Daybook Today

Outside My Window

Rain. Lots of it. .

I am Listening to

Ballet music. The girls are dancing in the other room, twirling to begin their day. I love ballet music; it easily could be the soundtrack of my days.

I am Wearing

a sweatshirt over my pajamas. I'm freezing again. Clearly my thyroid meds need adjusting.I"m eyeing my sweaters and thinking that I need to replenish there. Sweaters are my friends.

I am so Grateful for

truth.

I'm Pondering

“Everything in all the books I once pored over is finished for me now. Penelope Leach. T. Berry Brazelton. Dr. Spock. The ones on sibling rivalry and sleeping through the night and early-childhood education, all grown obsolete. Along with ‘Goodnight Moon’ and ‘Where the Wild Things Are,’ they are battered, spotted, well used. But I suspect that if you flipped the pages dust would rise like memories.”

“…the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make…I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three of [my children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4, and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.” 

--Anna Quindlen

I am Reading

mostly teacher's manuals this week as I get up to speed.

I am Thinking

my wedding anniversary is next week. And September has been for me, for many years, a month of awaiting birth and celebrating birthdays. I'm thinking a lot about all these years and all these babies since that wedding day. I'm thinking about things I regret, things I'd do differently if I had them to do again. Thinking about all the new things I want to do and wondering if I'm too old. Mostly, though, I'm thinking about how blessed and beautiful this life really is.

I am Creating

sewing:

I have two red-riding hood capes finished and third well underway. I stitched most of the day yesterday--such a cozy sewing day.I'm a big fan of rainy days, particularly when they follow very active weekends. Karoline loves to be in the sewing room with me, just chattering away and playing with wooden dolls. She keeps me entertained. And warm.

I'll be back in this space a little later today to show you the capes.

knitting:

still working on last week's projects.

On my iPod

nothing new...But I will be watching Ann Voskamp and Lysa Terkeurst Yes to God Webcast tonight at 8:00. All the details here.

Towards a Real Education

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain and Drawing with Children. Today, we draw:-)

Towards Rhythm and Beauty

This is the final week of staggered schedules. Mary Beth still hasn't begun her full dance schedule and we add in one more soccer training. Yesterday was a holiday. We're ramping up and I'm adjsting as we go.

I am Hoping and Praying

for the wildly successful launch of a new show on ESPN next week

 In the Garden

I'd like to plan some autumn crops. Any ideas?

Around the House

Things are a bit untidy this morning. The weekend was full of running hither and yon for soccer. I didn't get home until after 9 Sunday night. We were up super early yesterday for the finals and then the boys went back to Maryland to go to the University of Maryland football game. They've been home just long enough to make messes and laundry and not long enough to do chores. We'll set that to rights this morning. 

From the Kitchen 

Right now, just a cup of Earl Gray tea with a splash of almond milk. Perfect for a very gray morning that promises only a grayer day.

One of My Favorite Things

Mike. Well, he's not a thing, but he's a favorite. Sarah's new favorite thing to talk about: "Daddy's in love with you mommy? Yes, Sarah. And you are in love with Daddy? Yes, Sarah. And you are married? Yes, Sarah. And you love me? Big hugs all the way around. About a dozen times a day. Favorite.

A Few Plans for the Week

Settle in to the new routine; settle well. Summer's truly finished. I'm sorry to see it go.

Picture thoughts:

 
 
morning soccer in style

Daybook

Outside My Window

The sun shines brightly. It's just a matter of minutes, I'm sure, before the haze settles. Today's true temperature is forecasted to be 100 degrees. Not even looking at the "feels like." 

I am Listening to

The hum of the refrigerator. 

I will never tire of these two and their ferocious hugs. They just love each other so much and they hug with such intensity.

I am Wearing

A t-shirt, boxers, and a bathrobe. And it's going to take all kinds of self-discipline to force myself to get dressed this morning.

I am so Grateful for

my father and stepmother and all the effort they put into our weekend in Charlottesville.

Joyful anticipation at the top of the slide.

I'm Pondering

You don't need a perfect world to teach well. You need a perfect strategy. You need a strategy that does not involve manipulating events that are largely out of your control. Each year I have discerned "what" we need to accomplish. We make checklists to help us stay on track and cover the necessary ground.  The "when" of it varies but it always happens and surprisingly well.  Real life and real learning are unnerving to those who are wedded to absolute control. With faith and a fun loving attitude you can roll with the punches and thrive. It just requires a bit of thinking outside the box. : )

~more here. 

I am Reading

Revisiting August Inspiration. Thinking lots of the same thoughts. Weaving new plans from old ideas.

I am Thinking

that I need to spend this week taking really good care of myself because the rest of the summer is going to require 100%.. 

kids and canoes: summertime bliss; those are Elizabeth DeHority's children with mine

I am Creating

sewing:

this week's projects from Stitch-by-Stitch are eye masks and buttoned belts.

knitting:

I didn't touch  tiny tea leaves cardigan until Sunday. I was just feeling too sick all last week to knit much. So I missed the opportunity to get Ginny and Elizabeth help me pick up stitches. I did knit yesterday though, and it's really happy the way it's all turning out. Mary Beth and Elizabeth had a chance to work out legwarmer details.

