Daybook - January 24th

outside my window . . . oh, another grey-hued day, but I think there is a hint of sun.  What type of trees are they that keep those pale orange leaves all winter?  Why do they do that?  I think we need to learn about that today.

I am listening to . . . Diane Rehm and my girls enjoying a warm oatmeal breakfast.

I am wearing . . wait for it . . . wait for it . . . JEANS, a dark purple alpaca sweater and brown top.  Thinking about adding a warm scarf as it is chilly this morning.  Oh - and a new hair cut!  My dear friend and hairdresser, Julie, blew out my hair at my appointment last week.  I really liked it, so I've continued blowing it out a bit.  Still curly, but the curls are a bit more sleek and defined.

I am so grateful for . . . educational options.

I'm pondering . . . those very educational options.  Also, the "worthless servant" who buried his talent in the ground rather than using it.

I am reading . . . almost finished with The White Queen, about half-way through my first reading of John Locke's "The Reasonableness of Christianity", Euthyphro, and my February "First Things".

I am creating . . . a new crochet project - a wrap for me.

around the house . . . working on new chore charts - finally.

from the kitchen . . . Bacon-Leek Tart tonight, and my first ever try at a Pot Roast later this week.  Hubby and I were complete vegetarians for over 10 years, but have slowly been adding meat to our family menu over the past few years.   Beef is our newest addition.  In the past it has been mostly meatballs, meatloaf or in spaghetti sauce.  This will be the first roast!

real education in our home . . . we are continuing to enjoy learning about bones.  I've got a fun game of "Simon Says" planned for today's science lesson.  "Simon says. . .  touch your patella!"  The goal being to learn the names of major bones in our bodies.

rhythm and beauty in our home . . watching the paperwhites bloom the past two weeks has been soothing and reassuring.  I do love the quiet coldness of winter with its crackling crisp air, but it is bearable only when we know spring is on its way.  And the scent, which my mother hates and I'll have to remove them from the house before she arrives this weekend, has a sharp note - almost acidic, but in a soft flowery way.

the church year in our home . . . working on Epiphany icons this week.  I've been meaning to do this for some time, but it is on my "to do" list.

one of my favorite things . . . Twinings Irish Breakfast Tea.

the week ahead. . . Wednesday: Going to visit a Classical Conversations community as we consider educational options for next year.  Friday: Mom and Step-Dad coming to visit.  Sunday oldest daughter E's 9th birthday!

picture thoughts . . .

I love this little miniature painting.

Today is . . .

. . .a special day in our home.  Two years ago this sweet girl became part of our family.    

We celebrated with fresh Krispie Kreme doughnuts.  YUM!  As you can see, L is not shy about eating!

Oh, yes, they are that good.

Cheers, Baby L, here's to two years as a part of our family.

Adoption 2nd Anniversary!

We celebrated with fresh Krispie Kreme doughnuts.  YUM!  As you can see, L is not shy about eating!

Oh, yes, these are that good.

Cheers, Baby L, here's to two years as a part of our family.

Worth

Have you heard of choosing a "word of the year"?  I think I'd had the idea floated past me sometime in the past year or two, but a few bloggers that I read regularly recently posted about choosing their word of the year and I thought it sounded like a wise idea.

The idea, or at least the way I'm using the idea, is to select a word that you will meditate and ponder and seek God's wisdom about.  How can you live out that word?  How do you need to learn to be that word?  How can you believe that word?

I prayed about it and contemplated what word might be meaningful.  What word I needed to learn by heart.  And the word that came to me was "Worth".   Mostly that I need to learn my own worth - my worthiness before God and man.  But I also need to recognize the ways I'm not living in a way worthy of God.

For all its worth.  

Worth its weight in gold.  

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Here's the first little nugget I got today from my bible reading:

Proverbs 6:12-14   A worthless person, a wicked man, is the one who walks with a perverse mouth, who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who points with his fingers; who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil, who spreads strife.

That's a lot to ponder right there.

Are you interested in choosing a word for 2011?  Here are some posts by other bloggers to give you more ideas. . .

