What's going on here (?)

A little over a month ago now we were blessed to have moved out to an old farm. A little ways off from the area we first moved to when we relocated to western Canada but only to the next county SE from where we were. We really felt it was worth it for sure. So this beautiful location brings lots of trees in the immediate area surrounding our home, lots of land to explore, hills and coolies, barn cats, old buildings, quiet...

I really am so thankful for this new location.

 

The other week we got to see these beautiful birds which we found out are called Bohemian Waxwing. They come this way from colder regions, eating the berries on the trees.

 

 

This morning there was a beautiful hoar frost that covered everything.

 

 

 

This is the friendliest of all the barn cats. He was named Garfield.

 

 

 

 

Willow is a naturally outdoorsy dog. She is in Heaven out here.

 



 

I grabbed some juniper branches to stick in jars with some cranberries for my early Christmas decorations. It smells wonderful in the house now.

 

 So often I get to thinking why do things happen the way they do?

 I'll be honest to say that I was having a very hard time living in the area we just moved from. I was not used to the over-crowded living. Everything man made, and hardly able to enjoy nature or quiet and privacy.

 Then there is another part to this story I have been adapting to the fact that I've recently developed Epilepsy. Which has been kind of mind boggling for me. And a little less than a year ago I was told I can't drive until its under control. You want to talk about depressing and totally inconvenient! There was nothing I can do about it. I have gone through a lot of feelings that I felt were defining. But I am slowly coming to the realisation of what the truth is of these feelings. Satan wants me to feel defeated by this disorder, and let it undo me. 

 Not to mention there are other issues that have been growing within our family as well.

So as I write about this new venture of a place we now live it makes me ponder... maybe this place was made possible as a refuge of sorts. I've thought a many times -what were we thinking moving out to the country when I cant get to town?? But Its not really that much more inconvenient any way and I love it out here and the way I can spend my days. 

 So usually it takes me quite a while to see the big picture, but maybe the Lord has given me a chance to see this one earlier than usual.

 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. Job 11:18



Keep calm...the chives have sprouted!

 Keep calm...the chives have sprouted! It has been a hard spring for me, waiting for things to grow. When everything did finally start sprouting it almost seemed unreal. And I am still in awe at the growth. I thank the Lord for this simple thing...chives that grow and sprout early, even before the grass is all green. Yes so simple but the small things are usually what is real and is a blessing too. Because this small and simple thing can not be attributed to anyone else but God. There is no way for anyone here on earth to have manufactured a seed and make it grow. I can get so disheartened by all the big, fast things in this world because it makes me feel like I'm being silly paying such attention to a plant growing. But in truth I see so much beauty in a seeds growth and should not be ashamed by my simple amusements and wonders!

 Psalm 111:2 How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in Him should ponder them.

 

 

 

 

 (This is our new addition to the family, her name is Willow and is 5 months old, is a BALL of ENERGY, and apparently likes chives too!)

 

 So in celebration of the first harvest from my newly acquired garden allotment, I baked up these yummy cheddar and chive biscuits.

 

MIX: 1 3/4 cups flour, 2 tsp. baking powder, 1/4 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt, 2 tbs. snipped chives, 1/2 tsp. dried thyme. CUT IN: 3 tbs. margarine, to resemble course crumbs. STIR IN: 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Then, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup yogurt. Dough will be sticky. Drop large tablespoonfuls on lined baking sheet. Bake at 450 for 12 min.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I cant remember if I mentioned that we really downsized on our living quarters inside and out, when we moved out here to the West this past year. It has been a challenge adjusting to the size or lack there of, of the yard. It may be temporary or not. Depending on where we sense the Lord leading us. But I have been working at making due with what we have. I've figured container gardening is the best for this year considering that the amount of yard we have is too small to tear up and plant veggies. So its a new adventure in trying this out. I'm thinking it'll be a bit more work making sure they get adequate water and food. On the positive I'm learning something new.

Parsnip Cake?

I came across a peculiar recipe which had both words parsnip and cake in the title. I was intrigued, and I happened to come across these veggies on the reduce rack and so I gave the recipe a try. I do find that parsnips can be kinda pricey, so I'm thankful for them being reduced in price.

I had to convert the recipe measurements, to using cups and tablespoon measurements. This is the recipe I followed:

1/2 cup + 2 TB. oil
1/2 cup + 2 TB. brown sugar
1 large egg
1 ripe, mashed banana
2/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. mixed spice
1/2 cup grated parsnip
1/4 cup + 2TB. chopped, walnuts
For the topping:
1/4 cup butter
5 TB. icing sugar
1/4 pkg. cream cheese (about 1/4 cup)
2 tsp. maple syrup (or maple flavoured syrup works fine)
-Preheat oven to 325. Grease a loaf pan. Whisk the first 3 ingredients. Add the banana. Fold in the dry ingredients, followed by the parsnip and walnuts. Turn into the pan and bake 50-60 min. until done. To make the topping, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the cream cheese, followed by the syrup. Spread over cooled cake.

