Hey, there, everyone!

I just noticed today that I never gave you the URL to my new front porch.  It's at my domain name, LoriSeaborg.com

I'm at my new blog nearly daily, Just Pure Lovely, where I write about the things that inspire me (but sometimes also the not-so-fun things, because that's part of motherhood). 

I really hope you'll visit me (or that you already do!)

by Lori Seaborg 2008

Oh, goodness, I've had such a time with my new blog showing up because I was trying to be fancy by using my own domain name.

But let's just go here instead.  This should work for you:  http://justpurelovely.typepad.com

Don't forget to change that in your readers!

Lori Seaborg 2006

Reach my new blog go to http://www.justpurelovely.typepad.com.  I hope you'll come!

It's March 25, 2008 as I write.  I will let you know when my front porch is open, which will be at LoriSeaborg.com.  My blog, however will remain at the above location. 

Thank you so much for coming to visit me at my new space!

by Lori Seaborg 2008

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was a curious woman.  I sure wish we could sit down to tea one day; I'm sure I could learn so much from her.  She and I have at least one thing in common:  Curiosity.  She said,

"I think, at a child's birth,

if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift,

that gift would be curiosity."

I agree!  In homeschool we have a beautiful opportunity to allow our children to follow their curiosity.  We can't know what God is leading their spirit to explore, so let's let them explore!  The same with you.  Allow yourself to explore the things that are stirring up your heart and your mind. 

Mrs. Roosevelt said something else about curiosity that makes me smile.  I can identify so much with this:

"I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on.

Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. 

One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life."

I enjoy a fireside, especially with my hands busy with knitting or my mind busy with reading, but that's not her point.  Her point, I think, is that we cannot allow ourselves to sit and say "I can't" while we watch others live and do what we could also enjoy.   

This year I'm focusing on the positive, as I wrote a few days ago.  I'm also more free this year than I've been in 12 years of child-rearing.  Our littlest gal will be 5 years old next month, and although I'm so sorry to see the baby years behind us, I may as well dwell on the positive part of that instead of the negative, so I may as well get excited about all the free time I finally have! 

Time to follow my whims.  My interests.  My curiosity.  I can't wait to follow my curiosity more, both with the children and without them.

I didn't realize I was going to write about curiosity tonight. I was just thinking of Mrs. Roosevelt while working on my new site today.  What new site, you ask?

I have begun blogging at a new site where I can upload more photos (I love photography) and designs (I love art) and crafting excursions (I love ... you know what I'm going to say!).  If I feel a lengthy "text" post coming on, I'll probably post it at the blog I write weekly for Precious Moments (called Precious Moms), which will also get many reruns from the last several years that I've been blogging.  I will, of course, leave the archives open here.  Readers still somehow find them through Google searches. 

But, mostly, I will be at my own domain:  Just Pure Lovely   .  Know why I named my new blog that?) 

And thank you so very, very much to HomeschoolBlogger for great years here and to the many readers I met through this blog. I hope all of you will come to my new site to visit!

by Lori Seaborg 2008

I'm exhausted.   Mentally.  Emotionally.

Life hit me with so many blows from Thanskgiving until now.  Some things were really tough, but not everything was so hard.  It's just that each thing added up over time.  I didn't realize just how affected I was until yesterday when my parents left at dawn after a long visit with us.  It was finally just our family and no holiday busyness. I would have thought that would motivate me to get started on the new year, but instead the weight of the weeks finally took their toll.  

Yesterday morning, after I crawled out of bed, I found a note in my mother's handwriting:

"I woke up this morning with Grandpa's verse going around in my head,

'Behold I will do a new thing, Shall Ye not know it? 

I will make a way in the wilderness; rivers in the desert.'

Isaiah 43, I think.  I love you most, Mom"

It doesn't take something "major" to empty our cups.  I recently read a journal entry from 2003 when I sounded utterly exhausted with a new baby and a 7yo, 5yo and 3yo underfoot.  My cup needed filled then, as it does now.  This is an ongoing part of life.

Missionary friends wrote the following in their recent prayer letter:

"What a blessing that even in the whirl of our lives, God's Word keeps our eyes and hearts focused on the never changing Truth that brings consistency to our often upside down world.
 
"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;

and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."  Psm 34:18

My new favorite things to surf (always changing, never the same month to month it seems!) are photo blogs of everyday life.  I am so inspired by seeing the beauty of everyday life through a camera lens. 

