Return to Normalcy

Here it is Monday morning, I am completely overwhelmed by what needs to be done, so of course, I'm blogging.=)
Today got off to a rousing start. I got up at 4:30 to swim, arrived at the pool at 4:52, and saw a nice hand written sign on the door, "pool closed until 6:00 for maintenance." Great. I was wide awake, but did the rational thing-drove home and went back to bed. When Mr. Hippie tried to rouse me with a hot cup of coffee at 7:15-I was NOT awake. He left for work, and the rest of us slept until after 8:00. Whew! I think we all were tired from the weekend. Consequently, (since I re-slept in) I have been playing catch up-devotions, studying, unpacking, laundry, de-dirting children, making a grocery list, and...And trying to figure out when I can fit in a run. I didn't do it before I went back to bed because it was raining. And it only just stopped. Sigh...

cinnamon rolls ready to rise

baked

Unpacking...yes, on Saturday we took off for a weekend Bible conference in the Chicago area. This is the same conference that Mr. Hippie and I have taught hours and hours of children's meetings the past several years. But, thankfully, they didn't ask us this year. And we still decided to go. It was a great decision. We drove down earlier on Saturday morning, got there around 11:00. It was an encouraging time. We got to be fed (spiritually and physically), our kids were taken care of and got to hang out with friends, and we were able to yack it up with fellow christians. It was so encouraging! And refreshing! It seems like we are never able to go somewhere and just sit. Every ministry we are in, almost all of our activities-we have to do something. Teach, contribute, work. All the time. This weekend we didn't have to do anything. Nothing! We were able to sit in the sessions and just listen. We ate, and didn't have to cook or clean up. We could talk to friends without having to rush off to do something. No responsibility. Well, except for our own kids. But they were in their own sessions, and then, during the breaks they played outside with their friends. Except for occasional check-ins, we didn't see much of the three oldest. Meres even found her niche in the nursery. She split her time between us in the meetings, and other toddlers and gracious ladies in the nursery. It was such a blessing! On all fronts. I realize that much work went in to this whole weekend-though none of it was mine-and I very, very much appreciate it. Thank you, bros and sisters, for feeding my soul. I feel refreshed and renewed. Reconnected and encouraged. (which is why I had to take time to blog about it, so I could remember the blessing in the midst of the mountain of to-do's.=))

frosted, and taste tested=)

Here's the bottom line. As we were driving down to Chicago, Freckles asked if were were teaching the kids meetings. We told him that we weren't. His reply, "So, you are just going to be normal people this weekend?"=) That can be taken so many different ways, but yes, we were normal this weekend.=)

happy to go, happy to go home

Freckles

I have no idea...

Now, no more avoidance tactics...=)

Spring Quiet

Its a gorgeous Friday. Sunshiny, and crisp. School is done for another week-with only 4 more weeks to go. That is very exciting.
We finished up Brazil today. We drew up maps, flags, timelines, and fun facts to put into our notebook. And I think I am going to shelve geography for the rest of this year. Spring is a great time for science projects. Everything is growing, and it is warm. I think we are going to spend a bigger chunk of every Friday on science for the next 4 weeks. See what we can grow, and discover. We did leaf and bark rubbings today. It is an easy "hands on" project, that turns out very cool. Everyone can do their own, in their own colors. And that is a win-in situation. We also Herbert Hoover and FDR to our presidential timeline. Poor Herbert gets a bad rap, but he seems like a decent guy to me. Its too bad the economy tanked when he was president, and it never turned around. But he is the longest living retired president-maybe to be surpassed by Carter this September. FDR was FDR-liberal and loved. He is considered the second or third best president. "The only we have to fear is fear itself." Not exactly true, but impressive nonetheless.
I have cinnamon rolls rising. It has been while since I've made a batch. They are too much of a temptation-especially oven fresh and warm, and dripping with cream cheese frosting. They should be ready before 5:00.=)
Its amazing what runs through my mind at times. Today the lyrics to "I saw Mama kissing Santa Claus" were stuck on a repetitive cycle. Elsie heard me singing it. (E)"You kissed Santa Claus?" (me) "No, its my mom, grandma.=) She kissed Santa Claus."(e) "Grandma kissed Santa Claus? Really?" (me) "Yup!" (E) "So, Santa Claus is real?" Sigh.=) What tangled webs we weave...=)

Here is some beautiful poetry to start your weekend with. I am growing to love poems. You have to think and mentally picture the image the poet is describing. I find it work, but definitely worth the effort when you have wrapped your mind around it. These are both by Christina Rossetti. Ms. Rossetti is considered one of the best women poets of the 19th century.

Spring Quiet 

Gone were but the Winter,

Come were but the Spring,

I would go to a covert

Where the birds sing;

Where in the whitethorn

Singeth a thrush,

And a robin sings

In the holly-bush.

Full of fresh scents

Are the budding boughs

Arching high over

A cool green house:

Full of sweet scents,

And whispering air

Which sayeth softly:

"We spread no snare;

"Here dwell in safety,

Here dwell alone,

With a clear stream

And a mossy stone.

