Verse Novel Challenge!

I did it!

I read 5 verse novels
back
to
back
in the past 2 months.

Now all I want
to do
is
write and speak
in verse.

I hope it doesn't get annoying,
but I am in love.

Here's what I read in order:
1. Far From You
2. Out of the Dust
3. Heartbeat
4. What My Mother Doesn't Know
5. What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know

Want to join me?
Of course you do!
Drop by Caroline by line
to enter and win a copy
of her new verse novel
MAY B.

1920s Wedding

Farmer Joel's family put on another beautiful and creative wedding. Paper lanterns hung from strings of white lights above and glorious garden flowers surrounded us. Every detail was perfect from beverages served in Mason jars out of an old bathtub to a silver fringed flapper (Joel's little sister) singing into an old time microphone. It felt like we had traveled back in a time machine.

The beautiful couple

Dancing lessons from a very cool Uncle (drum lessons were also included)!Amazing food from the Co op Instead of a wedding cake, the happy couples' friends made pies!
Here we are in our 1920s costumes. It was so much fun to dress up!

Farewell to Summer...

Outdoor Tea Parties & Fashion Shows

Trampoline + Sprinkler = Giggles!

Wonderful memories with Grands and Great-Grands

Adventures on the Palouse

“How sweet I roamed from field to field, and tasted all the summer's pride.”
~William Blake~

Entrapment--GREAT parenting article

I found this really thought provoking blog post on Dare to Disciple about entrapment, how as parents we often set up an adversarial relationship with our kids (assuming they will do wrong and trapping them in that "wrong" act). I love this grace-filled perspective and advice for really listening to our kids and teaching them a better way through our own thoughtful actions and words. Particularly in context of Noelle's unique emotional needs, I'm always looking for ways to improve my parenting skills and found this to be helpful.

Beneath the Terebinth Tree

As our women's bible study group went through the story of Sarah in Genesis, I was struck by the words "Terebinth tree". It sounded like something mysterious and beautiful and I wondered if it had any significance to the story.

The Terebinth was an unusually tall oak-like tree that stood out in the landscape of Palestine, even used as landmarks for travelers. They are long-living and majestic in appearance, often used as a symbol of strength and durability. It was also a source of turpentine tapped from the trunk, for commercial and medicinal use.

Perhaps with all that Sarah had been through, all of the waiting, traveling and trials, the Terebinth near their campsite in Mamre was a comfort to her. Perhaps reminding her of God's strength and provision.

This is my imagining of that moment:

Beneath the Terebinth Tree

From dusty tent Sarai, head down,
walks slowly, seeking peace.
Touching bark reverently, gazing up
through branches broad, stretching heavenward.
Majestic, full of grace,
the tree is strong and steadfast as the Lord.

Thoughts roam back, find well-worn paths:
Even good men make foolish mistakes;
strength and youth of men fade away.
The tree endures, with powerful limbs protecting,
providing shelter.
What comfort to a woman travel weary, disillusioned.
Struggling, bitter against husband
whose dreams she follows,
endlessly.

Waiting for prophecy fulfilling
and aching to cease.
The tree is a soothing balm
for soul worn out, no tears
remaining.
Regretful of rash decision,
jealous of another quickly blessed.
Heart sick from hope deferred.

Dare she believe?
Empty womb, alive and bearing
longed for son.
Sarah laughs, embarrassed and afraid.
God has heard, remembered, is faithful.
He speaks:
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
Child of laughter arriving,
borne of promises and joy.

6/22/10

Berry Picking Bliss

We took a trip to the Berry Ranch yesterday and enjoyed a hayride and all the berries we could handle! Many of the berries will be divided up for delivery to our CSA customers. It's our first delivery of the season with so much leafy green goodness to enjoy: kale, head lettuce, rainbow swiss chard, spinach, turnips, and radishes!

Another Great Kitten Rescue

We don't need anymore cats, we don't need anymore cats, we don't need anymore cats...

Oh! Excuse me, just reciting my mantra for the week...

Yes we have rescued three more kittens who seem to have lost their mommy.

We'll try to give them away (any takers?) or get them fixed and make them our rough, tough, mouse-wrangling barn cats.

That is if Zach will allow it. He looooves the kitties. Especially the grey one he named Hot Rod. He plays, sings and dances with the kitties by the hour. Poor things. There is such a thing as too much love, I think.

We tentatively named the other two Peaches and Tiger.

Oh and news update on our Christmas kitty... ummm, gender mix-up, not a girl. Also no longer named Libby Cutie. He shall henceforth be named Mario. After Mario Kart Wii, that is.

Fresh

I have to brag a moment about the fruits of my labor!

Just imagine fresh picked cilantro in Vietnamese spring rolls.

Think spinach and mushrooms sauteed with basil & oregano (along with fresh ground pepper and a sprinkling of kosher salt).

Is your mouth watering yet?

Go ahead, try it! Plant that herb garden, even if you only have room on your windowsill.

Daisy Chain- Book Review

I recently reviewed the book Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth, on the Calvary Chapel Boise Women's Ministry website. If you're looking for summer reading check out the review here!

Kitchen Garden

This project brought joy to my heart! I love the perfect blend of beauty and functionality.

Now I can just walk right outside the door and pick some basil and oregano for spaghetti sauce.

Or sit a moment on our rustic bench and gaze at the mountains while enjoying the aroma of mint and lemon thyme.

Attitude Adjustment

I've been a little bit grumpy about farming this year.

More than a little.

May I whine for a moment?

I haven't felt like: getting dirty or sweaty; dealing with watery, sneezy allergies; trudging back up the field to retrieve the 100th thing my kids need or that I forgot.

I have wanted to do exactly as I please... read, write, watch movies, download itunes, in short, enjoy MY summer in MY way!

Hmmmm, where in all of this did I forget that life is not all about me?

I have a great husband who is working very hard and needs my help with our huge farm. Didn't we dream together of country life and sustainable living?

I have two awesome kids who just want to be WITH me, talk to me, "help" me all the time. Isn't this what I yearned for during those long years of infertility?

Yes, I worked hard during the school year. Yes, it was stressful. Yes, I need a break.

But most of all I need a break from me. Jesus poured all of himself out for me. Can I not do even half so much for those dearest to me? I am encouraged to serve, to love, to give. I need not grasp and hang on to my time so tightly. He will give me more than I need.

April is National Poetry Month

Here's my offering of the week:

Sky kissed
blossoms of white.
Gently swaying,
love notes from
Springtime.

The Snow Crab apple trees outside my school are in full bloom and brought a smile to my face as I left yesterday. So I sat in my car and wrote this poem. I think the poetry powers-that-be deliberately chose springtime for national poetry month. It's easy to be inspired when the world is in bloom.

Life is what we make it...

What do I have to complain about? This young man transformed his disabilities into abilities. Get ready to be inspired.

(Pause playlist at the bottom of the page)

Switchfoot- Hello Hurricane

I am loving Switchfoot's latest CD Hello Hurricane. I have long been a fan but this is truly their best music to date. I can't say there is a song that I dislike on the entire album, which is rare for any band! Switchfoot has always been lyrically varied and spiritually deep but this time their musical creativity matches up. From 60's psychedelic influence on "Mess of Me", to tender God lullaby "Always", and U2 inspired guitar and vocals on the title track, this is one not to miss!