Quantrell Quirks, Quips, and Quandary's

Ants? In January?

2012-01-28T15:13:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it. Ants. In my kitchen. In January.

Now, if I lived somewhere in the southern part of the U.S., then ok, there could easily be ants.

But in the northwest, with temps in the teens at night, the 20-30's in the day, and several feet of snow and multiple snow mountains surrounding my house?

Seriously.

Not only that. NOW we have yet another unfinished project. To get at the ants, we had to rip off the ugly floor board trim...just as ugly beneath as the trim was. Ick. Add ripping up the unappetizing linoleum along with painting and retrimming the kitchen walls.

AFTER the ants are dead.

Four brand new double duty bad infestation traps in place along the wall and floor. Popular, too. I had been smashing ants with a spoon. Now I have to let them live long enough to get back home and feed the poison to the family. Ugh.

True, true. We did want to tackle the kitchen project. But not now. Not in January. Not when we have many, many other begun not yet finished projects. The kitchen was in line at almost last.

Ants.??? January. Winter.
Who knew?

Neighbors

2012-01-22T15:58:00.000-08:00

We LOVE our neighbors! Especially those with snow blowers! Just kidding - we love them all!

Reminds me of a song:

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

So let's make the most of this beautiful day,
Since we're together, we might as well say,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?

Thank you, Mr. Rogers.

Thank you, neighbor! Literally feet and mountains of snow...Still snowing...

Here's to summer irrigation.
Awesome Dude!

Snow, Glorious, Snow

2012-01-20T15:50:00.000-08:00

Probably not too popular saying that right now, but snow is glorious! I will never get tired of it falling gently from the sky. Driving and climbing through drifts, yes, that gets old, but watching it descend and build hills, slopes, and lumps where mysterious items are hidden - never.

It's snowing again! Third snow day in a row, unheard of for this girl. But joyful news none-the-less. As I was considering snow and things to do with kids...

About snow, what do I know? Six-sided crystal shapes, cold, clear ice when viewed close up, theoretically no two alike (although recent news suggests otherwise), heavy, dry, soft, powdered, wet, messy,...

Things to do in/about the snow with kids (other than the obvious of sledding, skiing, etc.):

1. Make glitter snowflakes: Use white school glue to draw trails and snowflake shapes on pieces of wax paper. Cover thickly with glitter. Let dry several days. Peel carefully off of wax paper. Display.

2. Dance like snowflakes. Give kids silk scarves, gloves/mittens, and hats. After they put on mittens and hats, let them hold a silk scarf or two and dance around the room like a snowflake. Sing (to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?"):
Dance like snowflakes, dance like snowflakes,
In the air, in the air.
Whirling, twirling snowflakes, whirling, twirling snowflakes,
Here and there. Here and there.

3. Build a snowman outside. Come inside and build a snowman with uncolored play dough. Give kids fabric and craft scraps to make accessories for the snowmen. Include glitter in the play dough to give sparkles. Let dry.

My favorite play dough recipe: 3 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 2 T. oil, 1 T. alum; Mix well. Add 3 cups boiling water (I include food coloring in water if I am using it). Add glitter to flour mix before adding water. Stir with a wooden spoon. As soon as possible, use spatula to scoop out onto counter. Knead as it cools, the sooner the better. Your hands will get hot, but the alum needs to be mixed in. Cool. Knead some more. When it is only slightly warm, put in a covered plastic tub (not zip bag). Leave vented lid until all the way cool. Keeps for a few weeks. - I love this stuff! Easy to accessorize to themes. :)

4. Make a snowman with two sizes of cheap paper plates - big and small. Punch holes and sew around the edges of both plates (for 2 plate snowmen). Tie together. Use markers, buttons, paper scraps, fabric scraps, and glue to make face and clothes. Dry and display somewhere fun. (If you have a child writer, let him or her write a story and name the snowmen.)

5. Explore ice. Freeze cardboard milk cartons filled with water. Peel off paper, put ice chunks in a plastic tub, and give kids plastic pipettes and a cup of water (I sometimes used colored water for more fun). Let them squirt away until they riddle the ice with holes. Lots of fun time here, which equals free time for mom or teacher!

6. Paint or draw snow scenes. Use black or dark blue construction paper and white colored pencils, crayons, or chalk. Look out windows and then create snow and winter scenes with the white writing tools. OR do the reverse and let your child draw with white on white colored paper and paint over the top with blue watercolor paint.

7. Experiment. Make a few snowballs. Put them in different places in and around the house (or school). Predict which one will melt first, which will last longest. Collect data on a clipboard with paper and pencil. Predict first, check real results, then compare what happened in reality. Be sure to use a timer to see how long the melting takes!

8. Snow painting. Fill spray bottles with colored water. Spray away and make rainbow designs in the snow.

9. Build a snowcastle! Use those beach sandcastle toys and empty plastic containers to build snowcastles. Help pack the snow in and unmold the shapes to create the buildings. Water in a spray bottle may help powder snow to stick.

10. Photo hunt. Use digital cameras to scout the neighborhood for unusual, tricky, weird, cool, or beautiful snowy sights. Load them up onto the computer and have a winter slide show! Vote to see which is the favorite scene. Add music to make a fun winter video.

11. Hit the library, either the real one or the virtual one. Check out books about winter - snow, seasons, weather, animals, sports, activities...Great to curl up and get warm reading after playing out in the cold stuff. A few favorite: The Mitten, A Snowy Day, and The Biggest, Best, Snowman.

12. If the white stuff is falling, put on those dark, solid colored winter clothes and go outside for a snowflake catch. Have photographer ready to capture close-ups of snowflake crystals. Or use black construction paper to catch (and not melt) snowflakes. Amazing!

13. Have an indoor snowball fight! Crumple pieces of scrap paper into snowballs. Let 'er fly! (A caution to those rooms who host breakables...)

14. Favorite winter movie? Grab some popcorn, hot cocoa, and pop in the movie. Watch to your hearts' delight.

15. Chronicle your snow escapades with digital photos. Visit an online site (like Costco.com) and create a winter snow book featuring your kids and you. It will be a hit!

Gotta love snow!

Ice Day!

2012-01-19T11:15:00.000-08:00

Ice Day! And then Snow Day! And then maybe Ice Night...

Winter Sandwich

Stacking white layers
Slick frozen water heaps next
Joy - winter sandwich

Seriously,multiple inches of snow yesterday, followed by freezing rain this morning, now followed by heavy, heavy snow. Soon to be followed by more freezing rain tonight! It's a weather forecasters' dream!

Day 2 of No School.

Snow Day!

2012-01-18T13:11:00.000-08:00

Whoop, whoop! God did it big time, didn't He?

Just an FYI, kinders have been praying for snow since we got back from Christmas break. Yes, Christmas break, not winter or holiday. (That's another blog.) I think those 5-6 year-olds are having a great time playing in the icy white. All those songs, poems, and activities will now make more sense. I can feel some more writing, singing, and art projects developing from the lovely white.

Snowy Day Checklist:
~shovel snow (quit before done, drenched from sweat and falling snow)
~save some snow for KQ to shovel
~wonder how my back will feel later (not used to shoveling)
~read
~take pictures (from inside so the camera doesn't get wet)
~hot mocha
~don flannel pants
~put out clothes drying rack
~wash soaked clothes
~bake brownie bites (burned enough cals for that one)
~stay home and stay in
~writing assignment (new book for preschoolers coming soon!)
~continually check weather report
~anxiously watch sky to see if it is still snowing
~smile
~thank God

Flat Tire

2012-01-15T18:02:00.000-08:00

(Trust me, it looks bigger in real life...)

Good thing it snowed a little tonight.

For a rare treat, we went to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie - a date if you will, complete with popcorn for lunch. I really enjoyed the movie. Everyone kept saying it was hard to follow, so we did our homework before we went. We watched the first movie to get our brains in order to follow minute details and slow mo action. Then we watched the movie. Pretty good. Actually some very funny parts! I HATE torture, though, of any kind. All in all, a good movie.

We headed out of the theater to head home and grab the truck for a quick trip to the hardware store. I was thinking that the car was unnaturally short. Kind of funny for me to say that, since I always have a hard time seeing the top of the car. It felt like I had been riding in a big truck.

We took off, to a weird sound and feel. "What's that?"

Flat tire! Kevin backed up and returned to the parking lot so we could change the tire. I hopped out and looked at the driver side front tire, which has a slow leak and needs at least weekly fill.

It was low. But not as low as the driver side BACK tire, which was completely flat. What??? No wonder my side of the car seemed so short.

"Four minutes," said Kevin, racing to the trunk for the donut tire. (Ha, ha, ode to A Christmas Story).

I retraced our steps, looking for nails, tools, large knives...Nothing. There is definitely a hole, a rather large, jagged edged hole, which was not there BEFORE the movie. We were parked in an easy access outside edge slot...Did not see anyone else with a flat tire. Suspicious. Absolutely suspicious.

Good thing it started snowing, since Kevin had to change the tires anyway. Now the snow tires are on (not really needed for our little dusting, but at least they don't have holes).

Thank you, if it was in fact a purposeful endeavor to stab our tire. We needed to replace that tire anyway. If it was normal wear and tear and nail in the road somewhere on the freeway, my apologies.

C'mon and snow, baby. We're ready.

Score!!!

2012-01-12T19:16:00.001-08:00

For my birthday last November, my honey took me to Walla Walla to meet and greet Jan Brett (c'mon, you know who she is, a REALLY famous children's author and illustrator). He smilingly put on the studded tires (of course it was snowing that day) and drove me 2 1/2 hours each way. And waited in a crammed bookstore for about 2 hours before, during, and after the talk and book signing. What a guy!

Score, yes, but not the one I am writing about. We ate lunch in Walla Walla at Saffron, a Mediterranean restaurant that had really neat decor and old looking stuff, which I adore. We ate upstairs overlooking the balcony. Near us was the old brick wall between the restaurant deli and the business next door. It was an AWESOME brick wall.

Light bulb flashing over my head!

"Honey, that's what I want on the wall behind our headboard," I excitedly pointed out to him.

He did not roll his eyes. He didn't even look embarrassed when I walked over and counted bricks for an estimate for the size of our wall (which I am sure was way off, but such is life).

We talked about that brick wall all the way home. Upon arriving at home, we stood in the garage, I mean our bedroom, and stared at the wall behind the headboard. Hmmmm.

During the ensuing months, we have gone back and forth about how to accomplish the brick wall. Yes, I have paint color swatches everywhere in the house, but the green in the garage bedroom suite is the one that is staying.

Now, I do give him points for agreeing to do the brick thing. However, I did NOT want those skinny, fake bricks stuck to the wall. Ick. Nor did I want just the edges done since the headboard would hide the rest anyway. The bricks had to be old, red bricks. Not those ugly orange, yellow, rust, dirty ones that are on the front of our fireplace. That's another story.

This morning before school my guy mentioned checking out the wall stability to support bricks. "Cool," I thought. And then I didn't think about it at all. Kindergarten is like that. You have to stay in the moment - or they escape.

When I arrived home, I took my sock off to put it in the hall hamper. "Honey, is this your jacket?" I asked, since we have the same one. "And why are all of my jackets in here?"

I glanced at his face. It had an odd look, excited, expectant, maybe hesitant.

"You weren't supposed to look there first," he said.

Without taking off the other shoe or sock, I walked right to the bedroom. A brick wall stood where the headboard used to be!

First thought, he put those fakey flat brick thingys up! (My apologies to you if you like those. They are fine, but not for this particular project.)

But no! Those were REAL bricks - red, older (not European old, but old for the U.S.), and beautiful! Already in place, plastered and all!

Seems when previous owners enclosed the garage for the bedroom, they walled over the very lovely brick back of the fireplace! Am I blessed or what? My honey found them and cleared the entire wall off for me!

Check that project off the list.

Now. On to painting, lighting, and trim. Pendant lights anyone?

Pray for Your Enemies?

2012-01-11T19:08:00.000-08:00

Just within the last day or two, I've read comments about the Bible verse saying that we are to pray for our enemies. Maybe it was even today, this morning. I do believe that is true. At the time, I wondered who I should pray for...

Today, after school, I picked up my computer at the computer shop.

BECAUSE I had been hijacked.

Now I know who my enemies are. Those people who have oodles of free time to sit around and design worms and viruses and cookies and thingys I don't even know what to call. And then they send them out into the invisible Internet zone.

The TWILIGHT ZONE (no, not the vampire movie adoration crowd camping out overnight to see the newest release). I think the Internet has its own TWILIGHT ZONE. Anything can happen, it's always invisible (except what happens on your computer), you don't (most of us, anyway) know how to fix it, mysterious symptoms occur, you spread it around without knowing more,...

Those, those, those, ...huuruuummppphhhhh.... those hackers! I need to pray for them. They (again) caused me a hijacking of some fake, random you have a possible 30 virus attacks! pop-ups that refuse to go anywhere and block all attempts of whatever TRUE virus protection program you have to fail to engage and do its own attacking. Blah.

This is very similar to a virus attack that I had just about 2 years ago February. I know because I asked the techie dude who fixed my computer when I was in last (as I handed him $119.00). I didn't even make it 2 full years! But good news - he said some families are in every month! I guess I am getting off pretty cheap.

All that being said, my techie friends recommend AVAST (they used to install AVIRA) as the better anti-virus protection.

So, for a few moments, I am up and running.

Now, I need to go and pray for my enemies.

Painting

2012-01-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

(This photo does not show how mint lime green the wall is.)

I did say I wanted to paint more this year...

So far, believe it or not, I've painted numerous color swatches throughout the house. Not quite attractive, but I do know what I DON'T want.

And I've painted the background wall of one set of open shelves in the kitchen. When we moved in, about 2 years ago, these walls were covered with the same ugly counter top laminate stuff as the counters. We peeked beneath, and it was painted an ugly, lime (I mean lime), 70-80's shade of lime mint. After Kevin peeled off the laminate, it was ugly lime mint with huge chunks missing due to swirls of laminate glue. Nice. Much nicer after spackle made its appearance.

Et, voila! The shelf background is now a lovely shade of blue. If you like blue, it is lovely. Much better than before. I've had a similar blue in a former house, which I loved. This is a tad bit brighter, but I really like it.

I've decided that now I need to paint the background wall in a set of glass front cupboards the same blue. Hadn't noticed that that wall was also the lovely mint lime. Maybe because our glassware is hiding it somewhat.

And then one wall facing into the kitchen needs to be the same blue...Over the fridge, inside a cupboard, is a wild magenta background wall?! Hmmm. Makes one wonder. It's hiding. But all the other cupboards? Mint lime green. What have I started?

What I meant was, when I said I wanted to paint more in 2012, was water color painting, on a board, with some fun artwork. I didn't really mean all the walls and hiding spots in the house.