"Here the sun shineth

Most shadily;

Here is heard an echo

Of the far sea,

Though far off it be."

Spring

Frost-locked all the winter, 

Seeds, and roots, and stones of fruits, 

What shall make their sap ascend 

That they may put forth shoots? 

Tips of tender green, 

Leaf, or blade, or sheath; 

Telling of the hidden life 

That breaks forth underneath, 

Life nursed in its grave by Death. 

Blows the thaw-wind pleasantly, 

Drips the soaking rain, 

By fits looks down the waking sun: 

Young grass springs on the plain; 

Young leaves clothe early hedgerow trees; 

Seeds, and roots, and stones of fruits, 

Swollen with sap put forth their shoots; 

Curled-headed ferns sprout in the lane; 

Birds sing and pair again. 

There is no time like Spring, 

When life's alive in everything, 

Before new nestlings sing, 

Before cleft swallows speed their journey back 

Along the trackless track - 

God guides their wing, 

He spreads their table that they nothing lack, - 

Before the daisy grows a common flower 

Before the sun has power 

To scorch the world up in his noontide hour. 

There is no time like Spring, 

Like Spring that passes by; 

There is no life like Spring-life born to die, - 

Piercing the sod, 

Clothing the uncouth clod, 

Hatched in the nest, 

Fledged on the windy bough, 

Strong on the wing: 

There is no time like Spring that passes by, 

Now newly born, and now 

Hastening to die. 

Christina Georgina Rossetti

Come tomorrow, you may want to revisit these poems, when it will feel more like winter that spring.=)

QT and Fallacy

Well, it is a week into the whole "daily quiet time" thing, and it is going very nicely, thank you.=) We had a qt on Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday AND Wednesday. This Wednesday's was kind of abbreviated on my end, but I still had about half an hour just to sit and rest. I have finished one book, read an entire other book, started a completely different one, plus made progress on Lincoln. (he has been reelected, the Civil War in winding down, and I have less than 75 pages to go.=)) Quiet time is great!=) I have had to revamp my day to fit in a "guilt free" quiet time. Basically this has only involved getting up 30 minutes earlier on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so my run and shower are done early. Then I don't have to worry about fitting in a run in the early afternoon. Which leaves me time for qt. Today, Elsie and I are really going to whoop it up during qt. We are doing doing sugar scrub and pedicures. Got to keep those toes in tiptop barefoot condition.=) And, what is more relaxing than soaking your feet in hot water while reading a book and drinking tea?

Mere loves getting in my potatoes.

Yesterday BC finished up for the year. The students all protested that they wanted it to keep going. I told them that I need a break.=) But I will be back in the fall. It is a bittersweet thing saying goodbye. This portion of the population is very transient. I might not see some of them ever again. I do hope that the seeds sown all year will bear fruit, and I will see these kids in heaven. That is my prayer.
Random musing of the week...I am starting to sound like my mother. Sigh. I catch myself saying things that I remember my mom saying. And I think, "wow, that sounds just like my mom." I must be getting old. This is not necessarily a good or bad thing. It is just an observation. The thing I do that reminds me most of my mom is calling the family for dinner. Whether it is, "dinner time," or "let's eat", it is my mother's voice in my ear. What can I do?=)

familiar refrains for most moms-including my mom and Me.=)

Second random musing is the futility of "get rich quick" thinking. Have you ever noticed that most people seem to be hoping for a monetary windfall that just drops in their laps? A windfall that doesn't cost time, effort, or resources. Multilevel marketing schemes prey on people who are keeping this hope alive. Anytime you have a home party, the consultants are after sales, but more importantly, they are after signups. Whether it is candles, jewelry, beauty products, kitchen wares, cleaning products or food, the message is always the same. "You are currently doing such and such. It is such a drag. You work. Hours, every week. And you only make $_____. If you sell this product, you can pick your own hours. You will make tons of money. Its fun. You CAN make hundreds (or thousands) of dollars every month, for a minimum of time and effort." The thing that never gets mentioned is that the people who make that kind of money put a lot of effort into their business. They pursue the sales. They work lots of hours. And some weeks/months they hit it big. Some weeks/months they make next to nothing. The people who are getting rich are the people in the upper tiers, who aren't doing much, but are capitalizing on all the underling's efforts. This business is the fruition of their time, effort, resources, perseverance and dream.
Here in America, this whole notion of making big bucks for nothing, has taken over. Even in our failing economy, the majority still thinks they are worth huge salaries. And, to top that all off-even if you don't feel entitled to the big salary, you feel entitled to the big salary life style. Credit cards were not invented until the 1950s. That is not to say that people didn't buy on credit before then, because they did. Credit cards became more widespread in the 1980s. Before this, if someone wanted new furniture, chances are, they saved forever in order to purchase it. My generation wants the new house, brand new furniture, new car and other big toys. And they want it now. AND, they are hoping to turn that house in a few years, and end up with more money for it than what they paid. (and furnish the next house with all new furnishings to boot) Profit without effort. And, look where it got us. You can blame the banks, and Fannie May, but actually it all goes back to your common man on the street.
There is a pretty harsh word to describe this condition-greed. Wanting something for nothing. And not being content with what you have.
I find it ironic that Dave Ramsey learned the hard way about finances. And now his profitability comes from helping out thousands of people in the same boat. He advises cutting out everything not necessary, and then some. He advises hard work. His advice works. And it flies in the face of our current entitled, greedy, discontent society's thinking.
Behind almost every business success is a story of hard work, persistence, sacrifice, time and effort. There is no such thing as "get rich quick." It is a fallacy. And, furthermore, we aren't promised riches in this life. Paul was content with food and clothing. He found contentment in every circumstance-abundance or lack. He knew God would supply his, and the Philippians', needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. The author of Hebrews wrote, "let your behavior be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for He hath said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.'" That is the key to contentment-awarness that Jesus Christ is always with us. It eliminates a "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality.
The random musings of this barefoot hippie are ended.=)

