Wishing For Pine Needles

Winter Cooking #1 - A big batch of Granola Love

I am pleased to say that this Christmas brought me two, big Mason jars full of homemade granola.  This is the second annual batch I've received....you may remember the pictures of the beautifully decorated jars of last year here.  (I'm quite certain that this year's batch was gobbled up and gone before my little camera made its way to the kitchen!)

 

This isn't just any old granola, but granola made especially for me by my dear friend.  This friend and I met 7 years ago when our oldest were babies.  We had both recently moved into this area and were desperate for a  like-minded mama friend.  One conversation and visit led to another and we eventually realized that we clicked.  From there it slowly became one of those call-you-every-day, get-together-with-kids-several-times-a-week, go-out-shopping-and-out-to-dinner when-we-could-get-away friendship.  It was a share-our-families, confide-in-each-other-about-a-positive-pregnancy-test, pray-for-each-other, grieve-together-over-a-miscarriage, talk-about-faith, and celebrate-a-new-baby kind of friendship.  It became a share-our-secrets, listening-ear, inside-joke, and have-a-good-cry friendship.

And when this friend called to tell me they were officially moving away for a job-transfer, I bawled like a baby.  Right there on the phone.  In the middle of the day.  (Wasn't it kind of me to make it so much easier on her? ahem.)

The plan was for them to move back...someday....when the time was right for her husband to return here for his job.  I was semi-hopeful.  (OK.  I'll be honest.  I never thought they were coming back.  another ahem.)

So, it was to my complete surprise when my friend called to tell me they were indeed moving back!  And, in a few short weeks at that.  I could not have been happier!!!  And when they purchased a home 4 minutes away from ours, I was thrilled and nostaglic and at great peace with the thought of being back in each other's daily lives.

But, since this post was really supposed to be about making granola, I should share that in addition to the two jars, my friend also gave me the gift that keep's on giving.....the recipe!

  

She put together a beautiful cookbook filled with her most favorite recipes and gave it to me for Christmas.  It was so thoughtful and so her, which makes me love it even more.  She even wrote handwritten notes on some of them.  I love looking at this handwriting that I have come to know over the years and remember the encouragement and kind words that it's brought me.

  

So, there's my story about my first batch of homemade granola.  And my friend who has given it to me.

(But I think maybe it's really the story of a special friendship that is and always will be very near and dear to my heart, in a way that even granola this good never could be!) 

 

Plenty

On the very last day of this year, my thoughts go wading back through the fog of the last few weeks.  I must admit that all the hustle and bustle and merry-making and celebrating of the season seemed slightly overwhelming this year.  I felt behind the eight ball from the get-go and never got that forward "burst" I needed to make a smooth, peaceful, picture-perfect Christmas.

And then there were the "if-onlys."  "If only there was more time, if only there was more money,  if only the line at the post office wasn't so ridicuously long,  if only I could be uninterrupted for 10 whole minutes, if only I had wrapped all along, if only it wasn't 2:00 in the morning...."

But when I looked back through my pictures, I saw a common theme in every single one of them.  There was so much plenty!  Plenty of food, plenty of friends and family, plenty of parties, plenty of presents, plenty of coziness, plenty of warmth, plenty of laughs, and plenty of love.  God's richest blessings were all around me at every turn! 

So as I prepare to cross-over to a brand new year, I've decided that I am done with the if onlys.  (They are not nearly as fun to focus on as all of the plenty!)

I hope that your Christmas brought you and yours plenty as well.  Have a very Happy New Year's Eve!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apples of Gold (way more than a Cooking experience)

I recently completed a unique, six-week long course called Apples of Gold.  It is a bible study and cooking class all rolled into six, extremely enjoyable Saturday morning sessions.  We were a class of nine.....led and taught by a lovely panel of women who have had a bit more life experience.  These faithful women mentored us, prayed for us, taught us tricks in the kitchen, how to be hospitable, and most importantly, how to be more loving wives, mothers and daughters of Christ.

We met in the home of one of these dear mentoring women, and mixed and mingled several generations in a way we (admittedly) don't do often enough.  Our group included everyone from a sweet young woman who was recently engaged to a warm, wise woman who just celebrated her 60th+ anniversary...and every age and stage in between.

