The Pink Victorian

Winter Song

2010-02-02T07:50:00.004-05:00

Spring is Coming!

Gutsy Mamas

2010-01-31T19:26:00.002-05:00

I rarely listen through an entire sermon and arrive at a preacher's intended take-away. It's actually evidence of my pitiful attention span more than a reflection of poor sermonizing.

This fine Sunday I found my mind wandering off to the end of Exodus 1 to visit with 2 of my favorite characters, Shiphrah and Puah. (unfortunate names nowadays)

The story goes that wicked Pharoah of ancient Egypt was interested in eliminating God's people and ordered these 2 ladies, Hebrew midwives, to kill all male Hebrew babies upon their births.

Nothing doing. Not only did these two gutsy mamas defy his order, they boldly lied to him and said that the hearty Hebrew women delivered the boys before they could even attend to the mothers. They apparently knew they were on the frontlines of a cultural and spiritual battle.

I am charmed by their nerve, and intrigued that God Himself seems to endorse the fact that they threw off the authority figure that He placed over them in favor of His higher purpose. Not sure I get that completely, but I am also struck by God's esteem of wifery and mothering, demonstrated by the fact that He rewards their fear of Him by giving them families of their own:

"So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own." Exodus 1:20

Do we daily see our opportunities as wives and mothers as being as precious as a reward? Do we honor those who embrace this calling as heroines? Are our households formidable op centers for a higher calling? Do we often enough gauge our trajectory and make the necessary adjustments?

This world needs more gutsy mamas!

Dolly Calling

2010-01-31T17:26:00.006-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I was having a rough morning. I had stayed up too late the night before, trying to "make breakfast" for some people who have gotten the better of me lately.

We woke up later than we should have and were met with a few household mishaps which we used as our lame excuses for treating each other poorly before going our separate ways for the morning. Safe to say the goodbye kisses at the door were not much more than obligatory.

I then granted myself the luxury of having a good boo-hoo at the kitchen sink while loading the dishwasher full of breakfast dishes. The broken dishwasher, that is, for which I had forgotten to call Steve, our amazing repair guy. Later in the day I would need to rewash those and other dishes by hand. We dirty an alarming amount of dishes. But I digress.

I have learned by now that a good boo-hoo must be tempered with heart-guarding thoughts like Zephaniah 3:17: "The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing" and my old standby, Philippians 4:5-9.

In between recitations of everything I ought to know and would tell a girlfriend if the tables were turned and she called me for a pep talk, I found myself wishing that I could think of a friend to call who would pray for me. And just pray. Not one who would join in my whining with me or one who would need a detailed description of my drama or ask much of me in return.

I do have quite a sphere of girlfriends, but I needed to reach outside the realm of fellow mommies with young children underfoot whom I wouldn't dare call before 10 AM. So I dialed up one of my Titus 2 divas. And don't you know that she said that she had already thought of me and prayed for me while she was in the shower that morning? (Part of me shudders to think of how much worse a morning it could have been had she not prayed for me! Yikes!)

Our conversation was enough to get me back on my feet and ready to do the kind of domestic battle I am called to do. Loving these people and meeting their needs in the midst of crazy interruptions in a place where the unforeseen is the routine.

And then He really showed up. The phone rang back at me. I walked across the room to check the caller ID and determined that I was only answering that thing if it was one of the big kids calling about something they had forgotten or The Banker was calling to say he was sorry.

It was neither. On the display was the name of a dear friend, Dolly. Now Dolly and I are dear friends for sure, but we are the kind of forever friends that might only get to talk once in a blue moon. In fact, we had last talked about a year ago when we ran into each other at a local farmer's market.
She is a gem, having been refined by many trials, not the least of which was a long-awaited liver transplant several years ago. Her conversations are always laced with wisdom gained from years of faith-walking. I could not imagine what would cause Dolly to call so early in the day and my delight at the thought of catching up with her was mixed with the suspicion that something was amiss. My curiosity was piqued and I picked up the receiver.
Dolly answered my greeting by getting right to the matter at hand: She called me by name and asked if I was okay. A tricky question. "OK" is such a relative term, isn't it? I stammered and said that yes, I thought I was "basically OK", but why would she call to ask that?
This is where it gets really good:
Dolly proceeded to tell me that her Bob had gone out to get their mail and was startled to find, tucked in with their mail, an envelope address to us
at our address, about 5 miles away, in a different town with a different zip code. Realizing that there was no earthly reason that a piece of mail should be re-routed to my friend's doorstep without the intervention of an automated mail system or a postal worker along its journey, Dolly looked at Bob and said, "I have to call and see if anything is wrong that I should pray about!"

I repeated back to Dolly the scene she had just described: Our mail...her house...she defaults to prayer mode...calls me ASAP...on that morning?! Well shut my mouth! Unreal. He lives and I know that I know it.

We spent the next while visiting and good old Dolly lavished me with words of instruction and wisdom and reassurances that perseverance is the only answer. When I drove over to pick up my annointed envelope I moved aside her back issues of Birds & Blooms to have a seat in full view of multiple framed pictures of her grown children. Another one of my Titus 2 divas.

Without wanting to delay what could be chain reaction, I hastily called a few girls I know could use some unsolicited prayer and told them so. In the last few days I have seen the effect of those calls abounding in power.
We can't know the impact of a wee bit of encouragement applied to a friend's hurting heart.

A divine payment forward.

"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Phil.4:9

tablescapes

2010-01-31T16:31:00.006-05:00

One of my favorite things around the house is our set of Feed on The Word dishes. I discovered the product line in the back of a magazine several years ago and used some money given to us by our grandmothers to purchase them. I knew those sweet girls would be pleased with the investment.

I ultimately found them online through an Ebay store.

Deuteronomy 6:5: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your might and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down,and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

Hopefully on days when we fail to speak of the Lord ourselves, the bowl of Cheerios will speak for us!

family rules

2010-01-31T16:23:00.004-05:00

A blog inspired art project, helped along by a friend with a Cri-cut and a yard sale found vintage frame. A workshop for friends will have to wait until July. In the meantime, I must find a wall space for it.

MOPS Freezer Meal Morning

2010-01-31T16:10:00.007-05:00

Our MOPS freezer meal morning was a whole lot of work but a whole lot of fun! I spoke on the power of the family dinner table....

Holly played Rachel Ray, doing a demo meal and chatting coherently at the same time...

Lots of chicken recipe samples were tasted by the Moms...

And our tablescapes survived the admiration of many pre-schoolers! What was I thinking, using Sweethearts candy to embellish one of the tabletops at 9AM? Sorry Moms!

Now to plan out a freezer-meal prep night for those brave souls who requested one! Oh my poor kitchen!

Extreme Makeover

2010-01-31T15:55:00.006-05:00

It was time for this boy to have a grown up bedroom, replacing the school-bus yellow walls that he wanted so badly when the Pink Victorian first became ours.

Our crew loves to tell the story of how I came to be driving in a homemade trashbag skirt after a disastrous yellow paint spill. I was working alone on the finishing touches of the room before we had even moved in. I lost my balance and a considerable flood of latex pearl finish saturated my jeans. We had nothing at the house yet for me to change into so I was forced to be resourceful and make the most of a construction grade black trash bag that I found in the basement. It seemed like something Lucy and Ethel would have done. I had no idea that the story would be part of my legacy. I half expect it to be told at my funeral!

Anyway, on his birthday, without his knowing, his sneaky family planned an Extreme Makeover Bedroom Edition!

We had to work FAST!

Upon his return home he found a gift-wrapped doorway with a "MOVE THAT BUS" poster. Hours of team effort resulted in one of our best-executed surprises!

So glad he liked the end result because there was no turning back!

Sure to be another great family story...

Not Below Freezing!

2010-01-20T08:19:00.009-05:00

I am way too bleary-eyed to be posting much, and have hours to go before sleep will be allowed, but for a fun reason: Tomorrow morning, bright and early, my sister-in-law and I are joining forces to bring some creative meal planning and tablescape ideas to our MOPS group.

Basically we will be doing our best impersonations of the amazing Gretchen of Savorysecrets.blogspot.com, with a little Martha Stewart and Rachael Ray mixed in.

We will be demonstrating and serving samples of Gretchen's Garlic Parmesan Encrusted Chicken, Cranberry Chicken With Wild Rice, and Phyllo-Wrapped Chicken.

It was our hope to have Gretchen be our guest speaker herself, but she has something else cooking at the moment....twin babies!! A little bedrest is in order to keep those two buns in the oven for as long as they need to be.

In the meantime, check out her blog and learn how to order her wonderful self-published cookbook featuring dozens of her delicious make-ahead recipes!

More photos and recipes to follow after MOPS tomorrow. In the meantime, here is a freezer meal standard and some related linkies to inspire us to stock our freezers.

Roast Sticky Chicken

4 tsp salt

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp white pepper

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 large roasting chicken - as big as you can find

1 cup chopped onion

In a small bowl, thoroughly combine all the spices. Remove giblets from chicken, clean the cavity well and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture into the chicken, both inside and out, making sure it is evenly distributed and down deep into the skin. Place in a resealable plastic bag, seal and freeze. Label the bag with the weight of the chicken (so you will know how long to cook it) and the date.Thaw chicken in refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stuff cavity with onions, and place in a shallow baking pan. Roast, uncovered, for 2-2 1/2 hrs or about 20-25 min./lb.After the first hour, baste chicken occasionally with pan juices. The pan juices will start to caramelize on the bottom of pan and the chicken will turn golden brown. Let chicken rest about 10 minutes before carving.

Tips on freezing:
http://allrecipes.com/howto/freezing-foods-a-real-time-saver/detail.aspx
http://www.realfood4realpeople.com/freeze.html

from the Super Suppers website:
Q. What is the best way to defrost my entrées?The proper way to defrost any frozen food is to store it in your refrigerator for 24 - 48 hours so it can thoroughly defrost. Defrosting food by leaving it on the kitchen counter at room temperature has the advantage of speed, but it also has the disadvantage of allowing for bacteria and spoilage, so we do not recommend this method. We do not recommend defrosting in the microwave, but this is only second-best and should be done with care. Over-microwaving can cause the edges of the food to overcook.Most entrees can cook just a bit longer if they’re frozen or partially frozen. Cooking instructions are printed on the food labels.Q. How long can a thawed entrée stay in the refrigerator?Completely thawed seafood dishes should be stored in the refrigerator no longer than 24 hours before cooking. Other completely thawed entrées can be stored up to 2 days.Q. How long can an entrée stay frozen?We recommend no longer than 2 months.

Facebook group: OAMC Freezer Supper Swappers
http://www.thedinnersolution.com/ (software to help with meal planning)
http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/freezer-friendly-foods (recipes)
http://www.bulkfreezercooking.com/ (recipes)
http://onceamonthmom.com/cooking/recipes/ (recipes and tips)
http://makeaheadmeals.blogspot.com/ (recipes and tips)

Enjoy!

Perfect Pitstop

2010-01-13T23:13:00.003-05:00

After a quick stop for sleep at the home of some dear folks in Indiana, we turned south and made our way toward Wichita, by way of Hallmark's Crowne Plaza in Kansas City.

