by Krista | Nov 29, 2010 | Bootstrap Monday
Good morning! I just love this picture. Makes me want to spend the day in a cozy cabin somewhere, wrapped in a quilt by the fire, watching the snow fall outside. I’m in a hibernating sort of mood, so I’m wearing my favorite granny sweater and indulging in a big bowl of hot millet porridge with coconut. Mmm. It smells heavenly.
How was your weekend? I was so happy to spend time with my rellies and laughing myself sick at my craaaaazy brothers and cousins. We ate entirely too many gummy bears and butter tarts, talked far too late, and had a grand time.
It is good to be home again, happy and comfy in my own little space. Good to have all the dishes done and a big pot of homemade beef vegetable soup to eat this week. Good to be one year older and have the dearest people in the world to love and be loved by.
What do you like to do when you’re feeling hibernatey?
This is my contribution to Chaya’s Meatless Mondays.
Millet Porridge
1 cup dried millet
4 cups water
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup almond milk
sweetener to taste
Directions:
- Add millet and water to pot and bring to boil. Turn heat down and simmer for 30-45 minutes.
- At 30 minute mark stir in coconut.
- Just before done, stir in raisins, almond milk and sweetener. Heat through and serve.
by Krista | Nov 26, 2010 | Fabulous Friday
Good morning, dear ones! I’m basking in the glow of a beautiful Thanksgiving with my folks and the few brave friends who managed to make it to their house through the snow storm. We had a wonderful day as the snow continued to fall, blanketing everything in sight. Delicious food, good wine, and the antics of a very active three-year old to entertain us made it perfect.
After our lavish dining, we donned coats and hats and headed out into the snow to introduce my friend’s daughter Allison to the wonder of cows in the barn. They were thrilled to have company, jostling for position near the gate to peer at us and lick anything they could reach. They’re lovely things and Allison was delighted. Our trek left us with soaked pant legs and rosy cheeks and we were happy to get back inside sipping hot cups of tea by the Christmas tree, nibbling on butter tarts and Nanaimo bars.
Tomorrow morning I’ll be on the road to Seattle, ready to hug my brother so tight when he gets off the plane from Amsterdam. Then we’ll head to Port Orchard for even more hugs from siblings and cousins. I’m so excited to see those dear folks, to laugh myself to tears, eat great food, and play rousing games of Poleconomy – which is a cousin-ly tradition. 🙂
Tomorrow is also my birthday. I’ll be a whopping 36 years old and that makes me smile. I wouldn’t trade places with my younger self for anything. 🙂 I know you’re not supposed to like getting older, but I like it very much. Age and time are such lovely things for smoothing rough edges, dulling past pains, and strengthening the good things in our hearts. Here are a few things I’m grateful for as I turn 36:
- I am loved. Truly loved. No more abuse or neglect, just love from dear, amazing people who make me glad to be alive every day.
- I am free. I am no longer in bondage to abusive people or false teachers or those who would seek to crush me. I. Am. Free. 🙂
- I am stronger. I can now spot bad people a mile away and know how to protect myself.
- I am wiser. I’ve learned to think for myself, to question, examine, test and hold fast only to those things I know to be good and kind.
- I am braver. Things and people that used to terrify me have shrunk down to manageable size. I now know they have no power over me unless I give it to them.
- I love myself more. Some rather dreadful people in my youth taught me that everyone was more important than me, I was only worth of hell and damnation, that there was nothing good in me. What a lot of hogwash! Now I know that I matter, I am worthy, and there is much good in me. The best part is that as I accept, forgive, and love myself, I find my heart simply bursting to extend that same acceptance, forgiveness and love to others. That is the best feeling in the world.
Getting older isn’t so bad after all.
I’m also thankful for snow for my birthday!
What are some things you’ve learned as you’ve gotten older?
by Krista | Nov 25, 2010 | Plucky Thursday
Happiest of Thanksgivings to my Yankee friends! 🙂
I was so excited to waken to this gorgeous winter wonderland!!! I scrambled out of bed, donned hat, scarf, gloves, jeans, two jackets, wool socks and boots, and off I went to explore this beautimous morning.
I trudged happily through the fluffy drifts and was soon coated in a thin layer of snow. I gaped at snow-covered trees, delighted in orange berries with their snow caps, and sighed in rapture at a stream smooth like black glass, bordered with lacy white branches.
It was wonderful!!! Now I’m back home, sipping coffee, eating crisp maple bacon and boiled eggs dusted with salt and black pepper, trying to warm up my numb backside.
I’m so glad today is Thanksgiving because I’m fairly bursting with gratitude. Not because things are perfect or easy – mercy me, they certainly aren’t – but because there is goodness in the midst of all the crummy stuff.
The last few weeks have been very rough. I’m in constant pain these days, but I discovered that a glass of wine or a shot of Bailey’s does wonders for relaxing the achy bits and giving me some reprieve. So thank you wine makers and Bailey’s brewers of the world!
I’ve been missing my siblings and extended family so much, but I’m turning 36 this weekend and am SO happy that I get to spend it with two of my three brothers, my sis-in-law and a houseful of beloved cousins. I can’t stop smiling. 🙂
I’m thankful for other things too:
- a heater, a heating pad, and a fireplace that makes me feel warmer even if it just has candles in it.
- windows that look out onto woods so I can see this winter fairyland from any room in my house.
- a library that lets me get fabulous movies, books, audio books and music for FREE. How amazing is that?
- my parents for letting people they don’t even know come over for Thanksgiving, just because they’re my friends.
- wool socks that look like they were knitted by cute Scandinavian grandmothers.
- red candles that drip and make me feel like I live in an Italian restaurant.
- the best friends and family a girl could ever hope for.
- old family recipes that taste the same every year and carry the most treasured memories.
And I’m grateful for you. X Thank you for loving and supporting me through this first year of my little blog. You brighten my life every day.
Happy Thanksgiving to you! I’d love to hear what you’re thankful for today. 🙂
by Krista | Nov 24, 2010 | Compatriot Wednesday
Although Washington has seen fit to freeze me to my bones this week, it really is a most beautiful place to live. There are few things as invigorating as an Autumn trek along trails in the woods, breath coming in great clouds, admiring sunbursts shining through the trees.
I love how the sun glimmers down through the branches, setting mossy fronds aglow.
I think my favorite bit is after the hike, finding a view-o-licious spot along the coast and watching the sun set over the San Juan Islands.
Such beauties are especially enjoyable when you get to sit down to a dinner of hearty stew with dear folks afterward. On a particularly cold night, my friends Art and Donna invited me over for succulent boeuf bourguignon served with simple boiled potatoes, sweet cornbread and red wine. It was heavenly.
What is your favorite warming food?
PS – I’m so delighted to have one of my Germany photos featured at Velva’s Tomatoes on the Vine today! Click here to view a lovely alpine lake.
PPS – This is my contribution to Wanderfood Wednesday.
by Krista | Nov 23, 2010 | Gulliver Tuesday
Mornin!! Brrr, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced cold this intense during my sojourn in Washington State. In Canada, yes. Russia, sure. But here? No way!
So this morning as icy winds shriek outside my windows, I’m taking a vicarious jaunt south of the border to bask in the tropical beauties of Xcaret, a gorgeous eco-park about an hour from Cancun. I can’t wait to tell you more about this fabulous place, but for now I hope you will enjoy these stunning colors. To view Part I, click here.
What’s the weather like where you are?
