Balance

Recently, I came across this practical guide to good food choices.
I printed it off four times ~ one copy for myself, and one for each of the kids.
My hope is that they will take these things with them into their adult lives.
Some things are not learned by osmosis; they need to be taught.

I'm trusting that they are paying attention.  :)

What about you?  How do you find balance in the
whole foods, healthy eating, and cooking parts of life and living?
Would you mind sharing your ideas on how you keep it all in perspective?
How are you passing these things on to your children/teens?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Enjoy the journey!
With Love, Camille

Chocolate Pecan Muffins ~ THM Compliant

Have Y'all heard of Trim Healthy Mama?

I kept hearing about it so much, and I was intrigued

enough by all that I read, that I bought the book.

These girls have much to say that makes a lot of sense.

I don't know enough about them to endorse all that they

may stand for, but, the initial results I've had

from eating the way they suggest have been positive.

I've felt better than I have in a long while.

I've dropped 10 pounds without starving myself ~ it really has been painless.

And, the cravings truly are not there or, can easily be satisfied

while staying on plan and continuing to achieve your ideal weight.

It isn't a "diet" in the conventional sense ~

 it's a way of eating and nourishing oneself that is easy to stick to.

It tends to regulate blood sugars and help the body find a good balance.

I have found it to be both satisfying and energizing.  :)

Are you interested to learn more?

Click here to find the book for sale on Amazon.

One thing to mention, and it's a significant thing if you ask me ~

these sisters do not endorse sugar of any kind

if your goal is to lose weight and/or balance your blood sugars.

That means no honey, natural sugar, raw sugar, or maple syrup

for those who are trying to achieve the specific goals mentioned above.

These authors would not include growing children in that restriction.

All of God's good food is encouraged in their case.

And, for everyone, a balanced approach to nutrition is promoted.

They encourage the use of Stevia in a couple of forms.

One of those is Truvia ~ I don't know for sure how I feel about it.  

More research is required before I become settled on the matter.

In the meantime, I have been using it.

That's my disclosure for this post, and I felt it was 

necessary to give it prior to sharing the recipe.  

There.  Now I feel so much better.  *Wink*

Having said all the above, I don't see why you couldn't make these

muffins with regular sugar if you don't want to follow the plan.

I've not actually made them without Truvia, so you'd have to give it a try to see.

According to my calculations, this recipe would require approximately 

3/4 cup to 1 cup of sugar to achieve the same level of sweetness.

Oh, and just so you know.  I still have sugar occasionally.

When I do, however, the scale shows me that I've done it.

It's so empowering to know how to quickly arrest that situation

and stop it in its tracks before it gains a foothold.

Now, on to the recipe!

~ Chocolate Pecan Muffins ~

(Adapted and modified from one of the recipes

which may be found in Trim Healthy Mama)
**These would fall into the S category**

6 Large Eggs ~ Organic, preferrably

2 tsp Vanilla ~ I use the pure extract

1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp Golden Flax Meal

1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp Almond Flour

1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

1/3 cup Truvia sweetener (or 3/4 cup to 1 cup sugar)

1 Tbsp Baking Powder

1 cup Chopped Pecans

1/3 cup Coconut Oil, melted

Whisk together eggs and vanilla in a medium bowl and set aside.

Measure all dry ingredients together in large bowl and

stir until no lumps remain ~ I mix with my fingers.

Mix egg mixture into dry ingredients, stir lightly with a fork.

Add in melted coconut oil and stir together well.
Let sit a minute or two to let batter rise a little.

Spoon into prepared muffin tin.

I use parchment liners in my muffin tin,

but, you could grease the muffin cups prior to filling.

Fill to the tops of the liners ~ I use the large size.

Makes 10 large muffins.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 18 to 20 minutes.

Tester should come out nearly clean. 

Be careful not to over bake as your end product will be too dry.

Serve warm with butter.  Enjoy!

Many Blessings,
Camille

**Disclaimer ~ I only endorse things that I use and enjoy.

I am not compensated in any way for my opinions.

They are just that ~ opinions.  Please do your own research
in order to be sure that you have made the right choice for you.  :)

Soaking and Drying Nuts

Did you know that nuts, oats and beans

are more nutritious when soaked prior to cooking?

This is a relatively new concept to me.

I first wrote on some of the changes I'd made in my 

kitchen back in my early days of blogging ~ 

It includes many links to the *whys* and *hows* behind soaking.

