A Happy Combination

When grandchildren come to visit, the world stops for awhile.  I love the mornings when we amuse ourselves with lively conversation all scrunched up in our robes with mugs of coffee and hot chocolate.  Plans are made for the day starting with feeding the dog and proceeding to what we'll have for breakfast.  Then on to where we are in our art project and when we'll go feed the cows or if we'll get to the State Fair which is held here because Salem is Oregon's capitol city.  We go on bike rides or walks, listen to the crickets, the wind in the trees.  We watch Disney movies or play Uno. 

Because our grandchildren live hours away, when they get to come by themselves in the summer, we really try to make it a change from the routine.  A life away from soccer and swimming and tennis and school and schedules.

Our youngest grandchild is 10 years old, an only child.  Because her life is so hectic, there is no time for a pet in the home, so when she is here, I think her most favorite thing of all is our dog Slippers.  They are buddies.  Following are a number of pictures of them together, taken at our home and on the beach.



Walking down to the beach at Devil's Punch Bowl

 This girl is so strong!!

Oregon schools had already started so she was the only child on the beach that day.

Driftwood adventures! 



Only Anna could entice Slippers to walk up that log which was braced to act like a teeter totter.

My dear granddaughter poses Slippers and then takes pictures.  We laugh so hard at this silly dog!




It was a most happy visit!  We had great times and made wonderful memories - who knew this girl loves to go garage saling!?!  

Slippers and Anna will see each other again in November and take up right where they left off  . . .

In the Pink

I'm working hard to regain momentum with my jewelry making.  Keeping home, yard and farm chores together with the absence of my husband's able bodied help has truly been much more time consuming than I thought.  He is not 100% yet,  about 70% of the way back.  If you are in one of my Etsy Teams or a follower of my Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest, you'll should be noticing a great deal more traffic in the days to come

I've finished three new projects.  Although different from each other, they are all three in the pink range.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/107482511/beadwoven-crab-charm-or-pendant

When I finished my Nautical Peyote Charm Bracelet, I promised myself I would make some of the elements in it into separate charms.  My first charm is finished and for sale - the crab.  I am quite happy with the result.  The legs are independent of one another yet maintain their positions.  My biggest hurdle was to figure out where to put the sterling silver closed jumpring.  Included is an silver bail which may be exchanged for a silver jumpring, both large enough to accommodate a fairly substantial chain. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/107481641/pink-beadwoven-necklace-peyote-stitiched

Secondly, I finished another peyote v-necklace.  I have to laugh because the delica beads I chose for this necklace are called "Light Topaz/Soft Rose" and in the tube they look dark rose with a slight cinnabar or rust tone.   But the necklace turned out decidedly pink and has a lighter peachy pink accent bead running up the borders.  Beads when they are strung can look so different from what they look like in a container - which can sometimes result in a not so happy surprise for a mono-color project.  Although this is different from what I expected, I think it turned out quite nicely.  It looks great with everything in the neutral and pink peach range.  I also like the way it looks with the lavender/peach/ tan/terracotta scarf I chose to pair it with in photos.  Elegant don't you think.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/107482279/champagne-pearl-necklace-and-earring-set

My third is the first of a new jewelry line I am starting for my elsielight online store.  I needed to learn how to knot pearls in order to fulfill one of my special order requests.  So I took a class and made myself two knotted pearl necklaces.  Then decided it would be great fun to do a few for the shop and see how they go.  This first one is made with 8mm champagne glass pearls.  I made very traditional style two pearl dangle earrings to go with.

I plan to make several more, using freshwater as well and glass pearls - it will be a lot of fun to add this new section to my online shop and make them for family and friends!!








Thank you for looking!

The Art of Visiting

My husband had successful hip replacement surgery three weeks ago.  So many lovely people visited him in the hospital and have come to our home. Their outpouring of love and support was a wonderful for us!  He is doing very well.




Brookie Biglands' Etsy shop BCB Puzzles
http://www.etsy.com/listing/99604016/visiting-a-friend-by-nancy-laberge-muren

This short change in lifestyle started me thinking about how the meaning of visiting has changed in my lifetime.  It doesn't mean someone just coming over for a limited sitdown conversations - unless it is to visit a person who is homebound or in recovery.






Marlene Schuler's Etsy Shop WillowsWorks
http://www.etsy.com/listing/104647868/diane-barry-visiting-jacket

These days, the word visiting very often means having family or friends from long distance come for a few days.  The more I got to thinking about it, my current idea of visiting is associated with 'going out for coffee', or combined with 'going shopping', or  'going for a jog' together, or having a 'playdate' for the young.





