Miscanthus Giganteus Field Trip

by Steph // Wednesday, May 6, 2020 // Comments off

This week and last it has been harvest time for Blake!

He has been growing Miscanthus grass for his job at Mathy for many years now.

You can see previous posts about it here and here.

Last Wednesday we all took the opportunity for a field trip since Blake was harvesting just 20 miles away from Twin Oaks!

IMG_20200430_133824 IMG_20200430_133837 It was the most gorgeous day, even though it was chilly and super windy!

Our two sensory girls (Ellie and Eliza) handled it very well, especially with the noise of the tractors.

Having Eliza wear her sun glasses helped her a lot!

IMG_20200430_133928 We enjoyed being outside, having somewhere to go, and seeing Blake do some of what he does!!

IMG_20200430_133947 IMG_20200430_133813 IMG_20200430_134151 IMG_20200430_134559 IMG_20200430_135004 IMG_20200430_135335 Don’t you just love the color of that SKY?!!

I am just so glad the Lord gave us the sky!!

It took us about three days to get the dust off of everything and everyone after standing there watching harvest!

That reminds me – my van still needs washed!

It was a wonderful field trip though – memories made and memories kept!!

The best part was seeing how much Blake enjoys his job.

I am so thankful that he enjoys it!

This field trip brought back memories of the farm, and made it really FEEL LIKE SPRING!

Happy spring, everyone!!

A Quarantine Haircut

by Steph // Monday, May 4, 2020 // Comments off

We have been thankful for SO many things during this time of Shelter in Place, which is still continuing here in Wisconsin until May 26th.

One of those things we are thankful for is that I have always cut the guys’s hair.

Blake tells me of all the guys at work who are shaggy and in desperate need of a haircut because the hair salons are not allowed to be open right now!

I usually do not cut girl’s hair, but I somehow, with Blake’s encouragement, talked myself into giving Eliza a haircut.

Her hair was so long, AND SO BEAUTIFUL!

Once the spring weather arrived and Eliza was outside more than inside, her hair became a constant battle and almost unmanageable.

After her bath one night when her hair was freshly washed and wet, I cut over five inches off of her silky long hair.

After I cut the length off going straight across, I blended the ends in hopes that it would lay nicely on her back.

We are SO glad I took this risk!

Eliza’s hair is very easy to handle now and we have not had any tears from her about taking care of her hair since that day!

Now if I could just figure out how to cut my own hair, ha, ha!

Quarantine life and its challenges, although the challenges are slight for us here at Twin Oaks, continue on!

I hope everyone is doing well – even if you need a haircut!

Praise the Lord for some warmer weather, sunshine, green grass and budding trees.

It’s easier to stay positive when you can spend hours outside in the sunshine!

Happy quarantine Monday, friends!

A Recipe//Grain-Free Ginger Snap Cookies

by Steph // Thursday, April 30, 2020 // Comments off

This recipe is very special to me!

Not just because these cookies are delicious, but because the first time I had them our sweet Hannah had made them for me!

She was living with us at that time, and I love when things like a cookie remind me of a special person.

These cookies are a great snack because they are filling and have just a hint of sweetness to them.

We eat these cookies plain, we eat them with a dollop of coconut whipped cream on top, we use them as a crust for dairy-free cheesecake or ice cream cake, and we also break them into bites and put fresh strawberries and whipped cream on them for a delicious, simple dessert!

They are very versatile!

*I will add some other snack ideas to this post after the recipe.

Grain-Free Ginger Snap Cookies

2 cups of almond meal (also called almond flour)
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/3 cup honey
5 TBSP melted coconut oil
sea salt to sprinkle on top

Whisk the first six dry ingredients together in a bowl. Add the honey and the oil. Stir and press everything together with a large spatula or a wooden spoon. If the dough seems too sticky at this point, set the bowl in the fridge for about 10 minutes to make it easier to work with. I never have to do that step though. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop out cookies onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Press each cookie flat with the palm of your hand. Flatter cookies will be crispier, thicker cookies will be chewier. Sprinkle each cookie with a little sea salt.

Bake the cookies at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheets for a few minutes, and then on a cooling rack.

This recipe makes 22 cookies.

*doubling the ingredients in this recipe makes it difficult to stir and press the dough all together, so I would recommend just making the recipe twice instead.

OTHER SNACK IDEAS:

I think sometimes we over think snacks. I know I do! If you are trying to implement healthier choices into your diet, do not over think things!! Here are some simple options:

* a sliced apple with some nut butter for dipping
* bean chips or carrot sticks with hummus
* a diced apple sprinkled with natural peanut butter, raisins, granola, and shredded coconut
(we call this “apple nachos!”)
* organic corn chips or carrot sticks with guacamole
* organic corn chips with fresh, homemade salsa
* a smoothie (don’t forget to add a source of fat like an avocado or coconut oil)
* organic popcorn
* sliced oranges
* a plate full of fresh veggies with ranch dip

Hopefully this will spark some ideas of your own!

Enjoy those ginger snap cookies – they are a favorite of mine!

Happy snacking, friends!!

Spring Has Sprung!

by Steph // Wednesday, April 29, 2020 // Comments off

Some warmer weather has finally arrived here in south west Wisconsin!

We are SO thankful!

It helps with this whole being stuck at home thing tremendously!

The farmers are even in the fields!

IMG_20200421_120309 The boys built a second garden bed for us.

I am so excited to plant them both – hopefully very soon if this weather holds!

IMG_20200421_115215 IMG_20200421_155657 We have been enjoying the sunny days to the fullest!

Long walks and bike rides on our road, meals on the deck, and just sitting outside to watch the kiddos play!

IMG_20200426_132031 IMG_20200426_131850 IMG_20200427_163211 IMG_20200426_121825 IMG_20200426_165616 IMG_20200427_170054 We started a new Sunday evening tradition three weeks ago, and hope to continue it through the whole summer.