Welcoming Winter

Warm wishes on this 1st Day of Winter!

I pray you are warm and cozy and doing what brings joy and delight to your soul.

I am sorting Christmas gifts and making last minute gifts and goodies today-

tub teas, bath salts, dream pillows and such.

Tomorrow is baking day- Merry Molasses  Cookies, Scotch Shortbread, and Ginger Cookies for certain.  I have a few other ideas ... we shall see what comes about. 

What are you doing today to welcome winter?

*Tea is always a great choice. I had a giant cup of Ceylon tea this morning- a gift from a beautiful Sri Lankan friend. 

Love, 

Catherine Ann

Moving Slowly into the Christmas Season

photo credit: Elena Ferrer

It's taken a while for me to slowly move into the Christmas season this year. Some seasons are like that, it just takes time for it to feel right.

After a busy Thanksgiving followed by some pretty nasty colds/viruses/bacterial infections that ran the gamut through the family, we are slowly recovering and getting into the Christmas spirit.  The tree is up and finally decorated.  One daughter is ordering gifts online, one is crafting away, and one is baking Christmas cookies.   'Tis the season at last.

I love the photo above, with the simplicity of the fresh greenery and the gingerbread cookie reindeer ... Won't work for chairs in my home since we have a big, furry, white dog that would surely eat the cookies as quickly as they were tied on, but I'm thinking maybe cinnamon applesauce ornaments instead and used as a window garland ... or maybe along the mantel

I've got a ton of ideas all tucked away neatly on my Pinterest Christmas board.  I thought you might like to take a look, there might be just the thing you are looking for pinned there.  I'll never make or do all I have collected, but I do love to have lots of options and ideas to choose from.  

.

I've also got a whole list of simple, herbal gifts to make.  I will share a few of those with you very soon.

What is your favorite gift to make and give at Christmas?

Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins

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I'm ready for fall.  And though the calendar says it is exactly two weeks away, I'm in denial and pretending it is here right now.  

In the spirit of all things fall, I baked Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins for an afternoon snack.  My middle Love is now eating vegan, so I tweaked a recipe in The Vegetarian Family Cookbook by Nava Atlas. 

Next time I will use gluten free flour as that is my newest adventure, eliminating as much gluten from the diet as possible.  I should have used gluten-free flour today, but I often cook on auto-pilot and I'm still accustomed to grabbing the big flour bin (maybe I'll switch out the contents and put gluten-free flour in it now).  

The muffins are tasty, not too sweet, and definitely fallish in nature.

Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins
vegan

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Line a 12 cup muffin tin with liners (I had pretty fall ones left from last year)

Stir 1 tablespoon chia seeds into 1/3 cup water (let stand a few minutes to "gel")
If you aren't interested in making this vegan you can substitute an egg for the chia seeds (no water necessary).

In a large bowl combine:

2 cups flour
1/3 cup natural sugar (you may want a tad bit more if you like sweeter muffins)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 heaping teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

In another bowl mix together:

chia seed mixture (or 1 egg, lightly beaten)
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup applesauce
1/3 cup almond, rice, soy or  "milk" of choice
2 tablespoons cooking oil of choice
1 tsp vanilla

Stir liquid mixture into dry ingredients just until combined.

Optional add-ins:
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
( I used walnuts this time only because someone had eaten all the chocolate chips! Next time I'll add both.)

Bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick comes out clean.
Cool on a wire rack.

Enjoy with a cup of your favorite tea!

I love all sorts of apple and pumpkin pastries and I've pinned a bunch of new things to try on my Autumn Ideas Pinterest Board.

What is your favorite fall treat to bake?

Love,
Catherine Ann

Summer Soul

Summer is in full swing- just finished a crazy, busy, hectic week of Vacation Bible School for the kids.  I love watching the children having all sorts of fun, but it is overwhelming at the same time for this quiet-loving, introverted mama.

With that behind me, I'm slowing the pace a bit and moving into a quieter rhythm here.  Summer Soul Camp is on my agenda for the next 10 days.  I look forward to spending time creating, crafting, and doing other soul nourishing practices along with the other campers.  Virtual camp is perfect in my book:  go at your own pace, check in with other campers online, do as little or as much as the day allows, take time to reflect and refresh ... summer soul camp. yes.

What are you doing for you this summer?

HAPPY EARTH DAY

 

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for He founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.  Psalm 24:1-2

Word for 2014- EMBRACE

EMBRACE
1. To take, clasp or enclose in the arms; to press to the bosom, in token of affection.

