Friday Brain Dump

Or, a round-up of random thoughts, rattling around in my head...


1.  You'd think I'd be smarter than this...  my wonderful friends gave me their recipe for the bread Tate and I loved when they visited them.  It's a sourdough bread and requires making and using a starter, as well as a very long rising time (two 12-hour rises).  Though they clearly wrote "3 T potato flakes", I somehow found myself using instant milk powder (this is known as a "brain fart" in our house) and then - in shocking news - my bread didn't rise.  We're trying again.


2.  I found this Cinquain that Tate wrote about five years ago.  (Just FYI, there are lots of guidelines for writing a Cinquain, but the creator of the form actually only had these rules - a five-line poem, the lines have 2-4-6-8-2 syllables.  You can be more specific, but those are the only original rules.)  Here's Tate's:

Downed elk

Sinks to the ground

And sleeps the final sleep

A fat elk makes a fine dinner

Let's eat!

3.  Panhandlers.  We've got 'em, and you probably do too.  I hear (and read) a lot of muddled thinking about helping them.  Particularly frustrating is the mentality of, "I can't judge them, so I'll just be generous and give them money and let God sort it out."  Because God didn't trouble to give you a brain, or expect you to use it???

Our local rescue mission published an article with some great thoughts.  Here's a link to the article, but I don't think they'd mind me sharing some of their thoughts.  Before you hand someone money, ask yourself some questions:

• Will giving them money change the situation they're in?
• Will it solve any drug or alcohol abuse problems they might be facing?
• Will it help them find employment, provide needed counseling, or offer other skills?
• Will this help them face and overcome obstacles that have defeated them in the past?
• Will this continue to enable them?

In other words, (i.e. my own...)  If I give them money, is it actually likely to help them, or is it all about my feelings?  Though they did NOT say this in the article, far better to support your local mission than to give panhandlers money!


4.  Love, love, love this graphic.

Especially "not clapping on 1 and 3".  Amen?  ;D


5.  I spent a year in West Australia.  Great memories.  *happy sigh*  Especially since, being on a student visa, there was no question about me getting any kind of employment (not allowed).  What's a girl to do all summer, but go to the beach?  And there was a great one in easy walking distance of my summer host family.  On these cold, winter days (so often dark and rainy!) I frequently check this webcam.  It takes a minute to load, and even then you may see... darkness.  You have to remember that they are 15 or 16 hours ahead of us (Pacific Standard Time), so I check in the late afternoon or evening.  Oh, those brilliant turquoise blues.  That's exactly how I remember Scarborough Beach...

I spent whole days (weeks!) with this view...

6.  And since we're looking at happy pics...  I snapped this one of the boys on Christmas Eve

And with that...

7.  Time for lunch :D  Have to feed those teenage metabolisms ;D

In Which the Boys Go Snowshoeing

We get a lot of rain here.  I may have mentioned that a time or fifty.  The up-side of that is:

lots of rain + high elevation = *snow!*

Literally, any day of the year we can drive (and maybe hike a little) and find snow.  And since thus far (from the boys' point of view) we've had an utterly deplorable lack of snow down here in town, the thing to do is go to the snow.  So they did :D  Even the drive to get there is gorgeous.

I'm not sure they actually needed snow shoes, as that path looks pretty well packed down, but it's all about the adventure, right?  And didn't they have an awesome day for it?

Of course, boys being boys, the first thing to do is collect icicles...

... so you can threaten your brothers.

And make sure to get a photo of Dad :D

But don't leave him behind!

Be sure to get a photo of the sun sparkling on the snow crystals...

Look at the view to the north...

Apparently, inspiration struck when they saw this clump of snow hanging over the path...

A little sculpting with the ski pole, and...

Do you recognize it?  I had to ask...

... but then, I haven't seen Alien.

I'd much rather look at this happy scene ;D

Ah, Mt. Shuksan.  I once stood right on the pointy tip-top of that mountain.

And that was their day of snowshoeing.

Check out the difference (traffic) between arriving in the morning...

... and leaving in the afternoon.

Kerry thinks there must've been an accident or something further up the highway (toward the ski area) because traffic was all backed up and people were turning around and heading home.  So glad they got up on the mountain early!

Grasshopper Days

Grasshopper Days

For today, Monday, January 11, 2016

Outside my window...  after an absolutely amazing sunrise, which Gunnar and I enjoyed while we were out walking without my camera - sorry, it's now 36F, clouded over, and raining lightly.  Gunnar and I were just discussing the unfabulousness of January and February.  (Do you like that word?  I'm trying not to complain, you know ;D)  Anyway, my view is that since the weather is typically "unfabulous" and there aren't any major holiday events (like Christmas) coming, it's a great time of year to put your shoulder to the wheel, and get through a lot of school work.  Because that sounds so much better than "plodding along", right?

