Veggies

Warm Quinoa and Roasted Veg Salad

I have a million-and-one things I'd love to write about... but I only have time for veggies today.

Several weeks ago,  I was talking to a gal who mentioned she was a vegetarian. I asked her if she had a good recipe that would make Cauliflower palatable.

Actually, what I might have said was, When I get to heaven I'm gonna ask God why he invented cauliflower. There MUST be purpose in those white stalky vegetables without any taste, but I certainly don't know what it is...  Oh, and don't tell me cauliflower makes a good substitute for mashed potatoes, cuz I just don't believe it.

She was gracious when she asked if I had ever roasted cauliflower. Of course I hadn't, veggies are meant to be steamed right?  She said to preheat the oven to 450, toss some cauliflower in a little olive oil, sprinkle with salt  and pepper to taste,  spread on a cookie sheet with parchment and place on the highest rack of your oven. Roast for 10-15 minutes, serve, and watch your family eat it til it's gone.

Hmm, I said. Not quite convinced.

But I figured a girl whose diet is 85% veggies probably knows what she's talking about, so I came home and did what she said*, and that cauliflower was DELICIOUS. Even The Mister, who only consumes the vegetables I serve to be polite exclaimed, "These are good!"

The next night I did the same thing with broccoli... same story. Even the kids ate it willingly.

Now I cook ALL veggies this way: broccoli, butternut squash, sweet peas, green beans, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, peppers... the list goes on and on. I had always roasted potatoes this way, but had never thought to roast other veggies.

Our funny Butternut is next...

One of my favorite lunches is to cook quinoa in advance and keep it in the fridge. Mixing it with fresh veg, basil, lemon, salt pepper and feta cheese makes a yummy cold lunch. But today I wanted to try it hot, so I roasted broccoli, sweet peppers, yellow squash and zucchini, mixed it with warm quinoa and sprinkled with balsamic vinegar and feta... yummy.

*I added a little onion powder to the roasting mix, and when I'm feeling a little crazy i've used Lawry's season salt instead of salt and pepper.

Fabric Bandages Tutorial

On Valentine's Day I had an unfortunate moment when I lost my mind: I put my finger too close to the foot of my embroidery machine. Thankfully, the guard around the needle kept my finger relatively safe. Unfortunately, the metal automatic threading mechanism and the needle foot come within millimeters of one another, and at amazing speed (600 stitches/min.)

My poor finger didn't have a chance.

In a bit of an ironic twist, my friend Amber had just posted on Facebook the day before that she had sewn her finger in her embroidery machine. I will admit, I kind of chuckled as I quickly hit 'like'. Who would sew her finger in the machine?

Pride goes before the fall. 

Soon Amber and I were swapping sewing wounds, and I noticed she had a cool Super Woman band aide. Amber pretty much IS Super Woman, so it is entirely appropriate. All I had was a brown ugly bandage, which just wouldn't do.

So I suddenly had a great idea! Why not try to make a few that would be pretty. Now I'm almost excited for the next time I do something stupid that requires wearing a bandage.

Here are the directions so you can make some pretty bandages too:

Fabric Bandages

1. Find some scrap fabric... I used 100% cotton.

2. Gather Supplies: fabric bandages of all sizes, spray adhesive, parchment paper, a cookie sheet, and your scraps from above.

3. Iron your scraps so they are wrinkle free. Place scraps on parchment line cookie sheet, wrong side up. Take outside and spray with adhesive.

4. Press bandages, top-side down, to fabric. (I used a scrapbooking scorer. But anything will do.)

5. Give the glue about 30-60 minutes to dry.

6. Trim bandages to size!

Tip: If you cut bandages before the glue dries it will make your scissors sticky. Letting the glue dry helps. When finished use a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol and clean the scissor blades. The glue will come right off. 

Voila!

So, I learned four things last week:

1. Never try to adjust fabric in the hoop while the machine is moving.
2. Cloth diapers (for monogramming) make great tourniquets.
3. Making pretty bandages is fun, and requires nothing more dangerous than scissors.
4. Friends can make painful moments joyful!

Friday Five: Things (and people!) I Love

I'm about to name this trio Peace, Love and Joy. Quite frankly, their loveliness has been an encouragement this week.

I was able to spend a little time in the office to make a baby gift for a friend's new grand-twins. Preemie items take very little time, and making these in doubles made me giddy. I love me a baby. Can you imagine? two babies at once? Baby heaven! (and all my friends who are moms of multiples just rolled their eyes.)

I'm still on Cookie Detail. Things are beginning to slow down just a bit. Only 3 more weeks to go!

I didn't take this picture, I just stole it off the web. These are my parents on Valentine's Day. I'm profoundly grateful for them.

Last but not least (and this list isn't exhaustive,) Kona has also learned to smile when she she sees me with my camera. Now that's a good trick! She's a good ole' dog.

Happy Friday.

