Home for the Holidays

Dear Santa

Every year in the local paper we print Letters to Santa. This year we had many touching letters come in that many of us cried when we read them. One in particular caught the eye of one of our readers.

Mary of Wyoming read her paper today and thought that this one, written by 11 year old Kendall was so exceptional she decided she must do something for this little girl.

Kendall's letter to Santa:

Dear Santa,

Hello, I'm Kendall M and I am 11 years old. For Christmas I want my dog, Buddie, at the North Lakes Adoption Center to be ok. We had to put her up for adoption. And I want everyone in my family to be ok too. Especially my Grandma Dayle, she buys me everything and I love her much. And I want you and Mrs. Claus to have a wonderful Christmas. Guess what- I saw you and Mrs. Claus on Comedy Central the other day. And I want my Great Grandma Bernie in her nursing home to be better, she's dying. Well have a great Christmas.

Love Kendall M

So Mary came into the office today with a heartwarming letter and a monetary gift for this dear child as she had acted so unselfishly only asking Santa for gifts for others.

I want to send a big thank you to Mary for acting, like so many of us should but don't, to go out of your way to bring joy to someone this year.

Simply have a wonderful Christmastime!

Hold those you love close this year. I have seen tragedy strike some near and dear friends recently and it breaks my heart. One lost their home another their father. How do you find the right things to say. How do you show them how much you love and care about them. It seems my list of prayers is longer and longer every day. So this Christmas I ask ask each and everyone of you to say an extra little prayer for those you may not even know but need all the prayers they can get.

Most of us are on budgets this year for our holiday shopping, i know I am. Well you know what- my kids are going to have a wonderful Christmas, they may not get everything they want but they will have us all together and healthy and spending time with our dear family and that is all we need.

May the true joy of the season be upon you.


www.jennifergrimm.com

Christmas Quiz

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper

2. Real tree or Artificial? artificial- 3 of them, really who wants to clean up the mess of a real tree- not me!

3. When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? Jan 1

5. Do you like eggnog? NO!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? a book of 365 things to keep you busy- I was 9 and had carved a bar of soap into a sleigh before my parents even woke up.

7. Hardest person to buy for? my mother in law

8. Easiest person to buy for? my father in law- he loves sweets

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail for sure

11. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas, most definitely- I love this one

12. Favorite Christmas cookie? sugar - decorated

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Dec 26

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? nope

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? cheese ball

16. Lights on the tree? White

17. Favorite Christmas song? White Christmas

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I prefer to stay at home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas eve or Christmas day? Day

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? the crazy shopping fools- and parking lots- geez

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? all my kids handmade stuff

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham, sweet potatoes and green beans

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? For my entire family to come together in spirit, even though we are separated by thousands of miles

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Jerrianne

First to punch in- last to pass out!

A little grace music!


Gretchen Wilson Music Video – Saving Grace on TNT - video powered by Metacafe

Thought for the day- VOTE

It's Not The Critic Who Counts!

It is not the critic who counts,
not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled,
or where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
whose face is marred by dust, sweat, and blood,
who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again,
who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions,
and spends himself in a worthy cause,
who at best knows achievement and who at worst if he fails
at least he fails while daring greatly
so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls
who know neither victory nor defeat."

--Theodore Roosevelt-- 26th United States President

Happy Halloween Y'all and a little football

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Halloween!

Think good Eagle thoughts tonight as Brandon and the Eagles will be taking on the undefeated Orono team in Section Finals! Go Eagles!

Howleen

Recipe to warm your soul: Donna's Famous Chicken Stew

Donna's Famous Chicken Stew

4 qrts H2O
1 large onion, diced
3 stalks celery chopped
10-12 chicken thighs
4 med carrots sliced
6-8 med-lrg potatoes cut into bite size pieces
1 bay leaf
1 tbl salt
potato flakes


Boil chicken til done (1 hr) remove to cool. Strain out any excess grease from stock. Add onions, carrots, celery and bay leaf. Cook 1 1/2 hrs on lite boil. Add shredded chicken when it has cooled enough to handle. 45 minutes before serving add potatoes. Stir frequently. Add potato flakes to thicken before serving.