A walk in a fountain and comfort food delivered to our table via model train were just what was needed to refresh us for the final leg of our trip that day.

Little did we know that the adventure had only begun! Read on!

So About That Road Trip...

2010-01-13T22:43:00.003-05:00

On a sunny Sunday morning in late July, we packed 6 humans, as many duffle bags, and a number of iPods into our poor Honda Odyssey and waved goodbye to The Banker before a 14 hour drive to Indianapolis. The boy upon the shoulders was the only one genuinely smiling for the camera...he just knew that he was going to ride a horse when we got to New Mexico, and that was enough for him!
It was already clear that this trip would be a step of faith. We only knew that we would have the honor to serve people whose experience and heritage was very different from our own.
A couple of things for sure; the unexpected was a certainty, and whatever we had forgotten to pack could definitely be found at one of the dozens of Walmarts we would pass along the way. Thank you Lord for Walmart.

Meanwhile...

2010-01-04T23:30:00.006-05:00

Oh Dear. What a lot has changed since that last fateful post. That is the reason for the great lapse in blogging. There was no shortage of pictures and stories to share, just my inability to process it all into incremental posts.
I had expected that our time out West might be challenging, but little did I know that it would be so defining; a foreshadowing of so many alterations in my thinking about transparency, commitment, and the definition of ministry itself. (Disclaimer: The Banker and I, as well as our brood, are intact and thriving. Don't mistake these vague terms for anything else that could be written between the lines, please.)
So enough with the procrastination. The pictures and stories will make their way here by and by.
Patience.
The tail end of the book of John, chapter 21 beckoned to me as I examined the ways in which Jesus Himself responded to conflict. Poor Peter was so prone to conflict and I love what Jesus did with that confounded man in this instance. It would seem that this was the first time that the two had a one-on-one since Peter's most glaring offense of a triple denial of his acquaintance with the Lord just before His crucifixion. I am struck that the Offended does not declare the offense. He does not demand to be recognized. He does not lay down terms of reinstatement. Nor does He seem to resent Peter's companions for associating with him.
Instead He makes them breakfast.
A little background.
Peter had it in his head to go fishing. His four buddies seem to have invited themselves to go along. After fishing all night long, they had not one fish to show for their efforts.
It was then, after their frustration and disappointment, that Jesus intervened. He called to them from the shore, "Friends, haven't you any fish?". I like that He had them speak their circumstance to Him. "No", they answered.
He tells them to cast their nets over to the other side of the boat and they will find fish. Were they tempted to question the unrecognized Lord's reasoning? To shift all of the weight of their efforts must have seemed useless.
But what other options did they have?
Of course they were soon struggling to haul in 153 large fish, and without the help of impetuous Peter who lept overboard when he finally got that it was Jesus calling to them.
Here I have to pause and wonder why Peter was so eager to get to the One he had terribly offended. I can only conclude that Jesus had demonstrated to Peter that He was an approachable and tender shepherd.
When he landed on shore ahead of the others, Peter found not only an understanding old friend, but a hot breakfast.
This just slays me. They found a fire of burning coals with fish on it and some bread. He hadn't just picked up bagels and coffee on His way to intercept Peter.
Burning coals.
How long might He have coaxed a fire into full flame just to produce glowing coals on which to bake bread for His traitorous friend?
Did He knead the dough Himself with His nail-scarred hands?
Did any of them see that even the fish which they had contributed to the meal were of His Providence?
And then He tends to Peter. No citation of the offense. Peter was not disqualified. Just a question, repeated three times to reveal Peter's own heart to him.
"Do you love me?". And the firm instructions. "Feed my lambs... Take care of my sheep.... Feed my sheep....follow me."
Those were his marching orders. Get back to work. No time to be lost.
And my heart smiles to know that even after all of this, faulty Peter still had the gall to ask the Lord questions about somebody else's business.
Patience.
The end of the story is there for all to read.
So thankful that at the end of all of this world, we shall find ourselves together once again.
Patience.

Westward Ho!

2009-07-26T06:50:00.002-04:00

Most of us are leaving within 40 minutes for a loooooooooong drive to the Navajo reservation in New Mexico where we will have a Vacation Bible School for the children and help with service projects along with our youth group! Prayer for this great adventure would be so appreciated! Stay tuned for glimpses of our journey....

2009-07-26T06:49:00.002-04:00

Duggar Papparazzi

2009-06-07T17:39:00.004-04:00

My friend Patty, who could have a reality show of her own, introduced us to another one of my she-roes, Michelle Duggar and some of her children. Patty and her husband have many many children, some they've birthed and some they have adopted. Our I. once mistook them for the Duggars because their family is so large. In church this morning I had to shush him and stop him from staring at the family sitting behind Patty's. Again he said it was the Duggars. I impatiently chided him that not every large family is the Duggars and to pay attention to the sermon. Ooops. It really was the Duggars.

I thanked Michelle for her encouraging example as a mom and my friend Cynthia mentioned that Michelle's cheerful countenance never seems to change, regardless of the situation. Now THAT is worth emulating. I think I'll try it tomorrow and see if I can make it throught the morning cheerfully.

All A-Twitter

2009-06-02T08:33:00.002-04:00

The other night at the Sanctus Real concert I was telling a couple of young friends who were so impressed with my backstage-accessing abilities that the photo would appear on my really lame blog as soon as I got a minute to upload it. It shocks some people of that generation that I have no desire to have a Facebook or get on Twitter. A few have even taken it as a personal challenge to bring me into those realities and it may just be a matter of time before they succeed.
Those young'uns really have no idea how unworthy of journaling much of my daily routine is. Here is a sample of the goings-on thus far this morning:

Sometime before 7AM:
Scratch The Banker's back
- reach for my glasses
-stumble to the laundry and toss a load in
-go to the third floor to search for The Banker's t-shirts which must have been delivered with someone else's laundry to the wrong room
- go down to the kitchen to set up tea water
-carry stuff downstairs on the way
-let Sadie the dog outside
-open the dishwasher to empty it
- realize that the dishwasher failed to run in the night and reset it
-let Sadie back in
-carry stuff on stairs up
- talk to the Banker about who should/should not go to camp this summer
-carry stuff on stairs down
-take out some breakfast
- visit with our paint guy for a few minutes and threaten to cry if some of the Pink Victorian's aging coat is not properly cared for
- the threat works and he will bring his guy around to discuss the matter
- notice the clogged powder room toilet
-stop on the way up to get the plunger to give an empassioned lecture on bicycle helmet safety to the 14 year old
- he concedes
-carry stuff upstairs
-get plunger
- carry stuff downstairs
-plunge toilet
-who DID this???
- wake up more people with sweet voice and back-scratching
- no response
- dire warnings to GET UP!!
- get my salad and iced tea and go to desk
- mental note to vaccuum soon
- quick prayer
- pullout the bills
- bring up the emails
-girlfriend engaged!!!
-Praise Be!
- determine not to get overwhelmed by all there is to get done
- Read the book of Judges chapter 5
- a couple of my favorite Bible chicks there
- Deborah and Jael
- gutsy mamas for God-
-Deborah was looking out for willing volunteers- Preach it Girl!
-Jael did the messy but necessary thing that only she could/would do
-mental note to disinfect the plunger
- Poor Sisera's mama
- Expecting great things of her boy-
-"March on my soul, be strong!"
- pray some more
- snuggle the half awake 4 year old who wields the guilts by asking "Remember Mommy when I was 3 and you made me pancakes EVERYDAY?"
- low blow
- pray some more
- off to find the pancake mix
- 8:18 AM.

Really Abby, does this have Twit potential?
Enjoy your wonderful beautiful everyday life! Wouldn't trade mine.

Destination Reservation

2009-05-31T23:34:00.003-04:00

Click HERE to get to the blog which will follow the preparations for our planned trip to the Navajo reservation in New Mexico in August. So many details need to be worked out and some daunting obstacles must be overcome....all prayer is much appreciated.
We have been invited to bring a Vacation Bible School program to the children there as well as in a small town nearby. Imagine taking 40+ students to an unfamiliar place, to serve an undetermined number of children in an uncertain location with finances that are not quite in place yet. Sounds like a God Show in the making to me!

You Did What!!! Part 2

2009-05-31T22:53:00.004-04:00

Once again I talked my way backstage to meet another of my kids' favorite bands, much to their chagrine/delight/embarrassment! This time a photo op with Sanctus Real. Oh how I needed to hear their song, "We Need Each Other" tonight.

And I. was happy to meet Josh Sundquist after the concert. Great guy...have to get reading his book, "A Leg Up".

Stay tuned to this space for a bunch of updates and some very good excuses for the 2 month bloggy lull. Off to bed! Monday's coming!

2009-04-01T18:03:00.002-04:00

A quick trip to DC for a conference lead to an invitation to meet with Congressman Frank Lobiondo at his office and a staff-guided tour of the Capitol Building. That should serve as our history curriculum for this week, I'd say!

We were escorted through the security checkpoints and the tunnels that connect the offices and the Capitol itself. No sign of Jack Bauer, though. Once again the matching navy Land's End blazers proved to be an excellent wardrobe investment. We own them in a range of sizes and have pulled them out of the closet for short-notice special occasions with remarkable frequency.

Had to catch these great poses of the boys admiring the interior of the Capitol dome. We were definitely outnumbered by a flock of red-hatters in the rotunda. They are just adorable and are probably a political force in their own right!

Ta-Dah!!!!!

2009-04-01T17:57:00.003-04:00

Finished!

Thank You!!

2009-03-30T13:07:00.003-04:00

I am so grateful to EVERYONE who responded to the questions in the last post, either in "comments" or via email. Your thoughts were fascinating and articulated so clearly the heavy burdens placed on women in our culture...hmmm..or do we place them upon ourselves? It's all very complicated and I hope to share some of the similar themes that came through in a future post once I have digested it all.

Little Luddy is the winner of the book, "Feathers from My Nest" by Beth Moore. consolation prizes will be given to those who are at MOPS this Thursday! Here is a sneak preview...Birdie slaved over the ModPodge for hours helping me get them glued up before I take off for a little field trip with the wee men tomorrow. In case you were wondering how long it takes to decoupage 50 one-gallon paint cans: 9 hours. Ridiculous, but they are so adorable. I'll post a pic of the finished product once we add the mini pompom fringe and vintage Easter tags. Oh, and the vintage tinsel garland and grosgrain ribbons. Visually delicious. They are inspired by a little can I saw at Blissful Living Studio. (scroll back to the Phoenix posts)

Just a Few Minutes

2009-03-19T21:13:00.002-04:00

Hi There Bloggy Friends- I need to enlist the help of as many of you and your friends as possible, if you don't mind....but even if you do mind, I need to ask anyway. I will be speaking to our local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group in a couple of weeks and in preparation I need to get inside the heads and hearts of as many women as possible...a survey of sorts.

So please take just a few minutes to leave your responses to these 3 easy questions in my "comments" and then take a few more minutes to beg all of your friends to do the same for A) The sake of scientific research into the female psyche, and B) for the chance of receiving a giveaway of Beth Moore's "Feathers From My Nest" . Hey, we all love to support scientific research, and you can't beat a free and very re-giftable book.

