tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90320542024-03-18T21:21:09.973-07:00Teatime with WendyWendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-51202616940317690812015-10-16T12:37:00.001-07:002015-10-16T12:37:11.126-07:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircOzJDgSsh_brOVisZP5XEPkPB2XnTV8UF4TOZFjcFyQ-UlHLWXSzF7yijlWGh2w1oTCe2KXuhoyICg-RDJF8aRGXu1nqJbiTj78Z-KrB_SnUzZ-GNi2vgQetUvEA5ZiwvFBP/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircOzJDgSsh_brOVisZP5XEPkPB2XnTV8UF4TOZFjcFyQ-UlHLWXSzF7yijlWGh2w1oTCe2KXuhoyICg-RDJF8aRGXu1nqJbiTj78Z-KrB_SnUzZ-GNi2vgQetUvEA5ZiwvFBP/s400/IMG_0359.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our farmhouse last winter.</td></tr>
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<br />Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-24171981472282932722015-10-14T12:29:00.000-07:002015-10-14T12:29:13.363-07:00Dreams Realized, Blessed Beyond WordsSo many times I have thought to post an update. So much has happened, and at a furious pace. I'm just now coming up for air, these two years later. But not without God's sustaining hand ever present on our shoulder, guiding, assuring us, every step, of His goodness and care, and desire to remind us of His love through even earthly blessings. Yet, we doubt Him listening, hearing our prayers. I feel so foolish when I forget to look back at the ways He has carried us, even lavished His goodness on us.<br />
My short blog has few entries, but it doesn't take long to see my longings for a country life. I transformed our builder grade suburban home on a half acre into the farmhouse of my magazine pages, with beadboard wainscot on the walls of every hall, bathroom, laundry room, kitchen backsplash, complete with plate rail in the dining room. Checkered black and white floors replaced all the carpet in our living room, dining room, family room, laundry, and mainflor half bath. My country kitchen was to die for, with enough room for all my girls to help me bake, can, and dehydrate foods. I rendered lard on the back deck, spun wool by my freestanding Vermont Castings gas fireplace. I birthed 9 babies in our bedroom there, put in a garden, planted fruit trees. When allowed to opportunity, I kept milking goats on a dear friend's property, driving there twice a day to milk, bottle feeding kid goats, sneaking them home to keep in my bathroom when they neede extra care. We tried keeping chickens for a time, until a neighbor complained, concerned for the neighborhood well. Chicken were given away, and children cried. But the house was perfectly located for my husband's ferry commute to downtown Seattle, for soccer and baseball practices, for my parents to drop in for hugs. As the children grew, left home and came for family dinners with cars of their own, and the grands started to arrive, our culdesac filled for family dinners, rehearsal dinners, and engagement parties. We were outgrowing and overflowing, hogging the public space of our small neighborhood. It was all my children knew. Home. But I longed for more. I was tired of the fishbowl I felt I lived in for 21 years, careful not to step on toes, hiding in my "farmhouse" in the suburbs. I longed for space, and freedom to breathe, be myself, and be a good neighbor...from a distance. I wanted opportunities for our children to pursue small business, work with their hands, run and play with abandon. I longed for a fiber flock, eggs from our chickens, milk from our goats, a big garden, and an orchard. Getting that on Bainbridge Island would take a miracle. We drove to every possible new listing that might be able, with some creativity, to suit us. It didn't take a rocket scientist to realize we could buy more "off island", as we call it. But that meant sacrifices, mostly to Louie's commute, already an hour door to door. He resisted for a long time, but then humored me with drives through off island communities, looking at land, foreclosures, looking for a deal so we could afford more land. Buying with cash was becoming more of a possibility with our shrinking mortgage, our time invested. But houses were small, run down, manufactured, or just raw land, with so much infrastructure required, making development costs just a risky guess. And then there was internal strife and resistance from our children still home, that no other place could be "home". Change is hard. Memories and community had been made.<br />
Another big piece of land came on the market and off we drove to take a look. Wet, like lots of open land in our area, which makes property cheap and unusable, it was a shame that beavers have more property rights than we do. But the real estate agent on the sign was someone my husband knew, so we called. No, this wasn't what we wanted, but he had a few others we might like, and another coming on the market. Could he send us the information? It was Spring 2013. Our son had just gotten engaged for a September wedding, we had a summer road trip to Ohio planned for my niece's wedding, and I had bought tickets to go to England with a friend for my 50th birthday, in September too. Not the year to sell our house, with all that it needed to make it market ready. But, then he told us about the property not yet on the market. Literally, we had drove past this farm every Sunday for 16 years a few doors up from our church in a sweet agricultural valley, known for it's pumpkin patches, and vegetable stand. Church family we knew had grown up in that house some 50 years before. It was more land than I thought we could afford, 9 acres with an old farmhouse, barely big enough to suit our children at home, but solid, quaint, and two barns, an old orchard, and a salmon stream. It had been owned for 45 years by the last family who raised their own large family there. It was tired, neglected, and yet the infrastructure was all there. And it came with an old John Deere, also waiting to be brought back to life. I couldn't get it out of my head. Fortunately the family was slow to part with all their parent's earthly possessions so we had time, and it wasn't yet on the market. But it would be in our price range with the cash we could get out of our house. A road trip to Oregon to the Black Sheep Gathering and a long talk with my friend encouraged me to bring it up with my husband again. He agreed to go look at it even after looking at photos of the house interior that were discouraging at best, compared with our shiny, brightly painted and updated roomy house. It would be a downsize of over 1000 square feet of house, but an upsize to 9 overgrown acres.<br />
The rest of the summer was a blur of painting, purging, packing, scrubbing, and hauling junk to to dump. We managed with the help of many friends and family to repaint the entire interior, wash every surface, and repair every item on a long list in time to catch the last sale of the summer, and accepted an offer 9 days after listing. We signed electronically as we drove across country, returning in time to make inspection repairs, and put me on an airplane for England. All the while, we waited to put an offer in on the farm, in faith that it would be ours. Talk about nerve wracking. My husband was a basketcase without me, and I was trying to enjoy my birthday trip, knowing he was in agony for my dream. Ouch. I returned with only a week before our son's big day, a week before our house closed, and a month before we were to move out of our home of 21 years into the smaller, dirty, tired 110 year old farmhouse of my dreams.<br />
Little did we know how God would continue to provide and make this place home. By some kind of miracle we have been blessed with the skills and time of our elder Keith, who loves a project almost as much as he loves Jesus and has poured himself into making this homestead into a working breathing farm, shoring up structures, replacing fences, building structures, digging trenches, burying pipe and conduit, putting in barn stairs, making old farm equipment work again. The list goes on. He answered long ago prayers for someone to teach my children skills that their father couldn't, no offense to my sporty, numbers guy of a husband. And Keith and my husband couldn't be happier about it. I pinch myself almost everyday.<br />
