They weren't what I was thinking...

 When I saw 'mini cukes' on the order form, I was thinking about like, 6" small cucumbers.  Well, I got one case free, but I ordered two additional cases.  I need to make a big batch of pickles as I give them as gifts to coworkers and friends.  Was I in for a surprise when I looked into the cases!  These are the 3" really, really mini cukes and while they taste good chopping on, it's a bit more difficult to can them. But - I did try.  I did 10 pints and one quart of pickles last night - but some are regular size pickles too.  I took the mini-cukes and sliced them lengthwise twice and tried to do them the same way I do my bread n butter pickles.  I'm thinking later today that I might just make the juice and leave the mini cucumbers whole and leave out the onions - let them be pickled munching pickles.  What do you think?  Not too sure about these little BnB pickles; even though I sliced them lengthwise - they seem awfully small, but still doable for sandwiches.  I will be taking at least a case this afternoon to a birthday party to see if I can give some away.  There sure are a lot of mini cucumbers!!

I also got a case of cranberries.  What was I thinking?  I knew I was out of them in the freezer - but good grief - why did I get an entire case?   I have found what is called 'Christmas Jam' recipe and it does call for strawberries and cranberries (I have bags of frozen strawberries in the freezer!) and looks fairly simple - I think I'm going to try that as well for Christmas gifts to friends.  I guess because we never had the money to buy jellies or jam that my children don't eat it.  Probably a good thing as it is pretty sweet, but hubby does eat it.  I have another recipe that I used to make that I might try to find.  Most of the cranberries will go in the freezer for the cranberry pumpkin nut bread that I make.  I bet I can find other recipes as well for cranberries - and there is always the cranberry relish... if I can find 'Aunt Sue's' recipe for it, I may make it.

I actually wrapped a couple gifts yesterday and put under one tree.  And in my frustration at my male boss yesterday afternoon, I took off and went to Michaels to check out their latest sale, which ended yesterday, I believe the ad said.  And yes, I bought another tree.  This one is 'only' 4' tall and I plan to put it on the front porch.  No, I haven't put it together yet, nor did I tell hubby.  I has lights on it, but I don't know how we can plug it in - and that's not the point - at least not this year.  I'm going to make it the 'wishing tree'.  I have had smaller trees the past two years on the front porch, they were real trees, which died, of course.  I have an idea in my mind as to what I want to do with this one and will see how I can bring it about. It's a silly thing from a movie I saw a year ago.  Wish I could remember the name of it but I can't.  But it was about 3 kids who grew up on a Christmas tree farm and two were sisters and the male was a friend.  One year they were all at the 'farm' and Grandpa told them to go to the 'wishing tree' and think of a wish.  They just touched a branch and made a wish.  Fast forward probably 10 years and the sisters were moved to another city - and one is engaged and decides she wants to get married at the Christmas tree farm like their grandparents did.  Well, long story short, the grandparents have passed and the farm is now under new ownership - and it just happens to be the friend.  And I'll leave the story there.  I may try and see if I can find it.  One of the sisters is a wedding planner and she was pulled into planning this wedding for her sister at the farm.  And love blooms.  I'll leave it right there.  Oh - their wishes?  They came true.

We have a great-granddaughter's birthday party to go to today around noon.  I haven't talked to my daughter nor granddaughter for a few days so I'm needing to contact to see what time they want us there. I think it starts at noon, but I usually try to get there early to help - but with all they have going on this morning for preparation, I think I'll stay out of it.  I'm excited that my granddaughter and family will be coming in from another city for the party - it seems like forever since I've seen them!  Can't wait to catch up with them.