That post may be found by clicking here.

At the time I didn't know about the benefits of soaking and drying nuts ~

just goes to show we are always learning something new, doesn't it?

I certainly do not have it all together in this area,

and I have been known to completely change my mind on some 

things after further research.

It's a good thing to be flexible ~ another thing I've been learning.  :)

Soaking may seem like such a lot of extra work, but, it really isn't.

It just requires a little advance planning,

and the end product is so much better for you.

I cannot help but take notice of the references to soaking beans

in the "Little House" books when I consider what we do as cooks today.

There seemed to be a general knowledge about these things passed

down from one generation to the next back in those days.

We often are hurried and harried in this day and age ~

sometimes food preparation suffers in the process of day to day living.

Soaking and drying nuts is my most recent kitchen upgrade.

I buy pecans and almonds raw.

Then, I soak in salted filtered water for about twelve hours ~

I use 1/2 Tbsp sea salt to 1 lb nuts in about six cups water.

For a specific guideline on how long to soak 

for the type of nut you are working with ~ Click Here.

Sea salt is added to the bottom of a large glass bowl ~

then one variety of nut is added and covered with plenty of fresh water.

Soak only one type of nut per bowl of water.  Stir to dissolve the salt.

Set a lid or large plate over the bowl to cover it ~

some people use a tea towel so it can *breathe*.

After about twelve hours, the water will be brown and murky ~

 pour it off and rinse the nuts well with fresh water.

I use my dehydrator to dry the nuts.

This could also be done in the oven if it will allow you to set it

for a low enough temperature ~ it needs to be about 115-120 degrees F.

Whichever method you choose to use,
it's beneficial to spread the nuts onto parchment paper
for the drying time ~ I do this even in the dehydrator.
If you are using your oven a parchment lined cookie sheet works well.
It's best to try to evenly distribute the nuts in a single layer.

This next step takes a good 24 hours for pecans,

and closer to 36 hours for almonds.
The nuts need to be kept in the oven or dehydrator for the 
appropriate length of time and turned every so often.
Keep checking them for *doneness* ~ this is the fun part!

The goal is to remove all that water and get them

toasty and crunchy ~ They are kinder on your tummy,

and, in my opinion, actually taste better than when they were *raw*.

Once you have a batch of nuts ready to go,
put them into a freezer container and keep them
frozen until needed ~ they will be kept fresher that way.

What about you?  
Do you prepare raw nuts in this way?
Oh, and if you don't and aren't ever planning to,
know that there are seasons for everything ~
It's okay if you never ever do this!  *Smile*

Happy snacking!  :)
Camille

**Update ~ I have found that my pecans have turned out too salty
in recent days and have modified the instructions to reflect this.
Make sure you use lots of soaking water and 
rinse very well prior to the dehydration process.  

One More Time

The children have done this once before.

The opportunity to do it again presented itself,
and I agreed to take them one more time.

Really, I don't fancy the idea of it becoming a habit.

I'm not at all in favour of them doing it for real.

Inside.  With harnesses.  And ropes.  And thick pads below.

That I can handle.  A few times ~ I think.  :)

Austin and Calvin came along last time.

They were unable to join us yesterday.

That's why only Fraser and Emma are featured in this post.

It was just me and them.  My two youngest.

Dear me.  How quickly they grow up.  

Emma was able to touch that blue rock at the tippy-top of the wall below.  :)

Fraser's in the striped shirt.

He made it to the top and rang the bell.  :)

There were places where they could free climb ~
 Fraser made it to the top of the wall in the photo below.

I happily kept my feet firmly planted on the floor,

while cheering my children on and snapping photos.  

It was the safest thing to do, wouldn't you agree?  :)

Happy Weekend!

Camille

Conquering Mayne

Conquering Mayne.

Well...actually only half of Mayne.

So, I don't think it is accurate

to say that we *conquered* after all.

But, it was the way we felt!

Mayne Island is one of the Gulf Islands off the coast of British Columbia ~

About an hour's sail from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal.

We cycled it. All of us.

Even Austin was able to do it ~

What a blessing!

What a miracle!!

The day before Fraser's 13th Birthday,

we went over to Mayne Island for the day.

We walked onto the ferry with our bikes in

the morning, and returned about eight hours later.

Here we are about half way through our cycling adventure...

do we look like we know what we are doing?

Have you ever cycled a little island?

They tend to be hilly.

It seems like so much of it was UP.

As soon as we rode off the ferry we were going up.

