photo by Jacob (8:00 this morning):: for Brenda, because she asked!
I had it colored, layered, and dried nicely. The whole operation almost made me fall asleep right there in the chair.
Happy Friday, friends.
my hair
11
snow
Our mailbox peeks out from a snowbank just like the majority of our neighbor’s mailboxes. I saw one that was wrapped around and around with duck tape, in a furious attempt to keep it from being broken off by the snowplows.
We haven’t had snowfall in a few days but what we have, old snow, is deep and interesting. Caleb’s school assembly was put off until the end of March because there is too much snow piled in the parking lot and as a result, not enough room for people to park.
Sarah keeps busy indoors. She especially enjoys making herself a house out of all the couch cushions. It’s good harmless fun and she’s always thoughtful to include her stuffed animals.
This is the look Parker always gives me when I go into the kitchen. “Are you about to give me a treat?”
Another thing Sarah likes to do is have hot chocolate under the table.
I made scalloped potatoes and ham yesterday for dinner.
With ham from a pig that Rich’s Dad raised and butchered for us. Delicious.
Dusted with paprika right before covering it with foil, popping it into the oven and heading off to the library.
She wore it in the car but not in the library, thankfully.
Our library looks different in the Winter.
Caleb requested books about Football. It’s his latest passion and interest, although he assured me that does still like snakes.
I usually peruse the “NEW” bookshelf and there were some absolutely delightful books to borrow. I read them out loud last night.
The Lion and the Bird. A Lion helps an injured bird and they spend the winter together and become friends. A sweet book with lots of pages of thoughtful illustrations. Heartwarming.
What to Do When You’re Sent to Your Room, Moms of boys will laugh through this one. I loved it.
Go to Sleep, Little Farm. Gorgeous artwork and a lovely soothing story, creatively worded and a joy to read aloud.
Sam and Dave dig a Hole. If only they knew what they kept missing! I read this to Seth and he said, “Read it again!” which is a sure sign of a good book. Drink chocolate milk and eat animal crackers while reading.
I Wish I had a Pet. Illustrated with whimsical pictures of felt mice and other animals. Very creative and my favorite book from the stack.
Davy’s vinegar egg experiments continue! This one is being turned to “rubber”. He is greatly influenced by youtube videos and he made his own tutorial.
Seth got home from school and got cozy on Sarah’s couch cushions with the remote.
Sarah’s been taking trips to the garage to ride her bike. She’s never out there for very long. She’s funny.
Grace has a leak in her ceiling so Rich went up on the roof to shovel off some of the snow and ice.
He said that when he was a teenager he and a couple friends drove around hiring themselves out, shoveling roofs after a heavy snowfall. They made a good bit of money doing it, too.
These pictures were all taken yesterday. Today Jacob is home with a bad cold. He is currently sleeping on the couch. Sarah and I are in the new room listening to iTunes “Princess Radio”. I have a sleeping cat by my side. David and Ethan will be home soon because they have a half day of school.
I have a 3:45 appointment to get my hair done.
How are you today?
Hope you have a wonderful day and spend a little time nurturing yourself. You are loved, my friends!
RECIPES:
scalloped potatoes and ham, my favorite way to make them
soft ginger cookies (easy–I didn’t even bother using the mixer)
wholeness
a simply lovely life
I am so thankful this morning for the freedom I enjoy in simply being me. Knowing that God sheds His grace over me and that nothing I do or say can change His love for me and mine. Knowing that there is less anxiety *in being myself*, than there is in being who I think others want me to be. Through faith in Jesus Christ, I have assurance of everlasting life, and this is the hope I have for my soul. In living this life, He is the One who leads me all the way. Day by day he changes me into His image, slowly, carefully, gently, lovingly. His children are His precious ones, and not one is lost. It is because of His great mercy that we are not consumed.
“It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” Romans 9:16
I have choices, I have a mind, I have a wisdom that knows what my needs are, and what the needs of my husband and family are. There is still a sacred privacy and security within the family unit, and nothing is worth injuring what we share together. It is the same for everyone. Don’t underestimate what you know in your logical mind to be true. I am often guided by my feelings and by the fear of man, but what the Lord has been showing me lately is that I need to be guided by common sense, wisdom, and His Word, the Bible.
I have freedom and every right to make a decision or have a belief contrary to what others may expect or want. In the rare instances that a friend doesn’t understand or agree, I don’t have to be afraid, I can trust in the peace-making promises of grace and love, knowing that my friends accept and respect me, regardless, as I do for them as well. We can enjoy the freedoms that belong to each and every one of us.
