The best things in life are nearest:  Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you.  Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life’s plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.  ~Robert Louis Stevenson

First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you for the feedback you gave us on a baby name.  It’s been fun to read through all the comments, and it really did help to get some opinions.  I wish I could tell you that we have made up our minds once and for all but we have not.  I guess we’ll all have to just wait a little bit longer. 

Let me try to answer some questions.  Some of you mentioned the name Isaac.  Rich and I both like that name a lot, especially since most people have LAUGHED when we told them about having another boy, and the name  Isaac means “laughter”.  However, I have three brothers named David, Nathan, and Isaac.  Because we have already named one of our boys after a brother, I am trying to avoid naming another one after a brother.    Makes sense, right?  But, we’ll see.  I’ll first have to ask Isaac if he would mind.

As far as other names mentioned, believe me, we have considered them ALL.  The four on the list from the other day were the only four that Rich and I could agree on. 

To me, this is a major decision and I do like to get feedback about baby names, especially from family, so it really helped to hear from so many people in the past few days,  thank you!!!!

However, moving on. . . . .away from that subject for now. . . . .

Happy Saturday!  I have had the most relaxing morning.  I did not get out of bed until 8:30 this morning, and compared to 5am or 6am, which is when I normally get up, it was pure bliss.  I opened up all the shades so I could see the sky and watch the birds doing their morning exercises.  I got back in bed with a new library book and soon Rich came in with a hot cup of coffee for me.

Hot coffee, in bed?  When I normally drink it as I run around the house taking care of the kids?  No wonder such a small thing brought tears to my eyes.  To just sit and sip and stare out the window!  How wonderful!

Then, lil’ Caleb came in.  “See the car I made?”  (of legos)  “It’s really cool”  “There are two men driving it”, he reported, and then away he went.

Next, in came my husband again, with toast and three pieces of bacon on a plate.  I kid you not, it was the very best breakfast I’ve had in ages.  To sit in bed and savor every bite of generously buttered toast (made from homemade bread, that I made last night, no less!) and bacon (from the pig my Father-in-law raised!).  The flavor was out of this world.  Oh yum.  Simple pleasures are the best, don’t you think?

I normally move so quickly the moment my feet hit the floor in the morning, and I felt like a queen this morning as I ate my breakfast and read my book in bed. . . . .I was totally relaxed and felt very cared for.

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

Yesterday after I put David on the bus, I stood in the driveway watching the birds for over half an hour.  I came in the house chilled to the bone (we had a heavy frost that morning), but it was addicting to watch watch them busily eating berries and zooming every which way.  I had fun trying to take photos of them in flight.  I needed quick reflexes!

Female Cardinal:

Male Cardinal:

Robin:

Another Robin:

They were gorging themselves on these red berries:

This next one made me laugh.  He was so fat, he was reluctant to even move.  I was able to get quite close.

I’ve been busy in the kitchen the past few days, too.  I made beef stew yesterday in a heavy cast iron dutch oven that I recently bought at Costco.  It has a nice heavy lid, too.  I enjoy using cast iron to cook with, it’s so rustic and country—the kind of cookware that makes me think of open fires on the prairie.  And if you take care of it, it’s just as non-stick as teflon.

I also made homemade bread (two loaves) and some yummy squash.

Rich and I have been trying all kinds of squash.  Yesterday I baked an acorn and a hubbard.  The first thing I do is cut them in half and scoop out the seeds.  A lot of the recipes I’ve seen tell you to put them cut side down in the pan with some water, and poke holes in them to let the steam out.  However, I bake them cut side up because I love the crispy edges and brown flavor.  I set the oven anywhere from 350 to 400 degrees and sprinkle them with kosher salt.  I baste them with melted butter now and then as they bake, until they are cooked through, nice and soft.  Then I pull them out, baste them with real maple syrup, dust them with cinnamon and a sprinkling of brown sugar and let them sit on the counter until almost room temperature.  YUM.  If ever a vegetable was as delicious as ice cream, this is it!  The hubbard was more dense, the flavor was fantastic, and the c
olor–a dark dark orange–was beautiful.  The acorn is a lighter textured squash, with more moisture.  It is my husband’s favorite and again, the flavor is dreamy. 

