The Whole Resurrection Weekend

We had a lovely Easter!  Resurrection weekend is one of my favorite holidays for sure! 

Due to eating too many delicious dark chocolate brownies Thursday night, I was super tired Good Friday morning.  I know this about myself and yet, they were sooooo good.  Maybe I learned my lesson this time.

Friday morning, I was moving slow, sipping tea, and directing family logistics from a foggy brain.  After lunch, I was able to rest and get my energy back.  When Mama's tired, it can be hard to make holidays special and I know that very often this is a source of guilt for moms.  

Over the years, I've learned that each holiday ought to reflect our own family's beliefs, convictions, and traditions, in consideration of our family's current season, rather than the pressure of Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook.  

I've come to an attitude of "This is what I can nicely manage this year."  I say "nicely" because it's important to me to be Godly.  How much value is making a memory if I'm stressed out, overwhelmed, and upset the whole time?  Better a little less, with a better attitude, in my opinion.  Honestly, there have been a number of years, including this one, that we have colored eggs in the week AFTER Easter and after that first year, I endeavor not to feel the least bit bad about it.  Half the stress is removed when I just space things out and stop rushing around.

For this year, my sister mentioned Hot Cross Buns as a fun and traditional Good Friday treat and we've never made them before.  It sounded cool though, so I snagged a recipe and got those rising.  All those spices that represent preparing Jesus for His burial sure made my kitchen smell lovely!

Everyone came in from working outside and we had a fun fish fry with the fruits of fishing on Mentored Youth day last weekend with Daddy.  We all milled about the kitchen and living room, snacking on delectable trout and perch straight out of the fryer.  The funny thing is, I didn't plan on eating fish Good Friday night, it just happened. 

(Jerry has fish radar.)

I was tempted to grouch that this was a meal that took FOREVER to get on the table, but then I realized how much we could enjoy the camaraderie in the kitchen and living room while we were cooking, so I embraced it.  It isn't a meal I would've attempted when the girls were younger, but I'm thankful that we can enjoy the longer process now.  

(Blossom1's trout was trying to make a break for it.)

From a bin in the basement, I pulled out a dozen Resurrection Eggs that a friend had given me.  They were all ready to go and I was grateful for this a thousand times over.  Resurrection Eggs are colored, plastic eggs with small items that correspond with the story of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection inside. Because of my friend's generosity, I didn't have to go looking for all those little items.  She also gifted us the accompanying book, Benjamin's Box, by Melody Carlson.  

After our fried fish feast, we hung out in the living room and read the story.  The older Blossoms stuck around and the little Blossoms were thrilled to be opening the eggs to find a tiny donkey or a strip of linen cloth.  Hearing the story from a child's point of view with something they could touch was so meaningful.  If the girls had been younger, I would've condensed the story just a little bit, but overall, I highly recommend it!

On Saturday we ventured out in the 20 degree weather for Opening Day of Trout season.  It's practically a holiday in this family, although the Blossoms do miss sleeping in on early fishing days.  Still, it was nice to be out in the fresh air by the creek.  I was doing my usual untangling of lines.  I almost slid right in the creek at one point, but I was happy to stay on the bank DRY and warm!  

(Blossom2 enjoying the great outdoors)

We did our usual Saturday homestead work afterward, had a fun supper, and then we gave the girls their little Easter gifts and candy.  We never did Easter baskets as kids and I've never felt like I missed out.  Mom and Dad really wanted to take the focus back to Jesus from the Easter Bunny.  

The Rugged Mountain Man and I have come to our own traditions, based a bit on each of our upbringings.  We try to make holidays reflect our beliefs, keep each holiday a bit special, but yet not financially burdensome on a single income.  It's neat to see the Blossoms looking forward to these little things!

Sunday was very reminiscent of my childhood Easters.  We dress extra springy, thoroughly and joyfully celebrate His resurrection at church, and then enjoy good food with family and friends who don't have family nearby.  I'm glad the girls are enjoying these family traditions too.  The sunshine and warm temps were a pleasant addition to the day!  And the Ranger rides in the mountains were highly popular too!  

Yesterday was back to school as usual and we managed to color eggs also.  That tie-dyed blue egg on the bottom right is my favorite!

What a fabulous Resurrection weekend!!!  Thank God He is risen and has bought the victory for us!