Poetic License

WWoW
Cinquain (sin-cane) noun: a short poem consisting of five, usually unrhymed lines containing, respectively, two, four, six, eight, and two syllables. Any stanza of five lines.
To borrow from Junie B. Jones, my source of WWoW inspiration this week:
Pickle.
Bumpy, lumpy,
Crunching, munching, lunching,
Cucumbers makin' you pucker,
Gerkin.

Today you get to increase your vocabulary, and your skill set.=)
And here is my try:
Laundry.
Perpetual chore,
Scrubbing, drying, folding,
Thankful for current convenience.
Wash-day.

Why don't you try a cinquain today?

Pocketful of Sunshine

What makes you happy?
I know, I know...Christians are filled with the joy of the Lord. This joy is not dependent on circumstances.
But that isn't what I asked. What brings a grin to your face? What makes you feel like all is right in your world?
For me there are many things that make me happy. These are a few I am thinking of today.
-time to read a good book. And by good, I mean, quality or even just fluff and stuff. I really am happy when I can sit and read a book, from cover to cover. And when it takes days or hours-not months.
-baking and cooking for my family. I aways say that my kids are going to end up on The Biggest Loser (an ambition of theirs-though I think they wanted to be trainers, not contestants=)). They are going to be having a heart to heart with Bob, or Jillian, or whoever the trainers are at that time. And they will blame their weight on me, their mother. "She made me eat, good food, all the time. Cookies, cake, bread, scarpariello...=)"
-listening to Ethan read Junie B. Jones First Grader. Seriously, these have to be about the funniest books out there. The Tooth Fairy one, and the Christmas one, are both hilarious. Ethan usually reads to me while I am cleaning or cooking. It makes my work seem lighter to hear a story.
-drinking coffee with Mr. Hippie. Truly this is the highlight of my day-everyday. I jealously guard this time. I get up early, even on non workout days, just so we have some time to connect.
-family dinners. My favorites are toward the end of the week, or on the weekend. They are slower paced, and generally laughter filled. The boys and Brian tell anecdotes of all kinds. And I look around my table and think, "this is living."
-boogying to tunes. It is great. And, also in this category would be Meres boogying. When I play the piano, she gets up on all fours, and rocks back and forth, and shaking her booty.
-mail. Snail mail. We gets lots of junk-which is better than nothing. And checks in the mail are great too. But, I love getting a paper and envelope letter. And they are so rare these days. Like little treasures, each and every one.
-hanging out with friends. And family-who are friends. It doesn't happen as much as it used to. But it is such an encouragement when it does.
-sitting outside in the sunshine on a warmish day. Soaking up that vitamin D. Zoning out. That is bliss.=)

the infamous burger

-eating a Wealthy Street Station burger outside in the sunshine.

-a good work out. Enough said.
And, to think, all of these are part of my day today.

Pure happiness...

Bazillion Brazilian

BigB fan

Hello, All!
It's the end of a weekend, and beginning of a week. Again.=)
We had a much more laid back weekend this time around.
Friday we headed to south-central MI to scope out the new facility we are using for our guy's retreat this year. I should clarify that this is a classic case of "new to us" not "new-new." It is a rather rustic facility. But, it has a very modern kitchen with a dish washing station, walk in cooler and commercial stove. And it is on a nice lake-that has a five mile road around it. This should hopefully make up for the spartan bunk houses. I don't know how I am going to survive with out my tempur-pedic mattress. And I will probably have to visit my friend, the chiropractor, after. But, I think it is going to be great.

the aftermath of Aunt's chocolate donuts.
first one thumb...

...then the other.

It was raining on Friday, and Mr. Hippie wasn't working. We decided to add about 30 minutes to our trip, and visit that "Mecca of Amishness"-Shipshewana, IN. We had a great time. We arrived about lunch time, so we took care of eating first, and then we spent well over an hour in the furniture store next door. Shipshewana Furniture Company specializes in handmade furniture pieces. Each one a work of art. We aren't really in the market for any furniture right now, though our next big house purchase will be a dining room set. And I found a beautiful table. It was an almost black finished walnut, rectangle, wide and long. It had individual slats instead of a solid surface. And it was distressed. Which is probably a good thing. Someday...

tuckered from Shipshe

Saturday we didn't run. Chiropractor's orders. But I finished my second book of the week. And I started another. My online book club just started The Tapestry, the life and times of Francis and Edith Shaeffer. Edith wrote it, and she is a story teller. My favorite saying about storytellers is, "storytellers don't just want you to see the trees, they want you to see the leaves on the trees." That is obviously Edith's gift. She is not just telling their story, but she is weaving in other contemporary happenings. This is what I like to refer to as "connecting the dots." When I tell a story, I like to tie in all kinds of facets of history. And I am just an amateur. She was a pro. I just got through the first three chapters, but I think it is going to be a great book.

