Blended

As the weather continues to plunge lower than Christina Aguilera's necklines, soup is sounding more and more appealing!  Last night I made Faux mashed potatoes to go with J's steak.  He liked them, but I think he'll be happier having them added to a soup to give it a nice thick consistency and I'll be happier because they are gf & vegan which means I can keep to my way of eating too!  So today's dinner menu will be my take on Dahl (lentil stew) and GF Chive and Rosemary muffins (THIS is my favorite recipe, but I sub out the egg for flax gel.)

Deeapaulitan's Dahl-esque Fusion
1 tsp. hemp oil
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, chopped
3 carrots, grated
2 1/2 c. cherry tomatoes
4 c. veggie stock
2 1/2 c. prepared mashed cauliflower
1/2 c. coconut aminos
1 quart coconut water
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (more, if you are like me and like it spicy - you can add later too)
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 Tblsp. fine chopped fresh ginger
1 tsp. coriander
1 tsp. turmeric
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
2 c. red lentils
Large handfull of cilantro, rinsed and roughly chopped
1-2 c. coconut milk
Salt and pepper to taste

Sweat the onion, pepper, and garlic in the oil in a stock pot until onion begins to become translucent - stir often to prevent burning / sticking.
Add all other ingredients except lentils, cilantro, & coconut milk.  Stir until blended. Let come to boil & reduce to simmer for  30 minutes or until tomatoes are loosened from their skins.
Set a large strainer over a deep bowl and carefully scoop the soup into the strainer, letting the bowl catch the liquid broth.
Add what is left in the strainer to a blender or food processor with a mincing blade.  There should be enough moisture remaining in the contents to not have to add the broth back in and just puree' the pieces, but add some if needed.

Return puree' and broth to stock pot.  10-15 minutes before dinner is to be served, rinse lentils and add to soup.  Bring soup to boil then reduce heat to med-high, cover and let cook until lentils soften (about 10 minutes), stirring occasionally to keep from sticking.

When ready to serve, you can garnish it with a drizzle of coconut milk and a sprinkling of cilantro.
I find there is enough saltiness in the stock and aminos to not need more, but everyones' tastes are different.

C and 2 of her new roommates, Steph & Larissa, swung by after their hike today and joined us for dinner and a rousing game of Balderdash.  They girls offered to bring bread, so I didn't make the muffins.  It worked out, but I think I'll make a batch of them tomorrow for dinner because something bread-ish sounds good to me and I can't do the regular version.

Hope everyone stayed warm and enjoyed their Mondays!!

Worship Without Borders

Tim and Maryl are here for a 5 day worship symposium. Last night we met at the Schlender's for dinner, worship and a lesson.

It was one of the most awesome, sweetest times of worship I have ever experienced. Everyone sang out in abandon, giving God all of themselves. It was life changing.

We left with the snow drifting down and this morning we have 4 inches! I'm so glad we are inside for more time of worship and fellowship!

Conner's Visit

We Meet At Last!

Anna, Conner, Mom and Dad drove over from Moses Lake for a short visit this week! They got in Saturday and we didn't waste anytime getting to know our little man. Sunday J preached and they all got to be a part of that! It was very poignant to have our family join us and J honored Mom & Dad by thanking them for the Godly heritage they bestowed on him.

I'm so grateful they made the 8 hour journey! Shaun had to fly back to San D to finish out his final 2 weeks in Coast Guard and we missed him, but we are so blessed that didn't stop Anna from comin' on ahead! We'll get Shaun over here yet!

We had lots of floor time. Conner army crawls everywhere. We alternated middle names with him throughout the weekend ~ Conner "Poops-like-a-man" Oliver; Conner "Danger" Oliver; ... He liked James and Tofer best. He seems to know instinctively "I'm one of them!" and he watched them with great interest. Especially if Uncle Yimmy went into one of his special Arias.

We did Frogmore ~AGAIN! It's just such a great communal meal! Mom bought a special wine (viognier from hermit crab vinters) that perfectly set off the seafood and oldbay seasonings. Later we played Apples to Apples and teased one another mercilessly.

I would go so far as to say that family has to be the greatest invention of all time. God fleshed out in love and relationship, laughter and tears, hugs and kisses...

It's just plain awesome.

Fellowship - Frogmore Style!

Ryan and Mindy's small group put on a night of food and fellowship for all the pastors. Nathan and Robin didn't make it, but the rest of us were there! Mike, Kate, Brandon, Julia, Eric, Taylor, Melissa, Eddie, Ryan and Mindy (and little Lizzie too) brought us together Wed. night, and Look What They Cooked US!!!

I find it very funny that I made Frogmore for the first time for my family just a month or two ago and here we are again! They added some things I had never tried in it. Sausage and Green Beans.

Strawberry Shortcake for dessert - River lost her tooth! (and she scored 4 goals at her soccer game!)

Mo was being such a ham ... Kelly egged him on! I always wish I would have taken more photos, but I was trying to fellowship!!
It was a great night. We felt so honored and loved.
Thanks to all of you for giving us a chance to connect and relax - You are awesome!

Memorial Week

I haven't had much luck posting since I've had to work from the dinosaur desktop. It's great for email, but photo posting seems to be beyond it's realm of functionality. I'm trying again however. Our Bible Study had a fellowship night and we gorged ourselves on Mexican Food and held all the babies!!!! Scott and Sadie brought Tri-tip, beans, and rice. I brought shedded chicken enchiladas, & green salads (for those on the raw diet :o) I over indulged. On both food and baby cuddling. So did Sara!

