Aaron loves going to the creche kindergarten while I am at gym. He gets about an hour of play in an environment that is stimulating and different to home. Yesterday they had brought in some farm animals for the children to feed and touch – it was a lovely experience for him – he particularly enjoyed the little pig, calf and goat. He had great fun petting the animals and when I arrived after gym (smelling a bit like a farm animal myself I might add!!) he insisted on showing me the animals before we left. Here are a few photos I snapped on my phone!
I have wanted to paint a cow in ages and I’ve wanted to paint a red barn too so decided to incorporate it all into one painting. Here is my painting called “Daisy and the Red Barn” – really a simple but colourful acrylic – sometimes I wish I were more a detail person but I’m not – I guess God knows that I would just get irritated trying to put in fine detail. I discovered that painting cows is not so easy after all – took me a while before I was satisfied with this girl!!
From the farmhouse kitchen we have a yummy granola snack that comes from Amber’s blog at Making a Home. This recipe is so easy and quick and tasty so thanks Amber. I will print the recipe here but be sure to check out Amber’s blog at makingahome-pa.blogspot.com
This is what you do:
Heat 6 Tbsp of veggie oil, 2/3 cup honey, and 2 Tbsp water in a sauce pan on medium heat. Bring to a slow boil. Turn off heat and add 2 tsp vanilla.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups rolled oats, 2 cups of rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies, 1 cup wheat germ (although you can leave this out which I did), 4 Tbsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Pour the liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well until completely coated.
Bake on a cookie sheet at 250 degrees for 15 minutes. Stir and then bake another 15 minutes.
Let cool, and then you can add dried fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips. I added some walnut pieces and choc chips – so good!!
Store your granola in an airtight container. This recipe makes two cookie sheets full. Watch granola as it bakes as it can burn easily. Lastly ENJOY!! I particularly enjoy a small cup of natural greek yoghurt (my most favourite yoghurt) with some crunchy granola sprinkled on top – a crunchy tasty snack or breakfast!
I’m not quite sure what it is about farms that capture me – perhaps because I lived on a farm when I was very young – I remember big adventures as a little child, blossom trees in spring and daffodils, the smell of pine trees, animals and the freedom to enjoy the open space and air. I definitely have a bit of farm girl in me – I love the country and always have. The idea of chickens running around and a couple of dogs is very appealing to me. We have had our odd times of living on a farm – we rented a farmhouse when the children were little – Michaela was 4 and Ethan was 2 and Zoe a newborn and we really loved our time there. Looking out across the fields at the mountains in the distance was always breathtaking to me.
Now we are living the city life but I still always look for a property that has a large garden and is close to the country – a few minutes drive for us now. These are the views we have of the countryside nearby.
All in all God has been faithful to us and all my boxes have been ticked – aren’t we blessed?
On the study front it is all happening – I have begun my Graphic design and desktop publishing course – it is very exciting and I can see that I am going to be challenged but I am so looking forward to it!
Have a blessed weekend everyone!!
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