We'll see.

Nut Dropping

2012-01-07T19:01:00.000-08:00

I heard them before I saw them. Crows. Lots of crows. Up to something.

American Crow: corvus brachyrhynchos = common, loud, hoarse, cawing, crafty, flocking, congregating, problem solving, learning, clever, aggressive, mischievous = a murder of crows (many crows flocking together)

As I turned the corner and headed down the hill, I saw multiple crows, all flopping up high, swooping over the road, pausing on a perch (power line, tree, fence, you name it, they were on it), cawing, then diving for the road. I also noticed a proliferation of nuts all over the place.

Nut dropping.

I've seen this before. Crows really are clever birds. A crow grabs a walnut or hard shelled nut in its' beak, then flies up high to drop it down on the pavement. Those crows have it all figured out. They know that asphalt and cement are hard enough to help break open nuts. I've also seen them purposely drop nuts on roads...waiting for a vehicle to crunch them open. After breakage - the feast or squabbles begins. Sometimes the waiting crow has to fight off others to claim the nut prize. If that fails, a big chase takes place, usually with several crows after one nut grasping bird. Cracks me up.

There has been a murder of crows spotted around our neighborhood. The neighbors across the street have an enormous, perfect, leafless tree that often hosts the noisy, black feathered tree decorations. Makes me suspicious. Where is my cat?

They missed me that day while I was out walking. But they cleaned up on nuts. Today, the nuts were almost totally gone. A few spots of crushed shells, one or two forgotten nuts.

Murder - 1. Nuts - 0.

BTW: Did a little online crow research. Seems many people are interested in crows and counting crows. However, www.countingcrows.com is not for black birds and tally marks. Seems to be a pretty well known band. Who knew?

while walking

2012-01-02T16:53:00.000-08:00

while walking

a pause in almost winter
blue skies for this season

glittering trees
ice crusted flora

tinkling ice drops
snow from blue, even yellow

under trees need umbrella
slick footing needs caution

beneath distant sun
winter melts

all is well

while walking

Lights

2011-12-31T17:11:00.001-08:00

I love lights! Candles, lamps, cool ceiling fixtures, sunshine, moonlight, fireplaces, fire pits, fireworks (although not at midnight on New Year's Eve when I have been asleep for awhile)...I also love old, which is extremely good, as my years of living are getting higher and higher in number. Maybe that is why I like older stuff - my subconscious remembers it from way back in the dark ages. Maybe that is why I love lights!

Check out these cool candle holders my honey gave me for Christmas! Lights AND old looking. I found, I mean he found them at Sister to Sister in Prosser (right next to Starbucks, immediately off the freeway ramp). I'll share a little secret. He wanted to get the for me for Christmas, but sent me in to buy them (I had discovered them on a previous trip). I allowed the sweet ladies inside to think that the gift was for someone else (it was for me) and they wrapped it so prettily. :) Saved my man a little extra work, and the wrapping looked great!

It was a theme season for me. Mr. Fancy Shopper, on his own without me, also found this very unique teapot candle holder. Old looking barn red with rubbed off paint. Love it!

Before Christmas, my awesome son gave me money and told me to buy something. (Actually, he gave it to dear old dad, who gave it to me). On my birthday, we went on a day trip to see Jan Brett and stopped for coffee at Starbucks. I trotted in to Sister to Sister and fell in love with the Christmas decor - including my future hanging candle holders and this wonderful galvanized birdhouse table top candle holder. It is so beautiful when the candles are lit! As a side bonus, this candle holder puts out quite a bit of heat, so we use it as a pseudo-fireplace in our family room, the coldest room of the house. It really helps.

Filling my house and my heart with light. Perfect for those long, short, dreary, winter days.

Maybe that's why Christmas is in December. The arrival of The Light shreds the darkness of winter.

2012 for Moi

2011-12-31T14:39:00.001-08:00

Over the last few years, I've deliberately avoided New Year's Resolutions. But I'm thinking that I may consider a few for 2012. I don't know why, but I think I'll call it turning over a new leaf.

2012 for me:
~ eat less
~ walk more
~ love more
~ read more
~ collect less
~ paint more
~ stress less
~ cook more
~ eat more veggies and fruit
~ continue eating chocolate
~ drink coffee more, with friends
~ play more
~ laugh more
~ write more
~ gripe less
~ hug more
~ sing more
~ kiss more
~ clean less
~ organize more
~ judge less
~ forgive faster
~ love my babies
~ embrace life

Too Anxious to Paint

2011-12-31T13:33:00.000-08:00

My husband may soon ban my trips to the home improvement store. He may also write some strong suggestive messages to those companies that now sell sample sized paint containers - all mixed in the numerous colors his wife has chosen to consider.

Really, it's his fault. He gave me a gift card to Lowe's. What else does he expect? I only went in for the brilliant blue I want to use to paint the backs of the kitchen shelves. I ended up with two more color samples and several color cards of almost for sure color swatches for the rest of the house. Hmmm. I cannot wait to paint!

When I was thinking about what I wanted to commit to for 2012, I told myself, I want to paint more. Now, in my head I was thinking of watercolor painting, which I adore. As I gaze at the several random paint samples displayed on walls throughout the house (in actual paint, non-removable paint), I realized that I may also mean painting on my walls...

It is only December 31. The earliest I can conceivably paint is spring break. That's in April. I think we will have to continue to gaze upon my color swatches for quite a while. We can't even pass it off as artistic. I've chosen to paint the same colors in different locations to see how the light hits it at throughout the day.

Cela vie! These new colors will make my home a rainbow of hues until painting day arrives. Maybe no one will notice?

Until then, I think I need a sample for the ceiling color, a non-traditional (for me) creamy off-white. While I'm there, I need to check on colors for the family room...Just don't tell anyone where I've gone.

Doctors and Things

2011-12-28T14:30:00.000-08:00

That will teach me! I scheduled a crown AND my annual physical over Christmas break!

What was I thinking? Not only do I have a temporary crown that is extremely sensitive and TMJ as a result of the tooth work that gives me aching headaches, I can't enjoy all of the lovely, crunchy, sticky, delicious, chewy Christmas treats and special dishes of the season. Between the temporary crown AND lab work, it's just not the same. Blah! Need to seriously rethink my appointment game plan. I think I weigh more over Christmas, so that doesn't help.

Bah-humbug for doctor appointments and temporary crowns (even if I really like both my doctor and my dentist). Nothing personal...just their line of work.

My blood work came back good though...a special blessing from God, that it is.

Next year...maybe summer? Maybe never? How about no?

December 27

2011-12-27T15:59:00.000-08:00

December 27th. Winter. Cold and dry. Or damp and foggy. But still, winter.

Just completed a chilly, face numbing walk through the neighborhood. And what did I see? And hear? Two silly, out of season robins!

Now, seriously. We did not have a white Christmas. Not even a foggy Christmas. Not perfectly clear, but not wintry weather either. Mild would be a good word. For the northwest, that is not good. We definitely need piles of snow and ice, wind and rain. Especially in the mountains. Summer irrigation depends on it.

But robins? They seemed wonderfully ignorant of the season, and blissfully happy to be bouncing from branch to branch.

I hope this does not forecast a clear, dry winter season for us. I dread to think of the hot weather water woes to follow if that is the case.

Or maybe, just maybe, the robins are a bit touched in the head. Blown off course on their fall departure route. Let's hope so.

Come on robins, head to your winter roosting spots. Come on snow, we need mountains of the pretty white stuff. It's winter! Snow, baby, snow.

A Favorite Gift

2011-12-24T11:36:00.000-08:00

My favorite gift from students are when the child is proudly handing me a bag or package and the mother is standing behind, mouthing, "He picked it himself!"

Now, that is a loaded statement. That means the gift could be anything! (I once gave my parents the prettiest little shot glasses - I just fell in love with them. I was in early grade school, and I was so pleased to buy them at store. Now I understand the discussion going on over my head as to why someone my age would be buying shot glasses?!???).

I love gifts that the child has chosen by himself! Sometimes I think, wow, how cool. Sometimes I wonder and try to make a connection between the gift, the child, and myself. But always I am pleased to be remembered. Regardless of how embarrassed the parent seems to be.

This particular gift turned out to be quite nice. Lovely (gaudy, but I love gaudy) ruby red (a new sister is Ruby, maybe that's why the color was chosen?) dangly (I love dangly) earrings and matching beaded bracelet! Nothing could have been nicer.

Of course, on this particular day, I was wearing my red sweater with an old-fashioned snowman angel on it. Perfect!

"Should I put them on?" I asked.

"Oh, yes," was the happy reply.

I donned my new jewels, to the cautious comments to not poke myself and how beautiful they looked.

Later on...as we sat at the group table completing a project, the conversation turned to my new reds.

"Those are real diamonds."

"Oh, I should take care of them then," I said.

"Yes, you should lock them up." And additional tips from several students. "You could put them in a special box in your purse." "You could put them in a jewelry box." "Oh, my mom has a jewelry box." "You need to make sure the robbers don't steal them."

Pretty soon, my jewelry was forgotten as the topic of eventual theft, robbers, and whose mom's had jewelry boxes continued unabated.

Life in a kinder room.

Christmas Letter 2011

2011-12-23T14:46:00.000-08:00

As I sit here, listening to the crackling of a virtual fire on the flat screen (funny, I still feel cold) and Christmas music blasting on the ipod dock, I notice a streak of chocolate on my hand. Oops. Missed a spot when I cleaned up from making toasted walnut chocolate glazed biscotti. From old-fashioned baking projects (peanut butter bars - check - microwave marshmallow fudge - check - biscotti - cooling; cupcakes to do for tomorrow) to online everything, Christmas certainly looks different this year!

With the time crunch, I decided I would go virtual and post our annual Christmas letter on my blog. I want you to know this is a hard choice. I'm one who values tradition and doing it the same way. Twenty five years of Quantrell Christmas letters. I guess I'm ready for a few changes. Biscotti has never been on my holiday baking list nor a digital Christmas letter. Changes, here we come.

The Quantrell family had an eventful 2011. Time marches on, and we certainly feel the effects creeping up on us, from scrambling for cheaters to read small print to more aches and pains upon waking to the difficulty of keeping up with a two-year-old and a 4 month old! But enough about us old folks.

Dad Quantrell passed away on March 29. Bill has had poor health for quite a few years due to stroke issues. But what got him was complications from pneumonia. It was a sad but peace-filled day. He is missed greatly, but we know he is no longer suffering and we are quite sure he is chatting away with everyone he meets.

Taylor has completed his full time obligation with the US Army. He is now in the Army Reserves out of Ft. Lewis. He is employed with D.R. Brown Trucking in Yakima. This job is a perfect fit for our super-mechanic. He did end up with stitches within the first 2 weeks of working there (some heavy engine thing fell on his hand - don't ask, I have no idea, truck engine parts are another language for me - and you know diesel engines are HUGE and HEAVY). Our boy loves being covered in grease from head to toe, so the job is a perfect fit. He now gets paid to be dirty. Taylor is close enough to go check on Grandma Q. at lunch, call mom and dad, and visit Grandma and Grandpa Hill up on the mountain.

On August 5, Taylor and Jamie were married at Ft. Simcoe. What a beautiful wedding! Despite the appearance of hordes of yellow jackets at the rehearsal (they wanted fried chicken), we survived with barely any small visitors the day of the wedding. Many family and friends traveled way out to Ft. Simcoe to help celebrate the big day. We are happy to welcome Jamie (formally, as they've been together for about 7 years before the wedding) as our daughter. They are renting a little place near Harrah, where Jamie is teaching preschool at the same school I teach. (Only minor confusion about which Mrs. Quantrell people are talking about or looking for...)

Chelsie, Collin, and Hayden had a lovely addition to their family on August 23. Khloe Chevelle popped out weighing 9# 1/5 oz. Big girl! Poor mama was ready (we thought she might surprise us at the wedding, but no, had to be induced one week late). Hayden loves his little sissy, even if she does hog attention from him. We love hearing that little voice shouting, "Nana, 'are you?" (Nana, where are you?) as he comes into the house. We cannot, however, keep up with him! Mommy is getting ready to go back to YVCC and study radiology while daddy works many, many hours at Pepsi. Chelsie also works part time with Kevin at Keith & Keith and Langevin-Mussetter - and she helps take care of Grandma Q.

Kevin still works at the Dignity funeral homes in Yakima and Wapato. He is part time and does the bulk of running around for them. Between work, taking care of momma, and working with Amplify (the little church start we are working on), he can count his free time on one hand. I do enjoy his flexible schedule, as he is Mr. Me and has dinner started most days when I get home from school! What a great guy. Think I'll keep him. It has been 26 years...yes. I think I will keep him.

I'm still teaching at H.C.C.S. This year I am living in the kindergarten room! I love that age. It does require a different sort of energy level than what was needed for 2rd-3rd grade...We get to do lots of fun things. I'm still writing for WMU, but not as much. I want to write more, but with school schedules, classes I've had to take, and life in general...there is NO TIME. (Hence the electronic Christmas Letter. haha)

Trips this year, a scant few, but memorable - Las Vegas to be in my cousin's wedding (Elvis did the ceremony!), Whidbey Island for me (college friends 30th reunion), our high school class 30th reunion, a few runs to Seattle...Wow. Not much happening on the trip schedule. Bigger plans for next year. After all, it's not often that one of us turns the big 5-0.

This December finds us just finishing our Christmas tasks with a day to spare. Whew. I'm eating carefully, as my temporary crown (Happy Christmas to me and a wonderful school vacation) has my jaw sore and sensitive. I've got to do better planning. I also have my annual physical next week. Not a good time with all the special treats that have been coming our way. Next year, new goal. No doctor or dentist appointments allowed for Christmas vacation. That's a great idea, Mrs. Quantrell!

The cooling biscotti are calling me for packaging. My kindle is ready to be enjoyed. Cupcakes are needing baked for Baby Jesus birthday treats. Gifts are strewn about the office floor dreaming of which wrapping paper they will receive. The daily walk needs to be enjoyed, dinner awaits preparation, and a quiet evening with my honey needs relishing before our Christmas Eve candlelight service and Christmas Day celebrations.

(Sometimes, you just feel like lying on the grass...)

May the Lord bless and smile upon you and your family during 2012!

Hugs and kisses from the crazy Q's.

And who knows how I ended up with blue font??? Didn't know that was an option...

Three-Eyed Baby Jesus Returns

2011-12-22T16:50:00.001-08:00

The three-eyed baby Jesus is back!

Tell the truth, I forgot that our classroom nativity set had a three-eyed baby Jesus. Last year, the second and third graders discovered our special Jesus right off the bat.

