full and busy

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Shanda

As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily. The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world. ~Terri Guillemets

It’s 7:30pm and dark outside. I can hear water running off the roof and this evening before the sun went down there was a thick, white fog. They say this rain will turn to snow later on toward morning.

The time change has been throwing me a bit of kilter……sleeping a little bit too late into the mornings and a general feeling of being “off” with the clock.

Yesterday the temperature reached the mid 50’s. We spent as much time outside as possible and I even fell–right into the stream.

Today has been full and busy with Community Bible Study and then a trip to Costco. When I got home Ethan, David, and Caleb were already home so they helped put away the groceries. I put a chicken pot pie in the oven and then I went right back out to pick up Jacob from track, and go to the elementary school to meet with 2 teachers.

The parent teacher meetings went well. Generally speaking, I have two smart boys capable of making A+ grades but lacking the drive to achieve them. We all wish we could find a way to “turn them on” to doing their very best all the time.

Since I have some extra time tonight, only because I told my husband I was going to bed and left him alone with the kids, I thought I would post some pictures of the last few days………

On Monday, the little ones went outside to enjoy the snow.

On Tuesday, Ethan and David shot their bows (into a target set up in front of a snowbank).

It’s always fun to be outside in “warm” enough weather for no coat, yet still have snow on the ground

During the children’s nap time yesterday, I went for a little walk on our property, into the woods. I noticed a lot of deer tracks and droppings. There was an actual deer path to the stream.

I followed the path (like a deer) but didn’t drink any water. I walked next to the stream back toward home. It breaks off into different directions and was frozen over with snow on top so I unknowingly walked right over the ice.

I fell right in. I fell in and said out loud, “I just fell in!” No one was around to hear me but I laughed, “I can’t believe I just did that!” I scratched my way back up to solid ground and looked back. Would you believe an egg had fallen out of my pocket! I wanted it so bad but there was no way to reach it without falling back in, and my boots were already so filled with water. I knew I had to just go home.

I had been having a rather dull and blah day mentally (darn time change!) but this little experience perked me right up. I took a dip into a frozen stream and survived, with pride. Like a wild adventurer.

My boots are still upside down on the porch, drying.

Me and my Caleb, or “club” as I sometimes call him, or “clubby”. I love this boy.so.so.much.

I noticed Sarah reading a book to our cat through the window and grabbed the camera……so cute!

making friends

Seth looks so tiny on his Dad’s lap, listening to Little Pilgrim’s Progress. My baby boy (five years old).

Seth requested spaghetti with meatballs for dinner.

After they were cooked through, I put them in the crock pot with this 6 pound can of tomato sauce, to simmer until it was time to cook the pasta.

I also made a big tossed salad with real greens not from a bag. Washing lettuce is such a pain but OH so much better than the (very convenient) bagged stuff. I also added tomatoes, onion, cubed mozzarella, grated carrot, and a shaking of dried oregano.

It was a youth group night so the older kids didn’t eat nearly as much as they usually do and there was a ton of leftovers. *sigh*

But everything was delicious. I love cooking for my family.

When I told Seth to smile he thought I was video-recording him. He leaned forward and said to the phone, “My mom won’t let me have a soda.”

I bought myself some beautiful wild looking flowers, on tall stalks. Little purple flowers, just the prettiest things.

I didn’t get a chance to put them in a vase until I got home from the school and I was rushing, trying to do many things at once. You know how the flowers come with a packet of powdered preservative? Well, I opened the packet up, sprinkled half of it in a vase, and put half the flowers in the vase. I put them in the bathroom. Then, I got a glass pitcher to put the rest of the flowers in and added what I thought was the rest of the packet of powdered preservative. I dumped it all in, used the flower stems to stir it up…..it looked strange…..I grabbed the packet to discover:

I had used the rest of a package of Emergen-C. (the first vase was correct, the second was a completely different packet, I tell you I am going nutso) I burst out laughing and Jacob wanted to know what was funny so I told him. “Well, those are gonna die,” he remarked. “They might live longer!” I replied. I’ll let you know.

Pretty flowers in a pitcher of Emergen-C. I’ll never get over it.

Catnap

All together, all but Grace (who got home at 6). This was taken tonight.

