It's 5:20 AM!, and I've been awake for well over an hour now. I laid in bed for almost 40 minutes, trying to go back to sleep, but to no avail. My mind was whirling with thoughts, composing them, unwinding words from skeins of memory and perception, hoping that I would even be able to find them to explore and ravel later, these prose lacking cohesive meaning. I deliberated over whether or not to risk waking baby S, whether to get up and write them out, lest they disappear with my consciousness if I sleep- elusive and so easily lost they are, like grasping at wind, or trying to hold onto light. I was wishing that I had one of those writer's pens with a light, but wondering would that even work, without waking S and Chris, both obliviously snoozing on either side of me... and so, as the thoughts piled and sleeping I was not, I decided to climb out of bed at this totally crazy hour and write... since the words were still piling and I was too entangled to rest.

Last night, as I was putting baby S to sleep, I remembered that I had a bag on the table where I'd left it this afternoon, with a roll of deep, forest green wool yarn in it, and smooth, wooden needles looped with the beginning rows of a scarf that I'm knitting. In the same instant I realized that I wanted to knit (just really felt like doing it- right then, curious.), but I knew that it was late, and baby S probably wasn't going to let me get up and leave from nursing her to do anything- I tried anyways. Nope, didn't work. Heh. So, I laid there, falling asleep, and wishing that I could get up and knit, because I can.

That's right, I can! My dear friend Christine, accomplished knitter and wonderful teacher that she is, showed me (again, only it was my daughter T who showed me how the first time- earlier this year) how to cast-on, and helped me to figure out what I was doing wrong before, that had been bringing me so much frustration and eventually caused me to give up entirely for the greater part of last year (thus the having forgotten even how to cast-on and having to start over from the beginning part). It would be too technical and hard (for me) to try and explain what exactly I was doing wrong, but suffice it to say, that T will also benefit from my lesson yesterday, as she was having the same problem with her own knitting, which I'd inadvertently picked up. But now, finally, I've got it, and knitting is fun!

Somehow, as I lay there in bed last night, somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, it occurred to me that knitting is a bit like writing... but I don't know if I shall be able to do the epiphany justice with my written words here, as it was a visual realization.  Case in point though.

I felt saw how the words I was formulating into strands of meaningful thoughts were like yarn I was pulling from a ball of potential, twisted threads of yet disorganized, shapeless promise, rich in texture, and brilliant in their hue. Every word that I could stitch with precision was one more link in a chain of conceptualization that would eventually be a complete thought piece. If I could only stitch one to the next, and to the next, and to the next... pulling and pushing them from the skein of memories, meanings, questions wound by daily living and nestled restlessly, yet unformed, waiting within my subconsciousness, dependent upon the crafter's hand, the writer's pen, to pluck them, to bring the thread of insight through the loop of consciousness and incoorperate it into a pattern of understanding, maybe even a humble garment of wisdom to be worn eventually, with a pattern worthy of sharing that someone else might want to learn from and follow, someday.

I found the analogy fascinating, and had to get the beginnings of it out... as I'm sure there's more there that I'm not seeing yet, amateur writer and newbie knitter that I am, both. These ruminations remind me of one of my favorite quotes concerning writing,

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

~ William Makepeace Thackeray

And along those lines, certainly there must be a thousand pieces lying within a woman that she does not know till she takes up a needle to knit, or a brush to paint, or...

Truly, creativity is soul-food, satisfying in all its varying forms. I've always wanted to be an artist when I grow up. And maybe I am becoming one after all... as I learn what it truly means to be an artist... it is to observe with care, and then to create with intent. The longer I live, and the more I learn by doing, the more I'm realizing that art is living, and learning to see the spectacular in the commonplace, growing, nurturing, giving attentiveness to detail, and forming with purpose; be it a child's willfulness and imagination, a poem, a scarf, an orderly home, a healthy meal, or clay.

These creations are, or can should be, culminations of us, our efforts, careful offerings to the Lord as well as to those around us. The eternal power of creativity found residing within those hidden, quiet moments of communion with the Almighty , gifted to us in our likeness toward our Maker, savored and realized in humble stitches, intuitive strokes, home-made teas, gardens tended, love made, children's drawings displayed, and choice words in poetry read aloud... or encompassing silence of dreams untold.

Yes indeed, I like knitting, it's somehow like writing. Writing is like knitting... words framed and knit together in such a way that they may be seen, felt, and worn... thoughts that unless written, realized and shared, would have no warmth or life to offer, like that ball of yarn which is not yet a scarf that my boy can wear, but everything necessary to make one... if only I will give it my time, and concerted effort, one stitch at a time.

I don't know if my thoughts are lost in translation here, but I certainly feel accomplished to have risen with the morning and put them in print. Yes, I do believe that one could even go so far as to say that so much in life that's worth having, knowing and doing, is like knitting... yarn ravelled into garments, wisdom knitted from a life lived, words fitted together and mounted upon a page like gems... Counting of the days... like stitches in a tapestry woven, that we may gain a heart of wisdom, know His pattern for our lives...

