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)

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

having a lot of fun

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Shanda

We are having a good week…a perfect summertime week. Busy fun mornings, sleepy hot afternoons, good dinners, and evening walks.

On Tuesday morning I wanted to go thrifting and convinced the children to come along to play at the park while I did so. Jacob asked Emily, Ethan asked Zachary, and Grace asked Allie. Thinking back on it, I have this joyful image of my big vehicle driving down the road shaking with so much energy and noise within it. I stopped at Rite Aid to get drinks and 50% off summer toys, cheap plastic games just for a month or so of fun before they break.

When I got back to the park 45 minutes later they had red faces and were ready to go on to the next adventure: dollar sandwiches and 49 cent ice cream cones for anyone who wanted one (we bought 6 and 10).

The cool, quiet library was our next stop, with three of the boys grabbing their bag of soccer balls out of the back and heading over to the school field to practice.

Back at home, we were spent from our morning of activity and ready to play games and watch a movie.

Somehow, being at Steve and Joanna’s recharged me like I was not expecting. I have been “hostess” so much that I forgot the blessings of being a guest. It was a blessing to be waited upon, thought about, provided for, and to be able to sit and OBSERVE a wonderful family and it’s workings. Joanna in the kitchen, children playing, someone else’s baby in my arms……as I drove away on Sunday afternoon I was ready to do homemaker things again, for my own tribe. And yet I was so tired of it all the week before!

This morning, I woke up earlier than the children. Rich had already gone off to work after making me laugh because he said he liked the feel of my new organic tshirt (right). He looked fresh and handsome after a shower and his work clothes; a short sleeved navy dress shirt and dress pants. A kiss and a coffee. I got up, made our bed, puttered around the room, showered and dressed. By that time, Seth and Sarah were awake so I gave them their cheerios, let them watch Shaun the Sheep, and got busy making the real breakfast of hardboiled eggs, bacon, cut up cantaloupe, and pancakes.

Joanna gave me this long tie-around-the-waist apron which I wore for the first time as I did the kitchen dance. It’s the longest one I’ve owned and it proved to be useful. Not only did it give me an extra dose of “Susie Homemaker-ish” feelings, but it was also the perfect length to serve as a potholder and a way for me to open the dishwasher with a dirty hand.

As I popped cubes of melon in my mouth, I praised God for the morning and remembered again the delightful addictive feeling of satisfaction in serving my family.

They liked the breakfast, no one touched the eggs however.

This picture is from about a month ago, when Emily came over (for the first time, I think) and we went for a walk. It’s so funny to see your son become someone he never was before – namely, a boyfriend. He seems pretty good at it so far. Emily is a sweet, fun girl and even went with us on a trip to NY two weeks ago. She’s easygoing and not shy at all, makes me laugh, and has a ready laugh of her own. She’s so good with all of Jacob’s siblings. She and Grace went shopping the other day, she teases Ethan, Caleb, and David, and helps keep Seth and Sarah in line. She’s going to camp with my children (and Rich) on Saturday.

The grass was taller than Sarah’s head in some places; Grace had to help her.

And then carry her. My flowers amongst the flowers.

The boys were getting soaked in the stream and after a while, caught up with us again. Seth got a ride on Ethan’s strong shoulders.

I LOVE TO SEE LOVE LIKE THIS between the children!

See how wet to the skin they are? I bet that water felt good, I remember what a hot and humid day this was.

Seth and Sarah continue to enjoy their new two-wheelers, which have been the best summer entertainment for them of the year. In fact, Seth’s training wheels are off and he’s doing very well on his own bike. I love Sarah’s face in this picture (and the fact that her hair is actually fixed).

This is Joanna’s little girlie who is the same age as Sarah. I showed Tsega a picture of my children and she looked, considered, and pointed to Sarah. “I like her.” she said, like she was choosing a new dress or something.

Do you grow your own herbs? I have parsley and basil in my garden, and a pot of parsley on my kitchen windowsill. Joanna has a garden and took a little basket out to gather herbs for a recipe. We felt organic. (see, gardening is satisfying and addictive, too). I have such a small one that it’s actually FUN to weed it. The other day David panicked and told me to get outside and plant cucumbers because “you forgot, MOM!!!!” “HOW will we make pickles?” Laughing, I told him it was much too late to plant but we would get some at a stand when they are ready.

