A New Name and Look!

Greetings! This is the same blog you're used to, only with a new name! "Repaired Wall" is the name of our homeschool, as well as a way of life. Like He used Nehemiah to tear down and rebuild walls, God uses us to do the same thing in our lives. I hope we will continue to spur each other on as we seek His help in doing that.

This summer has brought joy and sorrow. I took a walk alone one day, and stopped to stare at two rabbits:

I received a loving gift from my friend Joy, an entire mandarin orange cake just for me. It tastes like a creamsicle, and is juicy like a fruit drink! 

 It's my custom to freeze cake. Whenever I'm left with almost a whole cake, I cut it in generous slices, and wrap each one individually in foil. Then I place these pieces in a big Ziploc bag labeled with whatever flavor the cake is. When I have a guest or just feel like a treat, it's easy to pop out a piece or two, leave it on the counter a few moments to thaw, then microwave it if it's still too cold. You'll never waste cake again!

Precious Daisy was our doggie friend whose owner, Dottie, works at the racquet club. Daisy was faithfully there for the years we've been going for tennis. Sadly, an accident occurred in the parking lot last month, and Daisy did not survive. We were heartbroken, and cried along with Dottie. God gave us animals as wonderful companions. Just the day before the accident, I had been able to enjoy extra-special time sitting with Daisy, patting and talking to her. Everyone at the club misses her terribly. 

On a lighter note, but still on the tennis topic, would you believe that one of our favorite courts on which to practice is situated right beside a field of cows? That's what you get in western North Carolina. Don't mistake a score-call for a moo! 

I was actually standing on a court when I shot this photo. My children will surely remember growing up playing tennis next to cows! It's a charming scene that also includes a playground, library, and town hall.

I surprised myself all school year by liking King Arthur as much as I did. This edition by Sidney Lanier is written in very hard-to-understand English, yet understand it, we did. All I did was read it aloud, and my children and I were able to figure out the meaning, even if we couldn't have come up with that fancy language ourselves. This volume of knights, damsels, dwarfs, jousts, castles, hermits, horses, and weapons is truly a treasure. We spent an entire school year reading it. Incidentally, I've found the same to be true when reading works we perceive to be "difficult," like Plutarch's Lives or Shakespeare. Just read, and glean what you can take away. You'll be surprised how much your children (and you!) take away!

When my dad was still in restorative care early this month healing slowly from surgery, he noticed that his sister sounded weak and tired over the phone. She had battled cancer since the early 2000's, but always seemed to move forward and bounce back from treatments. Never did she complain, always looking on the bright side, and lately, she did a lot of traveling. It was surprising when she took a sudden turn for the worse, and shortly after her doctor said there was nothing more to be done, hospice was called. This happened in a matter of days. 

Aunt Susan never lived close, but she never seemed far away. She was a star on Opryland's early stage, and later in charge of the park's entertainment. Several years after it closed, she made a fresh start at Disneyland in California. How we treasure the sweet trinkets she sent over the years from there! I look around my house and see many reminders of her. I wear the cute apron she sewed for me this past Christmas. God made Aunt Susan special; she slipped out of her pain on July 10, and we can't believe it. You never want a loved one to suffer, yet death can come so suddenly. May we all be ready to run into Christ's arms! 

Here was my view when I spoke to Laura, Aunt Susan's daughter, the morning of her passing: 

It was around 6:20am Eastern time, so you can figure it was dark and early for where Laura was in California. We've only lived in this house four months, but already this has become my place. This is what I see from my porch bench. Here, I sit and listen to squirrels rustling through leaves, birds twittering in the trees, and the breeze swaying the limbs. I watch those ferns dance back and forth. I laugh and cry, talk out loud to God, write pages in my journal, make hard phone calls, ask friends for intercession over texts, savor coffee, close my eyes, ponder God's Word...all at this vantage point, on the bench my kind step-father Jim restored for me. Since that sad, early morning, I always think of Aunt Susan when I go out there. A bird cried out in glorious song, and Laura could hear it over the phone. She said it sounded like her mom.

I was so glad for the company of dear friends that night. Liz and Burney are some of the most gracious, easygoing people I know. We love to have them over for dinner and Trivial Pursuit, men versus women, with our girls helping both sides. Our games last so long, we end up not finishing. Burney roasts his own beans and supplies the after-dinner coffee. That evening, he brought an extra treat: 

These are little potatoes from his garden, even the purplish things. He made purple mashed potatoes! They were delicious! I'd never had that before. How intriguing to dish out a heaping mound of what looks like blueberry fluff, only to find that it's mashed potatoes! Liz and Burney know something about everything, and are full of surprises. They cheered me up that night.

A few days later, I went to see my dad, who is finally at home after six weeks, but still confined to a wound-vac. This is a machine that helps heal an infection from the inside out. I stopped to see my almost-one hundred year-old grandmother, who remains independent. I still love going to her house. Talk about memories all over the place! 

