We went to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art again. I love this place!
How wonderful it will be have a short week; I think every school week should start on Wednesday!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Long Weekends
A four day weekend.. oh how wonderful they are. Just being home, the girls playing, Scott working on little house projects, me cooking and planning our "date nights" at home after the girls are in bed. This weekend we had some yummy ones from this basket my Dad gave us after we watched Duffy for a week.
We went to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art again. I love this place!
How wonderful it will be have a short week; I think every school week should start on Wednesday!
We went to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art again. I love this place!
How wonderful it will be have a short week; I think every school week should start on Wednesday!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Quite Possibly the Best Book I've Ever Read
A Lantern In Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich
This book moved me, pulled me in, made me think, made me feel differently, validated my goals, and I loved it!
First published in 1928, Aldrich tells the life story of one Abbie Mackenzie. As a young woman she dreams of music, art, and a life filled with the finer things. She is sure she won't have the pioneer life she was born into.
But love comes to her in the quiet Will Deal; and her dreams change. Together they live a challenging life homesteading in Nebraska territory where the prairies stretched as far as the eye could see, and only the strongest survived for long.
As I first opened this book I (a life long lover of all things.. books and shows... Little House of the Prairie) thought I might like this story. But as I read the beautiful descriptions of the land and the life of Abbie Mackenzie in that land I felt like I didn't want the beautiful story to end.
I found myself turning over the corners of the pages so that I could remember to go back and reread them. Parts of the story Aldrich was able to say in words exactly how I felt. Even though it was written back in 1928 and took place in the late 1800's I went through some of the same emotions as this character; felt some of the same things, took pride in what she did, and let my goals shift to my career being my children. Oh how I loved this book... do you want to borrow it?
Here are some of my favorite parts:
I loved how much she loved her husband she knew and met as a young boy. I knew Scott as a young boy as well so reading this felt like home to my heart...
Only one thing gave her strength for the parting. Only one thing gave her courage to make the long journey to the raw new state. Her love for Will. Abbie's love for her husband had retained its sweetness and its ardor. And in her heart she has knew that as much as she cared for her people, as dear as were her mother and sisters and the old settlement to her, they did not outweigh her love for her him.
And when she welcomed a second child...
And now, Abbie's love was divided between two babies,. No, that is not true. There is no division nor subtraction in the heart-arithmetic of a good mother. There are only addition and multiplication.
Reminding me that my mood is often the whole mood in the house...
She turned to the children. They were all around the table looking at a little picture Margaret had drawn, Margaret was always drawing. Abbie ran to them, closed warm maternal arms around all three, and bumped them together in a return of girlish spirits, so that they laughed at her unusual playfulness, their faces sparkling because Mother was full of fun. How readily they responded to all her moods. And how careful she must be with those childish impressions.
How we live to make the lives of our children just a little bit more... (I can remember my Grandmother explaining that to my once years ago how each generation wants to give a little more to their children than they had. Although I can't imagine a childhood more wonderful than mine I sure do try to give my girls so much)
Abbie was forty-six now. The gray streaks in the red brown hair were prominent. There was a noticeable slumping of the lithe shoulders, a thickening of the hips. The peasant body of the O'Conners was coming into its ow. In all these years Abbie Deal had not done anything with her voice, and she had not painted. but as every good mother lives again in her children, her personal disappointments were assuaged by Isabelle giver great promise in her music, and Margaret improving in every canvas she did.
Oh Will, I am so disappointed... I can only fell those things, not do them. Isn't motherhood, itself an accomplishment? She knew that she made her own sense, and yet it gave her a sense of satisfaction and peace... yes it gave her a sense of peace and comfort.
Oh, and this description of having children is just how I feel. As Abbie's daughter tells her mother that she doesn't want to have children...
But Isabelle, if people waited to be rich to have children. If we! ... Oh Isabelle! .... You'd make me laugh if I didn't feel so like crying. 'Can't afford it?' How can you afford to miss it... little children... their soft warm bodies and their little clinging hands.. their cunning ways... miss motherhood?
When her daughter Grace wants her mother to travel and tells her her life is narrow, Abbie responds...
