Precious Moments

Often these days, I find myself lamenting the fact that the children have outgrown so many of our favorite books, toys, and clothing.

A colonial-period dress and a Pilgrim dress that I made for Gabriela have become sewing room decor, and many of our children's books & toys have been set aside for visitors or future grandchildren.

Today, Morgan showed me that seventeen isn't too old to enjoy a special mommy-daughter moment together with a favorite.

I was lying on Gabriela's bed, talking to her as she cleaned her closet, when Morgan handed me Joyful Noise, plopped down beside me, and snuggled up in a blanket.

Oh, the giggles that ensued!

One day she'll be reading with her own children, but today I'm thankful for this special time that will soon be only a memory.

As Craig says to encourage young parents,

"The days may seem long at times, but the years are short."

Take some time to read with your little ones... or your not-so-little ones!

Attention!

A few days ago I learned an important lesson during school.

I was reading part of our grammar lesson from this book, and I realized that rather than paying attention to what I was relaying to them from the book, my children were working on the "homework" portion of their grammar lesson from another book.

In that moment, I saw the fruit of a strength-gone-bad. 

I tend to be task-oriented, and I like to multi-task when circumstances allow. I must confess that there are many times when my children have something to share with me, and I pretend to be listening intently while working one something else.

The truth is that I'm usually missing a large portion of what's being said, and being the smart people they are, they know it!

So, rather than getting upset with them for seeing a greater need to multi-task than to listen intently, I simply had each of them re-read (aloud, standing next to their chairs) a portion of what they had missed.

This was an important reminder for me that it's a good idea to stop what I'm doing and give my full attention to the speaker - even my grand storyteller, and even if my current task is "necessary".

They're watching. They're aaallwaays watching.

Food, Glorious Food!

I've been trying to broaden my family's food horizons lately. I've decided to utilize some of my dustier cookbooks, along with a food blog or two. 

These parmesan/spinach Napoleons on filo came from an old Williams-Sonoma cookbook that I've had for a while. 

I found it on the bargain table at Barnes & Noble a few years ago, but it's anything but a bargain now on amazon.

The flavor was good, but they seem a bit labor-intensive for how quickly we devoured them. 

These served as our lunch yesterday. 

Kudos to Caelyn and Morgan.

In keeping with my vegetarian exploration, I chose Polenta Lasagna with Gorgonzola Bechamel Sauce for dinner, from the same cookbook.

Again, the girls brought this together while I busied myself with other things.

If you don't own any Le Creuset cookware, stop what you're doing, go out, and buy some.

If you think it's too expensive, here are some ways you can afford to buy yourself a piece of Le Creuset:

1. Take a month off from going out for coffee. 

(OK. Maybe two months.)

2. Ride your bike instead of burning gas.

3. Don't rent movies for a while.

4. Cancel your magazine subscriptions.

5. Eat beans and rice more often.

6. Have a yard sale.

7. Start your own ironing service for the corporate execs in your neighborhood. 

(Hey! I should try that...)

8. Stand at an intersection with a dog & a cardboard sign.

Your grandchildren will thank you. 

'Cause these will still be around for them to use.

*   *   *   *

While the girls worked on the polenta dish, I moved on to something that would keep the men happy.

After all, where food is concerned, I tend to straddle the fence.

Mmm... Doesn't that fatty bacon grease look finger-licking good?

Meanwhile, the girls were making progress...

Now why haven't I ever thought to shred the vegetables for lasagna?

Certain members of the family were skeptical about this meal, but I saw many hands reaching for seconds.

Morgan made a sauce for the bacon-wrapped asparagus. The recipe came from Martha Stewart Living, originally, but Mo made it slightly more healthful:

1/2 C yoghurt

(ours is homemade)

2 tsp Sriracha sauce 

(We used a similar sauce purchased at our favorite Lebanese market.)

2 T plus 1 tsp fresh lime juice

1 T plus 1 1/2 tsp finely chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 tsp salt

pepper to taste

And for dessert...

Our friend, Jon, had spent the day with us, as he often does. When I took a plate of these Chocolate Power Bar Balls downstairs for Craig and him to sample, they weren't sure what to expect.

If you 1.) love chocolate, 2.) don't like/have time to bake, and/or 3.) want a less guilty dessert option, then this is the dessert for you. It literally only takes a few minutes to whip up a batch of these in the food processor.

NOTE: I used pecans, instead of walnuts.

CAUTION: My hands were very sticky after rolling these into balls.

BONUS: I got to lick ALL of my fingers, plus the palms of my hands afterward.

By the way, there wasn't one left when we were finished.

Craft Book Challenge Update

Liesl is fairest among patient friends.

I dropped the ball on my end of the Craft Book Challenge for March, and she reassured me that it was totally fine and that the blog police wouldn't get me.

Whew!

March was super busy, and I only touched my sewing machine about... well... I don't think I touched my sewing machine in March.

