Last Friday, when Rich was away with his family, grieving the loss of his Grandmother, I took Jacob and Ethan (in the pouring rain) to the mall to get their hair cut.  I gave them each 20 dollars and sent them in alone so I could do a little shopping while they got started.  When I was done, I went in the hair place and sat down without saying anything to the boys.  They were each in a chair and Ethan in particular was quite chatty with his hair stylist.  I settled in to eavesdrop.  He told her where he was born, where he was from, where he went to school.  He told the lady he was homeschooled for a few years and then “mom sent us all to public school.”  Well, the stylist wanted to know, who “all” was and Ethan proceeded to tell her the names AND ages of his six siblings.  I was sitting in the chair giggling into my iphone and waiting for the lady’s reaction, which was:

“YOUR MOTHER IS NUTS!”  in a very “quite unbelievably nuts” tone of voice!

OH, it made me laugh and laugh all weekend to think about her honest reaction.

If she meant I was nuts because I had seven children SHE WAS WRONG.  I am incredibly content, grateful, and flat-out in awe of the fact, actually.

If she meant I was nuts *in general* I do believe she may have a point!

But the kids have nothing to do with it.  They just add to my already nutty personality, making a big nutty but perfectly satisfying life just full of everything imaginable.

This week we are preparing to go to NY for Grandma’s calling hours and funeral.  Thank you, dear friends, for the sympathetic notes, so thoughtful and kind.  Rich is grieving most especially, of course, and I can’t help but see the little boy in him who wants his Grandma back.  Naturally, the mature man in him also knows that she lived a long and fruitful life and after 95 years she sure deserves her everlasting rest.  But we miss her all the same.  She leaves an empty place.  Thankfully, Rich has so many great memories.  We were driving in the truck on Sunday when he all of a sudden had a laughing fit (NOT like him).  “What’s so funny!?” I asked.  “Oh, I was just remembering the time I went grocery shopping with Grandma.” (a devout Christian) “I was just a kid.  I snuck some beer into her cart and she never noticed until we were at the checkout!”  (loud laughter continues)  “What did she do?”  “She said, “WHO put this in here?  And she made me go and put it right back!” 

They found a journal that Grandma had been working on, it’s full of verses and thoughts to go along with them.  She signed them all “MOM” but they were meant for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

“In the multitudes of my anxieties within me, your comforts delight my soul”

“How often through my troubled years have I gone to bed with my heart and mind loaded with the cares and anxieties of the day past and the days to come; but as I bring them in prayer to my Heavenly Father, He gives me rest and comfort and strength for the next day.”  ~MOM

We are leaving tomorrow to go to NY and I had a bee in my bonnet about making healthy snacks for the road trip and the hotel.  I was out with Seth and Sarah this morning at the grocery store, before 8 a.m.  I bought bottled waters and some ingredients to do some baking.

All morning long, I made two loaves of rhubarb bread, a big pan of granola bars, and (not so healthy) 3 strawberry rhubarb PIES.

Yes, I admit, I’m nuts.  And now very tired.  I believe I expended all my energies for the day already……I’ll *just have to* snuggle on the couch with little children for the rest of the day, or go outside and sit while I watch them play. 

Which reminds me, this morning Seth was on the playset and when I asked him if he wanted to go to the chicken coop with me he said, “I’m not going with you right now.  I’m burning up my energy.” 

Our baby kitties are so cute and darling.  Here is Caleb with Sam (renamed, she used to be “Silkie”)

Seth (with those gorgeous eyes) holding Sherlock.

Silly Sherlock eating food, IN the dish.

Ethan and Jacob, sleeping with the kittens.

We picked wildflowers during one of our walks.

Seth played outside in the pouring rain in a pretend kitchen.

Rich brought home gifts for the children from Grandma Leslie (his step-mom). 

On Saturday we took the children to the bookstore and Ethan picked this book out.  He and David spent some time wandering around trying to find wild things to eat.

David got right down and ate wild clover blossoms.

I made vegetables and dip for snacking this weekend.

Fuzzy cotton stuff was flying off these bushes all day Saturday….at times it looked like it was snowing!

