a morning walk for three

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Shanda

As I sit here and gaze upon the photos I took yesterday,

I realize this particular morning walk wasn’t so much about the slow pace of travelling on foot with toddlers,

or the adorable pose he struck up there on the big stump.

Or the flowers we found.

It wasn’t about the weather.

Or her blond hair and blue eyes.

Or the way he took over the stroller and wouldn’t give it back.

It wasn’t about the bridge we came to.

Or the water that was under it

or the leaves we threw in it.

What the camera truly noticed on this day,

what it really loved,

was the shoes.

Her shoes.

Her adorable little size 6 shoes.

new chicks

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Shanda

“The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness

from common things.”

Henry Ward Beecher

This morning for breakfast, I put a pat of butter in a frying pan and waited for it to melt. I reached into the fridge and choose two eggs with sage green shells that Grace gathered from the coop, just yesterday. I put down two pieces of white bread into the toaster and cracked the eggs into the pool of hot butter, where they immedietly started sizzling. At just the right time, I used a wooden spoon (because I couldn’t find my flipper) and turned the eggs. Turning off the heat, I grabbed a (fiesta) plate from the cupboard, buttered my toast, and put it and the eggs on the plate. The older children were all in school and the younger ones had already eaten. I sat at the table a nd ate my eggs with the hot, crispy toast and remembered all the mornings my Mom made me this very same breakfast before school. Eggs and toast are a comfort food for me. A perfectly fried egg is something to be proud of.

I remember when Rich finally agreed to let me get chickens. We had stopped at Agway for something and I sat in the car with the children while he ran in. When he came out, he smiled and handed me a brochure through the open window, and told me that it was time to order chicks. Everyone in the car heard my happy cries, as I realized I was finally going to live out one of my dreams; to have a flock of chickens!

That was three years ago now. The chicks came in the late summer, and by that winter they were starting to lay. We have enjoyed two and a half years of our own rich, beautiful eggs. Each one is interesting, big or small, speckled or solid colored, and sometimes we even get a tiny egg.

Through the years we have lost some of our original, first chickens. One of our hens hatched out eggs (for a second flock) and we lost some of those new ones, too. Right now we get about 5 eggs a day.

Grace and I are hooked. We will always have chickens now. They add so much to life here at home. We observe them, laugh at them, hold them, and enjoy their eggs.

A few months ago, I ordered twenty five more chicks. Five each of five different varieties. On the morning the Post Office called, Grace went down with me (at 6:30 am) to get our box of warm, peeping chicks. The two of us brought them home and got them cozy in the garage, in a big crate. We put down wood shavings, filled their water and food, and sat down to watch them. We’ve been sitting out there every chance we could get, all weekend.

The chicks get sleepy under their red heat lamp. We smile as we watch them sink into the straw, limp, and looking very peaceful.

Most of the time, they are busy eating and drinking (and growing). We put food in empty food lids and they seem to like it better that way. They gather around in a circle and get right into the dish so they can scratch backwards and eat. I found a metal water ring at Agway, made to use with a mason jar. Delightful.

Yesterday afternoon, Grace and I took nine of the chicks outside for a little while. Although they are tiny, they knew just what to do; scratch and hunt for little tasty morsels. One of them found a leaf and got chased by her sisters, who thought it was something good to eat.

We have five each of:

Ameraucana (blue or green eggs)

Lakenvelder (white or cream eggs)

Welsummer (dark brown eggs) I am most excited about these. I can’t wait to see the eggs.

Rhode Island Reds (brown)

New Hampshire Reds (brown)

We haven’t raised any poultry for meat, although we may in the future. For now we are simply enjoying our chickens as pets and the wonderful egg producers that they are.

{this moment} our new chicks

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Shanda

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

a sweet two

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Shanda

“But the child born on the Sabbath Day,
Is fair and wise and good and gay.” ~ 1838 nursery rhyme

Sarah Joy was born on a Sunday morning.

Back those two years ago, the last picture I took with my camera before taking *the next one of my newborn baby girl*, was of the newly bloomed peonies in the flower bed. Forevermore, these lovely flowers will be, in my mind, “Sarah’s”.

(@ just a few days old)

I purchased a few little gifts for her yesterday. But, during Seth and Sarah’s naptime I got to thinking, how I would really like to make something for her. I got out my sewing stuff and put together a pretty skirt, and even trimmed it with darling pink ric rac. When I put it on her, I laughed and said, “You look like a princess!”

I made it while she was sleeping, and consequently the length is a little off….however, I suppose this way she’ll get more wear out of it.

My mom bought her a vintage baby doll bed for her birthday, which she was very pleased about.

We gave her little wrapped presents and watched her open them. A few of her brothers got impatient, but I made them leave her alone. She opened them all by herself.

Her lap of goodies.

We made her cake together. It was delicious. I found a recipe online for a strawberry cake and I baked it in a heart shaped pan. We decorated it with homemade frosting (I used my own favorite recipe, instead of the allrecipe’s one) with bits of strawberries mixed in, & green and pink candies.

We sang a rousing rendition of HAPPY BIRTHDAY, and then dug in.

