last saturday (for now)

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I rather wish I had kept up with daily postings about our Jekyll experience. however, NO REGRETS!

We have gotten to the point where Seth and Sarah are able to go outside riding their bikes or catching lizards and we don’t worry about them. We have also gotten to the point where they have made a clinging friend, a little girl-friend, who walks right into the house like she’s my eighth child, asking where Grace is (first) and then Sarah. She’s currently on the couch with Sarah and they are watching you-tube (five minute crafts). She’s eating macaroni and cheese that she made herself, macaroni and cheese from our pantry, using our microwave. It’s too funny. It’s like she owns the place. She’s a tiny thing, and 8 years old.

This, our last Saturday, has been full of blessings thus far. Rich and I spent a leisurely extra hour or two in our room, reading, and then Sarah came in, too.

I was reading this book and was struck by a quote.

“The battle still rages but she is learning some of the ways and means for combating it.” pg. 264

So I went ahead and did a journal page.

for those days when the battle seems more violent than usual.

The sky and water from the upstairs porch ….. particularly lovely this morning.

We were sitting under an orange light……

Rich and I took the children back to Southern Soul BBQ (I had ribs, again) for a delicious lunch.

She never really felt that she had much in common with her Dad until I mentioned (just this morning) that she had the same color eyes as him. Now they are best friends. She looks right into his eyes, studying them, and proud.

I asked (begged) Rich to let Grace and I roam Brunswick while he ran errands with Seth and Sarah, and happily, he obliged. Grace and I were so so happy to be left that we sat right down on the side walk (behind the street sign) and recovered from too many hours of stimulation (in public and with Seth and Sarah). I read my “Tara” book and handed her my journal, which I have never shown her before, which is full of private thoughts. “I feel normal now,” she remarked when we got up to walk, handing it back to me.

The mix of *buds, freshly opened, and “past their prime” brown and withered* just struck my heart. “messy/beautiful” that’s life. All together, it really is lovely.

Grace can’t ever resist a good climbing tree.

It was a very easy tree to climb, she said. “It has very handy burrs,” I agreed.

We delighted in the brick pathways through the park.

Oh yes I plucked a rose.

“Rich, Rich! Pull over so I can take a photo!”

And he obliged, again.

PS, “last Saturday”……..”for now” is what we keep saying, to comfort ourselves.

rivers of light

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“Blessed quietness,
holy quietness,
What assurance in my soul!
On the stormy sea
He speaks peace to me,
How the billows cease to roll!”
Manie Ferguson (hymn lyrics)

I’ve been in deep thought, and reading, so much here in our Jekyll home that it is all I can do to blog. But this morning I am determined to sit and type. Rich is upstairs on a call for work, Grace is reading in the kitchen, David and Caleb are still asleep, and the younger two are out visiting a sweet little friend they met at the pool. She’s here with her grandparents and they have a cat so….naturally they are fast friends.

What have I been in deep thought about? Mainly my spirituality, because all of life goes back to The Source of life, every problem or challenge is traced back to The Solution to the problems…..God in three persons, Blessed Trinity. The Triune God is a warm and heavy blanket over me when I am cold and lonely, and a cool refreshing breeze when I am fevered and emotional. My soul is saved by Him, my body and mind are calmed by Him and His Word. My Maker, my Redeemer, my Friend. Never my task-master, never cruel, never harsh, always kind, always ready with slow and gentle lessons to teach me the righteous way to live. I can trust Him completely.

During a harder day (emotionally) I went through my spiritual journal and wrote “I trust God completely” in every empty spot.

Each day I sit back (so to speak) and watch Him work.

That unexpected cheerful hello from a friend? That’s Him.
That burst of cheerful energy when you were oh so weary and sad just an hour ago? That’s Him.
The grace-filled love from a family member? That’s Him.
The fact that your sandels didn’t get swept into the sea when you left them behind while you were out walking? That’s Him.

I love to credit God for every single solitary blessing big or small because of this verse:

“So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light.” James 1:17

And what of the not so wonderful moments? The dull ones? The aching ones? The terrible ones? Oh but they are a momentary thing! The weight of the world is constantly on our shoulders, we search with oftentimes great effort for the blessings, we feel deeply the pain of sin and death and “not-right-ness” because we live here in a cursed world as pilgrims, and wait in absolute assurance for The Day, that glorious new day, that bright morning when we open our eyes and see Him face to face.

There’s an element of the gospel within every timeless movie or book, not spelled out plainly, but spiritual truths hidden carefully like a precious jewel for us to search out. Gone With the Wind, to me, was a beautiful novel because although Scarlett did everything selfishly, she did it all for home, Tara. To her, home was the only thing worth working for, even at the cost of her own personal integrity and relationships.

