Surprise date night!

It's a really beautiful afternoon here in Washington and I am excited to surprise my husband with a simple but fun evening together.  Thursday evening: but we get a 4 day weekend together!  Woohoo!

My dear friend Libby has agreed to have Tirzah over for a dinner play date so Daniel and I can have the evening together.  I'm so excited!

The night is young 

& so are we-

will you walk hand in hand 

to Starbucks with me?

No Tirzah in tow,

it's just me & you-

We'll walk back home 

for dinner too.

Just a simple night really,

that's all it is-

so that in all things above, 

you may know of my respect,

appreciation, devotion, & love.

The dough is rising in the oven for some homemade (and made up??) focaccia bread with caramelized onions and sweet peppers.

I am going to try out this recipe here. . . I will let you know how it turns out.  I think I will serve it over a bed of wilted greens or mix in the wilted greens. . .

And then we are having some homemade ice cream fixed with our juicer.  Speaking of juicer, I wanted to share one recipe: it is our favorite concoction by far!  This is for those of you who have a juicer, and most especially for Renee:).  One of our favorite places in Tacoma is a deli/grocery store called Marlene's and they serve a juice called The Green Giant, and this is our attempt at re-creating their recipe.  I think it is quite close!  We have been having this every afternoon and we even had it last night for dessert!

4 stalks of kale

1/2-3/4 C parsley

1 large broccoli stalk

1 large celery stalk

1/2 cucumber

1-2 apples

1/8 of a lemon, peeled

Run through your juicer and enjoy!  I have learned to do leafy green items first, kale and parsley, followed by something more sturdy: celery or apple.  That will help all the pulp to push through.  It's simply the best!

Twirling and Swirling

What are you LOVING right in this moment??

For me?

LOVING the silence of an afternoon nap

LOVING the rainfall that nourishes the earth

LOVING Earl Grey tea with a splash of almond milk and honey

LOVING reflecting upon deployment, as I write thank you notes: dwelling upon the abundance of blessings we received through friends and family.  You all amazed us with your love and support: Thank you!

LOVING new life on winters dead limbs: the story of Resurrection!  Written into natures rhythm.

LOVING the word from Bible Study Fellowship this morning:

Jacob, using a stone for his pillow in Genesis 28:11.  Our teacher called it: "Jacob hitting rock bottom."

But you know what?  That is the very moment when God meets him and promises His Presence and tells of His love.  

At rock-bottom.

God loves sinners!

This moment, is the very house of God.

Jacob: the story of Redeeming Grace (to read his story, look to Genesis 25-50)

Tirzah is LOVING, (and I am too!) The Tale of Peter Rabbit.  It is her go to book for these past few days and we are both enjoying it immensely.  What a lovely little story!

LOVING The Joy of Juicing by Gary Null

Daniel picked this up for me at the library and I have been really enjoying some of the recipes.  He includes recipes for just juices, but also recipes for entrees and desserts that also use fresh juice.  For example, Tirzah and I made this delicious oatmeal yesterday morn using fresh apple juice.  You juice 2 apples, and then cook your oatmeal in a mixture of the juice and water.  It adds great flavor and nutrition to a simple morning meal.

Tirzah's delights: worms!  (we have a plastic jug filled with dirt, rocks, and yes... worms)  Slugs!  (found one the other day but ended up killing it accidentally. . .) and caterpillars!  (found one on our walk on Saturday morning, put it on a tree branch and walked the rest of the way to the park with our new friend.  Tirzah was talking so sweetly to him: she put him down and told him to watch her go down the slide, ok?  And then after the slide, she crawled with him.  Come crawl wif me!  Oh precious!)

LOVING watching the redemption of their relationship unfold before my eyes.  Thank you for all your prayers!  They are really growing together and it is a wonder to see.

LOVING Daddy-daughter silly moments: they are the absolute best part of my day.  To see my husband home and to see him LOVING on our daughter and our daughter LOVING him in return is simply the best.  They sing and they twirl, they jump and they wrestle, and oh how they giggle!

LOVING all the grace moments:

Sustained in the Lord's joy and strength

Sunshine!

Daniel surprise!  Home at 11:30

Family exercise date

The quiet while making dinner

Daddy-daughter car wash date

The sunshine, warm and golden pouring through the window, catching all the kitchen aflame

Tulips!  From a friend

Playing catch with Tirzah

Her facial expression as she catches

Library treasures and surprises from my Husband

LOVING  for Pumpkin and Spice Muffins from The Joy of Juicing book.  Although I adapted it and made it Carrot and Apple Spice Muffins.  It is really hearty, really nutritious, and really good!  I LOVE that it uses dates, apple juice, and banana as the sweetener: a hit for Mama, Daddy, and toddler too.  We have been loving them toasted, with a touch of butter, a touch of honey, and a little sprinkle of cinnamon on top.  Let me know if you try them!

Preheat oven to 350

In the oven, toast 3/4 C almond halves to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Set aside.

2 or 3 large carrots juiced (to get 1/2 C of juice)

2  apples juiced (to get 3/4 C pulp... could also use carrot pulp)

2 eggs beaten

1/2 C plus 2 T coconut oil melted

1/2 C chopped dates

1 banana mashed

1 t vanilla

In medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the above ingredients until just mixed. 

2 C whole wheat flour (or the original calls for spelt flour)

1 t baking powder

1 t baking soda

1 t ground nutmeg

1/2 t ground allspice

1 or 2 t cinnamon

Sift together in a small mixing bowl

Add the dry mixture into the wet mixture. Stir in the toasted nuts and 1/2 C raisins

Pour batter into greased muffin tins, and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Enjoy!