February 2012
2 posts
2 tags
Favorite February Things
Whole wheat chocolate chunk cookie dough
Flourishing house plants wrapped in tiny white lights
My daughter’s new friend Olivia
Curated collections
Early morning pilates
Watercolors by a 3-year-old that seem legitimately artistic (and lots of them)
Bubble baths
Chubby chunky baby thighs
My teenage sourdough starter—temperamental but maturing.
January 2012
2 posts
2 tags
Somebody drive me to JoAnn and buy me some crap.
I have to admit, I’m feeling a wee bit stuck. I don’t have a creative outlet right now, other than cooking. In that department, I check on my sourdough starter every couple hours, even though I know it’s not going to be ready for bread-baking until next week at the earliest.
A few nights ago, I spent an embarrassingly long time online trying to find interesting, tasteful...
November 2011
3 posts
1 tag
4 tags
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October 2011
2 posts
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WatchCome by this little home, Jesus.
September 2011
3 posts
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Zuni Cafe Cookbook, etc.
(photo by tvol)
I got The Zuni Cafe Cookbook by Judy Rodgers from the library to explore. I’ve heard that reading certain passages of the hefty introduction is like being in culinary school, and I’ve already learned quite a bit about seasoning, tasting and adjusting. She also recommends spending an extended amount of time with one recipe or one ingredient, so as to become well...
3 tags
Time for Fall Food
For some reason, I’m all about the online challenges right now. I’m participating in the Maximize Your Mornings challenge at the Inspired to Action blog, through which I am being kept accountable to get up before my girls in the morning. I’ve also decided to participate in the Plan It, Don’t Panic challenge at Keeper of the Home, because I’ve wanted to get better at...
July 2011
3 posts
1 tag
Observations from the First Month
I burst out laughing the moment she was born, because it did hurt, but it wasn’t terrifying. The pain didn’t offend me. I knew that this is my broken body’s portion of suffering for now; I knew I would heal.
::
I slept without her for the first two weeks, as part of our plan to mitigate my depression and I missed her like crazy. I held her all day long and wouldn’t give her up when my...
1 tag
Music Update
I knew I was forgetting a few artists on my must-listen list.
The new Bon Iver album
The Wailin Jennys
and there was one more but I already forgot it again. Thanks for the recommendations, everyone!
1 tag
Read When You Want Control
This is a repost from March 09—seems timely, and I’m quite proud of myself that I’ve barely cracked a baby-related book since October.
On Ellary’s first night at home with us, she seemed so vulnerable and alone, way over there in her cradle. (In truth, I could have touched her without getting out of bed.) And I cried a little before falling asleep. The first few weeks, I...
June 2011
1 post
1 tag
Music Mode
8 months later, I’ve probably been struck from everyone’s reader.
I’ve noticed that I go back and forth between music and books. For several months I’ll be in book mode, reading voraciously and relishing the flip of the page; also markedly indifferent to music. Then I’ll suddenly switch for no reason, sick of reading, to thinking about lyrics all day and...
October 2010
3 posts
Somebody remind me of this comic when I am wigging... →
In case you hadn’t figured it out, when there’s a little arrow here, it means there’s a link to follow…
1 tag
September 2010
1 post
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My Milennial
I reached the 1000 gifts goal, and on my birthday no less! My journal is full to bursting, with only four pages left. It took me a year, but I went from fall to fall, which is fitting because gratefulness seems to come more naturally this time of year.
{#946}
Baby steps in yoga.
{947}
Help in my weak moments and enough energy for the day.
{#949}
Ellary playing sweetly at the playground,...
August 2010
1 post
July 2010
3 posts
How To Read the Scales →
If you’re wondering why I have been trying my hardest to participate in that Multitude Monday exercise, read this. I recommend this post particularly to moms or anyone else who feels overwhelmed by little tasks. I needed to read this today, because the blackberries we picked on Friday are getting real soft and our couch pillows keep leaving feathers everywhere.
2 tags
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888
I’m nearing the goal, and there looks to be just enough room left in the journal I picked for logging my 1000 gifts.
{#866}
Praying with Ellary for certain little someones in distant lands named Johnstone, Cheyech and Daniel.
{#877}
One 11x14 wedding photo finally framed and hung. Memories of that day make the present very powerful.
{#879}
“The fruit of righteousness will be...
May 2010
4 posts
3 tags
Summer Tears
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Leaving the windows open all night and waking up to birdsong.