Caleb asked me to take this picture. Parker the dog is his friend and Caleb does a wonderful job of taking care of him, playing with him, sharing his food, and making sure his water bowl is filled. Sometimes if I put the dog downstairs, Caleb feels so sorry for him that he goes, too.
Sarah is getting better and better at the matching game. If I miss a match she reassures me by saying what I say to her, “Don’t be sad, you just need to think about it and remember where it is!”
Just for the fun of it David shut all the cats in the bathroom and then we took a picture, which was very very hard to do. Billy kept leaping away with a yowl.
Homemade donuts on Saturday night.
Emily reading to Seth and Sarah.
Davy had his braces put on yesterday. Oh the hardship of a 12 year old getting used to a mouth full of metal. He has been very brave, especially considering he was not mentally prepared for it at all because I thought he was getting spacers put in and we would only be at the orthodontist for five minutes. He was in the chair for over an hour. Oh my darling son. Your smile is beautiful and someday it will be even more so.
grape jelly meatballs for the son who requested them for dinner.
A tiny chickadee selected a seed and then flew away with it…
cozy cat
I made a dozen muffins for lunch. If you let them rest in the pan for 10 minutes they fall right out of the muffin tin.
Rich is working from home today.
I took this picture of Sherlock through the beveled glass in the door.
Knitting a white dishcloth for Joanna.
Right after I asked Rich if he was going to eat his muffin (it had been on his plate for an hour), Parker stealthily walked around the coffeetable, picked it up with his teeth, and went over to the kitchen to eat it on the rug.
These are the next three books I plan to read. I picked these out without reading reviews so I have no idea (besides the back covers) if they will be delicious. I sure hope they are.
I spent some time getting ready for Bible Study tomorrow and I loved this quote from my book on Romans:
“Think about integrity. To be whole, a genuinely integrated person, is to be the same inside and outside. What you are must be what others see, and what you say should synchronize with what you really believe. Jesus Christ not only saves us from our sins and assures us of eternal life with Him, He also puts together all the bits and pieces of our lives. The Christian life is a process. Making a verbal confession of faith is the beginning of that process–it leads to wholeness for the one who makes it.
“We don’t need to be told that such wholeness is rare in our world, for the disparity between what people are like inside and the facade they show to others is often considered necessary for survival. Perhaps you are experiencing that tension yourself right now and know firsthand its frustrations and anxieties. Some of us are further along in the process of being made whole than others, but all believers are on the way. “For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him.” (Colossians 2:9-10) It remains for us to become fully integrated personalities by ‘working out’ or expressing externally, what is already internally true in our hearts. (Philippians 2:12-13). This begins by confessing that Jesus is your Lord.”
and all along….
I looked for the tiny ring all over the house.
Not only I, but my whole family.
Under the radiators.
Under the beds.
In all my jewelry boxes.
In the pigs on my kitchen windowsill.
On the piano.
Under all the furniture.
Down the drain.
In the bedding.
Under the fridge.
On the counters.
Behind washer and dryer.
In the lint drawer.
In my bed.
In the bathrooms.
In the couch (twice) cracks, cushions.
Under throw rugs.
In the bookshelves, behind them, under them.
In the clothes in my dresser, pockets of jeans, coats, and aprons.
I searched diligently for an entire week, I vacuumed, dusted, swept, moaned, groaned, cried, howled, sighed, talked about it incessantly, offered rewards, and had nightmares all because of my beautiful lost Tiffany ring. By the end of the week, I began to accept the fact that it was lost forever. I even began dropping it from conversations with my loved ones.
***
We had another snow storm on Saturday, so on Sunday after the skies cleared up and the snow melted off the roads I thought I would get out of the house with the kids. I got myself dressed and thought I would put a ring on my right hand, which felt rather blank without decoration. (I’ve been punishing myself by not wearing any superfluous rings. Maybe deep down inside I felt they were safer in the jewelry box.)
I was alone in my quiet bedroom as I walked over to my dresser. I lifted the lid to the glass dish in which I keep my rings …..
I chose one and slipped it on my pointer finger. It was a purple stoned ring that I bought at Brimfield with my sister a few years ago.
It felt loose and seemed a bit too flashy for shopping at the mall with the kids so I took it off and put it back.
As I placed it in the dish, I took a moment to see if there was a different one to wear. At the very same time……I saw my missing ring.
It had been hidden inside the purple one. (see above photo) I had looked in the dish several times, even stirred the rings around with my finger, and never saw it.