I guess this post is just full of simple pleasures—I hope your weekend is full of them, too.  Life is wonderful and there is so much to be thankful for.

Love, ~Shanda~

P.S.  One more picture to share.  The other day I found Grace showing her bunny the picture I put on my blog of her.  Isn’t she so cute?

So, Rich and I are having a hard time coming up with a name for our fifth son, due in February.  We have plenty of time to decide, but he and I both are looking for some input on the list we have come up with so far.

Our new boy will probably look something like this:

The names we already have used are:

Jacob Richard
Caleb James
Ethan Gregory
David Lloyd

And, here is our short list of possible names for the next one.  They are all Biblical names, by the way.  Let me know what you think.  We stayed up talking about it last night and Rich made me laugh when he said he was about ready to offer a 100 dollar reward to the person who could name him.    

Asher  “happy”. 

Elias  “the Lord is God”.

James  “one who supplants, replaces”

Peter  “a rock”

I asked my mom this weekend if we could make homemade donuts while we where there for our visit.

Seems to me, making donuts is one of the best kitchen activities you can do with a large family.

Using an old family recipe, we mixed up the dough, and then went on our walk (the one I wrote about on Monday).  When we got back we rolled and cut the dough, dropped the donuts in hot oil, and then finished them up by shaking them in paper bags full of cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar.

It was made even more fun because there were family members all over the place!  In my mom’s kitchen there was standing room only.  Jacob and Ethan helped quite a bit, Elisha did the shaking in sugar, my mom did the mixing, rolling, and cutting, and then there were others just watching or passing through to snatch a hot one off the plate. . . . . .

Doughnuts (just as my Great Grandma Wilcox wrote it):

3 eggs
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 teas. nutmeg
1/2 teas. salt
1 1/2 cups sweet milk (*sweet milk is just regular milk*)
3 tablespoons butter
4 teas. baking powder
2 teas. vanilla
Flour enough to make a dough, so you can handle-roll, cut and fry.

Put 1/4 cup of the sugar and butter in a dish, cream well, add eggs one at a time and beat well.
Mix 1 1/2 cups of the sugar and 1 1/2 cups of milk together in a bowl, stir as you use it, the vanilla can be put in with the sugar and milk.  After all mixed together, let stand about 1 hr before rolling out.  By doing this, you won’t have to use as much flour and they will be nicer.

If you make them, keep your little ones away from the hot oil.  Let them help you mix the dough and shake the donuts in little brown paper bags instead.  You will have so much fun!  Eating them hot is the best part.  If the temperature of the oil is correct, then they will not be greasy at all.

The donut snatcher (and raw dough eater, too) 

*The children are doing “bare bones” education today, Language Arts, Spelling, and Math.

*Grace wore her nightgown until 11:30 this morning.  She only got dressed because I insisted.

*Went to the grocery store with Caleb, had a grumpy cashier who was busy barking orders to everyone around her, loudly.

*I fell asleep watching “Toy Story 2” with the kids.  (After David got home from school).

*We LOVE home-grown pork!  (Rich’s Dad raised the pig for us and had it butchered).  The bacon and ham from yesterday was awesome, and tonight we try the sausage, in lasagna.  If you can raise a pig, DO IT.  YUM.

*Rich went to work yesterday and today with nothing to look forward to but meeting after meeting all day long.  He looked so haggard last night that I sent him to bed at 9.  He once read a book, “Death by Meetings”, and is now experiencing it first hand  (well, I hope not, but you know what I mean).

*I made banana muffins today.  Iced cookies yesterday.  We are well-supplied in baked goods.  

*It’s chilly out today, and raining.

*I missed getting the recycling out to the curb in time for pick-up again today.  I hate that!

*The bunny is doing fine.

