Pumpkin Moonshine

"It was Halloween and Sylvie wanted to make a pumpkin moonshine, so she put on her bonnet and started out for the cornfield to find the very finest and largest pumpkin..."

"Sylvie scooped all the seeds and pulp out, then Grandpawp made eyes and nose and a big grinning mouth with horrid crooked teeth..."

"It was evening by then so they put a lighted candle inside the pumpkin to make him look as fierce and horrid as all true Pumpkin Moonshines should. Sylvie and Grandpawp put the Pumpkin Moonshine on the front gate post, then they hid in the bushes to watch how terrified the passers by would be at the sight of this fierce Pumpkin Moonshine. They had a wonderful time."from Pumpkin Moonshine by Tasha Tudor

The Breath of the Almighty

The Spirit of God has made me,

and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Job 33:4

But it is the Spirit in a man,

the breath of the Almighty,

that gives him understanding.

Job 32:8

Sweet Teeth

Laughing Things

While tidying the boys' room this morning I spotted a green rubber snake... just hangin' around.
While driving carpool I overheard Little Brother knowingly inform his friend, "Harry Potter goes to a school where he learns about richcraft. Richcraft is bad."
While talking to the boys about possibly playing basketball this winter Big Brother asked me if he could take luge lessons instead.
While I was trying to cook dinner Sister wandered around the house with a loaf of bread {unbeknownst to me}. Y'all, I think she sat on it. Seriously.
While encouraging Sister to say words, the boys' asked her what she calls herself. She immediately replied with a very clear and understandable, "Self."

Dressing Table Things

While attending a large, family gathering many years ago, my great Aunt Christine, who was sitting next to me on my grandmother's white naugahyde couch, leaned over and said, with a kind sparkle in her eye, "I like your ear baubles."
On my birthday, earlier this month, I made a solitary trip downtown and bought myself a new pair of ear baubles... silver with green beads and just a little bit dangly. They have quickly become the pair -- you know, the ones that I wear almost every day. At night I take them off and place them on the dressing table in the bathroom. I think Aunt Christine, with her delightful, vintage ways, would approve

Evening's First Lights

About an hour before dusk the sun dips just below the tree tops. I walk through the house turning on lights while the sounds of children playing outside drift in through open windows. Sweet potatoes bake in the oven and I think about how short our fall afternoons are becoming. I call to the boys in the yard and see home-lights burning in the open windows of our neighbors across the street. I love that. I hope they look my way and see my lights and love it, too.

The Living God

But the Lord is the true God;

He is the living God and the everlasting King...

Jeremiah 10:10

Clothed as Lilies

I love it when God reveals Himself to me in the most insignificant ways...
Our mild, autumn air turned chilly this week and I found myself reaching for warmer clothes. To the boys' chagrin I insisted on long pants, and there was the zipping up of jackets before the slinging on of backpacks each morning.
In Sister's drawer I chose from a random collection of clothes... a pile of hand-me-downs sent by my cousin Jennifer, things outgrown by her Caroline, and an odd assortment of items that Bunny and my Susan-friend had picked up for Sister at various thrift stores and consignment shops. As I sorted and grabbed, things began to coordinate and outfits started coming together. Cute, happy, fun outfits!
I smiled.
There was no plan when that pile of gently used clothes landed at my house... just a lot of love. Yet, that pile was planned, tenderly and delightfully planned. His fingerprint.

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 his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Matthew 6:28-29

May He give you eyes to see His fingerprints this weekend.
They are there.

Pensive Me

For Savoring

He arrives home from school all aglow, bursting with news... the desk fairy visited kindergarten. He produces his fairy treat -- a red Lifesaver. Savoring sweet candy after lunch he asks me if we can read On Christmas Eve. We do, just as we have done many times before.
The other, he climbs in the car with shirttail hanging, tousled hair, and dreams of go-carts. Brothers slurp orange juice from fruit then set snack aside to dash outdoors, intent on the serious work of their play. They romp and run and holler. Their man-child ways making my heart smile. Boys, sucking and savoring the juice of childhood... a wonder, a delight.

...May the God before whom my fathers

Abraham and Isaac walked,

the God who has been my shepherd

all my life to this day,

the Angel who has delivered me from all harm

— may He bless these boys...

Genesis 48:15-16

Lunchtime Visitor

When we arrived home from kindergarten carpool today this little guy leaped himself into the kitchen right ahead of me and began eyeing his handsome reflection in the dishwasher door.


Little Brother, feeling somewhat brave, decided to catch him. Sister thought it was all great fun...


Until our new friend escaped and I screamed.
If the professor or Big Brother had been at home the little guy would have been scooped into bare hands and set free outside. Instead, he sought refuge under the kitchen cabinets. For a few hours there was a lizard running free in my kitchen... in my house, but Big Brother, upon arriving home from school, caught him in short order {while I squealed} and returned him to his home in the liriope.
I think the lizard and I are both relieved that he doesn't have to sustain himself on the cracker remnants and Cheerio dust covering my crumby floor. The end.

God is Big

The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.

His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.

Nahum 1:3

Lashlicious

Someone please tell Sister that we don't put {disposable} diapers in with the dirty laundry. Somehow we managed to send one all the way through the washer and dryer cycles last week.

Then, tell her that we don't climb back into the bath water after we're freshly lotioned, diapered, and wearing clean pajamas. It should go without saying that books are never to be included when pajama-bathing {or otherwise}, but apparently not. I've got a soggy book to prove it.


And while you're chatting, tell her not to chew on items that she finds in the recycle bins or climb on the bunk beds. Finally, remind her that she must never learn how to bat those eyelashes.
{What tiny detail of your little world did you notice today?}

Autumn Thoughts

Our days have been gray and damp lately. The air smells like leaves and acorns. I smiled as I watched the boys play in the mist today. Little Brother picked dandelions and put them in a juice glass for me. I hope he always does that. I'm thinking about apples from the farmer's market and the smell of woodsmoke, dangly earrings with green beads and wedding plans. Did I tell you that a sister-friend is getting married in the spring? I smile every time I think about it. My little world seems to be paused on the brink of possibility and I'm discovering that it's lovely place to be. Uncertain, yes, but perfect for savoring what is now and for dreaming big dreams... with a bit of hope.

A Lesson in Making French Macaroons

Spirit of Truth

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper,

that He may abide with you forever --

the Spirit of truth... 

John 14:16-17

Birthday Party Gift Idea

A canvas {or two}, acrylic paints, and paintbrushes...


all tucked into a drawstring bag...or, wrapped in brown paper and tied up with string.

After School

Simple Things to Love

{Mommy's pretty coffee cup}

{Storyline Online}

{Bright red magnolia seeds}

{Paperclip chains}

{Barely Banana Muffins}

Limes for My Tea

18 Months Old

Glorious Father

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. Ephesians 1:17