By Lynn, on July 5th, 2010%
This past Saturday was the second Saturday that I have set up with my mom at a local farmer’s market. What that means for me is that I type 8 hours on Friday, which tends to be a long day. As you know, housework, errands, mouths to feed, and child-related responsibilities don’t disappear just because I work! So I usually end up not getting to bed before midnight onFriday nights. On Saturday morning I jump into my already-packed van (that’s the goal, anyway!) with my cup of hot coffee, and I meet my mom at the farmer’s market where we laugh and talk and sell things for a few hours. I have to be home and in my work desk by noon, where I work (type) another 8-hour shift and then my weekend is done. Once again, it seems impossible to get to bed before midnight, even if I do not do the farmer’s market.
Having said all that, there’s something about the farmer’s market that makes me really happy. It allows me to work at what I really love doing, and hopefully some day that will be all I do for an income: something I really enjoy. It gives me something to look forward to.
For the 4th, we did not head out to watch a fireworks display, though that would have been mighty fun. Instead, Michaela and I went through a few boxes of sparklers. I marched back and forth in front of the house a few times, saying in my best British accent, “I, John Adams, do proclaim that we are free from the British!!”
Michaela said in her best 11-year-old daughter accent, “Mom, be quiet!”
Then we called each other Abigail and Betsy.
It was a long, tiring but very good weekend.
By admin, on May 9th, 2010%
I hope everyone laughed and smiled as much as I did today.
Just a part of the family picture taken today.
By admin, on March 27th, 2010%
Happy Birthday to me.
Happy Birthday to me.
Happy Birthday dear me.
Happy Birthday to me.
It’s not that I’m trying to toot my own horn or anything, but I like to think about how I landed in the middle of this little base housing unit at Lackland and changed my mom’s and dad’s lives forever.
My dad (I miss him so much) was tall and thin and handsome. He had that black-hair-blue-eyes-and-freckles Irish look, and boy was he always dressed to beat the band. This was SO not like him to have his shirt hanging out, but I guess having a newborn put a cramp in his style that picture-taking session.
And my sweet mommy. I have the best momma in the world, and I just won’t argue with anyone about it.  I used to wish so much to look like her (sometimes still do), but alas, I inherited that Irish look my dad had. It’s okay. I’ll take it and be happy. Every once in awhile I glance into the mirror and see my mom, but then on a second look it’s my dad staring back at me.
Can you believe she just had a baby?? She always looked like a model. And still does. She used to tell me, in her sweet voice, that she was expecting a baby with dark eyes and dark skin like herself, but there I was, fair as winter with one freckle between my eyes, and it was a sign of what was to be: Daddy the second. She said she couldn’t have been happier.
For my birthday, a package arrived in the mail yesterday from my mom and step-dad. They know I like creatures, so they sent me some creatures that immediately took up residence in my office plants.
Gotta love them creatures.
Oh, and new gardening gloves, and a fine little towel for the kitchen: “Don’t Brood Be Happy.”
Of course a new bird for my collection. My office is turning into an aviary. I love it.
I hope you enjoy your day. I know I’m happy with my day. I’m working today, but I’m really totally okay with that. It actually feels good to be on track. The sun is shining and I’ve got plenty of hot tea. I cannot complain.
By Lynn, on March 24th, 2010%
I posted last week about the fabric egg baskets I made for our Albert co-op and I said I’d post directions. Well, here they are. It’s not as easy to explain as it would be to show someone, so I hope it makes sense. It was a fun and cheap project!
This first thing I did was cut 4 strips of fabric, somewhere around 16 inches long and 1-1/2 to 2 inches wide. You can adjust the size as you want to. I ended up liking the wider (2 inches) scraps better. There was always length to cut off after tying, but the longer strips are easier to work with.
The next thing I did after laying out the strips in a star-type pattern was to carry them carefully to the sewing machine and sewing a messy circle of stitches in the center. This may be the most tedious part because you have to keep straightening the strips of fabric as you go around. This makes the bottom of the nest and does NOT have to be perfect. I even had different color threads on my spool and bobbin, but it only added to the color!
Now it gets harder to explain. The next step is to cut three more strips, also about 16 inches long and also about 2 inches thick. You are going to weave one strip at a time, over and under and over and under, and then cinch it and tie it at the end to make the circumference of the nest the size you want it. (The size of that messy circle you sewed will in part determine the circumference of the nest.