2. To seize eagerly; to lay hold on; to receive or take with willingness that which is offered

3. To comprehend; to include or take in

4. To comprise; to enclose; to encompass; to contain; to encircle.

5. To receive; to admit.

6. To find; to take; to accept.

(from Webster’s 1828 dictionary) 

As I've pondered and prayed for a word for the coming year,
this one embraced me.
Kind of snuck up and grabbed me, you know,
like one of those hugs that you aren't expecting,
but are thankful for once the initial shock is over?  

And as I sat with this word- embrace ... it fits.

  

It is time to embrace this life; this simple,
home-centered,
Christ-centered,
mama life that I live.  

The life that is messy and often loud,
crowded with people and projects that all vie for my attention,
sometimes all at the same time.

And also the life that calls me to slip away for solitude and silence,
time alone with my Lord and my pen and the page.

It is the year to EMBRACE who I am,
even if I have heard "You are something else"
too often for comfort lately ...
something else, well maybe I am, and I'm OK with that ...
especially since I'm not even sure what the comparison is ;) .  

So, here's to 2014- the year to EMBRACE
the something else that I am,
the journey I am on, the life I've been given,
my work in this world,
and the beautiful souls I am blessed to share it with.  

What are you embracing this year?

Do you have a word for 2014?  If so, I'd love to know what it is!

Prayers for many blessings this year my friends,

Catherine

Spring Blossoms

"I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden."
-  Ruth Stout 

Spring blossoms outside my door today:

 Poppy

 Iris

Cilantro

What's blooming in your world?

Easter Blessings

I pray your Easter is filled with the Hope and Joy found only in His Resurrection.

He is risen!
He is risen indeed!

Have a lovely holiday, and don't forget to enter the giveaway for the great My Memories software- we are having lots of fun with ours!

Blessings,
Catherine

Spring Seedlings

Happy Spring!

Seeds are sprouting here ...

tiny lettuces in a blue bowl-

Sugar snap peas ...

Sweet peas, Nigella, and  more salad mix ...

Why the chicken wire?  

It seems I'm not the only one who has a fondness for container gardening.

There's Sadie the cat, who finds bowls and pots of soil an irresistible place to nap (she has 2 other of her kind who are likewise inclined) ...

Also Sweet Annie the dog, who loves digging in my gardens and pots and also has an odd fondness for eating green things.

And then there is the four year old who is as least as, if not more, destructive as the animals ... though she really believes she is 'helping' ...

Gardening is never simple here, try as I may.  Someday perhaps.


But here is a simple to grow plant that is one of my favorites- dianthus

Fortunately for me, Annie doesn't seem particularly interested in these first blossoms of the season.  

What's blooming in your world these days?

Fall Fun with Herbs

I organized the still room pantry this week.  In the process I discovered jars of herbs and spices that I had forgotten about- star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange peel.  It is time for some fall herb crafting around here!  Last fall I used those ingredients to make a pretty potpourri.  This season I think I'll make pomanders with oranges and lemons.

 I've got some other herb crafts in mind too, which I'll share with you in the coming days.  It is time for steaming cups of spiced tea, gingerbread, apple pie, and all the other warm and wonderful treats that remind me of fall.
What is your favorite herb for fall?  Today I'd have to say cinnamon, probably because I can smell the acorn squash that I am baking with butter, brown sugar and lots of cinnamon!  
Have a blessed fall day!  I'll be back soon to share some of my favorite fall herb creations.

Hello There

Hello Friends,
Just popping in to wish you a Happy Fall this lovely Thursday!
Been quiet here for too long ... but there are some fun new things in the works which I'll tell you about in a day or two.  Giveaways and Seasonal fun coming soon ...
Fall is my favorite season.
What is yours?

Shifting Seasons

(This tree was the first hint of fall this year!)

So ready for autumn leaves and a cool breeze!

It's been a busy, busy summer.  A good kind of  busy, with many worthwhile happenings such as:

a mission trip to Galveston, where we made new friends and did 4 days of street camps with the most beautiful people-

(little girls always love to 'do hair', don't they?)

(our room on a good day ... still doing laundry from this one!)

We've also been clearing and cleaning and preparing to move our Youth/Children into a new building at church (so many plans for that in the coming days!).  

And at the top of my mama's to do list this week- making home learning plans for one elementary student, one middle schooler, and a high school student. 

A tad bit overwhelming at times (on those days I'd like to go back to the beach and just stick my head in the sand) ... 

Other days, I realize that I'm just the mama, HE is the teacher.  Much comfort in that truth, I tell you.  

It's been quiet here because life has been anything but that for a season.  

