“Lord, catch me off guard today.
Surprise me with some moment of beauty or pain
so that at least for the moment,
I may be startled into seeing that you are here
in your splendor,
always and everywhere,
barely hidden,
beneath, beyond,
within this life I breath.”
Frederick Beuchner
on the garden zinnias.
This morning I was in my pajama pants and tank top, my hair was pulled up in a very messy pony tail. I was making the children color pictures at the island while they waited for their breakfast. I was feeling rather full of myself as I expertly cut up their french toast and dribbled Trader Joe’s cherry pie filling over the top. “I have to admit,” I said happily, “I’m pretty awesome.” And guess what? Little ears were listening……..
“I’m pretty awesome, too.” said Sarah, promptly and agreeably.
amen.
These nature photos are from last week. We were searching for more monarch caterpillars. The first photo was of milkweed bugs and then this one is of a flowering bush which I have not identified. It has small, bell shaped baby pink blossoms.
very very very interesting brown moth. look at it’s eyes.
It was Sarah Joy’s first long walk after her surgery. She got tired, and dear Amy gave her a piggy back ride all the way back home.
We found wild black berries. They tasted sour and Seth loved them.
These baby birds are living in a nest on the gable of the chicken coop.
When I stare at this picture I can’t help but squeal from the cuteness. There is something about that pouting bird face and the other bird that doesn’t even know I’m there but I can see it’s little bottom and heels.
Last week was very very very very long. Rich was on a business trip from Monday to Thursday night, and then from Friday morning to Saturday night he was gone with Ethan to college registration. Come Saturday I just wanted to go someplace where I could sit and look at magazines without having the kids need me. So off we went to the playground, stopping for a big iced coffee on the way. (it was hot and muggy.)
As is typical, as soon as I got out of the house with my camera I still couldn’t focus on the magazines because the kids were all of a sudden adorable instead of exhausting.
Sometimes you just need a change of scenery and a little fun to brighten up a long week.
This is a big deal for Sarah, she has conquered her fears at the playground. There were years when she wouldn’t ever take risks like this.
Seth, on the other hand, has been climbing before he could walk. (some of the pictures won’t show unless you click on them)…
Happy Monday, friends!
PS, here is my current favorite photo:
A friend of mine took it at an antique store because she thought of me!
the dishes *swoon*
For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:15
“There is not one blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice.” ~J.Calvin
Sarah Joy had a check up yesterday with her surgeon. I hate to admit this but I did bribe her to be nice to the poor doctor. Ever since her first surgery, Sarah has had a very negative reaction to all the nurses and doctors. Dr. K, her main surgeon, has been so polite, kind, sweet, and loving to Sarah every step of the way and has felt Sarah’s dislike keenly, although she completely understood and did her best to reduce contact with her, keeping her conversations directed toward me and Rich instead. I bought Dr. K a necklace and had it wrapped up very prettily, with a bow. I gently explained to Sarah that she was going to bestow this lovely gift to her doctor with a smile and a hug, “OR ELSE YOU ARE GETTING NOTHING FROM THE GIFT SHOP after your appointment!!” “WHY do I have to give her a hug?” she cried. “Because it will be good for YOUR HEART to be kind!” I said, wisely, with a prayer that this would work.
Success! What a joy! She was more relaxed and talkative to the Doctor than she has ever been. She made Dr. K so happy with the necklace, but most especially with the smiles and conversation and hug.
Sarah was told that she was healing very well and could now do anything she wanted to do, as long as it was okay with her parents. We were given lollipops and then went skipping down the hall to the gift shop, where Sarah happily chose a 1.99 bracelet as a reward for her good attitude. The brothers were with us, too. Caleb chose Jolly Ranchers (making me remember an old xanga friend), and Seth chose a stuffed animal.