As you can see, I keep an old suitcase full of scraps, so my fabric choices were many. I chose bright springy-looking fabrics.
The picture above shows the first strip, woven over and under and then being tied the size I wanted to make the nest. At this point, holding one hand in the bottom of the nest, pull the original strips (blue stripes in this case) up to tighten that bottom “layer” and lay the strips out neatly for the next fabric strip to be woven in.
The second strip is woven exactly opposite as the first, and it will come out exactly right each time, i.e. you won’t end up with two “unders” or two “overs.” Tie the second layer.
Above is the picture after the third and final layer/strip has been woven in, exactly opposite as the second layer, so you end up with a weave just like a basket. Again, put one hand in the bottom of the basket to hold it while you pull and straighten out the original strips.
Now. This may be the hardest part to explain yet! You are going to have a lot of long pieces of fabric hanging off, but DON’T cut anything YET. You will have 8 long pieces from the original set of 4 strips, in this case blue and white striped. You will straighten them up and then tie pairs of strips over the top and final layer you’ve just woven around. In the picture above you can see me tying one. It will secure the top layer in place. You don’t want to tie it too tight, but you don’t want it too loose either, because then your egg nest will be flimsy. After tying four sets of ties around the top, you are ready to trim the ends.
Before trimming, I went around and tightened every knot so they would not come loose. I also had to re-tie a couple because once the higher layers were done, the lower ones seemed too big. You’ll know what I mean when you get to this part.
After trimming, you’ll have a finished nest for a pretty egg!
Voila!
I want to tell you all how much I appreciate each and every comment. I have not had time to answer each one over the last couple of days, but I read each and every one, and they mean so much! Life has been very overwhelming here lately. Thomas and I each missed at least a week’s worth of work (more for him) from his hospitalization, there were new medicines to be bought, both times he went in, I feel we got behind in life and in lessons, and of course we worry about those we love when they’re not doing so well, so we were all worried about carpenter-man. I am so thankful that Thomas is healing. He was even able to put in those couple of hours on the greenhouse last weekend, but John was a huge help, and Thomas really has really made sure to take it slow getting back into work, etc.
Just so you know I appreciate all of you!
By admin, on February 23rd, 2010%
Taking one day at a time. I think I always need help with this. Why is it so easy to drag around the past, like a ball and chain? Or to live in fear over the future? I don’t know, but I want to just take one day at a time and be content.
Saturday and Sunday were beautiful days here! Temps in the 50s and 60s, bright sun. The birds were singing a come-on-spring chorus and I loved it! I stole outside for a few minutes on Saturday morning to sit in the sun and read. The steps get so warm, it’s a favorite spot.
I’m realizing more and more, when you get a sunny moment you must take it!
Yesterday was rainy, rainy, and gray. Today, while there is no rain falling, it is gray outside again. I am trying really hard to be of the optimistic opinion, however, that this only means more flowers come spring.
My day today is full, for 19 years ago today I was giving birth to that little fella you see sitting in the sink.
Joseph was our second son, and today he turns 19! Where did the years go? Anyway, I asked him what he wanted to eat tonight, and I’m talkin’ a meal and dessert.
“Pizza? Homemade? But can you make about six of them so I can eat all I want?
Of course.
“And cheese cake?”
Why sure.
“Uhhhh. Fudge?”
At this point The Carpenter got into a huddle with Joseph and noted that mom could make a perfectly-chocolate chocolate cake, so Joseph compromised.
I suppose I’ll be grocery shopping this morning and cooking this afternoon.
I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday.
By admin, on February 15th, 2010%
I want to make sure at least one of you will not get pinched on St. Patrick’s Day. I won’t be selling these pins as I think it would be a copyright infringement and I don’t feel right selling someone else’s beautiful art work. I know some of my pins have old artwork, but I see a difference in something over a century old with no trademark or copyright, and something recent from an artist who is actively illustrating and working.
Anyway, I often find tattered old books at the thrift stores, but cannot stand to see the lovely illustrations get thrown out just because a book is falling apart. I rescued some Anita Lobel illustrations and made some pins for personal use. She’s got some of the most adorable art work!!
