Thinking Outside the Box

Having creative family members is the best. My cousin-in-law and I were pretty creative cats this weekend, transforming this pile of paint cans (both full and empty), spray-painted cardboard concrete forms, and a box of scavenged moss

(with a little help from our mountain men) 

into an outdoor altar for our dear cousin's wedding. 

I think we have every right to be pleased with ourselves. 

Love is Strong as Death

Jeff mentioned that we were going to a wedding yesterday. It was the wedding of two people who have gone through an inexplicably long and painfully difficult journey to find each other. So we celebrated. And celebrated. And celebrated some more.

This morning, I'm more wistful. And thankful. The song that comes to mind is William Walton's hauntingly beautiful "Set Me As Seal" from the Song of Solomon.

Dogbert and Marriage

Jeff here. We're going to a wedding tomorrow. Here is what Dogbert has to say about marriage.

Coconut Eggs

I'm experimenting with less wheat in our diet these days. For the most part, it's going well... except breakfast. Eggs are the one thing I'm not crazy about and that leaves me with yogurt, fruit and toasted almonds every morning. In an effort to find some variety, I've been on the hunt for new breakfast options. While browsing through my friend's Make It Paleo cookbook, I came across a recipe for breakfast that was so unusual I had to try it. The verdict? I loved it. Jeff didn't. If you like coconut, it might be worth a try. 

From the Make It Paleo cookbook

2 eggs

1/4 cup of coconut

Preheat oven to 350°F.Separate egg whites and yolks, placing yolks in an individual small mixing bowls. Beat egg whites until they are very stiff. Fold in the shredded coconut. Shape the egg whites into nests on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently spoon the yolks into the center of the nests. Bake for 10 minutes, until the nests set, the yolks are cooked through and the peaks begin to lightly brown. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and enjoy!

Flower Garden

I'm not a pastel person. But I love this gallery wall designed by Nichole Loiacono using floral photographs taken by British photographer Cassia Beck.

Photo from Parlor Home Blog by Nichole Loiacono

The Spirit Comes to Help

I love singing the Bach motets and have been lucky to perform most of them. My favourite is 'Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf', or 'The Spirit comes to help our weakness'.  The Vocalconsort Berlin, directed by Daniel Reuss, does a very fine job of this piece. An English translation of the text can be read here. 

New Baby

My brother and sister-in-law became the proud parents of a baby girl yesterday. Little Kajsa is healthy, strong and will be exploring the world and creating glorious havoc with her older brother in no time. We're thankful for the gift of family and can't wait to meet her next week. As for her parents... with two little ones under sixteen months old, we suspect they will be singing this tune for a while.

Dilbert and Collaboration

Jeff here. I'm glad computers are cheap enough now that this doesn't happen any more.