Summer Summary (so far)

"It only takes a spark..."

In mid-June C spoke on "The Power of a Woman" at a Nazarene Women's Retreat in New Hampshire.

A roaring Acts chapter 2-like wind picked up on campfire night, scattering sparks everywhere.


Late June: As a family we attended the Nazarene General Conventions and part of the General Assembly in Orlando, FL. ) We connected with several old friends --a reminder of the many people who have invested in our lives. Thank you! The kids made themselves at home in the exhibit hall where they collected mementos. High points were NYI worship led by the Aussie group "By Grace" and the "valedictory" sermon of Rev. Nina Gunter (Sunday night) which culminated in a parade of flags carried by Nazarenes from 155 world areas (We missed the GS elections). The kids enjoyed their first experience of Cici's Pizza, the buildable, raceable toys at Downtown Disney (the closest we got to the Disney parks) and the pool at the condo. The family favorite recreational activity was an airboat ride with Boggy Creek Tours in Poinciana, FL. After the swamp boat ride, we all got to hold this alligator (above).




Early July: On the way home from Orlando, we had time to enjoy rellies and the beach in Daytona, and a day on the Mall and in the Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. An international festival was underway on the Mall featuring artisans and performers from various countries. The potter, weaver, stone carver and boat builder from Wales were amazing.


Mid-July brought us Boys' Camp in Windsor, NH., S as counselor, Ja as CIT, D as camper, the female family members as program assistants. Camp featured swimming, boating, archery, Bible Quizzing (D learned over 60 verses to win the first place trophy) , worship and a pine car derby (D's pine car pictured below). Ju. caught moths and a teeny frog at camp, but we failed to snap a photo. Sorry, Phil! On the way down the mountain we stopped at the Franklin Pierce house where an artisan fair was underway. Our first time to watch a pewtersmith in action. Next week we head to Girls' Camp at the same place with C as speaker.


Other new experiences this summer included geocaching with friends in Fitchburg (after S. preached there) and the kids' discovery of mica (shiny, mirror-like flakes common in the granite rocks of north central Mass. and New Hampshire).


The very latest excitement is that A. lost her first baby tooth.

Shopping List

Little A decided to make me a shopping list today--fully illustrated! It has two items on it, "korn" (corn) and "cat-tilop" (cantalope).

That's a range (stove) on the left, shopping cart on the right. and a grocery store fruit case at the bottom.

Organic Connections

By the calendar, summer is nearing its end. But my garden doesn't know that yet. Capsicum/peppers (cubanos), yellow squash, and tomatoes are still ripening. Nasturtiums, chrysanthemums and roses splash bright blooms amongst the delicate white alyssum. While some of my sunflowers are now bowed down by their weight of seeds, others continue blooming merrily.

The blooming season here begins in late March or early April (crocuses and daffodils) and lasts into November (mums and pansies). For veggies, it's peas (May/June) to pumpkins (October/November), though I didn't grow either of those this year.

Usually the tomatoes flourish along my driveway, but they weren't quite so abundant this year, even though I followed the usually successful practice of planting basil with the tomatoes (the two plants feed each other's roots and basil keeps pests off the tomatoes). However, I've been delighted with my cubano pepper experiment. Somewhere I read the suggestion to plant pepper plants in front of rocks because the heat reflects off the rocks onto the pepper plants and peppers love heat. So I placed a few pepper plants in front of the few big rocks that decorate my flower bed --it was a roaring success!

I learned my love of gardening from my father who, in the midst of his very full pastoring schedule, managed to grow a huge garden every summer (still growing a sizable patch even now). I helped with the cultivating, planting, stringing of lines and weeding. It was never a chore--always a joy--an organic connection that bound our family together. Already I can see the same organic connection taking root in my own children. Pure joy!

Mum's Self-Crusting Quiche

When my oldest was a toddler, he hit that stage where he began to reject vegetables. My mother-in-law, Judy Anne, offered this recipe as a way to “disguise” the dreaded veggies and get them into the boy. Twelve years later it is still a big favorite with my children.

Quiche, Self-Crusting. (Judy's notes: "quick to prepare, nutritious budget dish.")
In a large bowl mix 3 eggs, 1 cup self-rising flour (or plain flour plus 1 tablespoon of baking powder), 1 ½ cups milk, salt and pepper. Mix well.

Method:
Into this bowl add 2 cups of left over mashed veggies, bacon bits, pieces of ham, onion, frozen mixed veggies, mushrooms, corn, asparagus. Use anything edible from your fridge. Grease pie dish. Spoon in mixture, then garnish with parsley, tomatoes, grated cheese.

Cook 30-40 mins. 180 degrees Centigrade.

Judy was a master budget-chef. She could concoct the most delicious of meals on the barest of budgets and make it seem easy, even when she was very sick with cancer. The kitchen has never been my native habitat, but Judy never criticized or belittled me (even though I was feeding her son and very first grandson). She empowered--- coming alongside me as a helper and a friend.

Thank you, Judy! I miss you still.

Back to School Labeling

Back to School Labeling, August 28, 2008


Be sure to put your child's name on all their school supplies. That's what they say. But such a long list of supplies! And what's with the requirement of sharpened pencils? It took me nearly three hours to label, sharpen and organize this years' batch of stationery supplies.

Interesting items. One first grader is required to supply a box of baby wipes and a bottle of hand sanitizer--germ control at its finest. Maybe the bathroom sinks and soap dispensers are out-of-order at that end of the building this year? The junior higher needs two packets of lined paper and two packets of pens—just for English. That's more paper than he's used in his whole school career before now. Who knows, maybe this year, he'll conquer his writer's block and write the next Eragon. Then there are the boxes of tissues-- none for the first graders, two boxes for the middle schooler, three large boxes for the junior higher. The bigger they are, the snottier they get???

Anyway, the supplies are all boxed and ready to go.

I'll admit it, I have drawers full of spare supplies yet at home. Just can't resist those amazing back to school sales on stationery.

--Danger, Mum Working.