So here goes, choose one (realistically) or all (overachiever) of these 3 easy questions:

#1- In your opinion, what is the most difficult thing about being a woman?

#2- Please describe a way in which you have surprised yourself in regard to

what you are or do related to what you once were or did.

#3-What skill or attribute do you intend to develop in the next 5 years? Extra

credit if you can describe the plan you have to accomplish that.

Be as silly or as serious as you like, but please be real. In one week I will randomly draw one commentor's name and ship you your book and the box of tissues you will need to go with it.

Thank you bloggy friends! Pass It On!

Labs!

2009-03-14T20:33:00.002-04:00

Spring has sprung and so has much of our canine's hair. The spring shed is our girl's one and only fault. After much thought, I have determined that it is not an act of cruelty to vaccuum a dog who does not mind it...much.

Heavenly

2009-03-05T16:36:00.004-05:00

I do believe the scriptures say that He is building me a mansion in glory. Not to be presumptuous, but I would not mind if mine was something like 503 Chapel Rd., Sedona, AZ.

And maybe HE could be my next door neighbor. We may have driven each other crazy by then. Thus the His and Hers mansions. His will be a moss-covered Irish castle with dark wooden paneling throughout.

God's grace and good chemistry.

Aunt Susan's Narcotics

2009-03-05T16:20:00.003-05:00

Some people do drugs. Our Aunt Susan does Sedona.(see previous posts)

These pictures should knock the bronchitis right out of her. FDA approved, I'm sure.

We felt a certain obligation to pay a visit to Fiona at Garland's Indian Jewelry on her behalf. Did my part to stimulate the local economy.

Domestic Bliss

2009-03-05T16:00:00.002-05:00

And THEN we followed our handy-dandy map over to Main St. in Mesa to a place I had found through bloggy connections...Domestic Bliss. This place is practically edible. Not just another crafts boutique, though. How often I have visited such places and thought, oh I could make that myself, if only I had the time...and the materials, and the talent. Get this: Domestic Bliss the boutique is adjacent to Blissful Living Studio, which is an adorable workshop where you can register to attend classes for everything from vintage aprons to blog embellishment. Membership is available, or you can choose classes a la carte. Their site has a marvelous blog of its own with links to their instructors' blogs. Check it out!

The Heard Museum

2009-03-02T22:50:00.005-05:00

The Heard Museum is amazing. Hall after hall of Native American artwork. Testimonials that are almost too heartbreaking to bear. More tribes than I had ever known of. And where was I when the Indian Schools were mentioned in history class? I think they were mysteriously omitted in our textbooks. Let's move on. I feel a homeschooling rant coming on.

All of this was perfect inspiration for the trip that the kids and I are going on with a church group to a reservation in New Mexico this August. We hope to serve the people there, learn about their lives and beliefs, and earn the privilege of sharing ours. As an aside, we appreciate any prayers for the many resources and finances that need to be gathered for this adventure. We will be shipping a week's worth of teaching materials and crafts to presented to children in various venues and may not have much advance notice of exactly where we will be and how many children might attend. Lots of logistical and training matters need tending to between now and then.

Can't wait to see it all come together!

In the Heard Museum shop I couldn't resist an out-of-print book entitled "Presbyterian Attitudes Toward The Native Americans:18__-1879." A little light reading ...it may or may not be applicable...I'll let you know!

Meanwhile, M. had a blast spending every penny of his remaining birthday money on a talking stick, a mallet, a t-shirt, and some books. He wanted this sheep for his big sis the sheep freak, but acknowledged that it wouldn't squeeze into his suitcase.

The Phoenix Zoo

2009-03-02T21:34:00.003-05:00

M.'s favorite place for sure.
Up close with the monkeys!

So blessed to spend a day with this sweet boy. He talked at length and with an air of authority about every animal in sight and at times laughed out loud at himself. I'm not even sure that he needed me there other than to pay for the camel ride, but it was fun to tag along.

Color Fix

2009-03-02T20:58:00.002-05:00

The Banker was off to his meetings to do what bankers do, and M and I zipped off to the Phoenix Botanical Gardens. So nice of them to arrange to have an exhibit of my favorite glass artist, Dale Chihuly's work set throughout the gardens. Could not believe it. Too perfect to be coincidence. Where did I just hear the quote that coincidence is simply when God chooses to remain anonymous? Delightful.

On Our Way

2009-03-02T20:39:00.004-05:00

We did make it through security after all! It takes a village for us to get away without all of the kids. No less than 10 of our friends looked after the kiddoes at some point during our trip. We have great friends- thanks everybody!
Once we arrived at the airport, we settled in with breakfast and had a little visit with Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell who shared our flight on his way to the NBA championship game. A great flight, in spite of the fact that the battery on M's dvd player failed to charge the night before. The novelty of cloud-watching satisfied him for most of the trip. That, and a soda from the flight attendant's cart.

2009-03-02T20:17:00.003-05:00

Before posting our time in Phoenix, I have to introduce another

Susan. She is Aunt Susan to most of us here at the Pink Victorian and she is one of a kind. She and Uncle Paul live in the Northeast but are meant to be somewhere in the Southwest...New Mexico, maybe Sedona. She is regularly decorated with her collection of exquisite Native American jewelry, and the exterior of her townhouse should be coated in adobe to compliment the interior and she is also perfectly comfortable visiting with a nephew's bearded dragon; another desert dweller. She makes routine pilgrimages to the West, but is in need of a good dose of red rock and sunshine after a challenging Yankee winter and a nasty bout of bronchitis. Thus the ABUNDANT vacation photos to follow.

M. used every bit of his b-day check from Uncle Paul and Aunt Susan at the gift shop of the Heard Museum in Phoenix. She must be very pleased. Thanks Aunt Susan! Hope the vicarious vacation does your heart good.

Wild Goose Chase

2009-03-02T19:46:00.004-05:00

It was a brilliant idea. Or it would have been. We were wanting to do something creative this Valentines Day for a set of Floridian grandparents who abandon us for sunnier climes each autumn and return in the spring when the weather here is more to their liking. Snowbirds. A few days before the holiday we were on our way home from piano lessons and passed a field covered with at least a thousand large, white snow geese making a migratory pit stop. We hurried home for the camera, quickly cut out red paper hearts for the boys to hold up in front of the massive flock. I would snap the clever pose and post it with the caption "We Love Snowbirds!". Problem. In the brief time that it took us to fetch our props, the entire bunch of birds vanished. Gone. I'm talking about a thousand birds or more. We drove around thinking they must be SOMEWHERE nearby, but not a snow goose was to be found. What we did find was a pitiful scraggly flock of winter starved turkeys. If you squint, you can see that a couple of them were even attempting to mate. No snowbirds, just passionate turkeys. We tried.

We Love Snowbirds!

2009-02-10T12:04:00.003-05:00

Eek!! I really have neglected the poor blog! I'm hoping to do a quick catch-up before another little hiatus while I am in Phoenix next week. It's been the busiest January we've had in a few years.

M. has already packed his little suitcase in anticipation of his flight west. I think Homeland Security might object to the plastic rifle butt sticking out of his carry-on. And he packed more clothing for his Build-A-Bear puppy dog than he did for himself. His other must-haves? A bathing suit and his favorite pj's. We're off to the convenience store for the main reason he loves to fly: bubblegum!

A Penny Saved $$$

2009-01-13T12:48:00.004-05:00

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I recently discovered a couple of really good sites by women with financial savvy that are worth mentioning:

bargainshopperlady.com has frequently-posted shopping hints and coupon codes. I saved a lot on a big order at Coldwater Creek last month, thanks to her.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I also like halfpriceliving.blogspot.com. This blog by author Ellie Kay looks like it has more practical financial planning insights than many I've seen.

Get Saving!

Into the Fray

2009-01-12T08:26:00.002-05:00

To this point this has been a benign little blog primarily about comings and goings at The Pink Victorian. I have avoided political controversy and tempered my parenting ideals with reality. Today I will cautiously raise a topic for discussion which is apparently a very volatile matter, for the sake of gaining understanding and becoming a better peacemaker. To protect the children involved, I will call it the

Organic Oatmeal Issue.

Let me explain:
The holiday season was peppered with citations by my contacts, which are many, and of multiple generations, that Christmas gift-giving and receiving has become more manipulative than loving, especially when the recipients are young children. Instead of a gift being a surprise for all present during its unwrapping, lengthy negotiations are held long before the day about the acceptability of the gift or oblique threats are made that certain forbidden items might be revealed at the foot of the tree just for spite.
For example, a grandparent receives notice that only unpainted toys are to be given to the grandchildren, presumably to eliminate the risk of lead paint; or a father-in-law hints that he is wrapping a cap gun for little Jimmy for the sake of his developing manhood, fully knowing that Daddy and Mommy don't intend for Jimmy to play with artificial firearms. Power Rangers dvds are given to children who don't watch TV and parents retaliate by enforcing their ban on red dye #40, only to have Christmas M&M's added to their organic oatmeal...you get the idea.
I am curious. Is it just me or has gift giving become territorial? What do you think? Are parents at the mercy of the mandates of Christmas Morning Magic and impotent to confiscate the contraband? Are they asserting their rules and convictions out of a sense of insecurity in breaking away from the ways of their upbringing? Is this a subtle rebellion with the offspring being used as weapons? Are grandparents today of the mistaken notion that they are co-parents with equal jurisdiction over the kiddoes? Have parents abused the luxury of the innate quality low-cost childcare to the point that the lines between parent and child have been blurred? Do they fail to "leave and cleave"? Are the grandparents just so limited in quality time and desparate to be the "favorite" that they are willing to undermine the authority of the parents? Do they feel unappreciated for all that they feel they have already given? And perhaps most importantly, have we become so child-centered that little Jimmy's Christmas morning bliss is the objective and pinnacle of the holiday season? I am curious.
What are the potential solutions to this problem which lies dormant year-round but is one more thing that internally threatens the family, which is already under seige from external forces?

What say you?

****DISCLAIMER: I reiterate that this post is strictly for informational and discussion purposes. Let's keep it clean, folks. And please know that I can only speak of other families' challenges vicariously because my children and their cousins have four utterly perfect grandparents who would never, say, let a 2 year old watch STAR WARS because, well, he wanted to. I'm just sayin'.

NoHo Field Trip Part 3: M&J Trims and Times Square

2009-01-10T22:29:00.006-05:00

Off to M&J Trims in the garment district to get some edging for Isabelle's bib. They have EV-ER-Y-THING for trimming and handbag hardware, millinery doo-dads, tassels and ribbons. Overwhelming. Completely overwhelming.

An obligatory stop at the Apple store. One of each please.

Shopping for finger puppets for another cousin from a street vendor. A silly dispute over which was Yoda and which was Shrek. I wanted neither, but some days these kiddoes can argue over ANYTHING! We bought a generic monkey for Cousin and moved on.

S. Coveting some running shoes at the Adidas store.

When we said we were leaving SoHo (derived from SOuth of HOuston) someone asked, "Now where? NoHo??." Logical. There must be something north of Houston.
Love that.

