Pops, Poppy, Dear ol' Dad

I don't know what I would do without my Pops, who makes me feel like I can do anything just by telling me "I'm gonna need your help."
A couple weeks ago on my way to Sunday school with Ella, we headed down Hog Trough Road. I love that we go to church by way of dirt roads. When we got to Mom and Dad's farm, Dad's new semi-truck was blocking the road. They have a short steep drive and every time he edged forward  to gain more momentum for backing up the hill, he lost more traction.
By the time I arrived, he was out of forward room and stuck. I pulled over and jumped out to be sure he was okay. As he came walking through the yard with a chain draped over his shoulder, he said "I'm gonna need some help." He hooked one end of the chain to his semi and the other to his pickup truck. I jumped in the pickup, sunday dress and all. He said over his shoulder as he went to climb in the big-truck (as the kids call it) "When I give the signal ease back until I can get some traction." Slow and steady we pulled the semi back up the hill. I got down out of the truck and climbed back in my jeep where Ella was patiently waiting. We headed down the road to church again.
It was worth being a little late.
Later, I was thinking about how such a simple task could make me feel so proud, useful, satisfied, empowered even. I thought what a gift my dad has given me, to feel like I can tackle anything I choose. By him simply believing I can, I believe I can too.

Hot Start

I'm not saying I'm giving coffee up, but I have to have something hot to drink while I start my day. Call it a habit, call it a morning ritual, call it whatever you want, but I need it. And, because I need more than 1 cup, I could use something other than coffee or tea to sip on in the morning.
I tried the hot water with lemon drink, but it's just not enough to satisfy. I've been drinking it anyway hoping I would acquire more of a taste for it. (I'm still hoping...)
This morning I decided maybe I could add some coconut oil since I'm always looking for ways to add more coconut oil to my diet, other than cooking with it.
So, I added a teaspoon or two of coconut oil to my hot water with lemon and enjoyed it so much I had two cups! The coconut oil adds a richness thats almost like fresh cream, yum.
Now I'm putting it in my coffee AND my lemon water. Since I am a multiple cup drinker, hence the trying to cut down my caffeine intake, I use 1t at a time. If you are a one-cup-and-done drinker, use up to 1T per cup.
It's lip gloss and a cup of joe rolled into one!

I use Dr. Bronner's brand which has a nice light coconut flavor. The mug is a Susanne Harmon original; her work is available at Bem General.

Daffodil Spring at Bem General

Friday was my birthday and by far, the most beautiful day of the year. We had all the windows and doors open at Bem General, the birds were singing, Ella was running in and out playing, and we were dancing to the music as we cleaned and created. My mom "the decorator extraordinaire" cleaned and spring-i-fied the bathroom, as you can see in the photos below. {Everything in her display is for sale, including the light fixture, at Bem Gen} by the way. So this was our day of bliss, and then winter returned. 

Enjoy the photos and the beautiful days of spring!

Meatless and Wheatless

What you'll need:

1. veggie peeler
2. knife + cutting board
3. saute pan

Ingredients:

1. 2-4 carrots, peeled in large ribbons
2. 1-2 portabella mushrooms, rough chopped
3. 1/4 onion, fine chopped
4. 2 cloves garlic, minced
5. 12 oz pasta sauce
6. 2 handfuls fresh spinach
7. sea salt + pepper to taste
8. olive oil and/or coconut oil

What you'll do:

1. over medium high heat add 1 T. coconut oil and 2 T. olive oil to sauté pan
2. add carrot ribbons and sauté until just softened, set aside and drizzle with more olive oil as desired
3. add onion, garlic, and mushrooms to sauté pan over medium heat, adding more oil if needed
4. sauté onion, garlic and mushrooms, adding salt and pepper as desired
5. add sauce to onion mixture to heat through
6. plate one handful spinach, top with carrots, and finish with sauce for each serving

What mine looks like:

Help!

March and April are months of deadlines for me. Deadlines for finishing projects and beginning new ones. While I'm super excited for the new projects, I'm feeling a tad bit overwhelmed about pulling everything together in order to move forward. My house feels like it's in a varying state of disaster, outside garden projects are looming (at home and at the General), fencing needs reworking, animals (inside and outside) need tending, and the list goes on. I need better organization I think. How do I manage that when I'm already feeling overwhelmed? My best strategy is dive in and tackle one project, usually early in the morning before I'm really awake enough to think. Action is the best antidote for overwhelm. That works great; but do you ever feel like you finish one thing, turn around and there are ten more?! You see where I'm going here. I'd love to hear your best strategies for tackling multiple projects at once, at home and work. Help!  :)

Here's to the season of change!

Sun, Snow and Signs of Spring

Veggie Hash

What you'll need:

1. vegetable peeler
2. spatula
3. griddle/skillet

Ingredients:

1. 2-4 carrots, peeled/shredded
2. 1-2 handfuls fresh spinach
3. 1 T. coconut oil
4. salt, red pepper flakes (optional)

What you'll do:

1. heat griddle to medium-high heat, add coconut oil
2. saute carrots, browning if desired
3. turn heat off, add spinach and cover to wilt
4. ENJOY as a side to eggs or Cereal Substitution 
5. OR top with almonds for a complete breakfast dish

What mine looks like: