spun by heaven from silken strands...

of the same gossamer threads God uses to weave the butterflies' wings,

that they may carry with them summer's warmth...

and with golden rays drape autumn's retiring fields...

Yes, she wears a golden crown,

atop her tiny head

like her brother~

I just love this color...

Banana pudding is one of Chris's most favoritest desserts, and I'm thinking that it will hit the spot later this evening, being cold and refreshing. He's out there working on caulking all the cracks on the exterior of the house before he paints it... in 90 degree weather, today, again, on the wknd., his "day off".

I am just so amazed at how hard he works. Every day these past couple of weeks has been SO HOT here in NE TN, and how my heart and prayers have just gone out to him over and over as I think of him out there trudging through the mountains of Scott Co., VA, climbing those cable poles, in the hot sun ALL day long (and he's been working over-time), to provide for me, our kids, our home! What a blessing he is, and how I do pray that the Lord will soon provide him with an easier job, something not so hard on his body, with more security (stability, benefits, workman's comp. would be nice)... How his heart has been heavy with the cares of this world lately, and the stresses of applying for other work. But how the Lord is blessing him for his faithfulness as well. He just received another raise from his boss this week, who is no doubt impressed with his tough, committed work ethic.

I am so blessed to have such a devoted, hard working and wonderfully loving man. And so anyways... I've just made him some banana pudding (trying this new recipe found below), a small gesture I know (but hey, I'm about to have another one of his babies, that's huge, right? Heh!), but it's something, and it will be good (I hope)... especially with the cream cheese in the mix. And I just pray that the Lord will help me to be the wife and friend he needs for today, and tomorrow, as we travel through these valleys and years together... I am thankful for the many blessings our Lord is bestowing upon us, even in the midst of trials. I can see how the Lord is strengthening Chris's inward man daily through all of these things, and for that I am thankful.

May we ever praise Adonai, as we trust in His plan for us, even when we're not sure of the road ahead. I am so thankful for my soul-mate, my closest companion on this journey, my man... And because I added "ode to my man" to the original "banana pudding" title of this post (which has taken on a life of its own), I 'spose I ought to take a moment here to write a true "Ode", right? Heh! Okay then, here we go...

 

Spontaneous Ode to Chris

...just because...

I love being your wife.

Even in the midst of strife

We've built a solid, happy life.

You've become my very soul

And as the years do roll

by one by one~

I've discovered myself within you,

And in knowing our children.

Our love

Teaches me to live,

How to give.

Thank you for your faithfulness,

Your honesty and patience.

And as I mix together

this bit of indulgence...

I thank our Lord for you~

Your laughing eyes,

Deep thoughts, concerns,

Passionate ways,

All the memorable days,

The joys and triumphs,

The arguments and sorrows

Have all led to stronger tomorrows.

Your commitment

to us, your family,

Means the world to me.

Funny, I did not mean for this to be a post about Chris, etc. I had originally intended to merely share this great recipe I just whipped up and put in the fridge to chill and try out... but, here I've ended up going on and on about how thankful I am for my Chris. Guess it needed to be said... he's been on my heart alot lately I suppose.

Banana Pudding IV

found @ Allrecipes.com

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (I used a little less, about 3/4 of the can, so it wouldn't be too sweet.)
• 1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix (I used a little more, two pkges. of 3.5 oz.)
• 3 cups cold milk (added a bit extra, since I had a bit more pudding mix, and less of the cond. milk)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed (I used real whipped cream, of course!)
• 4 bananas, sliced (I used 5 large bananas)
• 1/2 (12 ounce) package vanilla wafers (I used more than half the bag, made sure there weren't any holes, yum!)

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in condensed milk, pudding mix, cold milk and vanilla until smooth. Fold in 1/2 of the whipped topping.
2. Line the bottom of a 9x13 inch dish with vanilla wafers. Arrange sliced bananas evenly over wafers. Spread with pudding mixture. Top with remaining whipped topping. Chill.
3. My note: After pouring the pudding mixture over the layers of wafers and bananas, the 9x13 pan was totally full, so we're just adding a dallop of whipped cream on top of each serving.

Thank you to my Mothers, who have loved and forgiven me much, and to my Grandmothers, who have watched over me, and now my own children, expectantly.

