Category Archives: The Ranch Hands

a sense of quiet

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Tulips web (1 of 1)

"Arranging a bowl of flowers in the morning can give a sense of quiet in a crowded day – like writing a poem or saying a prayer."

Anne Morrow Lindbergh

 

Whether or not spring has actually arrived OUTside this year, the spring flowers have arrived in the grocery stores.  Walmart has had tiny pots of single bulbs for as low as a dollar a piece and small bouquets of tulips for under $5.   It's a little luxury that doesn't break the bank and brightens corners of the home so well.   You can place them bedside or tuck them between two thrifted candlesticks for instant dinnertime charm. 

I have mentioned before that floral arranging was not a skill that came naturally to me.  It's a work in progress still.  I have picked up some little tips from library books and through studying gift arrangements when I have been so blessed. One trick that made a world of difference for a single variety vase is shown on the cover of this book:

Floral

You don't need dozens for this to work either.  Take a handle of tulips, slip an elastic band around the stems, then gently twist in opposite directions.  If your vase is clear you may wish to wrap the band with floral tape.   That's all there is to it.   As you can see I did not even do that to the small vase above and I still smile every time I pass. 

 

 

Notes to self – the year of the bullet journal

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Jan 2018 self port 2 web (1 of 1)

 

As 2017 began to wrap up the annual new planner internal debate began to heat up.  We have a fair amount of plates to keep spinning at any given time.  I know with absolute certainty that if the many big and little things that need to happen are not written down there will be mishaps, forgotten appointments, documents not returned etc.  I have used purchased planners large and small over the years.  While I really liked my pretty 2017 planner, paging through it retrospectively in December revealed an undeniable truth.  There was hardly anything written in it.  The dates and times were there but elsewhere  there were notebooks full of notes with all the details: menu plans, gift ideas, shopping lists, directions, countless notes to myself.  

I have long loved artsy DIY journals.  The problem is I don't do much doodling.  I just don't think in sketches.  And my handwriting is not terribly attractive.  It had been decided that this whole idea was a no go until I wandered into BuJo territory on Pinterest.  A bullet journal, a home for all those notes to self.  A place for the stuff I needed to do, needed to remember, and ideas I hoped to develop.  No art skills needed, no big investment, and no pre-portioned squares.  Need a whole page one day and a few lines the next?  No big deal.  Just write the stuff down. 

Although there was ample fodder for ideas online this book was a great find.  It got me off and running quickly and easily. 

Bujo

The artsiest pages were the month at a glance.  That's about it lol. 

Bujo8

The daily began like this.  I am now down to using a half page most days.  And while I track my workouts (w) and rosaries (tiny cross), I rarely get those water squares filled in.  It is easier to set the water on the counter and watch the level drop. 

Bujo

There are pages of things to keep on my radar.  Schedules, reminders, things to research and incorporate for myself or others…

Bujo8

And the post-it pages for menus and the shopping list, because we are forever changing our minds or moving meals around during the week. 

Bujo9

That's it.  

Every morning I sit down in that quiet space there now is between my husband leaving and the children waking.  That time could conceivably stretch 'til midmorning with all big kids in the house these days, so I need to discipline myself.  Prayers, calendar check, notes filled in about the day before, dinner prep if needed. A quick chapter in my current book read.  Then it's time to get at it and get the rest of the house up and moving.  

The children enjoy their own journals.  Brendan's is strictly script.  A highlight reel of his days and his bible study.  The girls are all in with the art journals and motivational sayings:    

 

Bujo4
Bujo4
Bujo4
Bujo4

 

Wise Man collage

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I was so pleased with the collages the children made for the Epiphany, even if we didn't make them prior to nor even ON the Epiphany since we had a full weekend.  Sometimes they are actually in a better frame of mind after we have discussed and we carry on the season as long as possible anyway.  Bottom line?   Whenever you create a beautiful thing is the right time.  (pssst – you can still do this. : ))

We discussed the traditional names of the Magi – Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar and the spiritual significance of the gifts they brought.  Gold was a fitting gift for a King.  Frankincense was connected to priestly ritual and indicated diety.  Myrrh was used for annointing and foreshadowed His redemptive death.  We talked about gifts we can present to God today.  He has no need for material things but we can offer our good attitudes, our charity to others, our peaceful resignation to His will – all every bit as precious.

Then we gathered old scrapbooking paper and created these collages based on this tutorial.  There is no pattern given so we just got the gist of it and made makeshift templates from spice lids and so on. 

