a cat, Ethan wrestling, Grace’s friend, & my books

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Shanda

We can’t keep kids or cats away from our beautiful Christmas tree! And it makes me smile.

Hello my friends. Rich and I are together today. We went downtown for breakfast and then to the mall to finish up our shopping. We are home now. He has his feet up on the coffee table and my feet are on his lap along with his laptop. And, I have my laptop, too. Parker is next to me licking his leg loudly and Gentleman Gray is curled up on a blanket at the end of the couch. It’s dark and pouring rain outside. Poor Caleb will not get snow for Christmas this year, I’m afraid.

Have I mentioned that Rich is the head coach for our school’s wrestling team? The first tournament was on Saturday and I got right up at the crack of dawn with him and rode with the team on the bus to the location, which was an hour away. Seth and Sarah came, too. Grace came along because she’s the team manager. It’s a family affair.

Here is a picture of Ethan after he won a match. The assistant coach is talking things over with him, his name is Jim. Little brother Seth is hanging around wanting to say “good job” to his big brother. ‘Cause that’s what you do.

Ethan is pretty intense so it’s nice when he cracks a slight smile.

handshake

Later on, Ethan got bloody and lost a match. There’s his Dad in the background, and Coach Jim is about to take his arm and lead him to the trainer to get cleaned up. Oh and there’s Seth again.

Here is a picture of Ethan right after he won another match. All in all, he did very well. He wants to do nothing but win, his heart is in the right place, but this time he lost 2 and won 2. Ethan is a senior this year and we have high hopes that he will continue to do well in wrestling, and then he will move on to baseball. Before we know it he will graduate, and I hate to say this but it looks like he’s heading for the service after graduation. I’m trying not to think about it but stay tuned because by God’s grace that blog post will eventually be written.

THESE TWO ARE SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Grace and her suitor. I took their picture from clear across the gym because I can’t help myself.

*****

I hope your Christmas plans are all coming together. I have decorated the house. I have bought and wrapped the gifts. I have planned a Christmas Eve brunch. I have made cookies….but they have all been eaten so I plan on making more if I can gather up enough interest…I feel as though I don’t really need to eat anymore cookies. I’ve been reading books instead of baking. One of my favorite authors is Janice Holt Giles, who wrote books in the 1960’s. “Pre internet” fiction is my favorite, it seems less spoiled and more sincere. I read her book, Hannah Fowler years and years ago–many times, and finally got around to reading several more of her books which I picked up at library booksales. I finished Tara’s Healing yesterday and then started Savanna. I would be interested in knowing if there are anymore Giles fans out there!

David’s bus will arrive in half an hour so I have just enough time to read a few more chapters before the late afternoon rush of children/homework/wrestling practice/dinner begins.

You are loved. ~Shanda

If you’re alone, I’ll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I’ll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I’ll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I’ll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I’ll just be me. ~Author Unknown

sarah wants to show you her new pants

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Shanda

Aren’t they adorable? As soon as I saw them I had to get them for her. She LOVES big cats.

Praying for all my blog friends today. You are loved.

short and simple

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Shanda

There is snow falling in blog-land!

How are you, my friends? I hope you are well, and if you’re anything like me, not feeling your best and trying to be patient while your medication starts to kick in then I hope and pray for you. Be kind to yourself. If you’re staying at home too much, get out of the house and go shopping. That’s what I did today and it helped tremendously.

Everything is going to be okay.

“Let us always meet each other with a smile, because a smile is the beginning of love.” Mother Theresa

I bought a decorative plate holder and added a vintage yellow fiesta chop plate to the top of my cookbook shelf, right underneath Aunt Colleen’s painting. I like this little spot in my house. I put the stool there yesterday and Sarah promptly sat down to sing to herself and color. While she’s at school, Gentleman Gray sits there and tells me what to do.

He wanted me to put the camera down and pet him.

But I wanted to show you a picture of my new moccasins. Grace and I each got a pair this weekend. They are so comfy and just like wearing slippers. She said with a little laughter, “I love these shoes, why didn’t we get these sooner?”

