My Background Music is Diana Krall

All three of my kids have been asleep the last 2 hours. My house is clean (whenever I say, "my house is clean" that never means all the way. Merely to my satisfaction.) & I am now sitting on the couch, quilting Moira's baby blanket.

The Camera Loves Mo

It does. I just haven't taken many photos of her. I guess because she is usually sleeping, or I am holding her. But, this afternoon, while her siblings slept peacefully, Moira was enjoying some time with her little woodland friends. She was sitting in her seat, smiling & cooing at them. Scott & I stopped what we were doing so we could stare at our sweet child. The thought came to me that now would be a great time to take some photos. Seize the moment. Little babes don't keep up this sort of mood for long.

I am Vintage

This week, my mom gave me tons of her sewing patterns that she no longer wanted. I just finished sorting them yesterday. There were some real gems. I think she could have sold some of them for good money. I was thinking, "Wow, these are vintage treasures". Then I looked at the dates.

1975...

I guess my husband is vintage.

1979...

I guess I am vintage.

Summer Pasta

Purple cauliflower, green beans, basil, cherry tomatoes, walla walla onions all from our CSA box. Summer produce is great! Lemon zest is the only thing from our own garden. Most of our harvest is yet to come. But, I did harvest this little guy this morning...
He came from our hacked up tomato plant. Scott had to cut him back to this unattractive state. Otherwise, he would have swallowed up our entire garden. He was the monster tomato plant. He may be ugly now. But his sacrifice has now given the Pasilla peppers some room to breath.

Herbs as Art

When I got home from the gym last night, Scott had a little vase of cut flowers for me. Who knew Dill weed was so pretty? It looks very modern & art deco to me. I love it.
Dill can get pretty sloppy & large. So, I think I'll just keep topping it & enjoying the flowers in the house.

Dragon Family Eating Carrots

Gillian has become quite the little painter. I love her contemplative look here as she paints her first masterpiece - Dragon Family Eating Carrots.

She is really into dragons right now, for some reason. That has been her main subject matter. Carrots have been big for a while, too. She often sculpts carrots with her playdough.

What a Day this has been...

What a rare mood I'm in.

Speaking of that, I saw Brigadoon for the first time ever. I didn't even know the story. I didn't even know Gene Kelly was in it. I didn't even know it was a ballet sort of musical. I didn't even know Van Johnson could sing & tap dance. It was good.

This really has been a good day. I have a clean kitchen. Even though I have roasted beets. I made chicken curry. I have a Blueberry Cream cake cooling. I have Oatmeal-Molasses bread rising.

I put away all the clothes that have been hanging on the foot of my bed all week. I took a shower this morning. And, I scrubbed some of the mildew in my shower.

I got out of bed this morning on my own. Scott didn't have to send Gillian in there to pounce on me.

I think I might get a nap in. (If not, I'll just pour another cup of caffeine.)

These things make me happy. As does my new golden yellow t-shirt from Target. I am wearing it for the 2nd day in a row. Don't think that that is gross. It doesn't smell. Honest. And, there is no spit up or food or anything on it. Yet.

Those things are are happy things. But, the really joyous thing is that, I have been able to apply James 1:19 today. Be quick to hear, slow to speak & slow to anger. What a difference grace & patience can make. If I'm not angry, my little girl (who is much like her mother...) doesn't scream & yell nearly as much. Funny how that works... I can be pretty sure we'll have a rough day, if I am quick to irritation. Apart from Christ, that is pretty much me. Mrs. Short Fuse.

Maybe this picture can help you to understand

I have been reading Ted Tripp's "Shepherding a Child's Heart". I've heard his lectures on the subject. But, somehow it wasn't as convicting for me then. Probably because Gillian was just a wee babe. Now I have two tots who need patient instruction & discipline. Now I know how much I struggle to be kindly firm. Now, reading the book, it is has been heart piercing. There is much to pray over. I need so much grace. It is a good thing God never runs short.

Today I read a marvelous post on this very matter. She summarizes well many of the things Dr. Tripp talks about in his book. Do go over to Femina & read Growth Spurts! I think you'll be glad you did.

I Know

I realize I have been quite absent.
I am working on a post.
I just want to tell you all that my Mom started a blog! Follow it. It will be a good thing!