“Tread softly! All the earth is holy ground.”
― Christina Rossetti
pancakes for the children (a photo series)
6
Category Archives: it’s the little things
wet walk
I have a room all to myself; it is nature. ~Thoreau
It had rained that day and we were restless. Therefore, Seth, kitty, and myself went for a rather wet ramble in the woods.
Our feet were soaked…. all the way through our sneakers and socks. Our feet said, “squish, squash” as we stepped and climbed over logs and streams.
The Mountain Laurel was in bloom. These beautiful shrubs are Connecticut’s state flower. As we drove along the roads on Sunday, to and from church, I looked deeply into the woods and could see Mountain Laurel everywhere.
Things were very drippy on our wet walk day.
We found two very small bushes of bog laurel, a pretty blossom. They were growing among the Mountain Laurel.
We saw an inch worm dangling from it’s thread.
It was amusing to watch it climbing back up, slowly, awkwardly, and methodically.
It was afraid of our eyes looking at it so closely.
The woods were very jungle-like, especially after a nice rain
a secret place…does an tiny elf or mouse visit here sometimes?
(Incidentally, last night I was on the couch watching TV and half asleep with Rich. The boys went outside to play “man hunt” just in time to rescue a perky eared, black eyed mouse from the cat. They brought it inside within a cup to show me, but I didn’t know what they were bringing until they handed it over and I looked inside. 9:30pm is much too late in the day to admire mice.)
my funny Seth
We went to find some wild strawberries but we didn’t eat this one.
Someone was already eating it.
I fed my son wild strawberries while he was busy looking for cool rocks.
“Put them in your pockets,” I said, and he did.
We crossed the stream to get home quicker and I stopped by the chicken coop to get……….
…..the eggs!
Want some?
David’s chicken lo mein
David’s food dreams came true a few weeks ago when I made a big batch of chicken lo mein, using a new recipe. I made enough so that there were plenty of leftovers and he was able to freely get a bowl whenever he was hungry. But that was a few weeks ago, and recently the craving for more chicken lo mein started up again.
Last night while Rich and I were at Caleb’s little league game, David called me and asked if he could make *the chicken lo mein that he was craving* and I said “yes”.
Then he called back and said there was no soy sauce. He was hungry so we gave up on that idea and he had soup instead. On the way home from the game I went to the store and bought the soy sauce and three packages of chicken thighs.
We started making the recipe at around 10:00 this morning. He cut up the chicken. I cut up the veggies. He made the sauce, I stir-fried the chicken. It was a fun recipe to accomplish with a partner.
Soon it was complete, and David filled up a yellow fiesta bowl with the steamy goodness.
He took a photo of his food for his instagram account.
And I took pictures for my blog.
(we have a lot in common)
After it was posted, he took a bite and said he was in heaven.
“Thank you for helping me make this, Mom,” he said.
His siblings asked for seconds.
And I enjoyed a bowl of it outside on the porch.
David and I enjoy each other’s company by making food in the kitchen. (yesterday he made funnel cakes). Jacob and I bond while grocery shopping. Grace and I bond while singing. And so it goes. I have seven children and each one has a special way of broadening my world. We can spend time together doing what they like to do best and it’s never forced. We don’t have to try hard to spend time together, we just do what we would do normally…..together.
Chicken Lo Mein
2 boxes angel hair pasta
2 Tablespoons sesame oil
2/3 cup chicken broth
2/3 cup soy sauce (low sodium)
1 T. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. pepper
2-4 T. vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, pressed
12 chicken breast halves, boneless, skinless, and cut into thin strips (we prefer thighs)
5 cups thinly shredded cabbage
4 carrots, coarsely shredded
3 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped broccoli
1 medium onion, chopped
Cook pasta according to package directions. Transfer pasta to a large bowl; add sesame oil and toss until coated. In a small bowl, stir together the broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, and pepper; set aside.
In a skillet or wok, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
Add chicken strips and stir-fry about 3 minutes or until no longer pink; remove from wok or skillet and cover to keep warm. (I did the chicken in three batches because the pan wasn’t big enough.)
Add cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, and onions to the wok or skillet and continue to stir-fry another 3 minutes. Add broth mixture to the skillet. Stir-fry, mixing well, for 2 minutes more. Return chicken and garlic to the skillet and heat through. Add to bowl of pasta and toss together.
Serves 12
Recipe source: Saving Dinner, by Leanne Ely (highly recommended cookbook)
blessed
You’re never going to believe this!!
I saw a pileated woodpecker like 9 years ago down by the stream and I’ve been wanting to see another ever since.
This morning I saw three!
