Tackle it Tuesday Organizing the kitchen

The shape of our inside freezer was hurting so it was given a cleaning ans a good redo. After adjusting the shelf and adding the nice clear ice tray the folks gave us this is what was left.  So much more usable.
This is my baking freezer meant to keep all the extra grains and nuts in for any use to create baked goods.

 It is even more in order now in the door

 All the jars now are together on the bottom shelf. Here are grains and nuts.

 All the china sets were set way over above the bread mill. Now the space above me is for what it used daily. There is a bit more tweaking to do.

 Dash wanted to be seen. Often he does not want his image on blog. That is why the kids are less often seen here. Respecting that is important to me. So it is that they have voice in the appearance of their own images here.

So in the process all clear glass and blue is now arranged in the hutch.
Drawers were also done as well as a corner for all cutting supplies. That will be another post. Tired girl
We just returned from Dash orchestra performance and ice cream.

Marriage Monday

My own personal tradition is to have a roasted leg of lamb in the oven and the pungent smell of lamb is a focal aroma of what we are doing. We are remembering the birth of a life that changed all time. 

The Lamb of God. 

No more is the Lamb a sacrifice it is a sweet fragrance. As it goes into the second phase of roasting when the rosemary and the curry meld into the pungency turned intoxicating and the joy begins. We often just nibble on the lamb informally with other raw veggies, salads and mint jelly. Relaxed and the kids run freely and gleefully unabashed in an utter abandoned child like freedom. Chattering getting all the props set. Steve tends to the camera.

We will often drive to go see the lights. Candy canes and treats with drinks in car.

Warm coats too.

On Christmas eve we all do a play every year we have done the Bethlehem journey. We watched them all year by year as the kids grow and develop into  members of the cast.

The Story is narrated by the Daddy Man and silliness and joy abound. He errors in telling it on purpose and the kids with glee correct him. They knew every word.

The children traditionally have one gift to open, we thank the Lord together for the greatest gift.  We serve cocoa and watch the play on the television.

He reads them to sleep as I decorate the birthday cake (Jesus bday). They know it is not the exact day yet do we acknowledge his birth. We will have cake for breakfast on Christmas morning then we are all off to search out the child. Hidden the babe from the creche. I am told not to hide it in the chicken coop this year ")

 Once the kids are asleep it is our time.

My Love is a love that is centered in our mutual bond that is three fold. On Christmas Eve after the children are in bed and the gifts under the tree. A pot of tea and a few moments of getting all set for the early dawn. Showers taken we then meet up for our tradition of some 28 years. 

Steve prepares the bread. I the cup and together we come and sit awhile in prayer. Quietly each and then as one we go before our maker. It is the gift of humility to begin the best of gifts of all. We clear the slate with God. He is so good to forgive us. We forgive all we have ought against as well. Clean hands pure heart.

As we sit together he breaks the bread and with the Bible in hand reads the passage we together take the bread in communion. Together..we gather together and do this thing, then he pours the cup. Reading the passage we sip in our remembrance of whose we are and the forgiveness offered to us.

We start afresh.

We hold each other and in the stillness of the lit tree and the taste of the grape upon our lip we kiss and look into each others eyes. Sitting there we just rest awhile in the stillness. 

As the sleep draws us to pillow we turn off the tree and retire.

We are sure to need no clock to awaken.

Coffee is just a push of a button, and the day is off!

We have a party! 

Cake and the hunt. Then after the babe is in his manger we sit down to have our gift exchange. Soon the Grandparents come and I run in from the kitchen not to miss the opening of the packages. The kids play and the others visit while I finish the meal to serve. With the table set the eve before. 

As Much as I love to serve and go all out for a wonderful meal and all slowing is in order. 

This year with the meal I must pace myself for it is now that my health will slow this bird a bit. My wings have been clipped. Not so big a splash of food. It will be more simple as to not miss out on anymore of our childrens youth while going overboard cooking, cleaning and fretting over every detail.  If it is relaxed it will be done. Or it will not be stressed out over.  It will be peaceful like Thanksgiving.

