After the Storm

An ethereal bow,

rising out of newly green trees,

painted across the leaden, late afternoon sky.

Yellow Clouds

Here, in our neck of the woods, myriad amounts of this....

Turning into this...

All are anxiously awaiting the cleansing storms predicted for this afternoon!

In Bloom

Wisteria sinensis (Chinese Wisteria)

In Bloom

Abundant Camellia japonica spilling rosy petals over an old wall.

In Bloom

Slate branches with plum colored buds

unfurling into alabaster petals with just a hint of blush

against a dappled, silvery sky.

How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders!

His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and his dominion is from generation to generation.

(Daniel 4:3)

In Bloom

Studies of cut branches of Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)...

In Bloom

Stunning Tulipa fosteriana, more commonly known as Red Emperor.

Impressions of Windy Gap

The deep hues of family, laughter, rain, courage, silliness, tears, music, and Love...

reflected in nature and...the zip line.








Young Life Family Camp in Weaverville, NC

Home

In the midst of all our moves, I began to have a deep longing to "go home". The home I grew up in had long since been disbanded and shuffled to various spots about the South in the wake of my parents' divorce some 17 years ago. The yearning deepened with each move, and I, at times, would awaken in the night frightened, floating free--with no anchor, wondering where I was.

Late one night, as a perfect orb of moon hung in the summer sky, I dreamed the most vivid dream I have ever dreamed. I was traveling through a sea of high green grass waving gently to and fro. In the distance I could see my home. It was twilight, and as the sun disappeared, the warm glow of lamplight spilled out a golden welcome. I felt the anticipation of loving arms, interested faces, savory smells, and soft pillows.

Home.

I awoke to the owl hooting outside my window, and the moon low in the sky. I knew instinctively it was a vision--the home in the dream represented my real home in Jesus Christ, where I am eternally loved, accepted and secure.

Make two homes for thyself, my daughter. One actual home…and another spiritual home, which thou art to carry with thee always . . .
— Catherine of Siena

The Best Carrot Cake

Last weekend a storm blew down the creek leaving us with some very cold weather and the threat of snow. It was a great opportunity to finish off some winter vegetables.

Warm creamy risotto accompanied by a wilted cabbage salad from Frank Stitt's Southern Table were delicious and comforting as the leftover fall leaves flew round and round the house.



But the highlight was The Best carrot cake served for dessert.

This is an old Southern Living recipe:

Best Carrot Cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 large eggs
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups grated carrot
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (3 1/2-ounce) can flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (I don't use nuts)

Line 3 (9-inch) round cakepans with wax paper;

lightly grease and flour wax paper. Set pans aside.
Stir together first 4 ingredients.
Beat eggs and next 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold in carrot and next 3 ingredients.

Pour batter into prepared cakepans.
Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 15 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.

Cream Cheese Frosting
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth.

And yes, it is as moist as it looks!

Children

Children are a blessing.

One aspect of this blessing is how my children's interests have opened my heart and mind to new things in many areas. Two obvious, specific areas are my younger child's serious interest in golf and my older child's serious interest in birding.

I have just finished a pair of paintings commissioned by the older child for his room. The first was an Acadian Flycatcher, this one is an Eastern Meadowlark. After painting these birds I feel as if I am intimately acquainted with them and can't wait to see them happily adorning his room!

In Bloom

Drifts of pink...

Flowering Crabapple...I believe.

Eating Seasonally

OK---sprouts are always in season, always fresh, and always easy, easy... because they can be nurtured in 3 to 4 days on your very own windowsill. Here's how:

Purchase your choice of sprouts (I did alfalfa) at your local health food store. You do not need a sprouting jar---a mason jar with a small square of panty hose works great.

Measure 1 tablespoon of seed and place in jar. Attach ring with panty hose over the opening of your jar. This enables your seeds to get air and lets you rinse the seeds daily.

The first day you will cover the seeds with about a half inch of water. The following days you just rinse the seeds and empty the water.

And in several days...voila! Perfect for sandwiches, salads, and wraps.