NoHo Field Trip Part 2: NYC Library

2009-01-10T22:27:00.006-05:00

Between The Lions.

The Reading Room.
And after that we took a brisk walk to The Times Square Toys'R'Us Store with its ferris wheel and mobs of shoppers for a mini-shopping spree with Christmas money. Followed by a mild panic attack for Mommy...M. doesn't like to hold hands much and well, it is Times Square. Clearly not designed with a family of 7 in mind. Easy for a maternal imagination to migrate from a released hand-hold to a lost child to human trafficking. Perfectly legitimate concerns. A ride on Daddy's shoulders-the best solution.

Time for a relaxing dinner in the back room at The Heartland Brewery. Bellies filled, we joined the line of cars in the Lincoln Tunnel headed to the more sedate life of South Jersey. NYC...a nice place to visit...

NoHo Field Trip Part 1: Bryant Park

2009-01-10T22:26:00.005-05:00

Just some sweet shots of a whimsical carousel in Bryant Park, alongside the skate pond.
Those too cool to ride.

Those who ride and look cool anyway.

Not pictured: The Banker who was looking for parking. He would represent those without whom the ride would not be possible. You only go around once in life- enjoy the ride!

SoHo Field Trip Part 2: Russ and Daughters Appetizers

2009-01-10T22:24:00.005-05:00

And then there was a stop at Russ and Daughters Appetizers for a little lunch. Our N., the gourmet and seafood lover wanted to try their exceptional delicacies, settling on a sampling of the sturgeon rather than chub.

The most unique sides and salads, fabulous bagels voted the best by those who know such things.

Tight quarters, but great food and legacy.

SoHo Field Trip Part 1: Purl SoHo and Purl Patchwork

2009-01-10T22:20:00.008-05:00

A little eye candy here. We took to the crew for a day in Manhattan to do some exploring, and went to SoHo for the first time.

One destination was inspired by one of my more innocuous New Year's resolutions: Knit SOMETHING. I caught the knitting bug from Sarah's blog and need to get going. Purl Soho and Purl Patchwork are sister stores just a few doors apart. Their shops are as enchanting as their websites, which have such great free downloadable tutorials. I would describe them as pastel hobbit holes, full of customers bearing that eccentric and ethereal knitting air about them; colorful and multi-textured and free-spirited. I'm profiling, I know. Please know that I mean all of these things as compliments!

I felt a little self conscious walking into the place with my copy of Knitting for Dummies under my arm. I'm not kidding.
Haven't uploaded pics of purchases yet. Will Do. I may need some accountability here.

Patiently waiting.

Got the sweetest Japanese fabric, Kokka, for a bib for a brand new little cousin in Germany.
I am in love with all of their prints and need to track down some cheaper yardages. Ebay maybe?

Martha Fan Club Member

2009-01-10T22:03:00.002-05:00

A shot too good to pass up- M. wrapped in a lilac blanket/berka while watching an episode of Martha Stewart with me. He was enthralled in her cooking demo until he saw the flash from my camera. Clearly he is very secure in his manhood. I only get to watch on occasion and I didn't realize how familiar she was to him until we saw a photo of her in a store and he exclaimed "Look Mom! Martha Stewart!", and when we went to Russ and Daughters deli in NYC he concurred that it looked much bigger on Martha's show. I think it's time to push some kids' shows!

"Chin Hair Friend"

2009-01-07T00:14:00.006-05:00

This is a phrase I coined about 10 years ago when I attended a ladies' Christmas lunch with my grandmother's church. I really didn't know many of those spunky senior saints very well, so I was relieved when I found an acquaintance of mine there who was the guest of another congregant. She was not much older than me, nicely dressed, hair neatly done, makeup in place. We were not long into our pleasant conversation when it caught my eye. Sunlight was shining through the window behind her, illuminating her jawline and spotlighting an inch- long wirey chin hair. This was no stray coarse hair, it was a verifiable whisker.

As I tried to maintain eye contact I pondered my options. If it were me, would I want to know that a Brill-o pad transplant had appeared on my chinny-chin-chin overnight? Well, of course I would. The question was not whether she would want to know, but rather would she want ME telling her so. I decided in that moment that while we knew one another and had genuine affection for one another, we were not yet Chin Hair Friends.

A Chin Hair Friend is a rare find, a specimen that takes years, even decades to evolve, and which few of us have the extraordinary opportunity to discover. This is the kind of friend with whom you share so much history that verbal language is no longer necessary to communicate, and at times is merely a formality, because you already know one another's thoughts, intents, and motives. The kind of friend that houses your auxiliary brain, requiring a phone call to access some of your fading memories or the best comebacks in the midst of a marital spat. She tells you what she would do if she was you and then reminds you of what you ought to do. It is helpful if you and your Chin Hair Friend each have enough dirt on the other that in the unlikely event that one of you loses her mind and considers betrayal, said dirt will restrain her until sanity returns. Shared memories and self-deprecation remove all potential of humiliation in the case of say, a chin hair.

If while in the company of a Chin-Hair Friend an actual chin hair should appear, she will not bother to interrupt the conversation at hand, but rather casually grip the offending hair betwixt two fingers and give it a yank and carefully tuck it into a Kleenex so that she can later add it to a scrapbook page to chronicle your very first chin hair.

This week one of my very few, and my oldest Chin-Hair Friend will cross an important chronological milestone. I won't say how old she is, but I will say that when I attended her Sweet Sixteen Party a while back, we all had shoulder pads built into our sweaters. After decades of memories, volumes of notes and hours and hours of phone calls, I know that I can still reach out to her at any hour with a crazy idea or outrageous question. We may not make it to Italy for this birthday as we had once planned, but I pray for many more that we can postpone to. I hope that for many more years she can count on me to watch her back...and her chin. Happy Birthday, Sweet Friend!

Spiritual Caffeine

2009-01-05T16:50:00.002-05:00

For all of my friends who are feeling a little droopy today.

You know who you are. Consider yourselves hugged.

Song for a Fourth (or 5th, or 6th...) Child

2009-01-02T15:43:00.004-05:00

Song For A Fifth Child

Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth!

Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,

hang out the washing and butter the bread,

sew on a button and make up a bed.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking!

Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue

(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due

(Pat-a-cake darling and peek, peekaboo).

The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew,

And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo,

But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.

Look! Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?

(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

Oh, cleaning and scrubbing will wait til tomorrow,

But children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.

I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.

Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Passing On The Ham and Cabbage

2009-01-01T20:51:00.003-05:00

No pictures to add, but in the hope of keeping a resolution to post more regularly I will mention that tonight's dinner was reuben sandwiches. That satisfies Grammy's ham and cabbage requirement for New Year's day, I think. We each had an orange, as well, to honor Grandma's regular reminder that when she was little she was happy to get an orange in her stocking if it was a "good year." Indeed it has been a good year. Oranges all around.

Perspective

2008-12-27T15:01:00.003-05:00

"Children will not trouble you long. They grow up- nothing on earth grows so fast as children. It was but yesterday and that lad was playing with tops, a bouyant boy. He is a man and gone now. There is no more childhood for him or for us. Life has claimed him. When a beginning is made, it is like a raveling stocking: stitch by stitch gives way til all are gone.

The house has not a child in it-there is no more noise in the hall- boys rushing in pell mell; it is very orderly now. There are no more skates or sleds, bats, balls or strings left scattered about. Things are neat enough now. There is no delay for sleepy folks; there is no longer any task, before you lie down, of looking after anybody and tucking up the bed clothes.

There are no disputes to settle, nobody to get off to school, no complaint, no opportunities for impossible things, no rip to mend, no finger to tie up, no faces to wash or collars to be arranged.

There never was such peace in the house! It would sound like music to have some feet to clatter down the front stairs! Oh, for some children's noise! What used to ail us that we were hushing their loud laugh, checking their noisy frolic, and reproving their slamming and banging of the doors? We wish our neighbors would only lend us an urchin or two to make a little noise in the premises.

A home without children. It can be like a lantern and no candle, a garden and no flowers, a vine and no grapes, a brook and no gurgling and gushing in its channel. We want to be tired, to be vexed, to be run over, to hear children at work with all of its varieties."

T.L. Haines, and L.W. Yaggy, The Royal Path of Life: Aims and Aids to success and Happiness, Eastern Publishing House, Philadelphia, PA, 1882

Another Susan

2008-12-19T16:12:00.004-05:00

I have a growing collection of Susans. Susans are just lovely and useful friends. I already posted Miss Sue, there's my stylish and Southwest-fixated sister-in-law Susan, my California-grown froo-friend Susan, Susan of Narnia, and I could just go on and on, but today meet my friend Susan a.k.a. Suzy homemaker.

Gingerbread biscotti and homemade marshmallows.

I'm not kidding.

She is priceless, authentic and completely unedited. Last week at our MOPS Christmas Party, hosted at our home, she was making strong anti- fake fruit and flower statements and I could hardly contain myself as she dug herself in deeper and deeper, sitting just feet from my 2-foot tall pillar of fake-as-they-come cranberries. Not to mention a monsterous silk flower arrangement next to that. There was no recovering when we pointed them out to her. "Oh, I don't mind them in other peoples' houses, just not in mine!" She didn't say what she thought of my all-natural white Christmas tree in the dining room.

Susan puts all of us to shame with her organic everything, her from-scratch recipes and professional cake decorating. The Italian Mother in her is spoiling her beautiful boys for their future wives, no doubt. She is a great cyber-friend, too, discovering the most beautiful blogs for me to check out. One of these days she will start one of her own and put Martha out of business!

What makes everything she does so beautiful is that it is all laced with 100% pure affection.

I love you, Susan! SO glad you came into my little world!

Susan with the thrifted plastic Christmas arrangements that I bought just to decorate her MOPS table this week. She probably broke out in hives from contacting them and will mix up a homeopathic remedy!

Lily Blessings

2008-12-15T17:20:00.004-05:00

Miss Lily Grace was born on Friday and our prayers for time with her have been granted! Go to lilyblessings.blogspot.com to hear her life story.

Therapy

2008-12-15T08:56:00.010-05:00

The last two weeks have been extraordinarily full, which is sayin' somethin' around here. Thus the bloggy lull. At times like these I get pretty whiney, leaving The Banker at a loss. Today after church he told me that what I needed was to go by myself to Longwood Gardens and have a meal in their yummy restaurant. He was almost exactly right, just forgetting that there are few things which I like to do all alone.

So I grabbed one of my favorite sons; the one I hardly get to see these days because of his basketball talents. (He won the game for his team recently, by the way. One of those last minute, all-net shots where the entire gym holds its breath with anticipation.) Anyway, he dutifully went along and even let me hold his arm from time to time, practicing in case I ever get to be the eccentric old lady that I am in training to become.

We listened to separate music on the way, but the company was great.

My Music. One of the very few Christmas songs I like.

His Music. I like it too, makes me run faster in the morning.

We ate THIS. Chester County Mushroom Soup.

We saw THIS.

And THIS.

I took THESE along, but never did read them. Reading is over-rated anyway.

We posed HERE. Such a nice boy.

We shopped HERE on the way home.

The boy honestly thought this hairband was a fancy sleep mask.