Etsy Shop 2ChicksAndABasket
http://www.etsy.com/listing/79768568/the-dog-lives-here-youre-just-visiting







 To 'come over for a few minutes' kind of visiting seems to be associated with a more genteel time - a time when there was nothing electronic to fill up leisure hours and watching the kids chase fireflies from the front porch was the entertainment and backdrop to conversation.






Valerie Bean's Etsy shop ValDraws
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80036597/inspirational-art-girl-chasing-fireflies

 I also wondered how it might have been when one 'came to call' or 'to tea', activities associated with the mid to late afternoon and evening.  In one way I think a revival of something like this would be wonderful - in another, I think I would need to plan my time a lot better!






Etsy Shop luvcrystals
http://www.etsy.com/listing/91365344/vintage-postcard-style-tags-birds

As I mused on these things, I put the word 'visiting' into the Etsy search and came up with the lovely finds you see on this post.





Michele Johnson's Etsy Shop mljart
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74928382/visiting-boat-norway

May your 'visits' be for all the right reasons, at just the right time, in the best tradition of our time!

Many thanks to those who have had us in their thoughts and prayers.  We felt them in very specific ways through the days of Chuck's surgery and recovery.  He continues to make steady and quick progress.

Blog made for Etsy Castteam Mid-Week Blog Blitz.  See other entries:  http://www.etsy.com/teams/6326/christian-artists-street-team-cast/discuss/10766400/

A Christian Response to Tragedy

My blog this week is to point you to another blog that I found very compelling.  It says what I would hope would be my response at a time like this.  And it expresses a faith that I pray each of my children and grandchildren would experience should they ever be in such a circumstance.  

If you have not already read this (it has had over a million readers already), please do.  The writer's name is Marie.  She wrote it on July 20; she has since prefaced it (July 22) with an explanation to detractors that would misrepresent her motive and heart in writing it, but the original post is still there and precious words they are!!

http://aminiatureclaypot.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/so-you-still-think-god-is-a-merciful-god/

 

Rice Waffles

I took a Nutrition class in college which started my interest in special dietary challenges, such as how a person without access to meat protein should gain complete protein, how a person allergic to eggs can achieve the same texture and taste with substitutes, what foods are safe to introduce/not introduce to a person who is suffering from starvation, etc.

Nearly 30 years ago I worked in the Washington State University Extension Office.  As such I worked as support for a team of State Extension Agents who were experts in everything from psychology and home canning to teaching women how to involve themselves in public policy. 

One of the publications from the Nutrition agent in this office was nearly 60 pages long and had all kinds of recipes for special dietary needs.  Somehow I gained a copy of this wonderful document made more special by the fact that it is typewritten. 

I have tried many of the unique recipes from this publication and my favorite is the one for rice waffles.  Unlike many other recipes I've tried using rice flour, these waffles are light and soft on the inside, crisp on the outside with a wonderful flavor.  Our whole family loves them!  And I have had many requests for this recipe from celiac friends.

The recipe has two steps.  It begins with a base that can be stored in the refrigerator - it does not specify how long this can be refrigerated but I have kept it for several months and it has not lost any of its flavor or integrity.

Here it is for your perusal.  I encourage you to try it for it does make yummy waffles!!

RICE FLOUR WAFFLE MIX

makes about 9 cups

(no gluten, wheat, optional no milk)

                    6 cups rice flour, sifted
                    3 tablespoons baking powder
                    1/4 cup sugar
                    3 teaspoons salt
                    3/4 cup margarine (milk-free)
                        (I use butter)
                    2 cups non-fat dry milk or soy milk powder

Stir together rice flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.  Cut in margarine until mixture looks like coarse cornmeal.  Stir in dry milk.  Store mix in tightly covered container in the refrigerator.  Stir mix before using.

When you are ready to make the waffles:

                    2 eggs
                    1 cup water
                    2 cups mix

Separate eggs and mix egg yolk and water together.  Stir in mix and allow mixture to stand 4-5 minutes.  Beat egg white until stiff.  Fold in rice flour mixture.  Bake in hot, well-seasoned (oiled) waffle iron.

SortaGreenButtons by Todd Smith
http://www.etsy.com/listing/71935759/ceramic-buttons-tan-square

I often make the base as a gift and attach the instructions for the final phase on a pretty little tag on top of the airtight container.

