Home Life

 Facebook memories reminded me that we had snow two years ago...

And that Elsa and I went out to give the tulips and daffodils a word of encouragement.

I'm not sure if we were behind schedule that year, or ahead this year, but today the grass is green and my daffodils are in full bloom.

We are enjoying a lazy Saturday morning, keeping the house quiet and allowing the kids to sleep in.

Micah and I crossed paths in the kitchen and had our annual early spring conversation on plans for the gardens and orchard this year.

We stood at the kitchen window sipping coffee, making remarks on the yellow finches at the feeder, and establishing what we'll do with that empty, awkward spot in the flower bed.

A reasonable plan was confidently decided as we poured fresh coffee, made our way to the other window, and discussed the demise of a dwarf spruce that sadly didn't survive the winter.

We laughed at the house cat leaping at a red cardinal as a few children, one by one, made their way down the staircase and into the living room to watch vintage episodes of Bugs Bunny, a Saturday morning tradition.

After instructing Micah on what exactly I'd like hauled to the dump, starting a batch of laundry, and thinking about the two pounds of ground beef I've been thawing in the fridge for days but can't seem to find time to fry up, I realize how peaceful our home life is and how lucky I am.

I'm thankful I learned as a young wife how to accept people for who they are, instead of miserably trying to coerce family situations into my ideal.

Everything seems better when it's uncontrived, anyway.

The kids have been finishing up their school work for the year. The girls completed their Language Arts course this past week. To finish a book of lessons and assignments that we've been working on since August always feels like quite the accomplishment!

We're all so proud!

I'm looking forward to the completion of the school year, so I can move my attention and efforts to the gardens.

A beautifully mild, sunny day this past week required all my self-control not to zip over to the nursery down the road for plants and flowers.

Looking ahead at the weather tells me we still have a few nights below freezing approaching.

It's okay. I can be patient. I have a book to finish.

Lately I've been into reading children's books for my own enjoyment.

Before you laugh at me, remember C.S. Lewis said, "A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good story in the slightest. No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally - and often far more - worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond."

It started with, Heidi, by Johanna Spyri.

That book was pure delight, and even changed the way I viewed the majestic row of pines that, now in my mind, stand knowingly and authoritatively on the other side of our meadow.

Then I read, The Good Master, by Kate Seredy.

I bought it for Nola a few years ago, so she read it first, but it, too, was bewitching.

Both stories possessed a striking similarity in that there was a sickly, spoiled, city character who moved out to the country and found healing. Of course, having lived out in the country myself for the past fifteen years, the idea of fresh air, sunshine, forests, streams, slow-living and privacy having a profound impact on a person is not lost on me.

"He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me." Psalm 18:19

I now find myself half way through the enthralling, Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls.

I have a vague memory of having to read this in sixth grade. But that was so long ago, the story seems fresh and new to me now.

I hope to be finished by the time my tulips are in bloom, then I'll pass it on to Soren to read.

The main character reminds me so much of him.

💐

~ Courtney 

A Beautiful, Hearty Stew

The moment I learned that the author of a blog I follow had published a cookbook, I ordered two right away. One to keep, and one for a friend.

I perused through it a few times and found the recipe I wanted to attempt first.

It starts out very familiar - sauté carrots, celery, and onion in oil and butter. So I felt it was doable and wanted to give it a try.

It then becomes a very nutritious stew with chicken, beans and rice.

The author writes that she adds basil and bay leaves from her garden.

It made me long for my summer garden again.

I've planted a few small rows of simple vegetables in the past, such as lettuce, peas, and tomatoes.

I love stepping out into my garden on a warm afternoon to snip what I need to complete a salad or meal.

Nostalgically I was thinking of this, as I prepared a colorful salad to go with our stew.

The cherry tomatoes I was slicing up were cold and firm from the fridge, but the tomatoes I pluck out of my garden each summer are warm and surprisingly sweet.

Yes, it will be nice to have a garden again.

We enjoyed this hearty, nutritious meal tonight with homemade cornbread on the side.

In the cookbook, the author makes the eye-opening point that mothers can view their work in the kitchen as a ministry.

How inspiring!

Not only are we feeding their tummies, but feeding also their love and loyalty for home and family.

How can cooking become drudgery with an outlook like that!

I've always been fond of creating beautiful meals for my family, but I appreciate a renewed sense of purpose on the matter.

💐

~ Courtney 

Highlights from Washington D.C.

I love it when the first of a month falls on a Monday.

It really feels like the start of a new chapter.

We are still warm and fuzzy from our Easter festivities yesterday.

 This line from The Good Master by Kate Seredy nicely describes a special family Easter...

"Mother invited them to eat anything they liked. Visitors came and left; the kitchen was always full of people and laughter. She liked the verses they spoke, she liked the boundless hospitality, she liked ever so much to be there and enjoy it all!"

