The Kincell Family

Work Well Done

2012-01-28T21:50:00.000-05:00

This evening by 7:30 I was ready to relax with a book in front of a roaring fire. Dinner had been served and the kitchen was clean. The rest of the house was clean and straightened. Dinner prep for tomorrow's fellowship meal was complete. The day’s list of chores was complete. It was okay to rest.

I was very grateful for the work we had done earlier in the day and even over the last few days. If we hadn’t been diligent before, I would either have been unable to relax or would have done so guiltily. Luscious evenings are not born out of procrastination.

Life is like that. If things are caught up and going well, it is because we previously have been diligent in our work. (It’s usually a short-term reward since most work is a repetitious affair…) Often we covet another person’s opportunities, not realizing that we don’t have those same opportunities because we have not worked for them. (Or it is not yet our harvest season.) If we have not chosen wisely and prepared, we should recognize that and learn from it so we can change. But often we are tempted to get discouraged and give up instead. “I’ve already blown it; what’s the use?” The words, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” come to mind. It’s a lesson from Philippians 3 that I’ve been trying to master for some time now.

It’s true. We cannot relive the past. But we can learn from it. In fact, we are called to learn from it and be continually transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are to grow and change, learning from our mistakes. And so occasionally I get enough right that I get to enjoy a particularly satisfying evening – surrounded by the fruit of labor. It’s an amazing gift of grace. Ahhh.

Flax Seed – found a way to grind it!

2012-01-24T23:33:00.001-05:00

This is my present to any Google searcher out there looking for methods to grind flax seed. You’ve read how nutritious it is so yes, you’d like to add it painlessly to your foods. Yes, you’ve found and bought a bag of it.

But you don’t have a way to grind it. And it has to be ground to unlock the nutrition.

Like me, you’ve priced flax seed grinders and cringe. Do you really want to (and have enough money to) pay that price just for a flax seed grinder? And then store it? So you try using your mortar and pestle – but that doesn’t really work. Someone tells you can use a coffee grinder, but yours is an old one from a yard sale – used only for decoration with a grinding mechanism much too dirty to actually use for food you plan to consume. So you put the bag of seeds in the back of the frig and the idea in your “perhaps in the future” mental file. It’s such a shame…

Well, here’s the news: you can grind flax seed in your regular old blender! Yes, the one right there in your cabinet. Thank you, Sue Becker, for mentioning that in your recipe. It works well!

So there you have it. Use the blender (preferably the one on your wonderful Bosche mixer) to easily grind up the flax seed without any additional appliance. Wish I had known this a year ago…

An Economist on Homeschooling

2012-01-21T20:21:00.000-05:00

"What is most important and valuable about the home as a base for children's growth into the world is not that it is a better school than the schools but that it isn't school at all. It is not an artificial place, set up to make "learning" happen and in which nothing except "learning" ever happens. It is a natural, organic, central, fundamental human institution, one might easily and rightly say the foundation of all other human institutions."

~~~

"A general State education is a mere contrivance for moulding people to be exactly like one another: and as the mould in which it casts them is that which pleases the predominant power in the government.

Oddly, the vehicle that is commonly thought to be most effective at socializing American children was essentially designed to numb minds and sterilize spirits. This might explain why an astounding 2.7 million youths are medicated for ADHD — without drugs, these "unruly" children would be unable to sit through manila lessons and behave subserviently."

~~~

I just read and very much appreciated this article. (Thank you, Laura, for the link!) I don't think it matters how many books you've read like Public Education Against America or The Harsh Truth About Public Schools, rereading the information is always eye-opening. Every time I come away even more passionate about home education. In this particular article, I really enjoyed how Smith broke his thoughts into four specific areas: academics, socialization, finances, and values. Each topic is so important to us and I enjoyed each pithy and non-PC synopsis. Hope you enjoy it, too!

Belated Birthday

2012-01-20T19:52:00.001-05:00

At the ripe age of 22, Keely has officially reached "old". You know this is the case when birthdays cease to have a variety of festivities planned, and you can wake up in the morning quite content for the day to be as usual, only your family greets you with "Happy birthday!", makes your favorite meal for supper, and promises a birthday cake on a day when there is more time.

There's more evidence when your parents stop buying surprise presents for you, but rather start saying when you're out shopping together the week or two before, "Don't buy that sweater for yourself. Your birthday is next week; I'll pay for it." And, having asked what else you'd like, they let you order your own birthday present, in this case issues of "Australian Smocking & Embroidery" magazine.

It's strange being in that gap where you are too old to get all excited over birthdays and too young to dread them. :)

Little Mommy

2012-01-13T23:59:00.000-05:00

There I was in AC Moore. I really only ran to the back of the store to put away a ball of yarn I had decided against purchasing (yes, the sale was lovely, but a girl really should use what she already owns before buying more!). It was then that the rack of books caught my eye, and one book in particular stuck out: Little Mommy. I suddenly remembered reading about this very book on a much enjoyed blog a few years back, and being intrigued by Lauren’s description of it. So, despite my waiting family, I pulled it off the shelf, briefly glanced through it, and decided I wanted to bring it home.

After arriving home and warming up beside the warm fire, I pulled my new little book from its bag and took a deeper look. It began: "This is my house and I am the mommy..."

From the rhyming lines to the adorable pictures, this precious little book is even more enchanting that I had anticipated. I love this story of a little girl playing mommy with her dolls and all the duties that fill a mommy’s day. I love how she’s sweetly dressed in an adorable, smocked play dress; I love that her brothers occasionally join in her play – but only in the manly roles of daddy (i.e. driving the play car to "work" and then assisting in eating the cookies for “dinner”) and as physician when a dolly gets sick (he kindly makes a house call). I love the blue and white dishes that are illustrated all throughout the book and that “Little Mommy” is a homeschool mom, carefully taking time to educate her dollies in the midst of her busy day. I love the worldview behind the book which teaches young girls how wonderful it is to be mommies and the household responsibilities that go along with the task. It’s just a completely charming little read.

Mom and I guessed at the book’s age as we carefully looked at each picture, and we were close; the book was originally copyrighted in 1967. I couldn’t help but compare this delightful story to Betty Friedan’s book, Feminine Mystique, published just a few short years earlier. The feminine, home-centered culture portrayed beautifully in Little Mommy was exactly what Friedan tried, very successfully, to destroy. I also was struck while reading that “Little Mommy” has three dollies and is also a member of a 3-child family. (At least, there are three children that we know of in the book.) Although this doesn't seem out of the ordinary now, two children were considered the appropriate amount for a long time. Ozzie and Harriet Nelson have two sons; it’s the same in Leave it to Beaver. Donna Reed has one of each gender in her TV show, while Dick Van Dyke gets along fine with just one child. Even in my own family, my great-grandmother used to talk about how she would never have had more than two because she was educated and knew better. Margaret Sanger did her work well… I guess I was pleasantly surprised that this little book didn’t follow the pattern and treated children and their care as blessings.

So now I’m eager to have guests with whom I can share my new book. Earlier this week I had the opportunity to read aloud Peter Rabbit and Charlie Needs a Cloak which are among my favorites, and Little Mommy will join the ranks next time I have young female guests eager for read-aloud. And someday, if I am blessed with a little girl to dress in smocked play dresses and Mary Jane shoes, I hope this book is inspiring and a fun tool for sharing the joys of homemaking and motherhood. Thank you, Lauren, for pointing it out!

Perfect Present

2012-01-11T21:19:00.002-05:00

Don does not like to shop for clothes. Since he's male, I'm sure that will not be shocking. So I had to giggle when I opened up a gift from him and saw this tag!

How easy that must have been! My name right on the tag! With "Stay at home!" How perfect. It didn't hurt that it was wrapped around a navy robe: one of Don's favorite colors on an item that would replace my 24 year old robe that was then boasting a huge hole near the shoulder.

Despite his dislike of shopping, Don thoughtfully braves the stores near Christmas and my birthday. I've often laughed that this change has occurred gradually. As a new bride when I most wanted personal gifts, he would bring me practical things. Now that I can appreciate practical, he buys me frivolous presents that he doesn't even enjoy shopping for. And I find myself thankful for my husband! I appreciate the heart behind each gift he brings me, and his desire to show me love through gifts.

Of course, there are times when frivolous (I was planning to mend my old robe) and practicality (it really was beyond repair) meet... Don found the perfect gift for me this year - soft and cuddly, warm and comfortable. And with such priceless packaging, there were a lot of giggles when I opened the package, and that might have been my favorite part of our Christmas gift exchange.

Enjoying My Milk Glass

2012-01-06T23:45:00.003-05:00

I collected milk glass before I hosted Brae's shower, thinking it would be the perfect, elegant accent for my pale pink theme. It served its purpose well, and I liked it so well I now have several pieces on display in my room.

For Christmas, I filled them with cheery, sprigs of red berries...

And now they're sporting blue hydrangeas.

I'm so glad I found these sweet little vases! $3 well spent!

Beginning of a New Year

2012-01-02T23:50:00.005-05:00

I'm not sure I've ever really made New Years resolutions. I tend to be a list-maker year round, constantly thinking about what I want to accomplish in the upcoming weeks, and then tweaking and making a new list to reflect things I've forgotten or have gotten behind in... I suppose I could have "resolutions" if I just pulled out my most recent list, but that hardly seems traditional. On the other hand, planning out my goals for an entire year seems presumptuous - not knowing what God has in store for our family. So many things can change in a year! And I hope that through God's merciful kindness, I'm not the same person in even 6 months that I am today. So I take it weeks at a time, constantly reevaluating my priorities, goals, and failings.

However, the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to look back and reflect on what the Lord has done for our family. Although it's not a yearly tradition, we often enjoy taking an evening in the beginning of January to write down the blessings, accomplishments, and trials of the year we've just completed, things we're particularly grateful for, and goals for the future. It's an interesting exercise, especially when we get out previous years' lists and compare what we thought would happen in a year to what actually occurred.

I always feel incredibly blessed when I look back at a year in our lives. God is so incredibly good to us, and I'm ashamed at how long it takes me to come up with the blessing we've been given. It's easy to snub my nose at the forgetful and ungrateful Israelites wandering in the desert - and yet I can so easily have the exact same problem.

Looking to the future, I assume 2012 will in many ways look a lot like 2011 - including two balls, MECHE skits, testing, our state homeschool conference, a trip to the beach, a conference or two, working on the house, and a whole host of other things. I hope my murky brown thumb gets slightly greener. My reading list for 2012 has jumped up from 2011's 42 book list to 56 books. My grandma is moving, so we'll be helping them. Daddy's job will likely change. May will bring an end to the Kincells being a homeschool family when Kelsie dons a cap and gown. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. :)

I am very thankful for what the Lord has done and am looking forward to what He has in store for 2012.

Hooty Owl Bag

2011-12-27T22:59:00.006-05:00

Keely was quite crafty this Christmas, making a whole host of neat things for her friends. One of her cutest projects was this sweet little owl bag.

I'm not really sure what inspired the project, but our dear friend Laura does love owls and purses so it really seemed the perfect idea. And who can help but fall in love with this little guy? With his rick-rack belly and big eyes...

She raided my quilting bag for fabrics to do the applique; soft tan corduroy became the body of the bag and green print from her stash was used for the lining. The pattern is free online, and we found it through Dayna. But be forewarned if you click on the link to Dayna's blog: you will leave inspired to make a bag or two yourself! The ruffled, yellow bag she just finished is super cute.

Keely had so much fun designing her little owl and making up the bag, and Kelsie has plans in the works to try the same pattern soon. So simple, yet cute!

Good News of Great Joy

2011-12-25T08:31:00.000-05:00

While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them: and they were terribly frightened. But the angel of the Lord said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

~Luke 2: 6-14

An Elegant Christmas Eve Dinner

2011-12-24T22:51:00.007-05:00

Since long before I was born, Christmas Eve has always been a special event at Yaya and Randy's home, complete with a delicious and elegant dinner. It's been a much loved tradition for us to dress up and drive over to their home, always arriving slightly late. The table is always set with Aunt Mary's antique red stemware, and special ornaments sit by each of us girls' plates from Randy. This year, however, with Yaya in the middle of a move, Christmas Eve dinner was moved to our home.

With Christmas falling on a Sunday, there's been a flurry of early preparation for both Christmas Eve dinner and our Christmas meal (so that everything will be ready ahead of time and not interfere with Sabbath worship). And with the annual Christmas Eve dinner being at our house, we cleaned the house until it sparkled with Christmas spirit, set an elegant (if somewhat more country, reflecting Mom instead of Yaya) table, filled the house with the smell of wonderful, nutritious food, and welcomed my grandmother and her husband at our home after years of partaking of their hospitality.

Not quite the Christmas Eve we're used to, but delightful nonetheless!

*Christmas Eve Menu ~ 2011*

Appetizers:
- Candied pecans
- Cream cheese spirals
- Pepper jelly crackers

Dinner:
- Cranberry ribbon salad (a traditional, Christmas Eve must)
- Turkey with marsala sauce, garnished with parsley and candied cranberries
- Mashed potatoes and gravy
- Apple and walnut stuffing
- English pea casserole (another Christmas Eve favorite)
- Whole wheat dinner rolls

Dessert:
- Ice cream sundaes
- Assorted cookies and chocolate covered peanut butter balls

Another Special Evening

2011-12-23T23:32:00.001-05:00

Every year we look forward to our caroling evening! We don our gay apparel - or the most "Victorian" apparel we can gather. We bake cookies and breads and wrap them in packages. We write notes and sign cards. We practice the best harmony we can manage in 30 minutes time. Then we're off to some of the most wonderful people we know!

What started as an outing for four high school (or was it junior high) girls who had made capes in their sewing class, has become a beloved Christmas tradition! The group has varied some over the years, but we're always assured to have a car (or two!) full of eager singers.

"Joy to the World", "O Come All Ye Faithful", and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" were our songs this year, done in three part harmony. (At one house we did manage to squeeze in "Come Rejoicing" - a song we have sung every single year until this one...)

Our time in each home is brief, but we enjoy the precious moments we get to share with our dear friends. We stay just long enough for a few carols and hugs before we must whisk off to the next house, hoping to spread a little Christmas cheer along our path.

Truth of it is, we are probably more blessed by this annual event than those we visit! For they are wonderful models of perseverance and faith.

The Blessing of Family

2011-12-23T01:27:00.004-05:00

during the blessing of Christmas.

Merry Birthday

2011-12-19T12:06:00.000-05:00

Here's the birthday stash. Guess whose birthday?

Great Parenting Article

2011-12-13T23:55:00.000-05:00

We don't often link to other sites, but when I read this excellent short blog post, I just wanted to share! Excerpt:

I bumped into acquaintances recently at the grocery store. A mom, dad and their two-year-old. With barely our hellos exchanged, Mom said, “We’re just trying to get through this with her. She’s the child you hear screaming through the store. We’ve tried bribing her, we’ve tried threatening her, nothing works.”

