Spring? I think not!

March 28th. Eight days after the first day of Spring. And Banska Bystrica is three days deep in snow with no visible sign of it stopping any time soon.

 

This is by no means the norm. Slovaks, who are used to snow and cold and the "minor" inconveniences it often brings, are grousing about the weather and the fact that winter has been "too long" already and how the country is being deprived of Spring!

Snow is a mere hiccup in a Slovak's life. Even through severe weather, terrible road conditions and mounds of snow, business goes on as usual, schools continue educating and life moves forward. And trust me, in the six and a half years I've lived here, this winter has by far been the worst I've ever experienced and set records for snow fall and ice, I believe.

 Does the small "ball" at the tips of the branches remind anyone else of cotton blossoms???

This winter's weather has been the kind that would completely shut Texas down and send everyone into a panic. But not so much for a Slovak. Like I said, a mere inconvenience that provides a topic of conversation with friends on the street corner.

But at the same time, I even have to admit this seems a little excessive and I understand the Slovaks voiced opinions. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the fact that it's still cold here as I hate hot weather, but at the same time ... snow? At the end of March? Highly unusual.

But since I can't change it, and it does no good to complain about it with my Slovak neighbors, I'm enjoying watching it fall and collect in the crevices of the tree right outside of my window in the stillness and quiet of this morning.

Game Night Sugar Cookie Cutouts!

Last Saturday I hosted a Game Night at my flat for our youth group. This is the second one I've hosted since Christmas when I hosted the Christmas party for the small group I'm part of at church wherein we spent most of the night playing board games together.

Sugar cookie cutouts with Lemon Glaze

The Game Night is a lot of fun, in my opinion. I'm able to open up my flat for whomever wants to come, provide a comfortable and inviting atmosphere and have an excuse to bake different things. But more than that, I love how the dynamic has been different both times. We've had some of the same people at both events, but also a score of different people as well which changes the mix a little, but in a very positive light. Each person brings their unique personality and vibe into the mix, so it's fun that it's been slightly different each time thus far.

Fish, Chicks, Houses, Hearts, Bunnies and Mushrooms.... a winning spring combination!

 

The first Game Night I made brownies, which are always sure fire winners with many Slovaks as the missionary family I used to work with here in BB laid the foundation for brownie lovers. (Thank you, L!) This past Game Night I decided to make sugar cookie cutouts. (In reality, this mostly was to practice a little for the upcoming wedding of my dearest friend here in Slovakia for whom I'm making cookies for her reception. But also because who doesn't love cute shaped cookies?) Since sugar cookies are plain - hence the fact that you see most shaped sugar cookies frosted with brightly coloured designs - I made a lemon glaze to put on top of mine. Not the fanciest, but I haven't had the courage to play around with coloured icings yet. But regardless, the glaze did the trick and added a nice, subtle flavor to the cookie itself.

Game Night 2, as it was subsequently called, was a success and even included a round robin Dutch Blitz tournament. The cakes, cookies and snacks people brought vanished and the atmosphere was relaxing and fun. Since I'm hoping to make this a monthly thing until I head back to Texas, I am looking forward to the next Game Night in April with anticipation.

I Choose to Celebrate

A few weeks ago, after discovering I can in fact make cupcakes and therefore need not be intimidated by them, I was talking to sister three. We were talking about Lucy, about how much we missed her and loved her. I mentioned wanting to do something special on her birthday to remember her by, something special to celebrate the life she had because it was special and she deserves to be remembered and celebrated. As I talked to my sister, I said that maybe I'd make cupcakes in honor of her. The more we talked about it, the more we both were in agreement that I should. After all, what better way to honor someone than by doing something you love to do and that brings you so much joy in remembrance of him or her.

After getting off the phone I began to mill around with this idea in my head. Would I have the time to actually do it on the day of her birthday? What kind of cupcakes could I make? Would they be plain or frosted? But I knew without a doubt that this was something I had to do, wanted to do and looked forward to with anticipation and excitement.

The day of her birthday, 22 March, I made chocolate cupcakes and found a coconut cream frosting recipe here that sounded promising and for which I had the ingredients available in Slovakia. So I mixed and whipped and stirred and baked all while wearing my new apron and produced divine little cupcakes with which to celebrate the life of Lucy.

It may seem like a silly thing. It may seem like a simple thing. But to me, Lucy's life wasn't simple or silly. It was a life well fought. It was a life that testified Christ to all of us. It was a life that should not be forgotten, or belittled. A life I still miss deeply. A life I still weep over. Lucy was special. Lucy was a gift to our family. And so I choose to celebrate. I choose to make it special. I choose to remember with fondness and love and laughter and tears and smiles and cupcakes.

 I miss you. I celebrate your beautiful life. I love you, Lu.

Happy Birthday, Monkey Baby

Today is Lucy's birthday.

Her life, though brief on this earth, showed what it means to suffer yet be joyful; to be content regardless of situation; to trust without hesitation; and to unconditionally and boundlessly love through actions and not just words.

Lucy was a remarkable little girl. Though she couldn't speak, she ministered to more hearts and lives in her few short years on this earth than most people do in their life time.

Happy would-be 4th Birthday, Lu! I miss you more than I can describe with words and love you even more.

Twelfth Year

I want to wish a very HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY! to my extremely talented, kind, gracious, caring, giving, funny, smart, fun and beautiful niece Abbey today!!!!

I remember when Abbey was born; I remember exactly where I was and what I had been doing when I heard the news. And I distinctly remember bursting into tears upon learning we shared the same middle name and barely being able to hold it together as I called family and friends alike to announce her birth. Alas, they were not tears of joy at the time; no, they were tears of sorrow knowing the very name I held so dear to my heart (she wasn't named after me, but after my mother for whom I was also named) and wanted to bestow upon my own child one day was now bestowed upon another child who was not mine.

But fast forward twelve years and gone are the bitter tears. Gone are the feelings of sadness. It turns out as I grow older, I am not really sure I want to have children of my own; therefore, I am both honored and proud that this delightful girl was given the namesake I (still) hold so dear. I couldn't think of a more fitting person for it, either. Abbey embodies the name well and I couldn't be happier!

Abbey I hope you have a marvelous birthday and enjoy your twelfth year. I am proud to call you my niece and love you to pieces, middle name and all!