Flan pan

ready for the oven

Saturday also brought the preparation and consumption of our Brazilian meal.=) We prepared five dishes, all of which were very good. Mr. Hippie did the pork spareribs for me. These were cooked on the stove top with rosemary, lime juice, soy sauce, oregano and garlic. They were tender and delicious. I also made flan. Simple and smooth. First I caramelized sugar to coat the baking dish. Then I blended egg yolks for a few minutes, added milk, sweetened condensed milk, and egg white. Pour into the dish, bake about an hour. And wow! I am not a big fan of pudding desserts. But I am going to do this again. I served it with kiwi and mango per recipe instructions. Ascetically pleasing on numerous fronts. I also made a black bean stew. Beans are a staple in Brazil. The recipe had ham, chorizo sausage, green pepper, tomatoes, onion, chili peppers, and other things I can't remember-plus mango and cilantro. It was surprisingly spicy, and good. The adults especially seemed to like the beans. I also made rice that I toasted and then cooked. It was a good filler. The last thing was a kind of rubbery, cheesy, biscuit like bread. These were also great. I made a FB invite for anyone to share our meal. No one took us up on it. So, we called my bro and sil who live down the street. They were free, and were happy to come. It was good to reconnect with them. Meres and my niece were born two days apart last June. They both have filled our respective lives, and we haven't seen each other the past 10 months as formerly.

Spareribs cooking

and served.

plate of goodness 

beans...very colorful

Flan

the cousins

playing

I don't even know what to say.=)

end of the weekend

Sunday I got in a nap, we had pizza for dinner, I won Wizzard, and Mr. Hippie and I laughed to Hogan's Heroes in bed. A great end to a great weekend.

Then I got up and swam a mile, and ran four before 7:15.

The Hippie racing team is back in business!

Adjustment Bureau

Remember my Tuesday post? About what a great Tuesday it was? Everything trilling along perfectly? A visit to my favorite chiro in the wings?

Well, my visit to the chiropractor was what is commonly known as a "wake-up call."

I had been having a minor issue with my left hip when I was running. It didn't really concern me all that much. When we were preparing for our 1/2, it would occasionally feel a little out of whack. But if I stretched it good before my run, it was usually just fine. Then, last summer, after carrying and delivering a 10 pound baby, my pelvis was definitely in the "whacked" category. That brought on my original three visits to the chiro. That seemed to do the trick. He told me to come in for maintenance every so often. But I didn't because I am a subscriber to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," line of thinking. So, it wasn't causing me any serious grief, just minor annoyance, but I thought it couldn't harm my running to get my hip snapped back where it belongs. 

(Btw, this isn't all leading up to a cancer announcement, or anything, so you can slow down, and READ this.)

Tuesday, I go in, and the Doctor starts working away. Like two seconds into the appointment he tells me that my pelvis is way crooked. Okay. Tell me something new. That is why I'm here. Then, he is rubbing my back, and he tells me that he can see I have had a lot of stress in my life lately. Something about how knotted everything is. No kidding. My life is not stressful. Seriously?=) So he popped, and pounded, and pulled, and lectured. He told me that I have to relax. Now, I have to admit that in actually going to visit the chiropractor, he is not seeing me at my finest. I get a bit tense with all that popping. I mean, how can that actually be GOOD for you? Anyway, I digress. He told me that I need to take some time every day and burn some candles, read a book, take an uninterrupted bath. For a half an hour! I  laughed out loud at that. What mom has a half hour everyday for an uninterrupted soak in the tub? Leave it to a man to imagine that is even in the realm of possibility.=) But, the more serious thing is my hip/pelvis. If I don't get some relaxation on a regular basis, the stress on my hip/pelvis could pop out a disk. And that would not be a good thing. The options are regular adjustments (get it fixed in the next few visits, and then maintain every 6-8 weeks) and take some time to relax everyday, or face the possibility of having to rest. Flat on my back. Unable to do anything without some major pain. (he likened it to labor pains) What seems like the better option to you?
The reason I know he is right, is, because after our hectic weekend, Mr. Hippie told me I should take the day off. My response was, "off from what?" School? Laundry? Grocery shopping? Paperwork? Bible Study? This was very frustrating to me. Just taking a break from school is not hardly going to put a dent in what I had to do. Our week of spring break was great. It was a break from school, BC, and Bible study. But I still studied, grocery shopped, sewed, cleaned, got ready for a party, and cooked. Responsibilities seem to loom over my head like a hammer. My life is a tightrope walk-get everything done, or fall into the abyss. That is a rather bleak picture. It is not sustainable. And, furthermore, I don't want to sustain it.
Pre-Meres, I had a quiet time scheduled into our day. Everyday. Usually from 1-3 in the afternoon. It was time for the kids to be in their rooms (theoretically) reading. Regardless, it was rather quiet, and I got to rest and read. This year I haven't felt like I had time for a quiet time. Who has time for a quiet time when there is schooling, and cooking, and cleaning, and caring for a baby, and paperwork, and studying, and blogging, and running, and swimming, and...____to be done?
I came home from the chiropractor and I ached. My back was sore all over. I went to bed fairly early. Yesterday it still hurt. I even took ibuprofen for some relief. My back hasn't been this achy since I was pregnant, or since I put my back out several years ago. I swam this morning. Something popped in my back towards the end of my swim making my it feel a bit better. But my hip is still not overly happy. So, I chose prudence over valor in my run today. This close to our race, and I don't want to screw everything up.
Once again I am adjusting my lifestyle. The past two days proved to me that I can't afford NOT to rest.
I am going to readjust our day for at least one of hour down time every day. Every day. No exceptions.
This will make me rest. It will give me time to read. And, hopefully it will be good for all of us.

