Confession: There are too many things in life I take for granted. Today I’m so thankful for water… the only way to stay sane in soul-withering humidity. Cool showers two or three times a day. Cold drinks. A big lake 45 min away, and a stream to splash in here. Ice. Thank you, Jesus! …
Please welcome the two newest arrivals to the Zook homestead. Woo-hoo! Our new bunny, Mr. Cinnamon– …gift of Whitney, Guy, Chrissy, Jake, and especially Darien. Thank you, guys! and… Little Sal, our week-old baby goat. We bought her for $25 from a local farm. When Sal is full-grown and freshens, she should produce at …
Confession: Every Sunday noon I cook the same food for my family—pancakes and eggs. You are horrified. You had no idea that it was possible to serve less than a roast, potatoes, carrots, a green salad, five or six sides, fresh rolls, dessert and coffee for Sunday dinner and remain within the fold. Right? Or …
Saturday! Hip, hip, hooray! For the Zooks, this means Dad mows the lawn, Mom makes pizza, and (best of all) two boys get allowance. To reward our sons for their chores during the week—assuming cheerful cooperation—we adopted an idea we found in a book about Meadville, In a Valley Surrounded by Hills. Aarick and Regan …
Confession: I like picking my own plate. Do you know what bread days are? You have them, same as me. Days of laundry, days of tidying the house. Days of waking up to a normal breakfast. Days of wondering what to cook for supper. Days of the children playing, quiet projects humming, time to feed …
Confession: Some days the trivial is infuriating, and some days it brings the most satisfaction. Or humor. Or sheer joy. *** Did you know that it is possible for a woman to trim three heads of hair and 80 nails in approximately one hour? *** My little magnolia tree—the five-inch infant that got hit with …
Confession: I feel like I spend about 90% of my time and energy on a treadmill entitled Trying to Keep Up with This Household. I’m not trying to whine (horrors) or brag (horrors), but seek some input. Here is what was on my plate today: Clean-up from an excursion to Lake Erie last night—think soggy, sandy …
Bluest of skies, perfect temperature My brand new clothesline, quickly revolutionizing the way I feel about laundry The heavenly smell of fresh-crusty, sun-baked clothes Four puffs of gray velvet, old enough now to spit fire at me from their little red mouths and big blue eyes Two boys living outside, digging dirt, building forts, riding …
Confession: I have outgrown many things, but never my love of kittens. I found these in my shed last week… …four darling balls of fluff! I can hear my father groaning in the background. Ryan too. Neither of them has been successful in breaking me of this habit of cats. I love cats. They are …