Daybook: looking back, looking forward edition

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Kim Halloran-Fry

Outside: Snow, sun, snow, sun….lather, rinse, repeat. I am totally good with that. There are boys to shovel and everything has looked crisp and clean and white all winter.

Wearing: Brown velour tiered skirt, tan long sleeved tee, faux fur vest, and boots. That's what I had on as I strode into the dentist office feeling super confident about my ability to pull an outfit together. That feeling lasted much of the morning, pretty much right up til I noticed the little plastic tag thingie hadn't come off the vest with the price tag and was sticking up at the collar. Keeps you humble. ; )

Listening to: I Believe I Can Fly. Overandoverandover. Brendan's fond of his new piano song. We requested a few he could sing along to because….he does. Who knew Space Jam would have such staying power? Six sons, people. A lot of Space Jam has happened here.

Reading: Oh yes. So much. I picked up What Alice Forgot at Costco Friday and binge read for a few days til the last page. I haven't done that in a loooong time but it was worth it. Disclaimer – the characters and plot involve issues or behaviors I would not endorse! However, it was a remarkable exploration of forgiving and forgetting, which is much, much easier than forgiving things while the memory of them still plagues you. It was about whether one is able to extricate oneself from the vortex of emotion and dysfunction and reset a life.

I have thought so much about all the above. The main character gets amnesia and loses memory of the last ten years of her life. Ten years ago? Where was I? Gram was still alive. I hadn't been on a plane for 20 years. My husband was newly retired from the USAF and the little girls were not here yet. Europe hadn't happened. Some of the worst pain of my life was still to come. Some of the most unexpected, unbelievable gifts as well. How do we process all that and more? What have we lost from our younger selves? What have we gained?

So much is perspective. Looking at the same things a different way. On that note, I was also super inspired by this photographer's story. About his disability, the result of a violent crime, he explains that:

"It's one of those things I have to deal with, but also one of those things that made me someone who can see things from a different perspective and even enjoy life, see life and all its wonders – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Oftentimes I capture things people miss or overlook day to day, maybe because I am looking for them as part of my joy, feeling like humanity is still good, still vibrant. Tomorrow is a new day…and I am hopeful things are gonna get better…at some point they have to get better. That's just the way I feel. Everything gets better for me. No matter what I am dealing with I know it's gonna get better. That's the kind of thing I try to give to other people."

Somehow, both of those stories came together in my heart this week.

Creating: Easter projects beginning. I am skipping over Valentine's because who am I kidding? It is less than two weeks from now and I will be traveling anyway. That, and stuff takes a lot longer than expected to finish in my world. We have half a chance of completing something by Easter. : )

Thinking about: Progress. Maybe it's 50 looming. Maybe it's time. Maybe it's grace. There is so much on my life learning list and I wish I had it all mastered yesterday. The time it takes to learn new skills has historically passed maddeningly slowly to pass to me. Someone shared this the other day from the founder of Uggs, speaking at a conference. He said the best way for a tadpole to become a frog is to enjoy every day of being a tadpole. Moral being don't rush it. Enjoy the journey. Let progress unfold naturally.

Around the house: We learned to repair drywall after a drain pipe leak. We, being the husband part of the household. We will soon be starting up painting trim again. The little girls have discovered my old Victoria magazines and are enthralled with all things floral and throwback. Since I never stopped being enthralled with those things, and since their older sisters never were quite as enthralled, I couldn't be happier. My friend Teri and I were discussing old houses and new styles and the term "single era decor" stuck out to me. Perhaps that is what is not quite right to me in so many shelter publications today. Best line in the conversation was, "Home is something that develops, not something that is created in a single swoop."

why it matters

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Kim Halloran-Fry

"I was fortunate because my mother had a flair for making mealtimes a pleasure and food nourishing, all on a low budget. She balanced the colors on the plate and the textures as well as food groups. The table was always laid with care too – family meals matter. Candles lit on each side of a simple, low flower arrangement.

Today we talk a lot about how elusive self esteem can be. Again, this is complex, but if as a child you know you are a person that matters so much that great care is put into making your meals nice, then you tend to matter properly to yourself too."

For the Family's Sake

Snow Days Daybook

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Kim Halloran-Fry

Outside: Wet snow is falling. It has been falling on and off for a few days and warming up in between. (These are actually from an earlier snow.) The deer have been coming up very close to the house day and night. The girls have come rushing out of their rooms at night to very quietly show us a doe outside the window.

