on lunch meat and lying

...and being a mom.

Just when you think you know your children, what they think, how they behave, things they like, things they don't like, things they continually do, and things they would never do...they make a change. Sometimes that is a wonderful thing. A change for the better. A change that shows independent thinking. A change simply because they are growing and maturing. A change in preferences like clothes, hairstyles, or toenail polish. What a joy it is to be a mom. It's the most rewarding part of life and sometimes the most difficult.

I'm not gonna lie. Sometimes it's really tough but often times that's when I learn the most about how to be the mom that God wants me to be. It's definitely a lifelong journey and there is always something new just around the bend. There is never a dull moment. Busy moments, yes. Frustrating moments, oh yes. Fun moments, absolutely. Rewarding, amazing, wonderful moments, more than I deserve. Dull moments...never. Which brings me to a recent event in the Clothesline household. An event I was not prepared for, but met head-on.

It was lunch time. We ate together as a family. The girls had lunch meat as part of their meal. Because we are gluten free the lunch meat (which was the requested turkey...because there has been a new aversion to ham and roast beef) was rolled up with a toothpick. Fun, I know. Anyway, when the girls were finished eating it was time to use the bathroom and wash up for rest time. Yes, my girls still have rest time. Okay, mostly it's for me so I can let my ears and my brain have a rest, but they need rest, too. Then to their room they went. Tim was heading back to work and saw something strange in the toilet. Hmmm...could that be turkey? Why yes, it is turkey..floating in the toilet. What?! and Eeewww! One little kiddo had some 'splainin' to do. Now this particular kiddo is notorious for being a hard nut to crack. And way back when she was four-ish we had an issue or two with a lying tongue and a hard heart. Surely we're not going down that road again. We shall see, I thought.

After rest time was over I asked the suspect kiddo if she ate all of her lunch.

Yes.

All of it?

Yes.

Even your turkey?

Yes, I finished swallowing it in the bathroom when I washed my hands.

The responses from said suspect kiddo quickly turned to tears when reminded about how God hates a lying tongue and how He knows our actions and thoughts even before we do. More tears.

So, did you eat all of your lunch.

No.

What did you do with your turkey?

I threw it away.

Where?

In the...

Where?

In the....

Choose to tell the truth. We are always given a opportunity to make the right choice.

In the toilet....but I flushed it.

There were more tears, an apology (first for lying, second for wasting food, third for potentially clogging our toilet), some discipline, and lots of hugs. It's tough being a mom, especially when there is a piece of lunch meat floating in the toilet. But you know what? I wouldn't change a thing. It's the most wonderful blessing, gift, and responsibility that I could have ever been given. So, Happy Mother's Day Mama. Oh, and Mama, sorry for feeding my liver and onions to the dog. At least I didn't try to flush them down the toilet. :-)

it's time

...to make time...for sewing. I've been staring at a pile of very colorful bandannas to make some adorable summery shorts for my girls and for a special little cousin. I've got the instructions to make the shorts in my Craft Hope book. I just need to do it. It'll be a good warm up project for me and my sewing machine. Also, they'd make a lovely addition to the Easter basket. Then I'll be ready for the more exciting project for Spring Top Week! I bought a pattern back in January that I've been waiting to use. The time has finally come. Now I just need to choose the fabric.

It's rainy and windy here today. Perfect for staying in and getting some sewing done. First though, I need to make a loaf of bread, make a fresh batch of chicken broth, put away the clean, folded laundry that's been staring at me for two days, and paint my toenails. Okay, the last thing isn't really necessary, but I love painted toenails. It just feels more summery. And if I feel more summery, maybe one day the sun will come out and stay out. The question is, which color? summer sky blue, sparkly royal purple, bubble gum pink, big money green, or juicy tangerine...decisions, decisions. happy weekend. xoANG

spring things

Since I last stopped in to give you an update more things have transpired. First, my baby lost her first tooth. Seriously...adorable, right? Second, a friend of mine, that lets me enjoy her chickens, got six new chicks. They're fluffy and chirpy and adorable.

