My Shiny New Pot

The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. Prov 17:3

This was one of my star gifts this Christmas. It's hard to find pots big enough to meet the needs of our large family. Often I have to cook in two in order to not over crowd. Such a blessing.

And I'm sure you can see someones reflection?

Boxing Day Festivities

 "All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast." Prov 15:15

 

A Christmas Cracker


Boxing Day was on a Sunday this year so we celebrated on Monday. Two couples came over and we had a marvelous time - though much to their dismay, we didn't box. Dinner was Italian themed with lasagna, salad and garlic toast finished with eggnog icecream bars and red velvet cupcakes. And of course there were Christmas Crackers (which we've made a boxing day tradition).

Now theres just the shopping left to do. Bows and wrap is all on sale so I'm off to stock up.

Holiday blessings to all!



Red Velvet Cupcake with Cream Cheese Icing



A Very Viking Christmas

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:13

Little boys in viking helmets may be the cutest thing I've ever seen.

It was a super day that began with David reading "The Gift of the Magi" and family prayer. Then we opened stockings (filmed by Tim), presents and candy. Brunch was Eggs Benedict and french toast with Oma and Opa (our adopted Alaskan grandparents) and we spent the rest of the afternoon playing dominoes and other games. Tabitha, our neighbor, came for dinner. Our evening meal was prime rib with green beans/ham, roast potatoes, gravy, bread and a veggie tray. After Oma and Opa went home we popped over to a neighbors for their come and go. Goodies ad nausium. A lovely day full of God's provision and love.



Bread



First iPod Post

Dh bought me this iPod for Christmas and I'm practicing using it. Hope you all had a blessed day.

The Littlest Nutcracker

Andrew has always sort of envied the big kids nutcrackers that are displayed every Christmastime. They were gifts given to our four older children by their grandmother long before Andrew was a twinkle in any ones eye. So it was with excitement and joy that he unwrapped a littler version at our annual ornament exchange. But instead of putting it on the tree with the other ornaments he carefully placed it where it rightfully belonged; alongside the others.

Hey Hey We're the Monkeys

While trying to learn how to upload a video on youtube and waiting up all hours of the night for it to finish I ended up with this message.

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Sorry, something went wrong.

A team of highly trained monkeys has been dispatched to deal with this situation.
If you see them, show them this information:

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Cute, very cute. I think the monkeys took my video.

It is now 3:39 am and I am going to bed. I'm not waiting around for any stinkin monkeys.

Gingerbread Cake

I don't much care for gingerbread per se. It's not about the commonly shaped "little man" form or anything; I haven't any qualms about biting the heads off gummy bears or Easter Bunnies. I simply do not care much for crunchy cookies that taste of molasses. But all that changed when I first took a mouthful of this moreish, moist Christmas cake. The cake itself was fantastic but what made it so mouthwateringly delish was the glaze. Lemon glaze is my newest culinary delight and I'm racking my brain to think of what else I might pour it on. If you are looking for an easy and inexpensive treat for the holidays this is it.

Mix together till resembles wet sand

2 1/3 cups flour
3 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt (or just 1tsp of regular table salt)
3/4 cup of sugar
2 eggs lightly beaten
1 cup molasses

Then whisk in

1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup boiling water

Pour into greased and floured 9x13 baking pan and bake at 350 degrees till done in the center. (Poke with a toothpick; if it comes out clean it's done).

Pour the Glaze on while still hot letting the lemony goodness ooze down the sides. (A pastry brush is particularly helpful for spreading here)

Resist the temptation to eat it out of the pan hot. Patience.

Serve with fresh whipped cream and lemon zest (if you are feeling fancy)

*I'd show you a picture of mine but it's been devoured!

Streamline and Simplify

If I have two wishes for the new year it would be that God would miraculously teach me how to both streamline and simplify my life. I take on a million projects, finish less than half of them and forget the things I was SUPPOSED to be doing instead.  My mother used to call me a scatterbrain and I was sure I would grow out of it. I didn't. Still, there's hope yet. After all I have a blog now where I can catalogue all the swirling whirlpool that is my brain. Getting all the bits and bobs on paper screen that's the ticket!

Ginkgo Biloba anyone?

Just rambling thoughts at 2am too high on Christmas goodies to sleep.

