Winding down the day

Just cut some more roses, not that we're experiencing any sort of shortage. There are buds galore out there, and we should have plenty to enjoy for several more days. When our next door neighbor moved into an assisted living apartment a couple of years before she died, the new neighbors put up a wooden fence between our houses separating the backyards. Before that, we'd had only a chain link fence between us. The guys who put up the fence set the posts so that the original climber rose would be on our side. The new neighbors didn't care and hadn't known the woman they'd bought the house from, so we've been able to cut slips and start 4 pieces, giving one away to another neighbor and having 3 of our own. The only downfall is that the ones we planted in the front yard are left to sprawl, being that they're in the flower beds and not against a vertical surface. But even so, they're all good-sized now, and are a real treat come Spring.

Now I'm just hoping for a weekend that rains out all planned activities. ;) Not that there are any, but a couple of days with not needing to run errands or do stuff sounds plenty inviting. Should be a dandy rainstorm during the night (that's why I cut the flowers), and the weekend is supposed to be wet.

Must fetch all my cactus and Jade potted plants in from the front porch so that they won't get scared with the thunder and lightning. My babies. While I might shudder with these darned African Violets (and Mona is still alive and well, thank you!), the cactus are more forgiving.

As for now...it's time to quit.

Antique roses

These roses are from climbers in our front yard, but they originated with cuttings from our former next door neighbor who passed away several years ago. The story goes that her grandmother had the original rosebush.

To tell you how old this rose is....the neighbor who died was in her nineties.

It smells just wonderful. Would love to know the name of it, if it even has an official name. It only blooms at the end of April/very early May, and appears to be very resistant to disease. A glorious flower.

Another birthday :)

Sitting here with fourth son who's frosting the birthday cake for third son. He made a chocolate cake with mayonnaise, and the taste of it (with cream cheese frosting) is wonderful. We usually use Crisco as the fat in cakes, but since we were out of that after making pasties last night, I got online to see if there were recipes using oil. Yes there are (to answer the next question), but in my searches I found the recipe linked above.

Total yum-ness! :) The cake has a tiny bit of bite with the flavor of the mayonnaise, and with the frosting...my oh my, it's good.

In a few minutes will put together the birthday meal, which is like Greek Spanakopita, but I use only one box of frozen spinach, don't add the ricotta and use some Parmesan instead along with the Feta, and also add cooked chicken. We'll have Green Beans Almondine as well, though we usually have a Greek-style salad.

Time to go, must lick the frosting knife, if the least one doesn't beat me to it. ;)

About book reviews

Since I've gotten into writing book reviews online, it seems that I read books a bit differently than I used to. Well, the ones for pleasure are still that...a pleasure. But when there's one to read for a publisher, my critical side rears its head. Guess that's normal.

What gets me, though, is searching through other reviews for the same materials I'm reading. When certain books get rave reviews, or are held up in high regard when I wasn't a fan, I have to wonder. Are book bloggers binding themselves to give the high five to materials because they've received a free copy to read? Or maybe they just like *everything*? I do realize that everyone's going to differ in what they like or deem good literature. But when a book isn't edited well, or has badly executed dialogue, seems to me it's up to the one writing the critique to point that out.

I have a review coming up and it's making me fret. While I want to be honest, at the same time, I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. But a reviewer doesn't do anyone any favors when they go nuts for a publication that's either mediocre, or poorly written. And to think that because something has been bound and put on a store bookshelf that it *deserves* to be published should be the farthest thing from our minds. There's lots of drivel out there.

Gentle honesty. Maybe that's what I'm driving at.

Late Wednesday afternoon

Another birthday tomorrow. Third son turns 19, and I'm thankful that Gary and I went shopping last night for his presents and dinner. I really can't stand it when we leave it to the last minute, either by necessity, or just plain laziness. :)

And hoping tomorrow can be a day at home without any errands. Might even get Friday's schoolwork set up early so the kids can work on their own that day. I do enjoy it when I plan that way, then when I get up, I can putter and do housework and not feel guilty.

I'm such a mess.

Anyway, earlier today I rented the movie *Georgia O'Keeffe* with Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons at Redbox. Can't seem to find a trailer online, but hoping it's good. Gary's committed to watching it with me, hoping in his heart that it's not a girlie movie. Shoot, I'm not watching *Dog the Bounty Hunter* tonight JUST so I can watch a movie with him. How's that for devotion? I think that says it all.

Now need to get the living room in order (vacuuming and such) and they get things ready to make pasties for dinner. Labor intensive, but the look on Gary's face when I bring them to the table is priceless.

