A Daybook Entry for January 17, 2011

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...needles from the discarded Christmas tree are sinking into the slowly melting snow on the patio. The snow has remained longer than usual, and we haven't had a chance to sweep or clean outside.

I am thinking...about the balance of treating people with kindness and mercy, while still taking a stand for what is good and just.

I am thankful for...my husband who is unwavering in his commitment to me.

From the learning rooms...we are working towards incorporating some more standardized testing into our plan.

From the kitchen...we are planning to make some more granola bars to take to the pool, and Hunt Chowder is bubbling away on the stove for dinner tonight.

I am wearing...charcoal yoga pants, navy V-Neck, and warm woolen socks.

I am creating...blog entries, again!

I am going...very few places this week. I think that I am home for the remainder of the day today.

I am reading...a through-the Bible-in-a-year plan that is organized chronologically.

I am hoping...to remain faithful to the Bible reading plan. It helps so much to keep my focus in the right place.

I am hearing...a little too much silence. I need to go make sure that the girls are really working on school.

Around the house...I keep finding little remnants of Christmas decorations that were passed over when we "un-decorated".

One of my favorite things...a fresh start.

A few plans for the rest of the week: a quiet birthday celebration for my husband tomorrow, a play date or two for Gabby, and then Friday we'll (hopefully) be able to feed my aunt and uncle's horses and muck the lot.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

I don't imagine that I will ever be considered a cat-lover,

but JB (Jack Bauer) came to visit this weekend with Daniel and he entertained us all.

I don't think I've ever seen a cat that would respond to voice commands!

Please visit The Simple Woman's Daybook for more entries.

Set Apart

Friday we shared an awesome day with family. We rose well before dawn, packed shoulder to shoulder in cars, and traveled in single digit temperatures about 200 miles to Salina, Kansas- doesn't that sound like fun? It was awesome. We were honored to witness my cousin take his oath of office to become a District Judge.

He his humble, fair, and kind.

He is thoughtful and thorough.

He is honest and honorable.

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God"

Micah 6:8

Seek...

I put my hand to it once again. To document our days, our story as it unfolds. Many moments that seem too mundane to be worthy of noting, yet they build to form our habits, our personalities and our future. Distractions and excuses attempt to dissuade my attempts: crashed computers, lost templates, missing photos. The moments fade quickly in my memory and I need the sketch of written words and captured images to nudge them out of the time trap, so I pick up the pieces once again and see what I can make of them.

We've all stepped together into a new year, and just as a friend recently mentioned, I can't resist the "new". A new day, a new week, a new month, or a new year all offer the fresh start I crave. The mercy that is new every morning- washing over the short-comings and imperfections, the less-than-wise choices. So I begin again a journey along a worn path, as I am not the first to tread this way, nor will I be the last. I will leave my crumb trail for son and daughters, friends and family to find encouragement to forge their own way, and perhaps to call out their own words of comfort.

I resist the triteness of a resolution, but I have been contemplating where I should place my focus. In many ways my life seems disjointed right now with children at nearly opposite ends of the spectrum of parenting requirements, and life always seems to throw drama and challenge when we least expect it. I keep returning to "Seek", as in, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness..." (Mt. 6:33) I am drawn to peer deeper, looking for God's hand at work in my every day life. In the Kingdom of God, only God is in charge, and I want to witness His control, His plan. I desire to Acknowledge that God is present with me, Emmanuel. I yearn to readily recognize that the Kingdom of God encompasses all that He reigns over, and my deepest desire is that I will willingly bow under that sovereignty, and eagerly live an obedient life. I am far from understanding even all that I believe, but for now I will Seek...

Between the Solstice and the Equinox

Splash and crash and fresh life rhythms sculpt our days
and our dialogue.

Golden milestone beckons eldest to return and cling,
if only momentarily.

Cousins relish in rare moments of shared childhood pleasures.

Reminiscences of chandelier wedding, Shakespeare play,
and masters' galleries painted in stark contrast
with camp cabins, farmers' market, and baseball game.

Bandanna mops brow as hammer clangs, trowel scrapes.
Fresh hope is brushed over weathered dreams.

