Remembering to Give Thanks

“What’s for lunch?”

“I’m hungry.”

“We’re out of hot dogs.”

Is it really mealtime again?

I’m sure that we just ate breakfast. But, no, the clock tells me that these men who’ve been outside doing man-size work are in to eat.

I feel as if I live at the grocery store. And two days after I go shopping, we’re out of food again.

Will this never end?

And then I remember last night. The visit to Miss D’s. She lost her husband this summer and is settled into her new condo. I thought maybe she would like a visit, so M. suggested I call her. “Would you like a visit?” In the space of a three-minute phone call, she emphasized three times that she would enjoy a visit.

So the two of us spent three hours getting to know her better and vice versa. She gave us a tour of her new home and told us stories of trips, of jobs, of hunting adventures with her husband, of memories of her deceased son. She told us how lonely it is at times.

And that’s when I remember. The memory of her loneliness reminded me. To give thanks for that which I have. For all that I have. For the never-ending grocery lists. For the hours spent cooking. For the disappearing food.

For one day, this will end. And instead of complaining even one iota, I want to spend it all rejoicing.

A Spring Care Package

One afternoon this week I came home from errands to find a be-stickered package sitting on the cedar chest for me that the boys had brought in from the mail lady. Without even having to open it, I knew exactly who it was from and what it was - my sister and A Spring Care Package.

Years ago I used to struggle with the long winters of cabin fever with 3 babies. My sister called on one of those long February afternoons and asked how I was doing - she got an earful. A few days later she sent me A Spring Care Package - filled with goodies to brighten up my long winter. And so, though my babies aren't babies any more, J. sent me another surprise this week just for fun. And it made my day as bright as that day years ago.


She told me later that she had a great time putting it together and wrapping each item in spring-colored tissue and fabric. The Morning Dew candle was bought first and then the Key Lime Cheeseball Mix was what inspired her to put together another Care Package for me. Here's a list of all the goodies:

* Morning Dew candle
* Key Lime Cheeseball Mix
* Spring napkins with little peeps on them
* Two packs of Zinnia seeds to start in my greenhouse (All Summer Cutting Mix & Fruit Smoothies Mix)
* Garlic Herb Dip Mix
* Roll of Spring-Colored Ribbon
* Italian Herb Garden Mini-Greenhouse pack with Genovese Basil, Oregano & Italian Parsley

Thanks again, J. - I love it (and you!)

Barbecue Green Beans & Arrowheads

I know - the photos don't match the title of the post, but I'll get there! Last Saturday evening we were invited to the home of some friends from church - Mr. and Mrs. B. are empty-nesters with two grown children. They generously had us over as a thank-you for some work the boys did for them. Actually the meal was more like a feast - and, of course, whenever I don't have to cook it, a meal tastes extra good!

* Baked Ham
* Barbecue Green Beans (see recipe below)
* Baked Macaroni and Cheese
* Corn
* Potato Dinner Rolls
* Fruit Cocktail
* and my contribution of a Two-Layer Chocolate Cake with White Frosting (hence, the photos!)

I'm including the recipe here for the Barbecue Green Beans as they were delicious and unusual - I would never have thought to put a ketchup-based sauce on green beans!

Barbecue Green Beans

4 slices bacon, finely cut (or substitute bacon bits)
1/4 C. onion, chopped
1/2 C. ketchup
1 tabl. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 C. brown sguar
2 - 37 oz. jars string beans or 2 qt. frozen string beans, cooked & drained

Brown bacon and onion together; add ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar. Simmer 2 minutes. Place beans in a casserole dish and pour bacon mixture over top. Do not stir in. Bake in a 350 oven for 20 minutes.


After dinner, the ladies cleaned up and retired to the living room to talk. All the guys headed for the pool table in the basement. Before playing, Mr. B. showed M. and the boys his collection of Indian artifacts - which included hundreds of arrowheads and several other items. He told them where to find arrowheads, what to look for and various fascinating facts about his finds. Eli was enthralled and came home wanting to hunt for arrowheads. It turns out Mr. B. told E. that he would take him over to his island (he owns an island in the Susquehanna River!) and they'll hunt for arrowheads some time. E., of course, was over the moon . . .