So now I've got my color fix and we're ready to face another week of Christmas prep. Hope to catch up on the bloggy lull right away.

Extreme Makeover

2008-11-26T23:35:00.004-05:00

We girls had a great morning of serious treatment at the beauty shop on the morning of The Ball, and boy did we give them some RAW material to work with. They are some serious professionals.

Before.

During.

After.
Eyeliner is no longer optional... I'm just sayin'.

Everyone Should Have A Miss Sue

2008-11-26T23:05:00.003-05:00

Sue is one of our very favorite people. She has the biggest heart for children and our kids' childhoods have been punctuated by regular and special events initiated by Sue. For about ten years now she has coordinated our Kids' Klub at church and has faithfully taught our kiddoes on a weekly basis since the time that our teenagers were kindergarteners. She is the kind of "back-up" that every parent should pray for. Our kids know that they can go to Sue at anytime and they will find a caring friend who gives wise advice and is so much fun to boot. She has executed the most spectacular parties which are the highlights of many a child's social calendar.

Sue and her sweet sister

She is a superhero- hauling busloads of rambunctious kids to camp each spring, planning service projects, and dressing up as just about anything if it will delight the kids and entice them to listen to her Bible story or memorize just one more verse. It is the highest honor to receive the weekly "Secret Seat" award and choose a prize from Miss Sue's box.

Oh, and did I mention that the girl can bake? Oh yes she can. When S. asked her to help with The Ball by baking her custom iced sugar cookies, it was Sue to the rescue once again.

Now these aren't just any sugar cookies. Sue makes each one by hand over the course of several days; first cutting and baking them, then piping the edges, then filling and glittering. She created TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY glass slipper cookies for the Father-Daughter Ball in honor of her own Daddy, who passed away at a young age.

Thank you, Miss Sue for all that you are to us!

Finally!

2008-11-26T22:36:00.005-05:00

After much delay; a Target Photo disaster, a virus throughout The Pink Victorian, and all important Thanksgiving preparations, we will FINALLY resume our regularly scheduled blogging. First matter of business: another installment in the Cinderella Ball recap.

I'll let the pictures say it all. In a few days the dozens of photo cd's ordered by Ball-goers will be shipped out. Our trusty photographers snapped thousands of beautiful pictures and editing the selection down to a mere few hundred was not easy!

Thank you Diane, Valarie, Allison, and Walter for blessing us with your eye for beauty!

A Fairy-Tale Evening

2008-11-17T20:13:00.004-05:00

It is going to require multiple posts to even begin to tell the story of The Cinderella Ball this past Saturday evening, and we are still recovering from the bliss of it all, but for far away friends who have been patiently waiting for a peek at the princesses and their daddies, here are just a few snapshots and stories. As beautiful as the girls were, their escorts' obvious love for each outshined all of the sparkle and glitter...

Tiny princesses, some of whom had never met before the Ball, spontaneously joined hands and twirled around the dance floor in a ring.

Older girls practiced their dancing with Dads who sang along with the music, or even shed a tear or two.

Every Cinderella had her own Prince Charming whose aim was to make a dream come true that evening.

A fabulous uncle outbid everyone to win his princess the American Girl Doll "Kit"!

A splendid grandpa escorted two grand-daughters and danced with both at once all evening. Their grandma had made their beautiful gowns just for the ball. How loved are they?!

In all, 220 guests were in attendance!

The Cinderella Ball was an evening to remember, and by God's grace the $3900 raised will be used through Shaohannah's Hope to place some lonely little one in a forever-family of their own, where they will experience the very kind of fatherly love that filled a ballroom...

Once upon a time on November 15th, 2008.

Of Course It Is

2008-11-14T08:58:00.003-05:00

Just heard on the news that November 15th, the date of the Cinderella Ball, is

National Adoption Day. We had no idea. In fact, National Adoption Day is traditionally celebrated on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, but was changed for just this one year in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the death of President Kennedy. And for The Cinderella Ball, perhaps?. All we can do is smile at the undeniable fact that this whole endeavor is so much bigger than our feeble human efforts could ever hope to imagine! It did not even occur to S. to ask that National Adoption Day be rescheduled for this little event.

It puts us in mind of that great verse in Ephesians,"Now to Him who is able to do immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,to Him be the glory...."

Oh, Let it be.

A Forest of Cones

2008-11-13T22:10:00.010-05:00

We fear that our friends may start to avoid us, but they did offer to help with the Ball in whatever way, so this is what they get....lost in a forest of paper cones. We thank these dear ones for enduring jammed staplers and sticky fingers in the creation of 200 paper cones for the candy bar. The girls are just going to love these!

Another big "THANK YOU" goes to Holly and Chris of ittybittybows.etsy.com who have so generously donated a collection of their adorable hairbows for the silent auction. They are so good at what they do. See for yourself! Their creations have been sold worldwide because any good do is enhanced by a great bow!

We will also auction 2 sets of Whimsy Wee Folks, soon to be available at pinkvictorian.etsy.com .Let the Christmas shopping begin!

The Song That Started It All- Practice Your Dancing!

2008-11-13T09:50:00.006-05:00

Shoes? Check.

2008-11-13T08:03:00.004-05:00

2 Days To Go!!

About 100 princesses are fine tuning their wardrobe selections and making hair plans and accessorizing.

Everyone has been so resourceful...dresses have been found at Goodwill and Nordstrom and everywhere in between. Some have been swapped between friends or lovingly made. So many sweet stories of God's provision for even these relatively insignificant things.

In a world gone mad, how precious that this many men are taking an evening to make absolutely certain that their girls know that they are loved, loved, loved.

The Banker has in the past accused me of being dramatic...but we both know he likes my ways..Anyway, last night I commented that this event is something that S. and the others will talk about after we are gone. No pressure, but it has the potential to be that significant.

So if you are a Cindy Ball dad reading this, while she fusses over clothes, shoes and hair, think about what kinds of words that you could say that would outfit her for a lifetime of security and well being. In the whirlwind of schedules, take this Saturday evening to commemorate that she is loved unconditionally and everlastingly. She can never hear it enough. Go ahead and say it again. Recite for her all of your observations of her inner beauty. You set the bar for any other man who might lay claim to her heart. Make sure she knows she has a Heavenly Father who loves her even more than you do. And spin her around the dance floor, because soon the clock will strike midnight and she will be grown!

No pressure, and

drama has its purposes.

Special Delivery

2008-11-12T12:17:00.004-05:00

Three very special Ball guests were just dropped off at the house- American Girl Doll Kit and the AG Bitty Twins. An anonymous donor has lovingly given them to be bid upon at the silent auciton table. The funds raised by them will be used to provide a way home for some living dolls through Shaohannah's Hope, by God's grace.

Dear friends Charlotte and Jonna are putting their non-profit expertise to work for S. at the ball by running the silent auction table. Among other things, a vintage Longaberger basket signed by Dave Longaberger will be up for bid as well as jewelry, gift baskets, and experiences.

Got a great auction item you would like to donate? Call ASAP and let us know!

Quotables

2008-11-09T22:49:00.003-05:00

The Banker upon finding one of our gentlemen eating applesauce by hand in front of the open refrigerator door:
"Son! You don't eat like that! That's how pigs eat!... (realization sets in)... Well, okay, that's how they would eat if they had refrigerators." A moment of discipline dissolves into laughter.

Later that same day; The Banker to our youngest cherub during an unexpected scary commercial:
"M., close your eyes and look at me!". How to obey and not delay with that mixed message? More laughter, but at least the commercial was forgotten!

Oh help us!!

A Sea of Humanity

2008-11-05T11:13:00.006-05:00

Our MOPS group is growing beautifully and this week's steering committee meeting was definitely photo-worthy!

I don't believe any of the moms sat for more than 5 minutes at a given time and the innate radar surveillance of the various rooms in Kym's house would rival the Pentagon's abilities! While the itinerary of the meeting unfolded, people were fed, wiped, comforted, disciplined, lost, found, dressed and undressed. Mom Power!

While Moms strategized in the dining room, little girls danced in the kitchen, others played in the bedrooms and the swing set was in full swing!

Our chapter of MOPS began in September and we now have 32 moms registered, with about 45 of their offspring enrolled in Moppets. Fun Times!

Funny, but I don't think this is anything like the scene at The Banker's board meetings. Oh what very different worlds we live in! So thankful for God's grace and good chemistry!

Cinderella Spotlight III

2008-11-05T10:54:00.003-05:00

Our multi-talented friend Valarie is going to be one of the photographers at the Cinderella Ball. Along with the photos snapped by our other skilled shutterbugs, hers will be put on CD for ball-goers to order for their own use, with proceeds going to Shaohannah's Hope. That way the mamas of all of our Cinderellas can get a peek at all of the fun that was had!

Val sings, sews, snaps, decorates, is cute as a button, and her Christian faith just oozes from everything she does. Thank you Val for sharing your energy to capture these memories for our families!

Cinderella Spotlight II

2008-11-05T09:27:00.004-05:00

10 Days To The Cinderella Ball!

Early on in the evolution of the planning of the Ball, S. thought that white and earthtone pumpkins would be the ideal centerpiece for each table, but could not rationalize them in the budget or imagine how to transport them to The Grand Ballroom.

That disappointment was completely unknown to our friends Roy and Sherry at Gaventa Farm when they called Monday morning and asked if she might be interested in some of the pumpkins from their bumper crop, and yes, Roy could truck them up to the venue on the evening of the ball. Unreal!

So on Monday afternoon we drove out to the field to pick out the 50-plus pumpkins that will adorn each table, the candy bar and silent auction tables. Lovely!Thank you Roy and Sherry for helping to make a dream-come-true! Your offer was heaven-sent!

A Birthday Shout Out

2008-11-02T15:33:00.005-05:00

This birthday shout-out goes to our Kansas buddies Carri and Brian.

They are great with child, anticipating a birth day of their own in less than a week. A bunch of us were invited to celebrate Kym's b-day with takeouts after church and wanted to take an opportunity to remind them that we care.

Brian and Carri, we want y'all to know that your Jersey friends are thinking of you and praying for a joyful delivery. Can't wait to hear all about that little one!

Todd and Holly with sympathy shoulder pain.

PS- Carri: Had a rushed morning...not exactly Texas hair! How do they keep up with it?!

Punkin Beanies

2008-11-02T00:22:00.001-04:00

Had some fun making a basketful of punkin beanies for M. and company to play with.

I love the personality that developed in each one as I stitched up the scraps from my stash and added vintage button eyes.

The rice filling gives them the perfect amount of plopability. I think we'll try a punkin hunt tomorrow. (think Easter egg hunt for the opposite equinox)

I got so into making them that should have plenty to give as treats to my lion-hearted nephew next autumn. Isn't he just the greatest?

Cinderella Spotlight- Eleanor

2008-11-01T23:51:00.001-04:00

We really must introduce some of the special people who are giving of their time and talent to make The Cinderella Ball a night to remember.

Meet Eleanor of The Candy Box in Richwood, NJ.