So, should can I go back to sleep now, or should I knit? Or write more? hehe. Chris is getting up now, the coffee/teeccino is on... baby S is still sleeping. Looks like rain outside, with a little thunder. Mmmmmm-hm, a good day has begun. If only I didn't have to go grocery shopping, which means the dreaded walmart (uggh.). *sighs* Aaaah well, that's later, and I always like going to the salvage store too, to see what treasures I might find cheap there.

You see what happens here? I write a few posts, and then it's like I've turned on the tap or something, the thoughts keep flowing. Yes, there's much more, this is merely an aside to the swirling thoughts that whirled about in my sleepy brain last night and rudely awakened me this morning- mere asides, always seems to be the bloggable thoughts, the outer strings I guess, to follow my own analogy out. At least my journal pages are filling, even as I'm tiring of my own wordy self now. Funny how that works, the words seeming to come all at once, or not at all. At least now, when I can't write, I can knit...

*Update Today*

It is a perfectly rainy, thunderous day outside, which makes for a cozy, special time inside. T just finished making a new peanut butter/birdseed birdfeeder on a giant pinecone, we've sweet potatoes with EVO and sea salt baking in the oven, and a double batch of wholegrain wheat bread dough mixing (plenty for cinnamon rolls!). Grocery shopping has been cancelled for now. Chris got off work early, due to the rain, and has volunteered to get groceries, what a guy! Baby S is napping now, and I thought that I would be too, but I'm having too much fun knitting with T, between sipping hot tea and reading snippets of The Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book, while N strums chords on his guitar.

Technorati Tags: knitting, writing, art

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Obviously, not blogging, heh. We've had some serious computer issues in the last few weeks. Our iMac has been out of commission for a couple of weeks now, and after downloading all of our files and pictures onto cd-roms while having it in safe mode (the only way it would even work- I am SO thankful to have been able to save my photos!!), and then a few nights of fruitless frustration as Chris tried to diagnose and fix it on his own via Mac-help forums- mr.mac is now in the shop. We've yet to hear back what's wrong with it though, and hoping it's not too much $$ to fix.

Meanwhile we've been dependent upon Chris's ancient lap-top with it's finicky wireless internet connection (which all last week wouldn't even connect- at all!?) for any online access. And it's so s-l-o-w too and thus, until now, I've not even attempted to get online for quite awhile. We've been so busy around here lately, that I haven't had time to miss my online access too much anyway.  Sorry if you've emailed me and I haven't responded yet... now you know why.

This morning, a friend called and offered to take N and T to the park with her kids, and now baby S is napping, so I thought that I'd take advantage of these few moments of solitude to attempt a little updating here (albeit partial). I read my previous rambling post and am embarrassed at how grammatically pitful it is! So sorry, and I do hope that this post isn't as bad. I was tempted to edit the other, but thought that I'd better go ahead and just write a new post instead, so... thank you to all of my readers who read my musings, despite their flightiness and many technical flaws. I love you, and am indebted to your patience in reading my rambling scribblings in their raw, unedited state.

Obviously, I cannot write everything that I'd like to in this post. (can I, ever?).. so I'll brainstorm a quick update of recent happenings with the brew crew here, and then fill in the blanks later as I'm able (have time and onlince access).

So now, in no particular chronological or reasonable order, the virtual brain download shall ensue...

We've been blessed to have lots of visits this summer, by friends and family from afar. My mom recently visited with us from MS, and we had a good time. Our friends from FL, Russ and Barbara, were here for a few days and nights, the week before last. We always have a good time catching up, and it's like no time has passed since last we saw them. We just found out that some other friends of ours from FL, John and Jennifer W., will be stopping in for a visit next week, on their way back from vacation. We haven't seen them for years, so that will be fun! And I also recently got word from my sister that she's going to come up here for a visit, with her kids, also next week, so we will have a house FULL. It will be so good to see her again (she came here when baby S was born, but I wasn't very good company then, so it'll be good to see her now that I'm myself again, and I'm so glad that she'll get to see baby S again), and her kids, whom we've not seen for a couple of years.

I have been up to my eyeballs in planning our reading schedule for the summer and next year (Ambleside Online inspired), though I put all of that aside last week, due to an unexpected turn of events. Last week was Creative Arts Camp at our church, and as I was leaving from dropping N and T off on Monday morning, I stopped to remind Elizabeth, director for the dance ministry, that I was available throughout the week to help- if there be any need. She suggested that I stay for the adult art class at 10 o'clock. I was caught quite off guard as I'd not expected this, and had all sorts of plans of stuff I needed to do last week, so I thanked her for the invite, and said I'd think about it and may return (it was only 8:40 a.m.).

