It’s November 3rd and on my way back from the chicken coop I saw the first ice. It was on the patio in a plastic slide and I sighed because they were in school and would miss it. The first ice (and first snow) has always been so exciting for them. I made my way back into the house, ran Sarah her bath, cleaned her all up, dressed her, did some laundry and cleaning, and …… Sarah went outside to get a cat and discovered the ice all on her own. She giggled with joy and promptly ran inside to get socks, boots, coat, scarf, and mittens so she could COMPLETELY and THOROUGHLY enjoy it. She ate it, skated on it, insisted on sharing some with me (to eat), and because it was melting and her siblings were not at home, we bagged them each a piece. It’s waiting in the “white frozen refrigerator” (her words) for them as a surprise for later.
Despite freezing temperatures, there is still plenty of beautiful green parsley in the garden.
Seth is learning how to read and write by leaps and bounds in Kindergarten.
We just wish he would restrict himself to paper to practice on. He’s getting better about it now.
This artwork was done by Sarah Joy.
PUMPKIN COOKIES
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup nuts (I didn’t add nuts)
1 cup chocolate chip (I used peanut butter chips)
Combine pumpkin, sugar, shortening and egg. Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt together; add to pumpkin mixture alternately with baking powder, dissolved in milk. (I did not do this, I just mixed the wets and then added all the dry and mixed with the KitchenAid). Add vanilla and chocolate chips. Drop on greased cookie sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes at 375 degrees.
This recipe is from a 1972 Pennsylvania State Grange cookbook. If you happen to have the same one, it’s on page 239. The cookies are a moist cake-like texture. I made them on Saturday and they are still fresh in a big ziplock bag on the counter. Unfortunately, the children don’t seem to like them……..I have to walk around and hand them out to get them consumed.
“The day was beautiful and the way was beautiful.” Anne of the Island, L.M. Montgomery
***
Late this morning I took little Sarah on a short walk through the woods and into the field, wandering about, going exactly where we wanted to go. Underneath our feet were brown pine needles and crispy leaves. The sun was shining. Everything was bright, fresh, and lovely. We ate a few wintergreen berries and Sarah talked about nothing and everything while I dutifully listened and took snapshots.
These three mushrooms were growing up from behind tree bark; bark which was hanging off an old fallen down log.
Thanks to Aunt Colleen’s inspiration, I am taking up crochet again. I recently made Jacob a pillow and am almost done with a red and black striped one for David. As I admired this tree lichen I dreamed of finding yarn in the same creamy mint color and crocheting a doily.
I asked Sarah if I could put her in a tree and she generously agreed.
We had found a turkey feather.
She ran ahead of me into the field and saw a man walking his dog. I had to laugh as I wondered what he must have thought to see a tiny girl emerging from the forest, talking and laughing. He told us that he walked there all the time and his dog, Bruno, used to be a bird dog. Bruno caught 101 birds but is now retired because he’s old and his hips are bad. Regardless, Bruno was having a great time wobbling around on his loose hips while his owner drank coffee from a plastic mug in one hand and carried a walking stick in the other.
I tucked purple wild flowers and rose hips into Sarah’s ponytails.
She was so pleased with her turkey feather. In fact, as soon as her Dad came home from work she showed it to him. He said it was the nicest he’s ever seen.
While Sarah climbed a boulder, I admired a wavy, curly tree fungus. There were different sizes growing and I pulled a small one off. It was rubbery and strong, I could not tear it in half no matter how hard I tried.
We made our way back home by going down the trail a little ways and then through the woods to cross our stream onto our own property. On our way across, we saw a dear dear friend. I took pictures of Sarah’s face as she cooed motherly greetings at him……..
It was Billy-cat, coming to say hello to us.
After our walk I made Sarah eat ALL of her cheese sandwich including the crust, and then I gave her a chocolate pudding cup for dessert. She had a nice nap, and so did I.
