Fresh

I have to brag a moment about the fruits of my labor!

Just imagine fresh picked cilantro in Vietnamese spring rolls.

Think spinach and mushrooms sauteed with basil & oregano (along with fresh ground pepper and a sprinkling of kosher salt).

Is your mouth watering yet?

Go ahead, try it! Plant that herb garden, even if you only have room on your windowsill.

Daisy Chain- Book Review

I recently reviewed the book Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth, on the Calvary Chapel Boise Women's Ministry website. If you're looking for summer reading check out the review here!

Kitchen Garden

This project brought joy to my heart! I love the perfect blend of beauty and functionality.

Now I can just walk right outside the door and pick some basil and oregano for spaghetti sauce.

Or sit a moment on our rustic bench and gaze at the mountains while enjoying the aroma of mint and lemon thyme.

Attitude Adjustment

I've been a little bit grumpy about farming this year.

More than a little.

May I whine for a moment?

I haven't felt like: getting dirty or sweaty; dealing with watery, sneezy allergies; trudging back up the field to retrieve the 100th thing my kids need or that I forgot.

I have wanted to do exactly as I please... read, write, watch movies, download itunes, in short, enjoy MY summer in MY way!

Hmmmm, where in all of this did I forget that life is not all about me?

I have a great husband who is working very hard and needs my help with our huge farm. Didn't we dream together of country life and sustainable living?

I have two awesome kids who just want to be WITH me, talk to me, "help" me all the time. Isn't this what I yearned for during those long years of infertility?

Yes, I worked hard during the school year. Yes, it was stressful. Yes, I need a break.

But most of all I need a break from me. Jesus poured all of himself out for me. Can I not do even half so much for those dearest to me? I am encouraged to serve, to love, to give. I need not grasp and hang on to my time so tightly. He will give me more than I need.

April is National Poetry Month

Here's my offering of the week:

Sky kissed
blossoms of white.
Gently swaying,
love notes from
Springtime.

The Snow Crab apple trees outside my school are in full bloom and brought a smile to my face as I left yesterday. So I sat in my car and wrote this poem. I think the poetry powers-that-be deliberately chose springtime for national poetry month. It's easy to be inspired when the world is in bloom.

Life is what we make it...

What do I have to complain about? This young man transformed his disabilities into abilities. Get ready to be inspired.

(Pause playlist at the bottom of the page)

Switchfoot- Hello Hurricane

I am loving Switchfoot's latest CD Hello Hurricane. I have long been a fan but this is truly their best music to date. I can't say there is a song that I dislike on the entire album, which is rare for any band! Switchfoot has always been lyrically varied and spiritually deep but this time their musical creativity matches up. From 60's psychedelic influence on "Mess of Me", to tender God lullaby "Always", and U2 inspired guitar and vocals on the title track, this is one not to miss!