To market, to market...

No!  We did NOT buy a fat pig!  

But we did brave the downpour to visit the 2nd Street Public Market.  It was our first time this season because we have been so busy, but now I remember why it was an almost weekly trip before.  I love visiting all the vendors, even if it isn't something I need.  I like the small-town feel of seeing the same farmer and knowing who has the sweetest corn or the freshest herbs. Today was Kids Day at the Market, and some of the children of the vendors were selling their goods to "practice" their skills of merchandising, selling and customer relations.  They were so cute.  I missed out on a good deal from one little girl selling flowers, because she was sold out when we came back.  Good for her!  

But what I did come home with...

A bunch of fresh basil and some multi-colored tomatoes.  I had a delicious, fresh lunch!

Also, I have told you before of my love for the Flowerman!  He keeps me out of therapy during the winter months when a quick trip to his brightly colored cooler, chases the "blahs" away! 

I got several bunches today, all in white and cream because I love how fresh they look in my brown-toned living room.  And you just can't beat 5 bunches for  $10!! 

Aren't these Gerber Daisies gorgeous?

I also picked up some Gretna cheese.  I had never even heard of this before, but they were offering some "Grilled Gretna" samples and after we all tried some, we decided we had to buy it and try it at home.  I looked up the dairy on line that makes it and it said...

"GRETNA GRILLIN' is a delicious (halloumi-style) easy-to-love cheese. A pressed, cooked, brined, semi-soft, salty and buttery non-melting cheese made from pasteurized whole cow's milk. When browned in a sizzling hot skillet it forms a beautiful golden crust. Eat it grilled, baked, grated on pasta, or served with fruit. "

YUM!!

It reminded me of the time we went to a friend's house for Raclette.  Also, delicious and so much fun!  But I think Raclette cheese has a sharper flavor.  Needless to say, I am inspired to try out some new recipes with grilled cheese.

Lastly, the kids decided among all the fruits and veggies, that they wanted fresh baked cinnamon bread for breakfast.  I don't have a photo of that, maybe I will wait until morning and capture them enjoying it!  

Summer goes flying by...

I haven't blogged in so long, because we have been so busy!

I will be giving you a brief highlight (and also a memory for myself) of how our summer has gone...

Shortly after school let out, we traveled to Pennsylvania.  We spent a few days in Pittsburgh, taking the kids to the Children's Museum, Carnegie Science Center, Heinz Field and of course, Primanti Bros.  I have lots of photos uploaded to my facebook page if you want to take a look. 

Next I had the amazing opportunity to be the Director of the church camp where I grew up.  It all came together very quickly and I felt like I was getting in over my head.  But, I was thrilled to be able to share this experience with my family.  Reilly was a camper, Drew was my assistant and Brae and Ave were visitors, when they weren't having loads of fun at their very own, "Camp Nana&Papa"!

 

It was really interesting to me, that while I had lots of memories from childhood, I felt very disconnected from the girl that I was then.  I am not sure if that was because I was in a role I had never known or because time passes and changes us all.  Chew on that awhile....

After we got back from that trip, WHEW!  was I ex-HAUS-ted!  I felt like I slept harder than I have in a long time!  And boy, did it feel good to take a "real" shower!

We had lots of fun on the Fourth of July, even though it rained...again!  Seems like lots of our 4th parties have gotten rained out, or rather rained on, the party continued!  

We had our block party, another smashing success.  

We have made several trips to the pool, although our summer has been anything but hot and sunny.  

I have had the chance to visit with friends, make countless playdates, visit the library, have lots of bar-b-que, and iced tea, and even relax on my swing...

Ahhh..........................Summer!

It's ONE o'clock in the morning...

Wow!  I just finished editing and posting some photos from a wedding last Saturday.  

Ummm.

Yeah.  

...I started at 10 p.m.!!!  You can check them out at my other blog site.  (There's my shameless plug for my photography "business".)

I have missed you my blogging friends.  And I admit;  when I have jumped on here briefly, I have been stogging you.  Just quickly catching an update or two, and running to the next thing that is demanding my attention. 

I have been unbelievably swamped lately.  

I have been helping each of my kids wrap up their school years with last minute assignments, projects and school plays.  

I have been working on getting our plans for the summer together.  

I have been excercising! 

I have been researching cameras and doing a lot of "ground work" for the photography stuff (I am having a blast, but like with anything else, it is work and demands more of my time than I feel I can adequately give).

We are still praying about whether to put our house on the market or not, but of course I am checking the MLS daily for any new listings.

BUSY BUSY GIRL! 

So... not much substance for my first post back in over a month, but I hope to get back in the swing of journaling.  God has been teaching me some neat stuff and writing it out helps me process it all.  So there will be more to come.  I need to shoot out a couple more emails then I am off to bed.  

BEWARE!  I am one "cranky yankee" when I don't get my sleep.  Isn't that funny?  I haven't said that in years.  My suite mate from Alabama used to tell me that all the time!

Double Digits!

Happy Birthday Reilly!

I can't believe you are 10 years old!

