Golightly Place

Dateline: Jan. 23, 2007

Just Playing!

I have been having a lot of fun lately listening to The Creative Mom Podcast. This is not a podcast specifically about children and their crafts, but more about you, as a mom continuing to live a creative life withing the realm of your mothering. I have to say that it is my favorite podcast! Every week Amy Cowen talks about different avenues of creativity: visual art, journaling, knitting, photography, weaving, etc. She reviews both adult and children's books that encourage creativity as well as blogs and podcasts that do the same thing. Every week she also gives a creative prompt to get you moving in your own creative journeys. Last week the prompt was, "Color My World" any medium could be used to express this idea.

I just did a quick sketch in my sketchbook for fun around this theme. My piece was titled, "All I Need Are the Tools of the Trade to Color My World."

There is a Flickr group associated with her podcast for listeners to share works of any kind. And she is currently signing up listeners who want to participate in an Artist Trading Card exchange. Every week there is something new and inspiring to listen to, so I'd encourage you to check it out! On an iPod or just on your computer, you should give The Creative Mom Podcast a listen. I think you'll be glad you did!

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Dateline: Jan. 23, 2007

Under Construction

Can you see that red-headed guy in the photo there? Last week we kept hearing this rapping and knew that one of our frequent woodpeckers must be busy somewhere, but it wasn't until E pointed him out on our BLUEBIRD house that we realized the serious nature of his work!

He is terrific to watch. He hammers and hammers and then pokes his head in to see if he will fit inside. A bluebird house is built specifically with a smaller hole to keep larger birds from nesting in there. Bluebirds aren't terribly aggressive, so they often get bullied from their nests if the holes don't protect them from the larger birds.

Now, bluebirds are my favorite birds and so, P and E built this and another just like it for me for Christmas 2005. But, alas, I have still had no bluebirds. I know conditions need to be rather meadow-like to attract them. We do have a nice-sized yard, so I was hoping to get a few, but who knows? Sometimes, it takes a couple of years for the birds to find the houses. While I have heard stories of bluebirds being here on the Gulf Coast of Florida, I have yet to see any.

So, I have not been too disappointed to see this red-bellied woodpecker hard at work widening the hole for what we hope will be a little woodpecker family.

I still have the other bluebird house with the right sized hole. Hopefully we'll have some babies this spring! Stay tuned!

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Dateline: Jan. 23, 2007

Winter Recital

Last night we had our second recital of our recitation club. A couple of families did not participate this time; it has been challenging, I think, getting back into the swing of things after the holidays. Still, the poems were terrific, the children excited, and the whole of the evening was quite fun.

M beaming after one of her silly poems

As the first family prepared to leave while the rest of us were still lingering over cookies, brownies, and other treats, someone said, "It's raining." Looking outside into the January night of Florida's dry season and expecting to see a light sprinkle, we instead saw a torrential downpour! So, we spent a bit longer time together than we had anticipated. The children, in all their recital finery, were soon spinning in the conference center chairs and crawling under tables etc. What to do with 20 children cooped up in a conference center room? Ah, well. They found their own fun and everything and everyone stayed in one piece. A fun evening overall.

E getting mic'ed

Our next recital will be in May and will be a kind of Open House or showcase of the children's work over the year along with their recitations. I am really looking forward to that one!

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Dateline: Jan. 16, 2007

Determined Artistry OR Knitting in the Dark

(Sock one nearly complete, by candlelight)

When E was just a tiny thing she could sustain a crying/temper jag for... well, the longest one we timed was and hour and 20 minutes. She had a rather um, er, determined nature about her that I was promised by an early childhood educator, I would come to see as a wonderful trait in the future. I clung to that promise, remember it regularly and have found it to be exceedingly true.

At 3, E heard her sister, newly 6 years old, whistle. She said she wanted to know how. I told her I would teach her, but she really shouldn't expect to be able to necessarily do it right away. "Don't get too frustrated, " I said, "if you can't do it yet. M didn't whistle until she was five." With those words, she sat in the back seat of the car and practiced until, of course, she did, indeed, whistle.

She hasn't always been blessed with such immediate success, but it's not for lack of trying.

So today, when she asked me to teach her, at 7 years old now, how to knit, I figured she'd probably get it... and she did. We had to take out some initial rows after some tangle proved too challenging for this novice knitter to figure out. So, we cast on once more, but then had to wait until after dinner to sit down and try again. Perhaps 5 minutes into the knitting, the power went out. There was no question, though, that we would not stop. Just light a few candles and point a few flashlights in the right direction and we hardly missed a beat.

M had grown a bit more frustrated with her knitting attempts (she hasn't been feeling real well the past few days) and was working on some drawing.

We probably sat that way for 45 minutes or more. It was thrilling to me to share my new-found passion with my girls.

E asked me to take a picture of her yarn. "Can we pose it, Mama?" Yes, absolutely, we can!

With the flash...

...and without.

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Dateline: Jan. 11, 2007

Going Lightly in 2007

Image Courtesy of Allposters.com

Somehow I have found myself with less time for blogging of late. There are a number of things that have filled in that spare time - most of them quite interesting and new to me.

One of the new things is my iPod and the incredible amount of free podcasts out there! Like the internet, you can just pick a subject, it seems, and then just... GO. There is someone out there talking about the subjects that interest you!

A couple of the podcasts that I have found and enjoy are about one of my favorite subjects: "going lightly." One is called "Practical Green Living" and the other is called "America the Green". These shows have encouraged my efforts at living lightly on our planet - not necessarily because I have learned a great deal from them (I have learned a few new things here and there), but mostly because it reminds me that I am not so alone in my efforts. The impact of global warming is so ENORMOUS that to me, it is somewhat frightening and overwhelming. But that does not freeze me into innactivity. Quite the opposite. Even though I am small, I know that my impact alone can be great on my small piece of the planet - for good or ill - and I would rather lean toward the good.

Another motivator comes in the small voice of my seven-year-old daughter who saw a bit of the film we were watching one night, "An Inconvenient Truth," during the holidays while my father was visiting with us. She will say to me, "Mama, what will happen if the icebergs really DO melt?" I just have to respond to her that we need to work hard to make sure that that won't happen.

