Archive | May, 2014

Book Review- May!

29 May

“A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. ” – Chinese Proverb

How crazy everything has been! I am sorry  that this is the first post this week, but as it was a holiday earlier in the week, I’m sure you’ll forgive me. 

Right now my hands smell like lavendar thanks to the fabric softener that I just threw together… We will see how much I like it once the clothes have dried from waving in the wind.(I have a goal of hanging more laundry out to save money by not using the dryer as much but I abhor stiff clothes and towels.) I’ll let you know – and share with you what all I did to make it if it ends up being worth it! ha. 

Next for today is to clean the kitchen – how does it get dirty so fast? – and then make some strawberry jam. Yum! 

I think this past month I have read more than any other month this year! I love it.  There’s only a few books this time around that I’m not too excited about, but most of them have hearts or exclamation points next to them (that’s how I mark their rank to me. heart = love. ! = great etc…)  Now on to the list :

True Valor (book 2) by Dee Henderson – Part of the the Uncommon Heroes series. Gracie is a pilot in the Navy and Bruce is an Air Force Pararescue man. While they both are deployed, they write love letters until one day Gracie is shot down behind enemy lines. Bruce is part of the team that their only goal is to get her out alive. Henderson once again draws you into the military world with fantastic characters and descriptions.I also love the integral role that faith plays in the characters’ lives.  For the description of the first novel, click here- https://thestartofagoodlife.wordpress.com/2014/05/01/book-review-april/

True Honor (book 3) by Dee Henderson – last book of the Uncommon Heroes series. I think this is my favorite of the three. It is intense as its’ storyline deals with the September 11th attacks. Darcy St. James is a CIA officer gathering intelligence on the men profiting from the attacks. Sam “Cougar” Houston is a Navy Seal whose team gets deployed based on the information Darcy gathers. During this war, their romance flourishes. But then they find out that Darcy’s name is high on the terrorists’ hit list. I adore Darcy. She’s tough, gives her all and yet is overwhelmed and exhausted of keeping it all together. 

The Heartache No One Sees by Sheila Walsh – I must admit, I don’t think I’ve made it even halfway through this bible study book. It is good, but it isn’t turning out to be quite what I wanted. It is interesting learning more about Sheila Walsh – as she has her personal story in each chapter. This book is to help women with broken hearts from their past learn to accept Christ’s healing and acceptance. It is very well written, my disappointment with it has nothing to do with the actual book. Like I said, it’s more that I was searching for something else. 

Image

Take Hold by Ariel and D’vorah Berkowitz – This is off my OH’s bookshelf. And I have not picked it up as much as I want to. This book teaches about the unity and equality between Jewish believers and non- Jewish believers through Messiah;  the inheritance of non -Jewish believers through the covenants of Israel. As the back cover states “What is your relationship to the Land, the People and the Scriptures of Israel?”  

In Sheep’s Clothing by Susan May Warren – Gracie Benson is on the run – from the man who murdered her best friends. The man trying to keep her alive, an FSB agent, is haunted by mistakes of the past, and intent on catching the man who ruined his father’s life. What Gracie doesn’t know is that she carries a medical secret that in the right hands, could save millions. Outwitting the Russian old guard with a small group of friends is the only way to save Gracie’s life. ACK! I love love love this book. This romantic suspense, has everything you want in a novel! 

The Shadow of the Bear by Regina Doman – This is a modern retelling of the Brother’s Grimm fairytale, Snow White and Rose Red. I must admit that I forgot how much I enjoy this book! Bear, a rough and mysterious young man shows up on Blanche and Roses’ doorstep. While the sisters’ opinions on him are opposite, he becomes their closest friend in New York City. But Blanche’s fear that he was putting her family in danger, become horribly real and they must fight for their lives. (!!!) This book is a must read! I got this years ago from a dear friend and it has become a yearly read for me. 

