I think I'm deciding that I'm too idealistic for my own good. I'm realizing how very much I need my logical, realistically-minded husband to keep me in line. Everything seems possible to me! I overestimate my abilities, underestimate how long things will take and, in general, just seem unable to make sound judgement calls. Some cases in point:
"Making my own" sounds great to me. Very domestic. Very natural and healthy. Cheaper! Yes, I think I ought to make my own, so I have been. And here is how it's going . . .
Shampoo. Baking soda and water, with lavender oil. It's okay for the kids, maybe, but I do not like this for me! After several weeks, I switched to Miracle II for my hair. This still didn't work out right, and when I went for my bi-annual haircut I was convinced that I needed to move on.
Conditioner. Water and apple cider vinegar. Ummm... maybe.
Laundry Soup. B questioned me on this one when, on a Saturday morning, with three loads of laundry ready to go, I was grating FelsNaptha to put into the Vitamix with Borax and washing soda. I don't love the scent, nor am I convinced that it's doing a great job (but I'm not all that great with laundry anyway). Kind of fun, but also . . . more work.
Bread. LOVE it. Finally have a great recipe to make five loaves at a time. Only problem is that I'm killing my Kitchen Aid, which can't stand up to the stiff dough.
Muffins. Yay! A friend recommended Falls Mill baking mix. Now, my made-from-scratch muffins are ready in a fraction of the time, and I still feel that I've not compromised. (No preservatives, etc.)
Yogurt. Another friend generously gave us fresh, raw milk. I tried this crock-pot yogurt recipe. Twice it turned out very well. The last time, not so much. But, since the milk was free, it's still a positive, I think. We eat a lot of yogurt with granola.
Soup. We eat a LOT of soup in these autumn and winter months. Hooray for Bob's Red Mill 13 bean soup! I can soak this, simmer it during school hours, and have a yummy soup by supper time.
We also use cloth diapers, cloth napkins, grind our wheat and other grains, and basically make as much as possible from scratch. Much as I love it, I do feel a bit tired! Several friends have recently encouraged me to look for some shortcuts and compromises. I'm trusting their wisdom (and realizing how much I need wisdom spoken into my life!), and taking their advice to heart. Some things don't matter as much as they feel like they matter to me.
The Lord says that He establishes the work of my hands. He's given it to me to do. He also doesn't give me more than I can bear, and so I want to be sure that I'm not putting more on my plate than He is. The best way I can think to align myself with His plans is for me to be alone with Him. THAT is my priority- not making everything from scratch.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Birthday Cake!
Classic White Cake Recipe
The fine moist crumb of this cake complements any type of filling and frosting, making it the perfect celebratory cake. I think I've settled on this as the birthday cake recipe
The fine moist crumb of this cake complements any type of filling and frosting, making it the perfect celebratory cake. I think I've settled on this as the birthday cake recipe
Ingredients
- 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup of sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 large egg whites (3/4 cup)
- 3/4 cup milk (we like almond milk)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 (9-inch) diameter by 1 1/2-inch deep layer pans or 1 (13 by 9 by 2-inch) pan, buttered and bottoms lined with parchment or waxed paper
Directions:
1) Set a rack at the middle level of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.
2) In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar for about 5 minutes, until light and fluffy.
3) Stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
4) Combine egg whites, milk and vanilla extract.
5) Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to butter mixture then add half the milk mixture. Continue to alternate beginning and ending with flour mixture. Scrape bowl and beater often.
6) Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and smooth top. Tap once on counter to remove air bubbles. Bake cake(s) about 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean. Cool in pan on a rack for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a rack, remove paper and let cool completely.
Variation:
CLASSIC YELLOW CAKE Substitute 3 large eggs and 1 egg yolk for all of the egg whites above.
Classic Chocolate One-Bowl Buttercream Frosting
6 T butter, softened
2 2/3 c powdered sugar
½ c Cocoa
1/3 c milk
1 t vanilla
In small mixer bowl, beat butter. Add powdered sugar and cocoa alternately with milk; beat to spreading consistency (may need more milk) Blend in vanilla.
CLASSIC YELLOW CAKE Substitute 3 large eggs and 1 egg yolk for all of the egg whites above.