I think it is irresponsible and ufair to our children to remain in denial about what is happening. I don't understand how people can see the photos of the number of mountain peaks that once were covered with snow and glaciers and are now becoming green woodlands and continue to suggest that the problem isn't real. I can't understand how some people separate "us" from "the environment" when arguing about jobs that may be lost if we change our energy sources when we are clearly not separate, but are a part of the environment. I read a quote years ago that said something to the effect of, "There will always be an environment, but not necessarily one that will support life as we know it." Have you seen the film or visited their webpage: http://www.climatecrisis.net/ ? It is powerful, it is important, and I believe imperative, that as many people as possible see this film - especially if you have not educated yourself on the effects of climate change.

This is certainly not simply a secular problem either, but one I feel strongly that Christians should accept and take leadership. Climate change is affecting everyone - including the great portions of the world that already live in poverty and making their lives even harder.

One of my all-time favorite books, one which I re-read practically every year at some point or other, is Living More with Less by Doris Janzen Longacre. Published in 1980, this book speaks with a currency that is astonishing. It is an incredible book published by an incredible woman who did not live to see it published. Part of the bi-line of her life from the beginning of her book says, "In 1976 she compiled the More-with-Less Cookbook [another book I LOVE and highly reccomend], which has become a household item for persons wanting to cook more responsibly in light of world food needs. Doris's 39-month battle with cancer ended her life at 39 years." Her husband and other members of her faith community finished the book for her after her death in November of 1979.

Longacre writes so eloquently about the topic that I have quoted her frequently when I have given talks or led groups concerning voluntary simplicity. The following quotes are from Living More with Less and are a bit lengthy, but well worth the read.

"Volumes can be written on our unbelievable carelessness with God's gifts. We not only neglect the poor, for whom the gospel is to be good news - we exploit them. We nurture purses, professions, cars, and houses more than people. We relinquish freedom and personal productivity in favor of dull conformity. We spoil nature, the only home we have. We don't look beyond predictable, familiar voices for help. We fail to fortify each other in solid communities."

"More with less, then, is no prepackaged way to 'simplify your lifestyle.' There is no fast, easy way. We can rehearse background facts, share experience, and distill standards to guide future decisions, as this book attempts to do. We can attend workshops and conferences, draw on still more experience, and collect a helpful library. But when we close the books and come home from the discussions, one voice still speaks in the silence. For Christians it is the call to obedience. Without answering that voice, and answering again and again, there is no new way to live. That much must be said from the beginning."

"Refusing to accept a connection is one way to back off. Believing it but refusing to accept guilt is another. 'Let's just be careful we don't raise too much guilt,' says a world hunger conference planner. 'But you made us feel so guilty about this coffee break,' says the food committee chairperson, passing out glazed doughnuts in the middle of the meeting. 'I guess we just go out of here feeling guilty,' remarks the recreational vehicle manufacturer to his colleague on his way out of the conference.

One thing is sure. How-to books on pop psychology of the past fifteen years do not look fondly upon feeling guilty or raising those feelings in anyone else. But what if you are guilty?

Is there no damage to the psyche of one who clearly recognizes wrong in specific actions, but refuses to accept responsibility? Can we squash down the guilt and blame it on another? Statements like, 'This meeting, or this book, or that person, or the poor of the world make me feel guilty' bear careful scrutiny. From where comes the guilt? From those who are poor? That's blaming the victim. From those who shared the information? Or from us who live the way we do?

Imagine our current way of thinking superimposed on a New Testament setting.

'Repent, you slippery snakes!' John the Baptist shouts. 'Fill the valleys and bring down the hills! How about a little more equalization!'

'Don't make us feel guilty,' responds the crowd 'Haven't you heard that all of us need to feel okay?'

Instead the crowd asked, 'What then shall we do?' And the answer was clear. Repentance means to recognize and accept guilt, to be forgiven, and then to change. John's answer could hardly be more contemporary. 'He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.' Then on to the more complicated issues: Stard doing something about exploitation, respectable robbery, greed with violence. Practice contentment.

Certainly there are those who carry guilt out of its useful function and into paralyzing complexes. But to live as most of us do in North America, then to study world poverty and our role in it, and to come away without seeing a need for forgiveness and change - is unthinkable.

Do justice must become the first standard for living by which Christians make choices. Our knowledge of others' needs and our guilt must resolve itself into a lasting attentiveness. This means being mindful, conscious, aware, so that never again can one make a decision about buying and using without thinking of the poor. They lurk in the new-car lot and behind the rack of fall outfits. They sit beside you in the restaurant and wait for you in the voting booth.

This way of responding has a simplicity about it which contrasts with the arguments usually called upon when someone asks, 'Does it do any good if I conserve?' Intricate reasoning on the causes and solutions of world hunger has its place. But there are times when the only answer is, 'Because they have little, I try to take less.'"

Whew. To me, this is just powerful stuff. I reread it as much as I do, because I forget. It is so easy to be lulled into the culture at large telling us how much we supposedly deserve while creating a nagging discontent with their advertising campaigns.

So what are you doing this year? Are you practicing contentment? Are you thoughtful and conscious about your purchases? Could you begin to be moreso?

I will list some of the things my family and I do to walk a bit more lightly. When I see lists like this, I often look for new ideas - things I have missed - in my attempt to practice voluntary simplicity.

A note here: I consciously use the terminology, "voluntary simplicity," because I think it defines, for me, a bit more of what I mean, rather than "simplifying my life." While my lifestyle may benefit from simplification, simplifying, in and of itself, is not my goal. In fact, much of the time, voluntary simplicity will mean more work for me, but less damage to the earth and God's people.

So, here are some things we do: Eat a vegetarian diet, the majority of which consists of home-cooked, whole foods, use cloth napkins, use(d) cloth diapers, use cloth shopping bags, compost, garden, clean with only vinegar and baking soda and/or environmentally friendly cleaning products, use laundry disks and e-friendly laundry and dishwashing detergent, use cloth menstrual pads, purchase 90% of our clothing from used sources, recycle, save drinking water and clean cooking water (ie. from boiling eggs, for example) for watering plants, try not to participate in large scale animal agriculture (purchasing eggs from a friend or from free-range, organic growers, etc.) purchase as much organic food as our budget allows (this varies from time to time), buy in bulk, use plastic bags that come our way to take to the healthy food stores to fill up on bulk items, use non-disposable razors, use non-disposable toothbrush (it has a replaceable head), use environmentally-friendly cat litter that is made from pine pellets that after use and scooping clean, can be used in mulching, borrow little-used items we do not own instead of purchasing, keep our thermostat (here in FL!) at 84 degrees in the summertime, use back sides of paper and old envelopes for note paper and lists, print on both sides of paper, and use rags instead of paper towels.