Ah, home.

“I will lay my burdens down when I get home.”

“I just want to go home”

“I am home-sick for heaven.”

I explained these thoughts to my husband during a recent bike ride and couldn’t help but cry. He was concerned as to where the emotions were coming from…… “You have a home here, we have a wonderful home.” And I said, “Oh yes, yes, yes, we do, but I’m always (to varying degrees) homesick for heaven and the reason why I care so much about my home here with you and the children is because this home is a foretaste, a tiny imperfect appetizer, for what is to come.” and I hunger for it. What glory and security awaits in our true Home!

**********

We went out to eat at our favorite BBQ place on St. Simons.

We sat at the bar on tall stools and it was fun because we could watch all the nonstop action as food was coming out of the kitchen. The crew was like a well-oiled machine, from the greeter to the dish-washers. They have to be, in order to keep up with the many many customers.

The shelf up on the wall is filled with BBQ books of all kinds.

To my left. They don’t pass out napkins, they just have big rolls of paper towel everywhere and you need them!

Behind us was the entrance and views of outdoor seating. Smells of smoky BBQ filled the air.

To my right, past Rich, was a wall of merchandice for sale along with fun decor.

pig with wings

red and white patchwork pig was something I wanted to sneak in my purse (but didn’t bc of the Holy Spirit)

or, as Grace says, “my morals bit me”.

“On my Mind”

Once my food came I stopped looking around.

I had ribs (oh my word so so good) and two sides of collard greens. I LOVE. I could eat collard greens at every meal.

Rich had greens, turkey, and stew

Just the best.

Southern Soul Barbeque
2020 Demere Rd
Saint Simons Island, GA 31522

**********

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day. Romans 8:18, 19

so far

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These are all the people in my family who are sick with strep throat.

We were in the parking lot of Target, getting ready to get back in the car after picking up three prescriptions in one evening.

Anyway, the sunset was lovely.

hello, so…..

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…….I’m reading this amazing book (for the second time but it’s been 25 years)

AMAZING (I’m in awe of M.M.)

………we are enjoying long walks on the beach

……..Seth has an ear infection, I finally took him to get checked after he has been sick for 5 days. Poor baby boy!!!

………after a trip to the walk-in clinic we went to Crackerbarrel

…….he ate with enthusiasm which was good for me to see.

……..Caleb did, too. He’s been asking for Crackerbarrel ever since we got to Georgia.

……..I ate like a lady (naturally!)

………after I got home we walked by the ocean

………another delightful stroll along the water’s edge

……..I saw a cool insect by the mailbox aaaaaaaaaand I have received 3 postcards from you bloggy friends so far. Cheryl you were the first and today was Kitty and Connie. Thank you!!!! It’s been such fun to get happy mail! Be looking for return mail ASAP!

…….two helicopters Very Loudly flew by as I was reading on the porch upstairs. I was affronted.

…….Rich went for a 5 mile run and I followed along on my bike (he also did 240 push ups, he’s crazy, right?) Truly, I am proud of the way he takes care of himself. But really, the spanish moss is quite beautiful, isn’t it?

……..we have no wine

……..this storm cloud was photo-worthy.

Happy Friday, friends!

all sorts

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I probably shouldn’t use the word “crap” to describe this photo because the other day we were standing in a little cafe and Sarah said, “I don’t know what to order, everything here is crap” (She said this because all she could see were sweets and pastries and nothing healthy. if it’s not healthy it’s crap, apparently).

Hello and good day to you my bloggy friends! I’m awake but very tired after a restless night. It was one of those nights when Rich and I unwisely plunged into a heavy discussion right as we got into bed and then hours later in the night, Seth woke us up with a headache and stomach ache. Rich is working from our island home from here on out (for the rest of our stay) so he was up very early with the birds this morning and then just as I was falling back to sleep after that, Seth came in my room. I might fall asleep as I type.

Rich is right next to me typing on his laptop and Grace is across the table on Pinterest. The therapy of Pinterest, I should say, as she is adding to our mutual private board entitled “I am Independent” which is for us as we are both nurturing types that tend to forget ourselves as we love everyone else, and have a hard time putting up bounderies when being sucked dry in unhealthy relationships. (hows that for a mouthful?) Easier said than done, because we are both loyal to a fault, as well. To all the independent women out there reading this, we want to be like you.

We took the children to DQ the other day. To save money since there were ten of us in all, I said, “Eat a sandwich at home first and we will go just for ice cream.” Still, we overtaxed the workers. The cashier laughed as she gave the order to the ice cream makers. “That’s a lot,” she explained.