You know Grace, it's queer, but I don't feel narrow. I feel broad. how can I explain it to you, so that you would understand? I've seen everything... and I've hardly been away from this yard.... I've been married.. and borne children and looked into the face of death. Is childbirth narrow, Grace? Or marriage? When you've experienced all those things, Grace, the spirit has traveled although the body has been confined. i thin travel is a rare privilege and I'm glad you can have it. But not every one who stays at home is narrow and not every one who travels is broad.
Abbie tries to explain love to her granddaughter
You can't describe love, Kathie and you can't define it. Only it goes with you all your life. I think that love is more like a light that you carry. At first childish happiness keeps it lighted and after that romance. Then motherhood lights it and then duty.
Thank you to Sarah for recommending it.
This book moved me, pulled me in, made me think, made me feel differently, validated my goals, and I loved it!
First published in 1928, Aldrich tells the life story of one Abbie Mackenzie. As a young woman she dreams of music, art, and a life filled with the finer things. She is sure she won't have the pioneer life she was born into.
But love comes to her in the quiet Will Deal; and her dreams change. Together they live a challenging life homesteading in Nebraska territory where the prairies stretched as far as the eye could see, and only the strongest survived for long.
As I first opened this book I (a life long lover of all things.. books and shows... Little House of the Prairie) thought I might like this story. But as I read the beautiful descriptions of the land and the life of Abbie Mackenzie in that land I felt like I didn't want the beautiful story to end.
I found myself turning over the corners of the pages so that I could remember to go back and reread them. Parts of the story Aldrich was able to say in words exactly how I felt. Even though it was written back in 1928 and took place in the late 1800's I went through some of the same emotions as this character; felt some of the same things, took pride in what she did, and let my goals shift to my career being my children. Oh how I loved this book... do you want to borrow it?
Here are some of my favorite parts:
I loved how much she loved her husband she knew and met as a young boy. I knew Scott as a young boy as well so reading this felt like home to my heart...
Only one thing gave her strength for the parting. Only one thing gave her courage to make the long journey to the raw new state. Her love for Will. Abbie's love for her husband had retained its sweetness and its ardor. And in her heart she has knew that as much as she cared for her people, as dear as were her mother and sisters and the old settlement to her, they did not outweigh her love for her him.
And when she welcomed a second child...
And now, Abbie's love was divided between two babies,. No, that is not true. There is no division nor subtraction in the heart-arithmetic of a good mother. There are only addition and multiplication.
Reminding me that my mood is often the whole mood in the house...
She turned to the children. They were all around the table looking at a little picture Margaret had drawn, Margaret was always drawing. Abbie ran to them, closed warm maternal arms around all three, and bumped them together in a return of girlish spirits, so that they laughed at her unusual playfulness, their faces sparkling because Mother was full of fun. How readily they responded to all her moods. And how careful she must be with those childish impressions.
How we live to make the lives of our children just a little bit more... (I can remember my Grandmother explaining that to my once years ago how each generation wants to give a little more to their children than they had. Although I can't imagine a childhood more wonderful than mine I sure do try to give my girls so much)
Abbie was forty-six now. The gray streaks in the red brown hair were prominent. There was a noticeable slumping of the lithe shoulders, a thickening of the hips. The peasant body of the O'Conners was coming into its ow. In all these years Abbie Deal had not done anything with her voice, and she had not painted. but as every good mother lives again in her children, her personal disappointments were assuaged by Isabelle giver great promise in her music, and Margaret improving in every canvas she did.
Oh Will, I am so disappointed... I can only fell those things, not do them. Isn't motherhood, itself an accomplishment? She knew that she made her own sense, and yet it gave her a sense of satisfaction and peace... yes it gave her a sense of peace and comfort.
Oh, and this description of having children is just how I feel. As Abbie's daughter tells her mother that she doesn't want to have children...
But Isabelle, if people waited to be rich to have children. If we! ... Oh Isabelle! .... You'd make me laugh if I didn't feel so like crying. 'Can't afford it?' How can you afford to miss it... little children... their soft warm bodies and their little clinging hands.. their cunning ways... miss motherhood?
When her daughter Grace wants her mother to travel and tells her her life is narrow, Abbie responds...
You know Grace, it's queer, but I don't feel narrow. I feel broad. how can I explain it to you, so that you would understand? I've seen everything... and I've hardly been away from this yard.... I've been married.. and borne children and looked into the face of death. Is childbirth narrow, Grace? Or marriage? When you've experienced all those things, Grace, the spirit has traveled although the body has been confined. i thin travel is a rare privilege and I'm glad you can have it. But not every one who stays at home is narrow and not every one who travels is broad.