Enjoy your night!

This was one of those nights where you wake up in the middle of the night and stay awake. Makes me CRAZY!!! Has nothing to do with whether you're tired or not, it just happens. And when there are issues in your head that won't go away, well, that just compounds the situation.

Will go back to bed for a morning nap in a minute. Otherwise I'll be mean as a snake today.

Attempts at quiet

A bit of stress in the extended family just now. My aunt (who's in her late 80's) has been at home from the hospital for awhile, after beating pneumonia. The drama now is about my uncle who retired from a part-time job in October and is now at home all the time as well. I think they drive one another nuts. He doesn't have a hobby, unless you call my aunt his hobby. He's feeling down in the dumps, and she's healing up and still feeling weak, and it's just a mess.

My mom's all worked up about it, and then when she shares with me on the phone, I get all agitated as well. When there's no easy solution to a predicament, it's hard to find peace about it. I think we all want to solve it, but seems to me, the main characters have to settle this themselves.

::mental pause::

So this morning I've put a couple of egg whites in a pretty bowl on the counter to get to room temperature. Thought the little girls and I could try some Macarons with them later on. I want to get out my sewing as well. Am going to finish the least one's dress this week, and plan on making some felt doughnuts for a young friend. And beef stew to get on the stove later on. I bought a pretty little roast (one of those wrapped up in string) to cut up for it.

Grounding activities. I need things to do that settle my spirits. Will cut some roses when the sun goes down, read my library book at nap-time, and fold some clothes. Puttering and quietness. That's needed here, I'm thinking.

(photo is a free image from vintage workshop)

Monday morning

I almost hate to post this morning, because when this note goes up, the pretty photograph in the previous one gets shoved down. If it was mine to use, that'd be one peachy header photo, wouldn't it?

Today will be a busy one, but full of good stuff. Fourth son will go with me to the store, this morning, since it seems the only open spot to work with. We'll do school afterward. Then the day will fall into place.

Looking forward to seeing one of my brothers today. He and his wife are in town to help out my mom and my SIL's mom...household things...painting and such. And I think my SIL will be doing upholstery at her mom's house. Wish I was so clever. We have this really wonderful chair that's slowly wasting away, and we have to put throws on it to cover up the arms (yeah, the wood and filling show) and seat. LOVE that chair (as does Molly!), and while Gary and I did recover a glider rocker a few years back, we did sort of a lousy job of it. Not wanting to repeat that fiasco anytime soon. I'll stick with throws for now. It still sits.

Anyway, when my brother is through painting, this afternoon, we'll get together to talk. It's been awhile. I've always yearned for a sister, but am thankful for 2 older brothers. Maybe the Lord gave me 3 daughters to fill up the empty space?!?

(photo by me)

Pretties

Anyone who goes to my tumblr account will figure that all I have on my mind is tea, cupcakes, kitchens and bed...and not necessarily in that order. :)

(photo courtesy of tumblr)

Plant identification

Is this some sort of Phlox, does anybody know? It's in a part of the garden where I threw some unidentified seed early last season, but nothing came up there until now. We have Phlox that looks similar in another place, but it's an established plant that's been there for years. The leaves are a bit different from the older plant compared to this one.

Fleas (ugh!)

Washing pug covers and assorted furniture throws. Next step in the *get rid of the fleas in the house* scourge we're doing today. Not a lazy Sunday afternoon activity, but we're having a heckuva time getting rid of the little beggars. And being that Violet the pug is sensitive to the over-the-counter flea medications, we have to go the natural route. Hoping to have the cash to buy something more heavy duty for the big dogs this week, though, and if the bugs are controlled on them, then the blessing will follow on the little dogs............right?

Kids will bathe all dogs in a few minutes and then I'll sprinkle flea repellent on the furniture and rug, followed by vacuuming and wiping up. Then will make up a spray bottle with some tea tree oil/water in it. And supposedly if you make a tea tree oil rinse to put on the dogs (sort of like hair conditioner, but you don't rinse it off) after bathing them, it works well too.

Could this post be any more boring?

A relaxing Saturday

It's a wonderful rainy day, but my goodness, the thunder and lightning overnight was amazing. Went out earlier to move my truck so oldest son could leave for work and got a shot of the walkway to the house from the driveway. The burning bushes were so full of rainwater, that I had to duck to take the photo. :) The kitchen window photo (a spot I seem to photograph repeatedly since it's always changing) is from yesterday...just to show how much I like *stuff*!

Must go now. Oldest daughter and I have a day out together and we need to get dressed. Lunch and maybe a trip to Anthropologie, a store we've only visited online and in catalogues. Fun-ness.

