Back to Blogging

I'm back to the blog! and ready to write. 

Our 'tree trunk' has a few more growth rings, including one for 2016:   

We're hoping to build a house this year, as God gives us grace and provisions.  

I aim to keep readers posted as things take shape. 

It is a fascinating experience and I have learned much along the way already.

M is the designer of this house, in fact he has drawn up a number of houses which helped us to finally land on this plan. 

It's an intensely creative process with many constraints and moving parts, 

which both inspire and frustrate and amaze.

Welcome along!

Piano

Five dear little persons ages 8-12.

Each student reported having fun playing their piece at the recital

At the tender age of seven, I was given the gift of a means of musical expression: the piano! With the support and investment of my parents and the skilled hand of Beverly T., piano became my first love. In a letter from Mrs. T. this week, she is learning to knit in her upper 80's!

Now, almost 30 years on, I had the joy of passing that on, at the same price per lesson for five beginning students. It was delightful to observe their growth and individuality. We celebrated with a casual recital after ten weeks of learning.

Thanks to the students and their families for the opportunity of teaching piano lessons for the first time!

It took awhile to get a photo in focus

Beauty, Music...are free gifts...

These Days

I check the weather, some family blogs, one email account, no longer a work address. I check my 'dumb phone' for messages of voice or text, when I can find it, which is a disturbingly small percentage of any given day..and that's all: the parameters of my here and now.

'That's all,' I say.

That's all I got done today. That's all the dishes. That's all I can take. That's all the time there is. That's all the cheerios. That's all my energy. That's all I can think of.

But wait- what JOY do I reside in! - the glory of Hope inside, the mercies of a new day, the mystery of being loved, the guidance for loving, the senses for beauty, the visible and invisible, knowing our Maker, and beyond such comforts in life!

What can I say to this?! To borrow from my father: everything is a gift. Let my soul overflow, even spill slowly, the gratefulness of being truly alive.

So in these moments- O fleeting lifespan of flowers of the field- might I say instead of 'That's all', 'These are my riches!'

Poem

Here's a sketch I jotted down this afternoon. I'll call it 

"Mercy at Seven" (months)

drip drop look about

novel every growing stout

marvel tumble beaming sing

eyes alight tremble wing 

arms length victory

peeking wide leafing tree

pillow cheeks turn grown-up girl

ferns fingers gem unfurl

boldly friendly self at ease

like none other, days like these

Daily life

Oops I found a draft that I never published...from end of last year. 

A trip to the outer banks. We saw whales!

lickety-split, found the sand beyond the blanket's edge

hugs!

bubbles bubbles

Singin' with Papa and my rattle. can't keep my hat on

readin' with Papa

Big as a sandwich!  This was a birthday dagwood sandwich in honor of Dad.

Hubby's cousin and her baby, 6 wks older than ours

Out For Breakfast

I took myself out for breakfast this morning, daughter snoozing nearby in the stroller. Outdoor seating with live music, I ate food I hadn't cooked on a dish I hadn't washed and lazily watched passersby and listened to the day's work get started around me, which I was happily not doing.

Oh-wait-huh?- I shake my head and snap out of my reverie...this is my back porch, we're home from a walk, the birds are singing, the re-heated french toast made by hubby was delicious on the dishes he did yesterday. Cars are backing out of driveways and heading to work, robins and grackles are terrorizing the worms, and the lumber mill beyond the tracks has been rumbling since dawn.

It's a spring morning at home, but, pending one's perspective, that's a delightful treat!

p.s. As a tribute to my Dad: how many times, as we set the picnic table for supper, did he pull the line "wow- we're eating out for dinner!" or something like that.

Blessing Boutique

Twelve weeks ago, our little daughter arrived to join the family. Oh we love her so! I am so often in awe of how she got here, and how her body grows and her self develops. It's totally amazing and I have very little power over the process. I watch in wonder. 

Yes, I tend and care for her and feed her and play with her and teach her, but so many people have cooked for me, supplying what I need to feed little m.b. ....and her mind and heart and body respond to the love we (and others!) pour in. How does that work??!

One of the ways we've been loved and supported in this has been through materials needed for a baby.

In a summer when I had no time to shop for anything, we were lent/given/gifted with almost EVERYTHING we needed...including clothes for a constantly changing Mama and baby! 

The idea for this post comes partially from my Dad, whose other name for Goodwill was "My Favorite Boutique".

Welcome to Blessing Boutique! See captions for the fashion providers...

Apron (baby protector) by Corinna
Onsie by Maria
Shirt by Kristin
Sweats by Wendy
Photo...by me

Shirt and Onsie by Maria
Jeans by Wendy
Hat by Laura

Shirt by Maria
Skirt by Meg
Onsie by Maria
Jumpy seat in background by Laura

Tank by Meg
Onsie by Maria
Purple blanket by Christina
Bulb syringe by Anita

Carrier by Wendy
Onsie by Maria
Hat by Laura
Ring by Mark

Blanket by Elizabeth
Shirt by Wendy
Capris by Anita
Nursing Tank by Kristin
Shoes by Carol
Diaper Bag by Gina
Prefold diapers by Wendy

Onsie by Kristin
Table by Lauren
Railing patterns by Meg
Cloth wipes by Laura
Wipe dispenser by Anita (homemade!)
Dry-pad by Laura
Co-sleeper by Wendy

Knit blanket by Barbara
Patterned white blanket by Gina
Sweats by Wendy
Leaf by Silver Maple

Shirt by Wendy
Onsie by Maria
Sunshine by God

Socks by Mary
Sweats and hat by Goodwill
Sweatshirt by Mark
Bouncy seat by Wendy
Baking lesson...by me

Sweater by Old favorite
Shirt by Carol
Pants from my old closet!
Polar Bear jacket by Aaron
Pants by Bridget
Blanket by Wendy
Sheep skin (sitting on) by Julia and Craig
Rainbow elephants toy by Gina

These are just a few of the people who have blessed us in this new venture. For this I'm giving thanks!!