in my heart there rings a melody

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Shanda

(grandpa’s old barn)

The north wind brings forth rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.

Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.

It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Proverbs 25:23-28

Good morning, friends, how in the world are you?

Imagine! God’s many numerous good things are all around us, oh to have the eyes to see them, really see them! Even on the “down” days we are going UP UP UP, on our way to glory land. Eternal life is NOW, it starts now, never to end……..as believers we have so much hope, it’s hard sometimes to keep our minds focused on the wonderful promises of God, but nevertheless they are there in the Bible, they are real and never changing. Isn’t it incredible to have security in an unchanging Father? He always loves us, always cares for us, always holds us in his mighty hands.

My parents have a nice pumpkin patch, we all visited it and “blessed the pumpkins” by giving them a nice pat, you can’t help but want to touch them because they have very smooth looking skins. I especially love the photo of son David using one as a pillow.

cousins

From a distance, the pumpkin patch. My prediction is that it will be even bigger next year.

Back at home now, Gentleman Gray is wondering where his friend Snickers is. Snickers has been missing for a week and we are all beginning to worry. They keep coming to me and asking about him, but so far there is no news, no letter, no message, no sign.

*sigh* I hate losing cats. My guess is that the smell of skunk was too much for him.

Speaking of which, the house is smelling much better. What a relief. (Now if the dryer would stop screeching….) Parker the dog is still smelly so he spends most of his day outdoors in the fresh air.

The garden is still producing tomatoes and my favorite way to eat them…….

……is generously placed on toasted & buttered Pepperidge Farm white bread, with salt and pepper (more pepper than salt). Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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I also made a banana bread. (Grace’s favorite, turns out Michael likes it, too).

“I can see you!” I remarked to the amusing Grasshopper. He shifted and twitched. Being upside down is not a safe place to be if your legs are your number one escape mechanism.

Ah much better.

I looked & looked without touching and he never did jump away. I think he liked me, too, but most likely he was scared out of his wits.

These are a most wondrous scented wild flower.

I looked it up in my wildflowers book: nothing.
I looked it up online by googling CT wildflowers, yellow: nothing
I looked it up again online, using the name of what I thought it was, “morning primrose”: found it!

Its common names are: Evening Primrose (I was close), Evening Star, or Sundrop.

Wikipedia has a very interesting article about it here.

delightful. You can smell them before you even get close to them.

And then I decided to pick a pink bouquet.

“It isn’t what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.” ~ Author Unknown

My heart.

Seth is holding the “tough guy ball” which looks JUST like a coffee bean, and is rewarded to a player after every practice. The player takes it home for the night and then returns it at the next practice.

Look how handsome he is. I tie his string and buckle his buckles and then bend down to double knot his cleats. He looks around as I fuss, ignoring me as I adoringly serve him. It is an honor for us both but only I am conscious of it.

We arrived at the field’s parking lot for practice and as he briskly took his helmet out of the back of the car, I closed the truck and turned to him to say goodbye, “Have a nice practice, Seth! Give me a kiss.” (the test–to see if he would kiss me in front of his friends, I wouldn’t mind if he didn’t. In fact, I was sure he would wouldn’t.)

Without hesitation, he came over close and gave me a quick, distracted kiss on the arm. (lip height). Like of course it was the most natural thing in the world to kiss mama before running off to football practice.

My heart.

**********

I have a song that Jesus gave me,
It was sent from heav’n above;
There never was a sweeter melody,
‘Tis a melody of love.

In my heart there rings a melody,
There rings a melody with heaven’s harmony;
In my heart there rings a melody,
There rings a melody of love.

~Elton Menno Roth~

in the garden

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Shanda

(listen while you visit?)

In my mom and dad’s garden,

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it’s currently pickle-making time, so they are harvesting cucumbers and garlic.

My nephew and niece,

my sister in law, and the new puppy, everybody loves the garden.

Inside the house there are sparkling clean jars, the freshest garlic,

and three generations in the kitchen making pickles!

There was a beautiful sunset at my parents house at the end of a satisfying day.

*****

My brother and mother sent me these photos. I haven’t been “back home” yet this summer, but with the constant texting it’s almost as good as being there.

Here is a lovely video that Mom sent to me one morning in the springtime, which instantly made me happy and homesick at the same time. I grew up here.

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10 large cucumbers
4 sprigs of dill
6 cloves of garlic
6 cups of water
1 1/4 cup vinegar
1/3 cup salt
1/2 cup sugar

Wash and sterilize 4 (1 quart) jars. Boil water, vinegar, salt, and sugar and let cool. Cut cucumbers into quarters. Add 1 sprig of dill, and 1 1/2 cloves of garlic per jar. Pack jars with cucumbers, pour liquid over cucumbers. Cover and refrigerate at least 48 hours.

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I spy with my little eye lots of jars of pickles!

back home

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Shanda

Sarah’s first day back at home after surgery has been a gift. Things like this always make me appreciate the little things in life even more.

