The Yellow Warbler

Come Weary Saints

2011-09-05T15:02:00.003-04:00

Joining the bandwagon of bloggers who are posting some of their favorite music, let me say that Come Weary Saints is one of the most refreshing albums I have ever listened to. No, it's not new, but the lyrics are so true and always timely. The song It Is Not Death To Die is one of my favorites, as is As Long As You Are Glorified.

Nutella

2011-09-01T15:01:00.001-04:00

There's a World Nutella Day website. With recipes. Enjoy!

Soft Foods

2011-08-24T18:41:00.003-04:00

My wisdom teeth came out today. Everything went a lot more smoothly than I had expected, and I feel great! Being put under is the strangest thing - this is how I remember it, after I was hooked up to the IVand everything:

Doctor: So, what do you want to do career-wise?

Me: Well, I want to be a homeschool mom [he shows no recognition of the phrase], you know, teach my kids at home. I'd also like to run a small home business, perhaps a greenhouse.

Doctor: Hmm, homeschooling. I've often told my wife, she's a teacher, that it would be a great economic enterprise if she was to homeschool, not just our kids, but other people's kids, you know, on a selective basis.

Me: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Next thing I knew, I was awake (and just a little loopy), had a mouthful of gauze and no wisdom teeth. So much for that conversation.

Beth brought me these orchids. Isn't she sweet? I love them, and they look so pretty on my temporary side table, next to the "I need help!" bell, and the bottle of drugth. My family has been so great. David's been running up and down the stairs asking if there's anything he can do. Chrissy made jello, pudding, soft truffles (seriously) and flan for me, and Mom and Dad have been doing their best to make sure I'm comfortable and getting all my pain meds. I'm so blessed through them!

The doctor mandated soft foods for the next few days, so here are a few recipes:

Green Smoothie

Basil Peach Smoothie

Tapioca Pudding

Excuse me now, I think I'll go have some pudding for supper.

The Happy Couple

2011-08-18T21:32:00.004-04:00

It's been twenty seven years today. Weren't they cute?

And they say they're more in love now than then. Still cute, too.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! Thanks for faithfully modeling the relationship between Christ and the church for your kids. We love you, and are so thankful that you love each other!

Summer

2011-08-17T12:39:00.001-04:00

What a summer it has been.

My family and I travelled North and South, to the prairies and mountains, respectively. I took two summer classes, made new friends and grew closer to others, went to camp for the first time ever, worked, hunted for a car, was a pathetic gardener, called the oral surgeon about 307 times, and have been shown God's mercy, goodness and sovereignty through it all. It's always amazing to me how he works out the tiniest details.

I'd love to post some photos. We'll see if that happens.

Convicting Words

2011-06-11T22:30:00.000-04:00

I will sing of steadfast love and justice;

to you, O LORD, I will make music.

I will ponder the way that is blameless.

Oh when will you come to me?

I will walk with integrity of heart

within my house;

I will not set before my eyes

anything that is worthless.

I hate the work of those who fall away;

it shall not cling to me.

A perverse hear shall be far from me;

I will know nothing of evil.

(Psalm 101:1-4)

Could I use this as a description of myself without lying? Sadly, no. For instance, how often do I ponder the way that is blameless, meditating on God's Word? Nowhere near often enough. How often do I set before my eyes something that is worthless by wasting time on the internet or reading books that have little eternal value? Far too often. There is a Redeemer, and only through his mercy and grace can I ever hope to change.

North

2011-06-08T12:45:00.000-04:00

After sixteen busy days on the road in North Dakota and Minnesota, our family is safely back at home. Here are a few of the highlights:

Being with my extended family.
Spending time in Minot with close friends.
Making cake and going to graduation parties with Kate.
Seeing Joanna of Jo-with-it's Portfolio and her fun family. It was the first time in nearly seven years, and so enjoyable!
Celebrating my cousin's graduation.
Watching birds. If you ever want to see a wide variety of birds, including ones you've never heard of (Bay-Breasted Warbler and Philadelphia Vireo, anyone? I didn't know they exist.), go to North Dakota during migration.
Swatting vulture-sized mosquitoes.
David shot his first raccoon. And killing a carp. And a rattlesnake. For real. Somehow, David is still alive.
Music, music, music!
Reading and painting.
Meeting Joren, a Swedish woman who was a foreign exchange student at my cousin's school last year, and came back for the graduation. She was so sweet, and very fun to talk with.
Watermelon and blueberries.
Spending lots of time outside, in the grass, wind, and sun.
As always, coming home. This was especially fun, as Beth and Dad couldn't come with us on the trip.

On Bin Laden

2011-05-05T13:38:00.000-04:00

(Two posts in one day. I know!)

With all the talk of Osama Bin Laden and the destruction he caused, it's hard to know how to react to his death. Do we rejoice that he's been stopped or mourn for his soul? Here is a thoughtful article on how Christians should respond.

An Update

2011-05-05T13:31:00.000-04:00

It's about time, after all.

I like Joanna's ideas for changing the blog header. Once I have access to photoshop again (i.e. once Chrissy brings her computer back from the speech and debate tournament), I will continue the editing. The orchid did re-bloom!

School is over until July! I must say, my first year of college went by very quickly. Overall, I enjoyed it much more than I expected to, and have had so many useful experiences. Even if the classes won't all prepare me for "real life" (though most of them will), I've had many opportunities to interact with people - Christians and Atheists and everything in between - and these experiences are preparing me for real life, for sharing the Gospel with those around me. It's really crazy what some people believe and why, but most of them have reasons, and it's good to understand those reasons, in order to address them.

As I type, there are cakes baking in the oven. These cakes are most likely going to be failures. The recipe said they were supposed to bake for 38 minutes, but are nearing 50, and still aren't done. That's what I get for messing with a recipe (substituted coconut oil for shortening - it worked when Beth did it). Ah, well, there's always Betty Crocker.

After experiencing what seems like Brazil's rainy season (just colder) for a few weeks, I'm happy to say that the sun is shining today and Summer may have just arrived. Please ignore the stormy forecast for the next three days.

Excuse me, that sounds like the timer...

After 55 minutes, the cakes are done! They're still rather dense, but they'll taste good with strawberries and whipped cream. Everything tastes good with strawberries and whipped cream, right?

More to come.

Some Changes II

2011-04-09T13:39:00.003-04:00

Well, now there's a new header. Thoughts? I think it may be too large.

The Felixstowe to Ipswich Coach

2011-03-03T14:53:00.000-05:00

By Russell Sidney Reeves, circa 1940's.

Some Changes

2011-02-28T14:27:00.000-05:00

As you can see, The Yellow Warbler's layout is a little different now than it used to be. It's wider. The header is not centered. I'd like to change the header in the next few days (read: weeks) to make it fit the right way. The reason for the change in width is that I would like to post larger photos.

You may see the layout change many times over the next few days, because sometimes I take a while to make a decision. You may see multiple headers, text colors, and the like. The background will almost definitely stay white. I like white.

Afternoon by the River at Grez

2011-02-25T19:48:00.002-05:00

We had the opportunity to see this lovely painting in person today, and it is now one of my very favorites! Though small (roughly 7"x 12"), the detail and light are stunning. By Willard LeRoy Metcalf. Photo from Brooklyn Museum.

It's That Time of the Year

2011-02-24T18:44:00.000-05:00

If you plan to garden this year, don't forget to visit WinterSown for free heirloom tomato seeds. All you have to do is browse around the site for a few minutes, take an easy quiz on what you read and saw, then send in a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) with your choice of varieties from a list. They'll send you the seeds (plus a few extra goodies, usually).

Tomatoes are really easy to grow from seeds. All they ask is water (don't let them dry out), light (a South or West window), and a little bit of fertilizer every now and then. When it's nice outside and you haven't had frost for at least two weeks, plant them in the garden about 3-5 feet apart If you plant them deeply, they'll grow extra roots on their buried stems.

The sweet, fresh taste of heirloom tomatoes is totally worth it. I recommend the Black Krim, but there are at least 20 varieties from which to choose. You'll be glad you did.

Picture courtesy Burpee.com.

The Sandhill Cranes...

