I'm just trying to walk myself home.
My kitchen is covered in cookies today. If you need a few all wrapped up for gifts, give me a holler. Or you could make some yourself! They are so yummy and happy! Tomorrow I will be turning all my baking efforts solely to… the cupcakes! Over half of our cupcakes are already sold, so …
I did a demonstration on Monday for an appetizer you can take to a holiday event that requires no cooking. Just chop and assemble. So easy. And it’s Christmas colors! Shrimp Dip Ingredients: 8 oz cream cheese, softened 10 oz shrimp cocktail sauce 6-8 oz already cooked salad shrimp ½ green bell pepper chopped 2-3 …
I’m reading through this treasure of a book for Advent this year called Watch for the Light. Already I have been so blessed by the musings of Kathleen Norris, Bernard of Clairvaux and Karl Rahner. Today’s reading opened with this poem by St Thomas Aquinas. Light of lights! All gloom dispelling, Thou didst come to …
We are gearing up for a wonderful holiday season at the Chino House. I haven’t pulled the decorations out yet but I am doing a lot of preparing on paper and in my heart. We’re so excited this year because our church theme for this Christmas is the Advent Conspiracy. Since we already love an …
Chilaquiles are the Mexican equivalent of lasagna, according to Crescent Dragonwagon. This casserole is similar to making a pan of enchiladas, only easier since you just layer the tortillas like pasta. Since this version is vegetarian, if you can open cans, you can make it. Easy peasy. I served with it chips and extra …
Curried Lentil Potato Pot Pie with Pumpkin and Tomatoes Conversation overheard at this week’s football game: My mom: What did y’all eat for dinner tonight? Ben: Lentil Pot Pie My mom: Hmmm, how was that? Ben: no answer Mary Polly: Interesting. Translation: I am a filo dough amateur. My filo crust top on this dish …
I have noticed that it’s been a while since I posted a new recipe. I think there are a couple of reasons for that. One is that October is so busy at our house that I tend to get on autopilot and fix the same five to seven meals over and over again. And the …
Banff Hiking Trails: Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass On Taido’s birthday we did what was maybe the most beautiful hike I’ve ever seen. We hiked through Larch Valley up to Sentinel Pass which leaves from Moraine Lake. Moraine Lake is very near Lake Louise and is similar in that a trail runs along one side …
Happy Big FOUR! O! to the man I love most in the world! I’m so grateful for all the years I’ve gotten to spend with him and for the journeys we still have ahead together. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I cannot imagine doing life with anyone else. It is more …
Lake Louise: Plain of Six Glaciers Trail Yesterday we drove up to Lake Louise, arguably one of the most beautiful spots on earth. A path runs along one side of the lake. Towards the end you can look back at the famous Chateau at Lake Louise. My grandmother stayed there many years ago and I …
Johnston Canyon Banff Hiking Trails On our second of hiking in Banff, we hit the most popular trail in the area. Johnston Canyon is an amazing trail, complete with paved, elevated level pathways that are almost stroller accessible. Lucky for us, we are now stroller (and even baby backpack) free. I am loving these days …
Banff Hiking Trails: C Level Cirque Our first hike in Banff was roughly five miles, with some pretty decent elevation gain. We had a beautiful view of Lake Minnewanka through the trees. We hiked around old mining shafts. We climbed boulders and chased pikas under rocks. We picnicked at the bottom of a great rock …
We are spending our Fall Break in the Canadian Rockies, and the Banff Fall Color is absolutely stunning. The trees are a sparkling gold instead of just yellow. Against the pine trees and the blue sky, the color shines so bright. As we are hiking through this part of the Canadian Rockies this week, we …
I’ve been trying to spare everyone the “my-baby-started-kindergarten” mommyblogger post, so I’ve been quiet about school starting. We are in year round school with a four to five week summer so everyone but Cole started back last Wednesday, including Simon. My grandmother also went into the hospital last Wednesday, so I found myself running up …
I’ve been back for a few days from our cruise (which we hashtagged #cruisazy), and the kids and Taido are back from camp. We’ve been buried in laundry and are all a wee bit tired, but this video that Whitney made with photos from our cruise is making me smile! I will be watching it …
The Monster in The Hollows by Andrew Peterson We have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the third Wingfeather Saga book since reading the first two last year. I promise I could not love the sweet children in this story more. They are beginning to occupy spots in our hearts next to Edmund and …
Chop Chop Salad. Perfect for Summer. The temperatures in Arkansas are staggeringly high. The heat index and humidity are out of control. We have basically moved in at the pool and when we wander home in the afternoon all sun-dazed and lightheaded, I simply cannot be bothered to cook. We have reached the season where …
How do you turn two bags of frozen black eyed peas into dinner in an hour? Start with a big vidalia onion. Chop it up small and saute it in the bottom of a heavy pan in a tablespoon of oil. Get a thick slice of Petit Jean peppered ham at the deli. You can …
I love a true story. I am a total sucker for a real life story that is told well. I am amazed by people who can make me remember that the most minute details of this life are beautiful. Even breathtaking. When I finished Waiting for Snow in Havana by Carlos Eire, I was sad …
I have been laughing for a week reading Kyran Pittman’s memoir of that which is everyday and near. I knew I was going to love Planting Dandelions when I read these words from the introduction, I believe in seeking. I believe ardently that you should drop everything and run toward your true self, as far …