December Already

All of a sudden it seems December is here and I can no longer deny that it is winter.  I don't know if you do this, but for days after a new month has begun, I am unconvinced it is indeed a new month.  Slowly it dawns on me and I go into acceptance mode.  Ha.

Well, December is a harder month to accept.  It is meteorological winter.  It is still fall, but feels like winter, always winter and never Christmas.  Ah, but wait, it is almost Christmas!  Christmas!!  There is still Christmas.  Winter doldrums will follow, but for now, there is Christmas!

A Summer Weekend

I think weekends are the best.  Even weekends that don't go according to plan.
Plan C, prevailed, when A and B fell apart.  Plan A was to go camping with our small group.  Plan B was to have the camp out at our house.  Plan C ended up with small group at our house around a fire pit, celebrating a boy's 10th birthday.  But that's not all.  

Saturday, Jeff and the other guys from the group took the kids fishing.  I think it was my kids first time for real.  They caught lots and released them all.  I was surprised how long they were away.  It seems like they all had a great time. 

License to fish!

The anglers. 

While they were away, Ryan slept and I had a quiet morning to myself to exercise, read, and get laundry started.  When he woke up, we went next door to our neighbor's garage sale.  They had a table full of old computer components and out of the blue, gave it all to Ryan.  What a haul.  As a matter of fact, I am writing this on the laptop they gave us.  Ryan lugged it all home and assimilated it pretty quickly. It was a joy to watch him go to work.  He took parts from some of our older computers that weren't working and made two great computers.

Dorothy approves. 

Jeff got home with the other two and we ate a nice lunch of leftover chicken brats.  Then we went to the library and hardware store.  The hardware store was on my list to get light bulbs and wire cages for my tomato plants.  I still need a couple more, but they were more money that I planned.  I may just do an old fashioned stake.

The rest of the afternoon we just hung out until it was time to start the Saturday afternoon grilling ritual.  We're really enjoying our little Smoky Joe grill.  We can grill quite a lot:  6 big chicken breasts, 4 brats, 4 hamburger, 2 peppers.  Not all at once, but in stages it gets the job done. 

Sunday ...  We got to sleep in today!  We went to church second hour, which is a treat.  We got home and enjoyed some of the grilled bounty for lunch.  The rest of the day was spent just enjoying the day together.  Ryan had evening church for youth group.  When he got home, we had blueberry ice cream and watched an episode of Deep Space Nine. 

All in all, it was a great weekend.  Not the one we planned, but the one we needed!

Been Dreaming Again

It's about that time of the year again.  We've been in "taxing season" for what seems like a long time, but really not when I think of those who have husbands in much more demanding careers.  (((Hugs to you Jeannie!)

I hesitate to even write this as I have nothing to complain about.  I think it is a bit of spring fever that starts to well up inside of me. (I want to go camping!  It's been six whole months!  And the weather has been awesome, adding to the fever.  And we cannot go camping until "taxing season" is over, just a few more weeks!)  There is the problem, and the solution is patience.  *sigh*

So, all that said... 


I took my beloved on a little wild goose chase this past weekend, trying to find this house that I saw listed that was supposed to be only 16 miles up the road.  Why?  I don't really know, perhaps all that I wrote  above?  I needed an outlet for my frustrations?  Or perhaps it is spring and I am feeling the itch to move to the country again?  Or it was a pretty day for a drive despite the fact that gas is $4 a gallon! 

Thankfully, the wild goose chase helped me to see that this is not the house for me.  It's 30 miles from church!  We'd have to seriously give up some weekly trips.  Plus, it is an extra 30 miles (each way) for Jeff to drive to work. 

But, it is 30 miles closer to the lake!  :-)  And it is my dream house, a little white farm house with a porch, barn, and detached garage!  Still, not really enough to pull me from this current home situated so perfectly to our church, work, library, friends, family, etc., I am mature enough to see that the dream can wait a little while longer.

I guess I had to see it to believe it and get it out of my system.  No more looking at those ads.  I promise!   Time to put that energy into good things around here like our garden boxes and cleaning baseboards! 

2011 Review

January 2011

2011 began with a trip to the beach, the frozen, cold beach at Indiana Dunes State Park for Jeff's birthday.  Who says you can't go to the beach for your winter birthday? 

February 2011

February we were back to the dunes area to attend a special wedding. 

March 2011

In March, a teenager was born!  I have to say he is not your typical teenager.  He is a fine young man who has plans to use his giftedness in big ways!   (Watch out Microsoft.) 

April 2011

The last day of April, we headed out on our first camping trip in our new-to-us camper! 

May 2011

In May, we were back to the beach.  This time we could stay awhile. 

June 2011

In June, for Father's Day we camped near my father's home.  It rained, but we kept dry in the camper.  Thankfully, we were able to swim one day in the fun pool. 

July 2011

In July, we celebrated Grace's 12th birthday in Chicago! 

