Hot Doughnuts Now

Sweet as Sherbet

Earlier this year my mom gave me a beautiful Punjabi suit that some friends brought to her from India several years ago. She thought that perhaps I would enjoy repurposing the yards of sheer cotton. Delicious! The color reminds me of sherbet. I was happy to accept.

Eight weeks ago my friend Emily delivered a beautiful baby girl ten weeks early. Baby Kathleen is tiny but strong, and she is finally home from the hospital.

Smitten with the delicate, embroidered details around the suit's pants legs, I cut one of them off and made it into a preemie-sized day gown. Only ten inches from shoulder to hem, I'm pretty sure this is the tiniest "pillowcase dress" ever made.

Little Kathleen will look fresh, summery, and as pretty as a pixie wearing it. My hope is that she'll outgrow it quickly {a girl doesn't need to be so itty-bitty for very long}... then big sister Meredith can use it as a doll dress.

Michael and Evie

I suppose you could call it another {semi}official photo gig. Passing one camera between the two of us {and alternately minding the little guys}, the professor and I shot candid photos of my cousin's wedding celebration this past weekend.

Here is the happy groom, my cousin Michael.

Two weeks ago he married his bride in her hometown of Portland.

Isn't Evie a beautiful bride?!

After their honeymoon the couple returned to the Deep South to celebrate their recent nuptials with local friends and family. My aunt and uncle hosted a beautiful evening reception.

The party was held in a gorgeous old home... the very place where the professor proposed to me!

The groom's sister, Laura {dressed in blue}, catered the event.

It was a beautiful evening filled with happy moments and the love of family and friends.

Michael and Evie, may God pour out His grace and blessing upon your marriage!

The Lord Who Delights

The Lord your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

Week's Ending

Highlights...

A fun Father's Day with a spectacular sunset.

Listening to Tukes sing "Jesus Wuvs Me."

Feeding the fish at the park.

Coke floats, ice cream, and a summer storm.

Finishing swimming lessons... with success!

Kitchen cabinets primed and ready for paint.

The privilege of walking with a friend through adversity and watching God move mountains.

Lowlights...

Orange popsicle messes. There is a reason we eat them outside.

Moldy coffee grounds. How did the coffee maker sit unused and unwashed for two weeks?!

The hair crawling experience of having a roach crawl across my foot. Eeeek!

Floors so crumby and crunchy I'm sure the roach considered himself personally invited to our home.

My cell phone in the fish pond.

Boo's split and bloody lip. Oh the drama!

I did muster the energy to pick blueberries... actually we did it two days in a row. Why did I drag my feet? We had so much fun! I expect the berries will peak next week. I'm sure we'll continue to have purple fingertips and tongues. And, I'm envisioning homemade jam... nevermind that I've never canned anything in my life.

Boo found and caught a tortoise in our backyard, and named him Henry. At 6:30 this morning he was outside reading M. Sasek's This is London to the little guy. I smiled. Henry is now living quite happily next to the creek at a local park.

A few months ago Tukes invented an imaginary grandfather, an endearing man he refers to as "my Gwandpop." "My Gwandpop" lives in New York City, has a train, and drives a water taxi. This week Tukes added grandsons to his imaginary world. We're now hearing quite a bit about "my Gwandpop" and "my gwandsons." His stories are hilarious.

Happy weekend to all of you!

Morning Mushroom

An early morning mushroom spotted after an early morning bike ride in the the early morning light. His jaunty, oversized cap made me smile.

What have you noticed lately that has made you smile?

Afternoon Out

When they started wallowing on the furniture and floor I knew it was time for an outing.

I grabbed some snacks and we made for our favorite countryside destination.

{Oh, I love that grand, old house!}

Shade was a necessity.

I chased butterflies while the boys fed the fish and turtles.

After fish feeding, they caught toads. I do not care for toads.

Boo wanted to know, "Are they made of rubber?"

When raindrops started falling from a mostly blue sky we headed home.

Withered Beauty

My Mother's Day orchid dropped its first bloom. I reached to pluck it up and throw it away, then I paused... How often have I neglected to notice the beauty of someone or something that is withering away? Too often.

Not this time.

Cool Summer Sandwich

Give me a plate of breads and spreads and I'll happily make it a meal. These days I'm hung up on tomato sandwiches slathered with Cucumber-Dill Spread. It's cool and fresh, light and delicious... an oh-so-summery lunch.

No Berries

I suppose the blueberries are ripe on the bush.

