I Love You, Diana.

The original Diana Sauce, for chicken and ribs.

I'm never without this item in the summer, using it to marinate and baste chicken breasts headed for the BBQ, or even to brush a tad onto those juicy burgers.

Last night was a pizza supper deal at our house. Don't know if you've ever tried the Kirkland brand cheese pizzas from Costco, but they are a family favorite with us... quick, easy and tasty all packed into one box. I like that. But they're also adaptable. Bake them up as plain cheese, and the kids are thrilled. For the adults in the family, I add a variety of any fresh veggies I have on hand, and smile as the plain old cheese transforms into a gourmet vegetarian.

Wanting to use up some leftover fajita chicken pieces last night, they became a topping, along with some pineapple, red onion and red peppers. Then I reacquainted with Diana here, and drizzled her decadence over my pizza creation. Baked it up.

IT. WAS. YUM. A perfect combination of sweet and mildly spicy. Diana did her thing of blending all the flavours together. And now we have another new favorite.

Lovin' Life.

If you were born and raised in a hot climate, like the South or Central Americas, it's hardly likely that you've ever seen snow. On the flip side, if your motherland happens to be some place like the Arctic, you've probably never basked on the warm sand of a sunny beach, or wiggled your toes in the surf.

If you're like me, however, and reside on the West Coast of the True North Strong And Free, without a doubt you'll know everything there is to know about this. R. A. I. N. Rain.

This stuff frequents my city, sometimes too much and too often, and today it fell non-stop. Dreary, damp, depressing. Especially so, since I just returned from warm, balmy temperatures in the Sunshine State of Arizona.

But I can still count my blessings. Unlike many of my fellow-Canucks, we have power. Which translates into light and heat at la casa. And rain doesn't render us housebound, either. Which meant I got out today to have lunch with a friend. And sip a latte.

Almost as good as my cousin John's. Almost.

My Spanish word for the day... bendiciones. Blessings. More than I can count. 

Annalise Engelina.

Just look at her. I am in L. O. V. E.

She's a doll. And I got to spend ten days with her. Such a great deal of personality packed into that tiny, little package. She kept us all smiling even when we were weary from Seedsowing. She amused us with her monkey antics and love for Curious George. Had us constantly playing Peek-a-boo. Made us feel like youngsters again.

And that's just what grand kids are for, isn't it? Aaaah... she'll help keep us old fogies young!

Day Three. Plus.

Two more days already, then we're headed back to the homeland. Not that I'm anxious to return because it's been nothing short of an amazing visit here, but it does feel in some ways like we've been away from home for a long time. Lots of busyness in a short space of time, I guess.

The Seedsowing continued last Friday and Saturday, both locally and then out in the dry and dusty foothill suburbs of Yuma. Here is our Day Two Team...

Miss Kayleigh, satchel-clad, doing her part in spreading the Word of God... 

...and then back at the Centre, bonding with Bekah and Eva.

Dos amigos.

Team on Day Three.

Sunday, our fourth day, found us in San Luis Rio Colorado, a first for our family on Mexican turf. A very small group gather here, but the seed is being faithfully sown. Pray for a plentiful harvest.

My first impressions of San Luis Rio Colorado.

Sand, sand and more sand. Dogs, dogs and more dogs. Dirt. And more of it too. 

Lunch at the "Chipylon" followed the Remembrance Meeting, where we dined on tacos with all the fixins, and drank what is becoming my favourite Spanish beverage, horchata. A blend of rice milk, almonds, cinnamon and sugar. Very yum. Had two of 'em. Double yum.

Those of us who were Spanish-speaking remained in SLRC for distribution in the afternoon, while the rest of us returned to the US of A to continue with the job of "stuffing" back at the Centre.

Here are some of the singing stuffers...

... and some of the most encouraging...

...and some taking a well-deserved social break...

... and some very hard-working!

By Monday we completed our goal of delivering Seedsowers packages to almost 100,000 homes in Yuma, its surrounding towns, and also in San Luis RC.

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11

Day Two.

