My Brother & His Father's Heart - Letter to the Editor of the Wichita Falls Times Newspaper

I've been deeply touched with the out pouring of the love and prayers by so many of my Twitter Friends and family.

Yesterday, my father, sent the following letter to Deanna, the Chief Editor of Wichita Falls Times and Record News. She responded immediately to my fathers letter. With his permission, I'm adding to my blog today.

Last Thursday, my brother Rick, was brutally beaten with some kind of instrument in the head by unknown people. The circumstances surrounding this attempted murder are unknown as well. His skull was split open as well as the right side being crushed. He spent approximately three hours in surgery.

Today, my parents called - there is no reaction to any family member's voices and his legs move involuntarily. Needless to say, I'm so incredibly sad and in between baking bread and kissing babies, I find myself weeping.

I don't know what the outcome will be. I do know that God knows and He sees and that His hand is on this situation. In that, I must trust. Again, thank you for all the encouragement, prayers and love. It deeply touches me and my family.

Deana
I have written you before when you first became editor. My note is not about publicity but about a wider more acute problem this community with it's pockets of crime and drugs that need addressed..

My son age 50 is the elder son of four siblings with an elder daughter living in Scottsdale, Az. Son has always lived on the fringes of the law, for instance defying the city code and receiving numerous code violations on his property. He has been a user of the wacky weed and who knows what else. He is a talented child and more often than not willing to get involved and help someone in need. He lives in an antiquated trailer off from Iowa Park Rd without utilities and much to the chagrin of code enforcement he gets numerous code enforcement citations. He has spent numerous days in our local pokey on his principals which may not conform to society's standards.

I can't explain his choice in life. This gifted son chose his own road. But there is no reason to have the following happen.

On Tuesday afternoon in the vicinity of Kemp and Winona he was brutally assaulted with a baseball bat or other unknown instrument. From what little I know he stumbled into a day care business on Kemp and somehow arrived at URHC and has been ICU on life support to this time. The surgeons speculated that he had numerous blows to the head and it will be a miracle if he ever recovers. If he does he will probably will be a vegetable and a burden on the community and it's taxpayers.

There has been no mention of this assault in the media. This community has a violent person on the loose that has committed heinous crime and needs to be apprehended. We parents grieve for our son but we do not wish this happen to another in our community.

Your help and understanding would be appreciated. I have attached a photo of our son. Sincerely,

Richard. H.....

My Brother & His Father's Heart - Letter to the Editor of the Wichita Falls Times Newspaper

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-brother-his-fathers-heart-letter-to.html

Lemon Rasberry Cupcakes

I'm crazy about cupcakes and am always on the hunt for a new and interesting cupcake recipe. These Meyer Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes from Martha's caught my eye and I thought they'd be a nice addition to my Spring Party cupcake theme the past few days.


Ingredients
Makes 2 dozen

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or 1 vanilla bean, scraped
5 large eggs, separated
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1 cup plus scant 1/3 cup cake flour (not self-rising)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
Meyer Lemon Curd
Vanilla Bean Butter cream
Sanding sugar
24 raspberries

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 standard muffin tins with cupcake liners; set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add vanilla; beat to combine. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Sift together both flours, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. With the mixer on low, add flour mixture; mix until well combined. Add sour cream; mix until well combined.
In a clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold egg whites into batter.

Fill each muffin cup half full with batter. Transfer muffin tins to oven and bake until a skewer inserted into the center of one of the cupcakes comes out clean, 20 to 24 minutes. Let cupcakes cool completely.

Using an apple corer, make a hole in the top of each cupcake, taking care not to push the corer through the bottom; remove cake from hole. Fill a squirt bottle with lemon curd and squeeze curd into holes.

Fit a pastry bag with a 3/8-inch plain round tip and fill with butter cream. Pipe butter cream in a circular motion on top of each cupcake; sprinkle with sanding sugar. Pipe a dollop of butter cream in the center of each cupcake and top with a raspberry.

Here are some related posts:
1. Lemon Cupcakes for Spring
2. How to Eat a Cupcake
3. Contessa's Cupcakes
4. Kids Go Crazy Over Cupcakes

Lemon Rasberry Cupcakes

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2009/02/lemon-rasberry-cupcakes.html

Crazy about Cupcakes

Go cupcake crazy! With nearly 300 awesome, mouthwatering ideas to choose from, home bakers will find the right recipe for any occasion and every palate. And whether they’re chocolaty, spicy, crunchy, fruity, or creamy, these exquisitely decorated treats look as astounding as they taste—perfect little temptations designed to make adults nostalgic and children happy. Kids do go crazy about cupcakes. For proof - see my five grandchildren's faces.

