Wallace & Davis & more!

Oh my goodness - it's Christmastime! I'm ecstatic! The smell of pine, the twinkle lights, Bing in the background. It's not even December 1st and we have already begun the festivities. Mr. Schalk and I are watching White Christmas and becoming more immersed in the sweet spirit of the season with each passing song.


General Waverly you are always a General to me. I vote for White Christmas as best Christmas movie ever. I have a feeling Abigail may agree with me. You're welcome to come up to our neck of the woods to watch with us my dear friend Abigail. Vermont should be beautiful this time of year.

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

If only I could feign illness from work for about 2 weeks and watch all the best Christmas movies while baking gobs of holiday cookies and candies all day. And puppy biscuits for my furry friends.


Alas, I must go to work and make some green for the lovely Christmas presents I plan to buy. I'll have to find some extra time to make cookies and biscuits. I can't wait to share my favorite cookie recipe with you this week. Until then, I will leave you with this interesting thought...

Did you ever wonder what would happen if Wallace and Davis met Wallace and Gromit?




I'm just askin'...

Gobble Gobble Zzzz...

The turkey was cut, the prayers were said, the tryptophan set in. Turkey Day '09 was a success! We are on an every other year schedule so this year's Turkey Day was in beautiful Higgins Lake with Mr. Schalk's family. We had all the regular fixin's complete with full bellies and plenty of laughter.


Yeah, the Spode came out and I was a happy camper. Thanksgiving is really just the prelude to kick off the Christmas season after all. At least, in my little world. The season of love, giving and gratefulness. The season to celebrate Jesus and celebrate this life He has given us to bring Him glory. What better way to celebrate than with Spode and these beauties?!

Seriously, amazing pumpkin ice cream pie with caramel sauce and cranberry ginger pie. I died a little when the pumpkin hit my taste buds. It is "technically" called Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie with Chocolate-Almond Bark and Toffee Sauce. It is technically delicious. Especially with a Nutty Irishman courtesy of Mr. Schalk. He makes the best coffee drinks for his wifey and family.

Yes, please!

Thanksgiving was great even if I forgot to take my annual Turkey Day nap. It was filled with relaxation, great company, yummy eats and Star Trek. You read me. Nathan, God bless his geeky athletic heart, brought it up to watch. It was actually very good and a sweet trade-off for the trek to New Moon we'll be making tonight. Ha, trek and trek...didn't even plan that one. I amuse myself in my own little world.


Mr. Schalk is off to the woods with his parents to cut down the Christmas tree. So, the rest of us are chillin' on our compies listening to season appropriate music.

Adele.

What? Yeah, she is not seasonal in the slightest. I've already been listening to Bing and Dean belt out the Christmas classics and I need a retreat for a while. My little world of British pop and blogging is suiting me just fine. God bless the Christmas season however you chose to celebrate! And God bless you indeed!


xoxo, Rachel & Bonnie :)

Aisle 13...a.k.a. The Butter Post

Normally I avoid aisle 13 at all costs this time of year. Normally I avoid meijer in general this time of year. But I'm not normal. And butter was on sale.

Ahh, the butter sale. Back oh-so-long ago when I was still a newlywed, and didn't just look like one, I read something about butter. It was during the three month jobless penniless bliss where I stayed home and fell in love with the Food Network. But that's another story.


Somewhere among those days I read/heard/saw something that said it is a good idea to buy quality brand butter. The better the butter (say that three times fast) the better the recipes turn out. I'm sold. As butter can be pricey they suggested keeping an eye out for sales on the good stuff. For some reason that idea stuck..sticked...stook...whatever.

Since you can freeze butter for up to 4 months why not stock up when it's on sale? I know genius, right? I tell everyone that matters to me. "For your well being, pocket book and hips, buy quality butter on sale!" They don't seem to get as excited as I do. I still love them, but they won't be getting my signature butter winter scape in their stockings. Their buttery loss.

Believe it.

