Oct. 1, 2009 - 7 Quick Takes: This Week's Surprises...

Thanks, Jen! Check out more Quick Takes by visiting Conversion Diary!

What a whirlwind of a week we had! I had fully expected to post the "potty piano fiasco" story on MONDAY...here it is Friday, and I've hardly sat at the computer 'for fun', let alone thought about blogging. But, the house is verrrrry quiet (It's 9:30 pm Thursday as I type this) and I just had the urge to write down a few quick things about what we did this week...

1. I canned for the first time!

With a borrowed canner, new jars, and lots of produce, I canned tomatillo salsa, tomatillo jelly, jalapeno pepper jelly, and a few pints of tomatoes. I purchased 3 dozen jars, and have used about 2 dozen so far....and with the apples that are still sitting on my porch, I may need another dozen! We'll see...

I have another post I'd like to write about canning, but don't hold your breath! It will happen...sometime!

All in all, it's been fun, and I love to see those beautiful jars filled with yummy stuff.

2. We had an evening committment Monday through Thursday....

Just stuff we had to get done, and volunteering we had signed up for, and lots of random errands.  It made the week feel very full, and quite exhausting at times.

3. We are taking a week off from homeschooling....

...because I really didn't feel prepared or energized for this week. I knew the inaugural canning experience would just take up a lot of mental space....

4. We put all the fall clothes in the drawers, and sorted the spring/summer clothes, keeping some, and giving some away.

'Nuff said. Whew, and I'm glad that's done. It seems like it would be a simple job, but it does take some time...And then there's the random pair of shorts that shows up a few weeks later, and you have to reopen boxes. Thankfully, mine are well-labeled now -- after three boys, and one to come, I have learned ot be pretty organized with my storage items!

5. I had an amazingly fruitful mom's Bible study this week.

Wednesday was the feast of St. Jerome, who is the patron of Scripture scholars, and study. We talked about Lectio Divina, which is the practice of reading and praying over Scripture slowly and meditatively. I have done Lectio previously, but the study of it and discussion that followed really reawakened my desire to be more regular about it -- and about prayer in general! I felt so refreshed and rejuvenated! Thank God for that blessing!

6. I have been blessed to have good friends -- and have been blessed by one, in particular, several times this week!

A family we've gotten to know in the last year has become so dear to us! The mom of the family and I are friends, and her daughters frequent babysitters, and the husband of the family a hardworking wonderful person as well. This week, my mom friend popped over unexpectedly to offer to watch the kids so I could do whatever! -- I got our groceries and several other errands done. Today, she brought over lunch, and we had another nice visit -- complete with coffee and coffee cake at the end. She is a blessing to me -- and I'm thankful to have her for a friend!

7. My kids may be famous!

I have a friend in town who works for a local talent agency, and at the beginning of spring last year, she put a call out to anyone who would be interested in work to contact her -- I offered her my children! ha ha! She and I had the chance to catch up at our class reunion this summer, and she said that work for kids had been slow lately, but she'd definitely keep my darling boys in mind! Well, I got a facebook message from her this morning, and there is the possibility of a photo shoot next Wednesday! So -- we'll see what becomes of that. I asked Espen what he thought last night, and explained that he'd get to dress up in some 'old-fashioned' (it's a 50s 60s shoot, apparently) clothes, and make fun faces and poses -- and he said with a dreamy look in his eye and a calm excited voice, "Mom, I would absolutely LOVE to do that!" I'll update if this comes to pass...

8. Okay, I know its supposed to be just 7, but another big part of our week was putting the finishing touches on our homeschool newsletter. TallDad and I agreed to do the designing, fact-gathering, and publishing -- and I think it went well! We have a good base to build on -- the previous editor had the 'job' for 7 years, and really did amazing things to keep our group connected! So, we have big shoes to fill -- but are happy to take it on. Our group means a lot to us!

God bless you weekend! Remember -- it is Respect Life Sunday this coming Sunday. Please pray for all parents facing a challenging pregnancy -- whether unexpected, or with illness, or with complications for the baby -- anything that would make them question whether or not to let their baby live. Pray that the evil of abortion is wiped out of our country once and for all!!

If you haven't heard of the 40 Days for Life campaign, check out this link -- and get involved where you live!

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Oct. 2, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Suzie

Welcome to the wonderful world of canning! I'm sure you'll enjoy your goods.

Sounds like you had a busy week, too. Have a good weekend.

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Oct. 2, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by jugglingpaynes

LOL! Loved the part about the photo shoot!

Re your comment: Yes, feel free to link my comic or post it with a link to my blog. I'm always happy to share and this one was one of those moments of inspiration that kicks me out of bed in the morning. :o)

Peace and Laughter,
Cristina

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Oct. 2, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by JoAnna

Canning sounds fun! Your post reminded me a
of a line from L.M. Montgomery's Jane of Lantern Hill: "Just to go into the pantry and look at shelf after shelf of ruby and amber jams and jellies gave her the deep satisfaction of a job well done."

BTW, regarding your post on my blog -- you can download the podcasts to iTunes. Also, I LOVE the name Benedict -- it's on our list this time around too. It's not our top choice at the moment, though.

Happy Friday!

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