Chai Tea Mix

1 cup powdered milk
1 cup dry creamer
1 cup vanilla flavored dry creamer
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups unsweetened tea mix
2 tsp. ginger
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. cardamom (or allspice)
opt. 1 Tbs. vanilla pudding mix

Stir to combine all ingredients. Use 3 Tbs. in 8 oz. of boiling water.

Options:

• For a prettier mix, you can run it through the blender a cup at a time.
• Allspice is easier to find and can be substituted for cardamom to make a very nice spiced tea, but it’s not the same. Cardamom has a very distinctive taste and aroma, even to our uncultured tongues. We found cardamom in bulk for a great price in the local health food store.
• The vanilla pudding mix is optional but does help the mix to dissolve better.

This book really helped illustrate the gospel and drive home the emotional impact of what God has done for us. The writing was absorbing, allowing me to read it quickly and keep coming back to it after a pause.

I had a dream about Eli last night. I was in a Phantom-of-the-Opera-esque setting, and the Phantom was having a lot of various people try out their musical skills. I was watching the auditions. I kind of had a crush on Eli, but when it came time for him to audition, instead of his regular harmonica he pulled out an electric one, with the holes clearly labeled (implication being it was a beginner’s, easy version). At that point he lost any kind of allure he had. Then he played! And despite the funky harmonica it was a very good tune, very haunting. The Phantom liked it too. So he was redeemed in my eyes.

This movie reminded me of a poem that I’ve always liked. I dug it out of storage so I can post it. I bolded the part in particular that makes me think of The Fisher King.

Fugitive
by Francisco X. Alarcon

I’ve had
to bear
the days
anonymously
like a shadow
slip
through the city
without raising
suspicions

I’ve avoided
countless roads
jumped
every fence
always
fleeing
with a haste
that bites
my heels
and barely
lets me
breathe

hiding behind
so many
illusions
for so
many years
that now
I don’t
even know
the face
of my soul
or recall
what brought me
to this fugitive’s life

my crime
must have
been
as huge as
the darkness
found in
my punishment

above all
I’ve sought
the mute
company
of night

I’ve learned
to fake
nearly everything
but
still
when next to you
I’m given away
by the empty
pounding
of my heart

Here is the recipe for my chocolate chip cookies:

Combine these ingredients in your mixer or bowl:
1 cup mostly melted butter or margarine
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg

Add:
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix those together, then add:
12 ounces (one bag) of chocolate chips

Roll these into tablespoon sized balls. Best cooked on a cooking stone. Oven at 375 degrees F, for 8-10 minutes. Take them out before they look totally done, and let them sit on the stone until they are cool enough to hold their shape.

This is my version of the pasta salad. My recipes tend to be more free-style, but maybe I’ll work out a formalized recipe later.

• boil medium shells until they are done (as much as you want to make—one pound makes more than enough for a potluck)

• drain, then rinse thoroughly with cold water until the pasta is cold

• add a big dollup of mayonaise

• pour in a larger dollup of ranch dressing

• liberally sprinkle with parmesean

• add cooked peas (make sure these are cool before adding)

• add grated carrots

• mix

• taste it

• if it doesn’t taste strong enough, add more ranch and parmesean

If you are going to serve it the next day or later:

• add more mayo, ranch, and parmesean right before serving