In kindergarten, it may have been even faster. Suddenly. Cries of, "Baby Jesus has three eyes?" and "Why does Jesus have three eyes," and "I want to see!" rang through the classroom. Don't let little kids fool you. They are KEEN observers of things not normal or different.

"Well," as I struggled to recall last year's excitement. Looking for a link to our learning, I plugged ahead. (Due to our extreme focus on books - authors, illustrators, publishers, etc., I took that tactic.)

"Sometimes, artists make mistakes. Just like sometimes we don't do things exactly like we want. You know...blah, blah, blah. Illustrators, people, kids mess up what they are working on."

They hung on to my words like I wished they did every day. "So I think Baby Jesus has his nose in the wrong place."

Silent contemplation. That doesn't happen much in a kindergarten class. Then life went on as usual. Back to normal.

Until I noticed that the stable had now become a moving vehicle for all nativity figures. Bible characters sat silently in terror as 5 year-old boys drove them around the carpeted floor, locked inside the half walls.

Time for my question. "Where is Baby Jesus going?"

New Christmas Tradition - aka - Nana, take me!

2011-12-18T18:45:00.000-08:00

I took him! Last time I posted, I was not able to and my Nana-heart was broken.

Today, he was my little cling-on. We did all sorts of things. But the main thing we did was be together.

And we started a new Christmas tradition for Nana and her grand babies. He's the only one old enough yet, but just wait. Pretty soon the kitchen will be entirely covered in icing and sticky finger prints.

Today, we made our first gingerbread house! With a kit, all is complete, except the wash-up tools and knives for spreading.

Oh, Nana, there was CANDY! Most of it too hard for him, but gumdrops were a hit. And when we were almost done, the discovery of the edibleness of icing - why tell him too early and add to the sugar consumption??? - ahhh, the finger drips of icing and "Hay-nen eat, Nana." What a fun time!

So far, I am pleased to say, the house weighing considerably more than when we began, is still standing. The icing is dripping lovely for good effect. The candy is still on. The boy is happy (and to tell the truth, spent a few moments of pure buzz in the living room). Lots of pictures. Great memories.

Oh, and yes, there is still a glob of permanent glue like icing on my elbow. Better go catch that.

My Heart, It Breaks

2011-11-27T15:27:00.000-08:00

"Nana, take me!" said my little Bubba as he hugged my neck!

Ouch! That only hurts when I can't take him with me. Usually, it would be all cool, and let's have a rollicking great time at Nana's (with our new game, What's this, Nana?, What's this, Nana?).

But today, I couldn't take him with me. If I could cry just a little. He's my Bubba. Really, he's Papa's buddy, but sometimes, just sometimes, I am cool enough for him to want to hang out inside with the usually boring stuff. Today was one of those times.

"Nana, just one minute," he says.

Hopefully, it will go that fast until he gets Nana to take me.

This Nana can't stand it!

Recess in Winter

2011-11-21T18:41:00.000-08:00

Recess in winter is not as much fun for teachers as it is for students. Especially in kindergarten.

Our stash of winter clothing items has moved out into the hallway, as the cubbies do not support the growth of slick nylon coats, hats, snow pants, snow suits, and snow boots. Avoiding the mountain of weather proofing nylon, the kindergartners make a pile under their name tag in the hall. Backpacks and lunches get choice resting spots in cubbies.

But come recess...hats, gloves, zippers, pants, boots, scarves, bathroom break...times ten...

The pause that is supposed to refresh and rejuvenate all involved parties becomes a dance in exertion and finesse to match clothing parts with appropriate hands, feet, heads, and bodies. This teacher does not need winter clothing after helping attire 5 and 6 year-olds for the snowy outdoors.

She needs a blast of AC and a short nap.

Who told you what?

2011-10-17T19:51:00.000-07:00

Again, you just gotta love kindergartners!

Recently, after a several day visit of a baby bull snake in our classroom, it was time for the snake to go and be free. The snake was sitting in its' plastic jar, trying to force it's body against the sides and make an escape.

The snake was on the counter by the door. We were on our way out the door to go home.

(Me) Well, it's time for Sammy the Snake to go home now. Mrs. W. will take it and let it go at her house so it will eat rattlesnakes.

(Various students) How do you know it's a boy, Mrs. Quantrell? How do you tell it's a boy? How do you know?

(Me) You know, I don't know. I think you have to be an expert or something. I have no idea. It could be a girl. Maybe we could call her Sylvia the Snake.

(A girl) Or Sally the Snake.

(First boy) No, Mrs. Quantrell, you know I hear God telling me stuff sometimes. And He just told me that the snake is a girl! (5 year-old pointing to his own head, where God was telling him something)

(Second boy) No, nuh-uh (turning around and arguing with the first boy). God just told ME that the snake was a boy! Mrs. Quantrell, the snake is a boy!

So, who to believe? Maybe the invisible snake expert.

Five year-olds. Sometimes you just have to laugh.

5 Little Monkeys

2011-10-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah, big score this weekend! (You will love it if you are a teacher of younger children OR you have younger children in your life.)

Five little monkeys, five little monkeys, five little monkeys just hanging around...
Five little monkeys jumpin' on the bed, one fell off and bumped his head..."

You know the song. How about some fun acting it out? At JoAnn's (fabric/crafts) I found a giant score. In the felt items I found plate-sized thick felt monkey heads with a $1 price. Better yet, when I checked out, they rang up on sale! Score! Fifty cents each. Add a paint stick, or not, and we are ready for some retelling fun.

The deal of the week (as per sign on the basket) was 8 little monkey faces made from felt with sticky backs. Perfect for adding to a Velcro-fingered glove to sing the song. Oh, and the gloves (the cheapies, which fit just fine for small hands) were on sale for $1 a pair.

Both felt items (the small sticky faces may need additional glue to keep them together) are called Felties by Darico and list that they should be used for 3 years-old and over.

Did I snag a deal or what?

Pink Cowboy Boots

2011-10-06T19:06:00.001-07:00

Five year olds are honest. And real. And curious. And spiritual.

Every day after lunch, we spend time learning a weekly Bible verse and Bible story. I am constantly amazed at the deep questions kindergartners ask. Occasionally, I'm without a good answer. Usually I end up with a wonderful quote or funny story.

Last week, during the discussion following the story (the weekly story was the Tower of Babel, but they love Noah and Adam and Eve, so we keep looping back to revisit previous stories). One little boy brings up going to Heaven quite often, and how we will go to Heaven when we get old, like a grandma did.

On this afternoon, contributions to the conversation led to talking about Heaven and how we will be taken care of. New bodies and clothes came into the conversation. One thing led to another.

Pretty soon, a little girl, with a sad, heart broken demeanor on her face, piped up, "Teacher, there won't be pretty pink cowboy boots in Heaven?"

What can I say? The Bible tells that the clothes (robes) will be clean and new, glorious and sin-free. I recall nothing about shoes, hairstyles, undergarments, socks...

Pink cowboy boots? For all those little girls who love their cowboy boots?

I bet Jesus loves pink cowboy boots, too.

Funny Things

2011-09-27T20:07:00.000-07:00

Teaching kindergarten is excellent fun! I mean, seriously, you can never tell what they will say or do. I love it.

Some recent examples...

I was helping one of my kindergartners use his reading finger to point at each word as we were practicing reading a group book. Noticed that his fingers were sticky, so much so that his pointing finger was sticking to the paper. That was odd, as it was still very early in the school day, and we had not used any sticky materials yet. Then I watched as he switched something from his reading hand to the other hand. It was a booger.

The other day I was introducing the weekly Bible story about Noah and the Ark. I showed the Bible and told the students that this story happened a very long time ago, way back at the beginning of the Bible. One little boy popped up with, "Was that back before the 1970's?" (I guess that officially makes me old).

Today I had a rather reluctant child helping wash lunch tables after the mail. Mostly she was moping and disgruntled at having been chosen for this job. I looked at her and said, "Put some elbow grease into that!" The little girl glanced at my face, then with an invisible shrug, put her elbow onto the wet paper towel and proceeded to wash the table.

Can't buy funny stuff like this. Just gotta love it.

(There never will be a dull or sanitary moment in a kindergarten room.)

Changing the Name

2011-09-19T19:05:00.001-07:00

I'm changing the name of one of my favorite activities.

The hubster and I love to get away to the mountains and hit the trail, any trail, just give me a trail...Hiking is a wonderful relaxation for us.

Nature. Fresh air. New scenery (or familiar). Pines. Trees. Birds. Water features. Splashing fish. Bugs. Rain. Other noisy outdoors-persons (female in our most recent case, with their fighting in the water dogs). Stumps. Fallen trees. Roots. Dirt. Mud.

What a list! Regardless, we love getting out there to see God's Creation.

I'm also very good, lately, at implementing my own drama. Camera in hand, I creep carefully up and down the dirt and pine needle paths, sneaking down to the lake's edge - Cooper Lake in this instance - clicking pictures and enjoying the peace and quiet.

Until I found the log. It was thigh high for me, and had fallen over the trail. Sure, I can handle the camera AND climbing over the bark-free trunk.

Neither leg made it. It was a slow-mo two part classic fall and wished we had the video going event. My first leg going up and over slipped on the wet bark, throwing me half over the trunk, while the last leg scrambled to join the party on the other side of the tree. When the second leg made the leap, it came into contact with a slick rock and ground dust, sliding and bumping me face and knees first into a clump of shrubs.

But the camera was fine, although the lens cover fell into the dust. Mostly, I think, I kept the camera shoulder high (as opposed to doing anything to break the fall and personal one on one time with the ground and shrub).

The hubster, right behind me, grasped vacantly at my loose jacket, which was unzipped and provided nothing to grab. Neither could he leap in a single bound the tree trunk and beat me to the other side and catch me. He just watched the excitement, holding onto a piece of jacket shoulder, waiting for me to hit bottom so he could help me up. (He did feel really bad to not save me from myself...)

So I am renaming my hiking hobby to Falling. Whenever we go to the mountains I shall tell people we are going falling. This is not the first time. It seems to be happening more often.

On the list, new shoes with good tread and a longer camera strap so it can rest on my shoulders and not in my hand.

Falling, here we come.

Get to the Point

2011-09-08T20:13:00.000-07:00

Wear shoes when watering the late summer vegetable garden. Soothing though it is to stroll serenely through the cool damp grass, hauling a drippy hose, danger lurks when you least expect it.

Just as much as I love the flowers, grass, flavors, smells, and sights of my back yard, so does a myriad of insects and birds (evidence of the birds is dropped all over the zucchini leaves and half of the missing sunflower seeds). The yellow praying mantis was lurking on the dead parts of the potted johnny-jump-ups. Daddy long legs raced away from my feet and the water deluge. The bees and flies were zooming around the towering sunflowers.

The bees also crept and buzzed un-noticed in the clover behind the garden shed. I found one. With my baby toe.

He used his point to get my attention. That's the fastest I've moved in a long time! Scraped out the stinger, and there lay the poor little guy (although at the time I did not think that, since pain was zinging up my foot), gray and black striped, butt-less and dying. Just doing his job and minding his own business. And then I had to step on him.

The point: wear shoes when tip-toeing in the clover (or any other flowering ground cover).

Standing in a pan of baking soda paste...

Zucchini Wars

2011-09-05T19:55:00.000-07:00

It took hand clippers, a butcher knife, my shredder, the big measuring cup, a large mixing bowl, and almost 30 zip-quart bags, but I won.

The Attack of the Zucchini Monster was thwarted by stalwart stealth (snuck up on them as they lay there growing larger, fatter, longer, hotter), elbow grease, skinned knuckles (still using the original grater from the beginning of the marriage days), sweat equity, and the upright freezer.

Just you wait, zucchini monster. This winter, when I'm baking the thirtieth batch of whole wheat zucchini bread, I will reflect back and smile.

Zucchini Monster - zero.

Me - 1.

The Baby

2011-08-24T19:41:00.000-07:00

The miracle of being a Nana. X2. The first time around was fabulous, and quite interesting from the other side of the stirrups. Emotions ran high, exhaustion set in, awe and wonder sprang forth with joy as baby Boy made his appearance. Too amazing.

Again. Even with the previous experience and the current juggling of care for the Boy as Sister made her splash (literally) in the world, nothing could compare to the excitement of finally meeting her face to face. She would be late, as her mother is always late. Named. Expected and longed for.

But a week overdue seems like seconds when I hold that precious baby Girl. Minuscule fingers and toes, bum and pointy head.

Delightful.

It's a...Shade Tracker?

2011-08-18T17:01:00.000-07:00

Feelin' it...summer time hot. Not the bad hot where a person could melt from lack of shade. But close enough (especially if you are in the late 40's and hitting a certain life stage...).

So I just put on one of my super special sleeveless tank tops, and voila, I am the Shade Tracker. Super due to excellent colors and comfort. Special because they are cool and sleeveless.

Wearing a colorful tank, I survive the sun. My path around the house follows the travels of the sun.

Par example: Early morning, east facing window shades are all closed or open slightly for light. The west facing windows are wide open. If there is a cool breeze, the windows are open for fresh air. Otherwise, everything is shut up tight to lock out the heat, keep in the cool. The zip lock of cool. Keeps things fresh.

The routine flip flops in the afternoon. As the thermometer shows more red, the pavement heats up, and unwatered plants start wilting, I open blinds on the east side of the house and then close the western blinds. Ceiling fans begin spinning and the ice tea is poured.

My favorite invention to deal with the sun rays is what I've created for the back patio. This area gets blasted with the late afternoon heat and sun, which is much worse than the morning sunshine. Three bamboo gardening poles, six metal rings, six large hooks, rubber bands, four light colored curtains, and four lengths of canvas tape are my materials.

Bamboo poles slide through the rings, which hang on the hooks. Curtains attach by way of fabric loops. Rubber bands figure eight over the hooks, rings, and poles for stability.

In the shade, outdoor room dividers are neatly tied open. But once Mr. Sun heads over the top of the house, off come the ties, and shade providing curtains are spread out to block the worst of the heat from my now shady patio.

That's what I'm talking about. The Shade Tracker foils the sun. Again.

Squirrel Part 2

2011-08-17T16:53:00.000-07:00

There is was again! I saw it as I was returning from my coffee run. The furry little scoundrel was sitting by the side of the road at the top of the hill, preparing to run out into my path.

I doggedly checked all my options for squirrel avoidance - rear view mirror, side mirror, front window, sides, ditch...ready for anything.

And then I got right up to it. It froze in place and I breathed a sigh of relief.

That's when I saw it stayed frozen.

It was a rock.

Big Bushy Tailed Quail?

2011-08-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

There I was, just driving along on the narrow street heading home from morning coffee and reading several chapters in a book necessary for a course I'm taking.

It was a dark and stormy night...

Just kidding.

