Tuesday, April 30, 2013

A Literary Walk #11


The walking tour continues,
this time into one of the greatest seats
of learning in the world,
Oxford
20 miles
To view the places that inspired 2 great 
authors...
First up: C.S. Lewis
The pub where the "Inklings" hung out
and discussed ideas.

I like all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia
but "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" is the 
one I love best.
Favorite Quote
"Please, Aslan," said Lucy. "Before we go, will
you tell us when we can come back to Narnia
again? Please. And oh do, do, do make it soon."
Dearest," said Aslan very gently, 
"you and your bother will never
 come back to Narnia."
"Oh, Aslan!!" said Edmund and Lucy together in
despairing voices.
"You are too old, children,"
said Aslan, "and you must begin to come close to 
your own world now."
It isn't Narnia, you know," sobbed Lucy. "It's you. 
We shan't meet you there.
And how can we live, never meeting you?"
"But you shall meet me, dear one," said Aslan.
"Are you there too, Sir?" said Edmund.
"I am, " said Aslan. "But there I have another name.
You must learn to know me by that name.
This was the very reason 
why you were brought to Narnia."

I have never forgotten as a young girl the
day I realized Aslan was Jesus...
I remember running to tell my Mom and she
looked so surprised and said
"Oh, you just figured that out now?!"

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Florida 2013

Feeling so blessed to have spent a week
in the sunshine with all my kids and grands
And to have my sis and cuz come up for 
a long weekend to vacation too.


The panhandle of Florida is not an area that
a lot of people are familiar with but it has
beautiful beaches, piney woods and 
very Southern accents...
so to me it's the best of both,
especially when you can get the best grits
on the planet at one of the restaurants there:)

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Treasures in the Rough

When we were going through 
my Mom's things one of the nieces
found an old spice rack. 
It got put in the throw-away pile
but then same niece said
"Auntie Karen, you should do something wtih
this!" I hesitated because I really didn't know
if it was worth salvaging but 
decided to give it a try...
It ended up turning into a real treasure!
 Also the bed tray below was ugly and dirty
when I bought it for a few bucks and
now it too looks great:)

Thursday, April 11, 2013

A Literary Walk #10

 A Walk with Miss Read
aka Dora Saint
The Berkshires
24 miles
 One of my all time favorite series of
books was written by Miss Read.
She has 2 series
Fairacre and
Thrush Green
 I love them both, but the Fairacre books
are my favorites.
They are written from the perspective of
a single lady who is the head school teacher 
in a small village school.
 My favorite quote is
"I woke the next morning to blue skies
and a wonderful sense of freedom.
Lying back on my pillows watching
 the unfurling pink tiny leaves of the copper beech
 fluttering in the morning breeze,
I made plans for my first day of the holidays.
 I should cook bacon as well as an egg."
from Summer at Fairacre
These are the type of books of which
when asked by my sons
"But what happens in the book?!"
I answer with delight
"Absolutely nothing!!"
In other words they are about every day
life and the little intrigues that
happen, which in the end turn out to be 
a storm in a tea cup:)

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Happy Clothes

I've been sewing away at the 
childrens clothes
for the upcoming bazaar
on April 27th.
Here is a sneak peak...

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Joy Comes in the Morning


Sometimes we know that our heart is 
different than it was the day before
and sometimes we are surprised 
to find joy has returned without
our even realizing it...
and it is always the gentle
Holy Spirit 
who comes and blesses 
us with joy again.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Three Things I love about being a Mom


Thank you to Quiet Ramblings
for nominating me for this award.

Things I love about being a mom

1. Motherhood is the refiners fire that 
changes you from a spoiled girl
to a woman who would do anything on earth
to protect her child.

2. Motherhood helps you understand God's
love in a whole new way, unconditional love
and love given even when there is no  reason
on earth to give it...you give it anyway.

3. Motherhood proves once and for all
that there is nothing we can't do, my doctor
told me once that a mother could be the CEO 
of the biggest corporation and do it better
than any guy...and he is a guy!

I'm passing this award on to 
Kenj has so much real practical ideas
for raising kids as a home school mom,
I think you'll enjoy her take on it.


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Ready for to Ride

My bike is all ready for the rides I intend
to take all around town this Spring 
and Summer. 
I found both baskets at GW and painted them
to look like old french baskets.
Now when I ride around I have plenty of
room for groceries or mail etc. 
AND
I will look "tres chic" into the bargain:)