...From our distorted sense of “why” we are given children (they are actually not for us, but for Him) to a society driven by self-indulgence, this generation seems largely unprepared to bring up responsible, mature children who will become responsible, mature adults. And that’s just the beginning for believers who are also instructed to bring up children who will live fully for Him, reflecting His character in all they do.

I just want to encourage you with a few practical words if you are a struggling parent.

And from there, she gives some very practical and Biblical suggestions. I suppose it goes without saying that I agree with her advice ;-). I hope it's helpful to some of you!

Christmas Parade

2011-12-11T20:42:00.012-05:00

On a pretty street in small town America a parade was about to begin. Folks gathered at the street long before anything was scheduled, just for the thrill of standing in the frosty air, appreciating the homes decked out in their Christmas glory, and looking down the street in anticipation of the first parade vehicle.

I suppose if you lived in said small town, you would have also used this time to chat with your neighbors, but we didn't recognize anyone. I suppose neighbors change when you've been married and gone for 26 years. However, familiar faces on the street corner or not, this place does hold a special place in our hearts as it is where Mom was born and raised. It's also home to two people we love very dearly. Oh, look! Here they come now!

My grandparents were given the privilege of being the "honorary parade marshals," representing the seniors of the town. It was fun to hear one of the town leaders over a loud speaker announcing who they were. As he listed their many accomplishments and contributions to the town, I felt a swell of pride. And I really appreciated that he said raising "Rodney and Kimberly" was among the most important. Of all the wonderful things my grandparents have done, I most respect their dedication to discipling their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Of course, that was our favorite "float" and the reason we drove to the parade, but we still lingered to see the rest, enjoying the night air and Christmas cheer.

We really appreciated the floats representing the real Reason for the season. Mary and Joseph headed the parade and were followed by the shepherds and wisemen. And there were some thoughtful floats by local congregations telling the story of Christ's life from birth to the cross to His return. It was a beautiful reminder of why we celebrate this time of year.

This "country" girl very much enjoyed her time at the small town parade, and being the granddaughter of the honorary parade marshals was an honor. I felt like I should be in the Donna Reed Show with the small town feel of the parade, which really touched my nostalgic, vintage-loving, little heart. Not to mention, university bands are certainly not something we get to enjoy when our tiny parade goes by! However, next year I plan to remember the frosty weather and so to take along gloves! :)

Great Expectations for Dickens Adaptations

2011-12-10T14:19:00.002-05:00

With February being the 200th anniversary of Dickens' birth, I expected Masterpiece Theater would have wonderful plans to celebrate. And though I'm trying not to get too excited after the dismal season they had last year, I'm really looking forward to some of this year's productions. For instance:

Great Expectations is one of my favorite Dickens books, and I'm looking forward to seeing Gillian Anderson as Miss Havisham. IMDB has a listing for another new Great Expectations to come out in 2012 - starring Helena Bonham Carter. I'm torn over which I think will be better (though honestly, I don't follow these things closely enough to know the details of the productions). I'm leaning toward thinking that Helena Bonham Carter will be better in the role.

Masterpiece also has listed a new production of Dickens' incomplete mystery novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. I'm so glad Dickens is having a birthday! Having Dickens on the schedule keeps me from being disappointed that the main attraction this year seems to be the continuation of Downton Abbey. I haven't been able to decide how I feel about the content in that one, so I've avoided watching it for conscience sake - despite the beautiful costume shots I've seen.

Of course, I'll wait for the reviews to come out before viewing any of these movies, but it's fun to hope for good things in the meantime.

So who do you think will make a better Miss Havisham?

Kelsie's Hosting a Giveaway

2011-12-10T00:43:00.003-05:00

Speaking of wool felt ornaments...

I figure many of you have already seen this, but I thought I'd give it a little shout-out here, too, just in case. Kels is giving away two of her handmade ornaments, and you could win one!

Just drop by her blog and leave her a comment and you'll be entered to win. It's only open through Tuesday, so hurry on over!

Discovering the Joy of Wool Felt

2011-12-09T23:20:00.008-05:00

It took me awhile to catch onto the whole wool felt craze. Favorite bloggers would mention it and I'd simply skim their thoughts to get to something more interesting. My crafting magazines would have patterns and articles for wool felt projects and I'd sigh over the wasted space. I'm not really sure when I started to change my mind, but I'm pretty sure Joan had something to do with it... (Don't worry; I've warned her that everything she does is copied by everyone who knows her, so she's promised to never take up smoking. For the good of the community.)

So the wool felt party was planned. Beth brought a whole basket of wool felt, and we were set for several hours of experiencing first hand the joy of wool felting. And you know what? We loved it!

Joan had a host of delightful patterns for us to use. Three-dimensional ornaments... Adorable Christmas stockings with a host of decorating ideas... Baby Jesus in the manger... Snowmen... It was hard to decide where to begin!

Lucky for us, these cute little things aren't very time consuming. In fact, it was rather amazing how quickly we found ourselves reaching for the basket of wool and starting the design and color-picking process all over again.

With twelve of us stitching, there was the occasional moment when we had to wait for the iron or the pattern pieces that we needed. Not to worry! Joan provided a big bowl of her delicious caramel popcorn and Beth had made a pan of her infamous lemon bars.

We had so much fun at Joan's, the fun continued at our house the next day. Rather than our usual quilting/smocking/knitting/whatever-we're-currently-working-on projects during lesson time, the wool felt basket made another appearance. :)

I still don't flip to the wool felt pages first, but I've found that I rather enjoy having this quick and fun outlet for creativity. Not to mention, they are a great addition to our Christmas tree. Did our tree really need more ornaments, you ask. Well... It's the Kincell tree. The more, the merrier! It's supposed to be busy and full of ornaments from each year of our lives. This year's ornaments are just mostly made out of wool felt. :)

Sage Green for the Table

2011-12-08T23:55:00.011-05:00

So after nearly two months, I figure you might be missing seeing my sewing projects. Or perhaps I just want to share my first completely finished, completely hand-sewn project. Either way, here it is!

This is actually a thank-you present for dear friends who have be so sweet to our family. Trying to think of something special I could do for them, my recent fascination with quilting came to mind. A phone call to their daughter-in-law later and I was standing at the checkout counter with an assortment of sage green calicos in my hand, a neutral, and a plaid that tied everything together nicely.

I decided on 3 Ohio Star blocks, each 12", set diagonally for a table runner. Every stitch in the entire runner is done by hand. I stitched while I chatted with moms on piano days, while I "watched" movies, whenever I could slip a stitch in... My quilting bag has even been to the dentist office and hospital! I've become rather comfortable piecing by hand, but the actual quilting process was entirely new and it took some time for the stitches to become even(ish). Quilting is rather therapeutic, though, once you get past your perfectionist tendencies.

Having gotten thus far without a machine, it seemed a shame to break down for the binding, so I continued in my hand-work. It was actually much easier than I anticipated, and Beth shared the A-Z of Quilting with me so my corners would turn out practically perfect. It made mitered corners a snap!

I love the assortment of fabrics in this, but I detested working with this plaid! The perfect solution: use the last of my plaid remnant backing the runner! Once again, the plaid was a real kill-joy and arduous to make align perfectly with the runner, but I really like it now that the stress is over. I also love the back of quilts! It's pretty to see the stitches outlining the blocks on the front, but it's more fun to flip the project over and see the design from a completely different perspective. In this case, it's an array of outlined Ohio Stars and a sweet, vine pattern (whose leaf reminded me of the Fellowships' broaches from Lord of the Rings. But that's not why I picked it... Well, maybe...)

This was a delightful project and now I'm eager to resume work on my other two quilting projects. However, my elfing isn't quite complete yet, so I may have to wait until after Christmas to make real quilting progress. In the meantime, my table runner is on it's way to the recipients who I hope will enjoy this little token of my thanks and love.

We'll Take It!

2011-12-08T08:51:00.004-05:00

Don't you just love it? I'm glad to live out were we get to enjoy more of God's blessings at this time of year... It's only a few inches but "we'll take it!"

Let It Snow

2011-12-07T23:45:00.005-05:00

It's finally beginning to look like Christmas! Huge, white flakes have drifted down all afternoon...

...leaving us with the perfect time to finish up the Christmas decorating and do a bit of "elfing" (Mumzy's code word for Christmas sewing).

There were errands that could have been run, but the first real snow day of the season is best enjoyed from the perspective of a warm fire blazing in the hearth, a snoozy kitty by your feet, and Bing Crosby crooning favorite carols.

Trimming the Tree

2011-12-03T23:40:00.006-05:00

Festive Christmas decor is gradually making it's way through the entire Kincell household. Between yesterday and today, we've managed to fill all but the top floor with Christmas-y things. We even carefully managed our busy schedules so that everyone could help with the much-looked-forward-to annual It's a Wonderful Life/popcorn stringing.

As we've enjoyed our time together, we've had scattered conversations about family culture. Over the years, we've formed many traditions that knit us closer as a family. Our family culture includes a busy tree full of five lifetime's ornaments, babies breath, popcorn strands, candles, and blue satin ribbon. We set up manger scenes and put out the reindeer that Grandpa carved when he was a small boy. We set a glass tree filled with red and green M&M's beside Daddy's table. And we scatter other nostalgic pieces inherited from grandparents. We'll bake the same cookies, go caroling, put Christmas pictures we receive all over the frig, and even break out into familiar songs. We look forward to these things! But I doubt any other family is doing these exact things - or would even find the same joy in them. They are meaningful only if you have grown up in this home. Mom points out that other families will have different things that they do together for a special Christmas season, which makes for a variety of unique family cultures. We shouldn't compare with each other - rather enjoy the variety while treasuring our own families! I love to see other homes and gather ideas from other families, but the best parts for me are the very Kincell-y things that we've been doing for years. I'm thankful for my sense of belonging. As we all should be if we are so blessed!

God sets the lonely in families...
Ps. 68:6a

Friendships

2011-12-02T22:53:00.005-05:00

I have found that "companions your own age" and "friends" are not the same thing.

- Victoria Botkin, She Shall Be Called Woman

These are a Few of my Favorite Things – for Which I am Thankful

2011-12-01T23:59:00.004-05:00

I’ve neglected to blog about Thanksgiving, so I’m remedying this before December grows too old! I’m not going to give you all the details of our family-filled Thanksgiving. Suffice it to say, we had a lovely day – very traditional: gathered around my grandparents’ table laden with turkey, dressing, Big Grandma’s cranberry salad, and a host of other goodies. The single failing was that our pies, while tasting yummy, didn’t survive the ride to Mamaw’s house without the meringue shrinking. And obviously, if this was the sole failing, we are blessed beyond measure!

But the real reason we celebrate Thanksgiving isn’t to spend extra time with family or to indulge in a little gluttony; it’s a time to stop and remember the blessings we have and from Whom they come. With that in mind, I jotted down a quick list. There are so many more things that could be added, including things that I’m even more thankful for, but these were the first 30 to come quickly to mind… (Arranged in alphabetical order)

I’m so very thankful for:

1. A beautiful thanksgiving day, spent with my wonderful family and a table full of delicious food

2. A roaring fire on wintry nights – especially when a good book and a warm mug of tea are nearby

3. Bailey – our soft, furry kitty that we dote upon

4. Beth – our sweet, sewing companion and much loved friend, my favorite person to discuss parenting with and project ideas, and who is always a source of seamstress wisdom and encouragement

5. Bread Beckers – we’ve recently switched to using their basic bread recipe and are having much more success with the texture of our bread; we’ve also been watching their DVDs and I’m grateful for the fascinating info on whole grains and Sue’s open testimony of God’s working in her life

6. Chickens – and the fresh, colorful eggs we gather from them. They’re also fun to watch free-ranging around the yard.

7. Emily and Amy – the joyful chatter coming from our living room this evening reminded me how blessed we are to call these young ladies our friends; they are truly sweet girls who seek Christ above all else

8. Finishing my first hand-sewn quilting project – and the easy instructions Beth gave me for mitering corners painlessly

9. Focus on the Family’s Radio Theater – particularly their versions of Squanto which we enjoy so very much this time of year plus the Chronicles of Narnia

10. God’s provision and the secondary causes He uses – God has certainly given us all a multitude of opportunities for income and service, though I’m most thankful for Daddy and his job; it is Daddy’s provision that allows our family to be who we are.

11. Joan – our lovely and inspiring friend who shares her vivacious energy with us, encouraging us in everything from quilting and gardening to whole wheat flour and opera

12. Laura – my oldest and dearest friend. Laura is my closest friend outside my sisters; she’s iron-sharpening-iron and my companion with whom I eagerly share everything I love – from sci-fi to theology

13. Mamaw and Papaw’s new pastor – it’s an answer to prayer to have them so content and pleased as this important role is filled

14. Marcy and Adam – their marriage is a beautiful picture of God’s goodness when the wait seemed long

15. MECHE – the ever growing local community of home educators who are dedicated to training their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

16. Mom’s healing foot – She’s hobbling quite well now!

17. Music – it’s always been an important part of our home, and right now I’m most thankful for the delightful array of Christmas music that has been wafting from the stereos.

18. My Lord and Savior, His death and resurrection, His mercy and atonement, His grace to undeserving wretches such as me

19. Our blog readers – thank you for putting up with our scribblings

20. Our Church – God has truly blessed us with a strong body of believers to aid and encourage us on our sanctification journeys

21. Our house and property – unfinished as it is, I love our home and the beautiful property that surrounds it. I am very blessed to have grown up here!

22. PW’s cinnamon rolls – too yummy! (The aroma currently wafts through the house and so these come to mind…)

23. Taylor – It’s a delight to have a young student in the house again, even if it’s only for one morning a week.

24. That God has blessed me with a multitude of friends of a variety of ages. I experience sweet fellowship with dear friends who are 40 and others who are 12.

25. That my Christmas shopping is well underway

26. That the weather is getting colder :)

27. That two of the congressmen in our state support the PRA!

28. The “Munchkins” – I love these five kids/young ladies like crazy and it’s more than a joy to be a part of their lives

29. The Pilgrims whose desire for religious freedom led them to Holland and whose desire to protect their children’s hearts led them to a new world. May every parent care so much about the influences surrounding their children!

30. Tuesdays and Thursdays – I very much enjoy our piano days; sharing music with kids is a unique privilege and offering hospitality to their families is a treat as well.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
I Thessalonians 5:18

Making cookies in a lovely apron all day long?

2011-11-30T23:49:00.006-05:00

No, that’s not what we do - well perhaps for one day around Christmas time. :) So what do we do all day? Why are we home?

It’s not to be countercultural, although it is. It’s not to live like Little House on the Prairie as some have worried. It’s not to live in the fifties (see Donna Reed here) – although the aprons were lovely then. :) It’s not to be popular because it certainly isn’t. It’s not to be admired because few admire this choice. So why home?

