Bigger than a Breadbox

2009-07-15T15:45:00.000-07:00

Things I learned while canning strawberries on Monday:

You can never have too many pots on hand
My dishwasher doesn’t just sanitize
Boiling water is hot, yeouch.
Jam gets everywhere and it is very sticky (I felt like Paddington)
I’m not the best at measuring
You should measure after crushing the berries
Whoops – those jars are 12 oz. not 8 oz.
I’d make a terrible nurse – there’s no way I could maintain a sterile field
You can never have too many washcloths, towels, and hot pads on hand (and they all get to be a sticky mess.)
Popping lids after you pull them out of the water bath is the most amazing sound
And, jam on fresh bread is a perfectly acceptable dinner.

Thanks for all the hand holding and patience as I chronicled every minute part of my canning adventure. And, a special thank you to my aunt for giving me her canning supplies.

Blueberries are next!

2009-07-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

President Obama went to Russia, and I wish I’d gotten the t-shirt.

This is not a political post, but I’ve enjoyed several of the articles and photos that have come from the Obama family’s trip to Russia. Firstly, he met with Patriarch Kirill,

"In turn, His Holiness, Patriarch KIRILL stated that he also highly regards the possibility of a meeting with the President of the United States. According to the words of His Holiness, not only political contacts between their two leaders are important for the development of relations between two countries, but also sincere relationships between the peoples of the nations.
His Holiness stated that “there is great potential for removing anti-American feelings in Russia and anti-Russian sentiments in America, and that is to include the feelings of the heart. The Russian Orthodox Church brought Orthodoxy to the American continent, and now there are good relations between our Orthodox American brothers. Even in the most difficult years of the Cold War we tried to maintain these good relations.”

Then, it was lovely to see this photo of Michelle Obama at a nursing school. I love that there’s an icon in the school, and apparently even a priest on staff. I also love their uniforms, they remind me of St. Elizabeth the New Martyr (on a side note, the article is quite interesting too)

Another side note, and I’d love for those in Russia or those who speak Russian to elaborate on it, was apparently much was made in the Russian media about the fact that Sasha Obama’s name is Natasha and not Alexandra (Natasha is the diminutive of Natalia; Sasha is the diminutive of Alexandra - I'm not quite sure how Sasha came from Natasha).

And, lastly, this is the t-shirt I wish I had. Hat tip to Russia Magazine

2009-07-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

I’ve lamented the fact that my amazing husband and I are woefully out of whack on the Venn Diagram of musical tastes. However, he was kind enough to take me to see Duran Duran last night – and then spend time taking most of the photos of the band.

It was an outdoor concert, and other than horrific post-holiday traffic to get there (I allotted 3 hours for an hour and twenty minute trip, and we barely made it on time), the weather and the venue were fantastic.

When I was standing there listening to the band and watching their interactions on stage, I had one of those moments where I realized that I just love to watch them play live. It was a fabulous moment and I enjoyed myself very much.

I’ve not found an online review yet, but the set-list was a delight – they did most of their major hits, reached into the “closet”, as they called it, to pull out Election Day , which Simon indicated Duran Duran had never played live before (and it was delightful), they did a beautiful rendition of Do You Believe in Shame
(as a tribute to Michael Jackson), as well as two of my favorite songs off their newest album . One of my favorite things was they way the segued through the songs and their encore was a several song segue that featured, and returned to Girls on Film.

It was a lovely evening, and I’m thankful my Dh went with me*. The only bummer is apparently I am prone to Duran Duran knees after their concerts – I guess I dance too much. It’s an affliction I’ll gladly bear.

*He did mention that he was disappointed that they didn’t sing Too Much Information

2009-07-01T15:40:00.000-07:00

I’ve been noticing birds lately. For the past few years, I’ve been hearing them at the retention pond, and have been paying attention to the ones outside (that the cat likes to “talk” to). I’ve written before about the fantastic Bird Note* on my local NPR station, through them I’ve learned that I’m hearing sparrows (I think, either that or wrens) and yesterday was a delightful bit about cuckoos in classical music.

Not only does this newfound awareness aid me in scrapbooking (since bird embellishments
are very in), but Sunday, I heard one of my favorite passages at Liturgy:

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
(Matthew 6:25-33)

Yesterday, I was standing on the back deck of a home I was showing, and was listening to the jays** in the tree, and seeing a squirrel in the yard, and reflecting that I often get caught up in worrying, in trying to control what I cannot. It was a good reminder to stop and listen to the birds.

(photo credit – and a fantastic photo it is!)

*They have the kickiest theme music
**the person to whom I was showing the house pointed out that we were hearing jays

2009-06-23T15:39:00.001-07:00

Awhile ago, the lovely Helena sent me an email advising me that she thought I’d enjoy The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis. In a small world story, I got my copy from the fabulous Janelle through Paperback Swap.