When God Sent Me Flowers

Last Friday, I was standing in a park, chatting with my sister and a friend about spring, whilst the Blossoms and Sprouts ran and played or sat and chatted.  I commented on the beautiful willow trees there.  They're always the first green trees, heralding spring like no other tree can.  The conversation moved on to pussy willows ~ so ultimately springy, yet I've never actually had any before or seen them in person recently!  And then, the conversation moved on and we resumed counting Blossom and Sprout heads as moms do at parks.

The following Tuesday, I was out running errands.  I had several stops to make. Errands always multiply.  On our last stop, I dropped by the library to pick up some books for the girls.  

As I waited outside, I made a passing comment to a lady on what a beautiful spring day it was.  Walking to the parking lot, we kept the small talk going on how spring can sometimes be somewhat brown and ugly, just like my yard is.  Mud, mud, mud.

Her yard is an enviable carpet of purple crocuses, with a single golden crocus in the center.  It sounded so lovely to me and I was naturally exuberant in my response.  

She thanked me for the nice conversation and we each got into our vehicles, preparing to drive away. 

 

Until I heard, "MA'AM, MA'AM, MA'AM."  She was waving me over! 

Although a little confused, I rounded the corner to her SUV to see her presenting me with an enormous bouquet of pussy willows, tied with a bronze ribbon.  

For a second, I had no words.  We hadn't even been talking about pussy willows.  

I KNEW where the pussy willows were from. 

Straight from God.  

Heaven sent... and I told her so.  

God heard my conversation last week and out of all the people I passed in my errands on Tuesday, 

I "just so happened" to cross paths with her.  

A lady who "just so happened" to be picking pussy willows with a friend.  

A lady who "just so happened" to have a bouquet of pussy willows in the back seat of her SUV, parked at the library beside my van.  

A lady who "just so happened" to think that sharing a bouquet of pussy willows with a perfect stranger wouldn't be weird.

That's too many "just so happeneds."  

It was all God, of that I am certain.  

For the rest of the day, I was tearing up each time I glanced into the living room.  He showed His care for me.  I felt cherished and cared for in the Almighty's hand.  

I serve a God that's so big, He orchestrates the minutia, 

even to a few springy pussy willows mentioned in passing conversation.

I'll always remember that Tuesday, 

when God sent me flowers.

Dominique

Blossom4 was just as excited as I was.

The Music Room!

Blossom2 wanted to take a before picture.  I would rather not, as our basement is quite the utility storage area.  We do not have an attic.  Alas, Blossom2 snapped them and in the interest of real life, I feel I must share  ~ embarrassing though it may be.

Our basement houses our freezers, all the accoutrements for burning wood in our wood stove, homestead work gear, toys that are currently out of rotation, coats that are waiting to be grown into, scads of homeschool materials and records, and items on their way to be donated or disposed of.

What possessed me to tackle this???!!!!

Blossom1 has started accepting new piano students! I knew she would need a space to teach without disturbing the rest of the household rhythm, as well as the Rugged Mountain Man's work day.  

Additionally, all of the Blossoms are growing in their musical pursuits.  I knew they would enjoy and often utilize a music room.  

There were so many evenings I would go down to the basement and stand and stare.  I had no idea where to start.  It wasn't like the organizing shows were I could empty the room into the yard and then get it done in one shot.  The accumulation of dust from years of enjoying wood heat was enough to make me want to quit before I'd even begun.

I prepared myself to complete this project in the evenings or little snatches of time over several weeks. Much as I prefer to tackle and complete a project in one fell swoop, it's simply not practical for us and our schedule most days. 

We focused on cleaning as we went, wiping down walls, using the shop vac on the entire "delightful" popcorn ceiling and wearing out magic eraser after magic eraser.  The Blossoms were truly a force to be reckoned with.  Let me tell you, a good cleaning is as effective as a coat of paint!

We purged along the way.  I took loads to the thrift store as often as I could, so that we weren't tempted to change our minds on things we were willing to let go of.  We also took a load of junk to the landfill after we completed this project.  It was long overdue and boy, did it feel good!

I gradually relocated items and focused on making room for the piano.  That was the first big piece of the puzzle.  Once the piano was in, I worked on making way for the keyboard and drums.  As I tackled each area, it slowly took shape.  Eventually, we were able to move on to decorating.  Some records from the Rugged Mountain Man's childhood now double as trendy wall art.  

Perhaps you'll recognize some of our favorite Kinkade puzzles from these posts.  The Blossoms and I are loving the dramatic effect of all the princess pieces altogether.

Blossom1 and Blossom2 learned how to use the stud finder and mounted these inexpensive guitar hooks for the mandolin, guitar, and ukulele.

