I hear it in the crickets singing of an evening. I smell it in the pumpkin and cinnamon baking together in a dozen muffin cups. I feel it in the air, a softening and slowing. In the spring I think perhaps spring is my favorite season, and in the summer I think maybe it is […]
Confession: I have edited and re-edited the draft for this post multiple times with a view to make it gentler, but instead, it comes out bolder and more passionate each time. I will stop now before it gets worse! I guess I need to admit I care about the issue more than I thought… and
On child prodigies Read More »
Confession: Name tags confuse me. I can never quite see the point of them. They seem to be made for the purpose of avoiding surface introductions and cutting right to the heart of the matter, such as discussing the weather, say, or the quality of the coffee. However, they do not work. They are usually
A convenient handle Read More »
I love how luminosity can wrap itself around a simple vase of fresh herbs on my kitchen sink, and make the world worth living in.
Confession: My least favorite part of church is taking up the offering. This has nothing to do with how we take it up (into innocent wicker-and-burgundy-felt baskets) or when (slipped between the announcements and the songs), or who or how much or why… No. It’s all about the drama. You see, we give our sons
Today I’m going to show you how to make a simple checkerboard and set of checkers with a little wood and paint. You will need: One 12″ x 12″ piece of wood or plywood A 12″ section of dowel, 1-1/8″ or 1-1/4″ in diameter Access to a power saw of some kind Four colors of paint:
How to paint a checkerboard Read More »
One of the joys of attending Family Week at SMBI was agreeing to organize a craft class for all the children ages 6-12. Ryan and I spent considerable time planning and preparing, then he took charge of the boys (18 of them) and I of the girls (28!). For one hour each day, four different
How to make a fabric purse Read More »
Confession: I can’t help but wonder if it is this way for everyone— if the sound of singing at your own church on a Sunday morning is deep comfort and healing like the smell of your own home and the feel of your favorite blanket. We returned to sorrow and joy interwoven: birth and healing,
Confession: I’m discovering unpleasant things about Pandora. I love Pandora. I hate its ads. Yes, I know I could upgrade to ad-free listening for just $9.95 per month! I’ve heard the pitch twenty times; not biting. But get this– When I listen to Kings Singers or High Kings radio, I hear ads for great cars and
1. Start with good chocolate. Many cooks use melting chocolate, purchased in small discs or large blocks. Functionally it works well, particularly for large batches; but I find the flavor bland and the texture waxy. I prefer chocolate chips—ordinary and delicious: either semisweet or milk chocolate, depending on what I’m making. Go name brand, not
Tips on working with melted chocolate Read More »