Saturday, December 27, 2008

A Change of Perspective

In case you have some of that eggnog left in your refrigerator and want to whip up some of the eggnog fudge I showed in the previous post..


Eggnog Fudge

2 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup eggnog
2 cups marshmallow cream (7 oz jar)
8 ounces white chocolate, melted and cooled
3/4 teaspoon rum extract
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
3/4 cup chopped maraschino cherry (I omitted the cherries)
butter a 9x9" glass dish
mix sugar, butter and eggnog in sauce pan
boil for 5 minutes
remove from heat
add marshmallow creme, chips, rum extract
stir until smooth
add nuts and or cherries!!
Chill one hour
cut into squares store in fridge.

This is really, really yummy!

So yummy in fact you may skip the chilling stage and just eat it warm with a spoon??

Very little excitement between Christmas and New Years at my house. I was thinking that could be "dead week" like in college right before finals... (you remember??) Kinda dreading taking down the Christmas decorations, but ready for them to be gone.. Don't feel like shopping, certainly don't feel like baking, can't work in the yard, too wet and cold, who wants to clean house, do book work?? Naturally this would be a PERFECT time to use the computer!! Oh wait, it stopped working??? Not that practically new laptop that I love, love, love!!!

Not the computer that has my pictures and programs that have practically become my life's blood... Yes, sadly that is the computer.

I was bemoaning the fact that I had to go in the office and use the OLD relic (did I say reliable) computer? I thought I would check my email and do a post. So... I had an email from my sister-in-law Judy. I had asked her a few months ago to forward me the newsletter she does monthly for St. Vincent de Paul. It had been in the "inbox" for a few days, but I hadn't taken time to read it, since my good computer was out of commission.

Here is a copy of one of the articles she wrote after she visited one of the shelters St. Vincent de Paul supports.

I visited the Eugene Service Station this week, decked out in my reliable cold-weather garb, complete with fingerless gloves and gray stocking cap. At the desk, Ed instructed me to sign in and asked, “Do you want to take a shower?” The Service Station was packed, and people were pressing in, waiting to sign. I scribbled my name and moved on with the flow, aware of curious eyes on this newcomer. Recounted later, that experience garnered some chuckles, especially from the husband who eyeballed my outfit and said that I should have taken the shower. But it was a shock as well, to approach a doorway with every intention of doing my job. step through, and suddenly become one more face in a crowd for whom home and family -- perhaps survival itself -- is the Eugene Service Station. Our lives are full of doorways that represent not only entrances and exits but our daily reactions to inner strengths and frailties, simple luck or the lack thereof, and our reactions to the plights of those around us. The cold weather of late has brought to the fore just how many people really did set out one day to do their job and ultimately found themselves in the crowd at the Eugene Service Station. Going there is easy. You just step through that doorway, and you’re one more homeless adult, deserving of a hot shower, a meal, and a place at the table. Thanks to recent cold-weather donations, there has been survival gear to distribute. While I was there, a couple pulled in with 160 brand-new ponchos, asking only that this unneeded resource from their garage be used to help others. At every turn, St. Vinnie’s asks itself, “Can we do it?” With your generosity, partnership, and concern for the plight of individuals and families, the answer has always been, yes! From a grateful clientele and a staff continuously humbled by your generosity, thank you. -- Judy Hunt, editor


So, as I was saying... never mind about the laptop.

Sometimes I forget to consider how much I take for granted, how I come to expect that every little thing I want, becomes a necessity. Have I mentioned lately how thankful I am for all the wonderful things I have, that are too numerous to list??

Well in case you missed that post, I am!



9 comments:

  1. I sure am thankful for you, Joy!! Lovely post! Miss ya!
    Isabel

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  2. You saved me from having to ask you for that recipe! It looks DIVINE!
    And just what this house needs, more sugar!!!
    Hope you had a wonderful and warm holiday!

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  3. I am going to second Isabel's comment. I too am thankful for you and now for that fudge recipe. Hey, I'm suppose to be dieting in the New Year, I can't be eating fudge. Does it count if I make it before the New Year? Can't wait to get together soon!

    XO,

    Lisa

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  4. It WAS yummy, and I'm not fudging! (I must need a nap). Thank you for your friendship and your warmth and love and encouragement and contagious happiness and laughter.

    Love You Always,
    Sheila

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  5. Howdy Joy! We miss you!! Good thing we will be seeing you soon. Thanks for sending info on the show. :o)

    J & J

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  6. Hi Joy , I love Eggnog , I am sure this would be be favorite and I will eat the whole pan. I am off to email Leslee - just didn't get to it the other day , can you imagine? It was so good talking to you , Sue

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  7. Wow. Wonderful post. Thanks for reminding me that I already have everything I want.

    Happy New Year Joy!
    Tracey

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  8. We've been a little more "reclusive" this Winter... just staying in and enjoying home. I'd forgotten how much a warm home can mean =) Blessings... Polly

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  9. Hi Joy, this is the fat free version right????
    Happy New Year. Julie

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