Half an hour ago if someone told me I’d be blogging in a quiet house I would have said, “You’re crazy!” 

I was frazzled…trying to find Caleb’s shoes, Ethan’s missing schedule, a missing lunchbox, labeling Caleb’s stuff, making sure EVERYONE got baths, etc, etc.

Today was the last day of summer vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wanted it to be magical, something special and sweet.

For the most part, it wasn’t.  For me, those feelings are gone away somewhere.  I’m TIRED!  There is so much to do and keep track of this week, I feel like it’s all too much!

But, I tried to make it at least a little bit better than an ordinary day.  We went out for ice cream and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows.

I carried my camera around, hoping that it would help me find those thankful moments…….

The stream was cold today!

Seth is doing great.  I’ve looked at his stitches, they look awful.  (as in, I don’t like seeing them in my baby) but he’s healing nicely and is acting normal.

“I think I’m too big for this swing, the whole playset is creaking”  This, after 15 minutes of trying to move the swing down a few notches and get it level.

Goldenrod by white birch, so lovely (it was a gorgeous day!  bright blue skies, cool breezes)

David started making this fort all by himself.  He didn’t want any help whatsoever, and he didn’t want me hanging flowers off it, either.

The time in the woods was the best part of the day.  Seth woke up from his nap and found us, I mean ME, and I just loved holding him in my arms.

Grace was by my side.

I even had my coffee with me.

Ethan worked on a fort, too.

Ethan starts high school tomorrow morning.  (ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!)  It really does seem like just the other day he was my baby boy.  How I love him.

As soon as Jacob got home from work, he showered and we all went downtown for ice cream and the playground.

They had a lot of fun on the see saw.

Back home, we had hot dogs and marshmallows.  And struggled a great deal with the fire.

Grace got a hold of the camera and I was so happy to see that I didn’t LOOK as frazzled as I felt on the inside.

Sarah did not like the roasted marshmallow at all.  She finally (after holding the one bite in her mouth for 10 minutes) spit it out on the ground.

The summer went by fast.  We’ve had such a good time together.  I’m sad it’s over.

As I sit here, thinking, I’m wondering if those “frazzled” feelings are really sadness in disguise.  The beginning of a new school year has a way of reminding me that time is marching on.

Three year old Seth is sad because he is not allowed to run around today, but he wants to.

He has a head injury.

He and his big brother have a game they like to play.  They go out on the big porch with the dog and run up and down and all around as fast as they can.

It was an accident waiting to happen and yesterday it happened.  While Seth was running full speed with the dog, he fell and hit his forehead on the porch railings.

His forehead split open, an inch long gash that showed forehead guts and bled all over.

Rich and sister helper Grace took him to the ER right away, as Seth was sleepy and subdued which worried us more than the cut.

When the doctor held up one finger, Seth said there were two.

He had a catscan to check his brain.

Thankfully, his brain was fine.

He had his cut stitched up, with five nice stitches.

They put a real big bandaid on him.

Then, he had a red popcycle.

“They fixed me.” he said.

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  inspired by soulemama

This picture totally cracks me up.  We were getting ready to go somewhere, and as it was pretty early, Jacob was drinking coffee.  I went out to hop in the driver’s seat and found this power struggle going on between the firstborn (who thinks he can kick people out of “HIS” seat) and the second born (who wants a turn riding shotgun and is not the least impressed by Jacob’s imagined authority over the rest of the siblings).  No one would budge, and they weren’t even talking, until I arrived to be arbitrator. 

It was the start of a glorious morning.  (ha ha)

This summer, although we LOVE our home and yard and woods, the children and I have felt the need to go do something else now and then.

But what? 

Something that all seven children like, is this possible? 

Something free, fun, and local.

Someplace that allows for running around for the children, and a bench for me to sit and read.

On a whim one day, I stopped at the playground at the school and was pleasantly surprised to discover that my older ones still managed to have a good time!

They made up their own game; “let’s see who can get around the whole playground without touching any walkways, just climbing on the tops of rails and such.”

When we went on Friday, I also joined in the fun because we were at a place that had a wide wooden edging around the whole play area…wide enough to be a balance beam, so I practiced full turns and cartwheels!

If they don’t want to play, they can sit with me in the shade.  I scratched tired Grace’s back that day, too, under a tree.  She was like a contented kitten.

