This is such a huge accomplishment in the life of a 5 year old.
To me, it is even sweeter because he says things like this, "Mom, did you know I can tie so well with my STRONG and NIMBLE fingers?"
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
(Colleen's) Creamy Cauliflower Soup
Our family has had this soup just about once a week for the past month, and we still love it! It is a winner for speed and ease, as well as health and taste. In a mason jar it is a great gift.
My friend Colleen says: "Here is the recipe I use. I vary the amount of liquid to cauliflower depending on how creamy (thick) I want the soup to be. I like the soup to be creamy, so I usually add just enough liquid to cover the cauliflower in the pot. I usually do about 1:1 ratio of broth to coconut milk. You can make the soup a little sweeter by adding a little more coconut milk. I use the Thai kitchen brand because it doesn't have scary additives."
Here is her recipe: Creamy Cauliflower Soup (Colleen's)
2 heads cauliflower (I use the florets, not the big stem)
1 yellow onion
2 cups chicken broth (sometimes I need more if the head of cauliflower is big)
1 can coconut milk (regular, not lite)
1 tsp. salt (sometimes more)
1. Saute onion in the pot that you wish to make the soup in. I use either butter or coconut oil for sauteing.
2. Once onions are translucent, I add the broth, coconut milk and cauliflower. Bring to a boil.
3. Cover and simmer on low-med heat for about 15-20 min.
4. When cauliflower is tender, blend the soup in a blender until creamy.
Calli's version: (I have a bigger family!)
3 large bags of frozen cauliflower
1 cup frozen onions
3 cups chicken stock
2 cans coconut milk
2 peeled, diced potatoes
salt and pepper to taste
YUMMO!
My friend Colleen says: "Here is the recipe I use. I vary the amount of liquid to cauliflower depending on how creamy (thick) I want the soup to be. I like the soup to be creamy, so I usually add just enough liquid to cover the cauliflower in the pot. I usually do about 1:1 ratio of broth to coconut milk. You can make the soup a little sweeter by adding a little more coconut milk. I use the Thai kitchen brand because it doesn't have scary additives."
Here is her recipe: Creamy Cauliflower Soup (Colleen's)
2 heads cauliflower (I use the florets, not the big stem)
1 yellow onion
2 cups chicken broth (sometimes I need more if the head of cauliflower is big)
1 can coconut milk (regular, not lite)
1 tsp. salt (sometimes more)
1. Saute onion in the pot that you wish to make the soup in. I use either butter or coconut oil for sauteing.
2. Once onions are translucent, I add the broth, coconut milk and cauliflower. Bring to a boil.
3. Cover and simmer on low-med heat for about 15-20 min.
4. When cauliflower is tender, blend the soup in a blender until creamy.
Calli's version: (I have a bigger family!)
3 large bags of frozen cauliflower
1 cup frozen onions
3 cups chicken stock
2 cans coconut milk
2 peeled, diced potatoes
salt and pepper to taste
YUMMO!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Let's Just Say...
That SOMEone is very busy. Very busy and finding all kinds of things that have been carelessly left lying around. He is also good at finding things that haven't been left around, but have been conscientiously returned to drawers and bins and cupboards where they belong. He is not only busy and good at finding things, but he is FAST. One moment everyone is appropriately engaged, the next. . . I am hunting down the toddler and cleaning up after him.
This is a toddler. It is a great picture of my toddler because it sums up so many things that I fail to express eloquently. (I wouldn't trade these moments!)
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Today I Was Surprised to See. . .
That Owen had already eaten his breakfast before I was even out of bed. I could see this all over the kitchen- and on his smiling face as he proudly told me.
Livia, during nap time, calmly and with great attention, pouring water from a cup into a diaper she was holding in her hand. The rule is that she may not leave her bed during rest time, though I am sure the cup was in the bathroom and the diaper was either in Tate's baskets or on one of her baby dolls. (It was a Tate diaper.)
Tate, drinking medicine with pleasure- once it was mixed with pineapple juice. He has, perhaps, a mild case of pneumonia and therefore has been prescribed antibiotics for 10 days. I've had two opportunities to give him medicine thus far, and neither of my attempts were nearly as brilliant as this one of Braden's.
"Suzan *smiley face* Danielle" in the fog on the bathroom window. My 7 year old is scrawling girl names in water vapor?! We've been trying to curb his interest in getting married, but I can see we still need to have more conversations about LOVE.
Livia, during nap time, calmly and with great attention, pouring water from a cup into a diaper she was holding in her hand. The rule is that she may not leave her bed during rest time, though I am sure the cup was in the bathroom and the diaper was either in Tate's baskets or on one of her baby dolls. (It was a Tate diaper.)
