It's all in the noticing

Gratitude. A deep-down sense that God is good and that life is a gift. It's there for the taking. Sometimes, though it's all in the noticing. I can't notice when life is whizzing by. I can't notice when I'm so tired my eyes don't focus. Noticing happens best in the slow time.

I have to stop. Be still. And notice. 

It helps to wake up in my own room in the "kids' wing," the one with the beautiful blue walls and the ceiling fan. In the house where I'm not the most grown up grown-up of all.

There is a winding country drive, early Sunday morning, to monastery quiet nestled in the hills.

The sky is so blue and the hills so green.

The church bells ring out when Mass begins and again when Our Lord is present. Bells ring, echoing off the hills, filling an early Sunday morning with the sound of pure joy.

I am sitting outside this church with a squirmy Sarah Annie. We notice a bird with a hollyberry in his beak, a butterfly flitting from flower to flower, weeds in the garden (she wants to pull - "to help the sisters). We are stilled, heads bowed at the sound of the bells.
 

Breakfast after church. The Mudhouse Cafe. Fair trade, local, organic, friendly, cozy, small town perfect.

A soy mocha latte that tastes more like coffee than chocolate--mocha perfection.

 

Art for breakfast.

And then on to the orchard.

Yep. She'll ask Grandpa for peach ice cream at 10 in the morning. And yep, she'll get it.

 

It's a beautiful day. She's styling her shades. Let's get out and pick.

Precious cargo.

{Dear, sweet man.}

Nothing says Virginia morning like the smell of fresh peaches and the sight of crepe myrtles in the sun.

To Mint Springs Lake, where there little girls can lie on their bellies in the sun and run their fingers through the sand.

Just sit on the shore, toes in the water, and inhale. 

This friendly competition did NOT end in screaming and shouting the revisiting of game rules. Mountain miracle, no doubt.

Just a day. One day. Not a fancy vacation in a far-off land. Not a two week reservation and a ticket to ride. Just a day. Surrounded by people I love and people who love me.

In a place that never fails to remind me how loved we are by the Master Artist who created it.

Joining Ann to count blessings, except I've again lost count..

To Be Weightless...

Kate Wicker's new book is for sale at last. I had the privilege of reading this book before publication and this was my reaction:

If you are a woman, if you love a woman, if you parent a little girl who will one day be a woman, this is a vitally important book for you. Rare is the family that is untouched by negative body image, whether it's just the longing to lose a few pounds or a full-fledged eating disorder. Women--and even very little girls-- today are bombarded by messages that they are not beautiful enough. "Look younger! Look thinner! Just don't look like you, because you aren't good enough!" With honesty and candor, Kate Wicker takes a thoughtful, prayerful look at those messages. She counters the voices of society and, frankly, the voices in our own heads, with wisdom from the Church and the healing words of God.  I wholeheartedly recommend this book as a valuable tool in reclaiming femininity and authentic beauty for ourselves and our daughters.

Please note: I'm not being compensated for this endorsement in any way. I don't even own a copy of the book (yet). But I truly do believe that this is an invaluable, important resource for any woman and for parents of girls, particularly. We've got to stop this cycle. I know that Kate's thoughtful words were a blessing to me. I can't say enough about the book and the conversation it is sure to fuel.

Intentional Weekend: Fields of Treasure and Jewel-Colored Glasses

 

 

Strawberry season is long past and I just downloaded pictures from my camera. Alas, no pictures of jewel-colored jam. All good, we're moving on to blueberries and peaches.We'll have jewel-colored glasses in short order.

I do, however, have an awesome pie recipe that works well with blueberries and even peaches (add a little cinnamon). Below, I tossed a few peaches in with the strawberries. I like to play with this recipe. It's forgiving and if it doesn't quite hold together, no one ever seems to mind.

Baked Pie Shell

1 quart fresh strawberries or blueberries

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water (plus some extra for the cornstarch)

3 Tbsp cornstarch

1 Tbsp lemon juice

whipped cream

• For strawberry pie, fill pie shell with 3 cups strawberries. (I slice them in half.)
• Crush 1 cup berries in pot. Add sugar and water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
• Mix cornstarch with a little cold water and whisk slowly into berry mixture. Cook until clear and thickened.
• Remove from heat. Add lemon juice.
• For strawberry pie, pour glaze over filled pie shell. For blueberry pie, pour 3 cups blueberries into glaze and stir until coated, then pour into pie shell.
• Chill and serve with whipped cream.

{The original recipe came from my friend Barbara who is currently experimenting further with fruit pies.}

Our two favorite farms are Hartland Orchard in Markham, Virginia and Homestead Farm (over the Potomac from Leesburg via ferry) in Poolesville, Maryland. We're in Charlottesville this weekend. Picking is good at Carter Mountain Orchard and, towards Crozet, Chiles Peach Orchard. 