From My Study Notes

Snippets of thoughts and quotes from my study notes this week:

From Walking the Bible – A Journey by Land Through the Five Books of Moses by Bruce Feiler

“But isn’t it difficult, too? (living in the desert) I said. “Aren’t there things you dislike about living here?”

“At first you don’t like the fact that you can’t get what you want, when you want it,” he said. “In the settled areas people are spoiled. I was spoiled. When you live in the city you can control everything. You control the temperature, you control the food, you control the water. In the desert, you have to take things as they are . . .”

(My notes: This requires eucharisteo – the giving of thanks. You either give thanks or grow bitter. The Israelites had a choice in the desert – they grew bitter. I have a choice. I choose to give thanks.)

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* On every sheet of music Johann Sebastian Bach ever wrote, he included the letters “SDG” – Soli Deo Gloria - meaning, To God Alone Be the Glory. He didn’t just include it on his church music (he wrote a complete cantata every week for his church to play and sing) but on his piece about coffee as well as all the rest. Even those today who play his music are taught the meaning of those words and know that Bach wrote for God. His testimony long outlives him. (shared by the one who played a piece by Bach for special music this Sunday)

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From Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Psalm 56
“It seems by this, and many other psalms, that even in times of the greatest trouble and distress David never hung his harp upon the willow-trees, never unstrung it or laid it by; but that when his dangers and fears were greatest he was still in tune for singing God’s praises.”

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From One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
“Do not disdain the small. The whole of the life – even the hard – is made up of the minute parts, and if I miss the infinitesimals, I miss the whole. There is a way to live the big of giving thanks in all things. It is this: to give thanks in this one small thing. The moments will add up.”

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The National Civil War Museum

A few weeks ago there was a break in the wintry weather one Friday, so I decided we all needed a change of pace. We put the books aside and went on a field trip to The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg. It is an excellent museum that portrays both sides of the Civil War. There are tons of very life-like wax figures throughout the museum in an array of life-size vignettes that depict various aspects of the war. As we had the place to ourselves, E. enjoyed moving several rooms ahead of us and playing "Night at the Museum" where the figures came to life! Caleb, Ben and I moved at a much slower pace taking in the displays, exhibits and videos scattered throughout. The museum really does do an impressive job of presenting the Civil War from many different perspectives - in fact, they such a good job at portraying what war is like that my heart was a bit heavy by the end of the tour with the thought of what men do to one another in the midst of battle.

I love this photo. It does such a good job of capturing the boys' true personalities. You'll see Ben half-scowling and half-smirking - he doesn't particularly care to have his photo taken. And Caleb and Eli are up to their usual antics of bantering and enjoying one another . . .


I took a photo of this display as I found it fascinating the way they combined a mural with actual weaponry. . .


This was an old print framed of Lee and Jackson in which I loved the pen and ink detail . . .


And just a few of the many life-like wax figures . . .

A Different Perspective of the Farm

(The photographer behind the boots is, of course, Eli.)

Be Still and Know

Be still, and know that I am God . . .

Psalm 46:10a


Stillness doesn’t require quiet.

Know that He is God in the midst of it all.

How?

Stand still, literally. Now look. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you feel? God is shouting His love for you. God is in it all – if you have but eyes to see Him.

Do you hear the children’s noisy laughter? Thank God that they can laugh.

Do you see a table full of messy dishes and remains of food? Thank God for the abundance and ability to clean it up.

Do you feel an ache? Thank God that you can feel, there are some who feel nothing.

Are you overcome by your sin? Thank God for His forgiveness, that it is good to be humbled, that His grace and righteousness are sufficient.

Are you in a trial? Thank God that He hears, sees, knows and provides. Trials keep us close to the heart of God.

Give thanks. Give thanks in all things. Hear, see, feel His love; know He is God; and realize that you are radically loved.

Yarn Hearts, Watercolor Garland & Lava Cakes

Tuesday evening was the second session of the Skunk Hollow Craft Club. I introduced E. to some craft ideas from The Crafty Crow blog and he took off with them. First we made a Watercolor Heart Garland. We each watercolored a sheet of watercolor paper with various hues of pink, red, purple, orange and blue. We left that dry while we worked on the next project and then came back to it and cut heart shapes. We lined up our free-hand hearts, taped them to a line of white sewing thread and hung them on the living room archway. I love their delicate colors.


