Mixing and stirring

RevGalBlogPals Friday Five meme is the Mix and Stir - since we will probably be on our own for Thanksgiving I am looking forward to not cooking - but give it a try and send your link. Fun stories of Thanksgiving - one year the whole family was at our beach house and we were cooking up Thanksgiving Dinner. About half way through the turkey roasting, our power went out. I said, "oh that's okay, we can use the microwave" - the kids looked at me like I had lost my mind - duh - a microwave need electricity! The power did not come on for several hours but the turkey was cooked and juicy from roasting in the heat of the closed oven and wrapped in foil.

1) Do you have a food processor? Can you recommend it? Which is to say, do you actually use it?

Yes, I have a Cuisinart Food Processor. When I need it, I love it. Shredding large amounts of cheese is one of the uses I find handy.

2) And if so, do you use the fancy things on it? (Mine came with a mini-blender (used a lot and long ago broken) and these scary disks you used to julienne things (used once).)

Mostly use the shredding blade and the mixing knife blade thing.

3) Do you use a standing mixer? Or one of the hand-held varieties?

I have a standing mixer - heavy duty - great for mashing potatoes. Also have the hand held - for quick stuff or whipping cream once a year!

4) How about a blender? Do you have one? Use it much?

Don't use the blender - gave it away. Use the Cuisinart if I need to blend stuff.

5) Finally, what old-fashioned, non-electric kitchen tool do you enjoy using the most?

My grandmother's old cooking fork with a wooden handle, about the size of a regular fork - just right for scrambling eggs, sauteing and stirring, testing veggies for the just right stage for eating - not too soggy not too raw. I can almost feel her presence as I use the fork.

Bonus: Is there a kitchen appliance or utensil you ONLY use at Thanksgiving or some other holiday? If so, what is it?

The oven - now ours is broken so won't be using it at all!!!

An apple a day...

Today's Friday Five from RevGalBlogPals is all about apples in honor of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman). Legend has it that he planted apple trees all over the country. Don't think he came to Wyoming but in the early days of settlement the University of Wyoming planted experimental apple orchards in many protected high mountain valleys. You can still find them when out hiking about.

We often use the Johnny Appleseed grace at camp. Listen and sing along here.

1. What is your favorite apple dish? (BIG BONUS points if you share the recipe.)

A slice of apple with a slice of a good cheddar and my iPod Touch!

2. Have you ever planted a tree? If so was there a special reason or occasion you can tell us about?

Yes, we planted just about every tree on our 4 acres. With our middle child in the backpack wearing a sunbonnet to protect him from the Wyoming sun, we planted trees from the Conservation service, they were all in a little bundle and now they are 20+ feet tall. My favorite tree planting story, though, is about an 80 year old friend who planted apple trees in her back yard. She was essentially blind and would not live many more years but it was her statement of hope for the future.

3. Does the idea of roaming around the countryside (preaching or otherwise) appeal to you? Why or why not?

I guess it appeals to me as that is what I do as a supply priest. See this reflection on my travels. Much of my blog reflects on this traveling.

4. Who is a favorite "historical legend" of yours?

Jane Addams: A real person who has taken on legendary status - co-founder of Hull House.

5. Johnny Appleseed was said to sing to keep up his spirits as he travelled the roads of the west. Do you have a song that comes when you are trying to be cheerful, or is there something else that you often do?

I recite Romans 8:38-39 "...nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus" or Isaiah 43:1b-3a "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior"

Summertime

I should be sermon-ating but instead I am procrastinating by playing the Friday Five from RevGalBlogPals.

1. What is your sweetest summer memory from childhood? Did it involve watermelon or hand cranked ice cream? Or perhaps a teen summer romance. Which stands out for you?

Lying on the grass with my brothers at night in front of our house in the Irvington neighborhood of Portland. (think Beverly Cleary books) In those days, before light and other pollution, we could see the stars of summer. I felt like I could fall off the earth into the universe.

2. Describe your all time favorite piece of summer clothing. The one thing you could put on in the summer that would seem to insure a cooler, more excellent day.

Shorts and a white T shirt are my favorite summer wear. I would wear them under my alb if I did not have to take it off for coffee hour!!


3. What summer food fills your mouth with delight and whose flavor stays happily with you long after eaten?

Raspberries

4. Tell us about the summer vacation or holiday that holds your dearest memory.

Taking our kids to the Oregon coast every summer with no TV, days on the beach making sand castles, and jumping the waves.

