Do You Miss BBQ Season?

I am just so anxious for summer to start already!  I miss the days of sandals, sun dresses, ice tea, and watermelon.  As much as I actually like the rain, I do have a great longing to relax outdoors this time of year.  But spring weather is just so unpredictable in Oregon, one minute it is sunny and bright, the next, there is a full on gale bashing outside. 

One of the best things about summer: sitting outside for meals.  Enjoying the great outdoors while munching--nothing beats it...except for maybe Disneyland :)

Broccoli & Onion Turkey Burger

Easter Morning Of Old

       Can you believe Easter is almost here again?!  Last Easter Jacob and I did something new.  We woke up bright and early, made a simple-as-it-gets breakfast, that we proceeded to nibble on while soaking up the early light.

       We took turns telling each other how thankful we were for one another, and then spent some time in prayer.  Thinking back, it was so lovely.  Perhaps simplifying Easter morning is the way to go...

Raspberries, Raw Almonds, Raw Cashews, Dark Chocolate Bits, and Tea!

  Happy Easter!

Sliver Bells and Cockle Shells

       Welcome to early April! Here in Oregon it has been pouring buckets day in and day out.  I must say, there is something simply enchanting about the way rain drops sound as they pitter-patter outside; especially when you are cozy inside.  I love watching the rain, listening to it, the clean earthy scent of it. I love the way it replenishes and refreshes the world anew.  I suppose it's a good thing I am an Oregonian!

        This spring I have decided (for the first time), to seriously plant a vegetable garden. The rainy season does wonders for the home gardener, so what a perfect month to start!  A few weeks ago, with the help of Jacob, I started all my seeds, and amazingly (to our surprise) they grew!  In the next few days into the ground they will all go, and hopefully in a few months time we will have a bountiful array of garden edibles to enjoy all season long.

Sprouts!

       There are so many benefits to gardening, and I encourage everyone to give it a try.  Even if it's just one small potted plant in your bedroom, I feel gardening improves the mind and spirit naturally. It is so nice to take care of something, watch it grow, and have satisfaction when it succeeds.  It is also especially rewarding when your efforts result in a source of fresh, healthy produce, or pretty flowers.  Gardening can ease stress, keep you limber, and even improve your mood.  Get back to nature this spring, and try planting a garden of your own.  

Soul Searching Sunday: Winter's Spring

It is just marvelous outside today.  After more than a month of down-pouring rain, God has blessed us with sunshine and warmth.  The grass is lushly soft, the air is crisp yet bright, and everything just seems to sparkle in the sun; even the stores are starting to sell their first flowers.  This is a nice break from the gray skies I have become so accustom to.  I have doubt the weather will stay like this for long, so for now I am headed outdoors to enjoy a bit of the winter's spring air.

January Blueberries

When I think of January I think of blue.  Cold, dreary, sometimes rainy, blue.  I do not think of the blue in January as having anything to do with summertime fruit; yet today at the grocery store I found blueberries that were somewhat affordable, so I took them home.

I commenced to use the yummy berries in a dreamy coffee-cake (or in my case, tea-cake).  It was perfect served warm on a cold day like today.  I sat with my favorite person, we ate with candles lit and heater ablaze, as the cold clashed and swirled outside.

A little more than slightly sweet, moist, dense, tasty cake.

As always, when attempting to whip up something scrumptious, use the highest quality products possible, as well as the most nutritious!


My January Blues Cake

1/2C butter (I used unsalted)
3/4C sugar in the raw
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 egg white (whip until soft peeks form)
1/3C organic milk
1/2C plain creamy Greek yogurt (I used Lucerne nonfat)

1 1/2C whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2C fresh blueberries (lightly coat with flour)

Method:

Cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla, 2 eggs, prepared egg white, and milk.  Evenly mix in yogurt.  Separately combine flour, baking powder, salt, then add to the wet ingredients.  By hand, stir in prepared blueberries.  Bake in a greased and floured loaf pan, or 8 inch round at 350 degrees for 50 minutes, or until cake is done.

*Note To Baker*: to increase nutrition of cake, add mashed banana or apple sauce instead of butter.  It is very good topped with powdered sugar, lemon curd, whipped cream or glaze.