first friday picnic, baptism, and bible study at our place

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Mat 18:20 “For wherever two or three people have come together in my name, I am there, right among them!”

We had about fifty people from our church family, and neighbors, come to our house on Friday for a church cook out, baptism, and Bible study. As the hostess, I was happily busy trying to make sure the little details of the night came together (with lots of help from friends), but still made sure to take some pictures. Rich and I hope to continue these “First Friday” (of the month) bible studies as much as we are able. This was our very first one.

(The picture up there ^^ was when Rich was giving general information and the prayer from the front porch)

We put the food on the kitchen island. My plan was to keep the meal simple, making sure that we had a good amount for the crowd. I made hamburgers (meat from Costco, mixed with plenty of salt and pepper, onion and garlic powder, finely chopped onion and red pepper). Rich grilled them on our new charcoal grill. We put hotdogs down at the fire pit for people to roast. We also served tossed salad and chips, a bowl of olives, and whatever else people brought to share (potato salad, quinoa salad, coleslaw, fruit, etc). Our guests provided the drink and dessert.

PICTURES:

Our son Jacob, with his “second parents” Chris and Caroline who live just a few miles from us. They have two teenagers who have grown up with my older kids.

Anna and her friend.

Anna’s (family) dog

Six children on the plane; there were kids swarming everywhere. These church gatherings are great for them, because they can run wild.

Boys on trampoline.

dear sweet Shannon ~

David’s best friend from school came with his parents. Dave thought he would be funny and photobomb this one.

Ryan spent the night.

Alex and Jacob

Alex and his wife Sara

We were all down at the pond getting ready for the baptism when I took these.

crazy teenage boys (except Michael; not a teenage boy, still crazy though)

Allie, with my daughter Grace, Alysha, and baby Asher

Shannon, Sue, Naomi (whose daughter was baptized), and Bev

Lydia, Barb, Tina, and Fran

Hope and her baby girl

They set up the sound system on the dock and we sang hymns along with John’s fabulous guitar playing.

During one hymn I ran up to the house to get Vanessa a juice box and took this picture on the way back.

Gary in the pond, with Stacia, who gave a lovely testimony of her salvation.

We were all so happy to share in Stacia’s special night.

Rich gave a bible study down on the patio (I was on the porch looking down)….

I stayed in the house to help watch babies and after the study was over the house filled back up again. People ate dessert and visited while the children (and some of us adults, too) tried their best to hear The Lego Movie playing on TV. The night ended about about 10. Rich and I were wide awake from the excitement of the night so we buzzed around cleaning up the house together, and Jacob took this picture of us.

It ended up being one of those nights that we stayed up talking until after midnight. It was a great.

Thank you to all who came out, and hope to see you (and more) next time!

home for her (quote)

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Shanda

(old cookbooks from my friend Kara)

“She dreamed up her home, filled it with the abandoned goods of other people’s lives, rejected the perfect housekeeping standards of the woman who lived in it fifty-four years before her, opted for imagination over monotony, overruled perfection for authenticity, and out of necessity accepted her role as ‘housekeeper’, but in spirit is a ‘homemaker’. Home for her is inspired by experience, tastes, and the strong desire to keep memories of everything she does not want to lose. She believes fervently in intimacy and comfort and asserts with her philosophical Russian soul, “that beautiful homes bring up beautiful people, in every sense of the word.”

pg 117, A Perfectly Kept House is the Sign of a Misspent Life, by Mary Randolph Carter

(wall in my bedroom with little bits and pieces of my heart)

(freshly picked lilacs on a doily made by Great Grandma)

(beautifully messy bookshelf)

(small things)

(nature art purchased from the antique show, and thrift store)

(latest pages from scrapbook/journal)

outside

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Shanda

Sarah’s been doing this bothersome thing for days now where she wakes up in the night and turns her light on to look at books. If we hear her feet (her room is above ours) we get up and put her back to bed but mostly she gets away with it. I know she does it because she sleeps in until about 9 the next morning. Last night she came in my room at 3:30am and said, “My room is too noisy!” I was so tired that I asked her to get into bed with me, which was a terrible decision because she had insomnia in my bed….after about half an hour she asked for a drink and I put her back to bed upstairs. Her window was open so I shut it for her. (she didn’t like hearing the nighttime sounds).