Dangling toes in river town memories,
our northern nest wedged deep in soul crevice
is revealed as sudden home comfort.

Cicada song lulls summer to sleep as variegated season
begins to unfurl.

Twilight palette exposes shortcomings,
daybreak washes with mercy.

Step stones to sanctification unearthed piecemeal,
essential enlightening slow but faithful.

It's Mother's Day

Today as I enjoy the proclamations of love from my own children, I also reflect on my childhood and my mother's influence on me. I am thinking about all those things that she taught me , or attempted to teach me. She has devoted her entire life to my dad, my brother, and me- constantly looking for ways to help us succeed and to learn how to live out our faith in Jesus in a real way. As we grew she arranged her days around our schedules so that she would be available to help us, or just to listen. Although I may have groaned at some of the repeated instructions, they have formed who I am today, what I expect of myself, and how I live with my own family. I'm sure there's more, but these are some of the most-remembered lessons:

• Make your bed.
• Make sure the dishes are done before you go to bed, even if you feel like you're too tired. It's worse to wake up to dirty dishes than it is to just do the work.
• Fix your hair and put your make-up on if you want to be productive, you'll feel more confident and energetic.
• Get your hair out of your eyes, get your hands out of your sleeves, stand up straight, don't bite your fingernails, and hold in your tummy.
• Make your home beautiful, warm and welcoming, but stay within your means. Use what you have in creative ways. Re-purpose items and create from found items. Move things around often enough to keep it interesting.
• If you find something that you want that's too expensive, you can probably make it yourself. It will be cheaper, and sometimes better.
• Be home to greet your husband as he returns from work, and your children as they return from activities. Be available to listen to them describe their day.
• Do not unload the woes of your day on your husband as he walks in the door. Allow him some time to decompress from work and relax.
• If your husband is working to serve the family (yard-work, fixing the car, plumbing, etc.) work alongside him by being an assistant (hand him tools, etc.) or just talking to him as he works. Bring him a glass of tea or water.
• Work together as a family and be an active participant in helping each other accomplish large projects.
• Keep trying, don't give up, don't stop until the job is done.
• Laugh.
• Send your children outside to play- in almost any weather. Do not spend your time entertaining your children, expect them to use their imaginations.
• Take care of your children's needs, but don't underestimate what they can and should do for themselves. Teach them to be self-sufficient.
• If you hurt someone, say "I'm sorry."
• Everyone has a story, and you don't know all of it- give them grace.
• God loves you, and has a good plan for your life.

Thanks, Momma. I love you!

Snatching Up Scraps of Normal

I feel like we are scrambling to hit some type of equilibrium in our home. Things have been a bit out of kilter for a few months now, but Spring has sprung and there is a new energy in the air. We seem to be approaching the season with an attitude of determination to catch up on all we may have missed!

This weekend Cara came home for a visit and we packed more into four days than we've done in weeks.

Gabby has been asking to get her ears pierced, and she decided that she "could handle all the pain", so one of the first items on the agenda for the weekend was to put a couple of extra holes in her head. She was poised and brave, and thrilled with the results.



As the traditional school calendar comes to a close, one of the favorite events for our home school support group is our Field Day. This year we are incorporating face painting into the day, so the girls decided to practice.



The sun was shining, skies were clear, and gusts of wind facilitated our kite-flying outing at the park.

There are not many places that evoke such emotional responses in each of our family members as City Market (Kansas City's Farmer's Market)
and Planter's Seed Co. (seeds, garden supplies, and bulk spices).
I keep a plastic container in the cupboard with the various spices and herbs that I've purchased in bulk, and often when I open the container
there is an exclamation from someone, "That smells just like Planter's!"
The market was not as busy as it will be in a few weeks,
but the garden and seed supply at Planter's was doing a brisk business.
We added in a detour through Pryde's Old Westport
(a HUGE, and extremely well stocked, kitchen shop)
and we came home with more ideas than we have
the time or finances to complete-
but I love having that "reserve" of inspiration.