David got a black eye yesterday.  He cried, “OH no!  I’m going to look like a FOOL at school!”  But this morning he was a bit more cheerful about it.  This is what comes of sword fighting with sticks, it’s a mercy that his eye is okay.  (Thank you, Lord!)

Half my photos wouldn’t load today!  Perhaps I can share them at a different time.

I leave you with a video of Rich and I singing “In Christ Alone” at church on Sunday with five of the children:  Jacob, Ethan, Grace, David, and Caleb:::

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied –
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine –
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

PS.  Ethan just came home from school and he didn’t even look at me.  He only had eyes for the PIES! 

Dear friends,

My heart is aching this morning, as Rich’s Dad called him yesterday afternoon to tell him that Grandma was not doing well.  Rich immediately left (four hours away) to try and see her one last time, but she died before he got there.  He continued on and spent the night at his Dad and step-Mom’s house.  It’s doing him a world of good to be with the family right now, he was very close to his Grandma.  Indeed, she was so loving and good to all of her family and friends.  We couldn’t help but love her deeply.

What brings tears to my eyes more than anything is imagining Rich’s beloved Grandma being carried into Heaven in the arms of her loving King and Savior, Jesus, and imagining her reuniting with her loved ones who went before her to that place, including her dear husband.  For her, now, there is no more feeble old age, no more deaf ears, no more pain or discomfort of any kind, no more cancer, only joy, joy, joy everlasting and eternally.  She’s smiling, laughing, worshipping, and dancing in the bliss of life above.  Isn’t the promise of eternal life something to be thankful for?

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”  Revelation 21:4

“The comfort of life does not lie so much in the abundance of things, as in the art of enjoying a little.  I have lost a dear friend, but my happiness was more wrapped up in that God to whom my beloved ones have gone: and God will bring them along with Him.  That which beautified their character and made them so lovely was what could not be lost, but is perfected by the translation.  I love them still, and take great pleasure in loving them, which helps relieve my sorrow for their absence.”  ~a beautiful quote from John Willison

Thank you to all of you who have prayed for Grandma over the years.  Rich will be coming home soon and then we will take the children back out to NY for the funeral when it takes place.  We are from the same church family so I very much look forward to seeing all of our family and friends there. 

Much love,

Shanda

The children gave me a Top Secret Recipes cookbook a few years ago and I used the “secret” recipe for Aunt Anne’s pretzels.  I made them yesterday, for the first time, with my two ovens and big huge island and it was all so convenient.  The dough rises for about 45 minutes and by that time I had put Seth and Sarah down for naps and was alone in the kitchen, on a hot afternoon, barefoot and baking, almost-whistling, it was that sort of feeling; of contentment.  A friend (the one who crashed in our stream) even stopped by.  She had a big bag full of empty egg cartons for me and a vase of big floppy and dusky-purple lilacs.  Love.

Well, today’s news is that the kitchen remodel is done, all except I need to hang the curtain.  Kevin finished the hardware yesterday and the stools for the island came today.

(I’m typing this on the couch with two tiny kittens curled up next to me.)

The cooktop was installed last week and I love it, it’s just a flat piece of glass that happens to be a cooktop.  No knobs, no buttons that stick out, nothing but glass with a digital pad along the bottom to turn the burners on with a pleasant little beep.  It amazes me when I use it.  There is a “boost” to the heat and I can get a can of soup or a big pot of water boiling in no time.  The only unfortunate thing is that it is induction heat and I can’t use half my pans because they have a coating on the outside of them…..I did have extra downstairs that I was saving for the boys that I’m using now, some nonstick pans that I got from points at the grocery store for “free” much to Rich’s dismay (he was so proud of the pots and pans he got me for Christmas).  Cast iron still works, thankfully, and enamel covered cast iron, too.

This afternoon I came home from a craft time with the Bible study ladies and there were four big boxes on the porch.  The stools were delivered while we were gone.  I unpacked them and then spent quite a bit of time sweeping up all the little Styrofoam bits that they were packed in.  We ordered these stools from Costco, and they are nice and big and they swivel!  My grandparents had swiveling stools at their counter and I always loved sitting in them and especially wanted swivels for my home, too.  Jake and E thought it was an unwise decision, they think the little ones will spin themselves senseless on them.  I’ll keep you posted on that.

