Exploring the Yard

Last weekend brought a few glorious days of sun. Since the weeks prior to this have been a constant deluge of rain most of our house projects have been devoted to the inside of the house. So we decided to take advantage of the golden rays and move the "lovely" lava rock the previous owners covered up my future flower beds with.

Last summer Owen was too tiny to enjoy a yard, not to mention we lived in an apartment so grass wasn't even an option. When we finally moved in with my parents gone were the days of sitting on the grass thanks to the weather. So, in reality, this was Owens first real introduction to the wonders of the front/back yard.

I can already tell it's going to be paradise this summer having so much space for him to run around in. I really can't believe that my days of Owen not moving are truly ending. Tonight, he pushed himself up on all fours and started rocking (a skill we were almost certain he might skip altogether)...crawling here we come. He is already a pro at standing and will let go of things for 10 seconds to stand on his own. Something tells me walking is not too far off in the future either!

Owen and Lamby

Owen recently discovered his squishy stuffed lamb. Last night we invited Uncle Elias and Aunt Theresa
over to have dinner. Since they don't get to see Owen as frequently as we all would like, we kept him up so he could say hi.
His droopy little eyes say it all as to how tired he was, but it was soo sweet to see him snuggle with his Daddy and his little lamb while waiting to give out hugs and kisses.

A Song Revisited

The Desert Song

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

Chorus:
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

And this is my prayer in the battle
when triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow


Two years ago this song was a life line for me. Two years ago the first two verses were an expression of my soul. Two years ago I could barely sing this song without crying, (well if I'm honest I still have a hard time getting through it.) Two years ago there were questions with out answers but a recognition and peace that regardless of our situation, I still had a reason to sing and to worship. In church on Sunday, the Lord whispered to my heart "Mary Frances you are in the final verse." Two years later my heart and life are overflowing. Thank you Jesus for your strength, faithfulness and promises.

Pictures of the week

Couldn't help but post my favorite moments from the week...

Found them lying on the floor reading...melted my heart.

Owen's new favorite thing is to explore the world while standing...he has no idea that leaning too far to one side or the other results in falling.

It's amazing the things that will entertain him: laundry basket + a yo-yo were the winning combination today.

Adventures of a Bath time Bear

Bath time continues to be one of your favorite things. The anticipation of getting in that warm water is enough to drive you crazy! You love trying to catch the stream of water falling from the faucet as the tub fills. You are brave, sticking your face in the water to blow bubbles. You kick your feet and splash your arms vigorously whether on your back or tummy, I'm not joking when I wonder if you will be an Olympic swimmer some day. You are smart; you've figured out how to roll over both ways with out getting your face wet thanks to an appropriately positioned arm and shoulder. You make me laugh when you get water up your nose and sneeze in to the water with out fail. Bath time is like magic, when teething or having a cold makes you cranky, plopping you in the water makes you forget. Little Bear you are one of the greatest joys in my life.

Spiced Pork and Apricot Stew

I would like to introduce you to Spiced Pork and Apricot Stew, a recipe I discovered this past fall while perusing through the ever growing folder of recipe pages I have torn from various magazines. This easy jewel of a meal will transport you to Morocco, flavorful without being over-powering with meat so tender you can't help but go back for seconds. You can easily "set-it-and-forget-it" in your crockpot, or toss it all together in a large pot on the stove and simmer for several hours...either way the results are equally delicious with out much work. I have made this stew several times while living with my parents this fall/winter and simply doubled the recipe to accommodate a larger audience.

Spiced Pork and Apricot Stew
Compliments of Real Simple and the kitchen of Mary Frances
Serves 4

* 2.5 lbs boneless pork shoulder or butt, trimmed of fat and cubed
*1 TBSP paprika
*2 tsp ground cumin
*1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger
*1/2 tsp cinnamon
*1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
* 1/2 tsp kosher salt and black pepper
*1 medium onion diced
*2 C low-sodium chicken broth
* 1/3 C apricot preserves (I use sugar free)
* 1 TBSP apple cider vinegar
*2 TBSP cornstarch
* 1 15 oz can of chickpeas, rinsed
* 1/2 C dried apricots, halved
*Extra: your choice of veggies- I've added carrot and cauliflower with success

Cooked Couscous or quinoa, sliced scallions and sliced almonds for serving

1. In a large Dutch oven, toss the pork with the paprika, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Scatter the onion over the pork.
2. Add the chicken broth, preserves, and vinegar to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until tender, about 2 ½ hours. (If using a crockpot, set to low)
   
3. After simmering time is complete, in a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and ¼ cup water and stir into the pot along with the chickpeas and dried apricots. Simmer, uncovered, until the cooking liquid is slightly thickened, 15 to 20 minutes more. Serve over couscous and sprinkle with the scallions and almonds, if desired.

Winterscape

Frozen Bear

2011 started off beautifully. We got 3-4 inches of snow in one hour the week prior to the New Years arrival which then stuck around for an entire 7 days thanks to a cold snap and clear skies. 3-4 inches may not seem like much to talk about but it's enough to blanket the world in soft white, remind Seattlites of our ineptitude in handling snow (everyone else would have shoveled off the drive and walk ways instead of letting it melt just enough to freeze resulting in the walk to your car becoming a deadly ice skating rink), and definitely encroached on a record for snow sticking around in Seattle. Anyway, we decided to capitalize on our fortuitously good weather and embark on an adventure to bask in Winters beauty chasing those beckoning crystal blue skies.

We spontaneously packed up the car with a baby, all the necessary snow items for both adults and babies (which is a surprising amount of stuff), a younger brother and some sustenance and headed off for Leavenworth. Each turn in the road as we climbed the pass was more breathtaking than the last. Each turn also brought the realization that it was FREEZING outside! No seriously, by the time we reached Leavenworth we'd watched our car thermometer hit 6 degrees, then bounce up a degree or two till we reached a balmy 12 degrees.

Once there we discovered the sledding hill. Poor Owen, he must think his parents are crazy. We stuffed him in so many layers he couldn't move, bounced him around the frozen icy streets in his stroller, then made him sit on his Dad's lap to slide down a slippery slope. We sure had fun despite the fact that his facial expressions clearly stated he was unimpressed with our zealous glee in the simplicity of sledding. We can't wait for the years to come when he will actually think we are cool for wanting to push him down a snowy hill.

Galen and the slushy river

Winterscape

I think I'll have...

Still smiling even after all the crazy things we made him do
in the freezing cold!