Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The Traditional Making of the Pancakes. And A Discussion Question!

Snowy

Before I post today’s (previously written) entry, let me update you on Snowy real quickly.

He threw up again this morning and did his “trembly, shaky” thing for about half an hour, complete with noisy, raspy breathing. The vet said she definitely needed to see him; even though they’re already double booked this morning, she wants him brought in about 10 o’clock.

I didn’t sleep well last night and have been rather prone to tears since I got up this morning; just feelin’ a little emotional about this doggie child of mine.

He’s in his usual spot—curled up beside me (always on the right side, never the left)--and snoozing away in fine Snowy fashion.

I’ll let you know how the visit goes.



And now . . . . Today’s Post!

Somewhere along the way, our family came up with the very strange annual tradition of making a pancake dinner before we decorate the tree. Nathan and Sarah were asking Steve and me where the tradition came from and when it started and neither of us really had any idea. I guess at some point, we just opted to adopt an odd tradition. (Try saying that three times fast.) And thusly the tradition has stood. For an unbeknownst number of years. Forthwithly.

As the 2010 Version of the Tradition commenced, Nathan, as per usual, was in charge of the scrambled eggs. It is not widely known why college students like to wear t-shirts and basketball shorts in the dead of winter but hey, who am I to tell my 21-year old son how to dress? (Go. Put. A. Sweater. On. NOW!)

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Once he got the eggs all cracked he said, “Mom, I need that swirly, stirry thingie.”

The scary thing? I knew exactly what he was talking about.

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While he swirled and stirred in his sockless, sweaterless state, his besweatered father labored over the frying of the bacon.

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Snowy, enjoying being a part of the Exclusive Fellowship Of The Smith Males, kept a close eye on the proceedings

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Then he trotted off to go see how the womenfolk were doing. I know it’s a big name for a small dog, but his official title is “The Smith Kitchen Overseer And Highly Esteemed Cute Canine Connoisseur of Overall Food Quantity and Quality.”

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One of the things Snowy happened to witness was this Ritualistic, Traditionalistic, Sibling-istic Passing of the Spatula . . .

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. . .which Sarah immediately placed in front of her face. Which is not its natural habitat.

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Ahh. That’s better.

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I went over to grab the pepper and Steve grabbed a picture of me and my reserved, quiet, and introverted son. And just in case you’re wondering, said son has not shrunk since he was home last. He was just sort of scrunched down so that he looks sorta shorter than me. (Shorter than I? Shorter than I do? Hmmm. I’m never sure of the proper usage in that particular grammatical conundrum.)

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And in the end? It all came down to the pancakes.

After Nathan and Steve got their assorted egg and bacon jobs finished, they went over to lend helpful male moral support to Sarah.

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I must say that the whole scenario created quite a bit of excitement in the Smith house.

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No. We don’t get out much.

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Discussion Question

Trine, our long time reader from Denmark, brought up an interesting question for our fine Smithellaneous family. She asked what everyone’s religious backgrounds/denominations/beliefs were.

I didn’t put that question in the form of a poll because most people’s responses to that question could not be contained in a one or two word “option.”

A few of you have already answered the question and your responses have been so interesting. If the rest of you would like to jump in, feel free! This is another great way to get to know each other.

24 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):

Kyna said...

I am a Christian. Church of Christ background, however, I attend a fairly progressive Church of Christ - not traditional.

Thinking of you and keeping Snowy in our prayers.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

I am a Roman Catholic. However, I was raised in a home where the belief was that standing in a church doesn't make you any more a Christian than standing in a garage makes you a car :-) I attended Baptist Bible study and youth groups, went to Nazarene retreats and Anglican Pioneers. I was always taught that church is church, and God's word is good, no matter where its being preached :-)
Bridget from Canada

SuziQCat said...

Christian - Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I attend a contempory, non-denominational church in Durham, but grew up Baptist.

Sending healing purrs to Snowy.

Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

I really hope that Snowy gets better soon. I am thinking of you all. And those pancakes is looking so vummy.
Here in Denmark it is a tradition to eat rice pudding when it is December :)

Trine

Lizz said...