We will celebrate as we are as much as reasonably able to do without running our-self ragged. It is a new year for us. Thanksgiving taught us so well to make it about the living. Not the food, and pretense. Too many a woman smiles through those exhausting mornings missing out on Christmas day and the reward of offering all they do.

After sup the old folk sit around and the kids play. Day gets done and the house grows quiet. We will go drive to see the lights. The kids play with the new toys. 

There are the friends welcome to stop by, the neighbors who drop off cookies. 

The dogs chew on the big bones they get every year.

Normally I just about pass out tired, this year we intend to keep our Christmas relaxed and centered around family friends and all things living.


Join us over here

Seeking Your Submission

Fa la la la la, la la la la. ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪

Dear Sister,

With Thanksgiving behind us, and the Christmas holidays still ahead, let’s take a few minutes to gather once again for our monthly fellowship. Hot spiced cider is simmering on my stove, and I’m wondering what's cooking in your kitchen …

Romantically, that is!

Joy for Two at Christmas
This month our topic is “Joy for Two at Christmas.” Please join us for Marriage Monday on Dec. 6, 2010. This topic should be fun and easy. We will break for January and resume our fellowship on Monday Feb. 7, 2011. I'll have some brand new topics for 2011 to share with you then!
So how do you do it? How do you keep romance alive during one of the busiest times of year? The following title options give you the opportunity to share your wisdom and advice with us, dear sister. (Note: Number four is a wild card; feel free to make up your own.)
Select one title, and let the Spirit lead you where He wants you to go.

1. Our Private Christmas Traditions
2. Advent Scriptures to Savor Together
3. 12 Gifts Men Love that Don’t Cost a Cent
4. Your-Title-Goes-Here

twas' 21 days till Christmas

 All through the house sounds of the 'Polar Express' movie were thrilling the kids.

Dad relaxed think of it.

:)

brings me joy to see it.

 Dove very lovingly pulled her brother back into decorating the tree while I was listening from the other room. "what were you so sad last night?" she asked him...it was so sweet.

 On Thursday Evening I was invited to a thank you evening at the sewing store. It was for Guild members. We made these 10 minute table runners. No joke 10 minute project. I'll try to get over to ' A Place to Create' Blog to show you how.  The Santa and boy was a gift that my dear friend Julie gave me when Dash came home from Russia. We were all watching videos of all the Christmas past plays we have done. Dash and we got home on 12-11-2001. We watched as the kids played together for the first time. Dash had never only had a diaper without clothing. It was a very strange thing for him.

 This was my show and tell for Guild meeting this Morning. We all exchanged gifts via a story read while we all sat round table. Every time the words right, left were read so went the package. To the story 'twas the night before Christmas. It was fun. Mine was a 4 inch quilt square rule and a pair of embroidery scissors.

 This while the train was careening out of control in the movie.

 After a nice cup of 

"HOT CHOCOLATE!"

Oh the sugar rush!

 The kids were pretending to have train tickets like the movie so I slipped out of the room and came back with two whole punchers. They were so tickled and delighted.

Well tomorrow is another day on the count of anticipation. Steve only has a few more days to work. We are very fortunate that he gets two weeks mandatory vacation. He has way too many banked holiday hours. The kids have 14 more days till school is out.

It has been so fun and uplifting to decorate this week. It really lifted my spirit. Even finding myself humming hymns. Feels real good. The kids joy felt so good too.

Steve took the kids 'shopping', poor thing. Gone a few :?four hours while two kids struggled with the concept they were shopping for someone other than them self. He said to me "hun...Dash does not stop! he just goes on and on...I'm thirsty dad" said boy
Dad "hold on we will get a drink"
Boy panicked! "Dad I am thirsty!!!!!!!!!!" now you know he was just dieing right...? :)  Poor man could not find a drink for him fast enough. Dash is really acting out in other ways with the attachment stuff.
I think this time of year is triggering his adoption stuff. I know after 9 years it might sound strange to you. I think he is really coming to terms and feeling some feelings about it all. Seeing his sweet infant self so thin sick and with the sores on his back. I think it got him feeling a lack of security.

