Planning the Library

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When we began to look for a house last year, we weren't looking for a home with four bedrooms, but Pineapple House had four and so we hatched a plan. We would make that extra room into our homeschool room. 

Now that we have lived here for ten months, we have a better feel for how life flows here in this house. Bekah does her written work at the dining room table, and reading/studying can be done all over the place . . . in her bedroom, in the living room, in the car (sometimes!), or on the sun porch when the weather is nice. So, while we still plan to keep our school supplies in the bonus bedroom and school work will be done there from time to time, homeschooling will not be its only function.

This is the room before we moved in.

We are excited about making over this room this spring! This is what we are planning:

1) Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves on one wall.

Hooray! Although we have put some of our books on the built-ins in the living room, we have many that are still in boxes. I. cannot. wait. to start unpacking those boxes. Biographies, history books, geography, fiction, our large collection of children's books, as well as some of our homeschool books, have been hidden away for nearly a year now and it's time for them to see the light of day.

2) A desk/office area.

We have already moved the filing cabinet up from the basement to the closet for easier access. The desk will be a place for bill paying and correspondence. It will also be the designated place for dropping and sorting mail which will eliminate clutter in the kitchen and/or bedroom night stand and/or anywhere else.

3) A reading area.

The love seat that was in The Farmhouse kitchen is in this room. It is a comfortable and inviting piece of furniture. It will eventually need to be reupholstered, but it will be a great place to cozy up and read, whether alone or for school reading.

4) An overflow conversation area.

Although our large gathering area is one of my favorite features in Pineapple House, there are times when a quiet nook is needed . . . for a private conversation, for a couple of grandchildren to play away from the group, to have somewhere to go when others are watching TV, for Sarah and I to chat while Bekah is teaching piano to her nieces. The love seat will serve this function too, and I am also checking Craigslist daily for a small wing chair for the room.


What do you call a room with so many purposes? A homeschool room? A study? An office? A library?

We discussed it and we all agreed. It's a library! 

(Doesn't that sound dreamy?!)

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So for a library, I am picturing a cozy space and have planned my color palette accordingly. It will be something like this . . .

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The walls, like all of the walls we have painted in Pineapple House, will be antique white. It is an old Valspar paint which I don't think Lowe's carries any more. It is a pleasant white, not a bright, pure white, but it has no yellow undertone which is important to me. For the trim, we are going darker for that warm, cozy feel. I have chosen an Olde Century Colors shade called Quaker Green. You can see it here. (I don't think the trim in the above photo is green, but it has the feel we are going for.)

I have created a Pinterest board (Library) and I am gathering ideas.

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Even though our fourth bedroom is about to become a library, it could quickly be converted back into a bedroom again should the need arise. Of course, the wall of bookshelves will be permanent, but the love seat and desk could be taken out and a bed and dresser could be put in. Some of the bookshelves could be fitted with baskets or some other container for added storage. We want to retain that flexibility.

So that is our project for this spring. I'll keep you posted on our progress. Do you have any suggestions for us?

Progress

I am not tired of winter because of winter, but I am oh-so-tired of winter germs. 

Someone (usually more than one) in our family (I am speaking of the four of us, my daughter's family, my son's family, my parents) has been sick since January 24th! There have been multiple victims and multiple viruses: stomach bugs, colds, and the flu. There has been an abscessed tooth and a surgery. 

I know we're not alone. There are sick people all over the place! Are there more germs than usual this winter? It sure seems so.

"When illness hits we should remember that this period of time is part of the whole of life. This is not just a non-time to be shoved aside, but a portion of time that counts. It is part of the well person's life, as well as part of the sick person's life."  ~ Edith Schaeffer 

Indeed, although it is wearying to be the sick person and it is wearying to be the well person who is caring for others, it is truly time that counts. I pray that we have made the most of these times.

At our house, people are mostly well now, although I told someone last night, I suspect we'll be coughing until the cows come home. As we slowly climb out of the dark hole, the ordinary becomes extraordinary and we find great pleasure in simple things.

Clean bathrooms, for instance. Oh, how good that feels.

Getting back to (home) school. 

Hearing Bekah play the piano. Usually Bekah plays every day, all during the day. But yesterday when she sat at the piano and played a Chopin piece, our ears perked up and we realized that the piano had lain silent for many days. 

A nice meal. After days of eating carryout or what the least sick person felt like preparing, last night I cooked a turkey breast and roasted broccoli and Ron made mashed potatoes. We could hardly wait for Kati to come home from work so we could sit down to dinner. At the table, no less!

A new wreath on the front door. Yes, I know it is not spring yet. I know I'm jumping the gun. I was going to put it away . . . at least until March. But there it is and we are enjoying it.

