Let's count the reasons why I've not been posting and I'll count these as giving thanks for they are all GOOD reasons that I've not been sitting up late on the computer.
837) Family visiting for Thanksgiving, making the long drive from IL . . .
838) Hugs, game nights, book reading, conversations over dishes
839) A cousin sleep over
840) Many trips to the "potty" with the 18 month old wearing underwear
841) Raking leaves (a "chore" that I enjoy thoroughly!)
842) Cooking! Potatoes, soups, stuffing, breads, pizza, pies. . .
843) Preparing and storing food- the gift of wheat from the farm and venison from their freezer and beef roasts for the chilly nights to come
844) Book reading with boys, with L, in bed with The Lawyer. . . always books . . .
845) Christmas preparations: hanging greens, lighting candles, hanging Jesse Tree ornaments, choosing gifts, lingering long in the evenings
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Pumpkin Muffins
A new version of pumpkin muffins we just tried this weekend. This recipe surprised me because it doesn't have any eggs or oil in it. In fact, the ingredient list was so simple that I kept looking at it, wondering what I had forgotten. Apparently, nothing! They were moist and tasty and healthy for my family!
Pumpkin Muffins (makes 24)
2 bananas, mashed
1 (29 oz) can of pumpkin puree
1/2 cup 100% pure maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups whole oat flour (I ground my oats in the Vitamix)
3 Tbl flax seed, ground (I added mine to the oats in the Vitamix)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
(optional: 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup chopped pecans)
1. Preheat oven to 375. In a large bowl, combine mashed banana, pumpkin puree, syrup, and vanilla.
2. In a small bowl, combine oat flour, soda, powder, salt, and spices. Transfer mixture to the large bowl and mix together gently until well combined. (Over mixing will cause the muffins to be tough). Fold in chocolate chips, if desired. Sprinkle with pecans, if desired.
3. Line or spray muffin tins. Fill 2/3 full (these hold their shape well.) Bake for 20 minutes. Let cook 5 minutes before removing from pans.
Pumpkin Muffins (makes 24)
2 bananas, mashed
1 (29 oz) can of pumpkin puree
1/2 cup 100% pure maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups whole oat flour (I ground my oats in the Vitamix)
3 Tbl flax seed, ground (I added mine to the oats in the Vitamix)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
(optional: 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup chopped pecans)
1. Preheat oven to 375. In a large bowl, combine mashed banana, pumpkin puree, syrup, and vanilla.
2. In a small bowl, combine oat flour, soda, powder, salt, and spices. Transfer mixture to the large bowl and mix together gently until well combined. (Over mixing will cause the muffins to be tough). Fold in chocolate chips, if desired. Sprinkle with pecans, if desired.
3. Line or spray muffin tins. Fill 2/3 full (these hold their shape well.) Bake for 20 minutes. Let cook 5 minutes before removing from pans.
*Recipe derived from Julieanna Hever’s Blueberry Oat Breakfast Muffins in Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health, edited by Gene Stone
Monday, November 14, 2011
Hold Onto Moments
As I look back over the past few months of blog posts I've noticed that there are really two kinds of posts: gratitude posts or informational posts. I've not intentionally avoided personal topics, yet as we've transitioned to this new place there have been many things going on in my heart that I've been sorting through. I'm still not sure what to make of things.
We are still in a season of transition. We are renting here for only another half year. The Lawyer's work is chafing him. I sense a "hold" on things; I can't see what we are moving toward but I also don't see us moving back to the places we have been (L'burg or Florida or Chicago area). It is a matter of time.
Life is good here, and full, and the children are thriving. I'm wondering what is around the corner- but because it is still far enough off that I don't have to pack anything, I'm content to embrace the transient feel of this season. We have good friends. We hear the gospel. We are thoroughly enjoying the outdoors. We are meeting interesting, enjoyable people and finding ways to serve others.
But these "hold" moments are passing quickly, too. . . and the only way I can weigh them down is with thanks. I know that if I don't give thanks, if I don't slow to notice and savor the moments of grace, they will slip right by me and when we move on I will wonder where the year of transition went. The children will be a year older (so will I!) and these years are rushing by too quickly as it is. Rather that I would hold onto these "hold" moments, for aren't we always moving somewhere? The days are passing by like water (Fernando Ortega) and soon we will hasten back to dust (Psalm 90). These years are so short and they will end like a sigh. . . For now, though, I breathe in and out and savor grace and exhale grace and look at these moments as good gifts.