There are more things I am sure, but that is my main list so far. Perhaps you have seen that we do not hang out our clothing to dry. I used to, but upon moving here, this neighborhood has restrictions that do not allow for that. Apart from trying to change that at a neighborhood meeting (which I would like to do), I would like to be able to rig something up on our lanai. I am giving it some thought.

I am also attempting to purchase the majority of everything that isn't food or health related this year, used. I am allowing myself some leeway with my knitting supplies, but as I become more knowledgeable and adept at that, I may move in that direction with that too, from time to time.

A few interesting websites to visit that address this subject from an angle of faith are: The Simple Way, Serve God Save the Planet,and Alternatives for Simple Living. There are more too, but those are just ones I have visited recently. An inspiring blog that I've mentioned before is Walk Slowly, Live Wildly.

Well, I think this has been enough food for thought for one day. I am always readjusting my goals, but these are some pursuits I intend to continue to visit throughout the year.

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Dateline: Jan. 6, 2007

Hee, Hee!

That's the happy sound I make when I'm so excited about something!

I found a very cool yarn store today here and will be embarking on my first knitting project that is not straight garter stitch. So, I have to say, "Yea!" about that. BUT, the thing I'm really excited about is that at the shop, knitters meet every Thursday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 to just knit together. And once a month the shop serves wine and chocolates to go with the knitting. What a HAPPY combination!

See, I love to make things. I am not an expert at any of them, but I just love to create. I am honestly hoping to become more adept this year at my knitting - that I can move a little farther beyond mere dabbling (the way I do with painting, making dolls, drawing, etc.). I guess what thrills me the most is that I will be able to just BE with others who like to create too - without having to take a class!

I would love to take classes, don't get me wrong, but at this point in my life the costs have been prohibitive. As many of you fellow homeschoolers know, we really need to focus our priorities - and that means our monies - usually on our schooling. So, while I (mentally) drool over the offerings in the adult education classes at the community colleges (watercoloring, drawing with pastels, etc.), I always have to say no.

It's not that I think that the prices are unfair - that they are asking too much. It's simply that I really can't afford the time (one or two evenings a week away from my family) or the cost (usually $150 or more for about 6 or 8 weeks of class).

ANYway, this little shop is free and the group is on-going, so I don't have to go every week. I'm just really looking forward to being around other creative women and hopefully learning a thing or two that will help me with my knitting.

So, HERE are the beautiful yarn and needles I bought for this project.

A bit spendy (and new - it will have to be written down), but:

1)I had the exact amount of money left in my own spending stash

2)I much prefer supporting a small, quality business with an owner that was there and actually talked with me and helped me find everything I needed as opposed to giant WalMart

3)I got soft, lovely yarn and lovely needles that I can use over and over and the beautiful wood of the needles only adds to the pleasure of my hobby

The project I am going to start is from Melanie Falick's book for children called Kids Knitting. I've re-checked it out from the library. I'm probably just going to have to go ahead and buy it. Used, of course. They've got them at Amazon used starting at $4.99!

I have actually taught myself to knit from this book. I figure that if kids are supposed to be able to do these projects, surely I should be able to get a decent start!

I knit the pom-pom hats from this book previously and now am moving on to these cool tube socks:

I'll have to try more colors next time, but since this is my first go, I think I'll just stick with the one color for now.

So, I'm just pretty happy about all of that.

Here's a picture of the new "do." I'm happy with it too. This picture doesn't show it at its flippy, layered best, but you get the idea. A few posts down at the Christmas posts you can see my (pulled back as usual) before shots. I really liked my hair pulled back that way, but that was how it was 90% of the time and very unhealthy, so I'm happy with the new look.

In other news:

It is WARM here! Lower 80's for January is really a bit unusual even for Florida. It is orange season here too.

We've also got grapefruits on our grapefruit tree. We just can't eat them fast enough! I'm going to take a bag with me to church tomorrow, I think. One can only ingest so much citrus without hurting oneself!

Finally, E lost her front tooth over the Christmas break and last weekend we took her to get her ears pierced. Such a big girl! She didn't shed one tear - she really wanted done!

In this first picture you can't actually tell very well, because her bottom tooth is sticking right up into the space her lost tooth left behind.

And that tiny blue dot on her ear there is her September, birthstone earring!

Hope you're all enjoying your weekend. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some yarn that needs winding!

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Dateline: Jan. 5, 2007

Chop, Chop!

Image courtesy of Allposters.com

About 8 inches or more fell from my head today. That's right, I cut it off!

I tried Curly Girl, I tried shampoo, then, no shampoo - just conditioner. And still, my hair was a mess. In fact, it always felt like a mess, so I always pulled it back or up. Sharon, who cut my hair today, said that there was so much of it that was broken and damaged at the ends. It was actually thinning out at the bottom.

I pulled out some photos of me from about 5 years ago and went with a style similar to what I had then. And, generally, I'm pleased.

I'm disappointed too.

I really like long hair... in theory.

I wanted to grow my hair out this last time - grow my bangs out too - and have it be all soft and flowy. Who wouldn't want that, right? But my hair never gets to be soft and flowy. It gets more dry and coarse the longer it gets it seems - even when I only use conditioner on it. And then it just looks disheveled. And it gets in my way and makes me even hotter and sweatier here in the Sunshine State.

And I know my husband likes long hair too. I mean, he's very kind and complements my short hair. But, wanting to please him and feel attractive to him is important to me, so part of me hated cutting it. But here's the thing. Even though he said I looked nice to him - even with my long hair - I still felt disheveled and unattractive. I think one is always more attractive when one feels attractive. I have had many days when I felt great and I got so many complements. And then there are times when I just didn't feel great - and even could be wearing the same thing - and want to - and practically do - disappear into the wallpaper, if you know what I mean. I'm not noting this, because I'm seeking to be complemented. What I mean is that when you feel good, you exude a certain energy that people just often seem to take note of and respond to.

