My new flour mill

I thought it was time to spice up my kitchen gadget collection with something else!

I just purchased a great new mill that grinds wheat into flour.

The freshly ground wheat is full of all the nutrients that are often removed from the flour we purchase in the store. This freshly ground wheat must be used in timely fashion or stored in the refrigerator so that it does not spoil.

I went to the grain elevator and sweet-talked some nice man there into selling me some wheat.

He set some aside for me when the next farmer came to sell wheat to the grain elevator.

This is a close-up of the wheat grain as it is feeding into the grinding mechanism.

After the wheat is ground, it becomes this nice flour. This is the container at the bottom of the mill that captures the flour. It even feels warm to the touch since it was just ground.

It made wonderful 100% whole wheat bread in my bread machine.

I also tried sweet rolls using 50% whole wheat and 50% white flour (from the store.)

I made some whole wheat chocolate chip cookies that were almost (but not quite..) as good as the ones made from white flour. But, since they were so healthy, I suppose I could eat more of them, right?

This was the first loaf.

Now I am adding a tablespoon of vital wheat gluten which helps in the raising.

No more dips in the top crust.

Next thing to try is a recipe for whole wheat buttermilk raisin scones.

Sounds good to me.

Morning visitors

It has been ten years since we last saw this red-headed woodpecker at our feeders. We keep a record of when we have a sighting of our birds and this was a real treat this morning to see this interesting woodpecker with his solid red head!

He didn't mind sharing the area with some bluejays.

I love this little hummingbird and thought this was a pretty interesting photograph showing off his long beak. All the better to drink!

The orioles have oranges, grape jelly and their own oriole nectar feeder - but this fella wanted to check on what the hummingbird feeder was offering as well.

Last evening we saw an American Redstart. He flits back and forth in the branches and is practically impossible to locate in time to snap a picture since he keeps moving. He is black and orange like the oriole, but smaller. Very pretty and here one day and gone the next.

Maybe next year.

Oh Joy! An Indigo bunting!

If you read my last post, I mentioned that I had not been able to photograph this sweet little blue bird, the indigo bunting.

I guess he didn't want to be left out of the pictures, though, because he just appeared at the feeders and stayed long enough for me to snap a few pictures.

Did you know he is not really blue at all? He is actually a black bird and the sunlight is refracted within the structure of the feather, making them only appear blue. Who knew?

Ah, this close-up wasn't too bad at all.
Too bad I don't have my son John's camera....

Bird color

This is a fine time of year to be a bird watcher.

Brilliant yellow goldfinches.

Bright orange orioles eating grape jelly.

Mr. Grosbeak did not disappoint! He finally arrived!

And he brought quite a few friends as well.

I kept the orioles happy with sweet oranges too.

We also had a blue indigo bunting but I didn't get a picture - they are a real treat to see.

Plus many woodpeckers, sparrows, finches, chickadees, nuthatches, blue jays, etc.

Isn't nature a delight?

Mother's Day was lovely

There's nothing better then spending Mother's day with family - and we went to Wisconsin to enjoy being with Adam and Andrea and the children. John and Sara and Tobias came on Sunday after church.

We missed Daniel and Meghan and children, but happily we do see them on a weekly basis.

The picture above was a quick "set the camera on a tripod" picture taken right after church.

Hannah and Luke are more then happy to oblige with smiles.
Of course, with digital cameras, they have to see the picture right away!

Now, talk about sweet siblings.

Timothy was not in this picture because he went off to church earlier. He was singing in a children's musical for two Sunday morning church services. We attended the second service to watch the musical. He did a wonderful job!

Look how grown up our grandson is!

What a handsome boy. We are so proud of him.

After a wonderful meal together Uncle John and Timothy had a game of chess.

Timothy is only 6 and I think it's fabulous that he plays chess - I think his usual opponent is his Daddy.

Aunt Andrea and cousin Hannah enjoyed playing with Tobias.

Tobias is showing us his "crinkle his nose" technique.

He's got it down pat.

I liked this expression on Tobias' face; you can almost see his little brain thinking all about the thing in his hand - wondering just how this thing works.

