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This motley crew was screaming louder than usual.

Turns out it was for good reason!

The NEXT exhibit at the Corcoran  features up-and-coming art from the art school students.  Last week I took a break from the busy spring schedule and went.  A fantastic choice indeed.

Michaela just 5 hrs old

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I got a call this morning that the baby was coming.  What a joy and a miracle babies are!

(This is the little one that inspired the Bunny Buddy and the big pink cake from previous posts.)

This year we didn’t have the usual Thanksgiving time with either side of our family.  Instead, we were generously included in the Blietz family gathering.  For dinner we were outnumbered 10 kids to 9 adults.  As is tradition, the food was bountiful and delicious.

The table was surrounded by stories, jokes, and general mayhem punctuated with loads of laughter.   We each had a turn to share thankfulness; everything from friends and family, good food, shelter,and God and Earth.  But the seriousness was replaced quickly with desert and whipped cream!

Thanks Blietz/Keller family for a Thanksgiving to remember!

My dear friend reminded me that she checks in to see what I have posted and there has been nothing new.  This does NOT mean there is nothing new in my corner of the world!

I will link all of these bullets to the dates that I took the pix.  When the print is color instead of black, the link is done.  I will try to crank them out for you!   Click on the link if you want to see or read more.

A few bullets:

The end of the school year brought many activities.

James’ soccer team finished their season–champions!

Kate had her instrumental music concert.

Alexander turned 8.

They both were recognized for achievements in school at an assembly.

I started a shop for my creativity. It’s called Simple and Green.  I hope to have new things to post there soon too.  Crafting can take a lot of time… but I love it!

Rich went on tour with Joyful Noise through PA and OH.  He got to see the music hall of fame–the highlight of the trip for him.  Followed by the “homecoming concert” that finished this year of “noise”.

James and Kate went to R-Camp for a week.  They always have a fantastic time making new friends and seeing old ones, learning some independence and growing in spiritual principles.

Coco is growing.  Fast. Her personality is strong.  She is vocal about everything.  She is “on” and going non-stop, or “off” and sleeping deeply.  We wonder about her lineage.  Many comment that she looks like Akita.  We were told Sheltie mix…  We’ll see.

The 4th of July found us at a friend’s annual bash.  Pool.  Drinks.  Food. Fireworks.  Fun.

Several years ago I saw some crafts in a museum store that seemed to be made from recycled paper.  I have wanted to make something similar ever since.

This is the result:  a trivet.

I tore out pages of an old fashion magazine and folded them until they were slender strips.  Winding over itself and securing with hot glue.  Adding the next piece.  Glue.  Until the circle grew large “enough”.  Then I cut out a bit of felt from my stash and glued that to the bottom.  Rimmed the edge with some ribbon.

And voila!  One less magazine in the recycle bin.  One less product bought.

I paired it with some bamboo cooking spoons and wrapped it in a kitchen cloth.  One fabulous birthday gift for a dear friend!

When death comes knocking it always makes us answer. We think that we should learn from death, but it was pointed out to me today that we really must learn from life.

I have been fortunate to have to face very few deaths in my life.

Distinct memories of my Dad’s tears at his father’s graveside when I was very young. The first funeral I’d ever been to. I am still touched by my Dad’s sorrow.

I felt extreme loss and pain at my grandmother’s death followed only a few weeks later by her husband. Watching my mom loose both of her parents so quickly was tragic. I remember thinking how much they loved each other and were so interdependent. Nana and Grandad were foundational in our family. I still feel emptiness in their absence.

Today was the memorial service for a friend. A peer. Janet was only 35 years old. She was a wife. A mother of three. Just like me…

Her battle with cancer was long. I have prayed to God countless times that she would be healed as have many others. Prayer for her and her family has been a regular announcement at church for a very long time. It has felt very hard to understand why God would take such a vibrant, happy, fun, and faithful lady. We cannot understand. We can try to learn from her example.

So many scriptures were shared today that not only exemplified Janet, but that are a reminder of how to live a faith-filled life. I am inspired by her. I Am encouraged by her even in her death. I know that she would want that.

I will quote here a poem that her oldest son, a 7^th grader, read today.

I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free

I’m following the path God has chosen for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call;

I tuned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work, or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way;

I’ve now found peace at the end of day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joys.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;

Oh yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow

Look for the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much;

Good friends, good time, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seems all too brief;

Don’t lengthen your pain with undue grief.

Life up your heart and peace to thee,

God wanted me now, He set me free.

–Shannon Lee Moseley

I am grateful to have been one of the many who was touched by Janet’s love and life. She will be carried with me always.

For some reason this year, I was all about Halloween.  I usually put up the spider web and that’s about it.  This year, I reinvented / recycled a bunch of stuff.  I made a mini grave yard from cardboard and paint I already had around the house.   A few ghosts from an old sheet, some stuffing, and a sharpie. The kids’ costumes are all from the thrift store for no more than $5 ea.  I made James’ mustache (felt) and Kate’s parasol (from an old lampshade).

I also decided to spend some serious time carving a pumpkin. (I got the stencil from WWF.)  The kids each carved a pumpkin too.

For dinner we had a fabulous soup I made up using a bunch of the produce from our farmer Ray.  Potatoes, sweet potatoes, leeks, mushrooms, carrot, zucchini, and a bacon seasoning mix.  Yummy!

The neighbors and friends gathered around 6:30 and they were off.  The rain held off to a slight drizzle so that didn’t stop the excitement.  I sat on my front step with a glass of wine, my knitting, and wearing a “Black Eyed Pea” costume (thanks mom).  The treats were flowing!

I think we have enough candy to last for months– and that’s AFTER I ate more than my share!

Raggedy Andy and Raggedy Ann costumes are a reprise from my parents.  They wore them many years ago AND my mom made them!  Too cute!

The party was amazing.  Talk about “doing it up”.  There were decorations in every corner of the house.  Really.  The food was all labeled with crazy spooky names.  There were spider webs, ghosts and goblins, a haunted village, and skull cups.  Thanks Christine and Kevin for a fun time!