Beautiful Day

Showing posts with label projects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label projects. Show all posts

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Rocket Launch

In May and June some of the children worked on building rockets with their American Heritage Girls and Trail Life USA Boys groups. If you have not heard of these organizations, they are Christian-based scouting programs.  Some local groups started this year, and our children are enjoying the challenge of working toward badge requirements and gaining skills.

After the rocket projects were completed, the troops scheduled a launch day for the finale and excitement of seeing them in action.  This was a fun father-son and father-daughter project.


Warrior boys set up their launch pad.


 While Littlest Warrior looks on, busy with popsicle.


There were a few scrapped launches, but eventually everyone was successful at getting their rocket to the sky.


And then the fun of chasing down the parachuting rocket.  In some cases, the parachutes did not open, so they fell quite fast.  Also, it was rather a breezy day.  If the rocket was not aimed well into the wind, they were at risk of landing in someone's backyard outside the park!  My Warrior meteorologist did a great job making sure the rockets were launched the right direction.  We did have one that landed right at about the fence, but was still "in-bounds!"


Adventure Girl, true to her patriotic self, chose a rocket model called "Freedom" and painted it a lovely red, white, blue and gold.


Ready for the launch countdown!


We have liftoff!

Well, I know it's hard to see in this picture, but there really is a rocket returning to the ground in there!

Altogether, a very successful day of enjoying the hard work spent on a project together, and watching it do what it was designed to!



Thursday, February 6, 2014

Winter Light, Winter Bright

Country Girl says she wishes that every winter were like this one.  No, we don't live where the temperatures have been sub-zero or in the polar vortex.  I don't think we would say the same if we lived there.  But we have had a delightful mix of weather and a little of everything this winter, and I think I'm inclined to agree with my Country Girl.

Just enough snow to make children happy (which is actually quite a lot for around here!)
It's true...our Christmas lights are still up.  And we're even known to still turn them on.  They are white, and we just so like how a touch of light brightens the dark, long days of winter and carries us through until the light of springtime breaks through.


The hummingbirds are having a bit of a tough time maneuvering the winds, but when they do, they are rewarded.  Adventure Girl keeps them supplied, and even thaws their feeder periodically during the day.




I am quite contented to stay warm and to enjoy the cozy fire.  Today I am trying out a new sourdough bread recipe, and it is rising, slowly but surely, atop the pellet stove.  I like the slowing that snow brings.  Lately my head has been swarming with details....so many things to think through this year....graduation, travel plans, hopes and dreams.  And oh yes, the everyday planning of meals, celebrations, what each person needs,etc.  I will still need to tend those, but appreciate how just the presence of this white and drifting snow makes me feel slower and calmer.

Another bright spot of winter for me....knitting.  I just finished this sweater vest for Littlest Warrior.  Can you see the owls?  They are his favorite!  I think I will always remember this season and his love for these creatures, and hope that it drives me to pray he will ever grow in wisdom.  Now I 'm pondering my next knitting project(s).  They are a bit ambitious, but I remain hopeful.

Still another bright spot of winter is that we have made it a tradition to go to the ocean at least once.  Always in search of the sun when the fog sets in at home just a little too long!  Oh how glorious this day was!  Find the sun we did and we spent the day walking, talking, playing, and even squishing sand in our toes (yes, it was warm enough to do that!)  I didn't plan for little ones getting wet, but they could not resist splashing their legs and feet in the tumbling waves on shore.

We found this long piece of sea kelp and found that it makes a perfect jump rope.  And I can still jump rope!





Being at the shore always creates this little flutter in our hearts, because we met there!  If ever there was something to bring light to our hearts in the midst of winter, there it is!

Wishing you bright moments and the light of Him who brings them in your winter days!



Thursday, October 25, 2012

Handmade Birthday Love

There are so many reasons for me to love this time of year.  At the top of the list is that three of my children were born in this beautiful season.  I have the warmest memories of walks in fall sunshine illuminating brightly colored leaves as I prepared for the births of these dear ones.  It also means that this is a busy time of year celebrating birthdays (along with Reformation Day and Thanksgiving, and any other excuses to make apple or pumpkin "something" to eat!)

Nostalgic mama that I am, it is one of my greatest satisfactions in life to create handmade gifts for my children (and even my husband, though it's a bit harder to do).  I'll admit there are times, especially in this season of my life, that I don't finish all of the projects on time.  But I press on.  I still don't like that my baby's first year photo album isn't up to date yet (not even close, really).  But I am determined it will get done.  Maybe by Christmas?

