Curious Acorn

Me B.C.

2012-01-25T20:45:00.009-05:00

"A person's world-view almost always shows through in his creative output..."
--Francis Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?

When I was seventeen, we were given the assignment in art class to create self-portraits. I made a plaster casting of my face. Straws up the nose, Vaseline slathered over my mug, and a bucketful of plaster poured on top. Held still until it set. How long did that take? I honestly don't remember. The cast was successful. Pouring liquid clay in the mould, out came my reflection. I stuck it in the snow, and photographed it--a death mask. That was my world-view.

Two years later, that would all change. I haven't taken very good care of this photo. I don't really like looking back much. The view ahead is so much better. And I'm alive. Soli Deo gloria!

"Everywhere the statues were coming to life. The courtyard no longer looked like a museum; it looked like a zoo. Creatures were running after Aslan and dancing round him til he was almost hidden in the crowd. Instead of all that deadly white, the courtyard was now a blaze of colors..."
--C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Joining Emily today

Grateful for the Deeper Magic

2012-01-22T16:27:00.020-05:00

"When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty, I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”
― C.S. Lewis

Counting blessings

480 - being old enough for fairy tales

481 - a piano in the house

482 - Grandpa, tea, and cheese and crackers

483 - an invitation

484 - see you there

Joining Ann today

I Spy with my little Eye

2012-01-16T10:10:00.031-05:00

I'm getting into the habit of keeping my camera with me at all times. I'm no photographer in the professional sense, but I do have eyes which I'm thankful for, and God-given imagination which I'm grateful for. And there are moments when my little eyes will spy something extraordinary in the ordinary: beauty--a piece of art that may only last for seconds. I'm delighted to have captured it, to see my Creator in it. It makes each ordinary day splendid-y.

"My eyes are small but they have seen
The beauty of enormous things
Which leads me to believe..."

Everything Glorious by David Crowder

A Door of One's Own

2012-01-11T14:40:00.060-05:00

WARNING: This post is photo heavy

Ah yes, a door of one’s own, attached to a room of one’s own, that room being my studio. Or, as I like to call it, the ‘what-would-happen-if?’ room. Most of my creative endeavors tend to be experimental; some successful, some not so much. But I’m enjoying myself, so who cares?

First, the studio. It’s only been in the past few years that I’ve been able to have this space. It used to be our homeschool classroom, then, when the kids grew, it became a shove-junk-in room. But now it’s my very own space. Hooray. No more working at the dining room table.

[a Pinterest-inspired project in the works]

I have to say that my family has always been respectful of my projects and supplies. I’ve never had to worry, even when my kids were young. The cats, however, have been another story. Curiosity has nearly killed them on several occasions (curiosity as in Acorn).

For instance, the fairy house I made for my girls when they were little. You may not be able to tell from the picture, but it was huge. I burnt my fingers a million times with the glue gun - suffering for my art. It was a thing of beauty, if I do say so myself.

It had so much detail: a pine cone shingled roof, a fur-lined fairy baby cradle, a watch tower, stairways, windows and window boxes, just to name a few

This is what’s left: Rubble. The cats decided to climb into it one day and naturally they couldn’t get out, so they broke their way out. I was so depressed I nearly slept for a week. Okay, I’m exaggerating. But I was really, really mad.

(Don't be fooled by the Beatrix Potter Tom Kitten look--it's an act)

It's just one of many things they’ve destroyed, hence the recently-installed door. I can shut them out now, muahahaha. This means no more “little cat feet” walking across oil paint pallets; no more tangled yarn, no more spilled ink, no more eating raw wool (above) then puking on something else I’ve made…

Many of you are probably thinking by now that I'm a saint for keeping them. You are--right?

Well, they're here because some other, more merciful people who live in this house deeply love them

and--the cats haven’t wrecked any of their things—-just sayin’.

Truth be told, I love my kitties, too. What a pushover...

But because I have a room of my own

antique buttons are no longer cat toys

a room of my own

with a door that locks...Muahahaha

(Detail of a painting in progress)

Pleased

2012-01-07T22:19:00.036-05:00

I've been singing Hark the Herald Angels Sing for years, but it wasn't until this Christmas that a particular phrase struck me, and hasn't left me yet. I can't stop pondering the weight of it--that He left His nobility behind, His rights as King and Lord of all. He was pleased. I know all of it goes far beyond what I'm expressing here, but I want to say thank you to my Father King and tell you I'm pleased. Pleased to belong to You. Pleased to find glimpses of heaven and blessings in even the smallest of things. And pleased to tell You that it's hard for me to get my mind around everything that is yet to come, and I sometimes feel as if my heart could explode with the anticipation of it all.

Counting blessings

473 - these words

474 - eating garnets for breakfast

475 - re-covery

476 - Audrey's paper stars

477 - honey in the comb

478 - hand-knit washcloths

479 - the perfume my sweetheart gave me - Noble - cool name. I hope it becomes more than just my scent

Joining Ann today

Feeling crunchy

2012-01-04T14:16:00.022-05:00

Quick! Get a look at these outrageously delicious pretzel snacks. My son Alex made them for us as a Christmas gift. A nearly empty jar is a good indicator of their irresistibility, wouldn't you say?.

We've been going through them like a house on fire. Every time I walked by the hubs, he was crunching. And the youngest was squirreling away handfuls at a time.

I say "we" to be polite. Actually, "they" have been devouring them. "I" needed the recipe so I could try some. Hellloooooooo, down there!!

If you'd like to make them, you'll need a 16 oz. bag of sourdough pretzels, 3/4 cup of olive oil, and one packet of ranch dressing. You can experiment with your own spice/herb blends. I liked the sharp spicy flavor of the original recipe: lemon pepper, cayenne, hot paprika, garlic powder, and dill.

In a bowl, mix the olive oil and the dry ranch dressing (which works as a binder). Add in the spices/herbs. I used about a teaspoon and a half of each. Whisk together. Break the pretzels into pieces, and put everything into a gallon-sized ziplock bag. Mix it around and let it marinate, so to speak. I let mine sit for a couple of hours.

Pour the coated pretzels into a baking pan and bake for ten to fifteen minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven. Done and done.

There. That's better. Thanks, Al-e-pal.

A heap of thanks

2012-01-02T11:09:00.010-05:00

And a debt of love is owed to all you gracious folks who gave me words of encouragement and prayers for a speedy recovery. Your prayers were answered, and I am grateful.

Energy was slowly starting to surge, so that on New Year's eve morning I was able to muck out the hen house

I do love my chooks

Later that evening we indulged in some gentle bubbling, as the label says

and rocked in the New Year doing a jigsaw puzzle by the fire...can we par-tay, or what?

Behold, two random photos of my kitties in the yard

Cue Crosby, Stills and Nash: Our house is a very very very fine house, with two cats in the yard, life used to be so hard, now everything is easy 'cause of you - la, la, lalalala, la la la la......

Yes, YOU, dear friends. Thank you again for the prayers. Blessings on your house, and happy New Year.
Love, the ever-curious Acorn

Paying the Piper

2011-12-29T12:02:00.022-05:00

So much running around, making, cooking, visiting, having a marvelous time. And then, BOOM! Up jumps my old adversary, rheumatoid arthritis. One day I'm full of pep and energy. The next day, stiff, sore, and exhausted.

"Mmwahahahaha," it cackles. "Thought I forgot about you? Having a little too much fun, were we?" Well, here's my response--down, but not out, pal.

I have this lovely hot water bottle cover that my daughter-in-law Michelle knitted for me. A Christmas gift, and a timely one at that. So comforting.

I have the charming glow of candlelight,

a stack of delicious books that were under the tree this year,

a cozy, colorful spot to recover in, and the power of prayer.
Take that, R.A. You don't know who you're messin' with.

Making Merry

2011-12-23T22:30:00.025-05:00

We've been busy Christmas-ing, but I wanted to stop by to say, may God bless each and every one of you swell readers. My prayers are that in this coming year, you will experience all that is good, even beyond your imagining.

How lovely are thy branches

Nothing better than a Christmas card winking at you on a gray December day

sugar in a tin

two of the most beautiful words - edible glitter

Scrooge under glass

Shiver me timbers

Jolly St. Nick

old-fashioned trimmings

Here We Go a-Wassailing

fiddle-de-dee

Place a shining star upon the highest bough

tidings of great joy

Maranatha

and visions of orange peel...(repost)

2011-12-16T11:04:00.002-05:00

Have you all ever tried these? They are scrumptious. I'll be making some up today. Oh, and guess what? My better half may be doing a guest post at the Acorn! We shall see... ;) Have a lovely weekend, everyone.

The Margaret Rudkin Pepperidge Farm Cookbook; an awesome thrift shop find! In it is a recipe for candied orange peel, an old fashioned sweet popular in colonial times and a family favorite of ours for the Christmas season. It's easy to make, too.

Can you believe it only took four oranges to get this much peel? This recipe suggests removing all the white part of the orange skin, but I prefer to leave some. It's less fiddley to prepare. Having tried it both ways, I think it tastes better, too.

Love the vintage pen and ink drawings that are through out the book. Click on the photo to enlarge the recipe.

You'll have to imagine that there is a picture of the peel cooking in a pot of sugar syrup, which I forgot to take because I was too busy trying to avoid burning myself while stirring the molten hot lava-like syrup. This is what the peel will look like after being cooked, at which point you sprinkle it with sugar.

Ta - da! When it finally dries, the peel is all sugary sparkley-warkley Christmasy nice. Much better than sugar plums, in my opinion.

Temptation - sometimes the mother of invention

2011-12-12T18:26:00.024-05:00

Years ago when my kids were little, we happened to be passing through one of those upscale department stores in a mega-mall during the Christmas season. This particular store had a dazzling display of gourmet chocolates. The peppermint bark looked so delicious, and the tins they were packed in were spectacularly irresistible. The price tag, however, was enough to make a frugal mother faint. But I was so sorely tempted, and my kids' eyeing it up weakened my resistance all the more. Can you hear the whine in my voice? Ohhhhhhhh..... Only the lack of funds gave me the moral fortitude to walk away. But those darned things looked so delicious that I was determined to find a way to treat my family to something like it.

Well that, my friends, is the humble beginning of my invention of the no-bake peppermint bark cookie. Are you game?

You will need plain chocolate wafer cookies (or chocolate graham crackers if you can't find them), white chocolate, dark chocolate, and candy canes.

Crush the candy canes. I use my food processor on pulse to get fine chips. Melt the white chocolate. Using the back of a spoon, I spread a nice thick layer onto one side of the cookie. Then sprinkle with the crushed candy canes before the chocolate hardens.

When you're finished, they should look like this - let the chocolate dry completely. It only takes a few minutes.

Next, melt the dark chocolate, then go mad wild and drizzle it all over the cookies. I load up a whisk with the chocolate and sort of lash it on. Sprinkle with any left over crushed candy canes. If you haven't splashed yourself and your kitchen cabinets by the time you're finished, you've held back.