Blessings to all of my Mothering friends, as you nurture your own little baby birds. I thank you for your comradery and daily inspiration. May you enjoy this day.

Thank you to my darling Christopher for giving me our children, this gift of motherhood, and for working so hard that I may live daily with them, at home...

Thank you Lord, for this immense life, love and joy of Motherhood. Every single Mother that you have placed in my life has taught me something valuable.

love~ Beth

Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
Are full of trouble and full of care;
To stay at home is best.

Weary and homesick and distressed,
They wander east, they wander west,
And are baffled and beaten and blown about
By the winds of the wilderness of doubt;
To stay at home is best.

Then stay at home, my heart, and rest;
The bird is safest in its nest;
O'er all that flutter their wings and fly
A hawk is hovering in the sky;
To stay at home is best.

From Birds of Passage. By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"We Have a Beautiful Mother"

We have a beautiful
mother
Her green lap
immense
Her brown embrace
eternal
Her blue body
everything
we know.

- Alice Walker

 

You must wake and call me early, call me early, mother dear.

- from the May Queen, Alfred Lord Tennyson

Ode to Mothers, from my son N:

"Moms rule, Dads drool!" ....hehehehehe (though I'm sure I'll be drooling on Father's Day!)

(and what he wrote in my card was much more thoughtful by the way, made me cry even!)

An Oracle his Mother taught him... from Proverbs

Okay, so I somehow missed 9 weeks! Life has been full, what can I say? But now, today, I thought to check what the color of the week is, over at the A Year of Color picture pool. And whadaya know? It's violet red, and I've some pics that color that I took just last week, so I'm jumping back in.

This morning here I sit with a congested baby in my arms, and the other baby is asleep. All six of the kiddos are sick. *bleck* Yes, I prayed for the Lord to provide the grace to get me through this day... and He is. Sorry if I sound whiney, but I can't whine to the kids' parents you know, and I don't want to whine to Chris when he gets home (well, maybe just a little...;) ), so, you're it. But hey, this isn't whining! N has been groggily sitting on the couch, reading his National Geographic mags., and watching the boob tube - two of his fave shows, Little House on the Prairie and Mash. T is drawing at the table with little E and little S, all of them providing a symphony of coughs and occasional giggles or squabbles. And yes, I'm sick too... have about lost my voice, so not much going on here today besides folding laundry, feedings, lots of tea drinking and a bit of blogging, and hopefully a nap soon.

T and her friend G decided to have tea on Thanksgiving day (while Serena, Joelle and I were busily cooking away). They came bounding indoors from outside, announcing that they were going to have a tea-party, and then they disappeared. We'd thought that they'd forgotten about it, until they appeared from T's room all dressed up. Apparently, they'd been getting ready. They asked if they could have Nilla wafers with egg nog and chocolate milk. "But of course!" says I. "What a cool idea girls!" I just love that they did ALL of this on their own!

Violet Red is...

pouring a cuppa...

love for a friend...

drinking from dainty teacups...

dressing up prettily...

being a lady...

I heard this beautiful poem, "The Marriage-Bed" by Michael Simms read-aloud this morning on npr, by Garrison Keillor on his Writer's Almanac program. If you click on the link, you'll see there's a real-audio link for you to hear his recitation. I just wanted to share it, absolutely, brilliantly, wonderfully, intimately beautiful and true!

The Marriage-Bed (click to read)

A child looking at ruins grows younger
but cold
and wants to wake to a new name
I have been younger in October
than in all the months of spring
walnut and may leaves the color
of shoulders at the end of summer
a month that has been to the mountain
and become light there
the long grass lies pointing uphill
even in death for a reason
that none of us knows
and the wren laughs in the early shade now
come again shining glance in your good time
naked air late morning
my love is for lightness
of touch foot feather
the day is yet one more yellow leaf
and without turning I kiss the light
by an old well on the last of the month
gathering wild rose hips
in the sun

- W. S. Merwin, The Love of October

There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October.

- Nathaniel Hawthorne

Thursday Photo Challenge

CURRENT Theme is "AUTUMN"
(Harvest, Farmer's Markets, Colorful Leaves, Frost, Birds Gathering for Migration, Festive Fall Crafts, Sweaters...)

Turquoise is the open sky,

painted horses...

finally finishing a project with your hands...

prayers offered up,

pinwheels,

Spring-time~

Renewal.