Decisions……are so hard at times….but (I must say) I chose the hardware for the cabinets all by myself.  I didn’t hem, or haw, or text Rich a picture for approval, I just marched in there and picked them out in hardly any time at all. 

Rich bought the two big crocks (on the left) at Brimfield on Sunday.  A number 2 and number 3.  They will go in my future pantry.  Notice the under counter lighting and the light fixture above the sink, which is mercury glass.

Jacob and Ethan just got home from school so I took this one of Jacob sitting on a new seat (he’s wearing his D.Who shirt @seriesoffortunatevents)

BEFORE::

AFTER::

Thankful for:

knobs and pulls
granite
two dishwashers
a large island
comfy counter stools
lilacs
and limp sleeping kittens

Meet Sherlock and Silkie, our new kitties!

Hello internet friends, how in the world are you?  I hope you had a nice weekend and that your Monday is going well.  I know some of you may be having a rough start today, if so, trust God, He WILL get you through and brighter days are coming!  We have had a busy morning here at home, but I am happy to sit down for a few minutes to share photos from Brimfield that I took on Thursday and Saturday.  After I’m done, I will be taking Seth and Sarah outside to play.  It’s supposed to get to about 80 degrees here and already the sun is shining beautifully with a cool wind………..

I live about half an hour from the famous Brimfield Antique Show and have been going for a few years now.  It has been featured in one of my favorite magazines (Country Living) and is an amazing experience for anyone who enjoys antiquing/tag sales/thrifting adventures.

The Brimfield Antiques Show is the largest outdoor antiques show in the world, with over 6,000 dealers and 130,000+ visitors during the course of the week.  While it is  convenient to refer to it as “The Show”, it is actually comprised of 23 fields, owned by “Promoters”, who lease spaces to dealers from all over the world. The Show takes place three times a year, usually around Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day.  ~Brimfield Homepage

This spring’s show began last Tuesday, and by Thursday I was so excited that I ended up going by myself with Seth and Sarah.  I took the stroller and wandered around for about two hours.   Parking was difficult and I was about half a mile away from the closest vender and it was a hot day.  Sarah was a little grumpy and Seth was as active as ever, but we still had a nice little time together and it gave me a great longing for Saturday, when I knew I would be able to go with my sister and no little children.

Seth loved trying out the ride on toys.

My favorite image from Thursday was this mother and daughter walking to the show, hand in hand.

Sarah got a little doll.

Jacob, our 16 year old, is very interested in special rocks lately and I was able to get him these.

My favorite purchase of the day; fiestaware tumblers and this odd colored mug (an off shade of Peacock, from the seconds store).

On Saturday, my sister Amanda drove to my house and together we left for Brimfield, just the two of us.  We arrived at about 9:30 and had no problems parking at our favorite spot, the church, which is close to the first section of dealers.  We quickly got to work, exploring the different tents and chatting all the while……….

She was on the hunt for a fun ring……so we searched through lots of colorful jewelry tables.

Our mom has these two small children pictures……we thought of her all day long…..and hope she and Dad can come with us to the show next time!

Old table from the late 1700’s

This was our favorite dealer and tent of the day.  I thought it was so funny that I took a picture of that man, too, without knowing it.  Anyway, this booth belonged to an elderly couple and they worked together so nicely.  You could tell they had a lot of common sense, as they had already marked all their stuff half price, because it was the second to last day of the show.  I bought a few things from them, and so did Amanda.  Just as each home has a “feel” according to the disposition of the owners, each antique booth also has a “feel”….this one was inviting, welcoming, and friendly. 

I’ve been collecting and using Fiestaware in my kitchen since 1998, so every time we see it I get all excited.  I don’t buy much anymore and I never buy vintage because I don’t use it, I just display it.  (I have enough to decorate with now).   This year I wanted tumblers which have been discontinued but are still inexpensive and we use them everyday.

Here I am, at the fiesta display!