Through this study, I realized just how much I enjoy forming friendships with women of all ages.  Age, education, location, economonic status, number of children, ages of children, working or stay-at-home...these are all "categories" that tend to guide our social circles and steer us into tidy, comfortable groups of friends who are often very similar to ourselves.  And there is nothing wrong with this.  Common ground is a good thing.  But, might I add, that the times I have stepped outside my social comfort zone have almost always yielded a most interesting conversation, some new perspective, and a special new person in my life that wouldn't otherwise be there had I not stretched myself a bit.

So on Saturday mornings we gathered, we prayed, we talked, we laughed, we cried....and we cooked!

 

 

 

 

  

And I almost forgot...after all of this we ate!  (Holiday Brie en Croute, Norwegian Kringla, Italian Braciole, La Fouace aux Noix or Walnut Hearth Bread, and Roasted Root Vegetables, just to name a few...)

 

I already miss this gathering of gals and the meals we shared around a beautifully set table.  These were our special Saturday mornings, and  I'm so very grateful to have been a part of them.

To those of you who went through this journey with me....you all really are Apples of Gold!

 

a weekend in the Country

Our weekend was spent at beautiful Sabbath Song Farm, catching up with friends, each other, and celebrating the beauty of God's creation all around us.  We are so truly grateful for this opportunity!

Weekend Fun and a Quilt Update

This past weekend was one to be mentioned...it was the kind where good times and good news were both had!

Saturday morning began with some coffee, conversation and thrifting with a friend and it couldn't have been more enjoyable!  So much to talk about...so little time.  So much thrifting to do....so little time.  (Looks like we'll have to plan another outing soon, Ellen!)

Know what I like best about this old thread?  Right, the wooden spools!

Saturday afternoon.  We received word that a dear, little friend who we love a lot got good news from his doctors.  Praise God!  (He spent a couple of days in the hospital and gave us quite a scare.)

Saturday evening...kids sleepover at grandma and papa's.....Dan and I out with friends....nice restaurant...good food...gift card...no kid's meals....no high chairs....ending up at Border's.....so....peace...ful....*sigh*.....!

Sunday morning we woke slowly to a completely quiet house.   Dan and I read the paper, drank coffee and ate donuts before heading off to church.  (And, we had nursery duty.  I guess we are just not meant to have a completely kid-less morning!)

But, of course,  we had an awesome reunion with Rylen, Marianne, and Hans.   (How is it possible that it seems like they grow in just one night away?)  And to top it off?  Lounging on the couch Sunday evening watching more Olympics.  

Sometimes, even in the midst of our busy life, we have found that truly embracing the weekend and laying aside work and schedules really lets us all come up for air.  Fresh, cool winter air!

As for the quilt?  Well, all 200 of my squares are cut.  The dimensions of this quilt, given by Randi, will make a nice-sized lap quilt.  I decided that I would like to turn it into a queen-size quilt, and am in the process of figuring out how many more squares I need to cut for this.  I am using a very complicated formula which is not good for someone of my meager math ability.   (Dan says he will help me...he takes pity!)

So, even though I am a couple of weeks behind in this quilt-a-long, I am having a great time!

Wishing you moments of fun with the folks (and the hobbies) you love the most!

another New Year

Wow!  (They keep coming faster and faster, don't they?)

The New Year for me is the perfect time for reflection.  What did we do this year?  Who did we meet?  How did we help?  What happened?

And, of course, it is also a time to ponder what will become of this fresh start of a brand new year.  The planning, the hoping, the list-making, the dreaming....all of the resolution-making that is currently going on here now!

But as for the celebrating part of it?  We spent a cozy evening in the company of good friends and even made it all the way to midnight.  Well, all but Hans, who lasted until an impressive ten o'clock.   We had a very relaxing, joyous time with a small army of happy, but very sleepy youngsters.  

Blessings to you this 2010!!!

Fun with Costumes and Candy

 

Believe it or not, this is a cake!  Made and decorated by a very talented friend.

 

Rylen's kimono and obi.  Made lovingly and sleeplessly with Butterick 6697.

