Archive for HomeMaking
{365:15-18} wholesome wintry wonderings
Posted by: | CommentsTeach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
~ Psalm 90.12
{365:15} Crumb of one of my first two sourdough loaves, which were a bit too *sour*... I think that I must have had too much of the mother starter in this batch... Hopefully it'll do better next time around (tomorrow).
{365:16} Doodles by her hand... my beautiful daughter's hands, distracted and lovely, before beginning her history tales for the day. Homeschooling, cozy and relaxed, just how we like it!
If a child is to keep alive his inborn
sense of wonder, he needs the
companionship of at least one adult
who can share it, rediscovering with
him the joy, excitement
and mystery of the world we live in.~ Rachel Carson
{365:17} Our oldest, our son... I can hardly believe that he'll be turning 14 next month?! *sighs* How I love his strong-hearted, gentle-spirited self. The years have just slipped away so quickly. I am more deliberate with our time than I used to be... Learning, hoping, praying to number my/our days, that I/we may gain a heart of wisdom... Memories shared.
Every m o m e n t captured, sacred.
Holding the past close enough to remember, yet relinquishing it long enough to see them grow, to know them now... It's a mysterious, measured balance, isn't it? Today is full of treasures. Time's a gift, yet it so often seems to me that it takes back faster than I can receive... Makes this mama's heart ache with the knowing, with love, hopes, regrets and expectations. Small bits of wisdom seem to crystallize in life's wintry seasons... I'm noticing.
Realizations of all that matters, swirling through me, elusive and gently as these falling snowflakes. Days, with all of their dreams and discoveries, disappearing even as I reach out to catch them, to touch them. Quietly piling, and then melting away, forgotten... Oh, life is precious, feeble and yet, eternal.
Whispering kisses... Moments lasting long enough to marvel at their exquisite perfection... like snow crystals.
Like snowflakes, only seen if you look closely, and hold gently.
Such a Creator.
{365:18} Yesterday we got 6" of snow within two hours, and then sleet. Today it's a melting, mushy mess...
Pretty though, and cold.
It is a wholesome and necessary
thing for us to turn again to the
earth and in the contemplation
of her beauties to know
the sense of wonder and humility.~ Rachel Carson
Chris left today, with N and T, dropping them off to spend this wintry weekend with friends up in the TriCities, where we used to live, while he continues on up into PA(?!), where he has an interview on Monday for a job with a good company. Samson, baby S and I are here at home, waiting in the snowy quiet... keeping warm and wondering what will come of all this anticipation. What will be the final word to end this suspense, this roller-coaster ride of the last year? It has been a very hard year for us, challenging and stretching in so many ways, yet good and bountiful too.
Teaching TRUST, forgiveness and perseverance.
Last week, the kids told me that it's been our best homeschooling year yet... and we've just been staying home mostly. Imagine that? Life has slowed down, and we've all needed it to. Regrouping. Reading, writing, creating, talking, hoping, dreaming, praying, playing, laughing, and even crying (and not just the baby).
Just being: t o g e t h e r... Rediscovering.
No appointments, nor co-ops or classes, not much out and about, besides shopping, check-ups and the occasional getting together with some local friends here and there, for fun and fellowship, playing and celebrating together on Shabbat, birthdays and the holidays. I offered to join the local homeschool co-op here, get to know some more locals, just adventure out. N and T both said they'd rather not, which surprised me, a little. They've been happy and content with where we are, accepting. I've sensed it. For that, I am endlessly thankful, and relieved. They're feeling the limbo too, just waiting to land. I'm so proud and blessed to see how beautifully they're handling all of these changes.
Our lives have remained in this transitional phase, since we sold our house back last summer. I'm ready to get settled somewhere, soon I hope... to pack up our few things we've brought to this monthly rental, retrieve the rest from storage, and head out... to wherever it may be that Abba leads us, even if it's way up further north(east) than we ever thought we'd be.
He knows. I trust Him. Waiting... and wandering wondering.
Spring cleaning…
Posted by: | CommentsIt has begun a little early around here... and has spilled over into my blog. I've redecorated here a bit (can you tell I'm eager for Spring-time blooms and sunshine?), and am transferring most of the links from my sidebar to my delicious page, also hoping to tag/organize the bookmarks eventually. The whole process will take awhile, since my priority is putting my house back together first. You know how it looks worse before it looks better... yeah.
Apparently this cleaning/purging energy is even contagious, because T's caught it and asked me if she could do the same in her bedroom (which I hadn't gotten to yet), to which I said "Sure!" after stammering over whether or not that was safe (because she was poised with a kitchen garbage bag, fully intending to get rid of stuff) for only a moment. I figured that it probably would be best if she did it without me anyways.
