timmy the mouse…beans…concord grapes

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Shanda

“After a mouse has been studied it should be set free, even though it be one of the quite pestiferous field mice. The moral effect of killing an animal after a child has become thoroughly interested in it and its life is always bad.” ~Anna Botsford Comstock

GOOD morning! How are you today? Did you have a nice Labor Day weekend? We did, too. A little bit of everything…rest, play, work, fun, and so on. The children are back to school today and I just taught little Sarah how to use the vacuum cleaner to clean up her own cookie crumbs. She did a great job. Now she’s going to watch Franklin (the turtle cartoon) until I’m done with my blog-writing, and then we’re going to the library for some new story books to read for the week.

Do you know what I think is fun about life right now? The unpredictable way of it, the way you can take a break on the porch with a stack of cookbooks and be interrupted by a mouse! Or when you host a Bible study at your house and someone’s grandparents bring you a bag of fresh garden beans. Or, when a little one is too sick to go to church and you end up going for a walk and find ripe grapes!

Who would have guessed these little events would happen to us this weekend, just small parts of the whole of course, (we did much more), but these are a few of my favorite things that happened in our family as we moved from August into September……..and enjoyed an extra day in the week-end. *I love my family*

“I SMELL A MOUSE”

I was, like I mentioned, sitting on the porch looking up recipes for green bean side dishes…..when superhero David rescued an adorable deer mouth from the jaws of death. He promptly put it in a bucket and gave it a cheerio. Seth was an onlooker, looking but not touching, but then when big sister arrived on the scene, she promptly named him TIMMY and picked him up!

I had told the boys not to touch it.

David was offended because it was HIS MOUSE. And she wouldn’t give it back! She said she loved Timmy.

She tried to put Timmy back in his bucket but he ran up her arm!

So she kept him longer. She said he loved her, too!

David continued to be annoyed.

Annoyed and stressed out. Grace was bonding with the field mouse. It is my belief that the mouse was in shock and didn’t know what was going on.

They started going into the house to show Dad but I began to yell about how unwise that idea was……what if Timmy got away?

So Grace came back, yelling at her brothers to stop trying to take him away from her…..not sure what Sarah’s doing…..

Grace, Seth, David, and Sarah marched in a line to the woods and released the mouse with blessings for a long and happy life.

I left the porch and set to work on my green bean side dish.

I used a recipe from the old cookbook Kara gave me through the mail (thank you, dear dear friend!!)

The beans were wonderful. I washed them, trimmed them up, and cooked them in a pot of water until they were just right (we like them soft).

Meanwhile, I fried three slices of chopped bacon and then sautéed finely chopped onion (3/4 cup) in the bacon grease.

When the beans were done, I added them to the onions and bacon, and seasoned them with salt, pepper, and paprika.

Rich and I ate them all for dinner (that’s all we ate). Grace tried them, too. They were delicious.

I took this picture while the beans were boiling.

We had a strange little illness go around the family…consisting of a stomach ache and head ache. Sarah threw up one night, but the others just had the aches. Caleb had it in the night before church and said he couldn’t go, he “just couldn’t stand it” if he went to church. Consequently, Rich left with the other children and I stayed home with Caleb…..after resting all morning and giving him Advil, I decided it wouldn’t hurt for us to go on a gentle stroll down the road.

He took a plastic bag in order to collect wild concord grapes. They were sour; our walk was punctuated by the sound of him vigorously spitting them back out…….I politely refused his generous offers of grapes from the bag.

They are abundant this year……and smell so good, much better than they taste. However, Rich also likes eating them. Later on, he was delighted to discover Caleb’s bag of them on the kitchen counter.

I made jam from them last year but we still have a few jars left so I’m not tempted to do anything with them this year.

The neighbor’s cows.

***

I hope you have a wonderful day where ever you are, school, work, home….isn’t it marvelous that God sheds his blessings (big and small) on us no matter what we’re doing? I’m thankful for time to get things done, an opportunity to write to my friends here in blog-land, a trip to the library, a beautiful warm day, with health and energy to do what I need to do for my family. God is good.