I have to put Grace in this post so here is an old picture of her from December:

She’s wearing make up. She just came in my room a minute ago and asked me to start pinning to her board on pinterest. She and I want to redecorate her bedroom next month, we are collecting ideas. Yes, she is on pinterest and I can’t believe how she’s taken to it. (((I love having a teenage daughter!!)))

I bought this book at Costco today. I love Susan Branch and the inside of this book is all handwritten with illustrations. It’s pretty and fun, like reading her real journal. I always forget that she has a blog, I need to go check it out. I’ve liked her for years– ever since I got married, and someone gave me one of her cookbooks. I also have a Country Living magazine still in it’s bag that I need to read. I got it last week, but in this full and busy season of life there is hardly time to focus on my magazines.

Before I go to sleep at night I read a few pages of War and Peace.

I wanted so much to tell you about Thelma and her eyes but I guess I’ll have to save that for another day.

{this moment}

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Shanda

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.
A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
inspired by soulemama

with my baby

Ethan’s 16th birthday

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Shanda

It was my son Ethan’s sixteenth birthday yesterday and the day dawned bright and cold, after little sleep for yours truly. I awoke with a headache and a bewildered feeling, “what a wild night”. Rich didn’t sleep well either, and after I got up I discovered that Jacob had also been up in the night. He didn’t go to school yesterday because he was sick.

Wednesdays are a very busy day for us because I have my Bible Study, of which I am a core group leader (facilitator) for a room full of wonderful sisters in Christ. The day is typically nonstop and yesterday was even busier because I had a birthday to prepare.

Funny things Seth and Sarah said as we were going Bible study:

Seth: rambling on and on about his night.
Sarah (not to be outdone): “I had a dream last night, TOO!”
Me: “He wasn’t talking about a dream, he was talking about reality.”
Sarah (not to be outdone) “I HAD REALITY, TOO!”

***

And then, as we were going in the church:

Sarah: (cheerfully) “I have to go to the bathroooooom!”
ME: groaning because I really have to get to opening prayer, “really? okay, let’s go.”
Sarah (on potty): nothing is happening
ME: (impatient) “I don’t think you really need to go.”
Sarah: (loudly) “I DO!” (and then, whispers) “And YOU ARE GOING TO STAY WITH ME.” (big blue eyes leaning into mine)

Then, she called perfume, “my fume” which is the best way to say it, really.

I was at study from 9-1:30 and then we headed to Target.

I had to return a 29 dollar garbage can that I bought on Monday and brought home, only to discover that it was broken. Then, I got a big gift bag and found a bunch of little things to give to Ethan for his birthday. He ordered some fancy sneakers last week but they won’t be in until April and we all agreed that he needed something to open on his special day. I got the ingredients for his requested dinner, too.

When I arrived back home I discovered that my sick boy had cleaned the living room, kitchen, and new addition spotlessly. He even rearranged the kitchen things a little to make it all fresh and nice. Oh I was so encouraged by that!

I found Jacob and the birthday boy in front of a nice fire that they made, playing computer games. I hugged them and chatted with them and then set right to work making Ethan’s birthday pies.

I used purchased pie dough and filled each with a can of cherry pie filling, three apples, a sprinkling of sugar, a dusting of cinnamon, and a tablespoon of flour. (They were not as high as Bob would make his pies.)

When the pies were baking, and the little brothers were home from school, Ethan was looking in the cupboards for a snack so I knew it was time for him to look in his birthday bag.

My vision was blocked by the excited siblings. His bag contained a new nerf gun, 75 bullets, and a bunch of snack stuff (which he promptly opened).

Ethan’s pies

I made honey baked chicken for dinner. I trimmed chicken breasts into smaller pieces and poured over the top: One cup of unsalted butter whisked together with one cup of honey, one cup of mustard, and 3 T of curry powder.

I was supposed to let it marinade for at least 4 hours but alas, I had no time to spare so I let it sit out (with foil on top) for about 1/2 an hour before I put it in the oven.

As it baked, I had to go to school to pick up Grace (the galloping music of life plays on).

Zachary and Michael came to help celebrate the evening with Ethan.

With the chicken, we had egg noodles, broccoli, and corn.

