The plot thickens as the conflict intensifies- with only a few days left until we have to be out of our Lynchburg house!
As of today:
Mom arrived safely! We are all so glad she is here.
The Midlothian house will not be available to us until Friday morning- at the earliest. (Instead of last week.) I had hoped to leave (a reasonably organized house) for IL with Mom and the kids on Friday. . . We are grateful, however, that many needed repairs are being completed.
We will still (Lord willing!) load our truck tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately, because of the timing we don't have much help available. We'll have the same issue on the Midlothian end on Friday morning.
The Lawyer is having his most grueling week of lawyerly things to do for the Attorney General. Taking off a day or two or three for a move is really stretching him thin and he is feeling it.
And so... the difficulties continue... with the great anticipation of being a family reunited.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
June 2011
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| Everyone is VERY excited about our new (10 foot!) table. |
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| M is ONE and he likes the table (top) |
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| L (6) swims with friends |
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| T (3) is getting more adventurous in the water. |
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| Amazingly yummy grilled Trout. |
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| L (6) waters the beans and tomatoes in their boxes. |
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| M (1) wants to help rake. |
Monday, June 27, 2011
Resolved, and Counting the Gifts
In the throes of change some things become visible, as boulders exposed when a river's current runs low. Even as boxes sit in the corners of the rooms, I find a deep sense of peace that some things are not changing. I continue to list grace upon grace and gift upon gift.
We rise and we sleep (#681). We have daily manna- Proverbs at breakfast- and the children often finish the verses from memory. (What an amazing thing; memory! #682) We continue to work on committing Colossians to memory. We eat; oh yes, we eat! And there is still food in the house. (#683) There is still laundry to do and dishes to do and all the everyday chores that come with having a family and a house (#684). The children squabble and the boys wrestle (#685) and there are hurts and pouts and angry eyebrows (#685). . . followed by apologies and quiet moments, praying, and receiving forgiveness, which we really don't deserve (#686). I read to the children and savor the few minutes of rapt attention (#687) as they are drawn into the story. Then, they rest. The Lawyer and I continue this mystery of marriage (#688) and I fall on my knees as the day starts and as it ends.
With so much stripped away, I'm back to the basics: pack and prepare to move and do the basics.
This past weekend The Lawyer mentioned that it was good to see me playing with the children again. It was true. I haven't played much nor been much fun over the past year. When I was always seeking to keep everyone on track I couldn't relax. With The Lawyer home, I felt free to play hide-and-seek with M (13 mo) upstairs; knowing that the other kids were being looked after. And it was such fun! (#689) I could jump on the trampoline with the bigger kids and know that M was safe inside. Releasing the mantle of authority for the family brings such a fresh breeze to my soul!
And I think to myself, "I want to do more of this."
I want to laugh more! To play more. To surprise my family and bless them. To take time for tenderness and conversations and reading far past bedtime (every once in awhile!).
And then today, we read this:
"Jonathan Edwards became a noble, outstanding citizen in our country. These are the five resolutions which he adopted and followed closely all his life:
RESOLVED: To live with all my might while I do live.
RESOLVED: Never to lose one moment of time, but to use it in the most profitable way I possibly can.
RESOLVED: Never to do anything which I should despise or think meanly of in another.
RESOLVED: Never to do anything out of revenge.
RESOLVED: Never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life." (taken from Another Hive of Bees)
The kids and I talked about our own resolutions. What makes a great life? And not just a nice, comfortable life here on earth. . . but life beyond this?
Edwards' was resolved. May I be so resolved! As our circumstances change and the biggest "rocks" in my life become evident, it is a good time to evaluate and pray and resolve.
We rise and we sleep (#681). We have daily manna- Proverbs at breakfast- and the children often finish the verses from memory. (What an amazing thing; memory! #682) We continue to work on committing Colossians to memory. We eat; oh yes, we eat! And there is still food in the house. (#683) There is still laundry to do and dishes to do and all the everyday chores that come with having a family and a house (#684). The children squabble and the boys wrestle (#685) and there are hurts and pouts and angry eyebrows (#685). . . followed by apologies and quiet moments, praying, and receiving forgiveness, which we really don't deserve (#686). I read to the children and savor the few minutes of rapt attention (#687) as they are drawn into the story. Then, they rest. The Lawyer and I continue this mystery of marriage (#688) and I fall on my knees as the day starts and as it ends.
With so much stripped away, I'm back to the basics: pack and prepare to move and do the basics.