About that African Violet...

Thought you might like to see the African Violet my very trusting neighbor gave me the other evening. I've named it Mona, and we'll see how Mona likes living in this crammed full house of dogs and kids. Huh. I'll tell you, I'm way intimidated. See what she's sitting on? It's a dinner plate, full-sized and the plant is even broader than the plate. Bet you thought it was a saucer, at first, didn't you? One of the biggest darn African Violets I've ever seen. The thing is, my neighbor has about 10-15 of these monsters, and that's why I called her The African Violet Whisperer the other day. Oh, and one of the outer leaves was falling off when she gave it to me, and this friend says (whose name is Mary), "Just pinch it off and put it in a pot...it'll root." Oh goodie (shaking my head). I did, though (using rooting hormone, that I fortunately do have), and it's not wilted yet. Maybe there's hope.

Was considering taking Mona back to my neighbor because I don't feel quite up to the task of being responsible for her. My husband just laughed at me.

And like I've said, I used to have a green thumb, and have done mighty well with outdoor plants, but inside ones? Seems I often have a death grip on them. So they shudder and lean away when I come into the room, wondering if I'll overwater or do the opposite.

We'll see how this goes (seems I'm shuddering as well!).

Before I got to baking this afternoon, I settled myself in bed with my laptop and watched the movie, 'Motherhood', with Uma Thurman. While there was some language to tolerate, and some parts I fast-forwarded through (she got sort of worked up in places and I needed her to get on with it!), I totally loved the apartment(s) where the family lived. It was beat up, well-loved and cluttered. Wonderful. Gave me a fresh perspective of my own kitchen which gets loaded and messy pretty quickly. Our house is beat up, well-loved and cluttered as well.

Reminded me of the apartment of Julie in 'Julie and Julia'. So cool. I could watch movies without the dialogue if I could only visit the sets.

Voila!

Macarons- pt. 1 and 2

The first batch of macarons are in the oven, and I await them with bated breath. We'll see. I tinted the mixture a pale pink, which is pretty (but didn't show up in the finished product, so tinted the filling as well), and since the mixer didn't smoke or die on me, I was able to whip the egg whites to a stiffness pretty darn quick.

Not such a big deal.

Will mix up the filling in a minute. Oh, and about the appearance of the single cookies. They look like they have layers, but folks say that that's normal. It's called the *feet* of the cookie---the scrabbledy part. Smooth on the top and all crinkled at the bottom. If they don't do that, then you've messed up somewhere. Not sure if mine will come through or not. But we'll still eat them anyway!

Honestly, if they do work the first time, it'd be pretty amazing.

I'm nervous.

********************
Part 2, out of the oven...

I noticed that my batter had a kissy top, and they aren't supposed to. Apparently when the recipe is doubled, that's the end result. Advice....do one batch at a time. But me? With ten people in the house, I either double or triple EVERY recipe, regardless. Now I know better!

Figured you'd like to see the photos. Not perfect, but okay for a first timer, eh? And they're so tasty. Like meringue or divinity. A slight crunch on the outside and sort of chewy inside. I made a filling with butter, confectioner's sugar, a bit of milk and a sprinkle of salt. Next time (if there *is* a next time) I'll flavor things more. Almonds are ground up for the cookie, but I'm not able to taste them. Some sort of extract might be a good idea, but just a bit.

The recipe I used is here!

French baking

Today's the day...French Macarons it is. Kids are at my mom's (well, most of 'em are), and my egg whites are sitting on the counter, getting to room temperature. Found a recipe that doesn't require having them set out on the counter overnight. I was having trouble getting my head around that idea. ;)

Will post later on, after I take the plunge! And yes, I do feel mighty intimidated.

Postscript

Whenever I've blogged with passion (as in the previous post), I always over-think things afterward and drive myself nuts, wondering if I should delete the post. Then I usually re-read my words and either shake my head at myself, or just say 'never mind' and go my merry way.

I think I've gotten so tired of folks being ugly out in public. Sometimes it seems that rational thinking is on its way out and the bullies are on their way in. Maybe I didn't explain the situation earlier in a clear way. I don't know, and it really doesn't matter. But to me it's not fair of strangers to be heavy-handed and inflict their bad moods on others. Doesn't matter who it is, it's just plain mean.

So tomorrow maybe I'll be all sweet and light again. Probably so. :) Can't keep me down too awfully long!

Sigh...

