at that table outside the restaurant. It was so sweet.

Here is the Birthday Girl with Grandma, Grandpa, Ahnalin and me. Daddy was taking the picture.

Today was actually India's birthday, yet she had to leave after school for Chamber Choir retreat up in the mountains. So, I ordered a birthday cake for her to share with her friends. Hey, if you have to be stuck in a cabin in the mountains with 40 people you may or may not love, they might as well sing "Happy Birthday" to you, right?

India and her buddy Erin are doing their best to look completely dorky for this picture.

But seconds earlier my beautiful girl looked like this.

So, I kissed my girl goodbye, knowing that the next time I saw her, she would be an "adult". Notice I did not say "Mature Adult".......no....just adult!

 

This is how I have seen her a lot lately. She is working on "Showstoppers" here. Yes, LOTS of phone work. She is getting to hate the phone as much as I do. But, it is a means to an end, and there is much to be done to prepare for the show.

Here, India is directing her singers in a rehearsal of Showstoppers. She is really very good with her direction. Daddy is the accompanist, and India is directing......interesting dynamic, but it is working.

Sorry this is so blurry. I am not good at motion shots! And yes, they were in motion.

Daddy was helping to direct this song, "Seasons of Love" from "Rent" because India is one of the soloists on this ensemble piece. One of the female singers had not arrived yet at rehearsal. But OH! The kids are sounding sooooo good!

Just a cute picture of India and her boyfriend Kevin. He brought her yellow roses, chocolate, and a princess balloon today at school for her birthday. She was over the moon!

I am going to have to scan some baby pictures of my girl. I know I do not show pictures of her as often as I show Ahnalin.  India is so busy and I just don't get her time as much as I used to. But I am proud of my beautiful girl. I love her so very much.

Please pray for her health. I believe that God has HUGE plans for my lovely and talented girl. I pray that good health is part of those plans. Please pray with me that the next two weeks are productive and successful for her with Showstoppers.
Tickets are now available. If you are near Grass Valley, you can see her show on Saturday, October 10th at 7:00PM. Tickets at $10.00 for adults and $7.00 for seniors and students. All profits will go to benefit the Diabetic Youth Foundation.
If you are not nearby but would like to donate to the cause, you can email me at sivjegoose @ sivjegoose .com  (remove the spaces).

Thank you so much for your prayers for my girl.
India, I love you so much and am proud of the woman you have become.

Showstoppers and sick girls

If you know me "in real life" or know me on Facebook, you have heard me talk of "Showstoppers".
Well, Showstoppers is a Broadway style musical review that India is producing and directing. It is her senior project as well as a fundraiser for the Diabetic Youth Foundation . India has been working for months and months ordering songs, auditioning and rehearsing performers and working out all the other details.

She will be singing in it on a few of the numbers and let me tell you, SHE IS FABULOUS!

Don will even be singing a number, guaranteed to be a showstopper, from "Fiddler on the Roof".

The band is set and all techies are in place as well. The whole show is being done on a volunteer basis. And the talent involved is really amazing.

The show will be at Twin Cities Church on Saturday, October 10th at 7:00PM.

I will post ticket information closer to the date of the show.

Please pray for my girl as she works out the rest of the details and rehearses the numbers. Please pray for her health as well. The DYF is such an important organization, and has such a huge impact of diabetic families, so India is passionate about raising funds to help them.

Which leads me to ask for prayer specifically for the girls today.
India has had horrible pain again lately with her ovarian cysts. They are adversely affecting her diabetes as well. She becomes very insulin resistant when she is dealing with her cysts, so her blood sugar has been in the 400s again. She is just really sick. So sick that she cancelled her show rehearsal for today.

And Ahnalin seems to have a UTI, so I am taking both girls to the doctors office in a few minutes.

We would appreciate any prayers you could send our way.

Hugs to you all.

Happy Birthday My Love

I know I already said this, but today is Don's birthday. I love that man so much! He is the very best husband in the whole world and a rockin' guitarist and songwriter to boot.
And if you see him, make sure you tell him how hot he looks in his boots!

No Doubt concert with my girl and my besties

Me and my buddy Melissa. Yeah. I went to a rock concert with no make-up on and wearing a "Wicked" t-shirt. I am pretty comfortable with being uncool.

Melissa's daughter Katie and my India. Let's just say that buying these tickets earned me a few "cool" points even without the make-up.



Yeah, yeah. I am super late in posting this. I have been trying to post the incredible pics that India's friend Katie took of the concert but I am pathetically bad at it. So, just believe me when I say that she took some great pictures!

But last Friday night my dear friend Melissa and I treated our teenage daughters to the No Doubt concert at Sleep Train Amphitheater. The concert was opened by a Swedish band called "The Sound" and then "Paramore" played. The Sound was not impressive. They were very free in their use of foul language which I felt was unnecessary. The girls loved Paramore and they put on a good show. But I was positively star struck by No Doubt. They were INCREDIBLE! I pretty much screamed, sang and danced the whole concert. Yeah, me, the 41 (at that time) year old mom who actually had smocking in her purse, behaved like a teenager. However, I was pretty shamed by the lovely Gwen Stefani. That woman will be 40 this year and she is in such good shape that she can sing while jumping through an entire song. Not just little bouncing, but out right jumping! Yikes! And I know she was actually singing, because she dropped her microphone twice and her voice dropped out.
We sat on the lawn, which was the bargain of the century. The tickets, which I had purchased 3 weeks before the concert, were only $15.00!!! Imax movies are more than that! It was such a deal! However, I heard that the tickets sold out later that day, so we just made it.
The concert was jammed and I have never been in the midst of so many people in my life! There were reportedly 18,500 ticket holders there. That does not even account for the gazillions of vendors, for service people and event staff. But the sound was amazing! Really good! And the special effects were pretty mind boggling.

I have to admit that I did not get crazy and start dancing until No Doubt started their show. So, this was our view for the first two hours of the show!


It was great. We had fun. And that is the end of this story!