I stood in shock for a moment and then picked it up. I felt nothing but disbelief and shame. I slipped it on my finger and walked out of my room. I didn’t feel like celebrating, I felt rather stupid, but I knew after all my fussing I had to do something so I loudly announced, “I found my ring!!” to the family. The children groaned when I told them where it was.
WE HAD SEARCHED AND SEARCHED THE ENTIRE HOUSE, FIT TO BE TIED, AND ALL ALONG IT WAS RIGHT WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE.
And now it’s back on my joyous finger again.
THANKFUL
{this moment} now and then
Caleb and I made cookies today and I thought, “I’ve seen this *face behind a beater* before!”
Sure enough…..from 7 years ago…..January 4, 2008…..
Caleb, now and then.
beautiful God, beautiful home
“….there are three dimensions of the Christian life that the Scriptures are concerned about–the good, the true, and the beautiful. Yet we tend to cut off the third from the other two…rarely do we find a focus on the beautiful…..”
“….the Scriptures speak about the beauty of God. His Word tells us that all things beautiful find their source and foundation in the character of God Himself. So, God is ultimately the norm of the good, the norm of the true, and the norm of the beautiful.”
“Ever since the people of God have existed in community, art has been a significant concern. When we go to the Old Testament, for example, we see there that the first people filled with the Holy Ghost were the artisans and craftsman that God selected to prepare the objects for the tabernacle.”
“…….God saw art and what it communicates as being important enough to include in His tabernacle—to include the beautiful where people would meet to worship Him. Beauty is important to God because He is beautiful, and so what is beautiful must be of importance to His people as well. Christian artists should be encouraged to create beautiful art, and Christian people should be encouraged to appreciate the beautiful alongside the true and the good, for the Lord Himself is beautiful.”
“Our Beautiful God”, article in Tabletalk magazine by R.C. Sproul
****
Although I am not an artist, I have an hungry eye for beauty. I suppose this is the reason I like carrying my camera around in capturing some of the loveliness in the world around me.
As I wrote in the last post, I have lost a ring that is precious to me. It haven’t been found yet, but in looking for it I have done a lot of cleaning in rather neglected corners of my home.
I have been forced to take the time to thoughtfully clean and dust and rearrange the things we have in our home, and as a result, it has been a surprising blessing in losing my ring that my eyes have been opened to the beauty of home-life again.
There is so much beauty in ordinary life. A well made bed, children playing games, toys lying about, animals curled up in surprising locations, food lovingly prepared, candles lit, pretty dishes, quiet music playing, blankets ready to be snuggled in, piles of books, the children’s school papers and art, clean floors, the smell of fresh laundry, and the glow of sunlight through a clean window.
Indeed, just give me one clean and washed counter and I’ll be happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“We must have beauty around us to make us good.” M.E.W. Sherwood
I made myself lunch yesterday. It was broccoli and red pepper stir fried with a minced clove of garlic and sliced mushrooms. After the vegetables were done, I removed them from the skillet and scrambled two eggs. Topped with shredded parmesan and pepper.
Yesterday’s supper. It was well received by all except Caleb and Seth.
For dessert, a frozen fruit salad. 3 cups fresh whipped cream and a 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk (folded together gently). Add 14 oz drained crushed pineapple, 2 cups sliced strawberries, and 3 sliced bananas. Freeze until firm. Very much like homemade ice cream, with no churning.
Art by David; painted on silk at school. It looks so pretty propped up in the window.
A game of Memory right before the bus came this morning. Caleb won.
Beautiful snow sprinkles and a beautiful smile.
This morning’s sun, coming up over the trees wan and cloud covered.
Jacob’s art ~ calligraphy
Tree painting by Jacob, wooden shelf made by Ethan, candlelight, old books, and football trophies.
More paintings by Jacob.
I pinned the crocheted doily on the basket with straight pins…I think it looks so pretty.
Valentine roses.
Tips from Alexandra Stoddard on creating a Beautiful Home:
* Every day can be a memorable celebration. Use your favorite dishes, napkins, and accessories to brighten up daily mealtimes.
*Always have something growing in your rooms, even if it is a modest basket arrangement of flowers from the garden.
*Clean windows are like a cloudless day.
*If you’re short on closet space, use a beautiful pine armoire, which also adds height and a focal point to the room.
* Because we spend more than a third of our lives in bed, collect a wardrobe for your bed: Invest in a variety of different sets of sheets, pillow shams, and blanket covers and an assortment of colorful patterned baby pillows and neck rolls. (I bought linen sheets this winter and Rich said they were the best thing I’ve ever purchased besides his wedding ring.)