So, overall, I'm hoping to get reacquainted with my new/old look and feel good about myself again. A new look for a new year. Hopefully less work too, in line with my continued goals toward greater simplicity.

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Dateline: Jan. 1, 2007

Happy 2007!

Hello all and welcome to the New Year!

I decided to try another template for the new year for a while. I wanted something kind of spare, because that's how I've been feeling. It's not a bad feeling, per se. It's just one that often visits me this time of year. I kind of laughed today and said to P, "You know, so many holidays are bunched up at the end of the year, that one really welcomes empty January." I know January isn't truly empty, but compared with the past few months revelry, it is a respite. These past months have been quite FULL for me and I am ready to look ahead, clear off some mental and physical shelf space and rest my eyes on that for a while.

In light of this, I present my New Year's resolutions. Do any of you make resolutions? I look forward to them as a springboard for welcoming change into my life. Last year I resolved to observe the Sabbath with greater effort. I am pleased with my results, even though I fell short a number of times. I found that it really does take a good deal of planning to arrange a weekly day of rest for yourself. I really had to arrange not to do grocery shopping on Sunday (an easy thing to do since Daddy is home and the girls don't need to come along), major cooking (by putting my crockpot to greater use), and have all other needed chores done ahead of time. I loved this resolution (as usual, God knew what He was talking about when He made the Commandments) and aim to continue to make an effort at truly resting on the Sabbath.

This year I have 3 resolutions:

1) Bring more humor into my life and home

I tend to be a rather serious person. I want to make a conscious effort to seek out belly laughs as much as possible this year. This may entail renting comedies at the video store or buying/checking out funny books. I just found one last week at the Goodwill book store. When I'm done with it I will send it to my sister and hopefully she'll pass it on to someone else. We all need a good laugh... more than now and then!

2)Improve upon and advance in my knitting and crocheting.

It's time to stretch myself from scarves and dishcloths and all other things... um... in the square and rectangle family. Time to move beyond the basic garter stitch. I have been practicing on my purling and feel better about it. I still may end up doing a wrap for myself that is mostly garter, but that's because I haven't made anything really for myself yet and I want to do that. But perhaps I will try some socks first. I've yet to learn to knit in the round, so I'm going to try that. And with a new nephew or niece on the way (I'll find out tomorrow which!!), I'm hoping to find an easy bootie pattern. I'm excited about this!

3)Try to buy used items for myself all year.

Well, there are quickly some caveats to this! Obviously food and health care items need to be new. And this won't necessarily mean that it will affect the rest of my family. For example, I don't know that I will be giving used birthday gifts... though I might if I find something really cool.

Mostly, this is for me. I know that already I do this a lot. I would say that 90% of my wardrobe is second- hand from thrift stores. It will likely remain that way,since I still plan to purchase my underthings new. I've also begun regularly purchasing my journals at the Goodwill bookstore too. There are plenty of those there that people, who must not really be writers, have been gifted and have ended up donating. I have found some really nice ones and given that they're usually $1.99, I happily get them over a plain notebook. Incedentally, I have done the plain notebook thing for many years, but my journaling is such an experience for me, I find that I much rather have something pretty to write in, even if it costs a bit more and has fewer pages.

My other caveats are the knitting, since I know I will be needing new materials for that and I want to purchase some nice yarn, and my gardening. I will seek out trading plants and seeds with folks, but I'm not going to forgo my garden, because I can't find anyone who can share with me.

A further note about the knitting: I do like to to create things using recycled materials and intend to do that with my knitting as well. But those are often projects that have more flexibility and/or will lend themselves to me more easily once I have more experience. For example, I have used mostly recycled materials in the dolls I have made. I also imagine someday finding a nice yarn in a sweater, perhaps, at a thrift store, and crafting it into something else, but that would be on a more serendipitous note and not as much a planned craft.

Other than those things, I am hoping to practice purchasing used this year. If I fail occasionally, I don't plan to beat myself up about it. I'm at least just going to keep a running list of new things purchased and hopefully it won't be too long!!

Something else I'm doing this year - which is not a resolution, but just something I have been meaning to do for a long time now, it to list all the books I am reading this year. I have already got the page made up in my Homekeeping Journal, so I will have easy access to it for the year. I look forward to filling it with interesting reads and to seeing where they all take me.

School starts again tomorrow and I am looking forward to returning to that rhythm. I will have a number of phone calls to make tomorrow as I have appointments that need scheduling as the calendar turns.

The County Fair will be here at the end of this month and we have projects we will be entering again. M and E have their crosstitch projects and we all will be entering some recipes again this year. It's a fun thing for the girls to prepare for; a nice thing to look forward to in the midst of trying to get back into the school groove.

Hope you all had safe and Happy New Year celebrations and many blessings to you in 2007!

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Dateline: Dec. 31, 2006

Holiday Happenings - Part 2

Here are a few more photos from our Christmastide together.

A few days before Christmas, Daddy was repairing the swingset, so the rope swing got quite the workout.

Christmas Eve day was spent at church in the morning and again that evening at the candlelight service. I sing with the choir and the services were wonderful!

Dad, me, and the girls

P, his mom, me and the girls

Mom, me, and the girls

During the season of Advent, for the sermons leading up to Christmas, we had a couple of artists who painted as the pastor spoke. I wish I had some pictures of their paintings. The finished paintings were four: Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men, and a shepherd with a lamb. They were beautiful and mesmerizing to watch as the paintings took shape under the story of Christ's birth.

After the candelight service, our tradition is for the girls to open one present on Christmas Eve.

The following morning the girls awoke to Santa's gifts under the tree. The tree seems pretty bare under there, because the day before we had moved everything over to my mother-in-law's (Grandma Sharon's) house.

The girls received the game of Life to share from Santa. M received a dress for her doll and a fashion-design tracing kit. Fun!

E received an Easy Bake oven and a feathery pink princess telephone for her room. Now we need to figure out a place to keep it that M's kitty, Tessa, can't attack it!