You can store them in your own spectacularly irresistible cookie tin. They keep well. But I doubt they'll last that long.

My son Alex called while I was making them. "Great! They're still my favorites," he said. Shortly after, while chatting on the phone with my husband, I mentioned that I made peppermint bark cookies today. "Oh, they're my favorite. They're our dentist's favorite, too." "What? I don't remember making any Christmas cookies for our dentist...oh, wait - I get it. Ha, ha, funny guy."

Disclaimer: This cookie truly did come from my own fevered imagination. Any similarity to any other cookie, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Paper, Color, Rock

2011-12-07T14:10:00.025-05:00

Have you ever made a crayon rubbing? You know, where you take some paper and a crayon, and create an image of the object you want to transfer onto a piece of paper. I have, lots of times. On Sunday, our pastor used this very illustration to explain a bible passage.

"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow in His steps" I Peter 2:21

The Greek word for 'example' here is 'hupogrammos'. It means to copy, to overwrite--bless me--I could see it!

It was my prayer that morning - every morning: I want to be like You. Show me. God answered. I asked for water, and He gave me wine.

Hupogrammos, our pastor said. A pattern to trace on living stone. And I - we - the paper. Can you imagine it?

Allowing the Holy Spirit to inscribe us with His color, to overwrite, copy. And we yielding.

Peter goes on to say this of Christ: He did not sin. He never deceived. He did not retaliate when insulted. He did not threaten to get even, but left his case in the hands of God.

And it can be done, it can. Peter tell us so. He knew from experience. I'm learning from experience. Jesus, the perfect original, oversees our makings, and calls us His masterpiece.

I'm undone. Yes, let that imprint continue to be born in me, saturating every fiber. I'll wear your colors.

Joining Emily today

Making Joy

2011-12-04T20:17:00.022-05:00

"I salute you! There is nothing I can give you which you have not, but there is much, that, while I cannot give, you can take. No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today. Take Heaven. No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present instant. Take Peace. The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet, within our reach, is joy. Take Joy.
And so, at this Christmas time, I greet you, with the prayer that for you, now and forever, the day breaks and the shadows flee away."

Fra Giovanni

Awhile back, while on one of my thrift shop excursions, I noticed a glittery little cardboard box. Being the curious soul that I am, I took a peek inside

A hidden treasure

Alas, no crib for a bed

Shall I play for Him? pa-rum-pa-pum-pum

Let ev'ry heart prepare him room

Make joy!

A Peek as Promised

2011-12-02T15:26:00.001-05:00

Preparations

2011-11-30T15:13:00.020-05:00

"People look east, the time is near of the crowning of the year. Make your home fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table. People look east and sing today, 'Love, the Guest, is on the way.'" --Author unknown (to me)

As soon as the days grow shorter, our family takes dinner by candle light. In the season of Advent, besides the wreath, we light our Klockspel! I'm hoping, during this Advent season, to post and share with you our little Christmas doings every other day.

When we got married and had children, my husband and I were determined to create a joyful home, especially during the holidays. And because He made it possible, my gratitude will always be to Love, the guest, Who came to stay.

Gracefully (as in growing old)

2011-11-27T19:07:00.043-05:00

"Whatever a man's age, he can reduce it several years by putting a bright-colored flower in his buttonhole."
Mark Twain

Well, tomorrow I'm another year older. Looking back over the past year, there's so much to be grateful for. It hasn't been all smooth sailing, but I choose to count the blessings over the sorrows. It's sort of akin to the bright-colored flower in the buttonhole. Or maybe even better.

I need to count in Linda at Under the Gables. Unbeknowst to her, she participated in my birthday doings. Actually in my pre-birthday doings, since I'm known in my family for milking my birthday for all that it's worth. Linda talked on her blog about a Bucks County artist named Fern Coppedge.

I was so captured by the images that I Googled the painter and found out that many of her paintings are here:

Wahoooo! This museum is only an hour and a half from home, in Doylestown, PA. Happy birthday to me! And even better, they were having a special exhibit...

...featuring a collection of the works of Bucks County's finest painters. It was a treat to discover two painters who up to now were unknown to me: Fern Coppedge (1883-1951) and Daniel Garber (1880-1958). Both of these artists have styles that are completely different from one another--Coppedge rich in color; Garber rich in light. Their masterful creations left me swoony and inspired.

The program featured Garber's painting of his daughter, Tanis.

Across the street from the Michener museum is the Mercer Museum. I couldn't resist snapping a photo of the chimneys on the building. Are they cool or what?

Afterwards we took a little Saturday afternoon stroll around town. Oooh, looky here...

Black coffee, Bakery Blue Berry Butter cookie gelato. I love the letter 'B' - as in Birthday

This is the face of a happy camper. Yes, I am short.

Riding off into the sunset

Counting blessings

467 - Under the Gables blog - you should visit!
468 - Museum tickets
469 - My generous family
470 - Italian bakeries
471 - Sunsets and the gift of seeing another day
472 - La bella vita

Joining Ann today

Keeping traditions

2011-11-25T11:05:00.007-05:00

The house is quiet and tidy, so no distractions there. It seems like a perfect time to settle down with imagination, pen and ink, and lots of love for my grandy-babas far away. Now there are three--Izzy, Remy, and Tilly. I hope to continue this tradition for as long as I can. You can read about it here. I'll give you a peek when I'm finished.

Inside, Outside, Blessings mine

2011-11-20T18:05:00.019-05:00

I'm a homebody. It's in my hobbity nature to be so. But then again, I am a hobbit of the Tookish sort, and do relish the occasional adventure. On autumn days when I was little, I used to like to stand with one foot in the door and one out on the front step, trying to decide. "In or out, in or out?" my grandmother would scold. "I'm not paying to heat the neighborhood!" Ha--funny memory. In or out, in or out...I guess I love them both.

Counting blessings

460 - bringing in some bittersweet

461 - off with the fairies

462 - the clean smell of soapy steam

463 - finding the sky in the creek

464 - the company of a good book

465 - loving the sound that crows make

466 - home fires

Oh, and happy Thanksgiving, everyone. xox

Joining Ann today

Last day- huzzah

2011-11-17T14:17:00.011-05:00

Start of the day - neat as a pin and fresh as a daisy.

End of day - cinder soot and smelly, too. Good-bye, farm, until spring.

Upstairs, Downstairs - Kinda

2011-11-15T14:05:00.017-05:00

This is the final week of my indentured servitude on the farm--till spring, that is. I had a wonderful time hearth cooking today. The children were lovely, along with their teachers. It's days like this that make me glad to be here. Just a few snaps of the house when I was free to wander. Yeah, farm livin' is the life for me. Or at least interpreting it.

18th century medicine cabinet. Something you might find in it is a purple concoction: Pick wild violets, boil them in a sugar syrup, and viola. Cough syrup.

Turning flax into linen is a skill I hope to learn in the future. This girl needs a change up from candles and cooking. Just sayin'.

Out my door

2011-11-13T16:29:00.038-05:00

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door," he used to say. "You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.

J.R.R. Tolkien

Well, in this case it wasn't actually dangerous, unless you count the fact that I spent some of my pin money when I wasn't intending to. By the way, don't you just love the phrase 'pin money'? Very old fashioned. I like it. According to BING, pin money became an English phrase to describe extra cash set aside by wives to run the household at the turn of the twentieth century. I earn mine by performing housewifery 18th century style. But never mind that. Back to our adventure.

Do you know what I discovered? Ten minutes from my home, back in the hills, as they say around here, is a little mill town. One of the old mills built in the 1700's has been turned into an artist colony of sorts. And once a year, they open it up to the public.

Local artists have created studio spaces to work and display their pieces. I got to chatting with one of the painters. She informed me there was a room left for a studio if I was interested. No thanks, I said. I have a makey-room at home, and it's free. Yes, she replied, I have a studio at home as well, but I always find myself getting distracted by other things. Ain't it the truth? But don't tempt me, Frodo. For the time being, free is free, and I'll remain free.

But it's fun to dream. And speaking of dreaming, I had to keep telling myself that I was still in PA, right in my own backyard. This quaint borough has an Appalachian feel about it--isolated enough to make me feel like a gawking tourist. It had century-old churches nestled between small but charming mill houses, and a big old stone mansion at the top of one of the hills. Which got me to wondering - had it belonged to the owner of the mill back in the day? Hmmmmm...

So, we saw a lot of beautiful art. I asked permission to photograph this neat piece made of found objects. Gosh, I love stuff like that.

Airplanes made out of old door hinges? Some people are just SO clever!

And my pin money went to a nifty little pile of antique textile scraps. The patterns are yummy, and I can feel the creative juices flowing.

Last but not least, when I came home that evening, I found a package in the mail. Now I can join Miss Emily Dickinson and "put a trinket on" - thanks, Ethel.

The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry’s cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I’ll put a trinket on.

Emily Dickinson
Nature XXVII, Autumn.

Pierced

2011-11-09T09:24:00.015-05:00

My favorite gold drop earrings were the final bit of my getting dressed for church on Sunday morning. As I popped them into my ears, I was reminded of something that happened many years ago while on vacation with my family. I need to tell you what I was wearing - it's important to the story. It was a hot summer day. My outfit consisted of a skirt, flip-flops, and a tee shirt with a design and scripture that commemorated our church's 25th anniversary.

Anyways, my husband, my daughters and I were strolling through this small little town (our boys were on a missions trip in Brazil). There was a book store advertising home school supplies that caught my attention. I took the girls in with me while Mike went for ice cream. As I was perusing the shelves, the proprietor wandered over.

Shop guy: "You're a Christian?"
Me: "Yeah. (smiling)"
Shop guy: "Really? (frowning) I noticed that your ears are pierced. That's pagan, not Christian."

He proceeded to inform me what I would look like had I been a genuine believer. He went on to tell me that a group of teenagers wandered into his shop last night claiming to be Christians, too. They were part of some church youth group. But he sincerely doubted the authenticity of their faith. At this point, I was getting a bit nervous. The shop was small. I saw my husband standing outside with the ice cream, waiting for us. Shop guy followed my gaze.

"Is that your husband?"
"Uh-huh."
"He's wearing shorts. The men in our church don't wear shorts.
"We're not in your church."
"He wouldn't be allowed in the door."

At this point I had had enough. I put down the books I was planning to buy, and even though I was furious, said (without shouting, by God's grace alone), "You and I may look different from one another, but I will never allow anyone to tell me I do not belong to Jesus Christ." Shop guy just blinked.

Angry and dazed, I left that store. It felt as if I had been repeatedly punched in the head. I complained to the Lord as we wandered back to our car, "How could you have let that happen? I'm on vacation!" Just then, walking towards me was an elderly African-American woman, slightly stooped and leaning on her cane. And whether you believe it or not, this is true. She was wearing the same outfit as me--a skirt and the same celebratory church tee shirt, the church name being the only difference. We looked at each other. She laughed. "Well, look at us, girl", she said. "We're different. But we're the same. Praise God." She laughed again and went on her way. I was still in a daze, but less heart-sore.