Black As Night by Regina Doman – This is also a modern retelling of a fairy tale. This time it is Snow White.  She handles this one as well as the last book. I am halfway through it right now – and don’t remember too much about it which makes it more fun to read!  A runaway girl named Nora is found in the vestibule by seven friars who work with the homeless. While they offer her a place of safety, Bear searches for his missing girlfriend, Blanche. This suspenseful story brings back the characters from the Shadow of the Bear book with a whole lot more background on them. (plus I just found out there’s another book to this retelling ‘series’! i’m so excited to find it!!!) 

The Belly Off Diet by Jeff Csatari – I got this book from the library to try out some new recipes. It’s actually from Men’s Health, and is interesting reading. It’s got a quick-start 7 day program – recipes, workouts, etc – that is proven and says that you will see results within days. The exercises don’t require a gym (always a plus!) and the meal plan isn’t one that leaves you full at the end of each day. It’s full of REAL food – spaghetti, chicken wings, pizza, taco salad, etc. I’ve tried several already and plan on keeping them in my ‘repetoire’! For anyone looking to lose that stubborn stomach weight but hate the gnawing on your insides because the portion sizes are too small – check this book out! 

 

I already have a list of books to read this coming month – some from the library, some from my own shelf! Including – but not limited to – Finding Betty Crocker, A Tiger in the Kitchen, Fast, Fresh and Green, A Beauty so Rare and finishing Take Hold. I do want to read the Anne of Green Gables series, but not sure when I’ll start that! 

Happy reading friend and I’ll talk with you next week! 

~Laura

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

The Garden has been Started…unless the seeds are duds.

22 May

Well, I have almost survived this week of daily doctor visits.

I am happy to report that the prescription sunglasses are ordered and will be here in about two weeks! I am super excited.. as are my eyes. I am hesitantly optimistic that the ‘specialized chiropractor’  will be able to help me feel better . (if you want the link to him, check out https://thestartofagoodlife.wordpress.com/2014/05/20/friends-banding-together-via-the-wide-web/ ) I have learned some very interesting things about how the body works from my two appointments with him.  So I will be going to him two times a week for however long, to see if he can help me. It is completely different than anything I have tried in the past, so here’s hoping! (and praying) 

As for my seed starting, I was able to go out to my mom’s house and have fun with her planting planting and planting. I had hoped to make these –  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/146085581637800748/ newspaper seed growing pot , but sadly, folding, or as it’s called , origami, is not a gift that I was blessed with. I got all the way through the instructions and….I didn’t have a ‘pot’. . So, I tossed it in the burn barrel and said ‘all well’. And decided to use up the empty pots that my mom had already offered. This is what I brought home : 

Image

But imagine, if you can, a large golden retriever, all these pots plus two more, my purse, sweater, small friends welcome sign to hang by my door, a grocery bag with miscellaneous items and me all in my 68 Volkswagen Beetle. Yes, I did it, with the help of my mom – since my back was still hurting and I was under doctors’ orders to not lift anything… It was an interesting – which means slow and careful corners and praying the whole way – drive to my house but we all survived!  

Image

Image

 

The two green pots with obvious life in them are the strawberry plants my sister gave me (yay!) and she also gave me an oregano plant – which I of course, forgot to take a photo of. This bottom pot is my avocado plant – I suspended a seed in a jar with water and voila! We have a plant. The skinny bit with one leaf ( just realized the photo cuts off the leaf. it’s on the right front)  is also avocado… I was advised at one point to trim the growth of the avocado because it was super tall with just two leaves at the top… well, i trimmed it and put the top bit in the water too. And, while I thought it would die, it has started to get roots on it too! Crazy! The other tall bit – back right – is garlic. I did the same thing with a clove of garlic and now we will see if I get garlic to grow! 

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy days to read my bit of a blog. I appreciate it so much, and get excited every time one of you leaves a comment, likes or follows. God bless and have fun this Memorial weekend!

Tags:

Baking Dreams

20 May

I’m sitting here watching the movie “Julie and Julia” and while I must admit I forgot about the random ‘sketchy’ scenes in it (why oh why do they have to put stuff like that in movies?) – it makes me want to pull out my rolling pin, Kitchenaid and apron (freshly washed too!) and start baking. Not baking like I do anymore, but with milk, butter, eggs and sugar. I want to put it all together in my mixing bowl and know for sure and for certain that what I’ve just put in my oven is going to come out soft, tender, flaky and delicious. I miss those carefree days. I miss baking every Saturday morning with OPB on the radio. 

