A Rare Occasion

A few weeks ago our family had the wonderful delight of going on a vacation.  For us it is a rare event.  But what a lot of fun!  Really I was hoping to pick my One favorite photo.  Conclusion: not exactly possible.  So these are a few of my favorites.

Sweet Logy

Love this, Tay is too Cute

A few Parkour moves for the guys...just hangin' out...haha, I know..I know, but i like my jokes:)

Who knew jumping around and acting like boys could have an official name anyway?

A little washed out...me playing with camera settings.

Love the light.

Getting ready for the waves.

Sunrise 

Boys with their Daddy

I actually was There

So Calm

A little part of our surprise vacation for the kids.  They were shocked.  We did tell them we'd take them to Disney (which was jst part of the trip) at some point.     But we didn't let them know we were going until the morning we left.  One of them said, "I really just can't trust anyone right now."  Too funny.  It was a long time coming and we were glad to be able to take them!

Essene...

Sounds pretty-hey?  It's bread.  Not sure (yet) though if it is good bread.  Mostly cause I have, this far been unsuccessful in making it properly.
Here's the deal--about 10 years ago when i first learned of this bread being one of the two "said" healthiest breads.  The other being sprouted grain-Ezekiel bread.  I searched for both..only found one.  But always in the back of my mind ~ Essene.  Recently I found out why.  It seems to be an ancient bread, one of the unleavened breads.  Not necessarily grocery store--sit in the warehouse a few months--sit on the store shelf a few weeks, type of bread.  And here it is:

Oh..wait a minute..that is me leaving it soak, well. . just a bit too long.  It sprouted!! Hmm. . maybe I will have to throw some wheat in my garden this year.  And to be honest, so far two attempts for me..the third-well hopefully will be a charm.
Why try a third time?  If made properly it is actually considered a raw bread -when cooked at 180F or lower.  Lots of benefits there.  Despite my failures at it (only soak in full water overnight..not the whole 3 days) it is quite simple.  It just sits on the counter and you rinse it a few times each day until it's ready.  Also using wheat berries in stead of ground flour, you have the option of pulling out little grasshopper parts that you find.  Do you really think they are doing it at the flour mill?  No wait, factory!  Grasshoppers like wheat:).
To make Essene:
Two cups wheat berries cover in water over night. Over the next three days keep well drained and rinse three times daily.  When you see a small white sprout about the size of the wheat grain it is ready.  Throw it in the food processor, form in a pan and throw it in the oven @180F for 6-8hours.  Or: Here are two recipes, the first does a good explanation to not rot the berries -like I did- the second looks like more fun.  Recipe A Recipe B

So I will be trying again.  I'll have to share if it goes well.

SO Obvious-but So Excepted

Here is THE question:  Would You wear your bra and underwear (with a pair of flip-flops)  to your local supermarket?  Or a movie theater?  No?…how about just for a walk around the block then. . .?

Would you let your daughter?

Then why is it so widely accepted for everyone, big, little, young - old, atheistic or Christian to wear a bikini, not to mention the decreasing size of them--out in the open.  You know. . . as long as  a pool or beach are near by.  Or a sprinkler.  Maybe...just the sun.   Well there is the volleyball net too.  I'm saying this is one of the most obvious things ever but somehow accepted just because it is called a swim suit,  oh yea, and, like made of nylon and spandex or something, instead of oh wait... nylon and spandex.  Perhaps the percentages are different then.

Scary question for me to ask, because it is an unpopular thought.  But many of my thoughts are.  And you will notice that I snuck this in Before swimsuit time so no one can think I am personally accusing them.  I shake my finger at no one (except myself!). See I do have a bit of smart.

But truly why as a society is this so widely ok?  It is not ok.  It’s bad enough having adult women walking around nearly naked, but add to it little girls, pre-teens . Seemingly everybody.  Now I will say just a few years ago I too wore one too-cause its ok-right?  That’s what I learned.  And besides if everyone else has one don’t I need to give my husband something to look at??  No ~ that is- Not in public;)  I am for his eyes, I will preserve myself for his eyes.  He is the only man whose eyes I want to please.  And I will choose to do that not in the open.  Unless we are stranded on some sandy tropical beach--then I definitely will.

Modesty -OH shoot did I actually say that word.  What a terrible word.  Seriously when did modesty become so obscure.  I choose to continue to learn it, and teach it to my daughter.  Speaking of daughter, my hope is that she finds (in a few years) a lovely young man who will love her for who she is, for her personality first…the rest is just a bonus.  But if all the -goodies- are hanging out how will any young man be able to pay attention to her words and personality?

I will say no to the bikini.  Will you join me?