Category Archives: Home & Garden/Food & Seasons

I love to garden. I love to eat. I love to enjoy the seasons. And home is where my heart is!

Remember Me // e.e.cummings

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“in time of daffodils (who know

the goal of living is to grow)

forgetting why, remember how)

in time of lilacs who proclaim

the aim of waking is to dream,

remember so (forgetting seem)

in time of roses (who amaze

our now and here with paradise)

forgetting if, remember yes

 

in time of all sweet things beyond

whatever mind may comprehend,

remember seek (forgetting find)

and in a mystery to be

(when time from time shall set us free)

forgetting me, remember me”

e.e. cummings

Emma Uber Photography

{Emma Uber, image above}

Other images, google.

Those little tricksters

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Every year.  It is the same.  They come around with their little boxes of temptation.  When there is no cash in the house you can breathe a tentative sigh of relief…at least that time.  But they’ll try again.  And again.

A knock at the door.  O-no thanks, we don’t really need any.  But o my aren’t you just so cute and it is so cold out there and you are learning to be a good and caring citizen and can probably win a reward if we buy some and…O – wait!  Are those Thin Mints??? BAM!  They get us again.

Can’t resist the Thin Mints.

Those Girl Scouts, I’ll tell ya.

Discombobulated

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Wrapped in the luxurious micro-fiber, lush, spa-robe Dessa and Ryan got me for Christmas (it is kinda like being wrapped in a cloud), I lifted my coffee cup and looked down and there on the robe tie: a lady bug.

It was definitely looking rather disconcerted, like, “Where the heck am I?  Heaven?”

No, Lady Bug.  You are in Colorado in January.  Not exactly safe for you, but fear not.  I have just the place.

He happily resides now, in my tray of succulents where hopefully he will be able to make a life for himself until spring.

Most Interesting PINTERESTS on a Monday (and the 9th day of Christmas, give or take a day or so)

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Christmas Pinterests.

There were lots o’ Pinteresting-gifts among our family at Christmas.  But I will save those for another time.  These are some of the images and where to find them from my “Pinterest Board,” which I so aptly named {Love & Joy Come to You~Christmas Celebrating.”  These are just odds and ends that struck my fancy.

You may see all of my boards at   http://pinterest.com/jeanierhoades/

or the Christmas board specifcally at http://pinterest.com/jeanierhoades/love-joy-come-to-you-christmas-celebrating/

Well, now…let’s see…

I pinned some inspiring home Christmas decor

The {link} for this simple red and white staircase on the left doesn’t work anymore.  I couldn’t find {source} info for the staircase on the right.  It was just a repin.

I pinned food ideas and recipes

The snickernoodles lik came from a bright, beautiful beautiful blog: http://www.joyshope.com/. And don’t you just love these peppermint Rice Krispy treat snowballs?  Almost too pretty to eat {source}.

I pinned trees I thought were just beautiful to look at or maybe fun to make

My daughter, Stephanie had a white tree this year.  I just love the classy, subdued colors on this softly glowing tree. It came from {HERE}. People are so clever when they don’t have space for a tree, as shown by this tree-on-a-wall that was from Apartment Therapy.  {see here}

I pinned music and movies I wanted to remember to try or that I just already love

FINALLY bought Christmas in Connecticut on DVD at Kmart for $5 this year.  We’d still been using the old VHS.  Zooey D. totally reminds me and everyone else of one of my girls (guess!) and I love her voice! So this is delightful. of course!

I pinned stuff to do with the grandbebes

This was my very first Christmas-board pin, from www.megdeurksen.com We are actually still working on these…almost finished.  It is not too late!

I thought this ornament was sort of prophetic since it is for Christmas 2012 and it has NINE grandbebes on it

(I only have 6, remember, but I am thinking/praying/hoping there is a fruitful year ahead!!)

Can be purchased for me (*ahem), here!

I pinned some typography with words I liked and graphics with cool design

There was a whole series of the cutest retro-looking cards (left) at {THIS SITE}. FREE Christmas printables on the (right).  Isn’t that cool?  You should bookmark that site.  Better yet, PIN it!  CLICK HERE

I pinned things that reminded me of my childhood Christmases

The angel on the left?  That is one I had on my tree top this year.  My mom gave me our actual 1964 grocery-store-purchased paper and carboard angel with the spun-glass “angel hair”.  I saw several blogs this year with it.  Thrilling!  Mine does not have a box and has been quite used. {source}… The centerpiece on the right reminds me of my mom’s well-worn white, leather ice skates she had for many years from her childhood.  {source}

In general, I pinned a very happy, meaningful board.  I didn’t “do” everything or try every idea (Though I will share some with you!), but I have a good start for next year.  Have I mentioned before?  Pinterest is fun!

Saturday Moon

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The moon was brighter and more dazzling than the lights just a few feet from my face on the patio.  It outshone them all.