August 2011

August found us beginning 4th, 6th, and 8th grades.  Surprisingly, we did not go camping in August. 

September 2011

But, oh in September, we were back and enjoying spectacular views! 

October 2011

Trevor turned 10 in October.  Jeff and I also celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary.  I also had a birthday in October. 

November 2011

There was much to be thankful for in November. 

December 2011

And much to be celebrated in December!  2011 was a great year and I thank the Lord for His faithfulness to us. 

Happy New Year! 
~Jenn 

Late Summer Musings

All of a sudden it is late summer.  The weather is playing its fickle dance between summer and fall.  Today, summer is winning.  It will be 90.  Tomorrow, fall will win with temperatures in the 60's. 

This is a busy time of the year for us.  We've been "meeting-ed" to death.  Every ministry, every activity is back into full gear.  I know this is all good, but wow, sometimes I really miss the freedom of summer. 

One thing I adore about late summer is apple time.  I've been to one orchard.  I am planning my next.  I can't wait!  I think I am an apple addict.  Do you have a favorite apple? 

For Whom Do You Write?

I came to a point about a year ago where I thought I should stop blogging.  I thought I should just be a blog visitor.  I thought this because I did not think I had much to offer to the blogging world.  I had made the fatal mistake of comparison.  Oh, such an easy thing to do!  There are hundreds, thousands of better bloggers than me out there.  There are bloggers so good that companies want to pay them to blog.  How intimidating is that?  Very!

So, I asked myself,"Who do you write this blog for?"  Do I write it to be popular?  Do I write to make money?  The answer was no.  I write for me.  I write for my family's collective memory.  I don't want to forget these days.  (And, yes, I also enjoy the friendships I've made these last 4 years of blogging.  You are the best!) 

I could keep a paper journal.  In some ways I wish I did.  Then I would have something tangible to hand my family one day.  Perhaps I will publish my blog when my ships comes in!  I've seen some neat companies that will publish a blog.  Whatever happens, I want to keep writing to please myself and my family. 

It's probably best if I just put some blinders on and not allow the comparison monster to get very far with his attacks.  So, why do you blog?  

How to Write More Blog Posts

Where the magic happens. 

I'll let you in on a little secret.  Actually, it is not a secret.  It's just an underused tool we bloggers have.  It's called "Scheduled Posts." Right now, I have in my post list 3 drafts in progress and 3 posts scheduled to be published.  I love this feature.  And here is why.

First, it makes my blogging time so much more controllable.  I do not have to spend as much time all at once pouring over one post.  I simply get an idea and start a draft.  Then when a moment allows, I flesh it out, little by little.  As more time allows, I add pictures or proof read it or polish it a bit. In the course of a few days it is ready to be scheduled.  Simple! 

Second, it fosters more creativity on my part.  I find myself thinking about things I could write about.  I write more.  I get a little better at it, just like my kids, whom I encourage to write and re-write.  Perhaps it will even keep my brain younger?

And lastly, it makes my blog seem like an active, vibrant place, a place where you know you will read something new every couple days or so.  Being consistent builds a community. Communities are much needed in our line of work where we are frequently alone all day with KIDS! 

The next time you get an extra moment and an idea, sit down and start a draft.  Let it sit for a few days or come back to it when you have a free moment and give it a tweak.  Come back another day and add a picture.  When it is ready to publish, click "post options".  From there you click "scheduled at".  Pick your time and date.  Then click "publish post".  Then start another draft and repeat.  

So there you have it.  Why not give it a try yourself?

Surprise!

Thank you to my sweet father and step-mom!  These plants certainly brightened my day and will continue to for a long time to come.  I adore the basket, so even if the poor plants sucomb, as I am not known for my green thumb, I will get a lot of good use out of it.  But, I am going to do my best to keep the plants going.  Thank you for thinking of us! 

Love,

Jenn and all

A Little Bloggy Vacation

This blog will be quiet for a short time while we are enjoying some time away from technology.  Have a wonderful holiday weekend yourselves. 
~Jenn

Bird-Chirping Weather

My favorite weather is bird-chirping weather. ~Loire Hartwould

I went outside briefly this morning and was struck by what my senses discovered.  The smell of spring was in the air.  Although this Indiana girl knows better, my heart skipped a beat thinking winter might be on the way out.  I closed my eyes for a moment and felt the warmer air on my face.  I listened to the birds.  I smiled.  This maybe just a little taste of spring, but not forever! 

My Homemaking Journal

Inspiration comes when one is looking.  I found it here and here this week. 

I am going to create my own homemaking journal, in addition to my fledgling nature and travel journals. I do not want to forget these years, as they are the best years of my life.  A blog is nice, but my children can't hold it in their hands when I am gone. 

Here are some pictures of what I've done so far.  I would like to have a notebook with thicker paper, but for now, this is what I have to use. 

Here are a few pages on the inside. 

I love maps and this one is of one of my favorite places.

I found images from travel brochures I collected this summer. 

Don't they look like a fun couple?