I was approaching the narrowest, vertically challenged and notoriously known area for quail and close calls with other vehicles. I'm always on alert for quail because I think they are exceptionally cute and noisy. And I don't want to hit one. I don't like the rear view of flying feathers.

Oh, there's one. Nope, it was a dove. Oops! There's one popping out onto the roadway exactly when I was cornered by a close following vehicle and another approaching up the top of the hill from the other side. No room for maneuvering around the cute little bird. Drats, Batman! I don't want to hit it!

Then it flicked its' big bushy tail. What? Bushy tail and quail don't usually go together. The quail dropped down to its' front paws??? and scampered back into the underbrush.

Ahhhh. A big bushy tailed gray squirrel also lives in the quail rampant area. Whew. Flashbacks to those insurance commercials where the squirrels hysterically plan to cause automotive accidents by staging in the center of the road...

I think I heard it snicker at me as I narrowly avoided the cars, the ruts, the bushes and trees, and the big bushy tailed squirrel.

I'll be on the look-out for you, Mr. Squirrel. You and your big fluffy tail and schemes of demise for my car.

Big bushy tailed quail. Not.

Natural Selection, Quantrell Style

2011-08-14T19:45:00.000-07:00

I've had it.

Planted two varieties of raspberries - only two pots worth, but two of them. One looked very healthy, displaying vibrant greens and lush growth. The other had slightly browned leaves on the bottom and seemed more like I was taking a chance when I purchased it. I planned to experiment and find out which was the best producer. I love raspberries. The more the merrier.

The eastern plant, Willamette Raspberry (Rubus Willamette) looked great. High hopes for this one. Did I mention it had thorns? The western plant, Joan J. Raspberry (Rubus Joan J.) did not exhibit the potential for growth and berry abundance. Miss Joan did not have any thorns, which I found odd, but was happy at the prospect of no scratches come harvest time.

Mid-August, and I'm about ready to perform my own version of natural selection! The scraggly, browned leaved western plan, Miss Joan J., is covered in blooms, picked fruit buds, and ripening raspberries! I love this plant! I would like several more like this one, brown leaves, no thorns, and all.

(Miss Joan J.)

Good old Willamette Raspberry is worthless! The only thing it has grown has been MORE thorns and long canes filled with beautiful leaves. NOT ONE flower OR hint of a raspberry. Nothing. So, Mr. Willamette, I'll give you until spring. If there is no sign of something for me to eat, you are gone. Compost-ville for you. Hasta la vista, baby. Thorns, pretty leaves, the whole works. Dug up and tossed out.

(Mr. Willamette)

That's my time line. I'm selecting the variety that does what it's supposed too. Forget the time, energy, water and work for the lazy plant. I keep telling it, "You have until maybe May, beginning of June, and I better see some fruit, or you are out of here!"

It's not working so far, the threats, but maybe after a nice lie in over winter, Mr. Willamette will consider the compost bin...and get busy. Otherwise, it's several more of Miss Joan J. coming to live in my yard.

Naturally.

Necessity of Outdoors

2011-08-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

Always loved being outside and interacting with nature. A class I'm taking right now agrees with my thoughts and feelings about the natural world. Kids need that time outside exploring, building, running, rolling, climbing, throwing, digging, playing...How else will they learn to appreciate and protect our world? Where else do they interact with science-y concepts? When will they spend time noticing the complexity and elaborateness of God's creation?

Even two-year-olds enjoy stuff outside. The grandson much prefers to go 'side (outside) to anything else. If there is water, sand, dirt, grass, trees, he is in the middle of it. Sure, a wheeled vehicle can accompany him. But it needs to be 'side.

So I'm veto-ing TV time and electronic games. My grandbabies get to go 'side and get their hands messy. And their knees, pants, elbows, faces. Sorry mommy. That's what washers and bandaids are for.

The Rehearsal

2011-08-10T18:24:00.000-07:00

A wedding at Ft. Simcoe. Fab-u-lous dahling, fab-u-lous.

First, the rehearsal dinner (the fastest on record, due to the swarming of yellow jackets).

The happy, planning couple with the minister, dear ole' dad.

No idea what he's saying, or why he's pointing at me.

Giving her away...

I can't take this anymore!

Rehearsing. More rehearsing.

Still rehearsing.

Are we done yet?

Done yet?

Done!

Next, the big day.

Stir Fried Garden

2011-08-02T18:09:00.001-07:00

Another delicious meal, compliments of my garden, God (the Grower), a few grocery store items, and leftovers from a BBQ. Oh, what to do?

Stir Fried Garden Beans & Zucchini
1 zucchini, sliced
1 yellow squash, sliced
10 or so small yellow tomatoes
1/4 of an onion, thinly sliced
1 1/2 c. fresh green beans, whole
1 leftover BBQ'd sausage, thinly sliced
Olive oil
Fresh ground black pepper
Crushed peppers (to taste)

Add a few T. of olive oil to a saute' pan. Saute' onion and sausage. Add green beans when other is hot. Let beans begin to turn cooked green and add squash/zucchini. Let cook almost all the way (not mushy). Add tomatoes the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Sprinkle with black pepper and crushed peppers. Eat warm. (We ate ours with multi-grain pepper jack cheese quesadillas).

C'est bon!

They're Not Really Really Free, But...

2011-07-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

Dinner for tonight was mostly from our garden. Yummers. As I was talking to myself, which I make a daily habit, I noticed to myself that these "free" vegetables and fruit from my garden were actually not free. I had to purchase seeds, fertilizer, and soil (hopefully this year only), build raised beds, spend countless hours weeding and watering, and spend time picking, washing, and prepping...Nope. Not free at all.

Delicious? Yes! Beautiful? Yes.

Despite all the time, money, and energy I spent on my free vegetables, I know the One who freely made them grow so wonderfully. He lovingly sprouted the seeds and keeps them growing and producing. He has created them fresher and healthier than those purchased in stores. Few pests (so far - the insects can probably smell the richness and are quickly crawling, winging, or creeping closer), no added chemicals, no wax or preservatives added. Ahhh.

What the Creator of the universe can do! Amazing. Not for a second do I believe in a big bang that formed all of the intricate details evident in my garden, not to mention every puzzle piece of life that fits just so. I love seeing evidence of His imagination and creativity, available every day, everywhere, free for the looking.

A recipe of tasty summer...

Sweet Summer Salad
(The more that comes from outside the back door, the better!)

Fresh lettuce (I like the mixed seeds for at least 4 types of greens)
1 yellow squash, thinly sliced
1 zucchini, thinly sliced
Strawberries, thinly sliced
Small radishes, left whole
2 basil leaves per person, thinly sliced
Red onion, thinly sliced or diced
Yellow pear or round tomatoes
Grated Parmesan cheese, fresh not powdered
Black pepper, fresh ground
Balsamic Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

1. Tear lettuce leaves into bite sized pieces. Divide between plates (number of plates depends on how many salads you need).

2. Divide the rest of the vegetables and fruit between all the plates. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and black pepper.

3. Lightly sprinkle each salad with balsamic vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

4. Enjoy!

Balsamic vinaigrette: Add 1/4 c. balsamic vinegar to 1/4 c. olive oil in a glass jar or salad dressing bottle. Add about 2 tsp. oregano and 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper. Shake well. Ready to serve.

The ICK Factor

2011-07-27T11:54:00.001-07:00

Disgusting. There is nothing worse than using a public toilet. Maybe not having any toilet around to use, but that is another blog.

But using a public potty which appears to be clean and is inside a fairly respectable establishment and then the 'after use perusal' shows details to the contrary. ICK.

Case in point. Today, while doing reconnaissance about a future building project for my honey, I needed to visit the WC (water closet, loo, toilette, potty). Happily went my way to take care of business.

The individualized stalls of personal convenience were adequate. The stall I chose looked clean and relatively unused. So I used it.

And somehow, upon completion of my business, viewed the undercarriage of the throne. UGH. Let's just say that someone missed very visibly and ick-ily.

Did I get any on me? Are my clothes contaminated? Should I just toss it all in the trash and go au naturel throughout the store to avoid contamination? Perhaps as I was kicked out or arrested, the employees would wonder why, and I could explain the pew-ee features on their commodes.

Ick. Gross. Nasty.

Of course, by the time I saw the evidence (not number one, btw), it was too late. I had fallen for the appearance of cleanliness.

Come on people. Seriously. There is someone out there right now that should be taking a shower and doing some laundry (AFTER scrubbing their hands). How one can do that?...Well. OK. Sometimes accidents happen. But how bathroom cleaning persons can clean (and sanitize, I hope) only the TOP of the potty, is, should be, illegal!

ICK. ICK. ICK.

I need a shower.

If the good outweighs the bad...

2011-07-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

I went to a memorial service today for a dear man who has a loving family and many friends. One of the speakers was sharing about the popular theory of life after death, and that set me to thinking.

Many people believe that there are scales for each of us. All of your good and bad deeds are put into the appropriate sides of the scales. At the end of life, if the good outweighs the bad, then you go to heaven. If the bad outweighs the good, then you go south...

I've heard that saying spoken by many people, and hadn't stopped to consider what the saying really meant.

The minister went on.

But in reality, that's not what happens at all when a person dies. After a person dies, and he is standing in front of God, God doesn't look for scales at all. The ONLY thing He looks at is the person's heart and whether or not that person has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

That is the only decision that makes a difference about where a person spends eternity (and eternity is a very LONG, unending time).

Hadn't thought much about that 'scale theory' until today. From now on, I think I will listen more closely to the idioms, metaphors, and analogies I hear people say. Some may be accurate. Some slightly true. But many are way off the mark.

Toss out the scales. Get to the real issue.

You. Jesus.

Recycle X 2

2011-07-21T13:52:00.000-07:00

I have this cool bag. Well I HAD this cool bag. It was so cool that I carried it back and forth to school all last year, full to overflowing with teacher stuff - books, papers, craft projects, dirt, science objects, food, prizes, garbage, recycling...If you can think of something (within reason), it was probably hauled in my bag.

It's called le joie de vivre avec stuff and features 60's style illustrations with French vocabulary words. I found it at Inklings (Yakima). All sides were covered with pictures and labeled in French words, including the bottom, which hardly anyone ever saw. (That is good, as it featured a naked man in the shower...didn't notice that part when I purchased my cool bag. He WAS artfully modest.)

My bag was made from recycled materials. A big plus for me. Cool theme, recycled goods, purposeful, large and roomy, solid straps...My kind of bag.

I loved my bag. Loved it too much it seems. By the end of the school year, the bottom was wearing through. I was devastated to have to put it out to pasture, but resigned. It was that or continually pick up things that fell through the holes in the thinned out bag bottom.

Aha! I told myself! (I often talk to myself, and not always in my head. Just ignore me.)

Self, you can remake this sack! Just cut off the bottom and sides. Sew them together and make a smaller but just as cute le joie de vivre avec stuff bag.

So, myself and I took the idea one step further and cut two additional pockets from the side panels (there was already one sewn inside), added the two pockets to one side, pinned the sides together, and double sewed the seams.

Voila! A stylish, lovely, twice recycled bag...

The naked man had to go though.

Scream Door

2011-07-21T09:58:00.001-07:00

We have a scream door!

Remember mom (or myself at my own children and the assortment of their friends and pets) yelling, "Shut the screen door?" Scream door may fit better than screen door.

The sounds of our new screen door slamming brings back so many summer memories! Just the noise alone should scare off the flies and outdoor pests trying to gain entry into the food and cool zone. But the banging sounds like summers past...kids in and out. Cat and dog in and out. And in and out.

But we finally have a screen door. My honey worked several hours to attach an old-fashioned wooden screen door to our, as we discovered, odd sized back door. Good thing the screen door frame is wooden. He had to shave several inches off of the top and bottom to make it fit. He was so careful to match the hinges and hooks to the illustrations. So what if the inside handle is at knee level (otherwise it hits the regular door handle and they won't close). It is great for the cooling of our home. We can even hear the fountain on our patio through the scream door.

And then he tried to open it.

Crash.

Duh! Only on our porch would there be a weird 1 x 2 about a foot from the door along the patio ceiling. Uhm. Only skinny people need try the screen door. Haha!

Now our screen door has a lovely cove corner on one side. And it still hits, but we can also use the 1 x 2 as a door stop when unloading the car. So there, weirdly placed 1 x 2. Take that!

Gotta go open the scream door. It's getting hot.

Developmental Stage in the Life of a Truck Dude

2011-07-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

A. Under the rig fixing his bike, after watching Uncle Taylor on his back under a truck.

B. Not just bricks for parking, as I had originally thought, but actual 4-wheelin' obstacles to drive over.

C. He wasn't satisfied with only one vehicle hitched to the back, so Papa helped hook all 3 together.

Two years old and a definite interest in tires, engines, trucks, vehicles, 4-wheelin', working on stuff, tools, taking things apart...

I think this may be a developmental stage in the life of a mechanic and 4-wheeler dude. Pretty sure. Mirrors the stages of a certain uncle (and daddy).

As long as there are freeze pops and bungee cords.

What I Can Eat from My Garden

2011-07-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.
- Ralph H. Blum

It's early to be thinking about Thanks-for-giving, but at the same time, just as in Christmas being celebrated every day of the year, we have hundreds of reasons every day to be thankful!

My garden is such an example...What can I eat from my small, city, backyard garden?
~ peas ~ zucchini ~ yellow squash ~ strawberries ~ raspberries ~ sunflower seeds ~ squash flowers ~ pumpkins ~ tomatoes of all sorts ~ green beans ~ chives ~ peppermint ~ basil ~ lettuce of varied shape and color ~ radishes ~ thyme of two names ~ lavender ~ oregano

And there are probably many flowers that may be had for flavor. But I grow them for bees, butterflies, and beauty.

Ahhh. The pleasures to be enjoyed in working the soil and savoring the bounty.

Thank you.

Quiet peace and calmness...

Flotsam Jetsam

2011-07-17T18:26:00.000-07:00

"(Flotsam, Jetsam, now I've got her boys) the boss is on a roll,"... sings the sea witch, Ursula, on Disney's Little Mermaid. Ursula certainly knows what to do with the items she finds around the ocean!

I found my own flotsam jetsam. Lots of it. Bricks, partial bricks, mini bricks, white rocks, rocks with circles, beach glass, shells, driftwood, rocks with holes, even a rusted shovel head. Determinedly I gathered them all into my trunk and brought them home for somewhere in my garden...somewhere...

Before departing the beach, I stacked rocks and bricks on the shovel head in hopes of keeping them from rolling around in the trunk. Not much chance of that, careful driver that I am. But it's those other drivers!

As soon as I drove into the garage, I started unloading my beach treasure. A few may call it trash. Then I say I am recycling and cleaning up the beach and am green.

