looking at cattle at lazy m ranch (and how they looked back)

We were out at the ranch a couple of days ago and the Marbles have some of the biggest cows they have had (meaning fat and strong, well nourished). we walked around and took some pictures. I have a new edition of bungaree speak for you, this is baby o's first time being featured in bungaree speak:

Setting: we are walking among the different fields of cattle, looking and uuuuuuing and awwwwing over how big and pretty they are (handsome too).

b: oh, those ones are so big and pretty aren't they boys?
j: yes they are really, REALLY big.
b: aren't cows cool? look over here there is a mamma...
o: (o interrupts) and a rabbit! (certain that her baby calf laying next to her could not possibly be a cow!)
b,j: hahaah, hahah!
b: no, o that is a baby cow called a calf, it is so much bigger than a rabbit.

enjoy some cattle pictures:

below is Marble mountain, I can't wait to hike to the top sometime!!

a good egg. aka ¡celebración a la bungaree!

our first egg! seriously how exciting is that? well, I think it super-grand...is that exciting enough for you? All this time caring for these chickies is paying off...and the egg is beautiful. The boys are so happy. j was a tad confused though, as when hurried him out to see how cool what I just found was, he took the egg in his hand very gently and said: " is there something special inside?" He has been waiting for eggs, and he knows that we eat eggs, but I think I though maybe the chicken had laid him an extra special gift...maybe a chocolate egg !!:)

even yoko was interested

our church family.

I figured I would post some pictures of our church (Calvary Chapel in Corvllis, Or). We meet outside in the summers, and it is incredible. every week there is a chance to eat lunch all together, either bringing a picnic or getting food from the church BBQ. We love it here. We are being saturated in God's presence and falling more and more in love with him.

Pastor Rob is an excellent teacher, go here to hear any of his messages!!!

(chocolate) zucchini (cake) bread

Recipes from the Old Mill: Baking with Whole Grains by Sarah E. Meyers and Mary Beth Lind

Zucchini Carob Cake ( or chocolate!) p. 215

3 Eggs
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
1+1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup carob or cocoa powder
2-3 cups grated zucchini
1/2-1 cup carob or chocolate chips
1/2 cup nuts (optional)

1. Beat eggs. Add sugars, oil, applesauce, vanilla, and buttermilk. Mix well.
2. Sift flours, allspice, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and cocoa powder together. Stir zucchini into dry ingredients.
3. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix well.
4. Turn into a greased and floured 9 by 13 inch pan. Sprinkle chips and nuts on top ( I mixed the chips in, and did NOT include any nuts...but that is just beacause I don't like nuts in cake)
5. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.

Note:
This works well made into cupcakes.




I quadrupled this recipe to get what is in this picture...and it was a chore to stir. j helped out some :) I put two in the fridge and put the other 6 in the freezer for later. Yummm.

hoy hay fiesta en España

España gano la plata. Que vida es esta, hace pocos años nunca nos lo habriamos imajinado. !Que viva España! Fue un partido buenísimo, y esperaba ganaran....pero para eso tendremos que esperar a las próximas olimpiadas:)

viva la patria querida.

España ha llegado a la final de baloncesto en las olimpiadas! Lo vamos a ver el Domingo a las 11:30 pm ( en Oregon). Realmente espero que ganen, se que no es probable...pero es posible :)

delightful zucchini

The wonders of the zucchini plant. As my mom always says: "zucchini plants are the cure to world hunger". As prolific as they are they should be that is for sure, but they only last for a couple of months, then fall comes. o and I picked all of these one afternoon...and from the look on his face they are super exciting! I made tons of chocolate zucchini bread ( post to follow).

sellout.

this has been on my mind lately. what is a sellout? are you a sellout? Here is the wiki definition:

Selling out refers to the compromising of one's integrity, morality and principles in exchange for money, 'success' or other personal gain. It is commonly associated with attempts to increase mass appeal or acceptability to mainstream society. A person who does this, as opposed to following the original path s/he laid (or claimed to lay) out for him/herself, is labeled a sellout and regarded with disgust and immediate loss of respect. Selling out is seen as gaining success at the cost of credibility.

I would argue that many people my age who are so against "sellouts" are themselves what they say they hate. This is heavy, and usually my blog is light...no apologies though at all.

When this came to my mind I was thinking of many people my age who grew up knowing what was right, but now they choose to sellout, " compromising [their] integrity, morality and principles in exchange..." in this case for an image. What image? an image of worldliness, of godlessness, of the ability to be like their friends. Yet they pride themselves in the freedom that is theirs to live like that. At first when I saw them I felt like crying, now I feel like screaming, shaking them and trying to beat life back into them. I am not the judge, Jesus is, and that is a good thing because I am angry at the way that knowingly they smear the name of Jesus while wholly expecting his grace. The sad thing is that they know what is right and choose to walk wrong. puke.


here is a little poem I wrote for ya:


when did sexual exploration pre-wedding earn God's favor?
when did smoking, hangovers and eating to obesity become acceptable?
when did cussing and profanity become light in the darkness?
when did you stop feeling convicted?

sellout.

first tomatoes.

nature a la oregon.

Oregon is the most beautiful place, really. As far as trees, water and mountains go..it really is. We got to enjoy a day at Detroit Lake with my brother and his family. Oh, and yes...get ready for picture overload. I know, way too many pictures...but the grandparents will enjoy them for sure!