Two years.<br />
<br />
<br />Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-22316673412803040022011-07-26T19:08:00.000-07:002011-07-26T22:44:17.755-07:00Today At My House<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r376/tea4wendy/photo-6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 478px;" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r376/tea4wendy/photo-6.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />Heather Wombacher has a blog that has inspired me to participate in posting her URL, as well as answering the following prompts.<br />http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/<br /><br />FOR TODAY<br />Above is a picture for thought that I'm sharing...<br />It is a photo of my newly reorganized sewing and spinning/fiber studio. Sorry it's dark in the photo. Isn't it nice to have a place to create, that is just yours? It could be a wardrobe, or a bookcase, filled with inspiration. I happen to be blessed to have a whole room right off our master bedroom that we converted from nursery to this. Now I have space to invite some girlfriends to spin with me, or to teach sewing to some of my favorite girls! <br /><br />Outside my window...<br />Is my vegetable garden, which I call my "le Poteger". In it, is growing espaliered apple and asian pear trees. There are potatoes, strawberries, tomatoes, onions, beets, carrots, broccoli, beans, turnips, squashes, peas, rhubarb, and chives. In addition, there are herbs for tea, seasoning, and garnishes. It was planted in the "Square-foot Gardening" style.<br /><br />I am thinking...<br />About what it would take to put our house on the market again. Daunting. Purging, painting, pressure-washing, primping.<br /><br />I am thankful...<br />For this time of having my 3 big boys still home. I can feel the times changing when I won't see them daily, and they will strike out on their own.<br /><br />From the learning rooms...(if this applies)<br />Time to enforce more summer reading, outloud and individual.<br /><br />In the kitchen...<br />I have a Lasagna in the oven, and fresh baked ww bread on the counters.<br /><br />I am wearing...<br />A green t-shirt from Sonoma, and khaki shorts with clogs.<br /><br />I am creating...<br />I have two bobbins of CVM to divide and make into a 3-ply, and on my needles I am plugging away on my Brandywine shawl, a remembrance of our last baby, which we lost.<br /><br />I am going...<br />To my 30th high school reunion this weekend. It seems to get easier the more the time passes.<br /><br />I am wondering...<br />Where the summer has gone? Only a few days of really sunny weather, but rather alot of busy-ness has made it fly by.<br /><br />I am reading...<br />Magazines, blogs, emails, FB, Twitter, and sadly not my Bible as often.<br /><br />I am hoping...<br />To begin again with a new routine for the rest of the summer, plan the next school year, set a schedule for fall, put up a fence in the backyard, touch up paint inside, process all the fleeces I have, to get them ready to dye and spin, and finish my shawl, by the end of August. Ambitious, I know.<br /><br />I am looking forward to...<br />Going to Roche Harbor on a float plane with my husband the weekend after next, and relaxing with him.<br /><br />I am hearing...<br />Nolan and his big brother Clayton playing a chasing and tickling game.<br /><br />Around the house...<br />Our orange tabby is swishing his tail on the front porch,and children are playing with neighbor friends, while we wait for dinner to be done.<br /><br />I am pondering...<br />My 11 year old son's desire for more playmates and exciting things to do. Considering Boy Scouts again with a wonderful Christian troop, perhaps while little girls do Awana. It's tough when you have 3 sisters above you, and 3 sisters below you. The house is always filled with girls.<br /><br />One of my favorite things...<br />Is my little Longaberger basket I use as a purse. It is so cute. Looks like a little picnic basket. Very "me".<br /><br />A few plans for the rest of the week:<br />Finish washing walls, baseboards. Exercise daily. Ply and empty bobbins. My young moms group comes over on Thursday mornings to hang out and talk about Biblical Womanhood, based on Victoria Botkin's cd. Love those gals!Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-52278893300673292892011-02-02T21:58:00.000-08:002011-02-03T13:01:27.464-08:00Knitting Cables<a href="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r376/tea4wendy/34ede40c-1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r376/tea4wendy/34ede40c-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Last time I told you about some of the projects I have going. I finished Rowan's socks and they will fit perfectly soon! In the meantime I haven't done much spinning, so the cabled scarf is still waiting for me to finish the Icelandic wool so that I can spin up more of the wool that I am spinning from a fleece I acquired. I'm washing that in bits and spinning it from the lock since it's all so neatly lined up. I really dislike carding by hand, so that eliminates that step.<br />I started another knitting project out of my handspun that has been sitting around. Two dear friends are going through cancer treatment right now, so I was inspired to knit a hat, in case one of them might be in need of one. I had picked up this pattern at my LYS by Jared Flood, that is meant for his yarn that looks like handspun, so I have substituted my own handspun! I'm using this beautiful heathery grey/brown BFL (Bluefaced Leicester). It is so soft, perfect to go against the skin. I tarted this project at home, but brought it with me on my 3 day trip to San Francisco with my buddy Barbara. She needed help getting stated on a project, so I thought the hat would be a nice little pattern to work on while we drank tea and sat by the fire in our little boutique hotel. What I have learned is that this pattern takes alot of attention and concentration. I like pattern, but there is no getting in a real rhythm with this. So, the only solution is just to really pay attention. I'm very happy with how it's turning out, as it's only my 3rd cable project, and my second hat. May it bless and bring comfort to the recipient.Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-47445912661844864962011-01-20T15:24:00.000-08:002011-01-20T18:44:12.356-08:00What's on my needles and in my teacup?<a href="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r376/tea4wendy/0a6d1a9c-1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r376/tea4wendy/0a6d1a9c-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div>I have quite a few projects going, and some days I just don't get to any of them, so I thought that if I posted my progress, it might help me to get a few things accomplished!<br />Currently I have some very cute 2x2 rib socks going for my granddaughter Rowan who has the cutest little chubby legs and has a hard time wearing socks because they strangle her ankles! Her mama and daddy like green, so I'm making them a light two tone green. I keep trying to upload a photo of them, but am frustrated to find that I have forgotten how, or it just isn't working right. I also have the rest of a bump of natural brown Icelandic wool roving that I spun Tasha Tudor's shawl out of, that I need to spin up. I have discovered that I have just 3 bobbins to do my spinning and plying on, and if I make the mistake of spinning two different wools, I have to wind one off onto a temporary bobbin by hand in order for me to ply efficiently, with two bobbins full of the other wool. So I am anxious to finish spinning this wool so I can start another! I have several other breeds of sheep's roving I want to try out, including Wensleydale, CVM, and Corriedale. I also have bags and bags of sheep wool that is waiting in the wings to be washed, and then carded. I'm going to try blending it with some of my friend Sonja's mohair. Very excited about that!