I've been going through each room, closet and shelf, and have cleared out A LOT. So far we've thrown out numerous bags of worthless stuff, and I've filled up numerous boxes with books to sell or give away. We've been at it for a few weeks now, and I've still got more to go... I keep wondering, where does this stuff come from anyways? Then there's all the laundry that continues to build up while I'm doing other stuff... that's what I've spent last night and today doing, folding and putting away laundry.
It feels good to deep clean though... I really do feel like it helps me think clearer, be happier and just function better all the way around. Must. Simplify. That is my goal. So far, so good.
this and that
Posted by: | CommentsWelp, no fruit smoothie this morning... but worry not, it's not for lack of supply of my beloved Stonyfield yogurt (the scratch 'n dent came through, I'm re-stocked!), and our freezer is full of frozen blackberries too, picked fresh by Chris and the kids from local fields. Nope, I just opted for the hard stuff this morning, yep, that's right, coffee! Mmmmm... it's a rare treat these days. Since I've been pregnant, I only have it once a week or so, if that, and that only since mid-second-trimester. But this last week I've been having some major headaches, and this morning I really need an extra boost to get goin', get some more stuff done around here!
I haven't been on the 'puter much lately. Besides being busy with doing stuff around here, last Thursday evening I came down with the worst migraine I've had in YEARS! By Friday morning I was basicly incapacitated, and was so glad that it wasn't my turn to carpool our kids to their horse camp! Oh, it was absolutely horrible... haven't had one like that since college. I just laid in my room all day, had it all dark like a cave. And one can only sleep so much. The kids were at horse camp every day of the week from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., so I had total quiet, which was a good thing. I did break down and take some tylenol too, which took the edge off, a bit.
Saturday was their big end of camp hoopla/show for the parents, complete with yummy potluck dinner. It was fun, and I was thankful that my headache had waned off mostly, until towards the end, as we were leaving. I ended up taking a couple more tylenol, which I've managed to avoid my entire pregnancy up until now (had to take a couple again this morning too? What's up with the headaches?!). I'm really feeling good though, besides the recent headaches, which up till now has been a rarity. I think I just let myself get too tired is all.
FYI, I've been having braxton hicks contractions off and on (at least a few/day or night), was dilated one cm. at my dr.'s appt. last week... but then that could mean nothing too, very common, I know. Only four more weeks to go though! I'm so excited! 
My lower back has been giving me alot more pains if I'm on my feet too long in the day, or sitting one position for too long. I've so been enjoying feeling all of her strong movements throughout the days (and nights). She's definitely a rascally one, busy, busy. It feels very natural to call her by her name now... our Savannah girl...
Yes, we're still working on "the list"... and it's coming along... well, everything except the painting! I've added some stuff to it, accomplished quite a few of the tasks and marked them out too, feels good. I'm so glad that the kids had a week of fun at their horse camp, a respite from the cleaning and organizing frenzy going around here lately. Now, with only four weeks or so to go before our little bean arrives, the pressure is mounting though! But worry not, we've been taking plenty of R&R moments in our days as well. Chris and I have spent many evenings lately vegging on the couch, watching the LOST season 2 episodes, which we've just finished. Yeah, we were slightly intrigued with the show after catching a few episodes on t.v., but totally lost too as to what the story line was/is. So, we started renting season one, and it was all over after that, we're totally hooked now! LOL And this last wknd. Chris pretty much took it easy, slept in, went to bed early, played with the kids and critters, cleaned and re-organized his desk. We got alot done last wknd. though, and he really needed a long sabbath rest.
We're looking forward to next week's arrival of some of our FL friends who are visiting for a few days. I'm so glad that they've taken the time to visit us each year since we moved here... as it goes with kindred hearts, we always find that it's as if no time has passed between us since our last visit, except for all the catching-up-story-telling that we get to share. And Barbara is one of my most creative/artsy friends. She's a talented artist and also teaches art at a highschool, so always has these fun ideas of projects to do with T and I, while the guys are out metal-detecting, target-shooting, or some other such adventure. Last year we painted/pasted/sewed and wrote in these beautiful, interactive/inspirational books that we made out of little paper bags. The year before, we beaded lovely jewelry for days. So, while they're here next week, I'll certainly be doing something creative, lots of playing, praying (yes, we pray with these friends, very natural) cooking and eating good food, and enjoying familiar fellowship.
