I usually make my own yogurt in the Instantpot (pro-tip: it takes just as long, but if you have a "yogurt" button, there's no temperature guesswork), so I often throw in at least a half gallon of milk because we like granola & yogurt, smoothies, and cucumber raita on curries. However, as with most bulk … Continue reading Orange Yogurt Cake
New Ways, For Now
I live in the country and I homeschool my kids, so you'd think I already frequently shop online and use a lot of internet-based resources. But typically I don't. I might put in a shopping order once a month (is that a lot?), preferring to actually use my physical senses to assess items I want … Continue reading New Ways, For Now
Easter: Beauty from Ashes
by Gwen Lantz Recently I finished reading a book that had me crying buckets. It was a self-indulgent read, but it was also just what I needed. The past six years have held a lot of sorrow, unexpected transition, and new beginnings. As is frequently the case, the sorrow and endings have given way to … Continue reading Easter: Beauty from Ashes
Death and Life
Only in the time of a global pandemic would we experience a funeral such as the one I write about here. The family had said good-bye and buried their beloved one morning in a small, private service. Friends were invited to visit the graveside in a "drive-through" memorial that same evening, keeping inside their vehicles, … Continue reading Death and Life
Holy Week at Home
We are in the middle of the Christian Holy Week and concurrently in the middle of a global pandemic. Which means most of us are going to be celebrating what would normally be meaningful communal events by ourselves or with only our closest family members. I admit, I am still soberly excited about the upcoming … Continue reading Holy Week at Home
Blessed are the Holders
by Sherah-Leigh Gerber Blessed are the Holders Oh to be a child again To have lap to crawl into when the world overwhelms To have someone gently rub my back as I drift into sleep But I am the holder The lap and the back rubber Offering whispers of peace How about Legos? A … Continue reading Blessed are the Holders
Help me make a list!
Fill in the blank: Pandemic-induced time at home is the perfect time for ______________________. I'm putting "potty-training" in there! I see lots of juice and books in my future . . . Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash What's on your project list for the coming weeks? with love, Anita
An Everyday Prayer
let Your waters flow Dear God, let me remember this day to put on my deodorant to look into the eyes of small people to give hugs Let me remember also to take balloon breaths before speaking when I feel the smoldering iron of anger rising up through my body Let me remember to pause … Continue reading An Everyday Prayer
Forsythia I and II
When the air starts to warm each spring, the grass greens, bulbs start pushing new green shoots up through the lawn, and blossoms appear, I get the irresistible urge to write poetry. Some funny. Some maybe good. Most unbelievably sentimental trash, I'm sure. This year, the humor won. Read on if you dare . . … Continue reading Forsythia I and II
Recipe for Spring
by Gwen Lantz photo by Anita Recipe for Spring 1 blustery day 4 c. warm soil 1 c. dirty dog 3 c. happy daffodil faces 1 Tbsp seeds Smattering precocious weeds Smidgen of lenten ashes Liberal amounts of bird song and laughing children Take above regenerative ingredients and mix liberally with hope and rainfall for … Continue reading Recipe for Spring
Mennonite Women of Virginia 