Monday, February 27, 2023

Math and Comparison

I’m sitting here, typing on a hand me down iPad Air 1 that feels like a timely blessing, even if it isn’t brand-spankin’ new.  Y’all know I’m good with things that aren’t brand-spankin’ new.  

Blossom2 has Nutella pop tarts and Coffee Shortbread Sandwich cookies in the works.  She’s already cranked out a bunch of her college US History course this morning.  Two little Blossoms are working on math at the dining room table with me. Right now, sitting between them is the most efficient way to switch back and forth between their questions, especially with their math.  Blossom1 is at her laptop, working on a PowerPoint about Japan for one of her college classes... with ear buds in.  

This is basically the tenor of our days ~ steadily working through each task, but understanding that each girl’s rhythm isn’t going to look like the other girls’ rhythm.  Blossom1 and Blossom2 understand this better than the Little Blossoms do, but the Little Blossoms will get there.  As the saying goes, comparison is the thief of joy.  This is as true as it ever was.  

They can be (finally) contentedly plugging away, glance over at what their sister just finished and start to whine and fret about what they still have to accomplish before the school day is done.  I try to stress that each sister is in a different grade and their assignments have absolutely no bearing on another’s assignments.  My mom told me the exact same thing.  I had to come to terms with it, just as they do.  

There’s something to be said for knowing what your job is and putting your nose to the grindstone, regardless of what anyone else is doing.  That concept applies to so much more than schoolwork.  We’ll keep plodding along, building character and finishing schoolwork, day by day.


Saturday, February 4, 2023

Blossom2's Baking Addiction

Blossom2 LOVES to try new recipes and bake us tasty treats.  Whether it's a hobby, interest, or career in the making, we're not sure.  But we're GLAD to be on the receiving end.  

These coffee sandwich cookies were top-notch bakery goodness.


How am I supposed to cut down on junk food, when she's cranking out treats like Caramel Cream Pie, Homemade Nutter Butters and Miniature Lemon Tarts?  

As usual, I love seeing our girls develop and follow their passions.

Apparently, I'm supposed to order cream horn molds so she can try cannolis next.  I'm not sure I feel like arguing!


Wednesday, February 1, 2023

That Reminder App

I love hearing ways that technology works for people.  

Lately, the Reminder app on my phone has been especially useful.  

For years, Sunday dinner has been hickly-pickly simply because I never remembered to get the meat out to thaw on Saturday!  After taking my sister's advice to utilize this app more fully, I now set a reminder when I create the weekly menu.  I immediately jump on my phone and set a reminder to pull the meat out to thaw on Saturday.  This has become a real lifesaver for our weekends, when our schedule is a lot different from our weekdays.  

The Little Blossoms need to remember to gather eggs.  They were forgetting and I was forgetting to remind them and the Rugged Mountain Man was just getting frustrated at having to enforce such a ridiculously small micro farm detail.  There's a daily reminder for that now too.

And how 'bout those pesky free trials ending three months from now?  I don't want to forget to cancel them before I get charged.  You guessed it.  I've got a reminder set for that!

What about those random flossers I need to remember to get when I stop in at the Dollar Tree next time?  I've got a running list on the Reminder app for those things and places on my phone too.  

The Reminder app is working hard for me.  I love using technology for good!

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

At the Farm Show

Fair week is in August, y'all.  Right?  Well, yes, technically, it is.  


But, this is FARM SHOW, the largest indoor agricultural fair in the USA!  


Surprisingly, it's been a long, long time since we've been there!  

We set our alarms, steeped our tea, and headed out early to (hopefully) beat the rush.


I always want to do events, thrift stores, and fairs in a thoroughly methodical fashion.  Yet, it seems we arrive and are propelled forward into finding a bathroom and a drink of water.  Before long, we are wandering... despite my best plans.


Probably some of our most favorite displays this year were in the horticultural tent.  


Unique bouquets and miniature landscaping displays caught our eyes!


The Blossoms felt that it had been so long since we went that they made lists of all the food they'd try this time. 

Mozzarella Cubes
Apple Cider Slushies
Apple Pie Pizza
Potato Donuts
Apple Cider Donuts
Deep Fried Veggies...

The list goes on and on and on.


Blossom1 was pretty proud that she made a serious dent in her list, but I think this alpaca was judging her for it.


I loved the Christmas tree display, with oodles of varieties of Christmas trees side by side in all of their unique piney glory.  

The Rugged Mountain Man loved his Smoked Beef Sandwich and the 10% off coupon for Tractor Supply.

  
This gigantic Connect Four at the wood display area was EPIC.  Blossom3 enjoyed her game with a random new friend.


And the escalators.  

"Let's recreate that scene from Elf."


We couldn't believe how deep this sheep's wool was.  


The butter sculpture had me thinking about how many slices of toast and how many batches of cookies we could have made with all that dairy goodness.  


It was memorable, but the funny thing was, the ride home was full of laughter, good theological discussions, and light-hearted banter ~ the glue of family life.  It's what makes me happiest amidst the busyness that life is lately.



Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Then Will I Have

Do you have all the endurance and patience you need today?  

This verse landed in my journal on a recent January morning.

"We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power 
so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. 
May you be filled with joy"

Colossians 1:11 NLT

His glorious power is what strengthens me!  Then, I have all the endurance and patience I need!  That's the very word I needed!

The book of Colossians is a treasure trove, but this tidbit really stuck with me.  

There are often mornings when, in the natural, the gauge is reading closer to E for me.  I'm tired, edging toward overwhelmed, or weary of the current character issue we are addressing.  

His glorious power is what strengthens me!  

I cling to this promise that THEN will I have all the endurance and patience I need!  








Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.