****
We breathe below, but we live above; we walk on earth, but our conversation is in heaven. John Flavel
I find myself contemplating the end of my *mothering preschoolers* stage of life. Since the age of 21 I have been caring for my own darling tiny children, truly, the work of raising them up has been the joy and purpose of my life, so far. I know that mothering never ends as long as I have children to love, but there is something so sweet and tender about the preschool years.
I’ve loved all seven of them with a love that surprised me. When I wrapped my arms around them and held them close, breathed them in, it did something to me that I will always remember. Does God give children to us because they need us or because we need them? Oh how much I have learned in being a mama.
Now that the older six are in school, it is just Sarah and me at home during the day.
(I’ve given her a bath this morning. Her hair is pulled back in a pony tail now, and she has a sparkly elastic headband around her hair. It has five stars on it. She’s sitting on the couch looking at one of her brother’s Star Wars books. We’re listening to Elizabeth Mitchell music. “You are my flower, you’re blooming there for me.”
She just put the book aside. “There’s no girl in this book.” she complained.)
We went for a walk on Friday and she was crying at the end of it because she was tired, but we enjoyed it anyway and talked about it together all weekend. Three of our four cats came with us and I realized that next year at this time, when Sarah Joy is in Kindergarten, I’ll probably be filling up this blog with pictures of my cats.
As Sarah and I walked, the cats ran past us and one time Sarah almost got knocked over by Billy. If we stopped, they stopped, or climbed a tree. They chased each other and did unexpected things. Walking with Sarah and three cats felt a little bit like 5 years ago, walking through the woods with five little ones and a baby in my arms. (when I was still homeschooling)
We saw some mushrooms. It had rained the day before so they were damp. This one was so very shiny that we bent to touch it’s top and discovered it was very slimy. When we lifted our finger off it a string of thick goo came up, too.
My friend Bobby Jo asked me recently if I had ever seen a “fairy ring” of mushrooms and we came close on this walk. I suppose you could call this a “fairy half-ring”.
And then we saw several of these on the trail under the oak trees in the forest.
It was the first time I observed them at this stage, just ready to PUFF for us.
Sarah had such fun pinching each one over and over until all the puff was gone, the round orange tops were dry and felt similar to thin rubber.
I carried acorns and other little forest things home in the pocket of my shirt (now surrounding a pillar candle). Sarah worried about losing the cats and eventually gave way to tears. Thankfully she got tired within sight of the house and with some encouragement and we all made it home for a nice nap.
“Oh Lord, thank you for the life you have given me. Help me in the sadness I feel in the ending of these busy years of mothering tiny children. Help me to feel contentment and gratitude that it happened, and not grieve too much, that it’s almost over. Help me to remember that these years have not been easy and there is much to be glad about in moving on to the next stage, such as never having to buy diapers again, (which is all I can think of at the moment). Thank you that in mothering the helpless I have learned so much about YOU, because that is what you do for me. In my weakness you make me strong. When I am hungry you feed me. When I am thirsty you give me drink. When I am sad you comfort me. You are my rock and my salvation, I honor and praise you, Jesus. Amen”
“Children are not angels, and yet they bring from heaven to earth many fragments of loveliness. Their influence in a home is a benediction. They soften hearts and change the whole thought of life in their parents. It is no more of self. They begin to live for their children. The children open love’s chambers. They train their parents in patience, gentleness, thoughtfulness. While a young child is in a home a school of heaven is set up there.” J.R. Miller
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 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.
{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
The baby of our family just turned four years old. My friend Heather and I were trying to get together and that morning (of Sarah’s birthday) was the time that worked best for us both, so I turned the visit into a little playdate for Sarah and some of her (my) friends. We had 8 little ones amongst us four mamas and only two of the children were girls. Sarah was thankful to have one little girlfriend attend, but with five brothers of her own she felt quite comfortable with the boys, too.
We played for a couple of hours outside, and then we had lunch together which consisted of pasta with butter, cut up hot dogs, applesauce cups, and juice boxes.
The mamas had turkey burgers.
