The Twizzler

This past Sunday our pastor challenged us to give something up for Lent, though on a much smaller scale than typical.  Baby steps, you know!  He asked everyone to give something up for one day, something we hold to too tightly, like a meal, a TV show, email; and to spend the time instead with God, praying, reading the Bible, meditating, whatever works for us.

I’ll spare you the details of my own lenten choices, but one thing that came to mind rather unexpectedly while praying was Shana, and a desire to have some really special one-on-one time with her.  She so often gets ignored simply because Kenan is more demanding of our energy.

The rest of the day I was trying to think of fun daddy-daughter activity we could do this week, but God had it all figured out for me already.  I got home a bit on the early side, and Helen and Kenan had gone down for a nap a bit on the late side, so when Shana heard me come in she came running over with a big smile on her face.  She showed me her new stuffed animals, we filled the bird feeder together and played in the back yard, then rode bikes in the driveway (with Kenan who had woken up by then).  And Shana kept repeating, with the biggest smile ever, “Daddy, you came home at just the right time, because Mommy and Kenan were still sleeping!”

🙂  Thank you God for small prayers answered!

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 We had the opportunity to see the Alberta Ballet’s performance of Cinderella.  Shana’s school got tickets for a very affordable price, it was a student matinee during the day.  Nate took off of work and we went with friends from our small group, Waverly and Liam and their Mom, Denise.  It was completely professional, the same show other evening theatre-goers spent big bucks to see.  Shana’s favorite dancer was Cinderella and the ball-goer in the yellow dress.  Kenan’s favorite was ‘the boy in blue’ but I’m not sure what he means by that.  He also said he likes the Prince and the Grand Duke.  Actually, the Grand Duke was my favorite too.  When we read the synopsis in the program, however, he turned out to be a Jester!  I think the Grand Duke is a Disney addition to the story.  Nate liked the father, he had a very small part, did not even dance I don’t think, but he had presence, Nate says.  We  really enjoyed the chance to see something of this caliber and and I tried to teach Kenan that boys can do ballet too. 

Kenan says,

There are no bears, Shana, only dinosaurs!

 

Shana says,

No, Kenan, dinosaurs live in Africa!

 

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Exodus 20:8

We have started some family traditions around Shabbat.  A couple of things conspired to make this possible:  I finally moved gymnastics off of Fridays, and we bought a Kitchen Aid Mixer to make bread in.  Lighting the candles each Friday evening gives a rhythm to our lives, reminds us that the week is done and another about to begin, and brings us together for a family time where no other activities are allowed to intrude.  The kids love it and are learning the blessings in Hebrew.  Shana is getting very good at braiding the bread dough.  Kenan especially is very eager as the time to eat draws near, asking, “Can we eat the Ha-o-lah?”  (Challah)  You are welcome to join us if you wish, just give me at least 15 minutes notice! 

Our next-door neighbours just sold their house.  Two days, twenty viewings, seven offers, $450 grand.  Ours is very similar only they have a bonus room and a fully finished basement, so ours is likely over 400k.  I can’t imagine that!  That would mean our house has more than doubled in value in five years.

Just a few pictures hanging around on our camera that we need to share…

Shana’s getting very original with her drawings.  Here she drew a rocket going to mars, taking off next to a lake.  She liked the picture so much she drew it again for the other parent.

Shana’s front teeth are either getting (very slightly) loose or she’s just so excited about the prospect that it’s all in her imagination.  In any case, she’s started drawing pictures like this one with a tooth in her hand (and the original picture is big enough that you can also see the space in her mouth where it’s missing).

Toilet Art

Kenan is finally getting interested in using the potty again.  We’ve got our fingers crossed that it’ll last this time.

RVA has a new webcam on one of the two rugby/soccer fields.  That’s Mount Longonot in the far background.

And when I lost, like a sheep, and you, like a shepherd, you have to find me!  Baa!  Baa!

Kenan

These delectables put the cake in pancake.  With 1/3 cup of sugar and 3/4 cup sour cream, these aren’t your everyday pancakes, but they make a great special Sunday breakfast.  (We sometimes replace the sugar with 3 T honey + 2 T cane sugar to be a bit healthier, but the consistency isn’t the same.)

Whisk together the dry ingredients:
1 cup spelt flour (or all-purpose flour if you prefer)
1/3 cup sugar
1 – 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt

Whisk together the wet ingredients in another bowl:
3/4 cup tofu sour cream (or regular sour cream)
1/3 cup soy milk (or regular milk)
zest of 1 lemon
juice of 1 lemon (about 1/4 cup)
3 T unsalted butter, melted
1 egg
1 – 1/2 t vanilla

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and gently whisk them together.  The batter will be thick, like cake batter.

Spoon 1/4 cup or so of batter onto the griddle for each pancake, and cook until bubbles pop and don’t fill themselves up again, then flip and cook until the other side is golden brown.

This is our adaptation of the Lemon Pancake recipe in the Joy of Cooking.  They suggest serving with “sweetened sour cream or crème fraîche”.  We eat them with our staple, maple syrup, and see no reason to try anything else!