OK, I'm not keen on the woman who delivers our mail. It's not a secret in our family and the kids here tend to kid me about it. She and I have had words and I've apologized for mine, but still, I tend to avoid her when the mail truck trundles down the street. I have to wonder, though, if there's a trend in the post office to crank out workers who have chips on their shoulders.

Today oldest daughter and I swung past the post office to stick a bill in one of the mailboxes outside. One of the women there was using one of those laundry baskets on wheels (least that's the way they look to me) to unload the mail out of the boxes so she could take it all inside. Since the postal worker was on the near side, I pulled up beside her basket thingy and asked our daughter to hand her the letter. Big mistake. Before I could get out the letter to pass along, the postal worker gave me a very direct look and told me I must never pull up beside her again, and told me how hazardous I was being. Hazardous? There wasn't another vehicle in the parking lot, and it's not like it's an area that has lots of dangerous driving going on. That was my first thought. And honestly, my sarcastic side was showing because the next thought flashed into my mind of how there ought to be a sign out there warning customers to NOT drive alongside the postal worker because their lives were in our hands. Maybe it's part of that 'uh-oh the evil customer is a possible terr*rist' mentality. She didn't look scared, though. Scary, yes. My goodness, seems that I've handed over mail dozens of times to postal workers in the exact type of situation and have been greeted with a smile.

Give me a big fat break. Is it so necessary to put other folks in their places? I vote for the chip on the shoulder excuse rather than the possibility of me contributing to her demise.

We stared at one another for a few seconds, and then I said, "But can I leave my letter with you?" She gives me the *over the glasses* look and points to the cart. Not on your life would she actually accept the letter from my daughter's hand. I had memories of teachers in school sending me to stand out in the hall.

Are we seeing a bit of arrogance displayed here?

What I'm observing is folks (and not just people who work for the post office) having a script either given to them by higher ups or written by their own selves. If anyone diverts from the pattern expected, the worker pulls out a previously memorized comment written specifically to make the customer feel like a heel. The problem is that it's very effective. Took both my daughter and I about an hour to get over her rudeness, and it's apparent from my blog here that I'm *still* not over it.

Kindness. It's so easy to share, and leaves everyone in a better mood.

Oh my goodness

My neighbor across the street, who could easily be called 'The African Violet Whisperer', brought me two of her beloved plants yesterday to keep FOREVER. One is small and not blooming---not intimidating at all. The other is larger than a dinner plate, is variegated and happily blooming deep purple ruffled flowers.

Oh no.

Talk about intimidation. Not from my neighbor, but from this gorgeous African Violet which deserves a private room of its own. I used to have a pretty faithful green thumb, but lately, not so much. Maybe I can blame the seasonal change, and maybe my plants are suffering from Spring fever, perhaps?

Today I'll go out and buy some special dirt to plant my own (non-blooming) violets into. I fertilize and they just giggle at me and continue to be green. Guess that's something. They're not dead, just refusing to bloom even though I *do* fertilize/water them regularly. Stubborn little beggars. Oh, and my neighbor told me of some Hens and Chickens at a local hardware store that are cheap at a buck a piece. 'Course they're teensy-tiny, but that's okay. With my succulent fetish, small is good. There's not much flat space remaining around these parts anyhow. That darn violet got the last spot.

The Young Victoria

An excellent movie. Just excellent.

Books...always the books

Dealing with book gluttony just now, feeling stuffed to the gills with a pile of books on my bed. Wonderfulness, indeed. Dropped by the library after a grocery store run to get a book that I'd placed on hold, Dominque Browning's 'Paths of Desire: The Passions of a Suburban Gardener', and I got to looking at the 7-day books and came away with quite a few. The best catch was Robin Pilcher's 'The Long Way Home' and already I'm hooked. His writing is so much like his mom's (Rosamunde Pilcher), but might be even a bit better, though I hesitate to say that. I think she's a bit lighter in her style and subject matter, but with him being male, maybe that makes a difference. Also got a few others...a new Ted Dekker for one son who's a big fan, and a couple more for me. Good thing that the library doesn't limit how many 7-days a person can check out in one fix (fix seems the appropriate term for someone like me who's an addict to reading).

Oh, and got a book in the mail to review, which makes me feel like a grown-up...along with the new 'Victoria' magazine. AND, picked up the movie, 'The Young Victoria' at Redbox. Man, I'm jolly.

Must go clean so that the day appears like I did something useful to for the other members of our family. ;)

So far, so good

Must go fetch the few clothes that were forgotten on the clothes lines. Looks like rain, and let me tell you, I could do with some. After many, many sunshiny days, my heart just yearns for rain sometimes. It's calming and sort of resets my insides.