You are loved.

“Gentleness towards self and others makes life a little lighter.” Deborah Day

Les Mis quotes, photos of bugs and things, & thoughts

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Shanda

“One day he sprained his ankle in his effort
to avoid stepping on an ant.
Thus lived this just man.”
Les Miserables

“Does not this comprehend all, in fact? And what is there left to desire beyond it?
A little garden in which to walk,
and immensity in which to dream.
At one’s feet that which can be cultivated and plucked;
overhead that which one can study and meditate upon:
some flowers on earth,
and all the stars in the sky.” pg 37

“The most beautiful of alters
is the soul of an unhappy creature
consoled and thanking God.” pg 15

“Be it said in passing, that success is a very hideous thing.
Its false resemblance to merit deceives men.” pg 34

“He had nothing of the prophet and nothing of the magician about him.
This humble soul loved, and that was all.” pg 37

“The sadness which reigned everywhere was but an excuse for unfailing kindness.
Love each other;
he declared this to be complete,
desired nothing further,
and that was the whole of his doctrine.”

“When the heart is dry, the eye is dry.” pg 60

Hello, my friends.
How are you today?

I’m having fun carrying my camera around outdoors.

Yesterday, I shared some wild clover from my bouquet, with Grace’s bunny. She also enjoyed some parsley from the garden.

Every once in a while I take a picture indoors, too. Because my cats like to pose for me.

The children are on their third day of school. It is going well. When they get home they like to swim.

Does anyone want to read Les Miserables with me?

Grace fell in love with the movie a while ago and I finally sat down to watch it with her a few weeks ago.

I was astounded by the story, the music, the messages.

I’m currently on page 64 out of 908.

*It begins with the Bishop, and I have found a new kindred spirit. I love the Bishop!*

By “reading the book with me” what I mean is this: You read your copy and I read mine, at our own pace. If anything strikes you, a quote, an idea, share it with me in the comments at any time and I will respond to you. Also, I will share quotes as I go along, too. Thank you, dear reading friends.

Have you seen the movie? I watched it again with Rich on Friday and he was touched by it, too.

He calls the book a doorstop.

*****

Sarah is feeling a little bit under the weather today so we are cozied up on the couch watching The Little Mermaid. It has been a bright, cool morning but is starting to heat up. The sky is blue and cloudless. I can feel the seasons change, from summer into fall, in the typical New England fashion. It’s a rich, contemplative time of year, I find myself wandering outside a lot…breathing in the air, looking at everything around me, listening to the cricket’s buzzing sounds, thinking about things or nothings. Yesterday evening Seth and I took a blanket outside to watch the clouds turn pink. As soon as we got comfy he popped right back up and asked, “Do you mind if I play catch with myself?”

I have to do a little house cleaning this morning before the children get home from school. I have started up my school year habit of making everyone’s bed while praying for that person. (recommended) Rich should be home by 5 and we are hosting a dinner/Bible study evening here later on.

My favorite moment of the week? Standing in the driveway on the first day of school watching and waiting for Seth’s bus to bring him back home, and then when it came, watching him get off and run to me. My heart! I cried a little. He was dear, and he was back home with mama.

Have a wonderful, blessed day dear ones! You are loved.

The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never,
I nothing lack if I am his,
And he is mine forever.

Henry Baker, 1868 (old hymn)

exciting day for the children

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Shanda

Seems like just a month ago, this little guy was a baby (that’s him in my lap, 5 years ago^^) –and now here he is going to Kindergarten!

We went to the school yesterday, his hand in mine, to see his classroom. He has the very same teacher that his big brother David did for Kindergarten. It’s fun because she and I both remember when I took newborn Seth into the school during a parent teacher conference-they already knew each other-!

He’s been wanting to go to school for a long time now. I have no doubt that he is ready, but I’m going to miss him during the days so much. My baby boy.