So what did I learn from this experience?
1) hateful behavior is often fear disguised. I had to forgive Shop guy and pray for him. Pray that his faith would overtake his fear. My friend JoAnn at Ostriches Look Funny says it best - "square people always have a hard time spinning". He claimed to be a true believer, which would make him my brother. End of story.
2) No matter what, God has your back.
3) Sometimes ministering angels are disguised as little old ladies with cackly laughs.

Joining Emily today

Squirreling Away

2011-11-06T17:44:00.038-05:00

"...No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds,
November!"

Thomas Hood

These are the final lines of Thomas Hood's poem November. I could have printed the whole thing but I find it depressing, and better suited for February, which I find depressing. I'm sorry, Mr. Hood, but I think you're mistaken. There's plenty to appreciate in month eleven. For instance, a certain blogger celebrates her birthday in November *ahem!*. And as for beauty, just look at these frosty fields.

My friend Kristi at Thicket House, who shares my affection for acorns and squirrels, captures the spirit of the month best when she says: "Squirrels are a good symbol of the 'all is safely gathered in' theme of November".

So the man and I had a wonderful weekend of doing just that - gathering in. Lookit! All these peppers from the garden in November. Whaddya say to that, Tommy Hood?

And using up the last of the heirloom apples (some of which, by the way, can still be picked in November, H.)

Squirreling away some homemade applesauce...

...to keep company with other remembrances of the summer garden

And while birdsong may cease, the music of the axe chopping wood is lovely to my ears

No worries, no complaints--November

It was Supposed to be Just Gingerbread

2011-11-01T16:54:00.033-04:00

November already? Hard to believe, but here we are. It's been another week of ups and downs, I tell ya. Like the downer of a sudden snow storm that took out several of my honey bees--but not all, thank God. And then the up of a delightful house guest. And the next best thing to the house guest, the motivation to clean the house before they get here.

And speaking of house work, I found myself breaking into fits of praise this morning while sorting through dirty laundry. Why? Peace of mind. I remembered that my last laundry day was fretful, waiting for news/a biopsy report. It's amazing how knowing you're healthy can make the mundane so precious. Wow, I'm all over the place today. This post was supposed to be just about gingerbread cookies with lemon glaze.

Are you loving my rolling pin? It was anniversary gift from my sweetheart two years ago, and like I said before, some women can be charmed by a rolling pin for an anniversary gift. If you'd like to know where to find one, go to The House on the Hill. And this is the best recipe to acompany it: here

The recipe for the glaze is confection sugar mixed with water. I substitute lemon juice for the water, because lemon and gingerbread are best friends.

Nan-girl's here!

2011-10-30T16:26:00.022-04:00

Finally! I've gotten to meet a virtual bloggety-friend, in the flesh. We are no longer imaginary friends. Nancy is a writer with a rich family heritage. She's sensitive and funny, an encourager, a woman of faith, and she can rock a foil hat. You should visit her here. We like to talk to each other in movie quotes. So today, she's Nan of Green Gables, and I'm pretending to be Diana Barry. What? No raspberry cordial in the pantry? SNAP!

Nancy, you made me laugh so much!

But your ignored the rule: "stripes at dinner"

People break down into two groups. We're group number one. Miracle girls.

Minor bit of trivia - Nan-girl has the same map hanging in her home. Apparently we both spent our honeymoons on Martha's Vineyard. And we both bought the same souvenir map. Freaky...

Life, lollies, lumps and bumps

2011-10-23T22:09:00.028-04:00

This has been one roller coaster of a week. From the serious to the silly, I have SO MUCH to be thankful for. My first girl had her first girl in the land of the long white cloud- NZ. Being that they are 17 hours ahead of us, I got my times mixed up. I thought she had been in labor for 24 hours when in actuality it had been 39. All is well. While waiting for news of the new baba, I was also waiting on results of a biopsy I had to have for two lumps found on my person. Got the news Friday - benign. All is well. Also, I received a package of happy in the mail from the new mommy - a beautiful tunic and my favorite lollies - yippeeee!

Thank you Lord for new babies, safe deliveries, all those who took the time to call and text to keep us posted as labor progressed, pictures taken by Uncle Euan, the prayers of faithful friends, sheep that make merino wool, and lollipops. It is well with my soul.

Counting blessings

456 - presenting Tilly Ayla Angharad with her thankful parents

457 - strong women - she/they look pretty darn cute for 39 hours of labor

458 - Chupa Chups

459 - my new wool tunic and tons to smile about

Joining Ann today

What would happen if......

2011-10-16T15:47:00.022-04:00

I must confess that I've been a lazy blogger of late. A lot has been going on--some joyful and some difficult. I've been feeling emotionally spent, but through it all, God is good, and it is well with my soul. I've missed visiting all your lovely blogs and am playing catch-up to your posts, reading and commenting.

So - about the title of this post. If someone asks me what type of artist I am, I would say mixed media. But I like to call it "What Would Happen If...". God wired me a particular way. It is essential for me to always be making things. Whether it's a painting or soup doesn't matter. I need to be creating something--it doesn't feel right if I can't. It's how I recharge my batteries. The funny thing about it is that I'm always more interested in the process than the outcome. Except if it involves food--then I want the outcome to be good, especially if I am feeding someone other than myself!

But anyway, I get these ideas. Like - what would happen if I took a hundred year old screen door and treated it as if it were a gi-normous embroidery or crewel-work canvas? And what would happen if I drew a design on the screen door with oil pastels (because they stick). And then started to crewel/embroider over that design, embellishing it with some antique buttons and other textile scraps that I have lying around in my studio? What would happen? Will it be hideous? Would it be amazing? Haven't a clue. But I am curious. So here we go.

Who has a hundred year old screen door, you may ask. Me. I have five actually. I bought them for a dollar a piece, which I think is pretty good, considering I've seen them in antique shops for seventy-five dollars or more. One has been put on our henhouse. This one sits on sawhorses in my studio.

And the three others are stored in the garage waiting to discover their life's re-purpose. I'm open to ideas.

Bon Anniversaire

2011-10-10T18:49:00.007-04:00

Counting blessings

455 - celebrating today 30 years of marriage. It was a wonderful day. Lunch at our favorite museum. A walk along the river. And the planting of a fig tree in our garden. Just perfect in our estimation.

All in a Day's Work

2011-10-06T15:57:00.014-04:00

I taught a hearth cooking class today. Gingerbread cake, fried apples, shortbread, and whipped cream--delicious autumn. Anyway, my prep work finished earlier than I expected, and I was able to wander around the farmhouse before the students arrived. I love the soft light that fills the rooms on a sunny day. I snapped a few pics with my cell phone while fully dressed in colonial garb. That must have been a sight. So here's a glimpse of a day in October, 1798.

Might as well face it, you're addicted to love chairs

2011-10-02T19:37:00.018-04:00

A while back I wrote a post called Come Sit a Spell. Click on the link to read my admission to the world of my addiction to chairs. Yep, with apologies to Robert Palmer, I may as well face it.

While perusing the local thrift shop, my eyes fell upon this charming creature. She filled all the Curious Acorn requirements (enumerated in the aforementioned post) for coming home with me. Or should I say us--the mister was with me, and he was smitten as well. The seat just shouted COMFY. YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO SIT HERE. And the clean upholstery has a retro circle design. I like circles. So needless to say, we brought it home and it placed it where our 100 year old rocker used to be.

The centenarian has been retired to the comfort and quiet of our boudoir. Her wicker bones have been creaking and cracking in increasing measure as of late. She has braved many a year of plopping teenagers and small fry who rocked with the zest of a rodeo rider on a bucking bronco.

We also scored some vintage Pyrex bowls, which has been helpful since we've had a few casualties in that department lately. Oh, and there's that spindle thingy, too. I know I said before that I only thrift things that are useful as well as beautiful. I'm not really certain of its use...*cough* But sometimes pretty to look at is good enough.

Beam me up, Scotty

2011-09-25T18:45:00.032-04:00

Counting blessings

450 - Boy, oh boy! I'm grateful. Bless you Lord for technology, for it allowed me to see this gorgeous little Texan, our grandson Rembrandt, even though we live on the East Coast. I received this picture via my cell phone shortly after his birth on Thursday:

451 - And thank you, for it permits me my weekly chats with his big sister, where I'm able to see her dimples and hear her voice shout, "Hel-lo, Ganny!".

452 - And thank you again, for it enabled me to attend my daughter's baby shower in New Zealand via Skype. She's due in two and a half weeks. Wahooooooo!!

As many of you know who come here often, I work on an 18th century farm, interpreting the life of a woman from that period. I love the old ways...of living history. I often think about the lives of people who immigrated to this country and colonized a new land, and of their children and their children's children, many of whom travelled West.

O Pioneers! I can only imagine what it must have been like--the heartbreaking farewells of those who left loved ones to travel across the country or over the sea, understanding that it might be the last time they would ever "see" each other. Having to wait ages before even hearing from them, or about them, by letter or word of mouth.

Yes, I do love the old ways. I often grumble against machines, and the fast pace of the world today. I've heard some people say that they identify with the past so much that they believe they were "mailed" wrong. But God makes no mistakes. Even though some of my children are far away and the grandbabies are time zones from a kiss and a snuggle, the times I live in have provided me with a way to be there instantly, even if virtually. And we can board airplanes to cover distances in hours that not so long ago would have taken months.

453 - Thank you, God, for knowing me inside out.
454 - Thank you for knowing what my heart can take and what it can't. I was born for such a time as this, in more ways than one.

Joining Ann today

Favorites

2011-09-18T22:08:00.018-04:00

Counting blessings

The Tree, Karle Wilson Baker

My life is a tree,
Yoke-fellow of the earth;
Pledged,
By roots too deep for remembrance,
To stand hard against the storm,
To fill my place.
(But high in the branches of my green tree,
there is a wild bird singing:
Wind-free are the wings of my bird:
she hath built no mortal nest.)

444 - poetry

445 - tree shadows

446 - orange and blue

447 - this time of year

448 - moss on a roof

449 - beautiful handwritten letters from a favorite poet

Joining Ann today

Back to the drawing board

2011-09-15T11:21:00.012-04:00

If anyone out there has any sourdough starter experience, I'd love to hear from you. I made the starter, then fed and nurtured it like a good mama. Everything was going along fine.

I was able to get two delicious loaves from the experiment.

The recipe came from here. A nifty little book lent to me by a friend.

Here's the author. Don't you dig the Carol Brady vibe?

Anyways, the other morning I was all prepped to make a couple more loaves. I went to scoop out some starter only to find that it had turned into a moldy, disgusting, oozing mess. I couldn't stop gagging long enough to photograph it (not that you'd really want to see it).

So my question is - what happened? I did everything right - I think.

My second question is - fridge or counter?

After researching sourdough starter on the internet, some people said keep it in the fridge, others said no way, that will kill it. I kept mine on the counter, because for me, out of sight is out of mind.

I'm not ready to give up, so any advice would be most appreciated.

In the meantime, I returned to "old faithful", pictured above.

