being seen when you don’t want to be seen (today, so far)

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Shanda

We talk about the weather in January, and did you know that pretty much the whole USA is cold today? It’s 10 degrees here, what is it in your “neck of the woods?”

Rich wore suspenders (with dress pants, dress shirt, and tie) to work for the second day in a row and my does he look snazzy!

I started a fire in the fireplace today after going out and daintily gathering 10 of our smallest logs off the wood pile.

Do you have any idea what happens when your husband and teenage boys neglect to take the garbage to the road for 2 weeks? And meanwhile, Christmas came with all the packaging and wrapping paper happened, too? With a family of nine, it piles up. My poor porch has been a temporary garbage holding place and I have been BUGGED.

Thankfully, they got it out last night, the garbage truck went by this morning and (because I was bugged) I asked David and Caleb to bring the empty, big, lidded cans back to the house and push them right up to the steps so I could clear my porch. We live on a typically quiet road but it runs kind of close to the house. As soon as the boys left for school, I went outside to throw all the trash bags into the empty cans….and wouldn’t you know it, JUST as I was getting IN a can to jump up and down (they were quickly filling up) a car went by very slowly, and then a bus parked down below (why?), and the next door neighbor, and another, went by very slowly, as I was IN the can. I couldn’t “smile and wave” so I ignored them and *pretended* to be fully concentrated on my job. It was so cold I didn’t blush (couldn’t). My porch is clean now, all except for a big huge box. We have no room left in the cans for this week’s garbage…….

Ethan called to tell me that he forgot his wrestling stuff and could I get it to him before 2? I don’t like having to bundle up Seth and Sarah and take them out into the cold for a 10 minute trip to school….but since I had to do it, I did it right away. I was wearing stretch pants, no make up, pony tail and my bangs were pulled straight back with a bobby pin. I looked pretty ugly but I put on a loud kid’s music cd (from Eli) and went through the drive-thru at Dunkin Donuts to get us some treats only to find that my window was frozen securely shut. I had to pull around out front and actually go in, in all my hideousness. Two chocolate creams and an apple n’ cinnamon, and a chocolate latte. Seth and Sarah Joy LOVED their donuts (I usually always get them plain because I try not to give them too much sugar).

I really wanted my donut, too, but then I got to thinking, “Ethan would be so surprised if I slipped this into his bag and he found it when he got to wrestling practice.” “But it will only REWARD him for being forgetful.” “Well, just this once. I’ll talk to him about it later. I have quite enough calories with this latte.”

Decidedly, I rolled down the top of the donut bag and put it in his string bag, right on top of the shoes.

I had a nice little chat with the school secretary and then I was on my way.

When I got back home I put the preschoolers to bed and now I’m enjoying the fire and a quiet house. I went out to get the mail at 1pm wearing my slippers and bright red fuzzy robe and ….. you guessed it, the mail lady went back through just as I got out there.

But that time I did smile and wave.

ice and rain and orchids in january

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Shanda

In January
its so nice
while slipping
on the sliding ice
to sip hot chicken soup
with rice. Maurice Sendak

So far in this month of newness, we have had deep freezing temperatures suited for ice skating, snow to make us stay at home, and now…..rain.

January is a time to rest after the holidays, and a time to talk about the weather.

Sarah herself says that today is a fine day and I quite agree. When we went out to the chicken coop we were quite happy to get rained upon. It was ridiculous and made us laugh. Rain in January?

In other news, we have orchids blooming in my bathroom. Rich bought me these last year and I am just thrilled that they grew new branches and blossomed. There are five big magenta blooms and it amazed me to see them uncurl from their buds. Imagine trying to fold them back in? God is truly a master designer, my son David works so hard to make an origami masterpiece out of a flat sheet of paper…..God takes a seed, which grows into a green leaf and stalk, and a bud, and the flower UNFOLDS ITSELF from it just perfectly! And that’s just the basic explanation, there is much more to it as we all learned so well, in science class.