When we arrived home, I noticed differences right away.

The morning glories are inches further up the sunflowers.
Gypsy moths are flying around.
My gardens and hanging baskets are dry and need watering.
Raspberries are ripening fast.
The grass was longer.

I know my house, my land, my gardens. My roots go way down.

How to heal a little girl; with snuggles, stuffed animals that fit just right in a small hand, books, back scratches, ginger ale, movies, smiles, brothers and a sister, games, rides in a wheelchair, naps, words of encouragement, leaving the hospital as soon as possible, pain medicine, a nest on the couch, getting clean with a shower, soap, and combed out hair, tempting foods like fresh garden peas and wild raspberries picked by a loving sister and mama.

flowers.

When your big brother comes in the house with a visitor.

And when your mom and dad leave, just for an hour, to go to a library used book sale.

The top six were for her.

all the exciting stuff we did on saturday

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Shanda

We drove out to NY on Saturday. We stopped at the mall in Albany because I had Macy’s money that was going to expire that day and I wanted to see if there was a good selection of fiestaware….there wasn’t. The only thing they had besides the typical place settings, mugs, plates, and bowls was a single white disc pitcher so that’s what I got. It was free so I was happy. Rich and the kids ate at the food court before we hit the road again.

Grace and Jacob were not with us on Saturday because G had a singing obligation and J had to work. They drove out on Sunday morning with Emily, Jacob’s girlfriend.

The next stop on Saturday was a very popular chicken BBQ place. The kids played on the playground and Rich took a nap on a picnic table, while yours truly ordered a chicken dinner take out.

I sat in the car to eat it because it was too cold outside for me.

We drove to our hotel. The kids swam for a while and Rich went running in the work out room. I rested (I was suffering from a sinus headache all day) and then went down to watch the kids swim.

After swimming we drove to an antique store in B. that I knew had fiestaware because my Mom and sister had texted me pictures a few days before. I will post the photo of what I bought at the end of this post. It didn’t take long at the antique store and then we went to a really popular produce stand in the area (where Rich and I grew up). We all picked out our favorite fruits to eat from this place that I have been going to since I was a child.

They allow sampling of the fruit.

The spring flowers were lovely in the sunshine.

This was pretty much the best day ever because after that, we went bowling.

And then! Pizza!

Caleb and I were both reading Harry Potter #4 but he had left his copy in the hotel so we shared my copy while we waited for our pizza to arrive. We have both moved on to #5 now and I’m beating him. (He finished #4 first) As soon as he got off the bus today I said, “I’m on page 130!” and he said “Quit reading!”

It’s always so so good for Rich and I to go back home and visit our old haunts!

(We are high school sweethearts and both our families go back several generations in our hometown)……..

AND NOW:::

I spy with my little eye ONE retired Sapphire Carafe and THREE mini disc pitchers in retired apricot, yellow, and juniper. So exciting.

a lovely family, part 2

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Shanda

Sarah went to school today so I was left alone again, back to those sad weird feelings of motherhood with nobody around because they are all at school. I left a note for Jacob and headed out. I had a doctor’s appointment at 10 so I went to the Bookstore until it was time and then after the appointment I had my oil changed and light replaced in my car. Then to Kohl’s to use my Kohl’s cash. I bought a Scarlet fiesta mug for 2.77. After that I went to Target to fill a prescription and use my coupons. I had Chickfila drive through for lunch and came home and watched part of a movie.

It’s actually raining!!!!!!! Soooooo happy. (Grace and I love to say that just like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday).

David came home from school and threw a pink paper at me that has the schedule for open house tonight. It’s not something I’m looking forward to, but I’m going to do it because it’s my motherly duty. As an introvert, it is not fun for me to go to any school functions whatsoever.

David said that he told the assistant principal today about the girl who has been bullying him for almost 2 years. She’s been calling him a terrorist because he sometimes wears a black hooded zip up jacket. She is now accompanying her remarks with stabbing him in the neck with a pencil. Hmmmmm, wonder who the little terrorist is??? Dave wasn’t planning on this being the day he told someone about his woes with the girl, but as he was called down to the office he began to stare at a paper that said, “Have a problem? We will help you.” The assistant principal was meeting with all the students one by one to ask how they were enjoying seventh grade so far and noticed David’s fascination with the paper offering help, so she conscientiously talked to him.

“She said she was going to talk to the girl.” Dave told me. “I just hope when the girl finds out she doesn’t scream at me.”

“You do hate loud noises,” I agreed.

“Especially when they come from girls.” he said.

***

So after the family picnic Rich and I went to the mall with the kids. It was the very mall we went to all through our growing up years, teenage years, and early marriage and parenthood years. I hadn’t been there in a long time and the thing that struck me the most was the smell of cinnabons. It took me right back. Sarah had two dollars so I took her to the Hallmark store with Grace while the boys went off on their own. While we looked at the things Sarah said, “I need to go the bathroom!!” And when Sarah says she needs to go to the bathroom, you better listen…..so I grabbed her hand and took off running for JC Penny with Grace close behind. As we ran past the Verizon store, we saw James and Janice and the boys. (our dear dear friends) I couldn’t stop so Grace stayed behind and I called, “We’ll be right back!”

