One of my daughters shot a short video documenting the natural outcome of procrastination.While we were uploading it to YouTube, I asked her what we should title it.She suggested, "Gross Pumpkins."So...consider yourself warned.[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLme3Dlp3G0] … [Read more...]
One Summer-Fall Day
Unseasonably warm temperatures reached the mid-70s today, allowing the kids to experiment with leaf inventions; they were unencumbered by pesky fall jackets or gloves and instead donned shorts and T-shirts.They raked leaves and jumped. They shook branches, raked more, heaped, leaped, tumbled, skidded and slid into the mounds.They created circles and walls of leaves. They … [Read more...]
Lake Michigan!
When I sat on the sand and watched the water crash against those rocks and send up that spray, I thought, "Why, this could almost be California!" Yet, we only had to drive a few hours to enjoy this Lake Michigan beach.I guess I was surprised that the lake was able to offer such an ocean-like display of power.But when on the drive home I phoned my parents and mentioned the … [Read more...]
Backyard Bounty
It isn't much, but given that I'm a novice gardener harvesting a small, weedy plot...Basil, cucumbers, zucchini, and tomatoesI'm pleased. … [Read more...]
Crabbing in the North Sea
Our last full day in Holland began first with some crabbing, or crab-catching, by the docks. The children were captivated by this as they waited for the adults to slowly roll out of bed and gather for those Sunday family devotions I described in the last post. This crab-fishing activity evolved over the course of several days. First the kids observed others with nets and … [Read more...]
Let the Little Children Sit by the Water's Edge and Come to Him
Last Saturday, as we anticipated our last day all together in Holland—and given our little family's impending departure, our extended family's last day all together for a very long time—we considered where we might gather the next morning for family devotions. We could have simply cleaned up from breakfast and gathered around the table in one of the rented cottages. Then … [Read more...]
Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places
When I was relatively new to blogging, every once in a while I'd be scanning comments on somebody's post and spot one by L.L. Barkat. I'd read the well-formed response and think, "Wow. That person's smart!" I wasn't sure, at first, if this person was male or female. No photo confirmed gender, and the initials L.L. didn't help me know for certain. At some point I finally … [Read more...]
Bunnies and Clotheslines
I've never been good with laundry. Somehow I end up shrinking my favorite blouses and pulling pants from the dryer only to discover blotches of contrasting dye from a shirt that wasn't ready to be washed with other colors. At those moments, I am especially glad that I shop at Goodwill. Even though the shrunken blouse might have been a favorite, it is somewhat comforting … [Read more...]
Several Summer Solutions to "Mom, I’m Bored!"
To avoid hearing kids exclaim "I'm bored!" in the summer months, it's tempting to fill the weeks ahead with camps and clubs and outings and activities, isn't it? Maybe we think, Keeping them busy keeps them out of trouble. Or, They gain skills they wouldn't have time to develop during the school year. And although not everyone will admit to it, there's the argument, … [Read more...]
A Brief Beach Tour
Look who came along on our trip!The cute shoes you met one Monday FunDay stowed away in a suitcase. They couldn't resist showing off a beach flower:And a bed of shell bits:Also, I wanted to show you the view today.Blue skies. Sun.Very nice.Our room is not exactly what one would call high-end luxury accommodations. The glass knob on the bathroom door looks very Shabby … [Read more...]
The End of Fun as We Know It?
Until Robin pointed it out, I didn't realize that there was a traveling carnival bopping around the blogosphere called "Fun Monday." It's shared by several bloggers, so there isn't one central location (though Robin decided to set up a clearinghouse of all the previous Fun Mondays here).Today's Fun Monday invited participants to post photos or descriptions of their … [Read more...]
Time to Run
Along the path to the Gulf we admired trees that don't grow in Indiana--for Midwesterners, this is the stuff of postcards and screensavers. And yet, there we were, walking right past them, on our way to dig holes in the sand and make drip castles.Friday night we all took a long walk to what eventually became known as "Hermit Crab Cove," near the place formerly known as my … [Read more...]
More vacation pictures–and a gross face-in-place
It's a nature bonanza here on the coast of Florida! Last night, we fell asleep to an owl's hooting. As I walked to the bath house this evening at dusk, I heard a mockingbird going nuts, singing a crazy medley of migrating birdsongs one after another fast and furious. This Great Blue Heron hangs around near the fishermen. So regal. He moves with smooth … [Read more...]
Trees
In the beginning, God created trees.It wasn’t the first or only thing He created, of course, but He spoke vegetation into existence by commanding the land to produce it. And there came the trees bearing fruit with seed in them according to their kinds. God saw that it was good, and then He closed out the third day. Done.And to this day, we can think about trees, bearing … [Read more...]
Recycling Never Looked So *Adorable* (bonus: Save the Wolves)
My friend Anita, designer/creator of those buttery-soft, recycled leather handbags I told you about, launched a line of children's backpacks called "Woof Packs." They come in different colors for both boys and girls—Anita said she'll soon be making some in pink—and I think my animal-crazy kindergartener will go bonkers over them! [Updated 2022: You may need to consult … [Read more...]