I'm not one to make promises if I can't guarantee the fulfillment thereof. So, I'm NOT going to say that I'll do two challenge projects in April to make up for March.

(But the thought has crossed my mind.

Several times.)

These super cute birdie pot holders came from Zakka Sewing. This book was one of my very few (read "astronomically-priced") purchases while living in Africa.

(I just needed some retail therapy.)

My mom always tells me that I need to make two of everything I sew, so that there's one for her, as well. In this case, I made three so that I may also give one to Craig's mom.

I'm keeping this blue one for myself.

I may even name her.

(She's a "her". I just know it. She likes tea. And flowers. And nesting. My kitchen is a good nesting place, I think.)

I've Been Working

I've had a lot going on lately (de-cluttering, bread baking, homemade yogurt, and of course, homeschooling). It feels so wonderful to be productive. I really thrive on busy work -- even if it's just sitting at my desk and shredding papers. It just feels great.

It's really a good thing that I've accepted Liesl's challenge to use the sewing books that I already own, because I've been awfully tempted lately. I saw this at the fabric store today and nearly caved. 

Fortunately, I had the satisfaction of a freshly-completed project as incentive to press on and deny myself. I've wanted to make this bag from Amy Karol's Bend the Rules Sewing, so I seam-ripped a throw pillow, grabbed some of last year's spring fabrics, and got to work. Gabriela gasped, oohed and aahhed over the finished product, so it's probably going to be hers. I'd change a few things about the next one, but it was a fun and easy project.

I'm kicking myself for forgetting where I bought this adorable gray kitchen-gadget fabric. (That cliché is so funny. Who really kicks herself?) 

I can't even locate my invoice. I'm down to mere scraps, and really want more. To add further insult, after laboring over this oven mitt, I discovered irreparable damage to part of it, which I've tried to hide in this photo. I was so tickled with the quilting I had done, and I had hoped to present these two as a set. *sigh*

My friend, Nicole, in Florida requested two aprons from me. One is for her personal use at home, and the other is for her cupcake business. She saw the black and white apron that I made for my cousin, Denise, a few weeks ago, and asked for one like it. I couldn't find the same exact fabric, so I found a similar one. This isn't actually finished yet. I still have to add monogrammed pockets. Nicole's jubilant and grateful attitude make gift-giving easy. I delight in blessing her, as she has greatly blessed my family's life.

I made this cupcake apron for Nicole a couple of weeks ago, but I had a bit of a glitch with my embroidery machine. After getting some good trouble-shooting help this morning, I was able to move forward on getting the initials of her business monogrammed on the front. I. Can't. Wait! to give these to her!

Head on over to Amy's Sew & Tell to see all of the lovely talent represented there. I'm so thankful for that group of ladies who keep me inspired and motivated. Now that Amy has decided to only "meet" once each month, I'm even more anxious to participate.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Recent Discoveries

(Photo Credit &) Recipe for Curried Grilled Cheese with Pear, Chutney and Brie

While checking a cookie recipe link from a friend, I discovered this terribly enticing sandwich. Just two pages of Julie's blog made me wish we were neighbors. I've suggested to the children that we eat exclusively from Julie's repertoire for a month.

On a very different note, I happened upon this yesterday. I can relate to Sheri's struggle determining which books to pack on her family's RV tour around the country. It was challenging for our family to decide which cookbooks, reference books, literature, etc., to take with us to Moçambique when we moved there in the summer of 2009. Sheri gives insight into how to choose the essentials, as well as how to translate each on-the-road experience into "school", while taking full advantage of all that our diverse country has to offer. I plan to visit her blog often. She's living one of my dreams.

Straight Arrows, Sharp Iron

"Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded."

Titus 2:6

There are certain books that Craig and I like to buy in bulk and keep on-hand to share with others -- particularly younger couples/parents. When we were first married, we were absolutely clueless; but the Lord was gracious to surround us with those who have "gone before". We've had the blessing of a handful of faithful mentors who weren't afraid to tell us what we needed to hear, rather than what we may have wanted to hear. With the current dearth of mentor-types among believers in Christ, we've realized that we are now entering that season of life in which we are called to follow the Titus 2 model of paying forward what was offered to us in our youth.

As I was going through our summer books a moment ago, I picked up Thoughts For Young Men, by J.C. Ryle. This is one of those little nuggets of wisdom that we like to share with the young men that have spent time in our living room and around our table, sharing meals with our family and learning from Craig. These are young men who are steadfast in following the Lord and seeking to do His will, in preparation for being future leaders -- and some of whom have already begun families of their own.

Our boys were rather small when we first read this book, so it is a welcome treasure to see them now taking to heart what was written so long ago by that great pillar of the faith. I began thumbing through the pages this evening, refreshing my memory, and noticed a few dog-eared pages. I was impressed by a some bits that Craig Grayson had underlined:

"Determine as long as you live to make the Bible your guide and adviser."

"Never be satisfied with the friendship of any one who will not be useful to your soul."