So, for now, my coffee's about gone and I need to get hoppin' around here. By the end of this week, the house should be completely CLEAN and DE-cluttered! Wow, it's sure been a major project, and now I'm remembering why it doesn't happen that often. It takes alot of energy, and everything else basicly having to go on hold for awhile to get it all done. I have really enjoyed the results of going through the kids' rooms and completely downsizing on toys, and throwing all junk AWAY. Their rooms are so tidy now, with everything having its place, so that they're now able to keep them clean. Each evening, one of their p.m. chores is to pick up their rooms and make sure everything's straight before retiring, and it's working! Clean rooms for almost two weeks straight now, amazing!! Laundry is staying done, folded and being put up in its places, now that there's room in their drawers and closets again. The only thing left to do in there is go through all the books and mags. in N's room with him, get rid of anything we don't treasure. We already did that with T's books and mags., so much better now.
Anyways, this has very much been a rambling sort of post. I just wanted to catch all you who care up to speed with our latest. Sorry I've not been much for regular posting lately, but have I ever been anyways? I guess I'm a bit sporadic, huh? I just wanted to check in and say "hi", so sorry I'm not emailing some of you more, just in a bit of a zone here I guess... preparing for our lives to change drastically very soon! Yeah, I'm starting to feel a bit nervous about it too... starting over and all, with a baby again!!! heh! *satisfied, thankful sighs*
Oh, and one other piece of news... I did something crazy. Yeah, last week I went and registered N and T for another day of coop classes. We'd already registered at the beginning of the summer with a coop that meets on Tuesday mornings, and this other one meets on Monday mornings. This will be our first year ever joining in on home school coop classes through local home school groups. I guess that I just figured it will be good for all of us, get me out of the house and around with baby and the kids (I tend to hibernate quite easily, and with a new baby, I could easily go into isolation/lay around the house all day do-nothingness), so... for N and T's sake, I'm venturing out. They are. SO. excited.
T has been begging me to teach her to crochet or knit for the last year+, and they're offering a knitting class, AND she's been diligently learning her recorder and can play numerous songs from her book, and has been asking- for awhile- but especially since N started his guitar lessons, and she knows that formal violin lessons are out of the question for some time- if she could have "real recorder lessons", AND that's just so happened to be another class that this other coop was offering for her age-group. How could I pass it up?! So after much trepidation, I succumbed to the temptation and signed her up, and N as well for some other classes that he'll actually be the youngest student, and will be quite challenging to him.
SO, starting in Sept., on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9-12 we'll be at coop every week. But they're both meeting so very close to us that I just figured it shouldn't be too hard to get there, and it will be fun for them, and it'll give them plenty of stimulating input/socializing and academics to help me relax about being relaxed and just doing the basics and lots of reading with them at home this year. I guess that I'm figuring, worst case scenario, I'll just be dead-tired there on some days (if S keeps me up all night), sitting with baby S in the coop nursery for a few hours, two days in a row. I also went and volunteered to be the nursery/preschool coordinator for the coop, since they needed someone, and I can't exactly teach a class, nursing baby and all. I think I can handle that! The kicker though, is that N and T have their horse-riding lessons first thing on Wed. mornings, so that'll be three mornings in a row that we'll have to get out the door and be somewhere on time. Am I nuts? You think?! At least their Wed. lessons are drop-off and then I just have to pick them up after lunch. But then, N has guitar on Monday afternoons, and dance on Monday evenings... and T will have gymnastics on Thursday afternoons... and N is wanting to try out basketball this year too, which we're going to make happen for him, but that'll only be for a season, so I think that we can handle that. Chris has already agreed to take him to his evening practices and dance class. Fridays will be our wonderful day of no outside commitments, a wonderful lead in to/day of preparations for a day of much needed Sabbath rest for us all. *sighs*
I'll be posting the kids' coop classes, what we'll be working on at home and our overall schedules for this up-coming school year soon. We're going to be quite busy... but I'm thinking that it'll be all good, a fun and learning filled year, indeed. And... I'll be so busy that I'm bound to lose alot of weight! 
So, that's our latest really, besides continuing to work on "the list" of things I'd like to have accomplished in the next few weeks, accepting the fact that it won't all happen! I hope that you and yours are having a blessed summer-time!
THE LIST (so far)
Posted by: | Comments...of all the things that I/we want to get accomplished before baby Savannah arrives on the scene. Yes, I've plenty of stuff to keep me busy until she's here. No time for pining away here... nope. (only 7 6* 5 4!!! more weeks!!! until she's due, but maybe she'll be a few days early, maybe not?) Chris (the listmaker) had already started his list, and one for me- per my request, on paper, but I thought it would be good to type it out anyways, so I'd have it on hand in readable form *heh!*, so I'm posting it too.
No, we're not stressing over this stuff, but we sure are putting forth our best efforts to accomplish it! If you don't hear so much from me for awhile, you'll know why... I'm working on getting this nest in order!
*Updated 7/10, 7/18, 7/22.
My List:
- Paint and touch up all interior trim,
breezeway windows frames,chair-railing, living room french doors, and all other 16 doors in the house (all semi-gloss white). Have been working on this one, slow going it seems. - Put up decorative border beneath chair-railing.
