Timber-Linn Memorial Park

Yesterday morn very early, Lynda & Ron went to the balloon festival.  They watched all the beautiful balloons take off.  Since it was a little windy - they couldn't all take off at once.

About 10 am we (Kristie, Tyler, Lynda, Ron, Grandma & Grandpa) drove up into the mts to the old Santiam Wagon trail and hiked and forded creeks.  Such a good time!!

Resting.....Eating our late lunches.  Even the dogs were tired.

Reasons to be happy today...

---fresh homemade applesauce
---the smiley smell of chocolate chip cookies
---droopy-headed sunflowers
---an old wagon filled with herbs
---high five with my dog
---just washed blueberries in a colander
---grandpa's roadside farmstand

Couscous with Dried Fruit & Feta

I have always loved couscous, especially when lots of goodies are added in for flavor and crunch.  I needed a side dish the other night and this worked out perfectly!  It's very pretty too!

The sweetness of the cranberries, raisins and apricots balanced the salty feta cheese perfectly.  I will be serving this again and again, it was so easy to throw together I didn't even take other pictures, it just wasn't necessary.


Couscous with Dried Fruit and Feta
Adapted from Everyday

Two 5.8 ounce packages garlic-flavored couscous (Near East roasted garlic & olive oil is my favorite brand)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 cup dried apricots, chopped
1/2 cup chopped scallions
1 cup feta cheese crumbles

Prepare the couscous according to package directions.  Place in a large bowl and fluff with a fork.  Stir in the cranberries, apricots, scallions and feta; season with salt and pepper.

It is important to me that my writing reflects that the magnitude of my blessings always overshadows the trials of my everyday.

Kristie's cat, Stubby

Honestly, life is good. And although one particular day may be harder than another, they are all a part of this big crazy life that I love.  It wouldn't be fair to suggest that I always immediately see the silver lining of the messy parts of my life.  The real me has great days and really hard days, feels great joy and great sadness, and struggles to keep all the sides of myself in balance.  I would like to hide the struggles or hardships I may be having, but the real me, the most authentic version of me, could only hope to portray my happiness in spite of it all. 

 

Mornings are my time to walk!
I can organize my thots and my day and enjoy the weather whatever it may be.
I love the sweetness of a day lived well.

I hope you have a good day today.  
Thanks for reading with me!