PearCreekCottage by Jan McCorkle
http://www.etsy.com/listing/101651525/canning-jar-labels-frame-stickers

The recipe has additional instructions in how to use the base for pancakes or biscuits but I did not find them to be nearly as delicious.

This blog is part of the Mid Week Blog Blitz for the Etsy Christian Artists Street Team (Castteam).  To see other blogs from this wonderful team, go to:  http://www.etsy.com/teams/6326/christian-artists-street-team-cast/discuss/10626851/

Waffle buttons and canning jar labels/stickers are from two Castteam member shops.

Traveling Oregon Coast and Vietnam Memorial - June 2012

We are so blessed to live close to the Pacific Coast in Oregon.  There is so much natural beauty that every visit is special.  Here are pictures from a visit my husband and I made in June.

Devil's Punch Bowl  just south of Lincoln City and Depot Bay never disappoints.  The sun was not at the right angle to get a good photo of the 'Bowl' but the shots from the top of this jutting bluff are always amazing.

One of the mornings, the tide was further out than I could ever remember it.  Slippers and I walked around and gazed into each tide pool. What a glorious feast of color with the brightness of starfish against the rough and tumble of the rock.

One of our favorite places to stay on the coast is in Newport, Oregon, right across the street from the Donald A. Davis City Park and Vietnam Commemorative Walk.  This memorial was thoughtfully and beautifully laid out on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean with a walkway with seating all the way down to the shore.  My husband and I have enjoyed this scene and beach for 20+ years.






 Because my husband is unable to walk that far, Slippers and I took a long stroll each morning and evening down past the memorial to the beach.

Although the words are weather worn, nearly impossible to read, I love the remembrance of so many in my generation who lost their lives in this controversial war.  The whys and wherefores for it will never be fully known but they cannot change the fact that many who fought in it fought for all the right reasons. Many lost their lives and from personal experience many other lives were changed forever.

One of my favorite features is the rock wall with inset seating that winds all the way down to the beach.

Happy Birthday, America! 

With thanks for each one who has given so much for our freedom!!

Every Week Is Not Created Equal

THIS IS WHAT I WAS GOING TO BLOG TODAY:

_______________________________

 Every week is not created equal.  Sometimes they seem that way when things go along in a routine fashion.  Each week holds a surprise or two.  When you're retired it happens and I love it - but even that begins to be the same. . .

This week is different.  My husband is having hip replacement surgery.  Many thanks to all who keep us in their thoughts and prayers.

There are many things I am thankful for this week.

That my husband is healthy.  Not only in body, but in every way.  He didn't have to fill out the medication form because he doesn't take any, just supplements.

He has many friends, several of them close friends.  They consist of close relationships made over the years: neighbors, co-workers, and church/civic friends.  They share their sorrows and joys on a regular basis.

He is a great father, his two daughters and their husbands and grandchildren love him.  He is a gentle but strong, honest and wise, patient and loving parent, grandparent and husband.

Spiritually he is strong.  He knows Whose he is and where he is going, because of a belief that the same Jesus Christ who died on the Cross for every person, loves him and lives in him by faith.

Hope Orthopedics here in Salem is regionally known and nationally recognized as a top provider of excellence in joint replacement care.  It consists of 12 orthopedic surgeons who join together in 2005 to make this medical procedure more comprehensive and cost effective.

The hospital is 10 minutes away from our home!

Dr. Sewell who will perform the surgery, was born and raised here.  Two of his teachers and other family friends are among our friends and acquaintances.  It helps to know that he holds to high standards ethically as a bonus to being an expert in this field.

This surgery has been around awhile so has become routine.  We can't but think how life would have been like for us if we had lived prior to the ability to have his hip replaced.

No matter the wonderful advances of science or the expertise of medical surgeon and staff, all healing comes from God.  We expect a great outcome in Him!!

Got the walker.  Got the cane.  The sheets are clean.  All bedding is washed.  The family room shampooed.  The area rugs are up.  Need to do the dog. . .

_______________________

As it turned out, through a miscommunication about medication, my husband did not have surgery today.  He got as far as pre-surgery pain meds, needles in his arm and leg pumps to keep clots from forming.  We praise God for his protection.  We know it is for a reason.

All the facts remain the same as I wrote here, a little more washing here and there will need to be done.  We've had the dry run - we anticipate the real deal.  We wait to hear when the new surgery date will be.