I tend to receive many last-minute inspirations when it comes to celebration ideas, or gifts to create.  I'm not sure why it seems to come like this, but I accept it as a special gift from the Lord and now I start to look for how He will surprise me with an idea and it becomes great fun.  I pray for the ideas to come, even when it seems so last-minute, and I am amazed (I don't know why!) at what shows up.

For example, last week I was preparing a birthday cake for my Littlest Princess.  She had said for months that she wanted a fall garden party.  And she wanted a basket cake.  So my picture was something with a fall theme and autumn colors.  But this was not at all what she had in mind.  She was just thinking, "garden and flowers" and not at all fall colors!  To her, flowers come in bright pinks, yellows, purples.......all those delightful colors little girls love.  So I wasn't sure what kind of flowers I was going to put on her cake.  Especially when time was running low.

I was preparing the icing for her cake and needed to make a quick reference to the recipe.  I headed to my bookshelf to my trusty Wilton cake idea book and catalog (dated 1992!  The first one I ever bought).  As an aside, I am SOOOO thankful that I spent some time learning the art of cake decorating before I even had children!  It has served me over and over again for many years and is another delightful avenue of creativity for special occasions.  Back to the story.......I pulled out my idea book and on the front was just the inspiration I needed!  I turned to the page with the instructions.

I showed it to my Little Princess and she was delighted.  We just adapted the colors slightly and her cake was not heart-shaped, but round.  (And, of course, not as perfect as a magazine, but perfect to her, which is what counts).

,


 
I managed to get a skirt done for her, and paired it with some consignment sale finds for tops.  I have also passed on this handmade joy to my girls, so they are usually happily creating something too.  Country Girl knitted these lovely wool socks for the birthday girl.  The last pair she made are now outgrown and they were her very favorite socks.
 
 
Baby had a birthday too.  It was apple theme.  I had a lot of fun with his projects.  I knitted my very first garment (if you don't count fingerless gloves or scarves or diaper covers).  Or at least my first sweater.  Can you see that XOXOXO (hugs and kisses) pattern? 
 
 
I enjoyed it so much that I decided to make one for my Little Princess too.  It's in progress though and didn't make the birthday deadline.
 
I may not be up to date on Baby Warrior's photo album, but he is my only one to get the special gift of his own fabric photo memory book.  It is full of love from all of the family to him.  I had this idea for months, thanks to this book.  But I couldn't seem to get it into the project queue and even have it come together until the last week.  The final project was just beautiful.  Everyone wrote special messages to Baby.  We love to look at it together.

Princess Girl embroidered this sweet little apple for her brother's book

 
Birthdays do tend to take me some time.  But I think it's a worthy investment into giving life to my family.  I think there can be a natural tendency, particularly as children enter their teen years, to let birthdays slide just a bit.  At least it seemed to be true when I was growing up.  I can still remember the day when it seemed my whole family forgot it was my birthday.  It was nearly heartbreaking to me.  I don't think it is always intentional.  I think it is just that, though...not being intentional.  When children get older, I think we can be lulled into thinking that it doesn't matter to them so much.  But I don't believe it's true.  Everyone wants to know that they are cherished.  And birthdays provide a perfect opportunity to give that reminder.  So I have made it my ambition to care for my loved ones in this way.  The time it takes is my small investment, my deposit if you will, into their hearts.  I bless them as a reminder that they are cherished by their Creator God...and by the family He entrusted their lives to.
 




Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Day Journal--Holy Week Preparations

This week has come so quickly this year.  I've felt guilty that I am not better prepared--particularly in my heart. I do realize this is a season of life that is busier than others as I care for our sweet little baby.  It demands more occasions where sleep tends to trump other things (like getting up extra early in the morning).  Yes, sadly, it even means I'm not doing so well at preserving my Bible reading times.  At the same time I'm not letting myself off the "hook."  I am challenged as well to think about the use of my time and whether I am letting other things get in the way of what is truly important.  This is a good week to consider and ponder my habits.  I am truly thankful for the moments God gives me and the opportunity to remember.

I think holidays are all about the key word--REMEMBER.  God says it to His people over and over (and over) again.  He knows we are oh, so prone to forget!  I think the church year is all about a continuous cycle of remembering.  So we are setting about with what time we do have this week to remember.

Today it is raining.  Quite a spring rain it is.  My resident weather forecaster says it is supposed to be beautiful this weekend and I'm so excited!  I don't think we've had weather like that for Resurrection Day in several years.