Two different things have happened recently that have inspired me to share my thoughts about Christian womanhood. I first assumed I would finally post some writings I have done over the past several years about my journey from working fulltime outside my home to working fulltime in my home. So I got those writings out – again. I get them out every once in a while anyway and think about them, edit them, and consider posting them. But I always put them right back in my computer files… They came out again last week, I edited them again, and I nearly posted them after some recent comments here on our blog. While praying about it though, I felt somehow like I was getting the cart before the horse, or perhaps sharing the details when the foundation was missing. It’s been a long and good journey, but it’s difficult to know what and how to share.

The real heart of the issue goes much deeper than incomes or homemaking or even defending the value of relationships, although I have strong feelings about all of those. My real journey probably starts with the desert island challenge: being challenged to begin with Scripture and to view Scripture as God’s Word to me – things He’s already told me (and requires of me) without me having to ask. So before praying about whether to get a job or whether the girls should go to college, I’m learning to start with what God has already made clear. That was/is huge for me. See, I can easily start with what I want or what I have always thought was right and find Scripture to back that up. But it is an entirely different matter to start with Scripture alone and see where that takes me.

So, for example, I’m a woman, a wife, and a mother. It makes perfect sense that if God says He expects certain things of a woman or a wife or a mother, those things are required of me. I needn’t ask about those things. And since He took the time to require those things, write them down and preserve them for me (I have several copies of the Bible so I can’t claim ignorance!), doesn’t it easily follow that I need to do those things before I pray about other things? I guess I think of it as I would if someone was praying about whether to have an extramarital affair. Uh…God’s already answered on that one. No need to wrestle in prayer! (Note: I’m not trying to equate women working to women having affairs. The point is merely that we don’t have to pray about things that are already clear Scripturally.)

However, I found that it was one thing to pray about decisions I was making, and a whole other thing to seek what He has already decided for me. That requires a whole new level of submission and faith.

And so I have learned to see several things very differently. An instrumental verse and one of Don’s favorites is John 14:15. “If you love me you will obey what I command.” That expands on His first and greatest commandment. And then the Great Commission tells us to make disciples (not merely converts) and teach them to obey everything He has commanded. This is not just about the plan of salvation. This is about His Lordship. This is about our sanctification. My life speaks louder than my words so if I don’t obey God’s plan for my own life, how can I possibly spread His Gospel using words?

So my life (and witness) as a Christian begins with the two commandments that Christ said were most important and that sum up all others: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and then love others as yourself. If I love Him, I will obey what He commands. If I love others I will teach them to obey Him also – as He commanded us.

Sounds so simple, but it really isn’t always. I would never have dreamed that a mother’s life invested in her home and children – especially where I live – could impact anyone. It seemed much more prudent to direct VBS or teach Sunday School or do children’s ministry. I’m not necessarily saying anything about those ministries, but I can tell you that I was wrong. My life is much more evangelistic now than when I worked fulltime as a physical therapist.

So that’s why I’m home. I started taking the desert island challenge. I studied Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 and many other passages. I started understanding my responsibilities differently. Don started understanding his differently as he studied and grew, too. We changed. We grew. God’s grace is amazing!

Matthew 7:21-27 took on deep meaning for me. It’s not just hearing His words; it’s putting them into practice. I find that’s much harder than what I was doing before. It’s harder than putting on a smile and “witnessing.” Yes, I still have an answer for the hope that lies within me – a more in-depth answer in fact – and one that isn’t easily shared during a short street corner encounter. Since everything about my life now involves His will and His commands, it’s rather easy to share about the Lord all the time if you really know me. He is my life. Slowly I’m learning to glorify Him in everything I do – whether homeschooling, showing hospitality, or cooking for a church dinner. Even taking a shower or choosing clothes. Whether I eat or drink or whatever I do, I try to do it for His glory by doing it how He desires it. Seek first His kingdom. Seek first Him!

That’s the short answer – long as it is.

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle

2011-11-23T13:34:00.005-05:00

Evidence of our society’s frightening values is starkly apparent in the promise of one of the most powerful politicians in America – Nancy Pelosi.

A recent Washington Post article reports:

…she’s not afraid to mention that next on her agenda is the mother of all women’s issues: child care. Under fire for health-care legislation that conservatives consider a big-government power grab, she’s happy to promise more of the same.

Of the need for child-care legislation, she says, “I could never get a babysitter — have five kids in six years and no one wants to come to your house. . . . And everywhere I go, women say the same thing” about how hard it is to find the kind of reliable care that would make their family lives calmer and work lives more productive. When it comes to “unleashing women” in a way that would boost the economy, she says, “this is a missing link.”

It’s not a new issue. I admit I was shocked when Bill Clinton came here a few years ago to stump for his wife’s presidential bid. The local newspaper’s coverage centered much on daycare. Everyone in town seemed to be looking to a presidential candidate to raise his/her children. It was eye-opening for me! Unfortunately it wasn’t surprising that young parents were clamoring for the government to take care of their children, but that it was so outwardly acceptable to admit it – spoken about openly during interviews that would be published in the paper. These interviews were with college students – 20-somethings whose voting values centered in government daycare – at the federal level! I hadn’t thought, at the time, that we had come that far. I didn’t want to think we had. Nancy Pelosi confirms that we have come this far and are headed much further.

Voddie Bauchum warns,

"Don't miss the point here. Go beyond the Herman Cain angle and listen carefully to what this woman is saying. This is the logical next step in the Socialist Nanny State. They've got nearly 90% of our kids in government schools; now they want to get at them even younger ...and (in true Marxist fashion) get more moms in the workforce to boot. PLEASE TELL ME YOU SEE THIS! This is not convenience, economics, politics, etc. This is worldview; this is theology."

I want to be a woman who encourages women differently. Don’t “unleash yourself” to “boost the economy!” Pour yourself out for Christ, starting with His plan for you as a wife and mother. That plan does not include the government in the way that Ms. Pelosi and Ms. Clinton describe. It does include a renewing of our minds to prove that which is good and acceptable. And it includes the church espousing the values of Titus 2.

...so that they may encourage the young women to...

I am forever grateful for women, far and near, who are part of the remnant and who encourage me every day!

Let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching!

The Fellowship Ball

2011-11-22T16:48:00.014-05:00

The Kincell and Powell families love the many opportunities the Lord provides for our respective families, and one of those is hosting OSB - together :-). But this particular fall our busy schedules made it more difficult to find the time to prepare. Nevertheless, find the time we did!

Initially in our haste to find a name for the ball, we decided to go easy and seasonal. Blessings... Thanksgiving... Gratitude... We really liked the concept, but we struggled to find the name that really felt right. Then the men got involved and Daniel brilliantly came up with the idea of using "fellowship" for the title - after all, that's one of the main reasons we host our events.

It was an apt name because the Fellowship Ball proved to be full of good fellowship! It was our largest ball to date, despite many who were sick and unable to join us. (We missed you all!) We keep worrying that people will tire of our events, but interest continues to grow and we continue to love this connection with the larger homeschooling/Christian/conservative community.

Mom struggled with whether to wear her costume because of her foot. We compromised on her Jamestown costume which doesn't have a train. :) She looked cute hobbling around the edge of the dance floor, and friends (special thanks to Lisa!) made sure she didn't have to worry about carrying any food from the kitchen although she assured everyone she was capable. Even the decorating was planned and provided in advance by Cyndi, so Mom felt quite blessed by a myriad of wonderful friends! Her one "sadness" was not being able to dance the Salty Dog with her favorite guy...

Lots of people and lots of dancing meant lots of water consumption and fan waving! Or in this case, Laura and I trying to copy the promotional images from As You Like It. Are we not the very image of Rosalind and Celia?

I love the careful thought all the guys put into making sure that the girls get on the dance floor often. We are blessed with such chivalrous gentlemen!

We didn't take many photos of dancing this time around (a gross oversight!), and not many of the ones we did take are very good. But I'm loading them onto OSB's website, for those interested in seeing more.

We did manage to take several non-dancing pictures, as when Kelsie and her dear friend Emily paused to snap a picture in their matching (color excepted) dresses.

We were blessed with an abundance of delicious food to enjoy during the intermission. (Isn't Cecily cute sitting among the "big girls?")

And of course OSB can't host a ball without Beth's lemon bars! They're an "in-demand"staple!

We are truly grateful for the fellowship God provides His people! After hosting seven balls, we've found each to be a joy and we're grateful to be a part of them.

Thankful Thoughts

2011-11-20T16:41:00.000-05:00

The leaves are crunching under foot, the air is chill, the fire is crackling, and... well... it’s just that time of year when a holiday spirit envelopes us. And we love it.

I can’t quite decide, but I think Thanksgiving might be my favorite holiday. It ushers in this holiday season and precedes a beautiful family time that is shared with loved ones. And its essence captures an often elusive thought and good reminder: we are blessed! God is good – all the time! Every good gift comes down from the Father...

I'll Give You a Clue

2011-11-19T22:26:00.003-05:00

I love the game Clue and have spent many happy hours playing it over the years. So recently when we had young guests who wanted to play, I was all for it. They had brought their game, which is a much newer version than ours, and it was neat to see all the differences in the board, etc.

I decided to be Mr. Green, so I grabbed the little man wearing green. “Is this Mr. Green?” I asked the little boy. He laughed at the very thought and replied, “Of course not. That’s Mr. Don!”

I can almost see the resemblance…. But I don’t think Daddy can. :P

Snow Flurries

2011-11-17T22:53:00.003-05:00

We actually had our first snowfall while we were in North Carolina. A friend texted pictures, and I was so disappointed that I was shivering in the rain while everything at home was dusted in lovely white. But it melted within a day, and I came home to sunshine and warm-ish weather.

Perhaps that's why I was so excited at the flurries that started this afternoon. Sam walked in the door for his piano lesson with news of snow, and I lingered shamefully by the window as often as I could to watch the large, white flakes drift to the ground and melt. It was beautiful!

To celebrate, I've spent the evening enjoying a roaring fire, canning meat, baking goodies, and "watching" Victoria and Albert while I worked. Actually, I probably would have done all of this even without the snow... But having the signs of winter beginning outside my window made everything seem warmer and snugger inside the house, and left me humming cheery tunes. I do so love this time of year!

High School Festival at BJU

2011-11-10T18:22:00.011-05:00

Our family has participated in a state wide Christian Fine Arts festival for several years, but we didn't realize Bob Jones had another similar festival until just over a month ago. And as we were in the neighborhood for the Gospel-Centered Marriage conference, Kelsie and I hopped over to BJU in the days following the conference. (I was substitute adult sponsor after Mom's unfortunate accident.)

A month is not nearly enough time to prepare music for a competition. (I think Kelsie's piano teacher was rather incredulous that we decided to go!) But Mom and Dad decided it would be an excellent experience for Kes and that she might benefit from the feedback and masters class. She did an excellent job with what she was able to put together, although she didn't make it to the finals. It was still a really nice experience, and I was impressed with the professors in the masters class. I really liked their emphasis on musicality and worshiping through expression of the words when playing hymns.

Kelsie also got to take part in a mixed chorus while she was on campus, which was a lot of fun for her. The director was good with the kids, and they sounded lovely by the end of the week. They didn't allow any photography during the recitals, so I snapped a few bad pictures during the practices. Kelsie's hour+ choir practices gave me a chance to catch up with the family back home every evening. I love being home and dislike living out of a suitcase, so I treasured my evening time with the family back home.

Living on a college campus for ~5 days was an interesting experience. I enjoyed meeting a variety of people, reading on the pretty park benches around campus, attending some of the classes, and hearing many of the high schoolers perform. I would definitely say that this was a more difficult competition than the ones in which we've previously taken part. Not only were the winners technically excellent, but every winner also had a lovely touch and a real feel for the music which they were performing.

(Mel is only pretending to want my coffee in this early morning photo; the coffee was nasty! Almost undrinkable - even with only 1/3 coffee and 2/3 hot chocolate.)

Kelsie really wanted to attend music classes while we were at the university, but most of them were closed as the rooms and professors were being used for the competition. So I got to do most of the class choosing. :) Medical nutrition therapy, Shakespeare, American lit, hymnology, American history... I really, really enjoyed some of the classes. The professors were articulate and brought out points that I hadn't considered on my own. Others not so much... Kes did get to attend a music history class and a theory class, the latter being her favorite class of the event. I'd think I'd have to vote for Shakespeare. :)

But perhaps the highlight of our visit was the "site-seeing" opportunities we had. We have a friend who is a student at BJU, and he kindly took the time to show us around campus. We spent a long time enjoying the Museum and Gallery with its large collection of religious paintings. The Jerusalem Chamber was fascinating as well. Modeled after a room in Westminster Abbey, this little room chronicles the history of Bible translations. But my favorite spot was a little known room in the upstairs of the library. We only got to see it because Ethan has friends in high places, but it houses the university's collection of antique books and hymnals. I actually got to hold in my (gloved) hands a book printed in 1510! And a 1739 Isaac Watts hymnal! It was pretty much incredible.

(The Dunkin' Doughnuts picture is a story all on its own... Kes said the walk would be worth it once I got my custard-filled doughnut. But I found I had walked well over a mile for a stale lemon-filled doughnut instead... The coffee was almost worth it, but not quite.)

Despite all the fun, both Kelsie and I were really glad to see Daddy Thursday afternoon! We shared a few of our favorite places with him (and the dining common experience - something he probably could have lived without!) and he got to see Kelsie's choir perform in the final recital of the festival. Then we were happy to hit the road again after 9 days away - this time to go home!

Driving through the night brought us home just in time to complete the final preparations for the Fellowship Ball!

Gospel-Centered Marriages for a Glorious Church Conference

2011-11-08T17:08:00.007-05:00

Mom got out of her first physical therapy session and we were off! Five happy people drove south for the NCFIC's conference Gospel-Centered Marriages for a Glorious Church.

To be perfectly candid, I was a bit skeptical about going to a marriage conference. After all, I'm not married... However, I trusted Daddy's decision, and I must say that I am so glad that we went! This was one of the best conferences we've had the privilege to attend. I learned so much, and had my heart checked in so many ways. It was encouraging and convicting, and the Lord really used the teaching to bless us in a variety of ways.

Yes, there were also the "nuts and bolts" workshops. How to work through trials in marriage, marriage roles, dealing with in-laws, and even intimacy within marriage were all addressed along with courtship and betrothal. But here's where my skepticism was misguided: the heart of the conference was in the Gospel. Every topic related to marriage yes, but its central focus was on looking at marriage through the lens of the Gospel of Christ. After all, marriage is not an end in itself. It is merely a picture to help us better relate to our heavenly Father. If our goal is to have a good marriage, we have failed as Christians. Our focus should always be to glorify Christ, which includes having strong marriages. But we have to keep out priorities straight.

Dr. Beeke's lectures on the Puritans and their views on children, marriage, and the Gospel were particularly good on this point. I loved his extensive knowledge of the Puritan fathers' writing. His lectures were full of sound quotes and wisdom from past generations. My favorite of his points was when he carefully outlined the Puritans' way of looking at marriage as part of the dominion mandate, not selfishly wanting marriage for their own happiness (although that's a pleasant side effect), but realizing that solid marriages were good for the church and even the nation.