To forestall beach stink (stuff left in plastic bags, buckets, and trunks) I quickly spread my treasure on the patio to dry out. Dumped is more like it. I was tired.

And that's when I saw it. My flotsam jetsam pile on the shovel head. Perfect for my front garden. As is. No arranging necessary. Just carry it to the front yard and place it next to the azalea and a few pieces of mysterious driftwood. Nature's beauty on display.

Now what to do with the remainder of my treasure haul?!!

Cherry Walnut Chocolate Chip Scones

2011-07-16T11:30:00.001-07:00

A yummy use for all of those extra cherries! And who can go wrong with chocolate!

Cherry Walnut Chocolate Chip Scones

3 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. white flour
2/3 c. white sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. Smart Balance Light
1 c. half and half
2 large eggs
1/2 c. crunched bran flakes
3 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 c. toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
2 c. cherries, cut into 1/4 inch pieces (pitted)

Oven: 375 degrees
Servings: Makes about 24 round scones

1. Spread walnuts on baking sheet and toast for about 8 minutes. Cool and coarsely chop.
2. Place flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in large bowl and mix well. Add Smart Balance and chop in with a fork or pastry cutter.
3. Whisk together eggs, cream, and vanilla in a small bowl.
4. Add the egg mixture to the dry mix. Knead until combined. Add nuts, cherries, and chocolate. Knead gently. Dough will be slightly sticky.
5. Use lightly floured hands and scoop up a handful of dough and form into a round, biscuit shape. Place on baking sheet and gently pat down. Continue with remainder of dough. Leave about 2" between each scone. You may have to bake in two or three groups.
6. Bake about 15 minutes, or until the top springs back when touched. Do not overcook.
7. Cool on wire rack.
8. Serve warm or reheat in microwave. Yummy with coffee or tea. Store lightly covered.

Kindles are great, but...

2011-07-06T16:19:00.001-07:00

My sister, the awesome, let me borrow her Kindle to take on a road trip so I could read the newest book in the Green Rider series, which we all enjoy (mommy, sister, and I). For convenience, let me tell you, the Kindle rocks. It has games AND shopping on it! With a click of the finger you can buy a book and read it. I love that. Maybe one day I'll have to have a Kindle of my own. The possibilities. Especially when I travel.

On the other hand, nothing can replace a book held in my own two hands. Bookmarks, dog-ears, scraps of paper, sticky notes...illustrations, bookshelves, collections, decorations, anticipation...It just wouldn't seem the same to line up a Kindle on the bookshelf and call it good. I would have to name the bookshelf the 'Kindle and assorted objet d'art shelf.'

And then there are children's books. Je les livres d'enfants d'amour! I love watching children love a book to pieces, literally. There is magic in the story and illustrations. Snuggling with a child and a great book is dreamy.

I've heard the comment many times. One day, with all of this technology, we won't have books anymore.

Hogwash. Too many of us bookworms would protest. Hmmm. I think there is a place for both. I can't wait to secure more books for my collection. And I look forward to when I own a personal Kindle to use as I adventure around the world.

It is difficult to stop trying to reach to the upper right corner and turn the paper page on a Kindle...Nevertheless...I'll persevere and enjoy my books and my future Kindle (hint, hint, honey).

Ridin' in the Way Back

2011-06-25T16:25:00.000-07:00

We used to fight over it. "No, it's my turn," "I'm gonna tell," and "Mom, she won't let me!"

Ridin' in the way back. In the seventies, station wagons used to have fold down bench seats in the storage area of the back end. We loved those seats, regardless of what direction we were facing as the temporary tenement on wheels barreled down the the hazy hot highways of Arizona. If we were grocery shopping they were folded down and we just bounced around on the middle seat. Seat belts were not required. I don't actually remember seat belts being IN the car. I know we never used them if they were there.

But on road trips, almost every weekend, open up those way back seats and we were in hog heaven. All we needed was a stop at a convenience store, a package of white bread and hot dogs, a few cans of soda, maybe a stick or two of hard candy, and we were set to go. Load up the six of us, stash the hairy collie somewhere between kids and paraphernalia, and hit the road Jack.

Excellent exploring of the entertaining and epic southwest.

Except for taking turns in the way back.

I Can Tell

2011-06-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

I can tell I don't play enough. I can tell because the last time I did something fun was when my grandson and I played in the pouring rain (and I blogged about it in May). It's June now.

I can tell because my husband and I played wii bowling with our son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law. My husband broke the plastic control protector. I broke the clay plant pot sitting on the coffee table. We were just bowling. Our son is not sure he wants to wii with us anymore.

I can tell because I am always trying to multitask, even when I have my grandson with me. Let's water. Let's plant. Let's pick up toys. How about a bath? Come help nana...We need to play.

I can tell because I can't think of the last time I had coffee with a friend (not counting family, because they will meet me anytime, even if it's only for a few minutes). Wait. It may have been last summer.

I can tell because IF I have free time...Scratch that. I don't have free time.

I can tell because IF I did have free time, I dream of things I would love to do. Like watercolor painting, throwing clay pots, rubber stamping, walking, taking pictures, strolling through antique stores, reading good books...

Someone needs to take some time and play. If she doesn't, she is going to just spend all of her time working. There is always something to do. So maybe she'll have to table the work, and chunk out some time for play.

Yes. I think that's what I'll do.

Super Nana

2011-05-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

Super Nana struck again. Bonus points awarded for extreme sports. Despite heavy downpours and cautious adults, Super Nana whisked away socks and pants (his), zipped up the hoody, grabbed the camera and umbrella, and headed out to wade in the slickery fast street gutters. Oh yeah.

Upped my "favorite toy" status.

Umbrella

2011-05-15T15:39:00.001-07:00

While walking down the streets of Paris one afternoon, we enjoyed the pleasant weather. People watching filled our minds with images of beauty and interest. Waves of shoppers and strollers passed, holding hands, pacing briskly, both empty hands and hands filled with purchases.

Without much warning, the skies darkened and opened. Nothing like an easy going mist, but a full blown summer rainstorm pounded down and glistened on city sidewalks and streets.

Bloomp. A veritable sea of dark colored umbrellas and striding legs flowed where just moments before faces and entire bodies were visible. Where had the umbrellas come from?

Then bloomp. The clouds dispersed. The sky cleared. A snap of the fingers and all signs of umbrella life disappeared, back to the mysterious nether regions of storage.

The only sign of the storm was the shine of cobbled walkways. No evidence of an afternoon disrupted. Life continued.

As did people watching.

Prolific Painted Lady's

2011-05-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

Received: 35-ish tiny, black squiggly lines in plastic container

Procedure: Use a fine paint brush to put one squiggly line in each small communion type cup after putting in 1/4" of yellow caterpillar food for each

Close: Securely seal lid to prevent prying fingers

Next: Observe daily with excited and detail oriented 2nd-3rd graders; graph results on chart

And then: Get totally excited about the 'J' shape and suspended chrysalis'

Add: All chrysalis papers to large pop-up tent. Continue counting days before arrival of butterfly beauty

Joy comes in the morning: The best time to creep out, smooshed, bedraggled, and oozing left over body fluids

Let air dry.

Feed. Notice length of proboscis.

Tah-dah!

Pretty painted lady butterflies and gleeful children.

The Third Day

2011-04-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

But the angel answered and said to the women,

"Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.

So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

(Matthew 28:1-8 NKJV)

Palm Sunday

2011-04-16T16:54:00.000-07:00

The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:

"Hosanna!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!
The King of Israel!"

Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it, as it is written:

"Fear not, daughter of Zion;
Behold, your King is coming,
Sitting on a donkey's colt."

His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.

John 12:12-16 (NKJV)

Chocolate

2011-04-14T19:53:00.000-07:00

Chocolate is great!
Yes, on ice cream is the best.
Too much makes you sick.

(Haiku and 2nd-3rd graders...counting syllables is the challenge, not the subject ideas).

5
7
5

the happy dance

2011-03-07T18:41:00.001-08:00

Joy all-consuming.
Pleasure in small things.
Uncontainable excitement.
Effervescent bubbles of happiness.

Grandson,
Jumping elbows, bouncing knees, grinning face,
Milk, juice, cookies, music,
Nana, papa, momma, kitty, daddy,
Snack, dinner, lunch, breakfast...

The happy dance.

Makes me smile.

(It would make me smile more with a video clip, but it won't upload...)

the end table

2011-03-06T16:52:00.001-08:00

Not my favorite, but it came free. With the house. Unless you count it as part of the house payment. Then it was quite expensive.

Breakable, stylish (but not sure when or where), functional. Necessary, but still, not my personal choice.

Et, voila! It becomes instantly transformed from the former use as an actual end table AND a toy box for Bubba. Enter: an almost 2 year old preschooler, who unceremoniously dumps the toy box baskets, crawls inside, lays down, and is ready for a blankie, a pillow, a toy, and a cozy resting spot. A hideout!

Of course. No one can see him.

That's all we really need in life. Imagination. A pillow. A blankie. A toy. And a hideout.

never too young, never too old

2011-03-06T16:39:00.000-08:00

You can't do anything better with your time than read with a preschooler!

Gigi (great grandma) is being adored as she reads with Hayster (almost 2). He loves the time together and one on one attention. Not too mention the dog and cat sound effects and fuzzy pictures. "Pay" he says. Read: Play. With me. Sit down on the floor. Do what I want. Oh, hey. Let's read this upside down book.

One more reason to love books. And grandsons. And grandmas.

too many books, too little time

2011-03-02T20:11:00.000-08:00

It's true. My 'want to read' stack is growing ever taller, even as my free time to spend on discretionary reading dwindles as much as pocket change after purchasing petrol at the station...

I love reading.

I adore reading.

I love books.

Now. If I could just get my students to love and adore and enjoy reading as much as I do, we'd be A-all right.

Already starting on the sweet little grandson, who especially loves any book with tires and tractors...

A Stable?

2011-02-17T18:11:00.002-08:00

"It seems, then," said Tirian, smiling himself, "that the Stable seen from within and the Stable seen from without are two different places."

"Yes," said Lord Digory. "Its inside is bigger than its outside."

"Yes," said Queen Lucy. "In our world too, a Stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world."

The Last Battle
C.S. Lewis

14 Days of Valentines

2011-02-16T18:20:00.000-08:00

I did it different this year. Instead of letting my man pursue me and sprinkle romance all over my day, I started early to shower him instead.

Beginning February 1, I made it a goal to do something special for him each day, without telling him why or advertising my intent.

Ever short of funds, most of my love showers were homemade or gifts of time and effort. Some things I did were a love letter, a lipstick message on his mirror, a back massage (without asking), couple time, special dinner, flowers, chocolates, a funny movie, a hand massage for his winter hands (including my hot wax), a reload on his Starbucks card, candy hearts in the shape of a heart on his pillow...

By the third day, he was suspicious. That does make a statement about how much I love on him daily. Ouch.

I'd say he had it figured out around day 10. "So, do I quit getting the special treatment after Valentine's Day is over?"

Thought this was supposed to be for him. I think it was for me. Lesson learned. I need to show my love for him everyday. Make him feel special.

Sprinkle some romance.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Dessert

2011-02-14T18:59:00.000-08:00

That's what I'm sayin.' Eat your heart out, Martha. Saw this recipe in the current Martha Stewart magazine, and had to try it for my family and my colleagues at school.

Did you know that painting melted chocolate on paper muffin papers is much harder in actuality than in print? Did you also know that melted chocolate on a paintbrush is worth several changes of clothes, burned fingers, soggy paper, and messy streaks (that melt upon touch) covering the surrounding four feet of kitchen space, not including the stove? Did you know that if even one tiny drop of water from the jimmy-rigged double boiler gets into the chocolate, the chocolate will form little balls and be gross and NOT spread at all and you will have to dump it and start again? Did you know that parchment paper frosting tubes DO NOT hold up to peanut butter? In fact, it oozes out like...Well, let's just say it oozes out.

This proves that I, too, can make calorie laden desserts. No, they do not look as pretty as the pictures in the magazine. But they did turn out.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Not for me. I'm sayin' My picture is worth a 1,000 calories!

Eat that. And then lick those fingers. Mmmm.

(You, too, can enjoy this delicious, mess-full dessert by finding the recipe in the February issue of Living; or possibly on the Martha Stewart web page.)

same shade of dirt

2011-02-03T19:26:00.000-08:00

the winter look.
brown, gray, black
smudged, streaked, grimy

regardless of base coat,
every vehicle in my three valleys
sports the same shade of dirt

i recognize its meaning;
winter, i continue on,
foraging out in the wilds
risking bumper and door
to traverse the slickery trails

same shade of dirt
shows on fellow sojourners
grand or petite
rich or poor
none are exempt

my garage does not prevent
this winter root treatment
car wash does not last

road dirt is impartial
for this
this
same shade of dirt

Social Interaction

2011-01-31T20:01:00.000-08:00

"I could use a little social interaction." (The Grinch, by Jim Carrey)

I love it when someone else says what I mean. The entire scene of this movie shares how the Grinch realizes he is stuck in isolation and loneliness. He needs the other scene, the social scene, and some face time with at best a long lost love (Martha May), at worst, others to annoy and offend. His attempts take quite a while to become successful. But with the help of little Cindy Lou, he is presented and eventually becomes acclimatized to the society of his childhood.

I sometimes feel like that, noticing the need for some social interaction. Talking to myself does not count. A little play time. Not offending or causing havoc, but fun times, laughter, and coffee. And chocolate. Especially chocolate.

Now, must pencil in a date and get social. We need to chat, face to face.

"Of course, when I say we, I mean you." (a different scene, The Grinch)

And me.

The Season of Towels

2011-01-29T21:09:00.001-08:00

Our closets runneth over. With towels.

When we first returned from France, we had a few towels. They (the towels) have since then been busy in our closets, erupting at every chance into a colorful plethora of absorbent comfort. Well, most are of comfort to me. Some I wish would disintegrate into lint in the dryer. Especially my husband's favorite (very well made, incidentally, and of high quality, or I could have ditched it years ago) blue, faded, edging worn into emptiness, ugly, thick, and never to die towel. Trust me, he would notice if it disappeared.

As I think deep thoughts, I've realized that my life has a towel cycle. I've gone through several seasons (cycles) of towels.

