Hanging By a Thread

Everything is AWESOME {Sort of}

I want to write. I want to be relevant and heard and make an impact and resonate with my readers. But I don't think I am.

When I started doing this writing online thing I had no idea all the thoughts and feelings and secrets I would share with my readers. Four years ago, I had no idea the emotional toll this would take on me or how it would drive me to keep delving deep inside and stringing words together.

I have had some limited success landing some writing jobs, a few speaking gigs,  some panel appearances and my readership continues to increase, but not enough for the "pros" to say I have broken through. 

Of course, if I followed the advice of the "pros" I would have quit writing and posting a long time ago. Fortunately or unfortunately, as the case may be, I'm kind of a stubborn ass and I don't quit something I believe in and love just because I am failing miserably.

I say I am failing because my growth has been incremental in comparison to other successful blogs; the readers rarely comment or respond to my words and I make absolutely no money from my endeavors. It's a pretty pitiful picture, isn't it?

So, why don't I just abandon the site and cut my losses and watch some TV, clean my house more often and get through the stack of books and magazines occupying my nightstand instead of toiling away into the night writing immaterial, mediocre articles that are read by some, but quickly forgotten?

Well, it's complicated. I have often held counsel with myself to discuss this very point.

I have not quit because I like my writing {but I realize I might be alone in this}. I think I add something to the conversation. I think that sometimes I say things that others dare not agree with or speak up about. I think that perhaps I can reach someone in a similar situation as I have found myself in or touch someone's soul or offer hope to someone who may think she or he is alone, but is not. I think that sometimes I inform or bring together or offer food for thought or maybe make someone laugh or cry or both.

And yet, other times I think that I am a fool; a fool for thinking I can write or offer anything to anyone or make any kind of difference. Sometimes, I think I am a fool for exposing my thoughts and emotions and ideas for nothing in return.

While I am excited to have made it through four years of authoring this blog, I'm not sure whether I'm the winner or the loser in this scenario.

I have taken many risks with this blog and my writing over the past four years. I have not been afraid to take on the minority view or share my thoughts on controversial issues or strip away all and bare my heart and soul. I have been truthful and always written from my heart. And I am proud of those things.

I begin Year 5 with some trepidation, as always, as I try to figure out "my why." And yet, that is not entirely accurate. I know my why. I write because I have something to say.

So, really, what I am always trying to decipher is whether anyone cares about what I have to say; does it matter; does it have an impact on anything or anyone?

In the last 1460 days, I have published 785 posts, that's a lot of words. With each new year, the material changes and with it the style and ease of writing. Hopefully, that is a good thing for my readers.

I continue to struggle with how to reach my readers and get them to engage with me. This is not something I do well.

I live much of my life inside my head, working from home, with few friends or social engagements, which perhaps explains my inability to truly reach my readers, as other writers do, despite pouring out my heart and soul.

So, Year 5 I want to simply Be Amazing {as my sweater indicates}. I want to continue to like what I write. I want to continue to work on my book {because I have a story to tell}. I want to continue to share my heart. And I want to be OK with whether anyone else cares or not.

It is my plan to just go along belting out that "Everything is Awesome!" and believe it…because it can be. And maybe one day, maybe even one day in Year 5, my words will really resonate with readers.

I am so appreciative to the number of faithful readers who do open up each post and read week after week and who do like posts and make comments and having been doing so over the past 1460 days. Thank you! Over and out…

Anna

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A Soul's Mate

Quitter v. Navigational Genius {Which one are you?}

What I Meant to Say {I Care}

I don't always know what to say.

When tragedy strikes a friend or someone gets knocked around by life and is feeling hurt, broken, devastated, crushed, I don't always know what words to say.

And I don't think I'm alone in this.

My words may be inadequate, awkward or flat out wrong, but my heart is in the right place. No matter what my words may sound like to the person suffering a blow or a loss, what I mean is: I care; I hear you; I'm praying for you; I'm hurting for you; I'm here if you need me.

I've seen some articles on the things not to say to someone who has lost a child or a parent or is battling cancer, or has a child with a disability or has lost a job, or is working through fertility issues, etc. posted and shared and commented on. And while I understand where these feelings are coming from, I think that these posts are harsh and just as hurtful as the sentiments that may feel like arrows, but are being expressed out of concern and love.

We all feel and express and process experiences differently. So, even if I have gone through a similar experience, the way I grieved or recovered or overcame may be very different from another. Or maybe I have never experienced what someone is going through and can't begin to imagine how that feels or how to process it, and yet I still care and want my friend to know.

By human nature, we want to reach out. We want to show our concern. We want to offer help and support. And my response may be awkward or poorly thought out or lacking, but it is coming from a place of love and compassion and concern.

We should not judge each other based on our responses to tragedy or heartache or difficulties, regardless of the angle from which we  view the upsetting event.

 So, if you are hurting and you share this information, please know that no matter what words I express what I mean is I care and I support you and I am praying for you. Over and out…

Anna

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A Life Full of One-Night Stands {It's not what you think...}

Superheroes {Believe}

{Be Kind} I believe in Me

Open Book {For All to Read}

I never kept a diary. Well, not one outside of my head. I did make little notations in my calendars; marks or letters or one or two words that only I could decipher, should I need to reference that date or the occurrence on that date.

I have always been rather private, actually.

And then one day back in January of 2010 I had an idea to author a blog…because I thought I could make money.

I was wrong.

I wrote only vaguely about me and my family back then; offering little stories or anecdotes. Most of what I wrote was based on legal issues and principles that pertained to families. I thought this would be enough for me and my readers.

I was wrong.

Eventually, I opened up more. I shared more. I wrote more about me.

We live in a society where anyone can be an author, editor and publisher. Anyone can share anything and everything. And often do.

And to what avail?

The question is always why. Why do I keep writing and putting it out there for anyone to see? Why do I share my opinions and thoughts and ideas and feelings and perspectives? Why should I keep this up? Why would anyone care to read these words?

Sometimes I feel exposed and unprotected like a raw and painful crack at the end of a finger. Sometimes I wish I could write and publish these words anonymously. For it's not the strangers reading it that leaves me vulnerable, it's those who know me or are acquainted with me that give me pause.

It's as if I have tacked my diary to my back for all to read only no one else around me has done this. So, many of the people I see on a regular basis know how I feel and think and what goes on inside my head, but I don't know these things about them.

It's an odd feeling.

I am continually asking myself these whys. I rarely find any answers. But I do keep finding words to string together; thoughts to share.

