Pom Pom's Ponderings

Brand New Atticus

2012-01-31T05:33:00.000-08:00

Atticus Jeffrey is beautiful! He looks like his brother Finnegan! I can't wait to see him. He and his mama will stay at the hospital until Wednesday. Bill and I want to drive up to see the happy family on Saturday morning. Praise God for a new little man. Thank you for your prayers, kind friends.

I've been drawing birds and designing new feathers. Have you been seeing bird images everywhere like I have? Birds are so symbolic.

This is the season of pink sky mornings. I grab my camera and hurry outdoors to capture the fleeting pink and turquoise greetings from the Creator. Good morning, sky watchers.

While we were waiting for the Atticus phone call on Sunday, I took up my sewing. Miss Bug's birthday is on Groundhog Day and I wanted to finish her rag quilt. I'm so happy with it! It's just heavy enough for comfort and soft enough for cuddles. Rag quilts are so easy to make. I'm thinking about making a big cozy covering for our bed! Miss Bug will be three on her birthday. What a great age!

Good bye, January. Thank you for hosting the baby that came into our lives on Sunday. Atticus's daddy Brad was also born in January and I must say that was a very bright January back in 1981. Hello, February! Kelli came two years later at the beginning of the love month. Now Kelli has two heart girls with February birthdays, too!
Are you going to make some Valentines? I'd like to make them for my 130 students, but I'm not sure I can pull that off. Maybe.
I pray for blessings on YOUR path today. I hope you hear the rush of angels' wings and find peace filling the corners of your good soul.

Color Pop and Baby News!

2012-01-28T08:17:00.000-08:00

Do you have any handkerchiefs you'd like Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle to iron? I have two pink Beatrix books, new to my pile of books. Amazon knows my preferences a little too well, I think. I read the two stories below to myself, before bed this week. This morning I had fun copying Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle into my sketch book. I especially adore the stripey skirt. If I ever get around to wearing skirts, I must sew a Tiggy-Winkle version for my own granny self.

Do you love the gentleman's coat? I do, even though he is a villain in the story.

My friend Debbie from No Spring Chicken pointed me toward a little video about Kaffe Fassett found on Little Jenny Wren's blog. Talk about inspirational color material! Wow! I ordered a book! I love Kaffe's polka dot shirt and springy shorts, don't you?

One of my Christmas money orders could not be fulfilled (a new set of Laura Ingals Wilder books) but I still have my old tattered set, so I ordered this wall sticker for the living room instead. Isn't it fun to "stick" something pretty on your walls? I think so! Gigi at My Firefly Cottage said that pretty soon I'm going to have to rename my blog in a toadstool fashion. Ha ha! No, I will give myself a toadstool year and then move on to something else (maybe something a little less silly, right?)

Meanwhile, I feel quite inspired by this mama toadstool and her pretty babies!
The grandbaby is being born right now! I will update as soon as he/she arrives! Thank you for your prayers for April.
I am going to a Scentsy party at Kelli's today. Do you know what it is? I think it's products that send lovely smells through the hallways and corridors of your home. Yummy! I hope they sell strawberry smells.
Bill and I are going to try a new church tomorrow. We're looking forward to that.
Thank you for popping by today. It's always nice when you peek in to check on me. May you have a VERY colorful and inspirational weekend. (Big hug and kiss!)
Added update: Atticus Jeffrey has arrived! He weighs in at 8 lbs. 1 oz! 20.5 inches long! Hooray! Mommy is doing well! She's a champion, Brad says! Thank you, God!
Oh, and we really liked the new church, too! Pictures to come!

A Toadstool Grew

2012-01-25T04:56:00.000-08:00

Another toadstool grew and even though the green one I showed you fell to the floor and broke into pieces (yikes!) this shiny little "stool" came in the mail to replace it, I guess. When Birdie and Miss Bug played here, they found the toadstool Lynn made and moved it. There's just something about a toadstool house, I tell you.

It's still very dark outside this morning. I need a yellow cup to "sunshine up" this Wednesday.

I'm wearing my new corduroy "big shirt" which is a delicious "robin's egg blue" and WARM! Yahoo!

Bunnies on my feet. I am very thankful for the bunnies. I glanced through my gift list (you know about 1000 Gifts, right?) It's encouraging to read what I've been thankful for.

I'm dabbling in I Thessalonians these days.

January is almost over and the LOVE month waits. Hearts. Valentines. Roses. Birthdays. (We have three in February!) The baby has not chosen to arrive yet. Maybe today!
Somehow it seems like this week should be a bit further along than it is. I'm a bit droopy.
I'm definitely going to look out the window more today. I need the light.
What's outside your window?
Where do you see hearts today?
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33.
Cheers!
(God be with you.)

Three Girls and Flowers

2012-01-22T16:11:00.000-08:00

I spent the weekend with three fairies.

Sometimes fairy wings get heavy, so fairies rest them when they can.

Babies don't get heavy.

Flower files. Needed badly when winter comes to stay a while.

Summer will be back soon, won't it? I think so.
Still waiting for the baby to come. Bless you, April.
My dad told us that when his mother would see him out the door she would put her hand on his head and say, "God be with you."
God be with you.

Delighted

2012-01-19T05:40:00.000-08:00

Hello! How is this fine January day in your neck of the woods? It's a little chilly here. I have my butterfly wing shawl around my shoulders and last night I took the hot water bottle to bed.
We had parent/teacher conferences in the evening. Whew. Busy.
The other day a little English parcel arrived for me. My friend Lynn (The Sunny Side of the Street) is so kind, so thoughtful, so smart. I told her that I plan on moving into this little toadstool house very soon.

While I was visiting my parents in Arizona I drank some good "mama" coffee. I gave this little coffee set to my mom quite some time ago and she gave it back to me. It's good for granddaughter tea parties and it's good for Pom Pom shelves. Isn't it cute?

Beads and fake wildflower garlands hang in our entry way. Ah, hopes for spring! Isn't it fun to read about friends' garden plans? I like thinking about herbs, sunflowers, hollyhocks, zinnias . . .

We sat on the patio in Phoenix and looked at all the busy birds. Sometimes a cardinal and his wife come to my parents' feeder. He didn't come, but my mother is the loveliest red bird I know. Isn't she bright? I love looking at her. When I visit, I usually give my dad a manicure. We clip and file, making his hands neat. He has the sweetest hands. His fingers are narrow and his nails are perfectly oval. I love holding my dad's hands.
My sister and I had fun together. We talked while falling asleep. It is a privilege to be close to a sister, isn't it?
I'm off to school. Today is the due date of grandchild number eight. Will you join me in prayer for April? I hope her delivery is smooth and safe. Babies. JOY!
Jenny is pregnant! Samantha Rose will have a sibling in September. Nine grandchildren for Bill and I! BLESSED!
Thank you for coming by. I hope your day is sparkly.

Canary Yellow

2012-01-13T20:25:00.000-08:00

January days need sweaters, canary yellow sweaters, in fact. I found the heart pin at the grocery store.

Do you like yellow? I like a little blue with my yellow.

When this book came in the mail, I flipped through it and thought, "Hmmm. I'm not sure I like this." I have changed my mind. It's full of scribbles and color.

Aisling over at Whatever the Weather (see my blog links below) reminded me of this book. It's a beautiful story of healing. There is NOTHING like a story about a family and a house. I've been carrying it around, poking my nose in it whenever I can grab a quick read.

Have you started a new journal for 2012?

Elsa's toadstool-hatted children are wonderful, so I ordered this little book, too.

The EZ book above is new and crisp, full of all kinds of friendly knitting advice.

Here's my indoor flora.

And here is our first born son who turned 31 years old today. My oh my, THAT was a miraculous day. I remember how his little baby head smelled, covered with black downy hair. Now he's a daddy himself with his and April's fourth baby due any day. He's a pastor, a scholar, crazy over The Wind in the Willows, too! I sometimes call him Ratty. I have been a mother for 31 years. I feel like a mother in every fiber of my being. Tomorrow, I'll see my mother! I can't wait to fly to sunny Arizona and sit in the company of my parents and my big sister. Hooray!
I'll be back very soon, Winter People! (BIG HUGE HUG AND A SMOOCH ON THE CHEEK!)

There's an ONION in the Neighborhood!

2012-01-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! First off, here is a puppy face for you. This puppy is big now (he is my neighbor's grandpup) and I'm sure glad I took this picture of Kelli's hands around his darling face.

Another neighbor gave me this little pin for Valentine's Day last year. I wear it often. I love heart brooches. I wish I had them in all different sizes. Maybe I should start making some? Purple hearts for heroic friends. Golden hearts for kind friends. Good idea.

Look at the abundance! I'm so thankful that God made apples. What a delicious treat they are, bite after bite. I like how noisy they are, too!

I did go for that Sunday walk. We have "leftover" snow everywhere. I guess it's still pretty nippy outside.

As I was walking, a mother came out to the sidewalk and asked, "Can you do us a favor?"
"Of course!" I said.
Little Cooper was called and this white ball was slipped over his head.
"What is it?" the good "artistic" mother (and the father, too!) asked me.
I hesitated. I'm glad I took my time.
"It's an onion." (I hoped I was right!)
"HOORAY!" they exclaimed!
Cooper will perform in a play. He makes a cute onion. I remember when one of my favorite literary characters, Harriet M. Welsh, played the part of an onion in her school play. Have you read Harriet the Spy lately? It's been a fun and inspiring read for me over and over again.

I've been thinking A LOT about summer. When I was young, I did not like the heat OR the possibility of heavy swimsuit wearing, but now I cherish summer. So, here are a few apricots for you. Don't you love their fuzzy skin? Aren't they a magical color? I like them dried. My mother calls them monkey ears.

Which reminds me . . . it's time to eat my dried plums.

I'm off to school. It's library day. Who doesn't LOVE library day. We'll all be cheery!

Don't forget to pass out a few pats on the back today. Everyone needs them. I hope you get at least one hug and maybe a kiss or two!

Thank you for paying attention to me. I am paying attention to you. Bye!

Old Zinnia

2012-01-08T12:22:00.000-08:00

I found a zinnia from a long ago summer pressed between the pages of a knitting book.

I straightened a stack of books (cute ones).

I bought a six dollar toadstool (on the left!) at a discount store.

I thought about ripples.

I slept fitfully. Every time I turned . . . ouch.

I drank coffee from a blue cup.

