In case you are wondering about the pictures from the last post, Heather and I moved into a house. We've been looking for a house for the last year and a half, but never found one that we liked. Then David and Heather got engaged and they started looking as well. They found a darling house that would not be available long. So, Heather and I moved. In June (when they get married) I'll move out, but it is quite lovely for now.

Brody helping pack.

Vegan Marionberry Scones

I am not vegan. I did, however, find myself without eggs, milk, or butter and wanting to make some scones at 11:30 the other night. I couldn't even go through the usual trading process with Heather of, "Are you going to eat that tonight? Can I eat it and buy you more tomorrow?" because Heather didn't have any eggs, milk, or butter either. So, she looked for eggless, milkless, and butterless recipe while I searched for substitutes that we might have in our refrigerator. Heather found this recipe on allrecipes.com. (It's actually Vegan Lemon Poppyseed Scones, but of course we didn't have any lemons or poppyseeds - so it became marionberry). The result was actually quite delicious. They weren't as dense as regular scones. The batch of eight scones didn't even last 24 hours.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup margarine - oil
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced - marionberry jelly - Just as much as you want
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds - marionberry jelly
• 1/2 cup soy milk - I used vanilla coconut milk instead
• 1/2 cup water

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.
2. Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. Cut in margarine until the mixture is the consistency of large grains of sand. I like to use my hands to rub the margarine into the flour. Stir in poppy seeds, lemon zest and lemon juice. Combine the soy milk and water, and gradually stir into the dry ingredients until the batter is moistened, but still thick like biscuit dough. You may not need all of the liquid.
3. Spoon 1/4 cup sized plops of batter onto the greased baking sheet so they are about 3 inches apart.
4. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes the preheated oven, until golden.

A Lovely Day

Today was a lovely day for a birthday. After a very wet night, the sun came out this morning and it wasn't too terribly cold. I got to talk to my mama first thing when I woke up. Then I listened to a message left on my phone by my sister singing an interesting rendition of "Happy Birthday."

Today was a day filled with the usual Tuesday activities (running - semi-regular, relaxing at home, volunteer at the historical society, feed the horses at the barn where Ribbon lives), and speckled with phone calls from family, texts from friends, another odd rendition of "Happy Birthday" from Katie, and lots of facebook birthday wishes.

When I came home Heather was making a three-course dinner that was DELICIOUS! We watched Psych, Once Upon A Time, and Pan-Am. It was delightful!

I love Christmas time and I am not ready for it to be over. So, I was so glad when I walked into the barn Tuesday night to feed and found it as festive as possible. Green garlands and red bows were strung along the aisle. Every stall door had a stocking hanging on it, stuffed with apples and carrots. It made me smile when I saw how Christmas-y it was, especially because I was really sad to leave all my family in California after Christmas.

Ribbon's Stocking.

Ribbon munching happily on her warm mush mixed with apples and carrots. You can't really see them but there are even ornaments hanging on the garlands.

Moore, Suess, and Morrish

A little Christmas cheer combining C.C. Moore, Dr. Seuss, and L.M. Morrish.

'Twas the night past Thanksgiving and all through the city,

All the creatures were stirring, even the mice.

People were standing in lines round the store,

Indoors and outdoors,

Hoping to find gifts for cheap,

To fill their stockings and Christmas trees.

Amidst all the hustle and bustle

Were two best friends on a mission to find the best deals they could.

They sped round the stores from midnight to six,

Then hurried home for some much needed sleep.

'Fore hitting the stores with a vengeance once more.

When at last they had finished

The sun had risen and set.

Their bellies were empty, but the car was quite full

With treasures and deals they'd found 'long the way.

Quite successful, the trip, and bunches of fun!

But what did they find? What deals? What prizes?

Don't be silly! Don't ask such a thing!

Don't you know that Christmas will be here in no time!

You'll see soon enough when that blessed day comes.

This post is weeks behind, so I'm sure you have all read about my parents and I going to California on Life in Canada, Eh. Here are some of my pictures.

Disneyland will always hold lots and lots of wonderful memories. It was really fun to see what has been added or improved in the last few years. Mama, you're one of my favorite people (Katie's the other one) to go to Disneyland with too. Remember when they barricaded us from Pirates of the Caribbean?

I was also able to visit a dear friend who I went to college with. We got coffee and walked on the beach and talked for at least three hours! So fun.