Look at this kitchen! 

Don't you just love it?

One thing my grandmother likes to do for my children is give them cash. Here she is, writing their names on envelopes where she had stashed the dinero: 

Isn't she something? Is this house cool, or what?

And I have to show you one more thing that goes with the house: 

 Isn't this the cutest little old doghouse? 

I was feeling so nostalgic, I just had to catch a glimpse of my old school, St. Paul's Catholic. I have fabulous memories of this place. 

We had an African-American janitor there named Ernest, and his mother also worked with him. They were quiet and kind. The Catholic Bishop of the Diocese at that time was also named Ernest. When we had mass and the priest routinely prayed for "Ernest our Bishop and all the clergy," my friend Jennie and I couldn't quite figure out why he devoted special prayer specifically for Ernest the janitor, but didn't name any other teachers or staff, or at least the principal. We decided that "Bishop" was a fancy word for janitor, and that "all the clergy" must include his mom and others who worked at the school. For anyone who loves Beverly Cleary's Ramona, you recall a similar mixup that she had. "Oh, say can you see, by the dawnzer lee light," she sang every morning. A dawnzer surely must be a lamp; it gives a lee light. 

And finally, this place is on the other side of the school, on Dean Street in Spartanburg: 

It's old and beautiful, and when I was a kid, I dreamed I lived in it. I imagined walking from school right home, changing out of my uniform, and watching cartoons, eating junk food. I just had to include this captivating old place.

Until next time!

We love you Aunt Susan!

Susan Luers Burtnett Bablove

1952-2019

Sights & Traditions of Christmas

The familiar, cozy sights of Christmas are warm and comforting. Here are some I want to remember from this year: 

These were Abue's angels. I have nice memories of them at her house, and love seeing them every year now at my own. My girls say I'm the one in the middle, and they're the ones on either side.

Here is a powerful excerpt from Bonhoeffer's God is in the Manger: 

This was our church's Advent book last year. Since I like tradition and familiar things, I decided it would be my Advent book each year. Because Advent started late this year (Dec. 3), I ended up missing a week in this book and The Cloud of Witness. From now on, I will begin both books the Sunday after Thanksgiving every year, regardless of the official "start" of Advent. 

These were creations the girls made at the party with their American Heritage Girls friends: 

(Front and back)

I covered the plates with plastic wrap, and we enjoyed looking at them throughout the Christmas season.

One of my girls has a birthday one week before Jesus's, so we always have non-Christmas sweets for her special day: 

These had chocolate chips and Andes mint chips baked in!

Baking is a big event during this season. It's easy to get overwhelmed with sweets. Next year I believe we should start baking earlier. We waited until Dec. 19 to make treats for friends and family, and ended up with some for us, too. The closer to Christmas Day it is, the more sweets seem to accumulate. Why not bake around Dec. 10 and stagger the desserts? This would also enable earlier distribution to neighbors.

A note I made to myself last year was to set aside an entire afternoon or day for baking. It's terrible to cram such a joyful activity in with other things and feel rushed. I was thankful we planned lots of time for the gingerbread, my girls' favorite Christmas project. Their designs are more elaborate every year! 

We always use the same recipe, same vintage tablecloth, same cookie cutters...and listen to our "Wonderful Christmastime" station while working. As I said, there's nothing like the comfort of traditions, and I delight in the memories my girls and I are making.

A slight break from food, back to the real meaning of Christmas...Here is my favorite decoration of all time: 

This is another of Abue's former things. When I was a child, it moved to my house, and then my mom graciously gave it to me. My girls now cherish and delight in this manger scene. Abue tells me every year that she bought it in 1966 for $6. I keep it in its original sturdy cardboard box. We had to replace the old newspapers (from the 1960's) that cushion the figures, but even the straw is original to the set. The one thing that hasn't survived are the plastic trees. They lasted until about two years ago, and finally crumbled. The star is shabby, but still holding on. This set is one of my most special treasures.

Here is another treasure from a grandmother: 

Jeremy's Granny Beulah had this ceramic tree out every Christmas, and later, kept it in her room when she moved in with my in-laws. What a privilege to have it in our home now, and carry on the tradition! It reminds us of her, too.

We put up two artificial trees in our home each year:

The tree on the left is our big one in the den. It has three light settings: white, colored, and both flashing. We prefer the colored lights, since for years, all we saw were white. We keep presents for the girls under this tree. The smaller tree rests nicely in the dining room by the window. I've had to re-string it over and over, but it's a sweet little tree under which all other gifts go. We remove its ornaments after Christmas, but I carry it down to the basement and leave the tree standing as it is, lights strung, until I get to carry it back up next year.

Back to the dainties, and other fun things: 

A blessing from our friend and his cappuccino maker

An afternoon of homemade peppermint patties, and anything else we could find to dip into chocolate (pretzels and spoonfuls of peanut butter)

Mimi's pork crown roast...

...and ice cream roll! 

Brick always brings us joy!

