A little sunshine

It's overcast and cloudy and cold due to storm Sandy that has merciless hit the northern East Coast.  My prayers go to each one who has experienced loss in any way.  It makes me doubly thankful for my warm, lighted house filled with my family.

Two days of "tough love" with Nan and it has been ok.  Not easy, but she is learning to obey my insistence that she eat all that I ask her to.  Let's pray that it continues and that each day will become a little easier.  I am eagerly awaiting the day when she can run once again, freely around the neighborhood and to the refrigerator.

.

Thank you God for being with us

Linking up with: Friday Blog Hop and Aloha Affair

Hazel-Nuts and Acorns

                            "Then came October, full of merry glee." ~ Spenser

Today is October 1st! I love it when a new month starts on a Monday, I feel like There is a clean slate before me with no mistakes in it, that I can mess up and scribble in. Today (of course) was raining. But it was such a beautiful autumny rainy day that it didn't matter. My sister Cate and I woke up and went on a run in our coats all around the golf course path in our neighborhood. We came back and had hot oatmeal with berries and yogurt. Mom had her left over grain free pancakes with a black-berry sauce she made. I was a tad jealous. We did school, I did violin and then the rest of the day I did homework, wrote or read and sipped tea. I drove dad and I to get some fresh eggs from a farm close by in our area, it was a beautiful drive passing the yellow cow pastures with different colored cows, and gazing at the changing leaves on the trees. (Don't worry I looked where I was driving too) It was so nice to not be busy for a change and have absolutely nowhere to go. It was the perfect start to a great and exciting new month! 

I also tried some new foods and recipes that I'm super excited about! Have you ever tried chia seeds? I've read so many places how beneficial they are and that they have more omega-3 fatty acids than flax-seeds. So mom and I finally bought some and we really like them! 


A few weeks ago My sister Lauren who is expecting came to visit with her husband and little girl Gabriela. Ela and I had fun picking apples together. Perfect for getting into the groove of fall.

The apple tree

She loves to run and pounce on you

Mom made a lot of fried apples  

Rain.

Last night I went to bed full of thoughts and plans for the next day, that involved being outside. This morning I woke while it was still dark. The trees tossing in the wind. I dozed off until a dim light seeped through my window. I gazed out at the day. It was pouring rain. But somehow, even though my plans for the day were inevitably ruined!! I decided it would be one of those great rainy days. And it was.

Mom taught Cate and I school while we sipped green tea. Clyde (my Australian shepherd) and I tramped about through puddles, and I have accomplished a lot more school work then I ever thought possible. 

But the one thing that always makes my day no matter what the weather is, is breakfast. I know that's weird, but I love breakfast! Studies have shown it's the most important meal of the day and that excites me even more. This morning I was craving oatmeal. Having time I decided to amp things up a bit. 

I microwaved a serving of oatmeal, stirred in some cinnamon/stevia and coconut milk and topped it with chopped apples and  homemade cinnamon almond granola.  

 It was heaven. Like eating apple cobbler for breakfast!  

Mom always taught me to make the little things in life exciting!

A rainy day

Well, so much for the sun!  Today it is pouring rain.  I know we need it and I'm glad because my hydrangea bush was looking pretty thirsty.  But yesterday was cloudy and drizzly too, yet  Cate, (daughter number 4) and Nan still ran their cross country race--getting their best time yet!  Rain and cloudy days...  

All of this brings me to Sunday, Nan's 16th birthday.  Guess what?  We awoke to rain.  Sigh.  Our plans for the day were to picnic and hike four miles to the top of Moore's Knob at Hanging Rock State Park.  Then return home to grill out lamb and turkey burgers.  Well Claire's, (daughter number two), husband thought it might clear up and we all voted to go.  Mary (daughter number three) and her fiance, Andrew joined us.  I'm so glad we did.  It was so much fun.

Before the hike.  Our family tradition is that the birthday person gets breakfast in bed.  Nan got GF waffles with raspberries, bacon and a dish of goat yogurt topped with berries.  For a special treat she had real maple syrup!  Yummy!

Nan and Mary enjoying our picnic.  We had rotisserie and fried chicken, cauliflower salad, mashed potatoes, green beans and chips and hummus. 

The hike.

We were in the clouds.

My Yorkie, Gigi, is amazing!  She hiked the entire way.

Back at home, after dinner.  Nan is pleased with her GF blueberry pie, instead of birthday cake. A fun day
of exercise, time with the family, good food and celebrating Nan's life.