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The GardenWorks stall and bags full of lettuce, spinach, & shoots.
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Sunscreen, cool showers before bed, & cold fizzy lemonade.
{#799}
Anticipating a vacation up north at Higgins Lake.
(photo by code_black2)
{#804}
A friend’s sweet, sympathetic and encouraging response to the...
1 tag
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“A garden should make you feel you’ve entered privileged space—a...”
– Michael Pollan, Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education
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Most Joy
The thing that is bringing me the most joy these days is taking care of my humble little garden. Truly, there is such satisfaction in digging in with so much hope for the future. Here’s praying that in August/ September there will be some AFTER photos to put these BEFORE photos to shame!
Above: two kinds of tomatoes, parsley, pesto basil, lettuce, cucumber, lavender, catnip, Irish...
March 2010
4 posts
2 tags
“Noël and I are rock solid in our commitment to each other, and there is no whiff...”
– John Piper, on his reasons for taking an 8-month leave of absence from public ministry.
He also mentioned that “[m]ost working men and women do not have the freedom to step back like this,” which is true, but this is exactly the kind of example we should look for in our marriages. It...
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Lake in the Highlands
(Dingle Peninsula; June 10, 2009)
Surprise and delight that a break from this:
And a hike up this:
Brought us to this:
And them:
And this:
One can’t help but feel oh so loved.
(Photography by Evan Crowley)
4 tags
Still Paying Attention
photo by CoastRanger
***
{#668}
Glasses and contacts for seeing.
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A brilliant full moon—the ultimate contrast.
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Tulips and daffodils.
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There is no one for me to be but myself.
{#685}
Giant V’s of geese and early spring twilight.
February 2010
6 posts
“Young converts often suppose they have much religion. It is not so. They are,...”
– Albert Barnes’ commentary on Matthew 13
I have come to recognize a loss of that heart glow. Things are not as vivid and cheering as they once were. I pray, Lord, to see distinctly, judge intelligently, love ever more strongly (with or without emotion) and sacrifice willingly for You.
Moon Games →
(“curiously old-fashioned magic”)
1 tag
Kindness
The list is getting longer (600+), slowly but surely in my funny yellow journal. Today, though, I want to give my praises to the God who covers my mothering days with His kindness. He does not put expectations of productivity or accomplishment on me. He delights in my delight in my little girl. He heals me physically and emotionally. He nourishes us with delectably real food to savor. He...
January 2010
4 posts
2 tags
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work...”
– Zechariah 4:10 (New Living)
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If
If it’s all stripped away
and I’m just a mother
wife, daughter, sister, friend
(lacking real title)
will I be empty?
If I’m never published
widely read
known
widely wanted,
will I matter?
If I spend my days
with small words
barely understood
barely understanding,
will I exist?
“Detroit doesn’t need more brick and mortar or even another GM, they need a...”
– Pastor Harvey Carey to me after his talk for Calvin College’s January Series. I told him I had a heart for Detroit. He got really excited and said he felt the urge to pray for me. So he did. I was at the end of the line. I didn’t see him pray for anybody else. (via jes-h)
December 2009
13 posts
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Monday on a Tuesday
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Ellary’s first romp in the snow. Her little puffball snowsuit.
{#458}
Quiet pre-Christmas nights at home, just the three of us.
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Surviving two flights with Ellary, single-parent-style.
{#464}
Missing my husband.
{#470-1}
A twilight hike through snowy forest; baby boots swing and tap the back of my legs.
Fire Rainbow →
I wonder what it must have been like to be on that plane.
Stop and Listen
Ever thought much about “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”? It’s never been my favorite, but Karen read the words and then sang it last night, and I paid closer attention. Turns out it’s an encouragement, a beckoning to stop and listen. These Christmas hymns are some of the most moving poetry out there, but they are so unfortunately familiar. I’ve decided to...
“Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And...”
2 tags
“Joyful, all ye nations rise.
Join the triumph of the skies.”
6 tags
It Was Good
{#312}
Singing Christmas hymns to Ellary at bedtime.
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Pasta e Pasta at the farmer’s market. Kevin and I downed a pint of their ammoglio sauce in a week. I love all the incredible artisans in our area!
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The Swell Season in concert. I was swept away by The Rain, and you would not believe Colm Mac Con Iomaire on violin. Please follow these links, close your eyes and...