Speaking of animals and joy....

What do you think of Liz's gifts to Nibbles? The poor guinea was a good sport, and the girls were overjoyed! 

A new rodent was under the tree: 

Meet Sidney the hamster, named for the Pens #87!

We are officially rodent experts. The difference between a guinea pig and hamster is tremendous, although both are cute and lovable.

My hubby knows that for me, nothing is more exciting than unwrapping old books: 

I spotted these at the antiques mall, and knew what I wanted for Christmas. He navigated his way through, found them, and put them wrapped up under our den tree! Jean Ingelow's poems are throughout The Cloud of Witness, and I couldn't resist this beautiful book, especially since my girls and I study a poet per twelve-week school term. The McKinley book was written in 1901, right after his assassination, and is full of striking photos and information. I even discovered a folded-up church devotional guide from 1903 in the pages!

We ended Christmas with two more favorites: 

Deep fried duck...

...and sweet potato soufflé loaded with spices and gooey marshmallows!

Merry Christmas!!!!

September So Far

Starting off with this: 

...Because I just can't have enough candles or flowers! What joy such small things can bring!

Well, I can't speak of September without first mentioning that my daughter and Mom had their birthdays at the end of August...on the same day! Eight years ago when baby number two was born, "Gaby" (as they now call my mom) said she just couldn't understand why I wouldn't let her take "her present" home!

We celebrated with "Cookie Monster" ice cream (so easy, you can't believe it), and tried and true cupcakes. The birthday girls had fun getting together that Saturday with family and neighbor friends.

The massive news of September is that Abue, age 96 and a half, has moved in with us. If you see her, please don't tell her I told you her age...she says when people know her age, they treat her like an old person. And those of us who know Abue can attest that she definitely does not "act her age"!

She arrived on Saturday, September 3, around 3pm: 

"Hey! Ya llegué!" 

We bought our house with the idea that the downstairs bedroom would be perfect for guests, or someday for older relatives who are ready to no longer live alone. After praying and discussing Abue's living situation for six months, it was hard to believe the time for her to move in had finally arrived. The wonderful part is that she decided herself to come...no one forced her to make this transition. Even better, she still has her home of over fifty years in Spartanburg, so she hasn't been faced with the sadness of seeing it sold. Hers is the ideal situation.

Abue's room is her own space, a type of small "apartment" within our home:

To the left of this television is where her private bathroom is located. The window in this photo overlooks the front yard and pond.

Here is Abue by her other window. We placed the recliner where she would have a nice view of the TV. Cable has been hooked up into her room, where never misses Wheel and Jeopardy, and can watch Telemundo to her heart's content. One thing I love is that both the bed and dresser belonged to Jeremy's grandmother...how special that now my grandmother gets to use them!

We even found the perfect photo of Papi for the other side of the bed, right by the window, next to God's Word. I think he would love this space of Abue's!

Just a little artistic posing...Abue looking into the mirror on her dresser. That's her mother in the photograph on the left, and some photos of young Abue and her sister on the right. 

Abue is independent, for the most part. She gets up late, fixes her oatmeal and café cubano, does Sudoku, reads Spanish books, and watches her shows. She also loves to sit outside and take short walks throughout the yard. Abue sometimes will go with me on errands, but is fine staying home, too. We still eat lunch in the kitchen, but now that there are five of us at dinnertime instead of four, our family eats together at the dining room table. Abue and I have a glass of wine some nights, but without fail, she's in her room by seven for her game shows. On Sunday, I introduced her to the preaching of John Piper as we watched a sermon during which he had an interpreter. Abue leads a simple, enjoyable life, and her being here is being used by God in different ways for all of us.

In the wee, dark hours of Sunday morning, I should've been sleeping. Instead, I was tossing and turning, unable to get comfortable, and rolling thoughts over in my mind...things I had to "work out." God keeps showing me that it's up to Him, not me, to do this working out of items I try to organize just so. After I finally fell asleep and thankfully woke up refreshed, the Lord showed me that day that I had no need to worry about anything; He worked it all out in His own way, with grace and love. Why should I be surprised? It only allows me to recall His goodness the next time I'm tempted to do His job. 

Here's something that I had to take a photo of, of course, "for the blog":

The fantastic part is that, while I was searching for a type of soup in Aldi, my daughter noticed this open door and pointed out the sign: "Look, Mom! Isn't that funny?" I'm definitely training her up to appreciate silly little things that make us smile. They're all around if you try to notice them. I loved telling her that I got a kick out of it, and all of us laughed together.

One last thing...Does your local library have a shelf near the entrance/exit with discarded books for sale? All of our branches do, and most of the time, the books are only a quarter apiece. You surely know that I'm crazy about books, especially ones that I get for barely nothing. I darted into the library the other day to grab a video on hold that had arrived, and quickly perused the sale shelf on my way out. These were mine when I stepped out the door:

What a way to spend seventy-five cents! It truly is the little things that are big.

Until next time!