Bowl of Lemons

 

Seven and a half pounds of lemons stand in the freezer in the form of strong juice. My favorite is a tablespoon or two of lemon juice in a big mug of hot water. Great way to warm up on a cold morning!

Grandma's Jelly Cupboard

I'm sitting in our three-season porch, soaking up the sun's warmth and enjoying Mom's decorating of Grandma S.'s old jelly cupboard. By the way, Grandma didn't use the cupboard for jelly. Instead it held the typical detritus that collects in ones garage.

 

Real Strength

"I've concluded that the people who move in real strength and power in this world, the people whom God delights to exalt, are those who are overmatched in life and know it."

Ron Mehl, God Works the Night Shift, 1994

"My very weakness makes me strong in him."

 2 Corinthians 12:10, J.B. Phillips: The New Testament in Modern English, 1958

First Crop of Elderberries

 

We have our first picking off the elderberry bushes that Dad planted last year. They now lie bagged by the cup-full in our freezer awaiting some good recipe ideas.

Dad and Mom's Harvest

 

We are freezing our tomatoes this year. It isn't nearly so handy nor freezer-space friendly as our usual quarts of canned, whole tomatoes. There just are times we need to take the easy preserving route. This is one of those years. So, today Mom packaged up big bags of ripe tomatoes...

 

 

...and Dad dug a few carrots and lots of potatoes.

Dusty Rose Lace

Lace is my current stray-minutes project. I love working with this yarn -- lace weight baby merino on size 0 bamboo needles. So soft and comforting! I'm looking forward to seeing a pink lace embellished pillowcase. Hand wash. Dry flat. Decoration only.

Tea with a Friend

These are one of our favorite protein packed, gluten-free desserts we have found so far. Though the recipe originally called for peanut butter and cooked quinoa, we substitute with almond butter and puffed grains. Dietary limitations and palate preferences respectively. The chocolate mixture also makes a great ice-cream topper!

 

- Chocolate Puff Balls -

 

1/4 c. coconut oil

1/4 c. honey (less for dark chocolate lovers)

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 c. creamy almond butter

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. salt

1 c. quinoa crunchies

1-1/2 c. puffed brown rice or puffed millet

 

Combine coconut oil, honey and cocoa powder in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to combine. Let boil for about one minute, then remove from heat. Stir in almond butter, vanilla and salt. Mix in puffed grains.

 

Form into small balls and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Place in fridge or freezer until firm. Transfer to a sealed container and store in the freezer.

 

Note: For an ice-cream topper, omit the puffed grains and the extra minute of boiling. Serve hot.

Sunset in the Country

Calling Cards

"Our God is an intentional God, brimming over with purpose, infusing meaning into everything around us. He has sprinkled earth with calling cards of his presence and purpose..."

Joni Eareckson Tada, Pearls of Great Price, 2006

Apples are Ripening!

 

Home-grown apples will be a treat again after last year's crop failure.