My Little Phantom

She does this sometimes. She'll appear, midway through her school day, ask me to turn on Phantom and then reenact various scenes. Todays performance, starring Claudio her cat, The Point of No Return. The laundry basket is the boat. The cat, Christine.

Oak Island, NC

(I can't believe how long it has taken me to get this posted! Too many photos to sort through.)

This is E, not getting wet on Sunday after church.

What a perfect way to end the summer!

A fabulous lady and family friend let us use her beach house for a week. We invited some friends, loaded up the car and spent an amazing week at the beach. Thanks Lee!! You're the best!

Jack followed Sis around much of the time.

I love Sis' expression. This was the night we arrived. The kids were in heaven.

The kids had never been to the ocean. Not really anyway. We went to a beach on the Mediterranean, but it was in a harbor so no waves. Molto bella! It was great to see them take to the water like fish. Even Sis who is not my water-baby became quite the little boogie-boarder.

My boys.

Sis' first time in the ocean. Priceless!

I tell you I couldn't get enough of the water. I can't find them, but I know I have gills.

There was a hurricane moving up the coast on our last few days there making the waves very big and extremely addicting.

Flying kites.

Jack loved the ocean. He's a water-dog.

The crab Jack spotted and Jon caught on the beach. The kids almost loved him to death.

Christmas Countdown

I love the holidays. I do. When I was a child, my mother made Christmas a magical and special time at our house. I don't know how she did everything she did, but she really pulled out all the stops during that final month of every year. She never waited until December to pull out the Christmas music, which in fact I am streaming via Pandora as I write. There are certain pieces that transport me back in time when I hear them. I love that. I think that is one of the reasons I love the holidays so much. They are magical and fully of wonderful memories for me. So, why am I writing about Christmas in August? Well...

It's time. I can hardly believe it, but it is already time again for me to begin the Holiday Grand Plan. (Don't know what I am talking about? Click the link.) I have done this off-and-on for the past 10 years or so. I love it! I really do. I am a planner and an organizer at heart and this is a perfect fit for me. Here's the long and short of it...
~ The plan covers 18 weeks, beginning today.
~ It tells you what to do and when, to prepare for the holidays.
~ It does everything in easy and manageable steps.
~ It's free.
~ It makes the holidays, not just Christmas but Halloween and Thanksgiving too, wonderful and relaxing.
~ You can actually consider the season and what you are celebrating.
I guess to fully understand why I like it so much, you just have to check it and try it for yourself.
Let me just paint a picture for a moment to tempt you a little. (It may sound impossible &/or cheesy, but it is possible and I can't imagine a better way to spend the holidays.) It is the first week in December. It's a cold night out and you, holding a cup of cocoa, are watching a movie with your family. The tree is trimmed, the house decorated. You have little on your mind because you have finished your tasks for the season. You mailed the Christmas cards last week and finished wrapping the last of the gifts you were making and purchasing too. There are nearly 2 dozen dinners in the freezer and equally as many containers of holiday goodies tucked snugly away as well. The house is not only decorated, but clean and in good repair - many of those nagging fix-it projects finished over the past few months. You have already mailed your Christmas packages to loved ones, the advent calender is on track and you have time to read the Polar Express to your kids. It doesn't matter that there is a great sale at the mall and it is a blizzard out. Your packages are already wrapped, labeled and hidden in the closet. Your bank account thanks you too as you have spread your spending out over the last few months, not all during the month of December.

Let me just say, the years I have been faithful to this plan, I have spent more time reading Christmas stories, watching Christmas movies, making Christmas crafts, and drinking cocoa or hot cider as my kids played games on the floor. I haven't worried about over-scheduling or money or what to get my mother-in-law or anything really. Its not for everyone. Some people thrive on chaos and they work better under pressure, but as for me and mine...
Let the countdown begin.

Bless My Life

Here's a blog everyone needs to check out. It's called Bless My Life. A very dear friend and her sweet husband put this up to help people recognize their blessings and uplift and inspire others. It does just that!

Thanks A&R for your wonderful blog and all you do for others. I feel blessed to know you both.

What are you Reading?

