Some People Are Born Weird

Oh, and by the way, in binary I'm about 10,000 years old. "Some people
are born weird..."

Joy! Joy! Joy!

I hope you all had a very blessed Christmas, and that your new year is just the same! I thought I would share with you some of the things I am thankful for this season.

 

I'm thankful for...

Icicle lights and the "little" brother who hung them up. I did have to hold his ladder when he hung them on the peak. It was sooo cold out!

A little sister who bugled on our decorative trumpet while we were decorating the house for Christmas.

The people at the Christmas tree farm who give us candy canes every year and are just so nice. We especially like their dog Coal, who loves candy canes, his own mini-forest, and little girls. He must be the happiest dog in the world! : )

The way a Christmas tree sparkles when all the lights, ornaments, and pearls are on it.

Funny mix-ups with my little sister's and my coats. They are both black but there is about a three-size difference. I wore hers to the mail, and only realized it was too small when I tried to zip it. : ) She wore mine to our Christmas service.

A Christmas story contest. Join the fun at www.noblenovels.weebly.com. (As far as Christmas stories go, I think God already won.)

Friends and neighbors who thought of us this Christmas and blessed us with cards, goodies, and even a smoked turkey. We love you!

"The Nativity Story", a movie that brings it all alive and makes one realize just how special Christmas is.

The hymn "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus". Thank you Charles Wesley!

Fun chats with my mom and my older sister as we stayed up late finishing up our Christmas presents for the little girls.

Design advice from my dad and my mom. : ) I'd be lost without you!

Little sisters with their secrets, and the pictures they gave me on Christmas day. This year Emma blessed me with the coolest stationery!

A stuffed stocking... You gotta' love chocolate brown fashion socks, a knitting kit, etc., etc., etc. : )

A comic book from Anna to enjoy in the near future. : )

Clapping when one of my siblings unwrapped the new family ice cream maker!!!!!!

Mom's Pioneer Woman holiday cookbook to look through and drool (and laugh) over.

Getting to see the sweet nephew and his drivers. (Love the drivers too.) He laughs when Perry shuffles cards! It is so funny!

The mug I recieved from Perry with a (very) original quote  she free-handed on it. "Some are born weird, some achieve it, others have weirdness thrust upon them..." All of the above! Love ya'!

Christmas dinner with said turkey. Mmmm...

Keith and Kristyn Getty's "Joy: An Irish Christmas", and Andrew Peterson's "Behold the Lamb" music cds. They remind me just what we are celebrating and just how special it is.

A God who loves the ones He created so much that He would give His precious Son to die in our places even though we have chosen to completely rebel against Him. That is what Christmas is celebrating... a God who says, "No, I love you. I will do all I can to get you back."

 

May you realize and accept His blessing to you! I hope you had a merry Christmas!

Water!

Wow. After almost a week of no running water, our pump is finally on
again! Thanks to two good friends from church who were willing to spend
their Sunday afternoon working on it. You have just made washing dishes
possible. I think the laundromat might miss us, though.

First Snow!

We had a great time playing in it! (I took pictures). Can you believe it
is 23 out? You gotta' love watching the youngest drag her sled up a hill.
: )

1. Teamwork!
2. The stuff dreams are made of...
3. "You know, of course, this means war!"
4. My snow angel

Fun Late Summer Memory

This was such the fun and educational experience! And the kittens were
absolutely adorable. : )

Working Washer = Joy

We have a working washer! Special thanks to the friends who picked up and
delivered it and to the new friends who gave it to us.

My Heart Is Filled With Thankfulness

My Heart Is Filled With Thankfulness

My heart is filled with thankfulness

To Him who bore my pain,

Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace

And gave me life again,

Who crushed my curse of sinfulness

And clothed me with His light,

And wrote His law of righteousness

With power upon my heart.

 

My heart is filled with thankfulness

To Him who walks beside,

Who floods my weaknesses with strength

And causes fears to fly,

Whose every promise is enough

For every step I take,

Sustaining me with arms of love,

And crowning me with grace.

 

My heart is filled with thankfulness

To Him who reigns above,

Whose wisdom is my perfect peace,

Whose every thought is love.