They almost got our order correct. And it was super fun. My peanut butter sundae was divine.

We were walking home from the pool.

Home Sweet Home

Naturally, we brought some of the vast fiestaware collection from CT to GA.

This area gets the most use BY FAR. We have another living room upstairs but the TV is downstairs so we are always on top of each other here, it’s fun and heart-healthy to have the family pile-ups. We still need curtains for these windows.

The giant shell decoration on the stand is where we all put the shells and things we collect. The door to the right is the girls’ room.

I just love it here.

This is the back of our home. We own half this building. Our building-neighbors are named Cindy and Clay and we have all met them, they are very nice. The place is well- built and solid, and they assure me that they hear nothing from our side. They gave us a lovely card and a Target gift card when we moved in. They told Grace about an app she could put on her phone which tells you the names of the boats outside on the ocean.

In the photo you can see David upstairs on the porch and Jacob on the lawn below. David and Grace like to be on the upstairs porch and tend to listen to music, play the guitar, talk, read, or chat with their significant others on the ipad/iphone together. They are good friends.

a new friend

Ethan with his beach hair. Rich and I took him out for an ice cream one evening.

a good book

We took Jacob, Brittnee, and Ethan out for seafood the day they had to leave.

We are all such good pals.

Faith Chapel on the Island

I’m getting overwhelmed with blogging all these photos. But it must be done. 🙂

beautiful; it was the condensation on the windows that struck me…

Ethan took this one.

Jacob took this one.

While we were biking Rich stopped to read this little plaque tucked up on a tree branch.

“Kahlua

This area was a favorite of an amazing little dog. May you experience an unconditional love while here.

I’ll love you forever, Baby Girl”

Lunch at The Pantry over at the Jekyll Island Club.

Photography by Seth

my friend

I loved these jars (in The Pantry) I’ll be keeping an eye out for them while browsing antique stores in the area.

back at home…….our Jekyll home…..I miss my cats so I started a little cat knick-knack collection. The tails get me. The set of four (a litter) on the right have real bells upon their necks. And silly faces.

whimsical turtles (the red shell opens up!) I want to hide notes in there. Today I will. It will say “Happy Birthday Caleb” on it……I wonder if anyone will find it?

Naturally, Jacob being a friend to all and an extrovert, we had our first company while he was with us; his friend Alec from work in CT who now lives in FL along with his girlfriend Alex. I took this photo as they were coming back from the pool.

Everyone needs a Life Is Good shirt!!!! My biggest and my littlest (sons).

Life is Good shirt for G

Its the arm that gets me, and those faces, and they way they were talking to each other in the long long line for BBQ.

my heart!

Grace is DREAM of a daughter. We get along so well, we are so alike and I marvel at her.

the best……….loved my chopped beef brisket drenched in the sauce with a side of collard greens.

When you’re feeling kinda sad that afternoon and reading a book quietly and he reaches over and puts his hand on the hurt spot without saying a word …..and you feel the love, the healing love, in just the time you needed it.

This is my healing place. We all have them.

I think it’s brave

i think it’s brave that you get up in the morning even if your soul is weary and your bones ache for a rest

i think it’s brave that you keep on living even if you don’t know how to anymore.

i think it’s brave that you push away the waves rolling in every day and you decide to fight

i know there are days when you feel like giving up but i think it’s brave that you never do.

Lana Rafeala

our jekyll home

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How delightful, to have a second mailing addess!

Rich and I are thoroughly enjoying our cottage life by the ocean (right outside our windows, seen and heard at all times). The children are getting brown and are always covered in sand and going off someplace on barefeet or bicycles. We have a collection of shells getting larger and larger by the day, and pity the one person who goes on a family beach walk with pockets. Sarah approached her Dad with her two hands together filled with shells to request his pockets, “No” was the typical Dad-reply, “you carry them.” “But, but, but, but but, Dad!!”

Needless to say he allowed her to put them in his pockets. How can you say no to your little blond haired baby? (not so little anymore, as Aunt Amanda says, “Sarah is getting so tall!)

We went for a walk today and all of us but Brittnee, who doesn’t care for the ocean, went directly INTO it for a swim. It’s hot outside and the water is like magic *NOT like Disney, though, says Caleb*.

I heard David and Ethan talking. “I am SO tempted to go under the water,” laughed Dave. “Why can’t you?” I asked. “Because it kills our eyes.” It didn’t stop Seth, though. He is now half-wild and half-fish and never plugs his nose. I saw his legs sticking up from the water numberous times as he did handstands on the clean, hard, sandy floor of the ocean.