Dave just got home from school.

“This would make a good picture, Mom.”

My little Christmas tree.

Aunt Amanda and Sarah made this paper chain. I helped a little, too. Every day we tear a chain off until Christmas comes.

they shall be filled

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Shanda

Blueberry Coffee Cake

~very, very good family recipe~

1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup milk
2 cups blueberries (can use fresh or frozen)

Preheat oven to 350. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar together, add egg and beat until fluffy. Mix in the dry ingredients alternating with the milk. Spread in a greased and floured 11 by 7 inch pan or two 9 inch pans. Sprinkle the top with 2 cups blueberries

Crumb topping

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix together with a pastry blender or a fork until crumbly and sprinkle on top of the berries. Bake for 30-45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

This morning has filled me up spiritually.

The verse “blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled” is in my mind, I’m meditating on it over and over and I think to myself that Righteousness is God, I hunger and thirst for Him, for Jesus, and He fills me up to overflowing with this lovely life of mine. Yes there are dry, exhausting, and difficult days but then another sort of day comes along like this one and the tears of gratitude are ever ready because I feel His restoring care in such a real and deep way.

It’s raining on and off outside which is just lovely, a visual for what is happening inside of me as well.

I’ve been watching Netflix’s Chef’s Table series and today was episode three (watched this morning as I matched socks and folded laundry) it was sooooooooooooo good! It did it’s part to fill me up, too. Wow. (episode one was the same way, #2 wasn’t as good IMO) People are so unique and there is so much to learn from another’s life.

The rabbit hopped around the living room and ate a pear under the coffee table. I put down newspapers because she loves to chew and shred them.

Small Gentleman Gray napped in the midst of my clothes piles, I would stop and pet him now and then.

I went outside to take the leftover breakfast milk and cereal, eggshells and crusts of bread to my hens. I spent some time cleaning the coop and peeked around the corner to slyly take a picture of a VERY skittish hen. She lays VERY small eggs. Really nothing to make such a fuss about.

I picked a small bunny salad to bring back in to Rabbit; mostly clover

The stream has filled up again, and I did a little wading in the cold water.

I came back inside and made a cup of coffee in my new sage fiesta mug. I took a picture of it but the colors of Fiesta can be hard to photograph, it looked much truer to color when I edited the photo to black and white. I dumped my coffee on the couch, and they were right….leather is MUCH easier to clean.

I’m sitting here blogging and also scratching like a maniac at a bee sting on my ankle which is still bothering me and I’m making it worse but it feels so good to scratch…..ahhhhh!!!…..so I better go make some more baking soda paste to rub into it.

Happy Wednesday, friends! You are loved.

“The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise Him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.” Isaiah 61:11

it’s the little things

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Shanda

Good morning friends of the blog,

Today is picture day at school for Sarah, Seth, and Caleb and boy do they look extra cute this morning.

Jacob is still asleep, and so is Mike who is not related by blood but has become a part of the family and spends almost every Sunday to Wednesday with us….

I’m still in my pajamas and just finished eating a lovely omelet made with 2 of our own chicken eggs, filled with mushrooms, onions, peppers, cheese, and spinach. I can’t start the day without a good breakfast, thanks to my mom and her good care of me growing up.

The temperature is up 15 degrees from the other day because it’s cloudy and going to rain. The colors are coming out in the leaves beautifully and I’m a touch sad because I love fall and know it will pass quickly.

My favorite thing to drink these days is hot apple cider.

Gentleman Gray adds such joy to our family with his little kitten ways. He has such a loud and ready purr. He’s actually on my shoulder purring and falling asleep as I type, and Parker the dog is on the floor by my bed sleeping (I’m in bed).

I like to go down to the chicken coop and watch the hens. Even if I’m in a hurry I find myself slowing down to enjoy them. Yesterday I sat cross legged in the grass and they all (23 of them) gathered around. Several tried to bite my toenails off, several used my corduroy pants to wipe their beaks, and several kept snooping in my lap at the three eggs I was trying hide from them. I held one my lap for a while and admired it’s feather-dress. Would anyone be interested in an entire blog post about the chickens?

honeybee on goldenrod (my favorite color yellow) I took some other fun close ups a few weeks ago that I have to post soon.