Up and up and up.

First stop ~ the Lighthouse

for a picnic and some exploring time.

And, the required photo shoot ~

Of course! :)

Isn't the view from this spot pretty?

And, while the children did some of this...

And some of this...

We did a little of this...

I was feeling it for a few days afterward.

But, it was worth it.

And, I would do it all over again.

Just not anytime too soon ~ LOL!

How about you?

Are you doing anything *special* this Summer?

Our *special* times are being slotted in

a day here and a day there ~ it's been a blessing.

Sometimes it's the very best thing to do.

Whatever you all are up to,

I trust you are enjoying it!

Blessings to you!

Camille

**Photos in this post were taken

with Calvin and Emma's point and shoot cameras,

and I cannot properly account for who took what. :)

Dishwasher Detergent Update

Do you remember when I posted about

home-made dishwasher detergent?

I quit using the recipe I shared

due to the fact that a mysterious film

continued to appear on my freshly washed dishes.

I was not willing to put up with it.

I threw in the towel.

The time has come to give it another try.

At the time of that post, my friend Trisha

left her recipe in the comment section ~

Thank you for sharing Trisha! :)

It's very simple.

One part Borax to one part Baking Soda.

That would be the cooking kind,

and not the washing kind of soda.

Mix together and store in a glass jar.

Use like you would your regular detergent.

(I use about 2 Tbsp per load ~

please ignore the photo above for dispensing amount)

So far, it has worked!

The only thing that I have noticed

is that this does not work as well as the

pre-packaged, store-bought stuff on pots.

When I want to wash pots in my machine, I don't use this.

Otherwise, it is a winner in my books.

I use white vinegar in the rinse dispenser.

We do not have hard water where we live.

I don't know if those things make a difference.

Overall, my initial findings are positive.

And, it is SO much cheaper!

And, healthier?

Let me know if you give it a go.

I hope it works for you too!

Blessings,

Camille

Grain Free?

This is something new to me.
I never thought I would have to
drop the grains!
I actually didn't think it was overly
*do-able*.
But, it is!

Rather than re-invent the wheel,
so to speak,
I will just send you on over to
Keeper of the Home.

Click Here to get to her
most recent post on building
a grain free pantry.
It's an excellent starting point.


Just one thing I would like to clarify ~
We are not all *grain-free* around here.
Our child with Crohn's
is the only one who MUST
keep to this strict diet.

Although, I must admit,
I feel better when I follow
this way of eating.
I am thankful that I can serve *regular*
bread to the rest of the family.
God's mercies are new every morning!

Many blessings,
Camille

Homemade Toothpaste

Well...

I wouldn't say it's a big hit.

I wouldn't say it isn't working.

But, it seems to be far better for
you than many of the choices out there...
including some of the *healthy* alternatives.

In my research I have read that
glycerine can adhere to the teeth and prevent
recalcification of the enamel.
I don't know if this is true or not.
Does anyone know?

The *natural* toothpaste we have
in our posession has glycerine in it.

Hmmmm.....

Easy as pie.
Simple.
And, not too bad.

There is, however,
a background flavour of Baking Soda
that is difficult to get rid of.

It lingers.

I will say, though, that
my teeth feel clean,
and it is cheaper
than what I've been doing.

Soooo....
without any further ado.

Here is *my* recipe...
tweaked and modified
from some I found online.


1/2 cup coconut oil (extra virgin organic)

2 TBSP Baking Soda

Stevia powder to sweeten to taste

Essential Oils of Peppermint or Spearmint...or both ~
Add as much as you like to get the flavour you want.

Mix together in a bowl with a fork.
Put into a little container.
Scoop out what you need with a spoon or knife
and put it on your toothbrush.
Not as convenient as a tube.
But, if it saves money and does the job
without chemicals and fluoride...
well, it may be worth it, right?


I recently broke down and bought some more of
the Nature's Gate Toothpaste.
We were having an out-of-town guest
(who I thought would borrow what we had
in the drawer) and she would have been
subjected to my homemade creation.
I didn't want to force her into
that experience. LOL!

AND, in my defence...it was on sale!

Sooooo....will this last??
Will I experiment some more??
Time will tell.

Have fun!
And do let me know how
it goes! :)

Blessings, Camille

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

There are some scary ingredients in
*regular* dishwasher detergents.

For awhile now I have been using
a more natural alternative.
BUT...it is prohibitively expensive!

