Wildlife and Home

Multitude Mondays

2012-02-13T16:26:00.000-05:00

It's been a couple of weeks since I've had the mental capacity to do more than dress myself and feed my family (and not always in that order). So, in the past couple of weeks, some of my multitudinous blessings have included:

Toby having an enjoyable and safe trip to the UK to visit family
watching movies with my kids
getting up to speed with House on Hulu in the comfort of my bed
other than a single sick kid one morning, the rest of the family remained healthy
a snuggly morning where Dan joined me in bed and went back to sleep for an hour
taking the kids to spend some Christmas money on fun craft projects
finishing The Trumpet of the Swan together and enjoying the children enjoy the story
everyone pitching in to get chores done together
the hours they spend playing Lego and creating
Toby's safe return!
praying together
roast chicken
the new season of the BBC's Sherlock

Multitude Monday

2012-01-23T17:29:00.000-05:00

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

Proverbs 14:4

I need to remember this verse often. I like things to be clean, though I'm not naturally the tidiest person around. Still, to put in the effort to pick up and put away, just to find another mess can be very frustrating. It is then that I must give thanks for these mess-makers, knowing that in them and through them, a harvest of righteousness will be reaped.

I am thankful for:

Abigail, my beautiful, bossy eldest child
Anna, the competitive "spit fire"
Noah, who will have a better understanding of women because of all these girls
Eleanor, the passionate little mommy
Daniel, who makes everyone happy and crazy in equal measure
the next one, who we're all looking forward to meeting this summer

Loving the Little Years

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Loving the Little Years is a little book about loving little people in the midst of all the "little" trials of the every day. Very sweet and encouraging (and rather funny), it doesn't take long to read and the kids like the messy kid on the cover. I liked and needed the reminders that while I am called to lovingly and faithfully parent my children, my own efforts along are insufficient for the task and I will consistently mess up and come up short if I try to do this on my own. Only the truth of the Gospel and the power of God will be enough to go beyond raising well-behaved Pharisees and instead move young hearts to want to love and serve Christ. And while I'd be lying if I said I didn't care if they behaved well in public, it's much more important to me that their hearts are bent toward worshipping the living God rather than the opinions of man. I just need to remember that during the next toddler meltdown - remind me, would you?

If Jospeh had been a girl...

2012-01-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

...I think his father would have given him this shawl, instead of the coat...

Made from one ball - yes, one ball - of Noro Kureyon (Japanese for "crayon", apparently) sock yarn. All the details you'll need to make your own (it really is quite easy) can be found on my ravelry page.

What they love

2012-01-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

They love coloring, preferably together...

...and camping out in the study in their new sleeping bags...

...and building Lego creations...

...and eating - always eating...

Multitude Monday

2012-01-16T08:18:00.003-05:00

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples

1 Chronicles 16:8

how excited kids get by little things
kids that clean
kids that forgive
enjoying movie night as a family
family story time
most excellent Lego creations!
my sweet husband bringing me tea and toast every morning to stave off morning sickness
my "morning sickness" is very mild indeed
getting along just fine on one car, while the other is in the shop
when Toby comes home early
the many things Toby is able to fix
new books
comfy shoes

Gadget love

2012-01-14T08:15:00.000-05:00

Anyone who has tried to feed more than a couple of people knows it can get expensive. Most will also know that the less processed the product, the cheaper it's going to be (more often than not). So when my step-dad was talking about how useful and money-saving his Kitchen Aid Meat Grinder attachment was, I borrowed it to give it a shot.

I bought about 3 joints of stewing beef weighing about 3lbs each. I can't remember how much they each cost, but bought at Aldi, I know they were almost $1 per pound cheaper than the ground beef. Once home, I chopped each joint into rough strips to feed through the processor, after trimming off as much fat as possible. This is another great bonus - I'm pretty sure that this ground beef turned out leaner than the supermarket "lean" for less money.

It feeds through the processor twice: once on the coarse blade, then on fine. It was supremely easy, kinda fun (even the kids could do it and enjoyed the process), and did I mention cheaper? It's also nice to know that my Kitchen Aid isn't just a one trick pony, but can actually do some real labor. I don't really have enough room in my kitchen for gadgets that don't pull their weight, and my Kitchen Aid has never let me down.

Has anyone else ever used any other attachments that have been excellent/a total waste of time? If you could get one, which attachment would you add and why?

Quynn

2012-01-12T07:56:00.002-05:00

Abigail needed a new hat. I needed to make this very cute hat with this very lovely yarn.

So it all worked out. Details here.

Large Family Logistics

2012-01-10T08:33:00.003-05:00

Well, I have now finished my first book of 2012. Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman took about 2-3 days to read, but to be fair, I did a bit of skimming at certain parts.

Overall, a good, helpful book - useful keeping the homemaking and keeping vision fresh as well as giving some great hints and tips on keeping the home running well. After reading through the kitchen section, I'll be giving my kitchen a good look over soon to determine if there are ways that I could be better organizing the way it all works. One area of particular interest, and one that many homemaking books neglect, is how to keep up through pregnancy and infancy. Wisdom says there are some essentials that need to be maintained: laundry and bathrooms being among them. Grace says not to worry about the dusting and other non-essentials - you'll catch up when you're feeling up to it. The point she repeatedly makes is to make a plan of how to keep up with things and practice self-discipline to do it. Some of the suggestions she makes and methods her family use wouldn't really work for this house, but that's okay - the point is to think through the needs and determine how you and your family will meet them.

I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who's looking to reorganize or establish some order in their home, or to anyone who's family size is growing and they are looking for a new way to operate. And when I'm done feeling nauseous, I'll be casting my eye over a few areas that could use improvement. For now, it's the essentials only for me!

Multitude Monday

2012-01-09T08:11:00.002-05:00

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change

James 1:17

playing games with my children
picking up lots of requested library books
making a large book order with a generous Christmas gift
donating lots of stuff to Goodwill
access to good dental treatment and the money to pay for it
going out for a free breakfast as a family
Abigail cheerfully washing dishes
Anna reading to Eleanor
Noah helping Dan into his pajamas
Abigail's bravery at the orthodontist
all the new members at church
Sunday afternoon naps
lovely weather
praying with His saints

The Book Post

2012-01-04T08:32:00.000-05:00

Well, the new book list feels a little overdue. It's taken some time to put together, but with recommendations from various places and a perusal of what's already on my shelves, I think I've got a good collection for the year ahead.

Photo by dimensionsguide.com

I've been asked how I choose my books for the year, and how structured my plan is. Well, there's no major method or grand plan it all. I've taken a few recommendations from World magazine to broaden my horizons. If a friend whose opinion I trust raves about a book, I'll probably add it in. I also know my needs and try to make sure they are represented; for instance, I need to stay envisioned for the different tasks and roles in my life, namely homeschooling and mothering, so I try to make sure a couple good books on those subjects are in there (in addition to making sure that I'm reading my Bible - no other book is better!). If I'm trying to grow in a particular area, say Bible memorization, I'll make sure I read a book on it (and try to implement what I read). I've learned that I really benefit from reading good biographies, so I tend to have one or two of them, particularly to read before bed. Reading something heavy or that requires a lot of thought is not great for me to get into before bed - I start doing "the Nod" and end up missing stuff! Same with fiction - that's relaxing/sleepy reading. I also make sure I check our bookshelves, since we invariably add a few pieces to our collection throughout the year.

As for the plan...there really isn't any. I basically read what I want to, what I feel I need to, and occasionally, what I've been told to. :) The book list is mainly just a tool to keep me from wandering aimlessly and bored in between books, and to make sure I read some of those excellent books that make a flash on my radar without forgetting about them. I occasionally veer from the path and pick up something not on the list; maybe I'll add it in, maybe not. I think this past year I've added about 4 books that weren't on there at the beginning of the year, plus probably another half a dozen or so that never made it to the list for one reason or another.

Photo by wtfisupwithmylovelife.com

So, with all that said, it would probably be good to share a few things about the books I read this year. Of them all, there was one I didn't read - Overcoming Sin & Temptation - though it was not for lack of trying. It's supposed to be an updated reworking of John Owen's Mortification of Sin, but I couldn't really get ahold of what had been updated for modern readers. Now granted, I am not the brightest bulb around (a childhood of reading The Babysitter's Club and Sweet Valley High will do that to a mind), but I couldn't really...get it. I could read the words and understand most of them but putting it all together made my brain ache. There are others, though, that found it excellent and were really blessed by it, so don't let my experience put you off. I'll probably go back to it another time when I'm feeling more mentally capable.

Photo by graphicshunt.com

I really enjoyed reading A Mother's Heart, by Jean Fleming. The first half was so encouraging and convicting, and is probably something I'll be coming back to on a regular basis. The later portion of the book seemed to be more practical memory-making tips, which was less helpful, but still good stuff. I'd definitely recommend this to any mother - brand new or at it a while.

I picked up The Book Thief on recommendation of a friend, and it was pretty good. Written from the point of view Death during World War 2 in Germany, it was definitely well written and an interesting perspective, but just didn't really grab me. I read to the end, put it down and thought "Okay, what's next?", rather than "Oh, wow!" I'd be interested to see what anyone else thought?
The Help was excellent, of course. Like everyone else this year, I read the book in a couple of days and enjoyed the movie. I'll be reading anything else Kathryn Stockett writes.
My biggest recommendation is, without question, Bonhoeffer. It's big and intimidating, but don't let that stop you - it gives you plenty of time to get to know this amazing man of faith. Based on the title, you kind of already know the ending (Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy), but the path he takes from privileged child of an influential family to a prisoner at the end of a piano wire is worth the investment it takes to read.
So, there we are. So many books, so little time. I guess it's time to get started...:)

Multitude Mondays, a day late

2012-01-03T13:24:00.001-05:00

I have been deliberately quiet in the blog-o-sphere last week, as I wanted to enjoy this break from the norm as much as possible. It does mean, however, that catching up can take a while...

So thankful for:

finding out on Christmas Eve that we are expecting a new little Gayner (watch out world!)
finishing all Christmas gifts in time
a lovely family walk
going to church on Christmas morning
even though we had a water leak, it wasn't messy or overly horrible
even though I burnt part of our Christmas ham, it was still salvageable and edible
even though our water problems meant we couldn't go visit some of our favorite people, we enjoyed spending time together at home:
Toby and I saw Sherlock Holmes and had Chick Fil A for dinner (a real treat!)
we received a free pull-out couch for our study, and helpful neighbors helped to move it in
we received free bunk beds to replace the boys' worn out ones
we took the kids to the Walter's Art Museum
we spent time organizing our study
we went out to breakfast
we spent time with my parents and the "Christmas, Round 2" they brought with them!
I went shopping with my mom - and found men's pants for $4! I still can't quite get over that one...
Her Majesty kindly refunded us money we hadn't known she borrowed - always a nice surprise!
In all the joys and blessings of our holiday, I am so thankful that He came - our Emmanuel came to be with us, with me.