But for now it's overcast, the house is dim inside and that's good as well. Today is officially the least one's birthday and while she says that she won't actually turn 8 until she blows out the candles on her cake, I know the day will be full. Any minute the house will wake up and the fun will begin.

Give me my cloudy morning until then, and I'll be satisfied.

Sunday morning

Had forgotten I still had a couple of library books to read, one being 'One True Thing' by Anna Quindlen. Since I've only read Ms. Quindlen's writing in magazines/newspapers, I wasn't sure what'd I'd think of a novel by her. Impressed. Not an easy topic, cancer in a family--which is what this book is all about, but her writing is crystal clear. Have only run into a tiny bit of swearing, which I find often to be gratuitous, and unnecessary. Hope it's minimal. But can't wait until I get my running around done this morning (involving taking second son to a church he likes aside from the one we go to on Sat. nights) and getting the crock pot filled with tonight's dinner (wrapped chicken). Am tired from another night of wild dreams (my constant nightly companion), but am yearning to get back to the book.

Desperately anxious for nap-time, even with it being 10am now. :) How's that for lazy?

The list for today...

• finishing up the dress for the least one, made out of cast-offs (will post a photo when it's done)
• a trip to the grocery store for the weekend's supplies and dinner/cake for the least one, who turns 8 on Monday
• time to browse books and magazines to get inspired (have lagged in this department, lately, to my chagrin)
• a much-needed nap and finishing up a library book (re-reading Joanna Trollope's 'Second Honeymoon')
  
• attempts at not overdoing this weekend, since Saturday and Sunday tend to get a bit scrabbledy
  
• church this evening with a simple dinner at home afterward (hot dogs and baked beans)
  
• followed up by a quiet time at home tonight---can't beat that with a stick :)
  

This is the time of the week when I wish there was a weekend preceding the weekend. A few days to make the actual weekend easier to bear. Doesn't sound very playful, does it? Seems our Saturdays and Sundays tend to be a tiny bit harried.

My plan is to fit in some fun and silliness, and hope it flies. The least one's birthday is on Monday

Headache was short-lived, fortunately. Sometimes it's a real horror to get past. Yesterday was really relaxing, though, with me not having to leave the house, husband buying groceries after work, and the kids being low key. Perfect.

Now my mind is sort of preoccupied with the least one whose eighth birthday is on Monday. Tonight might take a crew out shopping for her.

Never Let You Go by Erin Healy

Erin Healy's book Never Let You Go was excellent, and very reminiscent of Frank Peretti's fiction. Milder, though. While Peretti would keep me from falling to sleep at night, Healy's book was frightening in places, but not unbearably so. Demons and angels are a recipe for a good read, but only when evil loses, and this book was no exception.

I like to read books that give good and evil actual human bodies. To visualize the unseen world is appealing, and Healy depicts that well. In this story, the main character, Lexi, is haunted by situations from her past that stole her husband from her, and paved the way for her sister's death. Lexi ends up being tormented by a couple of men (a term I use loosely), and any normal person would crack under the pressure. Fortunately in my experience, life is never quite as suspenseful as fiction writers would have us believe.

Bravo, Ms. Healy. More please.

I'm a member of Thomas Nelson's blogger book review program called BookSneeze. More information can be found at their website.

WhatEVER

Every so often, my body goes into a sort of earthquake mode and I end up with a season of migraines. Must be my head needs the emotional/physical break of being incapacitated so that I'll actually stop. And that time is now. The head got to hurting on the left side, last night, and was here and there today. Now I feel all woozy from aspirin/acetaminophen and watching Dog the Bounty Hunter. Might have to lay low tomorrow so that I get back to normal. Usually this nonsense lasts three days, but with the headache being milder, maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.

Will see you 'round. :)

English Breakfast tea to drink, pomegranate/cherry yogurt to gobble up and a day ahead of me. Most of the kids will eat lunch at my mom's so that leaves several hours that I'll have to myself. Delightful.

Tuesday afternoon

I've just gotten up from a goooood nap. Yesterday I was unable to really rest (being that our bed was cluttered with books, letters, clothes and lots of nothing), so today was really tired. Ah, that felt good. So good that I didn't realize how exhausted I've really been lately.

Plus I let the stew meat simmer while I was in bed (a small roast that I'd cut up, along with some wild onions from the yard, a few garlic cloves and one packet of dried onion soup mix). Will cut up some potatoes and carrots to cook in a bit, and second son said he'd make some drop biscuits. Yumness.

Life is pretty darn sweet just now.

