3 Things....

This year I want to be more involved in the world outside my door. I want to really take notice of all those that I walk by each day. I want to listen to the small things that so many of us choose not to hear and pay attention to what they are saying. I want to be open to the opportunities that the earth so often give us to change what is or make a difference in anothers life. I have decided to do three things each month for someone else. These things can be done for or gifted to anyone. They can be for the someone I know well or to the perfect stranger that I know not at all. Some would call this random acts of kindness and I would agree, but for as much as they are for others I am doing them for me as well. I want to be a great person when I leave this world and I believe that it takes a great deal growth and understanding to get to that place. As I tune in and listen to those that have been placed in my path I will learn from them and know more in different ways because of them. I will let myself see beyond the surface and in doing so allow for the possibility of changing the way they view this world as well. January has gotten of to a great start and as I suspected the earth has provided me with the tools and understanding I need to fulfill my path and I am already feeling different because of it....

Go Ravens!!!

Chicken Pot Pie

It was a very cold weekend and we were in the mood for some comfort food. One of the recipes we decided to make was chicken pot pie. I cheat a little with this recipe as the pie crusts are pilsbury but I think it comes out just as good as if I make them from scratch....

We used leftover chicken from a roaster that was baked earlier in the week threw in some veggies (corn, peas, onion, celery and carrots) and made a simple cream of chicken sauce to fill. It was so good!

Natural Bird Feeders

Raine and I had a great weekend full of home cooking and crafts. One of the projects we did was out of the book I Love Dirt by Jennifer Ward. We were reading over some of the outdoor winter activities and came across the one called Tweet Treats. It is basically a great way to clear out a few items from your pantry and completely excite the local wildlife. Here's how it's done...

Find the biggest pine cone that you can get your hands on. (I just happen to love pine cones and bought this one for a buck off a lady in Edinburgh that got it from a cousin that lives out in California, ya I'm a little wacky) Tie a string around the top to hang it from and cover the string in saran wrap so that it won't get saturated with peanut butter. Put on an apron as this tends to get messy and break out a jar of natural (unsweetened) peanut butter.Cover the pine cone as thoroughly as you can in the peanut butter. Try to get it in every crack and crevice as the more you put on the more bounty it will hold...Assemble a meddley of treats. We used unsalted raw peanuts and sunflower seeds, rolled oats and dried raisens and cranberries. Then roll the pine cone in all the nuts and berries until it is completely covered. Remove plastic sheath from string and let sit out in the cold for a half hour or so until it firms up a bit...

Once it is firm (nothing is falling off) hang it from a tree or on you birdfeeder stand and wait until the "bird word" gets out. We had all kinds of feathered friends come to visit from cardinals to woodpeckers. It was great fun for us and a tweet treat for them even the cats enjoyed the show.

Makes Perfect Cents...

It's friday and I need to pick up Raine tonight. I have 1/2 a tank of gas, .27 cents left in my bank account until wednesday and a freezer/fridge/pantry full of things that with a little imagination have the potential to be great. I started to worry this morning when I discovered just how close I was cutting it this week but realized at the last second that maybe this was a blessing in disguise. When I thought about it I could see that it basically said that we need to stay in this weekend. Take this time to do some of the crafts/projects that we've been putting off so long because we have been to "busy" to get to them and to do some "slow cooking" of the kind that starts from scratch and takes all day. I have to say that what felt like a disaster this morning now feels more like a gentle reminder from the earth that this is exactly what Raine and I need after the whirlwind that was december. I am going to enjoy this excuse to break away from it all and settle in to the simple. Great things can come when you allow the body to be still so that the soul may take flight and I hope that I will accomplish just exactly that. May all of you find a moment of stillness this weekend and let your own creations come to life. See you on monday...

The Year of...

I have been reading a lot lately about people naming 2009 as the year of (insert goal here), and though I am not one for resolutions I find myself drawn to the wording or thought behind "As the year of". It almost sounds like you are creating a grand list of things you'd like to do or accomplish and can check them off as you go, but without the disappointment of the written in stone pass or fail resolution. That said I am going to name this year as I love to write list and nothing gives me more pleasure than when I get to cross things off (that would be the perfectionist in me). So here goes...

I hereby decree that 2009 will be the year of.....

Chickens
Grand Gardens
Shedding of Shields
& Great Ideas

Wooh this should be interesting, wish me luck!

Happy New Years!!!

Raine and I had fun at the new years eve party that we went to and were both able to stay up until 2am before finally heading home (I am glad that we only live a mile away). Raine enjoyed spending time with her friends and would come downstairs every once in a while to grab some food and a hug. I had some great food, conversations, and company. All in all it was a relaxed evening with friends and the perfect end to the busy year. May this set the tone for the next. I'll leave you with a picture of my favorite spot for the night....

New Years Eve Baking

Raine and I went to Lis's house for a New Years Eve Party and I made a puff pastry covered brie with toasted pecans and brown sugar. It was a hit and came out just like the one Martha Stewart did on tv. I covered it in suns and star in light of the eclipse....

Christmas Morning

The Presents
Don't you just love how I wrapped the sheep...I went with the whole if I can't see you then you can't see me philosophy.

The look of delight and surprise as she discovered the loot....