Majestic God

Who is like You among the gods, O Lord?

Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?

Exodus 15:11

Saturday News

As stated by the professor this morning...

Babe, we've got a problem... I need to go to Home Depot to buy a small sledge hammer... Now, all I have to do is learn how to sweat pipes then I should be able to fix it.

Turns out the toilet in our master bathroom that we thought was simply dying a slow death was actually dying a slow, leaky death.

The professor discovered the rotten walls {under three layers of dated wallpaper} this morning.

A few weeks ago, soon after we finished the kitchen renovations, we took a hard look at finances and decided that despite our desire to press forward and begin bathroom renovations we should wait until after the new year giving ourselves some time to prepare financially.

Sometimes life... things like leaky potties and rotten drywall... make our decisions for us.

It's official as of today, bathroom renovations have begun.

A Drop of Golden Sun...

On my kitchen window sill.

If only I could find some sun drops in caplet form, then I might have some energy.

I'm dragging...

And discovering that when one has two active boys the first trimester pregnancy slump does not end at twelve weeks. {Oh, and if you've been trying to call me... I can't find my phone.} Hmmm, maybe I should just take a nap.

These words are a respite to those of us with weary souls and bodies...

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

"He Giveth More Grace" by Annie J. Flint

On The Lathe

There is a Civil War era, Confederate lathe tucked in the shade near the main lawn of campus.

The boys pretty much consider it to be their personal jungle gym.

After haircuts we must walk across the street to "see the lathe." Their "seeing" involves a lot of climbing. What can I say... they are tactile, active, curious little boys who love all things mechanical.

I don't complain about the climbing, when paired with dimples it makes for a great photo op!

Morning Kitty

Toys and Books We Love

Yesterday Boo asked me, "How long is it till Christmas?"

I looked a the calendar and replied, "Well, today is October 25 and Christmas is December 25, so it's two months away."

Yikes, two months! I need to get busy, and chances are you do too.

I hate to fan the flame (errrr, forest fire!} of Christmas consumerism, but I'm guessing that more than a few of you have some little people in your life whom you are eager to delight this holiday season. With that in mind, here are a few of our favorite, and unique, toys and books.

When the professor and I were engaged he informed me quite certainly that one day, when we had children, he would be involved in the toy shopping. He always has been, and he never ceases to seek out and discover those extra-special playthings that our boys love.

Lest you think we're total toy snobs please remember that this is a list of our favorite unique toys... this list does not necessarily reflect our entire collection of toys, because, yes, we do own our fair share of Hot Wheels cars, Nerf guns, and Happy Meal prizes.

Automoblox -- They're cars made of blocks... take them apart and reconfigure them for endless vehicle possibilities.

Automoblox Minis -- Same as above yet smaller and simpler. Tukes has a set of these and plays with them on a daily basis. Perfect for preschool-sized hands.

Flensted Mobiles -- Not a toy, but fun nonetheless. Colorful kinetic sculptures to delight the eye of the young and the young at heart.

Zig Zag Racer -- We gave this remote controlled boat to Boo for his seventh birthday. Oh my goodness it is fun, and easy to handle. Be prepared to watch grown men fight for a turn.

Eames House of Cards -- Next to classic building blocks this is the most basic construction toy ever made. Simple and colorful.

Quadrilla Marble Railway -- Incredible quality, fun for all ages.

Classic Colorforms -- An oldie but a goldie.

Brio Toys -- Not just the trains, although they're great, check out the traditional wooden toys.

Zoobs -- Another fun {and colorful} construction toy.

Kit Kat Clock -- Charming and whimsical, perfect for young minds learning to tell time.

Kikkerland Wind Ups -- Great stocking stuffers. These will make anyone smile.

My Friend Dolls -- Perfect for the little miss who would enjoy a dolly friend. Vintage. Dolls and accessories readily available on ebay.

Ripping Things to Do: The Best Games and Ideas from Children's Books by Jane Brocket

Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer by Jane Brocket -- "A cookery book based on all the lovely foods and treats which are eaten in classic children’s literature and each recipe is introduced with an evocative description of the book that inspired it."

Just a note... Meredith writes, "This week Land of Nod has put free shipping with many of its classic toys and stocking stuffers. Both the Automoblox and the mini sets are included in that free shipping deal."