They were hopping around and perched in the big tall dead tree in the far front of our property. I heard one of them make a call and observed one grooming it’s feathers. I snuck down the hill with my binoculars and the camera, quickly changing the settings to 24MP so I could make a nice print if I was blessed enough to get a good picture. I say blessed because I was praying the entire time.
so happy!
“Wonderful riches, more than tongue can tell –
He is my Father so they’re mine as well”
glad tidings
“There is nothing like family,” Mom leaned over and whispered in my ear as we watched little Weston struggle to move a heavy chair, one handed, with his paper plate full of food in the other hand. He wanted to sit by Uncle Isaac. No one was noticing him but Mom and I, from across the way……
*****
Good morning, my friends! It is Wednesday and in my neighborhood, it is sunny with a nice cool wind. There are freshly washed linen sheets waving in the sweet outdoors, pinned up on a porch clothesline. I just washed my hands and dug dirt out from under my fingernails after weeding and tending our baby plants in the gardens. The chickens have been let out. ‘Tis the season for trips into the woods for sticks, in order to stake up the peas. Everything is growing out there, it’s green and full and lush. The cats visited me in the gardens and chewed on plants and rolled in the good clean dirt.
I listened to the birds while bending over the garden.
(This morning I became a member of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology!)
On Sunday, we hosted a pig roast/baptism/Bible study. I know, the pig is rather disturbing. In fact, our 7 year old Seth refused to eat any of it after witnessing such a sight on the grill. However, it was delicious.
Rejoice with me! My son Caleb has been baptized. He is 10 years old, soon to be 11 and loves Jesus and people so very much. He has a tender and loving heart that has been a source of abundant joy to me and his Dad since the day he was born. His hugs knock me off balance every time (multiple times a day). He told me this morning that it is “Step up Day” at school. He is visiting the Middle school with his class. He hung his head down against me and confessed, “I don’t ever want to grow up.” I could very well nurture this attitude because, frankly, I feel the same way. But I have to make his see that it is better to grow according to God’s general plan for humanity, even if it does hurt at times. So I say, not “I don’t want you to grow up either!!!!!!!!!!!”, “Caleb, of course you do! It’s going to be fun!”
And our dear Emily, Jacob’s girlfriend, was also baptized.
Wally had the honor of baptizing his son Jimmy, on his very own 72nd birthday. He told me it was the best day of his life. So you see, you just never know what Father God will bring to you in the future. The best is yet to come!
Rich and I set up tables in the garage for the food. Everyone was so generous in bringing side dishes. The only thing we had to do was prepare the house and yard, hire someone to do the pig roast, and supply coffee and water bottles.
I cut fragrant lilacs, which conveniently bloomed a few days before the picnic, and filled mason jars and vases.
People brought their own chairs and several people took pictures throughout the day. It’s been fun to getting the emails.
Jacob had the camera for a little while and took this photo from the porch during Bible study.
I sat by Larissa, and Emily during the Bible study. It was a hot and humid day (in the opinion of New Englanders, but I’m sure Larissa was cold, as she is from Texas).
From my seat, I took a panorama. It’s always exciting to try to keep the arrow on the line.
After the Bible study, pretty much every one left. But it was nice to have a few people stay longer, including my parents and brother Isaac, and sister in law Cassandra. Sarah had a great time playing catch with her Aunt Cassandra. They counted all the way to 200 catches! (standing in the shade)
Mom and I went for a walk and counted 10 lady’s slippers. They are Mom’s favorite wild flower and it was a thrill to have her discover some in a new spot, too.
We heard a woodpecker up in the trees.
We were also looking for as many wild flowers as we could. We pointed everything out to each other. (I think God was smiling)
Don’t you just hate it when you have to do your growing in a dry, uncomfortable spot. Do you know what I think when I see this sort of thing happening in nature? “What a determined and adorable plant.”
Mom.
Several of our guests on Sunday stated that Mom and I “could pass as sisters” and it is true. As I am her firstborn, she was very young and newly married when she had me. I am forty now, and she is fifty eight. I am grateful for every day of my life with her and she is one of my best friends. She has taught me more by actions than words what is important in life; Christ, marriage, family, and the sweet simple gifts in life like birds and flowers, gardens and work.
My little children, let’s not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.
1 John 3:18
Who is wise and understanding among you? By her good conduct let her show her works in the meekness of wisdom. James 3:13
(We all make mistakes and have bad days, but moments don’t prove what a life is, and my mom’s life has been a quiet, unpretentious life of love and work. We come from simple, earthy, country stock……….)
