I love telling my kids all about Jesus. And reading them Christmas stories that make me cry. And thinking about life and hope and serving and all of the wonderful things that Christmas is all about.
I love all the yummy food. Pumpkin pie, chocolate, wassail, cookies that are decorated and are so pretty you don't want to eat them. I love having family dinners and family time together.
I love thinking about what I could be doing to serve others more.
I love the music. Sacred, spiritual music about Jesus. Warm, filling music about love. Fun, dancing music about Christmas.
I love seeing twinkling lights whenever I drive around at night. I love seeing trees in people's windows and the light and warmth coming out. I love thinking about all of my family and friends that I love but don't get to talk to very often.
I love ending the year on a happy note.
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Random things
We got another pet tortoise. This one is named Edward and is over 70 pounds. He is too big to live in the same part of the yard as our baby tortoises, so Karl built him a temporary pen and burrow until he has time to do something fancier.
I learned how to make a string of chili peppers. It was fun and I have more to use up. I grew Anaheim chilis. They are pretty tied up like this (it's called a ristra)-- I learned how on the internet. I like the thought of decorating with things from my garden.
We found a 2 inch long scorpion in our hallway a couple of days ago. Karl's sister taught us a nifty way to get rid of them. Hang a piece of duct tape down until it sticks to the scorpion, then wad the scorpion up and throw it away. No squishing required, since they are hard to squish anyway--and like to play dead and then run away.
We're making it through the heat. The kids like to go outside in the morning when it's not as hot. I'm excited to go to Moab and Fairview soon! It will be cooler and there will be lots of pretty scenery!
I learned how to make a string of chili peppers. It was fun and I have more to use up. I grew Anaheim chilis. They are pretty tied up like this (it's called a ristra)-- I learned how on the internet. I like the thought of decorating with things from my garden.
We found a 2 inch long scorpion in our hallway a couple of days ago. Karl's sister taught us a nifty way to get rid of them. Hang a piece of duct tape down until it sticks to the scorpion, then wad the scorpion up and throw it away. No squishing required, since they are hard to squish anyway--and like to play dead and then run away.
We're making it through the heat. The kids like to go outside in the morning when it's not as hot. I'm excited to go to Moab and Fairview soon! It will be cooler and there will be lots of pretty scenery!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Jamming, Camping, Etc.
Yesterday we made freezer jam. Since strawberries are in season and we love homemade bread and we had run out... it was inevitable. Well, I thought it might not happen because I was tired from cleaning the house, but Karl helped me (and the kids got ignored for a few minutes) We made a ton, probably about 3 gallons. It was fun and delicious.
This week we got out tax returns. Yea! OK, well we will probably save most of it. But we are going to buy some sun screens for the south and west windows of our house in an attempt to save on AC, since those windows make our house the equivalent of a solar oven in the summer. I'll take a picture after we get them.
Our tortoises are growing and the are cute. Miranda loves to run and check on them. We are even starting to notice that they have personalities-- pretty amazing for a tortoise. We planted four prickly pears in our back yard that once grown can provide tortoise snacks. Karl says it is one of the healthiest tortoise foods available, with all the right blend of nutrients. We also have vitamin fortified tortoise pellets (For more information, Karl is the resident tortoise expert).
Last week we went on a fun five-day campout around Kingman, Arizona and the old Route 66. We started the trip with Karl checking on his geocache. Then we camped out with some good friends at Lake Mead. The kids had fun playing in the lake and in the dirt and the adults got in a few games and some talking. From there we met up with some off-road friends of Karl's and drove the Portland Mine trail, Sleeping Princess, Secret Pass, and Moss Wash.
We stopped at an old mining town called Oatman. They had semi-wild burros wandering around the town that you could feed carrots. We also saw a mansion that mine owners built out of concrete to attract investors. The kids had fun chasing a dog named Diesel around--he got tired of them after a few days. The last night camping we stayed at a campground at 6,400' and it was 26 degrees and snowed that night. Brr! The following day on our drive home we stopped and played in the Big Sandy wash. Only in Arizona do you get snow and swimming on the same day!
So, now that were back home (base camp as Karl says), it's taken us until yesterday to get all cleaned up again (depending on your definition of clean--maybe it'll take a few more months). It's also getting warm, 80s during the day and I'm dreading July.
I hope next week is just as interesting!
This week we got out tax returns. Yea! OK, well we will probably save most of it. But we are going to buy some sun screens for the south and west windows of our house in an attempt to save on AC, since those windows make our house the equivalent of a solar oven in the summer. I'll take a picture after we get them.
Our tortoises are growing and the are cute. Miranda loves to run and check on them. We are even starting to notice that they have personalities-- pretty amazing for a tortoise. We planted four prickly pears in our back yard that once grown can provide tortoise snacks. Karl says it is one of the healthiest tortoise foods available, with all the right blend of nutrients. We also have vitamin fortified tortoise pellets (For more information, Karl is the resident tortoise expert).
