Category: motherhood

Caterpillars and Butterflies

Diana B.3 Comments

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old is gone; the new is come.” -2 Corinthians 5:17

The end of the school year always makes me think about caterpillars and butterflies and how my little girls are growing up.

Last June we acquired five monarch caterpillars from another homeschool family. We fed them milkweed — which wasn’t easy to find — and we watched them eat, eat, eat.

The girls’ favorite caterpillar was named “Tiny Corn.” She was the last to go into her chrysalis.

We marveled at the shiny gold dots on each chrysalis as they hung from the lid of their habitat.

One by one, after they broke free from their chrysalises and dried their wings, we let them fly.

“Tiny Corn” was the last to go, and she held on to the hydrangea on the patio for a while.

Then she held onto Linnea’s finger for a while.

And then, just like the others, the stately monarch mounted up on the breeze and flew high into the blue sky.

Thus ended our monarch butterfly project.

the path to Butterfly Meadow

Two years ago we raised painted lady butterflies and let them go at “Butterfly Meadow” — another lovely experience!

Counting to 1,000 (482-521)

Diana B.4 Comments

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)

This week I surpass the half-way mark as I am counting up one thousand gifts  from God! Praise Him for His goodness, His love that endures forever, and for the peace that comes in knowing He is always in control — even on days when life doesn’t make sense.

482. pairs of indigo buntings at the feeders

483. flower shopping with little girls in tow

484. a cloudless sky

485. the golden sunset rays that outline the fuzz on a little gosling near the pond

486. vases full of lilacs

487. tiny tea parties

488. the promise of peonies

489. how they encourage the friend with a broken leg

490. gardening gloves that fit just right

491. their teamwork in playing “Heart and Soul” together on the piano

492. the vivid green of spring

493. grandma-made dresses with the ultimate twirly-ness

494. bare feet spinning in happiness as the sun sinks lower

495. a Saturday afternoon patio picnic at the Arboretum

496. the engineer brain that figures out the tricky umbrella at our table

497. a lively stroll through the blooming lilacs as their delightful, heavenly fragrance lingers heavy in the air

498. the azalea’s brilliant orange and pink blossoms

499. the redbud trees that remind me of climbing in my neighbors’ redbud trees as a kid

500. the delicate bleeding hearts

501. how the tiny Lily of the Valley draws her ever closer

502. the happy, hoppy toad on the rocks

503. droplets pearling on the blue shadow alder

504. the vibrant fuchsia petals of the peony

505. how he giggles with them about the “Toothbrush” Song

506. bite-sized cucumber sandwiches sprinkled with dill and devoured by the little snacker

507. homemade raspberry white chocolate scones with clotted cream

508. how happily she rediscovers the little house in the shade

509. the dearly loved piano teacher who stops by for a visit

510. how beautifully she plays her “Medley in Pink”

511. her sweet little voice singing “I Love Snack Time”

512. a whole morning gladdened by Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and reading I, Vivaldi together

513. her thrill at eating popcorn and watching Charlotte’s Web, just the two of us

514. refreshing sips of Simply Lemonade

515. the joyous arrival of sweet Kayla Michelle and her very first Sunday at church

516. encouraging reports from missionaries to Thailand

517. the book of Ruth and how it reminds us that God is always in control

518. answered prayers for their protection and for the deadly tornadoes to pass over without harming them

519. pumpkin seeds to crunch at snack time

520. the broad, silvery strokes of pink and blue painting the sunset sky

521. the men and women who sacrificed their lives in service to our country

Counting to 1,000 (462-481)

Diana B.Leave a comment

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.” Psalm 30:11-12 (NIV)

Giving thanks to God, I’m counting up one thousand gifts  from above. May we give Him thanks forever!

462. how they all three thrill at seeing the first humming-bird at the new feeder

463. the black-capped chickadee, the deep red cardinal and the electric blue indigo bunting at the finch feeder

464. raindrops on lilacs

465. the captivating yet familiar scent of fresh lilac blossoms

466. tulips sprinkled with raindrops

467. tiny bare toes that dance happily across the stage

468. how her face beams as she does the caterpillar/butterfly dance on the big stage

469. her “Tigger tail”

470. how thoughtfully she moves to Dvorak’s music

471. how they giggle about their “not serious” ballet

472. instructors with a contagious passion for the art of dance and students who excel under their direction

473. orange popsicles to savor

474. time to explore the endless possibilities of wooden pattern blocks

475. hairpins and the kind neighbor’s 5 minute lesson on hair buns

476. frilly costumes that make them feel so beautiful

477. medicine for allergies

478. the sweet Granny who introduces them to Rosemaling and the immeasurably wonderful art instructor who inspires us all

479. Sunday evening fellowship with some familiar and some unfamiliar faces

480. protection from the devastating storm nearby

481. a quiet, slow morning with a flexible schedule

Counting to 1,000 (425-461)

Diana B.2 Comments

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

In an effort to overflow with thankfulness, I’m counting up one thousand gifts for which I am ever-so thankful to God. And this week I’m getting ever-so close to half way there! Thanks for joining me in this adventure in gratitude.