March was a busy month for our family.

On the flight home from D.C. I jotted down the places we visited and the sights we saw on a scrap piece of paper from the bottom of my purse. I didn't want to forget all that we did together.

In a way, that's how I've viewed this blog... A place to "park" pictures and stories so we don't forget all we've been through as a family.

Here are some of the highlights from our trip...

Day 1. Capitol/ Library of Congress/ Holocaust Museum 

Day 2. Smithsonian Museum/ Prince Caspian show

Day 3. Archives/ White House

After waiting in a long line, I am finally ready to view the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. 

It was surreal to see these three original documents in person.

Day 4. Capitol Hill Baptist Church/ Washington Monument

Day 5. War Memorials/ Lincoln/ Arlington Cemetery 

Witnessing the very somber, very elaborate changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider was one of my favorite parts of the whole trip.

I will write more about that in another post...

(Remember, I'm still experimenting with shorter, more frequent posts on this blog. I need to do better recording for my family!)

"At the Lord's command, Moses recorded the stages in their journey." Numbers 33:2

🌷

~ Courtney 

Happy Easter

 An Easter morning from years gone by...

These are my grandparents with my dad, aunt and uncle as children.

I especially like my aunt and grandmother's white Easter bonnets.

Although I'm sure we won't look as snazzy as this, I have my family's clothes hung and ready for tomorrow, as well as the tables set for Easter lunch.

I still have to set out the silverware. 

That requires me to dig out my heavy, wooden box of silver from the very bottom of my china hutch, which I've been putting off all day.

Instead of names on the place cards, I decided to write a Bible verse on each one that we will read together as a family before the prayer.

I carefully selected the verses and placed them in order around the table.

In keeping with the theme of the centerpiece, as each person takes their turn to read, it will tell the story of Jesus' birth, sacrifice, and resurrection. 

The kids' table is in the kitchen...

It's all about spring bunnies!

These plates, as well as the ones on the main table, are from Hobby Lobby. They're so pretty but paper thin. I hope that won't be a problem for my guests!

It certainly will make my life easier during clean-up!

I am fortunate that everyone is bringing a dish to pass tomorrow, so all I'll have to do is put the ham in before I leave for church.

I also bought a bakery cake and will make a large salad.

I hope you all have a beautiful Easter with family and friends.

🌸

~ Courtney 

Home Sweet Home from Washington D.C.

Our family just returned home from a spring trip to Washington DC.

🌷🌷🌷

I do enjoy touring new places, but I am unashamedly a homebody, so arranging for a trip feels bittersweet to me.

It's fun to think about waking up in a new city, yet I don't want to leave my home.

The daily rhythms I am accustomed to provide so much comfort for me.

The hum of the dryer, the smell of the coffee ...

The sound of the furnace clicking on, and my children playing their piano pieces ...

Home sweet home is my respite from the world and a good friend to me.

But I packed some springtime clothes and said goodbye.

Before we left I Googled, What people wear to tour Washington DC, and found this adorable young lady in a pink skirt with a trench style coat.

This is not my photo, and I don't know who this is, but she looks like she's living her best life, breathing in the fragrance of the cherry blossoms around her.

I hadn't thought about packing my trench coat, but she inspired me, as you can see...

The cherry blossoms, daffodils, and tulips were in full bloom!

What a joy it was to walk around such a historic and fun city!

I was worried about how my hip would do with so much walking, but with public transportation and trolley tours, we managed just fine.

While there, we celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary.

I was glad to have the kids along to help us celebrate, and also to provide them with a cultural experience.

Having lived in the countryside all their lives, it was educational for them to learn how to navigate a large city and comfortably use the Metro system.

Yes, comfortably is the key word, haha... They became so accustomed to it they'd goof off!

What a memorable week it was.

 I plan to add more photos in another post, but for tonight I am reestablishing my home rhythms that I've missed.

It feels wonderful to be settling back in -

listening to the hum of the dryer and the piano playing...

~ Ahhhh ~

Home sweet home.

💐

~ Courtney 

A Productive Saturday

 Micah took the kids to go visit a relative, and I decided to stay back to catch up on a few things at home.

I got all my errands in town done yesterday so I could enjoy an entire Saturday home alone with no where to go.

I put the day to good use!

I began with my typical Saturday chores, ticking them off my to-do list as I went...

Water houseplants  ✔

Dust and mop ✔

Clean bathrooms ✔

etc...

I felt inspired to do a few extra chores like wash all my pillowcases and bleach my kitchen sink.

Hip surgery has sure changed my perspective on things like housework.

I spent so many weeks in pain, unable to walk, bend, and work, that now I figure, hey! if I can do something comfortably, I will happily do it.

