day of snow

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Shanda

The first thing we all did this morning was check to see if there was a snow day and YES we had no school for the first time this winter. The ground was already covered with fresh white snow.

Ethan shoveled the driveway.

Yesterday we had carpet guys come and start work replacing our carpet upstairs. They did half of the job and then had to come out today to do the rest while a multitude of snowflakes fell outside. It was cozy inside with all the children and the workers. I got busy in the kitchen.

I made two pans of apple crisp and a pot of clam chowder for lunch and invited them to eat with us. One of the guys said my chowder was better than his wife’s. He said he wouldn’t tell her though.

Grace took a nap on the couch despite all the hammering and noise.

Emily and Tessa came and Emily taught us how to make cake in a mug.

~New carpet~

(When the guys tried to leave they were stuck in the snowy driveway for a while)

There are piles of stuff still waiting to be put back away. But I wanted to take a break and say hello to my bloggy friends. It’s been a busy, lively day. Happy Friday!

~you are loved~

“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” Victor Hugo

welcoming the month of march…..with more snow….

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Shanda

And a happy Monday, March 2nd to you! Yesterday we welcomed a new month with yet more snow, enough to delay school this morning by 2 hours. That’s always fun. By fun I mean “fun”. Caleb had sore muscles so after seeing him walk around like an old man and almost crying, I spoon fed him some liquid Advil in the kitchen while making eggs. Sarah and Seth kept trying to play together, resulting in Sarah yelling at the top of her voice for Seth to “stop it!!” To deal with this situation, I put them each in their rooms to play alone. Grace felt as if she was getting a cold, so I had her mix up some Emergen-C, and then she needed a container to put it in so she could sip it all morning at school. She took it in a travel mug. Ethan put on his boots and went to the chicken coop for me, taking them a bowl of discarded people food and a pitcher of water. David was told to shovel the walkway and Rich had to “encourage” him in a loud Fatherly voice that “work is supposed to be enjoyable.” The end result was a wonderfully shoveled path. Jacob did nothing notable.

Once the children went to school Rich and I went downtown to the coffee shop. Rich dropped me off at the door and I said, “I’ll leave Sarah with you, you can manage her.” He told me that as they drove away to park she asked her Dad nervously, “What does manage mean?” I think she was afraid. As I waited for them I almost took a chair away from the table to make way for a high chair!!!!! Slowly it is dawning on me that I no longer HAVE babies, for the first time in 18 very busy years but apparently I still have some ingrained instincts.

The coffee shop always has artwork on the walls featuring a great variety of artists and their work. This week it is nature photography and as I studied them, I thought, “I take better pictures than this.” Some of them have sold, 200 dollars worth, in fact! I know that sounds so prideful, but I don’t mean it that way, I mean it in this way, “I never thought about selling my photos but seeing these pictures sell makes me believe I could do it, too!”

I love the way Sarah turns her markers and crayons into people and ~~tells stories~~ makes up games with them.

“I used to live here at the camp road, but now I live here at the camp-camp-camp!”

“I like to hear your stories, Sarah.”

“Mom it’s not a story, it’s a game! A coloring game!”

She’s also trying to figure out what we should do next. So far she has come up with “play ground” “thrifth store” “Barnes and Novel” “Somebody’s house” or the “movies.”

I already drank all my coffee, it was a caramel latte. Sarah requested a hot chocolate and Rich had a coconut caramel flavored coffee.

Sarah went outside to play the other day….she found the picnic table.

Sarah’s bike next to the mammoth snow pile.

In spite of the rock in the middle I very sadly later found this pot saucer broken in the snow.

Caleb and Seth found their helmets which reminded them of a favorite activity, so they brought their bikes up out of the garage. I love how Seth is holding the handle bars with his hands in his sleeves. When you get stir-crazy enough you ride your bike even in frigid temperatures.

This was such a precious moment. Jacob showed Emily his baby book for the first time. The thought of him showing his girlfriend the book was not in my mind when I worked in it all those years ago. I was 21 and smitten with my new baby, filling the pages with photos and milestones. Emily enjoyed it and went home with a page photocopied out it.

Mike messing around with one of the boys (Caleb).

Another winter activity! Who knew that playing with Daddy’s tools would keep the little ones busy for over an hour?

Mike and Jacob played Phase 10. That container on the bench is full of jelly beans, and the tissue box was never far from Jacob’s side as he dealt with his wretched cold.