*****
When we got home, the only thing Sarah wanted to do with her renewed freedom was go wild-berry picking with her Mama. We walked up to the raspberry patch and picked big beautiful jewels of berries. When we came back home to put on bug spray, she saw that Seth had turned on a movie and decided to take a rest from berry picking because she wanted to watch the movie, too. (It was “Home”). I went in my room to relax and when her movie was over she came in, looked into my eyes, and said, “Are you ready for a berry-walk? Or do you still need to rest?” I looked at her and thought, “I’m not the one who just had surgery. If you don’t need any more rest, I don’t either.”
Off we went to pick BLUEBERRIES this time! The bushes in the woods are small, and low to the ground–nothing like my parent’s property covered in nice tall, fat and mature bushes. But we found “just enough” berries and the sun was at the golden hour…..making everything glow like magic. We found blueberries of all shades.
*****
This morning I woke up to my daughter right in front of my face, telling me it was time to wake up and make muffins. My mind was willing but my body felt leaden. I tossed and turned for a few minutes and then got out of the covers, not so much to make muffins, but because I was curious about how my monarch caterpillars were…….
I found Sarah waiting for me on the little couch and I kissed her face. Together we went into the kitchen to make the muffins she naturally knew we just had to use the berries in.
She sat on a stool to scoop out batter with an ice cream scoop.
She kept tasting the dough and saying “yummmmmmmm”.
I filled the regular sized muffin tin and soon they were baking in the oven and we called up the boys to have their breakfast.
*****
I ate a warm buttered muffin with a cup of coffee, perched on a stool in front of the aquarium which held a dangling caterpillar, two chrysalises, and a caterpillar.
I knew this caterpillar was very close to shedding it’s skin so I determined to wait and get it on video.
These two attached to a stick that I put in the aquarium. They were the compliant caterpillars, the other one was a rebel and escaped the whole set-up to attach to a iPhone charging cord.
When I saw what it had done, I draped the cord over the top of the tank. (I had blocked half the top with a cutting board.)
I sat for a while watching the dangling caterpillar gently convulse. I knew it was almost time and called the children over. We were able to get the whole process on video.
As I sat, I couldn’t help but think about how astonishing God’s creation is. Why did he make these detailed, intricate creatures, and millions more beside? He is The Creator–Creators MUST CREATE. Just think of the things humans make and how we get “in the zone” as we sing, or draw,or sew, or garden. That urge to create came from Father-God, we are like Him, in a very small way, because He made us in His image. It is good and we enjoy it all.
So God created humans in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female. Genesis 1:27
He brought the most mind-boggling things into existence—plants, humans, animals, all of these things reproduce and continue the cycle of life. Self-sustaining creation. A-MAZE-ING. Overwhelming. No one is like Him, but we have a touch of the divine within us, allowing us to enjoy life, and all parts of living.
No one is like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Jeremiah 10:6
“If you have been afraid that your love of beautiful flowers and the flickering flame of the candle is somehow less spiritual than living in starkness and ugliness, remember that He who created you to be creative gave you the things with which to make beauty and the sensitivity to appreciate and respond to His creation.” Edith Schaeffer
It has started to dangle!!
My friend Amy and I went up to the dam to try to find more caterpillars (there is lots of milkweed growing there) but we didn’t see anything but red milkweed bugs.
Then, this evening I sent the boys outside to play and David found two more!
He was the special person who found the first caterpillar yesterday.
I told him he had the eyes to see them.
I texted Amy right away. I told her I had triplets.
They live by the sink. We all stop to look at them frequently.
Sarah’s first day back at home after surgery has been a gift. Things like this always make me appreciate the little things in life even more.
When we arrived home, I noticed differences right away.
The morning glories are inches further up the sunflowers.
Gypsy moths are flying around.
My gardens and hanging baskets are dry and need watering.
Raspberries are ripening fast.
The grass was longer.
I know my house, my land, my gardens. My roots go way down.