*I had a doctor’s appointment yesterday.  My weight is 142, I’ve gained 20 pounds total so far.  Blood pressure fine, baby’s heartbeat strong and healthy, I had a flu shot.  Next time I go, I get my dreaded Rhogam injection. 

*I bought a baby book for the new baby yesterday at Hallmark, and since we were at the mall, we also went to the Children’s Place, where Grace and I picked out some half price little bitty socks and a bib, and a sleeper for baby, too.  Very Fun.

*I’m so sleepy today.  I think I’ll go back to the couch soon, with a mug of hot decaf coffee.

*Being this sleepy reminds me of the picture I took of Grace this past Sunday morning, in the hotel room that she and I shared with Caleb (Rich was in another one, with the three other boys, having adventures.  We won’t talk about how and why David dialed 911 five times while his Dad was in the shower. . . . . . .*at 10:45pm!*. . . . .)

Sleepy-day Banana-Walnut Muffins

1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (I didn’t have any, so I substituted a 1/2 cup of old-fashioned oats)
1/4 cup melted butter (I was too sleepy to melt butter, I used canola oil)
1 cup mashed, ripe banana (about 2 bananas)
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs.

Mix dry ingredients.  Then, in separate bowl, mix wet ingredients.  Add to well in center of dry, mix lightly (until moistened, don’t over mix).

Put batter in well-greased muffin tins.  Bake at 425, for about 20 minutes.

Makes 12 muffins.

Of the photographs that were taken this weekend, this one is probably my favorite.

Not because I am completely vain, but because when I look at it, I see a content woman.

This is a picture of me, wife of a hard-workin’ man, mother of half a dozen young ones of various sizes.

Wife and mother are the roles that have almost completely taken over the *rest of me* at this time.

However, I’m so much more.  Child of God, sister, daughter, friend.

I’m also just me, myself, apart from any human relationships, I’m an individual, unique, and created by God for His pleasure.  A living soul that can deeply breath in and out, and smile with her eyes shut, while sitting cross-legged in her Grandpa’s fields.  Because even though Grandpa is in a nursing home, and his land is now divided amongst family and strangers, in my mind they will always be my Grandpa’s fields.  The same ones I ran in as a child with my long long hair,—just being a child,  flying kites, turning cartwheels.

My cousin Elisha was playing with my camera when she took this snapshot.  We had just gone on a long walk with my mom, my aunt, and my sister-in-law.  I think part of the contentment I see here is the result of all that time with the women in my family, women that I feel secure being around, who love me.  We take care of each other and want to do what we can for each other.  My daily life is full of motherhood, and it satisfied something deep within me to leave that mothering back in the house with the men, and just be with the women I love the most in life. 

It was the first walk I’ve been on in this pregnancy, and heard words like, “you okay?”  “be careful!”  “you better go up that way, it looks easier”. . . . .those words meant so much to me, because I’m the one usually saying them these days, to my children.  It was *delicious* to be on the other side of that for a little bit, on the receiving end of care and concern.

We walked all over family property, land that is in our blood and memories, our hearts.  The air was fresh and chilly, our talk filled the air and scared away any bear (or men, for that matter) that might have been hanging around the forest.  We laughed.  We picked apples.  We noticed things in nature and collected colorful leaves.  We reminisced.  We took pictures.  We enjoyed each other and came away happy.  Content.  Thankful.

Because you never know when this time might come again, if it ever does.

The family farm, my Grandpa’s barn, is quiet, except for the sound the wind makes through the empty buildings. 

As for me, I’m now back home in CT, back to being wife and mommy.  The walk is a memory and the precious women I walked with are in another state, hours away. . . . .

Time changes some things, but not the things that matter most–the parts of life we hold dear in our hearts and gently remember, like the love of family and friends.  Distance may separate us, but the bond is never broken.

. . .Chocolate Chip the bunny.

Grace has been talking and reading about bunnies for a while now, filling her mind (and the rest of our minds) with random rabbit facts.  When we were in NY this weekend, Rich and I decided to take the hint and get her one at Frog Pond Farms (one of our favorite places).  We are hoping that the bunny will be a good compromise for Grace, who, to be honest, wants a pony more than anything else in the world.  Our girl is an animal lover.

