Clean Pantry

While I've been laying around being sick this week, we hatched a crop of weevils from some grain in the pantry. They were everywhere! So today my DH got rid of every bit of grain in the cupboard except the Cheerios, pancake mix and popcorn for the grandkids.  

He also threw out expired canned goods, some of which had been hiding in the back corners of the pantry for years. 

With our change of diet (Paleo - we've totally cut out grains and are focusing on pastured organic meats and eggs, and vegetables), we no longer need grains in the pantry anyway. And we certainly don't need to keep expired canned goods!

He likes to throw things away, so it was a great job for him.  I totally appreciate it because it's the sort of thing that I put off as long as possible even when I'm feeling fine.

I now have room to prepare an emergency food supply (hurricane season isn't over yet) that fits our current diet.  I haven't figured out yet what that will be. It will have to wait until I'm no longer feverish for sure. 

There's still organizing to do when I'm well, and I do think those cookbooks need to come out from behind the storage bin!

I'm back from my trip, and starting to get settled into home routines. The trip was wonderful from start to finish. The image a photo I took of an old log building that sits in the very small community that my paternal grandparents homesteaded in originally. It's not too far from the farm I grew up on, but I had never been over there. My brother, who lives on our family farm, had never searched out the community either. It appears on Google maps, but it is really just a collection of a few houses, out on the prairie a few miles from a small town in Montana.

It used to be more of a community, with a church built on land donated by my grandmother. There is no sign of where the church was specifically located, so I'm going to have to do some research to find out. There is an old grain elevator still standing, possibly from the 1920's or 30's. Everything else in the neighborhood is much more modern.

I had been hoping to find some remnants of the church building, but I'm happy at least that this old log building still stands and I got the opportunity to take a photo of it.

The Truth Is

Morning skies (II), a photo by Vince Alongi on Flickr.

The truth is, I hate mornings. Which means I hate going to bed. Because that makes the next event (hopefully) morning.

This is not conducive to getting a good night's sleep. Of course, neither is a rib out of place or arthritis pain. Yes, I'm griping! :(

Time to take some Tylenol, hope it does some good, and try to sleep. I wish mornings felt as lovely as this photo, Morning skies (II) by Vince Alongi, found on Flickr Creative Commons.

When the body is sad....

"When the body is sad, the heart languishes." Albert Camus

I'm doing a little contemplating on this today. I like the way Camus describes this. I don't think I've ever thought about the body feeling sad. Hurting, in pain, or feeling healthy and alive, yes. But not sad.

We are so tied to our physical reality, and often at the same time very unobservant of it.

My body is certainly needing some time for rest and recuperation right now. I was told today that my intercostal muscle might not be back to normal for 6-8 weeks. Patience! I was hoping a couple of weeks would do it. But at the current rate of recovery, the longer prediction looks likely to be accurate.

I feel somewhat defeated in this because I really do want to get in better shape physically, but that's not possible when you can't take a full breath. I am going to have to learn to be content with very small steps.

So instead of having a goal to get into shape, I have a goal of being able to do my alignment exercises without pulling a rib out of place. I think I need to break that one down smaller as well. Perhaps just one exercise without pulling anything out.

Once again back at the beginning.

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Slow Recovery

I've been doing a lot of resting to recover from my strained intercostal muscle. It's slowly getting better, but I mean slooowly. As in, there isn't noticeable improvement on a daily basis. Maybe every 3-4 days. But at least it is heading in the right direction!

Listening to The Digi Show while I catalogue this kit called Brighter Days  which is a collab kit to benefit scrapbook designer Zoe Pearn's family. They lost everything in the flood in Australia. Tons of goodies in the kit. Take a look.

I'm also doing some thinking/reading about habits. Especially reading Zen Habits by Leo Babauta and his posts about developing habits. The habit I'm wanting to develop is exercise. This remains a huge challenge to me due to always running into metaphorical walls. I'm suspecting it could be due to fibromyalgia. I have to be extremely careful not to overdo it. So I'm going to do some thinking and reading first, then start with one small little habit or exercising on a very limited basis just to develop the habit of moving more.

I know I need this.

When one part suffers...I Cor. 12:26

Today I'm a living example of this scripture. I have something wrong in one very small, specific part of my body. But it is affecting every other part.