At the orientation he had to paint his handprint.

He got to see the gym. If he’s anything like his brothers, this will be his favorite place.

So yes, I had to struggle to keep from crying right there at the school yesterday. Thankfully I held it together, for Seth’s sake. I got to see my friend Heather, and also as a happy surprise, another friend of mine’s son is in the same class as Seth. Actually, her daughter went with my son Jacob to the prom this spring. We both have a Senior and a Kindergartener in the same school year.

Seth’s teacher gave him a bag of Lucky Charms cereal with a note on it that said, “I’m lucky to be your teacher”. She also gave him a paper book to read before bedtime. It was tied with a ribbon, and was a story about being too excited to sleep. There was a small baggie of confetti taped inside with the promise that if he sprinkled it under his pillow he would fall right to sleep. It also said that Teacher would do the same thing, because she was so excited, too. It was precious, I was putting his clothes out as Rich read it to him last night.

Right away this morning the dog was sad. He knew just what was happening. His boys and girl were going to school and he would be stuck home all day with MOM!

“Looking at Mom”

Another change for us is that our DAVY is a middle schooler and is now riding the early bus with the big kids.

Grace is a sophomore, Jacob is a senior, and Ethan is a junior.

I just sat here smiling over this picture for a while. I love how Jacob is wearing casual and Ethan is more dressy….and Grace is wearing Emily’s shirt with her new ankle boots from Target that I bought her last week. From what Grace told me, Emily is wearing one of Grace’s shirts today, they had it all planned out. (Emily is Jacob’s girlfriend).

They got on the bus at 6:30 this morning and will come home at 2:30 if they don’t have to stay after school, (which, 3 of them do today).

NEXT?

Time for Caleb to get on his bus and travel to 4th grade!

And then it was time for Seth to wait for the bus. He had a couple of wet spots on his shirt from brushing his teeth, but he loves this shirt, he mentioned it several times…..he calls it his soccer ball shirt. When Rich woke him up this morning he said, “But I’m still tired!” He had a hard time eating breakfast, he’s not the type that’s hungry first thing in the morning. He got down part of a bagel and a bunch of grapes.

He made his own lunch and then I slipped in an extra bag of chips.

He took a blanket for rest time.

He has gym today.

I CAN’T STAND IT!

With his sister and Billy-cat.

Sarah thought she heard the bus.

He finally gets to actually get on the bus!

What a bizarre feeling to watch your child ride away for the first time, part of me was thinking that it just wasn’t right—he was too little!

When I told Sarah the children were going to school today she said, “Now you and I can go to SHOPS!”

So we did.

this lady brought the boys home today

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Shanda

My head is heavy, I’m tired, I want to lay down right where I stand, to sleep. My heart hurts; Seth is starting Kindergarten in two days. My sadness is making me snap at the children when they make mistakes or turn the TV on — again. After watching an hour of “Arthur” this morning, I sent Caleb and Seth outside. They had plenty of energy to play “Jedi” without mercy, and Caleb slapped Seth’s upper arm very hard with his light Saber….I left the kitchen where I was helping a sick Sarah, and ran toward the screams. After yelling at Caleb about how I would prefer Seth not to start school with a huge bruise on his arm, I took Seth inside to run him a bath.

Caleb got busy making a plan to stay outside all day long. He wanted to pack stuff. “You may not pack stuff, but you may stay outside all day long, although I highly doubt that you will succeed,” I spoke with experience.

Seth overheard the conversation and immediately wanted to get out of the tub to join Caleb. Friends again so soon, I noticed.

Caleb made sandwiches, put them in his backpack. Seth got dressed. Neither one of them wore shoes. They told me later that they had mentioned to me that they were going for a walk. All I knew, and believed, was that they were going into the woods, to Lion King rock (they named it), to stay all day long.

I was troubled. Sarah had a fever. David had a Middle School Orientation. I checked the school website for the time, and located the class supplies list. Although I was tired, I knew I had to take him downtown to get his stuff for school. I took Ethan along, as well, leaving Grace in charge of Sarah. I told Jacob that the boys were playing in the woods and asked him to go check on them.

