Dear friends, won't you pardon my absence? We have been adventuring in a place where magic and wonder abound, and I am sitting at home after a long journey savoring every last memory. I will be here in this space in the coming days doing more of the same, and I do hope you will join me.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Adventuring
Dear friends, won't you pardon my absence? We have been adventuring in a place where magic and wonder abound, and I am sitting at home after a long journey savoring every last memory. I will be here in this space in the coming days doing more of the same, and I do hope you will join me.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
My Summer To-Do List
-take children out to play in the rain
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-go swimming in a creek
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-oh wait, get rid of tan lines
-eat a lot of ice cream
-go to the 4-H fair
-buy as many peaches as possible and freeze them
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-put up a clothes line
-keep flowers alive in window boxes
-make pesto with our basil once a week
And my, here we find ourselves on the cusp of August. I've got to get busy! How are your summer to-do lists progressing?
Unveiled
Monday, July 19, 2010
Unexpected Beauty
Friday, July 16, 2010
Fresh Figs
When we were hoping to get pregnant before Zosia was born, I held superstitious beliefs about fresh figs. All those tiny seeds, so gracefully conveyed in a single fruit. Could there be a more suited symbol of fertility? I devoured them straight from the store, my hopes and dreams for a child growing with each delicate bite.
I still eat figs with caution, nervous about the power they contain. And now, awe. Creating, sustaining such life. It takes such steadfast energy and commitment, but the fig does this with grace, imagination, charm.
I spend the year scanning the produce aisles of the grocery store, hoping for that perfect month when figs will arrive; unlike so many other fruits, there's just a tiny window that fresh figs can be purchased-- a magical midnight bloom. And yesterday was this day. And oh, I am happy.
Labels:
yum
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Cleanup
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Homemade Bread Machine Buns
Routines have a way of soothing the spirit, and there is no routine that is more therapeutic for me than baking. The problem is, with a wee one on my hip for most of the day, baking bread has been on the back burner (no pun intended) for a while now. It was a friend of mine who reminded me of the existence of the bread machine. And wait... don't we have one in the basement, a hand-me-down from my mom who purchased it for cheap at a yard sale? And just like that, our home is filled with the aroma and taste of homemade bread, and I am reminded that often, technology is quite a nice thing.
I took a queue from my friend: throw the ingredients in the machine every day or two while the girls are eating breakfast, turn on the switch, and bread will be ready by lunch. And if you're feeling ambitious, you can even make a second batch in the afternoon, which yesterday meant homemade hamburger buns for dinner (use the dough cycle). You might even score bonus points with the husband, especially if you treat him to white flour.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Scarcity, Abundance
It has been a time of scarcity and abundance.
scarcity: sickness, fussiness (mine or my childrens', I don't know) impatience, weakness, questioning the merit, the purpose of this whole motherhood thing
and, thank God, abundance: a prayerful husband who is my foundation, clear and wise voices, a new day, a stronger commitment than ever to living the Gospel in this family of mine, and endless forgiveness
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23,25)
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Peace to this household
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Hiking
My heart still longs for the beautiful potential of a hike: the miles under my feet, the many views in my memories, the discovery of beauty. So we snuck away, us two delinquent parents, and made a morning of it, going to our favorite hiking spot in the area, one we walked on many times as teenagers, sneaking away for kisses behind trees.
And it was all still there, just as I remembered it: the muddy path that emerges onto a beautiful stream, the big rocks that are perfect for hopping, the swimming hole, the surprising opening to the Potomac River. We spent the morning chasing each other up hills (note to self: Ben always wins), dipping our feet in cold water, and eating what could only be described as a peanut butter and jelly ball. And the trees are still just fine for sneaking kisses.
A Friday to Celebrate
And we celebrated together on the deck with peach fizz, rosemary roasted potatoes, thinly sliced steak strips, strawberry salad, green beans, carrot cake, and sparkling wine. Ooh, what a feast! Only to be beat by the good company.
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