Found locally.  They reminded me of Gram.  They are here now. 

One reader has been having a really hard time getting the com-box to work for her.  If anyone is having a problem shoot me a note 'k?  Not that I am sure I can fix it.  I will give it the old college try though. 

Wish you were here!

1. 

Random. [ran-duhm]  Per Brendan (to Tess while preparing for a Mario Kart race) it's "like you don't get to pick.  It just happens in that order."  Who said Wii isn't educational? ; ) Seems like a good place to start seven random takes. 

2.

We watched Letters to God this week though I had no idea what it was about beforehand.  I am a sucker for Christian movies, even if they are cheesey in parts. This one had extra cheese I admit. But the kids were all sniffling when it ended.  Later Kieran caught me in the hall and pointed to his chest saying, "So my heart is here."  "Yes" I said, quickly moving on to finish bedtime chores.  "Then where is my soul?" Umm, hold the phone, back up into the hallway. I told him what I knew.  That it was attached to our bodies now and it leaves when you die. He was satisfied with that but I am still sobered to think that he was considering the profound right as I was considering the pj's and toothbrushes. Martha, Martha….

3. 

On a lighter note, I ordered a copy of the new Turkey Feathers embroidery book. I am so anxious to get my hands on it. Now that we are in a house which is so much lower maintenance I am pulling out all my unfinished stitching projects and planning new ones. Feels so good to have something in my hands again. 

4.

I read this lovely post at Angel Wings and Apron Strings and printed it for my Home Keeper binder. Her most recent post is also convicting:

"It seems to me that we need to take special care to show our girls how much we love being a homemaker"

I take for granted that my love for my vocation 'shows' but I have been taking care to stop and listen to my tone of voice and my under the breath comments and realize that my actions do not always line up with my intention but often more with my fatigue level.  Not good.  Working on that. 

5. 

I found these retro tumblers and pitcher at the thrift store and literally had one teen child stand there and hold them while I went to the ATM after realizing I hadn't replaced the checks in my wallet. It was worth it. My Gram had a set of these and my fear of Altzheimer's was not as strong as my longing to go down memory lane. They make everything stay ice cold and  give me inexplicable cravings for Kool Aid. 

6.

Looking at getting this magazine. Think of that, a periodical with pretty pictures of simple everyday things, focusing on relationships. Sounds like my favorite blogs, but on paper, which means I can slip it into my purse. 

7.

Freebie from Becky Higgins here. Enjoy. 

"Parent's ability to communicate their worldview to their children is mostly bound up in their personal relationship to each other. If Mother and Father have a romance that is visible, a joy that is uncontained, and a passion that is enviable, their children will want to travel the same road in hopes of reaping the same fruit in their own lives."

– Jumping Ship, Michael Pearl 

I am no expert and I have not finished the book yet.  This excerpt spoke to me however and I think that only good things can come from unbridled joy and visible romance, so those are excellent places to start. 

Visible romance this week? While I was blogging the video yesterday, husband had already run to pick up flowers, just because, on the way to the ball field to cover practices for a sick wife. In blue. Why? Because he thought that they would go with the dishes I love – though he loves them less. : ) 

  thank you 

Look who followed me home from the flea market. 

He earns his keep.