- Hang some more pictures once painting is done.
Photographand post some items to ebay for Chris.- Try my hand at some new freshly milled whole grain wheat bread recipes from my new BreadBeckers cookbook:
cinnamon rolls(Chris's fave so far...okay, okay, everybody's favorite!!)challah bread(very similar to recipe I was using before, only slightly better I think)
Ezekiel bread(my fave so far, well, besides the cinn. rolls-I added organic raisins)
Orange Cranberry Bread(T's fave so far, well, besides the cinn. rolls)Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies(these are really good, kid approved, even Chris loved 'em, said they're the perfect amount of sweetness... healthy-that's what I tell myself, whole-grain, honey-sweetened brownies, gotta love it! I use all-natural pb too.)Garlic Herb & EVO yeast rollsOnion Herb French bread loaves(N's fave, well, besides the cinn. rolls-goes great with lasagna)Whole Wheat Pancakes(with a handful each of barley, millet, and rye milled in as well) - Tried a few variations;buttermilk,sweet milk,blackberries and raspberries. We all agreed that we like this recipe better than the one I've been using for years, the pancakes are lighter, even with the wheat flour.
- Possibly bake some extra loaves and freeze for after S is born.
Make and freeze some extra meals: lasagna, chicken noodle soup.Make a giant batch of granola, enough to last us a few weeks.Make blackberry cobblers and a few quarts of blackberry freezer jam from berries that Chris and the kids picked.Made 12 more pints of blackberry jam, and froze 2 gallon bags of whole, washed blackberries.Put out misc. clutter pile fires in dining room and living room.Empty out and deep clean refrigerator, pulling out shelves and drawers to wash.Deep clean (mainly dusting) and organize my bedroom.Go through and re-organize the messy bottom of my closet, which is mostly shoes.Get rid of some.- Miscellaneous deep cleaning and organizing continued, as inspiration strikes. (
cleaned out and re-organized bathroom linen closet) (clean the inside of microwave)(clean top of fridge and pantry) Take boxes of misc. stuff to Salvation Army.Anotherboxthreefive boxes! are already full, withmore to come from kids' rooms/taken to SA.Freecycle old king mattress, and other misc. household items I don't need.Take Samson to vet for yearly vaxes.Wash dining room window's curtains.Daily guitar practice with N, 20 mins. each.Dust book shelves in living room,lamps,media and tv cupboard(Twindexed the glass panes and french doors),pictures,shelves in dining room, and the china, books and trinkets thereon.Clean out underneath the sink, kitchen junk drawer and lazy susan, and re-organize them.Set out mouse traps in kitchen drawers.So far we've gotten two, but there's more, because I'm finding droppings and chewed up stuff, after having emptied out and re-cleaned everything in drawers. SO,set out more traps, after emptying and cleaning everything in drawers again. Arrrrgh, these mice are frustrating, but better than dealing with the roaches in FL and MS, I guess.SCRUB the tile floors. Happens every few months, literal scrubbing with a scrub-brush and bleach water, much more intensive than the light bit of maintenance mopping necessary to keep my forgiving/dark and textured tiles looking presentable.- Maybe shampoo carpets? maybe... ummm... nope, NOT gonna happen!
Clean the oven.Wipe down all kitchen cabinets and appliances.Re-organize tupperware/containers cabinet.Clean out and re-organize pots and pans cupboard.- Finish reorganization and cleaning of walk-in hallway closet (lots of storage and games, etc. in there). I've half-way finished that, it's actually a closet within the huge walk-in closet area. Finished the walk-in closet area, just need to tackle the smaller closet that houses board games, blankets, gift-wrapping supplies, misc. picture frames, etc.
- Definitely MUST
get into my other walk-in "books/school supplies closet"andre-organize, go through and sort stacks of papers, supplies and misc. junk and file or throw stuff away. Get notebooks in order for our studies next year(which includesgetting my head straight as to what exactly we'd like to accomplish this next year).Sort through misc. unused/unwantedcurriculum/booksandpost on paperback swap, or for sale on local homeschool list.Set up a semi-permanent place to work on N and T's baby album/scrapbooks(maybe then I'll actually work on getting them done!).Go through and re-organize all my scrapbooking and craft supplies.- Then, I can start working on something similar to this journaling idea. I've wanted to keep a sketchbook journal for a long time, but haven't since college.
