Carry me on my way... {2}

Travel.  To & fro.  8.5 hours one way.  Joy in the process.

Contemplative.  Contemplate, wonder at, stand in awe. Be. Amazed.
The way (my way) seeks an ever-expanding level of fluency and grace.
We live in a fantastically big and small world.

 Give more than take; allow future generations the same gift -

Wild Geese ~ Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good. 
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting--
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

 In the family of them ...

Carry me on my way... {1}

Barefoot.  Without shoe or sock, sole or stocking.  Unclad, uncovered, undressed.
Grampa called me "Okie".   Through grasses, across gravel, & over dusty trails with nary a shod tootsie. 

Even today, in my grown-up world, it's all about comfort.   Børn flip flops cradle my summer feet when shoes are necessary.  Otherwise, without, I wander.
I've trained, unknowingly, my girls to follow suit.

Daily paths lead me to feel ~ to know the way by touch.  Tactile.  Rough, cold, grooved, cushy ... surface utterances communicated, articulated, understood.

Arriving at a destination fully aware of the pleasures, dangers, bumps and great leaps traversed amidst the trek.

My White Chili

Assume the ingredients are organic, or local, and fresh!

I don't know anyone who make this the way I do, so I thought I'd share it with you.  I'm loving being home and cooking for my crew again.  It fills me with smiles.  I'll post photos later.

• 1/2 cup water, divided
• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 cups Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons arrowroot

Pour half of the water into a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the garlic and garlic powder, and boil until the water has almost evaporated, about 5 minutes. Stir in the Yogurt, parsley, and pepper. Mix the arrowroot with the remaining water, and stir into the sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 3 minutes. 

• 1 tablespoon sunflower / canola oil
• 2 shallots, roughly chopped
• 3 Large cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/2 c. diced jalapeno peppers
• 1/2 c. chopped green chili peppers (any kind - I used Serrano)
• 3 c. diced green tomatoes, with juices
• Juice of 2 limes
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
•  30 oz. low sodium, low fat chicken broth (can sub veggie broth)
• 3 cups chopped, cooked chicken breasts (can be left out)
• 3 (15 ounce) cans white beans
• 1 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 cup shredded Jack cheese (optional)

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Slowly cook and stir the shallot until tender. Mix in the garlic, jalapeno, green chili peppers, cumin, oregano and cayenne. Continue to cook and stir the mixture until tender, about 3 minutes. Mix in the chicken broth, chicken and white beans and white sauce (from above). Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove the mixture from heat. Stir in cilantro. Slowly stir in the cheese until melted. Serve warm. 

Cornbread or tortilla chips for a side and dinner is served! 

 

Walking New Paths

 We had to make an unexpected trip to Washington this week.  We received some news that made the impending snow storms and slippery mountain passes of no consideration.  It was just Minda and I.  Our first such trip.  I can't tell you how much I prayed as we climbed up into the fog.  The rain was a sweet friend.  Our trip was not for happy circumstances and it seemed only right to let it pelt the van with it pattering rhythms and clouded visions.

 

We drove in companionable silence most of the way.  Photographing things that caught our attention, listening to Girl of the Limberlost, sipping our water - the endless highway ahead of us. When it began to clear I wasn't prepared for God's grace to flood over me, but it did.

A promise of His presence and protection.  It was bright and big and full, and suddenly so was my spirit.  Moses Lake came more quickly after that.   

 Then there were friends who wanted to get together, and business affairs to take care and, of course, the main reason we traveled over 3 mountain passes for 8.5 hours in the middle of winter...

My mama was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer.  She is an amazing lady, though.  Joyfully abiding in the life she has left, ready to enter the arms of Jesus if a miracle doesn't occur, and peacefully letting go of all this world has to offer...  I cry because I'll miss her, 'naught for else'.  She is coughing almost continually and wears out when a long fit occurs, but she takes it in stride.  She is inspiring.  I doubt, even with the promise of Heaven, that I would take it all so graciously.
My big brother, Kyle, was able to join us several days too.  Including the night we arrived.  His girl, Emily, snapped this photo.
It was a blessed time together.  Just what I had prayed for. We'll be returning several times over the next few months.  You can pray with us for continued safety and sweet times together.

news

We're fording some difficult streams in life right now.  Prayers coveted.

Shadow Play

Working on some Valentines for the Parents of my ELC kiddos!

I'll post more about it later. :)

'Mist'ical

Montana winters are long but constantly changing and, Oh! So enchanting.