So I did it. I went to aisle 13. The baking aisle. It was crazy! Don't go to aisle 13 two days before Thanksgiving if you value your sanity. Or your big toe. But if you need a break and have four thousand extra years to spare waiting to get to the cake mixes then go. Go and be bold! Be Courageous! Be FESTIVE!

Butter is bold. Cuppie is in awe.

Then when you go to checkout with your chocolate cake mix, butterscotch pudding and butter you can smile at the savings you've earned and the sense of accomplishment felt from surviving the walk down aisle 13.

And you'll actually smile when the grandpa with a cart FULL of thanksgiving delicacies apologizes to the twenty-something girl with two items that he cut in front of. Because the twenty something will be full of festive cheer and grace and tell him it's okay. She'll take the checkout beside him that yours truly is finishing up on. Then you two twenty-something ladies will exchange smiles knowing you both think he is a precious grampy man. And you'll walk away from over crowded meijer with it's insane aisle 13 full of love. Because that is the beauty of the holidays, grampies and my hormones.

The end.

No butter was harmed, or wasted, in the creation of this post. I mean seriously, it's ME we're talking about here. Waste butter? I'd rather lose my big toe in Aisle 13.

Cake, garlands and a giveaway!

Wow, is anyone else thinking this year is wrapping up fast!? Halloween came and went without so much as one recap. Oops. I've been so lame in posting these past couple weeks. The holidays are fast approaching the overwhelming stage and some nights have called for more R&R than usual. Do you feel me on that one? I've been repeating 1 Peter 5:7 over and over in my head ("Cast your anxiety on Him [God] because He cares for you") and it's definitely helped me relax. Sometimes, it's all I can do to keep my head above water. Yet, the weekends have been filled with great fun. Like last week's partay a la Carroll County and tonight's IMAX Scrooge fest. Get your holiday slippers on - 'tis the season for FUN!

The above collage is a recap of Halloween weekend. It now feels like months and months since that super fun evening. It's really been just a few weeks, right? Do you see that mouth watering cake? You guessed it. Another amazing creation from Classic Cakes. Mi mama requested a fall cake with free reign on their part, and this is what they delivered. Amazing! The sweetest littlest fall cake you ever laid eyes and taste buds on. Halloween was fantastic. Carved pumpkins in the windows compliments of Mr. Schalk. My sweet mama and Breezy hanging out and lots of adorable kiddies in costumes of all shapes and themes. What a great weekend!

Now, it is fast approaching Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are already thinking about Christmas trees, garlands and treats galore. Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving ore Christmas treat you like to make? I've got a couple things up my sleeves. I'm really excited to share them with you.




I've been completely and fantastically distracted with your blogs lately. I read and read and dreamed and dreamed. It's so stimulating and way better than laundry! Thank you for your sweet giveaways and lovely ideas. I am constantly impressed and inspired by all your creativity!

A very sweet and super generous giveaway is on A Year from Oak Cottage right now. You should definitely enter. Click her blog to take you right to the giveaway. Marie's Christmas prints are especially delightful. I would love to win one! It would be sweet if you won, too. Someone has got to win so it might as well be one of us. Dontcha think?

Get in the Spirit and remember that Jesus loves you! That's why we celebrate!


Thanks for sticking with me! Have a wonderful Saturday!

xoxo, Rachel

we interrupt this regularly scheduled blog...

Hi everyone - it's me, Bonnie! My mama has been a little remiss posting lately, so I thought I'd jump in and say "hi." She is getting ready for work, and I'm about to have the house all to myself for the day. PARTAY!!!!

Yes, my plans include sleeping, sleeping, playing with my ball, saying hi to mama at lunch, sleeping, eating and zzzzzzz. I'm getting tired just thinking about my busy day!

Mama says she is going to write real posts soon complete with new pictures and fun ideas. I will try and distract her from this endeavor to play fetch and run in the yard. Only time will tell if I succeed!