For every day I have on earth

Is given by the King,

So I will give my life my all

To love and follow Him.

 

 

Thank you Keith Getty and Stuart Townend for putting these thoughts into beautiful words! Thank you God for being all of these things!

(BTW-- the tune is even better.)

Thanksgiving

Today I'm thankful for a dad and a brother who are willing to do the
research to re-wire our ceiling fan so the light comes on. (Actually Paul
was holding it up while Dad figured out the wires.) It is going to be so
great especially since the sun is going down so early!
I'm also thankful for a sister to help me make pumpkin bread. That was
really fun, especially the part where we had to grind whole cloves with
two bowls and a meat pounder. : ) The house smells so good right now!

The Artist and the Detective

You have to love it when the four-year-old sells twenty pictures for a
penny each to complete her first green dollar! She plans to spend it on
gumballs to sell for more money. There is also an eight-year-old
detective, going under the name of "Barbara Walters", roaming around in
Mom's wool coat and Dad's black hat. She even has a magnifying glass! She
has solved three cases so far.

Winter in Autumn

Today, even though it is below freezing outside, we decided to go out and
play since it wasn't raining. : ) Now we're indoors, and what do you know
but wool socks are really good for "skating" in (on wood floors). The
sink is running so the water lines don't freeze, and we keep asking Mom
about it. We're all well-trained not to waste water. : ) If you are ever
cold inside step outdoors, and you are immediately grateful when you come
back in!

1. Betsy Bea loves to jump on the trampoline!
2. Everyone is ready to see Aimee's big shot!

Banana?

Sometimes there are phenomenons. And sometimes they are food.

 

Banana Cake

1/2 C melted butter

1 C sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 C mashed bananas (approx. 3)

1/2 C milk

2 C all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

Chocolate chips to taste*

 

Beat together oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Bake in a lightly greased and floured 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a fork comes out clean.

 

~From Set for Life by Merrill and Sunderland

 

*This tastes really yummy with chocolate chips, but we recently discovered another fantastic way to eat it...

 

Chocolate Peanut-Butter Frosting

16 teaspoons milk (5 TBS and 1 teaspoon)

2/3 C peanut butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 1/2 C powdered sugar

16 teaspoons cocoa (5 TBS and 1 teaspoon)

 

In a small saucepan, heat the milk, peanut butter, and vanilla. Add the liquid to the powdered sugar and cocoa. Mix well until it is of a spreading consistency. (You may need to add some milk). Ice cooled cake and cut to serve.

 

~From Recipes from Home: The Eldon Shetler Family Cookbook, recipe by Janet Ewing

 

Enjoy this cake every leap year!

One of Today's Joys

We are using the dishwasher!

Joys and Adventures from the Past Two Weeks

Joy:

Listening to Betsy Bea tell a love story where two people meet in the woods and tell each other their names are cute and handsome. Then they "made funny faces" and shortly after got married. They raced to the wedding in their own personal race cars, and later, when they had their first child, that really came in handy because they could get to the hospital really quickly. In turn, I told her my version of "The Frog Prince".

Adventure:

Cleaning out the refrigerator of our old house. It really wasn't that gross, it actually made me hungry for burritos, of all things. Then I got to defrost the upright freezer. It was so cool the way the ice came off in strangely shaped hunks! I did get my feet cold and wet, but it was really interesting just the same.

Joy:

Celebrating my favorite little man's birthday by watching him eat his first slice of birthday cake. He smashed the piece in half before eating it, then ate what had fallen into the pocket of his bib until it was time for me to clean him up. We got to play with his new toys some before it was time to go. By the way, we discovered that I am hilarious when I have my coat hood on and I make funny faces at him. You wouldn't believe the giggles I got while we were waiting to leave! It was such the joy to ride in the backseat with him and watch him be fascinated by the hail hitting the back window. After that he fell asleep clutching my finger in his fat, little fist.

Adventure:

Sadie, we always do the weirdest things together, don't we? This time it was forming elk patty after elk patty to freeze since some friends delivered a whole ice chest of meat along with our piano. Thanks for helping my sisters and me!

Joy:

Clapping for my friend after she fiddled amazingly at our local Fall Festival. Rebekah, you are amazing!