This past weekend The Lawyer mentioned that it was good to see me playing with the children again. It was true. I haven't played much nor been much fun over the past year. When I was always seeking to keep everyone on track I couldn't relax. With The Lawyer home, I felt free to play hide-and-seek with M (13 mo) upstairs; knowing that the other kids were being looked after. And it was such fun! (#689) I could jump on the trampoline with the bigger kids and know that M was safe inside. Releasing the mantle of authority for the family brings such a fresh breeze to my soul!
And I think to myself, "I want to do more of this."
I want to laugh more! To play more. To surprise my family and bless them. To take time for tenderness and conversations and reading far past bedtime (every once in awhile!).
And then today, we read this:
"Jonathan Edwards became a noble, outstanding citizen in our country. These are the five resolutions which he adopted and followed closely all his life:
RESOLVED: To live with all my might while I do live.
RESOLVED: Never to lose one moment of time, but to use it in the most profitable way I possibly can.
RESOLVED: Never to do anything which I should despise or think meanly of in another.
RESOLVED: Never to do anything out of revenge.
RESOLVED: Never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life." (taken from Another Hive of Bees)
The kids and I talked about our own resolutions. What makes a great life? And not just a nice, comfortable life here on earth. . . but life beyond this?
Edwards' was resolved. May I be so resolved! As our circumstances change and the biggest "rocks" in my life become evident, it is a good time to evaluate and pray and resolve.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Moving Plans?
Oh my.
Last week we thought that we would be loading the U-haul truck today and moving into our rental home on Sunday.
Then there weren't any trucks available. Finally, we were able to get a truck for Sunday and planned to load and move the same day.
Then we found out that the rental house didn't have the new carpet yet, and it would be installed on Tuesday. Perhaps we could still load on Sunday and then unload on Tuesday.
My mom is flying into Richmond on Tuesday- what a blessing! We hoped she would be available to help us as we settled into the new home.
Then we found out that the rental house carpet wouldn't be installed until Wednesday next week. And, with all that was going on, our realtor hinted that this house might not work out at all and we should perhaps look for another option.
We canceled the truck reservation for Sunday and moved it to Wednesday.
Then we found out that the sub floor of the rental's bathroom needs to be replaced and the work will be done on Thursday, the same day the carpet is now scheduled to be installed.
And so we are tentatively planning to load on Wednesday, leave Lynchburg on Thursday, and unload in Midlothian (Richmond) as soon as we can. The Lawyer will bring my mother from Richmond to Lynchburg on Tuesday after he works downtown, and she'll see more of the packing end of the process. . . because we won't be in the rental house long before leaving; we planned to leave Midlothian on Friday to travel back to IL together with the kids for a few weeks of summer fun (swim lessons and family visits!).
So the best laid plans are often set aside for other plans- and it's okay.
It does seem interesting to me how difficult this entire process has been. When we moved to Lynchburg it felt rather simple and we were able to see the Lord going before us all the way. Doors opened; there were crazy "coincidences" and clear signs for us to move forward, even though it seemed a bit risky to start law school at that season of life. Now, we feel just as compelled to make this move and yet everything about it has seemed difficult: the one vehicle situation, The Lawyer's housing, the house on the market for a year, and now all of the complications with a rental.
Ah, sigh. This is life. And it might not get easier (probably won't!). We press on. . . and will move when we can!
Last week we thought that we would be loading the U-haul truck today and moving into our rental home on Sunday.
Then there weren't any trucks available. Finally, we were able to get a truck for Sunday and planned to load and move the same day.
Then we found out that the rental house didn't have the new carpet yet, and it would be installed on Tuesday. Perhaps we could still load on Sunday and then unload on Tuesday.
My mom is flying into Richmond on Tuesday- what a blessing! We hoped she would be available to help us as we settled into the new home.
Then we found out that the rental house carpet wouldn't be installed until Wednesday next week. And, with all that was going on, our realtor hinted that this house might not work out at all and we should perhaps look for another option.
We canceled the truck reservation for Sunday and moved it to Wednesday.
Then we found out that the sub floor of the rental's bathroom needs to be replaced and the work will be done on Thursday, the same day the carpet is now scheduled to be installed.