I am a swimmer. Usually I swim laps. But, every once in a while, I climb into a pool with my family-for fun. And then I inevitably spend some time doing the back float. I'm telling you, one of the most relaxing things for me to do is to back float. You can't float unless you take a deep breath and relax. If you try to float, you will sink. Close your eyes, stretch your legs out, open your hands above your head, and float. Ahhh...

Quiet time is going to be my "deep breath, relax, and just float" time.

"If I Only Had the Nerve"

WWoW
Pusillanimity: (pu-sil-la-nim-i-ty) noun: Contemptible fearfulness. A cowardly, irresolute, or fainthearted condition. Lacking courage and resolution : marked by contemptible timidity. My fear of snakes has not reached pusillanimous proportions.
Origin: From the ecclesiastical Latin pusillanimis, from pusillus (very small) + animus (mind) + -ous. A translation of a Greek word meaning faint hearted.
1. The Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz had to conquer his pusillanimity.
2. Gideon is a good example of pusillanimity being overcome in the strength of the Lord.
3. In Deuteronomy 20 there is a provision for pusillanimous soldiers to avoid battle and instead go home.
I find it very interesting that Joshua, the military leader in Israel, was commanded over and over again to "be strong and of good courage." When the spies brought back their discouraging report, Joshua and Caleb were confident that God would give Israel the land of Canaan, because He had promised. Joshua had victoriously fought Amelek. Maybe it wasn't facing the battles that was causing Joshua pusillanimity. Maybe it was replacing Moses, and having responsibility for leading millions of people. Regardless of the task before him (or us), the answer remains the same, "be strong and very courageous, for the Lord thy God is with you wherever you go."
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Passion Pursuit

Meres and I are grooving to Pandora "Beach Boys", scarpariello is bubbling away in the crockpot, the 3 oldest are outside enjoying the crisp sunshine, fresh baked bread is cooling on the counter, 1/3 of the house is vacuumed, 6 miles have been run, the bff is coming for dinner and I get to visit my favorite chiropractor this afternoon for some maintenance. Its a wonderful April day!=)

One of the websites I love to follow is The Tiny Twig. Hayley has been doing a series on passion. She is calling it The Passion Proposition. Every day or so, as she writes a new "passion" post, I have been reflecting on the whole idea of passion. Passion is an intense emotion, compelling feeling, enthusiasm, or desire for something. Just what am I passionate about? How is my life fulfilling my passions? Do the people closest to me know what I am passionate about? Is this a season in my life for pursuing my passion, or letting it just grow in quiet?
Well, I am passionate about a few things...
1) Life simplicity. Weeding out unnecessary actions, occupations and fillers that detract from what I enjoy.
2) Women's fitness. I don't know why, but I am passionate about women's fitness. It probably began when my own fitness journey began around 13 years ago. I want to be strong and healthy for myself and my family and for service. It could be because I am a disciplined person, or because fitness  has worked for me, or because "misery loves company" but I enjoy encouraging other women to be out there being active. Walking, running, swimming, biking. And fitness that fits with wives' and mothers' lives. I am not a single, childless woman who can devote hours and hours to anything. (not that single women can devote hours and hours to anything either. You know what I mean.) I have to fit fitness around a husband and four kids.
3) Partnership. I am passionate about being a partner with my husband in everything. This may be in a visible role-like our children's work, or running, or parenting, or more back ground like paperwork or cooking or keeping house for him. But I want to be his helper, in everything. And I want to encourage other wives to partner with their husbands too and to serve with their husbands.
4) Cooking. This might fit into the life simplicity thing. But I like to cook. And I like cooking (relatively) healthy food, that doesn't take way more time to prepare than to consume. I like things that taste great, and look great. Lots of bang for a little buck.
5) Teaching. I have only realized recently how much I love teaching. I enjoy teaching my kids, other kids, and about just whoever else might care to listen.=)
6) Service. Serving the Lord, however, wherever and whenever, has been a passion of mine since about age 12. My parents made me read biographies, and consequently I got a vision for what a life devoted to the Lord and His service can look like. And my passion is to live that out. To serve the Lord in the big and small things, day in-day out. This is why I homeschool my kids, teach Bible club, lead a Bible study, and....