Simple pleasures. 

What are the simple pleasures in your world in these waning winter days? 

True Love

True love is when your husband who is recovering from surgery suddenly changes roles and becomes the nurse instead of the patient. No typical Valentine's Day here. Just some sort of ugly upper respiratory virus that has laid us flat. 

True love is when your daughter and daughter-in-law both reassure you that you shouldn't stress about having had everyone over on Sunday before The Crud hit in full force. 

True love is two pretty grandgirls showing up at the back door with a tray of hot soup and homemade bread for supper.

Romance and flowers and cards and chocolate and a nice dinner out: all good.

But true love is better. 

*  *  *  *  * 

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 

I John 3:18

(I'll be back when we're feeling human again.)

Parenting in Small Moments

I posted this five years ago, but it showed up on my Facebook news feed yesterday and it reminded me that parenting consists of small moments that are not so small . . . 

It was late morning and I wanted to know of Bekah's progress through her independent work so that I could plan our next steps. 

"Bekah, are you still working on your math?," I queried.

"Shh!," was her sharp response.

The tone seemed disrespectful.  But I silently began to reason.  She was working hard on a math problem.  It was frustrating to be interrupted.  I can appreciate the frustration of interrupted thought.  It was just her first response.  Surely she didn't mean to be disrespectful.  It is such a small thing.

Then I felt the Lord's nudging, that this attitude needed to be corrected. 

My thoughts turned.  I want her to do what is right.  It is "right" to honor parents.  I don't want to turn my head and look away.  It is better to correct an attitude before it has a chance to become a  habit.  It is my responsibility as a parent to train in righteousness, to "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."  Do I want my Heavenly Father to correct me when I am wrong, for the good of my eternal soul?  Do I want the same for Bekah? 

I let Bekah finish her math lesson.  Then I asked for her attention, and had her look me in the eyes.  And I (gently, I hope) explained the idea of honor, that parents are not just "friends" and that I expect a respectful tone whenever she speaks to me or to her father.  The whole exchange took less than a minute.  No punishment was meted out, but there were tears in her eyes as she listened.  I think that she understood, and I believe that she will think before she reacts in a dishonoring way in the future. 

Why do I tell you all this?  This story of a seemingly small offense, and the seemingly small addressing of that offense? 

Because I believe that parenting is made of these seemingly small moments.  The moments when we choose to either turn away, or face the issue.  The moments when we decide what is important to teach.  The moments when we look at the big picture, and know that a small thing affects that picture.  The moments when we see our choices in light of eternity.  The moments when we feel the nudgings from the Lord. 

That is why I reposted To Young Moms earlier this week.  That is why I share this story.  Because this not-so-young-anymore mom is still learning, and still needs to heed His nudgings.  There is still important work to do.

What Fire?!

Years ago, one of Ron's coworkers answered the phone in the office. Without even saying hello, the employee on the other end said, "Don't worry. The fire is out!" which was startling because no one in the office even knew that there had been a fire. 😨 (And, yes, he did mean a literal fire.) 

I feel a little bit like that guy today when I say, "Don't worry. The surgery went well."

And that's why I've been scarce here lately.

The last week of January, Ron had the surgery on his left foot that he was supposed to have about 14 months before. Of course, after the first surgery and all of the complications that ensued, no one was ready for any such thing! But as time went on, he began to consider having the surgery that he needed. After praying for direction and talking with the surgeon back in the fall, the decision was made to prepare for surgery after the first of the year . . . with lots of extra precautions taken!

Nearly two weeks later, Ron is healing well! When we visited the doctor yesterday, he said, "My heart is smiling for you!"

The doc is keeping a tight rein on him, and he'll still be off from work for several weeks allowing plenty of time for rest and healing.

Life at Pineapple House is both restful and busy! (Does that make sense?) So during my unintended blogging break, I have been nurse, teacher, chef, and whatever-is-needed, and I am tired by day's end. Too much brain fog to write. As things settle down, I will be tiptoeing back into Blogland.

Here are a few peeks at our last couple of weeks . . .

Seen on our Sunday afternoon drive. Be still my heart.

Sweet birthday girl!

Lots of "dinner theater" (my friend Deanna's term) as Ron eats dinner from his recliner.

And that's my story about the fire. 

January Birthdays {And More About Those Meringues . . . }

Remember how I told you that I had a batch of meringue cookies drying in the oven in preparation for our January birthday celebration on Sunday?

Then on Saturday evening, we came home from a gathering and we felt like a little something and I preheated my oven to 450º and went in my bedroom to change my clothes. Several minutes later, I hear a commotion in the kitchen and Ron is saying "What in the world?" and I come in to see smoke coming out of the oven.