<br />Nothing is done with out my companion cup of tea. Lately, my favorite find is Bewley's Dublin Morning Tea, which steeps beautifully into the same warm brown that I have been spinning. And it is a deep, full-bodied tea that goes perfectly with turbinado sugar and milk. I give a big sigh when I have my first cup in the morning. Bewley's Dublin Morning Tea is a lovely everyday tea. I picked it up at my lys Churchmouse Yarns and Tea. Thank you John!</div>Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-89580532601879456172010-07-31T21:24:00.000-07:002010-07-31T21:41:13.137-07:00"Hens and Chicks"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinb3Y4bXXCapYsbCCjx5p7emsRnQnEklIspt1wfwlMuhovbY_1tSA4M27hSowXEoA6auLRWQatFPkqqxsiFxLD2Xqy2uGa6pOEWJrB1hRQhld0XAF-7Lrzf9_tnr3Ak1bV3E4J/s1600/Hens+and+Chicks.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500293957779873586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinb3Y4bXXCapYsbCCjx5p7emsRnQnEklIspt1wfwlMuhovbY_1tSA4M27hSowXEoA6auLRWQatFPkqqxsiFxLD2Xqy2uGa6pOEWJrB1hRQhld0XAF-7Lrzf9_tnr3Ak1bV3E4J/s320/Hens+and+Chicks.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I have been frustrated that because our house didn't sell, that I am limited to the 1/2 acre suburban lot that we are on. I can't have livestock, not even chickens because we have the neighborhood wellhouse on our property. I dream of a day that I can have some laying hens, broilers for my freezer, and a fiber flock of colored angora goats, sheep, a few milk goats, and a horse for my daughter. </div><div> </div><div>Today while visiting the Kingston Arts Fair, I came upon a vendor selling these! Not quite the same thing, but I couldn't resist! These little succulents are so darling, and it was a ball to assemble a little collection of them. "Hens and Chicks" are just the right kind of plant for me. I can put them in the sun and neglect them, and they'll still multiply happily in their container!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-32288058267371716662010-04-07T15:57:00.000-07:002010-04-07T21:41:44.736-07:00How Has Your Homeschooling Changed?Our Homeschooling Journey<br /><br />If you have homeschooled for more than a few years, you've probably changed your philosophy or methods at least once. Over the 20 years that we have homeschooled, our "school" has changed ALOT. I can't say that I have arrived, by any stretch of the imagination, but it sure has improved. I have a longer term goal - raising up a family that sees that they were created for God's glory, who are building His kingdom, and who are mandated to take dominion over every aspect of their realm of influence. How we implement it may be adjusted, but that is the long term goal.<br /><br />That is not how we started though. When my oldest child was approaching "school age", it was clear that she was not ready for kindergarten, nor was I ready to let her go. She had been a premie, growing along at the 5th percentile, and was developmentally just barely ahead of her sister, 17 mo. her junior. Homeschooling seemed to be my answer and I found myself so relieved not to send my children away all day. My goals initially were simple. I just wanted to help my small children remember the alphabet and be able to count to 2o+, let alone read and do arithmetic. I was assured that they would get it by osmosis - I hung out with an "unschooling" crowd. For the most part they did learn the basics, but I also discovered that I had 2 children that were struggling. I constantly wondered if I should be getting them extra help, or if I was just impatient and needed to wait for their development to catch up. My children were pleasant, obedient, and well mannered. We had alot of fun with friends, exploring beaches, going to parks, and reading to them aloud.<br /><br />When I was expecting my 6th child we got involved with a small group of homeschoolers who were exploring what services the schools might be able to offer us in terms of a meeting space for parent led classes, art materials and library access. It was the beginning of a growing trend for public schools to open "homeschool resource centers". It seemed innocent enough, and I could use some suggestions for my more challenged children. I met other moms like me, and we met other homeschooled kids for playmates. I was encouraged, and the teacher running it homeschooled her own kids, and was a great advocate for us. Services included tutoring, classes, and a growing library of resources, as well as a computer lab. As the services expanded, so did our obligation to record keeping, and then eventually the decision to enroll part-time or FTE (full time enrollment). Then there was more curriculum mandates, and more testing, and more questions, and mandatory meetings with advisors. It became cumbersome, and as my family grew, if each child just took one class each, we were either camped out there, or going back and forth which was interruptive to those at home. We weren't home enough to "homeschool". Ironic. I threatened to pull out several years in a row, and finally did after 10 years in the program. By that time we had made the decision to let the older kids go to the public high school. They struggled and were overwhelmed by the rigors of their college prep high school. It was an intense change for which they were unprepared. There were two solutions that made it work. One was the trade school connected with our district that allowed my boys to spend half of the school day learning carpentry and automotive technology. The other solution was our local alternative high school which allowed contracts and smaller class sizes, and advisors who cater to a more creative way to learn, and offered my learning disabled son an opportunity to get special services. My last public school student will graduate this June from that school.<br /><br />Two years ago I felt the impending doom of sending my next daughter into the system. I had seen how I was losing my children's hearts. The last straw was hearing my older children recall daily chastisement for being part of our large family. I will not send them to the wolves anymore. I am more confident than ever that there are a miriad of ways to get an education. We have never lived in a time when so many resources are at our fingertips, if we only would look. I have used every curriculum under the sun. Some were duds, but I have learned that some workbooks keep us progressing sequentially through some basics. I like Explode the Code for phonics, Spelling Workout, Abeka grammar, Wordly Wise for vocabulary and Singapore math for younger kids. We are using a combination of Saxon, Aleks.com, and Teaching Textbooks for older kid's math. I have used several history programs, like History of the World, and Alpha and Omega for a time. I like reading biographies and even primary documents aloud, then supplementing with library books, although we do that in spurts too. Does anyone else struggle with returning library books? Seems we are always missing one or two. I hate fines! I would rather own books we love anyway. I have also discovered AmblesideOnline.com which is a Charlotte Mason website that is chocked full of resources that can be found on the internet or at the library. I love the out of copyright books available as audio books (librivox.org) while we look at the illistrations from Project Gutenberg (gutenberg.org) or the Burgess Project(childrensbooksonline.org). I especially enjoy this with my younger children for nature science, as Thornton Burgess has two great books on birds and animals. There are even early readers available on the web. For older kids I love Apologia science books. Outstanding and very good apologetics too. This year Katherine and I have been participating in a humanities course studying Antiquities through a Christian worldview with another family that is yet unavailable to the public, but is so outstanding that I will commit to it for the next 3 years! I am learning as much, maybe more than she is. Lest I forget, the Bible, we are working our way through Proverbs for our half hour a day of copywork, and are reading the Bible through.