Scott Brown did an excellent exegesis of Ephesians 5, outlining in three different sessions the roles of men and women in marriage and how their positions create a picture of Christ and His bride. We women were exhorted that until we love and understand the church (which is the bride of Christ), we're not ready to be brides. Studying the church and her relationship to Christ is the best preparation a woman can have for marriage.

The NCFIC Blog has many posts filled with pictures and quotes from this conference, so please take a look and get a small taste of the teaching for yourself. We so appreciate their ministry and stand for solid, Biblical teaching. We've been blessed many times by the NCFIC and the Gospel-Centered Marriages conference was no exception. Thank you, NCFIC for all you do!

P.S. Having carried Mom's tray to a table and waiting for her to hobble over and join me, I had the privilege to meet a family who happens to read our blog. It was startling to be recognized by a complete stranger, but it was also nice to get their encouragement and to realize that we have mutual friends in Illinois. What a small world!

Remembering our Blog

2011-11-06T21:57:00.003-05:00

No, we haven't forgotten... Started physical therapy, attended a conference, left Kiri and Kelsie at a fine arts event, Keely was "alone" here to do all the work and wait on me hand and foot (the latter fairly literally), had company 4 of 5 week days last week, Don traveled back south to return the girls, we hosted a ball... and we truly rested today. Thought about the blog...but couldn't carve out the time to post. So here's a pic from our dear friends, the B's, with a promise to post "for real" really soon!

Unexpected Break

2011-10-26T19:02:00.002-05:00

Literally. Mom stepped out of a friend's home, not realizing that the patio was down a step.

Next morning we were at MedExpress.

This was over 10 days ago, and life has continued - only we've added several doctors appointments into the usual, somewhat hectic, fall schedule. But I've discovered that some things (like computer time; I haven't been on for days - sorry if you've tried to email me) are less important than others (hospitality and taking care of my mother, for instance).

I really hadn't planned to take this break. In fact, in the pre-break days I'd been inspired by Pioneer Woman's wisdom on blogging. However, as I'm now trying to cover Mom's usual tasks in addition to my own and take care of an "invalid", I need a little longer break. I'm trying to do everything but failing is some areas...

My current plan: Blogging will resume with the beginning of November.

See you then!

Cowboy Birthday

2011-10-14T22:15:00.005-05:00

To celebrate Daddy's birthday, we cooked a steak dinner... but then got an invitation to Texas Roadhouse. Hmmm...Texas Roadhouse with my grandparents vs. country steak at home alone.

Naturally, Mamaw and Papaw won. :)

Of course, Daddy didn't know when he accepted the invitation that riding the birthday saddle would be a required part of the celebration. I thought it was cute and funny, and I wished I could have gotten a better photo. This was likely a once-in-a-lifetime photo op!

We skipped restaurant dessert in favor of homemade strawberry-rhubarb pie. Mmmm. A family favorite. But Mom only gave him one candle because past experience with a great-grandmother has proven that after a certain age candles can be a fire hazard... not meaning anything in particular about Daddy's age of course. However, candles are easier to blow out (without a fire extinguisher!) this way. (Mom tried to say it was because candles don't stand in pies the way they do in cakes...)

Shopping for Daddy was fun this year as we all had the perfect idea for what to get him. I love finding things that I know the recipient will love! And Daddy really did appreciate all of his gifts; I think we managed to find him things he really wanted but hadn't bought for himself yet. :)

Daddy had worked enough hours this week that he had today off, so we enjoyed the steak from last night as a big mid-day meal - a 2nd celebration together.

We're all so thankful that God has given us such a wonderful father and for the 54 years he's had. He's a provider, protector, leader, servant, and so much more. We're so very, very blessed!

Gearing Up for Another Ball

2011-10-12T20:48:00.008-05:00

'Tis time for another ball! Well, almost. Before we have another ball, we must find a few new dances that look fun and try them out a few times. And, of course, some favored familiar dances as well. :)

Gathering our notes at a ball planning meeting, I realized we've tried well over 30 dances over the last few years! I hadn't realized it was so many! And our biggest problem now is balancing our love of finding new dances with our dread of cutting favorite dances from the dance card... It's a difficult line to walk, but we're trying.

So only two new dances this time around... But they're fun. And a little crazy the first run-through! It took everyone a few minutes to understand the madness behind "Juggling Partners," but I look for it to eventually become a favorite.

Unfortunately, we scheduled our dance practice on a day in which several people had conflicts or were ill. This meant that we were rather short on young men- a problem we've not had for awhile! I was reminded of the early days of Old South Balls and how grateful I am for the wonderful gentlemen in our area. It is a pleasure to have so many great guys in our community and we miss them when they are unable to be with us. But it was also neat to see the girls' reaction to the lack of partners. True gentleness of character showed, and I heard no complaints over girls not getting to dance as often as usual. Mr. Powell's etiquette speech reminds us that we ladies are to be patient and content with waiting, and it was easy to see this Biblical womanhood trait shining in our girls.

But whether one gets to dance a lot or a little, fellowship with the saints is always sweet! Dance practice is a great excuse for the Christian community to gather. And it was especially sweet this time since one of our college freshmen was back in town; how nice to see Hannah again!

Cinnamon Rolls :)

2011-10-11T23:39:00.001-05:00

I'm sure I've said this here in the past, but I love, love, LOVE cinnamon rolls. And it occurred to me recently how wonderful it would be if I could make several pans at a time to have on hand (rather than dirtying my kitchen every time I want something gooey). Having them in the freezer would also be wonderful on mornings when I can't spend an hour+ getting breakfast ready... How wonderful would it be to pop the pan straight from my freezer into the oven and have hot, sticky cinnamon rolls waiting for me by the time I finished drying my hair?

Now I've never had very good success with freezing yeast dough in the past (though the chickens appreciated my endeavors), but I'm willing to try again. In fact, it rather bothers me that something that should be so simple didn't come naturally. I guess it's keeping me humble...

Joan introduced me to the Pioneer Woman's cinnamon roll recipe (which Ree says quite clearly can be frozen with good results), so I bought maple flavoring and set to work. I divided up my dough and did 4 pans of regular cinnamon rolls and 4 pans of the orange marmalade variation. Yes, I know. 8 pans of cinnamon rolls. Let's just say the kitchen was a mess, but smelled absolutely marvelous. :)

We've not tried both kinds yet, but the "plain" rolls are absolutely delicious! I used all freshly ground whole wheat flour, but the rolls still had a light texture - much superior to simply using part of my bread loaf dough. And the flavor was excellent! I was amused because Ree uses about 4x the amount of butter I usually do and 1/2 of the sugar! But I followed her instructions, and Mmmm! Very, very yummy.

Mom has given them her stamp of approval, and even Kelsie - who in general is not a big fan of cinnamon rolls - has given them two thumbs up, saying that these were the best cinnamon rolls I've ever made. Assuming these freeze as well as I hope they will, I think this recipe will get a lot of use in the upcoming months. And I'm eager to try the caramel apple and chocolate chip versions, as well!

10-Year-Old Baking Wisdom

2011-10-11T12:43:00.006-05:00

Jessica explaining to her younger sister the art of bread making:

"You just put flour in the bowl and mix it 'til it's dough. Then you bake it, and you have fresh bread!"

(I laughed when I heard this explanation from my kitchen help today. Life is so much simpler when you're 10!)

Cats and Quilts

2011-10-10T22:51:00.004-05:00

A cat's best friend must be an unfinished quilt top, for whenever I work on mine, Bailey is never far away.

He makes his way over, purring loudly to thank me for bringing back his favorite resting place, and promptly settles down directly on top of where I'm working; it's merely moments 'til he is sound asleep.

It's not always the most convenient for getting things accomplished, but I won't complain. A sleepyhead cat makes a good quilting companion.

On the Trail

2011-10-10T22:29:00.006-05:00

The weather has flip-flopped on us, so we've been enjoying the return of the sunshine.

A beautiful, sunny evening is the perfect time to gather the family and hit the trail. Everything is so beautiful this time of year! Daily we discover more vivid colors popping out on the trees.

We've had few opportunities to ride this year, so we all savored the 20+ miles of our favorite section of trail, the warm sun on our faces, and the cool breeze that reminded us that our outdoor time will soon cease.

But wrapped in my sweatshirt, I couldn't help getting excited over the changing seasons. Much as I love summer, my true love is still autumn. I'm looking forward to the cold coming back - and the roaring fires, hot tea, and cozy boots and sweaters that come with it. :)

A Crafty Afternoon

2011-10-08T17:46:00.002-05:00

I opened my email one day and found this charming post script to an invitation: "If you like, bring some sewing along for while we chat. :)"

What a fun and unusual request! Out came the hand sewing totes. Keely worked on her navy star quilt, while I pulled out some of the unfinished blocks from America the Beautiful.

Theresa's crochet hook worked vigorously, while Kelsie and Hannah stitched away on their cross-stitch pictures.

Hannah made cookies for us to enjoy, and mugs of mint tea were enjoyed whenever we paused to change thread.

I've read on other blogs about afternoons crafting with friends, but this is (I think) the first time we've been invited to sit and stitch in someone else's living room. It was delightful. :)

Dear Lord and Father of Mankind

2011-10-02T07:38:00.000-05:00

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise.

In simple trust like theirs who heard
Beside the Syrian sea
The gracious calling of the Lord,
Let us, like them, without a word
Rise up and follow Thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee,
O calm of hills above,
Where Jesus knelt to share with Thee
The silence of eternity,
Interpreted by love!

With that deep hush subduing all
Our words and works that drown
The tender whisper of Thy call,
As noiseless let Thy blessing fall
As fell Thy manna down.

Drop Thy still dew of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from out souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm!

~From the hymn "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind," taken from the longer poem The Brewing of Soma by John Greenleaf Whittier

I've never actually heard this hymn sung, but I stumbled across the lyrics in my reading this week and thought they were beautiful.

As the Weather Turns Chilly

2011-09-29T23:19:00.005-05:00

We've been enjoying cooler weather recently which means our family's collection of hearty soup recipes is beginning to be reintroduced into the meal plans. Most recently, potato soup and fresh, whole wheat rolls.

Potato soup, for me, is not an exact science. I start with a white sauce, which I season generously with onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and a chicken bouillon cube. (Sometimes a spice or too finds its way in as well. Rosemary, parsley or a bay leaf are my favorites.) I pour the finished sauce into a large pot and add milk and diced potatoes 'til I have the amount of soup I want. Salt again, just to be sure it's flavorful and start grating the cheddar cheese. I tend to be *very* generous with the cheese; the cheesier the better! Stir it all together and cook over medium heat until the potatoes are soft. It's completely caveman but always delicious!

Therefore a Man Shall Leave His Father and Mother

2011-09-28T21:39:00.021-05:00

Remember when I said my cousins were making this a good year for weddings? Well, we had the blessed opportunity to celebrate with my cousin Marcy and her new husband last weekend! :)

How perfect to walk into a beautiful, late 1800s church and see this Scripture from Revelation by the door: "The Spirit and The Bride Say Come." It was the perfect greeting for a wedding day. And the stained glass windows in the church were positively gorgeous!

Marcy and Adam carefully planned their wedding so that Christ would be the focal point of the entire ceremony, and it was beautiful. Everything was Christ-centered, from the opening hymns (delightful live music from piano and cello) to the vows. Marriage is a picture of Christ and His Church, so it was perfect for Scripture and Christ to fill this ceremony. Every song and every word spoke of Christ. Their vows were beautiful and full of Scripture. Submission. Headship. Faithfulness. It was all there, and it painted a lovely picture of what earthly marriage should look like.

Marcy and Adam beamed the entire ceremony! They were so very, very happy. Marcy waited for Adam for what sometimes felt like a long time, yet to see God bring Adam into her life in His perfect timing is so much better than what anyone could have planned on their own.

Rather than having a unity candle or sand jar, Marcy and Adam chose to have their parents join them on the platform for a time of prayer. It was beautiful to see the two families joined in prayer over the newly formed 3rd family, seeking God's hand upon Marcy and Adam as they begin their life together.

And they were pronounced Mr. and Mrs.!

I just loved the way Marcy did her guest books. Rather than simply a sign-your-name book, she had a photo album with areas to write personal messages, advice, and Scripture for them to peruse as they began their marriage.

Marcy did the layout herself, and her new sister-in-law, Julie, is the wonderful photographer behind the engagement photos. The books were beautiful and such a very good idea. The joys of Shutterfly. :)

The reception was a wonderful time to fellowship with family and celebrate together. Several of the more distant cousins traveled for the wedding and there were a few old family friends there as well. Marcy had decorated all the tables with beautiful flowers and pictures of her and Adam growing up, so there were also lots of memories to explore.

The building in which the reception was held had an upper level that overlooked the main area. As Marcy and Adam greeted their guests on the top floor, Keely noticed the sun was at a perfect angle to capture Marcy's silhouette. I love this picture!

We are so very happy for Marcy and Adam! They are such a sweet couple, and we pray that God richly blesses them and their commitment to Him. Their hearts both strive to seek Him first, and it is with much joy that we see His will unfolding in their lives.

Congratulations!

On Counting and Removing Cousins

2011-09-21T23:58:00.010-05:00

With all the recent family-activity, I found myself in the middle of a dinner conversation on exactly how we're all related and a friendly debate on how to count and remove cousins. It's all well and good to say that Diane is my grandmother's sister's daughter, but what is our relationship? A quick google search turned up this helpful article on the subject that reaffirmed my understanding of the subject, and below is my favorite way to chart it. I'll be forever grateful to the dear friend who took the time to draw this out for me! It makes so much sense!

(For the sake of simplicity, I've limited each generation to only one name.)

In my first chart, you can see each generation clearly labeled. Because Mamaw and Aunt Zella are sisters, Diane and Mom are cousins. The next generation is Stephanie and me; being two generations from the relative that connects us we are 2nd cousins. And Stephanie's daughter, Lauren, will be 3rd cousins with any children that I have. It's all very linear and done by generations.

Now those tricky removals. :) This is the way to express relationship between two people of different generations. My 2nd chart shows my relationship to Diane.

First, we take the horizontal line that describes her relationship to my side of the family tree (in this case, cousin) and then begin counting generations. So Diane is my first cousin, once removed. Any children that I have will be removed two generations from the original cousin-ship, so Diane will be their cousin, twice removed. Simple, isn't it? When you know the system, it all begins to make sense.

I'm fascinated by this kind of thing! I really love family history and genealogies, and this systematic method for keeping track of relatives makes it all so easy! Most of the time being this detailed doesn't make that much difference, but sometimes it's nice to be precise. At the very least, it helps you sound intelligent when the dinner conversation turns to the subject. :)

Aunt Zella Comes to Visit

2011-09-20T21:39:00.008-05:00

It had been nearly two years since we fleetingly saw Aunt Zella on our way to Colorado Springs, so it was with much joy that we learned that she was coming to visit! We love Mom's fun-loving aunt! Equally exciting was the news that Diane (Mom's cousin) and her husband John were coming, too. The more the merrier!