I never had to work to bake, it came naturally to me from a young age. It definitely helped having a patient and wonderful teacher in the form of my mom. I learned so much from her, that through the days of culinary school, I’d go home and tell her that what she had taught me years ago had a ‘technical’ term in the cooking world. While culinary school was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, I am glad that I made myself push through all the obstacles and finish it. One day I hope to have my health restored and open that little bakery around the corner with my dear friend, and as we always said ‘leave a legacy for our families.’ 

So, go out and buy a pound of butter and make something delicious for me. I’ll be sitting here, struggling to figure out this new baking style and trying not to get frustrated at another loaf of bread coming out too dense. (It doesn’t help that I am a ‘snob’ when it comes to baking). 

Good night, dear world. And enjoy your desserts.

~Laura

Tags: , ,

Friends banding together via the Wide Web

20 May

Well, the weather has turned nicer here in Central Oregon and that has inspired me to start the seeds for my garden! I am going to buy a bag of dirt – does anyone else feel strange saying that??? – and head out to my mom’s this week to get them going. She has a ‘container’ that will be perfect for starting them.  Plus, my sister has said I can grab some strawberry plants that are taking over her garden area so I’ll be getting strawberries too (hopefully) this season! Exciting! I will share all about it as soon as I’ve actually done it – my week is full of doctor appointments (more on that later) so I am not sure when I will actually get out there to do it. But I can’t wait! I know, it’s probably a little late to start seeds, but I figure any time before it’s actually warm enough to just plant them outdoors, is a head start. Shrug. We will see how it goes!

As for the doctor appointments, I was recommended to a new doctor. . . and new doctors are not my favorite. I get all nervous and want to do anything but go! It’s so pathetic – especially with how many doctors I’ve been to over the years. Anyway, his name is Dr. Gillett  (http://www.alignedhealthcare.com/ ) and he’s a, how I term it, specialized chiropractor. So I’m heading to him this afternoon , and tomorrow, to see if he can help me with these migraines! I am hopeful but nervous. . . thank goodness my dear mom offered to go with me today (think she knows how I am about these things?). And then, later in the week, I am headed in to the eye doctor for an exam (since it’s been two years now) and to see about getting prescription sunglasses. Now this appointment, I am excited about. (not the exam part… I hate the puffer thing… shudder. I convulsively blink and it takes forever and ever… and then that light thing that looks like something is headed straight for your eyeball??? anyway.. you can see why I don’t go unless I have to) It will help relieve the stress my eyes go under every day that I step outside with the sun shining. I need very dark sunglasses since my eyes are so sensitive  to light  – thanks to the migraines – and I also need my glasses so my eyes don’t strain  going from close up to far away, so this could be so wonderful for my poor little eyes. I’ll keep you updated (because I know you all are sooooo interested in my eye situation haha)

I want to share something  else so exciting with you (and it has absolutely nothing to do with gardening or doctors!) Periodically I will have some fabulous photos here on The Start of a Good Life that are from my dear friend, Viktorija Girton, from  Laughing Tree Photography.    http://laughingtreephotography.com/   You will easily be able to tell which are hers just from the difference between her photos and mine!  ha, but  really, I am so excited that she has agreed to share her photos with me (and you!) and fill in some otherwise blank canvases with her great capturing of the world around us. I love this shot of these flowers. I almost want a print of it for my house, I love it that much!!  Go and check out her page and if you are in the NC area, have her capture your next event! (shameless plug for my friend there!)

 

 

Today’s post was really just to update you on those three things. I will let you know how today’s visit goes and how my forage into seed starting works out!

Happy Tuesday to you all – and don’t forget, this weekend is Memorial Day weekend! Plan something fun with your family – relax!

