Me and The Butter Queen

There's no denying I am a fan.

I own several of her cookbooks (autographed!), one of her sons' cookbooks, lots of the magazines, and I am (at this moment) seriously considering buying some of the dishes she's signed her name to. I just gotta justify putting out the moolah. Apparently, fame ain't cheap.

Yes, friends I am talking about Paula Deen. The one-time small-town Southern cook who now reigns supreme at the Food Network. She came to see me this week, and I just wanted to share my pictures with ya'll.

Here's me. Standing in the FREEZING cold with my tickets, waiting to get in.


Here's a snowflake on my hand, people. I said it was cold. Yes. It SNOWED while we were in line. Snowed.




Here's the "tent" where the event was held. We Army folks love us some tents.



And, here she is. Yes. My pictures are grainy. I need (want) a new camera. That's my hint to Santa. Or the Easter Bunny. Or the Deployment Fairy.


Did ya notice something? She didn't cook. Nope. No food. No stove. No sink. And, to my husband's dismay, no free tastings. She just talked.

At first, I was miffed. (Not as much as the lady behind me... but, that's another story...) I wanted to see some cooking. But, she actually was quite honest and up-front when she told us...

"Ya'll can turn on the TV 4 times a day and see me cooking. I just wanted to come here to talk to ya'll."

And talk we did. A microphone was passed around the audience, and several people asked questions. Food-related and not food-related. And, the butter queen answered them. She was kind-hearted, genuine, and FUNNY. Very funny. Tears-in-ya-eyes funny.

She thanked the soldiers there for their service and sacrifices. She called up a female soldier and congratulated her on receiving the Silver Star. She recognized two widows in the audience who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. She thanked us all over and over again. Such a nice lady.


Oh yeah... her cute little husband came with her, too. He was as funny and entertaining as she was.


It was all over way too soon. Of course, her newest "label" was promoted... Smithfield Hams. There was a giant truck in the parking lot passing out free hams to soldiers who had received vouchers for them. Soldiers who probably wouldn't be able to afford them otherwise.

As she left, we overheard her staff mention that she was running behind schedule to visit "Womack." That means she was on her way to visit our hospital. To see wounded soldiers. Very nice lady indeed.

My Wednesday Sermon

I'm gonna do a little preachin' here, so brace yourselves. Something has been on my mind A LOT lately. And, if you know me at all, there is limited space up there (in my mind). So, the fact that this thought keeps sticking around MUST mean something.


In my Bible study discussion group last week, we were talkin' about Moses. More specifically, the battle between Joshua (with the Israelite army) and the Amalekites. If you get the urge to look it up, it's in Exodus 17, verses 8-13.

When Joshua went into battle, old-man Moses climbed a hill nearby with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses kept his staff raised into the air (to signify GOD's power and leadership), Joshua led the fight. If Moses' arms were to drop, the battle would be won by the Amalekites. A very cool story that gives you a lot to think about.

We spent a long time talking about Aaron and Hur. What great friends they were! Not only did they go and keep Moses company up on that hill; they pulled up a rock and propped Moses up when he got tired! And then... my favorite part... they HELD HIS ARMS UP FOR HIM when he felt like he couldn't go on. One on each side. Can't you just picture it?



"Don't worry, Moses. We're right here beside you. We won't leave until this thing is finished."



Aren't those the kind of friends we all want? Aren't those the kind of friends we all need to BE?

In our discussion, it was said that those we love need to be told we are STILL there for them. Still thinking of them. Still praying for them. Still hoping for the best for them. Even when the "battle" they may be fighting seems to go on and on.

I can't help but think of the people I've told, "Sure! I'll pray for you." And I did. But, somewhere along the way, I stopped. I didn't necessarily forget about them or the problem they were dealing with... I just didn't continue to stand there and help them hold up their arms.

We have friends who are missionaries to Papua New Guinea. Good friends. We would do anything in the world for them. I need to KEEP holding up their arms.




We have friends who are dealing with family problems. I need to keep holding up their arms.

I know someone facing medical problems. I need to keep holding up her arms.

I have friends thinking about adoption,
friends trying to sell a house,
friends concerned about their preteens and teens (and Lord help me, I'm not far behind them!),
friends mourning death,
friends whose husbands are deployed,
friends thinking of changing careers,
and the list goes on and on.

I'll bet your list could, too.






In turn, I want to say thank you to those friends who have stood beside me. To those friends (and family) who have held up my arms in battle. To those friends and family who have stood beside those I love when they were feeling too weak to carry on alone. You may not have realized the depth of what you were accomplishing at the time...

That's the kind of person I want to be. That's the kind of friend I want to be.


"I'm still here... holding up your arms for you."

PS... The Amalekites were defeated... thanks to those arm holding friends.

Glorious

Have I mentioned that I'm glad to be back where the trees do this?





Or that I am thoroughly enjoying walking around in this?





No, I have not had to rake them... yet.
No, I have not had to scrape ice from my windshield... yet.
No, I have not had to get out the flannel sheets... yet.
No, I am not a "hater" o' Summer.
I am just a lover of Seasons.
And this one... I love.

A Little Giraffe Update

For those who have been asking...

My adorable nephew is actually doing lots better. Since a change in his medicine, he's a "new man." He's eating VERY well, and his mommy and daddy seem to be relieved. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers and concern.

How cute can a giraffe be??

A Halloweenie Sort of Week

The "festivities" actually began earlier in the week with our neighborhood's carnival. We had some popcorn, entered a costume contest, hung out with our friends, and stood in a very LONG line for free hot dogs. And then, I dropped mine on the ground.

For the record, that is frustrating.

After standing in a very LONG line and getting your hot dog fixed "just so" with the right amount of chili, mustard, and ketchup... you really do not want to drop it on the ground. Trust me. It's frustrating. Anyway, we all enjoyed ourselves. Especially the kids. And, isn't that what Halloween is all about? (Not me and sad, dirty, grass-covered hot dogs.)

Here's our cutie Harry Potter with his friends, the nurse and the werewolf. (aka... Jeanna's kids, Dori and Bennett)


And here's Harry painting a pumpkin. Wouldn't a spell be easier?


And who knew Harry Potter could dance so well? Go, Harry. Go, Harry.


Again, for the record, I found out later that my friend dropped her hot dog, too! Why does that make me happy?



And then... Halloween day arrived. We thought we'd start the sugar coma a little early by making cookies. Icing COVERED cookies. Because we weren't gonna have any more sweets that day.



Sometimes the waiting is the hardest part...


"Give me candy or I'll put the Imperious Curse on you!"