We worked on a puzzle Saturday night while listening and singing along to iTunes. (Grace, Zak, and Seth)

Sarah on Sunday, in her church dress.

more snow! (that blue speck is our newspaper down the road buried in the snow pile.) lol

All I did was go outside to get the paper and take a couple of pictures but two of the children worried and greeted me back in the house with, “MOM where did you go? What are you doing?”

Sunday was awesome, I spent the morning with Jacob, Grace, David, and Sarah. We went to church, then Wendy’s drive thru, we got the giggles in the car, drove to an antique store where I left them in the car eating while I quickly walked around looking at things (I bought some little gifts for my MOM, and three small fiesta plates for my collection; all vintage– gray, light green, and yellow). We drove home and found Ethan and Seth back home from their wrestling event. Ethan coached Seth to a 2nd place victory but Seth hung his head and was sad that he didn’t get first. Then we were all together except Rich and Caleb, who were at States. Caleb placed 7th out of 11 kids in his weight class. (which is why he was so sore this morning).

Brother and Sister cats.

Doesn’t it look as though Sherlock is smiling?

Seth (not on purpose) made us so sad. When I decided to write his name on all his wrestling medals I couldn’t find them. He told me he took them to school and when his “friend” Bryce asked for them, Seth GAVE THEM to HIM (all but one!) He gave away his metals!! This situation is still being resolved.

completed puzzle

Not happy about this. Grace was doing her nails and put the nail polish remover-soaked paper towel directly on the coffee table!!!!!!!!!! The remaining paper towel is stuck and dried in the table terribly!

Last night the bunny watched “Death comes to Pemberly” with Grace, Ethan, and me.

It was kind of boring.

Bunny scratched me and Grace, scared the cats, and bit some holes in the blanket.

7:00 am sky

A few hours later.

Since we were all hanging around each other for an extra 2 hours and all……my grown up babies!

I took some pictures this morning on the way downtown

of the snow

and ice.

I said, “Rich slow down by that house so I can get a picture of the ice.”

HE SPED UP. and then LAUGHED.

Rich took this picture from across the table. He wanted me to see what he saw. Our adorable little girlie, thrilled by the chocolate syrup drizzled on the top of her whipped cream and hot chocolate.

snow

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Shanda

Our mailbox peeks out from a snowbank just like the majority of our neighbor’s mailboxes. I saw one that was wrapped around and around with duck tape, in a furious attempt to keep it from being broken off by the snowplows.

We haven’t had snowfall in a few days but what we have, old snow, is deep and interesting. Caleb’s school assembly was put off until the end of March because there is too much snow piled in the parking lot and as a result, not enough room for people to park.

Sarah keeps busy indoors. She especially enjoys making herself a house out of all the couch cushions. It’s good harmless fun and she’s always thoughtful to include her stuffed animals.

This is the look Parker always gives me when I go into the kitchen. “Are you about to give me a treat?”

Another thing Sarah likes to do is have hot chocolate under the table.

I made scalloped potatoes and ham yesterday for dinner.

With ham from a pig that Rich’s Dad raised and butchered for us. Delicious.

Dusted with paprika right before covering it with foil, popping it into the oven and heading off to the library.

She wore it in the car but not in the library, thankfully.

Our library looks different in the Winter.

Caleb requested books about Football. It’s his latest passion and interest, although he assured me that does still like snakes.

I usually peruse the “NEW” bookshelf and there were some absolutely delightful books to borrow. I read them out loud last night.

The Lion and the Bird. A Lion helps an injured bird and they spend the winter together and become friends. A sweet book with lots of pages of thoughtful illustrations. Heartwarming.

What to Do When You’re Sent to Your Room, Moms of boys will laugh through this one. I loved it.

Go to Sleep, Little Farm. Gorgeous artwork and a lovely soothing story, creatively worded and a joy to read aloud.

Sam and Dave dig a Hole. If only they knew what they kept missing! I read this to Seth and he said, “Read it again!” which is a sure sign of a good book. Drink chocolate milk and eat animal crackers while reading.

I Wish I had a Pet. Illustrated with whimsical pictures of felt mice and other animals. Very creative and my favorite book from the stack.

Davy’s vinegar egg experiments continue! This one is being turned to “rubber”. He is greatly influenced by youtube videos and he made his own tutorial.

Seth got home from school and got cozy on Sarah’s couch cushions with the remote.

Sarah’s been taking trips to the garage to ride her bike. She’s never out there for very long. She’s funny.