Ali Edwards seems to have been the originator of this idea, at least as far as the blogosphere goes.  I do find it hard to believe that in all the history of mankind it hasn't been done by others before, so if you've heard of this from some a Church Father, I wouldn't be surprised.

Christine Kane takes a look at how a word of the year makes a much better resolution than a resolution.

I'm going to steal The Thinking Mother's idea and make my own Word of the Year mug.

If you have or decide to choose a word of the year, please leave a comment!

Daybook - January 17th: The Big Thaw

outside my window . . .  the Big Thaw is on and in a heavy-construction neighborhood (there are 8 houses currently being built, a few more lots being cleared and prepared) with a giant mud-pit in the middle of the road (stalled road repair) that means a lot of RED CLAY mud.  Yuck.


I am listening to . . . Diane Rehm's story about Mark Twain's biography.  He wouldn't allow it to be released until 100 years had passed since his death.  Not a lot of money for books right now, but this is one I might have to splurge on.  And the 3 at-home kids are busy at the kitchen table drawing and being silly.

I am wearing . . .  jeans (I know, I really need to branch out), colorful striped wool sweater, my favorite Dansko Almandine Tiger's Eye clogs.  I've heard people say that the new ones that are made in China are not as comfortable as the ones from Denmark.  It's hard to say.  My old ones are so comfortable, but I think that is because they are wonderfully worn in.  The "fancy" leather probably has less give than the plain, too.  But now that I've had them for a few months, I think they are just about as comfortable as my old ones.

I am so grateful for . . .  my husband's prayer/accountability group.  He gets up early each Monday morning and meets with two other guys he's been friends with for a long time.  They've helped each other through a lot.  I'm hoping to have the same thing someday soon!

I'm pondering . . .  my mid-year educational re-adjustment.  Seems like the cold winter days tend to make me feel the need to assess what is working and what isn't.  The basics are getting done, but I'm feeling the need to get back to including those enriching areas: nature study, poetry, art, music.

I am reading . . . my new First Things arrived this week!  It is still temptingly-wrapped in its plastic wrapper.  Still plodding through The White Queen (frivolous historical fiction).  Plato's Friendship.  The Reasonableness of Christianity by John Locke.  I'm enjoying the Plato.  The Locke is a very, very slow reading.  This may be on me "reading" pile for some time.

I am thinking . . . about friendship itself and my word for the year "Worth".

I am creating . . . my menu plan for Epiphany Season (Ordinary Time).  I sat down last night and wrote out my plan for the next couple of months.  Enough repetition to make my job easy, but enough variety to not be boring.

on my iPod . . . I've decided that in addition to my Orthodox podcasts, I'll balance out with some Reformed podcasts.  So, I've found a couple...my favorites right now are: The White Horse Inn and Ordinary Means.  I've noticed a decided difference in attitude between the speakers from each church background.  Orthodox speakers, even when very intellectual, have this amazing undercurrent of humility.  I've found the Reformed speakers less so...but I am enjoying getting a better understanding of the Reformed theological perspective.

around the house . . . laundry to be put away, Christmas decorations are taken down and waiting to be boxed up.

from the kitchen . . .  we have some bananas that are well on their way to being ready for banana bread.  I've also got some leftover rice I might make into rice pudding for dessert.

real education in our home . . . Well, as I said, I'm doing some thinking about our home school.  With the move we pared down to just the basics while we got the house settled and haven't quite gotten back to full steam, if we ever were there.  I am one to err on the side of letting my kids explore a new game or interest rather than pushing through with my own school plans.  This can be taken too far...but how far is too far?  Right now my kids are enjoying making a shadow puppet show in our coat closet.


rhythm and beauty in our home . . . we are trying a new schedule to accommodate Toddler L's needs.  Instead of trying to do one-on-one school while she is up with us, I am getting my older daughter (8) up early to do school before Toddler L awakes.  We then do the "fun" school subjects: history and science reading, projects, etc while she is awake.  Then after she goes down for her afternoon nap my younger son (11) and I get his school work done.  We've only done it for a few days, but it seems to work pretty well.