Maybe having six passions is too "passionate."=) But, I think they are all kind of related. I want to pass on the vision (teach) of these things that I enjoy. And I think that is why I am loving blogging so much. It gives an outlet for my many thoughts. It is a way I can encourage other people in my circle and beyond to be fit, streamlined, partnering, cooking and serving women.=) It is an outlet for vulnerability, for facts, for strengths, for learning and for growing. This is why I share recipes, and words, and stories, and music, and photos, and projects, and humor. It is why I sometimes "soapbox" and sometimes cry. This is a reflection of who I am, and what I am passionate about.

What are you passionate about? How are you living out your passion? Leave me your thoughts.

Year of the Snake(s)

Well, here it is Monday morning, closing in on noon, and I am at a loss. What to do? Where to start?
We had a crazy busy weekend. CRAZY BUSY!
This is what it looked like:
Saturday:
5:50 am-alarm goes off for me. Meres wakes up, feed her for 20 minutes.
6:10-jump (carefully) in shower
6:40-leave for Bible study-showered, shaved, makeup-ed, and coiffed
6:55-start Bible study
9:00-Bible study ends. Head to church to drop off egg casserole for Pancake breakfast.
9:15-arrive home, drink coffee, feed and dress Meres.
9:50-leave for aforementioned pancake breakfast.
1:00-arrive home from pancake breakfast, feed Meres AGAIN, put down for nap, and change.
1:35:30-leave on 13 mile run.
4:00-arrive back from 13 mile run. We walked/limped the last two miles-which is why it took so long.
4:45-leave for Holland to visit with aunt and uncle, after eating some protein, showering again, and redoing the whole makeup/coif thing.
9:45-arrive home from Holland, having been soundly beat at Scrabble by the Uncle. Nevertheless, a wonderful end cap to the day.
10:00-seriously-Dead to the World.

Sunday:
7:00-alarm goes off, feed Meres, drink coffee
7:45-shower
8:00-plop girls in tub (for the bath that there was not enough time for on Saturday) while simultaneously doing makeup and coif-AGAIN.=)
8:40-breakfast
9:05-out the door to church
12:50-lunch at favorite Chinese restaurant with favorite waiter "Q". (It sounds like a James Bond thing.) (and who has time to cook anyway?)
2:00-pick up bil from our house, and head out to Lake Odessa for a jamboree with the Inlaws.
6:05-arrive home from Jamboree, thoroughly exhausted.
6:25-send Mr. Hippie off to the rest home solo, climb into comfy clothes, and just SIT. You will be proud of me. I said "no" to the hymn sing, and to the about a dozen calls I was supposed to make.
8:00-kids and Barefoot Hippie in bed.
8:40-Barefoot Hippie, once again, dead to the world.
Sigh...

Meres-last week

Elsie-about same age,
more hair, maybe a bit taller

Needles to say, I didn't get up to swim this morning. I slept. Until 7:30! Now, I am trying to gather my wits about me so I can run and shower and grocery shop.

Elsie-Let me out of here!
Sometimes I feel that way too.=)

So, Year of the Snake...Actually, if you look at the Chinese Zodiac conveniently printed on the restaurant placemats, you will notice that next year is the year of the snake. This year is the year of the dragon. Not that I get into any of that. But, I did see my first snake of the year on Saturday. I'm telling you, if there is a snake in my proximity, I will see it. Probably because I HATE snakes! Completely and totally. I even avoid reptile houses at zoos. That is Mr. Hippie's department. Anyway, there I am, jogging along the trail on Saturday, minding my own business, when I hear a rustle in the grass right by me. Look down, and jump a mile! There is an 18" garter snake with a long yellow stripe, right next to me in the grass! Are you kidding me? Why, oh why, do I need to be the one seeing these snakes? It is probably because I am super sensitive. Otherwise I wouldn't even be watching the grass, listening for the rustles. It makes my skin crawl just thinking about it. So, the first, and I can guarantee, not the last.

Shudder.

Its the Thought that Counts

I love how Meres is looking at Elsie in this one.=)

Has anyone ever given you a hostess gift? Have you ever given someone a hostess gift?
I get various magazines, and hostess gift ideas are a regular feature. And I always kind of write it off as a "highbrow" society thing. And, of course, I don't run with highbrow society, so why would I need hostess gift ideas? Scoff.=)

I have a sil who always, ALWAYS brings me some kind of hostess gift, whenever they come over. She has brought me plants and flowers, and cookies. And it is always so sweet. And I am very appreciative that she appreciates me being the hostess.
Well, after this year's Easter Egg Hunt plant, I made a resolution. I am going to be a hostess gift giver. Of course, this resolution gets tested right away. We are going to visit family tomorrow night. We get together with this particular aunt and uncle about twice a year to play Scrabble. It is their turn to host the game, and our turn to bring dessert. And the hostess gift. (though that isn't their requirement=)) Which means I am scrambling for ideas. Why would I actually use one of the ideas in my magazines?
My very first hostess is going to be...potted herbs. My oregano and thyme both needed thinned. Either I throw it away, or pass it on. I spray painted two glass mugs black, and I am going to get the herbs transplanted once the mugs are dry. One is going to be a combo of the two herbs, and one will just be oregano. They will sit nicely on a window sill, or they can go outside for the summer.