Wise men

Wise men

 

 

note: A wonderful tradition, which was common in the part of Germany where we lived, is the chalking of the doors with the new year's number and the intials of the Magi.  If you've never heard of it this article explains. 

 

 

a wee owl

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Owl 2 (1 of 1)

There was a knock at the door the other evening. Our neighbor spotted a small screech owl in the trees and called me out to try to capture him. (in camera, that is)  He allowed us to get near enough to do just that. Then slowly floated down into the hollow below.  

 

let the little things amaze you; that's how you'll remember life is a miracle.  - alexandra wolf

A day downtown

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Dec 2017 downtown web (7 of 8)

The city is only a half hour or so away but it usually takes company to prompt me to drive in. Colin's visit got me downtown.  We hit a museum first and were a little overconfident about the crowds.  When we moved to the city center we realized that's where the people were all hanging out. Temple Square had their tree lighting that day so we shopped and walked and waited around until after dusk then walked back to the car through the Christmas lights. With thousands of our closest friends lol.    

Dec 2017 downtown web (7 of 8)
Dec 2017 downtown web (7 of 8)
Dec 2017 downtown web (7 of 8)
Dec 2017 downtown web (7 of 8)

Dec 2017 downtown web (7 of 8)

Dec 2017 downtown web (7 of 8)
Dec 2017 downtown web (7 of 8)
This really launched us into the holiday season.  It was so much nicer to go see the lights this year at 40 degrees than it was the last time at 4 degrees! Just a beautful day all around.  

Dutch Baby

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B cook3

Our phones were upgraded last week.  I was expecting this to be a non-event for me, other than taking the plunge to the larger screen.  I long ago gave up taking photos on my old phone.  They were bad from the day I got it.  My pleasant surprise this past week has been the phone camera. It works!  It works well!  Such a blessing for documenting on the go.  And that's just what I did when this young man wanted to try a new recipe today – Apple Dutch Baby Pancakes

He did a great job and actually caught my recipe reading errors before they became recipe making errors.  (And yes those are repurposed protein powder tubs up there.) 

B cook3

B cook3

B cook3
B cook3

It is best..

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Nov 2017 advent reading web (1 of 2)

Each day or so in this interim week between Thanksgiving and the beginning of advent I have been reading little portions of Leane VanderPutten's wonderful advent book.  It is chock full of wonderful snippets of old classics, some of which are now out of print. It's a relaxing process these days, reading and copying down lines that help me focus on what is most important. No longer do I feel a mad rush to gather ALL the ideas much less to implement them.  

"As a rule, it is best to begin with one or two customs and add others in years to come."  - Helen Mc Loughlin

Or maybe we don't add more in?  The beauty of the internet is that we now have access to resources and ideas from all around the world.  The pitfall can be forgetting that in all these places people are embracing and celebrating their own one or two special customs.  We would do well to choose our own favorites, the ones that speak to our own families, and simply appreciate from afar those which do not. 

Today our family will begin the month long St Andrew novena.  Sunday we will light the wreath. St Nicholas Day is a highlight of early advent for our children so I am making ready with coins and shoes and candy canes. There will be a lot of energy expended on table setting and centerpieces and trees because that is my thing.  They asked for an advent calendar like they had living in Europe – not a Pinterest spectacular crafty calendar but rather the paper windows with chocolate inside.  I can do that. 

Conversely, our family will not be doing a Jesse Tree since, for whatever reason, that lovely idea never "took" over here.  And we wont be making the braided bread one boy's godmother always gifted us with, though we are sure glad it is one of her traditions!  The seasonal books will not be wrapped in pretty paper because I have gone so far as to purchase Christmas gift sacks to avoid having to wrap even the actual gifts.  Not my strong suit.  

It's going to be a happy, holy season however we do this because in the end it is not about us or our crafts or our recipes or our trees, though we look forward to all of those.  It is about grace and mercy and new beginnings.  May we extend some of those to ourselves, Momma's.  

 

Some resources I enjoy:

Wood of the Cradle Wood of the Cross

Family Advent Customs

Christmas to Candlemas 

A Candle is Lighted 

The Christmas Spirit

Our Children's Year of Grace

Around the Year with the Von Trapp Family

 

Since it is advent and not yet Christmas we have been growing an advent playlist on Spotify which you might enjoy. (here)

 

Advent posts here  

and here

and here

 

 

Vinyl

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Our firstborn was here last week.  He was here ALL of last week.  We had such a long list of things to do that we didn't squeeze them all in, but we hit a lot of them.  Like checking out at least one local record shop.  Vintage album selections, like all things vintage, vary so much by region it is an entirely new and enlightening experience to thumb through bins in a new place.  