It arrived and I just finished reading it. What was funny is that it has splashed on the cover “Hugo* and Nebula** Award Winning” – I grew up with a Sci-Fi reading mom, and Dh is certainly no stranger to the genre, so I know what those awards are, but I can probably count on one hand the number of Hugo and/or Nebula Award winners I’ve personally read.

Anyway, the book was very good – it was a time travel book between a time in the not to far future where people can be sent back in time (but the technology is pretty new) and the 14th Century. The 14th century part is what I think Helena specifically thought I’d relate to, and she was right. It was very well researched and the storyline was interesting.

However, it unfolded slowly. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it made me contemplate how some books read quickly and some don’t. Admittedly, I did have family visiting and not a lot of time to read, but it took me something like 10 days to read this 500 page book (which is definitely not the norm for me). What makes a book read quickly or slowly? Is it writing style? Font? Subject matter? Each idea I toss out there has something that makes me say, “no, that’s not quite it” – for example – War and Peace reads much quicker than the Brothers Karamazov. What do you think?

Anyway, thank you so much Helena for thinking of me, and Janelle for sending it to me. I enjoyed reading it – and now I can say “oh, yeah, I read Hugo Award winners”

*although, looking at that list – I’ve read the 2005, 2001, 1970, 1962, and 1954winners as well
**and Nebula – the 2007, 1969 and 1966.

(photo credit)

2009-06-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to our High School Graduate. Where did the time go? Many Years!

And, Dh and I with him
We have had a busy weekend with lots of family visiting, a Graduation party, and a whirlwind trip to Canada to boot. I will write more later, now I have to get ready for another family visit.

2009-06-10T11:06:00.000-07:00

This morning, I finished up my 50th book of 2009 (whoot, I’m on track to make or beat my last year’s total.) The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan.* It was not quite what I expected, but interesting all the same. Her relationship with her father looms large over her life, and in many ways dwarfs her relationship with her mom** and sometimes even her children and husband. The last chapter is her manifesto, and she reads it here:

One of the things that struck me that I’m still kicking around is her comment that she doesn’t remember anything before the age of five, and if she were to die (she’s battled Breast Cancer) now, her children wouldn’t remember her.

I contemplated this thought – I have many very clear memories before I was five, but I might be a bit unusual in that – I know both my Dh and the C-man have made similar comments. As Dh’s dad died when the X-man was 3, I worry about this. One of the things that my mom told the C-man after his death was that he was the guardian of memories about his grandfather for his brother.

How do we keep memories for us and for our children? How are we sure that we are leaving an indelible mark on those around us? I know that in many ways, this Blog has helped me with this goal, but of course I didn’t start it when my children were born. Another way I chronicle my memories is through scrapbooking – but are these the memories our children and family cling to? In three generations, is anyone going to care about my paper obsession? They probably won’t but God willing, I do hope that someone remembers that I was fun to be around, had a great smile, and loved them with all my heart and soul.

*This is an entry in the “Mimi is a day late and a dollar short” department – it was the May Page Nibblers Book
** Bwahahahahahahahah – on Kelly’s blog, click on the Mother’s Day video. Giggle. Her mom rocks.

2009-06-04T16:05:00.000-07:00

A Woman’s Daybook

For Thursday, June 4, 2009

Outside my window...We have been in quite the heat wave – it’s about 90 today, and has been hot and sunny for over the week. Allegedly it will cool down and rain is moving in. I also have quite the sunburn to show for my time in the sun. All is well now, as I have a tube of new sunscreen
I am thinking...that I need to be more consistent about blogging. I love to read everyone’s posts, and the discussion that ensues when I blog, so why don’t I do it more?
I am thankful for...family visiting next week, and for the C-man graduating High School on Thursday.
From the learning rooms…See above – graduation next week. Pretty much no learning going on near as I can tell for either of the boys. Did I mention it is really sunny?
From the kitchen...Our first CSA box of the year arrived yesterday; I’m planning on a salad with feta, nuts and berries and bread
I am wearing... a black linen skirt and a black, tan and white striped polo shirt. And, of course, my black Clarks sandals (actually, that's incorrect - I should say, with my black Clarks kicked off and near my chair)
I am creating...I was able to scrap over the weekend and have a few pages to finish up. I need to make some cards tonight; I’ve been working on getting them planned out in my head. I mailed the ATC swap yesterday, so once they start arriving, I’ll post the projects.
I am going...to Pentecost Vigil at our parish’s Chapel in the Foothills. Sunday, our parish’s Pentecost will not be held there, but the afterwards potluck should be.
I am reading...An utterly forgettable book about Jane Seymour, Plain Jane. It’s pleasant, but nothing stands out about it.
I am hoping...to blog more.
I am hearing...Mariners games on the radio as our cable needs to be upgraded and the first appointment we could get was late next week. (This is not happening right now, it’s an off day)
Around the house...Our cat needs hypoallergenic food. Dh and I have been medicating her twice a day, which is a two person job. Thankfully, she is doing very well on the meds and new diet, and is healing up nicely.
One of my favorite things...that moment when you get into a warm car – it gets too hot almost immediately lately, but there’s something about sitting in the sun that feels good (especially after our winter)
A few plans for the rest of the week – I always answer this on the “I am going…” spot, so see above.

