Pruning

It's officially spring, but in Redding, it seems as though we never had winter. We bought our home in November and the roses were blooming then. As everything started to come to life in January and February, we could see that our yard was going to get out of hand. We have 10 rose bushes, all of different varieties, lavender, daffodils, iris,tulips, lilacs, grapes, a fig tree, an orange tree and 2 other trees, yet to be identified.  And grass that has had to be mowed 3 times already.  

I was out mowing the grass and pulling weeds last weekend, when my neighbor stopped by.  He said the only way to tame the roses was to cut them back.  When you think you've cut enough, cut some more.  "You just can't kill 'em," he said.  I've learned that pruning a rose bush, or any other plant, can actually make it stronger and healthier.  

I think we all see the analogy coming.  

When our family moved to Redding from Estes Park, it was painful. Branches were being cut off left and right. Ripped off. Hacked. Torn. It wasn't pretty. What had been a large, healthy bush was reduced to a few bare branches.  I felt like  a lot of me had died.   Hopes, dreams, realities--everything looked different.  After a while, though, the feeling started to come back.   Some green began to appear. New life was happening.  These new branches are a little stronger, and overall, the bush is healthier.

After hours of yard work, I ended the day by pruning the largest of our roses.  Cutting, snipping. Poking myself in the process. Although this bush was quite tall and growing quickly, it didn't have very many blooms. As I cut back a few more branches, I spotted a beautiful red rose deep inside the bush. I hadn't even seen it before. What beauty we can find when we do the sometimes painful work of pruning. 

Basketball is life...

It's a little melancholy over here.  Bear with me...Here we are, on the day of Jonathan's final high school basketball game.  He started playing ball when he was 5 with the Rec. district in Estes Park.

 He did that for years until he was old enough to play with the middle school.  Then he played Gold Crown in 7th and 8th grade, only to get sidelined mid-season with a broken collarbone.

 Then he played 2 years with Estes Park High School and now 2 years with Liberty Christian School.

  I can honestly say that I have loved every minute, and I'm pretty sure Jonathan has too.

  I wish I knew how many games that added up to.  It's been a lot of road trips, a lot of Gatorade and countless hours of practice.  Jonathan has had some good coaches and some really great coaches.

  But, now, I don't know how I feel about this chapter being over.  It's kind of odd, knowing that this is the last game.  How often in life do we get to really let it sink in that this will be the last time we get to do something?  Not often.  It seems cliche, but we hear people say, "Live every day to the fullest; you never know if it will be your last."  It's true, though.  We don't know if today will be the last day we can hug one of our friends, play catch with our kids, make dinner for our family, or hear our grandma's voice on the phone.  I don't mean to get morbid or anything, but it's just something I'm thinking about today.  I'm going to watch this game more closely than I usually do.  I'm going to take more pictures,  I'm going to cheer a little more loudly, if that's possible. (Sorry, Luke)
But it's the last time I'll get to do it.

  Life is such a gift.  Each experience is meant to strengthen, enrich and fulfill this life that we've been given.  So tonight, I'm going to put on that red shirt, camera and Colorado flag in hand, and watch a basketball game.

Home

Here I am, in the middle of Nevada. Headed home to California. Still sounds weird to me. Home to California.

One year ago, this week, we were heading out on the biggest adventure of our lives. Leaving Colorado was a heartbreaker. It was a difficult decision, but Doug felt confident that it was the right one. 

So, we left home. The home we built with  our own sweat and tears. The only home Luke ever knew. The home we loved. We packed up all that love and 12 years of memories, and took them with us to California. 

It leaves me contemplating the word "home".  Is home where you were raised? Is home where you lived the longest? The place you loved the most? Or is it where you currently live? I suppose it could be all of those things. 

After 2 weeks of visiting our old house, catching up with friends, taking in all the familiar views and spending time with family, I'm ready to go home. 

Home to California.

 

Carrots

I was making Carrot Cupcakes the other day, for Luke's birthday.  Because when your 14-year-old asks for Carrot Cupcakes for everyone at your homeschool co-op, you start grating carrots.  I couldn't help but think of this scene.



Any chore that makes me think of Anne is worth doing.

New Growth

It's Spring around here.  Big time.   Luke, Jonathan and I went out in the woods the other day, and I spotted one of my favorite signs of new life.  I just love the bright green tips!  You can see so plainly the new growth that is taking place.

 

I started thinking about growth and change in my own life.  Is growth evident in me? As I spend more time with His Word and in His presence, do I love Him more?  Can people see the change in me?  Am I more patient with difficult people? Do I love my husband more deeply?  Do I serve my family with more joy? Do I have more hope for the future? 

 

I pray that as I live my life, encountering various seasons,

that I would grow and that the growth would be evident.

 



December 31--Breakfast of Champions

 

Ahhh...the final breakfast of December!  I always love planning this menu and carrying it out.  Mostly it's fun cooking and baking for an appreciative family.  They come to the table with anticipation and delight. And they're usually pleased with the result.  But, I am always relieved when January rolls around and we can pull out the cereal, oatmeal and plain old eggs and toast. 

 

 The family really loved this one--as much as I love to bake

sweets, they enjoy the savory breakfasts the most, I think.

I called it "The Breakfast of Champions". 

 

I cooked some beans (pinto, navy, cannelloni, black...whatever you have) with onions and tomatoes. Then topped with eggs and let them cook in the sauce.  Just before the eggs are done, sprinkle with cheddar cheese.  By the way, this dish is a perfect example of why I love my cast iron skillet.  It

heats evenly and enables the eggs to cook well, even in the center of the pan.  I love, love,

love my cast iron.   I served the eggs with buttered toast, but it was hearty enough to be eaten alone.

 

So long, 2012, and Happy New Year!



December 30--Egg Nests

This was a fun, little breakfast.  The boys could have eaten 4 of them, with toast on the side!

 

You simply press shredded hash browns into a greased muffin tin and bake until golden brown.  Then, crack an egg on top and add bacon and cheese.  Bake for another 10 minutes or so.   Voila!



December 29--Popeye Eggs

Doug introduced this breakfast to me many years ago.  His mom used to make it for him and his 4 brothers.  I know it has many names--toad in a hole, egg in a basket... Not sure why the Treats call them Popeye eggs, but they do!  The kids have loved this breakfast since forever and December wouldn't be the same without them.

They are perfect when the yolk is a little runny, and you can dip the bread into it.  Yum!

December 28--Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

This coffee cake is so good, it deserves 3 pictures.

 

 

The recipe makes a full 9x13 pan.

 

 

 

The top has a crunchy, sugary topping, but the cake itself is very light and moist. 

The cream cheese layer in the middle is smooth an creamy.  Perfection. 

Everyone loved this new recipe and I know I'll use it again and again. 

 

http://www.motherthyme.com/2012/09/cream-cheese-coffee-cake.html

 

Make this coffee cake.  Now.  You will not regret it.

 



December 27--French Toast Kabobs

 

This is a fun one to make!  Pretty self-explanatory.  I used fresh raspberries, blueberries and

 bananas. As usual, I was concerned with presentation, but the kids just wanted to eat! 

( I cut the bread into cubes before dipping them in egg and frying them.)



December 26--Croissants

 

I chose an easy breakfast for the day after Christmas.  I think we ended up  eating at 11 a.m.  I didn't make the croissants.  You could choose between nutella or an egg and bacon.  Luke chose nutella with bacon on the side.  Maybe someday I'll make croissants, but they seem so time consuming! 

Now we're off to play with our new toys! 

December 25--Crepes

Merry Christmas!