Yesterday morning’s frosty ice.

“Hast thou entered into the treasure of the snow?” book of Job

It was so beautiful by the stream, doesn’t this look like melting candles flowing into a wax puddle? or a cow udder?

I saw this beautiful bare foot sight this weekend….Grace was playing songs for the little ones on the computer, songs from the movie “Frozen” that Rich and I took the girls to see.

Sarah’s been wearing her fanciest dresses at home and I say, “yes”, because life is short and tiny girls grow out of little fancy dresses eventually.

I love feathering my nest……

I found this tea towel yesterday. It’s just right.

My ring came back today!!!!!!! ( from Rich for Christmas, I had to get a smaller size)

My pantry.

“You overflow my cup.” lyric from a worship song by Audrey Assad.

My darlings painted the most beautiful pictures this morning.

Sarah played on my bed with the new bunnies.

She wanted to keep them but I said these bunnies live on mommy’s bed, this is their country, but you can visit them.

Hot chicken and noodles, a wonderful dinner for a January evening.

Candlelight.

I absolutely positively cannot believe it’s raining today!

Quote from today: “Seth I just burped, did you hear that Seth, I burped.” ~Sarah, who thought he would be proud.

dancing

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Shanda

Everyone. Please. Be quiet.

Sarah is dancing.

And Sarah takes her dancing very seriously.

Why, yes, she is wearing new adorable slippers.

She bought them on sale just yesterday.

However, while dancing, they make her trip.

Much better.

Now she is really free.

Now she can fly.

Now she can run.

While dancing.

christmas food

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Shanda

I’m in the new addition and a fire is quietly burning in the fire place. I can look across the room and see that the light of this day *is gray, snow is falling, and the children came home early from school. When I check the temperature on my phone, I see that it is 19 degrees, but we are warm as toast inside. Rich cleaned out the wood pellet stove so a fire is going in the livingroom, too. Ethan is on the floor in front of it with his dog, playing video games.

I am at Rich’s desk and behind me is another window. Sammie the cat is on the sill looking out. When I stop to pet her, she honors me with immediate purring. Sarah just wandered over and carried her away, “Poor little Sam,” she coos.

Grace is texting with her friend Jenna, they are both all excited because the new Sherlock episode aired last night. They have been wondering for over a year how Sherlock faked his death….and now they (sort of) know.

Rich just got done running on the treadmill and I asked him if he would make me some coffee. “yes”

I don’t know….today is calm. Today is lovely, dark, and quiet. Christmas is over, Jacob’s birthday is over, New Years is over. I might be sad tomorrow, but today I enjoy the feeling of nothing pressing, nothing on the “to do” list.

I’ve enjoyed puttering around, making small little improvements, going through old stacks of papers, putting up new calendars, throwing things away, taking down the Christmas tree (with 9 nerf bullets in it!), wrapping up Joanna’s Christmas gifts to mail out later.

Rich and I took a nap on the couch.

Christmas was a week ago now, and I thought it would be fun to do a food post.

The Christmas Menu.

spiral cut Cracker barrel ham

mashed potato bake

homemade rolls

corn casserole

green bean casserole

strawberry congealed salad

MASHED POTATO BAKE

One day, while I was out, my friend Mary was babysitting the children for me. When I came home I discovered that Ethan had asked her to make this dish (we hadn’t made it yet) and she did. I couldn’t believe that she went to that much trouble for him, and it was so good! I consider these Ethan’s special mashed potatoes and I shared the recipe on my blog five years ago, when he turned 10. The original recipe is from Taste of Home magazine.

5 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup sour cream
2 pkgs (3 oz each) cream cheese, softened
3 T. butter
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. onion salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Boil potatoes 20-25 minutes until very tender, drain. In a large mixing bowl, mash potatoes. Add sour cream, cream cheese, butter, salts, and pepper; beat until fluffy. Transfer to a greased 2 quart baking dish. Dot with butter. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

Yield: 8 servings (can easily increase recipe slightly by throwing in a few extra potatoes)

CORN CASSEROLE

Years ago, Rich’s grandma gave us a Hospital Guild community cookbook. As I was looking through it, the recipe for corn casserole caught my eye. I made it and we liked it. very much. I only realized later that it was his grandma’s very own contribution to the cookbook! I make this for every holiday meal.