I have this tendency to pull ribs out of place from simple activities like getting up off the floor. Or sleeping. Mostly they have been in my back, but today it's at the sternum, making moving and even breathing painful. We seem to have some kind of collagen disorder in the family, and this is one of its manifestations.

It's only one, small, specific problem. One little rib not quite where it should be. But oh, it makes me wince.

One of the things I love about the Bible is how lessons are drawn from everyday things. We've all suffered from some type of body ache or pain, some much more painful than others. We all know how much our total being is affected by each one. We can relate.

Paul is using this simple, everyday example to illustrate the unity and empathy within the church. When one suffers, we all suffer. To the degree we have the heart of God within us, we will care for one another like our whole body cares when we hit our finger with a hammer. We don't have to conjure up caring in the latter case. It's automatic because it is, after all, our body, with each part interwoven and effected by all the other parts.

Likewise, the body of believers does not have to work up empathy for hurting brothers and sisters. If the empathy isn't there, then I would question how much our lives are really yielding to what God is speaking to our hearts.

When we are in pain, our functioning is impaired according to the level of pain. I, for one, am pretty useless in terms of my personal activity when I'm hurting.

I think God's people are similarly effected when another member is hurting. Normal activity is not effective until healing has occurred. It isn't helpful to focus on normal functioning. Normal functioning is not possible. Everyday body life cannot go on until there is a cure for the wounding.


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Things We Love: Food

My grandchildren love doughnuts. Who doesn't? DH has to go to a bit of trouble to get these for them. That's because there is no Krispy Kreme store here. Not on this island. He buys them when he's on trips to Maui. So they are rare. But oh they are loved. The rainbow sprinkle ones are their favorite.

This photo made me realize I really want some white plates. Especially when compared to these pictures of the doughnuts in the box.

The plain glazed ones are for their uncle. Because I can't eat any. And DH shouldn't eat any. I'm gluten intolerant, and we are both on a low carb diet. Me for weight, him for health reasons.  So these lovelies are hanging around the house waiting for them to eat them. 

The grandchildren would eat them all in a day of course. Their uncle, being an adult, knows that it's better to savor one or two a day.

Enjoy the little things

"Enjoy the little things in life for some day you will realize they were the big things"


I saw this quote on the web with no attribution, so I have no clue who said it, but I love it.

I'm enjoying the little things this morning.

Sunshine in the garden
My favorite cup of coffee while I read blogs on my iPad
Time to have a slow morning
My grandson's politeness
His morning hair
My granddaughter's sweet smile
The breeze blowing the curtains in the living room
Birds chirping and cooing
Blue - just about anything blue






Including new blue pillows on my blue couch from Target.


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Another Day

It's so lovely I had to post another picture. The packaging was lovely too.

Last night was scrapbooking with the older two grandchildren. We scanned through my photos of each of them and they picked their favorites. I printed out five for each of them to put in their albums, then I gave them each a sticky label to write what the picture is about. I want to get them in the habit of documenting their photos - even if it's just things like "We had this dog when I was little".

Both of them were awake really late last night, so they didn't get up until 9:00 this morning! I think I'm going to have to start getting them up earlier in the morning so they'll sleep at night. I just start reading blog posts in the morning and lose track of the time.

The youngest of the three arrives this evening after I'm done working. Her big sister misses her.

Their mom safely arrived in Singapore in spite of leaving here 2 1/2 hours late (with a 3 hour "layover" scheduled in Japan). She almost missed the plane in Japan. Thankfully, she had a friend on the plane who called her while she was getting off the first plane, and told the crew on the second plane to wait (and they did). The crew on the first plane was not at all helpful with her getting off first to make her connection or anything. Both flights were Delta flights, but they didn't contact the second to say, hang on for a bit, we've got a connecting passenger and we're taxi-ing to the terminal right now.


But she made it, and made it to her hotel and hopefully my son-in-law has arrived and they are enjoying a little time together. Long deployments are not fun. 'Nuf said.

New Years Resolutions and why I don't make them

I just read a post that does a pretty good job of explaining my view of New Years resolutions at 43folders. The short version, if you don't want to read the article, is that I don't make resolutions at New Years.