Where, oh where, did the time go...

I remember bringing you home from the hospital, you were so tiny, wrapped in your sweet baby blanket.  Your sleeves were rolled as were the waist of your pants because none of your clothes fit you in the beginning.

In those first days at home, I remember two life changing moments, one on top of the other.  

As I held you and tried to drink in all of your newborn features, I was struck with a feeling in my chest only describable as... pain.

I felt my heart would break with the love I held for you, my mere body could not contain this new undeniable feeling of motherhood.  I knew in those moments that I was doing exactly what I was created for.   

As I was thanking God for the beautiful gift of your life molded into mine, I felt in my soul, the Father say, "And how you feel right now is simply a glimpse of how crazy I am about you!"

*Gasp*  

What!  

This is how GOD feels?   

About... me?  

It was too much.  I had never worshipped God like I did that day.  

Thanking Him, over and over, for the favor of being able to grasp in some minuscule way, 

His Great Love.  

Thanking Him, that as humans, He allows us to possess some of that love for each other.  

Marveling at how He knit together your life before I ever held you in my arms.

Believing that His promises for your life are somehow wrapped up in mine.

Begging Him to make me the mother He wanted me to be.

You were my whole world!  My days were consumed with taking care of you and showering you with all the love that was growing in me.  Each day was a new adventure for us.  I love that you were born in the Springtime.  We took walks almost daily and I  told you that Nature was celebrating you birthday, with each new flower we discovered or the blooming trees or the occasional baby squirrel or bunny.   

You are my firstborn.

You are the one who first captured my heart.  

You are the reminder to me of God's great love.  

Now look at you!  You are so grown up.  You have always been mature for your age.  I like to think that is because you spent all your time with me when you were so little.  Now your days are filled with school and studying, being with your friends and singing.  You are my STAR!  

You have loved performing since you were very little.  You have NO FEAR of getting in front of people and showing your stuff.  You can imitate all kinds of accents and you are always making one of us laugh.  You love to put on solos and skits for the family, but your favorite is;  fashion shows.  Especially when you get brother and sis to play along!

You know that I can't talk about all your wonderful qualities and  not mention your strength. 

Sometimes people say "strong-willed."  Hmmm....I don't know if that's quite right.  

You can be strong-willed.

You can be unyielding.

You can be uncompromising.

You can be unwavering.

You can be STEADFAST!

It is my challenge as your mother to take those characteristics and help you mold them into the person God already knows you will be. 

Someone who fights for what is right.

Someone who doesn't give in to temptation.

Someone who believes without apology.

Someone who will not be moved.

Someone who STANDS with her God.

Rei, God has equipped you with a strength like I have never seen. 

You are bold!  

You are tough!  

You  are mighty 

and brave 

and courageous!  

And God made you like this for a REASON! 

I don't know His purpose for your life, but He does!  

I don't know where He will take you, but He does.

I don't know how He will use you, but He does!

And I can't wait to see it!

My beautiful girl, you are on the verge of leaving childhood behind and becoming a young lady.  Thank you for teaching me. Thank you for encouraging me into a deeper dependence on my Father.  Thank you for inspiring me to be the best Mom I can be.  Thank you for forgiving me when I mess up and don't see you as the person God created you to be.  May my mistakes as your Mom, only serve to draw you closer to the Parent who never makes mistakes. 

  

My precious, sweet angel face...

I love  you!  

You are everything I wish I could be.  

Always, Momma

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6-7

And now, my kids eat asparagus...

but not the old fashioned way, where Mom steams it over the stove.

Allow me to introduce you to my First Posted Recipe!

Tomato Parmesan Couscous

2T. Olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/4 fat free and reduced sodium* chicken broth

1 pkg. Near East Couscous Toasted Pine Nut

10 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1/2 in. pieces

2 large plum tomatoes, seeded and diced

3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1.  In large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Cook garlic for 2 minutes.  Add broth and contents of spice sack.  Bring just to a boil.  Stir in asparagus.  

Reduce heat; cover and simmer 1 minute.

2.  Stir in couscous; cover and remove from heat.  Let stand 5 minutes.

3.  Stir in tomatoes and Parmesan cheese.

*I substituted regular broth, and it was definitely more salty than I like. 

It was so yummy!   Any time I can sneak in veggies and my turkeys don't complain, the recipe becomes a keeper.  Thought I would pass it on.  

P.S.  ChristyLou, I know you are proud...but before you get too sappy, you should know that the recipe was on the back of the couscous box-*gasp*- ! ;  )

HI FRIENDS!

I have been without my DSL connection for  5 days!

I have missed you and look forward to reading and catching up with all of you!

I don't think I will post again tonight, but darn that Flicker Friday is right around the corner AGAIN!  

What was I thinking...

I just don't do well with agendas and time frames-aagghh!

Good thing I married that Type A.  

Flicker Fridays

"Mini"-session with Avery's best friend Sophia.

Taken at Smith Gardens, Oakwood, Ohio.

Sophia has the most gorgeous red hair, don't you think?