This freezes well so I make extra to save for lunches later. Delicious with homemade biscuits.

Fair, Fun, Family

Thanks for stopping by

Well hey y'all. I am back to posting again and updating things and I want to give you a shout out. Please leave me a comment if you are a regular visitor or are just here for the first time. And FYI- I am moving my football ramblings to their own blog at www.brandonmeathfootball.blogspot.com . I will also have his website up and running soon. If you like to keep up on his stats and post a comment or story find me over there.


blessings and bliss
beth

In a place where football is King.

I think that in Becker MN they start training for football while still in the womb. This is the most serious football town I have ever seen. I LOVE IT! However, it did not go in our favor on Friday. Their quarterback, Johnny Benson, grandson of legendary St John's football coach, John Gagliardi, was outstanding. Our defense had it hands full trying to stop the pass. The Bulldogs scored their 20 points in the first 11 minutes.

Though the defense made adjustments and shut Becker's offense down the rest of the game, the offense could not get more then 7 points on the board. They failed to produce on 11 possesions. With several dropped passes and the inability to check off the receivers to find someone open, it fell on the coaches shoulders ultimately to make the right adjustments to win the game. That did not happen.

The high points were 2 interceptions, one by Brandon Meath and the other by Nick Johnson and they also racked up 5 and 7 tackles respectively. Brandon Meath also had a blocked punt in the 4 quarter.

Totino-Grace 0 7 0 0 - 7
Becker 20 0 0 0 - 20

B-Gibbons 23 pass from Benson (kick failed)B-Gibbons 32 pass from Benson (Gibbons from Benson)B-Steiner 42 pass from Benson (run failed)TG-Kinnan 1 run (Kocon kick)

Catch what few highlights there were on http://www.kare11.com/ go to prep sports.

Next up:

Homecoming vs Chisago Lakes.

coming soon...........................brandon meath football .com , highlights, stats and all things football!

Film highlights from Irondale

Totino Grace vs Irondale 8-29-08

Enjoy!

How fast is your 95?

After a not so fun day at the oral surgeons with an abcessed tooth, the night certainly turned around.

First, the perfect evening, with temps in the mid 50's and NO wind whatsoever. You can smell it in the air, it's football season.

The game got a rough start as we had a turnover on the first play, but as the Eagles paused for but a moment, they then soared the rest of the evening. Brandon had two major plays of the game with first taking a 50 yard pass from Nick Gervias for an easy 6 points. Eagles were up 24-0. As we came close to the half, with 7 seconds remaining on the clock at StFrancis in posession on our 40 yd line, they threw long and Brandon stepped up and intercepted. He ran 95 yards for the touchdown! It was amazing!

Totino-Grace 10 28 7 14 - 59
St Francis 0 0 0 0 - 0

TG-Kinnan 11 run (Kocon kick)TG-FG Kocon 22TG-Lubinski 35 run (Kocon kick)TG-Meath 50 pass from Gervais (Kocon kick)TG-Lubinski 11 pass from Gervais (Kocon kick)TG-Meath 95 interception return (Kocon kick)TG-Hogan 3 run (Kocon kick)TG-Kromah 16 run (Kocon kick)TG-Kealy 5 run (Hogan kick)

NEXT: Becker This game will be on FSN North with Anthony LaPanta (TG Alumni)

Friday's Game at Becker wil be broadcast on Fox Sports North (FSN) immediately following the Twins game (Approx 9:30 pm)
The Twins Live show will be broadcast live from Becker

Clash of the Catholic Schools

Friday night lights blazed brightly over Jim Totino Stadium for a great evening of football action. With 4 of their senior starters sidelined with injuries, the Eagles still dominated over the Benilde Red Knights. Brandon played very well getting 5 tackles, one for a loss of yards. He also picked off a pass from the Red Knights quarterback for his first interception of the season.

