{this moment}

We are outta here!

See ya Monday!

Joining Amanda.

just maybe

As I sit here typing, I can see the sun starting to break through the morning clouds and make it's way through the very lush tree outside my window. Can it possibly be.....

It feels like we have been waiting so long for summer to come. The wet spring and summer that we are having will certainly have an effect on our short growing season. We will see won't we. Maybe this is the start of outrageously beautiful weather, and all of the rain has given the plants such a glorious start, that we will have the biggest harvest. A girl can dream.
Onto really good news. Rainier cherries are here. They are my favorite. We ate a big bowl of them. It was heaven.

We are heading out Friday morning for a little annual camping trip with friends. At this particular park, we camp in yurts. We love yurt camping! When we arrive, it's like having 2 hours of the work already done for you. The rest of the experience is very much traditional camping, with eating and cooking outside, outhouses, mosquitoes, big bonfires. You know, the good stuff. I can't wait.

We only have two camping trips planned this summer. I feel like there just isn't any time for more. Kane will be leaving in mid-July for a 2 week long mission trip to New Orleans. That is a really big deal and such a great opportunity. Gage starts football practice 5 nights a week during August, so we are stuck around here after that. It makes the summer break go so fast. Blink, and school will be starting. Each year seems to pass more quickly than the last.

We are truly excited to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary at the end of August. We are planning a big family and friends party in mid-August. This will be the highlight of our summer. Well, maybe not for the kids, but definitely for Eric and I. :~)

Have a blessed day, Tami

Tea Cozy

I knit a new tea cozy. With all of the rain last week, I spent some time on the couch knitting and watching the first season of Downton Abbey, a movie called Land Girls, and Housewife, 49. All good period stuff.
I have knit this particular cozy pattern before, but this time omitted the knitted leaves. I love the picot hem. The cozy is for my biggest teapot, the one I use most often. I thrifted it about a year ago, I am pretty sure it is from the 1940's. I can brew a pot in the morning and it lasts all day long. Love.
Still no sign of the sun.
I guess I will have to spend some more time being cozied up on the couch, darn. I bet I can whip up a few knitted washcloths. I also want to find a cute Aran vest pattern.
If it's not raining cats & dogs, my kids are sure to be outside most of the day. They come in to be fed and watered, that's about it. As soon as we get better weather, I am anxious to get to the beach.

Have a blessed day, Tami

rain

This is June so far.
Rain, rain, rain, bake.

There may actually be some sun in our future. Wednesday maybe. I'll keep you posted.
Blessings and sunshine, Tami

one of my favorites

Have a blessed Sunday. Tami

{this moment}

Joining Amanda.

Have a wonderful Friday, Tami

my week

I tried the pizza dough recipe with whole wheat white flour. It was edible, but just not the same. My hubby thinks I should just accept the fact that all purpose flour is the only way to go in pizza dough. I am feeling like he may be right, because any time I try WW flour for pizza it is just too bread-y. It was worth a try for sure. Maybe I can do half & half next time and see if that helps.

My rhubarb is going to good use. I am going to make a yummy rhubarb coffee cake next.

The one up side to the weather around here is, we are getting some beautiful rainbows. Yah, I know, there is no up side to constant rain and gray skies in June.

The kids are done with school tomorrow. It is a half day. After they walk home, we are going for a little treat at the local donut house. I can hardly wait.

Have a blessed Thursday, Tami

in the garden

About the only things ready are the strawberries, lettuce and rhubarb. Patience.

Me turning the compost into the new raised bed. Lots of chicken goodness went into here over the winter. Look at how serious I am, I should have worn a hat to keep the sun off my scrunched up face. Oh, you don't see the sunshine.....that's because there isn't any.

We spread hay over the walkways to keep the weeds down, and also as a mulch around the base of the plants. There are a few potato plants that came up on their own, and strawberries around the border of the cinderblock bed. We are growing blue lake pole beans in the barrel with the white trellis. More romaine lettuce is planted in the other barrel.

Volunteer tomato plants, gotta love this.

A giant bale of hay, yay!

Zucchini trying desperately to grow with no sun around here.

It is coming along, even if it feels torturously unproductive at the moment. If only we could get a little sun and warmth around here.