On my iPod

Chris Young.

Towards a Real Education

I'm making a list of things *I* want to learn this year and gathering some resources. I have this sense that one of the best things about home education is learning alongside one's children in a very tangible way. So, I want to learn

~to sew garments and to tailor the fit.

~to upholster furniture.

~to draw well

~to embroider well

~to golf (Actually, I don't much want to learn this "skill" but I think I should. Mike tried to teach me to play twice, once when I was about 14. It's one of my earliest memories of him. I was so flustered by his arms around me trying to teach me to hold the club that I didn't hear a word he said. Then, he and my dad tried a few years later. They were both so frustrated by the second hole that I just tagged along and enjoyed the setting. I seem to remember being forbidden to drive the cart, either.) My kids have gotten the golf bug and this is a good season to begin, I think. Nicky will let me borrow his clubs.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty

Mike stayed home last weekend while we were away. He focused on tying up some loose ends from his production company and cleaning a bunch of stuff out of his home studio (the sewing studio by day;-). He had a quiet, productive weekend in his house. He so needed that and I'm grateful he was able to have the time. 

  

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 all the people who have written me recently to ask for prayers.

for healing

 In the Garden

We have tomatoes. Not many, but some. Next year, I'm going to draw garden plans in February, consult experts, and do this right.

Around the House

I don't know. I just got home. I need to evaluate.

From the Kitchen 

This is the first week of Patrick's assumption of grocery duties. I think he'll do the Costco run and I'll do Trader Joe's.

One of My Favorite Things

Mint Springs Lake.

A Few Plans for the Week

Doctor's appointments this morning.

Mary Beth is having some friends here this afternoon to hang out at the pool later today.

Mike has some travel plans and they keep changing. 

Soccer practice has begun.

Soccer practice has begun...

That was a very good summer. I'm sorry to see it end.

Picture thoughts:

Pictures are from lakeside days last weekend. I wasn't real quick on the shutter button, I'm afraid. I was actually barely moving as I "nursed" abscessed mastitis. so I missed a lot. Ginny did much better.

Daybook: August Already?

Outside My Window

The heat index is 115 degrees. No, that was last week. The heat index today is only 100 degrees.

I am Listening to

Pandora. 

I am Wearing

A very lightweight red cotton tunic and white cargo capris. 

I am so Grateful for

friends who pick up right where we left off and love you forever.

I'm Pondering

But what I love most about embroidering is the physical effect that doing it has on my body: blood pressure goes down, worries fade, breathing evens, mind stops racing with thoughts of all that needs doing. Practicing embroidery gives your body and your brain a chance to slow down and stitch itself back together after a long day or a long year. This, I believe, is its true appeal. In the years since my accident, I can't even count how many people have told me that doing has handwork saved them; I know it saved me. Embroidery is just good mdeicine for so much of what ails us in the modern world.

~ Alicia Paulson, creator of Posie Gets Cozy, in Embroidery Companion. 

 .

I am Reading

the aforementioned book. Lovely.

I am Thinking

about comments on this post and this one. You all offer great food for thought. 

I am Creating

sewing:

We made three bound mats: two for knitting needles and one for a Kindle (more on that tomorrow). And we made 5 aprons on the Feast of St. Martha and we have two more cut and fabric for two more than that. We are on an apron roll:-)

 My focus is on knitting this week. I'm working on my tiny tea leaves cardigan so that I can get to the tricky part by Friday because I will be with BOTH Ginny and Elizabeth. I figure they can get me through tricky part pretty easily.

On my iPod

Pinterest.  There's an app for that! I may never read Facebook again. I've got Pinterest on my iPod for filling boring moments during which I otherwise would be mindlessly clicking through Facebook. Instead of random status updates, I go to Pinterest and get a visual fix. Pinterest is highly addictive. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Towards a Real Education

Everyone is in town this week. That means everyone is present for a little math, a little grammar, and a whole lot of summer reading. Mary Beth's summer reading list has been totally gutted. I was shocked, appalled and disappointed to find that the list from which I let her choose (the summer list from a private, Episcopal school) was heavy on titles that proved scandalous. She's pretty disappointed because she had high hopes. We've had several great conversations, though, so there's that.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty

August has a different rhythm than July. Around here, there's this August already sense. I need to make sure that I get those doctor , orthodontic, and dental appointments in now so they are less likely to disrupt the fall routine. It's in the details of doctors and dentist that my family feels enormous to me. The receptionists are always a bit shocked at how many time slots I need and that always makes me feel a bit overwhelmed. 

To Live the Liturgy...

I so enjoyed our St. Martha apron day that I think we have a new tradition. Everyone needs a fresh apron on a regular basis, I believe. So, now we have our official family apron day.

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 all the people who have written me recently to ask for prayers.

 In the Garden

Patrick has gone out to rescue his roses. He was in Dallas all last week and his roses were here. Baking.

Around the House

I'm getting serious about picking paint colors and looking at drapery and upholstery fabric. My sister, who has a great idea and is obsessively organized, has huge binders of color swatches and such. We need a pow-wow at my house.

