God--the Artist and His handiwork

Wisdom and a message of love from Norway---

A couple days ago one of my favorite bloggers, a Norwegian Christian pastor, had a post about a youth club outing that she had been involved with. The blog author included a quote of one of the girls who had done the devotion that night.

As I read it; it really hit home for me for it perfectly describes the relationship that God has with us--His children, His creation, His handiwork.

• God is the greatest artist---the beauty of nature all around us is proof of that.


• As an artist, He is devoted to the work of His hands--just as a dedicated artist cares about the work they create.


• All nature, including we who were made in His image, are proof of God's care and love (remember the lilies of the fields, knowing when a bird falls to the ground and providing rain, sun for those who believe in Him and those who don't too)


• God is at work in our lives. Sometimes, we may not see that as a good thing--for some changes are painful--BUT He's doing it because He cares --as in deeply, totally loves us--the creation of His hands; His children.


• God does all of this because He sees what we should be like, just as a great artist ’sees’ the finished masterpiece in his mind. And just as earthly artists want the work of their hands to be perfect; so does God. He wants us to reach our potential--to accomplish what He planned for us to do; to be who He wants us to be--as a loving, perfect, just Father. And remember, He sees the finished work of art--we don’t.


• Finally, just like His work at Creation--the changes He makes with “great love and care” will be good. For all that His hand creates, as the perfect Artist-loving Father-caring Creator is good.

Take a look at the post--I think you’ll like this simple, yet deep message from this young Norwegian girl! Here is the link: http://limeblog.net/2009/02/09/youth-club-goes-alpine/

“And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31 KJV

“ The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” Psalms 19:1-3 KJV

“And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, Oye of little faith?” Matthew 6:28-30 KJV

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10: 29-31 KJV

“..He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45 KJV

“…being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6 KJV

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28 KJV

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” I Corinthians 13:12 KJV

Blessings from a fellow 'work of art in progress", Aimee

Photo: NW State Park in spring.

A Note to Readers

A note to readers:
So sorry about the inconsistent spacing (or lack of spacing) in some of the posts. I am having a struggle with the Html and often the post looks much different then it does in the preview. Oh well--it is a small thing comparatively speaking and I will try again to rectify it later.
Until then--I beg your patience and understanding at this beginner blogger's efforts:) And now---time to cook that heart shaped meatloaf. Yum-food!
Blessings, A

For those who visit -- a question please. Would you prefer the photos be a bit larger or is the current size sufficient? I am on a dial up modem so I have been reducing their size to a minimum but could increase it slightly if needed.
Thanks! A

Update 2/11/09:
I've gone ahead and enlarged the nature photos of new posts, except heritage photos which I have decided -- for now -- to keep small. Hope this makes your visits more enjoyable to the blog. I know that I am happy with the new size:) TY again for stopping by!

A Week of Love--meal & other plans.

This week I am trying to include a lot of heart shaped entrees and desserts; a not too difficult thing to do because I've bought a LOT of heart shaped cooking contraptions and bakeware over the years-none of them very expensive.
I also want to use a lot of red--partly because of its tie to Valentine's Day and partly because I have a lot of red items in the house already (red and various shades of red being my favorite color). Some plans so far---

• Entrees: heart shaped eggs, heart shaped meatloaf, beets cut into heart shapes (ditto red pepper slices), beef patties shaped like hearts, heart shaped 'meatballs' with pasta. Maybe individual quiches...or heart shaped pancakes.
• Desserts/Treats: frosted & painted heart shaped cookies, linzer tart cookies, mini heart shaped cakes, heart shaped, red "jiggle" jello and trifles...and on and on. Possibly Swedish fruit soup too and also "Danish dessert" which I can use as fruit soup, layer with whipped cream or pudding or use as a fruit glaze.
• Placemats: purchased some pretty but inexpensive ones in shades of burgundy and another in red with matching cloth napkins.
• Dinnerware: found a beautiful pattern in -- red-- but decided against it because it was something I really did not need but only wanted. I did buy some inexpensive, made in the USA clear glass dinner plates, mugs, glasses and trifle 'cups' though to add to some items I already had. All very adaptable to many other settings/ celebrations.
• Blooming bulbs: not in red (well unless the not-quite-bloomed yet hyacinth is red). Pretty, colorful, nice, inexpensive. Note to self--need to still pick up tulips and make some baskets with ferns.
• Valentines: already sent some 'love' cards out--to some family that live out-of-state. Bought a box of some really cute ones that look like they were created by kids (with a good message about love on them); also bought some individual cards for a few people. Am giving (and have already given) small gifts to close family members. Next year might try for homemade gifts. .
• Chocolate and more chocolate--some heart shaped, some in heart shaped boxes for my chocolate loving hubby. We have already started on them:)

Well it is getting late so ...

