Blueberry Pecan Cookies

My sister Leah and enjoy baking and on Sunday, we decided to bake some cookies. We rarely use recipes and love to bake using our imagination and, most times, the results are delicious. ;-)

We decided to use up some of the fruits we had around and measured everything as we mixed it in so we can give the recipe to you all if it turned out right. :-)

Blueberry Pecan Cookies

5 fresh bananas

15 pitted dates

1 cup of blueberries

1 cup of chopped pecans, raw
1/4 cup of carob powder (optional, similar in taste to chocolate)

2 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour

1 1/2 cups of rolled oats
1/2 tsp of salt

3/4 cup of warm water

First, put the oven on preheat at 350 degrees. Then blend the bananas and dates until smooth. You may need to add a little water to help it blend.

Next mix the flour, oats, carob powder, and salt together.

Add the blended fruit to the mixing bowl and add the warm water. Stir completely.

Then add the chopped pecans and blueberries. 

 

Use two spoons to scoop the dough into the pan. Use the back of a spoon to help "form" the cookie.

They should look something like this:

Bake for about 30 minutes or until the tops are crispy. Enjoy!

All of us agree that the cookies were the best we've tasted in a LONG time! If you try our recipe, please add a comment and let us know how they turned out. 

Blessings,

Knit or Crochet-Along?

Recently, I've been thinking about the many practical things we can make by knitting and crocheting. I thought that maybe we can do a knit-along or crochet-along, whichever you all prefer. Together, we can choose a good pattern, then we can all post our progress on our blogs! Preferably, I'd like to use a pattern that is simple, not too difficult or complicated. :-) Lion Brand has a handy pattern finder that allows me to search their patterns based on skill level, yarn, size etc. You can click on the links to look at each pattern and view a large picture.

Knit Hanover Hat

Knit Simply Perfect Baby Set

Crochet 9-Patch Baby Throw

Crochet Make It Yours Bordered Blankie

All of these patterns use worsted weight yarn and are rated beginner or easy. Hopefully, that will make it easier for you to join, regardless of your skill level. If you're a beginner and not sure if you can work through the pattern we decide on, let me know and I may be able to help you.

If you're interested in joining me in this knit or crochet-along, please comment letting me know which craft you'd prefer and which pattern you like best.

Blessings,

*Update: You need to register on Lion Brand's website to view the pattern. Registration is easy and free; and they don't send spam to your email address.*

Winds, Showers, and Cool Temperatures

The real winter weather has set in with winter gales, cold fronts, and chilly temperatures. The weather also gets really humid and rainy. For us in Bermuda, "chilly" is when the mercury sinks below 60 degrees. :-) Yes I know, we're really blessed when it comes to winter weather. The worse we'll get is temperatures in the low 50s, small hail, and storm force winds.