425. yellow warblers dashing through the tree tops

426. low, rumbling thunder in the early morning that sends the littlest, pajama-clad daughter dashing beneath the covers

427.  warm, cozy teddy bears to snuggle tight

428. a pair of robins, bobbin’ along together in the backyard

429. raindrops falling gently on young leaves

430. the color green blanketing the landscape

431. bright yellow polka-dotting the carpet of green

432. goldfinches at the feeder constantly — eating 10 meals a day

433. tulips blooming at last

434. fistfuls of dandelion bouquets

435. a hot, humid playdate at the park with sweet friends

436. 1 Peter 4:8 in her beautiful cursive penmanship — such godly wisdom presented to us on our anniversary

437. bicycles, cul-de-sacs and circles of friends

438. red roses — 15 of them — one for each year we’re celebrating

439. a short and quiet walk, hand-in-hand, after dinner

440. how she leaps and skips and grins ear-to-ear

44. four eggs perfectly cracked by young hands — and no trace of the eggshell

442. her homemade buttermilk biscuits with red raspberry jam

443. raindrops pearling on the hostas

444. a sunny yellow umbrella that lets them splash playfully among the puddles

445. a last-minute robin tea party with the neighbor kids

446. the cooing of the mourning doves

447. how his skillful hands work the long piece of douglas fir

448. smiles of old friends visiting church

449. how beautifully she sings “His Eye is on the Sparrow”

450. lessons learned in Joshua and promises faithfully kept by the One who is Faithful and True

451. encouraging reports from Nicaraguan missionaries

452. the bluebird that makes a rare visit

453. swings sailing high, powered by strong little legs

454. the ice cubes and sweet sisterly prayers that comfort her busted fat lip

455. the perky little ears and bouncy leaps of joy as distant ragtime music floats nearer on the breeze

456. happy hops when the ice cream truck finally comes into view

457. Tweety Bird ice cream on a stick, with bubble gum eyes, and a rainbow snow cone

458. her familiar, friendly words printed neatly on a postcard from Philly

459. the summery smell of fresh-cut grass

460. summer drawing ever-closer

461. coconut fudge

If It Isn’t Chocolate, Why Bother? #4

Diana B.3 Comments

In the middle of a Costco shopping trip one afternoon, 8-year-old Linnea asked me thoughtfully, “Mommy, what is ‘scratch?’”

After I replied with a bewildered, “Huh?” she clarified, “You know, scratch. You always say that you make pies and things from scratch. What is it?”

No, scratch can’t be purchased in bulk at Costco. But it’s the essential, creative ingredient in baking that really appealed to my mom. And it appeals to me, too. 

I bake many treats from scratch, but I personally don’t bat an eye about serving up brownies from a mix. In fact, I often use and recommend Ghiradelli’s double chocolate brownie mix. But for my mom, brownies made from scratch was an indisputable law of baking. They were always one of her favorite desserts, and she’d usually serve up her brownies warm alongside a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream. 

To her credit, Mama never, ever, ever used a brownie mix throughout my entire childhood. Instead she used two brownie recipes. One makes cake-like brownies, and the other makes gooey, fudge-like brownies — in one bowl. I always prefer less mess and gooey brownies, so I’m sharing the latter recipe. But first, here are four random things about brownies that my mama didn’t teach me.

4 random things about brownies that Mama didn’t teach me:

(1) Lining the pan with non-stick aluminum foil allows you to easily remove the brownies and helps them cool faster.

 

(2) It’s much easier to cut the brownies when they aren’t in the pan.

(3) Crumbs don’t stick to plastic, so using a plastic knife to cut brownies eliminates the crumbly, gooey build-up metal knives collect.

(4) Sprinkling powdered sugar on top of cooled brownies adds a lovely, lacy contrast and makes them completely irresistible to my husband. (He adores the white stuff so much I’m convinced he’d eat his own shoes if I sprinkled powdered sugar on them!)

That said, here’s how to make those gooey, yummy brownies in just one bowl!  

Mama’s Brownies

(aka Baker’s One-Bowl Brownies)

  • 4 squares Baker’s unsweetened chocolate
  • 3/4 cup butter (one and a half sticks)
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup nuts (optional, which means I don’t include them)

Microwave butter and chocolate until melted.

Stir in sugar.

Stir in eggs and vanilla.

Mix in flour and nuts.

Pour into a greased or foil-lined pan (see random things #1 and #2 above).

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

Makes 16-24 brownies, depending on how generous or stingy you feel when you cut them.