<br /><br />What I know is that although our "school" is far from perfect, we are mandated as Christian parents to instruct our children - not the church, not the government. Although my older children may feel like guinea pigs that I practiced on, they have grown into responsible, respected adults who are reliable and hardworking employees, spouses and parents and most importantly, they're walking with the Lord. Ultimately they belong to Him and we are lent them for just a little while.<br /><br /><br />My latest goal: teach better communication, both written and spoken, so that my children may be arrows who will be able to "not be put to shame when they speak with enemies in the gate".<br />Psalm 127:5<br /><br />What are your goals?Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-88688521656393804032010-03-18T14:59:00.000-07:002010-03-18T15:33:12.401-07:00My Reading ListI thought I would write out my current reading list:<br /><br />All Flesh Is Grass by Gene Logsdon<br />Small-Scale Grain Raising by Gene Logsdon<br />Handspinning - Teach Yourself Visually by Judith Mackenzie McCuin<br />My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers<br />My Bible, particularly Proverbs, Psalms, and Philippeans<br />Katherine and I are reading The Portable Greek Historians for our humanities class.<br /><br />I'm also listening to a weekly class by Victoria Botkin about biblical womanhood.<br /><br />I lurk mostly on these Yahoo groups when I have time:<br />fiber traditions<br />spinning community<br />colored angora goats<br />angora goats the northern way<br />water buffalo<br />mule sheep (blue faced leicester crosses)<br />nutmeg notes<br />patriarch wives<br />above rubies<br /><br />podcasts:<br />Spinal Column Radio<br />Lainie Sips: A Tea PodcastWendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-60691765606571647332010-03-16T07:26:00.000-07:002010-03-16T11:52:21.931-07:00St. Patty's Day Socks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXy96VxnhVVAF-Qh2zqd_sct2SYVZsJaDiABFg19_ubTWK8IUpnMlnyybcEfMYQbxWRB8sH7HJjD71zk1R1shkEHmUuGswoam_uOjJLPGsvGgXeNmoR5Me2GCIofR2nVlgFWD/s1600-h/Nicole's+Sock.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449306175063122162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXy96VxnhVVAF-Qh2zqd_sct2SYVZsJaDiABFg19_ubTWK8IUpnMlnyybcEfMYQbxWRB8sH7HJjD71zk1R1shkEHmUuGswoam_uOjJLPGsvGgXeNmoR5Me2GCIofR2nVlgFWD/s320/Nicole's+Sock.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I have a sweet daughter-in-law, Nicole, who was born on St. Patrick's Day. We have a silly tradition at our house of green pancakes and syrup on St. Patrick's Day, and Nicole usually shows up to enjoy them with us. Sometimes she and Kellen even come for corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots and Irish soda bread for dinner. </div><br /><br /><div>So this year I was trying to figure out a good birthday present for her. I've been knitting my way through Cat Bordhi's "New Pathways for Sock Knitters", and I found a pattern for some ankle socks with sort of a Irish sweater look that I thought would be perfect. I also found that I already had enough green Alpaca yarn to make them. So here is the result. They knit up so cute. Can't wait to give them to her!</div>Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-17505921522114275472010-03-08T11:53:00.000-08:002010-03-08T13:06:03.387-08:00Spinning My Own Yarn<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_Z3v7Kste7-rut-ojgdvI-EWCmYfeLgy8IvKS0IokqnJaPKPND6YadVwdQLzC9YKbR7-doeNPn_lRAeLvWUcvwztYzcCZBIEAR_wPttT-CRIRAXHVsDjPMIP7djAYZCDhKET/s1600-h/my+spinning+wheel.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446372162244990562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_Z3v7Kste7-rut-ojgdvI-EWCmYfeLgy8IvKS0IokqnJaPKPND6YadVwdQLzC9YKbR7-doeNPn_lRAeLvWUcvwztYzcCZBIEAR_wPttT-CRIRAXHVsDjPMIP7djAYZCDhKET/s320/my+spinning+wheel.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I've been a knitter since I was expecting my first child. My SPU friend Marti taught me. Over the years I have knitted mostly for my kids, but I also have knitted a few sweaters for me, and many more socks. Socks and baby sweaters knit up fast, and can keep my attention. I have always loved textile arts, but find less time for the tedious, slower projects and soon they are out of sight and out of mind. Knitting somehow has always fit into my busy suburban life. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>With our plans to move to the midwest when our house sells, I have been researching all the things I will need to know to have a spinner's flock and other livestock/poultry for raising more of our own food. I have read lots of books on the subject of grass fed livestock, raising sheep, pastured poultry, raising Angora goats, value-added products, marketing farm products, etc. One of the first things I did when considering these things, was make a list of all the products I thought our family could market managably. I got on at least seven yahoo groups that discuss animal husbandry for the specific animals that interested me, as well as three on the subject of fiber arts, and spinning wool. I know I would love to knit with my own sheep/mohair, but I also have rugs in mind. Not weaving rugs, but hooking them...with yarn. I had seen some, and they really appealed to me, and intrigued me as a unique product that my children would enjoy dying and packaging into kits with our own wool. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So I have gotten the spinning bug after realizing that if I am going to market wool to others, I had better know what I have, and how it spins. I also wanted to have a better idea of what breed to raise for this. I took a spinning class with two friends in November and determined to buy a wheel of my own. I attended the Madrona Fiber Arts retreat last month and asked lots of people about their wheels, to help me make a better decision before buying one. My grandfather had left me a wonderful cash gift that I had determined to spend on something special, and this was to be it. After trying out different wheels, and learning about all their attributes, I settled on a single treadle, castle style, double drive wheel. Now that may not mean anything to you, but that narrowed down my choices. Quite a milestone. Heidi at the Artful Ewe in Pt. Gamble, my local (sort of) wool/spinning store told me that she had a used wheel that fit my description, a Shacht Matchless. So after a bit of a personal crisis, I finally got over to her store two weekends ago to try it out. She offered to let me bring it home, supplied me with wool, and off I went! Oh, what fun I had, creating my first full bobbin of homespun yarn! So Saturday I went back, paid for my wheel, and Heidi graciously poured herself out to help me ply, wash and whack my first skein of yarn. Now it is ready to knit, or rug hook with. So, it may take me a while, working backward toward my goal of being a shephardess, but in the meantime I am learning some of the skills I will need for my new life. The biggest bonus? Into the shop walked the former owner of my wheel, a wonderful Titus 2 older woman that I know. What a surprise for both of us. Thank you Susan!