Hearing...  a quiet house.  Kerry is working in his office, Gunnar is reading in the living room, and Tate is probably at his desk reading his chemistry.  Wyatt has his looooong day at school today - classes from 11:30 - 8:30 (with breaks).  Whew!

What I should be hearing is my sewing machine.  I have a quilt to finish, after all!  (And another to start... another day.)  Maybe this afternoon...

Pondering...  I got through most of the Mother Load last week, but guess what?  This week there's more!!!

Praying...  lots of work for Kerry would be fabulous.

Thankful...  for a fun time with my friend yesterday!

Creating...  quilt #2 of 3 ;D

Looking forward to...  converting lots of old slides to digital form.

In the kitchen...  chicken sounds good, probably with rice and veggies.

In the learning rooms...  Tate decided to do the whole week of chemistry today.  Whew!  He'll probably do the whole week of Civics tomorrow.  Gunnar is finishing his history reading for the day, and about to practice his violin.

Around the house...  when I'm sewing, that has a way of sort of taking over my office.  Meanwhile, there are a couple other projects I'd like to be doing as well!  First things first...

The Mother Load...  still to finish...

* call Worldview Academy about accommodations
* inventory the Gift Box (post Christmas)
* remind Wyatt to make appt with Running Start to confirm his remaining A.A. requirements
* call Advanced Bionics about Tate's head-piece pad
* wrap baby quilt #1
* mail photos to my cousin
* email "B" about tea
* plan a baby shower for a neighbor :D
* email K about homeschool curriculum
* prep Sunday school lesson(s) - I like to work ahead ;D

That shouldn't take long, right?

Noticing that...  Gunnar is oh-so-close to being as tall as I am.  Maybe I should measure him again!  (He is anxiously awaiting the day when he is NOT the shortest in the family.)

Something fun to share...  oh yah!  I downloaded some pics from Kerry of their snow-shoeing adventure.  Will post soon...

A few plans for the rest of the week...  gloriously ordinary :D  I'm taking to my friend Chickie to one of her appointments (because I was there when they suggested a 7:30 AM appointment with an AWESOME physical therapist and she wasn't sure anyone could take her that early... hello, US.  We are UP).  Also, the boys have CAP, and then, of course, school.  Ta-daaa!

A peek into my world...  more like a sneak preview...

A Daily Day - Brain Dump

It's Friday, friends, and isn't that a good thing?

1.  There are days when the only thing I cross off the Mother Load is something I accidentally wrote twice... and today wasn't quite that bad ;D  At least I downloaded photos, updated my calendar, made sure Tate paid for his yearbook (because the price goes up soon), and made jam.  Yum!

2.  And there were errands.  Gunnar and I finished all his schoolwork yesterday (hurray for four-day homeschool weeks!) and clumped all our errands together.  We had to kill some time (waiting for the consignment store to open so we could drop off some things,) and found a hard-bound Richard Peck book we didn't have at the Sal's Arm for a whopping 27 cents.  Isn't that a bargain?  And I love Richard Peck's stories.  Now we have The Teacher's Funeral - A Comedy In Three Parts.  I read the whole thing this evening!  I think the Grandma Dowdel books are my favorite, but this is a good one, too :D

3.  Chickie.  For those of you concerned for my friend - thank you! - she's doing just great!  Of course, it's going to be a long row to hoe for her, but she's surrounded by a "great cloud" of family and friends to encourage and help.  And seriously, she personifies her name - Chickie.  Like a perky, cheerful chickadee.  I feel so lucky to have the family and friends I do!

4.  The oven...  earlier this week I needed to get the oven up to 450.  I haven't really been paying attention, but it has seemed kind of slow, so that day I really watched.  It took an hour.  That just isn't right.  But tonight?  It heated right up, no problem.  Flush with success, I baked cupcakes right on the heels of dinner, rather than waiting until tomorrow.

5.  Yes, there was baking...  while other people create culinary masterpieces, Gunnar saw this at the store today:

He insisted we need to make this.  I think it was the orange frosting that caught his eye, as we're getting together with friends this weekend.  I love hanging out with my friend Ginny, and Gunnar enjoys her boys - Ben and Sammy.  (Sammy is the one he babysat for two years.)  Those boys are slightly obsessed with the color orange. 

I think Gunnar thought there was actually frosting in the box of cake mix, and had a moment of concern before I assured him that I myself, all on my own, could make orange frosting happen.  My larger concern was that there was absolutely no way I could mix the colors like that without the cake looking like mud, so we came up with a creative alternative.  Therefore, this afternoon we (and by "we" I mean "I") mixed up four colors of cake batter, froze them in ice cube trays, and made camo cupcakes with the semi-frozen cake batter (three cubes each seemed to do the trick), and we'll frost them tomorrow.  (And by "we"...)