2009-05-28T13:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Feast Day!

Jesus did not live with his disciples after his resurrection as he had before his death. Filled with the glory of his divinity, he appeared at different times and places to his people, assuring them that it was he, truly alive in his risen and glorified body.To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).It should be noted that the time span of forty days is used many times in the Bible and signifies a temporal period of completeness and sufficiency (Gen 7:17; Ex 16:35, 24:18; Judg 3:11; 1 Sam 17:16; 1 Kg 19:8; Jon 3:4; Mt 4:2). On the fortieth day after his passover, Jesus ascended into heaven to be glorified on the right hand of God (Acts 1:9-11; Mk 16:19; Lk 24:51). The ascension of Christ is his final physical departure from this world after the resurrection. It is the formal completion of his mission in this world as the Messianic Saviour. It is his glorious return to the Father who had sent him into the world to accomplish the work that he had given him to do (Jn 17:4-5).. and lifting his hands he blessed them. While blessing them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. . (Lk 24:51-52).The Church's celebration of the ascension, as all such festal celebrations, is not merely the remembrance of an event in Christ's life. Indeed, the ascension itself is not to be understood as though it were simply the supernatural event of a man floating up and away into the skies. The holy scripture stresses Christ's physical departure and his glorification with God the Father, together with the great joy which his disciples had as they received the promise of the Holy Spirit who was to come to assure the Lord's presence with them, enabling them to be his witnesses to the ends of earth (Lk 24:48-53; Acts 1:8-11; Mt 28:20; Mk 16:16-14). In the Church the believers in Christ celebrate these very same realities with the conviction that it is for them and for all men that Christ's departure from this world has taken place. The Lord leaves in order to be glorified with God the Father and to glorify us with himself. He goes in order to "prepare a place" for and to take us also into the blessedness of God s presence. He goes to open the way for all flesh into the "heavenly sanctuary . the Holy Place not made by hands" (see Hebrews 8-10). He goes in order send the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father to bear witness to him and his gospel in the world, making him powerfully present in the lives of disciples. The liturgical hymns of the feast of the Ascension sing of all of these things. The antiphonal verses of the Divine Liturgy are taken from Psalms 47, 48, and 49. The troparion of the feast which is sung at the small entrance is also used as the post communion hymn.Thou hast ascended in glory O Christ our God, granting joy to Thy disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Through the blessing they were assured that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world! (Troparion). When Thou didst fulfill the dispensation for our sake, and didst unite earth to heaven, Thou didst ascend in glory, 0 Christ our God, not being parted from those who love Thee, but remaining with them and crying: I am with you and no one will be against you! (Kontakion).

(Icon credit, Information sent by Father Thomas)

2009-05-21T14:21:00.000-07:00

A Woman’s Daybook

For Thursday, May 21st

Outside my window...It’s finally spring. Warm and sunny more often than not.
I am thinking...about pride and humility. The X-man asked me some questions about it and I’ve not quite gotten my thoughts together.
I am thankful for...the opportunity last week to sit for a friend’s baby. He is brand new and it was delightful.
From the learning rooms…The Oldest graduates in the middle of next month. The X-man stayed for a math study session on Tuesday and thinks that he did well on his test.
From the kitchen...Last week, I made Red Pepper Fougasse – I’d never roasted red peppers before, they were quite easy
I am wearing... one of my favorites - a Coldwater Creek black skirt with white embroidery, and a black top. On my feet are Clarks sandals and freshly painted toenails.
I am creating...I finished up my ATCs last night, I have some pages to finish – I’m in a creating mood.
I am going...to a Mariners’ game on Saturday night after meeting my cousin’s little girl at a family party
I am reading...Something Rising (Light and Swift) by Haven Kimmel. I’ve read non-fiction by the author before, but this is the first novel of hers I’ve read. So far, I’m finding the stream of consciousness style less than fab, but I’m only about halfway through.
I am hoping...that the Oldest gets his Graduation announcements finished soon so I can mail them out. That, and that a few extra tickets to the ceremony come our way. Oh, and I’ve never had this situation before – it is appropriate to send announcements to people for whom there aren’t tickets, right? How does this work? Growing up, we just graduated on the football field – there was no admission thing.
I am hearing...while it’s not currently on the radio (the delightfully catchy Say Hey by Michael Frenti and Spearhead is) but my new favorite song is Sometime Around Midnight by The Airborne Toxic Event
Around the house...I overslept and didn’t get the dishes done this morning.
One of my favorite things...freshly painted toenails
A few plans for the rest of the week – Tonight, the X-man has baseball practice, I may try to get some laps in during (although, reading instead is always a tempatation), see above for Saturday’s plans, I’m looking forward to a hopefully sunny Memorial Day.
Here is picture thought I am sharing... I was going to post a photo of a mystery plant in our yard for identification (I think it may be a lilac) but since I was running late, I’ll have to wait on that.