Please excuse me, I need to wash the dishes.

Be sure to check out the other chocolate recipes in this series entitled “If It Isn’t Chocolate, Why Bother?”

Counting to 1,000 (388-424)

Diana B.3 Comments

 “…let there be thankfulness to God.”  Ephesians 5:4 (NLT)

 

 Thank you, dear readers, for joining me as I count up one thousand gifts for which I am most thankful to God. 

388. joyful skipping in the spring weather as the shadows lengthen

389. how my daddy teaches them to march onward

390. 15 years of having and holding the best man I know

391. the busy, familiar hum of my mama’s old teal-blue Singer and four other hands working the fabric

392. wavy golden locks soaking up the sunlight

393. her scrunched-up nose smile

394. rays of golden sunshine tickling the fresh green grass

395. a goose rippling through the still waters

396. muskrats circling near the pond’s surface

397. thoughtful grandparents who love and listen and encourage

398. trees to embrace

399. deer peeking out of the woods

400. heartfelt good-bye hugs

401. bittersweet good-byes and tear-stained cheeks because we love them and we will miss them

402. seven tiny tadpoles adopted and brought home in borrowed jars with lids

403. the verdant weeping willow

404. hunting for duckweed in the pond — to feed our new tadpole friends

405. rubber boots that encourage me to venture farther and deeper and closer

406. the refreshing scent of May’s come-and-go raindrops

407. the cheery whistle of the red-winged blackbird perched a-top a metal post

408. a beaver rippling through the stillness as I travel the lonely path winding by the pond, through the woods, into the meadow

409. the glee chorus of frogs singing loudly as ducks glide smoothly into a watery landing

410. her sweet, warm, so-fresh-from-God feel as my arms cradle Dorothy Joy, just 12 hours old 

411. how quietly she folds her laundry on my bed

412. the not-for-prom, Mother’s-Day corsage that their sweet little voices mistakenly call a “crochet”

413. a pile of Mother’s Day surprises, four chocolate-smudged cheeks, and two rosy little girls in white lace to hold tight and call my own

414. swans gathering again in the silvery waters of evening

415. a picturesque trail nearby, nestled between the trees and the lake

416. strong little legs to pedal far

417. the dandelion picker

418. buds transforming into leaves

419. the bunny’s big, bouncy feet

420. ripples in the lake water

421. the whiteness of birch bark

422. seeds hidden deep in muddy fields of black

423. the less-traveled, winding dirt roads

424. the sun setting and reflecting gloriously, in stunning hues of pink, purple and gold

Counting to 1,000 (362-387)

Diana B.2 Comments

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

362. her whistling conversation with the song birds

363. how she sits in the swing, blowing bubbles and wearing her bike helmet

364. the season’s first picnic on the patio

365. raindrops on window panes

366. little feet tip-toeing in ballet slippers, hair up in bobby pins, learning to dance 

367. chalk tulips and daffodils on the driveway

368. Easter lilies blooming

369. teaching them the history of John Newton’s life and Amazing Grace

370. hearing the MN Teen Challenge Choir sing Amazing Grace and hearing their bold testimonies

371. how sweet she looks in her new costume for the caterpillar dance 

372. holding my daddy’s hand

373. black tie mousse cake from Olive Garden

374. a quiet dinner with my husband

375. Bethany Hamilton’s inspiring story (Soul Surfer)

376. the Flour Tower tour at Mill City Museum and how she already knows about spontanious combustion

377. how she delights in teaching them to sew and how they delight in the buttons they sew

378. all the giggles as they sing along to “Be Like a Duck” and “Silly Lullaby” and “Snuggle Puppy”

379. how she sleeps so soundly with her round little face tucked into the hood of her pink raincoat

380. his “Donald Duck” voice and her endless giggles

381. snow flurries on May Day

382. the sweet little neighbor who delivers a May Day surprise

383. heartfelt bedtime hugs 

384. mud pies with earth worms

385. a Royal Robin Tea Party with hot tea and cucumber sandwiches

386. shooting bubbles in the yard

387. two dates with my husband in one weekend

Counting to 1,000 (317-361)

Diana B.2 Comments

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

317. chickadees in the backyard

318. a cleaner bedroom closet

319. the scent of Easter lilies

320. new shoes and lively lilac polish on my toes

321. eye exams given by a sweet, long-time friend

322. celebrating her accomplishments in Scripture memory

323. their encouraging prayers for me to be bold

324. sunshine

325. apple pie

336. popcorn for lunch on Friday

337. marriage

338. his handwriting

339. giant cookies with lots of icing

340. all his 37 years

341. a juicy baby-pit ham for Easter

342. their delight in hearing hymn stories

343. their voices taking turns as they sing “Up from the Grave He Arose”