I'm making a lanyard for my school ID card.

I drew a dolly.
Even though it's snow-mushy on the sidewalks. I think I need to move around more. What if I HAD to sit? I wouldn't WANT to.
Sometimes when I think I need a nap, I really need a walk.
See you soon, fairies (that's you!)

Cinderella Stories

2012-01-04T18:09:00.000-08:00

Before Christmas break the honors students created Cinderella stories. We read piles of Cinderella versions before creating our own. I wanted to see if they understood plot, characterization, setting, conflict, and point of view. First, I tried it myself. It was harder than I thought! I set my story in the days of wagon trains (I was rereading Little House on the Prairie at the time).

There were no stepsisters in my story, just real sisters. Selfish sisters.

The real mom did die and the father wasn't nice to my protagonist.

The "fairy godmother" character was a ghost (I know . . . weird).

This story was written and made into a book by one of my fascinating students. She speaks fluent Russian, is a talented actress, and is kind to everyone. She's brilliant. I love her silver shoe, don't you?

I took an old book and glued paper on the existing pages, leaving room for illustrations, so that's what my students did, too.

This book was created by a Korean student. She is a beautiful writer and artist! She's also brilliant and multi-talented.

Her Cinderella was a bird. The author is a bird lover like me. Isn't that sweet? I think her bird drawings are very original.

A bird wedding! How nice!

I liked Cindertooth. The protagonist is an old lady.

They were all interesting and the kids DID go beyond the expectations. I'd show you more, but I'm too lazy to dig them out of my carefully packed crate. I have to carry them back to school tomorrow.
Today we began Grammar Boot Camp. The sixth graders are speedy learners.
Why don't you write a story and make a book? It was fun. I like "altering" books. Everyone is a story teller. Everyone has at least one little story to tell.

I am reading too many books at the moment. I need a few more wakeful hours in my day!
It's time for my milk and cookies. Thank you for popping in, paying attention to my little world, and giving my students' books a think or two! You're the nicest!

Toadstool Head

2012-01-02T18:52:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow it's back to school for me. I do miss the cute sixth graders, so I look forward to seeing them. The idea of staying there for hours and hours doesn't sound as fun as goofing off around home, but . . .

Change of subject! It is still very cold here. Walking around the neighborhood, I must be careful! Icy!

When I should have been grading papers I was sewing spots on my toadstool hat! It's my pixie hat - finished! I had to borrow a head to get some good photos of it. Do you like it, Winter People?

It really is gorgeous in Colorado. I'm thankful that we live here and our kids live here, too.
Bill is leaving for the Philippines on Wednesday. He'll get a big dose of warm weather. Meanwhile, I'll keep crunching around on the ice, wearing a toadstool on my head.
I hope your week is off to a jolly beginning.
Thank you very much for your friendly hello.

Good Year

2012-01-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

"Eternal God, who makest all things new, and abidest for ever the same: Grant us to begin this year in Thy faith, and to continue it in Thy favour; that, guided in all our doings, and guarded all our days, we may spend our lives in Thy service, and finally, by Thy grace, attain the glory of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord."
~ Order of Divine Service for Public Worship

"But winter people are the best and there are few of them. They are the friends who are deep and true, once you penetrate to the secret warmth. The surface may not be as gay and charming but under the austere surface runs the living sap of loving-kindness."
~ Gladys Taber

Happy New Year, Winter People!
I am reading The Last Child In The Woods: Saving our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv. THIS child is going to go outside more in 2012. I may build a collection of toadstools inside AND outside! I've been thinking about walking through the neighborhood, down to the park where the creek is and hanging around there for while.

I put this fine green pepper in our chili last night. Isn't it incredible? Doesn't the smell of green pepper shout FRESH? Raw peppers give me heartburn. Drat.

2012 = Flowers. Fresh vegetables. Fruits. Herbs. Hanging around outdoors. Life.

This photo is a bit foggy (sorry!) but I like it because I took it two years ago, just before Easter. I was fixating on the concept of an "Easter dress" and I drew this picture of one of my favorite childhood Easter dresses. My mother made a yellow one for me and a blue one for my sister. Bless her for her ambition and her follow-through. This dress was soft, ladylike and fairy-like, too. A gathering of tule made for a twirl. Let's start thinking about our Easter dresses, do you want to? I haven't had an Easter dress in MANY decades. Even if we don't acquire one, we could draw one, make one for a doll, or write a poem about a past Easter dress. Easter. Glory Hallelujah!

Group hug, Winter People!

Happy New Year!

Bright Stuff

2011-12-29T17:28:00.000-08:00

Happy Lazy Week to one and all! Oh, maybe you aren't lazy, but I am! When I say lazy I really mean, "I'll do what I want!" I'm eating oranges and below you'll see all the mushrooms I ate! I have declared 2012 The Year of the Toadstool. I am on the lookout for toadstools because I am a forest and fairyland fan. I just can't get enough of toadstools.

I am one of those people who isn't shy about purchasing gifts FOR MYSELF. Smile. I ordered this and then I didn't get any emails about placing my order, so I decided maybe it "was not to be" and then this lovely print mail sack came in the mail today!

Inside was THIS! Woo hoo! This is the very coolest bag I have ever owned. Cath Kidston stuff is so very tempting. One of my dearest UK friends has sent me CK goodies before and now I have a few little accessories to put in my bag! One of my dear Italian friends has also sent me lovely CK stuff. Oh, I love my new bag!

Speaking of toadstools and all things happy, I have made quite a bit of progress on my pixie hat! The wool is Lion Brand Martha Stewart. It's called roving wool. The color is: poppy. Love that! I'll show you the finished product. I have a brilliant idea and it's not going to be just any old pixie hat!

Here is another present I gave myself. Oh yes. I have a paperback version and I love it, but this is a good format for my reread of one of the most tantalizing descriptions of hamlet life.

This book was also a Christmas gift and Lisbeth Zwerger is one of my all-time favorite illustrators. She's amazing. I find her work so inspirational. I did a little copying. FUN!

I went over to our Jenny's house today because she was feeling horrible due to a cold. Samantha Rose was mellow, so when she napped, Jenny and I took a nap on their fancy foam bed. Ahhhhh! WHAT a delicious nap!
Then off to the grocery store for dinner ingredients. Did I tell you my mom and dad sent us a Lobster Gram? Yes, we dined on lobster tail and clam chowder, crab cakes and cheesecake last week. Today, I "thought" about buying lobster tails (on sale for $5.99) but just purchased a pound of shrimp instead. I really should live by the sea. I do love the food that swims in the ocean!
Anyway . . . when I commented over on the wonderful Susan Branch's blog I said that I think the new year will mean FLOWERS for me. Why not? I love spring. I love summer. I think that even though we don't usually eat them, we should buy them occasionally to feast our eyes. Don't you think so, too? I leave you with my flower purchases. I hope they brighten YOUR day, the remainder of your week, and your NEW YEAR!
I have stories to grade for my students. We wrote Cinderella tales and made books. I'll show them to you very soon. I made one, too!
Bye bye dear neighbors! Thank you for visiting me. I so appreciate it.

Joy Days and Joy Nights

2011-12-26T20:08:00.000-08:00

Let a joy keep you. Reach out your hands and take it when it runs by.
~ Carl Sandburg

Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.
~ Madeleine L'Engle

You have to sniff out joy. Keep your nose to the joy trail.
~Buffy St. Marie

The grownups are tired, but the children dance!

We've had a lot (I mean A LOT) of food and happy fun and now Granny needs a few long lazy mornings and plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Our four kids gave us a priceless gift. Remember the "I Am From" poems? They each wrote one and Jeff framed them all. Bill and I wept and wept. Here are a few excerpts:
Brad writes: "I am from the adventure lived out. I walk as my father and mother walked before me hand in hand with the living God."
Kelli writes: "I am from nightly family dinners made by hands that never requested applause."
Jeff writes: "I am from hammocks along the Mekong, to frigid Denver winter mornings. I am from a family often spread around the world, all moving towards Jesus, in their own way."
Jenny writes: "I am from trips to the Happiest Place on Earth. I am from bad decisions that were forgiven. I am from parents who never stopped loving."
They wrote more, all personal affirmations of their connections to us and each other. Oh, I love them SO much and I am so thankful for our family.
I am thrilled to watch the little dancers dance.
Thank you for popping in today. It's so very nice that you are interested. It really is.

Food and Fun

2011-12-23T15:11:00.000-08:00

Is tomorrow really Christmas Eve? Yikes! The week has flown by! I had my school prayer group over for lunch on Monday. We had FUN!

I'm very interested in toadstools now, so I'm on the look out for polka dots.

I found my little people! They had been missing for two years and I found them in a cup when I opened the china closet! Whew!

I served good old macaroni and cheese to the ladies.

Cinnamon buns!

Spinach salad with almonds and cranberries

Don't faint. I actually finished a knitting project. Look at Millie Rose riding her bug rocker and wearing the sweater that took so long for granny to make! Yes. It's a little small.

We've been buried in snow. Look how high it is.
Last, I've finally figured out how to ripple. It's fun and addicting, too.
I keep thinking of things I forgot while shopping. Back to the store . . . again.
I wish you a sweet celebration of Christ's birth and quiet moments to say some private hellos to Him. All this hustle and bustle and baking and cooking and wrapping and washing dishes and EATING beyond fullness . . . well, if it's all for HIM, it's all good.

I've added all my favorite blogs to the bottom of my page. I wish everyone would post every day! I never tire of reading what you have to say! Honest!
Happy Christmas!

Ratty, Mole, and Toad in California!

2011-12-22T03:37:00.000-08:00

Kim at Oh, for Heaven's Sake is giving the Willows the royal treatment! Californians are very hospitable! I've always thought so!
Take a peek at their recent adventures here.
Thank you, Kim!

Week 4: A Childlike Christmas

2011-12-19T17:37:00.000-08:00

Hello childlike friends! Welcome to week #4 (the final week!) of "A Childlike Christmas"! Hasn't it been lovely? I think so. Today I present you with some lovely illustrations created by people who (I feel sure of this) LOVE children, just like us!

Jane Dyer is a beautiful illustrator. The way she draws and paints a bed . . . well, what child would kick up a fuss over bedtime if they lived in these two paintings?

I love the faces in the Norman Rockwell above! The dog! So cute!

Do you recognize the carolers here? Richard Scary! Favorite.