2009-05-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

In Orthodoxy (and I suspect other traditions, but I’m not sure – please chime in) we read the Book of Acts after Pascha. This early History of the Church leads us through several interesting episodes as we see the church grow, interact with the world around it, and the personalities that shape it, like Sts. Stephen and Saul/St. Paul, St. Philip, Tabitha, etc. Today, at the Mid-Feast of Pentecost, it was interesting to note that Acts covers nearly 30 years.

I find these readings to be a good reminder, as I am wont to relax a bit too much after the rigors of Lent. One reading that particularly recently struck me was the account of Simon the Magician:

9Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." 11They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into[c] the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
20Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."
24Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me."
25When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

Tradition teaches that he left Christianity, returned to his pagan ways, was involved in Gnosticism, and persecuted the church

What I found so intriguing was that we all have that temptation to take the easy way out – to want to buy our way into the Kingdom of Heaven (or perfect looks, or a svelte body, or any number of goals). These readings remind us that the way is always clear - and it isn’t through sloth and laziness, it is through our sincere repentance, prayer and the narrow path , even in the days after Pascha.

May I learn to listen to this reminder.

-On a side note, thank you for your kind words about the Q&A - it was a lot of fun and I appreciate everyone who played along. And I encourage you all to play as well –I can't wait to see!

2009-05-08T20:30:00.000-07:00

Answers!

Mielikki
if you won a contest where you could go anywhere in the world, with 4 people, and unlimited funds, and for an unlimited amount of time, where would you go, whom would you take, what would you buy, and how long would you stay there?
I would take my husband, kids and a native Russian speaker to Russia - traveling to the Orthodox sites and the museums . I'd like to take a whole year so I could experience White Nights, a Russian winter, and Lent and Pascha. I’m sure I’d buy lots of goodies.

March Hare
I just found this …and thought of you! (I wonder why? ;)…Another set of awards also in its 2nd year is the Eastern Christian New Media Awards.
Thank you.

Deb
What is your earliest memory?
When I was two, we lived in Denver while my father went to Law School. My parents were good friends with several other couples with young kids at the Married Student Housing. They were getting together, and we were playing in the bedroom, climbing up a dresser to the top of the bunk bed, and jumping off. One of the girls climbed onto the dresser, and it fell over on her. I remember that, and going to get our parents(although I’m sure she was crying too and they knew)

Presbytera Kathy
What is your favorite thing to do?
I should say pray, but the answer is read.

Philippa

You are forced to move into a one room efficiency apartment. What five things would top your list to take with you?
Assuming my kids and husband are coming with me, or the kids are grown and housed elsewhere, I’d say
1)Icons
2)Photographs and scrapbooks
3)Coffee maker
4)My cats
5)I have two heirloom rosaries. Although I don’t use them in my spiritual practice, I am honored and touched to own them.

Elizabeth
what do you enjoy doing when you have solitude?
Giggle. Again, I should say pray, but the answer is read.

Emily (waves! I don’t know if you’ve commented before, hi!)
If you had another baby, what would you name him or her?
My favorite girl’s name is Eleanor . Dh doesn’t like it, so my other favorites are Amelia and Sonja (it'd be short for Sophia)
I’ve long said if I were to have another boy, I’d name him Julian or Theodore , but I’ve been loving Jasper lately.

RW
If you could go back and choose a different career path what would you choose?
Assuming I was good in science, I’d love to be a Midwife.
I’d also say that if I could learn Russian fluently, I’d love to go back and get my Masters in Russian and Eastern European (specifically Serbian) studies.

Lauren
why are you a vegetarian?
Originally (we became vegetarians in 1992) we felt that eating lower on the food chain was a better use of resources. It has expanded to be mostly about eating healthy and local. Having said that, while I don’t envision myself eating meat (by now, the smell, texture and idea don’t sit well with me) I do think that many people eat healthy through locally farmed meat.