Thoughts on cleaning

Yep, we cleaned yesterday. And I can honestly categorize our children into rows of tidy child/untidy child. Turns out that out of our eight children, 2 are very organized and able to keep up their spaces (like their father), and the remaining six take after...............me. I hang my head in shame. Yeah, I'm the one who lives in disarray, while my long-suffering husband has to tolerate things out of place and general havoc. I figure it's good for him, though. Too much order can be mind-numbing, or I like to think it can be. That's my excuse.

When I go into our younger boys' room (three of them together), I'll sit on the third son's bed and look over at the other boys' bunk beds and be amazed at the contrast. The boys on the bunks are super tidy (the only children in the house who are), and it's truly startling. Fifth son will actually gently peel himself out from under his covers so as to make the least wrinkle possible. And he smooths it over as he climbs down. The son in the single bed (my pigpen kinsman), throws the covers over when he gets up and accumulates piles of books and clothes. I can identify. But wish I couldn't. I yearn to be clean, but my natural mindset is to live in squalor. I actually get nervous watching that cable show, Hoarders, since I feel that in some freaky way, I'm like them. Not good.

So, I scan the rooms, looking for things to toss, wondering just how many art projects and cute cards from the girls I need to save. When is a crayon drawing ready for the trashcan? Can I wad up stuff they've given me and cram it into the bottom of the garbage bag so as to not hurt feelings? When a drawing stuck on the fridge with magnets begins to curl, is it time for it to go?

Obviously I'm giving this way too much thought, eh? Silly me.

A beeyootiful Monday morning

Up before anyone else. In a few minutes the house will begin to wake up a bit. Dogs have been let out and fed...Violet on my lap smelling of Skin-So-S*ft. She's too sensitive to the fancy flea medications (Fr*ntline, etc.), and those products make her jittery to the point of it being worrisome. I've read that the ingredients in those sorts of flea repellents contain something to attack the flea's nervous system....icky that it seems to attack Violet's. UGH. So we filled a spray bottle with water and some of Av*n's SSS and while it seems to repel the fleas, still, it's necessary to keep re-applying either that or diluted tea tree oil. Frustrating.

Colored my hair last night (Revl*n's Colorsilk #33), and thrilled with the result. Also, considering that it's one of the cheaper brands and was on sale at W*lgreen's for 2 bucks last week...too cool. My hair is SO shiny this morning. Very pleased. Very, very. Lately my hair's been growing faster, and maybe I can credit the warmer weather---explain that to me. Anyway, when the little girls make comments about mom's hair looking sparkly where my sideburns would be (if I was a guy and HAD sideburns!), then it's time to color!

Funny thing about womanly self-maintenance. My husband gets so tickled when I do girlie things. Like polish my fingernails and toenails, or do my hair, or buy new clothes, or any of the number of things that females do to make themselves look pretty. It especially gives me pause when I look at this guy who I married who'd look FINE sitting on a Harley telling me that he likes the pink nail polish I have on. He's such a totally masculine-looking guy, but he's interested in girlie stuff. Go figure.

Must go scratch my head (and no, it's not the fleas!). Life puzzles me and that ain't no lie. Beyond that, though, looking forward to the day. Planning on (hear me? Planning on....) getting the whole house dusted (hahaha) and especially our bedroom cleaned up. There are way too many homeless items in this house that need to be put away, besides I'm thinking my attitude should improve when the house looks spiffy.

Ought to take before/after photos for inspiration. Or maybe not! Must fly.

My lazy Sunday afternoon

So, I sit here and look at the clutter that coats my house, and admit to myself that something's GOT to be done. It's a pigsty. Literally. A whopping pigsty. There are way too many books, even more dust and the flat surfaces are beginning to bow.

Wondering if we can do a lengthy course in Domestic Science this week in order to contend with it?

Tomorrow morning is soon enough, though, to deal with it. Oldest daughter is the process of making tonight's dinner, which is a total mystery except that she got the recipe for the main dish in Trisha Yearwood's new cookbook. And Blueberry Buckle is for dessert which she found in another cookbook. That I *do* know. It's cooling on the top of the stove, looking all gooey and yummy.

Guess I'll just think about the cleaning that needs to be done. That's as much energy as I've got just now as it is. ;)

Saturday morning

This is one of those days when I need to hear less talking around here. My brain is full. Yesterday went fine with taking my mom to visit my aunt at the hospital/dropping off dinner to my uncle/going to the library. And coming home with piles of library books and having the kids nestle down for nap-time is always restful. Love that.

But afterward, I was drained. Even though my aunt is better (thanks for the prayers), and that my husband has more work coming in the shop, and that the weather this weekend couldn't be better---still, I'm pooped. My mind is scattered too much of the time. Too many details, and way too many folks bidding for my time. An abundance of *too's*. :)

Goodness.