I recently came across an article on blogging; an article written several years back. It was on a newspaper site and the writer clearly has a disdain for bloggers. Almost every sentence was dripping with thinly veiled contempt and irritation. This writer certainly found bloggers to be a distraction for readers; viewing bloggers as faux writers wasting space and time while adding nothing.

I think he was wrong. I think that this form of written expression is important and meaningful. I think that there are a number of really wonderful writers out there pounding out content for a simple blog that perhaps doesn't make a dime and won't ever be syndicated or maybe will never have thousands of pageviews a day. I think these writers offer much to their readers, asking nothing in return.

Whether my content is included in this number I know not. All I know is that what I strive to do here is to speak from my heart. My heart changes in shades from black to red to green to blue, depending on the topic and my mood, but whatever it is, I do my best to be true to it.

I do hope you will continue to gather 'round the fire with me and hear my stories. Year 5 starts March 1^st. Over and out…

Anna

Poor Grammar {Apologies to Mrs. Holland and Mr. Smith}

When I first launched my blog almost four years ago, I was careful with my writing. I wanted to be sure the grammar was correct; I kept the format formal; and I followed the AP Stylebook. I wrote a piece over several days; I proofed it and re-wrote it and proofed some more; I asked friends to proof it.

The whole process was exhausting and took a long while to finish one post. This is not the point of a blog.

Well, after a bit, I got wiser to this blog writing gig, and I stopped caring about the formalities and the AP rules. I started to just write.

I began to write how it sounded in my head. The stops and starts and breaks and thought processes. Sometimes it rambles on like a country road through the hill country going up and down and all around; other times it's a straight line from here to there; never branching off; other times it bobs off here and there and circles back and creates a unique pattern; and still other times it forms the pieces of a puzzle.

There is no particular format; no rhyme or reason, necessarily. That is the beauty of blog writing; it's not like writing a paper to hand in for class or for publication in a magazine; it's personal and comfy and relatable and should feel that way to the reader.

Often, depending on the subject matter and my mood at the time of writing and the type of piece, my posts do not mimic each other in style and presentation. My pieces do have a few things in common though. I use semi-colons a lot. I also employ the handy ellipsis while expressing my thoughts. I almost always count in threes; as in, 3 descriptive words, explanations or examples. See what I did just now? But it's true; just check for yourself.

Additionally, I frequently start sentences with "But" and "And" just because that is how it sounds in my mind. The sentence is not a part of the last sentence written and the thought warrants being its own sentence and needs to start off with one of these words. So, I do it.

There are often typing errors not caught by my quick read through before publication. Sometimes my husband catches them the first time he reads it; sometimes neither of us do and there those mistakes remain for reader after reader.

I am more concerned with the ideas and emotions and words reaching the readers. Most readers do not concern themselves with dissecting a sentence and checking for grammatical correctness. Most readers come here to feel and know and wonder.

I rarely read other blogs because I do not want to be influenced by another's style or word choice or material. I am influenced by my favorite authors and books and their grammatical style and word patterns, but mostly my writing style comes from my own experiences and thoughts deep down inside me and the voice that resonates from my heart.

I do attempt to adhere to basic grammar rules and try to never publish posts with misspelled words; it still happens on occasion though. I am not a newspaper or a magazine or a big blog conglomerate with a staff of editors on hand.

Still, sometimes I imagine Mrs. Holland, a favorite teacher who taught me English and Latin in high school, or Mr. Smith, my favorite college professor from the English Department who was the reason my minor in English turned into a double major, reading these posts and cringing. But I also like to think they would be proud of me and understand my writing and just go along with the… and the symmetry or dissymmetry, whichever seems relevant at the time, and the flow and beauty of the language. And I would hope they could see their influences on my writing, my spirit and my aim.

As for the photo; well, it's not perfect with peeling paint on the sill and not quite symmetrically framed, but I find it beautiful with the  amazing frost patterns and gentle reflections of the fence and the  snow and the garden bench. Beauty is always in the perspective. Over and out…

Anna

On Correspondence {An Evolution}

Sir, more than kisses, letters mingle souls; for, thus friends absent speak.  ~John Donne

Do you remember when handwriting mattered? Do you remember when we used to write letters and send cards and share notes on a regular basis? Those days are fading away. Handwritten messages are almost as irrelevant as phones with cords and typewriters and cassette tapes.

I often hesitate to spend the money on fancy cards that will more than likely be tossed in the trash sooner than later. I find myself always putting off sending a quick note to a friend. I am sorry to say I rarely even write thank you notes these days.

I don't know the last time I bought stationery. My handwriting is horrendous as if the essential muscles have atrophied due to lack of practice.

I have succumbed to the age of quick interactions via Facebook or Twitter or texts. I rarely use email for true corresponding; instead it has become a mode of exchanging information for business purposes; a quick note about an appointment or information regarding a gathering or event.

I used to spend time pouring over the card selections; choosing just the right one for that special person. I used to write letters and thank yous and notes of encouragement.

I wish I still sent cards to friends just to brighten a day or check in or share something exciting. I know that a few lines can lift a spirit, stay with someone for years to come like a little conversation bubble floating above one's head and feel like a hug when you've been standing apart and alone for too long. I know that I keep the notes and letters and cards that were penned with love and care and encouragement.

I keep them in a drawers or stuck in my Bible or other special books. It's always such a treat to come across one while leafing through looking for something else. I read through the lines and am reminded of a particular time or a verse or a sentiment and the person who wrote it.

The card in the photo was lovingly written on a beautiful piece of stationery and left for me in my law school mail cubby during a particularly difficult time, over 14 years ago. The scribe of this scripture was {and is} a dear friend. She knew that these words would put my stress in perspective and soothe my soul.

As she penned the words I doubt she thought that I would keep this note for so many years; thinking of it often and referring to it from time to time to actually see the words and be reminded of this promise, but also remember our friendship during law school that meant so much to me.

Of course, long, long ago, correspondence was the only way to stay connected, to inform of the everyday happenings, to convey details of important life events. There was a formality to it, but there was also an art to it. Letters were kept bound in ribbons, stowed away in leather pouches, referred to, re-read, dwelled upon. They were important.

I am sure that with the invention of the telephone and motorized vehicles and as their use became widely available, there was fear of losing the written word. But it is never lost; it merely changes.

I may not write letters or send cards very often, but I do write all those things here. It's just a new format. I keep track of my thoughts; current events; life happenings; shifts in ideas, etc. sharing these things with anyone who reads the words.

My words may or may not stick with someone or make someone see something in a different way or inform or make someone smile or cry or laugh or act or thank their lucky stars they don't see things the way I do or give someone reason to return here day after day to see what else I have to share.

