This year the word I seem to use most often is relaxing. I say to others, “I hope you have a wonderful relaxing Christmas!” I wish the same to all of you, my friends.
For unto us a child is born,
Unto us a son is given,
and the government shall be upon his shoulder.
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
The Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
I got lots to talk about. First, I thought I’d share a few more pictures of the trees changing color in my yard. It was a very short season of color, but I enjoyed every moment of it.
Red Emperor with Lemon Lime in front:
That’s the dogwood to the left. Even if it doesn’t bloom in the spring, it is always beautiful in the fall.
Recipes and foodie ideas. Lately I’ve been trying out some new recipes. I saw an old picture on my computer which looked like I was trying to make some cranberry-pecan scones. I looked through my blogs, and apparently I never posted anything about it. So I did a google search for cranberry pecan scones and came upon this recipe. When I saw it was from Prevention magazine, I thought it might be slightly healthier than other recipes. It wasn’t as low cal as I usually try for, mostly because it had more nuts and cranberries than I would usually add. I LOVED this recipe. I realized at the end that it had absolutely no sugar in it, so I made a small amount of sugar glaze to put on it at the end. Of course I made a few substitutions. I actually didn’t have enough pecans, so I used walnuts. And I didn’t have whole wheat flour, so I ground some oats in my mini food processor and used that instead. I really like the way oats taste in baked goods.
Then a couple of weeks later, I wanted some real banana nut muffins. And I found this recipe.I liked it too! The title said they were healthy. Once again I ground oats to use as the flour. I did use about 1/4 cup of regular wheat flour. Oh, and I didn’t have maple syrup so I substituted honey. But I did make a note to myself that they were too sweet. So I will try again without the honey after I finish all of these.
I’m eating more eggs. I like them scrambled for dinner with some onions, potatoes, spinach, and sometimes a few bacon crumbles.
One day I wanted some salsa. And even though I haven’t made it for ages, I suddenly remembered how easy it was to make. I put two roma tomatoes and one slice of onion in the mini food processor. I added salt and pepper and some cilantro, and then just a bit of balsamic vinegar. YUMM!!!
Sunday I had my sister and her husband over for a pre-Christmas dinner. I get occasional emails from a dietician, Vincci Tsui. She has changed from a “diet” dietician to a HAES dietician, which is interesting. Anyway, one day she mentioned this gingerbread cake. It caught my eye because the recipe was from a famous quilter who used to be a food blogger. So I made the cake. It was moist and delicious. I did not make any substitutes for this recipe. I found a buttercream recipe and iced it with that.
Well, its Christmastime and for me that means baking a few things. I forget how much I enjoy baking. To keep things under control, I limit myself to making one kind of cookie and one candy (which is always my grandma’s cinnamon walnuts.) This year I found a recipe for traditional scottish shortbread, which seemed exactly the same as the one our grandma used to make. You have to work all the butter into the dough with your fingers. Which takes a long time. Anyway, they came out perfect. It was a fun gift for my sister–two of our grandma’s favorite confections. I also made my mom’s favorite fruitcake. I know. Nobody likes fruitcake. But honestly, if you saw the recipe (lots of butter) and smelled the house (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice and brandy) you would like it too! Its not so filled with that stupid fruit. I only put some of the cherries, and dates and pecans in it. And then you put a little brandy on it every day for two weeks (or until you have to take it to your mom’s.)
The takeover. I have a small log holder next to my wood stove. But several years ago, the girls claimed it as the best most warmest spot in the house. So I made a pillow to fit in it for them. Bess usually occupies the spot (because Sophie would rather be on my lap) but occasionally Sophie gets first dibs. I couldn’t believe it when Bess very gingerly stepped up onto the throne in an attempt to takeover the spot. There was no fighting or carrying on. Just a gentle takeover.
Well, that’s quite long enough for now. If I don’t post again, I hope you all have a Wonderful Peaceful Merry Christmas.
Yep. Its that time again. Today’s my birthday. The celebrating started on Friday 🙂 I went to see that movie, Wonder. Its so good–not just about the little boy, but about the whole family.
Here’s some things I’ve learned this year.
Its good to be flexible. You know how I like things the same, and I like my plans. But if I can be a little flexible, and be willing to change plans without getting all in a dither, that’s a good thing.
One day before the big quilt show in October, I was getting dressed in my hotel room. I was going to meet my BF there, and also probably see other people I knew. I was, as usual, feeling a little insecure about how I looked and wishing I weighed a lot less. And then I had an idea. I got completely dressed, and before I looked in the mirror, I said out loud, “I AM SIXTY-THREE YEARS OLD!!” And then I looked in the mirror, and thought I looked fabulous. I can’t tell you what a difference this has made to me. Try it–whatever it is, your life experience, being the mother of four children, or just your age–try it. There’s no reason ever to be unhappy with how we look. That reminds me of another post I’ve never written–“looking for beauty in all the wrong places”… there is beauty to be seen everywhere in the world. Trying to find a pair of jeans that makes our butt look better IS NOT where we should be looking for beauty.
I feel great. My knee is still improving, and my heel finally stopped hurting for the most part. I am starting to challenge myself, especially aerobically, in my walks and at the gym. Noah looks up at me as if to say, “what’s the hurry?”
Building a “luxury” chicken house and yard, and letting myself get more chickens than is necessary is the most fun present I’ve given myself this year. I just enjoy all the parts of being a chicken farmer. I am getting a lot of eggs now, and I will probably start giving some to the local food bank. I have a couple of other ideas about selling them, as soon as the chickens regulate their egg size a bit more.
Sometimes following a recipe is a good idea. I finally re-made that Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal WITH the pumpkin in it, and its delicious 🙂 A friend of mine told me she makes her oatmeal in the microwave, using old fashioned oats. You just have to use a super big bowl (because it will boil over) and microwave for 4 minutes. Yumm. I’m eating oatmeal again.
Well, that’s it for now. I’m off to have a fun birthday day, doing what I most enjoy doing 🙂
debby weighs in 