EKjourney Backup

We are trying out a new health plan for overall good health and to help both Phil and I to drop a few pounds. We are following the book Eat Fat, Lose Fat and Nourishing Traditions. We all ready eat this way but there are some improvements for us to make. We are going to do a bit of a cleanse eating lots of coconut milk; lacto fermented condiments, veggies, and drinks; drinking/eating lots of homemade broth; taking a few supplements; and cutting back on simple sugar carbohydrates. I spent an evening making lacto fermented products using salt and whey for the fermentation. Here is my fermenting shelf Coconut shrub (tastes a bit like vinegar - would love it on salad but it is suppose to be mixed with sparkling water!) Pickles (still fermenting) Mango chutney (yum) Papaya chutney (yum) Salsa (still fermenting) Sauerktaut (still fermenting) Ginger Carrots (still fermenting) Orange Drink (tastes like oranges and salt) I also made been kvass which tastes like beet flavored sea water (not...

I am a bit of an introvert and am quite comfortable staying at home, doing my own thing.  However, the life of a homemaker, particularly one still raising children who need naps, can be a lonely one.  My "comfort" level really had nothing to do with the calling to raise Godly children and growing in my faith so I marvel at how the Lord stretches us and the opportunities that He brings our way to fellowship and connect with others!  I marvel to at the way he has blessed our children with opportunities to fellowship with our family and to learn to interact with people of all ages and genders and experiences under our protection and guidance:  Any thing from attending a physic's lesson at OMSI with 9th graders to participating in football camp with children many years older to enjoying spending time with family and friends to meeting new families. Here is this weeks recount: A phone call from long ago work friend (of mine) led to a tutoring job which then led to an...

Our friends, the Irwins, live on a big creek with a wonderful little swimming hole. It is truly a "magical" place. Where fairys dance (ok, they were butterflies that the camera blurred) And peaceful waters ripple over beaver dams (and are quickly muddied by lots scampering feet and splashing) Where extremely excitable dogs are calm (well, exhausted anyway) We enjoy our time spent with the Irwins! I appreciated having a chance to visit with Beth. I admire her devotion to her family. She inspires me so much to set aside whatever gets in the way and to make my children a priority - to enjoy spending time with them, to focus on their characters, to teach and train in joy, and to fill their lives with Christ. Thank you Beth!

The oldest Irwin girls floating down to the water hole Beth helping Sawyer manage the rocks Deep water Trekking

Claudia has had opportunities to play in water but this was her first time swimming. Perched on a beaver dam while Sarah tries to entice her into the water First time doing the doggy paddle Now she is getting it Jumping in

It is so nice sometimes to be able to give your home a facelift. Sometimes it is a matter of rearranging furiture, making a new center piece, draping fabrics or blankets, getting a new rug, changing pictures or putting up new family photos, adding pillows, simplifying by putting away knick knacks or adding/rearranging knicknacks, putting a fresh bouquet of flowers or greens on the table, switching table linens, setting out candles, painting a room, or my favorite CLEANING UP THE CLUTTER (toys, shoes, laundry, mail, etc..). I found a place for the new rugs and doilies this morning. The house seems cozier and it is taking on a more antique/farm look which is what I had wanted to see more of.

I love love love going to garage sales. We don't go often, only twice this summer so far but we make an entire day out of it. About 90% of the garage sales are overpriced cheap stuff but every once in awhile, we come upon a good sale! The first garage sale that we went to was the best. We bought the rugs and doilies there. The blanket was from another that had great fabric but we couldn't talk her into selling the lot for the price we were willing to pay. Braided rugs, 1 huge one (it is folded over), 2 runners (also folded), 1 medium, and 2 smaller ones. I vacuumed them and sprayed a spritzer of vinegar, water, tea tree and lavendar essential oils. They could use a good cleaning so I may look into how I can do that. Total price for all 6...$17.00 Doilies, 10 small, 7 medium, 2 large (LOVE that big one folded in half on the left). Total price for all 19....$6.45 I make blankets just like this one. Mine are 6 x 5 (squares) and make a baby blanket size. This one almost ...

Are these roast beets not gorgeous and so sweet you would have thought I added sugar! Crispy beet greens Here is another good summer recipe that I discovered. Lentil Beet Salad Cook lentils (45 min-1hr) in chicken broth with 2 bay leaves, drain Preheat oven to 400, cook beets for about 30 minutes with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, fresh chopped basil, and chopped green onions, cut (1/4 chunks or so) and add beets and juices to lentils Dressing: in a pint jar, 1/2 olive oil, 1/2 basalmic vinegar, fresh chopped basil, garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper. Mix and chill. Right before serving add freshly chopped parsly, green onions, and feta Crispy Greens This works with chard and basil too. Preheat the oven to 400, chop beet greens into thin slices. Sprinkle with garlic and onion powder, salt, and olive oil. Roast for about 20 minutes. They end up crispy and DELICIOUS! What a great way to eat those nutritious greens. These were so good that I had to make a second batch b...

Look Mom! I am writing my name. Someone should teach that girl her letters...wait....that's me.. How I adore this boy. Notice the scratch on his nose. Let's just say there was an umbrella stroller, a deck with a drop off, a 2 year old, one wild ride, and one panicked mommy! B is not a fan of baths or showers. I won't tell you how many showers he has had, lest you think I am an ufit parent .

A large handful of strawberries and raspberries (strawberries are new plants this year and raspberries were transplanted so are essentially new as well) A few currants. I was a little cross about the currant situation (no pun intended). You can see the red currants at the bottom, they are from a 2 year old plant and this is the first year they have had fruit. I bought mature (9 years I think) pink and white currant plants because they should have had an abundance of fruit without the wait. Once the plants leafed out, I could see that they were not very healthy - lots of dead wood and obviously not much fruit. I am hoping that some pruning and another year in the ground will see them more productive. The harvest to come. Ummmm, we are going to have enough pumpkins for weekly pies and the family favorite pumpkin bars to last until the next harvest! Gooseberries. This is the first bearing year and I am planning on adding more - yellow and green. I love gooseberries!

Whenever I find a bean recipe that I like, I add it to a favorites list to rotate into my meal planning. In general, I find beans very bland and I have tried many recipes that I didn't care for. Here is one I made tonight that is a keeper (now I have 3 all together LOL). I never measure so these are the ingredients "to taste": 2 Cups of white beans, soaked overnight Cook in 1 qt of chicken broth with fresh finely chopped oregano and basil, garlic and onion powder, a bay leaf and 1/2 chopped onion (sautee first) When beans are tender, drain and save cooking juice. Let cool. Add whatever fresh veggies you have on hand, all of these were from my garden- I had a green pepper, a handful of peas, a small handful of green beans (I blanched first), a tomato, and celery (Yes, you can grow celery it just is smaller and leafier than what you buy at the store) Dressing: I filled a pint jar with 1/3 Olive Oil and 2/3 Red Wine Vinegar. I added garlic and onion powder (I am out of...