Happy 2nd birthday to our wonderful little girl. We love you, Sarah!

zoo day

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Shanda

Yesterday, on a hot New England day, Rich and I drove the children to the Roger Williams Zoo in Rhode Island. It took us about an hour and a half to get there, the perfect distance to put my feet up on the dash, read my book, hold hands with Rich, and listen to itunes on the radio. I did get into trouble once, for nagging Rich about his driving. But, after he confessed that he began the trip with the intention of driving the best he could and that I made him tense, I shut my mouth and just tried to look (and act) pretty.

We wanted to visit the zoo for Caleb. He is six and is very interested in snakes. He had to write a paper on snakes for first grade, and that is how it all began. Since then, he’s been checking out every book at the library that he could find on snakes. He is starting to collect rubber snakes, because we won’t let him get a real one. One morning he came to me with tears in his eyes and said, “Mom? I feel so sorry for the milk snake, because people confuse it with the venomous coral snake…….and kill it!” (sob) I found him a “Snake Dictionary” and he knows all about each snake. There are truly a great many different snakes out there in the big world, and some of them are (dare I say) quite lovely, too. Caleb’s mind is like a sponge, soaking up all this information….but, he wants to see the real thing. Books are not enough anymore, and he’s been begging us to take him to the zoo.

We saw the long necked giraffe.

The elephants were getting their bath.

We saw penguins.

And beautiful pink flamingos.

Then….finally…..the snakes. Two Emerald Tree Boas to be exact. Perhaps we missed something, but the anticipation of seeing a variety of snakes was great, and to see only one kind was little teeny bit disappointing. Good ol’ Caleb seemed to be fine with it, though. It helped that we bought him a rubber snake at the gift shop.

We only lost track of family members once or twice. No one cried. We all enjoyed ourselves, and what’s better to wear on the skin than sticky stuff from little boy hands? I can’t think of any perfume better than that. It’s been 12 years since Jacob was Seth’s age and I’m so utterly grateful to have this three year old in my arms, or even, yes, running helter skelter away from me just like his four big brothers have done. I’m still good at catching them and bringing them back.

Our Davy also loves the different animals and was thrilled to run around, looking at all of them. He also had a thrill when he turned the crank to stamp an animal on a penny.

So sweet. It really doesn’t take much to please a child.

We left the zoo, hot and happy. On the way home we stopped at a chicken place for a late lunch.

Back at home, Caleb worked on his new snake coloring book.

Rich went straight to the hammock and when he fell asleep, I took Sarah in my arms.

Under the late afternoon son, we went swimming, for me it was the first swim in our newly dug out pond. I loved it, the children were amazed that I was swimming with them. So was the cat.

When Rich woke up, he and the boys went to work on the yard.

They discovered turtle eggs in the topsoil that he had brought in from the quarry.

Perfectly round.

I also made a discovery in my garden.

Green caterpillars all over in my lettuce.

I picked as many as I could off.

And threw them in with the chickens. They were gone in about 5 seconds.

How do you keep caterpillars off your lettuce?

Happiness is a little bouquet of daisies, picked and brought to you from your own sweet boy.

Happiness is a red swimming suit, with white polka dots, drying on the line.

And, happiness is GETTING YOUR BRACES OFF!

Someone handsome just got handsomer, today! I love his perfect smile, and Seth has been so funny about Jacob’s new teeth. He keeps saying, “Let me see your smile, Jake!” He doesn’t remember a Jacob without braces and he asked where they went. The orthodontist sent Jacob home with a bag of candy, candy that had previously been off-limits when the braces were on. And he got to sign his name to the wall in the office. A very happy day for our Jacob.

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Shanda

It’s been a busy, fun-filled weekend. So warm and muggy that I’ve been running into the bathroom now and then, just to splash cold water on my flushed cheeks.

On Saturday, bright and early, my parents pulled into the driveway. My heart leaps when I see them arrive, it’s always a great feeling to have them near.

We got right to visiting, all eleven of us.

After a while, Rich and Dad ran a few errands while Mom and I meandered around outside.

Sarah stayed with us the whole time, chattering in her little girlie ways. We went for a walk so I could show Mom the biggest “Jack in the Pulpit” (wildflower) I ever saw. We picked ferns and walked Jacob and Ethan to their weekend job at the neighbor’s.

Back inside, we puttered around in the kitchen and made Raspberry Rhubarb Jam. Caleb showed Grandma his fun computer game.

She was busy reading to Sarah Joy on the couch when I took this picture of our lovely jam. Grace was busy writing her book.

After the men got back,Mom and I drove down town to the library and to a second-hand shop where she bought Sarah a darling wooden baby doll crib. I purchased a few serving dishes for ice cream, pudding, or jello. They had four at the shop, and Mom said she had the same dishes at home and she would give them to me. I hope it all adds up to nine.

The little boys found this baby turtle down at the stream. It was so tiny in my hands, but so perfect. I wanted to keep it as a pet but we let it go. I miss him.

I was working in the kitchen (again?) when Seth asked me to read to him so I said, “Go ask Grandpa to read it”.