-Living at home with my parents and sharing towels with a family of six made us happy to have a clean, dry towel, any color, size, or pattern. We were not choosy. Just happy to be dry.
-Off to college years provided me with non-color coordinated towels of four of my favorite colors. This season of towels lasted well into our first 10 years of marriage.
-Wedding gift towels (for which I am forever thankful) kept us well supplied for at least 10 years of marriage. I believe there were some we did not use until close to the decade mark. We still (25 years later) have a few stragglers in circulation. Good Depression years training from my parents and grandparents makes me unwilling to throw out any usable scrap of fabric...
-When the aforementioned towels eventually fell to shreds, I went on a purchasing binge that spanned several sales seasons and stocked the cupboards. This season of towels carried us through raising our children and their assortment of friends, relatives, pets, and projects.
-Return from Europe season, featuring a previous purging of all extra towels, clothing, furniture, personal items...the current season of our lives. Middle-aged empty (??? seriously, they still live here much of the time) nesters with weekend kids and a precious grandson keeping piles of laundry rotating through the machines. This season has provided us with a mysteriously growing cupboard(s) of towels, many of which I have never seen before. I put them out for others to check, but no one claims a single towel. There are so many now, I have to sneak them into my grown children's overnight bags in order to clean out a little space. Anything with holes has gone migrated to the garage as engine work rags. Anything ugly and stained is hauled to school for craft and messy project cleanup. The rest lay folded and stacked in several different spots. Plenty of towels for plenty of reasons.

I wonder what season of towels comes next? Will it involve color matching? Super plush or bleachable? Monogrammed or floral? His and her? Bamboo? Natural fibers? Recyclable?

The fun is in waiting to find out. Meanwhile, I'll go fold the towels from the dryer, and try to find a stack that is short enough for a few more on top.

What I Noticed

2011-01-20T19:59:00.000-08:00

I was in the noticing mood today. Some things I noticed:

The days are getting longer - it's no longer dark when I get home at 5
My husband loves my hair (best he says) in a very old-fashioned style, reminiscent of high school days
The snow bank in our back yard is ever shrinking, and the cut pine trees perched on top are getting shorter
My daughter texted AND called me today
I actually liked the way my hair curled today (first time this week)
I ate too many M&M's
Listening to The Horse and His Boy brings back great memories of grade school and my in love with horses and books (lifelong) stage
When I first get home after a long day, our house smells like my friend's house in Seattle. Can't figure it out
My family has not called me (extended) this week. My sister texted me once (maybe thrice), I haven't called them either (my fault)
There is more hair around the house than actually on the cat
All 4 of the chain link gates I unlock each day are sagging
Even chipper coffee baristas sometimes are not chipper in the wee hours of the day
Must. have. static. guard. in. the. winter
The moon has been beautifully full and large
My students have been doing awesome work ALL week! I have even caught them being kind to each other
My son checks in every day, by phone, regardless of where he is
I am tired of tater tot casserole
I really need to go shopping
My students are reading all the labels now, looking for grams and ounces
My hearing is definitely getting worse, and accents are much harder to understand
Dividing any candy between 8 students saves me lots of calories
I work in a school where we spent 30 minutes at our teacher's meeting in prayer, and then we were done with the meeting
Dust magically appears in my house
Tuna fish really doesn't smell good. It doesn't look good stuck between the stove and the cupboard either
I forgot to sleep with my nose ring in last night
I am on borrowed time for my mouth guard
Tomorrow is casual day, and I'm going to wear my Army Mom t-shirt
My husband left me a love letter on my mirror
Coffee pots get really gross
God's creation is absolutely amazing in it's intricacy and beauty
Kids cannot move with running and/or screaming. Walking is not allowed at recess
I have an excellent life

What Do You Like to Read?

2011-01-18T19:26:00.000-08:00

I love to read. I have always loved to read. I've spent (at least) thousands of happy hours lost in a book. Most of them good, excellent, or better. A few I've struggled for a bit, not able to get into them, and then plugged along, feeling guilty for wasting the time on something not interesting - and hoping things improve by the end. Now that I am more mature and have less free time, I don't feel too upset if the relationship doesn't work out. Some things are meant to be. Some books are to be read (by me).

The list is ever long and always changing - fantasy and make believe, historical, pioneer, classics, the books instead of the movies, series, comedy, adventure, travel, crafts, life stories,...what am I forgetting? The old comics, things with meaning, idea books, how-to books, children's books (this should be number 1), picture books, award winning books (Caledcott and Newberry, not necessarily the New York Times #1 Best-selling Books List, yikes)...some mystery (especially Nancy Drew-ish), horse books (never did grow out of that), new authors that have great style and imaginations, books by friends,...I like to follow author's. I've convinced my 2nd-3rd graders that Jan Brett is an amazing author and illustrator. She is. So is Madeline L'Engle and C.S. Lewis and Donita K. Paul and Terry Brooks and Eric Carle and once I even discovered a book by Madonna that was good (Mr. Peabody's Apples), but I haven't read anything else by her, and I probably wouldn't have picked it up if I had noticed the author. Not to say that she can't write, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Too many books to list. I need a personal library, with lovely comfy chairs, great lighting, a fireplace, good tables, excellent coffee, and beautiful views from the windows. Well, I can dream, can't I?

Another source of great books? Of course, Woman's Missionary Union and New Hope Publishers. Some excellent books for many different ages. I have many, many of the books sold by WMU and New Hope. It's not fair to talk about books without telling where I've found fabulous reading.

I started thinking about books after reading a devotion in The Daily Bread. It was about an author who was often told by various friends, "I have a book I want to write." He replied, "That's a worthy goal, and I hope you do write a book. But it's better to be one than to write one." (Daily Bread, January 18, 2011, by David Roper)

Hmmmm. I know what I like to read. But what kind of book am I? When others look or talk to me, what do they read in me?

"Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart." 2 Corinthians 3:3

I wonder. What kind of book am I?

fake spring

2011-01-17T18:34:00.001-08:00

What? The snow is all melted. Ok, the snow mountains in the front and back yards are still there, just much, much smaller. Roads are clear, except for piles of gravel and sand. Chinook breeze (and gale force blasts) have been blowing all day. Blue skies. Beautiful moon and stars. Walked out this morning to go get coffee with my coat on. Went right back inside and put it away. A thin sweater is more than enough. No gloves, scarf, or hat...Sunglasses were required. No heat necessary in the car. Iced coffee tasted superb.

All this fake spring (it IS still January, and not even the end of the month). My computer reads 50 degrees right now. It's almost 7:00 PM. In the fall, we call the short blast of summer before the real autumn Indian Summer. So what do we call the reverse in January where winter disappears for a short while and it seems to be spring??? Surely not Indian Spring! I think I"ll call it Pseudo-Spring.

It must be about time for a recurrence of winter. Blizzard, frigid temps, nasty roads, foggy and minimal line of sight, dangerous sidewalks, icicles, shoveling, hot cocoa...

I'm not putting away my sweaters just yet. No. Winter is not over.

winter

2011-01-10T19:30:00.000-08:00

winter
slushy, icy, slippery, freezing, snowy, windy, sunny, rainy, slick

weather
cold, warm, mild, frigid, blowing, snowing, cloudy, foggy, hazy, damp

looks
brown, white, green, black, muddy, frozen, mucky, peaceful, hazardous, austere

and

sounds
crunchy, splashy, studded, squealing, noisy, spinning, whirling, silent

winter

Mama and Papa Bear

2011-01-02T15:05:00.000-08:00

The great mattress flop. Sounds like an adventure or bad epic movie, right? Nope. Just life as usual for the Q's.

Flashback - Just a little over a year ago, the newly 'homed' Quantrell's found themselves in need of a bed. Forgetting that over the last almost 25 years they had required a king size bed, they decided to downsize to a queen. Note to self and all other bear families. Do. Not. Downsize. Beds.

Previous new mattress set = Pillow top. Tall. Ultra cushy. Expensive. Heavy. Beautiful with antique headboard acquired in our home transaction.

Back to the present - After realizing that the 2 nana and papa bears, the grandson bear, the cat bear, and any of the above combinations do not fit nicely on a queen bed, the Q bears decide they will buy each other a king mattress set for Christmas. And make it firmer, in order to be more comfortable and not as body dent-full. Reality check says since, the bears always required stretching space due to the 6'2" papa bear, they need to think wisely and not change that.

Fast forward - Cringing, at purchasing yet ANOTHER mattress set in barely one year, the Q bears found a great ??? deal on a king mattress set. Firm. HUGE. Roomy. Short (height) for the shrinking Nana Bear (Nana Bear had to crawl UP onto the queen bed).

Steps 1-25: Search entire town for best deal and what the Q bears need. Purchase bed. Transport bed. Rearrange entire house (deep clean under all beds). Play musical mattresses as beds are shifted from room to room to garage and back again. Do all associated laundry. Make several beds. Test beds. Sleep poorly for several nights as the Q bears adjust. Hard for Papa and Mama Bear to find each other in the large bed. Cat bear has plenty of room. The Q bears finally settle in. Plan for Grandson Bear to test it out soon. Sigh with relief.

Out with the Nana Bear bed. Too soft and squishy. Baby bear bed definitely too small. In with the Papa Bear bed.

Ahhhh. Just right.

Think Tall in the Mall

2010-12-31T16:11:00.001-08:00

I admit it. Just in case you hadn't noticed. I am short. Getting shorter, according to my most recent physical. Had the nurse check twice, but she said the same thing both times. No longer 5'2 and 3/4", but a solid 5'2". (By saying solid, I am not referring to my weight - that is a whole different pound of worms.) So, I am short. Let's say petite, since it sounds cute.

Over Christmas vacation, we used a large variety of dishes from different stashing places around the house. Lucky me, I have a wonderful husband who most usually cleans up after dinner. And puts things away. Out of my reach. Remember I am barely two inches past 5 measly feet tall.

On one certain occasion, date to remain unclarified, the love of my life was, again, putting things out of my reach.

"Honey, could you please rearrange those so I can reach them?" I asked nicely.

Honestly, he thought he was putting them within reach. But he is 6'2". He can easily grab ANYTHING in our home, while I have to fall back on my non-existent engineering degree to safely stack chairs and clamber up to get what I need.

"When you put things away, think short!" I said (only a little whine). "Think how far I can reach, and then put them there."

Nicely, at least for that moment in time, he obliged my request. That was that.

Fast forward a day or two. We went to the mall to run a few errands. Being short, (5'2" and nothing more), I zipped in and out and around crowds of other mall goers, often leaving my honey stuck under a kiosk or several families back, wondering where I was (6'2" people can't duck under and around like little wizard-y short people).

Upon reaching the end of the mall, he caught up to me. "Think tall," he said.

"What?" I wondered if he had eaten a few too many Fruit Loops.

"In the mall, think tall," he said, peering down at my short head. "I can't speed around people the way you do. I just smacked myself at the kiosk."

Cricking my neck WAY back, I gazed into his gleaming eyes. "HAH," I said. "Ok, at home, think short. At the mall, think tall."

We'll see if it holds.

Someone's Been Eating My Porridge

2010-12-30T14:48:00.001-08:00

Ok. I know someone's been eating my porridge. Not too hot, not too cold...just right.

I'm trying to tune up and oil my sewing machine, which has been mostly neglected for the past four or five years. I would go so far as to say it is desperate (!!!) for some attention. It actually attempts to eat fabric at this point, as a frantic cry for lubrication and de-fuzzing.

After successful cleaning (who knew dust bunnies multiplied inside a sewing machine?), and several unscrewing and replacing of screws complete, I reached an impasse. One screw was particularly in love with it's location and refused to come out. (I was the last one to do this service, so I must have been stronger back then.)

Screwdriver number 1 - broke. Twisting in it's shank, doing squat.
Screwdriver number 2 - too short.
Screwdriver number 3 - even shorter.
Screwdriver number 4 - a close twin to the short ones.

I had to resort to my massively disorganized and PERSONAL tool box. I said personal, as in 'it is mine, my territory, my stuff...'

What is there? ONE even shorter screwdriver! I know I am short, and shrinking, according to a recent visit to my doctor, but I do not need ONLY a short (two inches???) screwdriver.

Hummph. I know who took it. Not Goldilocks. It was one of the two big bears. The furry taker of tools to work on miscellaneous vehicles that reside outside. And then I am sure the screwdrivers I need stayed in their new home refusing to come back home. All grown up and out on their own.

I'm blaming the bears.

After the porridge is recovered (or purchased anew) I will lock up the cook pot.

Now. How to finish the sewing machine before dinner?

The Cat

2010-12-29T21:30:00.001-08:00

She loves Christmas. Especially the wrapping paper, trees, and general mess ready for her attack. Christmas just wouldn't be the same without her gnawing on the curling ribbon or hiding beneath wrapping paper or helping ??? wrap presents. Sure, it takes longer, and cat hair is in everything! But what fun, oh what fun, to enjoy the festivities sneaking past or looking for the hiding feline.

Beware the toes. I'm just sayin'...

The Fifth Advent

2010-12-23T21:56:00.000-08:00

Joy to the world! The Lord is come! (Feel free to sing along.)

Welcome to the fifth advent - the Christ Child candle. Light all of the five candles on this day, Christmas Eve.

"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David." (Luke 1:68-69)

"He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end." (Luke 1:32-33)

"For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)

Nothing is impossible with God. Everything is possible. Hope was born that night, long ago in Bethlehem. Hope was born in an animal dwelling, with its only spotlight that of his parents focused attention and the heavenly shining star. Interior decor was farm and country. The audience consisted of livestock, human parents, celestial beings, and Father God. Musical accompaniment was provided by a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and singing a new song. This holy night was one for the Book, a night to remember and celebrate for all eternity.

A new song for the way for all things to be made new. An end to the Old Testament. A beginning to the New Testament. A new covenant and a fulfilled promise.

I'm glad that after the reminder of Christmas and what it means, I get the chance to start fresh. A new year, clean beginning, energized hope for coming times.

Silent night, holy night. Joy to the world!

Tree Catching

2010-12-21T20:54:00.001-08:00

tree catching: definition - hunting in the woods for the perfect sweet smelling evergreen for the completion of decking the halls in anticipation of Christmas Day (Note: after purchasing the appropriate tags and paying correct fees)

required equipment: tree tags, hand saw, rope, 4x4 vehicle, winter clothing, ceiling measurements

outcome: We won! Bagged our trees with only slightly soaked clothing and boots (melting snow inside your boots definitely makes you appreciate indoor heat and dry socks). We avoided slipping off the edge of the steep road, did not hit other vehicles, found beautiful trees amidst the snow covered hills, and the male assistants offered minimal complaining. ;0 That in itself was pretty awesome.

benefits: pine scent filling the house, plenty of extra drinking water for the cat (note to self - refill often), beautiful addition to our decor that sets off the special ornament collection displayed on its branches, another Christmas adventure for the memory files

The ceiling is somewhat shorter than my estimated measurements. Even after making my guys stand beside the trees for a guess-ti-mate. Worth it anyway.

The Fourth Advent

2010-12-21T20:45:00.000-08:00

My, how quickly time flies, especially the days leading up to Christmas! Last Sunday, we celebrated the fourth advent. On this day, we remember the Magi, or the Wisemen, and the part they played in the Christmas story.