It is a joy to collaborate with Cara in the kitchen. Lately we have focused on experimenting with some Indian dishes, a cuisine which has not been a part of my menu plan in the past. Our observation has been that it is difficult to find recipes that list exact measurements and procedures for the novice. We assume that the Indian culture is rich in oral traditions, and the recipes are passed from generation to generation by demonstration and participation.
We were thrilled to find a small cookbook at a discount store for $3.99 that featured some good instructions for recipes that appear to be similar to items we've enjoyed in restaurants. The first three we tried were a great success! Chicken in Green Chili and Cilantro Sauce, Tandoori Shrimp, and Chili-Cilantro Naan, served with Saffron Rice- yum!
I will try to post the recipes soon.

We can now say that we have attended a Cowboy Church.
Wow- Cowboy Church!



Cara completed a torn-paper watercolor piece- beautiful!

We gathered for a family dinner on Sunday,
and Gabby read scripture recounting Jesus' resurrection.
We are blessed to be able to share Holiday celebrations with family.

This week is off to a more "normal" beginning. We are back to the pool for our Water Aerobics classes, we have a field trip to the National Archives, and a couple of school events that we will fit in around our school at home and household projects. We need to do yard and garden clean up, as well as some cleaning inside the house and the reorganization of seasonal clothing.
We may be getting back to "normal", whatever that is.

Cupcake Day!

Today we gathered with three other home school families and tried our hand at some cute cupcake decorations.


Gabby made monkeys...


Claire made owls...



I tried some butterflies...


And some other designs were "spaghetti and meatball", panda bear, penguin, fish bowl, puppy, and sunflowers-- all were very cute!


We had a great time! I'm pretty sure our lesson won't count for health/science, but maybe art?

Savoring the Day

Yesterday the air was warm and fresh. The streets that I traced and retraced throughout my teen years were my route of choice, and once again I drove with my windows down and my radio blaring. I was alone in my car and I captured, for just a few moments, that feeling of youth and freedom.

Today is crisp and drizzling. The girls and I spend the day at home together, pressing forward with schoolwork, accomplishing some basic household chores and attending to the laundry. The atmosphere is just gloomy enough to warrant the cheer and comfort of lit candles, a pot of strong coffee, and fresh-baked delicacies to share with friends who visited this afternoon.

In my opinion, this is the perfect scone recipe.

These are very light, tender, and moist
with just the right balance of sweetness.

Scones

1 large egg, lightly beaten
2/3 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup dried tart cherries, or your favorite dried fruit
2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter, cut up
1 large egg, beaten with 1 Tablespoon water, for glaze
Course sugar, if desired for topping

• Preheat oven to 375 ° F. Grease cookie sheet or line with parchment paper or silpat.
• Combine egg, buttermilk, vanilla, and dried fruit in bowl; let stand 5 minutes.
• Stir flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in large bowl. With pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in fruit mixture until moistened. On lightly floured surface, knead dough 6 to 8 turns. Divide dough into 3 equal lumps, and form each lump into a slight mound, about 5 inches in diameter. Cut each mound into 4 pieces (cross-ways like cutting a pie).
• Transfer pieces to prepared cookie sheet and brush tops lightly with egg glaze. Sprinkle with course sugar if desired.
• Bake 15-18 minutes, until golden. Cool on wire rack.
• Makes 1 dozen.

Waiting for Spring to...spring?

The countdown to Spring is underway, and we are emerging from our Winter hibernation. The extra snow and ice have cloaked the bareness with beauty, but there have been some colder than average days, a few rounds of cold and flu, and a surgery recovery that have kept us a little more isolated than usual. We have tried to make the best of it, and have created some special memories along the way.


We pulled out the craft supplies for a few holiday treats: Pop-up Christmas cards, Cut-Out Cookie Valentine Cards and Valentine Mailboxes,and a Chocolate Chess Set.

We have tried a few new recipes, and worked toward perfecting some favorites. Cara and I tried to replicate a dish we had at an Indian restaurant-Murgh Korma with Saffron Jasmine Rice-and loved the results. We added Samosas to the menu which are quickly becoming a family favorite. John and the girls tried their hand at Chicken Alfredo Pizza and a Krispy Kreme doughnut knock-off recipe while they were pampering me after surgery.

