Birthdays, Cakes, Desserts, Food & Recipes, Holidays, Recipes

Chocolate Quinoa Cake with Lucuma

This is truly a decadent chocolate cake!  The added bonus? It includes yummy, nutritious ingredients such as quinoa, lucuma, and chia seeds.  No one will ever guess that this indulgent dessert is loaded with a dose of wholesomeness, too. We were invited to a pot luck meal last year where everyone was supposed to bring a “healthy dish”.  We brought this chocolate quinoa cake and people gave us grief about not complying with the request for healthy items only.  They were extremely surprised to find out that the cake was made primarily of quinoa and that most of the ingredients are nutritious. Continue reading Chocolate Quinoa Cake with Lucuma →

Building Our Dream, Our Homestead, The Farmhouse, The Farmyard

We selected a surveyor: TerraMark Land Surveying

When we purchased our lot we were provided with the plat information, elevation information, and other survey type information so I wasn’t sure if we would need a surveyor for our construction project.  After reviewing the requirements specified by the Homeowner’s Association it was clear we were going to need some help to produce the required documentation.  Beyond needing to submit the floor plans, exterior elevations, and examples of the materials we will be using, we also have to submit documentation related to the survey of the land, including: Continue reading We selected a surveyor: TerraMark Land Surveying →

Breakfast, Desserts, Food & Recipes, Fruity, Independence Day, Recipes

Blueberry Cobbler with Flax and Chia

We planted blueberry bushes in the backyard several years ago and are so thankful we did!  Around late June or early July each year we enjoy watching the berries ripen on the bushes and seeing the shear weight of the berries pull each branch out and down toward the ground. This Blueberry Cobbler with Flax and Chia recipe is beyond simple and makes great use of all of the blueberries weighing down those bushes outside.  Continue reading Blueberry Cobbler with Flax and Chia →

Charities, Church, Faith and Family, globalX, North Point Community Church

globalx trip to San Salvador, El Salvador PICTURES!

Thanks to everyone that supported Mannah with donations and prayers!  She was able to raise all of the money needed for the globalX trip to San Salvador and the departure date has finally arrived! I dropped Mannah off at the Atlanta airport this morning at 7:00 for her trip to El Salvador!  I am so excited to hear about her trip and see some pictures.  I only have pictures from this morning at the airport so far but I will upload more pictures soon.  Please continue praying for Mannah and her team that they will have a safe trip and that they will be used by God in a mighty way. Continue reading globalx trip to San Salvador, El Salvador PICTURES! →

Building Our Dream, Our Homestead

We Have Chosen a Builder! (Portico Custom Homes)

The process of choosing a builder for a custom home project can be a harrowing experience. For us, this was not the case. Two years ago when we were just beginning to seriously think about building a custom home we found the builder we were looking for. We had not even chosen a lot yet when we first reached out to Terence Lewis of Portico Custom Homes. Continue reading We Have Chosen a Builder! (Portico Custom Homes) →

Faith and Family, Parenting

Ultrasound…it’s a boy!

We had an ultrasound a few weeks back and the technician said she was pretty sure we are having a boy but today she confirmed that November’s blessing will definitely be a boy.  We decided to bring all of the kids with us to the appointment so they could be part of the experience.  I’m so glad we did!  They were perfectly behaved and we all got to see his little arms and legs, his alien shaped face, and most importantly, his beating heart.  We were able to listen to the baby’s 135 beats per minute heart and watch as the technician pointed out each of the 4 chambers.  Everything checked out and all signs are that the baby is healthy and growing well.  Please keep Bethany and the baby in your prayers.  Bethany still has 5 months to go so your prayers are appreciated. Continue reading Ultrasound…it’s a boy! →

Gardening, The Suburbs

Blueberry Harvest!

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I was hanging out in the back yard with our youngest daughter (Harvest) yesterday and decided I would go check on the blueberries since I knew it wouldn’t be long until they were ripe and ready to eat.  I was so excited to see the branches weighed down to the ground with dark, plump blueberries!  I ran inside and grabbed some bowls and worked for a long time with Bethany to harvest as many of the ripe blueberries as we could before sunset.  I would say Harvest helped us except she would eat all of her berries every time she reached about 20 in her bowl. Continue reading Blueberry Harvest! →

Life Lessons with Dad

Lesson 007 – Rescued versus Redeemed

Several years ago I was introduced to JJ Heller while listening to K-LOVE radio on the drive to a project in Indianapolis.  We don’t have a K-LOVE station in Atlanta so I was hearing lots of new Christian music every week as I made the commute from the airport to the client’s building in Fisher, IN.  The first time I heard JJ Heller was the song “Your Hands” and I knew right away I had discovered a new favorite artist.  Since that time I have pre-ordered all of her albums and recently downloaded her new album “Loved“.  I enjoyed all of the songs on the “Loved” album and a couple of them have made their way to my favorite’s list but one song in particular struck a chord with me and has been consuming my thought time in the car and as I drift away to sleep each night. Continue reading Lesson 007 – Rescued versus Redeemed →

…where whole living meets homesteading