Books

   Have you found that time on the computer has taken over your reading of actual books made out of paper? I used to read A LOT. I loved reading so much. It was my escape. Lately I have been trying to read more as I find that my children are seeing me staring at a computer often and hardly at books. It is not setting a good example and it is not how I want to be.

 In the last little while I have read 'Ruffles on my Longjohns' by Isabel Edwards. I have read 'Grizzles In Their Backyard' by Beth Day, 'Klee Wyck' by Emily Carr, 'Kisses from Katie' by Katie Davis, and now I am reading 'Rolf In The Woods' by Ernest Thompson Seton. I have a goal to read all the books on the top shelf of my book shelf this summer. They are an assortment of old books and I have not read them all. There are a couple field guide books, some poetry, 'The Wonder Book of Knowledge,' 'The Heart of a Peacock,' and more. These books are mostly from my grandparent's house. I love seeing their writing in the front or writing from my great grandpa to my grandpa or other relatives. I love to think that their fingers touched these pages and their eyes brightened from lines on the pages.

   I find that books inspire me much more than any time spent on the computer. It is a different sort of inspiration than can come from looking at amazing crafts on pinterest or pictures by an incredible photographer or even reading an eloquent blog. Somehow there is something special about a book. Books written well, books written with conviction and passion, books written about rich heritage and history, books written about bravery and strength and the pioneers of old. They bring up something in me that makes me want to square my shoulders, and lean into the plow, and soldier on; but I want to soldier on with a clearer stronger resolve and with a more noble heart.

Have a lovely day

We are going to a museum and I am excited.

xo

Strapping On My Leggings

   I am sitting here eating a Costco cookie. I firmly resolved again last night to not eat sugar today. However I dragged myself out of bed late and drove my oldest to her art camp in the clothes I wore yesterday leaving the baby screaming at the door. When I came home I showered and got fresh clothes on and I was so hungry by that time that two Costco cookies went down the hatch pretty darn quick. This morning  I changed up my look a little. I usually choose clothes because of comfort and modesty. I have not 'given in' to the leggings fashion until just recently. And in giving in I mean I still don't wear leggings at all.  However I do now wear the tight work out pants that are like leggings but thicker. I always wear a skirt over them because that is how I feel comfortable. Today I was strapping on a grey pair of these tight work out pants that I do not intend to work out in, and I put a loose longish shirt on and decided to not put the skirt on at least for now. These leggings are interesting. They are high waisted but they slowly slip down over the roll I have acquired from having children and that cracks me up. When I put them on I feel like really I should have suspenders...or something. I have started only wearing loose billowy shirts. I am definitely in my thirties and that is all I will say. I think my forties are going to be a bit scary in that all of a sudden I will cast off the constraints I have had for so long ~ and anyway we shall see what happens.

 I just heard my five year old say to the one year old, 'You're such a handful.' Then she called out to me, 'Mommy? Is the baby a handful?' I said, 'yes.'
I have changed a dirty diaper this morning already. I have scrubbed one small patch of the shower. I have put some bacon and eggs away in the fridge because my oldest made breakfast. I have snuggled with each child and dodged numerous requests for cookies. The sun is shining and hiding in turn. Words of  'The Two Towers' have been swirling around for the past forty minutes and the house is a mess.

  My life is so simple and yet so complicated. My head spins with all I need to accomplish in a day. I guess, all I hope to accomplish. I have been contemplating giving up facebook. It has been years of back and forth just knowing it would be best but not wanting to. I feel like facebook is my life line. There I said it. Facebook feels like my life line. It is the crappiest life line I have ever come across but I cling on like I am dying. I hope that sometime soon I feel strong enough to let go and just be free. Sometimes life lines are holding you back from the real saving. I need to remember that.

Have a great day. There might be crazy stuff going on for you. You might be heavy with sadness or blissful with joy or somewhere in between and words are interruptions and  I thank you for reading this interruption.

A Yellow House

    What are your thoughts on this house? I love it. I love the brightness, the unique touches (you can't see them all in this picture but they are there), the front porch that has a chicken that sleeps on it, and the fact that there is a room in the attic you can only get to by a ladder. There are seven bedrooms in this house and a full basement but you can't really tell from this picture. This is basically my dream house because all its' space is used. It has the mud room of my dreams, an awesome pantry, a spacious, bright kitchen, a home school room and pretty much everything I would ever wish for in a house. It is not extravagant or lavish but it is elegant and beautiful and perfect for the family it is built for. This is my friend's house.

This is my friend.

  I am pretty sure that she has one of the most beautiful souls ever placed on the earth. She has a lot of qualities and giftings I wish for. She has a heart of pure gold and the purity comes from much refining fire.

   Something I deeply admire about her is the fact that she has perfected the art of surrounding herself with things that reflect who she is. Often I have found that people live in houses that seem a bit blank or carbon copy. Her house is so inviting, so beautiful, so unique and perfect for my soul :) I feel like when I am there I see a picture of what I wish I could be! It is hard to explain but my heart is happy there and it feels like I have been given a gift every time I walk into her house.

  When I first met her she was living in a shed she had fixed up while her new house was being built. It was a work of art. All her children slept in a large room in the loft and the way she had tastefully set up her living space and coped for as long as she had in what she had blew me away! She had goats at the time that were climbing up on her roof or running away giving her no small amount of grief. Somehow the goats fit at the time but then they were given away, and since then its been all kittens and bunnies in little baskets snuggling together. I can't even handle the cuteness. HONESTLY!