2011-02-20T18:45:00.000-05:00

... are headed North with their gurgling calls. More v-shaped flocks pass overhead each day. Spring is coming!

Valentine's Day

2011-02-17T17:06:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day smelled so good this year! Mainly like onion, garlic, and cilantro, and tikka masala. And chai tea.

It also smelled like naan. Chrissy and David's youth leader and his wife lived in India for nine months several years ago. Carolyn came over on Valentine's Day and showed us how to cook this delicious meal! Don't worry, she got to go on a date with her husband - Chrissy babysat for them a few days earlier in exchange for this lesson.

Did I mention the garlic yet? Let me mention it again. There was so much garlic in everything (excepting the chai tea)! Even the naan had garlic in it. I loved how Carolyn measured the cilantro - she just grabbed a bunch of it and starting snipping it into the masala until it looked right.

This photo does not properly convey the warm, complex taste and creamy texture of the masala. If you've never had Indian food, you don't know what you're missing!

Plants in the Dormer

2011-02-13T21:35:00.000-05:00

During the summer these plants are scattered throughout my room and the house - the lily sits on the back porch, and the orchid on my desk. The airplane plant and succulents (in the plastic bags behind the orchid) are destined for the top of my bookcase, because the cat thinks they're tasty, where the terrarium will join them. For now, though, I've crowded them into the West-facing dormer in Chrissy's and my room, so they can absorb all the low winter light possible.

Apparently it's working - the orchid is starting to re-bloom!

Freckles

2011-02-11T16:26:00.000-05:00

Photo courtesy Oregon State University Archives.

When a Boy Makes Dinner...

2011-02-09T21:17:00.000-05:00

David made supper for our family recently. I think it was a success! The broccoli was right, and the meat was good, though a bit dry, due to a miscommunication over setting timers (these things happen). As you can see, however, this potato was the most remarkable food on the table, and with good reason.

If looks could kill, no one would live to eat this spud.

A Baby Quilt for Sam

2011-02-08T18:12:00.012-05:00

Sam is a baby who has had a difficult life. He's been through many medical troubles, but his smile is enough to melt any heart! I had the privilege of making a quilt out of some of Sam's baby clothes this Fall. Let me tell you, his loving, wonderful mother picked out some adorable onesies to go on her adorable son! Dogs, stripes, huggable monsters, giraffes, frogs, ducks - all things cute and boyish.

I used the Double Hourglass method from Cluck. Cluck. Sew. It went together very easily - the only difficulty was the stretchy-ness of the material, because the clothes were all knits. I used a basting spray to fix the fabric to muslin, and then cut the double-layered material into pieces. This made the quilt heavier and slower to sew, but definitely helped with the stretching!

In Which February Comes Sweeping In

2011-02-07T18:12:00.001-05:00

   The air outside is damp and cold, and a mixture of rain and snow has been steadily falling all day. The house is gray and quiet inside, because half the family is very sick and two of the healthy people are away. I left a still house this morning to go to class, and came back to a still house. I ventured out again to the post office to mail a package in the afternoon, and when I returned the house was still quiet. This type of day makes me want to hunker down in a big chair with a book and some tea. I think I will do that, as I feel sorry for my poor parents and brother (though he's recovering quickly). I'm afraid the book will have to be about accounting, but that's ok. I'll survive.

   Plans are brewing in my head. Plans for lots of things, like traveling, watching birds, helping more at church, sewing, designing, and walking the dog. Good plans. Plans that I hope will work and turn into something. But I should remember these verses:"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit' - yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'" James 4:13-15

   I'm glad life doesn't happen according to my plan, because I would mess. it. up. God won't.

...

Talk about a stream of consciousness post.

Water, is taught by thirst

2011-01-24T19:22:00.005-05:00

I've loved this poem from the time I first read it (I think it helped that half the page featured Juncos hopping in the snow). Enjoy!

Water, is taught by thirst

By Emily Dickinson

Water, is taught by thirst.
Land -- by the Oceans passed.
Transport -- by throe --
Peace -- by its battles told --
Love, by Memorial Mold --
Birds, by the Snow.

Hearts in a Window

2011-01-23T14:50:00.000-05:00

   Valentine's Day is such a happy holiday! Flower Patch Farmgirl has a tutorial for making these pretty transparent hearts, and even though Valentine's Day is several weeks away, I made them a couple days ago. They really brighten up our kitchen, and make it look so festive.
   Basically, you shave crayons with a pencil sharpener, take the shavings and iron them between two sheets of wax paper, then cut out hearts, punch a hole in them, and hang them up!
   If you want yours to looks like hers and be different colors, make separate batches of each colors (so you have red, orange, pink and purple sheets of melted crayons and wax paper). I put all my colors on one sheet of wax paper, and even though they were in different groups they all blended into one bright mix.

Nordic Mittens

2011-01-23T14:28:00.000-05:00

A family friend from Minnesota showed me how to make these. The pattern was an original of her Grandmother's, and looks nicely Norwegian. It's very similar to a honeycomb pattern, and makes me want to make snowballs and drink cocoa!

January, Thus Far

2011-01-13T18:37:00.000-05:00

Christmas break and this first part of January have been very fun. Well, excepting the walking pneumonia and sinus infection that accompanied them. Those were not fun. In fact, they were almost miserable. But I digress.

Over Christmas break I read several of Gene Stratton Porter's books. If you have not read Freckles, please make every effort to do so. I'm not quite as fond of her books The Harvester and Laddie, but they are still wonderfully good.

I would make a final update of the list, but that will have to wait. It's not finished...

Classes started again on Monday, and of the four I am taking, I definitely like two. I haven't decided about the others. One of the professors said something to the effect of, "People have this belief that university professors are left-wing, radical liberals out to brainwash our students. And we are!" I guess we'll see.

How has your new year been so far?

Green. Definitely Green. (and EDIT)

2011-01-04T22:09:00.001-05:00

I want to try this, and I think I will for breakfast tomorrow, less the kale, seeing how we don't have any on hand. Ever. Is it good?

"Kale, Spinach and Pear Smoothie Per Joy the Baker (The photo is hers as well)

1 heaping cup spinach leaves

1 heaping cup chopped kale leaves

1/2 pear

1 frozen banana

1 1/2 cups cold almond milk (or soy milk or orange juice)

1 tablespoon honey

Remove kale leaves from their rough center stalk and coarsely chop. In a blender, combine kale spinach and almond milk. Blend until no big kale bits remain. Stop blender and add banana honey and pear. Blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately."

EDIT: This is really very good! I made it with regular milk, all spinach, and apple instead of pear (though pear would have been good). By the way, if you ever try to freeze a banana for a recipe, do yourself a favor and peel it first. Frozen bananas do not peel well. If you don't peel it, your only hope is to rinse it under hot water for a while and scrape off the thawed, now mushy peel. Trust me, I know.

Bird Song

2011-01-03T18:09:00.000-05:00

Spring's Arrival

A German Folk Poem

All the birds have come again,

Hear the happy chorus!

Robin, bluebird, on the wing,

Thrush and wren this message bring.

