It is time once again for a Thing Post, which simply means I feature a whole bunch of things that don’t make up a post by themselves but are still worth sharing.
There are young ‘uns amongst us!
This year our church has gained a 25-year old youth/outreach pastor, Clinton, his 23-year old wife, Adrianne, and a 20-year old worship leader, Itsel.
They have been an incredible addition to our largely over-50’s church as we have become intentional about engaging with and appealing to a younger generation
But one thing not so incredible?
I feel OLD when I am around them. Like really, really, really OLD. Like ancient-er than Moses old and big sister-ish to Methuselah-old
That old.
It’s funny. They will make cultural references Steve and I don’t get and in turn, we will make references that they don’t get. (Mainly because they weren’t even born yet when whatever we are referring to happened.) We are very near old enough to be their grandparents.
The experience of building a team with folks so much younger has been exhilarating, challenging, and enriching as we embark on a journey of bringing generations together and being reminded that we have so much we can learn from each other.
Clinton, Adrianne, and Itsel bring excitement, new ideas and fresh vision. Steve and I bring Ben Gay, denture cream and prune juice. Er, I mean, we bring wisdom, and experience, and a truck load of diplomas from the School of Hard Knocks.
A match made in heaven.
The oldsters . . .
and the youngsters.
Bottom line? If we are unable to learn from the generations around us–either those before or those after–we are robbing ourselves of the richest of resources. It is such a treasure for all of us to be willing to learn from those who inhabit decades we’ve already left or decades we haven’t yet reached.
Another example: Last week we had some people over for an informal dinner before our Wednesday night classes. As we were sitting around the table talking we realized we had present at least one person born in each of the following decades: 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and 2008. Six decades represented! Laughter and learning and interacting is made so much richer by that wonderful spread of ages.
Since we’re on the subject of the younger generation, take a gander at these guys!
Doesn’t Grayson look just like a darling, elderly man?
I love this collage that Meagan posted titled, “Who wore it better?” Noah is on the left, Grayson is on the right.
A few more pictures from my darling daughter-in-law featuring her darling family.
Ever feel like making a fancy-ish dessert in 6 minutes?
All you have to do is buy a Pepperidge Farm chocolate layer cake. (If they’re on sale; buy a couple since they can be kept in freezer a while.)
Cut the cake in small-sized pieces; it’s easier to cut the cake when it’s still partially frozen. Sprinkle pieces with whatever delectable culinary decor you have on hand: pecans, almonds, mini chocolate chips, a dusting of powdered sugar, etc.
Arrange the pieces on some sort of platter and cart it off to wherever you’re going, mopping your brow a little to make it look like you have labored over a hot stove all day.
Speaking of food, my family calls me the Queen of Leftovers because I am always determined to use up every drib and drab possible. (I learned my frugal cooking habits from my amazing Mom who fed six children on a miniscule budget and always made us feel like we had more than enough,)
One of my favorite tricks is to throw bits of leftover meat into a baggie (steak, roast, chicken, sausage, whatever) and stick it in the freezer. Those small portions may not be enough for a meal by themselves but it won’t take long before you can defrost your little collection and turn it into a delectable meal of meat and cheese tortillas.
You can add grilled onion or peppers, garlic, spices, salsa, whatever you like–make it your own! Another way to use the meat is to add it to a rice pilaf prepared from a box mix.
(Note: This would probably this would be best as a meal served to your family and not guests since the food was already on someone’s plate.)
Which brings me to another thought also taught me by my mom: if you get a piece of meat or a dessert that seems a bit large, always cut the piece in half before you start eating. That way, if you do decide you want the whole thing, just keep on eating! But if you end up being too full to continue, the second half is still “untouched by human hands,” as Steve likes to say.
On the subject of leftovers, recently I went with some friends to a wonderful family owned restaurant that has been in business for 30 years; it’s called the Thai Room.
This is what I had left after the meal. There wasn’t much meat; just a couple of pieces of chicken and two shrimp my friend gave me to sample from her meal.