God Knows

Walking through fields planted and sowed.
Beauty from ashes.
Years of laboring, as if on our own.

We stood, shaky legged, as ones given over,
Not chosen. Set apart.
Yet, abundantly, we've lived in this space.
Waiting and praying for right to reign.
In the end, we felt it never came.

Chapters close as quick as they open.
A weekend, a phone call, and it was done.
Pages filled from then til now,
have oft been hard, and lonely.
Though the passing of years has softened the blow,
Sorrow sporadically comes.

Looking through lenses that filter the view
There is one sure thing I remember:
We limped along as best we knew how
gathering strength just being together.
Each always worried for someone besides.
Traveling partners, without many words.
Our silence no secret:
We won't give each other up.

In the deeps of my heart Right already reigns.
This hard course was meant for us to walk,
Though we'd have picked an easier way.
We stand at the end, weary and worn,
But stronger in truth and in love.

In our pain we were blinded to see:
Right, long ago, won this battle.

God Knows.... was always there.

Long ago, in pain and in sorrow,
the Truth set us free.
And we stand, not as ones given over,
But one grafted in. Chosen. Mercifully set apart.
Not because we stand on our own,
For the Man of Sorrows holds us up.
"By His wounds we are healed."

(Isaiah 53)

Little Gifts

In the course of this week I've been given little gifts: Unexpected free time to make bread. A dozen eggs- fresh from the farm. Cut flowers from the garden of a friend... Smallish offerings I didn't know I needed, but in the receiving encouragement reigns. Never underestimate the power of a little gift. xo

Crochet, Cookies, Candles

I've been looking at this little stack of yarn everyday for the last two weeks. It's like a colorful promise of rest after swimming in a cookie sea.

I am the Cookie Manager for our large Girl Scout Troop. It is a lot more work than I thought it would be, but I've also learned a lot in the process. I am so grateful for the ladies who have stepped up to co-manage. There is no way I could do it without them. We have gotten through the toughest week (Superbowl week) and will spend the next 30 days trying to keep things running smoothly. Cookie business leaves very little time for creative pleasure (someone has to teach school and clean house) But this time next month, that yarn is mine.

Last weekend we celebrated The Girl's big 13. Cannot believe we no longer have children in the house, but teenagers. There was all sorts of festivity: dinner, friends, and shopping. But I have to say, my favorite part was getting the chance to sit together for her birthday on Sunday night, just us four. After a busy week it was good to relax and enjoy the company of one another.

Miracle of Love

How often, Lord, our grateful eyes,

Hast seen what Thou hast done.

How often does thy Love surprise

From dawn to set of sun.

How often has a gracious rain

On Thine inheritance 

When it was weary, wrought again

An inward radiance.

Thou who upon the heaven's dost ride,

What miracle of love

Brings thee more swiftly to our side,

Than even thought can move?

Our love is like a little pool,

Thy love is like the sea,

O Beautiful, O Wonderful - 

How noble Love can be!

~Amy Carmichael

For Ruth

I took advantage of the snow days last weekend and finished the Crochet Fusion blanket I started in December.

There isn't much about this project that I didn't love. The colors. The fabric. The cotton yarn. It was all such a joy to stitch together.

I wasn't sure who would have this blanket when I started. I just knew it needed to be made.

Early in the morning on December 12, 2012 I woke up thinking about my sister-in-law, who was due to give birth any day. She was so heavily set upon my heart, I got out of bed to pray. Several hours later, I got the call that my sweet niece was born and all was good and right. It was then that I knew, that this labor of love would (eventually) be wrapped around a little girl named Ruth.

I haven't had the privilege to hold or meet her yet... but Ruth, Auntie Kellie loves you so.

Weather Pendulum

18 days ago. Shorts and Tshirts.

11 days ago

9 days ago. 

4 days ago.

The Mister sliding clear into the woods across the street.

Sliding down our hill on particle board (aka, the desert rat's sled)

Today the skies are dark, the air warm and humid; there is talk of tornados as evening comes.

By the weekend we will be back to parkas and mittens and hot beverages by the pot. 

I'm grateful for the tastes of spring in the midst of winter. 

Thankful for snow in dusty doses.

 Happy for ice that lasted long enough. 

Content today, even though the storms may come. 

For who knows what tomorrow may bring... Proverbs 27:1

A Shout of Joy from my Dining Room Table

"The desert and the parched land will be glad;

the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.

Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;

it will rejoice and shout for joy."

Isaiah 35:1

Weight Watchers: Week 2

I feel sort of silly writing about points and pounds today. There are many people in my life who are hurting: the loss of parents within days, young ones diagnosed with chronic diseases, prodigal children who have yet to come home, watching my own child struggle... and here I sit, writing about worldly things that add nothing of significance to this day. So I'm gonna keep it short...

This week was a tough one. With a heavy heart for friends and family, and a super busy week, I didn't quite stick to the plan. In the I hadn't lost or gained. So I press on.

