spring break is finally here!

this week might be break, but does that mean you will find Marissa and I lounging on the couch with a novel and a glass of lemonade? Well maybe, because that just sounds fantastically relaxing (and I do need to read a bit in my newest addition: Bleak House), but we really have a lot of work cut out for us.

meet Amelia

She might look like just a hunk of plastic, paint, and thread-like hair to you, but we are good friends now. We have spent 2 weeks day-in and day-out(plus a bit here and there) together--cutting, combing, parting, curling, styling, and just messing around. Yes, I plan to spend more time with my mannequin dolls this week.

Both Rissie and I stopped by Joann on friday and picked out some fabric for our summer wardrobe additions....in fact we already have a couple things cut out =)

Saturday we had the privilege of spending the afternoon with two dear friends (to their credit, we had to run errands for most of the day and when we got home they were great sports about helping bring bags in from the car and geting dinner on the table--and they still had smiles on their beautiful faces!)

(and of course we HAD to bake something!!)

Spring!

When Curtis was home on spring break a few weeks ago, Scott came in one morning and asked me to go get a picture of Curtis and Mark. I asked why, he said they were reading the Bible together. What mom can resist that, so I went. Here they are, a bit camera shy, sharing their morning quiet time. Isn't it such a blessing to have older children give of themselves to help disciple and train their younger siblings? I am so blessed! (Thank you Curtis, Caity and Marissa, you all give and keep giving in so many ways!)

Spring comes late, at least to my way of thinking, in our neck of the woods. However it appears to finally be here. Of course spring here always includes "unexpected" snows mixed in with beautiful warm days (sometimes on the same day). Over the past weeks Chris has been giving our orchard a much needed prune. Today I slipped out and gathered a few of the prunings in hopes that I can "force" them indoors. My container has pear, cherry, and apple. There are also peach, apricot, and plum out there and I may go get some of them as well.

Several weeks ago I was at Wal-Mart looking for blooming house plants (a wasted effort) but came across tulip, daffodil, and hyacinth bulbs planted to bloom soon. Here are the first of my blooms.

happy birthday Daddy!

"The greatest gift I ever had

Came from God; I call him Dad!"

Toasted Angle Food Cake

and

a Fruit Tart

I found these quotes, and thought I'd share them:

"A father is a source of strength,

A teacher & a guide,

The one his family looks up to

With loving trust & pride. . .

A father is a helper

With a willing hand to lend,

A partner, an advisor,

And the finest kind of friend.

"A Father means so many things...

A understanding heart,

A source of strength and of support

Right from the very start.

A constant readiness to help

In a kind and thoughtful way.

With encouragement and forgiveness

No matter what comes your way.

A special generosity and always affection, too

A Father means so many things

When he's a man like you.."

The Measure of a Father - A man is loved not for how tall he stands but for how often he bends to help, comfort and teach. anon

Daddy
A daddy and his daughters, walking hand in hand,
Though he can't spend much time with them,
They say they understand.
When he's at work or on a trip, the memory of him lingers,
The two girls smile, they know they have him
Wrapped around their fingers.
A slight tilt of their pretty heads, a smile, a lowered glance,
A hug and kiss and, 'Daddy please?'
He doesn't stand a chance!
In later years he will recall, with tenderness and love,
Two charming girls, with hands in his,
Two blessings from above." anon

"When i was born,

You were there to catch me when i fall, whenever and wherever.

When i said my first words,

You were there for me,

to teach me the whole dictionary if need be.

When i took my first steps,

You were there to encourage me on.

When i had my first day at school,

you were there to give me advice and help me with my homework.

I still haven’t finished school,

or walked down the aisle, or had my first child.

But i know you will be there for me through all these times and more, the good and bad." -- Louisa Mansfield

Dearest Daddy, I love you SO much!

so fun!

here is a link to a blogpost that I really enjoyed reading:

theinspiredroom.com

apropos- used to state a speaker's belief that someone's comments or acts are unrelated to any previous discussion or situation

sinophile- a person who demonstrates a strong interest in Chinese culture or its people

bombast- high-sounding language with little meaning, used to impress people

affidavit- a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, for use as evidence in court

denizen- an inhabitant or occupant of a particular place

"Give up yourself, and you will find your real self. Lose your life and you will save it. Submit to death, death of your ambitions and favorite wishes every day and death of your whole body in the end: submit with every fibre of your being, and you will find eternal life. Keep nothing back. Nothing in you that has not died will ever be raised from the dead. Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in." C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity

“Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive—it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?" -L.M.M.

"A little thing is a little thing, but faithfulness in little things is a big thing." Hudson Taylor

"Thank God, O women for the quietude of your home, and that you are queen in it. Men come at eventide to the home; but all day long you are there, beautifying it, sanctifying it, adorning it, blessing it. Better be there than wear a queen's coronet. Better be there than carry the purse of a princess. It may be a very humble home. There may be no carpet on the floor. There may be no pictures on the wall. There may be no silks in the wardrobe; but, by your faith in God, and your cheerful demeanor, you may garniture that place with more splendor than the upholsterer's hand ever kindled." T. DeWitt Talmage

Hydrangea Blossoms

I love hydrangeas but we can't grow them in our alkaline soil. The other day I found some beautiful blossoms at Costco. They were the perfect addition to the guest bedroom we were preparing for our guest pastor and family. I thought you might enjoy them too.

Tea for new friends

This weekend we have another visiting pastor and his family here from TX. Each family from our church wanted to host them for some event and even though they are staying with us we wanted to have a tea. One other family was available that day to join us so all worked together (yes, even my guest, who loves tea like I do) to put together this tea. I dearly missed my sweet daughters' fellowship and assistance in the kitchen!

The men and boys went on a long hike to the creek and came back famished. Rather than wait for the burgers they had planned to make to cook, they ate tea left overs.

I think the "tea party" was (at various levels) enjoyed by all.

(I'm sorry for the disorder of the pictures and text. I have no idea how to get them to fit where I want them so you'll have to use your mind to get them in the right order. )

Chinese at home

Our dear daughters are in VA visiting some family friends and I'm out of time to cook so I picked up some prepared foods from Costco. On Monday night it was Chinese night. We had lettuce wraps, spring rolls, Kung Pao chicken on brown rice, and mango ceylon tea. By the time we remembered to take pictures the lettuce wraps were all gone so you'll have to imagine them. Here is the rest.

Decadent Treat

Last Sunday we were blessed to have a visiting pastor come and preach to our church. Afterward we had a fellowship meal. As a treat I made a dessert out of "Cuisine at Home", a magazine that a dear family from church gave Caity a subscription to as a graduation gift. Not too sweet, definitely chocolate with a hint of coffee and almond. Here is a picture.