I am off now to do a little grocery shopping and maybe....a little jaunt to the thrift store.
Have a blessed day, Tami

black bean & corn dip

Wait.....this doesn't look like black bean and corn dip!

I made this dip for a potluck last weekend and it was a hit. I have no photo, that's how fast it disappeared.
But here's a pic of some yummy chocolate cake I made..........the cake disappeared too.

Black Bean & Corn Dip
3 cups fresh or frozen corn, cooked and cooled
1 - 14oz. can black beans, drained
1 cup diced tomatoes, canned or fresh
1/2 cup plain yogurt (plus a couple tablespoons if needed)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
taco seasoning (I used 1/2 of the packet)
diced green onions

(you can substitute 1 cup of sour cream instead of the mayo/yogurt.)

Mix up the yogurt and mayo with the taco seasoning. I used 1/2 an envelope of mild taco seasoning and added a few red pepper flakes for flavor. If you make your own taco seasoning, just add enough to your taste.
Combine the corn, beans, tomatoes, and cheese in a large mixing bowl. Add mayo/ yogurt dressing. Mix in cheese. At this point if it seems too thick add in a couple of extra tablespoons of yogurt. Top with green onions.
We like it chilled and served with tortilla chips.
You could add in green chiles, jalapenos, salsa, olives, etc.
It would also be yummy warmed up as a hot dip.

Enjoy! Tami
BTW, today is my 300th post! Wow, it took awhile to get here. ;~)

update: I put this on my recipes page.

vintage goodness

Spending all last week volunteering at church, I was the first to dive into the treasures that were being sorted for our annual rummage sale.
At this point in my decluttered existence, I only see fit to bring home very practical treasures. A tray, scissors, and a colander. Utilitarian for sure, but oh so vintage.
A sure cure for the most dedicated junk collector, is to sort and price the amount of discarded clutter we went through. It is always worth it in the end, raising money for so many worthwhile charities. Volunteering for this each year keeps me in check. The week ended with a deep thankfulness that I no longer collect. I spent too long getting rid of the stuff to let it creep back in now.
The few items that I brought home will be put to good use.

Only 5 more days of school for my kiddos!
I cannot wait.

Have a blessed Monday, Tami

one of my favorites

When I first started the blog, I would post a favorite verse or quote on Sunday. I am going to do that again. It starts my week off right.
Have a blessed Sunday, Tami

{this moment}

Joining Amanda.

june in bloom

{my first *mama flowers* of the season}

{kniphofia in the chicken garden}

{this beautiful perennial planted itself in my garden-I love it}

{snapdragons....I think}

{my orchid trying so hard to bloom}

Have a truly blessed Thursday! Tami

nourish

It feels like I haven't been nourishing myself very well lately. I have been busy. When I get busy, I forgo salad making, I forgo good food choices, I eat things that my body hates. Then I feel really bad, and it takes me a week or so of detoxing to rid myself of the bloat and gross feeling.
Why do I let myself get caught up in this vicious cycle?

It seems that unhealthy eating perpetuates itself. When I eat too many refined foods, my body craves even more. Then I am eating all the time, even when I am not hungry, my body craves this junk. I am getting off this crazy ride right now. I am sick of it.

I don't normally feed my family like the majority of society does. We are whole foods, homemade, simple nourishing food eaters. When I am in social situations, I try and make wise food choices, but sometimes I just get tired of people looking at my plate. I imagine them thinking that I am dieting or something, when I really just want to avoid the processed foods being served.  I have been giving in this last week, while volunteering at church, to a plate of yuck for lunch including about a billion cookies. I had no will power at all. I feel yucky just thinking about it. I really just should have packed my own food. Then we had a weekend family party. There were fruits and veggies, yes, and lots of chips and candy, and lots of soda and chocolate sheet cake. Ugh. Enough of this rant. Now onto what I am going to do about it.

I believe a little home prep can go a long way. If I have healthy food ready, it makes my choice easier. Last week, I had a load of fresh veggies cut up in the refrigerator. It was so nice to have them ready for snacking. And they went fast. I need to make a habit of this, instead of preparing them as the meal is coming together. We would eat so much more good stuff this way.

I was reading a blog post today. This very wise woman makes a hearty salad the foundation of one meal every day. I want to do this. My family would love it, I would love it. I feel good just thinking about it.

I am going to admit that diet soda has invaded my life - again. I am such a health freak, I can't believe I let this stuff pass my lips. I am done.