Adventure:

Boiling water to wash dishes in since the hot water heater is broken. Plus, our water isn't potable, so we get to rinse our toothbrushes in Dixie cups.

Joy:

Going to the pretend doctor's office and having Dr. Skittles inspect my foot. Though, I will admit that I suspect she was trying to see just how ticklish I am.

Adventure:

Finding out you have to stick your hand in blackberry bushes to put the flag up on the mailbox.

Joy:

Being the banker in Monopoly and having the cutest assistant ever. Would you believe the four-year-old can recognize the difference between the types of money? My wealthy seven-year-old sister passed out ten dollars to everyone when they were on the verge of bankruptcy.

Adventure:

Using six washers at the local Laundromat!

Joy:

Naming helicopters and discussing bullet train technology while planning a story with my brother.

Adventure:

Banging elk patties on the kitchen floor to try to break them apart. The best part was when the bag broke and they slid across the floor!

Joy:

"Dancing" with Betsy Bea in the new bedroom I share with Aimee. We also tried on fancy Victorian hats and even porcelain doll hats as well. Our favorite song to dance to was "When Did You Fall" by Chris Rice. (Fun sound, you know.)

Adventure:

Our cat has not only experienced a new house, but also living in a dog kennel. She really enjoyed it and the hay was her favorite part! She also has been playing "soccer" with a little ball on our awesome wood floor.

Joy:

Having a woodstove again! It smells so good!

Adventure:

Doing school with the school room still half unpacked. The first day we got to do our computer school kneeling on the ground with the computer on a bench as a desk. During kindergarten time we had to go hunting for the books before they could be used. : )

Joy:

Listening to extra verses of "Todd the Toad". Did I mention I have a very creative family? Sometimes in strange lines.

Adventure:

Storing muffins (that I made with Blue) in the microwave. I wanted to leave them out for the next day's breakfast, but in the past this house has had mouse problems so the microwave worked perfectly for storage.

Joy:

Writing stories on the front porch while watching the little girls jump on the trampolines.

Adventure:

Celebrating the find of mucking-out boots by shoveling a manure of sorts off the basketball court. My brother says we are over halfway. Yay!

Joy:

We are mostly settled now and some friends gave us a freezer. Today we finally got the hot water heater working! It's coming!

Goings On

We're moving again, so today was all about packing and fruit processing. Some of us have been working on packing books and breakables while the others have been working on making five apple pie fillings and applesauce. The last batch is in the works and then we'll be moving on to a few batches of pear sauce. I can't count how many times I've listened to Keith and Kristyn Getty's cd Hymns for the Christian Life, but I do know that "The Village Reel" is awesome background/working music! Betsy Bea always skips the calm songs. : )

By the way, I found out that my personal stash of books takes two small boxes. : )

The Definition of Autumn

The definition of autumn is walking out in the yard wearing a green
sweater because of the breeze and chomping on a juicy red apple while
clutching four crookneck squash just picked from the garden, and looking
lovingly at the walnut leaf that stuck to your shoe. Ahhh.

Word Puzzle

This is a very fun word puzzle we just discovered. Enjoy! There are 30 books of the Bible in the following paragraph, can you find them?

This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket on a flight from Los Angles to Honolulu keeping him busy for hours. He enjoyed it so much; he passed it on to some friends. One friend studied it while fishing on his john boat. Another worked on it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it, she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend, Joe Schmotz, while he judges the job of solving this puzzle finds it so involving that he brews a pot of tea to help his nerves. There will be some names that are easy to spot, and that is a fact. Some people however, will soon find themselves in a jam especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have, seeing some of these books. During a recent fun raising event which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Beta Phi Lemonade stand set the record. The local news paper, The Chronicle surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Humana humbly puts it; the books are there in plain view hidden from sight. Those able to find them all will hear great lamintations from those who have to be shown.One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also keep in mind that punctuation and spaces between words are normal. A chipper attitude may help you compete really well against those who claim to know the anwsers. Remember there is no reason to make a mad exodus, there really are 30 books lurking somewhere in this paragraph... just waiting to be found.
Did you find them? : )

Cinnamon, Cinnamon, Cinnamon

Did you know that it is very hard to sing the word cinnamon to the tune of "The William Tell Overture"? I discovered the fact while making spiced shortbread with my four-year-old sister. We were having fun. : )

Adventures in Dollhouse Land

In our new school schedule each of us older kids has a scheduled time to play with Emma and/or Betsy Bea. Betsy Bea's hands-down favorite thing to play is dollhouse. Although I keep branching out to other games for us to play, we always return there. I thought I'd share some funny things that have happened while we are playing.