Works every time.

Still want to learn sourdough, though.

Color, Colour, Curiouser and Curiouser

2011-09-08T17:07:00.007-04:00

My daughter Joy who lives at the bottom of the world sent me this little video clip 'cause she knew I'd love it. And I hope that any of you colorlover, seer, curious types (or even if you're not) will give it a look-see. It's very short--almost too short in my opinion since I enjoyed it so much. What he said resonated with me on so many levels that it almost made me weepy. I wanted to sit down at this guy's table, eat pasta, and ask questions.

Now I suppose that Mr. Wolff was coming from a secular point of view, but I pondered over how his perspective is applicable to me as a believer-artist. When I watched this six-minute documentary, I couldn't help but rejoice at how God has wired us as unique individuals, and invites us to participate in His creative fire, to exercise the gifts he gave us. Surrendering my life to Christ has made it all doubly good because He has sanctified my curiousity, appreciation, and imagination, and puts it to use for His purposes. The whole package.

I'd be very interested to know what you think.

Joining Emily today

Bee-attitude gratitude

2011-09-04T17:14:00.026-04:00

We were able to christen our brand-spankin' new honey extracting equipment this weekend. While we haven't harvested our own backyard hive yet, friends brought the frames from theirs. We couldn't decide whether to play at being Hobbits at the house of Beorn or characters from the Hundred Acre Wood. Holy beehives, Batman, emptying ten frames of liquid gold was a lot of work, but the satisfying kind. We fortified ourselves with plenty of yummy food, great conversation, and of course, smackerals of H-U-N-N-Y.

Counting blessings

438 - Friendship/fellowship

439 - Divine order witnessed in a beehive

440 - The gentle honey bee

441 - Honey harvest

442 - The more than enough

443 - Bronwyn, who made this little slideshow

Joining Ann today

and Laura

Of Cabbages and Kings Oliphants

2011-09-01T13:56:00.020-04:00

"OK then, the sauerkraut experiment was a success!" she said modestly. Time to can.

The first step is to remove the topmost, slightly scummy layer of kraut, and discard with haste. By the way, can you see the little oliphant in the background? He seems to be rolling his eyes at my endeavor. He's a kitchen pal that makes me smile.

I found him in a thrift shop years ago, collecting dust among a bunch of old ceramic plant pots. He was quite disgusted, since in his former life, he had been a cherished teapot. Sadly, he had lost his lid and handle, but that was no reason to banish him to the Land of Misfit Pots. Twenty-five cents later, he came home with me. Don't you love the curly tail and the wrinkled bottom? I do.

Ollie has been repurposed as a garlic holder/aerator. I use garlic the way a kindergartener uses glitter--with abandon. It's good to have it within reaching distance rather than to have to hunt for it behind the pickles in my too-small refrigerator.

"Oh, the indignity of it!" he seems to be saying. But I know he's secretly pleased. Now back to the cabbage.

Sauerkraut must be brought to a simmer before canning. Then it is added to hot, sterilized jars, which I later processed in my pressure canner. I have no pictures of this, but trust me, I did it. I have no interest in poisoning anyone.

So, fifteen minutes later at five pounds of pressure for quart jars, voila!

Stoneware crock is now doing service as a sourdough starter container. Our next culinary adventure. So stay tuned...

Creek's risin'

2011-08-27T20:51:00.014-04:00

We had an earthquake here on Tuesday. 5.9 on the Richter scale. Now don't laugh, Cali girls. Yes, I mean you, JoAnn ;)

And now gale force winds are blowin' as I type. There's a threat of power loss - the mayor of Philadelphia was on TV saying we may be out for two weeks. Hope not. Anyhoo, in the calm before the storm, we were taking some precautions. I'm most worried about my creatures great and small, especially my bees.

Being concerned that the hive might topple over, my lovely man had the idea to stake it down, running cord up and over the top in hopes that it will stay put.

Here it had just started to rain. He remained patient as the bees swarmed around his head before scurrying into their home. If you're wondering why the hive is on a table, it's because our entire property sits atop a massive ant farm. The hive has to be elevated to keep the ants from swarming it to get the honey.

These ladies are tucked in safe and sound as well.

Not a care in the world

2011-08-23T20:17:00.020-04:00

“Sauerkraut and bacon drive all care away.”

- Pennsylvania Dutch proverb

I've always been curious about the making of sauerkraut. My curiosity led me to the small town of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, a place that gives you that funny, step-back-in-time feeling that I love so well. I was on the hunt for a stoneware crock to ferment sauerkraut in. Do you know you can pay over a hundred dollars for one of these? I was not about to do so, as this is just an experiment of sorts.

My next idea was to search out a vintage one, like my butter churn, until a kind soul left a comment on the internet about sauerkraut crocks. They pointed out that antique crocks should not be used because they may have lead in the glaze. Further, you could easily find one for about twenty dollars at an Ace Hardware store. This is what I call fortuitous, because Fleetwood looks like the kind of town where people still make their own sauerkraut - AND, they just happened to have their own old-timey Ace Hardware store...with wooden floors, no less! Oh, happiness....

When I got there, I inquired as to whether they carried an economical food-safe crock. Of course they did. Mwahahaha, come to mama. Then home again, home again, jiggety-jig.

Sauerkraut is ridiculously easy. Shredded cabbage, salt, water. That's it.

Here's the fun part. Stuff it into the crock. Cover the cabbage with cheesecloth. Put a plate on top of the cheesecloth, and a clean rock on top of the plate. The cabbage swells, so the purpose of the plate and rock is to keep the cabbage submerged in the salt water brine. After a day or two, bubble, bubble, toil and tr-... I mean fermenting begins and will continue for the next six weeks.

Three fortnights hence, the sauerkraut should be ready for canning. More on that a few weeks from now--'cause I know you're just as excited as I am...

Got Buttons?

2011-08-17T13:29:00.043-04:00

I do. Heaps of them. Bone. Mother-of-pearl. Glass. Wood. Celluloid. You name it.

And they've been winking at me from their box, telling me they're too dandy to be hidden away.

So, to oblige the little play pretties ('scuse the cowboy lingo - I've been reading True Grit by Charles Portis - a great book, by the way), I made a little wall hanging to show them off.

The idea came from my friend Sarah, who made one when she was in college, recycling denim pants and some vintage buttons. I had always admired it, and asked her if she minded if I made one for myself. She didn't mind none. Thank you kindly, pardner.

So I did the same, cutting a strip of fabric from the leg of an old pair of jeans. Plus, I had some embroidered ribbon that I used to cover the back to hide the stitches. I reversed the ribbon to have the raw side facing up because I thought it looked more interesting.

Some of these buttons are at least a hundred years old. Some are from 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's. They really are little works of art in themselves, at least to my eye, and should be appreciated.

Quiet thinkeries

2011-08-14T22:52:00.016-04:00

Thanking God today for all the little things, noisy or no, that make me feel quiet inside.

Counting blessings

432 - the thunk of wood against an iron pot

433 - good linen

434 - oil cloth

435 - a green place to keep my thinkeries

436 - the darkness before the storm that begs for a kerosene lamp

437 - rainy afternoons that beg for a nap

Joining Ann today

Aliens can't read your mind--God can

2011-08-07T17:56:00.012-04:00

image from the movie Signs

Have you ever noticed my favorite movie quote on the sidebar--"Swing away, Merrill. Merrill, swing away"? It's from the movie Signs, by M. Night Shyamalan. Signs could be written off as a silly horror movie about alien invasion. But it's not--it's much more. It deals with the issues of grief, the loss and regaining of faith, and finding your life's purpose. I relate deeply with two characters, Graham and Merrill. Now, do I believe in aliens from outer space? No. In this film I'd say they are symbolic of horrible things that happen, over which we have no control. I don't want to say too much about Signs in case you haven't seen it. But I will say that God can use any medium to catch our attention. So here's my story--my sign.

When I was nine years old, I told God I did not believe in Him any more. Things had happened. Things that marked me, and not for the good. The older I got, the angrier and more reckless I became. By age nineteen, I knew a lot more about life than a nineteen year old should. I suffered from bouts of anxiety and insomnia. To comfort myself while trying to sleep, I would play this game in my mind. I would imagine myself as a little, little girl climbing the steps of a huge porch, and there would be Father God sitting on a porch swing. And when He sees me, He opens His arms and welcomes me into His lap, and rocks me until I fall asleep. This was the only time where I would allow myself to consider the possibility of His existence.

One random Wednesday evening, I was walking past a church and heard singing. Out of curiosity, I wandered in and stood in the back. The people at the front of the church were gathered together wholeheartedly worshipping. When I looked at them, even though I was within a few yards, I felt a million miles away. They seemed so clean. I felt so not. I became acutely aware that one day they would be in heaven, and I would not. The sense was so strong that I literally started screaming. Two women rushed to the back. You'd have thought they would have put me out for creating such a disturbance. Instead they tenderly put their arms around me, and I sobbed and sobbed, and unleashed all the years of pent-up pain and rage.

After I'd calmed down, one of the women shyly said to me, "I hope you won't think this is weird, but God wants you to know something. He's telling me that every night, you play a game to put yourself to sleep. He wants you to know it's not a game. He was there. He is there. He wants you to come home." I was stunned. No one knew about that "game" but me--and the God who is there.

That night I came home. My life has never been the same. Some pains and sorrows are still with me. But they are not my master. Jesus is. No one could ever convince me that God does not exist. No one ever will. I was born for a purpose. And while I'm here, I'll swing away.

Joining Emily today

Le jardin

2011-08-04T10:31:00.008-04:00

DOmesticities

2011-07-31T22:08:00.040-04:00

"Every home was a brick in the great wall of decent living that men erected over and over again as a bulwark against the perpetual flooding in of evil. But women made the bricks, and the durableness of civilization depended upon their quality.”

Elizabeth Goudge
Pilgrim’s Inn

Counting blessings

431 - home

Joining Ann today

Work that's Kinda like Play

2011-07-26T18:44:00.026-04:00

"Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life become a beautiful success, in spite of poverty."

Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

Want to walk with me?

2011-07-24T21:53:00.009-04:00

Counting Blessings

430 - morning walks on the path to my workplace

"Paths are there for us to follow,
This is gospel I believe
Angels are around us flying,
Truth and mercy to receive
Pictures of uncommon nature,
Painted by a masters hand
Draw me ever on life's journey,
Rendered thus to understand."

Song by Reeltime Travelers

Joining Ann today

Kat in the hat

2011-07-23T00:12:00.008-04:00

Congratulations to Kat of the charming blog The Rose Garden. Please let me know me where to send it, dearie.

Thank you everybody for playing along, and for your overwhelming kindness. I wish I could send everyone a prezzie. And I really mean that. xox

Thanks to my daughter Bron for being the unbiased hat-holder-name-picker for this year's drawing.

One More Day!

2011-07-21T13:25:00.006-04:00

Sharing with you a vid of my favorite musicians/poets, the Innocence Mission. To me, this song embodies the joys of blogging, connecting people together. Don't forget, tomorrow the winner of the give-away will be revealed!