E actually didn't ask for anything specific from Santa this year and, quite honestly, didn't even know what her Easy Bake was! But she was soon very excited to discover just what it was and has already enjoyed baking (and eating!) her own, first, little cake!

My honey, P, receives the award for most creative wrapping this year...

That top present was to me and was an iPod. Yea! Now I can listen to all my favorite podcasts while cleaning, doing dishes, etc. I'm not a big music collector... unless I can find some things from the big band era... but I do enjoy podcasts.

Mom's friend, Jerry, was with us this Christmas morning. We had a great time together!

P received a painting from M. He'd asked her to surprise him with a painting. She did such a good job! There are 3 adult flamingos in the water and one white, baby one because, as M said, "The flamingos turn pink as they get older from the food they eat - from shrimp!" Under the palm tree she painted a cute little crab. That was P's favorite!

Grandma Sharon was surprised by a digital camera. She has become a "traveler extraordinairre," but when her camera broke, she had yet to replace it. This is her first digital camera and she was quite moved.

E's favorite gift was her Bitty Baby that she named Melody. I love this picture where she is peeking in the window and discovering what was inside...

Here is Dad receiving a large, snowman mug from M.

M probably had two favorite gifts this year: the Biggest Littlest Petshop that she pretty much knew she was gettting and...

the locket that she didn't! This surprise from her Grandma Sharon actually teared up my ten-year-old. She had wanted one for at least 3 years, but when Christmas gifts would roll around, she was totally toy-focused. Now she's certainly old enough to appreciate her gift; it was such a nice surprise!

We enjoyed an easy-going day with an egg-bake brunch made by Sharon and my annual, Christmas cinnamon rolls with cream-cheese icing. Mom and Jerry made a wonderful vegetable stew and biscuits that held us over the rest of the day while we enjoyed many spirited rounds of Mexican Train dominoes!

We all had such a nice day together. I hope your Christmas was blessed with many good memories and thank you for taking the time to look at some of ours. Peace to all of you this New Year!

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Dateline: Dec. 28, 2006

Holiday Happenings - Part 1

I know that many of you out there in the blogosphere have been away enjoying the holiday season and we have done the same. Everyone seems to be trickling back in bit by bit and it is fun to see all the adventures everyone has been having.

Here are some of the highlights from our family's busy month:

Early on in the month we baked cookies with Grandma Jeanette over at Camp Grandma's place.

Then I took about 50 photos of the girls for their Christmas picture. Mama loves her digital camera; the kids - not so much! As you can see in the photos, E had a bit of a "snaggletooth" that just refused to come out. I mentioned that M's newly loose tooth seemed to be making more rapid progress than E's that had been hanging around (literally!) for a few months now! Well, that little seed of competition was planted and last week amid a peaceful dinner discussion, a shout went out and a little fist was raised victoriously, "I GOT IT OUT!!"

As I write this on the 28th of December, we're finally having some cooler temperatures, but we've really had a warm Christmas here with temps in the low 80's. Quite pleasant.

A couple of days after these photos were taken Grandpa Gary came to stay with us until the 30th. He is my dad and I have not spent this much time with him in 20 years! One of the benefits of moving a distance from family is that when they come to visit, you actually get to spend "real life" time with them. For so many years we would mostly get together at holidays and family gatherings, because we lived a bit of a distance, but no more than an hour and a half drive from all of our family. That time was wonderful and more frequent, but it was also often influenced by the event taking place. I have found that though I miss my family a great deal and would much prefer if we lived closer, I have learned to treasure the extended visits with morning hang-outs in pajamas and late nights playing games and things like, "Good night, ____________, see you in the morning!"

We've had some really good times during Dad's visit. He's a history buff and so we were sure to visit (Hernando) DeSoto National Park here in Bradenton, FL. It is where DeSoto (a pretty viscious, greedy, and cruel... but brave and persistent guy) first landed and began his explorations and search for gold.

The girls got to try on replicas of helmets and chain mail. The chain mail shirts weigh 30 pounds!! I just can't imagine trudging through dense Florida foliage and terrain wearing this stuff in the heart of summer!

Here's Grandpa watching and then helping E put on the chain-mail shirt.

That same day we visited the Anna Maria Island City Pier. There's an ice cream shop located right by there and we always stop for a cup or a cone before walking out on the pier. It was a very windy day and the ice cream had everyone shivering, but it was worth it!

And just look at this handsome guy that landed right beside us on the pier. This brown pelican is obviously used to people as he just sat comfortably there making himself even more handsome for all his admirers.

More holiday happenings to come!

Are you thinking about the new year approaching? I am musing on some possible resolutions that I will share in upcoming posts. Do you make resolutions? Do you have some plans for the new year?

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Dateline: Dec. 19, 2006

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Well, I must confess to not feeling quite in the blogging mood of late. I didn't want to totally abandon my post before Christmas arrives.

My father has paid us a welcome - though - unexpected visit, which will last through the 30th. So, we are doing some touristy kinds of things with him, while at the same time doing all the last minute things that must be done before our wonderful holiday. We have taken some nice walks and bike rides that our balmy 83 degree weather has afforded us.

Today we went "puppy hugging" at Southeastern Guide Dogs. This is a wonderful place that is totally funded with donations. They house and train guide dogs. The puppies need to be socialized and so every day they come out and play with any volunteers that are there that day! Such fun!

We also walked some of the older dogs-in-training. They are STRONG and pull quite a bit, but they were very kind and well behaved and were happy to be out and sniffing around and stretching their legs.

We learned that after all their training and care, the cost of one of these dogs is $40,000! The person who receives the dog doesn't pay a dime though. Isn't that wonderful?

We will be doing some more sightseeing over the next few days and I suspect I won't return here until after Christmas. I hope everyone is having enjoyable days as we near the celebration of our Lord's birth. Be well, take lots of deep breaths as you move through the season, try to take some time to reflect and enjoy the Gift that comes with so many promises, and have a very Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year.

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Dateline: Dec. 8, 2006

Company's Coming

"Knock at the Door" by Tobey - Courtesy of Allposters.com

In our homeschool we take off the entire month of December for all the busyness the month brings. I find that I become even more distracted than the children: "I need to get to the post office!" "I have to run to the store!", "I need to bake the birthday cake for Mom!" "I need to get the Christmas picture taken... the pictures developed... the cards addressed... and back to the post office!" are my thoughts on and on and on. If I am thinking those things (and I am), I tend to get rushed and grumpy with my children's work pace and the the Christmas season isn't a joy for anyone. So I always arrange my schedule for taking the month off for no school worries. This allows us time for our crafts and baking, for making and sending cards.

