Winter in Winters

Here's a cool geometric pic of some local rice fields that Todd took from the airplane last week. Yes, airplane photography is our new specialty. :)  

We got out of Seattle this week just in time to miss the "big snowstorm". So we're enjoying the cold but sunny weather here in Winters.  I think the farmers must be burning debris from their nut trees because the air smells like roasted peanut butter - yummy.  It's pretty cool to see all of the trees down here - their branches are clear of leaves so you can see the huge hawks that sit near the top of them hunting for prey. 

I've still been cooking a lot of new homemade dishes, but nothing worthy of the blog lately. Tonight I'm trying Chicken Tiki Masala from a healthy website: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/quick_chicken_tikka_masala_for_2.html. I'll let you know how it turns out! 

Sunrise, Sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years

One season following another

Laden with happiness and tears

Lyrics from one of the best musicals, Fiddler on the Roof. Time does swiftly fly by, I'm going on six months of traveling with my husband now.  This photo shows Monday's sunrise from our seats on the plane.  An inspiring way to start the day!

It's good to be back from the holidays. I don't know about anyone else, but it's nice to have the season of obligations over with. I feel like January is a fresh start, a clean slate. Another sunrise.

Driving in Davis

Here's a shot I took a bit precariously while driving through Davis the other day. This street has the most beautiful trees lining either side and I wanted to capture it.  The trees in the area are bare now since we've had a bunch of winter wind storms come through, so I often see large hawks sitting in the trees watching for prey.  It's still surprising to me how warm and sunny it is here.  Leaving for Seattle yesterday it was 66 degrees outside! We're just not used to being warm and seeing Christmas decorations at the same time.

Now that the holidays are here, I'll be away from California for 3 weeks. I'm so excited to have quality time at home with friends and family. Happy Holidays everyone!!   

Releasing Control

(Vacaville Hills as seen from swimming pool parking lot)

Control. A word that is important to most of us, especially project manager types like myself.  The need to plan, organize, and prepare for things that may happen in our lives so that nothing takes us by surprise. A protection against pain, fear, the unknown. A word that I sometimes struggle with, especially this week. 


Another word: Anemia. Definition: "A condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, resulting in pallor and weariness." Something that I've recently discovered I've probably been struggling with most of my life.  Nothing that scary or abnormal, in fact it is the most common blood disorder and found especially in women.  But it's been something I've been working to improve since I moved to California.  I just found out this week that not even taking 4 iron pills a day with Vitamin C has done anything to elevate my iron levels.  This has been extremely disheartening and frustrating for me. I'm tired of being tired! Again, that control thing.  


I realize that in the scale of things this is a pretty minor problem. Overall I am lucky to be healthy and happy. But I think that maybe we all have something, whether it be big or small, that nags at us, that we cannot control.  So I share a short Bible quote today which has helped lift my spirits, and maybe will lift yours as well:


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3: 5-6

Our Daily Bread

Here are the two loaves of bread I baked yesterday afternoon.  Nothing beats the smell of homemade bread! I made the "White Bread Loaf" from Brother Juniper's Bread Book which my grandma (the expert bread maker) recently gave me.  

Here's the recipe - allow for lots of time (I started baking at 2 yesterday and our bread wasn't ready to eat until 8pm!)

1) Proof 2 tbsp active dry yeast in 4 tbsp lukewarm water.

2) Combine all ingredients in a large bowl until mixture can be formed into a ball: yeast, 4 1/2 c. high-gluten flour, 4 1/2 c. unbleached all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp. sea salt, 3 c. water.

3) Knead the dough on floured surface for 10-12 min. or until dough is tacky but not sticky.

4) Put dough in clean bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise at room temperature for 1 1/2 hours.

5) Punch dough down, form into ball, return to bowl and allow to rise again for 1 - 1 1/2 hours.

6) Divide dough into 2 parts. Flatten each piece with heels of hands, fold it over back on itself, and roll into a cylindrical shape. Squeeze the dough to release air bubbles and roll into a smooth shape. Place dough seam side down into greased bread pans.

7) Cover again with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 1 hour.

8) Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes (rotating half way through).

9) Remove from oven and allow to cool for 20-45 minutes.

10) Serve with butter and ENJOY!