And so we are tentatively planning to load on Wednesday, leave Lynchburg on Thursday, and unload in Midlothian (Richmond) as soon as we can. The Lawyer will bring my mother from Richmond to Lynchburg on Tuesday after he works downtown, and she'll see more of the packing end of the process. . . because we won't be in the rental house long before leaving; we planned to leave Midlothian on Friday to travel back to IL together with the kids for a few weeks of summer fun (swim lessons and family visits!).
So the best laid plans are often set aside for other plans- and it's okay.
It does seem interesting to me how difficult this entire process has been. When we moved to Lynchburg it felt rather simple and we were able to see the Lord going before us all the way. Doors opened; there were crazy "coincidences" and clear signs for us to move forward, even though it seemed a bit risky to start law school at that season of life. Now, we feel just as compelled to make this move and yet everything about it has seemed difficult: the one vehicle situation, The Lawyer's housing, the house on the market for a year, and now all of the complications with a rental.
Ah, sigh. This is life. And it might not get easier (probably won't!). We press on. . . and will move when we can!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Sweet Today
The season is changing and I feel time rushing like water beneath my feet. This day is a gift. This day! And tomorrow and each day. For all the uncertainty ahead I recount the gifts that have made these days sweet- yes, even today.
#666 Enjoying the farmer's market with a friend
#667 The "goat cheese man" gave a parting gift of lemon, honey, lavender cheese- oh yum!
#668 The "honey man"cheerily calling out from his stall to us, bidding us come back
#669 Finding a friend or an acquaintance nearly everywhere I go.
#670 Early morning greetings exchanged with Phyllis and Rosa, walking the dogs
#671 Ms Ruth across the street always watching the children from her window
#672 This funny little town where so many license plates read like shorthand scripture: JHN316 and LUVJSUS and IM HIZ and SAVD 4EVR and EU CRISTO
#673 Hiking places with boys; finding snakes and throwing sticks in the water and climbing trees and ducking into tunnels
#674 Magnolia blooms
#675 White Crepe Myrtle blossoms arching gracefully toward the ground
#676 Mountain vista from the midway point of my run; a row of hills with mist still rising from the valleys
#677 Greenhouses within walking distance. . . with produce and eggs
#678 First tomatoes of summer from our garden
#679 Twilight walks around the block
#680 Sweetness of another morning with a friend; the same rhythm we've had through the years- our children play hard, we all have shakes, and she and I squeeze some conversation in. I'm always encouraged in the Lord by her and her words play in my head all day, "You don't have that much to do. You have a clean house; you're just too hard on yourself. This is the normal chaos of moving. .. The Lord has always provided for you."
She's right. These last five years have been such a story of provision. Really, all of my life is a story of His provision. He provided grace when I didn't even know I needed it, provided a Son, a sacrifice before I was even conceived. Provided frame for this spirit and sustenance and salvation. All is sweet.
#666 Enjoying the farmer's market with a friend
#667 The "goat cheese man" gave a parting gift of lemon, honey, lavender cheese- oh yum!
#668 The "honey man"cheerily calling out from his stall to us, bidding us come back
#669 Finding a friend or an acquaintance nearly everywhere I go.
#670 Early morning greetings exchanged with Phyllis and Rosa, walking the dogs
#671 Ms Ruth across the street always watching the children from her window
#672 This funny little town where so many license plates read like shorthand scripture: JHN316 and LUVJSUS and IM HIZ and SAVD 4EVR and EU CRISTO
#673 Hiking places with boys; finding snakes and throwing sticks in the water and climbing trees and ducking into tunnels
#674 Magnolia blooms
#675 White Crepe Myrtle blossoms arching gracefully toward the ground
#676 Mountain vista from the midway point of my run; a row of hills with mist still rising from the valleys
#677 Greenhouses within walking distance. . . with produce and eggs
#678 First tomatoes of summer from our garden
#679 Twilight walks around the block
#680 Sweetness of another morning with a friend; the same rhythm we've had through the years- our children play hard, we all have shakes, and she and I squeeze some conversation in. I'm always encouraged in the Lord by her and her words play in my head all day, "You don't have that much to do. You have a clean house; you're just too hard on yourself. This is the normal chaos of moving. .. The Lord has always provided for you."
She's right. These last five years have been such a story of provision. Really, all of my life is a story of His provision. He provided grace when I didn't even know I needed it, provided a Son, a sacrifice before I was even conceived. Provided frame for this spirit and sustenance and salvation. All is sweet.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Happy Father's Day!
"You don't have to deserve your mother's love. You have to deserve your father's. He's more particular."
-- Robert Frost
"By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong."
