mothering little ones

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Shanda

I find myself contemplating the end of my *mothering preschoolers* stage of life. Since the age of 21 I have been caring for my own darling tiny children, truly, the work of raising them up has been the joy and purpose of my life, so far. I know that mothering never ends as long as I have children to love, but there is something so sweet and tender about the preschool years.

I’ve loved all seven of them with a love that surprised me. When I wrapped my arms around them and held them close, breathed them in, it did something to me that I will always remember. Does God give children to us because they need us or because we need them? Oh how much I have learned in being a mama.

Now that the older six are in school, it is just Sarah and me at home during the day.

(I’ve given her a bath this morning. Her hair is pulled back in a pony tail now, and she has a sparkly elastic headband around her hair. It has five stars on it. She’s sitting on the couch looking at one of her brother’s Star Wars books. We’re listening to Elizabeth Mitchell music. “You are my flower, you’re blooming there for me.”

She just put the book aside. “There’s no girl in this book.” she complained.)

We went for a walk on Friday and she was crying at the end of it because she was tired, but we enjoyed it anyway and talked about it together all weekend. Three of our four cats came with us and I realized that next year at this time, when Sarah Joy is in Kindergarten, I’ll probably be filling up this blog with pictures of my cats.

As Sarah and I walked, the cats ran past us and one time Sarah almost got knocked over by Billy. If we stopped, they stopped, or climbed a tree. They chased each other and did unexpected things. Walking with Sarah and three cats felt a little bit like 5 years ago, walking through the woods with five little ones and a baby in my arms. (when I was still homeschooling)

We saw some mushrooms. It had rained the day before so they were damp. This one was so very shiny that we bent to touch it’s top and discovered it was very slimy. When we lifted our finger off it a string of thick goo came up, too.

My friend Bobby Jo asked me recently if I had ever seen a “fairy ring” of mushrooms and we came close on this walk. I suppose you could call this a “fairy half-ring”.

And then we saw several of these on the trail under the oak trees in the forest.

Puff ball in Aspic or, “calostroma cinnabarinum”

SO interesting!!

It was the first time I observed them at this stage, just ready to PUFF for us.

Sarah had such fun pinching each one over and over until all the puff was gone, the round orange tops were dry and felt similar to thin rubber.

I carried acorns and other little forest things home in the pocket of my shirt (now surrounding a pillar candle). Sarah worried about losing the cats and eventually gave way to tears. Thankfully she got tired within sight of the house and with some encouragement and we all made it home for a nice nap.

“Oh Lord, thank you for the life you have given me. Help me in the sadness I feel in the ending of these busy years of mothering tiny children. Help me to feel contentment and gratitude that it happened, and not grieve too much, that it’s almost over. Help me to remember that these years have not been easy and there is much to be glad about in moving on to the next stage, such as never having to buy diapers again, (which is all I can think of at the moment). Thank you that in mothering the helpless I have learned so much about YOU, because that is what you do for me. In my weakness you make me strong. When I am hungry you feed me. When I am thirsty you give me drink. When I am sad you comfort me. You are my rock and my salvation, I honor and praise you, Jesus. Amen”

“Children are not angels, and yet they bring from heaven to earth many fragments of loveliness. Their influence in a home is a benediction. They soften hearts and change the whole thought of life in their parents. It is no more of self. They begin to live for their children. The children open love’s chambers. They train their parents in patience, gentleness, thoughtfulness. While a young child is in a home a school of heaven is set up there.” J.R. Miller

{this moment} “who’s bigger?”

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.

pink cat

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Shanda

these days

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Shanda

Yesterday morning I walked out of the house into a sparkling fall day. In my hands was a little vintage fiesta plate of leftover banana bread and cereal milk from breakfast, to serve the hens. They seemed to enjoy the treat.

They explored the grass along the fence. There are five full grown hens and two half-grown ones.

We do not let the little ones stay outside for very long because the cats come over to try and hunt them. The poor things.

I gave them a bowl of chick food in a yellow fiesta bowl. The way they hop in and out of the bowl, peeping and scratching food everywhere, is amusing.