Totino Grace Eagles 24
Benilde St Margaret 12

Next week- AWAY St Francis

Be sure to catch the prep sports highlights every Friday evening on Kare 11 tv at 11:05 pm, or online at www.kare11.com , go to prep sports.

GO EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TOTINO GRACE EAGLES Friday Night Lights Season Opener

The season has started and what a great start it has turned into.

Totino Grace Eagles 46

Irondale Knights 22

Brandon got the third touchdown under 3 man coverage!

Here is my own footage

To see the highlights go to this link: Kare 11 Prep Sports Extra and watch the first section. Be sure to check later this week to see if he is up for the play of the week and cast your vote!

Unselfish and Uncommon, it takes "U" and "U"!

Enjoy this shot from last year's finale, Micah Koehn with the acrobatics into the end zone and Brandon celebrating to win the 4A State Championship for the second year in a row.

Cherishing the moments

I am truly trying to get back to this blog and will very soon. I have had an amazing summer that I am enjoying so very much. The answer to my prayers happened on June the 12th. I got a phone call from someone I had not seen in 42 years. It was my birth mother. She found me that day and I have been floating on cloud 9 ever since. I flew to see her on the 4th of July and spent 5 glorious days with her and my two sisters(yes, I have sisters) and my neices and nephew. One of my neices is spending half the summer here and we are loving it. My mom will be here for a visit very soon to meet her four wonderful grandchildren.

(Joanna, me, Janet, mom) So I apologize for my lack of communication here. I do want to give a nod to my dear Soap Maven Susan, who inadvertedly is the reason that my mom found me- many thanks dear Suzi, you are such a dear friend. Here is a quick shot of my mom and I and my one sister and the woman who helped connect us, janet.

Coming Back Soon

Oh Happy Day- I will be back soon. Getting to a most definate place of well being. Thanks for all the concern. I am fine- though I am feeling like I am not so simpatico with all things computer related some days!!!! Look for a most exciting announcement very soon. A balance you see of all my favorite things - a blend of the best of me. Not sure why I never saw it before. You know what they say- Sure as the nose on my face!!!!!!!!!Today for you, tomorrow for me!

Computer Down =o[ Back Soon

Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week. — Spanish Proverb

How Full Is Your Bucket?

The Theory of the Dipper and the Bucket

Each of us has an invisible bucket. It is conatantly emptied or filled, depending on what others say or do to us. when our bucket is full, we feel great. When it's empty, we feel awful.

Each of us also has an invisible dipper. When we use that dipper to fill other people's bucket- by saying or doing things to increase their positive emotions- we also fill our bucket. But when we use that dipper to dip from other's buckets - by saying or doing things that decrease their positive emotions - we diminish ourselves.

"How Full Is Your Bucket?"
Positive strategies for work and life Tom Rath and Donald Clifton, PhD

The Five Strategies

Prevent Bucket Dipping
Shine a Light on What is Right
Make Best Friends
Give Unexpectedly
Reverse the Golden Rule

Want to see how much bucket filling you do compared to others? Take the Test!

Sometimes Opinionated

For something a little different, may I suggest you read www.queenofthefashionablyoutdated.blogspot.com . Your opinion is appreciated!

Special Deal for my readers

Since my ebay outing produced very little interest I am going to offer the whole lot as a package deal. Honestly I just am sick of looking at it and want it off my desk! So if you would like a pack of slightly used magazines, last years calendar and this years- I will send it all to you for only $15.00, including shipping.

First come , first served as the saying goes. blissnblossomfarm@yahoo.com

More on Ebay

Click the link below and see what I have listed!!!!!!!

Music Favorites

So my good friend Bo Billy asked me the other day why I think blogging is a great tool to use for reaching your target audience. First, blogging is a fun, personal way to communicate with so many people. I know that I often read my friends blogs just to keep up with what they are busy doing. It is also a wonderful way to showcase things that are important to you. It is a great way to express yourself beyond your music.