Blessings & night y'all! A

A Week of Love for those I love (and those who just happen by)!

My love is not perfect. In the past I've let work and other stresses, impatience, laziness, selfishness and even fear get in the way of showing love to family and friends in the way I should (and could) have. I hate to admit that, but it's true and I wish it was different. It's not that I didn't show love to those around me; it's just that I could have done it better and didn't.

But the past is gone, my shortcomings forgiven and the good news is that each new day brings with it a fresh beginning (opportunity) to be more loving to friends and family still here; and to show that love in tangible, meaningful and creative ways (more about that later).

My inspiration for this Week of Love (which I really desire to be the start of a permanent, everyday change) comes from I Corinthians 13--the so called Love Chapter.( Note: this is the King James Version of that chapter, but you can find a link to more information on this chapter and other easier to read versions of it here.)

Why do I include this chapter here? Well since God is the only One with perfect love, I thought it'd be good to see what He says about it as I seek to become more loving. Keep in mind, as you read through this well known chapter on love that the word 'charity' equates to the word "love" (agape--selfless, perfect love)

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

Blessings, A

Photo: A very modified photo of a heart shaped egg ring. actually the very same ring I used for this morning's breakfast!

Winter Colors

Walking through the winter garden may not have the abundance of showy blossoms that the spring and summer gardens have but...

God has provided color everywhere you look nevertheless. This tree caught my eye at the coast on our trip. I don't think the photo gives it the justice it deserves--the contrast between the deserted building and surrounding trees and grasses was amazing!

At the restaurant, we ate at, there was this plant with tiny blossoms. It is either a heath or a heather; I always confuse the two and my best friend (like most everyone else right now is asleep).

A few rose leaves still cling to their thorny branches, glowing a brilliant yellow in the winter's sun.

An Oregon grape--I hope! Pretty, huh?

Pieris---it's one of my favorites no matter the season. It is so graceful -- reminds me of a ballerina; I like ballet--have I said that? I am not graceful like this beautiful plant or a ballerina...though I can dance (a little).

Green irises emerging through a dusting of white snow. They won't be blooming for awhile yet but the green is nice to see.

If you look carefully you'll see delicate white blossoms on this plant -- I don't remember it ever being in bloom this early. Maybe I better check the forsythia and the early rhodies (JK!)

May you find the color in your own life and use your God-given gifts to bless those you meet.

"For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations."

Isaiah 61:11 KJV

Blessings, A

And more---

I remember a very special seagull convention when I was in Utah with my wonderful grandchildren. I miss Utah and the Rockies (Wasatch Mts.); I miss the kiddos too :(

This is one of my favorite beaches on Oregon's central coast; I always like to stop by and check it out when I am in that area. We had the place almost to ourselves on the day we arrived and the views---well I will let you decide. It looked like there had been some erosion since my last visit--a long time ago--it's no wonder with the winter storms the NW receives.

A bit north of Newport -- or a little south of Siletz Bay, depending on which way you are traveling is Depoe Bay. If you are traveling south from Lincoln City you might stop at Boiler Bay, which also has a great view. This photo would be northwest of Depoe Bay's Harbor--the one pictured in last week's "Walk".

And then there are the forests in the Coast Range mountains of Oregon (of course there are the beautiful forests of Washington State -- but will get to those on a later post). The Pacific NW has been blessed with lots of forests---

A valley and mountain view after (or before) entering the Coast Range.

Blessings, A

I Thought She Said Tomorrow..

Well it is true--I did say tomorrow I was going to post the photos from my recent trip to Oregon's coast but it didn't turn out that way...so in time for this week's Walk in His Gardens...sand, surf and other photos..

D Sands & River in the Lincoln City area.