Whooo's that?  Why, our owl, of course!  Marianne and I could not find that perfect owl costume pattern anywhere, so I designed my own.  It turned out to be a real hoot!  (That one's for you, Dan.)

 

Our little lion was less than pleased with his attire, but was just about as cute as he could be.  So we made him wear it anyway!

 

 

So, my week of 'not enoughs' was followed by a delightful weekend of lots of plenty.  Family, friends, food, costumes, and candy.

I'll take it!

Between Big and Little

Lately, our oldest daughter has seemed very "grown up."  She suddenly seems to get certain things - like conversations her dad and I have.  We have come to the realization that we really need to be alone to talk about anything we may not want her to hear... just yet.  

For example, if Dan and I are whispering about something in the other room like,"Should we take them to get ice cream tonight?" (whisper, whisper)  From out of nowhere, Rylen will excitedly shout "ARE WE GETTING ICE CREAM TONIGHT??!!"

It's amazing.  (Honestly, how could she possibly hear us?)

She and her friends now like to spend time in her room talking.  OK, I get that.  But aren't they still supposed to be running around the house playing? 

And when did I become Mom instead of Mommy?

So it came as no surprise when she was invited to her first slumber party.  Is she ready for this?   Am I ready for this?  

It happened to be the birthday celebration for her dear friend of which she was the only guest.  This friend lives across the street. It's a stone's throw. We love this family and have known them for years.  I was good with it.

And, as it turns out, Rylen was completely ready.  She counted down the days.

When the big day arrived, we packed her bag, I walked her across the street, she gave me a kiss and didn't look back.

Need I say that I was happy for her on one hand and had my own moment of sadness on the other?

I was grateful to her friend's mother, my friend, who called me later to come watch them open these favors that I had made for them.  After all, don't all girls and dolls who slumber together need matching pajamas?

(So I got in an extra hug and kiss when leaving for the second time!)

But even with all of this "bigness" our phone still rang that night around 11.  After a late-night pep talk and some "I love yous" through her tears, she said she would be OK and she would see me in the morning. I was proud of my brave, big girl who at that moment seemed so very little.

So we are stuck in this world right now, Rylen and I.  The world between big and little.  I'll take the big and the new and exciting things that go along with it.  And I'm happy for her. But, believe me, I will also take every bit of the little, for as long as I can get it!

 

The doll PJ's were made using McCalls M50169.

Pre-4th Celebration

Last weekend we participated in our neighborhood 4th of July celebration.  It was a beautiful day - just perfect for a parade, picnic, and lots of fun games and activities! 

Rylen and her neighbor buddies decided to go with a cowgirl theme and decorate their floats accordingly.

I made this skirt for her using this trusty pattern.  (I have done a lot of these lately, I know, but they are just so fast and easy and a quick crafting fix!)  The bandana-esque fabric I got from a friend during this fun afternoon.  And the courdoroy horse fabric pockets were made from leftover fabric from a dress-purse combo that I made for my niece's birthday.  So, this skirt was extra fun because it was all from my stash and being used!

Rylen was very excited that her float won 1st place for which she received a prize of a real $2 bill. Marianne got to pose in the victory picture which was good enough for her...

...and Hansey got to ride in his very first parade!

One of my favorite parts of the afternoon was watching this talented wood carver make toy tops and cups for the kids.  He set up his lathe under a tent and went to work all afternoon. It is mesmerizing to watch, let me tell you!

The kids love their homemade toys!  Even Hans is delighted with his top/cup set.  

We all really enjoyed an afternoon of good, old-fashioned fun, friends, and lots of red, white and blue.

Happy 4th of July, everyone!  

"Give me liberty or give me death!"  (Patrick Henry)

Fabric Swap

Children happily playing, a peaceful baby napping, good coffee brewing, old friends a-chatting, and lots of fabric swapping.  What could be better?

This is how we spent a day this week.  It was such a relaxing time for us all.

My friend and I have known each other for over 15 years. We met as teenagers working together at a local amusement park. After attending different colleges and later living in different states, who would guess that we would eventually end up living only minutes apart?  And both currently have 3-year old daughters? And both love to sew?  (And to boot, she is now the owner of our old dog.  But that's another story :)

I think it's just another one of life's little blessings!