And...now that I am making more
messes in the kitchen
than ever before ~
and running the dishwasher at least twice a day ~
I needed to find a more frugal solution while
maintaining my requirement that it be *healthier*
than the *regular* stuff.

Here is the solution I came up with ~
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent.
(Click on the link provided to find the recipe)

And, click here to find
Citric Acid for purchase.


Does anyone know if I've been led
down the garden trail here?
Is this stuff really better for you?
I can tell you for certain that it is cheaper!

MUCH cheaper!

One thing to note ~
It seems to *clump* after a few days...
so, you may want to just make a small batch.

If you use too much for your machine,
it seems to leave a little film on the glasses.

Ask me how I know.

Make sure you use vinegar in
the rinse aid dispenser and
turn the dial to release the largest amount
per wash load.

And, of course,
Do NOT do this! ;-)

If you give it a try,
please let me know what you think!
And, if you have any suggestions
or answers to my questions...
please share! :)

Next up on my *to try* list...
Homemade TOOTHPASTE!! :)

Probiotics?

Short and sweet and to the point.
That's what this post is meant to be.
For your health.


If you (or your children) have taken antibiotics,
it is so important that you replenish the good
bacteria that was killed along with the bad.

Antibiotics are sometimes necessary.

But, they are not selective in what they destroy.
Our bodies need good bacteria to help us
digest our food properly.
Many of the *good guys* are wiped out with
the *bad* when antibiotics are taken.
If this happens over and over, problems can develop.

It's a nasty thing!

You can find a good brand of restorative probiotics
at your local health food store.
They can help you to determine the course of treatment
best suited to your particular case.
Please do not neglect this very important step
in restoring your body to full health!

Many blessings,
Camille

**Disclaimer ~ I am not a physician.
I am just a Mum trying to learn all she can about
caring for her family in a wise way.
The dosing amounts would best be decided with
a Health Care Provider.

Update ~ Chicken Broth Questions/Answers

This post comes as a result of the questions left in the
comments section on yesterday's post.

If you do not have the ability to watch video on your computer,
the tutorial link I gave will not be helpful!
So, here in a nutshell are the instructions for the way I make broth.

~ Camille’s Chicken Broth ~

I get a 4 or 5 pound organic bird and I roast it
(I actually cook two of them) and we eat "roast chicken dinner"
the first night.

Then I strip off all the meat and put it in the fridge for the soup making day.
The carcass and skin and bones all get refrigerated until the next morning.
In the morning I take the carcass (skin, bones and all),
and put them in my stock pot.
I pour cold water to cover so that everything is under
the water by about an inch or so.
~ If you need to, you can add ice cubes to make it really cold,
because it's going to sit out for awhile.
I pour in a few tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar
and let it sit covered on the stove without the
heat for at least an hour.
(Apparently, this draws the calcium out of the bones).

After the hour is past,
roughly chop two large carrots,
a large onion and two or three stalk of celery.
(I use more for two chickens).
Add them into the pot.
Turn the heat on high and bring to a boil.
Skim off the foam that rises to the top.
Turn down the heat to keep at a very very gentle simmer...
barely, but still slowly simmering.
Continue to skim off foam until it is clear.

Now cover your pot with the lid cracked a bit to
allow steam to escape ~ Very Important.

Let simmer like this all day...
try for 12 hours.

At the end of the simmering time you can plunge a
whole head of parsley into the mix and let sit for a few minutes.
This adds more nutrients to your broth.

Strain all the chunks out through a fine mesh strainer and discard.
If you want really clear broth, use cheese cloth to line your strainer.
At this point many people "clarify" the broth by letting it cool
overnight in the fridge and then skim off the layer
of fat that rises to the top.
With the organic chickens I don't find there is much fat
(especially since I make the stock from a previously roasted bird),
and a little fat adds to the flavour.
I don't do this step, but you can ~ it's a personal choice.

Your stock is ready to be used!
I make soups like normal,
but this stock is not salty,
so more salt would be required than "normal"
if you are used to using cubes or powdered "stock".

For my friend at "Wanting What I Have" (and anyone else, including me)
who are wondering about canning broth ~
I asked my friend Christa, and this is what she kindly shared with me.
**Obviously, you will want to be safe while doing such a thing,
so researching it out is a good idea!
Here was her answer ~

"I process my chicken stock in a pressure canner for 25 minutes
at 10 pounds of pressure.
You CANNOT process chicken broth or stock in a water bath canner."

