Max 2013-2019


We miss you Max.

"When we human beings let go and embrace the new, when we flow with the seasons, and merge with the same basic rhythm that tells the geese when to go, we hear things beyond sound, and feel things beyond touch, and a kind of serenity settles over our spirits."

~Jean Hersey, The Shape of a Year

In the kitchen today: trail mix

Soaking seeds and nuts for trail mix.

Hello Ladies~

Today is the day I am usually doing my weekly cleaning and any prep work for kitchen related things.  Like soaking nuts.  Since I need to make some trail mix for my husband, getting the nuts and seeds soaked so they can dry tonight was priority.

I don't soak cashews and I'm not a stickler for "soaking and sprouting everything" I just don't have the energy for that these days. But I do enjoy nuts and seeds soaked and dried.

This morning I got the pecans, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds soaking with salt. They will sit all day, at least 7 hours then I have a dehydrator they will go in tonight when we go to bed.

I have found this rhythm to be best for me since I don't like to listen to it in the daytime, even though it sits in the laundry room when I use it.

Most of the time they will be dry by tomorrow morning about 10 am, so about 12 - 14 hours.

Since the dehydrator is such low voltage, it doesn't use much electricity and I only use it for nuts these days.  I used to do much more dehydrating, but we have found the "rehydrated" carrots etc aren't something we care for. So, nuts it is.

Everyone that has tasted on of these soaked and dried pecan or pumpkin seed has said "wow! That's really good. I never would have thought it would make a difference." It does, and my husband enjoys it in the trail mix I make.

The nuts are purchased in bulk, and they do last me a long time.  Well worth the cost. And the time for me to make this trail mix...minutes.  Even the dehydrating prep.  The longest part of the process is washing off the drying screens. Otherwise, easy peasy.

Trail mix:

After dehydrating pecans, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.

1C. Pecans
1C Cashews
1C. Sunflower seeds
1C Pumpkin seeds
1/2 C Raisins
1/3 C Chocolate chips (Mr. P likes them but says he doesn't want them to drown out the rest)

Mix in a large bowl and put into a container with a lid.  Portion out about 1/3c. is a serving.

As age has an affect on how much I eat these days, I don't eat but a few nuts every few days.  For me I gain weight with nuts and too many fruits.  Love them but we have an agreement: I will only eat a few and they won't affect my weight too much. ☺

Have a blessed day!

In times of marriage distress - Helen Andelin's words

All of us, no matter what our walk of life is, have bumps in our marriage.  My grown children thought we never argued, until recently one of them was sharing her marital struggles. When I told them "Dad and I argue, just had one yesterday" she was overcome with shock and just couldn't believe it. She was comparing hers to what she "thought" ours was. Perception.

Our marriage is wonderful, thanks to many principles I have learned through the years, but the occasional bump still happens.

I am reminded of these wonderful words of the late Helen Andelin who wrote Fascinating Womanhood.  If you have ever wondered how to go about your distresses, I urge you to check it out.  It truly does work.

from Graphics Fairy

"I wish I could let every woman know how wonderful marriage can be, more wonderful than you can even imagine. It is like having a bit of heaven here on earth. And the amazing thing is that although it does not guarantee a life free of problems, the teachings of Fascinating Womanhood, when applied, keep love kindled and burning throughout all of the ups and downs of life. The fire of love burns out the dross and refuse. And the more difficult life is, the more purified and intense love in marriage can become.
If you have been in deep distress over your marriage situation, you may need some training in how to deal with suffering before you can live Fascinating Womanhood successfully. No man wants a depressed, down hearted, miserable wife, so you may have to do the impossible and learn to be happy in your own soul before you can apply Fascinating Womanhood to its fullest. There is a way that never fails, so please give careful attention: The way is to turn to your Heavenly Father for strength. He will never let you down. You can be happy in spite of your difficult situation, as in the lines taken from a comforting hymn, a hymn in which the Father is talking to you:


How Firm a Foundation
Beginning with verse 3:

Fear not, I am with thee, oh be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, bless thee and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.


When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow,
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.


When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee, I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.


The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell shall endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake! These lines are sobering but remember, once you are connected to the Spirit of God so you are happy in your own soul, it will be fun to live Fascinating Womanhood. After awhile the depressed feelings will leave, you will be walking on the clouds and your husband will adore you. But remember, you have to live it. You can’t just read it. You can’t just believe it. You have to live it, all of it. But if other women can live it and attain these heavenly rewards you can as well."

Have  a Blessed Day!