We held them and watched them as they pecked and scurried around in the warmth of the heat lamp.

Third, my flowers are blooming!

Tulips, grape hyacinth, daffodils...gorgeous, colorful signs of spring in every spot in the yard I could plant a bulb.

The azaleas have buds and will be blooming soon.

Forth, we have been enjoying the warm, sunny days that are sandwiched between cold, rainy, wintry days. The confounded dandelions have made a serious comeback this spring. I love their cheerful, sunny color...but I don't want them to take over my yard. The clover has dibs on the yard evidently, but the dandelions are giving them a run for their money.

Fifth, we've had a few play dates that were spontaneous and fun.

Spending time with friends is such a treat. That just about sums up the last couple of weeks. The next few days look very promising. There will be lots of yard work fun work and gardening and playing! enjoy, my friends, enjoy! xoANG

still here

March has been a crazy month. Homeschool is going great. We're making a lot of progress. We've got a fresh, new, confident reader. Listening to a new reader read every book she can get her hands on takes a while. And it's a long while that I certainly enjoy. It's also a long while that is away from this computer. My very part-time after-school tutoring job has become more time consuming this month, and will continue next month, because my boss/friend had spinal surgery and I've taken over a lot of her responsibilities. (Pray for her as she recovers. It will be a long road for her, but hopefully a successful road that will lead to a pain free life.) Which means that any time I spend on the computer is usually working on progress report related documents or sifting through and managing emails from a multitude of teachers that have questions and need support. Also, and most notably, keeping me from this screen is the fact that my dear 90 year old grandfather passed away last Sunday.Please keep my family in your prayers...my Grandma and my Mom mostly, but the whole family. It is a loss that was not a surprise, yet deeply saddening as there will be a void that used to be filled with a wonderful, hardworking farmer, extremely talented bluegrass banjo player, man of few words but spoke volumes through his example for anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. I will try to peek in here to say hi, and maybe share a picture or two as often as I can. xoANG

echo

This morning's Bible lesson was based on Matthew 12:34-37. The story that I read to the girls was about echoes. It is always fun to hear an echo, to say different, silly things then wait to hear it repeated back to you. You know you've hollered in a valley or in a tunnel and heard your own voice coming back at you. It's fun! But when we apply what we know about echoes to our words and actions it becomes an issue of the heart. The verses we read today were very clear. The words we say and the things we do are the echo of what is in our hearts. Are they good? encouraging? kind? patient? loving? glorifying to God? Ouch! Not always. As a wife, a mom, a friend...what is my echo? Often how my children behave and what they say is an echo of me, my heart. The last verse we read, verse 37, says "For by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned."

What a way to start the weekend. I will be focusing on my words and actions. I want my echo to be of a pure heart. I want my echo to be something that should be repeated.

a bend in the road

Well, it seems as though we've made it through. The girls have a lingering, and mildly annoying cough, but fevers are gone and appetites are back. Beds are made, hair is brushed, they are fully dressed in regular clothes...they've been in pajamas almost every day...except for the warmer days when we went outside to soak up the sun. They are working their way through the first school day in a week right now. With renewed energy everything is moving along just fine, even the bickering over who gets which colored pencils for our Bible lesson. Ahhhhh, the sounds of being well again.
Today, as I round the curve on this road of reality that I have been traveling, the temperatures have gone from a balmy 75 degrees yesterday to a bone-chilling 31 degrees today. An extra layer is needed for the toasty warm feeling that I like to maintain. I did manage to take some pictures around the yard over the past few days. Pictures that prove spring is near. In spite of this cold, rainy, windy day I know that warmer days will return...soon. And when they do return I will plant seeds and pick flowers and hang laundry on the line. Until then I will enjoy the warmth of my cozy house while pouring over seed catalogues and reading about companion planting.Oh yes, also while inside, I will be de-germing my house...changing all sheets, switching out toothbrushes, mopping floors, scrubbing bathrooms, santizing surfaces, well, you get the idea. Happy Tuesday. xoANG