Now we are two

2011-07-14T20:41:00.015-04:00

...well, almost. My blog birthday is technically not until tomorrow. But being only two, my self-control is still developing, and I WANT TO PLAY NOW!!! In true hobbit fashion, it is my pleasure to give you a present on my birthday. And I hope the lucky recipient enjoys these little tokens pictured below.

I wanted these things to represent the spirit of Curious Acorn, and what you'll find when you visit here, and to thank you for the back-and-forths, humor, tears, prayers, and genuine friendships that have sprouted and grown during the last two years.

The little tile shown below comes from one of my favorite haunts - the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Its founder, Henry Mercer, realized that with the advance of the Industrial Revolution, the old ways of making things were being lost. He made it his mission to see that these skills and processes were not forgotten. I like that.

Along with the tile and stand, there is also a small Wyeth painting magnet, a carved squirrel, a vintage tea tin, and a silver acorn.

All you need to do is to leave a comment on this post (lurkers, this includes you, so if you've never commented before, don't be shy now). Deadline is Friday July 22rd at 11:59PM EST. Next week I will pick one name out of a hat, and then this little package will wing its way to you, wherever you are in the world!

More than enough - Amen

2011-07-09T21:56:00.039-04:00

"Well," said Jamie, glad enough to change the subject. "What would you say was enough? What would you think would be about the right amount for us to have?"
The little scout thought that over and then announced conclusively: "I'd say that anybody that's got the east acre or the west acre of this place, and a long row of beehives, and lots of fruit trees, and flowers, and flowers, and worlds of flowers, and the sand and the sea, and a little house that yells 'come on in!' clear across the road to you, I'd say that if they had enough to own that and get the bread and butter and the strawberry pop and the hot dogs, I'd say they didn't need another thing on earth--clothes, of course--I forgot about enough clothes to cover 'em up with".

from The Keeper of the Bees, by Gene Stratton-Porter

Counting blessings

418 - dahlias

419 - sody pop

420 - open doors

421 - green tomatoes

422 - bread and butter

423 - bottle gardens

424 - her practicing

425 - vintage tatting

426 - bees in the borage

427 - ...and worlds of flowers

428 - plein aire painting

429 - minding their own beeswax

Joining Ann today

A repost - and a giveaway, or Narnia meets Middle Earth

2011-07-06T20:19:00.019-04:00

I've had Narnia on the brain lately. Maybe because last year at this time, I was there. Let's take a quick jump down repost lane...through the wardrobe, of course.

The year the movie Prince Caspian was released was a particularly exhausting time for my husband and I. Both of us were worn to a frazzle, so one day we sought a few hours of respite at the movie theatre. There is a wonderful scene in the film where the Pevensie children are suddenly transported from a dark and dreary underground train station back to the land of light-filled Narnia.

That scene just tore at my heart. It was so gorgeous, so breathtakingly beautiful. I remember tears welling up in my eyes, and silently thinking, "Lord, I wish I could run on that beach".

At the time, I had no idea that this scene had been filmed at Cathedral Cove in New Zealand. Nor did I have any idea that two years later, God was going to answer that secret desire of my heart. Our Father - He's like that. O people, His lovingkindness is better than life!

Being there

Being there

Being there

Now for some party business...

Being of the hobbity sort, I enjoy giving presents on my blog birthday. If you were visiting this little space around this time last year, you'll know what I mean. Next Friday, July 15th, Curious Acorn will be two years old. Save the date, and check in for the details of this year's giveaway.

Heavens to Betsy!

2011-07-04T13:49:00.023-04:00

Every Independence Day our church participates in the township 4th of July parade. What fun, dressing up as Betsy Ross and riding on a float, tossing candy to children, waving the royal wave. Thank you Kathy W. and Joy for teaching me the princess wave ("Elbow, elbow, wrist, wrist, touch the locket, blow a kiss").

Well, I'm not sure that royal waving and declarations of independence go hand in hand. Perhaps not in the country where I'm from. But maybe as a citizen in the one where I'm going. Once a king or queen in Narnia...

Happy 4th, everyone.

v

Olá

2011-06-29T21:01:00.012-04:00

When my boys were teenagers, they spent a month doing short-term missions work in Brazil. They truly loved the people, the culture, and the food. While they were there, one of the foods they ate regularly was Brazilian beans and rice. Though happy to be home after a long journey, they found themselves craving this dish that they had enjoyed so much.

Shortly after, I had occasion to meet a Brazilian girl who was working in the States as an au pair. She was terribly homesick. One of the things she missed was being able to prepare food from her homeland. How fortuitous! To make a long story short, we got together and she taught me how to make her "mommy's" recipe. It was a win-win situation and a wonderful evening of food and fellowship. It's been a family favorite for years. There must be a million variations on this dish. Here's the way we make it:

4 cups of pinto beans soaked overnight
3 green peppers
1 large onion
2 cloves of garlic
salt pork
rice

When you're ready to cook, drain the beans and pour them into a heavy bottomed sauce pan. Cover them with fresh water. To keep it easy, I chop the peppers, onion, and garlic together in a food processor. I used 2 pablanos and a sweet pepper because that's what I had on hand. Add them to the pot with the water and the beans, along with a hunk of salt pork. Salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cook until beans are tender. Serve over rice. Garlicky broccoli rabe makes a nice accompaniment.

And carry on

2011-06-26T21:08:00.024-04:00

"It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life." So says Bilbo Baggins in the LOTR movie. And being a hobbit of the Tookish sort, I agree.

Counting blessings

410 - A day of baking and chatting with my friend and history buff Steph from World Turn'd Upside Down.

411 - things that grow

412 - road trip

413 - misty mountains

414 - destinations

415 - roadside cafes

416 - coconut creme heaven

417 - the end

Joining Ann today

Jam Session

2011-06-21T14:49:00.037-04:00

My husband is an amazing musician. Our sons like to brag that he can play more instruments than most men have had hot meals.

He's passed down the music gene to all our children. They certainly didn't get it from me. Apart from appreciation, I have no musical ability whatsoever, even after a few years of piano lessons. It just wasn't happenin'.

No worries. My passions to create lie elsewhere. So while my family fills the house with music, I do some jamming of my own.

With fake book in hand (hey, when you live with musicians, you pick up the lingo!), I'm ready to rock

A good conductor is a master of measures and timing

tapping my toes to the beat of the boil

hot rhythm section to add sizzle

Crescendo to a stirring finale

The maestro lives for the castanet-like snap of a well-sealed jar

To quote one of my favorite vocalists, Mama Cass Elliot, "You gotta make your own kind of music" :)

And the livin' is easy

2011-06-20T00:14:00.016-04:00

"Tell you what I like the best --
'Long about knee-deep in June,
'Bout the time strawberries melt
On the vine, --some afternoon
Like to jes' get out and rest,
And not work at nothin' else!"

James Whitcomb Riley

Counting blessings

402 - a pleasant way to spend the afternoon

403 - remains

404 - hayrides

405 - the scent of honeysuckle in the night air

406 - pewter plates

407 - just washed

408 - chocolate chips under glass

409 - summer reading

Joining Ann today

In high feather

2011-06-14T21:36:00.018-04:00

Been collecting them for years -

Someday I might make something artsy with them. Not sure yet.

But for now I just stare in wonder at their sheen, color, form, and sometimes intricate patterns.

I hear them say--no, shout--GOD IS.

God, a magnificent, caring, personal Creator.

A posy to consider: that He would so grandly dress something so inconsequential

Does it sound fanciful that every time I find a feather on one of my nature rambles, it makes me giddy?

Because to me, it's a love token that He's trained my eyes to find. And I snatch it up with delight!

Birds, Bees, and Retro Meanderings

2011-06-06T17:41:00.053-04:00

It all started with me noticing my little honeybees hovering over the birdbath and swooping down like garden fairies for a drink. Just standing there watching them made me so happy. I've learned that honeybees benefit from a having a water source near the hive to keep them healthy, so I was glad for our homemade birdbath, a homeschool project made by our eldest boy and I about eighteen years ago.

The idea came from volume two of the hippie-licious Family Creative Workshop books from the early '70's. The collection was given to us many years ago by a friend who thought they might be useful to a homeschooling family.

After all these years, they're a little worse for wear but still in circulation at our house. The youngest and I love to pull them out to see what may inspire. Anyway, that's where we found the how-to for making a cement birdbath.

After some research online, I still think this is the best method by far, even though this picture is not much help. Family Creative Workshop can still be found in some libraries. If you can't find it but you're interested in making one, let me know and I'll help you with the details.

So here we are in 1993 proudly displaying our mama-and-son project.

And here's the handsome fella all grown up with a baba of his own. Maybe they'll make one someday, beings that the grandbaby adores "tweet-tweets". Sheesh! Where does the time go? Thanks goodness I haven't aged much...*cough*

If you're still reading at this point, thank you. Feelings of nostalgia make me long-winded.

Oh, and one more thing - the stones decorating the birdbath rim belonged to my husband. He collected and polished them in a rock tumbler when he was a little boy.

Family Creative happy memories all around.

"And the seasons they go 'round and 'round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captive on the carousel of time
We can't return we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game."

Joni Mitchell

Almost as good as being there

2011-05-29T19:46:00.014-04:00

My girl and her husband live at the bottom of the world. My girl is having her first baby. I wish I could be there to pat her belly. I can't. Not yet, anyway. But in the meantime, I'm so grateful for this little film. Her dad and I can't watch it without wiping away tears. Thanks, Rhys and Joy, for generously letting me share this.

And thank you for the video, Jade. We pray God will take you far with the talent He has given you. You're already a legend in our house.

So dear friends, please watch this little film and celebrate life with us.

Boy? Girl? from Jade Lee on Vimeo.

399 - celebrating God's blessings

400 - your children's children

401 - technology that shortens the miles

Joining Ann today

and Laura

Charming

2011-05-27T22:27:00.018-04:00

Not quite Idgie Threadgood, but learning. Who da thunk you could fall in love with a bug? But I have. These are the gentlest of creatures, and I do feel very relaxed and at peace around them.

Here I am checking on the hive for the first time

Is my bee shirt on inside out? Yes. I was so excited about getting out there that I wasn't even paying attention

I want to thank my husband for standing by. Even though you can't see him, he was giving me words of encouragement. And thanks to my daughter for taking the photos, especially because she's not crazy about bees

Good girls

Still in Progress

2011-05-25T18:32:00.019-04:00

"Life cannot be divided into a spiritual part and a non-spiritual part. If Jesus Christ is indeed Lord, he must be Lord of all in every area."