The meringues!! 

I opened the oven to a pan of blackened meringues. Ugh. (My oven has a "rapid preheat" feature, and it was set to 450º , and meringues are such light and fragile things. A recipe for disaster.) 

After opening some windows and turning on the ceiling fan and thanking the Lord that the house did not burn down as I was changing my clothes in the next room, I whipped up another batch to serve at the party.

Our January birthday people are littlest granddaughter Macie who is 1, granddaughter Nora who is 8, and son-in-law Brian. We are thankful for each one! 

(One of the birthday girls fell asleep before her moment in the spotlight!)

Decorations were simple: all sorts of winter whites (candles, plates, table cloth, meringues) and those "sweater" print napkins that I was thrilled to find on clearance at HomeGoods after Christmas. (Loved them!) 

Glimpses of the day . . .

A little Rhett and Link
(I don't recommend all of their videos, but these guys are funny!)

We played a game and then had an informal game of birthday trivia. Raise your hand if you were born in Oklahoma. Raise your hand if you weighed more than 9 pounds at birth. Raise your hand if you were born before your due date. And so on. It was lots of fun and we all learned things! 

But the entertainment highlight of the day for the younger set was this:

Did you guess? 

It was Alexa. 

(And she got quite the workout!) 

Wintry White Confections

At the end of a busy week, we needed an idea for something to take to Bekah's book club. The girls (and some of the moms) have tea and snacks as they discuss the book they read that month. The theme for the month of January was "winter," but we were plumb out of ideas.

As I closed my laptop on Thursday evening, there on my computer was inspiration. 

It was the desktop calendar that I had downloaded courtesy of Nora Murphy Country House! (You can do the same here.)

On Friday morning, I whipped together these little wintry white confections.

As I type, another batch of meringue cookies is in the oven in preparation for our family gathering tomorrow. We'll be celebrating the three January birthdays! (And then we'll be on a birthday hiatus until April!) 

MERINGUE COOKIES

(Original recipe by Nora Murphy is here.)

Preheat oven to 200ºF.

Whip 3 large egg whites on medium-high for about a minute.

Add 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar and a pinch of salt.

Continue to beat until you get soft peaks.

Gradually add 3/4 cup sugar. (I did not have superfine sugar; I used granulated.) 

Continue to beat until you have stiff, shiny peaks and sugar is totally dissolved. 

Add vanilla, beating until it is incorporated.

Fit a large tip onto a piping bag, and fill bag with meringue.
Pipe onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, lifting to leave a cute little swirl at the top. ;) 

Bake in a 200º oven for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours.

Meringues should be pale, but lift off the parchment without sticking. 

Turn off the oven.

Return meringues to the oven to cool and dry for a couple of hours or overnight.

Seeing His Footprints

In my typical slow fashion, I am still pondering and meandering through these beginning days of the new year. Thinking about plans. Thinking about goals. Thinking about direction. Thinking about the mystery of what is to come. 

As I have pondered, the words of this old hymn have been part of my thoughts. I have been singing it as I dry my hair, as I do housework, as I drive. 

Tho' sometimes He leads through waters deep,
Trials fall across the way,
Tho' sometimes the path seems rough and steep,
See His footprints all the way.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go. 

~ Luther Bridges (1884-1948)

I find tremendous comfort in those words. In the idea that even if He leads through deep waters, He has been there. Even if the path is rough and steep, we can see His footprints because He is there. 

photo by Bekah

photo by Bekah

* * * * * * * 

I have been pondering plans in this new year. I'd like to spend less time with "screens," and more time with books that have book-smell. (Do you love that smell?) I want to continue to organize, to make our house work for us. Now that I feel more at home in my kitchen, I want to get back to cooking more, trying new recipes, reviving the old ones.

But I also want to linger more. I want to linger at the dinner table while we converse and connect. I want to linger at coffee with my friends. I want to reach out to my neighbor. I want to take the time to love my people.

I want to spend my time investing in the eternal.

I want my life to be marked by loving Jesus.

* * * * * * * 

Those are my lofty goals. I realize that I am likely to take two steps forward, one step backward. Or even, if I am honest, two or three steps backward. I need His grace every day, for every step. 

There are several "unknowns" on the horizon this year and I am praying the prayer that holds me in good stead: Lord, grant me grace for the day. 

I know that His footprints will be there. 

* * * * * * * 

I love the gentle acoustic version of the hymn . . . 

Celebrating Winter {Snow Cream Recipe Included!}

Is winter really longer than all of the other seasons? Sometimes it seems so, especially when it is cold and gray, day after day after day, and the nights are long. But the seasons testify to the faithfulness of God . . . 