1 can whole kernel corn (do not drain)
1 can cream-style corn
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup soft butter
1 pkg. Jiffy corn muffin mix
2 eggs

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl on medium speed until well combined. Pour into a greased 2 quart casserole dish. bake, uncovered, at 350 for 45 minutes or until lightly browned.

HOMEMADE ROLLS from this link.

My mom and I both use this recipe, but we only use half the sugar. The recipe is for loaves, but it is very easy to use the same dough to do rolls. One batch made one 9 by 13 pan of rolls, just enough for our dinner and some leftover, too.

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

First, I made my own condensed cream of mushroom soup substitute, using this recipe.

Drain 2 cans of French cut green beans, added the cream soup, and 1/2 tsp. of onion powder. Pour it into a baking dish, sprinkle with 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese. Crush some ritz crackers in a bowl and added 2 T of melted butter, toss with a fork and then sprinkle on top of casserole with your fingers. Bake at 350 until hot and bubbly.

CONGEALED STRAWBERRY SALAD

When I was visiting Jekyll Island this spring with my parents, I bought myself a cookbook called Mrs. Wilkes’ Boardinghouse Cookbook. This recipe was included.

1 (6 oz) pkg. strawberry jello
2 cups boiling water
1 1/4 cups sliced fresh or 1 (10 oz) pkg frozen strawberries
2 large bananas, mashed
1 cup pecans
1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup dairy sour cream

Dissolve the gelatin in the hot water. Add the strawberries, bananas, pecans, and pineapple and mix. Pour half into a 9 by 9 inch dish. Chill until firm. Spread the sour cream over the firm half, then pour the remaining half over it and chill until firm. Serves 6-8

The food was received with grateful hearts.

Of course we all ate off fiestaware!

Rich took most of these pictures…..

The congealed strawberry salad is in that vintage pyrex dish (another favorite thing to collect at thrift shops).

After dinner we had energy to burn so I went outside and played two games of PIG with the boys (very fun) and Michael came over to visit, too.

He totally looks like a relative, doesn’t he? We’ve only known him for 2 years, from church. One of our first special services was seeing him get baptized at the apple farm. (in the pond). Anyway, he’s like a member of the family.

Nerf war!

And a very Happy New Year to you, too.

*by the time I am done writing this, it is black, 5pm

happy birthday to Jacob

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Shanda

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord….” Psalm 127:3

Yay, I finally get to sit down and tippity tap on the keyboard, I’ve been wanting to all day because my heart is full. (with motherly feelings) Birthdays always make me sentimental and Jacob turned 17 today.

What my heart wants to say is…..I’m grateful for my son and who he is. He is becoming an independent young man, and yet has a sentimental heart for his home and family, too. I love him deeply.

*Seventeen – to – Eighteen* will be an important year, more learning, more growing, enjoying the last days of childhood.

His bookshelf.

He likes to read and still makes time to enjoy a good book, even though many times I will see him reading on the couch one minute, and sound asleep the next. (growing boy + school and sports = exhaustion)

His Literature class read “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe this year and it effected him….he liked the poem so much that he read it to us during a Ravens football game (Gma and Gpa were here, too). As soon as he finished it up we looked at the TV and saw a real live raven on the screen. He requested a complete copy of Poe’s works for Christmas.

`Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!’ I shrieked upstarting –
`Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken! – quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’ (stanza 17)

Jacob is an artist.

he has a collection of works to be framed

He likes his things to be in order.

He recently organized all of their legos. Every single brick. Which is why he is sitting on bricks in that picture up there.

