I just wanted to show you my new glasses.
And my green fingernails.
A serious look.
My pretty girl.
The handsome boys.
How many Lucky Charms are actually in a cereal box.
Sweet Gabe.
Amazing Engineers.
What news can you share with me?
They must take after their father.
Hooking up with Wordless Wednesday over at 5 Minutes for Mom, even though it is SOPA Black Out Day.
We’ve yet to crack them open . . . the black walnuts.
I know from this video it is going to be a messy process. However, when the beloved Sunday school/Awana teachers mention anything, Mr. Smackdown instantly grabs hold of the idea.
We are homeschoolers. They want to learn, I shall teach.
I’d like to call a sub in for “opening” day, though.
I will be brave. I’m a little scared of what lurks inside these walnuts. Namely the black pigment . . . that can and will seek to dye my hands.
I will wear gloves. Perhaps three pairs thick.
I really thought the video would dissuade them. Nope. We ended up watching approximately five . . . and with each one they became even more enamored with the idea of harvesting our own walnuts.
They don’t even like walnuts.
I do.
Perhaps they will learn. There is something to be said about harvesting your own food.
Thanks, Pat and Al!
You may have seen a picture popping up on my blog recently.
I’m kind of proud of it.
It has been a long time in the making.
And everyone is looking at the camera.
Everyone *almost* looks like they are having a good time.
The picture was taken at Fort Wilderness. The canvas was made for me . . . a custom job thanks to,
It was easy, as their name implies. I probably spent all but 5 minutes making it?
It looks great.
I have it residing in the kitchen on my “mom” reference bookshelf. This bookshelf is in my line of vision from my “assigned” seat.
Would I randomly use Easy Canvas Prints? That would depend on if I had a coupon. The 8x10 I received costs $33.53.
Ouch. BUT if you “like” them on Facebook you can receive 50% off plus free shipping. They offer other deals, too.
So I am told.
Soooooooooo . . . yes, I would order a print. For $15 – that sounds reasonable.
Perfect for a newborn print . . . a family portrait . . . or a random fabulous shot I happen to take while in my manual setting, soon-to-be thanks to Angela’s ebook, Life As You See It, from which the proceeds will be put towards the adoption of their daughter, Rose.
(By the way, that was one of the best run-on sentences that I have EVER written!)
It’s easy. I am happy. And you can do all sorts of things to your canvas to get it looking to JUST the way you want it. (I had our photo wrap around.)
Have fun!
Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post nor do I have an affiliate status with Easy Canvas Prints. In exchange for an honest review, Easy Canvas Prints sent me an 8x10 canvas of my picture choice. I wanted a recent and decent print of my family . . . and this review came along at a great time! I promise that I won’t keep doing all sorts of reviews. But I really liked this review.
For more Wordless Wednesday posts, head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom.
Just in case you didn’t realize it . . .
Mother’s Day is right around the corner. I feel a little odd mentioning it, seeing as though I am a mother. But the fact is that Mother’s Day is next weekend.
What would you like for Mother’s Day?
The Engineer knows that for me the question is more like, “What would you like to see happen?”
I was thinking about what I would like for Mother’s Day (which involves what we do) . . . and I told the Engineer that I just wanted to be happy. I wanted a day where everyone got along.
My request is almost like asking for a miracle. But miracles do happen. (I’ve got four of them.)
Yesterday, another miracle nearly occurred . . . the only problem being the timing . . . it wasn’t Mother’s Day or my birthday (which is also occurring this month, the 13th in case you want to send me a present).
The perfect day began with a slow morning. Coffee. A quiet time. Watching my sons mow with the Engineer and . . .
Friends came. Rejuvenating friends. A dear friendship created across an ocean almost a lifetime ago and fertilized through the Holy Spirit in the Midwest.
Then, some time alone. Fermenting.
Followed by the family working together in the garden . . .
building a fence . . .
planting strawberries . . .
smelling the earth . . . getting my garden gloves dirty . . .
and a late night talk with the Engineer while finishing up last minute touches to our rather intimidating fence.
Ain’t no bunnies Ruth’s getting into our produce.
What do I want for Mother’s Day?
to bottle up yesterday
How can I freeze the perfect day? How can I recreate it?
Well, what am I always doing?
Taking pictures. The day was so amazing to me that I took a picture of my shoes. Seriously.
So . . . for someone like me . . . a good gift can be found in a picture. Like a Shutterfly photobook. (Big fan of this easy way to scrapbook our life!)
Or on a coffee mug or in a personalized prayer journal or on a very cool and unique notepad.
When I think about a gift for Mother’s Day . . . and not just my Mother’s Day . . . I always want to receive and give a gift that bottles up what I treasure most . . . a gift that will delight the file cabinet of memories.
P.S. Are you a blogger? Click here to sign up for a chance at 50 free cards from Shutterfly.
We have several teeth missing in our household (dog included).
Here . . . allow me to draw you closer to the monumental action . . . really quite an amazing process.
Since were were . . . forced to know. (Thanks impacted tooth.)
