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Yesterday a friend, who had incidentally been trying to reach me via telephone, commented that we've been spending quite a bit of time outside. It's hard to stay indoors long enough to do any work these days - much less blog! The world wakes up from hibernation and the outside calls to you. The birds begin their litanies at early hours, the sun warms upturned faces invitingly, and the whole of nature feasts sumptuously on the bounty of spring. Little snails inching up trees as they munch on the bark. Fat, fuzzy bees buzzing a little lower to the ground, full from all that pollen and nectar. Chunky caterpillars gorging on lush leaves. And we soak it all up, each hearing his own message. Mine goes something along the lines of "You fool, you forgot the lentils! Now we'll have to have PB&J for lunch, AGAIN." (So much for profound.)
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We do have inside time though. I have finally got around to working on the alphabet props, and M has started learning his sandpaper letters and their sounds. It's glorious watching a 3 year old boy grin from ear-to-ear as he remember the "t" sound and what words start with "t". A five minute lesson that will eventually translate into hours of fun with favourite books.
And then there's the endless "to do before we leave" list. Packing being one of the least pressing. :o)
Lest anyone be deceived by this burst of activity, I am compelled to reiterate, I am not supermom. I'm just someone who loves to make things with my own two hands. But something has to give somewhere. If I'm baking up a storm in the kitchen, my crocheting isn't coming along. If I'm crafting or painting, my laundry isn't getting done. If I'm outside exploring, I'm not cleaning my house. Can't do it all. Just gotta choose priorities. Obviously, an immaculately clean house is not that high on the list. (Sorry, D... had to say it.) And sometimes, if all of the above are miraculously accomplished, it means that I'm not sleeping at night.
Yep. Can't do it all.
Yep. Can't do it all.
Tomorrow is Mother's Day and I am a mom now. But tomorrow I will be thinking, not of myself, but of my mom and my mother-in-law. They are very special women to me - both filled with wisdom, humour and great love. And both come to mind when I read this wonderful paragraph from Proverbs 31:10-31.
"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
In the spirit of the feast, I leave you a delicious little treat (recipe modified from here) - perfect for a Mother's Day gathering. Happy Mother's Day to all you blessed Mothers!
"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
In the spirit of the feast, I leave you a delicious little treat (recipe modified from here) - perfect for a Mother's Day gathering. Happy Mother's Day to all you blessed Mothers!
RASPBERRY SWIRL CHEESECAKES
Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 Tbsp sugar
4 Tbsp butter, melted
Raspberry Swirl:
6 oz raspberries (I;ve used strawberries with equal success)
2 tsp sugar
Filling:
3 lbs cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 large eggs
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with liners. Combine crust ingredients in small bowl and mix well. Press 1 Tbsp of this mixture into each cupcake liner. Press down to flatten. (I used a small plastic cup.) Bake 5 minutes, until set. Remove and set aside.
Add swirl ingredients to a small blender and puree. Set aside.
Beat cream cheese on high until fluffy. Add sugar and vanilla and mix until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Spoon cheesecake filling into each liner until it is almost full. Drip 3-4 raspberry puree dots on top of each and lightly swirl to create marble effect. Bake for about 20-25 minutes until filling is set. Remove from oven and let cool. The cupcakes will be puffed on top initially, but will sink flat again upon cooling. Place in fridge and chill for at least 3 hours before serving.
1 Tbsp sugar
4 Tbsp butter, melted
Raspberry Swirl:
6 oz raspberries (I;ve used strawberries with equal success)
2 tsp sugar
Filling:
3 lbs cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 large eggs
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with liners. Combine crust ingredients in small bowl and mix well. Press 1 Tbsp of this mixture into each cupcake liner. Press down to flatten. (I used a small plastic cup.) Bake 5 minutes, until set. Remove and set aside.
Add swirl ingredients to a small blender and puree. Set aside.
Beat cream cheese on high until fluffy. Add sugar and vanilla and mix until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Spoon cheesecake filling into each liner until it is almost full. Drip 3-4 raspberry puree dots on top of each and lightly swirl to create marble effect. Bake for about 20-25 minutes until filling is set. Remove from oven and let cool. The cupcakes will be puffed on top initially, but will sink flat again upon cooling. Place in fridge and chill for at least 3 hours before serving.
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