The next night I sautéed some onion and carrots and garlic for a few minutes . . .
and then added the leftovers and a cut up chicken breast I had in the freezer.
An absolutely delicious dinner for two! (Okay. Now I’m hungry.)
And since I am already hungry, I’ll carry on the food talk a little more.
Sarah made this dish for us before she went back to school. It was delicious just the way it was although we both agreed that it would be better to cut up the meatballs in smaller pieces and incorporate them more into the dish. (Although it’s more dramatic looking with the meatballs on top so it’s up to you if you want incorporated meatballs or dramatic meatballs.)
Steve got this gift a few months ago (for Father’s Day) but I forgot to mention it. Nathan went to great lengths to find this wooden bowl and have it engraved for Steve. (By the way, the t-shirt also came from Nathan and Meagan a couple of years ago.)
The bowl says, ‘Best Pop Ever” on the top and on the bottom it says, No, I’m serious! None are “butter!” (“No I’m serious” is one of Steve’s famous phrases that we kid him about.)
Every time Steve uses it, he is reminded of how much he is loved.
And on the subject of popcorn, this is a gift that our good blog friend, Fred, recently sent to Steve. Steve absolutely loves it. The bowl collapses flat for storage, can go in the dishwasher, and pops corn in the microwave, with or without oil. It’s much cheaper and healthier than buying the bags of microwave popcorn. (You can find it on Amazon.)
We are grateful this week that Steve’s dad, Ken, is doing well after a rough patch of road.
Two weeks ago, he fell and got a big gash on the back of his head. He had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. In the days following, he started experiencing a lot of heart pain and was finally taken back to the hospital for observation.
He and Vernie had been told three years ago that it would not be possible for him to ever have any more stents placed; however, the doctor said he would do a catheterization just to look around. Once he got in there, he realized a stent would actually work so he went ahead and placed one while he was in there.
Ken is doing great and has had no more heart pain since then!
Once Steve heard they would be doing the heart procedure, he took off for Charlotte. for a couple of days. He was on hand to act as chauffeur in getting his parents home from the hospital. (Vernie doesn’t usually need a wheelchair but has been having some hip issues so a wheelchair made the long hospital hallways more doable.)
Love these sweet folks who are wholly responsible for the amazing man I married.
Before Steve came back home the next day, he and his parents, brothers, and nephew went out for dinner. We are all so thankful for good medicine and good doctors and the great results that Ken has experienced.
Family is a treasure!
And since I started on the subject of generations, I will close on the same subject. In the picture above is a span of 5 1/2 decades. Connections that stay true for half a century and more are a great gift. I am so thankful all those who have have gone before and all those who are coming behind. (Even though they DO make me feel old!)
What about you? What do you enjoy most about spending time with generations other than your own?
What wonderful about Ken!
Sarah’s meatball dish looks yummy, I may have to give it a try.
Your “talk” of generations, especially at your church, reminds me of one of Sophie Hudson’s (aka BooMama on her blog) books. If you haven’t read it,I think you would really enjoy her book Giddy Up Eunice.
Your “Thing” posts are always enjoyable!
Sue Ellen,
I have read Sophie’s blog in the past and really enjoyed it. Thanks for the heads up on her book; Giddy Up Eunice is a great title! 🙂
I may have to check that microwave popcorn thing out for my dad. I remember as a kid having popcorn and pop for Sunday dinner/supper and watching Wonderful World of Disney – talk about a reference that most people under the age of 50 wouldn’t get.
You certainly can tell that Noah and Grayson are brothers.
Our youth pastor gave a report in church last Sunday, our church year ends August 31st so we heard reports from all the ministries in August. He mentioned that the kids in Generation Z are the most unchurched in history – or something to that effect. Kudos to your church for recognizing that and trying to bring more young folks in. They are the future of all churches.
Phyllis,
Yes, I remember Wonderful World of Disney! You can tell I’m over 50!
You’re right about Generation Z; they are dropping out of church in larger and larger numbers. We want to do everything we can to show them that faith is still relevant to their lives.
I forgot to say that I’ve been enjoying the various fonts for your smithellaneous header. I’ve liked every one so far! ?