Yes, with visions of sugarplums! This is a Lisbeth Zwerger.

The Grand Tour is currently progressing in sunny California. Kim at Oh, For Heaven's Sake has the boys right now. Stay tuned for a blog post soon. I love them, don't you? Badger. He's a good old badger.

A few weeks ago, we were at a friend's house and they just happen to have this dream puppy. She is the softest little wiener dog I've ever held. I am not getting a puppy for Christmas, but for all the children who are . . . hooray!

Thank you so very much for joining in and giving your attention to all the "Childlike Christmas" bloggers of 2011. It's been absolutely delightful. I shall raise a mug of hot chocolate to you right now. I'm off to watch It's a Wonderful Life.

See you soon! Hop to and fro with my buddies on the sidebar.

(BIG HUG!)

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!"

~ Charles Dickens

Back to Christ! Back to Christ!

2011-12-18T04:43:00.000-08:00

"A personal Jesus accepted means salvation; a personal Jesus obeyed is sanctification; a personal Jesus followed is a life of brotherly kindness and true philanthropy; a personal Jesus reigning in the heart is the fullness of peace and joy and power. The bells of Bethlehem ring one note; the Christmas carols are all calling aloud the same note: Back to Christ! Back to Christ!"
~ T. L. Cuyler

In this moment, we can open the door of our heart to the God who came near!
Joy to the world!

I'm joining Floss for a final Pause in Advent. You are kindly invited to pop over there for many good pauses.

Happy Christmas Thinking

2011-12-16T05:05:00.000-08:00

Woo hoo! This is my last day of school and now I have a two week stay at home! Yippee! We are supposed to wear ugly sweaters today, but I think it's kind of a mean idea, don't you? Why make fun of Christmas sweaters? I don't get it. I'd wear my Santa hat but it would make me very hot. I think I'll just put some wacky ponytails in my hair and wear the Santa suit jacket. Done.

We've been listening to The Nutcracker. Have you ever been to the ballet? It's lovely.

Today Bill is going to be our guest speaker. He's going to tell my students about kids all over the world. Yahoo! After that (well, between class periods) I'm in charge of a birthday lunch for one of the teachers, so I have to set the tables and make the salad. Busy! It's fun to sit around the table with people.

Soon I'll be holed up in our mouse house and I can't WAIT! Oh, there are many things to do, but I won't think about them just now. Let's live in the moment. The moment is good.
I wish you orangey whiffs and long drinks of hot tea! Maybe you could hold hands with someone wearing red mittens or smooch another someone under the mistletoe, which reminds me that I need to buy some! Bill is exercising to "Let it Snow" right now and I hope it does very soon! Candy canes all around!

Sweets and A Childlike Christmas 3

2011-12-13T20:32:00.000-08:00

"While visions of sugar-plums danced through their heads"
~ Clement C. Moore
Welcome to "A Childlike Christmas" week three! Wow! Hasn't the time flown by? Today this "child" presents a lot of "sugar plums" also known as SWEETS! Sweets to the sweet! YOU!

Note: The iced animal cookies above must be served with hot cocoa. Just saying.

Have you tried Poppycock? Cashews and caramel mixed with popcorn? YUMMY!

Oops! The Sugar Plum Fairy appears on the scene!

Okay, enough of all the sweet stuff (no actual baking was done for this post) and on to a super star gem of Christmastime: THE ORANGE! Laura and Mary received oranges one Christmas and were thrilled. When we were dating Bill bought me a big sack of oranges because I had extremely sore tonsils when I was in college. Those big oranges were so juicy, so sweet, that I ate ALL of them within twenty four hours. Sometimes oranges are absolutely perfect. Is there any fragrance as lovely as orange peel? I don't think so. Well, maybe evergreen branches.

Below are this granny's sugar plums. Really. Two every morning. They ARE a super fruit!

Isn't it fun thinking like children? I ordered a book that Catherine at An Angel in the Garden recommended. It's called A Childlike Heart. It came today and so far . . . pretty amazing. I leave you with this from the author Alan D. Wright:
"Children never grasp at equality with God. They know they're not in charge. God is waiting patiently for you to make that same, simple discovery."
Check out all the "A Childlike Christmas" bloggers (my sweet friends) on the sidebar. Have yourself a sugar plum.

Peace, the KING, Home, and Joy!

2011-12-11T06:17:00.000-08:00

I'm joining Floss for A Pause in Advent.
This mountain is near where I grew up in Washington State.
Isn't it lovely? Peaceful, right?

Let There Be Peace on Earth
(Let it Begin with Me)
~ by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.

With God as our Father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.

With ev'ry step I take
Let this be my solemn vow;
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
and let it begin with me.

I'm reminded of myself as a young girl, singing in our church's junior choir. We wore white robes. One particularly cold Sunday morning, my fine brown hair was full of electricity. When I pulled on my choir robe my hair stood on end! I tried to calm it down, but to no avail! It was one of the many embarrassing moments of my childhood. I tried very hard to sing peacefully, even with such crazy hair. I've never forgotten the words to the song above, thanks to our lovely choir director.

"The Christ Child stood at Mary's knee,

His hair was like a crown,

And all the flowers

looked up at Him,

And all the stars

looked down."

~ G. K. Chesterton

Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool.

Isaiah 66:1 NKJV

"Christmas was coming, and the little house was covered with snow. When Pa came in from shoveling, he caught Laura up in a big bear hug against his cold winter coat. His mustache was covered with melting snowflakes."
~ from My First Little House Books (Christmas in the Big Woods)

"It is a comely fashion to be glad;
Joy is the grace we say to God."
~ Jean Ingelow

Today I am going to a Christmas play. One of my dearest little students is performing. Before that, I shall meet one of my prayer group friends at the coffee shop. Then, I'll come home for Advent either at Kelli's house or ours.
Every day is a good day to consider peace, the KING, the blessedness of home and to receive the infilling of supernatural JOY.
Bless you.

The One: "A Childlike Christmas" Week 2

2011-12-06T19:01:00.000-08:00

"But Laura was happiest of all. Laura had a rag doll.
She was a beautiful doll. She had a face of white cloth with black button eyes. A black pencil had made her eyebrows, and her cheeks and her mouth were red with the ink made from pokeberries. Her hair was black yarn that had been knit and raveled, so that it was curly. She had little red flannel stockings and little black cloth gaiters for shoes, and her dress was pretty pink and blue calico. She was so beautiful that Laura could not say a word. She just held her tight and forgot everything else."
~ from Little House in the Big Woods
by Laura Ingalls Wilder

There is something so pure about having just one of something. In our culture of "way too much" really appreciating a beautiful gift is not commonplace. Don't you wish you could feel the thrill of receiving a rag doll like Laura felt in the Big Woods book? I do.

One little boy at school told me, "I want four presents and they are not expensive." Another boy asked him to name the four things. They were small things: a used video game, a remote for an old game system, a magazine. I loved him even more when he boldly shared his way of easing the financial burden for his mother.

On my way home from school, I was trying to think of priceless gifts.
~ a listening ear, giving someone/anyone our undivided attention
~ a compliment like, "Your eyes twinkle and it warms my heart."
~ a pop-in visit just to say, "How was your day? What are you thinking about?"
~ a lighted candle at a child's bedside and a four-handed prayer said aloud to a listening Jesus
~ an appearance at a special Christmas play to support a precious little actress who is playing a minor role
~ a piece of paper with a name written on it ten or twenty times followed by all the things that make them lovable
~ a song sung in a wobbly voice

We don't need lots of things. We just need the One.

Please enjoy the "A Childlike Christmas" bloggers. All the links are on the sidebar.
Thank you for coming by to say hello!

I wish you peace.

Pause in Advent

2011-12-04T06:11:00.000-08:00

"Make us, we beseech thee, O Lord our God, in watchfulness and eagerness to look for the coming of Christ Thy son our Lord; that when He shall come and knock, He may not find us sleeping in our sins, but watching and exulting in his praises."
~ Gelasian Sacramentary

Much of the time I try to "think" my way into a mindset of faith. I tell myself, "Your mind has wandered away and you've forgotten who you are and who you aren't."
It is as if my awareness of Jesus and my journey are my own doing. I know this is not true.

This morning as I pause. I'm going to light a candle and wait.

I'm joining Floss for A Pause in Advent. Click over there if you would like to read the collective pauses.

The Mothers and the Shepherds

2011-12-02T05:16:00.000-08:00

I came upon God's Little Christmas Book while looking for all our Advent stuff. You'll like this page:

Saint Francis begged his listeners to put anger and hatred and envy out of their hearts and think only thoughts of peace and goodwill.
All listened eagerly while Brother Francis spoke, but the moment he finished, the great crowd broke into singing. Never before had such glorious hymns nor such glorious shouting been heard in the town of Greccio.
Only the mothers with babes in their arms and the shepherds in their woolly coats looked on silently and thought: "We are in Bethlehem."

(these are Gumbo Lily's sheep!)

Oh, I love sheep and I am SO happy I am a sheep, cared for by the Good Shepherd.

I like thinking about the mothers holding babies and the shepherds in their woolly coats. They were the quiet ones. I want a quiet heart and a quiet mouth today. Do you?

Who Hats "A Childlike Christmas"

2011-11-29T21:32:00.000-08:00

Happy Childlike Christmas! I have a simple idea for you! Who hats! All you need is a pair of light colored pantyhose and a bag of balloons!

First blow up many balloons. Choose fun colors.

I confess I haven't worn pantyhose in about ten years, but they make a great Who hat.

Stuff the inflated balloons in the legs of the pantyhose.

Look! It's Pom Pom Who from Whoville!

Sorry that I'm wearing my nightgown. I had to wait for Bill to get home from a meeting and I grew tired! I did put a little red lipstick on for you.
Check out all the bloggers on my sidebar! They are all posting a childlike Christmas themed post. We'll continue on Wednesdays until Christmas.
"unless you become like children . . . "
It's not too late to join us!
JOY!

Twirling

2011-11-28T05:05:00.000-08:00

The Christmas dancers did not disappoint! Look at them dancing to Grampy's guitar playing! It's a good thing you can't hear Granny's croaky singing. I have a terrible cold!

Can you spy their daddy in the office? They were full of JOY as they raced around. They only bonked heads a few times!

Our first Sunday of Advent was FUN!

