19 years...

Through everything that life has thrown our way, the hubby and I have still managed to almost make it to the twenty year mark.  Almost two decades of togetherness has brought us here...standing on the brink of an empty nest, a grandbaby girl on the way and lots of other changes.

I think when we got married, like many other couples before us, we were clueless.  I often joke that my husband fell in love with my daughter before me, and I still think that's true.  He adored her.  Still does.  I can't wait to see our grandbaby because I know he will be instantly in love with her too.  It just makes my heart happy to think about it.  We had a lot of growing up to do and those first few years were tough.  I learned a lot about what it meant to be a wife in those early years...and we had a lot to get through.  My daughter lost her father, my husband lost his brother, we lost jobs, we went back to school, we went back to work and a son was born a year after we got married.  Whew.  That's alot to get through for any marriage.  And I would be lying if I said that we were always strong.  We weren't.  We almost called it quits several times.  But something held us together.  I know now that God's plan was for us to be together.  We were meant to make it, to survive and become stronger;  together.   Once we did, it was amazing.  I love my husband and I love our life together.

Some people dread the empty nest.  Not me.  I am looking forward to the house quiet, just us, for the first time ever in our married life.  Ever.  I love my kids more than life itself and I am dreading my son actually leaving the house but a teensy little part of me is excited.  Is that wrong? I don't think so.  We've got lots to keep us busy and we'll embrace all the changes. 

Of course, our home will not be entirely quiet.  We still have the daycare kids every day.  We still have dogs; and sometimes Troop is like a kid.  He turned two last week and I swear Doberman terrible two's rival ANYTHING my kids have ever put me through.  He has been chewing stuff apart, and his favorite new habit is trashing the guest room bed every chance he gets.  It's fun.  And far from quiet.

We have been in sync about every change we've made to our lives...whether it's food, shopping habits, gardens...you name it, he's on board.  He shares the vision that I have for our homesteading way of life and I couldn't be Homemade Served Here without him.  He bought me my grain mill back when I wasn't even sure what I was doing because he knew it was important.  That's love.  He's taken every twist and turn and sometimes not great recipe results all in stride and continually tells me to try again. He's even gotten used to having to wait for his food while I find just the right angle to snap a picture.  So, anything that lies ahead is just another day in our life together.  And I'm looking forward to spending those days beside him. 

Happy Anniversary to my husband.  I am a lucky girl. 

[caption id="attachment_1125" align="aligncenter" width="519"] At our wedding, my daughter and my dad escorted me down the aisle. She is completely adorable in her hat and dress. And holding tight to her "great-mom" my grandmother.[/caption]

Pumpkin Biscotti

I am a waste not, want not kind of person.  The less waste that comes out of my household, the better!  Hubby and I were even talking about what it would take to become a zero landfill household - difficult with the daycare because there is unavoidable waste - but a lofty goal to say the least.

That being said, I make my own almond milk twice a week.  There is about 2 cups of almond pulp left over each time.  I've made different recipes with it here and there but haven't found that "The One" recipe.  This still might not be it, but it's a really, really good contender.



Isn't it delicious looking?  You can see the pumpkin, the pumpkin seeds and the coarse sugar sprinkled on top.  Heavenly.   And it all started with the almond pulp.

 

[yumprint-recipe id='1'] 

Views on a Hike

Yesterday, the hubby and I set out do some trail work and the bonus is I get to enjoy a hike with him at the same time.  While he worked and worked, I enjoyed the view...



This is one of my most favorite trails to run on...and after having the chance to slow down and look around...I remember why even more!

My Garden

My garden has been booming lately with all the rain so I thought I'd share it with you.  You'd never believe how much stuff can be packed in such a small garden!

[caption id="attachment_1627" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The blackberry bushes are going insane this year![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1628" align="aligncenter" width="297"] Looking like blackberry jam to me![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1629" align="aligncenter" width="640"] A few more weeks...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1630" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Small plant but huge blueberries[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1631" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The cucumber off on it's own from the other garden plants[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1632" align="aligncenter" width="640"] I hope we get some blueberries from this but they got hit with the late frost[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1633" align="aligncenter" width="640"] I love those blackberries![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1634" align="aligncenter" width="640"] First zucchini![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1635" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Zucchini going wild on the trellis[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1636" align="aligncenter" width="640"] First tomatoes![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1637" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Mint after being cut back[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1638" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Dinosaur kale has been SO good this year. We've harvested a lot from these plants.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1639" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Eggplant. The bugs really seem to like this one. Time for a DE dusting![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1640" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Peppers...and there are actually some flowers[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1641" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Lettuce! SO GOOD!!!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1642" align="aligncenter" width="640"] First year that the corn looks like it might actually do something...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1643" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Strawberry plants. We've gotten about a quart and a half from this plant.[/caption]

Weekend Perfection

Yes, it is only Saturday.  Yes, there is one more day in this weekend and I am certainly NOT trying to rush it along....however....so far perfection is the best word I've got.  Yesterday I was just feeling blah.  Not like myself at all.  Actually, I'd been that way since Thursday.   It's been a bit of a rough feeling few days, alot of discussion about future, what-ifs, that sort of thing.  It tends to wear on a person, or in our case, both of us.  Having a chronic condition that will, in a matter of time, turn everything upside down is frustrating.  Most of the time, it's just there, in the background, and we go about our lives, but sometimes it just is right there, blocking the view of anything else and it has to be talked about.  And prayed about.  I know that God has a purpose for our lives and I know that wherever we're headed is HIs plan and I trust that, but it doesn't mean I don't sometimes ask why.

