Semi-Rural Farm Chick

I don't live on farm but I love the Farm Chicks!

I don't live on a prairie but I love the Little House Books!

I don't live 100% organically but I love Mary Jane Butters!

Do you see a theme here?

I long to return to a time when family life was a valued commodity. I've always had that

longing for home birth, gardens, quilts, homeschool...

Trouble is, my temperament was forged in the 1950's when our mothers were supposed to

be content at home but their "inner fires" were burning.

Now I am trying to return to a more tranquil time where the home arts are not only

valued but are also heralded. Too late for my children, but "just in time" for me.

It's a Pirate's Life for Me

We just love this pirate! We celebrated Blake's 5th birthday

at Chris and Carol's house today. Everything was decked out

"Pirate Style"

Take a very close look at this treasure chest. It is actually

a very yummy birthday cake!

We had a great day :-)

Girls' Night Out

Lizzie, Elisa and Emily are all dressed up

to go the Blue Wing Restaurant in

Upper Lake.

They all look so beautiful.

I'm supposed to be watching Blake tonight but he

has jet lag and has done nothing but sleep :-(

I keep checking in on him but he is OUT! I had water at a simmer for

macaroni and cheese but I just tossed it out. I have to return to work tomorrow

and that makes me sad. I'm sure he will do or say something really cute and I will

miss it. This being a Nana thing is so hard sometimes.

Now This Says Love...

This is what I woke up to this morning.

Don't I have the sweetest valentine?

Lessons Learned

I have begun Reading Tutoring at our local public schools recently. AmeriCorps requires that we use their materials at least 50% of the time. OK, I am willing to comply. The rest of the time can be spent really exploring and enjoying the act of reading. Remember when you found that "special" place to read that was all yours?? That is what I would like to create for my students. I'm thinking a tent like atmosphere with white lights and comfy cushions. Hmm... Kind of like a Tree House
In the meantime, I am learning to play the piano. I am so blessed that my
teacher doesn't take me from Level One to Level Glory!
She gauges my interest and ability to a wide variety of books and allows me
to play "real music". So what if it is Hickory Dickory Dock! I am playing
with both hands and feeling really good about it!
Thank you Barbara. You are the BEST teacher :-)

JOY

Emily recently challenged many of us with this question:

"What Brings You Joy?"

At first I thought...piece of cake ( cake being #1 )

I started compiling a list of things that make me happy:

new magazines

the quiet after a baby is fed, burped, changed...

an algebra problem solved

THEN

I realized joy is very much different than happy.

So Here is My List:

1. The sound of Tyler's laugh when "it is really funny"

2. Sitting out on the deck with Al ~~ discussing and dreaming around

the fire pit

3. "Getting" Algebra

4. Really knowing and learning God's Word

5. When my right hand and my left hand join together to "make music"

6. Communion Sunday...The Bread and The Wine

I'll never cease to be amazed.

Superbowl XLIII

Unlike the rest of America, I did not watch the Superbowl

today. Generally, I don't watch football. The one thing that might

have changed that today was the 3-D glasses. I kept an eye on the

clock so that I could don my glasses and have the whole experience.

Was it my bifocals? Was it the angle of chair to TV?

Was it that my heart just wasn't in it???

Just look at these men. Filled to the brim with Superbowl

food. Coke and Pepsi to the brim. Oh Yea, they had

a really good day!