It's Like Riding a Bicycle...

Remember THIS POST where I mentioned that we were having a little friend come to visit?

Well -- IT. WAS. AWESOME.

He came in like he owned the place, and within the first five seconds, found the teddy bear that I'd put out for him.  He willingly said goodbye to Mommy & Daddy.  No big deal.

We played.  He investigated the house, turning questioning eyes on me when he wanted to check something out.  There were only a couple things that I had to lay down the law on... like him picking up the little weights that I use when I walk [away the pounds], and dropping them.  Ummmm, NO!  We put that to an end before little toes got smashed.

He brought his own kitchen toys, and so, "cooked" at my feet while I made him mac-n-cheese for lunch.

He "talked to Mom" on his pretend phone, and then I got to "talk to her" too!

We put a chair cushion on a kitchen chair so that he was sitting higher for lunch, and he ate like a champ.

Shortly after lunch, it was naptime... meaning: the pack-n-play in my room.  Story first, read by my girl -- who was equally tickled to have the little guy here.  Then, shade pulled.  Familiar blankies.  And knowing his "code word" for blankie, too!  I stood at the top of the stairs listening to the movements behind the almost-closed door.  It only took about 3 minutes, and there was stillness.  I waited for a little voice to call,.. but nothing.

Two hours later, I knew that Mommy would return shortly, so I went up to wake the little man.  I called his name gently, reminding him that he was at Sally's house.  I expected a bit of a fuss upon waking -- you know how that can be.  I didn't know if he'd remember where he was.  But, no biggie.

We came downstairs and played with his trains as had been promised before naptime.  All in all, it went so smoothly, and way too fast!  Mommy was back before we knew it.

Though I care for these sweet little ones at church, I haven't had little ones in my home in a long time.  Even the nieces and nephews are grown up.  Age-appropriate toys are mostly gone -- and all of the important tools (high chair, crib) are long gone.  So, I wasn't really sure how it would go, but...

It's just like riding a bicycle!

This is one of my favorite pictures... the little guy on my couch, feet crossed, looking at pictures of himself on my iPod.
Sign of the times... and those crossed feet?  A clue to his comfort?  Precious!

Lunch with a Friend

Lunch with a friend... isn't what it used to be.

When my kids were really young, we used to meet regularly with another friend and her two children for lunch.  We never went out... but took turns coming to one another's homes, so that the kids didn't have to sit still while we talked, but had a chance to play.

Then the kids got older, and hers went to school.  My [homeschooled] kids spent each Thursday with my parents -- "Grandma & Grandpa Day," we called it.  That was my day to run errands and make plans.  That meant getting out of the house, and meeting my friend at a restaurant for lunch.  At that point in our lives it always felt like a big splurge.

These days, it's harder to catch up with friends at the lunch hour.  Most of them are working 40 hour weeks, or at least a part-time job that keeps them on the go. The stay-at-home-mom of my era is a dying breed [so to speak].  This isn't a pity party, mind you.  It's only an observation of how things have changed.

But, the other day, I had the rare treat of inviting a friend over for lunch -- a mom who has taken a hiatus from her job for the time being, or permanently, or whatever she and the Lord decide.

I was reminded just how important that time to connect with other women is.  Time for JUST GIRLS.  Girl talk.  We laughed.  We teared up at love for our family.  We spent time getting to know one another.  What a blessing!

If you are at home, wishing you could "connect" with other women, take the first step.

Invite a friend to lunch today!

Being More Intentional About Eating Outdoors This Summer (It doesn't have to be PeRFECT!)

I can't tell you how many times I thought... if we only had a picnic table or a nice table and chairs on our patio. But, at the end of the day, there just wasn't much money in the budget for fancying up the patio.  Of course, my mind always went first to all of the NEW patio furniture that we could not afford.  Nothing like having a defeatist attitude, right?  But my hubby?  He has a nose that KNOWS -- and he can sniff out the bargains!

Like this:
We were at Tractor Supply a little over a year-and-a-half ago, and found THESE 2 CHAIRS.  They were a good deal, and definitely an upgrade from the type of patio furniture we'd had before.  Maybe we were onto something.  We were encouraged about watching for more bargains.

Almost a year later, we were in Amish Country, and spied THESE 4 CHAIRS AND A MATCHING UMBRELLA STAND for cheap at a thrift store.