It looks like Christmas

2011-12-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

For the first time in a long time, Christmas has been more about the waiting, the looking, the anticipation this year. Though the to-do list remains, it doesn't weigh on my heart and mind nearly as much as the 8-pound baby boy we celebrate. He continues to clear a path to the manger...

For the kids, by the kids

2011-12-22T13:35:00.002-05:00

We have something on a Christmas tradition around our house – one I'd like to see the end of, quite frankly. It goes like this: around December 23 or 24, Abigail decides she wants to do some Christmas shopping and buys gifts for her parents and siblings. So Toby takes her out, fighting last minute crowds, to try to find something meaningful and inexpensive. Then, the other kids realize what's going on and they want to go shopping too, but there is no way either of us is willing to head back out into the fray. Therefore, they are somewhat disgruntled.

I had a different idea this year: what if they started making gifts ahead of time? They all liked the idea, so I met with each of them individually to see what they wanted to make. Some of their ideas were pretty off the wall, but with some guidance, they've each come up with some cute gift plans for their siblings that they can do mostly by themselves.

Abigail has made Anna and Ellie each a scarf. Honestly, I don't think it gets much easier than this, folks. We measured a piece of remnant fleece from JoAnn's, cut and fringed. It took us maybe 15 minutes to do both. If you've got any really last minute gifts to give, let it be this!

Anna's made a dolly scarf for Abi (well, for the doll, really, but you get the point) and some mittens for Ellie. The mittens were basically a matter of borrowing a pair of Ellie's gloves and tracing the pattern onto an old sweater, cutting and sewing. Because Anna's not too experienced with the sewing machine yet, I helped with the stitching. The other thing she made was this little hat for Dan. While again I did the machine work, she cut out the little star and did the hand sewing. This is what takes most of the time, anyway.

I think I'm most excited about Noah's gifts. For Abi and Anna, he's made knitting needles! So cute! Helpfully, the girls do actually knit, and I think they'll really like these. We took some wooden dowels that I had set aside in my craft closet (originally bought at JoAnn's, I believe) and gave them a gentle sanding. Then we rubbed them down with some leather wax. Once Noah chose the buttons he thought the girls would like from my button collection, I used the hot glue gun to stick them on. To be honest, I've seen this done with polymer clay, which would probably work better, but I really wanted to stick with what I had on hand for this one. I'm really happy with how it all turned out!

Clearly, we have more to do, but I'm pleased with the "jump" we got on things, relatively speaking. I'm looking forward to seeing what else their creative juices inspire.

So, how does everyone else handle joy of sibling gifting? Inquiring minds want to know!

Christmas Knitting

2011-12-21T09:01:00.000-05:00

Slowly but surely, we're getting there...

Dan's vest is complete:

The pattern is Kid's Vest from More Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Yarn is the wonderful-to-work-with Spud & Chloe Sweater, color Chipmunk. Perfect.

I'm currently working on a matching one for Noah. I'm not sure I'll finish in time, but we'll see how it goes.

And...

A sweater that even the fuss-budget likes!

Pattern is Drive Thru, downloaded on ravelry. Yarn is all Cascade 220 Heathers.

I had to modify it quite a bit: Abi is such a skinny minny that I made it up for size 8, which fits her perfectly around the body, but left the waist and arms very short. I added about six inches ( six inches!!) to the length for both the body and arms. Love.

I'm still working on Toby's Man Vest, and I don't think I'll finish before Christmas. Now that I'm at the final stages of finishing the neck and armholes, I'm running out of yarn. I'm not confident that I've got enough to finish, but I'm that somehow it'll last. Who knows - the widow's oil didn't run out, so maybe God will sustain my yarn supply? Knitting in faith, this is.

For the little girls...

2011-12-19T11:41:00.000-05:00

...there are a couple new items that might be of interest...

...in the shop.

Multitude Mondays

2011-12-19T10:52:00.000-05:00

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

James 1:17

Seeing Ellie really swimming on her own
Seeing Anna really give her best at public speaking
fun Christmas parties
our new Senior Pastor!
celebrating my Mom's 60th birthday at her surprise party - that was actually a surprise!
watching the kids play Red Rover from my spot by the fire
how the big kids so often let the little kids win
babies that sleep in your arms
the end of Christmas shopping
waking up early in a cold, quiet house
fresh coffee

Finding the counter

2011-12-13T14:55:00.001-05:00

I have years of experience battling the paper pile. I think most people do, and most people wage war on it in a number of ways. Me, I've long used the "Pile and Hide" tactic: the one where it sits and grows and breeds until company comes over and you quickly sweep it all undercover until it can be weeded through. Then, of course, you realize that this is multi-phased operation, since you eventually unearth it all and have to go through old mail, overdue bills and forgotten invitations (and this may take a while).

Needless to say, this method was not ensuring much success. In fact, it seemed to be working as a double agent - the problem only ever got worse, instead of better. But one day, I was looking at Pintrest and found an idea. (I don't remember who did it, but I'm sure you could find it if you really wanted to.) I took the idea, went for a shopping trip to Target, made a few little tweaks of my own, and this is what I came up with:

Contained within my handy-dandy counter file are about 10 or so files suited to my needs: "For Action" (for bills to be paid or anything that needs to be dealt with), "For Filing" (since our filing cabinet is in another room, it seemed sensible to have a holding place for all those papers), "Homeschool" (to keep track of our current curriculum, possible future curriculum details, and any extra school-related forms), & "Sales and Circulars" (for all the sale & coupons that come through the mail - those that I might actually use, that is) to name a few. I also keep in the box my Thankful journal, my weekly/monthly planner (when it's not in my bag) and my "Brain" - basically a glorified daily to-do list in a composition book.

Honestly, it makes me happy. I like the feeling of having a place for it all, and a place I can find it all in to boot. It's been easy to keep in order, too. When a file gets a little thick, I go through and deal with it, whether that means throwing out old stuff, using the current or moving the "keepers" to a permanent file.

As it turns out, I seem to have found a counter top under all that mess. I had almost forgotten it was there.

Multitude Monday

2011-12-12T08:34:00.000-05:00

In no particular order:

* Toby staying home from work to care for me and the kids when I didn't feel well

* Only being in bed for a day before feeling lots better

* doing some Christmas-gift making with the kids

* being invited to a friends' house for dinner, and having a wonderful time!

* taking the kids to see the Abingdon Lights (if you're local, try to visit!)

* frost on the ground

* a good doctor's report for a friend

* money to cover the bills, and then some

* remembering how He reached out for me...

Trying to Breathe

2011-12-07T13:08:00.001-05:00

It's happening.

Despite doing my best to keep on top of all that comes with the Christmas season and all that we've turned it into, I'm gasping for air.

I don't yet feel like there's no time (I think I've got another couple weeks before that feeling slides in), but it's more that everything's happening at once. In a family of 5 children, 3 of which are homeschooling, there's a general, everyday sense of keeping those juggling balls in the air, but adding in the extra shopping, the extra cooking, the extra self-imposed craft deadlines (how's that for a joykill?), the parties and events, the decorating, and the determination to do fun things with the kids rather than sidelining them for my whirling-dervish routine, has steadily been working at edging out the whole purpose of why we do this.

And why do we do this? Not the "Jesus is the Reason for the Season"- this, but the crazy-this? Is Jesus the reason I make myself crazy with the to-do list? Not really. He never asked for all this, never suggested that the calendar overflow along with the cup. I think I do it because I like it. I like seeing people, cooking, making things for myself and others, and trying to make this time of year special. But I'm finding that when it's all about me, what I'd like to accomplish and do, then it's no longer about Jesus. And, I have to face it; I'm not a worthy substitute.

So, am I going to stop the world and get off for a while? I don't think so. After all, I really do enjoy a lot of what I'm doing. But I'm going to be more selective, weighing the worth of my investments to their eventual payoff. Part of me wants my kids to say when they are grown, "Christmas, growing up, was really fun and full of excitement", but if that's all they say, then I've essentially humanized the holiday and lost its wonder and power. What I'd love to hear is, "Part of the reason I love Christmas now is because my parents showed me the joy of Jesus". If I'm not careful, what they'll really say is, "My mom made Christmas an exercise in chaos and the need for anger management because of overestimating her abilities and underestimating the need for peace." Who wants that?

I want to see Jesus this Christmas. I want to look expectantly to Christmas morning, not for stuff under the tree, but for the baby who came to save me from all the nonsense I would attach to His birthday, and so much more. I want my kids to see Jesus, too – to find Him more wonderful than the tree and the lights and the gifts. So everything I do to make this time special must point to Him, since He really is the reason for this season. I'm confident He'll fill my lungs with breath and my heart with the love I need for this task.

Multitude Mondays

2011-12-05T20:57:00.000-05:00

In these crazy days leading up to Christmas, fraught with all we need and would like to do, I'm finding it necessary to pause, take a deep breath, and whisper thanks for all He has provided. In the doing, I remember what and whom I am celebrating...

an early Christmas gift - a new laptop
my Care Group (church home group)
a freshly organized cupboard (finally finding things - can't beat it!)
both girls gave impromptu speeches without distress (a major grace, this!)
the Christmas tree is up and decorated!
the nice men our housing association sent to take care of a precarious dead pine behind our property
having a really nice mail man
the ability to do so much shopping online
a smooth dentist visit for my big girl
playing games with a neighbor
having a laugh at Toby's work Christmas party

My MItts

2011-11-30T09:56:00.000-05:00

Most women I know suffer from cold hands to some extent. And while cold hands mean a warm heart, I'd rather have both warm hands and a warm heart, thanks. So when I saw this pattern for fingerless mitts made from a minuscule amount of yarn, I had to give it a try.

For me, they are just right. I had the leftover Malabrigo from my sweater and cowl, so there was no shopping involved - a bonus at this time of year. One thing I really like is that neither the wrist nor finger ribbing is too long, and they fit beautifully under long sleeves. With some other versions I've made, the "wrist" area actually goes halfway up my arm, which doesn't sit comfortably under sleeves. Maybe I'm just fussy, but I'm not down with that.

Contrary to popular belief, I haven't found fingerless mittens to leave your fingers cold and your hands hot - they seem to lend an all-over warmth while leaving your fingers free for using your iPhone or iPad, or delivering the mail (if you're my mom). Or knitting, of course.

Soft, warm, squishy mitts. Love.

Multitude Mondays

2011-11-28T07:33:00.000-05:00

what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

Psalm 8:4

I've recently been finding myself humbled by so many needs and circumstances around me that I have never had to deal with, trials I've not yet had to face. It leads me to wonder why - who am I that I should be spared such things? My only answer is that it has been God's desire not to send these difficulties my way yet. When trial does come, with His help, may I continue to thank Him, for He has dealt kindly with me...