Tate, drinking medicine with pleasure- once it was mixed with pineapple juice. He has, perhaps, a mild case of pneumonia and therefore has been prescribed antibiotics for 10 days. I've had two opportunities to give him medicine thus far, and neither of my attempts were nearly as brilliant as this one of Braden's.
"Suzan *smiley face* Danielle" in the fog on the bathroom window. My 7 year old is scrawling girl names in water vapor?! We've been trying to curb his interest in getting married, but I can see we still need to have more conversations about LOVE.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Our Thoughts on Dates
A little background information: We had date and oat muffins yesterday morning. Dates are one of my favorite things, but not everyone in our family is keen on them.
Me: "The dates are DELICIOUS!!"
Rhyle: "The dates are SUSPICIOUS!"
Me: "The dates are DELICIOUS!!"
Rhyle: "The dates are SUSPICIOUS!"
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Reality Check
What I put on my list for today:
(this assumes the normal chores and activities)
-take a walk
-library
-post office
-school with kids
-return item to friend
-pick up book I left at CC
-purchase school items at store
-make Valentine's cookies
-send emails/make phone calls
-visit friend
-make grocery list
What I actually did:
-talk a walk (with Owen and Tate)
-take B to school
-pick up B from school
-post office
-return item to friend
-think about groceries
-let kids get out ALL the cookie cutters so I could finish the dishes
-the basics of school
wow. This was a good exercise for me. There isn't such a huge difference in the lists as I felt there were! It was one of those days when I seemed to accomplish very little that I could point to. And for the few things that did get "done", my house is messier, the laundry has grown, there are new errands to run, there is a broken plate in the garbage, and mucus dried on the front window. It's B's long day at school and at the end of these days I just thank the Lord that we are all still here! It's cathartic for me to acknowledge that what I am "accomplishing" isn't visible. And I didn't do so hot today. I lost my patience with the kids, ordered them around ruthlessly, and fell asleep reading books to them on the couch. Mercy!
(this assumes the normal chores and activities)
-take a walk
-library
-post office
-school with kids
-return item to friend
-pick up book I left at CC
-purchase school items at store
-make Valentine's cookies
-send emails/make phone calls
-visit friend
-make grocery list
What I actually did:
-talk a walk (with Owen and Tate)
-take B to school
-pick up B from school
-post office
-return item to friend
-think about groceries
-let kids get out ALL the cookie cutters so I could finish the dishes
-the basics of school
wow. This was a good exercise for me. There isn't such a huge difference in the lists as I felt there were! It was one of those days when I seemed to accomplish very little that I could point to. And for the few things that did get "done", my house is messier, the laundry has grown, there are new errands to run, there is a broken plate in the garbage, and mucus dried on the front window. It's B's long day at school and at the end of these days I just thank the Lord that we are all still here! It's cathartic for me to acknowledge that what I am "accomplishing" isn't visible. And I didn't do so hot today. I lost my patience with the kids, ordered them around ruthlessly, and fell asleep reading books to them on the couch. Mercy!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Roman Chariot Races
We have been talking about ancient Greece and Rome, culminating today in a Roman celebration with chariot races and Cecina (Italian flatbread made from chickpeas). Good friends joined us, lending a festive and competitive air to the morning. VA had glorious weather today and we had a lovely time. Here are photos of the racers.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Pretty Pomegranates
I just have to post this because it is SO beautiful! We have been eating as many pomegranates as we can lately- especially when they were on sale 2/$1.00! As you can see, I couldn't even take the picture without Tate's little hand snatching some.
Today's Lesson/ Our Front Door
Through a series of events today I saw clearly that God is patiently instructing my heart.
I had dreams last night of someone trying to break into our home. Perhaps this was related to my concern over our front door; the storm door no longer latches and does not have a lock. I have been watching the front door compulsively to make sure Tate doesn't flee the premises. I prefer to have our "big" wooden door open during the morning to let in the gloriously warm and bright sunlight. . . but for the draft and fearing an escapee. In addition, despite repeated warnings, my children continue to run to the door and fling it open as soon as someone knocks or rings the doorbell (highly social, they are. We've never met a stranger.). Granted, usually it is our magnanimous neighbor bearing carbohydrates or the postman with a package. . . but the rule remains: do not open the front door without Mom or Dad (especially when it isn't locked OR latched!). With all this on my mind it is no wonder I dreamt that someone was reaching in through the glass to harm my little family.
I want my husband to fix our front door- or to okay the funds to replace it.
As I took my prayer walk this morning I admitted to the Lord that I want control of the situation and that, in fact, I would prefer control to trusting my husband and seeking HIS best interests. The door just reveals the deeper issue in my heart: I love myself more than I love my husband. I want what I want more than I care about what he wants. Yet, I desperately want a changed heart; I want to be a woman after God's heart; I want to live passionately and purposefully in line with God's purposes and plans. . . I want to love B and consider him more important than myself, to serve him humbly and love him well. . . and yet that seems so far removed from my reality.