The Candy Box has been in operation for nearly 60 years and has not changed a bit since my grandmother took me there as a child. That was soon after Eleanor, its current proprietor, acquired the business in 1981. Generations of South Jersey residents have filled the little shop behind her home at each holiday season throughout the calendar year. Christmas, Easter and Valentine's Day find folks lined up out the door waiting to purchase her confections.

Eleanor explained that she does as much Christmas shopping ahead of December, because she pretty much only leaves the shop to go to church during that month!

Eleanor has been so gracious as to donate pounds and pounds of specialty candies for the candy bar at The Cinderella Ball.

Girls will be given festive paper cones to fill with the candies they choose from a vast assortment which will be beautifully presented in large jars. A feast for the eyes it will be!

Thank you, Eleanor for sharing the vision!

It's Brain Season Again!

2008-11-01T23:26:00.003-04:00

Osage oranges, horse apples, monkeyballs, all synonyms for my favorite decorative fruit, which we refer to simply as "brains". The trees they fall from each autumn are pretty rare around here, but a few years ago I found a fruitful one which drops these goofy things on the public road. Going to scoop them up has become as much of a tradition as a trip to the pumpkin patch. They have a great citrus aroma and are credited with being a natural pest repellent and will stay rot free if kept cool for 2-3 months..

You just can't beat their lime green hue against the vivid orange of a ripe pumpkin.

I think God had some fun thinking this one up!

14 Days To A Dream Come True!!

2008-11-01T09:27:00.001-04:00

Wow, What a full week! Preparations for The Ball have really escalated and each time we've thought that absolutely everything has been thought of, another heaven sent opportunity has arisen.

On Monday our contact from Shaohannah's Hope offered us the gift of 3 tickets to the sold-out United Tour concert featuring Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman in nearby (?) Bethesda, MD.

Not only that, there was the hope given that S. could meet with Steven to present him with an honorary invitation to The Cinderella Ball! Most opportunities come with challenge, and ours was to sort out which members of the family would go to the concert. It worked out well that in the minds of some young ones not even the United Tour can compete with trick-r-treating at Mom-Mom and Poppy's and going to the church Harvest Party.

The Banker is much more fun for the kids on Halloween night, and I am much more the road tripper, so S., N. and I headed south on 95 with great anticipation while the candy fiends set off for their quarry.

Funny thing is, I had a little mental lapse, because I thought that I remembered that about 20 years ago a friend of ours had moved to Bethesda, about an hour away. No problem. Thing is, as we sat in Baltimore rush hour traffic 2 hours into the trek I had a revelation: Keith had moved to Aberdeen, not Bethesda. Oh well, we were committed. Turns out the whole event was well worth the nearly 3 hour trip down, but what is with that Beltway traffic?! I think they need a committee of women to address the situation. Anyway.

We got to the venue later than intended, and needed to find our contact people quickly. Quick prayers were being sent up as we rushed through the building looking for the right people. The Strathmore Music Center is a gorgeous labyrinth of a building. Unbeknownst to me, my friend Michelle from our homeschool co-op whas volunteering with her husband at the Shaohannah's Hope table and seeing her put us on to the lead volunteer, who texted SCC's assitant and road manager that we had arrived.

David Trask, road manager extraordinaire.

We begged posterboard from someone in the coatroom and S. made a sign to get SCC's attention during the concert. S. got this tip from a little friend of hers who was once invited on stage with his homemade poster. Thanks Kyle!

Next we flooded the concert hall with Ball fliers and settled into our seats for the big show.

SCC and MWS did not disappoint. Each sang old and new selections. I had a moment when MWS sang "Friends", remembering that my forever friends Beth and Heather and I sang it at our childhood pastor's farewell dinner. Hmmm...quick computation....25 years ago. We thought we sounded really good.

SCC's verse which he added to "Cinderella" after Maria's homegoing is very poignant. The dance will go on.

Once the concert wrapped up we met up with our group of fellow meet-and-greeters and headed backstage. On the way, N. picked up an official t-shirt at the merch table.

All along the way, we talked with great people and saw many friends who offered their help with Ball things. S. will definitely be calling on some of those offers in the coming days. It does take a village.

In our brief time with SCC, S. explained the concept of the Cinderella Ball and showed him the beautiful invitation which has gone out to so many families in these last weeks. He received our thanks for his music and the opportunity to serve Shaohannah's Hope through it.

As an aside, I've seen Steven in videos, etc., but as I stood there talking to him face to face, I had the worst time trying to focus because his every mannerism is that of our friend and pastor. It was unreal. Like some weird scene form an alien movie. I wanted to stare through his eyes and ask, "Phil! Are you in there?! I'll get my ray gun and we'll have you out in no time!". I guess my boys' love of science fiction is really beginning to effect me. My point is, he really acts like our friend.

We said our goodbyes and set out on our long odyssey back to NJ with lots of affirmation that this Cinderella Ball has been and will continue to be a blessing to so many. One new friend we met at the volunteer's table had even written her thesis on the significance of the father-daughter relationship to our society and reinforced the need to promote it. (Wish I had gotten her Email, would love to read her paper.) Other friends carried their fliers home with promises to spread the word of The Ball.

When our heads hit our pillows at 2 AM, we were so thankful that these unexpected blessings have come our way. And that we don't live near the Beltway.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES!!!

2008-10-18T10:47:00.001-04:00

The Cinderella Father Daughter Ball was featured in this morning's edition of The Gloucester County Times. Reservations for The Ball have been rolling in all week and will remain available through October 31st to accomodate readers of The Times, while they last. Call or email soon to make reservations. You don't want to miss this unforgettable evening!
“Once every now and again, in the middle of our everyday lives, Love gives us a fairy tale...”

You are cordially invited to

The Father - Daughter Cinderella Ball

at Adelphia’s Grand Ballroom

on Saturday, November Fifteenth, Two-thousand and eight

from Six o’clock until Ten o’clock in the evening.

The purpose of this event is to celebrate the joy and love of Daddies and their Daughters. Enjoy a wonderful evening filled with an appetizing selection of exquisite dinner entrees, ballroom dancing, and unforgettable memories. Black tie optional. Daughters will be delighted and enchanted by this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
To reserve ball tickets at $35 a person, please send to Shaunessy Hanrahan at 615 Barnsboro Road, Mullica Hill, New Jersey, 08062 the enclosed R. S. V. P. card and payment in full by October 31st, 2008. Space is limited, so early reservations are recommended.

Feel free to call or email with any questions or reservations at 856.256.7570 or heycrystal@comcast.net.

Consider The Lilies

2008-10-01T17:14:00.002-04:00

This banner and these flower pins are a gift for a dear friend of mine and I hope you will visit her beautiful blog here.

My recently broken toe has blessed me with a little down time to spend with my stash of vintage fabrics and hankies. Earlier this year I saw a sweet pennant banner like this in a Pottery Barn catalog and hoped to replicate it for some special occasion.

Baby Lily's precious life is just such an occasion! Her name's origin and her parents' great faith which you will witness through their posts will make you want to wave a banner and celebrate life just to spite death.

As I stitched and pondered the passage from the book of Matthew, I also considered other people I've prayed for whose seemingly insignificant lives ultimately impact eternity. Consider the Lilies.

Matthew 6:28-34

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all of his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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, O you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?" or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'. For the pagans run after all of these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Help Wanted: Daddy/Daughter Playlist

2008-09-30T10:44:00.001-04:00

Time to put on our thinking caps:

S. needs to compile a playlist of family-friendly songs for the DJ at the Cinderella Ball. "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman is the centerpiece of the evening and will be played at least twice to allow men with multiple daughters to dance with each one. Think Butterfly Kisses, It's a Wonderful World, My Father's Eyes, etc. Please post your suggestions on the comment page. She has 4 HOURS of air time to fill!

Other needful things: A number of corporate sponsorships have been received and more are needed in order to provide reduced-cost tickets for families who would benefit from them and maximize the benefit to Shaohannah's Hope.

Also, gently-used formal dresses could be donated to outfit some of these princesses. Again, post on the comment page if you wish to help! Thank You!!

Cinderella Ball Update

2008-09-30T10:05:00.001-04:00

It's happening!! The ball invitations have been sent out and requests for more of them to be given to friends have been rolling in! S. has been in touch with radio and newspaper people who have offered to help spread the word. Next target: cable TV.
Little girls and big girls are all a-twitter and we're getting word that a number of daddies are sharpening their (in some cases non-existent) dancing skills.
And this will bless your heart: S. and I did our very best to be sensitive about the fact that a number of girls in our midst do not have a Daddy who is willing or able to attend the Ball. Invitations were sent to those families ahead of all of the others when possible and with a note that reads:

Understanding that not all Daddies

will be able to attend the Cinderella Ball,

girls are encouraged to honor a special man in their lives

by inviting him to be their escort for the evening.

Likewise, if a gentleman would like to

escort a girl in such circumstances

he is welcome to share an invitation with her family.

Do you know that to our knowledge, not one girl for whom we had a concern is lacking for an escort? Uncles, Grandpas, and precious friends have assumed the honor of an invitation to stand in the role of a father for an evening. What a beautiful thing. Worth dancing about!

You Did WHAT?!?! No You Didn't!!!

2008-09-22T13:49:00.000-04:00

Oh yes I DID and I have pictures to prove it!I had a blast driving our two teenagers and some of their friends an hour and a half away to a concert at Calvary Chapel of Souderton, PA. One of the 3 bands featured was Tenth Avenue North, whose music we discovered last spring. Their latest CD became the soundtrack to our summer in the minivan. Even the 3-year-old belts out "You say let it go....".

While the kids were all in the concert hall listening to Vota, I did the boldest thing I've done, well, this week: I stalked an official-looking photographer guy and asked him if there was anyway I could go back stage and get a picture with the Tenth Avenue North guys for my blog without the kids knowing so I could blow their minds when I posted it. That official looking guy took me to an un-official looking guy who totally "got" what I was trying to pull off. I thought there might be some kind of security checkpoints, but apparently they don't consider you a threat if you look old enough to be the mother of the band members. So I found my way through a labyrinth of hallways and quickly explained my mission to Mike, Jeff, and Jason. They graciously smiled for the picture and didn't even act like I was weird. So kind.

I am a terrrible liar, so at intermission when the kids asked where I had been I non-chalantly said, "Oh, you know, just hanging out backstage with the band." Tee hee hee.

I hope I embarrass my kids just enough to be fun, but not too much; and as someone at the merch table at the concert pointed out, I hope I don't spoil the image of Tenth Avenue North...I'm not exactly in their demographic! Great guys, good music, and fantastic lyrics! Oh, and they need a bus. Let's all pray for a cheap bus.

A Fine Sunday

2008-09-22T13:16:00.000-04:00

M. is a motorcycle man. Always has been. He loves the noise, the chrome, the speed. So yesterday when I sat in our ABF class at church and I heard a familiar rumbling outside, I flew to M.'s Sunday School classroom and excused him so that we could get outside just in time to see what has become an annual event:

THE PARADE OF MOTORCYCLES !!!

ABOUT 1000 Motorcycles!!!

Motorcycle after motorcycle after motorcycle!

I don't know what the official event is, but this is the 3rd year that I can remember that hundreds of bikers have passed by our church. They sound like a jet plane landing nearby and two years ago it coincided with the sermon. Pretty funny.

