Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Still Here

Hey there all you wonderful people!

Just wanted to drop you a note to let you know that no, I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth, but rather right into the world of college. :)

I am so thrilled at the opportunity that the Lord blessed me with this fall to attend a Biblically based, Christian college. Through some crazy stories that I may have to tell you later, I landed right in the middle of busy schedules, a new car, and lots of books to read. God has been so incredibly amazing and good to me, and I can hardly wait to start classes today.

So just a heads up that things are still going to be kind of quiet around here as I adjust and secure schedules and get into the swing of college.

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I also am not sure if you knew, but I am currently involved in a wonderful Minnesota photo contest that has been going on for over a year now through our local broadcasting station. There are some incredibly photos of the state I call home that will inspire and stretch the imagination of new photographers. To take a look, click here! Also, my pictures (which are in the running for being published in their next book) can be found here. Many of them you will probably recognize from my blog, as I often posted here before loading them to the contests.

 

May your Fall season be blessed!

jk

Monday, August 13, 2012

Sunflowers

This year we (accidentally) planted a bunch of sunflowers near the gate to our chicken pen. Well, actually, the birds planted them by throwing the seeds off of the feeder nearby. Near mid July they peaked in gorgeousness, and we had a beautiful view!

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The sunflowers brought our homestead more than just a cheery view- they also brought back the honey bees! Our entire family was so excited to see all of the bees buzzing around our sunflowers. We were a bit discouraged (and nervous) last year when we didn’t see any kind of bee buzzing through our gardens. This year, though, the flowers were teeming with bees! I am so grateful that the Lord blessed us again with bees! IMG_4660

I was also surprised to learn that not only bees pollenate flowers and vegetable gardens. Did you know that hornets (those nasty little buggers) can do the same? I still dislike them, but hey, at least they are good for something!

 

May you be blessed!

jk

Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Crispie Bars

This desert has quickly become one of my family’s all time favorites, as it takes 15 minutes to make and tastes so good.

Not only are these bars fast, easy, gluten free, and so deliciously wonderful, they also aren’t that bad for you.

Instead of using marshmallows, you use brown rice syrup. This is a simple, healthy way to get the great stickiness you love in rice crispies without the sugar.

And instead of plain rice crispies, try brown rice crisps (we like Barbara’s brand). They don’t taste any different than the regular kind, and are better for you to boot!

Here’s how you make them:

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You will need these ingredients:

- Brown rice syrup

- peanut butter (the non refrigerated kind works best)

- vanilla

- salt

- brown rice crisps

- chocolate chips

 

First, place a medium sized pot onto the stove. Scoop a bit more than 1/3 cup of brown rice syrup into the pan along with 1/3 cup peanut butter, 1 tsp. of vanilla, and a pinch or two of salt.

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Warm on medium heat and stir until smooth, soft, and well blended.

Add 3 cups of the brown rice crispies, and stir well.  Remove from heat.

Once the crisps are well covered in the peanut butter mix, stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips.

Press mixture into an 8”x8” pan, and let cool for a few minutes in the fridge.

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Wa-la! One tasty, chocolatey, gooey, sorta healthy and gluten free dessert!

 

 

 

 

jk