But about those crafts...

The race is certainly on in the blogosphere, isn't it? An awful lot of energy seems to be going into the decor around our houses these days, present company included. But I think I'm about at my limit. I got out all the things from last year and have placed them in their traditional or new homes for this season. I plan on doing one craft with my children and one day of making some cookies and then that kind of focus will stop there. I have found myself so wound up in my "to-do" list that I haven't gotten to really sit and enjoy my children during our time off together.

But it's not just the time that has been weighing on my mind. I have been thinking about - as I always tend to this time of year - of the glut of stuff. This includes some of the crafting. I don't even like styrofoam and try to avoid it at all costs, but I batted nary an eyelash when I picked up a package of styrofoam balls last week for a cute craft. I'm actually thinking of taking them back. I would much rather challenge myself to use recycled materials for things as trivial as decoration. I've done that, actually, over the last many years and am always pleased with the results.

I'll admit, though, it's easy to get swept up into the frenzy of beautifying our homes. And I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with that. We do want to create peaceful and beautiful sanctuaries for our family and friends. I do think that home is a reflection of God's love for us. But if there's one thing Americans are good at doing, it's abundance and excess. Even when we have our finds at thrift stores (not knocking them at all... I am writing this for myself as well!!), we ought to come to a place where we ask ourselves, "How much is enough?" I mean, my house is decorated quite fully. No one has complained. But I found myself yesterday thinking, "Oh, the church thrift store will be open tomorrow. I wonder what I could find over there?"

Cat (Mrs. Catherine) over at her fabulous Making It Home site is having a second-hand Christmas this year. Wow. I would love that, but can't say that my children would go for that idea for too long. I think I would have to prepare them months in advance for something like that. I remember that Amy Dacyczyn of The Tightwad Gazette fame would do second hand every year with just one new gift per child. Maybe that's a place to start.

Cat has read about "the compact" and is doing her own version by not buying anything new (outside of food and health needs for her family) for one month.

Sara at Walk Slowly, Live Wildly is doing the compact for a year! Impressive, ladies. And challenging. I will be thinking about these things as the New Year approaches.

In the meantime, I am praying that my home - with or without decorations - would be ready at any moment whenever a wonderful Guest would choose to arrive at my home. Are you ready, as well?

If Jesus Came to Your House

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two -
If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do,
Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored Guest,
And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best,
And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there -
That serving Him in your home is joy beyond compare.

But when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door
With arms outstretched in welcome to your heav'nly Visitor?
Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in?
Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been?
Would you turn off the radio and hope He hadn't heard?
And wish you hadn't uttered that last loud, hasty word?

Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymnbooks out?
Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?
And I wonder - if the Savior spent a day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing all the things you always do?
Would you go right on saying all the things you always say?
Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?

Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace?
And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?
Would you sing the songs you always sing, and read the books your read,
And let Him know the things on which our mind and spirit feed?
Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you'd planned to go?
Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so?

Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends?
Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit ends?
Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on?
Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know the things that you would do,
If Jesus came in person to spend some time with you.

Author Unknown

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Dateline: Dec. 6, 2006

Christmas Around the House

Just sharing a few other things that we've done around our house to make it festive for Christmas. Only last week we were wondering about getting into the Christmas spirit after our happy time with our family over Thanksgiving. But this week you can hear "The Twelve Days of Christmas" being hummed along merrily as jobs are done around the home and it's always enjoyable to have dinner by candlelight with carols in the background.

These little stakes came with jack-o-lanterns attatched to them. We've had them for a few years and during the rest of the year I hang small wind chimes from them to greet visitors as the come up our walk. Last year, I came up with the idea of hanging durable ornaments from them. Little hints of what's happening inside...

Come on in!

This is on the coffee table in front of the love seat. I found this sign years ago at a thrift store and just love it.

Here's the other creche I mentioned in my last post. The phone really makes the whole scene "work," doesn't it?!

Behind the scene are a couple of Christmas books we enjoy. Tasha Tudor's The Doll's Christmas is my own and one of my very favorites. The girls love it when we get it out and we all just pour over Tasha's beautiful, detailed illustrations as if they were new to us every year. We are planning on decorating our own doll Christmas tree from branches we have left over from our own tree. It's just a matter of getting to it...!

Here are our other books in a little, old suitcase from another thrift store. It used to be just the right size for E when she would have a sleepover at Grandma's. Now, of course, we have the new-fangled suitcases with wheels that the girls just love to tote around. And they really are ever-so handy. But these little, old suitcases are ever-so charming and so I keep them around to perform odd jobs throughout the year.

Finally, even the girls' bathroom gets a little bit of glimmer.

I have a few more things to share around the house, but I hope you have enjoyed the little tour so far.

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Dateline: Dec. 4, 2006

Let the Decorating Begin!

On our way home last night from our church's annual "Hanging of the Greens" service where we adorn the church for the Advent season, we noticed that all sorts of new yards had sprung up with twinkling lights. Seems many people did what we did this weekend, and that was: Decorate for Christmas!

On Friday we began by getting out all the boxes and setting up things around the house. We played Christmas music and the girls had fun looking at all their ornaments, which, even though we didn't have the tree yet, they decided to do, because we had to move them all to an empty box to get at what was underneath them. M giggled, "This is almost as much fun as decorating the tree!

I got out our own Nativity set for the table next to the couch. But this year, we also have this new one that was my grandmother's. My Granny now lives in an assisted living facility in Georgia and there simply isn't enough room for all of her various collected treasures of a lifetime.

While we were visiting my uncle and aunt over the Thanksgiving weekend, we went to visit Granny. Later, we went to the storage locker, because all of the things there are the things that she has that she wants to give to members of her family. I came away with some lovely things that I am so happy to have in our home and to pass along to my own children. I will share these things in another post.

But, perhaps my favorite thing I brought home was her beautiful Nativity set.

I just love it, because while I had Nativity figures, this one has the manger and everything and it is almost like a Nativity doll house. So lovely.