This morning after the big kids went to school, Seth and I had an hour and a half to ourselves before I went upstairs to wake up sleepy head (night owl). She woke up with her hair wild and a sleepy smile…what a way for her to greet the day, with a look at mama’s funny face peeking into her room and a smile appearing on her own. My heart melted as I walked over to her bed, “Sarah! Aren’t you hungry?” She nodded “yes” and let me pick her up.

I forgot to mention that she fell asleep in my arms last night. I was gone from 5 to 8:30 with little league games and Sarah stayed home with her big brothers, so I went in to check on her at 9 (after showering Seth) and she was still wide awake. I got in bed with her (no covers, it was stuffy in her room after a warm day) and gathered her up…..I felt myself relax with contentment after the busy night, Sarah drifted to sleep and I tiptoed back out of her room.

Davy hit a triple last night. 🙂

Sarah had eggs for breakfast and Seth sat next to her for a snack of applesauce. I brushed her hair back into a ponytail.

They currently have the dollhouse on the floor and are making up stories with all the My Little Ponies, the upstairs of the house is standing room only with them.

I cleaned the living room this morning, it feels so good to sit here in a clean room.

Rich didn’t do laundry while I was away so I got caught up yesterday with about 7 HUGE loads. I hung two of them out to dry on the clothesline. One of which is still there.

While I was down on my hands and knees vacuuming the edge of the room this morning, Seth asked me what was wrong with my feet. They are wrinkled, and yesterday when I was barefoot, dirt became embedded in the cracks…he was concerned. “Oh they’re just dirty, ” I explained.

“MAYBE YOU’RE TURNING INTO A GRANDMA,” he offered, innocently (still concerned.)

After my shower I got dressed and put socks and sneakers on, after rubbing thick lotion into my feet.

*******

On Saturday morning Grace went out for breakfast with her Uncle Dave, Uncle Isaac, and Cassandra. While they were gone, Mom and I ate oatmeal outside and then walked around the lawn.

Here are the photos from that morning outside:

Mom and Dad have several feeders hanging on the porch; the orioles enjoy the hummingbird feeder (goldfinch glowing in the bush behind.)

Mom’s asparagus in the garden. When we went to church the next day, someone tried giving Dad a couple pounds of it from his garden, and when Dad explained that they had their own, he gave it to me.

Basket and Gourd (gourd grown by mom) hung up in the trees by the creek.

a purple flower ground cover that I forgot the name of…..

There were tender bunches of dandelion greens all over the place, I told Mom she could be eating it in her salads but she said no thanks. I bent down to gather some as we walked around, and nibbled on it. They are highly nutritious. Nature’s spring restorative vitamins.

Giant willow tree

She’s already tidied up the iris garden.

A lilac died so she had Dad move it out back and later on discovered some of Tasha Tudor’s foxgloves had transplanted with it.

There were white violets all over the place.

Bluets: a lovely delicate flower.

David and Isaac arrived back home with Grace, and Isaac’s fiancé Cassandra, and we walked with them in the blueberry patch and woods.

Grace went barefoot in the blueberry patch, the ground was soaked with water……

Dave has been making stacked rock sculptures all over the place and he names each one “Ruby”.

It’s amazing how he gets them balanced just right.

He lifted up a rock and found a community of ants underneath so he settled it back into place, not to disturb them.

Grace re-injured her fractured finger by climbing this tree. She couldn’t resist.

Dave set up my camera with a timer so we could get a group picture. I love it. As you can see, Isaac also had his big camera and he took a great many pictures of his bride-to-be. So sweet.

Trout Lily: “Recognized by it’s mottled leaves, this is one of our most common spring wildflowers; it is found in sizable colonies. The name refers to the similarity between the leaf markings and those of Brown and Brook trout.” National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers

I was most excited to find Purple Trilliums because we don’t see them in our woods here in Connecticut. I’m sure we have them, I just don’t know where they are. We found these in the woods behind my parent’s house. See the happy bug on top of this one?

They sort of droop down, and it had rained the night before so they were wet. Their poor heads were tired.

We found close to 20 of them growing around in the woods.

“This common eastern trillium has foul smelling flowers, which attract carrion flies that act as pollinators. As the genus name suggests, the flower parts and leaves of trilliums are arranged in multiples of 3, typical of the lily family.”

Can you believe that? FOUL SMELLING!! I knew this from trying to pick one as a child. I brought hit home and it stunk so bad!

Grace, in Aunt Maria’s rubber boots now, lifted up the head of a Trillium for it’s portrait session.

