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Apple-Oatmeal Yeast Bread
Thanksgiving is zooming at us with rocket speed. Today might be Monday… but watch out! Thursday is coming into focus. Slow down and make some yeast bread. This recipe calls for apple cider which is prominent in the aroma. Welcome Thanksgiving week with a fresh loaf of bread. I think we all need something ‘to hold us up’ for the hard work of eatting a fantastic meal later! Oh yes, bring it on. Simple to make and bake, and totally wonderful to relax and taste the wholesome goodness of oats and apples. Yeast BreadApple-Oatmeal Bread1 c quick cooking rolled oats (not instant)¼ c packed brown sugar1 T butter 1 ½…
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Finding the Best in a Situation
Valentine’s Day. I know some call it the “Hallmark Holiday” but I’m the romantic type [much to my hubs chagrin ;)] and don’t see it that way at all. I find joy in celebrating being a couple. Because there are some days, some hours, some moments when it is just. not. easy. So making a big to-do about Love… I think its necessary. I think it is a great reminder what it is supposed to be. I think it’s too easy to take advantage (not on purpose!) of your spouse in the hustle and bustle of our crazy days. Taking a day to really say “I Love You” is needed.…
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10 Tips for a Healthy Marriage … on Facebook
A Very Happy Valentine’s Day to our military-families! I will honestly tell you hubs and I have no plans. I am a little sad about it but not terribly over-worked. It is hard with a young family to get out in the middle of the week as a couple. We certainly find time to ‘date’ each other but this Valentine’s Day does not entail a dinner out, fine dining and dancing. I am thinking it will involve a homemade pie, chocolate, wine, and most hopefully some candles, backrubs, lights down low … and a sleeping six-month old.. There is more to a healthy-marriage though then time alone. What about time…
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Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression … I’ve lived it, breathed it, been held tightly in its grasp wondering when I’ll be allowed to come up for air. Eight years ago was a very dark period of my life. I did suffer from depression after my first son, Baby *E*. I spoke to my OB/GYN at my 6 week check-up and was put on an antidepressant. I am thankful for the medication but in many ways I wish there was more to it then that. I wish there was some sort of six-week required psychological counseling, not just a “be sure to see a counselor if it gets worse” from my doctor. The medication…
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The Season of Advent
I have to admit. I have WAY TOO MANY Christmas decorations. Not that my house looks like a gaudy gingerbread-house when all is said and done… but that in these days of craziness it takes me two or three days to get it all done. In some ways I just don’t look forward to dragging it all out of the basement, setting it up and then taking it down in a month (or less). BUT I have to admit once I have all the decorations out, I can sit back and relax (between the craziness, of course), and I do truly enjoy the trimmings of the season. One of my…
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Hot Topic: What’s in your Garden? Lots of Green &Red! Baked Beets with Feta and Pesto
Folks want to know “What is growing in your garden?” If it was just up to the garden, and not the gardener… the answer would be weeds, weeds, weeds. However, with a quick check of my nail cuticles… you know that at our house it is a daily stretch out there, and the weeds get ‘bucketed’. I do not know a better looking vista, than a neatly planted, well maintained vegetable garden. And hooray, this year we have a frameable picture. Two new rows of lettuce are just popping out. 3 early plantings are so tall… that if I don’t use them quickly (and giving them to friends is tone…
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A Manly Weekend
I had a lot of fun this weekend! Despite a few sore muscles in response to my “chores and fun times”, I felt like the weekend was productive. It allowed me to get away from some of the routines that can wear you out. The weekend actually started out bad due to a broken down car (transmission failure–very expensive). We towed it to a helpful garage from a less than helpful one late Friday! The drive was long and the conditions not the best but we had the time to talk to a son and daughter in law we were helping! We took advantage of tough times and some major…
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Why I Love Clouds
Why do clouds captivate our attention? Their movement and changes have always been fun for me to watch and especially when as a young person I would lazily lay on my back on a summer afternoon as the billows of a cumulonimbus grew in height and width. What power and grace. But as an adult I still feel in awe of them and the powerful birds that circle in them and ride their waves higher and higher. I remember the first time I joined the birds and the pleasure I got from seeing the clouds from the perspective of being a pilot. I felt such joy and close to God…
