What an odd new stage. I am awake early and my kids are still asleep. Off and on this last month, I have had great times of waking up before the sunrise. Thinking of that great passage in Isaiah 50 that talks about God awakening me morning by morning to teach me things, I have loved stealing away to sit quietly on my couch, watch the sunrise, enjoy the early morning birds, and to spend uninterrupted time with God. What cool times, and it is only when God wakes me up, since normally I love to sleep. Thanks, Abba/Daddy.
Now, Mark has come and gone to worship practice, the sun is long up, the birds are still chirping, yet my kids remain asleep. How strange.
Cool morning breezes pass between my window and my open deck. The priest who lives across the driveway was up enjoying the sunrise this morning too. He was out on his deck with his Bible or notes for this morning's sermon on his lap. The sun quietly climbed the sky, spilling more amber light across the whispering trees. The birds sang louder. I sighed contentedly, smiled and went back to my reading.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Beef Jerky and Jungle Garden
Spicy terryaki beef jerky on my lips...
Using the dehydrator, and his own special marinade, my husband works for several days to marinate, and then dehydrate the strips of sliced beef that he has bought. The house smells strongly then of terryaki and spices. The wash cloths and counters are often dangerous with raw meat juices for a little bit, as he is an exuberant cook. But he smiles and tries to appease my salmonella paranoia by taking precautions: washing counters with hot soapy water, quarantining his cloths and towels, etc. One morning I leave a note for my teen son and his friend who slept over. "Watch out! Don't put your bagels on the counter here to butter them. Juices may have oozed out over the night from the dehydrator!"
But, wow, several days later, and a rapidly-depleting bag of beef jerky later, I have to boast that my husband makes good beef jerky! It is a favorite snack for most of us in the family, and it goes fast. We ration it out to make it last longer. I sometimes selfishly don't keep to the ration that I recommend to the kids. How bad is that? My man smiles though, glad that I like his beef jerky.
We tackled the garden jungle today. The three weeks' worth of weeds was daunting at first. Indeed we had put off going to the garden for a week or so, knowing we needed to, but afraid of what we would see. So, we had played in the Y pool for six hours one day, and hung out with friends another day. This morning, though, we knew that it was time. Two hours later, and covered in sweat and brown dirt, we were exhilarated at our progress. Popping radishes in our mouth, or a fresh rare strawberry, or some handfuls of chives and lettuce make it all worthwhile too.
What are some of your favorite things of the summer? I like the laidback pace of life, gardening, time with friends and family, and relaxing around the Y pool in the hot sunshine.
Using the dehydrator, and his own special marinade, my husband works for several days to marinate, and then dehydrate the strips of sliced beef that he has bought. The house smells strongly then of terryaki and spices. The wash cloths and counters are often dangerous with raw meat juices for a little bit, as he is an exuberant cook. But he smiles and tries to appease my salmonella paranoia by taking precautions: washing counters with hot soapy water, quarantining his cloths and towels, etc. One morning I leave a note for my teen son and his friend who slept over. "Watch out! Don't put your bagels on the counter here to butter them. Juices may have oozed out over the night from the dehydrator!"
But, wow, several days later, and a rapidly-depleting bag of beef jerky later, I have to boast that my husband makes good beef jerky! It is a favorite snack for most of us in the family, and it goes fast. We ration it out to make it last longer. I sometimes selfishly don't keep to the ration that I recommend to the kids. How bad is that? My man smiles though, glad that I like his beef jerky.
We tackled the garden jungle today. The three weeks' worth of weeds was daunting at first. Indeed we had put off going to the garden for a week or so, knowing we needed to, but afraid of what we would see. So, we had played in the Y pool for six hours one day, and hung out with friends another day. This morning, though, we knew that it was time. Two hours later, and covered in sweat and brown dirt, we were exhilarated at our progress. Popping radishes in our mouth, or a fresh rare strawberry, or some handfuls of chives and lettuce make it all worthwhile too.
What are some of your favorite things of the summer? I like the laidback pace of life, gardening, time with friends and family, and relaxing around the Y pool in the hot sunshine.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Pregnancy Progression
These are photos showing the progression of my tummy. (Drat, stinking program. I can't get the photos in the correct order.)
The first one is me at four months. I'm wearing the green shirt, and a yellow African wrap-around skirt, facing left.
The second photo, in the blue shirt and maroon skirt, is me at six months.
The third photo is me at seven months pregnant, and I'm standing next to my brother!
Lastly, in the brown shirt, is me at eight months pregnant.
The first one is me at four months. I'm wearing the green shirt, and a yellow African wrap-around skirt, facing left.
The second photo, in the blue shirt and maroon skirt, is me at six months.
The third photo is me at seven months pregnant, and I'm standing next to my brother!
Lastly, in the brown shirt, is me at eight months pregnant.
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