I've had 5 healthy pregnancies, labors and children
None in our home have chronic illnesses
None of the kids have ever been to the NICU
None of us have ever been a serious car accident
We have never suffered unemployment
We've never had problems in the buying or selling of a house
None of us have serious allergies
We have yet to experience real persecution

Trying to Savor

2011-11-22T15:05:00.001-05:00

It's been several late nights and early mornings, now, complete with often getting up in the night to soothe a poorly child. Then came chores this morning, including my least favorite - vacuuming. It got done without incident, and it does always feel good to have a clean floor. Then, I moved some books downstairs to the shelves in my workroom, and it happened - with a spectacular crash, both shelves laden with books, papers, printer, and glass jars full of knitting and sewing tools ripped off the wall. I was there to watch it, to catch some of it, and to be totally rattled by it - it took a large mug of hot, sweet tea to stop my hands shaking. Amazingly, nothing was broken, not even the glass jars! It's been a morning of slowly tidying up and putting things to rights, while still trying to keep the kids out of mischief and doing their work.

Needless to say, by the time lunch was done, I was tired. Desperate for a nap. Dan was still awake, which is not only rare, but it makes naps dangerous, though I was confident that since everyone else was quietly reading, he seemed happy to join them. (Dumb, I know)

I had gotten comfy and warm under my covers when I heard the not-so-little pitter-patter (or thump-clump) of little feet. Then little giggles. Then the bed bumped and wobbled as the littlest Gayner made his way under the covers next to me, whispering little "Hi"s. He was so excited to be in the big bed and under the covers that he kept wiggling and kicking, leaning over to give kisses.

It's not what I'd planned - I was so tired. And I confess, I was thankful when Abigail came in a little later to collect him so that I could get a 15-minute nap. But my baby's not a baby anymore - he's a toddler. These cuddle-and-kisses times won't last forever. And while so very often, I put off the sitting-down-and-resting together times because there always seems to be so much to do, I'm also glad that this time, I made the choice to savor my little boy, rather than turf him out. I pray that I would get better at making the right choice - the choice to savor them.

Multitude Mondays

2011-11-21T14:55:00.000-05:00

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus

(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

And here I am, looking for God's will for me, when here it is, all the time, written down in black and white...

the church Men's Retreat, and all the men that were able to go
getting together with friends for a movie night
having kids' friends over for crafting (I tried to stay out of it!)
lots of new yarn arriving, with the promise of lots of knitting to do!
enjoying a fire and Red Rover in the yard with the kids
hanging-on coughs that are starting to lose their grip
seeing brothers and sisters in the Lord serving each other, in large and small ways
dozing with a child in a comfy armchair
listening to another Penderwick story on CD
key lime pie

The Five-Fingers Chores

2011-11-15T21:59:00.000-05:00

A while back, I was asking some other homeschool moms for advice. I have long struggled with how to approach my kids' daily devotional times: should I make them or just allow some time and hope they make a good choice? Should I tell them what to read and check up on them or let them read what they want? And the biggest conundrum - what time of day is all this supposed to happen?

In steps wisdom, in the form of my wonderful friend Donna, whose opinion I take very seriously - she has 9 kids worth of experience behind her. She introduced me to the Five-Fingers Chores:

Every morning, each child has four chores or responsibilities to take care of before they can eat breakfast - they must read their Bibles and pray, take care of their rooms, take care of their bodies, and then they may eat. Each step is marked or symbolized by a finger to make it easy for kids to remember. For instance, reading the Bible is the most important thing, so it's linked with your most important digit, the thumb. The index finger is prayer, followed by taking care of your body at the middle finger, the ring finger being caring for your room. By the time they've completed these four fingers, their whole hand is ready to pick up some food and eat!

The very next morning, I explained the concept to the kids, followed by having them each trace their hands on a sheet of paper and labeling each finger accordingly and hanging them up in strategic places around the house. It took a few days to catch on, but in less than 2 weeks even Ellie, who tends to wake up offended that her breakfast and juice isn't ready and waiting at 6.30am, needed no reminders to spend time looking at her picture Bible and getting dressed.

Honestly, it's totally changed the way our mornings run. Previously, everyone was turning up at different times and expecting to be waited on, plus I was trying to get my husband fed and out the door. Now, they know breakfast isn't happening until their five fingers are complete, which gives me extra time to get breakfast ready, and I'm not breathing down their necks to "get moving and spend some time with Jesus already!".

So, there you have it. Excellent principles, tried and tested for you. Anyone else out there have any helpful morning routines their families use? Any massive failures? Everyone likes to hear about those...

Multitude Mondays, a day late

2011-11-15T08:41:00.000-05:00

A house full of poorly children seem to have a way of dominating the time, don't they? But they also seem to have a knack for inspiring extra affection from even the grumpiest of souls (ahem), not to mention many reasons to recognize God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives.

The Sovereign Grace Pastor's Conference and the wonderful preaching we heard there
seeing old friends and meeting some new ones
a fearless grandma who kept all 5 kids alive!
even though the kids have been under the weather, they've all been in surprisingly good spirits
the ability to conveniently take children to the doctor, when much of the world has no such opportunity
such a nice doctor, too!
a very first blood draw for one of the kids was very easy and virtually pain-free
the ability to listen to a message online even when I can't be at church
my sweet husband leaving church early and doing fun Sunday-school activities with the kids
a new, and free, iPhone!
kids slowly beginning to feel better
lots of reading time
lots of knitting time
lots of down time, at home, where I belong

The Conference Cowl

2011-11-13T22:06:00.000-05:00

This is it (I think) - the last completed project update!

It was a great project. I had a ball of Malabrigo Rios left over from my Estelle and I needed a project that was interesting but not too involved to take along to the Sovereign Grace Pastor's Conference. This pattern and this yarn made for a beautiful pair.

I began on the car-ride down to Gaithersburg and finished the day we came home. Perfect.

Plus, I learned two things:

1. Blocking is so important. I already knew this, but the reminder was helpful. When it was first finished and I put it on, it looked like a large, blue caterpillar was attacking me. It was more than a little snug around my neck, and I was preparing to give it away. But once home and suitably blocked, the fibers really r e l a x e d, and there was a lovely drape to it. No more(wo)man-eating caterpillars here.

2. When you drop your yarn in the middle of a meeting and the ball rolls under the dozen or so rows in front of you, several things will happen: the yarn will pick up dust and fluff, people will turn and look at you, you will want the floor to open up and swallow you whole, you will have to ask a patient man to throw that ball of yarn back behind his feet so you can get to it, he will look at you like you have 3 heads as you scrabble about on the floor, you will feel like an utter moron, and you may never live it down. I'll get back to you on the last one.

For real.

Baby set

2011-11-13T21:47:00.000-05:00

Such a cute set, and a nice project to work on.

Having made both before helps with speed, but having to rip out the sweater twice before getting beyond the second button does not.

Abi helped sew up the booties, so I can officially call it a joint effort.

I don't know what to say about that pen cap (other than that it is obvious I do not use Photoshop), but all the info is on my Ravelry page.

Gorilla legs

2011-11-13T21:36:00.001-05:00

That's what Toby calls these little soakers - the wool is rather...hairy, so I suppose it suits.

I love them, though. He's warm and cozy, with plenty of growing room. And of course, they make the perfect cloth diaper cover - no leaks and no smell.

Even though I did run out of yarn right before the end and had to substitute with another black yarn for the last inch of the second leg. A non-hairy yarn.

No, we'll not discuss that. We'll simply enjoy the fact that they fit, they do their job and they're finished.

Check here for more details.

Another hat!

2011-11-13T21:25:00.000-05:00

This one was mine. Seriously. I'd had my eye on using this yarn for a while - it's so soft and just...yummy. But it was very much not the right gauge, nor was I using the correct needle size, for my own noggin. But it fit this little noodle very well...

Yeah, I know the photos are blurry. I defy you to get one in focus some days - I couldn't pay him to keep still!

Visit the Ravelry page for pattern and yarn details.

Annette needs a hat, too

2011-11-13T21:18:00.000-05:00

Another "A" name, but not another child - this is Abigail's American Girl doll, so kindly gifted to her by friends. We've been busy making her some clothes, and I'm working at using up some of the ends-of-yarn balls from previous projects. I had enough purple cotton for a little cap.

Rubbish picture - taken in a dark hallway at night, while children sleep. Helpful making info found here.

Sock Hat

2011-11-13T21:11:00.000-05:00

I'm not particularly fond of making Anna hats, since she tends to lose them, without much remorse, I might add. Still the child needs a hat, and I've had this handspun sock yarn I bought off ebay for so long, I figured I'd put it to good use on her head...

She seems to like it. Maybe she'll hang on to this one a while.

Pattern details on my Ravelry page.

Multitude Mondays

2011-11-07T14:58:00.000-05:00

What a week - so many things planned, then missed or cancelled due to illness. Not what I would have arranged, had I the choice, but Isaiah 55 reminds me of the truth - a truth I need to remember so much that it's engraved in my wedding band:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

And so, my list of thankfulness this week includes:

This verse!
His good purposes in sickness
a chance to snuggle with a poorly baby
getting a new haircut
a new carpet to replace the flood-damaged one!
a generous bonus from the Man's work
my mom coming to visit
making a roaring fire in the fire pit and spending all afternoon enjoying the warmth
swing set restoration now under way
a perfect autumnal afternoon
my first workout in too long!
napping babies

Lying low

2011-11-02T15:19:00.000-04:00

My kids are not altogether well at the moment.

Daniel seems to have come down with the chicken pox. I have no idea where he may have picked it up (like a bad penny). It's certainly not the worst thing for him to have it at his age - he's little enough that though you can't explain to him why he shouldn't scratch, he's also not too inclined to do so, combined with the fact that his most affected area is under a diaper, and thus unreachable. Still - poor lad. He's definitely not a stoic, but is sharing his discomfort with all.

Abi is also not well. Nothing specific, just a general malaise (how often do I get to use that word??). She can function for a while, then lays down and reads or even sleeps. She's not terribly interested in food, though she has yet to turn down any Halloween candy. And for the record, I'm pretty sure she doesn't have the pox - she had them when she was about Dan's age, so I reckon she's probably safe.

The other kids are okay, health wise, for the moment. Noah had the chicken pox vaccine when he was little, so he's unlikely to get it, but Anna and Ellie haven't had it (the virus or vaccine), so I'm kind of waiting to see if they come out with little rose gardens of their own. But when two out of the five are out of commission for a while, it seems to make everyone a little more subdued.

This makes for a slower pace for sure, but I'm convinced it's not altogether a terrible thing. Of course, I would prefer my children to be happy and healthy - who wouldn't? But while the afternoons are quieter a little longer to accommodate the longer naps and outings have to be missed, we'll make the best of it. Lego creations are flourishing, goodies are being cooked and baked, books are being read, and snuggly little bodies that are usually so busy are cuddling up for naps on Mommy's lap. Not a bad thing at all.