It’s been so good for little Sarah’s coordination.  When we first started going, she could barely get herself around and now she’s a pro…and she LOVES it.

She calls it the “grayground” for some reason.

Yes, it’s a great place to be for the LITTLE ONES;

AND THE BIG ONES!

I love this picture of Jacob and Gracie.  It just hits me. 

Question.  I was at the thrift store the other day and found this gadget in the kitchen utensils.  Can anyone tell me what this is?  And, is it useful?

“As a freshman in medical school I had been randomly selected as class photographer and given a camera to take pictures for the yearbook.  I took pictures for four years.  At first I felt burdened by the responsibility, the need to carry the heavy camera with me to class, to remember to look at things.  But in time, the camera caused me to see my ordinary surroundings far more clearly, to become aware of beauty around me in some very unlikely places.  It had given me new eyes.”

~Rachel Naomi Remed, M.D. in her book Kitchen Table Wisdom

When I came across this quote in my reading, it resonated with me because that is exactly what has happened to me through the years as I use my camera.  There are many days when my Nikon D40x just sits in it’s bag, but there are far more days when it’s along for the ride.  I adore documenting my life in this way, through photography, and I have honestly grown to appreciate more of the ordinary details of living, in seeing it through the lens of my camera.  Each shutter click is a “thank you”.

The following are some “thank you” moments from this weekend.  (during a short trip home)

On our four hour trip to NY, the sky was stunning.  I took photo after photo, most of which were eventually deleted until only my favorites remained.

Beautiful!

On Saturday morning, we took the children to a big park for an hour or so.  When it was time to leave, we made them line up for directions.  We often do this, so that the younger ones learn to listen and have a chance to figure out what’s going on next in our crazy family.

Caleb, Grace, and Ethan are all looking at their Dad, ready to hear the plan.

New York farmland, oh how we love it.

When we arrived at my parent’s house, we settled right in to bake and prepare snacks and lunch.

Grace took this picture.

The children played and explored.  David set up Dominoes in the garage.  He played croquet with Ethan.  Caleb found the lego bin.  Sarah played with the play kitchen things.

Dad, Dave, and Jacob talked and laughed so much, it was just the best time.  Dave was teaching them some of his crazy-hard work out exercises.

Rich enjoyed a run, like he usually does.  We all talked and visited.

Sarah found a book that had lift flaps in it, each one had a kitty underneath the flap.  Her Uncle Dave screeched out a big “MEEEEE OW” when she looked under one, and she thought it was the funniest thing ever.

On our way up to Lion’s grave, Dad carried the box of flowers and two grand-boys.

Uncle Dave carried Sarah and held Brutus’ leash.

My husband

Later on, after lunch, Mom and I took Caleb, Seth, and Sarah for a walk through the farmland that they own, that used to be my grandparent’s.

Memories abounded, as these places were my own play areas as a young girl.  Just smelling the air alone made me teary eyed.

I’m so thankful that we can still visit as much as we can.

Sarah took off her shoes and socks so she could do what Seth was doing; walk down the creek bed in barefeet.

This picture looks peaceful but she was babbling along (like a creek) as she walked.

“I’m just walking.  I can just do it myself.  Ooooo, I almost falled.  Wait for me!  Oh!  Ugh! Ouch!”  etc.

We saw a toad and put him in a hole that we found in a maple tree.

We also saw something that I really wanted to see, an orange newt.  We don’t have them where we live now, but I always saw them as a child. 

NOT the best picture of the newt.  Sarah was gripping it good.

Happiness is finding a mushroom that matches your blouse.

Happiness of another, better sort, is your much loved cousin finding you in the woods (thanks to Dad’s help).

On Saturday night we did eat the pizza Rich was craving, but alas, no pictures of that adventure. 

For two nights, we slept in a hotel.  Rich had his own room, with the sons. 

I had my own room, with the daughters.

Despite arguements of how “unfair” it was from the older boys, to have 6 in one room, and 3 in the other, it really was best that way.

The guys had guy time.  They order pizza late at night, and went swimming late on the second.

We girls read books and this one fooled around until 10pm.  It’s amazing how wild they get in a hotel; too excited?

Next morning, I just had to take a picture of these beautiful girls of mine. 