</div><br /><div></div>Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-84388807497098310482010-02-04T12:15:00.000-08:002010-02-04T13:50:47.699-08:00Milking A CowThis week I took on the responsibility of milking a cow on the weekday mornings for a family that has a 2 year old going through treatment for Leukemia. It is a blessing to be able to help in this unique way. Seems God uses every experience we have for His glory and service, even the most obscure! <br />My experience with milking is very different from what I'm now doing. First of all, I milked goats, by hand, and they were mine. I had 4 in milk at once at one time, and that was probably the maximum that I would want to do that way. One thing I loved was that it did make me have a very predictable routine, and it put me outside into the fresh air, while most of my other responsibilities have me inside most of the day. Since we live on an island, there was always this funny coincidence early in the morning. Fog would be floating over the pasture, and I would be quietly seated next to my doe, milking rhythmically away. Deer might wander near and munch away at some branches, and then look up at me and just continue with their browsing. Other times I would hear the sea lions barking while they rested on a buoy out in Rich Passage just over the hill. That would catch me as a funny and unique scenario out there in my milking shed. I really enjoyed it. I also loved the way my goats were such creatures of habit, and would fall into line, knowing which of them was next to be milked. They looked for me to show up, and would be waiting for me at the gate. Such great memories. I had them for 7 years, but found that because they weren't on my property, being an absent farmer was too difficult. So I have waited for a day when I could have a place that where I could have my menagerie right out my door.<br /><br />This cow milking routine is new for several reasons. First the cow isn't my animal, and I don't really know her yet. Second, she is milked with a portable milking machine. Although I get to be "hands on" washing her and preparing her for milking, the mechanical part of it is very cumbersome and impersonal. I'm just a little intimidated by this big strong cow too. Although she has behaved perfectly, and confirmed my knowledge that she too is a creature of habit and knows her routine perfectly, her strength demands some respect. Perhaps after some time, I will know her better and she will yield more to my requests, and I will understand and predict her habits with more comfort.<br /><br />When I am done milking her, I carry what is now at least 30lb. of milk and stainless steel to the house to put the milk in jars, cool it in a ice bath, and then wash the milking equipment for the next time. I think these things were built for men. Bulky and heavy. In my humble opinion, it is not worth the "convenience", but I know that it was what the cow was used to when she was bought, so that being already established, dictated the necessity of it.<br /><br />So, I am making several observations in these first days of my new routine. Cows are big and intimidating. They make ALOT of milk, and they eat just as much, whether in milk or not. If I were to ever consider a family cow, I would have to either raise one from a calf, and establish her by hand milking her, or buy one that is already used to being hand milked. I have to say, I prefer hand milking. Then there is the question of what to do with more milk than a family can drink, since you can't sell it. I know that some people feed it to pigs, chickens, etc. Some people keep a calf on the cow, and milk only once a day. I have made cheese, and yogurt and that actually condenses the milk, but honestly I think I will stick with goats. Goats are friendly, and of a managable size. If I need to make them move, I could muscle them wherever I want, if need be. You can not do that with a cow.<br /><br />I feel privaledged to be having this experience. I am so glad to be able to do something that is a real help to this family. And I get the benefit of learning a new skill, getting used to being around a large farm animal, and it's helping me understand the realities of having a family milk cow so that I can make an educated decision about having one myself or not.Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-58409145220577377152010-01-30T09:16:00.000-08:002010-01-30T10:03:51.041-08:00Restarting my blogI have to say, I was so pleased to see that my blog was still in existance when I clicked on my favorites. It was like going down memory lane!<br />So much has happened and changed since I posted last. God has been so good. My Meghan, whom I was so worried for back then is now walking with the Lord, married to Joey, a marine, and is expecting her second daughter in June! Our granddaughter Courtney is a delight. Such a little thing, but developmentally on top of her game at 2 1/2, talking up a storm, and keeping her momma hopping. She loves to sing, and just chatters her entire waking moments! They live far away in Virginia, but it is so easy with FB and all to see regular photos of her and to hear all the latest. Meghan calls almost everyday, which is precious.<br />My second daughter Amber was married to Jared in September and by the beginning of November had announced a new grandbaby on the way! Efficient! We are so excited for them! Baby is due in July and will be delivered at home by my midwife! <br />Our son Kellen is married to Nicole now for 2 1/2 years. It is so wonderful to see what a mature young man he is, and what a good provider he is. They were able to purchase a home this last year, which has been really exciting for them. God has been so good to have him working for a great employer, who is keeping him busy with construction projects, which in this economy is pretty incredible. They are even paying for his construction management certificate program that he is taking through UW. Nicole is a nanny. They have a cute Siberian Husky named Chloe.<br />Meanwhile since starting this blog, Emma and Nolan joined our family. Emma is a 3 year old spitfire! She is a strawberry blonde curly top, who definitely keeps us on our toes! She is always up to some mischief or another. Nolan is 23 mo. and is such a little love. He is so smart. He has a bunch of those Melissa and Doug wooden puzzles of trains, fire engines, and even the alphabet. If you dump them all out into a big pile, he can put them all back together in record time! He is very observant and just rotates the pieces until they match and then puts them in. Emma still doesn't have the patience for puzzles. She is so distracted! She has other skills though!<br />Our biggest adventure is that we are selling our house. It hasn't been easy to get it ready and maintain "ready to show" status at all times with 11 children living at home! They say the market is picking up, so we hope to have a buyer soon, but meanwhile there have been lots of reasons why the Lord has kept us here. Lots of crisis in our community that have needed our attention. It has been a joy to be His hands and to bless our friends and neighbors. When the Lord wills, we will be relocating to the midwest, where Louie's job needs us more than here. I am excited to start a more rural life, and a farming adventure. Anticipating a "spinner's flock", some milking goats, some poultry for meat and eggs, and a big garden. This is the life I've pined for, for a long time, so it will be fun to get to it! It will be equally hard to move away from our parents and adult children, a new grandbaby and our community and church in which we are deeply rooted. <br />One new pursuit of mine, anticipating our own supply of wool, is spinning. I have been a knitter for years. I took a spinning class in November, and now am researching spinning wheels. Very excited about making my own yarn! Right now I am knitting a cardigan sweater for me. I rarely knit for myself, unless it is a pair of socks now and then, but I saw this pattern and some wonderful alpaca/cashmere/marino wool in a deep teal color, and decided to treat myself. I am working on the last sleeve! It has a fun bellflower pattern around the bottom, collar, and wrists. This wool is a dream to knit up too!<br />Well, that seems like enough news to get me started! Thanks for checking in.Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-1107395023983029822005-02-02T17:26:00.000-08:002005-02-02T17:43:43.983-08:00We're going to Paris!So Louie called me up at the end of last week and said, "How would you like to go to Paris? The tickets are only $288! " When he told me when - in February, I kind of pannicked. But in the end, he said "I'm doing it." and hung up the phone. So... we leave at the same time that Amber leaves for the first leg of her African mission trip. We'll drive to the airport together!