3191: A Year of Evenings

Six One Way: A Year of Motherhood

Noticing Project: An Image a Day in 2008

and a favorite blog, which is now posting photos for 30 days:

Soule Mama: 30 everyday days

Enjoy them!  Even if you're not big on photography, you will appreciate them for making orange peels in the sink and dirty laundry on the floor and messy kids look like ART.  See?  Our messes are art!  We just need to think of them the right way. 

Lately, I've needed this verse:   

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

This is not only the Year of Health (said with a booming voice, a bit of drama for effect) for our family, but for me personally 2008 is also the Year of the Just Pure Lovely (see those 3 in the above verse?).

This can be lived out in so many ways:

- Figuring out what drags me down, and filtering it out of my life.  One way I've done this:  My FreeHomeschool group has become a burden lately; I receive complaints no matter what I do with the postage rates.  So I'm making it a 100% free group now, which will of course make a few upset that they can no longer charge postage, but it was either that or close the group down.

- Figuring out who brings me up and who drag me down.   I will of course be friendly to everyone, but I need to be discerning about choosing positive people for the bulk of my outside-the-family time.  I need friends who move forward in all areas of their lives, and who motivate me to do so also.   I need friends who easily forgive, since we are all speaking and acting from our own perspective and cannot always know our friends' perspective.  I need friends who are true.  And I need to be that friend, not only to them but also - especially - to myself.

- Figuring out which extracurricular activities we should add.  This is an area I have worked on for years, so feel like it is already positive, but it's an area I must always protect.  It's too easy to get excited about a new activity offering, start something new, get overly busy running around.  But are those things so great that they are worth leaving home to do?  That's what I have to decide.

- Figuring out which t.v. shows, books, movies are positive, and watching only those.  This is a bit tough with movies, because I guess action movies aren't "just pure lovely," yet I like to watch them with my husband to spend time with him and to enjoy something together.  So I hope you know what I mean, when I say that I need to determine which t.v. shows, books, movie are "positive."  Those that add something of value to my life.  Some t.v. shows not only don't teach me anything educational, but they are relaxing or give us something to share as a family.  Other shows not only don't have any "take-away" value, but they also don't relax me.  Those shows don't need to take my time.  And books --books that teach me something, that are creative, or relaxing...those are the books worthy of my time.

- Even online, going to sites that teach me something or are, well, "lovely!"  Those sites that add something of value to my life.  Not sites full of gory news stories or arguments or "twaddle" (a Charlotte Mason term, meaning things of little to no value - this is my interpretation of "twaddle" anyway).  I'm adding more Crafty Blogs to my list of Favorites and more inspirational sites.  More photo blogs and more uplifting music sites have been added, too. 

I'm excited about a Year of the Just Pure Lovely!  It's kind of like I'm finally giving myself permission to do things like spinning and weaving and sewing and reading crafty blogs and time in my rocking chair soaking in the sunshine while watching birds.  And, imagine what our family life will be like if I only speak in a positive tone to Tim and the children! 

I'm writing all of this down for myself, for a record, but thought I'd share it with you, too.  Let me know what you're adding or removing from your life this year!

by Lori Seaborg 2008

p.s.  After writing this article, I started a new blog called "Just Pure Lovely" to fill with things that inspire me, like photography, art, and crafts.  Come visit!

We're a pretty healthy family.... actually, really healthy, but I'm not taking that for granted.  Who should these days?  The rates of many diseases are climbing and physical activity is decreasing.  Oh, and I just had my birthday, so age is on my mind.  When I am 67, aren't I going to wish that I had eaten well and moved often while I was only 37?  (yes, it was that birthday). 

So, Tim and I decided that 2008 is our Year of Health.

.....well, okay, I'm the one goofy enough to call it "Our Year of Health," but Tim, being the athlete that he is (team sports are his thing), likes the idea, too. 

My role in this is to work on our eating.  Over the past few years we've made some significant changes, but you can still often hear me saying, "We're no purists!" as I'm holding a bag of Doritos and a Coke at a get-together. 

This is the year I need to be more committed to eating well.  We do well when we're at home, with just our immediate family. But we do poorly when we are out or when we have people over.  So, this year, I'm going to learn more about recipes I can make that will hopefully be accepted by people who don't know what hummus and tabouleh are.

If you are just now getting the urge to eat healthy, but don't know where to begin, here is a great ebook to get you started:  Supermom’s Simple Guide to Healthier Eating for Beginners and Beyond by Erica Johns.  The ebook is not a recipe book, although some recipes are included, but it is more of an educational book.  Through it, you wil learn what foods are good for you, and why.    I found it to be an easy read, while still informational enough to get you started on the right track.

