Making New Memories

We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.
T. S. Eliot

This well-read quote seems especially appropriate for this season that our lives seem to be falling into at the moment.  We have returned to east Tennessee for this time, however long it may last - short or long, that is to be determined.  But of what I am sure, I am going to cherish and allow every moment of our time here to be taken captive to the whole of my being.  I want to be alive here and now, relishing each opportunity to do something and imprint a new experience onto my heart that will differ from past ones here in this place so familiar.  I want to rewrite history and give this place a new name, one that capitulates to the pulse of a life well-lived, and not a mind heavy burdened and lost.  I want to drop all my tendencies towards reticence and fear, and give into the same desire to explore and experience that my children live out each and every day.  Oh, to be promised all the joy that they carry daily, and the driven mindset that they have just to move about and not quit until energy finally gives way and the bed offers the hope of dreams sweet.  Hmmmm, that would be nice. They are reminding me daily of what life is - life: living, breathing, active, whole.

So in light of a desire to live and be, our family has taken to doing something that we all love most - hiking.  I think I can honestly say that my children (at least at this point) absolutely adore hiking.  The seemingly never ending path to all sorts of discoveries and treasures has them enamored with being outside.  They are in love.   This past weekend we had the delight to have our friends from North Carolina join us over night.  It was incredibly soul enriching to spend time with them and their new addition!  

Getting 'trail legs' early

Eli has recently formed an attachment to the movie, Bambi.  

He is re-inacting/make-believing the antlers of deer getting tangled during a dominance fight.  

Trying out Birch branches for the winter green flavor that is naturally produced

Hannah's Birch Branch Experience

Hannah discovered these two roots in the ground and put the stick between the two

 in order to form the letter, H.  As she is learning her name, 

she is very aware of the various letter H's we come across these days

Eli gets a hold of REAL antlers at Poppie's house - LOVE.

First S'more

I think he liked it

Yep, pretty sure he liked it.

I know she liked it!

Frozen Meal Follow-up: BBQ CHICKEN

Saturday we took off for a family hike and had a BLAST enjoying some time in the woods.  The kiddos especially enjoyed all the wonders of the woods and the freedom of exploring big territories.  

Before embarking on our day trip, I decided I had better put something in the crock pot so that we would have a filling and delicious meal waiting on us when we returned.  I grabbed the pre-assembled frozen pineapple bbq chicken and it was oh so good!

The recipe is as follows:

1 jar of your favorite bbq sauce (I used Williams Bros BBQ b/c it is preservative free)

4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts

3/4 of a large can of pineapple chunks plus some of the juice (use as many or as few pineapples as you like)

1 Onion julienned 

4-6 pieces of already cooked bacon (I had some on hand) cut into pieces

A sprinkle of brown sugar (optional)

I served it over rice and it was just perfect.

Mouse Cleaning

"Our house is clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy"

During a recent trip to the library we stumbled upon this book and it has been a real hit in our home.  Hannah has especially taken a liking to it because the story line of the book is built upon cleaning.  I highly recommend this book if you have a clean-loving toddler or pre-schooler.  This is a fun read.

Hannah is our token neat freak/cleaning machine.  One of her favorite activities is to fill her spray bottle, grab a rag, and go to work wiping just about anything in sight much to the dismay of some things (including Pilgrim our dog).  In her mind she is contributing, and although each window is now streaked with watery drips and every swept pile of dust is scattered once again in her attempts to sweep it up, she is still such a help and brings me so much joy as I watch this aspect of her personality develop more and more.  

Looking for the mouse that inspires the cleaning 

(you'll have to read the book)

She comes by this trait honestly.  She has various aunts and a grandmother whose passion in life is organization and cleanliness.  So, here's to all you neat freaks out there!  I am raising another to join the ranks!  I personally tend to embrace the quote that I put at the beginning of this post!

And she does it with such Style!

Corn and Black Bean Salsa - A Favorite!

One of my favorite cookbooks is Earthbound Organic's Food to Live By.  There is a wealth of great recipes, tips, ideas, and organic know-how.  I was first introduced to this book with this particular recipe,  Corn and Black Bean Salsa.  This is a favorite for me.  It is easy, quick, and so incredibly refreshing.  Perhaps you'll enjoy it too.

Love this recipe book.  It's a great resource.

The recipe is mostly black beans and corn, but there is lots more that join in on this party to make it oh, so yummy!   Fresh tomato, red bell pepper (my addition), purple onion, parsley, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and seasons.  Need I write more?  Soooo delicious!

Here's the recipe - I'm just too lazy to write it out myself.  

