Sunday, January 29, 2012

First Thing

But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat (pizza) and drink (beer and wine) with them, to listen to their stories (while you play cribbage) and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes (and winning the game), and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them!
-Henri Nouwen (parentheses mine) :)
All photos by C.











 Jay took our table bench home to fix the last time he came over.  This time He and Allison came with the bench fully repaired + they brought Pizza! Bonus!
 We laughed and ate and played right up until my pumpkin hour.  The girls wandered in and out of the scene.  M had knitting that she was immersed in.  C got home from work, took photos and said goodnight after a long day.
 Taking time to be with people in the evenings is always difficult for me but, I never regret making room for others.  Never.
  We are already talking about next gamenight! 

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Oh, Life ...

 I seldom make stirfry, but I'm not sure why that is.  My whole family loves it, and there are seldom leftovers but I just don't think to do it until someone starts walking around the house quoting Kung Fu Panda; "We are noodle folk. Broth runs through our veins."  "Noodles, don't noodles?" ...
 The ingredients vary - mushrooms, pea pods, peppers, bok choy, endive, squash, asparagus tips, ... Doesn't matter, they eat it!
We used yaki soba noodles this time.  I think these are their favorite ones, but they are gluten so I like to use the bean threads or rice noodles wherever possible.

C and I spent Friday morning together over cups of coffee just chatting and catching up.  I love my eldest.  She is an amazing woman.  I also love that she gets me.  I'm snapping pictures of cups, hands, faces - from all directions and angles and she is just giggling at me.  "You are such a photographer, Mom."  
 She does a great job with a camera too.
 These times are so precious because I don't know how much longer she'll be with us.  She has dreams and adventures to pursue.  I will miss her so.
 Sitting here, in the morning light, sipping white mochas, nibbling apples, laughing, and uncovering those dreams?  Priceless.
 I tell ya, she is good with photo composition!  
She doesn't like me taking her picture, but I love that she lets me.  :) I mean, tell me how could I resist this face?



She captured M's silliness the other night too.  What will life be like in this house with these two wonders gone?
 M works well with 1 year olds.  She 'gets' them.  Home for lunch break, she lets out some pent up emotions, then, off to love the chitlins again! 
 Now, we have the weekend stretching before us just fraught with possibility.  I think it will be simply wonderful.
Hope your weekend is beautiful, too! 

Monday, January 23, 2012

Scenes from the weekend

 Minda made another star lantern.  She makes little changes each time and each time she gets better results.
  She bought this paper at Ro-Sham-Bo last weekend, and this weekend it became a star.
 We found this fabric on sale at JoAnn's and decided it would make a perfect Valentine tablecloth.
 Gluten Free Gnocchi.  Yum!  Easy and Delish.
 Waiting for the pot to boil.
 Steamy goodness topped with fresh pesto! 
I like giving them reasons to stay home and gather together.
 GF Focaccia bread, Gnocchi and Pesto and an Arugula Shitake salad with grated goat's milk Asagio.
And GF Coffee Cake for friends who came Sunday Morning! (Recipe for GF Coffee Cake)

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Around here lately...

 Game night with friends!  We taught Cameron how to play Cribbage.

 Evie made an awesome birthday cake to celebrate her daddy's and Stefan's birthdays!
 Such a perfect depiction of these 2 fellas.  Love them.
 Making wishes.
 Everybody anticipating the deliciousness.
 Kaylie had to make wishes too.
Joy came to visit for a few days from Washington.

Friday, January 06, 2012

In 2012 ~ from dissonance to consonance

I so often don't see my giftings as anything special, beautiful or to be desired by anyone but me.  Then James buys me these.  Investment holds value in a timid heart.  Suddenly hope takes root where once only wishes were carelessly tossed.  We shall see what 2012 draws up from the well.