Grace seems quite content and happy to have something soft and cute to love and take care of, and is currently writing up a daily schedule for her new pet.  I hope C.C. has a long and happy life in this busy household!

Alternative titles for this post:

“Look Out, She’s Gonna Blow!”

“Look Out, She’s Gonna Blow AND go on Strike!”

(or, to put it mildly)

“This Tired Mama is Ready for the Weekend”

I’ve been stressin’ out, ladies!  I have the puffiest eyes (and a headache) this morning from crying yesterday afternoon.  Having got through that, all I can say is I’m praising the Lord for

my sister

my three year old Caleb

my friend Kathy

and my husband

Amanda, Kathy, and Rich all listened so nicely/understandingly to my crying. . . . .

Amanda assured me that, “no, there is nothing wrong with you, you’re just tired”

Caleb climbed up on the couch, took his little hand, and sadly wiped the tears from my cheeks.  I think it’s one of the first times one of my children actually NOTICED me crying, and didn’t flee the room. . . .lol. . . .

Kathy, I don’t know what I would do without her, she’s a friend that I can say ANYTHING to, and know she’ll understand me.  So comforting.

And Rich, he came through for me in amazing ways–got home early, took the little boys grocery shopping (what a nice treat, to have someone else grocery shop!!!), and offered the weekend to me, to my needs.  “We’ll do whatever you want to do”

I no longer feel as pressed down, and am feeling freedom to take care of myself.

Stay at home moms—hang in there!  Sometimes we do need to be a little “selfish” and make sure we get the refreshment we need to RECHARGE. . .oh, it’s so important to get away from it all now and then.

Not that I’m going away by myself (yet) but just knowing I COULD if I really WANTED to, helps a great deal.  Instead, we are ALL going away this weekend, to NY, to visit family and pick up our butchered pig.  (yes, you read correctly).  I can’t wait to see my parents and family and spend some time with Colleen (my aunt) and Elisha (my cousin).  Rich and I are going to take the kids to a hotel with a pool and they will have so much fun swimming.  I’m getting outa here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And ladies, I just might (if provoked) throw Rich’s blackberry out the window, if need be.  I’ll let you know, on Monday, how that goes.  LOL

I haven’t been totally neglecting my camera this week. . . I did grab it now and then. . .so here we go, enjoy!

This first one is a picture of a thoughtful gift from a dear friend.  “Happy is the home that welcomes a friend”  It’s a Hollie Hobbie mug, which is what I’ve been drinking my coffee out of lately.  (I love Hollie Hobbie!)

Jake and E have to walk the dog every morning and on Monday they dressed Caleb do go with them, it was all their idea and they did not ask me or involve me in any way.  I thought they were so precious, the way they took care of Caleb, and Caleb was so happy to be included on an early morning walk.

Davy-do, waiting for the bus, with brilliant yellow leaves above.

I have a “thing” for water, these pictures are all the different looks of water in our stream.  I always think of Jesus, and how He is refreshing, living water to our souls. . . . .He is very LIFE indeed.

“You should seek above all things to have your souls truly happy in God Himself!  Day by day seek to make this the most important business of your life.”  ~George Mueller

“For you O Lord, have made me glad by your work: at the work of your hands I sing for joy.”  Psalm 92:4

“It is wisdom to take occasional furlough.  In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less.  On, on, on for ever, without recreation may suit spirits emancipated from this ‘heavy clay’, but, while we are in this tabernacle, we must every now and then cry halt, and serve the Lord by holy inaction and consecrated leisure.  Let no tender conscience doubt the lawfulness of going out of the harness for a while.”  ~C.H. Spurgeon

Did anyone notice the fiesta in the current Country Living magazine?  (November issue, pg 16) These little ramekins are the perfect size for serving up baby food, or ice cream, or cups of soup.  I have a set of white ones.

The birds have been busy, busy, busy lately, enjoying the fall bounty of berries and seeds.

The ferns are yellow now, so pretty.

