Dewy Dawns

Hey everyone! I'm growing tired of continually apologizing for not having posted in a while, but I have to apologize one more time. I am sorry for not posting in quit a while. My family and I have  been quit busy, but I thought it was time for an update. We went camping last week near Grandfather Mountain and came back very thankful that we occupy a lovely home so near the glorious ocean. Don't misunderstand, we enjoyed visiting the mountains, huddling around a warm fire and wear some of our long unused sweaters and coats from Connecticut, but I think we tend to be warm weather people. I think one of my greatest pleasures when camping is waking up with my father and preparing breakfast which, of course, includes several steaming, delicious pots of coffee. The mornings in the mountains were algid (yes, this is a word look it up if you don't know what it means), dewy, and lovely. All that Lord creates is so wondrously beautiful! I thought I'd share a few photos from our wonderful trip.

A Summer Breeze and a Toothy Grin

Here are a few photos of the munchkins I babysit. I've been so blessed by these little ones!

Pancake Eaters

Hey everyone! I haven't been bloggging much lately because I have been in the process of finishing my degree (just a month left)! I had a little breather last week and I felt like being creative, so I decided to have some fun making up my own pancake recipe. I ended up creating a recipe I loved, because it was tasty and fairly healthful, and it's a recipe my family loved! I have a couple of pancake eaters in the family who are very particular about taste and texture, so it was huge success to have them all request a second round of Apple Buckwheat pancakes. I thought you all might enjoy try this recipe as well. These are superb with a little apple butter or butter and honey.

 (A picture of buckwheat pancakes that look similar to mine. I forgot to take one.)

Apple Buckwheat Pancakes

2 eggs
1 cup Buckwheat (can use whole wheat ,but flavor is different)
1 cup Barley flour or all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk (I used Almond)
1/4 cup oil (I use coconut) or butter
2 to 4 tablespoons agave syrup, honey or sugar (I used agave)
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon of salt
2 apples grated (sweet and slightly soft apples give pancakes a better taste and texture)
                                                             
Instructions

Beat eggs until fluffy. Beat all wet ingredients into eggs. Add dry ingredients in 4 additions. Add apples into batter last. For a thinner batter add about 1/4 to 1/3 cups more milk.

Valkyrie

My mother, my sister and I just finished watching the wonderful TV documentary titled 'Valkyrie: The Plot to Kill Hitler'. I rarely recommend movies or documentaries unless I feel that valuable time is well spent in watching them. I ama great advocate of everyone and every generation knowing their history; I am especially fond of the history of World War II, because it provides such wonderful examples of what becomes of men that think themselves higher than God, and also, of men who are true men of God and hold to biblical principles that show how no regime, no conspiracy, no nation, no army, no man is capable of anything without the express will of God. Evil will, in the end, always fall.

You did not bear the shame.
You resisted.
You bestowed an eternally vigilant symbol of change
by sacrificing your impassioned lives for freedom, justice and honor.
~Memorial to the German Resistance

Fingers and Toes

Here a few pictures form my most recent photoshoot with a new born. I would love comments and criitques!

Sunsets and Man Made Wind

We had the pleasure of attending a dear friends graduation party a few weeks ago and though it was extremely hot, there was a lovely sunset and I was able to capture a few shoots. Because it was so hot that day our hosts brought out a giant fan so we'd be nice and cool. The second photo is a product of that man made wind.

Rabbit Food

Here is an absolutely Delicious recipe I found on the "How Sweet it is" website. These are delectable Sweet Potato Quinoa Cakes. I made them for dinner and my normally "anything that looks good for you and might be rabbit food" resistant family liked and requested them again!! Hope you enjoy!



Sweet Potato Quinoa Cakes
[adapted from Heidi Swanson]
makes 4 cakes, is super easily multiplied
1 medium sweet potato (about 6 oz), peeled and chopped
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup cooked quinoa (let it cool before using!)
1/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add 1/2 tablespoons olive oil. Add in sweet potato, onion, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, stir, cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until potato is just soft. Remove lid and add garlic, cooking for 30 seconds.
Transfer potato mixture to a large bowl (slightly mashing potato with a fork) and let it cool for about 20-30 minutes (you can skip this if you don't have the time). Then add quinoa, breadcrumbs, cheese, herbs, remaining salt and pepper and mix well. Once combined, add in egg, then mix until moistened. Using your hands to bring it together, form four equally-sized patties. Heat the same skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Add cakes and cook for 3-4 minutes per side (I cooked them longer, about 6-8 minutes on each side), or until golden to dark brown.