Correspondence is still important; its form is just evolving; the reach is broader; the depth sometimes shallower; but the sentiment is still from the heart. Over and out…

Anna

Move Over, Martha! {Imperfect is the New Perfect}

I'm no Martha Stewart. And {no offense, Martha} I wouldn't want to be compared to this pop-culture icon, perfectionist snob, ex-convict.

Martha's old-school perfect is not achievable in a real-life home where mom and dad work, kids run in, out and through, pets abound, schedules collide, meals are sometimes an after-thought and life happens without the aid of a personal assistant, driver, gardener, housekeeper, personal trainer, etc, etc, etc.

That doesn't mean that a home can't be cozy, warm, beautiful and inviting and meals aren't tasty, homemade, fresh and nutritious. There's just a new and improved standard of perfect.

When Martha rose to the top of her perfectly sculpted, hand-wrought, expertly starched, ivory hued {linen} tower, we were a different society. We were not do-it-our-selfers; we were not interconnected online; sharing ideas, recipes, photos and designs. We were simply observers; dreaming of living life in the penthouse. We were intrigued with her detailed, ridiculously long recipes and her hoity toity language and luxurious extravagance.

We are more self-sufficient now. We have blogs and Facebook and Pinterest to encourage us to give it a try; get some fabric, a bit of paint and some ribbon; be ourselves; give our homes our personal touch with our own signature looks; imperfect is the new perfect. We can do it ourselves. We are creative and inventive and colorful.

Recently, Martha had a bit of a tantrum. She spouted off about all the so-called lifestyle and foodie bloggers. She complained that they were not {GASP} experts; they had not sufficiently tested their recipes; they are inexperienced. Martha doesn't like these people moving in on her territory.

Dear Martha, calm yourself, you might get a wrinkle in your blouse…. I am sorry to tell you this, but you are irrelevant now. You may have helped us get here, but we are OK with making mistakes and living with wrinkles and making up our own recipes and following mere novices.

Now, I certainly don't claim to be a lifestyle or foodie blogger, but I do sometimes post recipes or holiday decorating or party ideas. So, I feel that I should offer a disclaimer here: I am not an expert designer, decorator, chef, recipe writer or party planner.

And yet, I have tested and consumed all recipes I have posted here. I have created, designed, planned and implemented all items involving home décor or party ideas shown on this blog.

And in that spirit of sharing I have a few holiday décor photos right here in this post. So, Move Over, Martha!

Oh, and for the record, back in the day, that is, the 1990s, I did try a few of Martha's "expertly tested" recipes and none of them were ever keepers. Ironically, I actually always wondered if they were indeed tested.

So, don't worry about whether your favorite lifestyle or foodie blogger is an expert and don't think twice about whether you're qualified to tackle a project in your home. If you like, try it; be creative and have fun; be your own Martha.

Over and out…

Anna

Ramblings {Strung on the Wall with Pink Ribbon}

The first rule of blogging....write only when you have something to say. This is something far too many refuse to adhere to.

But what if you have so much to say that the words get caught up and mixed in and come out all jumbled and twisted? What then?

Wait....Wait until each individual story comes together, stringing one word after another, neatly and orderly, as if each letter is attached to the next by smooth pink satin ribbon; a banner strung from nails in the wall, announcing something important; something special.

With sleep and thought and quiet, the stories will march forth from my heart, through my head and out from my fingertips. And those stories will be read and thought on and disagreed with and embraced and forgotten and dwelled upon.

And there will be more stories to follow. There will always be more stories. Each strung up like portraits in an art gallery to be viewed by the spectators; each one subject to acclaim and ridicule and misinterpretation; each one wholly mine; each one completely self-determining.

But have I broken the first rule of blogging here? Never mind. I rarely ever follow the rules... Over and out...

Anna

Year 4: Less Fear, More determined and Forever Optimistic {Are You Ready?}

The End?

Last March I almost pulled the plug. ...on the blog, that is. I almost stopped writing here. I felt alone. I felt adrift. Life was hard and cold and dark. I didn't see much point in pouring my heart out, researching, writing and sharing.

Yes, I had readers; quite loyal ones. Yes, I got tons of hits from search engine queries. But the writing and publishing began to feel like a burden and I questioned its purpose. I took a week off, but then I felt a guiding hand gently pushing towards picking up where I had left off.

New Rules

So, I did, but I began to set my own rules. I write what I want to write, not what I think I should write; not what I think people want. I write when I want to write and when I have time; I can't write every day. There is no pay from this blog. So, this blog can't get in the way of my other work and my family time. I don't do ads or giveaways or endorsements. That's not why you come over to Hanging by a Thread.

You come here for honest commentary, good information and real life. And that's what I was dedicated to giving you this past year. I simplified the design, stripped the sidebars of everything, but my distracted driving button {that one is close to my heart} and I changed the blog's name from Motherly Law to Hanging by a Thread because that's how I feel on most days.

Whew! Year 3 was a year of transition. And I made it through with just a few scrapes and bruises. I took on tough subjects, heated topics, personal feelings and everything in between. When I went back through the posts from the past year, I liked what I read. I felt that each post I read was honest, even if it was brutal or risky or wasn't a popular view or topic or was deeply personal. And that's all I can ask of myself.

The Scoop

As each new year begins, I try to set goals and think about where I want to be in the following March. So far, I haven't had a clue what the year has in store for me. So, this year, I'll stop trying to pretend that I have any control over that.

As I have said many times, I write what's on my heart and try to live that way too. I recently wrote about living fearlessly, and honestly this past year of adversity has giving me a steadfast strength and a resolute focus. I am less fearful, more determined and forever optimist, even when the black clouds move in, I know the winds of truth will come blow the clouds away. Here's to Year 4....Over and out...

Anna

Year 3: Coming into My Own {A Review of the Year}

Much has changed in three years, including the areas and depth of which I write. I am braver with each passing year. I'm not sure whether I trust you more or care less about what you think of me, or perhaps both.

I took the opportunity to scroll through the months of posts from 2012 and skim through the titles, the words, the photos. There are always posts I have forgotten about. Some posts make me laugh and some bring tears, but I always find it interesting to read the words I formed into sentences and paragraphs and remember what I was feeling or thinking when I wrote the article.

Here are a few (OK, quite a few) of my favorites from 2012. Some are deep and others are fluffy. Some are happy and others are bitter. No matter the tone, I am {almost} always hopeful; and I hope that is perceptible.

Introspective

Time Crunch: On a Deadline...Always!