Today, the temperature was around 58 and quite breezy. We stayed warm by bundling up in knitted hats and scarfs, and turned on the oil-filled radiators. It's always fun when we get comfortable in our cozy living room, and read the Bible on chilly nights.  Our family goal for this year is to finish reading through the Bible and right now we're finishing up the book of Deuteronomy. Because we began last year, we are a little ahead and should be able to meet our goal. :-)

~~~

Joy Report for Feb. 4: I was able to finish my blue dish cloth and purchase more yarn to make the next one in the set. I'm glad that my favorite yarn was still available at the yarn shop for an affordable price. Praise God for blessing me with simple things (like yarn) that put a smile on my face. :-)


Blessings,

Eden

Have Faith in God

While practicing the piano and playing my favorite hymns, I found this beautiful hymn. I never heard it before but the words are encouraging.  After some practicing, I was able to sing and play it. :-) Click here to listen to me sing and play it on the piano. (You may have to turn up your speakers).

Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely;

He sees and knows all the way you have trod.

Never alone are the least of His children;

Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Have faith in God; He's on His throne. 

Have faith in God; He watches o'er His own.

He cannot fail! He must prevail!

Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Have faith in God when your pray'rs are unanswered;

Your earnest plea He will never forget.

Wait on the Lord; trust His Word and be patient.

Have faith in God; He'll answer yet.

Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow;

His heart is touched with your grief and despair.

Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him;

And leave them there, O leave them there.

Have faith in God tho' all else fail about you.
Have faith in God; He provides for His own.

He cannot fail tho' all kingdoms shall perish;

He rules, He reigns upon His throne.

Blessings,

What I've been doing...

I've been having lots of fun as I work to improve my skills in home making. :-)  This past week, Mom helped me sew a beautiful skirt. We had lots of fun working together. The fabric is beautiful and it is quickly becoming my favorite skirt. When it comes to sewing, I consider myself a beginner. However, with my desire to wear more modest clothing, it has become increasingly important that I practice my sewing skills. And each minute that I spend at the sewing machine, my love for sewing grows!

 
Earlier this month, I also made my first apron! I used a little creativity and planning to make it without a pattern. It took some thought to decide just how I'd like it to fit and then how to make it all come together but it turned out lovely. The new apron gives me a little incentive to do more in the kitchen! :-)

In addition to sewing, I've also been trying out different recipes for cookies. This week, I made wholesome "no-bake" cookies that tasted delicious. You can get the recipe here. Sorry, they disappeared before I could get a good picture of them. ;-)

Another one of my favorite hobbies is practicing on the piano. I love to play hymns and "improvise" to make my own arrangements for my favorite songs. I try to practice about 30 minutes every day, and can definitely see the benefits of consistent work. Like sewing, the more I play the piano, the more I enjoy it. :-)

With the Colossians 3 memorization challenge complete, I can now focus on the Bible reading challenge. The last few days of the memorization challenge, I slipped behind in my Bible reading so I can focus on memorizing the last verses of the chapter. Now, I have to get back on track with the Bible reading so I can finish in 6 months!

What have you been doing lately? What are some of your favorite hobbies or things to do around the home? Please share!

A Visit to Commissioner's House

Last week, we visited Commissioner's House for a field trip.  Commissioner's House was designed and built to be multi-purpose. It was constructed in 1822, and served as private quarters for the civilian commissioner of the Dockyard, as well as hosted functions and official ceremonies. After years of neglect and decay during the second half of the 20th century, the Bermuda Maritime Museum transformed it into a wonderful museum. Now, Commissioner's House features a wide variety of exhibits ranging from coin collections to shackles recovered from slave ships.  

~Commissioner's House from the water~

{We forgot to take an outside picture of the house so I found this pic on Google images.}

~Looking over the Dockyard from the first deck~

~The Portuguese make up around 10% of Bermuda's population~

~Wheel hoe used by Portuguese farmers, circa 1900~

~Diagram showing how slaves were packed into ships~

~Shackles recovered from slave ships~

~Jude by model of sail ship~

~Wash basin from Jamaica~

~New currency released in Jan. '09 is displayed in the money exhibit~

~Bermuda $1 bills printed in 1914~

~Real gold coins dating back to the 1600s~

~Wall mural painted by Graham Foster depicting 400 years of Bermudian history~

~Another view of wall mural~

~Leah enjoying a minute by the fountain~

~The children taking a break in front of the fountain~

(Left to Right: Eden, Leah, Jude, & Sara)

~Sara helping her little brother to look at an exhibit~

~Leah taking a peek through the wheel for a cannon~

(Sara's green iPod is between the spokes!)

 ~Sheep grazing along a wall; according the the museum's website the

sheep are their "trusty lawnmowers" :-) ~

~A sheep getting a nibble to eat~

~Dad and Jude hanging out by a cannon~

~Cute dollhouse exhibit~

 ~A cloudy day, but still a great view from the second veranda~

~Another view looking towards the pier for the cruise ships~

~Mother perched on a large window~

~Plaque outside Commissioner's House giving it's latitude/longitude~

~The outdoor grounds feature several tunnels and subterranean rooms~

~Small boat moored at the water's edge of a small pond~

We had lots of fun and learned new things by reading the informative displays located by each exhibit. We took lots of photos and hope to return another time!

Blessings,

Yarn + Needles = Fun!

Knitting is one of my favorite hobbies. Mom taught me how to knit when I was nine, and since then I've always enjoyed knitting! Personally, I prefer working on smaller projects like hats and purses because they don't take as much time to finish. ;-)  I almost always have a knitting project in progress and this week I'm working on a ribbed hat. You can get the pattern here.  It's turning out beautifully and I hope to finish it in a couple of days.

Aside from knitting, I've been working on crocheting a dish cloth and sewing an apron.  Look out for pictures of those soon!

Whether it's sewing, knitting, or crocheting, I'm always busy making something. What kind of crafts do you enjoy?  Are you working on any projects right now? Please share your favorite crafts and patterns!

Blessings,

"She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:19, 22,27

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalms 139:14