snap out of it

Well, I am here to inform you today that the road of denial is now closed. There is a detour, however, and I believe it will lead me straight to a place I like to call reality. Yep. Just as kid number one was getting better, fever subsiding, appetite returning, energy renewed...kid number two has grabbed hold of that fever with both hands and wouldn't let it leave the house. She is tired and wimpy and coughing. I have been checking temperatures at regular intervals for days with high hopes that it really would stop with one. Ha. Being obsessive about taking temperatures does have its benefits though. I know that checking for fevers won't change a darn thing, but in my crazy mind it gives me time to mentally prepare for round two. Her fever climbed ever so slowly this morning as she curled up on the couch - not wiggling. We did go outside for a while this morning because it is amazingly 74 degrees! In February! Kid number one played in the yard while kid number two, wrapped in a blanket, sat in the sun and dozed. To feel the warmth of the sun on my face and the slightest of breezes blowing through my frizz hair while I hung the laundry on the clothesline...it was the most wonderful of reminders that I am not in control..that I should be anxious for nothing..that I will be given grace enough for today..that I will gain patience through waiting..that if I quiet my heart I will hear His wisdom..that I am His.
I do hope your weekend is wonderful, no matter what road you're traveling. Happy Friday. xoANG

here and there. but mostly here.

The cold weather seems to have given in for a few days and has decided to let us enjoy the sun and a little warmth. Although it's been so windy that enjoying the warmth has taken some extra effort. But I do see an end in sight. An end of the frigid winter that we have endured. And wouldn't you know it, as soon as I feel like maybe we made it through yet another season with out any illness in our house that one of my girls gets sick. It hasn't been too terribly bad aside from an extra trip to the bathroom and a tolerable fever. There has been much lying around and reading, watching movies, playing games, and sleeping. Now I wait. Wait for my other girl to get it. With honey and cinnamon in their bellies, warm peppermint tea in the cups, and a nice cloud of disinfectant spray in the air and on all surfaces we'll pray for it to stop with one. There's always hope. Now, those of you with more than 2 kids can stop laughing at me and rolling your eyes. You know who you are.
Since my last post we have had some fun. We've been geocaching again. Once we found nothing. We searched and searched, even for the tiniest of caches, but were unsuccessful. The second time we found one, a tiny magnet capsule the size of a bolt. I was glad we found it even thought it was so small. It makes me want to go back to the other spot with fresh eyes and look again. Perhaps on the next warm day...post fever, of course.
We have also enjoyed Valentine's Day. The girls gave their friends some homemade lollipops, solved clues to find their own valentines at home, and the Mr. took me out to a very nice dinner...pre-fever. So all in all, we have been enjoying some lovely family time, enjoying some sunshine, and enjoying a very relaxed schedule. Homeschoolers get sick days, too.
I hope to have pictures up to show you some pre and post fever fun, but blogger isn't cooperating today. Maybe blogger has a fever, too. Happy Wednesday to you all. Stay healthy! xoANG

inspiration

It's a new year. I always seem to get a desire to create things at the beginning of every year. This year I would like to try some new things and I have just the place to start. Ellen over at The Long Thread has recently posted the Top 100 Tutorials of 2010! Here's a photo sample I snagged from her blog.

(photo from The Long Thread)

Just from the picture I see five things I want to make...and there are 91 other things on the list. Oh my! Of course if you can't find anything to inspire you from the 2010 collection you can always check out The Long Thread's Top 100 Tutorials from 2009 or the Top 100 Tutorials from 2008. I know. It's a lot, right? Make sure you have time to peruse the lists because you will get sucked in and spend many hours in front of your computer. There are some amazing tutorials out there. Lots of inspiration...I promise.

