Rhubarb Custard Pie

Today we savoured the first of the tender rhubarb from our garden. I'm using this picture from last spring's crop. At that time I posted the picture but didn't include the recipe.

I've altered the original recipe from the MEI Cookbook to suit a gluten intolerant diet. Today I also included the whole eggs in the recipe and omitted the meringue just because I had a late start:

Rhubarb Custard Pie
2 eggs - beaten
2 tblsp milk (I used almond milk)
1 1/2 cups sugar - I could have used a wee bit less
3 heaping tsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3 cups rhubarb - cut in not too small chunks
1 tblsp melted butter

Stir and pour into an unbaked pie shell. Bake at 400o for 40-45 minutes.

Today I baked the filling in a round casserole without a crust - it was a most delicious custard dessert!

Correction on Book Review

Correction to my previous post:

http://www.musicmissionkiev.org/

This address gets to the home page of this mission. You can listen to and download music clips from their beautiful and professional recordings.

Book Review

This lovely hibiscus was one of only a few left on the grounds of the beautiful resort we stayed at a few weeks ago in Mazatlan. Since I like to start my blog with a picture, but want to write about a book I've just read which is impacting my thoughts, I chose the hibiscus unrelated to the story - and yet seemed right.

The Splendor of His Musicby Diane McMurrin (published in 1998 by Winepress Publishing) has captured my imagination and enthusiasm for several reasons. The author tells the story of her husband Roger and herself, both professional musicians, leaving secure positions in a prestigious church in Florida to begin a ministry to the Ukrainian people of Kiev in 1993. Diane shares beautifully through many heart-warming stories of God's providential leading and provision over and over again. Ultimately they devoted themselves completely, their time, talents, resources, heart and soul to the people of Kiev.

From a tiny beginning this dedicated couple worked passionately and over the years have established a remarkable ministry that encompasses the whole person - body, mind and soul. Their vehicle was music, and the gifted Ukrainians so hungry to be nourished with food for the whole person, grabbed the opportunity and the result is amazing.

"The purpose of Music Mission Kiev is to bring the sacred masterpieces of classical music to the country of Ukraine proclaiming the Gospel to and through Ukrainian musicians to the world--and ministering to the emerging Christian community in Ukraine through evangelism, discipleship, and humanitarian outreach to widows and orphans."

Many heart-warming stories are shared encompassing the vicissitudes of life. But the main thrust is always to bring hope to these beleagured people who were blinded by communism for so many years. I take my hat off to the McMurrins who have done so incredibly much to show so many a better way of life, all done with a spirit of humility and the love of Jesus.

Because my parents and their ancestors lived in Ukraine until 1923, because we love good choral music and learned to sing some of it and because we know who the Janzens are who are now heading up this ministry in Kiev on an interim basis, I was eager to read this book.

Check out their site and you can find how a professor at Trinity Western University, not far from where we live, and his family are now in Kiev spelling off the McMurrin's until the end of June. (Listen to the gorgeous music.)
http://www.musicmissionkiev.org/

Mt. Baker

Surprise! As I was at my kitchen sink one day last week I was shocked to see a "tree-faller" up on a neighbor's tree. This tree had been leaning and I secretly had been hoping they would see the need to take it down. Well it happened the other day. This fellow climbed up even further and before I could get the video set on my camera and out on the deck - gerplunk, the top was lopped off. Great as the more open vista is, my amazement and delight was even greater when I saw that this vista now includes part of my most favourite mountain of all, Mt. Baker from our back yard!

(What is the quote about a tree taking a lifetime to grow and only minutes to destroy?)

Bearing Gifts...

But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness
with their children's children -

Our children's children blessed me over the past few days coming to visit bearing precious gifts. What love and trust is portrayed in those beautiful eyes as they reverently look up into my face while presenting their gifts - so very precious.*

The Easter bunny, with the help of two sweet little boys, came with this delightful planter.

This vibrant bouquet, which our oldest two grandchildren presented after school recently, cheered my heart and still blooms on.

A delicately embroidered linen handkerchief - Hecho in Mexico - was given to me so lovingly while spending time with the grandchildren there.
*My grandchildren in Mexico came to visit us in Mazatlan while on our two-week vacation there two weeks ago. We are blessed.

Spring

Spring is Sprung,
the grass is riz.
I Wonder where
the boidies is?
or
Spring is
what winta
Always
gozinta.
Ogden Nash

Beautiful Forsythia

Hyacinths
So hardy yet so fragrant.

Grape Hyacinths
I really like these little blue flowers. They seem to spring up in many places. I especially like to pair them with the hot pink camelia that should be ready to burst into bloom. But my bush doesn't look as if it will bear any of those beautiful clusters for me this year.

Robins

The north wind doth blow and we shall have snow,
And what will the robin do then, poor thing?
He'll sit in the barn and keep himself warm,
And hide his head under his wing, poor thing.

A little song that troubled my little heart while in Grade 1, where I learned it...and we don't have a barn!

I took these pictures through my kitchen window - couldn't risk sending the birds away in a flutter by opening the door. Click on the little robin to enlarge the image and see the details.