Quote Worthy

I am enjoying a Beth Moore Bible study on the book of Esther called" It's Tough Being a Woman". I am only 4 chapters into it but it is EXCELLENT. This past weeks section was called: It's hard being a woman in the tight fist of fear. More than any command in the Bible this one is repeated over and over and over again: Do NOT be afraid.

Beth talked about her own fears and how God challenged her to do "the what if game" with it, all the way through. Her greatest fear was: what if my husband leaves me for a younger woman? What if she is really cute? What if my kid's all adore her? ~So, she thinks this though and decided that she would be angry, crushed, broken, a mess. But. Then after a time...that she would get back on her feet again and live. That fear lost it's grip on her and she doesn't struggle with it anymore. She encouraged us to wrote down and fill in the blanks: If ________, then __________. She said, get to the point that no matter what you write down in that first blank, in the second one write GOD! (ie. If my child dies, then GOD!)

God is bigger than even the very big stuff we face in life.

Beth says: "There is no denial in courage. If your Dr. tells you that you have Cancer and you pretend that you don't have it, then that is denial and foolish! Courage is when you look fat in the face of that "cancer" and do not deny it but you deny it's VICTORY over you!"

Just a reminder...

...You are loved. And someone is singing you a song...

Amazed 

Jared Anderson

Cookies

I treated my self to a quiet walk downtown to G.T. Boutique (tee-hee) to shop for the kid's stocking stuffers when I spotted a little bag of coloured chocolate chips.

If you like shortbread or buttery cookies and chocolate too, then these cookies are for you. What a sweet buttery treat! Recipe for Double Chocolate Chip cookies found here.

It's been a long time since I pulled out the good camera and had some fun with it. *sigh* Made for a happy day...

I am an Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging kind of gal...what are you?

Take your own quiz: HERE!

Here is what "they" said about me. It is scary accurate. The jobs they recommended to me are: Social work, Education, Counseling, Librarian, Law, Early Childhood Education, Psychology (Psychotherapist), Art and Science.

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Beneath the quiet exterior, INFJs hold deep convictions about the weightier matters of life. Those who are activists -- INFJs gravitate toward such a role -- are there for the cause, not for personal glory or political power.

INFJs are champions of the oppressed and downtrodden. They often are found in the wake of an emergency, rescuing those who are in acute distress. INFJs may fantasize about getting revenge on those who victimize the defenseless. The concept of 'poetic justice' is appealing to the INFJ.

"There's something rotten in Denmark." Accurately suspicious about others' motives, INFJs are not easily led. These are the people that you can rarely fool any of the time. Though affable and sympathetic to most, INFJs are selective about their friends. Such a friendship is a symbiotic bond that transcends mere words.

INFJs have a knack for fluency in language and facility in communication. In addition, nonverbal sensitivity enables the INFJ to know and be known by others intimately.

Writing, counseling, public service and even politics are areas where INFJs frequently find their niche.

Functional Analysis:

Introverted iNtuition

Introverted intuitives, INFJs enjoy a greater clarity of perception of inner, unconscious processes than all but their INTJ cousins. Just as SP types commune with the object and "live in the here and now" of the physical world, INFJs readily grasp the hidden psychological stimuli behind the more observable dynamics of behavior and affect. Their amazing ability to deduce the inner workings of the mind, will and emotions of others gives INFJs their reputation as prophets and seers. Unlike the confining, routinizing nature of introverted sensing, introverted intuition frees this type to act insightfully and spontaneously as unique solutions arise on an event by event basis.

Extraverted Feeling

Extraverted feeling, the auxiliary deciding function, expresses a range of emotion and opinions of, for and about people. INFJs, like many other FJ types, find themselves caught between the desire to express their wealth of feelings and moral conclusions about the actions and attitudes of others, and the awareness of the consequences of unbridled candor. Some vent the attending emotions in private, to trusted allies. Such confidants are chosen with care, for INFJs are well aware of the treachery that can reside in the hearts of mortals. This particular combination of introverted intuition and extraverted feeling provides INFJs with the raw material from which perceptive counselors are shaped.

