Fresh Tomatoe Salsa

Once a year, Paul and I plant tomatoes in redwood raised planting beds on our back patio.  This year, we launched a growing contest between ourselves.   Paul selected his favorite varieties to plant: Big Boys.  I chose some interesting tomatoe plants to grow: Pink Girl, Roma, Patio.  At home, we each claimed a planter and sowed our tomatoes into the soil.  We fertilized and watered and tilled the soil while waiting patiently for the first fruit of our labour.  Paul's tomatoes blossomed first, however the first crop was plagued with blossom end rot.  Luckily, this condition disapeared after the first crop and the remainder of the fruit was big and beautiful.  My tomatoes were a little slower to blossom, yet produced some small round and oblong shaped fruits.  While we enjoyed our harvest, we took turns watering and caring for our produce.  What began as a challenge, became a cooperative effort to garden.    
By joining our efforts, we have produced enough tomatoes to enjoy salads, sandwiches, sauces, and salsa's. 
Today, I went into the kitchen loaded with several varieties of homegrown tomatoes, green peppers, onions, jalepenos, cilantro, lime, and seasonings.  With the help of the Cuisinart, I carefully chopped, diced, and mixed our beautiful bounty into a flavorful salsa which our family will definitely enjoy. 
Today, I am thankful for family, rain, and salsa.  Without them, we wouldn't have our wonderful tomatoe harvest to brighten our day!

"Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness."
2 Corinthians 9:10 (NIV)

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time
we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Welcome Home Buster!

We have big news!  Paul and I are proud parents once again.  Are you shocked?  We are the parents of a new "fur baby".  He is an adorable 12 lb. baby boy named "Buster".  He is a perfect compliment to our family and a sweet sidekick to our 105 lb. lovely lady, Bella.

Buster came to us on a blustery, cold day in need of food, warmth, and hugs.  He has since been a great source of comfort and companionship to me.  He is an active little guy who loves to run around the house and play with squeeky tubey toys.  Bella enjoys having a friend and playmate.  She is a very calm and quiet girl who snoozes the day away.  So, having a young little trouble maker in the house makes her day exciting.

Buster is little, but mighty.  He would love nothing more than to rule the food bowl, toy bin, and back yard hunting grounds.  This past weekend, he hunted down a tiny snake and alerted us to its' presence.  Time for some organic snake repellent! 

New Beginnings

With every beginning, there is a previous ending.  Depending on your point of view, endings can be sad or glad.  I choose glad!  Many years ago, an event occured in my life which forever changed the future.  On Friday, April 1st, 2011, what would have otherwise been a day of trickery and playful pranks became a new beginning and an end to an old event.

What happened?  The day began with a closed court preceeding which included myself, my husband, an attorney, a guardian ad litem, and a judge.  After some testimony and consideration, followed by evidence submitted, it was decided that our Son, Kyle, would be adopted by my husband and have a brand new name: Kyle Montgomery Moen. 
As the judge read her verdict, years of weight fell off my shoulders as tears of joy spilled from my eyes.  The significance of a name, and the legacy carried by the name, has been graciously bestowed upon my Son.  He can proceed through life with his head held high and race toward the future with pride.  The sad journey began many years ago is over and we enter a jubilant beginning filled with opportunity!

Does Kyle understand this?  Probably not.  In his teenage angst and chaotic turmoil, he is more concerned with the latest video games, movies, and computer technology.  However, he will understand in due time.  His older brother still remembers the day he changed his name at age 18  and he remembers the joy and pride he felt to have the name of not only his Uncle, but his Pop Pop. 

Names are significant.  They bestow blessings and they may carry cursings.  Names can bestow a legacy of hope or a life of fear. Names given to children by their parents are chosen after much consternation and forethought.  Meaning of names are researched.  Nicknames are considered.  Translations are sought out.  Parents hope that the name they choose will bestow charisma, charm, strength, and many other desirable characteristics upon their offspring.

However, when the meaning changes due to tradgedy or a willful act of deviance by a namegiver, it is in the child's best interest to allow a change, a new beginning.  I am thankful for new beginnings that God gives us.  Salvation is a new beginning and an end too!  It is the end of a former life of sin, sadness, fear, and willful disobedience, and the beginning of a new life in Jesus with joy, strength, and trust to fill our hearts and minds.