Frugal, practical, kind of groovy

The oregano exclusive looks good. We'll see if the combo takes off.

My MK lady dropped by some new product, so I'm off to "abrase my microderm." 

Have a great weekend!

Dog(ged) Days

WWoW
Pertinacity (per ti na sity) noun: persistent determination. A steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion. Doggedness. Abraham Lincoln displayed pertinacity during the final year of the Civil War despite the election process, costly battles, cabinet opposition and great loss of life on both sides.
Last week's WWoW seemed to describe my week's happenings fairly accurately. I have been facing enervating circumstances. This week's WWoW describes what needs to be my reaction to these circumstances. I need to be pertinacious, dogged, steadfast. Not to my own agenda. But to the Lord's calling. I will not give up despite the bumps in the road. To quote John Paul Jones, "I have not yet begun to fight." My struggle is not against flesh and blood. And I'm not giving up. I will not be pertinacious in my own strength, but in the power of God's might.

Some people call it stubborn, I call it pertinacity.
It sounds much nicer.=)

Be steadfast, unmoveable, (pertinacious) always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

This is a test...This Is Only A Test

Is it just me, or do girls seem to take the teething thing to a new level? Talk about drama...the diaper rash, early snuggly mornings, sobbing-all day, no naps-or very short ones. I don't remember the boys handling teething quite this badly. Even Els wasn't nearly as emotional. Which is saying a lot. Meres-she is driving me nuts. In a teething way. She is cutting her second top front tooth, plus a bottom side one, and a top side one. She is snotty and cranky. She does a fake cough for attention. Its like she already knows I have nightmares about my kids choking. (seriously, I do-that and drowning) I love her. But I really can't hold her all day. Sigh....
Honestly, I am a complainer. I am totally pessimistic-glass half full and all that. I aim for realism, but often hit the darker side. I am not a bouncy personality. I have to look for things to be thankful for. Things not to complain about. Things that make me smile.
And right now, I am having a hard time trying to find the silver lining in life. Life is hard right now. Mr. Hippie and I are being sifted. Tried and tested. It is nothing that I feel I can share on a public blog. But it is shadowing my days. It is enervating me.

Our Red Bud tree. Truly something to smile about today.

God wants to use suffering in our lives. Sometimes we experience suffering because suffering is common...it is the result of a sinful world full of sin and sinners. Some suffering is corrective. God uses it to weed out the bad. Sometimes suffering is constructive. God will bring suffering in our lives to change us into the people He wants us to be. To make us more like Jesus Christ. To make us mature and complete, not lacking anything. And sometimes suffering is cosmic-it is simply to bring God glory.
James tells us in his epistle to count it all joy when you fall into many kinds of testing. I have to say that my first reaction, (and third and fourth) is never joy. It can range from hurt to anger, confusion or complaining. Not joy. Are you kidding me?=) Who likes a test anyway? Interesting though, is that this injunction to count it all joy is followed by the instruction to ask God for wisdom if you find you are lacking it. Contextually you'd have to think this means that if you don't understand the purpose for your trial-if you don't know if it is common, constructive, corrective, cosmic, or a combination-you can ask God for understanding. He may let you know. He may not. But, He never rebukes a genuinely seeking heart. Psalm 62 tells us to pour our hearts out to God. He is our refuge. Furthermore, He is in control. And whatever the nuts and bolts, or reasons why, we know that He is working out this suffering for His glory and our good.
So, while I am having a hard time with some major things right now, I am asking for wisdom. I am striving for the joy.
But God is faithful...He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear.

Egg-cellent

16 kids (9 and under), 2 babies, 240 plastic eggs, 16 pounds of "fruit flavored" jelly beans, 4 pounds of robins eggs, 1 pound of chocolate, and one gorgeous April Saturday...what do you have? The Annual Hippie Easter Egg Hunt. It was a chaotic blast! Lots of great food, candy, coffee, conversation and laughter, plus one broken window, one awkward moment as my mil tickled the neck of my brother mistaking him for a son=), and lots of muddy footprints in the bathroom.=) It all added up to a great time!

16 pounds of color

Our Easter Egg Hunt started out 8 years ago with the four oldest nieces and nephews. It has literally grown every year as the amount of descendants has multiplied. We shoot for Easter Saturday, though sometimes we have done it earlier or later. We have had snow, and rain, and freezing weather. This year was perfect. Not too warm to melt the chocolate, and not too cold to be outside. It was sunshiny, and breezy. A perfect early April day.