How to heal a little girl; with snuggles, stuffed animals that fit just right in a small hand, books, back scratches, ginger ale, movies, smiles, brothers and a sister, games, rides in a wheelchair, naps, words of encouragement, leaving the hospital as soon as possible, pain medicine, a nest on the couch, getting clean with a shower, soap, and combed out hair, tempting foods like fresh garden peas and wild raspberries picked by a loving sister and mama.
flowers.
When your big brother comes in the house with a visitor.
And when your mom and dad leave, just for an hour, to go to a library used book sale.
The top six were for her.
About a week or so ago, while my poor brother Dave was in pain passing a kidney stone, he read my blog post about how and why I was a fan of Rosemary Wells.
And guess what that thoughtful guy did without me knowing a thing about it?
He emailed Rosemary Wells with the blog link and she read it!
She emailed him back and said thank you for the once in a lifetime review and asked for my address so she could mail my family the newest books.
They came today!
I love how she wrote “For Shanda’s family”.
I will treasure these books for the rest of my life.
I already read them out loud to Sarah, of course. She liked the Warthog’s wedding story best because it had an *ibunny phone* all throughout out it, with a flap she could lift in order to see a map. The green dot on the map was where Max and Ruby were in the hotel as they searched for a lost wedding ring.
Anyway, aren’t brothers the best? I’m so thankful to have three of them and Dave is now my absolute favorite because of what he did. (((LOL) only teasing, Nate and Isaac!)))
To think, she saw my post!! And sent me two hardcover books!
It was just the uplifting mail we needed today because………..
…….tomorrow little Sarah bird is going back to the hospital for another surgery.
This one is to fix a “congenital obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction.” The surgery is a “robotic UPJ/pyelopasty”.
It is expected to last 6 hours, or more.
This obstruction is what the doctors believe caused the large amount of kidney stones which they removed in January. She also has reflux but they told me that as a rule they fix the obstruction first…..so…..ugh. (hoping we are reaching the end of this adventure but I know we have a few months and procedures left)
Gratefully, Sarah is happy. We are all acting like it’s an exciting sleepover with Mama. She knows that she will get to watch movies in the middle of the night if she can’t sleep. And during the day she can go to an art class and the family resource center and the toy room, so in the knowledge of these joyful prospects, we conveniently forget about the surgery part. And besides, she’s asleep the whole time and it doesn’t hurt when you’re asleep! (that’s what we overheard her telling Seth in a very authoritative voice).
We have our bags packed.
The best part for me is that Rich has the entire week off and will be with us the whole time with no pressures to get back to work.
little bouquets by the kitchen sink
hugging the best cat ever
a soft sweet neck and little whisps of blond
a pair of cardinals that I photographed this morning from the porch, while it was raining
I was going to blog yesterday but ended up with a typical full day even fuller.
My son crashed his bike going fast down the road and we had to get him checked out in the ER just to be sure he didn’t fracture anything and thankfully, he didn’t. He has sprains, aches, scrubs, and pains.
When we got home there were extra people here who Jacob had brought over with him and my husband was away for the night because he has a business meeting in NYC.
I made dinner for 9 teenagers (7 of them boys, 2 girls) and 3 children. And then made milkshakes. We watched a movie (Goosebumps) and it was fun but I have to be honest and say I was really tired by the end of the day and went to bed early, as soon as I put Seth, Sarah, and Caleb to bed. (it was 9pm).
Isn’t the shagbark hickory tree interesting? I came across one the other night as I rambled in the woods.
Just look at the bark shagging = God-art. Living, real, true, and quiet. Never asking for attention. People with the hearts and eyes to see go searching and even then don’t witness all that God does in His creation. But they see enough to feel gratitude, peace, and are fed spiritually.
Just days after I confessed to my sisterinlaw Cassandra that I hate making pie crust, I made pie crust! I just did it differently this time, which is to say without fears, and with confidence. Very quickly the crust was made ( life is exciting, even in the kitchen making pie)
We had quiche for breakfast.
