Low, High, and Free

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5


Resting on these words.
Today has been low and high and freeing.
Exciting for a joy-filled morning, day, and night tomorrow.

Evan's First Fish!!!

Labor day weekend we were able to spend time down at the Lucas Farm. We picked pears from Great Uncle Marvin and Aunt Jean's tree as well as a few hazelnuts from their bush. But the most exciting part of the weekend was Evan fishing with Dad. He caught is very first fish with his Buzz Lightyear pole!! Check it out:

Cast it and hold on tight to your pole.



Watch the bobber.



I got a fish Mama! It's a nice one!!!




Cheering section behind us.




Oops, you got this one Dad?




Another fish Mama.






It was a beautiful fun-filled weekend which ended with cooking lessons from GG Katie.




What a special place we hold dear to our hearts.

storytime ruined. preggo waterworks

It was storytime today at the library. I asked Evan if he wanted to go this morning and he shouted, "YES, yay go to library!". So we got ourselves ready and headed out on time. The entire trip to the library we were reviewing the rules of behavior.
-Walk, don't run.
-Stay with Mama.
-Whisper, do not talk loud.
-Sit while the story is read.
-Listen and obey.
If the rules are not followed we will leave immediately. Even if that means we leave with no new books. Not fun for Evan, not fun for Mama.

When we walked into the storytime room it was a packed house. We spotted a spot on the floor in the back next to a mom with a baby in a stroller and a 3 yr old on her lap. Immediately I felt she was annoyed that we had sat next to her. Brush it off right. Evan was being ok, but it was hard to see so he stood up to listen. I thought this was ok since we were in the back and he is a 2 yr old who is crazy busy. But the Mama next to us thought this entirely inappropriate. She leaned real close to Evan and said, "You need to sit down!". Shocked I realized Evan could have been standing slightly in front of her so I grabbed him to sit on my lap and explained he could have been blocking her view. Of course he didn't want to sit on my lap and returned to his standing position.

WIGGLE TIME. Phewww...saved by wiggle time. Everyone up to do actions to the song. Sit time for more stories. No sit time for Evan. Now Mama next to us was loudly talking to her daughter about having to move over to see the story. At this point I grabbed Evan and said we need to sit and listen or we may have to leave. So he sat and decided he should take his shoes off. I hear an "Oh my gosh, really." from Mama next door. I still brush it off, though I am starting to feel my blood pressure rise. Evan I step to the back of the room and get his shoes back on. He has calmed down and wants to go sit to listen to the rest of the story. At this point I realized that rude Mama had scooted over to occupy the space we were sitting with her body and her stroller. So I tell Evan if he wants to go sit closer he can but Mama was staying in the way back. At this time even more people had shown up and were in the back with me. Evan came back because he wanted a tissue. But he only wanted a tissue to rip up and throw up the in the air. So we pick up all the tissue and are ready to leave and a Mom in the back says, "He acts just like mine over there.;)". This calms me and I tell her that we reviewed the rules before we came in and. She stopped me and said they do everytime too, but it never seems to work. Thanks for making me feel better I think. Evan then is back and forth and rude Mama ahead turns around and glares at Him and ME.

Cue waterworks. Tears, they just wouldn't stop. Feeling judged. Wanting to roll my eyes because I know it's because I pregnant that I'm crying. Why can't I stop? Evan came back to give me a hug and used his bits of tissue to wipe my tears. Which made me laugh and cry more. Story time over and music time begins. Things are looking up. My tears stop. Evan plays a few different instruments and is ready to go look at books. The rest of our library time was excellent. Enjoyable.

I know for future times, we must always sit in the way back. But it got me thinking on my way home about how judged I felt today. It was awful. Why are we so judging of others? Especially with other Mama's. When all our kids are around the same age don't they have some behavior in common. Can't we relate at certain times that I've dealt with that too? Boys are different than girls. Evan for the most part was just fine. No one else seemed bothered by his moving around. It was one lady that ruined our morning.

May I always have a loving spirit, producing joy around me.

September storm

The storm we had last night moved through so fast. We watched it grow as we were eating dinner and then watched it move across the sky. High winds, heavy rain, hail. No damage but amazing to watch!


Becca look at the cloud building out there. It's looks nasty:



I can't believe how fast it's moving. Keep your eye out for rotation.



It's past and bright again. So weird and a lil' creepy.



We thank the Lord for the rain to water in the fertilizer Travis put down. And for the free water on our garden. I still have a pumpkin we're waiting to turn orange. Mostly we thank Him for the cool day the storm brought us today. I'm so ready for this crisp cool air!

Autumn Nights are Coming

Because the cool autumn nights are coming more frequently here. Because its time for warming comfort foods. Because an awesome friend (a new Mama who moved to a new city) asked. Here is one of my favorite Crock-pot recipes. I do hope you try it out. Please do not let the word CURRY scare you. Please try curry just once or twice if you never have. It is most delightful and tasty.


Japanese-Style Beef Curry Rice

Cooker: Medium or large round or oval
Settings and Cook Times: LOW for 6-7 hours, then HIGH for about 30 minutes; flour, peas, and curry powder added during last 30 minutes.
Serves: 4
　
3 medium baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
3-4 medium carrots, cut into ½ inch think rounds or half-moons
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 pound beef stew meat, such as boneless chuck, trimmed of fat, cut into 1-inch cubes, and blotted dry
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups beef broth
2 cups water
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 cup frozen peas (optional), thawed
Hot short- or medium-grain cooked white rice for serving
　
1. Put the potatoes in the slow cooker. Layer the carrots on top.

2. In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil.
-Add the beef and brown on all sides. You may have to do this in batches. Transfer the meat to the cooker.
-Heat another tablespoon of the oil in the skillet, add the onion and garlic, and cook, stirring a few times, until softened, about 5 minutes.
-Add the salt and pepper and cook 2-3 minutes more. Transfer to the cooker.
-Pour the broth into the skillet, bring to a boil, and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the pan. -Pour into the cooker and add the water.
-Cover and cook on LOW until the meat is tender and the vegetables cooked through, 6-7 hours.

3. In a small skillet or saucepan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. -Add the flour and cook, stirring, until it begins to brown, about 5 minutes.
-Add the curry powder and stir about 1 minute more. Remove from the heat.
-Turn the cooker to HIGH. Scoop out ½ cup of the liquid from the cooker, add it to the flour mixture, and stir until no lumps remain.
-A little bit at a time, stir the flour mixture into the stew, working carefully so as not to break up the potatoes and carrots.
-Stir in the frozen peas if using.
-Cover the slow cooker and continue to cook on HIGH until the sauce is thickened and the peas are hot, 20-30 minutes.
-Put the rice in bowls and serve the curry on top.
　
Note: In the past I have added more curry and salt to this recipe. I use Jasmine Rice.

Enjoy!!

(picture taken by my good friend Kelly in Vermont 2008)

Da Boys Club

One of our favorite photos of the summah.

Aunt Crystal and Aunt Amber took Evan and his cousins to the beach (ok a lake beach) one summah day. The boys were discovering and playing together on the shore. Can't wait for these guys to grow up together.