Books, Games, & Such

My daughter was sick yesterday, so we read this book together:

Do you remember Jerrold Beim books from the library? When I was a kid, there was a large collection. Sadly, they're not among the collection anymore. I used to check this book out (the cover was different: green library binding) over and over, and read it repeatedly. It takes the reader through the Green Family photo album, with young Chris Green as the main character. We learn "who's who in your family" by examining Chris's family photos with him, and learn about first cousins once-removed, great-aunts and uncles, half-siblings, in addition to more familiar relations such as cousins, grandparents, etc. 

The artwork of Mary Stevens is astounding; drawings like hers don't exist in modern children's books. I remembered this wonderful work and ordered this copy years ago, before I had children. It is my delight to share it with them, and to even read it myself. Who's Who in Your Family ranks as one of my favorite all-time books. I love the photo of Chris's dad as a boy, carving his initials on a tree, and under "J.G." he noted the date: 1921! Simply fabulous.

A favorite pastime of our family is playing Clue. I used to own this game, and have no idea where it went. My kids were given the modern version for Christmas. Even better than playing Clue together is when Nibbles is along, reclining in a baby doll seat:

Speaking of games, who doesn't love Candy Land? Last week, the girls were looking for something different to play. I told them that our old games were down in the basement, and after a trip down there, they reappeared with this, which was mine as a kid:

Do you see where my grandmother not only wrote my name (the initial "R" stands for Robin, my middle name), but the date: "Julio 17, 1981" (Julio because she's from Cuba, of course). There's nothing special about that date except that it happened to be the day that she wrote on the board. I would've been five years old. 

Look at the board!

Is this pristine, or what? What I notice most about it is that it contains just enough without being overly busy like today's game boards. Why do they keep changing them? Can't you just feel the joy radiating from this board? A friend shared with me that the current version of another favorite, Chutes and Ladders, is so overloaded that he, the adult, can't even figure it out! As for the four-year-old, forget it! What a shame. Simple is better. 

Here are some pieces. You will notice the sweets have changed:

One might see all of this and think that I must not have played with this game much, seeing as how it has remained in such good condition. Not true! Toys of all kinds were much better made back in the day. The quality was solid and people got their money's worth, unlike many of the cheap, poorly-made playthings of today. Items were made to last; today they break, and folks just go buy a new one. I took care of my things, and my kids see it and appreciate this lesson, too. I think that the reason they love this game in spite of their ages is because of its nostalgic charm. By the way, now we know when someone is about to pick the lollipop. It has some old stain on the back...I wonder what it was? Don't you just love little marks and stains on old things? Maybe it's just me.

Here is a beautiful prayer from The Optimist's Good Morning by Florence Hobart Perin (1929): 

It's important to ask the Lord constantly for our minds to be this "nesting-place for pleasant and restful thoughts," ideas that please Him and enable us to walk in the freedom in which Christ has set us free. I'm learning to bring darkness into light, to replace lies with truth, to allow the Holy Spirit to tear down strongholds and rebuild my heart with His wisdom and truth. We have to learn to trust that God is good. It is a long, slow, rich, painful, good process.

A charming, simple book for nature study is Plant Life in Field and Garden by Arabella B. Buckley. This reading started off our week: 

I asked my daughters, "Are those the same little yellow flowers we saw just yesterday down by the lake?" They were certain that they were. I loved that we happened to be reading this selection in March, like the book states, and have these very same Marsh Marigolds growing near our house:

That's the beauty of nature study; it need not be elaborate, and you don't have to make fancy field trips to enjoy what God has placed in your own yard. My girls and I now have a bond with the Marsh Marigold, and we will always remember these dainty buds with the bees buzzing around them, just like we read about in the book. 

Those wildflowers or weeds make a fine science lesson! Here are others that my girls have found; one is the Marsh Marigold up close: 

And these look just like another flower that Buckley mentions further in the reading: 

She talks about a flower called yellow Coltsfoot, which we looked up on the Internet. The resemblance was close, yet not quite the same. It offered a fabulous opportunity for my girls to compare the two flowers, finding similarities and differences in both. We are learning to examine God's creation closely, and marvel at His perfect design. 

I came across another enchanting passage in Blaisdell's How to Keep Well that I can't resist sharing: 

My daughter couldn't believe this...I couldn't believe it! Isn't our world fascinating? Have you ever heard of such a thing? I'm convinced that living books enable learning much more adequately than dry lectures or textbooks. We're certain to remember these details!

