If at first you don't succeed...

Giving blogging another good try.

At Least it's Not...

Finish that subject line. 

Growing up my mother would begin with those words of encouragement whenever something spilled. As you stood in a puddle of milk with an overflowing cereal bowl you'd here her say "At least it's not oil!" This is because during one dinner hour, years ago, it was. She had set a plastic gallon jug of canola oil on a burner that she presumed was off having forgotten that it had only been that way a short while and was not yet cool. She realized almost instantly and snatched the jug only to have the melted base give way and thoroughly douse the kitchen floor. Needless to say, after hours of clean up the Keeping colloquialism "At least it's not oil" was born. Nothing ever seemed as bad. Not a wet bed, not an overflowed pot of rice, not even a sick cat. Cleaning up oil trumps all.

Yesterday I was speechless. You may not be aware but I love coconut oil; the organic, virgin, cold pressed type. I use it as butter, frying oil and in smoothies. It is my number one healing salve, hand lotion and hair serum. It's a miracle oil around here. And in chilly Alaska, it is solid at room temperature, only melting in your warm hands as you use it. In my haste yesterday and not noticing that the internal temperature of my home had risen to over 75 degrees, I most carelessly opened my jar of miracle and became the subject of an unforeseen anointing. Having promptly ruined my entire outfit I stood in a greasy puddle of tropical goodness with nothing to say. The life lesson adsorbed into my heart and mind as readily as the oil in my cotton skirt and will likely be as permanent. 

The fact is, sometimes it's oil.

Summer's Gone

If I was a bad blogger before summer hit then I didn't really stand a chance did I?

Still, the stink of high bush cranberries is in the air so it must be that time, my favorite time, fall. I get the most schooling, crafting, cleaning, writing, organizing and work done at this time of year! Why is that?

Nevermind! The impending "What Did I do on Summer Vacation" is soon to be materializing in a blog post.

Just as soon as I get done a few more things...

Tennis in Texas

When we were down in Texas Elijah played a mean game of tennis with David. It was great to see the two of them get to know each other better. Thanks for a great game Elijah - even if you did remind him of how out of shape he is! ;-)



Up coming tennis star



not-so-upcoming tennis star



David and Elijah



Happy Birthday Tim!

Prov 23:24-25
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

Cinnamon Rolls - requested for breakfast!

We had a great birthday for Tim this year. First a day just with family, eating Tim's favorite foods and then a trip to the library. On the weekend following we rented the gym at the university and played floor hockey. We then came back to the house for pizza and salad. It is such a huge blessing to have a sweet young man like Tim. Life wouldn't be the same without him.

The Clay Pot

Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! a potsherd among the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou?  Isa 45:9

Jeremiah has been busy at his new pottery wheel. This is his first clay pot put to use in my kitchen. Could a Mama have greater treasure than this?

Dried Birthday Flowers in my sweet Pot

Of Little Boys and Laptops

When a little boy with a big imagination wants to be like his daddy, nothing can stop him. A book, lego, block and wet wipe container are all he needs to fulfill his dreams of one day owning his own laptop.

Peter and his computer

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?