My camera couldn’t quite capture its’ glory, but I remember it “in my mind’s eye and it’s beautiful, Clark.”**  Full moon in December.

Can you see it?  HINT-kinda right smack dab in the center.  Not a large sphere, but a radiant one! {Candi saw it before I added the hint.  Yay, Candi!}

**Christmas Vacation

Good Morning, Snowflakes!

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Perfect!

It’s snowing.  Now re-read that like Alvin said it to Dave on the classic Chipmunks’ Christmas album.  {Look, Dave – it’s snowing!}  Did you insert you very own Chipmunk voice there?  I hope so!

The morning snow delights and surprises.  Yes, even though they told us on the news it was coming.

I come downstairs to a fresh pot of coffee and Bedford Falls glowing softly, ready to thrill the grandbebes for Christmas.  Snow is falling with white, fluffy enthusiasm and the timing is perfect as now (after all the wedding excitement) we can begin to fully embrace this most joyous of seasons and do our decorating.  This is the weekend for it.

Today is our first “official” day in the office for future ministry stuff (to be announced shortly).  Meeting our new and most-amazing intern, Emilee, there too.  She could not be dissuaded from driving down from Fort Collins even for snow.  We will be working on The Christmas Party* (PLEASE COME! admission is canned goods for families in Joplin still struggling to rebuild their lives after the tornado in May).  And looking ahead with anticipation.

Then home to unveil the Santa collection, I hope, and perhaps start putting up the family-tree, the one with handmade ornaments and bits and pieces of an enduring family life.

Naturally, Dean is in my head.

 

*The Christmas Party~

Professional photographers will be on hand to snap family photos  and the variety of artists and talents represented is the best show in town!  Put it on your calendar and plan to be there!

Wedding pictures!

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No, sorry.  I can’t show them.  Tredessa and Ryan are honey-mooning and we have to wait.

But I took a few.

But it was barely any at all.  I cannot believe it.  I am a picture nut.  I must have been busy!  But here is a sneak peek into the final few hours before the I-do’s.”  This is a little of my day…just a few days ago.  Exciting times!

The runner gives good marriage advice.  It was on artists’ canvas and will be stretched for wall art for the newlyweds.

Yes.  I actually grew succulents for the bridal bouquets.  And corsages and boutonnieres.  In my kitchen.  For 2 months.  I am so silly sometimes, huh?

Mia and Mairin are lifelong family-friends.  Their mom, Lisa is my most cherished friend in life.  And out whole family is deeply attached to the whole Bierer family.  They came from Minneapolis and jumped in and relieved me of all stress.  I love them!

At this time I am taking a deep breath of joy.  Looking around, remembering what I forgot and realizing: it doesn’t matter.  My little girl is about to get married.  There is nothing I forgot that even matters at all.  It will be beautiful.

Family China was mixed in with the caterer’s China.  Embroidered dresser scarves from Grandma were mixed with embroidered linens.  Vintage enaml-ware and small antiques adorned tables with dusty-greens in vases (Tredessa is not a big flower girl).  It came together.

Mairin and Mia set the desserts.  I walked up and breathed a sigh of relief.  Had a cake disaster (more on that later).  Smiled.  Put on lip gloss.  And walked in to the church at 4:15, right on time.  Lovely, lovely, lovely day.  Seriously.  Really.  Lovely.

Patrice’s Pantry

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My wonderful friend, Patrice Wilson, catered Tredessa’s wedding.

This is Patrice (my friend!!) a few hours before the wedding behind the photo booth.  Yes, she was busy.  But she stopped and let me snap her picture.

Here is what I love about Patrice doing the catering:

  1. She is a fantastic cook. She is always coming up with new ideas and delsicious dishes and wowing us.
  2. She brings peace. Patrice is one of those people who doesn’t get riled.  I am driven and freaking out at big events.  She is the calm saying, “It will all work out.”  She is right everytime.
  3. She can cook fancy or comfort or casual or elegant or anywhere in between.
  4. She is so servant-hearted.
  5. But best of all? She is Holy-Spirit-gifted with hospitality.  So not only does she provide the spread, she warmly feeds your soul, too.  When I started wrokig at New Hope almost 8 years ago now,  she was one of the first people I noticed because hospitality and welcome just oozed from her.  And she fed us good stuff.  And I have loved her like crazy ever since.

And you?  Should hire Patrice for your next party, big or small.

You’ll get great food, awesome service and peace for the day, all included in the price!

The wedding menu, in case you are wondering:

A delicious garden salad – a tomato/cucumber salad – hot rolls and butter – tilapia in a lemon-butter sauce – rice pilaf – chicken cordon-bleu – whipped potatoes – beef wellington, a tender steak with mushrooms in a flaky pastry wrap – garlic green beans – rotini with steamed vegetables in garlic butter – coffee – tea – water.  Mmmmmmm……

THANK-YOU, Tricie.  Love you.  Hugs and kisses to Linda.  And Jack, too!