She, as well, grew up with a Mother of gardens, sunshine, home cooked meals, walks in the woods, trees, and flowers.
The influence of mothers (and fathers) goes on and on.
^^Do you see the toad?^^
Dear dad blew bubbles with the kids, played drums and guitar with E, football with Caleb, and probably other things that I missed while running around hosting the picnic. We sat on the porch and visited and talked.
Dad loves me. I can tell by his face.
Or maybe it’s mom, since she is the one taking the photo.
Both.
When mom and dad had to leave, it was 8 at night. The sun was down and Caleb walked his Grandma to the car.
“O Zion haste, thy mission high fulfilling,
to tell to all the world that God is light.
That He who made all nations is not willing
one soul should perish, lost in shades of night.
Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace;
tidings of Jesus, redemption and release.”
~Mary A. Thompson
(I sang the chorus as I published this blog post and David said, “I never know when you are going to burst into song.”)
birds of the air
The other morning, I was looking for my computer cord and I ended up outside birdwatching. We all know how these things happen.
It’s exciting to see birds at my bird feeder but even more exciting to find them out in nature living their little feathered lives.
I know every bird of the mountains,
And everything that moves in the field is Mine.
Psalm 50:11
They all look at me with such suspicion!
There is a lot of stuff in the air this week, it lands on the top of the stream and gathers in front of logs across the water….that white stuff is all little fuzzies and bits….the ponds are the same way, covered with a film of allergens.
I see a football, too.
In the very bright sunshine, Jacob and Emily helped me dig up a little Pinxter bush from the side of the road! I was very excited, truth be told, Jacob did ALL the work. But he had a captive audience and Emily had a tiny speaker clipped to her belt buckle so we listened to tunes, too.
We planted it right by the bench that Ethan put together for me. I’ll never forget this day that we planted it together, me, my son, and his girlfriend. It was fun and I look forward to seeing it grow and grow through the years.
While I was birdwatching, I found this perfectly good board on the side of the road. I brought it home and washed it and asked Jacob to paint it. We are going to hang it up by the pond where we have many frogs and the occasional toad.
encouraged
By the pond there is a Pinxter bush about to bloom. I remember my Grandparents had one of these wild shrubs on their beautiful country farmhouse lawn. Two years ago I noticed a nice one growing on our own property by the pond. It took me over five years to notice it because it was hidden behind a boulder and snuggled into a pine tree. Of course whenever it blooms I think of family, and Grandma. The comments in the National Audubon Society Field guide say they can be transplanted into wild shrub gardens. As there is also a large healthy one growing down the road a bit, the next time I go outside I will take a shovel and see if I can find a smaller one growing near it to move into my garden.
One of my favorite birds is the Catbird. Why, you ask? Admittedly, it is a very common gray bird but I don’t care as much about it’s simple looks, what I enjoy the most about the humble catbird is its beautiful songs. Almost every time I go outdoors the song of catbirds stops me in my tracks.
I was tickled pink to see that one was making a very nice nest in a tree by the pond. The nest is on a branch low enough for me to look at easily, too. It is constructed of dry straw and wet mud, which is probably why the wise bird chose to make one near the pond. The stream is nearby as well. I bent the branch down carefully to look inside. The mud was still wet but the nest was lined carefully with dry grass, and the cavity was deeper than I expected. I looked into it once and am now determined to keep my distance and wait to see if a family is raised.
The children were all busy cleaning the house on Saturday and while I was taking some pictures, Seth came all the way down the lawn to find me and ask if this cleaner could be used on windows.
chicken house
hummingbirds are frequent visitors to the porch
I went to check the development of the Lady’s Slippers on the dam trail. This one was opening but still green.
This one was up and fully open. It was interesting to me that the two I saw on the left side of the trail were still closed, but the three on the right hand side were open. It must be sunnier on that side.
Another name for them is “Pink Moccasin flower”
Comments: “One of the largest native orchids, this species is found both in low sandy woods and in higher, rocky, mountain woods. Several hundred of these striking flowers can sometimes be counted within a small area. Nevertheless, like other woodland wildflowers, it should not be picked. Nor should it be dug up for transplanting, as lady’s slippers reproduce poorly and are very difficult to grow in wildflower gardens.”
Lady’s slippers are a family favorite.
These wild Lily of the Valley grow in a large patch close to the ground in the woods. (Thank you to Johanna for helping me identify them!)
Then I visited the spot where the wild columbine grows and sure enough, it was up and in bloom. We called these “honeysuckle” when we were children, and we nibbled the honey-filled ends.
They grew on the side of the road but the ones I visit now grow on an old rock wall in the woods. And I haven’t nibbled on them in many many years.