Francis Schaeffer

A self-portrait of sorts, a work in progress, like me. Rough spots brushed smooth. Less shadow, more light, please. Paint, pray, play. I know my limitations, but I also know that You're greater than my limitations. Use everything, even my shortfalls, to bring You glory. I'm still reaching.

oil on canvas

Joining Emily today

And Laura @ http://www.lauraboggess.com/2011/05/playdates-beauty-of-dying.html

Makings

2011-05-22T20:45:00.020-04:00

Counting blessings

391 - soaking seeds

392 - busy bees

393 - spring light

394 - reflecting

395 - good eggs

396 - outside work

397 - mending fences

398 - Boylan's Black Cherry soda on a hot day

Joining Ann today

Yeah, I'm a Newbie

2011-05-15T21:33:00.045-04:00

For the longest time now, I've wanted to raise honeybees. As I've said before, I am enchanted by all things beeish...honey, beeswax, etc. I've dreamed of being a bee charmer like Idgie Threadgoode in Fried Green Tomatoes, or sending the love like August and Lilly in The Secret Life of Bees. Finally it happpened. At last I'm realizing this dream and thanking God for creating the marvelous, gentle honeybee. My husband and I had the best time setting up the supers and releasing the little winged lovelies. We didn't get stung once. I did burn myself twice with the smoker. But that was okay. I was too happy to care.

Counting blessings

381 - For meeting Jeff Eckel of We Bee Brothers who provided me with the bees he raised and the equipment I needed. You should visit him here. These guys are so cool.

382 - my hive packed up and waiting to go home with their new mama

383 - We Bee Brothers inspirational and amazing urban farm gardens

384 - my frame-filled supers

385 - bringing my Russian/Carniolan babies home

386 - random backyard beauty

387 - bees' new neighborhood

388 - there's veggies to pollenate

389 - flowers to visit

390 - home sweet home

Joining Ann today

Like Buttah

2011-05-10T16:42:00.028-04:00

Do you see this lovely object before you? It was handmade for me by my Texan daughter-in-law. This, my friends, is a dasher. It's a tool needed for making butter the old-fashioned way.

This is my beloved butter churn, given to me by my beloved husband. The only thing that was missing was a dasher. And the proper lid, which was also supplied by the aforementioned beloved daughter-in-law.

Does it look like I'm hugging my butter churn? Because I am! I love butter in a Julia Child sort of way. And I love making my own butter. Want to join me?

First we'll need to scald the churn and dasher with boiling water.

Next, we add some heavy cream which we've allowed to reach room temperature. Cold cream won't work. Not sure why, but it doesn't. There is a scientific answer, but do we care? Meh!

By the way, I used a pint of cream. We're going to move the dasher up and down like a plunger, keeping a steady pace. Now you know why pioneer women were buff...

It's going to take thirty to forty-five minutes, so we'll kill time reading a book about beekeeping, which is our soon-to-be next adventure. Woot!

We know we're ready for the next step when a soft mass of butter begins to form on the dasher. The sound in the churn will be less splashy and more thunky. Holding a strainer over the bowl, pour the butter out.

Did you ever wonder how buttermilk was made? There you go. The white liquid remaining is buttermilk. Pour it into a jar and save it for some baking.

This is my ever-so-cool antique butter paddle. I don't like antiques you have to dust, I like antiques you have to use. And what is more...oh, let's just move on

Place the buttery blob in a bigger bowl and use the paddle to squeeze out the excess buttermilk while rinsing the butter with cold water. This prevents the butter from turning sour. You press it against the sides of the bowl until all the buttermilk comes out. When you rinse, the water will come clean. Then pour all of the rinse water off and discard.

Next, add a pinch or two of salt and mix in.

Lastly, I wrap the butter in a lightly greased piece of parchment paper.

Refrigerate until firm. I'm on the hunt for an affordable antique butter stamp. I passed one up in Texas, and I'm kicking myself now because I found after some investigating that the one I'd seen had a really reasonable price compared to what they go for here.

Well, we don't have to have a press to enjoy what we've made. Bon appetit!

Prayer journal scribbles - Beyond the border

2011-05-04T22:17:00.015-04:00

*Click on the image and read some life (Mk 12: 32-34, The Message)

Joining Emily today

Texas Thrifty

2011-05-03T11:21:00.057-04:00

The lovely Leila @ Like Mother, Like Daughter(http://ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com/2011/05/chatty.html)asked the question, "Do you like thirfting?" Yes indeedy, we do like thrifting at our house. But the rule is, 'something in, something out', so we're not just accumulating a bunch of stuff. And it has to be beautiful and useful, a la William Morris. "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."

Looky here. A beautiful--to me--vintage, enamelware double-boiler, and graniteware colander thingy. Now I no longer have to stick a small pot in a frying pan to do my double-boiling. And the colander, wowwie! Where I live, old graniteware, no matter how beat-up, is expensive. So this was an amazingly cheap find. I'm imagining just-rinsed, deep red strawberries sitting in it. I think it's pretty enough to plop on the table.

Next were the books. I don't think I'll be painting china anytime soon, but it did have some excellent illustrations on how to paint fruits and flowers. And the added bonus: folded inside the book were some delicate tissue paper sketches that must've belonged to the previous owner. How nice!

I actually got a whole bag of books for $1.78, and most of them went to Calamity Jane.

The 1957 copy of Winnie the Pooh came home with granny (clears throat) for when grandchildren visit. And the primary hymmnal, circa 1929, was too sweet to resist. I find a lot of comfort in reading the words of old hymms.

Do you like thrifting? If so, what have you thrifted lately?

"The cowboys cry - ki-yip-pie-yi"

2011-05-01T18:27:00.036-04:00

Had a rootin', tootin' time in Texas with my wonderful son, his lovely wife, and our darling dear grandbaby. I'm grateful; so I'm

Counting blessings

370 - Granny's little cowpoke

371 - Small towns

372 - Rush hour

373 - Blue Bell!

374 - Peeps

375 - My new kicks--yeah, I'm bad

376 - Western Swing

377 - The old codger who taught my baby the Foxtrot

378 - Great-tailed Grackles

379 - Discovering Cascarones

380 - Boy, Howdy!

Joining Ann today

Easter Greetings

2011-04-22T18:13:00.004-04:00

Howdy ya'll! (Picking up the lingo while visiting family in Texas) Hope everyone has a blessed Easter. Be back soon.

From the rising of the sun

2011-04-17T20:56:00.021-04:00

"I still find each day too short for all the
thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want
to take, all the books I want to read, and all
the friends I want to see."

John Borroughs

Counting blessings

365 - palm

366 - my own sun puddle inspired by Emily

367 - fern-filled forests

368 - gleefully getting lost

369 - inviting you to tea

Joining Ann today

Letters Home

2011-04-13T14:08:00.023-04:00

I'm an adult who loves childrens' books. There, I said it, and I'm not ashamed. There are some things I missed out on in my younger years that I'm making up for now. Here's a favorite that I'd like to recommend:

The Gardener is a story about how seeds of love transform. It follows the story of a little girl living an idyllic country life, surrounded by a caring family, poor but happy. Sadly, when the Great Depression hits hard, she must be sent away to live with a gruff, old uncle who lives in the city while her parents look for work. The story is told in a series of letters that Lydia Grace sends to the folks back home.

You know, God is always speaking; even in the most unusual places, He will reveal Himself. I hear Him in this funny little story. There's a line in one of the letters that would make my voice crack if I read it aloud:

"I've tried to remember everything you ever taught me about beauty. Love to all, Lydia Grace."

This one line makes me want to write my own letter:

Dear Abba,

I write this to You, recognizing Your fingerprints all over this lump of clay. And I also own that any creative spark and thirst for beauty in me was a gift from You, came out of You. I'm Your girl; I got Your DNA. So while I'm far from home, I'll try to remember everything You ever taught me about beauty. And in my small, imperfect way, I give it back to You. I want to make You proud.

Love to all,

~J

Joining Emily today

Have all three

2011-04-10T23:20:00.016-04:00

Rules for Happiness:
Something to do,
Someone to love,
Something to hope for.

Immanual Kant

Counting blessings

360 - Your childrens' children

361 - summer in a jam jar

362 - alliteration

363 - matinees

364 - "I burn while I am of use" (Thomas Carlyle) - my new motto

Joining Ann today

Time to cut the wick

2011-04-07T14:20:00.014-04:00

To be honest, I didn't want to get out of my warm bed early this morning and put on four layers of antique garb, trudge up a muddy path, hold my breath past the pigpen, and cut the wick, stir the wax, and play at being a chandler for 96 fourth graders.

Today was my first day back to work after winter hibernation, and I always grumble while searching for my buckle shoes in the dark. But once I get there...

...I remember why I love this job and the children with their questions. Like today - "Are you comfortable wearing that junk, lady?"

I love the tools of my trade - today, a candlemaker

and the smell of wood smoke

and still rooms

and the company of other history geeks

Every year I say "This year - I'm quitting. I'm too old for this." And when the day is over, I say, "Well, maybe next year".

Thanks everybody for your kind words and prayers. I'm feeling much better.

Not enough sleep repost

2011-04-04T23:12:00.006-04:00

Hey everybody. It's funny when you don't blog for a few days. You really miss it. I'm putting up a seasonal repost 'cause I'm recovering. Nothing serious. The love of my life had to pull night shift all this past week. Midnight to eight a.m. Yuck! I don't sleep well when he's not there. I don't sleep at all, actually. Which doesn't go well with rheumatoid arthritis, which I have. Plenty of rest is essential for me to function.

No more night shift - hooray! But my joints are still in recovery mode. So here's an oldie but goodie.

This is my friend Laurie. She makes exquisite Ukrainian eggs. Laurie's not Ukrainian, but she is talented and generous with her knowledge. She will teach anybody who wants to learn how to make them.

She's crafty and hospitable, serving us pysanky students a delicious lunch beforehand.

Everything Laurie makes is pretty

Can you believe we're going to learn how to make these?

The tools - egg, beeswax, and kistka (writing pen)

dyes especially made for pysanky

she demonstrated how to heat the kistka in the candle flame, dip the hot pen into the beeswax, and scoop it up to write on the egg, like a waxy ink.

Both the colors and the designs on a pysanky egg are symbolic. At one time the designs were a form of pagan folk art but later took on Christian meaning.

You dip the egg in dyes from the lightest to the darkest colors, covering with wax any parts that you want to preserve.

After the final dye bath, with black traditionally being the last color, it's time to melt away the wax.

Carefully holding the egg near the candle flame, you melt the wax and gently wipe it away with a cloth.

"Humpty Dumpty had a great fall..." Yes, my egg broke shortly after I finished it - one of the risks of pysanky which make it so exciting - sort of like an extreme sport...

More of Laurie's artistry

Gorgeous. My friend has been making these eggs for her family for many years. What a gift!

Inspiration / collaboration

2011-03-28T16:32:00.032-04:00

If you've never seen the movie The Secret of the Kells, you must. It's mesmerizing. This story is a fictionalized animation of a young monk named Brendan and the creation of the Book of Kells. Nothing makes my mouth water for pens, inks, and pigments like the Book of Kells and illuminated writings. I dream of one day learning the art in depth. But for now, I am content with my scribbles while pretending to be Brendan.