Rosemary (I’m so glad everyone so far is staying healthy)
Can you describe what would be a perfect day for you

Sleeping in, a wonderful homemade breakfast with lots of coffee, nowhere to go so lots of time to read and to scrapbook. And, probably, dinner out.

Thank you for playing along – they were a lot more philosophical than I expected.

2009-05-07T14:33:00.000-07:00

Ask me anything

The lovely Sarah has been running a regular question and answer on her blog, and I thought it looked fun and I’ve been enjoying reading her answers. So, leave me a question or two that you’ve wanted to know, and I’ll answer them tomorrow evening (Friday, May 8th).

This has been a crazy busy week at work (my boss is out of town) and baseball (although 2/3 of the games have been rained out) and I’ve not done a good job of getting posts out of my head and onto my blog, my apologies.

Lastly, I sent out my ATC emails, if you thought you signed up and didn’t get an email from me, let me know.

(Image source )

2009-05-03T14:19:00.000-07:00

Crazy 8 Meme,
I was tagged by the lovely Caeseria

8 Things I am looking forward to:

1. Warmer baseball watching weather
2. My ATC swap, let me know by May 5th if you want to play along.
3. Watching the Mariners beat the Giants with my Dh (he will be hoping the outcome is different, I suspect) and the X-man in a couple of weeks (hopefully #1 will apply)
4. Dinner with Mousethiefs
5. Buying some of the new Cat’s Life Press stamps
6. Book Club tomorrow
7. Getting time to read my current book.
8. Duran Duran in July

8 Things I did yesterday:

1. Watched the X-Man’s baseball game in the rain
2. Grocery shopping
3. Stopping by the Comic Book Store for Free Comic Book Day
4. Got passport photos taken
5. Discovered the Post Office only accepts passport applications on weekdays from 10-3
6. Went to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day at my friend’s CTMH extravaganza
7. Had Dinner
8. Crawled into bed early to knock down a headache

8 Things I wish I could do:
1. Sew
2. Sing
3. Pray Without Ceasing
4. Quilt
5. Knit
6. Scrapbook All Day
7. Read all the time
8. Stay in shape without exercising.

8 Shows I Watch

1. Big Bang Theory
2. Grey’s Anatomy
3. LOST
4. The Office
5. Baseball games
6. Daily Show (online)
7. Friends reruns
8….I can’t think of anything else I watch with regularity

8 Tags. You're it!
Let me know if you decide to play along.

On a side note, I was humbled to be advised I’ve been nominated for an Eastern Christian New Media Award. Submit your nominations today, and thank you very much. I appreciate it.

2009-04-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

Spring has most definitely spring here in the Northwest. Even though there is rain, it isn’t a cold rain – and the sun is nice and warm when we see it. I need to make the big “clothing shift” and get the sweaters put away, and the t-shirts out and ready for the sun.

One of the things that I love about spring, and have been noticing more and more each year are the birds and the nature sounds. From my bed, I can hear the frogs in the retention pond, and enjoy the flowers that begin to take us through the year – we start with the tulips, hyacinths, azaleas, and daffodils. Soon it will be hydrangea season, roses and then gladiolas (amongst many others).

To celebrate this beautiful season, Jenny has been encouraging me to run another ATC swap (second post down to see what we did last year). I had a great time hostessing previously and would like to open sign ups for a swap with a nature theme. You don’t have to scrap or stamp to play along, drawing, painting, fabric crafts, and collage all lend themselves to an ATC swap. Let me know in the combox if you want to play along, and I’ll close signups on Cinco de Mayo.
Enjoy crafting (and yes, I do realize I have to finish up my homemade items from January’s giveaway. I have them about ¼ of the way done, I know what to put on my “to do” list. If you won, thank you for hanging in there with me)

(photo of our azaleas and daffodils, March 2005)

2009-04-23T16:41:00.000-07:00

This year, I have been on an inadvertent Holocaust themed book reading kick. Two of the books that I read, The Reader and The Book Thief* have dealt with one of my favorite topics – why we read and the power of books to affect our lives.

It is an interesting thing to contemplate – and as our children are both our imitators and the opposite of ourselves, I see both trends in my children. The C-Man is like me in that he reads voraciously – he reads the back of the cereal box, the newspaper headlines, and the words that surround him. The X- man defines himself as not being a reader – he once said to me, “I read, and read, and read and get to the bottom of the page and turn it and there are more words.” It is interesting to see this develop as I can’t imagine not reading any more than I can imagine not breathing. What I also find striking about him not being a reader (and this comes up in The Reader as well) is that so much of our culture goes over your head if you don’t get the literary references, he often notes this during our dinner conversation, or when a joke is cracked. I pray that some day, a book captures him and he will find himself a reader as well.