- T says that she wants her room to "be only horse stuff". So,
get rid of T's unused toys, declutter, store faves for baby S (like Polly Pockets and nicest dolls), creating more space on T's shelves for her Breyer horse collection.Re-organize her toy shelf and book shelves.Clear outandrearrange her room, to make room for crib. - Hang curtain rods and curtains in my bedroom and
in T's bedroom. Buy more reg. sz. plastic hangersfor N to hang his clothes on, since his shirts and jackets are too big for the little hangers now.Have N transfer all his clothing to new hangers.- N needs to
deep clean (de-clutter and get rid of unused toys again) his bedroom, with me helping tore-organize his shelves. He actually did a great job of this on his own. Set up baby S's changing table in my room, with her little onesies, diapers and sleepers organized and accessible in baskets and drawers nearby.Set up mini-diaper-changing station (all necessities in a cute basket) for living room.Hang baby S's sz. 0-6 mo. nicer outfits in wardrobe in my room, and her sz.9-12 mo. outfits in closet in T's room.Go through boxes of clothing that's been given to me for baby S, and group by sizes, label and put up 18 mo.-3T in storage.Go through N and T's clothes, get rid of/freecycle stuff they've outgrown.Keep vegetable garden weeded, with kids' help.7/22 update: Umm... it's very overgrown with weeds now, as of this last week of rain, and my being busy with other stuff while the kids have been at horse camp... *ahem* We'll have to work on that this week.- Go shopping for
nursing bras,nursing pj's, and otherlast minute baby needs(plan to do while kids are at their summer horse camp, 3rd wk. of July). We're all ready!! Decide upon and order baby sling/carrier. We ordered a Maya wrap, in color 37. Chris liked this style best (simple), and liked that it is adjustable so that he can wear our baby as well. It's already arrived and we love it!Assemble and set up co-sleeper beside my bed.Pack hospital bagsfor babyand I.- Practice relaxation, stretching and breathing exercises. Relax... and trust.
Drink lots of raspberry leaf tea daily.- Design and set up a My-Space account and site for my Mom.
Keep working on N and T's math skills(Singapore lessons and QMM drill work),some writing work, Bible and history reads throughout the summer(we've been pretty consistent in doing this, besides weeks of summer camps).Makeandprint out a simple checklist for N and Teach just to help keep them on track and remove the "I forgot" excuse, to help them be fairly independent in those first few weeks after baby S arrives, when I'll be sleeping lots during the days. This way, they'll know what's expected of them each day, I probably should do this asap, and let them get used to the idea, see how it works.Do a Daily and Weekly Chores list (a.m. and p.m. chores are listed out, it's working great) and a separate lesson checklists for the week type list.Transplant spider plant to bigger pot.Plant some more cilantro and squash.Supervise kids' cleaning out, vaccuuming, Armor-alling, and washing Suburban, including windexing inside of windows.Do the same for the Camry.Buy,write and sendthank you cards.Buy my Boppy.Order books and buy misc. supplies for kids' co-op classes next year, and what we still need for our own studies at home.
Chris & I Together List:
Measure for and hang trim/crown-moulding in bedrooms, vestibule and hallway(Which completes the house, finished this last wknd.!).- Weed front flower beds and
cut back front hedge bushes. Take some good pregnancy photos, like we did with N and T.Clean out and organize Utility room,G-1(what we call garage 1-there's G2 as well, which is Chris's workshop) andpantry room(lots of shelves with who knows what crammed in them and forgotten for the past few years). *7/14 update; all DONE! Whew, this was a huge job, took us all day, but we got rid of SO much junk, and have lots more shelf room now, and it's all neat and orderly. Whhoooo-hooo!Take down the kids' computer from in the living room, andmove T's cockatiel out of her bedroom into the living room(too much bird dander for baby).Set up the kids' computer in N's room, with anew computer desk for him.Clean out breezeway and move ferrets's cage out of living room into there.Pick out and purchase baby stroller.Clean and reorganize our bedroom, moving furniture to best accomodate co-sleeper and changing table.
Decide upon and order baby car seat. It's already arrived, very nice!
Chris's List:
- Measure for, cut and put in dining room and living room baseboards.
Pressure wash house exterior 2x, in prep. for paint.Cut chair-rail in hallway.- Finish cutting and installing trim around doors inside house.
Dig holes for fence posts in backyard.Scrape old paint off exterior trim of house.- C
aulk exterior of house(working on this). - Caulk roof.
- Caulk interior of house.
- Paint exterior of the house.
- Outside trim and shutters.
- Install new thermal pane windows.
- Finish installing wall of bathroom (one wall can't be finished until the new window is in).
- Cut, stain and install transition pieces (strips of oak) between carpeted and tiled floors.
- Create and install door casing and trim for breezeway. (He's done with one door, one to go... more for me to paint, yay.)
- Build baby shelf (per my request, for her stuff, to go above the crib in T and baby's room).
Clean and re-organize desk.Go through clothes and clean out closet. Get rid of stuff that doesn't fit or don't wear.Pick lots of fresh blackberries with the kids' help.- Take his wife on lots of dates, while he can still have her alone! 7-5 update: We had a date last night, kids slept over at friends! 7-20, another date!
