Christmas Highlights

Many moments of pondering the wonder of God with us, my Savior. 

Semi-nightly advent readings with family.

Cleaning the two main floors of our house together as a family - the first we've been strong enough to do that in years. (Not easy, and definitely with consequences to our health, but so thrilling after years on the couch. Having a house cleaner than it has been in years was also a thrill to my homemaker soul.)

Twenty-four hours as a family of seven under one roof.

Beautiful, songs of praise at our Christmas Eve church service, including a trumpet/piano duet by Dad and Hannah and a solo sung by Jason. (Hannah and I attended the service despite our chemical sensitivities.)

Aunt time.

Knitting while listening to old Adventures in Odyssey Christmas stories. 

A Belated Merry Christmas!

"O come, Though Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny;

From depths of hell Thy people save 

And give them vict'ry o'er the grave."

- Latin hymn -

December 13: Our Christmas Tree

Late November

After Thanksgiving came the expected yet quick death of Dad's brother. Dad prepared to gather with other family in Florida the next week to say goodbye to the husk that once contained the man they loved. In our sadness, we are thankful my uncle is with Jesus and free from the struggles of this life.

Our local airport was abnormally busy with Thanksgiving travelers. 

After dropping off Dad at the airport, Mom suggested driving through the riverside Christmas light show. Cozy!

Parade of Lights 2019

For the last several years our family has headed to the local horse drawn parade of lights the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year was no exception. (Pictured: Hannah and Maren)

Joseph (left, in Jason's arms) and his six month old second-cousin (hidden behind hood, front right) may have received more attention than the horses.

Joseph's First Thanksgiving

Enough

When the body is broken, we yearn for something to fill the gap and bring strength. And so we eat food that brings healing nutrition and drink water that satisfies and purifies. We find refreshment. Sometimes the refreshment is deep and we gain much strength for the day before us. Yet more often the food and drink are only just enough to keep us from sinking.

So often at those times of bodily brokenness our souls are also broken. The journey is too much for our human weakness, and we need that heavenly Food and Drink lest we die inside. God gives it to us daily and it is enough. Sometimes what is given feels only just enough. But it is always enough!

"He said not: Thou shalt not be tempested, thou shalt not be travailed, thou shalt not be afflicted; but He said: Thou shalt not be overcome" (Amy Carmicheal, Rose from Brier, 1933).

There is always enough, more than enough, in Christ Jesus!

Go deeper: Study Romans 8:31-39 

Thanksgiving 2019

We rejoiced to be a family of seven once again at our Thanksgiving celebration this year. At the same time we mourned the the coming loss of Dad's brother who was fighting out his last days in a cancer ridden body. One day we will meet him and many others we love for an eternal Thanksgiving. There we will be much,  much more than a family of seven. 

Keto Pumpkin Pie

KETO PUMPKIN PIE

(grain, gluten, dairy, nut, egg, refined sugar + alcohol free, low carb)

Crust:*
3/4 c. coconut flour
3/4 c. tigernut flour
1 T. gelatin
1/2 - 3/4 tsp. salt**
1/2 c. melted ghee (or coconut oil for dairy free)

Mix well. Press evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9" pie plate. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes. Cool.

Filling:
1/3 c. coconut oil
1 c. coconut cream
Melt but do not boil in a medium saucepan. Pour into blender.

2 c. pumpkin puree
1/4 tsp. + 25 drops liquid stevia (we use SweetLeaf, SteviaClear)
1 T. + 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2-3/4 tsp. salt*
1 tsp. pure vanilla bean powder
1 tsp. gelatin
Blend with coconut milk and oil until creamy.

Return to saucepan and heat over medium heat until bubbly and steamy, stirring occasionally. Pour into prepared crust and chill for at least 2 hours.

 *2021 Update: Make half the crust recipe, and press evenly on bottom of pie plate only.

**Use more salt if you have low blood pressure, less for high blood pressure.

(Filling inspired by Elena's Pantry Keto Pumpkin Pie recipe.)