Not Your Grandmother's Brussels

Why have brussel sprouts had such a bad rap all these years? Perhaps it was the ol' boiling method that did them in. Boiled veggies? Not so fun. But roast them up and they get all caramely-crisp and flat out delectable.

Wash 'em and cut off a bit of the ends, removing outer leaves. Slice in half (unless they are tiny) and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar. Place cut side down on cookie sheet. Normally I pop them in the oven at about 375 degrees, turning after about 20 minutes and cooking for another 10 (or 'til tender ... but don't overcook!). Add a little grated parmesan, if you'd like and cook a few minutes longer. They get so crispy and yummy, I swear it's better than french fries.

This week, since our oven went kaput and we are waiting on the part to arrive (here's to hoping that does the trick!), I roasted them in my cast iron skillet on the stove-top. Once the cut sides start to brown and turn golden, start tossing and cook 'til done.

Sigh. Did I mention these are really good?

Swimming Lessons Can Be Exhausting

A Quick Route to Happiness

Is there anything quite like warm rolls from the oven? These crescent rolls are a family favorite and the recipe makes so many, you'll have plenty to toss in the freezer for a quick accompaniment to a meal.

Once you get the hang of it, a batch will whip up with hardly any thought. Above you see them lined up on the cookie sheet for their second rise, right before they get tossed in the oven.

• Make-Me-Happy Crescent Rolls •

In mixing bowl let set for a few minutes:
• 4.5 t. yeast
• 2 c. water

With whisk attachment (or by hand) add:
• .25-.5 c. sugar
• 2.5 t. salt
• .75 c. canola oil
• 2 eggs, well beaten

Beat 'til foamy.

Add one cup at a time:
• 4 c. unbleached flour

Switch to bread hook and add:
• 4 c. whole wheat flour (all white flour is fine, too)

Allow bread hook to knead until it reaches a smooth and elastic consistency. Add a touch more flour if too sticky. Allow to rise for 1.5 hours or 'til doubled in size.

Punch dough down. Cut into four equal parts (a serrated knife works wonderfully). With a rolling pin, roll out each part into a circle and cut into 12 equal pie-shaped pieces (I use a pizza cutter). Roll into crescent shapes and let rise on cookie sheet for 30 minutes or 'til doubled.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-14 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove to cooling rack or take right to table with plenty of butter to slather.

**Added bonus? It's also my go-to recipe for pizza dough or cinnamon rolls. Yum.

**Short on time? Prepare up to the rolling out and place in ziploc bags in fridge overnight. Set on counter to warm to room temperature then resume recipe.

A Family

A family is a mobile strung together with invisible threads --- delicate, easily broken at first, growing stronger through the years, in danger of being worn thin at times, but strengthened again with special care.

A family --- blended, balanced, growing, changing, never static, moving with a breath of wind --- babies, children, young people, mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles --- held in a balanced framework by the invisible threads of love, memories, trust, loyalty, compassion, kindness, in honor preferring each other, depending on each other, looking to each other for help, giving each other help, picking each other up, suffering long with each other's faults, understanding each other more and more, hoping all things, enduring all things, never failing! Continuity!

Thin, invisible threads turning into thin, invisible metal which holds great weights but gives freedom of movement --- a family! Knowing always that if a thread wears thin and sags, there is help to be had from the Expert --- the Father --- "Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named."

--What is a Family?, Edith Schaeffer

The Busy Little Nook

I've always had a bit of voyeur in me. When I go for walks in the neighborhood, I love when I can see in through a window and catch a glimpse of someone else's home. Fascinating. I also love when fellow bloggers show me where they do their work. Images of home seem to carry so much personality.

So. Here is my little workspace. A little nook off of the kitchen. It's a perfect location because I can still be in the middle of the hub.

Recently, I found myself wishing for a real mousepad, as I've been using a paperback book to fill the role for far too long. And then it occurred to me ... I bet I can make one! A piece of stiff felt sandwiched between scraps of fabric, and some of that rubbery stuff that keep carpets from slipping for the base ... voila! A homemade mousepad.

Atop of the printer perches my planner. Oh, my beloved moleskine planner makes me purr. It has a sleek exterior, smooth pages and even a little pocket in back to keep extra post-its. Organizational bliss, I tell you.