And I made a homemade, *I picked the berries myself and the rhubarb came from the garden*, Strawberry Rhubarb pie for tomorrow! (ethan’s graduation party)
They did this all on their own but I did tell them with the voice of an experienced Mom not to go too far into the woods. Seth and Sarah put on their backpacks. Seth’s had one big water balloon it it (yellow), and Sarah had food in hers. They took along walkie talkies. And left side by side for an adventure! Grace and I watched them from the porch. They did just great and came back before I could worry.
David found a formula on youtube for lightening his hair. It consisted of lemon juice, salt, shampoo, and not sure what else. He did it the other day. I’m not used to it yet but I don’t mind in the least. I like what he does. He also found a walking stick from the woods and has been working on it. Sanding it now and then painting it soon. Look at his toe keeping the stick still.
Seth took one look at dinner (Shepherd’s Pie) and said accusingly, with a grimace, “You put eggs on it.” Home-raised chicken eggs, when scrambled, ARE that yellow, but this was in fact, cheddar cheese.
Table full of loved ones; my kids and my kids’ friends who are also my kids because I love them allllllllllllllll……….
Isn’t she lovely? She made the daisy wreath for her hair and when I saw her walk into the house I said, “Wait let me get my camera” the flower wreath on the door made it even better.
two wreaths when just a moment before I was in the living room tidying up!!!!!
Life is full of surprises, gifts, and blessings!
Some of the surprises aren’t that great though!!!!
milkshakes for everyone
scarlet tanager!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
another gift. I like to wander down to the end of the yard by the bushes and stream at the end of the day because the sun is still shining on the treetops.
and there are a lot of birds
This morning I witnessed tragedy. I was sitting on the wooden bench on the porch facing the road and the trees across the road. Gypsy moth caterpillars are continuing to eat leaves and Baltimore Orioles are up there eating the caterpillars. I was drinking my coffee in my nightgown and robe and looking through my camera photos with the bird book because I take pictures of any bird I see so I can identify them later on. Well, I heard a *bird scolding sound* and looked up just in time to see this mother oriole chasing a crow up the road. I quickly lifted up my camera and miraculously got a clear picture of them. I wasn’t expecting them to return, but moments later I looked up again just in time to see them SOARING BACK DOWN ABOVE THE ROAD BUT THIS TIME THE CROW HAD A TINY BABY BIRD IN IT’S TERRIBLE BEAK. The mother was still scolding and chasing it out of my sight. I didn’t see them come back.
Seth and Caleb sat on the porch with me while all this was going on.
Then, not only did I get exciting news from my brother, but this package came! All before nine o’clock in the morning.
And now I’m on my way to Costco with Seth while the children clean the house.
Party day is tomorrow!
Happy Friday, my friends.
You are loved.
Dear Rosemary Wells,
I am a fan of yours. A very big fan. You see, I’ve been enjoying picture books with my various children for 19 years now and your books never get old. They are always interesting. They are “evergreen”. We have read many of your books. Max’s Chocolate Chicken is a favorite, Bunny Cakes, and also Felix Feels Better. So many wonderful stories.
We have known of you for years, but we weren’t exactly die-hard FANS, yet.
You see, I never really stopped to realize what an amazing artist/author you were until the other day, when I found myself at the library, filling a bag of books for my children, who are in a summer reading program for their school. They have to read and keep track of the number of books they complete and we carefully write the titles on a list in the cupboard.
My son Seth is 7, and Sarah is 6, so they need easier books to read. Pictures books are perfect.
So yes, I was at the library when I came to the “W” section (organized by the author’s last name) and realized….wow….Rosemary Wells has completed an amazing and prolific amount of work as a children’s author. I showed my sixteen year old daughter the length of the row of YOUR books, each one thoughtfully written AND illustrated by you. We were in awe and spoke of our love for your stories. And at that moment, I became aware that I was a true fan. So this is a thank you to you. My oldest child is 19 years old. There are a total of 7 children in our home. And we have read your books all along the way. They are a delight and charmingly creative!