Love, Deb
Deb, thanks!
Since I don’t have real money to pay a real designer, I just mess around with different ideas for the fun of it. Thanks for noticing it!
Your grandchildren are adorable! With their white blond hair they remind me of Nathan when he was little!
My home is home to 1955, 1989, and 2010. I LOVE it! Not too long ago my grandson was telling me about something that “happened a long time ago. Like a realllly long time ago, Nona …1974!” When I told him I was 19 years old in 1974, I thought he was going to fall over. He looked at me like I was fragile and ready to drop dead!! It’s so much fun in a multigenerational home 🙂
Guerrina,
It’s funny–you’re one of my few readers who actually met Nathan back when he was little.
You have definitely got some Generational Joy going on at your house. I loved your grandson lines about 1974 being a LONG TIME ago. Nothin’ like making you feel old!
Lots of great ‘things’ and the pictures are so fun to look at. There is no mistake about who all three of those adorable children belong to! Wow!
I love to visit with older folks. They are just so interesting, have so much knowledge and experience and always have great stories and advice! 🙂
Lee Anne,
I agree. Older folks tell the BEST stories and they provide us a window into a world we will never see with our own eyes. It is such a treasure to listen to them remember. When I listen to them, I think that the day will come when I will be the one telling my own stories about “way back in 2018!” 🙂
Just love reading your “thing” posts. Those grandbabies of yours are adorable, but the boys sure don’t look alike in the picture. The food looks fabulous. My mom too could make a meal out of nothing and we all had enough, there were 7 of us kids plus mom and dad 🙂 So glad your father in law is doing better. It’s hard when they have health problems as they get older and more frail and fragile.
I used to work in a nursing home and Absolutley loved visiting with the residents with all the stories they would tell of years past.
Wendy,
Seven kids is a lot of mouths to feed! Kudos to your mom for creating large meals out of nothing and, if she was anything like my mom, making it seem like it was no big deal. Nowadays, cooking for six people can seem like a lot!
Working in a nursing home, I bet you heard all SORTS of interesting stories!
I always love your “thing posts”. So much to read and enjoy. Those little grand kids you have sure are cute!
I work at a hearing aid center, so we deal mostly with older people. I just love to listen to their stories. For some reason, North Dakota produced a lot of long living people 80-100 years ago. We have many patients that are in their 80’s and 90’s that still live in their own home and drive a car. We even have a couple dozen patients in their 100’s. We think that it’s because of the cold in the winter and the fact that they all lived farming lives…living off what you could and having to work hard.
In fact, one of the oldest living people in America is right here is North Dakota. When we fit her with hearing aids, she had great stories of when she was a teacher; even remembering some of her students. She told us of her adventures with her friends in the summer when they would rent a car and drive along one coast or another.
By the way, that meatball casserole looks delish! I’ll have to try it sometime.
Have a blessed week!
Krista,
I think that makes perfect sense that a rugged environment would produce rugged people. And they had to be so self-sufficient back in those days! They couldn’t just run to the corner grocery or pick up the phone and dial 911. I admire all the people from those early generations but especially the ones who lived in those frigid, snowy environments.
How great you got to fit that lady with hearing aids. She must have been quite the adventuress, driving along the coast as a woman. I would imagine that back in those days, that was a little unusual. Kudos to her and all her cohorts!
Great post, you oldster you! 🙂 I think it’s so necessary for the generations to interact–much benefit for all. Sounds like you have a great team going there.
Loved all the pictures of various beloved faces. And you always have such good ideas for meals–thanks for sharing!
So glad Ken is doing ok. Love to all!
Deb
Deb,
Yep. An oldster I are. 🙂
And yes, interacting generations is a wonderful thing despite the rather elderly-ish feeling that sweeps over me from time to time.
Wonderful. The pictures are great as the stories. You truly make reading a pleasure.
Ann,
Thank you. You are so sweet to say that!
Another fine post. BTW, you have two sixes.
Steve,
I have undone a six and added a seven.
The numbers are now all lined up and happy!