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."

Dad Coming Through on His Threat

Yes, that is dad with a bar of soap and Lanse is the apprentice plugging the nose and holding the chin. You probably want to know what it was Klark said to deserve soap in the mouth. My regret is that the soap must not have tasted soapy enough because he has said it again since.

Our Licoln Log Home: A Look at the Inside

So this is our neighborhood. I think I can learn to love it in every way. Klark wants to decorate ALL our Christmas trees next year. :)

Can you picture the gardens and flowers here? Magnificient. I have a lot to learn.

This window is in the boys room. I wanted to show off the trim Chad built after me showing him a picture from a pottery barn magazine. There are two more windows this size but they are still incomplete.

Boys room and they really wanted me to get a picture with the dinosaur skeleton in it. And, of course, the picture of Albert's who has been with me since I was 12 years old.

Living Room looking different (and bigger) in this picture than it does in life.

Living room again, with a piano that I had great intentions of learning to play magnificiently. Who has time to cultivate their talents with young children?

Master bedroom (we have no master bathroom but I don't mind a bit). My favorite piece of furnature is the dresser brought from England by my great grandmother and refinished with real walnut by my dad and I.

This picture was meant to show off the trim around the doors. Isn't Chad wonderful?

Boys room. And so you know, we only make their beds about six times a year. I took a picture at one of those times. Don't you love the long windows? The view is high and romantical.

The girls room. Another long window with a view and a doll house my dad built for me when I was 12 or so. Genna Della got it from Santa this year.

This picture is meant to show the baseboards (new, the house didn't have any) and the charming rectangles at the base of the trim. I love trim and I don't think I am alone in this fansy.

Didn't you want to see the delightful corner pieces Chad let me have? I say "let" because he has no interest in the extras and get them for my enjoyment alone.

Storage room with shelves Chad made with the old wood doors. He is the man!

You will notice there are no pictures of the kitchen or bathrooms. That is because they are not picture worthy. I don't mind. I feel spoiled rotten actually. We have so much house! So much more than we used to have and I didn't think I would ever want or need more than we did. I love the new carpet and Chad's skills and work ethics. Naturally, these rooms are not clean much of the time and naturally I took the picture when they were (not even on the same day - who can have their house clean all at one time, I would like to know). To be honest, I hesitate to post the pictures of my house - it makes me feel foolish and vain. But I also know that I would love to see the new home and the charming touches of any of my friends, I would actually relish it. So, here you are. Our Linclon Log home in all its splendor. I suppose I could take pictures of other rooms in the house even though we haven't worked them yet. I only showed you the best parts.

Invisible Mother

Lanse and Klark with their arms around their invisible mother (just in case you couldn't tell)

by Charlotte somebody (or so I can assume)

Shared by Melissa (I prefer Missy, it it more endearing) DeHaan

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask me a question. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'Obviously, not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated sum a cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going; she's going; she is gone!


One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England ... Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.


'In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'you're gonna love it there.'


As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Left Brain/Right Brain Test

Mark the number of each statement that you consider to be true.

1. I usually notice what time it is.

2. I would rather take a true-false, multiple choice, or matching test than an essay test.

3. I tend to forget people's names but I remember their faces.

4. I like to daydream and use my imagination.

5. I learn best by seeing and hearing.

6. I learn best by touching or doing.

7. I like assignments that are open-ended rather than structured.

8. I would rather just go do something than think it all through beforehand.

9. People think that I am creative.

10. Even though I sometimes get mad and upset, I am usually considered a rational or controlled person.

11. I don't mind taking a few risks when I think it is worth it.

12. It is easy for me to express my feelings.

13. I like to plan things out and know what's going to happen ahead of time.

14. When I want to, I can really concentrate.

15. Melodies are easy for me to remember.

16. I am good at math.

17. I can learn new vocabulary words easily.

18. I like to work with details.

19. When doing a jigsaw puzzle, I can see the whole picture easily even if I have not placed many pieces.
20. I don't mind doing something over and over until I master it.

21. I am good at giving clear and logical directions.

22. Sometimes I make decisions based on what feels right rather than thinking though all the pros and cons.

23. I can sometimes remember things by picturing where I read them on a certain page.

24. I have a daily and weekly schedule of when I do things.

Left brain characteristics include statements: 1,2,5,10, 13,14,16,17,18,20,21, and 24.

Right brain characteristics include statements: 3,4,6,7,8,9,11,12,15,19,22, and 23.

The side of the brain with the higher score is probably your dominant side. This means the characteristics of that side of the brain are more natural for you to use and that you prefer to use them. You are still very capable of using the characteristics of the non-dominant side of your brain, although, it may require more effort. It is important to remember that both sides of our brains are always working together.

Left Brain Characteristics: technical, scientific, mathematical, rational, analytical, logical, problem solving, theoretical, factual, objective, realistic, convergent, precise, formal, verbal, systematic, administrative, procedural, organized, conservative, confident, structured, disciplines, practical, predictable, detailed, controlled, dependable, planning.

Right Brain Characteristics: imaginative, intuitive, conceptual, holistic, inventive, ambiguous, original, visual, impulsive, experimental, risking, divergent, artistic, spatial, perceptive, interpersonal, emotional, empathetic, sociable, spiritual, musical, sensitive, responsive, subjective, trusting, adaptable, harmonious, idealistic, talkative.

Right Brain Conditions (as they pertain to the classroom):

Language - the teacher speaks in an emotional, animated, dramatic style. The teaching method is humorous, simple, descriptive, and positive.

Attitude - the mood is relaxed, playful, noncompetitive. Students feel they can be open to inspiration. They pat attention to surroundings. They feel free to hum, whistle, or sing.

Setting - the room is warm, attractive, casual, comfortable, and interesting. It has colorful displays. The work place is flexible and anything could happen.

Rules - the rules are unstructured guidelines that allow for personal expression, encourage openness, and allow for the expression of strong emotions.

Schedule - flexibility and spontaneity are important. Students may be allowed to lose track of time completely.

Assignment - homework involves imagination, visualization, drawing, colors, shapes, patterns, the manipulation of physical objects, or the use of the body. The assignment allows students to be original, express emotion, wonder, speculate, estimate, read between the lines, act spontaneously, rake risks, or try new things.

Left Brain Conditions (as they pertain to the classroom):

Language: words are formal, factual, and precise.

Attitude - students show minimal emotion. They are efficient, confident, and responsible. They sit up strait, maintain eye contact, and stay on task.

Setting - the room is neat, orderly, and businesslike.

Rules - the rules are structured and precise.

Schedule - punctuality and efficiency are important. Students maintain an awareness of time and time limits.

Assignment - assignments are organized and neat. The assignments deal with analysing, criticizing, or calculating information.