“It would be well for the designer of tapestries to study the carpets of our forests for his patterns, for he would find there a new carpet every month, quite different in plan and design from the one spread there earlier or later. One of the most beautiful designs from Nature’s looms is a trillium carpet……..It is a fine study of the artistic possibilities of the triangle when reduced to terms of leaves, petals, and sepals.” Anna Comstock, in her highly recommended Handbook of Nature Study.

Brother Dave was hoping to see an orange Newt, and he found two!

These Eastern Newts begin their lives in the water, then grow air breathing lungs and leave water for land (they are orange at this point and called efts). When they become fully mature they go back to the water to lay eggs and live.

After we put it down on a rotten log, it was fun to watch it push it’s way between tree and bark to get away from us big scary monsters.

Grace looking sweet.

One last picture of the lovebirds who are getting married in August.

*******

“This is my Father’s world
the birds their carols raise;
the morning light,
the lily white,
declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world!
He shines in all that’s fair,
in the rustling grass
I hear Him pass
He speaks to me everywhere.”

Maltbie D. Babcock, 1858-1901

Thanks for going for a walk with us!

You are loved, friends.

phone pics; little snapshots of life

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Shanda

Caleb, Seth, Ethan, and David were inspired by the Duck boys.

Seth was so cute on a Sunday morning that I asked to take his picture; he struck a pose.

Oh Grace! Why do you want to read that??? (sister of five brothers)

David caught a bullfrog out of the pond.

Seth had a tick on him; I was able to pull it off but it was a sobering reminder of the problem we have around here with ticks. If they are in your area, be diligent in keeping them off your pets and children (and self). But don’t let them keep you out of the woods!

With my littlest love.

Sarah thought the artificial flowers in the dentist office were real, she smelled them and said they smelled “like chocolate”.

Something got this catfish out of our pond and killed it. Rich and Ethan stocked them a couple years ago so we are sad about it.

At the end of the day I used to hold babies in my arms, now I have no babies. However, I do have cats and a handsome husband ready to snuggle.

Boys on couch. Ethan and Jacob have been sleeping in the living room every night, they think it’s cozier than their own bedroom.

Ethan ready for church on Sunday morning.

Billy cat

I finally put pictures in the locket Hannah gave me for my birthday.

We went to the diner for breakfast yesterday.

We had no milk in the house and the boys had dentist appointments anyway. So we ate and then went to the dentist. It was fun.

Sarah and I had a little walk around the ponds together yesterday afternoon; my darling chatterbox. I picked her up several times for a squeeze.

Chickens in the forest sunshine.

I saw this Carl Larsson painting this weekend and immediately wanted to repot my plants into unifying terra-cotta planters.

So satisfying!

Sometimes my heart hurts because life is so beautiful and short. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time. I never want these days to end and yet I know they must someday. Whenever I feel this way (overwhelmed) I think of how grateful I am to have Jesus….and I am not without comfort for the days to come.

“Thanks be to God–through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:25a

springtime and baseball

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Shanda

It’s funny how the thoughts go back back back to childhood … today was opening day for little league (after church) and I couldn’t help but think so much about my own younger brothers and all the years of watching them play at the fields. Our sons Jacob and Ethan are too old for little league, today we concentrated on David and Caleb….Jake and E weren’t even with us. SO WEIRD. They are growing up and away, little by little. Yes, the older boys stayed after church for the fellowship lunch, and then Wally was going to go over some Javelin tips with Jacob again. Jacob throws for school, and with Wally’s help he beat his own personal record on Friday at the meet.

It’s quite chilly outside today so after several hours I asked my husband if he would drive me, Grace, and the little ones back home. I am currently and happily under a blanket with my feet on a warmed up corn bag with Seth at the end of the couch. Grace is on pinterest next to me and continuously laughing at someone’s “funny” board. Sarah Joy is sitting next to her, watching a movie. (“Once Upon a Forest”) Billy Cat is stretched out so softly next to my legs and Sherlock is curled in a ball by Sarah. We all have our pajamas on already.