Classic Chocolate One-Bowl Buttercream Frosting
6 T butter, softened
2 2/3 c powdered sugar
½ c Cocoa
1/3 c milk
1 t vanilla
In small mixer bowl, beat butter. Add powdered sugar and cocoa alternately with milk; beat to spreading consistency (may need more milk) Blend in vanilla.
Celebrating Nine Years!
So hard to believe we've known this boy for NINE years. They have been wonderful. O is such a joy to us. He is helpful and diligent. He likes to think things through. He takes care of his siblings. He is a voracious reader and loves to figure out how things work and then try making them himself. Always mature for his age, he seems especially old at nine years. Doesn't he look rather serious in the first photo?
Happy Birthday to O!
Happy Birthday to O!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Shackleton on Sleep
I want to put together a nice little post on two of the books I've read recently. But, it's late (again) and my thoughts aren't lining themselves up nicely for a little post.
I've read Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World (Jennifer Armstrong) and Shackleton's Stowaway and am reading Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage (Alfred Lansing). We realized that O had these three books on Shackleton in his library. He read them all (probably more than once and maybe even all in the same day- ha!). I figured I ought to read at least one to know what he was reading about.
I didn't know much- if anything- about Shackleton and his voyage on Endurance. Once I started reading, however, I found the story fascinating, horrible, hopeful and captivating. Imagine spending 18 months or so in Antarctica in the freezing cold. Some of that was time spent stranded on board their ice-locked ship, Endurance. Some was spent on an ice flow (that was moving and melting). Some was spent in the Southern Ocean- just read about that and you'll be shocked.
This is a terrific tale of survival and leadership and Providence, told in several different voices, which all enhance the story. I particularly liked the book by Armstrong. She notes that when Shackleton and two of his crew were hiking over the mountains of South Georgia Island, they all felt that there were four in their party, and not just three. It gives me good chills. Their survival is so unbelievable that they must have had the Lord's protection and care.
Still, with all this reading there are only a few things that stand out to me (at this hour, anyway). Shackleton was a great leader. Could I emulate him at the helm of our little ship? Inspiring confidence and bringing out the best in our crew? Also, a quote on sleep keeps playing in my head. I have been sleepy lately. M didn't sleep so well when we got back from Florida. And life feels hard and our bed feels soft in the early morning dark and chill. Sleep does sometimes seem like the best thing.
Long after their rescue, Shackleton said, "It was like this. . . You can get so tired in the snow, particularly if you are hungry, that sleep seems just the best thing life has to give. . . But if you're a leader, a fellow that other fellows look to, you've got to keep going." (Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World, pg. 116)
He kept going. Isn't that the only thing to do?
I've read Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World (Jennifer Armstrong) and Shackleton's Stowaway and am reading Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage (Alfred Lansing). We realized that O had these three books on Shackleton in his library. He read them all (probably more than once and maybe even all in the same day- ha!). I figured I ought to read at least one to know what he was reading about.
I didn't know much- if anything- about Shackleton and his voyage on Endurance. Once I started reading, however, I found the story fascinating, horrible, hopeful and captivating. Imagine spending 18 months or so in Antarctica in the freezing cold. Some of that was time spent stranded on board their ice-locked ship, Endurance. Some was spent on an ice flow (that was moving and melting). Some was spent in the Southern Ocean- just read about that and you'll be shocked.
This is a terrific tale of survival and leadership and Providence, told in several different voices, which all enhance the story. I particularly liked the book by Armstrong. She notes that when Shackleton and two of his crew were hiking over the mountains of South Georgia Island, they all felt that there were four in their party, and not just three. It gives me good chills. Their survival is so unbelievable that they must have had the Lord's protection and care.
Still, with all this reading there are only a few things that stand out to me (at this hour, anyway). Shackleton was a great leader. Could I emulate him at the helm of our little ship? Inspiring confidence and bringing out the best in our crew? Also, a quote on sleep keeps playing in my head. I have been sleepy lately. M didn't sleep so well when we got back from Florida. And life feels hard and our bed feels soft in the early morning dark and chill. Sleep does sometimes seem like the best thing.
