I've Been A Little Busy

So, I had a baby. She was early. It was hard. I've been adjusting to 5 cuties. I am still here. Still loving life. Just a little side tracked from blogging. I think you can see why.

Margaret Joy.
A birth story hopefully coming soon . . .

Treasure Hunting

It seems that whenever children want to get things out they have no trouble finding it.
Putting them away however . . .
The things tend to wander to imaginary homes that cultivate cobwebs and capture friends in their webs.
Yes, it has a tendency to overwhelm me.

 

And then I tell them to clean it up.
But honestly, they look at me like I am a blur in their fog.
Put them away? Put what away? And where? And what do I start with?

And this is where I decided that my children needed to learn the art of observation.

So, we created the Treasure Hunt Game.

I went into a very messy room . . .
and hid coins. Buried treasure if you will. Many pennies and a few nickels and dimes. These little joys were put under things that needed to go home. And the key to keeping them was that those things that needed to be put away were.
There were some obvious ones.

And some that had to be carefully eyed and captured.

So I lined up the cadets.

Said ready, set, HUNT!

And they were off.

They learned they had to look beyond the here and find the there.
They had to find the art of observation.

And it is an art.
This is more than just learning to clean up. It is learning to see. See more than what's on the table. See more than the title of the story.
It is looking beyond horizon skies and into galaxies.
It is seeing the large in the small,
And the small in the large.

And getting my play room cleaned up doesn't hurt either.

 

And taking home their treasure made the lesson that much sweeter.

All in all I would say it was a  happy homeschooling success.

How do you teach your children to tackle the obvious and the invisible? How do you teach the art of observation?

Baby and Pregnancy Update

I am 28 weeks now.
With John, 28 weeks was the goal of my doctors. 28 weeks meant he might survive.
28 weeks is a big number to me.
She is 28 weeks gestation now,
and 2.7 pounds!
I love the ultrasounds, seeing her get bigger, hearing her heart beat, knowing she is growing.
I finally bought some baby things. 
Gave in to hope, that she just might come home with me. 
We bought a baby swing and some clothes. I had gotten rid of everything and am starting over. It is strange, because this is not my first rodeo . . .
and yet, it feels like it is.
It feels like a new beginning that has happened before.
And there is joy in the unknown familiar.
It still isn't easy.
I still throw up, 3-4 times a week.
I still feel like first trimester fog has yet to wear off. (Is there really such a thing as second trimester bliss?!)
But she is growing. My blood pressure is good.
And God is good.
All the time.

Seasoned With Salt Saturdays

Isaiah 60:1  
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

For The Love Of Fritters!

Today marks the first day of my hubbies vacation! Nine days including projects, camping, a 4 day trip to Idaho and plenty of fun! It has been quite awhile since my husband has had a true vacation. He has taken time off over the last two years but most of it has been taking care of me or our crazy stint in KY. Not exactly rejuvenating.
I wanted to kick off the day with a special celebration and in our house that usually involves food.
My husband enjoys apple fritters. I mean he really enjoys a good apple fritter!
We usually head to a local donut shop for the goods but I wanted to knock this surprise out of the park, so out came the cookbooks.
This recipe is adapted from the Baker Creek Vegan Cookbook. I used it as a basic outline but there are very few moments in life that I follow a recipe as written. This was no exception
This is my adapted recipe.

Heat up 3 jars of Louanna's Coconut Oil (available at Walmart) in a large dutch oven to 350 degrees.

Make your dough which consists of:
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached white flour
2 granny smith apples peeled and finely chopped
2 cups warm water
4 1/2 tsp. yeast
1/2 cup natural sugar (I like organic cane sugar when I can afford it!)
1/4 tsp. salt

Just mix this dough up with a spoon. Simple. Let it sit for a few minutes.

Drop in quarter cup fulls of batter into that hot oil and watch it bubble. Try to let little "fingers" come up as you drop your dough. They taste the best! Brown up these little treasures on both sides until they are a rich golden brown. Takes about 4 minutes. Lift out with a slotted spoon or tongs and let cool on racks with paper towels underneath to deal with the mess.

Don't forget your glaze.

Mix together with a large fork:
3 cups powdered sugar
10 tsps. fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tbls. milk

Drizzle the glaze on your fritters while they are still hot! Watch the glaze melt into the cracks and once it hardens turn them and do the same thing on the other side.
Save one or two without glaze for those who are pregnant and can't handle too much sweet. <Ahem>

Serve these up while warm, preferably with pretty dishes and a nicely set table. A little English Breakfast Tea with cream doesn't hurt either.

 

Prepare for the man in your life saying these are the best apple fritters he has ever had.

Bow or curtsey. Enjoy the accolades as you take a deep breath and dive into a huge cleanup. Don't worry. It is worth it.

That smile says it all.

Why Remembering Isn't As Hard Today

Today is the second anniversary of John's death, and while I am fully aware of this day and think of him, I do not feel the sadness and grief as I did on the 16th. It was this way as well last year. I cannot completely explain it. It is as if the day of his death was a great letting go. That it still is. A day to exhale, chest concave and loose.
When he was born, there was a road that must be taken. A path to walk filled with hope, chance, pain, worry, love, joy, and faith.
On the day he died, he went alone. Straight into the arms of Jesus, and I believe, reunited with his twin sister that was lost so early on. I could not make that journey with him. It was for him alone to take. I released a precious gift, so quickly gotten, knowing I would someday take the same journey. The one of gasping for the last breath, of feeling beating stopping, and a new path spreading out brilliantly before me. 

Today though, I rest, knowing that he is safe. Free from harm and sin. That he is waiting, worshiping the King, and happier than all of us have ever known.
There is great freedom in that rest.
And because of that, great comfort in today.

Seasoned With Salt Saturdays

Psalms 145:18-19  The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.