So, this was the attitude I went into the weekend with.  And, seriously, I was letting it really get to me by Friday evening.  So, we decided to head out to dinner.  Our favorite Mexican restaurant always does the trick and this was no exception.  We started looking at all the positives in our lives, focusing on all that God has done for us and trusting that He would see us through this too.  We came home and had ice cream and just watched a bit of TV before heading off to bed, knowing an early morning wake up awaited us.  We decided at dinner to do a long run/hike today.  And by long we mean really, really long.  I knew it was going to be at least 26 miles, so I chose the Appalachian Trail for my pick.  Some parts of the AT are really rocky, difficult to traverse, but a small section near our home isn't that bad.  So, at 5 am we headed out.

Early on, we ran a lot of the trail.  I rolled my ankle badly three miles in, but was able to stretch it out a bit and run it out.  Just about 10 miles brought a stop with a water refill, and a chance to eat a bit.  Then we headed up another almost four miles, climbing the mountain, hiking interspersed with running.  By the time we got almost to the mountain peak, I was hiking.  And then, coming back down was too loose of rock for decent footing, so we hiked it.  Once we got back on the nicer trail though, running felt so good.  I really love running.  It is just the best, most free feeling.  And that's not just the runner high talking!  By mile 22 though, we were dragging.  I had blisters and some serious foot swelling going on (that's what I get for opting for the old shoes) and hiking was necessary until we had a flat place to sit and I could put some body glide on the blisters to at least stop the rubbing.  And, as I stood up, ready to start running again?  A bee stung me.  You might be thinking, big deal, a bee, but I'm super sensitive to all stings.  Not allergic but they are very painful to me.  I felt a bit woozy, so we walked a bit and I was able to walk it out.  But mile 24 I was ready to run and I did.  I finished running at mile 27 when we found the car.  I dipped my feet in the creek running by the parking lot to help the swelling and we headed home.

To the average non-runner this might not sound like it is the definition of perfection.  But, for me and my hubby, it was.  We spent all day with no tv, no computers, just chatting and laughing and enjoying our time as a couple.  There really isn't much more on this earth that I would rather do and I am thankful I have a hubby who loves the outdoors (and me!) as much as he does.  I know I'm blessed, no matter what lies ahead.

As long as we can spend a day running and hiking together and count it as a good day, we're enjoying a pretty perfect life!!!

 

Summer's Here!

I feel like I am away from the computer so much lately...and that's a very good thing!  Other than the rainy few days we've had lately, it has been outside as much as is physically possible for me and the hubby and the daycare kiddos too.  Tonight I am excited to be sleeping in my own bed after sharing a tent with two 3 year olds, a 5 year old and my preteen niece last night.  On my own.  Hubby dropped us off at the campground for the night and headed to work so it was just us.  And we had a fantastic time.  We really did.  I did not, however, get very good sleep.  I started to but then was woke up by the noisy tent neighbors next to us at midnight  when they came back and proceeded to make all kinds of noise.  The kids in our tent slept away but I was wide awake.  Then, at 12:30 or so I was almost back to sleep when a face appeared in front of mine..."Miss Sheri, I have to pee" and we headed next door to the bathroom.  Back to the mat, and back to sleep after about an hour of tossing and turning and the brother of the 12:30 bathroom call needed to also go to the bathroom.  Except when I unzipped the tent, he thought that meant, pee here, and pulled his pjs down.  Took some effort to convince him to keep moving along and head into the bathroom instead.  But I did and he did.  Back to bed, and finally, we all made it to morning.  7 and time for breakfast and trying to keep them out of the lake until the beach opened at 8 was proving difficult.  So, we headed out to the woods for a hike.  And, me, the trail runner forgot my shoes.  So, at one of the muddiest, messiest places I run, I hiked in flip flops.  It's sorta funny. Now.

Then we rounded out our day playing in the sand, splashing in the water and roasting more marshmallows than probably was a good idea and just enjoying being outdoors.  I loved it.  I needed it.  But I was even more glad to go home and take a shower and am looking forward to heading into my own bed tonight for some much needed z's.  And tomorrow I have the whole day to myself.  Wanna bet I'll be outside for at least part of it?  I have no plans but I know I'll find something to do and I have some vacation plans to make too.  Camping reservations....here we come!

What's your favorite summer activity...outside or otherwise?

Sheri

Muffins with Triple the Tastiness

I often make banana muffins for the daycare kids.  That's not really anything spectacular.  But throw in a handful of blueberries and strawberries and that's something special.  And tasty.  Definitely tasty.  I also tried to keep the sugar content down because all that fruit really sweetens things up naturally.



I think the kids appreciated the effort because these were gone in a flash!  I am glad I was able to snap some pics to share before the pan was empty.  But it's okay because I like serving foods that fuel their play in a healthy way.

Here's my recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 c flour


• 2-3 T sugar ( I use organic, unrefined)


• 1/4 c honey


• 2 t baking powder


• 1 t vanilla


• 1/4 t salt


• 2 large mashed bananas


• 1 egg


• 1/2 - 3/4 milk


• 1/4 c melter butter or oil


• 1/4 c chopped strawberries


• 1/4 c blueberries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 F.  Line muffin tin with paper liners or grease well. Mash bananas and mix with honey, sugar and egg.  Mix remaining dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then add to wet and mix until well incorporated, but don't overmix because it makes the muffins tough.  Start with 1/2 c of milk and add until the mixture moves freely and can be spooned into muffin tins.  Fold in strawberries and blueberries.  Spoon into muffin tins, about 3/4 way full.  Bake for about 15 -20 minutes or until browned.



What a great start to the day!  I hope you get to enjoy the day no matter where you are!

Sheri