Deep breaths.

Oldest daughter was digging into the cookbooks last night, trying to find a new recipe to make for Sunday night dinner. We were talking and I mentioned that I tend to tense up with the little girls come into the room, because they ALWAYS have a request. Always. Whether it's to have the rest of the water in the tea kettle, for someone to cut up an orange, or even more simple askings for someone to plug in the toaster---it's always something. It drains the mind.

Stop-start-stop-start.

More deep breaths.

Must work on coping skills. Not succeeding too well in that area, I guess. Really need not to make too much of things, but to look at life in little bites.

Or maybe I'll just bite the girls.

Winding down Thursday

Need grounding. Cutting and putting together some old nightgowns of mine to make the least one's dress. Imagine that. A bodice from one yellow sleeveless gown from April Cornell's outlet to be sewn onto a skirt from a blue/white Gilligan & O'Malley piece. Prettiness, and surprisingly simple. I'm taking it all in at the sides and will make an underslip to go with the skirt part. Might get a chance to pin and sew tomorrow after our outing.

Fourth son is about to make a couple of apple pies, and everyone else is doing quiet, night-time sort of things.

I've got a few library books to browse through, and that should put paid to the evening. Will see y'all on Friday. :)

(photo is cute spoon shelf husband has made...along with the spoons)

The homebody speaks

Feeling a tad zingy. My aunt (mother's only sister) went into the hospital with pneumonia on Monday morning. She's in her late eighties, so that's a concern. Tomorrow I'll take dinner to my uncle in order to spell my cousin who's been high-tailing it to the hospital (spending the night even) and then going to her parents' house to look after her dad (the uncle). Phew. Life gets complicated really easy.

Will drop my mom and third son at the hospital tomorrow morning and then deliver dinner and THEN take the kids to the library.

Phew again!

Will be anxious for a quiet afternoon at home tomorrow after all the running around. And prayers would be appreciated. I think my mom is in a form of denial, not wanting to really face how ill my aunt is. Besides, hospitals worry lots of folks. Me included.

Wonder if there's a good movie we could rent? Something to look forward to would be a blessing.

Nothin' much to say

My laptop had been getting slower and slower in performance, besides the fan running on high----so yesterday took the plunge and made copies of everything important (and will likely have forgotten something), and then wiped the hard drive. Reloaded the CDs and now it runs so fast. This is the third time I've done this with this computer, and every time I'm pleased. Time will tell if the fan continues to run hard. Might need to use something to clean out dust in the underside.

Oh, and found that Mozilla/Firefox (my browser of choice) has what they call, Personas, now....so there are a pair of birdies gracing the top of my toolbar now. Cuteness. When I downloaded Firefox again, I found that neat tweak.

Off to rest a bit more. To bed too late, dogs up too early. I need a nap!

And a word to to those east of us...the storm that hit here after dinner last night...it's a doozy. Lots of rain and noise, but not much else. The benefit? Quite a bit cooler afterward. Enjoy!

Girlie clothes

Told the girls about these dresses that I saw on Tumblr. Cuteness. Figured I could either use t-shirts to do the upper part, or cut into more of the muslin I have sitting around. And surely we have some fabric to do the bottom part without having to shop. Surely.

Aren't they sweet?

The least one's eighth birthday is in a couple of weeks and she's so needy for new things to wear---most times she dresses like an orphan from an old movie. Very Dickensian. Oliver Twist doesn't hold a candle to what this little girl puts on. ;)

(photo courtesy of tumblr)

Monday's doings

I'm taking the day off, but not sure exactly what that means. At this moment, the washer fills up, Daisy licks invisible crumbs off of the hardwood floor underneath my feet, middle daughter is bathing Violet, and the other kids are off doing whatever it is kids do. They keep asking me what I'm going to do with myself today, but I don't have an answer for them. And being that I tend to plan in a sketchy sort of way, today I'm clueless.

But the day is beautiful, the windows are open and dinner will be easy. My shoulders ache from some pent-up tension (not a clue about that either), and I feel like wearing cruddy clothes. Am re-reading L. M. Montgomery's Jane of Lantern Hill, and that's all I have to share. Oh, but wait. Highly recommend for a fun read Shirley Jackson's Life Among the Savages. DeLIGHTful. :) But then, I just love her books....this one is autobiographical and totally fun. I was making the (water)bed shake the other night while Gary and I were reading. It makes me laugh every time I read it, and I think this makes my third time. Good stuff.