N and T's List:
- Keep their chores done, rooms clean, and help when and where needed.
Actually, I will post their lists when I've completed them. I've been getting a kick out of seeing T following in her father's footsteps. She always makes herself a list (her idea) when I tell her to clean her room. It's too cute really. We're working on an overhaul of her room right now, and I ought to take a pic of and post her two lists she made for herself.
1000 Gifts, #64-237
Posted by: | CommentsIn the last couple of weeks, I have been meditating upon thoughts of thanksgiving. I have been especially aware of blessings all around me this last week... gifts from my Father above. As I've been mentally taking note, I've given up on trying to scribble them all down as I think of them... too many, at all points during the day. Here are a few quietly whispered "thank yous" to Adonai... for His vast outpouring of love and mercies. When I take the time to notice, my spirit does sense His hand on my life, His fashioning of my days, calming of my soul... may I live in these realizations of His Presence~ fuller, slower, less of rushing off to the next thing.
Truly, He is immense, and leaves me speechless... one moment pouring blessings to the next, gifts heaping upon gifts. Life is full... without even trying. He is Rest...
I am thankful for...
64. sleeping in on rainy days
65. flannel sheets and pulled shades
66. rumbling box fan and the pitter-patter of little feet
67. hearing a busy shuffling outside the bathroom door, giggles and an explosion of "Surprise" and proudly uplifted giftbag as I open the door, "Happy Birthday Momma" sung gleefully through the brightest of smiles
68. my Chris's sense of humor
69. his love, and the way he says "I love You" when he calls me during the days
70. his words thoughtfully written on a perfect card
71. the way my son always draws a heart with an arrow through it next to his cursive signature when signing cards
72. my daughter's honesty as she writes in her journal
73. her creativity and zeal for life
74. our family's love... cultivated, sacred and shared.
75. Open windows in the Spring and Fall
76. my heavy suede jacket that my sister gave to me, all well worn and perfect for Autumn days spent outside
77. slow roadtrips through these hills of TN
78. stopping to meander through old shops along the way, enjoying Chris's company and that he loves it as much as I do.
79. comfortable jeans that fit just right
80. a new shirt in my favorite color, sky blue
81. Eternity~ my husband's favorite perfume
82. comfy white tennies
83. flip flops and toe rings
84. wearing Chris's flannel shirts
85. freshly laid eggs for breakfast
86. the sour sweetness of my morning lemonade (freshly squeezed lemon with raw apple cider vinegar and honey in cold, filtered water)
87. coffee with cream
88. lazy mornings watching the old b&w cartoons with my kids
89. that my kids like the old b&w cartoons
90. early morning quiet, when everyone else is still asleep
91. hanging laundry on the line, and its crispness when taken down,
92. the wind swirling, wrapping itself around me...
93. freshness in the smell of rain, a soaked ground and wet leaves
94. a car that's running good (still)
95. our friendly neighbors
96. having a house, our home, and the refuge it provides within
97. Chris's thoughtfulness in occasionally asking me if I'm happy, and telling me that he is
98. warmth and familiarity felt while snuggling on a cushy couch with Chris and our children, thick socks and sweatpants, legs sprawling and arms tangling under the blankets, watching and discussing movies, playing games, letting the world go by without us for awhile
99. baking chocolate chip cookies for my birthday, at my son's suggestion
100. the way my daughter measures the ingredients so very carefully, choosing to help me rather than watch the movie, grooving as she works to the jazz music dancing in our ears
101. the sincere praises of the family as they trimphantly dip and munch warm chocolate bites, hot chocolate...
102. sharing a blessing and plates at the Olive Garden, green salads with onions
103. chocolate mints
104. the moon rising, smiling down upon us as we travel
105. my Grandma's voice, sure and strong
106. my Mothers' prayers, lifting us up when we don't even know it.
107. my favorite blue and green turquoise earrings that look like little globes set in silver, and the turquoise bear necklace, birthday gifts from Chris, which he bought for me during our first dreamy trip out here to NE TN, where we hid away in remote cabin on a mountain three years ago.
108. My Beloved~ Dreams we share, the way we know eachother's thoughts, and finish eachother's sentences... his faithfulness, his strong arms around me, his breath beside me in the dark, our marriage bed, his steady ways, likemindedness and comradery in convictions and passion.
109. Soft and cozy, warm sweaters
110. walking through the mall with my family, with us all linked together as we naturally hold hands in a way that I could not have understood 15 years ago... and would have mocked.
111. that my heart is not full of the rebellion and bitterness that it was then.