I searched for a low cost, yet fun BRIGHT light for the cathedral ceiling area.  This rustic industrial cage light was a steal for ten bucks.  I'm leaving a great review because I'm so tickled with it! With the vintage Edison bulbs, it's pretty sweet and banishes that dingy basement feeling that plagued this area for so long.

We did drop cloth curtains in here.  You can't beat ten bucks for each 6x9 ft. panel!  I spray painted old curtain rods as we were really going for a budget kind of makeover.  The curtains also add a surprising amount of sound deadening.  I find sliding or folding closet doors so annoying, so these are a great option for hiding gear we still need quick access to and cutting back on the noise.

We hung several layers of a black felt banner behind the keyboard for a fun decoration and for more sound deadening.  Initially, I was going to paint a quote on the felt, per some Pinterest inspiration.  However, everyone here has a different opinion on what music quote would work best, so I picked one and chalked it on.  Now, they can change the quote whenever they want.  They can also have their friends sign it and write fun comments on it.  

This station will house a Keurig, once it comes this week.  I can't tell you how many times I've meant to grab a cup of tea before we head to piano lesson and I've forgotten it in my rush to marshal my troops out the door.  This way, piano student parents can take a breather on the couch and have a hot cuppa while they wait.  The Blossoms are also really looking forward to disappearing down here with friends.  Tea and hot chocolate are great for those sorts of hang out times!

The table needed to stay, since we use it for various and sundry homestead projects.  Additionally, since many of Blossom1's students come from homeschool families, it's not uncommon for a student's siblings to need a place to do schoolwork while they wait.  The Blossoms thought they might like to play board games down here as well.  Yes, there is storage underneath.  That stuff had to stay, so that's where it is... for now. The denim table covering is tough and totally works for me.

We are totally thrilled with our new space!

AND, the Blossoms were practicing piano when the Rugged Mountain Man was on a conference call the other day.  He never even noticed.  Now, THAT'S success.

Exciting Things!

Exciting things are happening in our house!! 

We've been sorting, purging, organizing, and rearranging in our lower level to create a music room for the Blossoms.  

This scene was part of it all.

I'm thankful for my brother and a friend who both helped the Rugged Mountain Man and me transport this beautiful Baldwin gift from a dear friend's house.  

After moving it out the back door, onto a deck, and down four stairs, the piano began picking up speed down a grassy incline.  My brother quipped, "I make a great speed bump!"  I'm so thankful for family and friends who have a sense of humor, even during a hard core grunt work!

Changing the lower level space here has been quite an arduous process! Many times, I'd head downstairs and stand in the center of it all, scratching my head and pondering my game plan.  It's been a storage and utility space for so long that we really didn't know where to start. I finally realized that there wasn't really a slam dunk strategy.  I just needed to start somewhere.  

Moving the piano was a significant piece of the puzzle.  Making room for it gave my strategy direction. Now that it's in, the room is coming into focus.  More pictures of the music room are coming soon!

Current Favorite Gift Idea

For her 10th birthday last year, Blossom3 was given this sweet little necklace by her aunt, uncle, and Sprout cousins.  

The gift box said, "10 gems; one for each spunky year!"

There's another cute version in fun and trendy packaging here.

Last August when Blossom1 turned 15, her sisters thought Blossom3's necklace was so cool, they purchased this pretty 15 year old version for Blossom1.  She's been thrilled because it matches with everything and can be dressed up or down on a whim.  

In December I was stumped on what to get my purple-loving mother-in-law for her birthday.  I stumbled across this lovely ombre amethyst version and HAD to get it for her.  Everyone here agreed that she'd love it.  And she did!

Photo credit: WynnDesign Etsy shop

When the Rugged Mountain Man asked what I wanted for my birthday, I spotted this unique and classy raw diamond version that I thought would be an excellent edition to my necklace repertoire.  It came in very impressive packaging!  I love the unusual look of the raw Herkimer diamonds.

Photo Credit: crushongold Etsy shop

Search "ombre bar necklace" on Etsy and you'll find a pleasant plethora of necklaces in a range of price points and sumptuous hues.  Who could resist these?!

Aqua!!!!!!

Photo Credit: WynnDesign Etsy shop

How bout fire?

Photo Credit: LandonLacey Etsy shop

I had to share my latest favorite heartfelt gifts to give.  Go ahead, copy us and order one!

Dominique

PS ~ Act surprised if you get one from my Blossom crew.