And he doesn't just sit and wonder how things work anymore... he wants to find out for himself..

This picture might not look like much to you, but it was so cute when it was happening. First Tobias was interested in touching Luke's head/hair but then he was really interested in finding out just how Hannah's little twist braids felt.

He was reaching out to get a good hand on her twists. I think it's adorable.
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We had a wonderful Mother's day. Thanks!

Happy Mother's Day

This is exactly how I remember my precious mother-in-law, such a Godly woman.

Here she is in her kitchen with her Bible open.

I am so thankful for her.

This is my maternal grandmother with my mom as a baby.

Oh, how I miss her cheerful spirit!


This is my paternal grandmother with my dad as a young boy.

The story of this picture is amazing, too long to share here, but briefly, she just met and married my grandfather in order to continue to parent my father, as she was a struggling single mom considering placing my father for adoption. They were married about 9 days after they met and this picture was taken shortly thereafter.



My mom is in the center with her daughters on either side and her daughter-in-laws on the far left and far right.

These are the young moms of our immediate family.
I am thankful that God brought these women into our family!

And here I am with my loving mother - how fortunate I am to still have my mom.

She looks amazing for 91!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all these moms.

You are all loved and treasured!

A few more visitors..

I was glad I had the hummingbird feeder out because our little ruby-throated hummingbird arrived yesterday. He was so happy to find his feeder all ready for him!
He just sat down for a little drink.
(yes, those are ants floating around in the fluid. Ugh. Impossible to prevent...)

We keep hearing the cardinals singing - so fabulous as this is just beginning to become "home" for them here in north central Minnesota.

The ma and pa cardinal came together last night at dusk for a little dinner.

Love is in the air.

Ah! more love in nature... can you see Mr. and Mrs. Wood Duck?

Look closely.

A sweet little yellow goldfinch. Waiting his turn for at the feeder...

But where, oh where, is Mr. Grosbeak?

He's usually so dependable!

How to decide?

Oh my, oh my. What a feast for the eyes and refreshment to the soul following a long white winter! This is a fabulous garden center here in our town and the only hard part is deciding what to buy!

What colors this year?
I need hanging plants, bedding plants, garden plants....
Oh, such fun!


I like to shop early when the selection is the best.

I get so jazzed..

Every year they return! Almost the same day as the year before!

Mrs. Grosbeak comes first - I should see Mr. Grosbeak tomorrow...

check back for a picture of him!

and the beautiful cedar waxwing!

They usually come in a big flock.

I so enjoy spring birds!

Thank you

Last evening our weekly group of friends, who meet at our home on Sunday evenings for Bible study, had dinner together at a local restaurant.

These dear friends facilitated this meal as a thank you for our study leader and wife, Dan & Connie and to us for sharing our home each week.

It was a lovely time together, as always, and W and I want to thank you ALL for the evening and for being friends on whom we can depend in all kinds of weather!

If you "double click" on the picture, it will enlarge and fill out your screen and you can get a good UP CLOSE look at our smiling faces!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

P.S. - Happy Anniversary to Dan & Connie today! 41 years!

Happy Birthday to Marlane and Debbie!

How fortunate I am to have a sister that is also my best friend!

Happy Birthday to my dear sister Marlane!!

Also I am fortunate to have sister-in-laws, and I value their friendship!

Happy Birthday to my sweet sister-in-law Debbie!

Waiting

This is the BEST time of year - the summer birds are soon coming back to the feeders!

(In fact, a few are already here, like the sweet little yellow-rumped warbler..)

And, before the leaves fill out on the trees, we can see so much activity.

I have gotten all the feeders ready as I know pretty much who will come when..

we've been keeping track for years and it still never ceases to amaze us when the birds return!

I have the hummingbird feeder ready..

and the orioles don't want to miss this! Fresh oranges and grape jelly!

and I wouldn't be surprised today to see the
rose-breasted grosbeaks.
I keep looking out the windows... it's really hard to get anything productive done!
My binoculars are in one hand and my camera in the other (well, practically...).
Stay tuned!