I then got in the car with baby S and went grocery shopping, having pretty much dismissed the idea. But I kept thinking that maybe I ought to go (nursery was provided) and just take an hour "off" -for me- and it might be fun to get my hands dirty with some art, hadn't done that in awhile. So... feeling spontaneous and daring, I quickly dropped the groceries off at home and jetted back to the church for "class", figured that it would be good for me, and it was so sweet of Elizabeth to offer, afterall. Then after art class, I was told that I should go to the adult tap class, and since I had my tap shoes there (N was using them for his class) I did, and after tap, when I went to pick baby S up from the nursery, Elizabeth, who was in the nursery with her daughter at the time, asked me why I was leaving, and said that I ought to stay for the whole day (two more dance classes), all week (free of charge)... and so I did, and thus, I unexpectedly ended up at Creative Arts Camp, with my kids, from 8:40-2:30, Monday through Friday of last week. It was SO tiring, and SO MUCH fun!

I found out that I absolutely love ballet (never would have guessed this- I am so not graceful) and was SO sore all week from it as well. I have even decided to take the adult ladies ballet class, starting in the Fall. It will be a great way to exercise, with accountability, and a creative way to worship as well. I never would have suspected how much I'd like ballet, nor how strenuous the techniques and choreography my teacher would teach us would be, and how worshipful the experience.

Also, something else that happened at camp last week that was neat-O (besides making art!)... I got to talking with the lady who was teaching the art class for adults, who recently moved here to TN with her family. She asked if I attend Celebration Church, to which I answered that yes, we do, but also shared about our other Messianic/Hebraic fellowship group that we meet with a few times a month, host a discipleship class for, and celebrate the Biblical feasts with as well. I was taken quite by surprise when she lit up and excitedly exclaimed, "That's just what we've been looking for!" And so, they're coming over on Wed. evening for our book/Bible study group, and looking forward to attending one of our monthly Hebraic fellowships. How cool is that?! Divine appointments...

What else have we been up to? Lately, I've been reading my Square Foot Gardening book, The Farmer's Almanac, The Count of Monte Cristo, Parables of Nature (read-aloud to N and T), The Book of the Dun Cow (also read-aloud) and CM's Homeschooling Series).

We planned and planted our summer garden by the moon this year (my fifth year of gardening- organically), with some raised beds (something I've wanted to try for years), nice (more on that later, for sure, with pictures of course). Now we're doing lots of watering, weeding and bug squashing.

T has been saving many of our cabbage worms and putting them in a terrarium that she's set up in her room, and has been delighted to watch them form chrysalises and then morph into butterflies right before her eyes. She's now "raised" five butterflies so far (more just emerged last night), and has figured out that it takes them about a week and two days to transform. Now she's begging me to let these cabbage butterflies (my garden nemesis!) live... *sighs* I told her that we could do a butterfly drop at the local state park soon.

We went and saw Prince Caspian awhile back, with my Mom while she was here. We all liked it (though due to baby S's eventual restlessness, I had to leave the theatre half way into it). T re-read the book in preparation for watching the movie. I'd read it aloud to N and T, along with the other Chronicles of Narnia books, a couple of years ago. Also, that reminds me, N recently read The Hobbit, and then The Two Towers and so Chris and I conceded decided to let him watch TLoTR trilogy for the first time last month, and he LOVES it. He was glad that he'd read the books first, and says he wishes the same producers would make a movie of The Hobbit. Then we recently found out that they ARE!

As you may remember, we've recently finished our first year of being involved in a homeschool co-op (actually two separate co-ops!). I haven't posted much about them, due to it's being such a busy year with having a newborn and all (baby S was 2 wks. old when we started last Fall), but overall, we all liked it. We did end up dropping the second co-op after the first semester, found that two was too much, the kids agreed. I'm glad that we'd decided to try out the second one though, because that ended up being the one that we all found we preferred (for various reasons) and stuck with for the second semester and will continue to be a part of next year, though only for one hour/class each week.

I found that the benefits of co-op were social/relational as much as academic, naturally (probably even more so for the kids, who definitely value the social aspect the most). We met some great new friends there, definitely destiny. I've found that it's going to be really important to make sure that co-op complements, rather than competes with (time-wise and methodology-wise), what we're doing with our own studies and goals at home, if co-op is to continue to be worth the time and effort it requires of me/us in years to come... We'll simply play it by ear, from one year to the next.

N is still taking guitar lessons, and will continue with that. T is so very excited about starting violin lessons next year (via a strings class being offered at co-op next year). Actually, her strings class is the only reason we're participating in co-op next year. N says that he'd prefer to work with me in the nursery during that hour, but I'm hoping that something will be offered that he's interested in.

I've felt such a relief these last few months as I've pondered and prayed over what direction to take my kids in our studies in the future. The Lord has reminded me to keep our Bible studies and devotional time first and foremost. For the summer, I've printed out a list of Scripture references from the Gospels, arranged chronologically, that N and T are looking up and reading independently in their own Bibles each day. They're then writing down their thoughts, from each reading, as to what stood out to them the most, and why, in their Bible journals. They're both really enjoying the consistent routine and simplicity of this, and I've been so blessed to listen as they read to me from their Bible journals.

