recharging

We had a beautiful Thanksgiving.  We have a long tradition of logging hours in the cold mid-west kitchen followed by “stuffing.”  I was so thankful for a chance to rest and re-charge this year with our family somewhere warm.  We added a few days at Disney (my first time ever!) for the girls birthdays and followed it up with a few days by the sea.  We still got our ice cream (some of us daily…) just with little chocolate mickey ears.  It was a bit magical all around for our family. Now that I’ve had some sun let the merry season begin.

mommyhood ice-cream

Psalm 131: 2  (in my words)

But I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a baby with its mother.  My soul is at peace, like a little child.

This week I made a slightly odd flavor; caramel & sea-salt ice-cream.   The caramel a complex sweetness created by burning the sugar, its byproduct stickiness becomes its addictive downfall and redeeming touch.  The sea-salt, added sparingly contrasts the sweetness of the caramel and melds the flavors.  Too much would ruin the taste, and too little would make a dish bland.

One of the joys of eating meals at camp during the summer is a chance to share the table with others.  I am never quite sure heading into the dining hall who we are going to sit with or how my children will behave.  Tonight I was given a compliment from across the table as they observed my enjoyment of motherhood. I accepted these kind words but truth be told  I am not one who gracefully entered into this role but more entered like my first daughter did into this world; kicking and screaming.  I always wanted to become a mother and truly love kids, so I was slightly caught off guard at my hesitant reaction to embrace these precious gifts in my life.

I spent the months leading up to my first daughters arrival eating all the right foods, exercising and going to natural child birth classes.  The one thing that I failed to do was prepare myself with the skills and emotional strength it took to actually care for a new baby.  This new life glaringly revealed my selfishness and need for grace.   I spent quite a few years warming up to the role, softening my heart and slowly learned to embrace its diversity.  I fought staying at home full time with them until the sticky little sweeties won over my heart.

Motherhood is not for the faint of heart, it is a role for those waiting to meet their extremes.  It’s an intentional surrender of your freedom to love another deeply.  You cannot truly enjoy the sweetness without the contrasting saltness, the flavors compliment on a new level.  It is a messy undertaking with its stickiness and overpowering zest, but I can assure you one thing it’s never bland. Somehow the days begin to meld and leave you with something to truly savor.

 

 

 

milestones…

This is my 100th post (I know already!) and I ran my first 10K ever this morning at the Grand Rapids river bank run.  Who would have ever thought I would be doing either of these in 2011.   I was overwhelmed by the mass number of people moving in the same direction.  The image of so many individuals moving towards the same goal, like a highway of people.  Very aware of all that were around me, I found that I consistently miscalculated people.  It’s that unseen training and inner drive that keeps one going, not matching outfits, skin color, or body size.  Soon after I was cheering for that runner who slowed down on the side of the road and those defying my judgement. How important encouragement is, (I loved my two personal cheerleaders) even more so as the end draws near.   Each runner with their own beautiful story and motivation, racing together to finish.  I saw this as the simplest observation and found it easily transferable to spiritual applications.  This is what we train for friends; eternity.  You Can Do It!

Hebrews 12:1-2   Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Isaiah 62:10-12  Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people.  Build up, build up the highway!  Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations. The LORD has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: “Say to Daughter Zion,  ‘See, your Savior comes!  See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’  They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the LORD; and you will be called Sought After,  the City No Longer Deserted.

We were so thankful for our little getaway, it was just what we needed.  An overnight, little family time and a pool.   I loved seeing all these little love notes on the table this morning.  ”I hope that we stay here every night” heart heart heart!

Nut fell asleep in the car holding her balloon from the race.  Static electricity took over, clinging to her cheek and making her hair dance as she bobbed in her sleep.  Poor innocent little thing she was just as wiped out as I was…  yet she even amuses us in her sleep.

For Eunice: Mint julep ice-cream & Burbon fudge brownies

As newlyweds we lived in Kentucky for a few years as my husband finished his MDiv.  Our first (itty bitty) apartment was half of a starter home that had been split into a duplex.  On the other side lived the owner the sweetest 85+ year old woman, Eunice.  She was proper in ever southern way,  I loved catching a glimpse of her on shopping day which came once a month.  She transformed into this glamorous woman complete with faux fur coat and lipstick.  I once caught her on a ladder trying to change a light bulb and had to convince her that she could come down, so I could help.  You could never just talk for a moment, she alway invited me over, eventually she would even let me in when her hair wasn’t done!  I rarely turned the heat on during the winter because she kept her half so warm the heat radiated over.  Sometimes she sang opera or old hymns, those made their way over to our quarters.

It was in that little apartment that A and I blended (beated or whipped might be a better word) our very different cooking backgrounds in our journey to oneness.  I also made my first batch of ice-cream ever in that little space.  I often would take plates of food and bowls of soup over to Eunice who didn’t like to cook for just one, other than that I think she lived off of diet coke.  She used to say in her sweet voice “you’re an artist in and out of the kitchen!”  I loved that phrase, it still makes me smile.