I will never again curse the ground for man's sake, although the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.

While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.  

. . . and so I will do best to make the most of the season that is here. I may be looking ahead to the green and the liveliness of spring, but I can still celebrate the gift of winter!

Ideas for celebrating winter . . .

• Enjoy cozy candlelight.
• Make soup. Try a new recipe. Or two. Or six. 
• Watch a video "project": a series, or movies with a related theme.  Some we have enjoyed are Bleak House, Anne of Green Gables, the Jane Austen movies, Cranford, Wives and Daughters, Ken Burns' documentaries.
• If you're a homeschooler, make the most of fewer activities, more time inside. The winter months are often our most productive for schooling!
• Drink hot drinks. Set up a hot chocolate bar. Savor a cup of hot tea in the afternoon. 
• Make snow cream. (Easy-peasy recipe below!) 
• Put together a 1000-piece puzzle.
• Begin a read aloud.
• Add some winter touches to your house. Pine cones, berries, candles, wool throws. Be sure to include some color! (Vee has been pondering this idea on her blog. Read ~here~ and ~here~. Good stuff!)

SNOW CREAM

Ingredients:
fresh, clean snow

14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk

Directions:

1) Fill your largest bowl with snow.

2) Stir in sweetened condensed milk.

3) Eat immediately! Mmmmmm.

(You can freeze leftovers, but the consistency will be different.)

Didn't I tell you it was easy-peasy? And soooo good!

What are some things that you do to celebrate winter? (Or even to endure it?) 

I am also curious to know about snow cream. It is a local thing? Have you ever eaten it? Made it yourself? Heard of it?

Weekend Snapshots: Snow Days

The weekend really began on Friday evening as Ron accompanied our daughter-in-law Sarah to pick up Ryan at the airport . . . before the snow arrived, thankfully! 

By the time the storm hit, we were all hunkered down, content with a weekend of cozy. As we ate brunch on Saturday morning, we planned to do a few chores, then get out a jigsaw puzzle or play some games. 

We never did get out the puzzle or games. 

Instead, our snowy weekend looked like this: 

pajama days

paint new set of kitchen shutters

make spaghetti sauce

clean up a storm

baked oatmeal with cranberries

drink coffee

clean out extra bedroom school room Puss's room library

(more on that later)

roasted and mashed butternut squash

scrub floors

move a rug from bedroom to attic

eat snow cream

wash all the bed linens

clean out a closet

clear the driveway for Monday morning

mending

eat leftover Christmas cookies

knit

watch TV/snooze in our recliners (depending on your age) 

Whew!

These were not our typical snow days. Usually we are more of the puzzles-and-games-and-eat kind of people. But Ron and Kati were both off and they are both goal-oriented. We all got motivated, we were on a roll, so we went with it! 

And it feels good to start a Monday after such a productive weekend!

Happy New Year?

In the past week or so, I have bid a "Happy New Year" to many of my friends and family, for that is what I wish for them. I want all of my loved ones to be happy and for all of their hopes and dreams to come true this year.

But the fact of the matter is that no one knows what a year will bring. 

We live here, on Planet Earth, in a sin-cursed world and we all know that every day of the year will not be "happy." There will be times of discouragement, sickness, confusion, discord, sorrow, weariness, uncertainty, and maybe even death.

So then . . . what with all that? Do we dread the days ahead? Stay in bed with the covers over our heads? Do we live in fear of what the future will bring?

On the Sea of Galilee
~ photo by our son Ryan ~

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

I have shared this poem before; it is one of my favorites. And I thought of it as I looked at Ryan's pictures at the Sea of Galilee and as I mused on the account of the storm on the sea.

The Age-Long Minute
Amy Carmichael

Thou art the Lord who slept upon the pillow,
Thou art the Lord who soothed the furious sea,
What matter beating wind and tossing billow
If only we are in the boat with Thee. 

Hold us in quiet through the age-long minute
While Thou art silent, and the wind is shrill:
Can the boat sink while Thou, dear Lord, art in it?
Can the heart faint that waiteth on Thy will? 

That is the secret to living in the New Year.

The knowledge that, if we are His, He is in the boat.

A quiet trust that He is there, no matter the storm, no matter the wind, no matter the waves.

Even if He is silent.

Even if it appears that He is sleeping.

He is there. 

And He is lovingly in control.

Sea of Galilee
~ photo by Ryan ~

So let us be strong of heart. Let us be resolute! Let us meet the easy and the challenging, the happiness and the sorrow, the calm and the storm of the new year, with quiet confidence in the One who is the ruler of the wind and the waves.