Motherly Advice {In Perspective} Everyone sees the world differently and has different experiences...

5 Things You Should Know {What a Woman Wants...What a Woman Needs} ...It's not what you think!

My Life...So Far {38 Lessons} 38 doesn't seem so old, but this sure is a long list of lessons...

Snow Storms: A Welcome Invasion...Nothing as lovely as the first big snow of the season...

Time for Myself {at the Airport?}...I'll take it anywhere I can get it...

Falling Through the Dark Portal: Seasonal Affective Disorder {SAD}...Oh, these long, dark MN winters...

Family Matters

Motherly Advice: Speaking the Language {& Color} of Love....I love you as much as I love Green....

Ode to A Father ...An often thankless job...

Jazz: The Brightest of Eyes {An Obituary}...My First Baby...

Parenting Challenge: Selfish Kids {During the Season of Giving} ...When I didn't like my kids...

 Collage: Creating Something New from Something Broken {A Lesson in Persistence and Love} There was a marriage before, but it never looked like this.    

Political/Legal Statements

A Holy War: When Women's Health Care Becomes Collateral Damage ...Tough on Texas....

Putting a Stop to Bullying: Starting with You & Me...Bullying also makes my blood boil...

Political Campaign Contributions: A Waste of Money....Definitely on a Soapbox...

Eats, Shoots and Leaves or Eats Shoots and Leaves? {That's the Debate} ...Clever....

On Fried Chicken and Casting Stones...OK, not so much about fried chicken...

A Pledge...for the Unity of Our Nation; Overcoming the Great Divide... Forever optimistic that all people can unite as citizens of our country and see past differences...

God is with Us {Always and Everywhere}... My Thoughts about tragedy and God....

Today, March 1^st, marks the end of Year 3 and the Start of Year 4. Later today I will post about where I've been and where I'm going, as if I know...Over and out...

Anna

Nothing. Nada. Zip. {When the Words Don’t Flow}

Sometimes I feel a heaviness in my heart or buzzing in my head or nervous, confused energy. I feel that tonight. There are lots of words and feelings and thoughts bumping around inside. I sit down to write because I know there must be something that needs to come out through my fingertips. I began a sentence and then delete the words. I start another sentence, but that's not right either. I delete again.

Nothing sounds right. Nothing is flowing. There are bits of this and pieces of that; random thoughts that don't go anywhere. I scan the headlines on news sites. I pick up an old paper I've been saving because something had caught my eye for a potential article. I flip through a few magazines and look through a list of story ideas. Nothing.

There is no spark. I'm tired, but I have an energy pulsing through me. There is something I should be writing, but what is it.

I want to tell about how my amazingly creative my kids are and how I can't wait to see what they do with those inventive juices and how I want to be sure that no one and nothing ever crushes that energy and ingenuity because with it they can go far and do interesting, perhaps important things.

I want to discuss why the top job that women hold is still secretary...the same as it was in 1950. Is this OK; not OK; is it surprising; is it the glass ceiling or family duties or by choice or lack of ambition or confidence or something entirely different? I don't know what all it means, but it is interesting.

I want to talk about our flag and why this fabric sewn with stripes and stars is so sacred to some, but not to others. Do we feel the same about our national icons that our parents or grandparents do/did? And should they be protected by law?

I want to write about the fine line the Academy Awards walk between being a ridiculously stupid, self-absorbed, spoiled rich kid and an inspiring, emotional, uplifting, creative, brilliantly gifted kid. And I want to tell you that I didn't know who Seth McFarlane was until I looked him up on Google. And I think the Oscars better keep looking for a host.

But none of those topics are coming together tonight. So, I will sleep with this heaviness, the buzzing and the energy pulses and at the right moment the words will string together properly. Over and out...

Anna

Lighting the Way: A Year of Hope and Courage

The Ornament

As I removed the ornaments from our tree, I looked at each one, handling it with care. I was moving more slowly than I normally do since I was recovering from the flu. My four year-old son helped with this task, asking questions about each one as he gathered the boxes for me.

As I was putting away one ornament, I found an ornament that had been left behind when the others had been placed on the tree; hidden under a bit of tissue paper. It was one of those Willow Tree Angels.

Each of these angel figurines/ornaments are assigned a particular sentiment; angel of love, peace, joy, motherhood, learning, etc. And each angel carries with her an object to represent her sentiment.

Family

Well, this one was given to me by my sister-in-law on the occasion of her wedding. She gave each of her bridesmaids one; each with a different sentiment. Now, at the time, I didn't think this future sister-in-law even liked me; and to be fair I should say that we barely knew each other at all.

I received the Angel of Hope. So, in my snarky, sassy head, I thought, "yeah, she hopes she likes me someday."

Well, I can't speak for her, but after 9 years of being together in the "Berend Clan", I certainly do like her. She's steadfast, always knows when to hold her tongue and always does the right thing; things that I am not always very good at; and it turns out she's witty and funny too. I am glad to count her as a sister and a friend.

Hope and Courage

As I looked at this Angel of Hope ornament with her hand outstretched, carrying a lantern, I thought of these things and then I read the little tag still attached to the ornament string; "Sharing the light of hope and courage."

And I realized that this is what I endeavor to accomplish through this blog.

I wish to spread hope for a new day, even if the past or present have proved to be dark. The sun will always rise; and we must each keep moving forward.

I wish to inspire courage in my readers; courage to speak, to do, to represent, to build, to take down, to explore. My intent is to convey to my readers that they must never underestimate themselves; they must never feel powerless in a powerful world.

It's my hope that by arming my readers with information; being straight forward with my words and feelings, even when they are not neat or pretty or perfect; and standing up for what I believe in through my written words, that I will encourage others to do the same.

The Scoop

When I created this blog, almost 3 years ago, I wanted merely to inform. I was ignorant about what it would mean to me and I hope what it has meant to others. With each year, I continue to flesh out the being that this blog is becoming, adding more depth and character with each passing year; at least that is my hope.

So, it is with great enthusiasm {despite having just spent the 1^st 7 days of the new year under the influence of a nasty flu} that I choose my words to live by this year. They shall be hope and courage. Coming up soon: health care issues, gun issues and booster seats. Over and out...

Anna    

Hanging On {An Explanation}

Hanging by a thread...this is how I feel on a daily basis, and I'm willing to bet that many of you feel like this too. And since I write what's on my heart whether it's a legal issue, a parenting topic, a consumer safety concern, a favorite recipe, on being a woman, not just a mom and a wife, our family's little adventures, a political or social rant or something else entirely different, I'm changing Motherly Law to Hanging by a Thread: Life and Law by Anna.