Thank you Christa for helping us out here! :)

Any other questions?
I do hope you all give it a try...it is SO good!
AND so good for you!

Blessings,
Camille

The Benefits of Stock

Homemade stock (chicken, beef, or fish)
is something I have been learning more about this past year.

Why did Grandma make broth?

Was there a purpose to it,
or was it something she just couldn't buy in cube form?
Maybe the answer is BOTH!

Last winter I made chicken broth faithfully ~
it was a staple in our diet.
I don't know whether it's by coincidence or not,
but we had the healthiest winter we can remember since having children!

Michelle at "She Looketh Well" posted an amazing video tutorial
on her blog to demonstrate the step-by-step method she uses to make stock.
I do mine in basically the same way and it is WONDERFUL!!
Just click on the link above to find her tutorial video.

Two of my favourite uses for this chicken stock are
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup and
Tanya's Turkey Soup.
Yum Yum!

**Update ~ I answered questions that were asked
in the comments section in another post.
Find it by clicking here.

What We All *Should* Be Doing...

Food for thought...when we lose weight (or are trying to) ~ it is important not only to exercise, but to do light resistance training. I didn't always know this and I haven't always been faithful to do it, but it's very easy to add into the daily routine. Apparently, women are extremely susceptible to muscle and bone loss while dieting. Even if you are one of the fortunate ones who does not need to lose weight, you will help protect yourself against osteoporosis if you work some of this into your day.

Get some dumb bells (start with light weights...even one or two pounds) and search out a basic routine on the internet or from a book and do it! One of the programs I have used is this easy "8 Minutes in the Morning" routine by Jorge Cruise. It is a great place to begin!

Increase the weight when the exercises become too easy. Just be sure to begin with very light weights if this is new to you! Even 10 minutes a day will make a difference.

Now, where ARE those dumb bells? ;-)

Healthy Changes

A little while back I was asked to share some of the things we have implemented in our home to facilitate healthier eating and living. This is the post that brought on the question. Thanks J for asking! :)

Before I launch into this topic, please know that my kitchen and home is a "work in progress" and the things mentioned here have been developing in my mind and in practice since we got married 18+ years ago. I have by no means "arrived" and still have lots to learn ~ and I am human ~ occasionally I "fall off the bandwagon"! It is also important to note that I do not believe that this is the only way to do things. Neither do I believe that the way we do things is going to guarantee a longer or happier life ~ that can only come from the Hand of the Living God ~ HE gives us the very breath we breathe.

But for those of you who are interested ~ here it is!

One thing I have always done in my kitchen is use butter...I was always afraid of all the funny names on the side of the margarine containers. When I read what was in butter (cream and salt) I felt much better about using it. The other oils I use are olive and coconut...that's it.

I try to stay away from "non-stick" pans. I didn't always do this ~ but over time I noticed that the coating wore off of those pans and ended up (presumably) in our tummies...yuck! Can't be good for a body! One of my pieces of kitchen equipment that still has that coating on it is my waffle maker ~ are they even made without it??

Oatmeal is a staple breakfast in our home ~ not only because of the nutritional benefits, which apparently are many ~ but also for its effect on the budget! Oatmeal is also an easy grain to soak ~ which is something I am just learning about now. See? We are always learning in this life! :) The why's and how to's are explained in some detail in this Passionate Homemaking article. Michelle posted some soaked oatmeal recipes on her blog to help implement this new way of doing things. You will find the instructions for soaking steel cut oats and baked oatmeal here and here. Once again, do not get bogged down with all this information ~ the only grain I am faithfully soaking at this time is oatmeal ~ baby steps, remember?

Another place I found some information on incorporating healthy food ideas into the diet was at In This Season blog.

Hormone free / Antibiotic free / Chemical free meats and milk ~ organic if possible (which is not always feasible) ~ But definitely hormone, antibiotic and chemical free.

Organic free range eggs.

Organic produce (as much as possible) but if this is not something that will fit into your budget there are some fruits and vegetables that matter more than others. Stephanie posted this helpful article on her blog addressing the choices we must make at the grocery store...organic or conventional?

I am also beginning to realize that broth is important...so I am seeking to be diligent to make chicken stock fairly regularly.

I use whole grains in my baking (mostly) and substitute it where I can in recipes.

I use organic sugar, sucanat, organic honey (be careful with babies and honey) and Maple Syrup ~ as close to nature as you can get!

