Oregon Trip

The children and I had the privilege of visiting my dear friend, Viola, and her son, Lon, in Oregon.  The trip up was so beautiful with views of Lake Shasta, mountain streams, and Mt. Shasta in northern California.

When we got to Vi's house, the kids were so happy to have a fun playground right across the street and a dog named Bandit (Bandi) to play with.

 Here is sweet Vi--so hospitable and such a dear sister-in-Christ.  The kids enjoyed her so much.

 Trey and Bandi

We also enjoyed seeing the area.  We drove to Newport to check out the coast--the kids also found a wonderful playground (of course).

Newport has beautiful lighthouses and a huge bridge.

 We got to see some of Lebanon as well--the hospital has a nice Japanese garden with koi pond and flowering rhododendrons.

Vi and Lon treated us to lunch.  Lon was lots of fun.

We stopped at a park to feed the ducklings...and play, of couse.

 These ducks kept kicking, kicking, kicking upside down!

 We could see the Three Sisters (mountains) as we drove back to Lebanon.  Everything was so green and beautiful.

It was sad to leave.  I planned some detours though.  On our way, we stopped at the History Museum in Roseburg.

I saw a sign for a covered bridge so we checked that out.

 We overnighted in Ashland, swimming in the hotel pool/spa, eating yummy pizza in town, and checking out the theaters and Lithia Park.

Mt. Shasta was visible from far away, but we did a detour to hike around at Castle Lake.  Thanks to Vi, we snacked on nuts and dark chocolate (:

 

 

Cowboys and 40th birthday

Here is my little cowboy singing "Home On The Range."  Lily arranged all the stuffed animals and dolls to watch and had the moose singing along.

 For my 40th birthday, we had a slow morning with yummy breakfast, lots of presents from the kids and loved ones, and a picnic lunch at Spring Lake.  The kids found crayfish.

I received the most lovely flowers delivered--from my sweet sister!  What a surprise!

Banana Chocolate Coconut Almond Yummy Cookie Recipe

The kids and I just got back from Oregon, visiting my dear friend Viola.  While there, we  attended a game night at her church and got to have these yummy cookies--perfect for my dairy-free husband!  It's also a gluten free recipe.

1 1/2     cup mashed bananas, (about 3 large)
1     teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4     cup coconut oil, barely warm-so it isn't solid (or olive oil)
2     cups rolled oats
2/3     cup almond meal
1/3     cup coconut, unsweetened and finely shredded
1/2     teaspoon cinnamon
1/2     teaspoon sea salt, fine grain
1     teaspoon baking powder
6     ounces chocolate, 70% dark (chips or chopped up bar)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, racks in the top third.
In a large bowl combine the bananas, vanilla extract and coconut oil. Set aside.
In another bowl whisk together the oats, almond meal, shredded coconut, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder.  Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir intil combined. Fold in the chocolate chunks/chips. The dough is a bit looser than a standard cookie dough, don't worry about it.  Drop dollops of dough, each about 2 teaspoons in size, an inch apart, onto a parchment (or Silpat) lined baking sheet. Bake for 12 - 14 minutes.  I baked these as long as possible without burning the bottoms and they were perfect -- just shy of 15 minutes seems to be about right in my oven.

Makes about 3 dozen bite-size cookies.            Serving size: 2  Calories:149