I was on pinterest and somehow got to thinking about Trailing Arbutus. Do you know that lovely wild flower? I remember my Grandmother liking it, and it grew in the woods near our home when I was a child. It grows close to the ground, but getting down into the forest leaves to smell it is worth it. It smells wonderful, better than apple blossoms even. I haven’t seen the flower in years and years. There were pictures of it on pinterest so I pinned one and then thought about Yellow Violets. As a child, I remember finding them just one time. I had walked deeply into the woods on Grandpa’s property and was thrilled to discover a bunch of yellow violets…at that time I had not known there was such a flower. I picked one and added it to my bouquet. On the way back home I stopped and showed it to Grandma and she smiled. She knew exactly where I had been. It is a nice memory for me, I felt that we shared a secret delight together. I learned a lot about the flowers and things from my mother, who in turn had learned them from her Mama. And now, when I go for walks I cannot help but point things out and tell my own children about them. Beauty from God.

We spent time outside on Friday. It was a beautiful day. I found the children up on the hill behind the house exploring, and then Sammy jumped up on the fence from the neighbor’s side. She was exploring, too. Isn’t she pretty against the bluest of blue skies?

Daffodils are in bloom and the fuzzy buzzy bumble bees love them.

I am amused by the lengths a bee will go in order to collect pollen.

When we walk by the edge of the smaller pond, hundreds of bullfrog tadpoles ripple away, out of the shallow water. Going up closer to investigate will scare the last brave ones from the edge. Once they swim into the deeper water, it’s funny to stay and watch them go up to the surface to breath. There are SO MANY, if they all develop into full grown frogs I am afraid we will have a Biblical proportion of them (like a plague). Parker the dog enjoys the challenge of catching one in his front teeth. He does not let the tadpole touch his lips at all, just the teeth.

He detests bullfrog tadpoles.

After he brings one back into the grass and lays it gently down, he gags in deep hisses.

He can’t resist the urge to pick it up again with quivering lips and dainty teeth.

He plays with it a minute, rolls on it, and then goes back to get another.

No, he can’t bring himself to do it twice. Once is enough.

Tadpoles are cold and slimy, and they disgust him.

We look at wild flowers next.

Sarah likes to ask me if she can pick one. I say “yes”.

Seth goes across the monkey bars and I ask him if he can go all the way. He has to work, and I marvel at the bodies of young children, so light and mobile and strong.

I tried to help him once but he panted, “I want to do it by myself!”

He made it across and was proud of himself.

After throwing tiny pinecones into the long pond and watching the fish grab them and pop them back out of their mouths, we headed to the stream.

A hen came over to see what was up. So very nosey! What a busy-body!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next day, Saturday, it rained and rained all day. The boy’s Little League Opening day was cancelled.

It was today instead. We went to church, came home to quickly change, and then headed to the park.

It was a big to-do with “thank you’s”, dedication of benches (in memory of those who passed away over the last year), trophies, a presentation of the banner for last year’s winners, etc, etc, National Anthem sung, players name’s announced (including our Davy’s) and then….finally….the first games of the season.

Caleb

David. Please keep me in your thoughts as I try to keep these pants white all season.

Sarah had a ring pop.

The movie is over, it is time for me to serve a little something for dinner. It will be an early bedtime for Seth and Sarah tonight.

Have a blessed evening, my friends.

You are loved.

being a mama

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Shanda

“the way the ice melted (down the middle)”

The beautiful spring came;
and when nature resumes her loveliness,
the human soul is apt to revive also.
Harriet Ann Jacobs

April hath put
a spirit of youth
in everything.
William Shakespeare

“Grace and David climbing a tree”

Spring’s greatest joy
beyond a doubt
is when it brings
the children out.
Edgar Guest

“going on an adventure”

“looking for the fish”

I’ve been a stay at home mom for 17 years and here in the Northeast, the arrival of blessed spring time is always whole heartedly welcomed by myself and the children. It’s been a cold spring so far this year but little by little we are spending more time outdoors. It is almost impossible to keep socks and shoes on the children, and jackets, too. They are so full of energy and joy in being outside again. They love the ponds, the stream. The dog likes to scratch rocks out of the edge of the pond and run off with them. We haven’t seen a turtle yet, but we’ve seen fish and some bullfrog tadpoles that woke up from their winter sleep. We are starting to hear the spring peepers and frogs in the distance, too.

