Mommy, did you say we’re getting more snow!?
We’re settling in here for another snow storm, two in a week’s time for a total of three feet plus of the white fluffy stuff! What to do when we’re all in?
Hope that you’re cozy, whatever the weather where you live!
You may have caught on to them, there are a few blog upgrades to mention~
:: I’ve moved to a domain name and the blog is now dot ORG! You’ve been redirected if still using the blogspot address.
:: At the end of each post, there is a option bar for sharing the post’s contents on a variety of social networks like facebook or twitter, through email, or to simply add to your favorites page. Rest the mouse pointer over the bar and the options open right up!
:: I’ve redfined my ‘About’ page (sans photo, but that will come!). Also at top, click to read a new additional focus for the blog which I’m very excited about and will share more on soon.
think that’s it for now…..
Yep. Food is on my mind these days. Having less time for other pursuits (such as sitting quietly to read a book), I’m finding that cooking is a solace, a bit of a retreat from it all so to speak. Yes, it gets routine and no, every evening doesn’t include a new recipe! But one of the benefits of enjoying cooking is that I get to both take care of my family and do something relaxing as well.
With a newly turned 6-month old (yikes, how did that happen?), there’s been a lot of making of baby food—pureed avocado, squash, bananas, and the like being eaten & stored up. I like the Super Baby Food book or Wholesome Baby Food website as a resource.
And I’ve been really getting into vegan cooking since several of us cannot have eggs or dairy—um, we still eat meat though so it’s a contradiction so to speak. Anyway! My new cookbook of interest is Vegan Soul Kitchen, a gift from my sister-in-law. This week I’ll be trying a butternut squash and pear soup that gets its creamy smoothness from coconut milk; the recipe had my mouth watering. We’ll see if the family likes it.
So…food, food, food. Does the mind and body good.
This past week I’ve been focused on giving thanks for the common, the everyday…
such as ::
little fingers, so small, curling around my own
numerous notes from a certain 6-yr old writer, warming my heart
food in the freezer, the pantry and on our table
a hard-working spouse, making sure our family’s needs are met
smudges on my mirrors from the hands of small ones
laughter! that daily dose of good medicine
laundry to fold :: never-ending it seems, but grateful for it anyway
phone calls and emails that encourage
May I encourage a gift to help with the relief in Haiti if your family has the means to do so?
Today my heart is overwhelmingly burdened for the children :: the many, many children who already suffered in this nation and who now have less hope than before. I pray & cry out for~
the orphanages that have been offset in their mission of providing safety and a place of refuge.
the little ones who cannot find their parents
children whose bellies will not be filled today, tonight or anytime soon
for the masses of innocent ones who are scared…so scared, and who do not understand
Oh Lord, be near.
First, thank you very much for the prayers :: our family members in Haiti were finally able to contact my mother yesterday, all are well! Homes have collapsed, life must restart afresh in a country that is devastated…there is a lot for them to take in. We rejoice in the news that they are safe!
Last week I finally decided to embrace the new year by moving out of vacation mode and gearing up for another season of fullness in our family. Inspired by the cookbooks recently checked out of the library, preparing and putting away some foodstuff for the upcoming weeks was top on the list. No pictures (at least not mine), we were too busy! We being my 11-yr old girl and I who worked away with a determined focus; lots of fun and memories made.
Here’s what we accomplished~
The whole plan began with the idea to make some soups to freeze, but as you can see, that didn’t happen. Hmmm…think I got distracted?
Today’s news of the earthquake in Haiti is difficult to process…
I think of my mother’s extended family who live around the capital city, where headlines continually scream out the news of its devastation and utter collapse. Have any survived :: are they there?
Are there words for a time like this?
Please pray. For my Mom, for our family.
Thank you.
New year that is. Yes, it’s seven days into twenty-ten, but happy new year anyway. I hope you’re off to a better start than I am!
Oh, don’t worry it’s really not that bad. I’m just off to a really slow beginning, trying to accept that vacation mode is over. I’m not quite there yet, though I need to be—see my dilemma? In the back of my mind are the wonderful days surrounding the holidays; days where we slept in, roamed around in pajamas until mid-afternoon (seriously), played games, had little to no structure and overall had a blast! The last two weeks were relaxing. Being home and soaking in the comforts of all that represents was true bliss.
And now?
Now I need to get moving and fast! So yesterday, I decided to check some fresh cookbooks out the library.
What? Cookbooks have nothing to do with getting organized and doing my work? Well, you’re most likely right…but they were the motivation needed. Knowing I wouldn’t sit to browse through those books until some projects were completed, my plan worked perfectly. The boys’ room is decluttered, laundry is being washed, meals have been thought through and I’ve actually cracked open the lesson planner to find out exactly what we’re supposed to be doing for homeschooling in January. Oh, I still really need to get ‘in the zone’…really. But at least it’s fun along the way.
So, happy belated new year!
We also continue with our advent calendar of activities; some of what we’ve done recently~
chosen items for families around the world through the gift catalogs of World Vision & Gospel for Asia
snuggled up in PJs and read a book together
given the gift of laughter by telling jokes
gone out to eat as a family (a treat!) and given an extra tip to our waitress
enjoyed a movie together as a family
given the gift of our time by making a ‘coupon’ to serve another
surprised a neighbor with flowers on their doorstep
Hope the Advent season has been an enjoyable one for your family!
A kitchen full of the season’s sights, sounds and smells…true gifts of Christmas ::
siblings exchanging decorating ideas
gingerbread filling our senses
just as much icing in mouths as on cookies
a new Christmas CD to enjoy (one of Mama’s birthday presents last month)
family togetherness, including our home-for-a-visit nineteen yr-old
full hearts celebrating His coming
Christmas.