My oldest son and his youngest son stopped by yesterday with the turkey and other items for the Thanksgiving lunch that will be here in about 2 weeks or so.  It was good to see both of them, even though it was a short visit.  I need to pick up a few things yet, but will wait another week before making sure I have everything.  He is taking care of nearly all of it - all I have to do is 'cook it!' - which isn't so bad as it is something I love to do.  In fact, last night after work we headed to Arby's for a quick 'dinner' and then I spent the next three hours in the kitchen working on the canning.  Time flew by and I was happy.  But when I stopped, I realized how tired I was.  Quickly ordered groceries and was lucky enough that they had one more slot open for pickup and I grabbed it.  At 7PM we hurried over to the store and they loaded groceries in my car.  And, of course, I realized several things that I did forget.  I think I will run to Walmart after the party and see if I can pick up the things I missed ordering.  I have been writing them down and not relying on my memory!  I finished up the canning I was going last night and we watched Christmas in Rockport last night on Up Faith and Family before heading to bed.  One would think that I would have been exhausted and slept all night - but nope!  Awake at 10:30, 11:20, other times I refused to look at the clock, 2:15; 3:30; 4:20 - and I finally got up.  And it's Saturday and I could have slept in!  Bummer!  Like I can sleep in at all anymore.  Been getting up early way too long for my body to stay asleep.  I'd just like for it to sleep all night.

We are still discussing our Christmas celebration with each one of the children.  There's only the youngest and his family that hasn't a conflict so we will probably leave them at Christmas Eve night.  The daughter is moving hers to, more than likely, the Saturday after Christmas as it will be just them otherwise. Her daughter and family are visiting relatives in another state over Christmas. My oldest son needs to discuss with family what they want to do - and I'm willing to make whatever work.  I just love cooking for them and being with family.  But I recognize the need for them to have their own traditions and enjoy their own families too.  And that's ok.  I'll take what I can get.  Seeing my family makes my cup full.

Psalm 32:8 (NKJV):  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

So many times, we think we know it all; that we know enough to make a wise decision - and sometimes we get lucky.  We do make the right call, we do make the right decision to act on.  But what about the times that we don't?  I can think back over many times when I tried to second guess myself and make the decision that I would come to regret making.  Have you done that?  You think you know best and yet - looking back, you realize that the decision or choice you made wasn't so smart.  I know it happens to me, and has happened to me.  

But what would happen if we took the time to ask God what He thought we should do?  What if we went to Him before acting on what we thought was the right choice?  We rush in with our decision because we want to get it over with - and yet, then we discover it may not have been the right one.  But if we WAITED on God to answer - sometimes His delay in answering IS our answer.  Or we may know quickly the answer should be 'NO' versus the yes we are wanting.  And sometimes the answer is 'NOT YET'.  I don't really like to wait, therefore sometimes I forge on ahead of things when I should wait upon God to supply the answer and put it in place.  Do you do that?

Say, for example, I rushed out today and bought all the other things I want to make for Christmas meals, and I am thinking fresh produce as the meat can go in the freezer.  If I rush out with my decision and pick up those items, you know what they will look like, even sitting in my refrigerator, by the time Christmas rolls around a bit over a month away yet.  They would be wilted and molded, probably!  I know not to jump ahead of myself when it comes to meal preparations - so why is it that I (or we) jump into decisions and do or prepare for things that perhaps God is saying 'NOT YET' on?  Or we don't even ask Him, we just do it, and then we wonder why everything spoiled.  Does any of my ramblings make sense?

I choose to ask God for His instructions and let Him guide me in to all things.  Words I want to say but shouldn't be said; seeking His wisdom He would tell me don't do it.  Rushing out to purchase things I can't afford but just because I 'want' them? Again, if I sought Him first, and waiting on His timing, He would either help me see that I don't 'need' it, (and probably save me lots of money) or He has something better for me.  I like something better, don't you?

And with that - I'm rambling - again - so will close this off.  I'm pretty sure hubby is expecting me to cook breakfast for him - after all, it IS Saturday... but I will tell him to eat oatmeal or cereal this morning as we will be having lunch at the party.  Maybe a protein shake will satisfy him for awhile. What are YOU having for breakfast this morning?

Blessings!