Spring will soon come marching in,

Come with joyous singing.

~~~

I admit it, Spring is pretty far off at this point, and the birds have not all come again. Be that as it may, I am currently listening to a guide to bird songs, so when they do come, I will be ready. I am not an auditory learner, so the listening (and repeat, repeat, repeat) is slow going, but very enjoyable. It's also applicable - I heard a downy woodpecker the other day, and was actually able to tell what it was! Knowledge of bird songs is like knowledge of French; without it, the sounds just run together and sound pretty, without having any meaning. Once you learn about it, the sounds separate and their individual purpose (or producer) become plain. So cool!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-02T17:48:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! I actually stayed up past midnight time. Minutes into 2001, I stood out on the front porch with Dad and watched a storm come in. It was strange, thinking about how an entire year was over - gone. It made me happy and sad. It made me want to make this year count, and be worthwhile. I've been thinking about these questions, asked by a man named Don Whitney:

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

An Update on The List

2010-12-30T11:38:00.000-05:00

Two and a half weeks into break,with one and a half weeks left, and this is where the list stands:

Two paintings - One finished and delivered. The other is in progress
Finishing one quilt - Really four or five hours of work left - still, we're making progress.
One dress - just needs buttons and hemming
One linoleum block - done
Finishing one hat - done
One pair of mittens - one down, one to go

I think I'll make it! I'd like to make a bird feeder too - the weather did in my old one. We'll see...

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

2010-12-24T23:37:00.001-05:00

Well, it's time to "wrap" up these Twelve Days of Christmas posts. Let me end with some verses (you may have noticed some of them them at the beginning of previous posts) that briefly sum up the Good News of Christmas.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1

"Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:3-5

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

"For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God." Romans 3:23

"She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." Luke 2:7

'Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."' John 14:6

"And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him [Jesus], and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left." Luke 23:33

"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Luke 24: 5-7

"And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world." John 4:14

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galations 2:20

If you have any questions or want to know more, just leave a comment with your email - I won't post it. I'd love to share with you. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Other Twelve Days of Christmas bloggers:

Rachel at The Purple Pretzel
Sarah and Madeline at Flame in the Darkness

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas

2010-12-23T23:23:00.001-05:00

Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Luke 24: 5-7

It's 11:00 and I just realized that I had not yet posted. Ordinarily I would have gone back to bed and just posted in the morning, but it's Christmas break and I really can stay up late (and yes, eleven is late - my brain usually shuts off at ten). Here I am!

Because it's after ten, and my brain isn't functioning properly, here is a quick link to an oyster stew recipe. We used to have it for Christmas dinner, and are semi-resurrecting the tradition by having it for dinner tomorrow night. With grandparents! The recipe calls for a pound of fresh oysters, but, being land-locked, we use about 3 cans, and add some clam juice. Enjoy!

'Tis the Tenth Day of Christmas

2010-12-22T16:45:00.001-05:00

"And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him [Jesus], and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left." Luke 23:33

Seeing how close we are to Christmas, it's time to wrap presents! Here are ten (count 'em - ten) ways to wrap your gifts:

Brown paper packages, tied up with string - either use brown craft paper (it actually comes in roles!), cut up a paper bag, or scavenge the paper used as a filler in packages. Then, tie with ribbon, raffia, twine, or a strip of fabric. You can use stamps to dress it up.

The funny papers - pretty self explanatory. Just use the comics to wrap your present, and tie with a bright ribbon.

The rest of the newspaper - after all, words are popular these days. Tie with ribbon, then put an over-the-top newspaper bow on top.

A map - top with a coordinating, solid color bow.

Fabric - This is especially nice for a person who likes to sew. Double up the fabric to maximize secrecy (and give them more to sew with). Secure your wrapping with pins instead of tape, and please, stay away from the ugly fabrics. You could top it with a cute little felt bow.

Disco - a little unusual. Well, very unusual. I have never heard of this before, nor seen it done. To be candid, I'm making this one up. If you try it, tell me how it goes, and send a picture. I may have a prize for you! Wrap the present in silver paper, then glue tiny, square mirrors (available at most craft stores) about 3/4 of an inch apart all over it. A disco cube! Groovy...

A silk scarf - place the present in the center of the scarf, then tie the four corners at the top to make a pseudo bow. Go here for directions.

Layered tissue - wrap the present in layers of tissue paper. Start off with a bright color, then use white tissue as the last layer. Gently tie with strips of tissue paper.

For the accountant - print off tax forms on yellow, pink, or white paper, scribble in some numbers here and there, then wrap the gift (using lots of tape). Top with a tax form bow. Beth's roommate did this for her (they're both accounting majors), and it gave us all a good laugh.

The classic way - solid color or lightly striped paper, color coordinating ribbon, with a bow on top, done neatly.

Other Twelve Days of Christmas bloggers:

Rachel at The Purple Pretzel
Sarah and Madeline at Flame in the Darkness

On the Ninth Day of Christmas

2010-12-21T14:57:00.000-05:00

'Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."' John 14:6

Christmas always makes me think about how much I have been given compared to how little people in other countries (or often, people in my own town) have. While I may be disgruntled because I don't have this or that, these people are desperate for their basic needs, things to eat, a place to sleep. I don't say this to guilt anyone into giving, but to remind you how much we have been given, that it was given to us out of love, and that when we share with those in need we show the love of Christ. With that in mind, should you wish to make a donation this Christmas, here are several charities and organizations to consider

Compassion International - You can make a one time contribution, or sponsor a child, providing for their schooling and some of their basic needs as well as corresponding with them.

For His Glory Adoption Outreach - This organization supports Maison des Enfants de Dieu, a Christian orphanage in Haiti that is home to over 70 children, most of whom were either abandoned after the January earthquake or left by parents who could no longer care for them.

National Right to Life - Fighting for the right to life of the everyone, but especially the unborn, elderly and disabled in America.

Samaritan's Purse - Providing shelter, food, clean water, medicine, and other assistances to people around the globe.

Other Twelve Days of Christmas bloggers:

Rachel at The Purple Pretzel
Sarah and Madeline at Flame in the Darkness

P.S. I think it's time for a new header. The marigolds have been gone from the garden a long time.

The Seventh and Eighth Days of Christmas

2010-12-20T14:10:00.001-05:00

"She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." Luke 2:7

Well, no post yesterday, because I was on the couch with a cold most of the day. It's still here, but I feel more like writing today (and the post may be coherent - no guarantees of yesterday would have been like).

Because America is full of people from so many different backgrounds and heritages, we get to enjoy Christmas foods from many other countries! On my mom's side, my grandma is 100% Norwegian, and my Grandpa is 50%, so we have lots of traditional Scandinavian foods at Christmas.

Lefse - Lefse is essentially a very thin, large, tender potato tortilla. It's usually eaten with butter and sugar, rolled up. Here's a recipe - we cheat. Traditionally, people cook potatoes and then rice them. We use 7up and potato flakes but there's no difference in taste.
Rosettes - These are so good! A hot iron (usually flower shaped) is dipped in a thin batter, then cooked in hot oil until crisp. Then they're sprinkled with sugar! Northern groceries often carry them around Christmas time.
Lutefisk - I'll spare you most of the details. Lutefisk is lye-treated codfish that somehow does not kill you. Actually, with enough butter, it's not that bad. It has a texture that resembles jello, just tougher. We try not to eat this, and have been successful the past decade or so. I don't think anyone misses it.

Do you have any food traditions for Christmas?

Other Twelve Days of Christmas bloggers:

Rachel at The Purple Pretzel
Sarah and Madeline at Flame in the Darkness

'Tis the Sixth Day of Christmas

2010-12-18T19:22:00.002-05:00

"For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God." Romans 3:23

We're at the halfway point in these twelve days of Christmas. I wish it would go slower - more singing, more outings, more time to really think about Christmas and Christ's incarnation. About how he, very God! humbled himself to the point of coming in the form of a human, something he had created, to save humans who did not want him, mocked him, rebelled against him, yet desperately needed him. That is Christmas.

~~~

Yesterday we went to the candy store. It's a small, very old fashioned place, where they make almost all of their own candies (not the jelly beans), and live in the apartment above. Going to this candy store is a Christmas tradition for many people in our area. If you ever visit, I'll take you there!

One of the lures of this particular store is their sugar plums. The are thin, oddly shaped rounds, purple, sugar coated, resembling flattened grape gum drops. Infinitely better! We looked up a recipe for them online, and found that sugar plums are actually balls made of chopped dried fruit, nuts, and spices!

Perhaps you like real sugar plums. I have not tried them, and do not plan to make them anytime soon, partly because I've had more than my share of sugar this past week. However, don't let my hesitation stop you. Should you decide that you would like to make sugar plums and be very Night-Before-Christmas-y, here is a recipe!

Please let me know how you like them. Pretty please, with a sugar plum on top!

Other Twelve Days of Christmas bloggers:

Rachel at The Purple Pretzel
Sarah and Madeline at Flame in the Darkness

On the Fifth Day of Christmas!

2010-12-17T15:35:00.002-05:00

A Christmas carol that is sung year round.