Betsy Bea insists on always using a certain dollhouse Daddy and when I asked her about it she said, "He looks like Tyler."

Any other dollhouse daddy was declared to look like "Goob from Meet the Robinsons." : )

Yesterday, I threw her doll a birthday party with real miniature books I had made as the presents. One of the books was called "Christy Hunt". Her doll replied, "Oh, thanks, I'm sure my dad will read the hunting one."

Today, she was looking through a bag of accessories before our dolls went camping. She discovered an interesting hinge that was in the bag for some reason and the 'wheels' starting turning. "I can use this for a tortilla press," she decided.

Whenever our dolls would go places, my daddy doll would open and shut the door for the mommy doll. Her people used to always explode out of their separate doors and get to business. Now her daddy opens the door and the mommy politely thanks him.

We played dollhouse dentist one day, (BTW-the dentists were always washing their hands in a bird fountain rigged up for the job), and the boy doll named Avery had a cavity. A few days later I was talking to Anna about a story I was writing with a character named Avery in it and Betsy Bea pipes up with, "Avery had a cavity." That took me a little while to make the connection.

So, it's been fun and she even sings me a Josh Groban love song while we play. I asked if she liked the song and she said, "No." "Then why do you sing it?" "Because it is dumb."

SCORE!

Praise God for an awesome, profitable thrift-shopping day! My finds
included adorable brown shoes for $1.50 (instead of the regular $20), two
Lamplighter books in perfect condition for $1 each (instead of $24
each!!!), and a really cute, wrought iron, multi votive holder that just
so happened to fit into the three dollar bag sale! : ) Happy day!

Happy Autumn!!!

"Spring is the morning of the year,
And summer is the noontide bright,
The autumn is the evening clear,
That comes before the winter's night."
~Frank Dempster Sherman

The season has finally changed and it has rained so much lately that the
grass is a brighter, happier green than it was for a lot of the summer.
The giant maple trees that flank our driveway have turned to a brilliant,
golden orange and there are leaves everywhere. This morning there was an
amazingly beautiful amount of fog that was enough to be worthy of Ireland
itself. Our garden is almost too cold to grow anything, but the apples
will soon be ripe. The other day we had to use our fireplace for the
first time this season and the house had a wonderful, cozy feel. This is
an old house, though, so the cozy feel was only in a few rooms. In the
other rooms you have to wear a wonderful sweater. It is the perfect time
for devouring books and Mom read a few chapters to us yesterday while we
snapped a bounty of green beans. (I got to blanch those the other day).
She is also reading an older kid book to Aimee, Paul, and I so the
evenings are filled with reading and projects--a lovely mixture.
I suppose you already know that this is my favorite season, so I think
the only improvement would be if we had managed to grow some pumpkins.

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Today we picked up a really fun game called "Peanut Butter and Jelly".
Basically, the goal is to build a complete sandwich first, but just like
with "Hi-Ho Cherrio" there are disasters that can happen. You should see
the glee in the eyes of a four-year-old when she finds out she can steal
someone else's peanut butter! We changed that rule later to make the game
more friendly and even made the whole thing more fun by cheering for
everyone whenever they got a new ingredient. It's very fun to have games
that the big kids can play with the little kids and I'm sure this one
will be on the list of favorites! : )

Sew cute!

In our family one of the prized Christmas presents to receive is a craft
kit from Dad and Mom. Last Christmas I received doll quilt and purse
kits. Recently I was in the sewing mood and decided to make the purse.
The results were very satisfactory, especially since Mom picked my
favorite color scheme in fabrics. Thanks for the great gift, Dad and Mom!

Summer is Almost Over!

