spring – Skies of Parchment

June 19, 2013June 19, 2013

The {weekly} Daybook

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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.

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

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

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

He wants to be included in everything. :)

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Happy Hump Day, Lovelies! :)

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May 20, 2013May 20, 2013

Lovely Pennsylvania.

So it’s the evening of my daughter’s birthday and she is out on a date with her daddy (tradition) and got to pick where she wanted to go: The Park. So they just skipped across the street and took Zoe along, and the baby is sleeping and I had pictures ready for the blog, so here we go – still trying to catch up from a few weeks ago! The postings are all out-of-order here, and there are so many things that don’t get posted – either time or just privacy – but there are a few things that I like to document on a blog, so ~ here is a trip we took north a few weeks ago.

My sister Claudia is getting married in 3 weeks (!!!), so we went up so that Ben, who is in the carpentry business, could help her fiance’ work on their house. Naturally, it was a great excuse for us to go! After not being home for 5 months, it was special to be back.

It was a good week, with family and friendships and breathtaking springtime beauty, to be found only in the north.

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There were lovely blossoms on orchard trees surrounding the home of my parents.
There were evening walks with sisters and friends in said lovely orchards.

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// an orchard beehive //

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There was another seester who joined us. ♥

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… There was a double-date with our friends. Time is never long enough with them! Especially when we spent half the evening laughing because of all the things that went wrong with our meal. :)

Phil & Shelly
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Me & Mine

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I love this woman and her dear friendship! ♥
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There was a visit to my sister at the darling cafe where she works…

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… the view of a child. it makes me rather sympathetic! :)

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… There was a most special morning spent with my two sisters and two lovely ladies and friends, sisters of my dear friend Ruth. Time spent with her family means the world to me, and to be with those who loved Ruth best and who Ruth loved most brings healing to my heart…

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The ache of Ruth gone still leaves a hole so large it seems it can never be the same. And perhaps it won’t ever be the same, and perhaps that’s okay, because it makes the life after this seem more than a mere thought, and Heaven so REAL. I l know Ruth is fully alive, in the world that is a bigger reality than this one. It’s just that, for now, there is an aching void.

My sister Claudia and Hannah’s darling little girl. Claudia is praying she’ll have a daughter just like her. :)

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Liz’s handsome handsome little son, a future musician, for sure. :)

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I just liked this picture. :) Not great quality, but just a cute little sister-smotherly-picture. Typical.

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Claudia’s wedding invitations! Seriously, who else but her has such darling envelopes! And yes, she and her friends sewed every single envelope, all 300+, if I’m not mistaken.

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Time spent with my family, and with old and new friends is never long enough! I don’t get nearly enough of pictures! I didn’t spend enough time with the people I did get to see! There are always people I wish to see, but didn’t! There is always more I wished to do, but couldn’t!

And when my baby had a flu bug part of the time, and when my dear grammy was in the hospital because of a stroke most the time I was there, there are priorities that shift and plans that change, and it makes me treasure the time all the more. It’s a reminder to me yet again that I just can’t take this life for granted!

Ooooh, and I went garage saling! On a freezing cold morning, with my mom and two sisters and husband. It was such great fun, and worth being bundled in a jacket from the 90’s just to stay warm. :)

Two favorite garage sale treasures: vintage plates for my wall! I’ll show more pictures later!

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And a set of 12 of these goblets for $8! I can’t remember the official name for them, but since I bought them I’ve seen them on etsy for $39 for a set of 4! Does my treasure hunting ever give me a high. :) In the past I would not have liked this design and style. Now? I think they’re adorable!

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And I met Aimee!! I have long admired her blog and amazing creativity, and when I met her in real life, I liked her all the more! I think it’s funny we met at while bargain-hunting, but we both love hunting for treasures! It’s just too bad I didn’t have a camera to document it, or a pen to get her autograph. :)

My family is back and kiddos are getting ready for bed…

Be blessed!