What a gift it was to have little babies in the house. I so love to watch a woman with her baby, it’s a beautiful thing to see and brings back so many wonderful memories of those days, for me. This friend of mine loves her babies passionately (she & her husband have four sons)…..
And this friend thoughtfully bounced her baby’s seat with her foot as she ate. So darling.
Grace calls this baby boy HER baby, because I took her with me to see him in the hospital when he was born. We both got to hold him when he was just a day or so old. I met his mama at Community Bible Study, she lives the next town over, we are the same age and have become friends. (so thankful!)
So yeah, this was a crazy attempt at a group picture. I laugh every time I look at it.
This was the best we did…..I think a few of us were shrieking to get them to look forward. They were all so good that day, and I loved watching them explore the ponds, see the chickens, chase cats, jump on the trampoline, blow bubbles, and dig in the sand. So busy, so energetic, such a zest for all of life, and no one got hurt!
After our group photo we had cupcakes and ice cream. (I only wish I had planned ahead to order the cupcakes from Nicole, our town’s lovely c.cake baker!)
As soon as we began singing, Sarah looked at her brother with the most thrilled expression. She was waiting and waiting for this birthday and it was really and truly here!
Such a good mama…..she delights in her new son. I thought it was cute that they sort of dressed alike.
After Heather and Michal left, Alysha and I sat down by the stream to chat and let the children play some more…..isn’t she so adorable? We met last February when she skidded her van into our stream and we rescued her and the boys. True story. (God does things so interestingly). I was telling her son (not the baby) as he got wet, “You’ve been IN this stream before!” ‘Cause we can laugh about it, now that it’s been over a year.
*****
(hours later)
There are times now when the whole family cannot gather around to watch the birthday child open gifts and blow out the candles. For Sarah’s birthday this year we were all home except Ethan. We missed him. He was at a baseball game.
She opened her gifts with Caleb on one side and Seth on the other.
Grace wrapped the gifts in blue paper tape because of course we didn’t find the regular tape until the next day.
It was so nice of Caleb to immediately offer to hold Sarah’s money, wasn’t it? Such a good big brother. With her money, Sarah has been trying to bribe Seth into playing what SHE wants to play. I hear her saying, “I’ll GIVE YOU A DOLLLLAAAR” in a sing-song voice. (but I do not allow bribing, although I am known to give a dollar to the child who finds me the remote to the TV). I don’t know how I get on these topics.
I just love the way Caleb and Seth were so happy for Sarah to receive this princess dress. “rejoice with those who rejoice”
Opening the tea set *that face*
I think she was telling him that don’t worry, she would let him use it with her. He can’t wait.
Then, oh joy, it was strawberry cake time. I let Sarah place the jelly beans on it herself. It was a new, buttery, fussy, for-real a recipe from a legitimate bake shop down south….the flavor was great but I didn’t let it bake long enough so it was gummy. (so disappointed=take it from me, in life’s perfection there is much more to go wrong, so say these little words with me, “OH WELL”–and learn the art of letting go.) What matters is the love, my friends. It’s the thought that counts most of all.
I am determined to try again with the recipe!
Smiling through another (the second, what a lucky little girl) rendition of the birthday song. My darling blond baby who is now “big”, it’s true.
“Hold my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” Psalms 17:5
I am feeling somewhat more human this afternoon since I decided to cancel the plans I had this morning in favor of staying home to catch up with things around the home-place. It has been days and days of activity and I needed a catch-up day for my soul. I am much more at peace now that I put new sugar water in the hummingbird feeder, took the time to hang the loads of laundry on the clothesline rather than throw them in the dryer, watered the houseplants, caught up on the dishes, washed the fronts of the ovens and dishwashers, cleaned the upstairs bathroom, gave my darlings Seth and Sarah baths, washed my hair, spent a lot of time outside, admired ducks and toad tadpoles, put dinner in the crock pot, and took a cat nap.
I discovered this morning that one of my hens was consumed yesterday by what Seth believes was a FOX. All that remains are some lovely gray feathers in the green green grass and a firm belief that life is easier when one does not become to attached to one’s hens.
