2 year anniversary

Yesterday marked the two year anniversary of my mom's death. A friend asked if the day was especially difficult. I answered that it was really not much different than any other day. I am always missing my mom every single day- no day is easier nor harder. The anniversary does cause you to think back on the events that occured two years ago but the reality is, there is a hole in your heart that is always there. She comes to my mind multiple times every day.

I must admit, I do live with a feeling of sadness that my mom isn't here. There is a certain emptiness when something happens and she is not here to share it. She was such an integral part of my life - the one I shared the events of life as well as the mundane things. The one who cared about me only as a mother can. I still long to pick up the phone and call her, and deeply miss her love and care for me.

I found this great photo of my mom with Drew in Alaska in 2004. On a trip with my parents for his 13th birthday, they surprised Drew with a helicopter ride - and an exciting landing on a glacier. I think this photo summarizes the memories I have of my mom. She was young and vibrant, and loved being with her family. Because we lost her at the young age of 63, she will never be thought of as old in my eyes. (By the way, I do not know why my kid is wearing only a t-shirt in such weather. All I can say was I wasn't there to make him wear his coat!)

I take comfort in the grace that God has provided for me. He gave me a wonderful gift by giving me such a loving mother. He gave me a dear sister who can share my loss as no one can. He has given me a wonderful husband and children to support me. And, the ultimate: He has given me a promise that all my tears will be wiped away one day. (Rev. 7:17)

Thanksgiving Weekend in Mojave

Here are some photos of our weekend in Mojave. We re-created Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixins' using a deep fryer to cook the turkeys. (We also made some onion rings- YUM!) It was a lot of fun! We camped with the Brooks, DeShongs, Berggrens, and Tubbs - 10 adults and 23 kiddos. Everyone had a blast riding bikes or go karts all weekend long.

Porch Update

Before...

...and after!

Well, it's been awhile since the last porch update, but this one is a big one!

In the last couple of weeks, we have been able to get the roof finished. With the help of Wimer Construction, the roof structure was built, and then a roofer came to finish it with the new roof. It was amazing to watch how fast they did this. I have a new saying, "It's much more fun to HIRE IT DONE!"

So, what remains to be done? Rich needs to build the front steps, install the railing, put up the siding on the front of the house (where the br0wn paper is), install the tongue and groove wood ceiling and recessed lighting, and then paint the house (thinking of a butter yellow), add shutters, and paint the front door (barn red?) replacing the decrepid door handles. So, it is going to be awhile. Christmas? No way. Next summer? Most likely. Yes, I can see myself sipping iced tea in a rocking chair now!

Happy Husband on new porch!

Grace to You Television Show

This past Sunday, Rich and I were featured on John MacArthur's Grace to You television show. The subject was "Why does evil dominate the world" and they paralleled our story about Brady with John talking about that subject.

Drew has put it on You Tube so you can view it by clicking below. It begins with John preaching and our segment is in the last 7-8 minutes of the show.

What a difference 12 days make...

Before...

...and after!I know the song is "What a difference a DAY makes" but humor me a little. In 12 days, a crew transformed my kitchen, so I am singing that happy tune. As you can see in the photos my kitchen cabinetry was a bland white washed oak - quite nice if you like the 1980's, but last I checked it was 2007. When we moved in about 10 years ago, it wasn't my favorite, but it was all new, so I couldn't quite justify re-doing it (nor did I have a dime after moving in anyways). The kitchen in this house was actually a little smaller than my old house, and since there was no built in microwave like I had before, we got a small countertop one. It hogged much counterspace for 10 years, and as it was breaking down, I began to scheme.

First, a little bit about that countertop microwave. It's funny how you think nothing about buying lots of things but can never quite bring yourself to get a new $75 microwave in 10 years. Actually, the first week we had the microwave, I accidentally chipped a side of the glass tray inside, which turns your food around. That little chip somehow stopped that tray from turning around (go figure?). So, for 10 years I have been heating up food for 20 seconds, then opening up the microwave and repositioning the food so it won't incinerate on one side. You think nothing of it. 20 seconds- turn. Repeat. Do for 10 years. But you never think once about replacing the microwave (or order a new tray)! Then, a couple of months ago, as I was cooking one of those little veggies in the bag from Trader Joe's, I heard a very loud CRACK inside. The glass tray had now officially broken in two perfect halves. We were done. Push had now turned to shove, and I had to do something about that microwave.