"How does one REALLY change?" I wondered. Our small group studied a book about this last year. After all of that, I'm still asking myself this question. . .
And the Lord made it clear to me this morning that each small act of obedience leads to change. As I make the difficult, excellent choices (submissions) in the little moments. . . over time I will BECOME a woman of excellence and humility.
Of course, the Lord gave me opportunity to put this into practice today.
Our family left late for CC this morning (our homeschooling group). I was tense with the situation and feeling a bit miffed at my husband. . . and so many words were wanting to spill from my lips. I cannot say I restrained them all. . . but I was checked by the Holy Spirit and (with difficulty) kept my peace.
I was completely taken by surprise when four hours later, my husband arrived to pick us up (on time!). . . and he had an even bigger surprise for me. He had gone home and taken care of several outstanding household "things" (for lack of a better word) that have needed taken care of for some time. (One of them being our front door.)
What a good man. B was good because he was led by the Spirit. This was NOT his idea for his day. I am so thankful now that I chose obedience in that small moment in the car. Perhaps it allowed my husband to remain tenderhearted toward me. It absolutely allowed me to see that when I submit and choose to have a gentle spirit, the Lord sees and will supply all my needs. And now I feel well taken care of (I was all along, wasn't I?!). . . and I have the hope in me of real transformation over time. It IS possible. Let me choose self-discipline in many more small moments!
And now, the possibility of peaceful sleep draws me to bed. . .
I had dreams last night of someone trying to break into our home. Perhaps this was related to my concern over our front door; the storm door no longer latches and does not have a lock. I have been watching the front door compulsively to make sure Tate doesn't flee the premises. I prefer to have our "big" wooden door open during the morning to let in the gloriously warm and bright sunlight. . . but for the draft and fearing an escapee. In addition, despite repeated warnings, my children continue to run to the door and fling it open as soon as someone knocks or rings the doorbell (highly social, they are. We've never met a stranger.). Granted, usually it is our magnanimous neighbor bearing carbohydrates or the postman with a package. . . but the rule remains: do not open the front door without Mom or Dad (especially when it isn't locked OR latched!). With all this on my mind it is no wonder I dreamt that someone was reaching in through the glass to harm my little family.
I want my husband to fix our front door- or to okay the funds to replace it.
As I took my prayer walk this morning I admitted to the Lord that I want control of the situation and that, in fact, I would prefer control to trusting my husband and seeking HIS best interests. The door just reveals the deeper issue in my heart: I love myself more than I love my husband. I want what I want more than I care about what he wants. Yet, I desperately want a changed heart; I want to be a woman after God's heart; I want to live passionately and purposefully in line with God's purposes and plans. . . I want to love B and consider him more important than myself, to serve him humbly and love him well. . . and yet that seems so far removed from my reality.
"How does one REALLY change?" I wondered. Our small group studied a book about this last year. After all of that, I'm still asking myself this question. . .
And the Lord made it clear to me this morning that each small act of obedience leads to change. As I make the difficult, excellent choices (submissions) in the little moments. . . over time I will BECOME a woman of excellence and humility.
Of course, the Lord gave me opportunity to put this into practice today.
Our family left late for CC this morning (our homeschooling group). I was tense with the situation and feeling a bit miffed at my husband. . . and so many words were wanting to spill from my lips. I cannot say I restrained them all. . . but I was checked by the Holy Spirit and (with difficulty) kept my peace.
I was completely taken by surprise when four hours later, my husband arrived to pick us up (on time!). . . and he had an even bigger surprise for me. He had gone home and taken care of several outstanding household "things" (for lack of a better word) that have needed taken care of for some time. (One of them being our front door.)
What a good man. B was good because he was led by the Spirit. This was NOT his idea for his day. I am so thankful now that I chose obedience in that small moment in the car. Perhaps it allowed my husband to remain tenderhearted toward me. It absolutely allowed me to see that when I submit and choose to have a gentle spirit, the Lord sees and will supply all my needs. And now I feel well taken care of (I was all along, wasn't I?!). . . and I have the hope in me of real transformation over time. It IS possible. Let me choose self-discipline in many more small moments!
And now, the possibility of peaceful sleep draws me to bed. . .
My Perfect Day
One of my favorite things is spending time with my family outside. I can't think of anything else I would prefer to do on a Sabbath (except sleep- but I've tried that and it doesn't usually go so well!). Here are some pictures of our wonderful hike on Liberty's mountain on Sunday. . . you can't tell, but it was muddy!
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