Early February

Already that season for messy love.

While most the state is having a snow day, we are just having cold sunshine!  Gabe camo duct-taped a BB gun and resumed his favorite past time - target shooting.

I'm so thankful for wood heat.  Thankful for wood to burn and my son that packs it in everyday too.  Even though my forced-air is secondary in my preference, the furnace had burned through the propane on these below freezing days.  The gas truck came today, AND an excavator called me this evening to ask if I'd be interested in a truck load of fir logs at a good price that he is taking out in my neighborhood!  Super blessed with warm provision present and future.

Hens are Laying

10 eggs on this cold February day!  Note the special purple egg.

Lydia picked up the purple egg and ran with it to show Gabe.  "Hurry Gabe!  It's turning brown in my hand!"  That hen's protective shell coating has heat and moisture sensitive color changing technology!

Resuming to purple!  Lydia concludes it is her Maran, Mary, that lays her such a gift.

Such pretty eggs!  Gabe is doing a good job keeping the boxes clean, and dry weather produces beautiful unwashed eggs.

Culinary Stand By and New Experiment

Marin Joe Special - I was told that I stuffed myself with the authentic Marin Joe Special as a baby until it was coming back up.  Marin Joe's is a popular Italian owned restaurant in Marin County, CA, right off a freeway with valet parking only.  (Must park the cars bumper to bumper to pack them in the lot.)  My mom made up a recipe at home, and it was an easy "go to" dinner favorite.  Both my sister and I laughed to realize we both made it for our husband's first post honeymoon meal!  I was so surprised to find that Marshal came to me with a pre-bachelor 5 in 10 Cookbook with it's own Marin Joe rendition!  He was already prepped for the dish that I thought I had sole rights to!  The 5 mandatory ingredients are onion, fresh minced garlic, ground beef, spinach, and egg.  It's not complete though without the oregano, basil, freshly ground black pepper, sea salt, and plenty of fresh grated parmesan of course!

Breakfast Porridge - Soak 2 Tblsp chia seeds in 3/4 cup warm water for 5-10 minutes, 2 Tblsp ground flaxseed, 1 Tblsp coconut butter/cream, raw honey to taste.  We tripled it.  A bit of butter, pinch of sea salt,  dash of cinnamon and nutmeg were nice additions.  Ripe banana, wild blueberries, and my raw cultured cream on top were nice too!

Paleo Comfort Food

Barbecue Beef on Buns and Coleslaw

Lydia blended together easy-peasy barbecue sauce, and we slow-cooked brisket in it all day in the crockpot.  I made a batch of "Against All Grain" buns with ground cashews and almond flour.  Easier than yeasted buns by far.  Whipped up some coleslaw without any pre-made ingredients.  This was our second night with the barbecue and buns leftovers.  We had a broccoli-slaw the night before.  Not a processed ingredient in sight, all-American, not time-consuming, and hit the spot.

January Spring

Primroses blooming through the winter mulch.

Purple greets the blue sky days.  Feels like spring around here.  The buds and early blooms and bulbs agree.

The Best Entertainment...

...Is Still a Cardboard Box!

Marshal sent surprise bean bags as gifts to the kids.  They are enjoying their bean bags and had fun for days with the boxes.

Raised Roof and Window

Gabe Hung Curtains

Napping Fort

Eventually the Monster was Slain after a Long Wrestling/Rolling Match.

Raw Experiment

First Fun with Dry Ice

Puffs

Promised Tirza a Raw Diet in the New Year.  This one comes from Kettle Falls!