A good reminder for all of us.

I think I need to find this little poem as one of those wall word thingies...  I am totally reposting it from someone's facebook status but I thought it a good reminder for all of us.  Because we all need to be reminded of the power of our words to hurt or heal.

A careless word may kindle strife;

A cruel word may wreck a life.

A bitter word may hate instill;

A brutal word may smite and kill.

A gracious word may smooth the way;

A joyous word may light the day;

A timely word may lessen stress;

A loving word may heal and bless.

I've been a busy girl...

SO, it would appear that I haven't posted in about OOOOOOOOOOO 3.5 months.  And you all missed A LOT.

So.  Here's the down low on the past 3 months.

We went camping.  Alone.  As in without Chris.  Just the kids and mommy and a bunch of other kids and their mommies.  Surprisingly, It was lovely.

We came home and I was exceedingly tired.

EXTREMELY DEEP IN MY BONES TIRED. 

Not regular camping tired.

So I packed up the shorties and headed out to the local stuff marts and bought some stuff and some beer and some pregnancy tests...

...turns out I didn't need the beer...

...and I only needed 1 pregnancy test.

SO.  Baby Cole isn't the baby anymore...

BUT HE IS!!!!

Okay, so I'm still coming to grips with the whole "God doesn't make mistakes" thing and the whole "Babies are a blessing" stuff and the whole "Natural Family Planning really works" spiel.  But really, I'm excited.  I am!  And also?  I have exceedingly low Vitamin D and Vitamin B levels... really, I do. The Midwife told me so.  I even got a notice today...  in the mail... in case I forgot in my general state of BLAH.

Which I did. 

SO, then my baby Cole turned 1. 

And about a month later he started walking.

And a day later he started running...

And climbing...

And about 2 weeks ago, we started Kindergarten homeschooling.

And then 1.5 weeks ago, my husband left for 3 months of training in the Polygraphs. 

And a week ago, we started a lovely Kindergarten/PreK Waldorf-ish homeschool co-op group at my house.

And 4 days ago, I threw up while brushing my teeth.

And 2 days ago, I mopped my kitchen floor for the first time in 17 weeks.

And today, I found Baby Cole in the bathroom sink... still can't quite figure out the dynamics of THAT.

And just about 37 minutes ago, my dog got sprayed by a skunk. 

SO, that's what I've been doing. 

Want to know what I have NOT been doing?  Harvesting.  Canning.  Cooking in general.  Great blog name.  Betcha thought you were going to get all kinds of harvesting, canning and cooking in general information.  Heh.  Guess again.

How about you?  What have you been doing?

Wait for the Cake

Hard to imagine that it's been 5 years.

Today my Gracie-girl turned 5... FIVE!!!  That's a whole hand!  Or foot!  Where did the time go? 

James 4:14 

For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away

Dear Lord, Thank you for bringing this verse to mind.  I need help remembering to cherish these little ones before the vapor vanishes away.  Help me to raise them so that we are glorifying to you. 

Lord, thank you for giving me a husband who brings these home to his special birthday girl.

Thank you for providing for us with enough that we can give her this...

My cup runneth over...

Amen.

And now for what you've all been waiting for...

The BEST (Gluten free) Carrot Cake EVER!!!

Really it is!  People RAVE over this carrot cake... they don't even know it's gluten free.

1 c rice flour

1/2 c tapioca flour

1/2 c potato starch flour

2 cups sugar (I use 3/4 c raw sugar and 1 c white sugar)

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp xanthan gum

1 tsp ground cinnamon

4 eggs

3 c finely shredded carrots

1 cup cooking oil

Combine all dry (First 8) ingredients. 

In a separate bowl beat 4 eggs.  Add the shredded carrot and oil.  Mix until well combined.

Add the dry mixture to the wet and mix until thoroughly combined.

Pour batter into 2 greased 9 inch round cake pans.  Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. 

Cool for 10 minutes.  Invert cakes and cool completely before frosting.

Yummy Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese

1 stick butter (softened)

1 lb powdered sugar

Beat cream cheese and butter until blended.  Slowly add powdered sugar.

For extra fanciness use chopped pecans around the outer frosting. (See photo)

Photo Friday

Yes, I grew it myself.

Actually, I bought the plant at the StuffMart.

Yes, I'll tell you my secret... coffee grounds.  PLENTY of coffee grounds... 

I'll do what I have to do to oblige the roses.

Can you can-can?

This is year 3 for me... how about you?

Special Delivery

Look who came in the mail today...

How does your garden grow?

So I started this blog to write about my adventures in gardening... and thus far I have been writing more about Spiritual Fruit that about Garden Vegetables... Don't get me wrong, I am all about the Fruit.  But I am going to head on over to the garden today and give you a peek.

Kale (please send recipes...) amid marigolds, onions, pepers and eggplant.

A repurposed tomatoe cage.  My neighbor's husband welded together old calf fence.  THIS is one heavy duty tomatoe cage.  Brandywine Heirloom Tomato plant growing inside amid lettuce, onions and dill. 

My pretty peas...

I actually had a bunch of fun garden photos like this but silly me I took them in RAW mode and now my computer is being stubborn and won't share them with you all.

What's in your garden?