My daughter Bronwyn has been interested in film, and is teaching herself how to make short vignettes. I'm so proud of her. Not only did she record and edit one of my prayer journal doodlings, but she mixed in the music, which comes from the soundtrack CD she bought me for Christmas, titled Brendan et le Secret de Kells. In a word, inspiring. I listen to it constantly, especially while doodling. Well done, Bron.

"How many are your works, O Lord!
In wisdom You made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
There is the sea, vast and spacious,
teeming with creatures beyond number--
Living things both large and small.
There the ships go to and fro,
and the leviathan, which you formed
to frolic there."

Psalm 104: 24-26

Joining Emily today

Quiet measures

2011-03-27T20:12:00.014-04:00

"The whole house and garden is one vast obscenity. It bears a sickening resemblance to the description one human writer made of Heaven; 'the regions where there is only life and therefore all that is not music is silence'.

Music and silence—how I detest them both! How thankful we should be that ever since our Father entered Hell—though longer ago than humans, reckoning in light years, could express—no square inch of infernal space and no moment of infernal time has been surrendered to either of those abominable forces, but all has been occupied by Noise—Noise, the grand dynamism, the audible expression of all that is exultant, ruthless, and virile—Noise which alone defends us from silly qualms, despairing scruples, and impossible desires. We will make the whole universe a noise in the end. We have already made great strides in this direction as regards the Earth. The melodies and silences of Heaven will be shouted down in the end. But I admit we are not yet loud enough, or anything like it. Research is in progress..."

Screwtape to Wormwood, The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

Counting blessings

353 - silence

354 - music

355 - silence

356 - music

357 - silence

358 - music

359 - silence

Joining Ann today

(cue Springsteen): Born in the U.S.A.

2011-03-24T17:07:00.022-04:00

Photo taken in the bedroom of a distinctly American messy teenager

Today I had the honor of receiving a Stylish Blogger award from the gorgeous Joybird at Songbird in His Court. Now before I go on, I need to say that I've been given blog awards before, but I haven't posted about them because it made me shy. But I did and do very much appreciate them nonetheless. I'm always surprised that anyone would want to award my babblings. Anyhoo, it's what Joybird said that made me laugh out loud, and I had to respond.

"Jodi lives in the USA but there is something distinctly British about her in my opinion."

Unbeknownst to Miss Joybird, I have been told this very thing all my life.

Not just about the UK, but other countries as well. For example, there was the recently immigrated Irish guy who was working on our house. This is what he said - "Your accent is pretty good American, but where are you really from?"

While in the Ukraine, someone said to me through a translator, "You're too polite for an American. Where are you really from?"

A friend from West Africa told us that "Your hospitality is more Liberian than American".

I've also been asked what part of Eastern Europe I'm from, was wished "shabot shalom" from a salesperson in a department store, been mistaken for a Canadian, and was told by a Welsh friend that the stork definitely dropped me on the wrong side of the pond.

I like to flatter myself by thinking that I'm unknowingly living out I Corinthians 9:22--being all things to all men. But who knows. One thing I know to be true, though. I do love people, all kinds of people. And I'm grateful that blogging has enabled me to meet so many from all over the globe.

So the award requires the revealing of 7 things your readers may not know about you.
The story above counts for number one.

2. When I'm stressed, I hum the theme to "Elmo's World". I have no idea why.

3. I went to a different school every year until I got to ninth grade. Don't ask, it's complicated.

4. I sometimes spell the word color this way: colour. I think it looks prettier the British way.

5. When talking really fast I pronounce "house" like a Canadian. Not on purpose. Really.

6. I once smirked at a man in a cafe who wouldn't stop staring at me. I later found out that the man was the painter Andrew Wyeth.

7. This is the longest post I've ever written.

8. (bonus) I have an overly-sensitive conscience, which is why I can't pick a certain number of people to send the award back to. Seriously, I love all of the blogs I read, and it's too painful to choose only a certain number. That is why I haven't really played along before. I really do enjoy the creativity and uniqueness that each one of you express. I think you're all wonderful. So to any blogger who reads this, feel free to join in. I pick you.

Period Pieces

2011-03-22T17:17:00.060-04:00

Anybody who's read this blog for a while knows that I have a thing for period drama, and as my kids call it, "old, dusty stuff". The old, dusty stuff in this case means vintage jewelry. Over the years, I've found some wonderful pieces for as little as 35 cents.

The BBC drama TV series, The House of Elliot (set in the 1920's) has been making me swoony. It's the jewelry the Elliot sisters wear. Long, swingy necklaces; drop earrings, beads galore. My daughter Bron has been patient with me as I shout, "OH! Look at the color of that necklace!" while she's trying to absorb the storyline. It's so well written that you can't help but fall in love with the characters.

The siblings, Beatrice and Evangeline, left penniless by their philandering father, try to make ends meet by designing and selling clothes, and dream of starting a fashion house for the well-heeled. They are quite talented, and you find yourself rooting for them until they start making disasterous choices that affect not only them, but those around them. At which point it's not me who's shouting, but my youngest girl, "No, Evie, don't be stupid! Grow up, Bea! Jack's wonderful--what's wrong with you?! I don't feel sorry for them one bit."

But anyway...this drama has inspired me to share with you some of my vintage costume jewelry.

My blue glass strand, which now shall be called 'Miss Evie's beads'.

A close-up

You can't tell from the photo, but the clear crystal pendant on this piece has a faint lavender hue.

This locket was given to me by my friend Julie as a birthday gift. You can meet her at One Penny Jumble Packet.

Close-up of the acorns on the locket

And the most charming part. Inside, I found this photo. I don't know who she is. Someone's mother...aunt...sister? I can't bear to take her out.

This has a bittersweet memory attatched. My husband gave it to me after I had miscarried many years ago.

Don't you love these drippy hearts? My husband also gave me this one when we were newlyweds. He found it in a thrift shop near our first apartment.

I purchased this for 35 cents when I was in high school. I believe it's vintage, but not sure how old.

Love the old clasp.

Now, last but not least, you might want to visit the lovely Rayanne over at
Lovely Thought.
She's having a jewelry giveaway.

Thankful for such things

2011-03-20T20:22:00.024-04:00

"I would make it a rule to eradicate from my patient any strong personal taste which is not actually a sin, even if it is something quite trivial such as a fondness for country cricket or collecting stamps or drinking cocoa. Such things, I grant you, have nothing of virtue in them, but there is a sort of innocence and humility and self-forgetfulness about them which I distrust."

Screwtape speaking to Wormwood in The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis

Counting blessings

344 - start with an early morning visit to Aunt Barbie's doughnuts

345 - deciding that a party of three necessitates the purchase of the three-dozen family pack

346 - riding the back roads

347 - while listening to audio books

348 - being made to slow down

349 - giving us time to enjoy the view

350 - then meeting up with friends who invite you to...

351 - a Saint Patrick's Day feast

352 - and dancing home by the light of the moon

Joining Ann today

ModgePodge and ...

2011-03-17T16:32:00.018-04:00

scissors, magazines, brushes or sponges, old letters, stamps, ugly tins that are too useful to throw out, and most importantly, a talented artistic gal to spend a crafternoon with.

OK, so I've known Miss Crafty since she was two. Wow, that makes me old--never mind. She and her sister Beks have been my daughter's friends since they were all babies, and for as long as I can remember, Lisa and her sister have been making all sorts of delightful things. Honored that this girly girl would want to hang out with an old lady and teach her the art of collage/decoupage.

What I most appreciate about Lisa's approach to collage is that she really thinks it through rather than just slapping together a bunch of pretty pictures. She considers color and theme. In her own words, "It's like putting a puzzle together or telling a story".

Here's a clever use of an old soda can tab. It looks like a belt buckle, doesn't it?

Lisa carefully plans out her design, making sure she's completely satisfied with the layout before gluing anything to the tin.

How cool is that - besides beautiful, that's one less Altoids tin rusting away in a landfill.

*ModgePodge® can be found in most craft stores. I am receiving no compensation for this announcement :)

Retreat

2011-03-13T23:21:00.008-04:00

Counting blessings

338 - woodland prayer closets
339 - Bible, journal, pens
340 - the company of wise women, young and old
341 - late night talks while eating too much candy
342 - experiencing the weight of glory during worship
343 - coming home a different person

Joining Ann today

In the Company of Saints and Poets

2011-03-09T14:17:00.009-05:00

Welcome to another peek into my journal scribbles.

Click on the photo to enlarge and take in some life.
*Romans 8:18-26*
Joining Emily today

Lolly cake, lolly cake, oh lolly lolly lolly Lolly cake

2011-03-06T21:48:00.032-05:00

When I get together with my girls, we like to mess about in the kitchen, concocting all kinds of yummy things. While home for Christmas, my oldest girl taught us how to make lolly cake, a traditional kiwi dessert (kiwi meaning New Zealand, which is where she now lives *sniff*, in case you're new here).

Anyhoo, I was going to post this when we had actually made the cake between Christmas and New Year's. But I figured that by then, visions of sugar plums dancing in your head might be tiresome.

Still, this is a dainty worth making, and might be perfect for springtime celebrations. Here's a link to the complete recipe.

For the lolly (candy) in the recipe I used Jet-Puffed multi-colored marshmallows. I cut them in quarters and let them air dry a bit to firm up. You can also use a type of candy called circus peanuts. I don't use circus peanuts. They make me shudder. But never mind that.

Easy, no bake, hardly any fuss, sweetie

Now for some tea

What feeds you?

2011-03-03T12:19:00.016-05:00

Kindled by what my daughter shared at Paper Canary, I got to thinking about a painting that inspired and stuck with me, and sort of developed a part of me - something I identified with (or wanted to). When I was a kid, it wasn't Barbie glam or the Fairy tale princess that I wanted to be. It was the homely cook in the kitchen that grabbed my heart. Vermeer caught me first with his painting Maid Pouring Milk. The beauty, the dignity, the quiet ordinary--I wanted it. Could I articulate this when I first saw the picture in my Child's World encyclopedia? Nope. I was only five or six. But something sparked.

Then there was the flour-dusted granny from My First Reader. Yeah. I wanted to be her, too. Why? I don't know, but there was something warm, comforting, and safe in that world. Simple domesticities. I love cooking for and feeding people. It's my love language. Like Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows, "Come along inside...we'll see if tea and buns can make the world a better place".

How about you? Can you think back on any work of art that inspired your likes or loves?

Joining Emily today

Ordinary moments

2011-02-27T20:53:00.025-05:00

I was an angry and depressed teen when I first saw the play Our Town by Thornton Wilder. Even though I was too immature to grasp all of its implications, I remember getting a lump in my throat listening to the wistful words of the ghostly Emily who has been given the chance to look back at a day in her short life:

"Good-by, Good-by, world. Good-by, Grover's Corners...Mama and Papa. Good-by to clocks ticking...and Mama's sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new-ironed dresses and hot baths...and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you."

She looks toward the stage manager and asks abruptly, through her tears:

"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?--every, every minute?

Stage Manager: "No." [Pause]

"The saints and poets, maybe--they do some."