The leaves were turning.

The fall flowers were in bloom.

My heart was singing.

You are the joy in my morning
You’re my song of praise
Just like the new day dawning
Flooding my world with grace.

Isn’t this green and pink combination BEAUTIFUL?

Caleb was home sick from school yesterday. He had an upset stomach and a high fever. He was on the couch curled up in his soft blanket and as much as I was able, I was sitting by him. The children are so needy and love to have me near when they are sick. As much as I hate to see them suffer, and as long as I know it’s only a common children’s illness, I confess– I love the cuddle time.

Caleb likes to talk. It was an eye-opener to me when he said, “You know why I bury my head in the couch to sleep? Because I don’t want my picture taken.” My heart was so sad to think that I unknowingly made my poor boy uncomfortable with photography, it’s just that I think he’s so cute. He doesn’t like the feeling that I’m taking pictures when he’s sleeping. I told him I would never take another picture of him unless I knew it was okay and I asked him first. He told me that one day he was falling asleep on the bus and a couple of girls took a video of him. It bothered him. I told him some things he could do about it, such as telling them that their Dad doesn’t want videos taken of him, or going to the principal or the bus driver for help, or asking them to delete the video.

We seem to be living in a time when privacy isn’t understood or desired. I know that I personally love to share on my blog, but there is a part of me that almost envies that time not so long ago when families were in their homes and their lives were virtually unknown to the rest of the world. They had their own private and intimate lives within the walls of their “nest”, special and meaningful only to them.

It is something to think about.

(I asked Grace about this, too, and she said she was absolutely fine with me taking pictures of her whenever I wanted.)

I asked Caleb if I could take this picture and he agreed.

Rich and I purchased a coffee table and a loveseat this weekend. We needed more places for people to sit when they come and visit us and we were thankful to find things that we didn’t have to order and wait for. Ethan Allen was having a floor sample sale on a lot of their furniture. Both pieces have small problems but in our family we would rather buy things on super-clearance-sale WITH a problem, then to pay full price for a perfect piece that will get scratched the next day.

The maroon throw at the end of the love-seat is the latest loved comfort with everyone….it’s our very first electric blanket….and the children are all so very appreciative. Ethan had it last night after football practice when he was shivering cold. Seth fell asleep under it when he was sick last week. Sarah had it this morning when the house was chilly. Seth accidentally called it the “electra blanket” and the name has stuck. We love our “electra blanket”.

I have been having fun freshening up the house (after an inspiring visit to my friend Lydia’s house). I had Rich and the boys move the piano from the living room to the new addition and so far we all really like it in there. You can’t tell by the photo, but there is still a good amount of room between the table and chairs and the piano, so we don’t feel squeezed.

I bought our first full length tablecloth, long enough for our big table. It’s a linen fabric with golden leaves stamped on it. We have 8 chairs around the table, and one bench that seats 2.

I also bought the mirror on the right side of the picture. It’s reflection brings in even more of the sunshine.

I’ve been longing to use more of the rhubarb from my garden that Mr. G so thoughtfully gave me to plant before he moved last fall. I found a great recipe for a pie. I used a store-bought crust, and baked it yesterday afternoon. Everyone liked it.

Rhubarb Pie

5 cups sliced rhubarb
6 rounded Tablespoons flour (an odd measurement…it’s basically 1/2 a cup)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt

Let rhubarb mixture stand at room temperature for 20-25 minutes, then stir and add to a pastry lined pie plate. Sprinkle on top of the filling 2 Tablespoons melted butter, 1 Tablespoon flour, and 1/4 cup brown sugar. Place the top crust over and pinch the edges to seal. Poke top of pie with a fork and bake in a 400 degree oven 45-50 minutes (or until done).

Recipe adapted from one of my favorite cookbooks, A Return to Sunday Dinner, by Russell Cronkhite.