the church year in our home . . . looking ahead into the Epiphany season.  Considering what saints we might want to read about and what days to celebrate.


one of my favorite things . . . this will sound silly, but my mom and step-dad gave me the most delicious jam for Christmas.  It is called "FROG" jam - fig, raspberry, orange, ginger.  It is just heavenly!  I enjoy it on my leftover St. Lucia bread each morning.  And sometimes in the afternoon, too!

the week ahead. . .
:-: school meeting (eldest son's high school) tonight.
:-: a church meeting Wednesday night.  Need to think and pray about that one.
:-: L's adoption day anniversary Thursday (2 years since we passed court in Ghana)
:-: friends over for dinner on Saturday

picture thought . . .

My boys posing in front of a statue in downtown Fredericksburg, VA on our Thanksgiving trip.
I just love this photo.  H (on left) is 11, S (on right) is 14.

A week of winter pleasures

We rarely get to enjoy the quiet whiteness of a snowy landscape.

Steaming bowls of homemade chicken and rice soup.

Little E teaches us how to make some playdoh creatures.

Toddler L enjoying a morning of playdoh

A first sleepover with our new neighbor (in the white, little E in pink)!

Not the best picture, but I had to show you what our crazy dog does.   She even sits perched on this stool like some over-sized bird.

a promise of spring

Don't miss this...

Cindy is doing a new book study on Ten Ways to Destroy Your The Imagination of Your Child.    I'm not a participant, but just reading the book club posts is phenomenal.  It isn't too late to join in, and it is never too late to read the commentary!

The first week's post and links can be found at:  Book Club: Chapter One - Why Truth Is Your Enemy.

Daybook - January 10th: SNOW!

Outside my window ... the snow has been falling since 3 this morning. They say it will snow all day!  We've got about 4 inches on the ground as of early afternoon.

I am listening to ... my daughter and her friend playing with the King Louis. They are warming up from a couple of hours in the snow.

I am wearing ... jeans (imagine that), tan knit top, bright robin egg blue top over that (layering, you know), a gray wool sweater, and a pretty blue, tan, purple scarf to keep my neck warm.

I am so grateful for ... snow days, homemade hot cocoa, warm fires, and snuggly socks.

around the house ... did not get Christmas taken down this weekend, I think this might be a perfect activity for a snow day.  Guess I'd better get started.  My kitchen is in serious need of the Kitchen Fairy.  I think she has taken a snow day, too.

from the kitchen ... pot of broth simmering on the stove for soup tonight.  Hopefully some homemade bread, too.

one of my favorite things ... our new fancy coffee press.  (old one hit the floor and shattered a couple of weeks ago)

recent milestones ...  Baby L's newest phrase is "Me, too?" which we hear anytime someone asks if they can do something.  Pretty cute.  We like to make up silly, but awful things to ask and see if she'll say, "Me, too?"  "Can I go have my ingrown toe nail extracted?"  "Me, too?"

a few plans for the rest of the week ...
   a lot will depend on the snow - we may be home quite a bit this week but if not....
:-: meeting at the church office Wednesday evening
:-: ballet and tap for E on Thursday
:-: some friends over for dinner on Friday

picture thought ...

Little E and hubby (out of the frame) clear snow off the car.  Didn't last long, within a few minutes it was covered again!

Daybook - January 6th, Epiphany

Outside My Window ... a normal January day: 40s, sunny.   Construction has begun on the house next door. The lot has been cleared and the well dug.  Soon we'll be awakened to the sound of hammering and sawing.  I'm starting to think our neighborhood should have been named "The Big Muddy".

I am Listening to ... my daughters singing songs from Little Mermaid.  We are having a very light school day today.

I am Wearing ... my favorite black jeans, pink knit top, and gray wool sweater.  Warm.  Easy to move in.  Nice looking, but not fussy.

I am so grateful for ... a friend's safe return home from the ER last night.  Follow ups with the doctor today should set everyone's minds at ease that all is as it should be.

I'm Pondering ... generations.  How should they be named?  When?  What will this most current generation reaching adulthood be called?

I am Reading ... Amusing Ourselves to Death N Postman, The White Queen P. Gregory, and still working on the December First Things journal.  Still working on a lot of things, actually.