Introverted Thinking

The INFJ's thinking is introverted, turned toward the subject. Perhaps it is when the INFJ's thinking function is operative that he is most aloof. A comrade might surmise that such detachment signals a disillusionment, that she has also been found lacking by the sardonic eye of this one who plumbs the depths of the human spirit. Experience suggests that such distancing is merely an indication that the seer is hard at work and focusing energy into this less efficient tertiary function.

Extraverted Sensing

INFJs are twice blessed with clarity of vision, both internal and external. Just as they possess inner vision which is drawn to the forms of the unconscious, they also have external sensing perception which readily takes hold of worldly objects. Sensing, however, is the weakest of the INFJ's arsenal and the most vulnerable. INFJs, like their fellow intuitives, may be so absorbed in intuitive perceiving that they become oblivious to physical reality. The INFJ under stress may fall prey to various forms of immediate gratification. Awareness of extraverted sensing is probably the source of the "SP wannabe" side of INFJs. Many yearn to live spontaneously; it's not uncommon for INFJ actors to take on an SP (often ESTP) role.

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Introverted iNtuiting Feeling Judging

by Marina Margaret Heiss

INFJs are distinguished by both their complexity of character and the unusual range and depth of their talents. Strongly humanitarian in outlook, INFJs tend to be idealists, and because of their J preference for closure and completion, they are generally "doers" as well as dreamers. This rare combination of vision and practicality often results in INFJs taking a disproportionate amount of responsibility in the various causes to which so many of them seem to be drawn.

INFJs are deeply concerned about their relations with individuals as well as the state of humanity at large. They are, in fact, sometimes mistaken for extroverts because they appear so outgoing and are so genuinely interested in people -- a product of the Feeling function they most readily show to the world. On the contrary, INFJs are true introverts, who can only be emotionally intimate and fulfilled with a chosen few from among their long-term friends, family, or obvious "soul mates." While instinctively courting the personal and organizational demands continually made upon them by others, at intervals INFJs will suddenly withdraw into themselves, sometimes shutting out even their intimates. This apparent paradox is a necessary escape valve for them, providing both time to rebuild their depleted resources and a filter to prevent the emotional overload to which they are so susceptible as inherent "givers." As a pattern of behavior, it is perhaps the most confusing aspect of the enigmatic INFJ character to outsiders, and hence the most often misunderstood -- particularly by those who have little experience with this rare type.

Due in part to the unique perspective produced by this alternation between detachment and involvement in the lives of the people around them, INFJs may well have the clearest insights of all the types into the motivations of others, for good and for evil. The most important contributing factor to this uncanny gift, however, are the empathic abilities often found in Fs, which seem to be especially heightened in the INFJ type (possibly by the dominance of the introverted N function).

This empathy can serve as a classic example of the two-edged nature of certain INFJ talents, as it can be strong enough to cause discomfort or pain in negative or stressful situations. More explicit inner conflicts are also not uncommon in INFJs; it is possible to speculate that the causes for some of these may lie in the specific combinations of preferences which define this complex type. For instance, there can sometimes be a "tug-of-war" between NF vision and idealism and the J practicality that urges compromise for the sake of achieving the highest priority goals. And the I and J combination, while perhaps enhancing self-awareness, may make it difficult for INFJs to articulate their deepest and most convoluted feelings.

Usually self-expression comes more easily to INFJs on paper, as they tend to have strong writing skills. Since in addition they often possess a strong personal charisma, INFJs are generally well-suited to the "inspirational" professions such as teaching (especially in higher education) and religious leadership. Psychology and counseling are other obvious choices, but overall, INFJs can be exceptionally difficult to pigeonhole by their career paths. Perhaps the best example of this occurs in the technical fields. Many INFJs perceive themselves at a disadvantage when dealing with the mystique and formality of "hard logic", and in academic terms this may cause a tendency to gravitate towards the liberal arts rather than the sciences. However, the significant minority of INFJs who do pursue studies and careers in the latter areas tend to be as successful as their T counterparts, as it is *iNtuition* -- the dominant function for the INFJ type -- which governs the ability to understand abstract theory and implement it creatively.