We have managed to take a few fun outings: The Chocolate Exhibit at Union Station which came with free admission to Science City, and a weekend trip to Dallas/Ft. Worth with a visit to the Kimbell Art Museum were among our favorites.

We had a barefoot snowball fight, well... at least John did. The girls were dressed sensibly in boots and coats and mittens, but John couldn't resist the fun of stepping outside unexpectedly and smashing them with snowballs. And of course someone had to stand just inside the doorway of the warm house and take pictures- that would be me.

Gabby lost a tooth, but not as a result of the snowball fight. It was just time.

We've spent time with family from out of town sharing laughter, hugs, gifts, and prayer.

Somehow we managed to redecorate two bedrooms and complete a bathroom remodel. Claire's bedroom makeover was a birthday gift from her brother, and she couldn't be more thrilled.

We have many happy times to remember, and now we begin savoring every extra minute of daylight and every sprig of green that appears.

Grumble, grumble, grumble...Curmudgeon!

The official "Holiday Season" has come and gone and one would expect that we would be settled into the quiet, yet trudging, pace of just surviving the winter. The only problem with that assumption is that things rarely go just as expected, and the Midwest has received quite a blast of Arctic air. Because of these waves of winter storms and sub-zero temperatures there is a general rumbling and grumbling across the land (at least in my circles). I've heard such comments as, "if I never see another snow flake again that would be fine with me!", and "I am so DONE with snow!". While I can certainly understand the discomforts and difficulties presented by the snow and the cold, I am taken back by the complaining. As I've heard the complaints, I've had to take another look at how often my tone is negative and ungrateful. It also makes me wonder about the complainers, and what deeper discomfort might be behind their words.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I had "curmudgeons" on the mind. A curmudgeon is defined as, " a crusty, ill-tempered, and usually old man". We all know people that are just plain grumpy, then there are those people that are only grumpy at certain seasons ( such as the "Scrooges" we identify at Christmastime.) What has been impressed upon me lately, though, is to consider the source of the curmudgeonliness.


"Up" is an animated film that gives us a glimpse into the making of a curmudgeon. A wide-eyed, seemingly innocent little boy,Carl,partners with a feisty little girl,Ellie, and their relationship centers on their admiration for a famous explorer. They build a beautiful life together, enjoying each other's company and working towards that day when they will explore the world together, particularly hoping to visit South America. Their travel dreams never materialize, nor their dreams for children of their own, and Ellie dies- leaving Carl an embittered widower. The remainder of the film details Carl's journey of pain and sorrow. The house that Carl and Ellie made their home becomes the symbol of everything they had together. Carl launches the house, tethered to balloons, towards South America. He then painfully drags it across treacherous terrain in hopes of letting it rest on the precipice of Paradise Falls- thereby fulfilling Ellie's dream.

What is particularly moving to me about this story, is realizing that every curmudgeon I meet has his own story. He is dragging around a huge burden of pain. The anger expressed is often in defense of what he's loved and lost. While not every curmudgeon has lost a soul-mate, every curmudgeon has lost his hope and his joy.

So how can this hope be restored, how can the joy return?

The resolution in the movie "Up" hinges upon Carl's two-fold realization. First, he has placed his hope in a man that is selfish and dishonorable. Second, the disappointment he feels for failing to live up to his promise to Ellie was not a disappointment to her. He then realizes that he values the life and friendship of his little stow-away, the other creatures that have shared his journey, and the memories of the adventures he shared with his wife.

We all need that turning point in our lives when we realize that we have placed our hope in an inadequate source. We all need to come to the point of acknowledging that the only trustworthy source of hope is Jesus. Then we can realize that even we are not trustworthy to carry out our own promises. We need to seek Jesus as our only source and we need to learn how to share that source of joy with others, too.

I want to place my trust so securely in Jesus that I am not as vulnerable to the bitterness of disappointment. I want to see others through the filter of compassion and mercy. I want the boldness and the wisdom to share the hope and joy that Jesus gives.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Romans 15:13)

(All work and No Play...)