Posted on May 18, 2008 by Shanda

Peter Peter pumpkin eater
Had a wife but couldn’t keep her
He put her in a pumpkin shell
And there he kept her very well.

I have no idea what that silly Mother Goose rhyme means. But it’s stuck in my head because after being away all weekend, Rich has declared himself to be a “Shanda-Keeper”.

I’m BACK in my pumpkin shell.

Oh yeah, you probably didn’t even know I was gone. Yup. I left Friday afternoon and drove about an hour and a half away to meet my aunt and friend COLLEEN at a hotel near Albany, NY.

We had a great weekend of talking, laughing, antiquing, etc. It was a nice little adventure!

(It’s just ridiculous that I’m up this late, blogging, but Rich is actually in the basement. He’s painting the floor with Jacob and Ethan. They are quite industrious and are determined to follow through with their plan of getting it done THIS WEEKEND. So, since Rich is busy, I thought I would sit here and post some pictures of my weekend and then go to bed.)

We went to lots of antique stores.

Here is a picture of the table of contents, it sounded pretty interesting ~ I wish I had been able to read it!

A jolly yo-yo quilt~

~for my son, Jacob:

Thanks to Colleen’s navigation system we confidently (for the most part) drove around the back country roads to our destinations ~ more and more antique stores and a lunch at a diner. However, we did take time to stop and enjoy God’s creation along the way as well. Saturday was a bright sunny day and NYS was vibrant with great GREEN-NESS and rolling pastures. We saw some very lovely farms, it’s a wonder we stayed on the road, we were looking out the windows so much.

We stopped the car and got out at a creek~

and noticed the wildflowers~

Another thing we did while we were away, was indulge in new hair-cuts!

All in all, a very nice time had by all. All 2 of us. And we only talked about our children about 85% of the time!! Not bad for two very devoted mommies with a combined total of nine children.

I got back this afternoon and it was so good to hug my family members again~especially my dear husband.

I’m glad that he cheerfully lets me go off on little outings. (and thanks, Uncle Roger, for letting Colleen go away for the weekend, you are such a good sport and great Dad to your 4 little “superhero” girls.)

I have a couple more “get-togethers with long-distance friends” planned for this summer. My friend Christie and I are going to try to meet up someplace, and Joanna and I want to get together again this fall, like we did last year. I hope I get to see them both. It’s very nice to have things to look forward to. Spending time with friends is a MUST for me.

Thank you, God, for my friends and my family. . .but most of all for your goodness and grace to me each day.

“And now I lay me down to sleep. . . . .”

Good night, all.

Raspberry Cherry Pie & Chocolate Mallow Pie

Posted on May 16, 2008 by Shanda

Look

for a

lovely

thing

and

you

will

find it.

~Sara Teasdale

David found this Robin’s egg on our driveway, it had fallen from a nest.

We admired it and then put it back.

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

Recipe for a Lovely Pie. . .or two:

Raspberry Cherry Pie

1 1/2 cups sugar
3 T. quick cooking tapioca
2 c. fresh or frozen unsweetened raspberries
1 cup pitted tart cherries (fresh, canned or frozen)
1 tsp. lemon juice

For filling, in a bowl, combine sugar and tapioca. Add the raspberries, cherries and lemon juice;
toss to coat. Let stand for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl, make pie crust:

3 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 c. shortening
1 egg
5-6 T. cold water
1 tsp. vinegar

Combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder; cut in shortening until crumbly. Combine egg, water, and
vinegar. Gradually add to flour mixture, tossing with a fork until dough forms ball.

Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion to fit a 9 in. pie plate. Place pastry
in plate; trim even with edge.

Spoon filling into pastry. Dot with butter. Roll out remaining pastry to fit top of pie. Place top crust over
filling. Trim, seal and flute edges. Cut slits in pastry.

Cover edges loosely with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool on wire rack. Store in the refrigerator.

If one pie is not enough for your family, try this one as well:

Chocolate Mallow Pie (VERY chocolaty)

1 (for one sky-high pie) or 2 (for two thinner pies) store-bought oreo cookie pie crusts

FILLING:

2 packages cream cheese (one 8 oz, one 3 oz)
1/2 cup chocolate syrup
1 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
1 (8 oz) carton cool whip, thawed
2 cups mini marshmallows

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and chocolate syrup until smooth. Beat in melted chips.
Set aside 1/4 cup of whipped topping for garnishing the pie later. Fold marshmallows and
remaining whipped topping into chocolate mixture. Spoon into crust. (there is a lot of filling, you could
buy 2 pie shells for a thinner pie. That’s what I will do next time.) Refrigerate for at least 8 hours.
(I froze it for about 4 hours and it was fine). Garnish with reserved whipped topping.

(The kids didn’t like this pie, it was too chocolaty for them. I liked it.)