Grace has a leak in her ceiling so Rich went up on the roof to shovel off some of the snow and ice.

He said that when he was a teenager he and a couple friends drove around hiring themselves out, shoveling roofs after a heavy snowfall. They made a good bit of money doing it, too.

These pictures were all taken yesterday. Today Jacob is home with a bad cold. He is currently sleeping on the couch. Sarah and I are in the new room listening to iTunes “Princess Radio”. I have a sleeping cat by my side. David and Ethan will be home soon because they have a half day of school.

I have a 3:45 appointment to get my hair done.

How are you today?

Hope you have a wonderful day and spend a little time nurturing yourself. You are loved, my friends!

RECIPES:

scalloped potatoes and ham, my favorite way to make them
soft ginger cookies (easy–I didn’t even bother using the mixer)

a song of snow and sea

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Shanda

(music)

The Lord is my strength and shield.

I trust Him with all my heart,

He helps me and my heart is filled with joy.

I burst out with songs of thanksgiving.

Psalm 28:7

The children woke this morning to the news of a two hour delay, but none of us would have been surprised or disappointed if there was a full snow day. It has been snowing nonstop since we got out of bed and nature has added even more fluffy inches to what was already accumulated earlier this week.

“Oh, it doesn’t show signs of stopping”

I opened the door to take a picture of the older children who stood outside for almost 10 minutes waiting for the bus. I smiled to hear their talking and laughing. Then, when they saw me, “What is mom doing?” they casually asked one another, huddled in a tight sibling group. “Mom, my hands are freezing!” he wanted me to know, all with fun and smiles.

They have all safely left for school and it is now 10:30. I really should get dressed soon……….

She found me.

“Mom, what are you doing in my room?!?!?”
“Taking pictures out your window!”

I think it’s safe to say that it will be a while before I make any attempts to get outside into the woods with my camera. It is enough for now, and quite fun, to lean out doors and windows, photographing the beauty. I love snowy days and the cozy feeling inside the home when it’s coming down so steadily, beautiful, white, and fresh.

Considering the endless topic of books, despite (or, because of) the weather, my current longing is for books featuring the seaside. I asked my 15 year old daughter Grace if she had any suggestions and we both jumped up off the couch and started exploring the bookshelves together, searching for our favorites, with hearts of gratitude for a home library gathered up over the last 19 years.

Books for Snowy Days, about the Sea, to Read by the Fire

Along the Shore, short stories by L.M. Montgomery
The Boat Who Wouldn’t Float, by Farley Mowat
Li Lun, Lad of Courage, by Carolyn Treffinger
The Lighthouse Keeper’s Wife, by Connie Small
Master and Commander, by Patrick O’Brian
The Light on the Island, by Helen Glidden
Burt Dow, Deep Water Man , by Robert McCloskey

“The spell of the sea and the wind surged into her heart and filled it with wild happiness and measureless content. ” ~Along the Shore

*****

****

The North wind doth blow

and we shall have snow

and what will poor Robin do then, poor thing?

I saw a Robin fly into one of the bushes by the house and ran to get my zoom lens. The pictures are pretty terrible because I shot through glass AND screen, but it was a lovely sight to see. The Robin’s feathers were fluffed and he kept trying to perch on various thin branches, losing his balance, which caused his wings to fly out in order to steady himself. The Robin reached for berries as I wondered if he was getting enough to eat. He seemed to sense my question and turned around to show me under his tail feathers (see above, last picture). “I have enough to eat but my behind is caked with snow.” After the initial shock of seeing a bird butt, I sent through the air my silent sympathies and best wishes.

funny morning

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Shanda

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.” Psalm 23:6
(yesterday, early morning) The snow was falling and blowing all over the place….the flakes were small and icy cold.

(yesterday, around noon). The snow was till coming down and the road wasn’t plowed.

When the snow let up in the afternoon, Rich went out to plow the driveways with his tractor. Ethan, Seth, David, and Caleb got dressed to play on the mountains of snow their Dad made.

Torturing his brother.

They came inside with blotchy skin, it was so cold that it took a little while, and some hot chocolate, to defrost.

We began to see a little traffic on the roads again.

Sarah began throwing up.

Grace and Jacob, who was recovering from being sick, played a card game. David searched the cupboards for something to eat, Rich was in the other room on a phone call.

The rest of these pictures are from this morning. We rarely get a snowstorm that causes us to have to shovel our porch.