6.  Gunnar and I are so excited!  We're going to a concert!  His violin teacher happened to mention that Jay Ungar and Molly Mason are coming to our neck of the woods, and we wasted no time and purchased tickets that very same day!  The concert also features a Scottish fiddler and a cellist that I've not heard of, but it sounds wonderful... a Fiddler's Feast.  Gunnar has been working on the Ashokan Farewell, and we'll get to hear it by the ones who wrote it!

7.  I may not have accomplished much from the list, but I have a great excuse...  I'm working on a new quilt!  Because isn't that just a ton more fun than tracking down insurance cards or folding laundry?!  And I have all of tomorrow to make progress.  Hurray for the weekend!

What are your plans?

The Mother Load and Other Thoughts

The Mother Load... I think it breeds when I'm not looking.  Why IS that?  It mocks me, so I'm putting it here so I can kick its butt.  Ready?

Relax, it was clean.
He reminded me of one of those old paintings of saints...

Oh, and the photos?  Apropos of nothing.  Just to make me giggle.

But back to the Mother Load.  Ready?  Okay:

* call about Tate's insurance

* renew Tate's state park disability pass

* sort kitchen containers (match lids to containers)

* remind Gunnar to email "S" about a summer job

* call Worldview Academy about accommodations

* send in Tate's $ to his investment

* have boys strip beds

* wash boys' sheets

* have boys make beds

* PAY BILLS

* inventory the "gift box" (depleted after Christmas)

* remind Wyatt to make appt with Running Start office to confirm his remaining A.A. requirements

* hem Gunnar's dress blues

* call Advanced Bionics about Tate's head-piece (missing little pad)

* make appointment for Tate at Children's - in May

* wrap baby quilt

* make appointment for Tate and me at the Tech School to talk about Running Start

* download snowshoeing pics from Kerry

* mail photos to my cousin

* email "B" about tea

* print "ring theory" article and take to Chickie

* sort snack food

* remind Tate to pre-purchase a yearbook

* call about our insurance cards - WHERE ARE THEY?

* prep Sunday school lesson

* mark dates (Chickie's PT appointment, baby shower, concert) on kitchen calendar

* order bread pans from Amazon
* call K about sending stuff with her
* make jam

Yes, I've made some progress, but... miles to go and all that.  So here's another giggle from 2008...

The boys - all duded up for a wedding reception.

But still.... zero to crazy in six seconds or less.

And how is your day going?

Grasshopper Days

Grasshopper Days

For today, Monday, January 4, 2016

Outside my window...  it snowed!  But just a little.  We were hoping for a winter wonderland, but what we got is really just a dusting.  In the spirit of hoping for more-where-that-came-from, I'm including some pics from a couple years ago.

Hearing...  Gunnar practicing his violin, currently playing (a simplified version of) Vivaldi's Winter.  

Very appropriate!

Pondering...  our dishwasher hasn't worked for years, but I can live without that.  Now, however, the oven is taking a mysteriously looooooong time to get up to temp, and I can't do without that!  And Kerry's 4Runner needs a new clutch.  Really?  All at once?

Praying...  for all of us to adjust smoothly back to our school routine.  Wyatt's going to have a full-load again this quarter (15 credits), after having only ten last quarter.  Tate continues to diligently plug along.  Gunnar had a little trouble this morning.  I don't think any of the work is too difficult, but he does have to make himself DO IT.  Hard to know if he just needs more self-discipline or if maybe there's some ADD going on???  Arrrrgh.

Thankful...  as much as I'd love a big dump of snow, I was kind of thankful we didn't get much as I'd volunteered to bring my sweet neighbor home from the hospital today.  She has family members (grand-kids) who were perfectly willing to do it, but they have cars that are low to the ground and that seemed like it might be difficult after hip surgery, while the seats in the van are kind of "butt-height".  The van, however, does NOT go out in the snow, so I was relieved the roads were basically clear.

Wearing...  blue jeans, white t-shirt, lime green sweater, warm socks.  Sooooo fancy.

Creating...  ummmm, can't post pics just yet as the quilt will be given at a shower later this month.  Soon :D  (Hint - the pattern is sometimes called Floating Star or Slanted Star.)

Going...  to carry dinner over to my neighbor, as soon as the bread finishes baking!


Looking forward to...  I don't know!  Today was pretty good :D

In the kitchen...  I got up early and got both crock pots going, full to the brim with stew...
caribou stew!
No kidding.  I went to the grocery store to get stew meat and a few other things, and forgot the meat! Fortunately, I had one last hunk of caribou I'd been 'hoarding' and decided to use it up.
Thank you, Grandpa Grasshopper!