Rich entertained us all with his stories.

I think the part of the night that I want to remember the most is all the story telling. Everyone talked and talked. The family needed this night, a night to sit around the table and be together full of happiness because it was another birthday to celebrate.

In fact, I had to finally ask for silence, because after Jacob lit the candles the talking continued until I was afraid the pies would fill with melted wax.

He took a deep breath and blew out 16 candles at once. We clapped and he smiled.

We all told our favorite stories of “E”.

Aunt Mildred called to wish him a Happy Birthday.

Rich and I served out the pie and ice cream on paper plates as the talking continued.

Grace had my camera and took some close ups.

Zachary

Seth

And the birthday boy!

It came to pass, during our conversations, that the source of Jacob’s illness was revealed as pure gluttony. He made himself sick by buying himself an energy drink and drinking it down with some Mountain Dew (while at youth group). To make things worse, he then came home he made himself a bedtime snack of bacon and sausage, of which he ate a great deal more than he should have. We all agreed that it was a good thing he threw it up.

*****

This morning the sun is once again shining but it is only about 10 degrees. Let us hope the temperature climbs up forty degrees today, but even if it doesn’t, God is in control, He is holy and pure, His ways are perfect, nothing surprises Him, and he has abundant love for His own.

*****

“What a mercy, of more value than a thousand worlds, to walk in the fear of the Lord all the day long; to be enabled to live above the smiles or frowns of this world, and to find the love of Christ all-satisfying to our souls; to feel all creature-love swallowed up in Christ, and to know that he loves us better than we love ourselves. Have felt these few days very comfortable, stayed upon the Lord; and today, sweet peace and joy, arising from a believing view of the ever-blessed gospel of the Son of God. As soon as I take my eye from Jesus, and look for anything like comfort from this world, or look within for something to rest upon, I begin to be in trouble, and have again to run into the name of the Lord, which is a strong tower to my soul at all times.” Mary Winslow’s diary, January 21, 1829

fiesta ware for the month of march

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Shanda

Fiesta ware is manufactured in the USA and is a sturdy, simple set of dishes and accessories with elegant but humble lines. Fiesta, in my opinion, is best known for it’s bright, solid colors. Every once in a while a new color is produced and/or an old one is retired, making collecting fresh and exciting. My parents got me started on my fiesta collection in 1998 with cobalt blue, and over the years my collection has grown with many of my friends and family members giving me pieces (thank you!) I used to be much more passionate about adding, but other interests have taken over my time now. I remember the days of going to tag sales just hoping for a find. I think the best day was when I bought a small fiesta teapot clock for ten cents, which has since been broken by the children (it ticked nicely but never did keep the correct time, it was totally worth the 10 cents).

Crackerbarrel used to carry Fiesta in their giftshop, but my best sources now for an immediate purchase is Macy’s or Kohl’s. At full price, it is very much out of my price range, I only buy on sale and sometimes find a good clearance price.

Brimfield Antiques show (locally) is a great place to purchase seconds and I usually get a piece when I go with my sister once or twice a year.

The best way to receive Fiesta is as generous gifts, but the best way to buy it for yourself (or for your friend Shanda) is online. The HLC Fiesta outlet store is great. They ship quickly and everything is packaged so nicely. It’s a treat to open a box of smooth, shiny fiesta ware, especially if you’ve ordered a variety of colors.

I used to have fun by acquiring it, now I have fun by playing with my collection. For the month of February, I decorated my hutch like this:

Yesterday, I sadly put away all my Scarlet and Rose and White, and happily got out all the GREENS.

(click to view gloriously larger!)

The plate on the bottom left is lemongrass and I don’t know if it really belongs but for the “grass” I kept it, although it is more of a “lemon”.

Green is my favorite color.

It is Ethan’s favorite color, too.

It’s Ethan’s 16th birthday tomorrow, so this is a nice display for the birthday boy, too.

Let me introduce you to some of the pieces:

This is a small heart shaped Shamrock bowl. My friend Elissa sent it to me. I remember opening it and being doubly thrilled because #1 it was fiesta, and #2 I did not know that the heart shape even existed.