“This is ridiculous!” ~Sherlock the Cat

Shadow of the house where I was standing on the porch, and drifts against the garage.

You would think that with a three car garage I would not have to deal with this.

Sherlock is cute because he likes to all of a sudden dive into the snow and play like a crazy cat. it was too much for Parker the Dog, so he pounced on the cat to play, too.

(Emily are you reading this? I love you!)

a walking path through the snow

I took this picture back in the house, through the glass door. The chickadees line up to get a sunflower seed from the bird feeder.

Seth was the last child to leave for school this morning. He walked carefully to the bus. He normally runs full speed, perhaps he didn’t want to go?

***

This morning was a two hour delay and frankly, we needed it. I woke up to discover that Rich was already gone to work and all seven children were awake. Sarah was sick on the couch, and Ethan was making french toast. As soon as my door opened Seth ran to me and asked if he could have a piece of French toast, too. I stumbled into the kitchen and used the last of Ethan’s eggs to make Seth his requested breakfast.

Grace wandered around asking me for safety pins and I told her where to find them at my sewing table.

Jacob wanted french toast so I gave him directions on how to make the egg dip for the bread. I made myself a cup of coffee and added French Vanilla creamer.

By the time Jacob was done making his breakfast, Seth asked for another piece, so this time I used Jacob’s left over egg.

David made himself scrambled eggs and asked me to put toast in the toaster for him so I did.

Sarah asked me to sit with her. I got my Bible from my room and began reading the portions for the “bible in a year” program, with a reading in Exodus, Matthew, Psalms, and Proverbs. I read it all out loud to her. I read about the Nile being turned into blood and you should have seen Sarah’s face. She gasped and was properly disgusted. She asked several times, “Is this true?” and I was able to say in a motherly sort of tone, “This is the Word of God, and everything in it is true.” We laughed over the names in the genealogies of the Israelites. She said she thought they were weird names and I told her she was smart. (I was impressed that she listened so intently, but when you’re sick you don’t have as much fight in you.)

Grace was trying to wear a pair of pants that fit almost perfectly; the waist was about 2 inches too big. First she pinned them and then she tried a belt. She was getting annoyed with the pants so I had her slip them off in my room and I took them in on my sewing machine.

As I sewed, screaming began in the boys’ room. David found Seth playing the DS and took it away from him and Seth screamed at him and came to tell me about it. My bobbin had just emptied (of course!) so as I talked to him, I got out my manual and refilled the bobbin, letting Seth help me by pressing the pedal. “Slowly, Seth! Slowly!” David came and perched on my bed and I stopped what I was doing to say, “Dave. SETH was not the problem in this situation. YOU were the problem. If you see Seth doing something that you don’t like, you need to come straight to ME and I will help you. You are NOT Seth’s parent, I am his parent. You are only Seth’s brother so he is offended when you boss him around.” I made him give Seth back the DS (which Dave had put in his own dresser, even though it wasn’t even his) and then of course the GAME cartridge was missing, so I had to send Dave back to give Seth the game. *sigh* David was upset and wondering why HE was “always the bad guy.”

I got Grace’s pants taken in and now fit perfectly. She was happy and asked if I would put her hair up in a bun for her.

I left my room and immediately smelled burning eggs. Caleb was trying to make scrambled eggs and he did really well except he didn’t scramble them as they cooked. Instead, he stood there and watched them burn, wondering when to “flip” them. I ran over and flipped the eggs over and sure enough, there was a smoking, burned skin that I promptly tore off the top. I took the egg patty out of the pan and placed it into the bowl containing french toast egg dip remnants. I got Caleb a plate and some cheese, hoping with the cheese to make the eggs more palatable. He didn’t complain or say anything. He just ate them. I’m sure they had a taste of ash and cinnamon to them, but like I said, he had no comments.

Sarah was thirsty and requested a gatorade. I went in the pantry but did not find any so I got her a juice pouch. She wanted it in her teacup so she put the straw in and squirted juice into the cup, and some onto the coffee table, too. I got the wood cleaner and paper towels to clean it up.

I sat Grace down and put her hair in a pony tail, then braided it and sent her upstairs to pin it into a bun herself. I noticed later that it didn’t happen. She smiled and said that she gave up. She went to school with just a pony tail.

I noticed Jacob and Ethan both quietly reading their Literature books and secretly fumed, wondering why I hadn’t seen them doing their assigned reading YESTERDAY when they had the entire day off. I may have even said something sarcastically but received no reply.