There were not many beautiful sights at Toys R Us. The wrapping paper is pretty, don't you think?

Clara will like inviting the Caillou people into her doll house.

I've always loved girls who like horses.

Aren't the brooms and dust pans adorable?

The next day a friend and I went to the quilt shop.

This is what I bought! I am making Clara a rag quilt for her little white bed. Flannel! Cozy.

It's back to school today. I sort of wish I could stay home and hook, hook, hook with this yarn. I'm still practicing my ripples.
Guess what? The Three Willows have arrived safely at MK's! Go on over there and see what they're up to! From there, I think they are traveling all the way to California. Stay tuned!
Come back here on Wednesday for a lovely dose of "A Childlike Christmas" please! It's going to be fascinating! (BIG HUG!)

Light

2011-11-27T05:34:00.000-08:00

"I am the light of the world. whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

"The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned . . .
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you."
Isaiah 9:2; 60:2

Praying the Names of Jesus by Ann Spangler has sat on my bedside table, the second shelf, collecting dust for almost a year now. I am going to make it my devotional guide for this holy time of year. It's dusted. I'm going to skip through it, reading more than one day at a time, taking long thirsty drinks of the scripture and the prayers.
Our girls, in their twenties and mothers of young children, want to share Advent with us. We may put the old iron candle ring that was my own Advent wreath as a child and drive to their houses for Sunday night ADVENT. Bill will bring the guitar and we'll sing with the grandgirls, they'll run around in circles, hair flying, thudding on the balls of their little feet, dancing to tunes of the Savior. We sang with our four children, not that long ago. It seems.
Bill's downstairs exercising to Bing Crosby singing "The First Noel" . . . they saw a star . . . a light . . .
Oh, Jesus. Please fill the dark corners of my heart with your pure LIGHT.
It's still dark outside and my soul is ready for the Advent season.

I'm joining Floss for A Pause in Advent. Hop over to her blog and you can read all the participant's posts.

Yellow Teapot

2011-11-25T18:30:00.000-08:00

Tea? I dropped by my neighbor's house two days in a row. Funny thing, I had my camera. Smile. Don't you love her teapot?

She bought tulips. Yellow! Love!

Isn't this plate the picture of sugar plums?

My pumpkin pie was just right. Sometimes I over dump ground cloves and ginger into my pumpkin, but this year . . . I measured. Delicious!

This fine organic turkey roasted up well, didn't it? The gravy was so tasty. Yummy, yummy, yummy. Now I'll wait a whole year to have turkey gravy again.

After all the feasting, we went to the park. Look at Millie Rose! She loves to swing!

Princess Dew Drop kicked the flat soccer ball around the yard.

Princess Snowflake ate a basket of berries (her face!) and then got mad at Princess Dewdrop who just might have been a little less than a team player while kicking the flat soccer ball.

And the garden friends have moved from the fairy garden to the picnic table. As soon as our new dishwasher comes next week, they'll have a swish-swish bath and find a place under the Christmas tree, I think. Yes, the dishwasher gave off a funny electric smell and promptly died. Oh well. Isn't a dishwasher one of the most boring appliances to buy? I think so. My hands are quite witchy looking from all the washing up. We thought about going without a dishwasher. We decided the hole in the kitchen or a dead dishwasher filling the hole just wouldn't do.

Tonight I am going to Toys R Us with Kelli. I'm quite disappointed with their baby doll selection (I went last week to buy a baby for Samantha Rose) and I'm hoping they have a few simple old fashioned toys. I'll take some pictures of the pretty side of a huge (and greedy looking) toy store. Stuff Mart.
Really, I just want to keep Kelli company. We completely missed the whole Black Friday thing. Thank the Lord.
I slept 12 hours last night, I'm a bit embarrassed to say. Feast making and turkey eating wore me out.
Sunday is A Pause in Advent and then . . . Wednesday is the first A Childlike Christmas posting! I can't wait to hop from blog to blog, reading my friends' wonderful words! Please check in with me on a regular basis, so you won't miss a minute of the fun!
Ratty, Toad, and Mole just might be sitting in a wet envelope by MK's North Carolina mailbox. She's away and they didn't come before she left. Oh well. They WANTED an adventure. MK will warm them up and entertain them. She's spirited!
Thank you for popping by! I hope your days are filled with tea and sugar plums.
Oh, this IS a holy season indeed!
(butterfly kiss!)

Buzz From the Imaginary Cabin

2011-11-23T06:35:00.000-08:00

Hello cozy ones! I've been looking at all things cabin this morning. I like to keep my imaginary house in the woods in good standing, tweaking it now and then, keeping it warm.

Do we really need a lot of space when we are having tea with our woodland neighbors? No. As long as we're cozy in the woods, we won't be entertaining crowds.

Chances are the exterior might look like this. Come on up the stairs.

I'll stand at the sink and fill the kettle.

And if it snows, you'll have to stay. I'll make soup.

I may have to get up occasionally and stir.

I will never have a cabin because having two homes would tug at my heart way too much. Our house is our cabin. As is. I feel a very solid contentment here. Whew.

Millie Rose was sick with a virus and had to stay in the hospital for two days. Oh, we're so thankful that she is home now. She's getting so many kisses and nuzzles. We love her so.

Samantha Rose (we like roses) will turn two tomorrow (on Thanksgiving Day!) and she'll see a play kitchen when she comes down the stairs. Kids like their kitchens!

Saturday night they were all here. Aria and Cadence were under the weather, too. Cadence is lounging on Granny's sofa and Finn is climbing up!

April has been knitting dolls! This is her fifth or sixth doll! Isn't she cute? Sam's a happy doll mommy.

Bill met a friend at the pie store last night, so he brought home two pies (so sweet). I may or may not bake pie. I will eat pie, though. If I do dabble in pastry today, I'll take pictures. I am cooking the feast. Kelli needs a rest from stress and worry. I have prepared the feast many times and now the smells will fill our house this year, too. Hooray!
But first, a little knitting and sitting.

I asked my students a few Thanksgiving trivia questions. They could not produce a pilgrim name. No one could recall Plymouth Rock. They obviously called out, "The Mayflower!" They did not mention Chief Massasoit. They DID know the full traditional menu for Thanksgiving dinner. They knew the football teams and games that will be televised on Thursday.
I think I'll draw some pilgrims today.
Oh, thank you for reading my zig zag rambles and do you know what? I'm very thankful for you. Whether you share your life on your own blog or you simply care enough to peek in on me, it is a BLESSING when people care. Thank you.
I wish you a heart of contentment and if you are feeling pain, I wish you a downy blanket of comfort.
(a big hug, some gentle pats on your back and a noisy smooch on your dear cheek) SMILE!

Granny Pie

2011-11-19T06:47:00.000-08:00

Hello! Holiday festivities are already underway, specifically Christmas and it isn't yet Thanksgiving. The kids at school love to write about their Thanksgiving traditions, namely the food. We are celebrating with Kelli's family this year, so no turkey smells at our house! Pie smells, definitely pie smells. I have decided to go slow with my pie making this year. I am going to try to make beautiful pies. The last time I REALLY tried hard was about fifteen years ago! I pulled them out of the oven to cool and then I decided to go outside and rollerblade. I fell within moments and spent the day at the hospital getting my wrist set and cast. That was a hard holiday season, being one handed and all because my cast got in the way of all household tasks. Yikes. Usually, I am in a rush to make the pie because the feast has so many components. Well, Kelli's the turkey wife this year, so I shall be Granny Pie.

All the leaves have not yet fallen. There are some still clinging. I keep putting them in books to flatten them. I love a good "leaf surprise" when I open fat books, don't you? After my bubble bath this fine Saturday morning, I am going outside to walk around in the November world of my neighborhood!

More than once or twice I have had a mind-smile as I think of a favorite nature-like delight. I'm thinking about the festive real branch garland I like to hang in the entry way. I turned our coat closet into a little alcove and I LOVE the smell of greens. It's too early. It's too early.

Yesterday I asked my students, "Why the big greed festival over the holidays? Aren't we fine right now? Don't we have enough?" I'm sure their families are feeling the pinch of a less than robust economy.
Here at Pom Pom's Ponderings, we are going to think about the simple pleasures of the holidays, the childlike wonder that doesn't involve the ka-ching ka-ching of the cash register. Some of my warmest and deepest blog friends are playing along. I'm not sure if I made myself clear, but being involved means four holiday Wednesdays of posts that attend to the simple childlike thrills of Christmas. November 30th will be the first day and I'm just going to put all the links in my post on those days, so you can pop back and forth. Hopefully, you'll be warmed and cheered and be reminded of that babe in a manger and the children He loves and cherishes. If you would like to join, posting simple "takes" on the joy of a childlike Christmas, let me know. The people who are playing along are already on the sidebar. I'll add you, too.
The Willows are in Texas but they aren't staying long because Gigi has some traveling to do herself and can't entertain them just now. They'll fly up to MK's place and enjoy Thanksgiving with her brood. Stay tuned! We've made some tweaks in the itinerary, so I'm glad it was never set in stone anyway. Oh, those boys are having such a varied and seasonal zip around North America! It's wonderful!
Well, I have quite a busy day planned because we are celebrating Samantha's two year birthday tonight. We're celebrating Bill's birthday, too. Our house will be noisy! Yahoo!

The kids at school are huggers. One little girl said, "Oh, you are so warm!" YOU are warm. I hope lots of huggers come your way today!
Yours Truly,
Granny Pie

Children

2011-11-13T06:39:00.000-08:00

Kid stuff. Kid stuff is very very good, isn't it? When I called our oldest granddaughter on her birthday, I asked if they were going to go to the fancy indoor swimming pool that night. CB said, "We are going today." It was around 4:30 PM when I called, but I realized that she does not tell time yet. So the day was still young. In a child's mind, the day is full of promise.

The cousins came to see Aria yesterday. She was spending the entire day with Bill and I.

We strolled (and rode in the wagon) down to the park.

Have you climbed on a swing lately? Swinging sort of makes my stomach churn, but look at THEM! They loved it!