Last night, I finished Escape by Carolyn Jessop, about life in the FLDS
cult** She writes hauntingly not only about abuse and submission that we like to think don’t happen anymore - just like those who were living in Germany and the occupied territories didn’t want to think about the abuse and submission that was occurring around them – but about how one of the symptoms that there was a crackdown coming in her society was when all of her books were taken away. I suspect that the fact that she had to escape became clearer after she no longer had the literary way to escape.

I am off to read in the car while the X-man goes to baseball practice, and to discuss The Book Thief with my mom. Both lovely ideas this Bright Thursday.

*this book hit my mother particularly hard. I can relate Slumdog Millionaire did the same thing to me.
**I will write a longer review for the Page Nibblers blog in a day or two,

2009-04-19T10:49:00.000-07:00

This is the day of resurrection, Let us be illumined by the feast, Let us embrace each other, Let its call "brothers" even those that hate us, And forgive all by the resurrection, And so let us cry: Christ is risen from the dead, Trampling down death by death, And upon those in the tombs bestowing life. Christ is risen! - from the Canon of Pascha

A Facebook friend shared this lovely BBC photo article. Christ is Risen!

2009-04-14T15:49:00.000-07:00

A Woman’s Daybook

Outside my Window… Right now, I hear a siren. It’s been one of those days where rain alternates with sun. Hopefully sun will win as we have a baseball game tonight.
I am thinking… about Holy Week. I find that I tend to draw within myself as we get to the end of Lent, but I sometimes lose that stillness by the end of Holy Week.
From the learning rooms…The X-man worked all weekend on 26 animal alphabet alliteration drawings. He had all week off to get it done and slammed them into two days, to discover they weren’t due until Thursday. The C-man alleges he has no homework, please let him be right.
I am thankful for… the love of my family and friends.
From the kitchen… I just tried Wild Mountain Blueberry Coffee that I discovered at the coffee pot at work. It was lovely tasting, but the after smell kind of reminds me of pipe tobacco . Which reminds me of my Grandfather, may his Memory be Eternal...(perhaps this should have been on "what are you thinking"
I am wearing… A dark BLUE sweater, Philippa, Black skirt, and a pair of Clarks.
I am creating… nothing at the moment. I have scrapbooking twice next week, and look forward to both times.
I am reading…Jo at the Chalet School. Over the weekend, I finished A Peace to End All Peace and read (for the first time, if you can believe it – I do remember starting as a child but never getting through it) A Wrinkle in Time
I am hoping…to buy Duran Duran tickets for a July concert. And, that my Dh will go with me. Might be too much to hope for.
I am hearing… Road noise. On Sunday, our choir sang “Rejoice oh Bethany” which was lovely – I’m not sure I’d noted it before this year. They did a beautiful arrangement and I know much hard work went into it, it is much appreciated.
Around the house... I have found myself waking up earlier these past few days, which allows me to stay on top of the dishes, which is always nice.
One of my favorite things… Pascha on Sunday.
A Few Plans For the Rest Of The Week… church and baseball

2009-04-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

A Woman’s Daybook for Monday, April 6, 2009

Outside my window...Wow is it beautiful! They say it will get into the 70s today. After a long slog of a winter, I am ready to enjoy the sun!
I am thinking...I need to work on a bulk mailout for work.
I am thankful for...the anniversary wishes, thank you everyone. We had a very nice dinner out without kids.
From the learning rooms...It is Spring Break at our house, which meant that I didn’t have to fight for the shower this morning, which is a nice treat.
From the kitchen...I have Book Club tonight, so I have no idea what’s for dinner at my house. Rumor says that I’m getting a Thai Curry soup at Book Club, though, which sounds very yummy.
I am wearing...(this one’s for you, Angela) A black button down shirt and a pair of khakis, bamboo socks (I like them very much) and black Clarks.
I am creating...I need to make some cards in the next couple of days.
I am going...to Book Club tonight.
I am reading...A Peace to End All Peace by David Fromkin
I am hoping...that the Mariners win tonight. Yay for Opening Day!
I am hearing...Ancient Faith Radio. Very lovely.
Around the house...I need to fold laundry tonight.
One of my favorite things...Wild Blueberry Twist gum, introduced to me by my BFF when she visited recently.
A few plans for the rest of the week...A quiet week this week, which is good since next week is Holy Week.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...the C-man and our cat – I keep finding cat photos on the camera, and here's evidence of the culprit.

2009-03-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's word of the day seemed appropriate to me:

osculation \os-kyuh-LAY-shuhn\, noun:
The act of kissing; also: a kiss.

as today is my anniversary. Happy Anniversary, my love! Thank you for loving me, I look forward to many more years.