We have been in Baltimore for almost a year now. It has been a wonderful experience, one that required some adjusting, but I finally feel like I am settled. I have felt mostly settled for a long time, but not completely. Last week while reading, I stopped and had to laugh. It was official, I was settled, complete again. I realized how many books I was reading, 4; five if you count the scriptures. (I've always loved reading. As a child I remember reading for hours in the summer outside under a shade tree. Confession: Even in high school when I would skip school, I would go to the library to read. Reading is a part of who I am.) You see, before we moved, I was always reading multiple books. After we moved here and I took on the role of full-time homeschooling mom amongst other things, I didn't make time to read like before. I was primarily reading books relating to my kids, their education, how to fit it all in, etc. Not varied enough to say the least. One problem I have is that I can't just read one book at a time. I am a multi-tasker. It's what I do.

Here's a peek at the books I am currently reading:

I have wanted to learn to knit for ages and I am teaching myself with books from the library. However this book isn't about how to knit, rather it's a journey of one knitters' life and the healing power she discovered in her craft. So far its got a thumbs-up from me.

As a homeschooling mom, I have checked these books(above and below) out at the library more times than I care to admit. Sis has struggled some with reading. (She loves to hear stories read aloud, but becomes easily frustrated when reading on her own.) Both books are filled with lists that I have been using while writing curriculum and schedules for the coming year. I have found the Read-Aloud Handbook to be so full of interesting information that I find myself telling Jon everything I have read at the end of the day. I feel empowered as a parent when I read something that I had been doing well already and I feel hopeful at the future when I find a new idea that I think will help. I liked both of these books so much, that I finally decided to buy them instead of worrying about returning them on time. They are not just for homeschoolers. I would say they are for any parent who wants to instill a love of reading in their children. Truly wonderful books, both of them.

And finally, The Lightning Thief (the book at the top) is the first in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. E first read it in 3rd grade and loved it. He has since read the entire series multiple times. I have wanted to read them too but hadn't gotten around to it until now. It's a clever book that I have a difficult time putting down. As there are five books in the series, and I am certain to not finish them all before going on vacation, I will be taking the unread books to the coast where they are sure to devour much of my beach time.

There you have it, my current reading life in a nutshell. I find that when I am reading so much that I am on the verge of ignoring my kids and letting the house go to the dogs, or in this case, the dog and cat, I am happy. Before you start to worry, I said verge. Rest assured, the kids are well, they are fed and if I know anything, probably off reading somewhere themselves.

So let me ask... What are you reading?

Ghost Bikes

Have you ever seen one of these? This was a first for me. Its called a "ghost bike". The week prior to taking this picture, a cyclist was killed at this intersection. Essentially, it is a memorial for the lost cyclist. It was sobering and touching to see it on this otherwise normal street.

Thrift Store Shopping in OH

I need to find a thrift store here in Baltimore like the one we went to in OH. It was chock full of very nice, hardly worn clothes and it was 50% off all clothes today. I know I am not alone in this feeling, but my kids are growing like weeds and I find it difficult to keep my kids dressed without breaking the bank. I can't imagine how people with more children keep their kids clothed without spending seven fortunes. We stocked up for another 6-12 months for very little money. Thank goodness for thrift stores.
My "new" shoes. I wore them around the store the entire time we shopped. I have been wearing flip-flops or running shoes all summer and initially it felt so constricting to have my foot enclosed in a shoe. I'm glad I wore them around though. I ended loving them.
This was my favorite buy of the day. I have another pair or prana pants and I adore them. They are years old and they just get better as they age, kind-of like me in that respect. These pants are so fabulous, I want to live in them. They were NWT and in case you can't see the label, it says $53. I got them half-price for $2.50. (And yes, I am letting the world that I am a 10.)

I Love a Deal

Isn't it wonderful when you find a deal that almost seems too good to be true? At Target today, I found these lovely rainboots on clearance. They were the only ones there and they just happened to my size! I got them for $6, six measly dollars. Happy day!

FHE ala E & Sis

FHE has gone the way of the Dodo this summer. Jon has been working Monday nights and I have been lazy. Simple as that. So this morning I mentioned to the kids that I wanted them to put together a lesson for FHE. In fact, I told them to plan the whole thing. For hours they worked at the table. First, they needed an xcto knife and mat. Next, they wanted a shoebox. Then Et disappeared outside for a spot. They were busy for most of the afternoon. E cutting and writing. Sis coloring and gluing. They were so focused. It made for a quiet house.