5. Have you had any experience(s) this summer that has drawn you closer to God or perhaps shown you His wonder in a new way?

Writing essays for Episcopal Cafe, especially ones that are more reflective about life in Wyoming or hanging out with our grandchildren. I have one today (Friday) about a recent week with our nine year old grandson. Shameless self promotion!!

Bonus question: When it is really hot, humid and uncomfortable, what do you do to refresh and renew body and spirit?

It is so rarely humid in Wyoming unless a rainstorm blows in for a few moments, but if I were in Oregon - I would go to the coast where when it gets hot and humid inland, it gets foggy and cool at the beach - and I am headed there in a week!!

USA according to me

Poor blog has been neglected lately - I have not been preaching the last couple of weeks and the news from the Lambeth Conference is busy on Episcopal Cafe has been non-stop, especially since half our team is on vacation. So I saw this on our daughter's livejournal and thought I would post my version - I see I have four states left to visit.


visited 46 states (92%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

Friday Five - blogosphere

I have been busy with our visiting 9 year old grandson (better than a workout at the gym). Non-stop activity since last Sunday eve - he leaves tomorrow :-(
Also busy with all Lambeth all the time at Episcopal Cafe.

RevGalBlogPals has a Friday Five - play along if you wish:

So how did you come up with your blogging name? And/or the name of your blog?
"seashellseller" comes from the tongue twister - she sells seashells down by the seashore, and "what the tide brings in"comes from walking the beaches of Oregon picking up bits that drift in on the tides.

Are there any code names or secret identities in your blog?
Not really except that our family does not post the grandchildren's names or photos.

Any stories there?
some in sermons or things I find.

What are some blog titles that you just love? For their cleverness, drama, or sheer, crazy fun?
Of Course I Could Be Wrong, Padre Mickey's Dance Party, Santos Woodcarving Popsicles


What three blogs are you devoted to? Other than the RevGalBlogPals blog of course!
OCICBW, Wounded Bird, Episcopal Cafe

Who introduced you to the world of blogging and why?
Our daughter and her friends.

Bonus question: Have you ever met any of your blogging friends? Where are some of the places you've met these fun folks?
Yes.

Books - Friday Five

RevGalBlogPals has a reading meme this week:

1) Do you think of summer as a particularly good season for reading? Why or why not?

Not so much - long summer days full of light and outside activities don't leave much time for reading. Winter with its short days and a nice fire are better for reading. Mostly I "read" while driving to church on Sunday - books on CD or tape -- 2 hours there and 2 hours back give lots of time for a book. Harry Potter was great on CD as was the Philip Pullman series.

2) Have you ever fallen asleep reading on the beach?

Not since I got a terrible sunburn doing that!

3) Can you recall a favorite childhood book read in the summertime?

I loved reading as a child - Anne of Green Gables, all sorts of book series, mostly I hated it that our library had books divided into "boys books" and "girls books" - it was always a challenge to me to take a book off the boys shelf and check it out.

4) Do you have a favorite genre for light or relaxing reading?

Mysteries, mysteries, mysteries! Reading a new Marcia Muller now (on tape!)

5) What is the next book on your reading list?

Whatever I can find for my flight to Nashville - probably a mystery. I have a bunch of "serious" reading to do but they sit in piles around the house. I do want to read the Manga Bible though - it is in my bag to take along..

Friday Five - surf's up!

RevGalBlogPals had an irresistable, to me, Friday Five. I love the beach - the northern Oregon coast is my psychic home - my home of the heart. Here are the questions if you want to play.

1. Ocean rocks, lake limps? Vice versa? Or "it's all beautiful in its own way"?
The basalt headlands and sea stacks are breathtaking. Haystack Rock is a favorite.

2. Year round beach living: Heaven...or the Other Place?
Heaven except for the winter rain, rain, rain.

3. Any beach plans for this summer?
Definitely - a beach run - only 1000 miles from here

4. Best beach memory ever?
Hard to pick one. Playing with our kids when they were small, sandcastles and a complete map of the coast of Washington and Oregon with our oldest grandchild, one of the kids saying "who put all this sand here for me?" Church camp at Gearhart in High School where I discovered church was more than Sunday services.

5. Fantasy beach trip?
Don't need fantasy - have been to the best - Cannon Beach, the beach in Puerto Rico at full moon, and the beach in Tanzania at Oyster Bay. This summer I go to the beach in the south of England and to Iona.