Another job I've given myself is my personal exercise.  Tim, wouldn't touch that area with a 10' pole! (smart man!)  I still need to lose some "baby weight" (the "baby" is four!), but even more than that, I need to feel strong.  Tim gave me a kayak for Christmas (at my request; I told you he is wise!) and we have several other exercise options (like, a road in front of the house for walking or biking - no excuses!), so there is really no reason for me to not move every day.  My goal, for now, is simply to move every day in a way that makes my heart go pitter-pat.  I can't be bothered with timers that make me stare at them and count every loooonnng second, so I'm just going to move to start out.  Maybe later I'll add timers. 

Along with that, I'll continue doing strength training exercises each morning.  It only takes about 8 minutes, so I can't think of an excuse to make me stop doing them. I have really noticed an increase in strength, stamina and even energy in the 3 months since I started doing strength training. Oh, and I lost 11 pounds.  That, too.  ;) 

For strength training exercises, motivation, support, nutrition trackers, articles, and all other Things Needed or Desired for Getting Healthy, check out one of my favorite (free!) sites:  Spark People

Also, our whole family is going to move a lot this year.  We have skinny, tall kids, thanks to genetics, so they don't need to lose weight, but I want them to 1.) Know how to do many types of sports, 2.) Start good habits that will hopefully last a lifetime.  For a while, I was thinking of enrolling the kids in P.E. classes or other sport classes, until it occurred to me that the best coach I can find is right under our roof!  It often takes a smack on the head for ideas to occur to me.  So I'm going to start tossing a ball around with the........Just kidding!  The "best coach under our roof" is not me, the gal who was usually in the bottom 5 chosen kids to be picked for a team.  That would be Tim, our Resident Athlete.   He already plays with the kids, so why not teach them a few moves while he's at it?  I try to look real busy and back out, but Tim usually gets me to join in, too.   When I join in, I make the kids look good.   Real good. 

Visit the sites above, and let me know what you're doing to improve your family's health this year!  I'd love to read your ideas!

by Lori Seaborg 2008

We have a PhotoBook winner!  Samantha, congratulations! 

I put all six of the names in a jar and had our 10yo daughter pick one out.  No cheating, I promise!  :) 

It was really fun having a drawing.  I think I'll do another one soon, after I find some more stuff you all might like.  

Hewlitt Packard gave me a coupon code just for my blog readers.   The coupon is good until December 31st.

Thank you for joining the drawing!   Watch for the next one; you just never know when I'll be so inspired.

by Lori Seaborg 2007

I was recently introduced to a fun way to create a photo album that looks like a scrapbook without the mess of scrapbooking or the time it takes.  The trick? 

A PhotoBook from HP (Hewlitt Packard)!

What's super cool is that the HP PhotoBook comes with the software needed.  It's fun to work with, and really easy.  I do wish the program provided even more templates (it comes with about 20), but on the other hand, because of its simplicity and limited choices, you can create a photobook quickly.

Also included in the kit along with the software:  a hardbound PhotoBook cover (sizes available:  8-1/2"x11" and 5"x7"), directions and 12 sheets of photo paper.  In other words, you'll get everything you need except the computer and the printer (you can't expect that, too, can you?).

I'm making one for Christmas for Tim's grandmother, who is 94 years old, so I've been playing around with the program for the past few days. 

To make a PhotoBook,  you open the program (provided) in your computer, then simply choose a template, choose which photos to use, and write some text if you'd like. 

Then, you simply print out the pages on the provided paper, or you have a print service do the printing, and then...insert the printed pages into the PhotoBook! That's it!

If you don't feel like you're a creative person, this is really great for you.  You'll look like a Creative Queen! 

If you are someone who loves creativity and always wants to do more to every project (I totally understand), you'll like knowing that the photobook expands beyond the 12 provided pages, so you can also insert traditional scrapbook pages into the hardbound covers. 

I think Tim's Grandma is going to be so pleased!  And I'm pleased to have a gift for her that is so meaningful yet quick to make.

Soon, I will blog my final product to you.  I'm pretty sure Grandma doesn't get on the Internet.  She doesn't even own a computer (why bother, when you're 94?!).

One of you will be pleased as well, because I have a

spare PhotoBook to give away!  

You'll get a 5"x7" pink or green photobook, mailed to you, for free!  

Put a comment below by Friday midnight (December 7th).  On Saturday, I'll put your names in a sock and have our 4yo pick one out.  She won't have a clue how to cheat! 

Please be sure that I know how to contact you.  You don't have to put your email address in the comment box, if your comment links back to your blog or another place where I can email you. 

I can't wait to see who wins! 