Davy-Do goes fishin’

Posted on May 15, 2008 by Shanda

Little boy, do you know how blessed you are? Of course, you did ask about 1,000 times for a fishing pole. And mommy *of course* has been reading you a book all about How to Fish–how to find those big nightcrawlers, why you shouldn’t touch the body of any fish you plan on throwing back, how to put a worm on a hook, what the different sized hooks are called, and so on.

You have had fishin’ fever.

So your Dad “finally” took you to a sporting goods store last Saturday and bought you your very own fishing pole. He bought one for himself and another one for big brothers to share.

Once you got home, you had to stand around and watch Daddy put together the tackle box that he bought. He said he saved 20 dollars by getting the kind you have to put together yourself. Saving that 20 dollars also paid for another lesson on “waiting patiently” for you, Davy.

It was hard to find worms in the middle of the bright sunny day. You and I read in the book that nightcrawlers are easier to find. . ..at night. But you and your brothers managed to find some small, skinny, reddish colored worms. You put them in a dirt-filled Campbell’s soup can.

Mama pretty much kept to herself and let you boys have fun together. That’s because when I did go down to watch, you almost cast your hook into my wrist. That’s okay. You didn’t mean it. But, I figured I was safer if I kept my distance.

Davy, you fished and you fished. But big brother was the only one to catch anything~4 little ones~.

So, you haven’t caught anything yet. But that’s okay. Mommy had to chuckle, shaking her head a little, when she heard you explain to your speech teacher about the “BIG ONE” that you “almost” caught. You showed her just how BIG it was, with your little arms.

Apparently, the need to exaggerate “the one that got away” is something that comes naturally to fishermen. Even you young ones.

You were very patient

Mama thinks your toes are cute. All that sitting still makes your toes curl.

the first catch~an itty bitty sunfish~

Another of Big Brother’s catches.

Daddy and Davy-do, like two peas in a pod~

Daddy understands your little boyishness when mama does not.

He says you are just like him, when he was little.

I hope you enjoyed reading about David’s first time fishing. I’m so glad we have 2 ponds so that he can fish without leaving home, although I’m sure they will be checking out other fishing holes in time.

As I was typing this, I could hear Grace and Davy in the kitchen.

She just came to me and said, “Mom? How do you make those waffles?” (frozen ones)

“You just put them in the toaster, that’s all.”

“I did that, and they turned out mushy.”

“What? What do you mean, mushy?”

I got up to go check.

“They taste AWFUL”, said David, when I appeared.

No wonder! THEY WERE TOASTING FROZEN HAMBURGER PATTIES!!!!!!

(As it turns out, we don’t even have frozen waffles. I have a small waffle maker. . . . . .guess I’ll be making fresh waffles this morning, even if it takes an hour to make enough for five hungry children. It’s the least I could do after laughing at Grace long and loud *which she did not like*.)

PS, The toaster is a great defroster of hamburgers.

Davy-Do goes fishin'

Posted on May 15, 2008 by Shanda

You have had fishin’ fever.

So your Dad “finally” took you to a sporting goods store last Saturday and bought you your very own fishing pole. He bought one for himself and another one for big brothers to share.

Davy, you fished and you fished. But big brother was the only one to catch anything~4 little ones~.

Apparently, the need to exaggerate “the one that got away” is something that comes naturally to fishermen. Even you young ones.

You were very patient

Mama thinks your toes are cute. All that sitting still makes your toes curl.

the first catch~an itty bitty sunfish~

Another of Big Brother’s catches.

Daddy and Davy-do, like two peas in a pod~

Daddy understands your little boyishness when mama does not.

He says you are just like him, when he was little.

As I was typing this, I could hear Grace and Davy in the kitchen.

She just came to me and said, “Mom? How do you make those waffles?” (frozen ones)

“You just put them in the toaster, that’s all.”

“I did that, and they turned out mushy.”

“What? What do you mean, mushy?”

I got up to go check.

“They taste AWFUL”, said David, when I appeared.

No wonder! THEY WERE TOASTING FROZEN HAMBURGER PATTIES!!!!!!

PS, The toaster is a great defroster of hamburgers.

Posted on May 14, 2008 by Shanda

Great thoughts on raising our children from you older ladies. I was so very blessed, and tears streamed down my face as I read all you mothers explain your different experiences. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer so thoughtfully. I will be going back to read again and again.

One of the things that stood out to me was the advice to make sure that we keep our marriages alive. To keep our husbands as our #1 priority, over the children. Our children need to feel the safety of a strong parental relationship.

For the past month or so, God has been working in my heart when it comes to Rich. He’s shown me some things that I was still clinging to in my own life (selfish ideas). He showed me that I am still trying to change Rich in some ways, instead of changing myself to compliment him and his personality. He showed me that I need to give more to my husband and to stop thinking of what Rich can do for ME.