Moral of the story: put your child in a cage so they can’t get hurt. Well . . . then again, a boy could find some way to get hurt if put in a cage.
So, moral of the story: pray for the Lord’s protection over your children.
Precious boy.
He has no idea what a big deal it is to loose your first tooth. Have I mentioned how big his tooth was? No wonder it didn’t come down on its own.
However . . . it was a pretty hard fall.
Moving on to other lost teeth . . .
And people who want to loose teeth . . .
Lastly, people who are growing teeth . . .
However . . . I will not open my puppy’s alligator-like mandible to take a picture of her teeth for you.
I am kind of hoping that all her teeth fall out at once.
Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes 4 Mom
This journal.
It has glass glued on the front cover, much to the dismay of my inquisitive son who attempts to explain everything.
I’ve had it since the Hottie came back from India.
(By the way, I think I’m going to change his name, from Hottie to something you all could actually call him while sitting around the family dinner table – not that you talk about us during your meals.
At least, I hope not.
Because I highly doubt your husband or boyfriend would be happy if you said, “Hottie is biking across the country on his blog. You should join him.” That wouldn’t go over well – you calling another man, “Hottie.”
Not appropriate.
At least I won’t have to let the Social Security Administration know that. . . I’m changing Hottie’s name.
I’m thinking – the Cyclist or something bike related. His guy friends could probably come up with a better name . . . but none of them read my blog.)
Anyhoodle . . . the journal.
I’ve saved it. Saved it for something special. Meaningful. Something that will impact my children, impart wisdom to them should I go to slumber in my Father’s arms before the trumpet blast . . .
But is has come time to use it. I’ve found just the thing to fill it’s pages with.
I’ll let you in on a family secret. I can be a grouch. A baboon is what we call it in our house.
In fact, recently it was flippantly remarked that I can be well . . . negative.
So, instead of wishing to be something different. I’ll do something different. I’ll practice gratitude, along with Ann Voskcamp who wrote, 1000 Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, the book the Cyclist and I are reading for our nightly devotions together.
Because we aren’t going anywhere.
God has called us to the land of “horizontal beauty,” as my pastor would say. And it’s time to be content with that.
If being thankful changed one woman’s life . . . why not mine? Motherhood doesn’t have to be dreary. Whole foods cooking doesn't have to be overwhelming. Laborious. I don’t have to be surrounded by laughter but never able to penetrate the barrier to join in.
This morning these words were printed into my handcrafted journal . . . may they provide a legacy of gratitude, to be passed down from one generation to the next.
FOR TODAY:
Outside my window... there is a moth fluttering, grass greening, and spot lights on to welcome the boys home from AWANA.
I am thinking... what on earth can I feed Ezra in the morning that doesn’t have calcium in it, and that I can’t wait for a full-fledged spring, and that I have NOTHING green to wear tomorrow.
Normally, I wouldn’t care.
But my friend, Nicole, deemed it field trip day in honor of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I am thinking that a total stranger just might pinch me, all in good fun. (Not my kind of fun – so don’t pinch me, Hottie.)
Since I care for God’s creation, I need to have green on . . . because I DETEST being pinched. I am afraid that I might retaliate and punch said individual who pinched me. (It all goes back to Santa Clause . . . he used to pinch my cheeks, when I was a kid, that is.) Maybe I have some unresolved issues.
I am thankful for... sunshine, the one lone sprout emerging in my greenhouse, chocolate almond milk, and when Ruthie naps (for those new to my blog, Ruthie is our Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy).
From the learning rooms... we have established a new routine. Immediately following breakfast the boys have to complete their handwriting, Stick Figure Bible from Grapevine Studies, and I am going to add Science to the line-up tomorrow. (Asher is also doing a daily math page from Timberdoodle.)
From the kitchen... I bought extra cabbage to ferment some sauerkraut since my last batch is almost fully devoured. I’m going to begin curing a brisket in the hopes that if I actually follow the instructions it will become corned beef.
Yes, I know I’m a little late. We are supposed to have corned beef tomorrow. But I’m not Irish. (The Hottie is . . . and our children. I guess I’m outnumbered.)
I can eat Corned Beef whenever I want.
By the way, does anyone know what celery water is? Can I just pulverize celery and water?
I am creating... milk (still), dirty dishes, and plants (with the help of the Lord.)
I am going... to see my AWANA boys soon and my friend Tina (in a few weeks)!!!!!!
I am reading… my list is too long these days. Still the $64 Tomato, The Missionary, the Bible (of course), 1000 Gifts (as a devo with the Hottie). . .
I am hoping... to workout 5 days this week, lose 2 lbs, get my camera back, and sew a sling for a sweet gal named Emily.
I am hearing... Naomi’s monitor ding incessantly because it is out of range.
Around the house... there is dust.
One of my favorite things... a meal that receives accolades and a good conversation with the Hottie.
A few plans for the rest of the week: a parade, a visit with a friend, puppy kindergarten, fermenting, hopefully a date night movie, and planting more seeds.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing... I already gave you some photos . . . but if you insist.
Link up and read more daybooks at Peggy's blog.
