fff ~ winter days

Hi there and welcome to Friday's Fave Five.

Susanne and the Fivers are counting weekly blessings. Come join in at Living To Tell The Story.

1. Well . . . we're doing our best to have some winter fun but Mr. Weatherman has not been the most cooperative. It hasn't been very wintery around here. From snow to ice pellets to rain  - then repeat. That's been the weatherstory this January.

And my poor little snowgirl is feeling the effects.

but Mila and I have high hopes for our ice mandalas.

The temperature is dropping tonight so they should freeze and be hanging from our tree branches tomorrow - just like these. Of course, it's supposed to snow, then ice pellets, then rain - but hope springs eternal.

2. Look who came back to the feeder for a visit. A Northern Flicker - we haven't seen one since last Jan.

3. I had a little beach time with my beach buddy this week.

We hiked over the ice and spent a little time with our faces turned to the sun. There actually was some warmth in the winter rays.

yes . . . when it comes to beachtime, we're hardcore. :)

4.  This horse with the soul deep eyes. I don't know what it is about this picture - but whenever I scroll down to it, I have to stop and take a long, slow gaze into his eyes.  I think we're in love :)

5. Yummy, healthy cauliflower/carrot soup. So tasty! I added less water and some lowfat milk. Don't forget the nutmeg - it makes this soup.

Served in a mug with a little cheddar cheese on top - perfect on a chilly winter night.

Hope you stay warm and cosy this weekend!

Thanks so much for coming by a visit.

Many blessings!

with love,

every day

I sing.

I know He's watching me.

(ht - thanks Ann with a V)

every day

 photography 

always, always, always,

looking for the light. 

fff ~ shining moments

Hello there!

( I couldn't resist posting my chickadee with an attitude - he looks a bit cross, doesn't he? :)

Welcome to Friday's Fave Five, the weekly blessing list hosted by Susanne at Living To Tell The Story. 

It's been a lovely week here on the island filled with those quiet, ordinary, moments that seem to shine ~ not really ordinary at all - each one a gift and blessing. I captured a few of those favourite moments on camera. Hope you enjoy them!

1. Watching the birds at the feeder.

The downy woodpeckers and black-capped chickadees love the suet feeder. And they need it in the cold weather. 

2. Capturing the late afternoon sun as it broke through the clouds and set the church and trees aglow.

It all happened within 10 minutes. I was snapping pictures like a crazy woman :) A glorious beauty!

3. A few more pictures of my snowgirl gymnast. Oh I had fun with her!!

Isn't she cute? I built her just before the temperatures dropped - I knew she would freeze solid. I wanted to add 2 more snowpeople holding scorecards but there wasn't enough snow.

I think her headstand is a perfect 10!

 She just makes me smile!

4. Recipe-makeover success! It seems a bit risky to experiment with a great recipe, not to mention a family heirloom, but Nannie's Boiled Raisin Cake has a lot of sugar. We've been trying to eat a little more healthy around here, so I decided to cut the sugar by 1/2 cup and add some unsweetened applesauce.

The cake rose beautifully and looked just the same as the original - but would it pass the taste test?

I prudently did not mention the recipe change until after the cake was tasted and approved. Nannie's Boiled Raisin cake with applesauce is definitely a keeper.

With such a successful recipe make-over under my belt, I decided to get really daring. I messed with our regular spaghetti supper. Normally we eat regular spaghetti - home-made sauce or bottled, white spaghetti noodles and maybe some onions and garlic thrown in.

But, as I mentioned earlier this week, we've been trying to get more fruits and veggies in every day. Sweet peppers and tomatoes are favourites.

So into the frying pan they went - along with some extra lean hamburger, garlic, onions and . . . 

Yup - a first - spinach! All you spinach eaters (and green smoothie drinkers), chuckle if you want but I felt very adventurous -  lol! The only spinach we've eaten has been in salads. I never liked cooked greens.

But mixed in a spaghetti sauce? 

A feast for the eyes and tastebuds!

Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the meal - we were too busy enjoying it! I added some healthy choice spaghetti sauce because I had it on hand, along with some canned tomatoes, ladled it over whole-wheat spaghetti and it was delicious! I doubt that I'll make plain spaghetti again. A great way to get a lot of veggies in your diet.

5. Finally, I want to share some of the devotional reading I've been doing lately.

I've been working my way through this devotional and really enjoying it.

and

The Life of Prayer by A B Simpson, founder of the Christian Missionary Alliance and, also, a Prince Edward Islander. You can read it for free online.

Well, that's it for Friday Five this week ~ hope you enjoyed your visit! Thanks so much for coming by.

Happy weekend!

with love,

every day

a little fun . . .

Not much snow . . . but we do our best :)