Inspiring or tiring??

For those of you who don't know how this Salsa Mama gig started, let me give you a little background.

Back in 2009, my friend Ann was fighting a valiant fight against breast cancer. Oh, how much I learned from her, including countless lessons of love and acceptance and keeping priorities straight. Ann's faith was awe-inspiring in many ways, but two messages remain with me on a daily basis:

1) Only do that which inspires you, not tires you.
2) Keep it simple.

The picture below is of Ann and our dear friend, Linda. For many years, they worked hard planning the Kaw Valley Relay for Life's Survivor Dinner together. I worked on the Relay committee for several years too, and what a BLESSING it was to soak up all the love from so many hard working, dedicated, and loving members of this community who genuinely wanted to CELEBRATE, REMEMBER, and FIGHT BACK against cancer.

Salsa Mama grew from this Relay for Life endeavor. Ann helped me with the logo and was very supportive, recognizing the potential for it to touch people's lives. One year she went crazy and made me two personalized Salsa Mama aprons, a tee-shirt and tee shirts for my boys. I think she had more confidence in it than I did! Having this encouragement, I decided to give it a go beyond the Relay world----to continue making salsa (a very simple task) and continuing the charitable aspect (which inspires me, not tires!). 

Each time Salsa Mama's "sale" changes, it is prayer that leads me to the next charity. Over the years, there have been a variety of individuals and groups who have tugged at my heart in that special way that I recognize now as the nudge of the Holy Spirit. In keeping with Ann's spirit, let me share with you that the recipient of the next sale will be Sacred Heart Catholic Church. 

Trust me when I say that it's very hard for me to keep this message simple...I don't really "do" simple. I do complicated! (Ask my husband, he'll tell ya!) A huge part of me wants to go on and on about the way my faith has developed and grown in the nurturing Sacred Heart parish community, but I will honor Ann by keeping this message simple. I am inspired by SO many people, families, causes...too many to count! But simply speaking, it is heaviest on my heart to support my parish at this time. 

I wish you a beautiful, blessed, happy and joyful Advent season and I invite you to reflect on where your inspiration and simplicity lead you. 

Thank you for your continued support over the years!!!

Blessed!

It's been a long time, I know, but here is what has been keeping me out of the salsa kitchen and in the whirling vortex of 2 under 2, and an 8 and a 9!

I feel blessed every single day by these gifts, so you won't hear a single complaint from me about what's keeping the salsa production erratic at best! You may not get an updated blog for another year, who knows! All I know is the laughter, the wrestling, the chaos and the love are music to my ears.

Jillian and Sofia are both mobile now, and that means "boo boos" galore. They are old enough to notice if you don't kiss the boo boo in the EXACT place, returning over and over for that perfectly placed TLC that makes it all better. I can't help but learn from their example. In my adult mind, I know that I have a much harder time identifying my needs and asking for specific help. It's easy to ask for help for others, though, isn't it? In our never-ending quest for balance, however, we know we are called to give and receive.

As we move into Thanksgiving and Christmas, we will be spending all kinds of time and energy focusing on doing for others, through gifts, food and visits. I encourage you to allow others to give to YOU. You will make their hearts joyful! Salsa Mama has been supporting the Garrett Bathurst fund for the past few months. Thank you to the Bathursts for allowing us to help them with the salsa sale!! 

In December a new fundraiser will be announced. Until then, thank you and God bless!

Wrapping our arms around them

You know how easy it is to remember people's kindness, especially when you're "the new kid?" I vividly remember being the new kid in 6th grade when Liz befriended me by the swings on my first day. As an French teacher, I clearly remember the friendly welcome of Pat when I moved from one district to another. These warm smiles and reassuring welcomes make such a huge difference to those who need them. Which leads me to my friend Kathy....

I remember being in the preschool hall at Sacred Heart, feeling rather "green" and inexperienced, watching my oldest son navigate the new world of 3-year preschool. Kathy walked right up and introduced herself, chatted, smiled, and really didn't do anything out of the ordinary for her. This moment of reassurance and love sticks with me even today as we're getting ready to celebrate that same son's 9th birthday next week. As I said before, it's easy to remember kindness.

I was so happy to eventually become close friends with Kathy as members of the same Christ Renews His Parish team in 2009. We have had all kinds of interaction in our church and school community (can I interject that she is the best school librarian...ever!!) and our families have gotten to know each other over the years.

Anyone who knows Kathy and her husband Ralph would agree that their four children are their most cherished treasure. In January of this year, their son Peter was killed in a tragic accident at the age of 25.  It broke my heart for them. It still does. It's May 1 and I'm just now writing about it even though it's been in my heart for months. I ask for your continued prayers for their family, for healing, for peace, for acceptance and for laughter in reminiscing on what made Peter unique. Like many people in our parish, I did not know him personally because he lived in Texas at the time; however, this amazing community wrapped their arms around Kathy and Ralph and the three siblings, Kaylan, Monica and Aaron. We will continue to do so!

The Salsa Mama mission is to help the community. This sale will benefit the Peter Clevinger Memorial Fund. Kathy and Ralph will use this donation to help others and to honor their beloved son.

Peter's funeral mass was (yes) a tear-jerker, but filled with smiles from stories of Peter's character. He lived a short but meaningful life. The program at mass had this on the back page, from his Facebook page. Read it once, twice, today, tomorrow and whenever you need a boost.

With love to the Clevinger family from the Salsa Mama community

Summer---A Whole Different Animal

Go Karts at the lake.  No, Jillian didnt drive!