Although we never attended the Kentucky Derby  day which was held this past weekend, I make this weeks flavor in honor of the late Eunice.  She was a faithful servant with a loving heart, I sure am glad our paths crossed.  About a year ago I got a hankering to look her up and ran into her obituary online.  It unfortunately was missing all the personal and sweet details that are impressed in my mind of this ever-giving lady.  May she be rejoicing in the Lord’s full joy and love today!

I used these recipes Mint Julep Ice-cream and  this isn’t my exact recipe but this is close for Burbon fudge brownies.  So good. Enjoy!

here comes spring if the weather cooperates or not

Oh man, its been a REALLY busy week… 

painting, meetings, rain, snow, sleet, thunder, lightning, hail, snow day, spring bulbs, egg dying, family visiting, new windows, late nights, easter dress shopping, meetings, food, laughter, Isaiah study,  moving furniture, new carpet, brown rice cream, 6.5 mile run, meetings, play dates, and baby chicks.

Meet molly, sally, sweetie girl, speedy, peepers, and runt!

a treat sort of a day

Yesterday it was 50 out.  It was also a snow day?

School was called off due to morning ice I presume but  it turned out to be such a gorgeous day that we couldn’t help but enjoy the sunshine.  Camp has its own rhythm outside of summer and on a weekday it is quite tranquil… This makes a great setting for quality time, teachable moments and a little nature discovery.

So we enjoyed the warm weather, snow, longed for our fun summer days and enjoyed lollipops.  These were gifts from friends for their birthday’s but I kept finding reasons to delay the sweet treats.  I think they tasted better after the wait, perhaps as sweet as spring feels after a long snowy winter.

 

books, books and sacred corners

Some mornings you wake up and know its just gonna be a great day.  The beauty of the ordinary which is rarely appreciated until something catastrophic happens and we long to be back in that spot.  That mindset allowed me to savor waking up early with my husband, anticipate the coffee brewing and reading in bed together for a whole hour before the girls even woke.  Dutch baby pancakes and sausage for breakfast, I sat on the couch gearing up to go out and shovel the 5 new inches of snow when my neighbor drove up in his tractor/plow and took care of the sidewalk and driveway.

This allowed me to look around at corners of my home that I have been overlooking for weeks with a new freshness.  I wish I took a before picture but I am sure we can all imagine a corner ruled completely by kids, books shoved in crannies, crayons, sticky fingers… isn’t that quite the picture in itself!   This morning I was on a mission more than straightening books but sorting and savoring.   As nut turned four shortly before Christmas I am torn between making room on the shelves for new mature books and parting with treasured pages.  We are a family that reads, so many afternoons are spent snuggling on the sofa a kid on each side a pile of books on the lap.   I generally fall somewhere in-between a keeper and purger, but today is a great day.  I can confidently make the room, letting go of the objects, yet keep the memories and moments.  Sometimes the letting go leaves your hands free to embrace what is coming ahead.

{this moment}

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see. Find out more about this ritual at soulemama.com

I have to write a few words… Just want to give a heads up, next week I am posting a series of working in clay – reflections from a potter.  I am so excited to share about what has been laid on my heart.  Also I will be posting more pendant necklaces and hosting the first sale in my shop all next week, stoneware pendants will be 20% off.  I am looking forward to this weekend and enjoying the sun glistening on the snow!

snow and sewing

Snow storm today… It is absolutely beautiful out, we spent about 2 hours outside playing with friends, building snow forts, shoveling, riding on sleds, snowball fights… you get the picture.   The moment we stepped inside S began asking to use her new little sewing machine again.  It was by far her favorite present that she opened last night, within 30 minutes of opening it she sewed up these two little felt sleeping bags and pillows for her littlest pet shop animals and a little bag with a heart pocket for them today.

I have really been wanting to find a way to spend some special time with just her, so this may be the ticket.  To be honest when I was about her age I had a little rabbit family of calico critters, I spent hours hand-sewing clothes and little beds with embroidered carrots on them.  Glad to see her developing this passion on her own (and with maybe a little encouragement.)

The coolest part of this is I got this little pixie sewing machine for free!  Yep sometimes others cast-offs become our new treasures.  I was wanting to get her one anyways to learn on but wasn’t sure that she was old enough.  I should have known with all the exposure this kid has, she would know just what to do.

More about this little machine, the reviews I read online for this and other kids/crafting machines are really not that great.   So I must have scored that 1 in 1000 machine, because I love it!  This is such a great machine for a new little learner or crafter.  It comes with a petal, multiple stitch patterns, a back-stitch, even a light, not to mention that its purple!  When she gets enough practice I will just move her up to my larger machine.  I love how small and light it is, very easy to pull out for a quick little project or sewing on paper.  If you are really getting into sewing or have an older child you may want to research a student version or simple sewing machine, but this works great for this purpose.  Six year old approved!