Winter Falls

We have had a nasty cold working its way through our family for the last 10 days or so. I enjoy being home, but I was getting a touch of cabin fever. Today was the first day in many that I felt well enough to get out for a bit. Gabe and I took a walk down to the falls on "our" river. We love the river and there is always something interesting to see. Today the ice and water were very lovely.

Full Moon

Tonight's moon will be the brightest moon in 2010. It is often called the Wolf Moon for obvious reasons. With our new fallen snow, it seems even brighter outside. I enjoyed trying to capture the moon with my camera, although it was very cold outside. For a point and shoot, I was pleased with the results. If you get a chance, be sure to pop outside for a few moments and enjoy the gorgeous view.

Weekly Daybook

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For Today...January 25, 2010

Outside my window...very windy and rainy. It is in the low 50s. The snow is melting very quickly and there are large patches of ice and puddles all over the yard.

I am thinking...how weary I am of all the colds we are suffering this winter. Most of them are coming home with the children attending public school.

I am thankful for...our many friends, both in real life and in cyber land. Any time night or day I can count on finding at least a few available to pray for us in our time of need. It is so comforting to me to know that so many are praying when we are having difficulties of one sort or another.

From the learning rooms...taking a sick day today. Gabe appears to have bronchitis and he is pretty down and feeling low today.

From the kitchen...all is quiet today. Spending my time sitting with the boy or attending to something he needs.

On my mind...that even though I know it was the right thing for this year to send our PI children to school, I do not love it. I feel the gulf that was already there between them and the rest of the family is being made wider by their absence for so long each day. We need to pray very hard about what we think is best for next year. Somehow I need to figure out how to make it work if they come back home.

I am creating...very little right now. I always have an ongoing cross-stitch project. I have a quilt in the very early stages and a couple of sewing projects. Nothing is moving along very quickly.

I am going...to be focusing my energies on getting the family well this week. Thankfully we have a quieter schedule, but I know we will have to cancel a few things.

I am reading...my Bible. I have a couple non-fiction books I'm working on, but they can take a very long time for me to get through.

I am hoping...that everyone, especially Gabe makes good improvement over their colds. This seems to have been a particular nasty one, with several of us being sicker for longer than usual.

I am hearing....the wind and the rain as it beats again the windows. I can also hear the our Maine bell outside and many things blowing around. I hope there weren't too many things out in the yard or they will be miles down the road by the end of this storm.

Around the house...very quiet today inside, despite the storm outside. Gabe is napping with Gracie the dog on the floor in front of the woodstove. Bess is doing her school work someplace in the house, mostly likely her room. I think Willie the cat is outside. I am surprised he is not mewing at the door to come in.

I am wearing...gray sweatpants and a maroon fleece pullover with a moose on the front....my comfort clothes.

One of my favorite things...weather. I do enjoy the many sides of our northeast weather. Even though the wind and rain are raging outside, I like to watch it and marvel at how quickly it all changes.

Here is a picture I'd like to share

Dan was the first one to be sick. He spent two days home from school last week and continued to be a little bit low on Saturday. Brian was giving him some much needed snuggle time on Saturday afternoon and they both fell asleep. Nothing like some good rest.

A Bit of Excitement

We had a bit of excitement on our road this morning. The roads were extremely slippery from a few inches of snow that had fallen. A town sanding truck was heading down our hill to sand the road and it started sliding sideways, the load of sand in the back shifted and the truck tipped over.

The driver was unhurt, but it took two large tow trucks to pull it back over. I'm not sure how much damage was done but it must have been quite the ride for the driver.

The truck on it's side.

After the tow trucks pulled it back over. As you can see in the photo, it was still snowing quite heavily.

Weekly Daybook

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For Today...January 18, 2010

Outside my window...dark...11:30, just making it this week. It has been warmer and we had some rain then snow overnight. The clouds blew away and the lovely blue sky came out.

I am thinking...that after a few weeks of a quieter schedule, we are right back into busyness. I am not loving this time when everyone seems to be going in different directions.