This morning’s adventure was the mall for a hair cut for Jacob and Seth. Sarah went along, too. We ate at Sonic for lunch. Seth and Sarah both warned me that they did not want chicken fingers. I ordered them Corn Dogs. They both couldn’t believe it when they still got Chicken Fingers. It turned out that “Chicken Fingers” meant “Tater Tots”. So confusing.

We had a downpour last night and the weather is clearer today, not as oppressive. It feels nice to have the windows open and not be sticky. Jacob is busy cleaning the porch and the boys are finishing up a movie. I’m making “Cincinnati chili” over spaghetti for dinner tonight. Tomorrow continues the busyness of getting ready for camp. The children are all packed, tomorrow we will have guests spending the night and they will all leave bright and early Saturday morning for a week of Christian camping in New Hampshire. As for me, I am going back home with the three younger children for a week of VBS at my old church.

***

“A life of peace gives life to the body……” Proverbs 14:30a

“For you created my utmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 138:13, 14

“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

“Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

yellow mushroom, white morning glories

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Shanda

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Like his brothers and sister before him, David has read The Hobbit. In fact, he just finished it.

He’s a big fan of hobbit-holes.

It’s hard to make your own actual hobbit-fort, but he and Ethan made the next best thing yesterday in our woods by the stream.

It took them all day and then they slept in it last night, just the two of them.

The fort is in a secret location so that their siblings can’t vandalize it (not that they actually WOULD, of course).

With honor, I was ushered to the secret location so that I could admire the finished project.

It really is impressive, and picturesque, too.

I’m not feeling well. I think summertime chaos is getting to my system, I feel tired and shaky. Not sad or depressed, just deep down very tired. Please pray for me, as I have lots going on. Tonight we have a big dinner and Bible study at our house, tomorrow morning I leave bright and early with Jacob, Emily, Grace, and Sarah to drive four hours to NY for Cassandra (my future sister in law)’s bridal shower. We are coming back home Sunday evening and then that week Rich has a business trip. (so on and so forth)

The children are helping me get the house picked up for tonight and I’m going to rest at nap time. I’ve felt like crappity crap since Tuesday…exhausted.

Anyway, after I admired the fort, I went for a short walk, thinking that the beauty of God’s creation would soothe my aching head.

I saw a yellow mushroom.

And, wild morning glories. Seeing them triggered a memory from childhood. Morning glories just like this one used to grow in the bushes by my Grandparents’ large pond. As children, we used to pick them and smell them right onto our noses…..so I did that yesterday, again.

Then, I taught Seth how to do it.

And Caleb.

Continuing with the theme of “if I get away from the house, nature will heal me”, I asked Grace to go outside with me to watch the evening birds.

We saw a lot! I think I will take up a new active interest in birding because with the ponds, the forest, and the stream, we have a lot of birds. We quickly counted up about 10 different ones. My favorites to watch were the hairy woodpeckers. They are so industrious with their hammering, and it was fun to watch the wood chips fly as they pecked away.

Then, I caught a big grasshopper that had hopped over my foot, and held him until we got back up to the house.

I showed him to Seth and Sarah; their faces crack me up.

Isn’t it interesting? It worked it’s mouth around to ooze out some “tobacco juice”.

“The grasshopper has some means of defense as well as of escape; it can give a painful nip with its mandibles; and when seized, it emits copiously from the mouth a brownish liquid which is acrid and ill smelling. This performance interests children who are wont to seize the insect by it’s jumping legs and hold it up, commanding it to ‘chew tobacco’.” ~ Handbook of Nature Study (a handy book to have, indeed)

We let the grasshopper go (with many thanks) and then I walked Grace up the road a little bit to see the berries that were ripening. We quickly picked a couple of handfuls and took them home to give to Dad. Grace was funny and made me laugh a lot (dear, dear girl).

Grace wrote down everything we saw in her tiny book. (which she was given by my Mom)

This morning I was able to get away for a couple of hours to get my hair done. I stopped at the grocery store on the way to get myself some fruit and nuts. Getting my hair done was so relaxing I almost went to sleep in the chair.

When I got home I asked Grace to take my picture, and as she took it Jacob came walking down to show me yet another learned card trick.

Have a great weekend, my friends!

you are loved

{this moment}

Posted on June 20, 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. inspired by soulemama

at home, outdoors

Image

In him
we live
and move
and have our being.

Acts 17:28

Good morning friends, a beautiful day has dawned bright and fair. I am putting my feet up after cleaning the kitchen. This morning I made a pancake breakfast for David, Caleb, Seth, and Sarah Joy. David said, as he ate his second big ‘cake, that I made The Best Pancakes and I said, “I used your Grandma’s recipe, you know”.

