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?