I am thankful for...our home. I often complain that it is too small, too cluttered, too old, but it is a lovely old house, with so much charm and character. A home that feels safe and secure even when our northeast weather howls outside. A home filled with so much history...160+ years of living and I'm sure dieing, but lots and lots of living. It is a nice house and it serves us well.

From the learning rooms...quiet today...we took the day off as Brian was home and the PS kids didn't have school.

From the kitchen...a wonderful roast with potatoes and veggies, cooked all day long in the crock-pot...it was yummy!

On my mind...that is feels good to be getting some projects done around the house. Bess was away this weekend, so Brian was able to strip the wallpaper and paint her room. We have wanted to do this for some time. We also got supplies for a couple of other projects that we hope to finish this week. We are trying to make the house work better for us.

I am creating...a cozy welcoming home...at least we are trying. There is much left to do, but I feel we are on our way. It has been awhile since I've felt comfortable having people over, except a few that I know will love us in spite of the mess. I want that to change. I don't want it perfect, just inviting, warm and welcoming. A place that people will feel at home and want to linger.

I am going...to try and not let the busyness of the week keep me from enjoying the calmer moments that do come along.

I am reading...my Bible. Not much time for anything else right now.

I am hoping...that our resolve to make a better home for our family and friends does not wane; that we are able to keep working on the goals we have set for this year.

I am hearing....quiet. The house is asleep...well, except for me, so I guess I do hear the hum of the computer and my typing.

Around the house...change. We moved a few rooms around today. There are clothes to sort.; choices to make on what to keep and what to let go of. I am leaning toward letting go of a lot more.

I'm Pondering...how me releasing my grip on many things, will allow me to see God's provision so much more clearly. How often has my inability to let things go kept me from receiving a blessing? I've been thinking a lot about this lately. I need to pray and trust that God will provide instead of thinking I need to do it on my own.

One of my favorite things...a snuggle with Brian while watching Doctor Who on the computer. I am loving Netflix.

Here is a picture I'd like to share

Warm Winter Days

We have had some wonderfully warm days for January. The children have made good use of these days with hours of outdoor play. The sledding hill has seen no less than hundreds of runs I'm sure. There has been many snowball fights and of course, snowmen made, knocked down and made again. Ah, the wonders of winter and snow.

Gabe Makes Cookies

One of the things Gabe wanted to do in our homeschooling this year as more cooking and baking. Today we had a cookie baking lesson.

He did a terrific. With only a little bit of guidance, he completed the whole process from picking out a recipe to clean up (well almost all the clean up).

He liked using the mixer. You know boys and their power tools.

I thought he might get bored after a sheet or two, but he made all the cookies with no complaint.

And finally...the taste test. He pronounced them yummy and I had to agree.

Great job, Gabe! I can see a lot more baking projects in your future.

Weekly Daybook

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For Today...January 11, 2010

Outside my window...it is warmer today...in the 20s. Seems so much warmer than our minus degrees yesterday. It is gray and cloudy. I think it wants to snow. The birds are so busy at the feeders.

I am thinking...that I need to get back to my decluttering. The walls are moving in on us with our piles of things, or at least it feels that way.

I am thankful for...my church family. We are a very imperfect bunch, but so many wonderful people that love the Lord and are trying to do the best they can to serve Him and love each other.

From the learning rooms...our normal schedule this week, we are moving on in our geography lessons to a new continent.

From the kitchen...Asian style sesame chicken in the crock pot with rice and salad.

On my mind...why I hang on to so many things that plague my mind...namely so many possessions that I don't really care for, but seem unable to sort and get rid of. Some might be my New England upbringing...you never know when you might need something, so you better save it. The piles overwhelm me and I don't even know where to start.

I am creating...a new quilt, ongoing Christmas projects and cross-stitch block for my stitching group.

I am going...to try and stay on task this week. I am so easily drawn away by things that look like more fun. I need to get some serious work done.

I am reading...my Bible. No books of leisure at the moment.