Finally, clarity of focus is taking hold of my planning again, and I've felt renewed in my dedication to the discipline of prioritizing our daily endeavors. I'm scheduling our reading lists with a view towards our years to come, yet determined to take it slow and steady enough to enjoy where we are at each point along the way. It's all so simple, really, and yet I do tend to over-complicate things if I'm not careful. 

I do believe that I've finally learned that truly, less is more, and as I've been reorganizing the books on our shelves into the order that they're found or relate to AO years, I've been wondering over how I've come full circle now back to the very first curriculum that the Lord led me to so many years ago when we first began... when now 12yo N was only six years old! But I doubted and fretted and wandered away, only to return with regrets for time and focus lost, as we dabbled with this and that. At least for all of our eclectic stumblings, I've gained determination and perspective... and I certainly know what we're not about! LOL

The more I read, the more I believe in Charlotte Mason's methods, and uderstand how intrinsically practical truths are applied throughout her educational philosophy. I'm glad to finally be getting rid of all this extraneous stuff (curriculum I'd been holding on to and trying in vain to use all of these years, and have been selling these last few months) after realizing that all of my wayward efforts to add to and over-tweak Ambleside in the last couple years has done nothing but side-track and bog us down in our studies... After years of dabbling with AO, while simultaneously trying to do other stuff, I have finally realized my error has been in my hoarding and accruing TOO much stuff.

As I think back over the past few years, and how busy life has had us (especially the year before this last one, when we babysat two infants and two toddlers) I can't help but to realize that - had I been focused and determined upon our course with AO, in its unrushed yet meaty simplicity - we would have gotten so much more accomplished. *sighs* And so, as I survey the BIG picture of our homeschooling history thus far, it is with humble misgivings over mistakes made and lessons learned that I end this year. I vow to not over-complicate the process from here on out... and if this rambling doesn't make much sense to you, then forgive me, it's more for my own self that I'm writing this out really, just part of the journey, my learning.

Well, baby S is awake now, N and T just got home, and I've got to take N to guitar practice now. Thanks for reading, if you made it this far. The garden and house were pretty much neglected last week as the kids and I played and worshipped our Lord at Creative Arts camp, and this lap top is so slow, so it may be a while yet before I have a chance to blog some more. Also, my email access is limited since I have to log on to charter's website to check my email, and my online access is limited at that. I hope that our computer issues are resolved soon though, as I'm feeling quite disconnected...

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I just like the way this photo turned out, the lighting, the straight lines, its candidness... and it fit with last Monday's theme for a new photo meme I found, so I'm posting it.

N has been helping Chris with clearing and cleaning out the once upon a time bathroom out in the garage, as well as the garages... prepping to finish them out with insulation and drywall, and turn this room back into a bathroom again, to go with the eventual new spare bedroom, and workout/studio room (which are right now still storage/garages)... eventually. We got a lot done this weekend though, good, good.

Moody Monday theme: straight

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This is what T has been doing for the last few days, ever since her knitting teacher told her that she could bring her yarn and knitting needles (which they made themselves in class, from cherry dowel rods and hand-painted knobs they glued on the ends) home... She's making a scarf, and says that "this is really addictive"! I must say that I'd have to agree! She's even been bringing her knitting with her when we go places.

The other evening T taught me how to cast-on, and now I'm starting a scarf myself (for N). She commented on how fun it was to teach me, and on how hard it was to teach Chris because he wanted to do it his own way. heh! What fun we're having.

Last week I joined her in her coop knitting class, and I think that I'm going to start going in there every week now, since it's my hour of the three that I'm not on nursery duty. There are a few other Moms in there with their daughters as well, and the lady teaching the class has invited me to an evening knitting class she teaches at her church... hmmmm... maybe eventually. Meanwhile, we're knitting fools over here at home.

My needles are plastic ones that my Grandma gave me years ago, but I really like the feel of T's wooden ones, gonna have to get me some.

Here's a great website that our teacher recommended: KnittingHelp.com

She also recommends the book Kids Knitting, by Melanie Falick.

Also, T and I have been reading through this wonderful book that I found years ago at a thrift store, Mary Frances Knitting and Crocheting Book: or Adventures Among the Knitting People.

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I sure haven't blogged in awhile, have I? We're doing well over here. I've been either really busy, or tired or just plain lazy. It's hard for me to sit here at the 'puter chair for long now, since I get a kink in my back and all stiff if I'm in any position for too long now. So, I've not been on the MAC much at all in the last few weeks, which has been nice. I'm just so thankful that I haven't had any pains like this until here recently! Can you believe that we only have ONE week to go now, until that magic date anyways (DD is 8/21), for what it's worth. heh! (Oh, please don't wait any longer than that Savannah dear...) Yeah, I've found myself talking to her a lot lately, we all are.