I haven't quite figured out the perfect way to describe my religious beliefs. I believe I am a Christian in that I believe in and love Christ wholey. (Did I spell that correctly?) I do not believe in any organized religion because I do not believe anyone has any right to tell anyone else what they should believe in or how they should believe in what they believe. My relationship with Jesus is mine. I will and do openly talk about Jesus with my kids, family, friends & even strangers. I will never decide to dislike someone based on their religion (this has been done to me a few times in life). If I dislike someone it is based on something they have done or how they behave. And though I call myself a Christian I know that does not mean that all "Christians" believe what I believe. I do not understand one bit how people who call themselves Christians could ever go to a fallen soldier's funeral and disrupt his/her family's grief and final goodbye to their loved one. That is not a Christian thing to do in my opinion!

OK, so this was really long!

I'm praying for Snowy & for all of you today! Christmas is such a hard time to have to make all these impossible decisions! Love & hugs to all!

Anonymous said...

We are members of the United Methodist Church. I attended an Episcopal church as a child and since having my own children we have attended many protestant churches (non-denom) on military posts and even an Episcopal church in Louisiana. We were married in an Episcopal church and our children were baptized in one.

Sure hope Mr. Snowy is OK!!

Have a merry Christmas!!

Gayle in AL

Anonymous said...

I am Jewish! That's all; plain and simple.

Jodi

Donna in Mayberry said...

Yes, basketball shorts, T-shirts and no socks IS the official male college attire! I also couldn't help but notice Nathan has cut off a lot of his hair. I think that is part of being a male colleg student too. My son shaved his off and didn't tell us. We discovered the shorn locks 4 days later on his Facebook page. He previously had slightly curly hair like Nathan's but it seems to be growing back out mostly straight too! He said that the short hair was so much easier since 8 guys were using one shower in his dorm suite. I guess whatever works for them while away from their mother hen is okay in the long run. I learned a long time ago to "Pick my battles" and clothing wasn't worth fighting over.
Praying and hoping Snowy gets better!! I am like everyone else. I love reading "his" posts!!

Anonymous said...

I'm a Christian. I go to a Presbyterian Church and often agree with what they teach--sometimes I don't. I do think that it's important to be a part of a church because Jesus calls the church his bride, and it's hard to love a guy while hating his bride. Sometimes I think church has become about people though, rather than about God. I believe that Christ came to love the lost and the fallen and now that I've been loved, the only thing I can do is love others. Sure that's simplified, but seeing as Jesus proclaimed love as the first and second most important commandments, I figure it's probably at the center of things.
-Robin-

Anonymous said...

I was raised Catholic, but my husband and I attend a United Church of Canada church. The United Church is Canada's largest Protestant denomination, mainstream and very progressive. It's a better fit for us and we are very happy there, though I think fondly of my Catholic heritage.
GS in Canada

Kristina said...

I'm never quite sure how to answer this question; I think the most accurate response is to say that I'm an atheist who very much hopes that I'm wrong. I was raised in a United Methodist church, until my senior year of high school when I started having questions that couldn't be answered and doubts that never went away.

Since then, I have studied many religions -- Islam, Buddhism, various Christian and Pagan denominations, etc. -- but none in particular depth. None of them make sense to me. I have come to the conclusion that this is because they are based on faith. I admire people who have faith, but it is a concept which I have been unable to reclaim. I hope there is a God, and a higher reason and purpose for what we go through in life, but I don't believe it.

This may have been more of an answer than you were looking for! I suppose, if you're looking for a tally, you should go with atheist or United Methodist - depending on if you're looking for practice or upbringing.

-- Kristina in Alaska

Harriet said...

I am a Christian. I have been a (United) Methodist all my married life, but I grew up Presbyterian (PC-USA).

We have a weird tree tradition. We always go to the Farmer's Market to pick out our tree, then go eat at Waffle House, 'cause we're high-class like that!

Anonymous said...

I am a Christian who attends a Baptist Church with a contemporary service. Grew up Baptist, went to protestant military services for a few years overseas.

Great to see the pancake tradition continued! Is that your new camera you are using? I must go reread, must have missed a post! Jill-FL

Anonymous said...

I'm a near-atheist, but I think religiosity is interesting. I'm also fairly open-minded; it doesn't bother me that other people are religious. I attended Orthodox Shabbat services with a friend during college.

We were members of a United Methodist church when I was younger, but we were never regular churchgoers.

Anonymous said...