If I can stay away from refined sugar long enough to get it out of my system, I will be good. Sugar is not my friend. Sugar makes me want more sugar. Vicious cycle ya know. I am done.

This looks like a good plan. No more church lady lunches, out with sugar and soda, in with big hearty yummy salads EVERY DAY!

I am going to take a break from a very busy week and be kind to myself today. I am going to take it easy, eat some restorative food, work in the garden, and knit. It will be heaven.

Have a blessed day, Tami

kitchen light

The light is beautiful this time of the year.

Have a blessed and light-filled day, Tami

{this moment}



{Amen, little buddy}

Joining Amanda.

being inspired

I love this wallet. And this planner. Debbie of Homespun Living is so talented and I love her blog.

There are so many talented people out there, people that make up the ideas that inspire the rest of us. I am constantly inspired, and so thankful for it. It makes my creative life so much more interesting.

I love being inspired by food. It can get a little mundane in the kitchen cooking for a family. My family appreciates it when I come up with new ideas for meals and snacks especially.
I am constantly in awe of knitters that can come up with their own patterns. I would love to be a knitted pattern designer, what a cool job that would be. I can never leave well enough alone, and always sneak in modifications when I am knitting. It is the pattern-designer-wannabe in me.

Necessity happens to be the best inspiration in my house. If we need it, I'd like to come about it in a non-conventional, ingenious, eco-conscious, and resourceful way. Waste Not, Want Not - as they say.

What is NOT inspiring me right now. The rain. ;~)

Have a blessed day. Tami

the end is near

When the Science Fair projects roll out, you know the end of school is near.
Only 13 school days left. Summer here we come!

We are putting together our Summer Bucket List. I can hardly wait. It will so good to have my kiddos home all day long. This is my favorite time of the year.

This next 2 weeks are filled with all sorts of school fun. Science Fair & Art Gallery Night, puppet plays, and class concerts. So much to fit into such a short time. Tomorrow will be my last day as classroom helper in Anya's class.

This year has gone by so quickly. I am truly glad that I started blogging again. I have captured so many memories. I can savor every moment by just stopping and taking notice through words and pictures. This brings me joy.

Have a blessed day, Tami

urban farm

I just finished reading The Urban Farm Handbook by Jill Cottrell and Joshua McNichols. I waited for months to get it from the library, and it didn't disappoint. What I really liked, is that it is written by folks from the Pacific Northwest, specifically Seattle. Hooray, somebody that can tell me how to do this urban farming thing where I live. And seriously, when she was writing the book, she had goats on her urban lot! She now lives on acreage outside the city.
They give wonderful recommendations for short season vegetables. This is such a help. Many types of vegetables fail in our area because we have a short and rather mild growing season.  I actually have planted many of the varieties that they suggested and had great success. Yes.
The book also had information about all of the happenings around Seattle including urban farming, CSA's, pastured poultry and meats, and loads of people doing wonderful things for this world.
The book is divided into seasons. I loved Jill's seasonal schedule and the recipes.
I am going to try the Whole Grain Crackers, the Whole Grain Sandwich Bread, the Apple Breakfast Sausage, and the Pan Roasted Baby Potatoes and Carrots. I think I will try the crackers first, since I am on a cracker kick lately.
This is a book I may actually buy. It seems like such a wonderful resource.
I can't wait for my garden to start producing more than lettuce. It will take another month of so. I can be patient. :~)
Have a blessed day, Tami

weekend

We had a great weekend. A little sunshine, a little baseball, and date night with friends.

We had pizza for dinner on Sunday. I used a new crust recipe that I really like. It is a typical recipe with a little sugar and a little cornmeal mixed in. The recipe also called for a layer of mozzarella directly on the dough before the sauce. It keeps the dough from getting soggy from the sauce. What a great idea, and it did the job. I added some wonderful uncured Canadian bacon and a cheddar/jack/mozzarella mix to top it off. YUM. I will use this recipe again, and because I can't leave well enough alone, I will have to try and healthify it with whole grain flour. I have to try....

Today I have more baking to do and yogurt to make. It's stay-home Monday and I love it.
Have a blessed day, Tami

{this moment}



{forget-me-nots, my favorite, they are like tiny fairy flowers}

Joining Amanda.