Now we are two

...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

"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

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!

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

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

"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

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" :)