Hanging by a thread is not meant to be a negative sentiment. I look at life as one adventure after another, but life isn't easy, at least not for this household. So, it often feels like I am dangling mid-air resolving not to let go, but to keep hanging on until I can feel the ground beneath my feet again.

One of my favorite Mary Engelbreit drawings and quotes from Thomas Jefferson is pictured above and says, "When you reach the end of your rope tie a knot in it and hang on." I have followed this advice through some of the toughest days and weeks of my life.

I write with passion and sincerity, the same way I approach life. Consequently, my posts are often raw and open, exposing my deepest thoughts and ideas. I'm never sure how my writing will be received when I click the Publish button, but I continue to put myself out there day after day...hanging from the knot at the end of my rope.

It is my hope that Hanging by a Thread will inspire and touch those who read here. Over and out...

Anna

Ramblings: A Stream of Consciousness {On Writing}

This I know for sure; I am not a journalist. I am a commentator. It is not my desire to be in the trenches reporting the news. Instead, I wish to analyze it, study it, consider it and then provide a view of what it all means.

Isn't everyone a writer these days? At least it seems to me that just about everyone has a blog, giving him or her license to write and publish the written word. So, what determines who is a writer and who is not a writer?

I recently read a tweet that said, a person writing online is just a blogger until the minute he gets paid for his writing; then he becomes a writer.

By this definition, I am a writer.

What about value of the writing; does it matter anymore? Say, for instance, if someone writes for a small town newspaper and another person has published a few novels and another is paid to write a blog. Are all of these people writers?

Simply being published or getting paid to write does not mean that one writes really well. I've read some really horrid articles, books and blog posts before; of which all of the authors were presumably paid for the work.

To say, "I'm a writer" conjures up romantic visions of dark, smoke-filled bars occupied by the likes of Earnest Hemmingway and Mark Twain or a sunny meadow or bleak heath tread upon by Jane Austin and Charlotte Bronte as they spin hopelessly dreamy tales of love and heartbreak. I am neither of these kinds of writers.

As much as I love to read, I don't recall that magical moment that I knew I could read words, but I do recall the instant I realized I could write letters that became words. That moment is cemented into my memories. I know exactly where I was, what I was writing and how proud I was.

It is the writing and expressing that has always meant so much to me.

I have figured out what I want to be in my next chapter of life. I want to be a writer. But haven't I always been this if I am to be one at all?

Can one become a writer or is one simply born a writer; one day unfurling that bloom that has always been there, but had yet to be opened until the time was right?

Anna

 

A Pinterest{ing} Question: Is it Safe to Pin?

Failing to See the Forest for the Trees

A few weeks ago, we tried one of those do-it-yourself yogurt bars where you choose from 16 some odd flavors of yogurt and then pile on the toppings. You can go crazy or keep it modest. I let the boys choose their flavors and toppings with minimal help from me, allowing them to create their own unique treat. They actually kept it pretty respectable with a balance of fruit and candy.

On the way out the door, Darling 1 dropped his cup, spilling some of the kiwi fruit, gummy bears and brownie chunks out on the sidewalk. He panicked and began to go into hysterics, but I scooped it up and assured him that I had saved most of his delicious concoction. Once seated and chowing down on his frozen yogurt treat, he forgot about those lost gummy bears; and despite this small hiccup and near meltdown, he enjoyed his very distinctive "fro-yo" creation.

Sometimes we lack vision and can't see past a small stone in the path that we mistaken for a giant boulder. When that happens it takes insight from others to realize it's not really such a big deal.

Jumping the Gun

About a month ago, a woman wrote a post explaining her tearful decision to close her Pinterest account over fear of lawsuits regarding the photo links she "pinned" on this social media platform. After reading the Pinterest Terms of Use and considering copyright laws she basically panicked, pulled her boards down and spread her paranoid post across the blogosphere. I've been ruminating on this issue since reading the article. And finally, I have a chance to write about it.

For those who don't know, Pinterest is a relatively new social media platform where users can create virtual bulletin boards with different themes. Each time a user places a photo link on a board, it's called "a pin." Many websites have added buttons titled "Pin This" or other similar statements to encourage readers to post the link with a photo to their Pinterest boards.

I do have a Pinterest account, but I admit that I have barely used it and I'm certainly no expert on Pinterest, but my opinion is that this woman made a mountain out of a molehill. There are two issues to address: 1) Terms of Use; and 2) copyright laws. Neither of these issues are unique to Pinterest.

Terms of Use

The woman who sadly left Pinterest was apparently shocked to find that Pinterest claimed indemnity when it came to copyright issues, including attorney fees. Well, let me tell you that all online platforms who have covered all their bases, dotted every i and crossed every t is going to place all the blame squarely on your shoulders and leave your mess in your lap should you violate someone's copyright. And why shouldn't they?

After all, it's not Typepad's {my blog host} responsibility to make sure that I don't infringe on anyone's copyright, etc. They are merely the paid host of thousands of blogs. They are not the regulators of content, nor the owners of any of the content contained within each blog. Just as it is not Pinterest's obligation to ensure that everyone being pinned is alright with this. So, any legal actions, including any costs incurred, are the user's liability not the platform's problem.

This should not have been a shock to this woman. This is standard language in a Terms of Use policy. I would be shocked if the Terms of Use didn't contain these provisions. There's no reason to quit Pinterest because of this standard and fair language.

Copyrighted Material

As with any social media platform, all users should have at the very least a vague understanding of copyright laws in order to protect their own works and protect themselves from getting in trouble if using someone else's original work. I think, in general, misunderstandings about what constitutes copyrighted material and what is an infringement of such copyright abound in the world of social media.

It's actually quite easy to infringe on someone's copyrighted material if you're pinning content on Pinterest, posting photos that you didn't take or writing articles with liberal use of other's written words without permission from the copyright owner.

Here are a few of the basic concepts:

• What type of material is protected by copyright? {the short answer}
  • Copyright protects original works of authorship including literary, musicals. Dramatic and artistic works.
  • Copyright does not include ideas, systems, facts or methods of operation.
• What constitutes copyright infringement?
  • In general terms, a copyright is infringed when a person makes a derivative work, reproduces, performs, publicly displays or distributes copyrighted material without the permission from the copyright owner.
• What is fair use?
  • Fair use is a doctrine that allows for limited use of copyrighted materials without first acquiring permission from the copyright owner.
  • Under fair use, copyrighted material may be used for news reporting, criticism, commentary, educational uses, research and the like.
  • In determining whether fair use applies, a court will look at 4 factors;
    • Purpose and character of the use;
    • Nature of the original; material made for commercial use is less protected;
    • Amount and substance of original used; and
    • Effect that the use has had on the market of the original material.