Add me to the growing-up-Methodists but now atheists group.

Stefanie in St. Louis

Alicia said...

At least I am not alone here! Born into a non-practicing Christian family, practiced myself until I was in my 30's, then converted to Judaism. I am now an "out" Atheist and comfortable with it, I have been for years now. I am also a lesbian, finishing raising children (If you ever finish rising them! 20 and 23 now.). Both of whom aren't gay (people always wonder) and are Atheist's. I find it interesting that you have such a large following of Atheist's, Becky! It shows that you live your faith in such a way that you are convicted but also make others feel comfortable in your presence. I am sure you would like to see we non-believers believe in religion, but I love the fact that you are open and caring with all of you. You rock!

Alicia said...

Meant to say "with all of US. Duh! Too tired here.

Melanie said...

I'm still praying for Snowy...poor little guy. :(
Looks like you all were having fun with the pancakes!
As for the discussion question, I am a Christian, and my denomination is Assembly of God. My husband is an A/G pastor. :)
I hope you all will have a very Merry Christmas!! ♥

Kathy in Florida said...

If snowey does have Cushing Disease here is the name where you can get his meds at a major reduced rate. Our family has used them in the past with huge success.
Diamond Back Drugs in Arizona. pharmacist@diamondbackdrugs.com or call 1-866-646-2223. Hope this helps and we will keep Snowey in our prayers

Bethany said...

I grew up attending the Missionary Church (a denomination found primarily in the midwest that has as a core belief the support and engagement in missions work serving others both at home and around the world). I now consider myself a "Rebel Christian" because I do not agree with the foundational beliefs of most churches, and I have major issues with Christian hypocrisy and in-fighting. I definitely believe that Jesus is my salvation and that what is critical is my relationship with Him.

Jenna said...

I grew up in Foursquare and Pentacostal churches and now attend a Christian Reformed Church, which is much more "traditional" than how I was raised. I love it and it's "moderate" worship style really suits my quiet nature.

But- much more than identifying myself as "CRC" I feel I am a Christian first and foremost. I believe that Jesus is my savior and that as such my calling is to love God first and foremost, an important part of which is to love other people.

Along these lines Becky, I've been reading your site for about 1.5 years and your "love for people" and kindness is something that is really evident through your writing. You may not explicity talk about your faith all that often on the website, but your faith comes through very clear anyways by your actions and the way you choose to love people and live your life. Even with your response to the "camera comment" was very, very gracious and kind- and I was really impressed by that!

As you know, I am a somewhat new mom to a 10 year old girl and even though we've never met in person and I'm just one of so many people who read your blog, you are one of my "mom mentors." I want to be like you when I "grow up" (okay I'm already grown up but I still want to be like you!)
Jenna in Alberta, Canada

Jenna said...

I grew up in Foursquare and Pentacostal churches and now attend a Christian Reformed Church, which is much more "traditional" than how I was raised. I love it and it's "moderate" worship style really suits my quiet nature.

But- much more than identifying myself as "CRC" I feel I am a Christian first and foremost. I believe that Jesus is my savior and that as such my calling is to love God first and foremost, an important part of which is to love other people.

Along these lines Becky, I've been reading your site for about 1.5 years and your "love for people" and kindness is something that is really evident through your writing. You may not explicity talk about your faith all that often on the website, but your faith comes through very clear anyways by your actions and the way you choose to love people and live your life. Even with your response to the "camera comment" was very, very gracious and kind- and I was really impressed by that!

As you know, I am a somewhat new mom to a 10 year old girl and even though we've never met in person and I'm just one of so many people who read your blog, you are one of my "mom mentors." I want to be like you when I "grow up" (okay I'm already grown up but I still want to be like you!)
Jenna in Alberta, Canada

Anonymous said...

Jesus-follower! I believe He made a way for me to be reconciled to God thru His death on the cross and His resurrection. Wish I could claim to be more like Him, but I'm a work-in-progress. Thankfully, He is very patient with me. We attend a non-denominational, Christ-centered, Bible-based church.
Praying for Snowy, and for all you Smiths.

Nancy said...

I'm not at all religious -- was brought up in a religious vacuum.

So sorry to hear that Snowy is declining so quickly. What a blessing for all of you to be together for this holiday.

Sending wishes to the entire Smith family for a healthy and happy new year!