Nose to the Grindstone

You know it's been a "nose to the grindstone" kind of day when the only picture you have to show for the day is a photo of dinner. Pittsburgh Pierogies ARE one of the family's favorites.

There was this picture too. 

Any dinner that costs two potholders and oil burns between my fingers - had BETTER be good. ::snort::

What DID we do today? Thursdays are my day with the washer and dryer. We worked hard on school. We researched how to put elastic in to Stacia's PJ's. Michael cut out more insulation for the RV and is cutting lumber for another project I don't fully understand. I checked in with Bible Babes a bit more than usual as we welcome new gals.

I went to a meeting at IDEA. My family is finding great fun at my expense in the bit of news I'm about to share. I'm going to co-lead a club on homesteading starting in January. What do I know about this topic? Nothing. Though they were wanting to grind flour, bake bread and make butter - and I KNOW how to do that. ::snort:: I silenced Michael by telling him one of the weeks we are going on a field trip, buying root stock and learning how to graft apple trees that will survive up here. He's been wanting apple trees.  Seriously, I met a nice lady at the newcomer orientation. I was asking her questions about gardening and chickens. We were overheard and it was suggested we should set up a homesteading club with different topics and speakers. I know how to organize a list of speakers and workshops. See military life did train me for something. ::wink::

Time to get running....we are reading a couple of chapters of Narnia each  night. Digory and Polly await.

House Seasoning

Claudia D shared this with me when I asked about ideas for cooking Salmon. She said she puts butter, house seasoning and lemon together and grills or bakes it.

INGREDIENTS - DIRECTIONS 

Combine equal parts sea salt, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper.  (I am going to use 1/2 the pepper next time).

I put it in a jar, put the lid on it and shake it up. This jar is working much better than a salt shaker did - the mixture kept getting moist from the humidity.

This has become our house seasoning too! I have it on the table to sprinkle on just about anything, I add it to omelets, fries, veggies.....

Blessedly Normal

The day began with a bang. Jamin sent this shot from their town down the Glenn. 

The borough let us know that they would be clearing brush and trees from the utility easements in our area. From talking with them we expected to lose quite a few trees. Previous owners had planted ON THE LINE - next to the power poles - and we are supposed to give them 15 feet from the poles. Made me sad....but getting rid of the brush sounded really good. The photos don't do justice....much of the brush has died down with fall......They did this last week 

Before 

After

Today, I heard a noise, looked out the window and saw this......

It appears they are cutting branches and leaving the trees. Win Win. They may come back and cut down trees - but I'm hopeful.

The day was blessedly "normal." Michael worked in the garage. The kids and I did school.

Stacia and I tried to catch some falling leaves

The kids went to youth group at a local church for the first time. 

Sunset from our window

Shake and Go Balsamic Vinaigrette

We like Balsamic Vinaigrette. This one from Angela Liddon in, 'Oh She Glows Every Day," is the easiest I've made.  I discovered it is yummy on steak fries, as well as salads.

Notes: Angela suggests adding a dash of liquid smoke, paprika and thyme for a "smoky" dressing, a pinch of dried or fresh herbs (oregano and basil) for an Italian vinaigrette or dashes of cumin, coriander, and turmeric for a slight Indian flair.

INGREDIENTS: 
1/3 to 2/3 extra virgin olive oil, to taste
1/3 C balsamic vinegar
4 1/2 tsp low sodium tamari
1 large clove of garlic, minced
1 tsp maple syrup, or to taste

DIRECTIONS: Combine all in a small mason jar, seal and shake vigorously. Store in the fridge up to a couple of weeks. Shake before each use.

Make it so-free Swap the tamari for 2 - 4 T coconut aminos, to taste.

Krista Update

Krista has the distinction of being the only Gherkin outside of Alaska. She is WAAAY outside - in Virginia.  Some have asked for an update, and since we had a nice talk today, it's a good time to update. 

Krista received our package - and gamely tried the cookies. 

She's been considering options for her future - with her goal being to go active duty as soon as she can - because airmen are her heart. 

There had been talk of finishing a 75 credit MDiv this summer,  coming here and going into the Reserves....getting her required time done while working on a doctorate online and going active duty in  a few years with the doctorate.  The big benefit here for us - is SHE WOULD BE HERE.  The benefit for her is she would be getting her reserve time in so she can go active much sooner. Her advisor had thought that was a good idea. He changed his mind.

She's had a nice, long, beneficial talk with the program advisor at her university. He has suggested she cram stuff into summer, spring, winter intensives, continue her full load of classes, and graduate with her 91 credit MDiv next December.  He feels, in the long run, it will make her a stronger chaplain and she can work on the Doctorate while active duty.

Now - the whole reason of sharing any of this is he is very supportive of Krista entering active duty.  He said he has no qualms recommending her to be an active duty chaplain and she is the type of young lady he loved to have on his chapel staff. He mapped out a whole career for her in his office.....and it will be fun to see what God says about the map as time unfolds.  Frankly, affirmation for a female in a male dominated  program is wonderfully encouraging.

For now, she will be finishing with the Big MDiv earlier than expected and is doing well adjusting to the challenges of working and full time graduate studies. She is enjoying her studies.... And us? Well, sure we were excited at the idea of having her up here this summer......but our heart is to see her chasing God...and that she is doing. How can we do anything but rejoice?

A recent fun even for Krista was the Chaplaincy conference at Liberty. She  met two chaplains who we love from our last assignment.  Holly was sweet enough to make sure I got a photo of her and Krista. 

God has chosen a challenging road for Krista. Through the ups and downs of walking it out, she is growing strong and courageous in her beliefs in God, country and even her own ability to walk it out.  It's a good thing to watch.

9 Spice Mix

Ingredients:
1 T sweet paprika
1 T garlic powder
1 T dried minced onion
2 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
1 1/2 tsp  ground black pepper
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
3/4 tsp turmeric
3/4 tsp dried thyme
3/4 tsp smoked paprika

Directions:
Combine all in a small jar. Screw on the like and shake. Store in cabinet up to 2 months. Shake before each use.

This is yummy and can be used in hummus, soups, veggie burgers, steak fries, omelets, salad dressings.....

From 'Oh She Glows Every Day,' by Angela Liddon  - a great library find.

FIRST SNOW!!!!

There was screeching, dancing, laughing, singing and texting - lots of texting. Finally, snow at our HOUSE. There is quite a bit of snow accumulating on the mountains all around us,  but our little mountain was stubbornly bare...and only the teeny flakes on Sunday.

I was surprised Arielle was as excited as Stacia. 

The snow was falling - and it seemed it would cover a bit of the ground - so we all agreed this counts as the FIRST SNOW at our house - and we have a winner to our contest!  Slammin Salmon guessed Oct 17th! We'll have a post shortly about the contest and the prize.

These two have missed the snow of Northern Japan. How fun it is for them to enjoy this moment together! I think it makes up for us taking the trampoline down this weekend. 

And, our mountain? For a few hours there was just a bit of a dusting on it. Enough for us to imagine it will eventually be snow covered. LOL  Our guess is real snow, the kind that stays around and heavily covers, by the end of the month.