In their own way, INFJs are just as much "systems builders" as are INTJs; the difference lies in that most INFJ "systems" are founded on human beings and human values, rather than information and technology. Their systems may for these reasons be conceptually "blurrier" than analogous NT ones, harder to measure in strict numerical terms, and easier to take for granted -- yet it is these same underlying reasons which make the resulting contributions to society so vital and profound.

Copyright © 1996-2009 by Marina Margaret Heiss and Joe Butt

Quote Worthy

'The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.'

Elizabeth Kubler Ross

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Happy (Early) Birthday to my Love!

Birthday Dinner

...table is set for 2!

(more pics to come tomorrow)

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

This is in the oven cooking now as i type. I used quite a few "cheats" for this recipe which made it faster and easier to make.

• I used 2 cups of the oreo crums (rather than just one), used 1/4 butter and just 1 Tbs. of sugar with it...I tasted it:YUM
• I used Raspberry Jam rather than the frozen raspberries, sugar, cornstarch, etc. About 6 heaping Tablespoons and heated up for 30-60 seconds in the mic. Did the trick very nicely. 
• Secondly, I melted the half and half with the white chocolate chips in the microwave about 2 minutes at a reduced power (7 on my mic), stirring every 30 seconds or so.
• Thirdly (and this one is really just a tip that I read about to prevent the top from cracking). Wrap the bottom of the spring form pan in foil. Then place on a cookie sheet and fill the sheet with water. After the cheesecake has cooked. Turn oven off but leave cake in oven for one more hour (I am going to do this but keep the oven open a crack).
  

1 cup chocolate cookie crumbs
3 tablespoons white sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 (10 ounce) package frozen raspberries
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 cup water
2 cups white chocolate chips
1/2 cup half-and-half cream
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
1.In a medium bowl, mix together cookie crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar, and melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. 

2.In a saucepan, combine raspberries, 2 tablespoons sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring to boil, and continue boiling 5 minutes, or until sauce is thick. Strain sauce through a mesh strainer to remove seeds. 

3.Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). In a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, melt white chocolate chips with half-and-half, stirring occasionally until smooth. 

4.In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Blend in vanilla and melted white chocolate. Pour half of batter over crust. Spoon 3 tablespoons raspberry sauce over batter. Pour remaining cheesecake batter into pan, and again spoon 3 tablespoons raspberry sauce over the top. Swirl batter with the tip of a knife to create a marbled effect. 

5.Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 8 hours before removing from pan. Serve with remaining raspberry sauce.

A Very Special Dinner

My Love has a special Birthday. December 25th. This Christmas Babe usually celebrates a bit early. This year we celebrate tomorrow (and the day after).

The kids are going to their Grandparents and I will try my best to make this 40th Birthday a memorable one!

My love and I love fine dinning which means the places that we really enjoy eating at come with extravagant bill. This year, I have come up with a plan to keep costs down but still keep it gourmet. I am thankful that I am a great cook because when you can do it yourself the price tag is significantly less!!

So with out further ado here is the menu:

• baby greens, Julienne red and orange peppers with sprinkled with goats cheese
• fresh Baguette with olive oil and vinaigrette for dipping
• asparagus
  
• Basmati rice with lemon and fresh cilantro
• Stuffed Chicken Breast with Mushroom Sauce (time consuming to make, but the BEST EVER!!)
• White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

Anyone feeling hungry? Drooling?

*giggle*

Got Old Jeans?

We have soooooooo many friends having babies. So, I was pretty delighted to find this Bib Tutorial this morning at Frugal Family Fun Blog. Very practical, attractive and if you have the denim laying around I think it would be pretty inexpensive to sew these bibs.