------------------------

I was blessed to be asked to write an essay on Father Thomas Hopko's Forty Maxims for the fantastic Forty Maxims Blog. Today is my humble contribution:

ETA: maybe I should include the Maxim, eh?
29. Don’t defend or justify yourself.

When I read this maxim, my first thought was a quote from the Sayings of the Desert Fathers “The same Abba Macarius while he was in Egypt discovered a man who owned a beast of burden engaged in plundering Macarius' goods. So he came up to the thief as if he was a stranger and he helped him to load the animal. He saw him off in great peace of soul saying, 'We have brought nothing into this world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.' (1Tim.6.7) 'The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' (Job 1.21).

While I consider that we shouldn’t be attached to our possessions, and to let them own us, I realized upon later reflection this maxim is warning us against justifying ourselves. We always want to tell the story, as if somehow we miss the mark less if we have a good reason. When the pit of my stomach reminds me that I have done something wrong, it is easy for me to fall into this trap. Justification leads to rationalization.

I am pretty sure that my defense at the Dread Judgment Seat of Christ does NOT start with “so-and-so did it first” or the even more judgmental “well, they did THIS”. When I pick up my sin and examine it, the measuring stick isn’t what others have done, but what I have done. I recently read that St. Isaac the Syrian said, “A man who is truly humble is not troubled when he is wronged at he says nothing to justify himself against the injustice but accepts slander as truth.” This maxim reminds us that our actions aren’t for how other people see us, but how we are seen by God. When we learn to stop justifying ourselves we learn to accept responsibility.

I have far to go on applying this maxim to my life.

2009-03-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

A Woman’s Daybook for Tuesday, March 24
Outside my window...it is definitely spring – lots of rain, lots of sun, it is cold, then it is warm.
I am thinking...my ankles are cold
I am thankful for...a good visit with my best friend whom I met when we were 10. I told the X-man that we became friends when he is younger than he is now
From the learning rooms...The X-man has a project, the Oldest (C-man maybe?) is home sick
From the kitchen...I made an orzo, tomato, garlic, spinach calzone last night. I’m thinking maybe Mrs. Smith’s pierogis tonight. Any suggestions on how to prepare?
I am wearing...a long black and tan plaid skirt, black socks that aren’t keeping my ankles warm, a black t-shirt with a black cardigan over it.
I am creating...I scrapped with my normal group plus my good friend last weekend, and I have some projects I need to finish up.
I am going...nowhere tonight, but tomorrow is the X-man’s birthday so we’ll go out for dinner, and he begins a PreSeason Baseball Tournament on Thursday.
I am reading...Orthodox Prayer Life and feeling like I am on the bottom rung.
I am hoping...for my ankles to be warm tomorrow.
I am hearing... Berwald: Symphony No.2 in D "Sinfonie capricieuse, apparently. (I’m streaming a classical station)
Around the house...we had the windows cleaned on Saturday – they look so lovely and clear.

One of my favorite things...I discovered Graphic 45 papers at my local Scrapbook store this past weekend, and bought several. Can’t wait to play with themA few plans for the rest of the week: See above – dinner, baseball, rinse and repeat.
Here is picture thought I am sharing... Dh and I dressed for the Symphony Gala earlier this month.

2009-03-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! While I love St. Patrick’s Breastplate (and I highly commend Amy’s post about it), I thought I’d excerpt a piece of his Confession:

2. And there the Lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief, in order that, even so late, I might remember my transgressions and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God, who had regard for my insignificance and pitied my youth and ignorance. And he watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son.

3. Therefore, indeed, I cannot keep silent, nor would it be proper, so many favours and graces has the Lord deigned to bestow on me in the land of my captivity. For after chastisement from God, and recognizing him, our way to repay him is to exalt him and confess his wonders before every nation under heaven.

4. For there is no other God, nor ever was before, nor shall be hereafter, but God the Father, unbegotten and without beginning, in whom all things began, whose are all things, as we have been taught; and his son Jesus Christ, who manifestly always existed with the Father, before the beginning of time in the spirit with the Father,
indescribably begotten before all things, and all things visible and invisible were made by him. He was made man, conquered death and was received into Heaven, to the Father who gave him all power over every name in Heaven and on Earth and in Hell, so that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and God, in whom we believe. And we look to his imminent coming again, the judge of the living and the dead, who will render to each according to his deeds. And he poured out his Holy Spirit on us in abundance, the gift and pledge of immortality, which makes the believers and the obedient into sons of God and co-heirs of Christ who is revealed, and we worship one God in the Trinity of holy name.

5. He himself said through the prophet: `Call upon me in the day of' trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.' And again: `It is right to reveal and publish abroad the works of God.'

6. I am imperfect in many things, nevertheless I want my brethren and kinsfolk to know my nature so that they may be able to perceive my soul's desire.