If you don't see mama for a bit it's because I've stolen her for a mad game of fetch the stick in the yard. It's crazy fun! But then again, so is blogging for my mama. She says it's especially inspiring when drooling about Dottie Angel garlands and Christmas parties. I just hope she gets inspired to make some pup biscuits. Yum!

Enjoy your Thursdays everyone. Thanks for reading my mama's blog!

Over and out from your favorite pup!

xoxo,
Bonnie

Carroll County

It's a quiet night in Carroll County. Not my current county of residency, but one I called home for a very formidable part of my life - my childhood. Mr. Schalk and I spent a lovely evening with friends - most of which I've know for at least two decades of my 27 years. Great food and tons of laughter made the evening quite enjoyable. The Duff's fall parties always equal a good time!

Now it's quiet, except for Eric Clapton belting out Mr. Johnson tunes, and I am reflective. Thinking of my dear friends. I'm sure you would agree that friendships often go through seasons. Some seasons cause friendships to wane and others cause them to grow. Friendships can change with schedules and just plain life. I often stop to thank God that these friendships have not just lasted but seem to be getting deeper despite the business of the day-to-day. I would love to sit and have days on end filled with tea and catching up with the girls, but that is not my current luxury. Yet.


I praise God for my blessed life. He is faithful and hears my heart's desire for deep friendships. I may not be able to spend as much time as I would like with them, but I do get to see them often. The blessing is in the longevity and sincerity of these friendships. God is working on my heart to get my priorities lined up to His will. Priorities like seeing my Carroll County girls more often. Through growing up, marriages, babies, and moves my friends are still a huge part of my life. My rocks, my friends who "knew me when." There is a sweetness in hearing old stories and knowing that you weren't the only one who grew up in Carroll County. Such beautiful women, mature and kind. They are honest and real.


People's character is not built on the place they were born but on the choices they make and the people that touch their lives. There was a time that I thought I would not reflect anything that my hometown gave me. I was small minded and could not see the value in my upbringing. I knew the value in my family. I respected the lessons they taught me, and the freedom they gave me to choose my destiny and follow God's nudging. However, there was certainly a time that I could not take the corn fields and sweet souls that my life had been blessed with and truly see the amazing value in them. These days, I am blessed with a deep seated respect for the abundance of laughter and innocence that my upbringing granted me. A joy that was pure and honest. In seeing value in the farmer's work and respecting people for being different.


All this to say that I adore my friends. Especially the ones who still invite me to their fall parties and laugh at my goofiness. One of the few places I can declare that I am "weird" and still feel accepted. I hope to see you all again very soon!

xoxo,
Rachel

a last glimpse of autumn

The air is getting chilly and the holiday decorations have begun popping up in store windows. As much as I am anticipating Christmas this year, I must not get ahead of myself. It's still golden outside! How does the season look in your area? Pretty as punch? Our leaves are falling rapidly, but there are still beauties out there. Red, orange and golden leaves glistening in the sunlight God has blessed us with lately.


Thank you Mr. Schalk for the lovely fall photos! Have a blessed evening friends!

Let's hear it for Danny Kaye!

This is my blessed family. They are crazy and lovely and artsy. Unique in their own ways. There is my tree hugging daddy, Mr. Ed, and my sweet Mama. She loves her family with her whole heart and is a true artist. She's the best mama in the whole world - generous and kind. Hugs and kisses fly up in the air when I think about her. Then there is my favorite only sister, The Liz. She is a GOOF! A hilarious, business saavy, doughnut connoisseur goofball. I adore my big Sis, and still look up to her. Her hubby is pretty great, too. Gavin is a techy, Paris lovin' bro-in-law who knows how to have fun! I wish they lived closer, but visiting them in the Windy City is always a treat. Oh, and we mustn't forget Mr. Schalk. He is wild at heart for sure!

Sigh...my quirky family.

Hobbies range from fly fishing to vintage shopping to cupcake tasting. Which brings me to the one lasting similarity that ALWAYS brings us together.


No, it's not our common love for White Christmas. Although, that is strong. But who doesn't adore Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and the gang? It's just not the Season without them belting out "Sisters" in their blue feather get ups. Yeah, Christmas must have been a drag pre-1954.

No, my friends. What I'm getting at is that we all share an extreme love and appreciation for the culinary delights!

Yep, that's The Liz up top showcasing her First Prize Snowman pops! This is the epitome of The Liz. I was so proud of her last Christmas! She's the one who shared with me the fantabulous Blueberry Zucchini Bread recipe. The one that Mr. Schalk went yum over. Bottom left of the top photo montage (did you get all that?) are some garden fresh veggies getting ready to become my Mama's famous pot roast. Oh dang, it's good. She is the only person in the WORLD that I know who still uses a pressure cooker, but it's perfect every time. She rocks the pressure cooker!

The Rhine girls love our sweets!

Oh, and our pups. We all love our pups, too!


Precious Maddy face!



Brother Poley showin' off the Pup Snuggie (not really, but it would be cool if it was one. I saw them in Petsmart the other day. What the heck? Pup Snuggie...really?) ANYWAY, Poley is a doll face, too!



Breezy! Bonnie's half-sister (can you guess which half) and a Bobcat lovin' Bichon.



Our girl Bonnie! Dreamin' of biscuits and a brother. xoxo puppy dear!

a joyous day

Do you remember a time when you felt pure joy? Unexplainable, unabashed joy? Or maybe it was explainable? Maybe you had a happening occur that fully justified your joy. Those are wonderful moments to hold dear to your heart. But what about those moments that are everyday? What about the moments that feel anything but joyous? How do we find joy in being a servant? In plugging away, day by day, without no real sense of success? God has been tugging on my heart with verses like these lately:

Jeremiah 9:23-24

This is what the LORD says:

"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom

or the strong man boast of his strength

or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:

that he understands and knows me,

that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,

justice and righteousness on earth,

for in these I delight,"

declares the LORD.

(Also, referred to in 1 Corinthians 1:31 and 10:16)

Remember in the Chronicles of Narnia when Aslan (the Christ character) tells one of the children that he will only reveal that child’s purpose to him? The child (I can’t remember which one, let’s say Lucy) wants to know what happened to someone else. But Aslan won’t tell her. Because that is not her story. It is not for us to know the why or reasons God acts the way he does in other people’s lives. We are only called to love others. God takes care of them and He will take care of us. I get so easily frustrated these days. My hot head needs to relax. Yet, as hard as I try to talk myself out of my bad attitude, I find true peace and joy in God’s word alone. His voice in my ear and in my heart. Reminding me I am His. I am his joy, his delight, his purpose. That is the only source of true calm I know.

He has a unique plan for each of us. I just have to remember that it is unique and valid in that it is God’s will. I must remember to take the rock around the mountain. Meaning, to do God’s will despite what man calls out to me. I’m so easily distracted. Focus, Rachel, focus on the goal at hand. To be a light of Jesus’ love to everyone I meet. Doing this in the unique way my God has set for me. He plans my course. My Jesus, my Savior, my delight. That is where true joy lies.

Amen.

Anthro dreams

Have you been to Anthropologie lately? I haven’t, but I’ve been drooling over their catalogs and website. It’s dangerous to step foot into that little shop of paradise. I get caught up in the sweetness of it all. Flowers, dresses, a little cottage of loveliness. I wish the price tags were a bit lovelier. Oh well, it adds to the air of wistfulness. I wistfully wish I could afford all the beautiful cardigans, dresses and aprons in Anthro. Did you know you can download the images from their website? I love it! The above picture is NOT from me. Unlike 98.896% of the other photos on this site that actually are from me, this one is from Anthropologie. I didn't take it, but I took it. As in, I downloaded when they asked if I wanted to. Now it's mine for the drooling.

A fun little activity when you should be cleaning, but somehow got your bum permanently stuck to the sofa. How did that happen?