Happy Thanksgiving!

And here are a few words from Kid President to think on today...It's pretty cute...and makes a lot of simple sense!

Words in the week...

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” - John F. Kennedy

Finds in the week...

• Today, November 25th, is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.  This day was created by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness of violence against women and girls on a global level. Around the world up to 7 in 10 women experience physical and/or sexual violence at some point in their lifetime.  Violence against women and children is not a country specific problem, and many places do not yet consider it a crime.

• Are the Earth's poles about to flip? an article on PBS's website informing readers about the three European satellites launched to study the weakening of the magnetic field that surrounds the Earth.  The article is interesting with lots of great links, but some of my favorite comments are: "The Aussies and Kiwi's can't wait for this to happen. Finally on TOP SIDE of the map! lol." "So this is more than just hippies with their planet X conspiracy?

• Spain has been in the 'wrong' time zone for 7 decades, as informed by NPR.  Hitler had a hand in this, too.

• Advice to Little Girls was a children's book written by Mark Twain in 1865.  The article at brainpickings.org shows photos of the long ago book along with quotes from the hilarious and quite dry sense of humor that is classic of Twain. My favorite bit of advice: "If at any time you find it necessary to correct your brother, do not correct him with mud — never, on any account, throw mud at him, because it will spoil his clothes. It is better to scald him a little, for then you obtain desirable results. You secure his immediate attention to the lessons you are inculcating, and at the same time your hot water will have a tendency to move impurities from his person, and possibly the skin, in spots." I could see my daughter doing that...

When I see this photo I think of freedom, that which comes from a soul that finds no hindrances.  The phrase, "To be a kid again", comes to mind, and I've said it plenty with a longing to run and play until the sun goes down.  To be a kid with no bills to worry about, no responsibilities other than growing and what to play next.  I'm glad my kids can find this freedom, because there are those in this world who don't get to grow up in this environment.

"I cannot remember the books I've read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me."   

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Small Stone #32

Homemade lanterns in the park
for celebration of St. Martins day.
My son holds his out like a star
and sings the German songs so well.
His little voice I find among the others,
and the tradition of the story
wanders along the trail as we do.

I would like to follow this road all day long.  In my mind I am right there gathering in all I see, especially the sky.  The sky has much to say.

"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales.  If you want them to be more intelligent, read them fairy tales." ~Albert Einstein

Recipe: Cinnamon Biscuits

Cinnamon Biscuits

I love the smell of cinnamon, especially this time of year when the chilly air makes me want to be inside.  My mom made wonderful biscuits and on certain occasions she made these cinnamon biscuits.  They are her take on cinnamon rolls, only flaky in texture and they don't take quite as long to make.  There is no waiting for dough to rise in this recipe.  Cinnamon biscuits are especially tasty right out of the oven on a Sunday morning with a warm mug in hand.  Enjoy!

Cinnamon Biscuits

2 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup butter
3/4 cup cream

Butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, to taste, for the middle.  I generally start with 1/4 cup of melted butter and one cup of brown sugar and then sprinkle on cinnamon until it smells just right.  Add more or less as desired for gooey, cinnamon goodness on the inside of the biscuits.

Mix flour and baking powder in a bowl.  Cut in the butter until the mixture is course crumbles.  Make a small depression in the mixture (a "well" in baking terms) and add the cream.  Stir until moistened.  Knead the dough to finish mixing.

Roll out the dough onto a floured surface.  A paper towel helps to ease the clean-up.

Spread melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon across the top of the dough.

Roll up the dough.

Cut the dough and place on a baking pan.  Bake at 475 degrees F for 11 to 15 min.

 Here is a photo of my husband on our 2013 Antelope hunt. The action is about to begin.