Turquoise is bits of earth,

collected memories

of wild places,

~other times

loved ones faces...

set in silver.

Turquoise is gifts given...

reminder of what beauty

hides in darkness,

waiting to be discovered.

All rights reserved: poem & picture copyrighted by Beth Brewer

Yes, I'm a bit behind on my year of color posts (like 3 weeks!)... but here's to doin' 'em anyways (because we all know that it just wouldn't be right to skip a week!).

Pine Green is...

smiling at an upside-down world,

the security of Daddy's old shirt,

worn and cherished by your brother before you ~

eternal youth.

All rights reserved: poem & picture copyrighted by Beth Brewer 

Song

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
Are full of trouble and full of care;
To stay at home is best.

Weary and homesick and distressed,
They wander east, they wander west,
And are baffled and beaten and blown about
By the winds of the wilderness of doubt;
To stay at home is best.

Then stay at home, my heart, and rest;
The bird is safest in its nest:
O'er all that flutter their wings and fly
A hawk is hovering in the sky;
To stay at home is best.

CURRENT Theme is "HOME"
(House, Apartment, Mobile Home, Motor Home, Tent, Hotel, Homeless,...)

Wisteria is wondering...

Where morning stars

Wander off to

When dusk whispers softly

of dark approaching ~

as she flies into hushed dreams,

First

and Last

color of the day...

Wisteria is in the way

Time passes so quietly,

her fingers weaving memories

of little boys growing up...

Flowers offered by little, loving hands,

Wilted wishes for neverlands.

Incense on the wind,

Like hopes hung out to dry.

Days outgrown and

passing by,

Like stars lighting up the sky.

Days of regret

and promise yet ~

Waiting for the watchful eye,

Keeping time with days gone by.

Wisteria is well wishes

Winsome remembrances

that send us reaching

For we must try...

To reach that sky.

Copyright: pictures and poem by Beth Brewer, all rights reserved.

Hi! Yes, I am still alive and well... just haven't spent much time on my 'puter much this last week, as some of you may have noticed. I hope to catch up soon though. And so anyways... I'm a little late with my "year of color" post here, but haven't forgotten it. Though I wasn't uploading my pics in a timely manner, I was indeed seeing orange last week, and so I shall share these views here with you, along with a little free verse. Better late than never, right?

A View of ORANGE

It's when happy yellow gets a little crazy...

Orange is sand

in summer's sun glittering,

collected years ago someplace

by little hands,

with a happy face.

Orange is remembering

warm promises

of cool changes.

Orange is the wild inside

shadows on walls

within hidden chambers...

hilarious laughter

at the garden party I wasn't invited to...

Orange is butterfly weed

displayed in green

petals tied on with delicate string

all dancing round happily,

a merry ring.

Orange is this joyous life

that makes me sing,

golden orange

freckled and crowned,

my little king.

The golden orange

sparkling stars, delicate comets

that streak the silken petals of cool new sky,

so blue.

Dawn reflected in her most vivid hue

glory revealed this morning,

and smiling in you.

~ Beth Brewer

***************************

And tonight, there was a sliver of an orange moon...

“He hangs in shades the orange bright,

 

Like golden lamps in a green night.”

~The Bermudas, by Andrew Marvell

Magenta is the color of Spring,

Flirtaciously flaunted by Redbud trees,

red and blue kissing

with white inbetween...

apples becoming...

words to sing.

Dogwood branches laughing with these,

bringing us into summer with ease

promising nourishment

brought by the sun.

...the color of sweet

when day is done.

...the soft of thistle

when honey is spun.

Magenta is warmth on a cold

winter's day,

rosy cheeks

of children at play.

Magenta is golden down

crown-crested,

haughty airs with beady eyes

proud-chested.

****

Well... there wasn't a poem for magenta in my colors poetry book, so I wrote this one myself! It was fun, hope you like!

~ May you have a *magenta day*!!

Magenta is a color made up of red and blue light. A common precise definition for the color does not exist--however, in printing, the color is made up of equal parts of red and blue. As such, this shade magenta is the complement of green: magenta pigments absorb green light. In any case, it is not a spectral color: it cannot be generated by light of a single wavelength. ~ magenta, wikipedia.