344. I Will Carry You by Angie Smith 

345. a quarter moon at daybreak on Easter

346. new clothes for church

347. how He carries me as I tell my testimony

348. the simple joy of blowing bubbles in the backyard

349. their excitement in decorating eggs — especially the watermelon one

350. a short Sunday walk, chasing pink scooters

351. strong daddy arms that carry her back to the van

352. big band-aids for her scrapped up elbow, knee and shin

353. a Sunday evening drive around the lake

354. flowering kalanchoe

355. Gramma’s funny stories about raising chickens

356. his delight in strawberry swirl cheesecake

357. coffee that even a non-coffee drinker gets excited about

358. how she begs to do the resurrection eggs

359. the peace that guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus

360. his kind, encouraging words

361. her taking time to listen and letting me know she needed to hear my story

Counting to 1,000 (285-316)

Diana B.Leave a comment

 

Psalm 105
Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to Him by name! 
Tell everyone you meet what He has done! 
Sing Him songs, belt out hymns, translate His wonders into music!
Honor His holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek God. Live a happy life!
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for His works; be alert for signs of His presence. 
Remember the world of wonders He has made, His miracles, and the verdicts He’s rendered—
O seed of Abraham, His servant, O child of Jacob, His chosen.

285. the once-lost-now-found ballet slippers

286. the kind husband who hears the frustration in my voice and comes home early

287. little hearts eager to forgive

288. how smart they feel in their AWANA vests

289. celebrating accomplishments in Scripture memory with a small Cubbie bear

290. the cuteness of hair done up in “piggy buns”

291. dear little friends — all smiley

292. the beauty of a friend 36-weeks pregnant

293. the little ones who came and sat in my lap

294. her joy in serving up her first batch of “smashed” potatoes

295. 3-D houses made in art class — with more and more features diligently added after class

296. the sound of spring peepers

297. the sunset – all purple and orange and pink

298. snow melting on tulips

299. buds on the lilac bush

300. dirt under my fingernails from digging in the flower beds

301. fidgety little ones lined up, waving palm branches

302. how their faces beam as they march down the aisle

303. science in the kitchen — with onions and tears

304. four glorious hours spent face-to-face with a sweet, encouraging friend

305. his promise to pray for me

306. my own turn pulling her in the big red wagon

307. the tulips’ last hoorah

308. sunshine

309. apple pie made with some of last fall’s harvest and shared with neighbors

310. strangers who provide us free tickets to ride the carousel

311. her giddy-up giggles as she rides around

312. how she looks back and exclaims, “Ponies!”

313. the carousel’s cheery melody

314. the friendly cashier who admires her manners and touches her heart

315. how they belt out the words to “Remarkable Cows”

316. excellent test results that encourage both of us

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Counting to 1,000 (251-284)

Diana B.3 Comments

 “From the fullness of His grace, we all have received one blessing after another.” -John 1:16

 251. the melody of a 5-year-old eloquently reading the Lord’s prayer

252. the resolve of the 8-year-old memorizing Psalm 23

253. her gentle voice singing sweetly while her fingers dance across the piano keys

254. air fresh with the dampness of spring

255. a kitchen spilling over with popcorn, popcorn, and more popcorn

256. the excitement and giggles that gather as it pops

257. how she helps her tie her shoes

258. the excitement of bringing special friends to AWANA

259. the sweet way she takes her little friend’s hand and shows her what to do

260. four silly ones eating gummy bears in the backseats 

261. a nice long jaunt around the neighborhood — chasing a pink scooter and a pink bike

262. how they both wait so faithfully at the intersections

263. how — over and over — the little one hops off her bike and runs, grinning wild, back to walk with me, her little hand in mine

264. backyard tulips peaking through the soil

265. dinner cooking outside on the grill

266. spring storms that bring rain instead of snow

267. the pitter-patter of raindrops on the window, lulling me to sleep

268. 70 degrees in the forecast

269. grass that turns green almost overnight 

270. earthworms that creep out of muddy soil, trying not to drown in the rain

271. the bookworms that creep out of their bedrooms, eager to share stories

272. the little friend who alarms me that my little one is hurt

273. the patience of a sister who endlessly pulls the injured one here-and-there-and-everywhere in the big red wagon

 274. the tiny twisted ankle that heals quickly

275. a quiet afternoon for reading, all wrapped up in a cozy blanket

276. letting them lick off the chocolate icing on the beaters 

277. a half-chocolate cake to celebrate one’s half birthday and the other’s spiritual birthday

278. the box-elder bug that very nearly ruined the cake

279. another dinner cooking outside on the grill

280. big old’ sweet iced tea

281. the short path between friends’ houses

282. how her face beams as she gently pushes our little neighbor on the swing

283. 75 minutes fully devoted to prayer

284. a Sunday supper that requires a table for 17