"I know, I'll redesign my blog." she thinks

Christmas Recital

Both boys played so well. I'm still trying to figure out how to post a video. Stay tuned. :-)

Snow and Stars

He telleth the number of the stars ; he calleth them all by their names. Ps 147:4

He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.

He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?

He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
Ps 147:16-18

It's cold and snowy. - but you knew that. Timothy took this picture. Isn't it pretty? Snow and stars together!

Photos

Family

Brothers

Goat Milk

We've been getting fresh goat milk from a family at church. It is wonderful and the kids love it! Especially Peter who helped me type and post this picture of himself!

Peter holding the goat milk

Bad Blogger

"These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good." Psalm 104:27-28

I am not a good blogger. There! I said it! Is anyone really surprised? My family all know that I am bad with correspondance - it's usually my new years resolution each year. This of course means that the folks with birthdays and anniversaries in January-March hear more from me than people born or married in later months. I've thought about changing our christmas card caption from "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Valentines Day"

Yes, I am ashamed.

To make up for it how about some pictures of the moose we slaughtered???? I knew you'd be thrilled! ;) So the last month we've not been laying around avoiding blogging - we have actually been doing things! Like cutting up moose. At the end of September our good friend John sent his wife to our home at about 9pm. John had just shot a moose and wanted David to help him haul it into his truck. David, knowing nothing about slaughtering a moose was the perfect choice. The men decided to call our good friend and avid hunter Robert who asked if they had meat bags ready. "Meat bags?" John asked. David shrugged.

Robert was on his way.

Hours later John had moose hanging  to bleed and a week after that he brought us this whole leg complete with ankle fur and hoof. Thanks!

John, the very cool guy who shot the moose with his bow and arrow!

We cut and cut and cut. Finally the freezer boasted about 15 roasts and 10lbs of ground moose meat. It was a great experience for us all!

Nice ankles!

And then the grinding!

Spaghetti and moose-meatballs anyone?

A Week in Canada

Thou, O LORD, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation.

Lamentations 5:19

My Grandparents from England were visiting Canada so I popped down for a few days to see them Granddad celebrated his 84th Birthday and we all reconnected. David and the children survived without me and the weather was decent. All in all a lovely visit.

GranyAnn Grandad Reg and Me

Mom and I thought this old brick wall had so much character. It speaks of the past and of remembrance.

Isn't she beautiful?

My Mother

Pie Crust Recipe

I think I'm going to have to start a blog just for food!!

Here is the pie crust recipe that I took straight from http://www.foodwishes.blogspot.com/ Chef John is so fun to watch (even though he's never in the videos). His sense of humor is great!

The Recipe

Ingredients: (makes enough dough for one 9 or 10 inch double crust pie)


12 ounces flour (about 2 1/2 cups)

2 sticks (1 cup) ice cold butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/2 teaspoon salt

7 tablespoon ice water

1 tablespoon cider vinegar


Cut butter into 1 inch pieces and freeze. Pour flour and salt into food processor and add frozen butter. Pulse till resembles course crumbs. It is important that you do not just turn the thing on and let it run - the friction will cause the butter to warm too much. Then add your vinegar and half the water. Pulse again. Add the rest of the water and pulse till dough just starts to stick to itself. Do not pulse it into a ball or you will have tough crust.

*that sounds like a good alternate saying to tough luck doesn't it? Tough Crust Buddy!

Ok moving on.

Dump crumbly, slightly stuck together mess on lightly floured counter and press into round ball. Resist the urge to kneed. Cut in half and wrap each part in cling film. Refridgerate for a good hour. Turn out on floured surface and roll into 1/8 inch thick.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie - the day after!

I think you can take it from there eh?  Check out John's blog for a fun video!

Fall Photo Shoot

"The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men." Psalm 115:14-16

Every year I torture my children by making them pose in the leaves for a photo. Of course, the foster children get the short end of the stick as I have to blur their faces. "Mom, what's wrong with my face" she cries! The real photo may make it to the family christmas card...

Appetizers and Desserts

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart

Psalm 104:13-15

I love serving appetizers and desserts to my company but I hate making them, particularly desserts. Maybe it's because I don't like to measure - too reminiscent of science class or something. I've always been a bit of a free style cook. Actually, I like to do almost everything free style. This is probably why I never get much done. Ah well.

Yesterday I pulled out all the stops. I don't know why. I think the rainy weather was getting to me. Comfort food (even if you have to measure it) is worth the effort if it's raining. Actually, I'm not sure either of these were really "worth it".

