big day!

Today is a day for celebrating!

Not because of this.


Or this.

But because of this:

Happy THIRD Birthday, Joshua! How did you get to be such a big boy so soon?

(note: if you think your kids grew up fast - wait until you have grandkids!)

See you very soon, Josh. Have a wonderful day! Love you lots and lots!

stormy

They sent the school kids home at 1. I called my piano students and re-scheduled and cancel(l)ed.
were
The first storm hit at 3:30 ish. High winds, hail, thunder and lightning. Tornado warnings. This same pattern repeated itself another 6 times before 1 a.m.

We lost power at 7 p.m. ish. It is still not back on.

I'm sitting at our local wifi spot recharging our computer and phone (note to self - buy car chargers!!).

The photos from Alabama and Mississippi make me want to weep. A tornado touched down in our town (not sure where yet), but we were spared the devastation and death that hit south west of here.

Things I am for which I am thankful:
a fully charged laptop and a DVD to watch
a fully charged phone
a strong home
a camp stove (fried eggs this morning, cooked up on the back porch)
good lanterns
a protective husband
a GOD who loves me; regardless of what happens, I am safe

I have no idea when we will be up and running again. I'm so thankful I like camping!

not much, how 'bout you?

You may have noticed.

I have been in a blogging funk lately. Thinking about quitting, deciding not to, back and forth.

Posts will be less frequent for the time being - a few times a week (and hopefully better quality than of late...).

For now, though, I'm thinking about visiting these adorables. Soon.
What is going on with all of you?

on a hill far away

Up before dawn, we made our way over curvy roads higher and higher toward our destination. The eastern sky became lighter; then streaked with oranges and pinks.

When we arrived a table with a crisp white table cloth was set with a full wine goblet and a round loaf of artisan bread. The purple and white of the table were echoed in a lovely stand of lilac and white irises.

Quietly the participants arrived and set their lawn chairs up. The views from this spot are spectacular.

As the sun rose, various men of our group read passages from the gospels regarding the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Our pastor shared his thoughts on these passages, interspersed among the readings.

Then we each went up to the table, tore a piece of bread from the loaf and dipped it in the cup.

It was probably the most beautiful communion service I have ever attended.

After the service we visited for a while around a light breakfast, bagels, cream cheese and fruits..

We then departed for our nearest wifi hotspot. (Remember? We have dial-up at home.) The purpose was to watch Jon's church service - he was on the worship team. We got to see quite a bit of his left shoulder and occasionally his right hand as he played bass in the worship band.

But the highlight? At the end of the service, 4 people were baptized including one of the young men in the youth group. Andrew had asked that Jon baptize him.

Thanks to the wonders of technology, we were blessed to be able to see Jon perform his first baptism.

Our hearts were and are filled with gratitude.

To top off a lovely day, Mom and Dad came over for supper.

Today, the lilacs are in full bloom and the fragrance permeates our home.

And the blessings of God permeate our hearts.

Good Friday meditations

O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown:
how pale thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!

What thou, my Lord, has suffered
was all for sinners' gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
look on me with thy favor,
vouchsafe to me thy grace.

What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
O make me thine forever;
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love for thee.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

Tuesday tour - dining room

Okay, you asked for it. Well, Becky did. A house tour.

I feel a little funny about this, but also know that I enjoy seeing other folks' homes and perhaps one or two of my two or three readers would enjoy seeing our home.

For the record, since I made it clear that you do not want to take fashion advice from me (and got not argument), I also want to make it clear that you do not want to take decorating advice from me.

Not a decorator. Which you will recognize immediately when I show you around the house.


I love old things, surround me with old family pieces with stories and history and I'm a happy girl. No shiny and new for me.

However, the biggest compliment a friend ever paid me on our home? It is so peaceful here they said.

That warmed my heart.

So, peace to all who enter here:

For most of our married life this glass case cabinet resided in my in-law's basement. When Pat and his brother were growing up, this was their natural history museum, housing bits of nature the boys would find and bring home.

It currently holds other treasures. The plant on top was given to me by my church family when I had a lumpectomy. It was benign and this plant testifies to God's goodness and graciousness to me as well as the love of a wonderful church.

The two chubby people to the right of the plant are tea light holders brought back from Peru by Daniel when he was on a mission trip there. (He may have said that they two chubby people reminded him of us, we most likely had an appropriate retort.)