“This beautiful woodland wildflower has showy, drooping, bell-like flowers bearing distinctly backward-pointing, tubular spurs, similar to those of garden columbines. These spurs contain nectar that attracts hummingbirds and long-tongued insects…….”
wild geranium, growing on the side of the road
an interesting fuzzy flowered bush that grows by our stream
unfurling ferns
interesting patch of tall grass by stream
A little bouquet of common wildflowers.
in an Ivory fiesta tumbler
I like it when David comes to visit me while I am reading on the porch. David is currently: reading The Outsiders, trying to grow his hair long, drawing, wearing & caring for a leather coat that he bought at a second hand store, making facial masks using youtube videos, and doing a lot of jumping/flipping/twisting on the trampoline.
bros
*********
And now for a short story: As much of you are aware, Sarah needs surgery to repair an obstructed kidney (it doesn’t drain correctly, which is why she developed infection and stones). After these particular test results came back, she had a specially-made appointment scheduled ASAP for surgery consultation— for May 24th (today). When I checked my calendar later that day, I cried because it was the day of her very first field trip, which she was very excited about. I felt so terrible for her, “She’s been through so much this year she shouldn’t have to miss any of her fun day for such a dreadful thing like surgery consultation.” (the only reason why she has to attend the visit is so that they can be billed—as they should be) So I called to ask for advise and to see if I could make the appointment a different day….but no, the doc’s schedule is very full and they had to work it to get Sarah in so quickly and in their opinion, Sarah would have other field trips and this appointment needs to be prioritized, so on and so forth. So I agreed but didn’t tell Sarah because I didn’t have the heart.
Well………………….this came home yesterday in her folder:
That’s right. The field trip was moved to May 31st!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s raining!
It’s like God said to me, “I got this.” 🙂
tired
I am currently sitting on the couch fully dressed and ready to go to yet another Children’s Hospital appointment with Sarah Joy in regards to her kidney. I have my robe on over my clothes because I am freezing. It’s 46 degrees outside with a very strong and persistent wind. In other words, it feels like a rather blustery day, today. I will take the robe off before I pick Sarah up from school, hopefully, and put on a winter coat.
I am exhausted. I am thinking about all the things that my family has planned for the next month: prom for Grace, Senior banquet for Grace (who is dating a senior) and Ethan (my senior son), baccalaureate, graduation, field trips, concerts, a church picnic and baptism at which my son Caleb will be baptized, graduation party for Ethan, Rich has two business trips, and all this along with the little league games that happen several times a week and the little surprises that life throws at us now and then…..and I am exhausted. Did I mention I am tired?
I keep thinking: “Do one thing mindfully at a time with as much love and care as possible.” This is easier said than done. Especially the “mindfully one thing at a time” part.
I also keep thinking “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
And lastly, I keep thinking “I want to sleep, but at least I’m not crying or anxious.”
This morning I found nine fiesta bowls, three plates, a bunch of paper plates, and four mugs in the basement, left there by Ethan, Grace, Caleb, Kylie, Zak, David, Caleb, and Zach. (all teenagers) Seriously? What I have to say is this: “There is to be no more eating downstairs, my dear children.”
The other day (when it wasn’t 46 degrees), David and his friends played in the stream. It’s funny because of of them is named Michael, and since we already have a Michael here all the time, we differentiate them by calling the younger one “up the road Michael”. (Because he lives… up the road.)
I was attempting a photo of the hanging baskets which are so pretty, but you can’t really see them very well. Thankfully, the house, garage, and lawns are pretty tidy at this point and there won’t be much to do to prepare outside for the picnic and party. I’ve been doing a lot of gardening, which is probably why I’m so tired. My body is trying to get back into the swing of things after a long winter.
David could not find a golf tee so used a pencil. Genius (although it took about five minutes to get the ball to balance).
Entrance to the trails (we call one the Dam trail and one the Adventure trail) by our house.
starflower
Fringed Polygala
“this exquisite, orchid-like wildflower resembles a tiny airplane without a tail.”
Lady slippers, almost ready to bloom
violets
The largest wintergreen berry I ever saw. And then I ate it.
make a wish!
I picked a small bouquet of violets, buttercups, bluets, and Kentucky bluegrass.
There is something quite calming about looking through the grass for just the right flower, bending, picking, adding it to the bouquet and then doing it over again and again until you’re done.
And this little bird…a very dark photo….which is a hazard of shooting in manual mode but then seeing something you have to photograph before it flies away so you don’t think to change your settings and then the picture is either blown out or too dark. However, I can identify the bird as an…..OVENBIRD. Thanks to my Merlin ID app on my phone (indispensable!!) “Secretive warbler that lacks vibrant colors, but compensates with its enormous voice.”
