Potato Balls Anyone?

My family has so many different holiday traditions that are centered around food I could be here all night long typing about them. About the pea salad that only Aunt Linda makes so well, or the rice dish that we all like but are SOOOO tired of eating every year, or maybe the pigs in the blanket (hamburger and rice stuffed cabbage leaves baked in tomato soup) that only my mom makes because none of my aunts are brave enough to try to tackle the chore. My maternal side of the family is of German and Russian descent and we used to have so many more "traditional" foods that could be directly tied to that culture but unfortunately four years ago my grandma passed away. With her so did many of our favorite foods. But that isn't what this is about. Its about what is still here and with us and how important of a role that food plays in my life as well as those around me.

My stepfather is Norwegian, through and through, and from shopping at the UffDa Shop in downtown Stanwood to eating that nasty fish you would never think otherwise of him. One of the foods that his family has made for years, although a variation from the original recipe from Norway, we eat potato balls. To describe them will make someone think they are  getting ready to eat a big glob of paper mache goo but to experience them is something totally and completely different. Now don't get me wrong, not everyone can get on board with this food (my uncle used to say that he never thought anyone could ruin a potato until he met my dad) but its something that our family LOVES. Whenever there is a special occasion and we are given the choice of what food to make, both my brother and I beg my dad to make these for us. If we are lucky we get them maybe once a year, typically for a birthday dinner. If we're really good kids (kind of like the naughty or nice list) sometimes he will just make them as a surprise for us. Funny how two thirty-something adults can be reduced to little kids again at the mention of my dad making this meal for us.

As for other traditions that are centered around food for me and my family... I would have to say the newest one (that just developed over the last two years) is eating dinner with my parents at least one night a week. It used to be on Wednesday nights but has changed to Tuesdays since I became a student again. Its become so normal for us to have dinner with them at least one week night every week that if something should happen and it doesn't occur, my entire week feels displaced or different. This is so important for all of us because it gives us the opportunity to come together as a family, sit down, have a conversation over a nicely cooked meal (thanks Mom) and focus on nothing but just being a family. My girls absolutely adore Grandma and Grandpa both and this gives them a chance to spend time with them as well. In this world where everything is so crazy and hectic and always on the run (henceforth the need for FAST food) I know that on Tuesday nights, we will eat well, enjoy great company and re-center in order to tackle the rest of the week.

Fast food- where would we be without it, right? My answer- probably at a much more acceptable and healthy weight, probably much richer in the pocket book and probably much more at ease with the way in which my kids are growing up. I would also be stressed out all the time about having to plan meals, constantly applying lotion to my dishpan hands and struggling to do the weekly grocery shopping. We don't eat out frequently but I would call it often (is there really a difference there). At least a couple times a week and thats because we are on our way to a meeting or a practice or on our way back from a meeting or a practice, or I had an especially difficult time coming up with a thesis for my paper so couldn't even begin to think of what to make for dinner. I'm thankful that the Mcdonalds, Burger Kings and Jack in the Boxes of the world are here because they do make life so much more convenient. However, typing this makes me realize that convenience has nothing on sitting down at the table with my daughters and eating a home cooked meal. Funny how fingers running on a keyboard about random thoughts of fast food can make one have an epiphany about the state of their family unit.

So thats my food story, gotta love it, gotta hate it, bottom line - gotta have it! I'm so thankful for the traditions that we have centered around food, even though I can't stand the pea salad and the rice dish makes me gag every year.. I personally wouldn't change a thing (except the fast food thing).

My Chosen Community

Girl Scouting is a community. I am not only a leader of a Girl Scout troop but I am also a registered member of Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA). Girl Scouts/Scouting is a HUGE community with suburbs (our troops) that is growing by the day. Our community (both big and little) is held together by the belief in the Girl Scout Promise and our pledge to live by the Girl Scout law. In essence, all Girl Scouts have agreed to living a life to its fullest with much respect for ourselves and the world around us.

We all share the same idealisms when it comes to how we should be as people in our world, how our girls should grow up and we all treasure the sisterhood that is developed amoung fellow Girl Scouts. Another common interest shared by all of us is the desire to be strong, independent women and girls. By being part of this community it allows us the freedom to express ourselves in a safe environment and receive feedback from positive influences in our lives. I could spend all day identifying what needs are satisfied by being a part of this community but a few of them are happiness, a sense of belonging, acceptance and love.

Unfortunately, when dealing with such a large population (GSUSA) not every single person believes in things the same way. Religious beliefs influence perceptions as well as do cultural differences. Also, too many females trying to work together towards a common goal doesn't always work out as planned as sometimes hormones can have a heavy effect on progress.

As indicated previously, I am a leader of a Girl Scout Troop in Arlington. The girls in our troop are school aged between Kindergarten and Third grade. These girls look up to me and my other leader to guide them not only through the lessons to be taught by Girl Scouting but also to help them with life lessons in general. Through me, these children can learn how to be proud of their accomplishments, accept their failures and be gracious while doing both. Independence is something that is not only learned by watching but also learned by trying. We encourage our girls to believe in themselves and to step outside of the box when it comes to their own ways of thinking.

I was a Girl Scout when I was a little girl and have never ever forgotten the experiences I learned while scouting. Having my own daughters now, this is an amazing opportunity for me to share with them important life skills and lessons without it being a "because I'm the mom and thats how it goes" experience. I think that GSUSA is an amazing community to be part of based on its values and the underlying theme of building strong individuals through this program.

What's in my wallet?

When considering this assignment, I found myself laughing out loud to myself while sitting in an empty room and chuckling several times thereafter throughout the day. Thinking about how I might be identified by the contents of my wallet and purse was certainly an exercise in personal reflection and brought to the forefront of my mind just how much I need to clean out my big purple purse.

Perusing through the articles found in the "magical purple bag" one would see a couple pairs of little girls panties (my two year old is potty training and we do not leave the house without clean panties), a pair of clean shorts (for the same two year old should we have an "accident"), a fabulous purple wallet to match the purple purse and an insane amount of papers. All these papers definitely mean something to me in some regard; however, to a perfect stranger, other than possibly some identifying information such as name and address, these articles would mean nothing. In addition to these items, you would also find several different kinds of lip gloss/chapstick because I just can't seem to find the right one.

My wallet is very simplified and only contains my driver's license, my debit card, my Costco membership card, my checkbook and check register and a few spare pennies that have been picked up out of the couch cushions. One could figure out solely from the contents of my wallet, my name, date of birth, height, weight and what I look like. If someone should feel so inclinded to go through my check register they would determine that Target is my favorite store and that Costco is a close second.

What thoughts might someone have about me when going through my purse and wallet? I truly believe the only answer to that is that I'm a mom, who has a tough time throwing papers away and could use a mini-shredder, and that I certainly can not make up my mind when it comes to lip care products. What they would be missing is the fact that I love to laugh, I live each day to see smiles on my daughters' faces and that I believe I was put on this earth to make a difference. I have amazing friends and family that get me through each and every day with my head held high and give me the strength to wake up and do it all over again tomorrow.

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