Here is the poem the girls copied yesterday:

I love cursive, poetry, and a chalkboard! My girls are used to having to copy something from the board in cursive daily. I like the reinforcement it gives to poetry, handwriting practice, spelling, and punctuation. When I started homeschooling and purchased this chalkboard, I was so excited about it. A Debbie Downer saw it and remarked about how messy it would be, with dust getting everywhere. We can't allow naysayers to crush our joy...and they will always be around. I'm sure I realize that chalk causes dust; so do dry erase markers, which run out faster and are more costly than chalk. We delight in our board, and are making memories. A small dry erase board is also used in our school when we're reading; I write hard-to-remember names on it to aid in narration. 

Look at this recipe from 1953 that I decided to try: 

Oh, how I admire the homemakers of my grandparents' generation! We moms of today don't always realize the joy of time-consuming food art like this. The importance of time spent in the kitchen producing such a result hasn't been impressed upon us. I believe in setting aside a weekday afternoon or even a whole Saturday for projects like this. We can't rush such a recipe, and need time to figure out where changes might need to be made. Here is how my version turned out: 

I laughed my head off when I saw that both layers of my cake put together were still not as high as one layer of the cake in the original picture! When I set them on cooling racks, the layers resembled two pancakes! I had put in such time and effort, though, that I went ahead with it. I thought, by golly, we're eating this thing if it's the last thing we eat! I simply texted Liz and asked her to bring over some ice cream to go with it.

I learned two main things for next time (and I will make it again!): they have to do with the frosting and the shortening. I'm glad I went ahead and made the icing first, to get it over with and cooled. I recommend making it on the stove as stated, yet it will be very oily, as if the butter won't separate from the rest. I solved this by putting it all into the mixing bowl and letting the electric mixer whip it for about five minutes. 

Since I haven't used shortening in many years, I decided to substitute butter. Liz, who bakes a lot and has experience with many ingredients, says that this substitution is what caused the cake not to rise well. She uses shortening whenever the recipe calls for it, and from now on, I will, too. As for the taste of the cake, it was delicious. After all I'd been through, I decided not to attempt covering the sides with almonds, but settled for a simple smattering over the top. The leftovers were fabulous for breakfast!

I'm learning not to be afraid of what's weird to most people. It's worth our time to read old books, teach cursive, write on a chalkboard, play old games, enjoy poetry without ruining it by picking every line apart, pick weeds and put them in the window, and spend a whole morning on a recipe that might not turn out. The joy is not only in the finished product, but there's great satisfaction in the journey. All of these little things add up to life. 

Speaking of cakes, my Aunt Susan celebrated her 65th birthday yesterday! I leave you with this fantastic image of my dad and his little sis, long ago:

The passage of time is like lightning. We must spend it wisely, on the things of God and what glorifies Him. 

Until next time!

Here & There

As you know, I find little bits here and there that I like to post. Here are some from the past two weeks:

We try to do nature study at least once a week. It's easier than it sounds: we venture out into the yard and find something from God's creation to draw. Sometimes we choose the same item; other times, our drawings are different. When there was stress about making this a masterpiece, a friend gave me good advice: in nature study, we're scientists, not artists. We try to capture the intricate details of that living thing, like the dots on a petal, or the tear in a leaf. Whether you're eight or eighty, create your own nature notebook! This is our second year working in the same book.

How about a day at the spa...for your Barbies?

We found some old baby bath wash and the girls delighted in treating those tired, worn-out gals to a time of pampering! No Barbie tub needed; just a container and some imagination. Old baby washcloths make great doll towels, too: 

Here is a book that I just finished and highly recommend. Cindy Rollins's story is captivating, not just for moms or homeschoolers, but for any adult interested in education or family life: 

You can hear Cindy on the Circe Institute podcast, The Mason Jar. She and her guests impart much wisdom about teaching our children, as they share specific resources and personal stories about their own experiences. As a mother of nine, Cindy's point of view is valuable to all parents and educators. 

Speaking of a pearl of wisdom, here is one:

This quote was aptly timed in The Optimist's Good Morning, a devotional I enjoy every day, right after a group of friends and I discussed this very issue. We had a rich discussion around our dinner table Tuesday night about what a tragedy it is that children are being shoved these days into a one-size-fits-all model of learning. Well-meaning parents push their teenagers into four-year college without regards to the fact that that individual might rather study plumbing, cosmetology, or work to save money while seeking God's path for his or her life. Thousands of dollars in debt pile up, often binding the student to a career that he realized (only too late) isn't his heart's desire. The work of a mail carrier is no less noble than that of a physician; the world would be a mess if we all walked the same road.  

