I Can't Hear Myself Thinking

We have all heard the phrase, "I can't hear myself thinking."  I know for sure where it comes from, because it happened again today!


I love all varieties of cheesecakes and pound cakes.  I love making them and collecting recipes.  Since I fixed a mint cheesecake for St Patrick's Day I decided to share my joy for making these desserts by making a pound cake for a friend.

As I went through recipes, I was thinking how the internet is making it so easy to find new adventurous delights, I was reminded of my father-in-law's love for 7-Up pound cake.  He was a semi-pro baseball player for 7-Up during the 30's and later part owner of the 7-Up bottling plant in the city were I was raised.  Since Easter reminds me of family and family was so dear to him, 7-Up pound cake would be the perfect choice.


Along came my sixth child, a non-stop-except-when-he-sleeps talker!  No, my sixth isn't a girl. He is a cowboy boot-wearing, Batman-Robin Hood-loving Boy!


As I was studying the familiar recipe... he was talking!


As I was counting out the cups...he was talking!  The numbers in my head were 1 and 2, while he was verbalizing 10, 18, 22!


As I was checking to make sure I hadn't forgotten something during this process...he was talking!

Then I stopped, inhaled, and heard the phrase, "I can't hear myself thinking!" My foggy 49-year-old, change-of-life brain wasn't working.  I had to laugh, still struggling through his talking to put our creation into the oven.


My father-in-law would have loved the pound cake, but more than that, he would have loved to have seen our fifth boy.  He came from a family of five boys...I sure wish I could have talked to his mother.  As we gave the pound cake away and made another for us, he would have loved the fact that I was enjoying my son, even though "I couldn't hear myself thinking."


This is dedicated to my father-in-law who loved life, never took anything too seriously, and loved his family so deeply.  His memory still richly blesses me even after 15 years of his entry into Heaven.  We will see him someday!  This Easter weekend, we will enjoy this 7-Up pound cake and I will walk down memory lane with the two sons that never knew their amazing, loving granddad.

Our Seder/Passover

Our family celebrated  the Seder meal this Passover season, while remembering how Christ fulfilled all that was written in the books of Moses and the Prophets.

I wish I could say we do this every year, but we don't.  I have years that I can only manage three April birthdays and Easter.  I wasn't raised with the knowledge of the Seven Feasts, and therefore, I am still learning.  I began my journey of discovery while home educating my children.

This year, five grown children sat around our table, along with an observant fourteen-year-old and a curious four-year-old.

I labored over the table with the desire to present something beautiful and meaningful for my family.

Adorning the table was silver, fine china, crystal goblets, folded linen napkins, and freshly-polished, silver-and-crystal candlesticks.

Flowers announced the arrival of Spring, while also symbolizing the celebration of Jesus' fulfillment of scripture.  My colorful floral arrangement held roses, lilies and other varieties.  As I started to arrange the flowers, I remembered that Christ has been described as the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.

My husband lead in the reading of the Haggadah. I welcomed the evening with the blessing, while lighting the candles... so much to be taken in, so much to be absorbed.  Would my children understand the significance of all the meanings hidden in our Passover meal?

Our glasses were filled four times throughout the night.  The Seder plate was set before us as we participated in the understanding of the shank bone of the Lamb, the matzah, the bitter herbs, the haroset and karpas.

The Afikoman("that which comes after") was hidden in the house while the four-year-old covered his eyes. He later ventured out between the services to find the hidden Afikoman, a symbol of Jesus' being hidden in the tomb for three days and three nights. 

Such rich meaning in all that was done...the holes in the matzah symbolizing how Jesus was pierced for our transgressions... the brown lines, his stripes and bruising ...and unleavened bread, because He knew no sin. That alone says it all.

The dinner served was prepared by different female hands.  Our time together was precious and, as always, short.  The hope and desire of my heart was that each of them heard what the Lord wanted to speak to them.

We reclined against pillows that were made years before at another shared Seder with precious friends.  A reminder of God's people no longer being in slavery.

Thursday, we will continue our banner on our road to Calvary, the Cross and the Resurrection.  Each day we will continue our readings on the meaning of a Risen Lord.

For now, I put the dishes back in place, set the table for Sunday and reflect on the evening spent trying to pass down to my children truths that are so important in my heart. I also realize that only God blesses our obedience with heart changes... our efforts are but filthy rags. My prayer today is that my obedience will produce a closer walk with the Lord for each of us that reclined at the Passover table.

May you enjoy this season with your family and all the richness it brings.

Give Away....Encouragement/Celebration Pillow

My cottage business - Encouragement/Celebration Pillows will be part of a giveaway.

Living My MoMent Give Away

Check it out...starts April 1st through April 30th

This is the pillow that will be given away.  Baby charms will be added to the front, the back has a pocket for keepsakes, the back is in dot fabric.