Yes, summer vacation is coming to a close. I'm not sure if can bring myself to be sorry because the best season is coming next, but when I think back I have a lot to be thankful for.

I'm thankful for U-pick farmers, their blueberries, and their generosity as well as God's sun and God's rain to make the berries grow.
I'm thankful for friends that liven the days with their picnics, invitations, silly games at camp, and emails and letters.
I'm thankful for relatives that want to come over, soak my brother, watch a movie, and let me hold their baby.
I'm thankful for the garden that God has made grow so amazingly with 5 inch long green beans (some smaller too), potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce and spinach coming out of our ears, the radishes early on and more vegetables to come.
I'm thankful for the fawn that visits our yard and makes me love God's creation even more.
I'm thankful for the lawn mower that has taught me perseverance, steering, and kept the lawn so nice. (Thanks for not acting up as badly as you did last year!)
I'm thankful for the van that started the year badly, but has taken us numerous places like the miracle vehicle it is.
I'm thankful for the weeds that help me to be grateful for when they are not there and get my vitamin D when they are.
I'm thankful for the Family Vision Library, the scholarship they gave us, and the books they send us, G.K. Chesterton for writing awesome things for my Dad to read to me, and all those good movies we've enjoyed this vacation.
I'm thankful for our church that has enjoyed social and spiritual things with us.
I'm thankful for new friends, and ones I have gotten to know better.
I'm thankful for balls that seem to be the center of just about every game.
I'm thankful for our forefathers who gave us something to celebrate with loud noises and ice cream.
I'm thankful for creativity that keeps things interesting.
I'm thankful for pencils and notebooks that work together so beautifully if I can just get over my writer's block.
I'm thankful for dishes that provide interesting conversations with my hilarious siblings, and a chance to listen to "The Reckoning" all over again.
I'm thankful for the internet which helps us keep in contact with faraway friends.
I'm thankful for Blue, she livens everything, makes things cute and funny and is my buddy. : )
I'm thankful for Em, she loves to set up paperwork and hilarious doctors' offices and we are learning to be better friend's every day.
I'm thankful for Pearly. She is hilarious and we've written together up in her bunkbed. (Or at least tried to). : )
I'm thankful for Anna, she was willing to listen to "The Reckoning" with me while we scrubbed the kitchen floor. (She volunteered to help!)
I'm thankful for Paul, he makes cool things, and funny things, and talks when we are trying to write things.
I'm thankful for Aimee and that we go to the mail together, and dig in the garden and have an awesome time of it.
I'm thankful for Perry, she is so cool (no she's not into rock) and she'll listen to me talk about writing for half an hour, and she has really good ideas. And she has a nice baby I'm extremely thankful for too!!! : )
I'm thankful for Tyler, the valet for Perry and nice baby, and the soaker of brother. : )
I'm thankful for Mommy, who gives me motivation to pick blueberries, blueberries to eat, compassion, advice, tips on growing up, etc. (She gives me dishes to do too, that comes under the growing up heading.)
I'm thankful for Daddy, who reads cool books to us, lets us stay up later for that, gives really convicting sermons, advices, etc.

And I'm thankful for God who makes all these things work, all these things beautiful, and gives us salvation.


I'm ready for school and autumn, anyone else ? Who wouldn't want books and leaves and rain and sweaters?

This week is one of the last big summer events and the week after is getting ready for school. (You'd think we'd have it down to a science, but our family grows and changes). : )
Then school. And sweaters!!!!!

Fancy Flowers and Family Camp

I was making these really neat flowers a while ago using a melting technique that makes the petals cup, and I sewed some on a piece of tulle for a headband.    

This is an early example. I've gotten the petal shape more to my taste since and started using crystals in the center instead of pearls. I think it's much prettier, but our camera was broken at family camp so this is what you get. I've actually been making flowers out of other kinds of fabric recently because the fumes from the melting satin made me wonder about its health effects. Speaking of family camp we went to an awesome one over the weekend and it was a blast! More on that later plus pictures hopefully!!! For a sneak peak go to www.onebrightcorner.blogspot.com! In the group picture our family is on the far right (no pun intended).

Where Has Perry Gone?