Guess what? We swapped out our big fabric sectional for a leather one! We only had the fabric couch for 6 years but it was a mess, the cushions were ripping, the edging was tearing off it, and because it was fabric it was filthy. At least, that’s how I felt. I kept it washed and vacuumed as much as I could but with the family and pets on it all day every day it was time to go. This is our first leather couch. It smells so good. My only complaint is that Seth can’t control himself on it….when I try to sit and read to him he slides all over the place….he can’t seem to help it. At one point he was upside down with his feet in the air while I was reading a book about cats to him. I think the feel of the leather is too much for him. 😉

As you can see, we have a row of black bookcases behind the couch. This is so convenient because 1. we always need more room for books 2. we can reach back and put things on the top of it while we are sitting. 3. I fold the laundry and make my row of piles on it while watching TV. and 4. during parties it becomes another table, the kids sit on stools behind it.

Rich was sold by the fact that the back cushions do not come off. Only the seat cushions can be removed. I don’t mind the children making forts with the couch cushions but it is a pet-peeve of his (and wisely, too, because that’s probably part of the reason our other one got old so quickly).

The last thing I want to show you today is my kindle has returned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Remember I had lost it on vacation last month? Well, Rich made some phone calls and located it in one of the hotels and had them mail it back.

Happy Tuesday!!

we have a new kitten

Posted on September 7, 2015 by Shanda

Feeling incredibly lazy at the moment because I am so gosh tired.

We have been gone all weekend, Jacob drove his car “back home” to NY for the first time and ugh was it stressful (for me) but he did an awesome job. He’s a natural driver, it seems. After all, he is 18 and a half years old, it’s time to drive and he’s doing it well.

We had two hotel rooms side by side with the kids. Jacob and Ethan shared a bed, Seth and Caleb slept on couch cushions on the floor, Grace and Sarah shared a sofa bed, Dave had a sofa bed to himself, and Rich and I slept together in the other bedroom.

The hotel free breakfast diningroom used white fiesta!

We were in NY for a family reunion. I’m going to post pictures probably tomorrow of the weekend but now that we are home, I only have time and energy to show you our new baby.

He has no name yet! We are thinking about Smoky or Michael. Rich calls him Smut (a noun meaning, “small flake of soot or other dirt”) He’s a little boy and we got him from my Aunt Carol’s house. My cousin Katie was giving him away. Isn’t he adorable?

He rode home with Jacob, Ethan, and Grace. He came with a box. He threw up and went to the bathroom in it during the ride.

He seems fine now that he’s out of the car. Here he is, watching a little TV.

He’s also taken a nap with me which was very relaxing for us both. I could feel his tiny body snuggled into my back and when I woke up he purred for the first time at his new house.

He watched the ceiling fan go ’round and ’round and he started getting playful. He batted at my eye as I read my book.

This new kitty belongs to our Dave, who has never had his very own animal.

Dave’s birthday is the end of the month so I guess you could say this is an early present.

“A cat purring on your lap is more healing than any drug in the world, as the vibrations you are receiving are of pure love and contentment.” ~St. Francis Agassi

“I only want one cat said no crazy cat lady ever.”

“I love him, Mom.” ~Dave

{this moment}

Posted on May 1, 2015 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.

inside/outside good to be home

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Shanda

flower for a thank you

asking for a belly rub

cookies one and two

impromptu cookie jar

so happy to find a screen cover @ Pier One Imports 13 dollars

lily’s dress

really great soup recipe

He shall sit up on the arm of the couch in a sunbeam.

He shall sleep & stretch under the coffee table….not doing a great job of hiding from us.

poetry comes to life: “her early leaf’s a flower, but only for an hour” Robert Frost

moss growing on a fallen tree

blue sandwiching green

I shall sit in the woods and watch the hens scratch with purpose.

Back inside: nature bits gathered from the woods.