On a lighter note, how about some kitchen-floor hockey?

A yard stick, some tape and cardboard...throw in that oversized checker from the Cracker Barrel game, and presto! Instant fun, and lots of goals!

Here is a funny page from How to Keep Well by Albert F. Blaisdell, M.D., published in 1895. This is the kind of living book from which our children should be learning about the human body and it's wondrous design. Our kids learn so much about language and expression from reading such poetic prose. The lines before the ones in the following picture read, "Get at the market a knuckle of ham or mutton. Open the joint by cutting into it, and study what you see. Our own joints are made exactly after the same general..." (now keep reading):

This is much more fascinating than a dry textbook. Why not use a living book like this to teach children about the wonders of the human body? I encourage adults to read rich literature for your own growth, then pass it along to your kids. Have them tell back (without your interfering) what they remember in their own words. Students crave depth, not the sterile, insipid material they're presented these days. Try this method in lieu of the lifeless "comprehension" paragraph with silly questions that hardly any sane person can "comprehend."

Here is another example of delightful reading, from Gyo Fujikawa's A Child's Book of Poems:

Stop being afraid of poetry! All you have to do is read it and enjoy it! We associate poetry with the dreaded assignment of being forced to write it when not all of us are poets. Again, there's no need to force anything. Learning can indeed be fun. This poem was followed by gleeful requests to "Read it again!"

As I've mentioned, our community group meets every Tuesday. Each week, our meal looks something like this:

We eat to our fullest, and love each other with messy, real brotherly love. There's nothing like fellowship around the table with my people, breaking bread and growing together. And what's in that pot in the left corner of the photo?

Boiled peanuts! You've not experienced the true south until you've tried Jeremy's all-day-long, salty, boiled peanuts. 

Finally, here's a quote that stuck with me. If only we truly grasped how God sees our sin once we repent with brokenhearted contrition...He doesn't. His Son's blood secured that for us, and may we find peace in this truth:

Until next time!

Hello from Nibbles!

Jumping Off the Train

"You're so lucky you get to stay home!"

"We're on my insurance, so I have to work."

"I'd go crazy at home all day!"

"I don't know how you do it."

My husband encouraged me to write this post in response to comments like these that I hear on a regular basis. He and I often discuss our culture train, and that many intelligent people seem to have a hard time swimming against the current. They want to complain all day, yet experience near-insanity because nothing changes. 

It makes me think of the scene in "Fried Green Tomatoes" where Idgie and Ruth are on the train, throwing canned goods to the poor, and they realize they have to jump off. With the train still moving at full speed, the two plunge off, Idgie with a triumphant "Tawanda!!!", both rolling some distance and choking on flying dust until they realize they made it. I can attest that making the plunge off the train is scary. I incur remarks because I've jumped and survived. If you're fearful, please stop attempting to cover your own anxiety by patronizing those who have made the leap.

Let me say clearly that this is for those who have brought up these things with either us or someone else. I'm not addressing the single parent who may be making the best of an unfortunate situation. This is for those who love to bemoan their busyness and lot in life...especially those who are professed Christ-followers...yet refuse to step off the treadmill. 

This is hard to live out:

"I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:2, my italics).

Aren't we wowed by stories of folks who decide to sell everything, quit their jobs, and tackle missionary work in some dangerous country where they don't know the language or customs? No doubt it's the calling of some, and a noble one. Because of their obedience, the good Gospel news is being shared, and Christ is glorified.

The truth is, it's no less noble (or scary) to be obedient to that same call, to go out on a limb and tackle the missionary work of being busy at home. Yes, you may be called to radically sacrifice. It could be cutting back hours or quitting your job altogether; it might mean not going out to dinner as much, or refraining from vacations in order to afford more time with your kids and spouse. It might look like finding your own insurance, or selling your house and down-grading so you can stay home. The issue I see in our culture is that many folks are either afraid or simply aren't willing to "cut back" anything; me-time and my "identity" trump sacrifice and reasonable service. If I have to give up my [fill in blank], forget it. And the saddest part is that it remains a chasing after the wind, because that train just keeps going and going, and we can't keep up. We weren't meant to.

Eleven years ago, this was my situation: I had a high-paying job selling pharmaceuticals; in fact, I made more than my husband, whose business was in the uncertain stage of infancy. My car was paid for, as was all gas, insurance, and maintenance; we didn't pay a dime for my cell phone. I made bonuses of at least $10,000 regularly, sometimes more. My insurance package covered any medical condition for both my husband and me. We lived in an affluent neighborhood with no worries about paying our mortgage. 