This china dates back to the 1880's. We found it after my mother-in-law's death all wrapped up and safely stored in a trunk. I had not seen it before and thought it beautiful and worthy of display. These are some pieces that belonged to my Grandma. Actually, only the cookie jar did, I found the little teapots at an antique store and have been on the lookout for 'rooster and roses' dishes ever since. Fond memories of eating at Grandma's every summer. Fresh tomatoes, new potatoes, crisp cucumbers, and most especially corn on the cob, picked from the field, husked and de-silked on the front porch, popped in the pot of boiling water and enjoyed immensely at the table.
Some beautiful pottery made by my very talented brother-in-law.
This 'wardrobe' (if you are very imaginative you can step into Narnia through this door...) was purchased with birthday money at a friend's antique and quilt shop. Pat was guiding during this time, so my friend Mary and I hauled it up our deck stairs and placed it in the living room.

It holds my wedding china and miscellaneous other serving dishes.

On top of the wardrobe is Pat's (old- won't say how old~wink~) rocking horse. Sock monkeys and a stuffed clown are taking a little ride. The mailbox and the stacking rings were also Pat's; the Norwegian horses are newer (but almost 30 years old now...). And in this corner, three picnic baskets, two from garage sales, one from my mother-in-law's complete with matching plastic (early plastic) plates and cups. The quilts? I made the cat one for my mother-in-law. The top quilt was made by Leah S. Leah was born in 1891 and made this quilt when she was 10 or 12. She gave it to my mother-in-law in 1979.

So, there you have my dining room. Full of family treasures. Nothing that would be featured in Country Living or House Beautiful.

But it is ours, full of family history, collected and assembled over time. It makes me smile.

if you would be beautiful...

our dogwood

I guess, I was a little ashamed of myself after Friday's blog post. Counting my clothes, really? People in Haiti would be thrilled to have as many clothes as I have. So would people living in shelters in northeast Japan - and some in the Raleigh NC area (thankful all our family members there are safe).

Since I am all about simplicity, by post was meant to inspire my readers to simplify - it greatly, well, simplifies your life! I love not having to agnozie over what to wear each day.

But I didn't mean to brag or sound callous.

The most important lessons about clothing and beauty, I learned from The Micky Mouse Club, my mother and God's Word. Not necessarily in that order.

Here is the lesson from the Mickey Mouse Club: (did anyone else ever see this?)

Beauty is as beauty does,

That's what wise men say.

If you would be beautiful,

Do this every day.

Help someone who's feeling blue,

Let kindness be your guide

For beauty isn't only looks,

Its what you've got inside

Wake up in the morning

And hop right out of bed.

You never will be beautiful

If you're a sleepyhead

From this blast from the past (seriously if you were born in the '50's or early'60's check out this link!)

Mom always encouraged me to focus on inner beauty - 'be beautiful on the inside, Cheri'. She modeled it as well.

And from God's Word:

Matthew 6:28-34

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

and

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. I Peter 3:3-4

Beauty. It has nothing to do with what is, or isn't in your closet.

one of our cherry blossoms

for Becky (and others)

In the words of the Car Talk guys, Tom and Ray, I'm not a slave to fashion. So, be very careful about accepting and implementing my fashion advice. But since fellow blogger and friend (though we haven't met) Becky just got a new job (yay!) and has to get a new wardrobe, here are my thoughts on the matter (and a few links to show you that if I am completely off my rocker, at least I'm not alone).

Here is a list of the contents of my closet:

• black skirt


• black dress pants (2) one in better condition than the other


• black exercise pants


• jeans (1)


• denim capris (2) one pair for going out in public, one for at home


• khaki capris


• black blouse (3/4 sleeve)


• blue blouse (3/4 sleeve)


• tan linen blouse (short sleeve)


• mint green blouse (3/4 sleeve)




• pink/tan/white striped blouse (3/4 sleeve)


• white blouse (long sleeve)


• white blouse (3/4 sleeve)


• black tee


• blue tee




• mint colored dressy tee


• white tee


• stained tee (suitable for at home only)


• black blazer


• tan blazer


• brown sweater


• striped sweater in muted grays and blues


• dark purple sweater

I also have two hoodies (one that is mostly ripped to shreds but is great for working outside in) and one gray turtleneck that I only wear for my early morning walks.

