or by the involuntary broadening and lifting of my lips, and mouth, and cheeks, when your face, with its crooked smile, appears before me or in my mind,
and the warmth of yearning spreads over
me like a lovingly worn blanket.
I hope you know when I am in your embrace and fall easily by your side into the place that feels carved out for me.
I hope you know when I can't explain how I feel or how I know. The knowing.
It has been almost exactly three years since my last post! I don't exactly know what happened to my writing and posting...well, I do. Two beautiful, busy teenage girls, two jobs and a household seemed to move the writing down the priority list...FAR down the priority list. So, to catch up, quickly, I'll try to fill you in. Since my last post:
My oldest graduated from high school and went to college...
my youngest graduated and went to college...
I started running...
...and lost 50 pounds, thank God!
AND, I got the most amazing opportunity to travel to Gallito, Peru on the Amazon River to work with these precious children...
I moved to a cute little house (pictures to follow) after the gorgeous, pre-war apartment I was living in burned (can't make this stuff up). I still work as a speech/language pathologist for our local county school system, but I am now based full time at an elementary school 5 blocks from my home. Since I'm an empty-nester now, it has been nice to become part of the neighborhood and the school "family".
So, there is the short and short of it. My youngest daughter, Lydia, has said, at least a dozen times in the last few months, "Mom, you need to start blogging again." I have wanted to, but have been a little unsure of how to start. Well, I suppose this is how to start. Take a step, put it down and..."click".
I'm looking forward to writing about all the things I have before and hopefully, sharing new ideas and experiences and, of course, sharing joy---for today.
Well, it's how many months since my last post? Christmas seems a year ago, not just a few short months. My girls have kept me crazy busy but I wouldn't want it any other way!
We've gone to speech tournaments where ultimately, Miss L won 1st place in the state and is now going to the National competition in Baltimore in May!
We've been across the state, Kentucky and North Carolina too to compete.
So, I'll admit it, Christmas has been kind of rough the last couple of years... I know, and I hate to even whine about it because there are SO MANY people who have such difficult circumstances that I can't even, and never will imagine, and there are so many people who don't have what I DO have, but maybe my little thoughts will mean something...to someone....
Have you ever heard the phrase, "...off of a Norman Rockwell painting"?
I've used that expression all my life because others did and it made sense. I grew up in a Norman Rockwell painting, with Christmases like this
and this
and this
But what I'm really wondering is, did anyone ever feel like this?
I think we all probably did at some point. I wonder if we pretended and painted on smiles when inside there was hurt and shame smoothed over and covered up by sparkly lights and glittery presents, good food and nice phrases?
Why the mood 4 days before Christmas, you ask? Well, I'll tell you, the funniest thing happened to me today that got me thinking about this very mood, this sad little funk I was in!
I saw a picture on a blog of an office I loved, I mean loved!. You know, perfectly designed, warm yet functional, edgy yet useful, great accessories, pretty fabrics... so I went to pin it on Pinterest. I couldn't find the original "owner" of the picture and wanted to give credit where credit is due, so I went back and back and back and back on each blog that tagged it until I found it's original owner and guess what? It wasn't anyone'sreal office at all! It was a picture taken from a blogger who does props and staging! Isn't that hilarious? Do you see what I see? I was in love with something that wasn't even real! It never was! No one lives there, it was just a prop, a farce, a figment of my imagination!
So then I wonder...is that what all this "crying over spilt milk" is doing to me? All this "those were the days", "things were happier then" thoughts I've been processing for the last week? Have they led me to discover that we all probably live in paintings, props and pretend?
So when does this post get cheerful you ask? Right now! Because in all of that, here's what I remembered and rediscovered...(thank God!)....
Christmas isn't now, and never was about how I feel or really even who I'm with.. It's always and forever about the very person my Norman-Rockwell-painting-or-not dad and mom and grandmother always and diligently taught me to remember in this season:
Jesus
the Christ-child,
the One who though came as a child,
was purposed to
"bind up the brokenhearted, (MY broken heart!) to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning, (MY mourning!)
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair..."
Isaiah 61
I do. Okay, maybe one...or two...
In my attempts to downsize I was thinking of getting rid of them, that is until I saw THIS post at Apartment Therapy! Just look at these incredible "Lack Hacks"...
If the answer is "no", AND you're answering with a little turned up nose and snooty-faced brow, then shame on you! (Well, not really, I used to feel the same way about Aldi, but NOT ANYMORE!)
Who couldn't stand to save a buck or two...or three, or four? I have been shopping there somewhat consistently for the past year or so. For the last couple of months, since school started back, I've found myself abandoning my dear, sweet Aldi for more convenient choices on the end of town I find myself more often...Kroger. Now don't get me wrong. I love Kroger. Heck, Kroger is like the Nordstrom of grocery stores for someone in my area, and for someone like me that loves to cook! But, if I could just remember to get myself together every week and go to Aldi, I save so.much. money!