-- Charles Wadsworth
-- Robert Frost
"By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong."
-- Charles Wadsworth
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Cents and Sensibility
How do you ensure testing?
Resolve and commit.
As soon as we verbally committed to rent our house to our friends our commitment was tested. Our realtor called the next day and asked to show our house to someone who was very interested in our house and wanted to buy. This was unusual because this couple had narrowed their search down and ours was one of only a few they were considering and they had cash to pay. And isn't that the best case scenario we could have imagined for all the eleven months the house has been on the market?
We honored our commitment to our friends.
The Lawyer and I had also discussed the financial implications of this rental situation. While things are more expensive in Richmond, we felt it was a good time for us to slow our financial outflow and continue to pay off our debt. Therefore, we resolved to look for a one year rental that would be at the bottom end of our price range. (The only thing I had specifically been asking the Lord for was somewhere to hang my porch swing that I love.)
Well, don't you know that the only house I really liked was at the top end of the range? And they would drop the price $50/month for us. And we liked everything about it from the location to the backyard to the wall oven. (And especially the screened in porch with lots of room for the swing and a table and chairs and a first level school room space and a fig tree!) And we were approved.
But there was a smaller house that costs $200 less a month that would meet our needs. And it is only a one year lease. It doesn't have anywhere for my swing, but it does have three bedrooms and a garage and some other nice features. And there was that little thing. . . that sensible commitment we made to each other.
And we are choosing to honor that commitment. It makes cents (though I will still be watching the other house in twelve months to see if it is for sale!). And it is sensible when we consider that in God's economy, a promise is worth more than any financial gain. It will always turn out better for us when we choose to be honest (with ourselves and with others) and honor our commitments- even when it hurts a little.
Resolve and commit.
As soon as we verbally committed to rent our house to our friends our commitment was tested. Our realtor called the next day and asked to show our house to someone who was very interested in our house and wanted to buy. This was unusual because this couple had narrowed their search down and ours was one of only a few they were considering and they had cash to pay. And isn't that the best case scenario we could have imagined for all the eleven months the house has been on the market?
We honored our commitment to our friends.
The Lawyer and I had also discussed the financial implications of this rental situation. While things are more expensive in Richmond, we felt it was a good time for us to slow our financial outflow and continue to pay off our debt. Therefore, we resolved to look for a one year rental that would be at the bottom end of our price range. (The only thing I had specifically been asking the Lord for was somewhere to hang my porch swing that I love.)
Well, don't you know that the only house I really liked was at the top end of the range? And they would drop the price $50/month for us. And we liked everything about it from the location to the backyard to the wall oven. (And especially the screened in porch with lots of room for the swing and a table and chairs and a first level school room space and a fig tree!) And we were approved.
But there was a smaller house that costs $200 less a month that would meet our needs. And it is only a one year lease. It doesn't have anywhere for my swing, but it does have three bedrooms and a garage and some other nice features. And there was that little thing. . . that sensible commitment we made to each other.
And we are choosing to honor that commitment. It makes cents (though I will still be watching the other house in twelve months to see if it is for sale!). And it is sensible when we consider that in God's economy, a promise is worth more than any financial gain. It will always turn out better for us when we choose to be honest (with ourselves and with others) and honor our commitments- even when it hurts a little.
Monday, June 13, 2011
"For the Good"
"You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." (Jesus in John 13:7)
"In a thousand trials, it is not just five hundred of them that work "for the good" of the believer, but nine hundred and ninety-nine, plus one." (George Mueller)
It seems that we pass from "hard season" to "hard season" and I remember singing the words with Amy Grant when I was a teenager: "life is hard and it might not get easier. . . "
Though we have a date to be out of our house (July 1), we don't know yet where we will live in Richmond. All of those moving details are pressing in on me and I'm thinking about squeezing in last doctor and dental visits and last trips to my favorite local places. The kids are helping me pack boxes and I'm still culling possessions and trying to minimize our belongings. Today I sorted school books and wondered where I would be unpacking them and when and what the new school year will look like for our family. We will be together again- as a family- and for that, I'm grateful. (#646)
All of this is for our good; what a timely reminder for me when it all feels like more than I can bear. My heart is heavy with grief over leaving friends, leaving the things that have grown familiar and comfortable and easy to me. Here, I have friends loaning me school books and books on tape (#647). I know who to call when I need a babysitter or someone to keep children for an hour or two (#648). We have a church family (#649) and I have a great team of health-conscious moms on a mission with me (#650). We love the mountains, rising in the blue mist (#651) and the shady trails (#652) and the farmers we know who bring their great produce to the market (#653).