I was almost home when Jacob called and said he was on the adventure trail (we named that place, too), he had called them seven times, and there was no sign of them. Still trying to stay awake, I pulled into the driveway to be greeted by Grace.

“Mom, some lady just called and said she didn’t know us and we didn’t know her but she had two little boys with her.”

I stared at her. The sun was hot on the driveway. My hands were full of library books.

“She gave the phone to Caleb and I talked to him. They are fine. The lady asked if someone was home to get them and I said no, you were gone. I told her that Jacob would walk to get them and she said she didn’t want anyone walking that far and she didn’t want the little boys to walk that far. She’s bringing them home. And just so you know, she sounds like the type that is going to want an explanation about why two boys are walking in the woods so far from home.”

I got the phone to dial the last call received. A very old man answered. “I’m almost completely deaf and can’t hear too well. Did you say you are calling about two boys? Well, gee, it would have been better if you had come to get them. My wife doesn’t know the roads! Call back in half an hour!”

I hung up the phone, at a complete loss. The lady was already gone with my sons, I had no idea who she was, but judging by the conversation with her husband, I expected a poor old lady, all confused, with my two terrible children who were obviously also confused. They probably didn’t even know where they were! How could they explain the way home to someone who doesn’t know roads?

Grace said, “I’m sorry Mom that this had to happen.” I couldn’t speak. We stood in the driveway and waited. A car came and went on by. Then another.

“I hope and pray that’s them,” I said as the next car approached. And praise the Lord, it was.

“I just couldn’t let them try to walk! They walked so far already! It was so good they knew their phone number. They don’t seem the worse for wear after their walk. My husband was a state trooper and he told me do not leave them unless someone is home. I wanted to give them a snack but I didn’t dare, people are so afraid these days. Well, I need to go! I’m a mess! I have to get ready for bridge and do I have a story to tell them this morning! You have very nice boys, they were very polite.”

And off she went, after I thanked her sincerely for her trouble, and shaking her hand. Her name was Norma.

Caleb said they walked there through the woods and went to her house because they were lost. He knocked on the door and said, “We are lost, can you please help us?” And help Norma did, with all the energy of a much younger woman. I love old ladies like that, it was a pleasure to meet her, however I am BEYOND flummoxed about Caleb and Seth, and we gave them quite a lecture. “We told you we were going for a walk!!!” “Even if that WAS what you told me, what do you THINK a walk IS?” “When you walk, you go on the trail and around back to home, not in a straight line completely through the woods!!!”

They ate their sandwiches and I sent them to bed. We all took naps.

I leave in 15 minutes to take Jacob and Ethan to practice, and David’s school orientation is at 6pm.

This is Sarah Joy yesterday morning, on her way to church with a book bag. By the time we got back home she was feverish.

I went for another walk this morning. These are the berries from a Jack in the Pulpit plant.

I ate these.

Of course little Sammy found me and even got in my lap with her cold wet paws.

elderberry

Jewel weed, covered in dew.

These spiders always give me the creeps, yet I still stop to look at them……

I have to admit the web is quite impressive.

Jacob discovered a huge caterpillar in my garden. It’s a Cecropia Moth caterpillar, it unfortunately has parasites on it’s back, so I don’t think it will survive, which is such a shame. I had the honor of seeing a pair of these moths just after they hatched one spring.

They tiny white ovals on it’s back (with some black; diseased tissue) are the parasites (eggs laid by a fly).

After a very long walk through the woods, Seth needed a nap.

I’ll never forget their faces as Norma pulled in the driveway with them. Bright eyes, smiles, and happy waves! They didn’t care in the least.

good morning glories

Posted on August 23, 2014 by Shanda

a simply lovely life.

