Going camping

On Friday night, I will be one amongst the 24 mothers and daughters going camping. As part of the Keepers at Home group that runs at our church, we decided one of the things we'd like to do with the girls is go camping, mainly for their fun and enjoyment, as well as for the opportunity for them to earn a badge for it. I'm in two minds about it, I must admit.

See, we are campers. I am happy to identify myself that way, and I really do enjoy it - from being a little cold to waking up early with the birds and really needing that first cup of coffee/tea by the fire. I love the cooking out, the kids wandering through the woods, the crackle of the campfire. But there are parts that I am not so fond of - the part that I'm in right now - the packing.

I normally don't mind packing for trips too much, but camping is different. Not only does it all have to fit in the car, but if I forget something small but crucial, it will mean the trip might just be miserable. Plus, with a camping trip, you've got to bring things that you don't normally bring on vacation, things like a kettle, lantern, and toilet paper. Ugh.

Plus, I tend to put off packing the "details" - anything that is not major equipment or clothes - until the last minute, whereupon I begin "panic packing". Does anyone else do this? I'm not sure if I or someone else will need it, but it might come in handy/I'm not sure if I've already packed it so I'll grab another, just in case/Oh, I almost forgot this!

There is one other concern here, and it's pretty big: Toby's not going. Moms and girls only. So, not only am I not going with the real camper in the family, I am also responsible for all our gear, which I only sort of know how to handle. Usually, when we camp as a family, my expertise falls in the "keep the kids alive" and "do what I'm told" categories. Now I have to erect and refold the tent correctly, learn how to light the lantern, and judging by comments from other moms, be prepared to light the campfire. So not in my comfort zone...

Having said all that, I know that once I'm there with my friends, we will have fun. The girls will have a blast, which is the main thing, and these women are great. We'll have so much fun together, having a laugh and most likely a blunder or two. It will be a good, stretching occasion for all of us, but I would like the record to show that it was I who suggested we stay in cabins.

Multitude Mondays

Friday morning was interesting - wind and rain, followed by bright sun, repeat. During one of the wind and rain cycles, I stood at the window, marvelling at how the rain was coming down, just in time to see an old dead pine come crashing into our yard. Though it crashed through part of the kids' swing set, nothing else was damaged beyond some cosmetics. Amazing, considering that it actually hit the house and landed right next to a window and almost on top of our air conditioning unit. Most importantly, everyone is safe and sound. God is merciful.

• the power God exerts through forces of nature
• a very helpful insurance company, who gave us a check for repairs the damages the day it all happened!
• very kind and helpful men with chainsaws
• chatting with dear friends on skype
• getting to know other moms at swim school
• having lunch and games with friends after church
• a clean closet
• cookies in the cupboard
• making plans for Christmas
• being called, loved and kept by God (Jude 1b)

A Little Bit o' Pretty

 In the shop.

Oil on your face is good?

I first read about the method of cleaning your face with oil at SimpleMom.net, and was intrigued. I had already had a try at going shampoo-free a learned an interesting fact about myself - I like lather in my hair, so back to the shampoo I went. How would I feel about oil on my skin?

Photo from makeupbykim-porter.com

As it happens, I rather like it.  My skin can best be described as combination, and in the few months that I've been at this new skin care regime, the dry parts aren't dry and the oily parts aren't oily. I apply the oil in the evening as I get ready for bed, do the teeth-brushing and pajama wearing, and wipe it off with a hot, wet cloth. A splash of cold water in the morning and I'm done. No more moisturizers and toners and cleansers. Once a week or so I use an exfoliator, and that's it.

I won't reinvent the wheel by telling you how it's all done, since Tsh does such a good job of that here. I will tell you it's cheaper, simpler and generally all around better for the skin.

What's your simple, helpful or just lovely beauty recommendation?

Multitude Mondays

This weekend we had an opportunity to go on an overnight Care Group Leaders' Retreat, where the care group leaders at our church got together to share a bit of what's going on in their lives and be refreshed and encouraged. It was a wonderful time, and another reminder at how much I have to be thankful for:

• getting away overnight without the kids, all expenses paid
• getting to spend time with the other leaders at church
• sharing some of the joys and challenges of life with each other
• giving and receiving prayer and encouragment
• the amazing families who cared for our kids while we were away
• the yummy food!
• returning to some very tired kids on Saturday
• Sunday morning worship
• taking a family walk in Harford Glen
• writing letters to faraway friends
• a quiet breakfast with Toby to star the week

Lovin' Pintrest

Have you seen Pintrest yet? Oh my. I put it off for as long as I could, but I suppose it was inevitable - so many have spoken of how useful/fun/inspiring it was, I had to jump on the wagon. I am such a sheep...

In short, Pintrest is simply a virtual pin board that you can share with others. See a great recipe? Pin it to your food board with photo and link, and others can thank you for sharing. Found a cute hairstyle or craft project you'd like to try? Pin it. It's less involved than a blog and more focused than facebook (no banal status updates - hoorah!). It's a tool, and such a fun one 

Of course, it very much has the propensity to be a massive time-suck, absolutely. If you can guard yourself against it by being strict with when or how long you're on (just like any other website), Pintrest is a great resource.  From food (my busiest "pin board")...

...to clothes...

