projects!

Making art..

This book is good for a project a day type thing for almost five year olds. Probably five year olds too. We're almost there!

What to do with an almost two year old that is busy,busy,busy? This worked for me today.

Happy Saturday!

In His Love,

Pilgrimama

beauty out and about....

We went hiking last weekend. Even though the leaves were past their prime, there was still so much beauty to be found. Up and down.

Shadows..

Up high..

Find the deer.

Far off..

Up again..

Out there....

My Father made all of this.

May God bless,

Pilgrimama

turning eight

Our son,Jess.

My sweet and beloved firstborn,
You are eight now. I'm starting to think birthday parties are overrated. I mean this year you had to wait a few days to really welcome being eight. We found out mamas can get the flu really bad on the big day. Your invited friends can get sick,be scared of getting sick or etc. etc. and leave you almost "guestless".
But then again,this celebration was so unique. People helped out, the cake was baked and frosted(even if it turned out rather purple) ,the soup got made, the house got tidied. And, praise God, mama was recovered enough to wrap up presents and be there for you!
So your friends didn't come. But we got to invite your neighborhood playmates instead. Your new guitar teacher gave us a small, live concert. It was simple and full of beauty.
I'm thankful our Father recieved glory at your birthday party. I hope to live with you,becoming lines in the great song,giving glory to our Father.
I catch glimpses of someone more mature emerging sometimes. It's startling. And, as I see that,my body feels like it turns into one whole prayer. For you. For God's guidance in your life.
I guess it comes down to the fact that I love you. Your real Parent loves you even more perfectly. But if His love is way greater than mine it must be enormous indeed. Because that's how much I love you.
A God-blessed and joyful birthday to you,my son!
Mama, Oct. 2009

the short post about chicken pie...

I've always wished I was the type that made good pies. I think usually I've been too impatient. But recently I had two pasture raised chickens sent to us,once again,by who else than Aunt S! They came long distance from New York.
And I was having special guests. Then,there was this chicken pie recipe I've long thought sounded tasty! Very tasty in fact. The only thing was,I had to face that daunting pie crust making.
But this time when I got out my lovely birthday gift cookbook by a Mennonite mother,I noticed her clear instructions on pie crust making.
Inspiration hit with the ice water part,since I rarely seem to have decent ice in my freezer. I measured the water and put it in the freezer a bit. Inspiration also hit with the cold shortening issue. Measure and into the freezer again. Later,whip out my pastry cutter. And make a lovely pie crust!
The pie crust turned out great. The guests were very pleased. They did not joke about my pie crust,only about the Yankee chicken.(The chicken was great too.)
And,I am no longer so intimidated by making pie crust. Good all around.
In Him,
Pilgrimama

more beautiful than this..

this past saturday morning,in the early gray, with lots of chores already done,we two set out. we saw:

a late dandelion,

this wall,gray with tints of moss,

this steeple,

multi hued cauliflower,

crates of apples,

apple butter?

mums,

pie pumpkins waiting to be turned into pies and cakes and oh,so many things,

Indian corn,

salad greens,

eggplant,

sunflowers,

and the coffeeshop promised us pumpkin lattes...

We found that the colors and textures of autumn are beautiful,oh so full of beauty.

We remember there is Something more beautiful than this:

"God shines from Zion, the perfection of beauty." Psalm 50:2

Beauty pointing us to that Perfect Beauty,Creator of small beauties. We are glad we know the source.

In His Love,

Pilgrimama

celebrating a seventh birthday

I'm still not sure what I think about you turning seven,my sweet boy. I mostly think it fits you. I try to remember what I dreamed of as I first looked upon you, that first morning when you were born,seeing the faraway, and yet wise look in your eyes in those first moments. You were quiet upon your entrance, quietly taking it all in,figuring it out. You haven't changed too much since then,except for the quiet part sometimes.

I now wonder whether I do enough for you,whether I live up to those early dreams of raising you up. I have niggling worries that all the other mothers are better than me,more capable, more self disciplined. Those moms that have it all together.
I pray. I pray that I pray more for you. I realize you are not mine. I realize you are a soul encased in temporal,human flesh. I prayerfully breathe to God that I will recognize your soul in heaven one day. Your soul and mine meeting,knowing each other,together forever.

This time here with you,in the grand scheme,so short and yet so crucial. God is good. With Him all things are possible. Amen and I love you.
Mama

the birthday cake~it didn't just look pretty,it was yummy!

party favors

the birthday table

enjoying friends with games, music and many blessings!

Pilgrimama

using the doll cookbook...

a small number of dolls came to dine that afternoon

as the sun was setting, cupcakes were had.(Notice the cupcakes made with bottle lids,filled with sand and topped with blue glitter glue for frosting. I like that word,frosting. Hmmmnnn.)

The chef puts the finishing touches on dinner.Note the book at her side. This is a cookbook called Mud Pies and Other Recipes~ A Cookbook For Dolls

This was procured using birthday money from her generous Aunt S, and as her next birthday is almost upon us,I am feeling remiss in not showing her Aunt S for almost a year, what we have done with the gift. I am such a terrible procrastinator sometimes!

Anyway I thought bits and pieces of the foreword would be of general interest.

"This is a cookbook for dolls. It is written for kind climates and summertime.

It is an outdoor cookbook,because dolls dote on mud,when properly prepared. They love the crunch of pine needles and the sweet feel of seaweed on the tongue. The market place,then will be a forest or a sand dune or your own back yard.

You can use a tree stump for a counter........"

"Doll cookery is not a very exacting art. The time it takes to cook a casserole depends upon how long your dolls are able to sit at table without falling over."

From the cookbook,by Marjorie Winslow and illustrated by Erik Blegvad

Very romantic! Thank-you Aunt S!

In His Love,

Pilgrimama

through nine years

Lee and I marked our ninth year of marriage on the first of October. He brought me a lovely,lovely bouquet. I made him cupcakes with Pioneer Woman's (http://www.thepioneerwoman.com recipe.Yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting.Not costly but we "get" each other.

We enjoyed dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant, eating our meal with pieces of bread we held in our hands. A new one for us-we keep living and learning together!

I had hoped for some nice couple photos or something, but alas, life has been very full. We have had so much going on and lots of company so it seems we will have to wait for romantic shots!

Wishing you all a peace-filled day!

Pilgrimama