Crepes with vanilla sauce and strawberries.  Every year, I borrow my mom's crepe pan.  I think maybe it's time to get my own!  Crepes are so yummy and delicate and perfect for Christmas morning!  And I love these cheery coffee mugs to go with it.  Christmas breakfast is the best--everyone is happy and content and anticipating a fun day.

December 24--Luke's Casserole

Several years ago, Luke came up with an idea for breakfast and asked if we could make it on Christmas Eve.  It's now a tradition! 

The boys helped me make it!

Very simply, it's buttered toast (both sides!), scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese tossed together and baked until the cheese melts.  We used to add sausage, too, until Luke decided that it was too much and only bacon was just fine.

December 23--Cinnamon Rolls

Doug is always on call on Sundays.  Quite often, his co-workers will go out for coffee or breakfast.  Doug might go, but he rarely orders anything.  Several weeks ago, I said that he should invite them all over for breakfast some Sunday.  Today was that day!  In 12 years, I've never had the crew over, so it was about time!  I'm sure some people wondered about the 3 ambulances in our yard. 

I wanted to make a hearty breakfast for these guys (and one gal), so I made the Eggs Benedict Casserole from several weeks ago, and cinnamon rolls.

This is the recipe for quick, yeast rolls that I found on Pinterest.  I'm not sure I'll use it again.  It sure is quick--90 minutes from start to finish--but not the best tasting dough.  I think I'll go back to my mom's recipe.

It was fun to hang out with the ambulance crew and share a Sunday morning breakfast with them.  It ended quickly when a call came and they all took off!

December 22--Waffles

Waffles!

Gotta have 2 waffle irons to keep up with demand! Although, they're small
and nothing like the huge, metal one we had when I was growing up.

We like mini chocolate chips and fruit on our waffles.  Also, we are liking this new syrup. 
It's from Log Cabin and it's not made with corn syrup.  Some of the family doesn't
like real maple syrup, so this is a good alternative. 

December 20--Smoothies

This breakfast is more suited to a  summer morning, but it's still a good way to start the day.  A banana makes it creamy and vanilla yogurt makes it yummy!

Vanilla yogurt, a banana and frozen stawberries and peaches

Not too filling, so Jonathan suplemented with a bagel. 

December 19--Biscuits and Gravy

Snow Day!  It snowed off and on yesterday, and really started to pick up as the night wore on.  We woke up to about 9" and they called off school!  We started our day with yummy biscuits and gravy.  Doug made the biscuits and I used a sausage gravy mix.  Easy and yummy!

There's nothing like homemade biscuits.  And Doug has perfected them!

Piping hot sausage gravy.

After breakfast, 4 hours of non-stop sledding!

December 18--Danish Puff

This is a recipe from my mom's Betty Crocker cookbook.  She made this when I was a kid and we loved it!  It was one of those treats that tasted like it came from a bakery, but my mom made it!  I always thought it was so magical.  It's crispy and flakey and not too sweet--the only sugar is in the icing. 

December 17--Huevos Rancheros

This is very similar to our breakfast burritos, but with no meat or tortilla.  Just cook up potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, onions and mushrooms and top with an over-easy egg.  Add hot sauce or green salsa and enjoy!

December 16--Santa Lucia Bread

Every since Morgan was a little girl and read the American Girl books about Kirsten, she has dressed up as Santa Lucia on December 13.  We don't have Scandinavian heritage, but we like to pretend.  Morgan didn't want to do it last year, (sniff, sniff) but she agreed to do it one more time this year. 


Morgan--Christmas 2007


Then I blew it.  I tried a new bread recipe.  It was supposed to be a quick-rising dough that didn't take 4 hours from start to finish.  I liked the idea, since Santa Lucia is supposed to bring the bread and coffee to the family at dawn!

Needless to say, Morgan lost her motivation to dress up and present the bread since it looked so hideous.  Oh, well.

This is what it looked like before it exploded.



Whoa! Was I surprised when I opened the oven!



Tasted just as yummy, though.