*Seek freshness and lightness
*Make every room a living room.
(from the book, Creating a Beautiful Home)
“It never occurred to me until I had this house to take a vacation and stay home.” Bill Robinson
“The homeliest tasks get beautiful if loving hands do them.” Louisa May Alcott
How about you? Do you have any special tips or ideas in beautifying the surroundings you live in? (from your own experience, a book, or someone you admire?)
the ring, billy cat, someone growing, the ring again, and a quote from sarah
I woke right up this morning thinking about the ring. I fell asleep last night thinking about it, too. I’d rather not blog about it. Suffice it to say that I lost my Tiffany ring that Rich gave me for our anniversary a short 5 months ago. I have looked all over the house, cleaning as I go. If you ever want to get Spring Housecleaning done in February might I suggest losing something tiny and valuable in the house? It’s been remarkable how much I’ve found but mostly dirt and dust, about 1,000 marbles and legos, bobby pins, small change, pony tail holders, an earring that I thought was gone forever, a set of keys, crayons, pens, and pencils, but no ring, and oddly nothing belonging to my poor husband. Only crap that belongs to myself and the children.
This morning Sarah and I went to town. I had to go to the Post Office, which I don’t like doing, and I was struck once again by the cheerful attitude of my little girlie who doesn’t mind going out into the cold with Mama on a constant basis. She puts her hand in mine and we go. “Mom, remember. Cars go FAST.” she says as we cross the street. We bought a bag of books for 2 dollars at the thrift store. We went to the grocery store and then home again to read them.
The cats are always inside now that it’s been so cold. Billy amuses us all the time. Today he decided to get a drink from the kitchen sink.
I began taking way too many pictures of Billy drinking water from the faucet.
Then something caught his eye and he forgot all about the water.
What could it be? He stood up on tip toes.
And he pressed his orange head against the screen. His tail was twitching.
Birds. Lots and lots of birds. They were politely taking a seed and flying right by the kitchen window in front of the orange cat. He wanted so badly to go and catch one but I said no.
I poured my coffee and invited him to sit with me for a chat instead.
He had a hard time focusing after all the excitement of water and birds.
“I’d rather have bird.” he says. “Also I would rather scratch you.” he confesses.
Grace is shrinking. Either that or Davy is growing taller. I’m not sure.
She is 15 and he is 12. It’s an odd thing to see the little brother catch up in height. His feet are already bigger.
This was my napping buddy yesterday. The children had no school because it was (NOT A SNOW DAY –I know hard to believe!) President’s Day. I read Seth a chapter of Henry and Ribsy, by Beverly Cleary. And then we fell asleep back to back in the big bed. He’s the apple of my eye. Rich and I took him to his wrestling tournament (states!) on Sunday and he placed 5th.
Back to the Ring Saga:
Last night, Rich pulled the washer and dryer out to check for the ring. The boys were right there watching the entire time.
At dinner Rich prayed and thanked the Lord for the food. Before he forgot, I interjected, “And please, dear Lord, help me find my ring,” prompting Grace to groan aloud, “PLEASE!” “Amen” said Rich, and when we opened our eyes Jacob expected the ring to fall from the sky onto my plate. If only!
David read this in his book last night:
This picture does a good job at illustrating what’s been going on in my house. I’m the one in the long striped skirt.
******
In other news……..
Sarah watched “Finding Nemo” for the first time yesterday. When I tucked her into bed she asked, “Mom, can I watch ‘My Me Me Mo’ again tomorrow?”
{this moment} and a video announcement
This is me, blowing out my candles at 9pm at night after a long long day and wrestling practice for the guys. I wish you could have heard the family’s rendition of “Happy Birthday” it was goofy and I think it was in three part (or more) harmony, too.
It took a while for the smoke to clear from the kitchen!
And, thank you so much for having fun with me here on the blog regarding the perfume sample giveaway. Here is a video announcing the winner. We did no preparation and we only did one take. I love my Davy.
perfume for my birthday
Have you heard of Jo Malone perfume?
I was on a website a month ago and listened to a radio program featuring the gifted perfumer, Jo Malone. I was inspired by her story (listen here) and after I learned all about her, including that her husband almost died of a terrible illness, she battled aggresive breast cancer, and is dyslexic, I decided that I would request a bottle of her perfume for my birthday, which is today. Every time I wear it I will think of her strength.