As for myself, I am feeling content, even if a little frazzled. I have no anxiety, just the feeling of needing to take one section of a day at a time. Ethan has been sick over the weekend and through this week, with *either* bronchitis or pneumonia, we are not exactly sure which. I took him to a walk in clinic on Sunday and he was put on antibiotics, but as of this morning he was not perking up like he should so I took him to his own pediatrician for more advice. Good ol’ Doctor P helped him out and reaffirmed my instincts that he wasn’t shaking the illness like he should. He sent us home with things for breathing treatments and a list of things to do for him like; motrin (for a sore back), vicks (for the cough), probiotics (to use with the antibiotics), lots of fluids (soup and gatorade), saline (for his sinuses), and of course plenty of tissues and motherly TLC. I have the couch made up with a clean sheet and blankets for him to lay on, and a nice clean pillowcase for his pillow. He sleeps and rests. Right now he is watching Duck Dynasty. I hope and pray he feels better soon, he’s been pretty low for about 2 weeks, but like his Dad does, he has been trying to tough it out, only to have his body crash “enough is enough”. He won’t be able to go back to school this week, doctor’s orders.

It is sort of fun to have someone to fuss over. 🙂

Every afternoon I have Jacob to pick up from track practice at 4:30 and Grace to pick up from music at 6:30. David and Caleb also have little league practices, too.

A word of advice for (oftentimes distracted) moms of many: don’t forget to nurture your children. I feel bad because Ethan has been complaining of a backache for 2 days and I never even touched his back or looked at it…..at the doctor’s office the doc had me feel his muscles….on one side of his spine the muscles were relaxed and normal, on the other side (lower back) his poor muscles were so tight, it was completely obvious! If only I had done this simple thing at home, I could have helped him much sooner with a massage. Just because I have seven children doesn’t mean I can skimp on attention and nurturing each and every one of them. I have a responsibility to care for them all, not “over the top” spoiling, but simple, practical, loving care and attention. THEY didn’t ask to be born into a big family, it was my choice, and the sacrifice of time and energy is something I MUST give to them as they grow……..this is something I have been convicted of. A mom MUST sacrifice and do her best to take care of her children …. and the more children she has the more time it will take. There is so much satisfaction in doing our very best with our families, caring for them.

I go from one thing to another, yes, but nothing is more important than the children (and husband, too, of course). The cooking and cleaning can wait. Today for lunch I gave Seth and Sarah a piece of bread with peanut butter and a glass of milk. Simplify when in times of sickness or trial. Give up a clean house, give up the more complex meals, in order to redeem the time for the child who needs extra care. And even on “normal days” a family of seven children still needs a lot of time to be invested in each child; checking on them, talking to them, clipping the nails, checking the ears, going over clothes to be sure they are fit to be worn to school, NURTURE, NURTURE, NURTURE………….they cannot be left to themselves when they are so young. They need Mom. Those little extra things like a massage, or essential oils, or brushing my daughter’s hair for 20 minutes, these things don’t always come to my mind, but it is something I want to improve on in my mothering. (any tips)

Yesterday I sat next to Caleb, checking him all out (he’s 8) and he finally said, “Are you done checking me like I am an ape?” LOL

*******

Seth and Sarah and I went to the thrift store last week and got all this for 2 dollars and fifty cents. A 5 by 7 frame, two Easter baskets, 3 stuffed bunnies, four books, and a wooden “chicken/egg” decoration. Sarah also got a plastic snow globe. It was fun. We like to walk there after I get my Post Office business done.

This is our new boy, Billy-Cat. We love him. He is soft and interesting. When we pick him up we never know if he will nonchalantly bite us. David made this toy mouse for him by hand. I just had to tie the knot on his threads.

Snickers is the only one who will tolerate Billy-Cat. Billy is so new that the other 2 cats run away from him, yowling loudly.

I’m turning into a crazy cat lady!!!!! We have four now. 🙂

And of course, the chickens. I sat outside and watched them enjoy the sunshine. They settle down into the leaves, lift up their wings, roll around, they just love being outside in the sun. We get about 5 eggs a day, which is a nice amount. We have just enough so I don’t have to worry about what to bake in order to use up 3 dozen eggs! LOL

Rich had a business meeting here at our place on Friday and one of the men brought me this beautiful bouquet of flowers.

I made a nice lunch for everyone.

1. Deli platter from grocery store
2. homemade buns (these were a BIG hit)
3. sliced tomato, seasoned with salt and pepper (for sandwiches)
4. mayo, pesto mayo, mustard
5. tossed salad
6. jello salad
7. pretzels
8. boiled baby potatoes, with plenty of butter, salt, and pepper

For dessert I bought 3 dozen baby cupcakes from the bakery.