In the planner, I keep our events recorded, yes, but it also has a blank page on one side. Here I jot down the meals for the week (even breakfast and lunch), a list of To-do's, a list of To-emails, and a list of places To-go. I also keep a post-it on the page for groceries too. I always tuck it in my purse when I head out the door, for I love being able to scratch things down no matter where I am.

And thus, my little workspace revealed. Where do you like to work?

Smile Inducers

I always consider it a treat to buy flowers at the market and when I saw fresh bunches of ranunculus, I eagerly scooped some up. Don't they look like happy little cabbages?

My favorite thing to do with flowers is trim the stems in a put them in several smaller vases. I grouped three small vases on the dining table and had enough leftover for another vase to sit next to the computer and smile at me while I type.

A Celebration of Life

Our Easter weekend was filled with family, friends, treats, news of a new babe, and a happy church brunch and service. Just what one hopes for.

In the morning the children giggled and raced to see our traditional resurrection tableau set at the hearth. The onion had been rolled away and Jesus was no longer in the tomb. He is risen, He is risen indeed! And once we turned towards the kitchen table, they were most pleased with the discovery of a little jar of treats setting atop new bibles. One for each child inscribed with scripture by Pops.

Since we were out of town Saturday (egg hunts and a new spring set of chicks to love), Sunday's dinner had to be practical. Toss on one of Nannie's old tablecloths (dryer fluff only, the wrinkles add character), thrifted milk glass vases of daffodils, and fancy cups for the girls. The meal? Spiral ham from Trader Joe's, green salad, homemade crescent rolls (keep dough in fridge, set out to warm in the am and pop in oven after church!), roasted potatoes, a dish of black olives, and a monster fruit salad, courtesy of friend Tracy. Top it off with a white butter-cream cake layered with strawberries and a side of black coffee? Just perfect.

All little reminders of gratefulness. Ultimately, we are grateful for our Savior and what he has done for us.

And for me, let it not be -- to glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which to me the world hath been crucified, and I to the world.

Galatians 6:14

New Life, New Hope

This burst of growth from the side of a cherry tree trunk reminds me of all the unexpected ways new life can show itself. Perhaps in a similar way, we can be reminded of Jesus Christ, the day he was crucified on the cross for our sins, and yet rose again on the third day.

And hope is freely given.

A Startling Lunch

I thought I would surprise Jane with a sneaky "Boo" as she rounded the corner, but I was the one who was startled! Instead of a sweet, unsuspecting girl, I found this vicious pig-tailed shark! She's been ferociously munching on me for the last hour, claiming I'm her lunch.

Speaking of which, I'm thinking about nibbling on some shark, myself.

Remember and Know

Lucette's full name means "clear and bright light." She has always been a sparkle in our family ... just one glimpse into those eyes, and you'll know exactly what I mean.

Sometimes that sparkle is sheer twinkling delightfulness and at others ... glitter-encrusted sass. When she was about two, she developed a method of sibling problem-solving that primarily involved sinking those sharp little baby teeth into any body part Peter wasn't quick enough to withdraw. This, all done, with great verve and astonishing speed.

In an attempt to halt this behavior (and fear of getting ourselves kicked out of the church nursery) we tried a little Pavlov-love. You bite with your mouth, you get something yucky in your mouth. First up? Lemons. She chowed down with gusto. Next? Tabasco. Bring it on, baby, this tot likes it spicy. Act of desperation? The bar of soap. Munch, munch, smile and a declaration of "I like it."

I began realizing, in a new way, how little control I had over another person's behavior. Even as a parent, we can only command so much. Obedience and behavior that is rooted from the heart? My imperfect efforts only go so far.

I had always prayed for my children. But over time I've realized that it is utterly imperative to intercede for them as the child and myself as parent. The only time I really see deep change in my life or those around me, it has involved prayer. Nothing fancy. Just serious, earnest, regular prayer.

Lucette is a little precocious, yes, but oh, how I love her spunk. What's more, I see God refining her character and maturing her spirit all while keeping her zesty personality. A tribute to our parenting? Hardly. A reflection of God's abiding love, care, and faithfulness? Without a doubt.

When it comes to raising children, there is very little I know for sure. But this I do: I am a better parent when I pray.

This daughter of mine, I adore her. She makes me laugh, she challenges my own perspectives, she makes me proud to be her mother. She'll look back and know well my failings, but may she and her siblings also remember and know ... my mother prays for me.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Ephesians 1:17-19