Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Black Bean and Corn Salad

A couple days ago I made this salad. It is a family favorite and is also very simple; so, I will share the recipe with you! :)

 
 
Ingredients:

3 cups frozen corn, thawed
1 1/2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds
3  15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained
2 small red bell peppers, minced
1 medium red onion, minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime zest*
Juice of 3 limes
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
3  cloves garlic, minced or pressed
3/4 teaspoon Kosher-style salt
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Adobo and Southwest seasonings, to taste
2 small avocados, diced

(Tortilla chips for serving)

 
Instructions:
 
1) Spread corn over a greased, rimmed baking pan. Coat lightly in oil and salt. Roast at 425 degrees, stirring every 5 minutes or so, until golden brown and fragrant. Set aside to cool.

2) Toast the cumin seeds in a skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until brown and fragrant, shaking/stirring often. Crush slightly.
 
3) Combine the toasted cumin with the remaining ingredients* except tortilla chips; toss well.
 
4) Serve immediately or cover and chill in the refrigerator until serving. Serve with the chips.


Tips: :)

* Do not forget to zest the limes before you juice them!!
* Stir in avocado right before serving.
* This salad is also good topped with feta cheese.

Enjoy!!



Love,

Ava Katherine<3

Saturday, June 25, 2016

27 Years of Marriage!

Yesterday, June 24th, my parents celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary!!
 
In recognition, I would like to do this post of my parents through the years. <3
 
The Wedding Day!
1989
 
1990


1991
1994
1996

1998

1999
2002
2004
2007
2011
2015
2016!
I would like to end with a poem my Mother wrote to my Dad for their wedding:
 
 
Every coin thrown in a fountain
 
Every falling star
 
Every dandelion blown upon
 
Is the essence of what you are
 
 
For you are the dream I've wished for
 
Since I was a little girl
 
For you are the dream born
 
In the dance of a dandelion's whirl.
 
 
Love,
 
Ava Katherine <3

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

A Piece of History: Service Pistol

 
As you can most likely tell by my posts, I enjoy family heirlooms and learning about them. ;) For this post I will tell you about a service pistol.
 

Terrill Barnett Blair

This pistol belonged to my maternal great-grandfather, Terrill Barnett Blair, in the 1940s, from when he worked as a Taft, CA, police officer. The gun is a Colt Officer's .38 Special. It weighs 2 pounds and 6 ounces and was made in 1917. This was the standard equipment for police officers all over the country at that time.
 
At some point, Terrill replaced the standard pistol grips with ivory or bone, which is etched with small flowers and has a raised thumb rest.
 
The gun's holster was called "The Speed Holster" and was made by Jewett Safety Holster Company in Bakersfield, CA. Terrill referred to it as a "clamshell." Instead of drawing the gun up and out, the shooter would press a button alarmingly close to the trigger. The holster would spring open, allowing the gun to be brought straight forward. This being the situation, it would be very easy to fire the gun by mistake. (Maybe that's why Barney Fife always misfired his gun! :D ;)
 
If you look closely at the picture above, you can see the row of bullets on the belt to which the holster was attached.
 

A close-up of the holster.
My Uncle Russ still fires the pistol regularly, and it shoots flawlessly!
 
So you now know another one of my favorite heirlooms... :)
 
 
Love,
 
Ava Katherine <3 
 

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Should a Christian Pledge Allegiance to the Flag? -- Rules of Flag Etiquette

Prompted by a conversation I had with some friends on Sunday, I have studied the Pledge of Allegiance this last week; and whether we, as Christians, should be reciting it.


"There is nothing sinful about saying a pledge, as long as the pledge does not take away from our commitment to the Lord Jesus. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States certainly does not contain any wording that would usurp the authority of Christ in our lives. The Bible, therefore, does not forbid the pledging of allegiance to our flag." ~ Gotquestions.org


Allegiance in the context of the pledge means that you are promising to be a loyal citizen. In my opinion, being a good citizen is a Christian duty. In Romans 13:1 we read--" Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there in no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God."

Also in Titus 3:1 Paul reminds us--"Be subject to rulers, to authorities,...to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men."

"Showing consideration for all men" includes those who risked their lives for our freedom. By respecting the flag we honor those who defended it, and the families of those who died for it.
Included in honoring the Veterans is using Flag Etiquette.