Rich took the day off from work and took us out to a fancy breakfast at the Marriot Hotel. Both of us ordered eggs Benedict served over crab and asparagus. It was delicious, I mean seriously, I was groaning with joy over it. Sarah was so cute and asked me to tell her all the things she could have, since it wasn’t time for macaroni and cheese. She settled on sausage with maple syrup and she ate every bite.
After breakfast we headed for the mall and straight into Nordstroms. I was so excited to finally be able to experience all the fragrances of Jo Malone. (I get way too excited over things like birthdays and perfume).
Rich couldn’t help us until the end because alas he gets headaches from smelling too much perfume. Sarah and I had an absolute ball smelling every single bottle. There was a jar of whole coffee beans at the counter, too, to “cleanse our noses” between sniffs. So fun!
It all smelled so wonderful it was hard to make a choice. I had Rich smell the last two bottles that I narrowed myself down to and he said, “Get them both!” “No!” “Yes, I really think you should get both so when you get tired of one you can wear the other.” “Okay”. I was touched once again by his generosity toward me and he left with his wallet and the nice lady, to make the purchase.
It’s so easy for people to love on Sarah Joy. I’ve been working on her attitude of friendliness for so long and I am happy to say she was a sweet little girl to the saleswoman, but it’s sort of easy to be sweet when you’re surrounded by such nice things like ribbons and boxes and good smells.
The lady’s name was Lydia and she is from Belgium. She put Sarah right up on a tall stool and put her to work making Mama’s perfume pretty. They carefully put the bottles in boxes with tissue paper and Sarah helped tie the bows.
He wanted to get me two full sized bottles but they didn’t have the big one in one of the fragrances. I picked out Red Roses, and Blackberry & Bay.
As a treat for you, I have a free sample of the Red Roses perfume to send to one commenter on this post. Leave a comment on this post, NOT ON FACEBOOK, and tomorrow afternoon at 3pm I will ask my son David to give me “a number, any number”(not telling him why or showing him this post)….and the number that he randomly chooses will be the comment on this blog post which wins the perfume. You will receive one tiny free sample bottle of Red Roses perfume in the mail from yours truly.
Thank you, God, for one more year of wonderful life.
*strawberry ripple teacake*
Let love and faithfulness never leave you…write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3
Today I have a delicious recipe to share with you. It is a cake that I began making many years ago, when I was a teenager. I am forever grateful to my Mom for giving me free reign in the kitchen to learn to bake before I was married. This recipe is special to me because everyone who tries it loves it. It is a very simple, quiet cake to make by hand; no mixer is necessary.
The cake itself is an uncomplicated butter cake with a surprise thickened fruit filling in the middle. The original recipe suggests raspberry filling, which is delicious, but I typically make it with strawberry, my favorite.
It is beautifully cream colored and golden, buttery, with a layer of pink, perfect for any time and perhaps Valentine’s Day, which is four days away. Men love cake. My dear husband Rich loves this cake, especially. Your man might be similar to my man and prefer this cake over any other. I am sure he would love this particular cake as an edible Valentine’s gift from his loving (and devoted) wife. Maybe for dessert after a juicy steak dinner?
If your man does not like cake, might I suggest baking it for the children?
S T R A W B E R R Y R I P P L E T E A C A K E
1 10 oz package sweetened berries in juice (from the frozen section at the grocery store)
1 Tablespoon cornstarch or flour
For the Filling: In a small saucepan, stir undrained fruit and cornstarch till combined. Cook and stir until thick. Remove from heat, set aside to cool.
For the Cake:
2 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup salted butter or margarine
1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1 beaten egg
3/4 cup sour milk (1 T.vinegar, add milk to measure) OR buttermilk
Grease and flour a 10 by 12 round tart pan. You may also use a round cake pan.
In a large bowl stir together flour and sugar, cut in butter. Set aside 1/2 cup for topping. Into remaining flour stir Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Salt. Make a well in center for combined egg and sour milk. Stir until just moistened. Spread 3/4 batter in bottom of pan. Spread filling on top of batter, spoon on remaining batter and crumb topping.
Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.
This is what the unbaked cake looks like after dropping batter on top of the filling. The cake will spread and come together when it bakes, so don’t worry about covering the filling entirely.
The crumbs also cover the filling. This is what it looks like after sprinkling them on top, right before popping it into the oven.
Oh happy day, the cake is baked.
Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing..
for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6
Baking a cake for a sad/lonely or happy/celebratory person/family would also be a good idea. This is a great cake to give away.
Enjoy.
*****
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life…It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” Melody Beattie
“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”
Good to be Home 