Isn't it true? Summer IS a whole differnt animal in so many ways. On the one hand, summer offers great warm weather and many fun activities we don't usually have time for. On the other hand, every routine normally established for the kiddos or ourselves go "bye bye." Even with the best of intentions, it just seems impossible to keep much structure. This in't good, isn't bad....just a whole different animal until school begins again.
To me, early summer feels like what a painter must experience when they get a clean new canvas. Ahhhh...the possibilities! In reflecting on the "work of art" I hope to create this summer, I find a recurrent theme. Be CONTENT in the moment. Enjoy PEACE in the moment. Slow down so I don't MISS the moment. You get the picture! Whether it's folding the increasing amount of laundry or checking something off of our summer wish list, I pray for peace and appreciation for each and every summer moment with my family and friends. (By the way, I'm not really organized enough to have actually written a summer wish list, but there are a few goals floating around in my head!)
I am happy to report that I, shockingly (!), have found many serene moments lately, nestled amidst my usual flurry of activity of trying too many new recipes, struggling with time management, and failing to reign in my over-active brainwaves. Thanks to some beautiful friends who remind me to slow down, friends and family who model a prayerful life, and thanks to a wonderful husband who always makes time to play with the kids, I am surrounded by many role models on this attempt to enjoy the moment. In keeping with the "summer is a whole different animal theme," I've learned that it's a jungle out there! Surround yourself with positive allies! :)
If any of your serene moments involve a giant bowl of chips and some freshly made salsa, you know where to find me!

Peace to you,
Erin
P.S. I know, I know...it doesn't seem to match up, does it? I'm talking about slowing down, yet I'm hoping to make you lots of salsa. Believe it or not, I kindof count the Salsa Mama gig as "down time" in a strange sort of way. I love doing this for many reasons, but at the top of the list is getting to witness your giving hearts (to current charity) and hearing about your events with friends/family. Ending on a highly sappy but totally sincere note...feeding you feeds me too. :)

Our little Hot Tamale

Here you go, friends. This is why you haven't been receiving salsa emails. This is why it may seem that the Salsa Mama has fallen off the planet. Jillian Rose is now 7 weeks old and filling our home with squeaks, snuggles and indescribable love!

I am so grateful for the precious gift of our adopted baby daughter who arrived very suddenly but after years of prayer that our family would grow. Life has slowed down, as I believe it should for ALL of us. While true sleep deprivation could be trouble, I have discovered that being slightly sleepy is good for someone like me who has a hard time slowing down!



There have been a faithful few who have called me, desperate for a pint, but for most of you, I know it's been awhile since you've had the chance to enjoy Salsa Mama salsa. I will admit that I have sortof missed my salsa-making-Thursday, deliver-salsa-Friday, get-to-see-all-my-favorite-salsa-friends schedule (although, can I just add ONE more time that I'm crazy about this baby girl and nothing beats snuggling in a comfy place with her sleeping on my chest??) While I've let several things go (yoga, some other volunteer activities), the salsa gig will continue. While I'm not a very faithful Superbowl fan, I am using this event as a "kickoff" of my own. Look for emails to follow about the delivery schedule in the coming months.

Until then, I wish you many blessings, peace, love and joy!

Merry Christmas, Salsa Mama friends!!

There could be lots of catchy and cute messages swimming "like sugarplum fairies" in my head right now.
I considered a David Letterman-esque "Top Ten Reasons for Buying Salsa Mama for the Holidays." I thought about changing the words to "Jingle Bells" to spread the salsa message. I thought about describing a vibrant scene of my "salsa sleigh" arriving at your doorstep with a bag of (not toys!) pints and pints of delicious, freshly made salsa.

But let's face it, it's that time of year when we all have grand plans, but....

So in lieu of a song and dance, I'm spreading a very simple (love that K.I.S.S. principle!) message of Christmas cheer and especially gratitude for all that we have.

My son wrote a message to Santa the other night and told him that he loved him very much. It was so touching to read his words. Honestly, as a kid, I don't remember ever "loving" Santa, but certainly expected him to bring presents. My son's innocent and open heart reminded me that we need to spread the love into all parts of this season. Keep the joy in your hearts!

With that, I thank you for the joy that you bring me as I hear about your celebrations, your gift-giving, and your recipes.

Many blessings this Christmas season!!
Erin









 

IT IS ONLY WITH GRATITUDE....

I ran across this quote today by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who says, 

"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that 

it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich."  

The message is easy; we all know we should be grateful. The hard part is training our brains (and those of others) to associate "richness" with giving instead of receiving. Have any of you ever tried to explain to your kids that writing thank you notes is the most important part of their birthday or that giving Christmas gifts to others is more special than receiving their own? Yeah, we have all tried it....and what do we get in return? Blank stares? Whining? Resistance of some kind or another, I would wager. Our human nature in "ordinary life" (as Bonhoeffer calls it), associates richness/happiness/fulfillment with receiving material goods, praise, status, etc... What would it take for us to shift our thinking in a dramatic way so that Bonhoeffer's quote doesn't just sound good, but actually feels all comfy and at home in our genuinely grateful hearts???
I bet the Joplin tornado victims and volunteers could help us here. They might have a story or two (or three hundred) about how their ordinary life exists no longer, and what remains is a rich life, full-to-the-brim with gratitude. Immediately after the tornado, waves of volunteers came out of nowhere, handing out barbecue sandwiches, sorting through debris, helping in countless ways. Groups from Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church (my parish) have gone twice to help in Joplin (see article), witnessing first-hand not only the devastation but the renewed hope in those who have lost everything. To the above right is a picture of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Joplin. Thankfully, their parish priest survived the destruction but they will need to rebuild their church, starting from scratch. We can't all physically travel to Joplin, but we can each do something of value to help, especially pray for the health and strength of those who survived. The Salsa Mama sale from June and July 2011 will support the Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, who has already helped thousands of individuals and will play a large role in rebuilding St.Mary's.
As always, thank YOU for support of the various charities throughout the year!