Grace with her kindle.  Sarah with her book Jamberry .

Then she got up and proceede to make coffee. “I’m MAKIN’ COFFEE MOM!”  “It’s for Sarah.”  “I’m just makin’ coffee now.”

Sunday was spent heading home.

We stopped for subs and drove around in the backwoods of Massechusetts trying to find a perfect picnic spot at a park.  We ended up five miles up a mountain, following signs, but finally giving up, only to eat our picnic in a gravel parking lot with three Spanish speaking four-wheel riders parked near us.  And NO field anywhere in sight, in which to play catch and run off energy. 

We ate and moved on……and arrived home, safe and sound, on Sunday afternoon.

“To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.”  Henry David Thoreau

It’s almost 9am here, and it’s one of those blissful mornings that make the day seem so very promising.  The air is cool and clean, the sun is shining bright.  The washine and dish washer are a hummin’.  Earlier, after we ate breakfast, I took Caleb and Seth out for a barefoot walk on the road.  We held hands and noticed our shadows.  We ran a little.  We picked up fat acorns and looked down the grate in the road at the water.  I tasted the air, delicious with the light fragrances of country, ferns, trees, sunlight.  The birds were singing, we couldn’t see the main soloist, but could he see us?

What will I preserve today?  I’m thinking either corn (to freeze) or peach pie filling (to can).  Art in the kitchen.

This weekend Rich and I took the children on a quick trip to NY to see family and eat pizza.  Yes, Rich had a serious craving for his favorite pizza place, so off we went on a road trip.  Feet up on the dash, tunes playing, our little travelling companions along for the ride, willing and eager.  Good times, good times.

On Saturday, twelve of us, Mom and Dad, brother Dave, and my family, walked up to Lion’s (a favorite family dog) grave to plant flowers.  It wasn’t as sad as it sounds, it was nice to work together.  Jacob wrote Lion’s name on a rock and dug the hole for back eyed Susan’s.  After they were planted, I handed my camera to brother Dave and he took a few family portraits for me.

The “getting ready” pictures always crack me up………

This one’s my favorite.

From left to right:  Caleb (7), Jacob (15), Ethan (14), Rich (38) with Seth on his lap (3), yours truly (36) with Sarah on my lap (2), Grace (12), and Davy (9).

My life.   My loves.

Enjoy the day, my friends!

Forever is composed of nows.  ~Emily Dickinson

We have had the great pleasure of watching approximately 16 monarchs develop from tiny caterpillars to butterfly.  We gathered the catterpillars ourselves off milkweed plants and kept them in two big jars.  After the very hungry caterpillars ate their fill, each one formed itself into a chrysalis and then hatched into a beautiful butterfly.  We would often see them come out of their chrysalis in the mornings.  They are all gone now, the jars are empty.  I miss watching them, but we have many monarch butterfly sightings every day around the house, and I’m sure they are the ones we raised.  I feel sort of motherly toward them. 

We had so much rain this weekend that the ponds finally filled up!  The water was clean and cool.

I sat outside and watched David and Caleb enjoy an afternoon of swimming……..

They were inspired by all the diving and racing they saw on the Olympics. 

Our chicks are growing nicely.  Each morning, I take Seth and Sarah down to the coop to see how they’re doing.  We give them water and food, and watch them.

I wondered why the one on the far right had a piece of blue yarn around it’s ankle.  I found out today that Ethan did it, so that he could quickly tell HIS chick from the others.

We have been eating a lot of tossed salad lately.  Davy and I decided to try making our own dressing.  It was so fun, and delicious!

I made a big pan of blueberry buckle.  Also very delicious.  It’s, as a matter of fact, already gone.

Seth got stuck.  Sarah made me laugh when I was busy in the kitchen I heard her say very softly, “It’s okay, Seth.  I’ll help you.”  She was bent over, patting him, all serious.

I regret getting markers.

Our dog.

This morning, I took all the children out to the library.  How can I explain what it’s like to get into the vehicle with a 15, 14, 12, 9, 7, 3, and 2 year old?  It’s a riot!  At one point, I made them each say something they loved and appreciated in one of their siblings.  We also listened to music and just talked and talked. 

They had a little bit of time to play on the new playground, too.