Rules of Flag Etiquette 
 
  1. The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
  2. The flag should be flown in fair weather.
  3. The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing, unless used as a distress signal.
  4. The flag should not be used for any decoration.
  5. The flag should never be used for advertising purposes.
  6. The flag should never be stepped on, sat on, or anything of the like.
  7. The flag should not be fastened or tied back. It should be able to fly freely.
  8. The flag should not be embroidered, printed, or otherwise impressed on anything that is to be discarded after use.
  9. The flag should not be used as part of a costume, uniform, or the like; excepting a flag patch on the uniform of a military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations.
  10. The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
  11. The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
  12. The flag, when lowered, should not touch the ground, or any other object.
  13. The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
  14. The flag,when worn so that it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country,  should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
 
 
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
 
 
Love,
 
Ava Katherine <3

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Isabel's Graduation!!

On Friday, June 10, Isabel graduated from Evergreen Academy!! We had a ceremony and party that we held with three other homeschool graduates. :)

Photos 1-4 and 7-9 were taken by our friend, Emilie Cox. :)

Here are some of my favorite photos from that evening:


Isabel's Speech

Presentation of the Diploma!
 
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Foggy Mountain Breakdown!
We had Ice-Cream Scoopers...
 
And Flower Deliverers... ;)
 
 
 
The Four Graduates: Isabel, Audrey, James, and Trevor!
 
 
 
I would like to end with a poem my late grandfather Nolan Blair wrote when Isabel was born:
 
 
 
She was born Isabel Rose
And she has her daddy's nose
Though her face is quite sweet
She has her mom's feet
Including those lovely toes.
 
There's a mountain flower that grows
But not in the usual rows
Its aroma is sweet
Its beauty complete
Her name is Isabel Rose.
 
 
 
 
Love,
 
Ava Katherine <3
 
 
 
 
 
 


Sunday, June 5, 2016

Fresh Boysenberry Pie with Whipped Cream

Yesterday I made a fresh boysenberry pie with whipped cream! :) So I will share the recipe with you.

(A "fresh" pie means that the berries are not baked; they are poured into a prebaked pie shell, covered with a freshly made glaze, and refrigerated.)

 
Ingredients:
 
For the crust:
 
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons vegetable shortening, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled
5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled
4-6 Tablespoons ice water
 
For the filling:
 
6 cups boysenberries, rinsed and drained thoroughly
1 cup granulated sugar
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup water
3 ounces cream cheese
 
For the whipped cream:
 
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 heaping Tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
 
 
Instructions:
 
The crust:
 
1) Process the flour, sugar, and salt together in a food processor until combined. Scatter the shortening over the top and process until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal, about 20 seconds. Scatter the butter pieces over the top and pulse the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, about 10 pulses. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl.  
 
2) Sprinkle 4 tablespoons of the ice water over the mixture. Stir and press the dough together, using a stiff rubber spatula, until the dough sticks together. If the dough does not come together, stir in the remaining water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it does.
 
3) Turn the dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap and flatten into a 4-inch disk. Wrap the dough tightly in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
 
4) Roll out dough into a 12-inch circle and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. Then flute edges and prick generously. Freeze for 1 hour.
 
5) Bake crust at 375 for about 20 minutes or until golden brown (Check every 5 minutes; you may need to poke any rising bubbles). Cool completely.
 
 
For the filling:
 
1)  Mash enough boysenberries to measure 1 cup. In a medium saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch. Gradually stir in water and mashed boysenberries. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir for 1 minute. Cool.
 
2)  In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Spread onto the bottom of the pie crust. Place the rest of the berries in the pie crust. Then pour the cooked boysenberry mixture evenly over the top, making sure to cover all the berries.. Refrigerate 3 hours before serving.
 
 
For the whipped cream:
 
*Tip: If you chill the mixing bowl and beater, the cream will whip much faster. ;)
 
1)  Fit a wire whisk beater into your mixer. Put the cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract into the mixing bowl and mix, gradually increasing the speed until high.  Whip until soft peaks form, about 1 to 2 minutes.
 
 
Serve with your pie and enjoy! :)
You can also substitute strawberries for a delicious fresh strawberry pie! :)
 
 
Crust slightly adapted from The America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book.  Pie adapted from "Strawberry Glace Pie" from Betty Crocker's Cookbook.
 
Love,
 
Ava Katherine <3