It is displayed on our sideboard which also happens to be Charlotte's favorite hangout...

She's a bit large for the scene, but being the Alpha kitty of our three, I'm sure she just couldn't stand for the donkey and the cow to get all of the limelight!

After much shopping on Saturday we got the tree Saturday night. Oh, the tree lot smelled heavenly!! There is nothing like the smell of the fresh evergreens!

Daddy brought the tree in and we had to let the branches settle for the night.

It was E's job that first night to give our tree a good drink.

It's almost like a present in and of itself the first morning after you get your tree. When you wake up, you have forgotten... and then when you come out of your room, you are greeted with that Christmasy fragrance that cheers your spirit!

We had a few scraggly bottom branches to take care of, but then after church, we came home and began to decorate the tree.

P always puts the lights on first. He's not too into the placement of the ornaments and leaves the majority of that task to the ladies of the family!

It was E's turn this year to put up the angel...

...and then everyone got busy.

Photos (especially blurry ones with the flash off!) never really do the pretty trees justice. I am sittiing here right now (you can see the chair where our computer is to the very right of this photo) on this cloudy morning just enjoying the lit, jeweled effect of the Christmas tree. So beautiful.

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Dateline: Dec. 1, 2006

Thanksgiving Day

Oh, how I prayed. Being from Minnesota, we had never had a Thanksgiving dinner outside. Honestly, I can't imagine how the Pilgrims and Indians enjoyed themselves in Massachusettes outdoors!

But, God said, "Yes," to this prayer! We'd had a cold snap, but the weather turned around for us and so the table was set out in our back yard.

We watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on television or... rather, the girls watched and I ran in and out while putting the dinner together with the trusty help of my brother-in-law, Mike. We got a few moments of the dog show that was on after the parade (do you love the dog show like we do?). Then in was time to ring the dinner bell!

That's me here in the front to the right and my DH across from me.

Poor M. She doesn't really like Thanksgiving Day fare. She ate a bunch of dinner rolls and then disappeared up into the treetops and soon another monkey joined her! M's got glasses on in this pictures, but they are strictly a fashion statement!

After dinner the girls started building little boats from twigs and leaves and soon a grand competition ensues...

P launches his first creation...

and it sails away at a pretty good clip.

E finds hers to be pretty sea worthy for a while.

Of course, some preferred to be spectators. You can see Dave there setting out to launch his ship dubbed the S.S. Tamiami (pronounced "Tammy amee" - the second 'a' is pronounced the same as the first). It is named after Tamiami Trail - the first road constructed that travels from Tampa to Miami. It used to be the main connection until the interstates were built.

Dave's ship proves a worthy competitor, but in the end, P's ship triumphs by making it all the way across the pond!

Congratulations to the winner!

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Dateline: Nov. 30, 2006

A Few Things Since We've Been Back

Look who arrived the day after we came home!

E asked so many times on the way home if I thought Josefina would be home when we got back. I honestly did not think she would be back for another couple of weeks, but what a nice surprise she gave us!

The Doll Hospital doctors sent a wellness certificate with her and instructions for E to let her "resume all normal activities slowly and administer lots of TLC at least twice a day for a week." Well, you can bet E is following those instructions to the letter! She is so happy to have her home!

And here is something else...

Daddy finished this project the night of M's birthday party and it is well-loved by all the kitties...

...especially Tessa...

...who has a lot to say about her new castle!

But she's not the only one who likes it.

Not one to be left out, Lucy has decided that the kitties can have the upper floors of the condo, but she will take the "cave" on the ground level.

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Dateline: Nov. 30, 2006

Some Thanksgiving Gathering Pictures

I realize many of you out there are already moving quickly into the Christmas season, but I am not quite there yet. I am still relishing and reflecting on the time I spent with my family. Gatherings such as these leave me with so much to think about, so much to process. I couldn't wait to get home to my journal so I could sort through my thoughts. They weren't bad thoughts, just thoughts: new revelations from old family stories, new understandings of family dynamics, having enough time to sit and just really talk about things that matter to those I love, and lots of laughter, silliness, and new running jokes.

My brother, Dave, sister Lael (pronounced LAY-el), and her husband, Mike arrived for our Thanksgiving celebration the Tuesday afternoon before the big day. We all stayed up talking into the night - but not into the wee hours, because they were all tired from their trip and Lael is expecting her and Mike's first child in May.

The next day was an easy-going morning. We took our time visiting over an omlet breakfast. The weather, which had been quite a bit cooler, was starting to warm up again and my hopes were rising at the idea of really being able to eat outside.

Later that morning, we all went to visit Mom where she works at a vet's office and then, with her, we headed out to a nearby State Park on the Manatee River. But none of that happened before we took the tastebud test!!

See, this is what happens when I have the blog and the family does not!
Hee, hee. Yes, there was a picture of me, but somehow it didn't get loaded!

With a drop of blue food coloring you can see if you are a "Super Taster", a "Non-Taster," or somewhere in between (where most folks are). If you are a Super Taster with many, many tastebuds covering the front of your tounge, you may be more sensitive to flavors and textures and may be a pickier eater. Non-Tasters will have far fewer tastebuds and may enjoy eating more things. Try it; it's fun!

Mom took the test earlier and she said she was definitely a Super Taster. The rest of us were mid-range. We spent some time admiring our blue teeth and tongues, but brushed well before we headed out to sightsee!

Here is Mom (still in her scrubs) heading up the temple mound.

We didn't get to spend too much time at the park since it was getting well past our lunch time and tummies were rumbling. But what we did see was quite beautiful and since it is close by, we will definitely be taking another trip out there soon.

There was a huge temple mound there built by natives. It is protected now and there is a ramp going up and over it.

Dave (in the red) and Mike stop at the top of the mound to read historical information.

Lael and Mom reading too.

Mom headed back home to meet with a repair man at her place. The rest of us stayed a bit longer, walking down to the river and enjoying the park.

Native Florida Sea Grapes

A beautiful, peaceful day.

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Dateline: Nov. 27, 2006

I'm Back!