Stuffed Zucchini Rolls

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

This may have been the best pie crust I've ever made. Notice I did not post pictures of the horrid key lime pie. I finally found a method for pie crust that is fool proof. Now, if only I liked pie...

Tea for Two

Last year Grace received a beautiful Royal Albert tea set for her birthday. It has been sitting in packaging just waiting for the perfect opportunity. Yesterday it finally came. We hosted another mother and daughter for tea, cookies and strawberries. Then we made flowery headbands and sparkly scepters. The Dad's and brother's joined us for dinner. All in all, it was great fun.

Crab Apples

Ok, so they aren't in mine. But don't they look fabulous?! Plus I got to practice my upclose fruit photography!

A Trip to the Farm

We are part of a local food co-op. We buy shares of a nearby garden in the spring and pick up whatever is harvested each week. My new foster daughter has been looking forward to going to the farm since Monday when I told her that if she'd eat her veggies, I'd show her where they were growing. She's been talking about it ever since. "Can we go to the farm today?" "When will you take me to the farm?" "Puuullleeeeeeze can we go to the farm now?" So today was the big day.

I was grateful that the neighboring farm had their horses out, especially after I realized that the poor child thought we were going to a farm with animals.

"Where's the cows?" She asked impatiently. Her disappointment didn't last too long. Thankfully, she LOVES flowers which are in abundance at the end of each row of veggies. She ran around happily sniffing flowers and asking "Did Jesus make this one? What about this? Did Jesus make ALL these flowers???" "Did Jesus make the veggies too???"

We soon had our share and were headed back to the car heavy laden with farm fresh garden fresh goodies. It was a good day and a near success at persuading a reluctant veggie eater that green things are in fact super cool.

Or so I thought.

"What are we going to do with this stuff" She asked me on the way home.

"Eat it" I replied cheerfully.

She wrinkled up her cute little nose and said

"Yuck!"

:-)

Heavy Veggies

For the Love of Fennel

Garden Fresh Rhurbarb

It's been harvest time. Well, let me rephrase that. We're hauling in the Moose's leftovers. :-) Moose don't eat Rhubarb. God has programmed them to avoid the poisonous leaves.

We have successfully discarded the leaves and are busy chopping, freezing and canning. My neighbor gave me the cook book "The Joy of Rhubarb" so I am not without some excellent recipes.

Mocha Meets the Moose

Moose minding its own buisness

Pug barking loudly "This is my yard Moose!!"

Moose begs to differ. He was here first.

Moose proving his point.

Can you hear David yelling "the dog is going to DIE today" out the bedroom window?

Thankfully all is well. I scared the moose away and called the dogs in. Whew!

But the Moose Came Back...

Proof! So it wasn't David just trying to be rid of the brussels.

Is that a smirk?

It's funny, this moose was kind of the inspiration to start my blog. He was in the veggie patch one morning and I thought "if I had a blog, I'd blog about this moose!". Apparently, if you blog it, they will come!

A Window-a-Day

With winter coming I am certainly feeling the pressure to get caught up on a few projects; specifically, things that can't be done at -40. One of those projects is window cleaning. I dread it. I have 29 windows, some big, some small but all filthy. The thought of taking an entire day to clean them all is so overwhelming that I've just been ignoring it. But no more! Today I came up with a plan. If I clean one window a day I will have them done in less than a month. I did clean my kitchen and dining room windows this summer and most likely I'll do several small ones at once as well which will speed things up. Wish me luck!

Happy Birthday Grace

It may have been her birthday but she was my gift!

It was a wonderful day with chocolate cake, ganache and strawberries! It had been ear marked in the baking cook book for months just waiting for a certain someone to turn 9.

The Arctic Circle

And a sign to prove we were there!

Finger Rock

This is finger rock. It's half way between town and the Arctic Circle

How to Post a Picture?

family

Still learning to navigate. Let's see if this posting of a picture works...

Play dough

Play dough, play dough every where
Up their nose and in their hair
In the rug and on the pug
And floating in my coffee mug

Oh how I loath the sticky stuff
And even more when it gets tough
And stuck in all the nooks and cracks
On Mama's skirt and Daddy's slacks

Purple gloop and yellow goo
I think I have some in my shoe
I guess it's just the price I pay
To brighten up the children's day

My First Blog Post

Well, it happened. I finally started a blog. Let's hope I can figure out the spell check.