Eventually we all decided to eat at Ruby Tuesdays together and it was such fun, such a nice gift, especially since that very morning I had told Rich that I was thinking about Janice a lot.

Sunday morning we had a very lazy morning. Rich took the kids to breakfast and then to the pool. I had a hard time getting out of bed.

See the photo above Dave’s bed? That’s the building my Mom works in every day.

I asked the hotel if they had any copies of the picture but they didn’t. I would have loved one for my house.

Jacob was snoring so loud I asked E, “Doesn’t that bother you?” but he said “no”.

I met Rich and the kids downstairs and they said, “Didn’t you notice that this is fiestaware?” to me. And I hadn’t!

The hotel had cereal bowls, luncheon plates, and mugs, all in white.

Rich threatened to drive us all home that morning so I pushed aside my exhaustion and said that he just needed fresh air and exercise. So we went to the bookstore where Dave found some things that he would like for his birthday.

Jacob and Ethan went to my parent’s house. It was such a thrill for them to drive there all on their own, for the first time.

And the rest of us went to the park.

Grace did some sketching.

Rich and I rested on a blanket while the kids played on the big playground.

They threw things at a squirrel way up in a tree, and made up games with other children…….

Gracie

Grace took this one of the treetop.

After his nap, Rich went for a long run and then he felt much better about things. This is a man who needs to move around.

When he came back I was still in the same place. 🙂

Then I asked him if he would please please take me to Boscov’s and he agreed. This was another store that I remember my mom taking me to when I was a little girl. I just love going back home, we both do (Rich is from the same place).

I bought an egg plate what was on clearance, some silicone trivets, two bowls in lapis blue, and a poppy java mug.

AND THEN….we went to Humdingers ice cream for cones and slushies.

I had this ice cream sundae.

We got up early Monday morning and left for home. It was a very nice weekend even if Sarah did get sick that very night and was sick for the next two days, poor thing. She’s better now and will be getting home from school soon, along with Caleb and Seth. I have to leave in an hour and a half to take the boys to practice, pick up Grace, and go to the Middle school open house.

vacation Bible school

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Shanda

The children were taught to notice “God sightings”, specific times during the day when they were aware of God helping them, showing them something important, teaching them, or keeping them safe. Each footprint on the map represented one “God sighting”….and by the end of the week the footprints went all the way to the promise land.

Caleb is standing with his cousin, Makayla, my brother Nathan’s daughter.

This is Gregory (Makayla’s brother) with Seth. They are both starting Kindergarten this fall.

The leaders all dressed like the Biblical Israelites.

My Aunt Mary did the decoration design, and Aunt Colleen was on stage leading the songs, stories, and announcements.

Roger and Dawn are Colleen’s in-laws and I stayed at their place during the week; I have known them throughout my whole life.

“God saves us–so trust God!”

“God gives us strength–so trust God!”

“God guides us–so trust God!”

“God gives us what we need–so trust God!”

Roger and Dawn helped my cousin Katie’s boys with a tambourine craft.

Cousin Erika was in charge of the weaving…my Sarah is in the picture, in the pink shirt.

Pretty yarns and colors. Sarah asked me to help her finish one of her weavings and then proceeded to tell me I was doing it wrong.

Outside games.

Sarah told me (she remembered later on, in the bathroom) that they played a game with toilet paper, they put the toilet paper on their backs, so silly!

The children each had a bandana to wear. Seth wore his on his ears. I watched him concentrate on making a necklace. He strung beads and a bell on a string. Guess where it is now? Dangling from my rearview mirror….because he gave it to me. Thank you, Seth.

Seth is such a busy boy that it amuses me to see him still and quiet. Look at his crossed ankles….. and there’s Grandma Dawn again. I guess she helped out all over the place.

On the last day some men brought exotic animals to show the children. Caleb was thrilled.

He was thrilled because he got to touch a snake. He is passionate about snakes.

He stayed with the snake until he had to leave for another activity.

To say he was thrilled is putting it mildly.

Then, it was his turn to do some more weaving with Erika. Also pictured: my cousin Marissa in yellow, Erika’s son Jack, and my cousin Molly in the striped dress.

You can say that this VBS was a family affair. We got to spend time with Judy P, Mrs. Butler, Pastor and Mrs. P, Cassandra P (my future sister in law), Deb V, Candy L, Pam H, Uncle Rog, Aunt Carol, Carol A, Fran, Stacie and Jamie S, the Smiths, and so many other old friends! Oh it was wonderful.

The songs are always a highlight of Vacation Bible School. Seth (in striped shirt) did all the motions and dancing along with everyone else. The songs were played up on big movie screens so the children could watch them and do the motions along with the people in the video.

This one was my favorite::