We will probably have some colcannon (which my lovely husband thinks is “the Irish word for glop”) and bread. My best friend since childhood, who is very Irish, will be visiting this weekend, so perhaps we’ll extend our celebrations a bit. Even though, like the aforementioned Amy, my Irish blood is Scots-Irish, which is pretty much not-too-Irish. (although, whew! On the History Channel’s “How Irish Are You” quiz I got 90%)

Holy St. Patrick, pray to God for us!

Icon credit (I love that the icon shows him holding the shamrock)

2009-03-10T16:16:00.000-07:00

The other day, my Facebook status mentioned that my crocuses were blooming, and after a discussion in which a friend said that she’d seen an azalea blooming, we joked that it would snow soon. We were right, we have a couple of dustings of snow in the past few days, alternating with clear, bright, crisp, freezing cold, sunny days. But even in these days of cold and snow, it isn’t the same bleak, freezing snow of the dark days of winter. It’s the spring snow and spring cold.

Chatting about the coming of spring, and how you can physically feel the change in the air, one of our Matushkas said “Aslan is on the move.” I talked last year about how March comes in like a lion and how my awareness of that has increased these past few years, this year I was struck with this bringing together of March’s beginnings with the beginning of Spring and the way it coincides with Great Lent, in fact the etymology of the word “Lent”* actually means “Spring”. Rebeca has fleshed this idea out better than I ever could, but I have been continually struck by the way that Spring’s tendrils encompass our lives, and how the same thing occurs with Lent – how we have the storms of Lent, the bright and crispness of Lent, and the new growth in our lives each Lent. And, how like flowers are found in the weeds and debris of winter, how God is found in the weeds and debris of my life – and like I need to clean around the flowers and buds, I need to clean out my heart and my life through this joyful time of repentance, fasting, almsgiving and increased prayer. As we pray on the weekdays of Lent:
O Lord and Master of my life!
Take from me the spirit of sloth,
despair, lust of power, and idle talk.

But give rather the spirit of chastity,
humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.

Yea, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own transgressions
and not to judge my brother,
for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. – St Ephraim the Syrian.

Pray for me this Lent that I may be ready for Pascha.

*I have this theory that the word lentil is related to the word Lent, but I’ve never known for sure. I have a friend who recently got the OED for her birthday, this reminds me I need to email her and ask if this is true.

2009-03-02T13:55:00.001-08:00

Monica is having Bean Soup Day, and so I am reposting my favorite Bean Soup Recipe for your enjoyment:

2/3 cup dry beans (the original recipe called for 1/3 this type, 1/3 that type - what I do is just use the many bean soup mix from the bulk aisle)
2-3 cloves garlic, crushed
2-3 cups vegetable broth, plain water, or water with a bit of miso
1 cup peeled and chopped squash (I have used all kinds of squash, including zucchini during the summer. A couple of years ago, it occurred to us Dh to roast the squash first and spoon into the soup that way, it’s been a delightful revision)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 large can (or two small cans) tomato sauce
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
Place all the ingredients into a pot on the stove and simmer all day, adding more liquid as needed. You can add almost any kind of vegetables you want (potatoes, carrots, etc).

Serve with hearty bread. I’ll often make dumplings and put on top of the leftovers and reheat. There’s nothing the kids like more than the same soup twice in a row for dinner (big grin).

I am not serving it for dinner tonight, but it will probably appear on the table soon.

Enjoy!

2009-02-23T17:01:00.000-08:00

When I was in High School (way back in the dark ages) I remember being frustrated when I was excited about a new song, and my mother would say, “oh, that’s a remake”. Apparently the cycle is about 15-20 years because not only did I explain to the X-man that Disturbed’s song was a remake (and had to get onto You Tube to prove it) but recently had a cute interaction with Elizabeth’s daughter where she was discovering that Shout was written by Tears for Fears and not by Disturbed (apparently they like to do covers of the songs we liked in the 80s)

Remakes are a funny thing; for the most part I enjoy covers a lot. There’s something about a band I enjoy reimagining songs that I love (and my Dh teases me that there is a relationship between how much I like the group remaking the song, and how much I like the remake) – and it is also funny how when you hit in the remake part of the cycle, how that informs your musical taste – for example, my favorite version of Ring of Fire is the one by Social Distortion , not Johnny Cash (and in fact, I didn’t know it was a cover for years). And we’ve all had those moments of “that’s a remake?” – I remember discovering that “The Passenger” wasn’t original to Siouxie and the Banshees well into adulthood.

For Valentine’s Day, my love got me The Killers’ Sawdust, which has one of my newest favorite covers – Romeo and Juliet. May you enjoy a favorite song through someone else’s eyes soon.