I love candlelight, and these days, my favorite is a chocolate layer cake candle from Yankee Candle. The children, especially Ethan, hate it because it smells so realistic that they are disappointed when there aren’t brownies or chocolate cakes in the kitchen (only rhubarb pie). The candle holder makes me laugh, it’s also from Yankee Candle, and it’s a spoof on Snow White and the seven dwarfs. I told the children it’s me and the seven of them. “But where’s Dad?” they asked. “He’s at work!” I reply.

After Seth got home from Kindergarten we went outside to play. Sarah cut a chunk of her hair off a few months ago so it doesn’t fit into a ponytail unless I use about five bobby pins. Still cute.

“Mom, bring your camera! David has a snake!”

The stream is low so there are plenty of rocks to step on, which makes it easy to walk up and down the stream, exploring. I got my head too close to the branch of a pine tree and it took my headband off and flung it someplace….it was black and I never did find it.

We found crayfish.

I watched this one for a little while. It was busy, I saw it pick up an acorn-cap in it’s little legs. It shuffled around, keeping an eye on me (the big monster?)

The boys like to eat them but yesterday I wouldn’t let allow it …. I became friends with this one.

I took this picture last night because Sammie and Sherlock were sleeping together on the couch. Would you believe they are from the same litter? Sherlock is so much bigger than his sister!

“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has the eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” Augustine

gillette castle

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Shanda

My husband Rich took Monday and Tuesday off from work because our anniversary was Tuesday. We went to Gillette castle on Monday and I showed no restraint when it came to picture-taking so I have sixty-some pictures to share here today.

On the way there we stopped at this interesting little cafe for a bathroom break. It was called Two Wrasslin’ Cats and there were cat figurines and pictures everywhere. It was great. I had a lemon ginger scone, Sarah had a cookie, and Rich had a coffee.

As soon as we got out of the truck at Gillette castle, Rich told me to take a picture of this tree. ^^

You first have to go into the Visitor Center to buy a ticket (in order to see the inside of the Castle).

The bathrooms were clean and spacious and there were a lot of stalls, but the each toilet was like a portapotty…..sort of scary for Sarah. No flushing necessary. The sinks were normal, however.

William Gillette had the castle built for his home, he was a famous actor in his time best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes.

We bought our tickets and then went into a room to watch a movie about William Gillette. He was the youngest of six children. He was so much younger than his siblings that he was often treated as an only child.

“William’s parents wanted him to follow a more dignified line of work, possibly the law or politics; something more suited to his family class and background. But William had his own thoughts.” Love it.

The saddest thing we learned about Gillette was that his wife, whom he loved deeply, died at the age of 28 from a ruptured appendix. He never married again.

His castle is noted for it’s creative doors. They are all hand-carved and no two are the same.

William was fond of the railroad and built his own three mile run for a small train on his property. Here, Sarah is sitting in one of the old cars. ^^

We learned that he generously gave rides to his guests, and Albert Einstein was most terrified when he was behind the wheel. LOL

Another amusing note about William Gillette and his wishes for his property after he died.

Rich and Sarah Joy next to Gillette’s engine.

The seat Gillette sat on to drive the train!

Behind the visitor’s center is a porch with a breathtaking view. Rich and I both said we would love to go back in a few weeks to see the fall colors.

We know nothing about the vegetable cellar but we were intrigued by it.

We were approached the castle on a nice path and stopped for a picture.

Sarah is wearing a sweater made by her Great Great Grandmother.

The castle; and the interesting walkway with rock walls.

We were greeted by an elderly lady, who took our tickets and let us in the castle. The first picture I took from within was this window latch.

We were told that this narrow door was used by Gillette to take a peek at his guests….if he didn’t want to see them he snuck away….if he did, he jumped out to surprise them.

Tiffany light fixture.

The first room we went to was the great room (living room area).

I love the fire place and the way the wood was kept on a convenient rolling cart…..

William Gillette owned four pet frogs (no longer, of course, in existence) and he had this fountain and greenhouse full of plants for them to enjoy.

This is a display of coins from around the world which have been thrown into the fountain.

