A Peachy Surprise

I am doing the dance of joy. It's Palisade peaches time in Colorado. I love peaches. Love, love, love 'em. And it just so happens that Palisade peaches are highly prized. People drive for hundreds of miles to load up on this fabulous Grand Valley fruit. And why not? They are absolutely scrumptious. Sweet, juicy. Eat them out of your hand, in a pie, cobbler, shortcake or smoothie. Cut up on your cereal, made into jam or fruit salsa. So many ways to enjoy them. There's only about 60 calories in a medium peach, no fat and 3 grams of fiber. (Hey, is this starting to sound like an ad for the Peach Council?)

Just the other day I cut up a peach to eat with low-fat vanilla yogurt when I stopped and thought, "Wait a minute. What would happen if I warmed up the sliced peach in the microwave and then topped it with the yogurt?" So I placed the bowl of fruit in the micro. After about 45 seconds on high I pulled it out. It smelled wonderful. I added a few dollops of vanilla yogurt and tried it. Mm-mmm. But wait! What if I then added chopped walnuts to the peaches and yogurt? How would that taste? I sprinkled walnut pieces over the top of the yogurt, dipped my spoon into the beautiful concoction and brought it up to my watering mouth. My lips pulled the delicacy onto my tongue. I chewed. I swallowed. The heavens burst open and the Hallelujah Chorus reverberated across the Estes Valley. It was a guiltless culinary success. Sort of like peach cobbler without the crust. Is it a dessert? Breakfast? Snack? I don't know, but I'm calling it "Nutty Peach Surprise". I just made a Nutty Peach Surprise for this photo, and then ate it. I know, I know. The sacrifices I make for those who take the time to read Joyful Altitude. 

Easy Does It

This has been an exciting week for our family. Two grandchildren enjoyed milestone events.

Six year-old Oliver lost his first baby tooth. Despite the fact that Dennis and I were miles away when this monumental happening took place, we did witness it (albeit second hand) through the wonder of modern technology. Keri, Ollie's mom, caught it on her iPhone.  A video triumph.

I love the last comment Ollie makes before the movie ends, "It was easy." 

Oh to be six again, when losing teeth is no big deal. Why worry if you temporarily resemble an NHL player? In a few months larger chompers will fill the gaps. Besides, there's that whole monetary reward system that kicks in when your deciduous teeth fall out.  The tooth fairy makes multiple nocturnal visits, exchanges your absent ivories for various sums, and your piggy bank is all the richer. It doesn't get any better than that.

Oh sure, I could tell Oliver that dental hygiene won't always be a walk in the park. I could tell him that one day he'll be shelling out mega moola to some dentist to keep his adult teeth from falling out. But I'm not going to. He'll find out soon enough the cold, hard facts. For now let him bask in the knowledge that "it was easy."

Oliver's sister Emma celebrated her ninth birthday on Saturday.

We were there for pizza on the grill, birthday cake and presents. A bittersweet time. Our little girl is growing up. Wasn't it just yesterday that she was in awe of the Wiggles?

Happy birthday, again, Sweet Pea. Don't grow up too fast, ok?

Love to both of my grandchildren from their Nana.

Technology - Ain't it Grand

After working on a fix for the problem with the Mountain Manna - Rocky Mountain Devotionals page, I finally threw in the techno towel and opted for a second blog site to house the devotionals.  As it turns out, this will be a better vehicle for posting daily.  I love writing and photographing God's wonderful creation. If you aren't already a regular reader of Mountain Manna, I hope you will become one. Not for my glory, but for the Lord's. It's all because of Him that I am able to do what I do. May He always be honored in my work.

Here's the link: http://mtnmanna.blogspot.com/

God bless,