In Christ Alone

by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

this cornerstone, this solid ground

firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

when fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My comforter, my all in all

here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

fullness of God in helpless Babe

This gift of love and righteousness

scorned by the ones He came to save

’Til on that cross as Jesus died

the wrath of God was satisfied

For ev’ry sin on Him was laid

here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

then, bursting forth in glorious day

up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

sin’s curse has lost its grip on me

for I am His and He is mine

bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

this is the pow’r of Christ in me

from life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man

can ever pluck me from His hand

’til He returns or calls me home

here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand

Other Twelve Days of Christmas bloggers:

Rachel at The Purple Pretzel
Sarah and Madeline at Flame in the Darkness

On the Fourth Day of Christmas

2010-12-16T13:38:00.001-05:00

John 1:14 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Reading seems to be a part of Christmas at our house. Almost all of our wish lists (especially Dad's) contain books. The extra time we have during Christmas break can be used up by reading. David, who specifically told us not to get him any books, because "they're boring", has been frantically searching the shelves for more R.M. Ballantyne adventures to devour. Maybe it's the cold weather, I don't know. Whatever it is, here are my four favorite Christmas books:

The Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - a Sherlock Holmes Mystery

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski - One of my favorites

The Substitute Guest by Grace Livingston Hill - I don't like many of her books, but this one - I really do

The Mitten by Jan Brett - A Ukrainian Folktale

Do you have favorite Christmas books?

Other Twelve Days of Christmas bloggers:

Rachel at The Purple Pretzel
Sarah and Madeline at Flame in the Darkness

The Third Day of Christmas

2010-12-15T14:15:00.000-05:00

John 1:3-5 "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Happy Wednesday! I hope you're enjoying these Christmas posts. Today is number three. Good books to give for several people types.

The Artist: Art for God's Sake by Phillip Ryken, or Francis Schaeffer's Art and the Bible.

The Outdoor Enthusiast: If young, a Jim Kjelgaard book (preferably A Nose for Trouble and/or its sequel) or Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransom. Another good one is The Birds Our Teachers by John Stott.

The Musician: I am not one (sniff and sigh), but if I was, this is the book I would want. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Composition. My friend Kate is a musician, and she says this book is very useful.

The Historian: A Patriot's History of the United States. I could go on and on about this book. Balanced, honest, details (but not too many), timelines, connecting the dots and the reasons behind events. Yes.

The Classical Person: Any of the Penguin Classics. These clothbound books are gor-ge-ous.

Other Twelve Days of Christmas bloggers:

Rachel at The Purple Pretzel
Sarah and Madeline at Flame in the Darkness

The Second Day of Christmas!

2010-12-14T14:40:00.001-05:00

   There's just something about hand-made presents that makes them extra wonderful. Maybe it's the time and thoughtfulness that goes into them, or the uniqueness, or the quality. Whatever it is, handmade presents are so nice to give, so here are a few handmade ideas.

     Fabric Flowers from Simply Vintagegirl. So, so pretty. You can attach them to a barrette, headband, or broach pin to decorate the receiver's hair or coat.

     Toasties from A Friend to Knit With. Basically, they are fingerless mittens that are knit in one piece. If using double pointed needles is something that intimidates you but you'd like to try, these make a easy pattern to start off with.

   Zipper Pouch from Modern Quilt Love. Could be filled with small surprises. Like candy. Or little plastic army men.

Other Twelve Days of Christmas bloggers:

Rachel at The Purple Pretzel
Sarah and Madeline at Flame in the Darkness

On the First Day of Christmas...

2010-12-13T15:11:00.002-05:00

John 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

It is time to begin! Each of these twelve days of Christmas, I and a few friends will be posting on Christmas topics - books to read, decorations to make, recipes, gifts to give, songs to sing, etc. The number of ideas we post may or may not correspond to the day of Christmas, so no pressure to come up with 12 Christmas themed books! If you decide that you'd like to join us, even if there are only a few "days of Christmas" left, please do! The more the merrier.

Photo borrowed from SeaSpray.

If you are going to decorate your house or room for Christmas with just one thing, let that thing be long strands if silver tinsel. A package large enough to decorate an entire house (or one tree like the one above) costs only a dollar or two. It can be as under or overstated as you like, and doesn't clash with color schemes. If you use it heavily, it looks brilliantly festive and old fashioned, while if you put it on sparingly, it takes a more modern twist. Just be sure to put on only a few strands at a time; any more and it will just look clumpy. My grandma used to have her kids put the tinsel on their tree one strand at a time!

We put a little bit on tinsel on our tree, and I put some on the plants in my room. I don't really like a lot of decorations for Christmas (it looks too crowded, and most of the little figurines don't have any practical purpose), but tinsel dresses up everything without getting in the way.

Other Twelve Days of Christmas bloggers:

Rachel at The Purple Pretzel
Sarah and Madeline at Flame in the Darkness

A Neighborhood Brunch

2010-12-11T21:28:00.002-05:00

   Today was the day! My dear mother had ten ladies from our neighborhood to the house this morning for an evangelistic brunch. Oh, so fun. A lady from our church (who happens to also be a neighbor) shared about the birth of Christ, and how this Christmas is a time to "fear not," to forgive and be forgiven, and to rejoice in the hope that we have been given through Christ!

   One of the foods we served (well, several of them, actually), I had never had before. This one sounds extremely odd, but was really very good.

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
   For 1 hour, marinate two drained cans of water chestnuts in 3/4 cup soy sauce, and 1/4 cup brown sugar or marmalade or jam or honey, or something else sweet. Wrap each chestnut in a half slice of bacon, and bake at 400 for 20 minutes.

   P.S. Don't forget about the Twelve Days of Christmas! Everyone is welcome to participate - just leave a comment letting my know that you are doing it, and I'll link to your blog in each post, so that we can share each other's ideas.

Twelve Days of Christmas

2010-12-09T11:51:00.000-05:00

I've had this idea brewing for a little while now, and am going to start. Each of the twelve days before Christmas, I'm going to post something Christmas-y. One, two, three, four, etc. things each day, whether recipes, places to visit, Christmas books, gift ideas - you get the picture. If you'd like to join me, leave a comment, and I'll link to your blog at the end of each post, so that we can share one another's Christmas ideas!

We'll start Monday the 13th and end on Friday the 24th.

Whole Wheat Biscuits

2010-12-06T12:47:00.002-05:00

   Tender, flaky, and buttery aren't usually the adjectives that come to mind when I think about whole wheat biscuits. I love whole wheat bread, but those little, round quick breads always come out of the oven like hardtack. Now, hardtack isn't bad as hardtack (at least it wasn't when I was 13 or 14 and in the throws of a Civil War obsession), but hardtack makes really lousy biscuits.

   The batch I made today was flaky, tender, and buttery. I altered our usual Better Homes and Gardens recipe.

Whole Wheat Biscuits

   Mix together 4 cups whole wheat flour, 8 tsp plus a little baking powder, 4 tsp sugar, 1 tsp cream of tarter, and 1 tsp salt. Cut in 1 cup chilled butter, cut into chunks. It's very important that it's chilled. Cut it in until the largest chunks of butter are the size of peas. Make a well in the middle and pour in 1 1/3 cup milk. Stir the dough until it sticks together, then dump onto a floured surface, and need about 10-18 strokes. Pat the into a round about 3/4" thick, cut into 12 wedges, and transfer to an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 450 for 10-12 minutes, until the tops are brown.

There's really no need to butter these while they're warm. Enjoy!

That Kind of Day

2010-12-05T20:07:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a good day. The main object of the family was to prepare the house for Christmas.

It was a gingerbread and sugar cookie kind of day.

Green tea and old books.

Beef stew and sweaters.

Snow and Christmas lights.

I liked it. December is upon us.

A Long List and a Revision

2010-11-30T20:55:00.000-05:00

Over the past couple of months, I've been building up projects and ideas and planning to finish (and actually, for many, start) them over Christmas break. I finally wrote up a list the other day so I could see what I'll be working on. Here's what I came up with:

Three paintings (one almost done)
Two quilts (one mostly done, the other... not so much)
One dress
One hat (half-way done)
Two pair of mittens (A Norwegian honey-comb design, one pair in wool, one in something less itchy)
Six dish towels (it's a set)
One linoleum block design (for cards)

Hah! In order to finish all those in the time I'll have, I'd have to be an extra industrious member of the Swiss Family Robinson! They always seemed to finish large numbers of tasks in impossibly short periods of time, don't you think?