My egg filling posse'

I don't dye eggs, and we don't do Easter baskets. I have tried the dyed egg thing before, but what do you do with all those hard boiled eggs anyway? And the color never turns out as vibrant as on the box. And though I think the beautifully designed eggs are wonderful-I don't have the skill, time or patience to turn out my own. So, we do plastic.=) I did consider buying baskets for collecting the eggs in this year, but here's the thing...do you send them home with the kids, and just get new ones each year? That gets costly. Or, do I keep them year to year? But then I need someplace to store 25 baskets. We stuck with brown paper bags.=)
The food was delicious, as always.=) I made a ham(the biggest I could find), potato salad, baked beans, and marshmallow jello, and the sils filled in the gaps. This is the Easter food I grew up on, and I've managed to convert Mr. Hippie's extended family to some of our traditional dishes. Like the homemade potato salad, and jello.

the leftovers

eggs...

and more eggs

Decked out in their finest for Easter Sunday.

the girls in all their tulip glory.=)

Sunday was a much calmer day. We went to church, and got to sing many of my favorite resurrection hymns. We came home and ate leftover ham sandwiches, and then lounged the afternoon away. (we were supposed to run, but we were both rather not motivated) We made a very simple meal of lamb, couscous and asparagus for dinner. Talk about easy..."hands on" time was about 10 minutes. This meal has become our traditional Easter dinner here in the Hippie household. We do it with just us. It is always delicious, and not much fuss after the big dinner the day before.
And now I will get asked multiple times every day by my offspring if they can eat an egg. I will sometimes say yes, but more often say no, until I am fed up and dump the remainder in the garbage.
Jelly Beans, anyone?

Carb Convenience vs. Protein Power

Fun poetry to end your spring break on. 

Last day of spring break. Bummer! But only 7 more weeks of school, and then we can have months of break.
I just finished the girls' dresses. I will post pictures on Monday-with them actually wearing them.
Meres has a cold. Poor baby. She is snotty and watery eyed. And she is working on two more teeth. Like I said, "poor baby."

Some advertising from the Hippie offspring

We eat hummus. It keeps us looking like stair steps.

I love carbs. They are so tasty. So delicious. So convenient. Though when I run a lot, my body craves protein. Give me some red meat. Protein builds muscle. But carbs are energy. And they are always right there. Bread, cookies, granola, granola bars, fruit.  Protein takes work. Opening a can of tuna, and making tuna salad. Cooking fish, chicken, or meat. Pouring that glass of milk with cookies.=) Yogurt, cheese, nuts and beans are all good sources of protein. But, nuts make my face look like a teenagers-and I don't mean wrinkle free either. And who just wants to eat a can of beans? Yuck!

Hummus is my favorite way to eat beans, namely garbanzo beans. It is very easy to make up, and packs a protein wallop. It is delicious. Personally I prefer mine, which is heavy on lemon and garlic. Hummus experts say that hummus is best at room temperature, not cold. Personally, I think it is best right out of the blender, but any temp will do.=) Hummus is good on fresh bread, pita bread, pita chips, bagel chips, pretzels, crudités, or just with a spoon(or finger) right out of the blender. I make it probably about once a month, and I enjoy having it right after a run. Here is my top secret recipe. The key is in blending it for a good long time. You want hummus to be a smooth thick dip rather than a clumpy paste. But not too thick. It should have little granules in it. But they shouldn't be noticeable as you are eating it.

Bernadette's Hummus
2 cans garbanzo beans, reserve liquid from one can
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup tahini paste
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp salt

-Add all ingredients to the blender before adding beans. Pour half of the reserved bean liquid in the blender on top of the beans, and pulse until smooth. Add more liquid as necessary to get the thick dip effect.

In my quest to try a new recipe every other week or so, I have stumbled upon some good ones. Here is an amazing pasta recipe. The key ingredient is the spicy Italian sausage. It makes it. Don't try it with mild sausage. It won't be the same. Trust me on this. This a a recipe from the March Food Network magazine, with a few Hippie adjustments.

Pasta with Spicy Sausage
16 ounces medium shell pasta
2 Tbsp olive oil
5 links of fresh spicy Italian sausage
3 spring onions-white and light green parts only
2 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
freshly ground pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese.

-Cook pasta in salted boiling water until done. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking liquid.
-Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove sausage from casings, add to skillet, breaking up with a wooden spoon until it begins to brown, about 3 minutes.
-Add the onion, and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
-Add the garlic, mushrooms, salt, and pepper to taste; cook, stirring occasionally until the mushrooms start to brown, about 3 minutes.
-Add the cherry tomatoes, and cook until they soften lightly-about 3 more minutes.
-Add the broth to skillet and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Remove from heat.
-Place all in a large serving bowl, with pasta and cheese, and reserved pasta liquid as necessary to moisten. Serve with more cheese and the darker green tops of the onions.

*This is how I have made it, but I think it is a good base that can be changed up a bit. I am going to try switching mozzarella for the parmesan. I also think broccoli or broccoli rate would be a good switch for the tomatoes. I am going to play around with the ingredients the next time I make it. Though, come to think of it, why mess with a good thing?

And, that, my friends, is two for the price of one. Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Christ is Risen Indeed!