Sweet Gifts

This is a public thank you from my girls to Miss Sara, their favorite baker and originator of the world famous "Darling Tea".

Over the past few years, we have avoided foods made from gelatin, and for the most part our kids are happy to comply....with one exception: the much longed for marshmallow. The stuff of campfire s'mores, rice crispy treats and early trips to the dentist's office is really the only item that my kids show a sense of regret over not tasting anymore. Enter Miss Sara--candy thermometer in hand and clothed in a stylish apron, she has worked tirelessly to create that which seemed to be impossible, really: the gelatin-free marshmallow.
Last night, after a few tries over the past months, she did it. Now, she will tell you that it was a less than optimal outcome...but the girls tried them today, and gave them a hearty thumbs-up. Thank you, and we love you!

Blessed in Pennsylvania

Isn't she a doll?

I snatched this photo from my dear friend Amy's blog so that I could share with my little circle of family and friends. Amy and I met while we attended grad school together at Wheaton College. She moved back to Pennsylvania a few years ago. *sniff*

This is their latest blessing that I must admire from afar:

Chloe Elizabeth Smith

was born July 16, 2009

6 lbs, 12 ozs.20 inches long

A Little Culture

This last week was an extraordinarily busy one. It was filled with busy days, new friends, and new things. One of which was the Grant girls' first visit to the Art Institute of Chicago. Yes, this was my first visit as well! We met as a slightly larger homeschool group, and went down on the train and jumped on a bus to the Art Institute. The first half of our time there was spent on a docent-led tour (I highly recommend this!), and the last part of the time there we broke off into a couple groups and explored on our own.

Belle & Moo enjoyed spending time with Lily and Grace on the train ride into the city.

Belle and Jonathan always have a nice time chatting and laughing together.

Moo and Diana on the bus to the A.I.--so cute. :)




Belle was really touched by this bronze sculpture which is meant to signify the end of Native American culture after the Cherokee Trail of Tears.
Aptly titled "The End of the Trail" by James Earle Fraser, both rider and stallion not only appear to be at the end of the trail...but also at the end of their lives. Belle stood and considered this sculpture for quite some time.


The girls loved this sculpture. It is called "The Blind Flower Girl of Pompeii", and it stood out to my girls among all of the other marble sculptures in the museum.

Don't look too close--this one is a little risque for our friend Pablo Picasso. I still wanted to grab a picture...the size of the work, and the fame of the artist...well, I couldn't resist.

Vincent van Gogh's "Madame Roulin Rocking the Cradle" really got the kids engaged in figuring out what was happening in the painting.

We are bigtime Georgia O'Keeffe fans, so this was exciting to be this close to a work we had only seen as a thumbnail in art books!

My girls thought this sculpture was a bit goofy. I did too. No, I did NOT let on to our docent.

Excellent--another O'Keeffe!

Our docent, Monica, was explaining this gloppy looking vase. I'll just give you the title:
"Airborne Snotty Vase: Influenza, 2001" by Marcel Wanders.
After this and a view of "The Portrait of Dorian Gray", Moo asked the question, "Why does some art have to be so unpleasant, Mama?" Good question.

This was our only group shot. We took this picture mid-day, and then went to the outskirts of Millennium Park to eat a picnic lunch, see the bean, and return to the museum to get a little more time viewing the collections. The place is HUGE! I don't know how anyone could see the whole place in just a day....let alone while with a group that included elementary and middle school aged children! We will return soon. I was really moved by the experience of being in the presence of so many works of such famous artists.

New Habits

So this morning I am trying something new. I am using my spare time to learn a different way to knit. (Stay with me here...this is not ALL about knitting) I am a "traditional" knitter, which means that I throw my yarn with my right hand. Now, in defense of traditional knitters everywhere, we do just fine--in fact, I think we outnumber the "continental" knitters, but I don't have any hard numbers on that statistic. :) It is just that knitting this way is inefficient at times, and a bit slower than continental style, especially when working on more complex or bigger projects. For those ignorant about these things, when you picture little old ladies in their rocking chairs, quickly clicking their needles without any other movement...they are knitting continental style. When I am in MY rocking chair, my knitting is an entire upper-body workout...and the speed of my knitting output can be likened to a January taffy-pull. Very discouraging for a young knitter who has lofty knitting goals!

So I am slowly trying to retrain myself to knit in this more efficient, faster way. It is awkward, frustrating, and the results that I am getting are unimpressive so far. I can't help thinking beyond knitting....about any kind of life change that one tries to make against the grain of their current habits and lifestyle. Our family has made a lot of changes in our lives over the last few years, and some have been just as awkward, frustrating and we have performed quite unimpressively at times. But, we trudge forward...as do I with my knitting....trusting that new habits will take hold, and I will soon be ready for bigger projects!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Awww, isn't she cute? We love you, Mom. Have a great birthday, and we look forward to serving you Pepperoncini Chicken this evening for your birthday dinner! Look for the link in the sidebar under "A Peek into Our World", and click on the top picture of the girls to hear a birthday message -------->

Finally!

Belle has been working on this stocking cap for her Daddy for months. Not diligently, mind you...but just eeking out a little bit every once in a great while. Originally, she was aiming to finish it as a holiday gift...then as a birthday gift in February. Well, tonight she finally finished it. Now Daddy can keep his head warm while watching the fireworks, sitting at the pool or mowing the lawn this summer! ;)