sisters

I just finished reading "me and my sisters" and although it wasn't a really deep read I was intrigued by the whole three sisters thing.  I have brothers and so don't know what it would be like to have a sister, the older I get the more I think that having one would be really cool.  Maybe she'd be the one that really gets me, the one that I could tell anything to, that when I could come over to her house I'd know that she wouldn't tidy up before I came because she didn't have to worry about what I thought about the state of things there.    

I also think, I have three girls, what will their relationship be like as adults?  Will they all be close?  This weekend I observed three adult sister chatting and bantering with each other then when their mother came into the room they all began exclaiming how good her cooking was.  I thought I had died and gone to heaven, you mean this kind of relationship is possible!  I want it!  I want to nurture, teach and love my girls into becoming delightful people who inspire and lead others while nurturing those around them.  It is a tall goal for me as I find myself many times shouting through the tantrums, sending people left and right to time outs and yelling for this one to stop hurting that one.  

I often refer to my life as a three ringed circus, this analogy makes me laugh because it brings a funny and most times chaotic picture to mind. Within that picture I want to be the loving yet firm ringmaster that bringing out the best in everyone despite the chaos, seeing through the tantrums to what is really going on and affirming instead of just scolding when the smallest things causes one to dissolve into tears.

Last week I needed to read more and be on the computer less.  I feel more peaceful now and ready for what I want to create this week.  A visit with some high school friends, exercise to make me feel great about myself, sending a care package to some friends who've just had a baby and some blogging time just for me.  That's my share for the day, a little insight into my thoughts:)

A happy week to all!

home

Morning in the garden

This film captures my desire for an earth conscious life.  I've been thinking lately about what is truly my heart's desire.  I see wood, dirt, glass, and cement, put those together and I see something that feels grounded, solid and whole.  I was washing the dishes the other night alone with my earbuds in and dancing to Laura Marling.  I breathed in and out and sang at the top of my lungs.  In quiet moments I see my life as it is-beautiful.

To find any of these links visit my pinterest board

valentines

Valentine's Day had moments of delightful surprise and some tasty morsels to eat. After Neka's school we headed over to Aunty Shannon's house so the girls could give out their valentines cards and chocolates.  They had so much fun in sticker heaven making them.  There, we received yummy brownies, mmmmmm...thank-you!  
During the day I found little notes all over the house hidden amongst ordinary tasks.  The one that touched me the most was when I sat down to read for a few minutes and upon turning a page I discovered a note about finding peaceful moments in my day-I love you buddy!
The day before I found the most wonderful recipe.  An Italian Nutella Meringue Torte. I thought, I should make this sometime but then on Valentines I shook my head and say wow, how cool is it that I found this recipe yesterday, it was the perfect way to surprise Tey with something yummy. I just realized that many of my posts lately have been about food, ahhhh well, such is my life:)

 I can't seem to find where I found the recipe but when I do I'll post it:)

date night

So, last night was the first time since we've had Nora that Tey and I have gone out on a date.  I was excited to sit down and eat something delectable but most of all I wanted to look across the table at the man I've been married to for almost ten years and have a quiet uninterrupted conversation.  This we did while drinking our mint, mango puree iced tea and eating a scrumptious asian noodle salad with avocado and papaya. We also had a boconccini roasted bread with sundried tomatoes and an olive tapenade. For dessert we had the dessert sampler but my favorite by far was the white chocolate cheesecake.  We shared thoughts that had been tucked away for just such a time and after doing a little dreaming about our lives we left feeling closer and excited to make time to do this again soon!

Milestones

family cooking

I called my dad and said "I'm making dumpfnoodle, are you coming?" Those were the magic words and a few hours later he was here. I set about getting the dough ready to rise and then it was time to make the potoato soup.  When the "dumpfnoodle" were shaped and ready to begin rising I was excited, this was my all time most sentimentally favorite meal.  My Oma in germany made them for us when we visited her and the last time I was there I helped her make them and wrote down the recipe.  I had attempted them a few times before however each time something just wasn't right, this time though I had high hopes!
My dad brought the heavy pots that we cooked them in and then we were ready.  The first batch came out looking beatiful and both of us were saying "by george I think we've got it." When we were ready to sit down and begin feasting I let out a big sigh, this was life, sitting down to eat with family that I loved. Inside I gave a little shout out to my Oma who I knew would be proud of me for keeping the tradition going.

My dad digging in!