My List of Things to do:
 
Before St. Nicholas Day (Thursday, December 6): 

Several years ago, when Tim and I were new parents,  we needed to decide what Christmas traditions we wanted to pass on to our children.  We definitely wanted our child and future children to celebrate Christmas as Jesus’ birthday, because that’s why there is even a Christmas Day, after all.  But could we also fit the magical fun of Santa Claus into Christmas without taking anything away from Jesus? 

For a while, we just opened our gifts on Christmas Eve and had our feast and a cake for Jesus on Christmas Day.  That’s it.   No Santa Claus. But as our children grew older, they started asking about the jolly red fellow they saw in the mall, and they kept seeing his image on nearly every sign in sight.  There’s something cozy about believing in a magical reward for doing good.  I could tell that the kids wanted to believe in Santa Claus. 

It was a happy day when I read about St. Nicholas and realized that I could have both – a special, set-aside day for Jesus, and a celebration of Santa Claus, too.  And I was also happy – no, delighted – to read that St. Nicholas’ day is December 6^th.  This gave me a way to extend the holiday season.

Who is St. Nicholas, Santa Claus?

Nicholas was Bishop of Asia Minor in AD 325.  He was known for being an all-around great guy, very generous and kind to all.  The story goes that Nicholas once threw bags of gold into a window one night, to help pay the dowry of a poor man’s daughter so she could be married.  When he threw the bags of gold, they landed into the daughter’s stockings which were hung to dry near the fireplace.

(This is where we get hung stockings near the fireplace)

The Santa Claus that we Americans have grown up knowing, the one who comes down the chimney, wears a red robe, and says, “Ho, ho, ho,” originated in 1822 when Reverend Clement Clarke Moore wrote a poem ('Twas the Night Before Christmas') to his daughters.  His appearance is thanks to the Coca-Cola company who had him drawn for an advertisement.  Such an adorable Santa Claus was drawn that he became immediately popular.  This Santa Claus is a fictional character, but one that many Americans love.

You’ll have to decide which Santa you want to celebrate – the fictional American version of 1822 or the real St. Nicholas of 325.  I think you can figure out ways to mix the two, if you like, and celebrate them both on St. Nicholas Day on December 6^th each year.  (Why December 6th?  That's the date of the birthday of Nicholas, the real Santa Claus)

You can read a lot more about the history of St. Nicholas at the website that I’ll mention at the end of this article.

How can we celebrate St. Nicholas Day, December 6^th?

(please note: I wrote this article in 2005.  Children have grown a bit and traditions have deepened, so a few of the following ideas have changed for our family.  Consider the following, and then visit the blog in the next few days for my 2007 ideas)

This is only our third year celebrating St. Nicholas Day, so we don’t have a lot of traditions established.  You will want to visit the website mentioned below for more on how to celebrate St. Nicholas Day.  Here is what we have planned for December 6^th this year:   

• On the night of December 5^th, children place carrots and/or hay in their shoes.  Legend has it that if a child leaves a treat for St. Nicholas’ white horse, he will leave a gift of candy and a present for the child.  Of course, we don’t tell our kids that the real St. Nicholas will be coming down from Heaven to do this, but we tell them that since St. Nicholas was such a kind person, he has inspired others to do kind deeds like he did.   The kids then get all twinkly-eyed trying to guess who would do a “St. Nicholas deed.” 
• We like to bake, so this year we will try the St. Nicholas Breads at the St. Nicholas Center website (below), which has recipes from around the world.   I think we'll try cookies from Germany or Switzerland. 
• Since St. Nicholas was known for giving to the poor and needy, we are going to go through our belongings in the next few days, and have them ready to give away on St. Nicholas Day.
• After our trip into town to give away items, we will have an afternoon tea (with our baked items front and center, of course!)

 You can read a lot more about St. Nicholas Day at this beautiful website devoted to the day:  http://www.StNicholasCenter.org .  The site is full of recipes from around the world, traditions from other countries, a kids page and much more.  I love to visit this site!

by Lori Seaborg

Over a chocolate shake (hers) and an iced caramel coffee (mine), a wonderful friend and I shared a lovely conversation today in a quaint little bookstore cafe in our equally quaint bayside town.  Everytime I go downtown, I hear myself say aloud, "I love this town!" 

Well, anyway, that was not the topic of the day. Instead, we discussed St. Nicholas and Santa Claus and handmade gifts and books that inspire us and the Nutcracker ballet and knitting .... and how to make the Christmas season last.  With that last thought still in my mind, I went to my blog this evening and searched my archives for December 2005 where I found this post I thought I'd rerun for you:

”Can you not see it is clear folly to crowd Christmas into twelve very

 full hours of one day and expect everyone to enjoy themselves? 