I felt so industrious this morning.  Set my alarm for 6:20, though I usually wake up by 6.  But the phone rang at 5:40AM.  Thank you, local school district, for that automated call, making sure I knew that the trifling amount of snow wafting around had not caused school to be cancelled.  And then - bonus round! - we got a second (identical) phone call about fifteen minutes later.  Why???

But back to the feeling industrious part...
I cut the meat, peeled and chopped the veggies, mixed the broth, and got my crock-pots busy simmering, and then Gunnar and I headed out for our walk.
Normally we go up through the woods, but today I wanted to see with my own eyes that the steep hill I would need to go down and back up to bring Chickie home was okay.

Because it can be a bit intimidating.


Sunny day (steeper than it looks)...

Icy day... (not today).

It was fine :D


In the learning rooms... back to feeling industrious...
Gunnar and I got all our "together work" done before it was time for me to go get Chickie,
leaving him home to work independently.
That's a bit of a challenge the first day back after a long break, but he eventually got it done.


Around the house... happy sigh!  I'm loving the peaceful, serene feel of winter - inside and out.
I love change - love decorating for fall, with that cozy, homey feel.
And then the exuberance of colors and lights and smells and sounds of Christmas.
But then... winter.
It may be cold and dark outside, but so sparkly and twinkly and snug inside.


The Mother Load... ack!  I got not one thing done from my list today!
Well, except cooking, and schooling, and helping my neighbor.
So that's that, and tomorrow is a new day.

Noticing that... it won't be long before the snow drops are poking their heads up,
and that's always a cheery sight.


Something fun to share...  the thought of tapioca pudding just grosses me out.
As does bubble tea.
I can't imagine enjoying drinking a liquid with something that looks like fish eggs floating in it.

 Blech.

But guess what's in my stew?
Tapioca.


A favorite quote for today...

God has promised to supply our needs.
What we don't have now, we don't need now.
Elisabeth Elliot


One of my favorite things...  the smell of bread baking.


A Bible verse...

... I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether welled or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:11-13

And, NO, I'm not there yet.  Working on it.


A few plans for the rest of the week...
just getting back in the groove!
Hoping to spend time with a friend on Sunday.


A peek into my world...
well, my world a couple years ago.
Hoping for snow!
I love the way the dogwood branches look a bit like an upturned hand, holding the snow loosely.

Happy New Year

It's a sad fact but true:  long gone are the days we could get away with celebrating New Year's Eve on East Coast time (i.e. 9pm for us).  *sigh*  No, the boys are wise to that.  So we "old folks" have to put our big girl panties on and stay up until midnight ;D  Good thing we had some friends to spend it with.  

But let me tell you, I was all too glad to head up to my cozy bed when the party wound down :D

We're having beautiful, cooooold, clear weather.

Even though morning doesn't come very early (short hours of daylight),

it sure is bright!

Our poor Christmas tree (which the boys - in their best Monty Python voices - dubbed "a shrubbery") was dry as a tumbleweed and I was quite relieved to get it moved outside.  I packed up all our Christmas decorations and the boys helped haul the tubs out to the garage.

It's winter outside - frost on the ground, and snow on all the hills,

and wintery inside the house, too...

but not so bitterly cold!

I've been busy sewing the last few days.

It's perfect weather to curl up with a hot cup of tea and hand-sew the binding.

A friend at church just had her second boy (woo-hoo!)

and I finished her quilt yesterday.

Hope she'll be in church tomorrow, so I can give it to her!

I'll post photos after I hand it off, though it's unlikely she'd see it here.

Kerry and the boys drove up to Mt. Baker and went snow-shoeing today (poor-man's skiing).

I was tempted to go and hang out in the lodge while they hiked around

but thought I'd rather enjoy a quiet house,

and start planning the next quilt.

Two more friends are expecting, this month and next.

Of course, the boys are fervently hoping for snow here,

and I wouldn't mind it myself -

I love the brightness it brings to this dark time of year.

My sweet, kind neighbor fell and broke her hip on Christmas Eve.

Isn't that just rotten?

It's especially awful because she's already had the other one replaced and had to have it re-done twice,

because her femur started cracking apart.

She has lots of good supportive family, so she's not in this alone,

but she's such a fixture in the neighborhood, a true friend -

always baking something to share,

or bringing us things from her garden,

or inviting me in for a cup of tea...

it just breaks my heart that she was in the hospital for Christmas,

and has to go through the whole hip-rehab thing again.

The last I heard is that she'll be coming home on Monday,

and we're looking for ways we can help.

Of course we're praying for her,

and if you would, I know she'd appreciate it.

Her name is Chickie :D

And now it's getting late.

I've washed my sheets and need to re-make the bed.

A tedious task,

but oh how I love fresh sheets!

I hope you're having a Happy New Year.

A fresh start is always a good thing,

don't you think?

And maybe, just maybe, it will snow...