This is the *project they worked on together. (The word bubbles were not taped across the top originally, just when that portion of the story was taking place.)

It was a great lesson and reminded me of how capable, clever and intelligent my kids truly are. They did a fabulous job!

*If you can't figure out what you are looking at, its Nephi, Laman and Lemuel arriving in the Promised Land.

When it Rains... It Pours

Baltimore is a great place to live. One of things I have liked the most this summer is the rain. It doesn't just rain here, it pours! Its like nothing I have ever seen, seen on a regular basis, that is. It goes something like this...

The clouds change. (Living downtown with buildings right next to each other makes it a little hard to see the great-big sky sometimes, but the light in our apartment changes and you know its coming.) It begins with a slight sprinkle which lasts about 15 seconds and then WHAM! Its like the clouds open right up and pour out everything they've got. It lasts a long time too. Its not like a normal cloudburst where it rains for 5 minutes and then slows to a sprinkle again. No, no. It unleashes copious amounts of rain for 30 minutes or more and then - done.

A few weeks back, we had the Elders over for dinner and as we were going down to the car for Jon to take them home, the cycle started. The clouds changed and within a very short time it was pouring. I really don't know what came over me, but I suddenly had the urge to get soaking wet.

Ingrid - I missed you so so much. I knew you would be out there with me, stomping in the puddles, dancing with arms wide open.

(I apologize for the wet t-shirt like pics that follow. If you are easily offended, do not continue reading.)
As it was, Sis was the only taker. Initially she couldn't believe what I was doing, but she came around and we spent a good 40 minutes in a torrential downpour. The alley behind our house was streaming with ankle deep rainwater. We were, quite literally, soaked to the skins. She kept turning to me saying, "Mom this is the best time of my life! I want to remember this forever."

When E arrived home with Jon he came out and played bringing Jack along. It just kept on raining and raining and raining. I have to say, it was one of the most carefree things I have done in ages. I felt like a kid again. And when all was said and done, after warm showers and clean jammies, my kids went to bed with smiles on their faces and loads of new memories in their precious brains.

A Little Favor

My sister in Cincy sent this to me. Pretty funny. I like to think that one day that could be me hosting a garden club meeting at my home in Italy or Greece. Bunch of crazy old ladies.

Thought I'd share it with all of you.

Hi MY BEST FRIEND!!! It's that time of the year again." I need a small favor... if it's not too much trouble. I wouldn't ask this if you were not such a good friend. I'm going away on vacation, and I need a friend to come over to water my plants while I'm gone. The plants are mostly geraniums and begonias. In the hot weather they'll probably only need water twice a day. I'll be gone only 21 days. I've attached a photo for your reference. I'll send you a post card OK? Thanks so much.

P.S. The ladder is in the garage.

Presto! Pesto

It's that time of year again. Basil is growing aplenty in my small garden and that means pesto in this house.
Last nights' dinner was simple and scrumptious. Multi-grain pasta with homemade pesto topped with parmesan. I wish I could afford real Parmigiano-Reggiano, but alas...

I made enough for dinner + more for the rest of the week.

Here's the pesto recipe:

2 cups fresh basil, rinsed

1/4 cup pinenuts

1/4 cup parm. cheese

couple tsp. of lemon juice

1 glove garlic

Throw above in a food processor and blend. While mixing, add oil until smooth, maybe a minute.

1/4 cup olive oil

kosher salt and ground pepper

Combine with cooked pasta, s&p to taste, top with more cheese. Enjoy! Couldn't be simpler.

(I like to add more cheese and nuts in the mix. Just a personal preference.)

I just love its beautiful bright green color. (This pic, courtesy of my phone, doesn't do it justice.)

Two More Elders

This post is dedicated to Elders Harrison (second from left) and Stutz (resting on E) who became part of our family while serving here in Baltimore. We love you guys!
I don't know how to compose this post. I am suddenly filled with deep emotion as I consider things. It's funny how you can plan things one way and they can turn out entirely different than you anticipated and be even better than you could imagined. I was referring to our evening with Elders last night, but as I write this, I realize it absolutely applies to life in general.