Gingerbread Scones with Lemon Glaze

 


Prep Time: 13 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1 scone)

Ingredients

• 2  cups  all-purpose flour
• 1/4  cup  granulated sugar
• 2  teaspoons  baking powder
• 1  teaspoon  ground ginger
• 1  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  ground nutmeg
• 1/3  cup  chilled butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/4  cup  sweetened dried cranberries
• 1/3  cup  1% low-fat milk
• 3  tablespoons  molasses
• Cooking spray
• 1/3  cup  powdered sugar
• 1  tablespoon  fresh lemon juice

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425°.
. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 6 ingredients in a large bowl; cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in cranberries. Add milk and molasses, stirring with a fork (mixture will be very crumbly).
. Turn dough out onto an unfloured surface, and knead until dry ingredients are moist. Pat dough into a 7-inch circle; cut into 8 wedges. Place wedges on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 10 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.
. While scones bake, combine powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl; stir well. Drizzle glaze over warm scones. Serve warm.
Note: Cut scones with a sharp chef 's knife coated with cooking spray.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

265 (27% from fat)

Fat:

8.0g (sat 3.9g)

Protein:

3.7g

Carbohydrate:

45.3g

Fiber:

1.2g

Cholesterol:

20mg

Iron:

2.0mg

Sodium:

258mg

Calcium:

106mg

 

 

 God Morning!

So the day begins with the attic fodder down on the table and into day three of the count down till Christmas. This girl has a date in the attic today. I really must try to get some decorating done.

 We refilled the large 25 and 40 pound buckets of flour and there was a bowl of left over on the counter. I saw myself making scones in my sleep and did so this morning. This to have with my coffee. Strange to make something that I like just for me to have one for coffee this morning. Boy are they good. The recipe altered a bit. Cherries for Cranberries, and Cranberry concentrate for lemon in the frosting. WOW that frosting has a wonderful tart punch it is so good!

 Sewing today and cutting down of Turkeys. I'll post on that later. Have a wonderful Friday.

enjoy the day

Today there is a blanket wrapped around my feet. A sweater on my shoulders. Warmth within my heart.

I read of inspiration. To have a cup of tea. :)  Then over to another post on apology. It is to be to live to see all the beauty around me. Reflections in the lives of others reminding us of who we are. Where we stand and how we gained the stand we own.

Flowers growing in the yards and children blooming into days.

The new cpcp mask came and it is a nose mask. Slept much better but my mouth opens in my sleep and wakes up my hubby. Thought I would die of thirst. It is so much better than the other one. Just got to learn how to keep my mouth shut. I sound like I have sucked helium when I try to speak with it on. Made us all laugh to hear it. Sleep what an amazing force.I might try using one of Doves head bands around my head to hold my jaw shut. Oh life and the goofy battles to face.

I am so glad to have this new nasal mask! How blessed I am to be able to get it.

The dogs get another walk today, so do I:)  For three weeks now I have been detoxing off an anti-depressant. The lower levels  are hopefully enough to get me through. Getting off of the medication is a real desire of mine. It is thrilling to think of being on the homestretch of it.

Have a great day all!

Saved Marigold seeds

Hay girls I thought it might be fun to give as gifts to friends for Christmas.

Hay to you Annette. I need to come spend some time with you soon. I think on the morrow I might have some time to set aside. Loving you.

Susie If I left them to reseed I would loose all the earth for the crop :) but the bees and the other pollinates sure do love them. These French ones do not have that nasty marigold smell. They do however chase the nematodes (pest in the soil) away.

Dennis so glad the machine is working. It was so good to spend time with you as well today. I spoke to Shorty Bear tonight. You two made my day girls thank you.

On Christian Bullying and Apple Pie

 Good Evening
As I sit here forgive me I am having a slice of fresh out of the oven apple pie. Tart Granny Smith organic apples. Now to insult these fresh apples (at least nutritionally) one of those ready made store bought crust. It was easy. I had the crust as a free thing on the last shop. Now normally I would roll over in my grave before I'd eat it but alas...
Well the pie was made with Dove joining me.Oh it was my hearts delight too have her hands in the flour and sugar. "here mom let me do it". JOY! utter joy to have her ask to do it, to join me and be happy to be with me doing it. 