My Oma's Dumpfnoodle

Almost two cups lukewarm whole milk

8 cups flour (I make 2 cups of those whole wheat)

3 packages instant yeast

1 tsp salt

1 package vanilla sugar

2 Tbsp margarine or butter room temp.

2-3 Tbsp oil

1 cup superfine sugar

2 eggs

Put dry ingredients into mixer bowl. Make a well in the flour and pour about half the milk in, add yeast into milk and stir. Turn mixer on to low and slowly add rest of ingredients as well as the rest of the milk.  Once dough is combined mix for about 10 min.  Let rest and rise double about 1 1/2 hours.  When double in size pinch of about a handful sized piece and form into a bun shape, lay on lightly floured surface.  Makes about 15 or 16 buns.  Let rise double.  About 1/2 hour to 45 min.

During this time make the potato soup. 

Oma's Potato Soup

Chop up a large onion and a leek, saute in a generous amount of olive oil

Shred about 5 carrots into onion mixture and continue cooking

Add a large chunk of (peeled) ginger and chop up about

8 large potatoes, I used russets because they looked good but I would also use Yukon Gold.

Fill pot with vegetable broth or water and vegetable cubes. 

Cook until almost done, add a finely chopped tomato and take out ginger chunk.  When potatoes are tender set soup aside until dumpfnoodle are ready. 

Cooking the Dumpfnoodle

You need two heavy bottomed pots with sealing glass lids, these you put on the stove on high.  Melt in a generous slice of butter. Pour a small cupful of water in and add 2 heaping Tbsp sugar. When the water comes to a boil gently place 4 dumpfnoodle in each pot and put on lid. 

 The reason the lid is glass is so you can see when you need to turn the heat down.  You want to be careful when taking the lid off that no water drops fall on the dumpfnoodle.

Cook them on high for about 5 min and when you don't see any more water (you'll still see bubbles but that is the beginning of the caramel) and you hear little crackling sounds then turn it down to low and cook for another 2ish minutes. 

Take lid off carefully and turn them over with a stiff spatula (they should look gooey and golden)  Cook for for another 2ish minutes on the other side and then take out and place on your favorite platter.  Rinse pot out and dry, you'll need to make two batches in each pot. 

Gather your family round, spear a dumpfnoodle with a fork and take a big warm goey bite!  Then try your super yummy potato soup and be happy to have such a wonderful life:)



pancakes

On Saturday morning I really had a hankering for fun pancakes and by that I mean with lots of yummy things in them.  I made white chocolate raspberry ones and milk chocolate pecan ones and even a flax, nut, sunflower seed one for my husband:) his request!  We topped them with sliced strawberries and raspberries (from my friend's patch).  Then we added whipped cream and organic maple syrup and I have to say, when I took my first bite my mouth was already watering:)  This morning as I was putting my youngest down for a nap I remembered a trip we took to Germany.  I was staying with my Oma on my dad's side and my mom was staying with her mom.  I took the bus over to her village, only a couple of kilometers away and when I stepped into the kitchen I observed my mom helping her mom make pancakes.  My heart felt soooo at home!  It is the sweetest memory I have of us all together.  There is something so cozy about about making and eating pancakes together. 
When I was a student missionary I lived with six girls in an apartment, the whole experience is something I will never forget. You can imagine six different personalities from four different countries, well it was memorable to say the least:)  But one of my sweetest memories is when Kara (who is still a dear friend) would make pancakes.  She made them for breakfast or dinner and I never felt happier in the house when that yummy smell came wafting out of the kitchen.  We would gather round and dig in, each sharing stories about our lives, bonding with each other.  Many good things happen over pancakes.

note on a design

music to my ears

I've found a couple of new female artists that I really like.  Lucy Rose has three singles that I downloaded from itunes, I can't wait until she comes out with an album. Gabrielle Aplin has a gorgeous voice. I checked out some of her songs on utube and I'm really drawn to her style. 

I want to bake something, have Tey take the girls for a walk to the park so I have the kitchen to myself and listen to music LOUDLY.  I am intrigued with the different emotions I have throughout the day and love that when I listen to some good tunes.  I feel then that my life is unique in a good way, that what I'm doing is worthwhile. Maybe what I mean is that I get to step back from my life and look at it a little through better lenses. 

I'm listening to Laura Marling as I write this and I feel a little transported.  I think a similar thing happens when I read.  I love those moments.  Earlier I was cuddling Nora and she was so obviously soaking it up that it made me stop and think, these are the important things I do in my day.  LOVE.  Music makes me feel more alive and in the moment. 
I think I'll make quiche for supper and listen to some tunes!

Lucy Rose

Gabrielle Aplin