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!

"This year, I Relay for...."

It's Relay For Life time again, and it's amazing to think that a whole year has passed. This year I Relay for many reasons, but first and foremost in memory of Ann Schierts. If you didn't know Ann, spend some time with the blog she created during her battle with cancer. It is updated now by her husband, Hal whose words will inspire you. Hal, Zoe and Grace have been so blessed by the many acts of love and kindness so many of you have shared with them.
My personal page on the Relay For Life of Kaw Valley website will help you understand other reasons I have for Relaying. Here is a picture of Mark's first survivor lap in 2009. What an amazing sight to see him walk down the hill with the other survivors to CELEBRATE, REMEMBER, and FIGHT BACK against cancer.

Every single day it seems we hear of a new diagnosis. If you would like to donate to the ACS's efforts, I would love to have your support, either by buying salsa (half of the profits will be donated) or by going straight to my donation page.  I would LOVE to hear your reasons for supporting the cause, and suspect that you have more than a few.
IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN the Relay as a committee member or team captain!!!!!! Please join us. Contact me if you are interested.

I deliver salsa every Friday, so send me your orders! Thanks so much for your support for the various charities Salsa Mama has helped this year, and for your enthusiasm for the salsa itself! I love hearing your stories about recipes, your efforts to hide your salsa from your husband, wife or kids (ha!) and the many confessions I get each month about "accidentally eating the whole container in one sitting." Hey...I love it too or I wouldn't be making it!

Blessings to you this SPRING!!!!

Are you a DUNKER or a SCOOPER?

This Sunday, Mark visited Barb's Kolache Bakery (the BEST!) and came home with an assortment of our favorites---a meltaway, some cinnamon rolls, some sausage and cheese kolaches. He tried a little bit of everything as he was unpacking the box and insisted that I try them too. "No, thanks honey, but I'm going to sit down and enjoy it," I answered, as I heated my coffee (again!) in the microwave, got out the paper, and prepared to sit down for my highly anticipated moment of pure Barb's Kolache bliss.  His answer was "I AM enjoying it!" This got me thinking...we don't all have to enjoy our treats the same way.
Around this time, I received an email from my friend Francine who was feeling a little *guilty* because her husband Cory missed out on most of the pint of salsa she had just bought. [Let me interject here, I get these types of confessions often. It's not just you, my dear friend!] She and her youngest son are "dunkers" as she described, while her husband is a "scooper." They love it equally, just enjoy their treat differently.  Hmmmmm, this reminded me of the very same conversation I had had with Mark about enjoying our kolaches.
So here's my question....are you a dunker or a scooper with your Salsa Mama salsa? I am sure you may both dunk and scoop, but what is your primary method of eating salsa? No, this is not earth shattering information, but I am curious. Email with your simple answer in the subject line and I'll enter your name in a drawing for a free pint of salsa this Friday.
I had so much fun with the movie line contest that I thought I would do another. By the way, the answer to the question about "Help me, help YOU" was from Jerry McGuire!
Stay warm, enjoy your many blessings, and thanks for supporting this month's sale for the Little Sisters of the Lamb!!