Multitude Mondays

2011-10-31T10:57:00.000-04:00

God is so kind to our family, He really is. In so many ways, little and large, He is faithful to show is care and provision to my family and I...

going shopping with a birthday gift card
sewing with my girls
listening to and applying a good sermon
meeting a new couple at church
hearing God speak through His Word
surviving a Wegman's trip with 5 children!
finishing a great, big book - so good
crazy snow in October??
the Man, baking some yummy biscotti
a relaxing visit with friends

In Progress

2011-10-26T08:50:00.000-04:00

Several projects on the needles - first, it's this sweater, made for a grandma to give to her new granddaughter. I'm working feverishly to see that it's done in time to send it to California. I'm also praying that I've got enough yarn and won't need to order extra! It's coming together in good time, though - it's always helpful when you've got experience with a pattern. With it will go a pair of these really cute booties.

Next, it's this vest for the Man. It's a great pattern, very classic, but with the little yarn and little needles (size 3!), it's slow going. Fortunately, it's pretty mindless at this point, which means it comes with me and gets worked on when I have to think about other things. I'm hoping it'll be a Christmas gift, but if it's late, I'll have his birthday gift all sorted out!

Finally, a new pair of longies for Dan, just like before. He still wears the old ones to bed, but they're more like britches, now. I really like these on babies - they're warm, cute and work well with cloth or disposable diapers. They're great for overnight, since they keep the kickier kids warm. I was going for black in the hopes that not too much mud and mess will show when he wanders outside in them...Shame about all the white dog hair they'll pick up, though!

So, that's some of what's keeping me busy at the moment. Anyone else got their "making" hats on?

Multitude Mondays

2011-10-24T20:06:00.000-04:00

After my concern about going camping without the Man, I am very happy to report that I had a wonderful, though cold, time! Lit my first fire, erected a tent...it was great! I would definitely do it again, though will definitely bring more fleece next time - it was 40 degrees! So thankful for stepping outside of that comfort zone...

my Care Group
all the teenage helpers that came camping, to make things so much fun
hanging out around the campfire
napping at home with Dan in my arms
having dinner cooked for me
spending time with hilarious babies at church
pastors around the world, serving their churches so faithfully
lots of laundry being done
the family bonfire
finding Halloween costumes
having Anna remind us all to bring our needs to God in prayer
unlimited books from the library!
family read alouds
the feeling of taking one's socks and shoes off at the end of a busy day

Going camping

2011-10-19T21:46:00.001-04:00

On Friday night, I will be one amongst the 24 mothers and daughters going camping. As part of the Keepers at Home group that runs at our church, we decided one of the things we'd like to do with the girls is go camping, mainly for their fun and enjoyment, as well as for the opportunity for them to earn a badge for it. I'm in two minds about it, I must admit.

See, we are campers. I am happy to identify myself that way, and I really do enjoy it - from being a little cold to waking up early with the birds and really needing that first cup of coffee/tea by the fire. I love the cooking out, the kids wandering through the woods, the crackle of the campfire. But there are parts that I am not so fond of - the part that I'm in right now - the packing.

I normally don't mind packing for trips too much, but camping is different. Not only does it all have to fit in the car, but if I forget something small but crucial, it will mean the trip might just be miserable. Plus, with a camping trip, you've got to bring things that you don't normally bring on vacation, things like a kettle, lantern, and toilet paper. Ugh.

Plus, I tend to put off packing the "details" - anything that is not major equipment or clothes - until the last minute, whereupon I begin "panic packing". Does anyone else do this? I'm not sure if I or someone else will need it, but it might come in handy/I'm not sure if I've already packed it so I'll grab another, just in case/Oh, I almost forgot this!

There is one other concern here, and it's pretty big: Toby's not going. Moms and girls only. So, not only am I not going with the real camper in the family, I am also responsible for all our gear, which I only sort of know how to handle. Usually, when we camp as a family, my expertise falls in the "keep the kids alive" and "do what I'm told" categories. Now I have to erect and refold the tent correctly, learn how to light the lantern, and judging by comments from other moms, be prepared to light the campfire. So not in my comfort zone...

Having said all that, I know that once I'm there with my friends, we will have fun. The girls will have a blast, which is the main thing, and these women are great. We'll have so much fun together, having a laugh and most likely a blunder or two. It will be a good, stretching occasion for all of us, but I would like the record to show that it was I who suggested we stay in cabins.

Multitude Mondays

2011-10-17T13:23:00.000-04:00

Friday morning was interesting - wind and rain, followed by bright sun, repeat. During one of the wind and rain cycles, I stood at the window, marvelling at how the rain was coming down, just in time to see an old dead pine come crashing into our yard. Though it crashed through part of the kids' swing set, nothing else was damaged beyond some cosmetics. Amazing, considering that it actually hit the house and landed right next to a window and almost on top of our air conditioning unit. Most importantly, everyone is safe and sound. God is merciful.

the power God exerts through forces of nature
a very helpful insurance company, who gave us a check for repairs the damages the day it all happened!
very kind and helpful men with chainsaws
chatting with dear friends on skype
getting to know other moms at swim school
having lunch and games with friends after church
a clean closet
cookies in the cupboard
making plans for Christmas
being called, loved and kept by God (Jude 1b)

A Little Bit o' Pretty

2011-10-14T15:41:00.000-04:00

In the shop.

Oil on your face is good?

2011-10-12T09:22:00.001-04:00

I first read about the method of cleaning your face with oil at SimpleMom.net, and was intrigued. I had already had a try at going shampoo-free a learned an interesting fact about myself - I like lather in my hair, so back to the shampoo I went. How would I feel about oil on my skin?

Photo from makeupbykim-porter.com

As it happens, I rather like it. My skin can best be described as combination, and in the few months that I've been at this new skin care regime, the dry parts aren't dry and the oily parts aren't oily. I apply the oil in the evening as I get ready for bed, do the teeth-brushing and pajama wearing, and wipe it off with a hot, wet cloth. A splash of cold water in the morning and I'm done. No more moisturizers and toners and cleansers. Once a week or so I use an exfoliator, and that's it.

I won't reinvent the wheel by telling you how it's all done, since Tsh does such a good job of that here. I will tell you it's cheaper, simpler and generally all around better for the skin.

What's your simple, helpful or just lovely beauty recommendation?

Multitude Mondays

2011-10-10T13:18:00.000-04:00

This weekend we had an opportunity to go on an overnight Care Group Leaders' Retreat, where the care group leaders at our church got together to share a bit of what's going on in their lives and be refreshed and encouraged. It was a wonderful time, and another reminder at how much I have to be thankful for:

getting away overnight without the kids, all expenses paid
getting to spend time with the other leaders at church
sharing some of the joys and challenges of life with each other
giving and receiving prayer and encouragment
the amazing families who cared for our kids while we were away
the yummy food!
returning to some very tired kids on Saturday
Sunday morning worship
taking a family walk in Harford Glen
writing letters to faraway friends
a quiet breakfast with Toby to star the week

Lovin' Pintrest

2011-10-05T16:16:00.000-04:00

Have you seen Pintrest yet? Oh my. I put it off for as long as I could, but I suppose it was inevitable - so many have spoken of how useful/fun/inspiring it was, I had to jump on the wagon. I am such a sheep...

In short, Pintrest is simply a virtual pin board that you can share with others. See a great recipe? Pin it to your food board with photo and link, and others can thank you for sharing. Found a cute hairstyle or craft project you'd like to try? Pin it. It's less involved than a blog and more focused than facebook (no banal status updates - hoorah!). It's a tool, and such a fun one

Of course, it very much has the propensity to be a massive time-suck, absolutely. If you can guard yourself against it by being strict with when or how long you're on (just like any other website), Pintrest is a great resource. From food (my busiest "pin board")...

...to clothes...

...to nifty things to try...

...to just plain funny.

If you can handle the responsibility, get on there and get set up. And be a friend - that way I can follow what you pin on your board. Clearly, I am such a follower.

Multitude Mondays

2011-10-03T13:49:00.000-04:00

Sickness has now entered our home. At the moment, it's only one, but knowing how these things tend to sweep through a family, I don't think it'll stay that way for long. Whether it's preparing for difficulty or smack dab in the middle of it, it is just as important as ever to be aware of God's sovereign hand in my life and thank Him for all good things:

daily quiet time
an extra blanket on the bed
freshly baked bread
finishing a family read-aloud book
the excitement of choosing what to read next
people who serve faithfully, without ever asking for acknowledgement
friends who will sacrifice their comfort to serve our family
a child that voluntarily offers to help another
old movies
homemade tomato soup

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Gather of lights with whom there is o variation or shadow due to change.

James 1:17

34

2011-09-29T09:18:00.000-04:00

That's me now. I am 34 years old. Somehow, I have the feeling I should have "it" (whatever "it" is) a little more together by now...A goal for next year, perhaps?

A lovely birthday I had on Tuesday. My husband cooked my favorite breakfast - bacon, egg and cheese on a toasted everything bagel. Great way to start the day. School was followed by the mailman delivering what might be my favorite gift - a yarn ball winder! Out of the box it came, was run downstairs, set up in my work room and I quickly turn a few messy skeins of yarn into happy little yarn "cakes". It's difficult to articulate the feeling well, but there is just something about seeing those little "cakes" that just makes me happy.

In the evening my husband took me shopping at Christopher and Banks. For me it's a great store that straddles the divide between being too old and "full-figured" for Old Navy and too young for Chicos. Some things look a little too old for me, but most items are great, and their shirts are cut just right for the likes of me.

Shopping was followed by dinner at Neel's Kabob Factory in Bel Air. If you're not into Indian food, you probably won't enjoy this, but if you like to try something new, this might just be the ticket. The food was great (as was the price with our restaurant.com coupon)! We started off with falafel, which I'd never had before. They were quite tasty, though a little bland. They do provide tamarind and mint dipping sauces, which compliment nicely. Whenever I have Indian I usually go for a Chicken Biryani (chicken and rice dish) or a Chicken Rogan Josh (tomato-based, I think). I wanted to try something different this time, so I went for the Chicken Tikka Masala - delicious. Wonderfully creamy and flavorful and not too spicy (I ordered a 3 on their 1-10 scale). Complete with garlic naan, it was just right. They had a pretty varied menu, too - vegetarian options, halal meats, lamb dishes and even goat. I like new things, but I'm not yet brave enough for goat and I just don't care for lamb, so chicken is where I live.

Another thing I don't really care for is Indian sweets - I find them too sweet. Now they did have some cheesecake options, but I wasn't in the mood, so we wandered off to the new Wegman's around the corner from us to see what they had in their fresh bakery section. There was plenty of options, but for me there was really only one thing - the mini key lime pie. I think key lime pie is one of the best things going. Toby had a moon pie, I think - it looked a little weird, so I didn't pay too much attention, but I think he liked it.

So, that's my birthday, turning 34. Thanks to all who sent cards, gifts and well wishes - each has helped to make it a sweet day of celebration that God would give me not only that much time, but so many rich blessings into such a space of time. He is, indeed, so good to me.