Crazy about Cupcakes

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2009/02/crazy-about-cupcakes.html

Lemon Cupcakes for Spring

Who doesn't love a yummy cupcake? Personally, I'm crazy about them and became crazy from five grandkids (we now have 9) who are wild about them.

These lemon cupcakes caught my eye and I think they're a great idea to plan a Spring Party around and if you do, invite me over!

Lemon Cupcakes~20 cupcakes

1-1/2 cups flour (cake if you have it, otherwise all-purpose)
3/4 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup grape seed oil or vegetable oil
4 egg yolks (approximately 3 ounces)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon extract, all naturalgrated rind from
1 lemon
1 teaspoon bitters
5 egg whites (approximately 5 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon cream of tarter1/4 cup sugar

1. Sift flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder into the bowl of a standing mixer.
2. In a medium bowl, combine oil, egg yolks, lemon juice, lemon extract, lemon rind, and bitters. Stir to combine.
3. On a low setting, start to beat the dry mixture and slowly add the wet. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until incorporated.
4. Transfer mixture to another bowl. Wash and dry mixer bowl.
5. Whip egg whites with whip attachment on medium-high speed until foamy. With the mixer on medium speed, add cream of tarter and slowly add sugar. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form.
6. Scoop a cupful of the stiff egg whites into the batter and stir to combine. This should lighten up the batter.
7. Transfer the batter to the egg whites and gently fold until there are no more streaks of egg white.
8. Scoop into cupcake cups about 2/3s full and bake at 350 F for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Here are some related posts:
1. Lovely Spring Parties
2. Party 3 Tiered Cupcake Holder
3. Contessa's Cupcakes
4. Garden News & Cupcake Cuteness

Lemon Cupcakes for Spring

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2009/02/lemon-cupcakes-for-spring.html

Lovely Spring Time

I so enjoy Ballard Designs. Isn't this lovely for spring? I can picture this as the centerpiece and I think a lovely lady luncheon is another perfect idea. Invite me.

Here are some related posts:
1. Cupcakes & Birthdays
2. Wedding Party Ideas
3. Social-Couture Party Ideas
4. What's your thought for a lovely spring?

Lovely Spring Time

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2009/02/lovely-spring-time.html

spring is in the air

This week, I've been doing a bit of spring cleaning: evaluating and re-organizing my pantries (post & pics soon), evaluating my garden and looking at what I get to plant next, and cleaning out and taking inventory of my freezers. I've been busy.

God's been busy too. I think Spring has Sprung.

Lookie here what I noticed - God's gift to my eyes. A pleasure to behold.

spring is in the air

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2009/02/spring-is-in-air.html

methel parabins and killing plastics

a little but very important repost

I've been lied to, deceived and ignorant about many things in life. I've assumed too many things in life. I've assumed that what I've ingested, put on my skin (face products) or used in my kitchen were NOT harmful. So, I'm taking control to change!

How many moms have assumed that the baby bottles and sippy cups they've been using for their little ones were OK when in actuality they are toxic?

Research shows . . .
The Center for Health, Environment and Justice website writes: Baby's Toxic Bottles, a study by a team of US and Canadian researchers has shown that plastic polycarbonate baby bottles leach dangerous levels of Bisphenol-A (BPA) when heated.

All five brands tested,Evenflo, Dr Browns, Avent, Playtex and Gerber, leached BPA. Adults should also be aware of the dangers as popular "Nalgene" bottles and other water bottles are made of the same type of plastic.

What does BPA do? The case for breast feeding!
BPA, a common component in clear plastic, is a hormone-disrupting synthetic estrogen. According to the study, even at very low doses, BPA’s mimicry of estrogen resulted in an array of health maladies including prostate and breast cancer, early onset of puberty, obesity, hyperactivity, lowered sperm count, miscarriage, diabetes, and altered immune system in animal studies.

The hormone like chemical could be the reason for overall rates of lower sperm counts, faster onset of puberty, and increased prostate cancer in humans.

What's the good news?
The good news is that you have great alternatives to polycarbonate baby bottles such as Born Free - now carried by Target, Adiri Natural Nurser and Green to Grow all of which are free of BPA and phthalate, another chemicals suspected of lowering testosterone in men.