Long after their rescue, Shackleton said, "It was like this. . . You can get so tired in the snow, particularly if you are hungry, that sleep seems just the best thing life has to give. . . But if you're a leader, a fellow that other fellows look to, you've got to keep going." (Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World, pg. 116)
He kept going. Isn't that the only thing to do?
Monday, October 25, 2010
If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say. . .
Don't blog.
Or, that's what I tell myself. When I feel so lacking in everything and nothing seems to be happening I'm not sure what to blog about. And, I believe the Proverb, "Even a fool, when he is silent, is thought wise." Better for me to just keep quiet.
BUT. . . things are happening (even if I don't see much of it!) and I can not keep silent when my great God deserves glory from my lips.
Our house is still on the market. No one has looked at in in months, despite our reducing the price and having open houses. The average house in Lynchburg is on the market over a year now. There are still four houses for sale on our street and the housing market seems to be flooded with homes for sale.
B is still driving back and forth from Richmond on the weekends to be with us. He is finding his job interesting and enjoyable and challenging- all great things in a job. Still, our weekends are over in a hurried breath and we are wondering how much longer we can continue this pace and life apart.
So, we are praying and wondering what to do. To rent the house? We would rather have the money and not the responsibility. To rent something in Richmond? We lack the money. Keeping on seems the only real choice.
Elizabeth Elliott says, "Thankless children we all are, more or less, comprehending but dimly the truth of God's fathomless love for us." She says that we ought to be deliberately thankful, and that our gratitude starts at the cross. In that spirit, I continue my Gratitude List:
266) Jasmine sprigs on the mantle- my favorite scent!
267) Painted pumpkins
268) Crispy scent of autumn leaves
269) Full moon light silver on the trees
270) Music, speaking right to my heart
271) New friendships
272) Old friendships; familiarity
273) Last zinnias from the garden; T "has" to pick them
274) M sucking his toes
275) Kids' anticipation of a trip to IL
276) Birthday cakes
277) Early morning blue of the sunrise
278) Jeans that fit!
279) Restfulness of a Sunday afternoon with friends
280) M napping in the Ergo (I often wish he were in his bed, but it IS so great to hold a sleeping child)
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Or, that's what I tell myself. When I feel so lacking in everything and nothing seems to be happening I'm not sure what to blog about. And, I believe the Proverb, "Even a fool, when he is silent, is thought wise." Better for me to just keep quiet.
BUT. . . things are happening (even if I don't see much of it!) and I can not keep silent when my great God deserves glory from my lips.
Our house is still on the market. No one has looked at in in months, despite our reducing the price and having open houses. The average house in Lynchburg is on the market over a year now. There are still four houses for sale on our street and the housing market seems to be flooded with homes for sale.
B is still driving back and forth from Richmond on the weekends to be with us. He is finding his job interesting and enjoyable and challenging- all great things in a job. Still, our weekends are over in a hurried breath and we are wondering how much longer we can continue this pace and life apart.
So, we are praying and wondering what to do. To rent the house? We would rather have the money and not the responsibility. To rent something in Richmond? We lack the money. Keeping on seems the only real choice.
Elizabeth Elliott says, "Thankless children we all are, more or less, comprehending but dimly the truth of God's fathomless love for us." She says that we ought to be deliberately thankful, and that our gratitude starts at the cross. In that spirit, I continue my Gratitude List:
266) Jasmine sprigs on the mantle- my favorite scent!
267) Painted pumpkins
268) Crispy scent of autumn leaves
269) Full moon light silver on the trees
270) Music, speaking right to my heart
271) New friendships
272) Old friendships; familiarity
273) Last zinnias from the garden; T "has" to pick them
274) M sucking his toes
275) Kids' anticipation of a trip to IL
276) Birthday cakes
277) Early morning blue of the sunrise
278) Jeans that fit!
279) Restfulness of a Sunday afternoon with friends
280) M napping in the Ergo (I often wish he were in his bed, but it IS so great to hold a sleeping child)
Saturday, October 23, 2010
The Scout Handbook
We have some aspiring scouts around here. O has read the Scout manual at least three times. Add the Dangerous Book for Boys, and I can assure you that we have an eight year old who is better at tying knots and making paper airplanes (and water bombs) and things out of sticks than the average kid on our street (but who's comparing?). Meanwhile, I've been fascinated to watch him devouring this boy-stuff. He is all about it. R, too, is asking when he'll be a boy scout. T, of course, insists that he is already "big" and therefore, he should be a boy scout too (though "wolf" scout sounds pretty cool, too).
