Missing Grandma

Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is an appointed time for everything.  
And there is a time for every event under heaven-

On the one hand, there is great comfort in knowing that God knows about every event in our lives, and just when they will take place, and that not one of them is by chance.

On the other hand, that is a sobering thought, because we don't know. 

Things catch us off guard, because we take time for granted, like we have an unlimited supply of it.

A sharp reminder of this is when you lose someone unexpectedly.

 {Jodean Anne Elzinga Greenlaw - December 18, 1956 - January 20, 2014}

We lost our Gramma Jodi. I'll skip the details for privacy, but suffice it to say, it was like one day things were fine; the next day it all drastically changed.  Within five days, she was gone. As I write that I can hardly believe the words, I type.  Shocked, stunned, dismayed, that's how we are feeling.  

But God...

Two words that sum up so much. 

But God knew what was coming. He knew how all the events would unfold.  He knew it all before she was born. {Psalm 139:16} He knew it before the foundation of the world! 

But God knows His plan and purpose.  In His will there is peace and rest. I can trust my never-changing, never-failing God.

My flesh and my heart may fail 
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. {Psalm 73:26}

I'm going to cling to this.  

~ . . .  ~ . . . 

Dad married Jodi in 1997,  and ever since she has blended seamlessly into our family.

She was a devoted wife. 
She and Dad shared a lot of common interests but tops on the list were the arts, fishing and football.   As with most married couples, they complimented each other so well, filling in each other's gaps, adding strength to the other's weak spots.  

She was a super sweet mom. 
Technically, my step-mom, but as sweet as my own mother, always with a kind word, and a tender heart towards Eric and me.  
She always supported us and encouraged us as we walked the path of parenting, and home-educating.

{Jodi with Babe Ellie and me on a visit to our home in August 2007}

She was such a terrific grandma. 
She wasn't afraid to get messy with the grandkids, in fact, she loved it.  When Grandpa had a date to take the kids fishing, she went along too and helped them put worms on the line.
She drank in the grandkids.

{Gramma Jodi with Babe Dan - 2003}

She loved to be creative with them.  I remember once they went on an "explore" to find unique rocks and sticks that they could come home and paint.

{Gramma Jodi with Matt - 2003}

She was an avid cook, a real foodie, with the opinion that presentation is everything!  It was Jodi, who baked cookies with her then four year old grandson, letting him crack the eggs into the bowl, who ignited the passion for cooking in him.  {He is now a professional chef!}

{Jodi assisting Roger with his famed stuffed mushrooms. October 2012}

She was a great many things to so many people.

 Things I'll remember most about her:

She seemed to take the ordinary and turn it into extraordinary.
{from the way she wrapped gifts, to the way she presented food on a plate.}

She was savvy with fashion and was always "put together".

She had a special way with animals and a heart of compassion.

She enjoyed hunting and fishing.

She liked horse back riding.

Most of all she loved deeply and sincerely,

and our family will miss her greatly.

The Snowy Day {BFIAR}

One of my favorite things to do is read aloud to the kids.  It's always a great time snuggling and giggling. 

I am loosely using the Before Five in a Row  {BFIAR} "curriculum" with the little girls.   Some of the books on the book list are out of print, and not even available at the library.  However, we own several on the list, and the remaining ones I've had no problem reserving.
The premise of Five in a Row - is that you read the book each weekday {hence 5 in a row}. The curriculum has you do many things that would stretch across all academic areas.

But for me and my busy home, we have simplified it.
Every day {except piano lesson day} we read the book, followed by an activity {either a craft or something to make in the kitchen, or a printable from Delightful Learning or Homeschool Creations}. 
I really love BFIAR because it exposes them to great classic children's literature.  The stories naturally lend themselves to fun activities that you can do to expand on the story. 

Last week we read The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.

I'm pretty blessed to have a resident voice actor.  Though he is not often available, he makes read-alouds all the better with lots of different voices and inflections.  We ALL love it when he reads. 

I decided to make these fun dimensional snowflakes.  Blissfully Content had a great tutorial on how to make them.  

There were steps that each of the little girls could do.
Folding.

Mary had a great time folding all her papers. She felt like such a big girl.

 Cutting

Taping

Just look at that team-work!

Scotch tape can be so...sticky!

Voila...our snowy day.

{Yes, Mary is still in her jammies.}

Now, let's see if we get any real snow from the next Polar Vortex that is on its way.

Farm Girl Friday...Dogs

Every farm needs a farm dog.  Really, it does.

They are really quite helpful.
Have you ever thought about all the jobs a farm dog does?

They herd livestock {Think Babe}

They protect {Think Rin Tin Tin}

They offer companionship {Think Lassie}

They let you know when you have visitors {Think Old Yeller}

and...they all WORKED on farms.

This was our farm dog. His name was "Killer".  Just kidding, it was Otis.  
He was fun-loving and sweet.  While he didn't rate high for herding or protecting,  he was a great companion {think every where Caleb was, Otis was there too.} and he always let us know when we had visitors.  {"Oh people, I just love people!"} 

He was THE BEST dog EVER!

Even though it's been over a year since we lost Otis, we all miss him a lot.  