Other plastics that are killing you and the rest of your family.
Did you know that certain plastics are so toxic that you could be killing yourself and your family? The Green Guide is wonderful resources site that has a downloadable Green Guide.

It will give you a small printable list of the numbers to look for on your plastic items. #1, 2, 4 & 5 are OK. The letters PET or PETE, HDPE, LDPE or PP should be on your product. Supposedly it is "safe."

If you want to get really radical with taking a look at the toxins you injest and how should to clean yourself up. A must read is Detoxify or Die by Shery A. Rogers, M.D.

methel parabins and killing plastics

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/09/methel-parabins-and-killing-plastics.html

10 Things Husbands Want Wives to Know

If your husband gave you a Valentine's Gift List Letter, you can be sure it would look something like this with these 10 Things would be on it.

Dear Darling,

It'd be the best Valentines Gift ever, if you would take to heart the 10 things on this list.

1. Stop trying to change me! Accept me right where I'm at. I'm not perfect. God's not done with me yet. As long as I have breath - there is hope. Listen to me, please stop and listen to me. I might not be speaking with words.

2. Respect me. God put it in my heart to grow and change when I feel respected by you. Ephesians 5:33b. Respect (reverence) means to: adore, defer to, esteem, prefer, value, worship,give high regard for, appreciate, honor, be in awe of, venerate. (If you don't, some other woman will and she'll win his heart.) Please, in public, if I'm telling the "story" wrong, don't correct me. Let it go.

3. Understand that respect to me is like love to you. Understand that respect is: adoring me (even if I'm not perfect), supporting me (even if you're not sure what to support), follow me (even if you're not sure where I'm going - because most of the time, I'm not sure either).

4. Pray for me. I really need prayer. Pray that I become that Mighty Man. I know I can with you getting behind me and supporting me in prayer. I am fully equipped with everything I need, but it's just that sometimes, I'm not sure where all the equipment is. Please pray for me.

5. Please see me as God sees me - believe in me - treat me like a King and I know I'll become one. (Proverbs 12:4) See me as a Mighty Man of Valor . . . one who can DO it, one who can HEAR God, one who can lead well, protect well, conquer well. I do long for your approval. I need to be needed by you. Let me know that you need me.

6. Please stop telling me what to do or how to do it. Be my lover, not my mother. Please stop complaining. I already "feel like a failure" without you adding to it. I already struggle comparing myself to other men. My yardstick is already small. Please stop criticizing me. Criticalness is a heart issue rooted in discontentment – breeds criticalness. Every time you do that, it shuts me down, makes me feel shamed and then I struggle with anger. Sure, I know that's MY issue, but I resent being told what to do and how to do it. I want a wife, not a mother. I don't want to end up bitter towards you. Your criticism is the fast way to blow out our loves flame.

7. Let me OWN the responsibility for our family. God will hold me accountable for it. Stop trying to correct my mistakes, pick up my pieces and fix what's not right. I'll never learn to be responsible IF I don't feel the weight of being responsible.

8. Feed me. When I know you've prepared good food - I know you are honoring me. I love to come home, knowing that you've thought about me during the day. I know this because you take care of me.

9. Please build me up. Encourage me. Greet me with a smile. You just don't know what your smile does for my masculine soul. Please, wipe the sweat off my brow - even if you don't see it.

10. Please take your discontentment and disappointment to God first. Make an appointment with Him first and then if He tells you to talk to me, please do it without anger or emotion. Please make it about you by saying, "It would me a lot to me if you....." I may not hear it initially, but give me time and I will.

Oh, one more....

11. Pray for me - Lylah's Power Prayers for Your Mighty Man is a great tool to use. Get a gift copy here.

10 Things Husbands Want Wives to Know

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/10-things-husbands-want-wives-to-know.html

making home peaceful

The older I get the more I recognize the value of home and my place (role) in making our home a one of peace, order and sanctuary. I know that I'm the key influencer in what that peace, order and sanctuary looks like by attitude and my tone.

We set the tone
Women have a power of influence to set the tone of their homes. If mama's not happy no one's happy.

If mama has a bad attitude it effects the others.

If mama's showing disrespect to her husband the kids will show disrespect to their dad.

If mama's voice is loud kids will learn to model her.

If mama's neglectful with home front responsibilities then kids will follow that too. Oh, the modeling a mama does!