Multitude Mondays

2011-09-26T16:59:00.001-04:00

In no particular order:

How the end of one season means the beginning of another
How an unexpected nap time for little ones can mean unexpected relaxation for me
Being able to pray for my children
Seeing their need for Jesus early!
Finishing my sweater
Sharing work space with my husband
Sitting in a cool breeze
Seeing the sunlight stream across my favorite quilt
Having the rower more accessible in my bedroom

My new favorite sweater

2011-09-26T16:37:00.001-04:00

I am so excited to have finished this. It's been a while in the making, but it's finally done! Yay!

First, it was going to be the February Lady Pullover. I got up to the neckline and had to put it aside for a while. When I got back to it, the neck shaping just wasn't looking right. Ripped it out and redid it a few times. No good. I even took it to my favorite yarn shop and got their assistance, which was definitely helpful. In the end, though, I learned that I knit funny. It turns out that not only do I tend to knit in a style that means I have to modify instructions for lace knitting, but I think I've also been wrapping my yarn the wrong way. Non-knitters won't care, but I think you knitters out there will get how that's troublesome.

So, I gave up. Sad to say, but true. But, there is hope - now that I've figured out what I tend to do wrong, I will likely go back to this pattern - it's so pretty!

Now, this yarn has been a dream to work with, and I love the color, so I had to find a project worth the yarn, so I had a go with this. I am so pleased at how it's turned out!

I am also extremely pleased that I can honestly say that my sweater is a size medium - I can't remember the last time I wore anything up top that didn't have an "L" in it!

This sweater is a wonderful testimony to the mystery of blocking. I've not always done it before, but the more I do it, the more I am convinced of how helpful it is. "Blocking" (as I understand it) is simply the method of moistening the fibers and allowing them to relax. You can spray or soak, then pin the garment. It then goes from being kind of tight and a little stiff to being relaxed and soft. In this case, before blocking it was kind of snug, a little short in the sleeves and you couldn't really see the yoke detailing very well. Now, it's perfect. And I love it.

A Spelling Resource

2011-09-21T11:31:00.000-04:00

So, since pretty much everyone is back in school, I figured now is a pretty good time to talk curriculum.

This year, for the first time, I am teaching spelling as it's own subject. That is to say, I'm not doing an all-in-one language arts program that tries to cover it, and I'm no longer hoping copywork will do the job for me. ( I know it does work for some, but not for us.)

I didn't want to spend money on something very comprehensive this year, so to the Internet I went, and came across K12. What a great site! They've got loads of resources for reading, comprehension and spelling, plus games and worksheets. Since I'm feeling the need for doing some catch-up, the girls are doing the second grade spelling list. The list is 16 words each week, and the method is:

Day 1 - Write each word 3 times.

Day 2 - Alphabetize the list.

Day 3 - Write 2 or 3 sentences with 2 or 3 spelling words per sentence.

Day 4 - Test.

Day 5 - Write any misspelled words 3 times each.

And that's it. It's been going well, too. The girls don't like writing the words out a lot, so they make an extra effort on the test. They like working together to alphabetize them, so that makes it fun.

Each week's list contains a couple easy words, for encouragement purposes, a large chunk or words that follow a similar pattern (ou- words or ol- words, for instance), and then a few challenges. A note of warning, though - there are some real toughies in there. Last week one of the words was "resources". I think that's pretty challenging for a second grader, which is partly why I don't feel too bad for treating it as meeting a remedial need. Having said that, it's probably a good one to use for the more gifted spellers out there.

This site has also has some great worksheets and drills for grammar and comprehension. I'm thinking about incorporating the comprehension worksheets, particularly since they go along with the weekly spelling lists for extra reinforcement.

Okay, homeschooling parents, what other spelling tools have you used to great success? What have you wasted time and money on?

Multitude Mondays

2011-09-19T13:12:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, things don't quite go to plan. Sometimes, I stay up late and get up early. The kids bicker, chores are ignored and I miss the garbage men. Sometimes, I need to say "thank you" for the simple things:

amazing stories of international adoption
sweet and sour meatballs
tortilla chips
another birthday
yummy cupcakes
a marvellous babysitter
movie night with my husband
bacon
getting a little nervous around the praying mantis visiting the deck
knowing that He is good, in all things - great and small

More Stripes

2011-09-16T08:35:00.000-04:00

For the same lady at swim school, another grandbaby sweater.

This time I used KnitPicks Swish instead of the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. Yarn was almost as nice and half the price. I couldn't pass up such a deal, and it was really nice to work with.

It would seem I have a thing about wooden buttons, too. I can live with that.

Vacation Options

2011-09-14T16:41:00.000-04:00

Last year, we were looking to go on vacation, but didn't know the best way to go about it. A hotel would be too expensive and we didn't want to camp with Dan being so little (about 6 months old). Friends told us about this website called HomeAway, where you can rent anything from a little studio apartment to a large multi-family chalet. We tried this place in West Virginia and had a great time. Great little house, a little off the beaten path, which was fine with us. We were able to pay for the rental by paypal and the owners were very helpful both before and after our stay.

So, having had such a good experience the first time, we went through HomeAway again for this year's vacation. This year,we stayed here. The funny part was realizing that the owners live in Newcastle. As it happens, Scousers have great taste in holiday homes, because this was another great place - plenty big enough for us and having everything we needed. Unfortunately, we had to leave early due to Eleanor coming down with some sort of tummy bug - we didn't want to risk the rest of us getting it and having to cope with an 8-hour drive at the same time!

The HomeAway website is very well set up. Plug in some of the features you'd like (bed, bath, etc), the area you'd like to go to, and the price you'd like to spend - then you can start shopping! It's got reviews, which are very helpful, mapped locations, and all sorts of other helpful details that can help you make your choice.

I think 2 years of good experiences warrants a recommendation, so if you're looking for holiday options, HomeAway is worth a look.

Multitude Mondays

2011-09-12T16:29:00.001-04:00

Our much-looked-forward-to vacation wasn't quite to plan - it rained, pretty much everyday. By Wednesday, Eleanor was throwing up. We were then concerned with a stomach bug making its way through the family while we were 8+ hours from home. And yet we had...

a lovely, large vacation home in a beautiful area
several evenings of log fires
kids who were happy to walk in the rain
plenty of premade dinners that made dinnertime easy
great audio books like The Penderwicks and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane to make the journey fun
long evening readings of The Hobbit
the trip home being more than 2 hours shorter than the trip out - those potty breaks add up!
though Ellie was being sick and Dan came down with a fever, no one threw up in the car or a public place (big thanks for that one!)
no one else got sick
the continued vacation at home has been comfortable and relaxing

And now we are home, refreshed, healthy and ready for activity that daily life brings!

Radio Silence

2011-09-03T06:13:00.002-04:00

Any minute the kids will wake, dress and eat breakfast. Then it's into the car (via a trip to the loo) for a week in the Adirondacks. We're so excited! So, I'll see you next week. If I forgot to do/send/tell you anything - I'll catch up with you then!

Scrappy

2011-09-02T15:02:00.000-04:00

Inspired by a trip to the Harford County Fair a couple months ago, I made a quilt.

Using left over scraps, I sewed three layers of raw edges, backed with baby fleece, criss-crossed it together and bound with some polka-dot cotton. I really like the way all the colors came together. Girly, but not frouffy.

It was an experiment and has it's share of mistakes, but I'm happy with the result. More than likely, it will be making it's way to some little girl at Birthright Pregnancy Center. Hopefully, it'll meet a need for a new mama and her girl.

Let me show you, child...

2011-09-02T14:53:00.000-04:00

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger...

James 1:19

I have long read this verse, reread it, meditated on it, prayed over it and sought to make it a part of me. It's so good, so simple, so practical.

And So. Very. Hard.

I don't listen well - I do that think where I try to be quiet long enough for someone to finish (sometimes), all the while planning what I'll say while I'm waiting to make my point. I'm not slow to speak - I'm impulsive, blurting things out. It would seem the my mouth is large enough to accommodate my foot. Slow to anger...are you kidding? I often feel like it's one of my defining characteristics.

So, how?? How do I do these things? I want God to change me, to fix this part of my nature and take it from me. As yet, not so much, but He did show me this:

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger

Proverbs 15:1

I've always read this and thought it's a tool of peacemaking and handling conflict. It is that, but I think that more immediately, it's a means of responding to my own conflict and bringing peace to my own soul. When I am mindful of the need to speak a "soft word" every time I open my mouth, I am slower to respond in anger. Likewise, my own harsh words or tones stir up irritability and anger within me.

I'm starting to see the fruit of this - it's amazing. I am beginning to recognize triggers that would often lead to my losing my temper and can pray in the moment that God would give me words that would honor Him. I am more able to think carefully about my words and avoid sarcastic or impatient replies. It's wonderful!

How kind of God to, answer my prayer, to remind me that I need His help to accomplish the task He has given, and to provide that help by showing me how to apply His Word. Beautiful.

The Man Preaches

2011-08-30T22:14:00.000-04:00

To hear Toby preach on oaths from the Sermon on the Mount: go here, click on "Tools for Growth" and download the message "Hold to Your Word, Hold to the Gospel".

I may be biased (and I should be), but it's good.

Have you seen these?

2011-08-30T22:09:00.000-04:00

Classical Kids CDs - an intro into classical music that is so fun! Each CD tells a story about the composer set to his own music. They can be expensive to buy as a set, but that's what birthdays and libraries are for! This link will take you to my favorite to date - Handel.

MilkShare - for those nursing mothers who have an abundant supply, you can now share your milk directly with a family who needs it. For the moms that are struggling with supply or other nursing issues and don't want formula, you can get the good stuff direct from another nursing mom.

The cough is moving around our house at the moment, which means the kids are getting the Vicks' Treatment: smear Vicks' Vapor Rub on the soles of their feet and cover with socks. Do this as they head to bed and I'm tellin' ya, they sleep much better. This doesn't seem to work for adults, I've found. For men, they seem to need the Man Cold Treatment. Women...well, we just take a Sudafed and get on with things, don't we?

Multitude Mondays

2011-08-29T13:23:00.001-04:00

Like most people on the East Coast, Sunday was clean up day, following the visit we had from Irene. Though things didn't go as planned, we still have much to be thankful for...

a night and a day in Baltimore on Friday to celebrate our anniversary, complete with great food and an almost complete visit to the Walters. The wing I most wanted to see was closed, but we will just have to visit again!
my mom being able to look after the kids, even when it seemed like traffic wasn't going to let her through. She made it home safe, too.
No trees down or any structural damage to the house.
Though the basement flooded, it wasn't because the sump pump broke, but because it was working so hard that a joint popped. Quickly mended, the pump continues to work, as does all of our electricity.
Getting the last air dryer rental to dry out carpets.
Other than wet floors, nothing was damaged. Amazing. The only thing we'll have to throw out was some computer paper that got wet.
All the little branches in the yard that will make great kindling.
All the policemen patiently directing traffic with so many traffic lights out.
The loan of a dehumidifier, and the kind friend that brought it over to us.
The knowledge that He is sovereign, and He is good. I need not fear anything that ultimately comes under the control of a good and mighty God.

