Eating Changes

We have been trying to change a few things in our diet, and are striving for moderation and a little weight loss. To get things kick-started, I am trying a few vegetarian meals this week. Our ultimate goal is not to go vegan, but to cut back on our consumption of animal products. But for these two weeks, I am trying out a few new dishes. I have long done stir-frys, but this week I did a totally vegetarian one. It was colorful, as you can see. There is onion, broccoli, red bell pepper, carrots, celery, and bok choy in there. I made a sauce with a base of pure fruit apricot jam and cashew nut butter, with some balsamic vinegar and spices thrown in. I sprinkled some spanish peanuts on top, and some raw sesame seeds and then served the whole thing over shredded romaine lettuce instead of brown rice. It was delicious, and truly satisfied me. The insurance man missed his meat however. He is being a good sport about it all, and is willing to try these dishes out. Hopefully we'll find a few favorites. I tried an Eggplant Parmesan that was REALLY good, and as it was my first try with eggplant, I was really pleased. I am ready to try growing it in my garden this year. Last night we had mini-whole wheat pizzas, with roasted roma tomatoes & garlic, and red onion cooked with spinach and red bell pepper for the toppings. Today it is a Chard Vegetable Medley topped with roasted pine nuts. I think I am enjoying exploring a new world!

Last days of Winter or first days of Spring?

"Blow, blow, how the wind doth blow". This fragment from a half-remembered childrens' poem flits through my thoughts, as a big gust reddens my cheeks and blows my hair into my eyes. I return to my raking, the pine needles beginning to make a sizable pile. The wind is at least warm, and the sun feels so good on my shoulders. I look around and see that about one-half of the yard is still under the icy remnants of our last snow storm. But the other half is greening up nicely, and there are little patches of blooming crocus glowing under the sparkling green of the tall pine trees. The air smells so good, and it feels wonderful to exhale the staleness of inside air and breathe in all this freshness. The wind gusts tease my hair and flatten my ears as I rake.
I notice a few other neighbors are out too, taking advantage of this early good weather. Of course, true to Central Oregon weather, more snow is predicted to be on it's way tonight. But now, right now, my garden work has begun for the new season, and I mark the moment with pleasure. I don't care that my newly cleaned out strawberry patch will again be snow covered and facing winter temperatures. The little plants might shiver, but they will also kick up their heels at the additional moisture seeping down around their roots. That's how March is supposed to be....two days of winter and one day of Spring, on and on in a circle of nature until Spring finally wins the game. And as for the wind...March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, or at least it's supposed to. And in the wise words of Winnie the Pooh, "who doesn't like a blustery day?"

*Addition: Today (Tuesday) Old Man Winter has again claimed victory. It's been snowing off and on all day, and the high is supposed to be around 34 degrees. I'm so glad I enjoyed yesterday!

March Birthday and Snow

This morning we woke up to a delightful day, one of my favorites of the year. A newly fallen snow under bright blue, sunny skies. It is also one of my favorite days, because it's March 1st....the day Julie was born. After an extremely dry and mild winter, we have been blessed with a snowy week, showing that winter still has a grip on things yet. I think there is a total this morning of 8-10 inches, quite a lot for this late in the year for us. Of course, there is the work that goes along with it, but since we have cold dry snow, the shoveling is a whole lot easier. Julie mentioned that the kids would all be exited by the news, since they have had no snow to speak of in West Virginia this winter. So I wandered around in the quiet beauty and took a few shots to show them long distance.

 Out Front

 Out Back

 Along the Back Fence

 Beauty even on a Garden Shed...sunshine sparkling on icicles.

 My tracks this morning, and it's so much fun to be the first to walk in a pure new-fallen snow!

And, last but certainly not least...the birthday cake is hanging out for this very special day. The day that God blessed us with Julie. Happy Birthday, Mama Goose.



Mom, this one's for you!