The lastest buy from Aldi is salt and pepper grinders (yesterday)...$1.29 a piece...that's with the sea salt and peppercorns in the grinders! You just can't beat it! Holidays are an especially good time to go there. They have some great deals on baking stuff!
I have one friend who is afraid to go there to shop and another who swears by it! (Friend #2 knew a manager at our local Aldi and he swears that many of the products are the same exact products that we buy in fancy packaging.) My favorite is when they have special buys like UNO frozen pizzas for $5!
yummo! And, they sell random things...I bought a handheld mixer there once that's the bomb!
I will say, I haven't bought fresh meat there, but I have bought frozen chicken breast several times---not a bit of difference! I know, I need to challenge myself and try. (Admittedly, a few things I've bought I didn't love, but hey, that's where Kroger comes in! ANYWAY, here's a list of things I do get at ALDI and they have been consistent or even better than consistent with large chain grocery store items:
flour
sugar: white, brown, powdered
cake mixes (for chocolate cupcakes)
pudding mix
spices
OLIVE OIL---love Aldi's brand
Canola oil
sour cream
milk
creme
eggs
block cheese
cream cheese
fresh mozerella
PITA CHIPS---I mean, the best in the world!
toilet paper
paper towels
baggies
garbage bags
frozen fruit
light bulbs
cleaners
bag salad
seasonal fruit/veggies
canned goods: chili beans, diced tomatoes, soups
broths
dry pasta
tortillas
PITA CHIPS---I mean, the best in the world!
I'm sure I'm forgetting something! So here's the challenge: Go to Aldi, see what you can do and compare your receipt! You'll feel great. By the way, a few things to remember:
You will need a quarter to get a cart (no big deal, you get your quarter back when
you return it!)
You must take your own bags (plastic, reuseable, whatever!)
They only take CASH and DEBIT cards.
P.S. you can go right to the ALDI website HEREto see weekly specials, special buys, etc.
I've been thinking of my dad a lot (more than incredibly a lot, the normal amount) the last few days; just a few days from today will mark two years since he's been--gone. I keep trying to think of a better word than gone, because he's not, not really. Gosh, I miss his voice and his big ol' hands and his impromptu play-by-play at football games and our conversations about politics and how I could just pick up the phone and say, "Did you just see that? or him? or what he said?" I think 1000 times a day there's something that is said, happens, thought or felt that links me back to him. Today on Pinterest, I saw this quote. My dad said something like this to me once when I was a heartbroken teenage girl and I've never forgotten it. Maybe he was re-quoting, or maybe, quite possibly, he was just that wise...
I'm so glad he'll never be gone...
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Have you seen these?
offbeatbride.com
stareventsonline.wordpress.com
thefinishingtouchevents.com
My sweet cousin Erin is getting married next year and she's using a brooch bouquet? Isn't that a great idea? She's asking for brooches from family members or even to keep an eye out when shopping. I love that she'll have so many great memories. I've got to look for some of our grandmother's brooches stored away in my stuff...I have one with a picture of my brother and me on it, wonder if she'd like that one? :)
Okay, in this post, I bragged about my Martha blueberry scones. Well, this weekend, I tried a new Blueberry Scones recipe I found at Sunday Baker.
Sunday Baker
Holy blueberries Batman! I made the recipe just as she said AND I made the Butter Sauce. Now, the title alone, Butter Sauce, tells you it's going to be divine, right? Well, it was. Miss Em was out for the morning so I made them for little Lyl and me. We ooed and ahhed and mmmmmmd our way though Saturday morning. You MUST give them a try!
I can't tell you how fabulous this site is. Their motto?: "Who says it has to be itsy bitsy?"
I am constantly disappointed and dismayed at the LACK of tasteful, femine, PRETTY swimwear that is available out there...needless to say, my "V-8" moment comes with the sad realization that summer, at least for me, is essentially, over...(sigh)
Today would have been my sweet dad's 71st birthday. He was barely 69 when he went away... Another 71 years with him here on earth wouldn't have been enough. I'm so thankful that I'll have 71 years over and over with him when I see him again.
Surprising dad on his birthday was always a stuggle. He was rarely surprised and usually bought for himself what he wanted before we kids could get to it---usually a book or tool of some sort. One of the favorite birthday gifts I gave him was when I was still married and my, then, husband and I gave him season tickets to Marshall University football games. He was excited and so were we. I always looked forward to going to the games with him. After my marriage ended, Dad made sure to be my date, along with my girls, to the Marshall games. What a Dad!
Now, I feel his presence so often and know that I'm the one receiving the gift...
I heard Jewel perform this song soon after Dad died and thought it was the most amazing interpretation of the feelings trapped in my broken heart.
September settled softly
Leaves are starting to fall
I recall, the last time you were here
your laughter a melody that lingers still.
