Normalcy

I woke up today feeling so normal, and good. My head is clear and I can focus. And the most wonderful part is that through this bought of SAD, I never felt full-out depression. Yay!
I have been doing creative things like making delicious mustard. This mustard is so full of flavor it inspires creativity. Therefore [...]

The Big Draw day 26

Day 26: taffy, sketch and eat

I really don’t mind waiting to pick up my kids from activities. Sometimes it is the perfect pause that I need and often don’t allow myself at home. Today I sat in my sun warmed van listening to excellent tunes, sketching, and reading. Peaceful bliss. I also enjoyed watching the [...]

Fermented Green Tomatoes

When my family gathered at my grandparents for family dinner, the meals were enough to give me a life-long pursuit of delicious, made-from-scratch food. My favorites were the pickled fruits and vegetables that accompanied the meals, cucumbers, beets, watermelon rind, and (my mouth is watering) green tomatoes. My grandma pickled the traditional way with vinegar.
Since [...]

Decompression

For almost two years, my family has been preparing and serving meals each Friday at VERONICA’s Voice. This past Friday was our last day. God had been leading me to reevaluate our service this summer, and once school began for us, the answer was obvious. It was time to stop.
I really have mixed emotions about [...]

Good Eats

Our family loves to watch the show, Good Eats. We enjoy the humorous, clever, and scientific way Alton Brown teaches us about food preparation. Alton comes up with some unusual recipes and ideas. I was not surprised to receive avocado ice cream and white cake with avocado frosting for my birthday from my daughter, the chef.
[...]

Prayer Brings Surprises

I’ve been serving lunch on Fridays at VERONICA’s Voice since late fall 2006. The number of people that are there each week differ, so I plan for 20-25. Sometimes I have leftovers, sometimes there is not a scrap left. Here’s what we do each week:
Monday: plan the menu and grocery shop
Tuesday: set aside ice to take [...]

Settling in

I’m used to addressing school issues at some point throughout the day. Now on day 2 of summer vacation, I am quickly settling in to meandering. I did force myself to go to the YMCA to sweat, and actually had some creative freedom in the Turbo Kick class. Our teacher encourages us to just let [...]

Surreal

Last night we went to experience Sigur Ros live at the Uptown Theater. I got a taste of the heavenly praises I will be experiencing one eternity. Time no longer existed, just the music, just the art.
Today my home smells like my grandma’s, fried chicken; and Sigur Ros is playing in the background. My soul is [...]

Motivation

Environmentally conscious, not a label for me. I was born a lover of this earth. It is so beautiful. I was a recycler way before it was politically correct. But I hate labels. And I hate marketing. I don’t shop much and avoid advertising, but my mom has been pointing out to me how the word [...]

Delicious

Today’s menu for VERONICA’s Voice was:
Delicious Ham smoked by my father-in-law
Au Gratin Potatoes
Corn (with butter)
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies made by my daughter
Yum. And tonight I am thrilled that there are just enough leftovers for us.
I am extremely thankful for the kitchen appliances we put to rugged use each week. Thank you, food processor, for slicing [...]

Girls’ Day Out

The sentiment that ruled the day:

Outside a scrapbook store, this camera was hung on a string with the message to take pictures. What a strange thought that our photos will be used in a scrapbook class.

As always, my eyes were drawn to things of old. Many of the original buildings in Hays, KS are made [...]

Enslaved

Today’s lunch menu for VERONICA’s Voice included:
Corned Beef, Cabbage and Potatoes
Homeade Rye Bread
Green Clover-shaped Spritz Cookies
I was also going to serve fresh apple slices, but left the apples at home. Oops.
The smell of the corned beef still lingers in our home. Delicious and comfortable.
As a continuation from my thoughts on slavery yesterday, I wanted to [...]

Moving

Today we served our last meal at the current location of VERONICA’s Voice. The meal was devoured. We served sloppy joes, corn, kettle chip, apple slices, and brownies for dessert; a good, hearty meal for these cold, snowy days. We will move into the new location next week. I’m excited about this for many reasons both physical and [...]

Stuff

Ephesians 3:14-19 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (15) Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (16) That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;(17) That [...]

Art Every Day #26 – Mustard & Cereal

Thank you all for the encouragement. I’m feeling great again. The vitamins really did the trick. I’m also watching that I get enough rest, excercise, and nourishing foods.
Today my creativity was excercised in the kitchen. I made some delicious hot mustard.

The recipe from the Nourishing Traditions cookbook is my favorite. It calls for 4 oz. of [...]