We pick up sand dollars with our toes to scrutinize them. I say to the sharks, “Go ahead and bite me!” I say to the jelly fish, “Go ahead and sting me!” Fear will not keep me from this salty sea. I am also turning brown. I haven’t spent this much time outside in years.

We ride bikes every day, bikes with bells on them. Mine is turquoise blue with a “cloud” seat and Rich says he will buy me a basket to put on the front. I can go and go and let my thoughts roam as my feet pedal. I bought three new “Life is Good” shirts (my favorite) and two of them are bike-themed. I’m a biker!

Truly, variety is the spice of life. A new place to live (for a month), new things to see and experience, and lots of family time (95% of the time a good thing) is a life-brightener indeed.

My brother Dave sent us the first gift to our new address! Thank you, Dave!

Our son Caleb will have the first birthday in our new place! In six days!

We watch Star Trek as a family every night before bed! I often fall asleep!

Yesterday I put two french braids in the three girls’ hair! But I said there were 8! I have vacation brain!

I’ve rubbed sunscreen on backs 7,000 times already!

We are about to have a thunder storm!

Rich sat right down with our new book from Dave.

Breakfast, at 11 in the morning. “Island time” is what we say, “and it never runs out,” is what Sarah believes.

Sarah and I made a double batch of Rice Krispie Treats right after breakfast.

Impossible to keep clean, but still beautiful! I’m cooking on a gas stove top! The kitchen….the heart of a home. I’ve already done so much in this sweet little cottage kitchen, including bread-baking and a huge apple pie (with Brittnee).

The wild-child came out to the porch with globs of white sunscreen just begging to be rubbed in, so, he was practically attacked by Brittnee and Grace who jumped right at him to help. He didn’t mind but seemed to have a hard time staying balanced as he was rubbed from all directions with four sisterly hands at once.

I sat on the sand after my swim, with my knees tucked under my chin and my arms around them. Seth came over with his stick. “Don’t leave the circle!” he said as he drew one around me. I kept within, and as children came to show me things I told them to lay their “offerings” down at my feet, in a Very Queenly Fashion. David didn’t like this talk, and came over to stomp on the sand dollar which Grace had offered unto me just moments before, and crushed it under his heel. “No false idols!” he admonished. “Dad gave that to me!” mourned Grace.

As we approached the public part of the beach, we all promptly turned around and headed back home. Rich and I looked at each other and smiled over every adorable thing; the boys swimming together, for example. They enjoy each other’s company like good brothers do. They also argue and kick one another in the rears but Rich assured me “it’s okay”. “He kicked him so hard, though!” “I’m sure if it was that hard he would have smacked him back.” “sigh”

And of course we study every living thing (or it’s remains) because we thrive on nature!

*****

Rich is on the couch with Grace. He is reading and she is on her phone (with a book on her lap; Middlemarch by George Eliot). The house is dim, we can hear thunder in the distance. Everyone else is free and gone and busy doing their own thing.

*****

If you mail me a postcard, I’ll mail you one, too!

Shanda Ives
116 Turtle Track LN
Jekyll Island, GA 31527-1073

(I love having a private blog now!)

strawberry muffins

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This is the way to the wild strawberries.

My legs got soaked from the wet wet wet wet grasses.

But I picked a shirt of berries.

This is the way back home.

I decided the best way to share the wealth of berries was to make muffins.

I cleaned them up and added sugar to them. I let them sit for a little while as I prepared the recipe (a common blueberry one, but added strawberries instead, along with a half teaspoon of dry strawberry jello mix and a teaspoon of vanilla).

I sprinkled the tops with plenty of sugar. I wanted these muffins to be sweet and delicious.

I don’t typically like the taste of baked strawberries, but letting them soak in sugar and their own sweet juices helped. The strawberries almost tasted like warm jam in the muffins and the jello mix also added flavor.

yummmmmmmmmmm warm muffins with freshly picked wild strawberries! I know where to find the berries and I like to think, as I pick, that the plants enjoy being harvested and will do even better next year. And I think it’s true!

Seth had one and came back for a second.

Sarah (in a towel) also had one and came back for a second.

This is still Sarah.

Caleb had two and came back for a third.

They were a hit!

*****

We are leaving tomorrow for our new vacation place in Jekyll Island, Georgia. We are packing a bunch of stuff and will be away from our CT for over a month. As often happens when I am overwhelmed with trying to get a ton of things done and prepare for a change, I find the most comfort in the kitchen, doing ordinary/extraordinary things.

I have a loaf of homemade bread almost done in the oven now.

I also find comfort in being here, writing to you.

Happy Thursday, friends!

I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.

Psalm 138:2,3