What shouldn't I do? I really want to do them all. Sigh.

Forget one of the paintings. The other two are promised to people. As is the almost-finished quilt. The mittens aren't necessary. The dress is almost. The block print won't take too long. Adieu! to the dishtowels - they can wait. The hat is almost done.

So, new list:

Two paintings (one is almost done)
Finishing one quilt (probably two hours worth of work left)
One dress
One linoleum block (also almost done)
Finishing one hat

Maybe a non-itchy pair of mittens. Maybe. That list doesn't look as bad - I cut out ten items! I guess I can do more if I have time.

If.

Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T15:32:00.000-05:00

We headed up to North Dakota to spend Thanksgiving with Mama's parents. This is what part of the trip looked like. David did not remember seeing this much snow before, so he kept asking me if we were in a blizzard. I had a hard time convincing him that we weren't! While it was pretty cold (the high during the week was around 20 and the low was -7), it did not feel as uncomfortable up there as it does here, because of the difference in humidity.

It snowed most of the time we were there, so Grandpa was busy shoveling the deck and sidewalk.

Chrissy enjoyed having a reason to wear her matching coat and beret and drink many cups of coffee and cider (and apparently she likes making strange faces).

My Mama with her Mama.

The view from my Grandparents' house. My uncle's family lives on the same farm, so that's their house.

It was a very fun trip! On the way home, our car broke down while we stopped for lunch at our previous pastor's house. We were so blessed that it happened there, and not in the middle of nowhere, and that a mechanic was able to fix it in just a few hours! We have so, so much to be thankful for. This trip gave us more.

And we went hay bale jumping, in the snow. I highly recommend it!

Over the River and Though the Woods

2010-11-20T11:57:00.000-05:00

We're off to the Great State for Thanksgiving with Mama's family! I hoping for snow and hay bale jumping. Have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving!

A Recipe for Fall

2010-11-18T21:01:00.000-05:00

If you are a relative of mine in the North country, and it is not yet Thanksgiving, please do not read this. You could spoil a surprise.

If you are still reading, stop it!

If you are not a relative, keep reading.

Cinnamon Roasted Almonds

In a bowl, stir together 1 egg white and 1 teaspoon of water. Using a fork, whip it until it is frothy. Add 4 cups of shelled almonds and stir to coat. In a small bowl, mix 1/2-3/4 cup sugar with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Dump the sugar on top of the almonds and stir well. Cook on a greased jelly roll pan at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring once or twice.

I think this recipe is from Allrecipes.com.

Hustle and Bustle

2010-11-14T14:28:00.000-05:00

A lot has happened in the past couple of weeks. I'm now a licensed driver (you wouldn't happen to have a 2002 Buick Lesabre for sale, would you?), David and Chrissy participated in a speech and debate tournament, Mama ran the judges' hospitality room for said tournament, Dad finished up a lengthy project at work, and Beth is singing in a choir concert today. The idea of Thanksgiving and Christmas break a few short weeks later has us all crazy with anticipation!

It's been hard to slow down and make time for the day-do-day things that I want and need to do, but I know it's worth it, and I need to make it more of a priority.

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

(Psalm 118:24)

Seasons of Music

2010-11-08T19:27:00.002-05:00

One of the things I look forward to each Fall is listening to jazz music. I started thinking about this, and realized that each season has its own genre. Here's the way I like it:

Early Fall - fast jazz, like Keith Jarrett
Late Fall (towards Thanksgiving) - Slow jazz, such as Vince Guaraldi
Immediately following Thanksgiving - slow Christmas jazz (see above composer)
Early December - it switches to completely Christmas music of any sort! I love this part!
After Christmas - instrumentals of the same style
Late Winter - classical and Big Band. Maybe some opera (not that I understand what they're saying...)
Spring - some classical, some Big Band, some 60's, like Peter, Paul and Mary
Summer - Anything goes! Fun Indie songs, or songs in different languages are good here (excepting the Czechoslovakian polka. That doesn't fit in anywhere).

Rinse and repeat.

I think Sovereign Grace music is good at any time, as are Keith Green's songs.

That's how I like it. You?

Ms. Doggy

2010-11-02T21:46:00.000-04:00

She's in the shop!

A Doggy Tail

2010-11-01T19:16:00.000-04:00

All of him (lots of flowers... maybe her) will be in the shop later this week, but I had to share the cute tail. It flops so well.

Fall Sky

2010-10-30T22:40:00.002-04:00

A Dress

2010-10-29T21:05:00.002-04:00

From the thrift store. I think it's a Target brand (Merona). I love how it looks so 30'sish, and the print is so cute, though you can't see it here. The dress is covered in rows of little white dots, some solid, some more like donuts - with holes in their middles!

A Storm

2010-10-27T14:08:00.000-04:00

Yesterday morning it was dark and windy outside. Not North Dakota windy, but by the time Beth and I got to philosophy class, we were hearing about tornado warnings in neighboring counties. About five minutes into class, the campus police came and told us to stay in our basement classroom, because we were under a tornado warning. Two minutes later there was a knock on the door and about forty students and teachers piled into our room.

Our professor joked half-seriously at first about continuing the lecture, but as more and more people came in and he realized it would be impossible to teach, he just leaned against his podium, looking more and more depressed (he really likes philosophy).

Forty five long minutes later the weather service lifted the warning, and the people filed out. We sat there, wondering whether or not our professor would lecture in the remaining half-hour of class period.

"Back to Sartre," he said.

We must have all groaned, because I think he was serious, but he quickly asked what we'd prefer to do. I don't think a single person requested that we stay. Sartre was crazy, you see, and his writing evidences that.

I like storms. Ordinarily I like school too, but of all the classes for the tornado warning to disrupt, this was the one!

"Song Food"

2010-10-23T19:05:00.000-04:00

Isn't this just the sweetest bird food tin you've ever seen? Come to think of it, I believe it is the only bird food tin I have ever seen. They don't make things like they used to. That bird just makes me smile!

Jenny Wren

2010-10-21T17:30:00.000-04:00

One down, six to go. Opinions on Ms. Wren's color? Should I outline the next bird in black (like Ms. Wren) or in its actual feather color?

P.S. There were actual bird specimens in our botany room today (don't ask me why)! The pigeon had seen better days, but the seagull and blackbird were really neat.

The Finished Terrarium

2010-10-19T08:17:00.000-04:00

The humidifier is now home to a tiny little peperonica plant. Even though it sits in part of my room that stays fairly dark in the morning, there's almost always a little condensation on the inside of the glass.

An Autumn Weekend

2010-10-17T16:44:00.001-04:00

Just us, at a state park. Every last one of us has been extremely busy lately, and this quiet getaway was a welcome relief. It has only rained once here since the early August, so the leaved weren't very colorful, but the air was cool and crisp, there were plenty of acorns to throw at each other, the sky was clear and blue, and it was just a little breezy.

We read.

We went to the Nature Center.

We went inside a watery cave.

One of us caught a frog.

And we visited a lake for an hour before the sun went down.

Fall Proceedings

2010-10-16T20:56:00.000-04:00

What an autumn we've had so far! Acorns galore (I can't tell you how much I enjoy stomping on them), freshly-pressed cider, keeping busy with school, and today, a visit to an old mill and a lake! Because every single one of us has been wildly busy these last few months, we set aside this weekend to be strictly family time. Pictures tomorrow...

Curious Kitten

2010-10-15T19:01:00.000-04:00

An orange-striped kitten was roaming around the neighborhood a few weeks ago. A little neighbor girl rescued him from a creek and brought him home - but he's too curious to stay there! He was fascinated with Dixie, my hoe, and anything else that moves! He has a wimpy side too - we had to rescue him from our trees twice.

Potential

2010-10-06T18:12:00.006-04:00

Tomorrow, this jar will become a terrarium. It is part of school, really! We are making terrariums in botany class, in between stages of a lengthy lab.

I found the jar at the antique mall. Once upon a time it was used to water chickens - you can see the "water level" marks near the top. Hmm... an antique glass container, with a chippy black lid, once used on a local farm to water chickens, and would make a perfect little terrarium. Yup, I'll take it!

