singing...July 4-10, 2011

On My Mind...sure glad we're not in Santa Barbara with the royals. It was quiet and lovely in June.

Celebration...a beautiful summer...looks like two wedding this summer...maybe...

Scripture Meditations..."Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 To trust in God is to live in peace.

Praying For...Cole and Nikki...safety, love, and necessities for all children of the world...the hearts of world leaders to be turned to Christ...

Commitment to Deliciousness...Even though we don't eat nearly the volume of food we once did, prices are soaring. So I'm trying to make ends meet by growing more of my own food...micro-greens and sprouts are coming out my ears right now...Sprouts mixed into navy bean soup~sublime...

Sprouty Bean Soup

1 lb. navy beans (soaked for 24-48 hours)
1 large onion pureed
5 or 6 stalks of celery minced
1 lb. carrots cut in large chunks (but small enough to fit on a spoon)
1 red pepper, chopped
2 c. mixed small seed sprouts (about 11/2 t. alfalfa, clover, broccoli seed mix) (micro greens would work here too~try amaranth, clover, buckwheat, sunflower, beet, etc.)
1 T. dried thyme
water to cover

Cook in crock pot on low heat for several hours (even lower with a wall dimmer switch for a live product.) Beans should be very soft but not falling apart. Put a bundle of sprouts on top of the soup or chop and mix it in right before serving.

Roasted Red Pepper Dressing

Makes enough dressing for 1 large salad
1 large roasted red pepper
1 clove garlic
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Directions
Blend in a magic bullet until utterly smooth. Serve and enjoy.

I am sooo trying this on that lovely tray of mixed amaranth and clover micro-greens with some grated carrot, sunflower seeds, and diced cucumbers tomorrow. It'll liven up the last of the navy bean soup and lusciously ripe cantaloupe sitting on my counter I think.

Commitment to Movement...same as always...plus a little hoeing...

Commitment to Modesty...since we always have a house full of young men, I'm ever on my guard to be lady-like...found some great curlers that are allowing me to retire my electric hair drier and curlers...very soft to sleep upon...

Commitment to Loveliness...finally re-decorated the master with a white on white textured quilt...accented with sage green and taupe micro fleece pillows and lots more white textured pillows...it's lovely and inviting...I will never buy a quilt again just because it is on sale. We had the last one, warm but ugly, for about 12 years...

Towards a Real Education...study, study, study...and never stop...joyful, joyful...8)

Sound of Music...with the sudden humidity, my dear old friend cracked right down the face...must take it to a violin maker as soon as I get to a big city...for now I'm singing a lot...

Bee Buzz...supers are filling up...possessed hive has settled into honey and wax making...while walking by the hives the other day, I smelled a sweet honey and wax smell that made me very happy...

Garden Gate...back 40 is back in the game...

Simple Pleasure...birds singing outside my window at this very moment...