Random Thoughts and Random Things

 I am not one for a lot of fanfare before getting to recipes when promised, so without further ado, here are few of my family's favorites. I will probably edit to add more. If there is something I have made for you over the holidays that you really like, mention it in the comments, and I will see what can do. King Sized Ginger Snaps 1 cup (plus some for rolling and sprinkling) Granulated Sugar 1 3/4 cup AP Flour 1/2 tsp Salt 1 Tbsp Baking Soda 1 Tbsp Cinnamon 1 Tbsp Ginger 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp ground cloves 1 egg 3/4 cup shortening 1/4 molasses Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until they come together as a homogenous mixture. Roll dough into 1" balls and roll in sugar (I do this on wax paper) Place balls 3" apart on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Gently press balls to about 1/2" thickness with fingers. Sprinkle a little sugar on top. Bake 8-12 minutes, until the cookie is slightly browned and the top is cracking a bit. It...

 These days, using military imagery is a loaded thing. However, I can think of no better image to use when discussing Christian parenting. The most important job any person can do is help children to become good, moral, decent Christian persons. We win some battles and we lose more than we want to admit.  It is so important for us to keep the dialogue about spiritual health going as our children get older. I don't mean we badger them, but we should ask how their spiritual health is just as much as we inquire about their physical, mental, emotional, and intellectual state. I try to do this often with my young adult children.  It is also important to be available and to encourage our children to figure things out on their own. We aren't always going to be there to offer advice, and we shouldn't offer it unsolicited. Some questions have to be wrestled with to form virtues in our lives. I encourage my children to practice virtue and to encourage it in others. They don't alw...