From the Kitchen 

Working on the fall rotation menu and grocery list. I'm so looking forward to this. Patrick gets his license at the end of the week. I've been eager to hand off grocery shopping to him since he was about ten. He's a a good cook and a really frugal shopper.

One of My Favorite Things

My Janome sewing machine. Now that I've had some time to work with both my machine and Katie's Bernette, I can say I prefer the Janome. Several people have written to ask how I chose the Janome. I asked a friend of a friend (who forever will remain anonymous) which would be a better buy at the $300 Max price point, a Bernette or a Janome. She authoritatively said the Janome. She's a Bernina dealer. 

She was right.

A Few Plans for the Week

My first "mama" friend is coming tomorrow for a visit. She's never met my little girls, so I'm really looking forward to having her here. She said she recently had a dream that she was dancing with them. So, I see some Wii Just Dance Kids in our near future.

Patrick will take his driver's test and get his license, I hope.

We're going to Charlottesville for a long weekend. I'm going to hang out at the lake with Elizabeth DeHority and Ginny and all our kids and a couple husbands, too. Then, a re-run of the July trip.

Picture thoughts:

 

Daybook: Hot Enough For You?

Outside My Window

The heat index is 115 degrees. 

I am Listening to

A huge crowd of children from 2-16 playing a Wii dance game. Indoor exercise. Lots of giggling. Rather loud, really.

I am Wearing

Shoes. I have received two new pairs of shoes in the last couple of weeks. After Katie was born, my first time up after the c-section and epidural, I felt a shooting electrical pain down my left leg and around my arch. The anesthesioligist swore he had nothing to do with it. It hurt more or less, off and on, for about three years. In that time, I learned to love shoes with excellent arch support.  And I never went shoeless. "Barefoot and pregnant," cute as it sounds, is not a good idea. Lately though, I've gotten a little lazy. Shoeless or flip flops or even a cute pair of dress shoes.--none of them good ideas.

My shin swelled in a weird way. My foot hurt. My knee hurt. I whined a lot. My child with a Nike connection presented me with these one fine morning. In bright pink. He was so dear and so proud of himself for listening carefully to my whining. So sure he'd solve my foot problems. And, oh yes, these shoes are awesome. Really, really good!

But they look a little weird with skirts and such. So, another package arrived with these. Aren't they darling? And they do everything they promise for arches and ouches. Because my husband is awesome, too.

So, there you go. I'm wearing shoes. All. the. time. (I was going to take a picture, but my pedicure looks like it was painted on by a two-year-old. Because it was.)

I am so Grateful for

air conditioning.

I'm Pondering

 "Wait the kids set the table at your house? You mean like in the movies?" 

~spoken by a dinner guest of Katie's at our house one night last week. And she has me thinking, really thinking, about what the kids "get" to do around here.

I am Reading

10 Habits of Happy Mothers. Good stuff here. Really good stuff.   Actually, I am re-reading.  Thursdays, here on this blog, we are digging deep and getting to know this book, these habits, and each other.  We've started talking here .

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!

And I'm carefully reading Stitch by Stitch and hoping that when I figure out a style, I'll actually be able to make the vision come to life. We shall see...

I am Thinking

about whether Sarah meant forever when she told me she was "all done with nunnies" last night. Actually, I'm trying not to think about it. Guess I'll know tonight. Yeah. Trying not to think about it. It's nearly bedtime, though. So we shall see. 

I am Creating

knitting:

just finished a sweater for Karoline (details on Ravelry)

sewing:

a reversible tote bag

or two (Mary Beth)

or three (Katie)

On my iPod

Pinterest.  There's an app for that! I may never read Facebook again. I've got Pinterest on my iPod for filling boring moments during which I otherwise would be mindlessly clicking through Facebook. Instead of random status updates, I go to Pinterest and get a visual fix. Pinterest is highly addictive. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Towards a Real Education

Christian all registered. Patrick all registered. Everyone else all planned and purchased for the fall term. Feeling rather relaxed about the whole thing. Fancy that. 

Towards Rhythm and Beauty

Michael has a new real life job. He's working the overnight desk at USAToday. That means he leaves for work at 6PM and arrives home around 4AM. Moms have trouble getting to sleep until all the chicks are in the nest. Trust me, I'm working hard to overcome instinct in this case. 

To Live the Liturgy...

We'll celebrate St. Anne this week.

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 all the people who have written me recently to ask for prayers.

 In the Garden

I dearly hope that when this heat breaks we will be able to breathe life into the garden once again. Poor, wilted lovelies.

Around the House

Now that I know who will be home for the fall (everybody), it's time to draw up a new housekeeping list.

From the Kitchen 

Peaches. Peaches. Peaches. Can't get enough of them. Can't keep them stocked in the fridge.

One of My Favorite Things

Homecomings. Oh, I know I've said it before, countless times. And I know I said he wasn't going to travel any more. But travel he does and so homecomings are still one of my favorite things. 

A Few Plans for the Week

St. Anne

various doctor and dentist appointments

knitting, sewing

heavy duty yardwork as soon as the heat breaks

Picture thoughts:

 

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.