Monday, November 30, 2015

Generosity

'A generous person will prosper, whoever refreshes others will be refreshed"  ~  Proverbs 11.25

 
 
I couldn't decide what to indulge in... how different for me?!? Not.  While I went to call Rebecca, Wayne ordered both for me, cheesecake and a lemon muffin.


Thursday, November 26, 2015

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

The kind diet

This book has been around for a while and I've been wanting to read it for the longest time, so I finally got it!


Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Mexican inspired



All my food lately takes on a slight mexican twist.  This breakfast was amazing!


Scrambled eggs, avocado, salsa, black beans - y u m

Thursday, November 19, 2015

He is the object

'It is not the strength of your faith but the object of your faith that actually saves you'
~ Timothy Keller

A beautiful reminder that it's not you, its Him.





Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Oat and chocolate chip biscuits

So very good!!



I made 30 biscuits on Saturday but they were not enough... the jar is almost empty.
I will have to make another batch.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Study interval

Rebecca studied all weekend and we all needed to get out and have some fresh air for an hour or two yesterday afternoon.  She elected to putt-putt.



After much laughing and a little cheating she returned to studies.


Our score-keeper and non-cheater, making his putt.

Friday, November 13, 2015

A family run

This is my favourite... when all three of us are out in the fresh air together. Sometimes we all run and other times we do different things but together - I run, Wayne is on his bicycle and Rebecca is on her skateboard.

Wayne has been away for a few days and only arrived yesterday afternoon.  He was a champ to still come out with us in the evening.


Thursday, November 12, 2015

Bright and beautiful


"The human heart yearns for beautiful in all ranks of life. The beautiful things that God makes are His gift to all alike."    ~   Harriet Beecher Stowe

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

The first bake of the season


Now it gets wrapped up and the 'maturing' process takes place.  I usually make Nigella's christmas cake but this year I have made the legendary Delia Smith's one and it turned out pretty good.  We will have to wait for the verdict... the proof of the pudding is in the eating.


Monday, November 9, 2015

My bro

It was my brother's birthday a few days ago.  My only brother.  He was my side-kick when we were growing up and he always had my back.  My brother is a joke professor (even when you don't want to hear one) and a people magnet (even when you felt like a quiet evening).

Now he is a man with his own family but nothing has changed.  With all the change in our lives, its so good to have people who you can depend on, no matter what.  That's my bro. Anytime of the day or night (I have needed him for both).  A heart of gold.  Plus, I think he has only been angry like uh twice in his whole life.
And if you visit him on his birthday: sure enough... there will be lots of people and lots of laughter, a hot fire and a cold beer.  Always.


A picture of when we were the same size, even though he is younger, ha! Cute, right?  But now he is very tall and thin and I am not.



Friday, November 6, 2015

Time to bake the Christmas cake




It begins to feel Christmassy when the cakes are baked. To have it wrapped up in the pantry always feels special.  The first gift wrapped actually. Tomorrow is my day for it.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

A simple meal


Fish & Chips.  This is by far the best meal that I've had this year... basic ingredients done right.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Cleft for her


When the world shakes, how do you teach your children to stand?
When I have my quiet time or last thing at night, I often ask myself if I am doing enough... if I am clear enough about what matters so that she lives strong,  Or do I spend my days muttering on about things that have no real bearing on character and hope and wise living. And believe me, some days I babble more than I build.


The world is very different from her parents and her grandparents generation.
The exposure to all the world through this technological age is so real.  But this doesn't fulfill, no matter how many likes you get.  And then there are other pressures, opinions, crises, hormones and more. Then yesterday she says 'I feel most happy and safe when you force me to memorise scripture'. O. K. I'm listening.  So 'force' was a rather strong word but I get it... that even though she sometimes complains, this is the stabilising stuff that we all need so bad.  That this sword of the word cuts down our fears and worries.  It brings peace and builds truth and hope.  These are not just abstract nouns, they have enduring magnitude.



Just like the old children's hymn goes, "don't build your house on the sandy-land, don't build it too near the shore... Rock of ages, cleft for me..."

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Speeding matters up


I often make big batches of things that can be frozen to speed up a week-day meal... like these spinach shaped hearts.  I clean, chop and give then a quick heat to wilt.  Squeeze them and pack tightly into silicone muffin pans.  Once frozen, remove and store in zip-lock bags.  Makes life much easier when you want to make soup, stir fry or smoothie.


This is apple sauce. Let a large batch of peeled, cored and chopped apples cook down with a little water and a teaspoon of sugar. (You can use more sugar or no sugar)  Mash.  Cool. I then measure one cupful (250ml) into my extra large muffin pans.  Freeze.  Ready for muffins, pancakes, cake, pork chops or just hot over ice-cream.


My bananas are chopped and frozen in batches of two.  They go straight from the freezer to the blender for my smoothies, or I defrost them and mash for my banana bread.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Black, black or what about black


She looks sooooo good.  Love it. Most of my wardrobe is black. My sister calls it my uniform.