Monday, September 07, 2009

Sunday Gratitudes (on a Monday)

A week ago, Sunday, Mr. Wonderful gave each of us a blessing for school. I am grateful for the priesthood he holds. I love listening to the blessing given to children. One was blessed with determination, another was blessed with the desire and ability to include everyone and be a leader to his peers in kindness. A third son was blessed to have better organizational skills. The Love Magnet was blessed that she would understand the social cues of her peers.

In my blessing, I was advised to keep a journal of my experiences at school. I used to be a daily journal keeper for years. Not any more. So today I picked up another journal (The Love Magnet came with me and picked out a blue one). Tonight I start working on making journal writing a habit again. I am grateful for the nudge in the right direction. I used to really enjoy journal writing. My kids love to read entries about themselves.

Over the weekend I made two batches of plum-vanilla jam. There is something in the ritual of making jam. The prepping of the fruit. Using MCP pectin (the pectin that Grandma S insisted was the only brand to use). Ladling hot jam in to hot, sterilized jars. The hot water bath (for the jam - I don't get a hot bath until later!) Hearing that absolutely wonderful soft ping that tells me the jars are sealing as they are lifted out of the canning kettle. This routine was taught to me by my grandma and my mom. Yet again, I am so very grateful for cooking traditions handed down. One batch didn't gel properly (I forgot to add the pectin at the right time and added it after the sugar). It did thicken a little bit and will make great pancake/waffle syrup.

My kids had their first week back at school. I am thankful to be back in a routine.

We had some ward members over for the BYU game. I found another kindred spirit among them. As she put it, we just get each other. Today she brought over her copy of In Defense Of Food by Michael Pollen. I am thankful for her thoughtfulness. I am also thankful for new friends. The Love Magnet and Thirdborn had a great time play with their kids. I am really looking forward to the next game, even though I don't watch football. The guys can watch. We'll talk. (Jen, I'll let you watch the game if you really want to.) Next time I'll take pics of the food and people.

2 comments:

Jenni said...

I think your Sunday Gratitudes are great. I tried doing it a while ago but it didn't last very long.
Thanks for sharing some of your jam with us :)
I look forward to the next game too. while at times I can enjoy a good football game...talking is where its at. Especially if it is with someone who "gets it".

Soozcat said...

I'm also extremely grateful for CM and his willingness to serve others by bearing the priesthood. I remember times we went without the gift of the priesthood in our home for some time after my dad died, although faithful home teachers and other members of our wards in both California and Utah were always on hand to help us.