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<br />So, Louie and I know less than a stitch of French. It has been so hilarious practicing the few word that we know. I have started calling him "Pepe le Pew ". We have had more funny moments trying to establish an accent. We are moved to tears most of the time. Now that I have received my Rick Steve's guides in the mail, I am even more overwhelmed than before. I have 8 days to learn French. HELP! Boy do I regret not taking that in sch0ol. My little bit of German is doing me no good. If there is a more intimidating language, I would like to know it. The only consolation we have is that we will have each other, even if we can't speak to a soul!
<br />We'll be there over Valentines Day!
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<br />I have literally the one dress that I bought from April Cornell and then my hanging around the house clothes, so tonight while the kids are at Awana, I am headed to the mall to wrangle me up some traveling clothes. Oi. I am not going to impress those French women, I am sure. All I know is that I need to dress warmly.
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<br />Eiffel Tower here I come!
<br />Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-1106799198297310552005-01-26T19:10:00.000-08:002005-01-26T20:13:18.296-08:00Butterfly KissesThere is just nothing quite as sweet as little ones that want to give kisses. My sweet little Charlotte sits here on my lap as I type and grabs my cheeks with her chubby little hand and kisses me. I try to memorize these moments, as I know that they are fleeting. I know that I had these kind of moments with my older children when they were little, but it is so hard to remember specifically. I have been supplied with a little one every two or so years, and for a while I took it for granted that that was my life, but now that I am 41, I realize that it isn't so. Twenty years of parenting is gone, and that is about all I have left before my little Autumn is out in the world on her own too. I hear parents complain about how little sleep they are getting, or how little time they have to themselves and I just want to yell " It's such a short time of your life! Enjoy it, savor it, cherish it - it is over before you can blink!" All I have to do is look over at my 17 year old, six foot two son Kellen and know that he is too big for my lap anymore! As much as I can look back at the photos, watching them grow goes so gradually that you don't really remember them at certain stages. Wish I had a photographic memory. We haven't been the best picture takers over the years. Now that we have more children taking photos, it is really helping. Do you think that there is any chance that my grandchildren will give butterfly kisses?
<br />Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-1105594451713017592005-01-12T20:41:00.000-08:002005-01-12T21:34:11.713-08:00Feeling The Lord Carry UsToday was one of those days when you just felt the presence of the Lord. I soon knew He had gone ahead and prepared the way with mercy, even in the face of uncertainty.
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<br /> I took our 6 year old Margaret to Seattle Childrens Hospital today for an appointment with a rheumatologist that we had been referred to by our pediatrician. I had only taken her in to our pediatrician with my concerns last Thursday, but with a positive blood test for Rheumatoid Factor, the doctor quickly contacted Children's specialists to see about getting us in. Normally it takes months to get an appointment, but they had a cancellation today and since we are local, it worked to get us in. Dr. Wallace was able to confirm the Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis that had been suspected. They spent an hour with us, examining Margaret, explaining the disease, treatment and answering any questions that we had. Little did I know that this is the only place in a 5 state area that has this type of specialist and how fortunate we were to get an appointment.
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<br /> They were so calm and assured that this is treatable, and manageable. I felt such peace. She will begin a course of Prednisone and Methatrexine and an0ther anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen, but stronger, and a good multivitamin. It was also recommended that we may need to supplement her Calcium and Vitamin D. Margaret has an appointment with an optomologist on Feb. 4 because, strangely enough, this usually also could accompany inflammation in the iris as well. They'll need to check her for this every 6 mo.
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<br />For now, I am not projecting out to what the long term implications of this could be, but the more I read the literature that they sent home, the more I cringe. Words like "disability" do not comfort me. I prefer to take this one day at a time and hand it all to the Lord to carry. I have been so encouraged by the sermon series that I have been listening to on Truth For Life. Alistair Begg is an awesome preacher and his series on the life of Joseph and how the Lord prepared him all his life for the role that he would play in saving Isreal is just outstanding. It comforts me to know that all that we face is ultimately for His glory and that He promises us not to give us more than we can handle. I pray that Margaret will come to realize this too as she gets old enough to understand what this may mean for her.
<br />Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-1105410833477822092005-01-10T18:06:00.000-08:002005-01-10T18:33:53.476-08:00New Dress Makes Me Feel New Too.<span style="color:#ff6666;">Dear Friends, </span>
<br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">Do you ever look into your closet and just feel like everything you have is familiar, but just not a reflection of you? That is how I feel about my clothes. There are those items that seem to shrink and grow with me as my shape has changed with all the babies. Many things I hang onto just because I am afraid of cleaning out my closet and having nothing left. I have quite a few Christmas outfits that just stay in style and yet aren't appropriate for wearing the rest of the year - shiny satin blouse, sweater with sequin zipper, long, red wool jumper, etc. I really don't have time to go shopping for clothes. When I have gotten desperate, I have gone to a local clothing store that sells Northwest classics, much like Eddie Bauer because I know the clothes will fit and work. But I just end up with basic separates that are "blah". The mall is 45 min. away and I avoid it at all costs. Seattle downtown shops are a ferry ride away, and that is an all afternoon excursion that I just don't have time to take. On a rare trip into Seattle in December for my daughter Amber's birthday, we went shopping. We went into all the regular department stores and nothing really caught my eye or even appealed to me at all. I know I am out of style when I can't find one pair of shoes that appeal to me in a place like Nordstrom's! There was one store however, that I have loved everytime I walk in. "April Cornell" has such feminine and lovely things in bright, cheerful colors. Because the day was about my daughter, I didn't linger long. But when Christmas was over, it occured to me that they might have a website. I found several lovely things on sale! Today, as I am recovering from the flu, feeling quite unlike myself, my package arrived. What a treat to wear my new dress and feel new again! It is a lovely rose color, with rose profiles overall and it has a fitted bottice, although loose, a tie in the back, and lovely 3/4 length sleeves that have a split inside the wrist so they flare open. Now I can get back to the things of life, back to myself. Time for a cup of tea in a cup and saucer. No more mugs. I am a lady.</span>
<br />Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-1102935827962348912004-12-13T02:13:00.000-08:002004-12-13T03:03:47.963-08:00Thinking OutloudIsn't this the point of blogging? No different than journalling really. I just got up after lying in bed awake, praying to pass the time and to unload my cares on the Lord. I could no longer sleep, having my mind racing with possible solutions to a miriad of problems. I just had to get up and do something. I actually got up to write a list. Lists always help me, although sometimes my expectations for myself and others are so lofty that I can't possibly meet them and get more frustrated. Perfectionism at its worst.