"Clothes and company tell true tales about character."

"'He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.' (Proverbs 13:20)"

I noticed, too, a couple of passages that Craig underlined or otherwise noted: (For clarification, in case any reader may be unfamiliar with our family, Craig is my husband, and Craig Grayson is one of our sons.)

"What young men will be in all probability depends on what they are now, and they seem to forget this."

"'Experience', says the proverb, 'is a hard school to attend, but fools will learn in no other.'"

We are realizing more each day how precious and fleeting is the time that we have to disciple our children and be God's stewards for preparing them for the plans He has for them. Our sons will, Lord willing, one day lead their own households and bring up the next generation in the "training and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). The things we allow them to practice now will naturally carry into their future lives, making it imperative that we teach them now to guard their hearts and redeem the time. This is something that must begin with the most basic teaching in earliest childhood, just as a crop is tended from seed to mature plant before becoming fit for the table.

While the Word of God is the principal source of instruction for families, I am grateful for other "mentors in print" who are those wise ones with whom we may walk in our pursuit of wisdom. J.C. Ryle is certainly one of these. I look forward to going through this book again, along with Craig Grayson and Graham, and hearing what insights the Lord places on their hearts concerning the application of biblical principles and how they may begin now to prepare for the future.

*Above is a photo of our boy getting his hands dirty doing "man-work" recently when our van was stuck in the mud on a trip to Inhambane, Moçambique.

World Exploration at Home

(I'd love for this stack to be higher, but in preparation of our move in three weeks, most of our books have been packed.)

After eighteen years of parenting and thirteen years of homeschooling, I can say that one of the things that has defined our family is our love of reading. Having grown up on too much TV, I had to exercise my mental muscles early in my adulthood and develop a taste for good reading.

I always say that you can tell a lot about a person by what's on his or her bookshelves. Perusing ours, you'd find a variety of literary interests, including foreign and US politics, military history, economics, marriage, parenting, biblical apologetics, sewing, decorating, etymology, the Middle East, biographies, cooking, nature study, and others.

A favorite pastime of ours, and one that has greatly solidified our family unity, is reading aloud. I can remember the "olden" days of our parenting when our big girls were small, the boys were smaller, and Gabriela wasn't formed yet. At the time, the girls had a king-size bed in their room that they shared. In the evenings, after bath time, Craig and I would pile onto the girls' bed with all four children and have our "Family Reading Time" before bed. Craig would read and I'd nurse the baby (Graham) as together we'd explore foreign lands, read stories of strength and character, learn history and geography, and have our faith reinforced by the lives of missionaries and martyrs who stood their ground to honor the Lord at any cost. All of this took place without ever leaving home.

We've come to treasure these special times, which are more sporadic these days with varying schedules. Of course, we still have our normal read-aloud time in our homeschool schedule; but our Family Reading Time sometimes gives way to other activities. It used to be that this time was chiseled out of our Monday evenings, but multiple changes over the past couple of years have found us groping for moments to relax together on the sofas with a good family read-aloud.

Just as restricting junk food and providing healthful alternatives trains a child's appetite to crave what is good for him, so abstaining from lesser pastimes that distract and steal time, and providing stimulating, challenging books whets the child's appetite for good reading, helps him learn to focus his attention, and encourages critical thinking. There have been times when I've doubted whether one or another of our children would ever develop a love of reading, but daily, line-upon-line exposure to this regular part of life -- as regular as doing the dishes or making the bed -- has proven an effective tool for encouraging all of the children to enjoy the world of literature.

Early in our homeschooling, when I was devouring every book I could find to learn how to navigate the home education waters, I read a very helpful piece by Michael and Susan Card. In it, they shared their daily homeschool lifestyle and explained the importance of keeping interesting books on a low enough shelf that even small children could learn to appreciate them. They encouraged parents not to worry so much about the risk of damage to the books, as much as the sad possibility that keeping them out of reach would discourage a love of reading. My obsession with the condition of my books is difficult to overcome, but I've taken baby steps to make books readily available to young hands. Incidentally, I've discovered -- unintentionally, of course -- that the length of time it's taking me to get over this obsession is directly correlated with the growth and maturity of our children. We no longer have tiny, destructive hands in our home, which enables me to freely allow access to any and all of our books to all family members. To mothers of small children, though, I say, "Go ahead and allow them now!" (No double-standard intended.)

A couple of days ago, I read a wonderful blog post on the importance and benefit of reading aloud to our children. Lindsay at Passionate Homemaking is a beautiful example of a godly young woman pursuing biblical womanhood according to the Titus 2/Proverbs 31/I Peter 3 model in her home. She is a true Daughter of Sarah. I strongly encourage you to grab a cup of coffee and spend some time perusing her blog. She is doing a marvelous job being Christ's ambassador in the blogosphere. I urge you to then gather your family around the dinner table or on the sofa, or pile onto the bed, and enter into the world of Family Reading Time. You'll never regret it.