EDIT: Further research leads me to believe that the person at the antique store did not quite know the real use of this jar. It did come from a local farm, but it's a humidifier jar, not a chicken-waterer. Definitely less interesting, but still, a good terrarium. And glass. And a container with a chippy lid!

Starting to Turn

2010-10-04T21:42:00.000-04:00

The leaves on our front tree are starting to turn from green to yellow to brown! It's been decided cooler here, too, and I can officially say that it's Autumn!

Happy Fall! Go wear a sweater and drink something warm.

Evening Roses

2010-10-01T19:42:00.001-04:00

I love them. They just bloom and bloom all summer and late into the fall.

What I'm Working On...

2010-09-30T17:03:00.001-04:00

...You know, in all my spare time.

Dutch Baby

2010-09-29T08:52:00.000-04:00

Bless you, Rachel.

Her family served a German pancake while I was at their house on Saturday. It was close enough to a Dutch baby to remind me to make one (and it was absolutely delicious). Pair that reminder with complaints that Chrissy and I never make good breakfasts anymore (the complainer doesn't like eggs, apparently...), and we had a Dutch Baby for breakfast this morning!

Mama wanted peaches, so we had those on top.

Dutch Baby

Melt 1/4 cup butter in a medium-large (about 2-3 quarts) skillet in a 450 degree oven. Meanwhile, whip 3 eggs until foamy (or, if you suddenly realize you only have one egg, just stick with that. It works!).

Whip in 3/4 cup of flour, and 3/4 cup milk (or 1 1/4 cup, if you only had one egg). Take the skillet with the melted butter out of the oven and sprinkle it with cinnamon, then pour in the batter.

Return to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

When done, remove from oven and top with fruit, syrup, or powdered sugar. This recipe serves about three people generously, or six people can each have a smaller slice.

Information Please

2010-09-21T21:27:00.000-04:00

There are entire shelves in the library dedicated to the New Deal. Everyone wants to write peer-reviewed articles about the Smoot-Hawley Tariff for scholarly journals. You'd think that writing a book on the Great Depression was a pre-requisite to becoming an author, scientist, or politician.

But what if I want to know about now?

There are so few articles available about the current government system, I'm really not sure where to turn. Perhaps it really does take several years to publish a peer-review article for a scholarly journal, but that would lead me to assume that we now have information on the 2008 bail-outs and sudden decline of the stock market, which we don't.

Any ideas? I'm not supposed to use popular news sources such as CNN, Fox or Reuters, but I think I might have to ask for an exception. If I don't obtain either permission or find other options, this paper's got some changes coming. Significant changes, which may be very good but will also be a little discouraging.

I think I'll be visiting the librarian tomorrow, and searching through government web pages. I'll keep you posted, because you live for this sort of information. Right?

...

I'll keep you posted anyway.

Summer's Last Peaches

2010-09-17T20:52:00.000-04:00

We're getting them while we can.

A Topic!

2010-09-15T13:15:00.002-04:00

One of my classes involves a research project. This project includes a substantial paper and two semesters of reading, researching, writing, speech giving, drafting, etc. etc. I'd rather not be stuck with a topic I don't like, or one I'm ambivalent about (such as "The Effects of Hollywood on the American Culture from 1962 to 1965."). Last year Beth wrote on local foods, so I couldn't do that. I threw around ideas like "The Effect of Federal Policies on Small Business" and "The Changing Roles of Women in the 1900's" but they all seemed way too broad, and not really topics I want to research for the next nine months.

Then, out of the blue (almost - I was brain-storming on paper), the idea came to compare previous American recessions and depressions with our current recession. It has since been narrowed down to just the Great Depression compared to now, and I may reduce it further to just those events in our state. This is so exciting to me, since I like:

American History
The 1920-40's
Economics
How people's actions and reactions affect their communities
Knowing the history of where I live

I emailed the authors of one of my favorite books, A Patriot's History of the United States, and they sent me a list of resources to check on the topic. Lesson learned - if you'd like to ask question of someone you admire, just do it. They're probably very nice.

Calzones

2010-09-13T19:10:00.001-04:00

Once a week, I'm stranded on campus over the lunch hour. I'm way to cheap to pay three to five dollars for lunch every time (it adds up fast!), so I've been making food on Monday afternoons (when I'm home) and freezing it until it's needed. So far, I've made pot pies (Pyrex, I love you) and pumpkin soup.

On Saturday, we went to the farmers market and I planned to buy peppers and tomatoes for a pizza. I left with just peppers and detailed instructions on making paprika. Today, the time came to bake, and I realized that pizza is a difficult thing to carry in a backpack. But I still had the peppers and I still wanted pizza. Hello-o? Calzones!

Yeast proofing in a hot-water bath.

The dough before kneading. Yes, the yellow bowl makes it look more spectacular than it really is.

Dough after kneading. Yup.

This photo I'm adding simply for it's beauty. It reminds me of Norman Rockwell or Andrew Wyeth. I wrapped the bowl in a dish towel and stuck it in the warm oven. It was warm because we had just made frozen pizza. Sorry, we don't live glamorous lives where frozen pizzas are unheard of.

Farmers' Market peppers. Aren't they gorgeous? The pumpkin lookalike on the right is the kind they make pimentos from. I wrapped them in foil and olive oil and baked them at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Then I chopped them up, along with tomatoes (my garden), basil (the farmers' market), and garlic (my Arabian uncle).

(Ok, fine. Kroger).

By this time the dough was stretchy.

Self-explanatory. Baked at 450 for about 20 minutes.

Done! If you make calzones, do me a favor and brush them with egg whites or milk before you bake them. I always forget to do that to breads, so they're never shiny. Please take a picture of your shiny bread and send it to me. That way, I'll know someone has learned from my mistakes (because I sure haven't).

Mind you, making calzones is not a mistake. Oh, no. I can hardly wait to be stranded on campus this week!

P.S. They're really easy.

Thoughts on College

2010-09-10T11:37:00.000-04:00

I started college the last half of August, and so far I really like it. I'm taking Math, Honors English, Philosophy and Plant Biology.

Math is good for me - I'm not really into numbers, but I like it. It's been hard to follow the teacher, because she has so much material to go through in a short amount of time. English is fun, because we do it around a large table and actually discuss things and get to know each other. Philosophy is frustrating, because unless you go at it from a Biblical point of view (which the professor is not), it doesn't make sense, and you're left without any definite conclusions about anything. Plant Biology is very fun, and we've done fun, dangerous things like boiling ethanol to remove chlorophyll from leaves.

It's difficult in that there are so many unsaved people there. The campus is really open to hearing about the Gospel though. Plus there are so many people-watching opportunities. I think it's funny just how stereotypical people are sometimes, and I'm sure I am too, which makes it even funnier. I'm really growing in how I relate to people, especially people with whom I disagree strongly (there are plenty of those). It's been interesting to see the reactions of people when they find out I was home educated - most have never met a homeschooler before, but they have all expressed great interest in it. I'm so, so glad my mom took the time to teach and raise us.

I'm hoping to post more pictures soon, as time allows. Well, I need to go do math, math and more math! Did I mention that I have lots of math homework? Yes? Well it's true.

The CSA

2010-09-08T20:32:00.008-04:00

Yesterday, we drove downtown to a farmer's market to pick up Beth's first CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share. Because Beth moved on campus this year, she and her roommate Sarah decided to subscribe to one of these. Basically, once a week for ten weeks, Beth will go to the farmer's market with a special cardboard box, and return with the box loaded with vegetables from the farm she supports. The idea behind this is that the farmers and the consumers will get to know each other, the farmer will have an source of income which is not subsidized by the government, and the consumer will have access to good quality, local, non-chemically treated food (organic in all but expensively certified name). Beth and Sarah can even drive to the farm and help with planting if they want to!

The two owners of the farm are so sweet! While the wife was talking to us, the husband was putting an additional squash, a pumpkin and tomatoes in Beth's box because "She's a growing girl and needs lots of good food." They really love what they do, and Beth and Sarah will love the food. Their share looks a bit expensive at face value, but the quality and sheer quantity of produce they get, as well as knowing who grew it, where, and what went into the food they eat is well worth it.

http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Which is it?