Towards a Real Education ... considering how to proceed with a toddler who needs lots of undivided attention.  It is tricky trying to juggle their needs!  We are still thoroughly enjoying Adam and His Kin.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty ... after illness and Christmas, we are getting back on track.  I slept in many mornings recently, so I'm resetting my body's schedule to get up early again.  It's groggy around here.

To Live the Liturgy ...  It is Epiphany!  We are extending ours a bit to keep the celebration going while my Dad visits.  But we'll pack it up this weekend and have a small, family Epiphany celebration Saturday night.

Around the House ... always catching up on laundry.  Next week, we resume the "new house" sorting.  We've run out of shelf space for books, so it is time take a serious look at some of what we own.

From the Kitchen ... soup today for lunches the next couple of days, hopefully some bread, and baked chicken for dinner tonight.  I have some bananas looking mopey, so maybe some banana bread.

One of My Favorite Things ... our new lighting in the kitchen!  We had one sad light fixture in our kitchen prep area.  Horrible lighting - could hardly see what I was doing.  This weekend we installed under-the-counter lighting and a new track fixture in the ceiling.  It is this cool flexible track so we could bend it where we wanted it to go.  Now I have GREAT lighting over the sink, at the stove and the various prep areas!

Recent Milestones ... Little L is doing lots more talking.  She's really started expressing things in more and more complex sentences (2 and 3 words rather than 1).  We can't always make out the words...and sometimes they are just the word pattern rather than the word itself, but she's making progress!

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week ... 
:-: Dad coming to visit today
:-: Maybe catch a movie Friday afternoon with him and the older kids.
:-: Dinner out for hubby and me, maybe!
:-: Helping a friend move on Saturday

Welcome 2011!

In it came whether rung in wildly with gaiety and glee or welcomed quietly with gentleness and joy.  However you saw it come in, aren't you glad it is here?  Of course we should welcome everyday with a sense of newness and excitement, but a new year feels so clean, so unused, and, well, so new!

At our house, we'll clean the house a bit (I'm sure the kids will be over-joyed) and then make a trip to IKEA Charlotte to look at lighting and enjoy a Swedish Meatball lunch.  Then we'll come home to a dinner with black-eyed peas (cooked simply with Ro-Tel tomatoes and some bacon) and dessert of bread pudding - see the bottom of this post for the recipe.   It is a simple celebration for our family - in keeping with yesterday's post.

My planner is just about all prepared for the new year.   Fresh calendar pages (in Franklin Covey's pretty "Blooms").  New tabs (Avery has printable ones, if these aren't new, they are new to me!).  And some page protectors for frequently used pages.


Today is also the Feast of the Holy Name.  Being the 8th day after Jesus' birth, this is the day on which he'd have been circumcised and officially named - a great day of celebration for his mother and father.  Now, if you are on top of things, you might consider making initial-shaped cookies for your family (IHS for Jesus and your kids' initials).


Old-fashioned Bread Pudding from Southern Living, Nov 2001

1 16 oz day old French bread loaf, cubed
2 12 oz cans of evaporated milk
1 c water
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 8 oz can crushed pineapple, drained
1 large apple (Red Delicious recommended), grated
1 c raisins
1 1/2 c sugar
5 T vanilla extract
1/4 c butter, cut up and softened
and a batch of Bourbon Sauce (see below)

Combine first 3 ingredients; stir in eggs, blending well. Stir in pineapple and next 4 ingredients.  Stir in butter, blending well.  Pour mixture into a greased 13X9 inch baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees (F) for 35- 45 minutes or until set.  Serve with Bourbon Sauce.

Bourbon Sauce
3 T butter
1 T all-purpose flour
1/2 c sugar
1 c whipping cream
2 T bourbon
1 T vanilla extract
1 tsp nutmeg

Melt butter in a small saucepan; whisk in flour, and cool 5 minutes.  Stir in sugar and whipping cream; cook 3 minutes.  Stir in bourbon, vanilla, nutmeg and simmer 5 minutes.


Happy New Year!