Good Gift Moments:
826) Playing "leaf catch" with the children in the front yard, at the park, on the trail, in the street...
827) Learning to ride the Ripstick with the boys teaching me
828) M's new words... and the exultation of his siblings over each word (today's favorite was "pee-woo!" (pee-ewe!)
828) Hot water in a mug
829) Family fishing trip (at the park)- we mostly watched R and The Lawyer
830) Friendship surprises: she was feeling needy and I was wanting to give.
831) Gift of venison!
832) letter from our Compassion child. . .
833) Golden glowing trees in the sunset, flaming red bushes. . .
834) Making a road through the leaves and watching the children run
835) A few days when I didn't wash sheets and blankets. . .
836) Memorized words of Psalm 90 . . Oh, the satisfaction of his steadfast love!
We are still in a season of transition. We are renting here for only another half year. The Lawyer's work is chafing him. I sense a "hold" on things; I can't see what we are moving toward but I also don't see us moving back to the places we have been (L'burg or Florida or Chicago area). It is a matter of time.
Life is good here, and full, and the children are thriving. I'm wondering what is around the corner- but because it is still far enough off that I don't have to pack anything, I'm content to embrace the transient feel of this season. We have good friends. We hear the gospel. We are thoroughly enjoying the outdoors. We are meeting interesting, enjoyable people and finding ways to serve others.
But these "hold" moments are passing quickly, too. . . and the only way I can weigh them down is with thanks. I know that if I don't give thanks, if I don't slow to notice and savor the moments of grace, they will slip right by me and when we move on I will wonder where the year of transition went. The children will be a year older (so will I!) and these years are rushing by too quickly as it is. Rather that I would hold onto these "hold" moments, for aren't we always moving somewhere? The days are passing by like water (Fernando Ortega) and soon we will hasten back to dust (Psalm 90). These years are so short and they will end like a sigh. . . For now, though, I breathe in and out and savor grace and exhale grace and look at these moments as good gifts.
Good Gift Moments:
826) Playing "leaf catch" with the children in the front yard, at the park, on the trail, in the street...
827) Learning to ride the Ripstick with the boys teaching me
828) M's new words... and the exultation of his siblings over each word (today's favorite was "pee-woo!" (pee-ewe!)
828) Hot water in a mug
829) Family fishing trip (at the park)- we mostly watched R and The Lawyer
830) Friendship surprises: she was feeling needy and I was wanting to give.
831) Gift of venison!
832) letter from our Compassion child. . .
833) Golden glowing trees in the sunset, flaming red bushes. . .
834) Making a road through the leaves and watching the children run
835) A few days when I didn't wash sheets and blankets. . .
836) Memorized words of Psalm 90 . . Oh, the satisfaction of his steadfast love!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Sunday Simplicity
This Sunday, let's be drawn to simplicity. May the really important things be first in our minds.
(Okay, so maybe bottled water doesn't make the top of the "really important things" list... but I do think that WATER is a really important thing- as in, we need it to live.) Can you simplify your life by taking a closer look at bottled waters and choosing a simpler, healthier choice for your family and for the world?
There is an element of stewardship here. If we spend less on water (without sacrificing safety), won't we have resources to help those who are literally without water? That inspires me.
(Okay, so maybe bottled water doesn't make the top of the "really important things" list... but I do think that WATER is a really important thing- as in, we need it to live.) Can you simplify your life by taking a closer look at bottled waters and choosing a simpler, healthier choice for your family and for the world?
There is an element of stewardship here. If we spend less on water (without sacrificing safety), won't we have resources to help those who are literally without water? That inspires me.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Silver Fingerprint Art
Just recently I came across THIS and thought it was amazing and fun and reasonable- all at the same time! Thought others may enjoy the ideas, too.
I'm playing around a bit, trying to decide if I want to add buttons or ads to the blog. This would be a button I could add. Any thoughts?
I'm playing around a bit, trying to decide if I want to add buttons or ads to the blog. This would be a button I could add. Any thoughts?
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