Covering for an Old Friend

I received my Bible from my parents when I was a Freshman in High School. It’s a Scofield Study Bible. I tend to recommend the Reformed Study Bible or the MacArthur Study Bible to friends today, yet this Scofield has served me well.

It’s where I zealously highlighted as a young reader and where I copiously took notes as a teenager. Some of the tabs have fallen off and the binding is worn like a good shoe. It now holds the scribbles of several of my children along with a coffee dribble or two in attempts to balance baby, beverage, and Book at once.

I’ve thought often through the years of replacing it. I’m sure someday I will, but then I would lose the history I have with it. It’s become an old friend with whom I am familiar and comfortable.

A covering is my short term solution. I still want to add a handle and an enclosure, but for now this is serving well to protect and keep my old friend in one piece a while longer. I suppose if all else fails, there’s always duct tape!

Fresh Inspiration

I received this book recently and thought I would share some of the fun ideas that are making me happy. Scones and biscotti are two of my favorite coffee mates. These are currant scones, but cranberries will substitute just fine-I hope. I have a ton put up in the freezer.

I’m itching to try a Pavlova. They look so dreamy and cloud-like. As yummy as meringue cookies are and just meringue in general, makes me want to definitely give this one a whirl.

One gift that is worth it’s “salt” is Candy Cane Bath Salts. They are refreshing, easy and good for detoxing. This lavender version just looks so pretty. If you think you’d like to try them, here is the recipe for Candy Cane Bath Salts.

And how cute are these little soaps? This might be a good snow day activity with kids. With any luck mine will get some on themselves–boys!

Welcome 2008!

Here’s to wishing for health, peace and a Happy New Year. I look forward to sitting down with my journal soon to mull over all that 2007 held. Yet 2008 is already staring me straight in the eyes, so let’s begin here. Like many others, I don’t make resolutions. Instead I throw my efforts toward a few specific goals over the course of the year.

Every year I seek most to grow in my understanding and obedience to the God I serve. I want to start my days with my mind fixed on Him. I have some new books I’m looking forward to reading as well.

I pray I’ll adjust well to the impending changes that are coming to our family in February. To savor the uniqueness of each of my jewels. They are each rare and precious in and of themselves. Together they are brilliant. I want to remember this when the chaos ensues or the days seem challenging; to remember to gain some perspective should I start to feel otherwise.

On a more pragmatic and creative level, I want to learn to quilt this year. I just received this great book for Christmas and am planning to do the lap quilt for starters. I’m very excited about that.

And finally I hope to explore this idea of blogging. I want to find my voice and define this space a little better over the coming months. I began it in part to help capture our days–from the great to the mundane…to keep my own perspective in focus. Freshly mopped floors last maybe! 20 minutes in this house before the milk gets spilled. The blog is a little more sustainable than housework and yet more tangible and immediate than the work of parenting which will be a lifelong journey of ebb and flow. I look forward to meeting new people and seeing where this trail leads me. Please feel free to comment anytime!

I’m excited for the new year. It feels fresh and clean. Welcome 2008!

All is Calm

Today was a very unusual day. Gabe and Amelia were invited to see a movie with some pals of theirs. Ty and Luke went down to the neighbor’s to play, and Jack was down for a nap. My mom happened to come today. And strangely enough all of this culminated at the same time. Seriously, no children in the house for 2-3 hours? This just does NOT happen in this house.
Let me say now that my mom is a saint. She comes almost every week to help me with projects, allow me to run errands, or whatever else I feel like doing. She is The. Best. She’s told me one of her goals when she comes is to leave my sink clear of dishes…for a brief interlude anyways and she is all about making that happen. Did I mention she is a Saint?

So what were we two to do? Scrub floors? Pick up the Christmas fallout? Not a chance! Instead, we fulfilled our annual tradition in watching this beloved movie. For probably 10 winters now, my mom and I have watched Little Women together. It never ceases to make me cry and gets better for me every year.

Marmee is a mother I aspire to be in many ways. Equipped with a wise answer and continually planting seeds of inspiration for her children to tend and make bloom. Ten years ago, I would get choked up over young love. Today I get choked up over mother love.

My children were disappointed to find we’d watched it without them. They have enjoyed parts of it in years past. It seems a new tradition may be in the making.