Our house is just not the same.   

I grew up with one of these...his name was Socrates.

 Eric grew up with one of these...her name was Bug.

Some of the kids would like one {or two} of these...

I want one of these...

Isn't he so cute? I mean, really!! 
The idea has grown on Eric and the others now too.

 

As it turns out bulldogs are much like pugs in disposition and personality, they are just bigger.  

Our farm NEEDS a bulldog, don't you think? 

We even came up with a name. 
Stanley.  
Now we just need the dog. 

But who knew that these dogs come with a hefty price tag?!  
We want a pure bred, but we do not want to show him.  We just want a sweet, lovable family companion again.  If you know any bulldog breeders who are willing to negotiate price, please, please, please let me know in the comments section.  

because...well...

How about you?  What kind of dog do you have...or want? 

I invite you to link up and share your dog or homesteading posts!

 

Make sure that you link to your Farm Girl Friday post, not your blog’s main page, so your guests won’t have any trouble finding your story!

I would also appreciate it if you would link back to Pur et Simple in the post that you share!

A little housekeeping...
Please remember this is a conservative, family friendly link up.
All pictures and/or posts linked to Pur et Simple or Farm Girl Friday must be appropriate for our children to view or read.  Please use good judgment.  All submissions subject to blogger approval.

Thoughts on my mind today

Life is busy and good.  We have managed to escape the sicknesses that seem to have plagued many in our circles. 

I noticed the first sign of spring yesterday.  It wasn't dark at 4:15 in the afternoon!  It actually wasn't dusky until just about 5.  That makes my heart light and happy.  The hope of longer, warmer, brighter days to soon come.

{08.2013}

I am thankful though, while the rest of the country eastward seems to be in the thick of snow and ice, we have had a pretty mild winter so far.  I know the kids are hoping for some more snow. I'm just glad that the days aren't frigid.  At any rate, I am well stocked with an arsenal of things to keep us warm and cozy...coffee, and cocoa, and whipped cream, a wonderful assortment of tea, a woodstove with plenty of wood for it, and cozy blankets. 
You know what else I think is cozy?  Houses with lights on inside.  There is something so cheery about seeing a house aglow with warm lights. Have you ever thought that too?  I often feel a smile beginning when I am driving home in the dark, and I see houses lit up from the inside with a gentle glow.  It's just friendly that way. 

Anyway, January in the Northwest is often a harder month for this California girl.  I am thankful for the little glimpses of spring that the Lord brings to my attention.  Before I can blink we'll be there {in spring}.  Before we get there, we have several birthdays we will celebrate, garden plans to make, chicks to prepare for, and much homeschooling to accomplish.  And that's just our home.  There are so many people I know with genuine needs.  I want to help, to encourage, to be a blessing to them, but how?  I don't have answers for how to balance it all. 
 
Sometimes, I need to remember this: 

Wherever else, far away or near, you pour the bright beams of your Christian love, be sure you brighten the space close about you in your own home. No goodness and gentleness outside will atone for lack of love at home."   ~J.R. Miller

But then I need to remember to look up and out and realize there are needs beyond my four walls.  I want the Holy Spirit to press the needs, which I can meet, on my heart.  

I am often asked by people, "How do you do it all?"  Can I just be transparent here?  I don't and I struggle with that.
And just about the time I think I might have it all juggled, life begins to blur and I need to remember this little nugget of truth.

"The life of faith is lived one day at a time, and it has to be lived--not always looked forward to as though the 'real' living were around the next corner. It is today for which we are responsible. God still owns tomorrow."   ~Elisabeth Elliot

Plans are good, lists are helpful. Even though I purpose to keep a calendar that is not cluttered with commitments, life is still crazy busy with a houseful.  And so it goes.  The challenge:  to bless my family and bless others all the while knowing my limits. 

Just thoughts on my mind this morning.

A housewife's best friend

I think it's safe to say that I am an apron junkie.  I have a lot of  aprons, but not enough hooks to hang them all. 

{photo credit}

I love aprons for so many reasons.  
They are practical - they protect the clothes of sloppy cooks {that would be me!}

They are useful - they hold vegetables from a quick picking in the garden.  They also provide a soft, comforting edge with which to wipe a child's smudge or tear.

They are inspiring -  When a woman puts on an apron, she is ready to tackle all the work that lies before her, making her more industrious than she might have been without it.  Have you ever seen a woman, wearing an apron, just sitting around?

They are comforting -  When children see Mother wearing an apron they know that the kitchen will soon smell of delicious food or sweet treats, and that the home and those inside are loved and tenderly cared for.

The are feminine -  Nothing speaks more clearly of the love of domesticity! 

The are iconic -  Aprons are the iconic image of a bygone era of simpler times.  I want to hold onto that era a bit longer - I'm sentimental that way.  Simple and uncomplicated will always appeal to me. 

I have a favorite apron.  I made it from a pattern called the "Flirty Skirty". 

I think it is as cute as the name.  It has little pockets on the hips too.  I find that feature so useful as I go around tidying the house.  In the left pocket I usually stash things to put away {loose rubber-bands, lonely Lego pieces, etc.} In the right I put things destined for the trash {bits of paper, broken crayon pieces, etc.} 

I recently bought this apron pattern, and I am so excited.