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April 16, 2013April 16, 2013

Bringing in Spring

I’m so honored to be guest posting over at the lovely Amelia’s blog today, from Amelia Marie Design!

The theme is bringing in spring, a few touches and color you can add to your home to welcome the season!

{sneak peek}

egg basket

oversized fork and spoon kitchen pinwheels kitchen daisies

dogwood and fern

Happy Spring Nesting!

~clarita

April 3, 2013April 10, 2013

Hello Spring!

It’s Springtime!

There are few other seasons so looked forward to here in the south,
maybe with the exception of Autumn.

There is such a freshness, a newness, to life.

I love the signs of spring outside and around our little cottage…

// kitchen mantel, with prism reflection //

I love the Holy Week, the Easter celebration…
I’m in awe of all the Jesus Christ has done.
What a precious Savior!
And everything we are and have is not too much to offer Him.
Nothing could be too much, in light of all HE is and what HE has done.

I’m pondering this quote from Randy Alcorn:

“Holiness was once a central component of following Christ.
But for many today, the Christian life is little more
than a celebration of cheap grace and pseudo-liberty,
with a high tolerance for sin.”

And this one, by Kevin DeYoung:

“Worldliness is whatever makes sin look normal
and righteousness look strange.”

I’m reading a book by DeYoung,
with the thought of holiness being not a legalistic endeavour,
but a grateful response to a Holy, Precious Savior.
It’s moving…

// a few hours of solo time //

// the little raised bed garden //

There is such a feeling of life in the air,
a feeling of hope.

There is such inspiration, such motivation.
Spring cleaning & Mrs. Meyers may be in full swing one of these days!

Those who have read this [small, irregular] blog – thank you!

This began as a place for family to keep up with our lives far away,
and it has grown a bit from that.

Those who read and comment – I loved loved meeting new friends, and hope it continues!
It’s not so much the comments themselves, but the feeling of friendship and community that they give that I have loved here.

Those who read without commenting – that’s so okay, because this is a public spot and you are under no obligation to comment. ;)

But you all have made this such a fun, enjoyable, happy place for me.

To one and all ~ Happy Springtime!

~ clarita

May 3, 2011March 20, 2013

A Faith Walk

Well, it’s been a while. :)

2.5 weeks in Pennsylvania.
Then a day after returning home I got hit with a bad case of strep throat that had me in bed for a week, and recovering for a week after that.
Now it’s a week later, and goodness, I’m not sure I remember how to blog anymore. :)

So I’ll just chatter, I guess. About things I’ve been thinking the past few weeks…

And add of bit of the flora and fauna that we had earlier this spring.

About how we’ve been tested in the whole department of choosing gratitude, as I wrote about in my previous post. Choosing to see the blessings I’ve been given, I must admit, in the past few weeks have been a stretch.

We returned back to the south because there was work here for Ben again. That was a huge relief, knowing that at least for a month there would be work. I remember thinking, “Whew, it’s going to be SO nice that he can put in full weeks again, after not having steady work for about two months. We can finally catch up a bit financially.”

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That was probably the arm of flesh, depending upon itself. :) And over the next few weeks I realized again our complete dependance upon God, and also His faithfulness to us. Because a full week of work still hasn’t been in the picture since we returned 3 weeks ago. Not because work hasn’t been available, just, well, other things.

Like me getting strep throat, and Ben taking off a day of work because I was so sick I couldn’t function. Throw my two doctor’s visits in there, an injection, two kinds of antibiotics, and I was finally feeling better. I don’t know what we would have done without Ben’s younger sister to help care for the girls for several days over that time. Oh, and Olivia’s trip to the doctor because of terrible mouth ulcers.

Then a few days later Ben got strep throat, from me passing on the highly-contagious virus. Insert doctor’s visit for him, an injection, and antibiotics… We have health insurance, but it only covers medical emergencies, and nothing of the above.