And that is all the news from our place. How are you doing? I hope you are well and enjoying these early spring days. xo
“You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.” Psalm 16:11

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.

good to be home

Image

A Simply Lovely Life

Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. 1 Corinthians 7;17

***

It’s easy to be losing patience with the end of winter here in the North, where the ground is frozen and the snow is rock-hard. The little ones are finding even more creative things to do around the house, for example, squirreling into the drop ceiling downstairs (!) like common mice.

The desire of my heart is to settle in, and content myself with my HOME, and what it means to me, to all of us, to be here day after day, my purpose, my life, my all, my joy.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

We are in the world, but not of it, because everything we do is sacred, with Jesus in our heart and soul. It’s not about me, it’s about God.

Flipping pancakes with blueberries, serving them up with real butter and Grandpa’s maple syrup from New York (place of my childhood).

Listening to Seth say, “You should make pancakes on every tomorrow.”

Satisfaction in trying to make them the very best I can, even if one tears in half when I go to flip it. The children love them, and the dog gets a leftover *if there are any*.

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15, 16

Sunshine through a ready bowl of apples. Nurturing the family with crisp and juicy fruit. I’ll even peel it or slice it for you.

Thankful for the fresh eggs of our flock of hens, who are beginning to lay as they should (a sign of spring). Brown and sage.

My Mom taught me to keep my roses even after they dried, to use in simple rose garlands.

It only takes about five minutes to snip the pretty flowers off their stems and string them on a piece of thread with a needle, for a garland.

Homekeeping can seem like such a solitary life but He is always with us.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever–the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

The comfort of His daily bread.

The beauty of a daughter.

The silliness of a daughter.

My friend Barb makes her own baskets but ours are from Target. Wouldn’t it be fun to make one?

I adore gray and pink together, and I still remember my Grandma telling me that she did, too.

Saying “yes” to fancy dress because life is short and little girls grow too fast.

Legos all over the house.

Snickerdoodles, a cookie I’ve made my whole life beginning with Aunt Colleen in Grandma’s kitchen, and just lately, in my own kitchen.

1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. cream of tarter
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

2 3/4 cups flour

****

mix in small bowl:

1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375. Cream shortening, sugar, and eggs together till smooth. Mix in dry ingredients. From into 1 inch balls. Dip into sugar/cinnamon mixture. Place onto ungreased baking sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly browned.

Oh they are so good. So good.

Sarah said, “Can I have a kitty? I mean, a cookie?”

Be on the look out for end of season sales. I bought two Valentine placemats from Pottery Barn kids for next to nothing.

(Surrounding them with beautiful things.) Feathering the nest.

A sweet place to play.

A little glass pig on the kitchen windowsill.

My little rose garland (they can be extended easily with future rose bouquets) and the Dottie Angel wire heart decoration that I made myself this year for Valentine’s day.

I used things from my own stash of pretty (scroll down if you click) and I love how it turned out. All starting with a wire hanger, don’t you know. LOL

These are the Chocolate Crinkle cookies I made yesterday for the children as they watched Frozen together on the couch. The recipe is from The King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion cookbook that I got for my birthday. They turned out great, in fact, there are only 2 left.

Sarah! Is writing her name now! I just can’t stand it.

And my Seth. They learned about Blind Bartimaeus yesterday in Community Bible Study.

Look:

Isn’t that the dearest thing? You lift his “blind face” to see his new one, with healed eyes. There is no doubt that THOSE eyes can see! 🙂

Praise God.

Last night, small Sarah fell asleep so softly with her head on my arm as her Dad read to us all from our #1 family favorite book:

Last night we read about the Wanton woman, and Mr. Talkative.

We never heard about Mrs. Wanton in “Little Pilgrims Progress” so we were kinda like, bug eyed, but Rich said “Apparently someone in this room needs to hear this.” All boys do, right? Look out for Mrs. Wanton! Don’t follow her enticing ways.

And Mr. Talkative does the talking but not the actual living a life of grace. “I have heard that you are a man whose religion consists only in words and that your everyday life contradicts what you say.” Oh, there is a lesson in that as well.

*****

Thankful for:

Grace brushing my hair last night.
Seth’s hug that was more like a tackle around the legs. (He almost took me down with it!)
Sunshine pouring through the windows as I type.
The beautiful mess of a busy household.
The laughter of teen age boys.

