A State Park Thanksgiving.

We started out on Thanksgiving afternoon, everyone arriving from various parts of the East Coast. Ben’s family only gets together once a year, so it’s a looked-forward to time.
Here are some pictures of the weekend together.

The Thanksgiving meal:
just because it’s at a camp doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty. :)

The Deep South: where sweet tea abounds. :)

Ben and I made this Festive Autumn Salad ~
I love the English cucumber serving as a bowl.

Cute kids were in abundance. :)

During the day, the weather was lovely for hiking and fisbee football.

In the evening and when it got chilly it was a bit challenging to keep the smaller grandkids occupied – without them roaring around. :) We made play dough for all of the little ones and that was a great quiet diversion!

My sister-in-law threw a surprise party for the November birthdays one night!

And she made a Red Velvet Cheesecake that rivaled the Cheesecake Factory itself!
And, it was one of the prettiest cakes I’ve ever seen.

We snapped a few family pictures before everyone headed out.

Ben’s mother and aunt.

Ben’s dad and sister Beth.

The grandkids…

… with Grandpa and Grandma.

The Five Lovely Sisters.

Thanksgiving with the Yoders 228-1

The Four Brothers, and the Father.

The Whole Family. :)

And that concludes Thanksgiving, Twenty-Thirteen!

October 31, 2013October 31, 2013

Delicious Autumn!

Will someone please tell me, what is it about this autumn that is absolutely intoxicating nearly everyone I know??

[via pinterest]

I mean, autumn has always been a lovely season. But this year? People everywhere are crushing all over again on Autumn and its beauty.

Autumn is such a gloriously regal time. Sometimes showy and flashy and shockingly beautiful [at least, in the northern areas], and other times it’s the weather that is a great reprieve from the high temperatures of summer and we just want to live outdoors [here in the south].

We don’t have breathtaking maples or any leaf change, for that matter, and I really do miss that part of living in the north. But there are still pumpkin things to make and bake and eat, and decor that I putter around with and arrange, and we can at least pretend it’s cold!
I adore this season, more than ever before.

Our little cottage has been in autumn attire for about a month now, but just put on the final accessories. She’ll remain like this until after Thanksgiving, and I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed seasonal touches like I have this year. It ranks up there real close to Christmas decor, which is saying a lot, folks!

In decorating I am passionate about homemaking – not to be confused with housekeeping. I want to create an atmosphere of warmth, of love, of rest. I want anyone to be able to walk into our home and know that Jesus is Lord here, by the beauty and purity that reflect Him.

So here’s a little look into the cottage.

the kitchen

The kitchen gets just a little touch, next to my faaaaavorite sign by Aimee Weaver.

[silver urn: thrifted]

dining room

The dining room gets a simple display as well.

This quote came from Sally Clarkson’s blog, I’m quite certain.
I love having this written in my dining room chalkboard, with the giant fork beside it :)
~ reminding me that nourishing my family is more than just with food.

[a little fyi i recently learned: if you dip your chalk in water before writing, the finished product is a brilliant white, not a muted chalky look. i like both looks, but it’s nice to know different ways]

For the first time in seven years, I found heirloom pumpkins in my area!
My excitement was so high. :)

[silver tray: thrifted
giant fork: yard sale
linen runner: my sister’s wedding
glittery gold pumpkins: fun little paint]

living room

The living room receives the most seasonal change in any decor of the cottage.
It’s a challenge to keep it fresh and new, without just repeating last year’s design!
But I do love how a new look on only the mantel can change the entire look of the room.

Also, the living room is very neutral in color, so the mantel can handle a fun pop that isn’t throughout the entire room.

We have very high ceilings, so sometimes it can be hard to do justice to the space.
This year I pulled out the paper flowers from last year – they add texture & create height well.

And I searched throughout the house and found glass candlesticks & little jars with small openings, and twisted taper candles into them. It gives a bit of a primitive look, but I like the collective look of them all together.

Because of the number of things on the left side, I kept it very simple on the right side.

I’m not normally a fan of fake foliage, but ya know, I was a little bit desperate for autumn leaves!! :) Hobby Lobby had these springs of autumn-looking-somethings on sale, so for $15 I had my leaves. Other than real pumpkins, it was the only purchase I made for decor.

