Posted in Ect. on December 29, 2012| Leave a Comment »
this precious girl has been sick, crazy sick
on our way to the ER, I kept asking her if she was ok
her response, “I’m NOT a cupcake”- I drove faster
poor baby has burst blood vessels in her eye from all the vomiting
I’m a basket case, day three and no end in sight
so I do what most southern girls would do:
call my mama, clean like there is no tomorrow, and bake a cake
a cheese cake, 40 ounces cream cheese, 5 eggs, and a boatload of sugar
let’s hope it helps this frazzled mom
Posted in Ect. on December 21, 2012| 1 Comment »
today I went on a home visit that could only be described as a Saturday Night Live Christmas skit-
here’s the thing- instead of being freaked out, I laughed all day
and then the cake happened, oh that cake
not just any cake- a four layer almond cake with chocolate almond filling and almond butter cream topped with chocolate dipped almonds
it was an epiphany, I almost cried
because this person poured more than just incredible talent into this cake
and I knew that this inclination to find beauty and chase art has power
real power to impact people we don’t even know, people who eat a cake we make with such care
that one bite, just one bite
speaks hope and artistry
wow, deep stuff for almond cake
and then…..
I go to Target and pick up a few things
the young lad who checked me out inquired about the rutabaga
“um, mam what exactly do you do with a rutabaga?”
I explained roasted root veggies that I’m making later in the week and
as he finished my transaction, without a hint of sarcasm, he said,
“um, good luck with your root vegetables and merry christmas, mam”
epic, it was an epic day of ordinary life
so whether you find yourself baking an almond cake or ringing up a rutabaga-
know you affect the people around you in profound ways
Posted in Baby Boos, diy, Ect., Thrifty Treasure on December 16, 2012| Leave a Comment »
our kitchen tree
when Joey brought these magnolia leaves home-
my heart skipped a beat
funny frostys from my mom and who doesn’t need Christmas ornaments in an old candy machine
sweet A and I had a little craft time
her smile says it all
G joined in
hot gluey goodness
Posted in Ect. on December 16, 2012| Leave a Comment »
after a week of near constant stomach virus from all four of our family, I felt a little wonky
and then I heard about Connecticut and the bottom dropped out
I felt murky, slippery depression coat everything and slow my movements
sharp words and hot tears mixed with the grit of anxiety and the weight of doubt
I don’t have any great theology that makes this any less horrific, evil is real and shameless
my only solace is a small inclination in my head that tells me this is not the end of the story,
this is not the final chapter
I pray and cling to that truth- this is not how it all ends
with that said, I am fighting this depression, this disbelief, this evil
by clinging to truth and finding beauty- this is my mutiny, my rebellion against evil
I will love my family, I will rub my eyes and find beauty, and celebrate life
-this is not how the story ends
Posted in Ect. on December 12, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Sweet Joey and I had planned on finishing our Christmas shopping on Monday. A stomach virus of epic proportions derailed that plan. We did make it to one of my favorite off-beat vintage stores: nostalgia. What’s not to love about a dried okra painted Grinch? Little did I know that in mere hours, the stomach virus would leave no one standing in our family. Fast forward several days, two ER trips, five medications we are almost back in the land of the living. It’s amazing how the glimmer of nausea and the slowing of reflexes makes you appreciate normal life so very much. Cheers to non-sick days and Cheers to dried okra painted ornament Grinches!
Posted in Ect. on December 6, 2012| Leave a Comment »
so my eight year old may or may not have accidentally hacked a family member’s i-tunes account and racked up several hundred dollars of charges for her pretend ponies
I may or may not watched a child (not mine this time) crawl out the car widow and dance on top of the car today
I may or may not have had to use a mini gingerbread die cut for baby Jesus because there wasn’t a baby one- no biggie, just the son of God as a cookie in my craft project
sometimes I wake up and just wonder how I got here- to this being an adult and making dinner and laundry and paying bills and trying to be a good mom and wife and psychologist
I’m not sure I can make any sense of any of it-
maybe I need some chocolate or some prayer or some adult beverage or maybe a combo of all three
or maybe gingerbread baby Jesus, and car dancing children, and expensive magical ponies aren’t suppose to make sense
hard to say….
Posted in Baby Boos, Ect. on December 3, 2012| Leave a Comment »
parenting that is, tough gig for sure.
we’ve had several questions lately about how we celebrate Christmas/elf/no elf/santa/no santa, ect.
so here it is, with the disclaimer that this is what works for our little quirky family-
not a prescription for a one size fits all anything for anyone else
we read to our kiddos about St. Nicholas and tell them this is how the legend of santa developed-
that it’s a fun, happy way to share with others but their gifts come from us
(but some families do play santa so don’t spoil the fun for others)
they receive three gifts just like the wise men brought baby Jesus three gifts
we’re not santa haters, we don’t rain on anyone’s parade, it’s just that we really want our kids
to know that we strive to be honest and direct with them
(they don’t let me forget the infamous mushroom dinner incident)
and for us it matters that we share with them about Christ
and focus on him especially during the Advent season
so where does the elf come into play?
Ava has been sharing zany stories from friends who have an elf on the shelf
she really wanted one……
so welcome Jingle Belle Thompson
we don’t tell the kids that the elf flys to the North Pole
we say it’s a fun, pretend way to celebrate Christmas
(I know with ages 5 and 8, the days of wonder are numbered)
our elf, Jingle watches for ways the kids show kindness
and other ways that they can share with others to honor
Christ on his birthday
and gets into a little mischief as well
it’s kind of all over the map but it works for us
Posted in Baby Boos, diy, Ect. on November 26, 2012| Leave a Comment »
I’ve had great quantities of caffeine and Christmas music- a dangerous combo no doubt
as I wrap gifts- I ponder wisdom and need to be sure my children have a written record of the following:
A and G, listen up:
1. don’t show your panties in public (learned this in kindergarten, and it’s sound advice guys)
2. good manners are the ultimate assessory
3. kindness is always the right choice
4. and last but not least- under no circumstance leave ribbon edges to fray: it’s just tacky sweet babies
simply torch the edges lightly and you are all set!
-oh and this is a great tip from the “interweb”
wash your hands because Jesus and germs are everywhere!
love, your mama
Posted in diy, Ect. on November 25, 2012| Leave a Comment »
baby Jesus, burlap, and the red cups at starbucks:
I love the Christmas season!
(seven trees up at my house but who’s counting)
I adore having a reason to share little gifts with some of the wonderful people in my life
it doesn’t have to be expensive- paper plates, napkins, and cups with a little card saying:
“my Christmas wish is for you to do less dishes” (pinterest, baby)
how fun is that?
I work with incredible Speech and Language Pathologists
(who’s down with SLPs – such a bad pun from such a bad 90s song)
any who- gingerbread mix, gingerbread candle, and ornament
I really am crazy about SLPs and peppermint mochas- yay Christmas!
Posted in Baby Boos, diy, Ect. on November 8, 2012| Leave a Comment »
we were all home together this past Tuesday
home days almost always include lazy mornings and art
G’s fabulous teacher assigned a fun disguise a turkey project
(Tom became a Triceratops)
I saw this fab piece of long brown paper in the recycling bin at school
yes, I dumpster dove for my “Thankful Tree”
each day we’re adding more leaves of thanks
G’s project was so fun, A made one
in every artful thing, mess must proceed
designnarrative 