peace of my mind

…from Luke 12:27-31

Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Who doesn’t love this time of year, when the getting is this good.
We went berry picking for the first time last week. We’re blessed to live within a mile of a raspberry farm. I’ve always wanted to go and this year, we finally did. The kids and I had a wonderful time. They were enthusiastic little helpers. And we came home with about 7 lbs. of berry goods.

As we talked with the owner, I asked how he liked to eat them best. Raspberry dumplings. Raspberry tarts. I took him up on his favorite method–over vanilla ice cream. My personal favorite was probably on my morning cereal.

Kevin kept asking though, if I was actually going to make something with them or just keep them for pure noshing. I did make a raspberry rhubarb pie based on this recipe from Martha Stewart. It was so! good.

I also made some blackberry jam which has been a treat. Here is the recipe. It uses 2 ingredients and no Certo. I added a little lemon juice because the berries were pretty mellow.

Raspberry Jam

4 cups mashed berries

4 cups granulated sugar

1. Use a very large pot.
2. When the jam reaches a full rolling boil it will double in volume.
3. Heat mashed berries until they reach a full rolling boil.
4. Boil 2 minutes.
5. Add sugar.
6. Stir well.
7. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, boil for 2 minutes.
8. Remove from heat.
9. Beat with rotary beater for 4 minutes
10. Pour in sterilized jars and seal.

Happy Summering!

Taking a cue from Soule Mama. Here are 10 things I am loving-in no particular order:

1. The new camera Kevin got me for my birthday which makes these cheetahs here with Gabe…

…look like they’re this up-close.

2. This wheat field that grows behind my parents’ house-the same one I grew up in. It’s a comfort to me.

3. The first baby quilt I’ve ever made. A gift for some dear friends’ 7th child. I see more of it’s kind in the future.

4. This sweet little thing that is growing like a weed. Nearly 6 months already! She’s wearing one of my favorite outfits-the embroidered polka dots and the panda-too good.

5. My favorite breakfast.

6. The laughter that comes from a Slip and Slide

7. My 2 year old on ice skates. Watching him go from fearful to triumphant inside 2 hours.

8. The color of creation.

9. This reading lesson amongst my children which made me smile.

10. This breathtaking sky.

We’ve been on the go since May and finally things are easing up. Like the relaxed pace that you want to feel during summer. Like the old Country Time Lemonade commercials. Pure, savored and simple.

The last two weeks I’ve found myself regrouping and planning a little more after the manic pace of spring. It feels good. For after all, leisure does require some thought. It’s a lot of hard work that finally gets you to a lazy afternoon.

Baseball season is now complete. Our 3 older boys were on 2 different teams and had a lot of fun. From the looks of these shots all they did was stand on the fence, but it’s just that mom is not too good at the action pics.

Our Backyard Bible Club (VBS in our yard) is over and God was so faithful to provide for each of our needs!

Our yearly camping trip to the cottage was very enjoyable this year. I wished we could have stayed longer. The kids just play like kids everyday-all day, the whole time we’re there. I know it’s a place they will cherish when they look back on it. It may not be my first location pick to vacation, but it’s one that matters to the smiling faces who’s first pick it is every summer. Summer, please linger.

I nearly completed the Macro Challenge. 26 out of 30 days. Here is my set. I’m glad I joined. What a great exercise in photography. I’m finding I enjoy it more than I ever knew. This photo is of a gemstone bracelet which my dear and incredibly talented friend Keri gave me as a gift. It’s one of my favorites–bracelets and closeups.

I wanted to post before the weekend which is filled with soccer and baseball, grocery shopping, and hopefully a little embroidery. I’m working up a set of these dishtowels from Posy Gets Cozy (see sidebar). Alicia Paulson is very generous to offer them and I am excited to give them as a thank you gift for a special person. I’m stuck at Thursday though. I need to get them done and onto the cupboards of the recipient before I lose steam altogether.

And Mother’s day is just over a week away! Eeek! May is like an avalanche for our family. Between school wrapping up, 3 family birthdays, sports practices and Mother’s Day…I need to schedule a date with my planner to make sure I have my head on straight.

Happy Weekend!

This photo-bouquet is for my parents. They are my biggest cheerleaders-encouraging me to aim high and dream big-even with a gaggle of kiddos at my feet.

Thanks Mom and Dad!

I wanted to add this simple handbag to my sewing set.

The beauty of this bag is that it was a thrifted silk shirt that I piece-worked into a handbag. The Pattern is Simplicity #4625. I modified it a bit.

I loved the gingham and silk sheen. It still needs a catchy clasp, but for now it makes a nice datenight accessory. Now I just need a datenight to be able to use it!  Honey?

Gaming runs deep in the veins of these kids of mine. Their grandfather started it. Their father continued it. And the tradition carries on even now. It’s mainly the men-folk. But any woman brave enough to let her little ones fend for themselves a while, and at the same time, glutton for some head to head combat is welcomed to join in.

Hours at a time are spent gathered around the table on holidays. Occasionally Friday nights are set aside for the man-kiva to gather and beat their chests over a game of Ticket to Ride. Other serious games they play are Settlers of Catan, Rail Barron, Stratego, Risk, Amazonas, and sundry others I don’t know about. The first two are my personal faves. Then there are games we play with the kids when we need to focus some energy or have a good laugh together: Blokus, Hit the Deck, Goblet, Monopoly Jr., Othello. Gaming the old fashioned way (sans a power plug) has helped them learn to take turns, play fair, plan ahead, and if found in a rare good humor…to encourage one another.

I took this photo at Easter. Six-year old Gabe and my Grandfather played a spirited game of chess; I love the contrast. An old hand and a new hand with nothing but time to pursue the other’s king. The game ended in stale mate. They were both impressed.

These picts are part of the macro challenge I’m participating in. It’s been a fun challenge and there are some awesome shots over there. Check it out.

I’ve realized I’m a little shy when it comes to this blogging thing. I haven’t told any friends and really only my husband and my mom that I’m even keeping one. I guess because it’s mostly for me…I just happen to be putting it out for all the world to see if they would ever care to. It’s the exercise of writing, noticing, photographing, creating that compels me to want to keep one. Yet the audience is a factor. It’s like talking to yourself in the car (which I’m prone to do on occasion) but suddenly realizing out of the corner of your eye that the person next to you is watching. You’d like to keep thinking out loud, but you’re suddenly acutely aware of how you look.

I sheepishly joined Orange Flower’s macro challenge. Mostly to work on my photography skills a bit and to better get to know my camera.

These green beads are from our walk to school this afternoon. It turned to an impromptu scavenger hunt when Gabe and Amelia discovered, like breadcrumbs, one bead after another along the pavement. The joy of the hunt from house to school became a great diversion from the wind that otherwise might have been too much to bear.

Blogging makes me feel a bit like one of these beads…like I’m in macro.