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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Pierogies on parade and Happy Thanksgiving!

Varenyky is a traditional Ukrainian dish.  You may know them as pierogi. 
Eric grew up making these with his mom, his grandma, and his great grandma.
Can't you just picture the kitchen scene: 
Steamy windows from the big pots of boiling water on the stove top.  Thick Russian accents and laughter, and a little boy standing on a chair so he could reach the heavily floured counter.  The Grammy's showing him just how to stuff these little dumplings, and crimp them just right so they don't break open when boiled.

Simple ingredients - flour, salt, eggs, butter (LOTS of butter), water, and mashed potatoes.


 So it goes like this...














Did I mention that there is a ton of butter in these?  


It was Eric's childhood tradition and so it is ours too.
We make enough to share with friends (that we share Thanksgiving Day with) and enough for the next day for us.  
Since it's a holiday...we just enjoy all the gluten-laden, dairy-laden, egg-laden deliciousness and deal with a possible tummy ache, because they are so good!  

Warm wishes for a Thanksgiving filled with sweet fellowship and moments to really count each and every blessing.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

A thankful tree


A favorite tradition we have for the holidays is to make varenyky.  
It's amazing, and fattening, and, quite frankly, a labor of love, which is why we ONLY have them for holidays.  I'll be sure to post about our varenyky making day!

But before all the busyness of this week begins, I wanted to take time to focus. 
Saturday, while Eric was at a skate race with the older children, I had some time to spend with the little girls.  Concentrated and intentional time.
I wanted to make a thankful tree.  I first saw the idea here and then again here.

Ellie went out on the property and found the perfect branches.


We just used a half gallon canning jar as a vase.  
I had a few sheets of scrapbooking paper in my stash.  I traced around a leaf cookie cutter, and then cut out the leaves and hole-punched them.


The kids wrote on the leaves some things that they are thankful for. 


and tied the leaves to the branches. 







Our thankful tree.  
Focusing our hearts on our many, many blessings! 


I think this will be added to our Thanksgiving traditions.
I am thankful for that time with them.  Connecting time.  I needed that, and they needed it too.  Relationships need connections.
  
I was recently asked by a new mom if I wished I had done any thing differently when my children were babies. Sadly, I do have regrets.  I wish I had relaxed more about schedules and home chores, and just loved on them more.  With each one, I did a little better, but it's still the challenge I face every day.  How to manage my responsibilities balanced with my relationships.  How to keep relationships my priority.  
This time I had with the girls was precious to me!  

Hoping your Thanksgiving is full of tender, sweet family times.


Saturday, November 21, 2015

Today in the PNW

an unexpected friend




a frosty 




and foggy morning




studies in black and white



enjoying a slower pace today. 
enjoying the little things!  
:-)



Friday, November 20, 2015

My remedy

Here we are, one week out from Thanksgiving.  Time is blowing by, and I feel like I am trying to hold on for dear life.  (A little like Piglet holding on to his kite string in a blustery storm.  "Oh, dear....Oh, deary dear!")  
I can't quite figure out what is making me feel this way.   We have purposed over the years to keep things simple and the calendar uncluttered, though it, admittedly has been fuller of late.  And these next few days... a blur of activity, for sure. It's happy activity, though.

Anyway, I don't want to complain.  I don't want to whine.  That is so unbecoming.  
My remedy? 
Give thanks!  

"Praise the Lord! 
Oh Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is Good; His lovingkindness is everlasting." 
-Psalm 106:1

I am thankful for the Lord
that He is good
He is loving 
and that His love will never go away.

I am thankful for the ways He meets our every need.
our beautiful home
that it is warm, and safe and dry
bountiful choices at our meal table
that nourish body and soul.

I am thankful for the little blessings - the unnecessary things, but the things that make life a little sweeter
good coffee
cozy blankets
and a warm fire in the wood stove
a washer and dryer in my home
new furniture.

I am thankful for the big blessings too
safety
clean water
hot showers
freedom
health and healthcare

I am thankful for homeschooling
and the time it affords with my children.
the privilege to be their teacher
to witness and share in their successes and 
support and encourage them in their challenges.

I am thankful for friends 
for kind words 
for thoughtful gestures
for laughter

I am thankful for my family.
the ones far away (this blog's for you) 
the ones we will see soon (so excited)
the ones close by (shopping dates)
the ones closest to me - within these walls - the ones that love me and forgive me tirelessly.

Really - I am overwhelmed with thankfulness.
And when I stop to think about all I have to be thankful for ~ it leaves no room for complaint.  



I shall try to not be gone so long.  :-)

Friday, November 13, 2015

gluten free - dairy free - egg free amazingness pie

I had a couple of requests for the recipe from my last post for the pie - which was, seriously amazing!  I found the recipe from VeganRicha while browsing my Pinterest feed.  

I have to say I'm pretty spoiled.  This is how it usually rolls...

     "Oooh, Hannah, come look at this picture.  Doesn't this look DElish?"
     "Uh, YES!...I should make it!  Oh, it's FREE.  It looks super good.  I wonder how it tastes?  I'm gonna make it!"

Then in a fury of whirring activity, a masterpiece is produced in my kitchen, and we all swoon.
And, really, I am not exaggerating. 

Below is the recipe.  The only thing she did differently was substitute cashew milk and cashew butter for the almond milk and almond butter. 