Of course the entirety of the local clan gathered! It's really sad that so many of us live in the same area and yet so rarely see each other. It takes someone traveling in to bring us all together. Uncle Russ and Aunt Glaf; Aunt G; Mamaw and Papaw; Darla, Primo, Alexis, and Joseph; Ron and Jan... We were quite the group!

The locals took turns hosting family outings at their houses, so we enjoyed a variety of good food and games. I was disappointed we didn't play Rook as that seems to be THE family game; at least it was when Big Grandma was alive. But we did have a few too many people...

'Course there's always a lot to catch up on! Just pull up a chair to hear all the family news, stories of the "olden" days before all the great-aunts were married, and insights on current events. Delightful!

Aunt Zella, Diane, and John visited from Sunday to Saturday, and there were family affairs every evening. You'd think we'd eventually run out of things to say, but not so! In fact, the week gave me just about the right amount of time to catch-up with everybody - although it would have been nice had they been able to stay longer. :)

Families are a blessing! It was a marvelous visit and I'm so glad they made the long drive to see us!

Consider Your Children

2011-09-17T22:18:00.003-05:00

"Consider what your children are designed for in this world. They must be a seed to serve the Lord, which shall be accounted to Him for a generation. They are to bear up the name of Christ in their day, and into their hands must be transmitted that good thing which is committed to us. They are to be praising God on earth when we are praising Him in heaven. [Isn't that a lovely thought?] Let them then be brought up accordingly...

"Consider especially what they are designed for in another world. They are made for eternity. Every child you have has a precious and immortal soul that must be forever either in heaven or hell...

"I know you cannot give grace to your children...But if you make a consistent pattern of doing your day, by keeping up family-doctrine; if you teach them the good and the right way, and warn them of by-paths; if you reprove, exhort, and encourage them as there is occasion; if you pray with them, and for them, and set them a good example, and at last consult their soul's welfare in the disposal of them; you have done your part, and may comfortably leave the issue and success with God."

-Matthew Henry
1704
from A Church in the House
edited by Scott Brown

Rosebud Bishops for Sisters

2011-09-14T13:43:00.010-05:00

As soon as the pregnancy test confirmed our hope, Keely and I began plotting baby gifts. I thought it would be awfully sweet if we did smocked sister dresses, so Keely pulled out her collection of magazines, books, and patterns and set to work to create something charming.

We've had this fabric for awhile with no project in mind (just thought it was adorable and very smockable when we found it at JoAnns!), and Keely picked out a pattern from Beautiful Bishops. The pattern she picked is a solid pink gown in the book, but it worked really well with our floral, too. I love that she has the ability to see beyond the pictures in the book and be creative in her own right!

We talked about doing Rachel's with a yoke so the dresses would coordinate rather than be identical but ultimately scratched the idea. Bishops are so very forgiving size-wise, and we wanted to be sure that the girls could wear them at the same time. Besides, bishops are adorable...

Only having smocked sleeves once before, Keely decided it would be a fun and pretty addition to these dresses. This was a little extra work, but it's worth it to have the smocking create a cuff of sorts with an extra bit of fabric creating a ruffle beneath. I love the dainty little rosebuds on these!

Construction was a dream, and I used French seams, of course. :) Though I still find myself trembling slightly when I take over Keely's work... After she's invested hours in the beautiful smocking, I find myself afraid I'll do something stupid and ruin it. (Yes, even after years of sewing I still keep my seam ripper very close!) Thankfully, nothing disastrous happened. :)

Rachel modeled her dress for us and looked positively adorable! Jemima was too much in demand being held to try on clothes, but we're looking forward to seeing her in it soon.

Retro Apron for a Homeschool Mom

2011-09-13T23:00:00.005-05:00

When Mom asked if I would throw together an apron for the first MECHE meeting of the year, it didn't take me too long to decide what I wanted to do. I've been fascinated by the details of Simplicity's vintage apron reprint (view A) since Sarah Grace choose to work on it; it was an obvious choice. And I had the perfect apron-flop sitting in my closet, waiting to be reworked into something worth wearing.

My stashed apron-flop turned out to be just about perfect for laying out the pieces of the new apron - which I think turned out really cute! Having now made it myself, I really do like the construction details of this pattern. And I'm currently in love with French seams. They really don't take much extra time, and they leave the finished product looking so neat and tidy!

This was a quick and fun diversion from my recent quilting obsession. I do so love a cute apron. :)

Sweet Jemima Rose

2011-09-12T23:24:00.008-05:00

Doubtless most of you have already heard the news from Little House in the Hills, but I wanted to share my pictures of darling little Jemima! We had the privilege of seeing her Saturday afternoon and she is quite a little angel.

I was thrilled that her big blue eyes were wide awake during our entire visit. She calmly took in all her surrounding and is quite the perfect little cuddle-bug. I love her head full of dark hair. It's soft, beautiful, and will be perfect for hair bows. :)

Pretty little Jemima Rose is the perfect picture of what Matt and Tricia's babies ought to look like, with features that strongly resemble her mama and her daddy. I don't see any of her fair colored big sister in her, though perhaps at only three days old it's a little early to tell. :) Speaking of Rachel, she was quite a little darling during our visit, seemingly not bothered at all by the attention Jemima was getting.

We're praising the Lord for this new addition to Matt and Tricia's beautiful little family and thankful that Mama and Baby are doing well. Children are such wonderful blessings!

Melodious Evening

2011-09-09T23:37:00.004-05:00

Our family loves music, harmony, and hymns... Perhaps that's why we look forward to having hymn sings in our home.

There's a beautiful timelessness in these hymns that I so cherish.

O Sacred Head Now Wounded
Does Jesus Care?
It Is Well
Come Thou Almighty King
A Mighty Fortress

and many, many other hymns and psalms were requested. Sometimes hymns were requested that only a few knew well, and at other times well loved favorites were chosen that filled the entire room with lively song.

Seventeen voices were raised in praise for two hours, followed by joyous fellowship... The only thing that could have made it sweeter would have been if more friends had been able to join us.

Twenty-Six Years Ago...

2011-09-07T21:57:00.006-05:00

...A handsome young man nervously awaited his beautiful bride.

Surrounded by friends, they covenanted together before God to spend their lives together. For richer for poorer. In sickness and in health.

On ordinary days and days celebrated with gorgeous roses. :)

Friendly Aroma

2011-09-06T11:29:00.001-05:00

When our piano students dodge the relentless rain to gain shelter through our door this afternoon, they will be greeted by the lovely smell of mulled cider. It’s been a while since we owned a candle that would waft such lovely scents throughout our living space. But this afternoon, we are enjoying God’s blessing of friendship – via a lovely, thoughtful gift for our home.

Bitty Berry Hat

2011-08-30T21:41:00.000-05:00

I liked the Berry Baby Hat pattern the moment I saw it. It's simple and earthy - like a precious little baby has recently been freshly plucked from the berry patch. :) It appeals to my inner gardener. Or perhaps it's a throwback to my days of playing with Cabbage Patch Kids.

It was Keely, however, whose knitting needles almost instantly began softly clicking each evening as the hat came into being. She loved her first experience knitting in the round, even special ordering smaller round needles for this tiny little project.

How perfect for a recent Berry baby who has made an appearance. :)

Odds and Ends from the Last Two Balls

2011-08-25T17:48:00.001-05:00

These are completely random but nonetheless are some of my favorite recent ball pictures!

Duck lips

Moose antlers

Total awesomeness

Oh, dear! Laura looks too tall in this picture!

That's better. :P

The Three Musketeers (and their razor-sharp pencils)

Evan shows he is "mantastic" and possesses awesome arm strength. We were impressed!

And what would a ball be without a last-minute sewing project? In this case, a Will Turner inspired shirt to go with Jake's spiffy hat...

An Old Fashioned Ball

2011-08-24T17:44:00.016-05:00

No, it's not quite time for another OSB ball, but Daddy was asked to call a ball for another homeschool group and the entirety of OSB's mailing list was invited as well. And as we love dancing...

A friend told me that only "the truly dedicated" who sincerely "love dancing" would travel so far for a ball. I think over half of the attendees were from OSB, so we must just be a truly dedicated, contra-dance loving group!

This ball was hosted by the same group that we met with last year, so it was nice to see everybody again and renew friendships. They were very sweet and hospitable. And I loved how they had decorated everything with wild flowers - so pretty!

Unfortunately, I don't think the person who designed gymnasiums highly prioritized the ability to take good pictures on a point-and-shoot... My camera was struggling with the odd yellow lighting!

Costume balls are always the most fun, and it was lovely to see all the full skirts swishing during the dances. Like Amy's in this picture... Beautiful!

Beth, Mary, Diane, and Mom enjoyed a few dances with their husbands and chatting on the bleachers.

Dancing the Gay Gordon... Gotta love a good mixer!

Beth and Stuart galloping during the Cumberland Square...

I love this picture of Daniel "conducting" the dance!

1's arch and 2's pass under!

Right hand star during the Racetrack Dance...

Keely and John patiently awaiting instruction from the MC...

The two Laura's and Kelsie take a moment to smile for the camera...

The evening ended late and we had a long drive home, but we still managed to squeeze in a bit more fun and fellowship on the way home. Four car loads of us were grateful for Wendy's open late hours and the kind workers unlocking the doors for us so we could stay even later! It was a good afternoon and evening!

Parade Time

2011-08-18T22:28:00.006-05:00

'Tis the season for the annual parade across the little, winding street that we call home...

Where we wave to the friendly neighborhood firefighters and politicians...

...and in return receive more candy than two health-conscience families would possibly consume in one year.

I don't think the parade would be nearly as much fun if the munchkins didn't join us every year. After all, 5 adults can wave at the fire engines, but it's the kids who they enjoy spoiling with candy.

I love our tiny community and it's quaint traditions. How many people can boast a parade right at their doorstep and yet not be able to see their neighbors' houses when the trees are covered in leaves? The "country" life of the near-to-town is good!

Precious Baby Girl

2011-08-15T05:29:00.001-05:00

We are rejoicing with our dear friends over the arrival of sweet baby Braelyn! She was scheduled to be induced, but she beat the doctors to it! This beautiful, healthy little girl came right in God's timing, and we're thankful that her mommy had a short labor and a very quick delivery. Isn't God good?

Braelyn is quite the snuggler and looks very much like her big brother. She's very alert and has the most adorable little smile. I love her soft dark hair and the variety of expressions that pass over her little face when she sleeps in your arms.

Braelyn has the distinction of being the first baby born to our fellowship, and we are praising the Lord for this beautiful addition. It will be a blessing to watch as she is discipled in beautiful, Biblical womanhood. Praise God for His wonderful kindness!

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

The Dramatic Society (aka Our Crazy Boys)

2011-08-14T16:32:00.009-05:00

Okay, so I'm getting a little ahead of myself, but we had some gentlemen eager to see these! So rather than make them wait until I have time to upload all the recent goings-on (including the latest ball!), I'm having mercy. Enjoy our crazy and talented guys hamming up in front of the camera. Have I mentioned lately how much I love the "Big Foot tradition"???

"Big Foot is coming!"

"Big Foot is coming!" (again)

"A rival gang is coming."

"Running to win the race... to the food table." :)

"The Fight"

(The captions are almost verbatim what the boys called out to tell people how to pose. So random! So funny!)

Summer Squash Season

2011-08-10T22:52:00.008-05:00

Little did I expect eight (!) years ago when I started baby-sitting for this little lady (then 4 months old) that she would grow to be my kitchen sidekick, whipping up all kinds of tasty goodies with a little oversight and guidance. Most recently, Julia skipped the lively board games taking place in the living room to help me turn some beautiful summer squash and zucchini into a tasty casserole.

I love having little helping hands. Julia's cheerful chatter always makes the kitchen a joyful place, and it's a privilege to mentor her in the art of getting dinner for a crowd (does 10 count as a crowd?) on the table.

Last evening, a friend shared about a recent conversation in which homeschoolers and public schoolers were discussing the strengths of their educations. So I started thinking about my education and the opportunities that I had because of my parents choosing to homeschool. I've had many remarkable opportunities in my life thus far, but I think the time I've had with the munchkins has been some of the most precious of all the benefits. Under the direction of the kids' parents, Keely and I were given the chance to learn about parenting/discipling and homeschooling a semi-large family. And we've been so blessed by the lessons we learned with their family over the years!

Times with Julia in the kitchen remind me of how grateful I am for my opportunities. I've been blessed beyond measure!

He Who Finds a Wife

2011-08-08T21:35:00.007-05:00

After attending four weddings last year, the beginning of this year boded ill in that department. We didn't know of a single couple headed for marriage. Much to our joy, my cousins are changing all of that!

We were delighted at the news of Seth's engagement and it was with much joy that we joined their family to celebrate the start of a new family. Their simple outdoor ceremony was very pretty, and the family home is built on a gorgeous piece of land.

Although we'd never met the bride, Courtney was incredibly sweet, and it was wonderful to catch up with the rest of the family and see my other cousins' sweet babies. It had been far too long since we'd all had a chance to visit.

We're so happy for Seth and Courtney and praying that God blesses them with many happy years together! May their marriage be a testimony of His loving relationship with His people!

Ode to an Apron

2011-08-05T18:21:00.003-05:00

As I transitioned to a full time homemaker, I started to realize that aprons were not just nostalgic but very practical as well! I was beginning to really want/need a full-coverage apron rather than the half aprons buried in the drawer, so I made my first one - without a pattern. I machine quilted the floral print bib and bought some blue gingham for some interesting contrast. I was so proud of my success; it was a huge step at the time ;-). I know. I know. It’s pretty sad-looking next to the ones we make now…But it was a big deal to me then.

The blue gingham was perfect for me. I also made aprons for my little girls at the same time so we could all work together: green sunflower print for Kiri, chicken fabric for Keely (way before we ever considered having chickens! Who knew?), and country apple with appliqué for Kes. (Kes was so tiny, she was practically swimming in her adult-sized apron, but she loved it! And that’s what adjustable ties are for, right?) Thus our first little apron set.

My apron is now hopelessly worn thin, the front is long since stained from years of canning, the lace edging is frayed, and its day is obviously long past.

Aprons can have sentimental value, but the sentiment should stay in the memory, not in the drawer. Keely is helping me learn that keeping every sentimental thing is a misplaced form of materialism. “Make it well, use it ‘til it falls apart, then THROW IT AWAY!” We are thrifty, not penniless.

So here’s my moment to reminisce about that first apron. And then toss it out. After all, an apron is a tool for a woman’s work. And when a tool no longer does its function it’s time to move on… Anyone see my purple apron?

Of Bananagrams, Jane Eyre, and Ice Cream Cake

2011-08-03T21:50:00.006-05:00

My parents are incredibly difficult people to shop for. Dad because his taste runs toward really big things - like tractors. Mom because Dad's big surprise three years ago is a little hard to top. A kitten every year would be a bit excessive...