Today is a day for being busy in the kitchen.  One of our annual traditions (and one that my Tender Warrior is especially fond of).....the making of chocolate-peanut butter eggs!!  (Loud cheers heard all around)  I think I'll be doing this more for his special treats now that I've seen the film Food, Inc. and saw, not surprisingly, that his favorite candy likely contains GMO food in it!.  My country girls were hard at work and, with some help from the youngers, did this all themselves.

I worked alongside them catching up on some bread making (and experimenting).  I love No-Knead breads, particularly sourdough.   I make them at least once a week.  Today it's a Steel Cut Oat recipe.  The pizza dough is also No-Knead now (and how I DO love it!)  So I thought I would experiment with our regular sandwich bread.  It was fun to do and looked pretty good going in to the oven, but not as lovely coming out.  Oh well...I'm sure it still tastes good! Who couldn't love a kitchen filled with the aromas of bread and chocolate all in one day???


I think he's starting to develop an affinity after his Daddy's own heart already (though right now he would much rather have the spoon)!

Working on some little special things for Sunday morning surprises (so no photos to spoil them).

Enjoying the letters from my treasured friend who recently went to Europe--and savoring all the memories it brought back of our own trips there.

Reading aloud together--our daily ritual that draws us into a one-piece life, as Ann so beautifully christened it.  Today we are reading "The First Easter," "Passion Hymns for a Child's Heart," "Pilgrim's Progress (Christiana's Story)," and "Lassie Come Home."

Then there are the everyday moments--laundry, asking a child to cup their hand over their mouth (Proverbs 30:32) because they have spoken ill toward a sibling....changing diapers, learning about how to cut hair better because we are in the midst of needing haircuts in various family members, treating coughs and colds, helping older children with homework for an upcoming government class, reminding little children it is "quiet time" and not "loud-and-noisy" time....the litany of the everyday IS beautiful!


Observing the crash scene on the floor...gotta love the world of boys and their imaginations!  Hmmm....a tank, a race car, and one of David's mighty warriors...you tell me what happened here.


I'm also boiling a chicken on the stove to make broth.  Tomorrow we will have our own adapted (simple) observation of a Passover Seder and the traditional Chicken-Matzoh Ball soup that I make each year.  As it simmers on the stove, I've been thinking of a particular friend...and giving thanks that she is back at home after the displacement that came from a boiled chicken smokeout.

Considering a centerpiece for our table that is meaningful in calling our hearts to remember this week.

Praying for friends who have little ones with whooping cough--wishing I could do more to help.

And now my kitchen timer calls me back to the kitchen so I'll be signing off on this day's journal.

Wishing you a week of blessed contemplations!


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentine's Day Creativity Unleashed


I mentioned we've been busy the past several days.  I can't resist making a big deal out of Valentine's Day (well....maybe I make a big deal out of everything....)!  The combination of pinks and reds, hearts, flowers, pretty cards and letters, romance....all beauteous to me.  To top it off, sharing it all with those I love most!  (Oh, and did I mention the word "chocolate?")

We've had an abundance of creativity.  Starting in the kitchen....


chocolate-covered pretzels for friends and for National Guard members (hope they don't mind pink and red!  I'm sure the almonds and toffee bits will make up for it.)



Of course, the children's favorite....decorating cookies.


And something new I wanted to try.  I am a fan of the salted caramel craze.  So I tweaked a caramel recipe and dipped it in chocolate, sprinkled with coarse salt and......voila!  Salted Caramel Chocolates for my beloved.


I know this kind of looks like a sea of chocolate mess.  But these are AMAZING!

OK, that's enough food (and far too much sugar....good thing we are giving some away!)

Now we're off to the sewing workshop.  I found this fabric at JoAnn's and oh, I thought it was so perfect in all its vintage charm.  I've been wanting to decorate our table a bit more, so I decided to make placemats out of them since Country Girl 1 was experimenting with making placemats to sell on Etsy.



I love it when I discover a new stitch on my sewing machine even after having it for several years!  I just thought this stitch was the perfect little addition.  I love how these turned out.


And some other odds and ends creative inspirations that I find simply beautiful!

I have some children who are like me.....they woke up this morning with all of the anticipation of Christmas.  They ran downstairs to look upon their breakfast plates.....


We have some more fun planned for the day.  I hope you do too.  I am grateful for an extra opportunity to learn about loving others.  It never ceases to amaze me that God set apart feast days and celebrations to REMEMBER!  Why?  Because we are a very forgetful people!  We need the times and days to mark the year to pause and remember.  They are wonderful teaching opportunities as well.  These remembrances help carry us through the more "ordinary" days.  Your remembrances won't look like mine and they don't need to.  All that is needful is taking the time to consider, to think of others, and to love.