2010-09-07T21:14:00.000-04:00

Summer or Fall?

Cool, breezy mornings and sweltering afternoons.
The chickadees have returned, but the hummingbirds are still here.
School has started (and going nicely), but we're not wearing sweaters yet.

I guess this is a good chance to enjoy the last bits of summer, but I do wish it would rain - it's been so dry here lately.

Are you seeing any hints of Fall?

Mila's Daydreams

2010-08-28T12:07:00.009-04:00

This is one of the most clever photo blogs I've seen. So cute, and so creative.

Enjoy.

A Summary of Summer

2010-08-21T15:15:00.001-04:00

Busy. That's what it was.

But since that's not a very satisfying summery, I'll tell you more.

It was a very productive summer for me, all things considered. I started my first "official" job, sewed often, gardened, painted and spent time with family and good friends. As for my blog... it fell to the side, but I'm ok with that - summer isn't for sitting on the computer all day. In the winter things will pick up again, when there isn't as much to do, and I will write more often. But right now, it's gorgeous outside, and only getting prettier while it cools down for the fall. So go outside. As soon as you're finished reading this post. Or before (that would probably be better for you). Don't you love unsolicited advice?

I also read a good deal this summer. Here's what happened:

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
A Whole Nother Story by Dr. Cuthbert Soup (founder of the Institute for Unsolicited Advice)
About eight essays by Wendell Berry, from The Art of the Commonplace
Art for God's Sake by Philip Ryken
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
Most of Comforts from the Cross by Elise Fitzpatrick
The Homesteader's Handbook by James E. Churchill

These were some good books. A Whole Nother Story was silly, witty and hilarious. It had me in stitches! Comforts from the Cross is a wonderful reminder and clarifier of the Gospel, and the chapters are in short chapters, perfect for coupling with your Bible reading. Wendell Berry's essays make me want to live on a farm more than I do now - they're very inspiring. I have the rest of my original list to look to this fall!

What did you do this summer? I'd love to hear about it!

Molly Gibson's Apron

2010-08-08T14:19:00.002-04:00

Earlier this summer, we watched Wives and Daughters again, and I fell in love with Molly Gibson's simple brown apron. I couldn't find a pattern, but it was easy enough to make - it's a very simple design. I decided to make it for Kate, who loves to cook and bake, and also likes that era.

Here's the original, though it's darker in this picture than it looks in the actual movie.

Kate wearing it. I wanted a more modern look that the original, so I skipped the pleats where the "skirt" joins the waistband. I think I like it better this way.

And the back (a bit askew). Kate chose the grey fabric for the pocket trim and button. It looks nice with the linen.

The waistband was the most tricky part - if I make another I'll use way more pins as I'm sewing.

I'm so glad Kate likes it! Chrissy was a very patient model. She was wearing a hoodie that evening and whenever she'd put it on I'd need her to take it off again to try on the apron - it must have happened at least three times!

Orchids (Again)

2010-08-05T21:30:00.001-04:00

Near Dr. Wonderful's office there's a jewelry store. The owners are very unique people, and I like them. They scuba dive all over the world, have a decidedly German last name, enjoy underwater photography and make beautiful jewelry based on the things they see (like anemones). Their store's atmosphere is mainly based on fountains and orchids, and the tropical music always playing in the background.

The other day, I was picking up a package for the office that had been dropped off there, and mentioned how their orchids always look beautiful. Mr. Jeweler casually mentioned that they propigate their own, so they can bring in the ones that are in bloom at the moment.

Yes, they propagate their. own. orchids.

I don't know about you, but when I think of orchid propagation, I think of greenhouses in the 1930's, lined with rows upon rows of benches of delicate plants that won't survive even slight changes in humidity, and can only be obtained at the highest costs. Not a very accurate view, but it's what I think of. Perhaps you don't think of orchid propagation often. Ever. You lead a normal life. But bear with me here.

When I recovered from my initial incomprehension ("you what?") I got to step over the bamboo fencing into the much-revered garden area and smell the Oncidium Sharry Baby. It smelled like chocolate. And they propigate orchids.

Of course it did. Of course they do.

Life is full of interesting, unpredictably-predictable people isn't it?

Summer.

2010-07-31T19:10:00.001-04:00

The smell of fresh cut grass.
The rasping sound of cicadas and crickets.
Joyful squeals followed by splashes.
Cirrus clouds and soaring birds.
Warm, ripe tomatoes.
Chlorine and sunscreen.
Humidity-hushed air.

School and Scissors

2010-07-30T19:09:00.000-04:00

Today was a day of crossing off lists! I had my transcript from one school sent to another, bought school supplies, ran other errands, and cut my hair. Speaking of school supplies, I have a backpack for college, and today I loaded it up with some of my books and tried it on. You know, to see how badly I'll hurt after a day with it on my back. I told Chrissy "I feel like I'm going to first grade!" Then she said "Kara, you've never been to first grade." Oh, yeah. I don't think I missed out on much. That backpack was heavy!

I mentioned that I cut my hair. Just a bit. If you don't mind watching a youtube video, watch this one. The point at which Mr. Bean first gets the scissors pretty well sums up how I felt (it's the two minute, twenty second mark).

But I really do still have hair!

What a Bad Blogger...

2010-07-29T19:51:00.000-04:00

I wish I could post more often. Really I do. But somehow, life catches up with me. So I don't post.

But I'm posting now.

Here are some recent events:

Kate and her mom visited from North Dakota! We had fun (and didn't get enough sleep). Cheese cake. A museum. Chocolate chip cookies (Kate likes to bake). Laughing. Chrissy had the idea of us dressing up in vintage outfits and taking pictures. So we did it! All I can say is this - that I'm glad I don't wear red lipstick on a regular basis. It's sticky, and it stains.

Or that hair style! Chrissy is such a ham! She could pull off any style. And Beth doesn't look that scary in real life. She's beautiful in real life.

We went to the ice cream place dressed like this. Yes, we got some strange looks, but most people just ignored us. I guess they're used to strange kids. Ah, well. C'est la vie.

Oh yes, and the previously unloved purple dress found a home.

I bought books for college. Just how many editions of Introductory Botany are there?

We're getting tomatoes from the garden - they have so much more flavor than their store bought counterparts.

Chrissy has a killer Russian accent. Darlink.

I don't seem to be able to write paragraphs. This is good, three weeks before college starts. Yeah...

I've been thinking about our culture's lack of commitment, and my own. And ways to change. Can you say "self discipline and prayer"?

Cranford and Art for God's Sake can be crossed off the reading list.

Chrissy in the 1940's

2010-07-25T17:06:00.002-04:00

Zinnias and Marigolds

2010-07-17T11:13:00.000-04:00

As I wrote this post, two goldfinches sat outside the window and picked at Mama's Gerber Daisies! Joy!

I like yellow birds, by the way. 'Specially goldfinches. And warblers.

A Cozy House Finch Nest

2010-07-13T19:36:00.000-04:00

A Kusudama Kit

2010-07-12T19:42:00.000-04:00

Do you like pretty ornaments? Origami? Colorful paper? Crafty kits?

If so, have I got a giveaway for you!

Go to Rachel's blog to enter in a giveaway contest for a Kusudama Kit, and read her hilarious post!

Not only is this kit colorful, origami can make you smarter.

Don't believe me?

Read the 186 page thesis about it here.

Then enter the giveaway. 'K?

Geraniums and a Winner

2010-07-10T12:19:00.000-04:00

I'm still enjoying our trip to our grandparent's house. I think I will be for a long time, so be prepared to see many for photos. These geraniums were on their back porch, where we spent most of the time. It was shady, breezy, and smelled like flowers and the sea.

Now, on to the giveaway news...

Rachel! According to Random Number Generator, you won with comment number 4 (I did not include mine)! So I'll bring your goodies to you sometime soon!

Everyone else who participated (that would be two people), thank you SO much! I'd like to have another giveaway in the future, perhaps a larger, more on schedule sort of giveaway.

Sky, Water and Sun

2010-07-09T19:57:00.000-04:00

Independence Day weekend was filled with many things.

Patriotism and many dogs, young and old.