It's a common sight to see people flying kites here.

On this beach (D Sands) the shortest river meets the Pacific Ocean.

The weather truly was amazing--it felt like summer and I was ready for that:)

We stopped by Siletz Bay where I've stayed in the past.

This beautiful bay meets the ocean at this spot. At night one can see the lights of motels and Mo's (a popular restaurant on the coast) on the water of the bay and hear the surf. We met a really nice family here who were fishing.

This is one of the main reasons I wanted to visit this part of Oregon's coast (of course the great weather forecast was a BIG one too). This is the Siletz Bay National Refuge. I was disappointed that you cannot enter it except for a few times in the year, but we managed to get some photos from nearby areas.
Close by the Refuge is a great pottery shop and glassblowing studio for those who like those things (which I do) and we passed a lot of beautiful art galleries. Best of all, there was a view of mountains (and you all know what I think of mountains!)

"He hath made every thing beautiful in his time..."
Ecclesiastes 3:11 KJV

"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."
I Chronicles 16:34 KJV

"Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"
Psalms 107:31 KJV

Blessings, A
Photos: As described above & on photos.

A Walk in His Gardens: A Beautiful Journey

A Walk in His Gardens~Oregon's Coast

My best friend and I went on a trip this week (with the blessing of each of our hubbies). I think we both needed time to get away to talk and relax in God's creation. Besides, I'd heard that the forecast for Oregon's coast was almost springlike (and springlike sounded very, very good and ---- warm!).

Although I am a mountain loving girl (as opposed to a beach girl)-- there is a beautiful mountain range that borders the coastal area AND once you get to the coast, you have views of mountains and the blue, blue ocean (well blue if you are there on a sunny day).

When you get to the other side of the mountains (we went to the central coast this time) you pass the world's smallest river and the smallest harbor too, a lake, wetlands with a gorgeous wildlife refuge and some very nice beaches (we went to 4 of them). You also pass a lot of good places to eat and stay for a night or more; art galleries and little shops.

The weather was perfect--little wind in most areas, warm and partly sunny skies. I felt like it was summer or spring and not winter! We met some nice people and ate at a restaurant on one of the bays (a restaurant with an amazing bathroom and a great view!). We got to talk to some local residents and the beaches were not very crowded, which was really nice:)

On our journey we passed horses (I love horses), cattle and llamas too , saw seals and bald eagles and enjoyed a 'convention' of seagulls.

In terms of culinary fulfillment---we dined on breakfast sandwiches, desserts, crab and some other little treats...on the way back home salt water taffy as a gift for my parents and some friends, some chocolate for my wonderful husband and a few (three small pieces) of the best, most yummiest chocolate I've had in a looooooong time:)

It's late and I've not processed the photos yet so here are a couple from years before--of the same area...enjoy till tomorrow!

" And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good." Gen 1:10 KJV

Blessings, Aimee

Note on photos: these were taken quite a few years ago and the resolution is not as good as with my newer camera. Sorry about that--tomorrow's will be much better:) Photos: Central coast, OR--Depoe Bay, Boiler Bay

A Horse's Tale

I first saw him on Christmas Eve.

A very cute, black and white pinto wearing a small lambswool blanket, black saddle and bridle.

He neighed at me and shook his head and tail.

Did I say how adorable he was???

I imagined my newest grandchild sitting astride him--her feet in the stirrups and hands on the reins; her glee and delight as she sat on his back!

I was totally won over!

The price was right and so I made an impassioned plea to my husband of 25+ years--but to no avail. I couldn't persuade him and so I sadly left without the little horse.

It was not a happy time...

Christmas passed and a day or two; I continued to sing the glories of the little horsey and how our grandchild (and I) needed him!

One night my hubby left for awhile and when he came back there was a little 'friend' with him!!! It was the horse with a brightly colored bow attached to his bridle!

I was SO excited and quickly made a place for the small horse! I texted my DIL the great news; but she did not share my enthusiasm. It was OK--I knew the pinto and I could win her over in time; after all we had won my hubby over!

Maybe in a year or two...or three.

After the text, I introduced our new baby to the rest of the family, his canine brothers -- all three of them--the dogs of the long, soft white fur and loud barks!