Happy Valentine's Day!


 
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Raising Homemakers

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Rekindling the Art of Letter-Writing


One of the reasons this blog exists is to "preach" to myself the truths that I want to employ or be reminded of.  Such is certainly the case when it comes to letter writing.  Let me just say I love hand-written letters.  I can remember that in my youth, I seemingly lived for the mail!  I couldn't wait to see if there was anything in it for me.  The same seemed true of my siblings, so there would be arguments sometimes as to who would get the privilege of making the daily walk to the mailbox.  My children seem to have the same excitement over the mail.  And isn't it disappointing when you have days like the ones we laughingly call, "junk-mail Tuesday?"  (or only bills?!)

As much as I have always loved writing and have in the past, been a most LOYAL correspondent to those most dear to me, it is a practice that also now requires more discipline to actually carry out.  Yes, I have been guilty of neglecting (or forgetting) to get birthday cards in the mail.  I am humbled when someone remembers me on such occasions.  Email has its virtues and I am glad it exists.  In fact, one of my closest friends (in another state) and I carry on a regular email correspondence that keeps us quite close, and for that I am incredibly thankful!  Other good friends I also enjoy keeping in touch with this way.  I also like how it keeps me connected to loved ones in ways that would otherwise prove difficult or infrequent due to travel or military deployments.

Still, there's nothing like an old-fashioned snail-mail letter.  I even love the scenes in period dramas where letters are written, delivered, or received.  So much hinges on what those letters say and how they effect the course of the story.  There's nothing like finding a quiet spot to absorb the written words of a loved one.  Extra bonus if one is wearing a lovely gown and sitting in a romantic garden while reading it!

My letter writing habits have not been what they were.  Some of that is just the season of life I am in.  Still, I care about relationships and dear friends.  So I am purposing to spend a few extra moments to rekindle this art that risks extinction in our technologically-driven world (which I stubbornly resist!)

There is also an element of hand-written letters that lends itself to legacy.  I once read an article talking about losing history when all we have is email trails to trace, say, the love of a husband and wife.  Think John and Abigail Adams, for example.  Then there are the ubiquitous email acronyms and ways people talk electronically that leave me wondering about the future of language.  And in case you didn't know, I care quite a lot about language.  It's extremely telling.  Recently, we watched a Civil War documentary that was conveyed largely by the letters written or diary entries of those who were there.  When I listen to the letters that were written, I marvel at how much of our language capacity we have lost in the present.

Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to spend extra time blessing others with encouraging words.  We start with our own family.  A couple of years ago, we created this family mailbox.  It was for a Valentine party with other families.  But I now bring it out on February 1st.  Next to it, I place various papers and pens that fit the Valentine theme.  Children excitedly cut out hearts and write down notes for our family members. They secretly go in the box and are removed on Valentine's Day.  Every day there are notes added--and I wish that perhaps we could teach ourselves to do this every day!  For we all need the practice.

Another way we are rekindling the written word is in our sponsorship of our two Compassion children.  We have seen two children all the way through their Compassion program.  This is our third "go-round," you might say.  Sadly, I have not been very good at remembering to write to the children often enough.  By reading the stories of Compassion bloggers like Ann, I have been stirred knowing just how much these children value hearing from their sponsors.  So we write....and hope to do so much more often!



I am thankful that my Country Girls have learned to value letter writing.  They have some particular friends they enjoy frequent correspondence with.  My Young Warrior loves to write letters too.  The only problem is, not too many boys will write back.

This year I'd like to be sending more letters.  It helps to stock up on greeting cards, stationery, and pens.  If you have extra time or creativity, I recommend also keeping card-making materials and even extra fun accessories like calligraphy pens, fountain pens, wax and stamps for sealing.  What matters, however, is actually getting something in the mail.  A relatively simple task that can speak volumes to dear ones.

"What can you write?  Letters could well come first of all.  We all have someone waiting for a letter, and each of us has someone thinking about him or her and wishing the mail would bring some sort of word, some message.  The things you are burning to say, the words you want to use, and the ideas that flow.....should not be bottled up only for publication.  Write now.  Communicate with someone now.  Start by writing a letter to one person, and continue by writing to others who are waiting for a letter."
                                       ~Edith Schaeffer, "The Hidden Art of Homemaking"


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