Monday Colors

Little Blue

Pink-ish morning. 

Grey afternoon.

A taste of spring on my table.

Colors of this day.

Candlelight and Coffee Cups

It's raining this morning, making the house dark. But we've  brought a few candles out for a breakfast treat. The Girl asked if I was going to photoshop the crumbs out. Nah... crumbs are a daily part of my life, so I'll keep them.

This is a crocus bulb I bought at the grocery for $1.99 on impulse two weeks ago. Every day it looks like it has grown by inches. Every morning I look forward to seeing how tall it has become.

This week, while waiting on my pre-algebra student to work out some math problems, I entertained  my self by catching steam.

This weekend is a big weekend for me. I am in charge of getting all the cookie orders entered and ordered for 70 Girl Scouts. I am not the best with numbers so I am throwing out the wing, and doing this job on a prayer and a prayer.

Happy Friday!

Thursday Things

  The sun rose one morning and made the world sparkle for about fifteen minutes.

I loved all 900 seconds of it.

The kids took this photo. I was making lunch and Kona is always under my feet waiting for the next bite. Unfortunately, she has become portly in her old age. So I was trying to tell her that she can't have (as many) treats any more when I am in the kitchen... she's a little sad about that.

My poor children have become my daily subjects while I learn how to use the manual setting on my new camera. These portraits were my favorites this week.

Happy Thursday!

Weight Watchers: Week 1

I have a British BFF, who once spoke truth in my life. "Kellie," she said, "the problem with chronically talented people is that so much comes very easily for them, so when hard things come, perhaps they give up too quickly."

She is right, of course. I think of her gentle words of truth often- usually when I'm about to give something up in frustration. That little bit of wisdom has helped me to teachable and learn new things. It has been the catalyst on many project to give it another go.

This week I thought about this nearly everyday.

The first two days were excellent, a WW honeymoon of sorts. The third day I was hungry. Sticking to 26 daily points (with 49 extra weekly points + activity points) was difficult if I didn't eat fruits and veg ('free' foods) between meals. I was trying to save those extra weekly points for the weekend.

However the weekend came and that conservative point control was to my benefit when I could have pizza AND ice cream with my family without being anxious about "messing up" the whole week.

Monday and Tuesday went well, mostly because weigh in was today.

So I'm down two.

And honestly, at first I was disappointed. But The Mister reminded me that this isn't a crash diet, this isn't a starve yourself for ten days with an unhealthy mind and harm to the body. This is a good start, and exactly what it should have been. Of course, I knew this, but old habits die hard.

So what have I learned this week?

- even twelve little pounds will take hard work, and when difficulties come, not to be so quick to think of giving up

- the flesh will cry out like a malnourished child, and often the best way to quiet her is with a cup of tea and lots of prayer.

- freedom doesn't come from restriction or excess, it comes from having a plan and following it through

On to Week 2!

*I don't know how many people still come to La Vida Dulce from my TrueCampaign and FindingBalance posts in the past, but I want to clarify a few things: I am writing about this part of my journey (using WW as a tool) in the interest of full disclosure. One of the many trademarks of food and body issues is keeping our weight gain/loss secret... thinking we can hide or handle these issues on our own. I know this is not true and want to be open and honest with those of you who have come here for encouragement in the past and still struggle. - kla

Weekend Craftiness

This weekend was a good rest after a fun holiday season, and before the craziness of school. The sun finally came out.

I spent most of Saturday in the office. It was actually tidy and clean. Left over organization from the previous weekend with our friends. I always LOVE working in my office, but it's really nice when everything is dusted, vacuumed and in its place. I should have taken a photo, cuz it won't stay that way long.



I spent the morning with my "brother" monogramming a few little things for new little people. When that was finished I tried to get my act together on a "fusion- crochet afghan/quilt" for my newest niece, born in early December. I'm nearly finished, I have only a few squares left to crochet and then it all gets stitched together.



I'm already trying to figure out what to do next... I'm feeling like something hearty, warm and earthy. I'm thinking a mix of wool in wintery colors of grey and blue. I'm not sure what... of course I could finish up the waffle stitch afghan I started two weeks before Christmas. It was made known to me that I don't often make things for The Boy, which is partly true. I am partial to making things girly and bright.



My progress has been limited due to a smashed ligament in my left middle finger. Unfortunately, it has not hindered my ability to do good laundry. (Bummer.) I am still wearing a splint on it. Life with only nine fingers is actually a lot more challenging than I thought it would be. I guess the Good Lord knew what he was doing when He gave us ten dutiful digits.



It isn't quite as colorful and swollen as it was three weeks ago, but it's still painful, and not very crochet friendly. Lucky for me, crochet isn't my only gig.

The one thing I didn't get to do this weekend was watch the premier of Downton Abbey. However, I love my PBS app, because now I can watch TV in the middle of the afternoon while folding laundry and sipping real British tea. Ah! the life of a an American housewife.