112. memories of living close to the road, the train rumbling past our dark room in the night, bellowing its familiar warning into the stillness... shaking our little house, with my sister and I snuggled close in our shared bed
113. a childhood of adventure and intrigue
114. sketching my imagination
115. soul healing
116. freshly sharpened pencils and clean, white paper
117. the smell of tobacco burning in a pipe
118. thick beards on the weathered faces of men whose eyes shine with laughter
119. the crackling of leaping flames, a fire in the fire pit
120. snow on the groud, crunching beneath my feet, sleds and snowballs, wet gloves, socks hung by the fireplace, hot chocolate and marshmallows
121. Carefully handed to me, a cup of herbal tea my daughter brewed for me, sweetened with too much honey, in the new over-sized chicken mug she bought me for my birthday~ with her own money saved up.
122. Love letters my children write to me
123. evening rituals, requests for nightly lullabies and laying in the dark singing to those who love me unconditionally (and like my singing voice), just glad to be together, another day closing.
124. heat radiating from wood stoves and baking biscuits
125. home-made fig preserves, from Grandma's fruit trees
126. sitting around the table with family, bowed heads and hearts
127. Grandma's gravy over biscuits, she sitting in her chair, watching the news, across from Papaw~ always, their generosity, hospitality
128. home-made peanut butter ice cream and fish fries, with french fries and family
129. Aunt Ann's seven layer salad, her artistic talents
130. Mom's paintings on the wall, inspiring, stories of their childhood, so fascinating to me, family reunions, my siblings' children, blonde hair, black and red hair, and glowing cheeks, time passing and returning.
131. Papers in heavy baskets
132. bruised herbs between my fingers, lingering scent
133. flowered curtains, and freshly painted walls.
134. Holly hobbie and
135. scented candles
136. dried flowers from years of bouquets, glass hearts with long stems
137. satin ribbons recycled adorning freshly cut braids, flaxen, chestnut and golden hairs on the bathroom floor...
138. sharp scissors.
139. Quiet of staying up late alone, or with Chris, private pleasures, still moments.
140. simple FOLK music, acoustic guitar and violins, earthy voices, harmonica keeping time
141. coffee stains and smile lines, Dad coming home
142. getting ready to go out
143. clean floors, freshly mopped floors
144. painted toe nails
145. plush bath robes
146. antique dressers with beveled mirrors
147. deep bath tubs
148. big brown eyes peeking out from behind bubbles, hair swirling in the water
149. pony tails and jean over-alls
150. rope and tire swings
151. straight rows in the garden
152. waiting for and watching the deer together, rabbits bounding to and fro
153. tree forts
154. two-story houses with glass door knobs and creaky staircases
155. old porches
156. spider plants and ferns
157. the morning dew
158. begonias and pansies in planters
159. fresh thyme and oregano
160. heavy marble mortar and pestle
161. cold-pressed EVO and fresh squash from seeds we planted.
162. The joy of cooking with friends, family, comparing and learning new recipes
163. spontaneous picnics outside on a blanket, under the apple tree
164. watering our garden
165. gathering apples and peppers
166. walking down to the creek with Chris, and the kids
167. a new day, and another, beginning again
168. dreams that awaken and inspire, trembling expectation
169. a good story, a living book
170. learning from others, discoving new-to-me truths
171. how the seasons change, but stay the same, more noticeable to me every year, awareness that grows, ebbs and flows, Life cycles.
172. generations before me that have brought me here...
173. legends of those who walked this ground in ages past, remembrances that challenge my ways.
174. Our son~ with his goofy grin, perceptive soul, forgiving nature, strawberry-golden hair, blue eyes with sincere intents
175. seeing him engrossed in the pages of a book
176. the breakfasts he cooks
177. his gentle way with little children, like his Father, his desire for us to have more children...
178. the faith that I hear in his prayers, trembling voice as he prays for others
179. his love of nature, and tendency to find quiet places "just to think".
180. Thank you Father for giving him to us, before we knew how much we needed him, our son.
181. His brotherly love towards his sister
182. his love for animals and desire to be a good man.
183. I'm thankful for how he's been able to learn to ride horses well
184. for friends we have who love him, and teach him wonderful things that we couldn't offer
185. community
186. seeing him excel at something that he loves (riding horses) and win blue ribbons and Grand Champion at a large competition.
187. how he likes to write thank you notes
188. and reads his Bible each evening in bed (his idea)
189. how he hugs his sister after a squabble
190. how he (usually) listens to me reading aloud to him
191. how much he loves the baby we lost, hopes for another, prays for others
192. how so many of his mannerisms remind me of my youngest brother...
193. my three brothers, beautiful and each so different, reminding me of our father...
194. Newness of life, the way that the crocus and daffodils curl out from under the snow in Spring
195. honey bees buzzing busily in the meadow
196. wildflowers
197. black dirt
198. earthworms
199. worn garden gloves
200. gardening tools to use
201. our old apple tree blossoming in all her glory.