I confess that I'm not eager for this adventure, for starting over again and learning new things. Yet, He says that it's going to be good. I can trust His promise (#654) and one day I'll understand.
#655 Friends offering to help with the move- such generosity of spirit!
#656 "Old" friends in for a visit. . . such grace! Such fun! True refreshment for our souls.
#657 Joy of gifting our things to others
#658 M (13 months) takes 39 steps!
#659 Electricity! (Ours was out for nearly a day; so glad we have fans and refrigeration again!)
#660 Friends and babies (all boys!) visiting today. . .
#661 Warm green beans right from the garden
#662 Filtered water (electricity!)
#663 Freedom that comes with being "unplugged"- talking by candlelight and early to bed.
#664 "Fernando Ortega" station on Pandora
#665 Safety in travel all these months; safety at home all these months.
"In a thousand trials, it is not just five hundred of them that work "for the good" of the believer, but nine hundred and ninety-nine, plus one." (George Mueller)
It seems that we pass from "hard season" to "hard season" and I remember singing the words with Amy Grant when I was a teenager: "life is hard and it might not get easier. . . "
Though we have a date to be out of our house (July 1), we don't know yet where we will live in Richmond. All of those moving details are pressing in on me and I'm thinking about squeezing in last doctor and dental visits and last trips to my favorite local places. The kids are helping me pack boxes and I'm still culling possessions and trying to minimize our belongings. Today I sorted school books and wondered where I would be unpacking them and when and what the new school year will look like for our family. We will be together again- as a family- and for that, I'm grateful. (#646)
All of this is for our good; what a timely reminder for me when it all feels like more than I can bear. My heart is heavy with grief over leaving friends, leaving the things that have grown familiar and comfortable and easy to me. Here, I have friends loaning me school books and books on tape (#647). I know who to call when I need a babysitter or someone to keep children for an hour or two (#648). We have a church family (#649) and I have a great team of health-conscious moms on a mission with me (#650). We love the mountains, rising in the blue mist (#651) and the shady trails (#652) and the farmers we know who bring their great produce to the market (#653).
I confess that I'm not eager for this adventure, for starting over again and learning new things. Yet, He says that it's going to be good. I can trust His promise (#654) and one day I'll understand.
#655 Friends offering to help with the move- such generosity of spirit!
#656 "Old" friends in for a visit. . . such grace! Such fun! True refreshment for our souls.
#657 Joy of gifting our things to others
#658 M (13 months) takes 39 steps!
#659 Electricity! (Ours was out for nearly a day; so glad we have fans and refrigeration again!)
#660 Friends and babies (all boys!) visiting today. . .
#661 Warm green beans right from the garden
#662 Filtered water (electricity!)
#663 Freedom that comes with being "unplugged"- talking by candlelight and early to bed.
#664 "Fernando Ortega" station on Pandora
#665 Safety in travel all these months; safety at home all these months.
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| R with Nate. Good Old Friends! |
Monday, June 6, 2011
Creating Celebrations
The best way to create momentum is to simply move. The very act of taking a step begins a chain reaction of events.
Several weeks ago a friend blessed our family by sending us out to dinner. It was to be a celebratory dinner (on a day I really didn't feel we had much to celebrate). Because of a previous commitment we had a limited time to choose a restaurant, get everyone ready, and do the celebration. It also happened to be Liberty's graduation weekend so we anticipated large crowds and more traffic than normal.
I must confess that I didn't fully embrace the idea until we were actually in the van and on our way. Then, I explained to the children that we were going out to eat (something we hadn't done as a family for nearly a year) to celebrate that God was working in our lives and that we would soon be seeing evidence of His good plan for us. Surely, we would soon see His blessings breaking through after this past year of continued prayer for His guidance (in taking the new job, selling the house, moving...). Believing His sovereignty was cause enough to rejoice.
Perhaps I underestimated what a dinner out could do. Oh, I am so thankful for the wisdom and generosity of this friend! For we ATE! Each chose a meal to his liking. We had salad! We had soup! We had bread! We had a full meal and even dessert for some of us. After being a bit hungry, this was so satisfying. The Lawyer and I took great pleasure in our children's happiness. Everyone behaved well and the dinner was completely enjoyable. We lingered. We laughed together. We talked about our Ebenezers (times we have seen the Lord in mighty ways on behalf of our family). We gathered up our leftovers and sang together in the van on the way home.
