Roadside Partial Cleanup

During the middle of the week we headed out of town a few miles and with old white business shirts flapping and our snow sticks (orange metal rods you use in snowy climates to mark your driveway) and green rubber gloves. We were a sight. All six of us. We picked wild dewberries by the side of the road. After past experience of intense itch from the thorns, our arms were covered and the snow sticks enabled us the push back the thorny vegetation to reach the plumpest berries in the shade. When we came home our shoelaces were purple and our white shirts were splattered with stains. We've been enjoying icecream and berries since.

Strangely, I found a German pfenning in my wallet so you can see the size of the dewberry or a nickel for those who prefer.

Photos Don't Lie

Yes, that is a cookie behind her back.

The Friday Fishermen

So its Friday afternoon approximately 3pm and the weather is slightly chilly and the clouds seem to promise rain or at least discomfort. However to someone near and dear it is the perfect weather to fish. Being drenched with rain and/or salt water matters not as long as the fishing is good. I toss a red windbreaker into the big someone's hands for the smaller someone and wave goodbye. My afternoon turns darker as the rain pounds down and the hour hand speaks uncomfortable truth. It's late. Those at home have eaten supper and been put to bed. About 10:30 pm, my fishermen come home. As I walk into the garage, I can smell the tanginess of the ocean. I scooch the cooler out of the bed of the truck. Daintily lifting the lid, I can see the cooler is proudly serving its man-given purpose. There is a large haul of fish. Alex hooked five ...one is a stingray. And if you have your beverage glass handy, here's to scallops in your soup and fish on our grill.

A Sad Reality

Mosquito attack

A Classic to See

For those who miss the wholesomeness of old movies and the down home charm of the Beverly Hillbillies...this cute romantic movie will entertain. I really loved it.

The Perfect Husband

The Wild Rumpus

The Benannas and the splits






The M&Ms



The A&Ws









We were only missing the PB&Js.

Brownie Goody Bars

Dedicated to the former Brownie herself. Someone brought me this after I had Jane. I made it for my next door neighbors one Christmas and she said her visiting dad got up in the middle of the night to sneak some more out of the fridge.

Brownie Goody Bars
1 pkg (1 lb. 3.8 oz) Betty Crocker fudge brownie mix
1/4 c. water
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 eggs

1 tub cream cheese frosting
3/4 c. salted peanuts coarsely chopped

3 c. crisp rice cereal
1 c. creamy peanut butter
1 bag (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips

1) Heat oven to 350 degrees, Grease 13x9x2 pan.
2) Blend brownie mix with water, oil and eggs. Spread in pan.
3) Bake 28-30 minutes or till prick comes out clean. Cool completely.
4) Frost with frosting. Sprinkle with peanuts. Refrigerate.
5) Measure cereal into large bowl. Melt peanut butter and chocolate chips. Stir constantly. Pour over cereal, stir to coat evenly. Spread over frosted brownies.
Refrigerate and cut.
Approximately 20 brownies

The Tortilla Lamb

When we went to the grocery store today, a husky boy with a crew cut and rosy cheeks told my daughter she was a Tortilla Lamb. I've never heard that expression before. Have you?

He was 7 or 8. Maybe it was a compliment like "you're quite a tomato". For some reason I found it terribly funny. I've always pictured sweet E more the black sheep, but now I'll forever think of her as the Tortilla Lamb Incarnate.

Without Legs

A recent read that I would recommend. It was an eye-opening account of a confident young man (he's younger than me) who was born without legs. Even without his lower limbs he has travelled the world. It is a touching book and stimulating reminder of how our limitations may allow us to give up or strive harder. I want to be of the latter who won't make excuses, who won't curse God's craftsmanship, and who won't live below God's plan.

Even though this book wasn't written from a Christian perspective, I have to think Connolly's life parallels some Biblical victors. Moses was "limited of speech" and he became the voice of God to Pharaoh. David was "just a boy", but he stood tall and slung his slingshot in faith. Saul had his "thorn in the flesh" and yet he preached boldly knowing that prison and more hardship awaited him.

I truly can't imagine a life much more difficult than being legless. And yet I thought it may be worse to have perfectly good legs and amputate them. How often am I guilty of focusing on my "missing legs"? However "missing" isn't in God's vocabulary.

A Cheerful Countenance is Hard to Resist

The reasoning of an anti-brusher

Getting ready for his basketball game, when I asked Fritz to smooth down the wing in his hair...he told me he didn't want to brush his hair. Because "I look weak when I'm cute."

Who knew?