They come by it honestly. B is an Eagle Scout. So is Mr. Alexander, whom we all admire greatly.
This is an interesting article on how the scout manual has changed over the years. Maybe I better see which edition(s) we have...
They come by it honestly. B is an Eagle Scout. So is Mr. Alexander, whom we all admire greatly.
This is an interesting article on how the scout manual has changed over the years. Maybe I better see which edition(s) we have...
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Weekend In Orlando
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| Grandma Curtis and M at Sunset Sam's boat in Gaylord Palms |
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| me, Lisa, Arinne, and Kathy with Sunset Sam's boat in background |
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| Team Trust! |
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| Janelle and Priscilla helped to celebrate my birthday |
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| M and Priscilla before Bear Grylls! |
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Good and Quiet
These are my first quiet moments in many days.
M and I returned today from our 4 night trip to Orlando for the JuicePlus+ Convention. We had a great, challenging time! On the (Live Life to the) PLUS side, we learned fascinating new research done on JuicePlus+, heard from some of the company's best leaders, and were able to spend time with precious friends and family members. Nursing went amazingly well. It was great to be in sunny FL. We had an exquisite dinner to celebrate my birthday and our loved ones. So many good things!
It was also a bit of a tiring trip. M has a piercing shriek. He is known as the loudest Curtis baby. To my embarrassment, the shriek was often heard on our flights. Typically, he would shriek, finally stick his fingers in his mouth, and then eventually fall asleep. It was exhausting for me, cramped on the plane and wishing for anonymity. It was exhausting for him; he hasn't had a full nap in five days! I feel like I've held a baby for five days straight, or pushed a stroller, or something. Every minute has been full and I am very ready to rest.
We had a few hours to enjoy as a family this afternoon, then B headed off to Richmond. I'm looking down the barrel of a long week. Heigh-ho! Better to print off the school schedule and tidy up. There is a lot of laundry to be done and errands to run and schoolwork to do and kids to love on this week!
M and I returned today from our 4 night trip to Orlando for the JuicePlus+ Convention. We had a great, challenging time! On the (Live Life to the) PLUS side, we learned fascinating new research done on JuicePlus+, heard from some of the company's best leaders, and were able to spend time with precious friends and family members. Nursing went amazingly well. It was great to be in sunny FL. We had an exquisite dinner to celebrate my birthday and our loved ones. So many good things!
It was also a bit of a tiring trip. M has a piercing shriek. He is known as the loudest Curtis baby. To my embarrassment, the shriek was often heard on our flights. Typically, he would shriek, finally stick his fingers in his mouth, and then eventually fall asleep. It was exhausting for me, cramped on the plane and wishing for anonymity. It was exhausting for him; he hasn't had a full nap in five days! I feel like I've held a baby for five days straight, or pushed a stroller, or something. Every minute has been full and I am very ready to rest.
We had a few hours to enjoy as a family this afternoon, then B headed off to Richmond. I'm looking down the barrel of a long week. Heigh-ho! Better to print off the school schedule and tidy up. There is a lot of laundry to be done and errands to run and schoolwork to do and kids to love on this week!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Unnatural Service
Monday night again. We had a wonderful family day yesterday. B had today off of work, and just the small change of having Daddy home one more night made such a difference for our hearts. Wonderful to do life as a family. Somehow, though, the weekend seemed so full of have-do-do. There were meals that must be made, a lawn to tend, children to bathe, haircuts, home repairs, loads of laundry, bills to pay, packing to do. In all of that, which is just normal life, I wonder when I am supposed to breathe.
Now, it's dark and all is quiet. B is back in Richmond. I have tears. . . for the shower I didn't fit in today, for the laundry still in the dryer, for the packing that isn't done yet, for the emails and phone calls I haven't returned, for the loneliness of the house at night, for the empty bed upstairs, for all the aches of those I love who are hurting and struggling. The days flash by and I am brought up short. I can't do enough or be enough; I am humbled.