Here's where. Yep! I got married and had a baby (who is getting altogether too big), and now we are expecting a little brother or sister to arrive for him sometime at the beginning of February!!! Hooray for lots of blessings! :)

From a couple months ago.

Took this one just now.

This one, too. ;)

Friendly, Yet Reserved

I recently read a book named Just Thirteen by Dorcas R. Mast. I did not agree with all the theology, but the story was a good one and I would like to share a part from which I really profited.

The main character, Pansy, is talking to her mother and the subject of boys comes up.

"Well, just how am I supposed to act around the boys, anyway?" Pansy asked relentlessly. "I never know."
"At your age, boys and girls should only be concerned about being friends," Mother explained. "There is a right way for boys and girls to talk together. But the right way is not Kirsten's [a girl previously mentioned who is getting a lot of attention from the boys by teasing and the like] way. A girl shouldn't be showing off or be loud or overly expressive. She will be friendly and yet reserved."
"But what is that?" Pansy asked. "Friendly and yet reserved."
"I once heard reserved defined as 'self-constraint in expression'," Mother said, thoughtfully. "A reserved girl will be modest and self-controlled. She won't be flaunting herself or be trying to catch attention. And the boys will respect that. You think that Andy and Jeremy [unbelievers from school] like Kirsten. Perhaps they do. But they respect you and Cynthia and Jocelyn [Pansy's Christian friends] too much to be free with you."
"I can understand that," Pansy said, looking soberly at her ear of popcorn.
"And don't forget that Hugh and Phillip, who are Christians, aren't flirting with Kirsten. Kirsten herself said that Hugh wasn't much fun. That means Hugh knows how to be reserved, which says something for Hugh. You see, Pansy, this is a two-way street. The girls can't do it all. And neither can the boys. Each must have respect for the other. But you can be friendly in a way that is reserved. It isn't necessary to be so reserved that you never speak to each other."
Pansy smiled a little. "Of course not. I know that. But this sets a few things straight for me. On the other side of the picture, Hugh and Phillip are the boys that I have the most respect for."
Mother nodded. "That's right. You're too young to be having a special friendship with a boy or even to be thinking about such a friendship, Pansy. But you aren't too young to form ideals about the right kind of boy."
"And we don't base our decisions on whether he's good-looking or not," Pansy said wisely.
Mother smiled. "Certainly not. Looks don't count for anything. Remember that 'Handsome is as handsome does.' And that goes for the girls as well."


What do you think? What are some practical ways you try to implement these concepts into your life?

Beauty and the Beast

 

What is more beautiful than a little princess holding a newly born baby goat?

There's a New Baby [Doll] in the Works

Lately, I've been in the process of making a doll.

 

Embroidering the face was the most fun part, cutting out a new set of arms was not. : ) It was quite hilarious when I had sewn all the pieces together, but hadn't stuffed her yet.

 

Before:



 

After:

 

 

I was so excited to have her "done" that I totally forgot to sew on her ears. : ) Since I hadn't made her clothes yet, I wrapped her in an old baby blanket and presented her to the little girls.

 

 

 

Today, during the time that the "big kids" were doing school the littles dressed her in some of their doll clothes and played a rollicking, messy game of house. : )

 

 

 

I haven't named her yet so if you have suggestions that mean things like "hope" or "trust in the Lord" I'd love ideas. If you'll excuse me, I need to go read about making doll hair, cut out some doll clothes and maybe sew on those ears. : )

 

Oh yeah, and there is some laundry to fold too.

 

 

 



American Everything and Pita Soccer

Bluebie has been extra funny lately. Her new adjective for emphasis is "American". When she needs to do something, she needs to do it "American bad". The other day she said, "Katie and I can make the [pancake] batter. We do it good. American good."
Today we invented a hilarious new game. There was an unspoken "no hands" rule and you should have seen us cleaning pita dough off our feet afterwards. It all started when I accidentally dropped some dough and began to squish it with my feet. She began to squish as well and it turned into a game of keep-away. It was great fun.

Six Months to Wait

It was 2008 and we were on a really long road trip. We had exhausted everything we had brought to listen to so Dad bought a cd at a truckstop. It was called "You Deliver Me" by Selah. There were good songs, decent songs, rousing songs, songs we skip, etc. But the last song on the album and its accompanying description stood out by telling the story of Audrey Caroline Smith, a baby girl who had only lived 2 1/2 hours after birth but had touched more lives than she would ever know.