However, birthdays come annually whether you've found the perfect gift or not. So this year we celebrated Mom's birthday with homemade ice cream cake, several rounds of Bananagrams (a game that Uncle Rod and Aunt Charlotte introduced Mom and Kes to over the weekend - they were hooked when they came home and now Keely and I are, too!), A&E's Jane Eyre, and dinner by Daddy (i.e. Texas Roadhouse). We've not seen this version of Jane Eyre before, so we're looking forward to finding the time to watch it.

Each day with Mom is precious, and I'm blessed to be this lovely, godly woman's daughter. I'm so grateful to enjoy my mother's company, hear her laughter during our family games, and learn from her wisdom. Happy birthday to the most wonderful mother I know!

The End of the Hilton Head Trip

2011-07-26T14:42:00.001-05:00

The end of our Hilton Head photos (or at least the ones I'm planning to share! There are hundreds more...):

A 40s inspired wink...

Best friend smiles for the photo frames...

Mom and Kelsie in the car... (I'm convinced Kelsie is what Mom must have looked like 30 years ago! Only without the blond hair... Do you not see the resemblance?)

Da da da da ta da (that's a fictitious super hero theme song, in case you were having trouble following my humming). Super Keely! :)

Sisters, sisters
There were never such devoted sisters...

Walking along the water's edge...

Devouring good books on the sand...

Shhh! Quiet please! Taking a little nap in the warm sun...

My two favorite sisters...

Our reading got interrupted by a storm, so we packed our bags quickly and ran for the gated community... Only to discover that the other girls had the key. But the towels kept us relatively dry while we waited.

Cookie dough! Intended for baking, we like it in its unbaked state. Like cookie dough ice cream without the vanilla ice cream...

Continuing our tradition of painting our nails together...

Mimicking the goofy figures painted on a random wall...

Ritas!

Because it wouldn't be a proper beach trip without at least one gelati!

Ice + Custard = Happiness! Just read the sign...

Mmmm...

And we even went back a 2nd time to make sure we got a wild black cherry in honor of Joan...

Biking provided good exercise and a convenient way to visit...

...Piggly Wiggly! The home of our favorite (adorable!) pig...

...who is happy to sell us "purple pig juice" (grape soda) and regular "pig juice" (bottled water) for all our hydration needs.

As you can probably tell, we had a simply marvelous time! Thanks, Yaya, for your generosity! We love you!

In Which I Ramble...

2011-07-25T20:27:00.006-05:00

Yesterday I was gently chastised for my recent lack of posting here... And while people have been trying to encourage me recently ("Love your blog!" type stuff), the loving chastisement was a little more of what I needed. I've been using busyness as an excuse (and we really have been busy!), but I really think I'm experiencing a little bit of writer's block. This is my fifth year blogging, and quite often I feel like I'm saying the same things over and over. Do people really want to see our trip to the cemetery every Memorial Day? Do people really care that I make the same Jell-o salad every Independence Day? Do my gardening rambles get old? Are the "everyday pleasures of the Kincell household" too "everyday" to be worth reading?

And I tell myself the answer is no. Because if no one was interested in the tiny pleasures of life that I post, we wouldn't have readers. I just need to learn how to say the same things in new ways, realizing that each tradition is a gift. I never tire of doing the same things yearly; those traditions are very special to me. Why am I afraid to share them yearly?

I've also been reeling a little due to the amount of people who stop me mid-sentence to say, "Oh yeah, I read about that on your blog." You'd think after 5 years I'd get over it, but I still find myself stuttering, "You read my blog, too?" and realizing I have no idea exactly who my audience is. Don't get me wrong; I'm flattered when people tell me they are interested in what I write or who we are. But it's easy for me to think "Laura will love seeing this!" or "Tricia will want to see pictures of this!" because my close friends give me feedback on a regular basis and I find myself writing more *to them.* When I realize my audience is much broader and full of people who don't know me and don't love me enough to overlook my eccentricities, my self-confidence starts to shake. "Will Mrs. X think this is silly?" "Am I giving a good impression of my family to those who don't know us well?" And so on and so forth... Which is basically the sin of pride.

But as Mom keeps telling me: I need to just get over it! And the little nudge I got yesterday was yet another helpful reminder. Blogging is a joy. It stretches me as a writer and, Lord willing, paints a tiny picture of the blessings God has bestowed upon our family. It reminds me to look for things to share in the beautiful home around me. I just have to be reminded of that from time to time when everything feels too ordinary or been-there/done-that.

Life doesn't have to always be new and exciting. That can be fun on occasion, but real life is more about the little everyday things that we always do rather than big events. I suppose if extraordinary things happened everyday we'd think no more of them than dish washing and changing the bed sheets. They would cease to be extraordinary.

And even though big events are exciting, there is beauty in everyday simplicity... I find beauty in the geranium adorning our picnic table, the smell of fresh laundry coming out of the dryer, homemade nutritious meals, teasing Bailey with the catnip from my herb garden, singing along with opera while I clean, and a few stolen hours to read Shakespeare. I really am blessed with a wonderful life. And when I lose sight of that, I'm grateful to be pulled back to reality.

More from Hilton Head

2011-07-20T22:31:00.000-05:00

The beach is beautiful at all times, but it is most gorgeous in the wee morning hours when the sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon. Although our beach hours are crazy (with *late* nights), I always look forward to the mornings when we get to walk on the beach.

The beach is nearly deserted at sunrise and we enjoy the slight chill of the water and beauty of everything. It's a perfectly gorgeous time that we have all to ourselves.

Most mornings we walk until the sun is fully visible before heading home to breakfast. The exercise is much needed after all the junk food we consume on vacation, and we enjoy the quiet time to share thoughts.

Laura was told before leaving for the beach that there was no reason to get up early to see the sun rise over the water: "That's what google image is for!!!" :) But I don't think any of us would trade a few hours sleep for those hours on the beach. And google image won't give you a picture of you and your friends with the sun rising behind you!

Of course, the morning hours are not our most photogenic. We usually roll out of bed, grab some workout clothes, and head out the door.

But make-up and hair styles are not essential for enjoying the sunrise. And by the time it's easy to see and people are beginning to flock to the sand we head back to the condo for breakfast.

