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a hill of beans

So I'm back from playing hostess to my mother-in-law for a week. I'm tired. Doesn't matter who the guest is, hosting people in your home is tiring. But it also has its benefits–like help getting laundry done or walking in to the kitchen to wash breakfast dishes only to realize they are all shiny and clean, sitting in the dish-drainer. Love that.

I also want to say, on the record, that I went through every bag and box and tub of childrens clothes in our house, barn, shed, guest room. I currently have twelve bags of childrens clothes ready to go out the door to charity. Between tons of generous hand-me-downs, our Wisconsin clothes in storage joining with our Maryland clothes that we purchased when all the Wisconsin clothes were, well, in storage–it made for a LOT of stuff. A sickening amount of stuff. A "please don't open that closet or look under that bed amount of stuff." It feels so good to have things cleaned out and pared down. So good. Now all that's left to be done is to organize what's left by size and store it away. Ahhhhh…can you feel all the space I've created? Feels good.

This weekend, the girls and I watched the newish American Girl movie that just came out on DVD, Kit Kittredge. My girls are total movie lightweights. The least bit of scaryness or potential danger, or mean people, sends them scrambling for the "off" button. And that's just fine with me. I figure what's the rush in desensitizing them to scary things?

All that to say, the American Girl movies are some of our family favorites. I know I'm not a "characters" person, but these movies are clean, gentle-spirited and the girls are wholesome, mixed with a little bit of spunk. So while a lot of the issues of this newest movie went over their heads, there was one thing Emma did pick up on–the typewriter.

The next day, she sent my poor mother-in-law out to the shed where the extremely heavy typewriter had been stored, and had her haul it back to the house–unbeknownst to me. By late morning, Emma was writing stories, copying poems out of books, and covering my dining room table and floor in reams of white paper.

And of course, monkey see, monkey do….

Alright, I'm saving the beans questions until tomorrow. See? This is what happens when you wait too long between posts…

And of course, monkey see, monkey do….

Alright, I'm saving the beans questions until tomorrow. See? This is what happens when you wait too long between posts…

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the news from Thomas Run

Good morning, friends.

A few things I forgot to mention in yesterday's post, three of which I've already forgotten.

If you have time, please take a moment to read my latest post on babycenter. It was one of those good, much-needed kind of parenting lessons, but the post quickly got shoved deep into the site because of all the election day blogging. I'd love it if you'd check it out.

I have a large box of multi-grain Cheerios hiding in my cupboard in the pantry for Dan's need for a before-bed snack. He has an enviable metabolism and eats often. All that to say, I think I have officially weaned my children off of cold cereal for breakfast. We were having so much trouble with them being starving and grumpy come mid-morning, that Dan and I really wanted to get them off boxed cereal and on to something more hearty for breakfast. And now they've fallen in love with a good bowl of oatmeal with milk and honey, or some toast and yogurt, or my granola. Things are so much better. Those tummies stay full for a whole morning. It makes everything go more smoothly. And not buying boxed cereal is saving me big money on the old grocery bill.

So you'd think "cue the photo of hearty breakfast here", but I have none. Instead you get a picture of my new winter-time laundry drying system.

I purchased this drying rack this week at my local Amish-run General Store in Pennsylvania. I'm falling in love with that store–good toys, every old-timey kitchen gadget you could want, every old-fashioned piece of quilting fabric and flannel you could imagine and good prices. I even bought a few old school hot water bottles for the girls–who sleep in the room farthest away from the wood stove. Now I just need to cover them in something snuggly.

The drying rack is definitely handmade and so much more sturdy than my previous Target-purchased ones. I love it. Though, you'll notice that I'll be dealing with a clothes-thief all winter long. She likes to bring me clothes from the rack, one by one. I'm sure the charm of laundry-swiping will wear off eventually.

Alright, that's the news from Thomas Run. Oh, except for the fact that Emma taught Elizabeth how to do forward rolls all by herself. She's spent more time on her head this morning, than on her feet, with no concern over what she might be rolling over, or on to. This should be interesting. But it's just too funny either way.

Good morning, friends.

A few things I forgot to mention in yesterday's post, three of which I've already forgotten.

So you'd think "cue the photo of hearty breakfast here", but I have none. Instead you get a picture of my new winter-time laundry drying system.

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IN MY KITCHEN / link love / LIVING WELL

election day

I have to admit I feel a little gypped. My polling place ran out of stickers. My kids were disappointed, too. All I got was this piece of paper vouching that I voted, "in case I want my free Starbucks". Maybe I'll just pin it to my chest. I feel this nervousness in my stomach today. Feel like we're all "on hold" or something. I cannot imagine what McCain and Obama feel like on a day like today. I think I'd want to lock myself up in a room with a TV.

Meanwhile, I'm embracing the seasons. The girls and I carved pumpkins last week, of course. And if you notice a certain someone who has been very shy in the past, is quickly overcoming his fears.

As far as I am concerned the girls can carve all they want, I just want the seeds.

I get a little crazy about it. Picking through, making sure they don't miss any. Even picking up the stragglers that fall onto the ground. Oh so good.

I'm also slowly burning my family out on apple crisp. I never follow any real recipe, just throw in a bunch of stuff that sounds good. Last night I got a little heavy-handed with the cinnamon, which made the apples get very dark and, well, cinnamon-y. It was good. I needed a little success after the caramel incident. And by the way, thanks to those that pointed out the recipe called for butterscotch chips *not* caramel. Oh those stinkin' little details.

And on a more serious note, I also wanted to remind you to check out two new important links. The first, is Amanda's new project at Mama to Mama. I love Amanda's thought behind it, " to make a small but meaningful difference in one person's life through a simple act of crafting with intention." If you have a moment, spend some time reading about what Amanda is doing. It is wonderful.

The other link I wanted to point your attention to is from a new to me site called Mom Advice. Amy and I follow each other on twitter. (Do you use twitter? You should. I am newly addicted. Get on there, let me know you're there. We can follow each other.) And I heard about her new Big Give. It is an amazing example of using your presence and influence online or in blogging for good. Amy, your post and your work for the Faith Mission is inspiring.

I have some new ideas I'm working on for the coming months. So stay tuned. One involves an amazing giveaway. I can't wait to tell you!! 🙂 More to come soon….

Meanwhile, I'm embracing the seasons. The girls and I carved pumpkins last week, of course. And if you notice a certain someone who has been very shy in the past, is quickly overcoming his fears.

As far as I am concerned the girls can carve all they want, I just want the seeds.

I get a little crazy about it. Picking through, making sure they don't miss any. Even picking up the stragglers that fall onto the ground. Oh so good.

I have some new ideas I'm working on for the coming months. So stay tuned. One involves an amazing giveaway. I can't wait to tell you!! 🙂 More to come soon….

21 Comments