So, I began to appeal to Rich to put an over the stove microwave in, to free up counter space and move us into the 21st century. This was easier said than done. The cabinets above our stove were too long, so they would have to be redone. New cabinets meant matching the stain to the existing cabinets. Matching the stain of the existing cabinets seemed impossible since they were now yellowing pretty good now. Not to mention chipping and showing a lot of wear. So, of course, the only solution to getting a new microwave was refinishing ALL the cabinets. Totally logical, right? So, after one phone call to a contractor friend, I had my guy, Brendan. Brendan and his crew came in the very next day and stripped, sanded, and restained the existing cabinets. WOW! It's like a whole new kitchen. Emma suggested a nice celery color for the kitchen walls and Brenden nabbed it on the Dunn Edwards color palette in one try. In 12 days, Brenden and his crew accomplished it all, very reasonably I might add, and it looks beautiful. I truly love the newfound counterspace where the microwave used to be!

I now feel like we went on one of those Home & Garden T.V. shows, showing how you can transform a kitchen not using a lot of money or time. We kept our existing floors, sink, stove, fridge, and countertops. We refinished the cabinetry, added a microwave, a new stainless dishwasher, and got a coat of paint. What a difference 12 days makes. I am one happy Mama in the kitchen now!

A Treat of a Retreat

This weekend we had the privilege of "chaperoning" our kids' bible study retreat. Nate and Bethany Williams, the bible study leaders, thought they might need a hand with 25 high schoolers, so they asked us to come along. We traveled to Kingsburg, about 3 hours north, to camp on Andy and Becky Muxlow's property. They have endless acres right on the Kings River. They have set aside a particular area on their property for church youth groups to have retreats. There was plenty of room for tents (and for RV's for us old OR pregnant folks- not OLD and PREGNANT!), picnic tables, a large fire pit with seating, and an indoor kitchen and bathroom. They also allowed us the use of their lakeside outside kitchen/barbecue area, which was sweet! I have never cooked in a more picturesque location. The Williams kept thanking us for cooking, but for Rich and I it was the ultimate pleasure to cook outdoors, under the oaks, with state of the art equipment combined with exquisite design.


We all arrived late Friday afternoon, ate dinner, and had campfire time. The next day, after breakfast and a great devotion led by Nate regarding our speech, we all enjoyed free time down near the river. The rest of the day was filled with barbecued hamburgers, fishing, exploring, napping (for some), and warm chocolate chip cookies! After dinner, Nate again led us and then provided a great game of cops and robbers in the DARK. Then, we were all awakened at 2:00 a.m. to unknown persons setting off fireworks in the open area behind us! My brave husband scared them off and that was that! On Sunday morning, we got to attend the Muxlow's church. Adam Bailie, a recent Master's Seminary grad, became their new pastor a month ago. Adam gave us a great message about the prophecies that proclaim Jesus as Messiah from Matthew 2. After that, we headed back for a barbecue lunch before heading home.

Rich and I felt blessed to be a part of this great weekend. We are so thankful for the high school ministry at our church, and all that it means to our kids. The Lord is so good! Below are some more pictures from the weekend.

Maybe I do love soy

A little known fact about me is that I literally hate soy! I truly despise the stuff in any form. I hate soy protein powder, soy beans (edamame), soy milk, and most definitely tofu and partially hydrogenated soybean oil. When I'm reading a product label, if I see the word "soy" it goes right back on the shelf. I know I am probably viewed as a bit of a health freak. I mean who else do you know with a gallon of coconut oil in her cupboard? Anyways, my dear friend and fellow health foodie Carol passed some information on soy to me a few years ago, and I have since abolished it from my family's diet with a vengeance. However, I have found a soy that I do like! Soy wax!

What, you say? Is she eating soy wax? Nooooo.

She's making candles with it!

I have been an avid candlemaker for many years now, making heavily scented container candles and votives. I have always used paraffin wax. But, I have recently been introduced to a new product - soy wax. It has many benefits, including the following:

- It comes in flake form, like a big bag of gift bag filler, which does not have to be cut. No longer do I need to hack apart 12 lb. slabs of wax and nearly kill myself!

-It is cheaper than paraffin. Paraffin, a by-product of petroleum, fluxuates in price as petroleum does. Right now, it is over $1/lb. but soy wax is less than $1/lb.

-It burns clean. Paraffin emits toxins as it burns, as evidenced by the soot on your jar and/or wall. These airborne toxins can get into your central air/heating system and be spread throughout your home. Nice thought, huh?