(Thanks, mama.)

There are candles flickering yellow, and the dishwasher is humming.

Little Seth is climbing up into the recliner to snuggle up close.

Today Grace has a follow up appointment for her fractured finger, and this afternoon the boys have dentist appointments, so I thought I would use some time this morning to post some pictures from the weekend (and yesterday)….these early summer days are utterly inspiring with their beauty. It’s so good to be outdoors with the trees, flowers, and grasses turning brilliant green.

I draped the camera with a kitchen towel to take a picture of the children’s melting chalk drawings, in a pouring rain, the colors swirled and Sarah was sad.

joys of childhood (watching with a mama’s heart, content)

playing jacks (with fresh, new chalk drawings)

an old wooden crate planted to bachelor buttons~

David was silently mouthing “help” to me. He is at the age when any display of affection toward himself is embarrassing.

Jacob and Ethan

muffin lunch

under the pine trees

I was thrilled to discover this pink flowering bush hiding behind the other trees down at the pond. It is about 10 feet tall and must have bloomed every summer since we moved here without me ever noticing…….(how?)…..a happy surprise.

I recognized the blossoms from Grandma’s garden but looked it up in a flower book just to be sure; it’s a PINXTER FLOWER; pink azalea

“This much-branched shrub is especially showy in flower. It is relatively tolerant of dry sites and can be transplanted into wild shrub gardens.”

Jack-in-the-pulpit, or Indian Turnip

These aremgrowing in the forest. I’ve always been amused by them, probably because they have such a personality as preacher-men.

See? Here is “Jack” in his pulpit. Is anyone listening? All the other flowers in the forest, perhaps?

“Because of needle-like calcium oxalate crystals and perhaps other acrid substances in the swollen, underground stem, it is peppery to the taste and causes a strong burning reaction if eaten raw; this unpleasant property can be eliminated by cooking. Native Americans gathered the fleshy corms for food.”

This was growing up straight and tall in the middle of a group of ferns. When I touched it I was surprised by how dry and “scrubby” it felt.

Seth has been spending a lot of time silently walking around and around the ponds, trying to catch bull frogs. When he caught this one he brought it to show us, holding it high over his head with a grin and yelling, “Praise the Lord!”

God smiles.

Millions of toad tadpoles in our pond.

My beautiful son all tired out from the very best of activities; running wild in the great outdoors.

Our window-shelf of nature books.

“I wonder if anything will be–can be–any more beautiful than this,” murmured Anne, looking around her with the loving, enraptured eyes of those to whom “home” must always be the loveliest spot in the world, no matter what fairer lands may lie under alien stars.” Anne of the Island, LM Montgomery

Have a wonderful day, my friends. Look around you at all the interesting things in this world, there is much to see.

You are loved.

loving others

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Shanda

“When life is a weariness and escape impossible, it is wonderful to have a friend who can bring us peace with the touch of a hand.”

“Those were the good days. They were serene days and quite undemonstrative, like the best days in one’s life; the boy never forgot them. Nothing happens; one simply lives and breathes and wishes for nothing more, and nothing more.”

Independent People by Halldor Laxness

new dress

striking a pose but has a wedgie

“what are those brothers up to now?”

two toy cats, one in each hand, named Stacey and Jessica

I held her cats as she crossed the stream.

how I love this daughter of mine

with her big brother, they look so much alike

What a blessing it is to have older children to help arrange days of fun with loved friends. As parents, we desire and delight that the children *want to bring their friends* to our home. It lifts the soul to talk and laugh together with a house full of happy people, comfortable and relaxed in our relationships.

Today is the delicious feeling of a good healthy TIRED, the result of yesterday’s full day of fun, and memories. Oh how we need one another, our friends, our community, our families. I watched with contentment in my heart as children from multiple families ran in and out of doors, ate their treats, teased, laughed, got dirty, and had a wonderful time of freedom and beautiful wildness. All the children had dirty feet by the end of the day.

Kathy, Caroline, and I went for a little walk, talked, and discovered wildflowers; two simple activities which are like therapy for the woman’s heart. A good talk about all of life’s happenings, and the eyes to see and notice the beauty of the world around us.

“Come in the evening, or come in the morning:
Come when you’re look’d for, or come without warning.
Kisses and welcome you’ll find before you,
And the oftener you come here the more I’ll adore you!”

Thomas Osborne Davis