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<br />So I have had Meghan on my mind most heavily. She is 20 and has been on her own now for only about 2 monthes and has just dug herself into a really deep hole. She is so entranced by the world, and has been rejecting our teaching and the Lord for a long time. While she was at home, it seemed that she was still trying to please us, at least on the surface, but now that she is out on her own, she has all of a sudden just followed her every whim. Right now it has been two weeks since she has had a conversation with us at all. The wedding that she a Charlotte were both in allowed us to see her, but was so strained because we saw her for the first time living in the way that she had been hiding for so long. This weekend we have been getting our Christmas tree and putting up all our decorations. This is the first year that Meghan hasn't been here to do it with us. She was usually my right hand gal, excited about helping to get it all up. There is such a hole in our home right now, and it is so painful! I cried when I hung her ornament with her baby picture. Where has that little girl gone? I feel like I don't even know her. I keep handing her back to the Lord. It's all I can do. He knows her better that I. He knows the full truth of her heart. And only He, with his infinite resources, can call her and bring her to Himself. Probably the biggest question in this momma's heart is, if He doesn't right now, what is my relationship to be, my role to be with her, in the mean time? And that is really a mute point right now, since she is not returning any of our phone calls anyway. I need wisdom that only the Lord can give.
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<br />The other issue on my mind is homeschooling. We have, up to this point, been pretty late risers, by most people's standards. It has been my goal to start our schooling by 9:00. By this time Louie is gone to work, breakfast is done, the kids should be ready for the day, chores done- personal and their assigned chore of the day. By 3:00 in the afternoon, no matter what their schedule that day, classes and homeschooling here, they just can't concentrate any more. It's impossible to really get any more than a few at a time focused on homework. There just seems to be this buzz of activity - teens coming home from school, neighborhood kids knocking, phone ringing, dinner to think about, sometimes sports practices, etc. Besides, kids need to run around and get some exercise, to move their bodies. So it doesn't seem that until after dinner that I can get them back to any kind of focus again, to do homework, prepare for the next day, work on a project like cleaning their rooms, or doing their laundry. There just isn't enough time in the day! What I wish, is that they would take time in the afternoons for pursuits like pleasure reading, knitting, drawing, practicing piano, building something. By contrast, the buzz just seems really unproductive to me. They just kind of feed on one another's energy. All this is to say that my latest solution, or inspiration has been that we just have to get up earlier and start earlier. I can't seem to generate any more productivity out of the afternoon and evening, so I'll just have to tack more time in at the top of our day. So tomorrow ( technically today) we will get up at 7 AM and see how an extra hour can help. If that is not enough, another half an hour until I am satisfied. Truely, I think that 7 will not be early enough, but its all I am willing to ask at this point. Less drastic for every one at one time. We are such hibernaters in the winter!
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<br />Well, if I am to get up earlier than usual, and in just 4 hours, I had better climb back in bed and get some more sleep.
<br />Good morning? We'll see.
<br />Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-1102667694404204442004-12-10T01:18:00.000-08:002004-12-10T00:34:54.403-08:00Birth is a miracle everytime I witness it!I just came home from the birth of 10 lb. 1 1/2 oz. Baby Swolley. (She doesn't have a name yet, as Mom and Dad need to get to know her better first. ) What a privaledge it is to observe the forming of a new family when a new baby is born. This baby was the first to this new couple, and I assisted them as their doula. My midwife recommended me since I have worked with her before and also because I am local to this couple. What a wonderful homebirth for a first time mom. It is always amazing to witness the strength that the Lord had built into a woman's body to give birth. It is especially a blessing to see a young couple trust in Jesus for their family, and to see them rest in His power to walk them through every contraction. What tender moments that they had as a couple. He found new respect for his wife and her strength, she rested in the strength that she saw in him as he supported her, and then to watch them both fall in love with their new baby is just magic! I would never call what I do, work...
<br />Congratulations to the Swolley family! She is absolutely beautiful!
<br />Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-1101344920007934302004-11-24T16:31:00.000-08:002004-11-24T17:08:40.006-08:00Baking Day!Well, an apple pie is ready to go in the oven, the yams are baking for making Yams Topped With Pecans, the eggs are cooling (Deviled Eggs-yum!), the Cranberry Chutney is all ready in jars, and the rolls are next! Love days like this, especially with my two oldest daughters keeping me company, and bumping elbows with me in the kitchen. Speaking of kitchens, I have been doing kind of a crazy thing. I'm applying for a kitchen makeover with Food Network because I have the world's most busy small kitchen. This entailed filling out an application (easy) and doing a 5 minute video (arghhhhhh!) I am not a natural on camera, and my kids are not all cooperating. But I need that $50,000 kitchen! So I am suffering through it. I have got to send it off second day air on Friday or it will be too late. I have to say I have the most hilarious footage of the kids all helping me with dinner the other night though. Talk about crowded! It's so typical though. My kids (under 5) love to sit on the counter by whatever I am making. I am tripping over our step stool half the time because it keeps being used and moved. Quite comical if not dangerous.
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<br />Well, I am so thankful that my family is all still so close to home. We were at one time facing a holiday season without Amber, but are so relieved to have her here. I am also thankful to have my grandparents still with us, and to have them in my home for Thanksgiving this year. What a privalege to share my children with them and them with my children, after all they are in their mid-nineties!
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<br />Here is hoping that you are thinking about all the ways that God has blessed you in the last year. If you are struggling to find something , ponder this...
<br />Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed <span style="color:#000000;">us </span><span style="color:#000000;">with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. </span>
<br />Ephesians 1:3-6
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<br />Isn't that the most exciting thing to be thankful for ?!
<br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">Happy Thanksgiving!</span></div>Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-1100832389592866602004-11-18T17:47:00.000-08:002004-11-18T18:46:29.593-08:00Swamped!<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I thought that with the ending of soccer season for 5 of my kids, that I would have so much time! Apparently not.</span>
<br />Life has been so crazy this week, that I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving for a few days at home with my family.
<br />Today we had 6 girls over from Kristin's U-9 soccer team for their last end of the season event. I ordered small, size one mini balls for each girl and then they signed each other's ball and ate ice cream. I had bought 4 different kinds and cones, thinking that I would hit every preference. Instead the majority of the girls wanted all 4 flavors and ended up with this big towers of ice cream! It was quite fun, and they are such nice girls that even I had a good time.