So I have decided to showcase some of my personal favorite muscian friends here. As you can probably already tell from my music selections- I have very ecclectic taste. Well- variety is the spice of life. I hope you will enjoy these wonderful artists as much as I do.

First up is a local favorite- Bo Billy. I try to catch his live performances 2-3 times a month, schedule permitting. Here is a link to his website and where to find his music.

"For The Life Of Me" at garageband.com!
And check out the radio stations playing Bo Billy!
BUY Bo Billy's "Wild For You" at amazon.com, cdbaby.comand iTunes

He is a top rate country performer you shouldn't miss.

Another local favorite is Jennifer Grimm. I first heard her at an intimate club setting where she brought down the house. She plays at many various venues in the Twin Cities. I have a couple of her albums and play them often.

Jennifer Grimm: Buy
All Of Me CD
Jazz/R&B/Originals 2000
Listen to and Buy this CD at CD Baby
A Christmas with Family and Friends
A refreshing Christmas album with secular songs featuring Jennifer and her wonderfully musical Family and Friends. There's a taste of her own Christmas memories throughout the album, but the final track really captures the essence of what she loves: The family, the friends, the food and the fun.
Listen to and Buy this CD at CD Baby

EBAY Ending

This is your last chance to get on on these deals. The listing is ending in less than 3 hours. Want to buy the set? Shoot me an email and I'll send it with FREE SHIPPING!!!!!

Ebay Deals

I have listed several items on Ebay - check it out!

B & B Farm on Ebay

Words to Live By

Rules to Live By - General Colin Powell

1. It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.

2. Get mad, then get over it.

3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.

4. It can be done!

5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it.

6. Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.

7. You can't make someone else's choices. You shouldn't let someone else make yours.

8. Check small things.

9. Share credit.

10. Remain calm. Be kind.

11. Have a vision.

12. Don't take counsel of your fears or naysayers.

13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.

And the place went crazy.....

The evening started not different from many other hockey game nights. Last minute skate sharpening, barely on time and then waiting around for game time. We were matched against Mahtomedi, and of course I wore my Totino Grace colors with pride. Mind you- my son plays for White Bear Lake, my older boy goes to TG. TG the team that beat Mahtomedi in the state championship game this last Nov. A game we nor they will ever forget. Anyway, it's not that I like to rub salt on a deep wound but , ok maybe I do. It was such a big win and they never thought we could beat them. So much for their smack talk.

Back to the game. It was pretty evenly matched in the beginning. We played tough, not giving them many scoring opportunites and breaking up their pass plays effectively. Late in the first period, they scored. It was a great shot and setup, I was impressed with this Mahtomedi team. I was very much less than impressed with their fans. We had the pleasure of siting within screaming distance of a fan/parent who, shall we say, had alot to yell about. "Shoot the puck" being his favorite. By the end of the first period, down 0-1, we took a nice shot at their net. The golaie baubled the puck and we tipped it in. However the less than adept refferees had blown the whistle a split second before and the goal was disallowed. We went into the second period more than a little disappointed. But we are Bears, we can overcome. The fans cannot. They screamed about anything and everything as we started the second period. Tempers started to flare on the ice as well, with lots of pushing and shoving and even a couple fisticuffs. By this time the ref's had lost control of the ice. Then it happened. Not premeditated, as some would argue, and completely by accident, we checked from behind, hard. It was a really bad hit. The kid went down and I could hear him cry. I yelled at my son, he was the one who made the hit. He was sent to the penalty box. Now mind you, all hell is breaking loose and things happened very fast. The ref's were first to the kid, then the coaches and then the dad(not sure if it was the dad) but he was a yellin like it was his kid. Then the parents were screaming at the rest. At this point it felt like a lynch mob was gathering. After a second to confer, the ref's ordered my son off the ice, he was ejected from the game. he did the skate of shame off the ice to the locker room where I met up with him. He was sobbing. He felt terrible about what he had done. Luckily the kid was fine, just had the wind knocked out of him. We packed up his gear and gathered the family and headed home. I was way too upset to stick around, for fear of telling someone where to stick it.