When the double pink line showed up on the stick, there was no question about my continuing to work. Why wouldn't I? We had a lifestyle to maintain; the insurance was because of my job, and my car and phone were paid for. How else would we keep all that, plus live in that expensive house? I'd have to find someone to keep my child...isn't that how things roll in this culture? 

Then the gnawing started....the Holy Spirit. My husband was in total agreement; although numerically it seemed impossible, I would have the baby and quit my job. 

Goodbye, car.

So long, insurance.

See ya, cell phone.

House, it was nice knowing you.

If God calls us, we can trust Him to work out the details. Please read that sentence again. That goes for the missionary to Africa, or the missionary at home changing diapers and wiping spit-up off your clothes. Your role is no less noble. Why on earth would I trade raising my children for pampering ungrateful doctors who complain that the free lunch set before them isn't gluten-free? For insurance and a car...really? Let's please re-think this.

I feel ridiculous even comparing this to the "living sacrifice" that those in other countries endure for Christ. Some folks have no choice, and I get that. Again, this is for those who could get off the train, but won't because of crutches that have become too easy in our country. They shouldn't be allowed to be the norm. Some have endured beatings for obedience to the Lord; others have been beheaded. If you know God is calling you to radically change your lifestyle (and it wouldn't be "radical" anywhere but here), why are you being dragged kicking and screaming to do that which is your reasonable service?  

Frazzled chasing after the wind will never suddenly morph into satisfaction and joy. It's imperative to say these things because too many people talk to me about the overwhelming inertia of daily life, and how things are just "crazy." If this touches a nerve or tugs at your heart, maybe it's for you. I told these things to a lady once, and she went nuts, turning on me about how I needed to mind my own business. People want to vent as long as their frustration is affirmed. About six months later, this lady was ecstatic to tell me the changes she had made in her life, and how she was getting off the train. She has allowed God to see her family through in obedience, and she's not sorry that she jumped. You'll never regret for putting family first, no matter how weird it looks to the rest of the world. It's what you're supposed to do.

I didn't finish my story that I began! The dreaded call to my boss was met with, "You're doing the right thing. My wife has never been sorry she stayed home." It honestly wouldn't have mattered if he'd have told me to go jump. I knew God gave me that baby because no one else could be a better mom to her. We bought an eight-year-old van from a local professor. It wasn't fancy, didn't have leather seats, and had a tape player....it was four wheels, paid for in cash from savings. I was thrilled!

The day the "For Sale" sign went into the front lawn, a couple from Hawaii begged to see the house. Sold! We moved to a county with lower taxes, down-grading to a house that was $100k less. This was back in the days when individuals could manage their own insurance through a Health Savings Account (don't get me started), so we put aside money each month for that. Today, we participate in a plan called Medishare, a catastrophic plan where we pay as if we were cash-payers. And you know what? If a big bill ever comes (and it has), hospitals are happy working out a plan. Don't be scared that you don't have $10,000 to pay back all at once.

We eat out occasionally and it's a treat. We don't have credit cards, and if we can't afford it, we don't buy it. We're every retailer's worst nightmare. My idea of thrills is browsing Goodwill, or paying a quarter at the library for a discarded book. We don't have cable, but pay ten bucks a month for Netflix. Aldi is my home away from home.

All of this didn't come overnight. I was able to trade the hardwood for stained carpet and thin walls because I knew it was right, but it still was strange...for a while. What a blessing those years at that house were! I watched my babies grow, started homeschooling, and delighted in friendships with my neighbors. We had cookouts, played on the swing set (it had come with the house!), blew bubbles in the yard, colored pictures, and learned to live simply. I learned to grieve deeply in that house as I lost two babies in early pregnancy and a dear friend across the street. That house is part of my walk with God; it's part of who I am today, even though we've moved on.

If you're feeling empty because you're stuck on the train, I say with complete confidence that, although it's scary and weird at first, you will not regret jumping off. Rarely do we know what's involved in getting away from cultural norms, but we can guarantee there's a sacrifice. We have no idea what it has cost someone to be obedient; don't throw condescending statements at those who have had the courage to live contrary to the culture. Anything worth doing will indeed come with a price. Take it to the One who knows all about sacrifice, and let His blood cover yours.

On that note...

Here are some pictures I snapped of our pal Chippy, the sparrow who is delighting us with his presence for the second year in a row:

Singing at the feeder

His other favorite perch, outside the kitchen window

Until next time!