And so, I've been doing my best to keep the house clean, laundry done, etc. just in case our little one decides to come a little early (it's still possible!)... I've been having LOTS of Braxton Hicks contractions, some fairly strong, but nothing really exciting yet. At my dr.'s appointment last week, I was still just a mere 1cm dilated, no effacement! But, that's more than I ever was before show-time with my first two anyways, so can't complain I guess. Night before last though, I did have some real (though small) contractions all night, the ones that feel like serious period cramps, and I've continued to have them on and off all day yesterday and today... so, anytime!

What has been exciting is that my friend Susie just delivered her little bundle of sweetness two weeks ago now, on July 30th! They named her Lilia Marie, and are calling her Lily, a name which I just adore. Lilian is actually one of the names that we considered for awhile too... Congratulations Susie and Lee on your 5th wonderful blessing from heaven!! She is beautiful, looks just like her Mama.

I went through a bit of a slump recently, just tired and didn't feel like doing much of anything, especially anything that involves getting out in this hot-muggy weather we've been having here, with temps. in the 90's! Uggh... and so, going outside to tend our garden has been absolutely out of the question! I WAS keeping up with the garden, like a few weeks ago! LOL With its being so hot here lately and after a few weeks of rain every other day and the resulting MUDDINESS in the garden, the weeds have now completely taken over, and the chickens are now eating more tomatoes than we are (they keep getting to them first!), and other birds are eating the higher ones! ARRRGH! Therefore, the garden is more of a frustration (one more thing to DO, that's NOT getting done, oh well...) right now, than anything, if I think about it too long that is- which I'm not. Fortunately we didn't spend much on it at all this year, mostly used supplies and seeds we had on hand already. On the upside though, we have been enjoying our cucumber and pepper harvest, along with a few giant yellow summer squashes, zuchinnnis and green beans, and we're getting a few tomatoes (enough to make a few batches of salsa, and keep us supplied for sandwiches anyways), and okra will be ready soon too, along with some acorn squash! So, it's not all bad! But I don't even want to go out there and see it- or feel the heat, so I haven't. I've just been sending my slaves the kids out to do all the harvesting.

In the last few days I've gotten my energies back though. I have been spending quite a bit of time slowly working on some last minute organizing of closets and books, our curriculum/lesson plans for next year, and playing board games with N and T, or just relaxing and reading. I've also been doing alot of cooking (though that's not gonna be happening alot in the next week or so until she's born due to ensuing backaches if I'm on my feet too long now), cleaning and baking together with the kids, drawing together (got Tab a wonderful new drawing book that we're working through together) and last week we enjoyed oodling over the kids' new books that arrived in "packages!!", the kids busily pouring through and arranging them and trying out their new "school supplies" that we bought at walmart, as well as some more "art supplies" from Hobby Lobby.

Chris and I have been mainly just trying to spend extra quality time with them these last few days we have of "just us". It's been nice. And it will be so different to have a little baby here... we're all so very excited (and a bit nervous) about the new dynamic our little family is about to take on. I'm sure that it will take me, well... all of us for that matter, awhile to adjust to our new normal! LOL

I'm thankful that it's worked out that I'll have plenty of help around here during the first couple weeks of Savannah's arrival. Chris's Mom is planning to get here the 25th, and will be here for a week long visit, and then the next Saturday, when she leaves, my Mom will be arriving, and then staying for a week. I think it will be a big help to have them here, and of course it will also be so nice just to visit too, after not seeing either of them in about a year now. Yeah, I'm getting really excited now, and we're about as ready now as we're gonna be... I'm just not really looking forward to that whole labor part, other than its being over, ya know? *weak smiles*

Today I slept in, made some chicken salad, and also finally got around to pickling our jalapeno harvest. The house now wreaks with the smell of simmering apple cider vinegar and spices, but I'm thinking that it will be well worth it when we taste them in a few weeks. This was my first time pickling japs., but I've always loved them, so I hope they turn out! I made six pints, and will post pics along with my recipe asap. So, between that and my thoughts on our educational plans for next year, I do have a couple posts that I'd like to get up before baby comes and I quite possibly disappear from the blogosphere for awhile, again... Meanwhile, here's a picture of Chris and I that my friend, Barbara, who was visiting from FL, took of us last week. Yep, the baby belly is pretty BIG, feeling a bit heavy now!

Click here to see more pregnancy photos. 

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I am so behind in blogging, that though I'd downloaded these pictures to my MAC right after we saw this spectacular rendition of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, just a couple of weekends ago, I'm only just now getting around to uploading them to flickr, and including the entry here in our homeschool journal. The show was held in the outdoor ampitheatre of Bays Mountain Park, our city's huge wildlife reserve park, and I must say that it was the perfect setting! The costumes and acting were both wonderfully creative, and held our rapt attention throughout.