And the theme of my Bible reading lately has been (slavery and) service. Tonight, I'm not sure what to do with that. It all feels too hard right now, and yet I turn back to the promises that He will not leave me, that He establishes the work of my hands, that He is FOR me, that He apportions my days. Oh, I have to believe it's true tonight, when I am weary! It is true that I'm called to serve; that it's not for me to direct my steps or determine my way. That there is life for me in pouring out my life. Oh, this lesson of service is a hard one for me!
Elisabeth Elliot said, "God's curriculum for all who sincerely want to know Him and do His will will always include lessons we wish we could skip. But the more we apply ourselves, the more honestly we can say what the psalmist said: "I, thy servant, will study thy statutes. / Thy instruction is my continual delight; / I turn to it for counsel. / I will run the course set out in thy commandments, / for they gladden my heart" (Psalm 119:23, 24, 32, NEB)."
Now, it's dark and all is quiet. B is back in Richmond. I have tears. . . for the shower I didn't fit in today, for the laundry still in the dryer, for the packing that isn't done yet, for the emails and phone calls I haven't returned, for the loneliness of the house at night, for the empty bed upstairs, for all the aches of those I love who are hurting and struggling. The days flash by and I am brought up short. I can't do enough or be enough; I am humbled.
And the theme of my Bible reading lately has been (slavery and) service. Tonight, I'm not sure what to do with that. It all feels too hard right now, and yet I turn back to the promises that He will not leave me, that He establishes the work of my hands, that He is FOR me, that He apportions my days. Oh, I have to believe it's true tonight, when I am weary! It is true that I'm called to serve; that it's not for me to direct my steps or determine my way. That there is life for me in pouring out my life. Oh, this lesson of service is a hard one for me!
Elisabeth Elliot said, "God's curriculum for all who sincerely want to know Him and do His will will always include lessons we wish we could skip. But the more we apply ourselves, the more honestly we can say what the psalmist said: "I, thy servant, will study thy statutes. / Thy instruction is my continual delight; / I turn to it for counsel. / I will run the course set out in thy commandments, / for they gladden my heart" (Psalm 119:23, 24, 32, NEB)."
Monday, October 4, 2010
Deliberately Grateful
Since I am still reading The 4:8 Principle (Tommy Newberry), I thought I would share another excerpt today. This gratitude seeking is not natural to me! I'm afraid that I have given up a joy-outlook over the past few years and fallen into sloppy thinking. This book is a good kick in the pants/heart.
"Gratitude is a choice. It is a conscious and deliberate decision to focus on life's blessings rather than its shortcomings. Life will always have shortcomings, and it will always have virtues. When you focus on your blessings, your life feels abundant. When you focus on what's missing, life feels incomplete. As you know by now, where you point the spotlight is purely a matter of choice."
For these things, I am deliberately grateful today:
251) Rain clouds building up
252) Steamy cup of tea, warming all of me
253) Easy blueberry muffins- yum!
254) My children's eyes
255) Soft bed sheets
256) Vibrant yellow mums
256) A new book from a friend
257) Soup on the stove
258) Feel of boxwoods under my fingers
259) Autumn leaves falling
260) Family photos
261) Friday nights
262) Conversations of grace
263) A son on my lap
264) Warm front steps to sit on
265) Anticipation (Orlando!)
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"Gratitude is a choice. It is a conscious and deliberate decision to focus on life's blessings rather than its shortcomings. Life will always have shortcomings, and it will always have virtues. When you focus on your blessings, your life feels abundant. When you focus on what's missing, life feels incomplete. As you know by now, where you point the spotlight is purely a matter of choice."
For these things, I am deliberately grateful today:
251) Rain clouds building up
252) Steamy cup of tea, warming all of me
253) Easy blueberry muffins- yum!
254) My children's eyes
255) Soft bed sheets
256) Vibrant yellow mums
256) A new book from a friend
257) Soup on the stove
258) Feel of boxwoods under my fingers
259) Autumn leaves falling
260) Family photos
261) Friday nights
262) Conversations of grace
263) A son on my lap
264) Warm front steps to sit on
265) Anticipation (Orlando!)
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