I am thankful everyday for God's presence in our lives and His ability to forgive our sins and carry us through life.  In our weakness, He makes of strong and enables us to walk through life trusting in God for our every need.  Thank you God for this new beginning and for your faithfulness in our lives.  Yes, great is God's faithfulness!

Treasured Traditions

     It is once again the holiday season.  We began our season last night by watching one of our favorite Christmas movies: Christmas with the Kranks.  What a fun movie!  The Krank's try to shake things up a bit and break free from their Christmas traditions.  Can this really be done?  You will have to watch the movie and see!
     Tradition is very important to us.  Hubby and I have many traditions that we have continued.  In addition to watching a vast library of Christmas movies, we have traditions of decorating, celebrating, shopping, and of course culinary specials.  Our families have come to look forward to these festive treats.  It just wouldn't be Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's without these special delicacies. 
One of my most favorite recipes came from my Grandma, Paula Clyde Montgomery.  My grandma would prepare Cranberry Fluff every year and my family would travel to West Virginia to share the thanksgiving feast with our extended family.  Grandma passed this traditional recipe on to my Mom, who passed it on to me.  I have in turn passed it on to my Son.  Without our treasured traditions, our holidays would not be the same.
     Cranberry Fluff is so simple to make and has that melt in the mouth kind of goodness that keeps you looking forward to it every year.  This Thanksgiving, we share our recipe with you.  After all, what would a Thanksgiving blog be without food.  Happy Thanksgiving friends!

    Cranberry Fluff

1.     Use the chopping blade of the food processor to grind up 2 cups of raw cranberries

2.     Combine 3 cups of miniature marshmallows and 1 cup of sugar. Stir into the  ground cranberries

3.     Chill the above mixture for several hours

4.    Core and dice 2 cups of apples

5.     Slice into quarters 1 cup of red seedless grapes

6.     Mix the fruit into the chilled sweetened cranberries

7.     Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 cup Cool Whip.

8.     Fold together and Chill

9.     Spoon onto Lettuce leaves to Serve

For Inquiring Minds

Now, for a modern day love story!  In February of 2009, my Mom suffered a heart attack which resulted in her unfortunate demise three weeks later.  It was during Mom's illness that Paul and I became facebook friends.  We posted our comments on this semi-public forum revealing our friendship to friends and family.  When the curiosity could no longer be contained, my dear Aunt Jean wrote me asking to "tell us more about Paul."  This is a copy of the letter I wrote as an answer to her request:

Hi Aunt Jeannie!
More about Paul....Well....I met him 27 years ago at my church while Dad was the Associate Pastor. Paul was a youth worker. When Mom died, Paul started writing me letters on Facebook and we started talking. He has lost his Mom also.
He drove all the way from Charleston, SC to Greenville,SC to take me and Kyle home (Wake Forest, NC) after Kyle and I were involved in a head on collision on the interstate.
Paul is "courting " me.....sending me sweet cards, beautiful flowers, planting plants in my yard, treating my grass/weeds, changing the burned out lightbulbs. He is taking great pleasure in just spoiling me and taking care of me. ETC,ETC,ETC......
I think when Mom went to heaven she went to the pearly gates and said," before I enter there is one unanswered prayer that we need to take care of. I have been praying for God to send someone to love and care for me daughter." So, God searched the world over and sent me Paul!
Paul is so much like my Dad, and treats me so kind and respectfully. It is just like Dad always treated mom.
What a miracle!! What an unexpected surprise in life!
:)
Love you,
Jana

(by Jana Montgomery Moen on Monday, April 6, 2009 at 11:18am)

A few days later on April 17, 2009,  Paul and I were married.  We had a 25 day courtship, planned a wedding, became engaged, and married all in the course of one week.  When you know he is the one, why wait?  Today, Paul is still spoiling me and loving me! Without a doubt, I know that my Godly mothers' prayers were answered.  When God answers the prayer of saints, He answers it precisely and the answer is beautiful.   I am blessed and favored by God !