 My cup running over...two tea bags as well. Some Good Earth cinnamon in my huge mug Dash gave to me last year. Apple pie and hot cinnamon tea oh yaa..

Tonight I had a real long and lovely conversation with Denise (Shorty Bear). How she misses you all so. She told of how lovingly so many came up to help and each bill is just covered. 

Underneath the umbrella of all she holds dear. Her trust in  and love for the Lord she is still getting a deluge of trial so keep her in your prayers.

Our conversation refreshed my soul, mind and body. She is REAL it was a real conversation. 

So often now I avoid trying to have that here. 

"If you ain't got nothing good to say don't say anything at all"...

Maybe some of you grew up with that one too. Sometimes it is the things that may not seam so good to say are the best things heard. Being real with one another. 

I came to my daughter today real. Told her my heart on an issue. Found a way to compromise with her.  Funny with all the fuss she really seems to respect me for it. 

Also told my little core family my heart tonight. It was good for my soul. Rested just a spell and that is when my dear friend came on the telephone line. There for me as a friend is. Real Listening not giving advice unsolicited or judging but pure love. Acceptance of all the warts and all. Like a good freeze off of hurt she nurtured my soul. I hers as well.  We are told to be strong, courageous, grateful now if were feeling were not we at least need to act as if we are.

I have been thinking a lot about bullies. Ya know the ones who make it real hard for your kids to feel safe. The true face has to hide lest it get taken for a ride of guff. Now some bullying is clear mean. Some is unintentionally mean.

While I was in prayer the other day the Lord talked to me about Christian Bullying. The kind that if your humanity shows your faulty in doctrine or being lead astray. Do this just right now, if your not doing this just right it will show.  Now God forbid these bullies when the trials hit real hard. We have to hold one view of our trinity public. That one that is our true spiritual self. What about that true soul. what of it. What of the true emote? 

Just like on the play ground we better hide it. Or the bully will see us coming a mile away.

Vulnerability is the bullies playground. 

What of maturity where vulnerability is to be commiserated?

What of it? Well if a sister, friend come to you bemoaning the reality of the challenges faced. Do we negate the soul, the emote only to supersede it with the spirit. No. The spirit remains, Gods love never changes.

It you speak of spirit and the tea is poured to do so speak of spirit. If a cup be empty however then fill it with water and quench the thirst without pouring hot water all over the guest. 

If a soul is thirsty for a companion of the soul the emote to hear and listen to the emote...hear.  Hear emote direct the emote through the land mines but do not dump spirit where spirit remains along side standing the guard it is intended too. That's Christian bullying.  Mercy that is just plain bullying given falsely Christs name. For I would never really perceive HIM ever acting that a way.

Blessed are those who...remember. 

Not deceived, backslid-den, lack of faith, or even punished or condemned.

There will always be greater and lesser

That does not negate that there is a you.

Now I have seen this of late from the pulpit as well. 

Just thinking out loud.

Now I have received little bully just always been afraid of them. 

So I sorta hide on the playground.

:)

So this an attempt to come out and own the swing set a while

Bullies thrive on fear they look for it.

How do you respond to 'Christian Bullies' ?

Saving Marigold Seed

 The wonderful French Marigolds are smiling upon my garden

They were planted end of last Summer
To the left
broccoli rabb, lettuce, scallions, spinach, camomile's and what not

 There are a few carrots, cauliflower, celery and radish growing. A free tomato gave gift via the compost It is so thriving in it's given home. Be nice of the whole of the garden planted itself on it's own.

 Happy tomato loves the reflection of the shed wall.

These are the lettuce pots closer to the house for ease of harvest come that day.

 after some time of sitting there opening up each bud it will be set aside to dry

I thought a lot about the seed pods on the flower plants they don't look like much. They take all that energy from the plant. They get trimmed off so the plant can produce more flowers. With out the seed pulling, draining the plant no seeds would come about. God...just splitting the buds to get the seed out to dry.
Gets a real good harvest in due season. Cant plant it till the time is right. Sorta like the lives of humans as well

:)

I love my time in the gardens

Each dog got a walk around the block today as well. Better run Dash to the allergist for shots.