28 items including 5 things that are not suitable for wearing out in public. If I didn't work in the yard and garden, I'd really have a streamlined wardrobe!

Footwear includes: black boots, black slides (great with pants or skirts and comfortable as slippers) white sandals, black flip flops, and walking shoes. Oh, and a pair of worn out Crocs destined for this.

I'm not listing my unmentionables here, but rest assured there are enough to get me through the week and beyond.

This is what works for me. I do not work outside of the home, but if I did or if I were up in front in church, I would probably only add one skirt or dress and perhaps a pair of dressy khaki slacks.

Also, there is a new dress in my future when Daniel and Laura get married. :)

What works for you? Do you have lots and lots of clothes? Do you wear them all? Or could your wardrobe use some paring down? Please leave a comment - I'd love to know what your thoughts are?

Does a wardrobe a la Steve Jobs appeal?

Here are a few links to minimized wardrobes:

Living in Italy on what she packed in half a suitcase.

Seven steps to a minimalist wardrobe.

The minimalist wardrobe (aka the 10 item wardrobe).

and

How to manage your wardrobe with common sense.

Have fun perusing!

fine dining

This home is the first we have owned that has ever had a 'formal' dining room. Not that there is anything formal about our family. As I cleaned and polished last week, I thought about each piece of furniture and its history. Specifically the dining room (love the early morning sun that shines into the room - especially when there is a cheerful bouquet on the table). Pat and I purchased the table and chairs at an antique show in the northwoods. Probably the first and last thing we ever bought at an antique show. We had shopped long and hard. Price was important, but I knew exactly what I wanted (rare for me). It was pricier than we would have liked, but when I consider all the wonderful meal times with family and friends that have occurred here, I have no regrets. Lots of funny stories told here and great conversations. My favorite memories? Three boys sitting around the table books and papers spread out before them as they worked independently, yet together on their homeschool assignments. Where did those years go? If you look very carefully there is a faint inscription on the table - not a swear word, but not a word that I allowed in the house. It often accompanied the name Beavis. It appeared on the table the same summer that Jon babysat a troubled young boy in our home. I always assumed the young man had put that graffiti on our table. I have learned lately (now that they can outrun me and are bigger than I am) that perhaps someone else was the culprit. Now the dining room is mostly quiet. But pretty. Someday I will give you a photo tour of the whole room. I like quiet. And pretty. But I loved sitting around that table when it was noisy and crowded and cluttered, even more.

flop? not!

One would think, if one had invited many to attend an open house and no one showed up, it would be a flop. One would be wrong. Though none of our invited guests showed up - and in their defense, no one actually committed to coming, some had other engagements, others were just, well, non-committal- our pastor, his seminary buddy and our co-hosts were here. So the six of us sat in our (clean! yay!) living room and talked. Benjamin is an excellent 'question asker'. He asked about experiences we had with various traditions of partaking in the LORD's Supper. We discussed this for the better part of an hour. I love having discussions like this. Hearkens back to college days. How often do we take the time to sit with folks we fellowship with and talk about important things. It is fine to talk about the weather, the family, world events, the garden...but when we get down to talk about eternal things...well, that's what I'm talkin' about. And the other upside to the no shows? We are having a community open house in a few weeks. And those folks that didn't make it here Saturday night, may agree to come to that (especially since I have guilt working for me..teehee...) . ~~~~~ And in other completely unrelated news. How about this? Wow. I made this for my mother in law in the early '80's.

Tho' I'm not necessarily a cat person I love this quilt.

instead of blogging this week...

c'mon in!

I've been:

• mowing


• weeding


• trimming


• polishing furniture


• contacting folks


• straightening things


• dusting


• washing floors


• cleaning baseboards


• planting


• washing windows


• polishing floors


• baking


• organizing


• clutter busting


• making a recycle/garbage run to the dump

Most of this I would have done anyway to give the house a good spring cleaning. But the motivation of our open house tonight spurred me on to get everything done this week.

We have invited over a dozen people and not one has committed to come. Strangely, this does not worry me in the least. GOD will bring the people HE wants and if no one comes, we will have a nice prayer and fellowship time with our co-hosts and pastor.