Abbie tries to explain love to her granddaughter
You can't describe love, Kathie and you can't define it. Only it goes with you all your life. I think that love is more like a light that you carry. At first childish happiness keeps it lighted and after that romance. Then motherhood lights it and then duty.
Thank you to Sarah for recommending it.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Fingerprints of God
Anna,
You're a masterpiece that all creation quietly applauds... you're covered with the fingerpints of God.
Fashioned by God's hand; perfectly planned to be just who you are...
And what He's been creating since the first beat of your heart is a living, breathing, priceless work of art.
And I can see the fingerprints of God when I look at you.
Just look at you, you're a wonder in the making. And God's not through... in fact He's just getting started...
(from Steven Curtis Chapman, Fingerprints of God)
Anna asked tonight at dinner why Abigail had to look just like me, and my heart sank. Anna, you are covered with the fingerprints of God; you're a wonder in the making.... and we do look alike in our hearts.
You're a masterpiece that all creation quietly applauds... you're covered with the fingerpints of God.
Fashioned by God's hand; perfectly planned to be just who you are...
And what He's been creating since the first beat of your heart is a living, breathing, priceless work of art.
And I can see the fingerprints of God when I look at you.
Just look at you, you're a wonder in the making. And God's not through... in fact He's just getting started...
(from Steven Curtis Chapman, Fingerprints of God)
Anna asked tonight at dinner why Abigail had to look just like me, and my heart sank. Anna, you are covered with the fingerprints of God; you're a wonder in the making.... and we do look alike in our hearts.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Friday Family Pizza
I love Friday just like everyone. But Friday has always been extra special since I was little because we always went out for pizza that night as a family.
I can remember a few pizza restaurants that were my favorite.
I can remember feeling so happy as a young girl knowing that the school week was over. I felt relaxed and loved that happy time with my family.
I can remember at just 15 bringing along my pictures from a High School trip to Spain. I sat in the booth and went through the envelopes of pictures with my family. There were a few in there of a special someone that I spent a lot of time with on that trip. Young love, very, very, very young love.
And then when Anna came into our family we brought her along with us each Friday to the town I grew up in. It was a special time of family.
But then when Abigail was born and I had earlier baby bedtimes and breast feeding we stopped going. Abigail was diagnosed with EE at just 22 months and couldn't have any cheese so we stopped having pizza all together. Until I found this great pizza dough recipe from Pam and "fake" Abigail cheese. Now for over a year I make the dough on Friday morning (It wouldn't be Friday without making my pizza dough) and Scott comes home and makes the pizzas.
Yum! The tradition lives on!
Gee, I'm awful sentimental about pizza.... I'm sentimental about everything!
I can remember a few pizza restaurants that were my favorite.
I can remember feeling so happy as a young girl knowing that the school week was over. I felt relaxed and loved that happy time with my family.
I can remember at just 15 bringing along my pictures from a High School trip to Spain. I sat in the booth and went through the envelopes of pictures with my family. There were a few in there of a special someone that I spent a lot of time with on that trip. Young love, very, very, very young love.
And then when Anna came into our family we brought her along with us each Friday to the town I grew up in. It was a special time of family.
But then when Abigail was born and I had earlier baby bedtimes and breast feeding we stopped going. Abigail was diagnosed with EE at just 22 months and couldn't have any cheese so we stopped having pizza all together. Until I found this great pizza dough recipe from Pam and "fake" Abigail cheese. Now for over a year I make the dough on Friday morning (It wouldn't be Friday without making my pizza dough) and Scott comes home and makes the pizzas.
Yum! The tradition lives on!
Gee, I'm awful sentimental about pizza.... I'm sentimental about everything!
Friday, February 17, 2012
My Favorite 3 Valentines
There were lots of homemade Valentines in our house thanks to the fun craft supplies that Grandma B brought over. We made them for each other and got all sticky and messy; loved it! And I carefully packed away all of the extra supplies for next year.