Michaela and I will gather up the names of the commenters on February 28th and I’ll let Michaela draw a winner. So leave a comment! Some lucky person can wear this bit o’ green pin and be sure they don’t get pinched. 
Lynn
By admin, on January 1st, 2010%
Happy New Year’s!
Just a couple of pretty things for you to look at this day.
I hope you have a wonderful 2010!
My New Year’s Resolutions for this year? I guess you’d call them phrases or ideas, but it sums up where my thoughts are:
- waste not, want not
- debt free
- train up a child in the way he should go
By admin, on December 31st, 2009%
The weather here today is cold and wet. I feel very thankful to be in a warm house and able to work on cleaning, doing some after-Christmas sorting, and looking forward to a New Year.
There’s really nothing magical about going from the last day of one year to the first day of the next year, but there is something fun about a clean slate. About having a day marked on which to start over. About committing to really observing a change you want to make and having a starting line from which to “stick to it.”
I am thinking as I work through the day, what will my resolutions be?
I continue to work on the brooches that I love wearing and plan to sell. It’s a wonderful outlet to work with your hands on something pretty. I know you can’t see each individual pin very well, but you can see a few together and their general design. Do you like them? It’s funny how once you start making something, that something evolves and becomes more and more of yourself as you put more and more of your own thoughts and time into it.
Today’s the day for planning your New Year’s resolutions! Plan something wonderful!
By admin, on December 26th, 2009%
As far as gifts went, I would have to say that this was a major highlight.
By chance, Michaela picked it up first to open it, and once opened, I saw her face full of wonder and thinking, if I received Rebecca’s trunk, then Rebecca should be here as well. But she could not be sure…
until the tall box was opened and it was indeed Rebecca Rubin! It was an extravagant gift for sure, but around here these days the baby gets the most and as the older children get older they begin to say things like, “Please don’t get me anything. Spend what you have on my younger brothers and sister.” The boys all do get something too, but we really cannot afford to spend much. Perhaps it would impress you to know that Michaela has even been saving her money to go towards this doll she wanted for Christmas.
The boys enjoyed seeing Miss Priss open this doll that she wanted so very much. I have to admit, she is absolutely gorgeous and I am really looking forward to reading about her, learning about life in the early 1900s in America, and learning more about Jewish customs and history.
The real highlight of the day, though, was family. Grandma and Grandpa were here. Michaela soaked up as much grandparent-y attention as she could. You gotta get it when you get the chance!
By admin, on December 22nd, 2009%
Do you feel stressed? Too busy? Like you cannot possibly get everything done this week before all that sand runs through the glass?
Maybe you just need a good old-fashioned hug from a snowman!
Things here are busy too, but I am going about everything with a song in my heart. I am trying very diligently to have gratitude over all that we enjoy as Americans and especially as God’s creation.
As much as I determine not to get too caught up in the rush that so easily happens this time of year, I always find that there are last-minute things to do; there are invitations to go here and there, and we have company coming that we are very much looking forward to and the house must be…perfect?
No. Not perfect. Just cleaned up nicely in honor of our guests. They’ll hopefully see that we live here and that this is a house full of love.
I’ll be breaking from my blog for a few days while I enjoy my children being free from school, while I bake and savor the daily arrival of beautiful cards from friends and family, and to enjoy visiting all the blogs that I love to visit but don’t have time to every single day.
Enjoy the holiday season!
|
About Lynn
I am a 40-something-year-old mother of four delightful children, have been married for 22 years to my carpenter husband, and live in a 1921 farm-style house. I find the most joy in my garden, growing and harvesting herbs and flowers and caring for our pet rabbits.
I have a 21-year-old son, a 19-year-old son, a 16-year-old son, and a bright and bubbly (and very funny) 11-year-old daughter who is homeschooled.
I'm a North Carolina girl and I love sharing North Carolina links and information. I'm a book lover, bird lover, gardener and aspiring herbalist. I seek no help for my thrift store addiction. I do medical transcription from home part-time.
The Players
Mom and Dad
Daniel
Big Joe
John
Princess of the Universe
Annie
Oreo
Coco
Basil
Midnight
Boomerang
A Pond of Goldfish
My Symphony
To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.
William Henry Channing
1810-1884
Contact Me 
I would  for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
|
