{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by soulemama.

I won't be posting for a few days. I lost my grandpap today.  I'll miss him more than words can say, but he died doing what he loved- spending time in the woods.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by soulemama.

Homegrown Snacks

Well they weren't grown in our yard, but my sweet next door neighbor invited Ana over to pick a snack of raspberries.  She ate the entire bowl of raspberries, and half of them didn't even make it into the house because she was eating them in the yard!  What an awesome experience for a two year old!

Ana had so much fun, and I was inspired to plant my own raspberry patch.  Now if only I knew the first thing about planting raspberries!  Does anyone know- Is now the time to plant? 

"Bye Moon!"

Isn't it amazing how babies grow into little people?  The little person in my family (who used to be my baby just a few months ago) now notices the moon.  She came running in with her Grammie one evening insisting that I take a picture of the moon.  I have no talent with moon photography, but I just had to share my best attempt because it was a request from my daughter. 

Yesterday we were walking into swimming class, and Ana was so sweetly saying bye to our car.  Then she said "Bye Moon!!"  I looked up, and the moon was out.  She's very observant. 

I guess that I can hold you
one more time before you grow.
And tell you that I love you
so that you will always know.
Please let me tie your shoe again.
One day you'll tie your own.
And when you think back to this time
I hope it's love I've shown.
Can I help you put your coat on?
Can I please cut up your meat?
Can I pull you in the wagon?
Can I pick you out a treat?
One day you might just care for me,
so let me care for you.
I want to be a part
of every little thing you do.
Tonight could I please wash your hair?
Can I put toys in the bath?
Can I help you count your small ten toes
before I teach you math?
Before you join a baseball team
can I pitch you one more ball?
And one more time can I stand near
to make sure you don't fall?
Let's take another space-ship ride
Up to the Planet Zoor.
Before our Cardboard Rocket
doesn't fit us anymore.
Please let me help you up the hill.
while you're still too small to climb.
And let me read you stories
while you're young and have the time.
I know the day will come
when you will do these things alone.
Will you recall the shoulder rides
and all the balls we've thrown?
I want you to grow stronger
than your Dad could ever be.
And when you find success
there will be no soul more proud than me.
So will you let me carry you?
One day you'll walk alone.
I cannot bear to miss one day
from now until you've grown.

© Brad Anderson

Source

Christmas Shopping?!

I do not want a repeat of last year.  Last year, for various reasons, Christmas was a mess.  Shopping was not nearly done in time, and the things that I did have purchased made the wrapping for four children while still working impossible.  Literally. My generous Aunt wrapped over half of my gifts for me!

Last year couldn't be helped- my husband and I are foster parents, and we had some additions to our family right before Christmas, but I will do everything in my power to make this Christmas much more smooth! Plus, in keeping with my personal goals, I would also like to make this Christmas a bit more "green"  as well.  So far I have purchased some second hand gifts and recycled some of Ana's paintings as wrapping paper.  I also have the Christmas gift wish lists for three out of five. (The other two are too small to write.)

What's that you can't read this?  I had trouble at first too, but now I can read all but one of the words.  Don't worry.  Max doesn't know what the word says either!  My favorite is on the bottom line.  It should say "Bat Cave"  but instead it says, "bat cafe."  I'm sure Batman will enjoy his new diner! Xavier's list (it came out too light on the scanner) includes "2 dolars,"  a "hooty,"  and new "close."  This is going to be a great Christmas.  I know it will!

Have you given any thought to Christmas?  Have you made any preparations?  Or are you thinking that I'm just plain crazy?!

A Picnic with Grammie

It's fall, and we're all loving this season.  The Indian Summer last week was amazing!  My mom and I spent a day at my beloved Wildcat Park.

There's nothing like sitting at a huge stone table with home-made sandwiches and a woven picnic basket. 

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by soulemama.

Memories~ Buttercup

Buttercup was my goat.  Yes, we had a goat.  Maybe it's no shock to you, but among most of the people I tell, it's somewhat shocking. 