Yep, that’s right. I got a photo of a secretive bird! I do feel proud.
*****
Well that about does it for this blog post and thank you all very much for listening. As a writer of blogs and journals, I do feel better after a good scratch of the pencil or tip tap on the computer keys!
“If you’re completely exhausted
and don’t know how
you’re going to keep giving this much of yourself
day after day
you’re probably a good parent.”
Bunmi Laditan
with seth
I know right away when I love a song……as soon as I hear it, it sort of stops me in my tracks. I travel away into the song, forgetting everything around me….
and this is one of them!
A song for a Friday.
(Grace sent it to me one day in a message through FB.)
Today was Senior Skip day. Ethan made homemade pancakes for breakfast using his Grandma’s recipe for himself and four of his friends. While he was making them, I got ready to go out shopping and then the phone rang. It was the elementary school nurse calling me in regards to Seth. She wanted me to come and get him because he was uncomfortable with an allergic reaction in his eye.
Do any of you have this problem? Or a child with this problem? It’s the dust. It gets in his eye and the eyeball itself swells, sometimes the lid and the “bag” underneath also swells, but the eye gets red and itchy, too. It happens randomly now that it’s springtime and most often when he is on the little league field playing ball in all that dust. I normally do nothing about it but a cool washcloth because it resolves within a few hours, but it does look and feel terrible.
I asked him when I walked him out to the car, “Seth, Mommy was about to go to Target but I suppose you probably can’t go because of your sore eye, right?” And he sighed like a martyr and said, “I can go. It’s just an eye.” “Oh, Seth! Are you sure?” “Yeah”, he says, with that same little sigh but I know very well he’s dying to go to Target with me.
“Why are there so many cars there?”
“Is this the road Aunt Amanda lives on?”
“Can I have batting gloves?”
“Can we go to Dick’s?”
“Can I get a batting helmet?”
“What’s your age plus Dad’s age?”
“Is anyone at home right now?”
“When does David get home?”
“Can we listen to music?”
“Am I going to practice tonight?”
“Are we still in Connecticut?”
He had lots of questions and as is typical, whenever one child is with me, that child talks nonstop to Mom and I sit and drive and smile and listen and my heart….it swells up so big with joy. I say, “You are so cute.” and I reach over to pat their shoulder now and then.
We went to Goodwill first and I actually found a piece of fiestaware. It’s a seamist sugar bowl without the lid. It was super exciting. I also got a springtime wreath for 3 dollars and some other odds and ends.
Mainly, the purpose of the trip was to have fun getting a few summer items for Seth and Sarah. Sarah has grown so much that her last year’s shorts are much too short. I keep saying to her, “Yes you can wear those shorts to school IF you put a skirt on over them.” The one pair of longer shorts she has she refuses to wear because she thinks they are swimming shorts.
Seth found a Land’s End swimming shirt at Goodwill. He says he likes it because it will keep him warm under the water. He also got a pair of swimming trunks (Lego Movie) from Target.
This bottle was 50 cents at Goodwill. I brought it home and put dandelion seeds in it.
We ate chick fil a drive thru for lunch and he said, “Thanks, Mom.” And he also said, while eating, “I bet fries are made of potatoes.” He said this after he noticed the waffle fry had skin on it like a potato. It only took him seven years to figure it out!
He bought a calculator from Goodwill for a dollar and made up math problems to ask me. He was so surprised, stunned really, when I got them right. Mind you, it was first grade math.
When we got home he played baseball for a little while and I planted carrots and sunflowers.
Now he’s snoring on the couch, five minutes after telling me he didn’t want to take a nap.
It’s been a super delightful morning with my Sethie.
short n sweet
If we triumph in the little things
of our common hours,
we are sure to triumph in our lives.
~Anonymous
Happy Friday!
I took this photo of Seth after school one day this week. He’s hugging Gentleman Gray and eating a snack of Pringles, raspberries, and strawberries, on a vintage amberstone (“sister” of fiesta ware) small plate.
Yesterday, at the end of the day, I did a five minute photo shoot of Jacob’s girlfriend, Emily.
♥ with Sarah ♥
♥ with Jacob ♥
I’ve been making homemade coffee creamer and it is delicious!
It’s one can of sweetened condensed milk, mixed with two cups of half n half, and a 1/4 teaspoon of extract. (I used vanilla the first batch, and almond the 2nd batch).
Rose bud vase,
marigold java mug.
Good to be Home 