Twirly, Tiered Skirts

2011-08-26T09:03:00.000-04:00

Such a fun thing to make. So easy and gratifying to make something useful out of so little fabric.

All done with scrap quilting cotton.

To make your own and validate the need for algebra, visit here.

Great books - for kids

2011-08-24T20:32:00.000-04:00

*PLOT SPOILER*

I am a book snob

Okay, now we've got that out of the way...

As Abigail and Anna were entering the second and third grades, I began to find it very difficult to find good reading books for them. They were in this really weird place where the books that were at their age/grade level were just lame - cartoon characters with bright colors that were more pictures than plot, not to mention the questionable attitudes of the characters. On the flip side, the books that I wanted them to get into were a little too long and thus daunting, with enough difficult words that made it more work than pleasure.

Wandering through Barnes & Noble's kids' section, I had the impression that if you could pick up a pencil and string a sentence together, you could get a book deal. Not encouraging. So, with the help of Veritas Press and Sonlight Curriculum, I have found a selection of great books for my kids! Here are some:

The Dragon of Lonely Island

Homer Price

Misty of Chincoteague

Some we've read in previous years, some we are reading this year. All are a reasonable length, nothing really questionable in terms of attitudes or situations, all engaging stories that are well written.

It's hardly an exhaustive list, though - I'm sure I'm missing some gems. Please chip in with something I've forgotten/never heard of!

Multitude Mondays

2011-08-22T08:09:00.000-04:00

I found this quote at the weekend, and everything in me simply resounded with "yes!":

"Five good children are an immense luxury, and to deny one's self other luxuries in order to raise them is not self-denial at all, but merely an intelligent choice of investment."

--Edward Sandford Martin, The Luxury of Children (1904)

My five children are a luxury - one that many will neither enjoy or understand. So, with that in mind...

the hands that wave goodbye * the lips that give messy kisses * the crooked-toothed smile * girls whispering in bed * when the big ones help the little ones * graham-cracker breath * ticklish legs * the white-blond hair * the badly-cut hair * a little voice sounding out words * a young voice reading the Word * many fingers making music on the piano * knowing that my house may be messy, but my harvest will be great * knowing we are each fearfully and wonderfully made * knowing that they are not a burden/a trial/a punishment, but a reward from a God who gives only good

Quick Tip - in the kitchen

2011-08-20T22:05:00.000-04:00

Did you know that you can poach eggs in the microwave? Stick 'em in, one egg at a time, for about 30 seconds. You'll hear a pop around second 26 - that's just air releasing from under the egg, not the yolk exploding. If you like them a little more "done", open the microwave after 20 seconds or so, slide a spoon underneath to release any air, and pop it back in for another 10 seconds. If you want it really well done, you're on your own - I've never cooked them longer than 20 seconds, so I have no idea what might happen!

Covering up

2011-08-19T13:43:00.000-04:00

I had never seen a nursing cover before Noah was born.

I learned to make them, for myself and others, when Eleanor was born. What a help! How nice to feed a fidgety baby with some modesty!

Now, they are available, for you, in the shop. You're welcome.

The Moon Cup

2011-08-18T15:48:00.000-04:00

DISCLAIMER - For the Ladies Only!

Not that I think that there are many men who actually read this blog, I wouldn't want any random male passing by to suffer from a case of "female overshare"! So if you are a guy, just pass on by, and we'll catch you again on a less gender-biased day. :)

Ladies, here it is - a Moon Cup.

I have been wanting to review this product for a while, but honestly there have been hold ups:

I've been pregnant;

I've been nursing, which postpones my monthly cycle;

and because of the two reasons above, I haven't really thought about it.

But now, I've remembered.

I began using the Moon Cup probably in 2005, when I began selling cloth diapers through the Lollipop company. Along with cloth diapers, they offered reusable menstrual cloths and this weird, rubbery thing. I could get on board with the cloth pads, but I wasn't sure about the cup. I mean, there is a pretty serious "ick" factor working here. But I figured if I am supposed to sell it, I should at least try it. If I hate it, I could at least suggest the women save their money.

As it happens, I never made that suggestion, nor have I ever regretted switching. In fact, I think one of the only things working against the moon cup and others like it (like the Keeper, Lunette and the DivaCup) is the "ick" factor. Once you get over that, though, there's no looking back.

Why should you try to get over it, though? Here are some reasons:

It's cheaper. Lots. In fact, the Moon Cup website does a cost break down. Seriously, that's money I could do something with!
It's pretty convenient. You never run out and if you keep it in your bag when your cycle is approaching, you are never caught out. And if you kids pull it out of your bag in a public place, you can be almost guaranteed that no one will know what it is!
No toxic shock concerns. Since toxic shock syndrome is linked with the cotton fibers in tampons, this has none of those risks. Mine is made from silicone (though the Keeper is latex), which doesn't wear out (not anytime soon), smell or stain.

So, there it is. It may sound weird or a little gross, but really for moms, we live with weird and gross things every day. At least this thing is working for you.

Belated Multitudes

2011-08-17T08:12:00.001-04:00

My cup has been so full of blessings that my cup has run over, which is why they are a few days late!

Noah's turned 5!
14 years married!
a day at Six Flags Great Adventure
weather that kept away the crowds but didn't shut down the rides
wonderful time with grandparents
a safe trip home, in spite of some serious rain
moms who want to teach their girls life skills in a God-honoring way
girls who want to learn!
tomatoes finally turning red
kids catching a katydid
the overflowing toilet that didn't leak into the room below (which has happened before!)
the evening's peace and quiet in which to listen to Sunday's message
the faithfulness of God, which is wholly unlike my own

Top Tips for the New (School) Year

2011-08-10T22:37:00.000-04:00

Well, most homeschoolers are getting ready to get back to the books here soon (if they haven’t already). Many will already have everything they need for the upcoming year, but some will still be undecided about a certain curriculum or tool they have yet to purchase. It seems that in homeschooling circles, personal review and word of mouth advertising is a big deal, and so (keeping in mind that my children are entering grades 4, 3 and K) I am honoured to share with you my top 5 recommendations and failures of the past school year (in no particular order) :

5. The Well Planned Day planner. It’s pretty, it’s helpful, it doesn’t have a load of stuff you’ll never use, it’s got monthly articles that are just great and it helps keep up to 4 kids planned at a time. For older students who are keeping track of their own work a little more, they also have student planners for middle school and high school. It’s my second or third year using it, and I’ve got no intention to change.

4. My girls used Learning Language Arts Through Literature last year (the red and yellow books). We did not get on with these. The girls like them fine, but they just didn’t seem to have much teeth to them. The program was trying to do a lot of things – copywork, spelling, grammar, reading, handwriting, etc – it seemed to be skimming the surface of lots and not doing anything particularly well. To that end, one of my kids managed to get through the year learning less than half of her spelling words, words that she was getting right at the end of the week, but there was no staying power.

3. The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading. I cannot count how many people I have recommended this to, but if I had a nickel…Abi used it, Anna used it and now Noah is using it to learn to read. It’s excellent – methodical, clear, uncluttered. You know what to do and what to expect your child to do. It has helped to produce two strong readers in this house already, and Noah is quickly on his way to joining them. And you can’t beat the price – you can even find it in the library (like we did).

2. We purchased the Institute for Excellence in Writing last year, though we didn’t really get into using it until this spring. Oh. My. Goodness. It is extensive, and a little overwhelming, but totally worth it. Abigail is still only in the beginning phases of it, but it’s basically a system for learning how to read critically, process and report back what a student has read. It will serve in reports, note taking and eventually creative writing (that’s pretty far away for us still – Abi’s only now coming to grips with the fact that she is not allergic to her pencil). There is a lot of information and if you’re like me, you can get totally distracted and seriously jump the gun, so if you get it – and you should – read the suggested lesson plans. I didn’t at first, and wasted months by frustrating myself and my child. Once I sat down and looked it all through (which didn’t take that long), it was all a lot more sensible and easy to manage.

1. Know yourself. Don’t try to be what you are not. If you’re relaxed, then be relaxed – you don’t need to schedule every second because someone else swears by their method. If you’re a planner, plan wisely and don’t fret that the other family in your co-op just built a scale model of their town in their spare time while you’re struggling to get the math work corrected. But also know your weaknesses and be prepared to glean wisdom from others and think outside the box a little. This can be difficult – in our hearts, I think we all want to be self-sufficient and just “make it work”, but it is a wonderful exercise in humility to admit to and ask for suggestions and guidance. So by all means, ask a friend, then ask your husband – and submit it all to the Lord. It is His children we are training and for His glory that we are training them.

Guess who has a new Etsy shop?

2011-08-09T08:12:00.000-04:00

That would be me! Yay! You can visit it's humble beginnings here.

Multitude Mondays - a new habit

2011-08-08T16:30:00.000-04:00

It's been a while in the thinking - since I read One Thousand Gifts, I'd been wanting to start my own list (what better way to chart my own thankfulness to the Giver of all gifts?). Months went by, of course, before I began. So, it's short, so far, but I'm looking forward to seeing how my recognition of and thankfulness for the gifts grow:

piano lessons
a piano teacher that is also a friend
the freedom to homeschool
unlimited library books
children who love books
clean clothes to put away
Noah rides a bike!
weird and wonderful wildlife on my own patch of earth
the smell of ripe tomatoes
sweetly playing kids

And so it begins...!

Eat this

2011-07-31T20:21:00.002-04:00

I don't know if many Americans know about Delia Smith, but everyone should know about this - the best cous cous salad ever, and one that totally speaks summer to me, even in the depths of winter. Don't wait until then, though. Make it right away!

Playful Stripes

2011-07-24T22:00:00.005-04:00

A wonderful woman that works at the swim school my kids go to (a big plug for Aquaculture - we love it!) asked me if I would make a sweater for one of her new granddaughters. I was so excited when she picked this pattern!

I loved the pattern, though it didn't go as fast as I had hoped, though I think it was because of all the different colors - I'm not used to carrying 4 balls of yarn in a single project. But it was a good experience, especially since I'd like to try my hand at fair isle knitting (someday).

The yarn (Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino) was wonderful to work with, and the coconut shell buttons are so cute. I love how they match pretty much everything.

I think making a second one should be an easier process, now that I'm familiar with it all. The best part is, the intended recipient (well, her mom and grandma, anyway) are happy, which is the most important part.

The Everything Tote

2011-07-19T08:05:00.002-04:00

From Weekend Sewing, another fun and useful project - the Everything Tote. It doesn't look too amazing, but man, can it hold some stuff - even all the junk I tend to carry around in 2 or 3 bags. Made from gifted sturdy canvas on the outside and linen on the inside. Helpful pockets for wallet and cell phone. I love the book, but as others on amazon have noted, there are some errors. Fortunately, the errata are available for download here. Don't let the errors stop you from trying out some projects here, though - there are several great projects that I've tried, and a few more that I'm planning on. Just be sure to download the "fix-it sheet" before beginning!