Proper soaking of beans just requires a little planning ahead ~ it is not difficult to do and beans are so economical! You can buy a bag of dried beans for about the cost of one or two cans of prepared beans. Why not buy the bag and soak and cook lots of beans at once and then freeze the prepared beans for future use? (I would advise freezing single recipe amounts and labelling accordingly).

I try to incorporate fish into our diet at least once a week, if not more. Salmon in particular is nutrient dense. You would want to be sure it was wild and not farm raised though...important point! :)

We use filtered water ~ I was getting tummy aches from our local tap water...again, this is something you might want to research for your area.

Another thing we do is use fluoride free toothpaste...research for yourself whether this is an option for your family. I became increasingly uncomfortable with fluoride exposure.

Speaking of "exposure" ~ I have never felt very comfortable with having a microwave in our home. It is very easy to live without ~ really, it is! :)




We are seeking to use more natural medicines and avoid over-the-counter meds as much as possible. This post gives some information on Oil of Oregano. Another natural oil we use is Tea Tree Oil ~ it's very effective at treating ailments such as Althlete's Foot. Having said this, there are times when conventional medicines are necessary and should be taken ~ do not be unwise in this regard!




Natural cleaning products are another area of change that could improve your family's overall health. In the early days of blogging I wrote an article called "Natural Cleaning Tips" ~ it may be that there are some things you might like to implement that will be just as effective and much cheaper than what you already are using!



One last thought for you to consider ~ which I believe is more important than anything else I have said ~ NOTHING is to take the place of God in our lives...HE is the ONE we ought to worship ~ not ourselves. It is easy to replace God with anything that becomes too important to us. This blog post by Lindsay is fabulous and really a call to be wise in all we do in persuing health and well-being. Remember that even one change for the better is a step in the right direction and will likely contribute to better health overall.

**Dislaimer ~ I am not a medical professional, just a Mum who is seeking to do what she can for the health and well-being of her family. Whatever I have said in this article is just a sampling of what I have done in my home ~ it may not be the right choice for you!

Be very careful not to jump onto every bandwagon that goes by! As always, take it in baby steps!
DO NOT try to change everything all at once!!

AND be sure to discuss any changes you plan to make with your husband ~ some things just may not be feasible for your family ~ and that is OK!

Real Foods Diet ~ Healthy Eating!

Lindsay over at Passionate Homemaking has done a fabulous job of breaking down the steps toward more healthy ways of eating and preparing food. If you click on the link provided you will find her article...please go and see if there is even one thing you might change to encourage better health for you and your family!

As with anything...do it in baby steps and NEVER try to accomplish it all in one fell swoop. Even one small change per month would make a HUGE difference at the end of only one year!

**UPDATE ~ I have written a more in-depth article on this subject in response to J's request in the comment section of this post. Healthy Changes is the name of the post ~ click on the title to get yourself over there.

Happy Eating! :)

Rooibos Tea ~ Red Bush Tea

Our dear Auntie from England introduced us to this wonderful tea! Rooibos or Red Bush Tea (as it is also known) is unlike "regular" tea in many ways, yet it tastes so yummy and has many health benefits. Check out the abundant information on it and you may just be inspired to pick some up the next time you are shopping. There are a variety of brands available and it can easily be found in "regular" grocery stores right alongside the many other teas. My children all love it and even my husband, who doesn't like tea, will enjoy a cup! It's naturally sweet ~ serve with or without a spash of milk...and ENJOY!

Woods Walk

We began our "woods walk" today at my brother's house
(at the beach...where we can park for free)
and then went UP...

.....AND UP!!! 

If you click on this picture (below) 

you will see who is WAY out in front...

gotta keep up with those boys! :)

And from "UP"...

looking DOWN...WAY DOWN...

to where we had begun!

Emma found some flowers (at the edge of someone's driveway) 

and picked them for me...I was too far away to keep her from doing it...

they were NOT of the wild variety!  But SO sweet!!

DOWN into the ravine where the woods are...

Out of the woods back onto the street where my brother lives...

sea level once again!  Look at Emma and Fraser...

I actually caught them IN THE AIR!! 

That was a surprise as I just "clicked" while they were running 

to catch up with the others.

Homeward bound! 

It's on days like this that we really appreciate the milder climate of the 

Pacific Northwest...blessings upon blessings. 

Soon we will be in the wet days of winter...we will enjoy this while it lasts!

**All the pictures are "clickable"**

With love, Camille