And we will have a very clean house.

Have a great weekend!

how one thing leads to another

hoping the tulips hang on until our open house on Saturday

In the spirit of spring cleaning yesterday, I was following the advice of this blog post.

I spent a few hours applying Old English lemon oil to several pieces of antique furniture, including an ash table made by Pat's great-grandfather. Bringing the wood back to life and seeing the beautiful grain was very gratifying.

It also led to a trip into the past.

We have a lot of documentation of the life of Pat's great grandfather. The business he owned, the men he hired - including a couple of brothers - you may have heard of them - Wilbur and Orville Wright. Oscar was in the Wright place at the Wright time (har har) and got to witness history in the making. In fact, Pat's great grandfather was a pallbearer for Wilbur.

Once that piece was done, I moved on to a oak case with glass doors - once upon a time was a 'museum' for bits of nature that Pat and his brother collected. It currently holds various pieces of china and earthenware - some belonging to my grandmother, some to Pat's and some handsome pottery made by my brother-in-law. Still a museum of sorts.

The next furniture polished was a sturdy pine bookshelf. Pat's parents commissioned a Northwoods furniture maker to make this for us soon after Nathan was born.

One of the (unread by me) books on this shelf intrigued me. An old book, the copyright read 1899. The inscription was to Pat's maternal grandmother and was signed by Jessie Landis. Pat's grandmother would have been 8 when she received this book.

And that name Landis rang a bell. Jessie was ( I think) a daughter in law of Jacob Landis (see entry for March 6, 1862). Jacob served in the Union army during the Civil War. We have a 6 page letter dictated by him to Wilbur, his son ( I think) in 1923. This letter describes the battles he engaged in and the wounds he received. I will have to do some checking, but he is either Pat's great-great-grandfather or his great-great uncle.

After all the furniture was polished I sat down and read the book dedicated to Pat's grandmother The Birds' Xmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin (the author of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm). It is a sweet, sentimental story and a quick read. I'm sure Pat's grandmother enjoyed it very much.

With the furniture polished and the book read, the next job was grocery shopping, supper fixing and supper eating. After those tasks were accomplished my thoughts returned to Jacob Landis, our Civil War soldier. I dug his letter out of an antique dresser (also polished earlier) and decided to transcribe it. I can share it with you another day if you are interested.

I'm sure Jacob, who enlisted in 1861, never dreamed that a distant relative by marriage, 150 years later, would type his war musings into a Word document on such a thing as a computer. Or that you would google his name and find him on the web.

Interesting how one thing leads to another.

worship and work

one of our favorite spring sights - and it is in our own yard!

We visited the neatest little church yesterday. Since our core group meets on Sunday afternoons, we are encouraged to visit other churches until our plant is launched in September (Have you looked at our website yet? Pat spent hours and hours and hours editing the text. He did a super job!)

This little church that we visited is just 4 minutes from our house. How did we not find this before? It was wonderful - great message - great music. And we were made to feel so welcome; by the time we left three different people had given me their phone number. And they know we are part of another church plant! This is how the church should work!

The joy from yesterday's meeting spills over into today. The sun is bright, the temperatures warm - 61 degrees before the sun came up and projected to reach the lower 80's. The wind is stiff and will be bringing in some severe storms later today.

But I thoroughly enjoyed sitting on the back porch reading in Hebrews this morning. Birds are singing, wind whistling and the tulips and the hyacinths pictured above are swaying in breeze.

We are hosting an open house for our church here on Saturday, so spring cleaning begins today. Windows will shine, cobwebs will be banished and clutter will vanish.

The windows are open and I'm ready to work!

grateful

photo taken a few years ago when we visited Jimmy Carter's boyhood home

Down here in the south, I have noticed that folks use the word 'proud' a little differently. It doesn't always mean full of pride.

Instead it means happy or glad. "I'm proud to know you."

In that context, I'm proud to tell you that Jon arrived home in the wee hours of the morning after a 28+ hour trek home. Of course, that was nothing compared to the four days it took him to get there, but still.

I wish I could be a fly on the wall of their home this morning when Josh and Sadie wake up to find that daddy is home.

Many thanks to my sister, Suzi, who transported Jon to the airport and back and kept his car whilst he was gone.

~~~~~~

Have a super weekend everyone!