202. Our daughter~ her comradery and inspiration, her nurturing way, meticulous drawings, fancy letters and colorful personality
203. her exuberance as she plans our menu for visiting friends or family, or excitedly dawns "her best dress" for our Sabbath meals, carefully setting our table, relishing the beauty and ceremony, asking to light the candles and wear the scarf, and "Momma, don't forget to wave the candles..."
204. hearing traditional Sabbath blessings sang in Hebrew by a friend
205. my daughter's love for the language and desire to learn Hebrew
206. her initiative to get things done, which moves me.
207. I cherish memories of long nights that I've comforted her after nightmares, tending her fevers, singing in hushed tones together
208. holding hands and knowing glances
209. teaching her to be a better wife and mother than I, imparting patience and femininity
210. seeing that her strength is greater than mine
211. praying protection over my children, and knowing He listens.
212. long, flowing skirts, lacy cotton shirts with princess sleeves
213. bare feet
214. strappy sandals
215. heavy buckles and leather fringes
216. Rolling down hills in tall, cool grass
217. rock collections
218. seashells
219. and riding bikes down dirt roads
220. long hair braided
221. tiny glass beads strung with bells
222. poetry read aloud, over and over again
223. polished silver and porcelain plates
224. tiny tea cups
225. hand-thrown earthen vessels, glazed in blues and grays
226. the smell of linseed oil and turpentine, blank canvas, visions of grandeur
227. sunlight streaming through sheer curtains dancing on the summer breeze
228. listening to the clock tick-tocking in the silence... time passing
229. icicles growing upside-down
230. evergreens and holly berries, vibrantly red against an otherwise muted winter's pallete.
231. Perfectly unique snowflakes.
232. A summer etched in our family's collective memory... abandoned unity solidified, nights of camping-out, journeying down new roads, between homes, states, our existence like a single knot on an infinite string. Breakfast on shaky tables, lunch packed in a cooler, sleeping bags, motel beds and dinner on sticks, roasted over camp-fires, our family sharing a single, small tent, listening to the tap, tap of the raindrops outside, feeling eachother's warmth, melting into slumber together, the comfort of shared dreams, morning light and woodland noises, breathing in the fresh, green air, flashlight journeys and inchworms saved... reading the map, meeting surreal characters, seeing the inked lines materialize before us into road signs and new horizons.
233. Homeschooling with our children is a tremendous gift... is there any other way, choice, but to live together each and every day, to learn and grow in love... with time unfettered. Not for us.
234. We've always had what we needed, and more. The lean times have enlarged our table, plenteous has been our legacy thusfar.
235. Our wondering together over our wandering heritage, history, mountainous microcosms in everyday miracles.
236. God's Word stored up in my heart, which gives me faith to pray. Life is rich.
For to which of the angels did God ever say,
"You are my Son;
today I have become your Father"? Or again,
"I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son"? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
"Let all God's angels worship him." In speaking of the angels he says,
"He makes his angels winds,
his servants flames of fire." But about the Son he says,
"Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,
and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy." He also says,
"In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You will roll them up like a robe;
like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
and your years will never end." To which of the angels did God ever say,
"Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet"? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?~ Hebrews 1.5-14
237. a Sabbath rest....
It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before:
"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts." For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.~ Hebrews 4.6-11
Photo Hunt: Signs
Posted by: | CommentsToday's Saturday Photo Hunt Challenge is "signs"... and since I didn't go looking out and about for signs in our community this week, I thought I'd just post a few signs from around our house.
This one I love, and it's been the source of many giggles and jesting reminders among family members, as we point to "THE SIGN", which lives above the door going from our kitchen into our breezeway, which leads out to our main entrance door (which is actually a side door, not the front door because the front door is furthest from the driveway). We found this sign on the 50% off table after the Christmas holiday at our local Tractor Supply store a couple of years ago.
I picked this one up at a local antiques and novelties store the summer we moved here to TN. I just fell in love with it, the picture and the lovely imperfectly cross-stitched saying... and I do.
Amen, and amen... this one adorns our dining room wall, right above my MAC here.
I just love this primitive country style of painting. This one hangs in our kitchen, on our free-standing, 4-legged old farm pantry.
Grab the photo hunt code or join the blogroll.
on dinner…
Posted by: | CommentsThis just made me smile...
"'Eat at your own table as you would that of a king' said Confucius"
Mrs. E. Stevens Tilton, Home Dissertations; Dining, 1890.
small victories…
Posted by: | CommentsThis morning I found that Taba had left her box of cereal opened after using it (this was hours later), and as I went to close it I noticed a small miracle...
She had clipped the bag! What a thoughtful little girl!