Okay, this is an odd picture, but for years we girls have said, "Shock!" "Gasp!" "Horror!" whenever anything shocking occurs. So we decided to act it out... What were we thinking? I'm not sure...

~~~~

With Mom joining us this year, we were able to get everybody in our jumping pictures!

These are so much fun to take (though we did draw a lot of attention!) and we have so many silly goofs over which to laugh for years to come.

We tried to get Mom to join us in our jumping, but she was uncooperative. But she couldn't entirely get out of having her picture made...

...and someone who much enjoyed watching us time our jumping photos came up to chat for a moment and take everyone's picture - but with our feet firmly planted on the sand.

As we walked we saw many a nice sand sculpture, and it wasn't long before Keely decided to try her hand at one. She named her friendly turtle Trevor.

And then the girls started on the 2011 Sandcastle. Piggly Wiggly came to out rescue when we realized we'd forgotten to bring last year's supplies!

Ta da! Isn't it charming? Though I can't take any credit for it. My sand working skills are non-existent and I didn't exercise that creative muscle at all this year! While the girlies were having a blast in the sand...

... I had my nose in the 30s thriller Rebecca. :)

Hilton Head!

2011-07-19T22:26:00.000-05:00

We were blessed again this year by an invitation from our Yaya to spend a week with the girls in Hilton Head. Laura and Dee agreed to join us, and it was with much excitement that we filled our car (literally!) and headed toward the beach!

We enjoyed the trip down, listening to music, having good discussion, reading magazines and books, and sleeping. We left rather early and we were tired! Mom and Dee were the only two to take naps, and they were the only two to arrive completely refreshed on the island.

A highlight of the trip was being able to visit with our uncle, aunt, and cousins! We called on the way through their town and were pleasantly surprised that they were all able to rearrange their schedules to have lunch with us. It was a wonderful time to catch up on all the family news - particularly wedding plans! We are all so excited for Marcy and Adam!

We all took turns driving and the time simply flew. And do you see that little guy hanging from the mirror?

It's the Flash. He's Kelsie favorite super-hero and also the mascot of our beach trip. :)

Arriving safely in Hilton Head, the bags were quickly unpacked, the groceries arranged in the frig and cabinets, and we quickly freshened up...

...so we could spend the rest of the daylight on the sand! (These are "so happy to be in Hilton Head!!!!" faces.)

We couldn't wait to ditch our flip flops and feel the water on our feet! We all love walking in the water.

And you never know what you'll find along the water's edge. Sometimes the perfect place to take crazy photos! :)

In fact, we spent quite a lot of our days out on the sand. This year we discovered the beauty of reading on the beach. Yaya left us two chairs and they were perfect for sitting along the water's edge. We could still enjoy sticking our feet in the water, but we also got to enjoy our books. My beach packing list always includes many more books than can possibly be read in a single week...

We also used the beach towels quite a bit. They eventually soak up water, but they do make a rather nice place for reading or taking a nap in the sun...

More from our Hilton Head trip coming tomorrow...

A Very Girly Shower

2011-07-11T22:13:00.009-05:00

Excitement is running high at our church with the upcoming arrival of Ben and Cassidi's baby. We're counting down the days 'til Braelyn arrives, and to celebrate this sweet blessing (she'll be the first birth since our church was established) we hosted a small shower.

The tables were covered with polka-dot and pink floral squares, milk glass vases, fresh flowers, and baby pictures of Ben and Cass. Everything was simple, but elegant.

Keely did iced all the cupcakes, tinting them pale pink and generously sprinkling pearl sprinkles.

It was a good time of fellowship...

...games...

...and gifts for the new momma and daddy.

Babies are such sweet blessings! What a wonderful reason to celebrate!

Purity and Integrity

2011-07-07T22:27:00.004-05:00

We shouldn’t make courtship a bigger deal than it really is. When someone tells me they’re in a courtship, I don’t say, “Congratulations!” as if they got engaged. That’s not what the initial stages of courtship are about. It’s a time for the couple to get to know each other without outside pressure of overly high expectations.
The only pressure a couple should feel when they begin a courtship is the good pressure God’s Word places on them to honor Him and treat each other with purity and integrity. It’s this desire than can keep us from making courtship just dating with a different name. ~Boy Meets Girl page 29

John Calvin wrote, “The evil in our desire typically does not lie in what we want, but in that we want it too much.” David realized his mistake. Marriage was a good thing. It was good for him to desire it. But God was mercifully using the difficult experience of having this desire denied to show him that he wanted it too much. He had placed his hopes for happiness in starting a courtship and getting married instead of in trusting God for his ultimate satisfaction. ~ Boy Meets Girl page 61

I didn't really like I Kissed Dating Good-Bye, so the sequel had a hard time making its way to my pile. But this year I’m trying to read those pesky books that I’ve been planning to read for ages… And I’m finding myself pleasantly surprised with Boy Meets Girl. There’s not much in it that I haven’t heard before, but it’s the kind of good stuff that’s worth hearing another time.

Independence Day

2011-07-04T22:19:00.007-05:00

Our family celebrated our nation's birthday with a quiet day at home. We dashed in and out of doors, trying to accomplish some home projects in between rain showers. In fact, both Daddy and Papaw worked on their respective house projects in the morning so that by late afternoon everyone could relax with picnic and family time.

Of course, the holiday called for some special cooking - particularly my favorite patriotic Jello-O! I really look forward to this every year. Red, white, and blue goodness!

We had clear skies through the afternoon and early evening, so out came corn hole. But as the sky darkened again, the ladies moved in for a family favorite: Rook! Rook was Big Grandma's favorite game and we all have fond memories of very competitive games around her kitchen table. We finished off the evening with Scrabble.

We are very thankful for the freedoms we have enjoyed in the United States. God has richly blessed this nation, and it is a privilege to study and celebrate His providential Hand upon us. I spent a small portion of the afternoon reading about George Washington's life and the evidence of God's hand in our nation's beginnings.

"It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favors."

George Washington 1789

Coconut-Chocolate Goodness

2011-07-01T20:38:00.006-05:00

These have quickly become a favorite in the Kincell home, almost replacing our favorite bar cookie. We girls like them baked to a slightly ooey-gooey perfection, while Mom and Dad prefer them a little firmer and crunchy-at-the-edges. Either way, they are delicious!

*Beth's Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars*

Beat together:

1 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter

Add and stir:

1 1/3 c. coconut
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Then add:

1 c. chocolate chips

Bake in a greased 13x9 pan for 18-22 minutes or until lightly brown.

Wild Black Raspberries

2011-06-28T09:47:00.004-05:00

For years we've enjoyed the abundance of blackberries found on our property, but we didn't realize how many black raspberries we had until this year! It's turning out to be a lovely year for berries, and each time we've gone out to gather raspberries we've come back with a full container.

Mom wants to do pies, but I'm hoping that a few berries turn into raspberry cordial. An online recipe says raspberry cordial is the taste of an English summer, but for me it's all about Anne of Green Gables. :)

A Lesson in Plaids

2011-06-18T08:59:00.001-05:00

Planning a new project, I found this delicious plaid fabric that immediately ended up being part of my blocks. In fact, I liked it so much I decided to use it in two blocks. But as I started piecing the blocks I thought they weren't quite what I expected...

Does that look funny to you? I was really not sure about the plaids not matching (and kicking myself for not thinking of that pre-cutting), but by the time I had an entire block finished I was completely sure: that block would NOT be going in my final project. I wish I had thought to take a picture before I ripped it apart. The individual squares bugged me; the completed block drove me insane. But out came my handy seam-ripper...

I wish I could say that the 2nd cutting process, after I remembered to pay attention to the plaid, was really simple. But I am not, not, NOT a spacial person. And it took several tries for me to finally get it right. (Cutting out the pieces on the wrong side of the fabric blew my mind.)

Much as I love plaid, I'm now telling myself that I will NEVER quilt with plaid again. At least until the next time. :)

Vivid Orange Blossoms

2011-06-17T11:25:00.001-05:00

One of our brightest plants is now gorgeously adorning our garden. What a welcoming sight as you walk up the pathway! It's a very pleasant reminder that there's no place like home... Especially a home with a garden in full bloom... :)

White Bookshelves

2011-06-16T16:27:00.001-05:00

Although I had a few moments of hesitation during the painting process, I am now delighted to have my bookshelves white. I'm a blue and white girl, and I'm finding my room continually reflecting that. I love it!

Thanks to Mr. B, I've doubled my shelving space. I now have one bookshelf in the corner by my desk...

And a 2nd, matching bookshelf in the other corner by my dresser. Much as I love my newly painted shelves, I'm really having a lot of trouble with my books sticking to the shelves. A good friend informs me that there is a spray that will quickly take care of that, so next time I'm near Lowe's I'm going to stop.

As you can probably tell from the photos, I haven't exactly figured out where everything goes yet. That's partly because of the sticking problem and partly because my library still doesn't quite fit...

So now I'm trying to decide if I'm willing to part with some of my books. (Ouch!) And which ones do I want to store in the attic? Decisions, decisions.

The Simple Beauty of Milk Glass

2011-06-15T18:23:00.001-05:00

I always find Pleasant View Schoolhouse a wonderful inspiration for homemaking. In this case, it's vintage milk glass from our favorite antique store. I love the simple beauty of the vase in comparison to Keely's bright floral sprig.

The Peepers Go Outside

2011-06-14T10:57:00.002-05:00

Our babies aren't babies anymore, so it was time to go outside. Of course, we always worry over them the first few outings and play Mother Hen for a few days.

The picnic bench moves to the front yard and we get some extra reading time and a nice sunburn - I mean tan. :)

Lots of extra space means they get their first chance to really stretch their wings. Chickens don't really fly, but they attempt it. It's cute! Or as cute as chickens ever are...

And they get their first chance to sunbath. It's really quite funny as they lay on their side and stretch one wing. Quite often the warm sun puts them to sleep.

They enjoy pecking at bugs and scratching around in the dirt...

And we continue to try and teach them to be pets. It doesn't usually work, but we try.

In a few months, these sweet little things will seem common place, but we're really enjoying it in the moment!

Cherry Surprise Bishop

2011-06-13T15:13:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite bishop designs in Keely's collection of AS&E is the "Cherry Surprise" bishop. I think it's just too precious with it's classic simplicity and pretty colors...

Keely's used the pattern a few times, using various fabrics and color combinations. We've loved it each and every time. But we've always wondered why this polka-dot beauty was called a "cherry" surprise...

But I must say, I think this adorable cherry fabric Keely found is just perfect for this bishop!

The Assembly Ball

2011-06-11T09:36:00.001-05:00

Due to very hectic schedules, our spring ball was bumped to June this year. And while that worked out well on our calendars, we were disappointed that so many of our usual guests had conflicts. Live and learn! Next year, we'll make more of an effort to host the ball before summer busyness begins.

However, even with many of our guests coming in and out during the event, it was truly a wonderful time of fellowship and fun.

Snapshots from the ball with some captioning...

Doesn't Mummy look beautiful in her Avonlea inspired outfit? She originally planned to make a brand new gown for this ball, but changed her mind at the last minute... And while new gowns are always fun, I do think she looks very elegant and lovely in her old one.

Daddy, our wonderful caller, studies his dance notes in preparation for the next dance.

Dancing in a hoop skirt is quite an experience, but they sure do look pretty! I love how Keely's dark coloring is set off in her 1860s gown.

Nicole and her dad agreed to take some high-quality photos for us during the ball. We've never had an official photographer before, so we were excited to have someone officially capturing the event for us. Unfortunately, they had to leave early, but we're very much looking forward to seeing their pictures.

The Salty Dog Rag! Mom and Dad love dancing, but don't get much opportunity with Dad calling. (Of course, Dad really enjoys calling, too, so it's not really a problem.) As the Salty Dog needs no caller, it's become their dance. They dance it at every ball and really enjoy it!

One of our new dances: the Lancers Quadrille! This is a really interesting dance that is made up of three parts (each with it's own music, no less!). If you're asking why a quadrille has three parts, you're not the first. After a bit of research, we realized that quadrilles were the early square dances (notice the four couples in each set). So they were named after the formation, not the number of sets in each one.

What are sisters for but to impart sage counsel at opportune moments?! :D Actually, I have no idea what exactly was happening during this picture, but I think it's just delightful. Doesn't Amy look like she's sharing her vast wisdom with her younger sister?

More hoop skirts!

Beth, Mom, and Brenda in their pretty, historical attire.

This was the first time Kelsie has worn her Pride and Prejudice inspired regency gown to a ball. I thought she looked lovely, though my tall, slender, graceful sister looks beautiful in nearly everything she puts on.

Hello, Daniel! (And Hannah...)

And here's one of the best shots of my new ball gown! I really need to take better pictures, but I finished hemming it at 3am the morning of the ball so there really wasn't a lot of time... It's loosely based off the green gown Lizzie wears to the Assembly Ball in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice, but I made a lot of adjustments as I'm not built anything like Kiera Knightly! In the end, I think it looks more like Elinor and Marianne's gowns in the 1995 Sense and Sensibility. And I was told that I looked just like Elinor at the ball. :) The fichu (neck scarf) might have something to do with it...

John being a gentleman and escorting Keely off the dance floor.

Smiles! Kelsie and Chris wait patiently for the next dance to begin.

Weave the ring!

Dancing Childgrove, a dance we found in Northanger Abbey and simply love!

Mom and Dad managed to squeeze in another dance at the end of the ball!

Someday I hope to have my own little munchkin, but in the meantime I sure do enjoy my friends' sweet little babies! I'm holding sweet little Evalea, while Tricia is holding Rachel (who spent the food break with me). Didn't Laura do a great job getting everyone to look at the camera? No easy task with two under-a-year-olds!

We have such a lot of fun contra dancing. We are so blessed! It's hard to believe that this was our 6th time hosting a ball. God is so good!

Dozens more photos can be found at Old South Balls website, for those interested.

The Beginnings of the Assembly Ball

2011-06-10T08:33:00.001-05:00

The week before our ball we had a slight crisis arise: we realized the facility we had booked had no air-conditioning! And with the weatherman forecasting mid-90s temperatures, we found ourselves in a desperate scramble to find a replacement location. Fast!

The Lord is so merciful! Learning of our dilemma, dear friends made special arrangements for us to use a facility that had previously been unavailable to us. For a fraction of the cost that our original facility had been, we had a ball in our nicest facility yet. God is so good!

Another way the Lord has greatly provided for us over the last few months has been with kind friends. We were delighted to have Cyndi (and Jake and Nathan) help us with the decorations for the Assembly Ball! She had such marvelous ideas, boxes of beautiful wedding left-overs, and real heart of service. She really turned the gym into a delightful place!

We feel so privileged to work with Dan, Mary, Laura, and Daniel to host these events. They are such dear friends, and it is a joy to work with them. I love this picture of Mary and Laura! Do you see the mother-daughter resemblance?

May I serve you some punch? (Once the punch bowl is filled, that is!)

Although we didn't give ourselves much time to get everything beautified, it all came together - just in time for our guests to start arriving. First order of business: get dance card and sign the thank you notes.

Second, pull out your camera! Balls are meant to be well-documented events! And with so many beautiful gowns and hair-dos walking around, there was no lack of things to capture.

Almost exactly on time, Daddy's voice came over the sound system, welcoming everyone and beginning the Grand March.

The Grand March is nearly 10 minutes long, but it's not really a dance. (We've been teasingly told it's simply glorified walking!) Nearly everyone in the room participates, making it a lot of fun. Everyone from the oldest parent to the youngest (walking) child somehow finds their way to the floor...

As the dance draws to a close, the water table becomes the most popular spot in the room. Even with air-conditioning, people still get warm dancing!

All becomes quiet as Dan gives the opening remarks of the evening. Gently reminding us of our roles as Christian men and women and the etiquette expected of us, we're also exhorted from Scripture and warmly welcomed to the 6th Old South Balls event.

And then the dancing begins again! But not before the gents take the time to find a lady and sign her dance card...

To be continued...

A Terrible, Hairy, Liberal Monster :)

2011-06-09T21:53:00.001-05:00

While I'm uploading pictures from the Assembly Ball, I thought you might enjoy this hilarious clip from Family Ties. I certainly did!

Long Overdue Photos

2011-06-06T20:56:00.002-05:00

I know everyone's waiting for pictures from the Assembly Ball, but I haven't updated OSB's practice pictures in awhile...

So while we're sorting through the hundreds of ball photos that were taken, I thought I'd go ahead and post some photos from the last few weeks.

Most of which, can be found here.

First Sprouts

2011-06-03T09:47:00.005-05:00

I love it! Just last Saturday Kiri and I weeded, dug up, and added compost to the raised garden beds since Don had newly tilled the ground rows. And so we planted green bean, cucumber, and basil seeds. Yesterday morning Bailey and I went up to water and plant a very short row of pole beans. And there they were waiting to surprise me!

The very first shoots of green beans newly emerged from the seeds. At first there were only about ten little ones peeking out from the ground. But by the time I carried the 4th water can up, I declare they were bursting forth before my very eyes!

…unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

This season is when the garden is loveliest to me. The dirt looks dark and moist from the spring rain. The weeds are tiny and easily removed. The new plants are new and bug-free, sprouting proudly in straight little rows full of promise.

Learning to garden has made several Scripture passages come alive for me. The seasons do the same. God has put word pictures all around us if we have but eyes to see and hearts to notice. How did I survive living downtown surrounded by pavement and manicured lawns? Okay, just kidding. But hard work or not, this is the life!

Fresh From the Berry Patch

2011-06-02T23:00:00.007-05:00

I finally followed the advice of wiser gardeners this year and thinned out my berry patch. The result? Bigger, juicier, more abundant fruit! It hurt to throw out so many lovely plants, but this is worth it...

And another unexpected surprise popped up, too! One of my blueberry bushes is already bearing fruit! Of course, I can't harvest this year, but it's so exciting.

After enjoying a bowl of fresh sliced strawberries from my garden, I'm asking myself why we didn't grow berries sooner! We're making up for it now, though.

Strawberries? Check.
Blueberries? Check.
Raspberries? New this year!
Red currants? Need some TLC, but are promising...

Summer Reading = Nancy Drew

2011-06-01T20:33:00.005-05:00

Growing up some of my favorite books were the Nancy Drew series. Her sweet little family and circle of friends just happened to bump into a mystery in every book... I mean, what more could you wish for? As I’ve gotten older I don’t read them as much, but still enjoy picking one up for an easy read.

Well, I’ve recently decided that some of my summer reading is going to be all 56 original Nancy Drew books. I’m planning to read all 56 starting today (June 1) and finishing before September 1. That’s like 2-3 books a week, which may seem like a lot, but they can easily be read in an afternoon. I’m very excited! If you are interested in joining me, please do! Or if you want to see where I am in the series, I’ll be keeping the sidebar updated on my blog.

Late Start

2011-06-01T09:11:00.001-05:00

With all the rain this spring, we fell way behind with our outdoor work early on. 'Course that was also because our schedule was so packed during testing and conference season... But last week we finally got our reprieve from both - the sun came out, the ground dried up to be workable, and testing/conference became history!

So...here's a peak of the first day. I should be embarrassed to admit that the flower garden had become this!

But a few hours later, we had this :-)

Although the red dianthus will whither in the hotter sun of summer, the newly planted petunias, impatiens, and marigolds will hopefully flourish and take over. In the meantime, the neat look of mulch will keep those weeds from returning with fury.

