Girls Night Out

It's pouring with rain today. It rained heavy all last night. Several times I woke to the sound of it on the roof and to worry about the kids and my blog and my weight and other issues that seem so important in the dead of night but in the light of day are revealed for what they are (except the kids - they are important).

I have to go shopping today - something that I dislike immensely. Ugh! Tonight I have a combined gift evening to attend for two colleagues: a baby shower for one about to have her first baby and a kitchen tea for the other who is about to be married for the first time at forty. The idea is for everyone to buy a small gift each for the bride and baby and then they'll all be placed in two large baskets and given to the recipients.

I have no idea what I'll buy for the baby yet but that can't be too hard. The hardest thing will probable be making my mind up. For the bride I hope to buy a pretty storage jar and I'll make up "Chocolate Cookie Mix in a Jar." One of my sons found this recipe on the internet years ago and I've used it several times.

I'll share it here in case any one wants to copy the idea.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1-3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (or less - we tend to cook with less salt downunder)

Directions:
A. Combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt and set aside.
B. In a one quart wide mouth canning jar (or nice shaped bottle), layer brown sugar, white sugar, cocoa, pecans, then chocolate chips. Pack everything down firmly before adding flour mixture. It should be a snug fit. Seal.
C. On a pretty card attach the following instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Empty cookie mix into a large mixing bowl and blend thoroughly with hands.
3. Add 3/4 cup softened butter or margarine, 1 egg slightly beaten, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
4. Mix until all is blended. The dough is sticky and you will need to finish mixing with your hands.
5. Shape into walnut size balls and place 2" apart on a lined or greased baking tray.
6. Bake for 11-13 minutes. Cool 5 minutes on trays before removing to racks. Makes 3 dozen cookies.

There you have it! Wrapped up in cellophane this idea always makes a lovely and novel gift.

Just two nights ago I also had another Girls Night Out. Some colleagues organised for a group of us to see Mama Mia! I'd read a review online and wasn't impressed. When I mentioned to one of the others in the group that the review had stated that the movie contained a number of sexual innuendos, she said she'd seen the movie and hadn't noticed any. After seeing the movie I have to wonder whether she watched it with eyes and ears closed.

Anyway, after some persuasion I went to the movies with the others. You can guess what happened. Five minutes into the movie and I start to wonder what on earth I'm doing there. I started debating with myself whether or not to get up and leave. Then I started thinking. I knew of several other Christian women who had seen the movie and had said it was 'fun' and 'hilarious'. Here I was sitting with a group of Christian women (some of whom I admired as godly women) and I was disgusted. Was there something wrong with me? Was I the only one who found the movie offensive? (I found out later that another colleague shared my feelings - a fairly new young Christian who had left such a lifestyle behind).

There was nothing 'wrong' with me except that I'd ignored that still small voice that had told me not to go and had wilfully stepped into the path of temptation. On my way to the movie theatre I had struggled to pray in the car - that should have set off alarm bells even if nothing else had.

I tell my kids to stand up for what is right - so why didn't I?

I tell my kids not to be swayed by others - so why was I?

I tell my kids that a little bit of sin taints everything - so why did I step inside that movie theatre?

To say I found the movie offensive is an understatement. To say I'm a hypocrite isn't far off the mark. I wish I hadn't gone. I just hope and pray that next time I'll listen to that small inner voice and not be so afraid to say 'no'.

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire (Mark 9:47, KJV).

[Edited to add photo and link to review.]