Little moments in California

We are still in California enjoying our time with family but I thought I would still share a few of the pictures we have. Did you see those delicious ripe tomatoes?....Farmer's Market!One of my favorite places to go! More to come

Our quiet family weekend

We took our new-old camper out for a spin last weekend. It ended up being just our little family . We had a relaxing and refreshing weekend of just being together.

Devotions

I can't resist a southern breakfast of Biscuits and sausage gravy

especially cooked over the campfire.

The children gobbled it up also!

Room to roam

Bella and her Papa

Fresh Grilled Asparagus !

{Last walk before we headed home}

I was starting to get antsy thinking of all I had to do before we left for Cali. Now we are all pack up and ready to go! Can't wait to see you Grandpa & Grandma!

[Be back in a couple of weeks]

Creamy Tomato Soup

Today was a good day to bring out my favorite tomato soup And it was soo delicious as always. So I thought I would share. If you know me very well I might have already oohed over this soup to you so bear with me as I do that again. I use this recipe year round, of course in the colder months but it is also really good chilled in the warmer months! Try it out you might just like it especially with your fresh sun-ripened garden tomatoes! Looking forward to all the fresh garden produce! Yummy YUM

Creamy Tomato Soup

serves 4

6 T. unsalted butter

2 small onions, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup dry white wine(opt.)

3 lbs fresh tomatoes or canned( 4 cups chopped)

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup fresh basil leaves,loosely packed

1/2 cup heavy cream

1..Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onions and garlic about 3 minutes. Add wine, tomatoes ,salt and pepper. Cook about 5 minutes. stir in basil, and remove from heat. 2. Use immersion blender(my favorite kitchen tool,great for dressings also) right in pan, blend until pureed.3. Add cream,and adjust consistency with water if necessary.

Season with salt and pepper.

* Can also use a blender, working in small batches, with a dish towel and a secure lid

** Fun to add Ravioli or a pasta at end for children.

(this recipe doesn't have to be exact it is always good whither I use fresh, canned, dried, a little more, a little less, etc. -my kind of recipe!)

(Oh by the way my month long MIA was due to new babies, family here from out of town, computer crash, helping niece w/ wedding planning etc,etc--you know all the excuses in the book. I'm back now for today at least, Jesus could come tomorrow!!! Are you ready? )

"This is my Father's world, And to my lis-t'ening ears. All nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father's world; I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas His hands the wonders wrought."

A song out of the children's "My First Hymnal"

We found 3 baby bunnies in our yard!
New LIFE
A sight out our back window where a mama bird has built her nest!
Arabella & Orrin check on them every morning

We are wishing for SUNSHINE again but to have beautiful spring days we must have the rain like today. As in our lives Jesus brings us pain/rain for us to grow beautifully in HIM.

I'm Unplugging

Well a little late but thought I would still join in!

Obviously I am not a consistent blogger here but I really like the idea behind this so I wanted to share with all of you to sometime go check out Kimba's post on turning off all distractions for a whole day and spending that time focused on things that matter?

In life in general I need to prioritize my days to spend more consistent time with the Lord and more quality time with our family& home.[then its fine to have some own time,computer time etc. just not the other way around]. God has been working on me with this.[share more later]

For now I'm turning the computer off and turning on time with God & family

A Basement Pantry Refresh

Take a look at this Revived area I just wrote about here!

I called for RECIPES...

{Measuring cup perfect for an espresso shot cup}

Recipes... I can sit all day and browse through cookbook after cookbook. It seems though that the recipes I use the most are from my little box sitting on my kitchen counter. They are so special to me being as each one has been shared by a friend or family member gathered

by my sister for my bridal shower.

When I was walking through a department store over Christmas shopping I came across
this adorable red tin recipe box. I thought it would go perfectly in our niece's kitchen that she has been planning for [getting married in May]. I went ahead and purchased it to find recipes cards later.... well I wasn't able to find any really cute ones that were not to expensive. So I decided to make some out of plain index cards. I had so much fun personalizing them for her and then receiving all of her friends & families prized recipes{i think I need to ask her for some copies, they all looked so mmm good } to organize in the box. Last night was her big shower so I finally got the gift all together for her to enjoy. Being as I had made the cards and saved on some expense, I was able to give her a couple of other items including my Favorite coffee mugs from Anthro. So sturdy, just the right size and not to girly for our men to use.

I'm off to enjoy a White Mocha in my "B" Mug and browse the recipes for supper right now.....