Although it may look complicated at first glance, Hannah was impressed with how easy and quick it was to make.  By the time the dates have soaked for 15 minutes, the rest is ready to go - you really just need a few hours of freezer time. 

Salted date caramel, chocolate pie with almond coconut crust.  
(Vegan, gluten free, no-bake)
aka - "Gluten free, dairy free, egg free amazingness pie"
Makes 1 (9") pie

Crust:
1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp. almonds 
2 Tbsp. unsweetened shredded coconut 
1 Tbsp. flax seed meal 
1-1/2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 
1/8 tsp. salt
9 soft medjool dates, pitted
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
1 Tbsp. or more of unsweetened almond milk (cashew milk)

Salted Caramel Layer
11 soft medjool dates (pitted and soaked in hot water for 15 minutes)
2 Tsp. almond butter (cashew butter)
2 Tbsp. coconut oil
1/2 c. almond milk (cashew milk)
1/4 tsp. salt

Chocolate Mousse Layer
1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
1 (3 oz) bar 70% Theo chocolate or about 2/3 cup vegan semi sweet chocolate chips 
(She used Costco's Kirkland brand chocolate chips)
2 Tbsp. almond butter (cashew butter) 
2 Tbsp. coconut oil
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup pure maple syrup

Soak the dates, for the caramel layer in hot water, so they soak for the 15 minutes while you make the crust and topping. 

Crust:
Process the cashews until coarse meal in a food processor.  Add flax seeds, cocoa, dates (unsoaked), 1/4 cup shredded coconut, and salt.  Pulse until the dates are incorporated well.  Add the rest of the shredded coconut, vanilla, maple syrup, cashew milk, and process until doughy.  Add more cashew milk or maple syrup if needed and mix a bit with your hands.  Press the dough into the pie plate.  

Salted caramel layer:
Drain the soaked dates.  Puree all the ingredients with the soaked dates (listed under the salted caramel layer) to combine into a smooth puree.  Blend for a couple of cycles for the dates to blend well.  Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding a touch more maple syrup, if needed.  Spread on top of the crust.  Place in the refrigerator while you work on the chocolate layer. 

Chocolate mousse layer:
Heat coconut milk until it just about starts to bubble and add to a bowl.  Add the chocolate and whisk to melt.  Briskly whisk in the rest of the ingredients to aerate the mixture.  Mix until ALL the lumps are gone.  Pour onto the caramel layer.  Tap the pan to spread evenly. 
FREEZE a few hours until set, then slice and serve.



Ta da...
Amazingness. (the pie, not the photo.)

This is quite rich.  A small piece really satisfies.  
I suggest cutting the pie into twelfths for the perfect serving size. 

You really NEED to make this, then tell me if this isn't just the best FREE pie you've ever had!

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

11 little things I love today


1.  This soap.  
 It smells divine.  I'm obsessed.



2.  Heated car seats
   It's been barely 50 degrees and downright ch-ch-chilly.


3.  Left-over turkey.  
Even though we've yet to celebrate Thanksgiving. Even though we don't have left-over turkey yet... we will, and my mouth is watering just thinking about it!


4.  This little hedgehog kitchen timer
He makes me smile while I work.  



5.  Eric
My rain-or-shine longboarder, my project partner in crime, 
the father of my children, my best friend.
You make my heart sing. 



6.  The Weepies.
I really like their Indy sound.


7.  Date night. (last night)
See #5.  :-)


8.  Pie.
would you believe - gluten free, dairy free, egg free amazingness?  
Thank you, Hannah


9.  Prayer time with a friend.
She and I both have sons away pursuing college and career.  
What a balm to my soul to lift up burdens and petitions before the throne of Grace.


10.  A good read
really good.


11. sleeping babes
so sweet!


~   ...   11 things on 11/11 that make me happy   ...   ~


Sunday, November 8, 2015

Life Lately

Did you know, there are tons and tons of preparations that go into a "quick little trip to Cali"?  Ha!  At the same time I was cooking up a storm for the men-folk for their hunting trip, and arranging details for the little girls and the farm.  

On the heels of our return we did some major rearranging of the boys' bedroom.
Well, not just rearranging, we completely emptied it.  C.O.M.P.L.E.T.E.L.Y 
Did you also know that three boys living in a bedroom together for over ten years means a whole lotta stuff?!

After patching all the holes, Eric went through four gallons of Kilz as a primer and then three gallons of paint.  Since the room was completely empty he used the paint sprayer - it was so much easier because he painted the ceiling too.

Yep, there is all the stuff.

When Eric was done, Matt sponge painted one wall red.  With Caleb gone he thought it was a good time for some change.  It looks really nice.  Dan is happy too; red is his favorite color.

I failed as a photographer. I don't have an "after" shot.

If that wasn't enough craziness, here is another thing that has made life feel extra busy lately.
A trip to Ikea. 

Did you know that I love Ikea. 
Did you also know that Ikea is NOT close by!  You probably could have guessed that.  Could you imagine, my little town having an Ikea.  Yeah, that's not gonna happen.  That's OK, it just meant a fun date with my husband.


Ektorp slipcovered chairs and love seat have transformed our living room, don't you think?
Still looking for an area rug that will pull it all together and cozy it up a bit.  


See that ship's wheel by the fireplace?  It's been sitting there since my dad brought it on his visit last summer.  But, we are finally going to put it where we want it.  It along with some other things will be going...

here.   In the stairway.  

And the pictures will go on the turquoise wall.  Not quite sure of the arrangement yet.