Wearing: Black linen skirt, bohemian print long sleeve tee, and tights – regulars in my lineup lately. As evidenced above, some of us are wearing thermal workout tights with shorts over. Wasn't my idea. ; )

Listening: to the Eagles and David Bowie the past week. I used to be annoyed when my mother would go on about celebrities dying. We didn't actually know them after all. Truth be told I don't really follow any celebrities and their passing came to my attention only because of Facebook. I don't know them personally but it does make you stop in your tracks when bits of your history chip off and fall away. As a dear friend said it's like parts of our story breaking off and eventually we find ourselves at the brink of the precipice ourselves. We are at that age now where it still seems a ways off but not nearly far enough. To think you have much less life left in you than you have lived already is sobering. Have I done enough? Is there enough time to do those things? If I have not done them yet, what are the odds I will? So many thoughts with news like that.

Back to Bowie though, it took me right back to being a sophomore in high school heading to Europe for my summer exchange program. He represented all things European and cosmopolitan and different from where I came from. When I came back it was music like that that would remind me of where I had been.

From the learning rooms: I actually sat through a whole Ted Talk by Sir Ken Robinson on creativity in education. I rarely listen to podcasts etc. Not my strong mode of learning. This was excellent however.

Our pianist son also got us hooked on the Piano Tiles app. Admittedly it took me a while to really appreciate. They are definitely not only working hand/eye skills but the further you go the more wonderful classical pieces you hear.

Around the house: Some major organizing getting accomplished, all in little fits and starts. This weekend I got the master closet, the kitchen pantry, and under the kitchen sink all purged and tidy. Unpacked a couple storage boxes and threw two of the three away. We hung wall art in the master bedroom. I have been revisiting and sharing this blog since it has been my inspiration. I do best with big projects if I have a visual. The serenity and order presented there is spilling over here. This is a good thing because we discovered a broken drain pipe yesterday. It is a blessing to have things running smoothly when a mini-disaster sidelines your plans.

From the kitchen: Water. We made little tweaks at the new year. This one was to drink 3/4 of an ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. I am pretty psyched about this. Little tweaks, a little every month.

Pics of our world lately…..

When the sun shines…

start setting the mood

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

A last look before bed. Everything in place before St. Nicholas visits.

"Let us look at the custom of a visit from St. Nicholas on his day, Dec. 6. This was the real beginning of the Christmas season for many Victorian families, as it still is for many families in the Netherlands, Germany and Britain. This old-fashioned tradition can start setting the mood for a wonderful holiday season for your family.

For parents who feel frustrated by the fact that Santa Claus' visit inevitably overshadows their religious observance of the birth of Christ, a visit from St. Nicholas can help tremendously. It is St. Nicholas who journeys from heaven to Earth each year on his birthday to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ child. He comes early enough in the month to give us time to do so.

For modern children who no longer believe in Santa Claus (and to Mrs. Sharp's dismay it seems they get younger with each passing Christmas), a celebration of St. Nicholas Day can satisfy a deep desire children of all ages have to believe in a great, benevolent and generous gift-giver who rewards the good.

Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, was said to have lived about AD 325. He was well-beloved for his compassion and generosity. When people were hungry, baskets of food would miraculously appear at their door. When winter came, so would mysterious parcels of warm clothing. How did he know?

The night before St. Nicholas Day the children place their empty shoes beside the fireplace or door. When they awaken the next morning, they discover a delicious German honey cake with his picture on the front, a small mesh bag of gold-foil-covered chocolate coins and one longed-for gift from each child's wish list.

Celebrating St. Nicholas Day takes the holiday pressure off children and adults. With just a taste of Christmas joys to come, we can begin to look outside ourselves to the holiday needs of each other. We can never outgrow the magic of a visit from St. Nicholas. Invite him into your homes this year and see for yourself."

Mrs. Sharp's Traditions

Before and After

Posted on November 29, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

Last week out my back window, in all it's golden glory.

Just a few days later we got our first winter storm here in the highlands. Still beautiful, just different. With the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers being finished off the inside of the house is also transitioning from autumn to advent. I have absolutely loved watching the view change here and am embracing this new season wholeheartedly.