Finally, the High School bus came and took four children away to school. I had another hour to get Caleb and Seth ready by washing faces, making sure their teeth and hair were brushed, and turning on an episode of Arthur. I had nuts and a banana for breakfast and Seth ate a hotdog, a bowl of applesauce, and half a banana so I think it’s safe to say that his appetite is back after having the stomach bug.

I emptied a dishwasher, loaded the other one and pushed “start”. I scrubbed off the island.

Eventually, the other two boys got on their busses and I could breathe a sigh of relief. I love them all to death, I was amused by the chaotic morning, but I admit it was nice to have them leave for school.

breathing space

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Shanda

07 The Gift

07 Good to Me

(with a thankful heart)

What can we do but keep on breathing in and out, modest and willing, and in our places? Mary Oliver

snow (it’s the little things)

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Shanda

With an old scarf around my head keeping the hair off my face, and a wooden spoon in my hand, I opened the door to let out a cat. Sarah and I were in the kitchen making Christmas cookies.

I had determined to have a quieter day. We had a pleasant snow fall in the night but not enough to keep the children home from school. Ethan had a dentist appointment at 8:50 so Sarah and I left to pick him up…..while the snow continued to gently fall.

The many tracks in the driveway, made by the family I love, made me smile. So much activity belonging to the special boys and girls in my life. My husband’s truck tracks meant that he was already at work, making an early start so that he could get back to coach wrestling later at the High School.

At the end of our road, I stopped to take a picture of the farmer’s cows in the snowy field.

In town, Sarah and I both admired the ivy growing up brick buildings. She asked me if we could grow them on our house.

Ethan didn’t have a coat on and shivered as we made our way to the car. “Why on earth didn’t you wear a coat?” I asked. “Because! I don’t have any classes outside, Mom!” (obviously!)

Ethan is the one child that I nag the most about brushing his teeth. It’s become sort of a family joke although Ethan himself may not think it is funny anymore.

He had zero cavities!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He is in wrestling now at school and had to get his official weight taken today. I couldn’t even tempt him to a small hot chocolate after his cleaning. I took him back to school.

By that time it was only 9:30 so Sarah and I went to the Thrift shop and spent two dollars on some rubber stamps for the children to play with, a few books, & an ornament.

We walked hand in hand to the car, over the railroad tracks. When we got there, I noticed that the snowflakes were falling from the sky as pretty as a picture on top of Sarah’s pigtailed head.

In the parking lot by the town offices I stood with my camera, taking careful close ups of Sarah’s head and my own arm! I had to laugh when I realized what I was doing in public…..but the magic of it all…..

God is so good to me! I didn’t want to leave my cozy house this morning and when I remembered Ethan’s appointment I had groaned. But, in the midst of running these common errands of motherhood I was given yet another opportunity to see the simple beauty of a day I would have missed if I stayed inside.

It is the life of the crystal,
the architect of the flake,
the fire of the frost,
the soul of the sunbeam.
This crisp winter air is full of it.
~John Burroughs

How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose,

if there were no winter in our year! ~Thomas Wentworth Higginson

*****

We drove home and my mind was on the snowflakes and William Bentley.

If you’ve never taken a picture of an individual snowflake I encourage you to try it!

I meandered around the yard and our cat Sherlock tried following me across the ice on the pond and fell right in the water. It was rather shocking for us both. He swam back out quickly, which was a good thing because I was on the other side of the pond.

This is Billy-Cat.

Two fresh eggs were waiting for me in the chicken coop.

Sherlock was very busy on the porch, trying to clean the water off his fur.

Sarah was already inside and we fried up the eggs and shared them for a snack.

And then we read the books we had found at the Thrift store.

Under a soft, warm, electric blanket, we learned that “Q is for quiet times”……

And were inspired to be as kind as the shoemaker and his wife.

Best of all, we decided to make Christmas cookies, after a cozy nap.

While the oven was still hot, I mixed up a banana bread. I read on allrecipes.com that if you wrap up your *hot from the oven* quick bread in foil, it will steam itself cool and become nice and moist.

This entire morning *after the children left for school* has been a “no TV” day and the quietness of the house has been wonderful.

There is something about snow falling down outside to make a day seem so peaceful.

{this moment}

Posted on November 14, 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. CSC_2096 admiring the first snow of the winter
6:30 am