I had so much fun with Aria. She chattered away, took a good nap, ate the dinner I made for her and had a joyful bath! Coming off many face-to-face parent/teacher conferences the day before, it was VERY refreshing to knit on the sofa while Aria played. My eleven-year old students are still children, too. I bet their parents want to put on the brakes. Soon they'll be teenagers. Our seven grandchildren are five years old and younger. The world belongs to the children, not the twenty-something hipsters. Don't you think we become more childlike as we grow older? The possibilities are certainly there. We begin to notice and appreciate the seasons more, we may go to bed earlier, and we don't care much for fashion. Is it just me?
I've been ordering different versions of Cinderella. I love the story, not because the underdog wins, but because Cinderella is tough AND kind. She's kind. I think kindness is the fruit of the Spirit I want most. It's a choice to be kind and being kind to children is a great privilege.

The illustrated letters that Beatrix Potter sent to children turned into stories enjoyed by generations. Kenneth Grahame told his stories to Mouse, his son, before publishing The Wind in the Willows. C.S. Lewis said, "Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again."

This girl from Fat Brain toys, is on Pom Pom's wish list for Christmas. She's eighteen inches tall. I love the stitches on her apron and the length of her hair.

And she's very kind. Have you read the stories?

Children's stories, church Christmas programs, classic toys, little child size tables and chairs, jingle bells and angels. I'm theming my celebration of Christ's birth around childlike doings. "Unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." ~ Jesus

What do you think of a December blog party focusing on childlike doings? Would you participate? Do you want a childlike Christmas?

More Grand Tour

2011-11-11T04:51:00.000-08:00

Lisa at Pen and Ink has been a marvelous host and Ratty, Toad, and Mole are off to Texas. Pop over to Lisa's blog. You'll smile and smile! Don't you love her mushroom teapot?

Dulce Domum

2011-11-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

Please pop over to Lisa's blog and see The Willows at a Minnesota tea party! They cuddled up to a cute baby, too!

There are SO many lovers of The Wind in the Willows. My heart warms up by degrees when I find another Willows fan. Lynn checked it out at her library. A California blogger requested they stop at her house. Jody at Gumbo Lily found a new Penguin edition with a stitchy cover coming soon.

This morning, I had a small dip into one of my editions and found Ratty and Mole at Mole's house. Read this:

"Then, while the Rat busied himself fetching plates, and knives and forks, and mustard which he mixed in egg-cup, the Mole, his bosom still heaving with the stress of his recent emotion, related - somewhat shyly at first, but with more freedom as he warmed to his subject - how this was planned, and how that was thought out, and how this was got through a windfall from an aunt, and that was a wonderful find and a bargain, and this other thing was bought out of a laborious savings and a certain amount of "going without". His spirits finally quite restored, he must needs go and caress his possessions, and take a lamp and show off their points to his visitor and expatiate on them, quite forgetful of the supper they both so much needed; Rat, who was desperately hungry but strove to conceal it, nodding seriously, examining with a puckered brow, and saying, "Wonderful," and "Most remarkable," at intervals, when the chance for observation was given him."

The title of the chapter is Dulce Domum which means Home Sweet Home. I am moved by Mole's love for his underground home and by Ratty's acknowledgement of its cozy features.

And then the field mice came to sing carols. Love that. I even went to a website this morning and listened to some old English carols.

Here's a little brightness for you. The flowers at the grocery store are stunning. Mixed-color rose bouquets make me smile in my heart.

Another bright sight! One of our party staples: M&M's. Kelli had a baby shower for April and many hands dipped into the huge bowl of YUMMY! The picture is pretty, isn't it?

Reminded of egg goodness (egg-cup that Ratty's fixing above) I shall have an egg breakfast. I'm home again today because Bill and I are going to a memorial service in Colorado Springs.

And last, I must give some air time to my favorite Willow, Badger. He's a homebody, you know. He would not wish to be away from his hole for long. I'm sure he misses the boys as they poke around in the Minnesota woods with Lisa. It's okay, Mr. Badger. I love you very very much and I would like to hug you around your neck and smooch behind your pink ears.

Many of us are Badgers, sitting by our fires, cooking pot dinners for those who live in our hole. Which reminds me, time to put the pot roast in the oven. Bill and I will return home to the heady fragrance of beef and onion. We'll light candles. Maybe we'll have a fire.
Are you Badger? Mole? Ratty? Toad?

I Am From . . .

2011-11-05T06:05:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, when we visited Ft. Collins, our daughter-in-law, April, and I were talking about home keeping. Their #4 is due to arrive mid-January (granny happy dance inserted here) and we were commiserating with one another over the age old topic of housework. It reminded me of all the books I own about this juicy subject. April asked if she could borrow this one and also if she could take a look at my file box that goes with it. Reviewing my former project brought many good memories to the surface. Thanks, April-dear!

My sister-in-law read this book and suggested it to me almost thirty years ago now! Yikes! It really is a funny book!

Here's the file box that goes with it. The jobs are divided up into daily, every other day, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and every other month.

I must say, while judging my card file, I pronounce my twenty and thirty year old self quite ambitious.

I was happy to see that I had some sound priorities.

I remember that I REALLY missed my parents.

A verse that has been on my heart lately was on my heart all those years ago. I like thinking about my wifely and motherly day-to-day doings. I was a very happy homemaker even though I felt utterly buried by the workload. We survived and thrived at the same time. I think April will enjoy looking at the file box. I must reassure her that it DID not turn out to be the answer to my flighty, attention deficit, (lazy) problems related to household efficiency, but she is MUCH more responsive to systems and VERY MUCH more organized than her mother-in-law.

At school, we've been writing "Where I'm From" poems. Here is the original by George Ella Lyon:

I am from clothespins, from Clorox and carbon tetrachloride.

I am from dirt under the back porch.

(Black, glistening

it tasted like beets.)

I am from the forsythia bush,

the Dutch elm

whose long gone limbs I remember

as if they were my own.

I am from fudge and eyeglasses,

From Imogene and Alafair.

I'm from the know-it-alls

And the pass-it-ons,

from perk up and pipe down.

I'm from He restoreth my soul

With a cottonball lamb

And ten verses I can say myself.

I'm from Aretemus and Billie's Branch,

fried corn and strong coffee.

From the finger my grandfather lost

to the auger

the eye my father shut to keep his sight.

Under my bed was a dress box

spilling old pictures,

a sift of lost faces

to drift beneath my dreams.

I am from those moments--

snapped before I budded--

leaf-fall from the family tree.

Here are the prompts to get them going with their details (from Creating Highly Motivating Classrooms For All Students)
Write down:
- items found inside whatever you called "home" when you were a child (for example, bobby pins, stacks of newspapers, coffee mugs, ash trays)
- items found in your yard if you had one (for example, hoses coiled like green snakes, dog bones, broken rakes)
- items found in your neighborhood (for example, the corner grocery store, the "home-base" tree)
- names of relatives, especially ones that link you to your past (for example, Uncle Charlie and Aunt Selma)
- sayings (for example, "If I told you once . . .")
- names of foods and dishes that recall family gatherings (for example, matzoh ball soup, black-eyed peas, tamales)
- names of places you kept your memories (for example, diaries, boxes, the family Bible)

You should try writing an I Am From poem!

Here are some of my favorite lines from the students' poems:

I am from "it's WAY past your bedtime!" (they are, after all, only eleven years old! Cute!)
I am from fighting with my grandma over the remote.
I am from the cold metal of my tuba and the sweet melody of the piano.
I am from the noise of the washing machine and dryer.
I am from good cooks and humble and nice people.
I am from candy-colored hairbands littering the bathroom counter.
I am from the park, blanketed by bumble bees.

I have to share with you the prize-winning poem written by a quiet boy.

I am from the smoke from an ashtray.

I am from the door decorated with KEEP OUT stickers.

I am from the TV broken and laying like a rock in the garage.

I am from the tree stump, all abandoned.

I am from the rock pinned down by dirt.

I am from the "cleaning" arguments and the endless "try your best" speeches.

I am from Uncle Bubby's surprise visit.

I am from Nana's Royal Buffet of Pie.

I am from the stool that holds a photo.

I am from boxes of mementos hiding under a hurricane of pictures.

I am from a picture cracked and laying on the floor.

He won a burrito. The look on his face was precious.

When women (and men) are keeping their houses, they are making memories, establishing unique environments, and giving children poetry contest material!
Our daily doings are FULL of importance.
Where are you from?

Surprise Snow Day!

2011-11-02T08:57:00.000-07:00

A snow day for ME! There's nothing like an unexpected day at home! As you can see, my blanketed car was parked outside all night!

My neighbor helped me clear the driveway. I wore my pajamas, because this is an inside day!

I've been craving perked coffee! We have very little room for appliances in our kitchen, so I brought my percolator in from the garage and I am enjoying hot coffee with LOTS of cream!

It's a candle lighting day, too!

I took my fake flowers from the posts they were tied to and shoved them in an empty vase. They're pretty for fakes, aren't they? Look at the leftover Halloween candy. Ugh.

Speaking of Halloween. We went to the Sweet Peas' house.

It was very scary there.

A little cat - captured!

Maybe I'll knit!
Thank you for all your rich and delightful comments about school lunches! Yesterday's fare was smothered burrito and beans. YUM!
Oh, and I DID go to the tea shop and it was VERY disappointing. I guess it's a fancy "have a cup of exotic tea" sort of place. It was much too sparse for my "more is more" preferences. Happy Homemaker UK has lived in Denver and she told me about another good tea shop closer to the city. I'll have to visit there.
I ordered the yarn for my pixie hat. Maybe it will come today.
The snow is falling. It's still before 10 am. I love being home!

Lunch Line

2011-11-01T05:07:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been going through the lunch line and eating lunch in the cafeteria with the students. I like it. It's fun to listen to the kids chatter and they are cute about sitting by me. The lunch ladies are very nice, always happy to see me having their lunch. Yesterday we had meatball sandwiches. I also had a scoop of canned green beans. Some of the kids chose cheese sticks and marinara sauce. Buying a school lunch saves me a little time in the morning, so I'm liking THAT! Do you remember your school lunches? I do. Alice was the cook at my elementary school. She made delicious orange rolls served with homemade vegetable soup. I liked her mashed potatoes, too. Please share some memorable lunches with me!

Yippee for November! It's officially cold enough to scuff around in my bunny slippers when I get home from school. I do worry about slipping on the stairs, so I'm extra slooooooow when I have the bunnies on my feet.
What does November hold for you?