Tof turned 17 Friday!!! You can tell he is growing up just from what he asks for for gifts. Propane tank for the bbq so he can bbq this summer. Money for the computer he is saving up for. Socks. LOL!

We had our traditional breakfast of cinnamon rolls, but the only candle I had was a huge, hurkin' lump o' wax... he didn't mind as long as he got to the cinnamon roll when it was blown out! :o)

My birthday was Saturday. I got my hair butched for summer :o) It's easy, but I feel like I look more like my mother than ever! It grows so fast that it won't be long before it's back in a pony tail.
Jen took me to breakfast. That was especially sweet because I have been craving 'girl-time' lately and haven't had opportunity. We walked to Nova in the rain and chatted, then had great coffee, food, & conversation for two more hours! THANKS SO MUCH JEN!

J & the kids bought me a gorgeous bamboo salad bowl I had been wanting! It rained the whole day and the kids spoiled me by doing my dishes and building me a fire to sit next to and read all day!

Sunday afternoon we held a bbq with a bunch of friends for Tofer's party. God blessed us with a bit of SUN!

Then Sunday night the Murray's hosted us at a "Black and White" night. We had to wear only black and white, eat only black and white food and we watched a black and white movie! What a blast!

J is fighting sickness right now. He has to preach Sunday and would really like a clear head to prepare. Please pray for him.

Easter Weekend

Paul and Shari are good friends from a former life :oD

They have joined us in bozeman for the past 2 Easter weekends with their 4 boys, Michael, Mark, Matthew, and Benjamin. The boys have near boundless energy and our house rings with laughter and, of course, sound effects. Star fighters, explosions, sirens, roosters, & phaser blasts...
The boys call J. the "Tickle Monster", but Ben may start calling him the "Head Bonker" - J. can explain that if he'd like. :o)

To get some of that energy expended Paul and J got them outside to run around in the freezing cold while Shari and I stayed nice and snug at home.
We spent some quality time with the dishwasher too so it wouldn't feel left out of the festivities!

We taught them Speed Scrabble (which Paul trounced us at - but it WAS 10 pm and I had been up since 4 AM, so he clearly had an advantage!) The boys taught the kids to play Settlers of Catan (Shaun & Anna gave it to us for Christmas).

I always make Blima for breakfast with company, and it is always as much of a hit as it was with me when Great Grama Rachel made it!

Their last day here, Don and Jen graciously let us crash in on them for a morning where the boys could tackle the climbing wall! I think I can safely declare Matthew and Mark official monkies!

Paul & Shari have shared life with us for more than 8 years. God has given us similar hearts and dreams, visions and goals. It was good to talk about all those, to laugh at ourselves, and to pray with one another.

I was also blessed by my kids and how they jumped in with both feet to love on and bless the boys. Duplos, stories, 3-2-1 penguins, games of Settlers, Sorry, Blockus, hikes, egg hunts, photos and giving up their beds and rooms ~ they showed themselves friendly. They are truly letting Christ consume them fully.

:o) *sigh* ~ it's good to love and to be loved in return...

TGIF!

Melissa emailed this week and asked if we could meet for coffee. No agenda, just to chat. :o) We met at the new Daily on Rouse and did just that... talked. Thanks Mel. It was schweeeeet!

Catching Air! I'd appreciate your prayers still for Tof. His landing on his elbows and the ensuing numbness/tingliness of his left hand have not disapated for 2 weeks now.

We had friends over last night for a Mexican Fiesta! After gorging ourselves with enchiladas, spanish rice, frejoles, and Birthday Cake (Nathan and Anthony's), we played games, went sledding, had a snowball fight, and listened to the 3 guitarists hone their skills!

The time went by so fast. No one left until midnight!!

Blessed Scenes from a Day of Blessings

Our traditional spread of cheeseball and crackers - to tide everyone over until dinner! (Aunt Susan's cheeseball recipe that Cassia makes every year!)

Turkey - one plate of light and one of dark! so moist!! I don't know why I didn't get the rest of the spread.

Sledding!! One of our neighbor girls joined us and couldn't believe ADULTS were sledding too! We had 7 others added to our family and it was a great day! Of course there was cocoa, coffee, and wassail when everyone trudged in half-frozen! Highlight of the day was watching our little 3yr. old Mo sled down -all the way to the bottom - BACKWARDS- with the biggest smile plastered on his face!

Making a gingerbread house with River, Mo and Jen, while the guys watched football.

James rented a movie entitled - A Man Called Peter. I would highly recommend it! It's the story of Peter Marshall senior. It's funny, convicting, and poignant.

Ryan and Don challenged Minda and Tof to a cribbage match - Not a good idea. R&D lost. James and River teamed up against Cassia and Mo in Yatzee.

We built a fire in the stove, ate 4 kinds of pie with homemade whipcream, got dishpan hands, talked, laughed, tickled Mo, and laughed some more.

How was your day of Thanks?

Prep - Work!

We Spent the day making pies!

Hope they taste as good as they look! We'll freeze them until Thanksgiving, but there'll be more tomorrow! We always have apple (Grama Orr's recipe), and My Mom's Pecan (but I make it with Hazelnuts because I'm alergic to Pecans), and someone usually makes a pumpkin.

What kinds of pies do you have at Thanksgiving?

I'm trying a new one this year. Pear-Praline Cranicot is the name on the recipe, but after hearing my little friend's rendition of that name, I may just keep it if we like the pie and it becomes tradition! Enoch called it "Pralinkanot"!