faerie visit

 the faeries have been whispering in my ear

 make a special spot for us

 where we can rest

frolic and play

so I did

and they have come for a visit

I do hope they will stay!

:::

Happy New Year!

raw cacao cake...the little cake that is sure to satisfy

I keep getting requests for this little cake.  Yeah...it looks small, but it delivers in a big way.  This is a combination of recipes found here, here, here and this video.  So you can check out those references for really nice photos and descriptions.  Most did not include measurements, and I am not sure that exact measurements are really needed, but here are mine:

Ingredients
cake
3/4 cup walnuts
3/4 cup pecans
3/4 cup medjool dates
3 T raw cacao powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 t pure vanilla extract (optional...i know this will likely be an issue for some purist out there so just omit if you don't like the idea of using alcohol.  i use singing dog brand)
lots of love

frosting
1 avocado
1/2 cup medjool dates
1/4 cup maple syrup
3 T raw cacao powder
1/2 T water
lots of love

For the cake, add the walnuts, pecans, and dates to your food processor and give it a whirl until it is smooth add the salt, vanilla extract, and small amounts of raw cacao until all ingredients are processed into a smooth dough that forms into a ball.  Use your hands to form into a cake like shape of your desire (hearts are cute for valentine's day or your sweetie's birthday).

For the frosting, put the avocado, dates, and maple syrup into the food processor and blend.  Add small amounts of the raw cacao until it is blended smooth.  Add water to get the desired consistency.

Spread the frosting on the cake and add raspberries, other fruits, or edible flowers to garnish.

Enjoy!

the rainbow baby, a new version

About two months ago on a whim, Jude and I decided we should head out to the woods one unseasonably warm Sunday.  We picked a state park about 45 minutes from our apartment and a trail that looked challenging but doable with a promised overlook and rock garden at the summit.  The trail was magical as we walked up through many distinct habitats.  This hike was by far the most challenging Jude had ever experienced, and he didn't complain at all until we approached the steepest section right before the summit.

When we got to the overlook, I looked out over a vast uninterrupted sea of trees.  I'd been here before without realizing that this trail would take us here on this day.  Instantaneously I was sloshed with waves of emotion....sadness...joy...immense gratitude.  The last time I had been to this spot was six months after my first son, Bennett died on what would have been his second birthday.  I am pretty sure that I didn't hike that day but rather drove to the same overlook.

I shouted from that spot... out loud or in my heart?  My memory fails to remember because at that time my emotions were often so raw that I couldn't tell the difference.   "I love you Bennett."

On the drive home, I first considered whether or not I would ever be able to bring another child into this world.  I looked out the window and saw a giant rainbow arched across the sky.  I knew without a bit of doubt that God's answer was "you shall have another child."

So here I was at this same spot.  The promise of God fully manifested before my eyes.  All the many prayers answered in a single child.  A child who has helped me learn how to experience joy again.  A child who loves to smile and joke around.  A child who likes to get his way but who also enjoys the company of whomever he is with.  He is the greatest blessing I have ever received.

He was born on good Friday on the 13th of April.  God revealed to me he would be a boy.  And we promised to name him Jude after the saint to whom I prayed for the entire year that Bennett was treated for a brain tumor.  And yeah, the Beatles song works too..."take a sad song and make it better."

On the day he was born, God told me there would be a rainbow just to let me know that my prayers were answered and that the promise had been fulfilled.  All day I looked for that rainbow.  There were spring showers and a magnolia tree was blooming.  Gentle breezes wafted through the open windows of our home.

At 6:00pm Jude passed through the same portal that his brother had passed 2 1/2 years earlier, and he took his first breath in the same spot that Bennett took his last.  A friend stopped on her way to Good Friday service to take a photo of the double rainbow that was so beautiful it made the evening news.

He is my miracle.  He tells me that "God slide me down a rainbow into your arms."  And I believe him.

Happy Birthday Rainbow Baby!!!  I LOVE YOU!!!

the best tasting broccoli ever...

:::

assateague island national seashore

wabi sabi moment...endings

sunsets must be

 Nature's way of reminding us

that endings can be 

beautiful

the joy of raw cacao and goji berry truffles

I made these recently for a raw food gathering, and I wasn't sure how they would go over because I didn't measure anything and loosely followed this recipe for inspiration.  They were so delicious...that no one could eat them without saying "these are really good" including me (their goodness stripped me of all modesty).  I used something I've never used before....coconut crystals.  Coconut crystals are the sap of the coconut tree and they look like sucanat to me.  I rolled each truffle in the coconut crystals and they gave it just that little bit of immediate sweetness that made these truffles really yummy.

All the food at the gathering was delicious and there were many different foods to try.  What I most appreciate about these 'raw' food gatherings is that there is always a cooked dish and that inevitably someone uses ingredients that are cooked in one or two of the dishes.  I love that this group is not rigid but is open to exploring raw food. This has been a recurring theme in my life...not rigid, open to explore.  Goodness in life is found (I think) when we push past our own rigidity and stretch to be more open.  I forget where I found this quote or who deserves credit for it, but its a good one..."Stretch, stretch, stretch to see every perspective, and you will find joy."  

duct tape...a mama's best friend

it started with tears and ranting in the thrift store

he wanted a cheap plastic boat

i dug my heels in

tried my best to explain why 

'no' was the best choice

i'm not sure my environmental reasoning 

won out 

given the amount of duct tape 

that went into building his own

but it felt right to me 

:::

gratefully inspired by the tinkering school