Out of all of the homemade Valentines and cards, these little notes were my favorite. (from this family activity back here)
Anna's first... love this one because we are sitting together, looking at each other. It's so awesome it gives me goosebumps because it shows our bond which is something I work on every day. She wrote little notes every day but this picture is the best!
Abigail wrote the word LOVE for the first time on my card one night. Of course we told her the letters. And doing this project each night she learned how to make a heart. So sweet!
And Scott's just speaks for itself.
With all of the love notes in my bucket I feel all filled up this February and will keep them forever. Thanks for the idea Cindy! (I miss your inspirational posts of day to day life in your house... come back soon!)
Out of all of the homemade Valentines and cards, these little notes were my favorite. (from this family activity back here)
Anna's first... love this one because we are sitting together, looking at each other. It's so awesome it gives me goosebumps because it shows our bond which is something I work on every day. She wrote little notes every day but this picture is the best!
Abigail wrote the word LOVE for the first time on my card one night. Of course we told her the letters. And doing this project each night she learned how to make a heart. So sweet!
And Scott's just speaks for itself.
With all of the love notes in my bucket I feel all filled up this February and will keep them forever. Thanks for the idea Cindy! (I miss your inspirational posts of day to day life in your house... come back soon!)
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Valentines Day
Abigail and I went to lunch at Anna's school. It was fun seeing my third grade Valentine in her element. Funny story... I picked up Panera for lunch (except for Abigail of course) and Anna asked for a bite of my sandwich and ended up loving it (and eating my whole sandwich). "You can have my mac and cheese." Next time I'll remember to pick out a more grownup lunch for her! This is Anna being dropped off at school on Valentines Day. I've been leaving my old little point and shoot in the car but haven't had much luck with that (supposed to be so easy) little thing.
Anna gave out bookmarks to her classmates. I think they turned out darling. There's even one left over for me!
This was the back:
Then Scott was able to come home a bit early to give the girls their Valentines. Just little, simple gifts to make the day sweet. They were sure excited. It looked like a lot, but they loved their little presents. Abigail keep saying so enthusiastically, "thank you , thank you , thank you!!!" with hugs and kisses for us!
It was a wonderful day in the middle of the week to stop and remember love.
Anna gave out bookmarks to her classmates. I think they turned out darling. There's even one left over for me!
This was the back:
Then Scott was able to come home a bit early to give the girls their Valentines. Just little, simple gifts to make the day sweet. They were sure excited. It looked like a lot, but they loved their little presents. Abigail keep saying so enthusiastically, "thank you , thank you , thank you!!!" with hugs and kisses for us!
It was a wonderful day in the middle of the week to stop and remember love.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Abigail's Valentines Day
I loved that Valentines Day fell on a Tuesday because Abigail was home with me all day..... ahh, to have my little Valentine all to myself all day...
So her preschool party was on Monday. She woke up so excited and had her Valentines all ready to go. She dressed in her little roses dress and put on her shoes by herself (on the wrong feet). I snapped these pictures on our way out the door. We were a bit late that morning. Holidays do that do me.
Scott helped me make her Valentines on Photoshop. They came out so cute.
Cookies made with love.
It's always always always hard for me to know that they'll be lots of treats at the party that Abigail can't eat. Only food from home that mommy made. She's super okay with it (I think) and actually brings home the treats that she was allergic to for her sister. Love that!
When she came home she was all lit up holding her envelope of Valentines from her friends. She was running around and smiling the biggest smile. When we went inside she opened each one carefully while I videotaped her.
Lollipop... the candy that's always safe for her.
I love Valentines Day! And I love love love love this girl!
So her preschool party was on Monday. She woke up so excited and had her Valentines all ready to go. She dressed in her little roses dress and put on her shoes by herself (on the wrong feet). I snapped these pictures on our way out the door. We were a bit late that morning. Holidays do that do me.
Scott helped me make her Valentines on Photoshop. They came out so cute.
Cookies made with love.
It's always always always hard for me to know that they'll be lots of treats at the party that Abigail can't eat. Only food from home that mommy made. She's super okay with it (I think) and actually brings home the treats that she was allergic to for her sister. Love that!
When she came home she was all lit up holding her envelope of Valentines from her friends. She was running around and smiling the biggest smile. When we went inside she opened each one carefully while I videotaped her.
Lollipop... the candy that's always safe for her.
I love Valentines Day! And I love love love love this girl!
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