Kettle Keepers

2011-10-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

This morning I was leafing through the latest issue of Christian History. The issue's theme is health care and hospitals in the mission of the church. Did you know that one of the jobs in the medieval hospitals was kettle keeper? That's certainly the role that I'd choose. I would like stepping to a sick one's bedside with a rustle of my roughly woven wool skirt, my hair in a (red) kerchief, my eyes focused on their tired face. "It's time for your tea, my dear." I'd pour out (I'd be Mother, Angela!) and carefully pass their cuppa to them while saying a prayer, "Make them better tomorrow, Lord." Oh, that would be a good task, wouldn't it?

What kind of a kettle will you have, kettle keeper? Copper? Cast iron? Electric?

I think you'll pour a cup for someone today. Maybe that someone will be little old you. Our son Brad is a tea drinker and he has found a local tea shop where he often shops for unique teas. He and April bought themselves a Brown Betty. Before Jeff left for Costa Rica last Saturday (language school for six weeks) we went to his favorite wing restaurant (he's crazy for hot wings) and I spied a tea shop nearby. I shall go there today and report back to you. I'll take some photos, okay?
Now, PIXIE talk! Angela at Tracing Rainbows acquired a fine pair of pixie boots and now I consider her a true pixie. I have not found my soft red wool yet, so I have not started knitting my pixie hat. I will. I drew a pixie for you.

You like? I shopped for pixie boots using Google Images. These are nice!

I cannot wear pointy toes. I chose this pair.

Oh, I want the pixie advent doll VERY much and I shall consider this possible purchase for a good month and then maybe I'll order one and I shall share her with you. Floss will do a Pause in Advent again, I bet.

Our maple tree experienced a rough shake with the snow on Wednesday. She's shedding her leaves and they are floating down, little by little. I've already placed some of her offerings in my new book (Building Academic Language by Jeff Zwiers) even though I've not read the book yet. I couldn't put leaves in my Kindle where I am reading No Idle Hands: The Social History of American Knitting. It is fascinating and makes me feel knitty and desirous of a sit with my Elizabeth Zimmerman DVDs and to knit a row or ten.

With the two wheelbarrow system, Bill and I were able to stack all the wood in a swift hour and a half! We're a bit stiff today.

Not to get all bossy, but do you suppose that while you are playing the role of kettle keeper you could read a few pages of Little Women aloud to someone who wants to listen or to your dear old self? I will.

If we have a fire this afternoon, I'll be Badger. He's brooding in his den, a bit disgruntled that Ratty, Mole, and Toad are traveling without him. They should be arriving in the woods of Minnesota any time now. Lisa will keep them warm. I feel sure she's a good kettle keeper.

My sweet sister sent me her The Wind in the Willows book. Isn't that a sacrificial gift? She received the book for Christmas in 1964 when she was just five years old. She is not as obsessed with it as I am, so she mailed it to me. It smells of mold, a delicious aromatic fragrance that reminds me of the woods we grew up in. Thank you, Queenie. (We had strange woods- dwelling imaginary friends: Pook, Sone, Pinkie, and Queenie.)
This is the last weekday of my fall break, but I don't mind. I look forward to getting back to my adorable eleven year old students. Halloween is Monday and then my favorite holiday is coming. November holds a lot of hospitality, cozy feelings, and home and hearth. I send you warm simple love, good kettle keeper.
Here's a little something I found on YouTube. Let me know if you like it like I do.

I like the click, click, click of needles and the shared opinions.

Souvenirs

2011-10-25T15:45:00.000-07:00

Here are my souvenirs. Aren't they pretty?

A sketchy sketch.

Bye bye New England!
We'll travel all day tomorrow and it's supposed to snow in Denver. Cozy.
Thursday our firewood comes so we'll be busy loading and stacking and that's a good thing.
Thank you for coming to Maine with me.

Whales

2011-10-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

A perfect day for whale watching, it was windy but not cold.

The water welcomed us with hospitable kindness.

Dolphins swam along.

Whales showed off their shiny backs.

One even flipped her tail for us.

It was a fantastic day of messing about in a boat. I'm grateful. Thank you, Maine. YOU are beautiful.

Sniffing the Sea Air

2011-10-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

We're here! We're here! The lovely Bar Harbor, Maine exceeds my expectations! I feel so blessed to gaze at the sea for four days.

I love all the storybook houses.

If you've read Gladys Taber's Still Cove Journal, you know about The Lobster Claw restaurant on Cape Cod. Well, there is a Lobster Claw here, too! The clam chowder tastes PERFECT and the lobster roll is as tasty as I hoped it would be.

The view out of our inn is THIS! There's a shore path that loops around and the crunch, crunch of feet on this little byway is singing a song to me right now. I am taking deep sniffs of the sea and Bill's a good sport about the chill in the room. We MUST have the door open.

Oh how I love the sea. Bill says that there is something in me that feels the sea is home. Having never been to the Atlantic Ocean, I feel a sense of connectedness as this reminds me of my childhood Guemes Island and our early married years at Young Life camp far north in British Columbia. I wish you could hear the seagulls and the hum of small boats. Come to dinner with us. We'll be in the Reading Room Restaurant, where long ago literary buffs with famous names gathered. I'm glad it's open to the likes of us now! Smile.
Time for a nap. Tomorrow, we'll take a boat twenty miles out to sea for a bit of whale watching. Before that, I will draw a picture in my sketch book. Thank you very much for checking in with me.

Pixies

2011-10-19T19:29:00.000-07:00

Do you think you might need a pixie or two? I like their clothes. I also love their hats! You can buy pixies at Cottontails in the UK. We've ordered mice and other cuddly wonders from Charlotte (she runs Cottontails).

The pixies remind me of The Whos from The Grinch. They have similar taste in clothes. I also adore the size of their feet.

Okay, enough pixie gazing. I'm enjoying Susan Branch's Autumn Book.

Do you like the colors in this print?

I found a pattern for sheep-making in one of my knitting books. I wonder if I could do it. Not sure.

It's time to go out in the garden and retrieve my gnomes. I might clean the house in order to clear a special place for them. Again, the red hats. Classic Elite has some VERY appealing knitting patterns for gnome hats. I think a pointy red hat is absolutely necessary.
What color is your hat?

Happy Pictures

2011-10-15T12:04:00.000-07:00

Brace yourself, this is a long post because I was in a very picture taking mood! First, I was reading my annotated The Wind in the Willows this morning, so I drew Ratty's house with Mole upstairs in the best bedroom. Oh, it is SO fun to follow their travels. Click on Debbie's post on my sidebar so you can see the fancy digs they are enjoying in Oregon.

I'm such a Susan Branch fan, so I was thrilled that the book selling people at school were selling THIS! It's a recipe/scrapbook. Perfect!

Snap! Snap! Snap!

One reason that I haven't been sketching and doodling much is because my laboratory is a little disheveled! See?

A bit random here, but years ago I bought these plates for Christmas and just recently, the grands have been noticing them. I'm so glad that things I bought for our kids are now being admired by our little people. I KNEW they were a good thing to buy!

I thought you might enjoy a peek at my messy knitting book stash. Some people have yarn stashes. I have book stashes.

Okay, and on with the walking shoes! My friend Ronda and I headed down the trail today.

Look! It's Toad Hall! There are some HUGE houses on our walking route.

This could be Ratty's River (love how KG capitalizes River)!

We go to Starbucks for a gab. Hot cider with carmel squirted in the cup and a chocolate doughnut. Soul food.

Then over to Ronda's to see her new pine beetle eaten patio structure. The pine beetles eat the trees in the Rockies and smart people use the wood for other things.

Ronda takes knitting classes at the local yarn store and LOOK at these beautiful squares she made! Now she is sewing them together.

My sweet sixth graders enjoyed their first dance after school yesterday. Have I told you lately how much I LOVE eleven year olds? Aren't they fantastic?

Tonight we are having clam chowder for dinner. I am getting my taste buds ready for seafood in Maine! I bought a pumpkin cinnamon loaf at the bakery, so we'll have that, too. Fall is tasty! I do love weekends, don't you? Thank you for looking at all the pictures, nice person.
I raise my mug of cider to you. CHEERS!

I'm a Turtle. I'm a Sheep.

2011-10-11T18:58:00.000-07:00

Prayer of the Tortoise

A little patience,
O God,
I am coming.
One must take nature as she is!
It was not I who made her!
I do not mean to criticize
this house on my back --
it has its points --
but you must admit, Lord,
it is heavy to carry!
Still,
let us hope that this double enclosure,
my shell and my heart,
will never be quite shut to YOU.
~ CARMEN BERNOS DE GASZTOLD
Prayers from the Ark
I love that little prayer. I am a turtle who loves hares. What are you?

Samantha Rose and I had fun on Sunday. She came over while her parents went to the Denver Broncos football game.

The sky was Sunday BEAUTIFUL! Yes, the snow was very short-lived. Aren't the trees fantastic?

There was a nip in the air, so Sam wore her hat and mittens.

She's growing up! Look at her baby picture below.

What a lamb. I snuggled and kissed her. She smells delicious. We wore her out with lots of exercise, so she took a long nap. The rhythm of the day with a baby is so light and holy. Bliss.

It's time to buy and EAT waxy pumpkins. Have you bought any?

This time of year is so . . . happy. Cider in a fat cup, stories in the classroom, sun glow through the maple trees, Halloween excitement, Homecoming football games, the promise of pumpkin pie, and a million other little delights make October welcoming. In a week and a half I get a week OFF from school. Bill and I are going to Maine. I've never been there and I am very much looking forward to sniffing the Atlantic Ocean and eating a lobster. Have you read Sarah Plain and Tall? She was from Maine. I might read that book to Bill while we are there.

In the morning, I am reading A Circle of Quiet by Madeline L'Engle. Here is a thoughtful line you might be blessed by:
"Humility is throwing oneself away in complete concentration on something or someone else."
Do you like that? I do!

It's true, isn't it? Our journey into our soul, where we find Him doing His gentle housekeeping; that's good self work. The rest of the time (smile) we focus on people (they can be fascinating) and serving others. We create, losing ourselves in play. We go to the map (our Bible) and we gain that other-centeredness that is the secret to FOREVER. Still a sheep, bumping up against other wooly wonders, heading HOME.

Baaaaaaaa. Come on, let's go!

Snow and a Pumpkin

2011-10-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

Silly Colorado. It snowed this morning! I did sniff some cold in the air when I woke up during the night. There is usually foreshadowing in a snow story. It's a good day for Mrs. Field's cookies at the mall. Kelli wants a shopping buddy, so I'm riding along.