Disclosures: This blog is not used for advertising purposes. I have not, nor will I, receive compensation for any of the above recommendations. This is a simple list of toys and books that our family has enjoyed... yours may too! Please do your own research for each product listed to determine age appropriateness. Be sure to shop around for the best price.

Faithful One

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God,
the faithful God
who keeps covenant and steadfast love
with those who love Him and keep His commandments,
to a thousand generations...
Deuteronomy 7:9

Young Modernist

Let's pause for a minute so that I may indulge in a proud-mother-moment...

This week Boo submitted his watercolor entitled "The Circles" in the annual art contest held at school. He won second place among all of the first grade submissions!

Today he came home from school with a flashy red ribbon, a new stash of art supplies, and the biggest, most wonderful grin plastered across his boyish face.

Morning Office

My Friend Dolls

Yesterday, Miss Brown Eyes brought her mother's old My Friend Dolls {Fisher Price} when she came to our house to play. Oh, the nostalgia! Seeing Mandy {the blond} and Jenny {the brunette} stirred up so many of my own childhood memories.

It was the little details, like the rubber slip-on shoes...

And, the rosebud cloth covered bodies that sparked happy remembrances of girlhood play.

My sister, Anna, had Mandy and I, quite appropriately, had Becky the redheaded My Friend Doll. My mom used to tell us to take care of our dolls because someday we would want to give them to our own little girls. How ironic that between the two of us we have four boys and no girls!

But, aren't mothers almost always right?! If this little one that I am carrying happens to be a little girl you can rest assured knowing that I will turn my parents' basement upside-down in search Becky!

Holiday A-line

Honestly, the amount of satisfaction that I find in making a gift from materials that I already have on hand is more than slightly absurd. What can I say? Yes, I'm easily thrilled.

This evening I plan to venture out for a baby shower celebrating a baby girl who is due to arrive shortly before Christmas. Using fabric leftover from last year's holiday sewing I put this little holiday a-line jumper together over the weekend. Seeing that it's sized for a 12-month old, it will be perfect for her to wear next Christmas.

Trimmed

Just an all-American boy sitting in a small town, all-American barbershop. Classic.

Don't you love that seersucker drape?!

God, Who Sees

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi*; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.
Genesis 16:13-14

*Beer Lahai Roi means well of the Living One who sees me.

Friday Afternoons

Why yes... we have had a lot of rain this week. I had to step out the back door this morning and empty the water from my overflowing rainwater barrel planter of begonias.

One of the especially nice things about Fridays is that the Boo comes home from school at noon. He loves the short school day, I love having him home, and Tukes really loves spending all afternoon with his best friend. There are no complaints at our house today.

Last night the professor observed that Boo has Eddie Munster sideburns... time for a haircut. We're off to the barbershop this afternoon and then I expect we'll wander around downtown because it's Friday and we can and wandering is fun, even if it is gray.

Noticing

When we found out there was a baby on the way the doctor banned me from my bike. I'll admit, it was hard for me to it give up... the boys and I enjoy riding together so much and bicycling had been my primary source of exercise.

However, I know my doctor's reasons are good -- a pregnant lady with an ever changing center of gravity, along with a three year old to balanced in the child seat are circumstances far from ideal in preventing spills.

And so, I've taken to walking {often with my camera}... and noticing. Yes, the pace is slower and I miss feeling the wind on my face but, oh, how I've enjoyed the colors of late summer and now the first shades of autumn.

A Grandfather's Love

"...there is no grandfather

who does not adore his grandson."

Victor Hugo

In Which I Ramble...

Hello friends! What, no post since Saturday evening? Well, my goodness, I did sit a spell, didn't I?

Actually, on Sunday afternoon I sat myself in the driver's seat and motored us up the road a few hours for a quick overnight visit with my parents. Columbus Day afforded the Boo a day out of school, and it had been since July. The visit was bliss.

It seems now I'm moving slowly... today is Tuesday but it feels like a Monday. I expect I'll be a day behind for the rest of the week. 

This morning I've been plowing through the laundry pile and tidying the house while enjoying cozy things like hot apple cider and a bit of instrumental Christmas music. I know, I know it's only October but dreary, gray mornings call for cozy measures. Oh, and I made pimento cheese. It tastes like my mom's pimento cheese and that makes me happy.

