A Walk through the Garden

I promise you. We are still alive. And doing very well! We didn't mean to desert you, but life happens sometimes.
We've been so busy.
Babysitting.
    Playing in the church band.
          Swimming.
                Laundry. (Which takes awhile because the dryer broke.)
                     Going to lots of cook outs. 
And of course gardening.
       Lots and lots of gardening.

(I decided not to edit any of these)

 I love our garden. It is so peaceful and full of life.

  The golden hour is made all the more beautiful as the blooming flowers take in the light.

              

 There is a dug out, worn out, foot path, weaving between the beds.  

                            But I still almost get lost.

It's a good lost. Lost in the green. Lost in the dirt.

 And Oh! the feeling you get after a long day of hard work in the sunshine!

                   And being able to see the fruit of your labor!

 "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow."

                               -Audrey Hepburn

 "The earth has music for those who listen." 

                   -Shakespeare

 

 I admit. There are weeds. But the weeds are also beautiful.

      

 "If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere."

         -Van Gogh

       

Life// Dad's Birthday

Last month, the day after Valentines Day to be exact, we had the privilege of celebrating Dad's birthday.

 Quite an assortment of gifts...

 We always have a hard time deciding what to make him for his gifts, but usually end up making food. Lots of different foods. He likes food... And this year we made him his very own cookie cake. (Piping by Layla)

Our Dad is awesome. Period. He carries the weight of everything. He juggles a full time job, full time school and full time family. And still smiles and makes us smile!
He teaches us in the way we should go daily.
                He always make up some little song for each occasion. Even when I'm just doing dishes. 
       He is quite a dork, I must say.
And I love him. I wouldn't trade him for any other dad in the world.
We LOVE you, Dad!
                 

Morena// The One with Chestnut Hair

Hello friends! Did I ever tell you that I love cosplays, make-up, dress-up and special effects? Well, I do! A while back ( about 2 months, actually), Hagen let me play around with her a bit. I just let my creativity flow, and this is what I came up with...

I called her Morena, which means The One with Chestnut Hair. She was an Elvish Princess and Guardian over all things Pure. 
Maybe I shall write about her story one day... maybe.
Love from,
Layla

The Fourth Day of the Seventh Month

I hope you all had a wonderful, safe Independence Day! I know I sure did! 

   It was a fun, delicious, bright day.

To start the day, we ate patriotic pancakes. Sourdough pancakes. I didn't get a picture though. If you know anything about me, you know I am not a morning person. Meaning I just didn't feel like it...

 Later we went to the creek, had a little picnic lunch and then splashed around for a bit.
Gabe and Dad also enjoyed catching craw-dads.

 When we finally went back home it was dinner time, so we started up a fire. We ate all natural, uncured, pure beef hot dogs, wrapped in equally healthy pepperonis (that's what I'm talking about!), watermelon, potato salad, smoothie and for dessert we had chocolate ice cream floats and of course, s'mores!

 Our little camp site.

 Afterward, Layla played us some campfire tunes...

You all know what happens next...

 FiReWoRkS!!

 I am so happy with how all the pictures came out. I'd been preparing for awhile. 

 Sparklers and Roman candles...

 Mom's sparkler looks like an eye!

Layla managed to do a star...


It was a blast. All of it. The whole day.
I am so thankful for our Independence and Freedom. Everyday I think, and pray, for those who have to hide their love for Jesus and go underground just to sing praises to Him. We are very, very blessed to live in this country. To be able to be bold without fear and love Him without hiding it.
Anyway, it was just a really good day and no one got hurt (except for just a few minor burns...).

How was your 4th of July?
Did you do anything special? Get any amazing shots?

Love,
Hagen

Strawberry Anytime Tart {GF}

Mom has assigned me with the job to make breakfast every morning. It has been difficult for me to get creative, I just kinda make the same old things. Toast and eggs, muffins, pancakes, muffins....
But....
I have finally made something new, delicious and even low on sugar! Not to mention, it's Gluten-free! What's even better is it doesn't even have to be for breakfast, it's so good it's like having desert for breakfast! It could be really good for a little tea party or luncheon.

Strawberry Anytime Tart Recipe

What you need:

Strawberry filling
2 c. fresh strawberries, chopped
1/4 c. sugar
2 tbsp. water

1 tbsp. arrowroot
2 tbsp. water

Crust
1 1/4 c. almond flour
1 1/4 c. oat flour
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
5 tbsp. melted butter
2-3 tbsp. water

Serves: 8

1. Preheat oven to 375* and oil a 9x13 baking pan.
2. For the filling put the strawberries, sugar and water in a saucepan on medium heat. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer until strawberries are soft. Mash slightly.
3. In a small bowl mix the arrowroot and water together. Pore into strawberry filling and stir thoroughly. Pore the combined strawberry filling into a bowl. Set to side and let cool.
4. For the crust whisk all dry ingredients together in a medium sized bowl. Make a well, pore in the butter and water. Stir until well combined. The dough will be somewhat crumbly but still should come together in a ball.
5. Press 2/3 of the dough firmly into your pan. I pressed it up on the sides just a tad, but that is optional. 
6. Pore all of the strawberry filling over the crust, spread evenly.
7. Crumble the remaining dough overfilling. You could do a little sprinkle of sugar as well.
8. Slide in the oven and wait patiently for about 25 minutes or until crust is light brown and filling is bubbly. 
9. Let cool until the crust comes away from the sides of the pan. Cut into 8 squares.
10. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and finally, EAT!

I found this recipe here but as always, made it my own with what I had...
This is a pretty flexible recipe. I used frozen strawberries once and would suggest that if you choose to also, that you add only 1-2 TSP. of water instead of 2 TBSP. of water.
It could also be really good to use different berries such as blackberries, blueberries or even raspberries. It could even be good with peaches, apples, pears. If you use a juicier fruit you will probably have to use less water as I said above.
It also works fine if you make it the night before and just store it in the oven or fridge overnight, it would probably be good cold, too.

This was a real hit. I was VERY pleased with it! Mom just got home from the store with four boxes of organic strawberries.... I'm totally making this for breakfast tomorrow! 

If you try this recipe let me know how it works for you and if you tried any other type of fruit what tweaks you might of made.
Hope you like it as much as we do! 

Love,
Hagen

What She Wore// Mustard Pants

Whoa! Two posts in a row? I've never heard of such a thing! I kid, I kid...

Today, I present to you my sister, Layla. ( She said such sweet things about me yesterday, I don't know if I can do better...)

But, seriously, I love her. She's my best friend, the easiest chick to photograph, and possibly the dorkiest person I've ever met. (Only she would take that as a compliment!) 

Love her messy buns!

My sister stands out of the crowd. When everyone else is black and white, she's bursting with color!

~What She Wore~

sweater: Ralph Lauren (from a friend)

 pants: Walmart ($14)

 shoes: some where in NJ ($15)

 braided belt: Palais Royal (borrowed from mom)

 scarf: Walmart ($5ish..?)

Just for laughs...

Well, my darling readers, what do you think of my lovely sister? 

I do believe she is quite awesome!

Love,

Hagen