38 candles

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Shanda

I had a birthday yesterday and for the first time probably EVER I wasn’t all worked up about it. I usually get so excited and expectant and I know there were times when I was a teenager or a young adult when I came crashing down with tears when my loved ones didn’t care about my birthday as much as I thought they would, (SO selfish, *sigh*).

I knew for a fact that I would be busy half the day because CBS is on Wednesdays and after missing three weeks I had absolutely no choice in the matter, I had to be there. So I told Rich from the get-go that he didn’t need to make any plans. We could do something on Valentine’s day for a special treat.

BUT MY HUSBAND, this is so touching to me, had it in his head to spoil me the whole day long, beginning with breakfast in bed. Wednesday mornings are typically very hectic for me, getting five kids out the door and then getting Seth and Sarah ready to go to Bible Study. Yesterday my darling did everything and I left at 8 feeling calm and prepared (what a difference!).

He gave me a bouquet of small roses and I took them with me in a white fiesta vase!

Birthdays are a great day to pray “thank you” to God all day long and that is just what I did. As I was with the ladies (“my” ladies) for four hours yesterday I was thanking God for them and the blessing of meeting so many beautiful women (Debbie W.!) who are family to me because we share the same born-again experience, in Christ. We had our studies, then a special brunch, and a wonderful message from Annie. Then, leadership met afterwards for more fellowship and study, laughter, joy in simply being together.

I left with a full-heart but actually needing a nap and arrived back home to HIM, who was ready to whisk us back out the door for birthday spoiling. We picked up our little boys at school and headed downtown to my favorite little shop, where my Alaskan friend Hannah had arranged to have a gift ready for me to pick up.

Thank you, Hannah, for being so thoughtful and fun. Your gift was a highlight of the day. I adore the locket and the journal. love you.

coffeeshop

I had a bagel with cream cheese and sliced tomato.

The boys had soda. Sarah had an apple juice.

Not much elbow room but I love snuggling in the corners with my family.

Face of love. Face that I love. This man is attractive, generous, tender, kind, strong, and means the world to me.

The chess game developed into bickering, teasing, loud laughing, until I cautioned, “My birthday’s getting worse and worse!” I regret those words and wish I could take them back because I broke Caleb’s heart. He stopped playing, looked at me, and began to cry in sorrow. I held him in my arms and kissed him and told him I was so sorry……. and, because I knew it would cheer him up…..I told Rich the next stop was Barnes and Nobles bookstore. Off we went, where Caleb poured over books (he is an amazing reader for 8 years old) and came away with four new ones. 🙂

I also ran into Marshalls to buy hair products because my winter hair is driving me CRAZY.

My birthday gifts from the bookstore. My mom has the same cookbook (another highlight of the day was talking to her and Dad on the phone, as they called to wish me a Happy Birthday) xo

When we left the bookstore, we drove straight to the High School for Grace, Jacob, and Ethan. Grace showed me this picture of herself on the wall, she is part of the “Singin in the Rain” production this spring and this is one of her costumes. I think she’s beautiful. And happy.

Jacob and Ethan had a wrestling meet.

I think it’s so cute to see the guys all dive into the middle of the mat after warm ups.

Ethan won his, and Jacob lost his. It was fun to be there as a family cheering them on. I got to chat with my friend Nicole, too. She crochets. 🙂

My cake! I can’t get over that it says “MOM” on it, this is a first for me. I LOVE IT. Rich took David and Caleb with him on Tuesday night and the three of them carefully ordered my cake. It was carrot, with cream cheese frosting and probably weighed four pounds.

The kids ate the entire pizza we brought home while Rich inserted my “80 candles” (so he said) into my cake.

I had cake and ice cream for supper!

same smile

a happy birthday

38 candles

I closed my eyes to listen to my beloved family sing.

I look like I have fangs.

taking a deep breath

the smoke gets worse each year

With the love of my life.

VIDEO:

****

This morning it is snowing and and the children have a snow day. Because I had 2 pieces of cake for dinner last night, I have resolved to eat only fruits and vegetables today. I had 2 apples for breakfast with my coffee. We are watching Aristocats on TV, which is Sarah Joy’s new favorite movie. We have watched it four times this week. With all the excitement yesterday, I hope to be more still today, and perhaps even pick up my knitting!

Blessings and much love to all my friends who pass by here today.

“He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.” Proverbs 11:28

“The beloved of the Lord will dwell in safety by him. He covers him all day long. He dwells between his shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12