W H I T E T U R K E Y C H I L I

1 T. olive oil
1 small onion, chopped (about 1/3 cup)
2 cloves of garlic, smashed and chopped up fine
1 lb ground turkey
salt and pepper to taste
1 can cannelloni beans, drained
1 can corn, drained
1 16 ounce jar salsa (your choice)
1 15 ounce can tomatoes with garlic and onion (or add extra seasonings if you only have plain)

In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until translucent, add turkey and brown, salting and peppering to taste. Add the rest of the ingredients and heat till bubbly and completely heated through.

I triple this for my family, so we can enjoy leftovers. I use mild salsa, the guys pass around the Franks Red Hot.

This recipe is from a cookbook that has literally changed my life, Saving Dinner, by Leanne Ely. It contains recipes for delicious main dishes for each week (6 days) of the year WITH the complete shopping list (!!!!). It is organized by season. All the recipes are as healthy as can be with typically a fish, beef, chicken, slow cooker recipe, meatless, casserole. Each recipe includes side dish recommendations and nutritional content. I don’t use the cookbook every week, but I’ve used it a lot over the last couple of years, (all spring this year so far except the 2 flu weeks). This week I am making Chicken Parmesan with steamed broccoli, Mexican Lasagna with a salad, Beef and Spinach Pitas with baby carrots, Chicken Broccoli Soup with a salad and rolls, Halibut Piccata with steamed broccoli, sweet potatoes, and baked potatoes, and lastly, Greens and Beans with a side of brown rice. Buy it! 🙂

seth, breakfast, cats

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Shanda

GUESS who got his wrestling metals back after giving them away to a kid on the bus?

Seth and Caleb knew just where the boy lived so Rich went with them for a quick visit. They don’t live on our street exactly, but just a few minutes and simple turns away from us. The dad answered the door and once the situation became clear, he let his wife deal with it while he promptly disappeared for the rest of the visit. The mom was friendly and apologetic and confessed that they have also had some problems with their kids giving things away (pokemon cards are being stolen from them, too). The boy gave back the metals and all was well.

What’s the deal with Pokemon cards? Seth says everyone’s collecting them and trading them. He himself has ended up with a small stack and because I know for a fact he doesn’t have any to trade, I say, “DON’T take anymore pokemon cards from your friends!” At Caleb’s school they are collecting football and baseball cards.

Rich and I both do Caleb’s homework with him, common core math is a killer!

Davy drew this 3D optical illusion and took the picture. cool, right?

Breakfast #1 — plain greek yogurt topped with half frozen blueberries, unsweetened organic coconut, 1 sliced strawberry, cinnamon, and ginger.

Breakfast #2 — stir fried veggies, sliced ham, 2 fried eggs, piece of toast.

Breakfast #3 “Balboa Brunch” from the cookbook The American Country Inn and Bed & Breakfast Cookbook Volume 2

BALBOA BRUNCH

3 Tablespoons Butter
3 cups sliced leeks, white part only

12 slices white bread
1 pound cooked small shrimp
1 pound Swiss cheese, grated
3 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill
5 eggs
2 1/2 cups milk
salt and pepper to taste

Butter a 9 by 13 glass (or, fiestaware) casserole dish. In a medium skillet melt the butter and sauté the leeks until they are tender. Remove the crusts from the bread and arrange half in the prepared dish. Top with half of the sautéed leeks, half of the shrimp, half of the cheese, and half of the dill. Repeat the layers. In a medium bowl beat together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour the eggs over the casserole, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
Bake in a 350 oven for 50-60 minutes, uncovered.
Serves 8

I’ve been making breakfasts because Rich has worked from home the last three days.

We had this for breakfast this morning and he said he will also have it for lunch. YUM!

Billy Cat and I watched the birds.

When I saw I was not alone, I opened the door and made him come in. I can’t abide bird-killers.

I came in and sat next to dozing Sherlock.

He has an ongoing problem with Billy and became tense as soon as he sensed Billy’s presense in the room.

SO sad.

{this moment} cat nap

Posted on February 27, 2015 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.