Now that the legos are organized (he even pulled stuff out of the recycling bin to use as containers…the dog cannot stay away from the lego-filled ice cream carton) the brothers are busy putting together their old lego sets (they have kept the directions, thankfully).

It seems like just a week ago he was a baby and I was a first time mama. Everything that my baby son was and did made such a deep impression upon me. I remember quiet days tending to my baby. I saved a lot of his little clothes, including the ones he wore in this picture:

And I still have this little hat.

Someone asked what it was like to have a seventeen year old son. Honestly, it’s wonderful. Year after year we have enjoyed him.

(his 3rd year was questionable, however) male toddlers are a challenge.

17 year olds are GREAT. Ours makes us laugh and helps out around the house (he actually likes to clean). He adds unique Jacobness to the family atmosphere, fills our lives with music and art, books, and legos. Doctor Who, football, and wrestling. He adds the best songs to our playlists. And if that isn’t enough, he eats half the food in the house each week, himself. (joking, sort of)

Jacob requested a lego set for his birthday. It took about 6 hours for him to complete it.

THE TOWER OF ORTHANC, 2359 pieces

“It’s the coolest thing ever. It’s like, perfect. It took me a while, it’s a pretty massive project.”

I love the mushroom on the Ent.

“It’s so detailed, too. It’s insane.”

Happy Birthday Jacob! We are about to eat pizza and have birthday cake.

“This is the day which the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

christmas toys

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Shanda

Iron man joined the family on Christmas Day. He belongs personally to Caleb, but the rest of us get to be asked a hundred times a day where his bullets went. We all take care of Iron Man.

After we all opened our Christmas presents, the children took their stuff and spread out to various corners of the house to work and play.

It was mainly legos.

The boys were very happy with them. I wish I had taken notes of all the strange conversions.

They have an organized system for large sets. Ethan filled up about 20 fiesta bowls to put together his new Fire Station. It took him two days to complete it and we were eating cereal out of mugs.

Jacob’s spot at the table with a minecraft bracelet, speakers, music, Star Wars legos. Oh, and a Monster, too.

A brother at one end and a brother at the other. Fellowship over legos.

Caleb and his…..

….golden dragon, with The Golden Lloyd. If you squeeze the dragon’s head, the ball shoots out.

Meanwhile, Lillian (Grace) took her stocking and her gifts and organized a picturesque tableau.

That being done, she ate a candycane and read her new book.

Later on, she went upstairs to apply her new make up.

(new sweater, too)

Seth with his new monster feet/stilts.

(I can’t believe I didn’t take a single picture of Sarah Joy playing in her new princess tent.)

Rich works in an office all day every day so he has come to HATE sitting. This desk top (his gift) allows him to do his home work while standing. It does not go with our country theme, but this is not as important as his comfort. 🙂

My new Tiffany….had to return it b/c it was too big. They are trying to locate a size five for me.

I love my new UGG slippers!

The family was playing contentedly, so I set to work making our Christmas lunch…….stay tuned!

Tomorrow I will devote the blog to a special birthday,

and the day after that I will post about Christmas food.

opening presents

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Shanda

Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Sentimentality hit hard on Christmas Eve, after we placed the gifts under the tree and stuffed the stockings we sat in our rockers in front of the fire thinking about the children and how fast they were growing. Thinking about our grandparents and how they are all gone now. Thinking about each other, how happy and content we are in our love and wanting time to slow down and last forever, but knowing it won’t, it can’t.

In these moments, we always come back to the same truth: to determine to savor the NOW and enjoy the days as they happen, as gifts from God, which is what they truly are.

I got up at 6 to find … Jacob, Ethan, Grace, and Seth all awake and waiting for the rest of the family. I was laughing from the first, with the discovery that the older siblings were just as excited as the rest of the children. Caleb and David woke up at 6:30 and we all called, “Sarah!” to wake up the littlest one. She stepped carefully down the stairs to us, with sleepy eyes and crazy morning hair. Still little enough to be a tad confused about all the fuss.