I am ready.

an apple a day

Posted on November 8, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

At least for a little while. The girls brought in the last basket before the freeze. It isn't an orchard, just one sturdy tree of very small and rather sweet little apples perched at the edge of the yard just before it drops off down the hillside. The moose and deer sampled. The girls gathered what it shared, carefully washing each and piling them into the basket on the counter.

Command Center

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

It's up! (mostly) Better yet – it's working. : ) Three cheers. Seriously I do cheer because as big of a deal it is to set up a home management system in the first place it is even more daunting to reinvent it every couple years in entirely new communities and homes.

One of the pins that jumped out at me some months ago was a manipulative system that would serve as an at-a-glance for the big rocks like dog care, piano practice, bedroom tidying, a focus chore, vitamins and the like. I loved this idea except my kitchen is not as cute and colorful and contemporary. Our kitchen isn't even actually the color it most likely will be once we paint. This was closer but was larger than my wall and more construction than I had oomph for.

In the end I kept the cookie sheet idea (less than $1 at Walmart) and left them unfinished since the wall is not repainted yet and it is right near the appliances which are steel. Kieran painted the letters to match. (Walmart too) Probably the sticker phrase might have been nice since the wall morphed into more than chores but this is done and done is good. And remember – we applaud and encourage kid work, versus improve upon it.

We bought a couple packs of plain wood discs and he painted those. I had putzed around on the computer making circle templates and typing the tasks out and then threw my hands up. Couldn't pick colors (see above). Then we were at Michael's and found the pack of chalkboard sheets for less than $10 and it was settled. (I am sorry I can't find them online to link) Instead of trays for individual people we have topical boards – menu, appointments, to do, chores. We got chalkboard paint for the discs since I clearly have commitment issues. And love my chalk pen. We put magnetic tape on the back of the discs so we can move them around the sheets.

While I am on an organization tear I have been listening to some podcasts and working on my binder some. Almost attended this conference online but life…I don't know how people with children listen to these things live. They need to broadcast between midnight and 6am for me to do that. I work days ; D I did listen to this motivational link from them on very early morning. Good stuff. Still, honestly I read faster than view. For me it has been counter-productive to join groups and forums so probably I will just continue to purchase written work from selected speakers.

It's funny to note after all these years of following the work of domestic "experts" that they tend to fall into some generally identifiable groups. There is the group that is very sober and serious about homemaking. Task oriented. Often virtue and vice are woven into the discussion and there is a moral overtone to the systems. It is serious business.

There is the chill group. The girls just wanna have fun. The mantra is that life is too short to spending housekeeping. The secret of happiness, they proclaim, is to Let it Go. Don't worry, be happy.

Then there is the marketing and productivity camp. Sort of hyper-productive. And perky. The mantra being LET'S DO ALL THE THINGS. Really fast. With good hair.

It helps to ascertain which camp has produced the materials or methods you are considering to be sure they mesh well with your personality, learning style, and wallet.

The most helpful resource I tapped into this week was Flylady's homeschool journal. Her stuff is so familiar it's comforting. And in this case free too! Of particular note were the before bed and daily routines lists. They are going to be incorporated into my command wall.

So that's all for now. Just a glimpse and random organizational thoughts as we rebuild our systems here.

Autumn in the Dining Room

Posted on September 20, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

I can rarely get my um, stuff, together to do a proper Pinterest worthy tute. We were happy enough with the new centerpiece to at least share though. It's so simple you can sort of figure it out.

One thing I miss terribly about Europe is fresh flowers. They do have them here but they cost so much more to have on the table regularly. Since we really prefer natural, when I saw the bunches of wheat at Walmart I grabbed two ($4 each) thinking I would figure something out. This is what I figured out.

Grab the two bunches into one big bunch and wrap with a rubber band. Then shove an empty can inside to beef it up and stabilize. Give a slight twist. Wrap tightly with leftover Christmas ribbon because it matches the $1 gold charger you bought ten years ago and haven't used. Ok, maybe this isn't a universally applicable tute. ; ) But you get the idea. So for $8 we have a nice natural centerpiece for fall.

If you were here and looking left you'd see the fireplace wall. It was a major selling point for us. Major. I love this brick wall. Currently it holds my copper collection.

Copper was a fixture of British kitchens. I was gifted with some vintage pieces at our going away party. Goodwill locally netted the teapot, sugar, and creamer at the far end.