[old frame: thrifted & dry-brushed
chalkboard: canvas, chalkboard painted
tall white vase: clearance at Target
collection of vases & jars: thrifted & gifted
fire place: yes, um, we are hoping for a cold day, and until then, pretending]

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough”

I put a few little pumpkins on the coffee table, which makes my 17-month old son shout
“Ba(ll)!” and he fires away at his big sisters. One day ball-throwing will be off-limits in the house, but for now, he’s just too cute.

master bedroom

Just a little touch of autumn. A mixture of real and fake spray-painted-white pumpkins.

hallway

I’m kind of into candles this fall. And silver trays [this one thrifted also].

the front porch

These pictures I showed before, but not much has changed since then. :)

The chair was marked “free!” at a yard sale because of a busted seat [which I thought I’d get fixed and never did] and I loved the design and thought I’d paint it white [and never did] and it’s sat up in our attic for 3 years.

I very nearly ~~sold it~~ gave it away at our yard sale this fall, but wanted a change for the front porch and it worked perfectly.

I love Anne’s quote from L.M. Montgomery, and I’m just a little sad to see it end.

I'm so glad I live in a world where there are octobers - anne of green gables

Thanks for visiting, and enjoy the last little sip of October!

October 1, 2013October 3, 2013

A West Virginia Family Week.

It all started here.
Two people, in love with Jesus, met on the mission field in Belize, Central America.
Meet Mr. & Mrs. Barkman.

West Virginia Family Vacation 454-1

Marriage and 31 years later, they’ve expanded the family.
They began with four daughters.

West Virginia Family Vacation 466

They loved the girls, but decided they’d try for sons as well.
They had two, and everyone was so happy.

West Virginia Family Vacation 475 bw

Meanwhile the children had children, and the family grew and grew. [where does that line come from? I’m having a deja’ vu!] At this point it’s not even basic addition; it’s more like multiplication. :) It’s so fun!

West Virginia Family Vacation 344- family 2

We met from various points of the east (Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia) at a chalet in the mountains of West Virginia for several days. Time like this is so special because we don’t get to all be together very often, and also, we never know how many more times together we’ll be gifted. Life is such a GIFT! And we want to treasure these sweet moments.

So, what does a family do in the boonies of West Virginia, where there is hardly any cell phone service and no internet? Well, be together, of course. While the no connection with the outside world came a bit as a surprise, it was actually welcomed because that meant there wasn’t as much room for distraction and time being frittered away on electronics.

Besides, there were deer in abundance – one evening drive counted in the fourties – and the men were ecstatic. There was even a few points of high excitement as one of the brothers-in-love pulled out his bow and arrow for a shot at a groundhog.

West Virginia Family Vacation 312

There was so much good food. SO MUCH.
Mom and we girls each took a day of cooking, and it worked wonderfully.

good food

There was time to sit and relax, with hot coffee and early morning light.
For those without little kiddos, these moments were definitely longer and more relaxed. :)

West Virginia Family Vacation 068

And being raised in the home of our book-loving mother, we all brought various books or picked up some that were already present. My book-loving children were ecstatic by the entertaining uncles and aunts and Papa and Nana.
Zoe, meet the Boxcar Children.

books & things

There were trails hiked and tennis games [I won’t even say how many I won, er – lost] and ping-pong battles, and funny games where we laughed so hard we could hardly breathe, and times to sit out by the mountains.

My family is at a stage with lots of change right now.
In a year and a half, my parents went from having 3 daughters and 2 sons at home, to having only 1 son in the house. My three sisters got married, and my brother is moving into the city.

We spent a lot of time together talking about life, praying, dreaming, blessing each other.
It is such a BLESSING to be part of a family where Jesus is central.
I know it’s rare, and I treasure it.

All those family devotions growing up? [that I would sometimes get tired of]
I’m so grateful for them now, for the way they still let us see into each other’s hearts.
For the way it opens up conversation to talk about the things of God,
how He’s working and leading and moving.
It’s so exciting!

This vacation? We all said it was The Best Vacation Ever.

Early-rising children. Vacation looks a bit different with little kids. :)

There was a little nearby town to explore, with a Goodwill and some quaint little shops.
We did more window shopping than buying, but it was fun to get out and look around.

My sister Claudia can rock these glasses like few people can. Like I sure couldn’t. :)

Oh, and there was an ice cream shop, right by a little stream. We couldn’t resist.
Besides, Ervina’s baby was hungry. :)

And in typical Barkman fashion, we must carve out a few minutes of time for some pictures. These were probably the most informal we’ve ever done, but hey, it’s documented. :)

We’ve got all kinds of lovebirds…

And these two are expecting a new little Lovie. We cannot wait until March!!

This little guy melts me in a puddle.

These kids adore their uncles.

A rare few of my love and me. That’s my brother James all snuggly with us.