Pinning without Permission

While "pinning" a photo that acts as a link to the original source, may or may not be considered copyright infringement {the courts haven't considered this specific issue yet}, most website owners are not going to be upset by this link. The pinning to a board in Pinterest will likely cause increased traffic to the original source's site, which for most will be considered a positive effect.

One exception might be photographers who are showcasing photos of clients or selling their art on their sites. These sites are often protected by passwords and/or have water marks on photos and provide language about the use of their photos.

However, should your "pin" not link the material to the original source, a problem could arise. And yet, most likely the first course of action will not be to file a lawsuit. Most of these issues can easily be corrected by contacting the person who is infringing on another's copyright and demand that the offending person take down copyrighted material immediately.

If that doesn't do the trick, a formal cease and desist letter would follow. And then, if there is still infringement or if there is a gross infringement or habitual infringement, a petition would most likely be filed in federal court.

The Scoop

Few with a heavy online presence haven't had to send a demand to take down a page or post or photo. It happens often, whether on purpose or in ignorance. I don't mean to say it isn't a big deal; it is. But it's usually something that can easily be dealt with without filing a lawsuit.

So, should you close up shop at Facebook, Twitter, your blog, Pinterest, et al? I don't think so. But I do think you should know what the Terms of Use that you have agreed to say and understand the basics of copyright law. When in doubt about whether what you're "taking" from another constitutes copyright infringement be sure to look it up; you can find anything online. Oh, and I'm fine with you "pinning" this on Pinterest, sharing it on Facebook or Retweeting it on Twitter Over and out....

Anna

Getting Unstuck & Taking Inventory

Getting stuck is easily done; it's getting unstuck that takes some doing. I feel a bit like Pooh Bear in Rabbit's hole after a few days of being stuck; I can feel the hold loosening and know that eventually I'll be completely unstuck.

Thank you all for your kind words, support and encouragement in the last week. It's much appreciated.

In all my contemplation at this fork in the road, I have decided to change some things here at Motherly Law. Think of this change as re-arranging furniture in a room.

In my own home, after a while, I get bored with the way things are set up; random papers, magazines and items without any assigned place start to stack up and clutter begins to take over. We all have rooms and spaces like that.

And when that happens, a shift of furniture, a good dusting and vacuuming, sifting through the loose papers and unread magazines and filling a bag for goodwill usually does the trick.

It's the same with a blog, every once in a while you've got to shake things up; try a few new features or just take some things away that aren't working in the space.

So, bear with me while a do a little early spring cleaning. I'm still working out the details. Any thoughts about what you do like or what you don't; suggestions about what you'd like to see more of or less of?

Over and out...

Anna

A Deep Sense of Failure

Advice is always free...

~From a Sign Outside a Computer Repair Store

I'm at a fork in the road. I don't know which path to take. It donned on me that I needed to get some advice from someone.

Then, it hit me like a ton of bricks; I don't have anyone other than my mom and my husband that I go to for advice; to talk things through. While I value their advice, sometimes my mom and my husband are too close to the situation to offer an unbiased opinion; as is the case here.

I'm not usually the one who seeks advice {at least not from other people}; I'm the giver of advice in most cases. This realization made me feel crumpled and alone.

While advice may be free and come from many sources, I need real, honest to God direction; not lip service. It's not always easy to get that kind of support.

I've never been one to reveal all the cards in my hand. I may share various pieces, but I don't let many see the whole picture.

I rely hardily on myself. I apply pressure, criticism and perfectionism by the ton. I don't always provide unbiased advice to myself. I have high expectations; few things ever live up to those expectations.

I often feel that I miss the mark and fail at what I am trying to do; what my aspiration is.

On Saturday morning, while getting a pair of socks from my dresser drawer, I saw my worn and weathered, but always steadfast in its message, devotional book. I keep it in my sock drawer, the top level of my tall dresser, where the two little boys don't often venture with wondering eyes and inquisitive hands.

My devotional has long been without its cover and the pages are yellowing, the spine broken, some pages are unattached and others torn. This little book has been through a lot; including surviving the infancy and toddlerhood of the two curious boys. Yet, each day of each year the message holds true.

On Saturday morning when rifling through hoards of brown socks, searching for 1 pair of matching black socks, I saw my little devotional which had been ignored for the last several days. My fingers flipped through the old pages to find March 3.

In part, it read:

Your very deep sense of failure is a sure sign that you are growing...Remember too, it is only struggle that hurts. In sloth, spiritual or mental or physical, there is no sense of failure or discomfort, but with action, with effort, you are conscious not of strength but of weakness – at least, at first.

So, it is with prayerful and careful soul searching thought that I have decided to continue to write and publish here at Motherly Law.

You see, after reaching the second year milestone this past week, I began to question the purpose of it all. This project takes up a great deal of my time and energy and grows in tiny increments from month to month and year to year, with occasional stagnate periods.

I love to write; I aspire to continue to write much more than this blog. But I began to wonder if all was merely a waste of my time with no point now or in the future; I questioned if my writing is not at a level that is deemed worthy to be shared, as one would a good book or article or blog that has made it to the "bigtime" {for that is how a blog grows and gains ground}.

I still don't know the answers to those questions, but I will continue on unless I find that my questions have merit to them. Over and out...

Anna

Layers of Cake: Motherly Law’s 2nd Anniversary

The Icing

I used to be funnier. At least that's what my mom told me. And it's true...kind of. Let me clarify. I'm still funny {I am}, but my posts are not as light, fluffy and funny as they were when I first started out here two years ago.

Two years ago, I launched Motherly Law. Two years ago, I shared anecdotes about my life as a mom of two young boys as I provided information about legal issues that affect families. My tales were light and funny coupled with information that is not always so light and certainly not funny like family law, estate law, consumer safety issues and the like. Two years ago, I stuck to a strict schedule of posting on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I didn't dare diverge from my path. Two years ago, I began building an audience from people I knew.

Things Change

Today, 535 posts later, there is not a schedule, and I don't know most of the readers. Today, I post often; as many as 7 days a week. Today, I allow myself to write what I feel and what inspires me and interests me, even if it doesn't have to do with the law or family. Today, I write from the heart. My heart is not always full of funny stories. Sometimes, my heart is broken; sometimes my heart is sassy; sometimes my heart is giddy; sometimes my heart is joyful; sometimes my heart is contemplative; sometimes my heart asks questions; and sometimes my heart has answers.