The seat-straps were a mess, but with a little elbow grease, they cleaned up nicely!

Weeks later, I found the chair pads on sale at Target!!  So close in color -- what a find!

At Christmas-time last year we were... at a home-center kind of store (maybe Lowe's?  I forget.) -- and we saw PATIO UMBRELLA'S ON CLEARANCE.  Hello?  Did I mention that just a few months ago we had obtained an umbrella stand?

So far NO TABLE.

Well, the other day, my husband was outside grilling for our dinner, and he said, "We should eat outside!"  Oy. You know what that means...  dig up a table.  Several years ago, my hubby's parents had given us a folding table.  We've used it for various things in and out of the house -- but never as a permanent addition to the patio. That's the table that we set up for dinner.

I grabbed a tablecloth, and we set up the table with our six chairs around it -- and you know what?  It looked kind of nice!!

"It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful!"

~The Nester

Our dinnerware and glassware don't match the current tablecloth, which doesn't match the umbrella.  But, it's a start.  Everything doesn't have to match and/or be coordinated before we can sit down to a meal!  All of those limitations... were IN MY HEAD.  My family never ever said, "I don't like this table." -OR- "What's up with this tablecloth?"  Guess what?  They just ate, and talked, and laughed... and stayed (on THREE different nights so far!)

There's something about sitting in the shade of our own home while the sun is still shining brightly behind the house... and sharing a meal, and hearing the birds sing, and watching the trees sway in the breeze.  It's a slice of awesome.

Since that first night, we have kept the table on the patio, with the chairs around it.  It's kind of like a permanent "come eat here" invitation!  The tablecloth, some tablecloth weights, and the chair pads are just inside the patio door, and since everything is close at hand, we've eaten out there at least two more times, as weather has allowed.  [In fact, it's so welcoming, that I find myself out there during the day reading, or taking time to check out the grocery ads.  You know, things I would normally do inside!]

Ultimately, I'd like to find some kind of over-sized basket or tote that I could keep all of the patio things in.  It's nice to have everything together and close at hand, so we can be ready at a moment's notice.

Also... tonight, we learned that we need would like a tray to deliver all of the dishes and food in fewer trips!  All of that will come eventually.  We might even look at the second-hand stores FIRST.  We're on a roll!

When Life Gives You Too Much Spinach...

... make a spinach quiche!

My kids thought I was out to get them for sure, but I just HAD to find a way to use up all of the spinach that I had purchased for a little salad bar at the graduation party.  Granted, it might not be "salad" to you, but at our house, it is the salad green of choice (mostly).  We don't have anything against other greens, but spinach seems to stay nicer longer at our house.  Therefore, it was what I chose for the party -- for better or worse.

My kids would tell you "for worse," because now I had to think of ways to use it up.  We couldn't consume it fast enough by just eating a little salad with our dinners.  I decided to cook it all down, and make a spinach quiche of some kind for dinner.  I chose a crustless "Impossible Spinach Pie" recipe that I found HERE. I changed it up just a bit by adding a few strips of leftover bacon, cooked and crumbled.  It was delicious.  I loved it.

My husband was kind (though cooked spinach is not his favorite) and was ?glad? (I think) to eat it knowing I was being thrifty and using up what we had on-hand.  The kids?  Not so much.  While we eat raw baby spinach, cooked spinach has not really been in our repertoire -- if you know what I mean.

Here's the recipe with my variations.  Of course, all credit goes to Cooks.com, and to Bisquick before them. Once upon a time, I was a card-carrying member of The Bisquick Recipe Club.  I saw a million variations of this Impossible Pie idea.  I'm sure the recipe originated with Bisquick.

Impossible Spinach-Bacon Pie

{* my variations}

10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed, chopped*, and drained

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

1 handful chopped green* onions

4-6 slices bacon*, cooked and crumbled (I used pre-cooked)

1½ cup milk

3 eggs

¾ cup Bisquick baking mix

1 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

¼ tsp. ground nutmeg

Heat oven to 375F.  Grease pie plate.  Mix spinach, cheese, onion, and bacon in plate.

Beat remaining ingredients until smooth.  Pour into pie plate.