Miss Mary

2011-07-18T15:19:00.003-04:00

Another lovely pattern from the Handmade Dress:

The sizing is pretty flexible, being a wrap dress, so it actually fits both Abigail and Anna, though looks a bit different on each girl.

Made with a pretty cotton I had on hand, I think it turned out so nicely. I think I'd like to try making the version with the gathered skirt next. I can see this one being very versatile!

And now for something altogether different...

2011-07-12T11:40:00.003-04:00

Toby and I were enjoying a quiet evening on the deck, when I looked at my tomato plant and noticed...something. On closer investigation, this is what I saw:

Yup, that's our friendly local tree frog, eating a tomato horn worm.

Awesome. I didn't even know they ate worms. I am terribly grateful that they do, though - I found 3 more worms on there yesterday, and they are enjoying my tomato leaves a little too much.

We sat there staring at him for ages.

The leg thing kills me.

Isn't that amazing? In a tree frog, I see the handiwork of God.

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made... (Romans 1:19-20)

Babies!

2011-07-08T08:51:00.007-04:00

No, not mine. But I am smack-dab in the middle of baby shower season. Which means baby gifts. Which, for me, means projects.

I made this little set for a shower last month - a new baby girl needs a cute dress and coordinating shrug!

Patterns found here and here.

There is a shower for a boy this weekend, and I'm looking forward to seeing someone finally receive this pre-made vest.

Next week, is another shower, though the gender is unsure. The question is do I have enough time to knit something gender-neutral (like this or this), or do I work on a nappy bag for mom? Thoughts?

Trying for Fancy

2011-06-27T14:07:00.005-04:00

I wanted to make a dressy little something for myself - a date night skirt that's just a little more special than the usual. I bought this fabric ages ago, and it fits the bill nicely, I think. There are a couple of problems, though...

It's too big! A good problem, but still a problem. I measured constantly through the making, took it in a little more, and it's still too big. This should be fixable with a couple of well placed darts, but it clearly shows me that my measuring skills could do with some help.

I'm not sure about the length. It seems to hit about the widest part of my calf, which isn't very complimentary. Should I go a little shorter? Or maybe add lengthen it by adding a gathered or pleated section at the bottom? Or should I just get over myself?

On a separate note, I love my shoes. Timberland - who knew that Timberland did heels? (Not me, clearly.) They are, however, the highest heels I have ever owned, so I'm still learning to walk in them. It's kind of funny to watch...

Little Yarn = Little Hats

2011-06-27T13:45:00.003-04:00

I'm in the middle of several projects at the moment. I'm more than half way through this and have stalled when faced with some confusion. I'm almost done this, too - a request for a friend's new granddaughter.

But sometimes, I need something small and portable. Something that doesn't require a whole lot of paying attention. Something that doesn't require me buying more yarn, and even uses up some small amounts hanging around the cupboard. Something like this...

...and this...

...and this.

The two blue hats were from this pattern, using Plymouth Merino Superwash. Love the yarn, and the patterns are great, too. The pink was my own design (kind of like a baby beret, sort of) in Cascade Paints.

I gotta say, the ribbed one is my favorite. Something about ribbing on a little noggin is too cute!

They Make Hammocks

2011-06-25T23:12:00.002-04:00

I blame Toby. They don't get this kind of thing from me...

I'm surprised the bed's still standing

For the record, no one was injured during the photographing of these pictures. I don't know what happened after my camera and I left the room, though.

The Unexpected Cut

2011-06-16T09:00:00.005-04:00

I'd been thinking about Ellie's hair. After the big girls' hair cuts, I realized that hers also needed a cut, but I wasn't sure just what to do, so I waited. Evidently, I waited too long, so she decided to take matters into her own hands:

Sigh. These photos just don't do it justice - it's horrible. All my kids have cut their hair at one time or another, but it was always fixable; a small chunk, down low. Not this time - there are parts in the front where her hair isn't even an inch long.

I had a go at fixing it:

It's better, but still obviously not right. Oh, well. Thankfully, this is the season of sunhats...

The Family Funnies Book

2011-06-14T08:59:00.002-04:00

We have a book that we started when Abi was small - the Family Funnies Book. In it, we record some amusing things that happen or are said by members of the family (namely, but not exclusively, the children). What kind of things? Well, things like:

2 Oct '05 - Abi appears in the doorway of our bedroom, hands on hips with a disapproving look on her face and asks, "Who did this?", referring to the mess she made in her room.

April 7, '07 - Driving past a field, Kelly says, "Oh, look - 'moo-cows'." Toby laughs, to which Kelly says, "Oh yeah, I forgot the girls weren't in the car. I don't need to do 'toddler speak'". Toby laughs harder. "No, dear," he replies. "I'm laughing because those are horses."

July '08 - Kelly is preparing dinner when Abi walks in wearing a beaver's mask. "Mommy, what can I do to help?", she asks. "I don't know. What can a beaver do to help?", Kelly responds. "Well, I can chuck wood."

Oct 23, '10 - Praying with the older girls before bed, and after they had been particularly wild, Toby prayed that God would settle their hearts after being particularly rambunctious. Anna prays, "Dear God, I pray that you would tell me what rambunctious means..."

Dec 14, '10 - According to Ellie, one day she will be married, Dan will be married and Noah will be a pirate. Noah was very excited by this idea.

I love this book. The kids love this book. They love the idea that they were little and did and said silly things that cannot remember. They often pull the book out to read to guests (and can't understand the lack of interest). I love it because there is no way I can remember all this stuff on my own, but to have all these funny stories written down brings it all back to me. Plus, it's a much more manageable means of recording childhood (for me, anyway) than scrapbooking or trying to keep up with those tyrannical baby books.

A suggestion - if you don't have one, pick up a cheap hardback book or composition book - maybe cover it, maybe not - and record a few things that spring to mind. Then wrap it up, write a card, and present it to your husband or father for Father's Day. And be prepared to keep adding to it - memories are always the best gifts.

It must be summer

2011-06-09T08:55:00.004-04:00

Summer hair cuts - before...

...and after

Broom's Bloom

Not to mention the garden growing, swimming, picnics, BBQ and my personal favorite - air conditioning!

'Tis the season...

2011-06-04T21:15:00.006-04:00

...for shorts! It's been so warm recently that the kids have been getting through all 3 pairs of their shorts faster than I can wash them. That means that the sewing machine (along with the washing machine) has been busy.

Made out of an old skirt made unwearable by a hole, I cut the pieces out near the bottom, so I didn't even have to do any hemming.

These were for Anna - the top pair made with normal elastic in a casing, the bottom pair made with the delightful Fold Over Elastic. Good stuff.

You can make them out of the basic cotton or denim, or repurpose an old T-shirt or even an old adult skirt (which is what I did for Abigail's shorts, top). Repurposing means less junk lying around, extend life and usefulness, and less cash outlay. All good stuff.

I like Noah's pair, but I realize now that he really doesn't have much in the way of shirts that match. Not that that has ever stopped him before.
Ellie's are jersey with fold over elastic.
Dan's top pair are made with bottomweight fabric from my stash and the bottom pair are made with leftovers from the Lily Pants (more fold over elastic here).
Yes, that is Eleanor's nose in Daniel's backside. I have no idea why she would do this.
Yes, he really does love mud.

So you know, shorts are a very easy, very inexpensive thing to make yourself. Really. Once you've done it a time or two, you can put together a pair in under an hour. (That's pretty quick when you factor in diaper changes and emergency lifts out of the tree house.)

Lily Pants

2011-06-04T21:04:00.004-04:00

So, a while back, my friend showed me a pair of pants on Etsy and asked if I could make something similar. I was up for a challenge, so I thought I'd give it a try.

Here's what I came up with - The Lily Pants.

I promise, they're really not lopsided - getting a good photo was really difficult!

I'm really excited because this has been my first "commission" project, and definitely one of my first "designs".

Made of tobacco-colored linen with an elastic waist and purple rosettes at the gather for some extra pretty.
I'm rather pleased with how they turned out, and even Toby suggested I make some for our own girls. Don't be surprised if they turn up in my own Etsy store!

Warm Weather Dessert

2011-06-02T08:45:00.002-04:00

You don't hear too much about the lowly parfait anymore, but I'm suggesting a comeback. For one thing, it's pretty. The aesthetic pleasure goes a long way, I think.

It's seasonal - all those berries ripening up are put to excellent use here, and you don't need a lot of them.

It's quick - we're talking about layering yogurt (vanilla is best, use low/no fat for calorie counting), fruit and granola. Do it till the dish is full. That's it. No hot ovens to deal with.

It's healthy - almost everything is low or no fat. I use my own granola recipe, but almost any granola you enjoy will do.

And the wine glasses? They just make me feel like a grown up...

Please share any yummy summer dessert suggestions!

Tea for Anna

2011-06-02T08:34:00.005-04:00

This has been done for quite a while - I can't believe I haven't shared yet!

Done in the same yarn as my own Tea Leaves, this mini version is the same size as Abigail's - sharing is almost inevitable.

Some changes: I didn't do the decreases in the arm. No need. And I lengthened the arms, as well. She'll be able to wear it longer, especially since she'll get no use out of it at all for the next few months...

I've also learned that I love wooden buttons. They're cute and sturdy, standing up to washing, playing and tugging. And they match almost anything.

I love this pattern (I may have mentioned this before!). I suppose it'll be Ellie's turn next, though I think I'll wait a few months until it's needed. :)

Yummy Ugly Cake

2011-05-24T21:15:00.004-04:00

Last night, I was in a baking kind of mood, and since the bananas on the counter had reached a "use 'em or chuck 'em" state, I dug out a recipe for banana cake. I'd never made it before, though I've made banana bread before, but never the sort you'd ice.

Now, I love to bake, and I'm pretty good at it, too. I've had my share of disasters, but they are fortunately not the norm. So I was a little surprised to pull my 2 little cake pans out of the oven to find that both centers had sunk a bit. Usually I'd blame that on the kids running through the kitchen, but since it was about 9.30pm, that option was unavailable to me.

Once it was finally cool, I started icing it, and oh. dear. As much as I like to bake, I seem to be generally rubbish when it comes to icing things. I can never seem to get it uniform and smooth and without loads of crumbs smeared throughout. By the time I was through with this sucker, it looked as if someone had tried to eat it and cover up the missing bits.

However, it was unanimously voted the best banana cake any of us had ever had. Those of us who don't like banana bread loved it, and even the dessert snob (that would be Eleanor), who turns her nose up at pretty much anything but ice cream and cookies, inhaled her piece. So, I am pleased to share with you the recipe for the Yummy Ugly Cake (aka Banana Cake), found here.

2 cups sifted all purpose flour

1tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup butter or veg shortening

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/4 mashed ripe bananas

2/3 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt

1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts (optional - these would probably be great, but some kids have "views" on nuts in their food)

1. Grease and flour well 2 round cake pans.

2. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg.

3. Separately, cream butter. Slowly add sugar and beat till fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla. Add flour mixture alternately with bananas and buttermilk and mix until smooth and blended. Add nuts if using.