I'm so glad for having been inspired by the suggestion of Ambleside Online's advisory to include a rotation of Shakespeare readings in our kids' literary repertoire each year, and even great childrens' versions of the plays to read to them, else I honestly probably never would have thought to do it. Though we haven't stuck to the suggested rotation this year, we have read a couple per our own interest in random order. I've been pleasantly surprised to find how much my children have enjoyed hearing me read from the Tales from Shakespeare book that we have (another great score from Paperback Swap), by Charles and Mary Lamb (you may read it online here, or you may read the original play here).

N and T were enamored with The Merchant of Venice, and didn't ever want me to quit reading when we came to a stopping point. We had quite a few interesting discussions as a result of reading it as well (as anyone familiar with that story can imagine). Chris and I enjoyed watching Al Pacino star as Shylock in the 2004 movie rendition of the story (though in our opinion, it's definitely not for kids, excellent movie).

Most recently, we're reading Lamb's telling of A Midsummer's Night Dream, and were delighted to be able to attend this production of the play put on by a local theatre guild here, with a few home schoolers performing! Indeed, Shakespeare's characters came to life, and it was a delight to hear the play performed in its entirety and original language! It was also neat to see how engaged all the kids there were. They followed along with the story-line of the play just fine, even with all of its complex, Shakespearean, foreign-sounding language. Its truly so much better to SEE Shakespeare come to life, as its being played out on a stage, than just to read it! It was a first for me as well! I was even inspired to go back and read the original play myself. It was an absolutely hilarious performance, had us all laughing out loud numerous times!

Welcome to Estaria!

Our plays take place in Athens, in the fantasyland of Estaria. Aztec influences represent the excitement and danger dwelling within the forest outside of town. Indian influences represent the exotic beauty and romance evident everywhere in town and in the mystical forest. Be prepared to take a journey of your life when these influences collide.

~ from the Play Program

Quince

I must say that Puck was my favorite character... N and T agreed.

T said, "My favorite part of the play was how Puck lost her way around every time she had to go somewhere. She was kind of weird too."

T also said that the Yellow Fairie, Mustard-Seed, was her favorite (who happens to have been played by a good friend of hers...hmmm...)

And the clown ("weaver with a passion for acting", who played Pyramus) was well played by a home school Dad...

N said that his favorite part was the comical play, within the play (which was not included in Lamb's version), performed for Theseus (the reigning duke of Athens) and his wedding party in the end, that the above picture is a scene from.

But Titania, the Fairy Queen's costume was my favorite... and the Fairy King, Oberon's costume was fabulously done as well! Aren't those wings imaginative?!

Helena speaking to Demetrius and Lysander... they all really did such an amazing job of acting!

Click here to see the rest of my pics from this evening at the theatre.

Click here to read more on the Questions of:

What is the purpose for using Shakespeare? What are the educational benefits? What about some of the questionable situations in his plays?

I really enjoyed Lindafay's post, "What's So Great About Shakespeare?" and will just say... Yeah, what she said!

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Hope you have a gobblin' good Thanksgiving Day!!

We have officially let the celebrating of Thanksgiving begin 'round here! Today the kids and I had fun making these foam hand-print, felt-hatted and feathery, button-eyed, pilgrim wanna-be turkeys (they have clothespins glued to the backs so they can be clipped wherever for decoration).

For dinner tonight we had Pumpkin Waffles with Egg Nog (per T's request). These waffles are so easy to make, very Fallish, and oh so yummy.

Here's how we make them.

Pumpkin Waffles

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
	2 cups all-purpose flour, and 2 cups whole wheat flour combined
	1/2 cup sugar
	2 tablespoon baking powder
	2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ginger
	1 teaspoon salt
	4 eggs
	3 cups milk
	8 tablespoons butter, melted
	1 cup canned pumpkin

1. Set up the waffle iron on a countertop or table within easy reach of the cook. Plug in the iron to preheat it.

2. In a medium-size mixing bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter, and pumpkin. Pour the wet ingredients over the flour mixture and stir just until combined.

3. Coat the preheated waffle iron with cooking spray (if yours needs it, mine doesn't). Pour the waffle batter onto the center of each section of the iron. (You will need 1/4 to 3/4 cup of batter for each waffle.)

4. Cook the waffles for about 4 to 5 minutes or until they are crispy and light brown. (Read the manufacturer's directions for details about how long you should cook the waffles in your particular waffle iron.) Serve immediately with maple syrup and butter. Serves 8.

Some of N's Thankful Thoughts:

That last word that got cut off in the pic there is "food", imagine that!

Some of T's Thankful Thoughts:

Um, yeah, did ya notice how the ponies are before Mom and Dad on both lists? *smirk*

I thought that I'd also share our Thanksgiving Menu for 2006 with you.