Everyone was hungry so I decided to take them to a pizza place.  It ended up being such a nice time…we were able to sit in a corner and spread out with enough room for all of us.  My heart….it just ached with joy to see them like this!  My wonderful children, each one so special to me. 

I keep my own set of “rock” crayons in my purse and the littles colored while we waited for our food.  We also had a TV to ourselves, with a romote. 

The pizza was so good.  We got a medium cheese, and a large bacon and pepperoni.  I brought home 2 leftover pieces and a couple crusts for the dog.

Back at home, it was reading time and naptime for Seth and Sarah.  This is just some of our stack!

Jacob–likes unsolved mysteries, he also found Fastfood Nation and is reading that one now.  I wonder if it will curb his appetite for McDonald’s?  I hope so!
Ethan–the Warrior books
Grace–S.E.Hinton books (She’s read The Outsiders five times), animal books
David–Garfield comics, Series of Unfortunate Events
Caleb–snakes, snakes and more snakes and a book about an animal named “Binky”
Myself–memoirs, please!

 I found Grace reading in her room.

I went downstairs to the boy’s room and Caleb showed me a page out of his book.  so cute.

I took a picture of the wall above Caleb’s bed, which he has decorated himself with pictures of snakes and “snake shed” from the pipe that runs under the road.

He checks the pipe about once a week and there is always a snake skin in it!!  He looks forward to seeing how big the next one will be.

My reading for the next few days (weeks?)……I’m currently enjoying The Dream, by Harry Bernstein, which is the sequal to The Invisible Wall, and is VERY GOOD.  I cried when he met the love of his life, Ruby.  He wrote this book after she died and it is dedicated to her, “the one whose love made The Dream come true”.

Also shown:  Cruel Harvest, by Fran Elizabeth Grubb.  I found this book at Barnes and Noble the other week.  It’s a memoir written by a Christian lady and very good.  She had a terrible childhood, and overcame it.

I plan on reading the charming book Susanna the Pioneer Cow, to the David and Caleb.  The cover and title amuse me to no end.

Want to see my favorite reading spot?

Not only is there shade under a tree, birds singing, frogs croaking in the spring nearby, and the gentle sway of the hammock, but we recently put the hammock next to the chicken coop so I can look over at my hens now and then…….

Oh it was so relaxing.  I changed into my pj’s and read here for about an hour today, and then Jacob ran down and yelled MOM the SCHWAN’S LADY IS HERE.

So I put my book away to go order ice cream and popcycles.  In my pj’s.

And then our friends stopped by and we visited and swam in the pond.  As soon as I could, I changed back into my jean skirt. 

Before I knew it, it was dinnertime.  My friend invited Jacob, Ethan, Grace, and Davy for dinner, so Rich and I just have three children with us.

I leave you with Ethan playing his guitar.

And the recipes!

 CLASSIC FRENCH DRESSING
(source:  Taste of Home magazine)

1/2 cup ketchup
1/3 cup sugar (I used a little less)
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 small onion, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon paprika (what a beautiful color spice, isn’t it?)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I used canola)

In a blender or food processor, combine the first seven ingredients; cover and process until blended.  While processing, gradually add the oil in a stead stream.  Process until thickened.  Store in the refrigerator.  Yield: 1 2/3 cups (we doubled the recipe)

Blueberry Buckle (I doubled this and baked it in a 9 by 13)
(source:  Betty Crocker cookbook)

2 Cups flour
3/4 Cups sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 Cup shortening
3/4 Cup milk
1 egg
Heat oven to 375 degrees F.  Grease round layer pan, 9 inch, or 8X8,or9X9 square.
Blend all ingredients; beat vigorously 1/2 minute, Carefully stir in 2 cups well drained blueberries.  Pour into pan.
Mix together: 1/2 Cup sugar
                         1/3 Cup flour
                          1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
                         1/4 cup soft butter
Sprinkle over batter in pan.  Bake for 45-50 minutes.

Some motherhood quotes:

 “The best way to keep children home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant — and let the air out of the tires.”  D. Parker

“A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s.” — Diana, Princess of Wales

“I looked on child rearing not only as a work of love and duty but as a profession that was fully as interesting and challenging as any honorable profession in the world and one that demanded the best I could bring to it.” — Rose Kennedy