Last week we went on a fun five-day campout around Kingman, Arizona and the old Route 66. We started the trip with Karl checking on his geocache. Then we camped out with some good friends at Lake Mead. The kids had fun playing in the lake and in the dirt and the adults got in a few games and some talking. From there we met up with some off-road friends of Karl's and drove the Portland Mine trail, Sleeping Princess, Secret Pass, and Moss Wash.
We stopped at an old mining town called Oatman. They had semi-wild burros wandering around the town that you could feed carrots. We also saw a mansion that mine owners built out of concrete to attract investors. The kids had fun chasing a dog named Diesel around--he got tired of them after a few days. The last night camping we stayed at a campground at 6,400' and it was 26 degrees and snowed that night. Brr! The following day on our drive home we stopped and played in the Big Sandy wash. Only in Arizona do you get snow and swimming on the same day!
So, now that were back home (base camp as Karl says), it's taken us until yesterday to get all cleaned up again (depending on your definition of clean--maybe it'll take a few more months). It's also getting warm, 80s during the day and I'm dreading July. I hope next week is just as interesting!
Monday, February 01, 2010
Sprouted Black Beans
I tried a recipe for sprouted black beans today. It turned out well; I'd like to experiment with them some more since they were actually edible. Sprouting is supposed to increase the nutritional value of the bean.
Here's the recipe (it is for sprouting and then canning):
Put 1 cup dry beans in each of 7 quart jars. Fill with water and let set overnight. In the morning, drain the water out of the bottles, rinse the beans with clean water and drain well. Cover with a towel. Repeat this process (rinsing) in the evening. The following morning, after rinsing well, fill each bottle with water to the neck and add 1 tsp salt. Adjust lids. Pressure cook at 15 lbs for 1 hour. Note: the 1 cup of beans in each bottle never leaves the bottle during the process. They swell and sprout to fill the bottle.
My beans were a bulk bag I bought about 6 months ago. I sprouted the beans and then boiled them on the stove with onion and garlic to season them. (Didn't can them.) I cooked them for 3 hours, but they were probably done sooner if I had checked on them. Supposedly they aren't supposed to cause as much gas, but they still did. So next time I might try draining the water once after heating them up on the stove.
Here's the recipe (it is for sprouting and then canning):
Put 1 cup dry beans in each of 7 quart jars. Fill with water and let set overnight. In the morning, drain the water out of the bottles, rinse the beans with clean water and drain well. Cover with a towel. Repeat this process (rinsing) in the evening. The following morning, after rinsing well, fill each bottle with water to the neck and add 1 tsp salt. Adjust lids. Pressure cook at 15 lbs for 1 hour. Note: the 1 cup of beans in each bottle never leaves the bottle during the process. They swell and sprout to fill the bottle.
My beans were a bulk bag I bought about 6 months ago. I sprouted the beans and then boiled them on the stove with onion and garlic to season them. (Didn't can them.) I cooked them for 3 hours, but they were probably done sooner if I had checked on them. Supposedly they aren't supposed to cause as much gas, but they still did. So next time I might try draining the water once after heating them up on the stove.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Build a Garden
This past week we built a garden. Meaning the kids played in the dirt, I watched them and scooped a few shovelfuls, and Karl did the rest.
This is what we did:
1) plot out the area for the garden. I think we're crazy--3000 square feet puts us more on a small farm scale. But what the heck, we have plenty of space in the back yard, why not produce?
2) level the area with a tractor.
3) Karl found a source for bulk chicken manure ($50/ton) and compost ($18/cubic yard). He took the pickup truck and trailer and got a load. Then we scooped it out onto the garden and spread it around.
4) till the area with a rototiller.
5) use railroad ties to edge the areas that are terraced/leveled
6) plant. It's raining this week, so it may be delayed. And we aren't going to plant the whole area this year. We need to practice growing things first.
Here's what it looks like so far.
Anyone with experience: advice is welcome.
This is what we did:
1) plot out the area for the garden. I think we're crazy--3000 square feet puts us more on a small farm scale. But what the heck, we have plenty of space in the back yard, why not produce?
2) level the area with a tractor.
3) Karl found a source for bulk chicken manure ($50/ton) and compost ($18/cubic yard). He took the pickup truck and trailer and got a load. Then we scooped it out onto the garden and spread it around.
4) till the area with a rototiller.
5) use railroad ties to edge the areas that are terraced/leveled
6) plant. It's raining this week, so it may be delayed. And we aren't going to plant the whole area this year. We need to practice growing things first.
Here's what it looks like so far.
Anyone with experience: advice is welcome.
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