You get the picture. Not exactly the financial strides we were hoping for! I remember praying and thinking, “God, surely there is something to be thankful for in all of this, but right now I’m so sick I can’t see it!”

But God was faithful. And there was enough money to pay bills and put food on the table.

[quote on mirror from Leslie Ludy]

Then came the news of the devastating tornadoes in north Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. And there was an opportunity for some of the men from our church to go up for a day and assist with manual labor, helping local residents in any way they could. And both Ben and I felt like he should go, and he wanted to go. No, there hasn’t been steady workweek for him lately, but we have a roof standing over our heads and were not even touched by the destruction that completely wiped out whole areas. We felt like Ben going would be offering our gratitude to the Lord for the many blessings He HAS given to us, even in a time where we feel stretched ourselves. And giving in that way is so much more heartfelt when it requires personal sacrifice. So Ben went, and blessed, and gave.

And God is faithful. There is enough of money to pay bills and put nourishing food on the table.

And then there is the walk of faith in the future that we’re excited (and maybe a bit nervous) about. It’s called Ellerslie. We have dreamt and prayed, and doors are opening. Ellerslie was founded by Eric & Leslie Ludy as a discipleship training school in Colorado, in 10 week semesters. Lord willing, Ben and our little family plan to attend in October for one semester. It’s still 5 months off, but with a family, these kinds of things take a lot more planning than the fast decisions of a single person! :) We were accepted in January, so have been thinking of this for a few months. Ben will be a student, and I will be a supportive wife and loving mother. :)

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But all this comes at a time when it really is a walk of faith. We are beyond excited about this, and know that actually going will be well nigh to a miracle because God is leading us to go at a time when it really hasn’t been stable financially. I realize that we are in a minority of people that has been extremely blessed in the western world, but even so, not having steady work for several months doesn’t seem to be the most “safe” time to go. :) But that is where God is leading us, and we are confident of His faithfulness!

After just the first couple months of adventure God had us on this year, the next months look exciting! :)

[our personal flora and fauna :) ]

laundry

[first spinach from the garden]

fresh salad

Sooo, that’s a little bit of what’s been happening. And I’ve been seeing God’s faithfulness in huge ways in our lives.

Despite challenges, despite things out of our control, HE IS faithful. His faithfulness is not dependent upon everything in our little world going well. He supersedes that, and cares for us well in every season. And I am so grateful to love such a God!

~clarita

p.s. more to come later on the lovely past-trip… it was too long to combine into one post! my heart is full and overflowing from such a splendid time with dear family and friends!

February 26, 2011March 20, 2013

Happy Spring Things

Happy Things…

… The first glimpse of spring on the maples!
The weather here has been divine – and coming from me, that’s saying a lot. :)

… Being involved a bit in a Widow’s Banquet our church did for ladies in the community.
These roses made me nostalgic for my former days at a florist shop…

… making some lace scarves. I just love the feminine lace & ruffles this spring!

… Finding strawberries on sale – fresh from Florida! – for seventy-five cents a quart.
I made 75 chocolate covered strawberries for the Widow’s Banquet, a few for ourselves, and made our year’s supply of strawberry jam!

… Friday night bike rides through the neighborhood. Chasing down an ice-cream truck we heard somewhere off in the distance, blaring “Yankee Doodle” until the poor driver must go batty, and finding the “truck” was actually a hippie van with ice cream pictures on the outside and a huge horn in the front. To say I found this amusing it putting it very lightly. :)

… The anticipation of tomorrow.
I’m going to be gone for a little while, because…

BECAUSE!!

I get to spend an entire week with some of my favorite people in the world…

My three beautiful sisters and mother and grandmother [and my two daughters]!

I live almost a thousand miles away from all of them, and rarely am able to spend more than just a lunch or breakfast with all of us together. So to be able to together for a week, in the sun, with all of them, is just beyond exciting.