Knit, Pink Lace

And They Bloomed!

Remember those self-seeded impatiens? They are blooming!

January Bright Lights

Maren faithfully carries on the teaching of Bright Lights, the girls' discipleship lessons that she, Hannah and I began teaching eight years ago. Hannah and I wait for a month when we are strong enough to join. We miss our girls!

Table decorations.

Each girl planted a little pot of grass seed as a reminder of their lesson on meekness.



Recipe: Chocolate Cake in a Mug

Okay, so I know that microwaves may not be the best thing in the world. And I know that they may not be as bad as some say. So confusing! What isn't confusing is that we can make a few pretty yummy treats in the microwave in no time at all. Here is what Maren made for a Sunday treat:

Chocolate Cake in a Mug: Grain, Gluten, Dairy, Soy, & Refined Sugar Free

Crack 1 egg into a large mug and whisk well

Add:

1-1/2 T. ground flax meal

1-1/2 T. ground almond flour or meal

1 T. cocoa powder

1/2 tsp. baking powder

pinch salt

1 T. virgin coconut oil, melted

12 drops liquid stevia + 1/2 tsp. or so honey*

1/2 tsp. no sugar added vanilla extract

Stir vigorously.

Add a few bittersweet chocolate chips (obviously not sugar free) or cocao nibs (sugar free!), optional.**

Microwave on high for 1 minute, or until firm but not dry. Eat in the mug (be careful of a burnt tongue) or turn upside-down to plop out onto a plate. Be sure to leave tummy room. This cake is filling!

*Play around with one or both of these sweeteners to find what you like best.
**I'm dreaming of a variety of add-ins: cyan pepper, toasted chopped nuts, cinnamon, chopped fresh mint leaves, orange zest, toasted coconut... Tell me what combo you discover!



A Game of Life

Can you believe that Mom has never played the game of Life? That is until last week.  I don't think she was impressed even though her happy little white car ended up in the happy big mansion at the end of the happy game. Ah, well! Perhaps it takes a good dose of nostalgia to appreciate a game of this caliber. Notice that Maren, Hannah and I ended up living together at the Bankrupt cottage. With our spouses. And with our nine children. We laughed. It sounds all too likely.

Celery and Parsley

(I was surprised to find this post in my drafts. Isn't the green refreshing?)

A wheelbarrow full of freshly picked celery and parsley. Some in the dehydrator and some in the freezer.

God's Fire

Because today is the third day in a row to enjoy a sunset, because my sister's dear friend left her sunset years today to go to the place where there is no darkness, because we all need a grin, because I need constant reminders that God is the source of everything lovely because that's who He is and He loves me and you and everyone...

"'God has not lighted His fire tonight,' she said wistfully one evening when the West was colourless; but when that fire is lighted she stands and gazes satisfied. 'What does God do when His fire goes out?' was a question on one such evening, as the mountains darkened in the passing of the after-glow; and then: 'Why does He not light it every night?'"

Amy Carmichael, Lotus Buds, 1909

Note: "She" refers to three year old Bala, one of Amy Carmichael's numerous orphan girls in Dohnavur, India.

Naughty Gulliver

When Dorothy, Mom and I took over Gulliver's couch, our puss found a new home on my unmade bed. We have given up all hopes of keeping our wayward cat in order this winter, and now usually let her roam freely. Still, we are a bit appalled by her audacity at times.

Sunset to Savor



I consider sunsets and snow the crown of our winters. Both have been in short supply this year-around, and so we try to savor every bit of both we get.

A Few of My Favorite Things: Part III

Family

Dorothy's snore

Christmas tree still glittering

Windows

I awoke to ice coating the south...

...and an amaryllis abloom in the west.

Walk on a Sunny Day

A Few of My Favorite Things: Part II

Rocks

Elephants

A painting with all the soft colors of our winter sky

A Few of My Favorite Things: Part I

Birds

Antique linens

Worn, gold balls

Quartz from the road

Large-drawered dresser from Grandma's basement



Cyclamen on a Frosty Morning

It was a day for left-overs...

...according to the variety in color of our dirty dishes.

Sturdying Up

The imapations that self-seeded themselves and bloomed last summer at the base of our potted mandevilla are becoming sturdy little plants. Will they bloom again?

Sauerkraut Day

And today was Dad's much anticipated sauerkraut making day. Now it ferments on the counter looking so homey and good!

Balmy Day

Yesterday was a too-cold-to-take-pictures day. Today, though the snow still crunched cold under my boots, the thermometer said 13 degrees. Balmy!

A Quilt & a Quilter

Maren, her man-friend, Jason, and Dad spent several hours puzzling out the system of a new quilt frame. Now for the first time in years a quilt is up for hand stitching in our house!

Did I mention that Jason is the maker of the quilt top? And that it is one of his fifty-plus quilts?

"Measuring the Marigolds"

I'm not practicing my arithmetic or singing lullabies, but I am measuring my amaryllis.

- Growth Chart -

Dec. 19: 4-1/2"

Dec. 20: 5-1/2"

Dec. 21: 6"

Dec. 22: 7"

Dec. 23: 8"

Dec. 24: 9"

Dec. 25: 9-3/4"

Dec. 26: 10-1/4"

Dec. 27: 11-1/4"

Dec. 28: 11-1/2"

Dec. 29: 12"

Dec. 30: 12-3/4"

Dec. 31: 13"

2015

"Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you.

As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.'"

John 20:21

с новым годом! Happy New Year!