The coaches wife called much later to check on Sean and to give us an update of the events that transpired after we left. Apparently, after the game, while our coaches were still on the ice but the team had gone to the locker room, several parents from the other team came into our boys locker room and harrased them. They yelled at our kids for the terrible way they played. I am so glad I wasn't there. I am sure I would have found a wonderful place to put a stick had I stayed.

And the place went crazy.... and so did the adults. Have we forgotten this is a bunch of 11 year old kids playing a game in the state of hockey.

Making Mama Proud

I had to share this photo with you.

It is my new favorite picture of my son,

minutes after wining the

2007 4A State Football Prep Bowl

for the second year in a row. Life is good!

Here is a link to the last 10 seconds of

the game. http://www.totinograce.org/school43/FCK/File/2007%20Football/SportsCenter.wmv

Can you say Espy Award???

Taco Tuesday

Got into a conversation last night with my daughter and mother-in-law regarding food days. Seems many places from restaurants to school cafeterias to even my own menu have a Taco Tuesday. Do we like things that sound right together? How about Tettrazini Tuesday? Not quite the same zing to it. Looking at my own menu, I find I have certain days for certain foods. We almost always eat a pasta dish on Mondays, Tuesdays , well yes, its Taco night. Wednesday is usually some kind of soup or goulash in a crock pot, by Thursday I am ready for a good ole American burger. Fridays through Sundays I get a bit more adventerous and make something new, my newest cuisine is Indian. Saturday I will make Tandoori Chicken and Coconut Rice. I am looking for more recipes to add to the nights menu. Much of my newer ideas have come from cooking shows, specifically Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" on the Travel Channel. I am addicted to that show. Now I am not ready to go off and make Blood Sausage or eat an Organ Kabob, but it has shown me that there are many different foods out there that I need to try. I have mastered the Greek Gyro and many variations on the theme. Last weekend we enjoyed Greek Salisbury Steak with roasted vegetables, served with Cucumber Sauce and Parmesean Garlic Noodles. It was a big hit with the whole clan.

I did make homemade doughnuts yesterday and we all went on a carbo/grease overload that slightly warped my brain and palate. Too much of a good thing I guess. Actually the recipe called for a chocolate glaze on them but I may have fallen into a coma had I made and then devoured that.

We are enjoying, no wait, suffering through our lovely MN cold weather so I am thinking a good ole chicken stew is in order for tomorrow. I have ,bar none, the best stew recipe in the world. Tomorrow I will take photos and do a tutorial on it. You family will thank you. It is THAT good!

On another note, as many of you know I was putting out a newsletter every few months and then as life threw me curve balls, it got neglected. So I am now going to do a bi-weekly newsletter that I will send out by email to anyone that is interested. It will include the following:
News Items: Opinions and responses
Photo gallery
Specials and Sales
Recipes for the Kitchen
Make it yourself Beauty Bonanza
Going Green
Holidays and Events
Family Fun Ideas

and much more.

Send me an email to be on the list. Your email will be kept private.
First edition coming next week. beth@blissnblossomfarm.com

Joyful Joyful

Lord we adore thee. My deep faith carries me through all darkness. Have you prayed today? Not even when you bought that lottery ticket? Got cut off by a crazy driver? You tell me. What are you praying for this year??????

In fact, I have some bulk soap to give away so send me a special prayer and I will pray it with you. One lucky writer will also get a small bundle of soap and sundries.

If I owe any of you a package, swap or exchange- let me know. I lost ALL my addresses on this darn computer and can't get anything sent until You contact Me!!!!!!!

Me? I'm prayin Stallone knows when to stop making Rambo movies! But I can't get that song outta my head!

Truth Revealed

Life just has a funny way of showing the truth. The truth will out etc...... so in days to come, very soon, sooner than you had hoped, these truths shall be revealed. A revelation of sorts. Hope you like the music.

drowning pool