There are many little opportunities throughout each day that I can take advantage of, to show my husband that I care.

It’s been a blessing. I’ve repented of some selfish behavior, and Rich has noticed a difference. In turn, he has been showering me with a lot more attention and thoughtfulness, too. He would do anything for me, if he could.

What a difference attitude makes. Attitude and a willingness to live for another person out of love and out of a desire to please God.

I have given my life to God. . . and to my husband. My own agenda is back-seat. I find so much more fulfillment in studying my man than trying to figure out new ways to make myself happier.

What am I doing anyway? I’m taking care of HIS house, HIS children, HIS needs. When I think of it that way, a new tenderness comes into my heart. . .I want to make him proud, to make him happy to come home at night, to train our children to be a joy to him.

This morning Rich gave me, as always, a kiss before he left for work. But, he also turned around at the bedroom door and said, “You remember me today, and I will remember you.”

So sweet. I like that. We will both be busy with our duties, but in our minds we will be thinking of each other and remembering each other.

When we were in FL, we took advantage of the resort’s child care and we WENT ON A DATE.

It was so wonderful. We laughed and talked and spent our time at the bookstore and getting ice cream.

The laughter is what I remember the most.

After 11 years of “How to be a Good Mom”, I’m putting myself through a refresher course on “How to be a Good Wife.” I am a book-person, but in this case I plan on studying my real-life husband, my Bible (which is TRUTH), and my own common sense (with a prayerful attitude). I’ve been learning another lesson–that sometimes my books put way too many ideas in my head. I’m going to read less “how to” type books. Call it “simplification for Shanda’s brain.” In this case, a good thing.

Dear Older Lady (question #4) “raising children”

Posted on May 12, 2008 by Shanda

What was it like when your kids grew up and became adults?

Was it a joy?

A disappointment?

Did they ever hurt you?

Was it hard to let them go?

How did you prepare for it?

How did you survive it?

Any tips for the rest of us?

What do you wish you’d done differently?

What do you think is the most important thing to remember about launching our children into adulthood?

Dear Older Lady (question #4) "raising children"

Posted on May 12, 2008 by Shanda

What was it like when your kids grew up and became adults?

Was it a joy?

A disappointment?

Did they ever hurt you?

Was it hard to let them go?

How did you prepare for it?

How did you survive it?

Any tips for the rest of us?

What do you wish you’d done differently?

What do you think is the most important thing to remember about launching our children into adulthood?

(praising God)

Posted on May 11, 2008 by Shanda

Mother’s Day 2008

My arms are full.

When I was a school girl I was often asked the question, “What are you going to be when you grow up?” I always said that I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. And look what God did. . ..he gave me the life I always wanted.

I’m just so content. I just ate a yummy breakfast made for me by my husband, I’m sitting here in my robe, and I’m grinning. Just like in the photo.

I praise God for the life He has given me.

***********

My mom was a wonderful example to me. She is the reason why my heart is so content at home, being a wife, and mothering my children.

Happy Mother’s Day

“My soul shall be satisfied as with
marrow and fatness:
and my mouth shall praise thee
with joyful lips.” Psalms 63:3-5

Posted on May 10, 2008 by Shanda

“Training up a child means showing them how to: make corn tortillas, pedal a bicycle, make up a bed, put toys away, cook for forty people in one hour, read, demonstrate respect for others, and a thousand other wonderful things. For a mother who loves her children, training is not a chore, it is a full-time all-consuming passion. They are worth every minute of time and trouble to every dedicated mother.”

“Look into your child’s eyes and smile many times each day. Take a five-minute break every thirty minutes or so to just play with him or her. Never work alone; always have your ‘little buddy’ helping you.”

“God has given your children gardian angels who watch them from heaven. You are their gardian angel here on earth.”

“How do you love your children? By loving and honoring their dad.”

all quotes from ~Debi Pearl

quote for mothers

Posted on May 9, 2008 by Shanda

“To Rose, ‘mother’ was more than a noun, feminine gender, it was an active verb, ‘the greatest career’, which she pursued with prodigious energy. In her memoirs, Times to Remember, she elaborated: ‘I looked at 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. . .I have relished my role.’ She was teacher, nurse, social adviser, lay preacher, drill sergeant, camp counselor, and, in later years, campaign worker. As her children arrived over a period of seventeen years, she considered her role in their lives: ‘Whenever I held my newborn babe in my arms, I used to think what I did and what I said to him would have an influence, not only on him, but on everyone he meets, not for a day, or a year, but for all time and for eternity. What a challenge, what a joy!'”

~Bonnie Angelo, writing about Rose Kennedy, mother of 9 children, including former Pres. J.F. Kennedy