Highlight of the day was meeting several locals who seemed genuinely grateful to receive the John 3:16 Bible text. Praying that they will seek the One who offers them everlasting life.

Lowlight of the day was being charged by a dog. Totally took me by surprise when he darted out from some cars parked in the driveway of a home about to receive a Seedsowers package. I managed to quickly back up to safety, merely a foot from the end of his chain, while he snarled and barked sheer terror at me. Phew. Was a whole lot more cautious of parked cars and dogs after that.

We finished distribution in our local area, so set out for the foothills, about a half hour drive from the inner city of Yuma. The weather is glorious here, perfectly blue skies, and warm sunshine. It's a barren place though. Dry, arid and rocky earth. Amazing that anything at all could take root and sprout, but the cacti I've seen reach about seven feet tall, and the orange trees grow in abundance.

I took multiple photos today with the Canon but am unable to upload them onto my iPad, so no colourful proof of the day's events. :(

Day One.

Walkers and Stuffers. That s pretty much the only job opportunities around here. But both positions come with the best in staff morale and the most rewarding pay.

Pay is food. Home-cooked deliciousness, served with a smile. And a smile now known as the Jonas Miller Special. Before setting off this morning, we were encouraged to make sure we "jonasized" when delivering our packages. More on that later. ;)

Here's a few pics of our group taken this afternoon. Sin Kayleigh. She was a Walker with us this morning, but stayed at the Centre to be a Stuffer after lunch.

A short stop at the local Taco Bell. The Gabster... downing some Churros.

Sharing photos, learning some Spanish vocab, and adding some new friends on Facebook.

Christmas Day. Yuma.

Its a different feeling waking up Christmas morning to the fan blowing in your room, and realizing you spent the night covered with only a sheet. Balmy temperatures here, in sunny Arizona.

A pancake breakfast with all the fixings, catching up with family, and being amused by he dog and the children made up most of our day. Then, turkey dinner was served at the Center, where we dined with the 80 or so others who arrived late afternoon, eager and ready for the days ahead. Met up with some old friends and made some new ones too. Got some shirts folded and ready to join us for tomorrow's early start...

... and I'm off to bed. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Air Bud.

Well... we're off to Yuma at last. On our third and final flight of the day, in a puddle-jumper at that, so plenty of drops and droning. But we have a cute little Air Bud on board with us, so who's complaining?

En Route.

Cute passenger sitting next to me at SFO. Love her.

And I'm basking in the sun's rays streaming through the windows, having forgotten the delirious warmth they radiate. Aaah.

Next stop, Los Angeles. And some very special people to join us there.

Seasonal Treats.

I think I've finally conquered my quest for the perfect Pumpkin Scone recipe. This isn't your typical old-country flour and buttermilk production. It's a richer, crumblier, sweeter type. Dipped in maple icing. Hence making it fattening-ier, too. But who's counting calories, anyway.

The original recipe called for pecans, but I omitted them. I know I'm a bit of a nut, but tend to be wary of all those poor people with their nut allergies. A glance at the ingredients, though, and you'll know I didn't take the gluten-free, dairy-free folks into consideration!

Pumpkin Scones

 

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter 

1/2 cup whipping cream

1/2 cup pumpkin

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 cup icing sugar

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

Directions:

1. Cut butter into flour and sugar until it resembles fine crumbs.

2. Stir in ginger, salt, baking powder and baking soda.

3. Stir pumpkin and vanilla into cream and blend well.

4. Add cream mix to flour mix and stir intil the dough just holds together.

5. Turn onto floured surface and roll into 8x12 rectangle.

6. Cut into 12 squares, then 24 triangles.

7. Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes.

8. Warm maple syrup in the microwave before blending into icing sugar to make the glaze.

9. Dip the top of each cooled scone.

10. Enjoy!

Here's another little sweet treat concocted for the kids who come to our Christmas Program tonight. Edible Rice Krispie presents. And would you believe it, these are nut-free, gluten-free and dairy-free. Just loaded with sugar, but we're not counting calories, right?!