I suppose I should take myself up the road...

and fill my empty cartons.

Sun blisters and boils, humidity blankets...

Cicadas sing the chorus of languid summer.

I suppose...

Redeemer Father

...Thou, O Lord, art our Father, Our Redeemer from old is Thy name.
Isaiah 63:16

Week's Ending

The endless cycle of idea and action,

Endless invention, endless experiment,

Brings knowledge of motion, but not of stillness;

Knowledge of speech, but not of silence;

Knowledge of words, and ignorance of the Word...

Where is the Life we have lost in living?

Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?

T. S. Eliot, Choruses From The Rock

I read these lines earlier this week, quoted in another book that I'm reading, and they've been on my mind and in my heart ever since. Don't they poignantly describe our modern society? As I've mulled them over I've looked at my own life... Is the way I'm living an "endless cycle of idea and action"? Where and when am I striving after the wind?

My prayer is that my life and my heart will be characterized by purposeful actions that are Kingdom-building, that my knowledge will be of the Word, and that I will seek out and value stillness and silence... I'm realizing that a life of endless motion and meaningless words is far too easily lived.


I haven't mentioned my mother's recent illness lately, but the reality is that her present circumstances are a very big and a very real part of our life. She underwent minor surgery this week in preparation for treatments that will begin next week. These treatments will largely dictate her life for the next six months. She continues to face her trial with astounding grace and joy. Our family knows that God holds her in the palm of His hand, that she is in the midst of His decrees.

From the Westminster Shorter Catechism...
What are the decrees of God?
The decrees of God are His eternal purpose according to the counsel of His will whereby He has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.

I believe this. And, I am confident that what He allows, He will use for our good and His glory.

Now, here is our week... in all of its motion {there's been a lot of that lately!} and stillness. My cup overflows!

Kitchen renovations are underway. Oh the noise, oh the dust, but I love seeing evidence of progress. The kitchen walls are torn down to the studs {goodbye paneling!} while cabinets stand empty and doorless waiting to be painted, dishes and pantry goods are strewn through other rooms of the house... things are messy but good.
My hard working husband continues to amaze me with his enthusiasm... he does, after all, have a day job, too. Just look at him go.

The professor's sister breezed into town this week to help Khaki, my mother-in-law, clean out closets. The fruits of their labor produced a stack of vintage pillowcases, each one uniquely detailed with beautiful handwork. {Swoon!} Because they know that I'll try to make anything out of a pillowcase I've inherited them. Time to pull out the sewing machine.

Highlights...

A birthday party attended {and photographed}.

Successes at swimming lessons.

A large family gathering to celebrate Father's Day {early}.

Rain to resurrect my withering mint.
Mint lemonade.

A baby seat installed on my bike.

Lowlights...

Daily heat indexes of 98!

Drama at swimming lessons.

A large family gathering in my trashed kitchen.

Rain to breed more mosquitoes than you can believe.
Mint lemonade all over my kitchen floor.

Boys asking for daily bike rides in 98-degree heat.

In the afternoons we retreat indoors to escape the heat. Boo and I started reading The Long Winter this week {oh, the irony, it is not lost on me!}. The "Laura and Mary books" {as he calls them} have been so delightfully engaging for us, I wonder if we, together, will ever enjoy another series of books as much.

The boys and I spent an afternoon making the cutest little fruit-filled pies when Boo decided one day that he wanted to make tarts. Flour everywhere!

Tukes and I quite literally had to duke it out on the pool deck three mornings in a row over swimming lessons, but on Thursday something clicked and now he is doing great. His little laid-back-self possesses an uncharacteristic stubborn streak when it comes to making changes and trying something new. I am learning to force his hand when needed.

The professor is anxious to start banging on this Saturday morning and I've got two little boys to occupy. They are always eager to hinder help. Have a wonderful weekend!

Popsicle Afternoon

Monkey Bread

Weekend mornings usually mean we'll have something special for breakfast. If the boys could have it their way we would eat donuts every Saturday morning, but they don't complain when I plop a plate of warm, sticky Monkey Bread in front of them instead.

Here is how I make one of our weekend favorites...

Start with enough bread dough for one loaf of bread. I simply mix together my favorite basic bread recipe in the breadmaker using the "dough" setting. To make it really easy on yourself use one loaf of frozen bread dough.

Mix and knead your bread dough {or let the machine do it... or simply thaw according to package directions}, let rise, punch down, knead until smooth, and let it rest, covered, for ten minutes.

Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a small bowl. In another small bowl mix together 1/2 cup sugar and three teaspoons of cinnamon. Now you're ready for the messy part...

Pinch off portions of dough that are slightly smaller than a golf ball, dip in the melted butter, roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until coated, and place in a buttered, fluted cake pan. Repeat, repeat, repeat... layering as you go around. Toss in some chopped pecans along the way if you wish.

Let it rise for 30 minutes and then bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Now, lets talk about timing for a minute. If you don't want to get up at dawn on a Saturday morning {who does?!} in order to prepare this for breakfast then try one of the following options.

First option, bake it the evening before, cool completely, wrap in foil, and reheat it for 15-20 minutes at 300 just before breakfast. This bread reheats very well, probably because of all the butter!

Second option, after placing the dough in the cake pan {but before you bake it} cover the whole thing with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator to slowly rise overnight. Bake as directed in the morning... minus the plastic wrap, of course.

Serve warm, with a smile, and plenty of coffee.

Reluctant Swimmer

On this day, the first day of swimming lessons, he put up a dramatic, persistent, and loud resistance effort. Today I was the mother with the screaming reluctant swimmer. It wasn't pretty.

We'll try again tomorrow...

Giving Trees

Oh, there has been a baby boom recently!

A time to celebrate life.

And, there have been special people to honor.

A chance to say thank you.

We're starting to deliver some of our green gifts.

{Yes, delivery already... a bit earlier than I expected!}

So far, they've been a hit!

God of Rest

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

This is what the Lord says:

"Stand at the crossroads and look;

ask for the ancient paths,

ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

and you will find rest for your souls..."

Jeremiah 6:16

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Week's Ending

The professor called it "The Stratford-upon-Avon Fiasco" but it wasn't really a fiasco. I will concede, however, that it was baptism by fire...

This week I conducted my first {semi}official photo shoot at a nearby English park. The photo session was official in that it was scheduled, and the little boys blue were dressed for the occasion. It was {semi}official because this was a family gig. I photographed my sweet nephews for my sister. Fortunately for me, sisters are good at keeping expectations in check.

I do not recommend the following scenario for an aspiring photographer's first portraiture session... ninety-five degree heat... intense, mid-afternoon sunlight... two adults {one with the camera}... three little boys and a fearless, free running toddler... mud and, ahem, natural goose fertilizer. Yes, my friends, there is no doubt, I have been initiated.

When I finished chasing little boys with the camera my sister treated us to ice cream. Considering the heat the cool treat was like being paid in gold. All in all it was fun. Really, it was. I'll do it again if anyone will have me. This is how memories are made and, more importantly, preserved!

See this house? It was our first house, our South Carolina house. For three years we poured every spare penny and every spare moment into renovating it {ourselves}. We sold it four years ago this month. This week I've been feeling nostalgic about a chapter of our life that has ended.

And, speaking of houses... after an intense nine months on campus for the professor we are finally able to turn our attention {and our money and our energy} back to renovations on our current mod'ish home. It feels great! I love seeing paint chips and countertop samples laying around, signs of progress. The professor plans to tear out half of the kitchen cabinets and a stretch of {orange} counter this weekend so that he can work on a new wall.

I've been deep cleaning and de-cluttering this week, just in time for dusty renovations. Great timing, huh? Oh well.

Now, for the highlights:

~ A trip to the dairy bar, a local ice cream dive. Soft serve cones for the whole family cost less than $4.50. Tukes wanted to know, "Why dem have a Co-cola sign?" Co-cola?! If I'm not raising a deep south boy I don't know who is!

~ Spending time with cousins.

~ Playdates.

~ A two-hour visit to Home Depot that yielded a new storm door.

~ Early morning bike rides.

And, the lowlights:

~ Colds. In June? First Tukes and now me.

~ An entire jar of applesauce dropped, shattered, and spilled.

~ A blown grocery budget.

~ Clutter. I can't get on top of it!

~ Melted popsicle on my clean kitchen floor. {Is my kitchen floor ever truly clean?}

my sister's living roomTukes has been carrying imaginary puppies around in his pockets, and this week he requested that we go to the baby store to buy a baby. If only real puppies and babies were that easy.

Boo found an old can of shaving gel and managed to accidentally dispense its entire contents all over his face and hair. It was a traumatic ordeal for him... the professor and I laughed and laughed, quite mercilessly.

Have a great weekend, ya'll. We have overnight guests due to arrive in four hours. At this moment my house is far from being ready.