The last many Christmases we have purchased an Amaryllis bulb for our Aunt Wilma. We have picked several different colors over the years, and I believe all have bloomed with the exception of one that got left in a vehicle overnight in freezing temps. It makes a nice gift for a shut-in, and brings such a cheeriness to any room. This last Christmas was no exception to our rule, other than Mom reported the amaryllis had a total of five blooms on one stalk.

 Also this last Christmas, the insurance man decided it was about time we had an amaryllis around our house as well. So while he was getting one for Aunt Wilma, he also got one for me as a present under the tree. They are a bit different, in that instead of being potted, they sit in a glass vase on small pebbles above the water. The roots grow down into the water. Of course, this is designed for a big show just the once, and then it's finished. We have been patiently waiting, and are now rewarded with the above beauty.

Mom told us that Aunt Wilma's bloomed right away, and has been long gone...but ours is just getting into it's glory, with another stem on the way. Even bulbs are each individually unique, with their own schedule. What a blessing.

A Good Thing in the News

Our daughter Joy lives in the State of Washington, which is also where I grew up. It's hard to imagine but I do think Washington is even more liberal in it's thinking and politics than Oregon. Joy has worked in the Pregnancy Resource Center in her community since it's inception 10+ years ago, serving as the treasurer and on the board. Last year she asked us to pray for the leaders in the Washington State Senate, as there was a lot of pressure on the senators to pass a bill that would effectively shut down all resource centers in the State. Fortunately, the bill was narrowly defeated. But, they are back at it again in this session, hammering away at all 'roadblocks' to uncontested abortions. Please continue to pray that they won't succeed.

Yesterday in our newspaper I found a good article about the State of Washington. It seems that two pharmacists and a pharmacy owner went to court to contest a state ruling requiring them to dispense Plan B, or other emergency contraceptives, stating that it went against their conscience and violated their constitutional rights to freedom of religion. Washington's rules require that pharmacies stock and dispense drugs that can destroy a fertilized egg, equal to an abortion. Fortunately, US District Judge Ronald Leighton sided with the pharmacists, and overturned the state ruling. The Judge recognized that "the state's true goal was to suppress religious objections" by druggists to dispensing abortion medications. The Judge stated "the most compelling evidence that the rules target religious conduct is the fact that the rules already contain numerous secular exemptions...the rules now exempt pharmacies and pharmacists from stocking and delivering lawfully prescribed drugs for an almost unlimited variety of secular reasons, but fail to provide exemptions for reasons of conscience". Now it does, thanks to an insightful Judge. It's a small victory, but any victory is welcome, and especially when favorably reported in our newspaper. May more Christians stand up and fight for their beliefs.

*The photo above is one of Elijah right after her was born in January of 2011. I used it not just because he was so cute, but to remind us once again of the value of human life.

Beauty at sunrise in the Grand Canyon

Yesterday morning I was up early and working on a scrapbook I am putting together of our vacation last Sept. I was at the point of working on photos we took of an early morning sunrise at the Grand Canyon, and it was just like living it all over again. Oh so gloriously beautiful and full of the grandeur of God's creation. What a wonderful way to start a Sabbath.

Later, after Church the insurance man and I attended a performance of our Central Oregon Symphony. What a delight and joy to find on the program three selections from the 'Grand Canyon Suite' by Ferde Grofe. The first was 'Sunrise' and I felt like I was enjoying it yet again. I checked YouTube this morning, and sure enough there was a really good video of the Canyon while enjoying the beautiful music. So, here is the link so that you too can experience the early morning sunrise at Grand Canyon. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCM8u-YlGQE

JoAnn's New Look

Today, JoAnn decided to go and have her hair cut after she picked up a new pair of glasses. I think she decided it was time for a totally new look.

It's hard to tell, but the glasses are dark brown with a light pink trim on the inside. Very nice with her coloring. She let me take  a couple of photos, and these show her new haircut...one with her hair tucked behind her ears, and one with it full . She has such beautiful thick hair, it always hangs so nicely. And the stylist layered it perfectly. It's always nice to get a change, isn't it?