Spring Is Coming

Today I spotted our first robin in the back yard!  We have had our morning doves for a few weeks, but we were waiting for that flash of red!  I know the snow is not behind us yet, but today we will enjoy this balmy warm weather.  The kids are in the driveway splashing in the mud puddles.  Julius is using the back tire of his bike as a water wheel to splash tons of water into buckets that Layla and Gunnar are tossing around.  I think some warm showers will be needed before dinnertime.  Enjoy these warm days while they last.  I better run.  Contessa just made her way up to the third step. Yikes!

Summer Photo Wrap-up

Spring Flowers

I love all the flowering trees and bushes in our tiny backyard!  The lilacs smell heavenly!

Naturally Fermented Vegetable Medley

As we continue our journey deeper in the world of fermented foods, Nate and I decided we were ready for a little spice.  Our first batch of sauerkraut was a dud.  It got moldy because we didn't watch the liquid levels close enough.  So that batch had to go in the trash.  The second batch of kraut turned out and we have already eaten it all gone.  We are anxiously awaiting a batch of fermented garlic-dill pickles.  They should be ready any day now.  Because it is winter and the house is colder, the pickles are taking closer to four weeks to ferment fully.  I made a batch in the summer in only two weeks, thanks to the warmer temps.  Nate and I threw together this beautiful vegetable mix to get another batch of something fermenting since it is taking so much more time.  We mixed cauliflower, daikon radish, carrots, jalapenos and garlic.  Looking back I probably should have added onion, too, but there will be more vegetable crocks in the future.  While we wait anxiously for our pickles, we have been feeding our fermented food needs with Topor's pickles from the store.  I love them because they are naturally fermented and they are less than half the price of Bubbie's pickles.  I will try and keep you updated on all of our fermented adventures!

Other posts on naturally fermented foods:

Naturally Fermented Sauerkraut
Boost Your Immune System Naturally

The Rest of Christmas Day

Little Decorators

I only had time to decorate cookies myself before Christmas.  The kids patiently waited until a few days after to have their turn.  They did a beautiful job!  You should have seen how high the sprinkle piles were on a few of the cookies!  Not only did they look good, they tasted delicious.  Good job Layla and Julius!

Happy New Year!

Thought you might enjoy the outtakes from our photo session for a Christmas picture.  The last photo was the one we gave as gifts, but all the grandparents did receive their own little photo book of all the outtakes.  The kids were very cooperative and playful for this impromptu photo shoot in our bedroom.  Nate and I are always relieved when we can get a decent picture of the kids for Christmas.  I hope and pray everyone has a blessed New Year!

Christmas Cookies

Well, the task of making Christmas cookies is done.  Last night around dinner time, the last few cookies were frosted and laid out to dry a bit before packaging them.  Nate delivered some to our neighbors, pastor and friend Gilbo.  The kids were happy to play with all the left-over dough scraps.  I have a plate of plain cookies left for them to frost and decorate today.  Christmas cookies are a bit of work, but its worth it for this special time of year.

Nate was a huge help to me yesterday.  He tackled a mountain of other tasks and errands so that I could make all the cookies and rest a bit throughout the day.  He went to the post office, recycling center, the grocery store two times, delivered cookies, sorted through old Christmas decorations and took everything we wanted to donate to St. Vincent's.  He then ran a grabbed us some pizza.  We enjoyed a picnic style dinner on the floor since the dining room table was covered with frosted cookies!  What a man!  His hard work was rewarded with an evening spent with some friends, after he helped get the kids to bed.  Thank you, honey!  I couldn't have done it without you!

Well, I better return to the kitchen.  I have bagel dough that is ready to be shaped.  After that I just have one more thing to cook for Christmas dinner and I am pretty much done for the next few days!  I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

What It Looks Like

....in a traditional foods kitchen.

(from left to right)

yogurt fermenting in the cooler, sauerkraut fermenting in the crock, walnuts and almonds soaking for 12 hrs and waiting to be dehydrated, and lastly, filtered water.

Fortunately this picture is taken a while back.  Now my counter top is clear, ready for all the holiday food preparation.  For the next week or so I will be moving on to less healthy things like making Christmas sugar cookies, bagels and maybe even some gingerbread men!

What will you be preparing this next week?

First Snow

The kids were pretty excited when we finally got our first bit of snow.  They sledded and rolled around in the snow until it turned into mud.  Their snow pants, coats and mittens had to be rinsed thoroughly before being washed to get all the dirt off of them!

Visiting Santa and Mrs. Clause

Due to Julius and Gunnar fearing kidnapping or other foul play, this year's Santa picture became a, ehem, family affair.  Other than that, everyone enjoyed their time spent at this winter wonderland.