So, here we are on the last weekend of the year.  How has 2012 been for you?  No matter how good, bad, complicated, exciting or disappointing it has been, I hope you’re planning to take stock over the next couple of days.

Over the last week, I’ve had the chance to spend some quality time with my family and a few old friends.  How good it has been :).  At the same time, there’s been challenges too, especially with some who are dealing with health issues.  In the end, I’m looking forward to a wonderful 2013.

Over the last few weeks, I have been feeling like a fog is lifting around me.

I’ve been thinking more clearly, feeling better, and have had a lot more energy. My prayer life has been really good too.

I can’t really say why this hazy feeling is lifting from me, but I’m just glad that it is.  It guess it came on slowly sometime during the fall, which is always a very busy time for me.  There was lots going on, and plenty of stress added to the mix.  

Happy Halloween!

I hope you have a safe one!  I’m venturing out with one of my friends and his children.  It should be fun…

In the Christian tradition, tomorrow is All Saint’s Day.  This holy day is a chance to remember and honor the many saints who have gone before us, who fought the good fight and stood firm.  If there ever was a time that we needed people like them, it would be now.  Are you game?

Yesterday, a little girl I know missed her last day of school 🙁 Diagnosis: chickenpox and poison ivy.  How could one person be so lucky?

When her mom told me the news, I knew there would be some drama surrounding the fact that she wouldn’t be able to say goodbye to her teacher and friends.  So, I jumped in the car and picked up some flowers for her.

Last night, I accomplished one of goals for this year.  I finished up teaching my little group of fourth graders, and I have to say it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in quite awhile.  I miss them already.

There were certainly some characters in my class, and throughout the year their personalities were evident.  Every one of them got me laughing at some time during our eight months together.  Last night, it seemed like half of them wanted to tell me a joke.  Fourth grade jokes run the gambit.  Some were quite funny and clean as could be, others pretty racy and not the best.

The other day, I noticed that my local grocery store had cheese tortellini on sale at half price.  Maybe they were hoping they’d be a popular item during Lent, but got stuck with excess stock.

Lately, I’ve been looking around for some simple recipes for some of the young people who follow Making All Things New and are getting ready for life on their own.  Tomato Florentine Soup fits the bill.  Easy and nutritious, the short list of ingredients will also keep the costs to a minimum.  Cooking it in a crock pot makes it ideal for those with busy schedules.

If you’re wondering what makes it Florentine, it’s the addition of spinach.  Legend has it that Catherine de Medici introduced spinach to the French Court.  To honor her Italian roots, she dubbed anything containing spinach, a la Florentine. 🙂