It’s so good to be home, with this contented feeling after having a relaxing morning with my husband and children. I drank hot caramel coffee from a fiestaware mug on the porch in the clean morning air. I looked at a Mary Jane Butters magazine full of wholesome food and craft ideas….photos of the outdoors, chickens, flowers, gardens. I guess it inspired me to set the magazine aside and get my camera. With the mug in my hand, and the camera around my neck, I wandered around taking pictures, noticing and enjoying the morning.

Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in y Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure gives unto each day what He deems best–
Lovingly, it’s part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest. ~Carolina Berg

Sam is a little one year old female cat who loves being outside. She only comes in the house to eat cat food now and then. We beg her to stay and let us pet her but she wants to be out. We find her all over; at the stream, running up a tree, catching baby birds and eating them (so wrong), curled up on the porch. The only time she shows us love is if WE go OUTSIDE. Nine times out of ten if we go out for a walk, she shows up out of nowhere to “flirt” with us. She was with me as I took at the rest of these outdoor pictures…….

Rich played catch (football) with Seth & Sarah and then they did some pushups together.

I let out the chickens and gathered two eggs. Now I was juggling the camera, coffee, eggs, and no pockets. I love it.

Someone found a lovely place to sleep last night. See the moth?

This is called cardinal flower and it grows wild along our stream. It’s been said that it is the most true red flower…..

I was sitting on a big rock with Sam on my lap when I took the picture.

We spent some time cleaning and I made roasted vegetables; one squash peeled and cubed, one red onion, and two potatoes. Lots of salt and pepper, a healthy drizzle of olive oil. Roast at 400, take the pan out after 20 minutes to flip and stir the veggies. Let roast for another 20 minutes of so, until done (soft when pricked by fork). Rich and I love to eat vegetables this way. You can also add carrot, or a bulb of garlic with the top cut off and oil drizzled over top.

Billy, sleeping on our bed.

It’s been a quiet, nice morning. Now that Jacob and Ethan are home from football we are going to take them, plus Caleb and Seth, out school shopping.

As thy days so shall thy strength be. Deuteronomy 33:25

{this moment}

Posted on August 22, 2014 by Shanda

{this moment} ~ 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.

a collection of little things from the ground in the woods, from a walk yesterday

not unlike collecting pretty seashells at the ocean

it’s called “gatorland” but there are a lot more than gators here……

Image

legos for the boys

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Shanda

((SETH AND CALEB in the plane. Caleb, a more cautious type, was quietly worried and gave up his window seat to Seth. They were excellent travelers. Seth loved going to the bathroom.))

The first thing Caleb did this morning was go to the table to continue working on his first big lego set. He is 9 and the set has 738 pieces in it. He has three older brothers and typically lets them put his sets together for him. I am proud to see that he is getting old enough to follow the directions carefully and do it himself. It takes some concentration and determination for a boy to put a lego set together, and it’s so healthy and good for their minds. Before you know it, you’ve convinced yourself that fifty odd dollars on a box of plastic bricks is worth every penny!

My husband had to work in the Orlando office after lunch, so the boys and I walked to Downtown Disney. They were already enlightened by the knowledge of a LEGO STORE, and I figured we may as well cross that off our list of things to do…..with springs in our steps we practically ran to find the legos.

Isn’t it funny how a girl’s mind changes when she becomes a grown up and a mom? I’m so used to giving the children experiences that I almost forget what I myself enjoy! If I was a little girl the last place I would want to go to would be the Lego store. (I know some girls love them and that’s great and all, but not me). On the last day in Orlando I went alone to a completely girlie store in Downtown Disney….I smelled every bar of soap and bath bomb in the place and treated myself to my own souvenirs…and everything was PINK.

We stopped to give Buzz a pat. I have pictures of this same Buzz with baby David (first trip), and then the older children, too (second trip).

Caleb likes “How to Train a Dragon” (he just finished reading the book) these days, so he was thrilled to be greeted by a fire breathing dragon made of legos.

We also found the seven dwarfs made of legos.