And my heart was light. It was such a transformation from the way I felt just a few hours earlier. There was a HOPE in my breast that caused my heart to soar. Claiming those promises and enjoying my family meant everything.
I learned that I could create hope simply by creating a celebration. Taking an action step (going out to dinner) created real change- heart changes and changes in the circumstances.
We are moving! As of June 1st we have a plan to rent our house to dear friends and we will rent in Richmond.
And I'm inspired to create celebrations, to make small moments happy moments, to move us forward with small movements. So, I add to my gratitude list:
636) Taking the children for ice cream cones- the first EVER!
637) Going swimming- just for fun, even though there is work to do.
638) Hydrangeas in bloom (in the living room)
639) The aha! moment when someone sees healthy living in a new way
640) Warm date muffins as Sunday breakfast
641) Homemade bug spray
642) Cries of joy and sadness as we tell friends our new plans
643) Heart swelling as I talk "farm talk" with my cousin
644) Anticipation of FL friends' visit
645) R and L dancing, enjoying
Several weeks ago a friend blessed our family by sending us out to dinner. It was to be a celebratory dinner (on a day I really didn't feel we had much to celebrate). Because of a previous commitment we had a limited time to choose a restaurant, get everyone ready, and do the celebration. It also happened to be Liberty's graduation weekend so we anticipated large crowds and more traffic than normal.
I must confess that I didn't fully embrace the idea until we were actually in the van and on our way. Then, I explained to the children that we were going out to eat (something we hadn't done as a family for nearly a year) to celebrate that God was working in our lives and that we would soon be seeing evidence of His good plan for us. Surely, we would soon see His blessings breaking through after this past year of continued prayer for His guidance (in taking the new job, selling the house, moving...). Believing His sovereignty was cause enough to rejoice.
Perhaps I underestimated what a dinner out could do. Oh, I am so thankful for the wisdom and generosity of this friend! For we ATE! Each chose a meal to his liking. We had salad! We had soup! We had bread! We had a full meal and even dessert for some of us. After being a bit hungry, this was so satisfying. The Lawyer and I took great pleasure in our children's happiness. Everyone behaved well and the dinner was completely enjoyable. We lingered. We laughed together. We talked about our Ebenezers (times we have seen the Lord in mighty ways on behalf of our family). We gathered up our leftovers and sang together in the van on the way home.
And my heart was light. It was such a transformation from the way I felt just a few hours earlier. There was a HOPE in my breast that caused my heart to soar. Claiming those promises and enjoying my family meant everything.
I learned that I could create hope simply by creating a celebration. Taking an action step (going out to dinner) created real change- heart changes and changes in the circumstances.
We are moving! As of June 1st we have a plan to rent our house to dear friends and we will rent in Richmond.
And I'm inspired to create celebrations, to make small moments happy moments, to move us forward with small movements. So, I add to my gratitude list:
636) Taking the children for ice cream cones- the first EVER!
637) Going swimming- just for fun, even though there is work to do.
638) Hydrangeas in bloom (in the living room)
639) The aha! moment when someone sees healthy living in a new way
640) Warm date muffins as Sunday breakfast
641) Homemade bug spray
642) Cries of joy and sadness as we tell friends our new plans
643) Heart swelling as I talk "farm talk" with my cousin
644) Anticipation of FL friends' visit
645) R and L dancing, enjoying
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Berry Good!
It has taken me WEEKS to get these photos on the blog. Sorry! We've been living life and enjoying simple pleasures.
We've had berries on the brain, as you can see by L's great drawing above. Strawberry season here began in early May and we took advantage of it by going picking TWICE. Once at Scott's near Bedford and once at Joe Motley's in Gretna. Joe Motley's is our favorite; the berries were big and juicy, easy to pick, and the least expensive that I found. This year I had great pickers; even when I was busy taking littler people to and from the port-a-potty (as usual!), the children picked SEVEN buckets of berries! I cleaned, hulled, and froze half of the berries on trays (later moved into ziplock bags in the freezer) and we happily consumed the rest in berry shakes, popsicles, a crisp with rhubarb and mulberries, and on top of pancakes and oatmeal. How delicious! Blueberries are next...
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| Here is a hearty, delicious breakfast of oatmeal with coconut milk and fresh berries. | I wish I could capture how truly beautiful it was in the bowl! |
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