...to nifty things to try...

...to just plain funny.

If you can handle the responsibility, get on there and get set up. And be a friend - that way I can follow what you pin on your board. Clearly, I am such a follower.

Multitude Mondays

Sickness has now entered our home. At the moment, it's only one, but knowing how these things tend to sweep through a family, I don't think it'll stay that way for long. Whether it's preparing for difficulty or smack dab in the middle of it, it is just as important as ever to be aware of God's sovereign hand in my life and thank Him for all good things:

• daily quiet time
• an extra blanket on the bed
• freshly baked bread
• finishing a family read-aloud book
• the excitement of choosing what to read next
• people who serve faithfully, without ever asking for acknowledgement
• friends who will sacrifice their comfort to serve our family
• a child that voluntarily offers to help another
• old movies
• homemade tomato soup

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Gather of lights with whom there is o variation or shadow due to change.

James 1:17



34

That's me now. I am 34 years old. Somehow, I have the feeling I should have "it" (whatever "it" is) a little more together by now...A goal for next year, perhaps?

A lovely birthday I had on Tuesday. My husband cooked my favorite breakfast - bacon, egg and cheese on a toasted everything bagel. Great way to start the day. School was followed by the mailman delivering what might be my favorite gift - a yarn ball winder! Out of the box it came, was run downstairs, set up in my work room and I quickly turn a few messy skeins of yarn into happy little yarn "cakes". It's difficult to articulate the feeling well, but there is just something about seeing those little "cakes" that just makes me happy.

In the evening my husband took me shopping at Christopher and Banks. For me it's a great store that straddles the divide between being too old and "full-figured" for Old Navy and too young for Chicos. Some things look a little too old for me, but most items are great, and their shirts are cut just right for the likes of me.

Shopping was followed by dinner at Neel's Kabob Factory in Bel Air. If you're not into Indian food, you probably won't enjoy this, but if you like to try something new, this might just be the ticket. The food was great (as was the price with our restaurant.com coupon)! We started off with falafel, which I'd never had before. They were quite tasty, though a little bland. They do provide tamarind and mint dipping sauces, which compliment nicely. Whenever I have Indian I usually go for a Chicken Biryani (chicken and rice dish) or a Chicken Rogan Josh (tomato-based, I think). I wanted to try something different this time, so I went for the Chicken Tikka Masala - delicious. Wonderfully creamy and flavorful and not too spicy (I ordered a 3 on their 1-10 scale). Complete with garlic naan, it was just right. They had a pretty varied menu, too - vegetarian options, halal meats, lamb dishes and even goat. I like new things, but I'm not yet brave enough for goat and I just don't care for lamb, so chicken is where I live.

Another thing I don't really care for is Indian sweets - I find them too sweet. Now they did have some cheesecake options, but I wasn't in the mood, so we wandered off to the new Wegman's around the corner from us to see what they had in their fresh bakery section. There was plenty of options, but for me there was really only one thing - the mini key lime pie. I think key lime pie is one of the best things going. Toby had a moon pie, I think - it looked a little weird, so I didn't pay too much attention, but I think he liked it.

So, that's my birthday, turning 34. Thanks to all who sent cards, gifts and well wishes - each has helped to make it a sweet day of celebration that God would give me not only that much time, but so many rich blessings into such a space of time. He is, indeed, so good to me.

Multitude Mondays

In no particular order:

• How the end of one season means the beginning of another
• How an unexpected nap time for little ones can mean unexpected relaxation for me
• Being able to pray for my children
• Seeing their need for Jesus early!
• Finishing my sweater
• Sharing work space with my husband
• Sitting in a cool breeze
• Seeing the sunlight stream across my favorite quilt
• Having the rower more accessible in my bedroom

My new favorite sweater

I am so excited to have finished this. It's been a while in the making, but it's finally done! Yay!

First, it was going to be the February Lady Pullover. I got up to the neckline and had to put it aside for a while. When I got back to it, the neck shaping just wasn't looking right. Ripped it out and redid it a few times. No good. I even took it to my favorite yarn shop and got their assistance, which was definitely helpful. In the end, though, I learned that I knit funny. It turns out that not only do I tend to knit in a style that means I have to modify instructions for lace knitting, but I think I've also been wrapping my yarn the wrong way. Non-knitters won't care, but I think you knitters out there will get how that's troublesome.

So, I gave up. Sad to say, but true. But, there is hope - now that I've figured out what I tend to do wrong, I will likely go back to this pattern - it's so pretty!

Now, this yarn has been a dream to work with, and I love the color, so I had to find a project worth the yarn, so I had a go with this. I am so pleased at how it's turned out!

I am also extremely pleased that I can honestly say that my sweater is a size medium - I can't remember the last time I wore anything up top that didn't have an "L" in it!

This sweater is a wonderful testimony to the mystery of blocking. I've not always done it before, but the more I do it, the more I am convinced of how helpful it is. "Blocking" (as I understand it) is simply the method of moistening the fibers and allowing them to relax. You can spray or soak, then pin the garment. It then goes from being kind of tight and a little stiff to being relaxed and soft. In this case, before blocking it was kind of snug, a little short in the sleeves and you couldn't really see the yoke detailing very well. Now, it's perfect. And I love it.