Bake about 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool five minutes before serving.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today, I'm thinking a lot about friends far and near who are experiencing hard times in one form or another, be it health issues, financial issues, kid issues -- or a combination of them all.  As I write this, I just received an e-mail from a blogging friend who said she prayed for me today.  I've never met her, but we enjoy a sweet on-line friendship, and I am ever-thankful for her friendship and yours, friends.

Life is hard, and let's be honest.  It gets harder every day.  This world is so messed up on many levels -- and you all know we could go on and on about that.  It could really drag us down if we let it.  I don't know about you, but I choose to look for the good.  I choose to find the joy.  I choose to make Spinach Quiche... when life gives me too much spinach!

Now, go forth and encourage one another.  Pray for one another!

Oh, and eat your spinach!  xo

Sunflowers & Sweet Tea

Blogging is an interesting hobby in that it's a really unique way to connect with people that you may never actually meet.  I have "met" some sweet, sweet girlfriends and we comment and/or e-mail random comments (or sometimes long conversations) back and forth to each other as if we've known one another all our lives.

Case in point?  Beki Hastings. If you don't already know her, she is the fabulous talent behind The Rusted Chain Jewelry!  And folks, she is the real deal.  She is genuine, sweet, and loves the Lord -- AND, I just found out about something AMAZING that she did.

She had a dream.  She wrote a book.  It's a photo-based coffee table book called Sunflowers & Sweet Tea, and I asked Beki if I could tell you about it.  It's a beautiful mix of Beki's photography and really thoughtful sentiments.  She gave me a sneak-peek, and I've got to tell you, I was blown away.  First of all, if you love mid-western, down-home kind of photography, Beki is your girl.  The photographs in the book are simple and beautiful.  Each photo has a sentiment displayed with it.  Some are brief, and others are longer, contemplative streams of thought shared from Beki's heart.

Beki says this: "You can turn to any page on any given day and get something from it.  It's meant to be slowly savored.  Pick it up when you need a smile."

I hope you'll check out Sunflowers & Sweet Tea by Beki Hastings.  Tell her Sally sent you!  Oh, and by the way... the first 100 books sold come with a beautiful sunflower necklace from The Rusted Chain.

"Stay"

What's the best blog comment you've ever received?  I've been blessed to have some really nice people follow (or stumble upon) my blog and leave kind words.  My friend Karianne has a special folder in her e-mail reserved for just such comments.  She opens that folder, and reads the comments when she needs a little pick-me-up.  Not a bad idea really.  Kind words are like balm to the soul.

The other day, some of Vee's friends stopped by to see my most recent note card collection.  Many of them left comments.  One in particular struck me:

"I felt like I was just invited over for a visit, seeing little glimpses inside your home and outside in your garden."

What a lovely thing to say!

Truth be told, I don't have a lot of lofty goals for this blog.  It began because I love to write and take pictures -- and I love to share both.  I just want my blog to be a reflection of who I am, and what I believe.  Of the people I love and the things I like.  I love sharing the daily details -- you know, the stuff we would talk about if you stopped by for tea -- okay, or coffee.  Because I would totally make coffee for you while I drank tea -- you know, if that was your preference.

So, stop by any time!

"Stay is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary."

~ Louisa May Alcott

Hippity Hoppity...

... Easter's on it's way!

It'll be here in about two weeks.  I'm hoping that it will really be spring-like weather by then.  There's something that's just not right about snow and such bitter cold for Easter... no matter when Easter falls.

So, I've decorated for spring, and it has snowed since then.  Not much, mind you.  My knickers were a little in a twist, but I got over myself.

The daffodils are peeking way up, and must be getting anxious about this NEOhio cold.  [Yes, it was just in the 60's on Sunday!]  It always amazes me that the daffodils survive what inevitably are some pretty cold temperatures AFTER a nice warm-up.  Those daffodils seem to be able to take whatever is dished out for them.  They are much heartier than I give them credit for.

The other night, my hubby went to help a dear friend with a computer problem, and came home with this sweet little Easter Egg from her.  Thank you Donna!  I love it.  It is safe and sound on my china shelf --up and out of harm's way with all my other pretty treasures.  I admit, I keep taking it down to look at all of it's details.

Donna is a "drinking-from-my-saucer" kind of lady.  She is always cheerful and so thoughtful -- and my husband and I so appreciate her [and her husband's] kindnesses towards us.  We are blessed to have them live "just around the corner."