Aimee seemed to be particularly interested in his (um) rear end but I suppose this was to be expected as she sniffs everybody, and the horse did not seem to mind.

Her brother largely ignored the new arrival, but that was to be expected as he has sadly lost most of his eyesight

And then it was my dog's turn...at first he sniffed around and then left. What was my little canine prince thinking?

One could not be sure.

He returned, and then my perfect, little canine prince...

BIT the poor, sweet, little horsey right on his nose!!!

BAD DOG!!

Poor baby --- it’s hard to be the new horse on the block!

Blessings, Aimee

The Ten Commandments for Seasoning Lodge Cast Iron Cookware

Now that the holidays are over, my husband is back at work, our visitor has left and the weather has more or less settled down-----I'm getting ready to reseason some of my cast iron cookware. As you can see from the photo, my griddle/grill is really, really awful...I'll confess right now that this is a result of breaking Cast Iron Care Commandment #4.

Since I had recently bought a new Dutch Oven, I contacted the great people at Lodge Manufacturing Co. for directions on how to reseason properly. They also kindly gave me permission to post their instructions here in case anyone else out there has broken a commandment or two in caring for their cookware! Their website is: www.lodgemfg.com

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR SEASONING LODGE CAST IRON COOKWARE

1) Wash utensil in hot, soapy water. Use soap this time only. Rinse utensil and dry completely. Discoloration on towel is normal.

2) Apply a thin, even coating of melted shortening (Crisco, Wesson, etc.; do not use butter or butter flavored shortening) to the utensil with a soft cloth or paper towel. Apply inside and outside (NOTE: If your utensil has a lid, make sure you season it as well.)

3) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place utensil on top shelf of oven, upside down. Place aluminum foil on a baking sheet and put on bottom shelf of oven to catch any drippings. Bake in oven for one hour, then turn oven off and let utensil remain in the oven until cool.

4) To clean utensil after use, use boiling water and a plastic scrub bun or brush.
Do not wash utensil with soap or dishwashing detergents, unless you are going to repeat the seasoning process. Do not put in dishwasher.

5) Always wash immediately after use, while still hot.

6) After washing utensil, dry thoroughly, then spray lightly with vegetable oil, (Pam, for example), wipe with a paper towel, and store. Never store utensil with lid on. (Cast iron needs air circulation.)

7) Do not use utensil as a food storage vessel.

8) To remove heavy food or grease build-up, scour with steel wool, SOS pad, etc., then re-season.

9) Deep fry in Dutch ovens at least six times prior to cooking beans of any kind.

10) Re-season utensil after cooking acidic foods, such as beans or tomatoes.

Follow these simple steps and your Lodge Cast Iron Cookware can last a lifetime.

Source: Lodge Manufacturing Co, 03-28-01 SECTION V.A. TEN COMMANDMENTS OF SEASONING

Blessings, A

A Walk in His Gardens: Sunnier Times. Maybe Not.

A Walk in His Gardens--Rural NW

This week I took a road trip with one of my kids.

We traveled by wetlands, rivers and..

more wetlands,

beside woodlands and ...

farmlands,.

up hills...

and on mountains.

.
It was a good day! We even got to eat out--twice:)That is if you count 'homemade' coffee cake from a restaurant as one of the times.

I ended up with dozens of beautiful photos to post, but then I got to thinking... I've heard, and from more then one source, that many people are tired of this weather.

I understand. I really do. I'm one of the few people I know who love snow close up! But I know, what is a treat for me (and all the kids in the NW), is a real pain for others.....although the ski areas really like it.

So I thought maybe a 'Walk' in sunnier locales might be just what the doctor ordered for those of us currently at the mercy of nasty weather--and I'll even let you define what 'nasty' weather is! Unfortunately, our sunny desert 'Walk' in Sedona and California will have to wait as I still need to scan the numerous prints I've been sorting (and labeling, and sorting) for the last 2 days now..

Maybe halfway through winter would be a better time to post them anyway. Then we ALL (rain haters, snow haters and winter haters alike) will need them! And for you snow haters -- I was very good and didn't post any more snow close up pictures though I was very, very tempted to.

Blessings, Aimee

Photos: rural NW Oregon

Plattar-The Morning of the Swedish Pancakes

It was very, very late in the morning and I was starving for Swedish pancakes

and was actually able to talk my non-pancake loving hubby into them!!