Fast forward five years to this spring. My parents purchased a beautiful picture for me for my birthday. It is so beautiful, I am quite enjoying it!! I encourage you to visit the artist's site and check out her portfolio--her work is amazing and her art ranks as my top favorite. (www.breezytulip.com) Reading her blog one day I discovered that she was illustrating a children's book about Audrey written by the child's mother. (http://breezytulip.com/2013/audrey-bunny/) Just the cover illustration and author/illustrator blog posts will make you want to read it!

I'm really excited about it, anyone else?

Dueling Poets? That's a weird title!

We sat down and came up with a subject, then wrote poems separately. Here are the different opinions and styles we got...


My Most Fantastic Birthday Hat
By Aimee
On the day I turned three,
My birthday hat was pink and sparkly.

When I was nine,
Outlandish clown hat sublime.

Then seven--Kevin, Devon, and Nevin,
Just about everyone laughed at pipe cleaner decked seven.

But eleven, oh eleven was the best of all,
How clearly I remember that half basketball.

(Fictional!!!)


Birthday UHLO (Unidentified Hat-like Object)
By Kate
Pompoms, sequins, polka dots, feathers,
Horror of horrors upon my head,
Embarrassed flush, color does rush,
You'd never catch me in one dead.

JK (Paul just made me an elegant up-cycled paper plate and streamer one)

The Good of Summer 
Creamy goodness to slowly savor,
Cherish the thought of that awesome flavor,
Although you begin to grow nummer and nummer,
Be reminded of all that is good about summer.

Ice Cream Mountain
Dreamy, drippy, creamy, licky, melty, milky, oh what fun,
Eat a cream cone in the sunshine, eat the flavors one by one,
Make your way up Ice cream mountain,
Press you onward 'til the cherry's won,
Dreamy, drippy, creamy, licky, melty, milky, oh what fun!

The Cat in the Bag
By Aimee
Don't let the cat out of the bag,
Oh, please don't spill the beans!
'Cause sister Kate's day is in the morn,
The secret you must keep,
Don't tell her of the elephant or purple dancing bears,
If you must say something, please whisper in my ears.


Secrets
By Kate
A secret is a little trifle,
That desperately wants out,
For some reason you want to tell,
The whole world what it's about.

A Gift of Goldfish (Crackers, that is)

You just might be an older sister if...

You receive love notes written in pictures
You find a tiny sock in your hamper
You can recognize the musical themes from Peter Pan and Cinderella
You have the Blues Clues birthday song stuck in your head
You've had a crayon washed and dried with your laundry
Your roommate has told you about her silly straw at 3 in the morning
Your afore mentioned roommate has asked you to help her back into bed when she has rolled out
You almost have Goodnight Moon memorized
You recieve many invitations to tea
You've participated in a potty training celebration
You're used to forks on the opposite side of the plate
You're used to spelling words aloud to those who ask
You can paint tiny toenails
You like Cinderella and AristoCats
You've been told "I have a princess on my bum." (Pull-up designs, 'nuff said)
You've had gumballs as decorations on your 18th birthday cake (Young cake decorators)
You prepared and wrapped tons of Christmas presents
You can help a little friend with a word search
Your younger brother claims you are his little sister (little as in short)
There's a long line of people hoping to be in your future wedding
Your pen-pal receives a three-year-old's art
You accidentally teach a whole class the driver's manual
Your fancy shoes "walk off" seemingly by themselves
You've accidentally been told your birthday present
Everyone (even the 3-year-old) knows the parts to the Messiah: Christmas Suite because you were learning it
Your bunk bed is suddenly turned into a fort
The endearing nicknames are mutual (Kate's been called a "little ice cream")
You've sewn a loved sock doll's head back on
You receive a gift of goldfish when they find out you like them (and then they ask for one of them when Mom says they can't have any more of their own)
You mistake another little child for one of your siblings
The youngest cries because of your face cleansing mask
Cinderella and the Handsome Prince are the standard for clean, sparkling white teeth
You're a five point harness expert
You play Hi-Ho Cheerio and Elefun like a pro
You've used a sippy cup when nothing else was clean
A little voice whispers "goodnight" to you at ten pm or so
A crowd gathers the first time you try makeup
It is the height of festivities when you pull out your old toys and play with the kids for a while
They want to borrow your Mr. Potato Head

We love you, little people!
Love,
Aimee and Kate



Note: List was compiled from real happenings happened to real people, two of which there are.

