The Miracle of Growing

Here is the pumpkin seed Genna planted in nursery. She has a marvelous teacher and she took very good care of her plant watering it with an eyedropper several times a day. The day she discovered a sprout received as much an exclamation as did Christmas morning.

Various tomato plants growing in our windowsill. Our neighbors insist we planted them much too early. Perhaps. But we sure have enjoyed watching them unfold.

Our first crocus bulb coming to life. I have never had flowers before (I traded them for bi daily visits from our deer friends). I miss the deer but I am thrilled with our crocus flowers.

My strawberry planter with Rosemary, Oregano, and Parsley. There is a fourth planter in the back waiting for me to plant Cilantro (Lowe's didn't have Cilantro seeds presently for reason unbeknownst to me).

This picture does not show off what I intended it to. I have five windows in this kitchen, each full of something growing. What a wonderful effect it has on us all. Watching seeds come up creates in me a feeling of overwhelming gratitude. These plants helps me have a prayer in my heart always, at least more often.

Celebrating April Fool's Day

And because it is April Fool's day, grand holiday that it is, breakfast was once again prepared by my young and ever so celebratory boys. Yogurt and Cinnamon toast is on the menu this morning. Five grain homemade bread is difficult to cut so the thickest slice measured 2 5/8 inches thick (we measure with a tape measure) and dad got his orange juice, thank goodness. The boys were awake at 5:02 am. Klark is really good at reading a clock. He claims he was never able to go back to sleep although he made it back to bed at precisely 5:54am. It takes time to make such a delicate breakfast. I realize I need to have more friendly ingredients (the boys get creative)around the house on Holidays or I need to teach my children how to make oatmeal. I will be prepared for Good Friday with family friendly cold cereal and milk.

April Fool's Day also appears to be a day when lying is okay, you just have to say April Fool's right away. Klark, particular and honest boy that he is, cannot stand for untruth to be thought actual for any amount of time and produces his, "April Fool" shout in the same breath as his lie. But, oh, how funny he thinks he is. At our house we heard jokes such as, "Della, there is a pumpkin growing on your plant, April fools." "Dad, your tongue is purple, Alpril Fools." "Look, the trees outside all fell down, April fools." "Mom, there is a cat in the house, April fools." And my favorite, "Look mom, I put tape over the switch in the fridge so you would think the lightbulb burned out in the fridge. April fools."

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day

I would venture to say that on March 17 there was a lot of green pancakes, green milk, and green eggs. I suppose leprechaun traps were set and although gold and glitter was left behind, no leprechaun was caught. People all over were probably wearing green shamrocks and green clothing, hidden in order to deceive the pincher or for those unwilling to risk the pinch even for a return pinch times 10, green, in any shade, was the prominent color of clothing. Let me tell you how St. Patrick's Day was celebrated at our house.

At precisely 4:07 am, two young boys ages 6 and 5 ventured to the kitchen to make breakfast (it was a holiday after all) and breakfast they made. Cold cereal was on the agenda and the only kind in the house was mommy's health cereal, Go Lean. That will work. And dad loves orange juice and Klark knows how to make that. They were prepared with pictures designed in secret the day before to put with each place setting. Dear, oh dear, there is no milk. No problem, cottage cheese will work. If only there was yogurt because smiley faces made on a plate with yogurt is a favorite around here (and so festive!). The do-gooders made it back to bed at exactly 4:48 am. The mom listened unbeknown and this is what she heard: "They will be so surprised when they don't have to make breakfast for themselves. St. Patrick's day will probably be there favorite holiday from now on," said Klark the mastermind behind the plan.

"Yeah," says Lanse, "But I wish we had milk for the cereal instead of cottage cheese."