While waiting for the watercolors to dry, we worked on Yarn Hearts. Simply wrap yarn around a heart that's been fashioned from rustic/natural floral wire (found at the craft store with other floral wire). Cut lengths of yarn about 12-18", tie one of the lengths to the wire with a knot and begin wrapping here and there, weaving in and under other lengths as you go, and knotting off as you get to the end of the yarn length. Keep tying on, wrapping and tying off. Once it's to your liking, trim the knot ends and tie with a string to hang. These are so pretty and so much fun to make.


Our snack for the night was Mini Lava Cakes. This was actually the special dessert I had planned to make for Valentine's Evening but didn't because M. and I went to Greek class and the boys went to play volleyball.

Mini Lava Cakes -
Mix up a box of brownie mix according to directions. Spray a muffin tin and fill each cup with brownie batter about 2/3 full. (I used muffin liners since I thought that would make it easier to get hot brownies out of the cups right away.) Push two Hershey Kisses into the center of each batter cup. Bake for about 15-20 or until a toothpick stuck in the sides comes out clean. Serve immediately with a scoop or two of ice cream. (The kisses were supposed to be melty and ooze onto the ice cream but they only got soft. It was still yummy though!)

Heart-Shaped Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread Cookies

2 C. flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 C. butter
1/2 C. powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer. Add sugar gradually, followed by flour, beating well after each addition. To use cookie cutters, roll out dough on lightly floured surface, to about 1/3" thick. Cut out and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Add sprinkles and/or colored sugar, if desired. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.



To create a tea-party-for-one, slip a shortbread cookie into a glassine envelope and staple a packet of tea to it. Deliver to a friend - they'll be delighted.

I Want to See

Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?"

The blind man answered, "Teacher, I want to see."

Jesus said, "Go, you are healed because you believed."

At once the man could see, and he followed Jesus on the road.

Mark 10:51-52

These words caught my eye this morning as I recognize the man's request of Jesus as being one of my own lately. "I want to see." I'm not blind physically, but I often am spiritually. And I've been begging God to open my eyes to view things as He does - with His eyes, in His light. And He's answering my prayer. Gently at times peeling back the layers. At other times, ripping away the blindness so quickly that it leaves me gasping for breath, literally.

I think this man got more than he bargained for. He asks to be made to see physically. But Jesus gave him a "two-for-one" deal. I think the man was also made to see spiritually. My evidence? The words, "...he followed Jesus on the road." I hope that he continued following Jesus down the road all the days of his life.

Abba, open my eyes yet wider.

E.'s Inspiration Closet

Eli recently cleaned out his closet, set up his keyboard inside and tacked up a bulletin board to hang his art, projects and ideas. Hang a bird pocket on the clothes rod and then add an electric candle, some peacock feathers and plastic animals. Instant inspiration. Which is why he calls it his Inspiration Closet . . .




Love it.

(Photos by Eli)

Valentine Making

Last weekend was our annual Valentine-making session with my family at my sister's house. It's always a fun evening of good food, catching up with each other, and inspiration. My sister and I made Valentines to send, Mom made some Valentines to hang in her vintage shop and my aunt decoupaged hearts, doilies and Victorian ladies onto wooden boxes to sell.



J.'s vintage Valentine decorations . . .



A Valentine gift of white chocolate-covered buttercream mints from my sister. Oh, my, they're good.


The menu included Ham & Corn Chowder, fresh fruit, chips & salsa and dessert. My contribution to the party - Glass Jello. You'll find a gorgeous lay-out of how to make this here. I used blackberry, raspberry, grape and black cherry Jello in honor of Valentine's Day. Beautiful and delicious!



Some chocolate-covered pretzel rods, too. Easy yet elegant. Simply dip rods in melted chocolate, twirl excess chocolate off, sprinkle with sprinkles and lay on waxed paper until they harden.


Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine Jars

I love Valentine's Day - making homemade cards and gifts to give to loved ones is so much fun. Below are two different styles of Valentine jars that I'm giving this year.


This one is made with a jelly jar, a pretty paper muffin cup liner underneath the ring and chocolate hearts.