Caleb and I did some exploring the other day and we found a pretty pool of water by the stream.

“I love you”

And I found a thinking spot.  I could see the stream right in front of me from this seat, and don’t you love the foot rest?  Very convenient. 

Davy was inspired by one of our favorite books, “Curious George Rides a Bike”

David screamed and chased Caleb out of the house for stealing a lego.  I came running and saw this guilty expression.  Is he cute or what?  He’s holding The Stolen Lego Horse.  He had to give it back.

A peaceful spot of nature; blue sky, white clouds, pretty leaves, a tree that’s almost bare with a robin at the tippety top.

Other than my state of exhaustion, things have been going well.  The kids are doing great, we are enjoying home-school.  I’ve been doing a bit of ordering online for Grace’s birthday (11/4) and Christmas, which will be here before we know it.  Seems like every day a box comes in the mail, very exciting. 

We are trying to be outside as much as possible, knowing that colder days will soon keep us inside.  The sky has been so blue, and the leaves are almost gone, which is amazing to me.  They’ve been coming down in showers with any kind of wind. . . .they sound so pretty, like rain, when they fall.  It’s a delight to walk and kick through crinkly, crackly dry leaves, they smell good, too.

I was awake for a while in the night last night, enjoying the feeling of the baby moving inside me.  Every day I continually thank God for the blessing of a new little one coming. . . .I’m 23 weeks now, and can hardly wait until February to meet our new little boy blue.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Love, Shanda

Hast thou not known?
Hast thou not heard,
that the everlasting God,
the Lord,
the Creator of the ends of the earth,
fainteth not, neither is weary?
There is no searching of His understanding.

He giveth power to the faint;
and to them that have no might
He increaseth strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.

(Isaiah 40:28-31)

The grass withereth,
the flower fadeth:
But the word of our God shall stand forever.
(Isaiah 40:8)

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd:
he shall gather the lambs with his arm,
and carry them in his bosom,
and shall gently lead those that are with young.
(Isaiah 40:11)

Caramel Apples

Last year I made them using the cubes of caramel, melting them together and dipping the apples.

This year I bought sheets of caramel, and then wrapped them around the apple and inserted a stick.

A quick heating in the oven and they were done.  It was so easy.  Instant gratification.

Very sticky though.  We all got the giggles and I got snap happy with my camera.

I love my new maternity dress from GAP maternity.

It’s so comfy, like wearing pj’s all day long.

Autumn weather is fickle.  If the sun goes away, behind a cloud, I throw on a cardigan.

I hope you are all having a nice holiday.

 ~ Shanda

Yesterday afternoon Rich and I took the children on a walk in the woods.  It was a beautiful time for it.  The sun was shining so nicely on the colorful trees.

~ David played football with his Daddy and brothers~

~Caleb picked mama some flowers~

Clover.  Dead and alive.  Still beautiful.  I sat in the grass and watched the family play.

Then we headed for the woods.  Caleb got his Daddy to carry him for a while.

A spot of yellow in the woods.

Ethan peeled off a big piece of bark from a dead tree, then threw it in the stream to see if it would float.  It did, after breaking into four pieces.

 E has one sock on and one sock off (sore toe).

~David had just run through a giant mud puddle~  This picture makes me laugh, I think he was impressed with himself and hoping to get a reaction from his big brothers. 

~walking sticks always remind me of my Grandma, who also loved walks in the woods~

~Grace walked with bare feet!~

~my favorite picture~

My sweet Ethan, giving Caleb a ride. . . .

Rich took this next picture of me/my tummy.

I’m officially five months pregnant today!  Only four more months to go.  What will we name the little guy?  Time will tell!

I am so grateful for each day, and especially the quiet time I just got to spend today at my desk, sipping hot coffee, and looking through family photos.   It’s a beautiful beautiful autumn day.  Rich is sleeping outside in the hammock, Caleb is napping upstairs, and the rest of the children are outside *somewhere* having fun.  Soon we will go back to church for evening service.

Hope you are having a blessed day!

~Shanda