While admiring the sea monster made of legos in the water, the boys excitedly told me there was a bird to take a picture of. This happened all through our trip, they would point out bits of nature and I knew my family’s love for God’s creation was being was passed along to them, even if unintentional. They collected a white feather to give to Grandma, and wanted me to pack palm tree bark to take back for Uncle Dave. I am sorry, Uncle Dave but I never did pick any up for you.

A somewhat disturbing image of Snow White.

We entered the store of happiness. My job of keeping my eyes on two little boys just got even more exciting.

Seth had no trouble picking out his new set. It kills me that he lost Bilbo Baggins before we even got home. He still has the golden ring, though.

They are always so thoughtful to point their fingers, grab my arm, and say LOOK! over and over because they know how much I appreciate the legos.

This is 17 year old Jacob’s dream lego set. Only three hundred and ninety nine dollars! Awesome!

Actually, they have so many legos at this point that he put together a pretty decent death star with instructions off the computer. (=free)

( did I just say death star? like I know what I’m talking about?? who am I??)

Caleb really and truly wanted a Lego Movie set and at first I said no to the one he wanted because, if I remember correctly, it was 10 dollars more than Seth’s. But then I thought, “this is Disney, where dreams come true” and said yes. I can’t even show you a picture of it because I didn’t take one. But it’s the “Lord Business’ Evil Lair” set which includes a tiny sign that says “Where are my Pants?”, and other fun things you will only understand if you watch the movie, which I have about five times now.

I don’t know, they just pointed it out to me so I took a picture.

The Incredible Hulk was there.

Seth with Lego Woody and Lego Buzz, and trying to keep his lego set in his arms.

At the register I joined the lego VIP club, it’s about time, right? We also received a free lego set (of a car) for spending over 100 dollars.

Next, I made them go to into a shop so I could get a sweatshirt. I lost my anthropologie white sweater at the airport 😦

I made them go into the Ghirardelli chocolate store so I could get a frozen latte. (caffeine!)

Then we headed back to the room(s) so the boys could put together their mini figures.

The hotel messed up our reservations so we ended up staying in the best suite of the entire Hilton…the presidential suite.

It gave the boys plenty of room to spread out their lego sets without mixing them up.

Caleb was here::

And Seth was here::

If you have boys, perhaps they would like to see this blog post. Tell them, when you go to Disney, there are legos there!

After half a day of travel and an adventure in the Lego store, Caleb and Seth settled into their covers for a movie::Kung Fu Panda 2. Seth fell asleep.

After their rest time, we left to go to dinner with Rich’s team.

*****

vacation//orlando, FL

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Shanda

Rich was so excited about our vacation that he stayed up super late the night before. On Thursday morning we woke up at 4:30 in the morning to drive to the airport with the boys. About 5 years ago, we took Jacob, Ethan, Grace, and David to Disney and this year it was Caleb and Seth’s turn to go.

We got back home safe and sound last night at about 11pm. I drove over to our friends’ house to retrieve Grace, Sarah, and David this morning.

Jacob and Ethan stayed at home to take care of things.

It feels good and right to be back with all seven children today. David is watching drawing lesson videos on Youtube, Sarah is by my side talking to herself, Seth is playing with a hula hoop, Ethan’s outside, Jacob is upstairs with Grace and Emily…..

I have a ton of photos to share but today I thought I would simply post all my phone pictures.

After a whole day of travel on Thursday and a late night eating dinner with Rich’s team (more details on that later), by Saturday morning the boys hated the idea of another “sit down and wait forever” meal….so we happily went to McDonald’s for breakfast.

Here I am in Downtown Disney, enjoying a dark-chocolate-covered pineapple spear. photo by Rich

Downtown Disney bakery….I thought the Olaf candy apples were adorable (10 dollars a piece).

At the hotel pool, watching the boys swim.

Seth, our little swimmer. We forgot his life jacket but he was just fine.

Friday evening dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings, after a long day at Gatorland.

Downtown Disney was a short walk from our hotel so we went often; this was such a fun night with loud music playing…people milling about, dancing along, just such a upbeat, happy atmosphere.