Rich + Shanda

We worked up a big appetite for a yummy lunch.  Conveniently, there is an area with about 10 or so different food venders to chose from.  We usually get lobster rolls but this time we both got roast beef sandwiches and big sweet potatoes, served with lots of butter and brown sugar.  We sat with a lady, her mom, and her two girls and talked with them.  There is always limited seating in the eating area, so we usually have to sit with others (at picnic tables).  If you don’t buy lunch at the show, there are lots of nice places to sit and have a picnic, too.

After our yummy lunch we got back to walking and exploring with renewed energy.  I saw a lilac fiestamug (more valuable than the typical fiesta mugs b/c lilac was only sold for a brief time at only one store) and rose mug.  (not purchases, just admired)

There have been years when I was very interested in dishes, dishes, dishes.  But that has passed, as my kitchen is now properly stocked.  This year it was all about linens.  I bought three lovely, thick, crisp cotton pillowcases and a dishtowel embroidered with a Raggedy Ann and “Saturday”.  But I browsed through so many stacks of linens that finally we said “no more!”

old sewing machines

vintage Tasha Tudor books

thinking of my boys

We always take a few mirror pictures….and ooooo, more linens!

old typewriters

old blue Mason jars (LOVE) I already have a couple so I didn’t purchase, just admired

pretty lilacs

Amanda bought this big Raggedy Ann for her daughter

We bought matching sister rings!  I am wearing mine as I type.

Idea for a pretty porch decoration:  upside down basket, canning jars, and a sweet potted plant.

We started to get silly.

togetherness; and Amanda’s hand full of little dolls for Naomi…..(one dollar each)…..

I thought of my dear friend Joanna when I saw this old couch, wondering if it was the style she liked?

We were gone for 6 hours, the longest ever.  Rich was away last week from Tuesday til Friday so I felt like it was a well-deserved treat to be away for that long!

I bought the rooster garden decoration at Brimfield.  The roosters balance on top of the pole and swing around in the wind.  They are made out of old scrap metal.

About a year ago I had bought an old Fisher price dollhouse (and a boat, too) but it has been hard to find the little people to use with them.  Happily, I found some at Brimfield and brought home 10 of them, along with some little chairs and other small pieces, for the children to play with.

I bought these two framed doilies. 

And this fantastic mushroom print!

I  bought an old phone for the kids to play with, and they love it.   It really does work but we have it unplugged as a toy right now.  It’s so cute to hear them make up little conversations into it.

 If anyone has questions about Brimfield I would be happy to answer them.  I highly recommend attending with a friend, it is a lot of fun to walk and talk and see so many interesting things.  I would love to go with so many of my loved ones, including Kathy, Joanna, Hannah, Christie, Bridgette, or maybe Aunt Mary, cousin Erika, Elisha, Aunt Colleen (again), Mom, Dad, my brother Dave, sisters in law, anyway……you get the idea…..come, one and all!  The next show is in July!

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

inspired by soulemama

The trusting heart to Jesus clings, nor any ill forebodes,
But at the cross of Calv’ry, sings, praise God for lifted loads!

Singing I go along life’s road, Praising the Lord, praising the Lord,
Singing I go along life’s road, For Jesus has lifted my load.

The passing days bring many cares, “Fear not,” I hear Him say,
And when my fears are turned to prayers, the burdens slip away.

Singing I go along life’s road, Praising the Lord, praising the Lord,
Singing I go along life’s road, For Jesus has lifted my load.

He tells me of my Father’s love, and never slumb’ring eye,
My everlasting King above will all my needs supply.

Singing I go along life’s road, Praising the Lord, praising the Lord,
Singing I go along life’s road, For Jesus has lifted my load.

When to the throne of grace I flee, I find the promise true,
The mighty arms upholding me will bear my burdens too.

This hymn was written by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (1851-1920) who studied to be a teacher but then suffered from a spinal problem and as a result, was an invalid almost her whole life.  She began to write hymns and I think if she can write this song and sing it, I can too!  It has a catchy little tune and is perfect for singing around the house as we do the dishes, make the beds, give baths, and make dinner!