Happy weekend! Go do something intentional:-)

{this moment--or two}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.  Photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

 
Two moments, really.

They were the little girls, in their first ballet school.

And now they're the teachers.

Daybook on a Fine Morning in July

Outside My Window

PIles and piles of trash and recycling, awaiting pick up. We have conquered the cleaning and clutter in this place. Hooray!

I am Listening to

Sportscenter.

I am Wearing

A pink polo shirt and capris.

I am so Grateful for

the opportunity to be home with my children. So grateful.

I'm Pondering

The second problem I see is overscheduling. Most mothers I see allow their kids' schedules to get completely out of control. Evenings and weekends are spent racing from one music or athletic event to another. I know because I made the same mistake when my kids were young. If this is a struggle for you, simplify life for everyone by adopting the "One Rule." Tell each child he may choose one after-school activity per grading period. This sounds outrageous to some parents who want their kids to excel in many different areas and who most certainly don't want to deprive opportunities. But remember one thing: Whenever your child is on the soccer field, he's deprived of time with you and the family. And which does he really need more time with in order to grow up emotionally and mentally sound?

Cutting activities from a child's schedule seems heretical for a modern-day parent. Let's face it, we are competitive with the parents in our child's class and it's hard to be home watching the other kids' parents pulling out of the driveway on their way to ski practice while you and your kids are sitting down at the kitchen table to tuna noodle casserole. But whenever you neighbor takes off with a car full of kids at dinnertime, remember that you and your kids are the real winners. You aren't doing nothing with them; you are building stronger relationships with them. And kids need better relationships more than they need more practice at any sport or extracurricular activity. They will never regret time at home

 10 Habits of Happy Mothers

Really taking this to heart as I look at the season ahead. We generally adhere to the One Rule, but it's nice to see it in print.

I am Reading

10 Habits of Happy Mothers. Good stuff here. Really good stuff.  I'm listening to the Audible version on Kindle.  Actually, I just finished.  I'm planning to do a book study here, beginning next week. Join us? Get the book and meet me back here on Thursday.

My current, fun, treat-after-massive-housecleaning book is Signature Styles: Twenty Crafters Stitch their Look. I don't really--ahem--have a style. It's pretty much a look in the closet and wear what fits kind of thing. There's no budget for it and for so many years I've been pregnant or postpartum or nursing that complete utility has dictated what I wear. Furthermore, it's hard for me to spend money on my own clothes for some reason. I always head out to buy myself something and end up at a kids' clothing store. Since what fits right now is often eight years old or older,  I'm guessing I'm dated. But I'm going to work on it and this book is lots of fun!

I am Thinking

This post. I remember when I was just beginning my first post-cancer year. I'm listening carefully to what Libby is thinking these days. For me, they are refresher courses. And she is so in my thoughts and prayers. Click over. It's one of those posts that might just change your life.

I am Creating

~ a new cap sleeved sweater. All the pattern links appear to be dead ends. Maybe there's some editing happening?

~embroidered appliques on some old denim capris. I'm so inspired by this embroidery tutorial. What a generous sharing of such great information!

On my iPod

Craftsanity podcasts. So far, this one is my favorite.

Towards a Real Education

We have begun to plan. News forthcoming. 

Towards Rhythm and Beauty

Clean and uncluttered really has its own beauty, doesn't it? 

And now, we've lived here ten years. I think it might be time to make some curtains. But I'm not going to rush it.

To Live the Liturgy...

Look for a post soon on preparing to celebrate the feast of St. Joachim and Anne.

I am Hoping and Praying

for Elizabeth deHority. She is constantly on my heart and in my prayers. She needs you now. Please, please pray with me. 

 for a friend for whom life has been exceptionally difficult and lonely

for Libby Ryder and family

 In the Garden

Those tomatoes aren't looking very healthy. I do hope that we have some tomatoes from our garden. I am consoled however, that a tomato you-pick place is about a mile from my house. If all else fails, we'll pick there.

Around the House

My house is so happy! My kids are so proud of themselves! We did it, all the way down to the innermost crevices of the basement. I feel like I can take on the world--at least the domestic arts world:-)

From the Kitchen 

Raw honey. Did you know that raw honey is an excellent balm imeediately after a kitchen burn? It really lessens the sting and is nearly miraculous in reducing healing time to a matter of minutes.

One of My Favorite Things

Road trips down 29 to my favorite college town.

A Few Plans for the Week

We're heading to Charlottesville for a couple of days of spoiling and theater and lakeside fun.

Picture thoughts:

 

How I've solved my tension problem. In more ways than one;-) Machine here. Iced coffee here.