The potted plants include raspberries and blueberries that Kiri found on clearance at Lowe's for only $3 each. They await a garden spot. And the trees in the white buckets are pecan trees from our much missed Lou. They also await their permanent location, but we have already logged in several hours clearing crooked, ugly trees to make room for these and other young trees waiting patiently.

Spring brings a host of outdoor work, but the transformations are so worth it! For me, there's just no other season to compare. In a few short weeks, the dead of winter has become the lush of spring. And for a few sore muscles and aching backs, the promise of harvest will soon be peaking out from under green leaves newly unfolded from dormant seeds. What could be more miraculous?

For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made...

Remembering

2011-05-31T09:44:00.003-05:00

This is the time of year when I am reminded of what a blessed girl I am to have been born and raised among the very hills that my family (for four generations on both sides) have inhabited.

While Memorial Day is technically a national holiday to remember those who have died in the service of our country, Kincell family tradition has us visiting the grave sites of our family - most of whom did not serve in the military, sharing memories and stories, and reveling in the heritage that we have been handed.

One of my favorite graves to visit is Big Grandma's, likely because I remember her and have so many fond memories of time spent at her little white farm house. Whether they be simple memories of swinging lazily on her back porch or the enthusiastic and rather competitive Rook games that occurred around her vintage 50s kitchen table, we all loved the time we were able to spend with Big Grandma and she and Mom were particularly close. Mom served as her medical power of attorney, so the last few months of Big Grandma's life gave my sisters and I a chance to see first hand the trials and joys of end of life care. Although it completely changed our lifestyle for that short time, it was such a privilege! What a blessing to live near extended family.

I also think the cemetery in which my maternal grandparents are buried is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. I love the sloping ground covered in grand, old tombstones. The cemetery has so much character and charm.

Another favorite stop is my dearly loved great-grandmother. Grandma Toth helped to raise Daddy and was our most common baby-sitter when we were little. We loved the tea parties we had every summer on her porch and "helping" with the word-search puzzles Grandma kept by her chair. Grandma Toth introduced me to my first strawberry-rhubarb pie (which continues to be my absolute favorite!) and loved the peonies that were in full bloom every Memorial Day - which happened to be a holiday she really enjoyed as my great-uncle would always come in to visit. Grandma was an excellent homemaker and loved her family to a fault. Mom teases that she had to be taking her cues from the Donna Reed Show.

As we shared wonderful memories from our past, I was reminded of how privileged I am to have known and spent so much time with my great-grandparents. I'm constantly surprised at how few memories Kelsie has (being 6 years younger), and I'm so grateful for the time I had with each of my great-grandmothers.

I treasure the time I am able to spend with my extended family. I love the memories I have of those who are already gone, and I love Mom and Dad's stories of other family members I didn't get to meet. I've grown up with such a rich heritage surrounding me, and I count it a joy that once a year we take the time to reminisce over the blessings God has given us...

In Anticipation of the Assembly Ball

2011-05-28T22:24:00.020-05:00

This year's spring ball, The Assembly Ball, is only a week away!

So while test scores were processed, conference work was accomplished, the garden was planted, the chicks were growing, and everything else that falls in a typical Kincell spring was happening, we've also been planning for a ball! ("And," as Maxwell Smart would say, "loving it!")

The ball is really not Jane Austen themed, although we did pull the name from Pride and Prejudice. I've always loved the first ball the Bennet family attends; the room is crowded with people, all laughing and having a marvelous time.

We focused on the Scottish heritage dances for the Ceilidh, so this time we're using mainly English country dances.

We're using another dance from the 2005 Pride and Prejudice, one from Northanger Abbey, and a couple of others that we found through English Country dance CDs.

We originally planned to introduce six new dances for this ball, but it soon became apparent that we were being a bit too ambitious.

So we've cut it down to four, and I'm holding onto the instructions for the remaining two. Perhaps they'll make their debut in the fall?

Our entire family just loves contra dancing, and we feel so privileged to have such a like-minded community with which to share it!

We're so incredibly grateful to Vicki for inviting us to our first ball. We'd been interested in similar events from pictures on the internet, but Vicki's graduation ball was the first time we actually got to see contra dancing (in hoop skirts!).

And we've been delightfully hooked ever since...

Meet Hymie

2011-05-25T23:16:00.002-05:00

A second delightful surprise was found just four days after we found little Mo/Mona... (The name will be set in stone when we're sure of the gender.) This time we had a soft little black chick, very newly hatched and so very sweet!

However, our delight soon turned to horror as we realized that Forsythia didn't recognize the chick as her own (either because it was born later or because it was a different color or your guess is as good as ours...) and was trying to kill the little thing! It was so tiny and helpless, and it seemed so cruel to watch his mother attack him. A real example of animal instincts... The poor baby's face was bleeding!

Quickly baby Hymie (which the chick has since been named) was removed from the nursery portion of the chicken coop, and Kelsie snuggled the baby in her hands, keeping him warm, while Keely prepared a box for the little guy and his sibling. It was a blessing to have two chicks, for Hymie wouldn't likely have survived on his own.

Forsythia was not happy about having Mo taken from her, but I didn't feel a bit sorry for her after she had attacked her second chick. I did feel a tad sorry for Mo, though, as it took him a good hour to stop crying and it wasn't his fault. But he's been a good big brother. The two little guys are too cute and very attached to each other. Hymie follows Mo everywhere; it's adorable.

It's been a lot of fun having the two chicks. They're only four days apart, but they're so different! Hymie always seems small in comparison. It's amazing how much difference a few days can make in the amount of feathers a chick has! As Mo's flying abilities have developed, it's adorable to watch the younger Hymie try and imitate.

Our little abused chick has quickly become our favorite. He's probably a little spoiled... (Though we always find ourselves doting on the chicks.) Mo and Hymie already perch on any arm offered them. They're also Mom's gardening friends; they love scratching around in the dirt as long as a protector is nearby.

Smoking the Bees

2011-05-24T10:10:00.004-05:00

With the state homeschool conference now over, life is returning back to normal. Or as normal as Kincell life ever is. :)

One of the big things to check on our list was the bees. This is our third bee-keeping attempt, and frankly our first two were disastrous. However, Dad wanted to try one more time, so here we go again. Kelsie has interest in beekeeping and did a lot of reading over the winter so she would be prepared for the little guys.

One of the early things on a beekeeper's checklist is making sure the queen bee was freed from her cage. Dad gave instructions that Kes was not to do anything with the bees on her own, so I got in on the event, feeding the smoker, reading instructions aloud from the beekeeping book, and taking pictures. (The latter wasn't particularly helpful, I'll admit, but it did maintain the required presence of two.)

Before opening the hive, procedure is to smoke the bees to put them to sleep. But I wouldn't have exactly said that the smoke made the bees sleepy. In fact, there was quite a stir when the smoke first entered their home! It must have worked, though, as the bees were not aggressive and allowed us to poke around in their hive.

Unfortunately, the queen was still in her little cage and Kes is worried that the hive isn't accepting her. I'm not entirely certain what that means, except that according to the bee book we have to go check again in a few days.

Strawberry-Banana Trifle

2011-05-16T10:25:00.004-05:00

Inspired by the time of year and the fresh fruits that are beginning to ripen, Kelsie is often drawn toward strawberry shortcake as her birthday treat in lieu of traditional cake. This year we had store bought shortcakes (shocking, I know!) on Mother's Day and a strawberry-banana trifle for Kes' actual birthday.

Trifles are so simple to make-up! I didn't have a strawberry trifle recipe, so we just threw together some strawberries, bananas, graham cracker crumbs, and cheesecake pudding/cool whip... It was delicious! Though I must say that making your cheesecake filling from scratch is much tastier... But when 17th birthdays contain more plans than can reasonably be accomplished in 24 hours, one has to simplify in some areas. Thank you Jell-O for instant cheesecake pudding mix!

Unfortunately, the strawberries were not from my garden. We're getting close, however! I'm loving the daily trips to the garden to watch their progress. In between rain showers... Weren't those supposed to come in April?

A Soft Little Peep

2011-05-10T22:40:00.005-05:00

For the second time in our lives as chicken-keepers, we've discovered a sweet little, cotton ball sized, peeping chick nestled under one of our broody chickens.

Buying chicks is delightful, but hatching them yourself is twice the joy! We're really enjoying Forsythia's mothering antics, and it's fun to have a baby chick again. It is so tiny, even in comparison to the other new ones. They are already feathered!

We're hoping this little guy is a rooster as the rest of our new flock are all hens in need of a protector. Time will tell...

My, How Time Flies!

2011-05-09T09:07:00.007-05:00

The old saying seems truer each day! When I have time to look back, I realize how blessed we are! I’ve had a bit of opportunity to “look back” over the last couple months as I stole snippets of time here and there to work on Kelsie’s graduation scrapbook.

No, she is not a senior…but I learned the first two times that scrapbooks covering more than a dozen years takes a lot more time than I thought, so I’m trying to be a bit smarter this time ‘round and not wait until the last minute!

So, I’ve been reliving the past years and enjoying it so much! My little blond baby

has been turning into a young lady. Seventeen years ago, the day after Mother's Day, she was born. So she is, this day after Mother’s Day, turning...old! Just doesn’t seem possible. However,

Today is Your Birthday, Happy Happy Birthday!

2011-05-09T09:05:00.001-05:00

Today is your birthday; happy birthday hey!

We love you, Kelsie!

"Caveman" Spinach Cal-zones

2011-05-04T23:03:00.004-05:00

One of my closest friends has a term for the kind of cooks who tend to throw food together, not bothering to measure ingredients or be very precise. She calls them "caveman cooks". And while I enjoy a good recipe as much as the next gal (tried a terrific one for scones today... thank you, Joan!), I find myself increasingly being very comfortable "caveman" cooking. It makes it very hard to share recipes at times, but the results are usually quite tasty. Sometimes magic just happens.

Usually my caveman tendencies are limited to not being precise about measuring the salt in my chocolate chip cookies. However, needing to use up the leftover spinach in the frig tonight, I took my inner-caveman to the next level creating cal-zones completely from what I had on hand. And guess what I discovered? You can make a very yummy cal-zone with pantry staples and a little spinach.

*Kiri's Use-up-the-Spinach Cal-zones*

chopped spinach
mozzarella cheese
olive oil
garlic
onion
salt
pepper

(Someday I'll remember to throw a little Parmesan cheese in there, too, but I continually forget we have it.)

Mix as much or as little of each as you like in a mixing bowl. (I tend to be very generous with the onion and cheese!) Stuff filling into small segments of your favorite pizza crust dough. Press edges together and bake until light brown. I like to serve them with warm marinara sauce on the side for dipping. :)

So simple! So yummy! I have no idea how much of anything I put in the bowl, but Mom thought they were the best cal-zones I've made so I must have done something right. Now the only downer is that I'll never be able to do the exact same thing again, but that's part of what makes cooking fun!

MECHE Skits 2011

2011-05-02T11:18:00.017-05:00

Finally! I apologize for my absence from our blog recently... When you bite off a little more than you can comfortably chew, the blog occasionally has to be the thing that falls through the cracks... However, I *think* I'm now organized enough to return to regular blogging!

So without further ado, may I now present for your enjoyment a small taste of MECHE Skit Night, the 2011 edition. :)

MECHE - Take Three

We begin our evening, once again, with our interpretation of a MECHE meeting. (For those of you who don't know, MECHE is the name of the local homeschool moms' support group.) Now we really have no idea what happens at a MECHE meeting. What we do know are the various characteristics common in homeschool moms (and women in general!). So we isolate various traits, exaggerate them, and throw them altogether in a meeting format.

L-R: Kiri as her mom, Hannah as Ann Noying, Keely as Ima Wreck, Laura as her mother, Amy as Millie Flour, Kelsie as Witha Firmhand, Dee as Nada Klue, and Emily as SoAnn So.

This is our third year doing a MECHE spoof, and many of our characters have stayed the same over the years. We know them well enough now that they pretty much write and act themselves! However, this year we did have a few new, fun moms in the mix. Millie Flour, naturally, added a whole grain baking element to the skit, spoofing that increasing interest in our homeschool community. It also allowed us to show the opposite side of the coin: the ladies who don't grind and find the "bread cult" ladies a bit overzealous and crazy.

Our second new mom was SoAnn So (read "so and so"). We wanted another normalish mom in the mix, but after we named her SoAnn she quickly turned into a Southerner! Complete with Southern drawl and a bit of charm, I think SoAnn will definitely be a returning character. :)

The Loco-motion, Homeschool-ized

Everyone really loved the songs from last year, so we decided to continue to add some musical flair to our evening. They're funniest when the ladies know the real version of the songs, so we tried to stick with songs that everyone would know. Our first pick? The Locomotion!

Everybody's doing a brand new thing now
Come on, baby, start homeschooling...

Homeschooling Through the Ages

Showcasing the timelessness of home education, we decided to present four "vignettes" on homeschooling through the ages. (Now if you are familiar with the word vignette, please do note that we realize we are using it incorrectly... Our skit is *silly*, not a graceful literary sketch!!!)

Daniel, a homeschooling pirate father, skillfully taught his daughter, Amy, many life skills, such as the proper way to "argh!" and how to walk with a peg leg.

Next came Colonial mother, Emily, and her inventive daughter, Hannah, learning the proper way to walk, name-dropping Lewis and Clark, and inventing an early form of Magic Markers.

John Wayne-like, Jake, and his cowboy son, Josh, demonstrated homeschooling in the wild west...

And Kelsie and Dee complete the picture with their hippie portrayal. Bring on the tye-dye!

Help Me, Rhonda!

Our next musical number was the tale of a mother whose test scores have just arrived in the mail. And. They. Are. BAD.

This skit/song was inspired by a local homeschool mom and portfolio evaluator who happens to be named... Rhonda! The Beach Boys song was perfect! The ladies were cracking up as Keely "fell apart" over her test scores, panicked, and called Rhonda. *cue music and background vocals by Jake and Daniel*

The Overzealous Mom

Next we moved on to the tale of a mom who recently attended the state home educators' convention. Boy is she excited! Armed with a clip board, exhaustive schedule, and whistle, she's is ready to go! But her kids are not so sure about this plan... And they continually fall further and further behind on the aggressive schedule. But that doesn't stop this perky mom who is eager to try everything!

L-R Kiri as the overzealous mom, Jake and Laura as the poor children who are the victims of her zeal

I'm a Believer

Homeschool for a year and you'll be a believer, too! The MECHE "boy" band is back, this time with a rendition of the Monkee's "I'm a Believer"...

One and Two - Take Two

We spend most of the evening spoofing ourselves, but can I confess that I love our one skit dedicated to spoofing the other side? We loved the liberal, anti-homeschool talk show "One and Two" so much last year, that another episode was a no-brainer! Our subject material this year directly spoofed a political scare our state had when some bad legislation reared it's ugly head.

L-R: Josh as Del. Manydimes, a superficial politician dedicated to regulating all home educators, Daniel as Liberal Talking Head Number One, Jake as Liberal Talking Head Number Three, and Emily as a concerned homeschool mom

(Wondering why there is no Liberal Talking Head Number Two? This year Two had the flu. Yes, we're so corny!)

Homeschooling on the Roof

Near the end of the evening came Masterpiece MECHE. *cue Masterpiece theme song* :)

Who can help but love Fiddler on the Roof's "Tevye's Dream"? It's long been our favorite musical number of the film.

Our version, Homeschooling on the Roof, tells the tale of a family birthday party where homeschool parents Keely and Josh get a little more than they bargained for when Granny (Kelsie) and the rest of the family decide their kid should go to government school. It's a big musical number complete with corny choreography.

Keeping Up with the Jones'

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. And our MECHE Skit Night is no exception. But we ended with what may have been our favorite skit of the year.

The curtain opens on a messy living room and a frazzled mom finding out that her in-laws are visiting two days earlier than expected. Nothing goes right for the poor mom: the kids haven't done their schoolwork and are constantly bickering and her husband unexpectedly walks in the door, asking for lunch, needing a clean work shirt, and bringing news that his boss is joining the family for dinner. Could things get worse?

Exit imperfect family and bring in the proverbial Jones family. In-laws coming in early? Delightful news! Girls' schoolwork? Completely finished with an extra math lesson thrown in for good measure! Husband home for lunch? Thanksgiving-like turkey dinner is served! And so on and so forth.

The Jones family's day exactly mirrors the original family to the very end. Then we realize that the Jones family is purely a figment of the frazzled mom's imagination...

The Perfect family: Daniel as Mr. Jones, Laura as Mrs. Jones, Hannah as Janie Jones, and Amy as Lucy Jones
The Not-so-perfect family: Jake as the dad, Dee as the mom, Kiri as Zoe, and Keely as Gabbie

And that wraps up our skits for this year! Hope you enjoyed!

(MECHE Skits 2010 and MECHE Skits 2009 can be found at these respective links.)

Lobbying for Parental Rights

2011-04-27T20:20:00.003-05:00

Four Kincells were privileged to join several other families with the Congressional Action Program of HSLDA to lobby on behalf of Parental Rights a little over a week ago. After a briefing we spent the rest of the day at the Senate office buildings in five scheduled meetings and ten drop-offs. It gets easier as we lobby, but we never leave exactly knowing how much impact was made.

Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen watch in vain.

The visit to Rockefeller's office was disappointing, but the visit to Senator Manchin's office was a bit more promising. Newly elected, this was our first scheduled meeting. And although the Senator has not made a statement about where he stands, his aide was friendly and appeared genuinely interested. Manchin is strongly pro-life and pro-family; we hope to see him stay true to those values in the pressurized environment of Capitol Hill.

The other visits were with senators from other states. We lobby representing homeschool families from those states, but we have no personal knowledge of the offices other than what HSLDA tells us. Some were friendly and supportive; others just polite. One aide in particular engaged us in a discussion about the fine points of the CRC. Honestly, it's rare to find someone who seems knowledgeable and actually wants to know the real facts. He printed out a couple copies just to reference! About 40 minutes later, we hoped he would continue to search out answers. The senator he works for is far from conservative...but we need bipartisan support for this nonpartisan issue that should be a common concern to all Americans.

Alas, we did enjoy the spring that was much ahead of us in D.C.! Notice the beautiful blooms behind us!

Kes didn't go with us since she was not feeling well, but we thought of her! When she was little, she always begged to ride any escalator we were near. So we rode the parking garage escalator in her honor : ).

And while driving away from D.C. we saw this historical marker and stopped in honor of my lovely niece!

There we found earthworks and a cannon.

And lastly, my sweetie now unselfishly offers to stop in Frederick nearly every trip home...so we can "experience our creativity!"

All in all, a profitable trip :-)

Springing to Life

2011-04-23T09:38:00.003-05:00

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

It’s a bit dreary outside…but Kiri insists that that is appropriate. After all, we are celebrating the sacrifice of our Lord. The view outside our window is always intricately connected to the "season" for me. For instance, when everything starts coming back to life in early spring – new little flower shoots push through the ground, tiny green leaves unfold on the tree branches - it reminds me of this most blessed season when we celebrate the resurrection of Christ! And it reminds me once again that life follows death for the believer. Usually we think of death being at the end of life.

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

He reminds us each spring that the dormancy of winter does not last forever! Life comes at the end of death. Death has been conquered. What depth of love!

Have you seen "The Child" yet?

2011-04-21T22:54:00.000-05:00