I thought about this as I pushed the vacuum over my living room carpet, grateful for a strong body again.

With my house clean and smelling fresh, I decided to tackle an Easter centerpiece next.

My vision was to highlight the birth, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This is what I came up with...

I may switch out the tulips for Easter lilies, if I can find some closer to Easter. But these tulips are lovely here. They are actually the most realistic fakes I've ever seen. We have a very nice home decor shop close by that sells good quality pieces. I splurged on these beautiful, faux tulips.

The Mary, Jospeh, and baby Jesus sculpture is from my Christmas Nativity. I dug it out of its box in the attic with this centerpiece in mind. But I purchased the wooden cross and risen Christ figurine.

As I stood in the decorative crosses aisle at the store, contemplating all my options, I noticed that most of them were artsy and cute. But the cross wasn't pretty! It was an, "Old rugged cross," as the hymn says.

I was happy to have found this one. 

I propped it up in a little base that Roman had made a few years ago for his iPad to sit in while it charged. It holds this tall, heavy cross quite nicely.

An old family hymnal, opened to Easter songs like, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," completes my little project, and I am happy to leave it like this. 

Simple but meaningful.

Another project I was determined to complete this weekend was reorganizing my clothes closet.

In preparation for my recovery last fall, I stocked my closet with sweatpants, joggers, and fleece pullovers.

It was the perfect wardrobe to recover from surgery and go to physical therapy in, but now that I'm doing so much better and getting out and about more, I can't find anything to wear!

I packed away about 80% of the comfy attire, and pulled from storage my blouses, jeans, and a few skirts.

If you ever need ideas and inspiration for your clothes closet, I would recommend the book, The Chic Closet by Fiona Ferris. This easy, fun read always gets me in the mood to up my style game.

I feel good about my productive Saturday.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I love all your "likes" and comments. They motivate me to keep writing!

💐

~ Courtney 

Keeping Busy This Winter

 I'm still energized from a late night "out on the town" last night.

Roman and I went to see Les Miserables at a local theater with friends.

The teenagers sat together, and we mamas sat in the row behind them.

It was a little... ahem... expressive in spots. When the house lights came on at intermission we looked at each other, wide-eyed, and one mama said, "Racy!" Another said, "Do you think the kids caught on to any of that?" We all reassured each other that we were certain any suggestive implication went right over their heads. *wink 

I was nervous beforehand about how my hip would do, but was thrilled when the night was over and I realized I was comfortable the entire evening.

Getting back into these normal, pre-surgery activities comfortably is a huge relief for me!

It was a great night and a great show!

Back at home today we were too entranced with the bright sunshine and warmer air to be cooped up inside. So we finished our schoolwork quickly and drove down to our lovely, nearby park.

I've been wondering lately about the little stream that flows at the park. I hadn't been down there since last fall.

With this milder than normal winter, was it thawed and flowing? Was the water level low due to the small amount of snow we've received this season? Would there still be ice chunks and stagnant water in places?

We decided today was a good day to found out.

😎

I was looking forward to a peaceful amble along the water. As much as I am attached to my route on our own trails, sometimes I crave a change of scenery.

I was curious if the smell of earth could be detected in the air. You know, that glorious early spring smell of earth that smells like fresh, clean soil? I also wanted to listen to the birds. Unfortunately, the birdsong at the park was faint, and there was no fragrance. That was wishful thinking on my part. It is still technically winter. 

But on days like this the hope of spring can be sensed in the air, so I am grateful for that.

This past weekend was quite different - very windy and cold. Nola told me she was bored. She had used up her allotted "screen time," and the beads for a project she was working on had run out. I thought about the activities I busied myself with as a child on boring winter afternoons. I told both my girls that sometimes for fun I would look through my mother's magazines for a beautiful and inspiring photo,  then try to recreate it on a separate piece of paper. 

If my mother was throwing away old, used magazines, I would also like to sit by the fire with a scissors and cut out images to use later for various crafts. 

This seemed to appease them for a while. Elsa looked through an old magazine of mine; animals being the chosen theme. She tore a few pages out, then attempted to draw them all on a piece of sketch paper to make a zoo.

One thing led to another, as things like this tend to do, and the next thing we knew we were at Hobby Lobby looking at craft and art materials to keep the girls occupied for the rest of winter.

Thankfully, places like Hobby Lobby are inexpensive enough that the girls could each pick something out.

One selected a paint by numbers kit. The other a How-to-Draw notebook. A bracelet making kit was 50% off so we grabbed one of those, too, for them to share.

It's nice to have supplies on hand for down time in the winter months. They've been happily busy with these quiet, creative pursuits, and I'm happy they have something productive to turn to instead of screens.

💐

~ Courtney