In other rambling thoughts... See my tile backsplash? I love it. The professor finished grouting it this past weekend. The kitchen is now practically finished {save the floor}! If we have a sunny day this week I'll shoot some real photos of it and show you everything.

And now, it is time for me to take myself into that beautiful kitchen to bake some pumpkin bread {see, more cozy measures} because a girl can't live on only pimento cheese... although I would certainly be happy to try!

God is Worthy

Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.

Revelation 4:11

Wanna Sit With Me?

I drive past this old chair every morning. When the early sunlight hits it just so I tell myself that one day I'll stop and gingerly pick my way through roadside weeds for a photo shoot.

When I woke before sunrise on Thursday morning I was thirty-three and this was the day, I decided, that I would stop... if the light was right... to capture the chair. The light was right and I was armed with a brand new camera lens; a birthday surprise, thanks to the professor.

It seems that these boys and this growing baby, celebrating a birthday, photographing another birthday, and shuttling to and from school and soccer practice can really take it out of a girl. Last night I collapsed into bed shortly after tucking the boys in for sweet dreams well before 8 p.m.

This Saturday afternoon there are maternity pants to hem and photos to edit, if I'm so inclined... but maybe I'll just sit and enjoy the golden day while watching the little guys run around the backyard. There is peach cobbler to anticipate tonight and, you know, I can continue looping a rubberband through the buttonhole of my pants for a few more weeks.

Yes, let's sit.

My Heart Sings

Morning blossoms for the professor because he is the champion of my dreams.

Peaking

Younger brother peaks at older brother's captive black widow.

{Eeek! Yes, we have a black widow, and her two egg sacs, living in our kitchen.}

I peak at a little boy wearing my cowboy boots from once upon a time.

Simply Hooked

October Weekend

It was a glorious weekend in the country...

Where the boy cousins ran...

And explored, and dreamed.

A visit to one of the oldest working plantations in the state...

An area where my roots run deep...

Gave us the chance to do all things fall.

At the end of it all was a ride on the vintage fire truck...

Icing on a very sweet cake indeed!

Unchanging God

And, "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,

And the heavens are the works of Your hands;

They will perish, but You remain;

And they all will become old like a garment,

And like a mantle You will roll them up;

Like a garment they will also be changed.

But You are the same,

And Your years will not come to an end."

Hebrews 1:10-12, emphasis mine

Happy Fall, Y'all

When the professor went to New York City a few years ago he asked me what I wanted him to bring me. While some new hardware from Tiffany's would have been welcome, I simply asked for a knock-off designer handbag. He delivered quite nicely. I pulled it out this morning and am loving the look of my aqua leather coin clutch tucked inside.

While the professor hunkers down here at home this weekend to give me the white subway tile backsplash that I've been dreaming of, the boys and I are off on a quick, overnight adventure. I've got a fresh memory card in the camera, freshly charged batteries, and my fall'ish handbag... we're all set. Have a wonderful weekend, y'all, on this first weekend in October.

Today

These days I'm mesmerized by the fresh autumn sunlight... it's less direct with lower angles and the intensity of the summer sun has fled. In the late afternoon it fills our house with a most enchanting glow. But, don't let beautiful sunlight and a tidy surface fool you. I must post and run...

Today my house is really quite dirty. There is scrubbing to tackle, floors to be mopped, and laundry {three loads!} to fold and put away. We'll spend the late afternoon at the soccer field bringing us home close to dinner time, but, oh dear, I seem to have no dinner planned. Hmmm, seems like this evening will be a perfect breakfast-for-dinner-evening.

If you're on the sniff for inspiration {I always am} then check out some of the links on my sidebar under Be Inspired. Here you'll find links to recent posts and sites that I've found inspiring, encouraging, or thought provoking. I try to add several each week replacing a few of the older ones... it's my own little homemade Tumblr list.

One new-to-me site that I've been enjoying recently is Our Best Bites, a beautiful cooking and recipe blog. I've had a chance to try a few of the recipes; my favorite so far is the Mini Breakfast Quiches, which are a perfect make-ahead, protein-packed breakfast option. And, I've heard whispers that the White Chocolate, Pumpkin Cheesecake is delicious, too! Enjoy!