Two years ago, I wrote what I thought readers would like. Today, I write for me and hope my audience understands where I'm coming from and perhaps have just been where I'm going. Two years ago, I wanted to inform parents about a variety of issues that keep me up at night and might be keeping them up too; today, that wish remains the same.

The First Layer of Cake

And yet, few things have remained the same in the past two years. One year ago, my family and faith were rocked when Will became unemployed. An already snug budget cinched even tighter. The pressure for me to keep our family above the rising water became immense.

My heart was heavy and tired and frustrated and desperate. Last summer, our family was saddened and angered by a brother's divorce. In the last few months, my family has been hurting for my cousin fighting cancer. I have not been feeling so light and fluffy.

However, not every turn has been down. It has been a year of learning, making the small things count, finding blessings and being thankful in the face of adversity. We have been building our lives, our marriage, our family and our faith on a rock solid foundation and these things cannot bring us down. We have {almost} nowhere to go but up now.

I have been writing my way through this difficult year. And you all have stood there with me, holding my hand, patting my back, crying tears of joy and sadness with me. And for that, I am so thankful to have begun building these relationships two years ago.

Defining Motherly Law

Two years ago, I had no idea where Motherly Law would go, how far it would go, whom it would reach or how it would be received. And today, I still don't have the answers to those questions. There are days that I hate the burden of "having to" write these posts and contemplate putting down the pen for good, but most days I love having a space to share dreams, stories, fears, tips, legal issues and paranoid thoughts with all of you.

Two years ago, I didn't think twice about using my phone while driving. In fact, I did it almost every time I got behind the wheel. It was a chance to talk while my little guys were firmly restrained in their car seats. I had no idea that I would become a staunch advocate of stopping distracted driving and bringing awareness to the dangers of using cell phones while driving.

And yet, last March, this very topic took me to New York to be a panelist discussing how to stop young people from driving with distractions because of my passion for these issues. I know that a number of my readers have changed their ways due to my diligence in presenting information and statistics to my readers. I am proud to say that my distracted driving pieces rank high with the search engines and are read on a daily basis even after being posted many weeks, months or even almost two years ago.

Two years ago, I didn't give much credit to my Motherly Advice piece each week. My intention was to add a bit of levity and brevity to the week's posts on heavier legal issues. And yet, the weekly appearance of Motherly Advice has become a greatly loved feature by the readers and much to my surprise, to me, as well. It's one of the few things that haven't changed with the exception of moving from Friday to Saturday. Who knew this would be the case?

The Scoop

There are few things I know for certain; one is that I do love to write {and I think I get better with each passing year}; another is that life will continue to have ups and downs and I will be here writing about the highs, lows and mid-points of being a woman, a mom and a wife; and I'll continue to seek out answers and information regarding legal issues and consumer safety issues that you might find helpful and enlightening as you navigate your way through parenthood and life for as long as I have something to say.

Two years ago, when I began writing here, 2010 was like the top of the cake, light and sweet and fluffy; the icing. The last year, 2011, was the first layer of cake; rich and dense, dark with bittersweet chocolate. I don't know how many layers this cake has or what flavor each layer is, but as the year passes by, the layer will be revealed. Here's hoping it's a delicious cake made up of many layers and a number of flavors and fillings. Over and out...

Anna

The List: Favorite Motherly Law Moments and Posts {2 Year Anniversary Week}

Motherly Law turns two on Thursday, March 1, 2012. As with everything in my life, I find myself asking "Where has the time gone?" Here I am approaching Motherly Law's toddler years. Having made it through the long, sleepless nights of infancy, I've been leaving ML to its own devices more often. ML continues to develop, reaching various milestones and shaping its personality; ML has come into its own bit by bit.

As any parent knows, at the age of 2 things are just starting to get interesting. So, this year should be one to watch!

I'll be writing more about what Motherly Law has meant to me on Thursday, but I thought I'd compile a list of favorite posts from the past year and poignant moments from the past two years as the Founder and Author of Motherly Law.

1. Being a panelist at the Distracted Driving Forum in conjunction with U.S. Department of Transportation and Consumer's Union in New York in March 2011;
2. Motherly Advice: Life's a Fickle Thing
3. When people tell me they have stopped using their phones while driving because of my posts on Distracted Driving;
4. Writing through my emotions in Mourning a Loss: Processing Divorce. And I'm happy to say I've now made it to Acceptance, and there is a new normal in our family;
5. I Hit a Child with My Car: Distracted Driving
6. On Being a Kite or an Anchor
7. Being featured in the Star Tribune in November 2010.
8. Let the Words Out: Writing from the Heart & Finding Your Voice That's all anyone can do. And I think we all have a story to tell;
9. When people tell me they've been reading ML for a while; people I didn't know were reading; people I don't know; it give me purpose in continuing to write Motherly Law.
10. When my boys talk about writing as a career and refer to mommy as a writer.
11. Doubling my number of pageviews from year 1 to year 2. I must be doing something right.
12. Realizing that I don't need millions and millions of comments or reads to make a difference. If only 1 person says, "Aha!" or "I thought I was alone in this, but I'm not!" or feels inspired or informed or is touched by something I have written that's enough.
13. Motherly Advice {My New Year's Resolution for 2012}
14. The fact that posts I wrote almost 2 years ago still get read weekly, if not daily.
15. Blowing Bubbles in the Wind: Giving an Idea a Chance at Life

You will notice the posts I love the most have come straight from my heart. It's cathartic for me to write the words on my heart. I still love the law and feel that parents need to be "In the Know" when it comes to consumer safety issues, legal issues and parenting issues. I'll keep writing. And I hope you will keep reading. Over and out...

Anna

The List: The Social Media Addict’s Christmas List

You might be a Social Media Junkie if you have any of these items in your or on your Wish List. If you don't understand what these gifts are or why anyone would want them, you aren't a key Social Media Player {sorry to break it to you}. Either way, if you or someone on your Christmas List is Social Media Consumed then you're going to want to check out this List. If for nothing else, it's worth a chuckle. I, for one, think these items are Fabulously Social Media Geeky Chic, which is the look I'm going for these days!