Saints and poets? The end of the play was a beginning for me, a turn, a thawing, the budding of the teeniest desire to be in their company. Looking back, I can see that God was once again drawing me, urging me to choose life, and while I'm not much of a poet, by His grace and redemption, I know I'll be in that number when the saints go marching in. In the mean time, I'm glad to be very much alive, appreciating the blessings of ordinary moments. Will you join me?

Counting blessings

331 - the carved stone beauty I almost missed because I was grumping about the cold
332 - a favorite corner

333 - potential

334 - final stitches

335 - finished in all its wonky loveliness

336 - hand washables

337 - my old Brown Betty full of hot tea

Joining Ann today

Therapy

2011-02-24T19:54:00.011-05:00

Yes, I admit it. When overwhelmed by heavy thoughts, I sometimes seek distraction in my local thrift shop. Lookie what I found! The coolest green shelf to hold my tea tins. And in the Last Chance Room, no less.

A dollar ninety-eight!...yeah, when I'm stressed, I'm out of control. But seriously, $1.98?

Personally, Ronald (may I call you Ronald?), wherever you are, I want you to know that I think your "Custom Made" handiwork is worth a lot more, and we promise to treasure it on our kitchen wall for years to come.

P.S. Hey Ron, who is M. Pecuich?

Prayer request

2011-02-23T00:21:00.009-05:00

Dear friends, if you would, please remember the people of New Zealand in your prayers. This is the homeland of my son-in-law. You can find more information on my daughter's blog. Thank you.

Counting while it is yet day

2011-02-21T11:46:00.016-05:00

"The man is blessed who every day is permitted to behold anything so pure and serene as the western sky at sunset, while revolutions vex the world."
Henry David Thoreau

And yet let me not forget those who suffer revolutions that vex the world. Peace, protection, and freedom we pray. O God, let me never take for granted that I am permitted for now the privilege of contemplating a sunset while others dream of peace.

Counting blessings

327 - a whiff of spring

328 - freedom to read what others are free to express

329 - beauty found when looking up

330 - a place that for some reason makes me think of heaven

Joining Ann today

Currently reading...

2011-02-16T22:19:00.008-05:00

Has this ever happened to you? You’re reading a book, and suddenly, you feel as if you’re there, experiencing all the sights, sounds, and emotions that the subject is encountering. This happens to me from time to time, like the other day, when I was reading about an episode from the life of Paul as a young man of thirteen:

“As Saul boarded the boat at the docks of Tarsus, he had no idea just how familiar the nauseating heaving of a sea vessel would ultimately become to him. The boat sailed almost due south as Saul gazed at the ancient coastal cities of Sidon and Tyre in the distance.” *

While absorbing these words, I was immediately transported, and an overwhelming feeling of awe welled up inside me, so much so that it made me cry. I felt like I was on that ship, staring at a boy who had no idea how his life would play out. Young Saul, yet to be Paul, a biblical giant, clueless. If he knew, would he, like Jonah, run? --But God, but God.

I had to stop reading here and take it all in, and pray. I thought about my own life and the lives of my children and all those I love, as we squint toward the coastline of an unknown future. We think we know so much, but we don’t. Yet He, who sees all, keeps us and leads us in all the terrible lovely marvel that is our journey.

* quoted from Paul - 90 Days on His Journey of Faith, by Beth Moore…worth the read!

Joining Emily today

Hoot!

2011-02-15T14:07:00.007-05:00

Couldn't show this yesterday because I didn't want to spoil the surprise. This is the valentine I made for my Mister. I found this gorgeous piece of wood on one of my nature rambles, and set it aside, knowing I would eventually do something with it. Notice the heart-shaped hole of the piece. Voila! My guy loves wood and owls, so he was quite pleased.

Admittedly, the photo's not too good. I don't know if there's a way to photograph something underneath glass without creating a glare. But any hoot *groan*, it was fun.

But Love

2011-02-13T23:07:00.020-05:00

"He drew a circle that shut me out -
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in!

Edwin Markham

Happy Valentine's Day!!

As We Sing

2011-02-09T22:12:00.018-05:00

Mad wild with the gel pens

I love Sunday morning worship. Sometimes when we praise together, it seems as if the ground is shaking because the church is sending roots underground. And those roots make runners that sprout up above in places far and near, producing fragrant flowers that will unfold in hearts and homes of those we pray for, in places that long for peace, in places that desperately need light, blossoms that will drop seeds on ground where prayer tills and tears water. And the Lord makes it grow on earth as it is in Heaven.

Joining Emily today

Happy as kings

2011-02-06T22:25:00.024-05:00

The beauty seen is partly in him who sees it.
Christian Bovee

Counting blessings

319 - people who keep lost arts alive and generously pass them on

320 - the next generation taking hold

321 - teachers

322 - friends who can create amazing instruments from PVC pipe

323 - power-out meals

324 - bursting bulbs

325 - (hen)house beautiful

326 - "like a child, I will dance in Your presence"

Joining Ann today

Talkin' 'bout my girl....my girl

2011-02-05T09:03:00.009-05:00

Dear friends, I'm pleased to humbly blurt out to the world that my lovely and creative daughter has just joined blogland. Please, if you would, give her a warm welcome at Paper Canary.

I'm proud of you, dolly biscuit xD

Cabin fever crafting

2011-02-01T20:08:00.046-05:00

While volunteering in the church nursery, I had the opportunity to peruse a craft book that was calling my name from the bookshelf--A Year of Crafts for Kids *ahem* (or Kids at Heart [my subtitle] ). Since I no longer have small children at home, I offer this as a public service to those who do (are you buying that?)

Anyhoo, you will need aluminum pie tins; the heart-shaped tin turned out to be too flimsy and was later abandonned--stick to the pie plate type.

I decided to use flowers I had dried from the summer before. The craft book suggested pine cones and other naturey bits. Whatever you don't mind returning to the great outdoors once the ice melts is a candidate.

Lay your items out in the pans

You'll need to place something in the pans to use for hanging. I started out using cord, but changed my mind and decided to go with pretty ribbon instead. Fill the pans with water and let them freeze overnight.

Cheryl @ Time to Craft, this picture is dedicated to you because you mentioned wellies in your comment on my "practical boots" hunt post, reminding me that I actually own a pair that were hidden in the garage. Boot dilemma solved.

happiness, and more successful than last year's cabin fever experiment

While photographing these, I noticed a neighbor staring out the window at me and shaking his head. Why, I wonder? The artistic-bent is so misunderstood.

You are

2011-01-30T18:08:00.008-05:00

318 - believe

I learned something in church this morning that really blessed me. So besides counting it, I wanted to share it. Genesis 1:31 says, "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." The Hebrew translation for the word "good" used here is the word "tob". Tob doesn't just mean good, it means gooder than good. It means VERY good, choice, charming, pure, worthy, pleasing, desirable.

So, this means when God looks at you and me, He says, "tob". Amazing. Humbling. He said it even though He knew the end from the beginning, and everything in between!!

Today I'm challenged to live it, to see that blessing, that proclamation, that godly likeness in myself--and live accordingly. To see it in the face of my neighbor and love accordingly. What would the world look like if we really believed it?

Joining Ann today

Winter stitch

2011-01-27T12:57:00.015-05:00

Nothing like a little quiet time with needle and thread -

...inspired by re-watching a favorite (see last post)

...and the weather outside

...and a warm crackling fire leaves me feeling stitchy

planning for this to be a lavender sweet bag (sachet)

a pillow, which I vow to finish this week

thrift shop find - wahooo!

"Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern;
it will come out a rose by and by."
Life is like that; one stitch at a time
taken patiently, and the pattern will come out
all right like embroidery.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Life Imitates Art, or A Little Winter Nonsense, or…

2011-01-24T20:15:00.010-05:00

You know you’re really lucky when the man you’re married to, who while accompanying you to buy some practical winter boots, does not get annoyed when you say, “Ooh look! Boots that look just the shoes Fanny Brawne wore in Bright Star! You know, Bright Star, my favorite movie?” I loved those shoes the moment I saw them.

By the way, if you’re anything like me, and you’re watching a cinematically beautiful film, you must watch it twice--once for the visuals, second for the dialogue. Because if you’re anything like me, you’ll remember stuff, like shoes the heroine wore, and you’ll secretly desire them.

So when you go out on a cold winter night looking for practical snow boots, and come home instead with Fanny Brawne’s shoes, and you’re married to a guy who doesn’t question your logic or sarcastically ask, “How old are you?” but rather says, “They’re really cool, and they’re you. Go for it,” well, you know you’re just one lucky bug.

Bless me!

2011-01-24T00:01:00.020-05:00

"It ain't no use to grumble and complain;
It's jest as cheap and easy to rejoice:
When God sorts out the weather and sends rain,
W'y, rain's my choice."

James Whitcomb Riley

Counting blessings

312 - a beautiful mess and a spot of one's own

313 - winning Maureen's giveaway at Random Distractions

314 - anticipation

315 - new favorite

316 - squirrely sunshadows

317 - waking up to see my love's favorite book on the nightstand

Joining Ann today

Fortune cookie

2011-01-19T20:35:00.016-05:00

It’s been hard for me to express how I feel without sounding schmaltzy. And as hard as I try, I don’t think I can--not sound schmaltzy, that is. Maybe that’s why it’ll fit perfectly here in Imperfect Prose. Okay, deep breath; here it goes:

The night at the Chinese restaurant, when you cracked open your cookie and smilingly read the slip of paper aloud. “I’m keeping this one,” you said. I don’t think you know how much that meant to me. I had to sip my tea so as not to get teary. And when again, you pulled that same slip of paper out of your pocket on the way to the airport, and said, “I’m going to frame it.” It made the parting less painful.

Those late night mother-daughter
Old married lady, new married lady,
Believer-to-believer talks

Sometimes with tears, but mostly hugs and laughter; I’m thankful for every minute, proud of the woman you’ve become, healed in giving what I wished I had had.

I am most fortunate, and God, who keeps His promises, is good.

Joining Emily today

Master builder

2011-01-12T22:52:00.025-05:00

Shortly before we were married, an elderly friend told my future husband and I a story of a custom practiced in his country long ago. Before a young man built his house, he would take his bride to the piece of land where their future home would be. He would have her stand in a sunny spot, and wherever her shadow fell, there he would break ground to lay the foundation. This way, his home would be built in the shadow of his beloved.

Under Your wings, we make our house. With trembling hands we build to last, and You are patient. Side by side, we three.

We are your house. Come in, my Host.

Joining Emily today

Taking stock

2011-01-10T00:30:00.017-05:00

"Gladness can scarcely be a solitary thing.
The very life of praise seems choral; it is
more than one bounded heart can utter...
Joy is a uniting thing. It builds up while
it enlarges the whole nature. It is the wine
to strengthen the heart..."

Dora Greenwell

Counting blessings

304 - city streets

305 - luncheonettes

306 - love like a hurricane

307 - lollies

308 - underground bookstores

309 - shopping with my girlies

310 - pizza night

311 - bein' married to the guitar man

Joining Ann today