It rained for a little while at Magic Kingdom so we bought big plastic ponchos. I love how Seth is grinning at the phone, too. photo by Caleb

SPLASH MOUNTAIN!!!!! Rich’s favorite Disney ride.

While we were waiting for the Winnie the Pooh ride, the boys hung out in Eeyore’s Gloomy Place.

10pm Disney fireworks!!! I always get sentimental.

pretty awesome selfie, right?

Oh my word. I rode space mountain for the first time at about midnight….with our hotel room key we were able to stay after hours…I had no clue this ride was so crazy. I was praying and thinking about Seth the entire way. He loved it and when we got off he said, “Where WAS I? I was bouncing the whole time!” This ride is a roller coaster in the dark, I was scared that Seth would fly out of his seat. Rich was afraid he would lose his sunglasses (clipped on his shirt). Caleb was in the car in front of us. Very fun ride!

I have a lot more Epcot pictures on my phone because my big camera ran out of batteries the moment we entered the park, LOL.

This is where people can sample ice cold sodas from different countries. so interesting! Their favorite was the dark red soda from Zimbabwe.

Such a PERFECT quote for our Seth. He doesn’t know his left from his right, he doesn’t know how to tie his shoes, but his adventurous spirit never stops and inspires us to no end. He went zip lining this weekend, and rode roller coasters with no fear. Wait until you see the pictures of him hanging over the alligators in his zip line harness in Gatorland!

Rich came back from taking my camera back to the car and since the boys had no desire to visit the Epcot countries, he took them away to go on rides. I was able to walk around by myself. My favorite places were England, France, and most especially Norway. My Great Grandfather came to America from Norway and over the past year I’ve gotten more and more fascinated by this beautiful country. I read Kristen Lavransdatter twice (a huge pulizer prize novel, of the best quality literature, IMO) and several other Norweigan books…..most recently, the haunting Giants in the Earth, a saga of the prairie, by Ole Rolvaag, a story of Norweigan immigrants in America. It contained the most beautiful treatment of mental illness I’ve ever read, but ended in such a way that I am still asking questions and coming to grips with the novel. I do recommend it highly, however…both “Kristen” and “Giants” are excellent books.

I was greatly looking forward to Norway, but I had forgotten that the movie FROZEN was set in Norway so it was a let down for me personally that the movie and characters have made “Norway” in Epcot more of a destination than it was the last time I was there.

While I was there I ate lunch; and as I ate I started a Norway pinterest board on my phone. 🙂

traditional Norweigan baked goods; lafke (filled with cinnamon sugar and butter) and school bread. Both were so delicious. Of course I was starving by that time, too.

I went back to France for a cappuccino.

meanwhile, Rich was also having fun…he texted me this picture….

I watched a show on the sidewalk.

It was such a beautiful day. I love the flower gardens at Epcot, and the cloudy blue sky was big and gorgeous.

the boys wanted to catch a lizard in the worst way

pickle christmas tree

thinking of my girlies, wishing they were with me

waiting in line for a ride

our little vikings.

YESTERDAY Rich took the boys to a water park while I stayed behind to lounge at the pool, shop, and nap. We were all packed and ready to leave by 4:30, tired but happy!

After we landed in Hartford, the pilot let the boys sit in the chairs. He only said, “NO don’t touch that one!” once. 🙂

a beautiful day, part 3

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Shanda

“My love is deep,
the more I give to thee,
The more I have, both are infinite.”
William Shakespeare

Isaac and Cassandra’s reception was held up on the hill at our parent’s house, across the road at the blueberry patch. A white tent was set up with decorated tables and we had a delicious chicken dinner, served buffet style. Cousin Erika made the wedding cake, and my cousins gave me their extra frosting. In the midst of food and fun, we took many family photos to document the occasion. The sun was shining and it was a warm, bright afternoon. The happy couple drove off in their blue mustang with waves, smiles, and blessings, at the end of a beautiful day.