This does not mean I don't spend some time evaluating what I'd like to accomplish or change this year. In my business, I do a regular quarterly review and planning session, setting goals for the following quarter. There are solid, concrete goals I can take action on every week. They help keep me on track with my long term business goals.

In my private life I am participating in Ali Edward's One Little Word project and her class at Big Picture Classes. This is fundamentally a different process than making resolutions. It is finding a word that speaks to you and your life, and being open to the possibilities of that word throughout the year. This one word can turn out to reflect your life as it is, and also to influence your life as it becomes. Sometimes it might reflect a desire for change or self improvement, but it isn't a laundry list of achievements to be conquered. I loved to see how my one word played out in 2010, especially because 2010 was a demanding year in many ways. I'm eagerly looking forward to what becomes of my one word in 2011, even though there is also a little trepidation as well, a reflection of the challenges in 2010 related to my word.

I don't have any specific goals in mind for my word, grace. There isn't some end point I am trying to reach. I have no idea where it will lead me, but I'm sure it will be an interesting journey.

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Happy New Year

I've been enjoying vacation and working many hours on some family heritage projects instead of writing blogs.

We had a very nice, quiet Christmas. Tonight will be another story! We've had firecrackers that sound like bombs going off around here since before Christmas. Tonight is going to be noisy!

Happy New Year!


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Tranquility and Joy

As I sit in the peace of early morning, listening to doves coo and water drip from the ginger leaves, I am reflecting on joy. In the case, very specific joy. The joy of my granddaughter in anticipating Christmas. The joy she had when we went shopping for presents for her siblings and friend. The joy she had making gift tags to put on them. Her joy is so simple and child-like because she is a child.

It reminds me of Jesus' admonition that we must become like little children to enter his kingdom. This was spoken in the context of the disciples' concern for rank and position in that kingdom. And Jesus' response was to direct them to be like little children. If you observe young children, they are not concerned about climbing the ladder of success. They aren't concerned with power over others, or even what their life will be like in five minutes, much less tomorrow or five years from now.

So what does this have to do with joy? I think it has everything to do with it. Joy doesn't come from being busy or successful or famous. It comes from simple things. Love. Trust. Enjoying what we have and who we are. Living in your present, not your past or your future.

So my wish and prayer for the world today is Joy.


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#reverb10 for December 10

Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author: Susannah Conway)


Hmm - did I make any wise decisions this year? Maybe it was to choose Family as my word of the year. It certainly played out to be a year of the family. For one, there were family needs to take care of that were very unexpected and demanding. For another, we got to enjoy time with every member of our immediate family, far and near. And my depth of understanding of other family members has certainly deepened. So, yep, I'm going with choosing Family for my word of the year.


In case you are wondering, picking one word to focus on for the year is inspired by the wonderful Ali Edwards at aliedwards.com. She's a wonderful designer, scrap booker, and inspiring person who also happens to have a son on the autism spectrum. Ali is teaching a class in 2011 at Big Picture Classes for people who want to focus more on the word for the year. I have to say, I've heard about this idea of picking a word for the year before, but this is the first year I've actually picked one. I'm very glad I did. It helped remind me, when life was going crazy around here, about what I wanted to focus on, and what was important. It helped keep me from having a pity party a time or two. And it made me more conscious to be aware and thankful for the family I have, with all it's weirdness (which includes me, by the way). 

Explanation of my total fail

I've totally failed to keep up with the #reverb10 and here's why. We've had pneumonia. Almost all of us. Out of 10 immediate family members who have been in the vicinity, 6 of us had pneumonia. Most of us are still recovering from it. Slowly. The antibiotics have taken care of the cough and fever part, but the extreme fatigue is carrying on. Maybe in another week we'll be somewhat normal.

One result of the fatigue and slowness of brain is a total lack of attention to #reverb10. So I'll play catch up.

#reverb10 Catch Up Number 2

December 7 – Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Author: Cali Harris)


I've discovered some new online communities this year, as well as a local women's business group. My biggest sense of community always comes from my relationship with God and with my family.




December 8 – Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond


I'm different in a lot of ways. Homeschool, how I practice my Christianity, how I take care of my body. Nothing that is unique, mind you, just different from the norm. I think what lights people up is feeling my genuine love and affection for them. 