Check out these ultra cool finds: 

1. "Follow Me" Tights by tattoo socks. These cool tights come in several shades and lengths and each with the familiar tweeting bird and "Follow Me" request are good for a laugh and probably a few follows on Twitter too. The other tights on this site are really cute too {in case you haven't been bitten by the Social Media Bug}, but my heart belongs to Twitter.
2. Twitter Handle & Hashtag Jewelry by Survival of the Hippest and Blend Creations *See Discount Code Below. Find necklaces in several styles at these links. I like the SATC "Carrie" style the best, but it all depends on your style. Use @ plus handle or # plus handle, word or phrase at both sites. Hmmmm....let's see simply @MotherlyLaw or @Motherlylaw <3 @Will_OpenDoorSM, perhaps or maybe #PhoneDownEyesUp...
3. QR Code or Emoticon Cufflinks by Blend Creations. So debonair; so dashing; something every #SM gent should have. To me, the QR Code links offer a more sophisticated look. These tiny barcodes are actually encoded with a secret message of your choosing too. *See Discount Code Below
4. Social Media Icon Throw Pillows by Craftsquatch. I love these colorful decorative pillows. Whether outfitting your office, game room, bedroom or play room I would think that every Social Media Addict would have a room for these soft icons.
5. MiFi from Novatel Wireless. This handy gadget allows you to have a wireless internet connection anywhere you happen to be. In fact, you can connect up to 5 wireless enabled devices at one time, including cameras, computers, music players, game players, etc. It's small; it's safe; it's great for travel; working remotely, etc.
6. Tec Touch Gloves found at Dick's Sporting Goods and other locations. For those of us in the colder regions of the planet, these warm gloves allow for tweeting, phoning, texting, game playing and any other touch screen application necessary for smartphones and/or tablets. The special "pods" on the thumb and index finger of these gloves allow for easy operation of touch screen technology without taking glove off. Nice!
7. EatTweet, a Twitter Cookbook (in photo above) available locally at Kitchen in the Market or at eat-tweet.com. All recipes are in the form of tweets; that is, 140 characters or less and were originally tweeted out by the cookbook author, Maureen Evans who goes by @cookbook on Twitter. Very cool and a bit challenging; one must be careful not to get lost in the translation.

What's on your list?

*UPDATE: This just in...Blend Creations is offering Motherly Law readers 15% off orders of $50+ until 12/31. Use the promo code: MotherlyLaw (not case-sensitive); Crazy Cool!

I just had to get this posted even though I ran out of time on Sunday, cuz I like this stuff, but I will be posting a Recipe from my #VirtualCookieRecipeExchange later today. Over and out...

Anna

 

Chocolate Cherry Sugar Cookies: Christmas Cookie Recipe Exchange Part I

Virtual Cookie Exchange

ANNOUNCEMENT: I'm hosting a Virtual Cookie Exchange through the month of December. Want to participate? Simply email me at [email protected] with your favorite holiday recipe and any story or history that goes along with it or even a photo or two, and I'll share it with my readers. Or just show up and reap the benefits of this Cookie Exchange, if you'd rather not contribute a recipe.

Here is the first installment of the Holiday Cookie Recipe Exchange. I'm starting things off with one of my top secret {because it tastes so rich and scrumptious, but is so easy to make} favorite Christmas cookies.

The Tradition of Baking

For me, baking cookies for family and friends means that Christmas is here. My mother always loved to bake special cookies in the week or so prior to Christmas; and I enjoyed helping. Then, I began making cookies too. And I have made sure to continue that tradition with my Boys. Even when they were very small, I would bake cookies and let them decorate the cookies.

This process could easily get out of hand and become a complete disaster. And if you have boys, as I do, there is no idyllic mom and child happily, icing cookies with great care, each wearing an apron, Hallmark kind of moment; just take my word for it. It's more like a scene from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation with icing smeared on couches, rugs and walls, colored sugar covering the entire table and floor like a light dusting of snow, flour in small snow drifts all around the kitchen, etc.

Baking with the Boys

I learned this quite early on and enlisted the help of our nanny. She was infinitely more patient than I and helped Darling 1 with the frosting and sprinkling while I mixed, rolled, cut-out and baked and Darling 2 happily babbled and slept intermittently in his infant seat. Well, that was 3 years ago. Of course, with each year, some things get easier and other things get harder.

I involve the Boys in some aspect of the baking/decorating/delivery process every year; and each year which part they help with changes with their ages. Darling 2 happens to be a very good baker; following each instruction given and waiting for more directions. Darling 1 is an experimenter and does not care to follow directions; instead his aim is to concoct a new mixture of some sort. So, Darling 1 is better suited to decorating than mixing.

Christmas Cookies

I like to make a variety of flavors and textures for my cookie tray; sugar, chocolate, ginger, soft, buttery and crisp. When it comes to cookie baking the fewer ingredients involved, the quicker the recipe and easier to divide the dough for making different varieties the better. This cookie recipe fits the bill.

I found this recipe about 10 years ago while searching for a new sugar cookie recipe. I now bake it every year, making at least three kinds of cookies from it; all are delicious! My favorite variety is a cherry chocolate version.

The first year I made these I had doubled or tripled the recipe and was tired of rolling out, cutting out and decorating the sugar cookies. I had mini chocolate chips and dried cranberries on hand and decided to mix them into the dough and bake in balls. As it turns out, I had accidentally bought dried cranberries flavored with cherry juice, which made the cookies taste like cherry chocolates, especially with the distinct taste of vanilla in these cookies. I have intentionally baked this version every year since.

Chocolate Cherry Sugar Cookies

1 cup white sugar

2 sticks of butter, softened (Real butter, please! No substitutes)

3 ounces of cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon of PURE vanilla

1 egg yolk

2 ¼ cups flour

1 cup of mini chocolate chips, give or take, depending on taste

1 cup cherry flavored cranberries

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine sugar, butter, cream cheese, vanilla and egg yolk. Beat until smooth.

Stir in flour.

If rolling out for cut-outs, chill the dough or a portion of the dough until firm and not sticky about 8 hours or so. Then, roll out to 1/8 of an inch thick, cut out and bake for 8 minutes or so, being careful not to burn the edges.

If making Chocolate Cherry version, proceed....

Mix in chocolate chips and cranberries, with desired amount of chocolate and cherry goodness.

Scoop dough into balls with 1 tablespoon and place on foil or parchment covered baking sheet. . I have found these cookies are best small, as they are rich and buttery.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Note: Cookies will be quite white and soft when they are ready to come out of the oven. Do not overcook.

Another variation: These are excellent with M&Ms in them too. Also, if working with kids, this recipe works well to roll out, cut out and decorate with M&Ms, then bake. No need for further decorating; and they really are quite delicious. Feel free to try any variety of mix-ins to suit your taste.

Send me your recipes, please! Over and out...

Anna