I quickly popped my dinner in the oven so I could take a few pictures of the coziness. I love listening to my Dad and Mom reading out loud to the children. It brings back so many memories. I also love the looks on their faces as they listen to another voice besides mama’s.

And I think sometimes Dad actually gets to read one that he hasn’t ever read before, even though he is now an old man (so he says, even though he’s a very young grandpa). He always likes the stories …… maybe just as much as Seth. “Wild Things” is a current favorite and Dad read it great. Then, they read Jamberry.

Can it get any better than this? Three of the most dear and special faces. Yes, that is a big bump on Sethie’s forehead, alas, he hit his own self, with a metal baseball bat.

The crazy mama.

After a quick manicotti dinner, we all headed downtown to the Little League field. Davy had a game and Grandma and Grandpa got to watch it. He was just so thrilled about it all.

It is quite a shame, that I did not get a photo of the baseball player. Such is life. Oh well.

My two very favorite men.

After the game, which did not end until 9:30-something PM, Mom and Dad headed back to their hotel. They spent Sunday with my brother Isaac, and went home that afternoon.

These pictures are from Sunday morning, right before we went to church.

I simply A D O R E this one. Caleb, Sarah, Dave, and Seth.

And here I am, with my littlest one.

My weekend book….and the ever ready sunglasses. It’s been so wonderfully sunny.

I can’t believe I even had time to read.

Rich and I went out on a quick date on Sunday afternoon. On our way home, we saw a big bird and pulled over to take a picture. We were laughing as we tried to get the best possible angle, passing the camera back and forth, as cars were passing us and quite possibly wondering what the two oddballs were doing?!

This was the best one. An oriole was flying around, making noise and I hoped that the big bird wasn’t trying to vandalize it’s nest. There were clearly some issues going on.

Today was a zoo day, pond day, and yard work day. I took some photos but those will be shared at another time.

Thanking God for this beautiful life and for my lovely friends, like you. heart

{this moment}

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Shanda

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

thankful day

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Shanda

There is a calmness

to a life lived in gratitude,

a quiet joy.

R.H. Blum

jam and muffins

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Shanda

Outside around our place we have beautiful blue wildflowers;

nesting supplies for the birds;

a fine feathered rooster;

and tiny toad tadpoles. (To name just a few interesting outdoorsy sort of things.)

Guess what, my friends? I made homemade jam this weekend (in a bit of time between ball games). Oh, it was very rewarding and such an easy recipe. I found the recipe (and the muffin one, too) in a cookbook that I borrowed from the library.

Apricot-Pineapple Jam, makes 4 cups

1 box dried apricots

1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple

6 cups sugar

12 maraschino cherries, coarsely chopped

1 package Certo pectin

1 T. butter

Cut the apricots into small pieces with scissors, removing any hard stems, and place in a bowl. Add two cups of water and let stand for at least 4 hours. Place softened apricots in large, heavy pot and add the other ingredients. Mix well. Place over high heat and bring to a full rolling boil stirring constantly. Boil 10 minutes to prevent floating fruit. Ladle into sterilized jars and seal.

It’s a bright, delicious jam. The boys came home from their Saturday job as I was stirring it on the stove top. They said it smelled so good. “Mom’s making jam again!” After I was done with it, I made some biscuits and we enjoyed the jam on our biscuits. It was a lovely late-afternoon snack.

Rich was busy working on yet another landscaping project here at home–a walkway from the house to the garage–so I served him his biscuit with jam outside and he enjoyed every morsel. Funny story: He asked for a second biscuit and as I skipped proudly back inside through the front door, I told the children (who were munching on their snack) happily, “Dad wants another one!” THEY THOUGHT I MEANT ANOTHER BABY! Ethan even said, “If it’s a boy we could name him Joshua, we’ve always liked that name but haven’t used it yet”. shocked Talk about misunderstanding!

This was the weekend project. Actually not only a walkway, but also a patio between the house and the garage. Rich and the boys (and Grace, too) worked on it all weekend long. Six year old Caleb even has a black eye from his “helping” (he was fooling around and ran into one of his brothers, who was carrying some pavers).

The pavers are all in place now, and we are just waiting for them to dry (it has since rained) before Rich finishes it off. We plan on putting a grill down there and planting some perennial beds around the outside of the patio. I am proud of their hard work. In fact, it is one of the ways Rich likes to show me his love, by his hard work around the house and at the office. *swoon* heart

He gets rewarded for his hard work in many ways, one of which is GOOD EATS. Yesterday morning he was working outside and I served him “breakfast on a bulldozer”. I made homemade baked oatmeal and orange muffins and took them outside to him as he was working on the bulldozer with Seth on his lap.

The muffins were so perfectly yummy, you must try:

Orange Buttermilk Muffins, makes 12

6 T. butter

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 orange

1 egg

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

dash salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt the butter, set aside to cool. Put the buttermilk and half a sweet orange, seeds removed, into a blender and puree. Add the egg and butter and blend well. In a separate bowl combine all the dry ingredients. Mix the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients until just mixed. Do not overbeat. Spoon into greased muffin tins and bake at 400 for 20 minutes.

Serve with butter and homemade apricot pineapple jam.