The pullback below. The china cabinet is dressed in blue in this house. (staging shelves is not my strong suit) Top right is the delft plate I stuffed in my suitcase when I came back from the Netherlands as a student. The dining chairs are still covered in nasty old green upholstery. It's on the list of home improvement projects. Til then, cropped out. Voila. : D

The vintage pictures to the left have hung someplace in my house since I found them in my Grams attic and finally persuaded her to let me have it. She found it in her century old farmhouse attic when they moved in in the 60's. We don't know who they are but when I suggested replacing them with our own old family portraits everyone freaked out. Actually it's rather wonderful now to honor whomever they are. They are family after all these years.

The quilt rack was a gift from my late Grampa when he was on a woodworking kick in retirement. It needs a quilt. Or some linen. Still thinking on that.

everyday miracles

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

“Life becomes precious and more special to us when we look for the little everyday miracles and get excited about the privileges of simply being human”

Tim Hansel, You Gotta Keep Dancing

Lately

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

It's been almost a sure thing lately that if I sit and type it detonates a kid bomb someplace else in the house. Or I begin to nod off because the days have been full and I should be in bed instead of typing.

You probably cannot relate whatsoever right?

A very "lately" update. Lately….

– Our oldest's beloved of several years has moved in with us while they save and plan their future. It is a singular blessing that as big kids get busier and busier and leave altogether we sometimes get to borrow another for a season. As it turns out this awesome young woman also does math. MATHEMATICS. Math problems. (insert a moment of silence here) God is good, people. She quickly and enthusiastically began to trouble shoot any math challenge happening as we wrap up the bigger kids' straggler assignments from the 'big move year.'

– The sewing machine is set up. I am picking up odds and ends that didn't complete the move with the rest of their group – thread etc. Next up is some hemming/altering and some Christmas crafts. Because why? Because you do those now or it's just too late.

– It's raining and 65 this morning. That never happens. It will soon stop happening and be 95 again. Today is awesome.

– We moved bedrooms around some when Julie came. The boys have their own dorm of sorts now and needed another twin bed. I got on our local craigslist equivalent Saturday night, found a pair of vintage solid wood twins very like the ones we have. We picked them up this weekend for FREE. They are as beat up as the ones we have but it doesn't matter. We are stripping them all and hoping to restore them to Leave it to Beaver, 50's era boy room glory. Husband volunteered to head up this project. You heard him. We are holding him to this.

– on a related note we began looking around at what we could potentially sell and listed a non-working lawn mower the previous owners left here. It sold immediately, paying for our drive to get the beds and all the refinishing supplies. Looking around for more stuff now!

– A thrift shop trip is happening this week for miscellaneous containers to store a plethora of DIY cleaners and condiments. Homemade gatorade. You name it. This country has more delightful household and workout and snack products than you can shake a stick at. My wallet has not been as impressed as my children have been. Serious DIY happening in the kitchen this week.

-I have been a pinning fool, preparing for the above plus the new school year. It looks like with a few tweaks we have most everyone doing American history and life sciences this year. (even the college student!) I am amassing videos, books, and hands on extras. If you want to follow along, hit me up over there.

– Lots of wonderful stories every night. The girls are completely absorbed with Brambly Hedge right now after looking at the anthology cross-eyed when I brought it home. As it turns out it meshes perfectly with the Sylvanian Family/Woodzeez obsession they share with their new neighbor friend. Tiny felted critter village underfoot. I love this. I'm just gonna say it. I want to live in Brambly Hedge. Short of that, I would like Jill Barklem as my personal decorator.

– We are taking advantage of every festival, parade, live music event we can in our new locale. After one such outing with husband and Brendan we splurged and went to the 'fancy' Italian restaurant where I used to meet my mom friends when we lived her 15 yrs ago. Alfresco dinner for three with my guys follows here:

What? You write right on the tablecoth? For real? Why yes. : )

Paleo, where e'er you go. Thank you Tucci's.

I think half the people under this roof need rides to someplace else today. Abbie needs a footwear upgrade. She says she is looking for some 'country style shoes' specifically. What are those I asked. She can't say exactly but she assures me she will know them when she sees them.

Good enough. We are off to see what we can do.

Hope your 'lately' has been awesome.

Starry Sky Journal

Reflections from Starry Sky Ranch

Category Archives: The Prairie Home