Yet, fall is in the air and I'm looking forward to slowing down, sitting in the yard with a cup of tea and a notebook, baking cinnamon-spicy treats (gluten free- another 'adventure' we've embarked upon by necessity this summer!), planting cool season herbs and veggies, and spending time simply being.  

What are you anticipating in the coming season?  

What lists and plans are you dreaming up these days?

Recipes to share? 

(You know how I love to feed the Recipe Pile- gluten free would be an added bonus!)

Oh, one more thing ... I'm seriously considering moving this blog, either to Wordpress or Typepad.  I'm familiar (though not thrilled) with WordPress and it's free; but I've read such stellar reviews of Typepad (and $14.95/month isn't too bad) ... decisions, decisions.  

Thoughts, suggestions? 

Hope to hear from you.  I'd love to know what has kept you busy this summer and what great things you've in mind for fall!

Wishing you cool breezes and an abundance of simple blessings,

Catherine 

Soon ...

our resident toad that loves to soak in the dog's water bowl

I'll be back soon ... fall is coming (so ready for this) and I'll have more time (and energy!) for posting here.
While I'm here ...
My herb garden has suffered this summer- heat, neglect, and a very naughty puppy have made things quite the challenge.  But, a new season is at hand and I'm ready to 'begin again'!
How about you?
How did your garden fare this summer?
Planting anything new this fall?  I've got plans to move my raised beds from the back yard to the front (out of digging dog's reach!) and I'm dreaming up a foundation planting scheme- rosemary, lavender, thyme, and ________ (what else?) .

Hope your summer has been filled with abundant harvests and herbal blessings!

Catherine

Summer's Perfect Pair

fresh basil

red ripe tomatoes

Juicy, warm from the sun, tomatoes
fresh picked basil
organic extra virgin olive oil
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper


slice or halve tomatoes depending on size and variety
chop basil and sprinkle over tomatoes 
drizzle with olive oil
season with sea salt and pepper to taste


Enjoy!

Summer School

School is not the best word for describing the learning that happens on a daily basis in our home.  Less formal than in other seasons (and even then we are very unschoolish learners); this is just a tiny peek into the learning that's happening around here (All without my help or encouragement ... ahh the wonders of strewing books, tools and educational opportunities for them to discover on their own!).

electronics

acrylics

kindle games (Who knew multiplication and division could be so engrossing? Would never happen with a textbook!)

And stack, upon stack of books being read.  

Favorites this season- 

 

and for mama:

What good things are happening in your home this summer?
Read any great books lately?  Please share your favorites in the comments!

Blessings,
Catherine

May Day Musings

Ask of Her, the mighty Mother.
Her reply puts this other
Question: What is Spring?-
Growth in every thing -

Flesh and fleece, fur and feather,
Grass and green world all together,
Star-eyed strawberry breasted
Throstle above Her nested

Cluster of bugle blue eggs thin
Forms and warms the life within,
And bird and blossom swell
In sod or sheath or shell.
~  Gerard Manly Hopkins, The May Magnificant, 1888 

Remembering this herb jar I made one May Day and thinking I'll recreate one to celebrate today.  I have lavender, roses, and rue in bloom. Those along with a few pretty wildlings growing beyond the fence and a few sprigs of lemon balm and mint will make a pretty May Day bouquet.  

I find it interesting that May 1 was once considered the first day of summer.  I like that, summer it is!  We should celebrate with a picnic and some summery treats-  Lavender Lemonade and Lemon Thyme Cupcakes, I think.  

How about you, what do you do to celebrate May Day?

Sweet May hath come to love us,
Flowers, trees, their blossoms don;
And through the blue heavens above us
The very clouds move on.
~  Heinrich Heine, Book of Songs

Winter's End

Quiet here lately.  Not my intent, it is just that life off the page has been anything but quiet lately.  It has been a season of busyness; one that drained my energy and left my mind spinning in a dozen directions ... not conducive to creativity or writing.  Oh, as always, I would think, "I need to post about this or that," but something else more needful seemed to always crowd out my writing time.  And so the blog lay silent for a season.  And that's OK.  To everything there is a season, said the wise writer of Ecclesiastes.

But now, Spring is in the air!  And I do love the changing of seasons, especially from winter to spring ... the grass is green, birds are singing, and even a few flowers have dared to bloom their welcome to springtime.
In keeping with the seasons, I've simplified things to create more 'room to breathe' in my day, and am ready to once again spend time here.  I have plans to rework this site- simplify things here, make it more readable and even more interactive (I love a good conversation, even a virtual one!).  I want it to be a place of encouragement and hope.  As I am working to make our home more of a sanctuary- a peaceful, welcoming place for my family, friends, and even those strangers that the Lord brings to our door ... I want this place to reflect those same values- simplicity, peace, hope, beauty, and offer a quiet place of rest where you can refill your cup before heading back out into the world.