And one last picture…
Parting words from Zoe, age six,
“Mommy, why is it SO SAD to say goodbye to them?”

I know, Sweetie. I know.

To us, family means
putting your arms around each other
and being there.

-Barbara Bush

“Siblings: children of the same parents,
each of whom is perfectly normal until they get together.”
– Sam Levenson

June 19, 2013June 19, 2013

The {weekly} Daybook

big yardstick 098

I have seen this Daybook idea around on different blogs and loved it, but this is the first I’m trying it as an attempt to catch up on the past few weeks. So this here is my Daybook, with a few variations…

Outside My Window

are the tennis courts and a few players enjoying the overcast day. There are times I would like a better view out the front door, but then I can also sit on my front porch without someone across the street looking at me. :)

I Am Thankful For

a day of quietness.
The last few weeks have been a constant busy and going and activity, and while it was so enjoyable, we are all so thankful for a quieter week. We’ve had rain days, which make for a quieter feeling as well.

The end of May Zoe finished up Kindergarten on the front porch. It was a year of learning for both of us – doing Kindergarten at home, and we plan on doing 1st grade at home as well. We used the Abeka DVD’s and they were wonderful. I can’t imagine homeschooling without them.

My blue-eyed daughter is quite the scholar. She LOVED school, and was sad for it to end.

big yardstick 090

big yardstick 096

big yardstick 089

Not to be outdone by big sister, little sister did some learning as well.
However, distraction comes easily for her… :)

big yardstick 075

big yardstick 094

big yardstick 093 big yardstick 071
big yardstick 055 flower girl dresses 058

We had a jewelry-making day with the nun, er, princess,
I mean, bride!

flower girl dresses 046 flower girl dresses 045 flower girl dresses 029 flower girl dresses 024

And don’t even think of forgetting Little Man.
He’ll let you hear about it.

He wants to be included in everything. :)

flower girl dresses 012

I Am Reading

several books at the moment.
I love to read, and different years I have different “themes.”
Sometimes I feel like I get stuck in mommy-mode, and while some of that is okay, I don’t want to stagnate either!

One year I wanted to stretch my mind, so I read a lot of C. S. Lewis and Chesterton and those great old authors. It was good, and mind-stimulating!

This year my sister gave me an armload of books, many having to do current desperate world needs, orphan advocacy, and a call to holiness.

I have been incredibly moved, and reading some of those books leaves me a different person, with a different heart.

To name a few…

Terrify No More
[a story of sex trafficking in East Asia]

Too Small to Ignore
[the moving story of the beginnings of Compassion International]

The Hole in Our Holiness
[a call to do all for God and His glory, rather than using “grace” to cover flesh and sin]

The following picture:
“Mommy, I’m adopting this baby. She doesn’t have a mommy or daddy, so I’m adopting her and I’m gonna be her family.”

I am melted. I LOVE that she has a heart for the orphan, even if it’s in baby-doll form at four years old.

flower girl dresses 047

I Am Looking Forward

to a day with my husband, to celebrate almost-8 years of being married! :)
A very sweet babysitter is lined up, and I am so grateful to her!

One of the things I miss about not living near my family is that ability to call them up and say, “I need ONE HOUR! Can you watch the kids for ONE hour while I regroup!?” Or to have dates with my husband on a regular basis… So, I am very grateful for this babysitter. :)

I Am Thinking

of good ways to have chores organized for the kiddos.
They are super helpers, but I would like something organized rather than me verbally asking them each time.

I don’t really want a sticker system; that seems like too much to keep after for me!

I do want something efficient and easy… for both the kids and myself.
Maybe incorporate it into allowances?
But I’m stuck!

I would love to hear your ideas and see pictures!
And if I get 3 or more ideas, I’d love to put into into blog format to give other people ideas too.
If you’re up for it, send ideas and at least one picture to skiesofparchment (@) gmail.com
:)

In The Kitchen

Not today, but in the past few weeks…
… Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie, recipe passed on from my husband’s mother

my faire lady - mse 009

A breakfast or lunch favorite learned from a friend:
a yogurt parfait
with
homemade Greek vanilla yogurt
homemade granola
sliced strawberries
blackberries
drizzled with maple syrup
a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Mmmmmmmmmm.

my faire lady - mse 039

One of My Favorite Things

Early mornings on my front porch, before the kiddos wake up.
A hot cup of coffee, my Bible, journal, and an hour of quietness.
There is nothing better.
If only I could do it every morning.

A Picture

my peanut butter baby.

peanut butter baby