Golden sunlight soaking everything.

Viking themed fireworks displays. The Ride of the Valkyries.

Docks and brackish water.

Seafood. On an island.

Bird watching.

Old wood.

White boats.

The heavens declaring the glory of God.

P.S. Tomorrow the winner of the giveaway will be announced! Enter before 9:30 A.M. centeral time tomorrow if you haven't yet!

And We're Off!

2010-07-01T14:21:00.000-04:00

To sunny, blue waters. Not the ocean, but just as deliciously sandy, wet and breezy. See you sometime next week!

P.S. Don't forget about the giveaway below!

Breakfast, Anyone?

2010-06-29T22:25:00.000-04:00

Beth made these for my birthday breakfast. They are so good! The recipe is from Joy the Baker, I think.

Summer Camp

2010-06-28T19:46:00.000-04:00

Rachel and I are hosting a writing and art summer camp this week. The theme is nature, which is easy since we're doing it all outdoors! We're teaching thirteen exuberant children.

Some of whom don't think you should squish bugs.

Others feel strongly that you should.

Rachel is teaching the writing section (couplets, personification, and imagery, anyone?), and I'm leading the art time. I'm amazed at how diverse and unique God makes children - they'd look at the same exact object, and draw it in completely different ways!

And the orchids. Because I love to look at them.

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

2010-06-24T20:10:00.000-04:00

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

~William Cowper

This is Chrissy

2010-06-22T20:39:00.002-04:00

The girl who puts a poster on her wall which compares plant and animal cells, and hangs girly white poofs from her ceiling. And loves them both.

Pink Orchids

2010-06-19T21:33:00.001-04:00

A gorgeous graduation gift from Rachel's family. Both of which I love.

The Long Promised Giveaway

2010-06-18T15:46:00.000-04:00

At last! I'm all ready to send someone a special package of goodies!

The two main attractions are:

This denim zipper pouch, lined and decorated with a cute, vintage-y looking fabric. It's about, oh, seven by five inches or so, and an inch and a half tall. Perfect for a small project, cosmetics, a purse organizer, etc.

AND!

A handmade stamp!

It will also come with other various goodies, but telling you about them would ruin the surprise when you open the package. Here's a hint for one of them though - French and sweet. In a tin.

To be entered in this giveaway:

Leave a comment on this post! You'll get one entry.
Post about it on your blog and leave a link to it here - you'll get one more entry! Just make sure it's a separate comment than your first one.

The winner will be announced on July 10th. Have fun!

Getting Back

2010-06-18T14:18:00.000-04:00

Finally.

After a two week whirlwind of graduation prep and party, two groups of out-of-town guests, work, and VBS, we're finally getting back into routine. I'm getting back to running, sewing/knitting, blogging, walking Dixie regularly, reading, etc. So, so glad.

So, a revised reading list, partly inspired (and constructed) by wonderful graduation presents.

Art for God's Sake, by Philip Ryken
Knowing God, by J.I. Packer
Comforts from the Cross, by Elise Fitzpatrick
Systematic Theology, by Wayne Gruedem
And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie (read)
Cranford, by Elizabeth Gaskell or
Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen
Ten Big Lies About America, by Michael Medved

I'm not planning to finish them all, but I would like to make good headway by mid-August!

Crawling...

2010-06-09T21:57:00.000-04:00

Do You Like Robins?

2010-06-08T18:33:00.000-04:00

Me too.

Busy, Busy

2010-06-05T17:33:00.000-04:00

Well, obviously I have not posted the promised giveaway yet. There are several reasons for this, one of which is that I had a terrible time narrowing down the goodies! I've finally decided (they were all within one category), and hope to take pictures and post soon. Soon.

The other reason is that between work, graduation prep and making banners for our church's VBS next week, I've had next to no time to do the necessary things for a giveaway. Next week looks doubtful too. So, you can expect the giveaway (and it will be a good one, in my opinion at least) either tomorrow evening or sometime the week after next. Okie dokie?

That said, I'd like to introduce you to a very poetic blog, compliments of Rachel. Annie Over is a blog Rachel has been telling me about, and now I'm telling you about it. So, go read about apples and dreams and ponds and mod podge. And remember to thank Rachel.

Thanks Rachel!

Exploring Our Town

2010-06-04T21:36:00.000-04:00

We have lived in the same town for almost six years, and while we've been in the downtown area many times, we've never really explored it, or looked in some of the more obscure shops. Today, Mama and I began to change that.

She picked my up from work and told me we were going out to eat somewhere. We had several options, all down town. The first was a pizza place we'd heard good things about, but when we drove by we realized why we'd never noticed it. The purple and black paint, combined with the open, two-story garage door, and the gloomy, television centered interior made it look a bit more like a creepy bar than a pizza place. We weren't quite in the creepy bar mood, so we opted for a small restaurant housed in what had at one time (probably the 1800's) been a hotel. It was a black tablecloth and origami napkins affair, so we were expecting the lunches to be pretty high. We were so wrong.

The seafood chowder was absolutely delicious! Huge chunks of salmon and lobster, in a creamy sauce with carrots, corn, and potatoes. Mmm. We also got the house's specialty potoato chips, and a salad. In the end, our meals combined cost less that fourteen dollar, including the tip. Why weren't they busier!?! It's definately an undiscovered gem.

This is not a restaurant review blog, so I'll skip to where we went next - two antique stores! The one looked extremely promising, but all we found was some spoons for a craft Beth's making. And a fork with the letter E on it. The second antique store had an unassuming front, and givent the quantity of fake flowers and the lack of anything looking antiquey, I was doubtful about it. This store was full of fun fifties juice glasses and little tin dishes; quilts and pyrex, all sorts of things. But mostly dishes. If anyone is looking for a full set of smokey orange and green pumpkin shaped dishes, let me know and I'll pick them up for you. Or corn themed ones - I'm sure drinking out of a tumbler that looks like an over grown corn cob would heighten your drinking experience.

If pumpkin dishes aren't for you, that's OK. Maybe next time we'll visit the Carnegie Center. Or follow the arrow on the sign that says "Learn to Scuba Dive, Upstairs."

I love exploring places that are nearby. I think that's part of what makes a town your home - knowing it well, and loving it.

Why I plant Marigolds

2010-06-03T18:05:00.000-04:00

Do we plant them because they keep away garden pests? Or because they attract the beneficial bugs?

Frankly, I plant them because they have such a happy, pungent smell. Bug bating benefits are beside the point.

Memorial Day

2010-06-01T19:36:00.000-04:00

This is my 100th post. That's cause for a celebration! Be looking for a giveaway in the very near future (i.e. sometime this week). I'll give you a hint. No, I won't. I'll leave you in suspense.

Yesterday was a very relaxed Memorial Day. When I was younger, we used to travel to my grandparents' house for Memorial Day weekend, and on that Sunday we'd go to an old Norwegian Church by a lake in the middle of miles and miles of fields. My grandma grew up on a farm across from that lake, and her grandfather originally owned the land that the church was on. My grandparents were married there, and their parents were married there, and their graves are there.

Back to Memorial Day.

All the veterans in the area would dress in their uniforms or suits, and there was a cannon. They shot off a cannon. That's all I remember clearly, the uniforms and the cannon, and standing in the church yard, shivering and excited. Then there would be a service inside, where all the veterans would stand, and a lunch in the church basement (enter cheese whiz and olive open faced sandwiches).

No cannon this Memorial Day. I have been pretty sick this week, so took it easy. I sewed some this weekend, baked some, and read some on Sunday. I finished an Agatha Christie - And Then There Were None. It was depressing, well written, and I like the 1940's movie better. Yesterday morning we went to the fabric store for their Memorial Day sale. It was so funny - people lined up outside the door, and once we got in, I saw three ladies in a row pushing their shopping carts down three parallel isles, headed to the notions section as fast as they could go! It was as if I was watching a comedy. That's the way life is - I love it!

Beth and her college friends had a game of ultimate frisbee at the camps last night, then came here. We ate brownies and chips, had a time of prayer and sharing, and then played Mafia. Her friends are all so sweet and friendly - it was fun!

What a rambling post! But I'm just going to leave it that way. It adds character to the blog. Or something.