I read some Dr. Laura Schlessinger this morning and came away with these quotes:
“If you determine to SEE value and feel gratitude for what you have, you will not be consumed by envy and disappointment.”
(praying for eyes that SEE the real and true!)
“LOVE is about awe, admiration, respect and appreciation.”
(thinking of my dear husband and these feelings I have for him.)
“If you’re looking for true happiness with another person, you first need to be reasonably mature, psychologically sound, and able to deal with truth and reality.”
(thankful that although we married young, much grace was given for our immature years, growing along together.)
Things are by no means excellent around here, but the reality of the matter is, when raising seven children you must lower your standards of cleanliness unless you can hire a full time housekeeper. All we need is love and understanding to cover over the messy parts.
Seth is currently standing on the counter throwing bacon dog treats to Parker, it makes him so happy to be nice to the dog.
Wind chimes are singing.
Sarah is napping.
My mom started these green pepper plants seeds from a pepper she ate and liked the taste of! My mom is awesome and an ever-source of inspiration to me.
My dad is awesome, too. He has a drum set in my old bedroom, right where my little sister Amanda’s bed used to be. He takes drum lessons every other Saturday! He practices every day! He loves it. How wonderful it is to do something for YOU, no matter who you are or how old you are.
His arms were flying so fast that I told him to freeze so I could take a picture.
In the living room, by the window, he has a practice drum and a music stand. He listens to the metronome through his ear phones and practices technique.
It’s a challenge. Mom says she loves to listen to him drum, she also loves this song:
“Like a drum my heart never stops beating for you.”
David asked me if he could make a chocolate cake and whenever it is possible, I say YES because I used to make the same recipe when I was 11 years old like him.
Wacky Cocoa Cake
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups water
3/4 cup oil
2 Tablespoons vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla.
In a mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients like a mountain, with baking soda on the tippy top. Pour water and oil carefully around the bottom of the mountain. Pour vinegar on top of the baking soda to watch the bubbles! Add vanilla, beat until smooth. Pour batter into 9 by 13 pan, bake at 350, 35-40 minutes. Lick out the bowl.
His confidence grows and grows with each baking.
Well I hate to tell ya, our cat caught and ate an entire butterfly this weekend.
While Davy-do caught a fish.
(seth is in the other room and I called out to him, “are you getting into mischief?” “NO!” “What are you doing, then?” “Oh, I’m just sitting in a chair. holding a guitar pick. and thinking about God.” I laughed my way to him and gave him a hug. “Really, Seth?” “Oh, I don’t know what I’m doing.” Kiss kiss on the cheek, back to blogging.)
This young dragonfly landed on my shirt, Sarah was worried it would bite and asked me if she could kill it, and we put it gently on a bush. “No-No! Don’t ever kill the dragonflies, they eat mosquitoes!”
The mallard ducks came back. One of the boys came to get me and I snuck down with my camera. They were in the stream, and the stream was overflowing and fast. It was fun to watch them in the rushing water, I wonder if they enjoyed themselves as they dipped and bobbed along?
It was hard for Sarah to keep her eyes on the female duck; she blends right into the stream!
I think he was trying to keep his balance.
He was about to go down the “rapids”.
****
Her face, when I came home from a date with her Daddy:
“Sarah, Sarah, where are you? I have a surprise for you!”
“You do? I hardly believe it.”
“Well, what is it? What is it, Mom?”
“NEW SHOES!!!” (this was her wondrous face as I said the word “shoes”) :::
“For reals? You’re awesome-sauce, Mom!”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“May I just get to the end of my road and say, I have done this important thing in my life, and I have done it well.” ~Tessa Kiros
“When love and duty are one, then grace is in you and you will enjoy a happiness which passes all understanding.” ~The Painted Veil
“Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (If you are a believer than you are pleasing to him because YOU HAVE the FAITH that He has given you!!)
Grace just came home from school smiling and singing because she is learning sign language with Larissa at 3:00.
{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.
Good to be Home 