~Laura

For the Love of Vintage Volkswagen

15 May

Okay, I just found this online (through a friend!) and have to share it with you.  Click this link to check out this ad from 1974 for a small trailer that a Bug can pull! It is super cute and is now on my wish list.

http://joeforamerica.com/2014/05/votd-5-15-14/#BjfYGoRxgRHoYm3H.01

As you might know by now, I own a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle. My parents gave it to me on my 16th birthday – and I drove it daily for years until I just couldn’t take the winters in it! It has been parked for a few years but now it is out again and I am loving driving it! My OH has even started driving it and enjoys it – which also makes me happy. Lauras pictures 735 (2) Lauras pictures 736 Lauras pictures 721 (2) Lauras pictures 720 (2)Lauras pictures 722 P1070683 (2) P1070708

 

 

Working on the Bug for the past 10 odd years has been so much fun – spending evenings and weekends in the garage with my dad.  Presents were of the car variety – new pedals, chrome parts, new upholstery, etc etc.  And I loved it – she has been ‘my baby’ , time and money money money spent on her. I don’t plan on ever selling her.

I hope you have a car – or something else – with similar memories and fun. Happy Driving!

Delicious Dairy free Creme Brulee

8 May

My OH did something amazing a while ago. He made some delicious dairy free creme’ brulee. YUM. 

We were having some friends over for dinner and watching the Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug (yes, we are that cool. it’s an great movie, as long as you fast forward through the spider part. yeck) And we always like to make a yummy dessert as a treat after dinner, since it is something we don’t really splurge on when it’s just the two of us. While I was thinking of something uninspiring like – cookies – he came up with making creme’ brulee. 

Now, you’ve got to understand that this was a love of mine after Culinary school. I adored creme brulee. But with this lifestyle change, it no longer fit in any way what I could eat. So, I was all for giving up the thought of making cookies to let him experiment away. After a quick stop at the grocery store to grab the required items, we came home and this is what he came up with.

 There are several notes throughout and at the end of the recipe, so please, please read all of this before starting your creme brulee! Take the time, it’s worth it. Trust me. 

He printed off Alton Brown’s recipe for Creme’ brulee (which, if you know anything of alton brown, his recipes are fantastic!) that was on foodtv.com . Here is our version of the recipe:

1 qt goat milk

1 vanilla bean, split and scraped (yes, take the extra time to do this! the flavor is so much better)

1 cup coconut sugar (ours was coarse, so he tossed it in the blender to decimate it)

8 duck egg  yolks (the original recipe called for 6 yolks)*

2 qts hot water (for the baking of it)

 Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F

Place the goat milk, vanilla bean and its pulp into a medium saucepan, set over med-high heat and bring to boil. Remove from the heat, cover and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean and reserve for another use. *He put it in our tea ball to be able to easily remove it.*

Image

In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 c coconut sugar and the egg yolks until well blended and just starts to lighten in color. Add the cream a little at a time, stir constantly. Pour the liquid into 6 (7 to 8 oz) ramekins. Place the ramekins into a large cake pan or roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into the pan to come halfway up the ramekins.

*All my ramekins are in storage right now, so we borrowed a rectangle casserole dish (i think it’s 9 by 13) from my mom instead and put that inside a roasting pan. We didn’t measure how much water, just poured some in til it was halfway up the sides of the casserole dish. *

Image

Bake just until the creme brulee is set, but still trembling in the center. Approximately 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the ramekins from the roasting pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

Remove the creme brulee from the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes prior to browning the sugar on top. Divide the remaining 1/2 c vanilla sugar (*mix some vanilla extract in with your sugar) equally among the 6 dishes and spread evenly on top. Using a torch, mlet the sugar and form a crispy top. Allow to sit for at least 5 min before serving. 

*As my torch is also packed away, we spread the sugar on top, put the oven on broil and put the dish on the top shelf of the oven to crisp-ify the sugar. The door was left open to ensure that it didn’t burn. 

Image

Notes : 

OH says he would buy the thicker goat milk from Trader Joe’s instead of the canned goat milk we used. That way it would have less of a goat-y flavor. (but, out of the 5 of us, he’s the only one who really minded it) 

OH doesn’t follow recipes exact (which is upsetting to my recipe-loving self) so this recipe ended up being sort of doubled in the end, that’s why we were able to fill a casserole dish. Not that i ever complained, mind you. 