 

Time with Minda

 I have a photo session Sunday in Springhill and wanted to check out the locale before the day.  What a GORGEOUS day it was!  I almost wished we could have done the shoot right then.  
Minda has become mm nearly-constant companion these days.  Running errands, photoshoots, even just quick grocery runs (because I'm out of floss and it's bugging me!) she throws on a jacket to ride along. 

 This day was no different.  We shot this for Josh.  That is Ross Peak behind Malinda and it was Josh's fave when he was here. Miss that fella.  The snow out here was knee deep, but untouched.  It was pristine!  I can't wait to shoot some lovers out here!  WooHoo!

Then came the drive home.  Neither of our other kids had to go someplace special to learn to drive.  We lived in the boonies (sorta) and just practiced going and coming on the backroads until they felt ready to conquer traffic.  Minda, however, has had her permit since August or Sept. and this was the first time she got to drive (Other than once from our driveway to a stop sign.  That experience made me say, "I think we need to go out of populated areas before you try that again."). 
Still a tad nerve wracking for Mama even on the 25 MPH roadway with no cars to be seen (she likes to hug the shoulder... or piggyback ride it... or she is intensely polarized by the center yellow line...) but, we made it.  She's ready for round 2.

The Thrills Keep Coming...

Margotbianca's linens ~ Set me thinking of spring and toasty sunshine.

DiTerra's Starry Night Mugs.  Summer nights. Fireflies. & swirling balmy air.

Shalet's felted acorns ~ There is something intrinsically delightful acorns.  When they are felted and a beautiful blue the delight is simply mesmerizing.

 Sewn Natural.  I have Baby Nephews and Nieces on the heart. So many ambrosial diversions.

 Wicked Pen.  Alluring sweet little nothings.

 Artyscapes seasonal tree pendants.  I think I would wear them to signify my moods.  LOL! Spring - feeling renewed & life is flowing, Summer - warmed & free; fruitful, Autumn - cozy, anticipating, letting go, Winter - quiet, mellow, introspective...

 Christy's Bags!  Oh My, Oh My, Oh My! I know I'm a little person, but I just love BIG bags. 

 Joom's notecards. & Everyday Grace's.  Simplicity speaks to me.  I used to, in my younger years, be into all the Victorian excess & foof & frill.  The older I've gotten the more beauty I see in the lack of those things. I find I breathe more deeply in the uncluttered.

Earthart.  ~ Dream are meant to be unaffordable, right?  At least unaffordable for the dreamer.  I love more than just the canvases above from Laura.  I think I'd put one of her pieces in every room of my home.

What is thrilling you ?!  Do tell!

Thrills & Guilty Pleasures

Marimekko Lumimarja Fabric in grey/white/bue  It's that soft robin's egg blue that sends me...

 Belle & Boo.  Seriously?!  This has to be one of the cutest shops ever!

PapernStitch's Littleput Land's Birdy Magnets.   I'm a bit obsessed with birds.  I have been for years, but it's crescendoed in the past couple years to a vociferous weakness that overcomes me whenever I see them...

Janey Mac's wall art.   We rent.  This may be the only way I get COLOR!  And what cuh-UTE color it would be!

 Wild Roses Grow Birdie Printed/ Embroidered linens and niceties  ~ Yah, I know, totally tweet!

 MacCheek's Mayhem cosmo imprinted mugs.  The other thing I would enter into the "Obsessed With" category would be trees & leaves - especially silhouettes! That, & I love pottery.

Reusable Snack Baggies by Bananasaurus Rex!  Several years ago I stopped using paper towels, & napkins.  I have been unable to get away from plastic, however.  These are so adorable & a step further down the path I'm hoping becomes my way.

 Playing Grown Up's chalkboard bunting magnet set  ~Actually, Playing Grown Up in general ROCKS! Clothes Pin chalkboards, Love Notes chalkboards, a photobooth set of chalkboards... *love* !  What I would really love is an entire chalkboard wall but, again, the whole 'renting' thing.

Olive's Pillows.  Complete & Utter delight.  They make me smile.

 Mayi's Sweet Notes.  Okay, I have to admit, I'm a list maker, note taker, & a 'check-this-box' kind of girl.  To be able to do it on something this darling?  *Swoon!*

Ingote's Slippers.  I need new slippers.  Forever and a day I have wanted pretty & woolen ones.  Ingote's are just what I see when I envision what would be perfect.

Max and Melody's slouchy hats.  Another longtime love.  See, I've wanted dreds for years ~ I now know I'll never have them, but I am smitten with the look of the hats.  Now the look is 'in' for all, not just those with dreaded "locks"! :)  Yay!

I have more to share with you, but I am out of time for today. 
Hey!  Something to look forward to!