Wednesday evening: Chili with a double batch of Mexican Cornbread (Chris and N's fave, requested) & Cheese Cake

Thurs. a.m. & for snacking throughout the day:

• Coffee with Peppermint Mocha creamer
• Egg Nog
• Hot Chocolate
• Sausage Cheese balls (for breakfast, a holiday tradition that Tab has already requested. We're substituting the pork sausage with turkey sausage this year, and I use self-rising flour and add milk until moist enough to make balls).
• Petite Quiches
• Parmesan Spinach Balls (N's favorite, always requested)

Thursday's Thanksgiving Dinner

• Turkey, with Home-made Cornbread Dressing (see recipe below)
• Cranberry Salad (my fave, a recipe I got from a friend years ago, see below)
• Roasted Garlic Mashed potatoes with Turkey drippings/giblet Gravy
• Sweet Potatoe Supreme (see recipe below)
• Crescent Rolls (whole-wheat, made from scratch)
• Yellow Squash & Onion Casserole
• Greenbean Casserole (You know, the recipe on the fried onions can - is there any other?! My sister ventured out into gourmet one year, made a fancy batch of Emeril Agassi's greenbean casserole and everyone was like "WHAT is this? It's NOT greenbean casserole! LOL *k-i-s-s*)
• Greens Salad

Desserts:

• Pumpkin Pies (recipe on the Libby pumpkin can)
• Pecan Pies (I always make two of these, just like my Grandma, recipe below)
• Banana Pudding (per Chris's request)

Friday evening:

• Turkey Noodle Soup (I'll post the recipe later)
• Spinach Dip with
• home-made challah bread (Quick-rise recipe forthcoming)
• and whatever leftovers anyone wants of course!

Here's some pictures of our Thankful Tree, which N, T and I all worked on together last night. As you can probably tell, we all really got into it, and enjoyed making art together! It's hanging on the wall in our entryway/breezeway. I'd meant to make one last year, but never got around to it, so glad that we did this year! It's been a big hit with all of the littles around here. We're still adding leaves, and will probably leave it up through December.

T designed and drew the tree. She decided to add a face to our Thankful Tree (which I helped with).

N designed the moon, adding "the man in the moon", it was completely his idea.

They enjoyed filling the tree and landscape with various critters (check out T's possum and crane), and T had the idea of drawing a captioned "Blessing" coming from the tree's mouth. So, she wrote, "Blessed are thou Oh Lord, King of the Universe, who has strengthened your Love toward us!!"

I love that wolf that N drew, and this little nest with eggs, bluebird, and the woodpecker that T drew, and oh lookey there! Chris is thankful for his beautiful and wonderful wife! Yes, I do believe that we've started a new family tradition around here.

A few of the dishes I'll be preparing tomorrow for our Thanksgiving Feast are family favorites, and the recipes are from my very Southern Grandma Chandler. I'll share her recipes with you here...

CRANBERRY SALAD

Mix together:

• 1 pkg. lemon jello
• 1 pkg. raspberry (or strawberry, or cranberry) jello
• 1.5 cups sugar
• 2 & 2/3 cups boiling water
• Juice of 1 lemon

When above mixture is cooled, add:

• 4 cups of fresh, ground cranberries
• 4 slices of pineapple
• 2 oranges (cut fine, or a can of mandarin oranges- which we prefer)
• 1 cup celery, chopped fine
• 1 cup cut apples
• 1 cup ground English walnuts

Stir and chill. It makes a beautiful and delicious cranberry salad side dish.

SWEET POTATO SUPREME
3 c. sweet potatoes, peeled and mashed
1/3 c. butter, melted
2 eggs beaten
2/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix together and put into a casserole dish.

TOPPING
1 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. flour
1/3 c. butter, melted
1 c. pecans, chopped

Mix topping and sprinkle over potato mixture (may add a few spoons of milk to moisten, and cinnamon on top of all). Bake uncovered for 30-45 minutes at 350 degrees.

PECAN PIE
I always double this recipe to make two pies, which together uses exactly one bottle of Karo syrup.
1 unbaked pie shell 9"
1 c. pecans, chopped
3 eggs
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. white Karo syrup
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 c. melted butter
1 tsp. vanilla
Line unbaked pie shell with pecans. Beat eggs, sugar, salt and karo syrup, vanillia and butter. Pour over pecans in pie shell. Bake 50 minutes in 350 degee oven, or until done.

CORNBREAD STUFFING
1 c. chicken broth
1 c. butter
2 c. diced celery
1.5 c. chopped onion
1/4 c. minced parsley (or just use a couple TBSPs dried)
2 tsp.. poultry seasoning (which I make using 3/4 tsp. sage, 1/4 tsp. leaf thyme, a dash of marjoram, dash of cloves and 1/4 tsp. pepper)
1/2 tsp. pepper
18 c. of your favorite cornbread, crumbled (bake this the day before)
3 eggs, beaten
Saute celery and onions in butter. Mix all ingredients (except broth) and put into a casserole dish. Pour broth over mixture. Bake 30-45 minutes at 350 degrees.