Also, feel free to taste test along the way and add more sugar – since coconut sugar is not near as sweet as regular, we typically double whatever is called for.

We cannot eat chicken eggs, that is why i specifically say ‘duck eggs’. but if you’re lucky enough to get your eggs cheaper than $6.99 a dozen, feel free and use chicken. He also used more eggs to make sure it would hold together since our goat’s milk was thinner than heavy cream would be.

Happy baking! Enjoy! Let me know how it turns out if you try it! 

I think I’m going to go try my new bread recipe… it feels like a day for baking.

~Laura

Tags: , ,

Life in the Midst of. . ..

5 May

I must admit to being a bit off-kilter blog wise right now. I have plans for future posts – recipes, stories, DIY, but none of them are ready for today’s post. As in, I haven’t drummed up the focus to get them done. I am starting to feel better over all, the migraines are toning down some points of the day and because of that fact, I am able to get some cleaning and other projects done. It feels so good to be able to keep up with the dishes and laundry. 

For those of you who don’t have health problems but hate doing those tasks? (for we all mutter about them from time to time) Just imagine not being able to do that task for a week, two weeks or several months, your attitude will change toward it! And for those who also struggle with chronic pain of any sort that makes the daily tasks difficult, keep heart. There is a pause in the pain coming.  I would love to say there is an end to it, but as I can’t see that end for myself yet, it is hard to encourage that for you! I am (re-) learning on appreciating the little things:

Like washing my dishes. Brushing my dog. Walking Old Mill with my mom. My OH singing to me. Driving my classic Volkswagen again after two years.  Being able to get up to make breakfast for my OH before he leaves for work. Spending a lazy day with my sister and her kids.Having a movie night with some dear friends (and scaring one by tickling her foot –  you know who you are). Planning my garden for this year. 

Even making a mental note throughout the day when I am doing something that I wouldn’t have been able to do even a month ago, and thanking God for the reprieve of the pain. I am sure it will come back, as it always does, but I am trying to consciously enjoy this break from it. That isn’t to say that it is gone – just receded. But I’ll take it. 

Life in the midst of it all

how my dog gets my attention when I’m working on blogness

Feeling inspired by the warm weather we had last week, I switched my wardrobe from winter wear to summer wear!  I forgot about the updating I did last summer – yay for lightweight cute dresses and tops that I forgot about. It’s almost like having two wardrobes. hehe. I’ll pretend I’m rich and have that many clothes. I do have a few brimmed hats that I want to get hat stands for – another DIY project I want to do soon! – so they aren’t just sitting on my dresser. I’m slightly paranoid about the brims getting damaged. I still have a pile of ‘hand wash only’ items  waiting to be – ahem – hand washed. . . but other than that the project (read:mess) has been completed and the tubs taken back out to the shed.  I am looking forward to wearing the new skirt that I got for my birthday. My mom bought me the pattern, fabric and thread and I made it (with her direction and thought sharing). It was so fun and it will be so nice on those hot days. here’s a photo of my creation! (no, it’s not a great photo, but it’s all I’ve got! ) 

birthday skirt

ignore the ugly tennis shoes.. and the exhaustion on my face!

Yes, I realize I’m rambling a bit tonight. I’m tired, drinking tea and trying not to worry about my grandpa.  So I think I’ll close with the promise of a recipe or story next time. I am super excited about two of the recipes  – one my OH did and one I accidentally did! Eek! So fun. 

God bless, Laura

Tags:

Book Review – April

1 May

 “THE MAN WHO DOES NOT READ GOOD BOOKS HAS NO ADVANTAGE OVER THE MAN WHO CAN’T READ THEM.”

– MARK TWAIN, ATTRIBUTED.

My OH and I were able to make a day trip up to Portland to see family/friends this past weekend – so much fun but so tired from it! ha. I splurged the next day and got a soy milk (even though I normally avoid it) chai tea. YUM. I forgot how much I love those. This weekend also marked the end of a ‘diet’ that I’ve been on this past month. The Fast Metabolism Diet. Whew. It was harder to get through than I thought it would be…. but more on that later.