In keeping with my quest to make this place more interactive, I'd love your input!
What do you like here (or not like)?
What topics would you like to read about and discuss?
How can I make Love Living Simply a better place for you?  

And on a lighter note- since I'm thinking all things spring these days ...
What are your favorite spring flowers?
I am planning a trip to my favorite organic garden center very soon and flowers are at the top of my list.
I love poppies and roses, so those are a given; and I'm thinking about a rather wild cottage garden, with old fashioned favorites such as hollyhocks, stock, bachelor's buttons, daisies, etc., etc., etc.
But I'd love some ideas from you, too.
When you think spring garden, what flowers come to mind?

My favorite scripture for this season-

For lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone.
¹² The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of singing has come,
And the voice of the turtledove
Is heard in our land.  Song of Solomon 2:11-12

Blessings at this winter's end,

Catherine

Pumpkin Butterscotch Cookies

 A simple tasty treat from my Recipe Pile to suit the season.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Butterscotch Cookies

Makes two dozen cookies

Ingredients:

½ cup butter, softened
¾ cup sugar
1 cup pumpkin
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ½ cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon cinnamon
½ nutmeg
1 ½ cup butterscotch chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla, mixing thoroughly.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well.
3. Add the butterscotch chips, mixing gently. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto a well-greased cookie sheet. (You can also use parchment paper.) The cookies will not flatten while baking, so press them down with your fingers.
4. Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned around the edges. Allow cookies to cool for one minute before moving them to baking rack.      

A Season of Thanksgiving

Well, it has certainly been a while since I wrote with any regularity here at Love Living Simply.  Life has been everything but simple for me over the past couple of months, and as much as I’ve missed blogging, I just have not had time to string together a sensible sentence, much less a blog post.  Life is good, life is (too) busy, life is beginning to resemble the vision that my husband and I have shared and prayed for, that at times we thought might never happen; but simple it is not.  My husband is now the pastor of a church here in Texas.  We are among friends and family.   We’ve served in this community before and have remained in close contact with the church, helping out with various things over the years.  We moved back to this semi-suburban/not-really-rural-anymore community at the end of September.  It is a good place to be.  We are beyond thrilled at the opportunity God has given us to serve alongside dear friends and reach out to a community that has had our hearts for many years.  Though some days I really do have to wonder about it all...

After a month of crazy moving madness and diving head first into ministry, I am very ready put the words of Thoreau in action- “Simplify, simplify!”  It is time to slow down and make life as simple as it can be in this season of change.

 I’ve had to make some adjustments- our community is 20 miles from the nearest grocery store (if you don’t count the Family Dollar store just down the road- which I don’t- though it is a blessing when you run out of milk or toilet paper!), as it is the library, restaurant, or shopping center of any kind.  Having lived within 2 miles of them all for a couple of years, I’m having to rethink my planning and pantry stocking skills that had sadly fallen by the wayside.  There are great advantages to living here however- such as my wonderful across the road neighbors who give me fresh eggs almost every week!   We also have more breathing room- a large fenced in yard, no more noisy too-close-for-comfort neighbors  disturbing our sleep; though we do have night time visitors- foxes, raccoons, armadillos, deer, and even a bobcat once!  They are shy and for the most part quiet.  The bobcat wasn’t quiet, and it was a bit too close for comfort, sitting right outside the back fence ‘screaming’ at me!  Thankfully, it seems to have moved on to greener pastures (I really think it was hoping for a guinea pig dinner that night.)  

As we move into the holiday season, and I think about Thanksgiving- I have much to give thanks for: 
a loving husband, 
precious children, 
wonderful extended family and friends, 
meaningful ministry ... all gifts from an amazing, generous God, whose lovingkindness and great Love bring great Joy to my soul.  This season, I am singing with the psalmist-

Praise the Lord.

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;

His love endures forever.  Psalm 106:1

I’m also working on a simple project that I hope to post a photo of soon- a tree of Thanksgiving.  Over the next few weeks our church family will add leaves to the tree, each having something they are thankful for written on them.  I hope to have a tree filled with beautiful leaves telling the story of our Lord’s great faithfulness and the many blessings He has bestowed on us, giving all the glory to Him who alone is worthy of praise, honor, and glory.

 

Not to us, O LORD, not to us

but to your name be the glory,

because of your love and faithfulness.  Psalm 115:1

What are you most thankful for this season?