Bonus: Share a piece of music/poetry/film/book that expresses something about what the beach means to you.
Any song from Missa Gaia.

You should live in a small town...

Guess it is a good thing I live in a small town!! HT to Eileen.

You Should Live in a Small Town

You prefer a close knit community to the bustle of the city. You like locally owned businesses, local flavor, and friendly neighbors. There's nothing boring about a small town!

Where Should You Live?

Book tag

Helen tagged me for a "what are you reading" meme. Luckily I am reading an actual book - print on paper - for a change. Usually I do books on CD as I have a 2 hour drive to church on Sundays and 2 hours home. On the way over it is perfect timing for NPR and Leane Hansen - always good for last minute bits for a sermon!

The last book I "read" on the drive was Three Cups of Tea - about Greg Mortenson and his school building projects in Asia. Now I have a a Sharon McCrumb that I bought on sale (probably because it is on tape and most cars don't have tape players anymore).

Back to my holding a book in my hands reading -- it is the latest Nevada Barr - Winter Study - set on Isle Royale or as the park service calls it ISRO. It is her usual mystery interspersed with death defying moments for Anna Pigeon - ranger. Now married to an Episcopal priest who is also a sheriff in Natchez MS - in addition to wrestling with bad guys - she wrestles with whether or not she believes in God. Nevada Barr's book Seeking Enlightment Hat by Hat is her real autobiographical spiritual search that takes her into the Episcopal Church.

Most of my reading is online these days. There is such a wealth of resources. Prepping for sermons or reading for Education for Ministry as I mentor 2 online groups and train mentors for the program takes up other reading time.

And for the rest of the meme - here are sentences 6-8 of p. 123
"Without fear to burn away the dross and transform it from baser metal, bravery was merely stupidity or poor impulse control. 'They should hold,' he said and held up the three chains attached to each other by the steel-jawed traps. It would work, Anna told herself."

Tagging Kristin, Grandmere Mimi, Eileen, and Lindy if they feel like playing -- or you can play and tell me.

Seven scintillating things about me?

Lindy tagged me for this meme. Hmmm... thanks I think...

1. I do news on Tuesdays for Episcopal Cafe
2. and write a monthly essay for ECafe, too.
3. I co-mentor 2 EFM online groups - a new way to take EFM without a nearby group.
4. My husband and I have 5 grandchildren - whoa!
5. I drive 2 hours to do church and then 2 hours back home stopping in Eden to do another service.
6. My psychic home is the Oregon coast - some of my being lives there no matter where I am.
7. Our daughter and I are going to the UK this summer to visit my maternal grandmother's hometown.

Not sure how scintillating these are - but at least there are 7 things.

Tigger

Your Score: Tigger

You scored 16 Ego, 8 Anxiety, and 15 Agency!

And as they went, Tigger told Roo (who wanted to know)
all about the things that Tiggers could do.

"Can they fly?" asked Roo.

"Yes," said Tigger, "they're very good flyers, Tiggers
are. Strornry good flyers."

"Oo!" said Roo. "Can they fly as well as Owl?"

"Yes," said Tigger. "Only they don't want to."

"Why don't they want to?" well, they just don't like it
somehow."

Roo couldn't understand this, because he thought it
would be lovely to be able to fly, but Tigger said it was
difficult to explain to anybody who wasn't a Tigger himself.

You scored as Tigger!

ABOUT TIGGER: Tigger is the newest addition to the Hundred Acre Wood, and he lives with Kanga and Roo, because Roo's strengthening medicine turned out to be the thing that Tiggers like best. Tigger is bouncy and confident -some of his friends think he is a little TOO bouncy and confident, but attempts to unbounce him tend to be fruitless.

WHAT THIS SAYS ABOUT YOU: You are a positive and confident person. You feel capable of dealing with anything and everything, and funnily enough, you usually ARE. You don't worry about much, and you love to go out and find new adventures.

Your friends and family might sometimes be a little exasperated by your boundless enthusiasm. You don't like to admit your mistakes, and when you find yourself in over you head, you tend to bluff your way out of things. You would be surprised, however, at how happy the people around you would be if you would actually admit to a mistake. It would make you seem more human, somehow.