1. Mix all the fresh ingredients (beans, corn, tomato, onion, and parsley)

2. Mix the liquids with the garlic and seasons (garlic, vinegar, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, sugar, salt, pepper.  I added some lime juice too) 

3. Pour dressing over fresh ingredients and enjoy!

15 And Counting...

I found myself wondering today how many more times in my life I will wake up and have to re-orient myself to my surroundings, reminding myself that I am no longer in my former home.  Spending the first night in a new place seems to always be followed by that odd feeling the next day when you wake up and realize that you just  hauled all your earthly processions to this new 'home.'  It's all a journey, but in my 29-years, 17 solid years of them were lived underneath the same roof.  About the only thing that moved was the occasional piece of furniture or a picture frame - and even then it was rare.  My parents planned their home, built it, furnished it, and kept it the same throughout my life except for a few remodeling projects.  I guess I thought that was what most people do... apparently not.  Since our wedding day Jonathan and I have moved a total of 15 times, that's an average of 2.15 times per year.  I'm exhausted, especially since each and every move has involved Jon, me, our parents, whoever we can round up to help us, and a rental truck.  Each item boxed and loaded and then unloaded and unpacked by yours truly. 

 I'm so over having stuff.  The more I've moved, the more loosely I'm able to hold on to my processions, and with each move my pile to give to Goodwill or wherever gets larger and larger.  I have learned to live on less and to really appreciate having less.  I think that I can honestly say that less IS actually more.  

Saying Goodbye to the home we first moved into when we arrived in Atlanta

But probably what has sunk more deeply into the core of my being, a realization so profound that it continues to echo in my mind as I pack and unpack and pack and unpack... I am not home yet.  For the last two years we have had a great portion of our things boxed up and stored and there are moments when I cannot wait to finally settle down and be able to really unpack.  But in more honest moments, when the mirage of stability has faded, I realize that even when I am am fully settled the dull ache for something more will again surface.  I am on a pilgrimage and any place that I call home on this side of heaven is merely a watered down version, weak at best, of what I have waiting for me.  What I'm really wanting is to be home - heaven home - to finally unpack, settle down, feel at home, and stay forever.  And that one certain desire must continue to wait and grow, for now.  

Getting Ready to Unload 

 Hannah having an artistic moment in her dress Meme gave to her.

For most of our moves, it usually takes several days to a week plus to get fully settled into our home.   For this particular move we were able to do it in a day.  I'm convinced it was God's grace poured out.

Snack time in the 'Tennessee House' - as they call it

Day 3 of being here and we've already made a trip to the river.  The kiddos really enjoyed a trick that I learned during my days teaching, rubbing rocks (wet) together to create 'paint.'  We had a little face painting session.  They of course loved doing that and seeing how wet they could actually get without swimming.

 Working on her funny face 

 The funny face presentation - this took effort

Eli's attempt at a serious face - turned out to be more of a funny face.  Being serious is apparently funny to him.

A favorite Meal

Fact:The average hen lays 250 to 270 eggs a year.

My dear in-laws are officially chicken farmers!  They have been nurturing and maintaining a thriving group of 5 noisy hens (or 'girls' as they refer to them) for about a year now.  The first things my kids always want to do when we go to Nonnie and Poppie's home is to see the chickens!  I'm nearly as excited as they are to receive the inevitable dozen or so eggs that are graciously given to our family to enjoy after every visit to their house.  

One of my favorite ways to utilize eggs is to make quiche.  This meal is often served at our table and is loved by us all.  I enjoy making quiche, and I've discovered that I can make double the amount and freeze half (unbaked) in a pre-made pie shell for a day when I need it.  Below I'll share one of the many ways I like to bake it up! I'll give the measurements for a single batch.

For the Egg Base:

4 Eggs, beaten (sometimes I'll throw in one more)

1 3/4 C. 2% Milk

1/4 C. Sour Cream

1 1/2 C Shredded Cheese (Mozzarella or Cheddar as in this photo)

1/8 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

1/4 tsp. Salt

 1/4 tsp. Pepper 

Add-Ins:

Onions and mushrooms Sautéed with garlic (use amounts you will enjoy)

Slightly cooked broccoli

4 Slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy

Pre-bake your pie crust and allow time to cool.  Then sprinkle some of the Add-ins on the bottom.  Mix the rest of the add-ins to the liquid base.

 Pour egg mixture into shell and bake at 350 for 10 minutes then back it down to 325 for 1 hour.

Allow it to cool then serve it up with soup and/or salad, and some hot crusty bread! So Delicious!  

Random Bit of Information:

When I think of quiche I immediately associate this dish with French cuisine.  But upon research I came to find its roots to be German.  What?? Exactly my thought.  It was originally given the name, ‘Kuchen’ which is German for 'cake.'  The idea of the quiche was supposedly born during medieval times in the kingdom Lothringen.  I know, medieval German kingdoms don't exactly resonate in your mind when you consider quiche.  I'm thinking quaint little backery, side of soup or salad, and perhaps some coffee afterwards.  How about some Kuchen served in an earthen bowl along side your huge mug of ale or mead... not exactly what I think about.  I'm sure the classic quiche has been refined over the centuries, but what a wild beginning! I am glad to be serving this age old dish on our table today.