Merry Christmas and all that Jazz...

I wish to start out by wishing all that read this a Merry Christmas...

I choose to say Merry Christmas during this time of year, because it has always been Merry Christmas to me. All my life it's been Merry Christmas. I knew nothing but Merry Christmas until I got older and then I noticed that others were saying other things such as Happy Holidays. During my pre-Christian days I was fine with either. Now, as a Christian, I still am.

I believe this season is about me celebrating my Lord and Saviour.

However, I also believe that I should be celebrating Him and what he did for me everyday of the year. Christmas and Easter should not be the only days Christians acknowledge the One that gave His life for them. That being said, who am I to be telling others what they should be doing or what they should believe during this time?

No need to answer. It's not my job, my mission or my destiny to tell others what to believe.

I believe the Bible is my handbook and it tells me how I should live. It does not tell me that I should tell others how to live their lives. I should be a witness for my Lord. My life should be an example of what Jesus has done for me. There should be no need to preach to others about what I believe, they should be able to see it in how I live my life.

So Merry Christmas to all...

and if you prefer...

Happy Holidays...

Off The Menu

I present a word of warning for those of you that plan on inviting the Mrs. and me out to dinner and have a tendency to get embarrassed by the action of others.

The Mrs. orders off the menu...

Having been with my lovely bride for over fifteen years I have yet to see a menu that she doesn't deem worth of tweaking. The type of restaurant does not matter. Italian, Chinese, Indian, fast food, slow food, vegetarian and even vegan. No cuisine is safe from her adjustments. Some major (cream sauce for red), some minor (pine nuts for mushrooms), but these changes are necessary. Chefs have taken years to perfect these dishes. However, my wife has the uncanny ability to make them even better.

I believe this is genetic, yet I lack the funds to have any scientific study take place.

Anyone know where I can get a grant?

That being said... I am her equal opposite...

I do the same thing at home.

No "all in one" meal is safe. I will add anything and everything to Hamburger Helper, Chunky Soup or any other heat and eat dinner. The reason of this post (other than getting an invitation to dinner) is to let you in on one of my favorite adjustments.
It is my favorite food of all time...

Macaroni and Cheese...

Start with 2 boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese... Yes, it has to be Kraft and it must be the original... Not spirals, Sponge Bob, white cheddar or any other kind of Kraft... Has to be the "Cheesiest." I have tried using generic and the final product is just not the same.

Cook macaroni to desired taste and drain.
Add 1 stick of butter and delicious cheese packets and milk.
I do not measure the milk. I just add until it seems right. However, I am cautious about adding too much. After all, it is easier to add than remove...
Mix together over low heat...
Now for the kicker...
Add 1 bag of 8oz shredded cheese. Not just any cheese... It must be of the Mexican variety... The one with 4 different cheeses... There is no restriction on this cheese, it can be any brand (although, the Kraft brand makes the mac & cheese extra smooth).

No need to thank me as I have already received your thanks in advance...

While typing this post I remembered an unusual thing about the Mrs.'s off the menu affliction and must amend the above. It seems the more expensive the restaurant, the less likely she is to make adjustments. So any invitations should be to really expensive places...

To save you the embarrassment, that is...

Maps Are Good

A few years ago the Mrs. and I were in Atlanta with her brother and his wife. My brother-in-law was driving, I was riding shotgun and the ladies taking the chauffeured positions in the back. We left an event and being unfamiliar with the area we got lost. The area we were in did not seem to be the friendliest and there was a consensus not to stop and get directions. No need to worry though, we had a map in the glove compartment.

Now I do not wish to boast on myself, but I have mad skills where map reading is concerned. I also do well with blueprints and schematics, but that's another story. Anyway, I locate some street signs and determine from the map the direction we need to go in order to get to our desired location. I relayed this information to the driver. Problem solved...

Not so fast. My sister-in-law determined that the directions I gave were not in our best interest. She believed that going in a different direction was better. How did she know? Did she have personal knowledge of the area? Did she have a map? Did she have some information of which we were not aware? So many questions and frankly answers to none.

My brother-in-law is now in the hot seat. He has to make a decision that is going to affect/effect (I type you decide) our immediate future. Should he take the information that is on the map as reliable and choose to follow its direction or does he listen to what his wife believes. Sadly, he's screwed either way. To make a long story short, I put the map away and we drove around for about another hour before making it back to our hotel.

Before you start laughing at my brother-in-law you must know that I was in that driver's seat for most of my life. Not literally, but figuratively...

I was taking direction from the world on how I should live my life and not from the one who created me and life itself. This decision had me driving around in circles and getting nowhere. My God provided a map for me and I chose to ignore it for many a year. His map for me and direction for my life is in His Word, the Bible. Thankfully, his patience for me knows no ends and he was there when I finally asked for help.

I've been following his directions for over 1o years now and have arrived at a number of destinations that He prepared for me. Those destinations include...

Peace... Love... Joy...

I'm grateful He has more for me and with His help I won't miss a single turn.