Remember when I crocheted an apple cozy? It ended up being a small watermelon cozy and now . . . a funky pumpkin cozy!

Bill and I had bacon this morning and then we went back to bed. It's that kind of Saturday. I hope your weekend is snug.

Hoot! Hoot!

2011-10-06T04:39:00.000-07:00

It's time for owls, isn't it? Remember when Beverly Cleary's Ramona Quimby squashed Susan's owl? Did you make paper lunch sack owls when you were a child? Just saying. You might want to draw an owl today if at all possible.

This morning I've treated myself to some long looks at Lisbeth Zwerger's art (she actually does not capitalize the first letters of her name).

Isn't she pretty? She looks like an artist, I think.

Love this snuggle bug piece from a Christmas book.

I'm reading a wolf story to my students tomorrow. Thank you, MK! Isn't this painting interesting?

I wonder what kind of a story we could come up with to go with this painting.

Pleasantly spooky mermaid, don't you think?

I've posted this one before, too. Don't you love their clothes? Why don't we dance more? Why don't we wear neutral colored dresses and black tights? I wish we did.

Well, is this a dancing day? I'm not as light on my feet as I once was, but grannies should dance. Bring on the music!

Thank you for your sweet comments on my last post and thank you very much for sharing your wisdom, your ideas, your suggestions, and your LIFE! Wow! I love many counselors.

What do YOU Think?

2011-10-03T19:07:00.000-07:00

Truth is, the pavement is dusty and the street is lined with serviceable cars and trucks. The dog walkers look very ordinary and the dogs themselves are not show dogs. The air is a bit sultry. Windows are not sparkly clean in my neighborhood.
Even the neighbors I don't know always say hello, though. I think we all need to step outdoors a bit more often. What if we set timers and every two hours, we went outside to run around for fifteen minutes or so? Even in nursing homes, it wouldn't hurt to wheel all the ladies and gentlemen out to sniff some fresh air, would it? I feel very cooped up at school.
At least I'm closer to the door this year.

I picked up two leaves for my nature table. I had to put them in a fat book Bill's reading so they'll flatten out. Turns out picking up stuff off the ground involves bending over. I'm a stiff old granny.

"There is always one moment in a day when I think my heart will break. Such a moment I think all women have, and men too, when all the meaning of life seems distilled and caught up and you feel you can never, never bear to leave it. It may be when you turn and look down a blazing autumn road or it may be when you see your house under great ancient trees or it may be, in the city, when you look up at a towering apartment building and see one light and think "that is mine." It may be any one of a number of things, according to the circumstances of your life.
But there is the moment, and all the heartaches and sorrows of your life suddenly diminish and only the fine brave things stand out. You breathe sharp clean air, your eyes lift to the eternal wildness of the sky." ~ Gladys Taber (Stillmeadow Daybook)

One of the many sweet features of October is the perfect temperature. Last night I snuggled in our bed wearing my "Eat Crab" hooded sweatshirt. I thought, "I feel just right. Not too hot. Not too cold." Why do you suppose that people over a certain age (let's just say around 50) wake up a bit more often during the night? I think it might provide us with extra opportunities to figure things out. I rarely come up with solutions when I'm wakeful, but I think a little more pondering upon the basics helps. Maybe. Maybe not.
I rarely woke up during the night when I was younger. I was out cold, snoring away until morning. Now I find myself thinking, "There you are again."
What do you think about when you wake up before morning?

Another thing I'd like to ask you is, what's your favorite story? We're reading short stories at school and some of the stories in the book are SO DUMB. We're learning about plot, theme, character and setting, tone, mood, and what not. I just can't bear to discuss stories that don't have any spirit in them. I try to imagine sitting around a camp fire telling tales and I believe the stories should change our thinking in some way. Do you think so?
Okay, thank you for the help, good visitor, good seeker, good sleeper, good thinker. Until we meet again . . .

Willows Update

2011-10-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

The Willows have arrived in Ontario! It took them two long weeks to get there, but finally they are safe and sound with Deborah. I'm so relieved!

Using a big gift card from the book store, I ordered this lovely tome! It's wonderful! Yes, I'm rather addicted to The Wind in the Willows, I know.

Here is another interesting birthday book. I'll tell you all about it soon.

A sweet friend sent me this little fairy teapot. Isn't she cute? I thought I wiped the dust off the shelf. I guess not.

Here's a little house box. It's full of thank you notes. Don't you think we should paint our houses light blue and red?

Luis, one of my sweet sixth graders, sold "butter braids" to make money for his football team. DELICIOUS! I had to have some this morning for my first breakfast. Second breakfast is with a friend at 9 am. After that, I am scooting over to Kelli's to scoop up the girls. Kelli and Bryan have the stomach flu. The girls have already had it, so they shall spend this sunny day at Granny's.

The leaves are changing, so I'll get out with my camera this weekend. October is so pretty, isn't she? It's time for a nature table. Do you have a spot or surface in your house where you can place the findings from your walks? I think this is another good reason to dust!
I feel sure that angels are attending you, people are feeling blessed by your kind and humble heart, and that your every day doings are building toward eternity. I have a picture of Gumbo Lily's sheep in my desk drawer at school. When I open it to find a pen or pencil, I smile at them. I am a fuzzy sheep. I belong to the Good Shepherd. Baaaaaaaa.
Click on Mole on the sidebar and check out the delicious tea Ratty, Mole, and Toad enjoyed in Canada! Stay tuned for the weekend, as more adventures unroll!
Stay snug.

Still Waiting

2011-09-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

I have a terrible case of impatience! Deborah assures me that it takes a loooooooooong time for things to travel over the USA/Canada border and I'm comforted by that, but I wish THE THREE would arrive! Meanwhile, I'll let Tasha Tudor's beautiful artwork take me into all the cozy feelings of fall. I was lighting fall scented candles at my school desk. Yikes. I got in trouble. So, now no fall sniffs at school. Well, the lavender is there and the flowers that Bill sent smell strong and lily-like and I'm thankful for that.

Don't you love Tasha's art? There are often corgis in her work. This does not help my dog yearnings. I wish my sister lived close by so we could share a dog. I think that'd work well, don't you? The sixth graders love to talk about their dogs and of course, I love to hear their dog stories. I love it when MK features her dog, Sandy. Sandy is adorable!

I just want to press fast forward and make The Jolly Postman high tail it to Ontario! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! The Three are going to be exhausted when they finally arrive at Deborah's! Debbie in Oregon is getting ready for them, too! Sorry it's taking so long, Wind in the Willows friends!

Two tutus danced at my birthday lunch!

Samantha wore a green dress.

Bill bought me a princess balloon that sings happy birthday and the girls liked slugging it.

Bill sent the afore mentioned lilies to school. You can't tell in the photo but now they've all bloomed and my room smells delicious. I'm starting to feel tired and ready for a break. I'm a wimp. I would very much love a house day. If you are home during the day, would you fill the bird feeders for me? How about a feather duster dance? Would you mind cleaning out the refrigerator? Maybe bake an apple pie or whip up some ginger snaps? Thank you. I'll do the same for you around Thanksgiving.
Do you ever wake up in the night and think, "Oh my, it feels so good to have a pillow under my head and a snuggle with flannel sheets and fluffy blankets."? I do. Every morning when my alarm goes off at (gasp!) 4:30 am, I shuffle downstairs where Bill is waiting for me in our green chairs (they used to be green) and we sit for an hour and a half drinking coffee, talking things over and praying before I have my little time of reading and journaling on my own. I like my mornings. No wonder I'm ready for bed about 7:30 every evening!
Oh, by the way . . . I got Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop dvds for my birthday. Debbie at No Spring Chicken reminded me of them, so I gave them to myself. I sat and ate popcorn and watched them for hours this last weekend. I didn't pick up my needles, I was simply entertained by her accent and her earthy advice. It was a nice little escape from grading papers.
So enough Pom Pom rambles for today. Time to put on my favorite outfit, my pajamas, and tootle to bed. I'm going to read Gladys Taber before drifting off to sleep. Now that I'm 53 years old, I am going to use some high power face creams and see if they make me look shiny and sparkly. I'm not good with make up. Today I looked in the mirror at school and I noticed my hair was pink at the temple because the smearing of lipstick all over my face was a bit hasty. Silly! It's a good thing the students don't look too close. Okay, bye bye, nice person who pops in to check on me! (That's YOU, Sweetums!)

Little Ladies and My Birthday!

2011-09-23T05:51:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! I thought you might like to see the envelope THE THREE are traveling in! They should arrive at Deborah's any time now, if they haven't already!

Last Sunday a friend from school dropped by to borrow a book and she brought her cute daughter. Millie was at our house, too! They are very close in age. Look at their toes! Aren't they two sweet little pictures of perfection?

Peppers! When I saw this gorgeous display of peppers at my grocery store, I HAD to capture it so you could see it, too. I know very well that you go to grocery stores and look at vegetables on a regular basis. I'd like you to take pictures and show them to me, so . . . .

Smiley face! Sorry April and Elizabethd! More hearty breakfast fare!

Last weekend, we went out for frozen yogurt with Miss Samantha Rose.

My birthday is on Sunday! I bought myself some lavender for the classroom. I am continuing to LOVE sixth grade. Oh, they are so cute, so funny, so FULL of life and love. I shall bring them each a cupcake on Monday.

But, here is a cupcake for YOU, my sweet friend! My birthday wish as I blow out the candle is: Open my eyes so that I can see the secret delights that are pouring down on me and my open-eyed kindred spirits. May we see the falling sparkles swirling around the special souls we are privileged to know!

Happy Birthday to me! Happy September to YOU! Let's dance! I have a tutu you can wear and a big bow for your hair. Stay tuned for blog connections to The Grand Tour. I am so eager! I can hardly stand the waiting.
(BIG HUG!)

Grand Tour: And They're OFF!

2011-09-17T05:56:00.000-07:00

Today is the big day! Ratty, Mole, and Toad are ready to jump into a big envelope and fly to Canada to see Deborah and her family. I tell you, they proved a bit "needy" as I prepared them for their journey. I made extra sure they won't experience any hitches with immigration.

The passport came from the embassy. I must say that their passport photos are much better than my own.

Their first STAMP. I can't wait to see all the stamps they have when they return to Denver.