After working on wrapping each and every gift, I was bound and determined not to miss a single child’s face when they opened it. David passed out the presents and we all watched as that person opened it. At first they were a little shy about all the attention (16 eyes upon them) but they quickly warmed up and forgot about being self-conscious.

The faces.

Those darling eyes revealing wonder and expectation.

Sweet joy filling the room, in the giving and receiving.

And then, the beautiful mess.

The children fled to the new addition to put together lego sets and play with dolls, leaving the cat alone amongst all the wrappings, and a mama upstairs, camera aimed down with full heart, thankful for the day, CHRISTmas day, and a family to love with everything within me.

carols and cookies; love and magic

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Shanda

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:2, 3

This morning I awoke to discover that the snow is completely gone. It was in the 60’s yesterday, unheard of for December in New England. I wore sandals to church, just to be able to say that I did (on December 22!) This morning it is raining. The ponds are melting and have a layer of slush over the tops of them instead of the hard ice of last week.

Rich is home today!

On Saturday, we joined our friends at church for a caroling party in town. We walked down the street to the library and set up a sound system. Dave and Mike played guitar and some of us sang while others of us passed out little gift bags containing some treats and an invitation to our Christmas Eve service.

(daughter Grace in brown jacket)

I asked Micheal to watch over Seth so he could give out some bags. I was told later on that it didn’t last long. As soon as Seth saw the other kids playing in the snow behind us, he left the bags so he could play, too.

The kids were thrilled to be playing in the snow on such a warm day….I know my own children were soaked by the time we left.

Tony held Sarah

Wally passed out pocket calendars in the street (made me nervous the entire time). This road has non stop traffic.

Rich took a turn at the mic to preach a short invitation.

Joanne and Sara enjoyed a song from Sarah Joy (her rendition of “Silent Night” is adorable).

We all left happy and full of the joy of fellowshipping and singing Jesus’ praises together.

***********

THEN, later on that night Rich gave me the gift of TIME (which is what he is doing now, too, so I can write here) by taking Seth and Sarah out shopping. Grace and I took advantage of the quiet to bake Christmas cookies together.

I enjoy this daughter of mine so very much. I put her in charge of the buckeyes and she did a great job with them.

(She is currently trying to teach herself sign language using youtube videos).

Her shirt said “love and magic” on it, two of our very favorite words.

I can recommend the Costco brand of chocolate chips; they melted wonderfully and hardened up perfectly on the candies. They have a nice, dense texture and rich chocolate flavor. (It’s hard for us to stay away from the buckeyes. We keep them in the freezer and we all sneak into the pantry for “just one more”).

I made cherry snowballs and then the ever-popular candy cane cookies, made with a butter dough and flavored with mint.

Jacob and Ethan arrived home from watching the latest “Hobbit” movie to a flurry of activity in the kitchen.

Caleb and David amused themselves by stuffing blankets down Dave’s pajama shorts.

This is a tip from me to you (mama to mama or grandma): If your children complain of boredom have them try this activity. It is sure to bring hours of entertainment, just be sure to have them wear their most stretchy shorts!

Grace got creative with the last tray of the buckeyes; she painted chocolate initials on them (one for each member of the family) and also did a heart:

Spirits were high (on sugar) as the evening progressed.

Grace did a basic sugar cookie next, and tinted them green. My candy canes were also green. You see, all of the red food coloring was used up by Jacob this summer. He used it to dye water red and fill up containers with it to shoot with his bb gun (realistic blood?)………

These cookies ended up tasting really weird but we are hoping the boys eat them regardless.

The kitchen was a disaster but, Mom, I did clean it before I went to bed.

David amused himself by making an origami candle. I tell you, my children are talented.

Talented!

“glad and golden hours”

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Shanda

“And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at His birth.” Luke 1:14

Every morning I dread getting my winter things on to walk through the frozen snow to the chicken coop.

But each day I’m glad that I went.

The fresh air is restorative, and I see things.