Hello my friends, how are you today?  So many dreary moments, tiresome days, that it’s so very lovely and encouraging when a bright day comes along.  It’s been one of those nice mornings for me.  It began typically enough, with getting school children on the bus and then frantic searchings for shoes to get out the door for our very last day at Community Bible study.  Finally, I found Seth a pair of flip flops down by the pond.  We got into the vehicle to leave.  No.  Sarah needed her blankie, so I made one last mad dash in my high heels to find the beloved blankie and THEN we left.  I was able to listen to my favorite radio speaker on Christian radio, Dr. Robert A. Cook.  He speaks so gently and lovingly and has such wisdom.  I was blessed and settled before I even got to study.

Today was sharing day, over brunch.  We sat in our core groups, ate good foods which we had prepared for each other, and chatted.  Then, the leader opened the microphone for sharing time, for anyone who desired, to speak and share.  It is not something I do, ever, but today I gathered up courage (courage=fears given up in prayer) and spoke briefly to the room full of ladies.  It was great and I was so happy that God gave me the strength to do it.  I spoke,  and made everyone laugh as I told them about my struggle to find shoes for my little ones that morning.  So I’m not the only one!

I think that’s the main reason why I now am a firm advocate for women’s Bible study.  The more we meet and fellowship with other believers, the more we realize that we are NOT the only ones who struggle with depression, or illness, or broken families, lost shoes, or mommy-brain.  We all can relate to one another, and not only that, we are kindred spirits because we share the same Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He is the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.  I love it!  I am so thankful to have found a group of women who are so obviously united as one in Christ.  I was constantly surprised by the lack of judgementalism and it did so much to heal me, in a deep down place within my heart, from years of spending time with habitually judgmental Christians (and being one, myself, I admit).  It has been wonderful.  In fact, I was asked to consider being a core group leader, and I said yes!  It’s really not that big of a deal, a lot of ladies were asked to pray about taking on the responsibility, it just means extra hours with leadership and being in charge of my own core group, facilitating discussion over the work book.  So I look forward to next year.

My ten year old made this for me.  He was standing in our new kitchen with such a pleased look on his face, like a purring cat.  “I love our new kitchen.  I’m going to make a sign for you, okay Mom?”  The very next day it was given to me.  He even glued a soda can tab on the back so I could hang it on a nail.

Look who I found in the cupboard!

Some of my favorites:  Old blue mason jars and wire baskets full of fresh eggs from our very own flock.

I used up a dozen this morning, making 2 quiches.

We have been without the dishwasher for several weeks now and dare I say that I have enjoyed doing my dishes by hand?  I think it’s because it gives me the chance to stand still with my hands in hot soapy water, sort of like a spa treatment.  The fiestaware looks so pretty stacked on the towel to drain.

Seth was catching toads last week.  He named all of them Bob.  This one is Bob, too. 

David, the same boy who made the other sign, made himself one, too, and put it at the end of his bed.  I took this picture on Saturday morning and I was very careful not to disturb.

Caleb was hopping around, in, and over the stream yesterday in rubber boots.

I have a pleasing but petite pea patch planted.  This is one package of peas.  I need to stake them up soon.

I guess David has been especially interesting to me lately, because here is one more picture of him and his creative antics.

There are lots of ladies (well over a hundred) who attend CBS, but we divide up into individual core groups and the groups stay together all year so we get to know one another intimately.  This is a picture of the dear ladies who were in the same group I was in this year.  Our leader is the lady with gray hair (70 years old).  She is such a preicous soul, confident and no-nonsense but wise and friendly.  I love all these women dearly.  They are each so special. 

Just like you.  I love all my brother and sister bloggy-friends, too.  And I hope you have a wonderful afternoon.  Thank you for being YOU.

…… with all humility and gentleness,  with patience, bearing with one another in love…….  Ephesians 4:2

I am one proud mama.  With a grateful heart, I thank God for motherhood and all it’s ups and downs. 

I LOVE BEING A MOM!  It is a lot of hard work, yes, but if I had to pick one word to describe it I would say FUN.

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

Happy Mother’s day, Mama!  I love you and thank you for who you are.

“There is one vision that never fades from the soul, and that is the vision of mother and of home.”  ~HH Berkins

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

inspired by soulemama