We said goodbye to two more Elders yesterday evening. It was a whirlwind day, with much planning to make it all come together.

A little explanation: In the past when any of the Elders are being transferred or going home, we try and have both companionships over for dinner and we play the game of LIFE. (They seem to look at this as a road map for what might lie ahead. It's pretty funny.)

A little hiccup: On Sunday, two of the Elders informed us they would not be able to come to dinner on Tuesday as planned. No other night would work as Jon works Sunday and Monday evenings this month and on Wednesday they would be at the mission home for their final evening before heading home. They had a very good reason for cancelling - a baptism!

A little tweaking: After rearranging times a little, we figured out a way to get all four here, have an early dinner, shuttle off to the baptism with the help of our friend Daniel acting as chauffeur to two, attend the baptism and come back for 16-layers of heaven (see photo). All of that was easily enough arranged and the baptism was wonderful. I am grateful we attended.

Another set of hiccups: When the baptism concluded, there were not enough spots in vehicles to get everyone back to our place. There are too many little details to explain and really they are unnecessary for this story, so in the end we had found rides for everyone who needed them and in the process invited most of the people at the baptism back to our place for cake and ice cream. Love it. (I'm so glad we had cleaned the house earlier.)

A spontaneous party!! This glorious cake, below, is incredibly rich and the piece size needs to be small if you are going to make it through it. In the end, we got 20 slices out of a 9" round. Turns out, that's about the right size after all. Not a piece was left and everyone who wanted one got one. The ice cream too was completely devoured. It felt a little like the loaves and the fishes. More than the food though, we got to have good friends over to visit, the kids played until they dropped and the Elders got to say goodbye to a lot of people. It was wonderful and I loved that it was entirely unplanned and there was no stress.
In the end, we played a quick game of LIFE with the Elders and E creamed us all. We said our goodbyes to Harrison and Stutz, who were amazing, hard-working Elders, snapped a few pics and went to bed with our bellies full of cake, minds filled with happy new memories and hearts overflowing with gratitude for such a perfect day.

Clothes Line

Do you ever wonder why it took you so long to do something? Something simple and easy? Especially when it was something you really wanted? Well, I have. Sadly, I wonder this too often about a myriad of things.

My thoughts wandered this direction today after I accomplished something painfully easy. What am I talking about you ask? A clothesline! I have wanted one forever and I finally went ahead and did it. I hung it myself. Took me all of two minutes. Nothing fancy, but it works. Plus, I found another use for my beloved clothespins. hehe

Two things made me finally decide to do it. The first: I was having a hard time falling asleep. This was not because of the outrageous electrical bill I got this month, although it should have been keeping me up nights. Rather it was due to my noisy dryer. You see, here in MD, we have no laundry room just a stack W/D - an older one I might add - in the hallway near my bedroom. I was only drying clothes at night for many reasons which would take too long to explain. I would put a load in before bed and if there was anything in the load that could make noise, it would - keeping me awake. Secondly, that darn electrical bill! Again, it would take far too long to fully explain why it was so big, but let me say, it made me do a double take and make a phone call it was so outrageous. Jon and I decided we needed to be more conscientious of our electricity usage further prompting me to consider the clothesline.

Why do I like the clothesline? So many reasons...

I love how the clothes smell hung out to dry on the line. I can't imagine how good they'll smell when the plumaria blooms.

It saves money.

It's environmentally responsible.

My house doesn't heat up because of the prehistoric dryer.

The clothes aren't going to wear out as quickly.

Sun is a natural bleach.

My kids "fight" over who gets to hang up the laundry with me.

It just makes me happy. Can't really explain it. I can imagine myself having a yard again with a great big clothesline, listening to the Weepies "Simple Life" while I hang things out to dry. That makes me happy.

What I don't like:

The dryer did a great job of hair-removal aka Jack's hair, which is currently attached to everything we own.

Towels aren't as soft on the first use. They're fine after that, but they are a little stiff the first go-round.

The most ironic thing... I finally have a clothesline and it's in the smallest outdoor space I have ever had. Go figure.