 

And now, for our book review for the month of April!  . ( I know, I know, it’s May now but I know you’ll forgive me for being a day late!) I did a bit more reading this past month (yay!) and also more varied (another yay!) books too.

Frederic Wentworth – None but You by Susan Kaye –loved this book! I am saddened because the library doesn’t have its sequel. continues in his perspective, how he sees anne and the others around him. Brings in new friends that you quickly learn to love.   if you want to read my review on this – check out last months’ review —- https://thestartofagoodlife.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/book-review-march-2014/

The Fast Metabolism Diet by Haylie Pomeroy – My naturopath/acupuncturist suggested I try this diet to help with all my crazy health issues. Thank goodness my mom went on this diet with me and it helped so much. I broke down and bought the book brand new – I think the last time  I paid full price for a book was when I was in culinary school. Ouch. But it is full of good advice and I love the ‘voice’ of Haylie. It is designed to speed up your metabolism, heal your thyroid and if there’s weight to lose, that too! It is a strict 28- day program where you cut out wheat, dairy, corn, sugar and basically anything else that might be processed, from your diet. With how fast I burn through food, I struggled a lot, having to eat every 2 hours! Now, while I love food and am used to eating frequently, this was a lot more frustrating for me being so hungry all the time. What I did gain from it, is that my digestion is better – not where it should be, but there’s a definite improvement. Which is nice. I also got corn out of my diet, which is something I have been wondering if I have an allergy to for quite a while now. So, while it didn’t help the migraine pain, I am glad I did it.  I am debating trying it for a week sometime this coming – or next – month to continue healing my digestion.

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis – loved it  -I read this in three days! A delightful story of another adventure in Narnia. Eustace Scrubb gets back to Narnia with friend Jill Pole and go on a journey to find Prince Rilian, son of King Caspian the Tenth. Rilian has been kept captive by the Emerald Witch in an underground kingdom. Meetings with owls, giants and earthmen bring new characters into this series that is very imaginative.

The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis -loved it loved it! In this wonderful end to the Narnia series, the threat comes from inside the kindgom. From lies and treason, the King and a small band of followers must prevent the destruction of everything that they hold dear.

book review- april

The Yeast Connection by William G. Crook, M.D. – pretty good. very informative book on the health problems  that can be tracked to sensitivity to the ‘yeast germ candida albicans’, of people of all ages and sexes.

The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson –  this is another novel I randomly picked up years ago at a second-hand bookstore. This is my second time reading it and I enjoyed it even more this time. It is set in the historical time during the War of the Roses. We follow Dick Shelton as he must rescue his lady, Joanna Sedley. Through it all, he must join forces with the outlaws known as the black arrows in order to gain revenge against his guardian, Sir Daniel Brackley, who murdered his father. While it is full of old english words, that is part of its’ charm, I am continuously reaching for my phone (i.e. dictionary) to look up a word. This is a must read!!!

Rudin by Ivan Turgenev  – unexpected new favorite! I knew nothing about this book when I picked it up and found it delightful. Turgenev is a famous Russian author, and this was his first novel. It is based on the life of Rudin, a man with dreams and big words but is superfluous. Apparently this type of character whose inability to act was a staple of Turgenev’s.

True Devotion by Dee Henderson – favorite for years. Book one of the Uncommon Heroes series.  Kelly Jacobs has already loved and lost one Navy Seal, Joe ‘Bear’ Baker can’t ask her to risk going through that pain again.  But when the man responsible for Kelly’s husbands’ death is back , and closer than either of them realizes, Bear has to get there in time to save her. Now, this little explanation of this book does nothing for how wonderful it is!!! You simply must read this. I love Henderson’s stories. A little bit of suspense, mystery and faith makes this military romance novel a fun read.

 

I already have some of what I’m reading for May picked out – including the rest of the Dee Henderson series!  I’ve picked up a bible study titled the Heartache No One Sees by Sheila Walsh that I’m eager to start.

Well, I think I’m going to go take advantage of the summer-like weather and go walk the dog. Hope you enjoyed this list of worth-reading books!

Happy reading – and please, share what you’re reading right now in the comments below! I’d love to add some new books to my list !

~Laura