Ahh coffee.

Some times you just have to make a fresh batch in the afternoon. It has been one of those days.

Lotion

Today During Owens "rest" time he decided to dump an entire bottle of goats milk lotion (not cheap) all over his rug. He then (well I am only guessing the sequence of the events as I did not see it happen) rubbed it into ever fiber of his rug. Also at some point he coated his entire (clothed) body in it. No photo because I was too stunned, and also I'm not sure it would be wise to let him think it was a photo worthy activity. the bight side our house smells really good and Owens floor is clean now.
Ah motherhood you are an adventure!

I spy

I spy a man with a little green tie driving a bus...
Owen: I spy the fire man and the Bob the builder rolly machine at the beach!!
Its just the carpet
Owen: No its the beach, are you done with you email? lets do something fun like maybe watch a movie or play some match cars...OK lets watch a movie or match cars or something. Hey keep your hands off the puter.
Ok buddy.

Little artist

I love to watch him paint. He talks about the things he thinks he is painting and about what colors change to what when he mixes them. Some of the paintings are quite good but most of them just end up looking like mud. Right now he doesn't care about things looking a certain way he just gets sheer joy out of the process. I know it wont always be this way so I am soaking it all in while I can.

Pumpkin seeds

Easy as 123...4. Just carve pumpkins, rinse seeds, soak seeds in sea salt and water overnight, then bake them at 200-250 in the oven until golden brown.

Bread machiene sucsess!!!

This bread was white and squishy and eatable without being toasted (unlike most GF bread)! I ate a warm piece right out of the machine, then saved the rest for our french toast breakfast with the neighbors. I didn't tell anyone it was gluten free and no one was the wiser. I am officially in love with the "Breadman".

Freezer

We have a new (to us) Freezer!! It is an upright 21 cubic ft beast. I had MG go to pick it up with a friend a couple weekends ago and this week he will be putting it into our basement! I am so excited I can't even explain in words. Next week I am going to make and freeze sauces (enchilada and bolognese).

Not related to this post: My camera is still sans battery and I have been taking some pics on MG's i-phone so as soon as I get those photos on the PC I will have way more interesting things to blog about.

Prayer request

Last summer I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 Disorder. and PTSD. I started a course of mood stabilizers right away and began feeling better, it was amazing, until about 6 months later when we realized I am allergic to the medication. So now I am taking nothing. No medication at all except thyroid hormone replacement therapy. I have to admit that I am scared. all of the other medication choices for this disorder have heavy side effects and my body is kind a wreck right now as it is (with the thyroid stuff and the recent allergic reaction) I really don't want to try something new right now. I am in therapy for the PTSD and if all goes well it may lessen the occurrence of swings.

For me Bipolar2 and PTSD present themselves in a way that make me very irritable when I am hypo-manic and devastatingly depressed when I am not. I also am prone to severe panic attacks seemingly brought on by nothing, but in reality there is a (invisible to me) trigger from the past that sets me spinning. I am rarely in a middle ground, but I am right now. I can feel the edges all around the middle though and feel no security here.

I have known for a while that this is the kind of suffering the bible talks about and that it is working things out for good. I am still crippled by it (as much I would like to always see the higher ground) and sometimes fall into cursing,blaming and self pity.

Please be praying for me that I will stay in my middle ground and not slip back into catatonic depression. Please pray that I will look to God for security and healing, Pray (if you have the heart to) that my therapy would lead to recovery. And especially pray a hedge of protection around my family as I know it is a burden my husband and small son carry on their shoulders as well. (I am not easy to be around a lot of the time though I try my hardest). I feel that only petitions to God are keeping me on solid ground.
Thank You

Scallops

I recently made this scallop recipe I have never eaten scallops before so I was really unsure I would be able to call it a success.
It was! I would change baking them in the oven to sauteing them in the pan with the sauce when has reduced, but otherwise a really tasty dish.
I also made extra sauce so there would be enough to coat some brown rice noodles. Yum.
trying something new paid off this time! In my kitchen that isn't always the case (ask my brother in-law about the meatball incident and you will know what i mean.)
No pictures this time as i am still trying to find a camera charger that works.

Ingredients

• 16 sea scallops, rinsed and drained
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, chopped
• 3 pinches ground nutmeg
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• lemon wedges for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
2. Place scallops, melted butter, garlic, and shallots in a bowl. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine. Transfer to a casserole dish.
3. In a separate bowl, combine bread crumbs and olive oil. Sprinkle on top of scallops.
4. Bake in preheated oven until crumbs are brown and scallops are done, about 11 to 14 minutes. Top with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

My list for 2010

This year I am writing it down and publishing it for all to see in hopes that the idea of accountability will spur me into accomplishment.

*Learn to make gluten free bread with new GF bread machine.

* Make/keep a bi-weekly meal calender

* Learn too sew

* Sew curtains for my house

* Make my basement work for me

* Get into shape (loose weight and tone up)

*Go to the gym 3 times per week (should be a sinch with new Kroc center membership)

*Be able to run in 3 mile increments with out stopping to walk

* Blog twice a week (at least)

* Print and frame pictures regularly (at least 3 times per year)

*Read 3 books per month and report on them.

* Live without refined sugar (Ok just mostly)

* Do one educational activity with Owen per day (no less than 30 minutes)

* Take more pictures

* Ask God to do something humanly impossible, pray and wait, expecting Him to follow through

* Keep a food journal

* Go on a date with MG at least twice a month

* Find a good baby sitter

* Buy an upright freezer

*Freeze things ( pesto, bolognese & enchilada sauce, fruits and veggies, whole meals, bread)

* Learn to can and can things like jam.

* Look to the Word of God first for counsel in hardship and then to my husband

* Make breakfast for my family everyday (that means getting up before 7:30)

* Find ways to serve the people I love then do it

* Make and keep a chore chart

* Finish Owens first year scrapbook (yikes)

* Paint the inside of our house

* Make hospitality a priority

* Frame some of Owens art

* Make my own kefir from scratch

* Make a photo calendar and book

* Make Christmas cards for friends and family (I have never done this and always wanted to)

* Try 2 new recipes a month and report

* Be more intentional about the way I live and the things I spend my time on.


Now I am not saying that all (or any) of these things will be accomplished only that I will be trying my best to do them. I am hoping to report back when I have the opportunity to cross an item off the list, or to report progress (or lack there of) when progress is made on an "ongoing" type goal.

I look forward to this new year and am hoping it will bring new discovery and joy in unexpected ways.

3

Owen you are three now. Well technically your three and almost a month- but since your loving momma cant keep up with her blogging and breathing at the same time- this is my tribute to you being three.
This is going to be sappy and poorly written because its coming straight from my heart and lets face it I am sappy and I don't write well.

I cant believe you are 3!! The time has passed by way to quickly (the way all seasoned mothers told me it would). I continue to fall more and more crazy in love with you every day. Its funny that you after only 3 years have extracted more love from me than I knew myself capable of producing in an entire lifetime.

We do spend all of our time together so I guess its not strange but for me to know you like the back of my own hand (better than that really). I never anticipated knowing another person the way I know you. I know your reactions before they come. I can tell in the morning if its going to be an easy or a hard day for you just by taking you in. I know your smell, your voice, and the feel of your tiny hands (all perfect). I know each smile and each furrow. And still Little, you suprise me with your newness on a daily basis.

You are full of compassion sensitive to the emotions of others the way few children are, You are contemplative and wild, You are inquisitive and passionate about the way things work. You love with a fierce undiscriminating love that your Father in heaven is most definitely proud of.
I am proud of you
I love being your momma
I love you.
momma