My six year old, with the long blond hair, sat cross legged by my side this morning. She still had sleepy eyes and had just eaten her toast for breakfast. We took Time-Out for Sophie from the library bag and she read me every word, leaning over the pages with her hair dangling and getting in the way so prettily. “Sophie” was a hard word for her to pronounce and remember. We were very amused by the antics of Sophie. She threw her macaroni and cheese on the floor two times! And then she dumped the clean and folded laundry! But Sarah just loved the fabrics of all those pretty clothes. She carefully studied each one and pointed her finger at her favorites that *she wished she could have * (with a sigh).
Thank you for putting humor, detail, and beauty in your drawings. I agreed that the purple polka dotted shirt would look very nice on Sarah.
Sarah thought it was funny that Sophie had her time-out at the top of the stairs. She wondered what the brown wall was behind her. You see, we have bookcases at the top of our stairs. I told her that Sophie is a mouse and so she lives underground. I’m not sure if she was satisfied by that answer but her silence said it was the end of the question and so we moved on to the next page, the part about Granny. Sophie kept taking Granny’s glasses right off her face!
Wise Granny knew just how to put an end to Sophie’s nonsense….by putting HERSELF in time-out. I thought to myself that yes, when MY children were being naughty to me, I would put MYSELF into time-out, too, just like Granny.
We turned the page again to see that Sophie was now in the tub and was in the process of squirting the bubble bath clear across the room. The book didn’t say so, but Sarah knew that Sophie was headed for ANOTHER time out.
Then the book was over and she studied all the beautiful clothes that you drew for the end paper.
We read Shy Charles this week, too, and Noisy Nora. Your wonderful books make me smile and the children like them just as much as I do. We think you must be amused as you work on them, as well. Happiness & joy all around.
Thank you, Rosemary Wells! May you continue to create for many years to come!
********
I sit on the grass and watch the children jump into the pond. They say the water is great and want me to swim with them.
Sarah got brave enough…yesterday! Now she doesn’t stop jumping. At the end of the day when she’s sitting snuggled up to me, I smell her hair and it smells so good, like sweet perfume and pond water.
they show off for mama’s camera
I find a tiny toad.
“Tiny toads are all over the place. There were three on me yesterday.” ~Sarah, while swimming
I bought three bags of balloons the other day and they have been an endless source of amusement for the kids. David likes blowing them up as much as big as they will get. Then he plays with them until they blow up. I was down at the pond when one of his balloons popped and it was so loud my heart leapt and I thought someone had shot a gun in the woods. I went up to the house and the boys were laughing. Ethan said it was as loud as a cannon.
I tied four water balloons for Seth as I wrote this blog post. (He can’t tie them and Sarah can’t blow them up. I’m still needed. LOL)
Shooting hoops on a summer day.
We went strawberry picking in a quiet open field. There was a nice lady just down the row from us who was friendly and spoke like she had known us forever. From the race of Joseph, I feel sure.
They were 29 dollars and 15 cents for 11.2 pounds.
The air was hot and fresh. The sky was blue.
I remember standing at Grandma’s kitchen counter when she made a fruit pizza (it was the first time I had it). I don’t know why I had to make one today but I did, I had to.
Seth seemed to hang in the air as he leapt from the dock into the warm pond. The boys were happy and carefree. Everyone is getting browner from the sunshine but Michael’s nose is sun burnt and red.
Seth found a beautiful insect.
David had a friend over and there was a feeling of celebration as it was the first day of summer and the house was full of people we loved.
Perhaps that is why I felt the impulse to make the fruit pizza?
All thirteen of us, at four o’clock in the afternoon, had a little summer day pizza party.
The moms sat and chatted at the table while the kids all ran off to play games and swim.
“Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair…”
― Susan Polis Schutz
Good to be Home 