-It requires only one pour. Paraffin wax shrinks when it cools from liquid to solid, creating a deep crater in the center of my candles. This is remedied by melting more wax and pouring it into the hole one or two more times, but takes a good deal of time. Soy wax does not shrink when cooling so one pour is sufficient. Love that!

So, after reluctantly accepting the fact that soy might have something going for it, I attempted my first batch of candles with it. The results? Delightful! I made lemon pound cake scented candles (photo above) and they are so yummy! I wish you could smell this blog because they are delicious. The soy wax is so creamy and rich looking. I love it. The only disadvantage is that because it is so creamy, it tends to look more like a smoothie. That may be great for lemon pound cake, and creme brulee, but I might have to resort back to good old paraffin for some others, such as pomegranite, so I don't end up with what looks like purple jello mixed with cool whip!

So, the soy industry has me back. Like they needed me.

Welcome Fall

People say we Southern Californians don't have seasons. I beg to differ. This week, the weather abruptly changed from summer to fall. It is hard to believe that just 3 weeks ago the air conditioning couldn't keep up with the scorching 115 degree weather, and now it is 75 and sunny (to borrow the title from my friend Nancy's blog). The weather is downright sensational. Warm and breezy, with cool nights. The perfect time of year when you don't need your air conditioning or heater on. Ahh.

Well, fall weather does something to me...I get the urge to bake! For summertime breakfast it's "hey kids, get your own cereal or frozen waffles" but come fall I draw them into the kitchen with the aroma of freshly made muffins, homemade waffles, or pancakes with fresh apples. The coffee pot gets dusted off and my favorite coffee, decaf Starbucks Verona is sipped all morning. The yummy pumpkin or cranberry candles get lit. If fall does something to you too, then perhaps you'd like to try my fall recipes. P.S....they're healthy too! Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes with Apples
Serves 3-4

3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 t. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. organic sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 T. unsweetened shredded coconut
1 egg, beaten
3 T. melted coconut oil or olive oil
1 1/4 - 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 medium apple, peeled and finely diced

Combine first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl. Combine egg, coconut oil and buttermilk in a large mixing pitcher and mix well. Add dry ingredients to wet and stir just till combined. Pour batter (will be thick) onto hot griddle. Immediately top each with the chopped apple. Flip pancakes and cook until done. Serve with real maple syrup. Recipe can be easily doubled.


Harvest Pumpkin Muffins
Makes 18 muffins

1/2 cup melted coconut oil or butter
3/4 cup honey
3/4 cup organic sugar
2 eggs
1 can (15 oz)organic pumpkin (Trader Joe's)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup ground flax seeds or flax meal (Bob's red mill -Trader Joe's)
4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (or 3 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. ginger, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg)
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped walnuts or dried cranberries, opt.
raw sugar, opt.

Combine first five ingredients in a large bowl - beat until well combined. Combine remaining ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir just till moistened(batter will be thick). Divide batter into 18 greased muffin cups. Sprinkle tops with raw sugar if desired. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes before removing from pan.

End of Summer in Carpinteria

Beachfront property for $35 a night!

We just completed our last summer vacation - a week in beautiful Carpinteria. For three years now it has been our tradition to camp at this amazing spot starting on Labor Day. The crowds are gone but it still feels like summer...AHH. This was definitely one of our favorite trips this year. The campsites are awesome- right on the beach - with full hookups to boot! It is such a highlight to sit on the beach in the morning and evening - and if you have a steaming cup of coffee in hand there isn't a better thing. The town of Carpinteria is also completely charming. It is so much fun to bike or walk into town - there you can get yourself a coffee, a great burger at The Spot, or a fresh taco. I like to peruse the Thursday Farmer's Market. often picking up something to compliment dinner (like awesome tomatoes and fresh goat cheese - right Sabrina?). This year we were joined by the Brooks, Tubbs, Guyles, and Jensens. The Deshongs(Suz & boys) even came up for a night and bunked with us. A good time was had by all as we escaped the heat of the valley and savored the last few coveted days of summer in such a beautiful, relaxing environment. Drew has once again impressed us with his video skills, so be sure to click below and view his video/slideshow of the trip (again, turn the volume on). Well, now we're back to school and routine...but at least the memories of Carpinteria can still linger.

P.S. For those of you who might not know...in the show, the cute blonde "couple" on the park bench are actually not a "couple" at all. They are brother and sister!

Slideshow Tribute to Dottie

Here is the slideshow that Drew made for his Grandy's memorial service. It is in two parts because it was too big to be viewed all in one. It does have music, so turn on your speakers.

If you scroll down to the last post, you will find Rich's eulogy for his mom.