And these are wide-mouth quart jars filled with chocolates, heart-shaped tablets, felt stickers, a silhouette Valentine and mini cupcake liners with a candle and beaded heart on top.

Morning Prayer

Guard my tongue today, Abba - reminding me that:

"In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise." (Proverbs 10:19)

And in the few words that I do speak, let my tongue be like a butter knife spreading grace, not a dagger that destroys.

Amen and amen.

Art Day at the Barnyard

This week Eli "opened" the last of his Christmas gifts - a day of art at a local barn-turned-studio, the Barnyard Art Studio & Gallery. He wanted me to participate alongside him. My pleasure.

We had a blast. Basics to drawing. Intro to watercolor. A chalk talk presentation set to music and the Gospel. A lesson in drawing with chalk. Lunch on the old wooden drawing table - sloppy joes with carrot sticks, organic tortilla chips, chunks of Amish-made cheese, and apple cake with cream cheese frosting. Swapping sketchbooks with the artist's son. Blacklighting our chalk drawings in the loft. Looking out the studio windows at the horses and hearing the chickens clucking while we worked. Picking through the box of free magazines. Sitting in the shadows sketching whatever we wanted for half-an-hour.


(Eli's masterpiece in chalk that he is intensely proud of!)











Thank you, Elva, for an amazing day. We'll be back!

Remembering to See

I found myself at the kitchen sink again this morning where my mind was caught up in some meaningless drivel. How did I get here again? It scares me how often I put my mind and body on cruise control and go through the motions of routine. I forget to look, to really see and notice and study things.

Thankfully, I was thrown out of automatic pilot when I went out the front door to take the scraps to the goats. At 13 degrees this morning, it’s cold. The air was so sharp and so crisp that it literally hit me in the face and woke me up. Every breath was like a cleansing, and my eyes were thrown open to the sensations around me – heightened by the intensity of the cold.

I saw the sky that Caleb had commented on earlier – it was an incredible red hue. I saw Eli in his bright blue snowsuit waddling through the barnyard – struggling with the weight of the water bucket he was carrying. I saw and heard Caleb – the continually busy worker bee – starting the snowmobile to drive out to his uncle’s barn and get the skidloader for some work. I heard birdsong – Eli told me just the other day that he’s noticed more birds lately – a sign that spring is working its’ way here.

How thankful I am for the cold this morning. It forced me to remember to see . . . and give thanks for that which I see. Yesterday I gave myself a little assignment. Once a day, I want to focus on some aspect of my loved ones – I want to notice something about them that I never really took in before. Whether it’s about their physical features, their personality, their gifts. Yesterday Caleb was my subject. I realized for the first time that his eyes are just like mine. Though they appear brown from a distance, when you look closely at them, they’re actually brown flecks swimming in a pool of hazy green.

I can’t wait to see what I see today.

Skunk Hollow Craft Club

Last Tuesday night I attended the first session of the newly-formed Skunk Hollow Craft Club that will meet twice a month. The week before, Eli had hung a computer-generated sign on the refrigerator announcing his newest adventure. Crafting, snacking and fun – all for 25 cents on Tuesday night. He mentioned that the proceeds would go to his pretzel container which contains money he’s saving to give to the Brethren Disaster Relief Auction in the autumn. (He said I could bring more money if I wanted to donate further.)


So Tuesday night I showed up at his room with money in hand. His room was neat and tidy and all was readied in anticipation of club time. He promptly showed me how to create a beaded heart with ribbon as well as two ways to create bookmarks. We cut some out of recycled cards and others out of cardstock. He was tickled with the last-minute idea he came up with of adding an appropriate Bible verse to the back of our bookmarks.




After crafting, we headed to the kitchen where we enjoyed heart-shaped brownies and brownie truffles on Valentine napkins. Earlier in the afternoon he mixed up a pan of brownies, baked them and we cut small heart shapes out of it with a cutter. We then took the scraps, rolled them into balls and coated them with sprinkles or hot cocoa powder. (To make the truffles, it’s best to under-bake your brownies just a little bit so that the scraps are softer and easily rolled.)



I must say that I had a delightful time at the Skunk Hollow Craft Club and am anticipating the next meeting. Definitely well-worth 25 cents.