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Finally! This last weekend T and I finished the binding on our first ever quilt, which is a pinwheel quilt that we made with the wonderful help of Randi's most excellently laid-out lessons found here. So, without further adieu, here it is in its new home, hanging-up on our breezeway wall (which has also recently been finished -Chris put up drywall over thr block walls- then textured and I painted it "sea green", which sets off the pine ceiling beautifully, we think!). Perfect spot for it, dont'cha think?!

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N's latest clay creation, a "zoag" in primary colors.

Photo Theme for Thursday

CURRENT Theme is "COLOR"
(Bright Colors, Natural Colors, Primary Colors, Complimentary Colors, Monotone,...)

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Nature rarer uses yellow
Than another hue;
Saves she all of that for sunsets,--
Prodigal of blue,

Spending scarlet like a woman,
Yellow she affords
Only scantly and selectly,
Like a lover's words.

Queen Anne's Lace in our meadow ~ a favorite of mine

Poem lyrics of Nature Rarer Uses Yellow by Emily Dickinson.

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yellow okra flower, originally uploaded by Brew*Crew.

I found some okra blooms in my garden today.

In this broad earth of ours,
Amid the measureless grossness and the slag,
Enclosed and safe within its central heart,
Nestles the seed of perfection.

~ Song of the Universal, Walt Whitman

Click here to visit my flickr site, where I've just uploaded more delicious *yellows* ...

like this lily that bloomed a few days ago ~

See this week's crayon color, laser lemon, here.

Visit A Year of Color to see others' photos.

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Thanks to my ever inspirational friend Dawn, I just found another great reason to look a bit closer at life around me, snap more pictures and then share them here with you! Amy of Happythings (who is brimming with beautiful pictures and ideas) is hosting A Year of Color, starting with white for last week. I am definitely going to be joining in on this great FUN! Amy will be going by the color names in her box of crayons, sweet nostalgia. I wanted to make mention of this because I'm thinking that a few of you out there might like to share your colors as well.

I've recently posted what is probably my favorite whites of late, the magnolia blooms... So, guess I'm already in the groove! So now I'm looking forward to seeing what color I'll be paying extra special attention to this week coming up... stay tuned.

And speaking of COLOR! I finally got our breezeway painted. Yep, Chris finished the drywall and texturing, so I got my green on! It's so perfectly perfect now, love it! Chris even said, "Nice choice". I'll post pics soon. It's good to be back home. After last week's commotion (worthy yet wearisome) I am now exhaling and eager to tend to my own household affairs and garden, which have been sorely neglected all last week as we lived at the barn, and literally slept at the barn too! *heh!*

Friends of ours from FL will be visiting us the end of this week. They visited last year, and we had such a lovely time. Barbara Ann is a highschool art teacher and we always get busy with some sort of artsy projects when we get together. It will be so good to see her and her love, Russ. They are family to us, we've known them since our N10 was a wee 6 mos. old, and we've witnessed their two daughters' crossing over from girlhood to ladyship. I'm eager to kiss their necks and hear their voices, so time to get movin' and make this place hospitable again...

I recently found out that my amazingly giving friend Cindy and her family are hosting an exchange student from France for 4 weeks. Hat's off to ya girlfriend! I just don't know if I could do that... well, I know that I couldn't now. But then, it's about seasons too, isn't it? And it's like another friend Jennifer said the other day, "This is God's house... not mine." as 12 kids and the rest of us romped through her property and house all week long, greeted with joyous songs and smiles. I think my favorite parts of the week were sitting and listening to Jennifer sing lullabies with her two twenty-something daughters, as she strummed her 12-string guitar, dreamy it was... and having Eloise, a French exchange student, spend the day with us, and hearing the children eagerly pray and sing to our Lord each day.

Cindy had mentioned to me yesterday some of the thoughts I'd been having as well, as to wondering over what Eloise (who is living with her for 4 wks.) is really *getting* from this trip of hers... she understands very little English, as we around her speak next to nil French... and we're all prayerfully hoping to show her Jesus. She spent a day with us at Horse Camp, partook in my little Bible class, sang, prayed and played with ponies with us (rode for the first time ever!) and has shared meaningful moments and a special prayer with Cindy... if I may (since you haven't started yer own blog yet, I'll just have to tell the story here Cindy! *sheesh*) Eloise was wanting to call her Mum, but it was apparently a bit complicated and Cindy and she couldn't figure it out, so Cindy asked her if they could just pray to Jesus about it and leave it with the Lord. So they did... and Eloise's Mom called her later that day. cool. See, He is watching, waiting to show Himself. Cindy, she will remember, He will water the seeds. I believe this. And I was struck by a quote I read this morning,

 

Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers... the mind can never break off from the journey.

 

~unknown

I'll post some more pictures from Horse Camp throughout this week as well.

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