There is something so rewarding about baking from scratch.
The amount of time that goes into selecting each ingredient and measuring just right.
It is even better when you are making something for a friend or family member.
You are not just giving them a baked good...you are giving them
your time,
love,
and just a little bit of yourself!
A couple of weekends ago we celebrated my mother's 49th birthday.
The only thing she requested was that we had homemade ice cream.
I had the idea to go ahead and make peach ice cream.
On the way home from work the Friday before we celebrated, I stopped and picked up some local tree-ripened peaches from a little roadside stand where an old farmer and his grandson were making summer memories.
Nothing tastes like summer more than local peaches!
Mom got her ice cream...and a few extra peach goodies too! :)
My mother has always said that everything must be going good when I start cooking again. I guess there is some truth to it, because every time I cook I seem to just "lose" myself in the moment. I would compare it to the same experience of working on a painting or drawing.
My dad's mother was extremely talented at baking cakes. I can remember being a kid and thinking it was so amazing how artistic she was. My cousin recently shared one of her handwritten recipe cards for banana nut bread...I will definetly have to try and make it sometime.
My mother's grandfather actually owned a bakery back in 60's. My grandmother is pictured standing behind the counter.
Cooking is definetly something that runs in our family...and what better way to blend science and art! Plus, you end up with a treat when you are finished!
Today, I was inspired by the cooler weather to bake oatmeal cinnamon cookies. They turned out great! I used the oatmeal raisin recipe under the lid of the Quaker oatmeal canister. I didn't want raisins...and added more vanilla than it called for.
From the moment I first came to know Jesus, I realized that He was King over my life.
During prayer I couldn't help but fall down on my face in worship and praise to Him.
I would imagine Him seated on his throne and the heavenly hosts singing praises to the Lord of Lords.
This began an obsession of The King...
I strongly believe that his sovereignty has influenced my artwork and even the desire to study and surround myself with things representative of royalty.
Every time that I see something ornate or regal, I stop and think about how God is omnipotent and omnipresent and how He is deserving of all the glory and honor that we can give to Him!
I think about how He is our creator and the creator of all things (Colossians 1:16).
Thank you Jesus for loving me and saving my soul from an eternity in Hell and forgiving me of all my sins!
I thought I would share with you guys my latest "adventure"...
My wife has been out of town for the past couple of days on a girls trip to Florida...so of course I had to get in a little trouble!
While doing my normal surfing the Farm and Garden section of the online classifieds I came across a trio of 1 year old Lavender Orpingtons!!! I absolutely love my Buff's, but I have a tendency of "collecting" things... (Two of anything is a collection, right??)
MT. IDA?!?! Where is this?? About 2 hours one way from work in the Ouachita National Forrest! Round trip---- 4.25 hours!
So, what did I do? Just exactly what any other "crazy in love" with farming farmer would do! ROAD TRIP!!
Very beautiful drive...and awesome sights along the way!
About 2 hours later...
Finally! I made it!
But wait...what is all of this about Quartz Mines, Crystals, and stuff?!?! I am definitely going to have to talk Holly into going on another road trip!
The couple I purchased the trio from were so nice! I was thrilled to see their setup and they were more than thrilled to show me around and let me snap a few pictures!
Loaded up and heading home.... Meet the "Mr."
So I get home about 9:00pm....what welcomes me home besides my wonderful Cavalier King Charles Spaniels "Sanford" and "Charlie".... my FIRST CHICKEN SNAKE!! He was only about 1.5 ft, but that is what concerns me... Where is the rest of his family?
"Are you forgetting something?"
By 9:00pm, I am usually winding down... so I was pretty tired...especially after working all day, driving 4.5 hours, and slaying chicken eating snakes! I decided to put the girls in a kennel for the night separate from the rooster... (Don't worry...this is/was just temporary)
At this moment I realize that I used the last of my pine shavings on the last batch of chicks....ugh....
Wal-Mart here I come....
"Ah...much better..."
I think the rooster was enjoying checking out his lady friends...the previous owners had been keeping them in separate coops... so "Crazy Love" is definitely in the air!
Happy New Year's Day! I am very thankful that I did not have to work today, and glad that I was able to get some rest in after staying up late last night.
Most people today were probably planning out their new year's resolutions, exercise goals, or even savings plans..
What was I doing?---- Reading about building chicken coops, when to start a garden, and making plans for our little 2 acre homestead!
I just can't wait for everything to come together. The Lord has blessed us with this wonderful piece of property and I just want to make sure that we utilize every square foot!
During the process of moving, I ended up rehomming the rabbits and pigeon that I had in town...So, now I am starting fresh! I have decided to start out with raising chickens (Buff Orphingtons) and then gradually add Red New Zealand Rabbits, Italian Honey Bees, and maybe even a Lamancha Milk Goat.
I had to go by Home Depot the other day and noticed that they had several 5 gallon fruit trees out in the nursery. I was surprised to see how healthy they were and the degree of variety they had...even pomegrante trees! I would love to start an orchard this year as well.
Then there are the garden plans... Holly and I both love to cook and would love it even more if most of what we put on the table came from our very own backyard. We discussed growing our own okra, tomatoes, squash, onions, and black eyed peas. I would like to have a special area dedicated to rosemary, mint, lavender, garlic, green onions, and who knows what else!
I know this all probably sounds like a lot of work to most people, but I am exited about what we can do in 2014 now that we are in the country!