I remember the day Buttercup arrived.  He was in a little black cage, and he was such a cute thing!  My parents gave him an old hen house packed with straw and a metal run like a little doggy.  The idea was that a goat would make short work of all of the weeds on the hillside.  This little guy would save my parents lots of time and energy in "weed whacking."  But to me, he was a precious sweet, adorable, fluffy, and funny acting pet.  It was hilarious to my four year old self to see him climb on top of his little hen house!  Plus, I adored the sounds he made!

Well, Buttercup turned out to be not to my parents liking.  It turned out that he could eat right through metal cable, and so instead of eating weeds, Buttercup helped himself to the garden...  and the clothesline...  and the clothes on our bodies!  Eventually my sweet little goat turned into a big mean billy goat, and he would knock my brother over, and he was sent to live on a farm.  I don't remember most of the bad things about Buttercup though; he's just a good memory for me!

As you can see, he's not doing much for the height of the grass!

Thank You Lord...

...For outdoor picnics in October (in shorts!)

...For dancing with my girls and seeing their precious smiles.

...For the vibrant fall colors this year.  

...For the Indian Summer.

...For my family.  I think I would go crazy without them.  Lord, you knew what you were doing when you surrounded me with such wonderful supportive people.

...For the sun set glowing off of the corn tassels.  It's just another example of your amazing creation.

...For chalk scribbles.

...For winding dirt roads and flowing streams.

...For baby babbles.

...For the words "I really missed you."

...For hope.

...For the Word of God.  It's ever true, ever powerful, and ever comforting.


What are you thankful for today?

My New Obsession

This long weekend has been a whirlwind, and a good one at that.  The mountains were calling me for a mini retreat with my family, and it was much needed.  I'm back and much refreshed. 

The heat wave made for much awesome fall outdoor time, but that doesn't mean that I had no time for knitting!  I'm making the Knitted Doll Blanket by Living Craft, and I promised little Ana another ball in yellow as soon as I finish.  But what's really on my mind is what to do with this:

It's hand-spun, hand-dyed alpaca from MountainMud Handmade.  I picked it up at the Johnny Appleseed Festival this weekend.  Fiber like this was part of my motivation to want to start knitting, so it feels good to have some in my hands!  I just hope I can find a pattern worthy of the beauty of this skein of yarn! 

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by soulemama.

going green- Rainy Days

It's been raining here for the past week.  It was sunny yesterday, but before that, it rained every day.  And here is one of my rain barrels-

Looking pretty, but functioning not!  Eventually we hope to set up three working rain barrels, and I know there will be much more rain to come.

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Ana's Favorite

Ana loves to play with balls.  She has balls of all shapes, sizes, and colors.  

Today she asked me if I would knit her a toy like I did for Max.  Of course I would.  It was really no surprise to me that she asked for a ball.  My second knitting project complete!  She has yet to see it, but I'm fairly confident that she will like it!

Victory!

I wrote some time ago that it was a dream of mine to learn to knit, and today I officially finished my first knitting project! 

So maybe it took me longer than it should have to make, and maybe it's also way simple, but I made it!  I expect my next project to be done soon!  If you knit, check me out on Ravelry.  My user name is lewismusicstudio. 

Thank You Lord

Photo taken last August at my brother's wedding by their photographer.

...  For new beginnings.

... For family and celebrating the new little guy about to join the family.

... For fresh bakery cookies.

... For big gorgeous baby smiles.

...For a generous friend who knows just how to love my baby during worship practice. 

...For my violin and for the chance to play for you Lord.  It's been five long (but much needed)  months, but what peace there is in returning to one calling after being so consumed with other important ventures.

...For "I love Mommy and Daddy so much." 

...For the awesome sound of pouring rain on the church roof. 

...For my husband and his maturity and wisdom beyond his years.

...For baby baths and baby smiles and baby coos and baby raspberries and baby snuggles...  for my baby Adelaide!

...For women who are so strong in the Lord.  They ministered to me even in the short time before I had to take my screaming sweety home!

... For this verse:

Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, 

I will not be disgraced. 

Therefore have I set my face like flint, 

and I know I will not be put to shame.

Isaiah 50:7