He is Risen indeed

Just took Hot Cross buns out of the oven and frosted them. Unfortunately the tops were too bumpy for me to effectively make the sign of the cross with the confectioners sugar frosting, but they'll still eat. :)

Tomorrow will be mildly busy with me taking two sons to church downtown to a new location for second son's church. Oldest daughter went to the church we regularly go to tonight, but with healing kids, all won't be able to go tomorrow morning.

After church we'll have a quiet afternoon of naps followed by preparations for Spanakopita (with chicken added) for the evening meal, followed by Paula Deen's Blueberry Tart. A nice finish for a day of rejoicing.

A sweet award

The sweet Christy nominated me for a blog award and I must say, I'm tickled. It's not every day you get a cyber-hug, you know. I do so appreciate it. :) And for the honor, am supposed to tell you all seven things about myself. Ahem. Let's see.

1. I really love the smell of fresh tar. (is this what you expect to read?)

2. I have excellent map-reading skills and never, ever get lost.

3. Of our eight kids, all born with midwives, the last four were born at home.

4. I'm intrigued by cemeteries, and the older, the better. Love photos of them.

5. Someday I want to get a small tattoo of a honey bee on my wrist.

6. I have a degree in Interior Design.

7. My husband was the first person to take me to see the ocean (Atlantic), and I cried and cried---first at the sound before we got to it, and then the reality of its hugeness just blew me away.

Now the hard part...I'm supposed to come up with seven beautiful bloggers, but find that I just can't. You all know you bless me, so I'm thinking my regular commenting friends would be my first picks. :)

Silliness

Third son was hired by my wonderful friend, Molly, to play the Easter bunny at a function Saturday (tomorrow) morning. Figured he'd try it out on the Pugs first. Seems that Violet is taken with him...loving on his leg, but Daisy's not so sure...barking at the right.

Isn't this hilarious!??

Goodies

Husband's blogging. Haha, I finally got to him. He's got some of his pieces listed and here's a link to his own website with more stuff that's already made and for sale.

Thursday evening

And sometimes you feel rankled and just can't put your finger on it. That's me here lately. It's like the feeling when you walk into a room and can't figure out why you went there in the first place. Or how you feel when you wake up in the morning and have forgotten overnight that you were upset when you went to sleep. Then you have to dredge it up again.

So goes my brain lately. And it's not forgetfulness, but an irritation that won't leave. So odd. It's like something's bothering me, but I don't have a clue as to what it is. Know what I mean?

Since we're paying respect to Good Friday tomorrow---no school, and hopefully no out-of-the-house chores, maybe I can get a grip on my mood.

It started when I visited a neighbor Tuesday night after dinner, and came home just scratching my head. Something bothered me about that time with her, but can't place it. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, but still, it's strange.

One of my problems is that I'm really sensitive to places and what you can't always see. Don't mean to sound all New Agey, because it's not that. It's more of a discernment that I sometimes wish I didn't feel. There have been times when I've been to folks' houses or even to stores and have left early because of a weight that landed on me while I was there. (wonder if anyone's left the blog by now?) I only make this distinction, because I was fine when I crossed the street to go to this woman's house, and came home feeling differently.

Time to go pray, I'm thinking.

Thursday's rant

My girls seem to have inherited my own mother's tendency to talk (but I mean this in a nice way). Sometimes I'll catch their eye while I'm in the midst of doing something and see that quick intake of breath, signaling their sudden urge to tell me something. Sometimes it makes me laugh, but at other times it makes me want to throw things.

Being a non-talker in a house of female chatterboxes is a challenge at best. :)

My goodness.

I need a vacation from these constantly floor-licking Pugs as well. The sugar bowl spilled a bit onto the floor, last night, and even after I swept it up, it was hard to get every little smidgen. Daisy's spent the better part of this morning licking the hardwood, and she's got a bubbly beard now from all of her spit accumulating. That's a visual I'm sure you're glad to think about.

And apparently the girls have had cookies in their room, which ended up leaving crumbs under their bunk-bed, and now middle daughter is using a damp cloth to collect ants. Eeewww.

Do you get the idea that I'm just a tad tense? Must remember that the windows are up, so that the neighbors who are sitting on their front porch across the street won't hear me when I scream and holler. (just kidding!)

Instead will pet the box of discontinued linen cross-stitch thread I got on sale at Michael's yesterday. Got a new packet of sharps as well. Thinking of something like this to work on. Gorgeousness, yes? I have a pretty piece of muslin and scraps/buttons galore. Would love to create something along the same lines.

Now it's time to go. Enough fussing for now.