A tour guide talked about this door, and how Gillette thoughtfully had it cut away to give it room to open around the corner chair.

He had an inventive nature and I had the feeling that he completely enjoyed his creation (which was the entire Castle).

Sarah enjoyed trying the handles of every door.

William Gillette loved his cats.

He had a lot of books, which are still all in his bookshelves. We enjoyed leaning over the ropes to read the titles.

The office; notice the chair on the rollers.

The owls in the fire place have glass eyes that glow when a fire is lit behind them. I want them so much!!

kitchen area

A Wonderful old stove, I think it would be fun to use one of these for a month or so. Then, I would like my modern one back.

I love every kitchen I see!

After we explored the downstairs, we moved up a level, to the bedrooms.

Sarah and I looked out the window.

I noticed the wood work.

While she noticed the boat!

More of the *47* gorgeous doors.

He had cat figurines throughout the house.

For a time, he lived in a houseboat called “Aunt Polly” which was named for an elderly lady who nursed him back to health after a bout with tuberculosis. It was from this boat that he saw the site which later became his castle property. In one of the rooms there were museum pieces of some of the remains of the Aunt Polly (which accidentally burnt and is no more).

(His bedroom)

The door to his bedroom.

The lamp in his bedroom. He could reach up and adjust it for reading in bed.

View of the downstairs from the balcony.

Then, we were on the third level, where there was a nice art display and more of his books and letters.

We exited the castle and meandered our way back to the visitor’s center for a bathroom break. Then, we got our books out of the truck and went back to read, sitting on the benches outside the castle with a view of the river. Sarah played with a few little toys that she brought with her.

The property is a State Park and we would love to go back to explore some more.

*All information in this post is to the best of my own sometimes faulty recollections. For more information click here.

Thank you for visiting the blog today, my friends!

{this moment} love letter to his girl

Posted on September 12, 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.

~how to make a cornbag~

Posted on January 28, 2009 by Shanda

(A corn bag is a fabric “pillow” filled with feed corn instead of stuffing. After 2 minutes in the microwave, the corn bag becomes toasty warm and lovely to put in the bottom of your blankets at bedtime to warm up cold toes. You could also put it in the freezer for comforting a headache.)

The other day, I gave away a corn bag here on my site and some of you asked me if I could show you how to make one. They are so easy that I feel dumb even trying to explain it. I believe anyone could make one, even if you don’t have a sewing machine. It would take no time at all to hand sew one for yourself.

The most difficult part for me, was locating the corn needed to fill the bags. You will need feed corn and I found some at a local AGWAY store, it was 2.99 for a five pound bag.

See? Whole feed corn.

You can make the size of your corn bag as big or small as you wish. Today, I cut a piece of flannel that was 21 inches by 12 inches. I recommend using a nice, BEAUTIFUL, thick piece of flannel.

Fold your fabric in half, edge to edge, wrong side out. And pin.

Use your sewing machine to sew around the edges, leaving enough room at the end to turn it right-side out, and to fill it.

After filling it about HALF way with corn, turn the edges of the remaining hole in, and pin together

Sew the seam together with your machine, keeping close to the edge and making sure that you do not leave any size hole whatsoever, or you will be leaving corny bits where ever you take your bag.

Your corn bag is all done! Now you can use it.

Microwave for about 2 minutes to make it nice and warm. Thanks, Mom, for scrubbing out my microwave while you were here. It’s because of you I could take this photo without shame.

Carry your bag away and warm your feet with it. It also feels nice on your lower back, if you have a back ache.

Someone told me that you could also put one in the freezer, to put on your head, if it aches.

Ridiculously easy, don’t you think? Now, if you want to make a label for yours, just go ahead and embroider a word or phrase on a piece of different fabric. I used 4 strands of embroidery floss the other day when I made mine. I sewed the label on by hand, using the same embroidery floss, before I sewed up the seams to make the bag.

This is the label I did the other day:

For this cornbag:

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I hope I did okay at explaining. I don’t see how you could go wrong, however, unless you use pop corn to fill it. Don’t do that.