Link: The Deep and Meaningful Winnie-The-Pooh Character Test

A little levity in Lent

Grandmere Mimi has posted a "Middle Name" meme at her blog. Here are my answers - if you want to play go to Wounded Bird for directions:

K= Kisses to all my friends
R= Rash and Risk - jumping into things before thinking them through
I= I --as in it's all about me
S= Silliness is fun sometimes
T= Tau - as in cross as I am a Jesus groupie
I= I again!! of course
N= Never is not in my vocabulary any more - as soon as I say never - it happens - as in my children will "never" ....

Click HERE for more info.

Super Bowl thoughts

RevGalBlogPals plays Friday Five each week. This week's question is about Imbolc/Brigid or the Super Bowl. I love the feast days that intersect with older traditions - like Brigid - who crosses all boundaries of religions showing us that the Source of all speaks across time and culture in many languages.
I am not as sure that the Super Bowl is one of these but it is the great US annunal ritual that draws us together - even if we cheer for different teams. The game from RGBPs is to post 5 things about the topic.

1. It is the great US annual public ritual -even if one does not watch football you hear about it.
2. It has the buying of the ritual food - sugar, salt and grease being the main ingredients, ritual drinks - beer and Dr. Pepper (or soda of choice).
3. The gathering of the people around the glowing screen, expression of strong feelings, and a final dismissal as the credits roll, with a re-visitng of every play during the week. (oh that our weekly worship was discussed even a bit like that)
4. You gather with friends - in private or public spaces although the NFL is enforcing its rule that you can't have a big screen party at church - see here.
5. You can have fun vestments! See above.

Workout Personality

Prevention Magazine quiz to determine what exercise program will work for your personality.

Here's mine:

Your Personality Type: SPONTANEOUS
Life is a game, and your strategy is always changing. While you aren't much for rules, you'll follow them if they're simple and help you have fun.

Your Exercise Rx:
Short but sweet activities that allow you to accumulate exercise time throughout the day may be a good choice, says Ross Andersen, PhD, director of exercise science at Johns Hopkins' weight management center. Spontaneous types also tend to do well with games.

Best Choices

Short walks throughout the day
Taking the stairs
Bike rides
Hiking
Tennis
Racquetball
Squash
Basketball
Frisbee


Leisure Activities
Your first priority is to work regular exercise into your week. But also think about using your leisure time to burn off a few extra calories. Here are some extracurricular activities for your personality type:

skiing

playing in a softball or volleyball league


Obstacles
Different personalities don't just take to different activities; they have to contend with different obstacles too. Here's what you might find in your path, as well as ways to get around it:

Your biggest enemy is an idle mind. Even short workouts can turn torturous if there's nothing to occupy your brain.

Solution: Watch TV or listen to music while exercising, or grab a workout partner to talk with.

Procrastinating my sermon prep by taking Internet quizzes and bloghopping - thanks Eileen at your new location

ARRGGH - St. Pat tagged me - 8 things and 8 people - this has been around my blog friends' sites so not sure I can find 8 more - join in if you want to help me.

Padre Mickey (who btw has a great story on the first woman bishop in Cuba) is at it again: spreading memes. He's a carrier!

So this one's in eights. Padre Mickey sez I have to follow the rules, which are:

1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.

2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.

4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

MY EIGHT THINGS
1. One of my favorite movies is Smoke Signals

2.My other favorite movie seen on late night TV is The Guns of Navarone

3. I love to watch baseball - am watching the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta right now as I struggle with this meme.

4. I used to collect baseball cards - wish I still had them.

5. On the baseball theme - I am still a Brooklyn Dodger fan. (never found another team after they left NY)

6. I turn the bedspread down on motel beds before sitting on the bed.

7. I used to have a radio show - Legislative Reports (Wyoming Legislature)

8. I eat Wheaties (Breakfast of Champions) most every morning.

Tagging?? Hmm?? still thinking. HELP!!

How Old Am I?

You Are 25 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Thanks to Eileen

NEWS OF THE WEIRD

There is a new meme-thing going around - you are supposed to tell 6 weird things about yourself and tag others.

I was tagged by Eileen the Episcopali-fem

1. Filling the dishwasher so every space is filled before running it.
2. Cantaloupe makes me throw up
3. I hate mayo -- more that hate - blech, so white, so weird
4. I read OCICBW (aka Mad Priest) every day - often several times a day.
5. I cry during commercials -especially if the music is just right
6. I always (if at all possible) eat Wheaties and milk (1%) for breakfast - sometimes for dinner too.

I am sure you could tell me more that I don't recognize as weird.

Consider yourself tagged if I sent you an email or answer on your blog or here.