M. waved with great enthusiasm to the bikers and most of them beeped and waved. He begged me to go get all of his other Sunday School friends so they could wave too. I decided not to, and wondered what underlaying lessons I am teaching my boy; that Sunday School attendance is imperative, unless of course there is a motorcycle parade? Hopefully it is to fully enjoy those extraordinary moments that sneak up on us and thank the Lord for simple joys.

A Fine Saturday

2008-09-22T09:44:00.001-04:00

Some days are just blissful. The Banker was home except for a quick trip to the mall with S. and I was home except for some early morning yardsaling. Kids running in and out and minimal cooking. Grilled cheese with Jersey tomatoes.

Yard sales fascinate me. They are such a social phenomenon, I think. We collect belongings along our way and at varying times we assemble them on our front lawns for 5-10% of their original retail value.

collection of vintage doilies and baby booties

As an avid people-watcher, I love to watch the seasons of life that are represented in the odd lots...baby gear, cast-off shower gifts, obsolete electronics, disregarded doilies, out-grown or out-of-style clothes.

male and female turkey salt shakers and planter

I am amused by the ones that have exorbitant price tags, as if the owner is in denial of the fact that they have carried all of the wares out onto their front lawn on the way to the inevitable curbside or Goodwill bin. I am touched by the ones conducted by loved ones at an estate sale who tell me fond stories of the memories attached to the items I am buying.

assorted vintage pyrex
neat-o picture frame

I find a false sense of security in thinking that our economy can only be so bad if we have the ability to manufacture, import, distribute, advertise, purchase, consume, and dispense of all of this marginal stuff.

thermos like my grandpop's, pitcher like my grandmom's

victorian lady's capelet

And the people who attend them. Aggressive dealers and ebayers, hobbyists, migrant workers, seniors, and pleasure-seekers like me.

handmade quilt

butterfly quilt

chenille bedspread

I'm thankful that the kinds of material things I most enjoy are pretty readily available for pennies on sunshiney autumn mornings. And thankful for a dear husband who smiles at my finds just because he knows they delight me.

SOCCER!!!!!!

2008-09-22T09:24:00.000-04:00

Our first chance to attend one of D.'s soccer games. Loving the crisp autumn weather and golden sunshine. Go team!!

His biggest die-hard fan tried to stay awake for the big game.

Sorting buttons during breaks. The shadow is that of his sister, snapping other shots of the game for me.

Coincidence?

2008-09-22T09:01:00.000-04:00

I Think Not!!

I am not reading any mystical meaning into the funny things that happen to me. I just try to enjoy them along the way.

My daughter rolled her eyes at me again. This time it was because I sort of screamed in the parking lot at Sam's Club. You see, we were leaving our car and I was talking about wanting to go back to Arizona sometime. Don't you know that I glanced down just then and laid my eyes on an Arizona license plate?! It gave me a bit of a start, because it was such a strange feeling to say a random word and simultaneously read it unexpectedly. I felt obligated to take a picture of it, with her concealing the poor car-owner's identity, of course. Sometimes I wonder, is this normal? My daughter doesn't think so, but she tolerates me anyway. Thanks, S., I love you for that a bizillion other reasons!

Wanted: Dead or Alive

2008-09-22T08:26:00.000-04:00

I considered titling this post, "You Might Be A Homeschooler If...", but considering the universally curious nature of boys, I thought that might be too narrow. I am not sure what has become of me, but I found myself pulling a wagon with two of my guys and scooping up fresh road kill to be taken home for a practice skinning with the new pocketknife received by our most recent birthday boy. (Don't worry, he is forbidden to carry it on his person and unless it is in use under supervision, it stays in Dad's custody.) So we carted off a ten pound groundhog after I made sure he was not just "playing" dead. If he had jumped back to life when I poked him with my pitch fork I really don't think I could have ever returned to my right mind!

This is just one of our latest captures, and most of our catches benefit the captive's health or at worst they are released after a little while, following a thorough observation.

Caterpillar season is a big deal around here, and currently a baby bunny is being nursed back to health. Frogs in the pool are fine, and turtles are welcome to board overnight, but snakes are absolutely banned under any circumstances, no ifs, ands or buts!! We did pass a garter snake around among friends at the park after someone accidentally ran over it with their bike tire.

There is just something about becoming the mother of four boys that changes a girl. It concerns me that my heart actually skips a beat when the Cabela's catalog arrives.

Announcing the Father-Daughter Cinderella Ball

2008-09-13T01:10:00.001-04:00

Our daughter S. has begun something beautiful!! Through one of those divine, one-thing- just- lead- to- another processes, she is boldly coordinating a Father-Daughter Cinderella Ball for this November 15th at the opulent Grand Ballroom at Adelphia.

In the last 3 weeks she has booked the ballroom which can seat 500, designed the invitations, and pursued corporate sponsors.

Today the 700 invitations were picked up from the printer and our dining room is now an assembly line manned by kids of all ages....boys even!! Her goal is to get the invites into the hands of as many families as possible in the next week.

Beyond the obvious blessings that could come as a result of daddies and their girls spending a fairy-tale evening together, S. has established that proceeds from the ball will benefit Shaohannah's Hope to help in removing the financial obstacles faced by families who are ready to adopt. Fittingly, the centerpiece of the evening will be Steven Curtis Chapman's song Cinderella (click on the "play video" box to hear the song) , written for his adopted daughters Shaohannah, Stevie Joy, and Maria.

Please pray for the many details that must be attended to by our dear girl. Her hope is to bless others through this endeavor. We can only imagine what can be accomplished by God's grace. Perhaps some precious child somewhere out there may find their way Home. Oh, let it be!

Stay tuned for regular updates as the ball preparations progress!

Our overnight guests gave their help in preparing the invitations for post. Only 550 to go!

Missing Mildred

2008-09-12T23:18:00.000-04:00

A few months back I spent part of an afternoon with an old friend. I didn't know it would be our very last visit this side of eternity. I met Mildred in her thrift shop about 15 years ago when we had just one car and one baby. We lived outside of a small town, a hamlet, I guess you could call it. Once a week or so baby S. and I, and soon her first brother would go for a walk uptown with our double stroller and go window shopping. The library, the children's shop, the hobby store, the news agency.
I don't know how I came to turn down the alley by the news agency once, but it was down that alley that I discovered the Sonshine Thrift Shop and sweet Mildred. In an old storefront with deep bay windows Mildred displayed rows of shoes and knick-knacks accented with seasonal decorations. The store itself smelled of stale laundry detergent and the kerosene heater that kept her warm in chilly weather. The racks were filled to capacity and Mildred knew were each item was, because she had stocked most of the donations of used items which people regularly left on the front step.
Mildred always took an interest in the children and knew that I had an affinity for vintage fabrics and antiques. Whenever we stopped she had recommendations for us from among her inventory. Her work was done do benefit a charity for terminally ill children. It seems to me that she made reference to having lost a child herself, and I regret that I can't remember more details on that little one.
Most of Mildred's life was centered in that small town, providing for others in one way or another in a very quiet way. As more babies came along and we moved a bit further outside of town, my visits became less frequent, but I was always certain that when I did make a point to stop in, Mildred would be there. She was a fixture.
This past spring I was procrastinating in getting ready for a trip to Ireland and decided to rebel against the urgency of my to-do list and take a detour to see Mildred. I think it was the only time I had been in sans children. We had our longest conversation, about my life and hers. At 93, she needed help from a neighbor to get to the shop in the morning. She tended the shop until he returned at the end of the day to take her home. The merchandise was a little less organized than in the past, but she pointed the way for me to find some fabric that she thought I would like.
I left her that day with some sewing notions and vintage patterns and a recipe for chocolate eclair cake and a feeling that I had just revisited a much simpler time in my life. I was refreshed and ready to prepare for a blessed but hectic itinerary overseas. I thanked my Lord for the dear faithful ladies who are my heroes, quietly doing good and serving selflessly for years and years. So many of them have gone on now, but I still have imagined conversations with Alice, Violet, Elsie, Lou-Lou, Millie, and Mildred, giving them updates and trying to guess what their advice to me would be in the new seasons of my life.
Yesterday I took another turn down the alley and gasped when I saw the empty storefront with the "For Rent" sign in the window. A quick drive to Mildred's house and a conversation with her neighbor confirmed that she was truly gone. Her husband went on ahead of her years ago and she has no descendants.
An ache in my heart reminded me that a faithful friend, that is, a friend with faith, is invaluable. It takes a long time to grow old friends and seasoned saints must persevere through many trials to achieve the kind of gentle spirit that I have admired in these dear ones, my Titus 2 women.

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Titus 2:3-5

Thank you, Mildred!

Their Comely Colleagues

2008-09-10T10:19:00.000-04:00

The Banker brought home a vintage 1961 issue of The New Jersey State Safe Deposit Association quarterly magazine The Time Lock. Some of the old ads are so charming. One article in particular was so politically incorrect that it is just adorable. At the same time it reveals some timeless insights. Can you even imagine this getting published today? Read On:

Why Are Gals Suited To Banking Careers?

by Joy Miller

AP Women's editor

Since it's generously conceded women control about 70% of the nation's wealth, it seems only fair that a majority of bank employees should be women too.

They would take a personal interest, so to speak.

Not too long ago banks wouldn't hire women. As recently as 1940, men outnumbered their COMELY COLLEAGUES in the banking business three to one. But word finally got around that WOMEN AND WAMPUM HAVE A NATURAL AFFINITY, and now it's ladies, two to one.

THE GIRLS are good standing in the higher circles. too. There are 160 LADY bank presidents across the country, and one in ten bank executives is a woman.

There's no doubt banking is now a woman's field. And it has no greater champion than Mona Reid Brice...of National Bank of Commerce...she thinks women are admirably suited for banking today because they are easier socially and have more equanimity in surprise situations(there are other surprise situations in a bank than holdups).

"Independent studies have shown," Mrs. Brice points out with pride, "that women have more patience, and a penchant for detail, deductive reasoning and analysis. That's why banks are using more use of women. A sympathetic, attractive can explain to a man, for example, just why his bank book doesn't balance and at the same time keep him from feeling stupid."

***

By the way, "Equinimity in surprise situations" and social ease? Those sound like the characteristics of a great V.P. candidate. Go Sarah.

A Useful Skill

2008-09-10T09:47:00.000-04:00

I walked into our bedroom last night to see this funny scene...The Banker trying to teach S. and D. how to tie a necktie. They looked like three birds sitting on a wire. Why our daughter joined in on the lesson I don't know, but I'm sure it is a very useful skill, one which I have never acquired.
D. is required to where a necktie now that he is in high school, too. This first-day-of-school shot gets me because as much I stare at it all I can see is this pair as preschoolers with their character backpacks, setting out for our homeschool co-op. I just blinked and THIS happened!
Is there anything much more priceless than a great Dad?

