The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. -Psalm 24:1
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The weather’s turned around here, and with the brisk cold and the grey skies, I’m almost tempted to put on Christmas music. Almost. My mind is thinking ahead, though, to the short 7 weeks left before Christmas. I’m thinking about keeping it simple, about meaningfulness over grandeur. I’m making plans for Advent, for leaving a Christmas impression of steady and significant, rather than whirlwind and worldly upon my kids. I want to teach them to wait, to anticipate, to witness with wonder. Which is exactly what transpires when Christmas bulbs are abloom indoors just in time for the holiday season. If you love the beauty of paperwhites and amaryllis at Christmas time, now is the time to plant those forced bulbs. Don’t delay…they take weeks to bloom! I used bulbs that already had their “winter” and come with roots already sprouting. If you are using un-winterized bulbs, you can trick them […]
Remember back when summer felt sooo long? When each day of summer seemed to last forever with lots of lounging around? Summer break doesn’t quite feel this way to me anymore, as it did when I was a kid. Instead, now I anticipate the fleeting days of a relaxed schedule and am tempted to feel overwhelmed at the vast amount to be accomplished before the leaves turn. Projects around the house, dates with my kids, closets to be cleaned out, people to spend time with, books to finish reading, skills to pursue and develop….all these and more make it to my to do list. And while my kids have enjoyed plenty of hours with their imaginations in the backyard, I have hopes to tackle many “unfinished projects” with them as well. Teaching my boys how to paint, starting Number 2 on the piano, and working on specific issues of character […]
I’m always looking for fresh, new ways to prepare warm weather veggies other than my go-to grilling and summer salads. Asparagus, is one of my favorites for this season, and I thought I’d share one my favorite way to prepare them…Asian style. 1. Trim the ends of a pound or two of asparagus. {doesn’t everyone keep a cap-gun on their kitchen island?} 2. Make your sauce. You’ll need soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and fresh garlic. {you all don’t have stuffed bunnies either?} 3. Combine 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup sugar, drizzle of sesame oil, and 1 clove of garlic, minced. 4. Boil a big pot of water, and cook asparagus for 5 minutes, or just until fork easily pierces the ends. 5. Meanwhile, make an ice bath for your asparagus, and dunk them in immediately after cooking. 6. Drain asparagus, and place […]
Flower pins, flower barrettes, flower necklaces, flower headbands…they are everywhere! Here’s one version of the handmade flower accessory that can be used in all sorts of ways. So, get your supplies together, and give it a try. You will need: silky, polyester fabric (ie. satin, organza, etc.) beading, or super fine needle pearly beads hot glue gun felt pin or clip backings, barrettes, or headband tealight tongs or clothespin 1. Cut roundish petals of various sizes from your fabric. The circles don’t need to be perfect–they look better when they aren’t! 2. With your tongs, carefully hold each petal just close enough to the flame of your tealight to slightly melt the edges of your fabric. Turn, and seal all edges of the petal. The edges of your petals should curl up slightly as they melt. If your fabric is bubbling and looking gnarly *technical crafting term,* you’ve gotten […]
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