4. Spoon batter into pans and bake at 350 for 25-30 min. Cool for 10 min, remove from pan and cool completely before adding...

Vanilla Frosting

4 tbsp butter, 2 tsp lemon zest, 3 cups sifted confectioners' (icing) sugar, 2 to 3 tbsp cream or milk, 1 tsp vanilla.

1. Beat butter and lemon until creamy. Gradually add half of the sugar, blending well.

2. Beat in 2 tbsp cream, vanilla, and remaining sugar. Add enough cream to make icing smooth and spreadable.

Just do a better job of icing the sucker than I did, please.

Mighty Acts of God

2011-05-23T13:40:00.004-04:00

Here is the lovely book that led us through our homeschool Bible time this past year:

Mighty Acts of God has been such a wonderful tool for our family. Each day we'd read the passage (this might take a couple of days if it's covering several chapters), then the chapter in the book. I say chapter, but it's only 2 or 3 pages per chapter! At the end of each chapter are questions that really helped our discussion time go from "Any questions?" to something rather meaningful.

There were several times when I was either stunned or moved or both by how clearly and helpfully some difficult concepts were explained. Of course, the true test of a good "school" book is if the kids will read it outside of school - and they did!

Add in a memory verse each week, and Bible time it sorted. Obviously, though, this would serve very well to help lead through family devotions or even for a curious kid to read through on his or her own.

I hereby recommend it! So do these people...

My funny kids

2011-05-18T11:18:00.002-04:00

Like Mommy, he can sleep anywhere!
They were supposed to be "Princess Leia buns", but they turned out more like "Shrek ears".
When I first found her, she was completely covered, doing her math work. Of course.

All the sudden, I heard "Mom, look!" I looked long enough to take a picture, then I couldn't look anymore...

Incredible

2011-05-15T16:55:00.004-04:00

This morning in church, one of our pastors started to relate a story I found myself familiar with: Joshua Bell, international violin virtuoso, playing virtually unnoticed in a D.C. Metro station. The full story, incredible when you think about it, can be found here.

The point was this: it is shocking to consider that a man who plays for crowned heads of state could be so widely disregarded, but how much greater the travesty that the God-man should live 33 years on this earth, suffer the cruelty of a Roman cross, rise to life again, and all the while, the world walks on by, ignorant of the greatest gift the world has ever known?

The Humble Washing Line

2011-05-13T13:14:00.002-04:00

I know I'm in the minority here, but when the weather's warm, I try to hang my laundry outside. I did not grow up doing so, but after nine years in a country where it is very much the norm, the habit stuck. If my habits are not enough of a reason for you to give it a try, here are a couple more incentives:

It's cheaper. Seriously. This reason alone should encourage you to give it a try.

You know how you have to check the lint trap in your dryer and scrape all that lint out to make sure everything dries properly? Well, that lint is your clothes. Consistent tumble drying wears your clothes out faster. Which means more money. Again.

Hanging woolens in the sun doesn't shrink them, unlike the dryer. Definitely a plus when you're a knitter!

The sun can actually make your clothes cleaner! Don't ask me to explain how, but I've found that some stains fade in the sun, especially if a little lemon juice has been splashed on it.

It slows you down. I know that on the surface, that sounds like a "con", rather than a "pro", but how many of us complain about how busy we are? It's rather a pleasant, mindful thing to walk outside in the sunshine, hang a few things on the line and take your time about life, even if only for a few minutes.

This morning, I was out hanging up last night's laundry pretty early, around 7am. This meant I got to listen to the family of hummingbirds chittering away as they zipped around the yard. That alone is reason enough for me. :)

Warming Wee Ones

2011-05-04T10:38:00.007-04:00

First, a sweater for a gorgeous little girl with a lovely name - Emma Kate.

The pattern was very straightforward, once I actually read the directions clearly. On my first try, I didn't do the increases correctly and ended up with something way too big.

The Plymouth Baby Bunny yarn is wonderfully soft, and washable. Overall, perfect for wee babes.

And because I've been wanting to make this vest for a long time, I felt it needed just the right yarn to make it worth the while. It was worth the wait...

The wool was Cascade Lana Bambu, and so wonderful to work with. I still have another half a skein to work with (amazing - a wearable baby garment that only needs half a skein!), and I can't wait to find another pattern worthy of it.

And did I mention that I loved the pattern? Fun, clear and quick - all needful qualities in my knitting projects. Now I just need to find a baby to put it on, quick!

Following Well

2011-04-19T13:58:00.008-04:00

I've been thinking lately on the need for followers. Sure, everyone wants to lead, or see their children lead - being a "follower" seems so mediocre. But far more people will be in positions of needing to follow the leadership of another, and we need to know how to do it well.

Regardless of who we are, all of us need to submit to some authority over us: parent, husband, employer, pastor, etc. But how do we do this, and why?

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. ~ Hebrews 13:17

Though this passage refers specifically to pastors, I think that it applies across the board that my husband, pastors and even government leaders will one day have to give an account for the care they have given. That is part of the responsibility of being a leader. But what about me? It would seem that my job, as a follower, is to make their job easier, even joyful. Am I making their decisions easier to make? Is my heart's attitude one of respect and support, or do I fight tooth and nail, making them earn my respect?

But what does this look like? For me, it means not complaining when I'm unimpressed by the decisions that are made. It means speaking up in thoughtful ways when my counsel is sought. It means not being snide or sarcastic about my leaders to others. Ultimately, it means being aware that anyone in a position of authority in my life has been sovereignly placed there by God, and while I may not be able to trust in man's fallible wisdom, I can trust in God's infallible wisdom, power and grace.

I am fairly certain that as leaders will be held accountable for their leadership, I will be held accountable for how I have followed, and I want to answer well for it.

Woody: A Sweater

2011-04-18T09:00:00.004-04:00

Another sweater for Noah. I think he likes it.

Pattern here. Ravelry notes here.

For the feet

2011-04-14T21:12:00.004-04:00

Abigail has the most amazing ability to wear out her socks in record time, due in part because she wears them to skate across our wood floors. She saw a pattern for a cute pair of slippers here and begged me to make them.

Not a lot of fabric or time is required, just some leftover scrap material of choice and felt. I could have put another layer of sturdy material in, but elected not to - I didn't actually want them to feel to stiff.

I added in the elastic strap to keep the slipper secure - they are sized for women and so a little on the large side, and the elastic is just the thing keeping them steady.

After some test runs, skating around the house and a couple of tumbles (apparently, they are very good for skating), I used some puff paint on the sole to increase safety and decrease the need for a hospital trip. I don't think I could face a doctor with, "She broke her arm skating in some homemade slippers". There are times when I am happy to be something of a killjoy.

How He Climbs

2011-04-14T20:45:00.004-04:00

If climbing up won't work...

...then climbing in will do.

Honestly, I think he was as surprised as I was...

3

2011-03-24T22:10:00.004-04:00

My kids keep growing, in spite my pleas to just "slow down!", and so it wasn't too long ago that I started noticing that Ellie's pants/trousers were looking more like britches. Time for some new bottoms.

One of the best things about these pants is that all the fabric was either donated to the cause of keeping my family in clothes, or leftovers from other projects.

Free clothes are not to be sniffed at!

And at the end of all the modelling, she had to check that her belly button was still there. You know, just in case.

Whew! What a relief...

Some worthy reading material

2011-03-18T08:50:00.009-04:00

In no particular order:

Teaching the Trivium - An excellent, biblical homeschooling reference, walking through the classical homeschool method. Part 1 is theory - the "why" to homeschool and do it according to the classical method. Part 2 is practical - this is what it looks like through the ages and stages. Part 3 is reference, from articles to resource lists. Overall, I think it's safe to say that it's changing the way we homeschool.

Practicing Hospitality - Another good reference, particularly if you are not terribly confident in the whole "showing hospitality" area. A selection of recipes scattered throughout, each chapter focuses on a different aspect of hospitality, "Hospitality + Culture/Ministry/Family/Church". I can't say I learned anything dreadfully new, but it was good to be reminded of some things and I definitely picked up a few tips along the way.

Start your Family - A little late for the lady with 5 kids, I know, but what can I say - it came out a little late for my benefit! A good look at the many reasons we like to put off having children and why they are often unbiblical. It wasn't as gospel-centered as I would have hoped, but overall it did a good job of lining the thinking of popular culture up next to Scripture and pointing out the flaws. A good book for newlyweds or anyone else who is thinking about when they should...start their family.

Wisdom from Proverbs - A short little devotional on the book of Proverbs, geared toward the homeschooling mom, though I'm sure many others would benefit. Great for application of various proverbs, with additional helpful verses in each reading. I'm not a big one for devotionals, generally - I find I'm reading about the Bible more than I am reading the Bible - but this was good, short, to the point. Do what I did and make it part of your before bed reading, rather than quiet time reading, and you're good to go!

Daughters of Hope - Not a comfortable read. The authors basically went around the world to some of the countries most hostile to Christianity to speak with women about their experiences as believers and most, if not all, of the stories would be best described as "harrowing". And yet they do not give up. Read it, if only to inform your prayers for the persecuted church and remember that faith isn't always free.

Now it's your turn - any good books to add to my list?

Projects that I've been waiting to share for ages

2011-03-15T08:29:00.003-04:00

The girls needed pencil cases, as directed by the Daddy - I think he got tired of hearing pencils rain down on the floor. It would seem that it's not actually a school day in the Gayner household without children losing control of errant writing impliments. But I digress...

Thanks to another fabric donation (apparently I run a fabric orphanage), the girls were the happy recipents of bi-colored pouches.

Also, in a fit of experimentation and "I bought the book so I'd better use it"-ness, I now have a gardening apron.

Funky vintage fabric from grandmom, and bias tape. That's pretty much it. It's got lovely large pockets and loops for tools - should make my job out there a little easier (when I actually get around to going out there, that is). It would also make a good all-around craft apron - just don't stab yourself in the leg with scissors pointed the wrong way...

Rooibos

2011-03-10T08:07:00.003-05:00

It's finally finished! Actually, it's been finished for a couple weeks, but now I am finally able to take photos and post about it!

I love it. It was straightforward to make, though the increases around the neck began to feel a little tedious, but by that time, it was time to begin the stockinette stitch.

I loved not having to do any seaming and minimal finishing.

And I love the buttons I found in my stash! Just right, me thinks.

I made the sleeves a little longer than 3/4 length, but shorter than the pattern suggested - if I had followed the instructions for the size, the sleeves would have been well past my fingertips! (Have I mentioned I have the habit of knitting too large for myself?)

The yarn I worked with was lovely, but am now seeing lots of pilling in evidence. If I had it to do over again, I probably would use a smoother yarn, something like this or this.

And for the unaware, Rooibos is a South African tea, meaning "red bush". So now you know.

Dan-Dan

2011-03-08T08:48:00.004-05:00

Has a year ever gone by so quickly? I think not...

Happy Birthday, my sweet boy.