I just wanted to post a short entry here to let all of my blogging friends know that we have finally returned from our absolutely wonderful Thanksgiving break. I have many photos and stories to share from our trip... all of which will have to be put off for just a bit while I put away clothing and luggage, go through all my e-mails and all the other things one must attend to after a leave. Suffice it to say that outside of a terribly drawn out return trip (a 6 hour trip turned into an 8 and a half hour trip with bumper-to-bumper, stop-and-go traffic from Fort Valley, Georgia to Tampa, Florida!!), we had about as perfect a family reunion as one could ask.

One thing I have thought a lot about recently - and it was just solidified again during our family time together - is the value of relationships. Relationships turn old teakettles and plates into heirlooms and terrible traffic into a joyride... okay, maybe not a JOYride, but you get my point.

Rick Warren writes,
"...God says relationships are what life is all about. Four of the Ten Commandments deal with our relationship to God while the other six deal with our relationships with people. But all ten are about relationships! Later, Jesus summarized what matters most to God in two statements: love God and love people...
Relationships, not achievements or the acquisition of things, are what matters most in life. So why do we allow our relationships to get the short end of the stick? When our schedules become overloaded, we start skimming relationally, cutting back on giving time, energy, and attention that loving relationships require. What's most important to God is displaced by what is urgent.
Busyness is a great enemy of relationships. We become preoccupied with making a living, doing our work, paying bills, and accomplishing goals as if these tasks are the point of life. They are not. The point of life is learning to love - God and people. Life minus love equals zero."

I feel like I've been fueled up with

LOVE

from my dear family and friends! My tank wasn't on empty, but now it's definitely full, full, full. Full to share with others over the holiday season.

I hope all of my American friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Time to check out how you all are doing. So happy to be back!

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Dateline: Nov. 20, 2006

Just a Couple of Things... Including "The Great Peanut Butter Hiccup Experiment"

I happily put the finishing touches on my turkey towel last week, but in the hubbub of the days, forgot to post them. So here is my towel for November:

I'm pretty pleased with it! I had intended to do some fancier stitching on the turkey's feathers, but as the big day grew closer, I just wanted it done. So, done it is and it is hanging nicely over the oven door. The floors are sparkly clean, fresh sheets are on the beds, towels are fluffed and the refrigerator is full! Now all we need is our FAMILY!! They will all be here tomorrow evening!!!! Can you tell I am excited?! I love, love, LOVE my family! We always have such good times together and no one can make me laugh as hard as my brother and sister do. I can feel the giggles welling up in me as I write this!

Hey, here's something to try: E had the hiccups a lot today and two times we were at home when she got them. I went ahead and let her try a remedy our neighbor girl told us about: a spoonful of PEANUT BUTTER. And guess what? It WORKED! I was pretty skeptical, but we're 2 for 2 now... and now everyone is looking forward to having the hiccups so they can participate in the Great Peanut Butter Hiccup Experiment! Have you ever tried this? Try it next time and report back to us! We'd love to hear if it keeps on working!

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Dateline: Nov. 18, 2006

Post Party and Pre-Thanksgiving News

I have survived!

M's party was a great success. I am here to report and happily confirm that one does not need petting zoos nor magicians nor clowns for one happy birthday party!

We had a very simple night last night. The girls began arriving around 5:30. While the oven was warming for the pizzas, the girls were in and outside (climbing the tree, swinging on the rope swing and the swing set and taking turns on the trampoline) and then finally settled down for a game of "Telephone." Do you remember this game? Someone starts by making up a silly sentence and whispers it in the ear of her neighbor. The message gets passed around the circle and the last person reports the message she heard to the group. There were a lot of giggles with that one.

Grandma S and Grandma J were here to help get the food ready. Simple fare of frozen pizza and bowls of pineapple and canteloupe set out for the girls to help themselves.

After dinner it was present time!

M received mostly Littlest Petshop (LPS) stuff, since her friends all know that is what she's pretty crazy about right now.

She did receive one very pretty set of a cross necklace and some cross earrings. So pretty!

Before the girls settled in for a movie we wanted them to let off some steam, so they had some more time outside, then cake and ice cream, and then their own "dance party" on our lanai. A couple of years ago M got a strobe light for Christmas and for another Christmas she got a multicolored light ball that projects the colored light all around the room. We've had so much fun with these two little things - with just our family and when friends come over. They are very inexpensive and nice presents for kids. They're not the things they usually think to ask for, but I haven't met a child yet that doesn't have fun with these when the music starts!

Only two of the guests actually spent the night; the other girls had places they needed to be the following morning - soccer games, etc.

So the four girls played until lights out at 11:00 and then they just crashed! Not a peep out of that crew until about 7:15 this morning. Then there were waffles for breakfast and more playing until kids were gathered again.

I detail this all because it was so simple and the girls were so good and friendly with one another and they just all had a good time. I overheard one little voice during the dance party (and it wasn't the guest of honor!) say, "This is the best slumber party ever!"

Now, I just have to laugh, because certainly it was not the best ever, but I note it just because it really shows how little children need to have a good time. I've written here before about how often adults in our culture go so far overboard in entertaining - themselves and their children. If our children come to have outlandish expectations for parties or social gatherings or festivals or whatever, it is our own fault. If our day-to-day lives can remain simple, with the focus of our pleasures being found in our relationships with one another then we will be guiding our children on the right path to what is truly valuable in life. That is better than any birthday present one can give, because it lasts. Contentment is a powerful gift.

Well, from birthday party to Thanksgiving, we are now moving on an shifting gears. I went to the market this evening to pick up the remainder of the goodies we will need for the big day as well as this pretty bunch of flowers that will grace our table (hopefully they will last) on Thanksgiving Day.

I am hosting our dinner this year and am thrilled that my sister and her husband and my brother are going to be here. It will be our first Thanksgiving all together since we moved down here three years ago. I am praying for nice weather so that we can all eat outside under our big Jacaranda tree. There will be 10 of us and I'm so excited for our gathering!!!

After Thanksgiving on Thursday, we will all travel north to Georgia to visit my uncle (who just won a seat in the Georgia state House of Representatives!) and aunt and their family and friends. The Friday after Thanksgiving every year, they have a big party with bonfires, hayrides, more food, karaoke singing and just fun. It's a wonderful way to begin the holiday season!

Have a blessed Sabbath tomorrow.

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