I was ALL in for flipping through the bins.  I love a challenge.  I love dollar bins.  I don't even care what the theme of the dollar bin is.  It's like a contest to hunt through and find the best of whatever that is.  In this case, knowing my kid, and knowing a lot of music recorded in the, ahem, eras that now qualify as 'vintage' I felt equipped to partner up on this excursion.  It's a little embarassing just how animated I apparently can be sifting through dollar albums. It's like a history lesson and blast from your personal past. 

Some things go without saying.  Like Pearl Bailey. A moment, y'all.  

 Record 5

I had a lot more moments it seems.  "What Mom?  I can't see you.  Can you just tell me? No, I've never heard of Wolfman Jack."

Record 5

"Wings? Do I know them?'

"Yes! You really do.  Or you should. Paul McCartney.  Here let me sing a few…."

Record 5

"That's ok, I'll just trust you."  

Which is good policy, I tell you.  But the boy did not trust my judgement across the board.  This, for instance, did not make the cut.  Even after I sang BOTH I Think I Love You and Come On, Get Happy.  Nope.  No dice.  I'm sorry, David. I tried.

Record 5

Nor did Donny and Marie wind up in the final stack, even with the obvious selling point of being a little country AND a little bit rock and roll.  And the fact that your mother actually saw them in concert.  

I know, the boy's taste is starting to concern me too.  We can only keep trying to expose them.

Record 5 

But hey. What I didn't master in the 70's can be learned yet.  As it turns out there may still be time for me.  I think I can do this…..

Record 5

I mean, there is probably some historical burden on us to ensure the eggbeater is not lost for future generations.  Who's with me?

A rockin’ birthday

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Nov 2017 party web (2 of 9)

She knew exactly what she wanted this birthday to be.  No question at all – a soda shop/sock up/50's bash with her friends. Thanks to her careful planning via Pinterest (I'm thinking there may be an as yet undiscovered Pinterest gene) and help from her Dad and sister, we were able to pull it off. 

We found a doughnut pinata at Target and painted it black to make it into an album. 

Bday

She wore last year's felt poodle skirt which we made from this pattern.  "Minimal sewing" was a big selling point for this one, just saying. 

Nov 2017 bday web (1 of 1)
Nov 2017 bday web (1 of 1)

They had a hoola hoop contest and pinned the tail on the poodle. 

Nov 2017 bday web (1 of 1)-3

Nov 2017 party web (2 of 9)

There was also a scavenger hunt. Be advised, should you ever attempt this game with under 12yo's that "litter" is not a universal term and may send your little party goers in search of a house that has a cat. Hear me, friends.  They may be successful. 

Nov 2017 party web (2 of 9)

The Dollar Store had diner baskets and liners.  Score!  Premade packaged sliders, fries, and tiny Coke's were on the menu.  Alannah mader her the soda shop cupcakes.

Nov 2017 party web (2 of 9)

Nov 2017 party web (2 of 9)

It was such a delightful day.  We high five'd ourselves afterwards and had a cold one trying to process the fact that the baby of the family is now NINE years old.  

Nov 2017 party web (2 of 9)

as they grow

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Oct 2017 pumpkin donut web (1 of 1)

One thing I loved so much during the preschool years were our Montessori trays, self-contained activities presented on a wooden tray complete with all the materials needed.  Truth is, I loved dreaming up Montessori trays, but my days were not chock full of empty hours with which to put them together.  There was also a good deal of tray straightening and supervision required once they were created. 

A mom asked me for more thoughts on this next stage of home learning and family life with no littles underfoot.  This would be one of the new and different dynamics.  Little people become bigger people who still love their projects.  They can now print a tutorial and gather their own materials.  In fact, you might stroll out from the laundry room or office and find a scene like this one.  

 

Oct 2017 pumpkin donut web (1 of 1)
Oct 2017 pumpkin donut web (1 of 1)

Now instead of demonstrating and directing and overseeing I am invited in to admire and give a few pointers, or better yet, to not give a few pointers.  I love to hear their thoughts about what worked, what didn't work as well, and how they might do things differently next time.   

PS though?  There is still some straightening up to do after.  ; )