I put a small goodie in this "goodie envelope" at the back of the book. Deborah will put a goodie in for Debbie at No Spring Chicken before she mails the parcel to Oregon.

Each blogger who receives the parcel will go right to work annotating and embellishing the book. It's easy! Use your colored pencils and your everyday handwriting to put your brushstrokes into the book that went around the world! Each blogger will also place a leaf or an herb or even a flower in the leaves of this special ambassador copy of The Wind in the Willows. When the book arrives at each destination, we'll link to the blog so everyone can see what The Three are up to!

Ratty will provide leadership.

Mole will provide sweet companionship.

And Toad will provide entertainment on this wonderful wild ride! Poop! Poop!

Here's what I mean about "needy". They INSISTED upon "messing about in boats" before leaving.

They BEGGED to dance among the zinnias by moonlight!

I filled them with tea. They are Englishmen. They do need their tea.

It was hard to let them go, but I insisted they take the train to the post office. They will then jump into the envelope with the book and their passport. Off to Ontario, Canada they go. They'll have a wonderful time with Deborah and her seven children!

Safe travels!
Keep watch over at Mags, too. After seven or so stops around America, they'll fly to Ireland and from there Mags will launch them about Europe. They'll voyage to New Zealand and Australia, too. Lucky THREE! Thank you for cheering them on!

Firemen, Flannel, and Bacon

2011-09-12T19:36:00.000-07:00

It was cloudy outside today when our class lined up by the flag pole. We enjoyed a powerful ceremony in honor of our soldiers.

Shiny shoes and fancy stepping brought the flag to the pole while bag pipes played.

We had a chance to say thank you to our firemen and our local policemen. The students behaved beautifully. Some of them wore their scout uniforms. They each had a small flag and when they were instructed to fly their flags they immediately held them up. When the directions guided them saying, "flags at rest" they immediately lowered their flags. One of my students offered to take my camera (smile) and shoot some photos. He did a wonderful job! He managed to capture some sweet smiles.

And now some simple "day-to-day doings"!
Tonight the September clouds were spooky!

The leaves are still green and fresh.

Marigolds continue to bloom.

The nighttime lights are popping on sooner now.

It's time to harvest Jeff's tomatoes.

Bill's home from New Zealand and Australia. Now we'll sleep soundly all night long in these silly Christmas stocking sheets. I wake up a lot when he's gone and sometimes I even turn on the lamp and read for a while in the middle of the night. He's home until we go to Maine in October! Woo hoo!

My friend Gigi from My Firefly Cottage likes bacon and she talks about it sometimes. It DOES smell delicious in the morning, doesn't it? Do you think breakfast is the most important meal? What's that old saying about eating breakfast like a king, lunch like a . . . what? Do you remember? Well, I find I function much better when I have a sturdy breakfast and I don't mind smelling like bacon either.

I'm painting Ratty, Mole, and Mr. Toad. It's taking a while. Soon they will be ready for their passport photos and their trip to a USA locale. They'll jump all over America before they journey across the ocean. I do have a friend in Tanzania and another friend in Uganda. Do you think they should go to Africa? Mags and I are charting their course and it's not too late to join us. Leave me a "yes" in the comment form and we shall add you to the list of stops.
Are you having a smooth September? Are you ready for fall? I am happy tonight and that's enough. I wish you pancakes and bacon.

Moon and Angels

2011-09-08T05:07:00.000-07:00

In Stillmeadow Calendar, Gladys Taber shares this about September (the LOVELY month!):
"The harvest moon is heavy with gold; the stars are polished diamonds. The dogs and I walk out onto the lawn; a fox barks in the woods, otherwise the night is wondrously still. Beautiful pale smoke floats up from the ancient chimney, and I think of Thoreau's words: "There is no remedy for love but to love." That's how I feel about September, and I wish I could share the tranquility of this night with my unknown neighbors all over the world."
Isn't the moon photo above fantastic? I found it on the "Interwebs" and I LOVE looking at it.

I ordered a book that I remembered loving quite some years ago. It came with an insert left by its former owner. A page of Reader's Digest's Quotable Quotes had the following quote listed:
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews 13:2
I've always loved that verse. Miss Cadence is a sweet little angel, isn't she?
Look for the angels today. They're around.

Dear Eternal Sparkle

2011-09-05T06:48:00.000-07:00

Well hello, summer fairies! Don't zinnias look like fairy pom pom's? I think so! The colors are so vibrant and they mix up so nicely.

Here is a leftover balloon from Finn's Picnic. Does it remind you of a pumpkin?

Alas, the morning glories are winding themselves around the sunflowers. Love.

Colorado peaches are here for a short while. Peaches are so photogenic, aren't they?

Have you ever read The All-of-a-Kind Family? They are lovely stories about family life. I recently found this one at a used book site. They are written simply and carry a lovely tune throughout. Sadly, all but the first one are out of print.

Let's hear a little from Gladys Taber today. Do you want to?
"I have found that when I cannot possibly accomplish everything I am supposed to, and I feel an unbearable pressure, as all homemakers must, if I just STOP, life goes better. I get a good book, like Hal Borland's Countryman, and make some Constant Comment tea, and sit down on my own corner of the sofa or in my favorite lawn chair. I let life settle in around me - and that's the only way I can express it. After twenty minutes or a half an hour, I go back to the mechanics of living. And at the day's end, I am just as far along as if I hadn't stopped to think!"

Smart, huh? Gladys wrote the passage above in September. I have noticed that many of you are preserving the earth's bounty, making pretty things, cleaning up your gardens, sorting the necessary routines that school children need, looking ahead at your work year, or maybe snuggling in each morning for a dose of spiritual food you know is absolutely essential for your soul. It's so tempting to assess our progress or plan out impossibly lengthy accomplishments. I tend to over think my list of "to dos" and I am trying to celebrate what I DO get done while I grab quiet moments throughout the day. Gladys was wise and we do thank her for penning such "salt of the earth" advice.

Mags and I have been shooting email missives across the sea, planning our GRAND TOUR for The Wind in the Willows blog event. Oh, we have some fun adventures planned for you if you would like to join us. The book below is going to travel around the world. Mole shall accompany it, and maybe Ratty and Mr. Toad will sneak in, too. The passport is still being processed (yes, if you are a literary figure who figures into many readers' lives, well, you can get a passport built for three). The route and map will materialize soon. Watch this space and watch Fraise Lachrymose, too. We're planning the launch.

I bought a purple bouquet for you yesterday while at the grocery store. I thought you'd like the juicy white roses paired with plum colored blooms. If you like to give your own soul little kisses, you need occasional flowers. Sometimes I say to myself, "Self, you really should tidy things up a bit before you bring home flowers." Well, that's just silly self talk. Look how wildflowers grow in the woods! They don't wait. We shouldn't either. Don't want to spend your pocket money on gifts for yourself? Buy them for one of the flower fairies in your little sphere then. Even men like flowers and appreciate a real live gift straight from a Creator who adores them.
I hope you hear the hum of love in every moment today. Listen very carefully. There IS a song singing around you, you dear eternal sparkle. (Yes, I am calling you a dear eternal sparkle. Smile.) Today is a good day.

Happy Teacher

2011-09-02T05:08:00.000-07:00

Just a quick "pop in" to say a big and friendly HELLO to you! It's almost the weekend and yippee for Labor Day! Monday off! Do you like the Lego gummies above? I have to tell you that one of the zillion things I like about sixth grade boys is THEY STILL PLAY WITH LEGOS. I find it charming! My students are precious and MORE precious each day. Happiness!

Everyday the students read quietly for ten minutes. Their book choices are adventures and detailed "learn something new" stories. No drama. LOVE.

The Disneyland tourists are back in Denver. The girls LOVED the princesses, of course! I haven't seen them all since they returned and I MISS them!

Things are calming down at school. I'm figuring out my new schedule and routine. Now, to find a place to make tea . . . today, I shall figure that out.

Booms is back at home now. I had a lot of fun walking him around the neighborhood. He was so happy to see me when I got home from school. He danced with me! His hair is all over our floor now. I wonder if I'll get inspired to vacuum this weekend.

The neighborhood trees are glorious! LOOK! Oh, summer! You are very pretty! I do feel a bit of cooler autumn air blowing in the open window. September is my birthday month so of course I love it! Yesterday a cute student said, "You will find a cupcake on your desk in 24 days!" See? Precious.

I'm all smiles. I know my eyebrows need a little work here! Ha ha ha! But I wanted to give YOU a smile because you are so creative and good. You love images just like I do. You are curious. I am, too. Oh, God bless your soul today!

Some Happy

2011-08-28T16:49:00.000-07:00

Friday was a lot of fun! Look at all the new middle school kids and their families! My first week was perfect! Yes, the air conditioning is fixed and I can wear cardigans!

Because of generous friends and two used book companies, I am acquiring quite a bit of Elizabeth Goudge. I must admit that my first taste of EG writing did not "jive" with my quick reading brain. I kept trying. Now, I really believe that reading Elizabeth Goudge has made me a better reader. The Little White Horse is delightful. I know many of you know that. The White Witch was also a thoroughly enjoyable read. There are treasures in this kind of writing. I could say more, more, more. I'll stop.

This is just my kind of knitting book - stories. Patterns, too.

The grands like my new watch. I bought it at the quilt shop. It's very gaudy. Sorry about the bad photos! I was in the car with Bill.

Today we went to see these silly geese. Aria was napping. We played Mother May I? We played Simon Says. Cadence said, "Can you do a handstand?" My response, "Nope. Too fat." I might try though, so I can surprise her next time.

Just so you know, another Wind in the Willows blog party is brewing. I think you'll like it. How can you not like Mr. Badger in his sassy coat?

And I know it's kind of dumb, but I like to take pictures of the flowers at the grocery store. Aren't they lovely? I didn't buy any, but I'd like to try to make some posies.


Kelli and Jeff (and Bryan and the girls) are at Disneyland! Booms the dog is at our house. He's nice. He sleeps a lot but he DOES like to take little ambles in the neighborhood and that's fun for me. We've had such a nice weekend and I am very excited to see my sixth graders tomorrow. The day flies by! I am HAPPY! We had a big lunch, so I think we'll have strawberries and ice cream for dinner. I hope your weekend was restful (and I hope my friends in the east are okay after all that crazy and dangerous weather!) I hope your heart feels sound and snug. I feel very blessed that you find the time to read my rambles. (HUG AND A KISS!)