Fourth Day of Advent - (1-Prophecy, 2-Bethlehem, 3-Shepherds and Angels, and then 4-Magi). The Magi, also known as the Wisemen, came from the East and followed the Christmas star to where it stopped over the house where Jesus and His mother and father lived. Not only did they travel MANY miles,...but they also brought expensive gifts for the King, God, and Sacrifice. Gold for the King, frankincense for God, and myrrh for the Sacrifice. The theme song for the fourth advent tells of the gifts they gave to the Christ Child. Light the fourth candle after relighting the first three.

Read Matthew 2:1-12. And then sing, "We Three Kings"...

Oh, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright! I love Christmas!
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day - the fifth advent...stay tuned.

Not What I Expected

2010-12-13T20:20:00.000-08:00

Expectations. We have many great ones, but an expectation is not a guarantee. Just something we think is going to happen.

Take for example, a recent Christmas gathering I attended. There was the usual buffet of high calorie/high fat/high sugar finger foods (READ: This is not a good time for me to have my yearly check-up blood work, which occurs next week). White elephants were dancing around the room, and for once, I managed to snag a really cool thing on the final steal (strike 3 - changes of hands - you're out and you get to keep it). And then gifts were handed out by various people. I expected to receive a certain thing, yet I did not. Many others did. But I did not.

Expectations faded into blankness. Surprise. It wasn't a guarantee. I just thought I knew what I would get. Now, I know, 'getting' is not the most important thing at Christmas. Giving is much better. But in this situation, I assumed the conclusion of the event, but my assuming was along a different route than the actual outcome.

Many gifts still changed hands. Delight was evident and shared by all, as well as holiday joy and camaraderie. But the great expectation did not occur as expected.

As I was pondering expectations and how that impacts all sorts of things, I began to think of the Christmas story. Actually, I was thinking of many, many years BEFORE the Christmas story. Prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah, and the new King who would save His people, Israel, and be the Savior for His chosen.

Generations of scholars and descendants from the line of David studied the scrolls and Scripture and wondered about the coming of the Messiah. They prayed and waited excitedly for the Messiah to appear. They anticipated a wondrous event. Each generation thought the Messiah might come on stage during their lifetime. They had great expectations for what they imagined the Messiah would look like, how He would live, and what He would do to help the people. Great expectations.

Centuries later...

Lo and behold, the Messiah came. But He did not come as expected. Instead of an adult, fully grown King and Holy Leader ready to set the world in order, a tiny baby was born. Quietly and in the most lowly place possible. God with us. Surely that was not the plan? How far off could expectations be?

A Messiah? Yes. In the expected format? No way. Actually, the Messiah was so different from what was expected, many refused to believe that Jesus was He, the Promised One, the Messiah as foretold. And then, after the Messiah arrived, most people did not know it was Him until He was 30 years old. Even then, the Messiah, God's Son Jesus, was not what was expected. He did not raise up armies to defeat the enemies and lead His people in triumph.

Quite the opposite. He allowed Himself to be defeated (to all outward appearances), even to the end of dying on a cross in a cruel and humiliating experience.

Again, lo and behold. The Messiah arose from the grave. Fully Messiah, fully God with us, and fully human, once dead, but now alive. Was He as expected? Certainly not. He was much better than expected. Jesus IS much better than expected. He IS the Great Expectation.

Would I have mis-expected how the Messiah appeared if I had lived back then? It's pretty easy to look back in time when I have a complete Bible detailing the full story for me (plus a great concordance and study notes). Since God had such a wonderful surprise for us when He sent Jesus, I probably would have been in error with my expectations.

I know the story. I believe what happened. If I believe that Jesus is the Messiah, then I must also read the end of the Book, and more expectations are in order! Jesus, the King, the Messiah, will come back again! He is coming!

Another Great Expectation. Probably not exactly how I expect it, but it will be a wondrous surprise that surpasses all that we can expect.

Keep expecting.

The Third Advent

2010-12-12T15:47:00.000-08:00

Already!?! This Christmas season is going amazingly fast. The winter storm that dumped upon us oodles of heavy snow was awesome. Really feels more like Christmas when there is snow falling or piling or causing difficult driving.

Today marks the third day of advent. Light the third candle, which symbolizes and reminds us of the angels and the shepherds and the part they played in the first, original and true Christmas. (The REAL reason for the season is the birth of Christ, contrary to a current anti-Christmas ploy by unbelievers.) The story (as in true life account) of the birth of Christ is non-fiction. It happened.

"And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger."

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased," (Luke 2:8-14).

Which shall be for all the people...that is all the people of the entire world, past, present, and future!

You and I. Us and them. These and the others. ALL people.

What excellent news the shepherds received that night! And they went and told all they had seen and heard.

Join together as we praise God and give Him glory for His indescribable gift, one that came in a tiny and unexpected package. Looked for, but not in the way He arrived. Willingly and humbly, Mary and Joseph accepted the role God had for them to play.

Yes, another reason to give glory to God. Amen.

Top Ten (Ways to Use My Books for Christmas)

2010-12-08T19:16:00.000-08:00

Per suggestion I recently read: TA-DAH! Welcome to
Angie's Top Ten Ways to Use Her Books for Christmas.

10. Can you? Read I Can Do It. Look at the different things Meiying does to be on mission (live like Jesus and tell others about Him). Look at the Chinese writing on the sides of the illustrations. Take the book with you and go to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. Reach out in love to the servers. If you have Chinese servers, after the meal, choose one of the pages and ask your server to read it in Chinese for you. Try to repeat the words. Ask how to say Thank you and good-bye in Chinese. Repeat the words as you leave the restaurant. Mmmm. This makes me hungry!

9. Make sure that your child's teacher has a copy of Families on Mission, Ideas for Teaching Your Preschooler to Love, Share, and Care. If she does not have a personal copy, buy her one for Christmas. Before you wrap the book, help your child print his or her name on the inside cover. Choose one of the chapters and look at the activities. Help your child highlight an activity that he or she would like to do. Place a sticky note to mark the page. Wrap the book and let your child hand deliver it to the teacher. Offer to help prepare or do some of the suggestions in the book. You will be a favorite with the teacher!

8. Read I Can Pray. Purchase a large desk calendar at an office supply store. Let your child decorate the borders of the calendar. Think about people you know that need prayer. With your child, print one name on each day of the month. Make sure to list a person on the date of his/her birthday! Display the calendar near the dining room table. Choose a meal (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) and create the daily habit of praying for the listed person at your chosen meal. Model how to pray aloud and let your child echo your words or think up and say his/her own words. Your child can draw a heart or star or squiggle on each day you remember to pray. Continue for each month of the year (repeat names as often as you like). BTW - my birthday is November 20th, if you want to add it to the calendar! I could always use prayer. ;0

7. Does your child's classroom have any of these books (see list at the bottom or past posts to my blog)? Donate a complete set. Let your child do the giving. Volunteer to host a weekly read-aloud. Read a different book each week and provide a simple 'after reading activity' (see the back of each book, or any part of Families on Mission).

6. Does your school have an auction? Donate a set to be auctioned off as part of the fund raiser. Is your doctor or dentist a Christian? Suggest these books for the waiting room. Provide information on how to get them, or get them and give them to your provider. If you are in the northwest, get in touch with me, and maybe we can do something together centered around one or more of the books. ;0 Have a stash of the books on hand and include a copy for new parents or give a copy for a birthday gift when your child is invited to a party. The possibilities are endless!

5. I Can Give has many ideas for ways to give to others. Not all giving activities need to mean 'give money.' How about giving some time to a shut in? Sometimes visiting brings more cheer than any gift. If you have a friendly dog, perhaps your family would like to give some time to a local nursing home (always check with the facility before taking children or pets). Maybe you would like to collect toys and necessities for a women's and children's shelter. Many people write notes and send mail to our military personnel in December, but how about writing or making Valentines and sending them in January? Shoveling snow, helping with chores, surprising mommy or daddy with a special treat (dinner, bed made up hotel style with a chocolate and a love note, cleaned bedroom, I love you! banner), donating gently used or outgrown items to a thrift store...teach your child to look around her/him for ways to help others. Make it a game. Everybody wins!

4. Read I Can Be More Like Jesus. Look through a children's Bible and find examples of what Jesus was like. Point out how Jesus treated others (loving, forgiving, friendly, helpful) and think of one thing your family can focus on to be more like Jesus. Make it a goal to work hard on that idea during the Christmas season. Read the book again on January 1st and check to see if you were successful.

3. Picture walk I Can Give. As a family, think of an extended family member or neighbor or friend who would benefit from your special attention. Plan and implement a giving project to help or show love to that person. Some ideas could be: invite them to dinner, bake cookies and deliver them secretly (ring the doorbell and run), decorate their door for Christmas, wash their car, use old magazines to make a collage card of friends/family (write a mushy note inside), go for a neighborhood 'see the Christmas lights' walk and have hot cocoa afterwards, greet them with a smile and hug each time you see them...). I know they will love the attention.

2. Put the books in a paper sack. Let your child reach in and pull out a book. Read it with your child. Or let your child read it to you. Choose one of the extra activities at the end (or any part of the book) and do it together. Take pictures of you reading the book together and doing the activity. Put the books on a coffee table and tuck the pictures inside the book cover. Do this with all the books. Go back and reread the books and look at the photographs. Fun times! Don't be surprised if you have requests for repeats.

1. The top ten way to use my books - ;0 - buy them! Give them as gifts! Drop by and I'll autograph them. I'll even use my best writing so you can read it! (PS - I always draw a little cat's face on the books I autograph, just for fun.)

Thanks for letting me be silly and talk about my books (again). Merry Christmas!

*Books by Angie Quantrell:
I Can Pray
I Can Give
I Can Do It
I Can Be More Like Jesus
Families on Mission, Ideas for Teaching Your Preschooler to Love, Share, and Care

*Available at any of the sources listed at the bottom of this blog.

While You Were Sleeping

2010-12-06T19:30:00.000-08:00

Disappointed to miss the second half of an interview with Casting Crowns on K-love, I drove out of my coffee stop (a girl's got to have her morning joe, right?), and started listening to a song in progress. I hadn't heard it before, but suddenly, the lyrics caught my ear. Something about 'philosophies that save the trees and kill the children' (hurts to even type those words). Later on I found the words were on Casting Crown's new Christmas CD in the middle of the song "While You Were Sleeping." Quite a wake-up call for all of us.

Back to the story. As I was trying to figure out the lyrics and what they meant, and then started thinking about the bride disappearing in the night, taken by the Bridegroom, I got excited about being caught up in the air and seeing Jesus. Did I mention I was driving?

As I reached the next traffic light (usually a very heavily trafficked intersection, but not so bad at 6:30 am), I saw the light turn green. I continued on, dividing my brain into thinking about what was on the radio and driving. Then I noticed that there was quite a bit of traffic lined up in front of me, facing me. Hmmmm?

As I blew through the intersection, I suddenly realized that the traffic was waiting for some idiot to stop for the red light. (clears throat) That would be me. They had the green light. I thought I had green, but no, it was the turn lane's green. Not mine. (hyperventilate) I was thinking about Jesus coming back to get me, when I was a hair's breadth from going to see Him instead! I am so ecstatic that those cars patiently waited for me (mumbling I'm sure, but they waited).

(Deep cleansing breath). Now. Focus on what is most important at the time. Driving was definitely most important. "While You Were Sleeping"...title of the song. Wasn't sleeping, but I'm sure I appeared to be. Sorry, very kind drivers.

Now, I must remember that I, too, can drive horribly and be more patient when others mess up. No mumbling. (think, self, think...it was me last week, it was me last week). Sigh.

And back to the song, "While You Were Sleeping" by Casting Crowns:

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping

Something to think about. Now, keep your eyes open for me when you're out on the road. I'll be NOT going through red lights.

The Bethlehem Candle

2010-12-05T18:58:00.000-08:00

Today marks the second Sunday of Advent. Light two candles, one for last week (prophecy) and one for today (the Bethlehem Candle). We read and think about Bethlehem and the importance this little town plays in the history of our Lord.

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:1-7

If you live in the Yakima area, the Journey to Bethlehem is excellent! The setting of Bible time Bethlehem, including Roman guards, smokey market stalls, lepers, beggars, Jewish customs, taxes (nothing has changed, here, huh?), live animals, authentic characters, is awesome...This seasonal family event is highly recommended!

Read more about the Christmas story in Matthew 1:18-25. And don't forget to sing "O Little Town of Bethlehem."

Three-eyed Baby Jesus

2010-12-01T20:13:00.000-08:00

The first time I heard a question from a student, I passed it off quite flippantly.

"Mrs. Q., why does Baby Jesus have three eyes?" asked one boy.

"Well, I don't know." (In my mind, I'm wondering what in the world?). "Maybe one is for the Father, one for Jesus, and one for the Holy Ghost."

I know. Not a good answer for inquiring minds.

Again, later. In fact, several laters...days later...again and again..."Why does Baby Jesus have three eyes?" "Look, Baby Jesus has three eyes." "Oh, did you see Baby Jesus and His three eyes?"

Honestly, the comments or questions ALWAYS came when it was time for something else or time to be quiet or time for lunch or recess or chapel...I didn't spend three extra seconds pondering the mystery of Baby Jesus and His supposed three eyes.

Until yesterday. Again, the 'three-eyes Baby Jesus comment.' Inside, my mind finally decided I need to take a look. Even if these 48 year-old eyes don't see as well as 8-10 year-olds. I need to use my cheaters and check it out.

Well, LO, and behold. Baby Jesus DID have three eyes. Who in their right mind gives Baby Jesus three eyes? And why had I not noticed it the year prior, when I purchased the nativity set?

Certainly, Jesus does not need three eyes. He can see everything and know everything and do everything and be everything without eyes at all. But maybe I need three eyes, so I can pay attention to tiny details and inquisitive minds and potential opportunities of spreading a little Light in the hearts of children with unboxed-in minds, ready to hear and believe.

Ahem. "You're right," I said, peering through my reading glasses. "Baby Jesus DOES have three eyes."

I think it may have been one of the few times all eyes and ears were on my radio station, not channel searching on their own for something interesting besides math, language, spelling, or history.

"I guess the artist who painted it made a mistake."

Quite a letdown. But all seemed to accept the answer, and I haven't heard another inquiry or pointed comment about the still three-eyed Baby Jesus. Without question, they accepted the fallibility of human work. Second and third graders make mistakes daily, even hourly, in their job of learning. It doesn't take much to imagine that adults make errors in their jobs.

Regardless of how many eyes Baby Jesus has, the real Jesus is perfect. He has the correct number of eyes. And He loves comments, questions, inquiries, loving hearts, open minds...and He accepts us as we are. Mistakes and all, without counting (not even extra eyes).

