Beautiful Blessings - 8/7/15

~ Listening to Lil' G research horses in the encyclopedia so she can figure out what kind of horse her toy horse is.

~ Listening to all the night-time bugs and birds and tree frogs.

~ Listening to Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance music.

~ Listening to the kids I babysat for the first time in months play with my sisters in the play kitchen...all sorts of yummy goodies made in that lil' kitchen!
~ Listening to kitties' soft steps and perfect purrs. <3

(He curled up on the end of my bed while I was napping <3 I love my Ansel!!)

More camping fun!

Okay, I first just want to brag about my amazing Mommy! She's had so much fun posting about Winslow and our camping adventures on her blog! I really think y'all would like them!

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

 Day 9

So check them out! My boring little post can wait! ;~D

I do have a few highlights that I want to share with you!

We built a tepee! Well actually we built 3 big ones and few small ones.

That was our first big one! ^^^ It was nice and roomy, but full of flaws.

So we built this one with the sticks from the first one.

I made another one for taller people, but we never got a picture of it.

I love this picture of my family! <3 Each of our personalities are showing!

We also got to visit a cave called Kunjamuk (pronounced cage-munk).

Doesn't it look like something from the LOTR books? I'm reading those while I'm up here.  :~) My sisters on the other hand associated it with The Secret Hideout with the Sugar Creek Gang.

Yesterday we got to see the high peaks of the ADK from an overlook!!!! I could stare at the mountains for hours...........sigh................

So pretty! So if you want to see Mt. Marcy, the highest mountain in New York, it's the middle bump on the farthest right cluster of mountains!

Aren't they sweet? They are getting too big!

I love this picture!

Well, we still have a few days of fun, so I'm off to enjoy them!!!

Saturday

• Laying under the pine tree
• Listening to children's laughter
• Learning about nature
• Loving children's inquisitive thoughts
• Listening to calls as the kids play
• Loving the expressions on their faces as we read books together
• Looking at them as they learn new games
• Learning how they grow
• Loving their grins as we hide in tents
• Looking out for each other
• Leading each other in silly games
• Living so Christ's love shines through
• Lingering watching them interact
• Laughing with and at each others shenanigans 
• Loving the time spent with one another
•  Living with each other in community
• Loving how we learn
• Learning how to love

Childhood

Fleeting Moments

I spread the green blanket on the grass. Book in hand, I recline upon it. From my seat I have a 360 degree view of the yard. The 3 older girls are playing in the back of the yard by the pine tree. They have a couple blankets, one is red, the other blue, spread on the ground, one on top of the other. They found the old metal pot to put "food" in.

A few plastic hula hoops, their sneakers, exploring gear, a brown play-dress, a lid for the pot, and a large plastic flower pot is upside down with a piece of plastic on top for a table/stove, are their treasures. The baby, who is definitely becoming a toddler plays near me. After a few minutes her curiosity is peaked and she heads over to see what they are up to.

I almost wish I could join them. Alas, childhood is slowly disappearing. Life happens, people grow. 2 of the girls run past with the blankets to the play-cube to "air" them. The other 2 girls are staying at "home" under the pine tree. By now my book is forgotten. Only a chapter has been read. I'm too interested in the play of the girls. The baby toddles over and sits next to me. She brings along a soccer ball.

Childhood is fleeting. If you blink, you'll miss it. I blinked, and suddenly they were pretending it was Christmas. I hold the camera to my eye, trying to find the perfect shot. As I do I realize it's harder to watch their stories unfold under the tree. I set the camera aside, along with my notebook and pen, and just enjoy the fleeting moments of childhood.

Excitement for March!

Anybody excited for March? I know I am!

Especially with the blog series I'll be doing! :~D

Starting March 1st, and continuing throughout every day in March, I shall be doing a photo essay called:

"People of Jordan"

I figured that a fun way to start, would be to introduce you to Booker Bramley. He lives at Jordan Bramley Library. He's been at the library for several months now. He loves attention! He also enjoys sitting on the desk, perching on top of the book shelves, and curling up in the reading chair in the children's section.

34 days till X'mas

My sister (6) is trying to earn enough money to buy Christmas presents.

She is very excited to only have $1.50 left to earn.

I set up a bank for her, she is earning $7.56. She spent a $1.08 on present.

She is very excited with the prospect of buying presents.

She made herself a list with the person's name and the present she wants to get.

You can easily do this with your family.

My sister is having a blast. And she is learning about tax and a little math too.

What do you do kids that want to buy gifts for people?

A Wonderful Painting

I was doing my Art History book today, and this was a featured picture.

The lady on the right was asking to see Cornelia (the standing lady) jewels. She brought out her kids. They were her jewels.

The picture had comments about it, and this one was the one that struck me:

A truly noble woman places her children above material possessions. 

I like that!

Angelica Kauffmann, Cornelia Pointing to Her Children as Treasures, 1785, oil on canvas, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. 

Clutter

I think everyone despises that word.

Everyone has clutter.

Admit it!

I have been non stop busy to keep clutter down.

I never noticed how much I despise it until I started cleaning the house to get ready for my baby sister.

Between toys, laundry, books, and supplies, and more it just becomes one big mess!

Note: We have been caught up on laundry, the whole house. Now we just have to find a place to store laundry baskets! ;~)

My goals have been to cut back on clutter, in fact a lot of people have that goal.

I recently cleaned my room; I share with my 2 year old sister.

I cleared out half a garbage bag of stuff under my dresser and one corner. Not much can fit under that dresser.

The library was cleared of 2 bags of junk we will never use for crafts.

It is tough for me to toss, I get sentimentally attached to things.

I have a hug box of papers I am attached to. I will never get rid of it, too many memories.

Anyways, clutter is a big issue, and I was enjoying a sweet clean house.....

........then the clutter monster creeps in on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over house and garage
on silent haunches
and then moves on. (Carl Sandburg [my version] :~)

Not. 

It does not.

I repeat does NOT leave. 

Unless I put it away. 

Everyone complains, I never have time. 

Get off the computer.

Surprise your Mom, Dad, Grandparents, Spouse, Roommate, Children, Friends, and do something about it! 

The stairs in our house is the worst offender, piano bench comes a close second followed by everything else... 

I did something about it. I cleared everything off except the stair baskets. 

We have the M&L's room basket, with baby T things. 

And we have the S&G basket.

We also have a rule. And it is working. 

When you go up at nap-time or bedtime the basket must be empty and everything put away. 

That was a week ago and I was the worst offender! (I didn't put the extra sweater away). 

My next project.... hmm.... 

The two 36" baskets filled and over flowing with coats no one fits, uses at the moment, and becomes socks and stuff dumping ground. It won't make the computer/office room cleaner but it will help! :~)

What will you tackle?

(I am just as busy as you! :~)

Brownies, the BEST EVER

I made some brownies last night. Unfortunately, they are gone.....

They are the best homemade brownies. EVER

They were... :~)

So good, I memorized the recipe, while I made them. 

Lets see,

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 stick (half cup) of butter (melted)

Mix them together.

• 1/2 cup of flour
•  dash of vanilla (didn't have this on hand, but you might want it)
• 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder

Mix that with the rest of the ingredients.
Put chocolate chips to make it taste......more chocolatey!
Use semi sweet AND milk chocolate chips, if you are adventurous!
For extreme adventurous use chocolate chips and crushed pretzels.
After you try pretzels on top, you'll never want nuts again... they are boring.....

Bake at 350 Fahrenheit, for 30 minutes. I used a pie pan.

When they are done, sit down with, a good book, tea, and the WHOLE pan!

If the brownies were detected by a sibling/children/spouse, share.

Maybe ;~D