My friend Kathy gave me this vintage forest green covered sugar dish. I love the handles. I usually keep this one in a glass cabinet to keep it safe. It feels delicate in my hands and I worry about it’s knob on top, too. Isn’t it beautiful?

I found this vintage light green ice lip pitcher at the antiques show in Brimfield. It was only 15 dollars because it has a chip. It’s solid and nice and round, so friendly, I use it for water and as a vase, too.

This is a modern piece, square Shamrock mug with a java handle (fiesta typically has the trademark “ring” handles).

I found some vintage fiesta ware at a local antique shop and the lady who was selling it had more at her house that she invited me to see. This medium green tea cup was one of the things she sold me from her house while serving me freshly picked raspberries from her vines out back. Medium green is the most valuable of all the colors and I brought it home with shaking hands. (The color is also referred to as “John Deere” green to help differentiate the different shades). It was only produced for 10 years, from 1959-1969.

Only one of my vintage light green salt and pepper shakers has the original cork on the bottom.

The lovely dancing Fiesta lady on a Shamrock trivet.

The pie plate on the bottom left by the shaker is a retired color…Juniper….and the top oval plate is also a retired color…Evergreen….

More about colors here.

The fancy looking large platter on the top is part of a dip set. A small straight sided bowl goes in the middle (lost).

The creamer in front of it is Seamist green.

When I was photographing my dishes Sherlock was trying so hard to get my attention.

Even though he’s orange, I added him to the display.

mother goose and winnie the pooh

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Shanda

“Sometimes,’ said Pooh, ‘the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” A.A. Milne

“What day is it?”
It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
My favorite day,” said Pooh.” A.A. Milne

A.A. Milne, the author of our beloved Winnie the Pooh stories, knew how to think and write with the honest beauty of an innocent child. We love his books, I think, for this reason.

Milne is a favorite, however my house is also scattered all over with Mother Goose nursery rhyme books. If you find yourself in one of those “I just can’t do this any more” moods, read them Mother Goose like my mother did for her children, and my grandmother did for her children. You’ll be uplifted in no time when you are singing all ten verses of London Bridge, and reading silly, surprising little poems that the books are full of, like:

There once were two cats of Kilkenny,
Each thought there was one cat too many;
So they fought and they fit,
And they scratched and they bit,
Till, excepting their nails
And the tips of their tails
Instead of two cats, there weren’t any.

Some of the rhymes are like proverbs, presenting childhood wisdom in a light and fun way.

An apple a day
Sends the doctor away.

Apple in the morning,
Doctor’s warning.

Roast apple at night,
Starves the doctor outright.

Eat an apple going to bed,
Knock the doctor on the head.

Three each day, seven days a week,
Ruddy apple, ruddy cheek.

In the spirit of A.A. Milne, and Mother Goose I would like to share a few little pieces of our own.

They are the words of my two youngest children (they spoke them to me without knowing they were poetry, and I wrote them down.)

“The richest child sits on a poor mother’s lap”, Jacob Simmon Kever (1854-1922)

Seth’s Lap Poem, by Seth

Mother
I want to stay on your lap
Forever
Until the day is over
Until I am grown up
Until I am growned up
When I can read.

Seth’s Mother Goose rhyme, by Seth aged 5

Mother, Mother?
Are you rich?
Do you have
Many money?

Sarah’s Onion Poem, by Sarah aged 3

Mom?
Is this corn?
No. It’s an onion.
An onion! You can tell me the truth you know, is it really corn?
No. It’s an onion.
What is this?
That is it’s skin.
And where are it’s eyes?

Aren’t they fantastic? If you listen closely, I bet the children in your life communicate in poetry, too!

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

In other news,

We went sledding.

We had pancakes on Saturday morning.

Seth fell asleep (my favorite picture from the weekend). Baby face.

We have a new washing machine.

Jacob had a headache.

So I made him brown sugar meatloaf.

My husband took three naps yesterday.

I have to catch up on the laundry today (new washer!) My first one with a drawer underneath. What should I keep in it?

Blessings, peace, and grace to you all my friends.

Shanda (an old woman, who lives in a shoe)

Be always like the lamb so mild
A kind, and sweet, and gentle child.
Sleep, baby, sleep.

{this moment}

Image

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

inspired by soulemama