I hope that you are feeling cheery today, no matter the weather.

Keep smiling friends, and encourage each other.  Spring is coming!

A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever!

Between my tween and college years, I attended a LOT of bridal showers at our church.  As I got older, and was more appreciative of the beautiful gifts, I noticed the trend of one gifter.  A lady, who eventually became a dear friend, gave beautiful glass dishes and bowls.  They were really special pieces that would hold a place of honor in your home.

As the gifts were passed around the room for viewing, I secretly wished that when(ever) it was "my turn," she would gift me in the same manor.  I'm not sure if that sounds extremely selfish -- or extremely appreciative of the potential gift.  I guess that, as a young adult, I longed to have such pretty things -- and a place to call my own.

Imagine my delight when, at my bridal shower, that same friend gifted me with this beautiful pink, cut-glass bowl. It sort of took my breath away, it delighted me so.  The bowl has been here and there and everywhere around our house.  At times, it's been tucked away, on a decorating hiatus, if you will.  Through the years, various things have filled it.  Always it's beauty amazes me.

My friend passed away last month, which of course makes this bowl even more precious to me.  It's been tucked away for a little while now, and yesterday, I pulled it off the shelf where I had stored it, and placed it back on the table where I can see it every day... a memento of friendship.

What's Inspiring You?

A few days ago, I opened my e-mail to find a blog comment from a dear friend.  When I, in turn, went to her blog, I found that I was the winner of her recent giveaway.  Well, if that ain't just a kick in the pants and a Happy New Year.

I was so tickled that apparently I emitted a joyful little squeal, and it got my daughter and I laughing so hard.  Oh, I'm so thankful for the friendships that I've made because of blogging.  I can't say it enough.

THANKFUL.

The blogs that inspire me most have beautiful photography -- but it's more than just that.  Because of Christ, love shines in every photo these bloggers share, in every corner of their homes, in every post.  They are gracious hostesses, as I feel like they have welcomed me into their home with the push of a button.  I sit with my cup of tea, and drink in their hospitality.  They inspire me to be a better blogger.

What's inspiring you for 2013?

When Gray is the New Sunshine

(and it seems like it is around here),

have lunch with an old friend, and let the good times roll!

Recently, I enjoyed lunch with an old friend.  We've know each other since high school, though we attended different schools.  We attended Bible studies together, we worked at the same company.  We got married years apart, but ended up having our kids at the same time.  We were/are both stay-at-home moms, and continue to love that role.

We've led very different lives, and yet are very much the same.  We went years without seeing one another, and then finally found our way back.  Most recently, we've tried to meet for lunch regularly.  Today, it was at Panera -- because it was a good soup and sandwich day.  And (BONUS), I got there early and scored a table next to the fireplace.

Though a month or so might go by in between our lunches, it's like we were just sitting together yesterday.  We catch up, fill in the gaps, and plan ahead until someone tells us it's time to go home.

Lunch with an old friend?  It's a GOOD THING.

Today, I am thankful for:

1. the chance to sit in front of a crackling fire to eat lunch with an old friend

2. laughter (and lots of it)

3. our imperfectly cozy home to come home to

4. a hot cup of tea on a rainy day
5. a sweet note from an on-line friend

Thought: from the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness"

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is They faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided --

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

The Difference Between Boys and Girls

Oh no, it's not what you're thinking.  Let me tell you what's been happening at our house within the last week or so.

1. Our daughter was packing up for a week-long ministry trip - which you know if you're a regular reader here.
2. Our son packed up for an overnight, and a day at a Renaissance Fair.

I didn't mention ANYthing to our daughter about packing.  However, she had her bags packed almost a week in advance.  Her exit was organized and unhurried.

Our son had SO MUCH LESS to pack, and I suggested ahead of time that he prepare since he was having a friend over beforehand.  To him, this meant grabbing a sleeping bag and his allergy meds.  So, when we were done eating dinner and I said, "Are you all packed?"  he looked at me with something close to panic, and said he had never THOUGHT about clothes!  Um, hello?  His exit was unorganized and LATE.

I thought my suggestion ahead of time might've been a "heads up," but alas, no.  Go figure.  Boys will be boys.

In other news, I am kind of crushin' on this blue bottle that my son brought home from the Renaissance Fair.  He's rather proud of it since he won it at a ax-throwing contest.  Um, yeah.  Apparently he can really hurl those babies AND actually hit the target.  Who knew?