I grabbed my 'long time, not used' cast iron platt pan and....

"lightly greased" all of the indentations (or at least thought I did that) then heated it.

While the platt pan was heating, I started the breakfast sausage and mixed up the pancake batter (this time from a prepackaged mix rather then a recipe).

and mixed, mixed, mixed it some more.

Stubborn little batter clumps!

First with a spoon and next with a whisk, I mixed the batter, hunting down every last clump till they were all happily dissolved in a thin, smooth liquid. Then I cooked the first 7 little pancakes.

They ended up looking rather mauled..

I'm way too embarrassed to show you them; after all this is a culinary arts post. Besides I scarfed the little, defective evidence (um, pancakes) all down within minutes.

I was really, really hungry.

The second batch (or was it the third) was OK, not shredded this time, but a bit on the done side--although they looked very much like the ones on the box. My hubby dutifully ate them...

although he referred to them as 'caramelized',

his favorite adjective for 'overcooked' --'burnt' --'overdone'.

He was exaggerating I'm sure.

I experimented with batter amounts---

1 Tbsp as recommended by the package, then 2 tbsp and finally 3 tbsp

I thought 1 Tbsp was too little (it wasn't a measuring tablespoon), 2 Tbsp was more to my liking and 3 was---well don't go there if you are using a platt pan.

It's not a pretty picture; see above for the proof.

and with pouring methods--

First from a tablespoon, as recommended on the package, and then from a cup - carefully! The cup was faster and I was really hungry.

I 'm an impatient lot when I am THAT hungry.

I experimented with butter vs. cooking spray--

'lightly' vs. more heavily greased.

I decided the cooking spray worked better then butter and ended up with a light to medium greased pan.

and with the burner setting--

The pan may not have been hot enough or too hot.

I grew faint--literally--with all the experimenting.

And then they were done -- and I ate more, a lot more.

Yum! Swedish pancakes with geijost cheese and breakfast sausage.

Summary:

**We used (yes my hubby helped when I got faint) a small knife to turn the plattar. They're very thin and each indentation of the platt pan is small and shallow. Go slow and loosen all edges before flipping them. Remember, patience is a virtue--or at least that's what they say.

**The pan must be hot--400 degrees the package said for them to cook properly because of the thinness of the pancake. You can use a platt pan (available on the Internet or at your Scandinavian shops or you can try a cast iron griddle or skillet). Watch the greased pan closely if you have trouble mixing the batter (of course if I had used the whisk from the beginning....)

**It took awhile to get the batter totally mixed and smooth--those 'clumps' were stubborn little guys. At first I used a spoon but then traded that for a whisk which worked better. You can buy a package or make the pancakes from scratch (when I did them years before I always did them from scratch). There are many recipes on the Internet (google 'plattar")

**I prefer a 'doneness' somewhere between the two samples shown above, but the lighter pancakes were totally cooked. When you are cooking them they don't really bubble but turn dull--like a matte finish as they cook. They are delicate, thin, mouthwatering, fantastic....

**We used orange blossom honey on these, but they're so much better with lingonberry jam or another berry preserve. Some people like theirs topped with whipped cream or powdered sugar too.

I love lingonberry jam, but I think we all know that now...

Try them, you'll like plattar (and they're very kid friendly). I know because I've loved them since I was a child:)

Breakfast Blessings, Aimee

As the Blank Pages of a Journal Are

Aimee sat with the new journal in her lap, its pages blank and not filled in yet with the record that would be. It was dawn and as she watched, the light from the sun came over the mountains and dispelled the darkness that was the night -- the nightime that had stood between the old but which had also given birth to the new. The first day of the New Year had begun.

Trees stood bare in the countryside, surrounded by tall bushes and taller yet rock formations and mountains. They awaited the coming of their leaves which would herald in the springtime--but that would not be for several months more--for the season of snow, rain and cold still held court in the lands of the NW.

Aimee looked down again at the book which lay in her lap--there were pages to write in this new chapter of her life, before she placed this book too on the shelf with the others of times gone by--the journals of her childhood and youth; many of motherhood and more recently those of being a grandmother.

So as a new day and New Year began, Aimee picked up her pen and started to write...

