The day unfolds, a familiar rhythm begins with a slow but steady tempo. Make the beds, greet the children, begin the laundry, make a pot of tea, help children with the various bits and pieces which inevitably, arise as they work and play…the day is in full swing. The rhythm is comforting, soothing. I am thankful that there’s no “out-the-door” rush in our home. Rarely, in fact! We make choices to avoid this and ask God for His grace to cover the times which we cannot avoid it. Home is where we work, play, coexist, learn, relax, and love. These thoughts play in my mind this morning, as I continue with the small tasks which begin today’s song. I check my daughter’s progress in her room cleaning, put away the scraps of this and that which I find lying here and there. I place outgoing mail (a finished Netflix) on the mailbox, and enjoy the coolness of morning’s air. Although still a couple months away, the air has Autumn’s crisp notes and I sigh, wishing Autumn’s song had already begun to play. Yet, I do not want to wish away the time, only the summer heat and pesky mosquitoes. The day’s rhythm slows when I sit down, and, for a few moments, open up my “pink” laptop. Just the sight of it makes me happy, for I love PINK. I sip my tea from the pink mug I chose to start my day with…today is a strong, black breakfast tea and as usual, a bit of milk has been added to temper tea’s acidity. I look forward to seeing my chubby baby this morning, but I find myself grateful too, for a few extra moments for housework, or, for sitting down.
Until now, when I hear her sweet baby voice cooing, an edge of concern in her voice. She is ready to become part of our music today! The rhythm picks up quickly, and I miss the slower tempo of my day’s first hour. More laundry, lunch, laundry again, nursing, baby’s cat nap, laundry, return phone calls, check email, schedule an appointment…I feel the acceleration. A few moments to mend on the sewing machine. Awake again, my baby rides contentedly on my hip as I move about the house.
The children play happily, my daughter telling stories to her younger brother. Imagination at it’s best! And at last, baby is down for her longer afternoon nap. My almost-3-year-old (who had dissolved into hysterical tears, a sure sign of tiredness!) fell asleep as well. The house is blessedly quiet and I make some tea, savoring both it and the slower tempo it restores. The last load of laundry for today is humming in the dryer. Dinner will be leftovers eaten amidst the rush between my husband coming home and the kids’ swim lessons. It is hot and humid outdoors, and so the water will bring refreshment this evening, as they splash about and (hopefully) learn to float--or slide--or swim!
Time to begin evening preparations before the little girls wake. Soon, the day’s tempo will increase until the comfortable rhythm of bedtime arrives. And so our days go in this way, their music beautiful to my ears, composing the song our life and home sings, measure by measure.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
A little bit of life, a few links
It started out simply enough. I logged onto my (pink Dell!!) laptop, just as I do most morning…sipping my cup of tea, savoring a few moments of quiet. (Before the baby wakes and after one quick argument between my other children…lol). Then I catch a glimpse of the “new recipes” from Simply Recipes RSS feed. Well here in Kansas, the typical Summer heat and humidity have set in full force, after a blessedly cool and rainy Spring. I don’t even like to step onto my porch to get my mail when it’s this humid and hot. (I’m a cool weather, rainy-day-lovin’ kind of gal; I really do NOT know what I’m doing, living in Kansas. But as my younger brother says… “it’s a black hole that sucks you in and you can’t escape it” --he’s referring to our hometown in Kansas, by the way. But I must admit, it’s a great place to raise a family, and that’s what I’m all about, so, here we are. In Kansas. Enduring the Summertime).
So anyway, I see a recipe for Homemade Limemade posted. Now who wouldn’t LOVE a drink like that when it’s hot outdoors? And let me tell ya, it was refreshing! I happened to have a bowl of key limes to use up, and I keep mint growing out back. Mmmmmmm. I will be buying another bag of limes just to make it!
And then, there was another recipe I hope to try as well. An Almond Berry Crumble to be exact. I wasn’t able to bake it today, but there’s always hope for tomorrow, right?
If you’re interested in “food” blogs, here is a favorite of mine: The Pioneer Woman. She’s a sassy writer, uses great bits of humor and lots of photos in her posts. And her recipes are goooooooood. I’ve already tried several. In fact, most days when Google Reader pops up a new post of hers, I end up dropping everything to try her latest recipe.
Food blogs keep me completely inspired to stay IN the kitchen and make all I can from scratch. There’s a plethora of recipes available on the web from more sources than I’ll ever be able to find! Currently, I’m on a kick to find phyllo dough recipes as I have several sheets left in an opened package to use up. And I’ve found some mouth-watering recipes to try! More sweet than savory, as usual. I do love the challenge of cooking meals which are healthier for our family, and at the same time, are tasty. The dessert is always the easy part!
Yeah, I realize it’s been simply AGES since I’ve posted on here. And even longer since I’ve done any commenting. I don’t even log into my email account which sends my subs and yahoo group subs. No time. I do, however, try to check in at my site and see what’s going on with ya’ll every week or so. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve actually started a new blog post, only to leave it half finished for so many days that I’m no longer interested in writing it!
But life moves on, and despite the heat, we are doing well. Vacation Bible School has come and gone for this summer (my kids LOVE it!), and now they’re taking swimming lessons (lovin’ that too). Then, no more big plans--just kicking back, staying cool, drinking limemade…you get the picture. Overall I notice diminished activity on several favorite blogs; I know I’m not the only one who remains busy at home. Our precious 4th child has really changed our time management! But she’s so worth it, as they all are.
So anyway, I see a recipe for Homemade Limemade posted. Now who wouldn’t LOVE a drink like that when it’s hot outdoors? And let me tell ya, it was refreshing! I happened to have a bowl of key limes to use up, and I keep mint growing out back. Mmmmmmm. I will be buying another bag of limes just to make it!
And then, there was another recipe I hope to try as well. An Almond Berry Crumble to be exact. I wasn’t able to bake it today, but there’s always hope for tomorrow, right?
If you’re interested in “food” blogs, here is a favorite of mine: The Pioneer Woman. She’s a sassy writer, uses great bits of humor and lots of photos in her posts. And her recipes are goooooooood. I’ve already tried several. In fact, most days when Google Reader pops up a new post of hers, I end up dropping everything to try her latest recipe.
Food blogs keep me completely inspired to stay IN the kitchen and make all I can from scratch. There’s a plethora of recipes available on the web from more sources than I’ll ever be able to find! Currently, I’m on a kick to find phyllo dough recipes as I have several sheets left in an opened package to use up. And I’ve found some mouth-watering recipes to try! More sweet than savory, as usual. I do love the challenge of cooking meals which are healthier for our family, and at the same time, are tasty. The dessert is always the easy part!
Yeah, I realize it’s been simply AGES since I’ve posted on here. And even longer since I’ve done any commenting. I don’t even log into my email account which sends my subs and yahoo group subs. No time. I do, however, try to check in at my site and see what’s going on with ya’ll every week or so. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve actually started a new blog post, only to leave it half finished for so many days that I’m no longer interested in writing it!
But life moves on, and despite the heat, we are doing well. Vacation Bible School has come and gone for this summer (my kids LOVE it!), and now they’re taking swimming lessons (lovin’ that too). Then, no more big plans--just kicking back, staying cool, drinking limemade…you get the picture. Overall I notice diminished activity on several favorite blogs; I know I’m not the only one who remains busy at home. Our precious 4th child has really changed our time management! But she’s so worth it, as they all are.
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