  This is the play house she had built for her little ones and this is what I just adore. She has a little mail box, that rounded doorway, inside is wallpapered and wood floored. There is furniture and tiny mason jars and pots for cooking. It is whimsical and absolutely captivating. My husband finished our play house around the same time as this one and inside our play house my children spray painted graffiti! This is why I love coming and living vicariously through her ability to create beauty wherever her hand touches!

This is a small part of her garden. It is exquisite and perfectly nurtures her bees that she keeps.

A tire swing, tipi, the field...I could wax eloquent for a long time :)

I include this adorable picture so you get a taste of the table, the bench, the couch, and the cushion. I love everything!

  What a gift this girl is. I am so thankful that she came into my life when she did. Every part of who she is has blessed me. She has a fierce mother heart that I admire greatly. She loves her husband so beautifully which inspires me. She is loyal, compassionate, caring, giving, gracious, kind and genuine. She is someone I admire and adore.

My friend ~ may your heart feel full of peace. You are wonderful. xo

'Holidays'

So I had great intentions about summer holidays but right now these so called holidays are kicking my butt. I am ridiculously tired. I need some sort of intervention but I am not sure what kind. I need energy so I can keep up AND keep these munchkins entertained and busy. Mostly they are happy and creative and busy but the messes they create are magnificent. There is nothing wrong really, things are not hard ~ I am not trying to complain ~ I am just so tired! It is weird. So we shall see how things go. Hopefully I can pull myself back together somehow and get back on track whatever that track is.

Beans

   Making Beans today ~ that's me. I am making beans.

 Every culture has a staple that they eat often. Some sort of carbohydrate that fills them up. When I traveled to the Philippines they asked us what our staple was as they wanted to be gracious while providing us with food. Being from a country that has so much food we don't really need a staple we all looked puzzled then came up with....bread. Bread was our staple. They all looked puzzled themselves as they didn't eat much bread but nodded okay. Every meal after that a loaf of white bread was provided. I was happy to not touch it but some of the others were very grateful for that loaf.

 My children have been getting more and more picky in what they will and will not eat. It is an issue I am getting sick of trying to deal with. There are so many children malnourished and starving. I know that my children are not going to understand that and I don't expect them to yet. However I am sick of working for hours in the kitchen and then having them turn up their nose at what I put on the table. I want them to understand that eating is a privilege.

 So today I am making beans. I have never made beans before successfully. I have very little confidence in trying new things. I picked some random beans ~ pinto ~ and soaked them for hours and now I am going to try to cook them. I am also going to make brown rice and that is what my children are going to be served.
We shall see how it goes. I don't have high hopes and I don't care. I am done with them thinking they can only eat bread and am done feeling so much defeat in trying to please them. I am changing up the staple around here.
That is all.

Have a lovely Friday. It is raining here and it is July. We will make the best of it.
xo

Pearl

She's faithful to her daily walks

No matter what the weather

In Spring she counts the Snowdrops

And gathers bright new feathers

She delights in hearing birds that sing

She might love Robins best

She  loves the color of eggs they bring

And drop out of their nest

She loves to read from classic books

To us she reads a lot

She memorizes lines of verse

Hundreds of books she has bought

Flower fairys are her delight

She has their pictures on her wall

So beautifully depicted in plain sight

Bringing joy to one and all

In summer time she feels the heat

And struggles to stay cool

When we were young she'd take a seat

In our small kiddy pool

She gathers leaves up every Fall

To make bouquets of every hue

And to our house when she comes to call

Many a craft she'll convince us to do

Lets not forget the acorns and such

She collects for us to see

The moss and ferns for us to touch

And Pussywillows from a treasured tree

When winter comes her scarf is lost

So many times a day

We can never find where its been tossed

She's just like Jillian Jiggs we say

Longjohns are also winter gear

She brings to every place

But she wears those all through the year

When the sun doesn't show its face

She needs her cup of tea

No honey when its black

But milk is a necessity

She makes sure there is no lack

She sews quilts and aprons of every hue

As gifts for mothers and brides

She is never lacking for something to do

When rain keeps her inside

She's famous for her scone making

And lovely birthday cakes

Trying not to bemoan her children taking

All she takes time to bake!

She wishes for a little home

At the end of a country lane

A cozy nest to call her own

As that will ease the pain

Nature's beauty, song and Spring

Hopeful light, shining and glowing

Dreams to be dreamed and new songs to sing

Each day more happiness sure to be growing

 

 

 

 

Meeting Their New Cousin

 We took our children out to meet their cousin today. They were so excited they could barely handle it. They love her so much!

My one year old got to meet her first because he and I are still attached at the hip and not often separated for long periods of time. So he came on the first trip. He loves her but when she is in his mom's arms he right away asks to nurse. He calls her baby and says, 'awwwwe' in the sweetest voice. I am so excited that they are not even two years apart. I think they will be friends.

This little sweet pea could not WAIT to hold her baby cousin. They look so similar as babies. It is amazing.

This is my girly as a fresh one. 

This is my girly again. 

 This is her cousin. I think the resemblance is pretty amazing. 

This is my girly again. 

This is her cousin! You get the picture ~ literally (ha ha) I am going overboard but I love this!

Okay so I got distracted by the resemblances. After my five year old got to hold her aunty was next and we gave presents we had brought. It is so fun to buy clothes for a baby girl.

 The guys sat on the couch across from us and observed. My nine year old does not hold babies because they notoriously poo on him every time. He has some sort of gift.

When new babies arrive there are all sorts of things that go on during a visit. This time there were diaper changes, a midwife visit, a hummingbird visit, the showing of a lost tooth and more.

We had a very special visit. It is incredibly exciting to have this new little miracle in our family. Thanks so much for being brave and letting us come! XO