There's a hole in my heart
and I carry it wherever I go
Like a treasure that travels with me down every road
There's this longing lonesome deep
Kind of bitter, kind of sweet
There's a hole in my heart in the shape of you
Time stealing swiftly
As children having children of their own
And around life's merry-go-round goes
And there you are wanting what you cannot hold
There's a hold in my heart
And I carry it wherever I go
Like a treasure that travels with me down every road
There's this longing, lonesome deep
Kind of bitter, kind of sweet
There's a hole in my heart in the shape of you
Even though my heart aches
There's a smile on my face
Just like a window to heaven
There's a light shining through
There's a hole in my heart
So I'll carry it wherever I go
Like a treasure that travels with me down every road
I love scones. I must say, they are definitely a newer love of mine. I grew up with biscuits and cake, pies and homemade breads and lots of baked goods, but never had a scone, until about 6 years ago. They are so wonderful because they are like all those yummy pastry things rolled (or rather kneaded) into one!
Now, maybe you don't think of yourself as a baker, but don't let these little darlins intimidate you. Martha Stewart says, "The secret to making delicate scones is handling the dough as little as possible" (marthastewart.com), and she's right. The less you mess with them, the better they are! So, here are some of my favorites:
Glazed Lemon Scones
I made these just yesterday...lemon and summer are one of my favorite combos. Now, I WISH I could tell you where I got this recipe originally. The bottom of the torn out page of a magazine says FAMILY FUN so when I googled to investigate, I found the exact recipe and picture on a Disney Family website, so who knows?! Either way, you can get the recipe by clicking HERE.
Another favorite is, of course, from Martha. I've made these several times and they are no-fail too:
From my journal, dated June 21, 2009 and Days With Dad:
Today is Father's Day. Definitely a surreal experience. Even stopping for a card and gift was the strangest thing...do we assume that this is his last--then, do we indicate that? Do we say it? Do we say what we're all thinking? It's so truly...odd.
So, I saw Dad today for the first time since he left the hospital. His weight has dropped even more and he is as thin as I remember him as a very young girl, though without the muscle tone, the sturdiness...the strength. He is not eating---totally uninterested in most foods which is difficult to watch (since all of our family celebrations, Father's Day included, have always centered around and celebrated food!) However, he is somewhat ornery and silly today which is Dad, my dad, though of course unseen at the hospital in 3 1/2 days...no silly there, no light hearted laughter, no...
It's a strange thing to sit around and talk about the end of life. You know, with Grandma Chappy, we knew death was imminent but didnt' talk about it openly with her, but with Dad, today, we talked about it like we would the score of last night's game or the weather. It just is.
Dad told me he was proud of me and wanted me to take care of the girls.
Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love and miss you today more than ever.
Okay, first of all let me say, I know I often use the word yummy for that which is inedible. So, if you're mouth started to water or you were thinking, "what weirdo buys food at a yard sale?!", I apologize.
The Nester is having a fun little linky for Yard Sale Finds. Now, I must admit, I'm not a HUGE yard sale-er. I love thrift stores but this linky is ONLY for yard sales. So, I thought I'd share my few treasures from yard sales.
My Ruth Orkin picture of the American Girl in Italy. I love her. I feel like I know her and imagine stories about her. I think I really just kind of daydream about her because I want to go to Italy to eat, cook and live!
I'm not sure what it is about chairs and me, but I don't think I've bought a "new" chair since before I was married when we bought a little country table with four chairs (that was when I was in my blue and mauve phase!). The chairs above were a local teachers' and they were her Grandmother's chairs...lots of nostalgia. I bought all 6 of them, painted them, recovered them and have used them in my dining room for 7 years. (they used to be covered in red toile!) The other chair was unpainted too. It's in my living room now.
Last but not least...I love this little treasure too. I've hung it in a window, set it around in various places, and am currently using it on top of an urn for a side table (however, after seeing it here, I might hang it right where I propped it for this picture!)
Hope you've enjoyed my yard sale finds. What treasures have you found?
I'll be linking up my finds at Nesting Place...you should too!
I was so glad to get to host a Ladies Night Out at my house this weekend for some awesome girls from my my church! We decided to make it a "pot-luck" Italian theme...EVERYTHING was delicious!
I made Stromboli...so easy, I'll post the recipe soon...
I also made Berry Strata, a Giada recipe,
mmm! with fresh whipped creme, its as tasty as it is beautiful. You can find the recipe here.
Oh my gosh, they were amazing! I'm totally making them this week!
Lara, Andi, Kristi
Lisa, BJ, Jan
I really wanted to have it outside with strings of white lights and a little bistro feel, but with the threat of thunderstorms and a 92 degree temp, I decided indoors would have to do it.
So much fun!... I'll be sharing my little party when I link up at Centsational Girl!