I feel like I can breathe now and spend some time sewing or something just because it's fun, not because I have a deadline. I love the holiday season...celebrating with family and friends, decorating, baking and eating and eating and eating, taking a break from the regular schedule, having fun...but all of that can be exhausting. I am a creature of habit. So this week we got back into our school routine. It started off a little rocky, as is to be expected. I mean, I taught middle school, so believe me I know how hard it can be to go back to school after a vacation. But by Friday the girls and I were in the school groove. Learning is happening...learning with joy, in fact. After their lessons were over yesterday they played dress-up. I could hear them deciding which things to wear and giggling at the outfits they had created. Which reminds me, I still need to share a birthday post so you can see the cake and the outfit to go with the detective theme. That will be coming soon. Happy weekend xoANG

a creative year in review

Today is the last day of 2010! Can you believe that? This year seemed to fly by so fast. It was a good year. A year of good health. A year of not-so-good gardening...but we had fun trying. A year of wonderful beach vacations. A year of teaching, learning, and growing. A year of sewing, crocheting, and gluten free baking. A year of baby steps in the direction of a more natural lifestyle. So, without further ado, here is a recap of this years accomplishments in the creative department.

homemade laundry detergent; crocheted hat; crocheted hat and scarf for charity; another crocheted hat; gluten free cake iced using the ways of the cake genius; birthday skirt and appliqued shirt; mini homemade valentines; crocheted St. Patrick's Day headband

pile of fuzzy, flannel scarves; easiest, cheapest, and cutes Easter shoes, a-line skirt; wall decor; owl lounge pants for upcoming birthday; two more a-line skirts

Christmas gift bags; reading pillows, two sets of sewn Christmas gift wrapping

empire waist apron; crocheted baby hat and sweater; gluten free molasses cookies; homemade elder berry syrup; gluten free chocolate birthday cake; halloween costumes with some homemade parts; reading pillow; crocheted Pikachu

gluten free seashell cake iced in the cake genius way; crocheted washcloth set; a-line skirt; seashell birthday dress; gluten free cardinal cake-again using the cake genius method of icing; spring skirts; parmesan rosemary gluten free chicken nuggets; summer shirt; gluten free bread

Not too bad for one year. I know there are things I forgot to include, but it's nice to see how much I really did accomplish in one year. And I know 2011 will start off with a bang! I've got several things half sewm, but they are for the January 2nd birthday so those things will have to be included in next year's list. I hope your 2010 was all you had hoped it would be. May your 2011 be even better! Happy New Year! xoANG

a gift

So there are only a couple of days before Christmas. I don't really feel stressed about it. I hope you're not stressed either. Things are getting accomplished. What I have enjoyed spending time doing is thinking and talking with my girls about what Christmas is really about. Sure present making and giving is fun. Baking is fun. Cleaning clutter...also fun when I can enjoy the results. But Christmas, it's a time to really remember that God sent His Son down to this earth, to live His life as a man, only to give it up for us. I can only imagine what those shepherds were feeling when the angel came to them in the field that night. Oh, to hear their conversation as they made their way to Bethlehem to see the Child. The thrill of knowing that they witnessed the fulfillment of the prophesy of the Messiah. Yes, that's what Christmas is about...grace, mercy, and love given to us as a gift. Now here's a little gift for you. Enjoy!

snowy day...inside and out

Our day started off with snow. We watched it come down and slowly cover everything in sight. Eager to get out there in it to play, the girls completed their school work very quickly. Even the cat, trying to stay extra warm, quietly sat at the table with the girls.

As soon as school work was complete I suited up the girls and we headed out the door with Dad. He had the day off because of the snow...what a treat it was to have him home all day. The snow was fluffy and light. Perfect for skiing and shoveling and snow angeling(that's a word..right?)...not so great for snowman building or snowball making. It was still beautiful and cold and fun. Despite snow up the sleeves and down the boots the girls had a great time. They warmed up quickly with a cup of hot chocolate.