Speed Racer Must Have Had A Prayin' Mama

2008-09-08T22:22:00.000-04:00

Last weekend we spontaneously invited our good friends, the J's to join us for an afternoon at the new Millville Motorsports Park. It was our first exposure to the world of auto racing and we were very impressed by the obvious devotion of the loyal fans there, braving the August heat and sun to watch their drivers whizzing by at ridiculous speeds. We took seats behind the pit-crew area and marvelled at the precision and technology involved. All in all a fun time. Until.
Our boys have been friends with the J's two boys for years and they all enjoy being BOYS. Weapons and extreme sports usually seem to get worked into their conversations. Much testosterone among them.
So it seemed like the perfect idea to take the three eldest; our D. and their two, over to the motorcart track for some racing of their own. These are no kiddie cars, mind you, they can top 50mph. My dear friend Mrs. J. and I admired our fine young men in their jumpsuits and insisted upon a photo shoot before they headed out to the track.

All was going well until one of the identical helmeted racers spun off the track and took a header into the guardrail dozens of yards away. Dads ran to the scene while Moms prayed. Thank The Lord that the younger J. was fine, though his motorcart took a beating! Bent the steering wheel evn! Younger siblings were very impressed by the obligatory ambulance ride. I did tell the poor accident victim that I would not be posting any post-crash shots of him.

Earlier in the afternoon Mrs. J. and I were citing the merits of the Civil Air Patrol which has a local squadron for guys of this age, but perhaps we need to recover from last weekend's adventure before we're ready to see them airborne! Thank you Jesus for angels working overtime!

And So It Goes- Summer 2008

2008-09-08T21:51:00.002-04:00

It happened. Again. I blinked and another summer flew by. And once again I begin September convinced that THIS was indeed my very favorite summer ever. It was not our most eventful summer, but it was among the sweetest and most restful that I recall and I know for sure that I made a concerted effort to savor those days which were relaxed and unstructured. This was quite likely our last summer without the added scheduling of summer jobs for our teens. I just loved having the whole brood home with the exception of a couple of stints at camp and the time we spent immersed in the blessing of our VBS ministry.
I am already hearing aspirations of employment and far-flung mission trips for next year. Couple that with my own penchant for road trips and other explorations, and my suspicion that this may be our last homey summer for a while. So glad that my man is more of a homebody and gives me a sense of being anchored.
I think I am allergic to changes of season, both figuratively and literally. I'm comforted by the observation that I perennially label my current season as my favorite. It's just the change itself that I loathe; the consciousness of it I guess. Once the in-between times have passed I settle in just fine and admire the unchangingness of the One I worship.
That is what I will ponder perhaps tomorrow as I hose off the baby pool one last time and clip back the irises.

2008-09-08T21:51:00.001-04:00

San Antonio Living Proof Live Recap Video

2008-08-25T21:27:00.000-04:00

Click here to see highlights of the San Antonio conference.

San Antonio Girls Weekend

2008-08-25T16:48:00.000-04:00

S. and I are just back from our fabulous girls weekend in San Antonio. We ate and shopped and slept and worshipped and met up with some dear bloggy friends at the Living Proof Live conference at the Alamodome. The pictures give just a peek at the many memories we'll have.

Black and white soup at Boudro's on the Riverwalk. Great presentation...we have to track down a recipe for this half black bean-half cheddar soup.

Just outside of Boudro's. Ready for a healthy walk down to the Market Square.

Yes, more food pics. The bakery at Mi Tierra is exceptional. Had to get something to go!

We found a funky bird sculpture at the Alameda Art Museum and a great motto on some of the merchandise at the gift shop there: "Make Tacos, Not War!"

Off to the Dome for some excellent music and teaching on Psalm 16: "Lord you have assigned me my portion and cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a beautiful inheritance."

Q&A time with Beth Moore and her daughters, Amanda and Melissa. followed by a PJ Party with bloggy friends back at the hotel.Would you believe that in the midst of all of that, we almost forgot to remember the Alamo?!

Now THAT'S a love song!!! (click here!)

2008-08-25T16:32:00.000-04:00

"Beloved" by Tenth Avenue North!
The kids and I went to their CD release event at the beginning of the summer (I was among the oldest there) and it has been a standard in our minivan since. Very Song of Solomon/Hosea.

Bittersweet

2008-08-18T07:59:00.000-04:00

This week a sweet old friend of mine will be driving one of her precious girls to college for the first time, depositing her in a whole new life and beginning a new era for their family. Knowing that child for years now, I am confident that the school will be blessed just by her presence, not to mention her brilliant mind and tender heart. That said, I don't like to think about the drive home for my friend, or the adjustment of the coming days.

We moms are charged with the task of putting ourselves out of a job from the moment of conception. Thinking of this joy coupled with heartache prompted me to look up an old poem that I had tucked away for that inevitable time when we will begin to empty our own nest. Scribbled next to it is the name "Martha Snell Nicholson". Whether the writing truly originated with her or not, I have no way of knowing. Sorry Martha. The beauty pictured to the left is my S., our first fledgling.

As Any Mother To The Savior:

As Thou didst walk the lanes of Galilee,

So, loving Savior, walk with her for me,

For since the years have passed and she is grown,

I cannot follow, she must walk alone.

Be Thou my feet that I have had to stay,

For Thou canst comrade her on every way;

Be Thou my voice when sinful things allure,

Pleading with her to choose those which endure.

Be Thou my hands that would keep hers in mine,

And all things else that mothers must resign.

When she was little, I could walk and guide,

But now I pray that Thou be at her side.

As Thy blessed mother folded Thee,

So, loving Savior, fold my girl for me.

Target Photo Studio Savings Tip

2008-08-16T23:01:00.000-04:00

I happened upon a delightfully good deal at our local Target Photo Studio that you might want to watch for at yours: This week the studio went digital and was closed for a day and re-opened for 2 days of training staff on the new equipment. They needed guinea pigs to practice on, and for our patience they gave 4 free protrait sheets, (about a $60 value I believe) plus half off of additional portrait packages.
We were way overdue for portraits of all 5 kids and needed some poses for family members and friends. I also splurged on a wall portrait for our living room. We got oodles of gorgeous pictures at a cost that was a fraction of their value. SO. You might want to contact your local Target and see if this is a chain-wide trend which will bring these training days deals to your neck of the woods. Say cheese!

...And Again...

2008-08-16T22:55:00.001-04:00

Mommy often sits in this chair to stitch, so why not make it a giant pincushion for her? So goes the logic of MessyBoy. Look closely to see the yellow heads of dozens of straight pins all over the seat . Ouch!

MessyMan Strikes AGAIN!!

2008-08-16T22:42:00.000-04:00

Our M. has a knack for making messes. They usually stem from a well-meaning or creative idea, so that he fails to see the fault in what he has done. Perhaps in future posts I will feature some of his other antics. Who am I kidding? He could have his own blog, The Adventures of MessyBoy!

On this particular day he was supposedly playing with a sibling, but managed to transport the goldfish to the bathtub and fill it with an inch or two of water before being discovered. His defense? "I just wanted to play with him, he's so cute!".

Dreams Do Come True!!- Part 2

2008-08-16T22:20:00.000-04:00

Another smile, another very happy boy...N. had a fun season of baseball with coaches who were every little league parent's dream; patient, encouraging, and living vicariously through the kids. While the games were competitive, we did not anticipate that the guys would endure the playoffs all of the way to the end. Going to the final game seemed like just a formality, with everyone honestly expecting a loss.

Amazingly, the opposing pitcher gave up a series of walks, followed by another of their players' failing to touch the plate when trying to get one of our guys out at home. With little warning at all, victory came within reach! Even after the winning play, the coaches kept repeating to the kids, "You did it guys! Do you get it? You just won the championships!!". The kids seemed very awkward with their unexpected titles of champion, but somewhere between the field and the ice cream stand afterward they gained their confidence, singing "We Are The Champions" very badly.

Makes an exhausted sports mom like me want to sign up for next year right now! Way to go N.!!

Dreams Do Come True!!-Part 1

2008-08-16T21:34:00.000-04:00

This is the smile of one very happy boy. The Salem County Fair is a summer tradition of ours, and having your name randomly drawn to participate in the annual Pig Scramble is the hope and dream of many a child at the fair. The Pig Scramble, in case you don't know, is an event in which about twenty 7 and 8 year olds are put into an arena with about twenty piglets. At the caller's shout, every child dashes out in pursuit of a piglet. The piglet must be caught and held by the leg until a fair official relieves the child of the pig and declares him a winner.

In years past, scramblers were required to sack the piglet in a burlap bag and were given the option of keeping the pig itself as their prize. Times have changed and now winners receive a cash prize and a t-shirt. Still a lot of fun!

With his birthday just around the corner, E. knew that if his name was not finally chosen on this, the last night of the fair, his dream of winning the famous Salem County Pig Scramble would go unfulfilled. As a mom, I envisioned the counseling sessions spent in his adulthood trying to sort out those issues. SO. Imagine our delight when his name was posted on the fair office door one hour before the competition. Five of us were there to cheer him on and ice cream at Richman's on the way home was in order. So thankful for sweet summer memories!

Unauthorized Arks?

2008-08-11T08:21:00.000-04:00

What a wacky weather day! South Jersey generally has your traditional seasonal weather patterns, but yesterday it felt as if we were living the weather chart that I used to show at "circle time" when I taught pre-school!

Throughout the course of our Sunday we had thunder&ligntning , sheets of rain, hail, rainbows, and even a genuine TORNADO WARNING...virtually unheard of in these parts! When the hail began to fall, we treated it like a science project. Occasionally, we'll have a day around here that I am 100% sure that our kids will remember in years to come, and I think this is one of them. Love that.

We oohed and aahed at the gorgeous dark cloud with the baby blue area in the center which hovered ominously just a short distance away. A little disconcerting to notice that it was spinning counter-clockwise. I thought of my Kansas friend, Carri, who must take such events in stride.

Sadie, the yellow lab, watched nervously from inside the house.

Sunshine and storm clouds alternated all afternoon, and finally we descended into the basement in a not-so-orderly fashion when we could no longer see the road from our den window, just 35 feet away. All 9 of us: 7 humans, 1 chicken-hearted dog, and 1 bearded dragon. I could have predicted that some of us became giddy with the excitement of it all while others fell into anxious silence. Daddy, of course, was steady, as always.

We emerged after about 10 minutes and shortly afterwards a most glorious sunset broke out, and we even spotted a rainbow.

All of this put me in mind of a phrase which I think I coined recently, which is "Unauthorized Arks". Imagine if Noah had foreknowledge of the impending flood and had commenced the building of an ark without his Creator's direction and specifications. The Lord's idea of his spending a century of his life on such a venture was already a radical one. Thinking of doing so by his own ingenuity would have been futile and absurd. What a waste of cypress and pitch.

How often do I take it upon myself to evaluate a perceived problem and even execute a solution without so much as a thought to consulting my Creator? I can easily do seemingly good things for seemingly good reasons , but it's so much better to submit my visionary nature to His leading and direction.

Not to get too personal, but are you building any unauthorized arks? That might be worth pondering, and it could save you a lot of pooper-scooping in the future.

Zechariah 4:6...out of context, but still a good reminder: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty."

Proverbs 3:5,6(of course)..."Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight."

Enough preaching. Let the Lord float your boat.