Happy Birthday X-Ray

November 8, 1895



Today we celebrate the 115th birthday of the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Roentgen.  He was conducting experiments with a Crookes' tube and produced a radiograph of his wife, Bertha's, hand.    These early exposures were reported to take 15 minutes of exposure.  When contrasted with today's exposure time on a hand measured in milliseconds, we can be greatful for all the advances in technology to increase radiation protection. 
We also want to remember Clarence Daly.  He was the first known fatality due to xray exposure.  Clarence worked as an assistant to Thomas Edison.  They repeatedly exposed themselves  to xrays while conducting experiments.  These prolonged, excessive exposures resulted in Daly developing radiation burns, skin carcinomas, amputations, radiation poisoning, and death.  Edison immediately stopped all his experimentation following his colleagues death.  These "radiation martyrs", as well as many others, helped pave the way for our current radiation protection standards. We can thank these men for our safety today!
Happy Birthday X-Ray!!
Jana Montgomery Moen, B.A., R.T.(R), ARRT, ASRT

Bertha Roentgens' Hand

Thirty Years

     Last night in Shelby, NC some of my high school classmates got together for our 30th reunion.  Therefore, today I am dealing with my imminent mortality and age.  Lol.  On one hand, I can't believe it has been 30 years already since high school.  I certainly don't want to admit I am "middle aged".  On the other hand, I CAN believe it has been 30 years since high school.  When I replay the past years, it is amazing that I have done all I have in JUST 30 years. 
     There are two areas of great pride in my life since 1980,  I have given birth to 3 big strapping boys that are now 24 years, 22 years, and 15 years old.  This week on November 11, I will celebrate my oldest Sons' birthday along with mine, he was born on my 25th birthday.  He was the best birthday present ever. My children are definitely my greatest joy in life.  It is true when they say children are under your feet for a while, yet forever on your heart.  I have followed in my parents and grandparents legacy in praying for my children daily.  My deepest heartfelt wish for my children is that they love God and be responsible adults who give of themselves to help others in their community.  I also have the privilege of helping to raise my 8 year old step son.  I have to say, it is nice to have a little one in the house again. 
     Also,  I have earned two college degrees that total up to 7 years of learning.  I worked as an xray technologist for 5 years and have taught radiology for 10 years and counting!  Graduating from xray school ranks up there with one of the most difficult things I have accomplished and one of my proudest achievements. Teaching students brings a lot of joy into my life.  By teaching, I have the opportunity to reach out to many patients through my graduates.  They are able to extend the patient care skills and technical skills that I alone could use to reach only a few patients.
     Of course, there were rough patches along the way.  I have experienced loss, death, divorce, financial strain, sickness, injury.  I have come to expect bumps along the road of life.  Without speed bumps, I would not have slowed down enough to learn the lessons that God was trying to teach me.  Romans 8:28 says "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose."  At times, I didn't see the good in what I went through, yet later I could look back and say , "Thank you God.  You knew what was best for me better than I."  I like the following verse :  1 Peter 1:6-12  ⁶Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  ⁷That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  ⁸Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:  ⁹Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."   One of my dearest friends would say to me, "Your crown in heaven will have lots of jewels.  You won't be able to hold your head up!"  I say to her that your crown will be full too!
     Having good and bad times are good for the soul.  As I look back over the past 30 years, I am thankful for both.  Along with the mountains and valleys of life comes wisdom that that can ONLY be learned by crying through the bad times, laughing through the good times, achieving my goals, and reaching out to give back what I have learned to those around me.  Not everyone will want the benefit of my wisdom and experience.  Hopefully, they will find other mentors along the bumpy path of life who will guide them along the way.  My parents were my mentors and gave me wonderful guidance throughout my childhood and adult life.  I am very thankful for their loving concern and support through the happy and sad times.  They were there for them ALL! 
     The past 30 years have definitely been eventful.  Would I want to turn back the clock and go back to 1980?  No Way!  Today, I am blessed to be married to my wonderful hubby who loves me dearly and  spoils me rotten.  I am very proud to have my two older sons' serving in the military & beginning their careers.  My oldest son is married and I have a granddog and two grandcats.   My hubby and I  have two boys still at home, our dog Bella, and many years of experience under our belts.
     I am looking forward to the next 30 years!
    

 My military men!

 The boys at home!

   My love and I