And because there is no such thing as too much snow, the girls worked on making paper snowflakes before dinner. There were little bits of paper everywhere, but we have some beautiful snowflakes as a result.

Enjoy your time together whether it's wintry white or sunny and warm. Happy Friday! xoANG

because we're nearly frozen

...we've been keeping busy inside. Well, mostly inside. I did wash the laundry today, which not only means that I don't get to use my clothesline because it's 21 degrees...or 5 degrees with the mighty gusts of windchill factored in...but it also means that I get to go outside to go down in my basement to deposit and retrieve the laundry. It. Is. Freezing. I am super thankful, though, that I do have a washing machine and a dryer that both work. I am immensely thankful that I have a warm house to spend this frigid day in...with slippers and scarves and cuddly blankets.
Let me just say that Christmas is nearly upon us and I do not feel am not prepared. Nor do I feel stressed about being unprepared. I've been sewing things here and there when time allows and in the evenings I've been crocheting. The crocheting is not gifts though. I am crocheting hats for my girls. Hats with ear flaps to be more precise. I have crocheted and recrocheted the same hat about 4 times because my girls have evidently inherited the normal sized head gene. I, in case you didn't know, have a small head. Fluffy, frizzy, curly hair...but small head. Hence the hair, I suppose.So hat one is almost complete...it only needs the ear flaps (which are in progress). Hat two is about 1/2 complete and larger than the first to accommodate an almost 8 year old sized head. Almost eight. Yikes! How did that happen?
Other indoor happenings....early morning, pajama clad girls making a music stand and mic stand for the singing of Christmas carols.

Also, lots and lots of playing fetch with the cat. He's got a new favorite mouse toy...a squishy little fake mouse from our halloween candy bowl. I had to snip the tail off because he kept trying to eat it. But chase and fetch that mouse he does many times each day. He'll chase and fetch until he collapses from exhaustion. It's quite entertaining.
Also, after reading on Regina's blog that elder berry syrup was so simple to make I had to make some of my own.

We've been a huge fan of elder berry syrup (sambucus) for over a year now. It's great for boosting the immune system and for fighting colds and flu. Read about it's benefits here. We've been buying it, but making my own is so much cheaper, and the recipe I followed made an entire pint.

There's a great video and recipe to follow here.
So, that's what we have been up to here at the Clothesline. More sewing, crafting, baking, and cuddling under fuzzy blankets sure to come. Oh, I also made a pumpkin pie...just because. Mmmmm. Stay warm. xoANG

catching up in ten

It's been a little busy at the Clothesline lately. I thought I'd take a few minutes and ten pictures to share the last couple of weeks with you.

1. Birthday time! Even before breakfast the girls wanted Dad to open his gifts.

2. We enjoyed a delicious gluten free chocolate cake (mix by 'Cause You're Special) with the best ever chocolate cream cheese frosting.

3. We put up and decorated our Christmas tree. The girls enjoyed putting the ornaments on the tree...so far, the cat has not knocked anything off the tree.

4. Ahhhh, the Thanksgiving turkey...all 24 delicious, juicy pounds. Hooray for the invention of the cooking bags! They work great every single time.

5. Perfecting the pas de chat in the last class of the semester.

6. Practicing an arabesque during free dance time.

7. Another pumpkin roll in time for a visit from my mom. It's not a proper holiday season without a slice or two of this dessert. Yes, it's gluten free...and delicious!

8. Busy crocheting by the tree making a gift for a very special boy.

9. Our first snow of the season. A light snow, maybe an inch or so...but on the day of the Christmas parade. It was frigid but wonderful.

10. Because of the snow I was able to finish up that birthday gift...a crocheted Pikachu. Free, wonderfully written pattern found here.

So, now we're all caught up. Time to finish the laundry, get some homeschooling done, measure-cut-sew Christmas gifts, and enjoy this time in my warm house with my healthy family while dinner simmers in the crock pot. Happy Tuesday. xoANG