Take it from a "Parsnip Cake" doubter, its really good. My mom says it reminds her of a cake she ate when she was little, that her mom would get, which was made in England. I told her it was a recipe from a British magazine!

And here is MacMurray, dressed up by Violet, so that he can be her sister, she said. J

He tried walking around a bit but it looked more like a wobble.

Relax

Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.
-Chinese Proverb

Answers to prayer often come in unexpected ways. We pray, for instance, for a certain virtue; but God seldom delivers Christian virtues all wrapped in a package and ready to use. Rather he put us in situations where by his help we can develop those virtues.
-C.R. Findley

 I love these quotes I just came across. The first one, helps me see how its so much easier on myself if I would just accept who God made me and allow myself mistakes, and to freely let others see them as well. This will truly bring growth.
 The second one makes me smile with the holiday season approaching, I think wouldn't it be something if you could request, "Lord I'd like some patience, understanding and compassion wrapped up under the tree for some good Christian virtues added to me." No it doesn't work that way. Its more like- "Lord why is this happening to me?" and then later when we look back we can see that He was using these circumstances for enriching and growing us up to be more like Him!

Fall is . . .

 Colourful canopies of leaves




Wearing cosy sweaters outside

Re-exploring what feels like new surroundings

Stacking wood to keep cosy

Playing in the cool crisp air

With smells of earth and leaves

and Enjoying what the harvest has turned out

and turning it into creations such as

Tomato Salsa
This is the recipe I use every time I have a big batch of tomatoes.

8 cups peeled chopped tomatoes
4 cups chopped peppers
4 cups chopped onions
2 cups vinegar
1 or 2 finely chopped jalapeno peppers
8 cloves garlic, minced
5.5 oz. tin tomato paste
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 TB. salt
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. oregano

Put it all in the pot and bring to a boil over med.-high heat. Lower heat and simmer for at least an hour. Although I did for about half the day because I like a thicker salsa.
For storing, I like keeping it simple, so I just freeze batches in plastic containers.

Falling in love with Fall

 

I do love fall. But it makes me sad that summer is over and gives me a little anxiety that winter is just around the corner. But I do Enjoy Autumn!

 

 

Monkey see ...

 

monkey do!



 

Tree babies, three in a row.

 

 

So many reasons to head outside and walk, hike and play this time of year. My two favourites: The colours - which I didn't get much of in these pics. :(  and the temperature is so comfortable.

Savoring the last days of Summer

These here are Phil and Susan, the resident frogs here at this near by island. ;)

Violet let them go, so that Phil could finish collecting dinner for Susan.

Lake was having a heck of a time whacking down the biggest and toughest weed I have ever seen.

Holly was having fun running around with Buttercup.

MacMurray looking handsome.

Buttercup is doing pretty much what I did the whole afternoon we were on the island. Stared. I quietly enjoyed the weather, the sights and loving doing nothing but enjoying my family. 

Why do we (I) ever try to clutter up life with unnecessary things that $$ buys when there is such an abundance that the Lord has blessed us with?

I'm sorry if this is boring but for me (and maybe for you to), I'm gunna list off the free blessings I had on this day before me to acknowledge the fact that no unnecessary $$ needed to be spent. Here is what there was to freely enjoy:

Gods gift of eternal life, my husband, my children, our health, a free country to live in, a warm sunny day, a place to kayak to, kayaks, our puppies, food to eat on our picnic, the sand between my toes, clean water to swim in, places to explore, animals to find and watch, sunglasses and swimsuits. I could find others...

With that I want to end this off with stating that our family is going to go on a spending fast. My husband heard of this womans blog on the radio and how she got out of debt going on a spending fast. That for us, I believe will help us get a good perspective on how we view money and possessions. Pay off debt and appreciate the simple pleasures in life, leaving behind the belief that one needs to spend money to enjoy life. We still have some decisions to make regarding the "rules" but we basically want to follow most of the ones on the blog. 
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have.

Proverbs 22:7The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave. 

Super Slippery Fun

"Buttercup", our new addition is doing very well. She has grown and it is still hard to believe she even weighs about 3 lbs.! Holly is doing an awesome job being her mummy.

Another cucumber idea. Its something of a cold cucumber tea. I adapted it from the prevention's flat belly diet. To 8 cups of water add a large sliced cucumber, tsp of ground ginger (I would have used fresh if I had it, but this tasted fine) a couple tablespoons of dried peppermint (again with the woulda used fresh if I had it) And half a lemons juice. Toss the pieces in with the rest ( but of course I only had bottled juice) Let sit overnight or so and the water is so tasty and refreshing. Its ugh hum.....spa water. ;)

This is a great idea for kids (sorry I should not limit this to just childs play), or anyone, on a hot summer day. 

You stick the kids in the trampoline, and just add soap and water!!

Ever seen a soap angel before!?

Its handy too for when they are looking a little dull, and crusty. They clean up real well with this fun. :D

Super Slippery Fun