D is for Deliciousness

My creation
Originally uploaded by Among the Oaks

I started this flickr alphabet project back in the fall. I got stuck on 'D' and just today finally came up with a good idea for it!

Ordinary Days

I found this video at Clover Lane. I would absolutely LOVE to hear Katrina Kenison speak. I'm currently about half-way through her book The Gift of an Ordinary Day and have underlined and highlighted so many passages that I might as well highlight the whole book. It's a book that needs to be read at least once every year while we have children at home to remind us of how fleeting and special these times are.

January

I decided to see if I could actually make it through the whole month taking a picture a day. I did fairly well, only missing a few days. Here is my month in review.

The winter mantle

Pink Lemonade kitty won from Magic Onions giveaway!

Sick day



Taking in the morning sun



Lego creation

Journaling

Hot chocolate on a cold winter's day

After reading the paper

Morning light

Afternoon snack


Soup cooking, kitchen laundry being folded, dishes washed

As I Sit Here

As I sit here right now. My version of the Daybook, for today at least.

Outside my window...it is dark.

I am thinking...please let my little girl wake up without fever tomorrow morning.

I am thankful for...getting tickets to the local Newcomer show after finding out that Austin was sold out!

I am wearing...black sweat pants, blue sweat shirt and white socks.

I am remembering...that I need to e-mail my son's teacher.

I am going... to hear Carrie Newcomer on Friday night!

I am currently reading...It's Really All About God by Samir Selmanovic

I am hoping...that everyone is better tomorrow.

On my mind...the possibility of my husband going to Haiti next month.

Noticing...how quiet it is right now.

Pondering these words...the poem "The Place Where We Are Right" by Yehuda Amichai

From the kitchen... tonight was a version of the Pioneer Woman's Favorite Steak Sandwiches

Around the house...things are getting a little untidy after having a sick child for the past four days and not feeling that well myself yesterday and today.


One of my favorite things... hearing my children getting along instead of fighting.

From my picture journal...a picture of my nearly 20 pound cat being a lap cat. We've had her for over two years and just last week she realized, quite by accident, how good being a lap cat is. My daughter had put a loop of yarn around her neck while she was sitting on the back of my chair. She jumped down to the arm to try to get it off...she ended up sitting in my lap working on it (it was loose so she was really playing with it). Anyway, she finally got it off and plopped down right where she was. As I petted her she started purring and decided to get comfy!


My take on the Daybook...

Haiti

Tears. My heart breaks for a people whose daily lives were already so extremely difficult. Years ago I read the book Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder. It is the story of Dr. Paul Farmer who, with passion, starts the process of bringing primary healthcare to the people of Haiti. As I read the book one of the overriding thoughts I had was about how difficult life was for the Haitian people. Today I pray for all the people so desperate for clean drinking water and simple food. Please, if you are compelled, consider making a donation to the organization Dr. Farmer helped found Partners in Health. They have a number of operational facilities and personnel already on the ground in Haiti ready to help. The Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders are also wonderful organizations already operating on the ground.

I Don't Want It To End

I just checked my e-mail and immediately thought, I'm not ready to start the busy-ness back up. I've thouroughly enjoyed the last two weeks. No volunteer commitments, no practices or games, no scout meetings, no homework or tutoring. Instead we've had plenty of time to read and just hang out. Those volunteer commitments are worthwhile ,except maybe 4th grade party coordinator! Helping in the school library is definitely worthwhile as is my son's time at the animal shelter. And I know that scout involvement is a positive for both kids, and my daughter loves her sports. It's just that I really enjoy quiet (well, mostly) days at home with no running around to do for this that or the other. So it is with some reluctance that I look to Tuesday and the start of school and everything else.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!