Winter Holiday

Hannah and I are reading Winter Holiday to Dorothy or to each other as we find need. We have already relished many evenings of other "Swallows and Amazons" books over the last year. What fun to reread the books that our family enjoyed so much together when we were young!

P.S. Yesterday was Dorothy's fifty-sixth birthday, so guess what we did last night. Sat around the fire as a family and read. Family time and being read to -- two of Dort's favorite things!

P.P.S. Arthur Ransome's "Swallows and Amazons" series is a bit tricky to track down, but well worth the effort.

Squirrel Nutkin's Friends

A friend sent me this charming postcard several months ago. The picture reminds both of us of Beatrix Potter's little creatures. I just had to share the cuteness with you.

Aging Beautifully

The Joy We Share

"And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known."

C. Austin Miles, 1912



Protein Bars



Some may find it surprising that my former occupation is now my therapy. But really, I love to bake! And Hannah and I need high protein snacks! Thus, I baked protein bars.

- Carrot Cake Protein Bars -

8 eggs

2 c. mashed banana or 1-1/2 c. unsweetened apple sauce

1/4 + 1/8 c. honey

1 T. vanilla

1 c. gluten free all-purpose flour*

1 c. brown rice protein powder*

1/2 c. ground flax seed

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. salt

2 pinches cloves

1-1/2 c. shredded carrots

1/2 c. raisins

1/4 c. coconut butter, melted (also known as coconut cream concentrate and coconut manna)

Combine the eggs, banana or applesauce, honey and vanilla in a large bowl.

Whisk together the dry ingredients in a medium bowl.

Add dry ingredients to wet and mix well.

Add carrots and raisins and stir to distribute.

Bake in a parchment lined 9"x13" baking pan at 375 degrees for at least 40 minutes.

Cool.

Drizzle with melted coconut butter.

Cut, eat and freeze the extras for weeks to come.

*Check out the original recipe if you want to make a grain-free bar.

Shaft of Morning Light

The morning sun found my new dresser décor.

Puzzling

Family Read Aloud Night



Valentine's Day Pie

Mom and Maren made pie for Valentine's Day. Oh, yum!



Back to front:

Tart Cherry Pie

Pecan Pie, Gluten Free

Apple Pie

Apple Pie, Everything-Free

A Happy Evening with Dorothy

A Happy Birthday

A happy Birthday girl...



...with a birthday bouquet from a happy friend.



Lichen

Project Complete: Shawl for a Friend

Light & Shadow

One year ago today God woke me up from "the valley of the shadow of death." Since then I have been learning that shadows are made beautiful in the lives of those who love God.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life..."

Psalm 23:6

Footnotes:

Orchid Buds

I call this the lamb's face stage of an orchid bud (on the left). Can you see it's soft ears?

So-Easy Meal: Huevos Rancheros

"It smells exotic! It smells like a pre-fab meal!" said Hannah as our meal simmered on the stove.

- Huevos Rancheros -

1 15 oz. can stewed tomatoes (or 1 quart home-canned)

1-2 T. chili powder

1 T. onion powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

salt & pepper

6 eggs

1/2 c. shredded cheese, opt.

cooked brown rice or pasta

Bring tomatoes, spices and seasonings to a simmer in a large skillet. Carefully slip eggs into mixture. Cover and gently simmer until eggs are poached to desired hardness. Sprinkle with cheese (optional). Serve immediately over rice or pasta.

The Front Stoop

The Blossom Count

95 blossoms on plants

(geranium, impatiens, orchids, Christmas cactus, cyclamen, poinsettia, amaryllis)

52 blossoms in Maren's bouquet from Jason

Happy Groundhog Day!

Happy Punxsutawney shirts for a happy Groundhog Day.

Christmas Past

We let Christmas linger long in our home. Still, all good things must come to an end... to be enjoyed newly next December.