Recently, I was walking from the coop to the stream to get water and I startled an entire flock of mourning doves out of a tall pine tree next to the pond, they make sounds when they fly off with a flapping of wings and incessant coos of alarm. I was sorry I disturbed them, the sun was shining into that pine tree and I think they were cozy on the branches together, in it.

(I just looked out the window and saw a scarlet cardinal sitting in a leafless bush.)

Another day, I was trudging back to the house and stopped in my tracks to watch honking geese fly overhead. There were four in front, then the typical v-formation, followed by some stragglers. They flew beautifully low over the house. Oh how I wished I had my camera.

Yesterday morning, the sky caught my attention.

It was baby blue, a baby baby blue.

I went back to the house with a frozen egg, and a good egg, put them away, and took my camera outside for a small walk in the 19 degree morning; the children all had a two hour delay and I had already made *a blueberry pancake and bacon* breakfast.

(The pond is hidden under the snow.)

(The sun was just about to come up, making a beautiful sky.)

(snow covered road that always makes me think of donuts; my pj’s and boots)

(red berries)

“Nobody was awake so early and I had all the great hill to myself, and it was so beautiful that I could have thrown myself down and kissed the earth itself. Oh, sweet and good and loving Mother Nature! I choose you for my own. I will be your little lady-love. I will hunt you out whenever you hide, and you shall comfort me when I am sad, and laugh with me when I’m merry, and take me by the hand and lead me onward and upward till the image of the heavenly forceth out that of the earthly from my whole heart and soul. Oh how I prayed for a holy heart on that hillside and how sure I am that I shall grow better! And what companionable thoughts I’ve had all day for that blessed walk!”

The Life and Letters of Elizabeth Prentiss

(winter stream)

I’m always thankful that our house faces directly toward the morning sun.

(Sherlock enjoying the morning sun.)

Cornbags are a simple comfort and a joy during these freezing cold days. I went to Agway to get more dried corn, and when Grace said, “I need a corn bag!” I was able to jump up and say “Let’s go make one!” They only take a few minutes to make and become an important warming device for cold toes. I sat down and made one, then Grace made one all on her own (so proud). We used thick, warm flannel that I bought last year when Hannah was visiting.

I did a post a few years back on how to make one, if you’re interested click HERE

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.” Psalm 95:6

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14

“And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps, and slow,
Look now! For glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing:
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.”

Edmund H. Sears, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

family gift wrapping: practical tips

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Shanda

Wrapping gifts can be draining, so I thought I would share how I make the process as simple and enjoyable as possible.

1. Use only one extra big roll of wrapping paper at a time. Keep using this one roll until it runs out.

2. You also need a nice fresh roll (or two) of good tape, a pair of sharp paper scissors, and a black sharpie marker.

3. When wrapping the gift, unroll the paper, place gift upon paper to measure, and always cut straight across, leaving a nice edge on the roll for the next gift.

DO NOT DO THIS:

4. If the gift is small and you need to cut away any extra paper, do so. Keep any trims in a “trim pile” to use for more small gifts.

5. Don’t be stingy with the tape.

6. No need for labels, simply write the name of your child ON the package.

7. No need for gift boxes. If you have clothes to wrap, just fold the item neatly and wrap it.

8. If you must embellish, buy a big bag of bows and add them to the gifts on Christmas Eve.

9. You might think that pretty gift bags with tissue paper will simplify the process, but I have found that whenever I use gift bags I can’t help getting pathological about saving them. It’s much easier to throw away paper on a Christmas morning.

10. Keep a running list on your iphone of the gifts you have wrapped. This will be important later on, when husband gets worried that a child might not have as many gifts as their sibling. (avoid last minute shopping at the gas station!).

11. After wrapping the gifts, pile them up in boxes or big bags to store away until Christmas.

12. Keep inner peace while wrapping by listening to music, keeping your cat with you, painting nails deep red a few hours before hand, eating some of the extra stocking candy, and making your husband stay out of the room so he can keep the children out of mischief.