I am hoping...to make some major changes in 2010. It will take nothing less than a major act of God to accomplish what I would like, but I know He is up for the task, if I can hold up my end of the deal.

I am hearing....Gabe cleaning out under his bed. "It is disgusting under here." "How did all this stuff get under here." Very funny!

Around the house...major laundry day today. There are several piles sorted and ready to go in the wash, one load in the washer, one in the dryer, some on the couch ready to sort and baskets for each child to sort and put away.

I'm Pondering these words..."Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matt. 11:28-30

I have seen oxen yoked and working together. Neither of them seems to be working especially hard most of the time and when they do have a very heavy task, the put their heads down and accomplish it together, sharing the toil. There is always one that is the lead oxen, directing the way they move, how they pull and where they go. If I could just yoke myself to Christ and keep myself there, not pulling against the yoke when it isn't going the way I want or trying to take the lead, but willingly submitting myself to the yoke and to the leadership of Christ, my pull would be so much easier, my burden so much lighter. Why would I want to carry such a load alone?

One of my favorite things...a new quilt project. All that fresh fabric waiting to be transformed.

Here is a picture I'd like to share

I don't like carrying all the dirty laundry down our steep stairs, so I toss it down. Usually there is a child or two at the bottom playing "catch the laundry".

Weekly Daybook

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For Today...January 4, 2010

Outside my window...it is dark and cold. The wind has died down and it is very, very quiet. The snow on the road makes even the occasional car almost silent.

I am thinking...that I am glad our first day back to our "normal" schedule went pretty well. We got a lot done today.

I am thankful for...God's daily love and care. When things seem so difficult, He will give me just the boost I need. It might not be a huge boost, but it will be enough to see me through.

From the learning rooms...basics today. Easing our way back to a full schedule. We are changing up a few things, taking some out, adding some in...doing our mid-year tweaking.

From the kitchen...chili and cornbread tonight. This is one of our favorites and oh, so good on a cold winter evening.

On my mind...writing a post about my word of the year. I've never actually written about it, even though I've committed to a word the last few years.

I am creating...finishing up some Christmas projects. Yes, I know Christmas is over, but I am going to continue until I am done. Starting a new cross-stitch project for my ladies group.

I am going...to continuing working on our schedule. We got a lot done today and it felt great. I need to keep it going. There needs to be some changes in how I use my time.

I am reading...my Bible. No books of leisure at the moment.

I am hoping...for a very good 2010. A year of growing closer to my Lord.

I am hearing...lots of snores. I think we have the noisiest family when it comes to sleeping. It sort of feels like the dwarfs house in Snow White...you know the scene where they are all sleeping and making so many different snore noises. It makes me smile.

Around the house...school books waiting to be packed away. I cleaned off another shelf today. Christmas things are still out. Gabe wanted to keep the tree up longer and I really don't mind. It smells so heavenly and is still so pleasant to enjoy in the evening with the lights off except for the tree.

One of my favorite things...playing games. Tonight we tried Settlers of Catan. I think it is going to be a lot of fun once we get past the learning curve.

Here is a picture I'd like to share

Gabe loves to cook and is getting quite a repertoire of dishes. I think he was making scrambled eggs, sausage and toast.

Christmas Afternoon

We headed over to Mom and Dad's in the afternoon. Glenn, Theresa, Julia, Mariah, Abbie, Zeb, Dave, Sandi, Emily, Amber and Walt also joined in the Christmas celebration.

We had a buffet style meal of turkey, ham, scalloped potatoes, broccoli casserole, stuffing, squash, sweet potato, a veggie platter, deviled eggs, a pickle tray, cranberry sauce, gravy, rolls and pies and cookies for dessert. Oh, my, I'm stuffed all over again.

After dinner we opened presents. Each of the grandchildren draws the name of one of the other grandchildren, so the children get a gift, plus Noona and Papa give them gifts.

The younger guys went outside for a while. There was plenty of snow to play in.

It was a very nice day. I love our family and the closeness we have. Everyone enjoys each other's company and there are always plenty of laughs.