December 9 – Party Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)


It was a friend's daughter's wedding. Specifically the father-daughter dance. It certainly had me in tears. It  was so wonderful to see this beautiful young woman so obviously loving on her dear dad. Food, drink, none of that mattered. It's always the heart things that speak to me.


OK! Caught up, in spite of being ill with a nasty something. Heading for the doctor tomorrow, hopefully. 

#reverb 10 Catch Up

I'm horribly behind. Life has gotten in the way. Illness mostly, but also just being busy with family and work.

But here's the next #rever10 prompt

December 3 – Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)


Oh, there are so many. I'll pick a recent, early morning. The air was cool and smelled spicy from the surrounding eucalyptus trees. There was only the slightest of breezes. I was full of gratitude for living here, for the air and the plants and the smells, and for feeling good.


December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)


I am always inspired by nature and small children. Sitting in our lovely garden, walking along the beach, spending time with grandkids and young students. They all give me a sense of wonder.


December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)


I let go of unrealistic expectations of my husband and my grandson. Since 'discovering' Asperger's and his own conclusion that it describes him well, I've realized that it's all too easy to expect things from others they are unable to give. I'm learning to be OK with who they are. This has been a long journey in some ways, but it has really come into focus just in the last month.


December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)


The last thing I made was a scrapbook page. This one:

I did it entirely digitally, which is my most frequent means of scrapbooking these days. No materials needed other than my computer, Photoshop Elements, and some photos and digital papers.  I was full of gratitude for having these people in my life.

Giving Thanks

There are so many things to be thankful for. Family, friends, having access to such amazing bounty, living in such a beautiful location.

I'm also grateful for small things today. The new recipes turned out well. Everyone enjoyed the meal. The grandkids got along almost perfectly, with a small exception.

Highlight of the day: S1 came home on leave today. He's in the Army. Next year he'll be deployed on Thanksgiving.

Missing today: D1 & her boyfriend, who live far, far away. D3 & her sailor hubby - he's deployed & she was in Japan visiting for the port call. But thanks to the amazing technology we now enjoy, we've gotten to video chat with them via Facetime. (We're an Apple family-it's a requirement to be an Apple user if you want to marry into our family :)

Here was our menu:

Figs & Brie from Gluten Free Girl and the Chef

Butternut Squash Soup with Smoked Paprika from Gluten Free Girl and the Chef

Honey Brined Turkey with Herb Reisling Gravy recipe from Whole Foods

Dressing following the advice from NPR

Mashed Potatoes from Pioneer Woman

Green salad with pears and avocado with a choice of dressings from Hawaiian Vanilla Company

Canned cranberries - I had intended to make a fresh cranberry chutney, but forgot to add the ingredients to the shopping list, so they didn't get purchased. Oh well - better luck next year!

Homemade pumpkin pie recipe from pickyourown.org

Pecan Pie purchased at Whole Foods.

The pumpkin pie was the only recipe I was disappointed in. The pumpkin I used was a really wonderful heirloom pumpkin. We'd already eaten a lot of it, so I knew it was a delicious pumpkin. I was expecting a fabulous pie, but it really wasn't. I think next year I'll be happy to buy the pie, and just eat my pumpkin as a vegetable instead of dessert!

My favorite bits were the figs & brie, the butternut squash soup, and the honey brined turkey & Riesling gravy. Those are definitely keepers. The potatoes were really good, too. Add them to the list. Along with fresh cranberry chutney next year.

One of our guests is a friend of the family who likes to tease the grandchildren. One of our neuro-typical granddaughters, who is 8, has learned to laugh at his silliness. Her brother, the 10 year old who is being evaluated for Asperger's has not. The friend keeps telling him not to be so literal and gets a bit irritated with him for not understanding. I'm hoping once we actually have a diagnosis, we'll be able to communicate better to him how this isn't possible for this little boy. It wasn't a blight on the day, but it was a big reminder that all is not what would be considered normal. He & his autistic sister spent a lot of their day on the computer and watching movies. And my husband is looking forward to tomorrow, when D3 comes home and there are less people living in our house. He loves his grandchildren dearly, but between his age and Asperger's, it's a stretch having a house full of children for a week.

But I want to add that these are really special people in our family, who bring us great delight in addition to the challenges.