I am looking for flesh colored paint. I don't know if I'll paint over the third eye. I do know that I will be more sensitive to the little moments when Jesus has young hearts ready and receptive.

How many eyes does your Baby Jesus have?

Peace and Goodwill

2010-11-30T19:18:00.000-08:00

I don't always want to offer peace and goodwill to others. Especially if they drive too slow (or too fast), cut me off, smell funny, give me a weird look, dress differently, believe differently, are too loud (or too quiet), live in that house, drive gas guzzling cars (or rust buckets), don't recycle, are late (or way too early)...

Really, there's no pleasing me, is there? Probably depends on the day, the weather, the position of the moon in the night sky, how much chocolate is in my system...But there it is. Right in several Christmas songs..."peace on earth, goodwill to men." Well, you can't believe everything you sing, can you?

What about read? Can I believe everything I read? Well, not all things. Definitely not tabloids or junk mail or spam. But the Bible? Can I believe the Bible?

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

'Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on
whom his favor rests.'" (Luke 2:10-14)

Hmmmm. The angels were even singing about peace to us, upon whom God's favor rests. That's pretty awesome. Us. Imperfect people. A Christmas gift of peace and good will, His good will for us. A baby, just for me. Me and my roller coaster 'can't please me' and 'I sometimes don't feel like extending peace and goodwill to anyone.'

Can I believe the Bible? I choose to believe the Bible as true. I believe it all happened just as it was written. For me. And you.

I guess that means I get the free peace and goodwill and Baby Jesus from God. I guess that means I need to choose to share peace and goodwill with everyone else, even when I DON'T feel like it.

Chocolate or no chocolate.

Peace and goodwill. To you, and you, and you...

From both of us,
May the peace and goodwill of God's love become apparent and real to you this holiday season!

What's Right in Front of Me

2010-11-29T19:14:00.000-08:00

I am a person who tends to over analyze...almost everything. Just over the last two days, I have had the same thought presented to me, in totally different ways. Interesting, as it deals with taking care of today, not worrying about tomorrow or yesterday.

I love reading books. I'm rereading "DragonSpell" by Donita K. Paul. Sounds magical, but it really is similar in style to "The Chronicles of Narnia" and C.S. Lewis' writing technique. The main character, Kale, has recently discovered that she has a calling from Wulder (God) and is loved, in spite of her faults and ignorance, by Paladin (Jesus). Kale obsesses over how much she does not know about what she is supposed to do, what she should've or could've done prior to her current situation(s), has endless questions, and worries constantly about not being able to fulfill the task set before her...thinking always of her imperfections.

As Kale recovers from many harrowing adventures, she gets to visit 1 on 1 with Paladin. The entire scene is filled with the above issues. Paladin tells her (again, I believe) to only worry about right now, what is before her right now. Let Wulder work in the future and take care of all that stuff. Just take care of today and the immediate tasks required.

The next morning, upon reading my devotion in "The Daily Bread," the author (unrelated to Paul) has the gall to discuss the same subject! Instead of focusing on the past or uncertain, scary future, the author reminded me to think instead about what is right in my hand! Right in front of me? What circumstances do I have right now to take care of? Well, then, take care of those. Let God handle everything else.

Fine. I don't know who else will tell me the same thing. I thought I had been doing pretty well about staying 'in the present.' Guess I need to work a little harder at it!

To top it off, one verse from Matthew pretty much says the same thing:

"Therefore, do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

Ok. Today. Get ready for bed. I can do that.

Christmas Shopping?

2010-11-28T17:17:00.001-08:00

Have I got some great ideas...all books, of course, since I LOVE books. These books are available through the links posted at the bottom of my blog. Please feel free to check out these resources. Happy Shopping!

By yours truly:

I Can Pray (my very first hardcover book for preschoolers/children; English)
I Can Give (some Spanish phrases)
I Can Do It (some Chinese phrases and characters)
I Can Be More Like Jesus (some French phrases)

For parents, grandparents, teachers, and childcare workers:

Families on Mission - Ideas for Teaching Your Preschooler to Love, Share, and Care

Numerous other excellent gifts and resources are available. What do I love? I love giving gifts that share a message, whether it's a book full of creative ideas, deep thoughts, or an inspirational story. I hope you'll check these out.

Many blessings on your Christmas season. May it be filled with the love and light of Jesus!

The First Advent - Prophecy

2010-11-28T16:43:00.001-08:00

"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them...

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:2,6)

Celebrate the first day of Advent by reading again the Scripture in Isaiah. Truly appreciate the prophecy for the Christ child, and the fact that He came, as prophesied. He died on the cross as prophesied. He will come again - as prophesied.

It's true!

Go ahead. Light the first candle. Sing "Away in a Manger," a lullaby for the baby Jesus.

The Paddle Broke

2010-11-26T17:32:00.001-08:00

No, it's not what you're thinking! Not a whoopin' stick. The butter paddle, as in churning butter. Sigh.

Fade back a few days. Prep time for our big, annual Thanksgiving hot lunch at school. Each class was assigned an item to prepare for the meal. Second and third - homemade butter. You got it. Well, as homemade as heavy whipping cream from the store...not milk fresh from the cow, homemade cow, that sort of thing. That's God's department.

Heavy duty clay butter crock. Check. Wooden paddle and handle. Check. Lid. Check. Sheet to spread on the floor for splashes. Check. Clean hands and 8 students. Check.

Pour. Churn. Churn. Churn. Churn. Taking turns. Churn. Churn. Churn. What???? Where'd the paddle part go? Inside the messy partially churned heavy whipping cream.

Dig it out. What else is available? A wooden spoon or a black plastic slotted spoon. Uh, let's go with the slotted spoon, since it covers move space in the cream. Stir, churn, stir, churn, tired arms, tired, restless students, 1 1/2 hours...NO BUTTER!

Fast forward. Mrs. Quantrell at home. Potato masher. Churn full of resting cream now. Churn, churn, churn for 1 1/4 hours longer. FINALLY, butter chunks. Whew.

Could not feel arm and shoulder. Splashes everywhere. Butter everywhere.

But we had homemade BUTTER at our feast. Oh yeah. It was delish.

Now to fix the churn paddle before next year.

A Thankful Heart

2010-11-23T20:09:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is around the corner - actually around 2 corners...Today is Tuesday. Two more days, and the turkey will be in the oven (thawed, I hope), the squash will be cooked, the table set, the family coming...

Many, many things to be thankful for this year. The son is home from Iraq (his fiancee' and his family are extremely thankful for this); the daughter and son are dedicated to raising our delightful, hysterical grandson; we both have jobs; we have a warm home, clean clothes, and food in the pantry. Spending Thanksgiving NOT giving thanks would make me so uncomfortable, I would squirm and not enjoy a single second of the celebration.

Living in a free country, able to worship as I choose, go where I wish, work in my chosen career, purchase what I want, be who I dream... One could dub America as the 'Cornucopia' of the world; a horn of plenty!

How can I show my thanks? How can I give back? Certainly, when I am full of gratefulness, my heart overflows and desires to give back, to reach out to others and give them some of what I've been blessed with.

Thinking...thinking...thinking...not to jump holidays BEFORE we are out of this season of thankfulness, but as is told to Scrooge, (paraphrased) "Mankind is your business!"

Mankind. That's us. The humans. The heart and hands of thankfulness can reach out to touch and help mankind. There are certainly many that could use an extra hand or resources or a genuine smile.

Mankind. Happy Thanksgiving.

Thank You, Veterans, from the Superstars

2010-11-13T19:34:00.000-08:00

Thank you! Superstars from Harrah Community Christian School send a huge hug and thank you for what you have done for our country. Enjoy the acrostic written as a class project in dedication of veterans. Know that students at H.C.C.S. regularly pray for soldiers and their families.

Veterans Day

V - Veterans of our country
E - Ever protecting America
T - Thank you for fighting for our freedom
E - Eager to serve
R - Really important
A - Amazing sacrifices
N - Not forgotten, but noticed and needed
S - Soldiers of our military

D - Dedicated to help
A - Awesome and admired
Y - You are loved, appreciated, and remembered

Not Forgotten

2010-11-13T19:24:00.000-08:00

This year (and last) has given a personal and close link to Veterans Day. With our son safely home from Iraq, we deeply appreciate and respect the hard work, sacrifice, and personal cost given willingly by the soldiers who elect to serve our country. Thank you, veterans. Regardless of the political climate, elected officials, or media viewpoints, you are loved, remembered, appreciated, loved, missed, awesome, prayed for, cherished...Don't forget that we know the cost and embrace what you have given to us.

It seems too simple for such acts of unselfishness, bravery, sacrifice. But, from the depths of our hearts, thank you.

Thank you.

Time

2010-11-11T14:19:00.000-08:00

I had time today. Time to take a walk. C'est fantastique pour moi. Refreshing, brisk, fall-ish (my favorite season). Not to mention I really need the exercise. I've missed the full trees of blazing color, but a cornucopia of autumns' bounty is strewn and piled deep along the road, wet and gooey, crunchy and fragrant.

Encountered wildlife - watchful quail,
chattering and chasing squirrels,
squeaking finches,
noisy crows,
startled woodpecker,
puffed sparrows

Time. Take a walk.

The Pumpkins Have It

2010-11-07T18:10:00.001-08:00

Lovin' those pumpkins.

Love pumpkin spice-as in latte', pumpkin seeds, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread (looking for pumpkin donuts), pumpkin deco...It could go back to the days, like yesterday and many years previous (wish I could find the photo of me wearing a lovely white and orange houndstooth double knit pantsuit; just picture it), where I was known for loving the color orange. Still love the color orange, particularly in trees, leaves, flowers, bushes, and produce. It's probably tied in to loving the cool weather of fall, the crunches of autumn walks, the seasonal skies, wet weather, and the promise of even more cold and Christmas around the corner. Love it when the newspaper, almost every year, shows pictures of the zoo animals having a fall treat of floating, smashed, or tossed pumpkins.

Pumpkins are in a league of their own.

Yes. The. Pumpkins. Have. It.

I vote for pumpkins.

Shouldn't Have...

2010-10-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

Shouldn't have eaten that last donut! No longer a size 7.5.

Sigh.

New School

2010-09-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

What a blessing from God! A brand new building, beautiful environment, spacious rooms, fresh views, wonderful students, awesome staff, rural location, excellent curriculum...What more could one want?

"Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
While I live I will praise the LORD;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being."
(Psalm 146:1-2)

pas de souci

2010-09-01T21:12:00.001-07:00

New school. Boxes. Piles and stacks of teaching supplies. Blank walls. Unassembled things. Old school. More stuff. New rules and guidelines. Revised procedures. Lovely building. Expansive playground. Fresh paint and carpet. Empty lesson plans and grade book.

The clock spins ever faster. Ah, my aching neck and clenched teeth.

No worries. Pas de souci.

All in good time, each task will be completed at the right moment. I don't know why I worry, when I really do know that God will get me through everything. He has never let me down, even when I work myself into a frenzy of tight muscles and knots. Sigh.

Note to self: He. Will. Take. Care. Of. Everything. Everything!

Our help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8)

Dance

2010-08-18T10:34:00.000-07:00

"Let us dance in the sun, wearing wildflowers in our hair."

Susan Polis Schutz

Sunflowers

2010-08-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

My sunflowers are growing! And blooming. That's the important part. I planted a packet of jumbo seeds (one plant needs to be staked to the roof, it's so top heavy), plus another of sunset colors, hoping for a variety of burgundies and reds. Finally, they are appearing and the bees are high with excitement, trampling the little flower heads to collect and spread pollen.

Ahhh.

That must mean fall is around the corner if sunflowers are showing their colors.

The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of singing has come,
And the voice of the turtledove
Is heard in our land.
(Song of Solomon 2:12)

(That sounds exactly like my neighborhood!)

Molly Meets the Missionaries

2010-08-12T09:54:00.001-07:00

Check out this new book by my friend and editor, Rhonda Robbins-Reeves.

Molly Meets the Missionaries is a delightful, inspiring book. Preschoolers, children, families, and teachers will enjoy using this resource to show what missionaries do as they serve around the world. Real life photos and awesome graphics make each page a work of art. Bible thoughts that teach and reinforce biblical concepts are highlighted. Recipes, a song, and cut-out paper dolls of Molly and Mikey are included for playtime fun and extension activities. All in all, a fantastic book!
Way to go, Rhonda and WMU!

Visit: www.missionfriends.com to see more. Order a copy at www.wmustore.com.

Tell people about Jesus (see Matthew 28:19).

Chains

2010-08-05T17:01:00.000-07:00

There is a reason chains are used to keep trains hooked together. The engineers want to keep all of the trains connected, going the right direction. Chains are pretty strong, and mostly indestructible. The steel welded pieces can stand tremendous strain and weight. Knowing that our train car was extremely unlikely to come loose and roll back down the mountain was a good thing to think about as we traveled from Skagway, Alaska, over White Pass into Canada.

The chains that bind us to sin can be just as strong. The chains hook sin to our souls, and quite opposite of the train, sin wants us to get off the track and go in as many directions as we find. Nothing we can do will break those chains. We are eternally enslaved.

In fact, there is only one way the chains can be broken. By the blood of Jesus Christ, the chains binding us to our sins are forever broken. All we need to do is accept His sacrifice.

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace
"My Chains are Gone" by Chris Tomlin

Amazing grace!

Need a lifesaver?

2010-07-24T16:05:00.001-07:00

Lifesaver. Lifesavers. Life Savior.

1. Lifesaver = Floating life ring, necessary for rescuing when one is thrust upon (under, into?) water over one's head. Could be stormy weather, calm water, murky, muddy, clear water. Regardless, assistance is needed NOW. The one tossing the lifesaver is rescuing the floundering, waterlogged person. Pulling in the rope, the rescuer establishes the struggling on solid ground.

2. Lifesavers = Candy, shaped like a rescue ring, but full of sugar and tasty, mouth smacking flavor. Tart, sweet, fragrant...Tossed into the mouth of someone who needs a sweet word or two, energy, and attention. A form of 'instant sugar' for individuals suffering from low blood sugar. At times, a lifesaver could prevent more serious health issues. Side effect: relaxation, smiling, and juicy mouth.

3. Life Savior = The (Everlasting) Life Ring, not tossed, but graciously given free of cost, for those floundering in life and the stormy seas of daily events. Without this Life Savior, rescue will not happen. Disaster is sure to follow.

Grab the Ring. Let Him tow you to shore. He is the source of all rescue, assistance, firm ground, energy, attention, and eternity.

Go ahead. Grab a Life Saver, Lifesaver, and Life Savior.

Smile. Relax.

Now, about life jackets...