I washed it out for him... and while it sat on the counter, I could almost envision it added to my collection of counter-goodies in the kitchen.  I'm just sayin'.  It reminds me of something else that I've admired lately.


AND ONE MORE THING...  Happy Birthday to my friend Donna.  Every time I see her she tells me that she reads my blog faithfully -- so I know she won't miss this birthday wish!  Have a lovely day!  I hope it's filled with all the things you enjoy most!

Thrift Score Thursday 6.28

Finally, an evening I had been looking forward to for months.  Two girlfriends and I had planned to meet for dinner.  We couldn't have known (God is in the details!) that the date we picked would be the evening before the day one friend's divorce would be finalized. We worked to make the mood light.  We ate.  We chose comfort food instead of worrying about calories.  We talked about the fact that my most recent birthday had been the big "5-Oh."  We told funny stories.  We laughed.  One of us may have even seemingly taken a picture of the other two so that a Twilight "Bella" double could be seen in the booth behind. AND, I'm just saying... THAT photographer would not have been me, because I don't know one thing about Twilight.  But... moving on.
We talked about Goodwill hunting.  No, not the movie.  Just Goodwill hunting -- you know, as in thrift shop bargains?  In fact, we talked about it so much that we actually talked ourselves into going to the closest Goodwill after dinner.
My friends hunted through racks of clothing.  I was in the mood for housewares, but the shelves were on the BARE side!  Everyone found bargains but me (cue sad face).
I walked around to the end of the check-out counter to meet my friends as they were paying for their items, and I spotted something that I hadn't noticed my friend carrying before.  It was a mug.

"Cute mug!"  I said to her.  She got a funny look on her face and started laughing.

"I'm glad you like it," she said.  "It's for you."  I was so confused until I turned it around and saw this:

I have great friends!

Reflection...

I've been more than a little distracted this week.

I attended calling hours, and the funeral of the dear father of a family of friends that I grew up with.  Between my sister and I and these 5 friends, we covered lots of years in the church youth group.  We have - all of us -  experienced joy and happiness, trials and tribulations -- expected and unplanned.  And then this.  The unthinkable loss of a parent.  The reunion of friends because of such a sad event.  The (somewhat surprisingly) sameness of depth of caring and protective feelings for these friends -- even though life and time have separated us.  It's kind of amazingly wonderful and sad at the same time.

Wonderful to know that even after so much time has separated us, that we greet one another as if it was just yesterday.

Sad because... so much has changed...  Looking back, the friendships that we (in youthful fancy) thought would be part of our lives forever, did not end up that way.  Life took us all in different directions.

I'm mourning that a little today.  Sounds a little pitiful, I know.

No regrets.  Just a little melancholy reflection, and lots of good memories.

Do you ever have days like that?

The First Gift of Christmas!

Remember Santa calling out those words in the movie "The Polar Express?"

I received my first gift of Christmas on Monday evening.  I was surprised to receive a phone call from my friend, Marie - asking if she could stop by.  I put on a pot of coffee, and eagerly anticipated her visit.  Unfortunately, it seems that lately our paths head in opposite directions - and so any opportunity to get together is welcome.

A short while later, she and her lovely daughter appeared at our front door with this sweet gift.

Not just the origami paper tree.

Not just the ball ornaments.

But a tree filled with both!

I mulled it over in my dreams, and found the perfect spot to put the tree.

And then I started collecting things from the Christmas boxes and drawers.

A snow man for height.

A red plate.  Used for birthdays during the year, we often bring this plate out at Christmas as well.  It reminds us of our worth - because of Christ.  Because of the baby in the manger. The one we celebrate.

A glass cookie jar with a red lid.  I filled it with cookie cutters, a small "JOY" cross-stitch, and Christmas ornaments from forgotten places.  These ornaments don't have sentimental places in our hearts, and so I felt they were "up for grabs" for a project like this one.

Back in September, I found this great little Christmas-red crock, and thought I'd save it for a Christmas Project.  Today, I filled it with gold ball ornaments and a glittery poinsettia.

And lastly, I used a favorite Christmas dishtowel as a tree skirt.

The final vignette.

All inspired by that

sweet origami-filled tree.

Thanks Marie!