Right about this time of year, in dreary January, I am in need of something cheery. 
I think this new apron will be the ticket.
I'm thinking it must have aqua and polka dots.  How could you not smile at that?

I do so love the look of half aprons. but I'm mostly a full apron gal. 

{photo credit}

Do you have a favorite apron? 

Did you know?  It has been said that Susanna Wesley, mother of 19 children, including John and Charles Wesley,  would flip her apron over her head in order to pray as children ran around her. 

And you thought aprons were simply just for keeping clothes clean.  :-)

~       ~       ~       ~       ~       ~       ~

So I've been thinking that since my blog is about our family's bucolic life, I'd like to begin a feature called "Farm Girl Friday".   {"For the farm girl in all of us"  Mary Jane Butters}
It'll be about "all things farm...or thereabouts". 

I can't promise it will be every Friday, but I am hoping to incorporate a Linky tool so that you all can join the fun and share too.    
{but, I'll need the advice of my technical team to help me with that...you know who you are ;-) }
Let's see how it goes.

Our caprine scene

We are heading into our 9th year of "farming".  It was 2005 when we brought 3 little Kinder goats to our Pur et Simple homestead.  We've learned quite a lot over the years and have had our share of mishaps, headache, and heartache.   We are always learning, and each year we tweak our methods of husbandry to keep it simple and enjoyable.     

Kinders { pronounced with a short i } are a cross mix of Nubian and Pygmy.  The result is a medium sized goat that produces milk with high butterfat, which is ideal for making cheese.  Goat milk is so delicious - it's like sweet cream and should never taste off or "goaty" {unless you live in Europe where they prefer it that way.}   

In the past, we have had as many as 15 goats.  Currently we have 8 in our herd.  We are drying off our current milker, and have another due to kid in early April.  Kinders can have from 1-4 kids at one kidding.  Ours often have 2 or 3.  I wonder how many we'll get this time around?  

So, without further ado, I'll introduce you to our herd.

Zuma and Buddy:  These 2 are siblings {sister and brother} and our oldest goats from our original 3.  

Buddy is a wether {neutered male}; He watches out for Zuma, as all brothers should.  He is also a good "baby sitter".  Just a few days after birth, we separate the kids from their mothers and put them in with Buddy.  Some goats would not like that and would butt them, but Buddy is easy going and lets them snuggle up at night allowing them to keep warm. 

Zuma, the matriarch of the herd. She is the one that has the strongest pygmy qualities.
Funny how they can be siblings and yet look nothing alike.

Monterey {Monte for short}:
She is our 6 year old doe and is a bit bossy with the younger goats, but very friendly with people. 

Sydney:
We have just finished with our milking season with Sydney.  She is a 3 year old doe.  Apparently there is a recessive "skittish" gene, and she has it.  She was fairly good on the milk stand, but getting her there was sometimes challenging. However, her milk was delicious and was a good incentive to keep working with her.  

Iona:
Monte's daughter, born in 2012.  She is the one due to kid in April. 

Fintragh:
Also Monte's daughter and Iona's sister.  She will be the next one to be bred.

Aren't they cute when they are little? 

 

Kids like to play

Lastly, we have 2 little ones - In and Out {yes, as in burger....because, well, that is there lot in life.}

Our goats are all unique and fun-loving {most of the time}, and I am thankful for the delicious milk they give us along with a lot of laughs, and very efficient brush clearing!

What to do?

I'm not exactly sure when it all came about, but I do remember casually sitting around in the living room, and mentioning to the older children that I had this really cool, black and white framed photo of a lobster shack in Maine, and that I wanted to hang it up along with other black and white photos, but I had no idea where.
Matthew suggested that we make a floor to ceiling photo wall in the stairway that leads downstairs. 
It is such an odd space.  It's tall and skinny, but it does beg for something to be hung there.  It's a tricky place because it is very tall, so getting pictures hung up high {and adjusting crooked ones} will be difficult.  Additionally, it may be difficult to see the people in the photos that are hung high.

I was skeptical about this wall idea because of the cluttered look with so many frames.
I decided to tweak Matthew's idea and have one larger frame that would act like a focal point, take up some space, and bring it all together.  


Caleb gave me this for Christmas.  

The perfect focal point!

This is what we have so far. 

The lobster shack is at the top on the left, and the pier on the right is of Seal Beach.  The special thing about that is that it is symbolic of Eric and me {he from the East Coast and me from the West.}

I am going for "organized chaos" instead of symmetrical and predictable.  Kind of artsy, kind of fun. 
  
So then I had the idea to add a few aqua blue frames with Scripture in them to 
break up the monotony of the black and white.  They "pop" and I love it!

We have this much more space to go until we get to the bottom, but we all agreed that going as far as the ledge or just below will be just right.  

Just a few more pictures are needed...it's almost done.  It's turning out way better than I expected.   {and I am so thankful that my husband is not afraid to get into precarious positions on a ladder - Thank you, Eric, I love it!}