Christmastide is, after all, not just a day but a season. 

Let us make the most of it. 

By spreading out the gifts, parties,

and special treats over an extended period, parents quiet down

the choruses of ‘I can’t wait,’

as our little ones discover that

they can indeed learn to wait –

as long as they don’t have to wait very long.” ~

from Mrs. Sharp's Traditions by Sarah Ban Breathnach

A few Christmases ago, I decided that Christmas was becoming more of a burden than a good time.  The day after Christmas, I was faced with a huge mess – wrapping paper scrunched up across the floor; a new toy already broken; greedy, grouchy and over-sugared children; leftovers to deal with; the tree’s needles scattered across the carpet; decorations to pack up; and a few store returns, the thought of which created a migraine.  Yes, Christmas had become a burden. 

Memory-making is terribly important to me. I determined to figure this holiday thing out before the kids had a childhood-full of grumpy Christmas memories. 

I absolutely believe in what Mrs. Sharp is saying in the above quote.  Can’t we see that it is crazy (she says folly) to celebrate all in one day?  What great expectations we are putting on one little day!  We think we are supposed to enjoy family, invite friends, sing carols, open perfectly chosen and perfectly wrapped gifts, enjoy a dinner as large as Thanksgiving, give at least a thought if not a basket of fruit to someone else, and have a tray of goodies to equal all the sweets eaten all year long, plus much more – all in one day. 

Are we absolutely crazy??

Well, I was. 

So with the reminder in my heart of the true meaning of Christmas, and with the help of Mrs. Sharp in the book above, I decided to change.

Over the holiday season, I will write you a series of articles about holiday traditions that we have observed in our home.   

I will share my ideas with you, but honestly, I’m as eager as you are for new ideas.  So please feel free to share your family’s traditions in the comments. 

by Lori Seaborg

Wait!  You didn't toss out the turkey bones yet, did you?  If not, you have the chance to try out this Turkey Carcass Soup!

Thanksgiving Night (tonight is fine): 

Toss the turkey bones, skin, yuckies, and all, into a big stock pot and cover the turkey carcass with water.   

Add 1-2 whole, unpeeled onions and about a tablespoon of peppercorns and a few garlic cloves, if you have them.  (all of these added ingredients are optional.  Other options are 2-3 bay leaves, leeks (washed, but toss in all of it), and whole fresh herbs like oregano, chives, thyme). 

Turn this pot on low and let simmer all night long (if you have less time, boil the water, then reduce to low and simmer for at least four hours.  The longer time, the more rich the stock, though.

The next morning:

Strain all of the whole ingredients from the stock.  You are left with rich, brown turkey stock (especially brown if you had a deep-fried turkey this year!).  You can either boil this stock to reduce it (this will strengthen the flavor even further), or - this is what I do - you can freeze some of the stock for later soups (any time a recipe asks for chicken or turkey stock, use your own!).

Keep enough stock in the pot for your Turkey Soup:  8 cups worth, or so?

Later in the day, about 1-2 hours before dinner:

To the stock, add the following leftovers and ingredients:

• a Tablespoon of salt (I use Kosher)
• Thanksgiving leftover veggies (green beans, carrots, whatever sounds good in soup)
• Thanksgiving leftover mashed potatoes (these help thicken the soup)
• Thanksgiving leftover turkey meat
• chopped onion and garlic (if you'd like)
• other Thanksgiving leftovers that would be good in a soup

Let this soup simmer for 1/2 hour to 2 hours (or all day, like I do, but add the veggies - carrots, beans - at the last 1/2 hour so they won't be too mushy).

A 1/2 hour before dinner:

Add the vegetables now, and also add some noodles, homemade or purchased, or some biscuits to the soup and cook/simmer until they are done.  Or,  just serve leftover Thanksgiving dinner rolls with the Turkey Carcass Soup. 

This is one of my husband's favorite meals, with homemade noodles or dumplings in it.  Mmmmm!

by Lori Seaborg

If you like crafts at all, you absolutely must pay this site a visit:    Sew, Mama, Sew

Imagine!  A full month of sewing tutorials!  Each day in November (2007), a new set of craft tutorials is posted. 

Today:  Lunch Bags!  How fun is that?! 

by Lori Seaborg 2007

I've been surfing the crafty blogs again - this time of year makes me do that - and wanted to share this new one with you:  http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/meandmygirl/ .  The author of the blog created Me and My Girl to encourage mothers and daughters to create things together.  Recent posts include Lollipop Cookies and a darling tote created from a child's crayon drawing. 

The author comes from this blog:  http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/ , which is well worth exploring.

Enjoy!

by Lori Seaborg 2007