******************

A New Year, like a new journal, has a beautiful cover. You can't see it's length--nor the stories in it--and yet it is full of promise for this journal will hold stories of the priceless gift that is your life.

As you open it and turn to that first page, you can turn the page on things of the past too--of hurts, fears and mistakes made. They belong to your past and you will always remember them, but this is a new chapter in your story and you can use these painful times and memories to learn from --- and go on.

Make this year the best yet--strive to fill each page with beautiful stories of love, joy and peace. Stories that will be remembered by others who are just starting their own books or have just a few chapters completed. And remember, this journal will be your legacy. so make it a good one!

Happy New Year from the mountainside.
Blessings, Aimee


Photo: Columbia River Gorge area

A Walk in His Gardens-the Coastlands

The Coastlands of the Pacific NW

I walk in the high places and see the beauty of the panorama below me. The mountains and rivers, the bay and the ocean to the west.

The sand of a beach, washed smooth by the surf..

Rocky cliffs high above the sea...

A bay, where many boats set out to sea carrying men in search of fish for the dinner tables of the NW.

************

"And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1: 9, 10 KJV

Blessings, Aimee

Photos: NW Coast Views

Recap

Christmas is over and plans changed. But that's OK:) We go with the flow, huh?

Celebration:
We had a really low key Christmas. I spent a lot of time outdoors walking around, listening to sounds of nature, taking many photos and enjoying God's blessings. We communicated through text and other methods with family who we will see after the roads improve.

Gifts:
We spent about the same as last year, I think.
Gifts tended to be practical -- sometimes cash for those we know preferred that, clothes, paying for yard work, dinners out, etc.
My Christmas gift to myself was a Fattigman cutter, Rosette & Timbale set, a Norwegian Rosemaling calendar for 2009, LED lights and expanding the pantry with specialty items! I am very excited to start using a lot of these soon; the lights were marked down to 50% and I'll use them next year.
I'm still trying to decide about the Goro iron (used for a specialty Norwegian cookie-cracker that looks like a work of art) but ....save or spend?

Christmas meals:
Breakfast was seasoned fried potatoes with scrambled eggs & ham. The potatoes were perfection! (Actually the meal was more a brunch as I woke up nauseated this morning and didn't cook it till about noon). Thank goodness it got better; it would be such a bummer to not be able to eat Christmas treats, right?

Dinner ended up to be fresh angel hair pasta with a marinara/seasoned ground beef sauce and shredded (not dry!) Parmesan cheese on top! We'll have the apricot-orange honey glazed Cornish hen tomorrow and the roast later. Yum--that sounds good.

Trips:
A lot of time outdoors in simple pleasures enjoying the handiwork of God.
Earlier this week we went on a drive--past some beautiful mountain scenery and gorgeous Victorian homes. They looked really Christmasy with the snow! (Is Christmasy a word? Apparently not per blogger..) Oh well.

Blessings:
Many, many. The music of the season, snow, hearing from friends & relatives and much more!

Well that is a little recap for you all. How was your Chanukah or Christmas celebrations?

Blessings, Aimee

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you joy & peace this Christmas, and always!

Photo: Wyoming. © J. Blessings. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission..

A Walk in His Gardens

Sights & Sounds of a Christmas Week Walk~

A walk? Yea mom! See, I remembered my coat;

but I could use some winter boots.

Did you see that? Even the apples have hats on. They must be frozen.

I'm doing fine though; this cold, wintry day feels much warmer then a rainy one to me.

We walk by a wheelbarrow laying, at rest, under a deep snowy blanket.

Looks peaceful although I don't think I'd enjoy it much.

Next we wander beside a pond laying at rest too; frozen under a layer of ice and surrounded by snow. All is silent except for the sounds of a few passing cars and the birds singing nearby in the trees; they're calling each other to share in the bounty of a winter's feast of fruit.

And finally a table that's become a tall snow covered mushroom with no place to put a book or plates; but whuch looks very cool.

And inside the warm house, Aimee keeps a watchful eye out for any visitors and more snow!

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Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas.May you experience the amazing joy & peace which does not come from gifts or a nice meal, but instead comes from receiving the greatest Gift of all--God's Holy Son.

Blessings always, Aimee

Photos: rural NW views