A Favorite Link

A friend of mine has started a really neat new business. She is selling the cutest, most functional aprons and you should check out her site!
http://apronstringsnthings.wordpress.com/

Drum roll please! New author added!

Announcement! Remember that great guest blogger Perry and I had on here a few times? She is now an official author and member of this blog! Look out for some great, likely comic, blog posts by her in the future. Join us in welcoming our sister Kate!

Hubby, Aimee and "Babee"

For my birthday my two littlest sisters gave me these lovely paper dolls they made.
I guess they have plans for me!! Lol. A lovely depiction of my, Lord willing, future as a wife and mother. Thanks girls!

Note: The man is entirely imaginary and is the artists' representation of a fictional character.
All resemblence to males either living or dead is merely coincidental.

You'll Never Guess Who I Am Talking About

This is Kate. I'm here to tell you about this person. She's very artistic... the best at making scrapbooked greeting cards, drawing realistic faces, etc. There are only two categories for her: "things with sparkles" and "things that need them". She's really funny--sometimes without meaning to be. She's a really good roommate who discusses our latest favorite movie (or movie character) with me at talking time. She is the one who takes me to the mailbox, except for when it is raining really hard. We used to fight over the mirror when we were 6 and 8 years old. (That sometimes still happens, not as much since she will move over when asked sooner now). She loves scarves, (often borrowing mine), homemade snacks (particularly anything chocolate or chocolate-like), shoes, scrapbooking, anything crafty (especially Shrinky-Dinks lately), and really sour lemonade.

Her birthday is tomorrow.

And yes, Sis, I suppose (even though it is still kinda' embarrassing to say) I love you too! Happy 19th year!

Thanks for sharing the mirror. We are all happier for it.



I'll admit I was ornery too...

Great Quick "Dinner" Idea

In my family I'm known as "The Snack Queen". I've also won the credential of being the "Cinnamon Roll Lady." (By the way, this is Kate). I thought I would share with you one of our favorite it's-Sunday-and-we're-tired-and-there's-nothing-to-eat snacks.

Carob Almond Banana Smoothies by my darling mother

Milk 3C
Ice (opt)
Honey 1 TBS
Carob 3 TBS
9 Frozen bananas
Nut butter (preferably almond) 1 TBS

Blend. And eat. And don't forget to top with carob chips. And enlist your brother to help make them. And put the smoothie in nice canning jars. And serve it on a platter. And take a picture.


Carob Chips from Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon
Makes 1 cup

3/4 C Roasted carob powder
1/4 C Rapadura or sucanat*
1 C Coconut oil
1 TBS Vanilla extract
1 Tsp. Chocolate extract

Place all ingredients in a glass container and set in simmering water until melted. Mix together well. Spread mixture on a piece of buttered parchment paper and allow to cool in the refrigerator. ** When hardened, remove parchment paper and cut into chips. Store chips in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

*Add more sugar or chocolate extract to taste.
**I use the freezer because I am impatient.

I heartily suggest you sample some while you break them up. : ) And you should try them in these amazing granola bars. (http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2012/08/03/ks-healthy-granola-bar-recipe-classic/)

So goodbye, I have to go cook something.

Any Advice for Me?

I am going to be eighteen soon. I'd love advice from my readers who are older than myself.
If you could go back and talk to your eighteen -year- old -self what would you say? What would you do differently? What are you glad you did?

Comment, Dear Friends...

Yes, we've enabled comments! And in case you missed it, Aimee posted down below...

From the Mouth of Babes

The "baby" has it right.

 

Dad: “Are you gonna’ be a fireman when you grow up?

 

Betsy B: (In an incredulous tone) “Dad….. I’m a girl!!”

 

Dad: “Oh, yes, of course!”