Progress {What a Difference a Week Can Make}

Our new garden space is nearly ready.


{50 feet of beautiful soil leveled after delivery today}

We added a third railroad tie to create a level plot. Lots of rebar was hammered in to keep the beems in place. We are working with what is known as the lasagna method. We gathered great amounts of cardboard sheets from our local super store. We topped the cardboard with our compost and horse manure--Espi estimated over 20 tractor bucket fulls!


{early this morning, after raking and leveling the compost and manure in prep for delivery}


{this afternoon after the delivery of 20 yards of soil! but it doesn't look much different from here does it!? temperatures in the 80s today (can you believe it!?), thus girls in suits!}

Our plot will be about 20 x 50 feet when finished. But we will pause in the progress of the soil prep for now. We are getting ready for visiting with family and breaking from our regular routine for awhile. When we are back into the "same ole, same ole," we'll need to get more of our "lasagna layers" to finish out our rectangle and then...work on a simple fencing system to keep the rabbits and deer at bay.

By late April, we should be ready to put some spring seeds in the earth.

Hear the Bells Ringing {They're Singing}

{from Willow of Wonder}

"Keeping Our Way on The Way"

I sat down at Ann Voskamp, her husband and children's dinner table today where they remembered together with food and words the great reason for this season we celebrate. You can, too.

"Christ carries the cross, circles our sin, and He brings down all the walls."

[post title, quote, and photo credit go to Ann Voskamp]

Plotting a New Garden

[a view from our (dirty) side window--I like how we'll be able to see into the garden from the house now]

Today, I am very thankful for the strong, sturdy, hard working men, particularly the one who lives in this home. Today we (mostly, he) set the foundation for relocating our garden.

Chicken and Hominy Soup {Easier Than Easy}

I am sort of sorry to see the soup season coming to a close. But I guess warmth and sunshine is a fair trade off.

This week has been mild and beautiful, yet on one of the cooler days, I took advantage of another soup and cornbread night. We had the fixings for the Chicken and Hominy Soup, originally found here, that we have been enjoying this winter.

I think the first time I tried hominy was while dating Espi. We were out to eat; he ordered menudo. The tripe did (and still does) sound gross, but I tried and enjoyed just the broth with hominy.

This soup broth is not like menudo, but it definitely has a Mexican flare. It is so simple, I am tempted to add a few more vegetables, but it really does taste very good just as it is.

Chicken and Hominy Soup

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 bunches green onions sliced (I've gotten away with just 1 bunch just fine, and half to a whole diced onion substituded tastes great, too.)
4 teaspoons ground cumin
2 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
10 cups low-salt chicken broth
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can petite tomatoes in juice
1 purchased roast chicken, meat shredded, skin and bones discarded
4 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
3 (15-ounce) cans golden or white hominy in juice
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation:

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add green onions, cumin, and paprika; sauté 5 minutes. Add broth, tomatoes with juice, chicken, and hot pepper sauce. Puree (I like the hominy whole; so I skip pureeing) hominy with juice in processor or blender. Mix into soup; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes. Stir in cilantro. Ladle soup into bowls.

And we top ours with as much chopped avocado slices as we have available. With a slab of my favorite gluten free cornbread recipe, found here, it's good, simple eatin' on a cool night.


{my brothy version}


{Espi's chunky version--he, also, was the "lucky" one that found a bone in his soup that night--"lucky" for the kids, too. I had made prep a little easier than I even intended!}

Sunday Morning Smiles {Family}

Signs of Spring

The earth is starting to wake up, and, oh, it's a beautiful site. Running errands, we are seeing new black lambs under their mommas suckling. The lily bulbs are peeking out of the soil. Our perennials are saying hi again.



We all spent the morning outdoors today. AD, with mini fork in hand, helped me muck. The girls roamed the pasture with walking sticks, then came in to help me turn the compost pile. All the while, Espi changed the oil and washed the truck. The outdoors feels wonderful.



This week we come across a great deal on a larger framed bike for H. So all the kids have their own "ike" now--H on 2, AF on 4, and AD on 3.



[Nearly everything turns into a gun for AD. Where does it come from? All I can say is "boy" and a precious one at that.]

I know Colorado enough to know that we aren't likely out of winter weather until late April-early May, but this warmth and sunshine is making us all very happy.

No Playing on Furniture

Broken springs and frames may follow if such continues much longer into the future.

(AF woke up yesterday wishing to wear to church H's "old," fancy, green dress given by Abuela about 4 years ago.)

Our fun-loving, silly AF tests out the moves on her dress:

Reminiscing {Fredericksburg}

We have had sickness in our house for about 2 weeks. We are all on the way out, but this sick bug has made me wish for a get away. For now, I am stepping back to our anniversary, our time in Texas several months ago.

Espi,
Thank you for Fredericksburg. I am so glad you thought of it and that it worked out. Hiking the Hill Country, the B & B, and the history, warmth, and beauty of the town made a perfect mini vacation.


{hiking Enchanted Rock:::loved this vein running along the face}


{The day was chilly and CRAZY-windy, but we gave it a shot, made it to the top, and descended quickly to the truck.}


{The Hoffman Haus was a sweet find--lovely and comfortable--tucked away on a side street in the middle of town.}


{our little kitchen:::a view from the hall}

Your mom was wonderful to care for Our Sweet Bunch so we could enjoy the rare get away together.


{Waiting for a restaurant to open for dinner that night, we drove around Fredericksburg looking at the old homes and architecture. We found this "village" of incredible cottages. Come to find out, it use to be a B & B but now belongs to the San Antonio Shoe Co. as a retreat--sweet, for them.}


{This was the side of one of the buildings on the Pioneer Museum grounds that we were able to briefly walk, too. And the wait for dinner was worth it; the food at the Navajo Grill was completely delicious.}



{Our time in Fredricksburg was at the end of November; so Christmas was on display. After dinner we walked through their city park to see lights, decorations, and what an outdoor ice rink looks like in Texas--fun but very small!}



{Attempting to warm up after a chilly night out--it worked.}

Funny how it took some time getting use to the silence of "no children," but it didn't take too long to really, really enjoy it.


{the back door of our suite}



{Lounging around in the quiet of morning with no children to ready must be experienced more often! I took a walk outside to see the grounds and the rooms of the The Great Hall where the B & B entertains large groups--so many pretty details.}


{then the day was spent enjoying the sights of this old German town}


{a huge German pyramid or carousel that circles by the "heat of the candles," displayed in their city park}



{the most beautiful library which use to be their court house}

Through our 10 years of marriage, many joyful memories have been made. They all add up to appreciation to God for His overflow of gifts and Life and the love, strength, and endurance to see challenges through, to be on the other end smiling and holding the ones dearest to me time after time.


{In a small, quiet court yard, I am in love with this woman and her child, and of all people, look who came over to say "hi"! This Illinoisan was much taller than I would have imagined! }


{these sweet architectural details were everywhere}

Thank you for your love and for making sweet memories with me.

Te Amo.


{This old shop door was one of my very favorites. Maybe we'll get to come back again someday.}

Haggai {Take Courage}

What has God called us to?

What is His work before us today?

With Him, it is not in our efforts, our striving,
It's by the Spirit.

May we grow in the knowledge of God's will,
May we wait for Him, say "yes" to His voice, and follow, knowing He is Before us and beside us:



{Blessed by Haggai today, God's reminder to "Consider your ways!" and His encouragement to the people to return to Him and build for the Lord.}