In all honesty
I'll be honest, my "tone" wasn't the greatest this morning. I experienced (or should I say, my husband experienced) a few -"female flesh bursts" - meaning I had a puey attitude about nothing and everything and I made issues out of a mole hills. Do you ever do that?

Keeping the stressors in check
I've learned that if I don't take time (Monday mornings are great days to do this) to evaluate the day, week, month and even season of my life and to count the different stressors (there are good ones and bad ones) and then evaluate them and evaluate my ability to manage them and my margins, I can tend to become overwhelmed.

When I get overwhelmed, not managing my stressors (my daily load, extra home front projects, extra counseling appointments, etc), then I, like you, can be prone to a few "female flesh burst."

Counting stressors and acknowledging them helps me see the reality of the load and evaluate if I need to let some go or simply put a pause on other.

The value of peace
I value peace in my home and I seek to maintain that sense of peace (I'm not talking quiet), but an inner calm - a gentle spirit - that I emit to my family that surrounds me.

Having that sense of peace in my home is a great value to me because I know my husband needs that "peace" to hear God, clarify the vision for our family and implement those steps toward the fulfillment of that vision.

Creating that sanctuary for him is also important because when he leaves the front door of our home - and heads out into the battle field, I know it's a crazy world - he's engaging in. He'll engage in all sorts of unseen battles that have the potential to catch him off guard, cause him to be unnecessarily weary or discouraged.

If he leaves our home - with a sense of peace that came from the heart of his wife (that'd be me) - then I know he'll be better equipped to face whatever it is that's "out there." I also know that he can't wait to return to his home, where peace rules - because the heart of his wife is at peace.

Here are some related posts:
1. The Heart of Creating Sanctuary
2. Step 6 in Creating Sanctuary - Setting Priorities
3. Step 5 In Creating Sanctuary - Planning
4. Understanding & Getting Behind Your Man's Vision

making home peaceful

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2009/02/making-home-peaceful.html

Valentine's Breakfast and Other Ideas

I've got a few sweet plans up my sleeve for Michael and I to celebrate the Celebrate Love Day. In the meantime, here's a repost of last years thoughts! What do you have planned?

As this day to celebrate our precious one-flesh union approaches, I'm thinking about the gift to give my musical man.

Gifts should matter to the giver and I've written about what matters to our hubs here and here and then today I visited Fussy's new Marriage Hacks site and she's written well about another important gift to give them here.

It's so important to understand what husband's need and long for in us.

Remembering and reminiscing is another gift we can give and I loved reading Lindsay's favorite Valentine memory during their courtship. Too sweet.

Not only do we give heart gifts to strengthen our marriages, but we can give food gifts and mood gifts.

The last Sunday we were in Spain, the kitchen was bustling with three women (Jenni, Megan and myself) making crepes and all the yummies to go with it.

Ah - ha - I said to myself - crepes is what I'll make my musical hubs for a very romantic Valentine's Breakfast. Since breakfast is my favorite meal to eat and prepare - it's going to be crepes. If you read my blog, you'll know that steel cut oats are a morning theme around my kitchen, so this V-Day - it's going to be crepes. For other special days I make Ableskivers. Here's my how to for crepes.

Like Gabrielle, I'll use goblets and linens and most likely have our romantic interlude outside. We can do that in the Phoenix Valley, so keep on the look out for what Lylah's Romantic Valentine's Breakfast table looks like. :-).

Meredith showed off her 2006 Valentines Breakfast table with yummy waffles. When I make waffles, I use the recipe from Martha Stewart Buttermillk Waffles. Yum

Daiquiri's making these frozen yummies for Valentines. Oh, you've got to check out her new photo shop you have to. Daiquiri takes ordinary life kid stuff and captures it to be amazing. Way to go girl - roses to you!

Amy shared her V-Day tips along with sharing some links to great idea sites and I loved her idea to create a bed and breakfast kind of look out of the bedroom (mood gift). I call that Creating Creative Sanctuary in the Master Bedroom. Hmmm...gives me some ideas. Thanks Amy!

I just discovered Carol's blog full of fun and interesting ideas. I love her candy heart topiaries.
On another artsy note - Gabrielle has a great Kid Valentine exchange idea. This works for me.

What are you planning to do to celebrate YOUR marriage? Share something on YOUR blog and come back here and post it and then link us to it.

Valentine's Breakfast and Other Ideas

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/02/valentines-breakfast.html