<br />This was all following a busy day of driving Louie to the ferry, dropping off 4 of my kids and two friend's kids at their classes, taking Kristin's class to the Bainbridge Historical Museum, taking the younger kids to meet my mom at the Blackbird Bakery for tea to pass the time till it was time to pick the kids back up, deliver them to school, do lunch duty there, race home to feed my own, drop Katherine and Margaret back off for art and circle class, come home to clean house, back out to pick up the girls and buy the ice cream, sweep the house, and greet the team! Whew! Yesterday was just as busy, but was such a delight. The day started out at Keri's house, where she hosts a ladies bible study for a bunch of us ladies, studying Sally Clarkson's "Ministry of Motherhood". We meet once a month, covering one chapter each time. This month was special, a lady from her church had volunteered to teach us all how to make pies. I have made alot of pies over the years, but it was such a blessing to have an older woman give us some tips. I learned that a pastry cloth keeps you from putting too much flour into the dough, making it more flaky and less tough. What a great thing to know! We each walked away with a pastry cloth and a sleeve for our rolling pins. We had a wonderful time of fellowship, eating lunch together and then a pie that was demonstrated. Boy was it good!
<br />Louie flew home from a business trip in Bismark, ND just in time to play his last soccer game of his season. He called me when he got into town and wanted me to come. At first I thought that it wasn't realistic, but then surprised him by going just by myself. The older boys all went to youth group, the middle girls to Awana, and Amber stayed with the little ones so I could go. It was a step into the past because he was playing in Memorial Stadium, the same field that he did when we were dating as college students at SPU, 22 years ago. My buddy Christina was there with her boys, watching her hubby Roger. We had a wonderful grocery bag dinner sitting up in the stands all by ourselves, and were great fans, cheering our team on despite their loss.
<br />Seems everyday holds plenty of action. It will be wonderful to pray with my prayer partner Terri tomorrow. Putting everything at the feet of our Savior, and into a biblical perspective is the highlight of my week. That will be followed by piano lessons for 3 kids, thankfully here. Katherine gets to go with her buddy Vanessa to Leavenworth for the weekend. Ought to be a land of snowy bliss about now. I'm just a little envious. Louie will be away for most of the weekend, running our district's recreational soccer tournament. I'm hoping to get in some hours of knitting. I'm also trying to keep in the front of my mind, our preparation for the Lord's Day.
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<br />Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-1100135921966356342004-11-10T16:49:00.000-08:002004-11-10T17:18:41.966-08:00Crisp November DayWhat a gorgeous day it has been here in the Northwest! Cold, clear, and sunny! One of my favorite times of the year.
<br />I sank to an all time low today, but it was for a good reason. The younger girls and I are doing a science unit on animal tracks, habitats, behavior, and were reading today about animals that live near or among civilization. It was great to compare all the footprints that different creatures make. Well, my girls didn't know what an opossum is, and I was surprised because they are regularly by the road as roadkill, so I put them in the car and drove them around to see if we could find one! I guess I'll have to resort to showing them a picture, but we did enjoy the drive. Brightly colored leaves are lining the road, and floating from the sky making the perfect Autumn picture to add to our green Northwest background.
<br />Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-1099958001697382312004-11-08T14:36:00.000-08:002004-11-08T15:53:21.696-08:00Thinking about ThanksgivingWell, I was really in the mood for Thanksgiving to be at our house this year. I just didn't want to go out, yet again. We determined that this year was Thanksgiving with my folks, the Bergens and my 94 year old Grandpa Canright and 95 yo Grandma Louella, and Christmas with Louie's folks. This switches every year. Thankfully my mom was game for everyone to come here this year. I can't help but feel a little emotional about it, with Meghan out on her own now and Amber going off to Africa soon. Mom just said, "What do you want me to bring?", so that has been on my mind as I think about a menu for the big day.
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<br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">THANKSGIVING DINNER</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Turkey w/Cranberry Chutney</div><div align="center">Stuffing w/ Raisins</div><div align="center">Mashed Potatoes</div><div align="center">Gravy</div><div align="center">Yams with Pecan Topping</div><div align="center">Green Veggies (yet to be determined)</div><div align="center">Cranberry Salad</div><div align="center">Deviled Eggs</div><div align="center">Rolls</div><div align="center">Pumpkin Pie</div><div align="center">Apple Pie</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">I was thinking about decorating and setting the table. Last year I saw some great Pilgrims for a centerpiece at Robert's Jeweler's in downtown Winslow. I hope they have them this year too! They stood about 8 inches tall and were so quaint. Come to think of it, there was an American Indian too. My mom brought me two white serving bowls today that will match my dishes nicely. I love the smell of beeswax candles burning, and they are so much fun to make with the kids. We get the sheets of beeswax that looks like honeycomb, and roll them around a wick. You can also press pieces of beeswax into it, shaped like leaves, or holly for Christmas. It's a fun activity.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">One project that I have to get done is my windowseat covers so that I can use the windowseat in my dining room as a banquet. It literally doubles as a bench, seating at least 5 people. I've been putting it off because I haven't yet found the last fabric for one side of the cushions. What I have is black and white toile for one side, and red and white pillow ticking for the sides. I really want a rose print for the other side, so I can reverse them and get a different look. I haven't yet found the just the right one. The welting will be done in opposite fabrics for each side, so that the toile side will have the rose print for welting, and the rose print side will have the toile welting. I have a number of fabric samples that will make great throw pillows. Time to dust off my sewing machine and get started! It should be so cute when it's finished! Publishing this is definitely adding some needed pressure to get it finished! I'll post a photo when it's done.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I've wanted to invite someone to our family holiday dinner but we have always been the guest at one of our parent's homes so this year since we are going to be at home, I can invite someone! Hmm... I love the idea of extending hospitality to someone that would be alone otherwise. Time to look through the church directory!</div><div align="center"></div>
<br />Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-1099893177842960802004-11-07T20:05:00.000-08:002004-11-07T21:52:57.843-08:00Sunday - The Lord's DayToday was a typical Sunday. We woke, slammed down breakfast, bathed kids, dressed kids, found shoes, packed our contribution to our "Common Meal" (potluck), and were in the car by 8:45 to drive to church. We left Brian,12 at home because he had lost his dinner at 5 AM at an unfortuate friend's sleep over.
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<br />We taught Sunday school, went to service, ate lunch, and enjoyed the fellowship. Louie had a chance to talk to a fellow about Boy Scouts for our sons and is considering joining their troop, which has a decidedly Christian worldview. It is an exciting opportunity. I hope that the boys can join. My Logan, 15 is desperately in need of friends, especially ones that are Christian and have similar interests. Logan is my "outdoors" boy. I was glad to learn that it isn't too late for him to join BS.
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<br />On the way home from church, we stopped at a Strawberry Park and watched our oldest boy, Kellen, play in his soccer game. His select team tied 2-2. We left before it was over because the girls and I had a bridal shower to attend. Kelli, our Meghan's friend is getting married in December and our Charlotte,3 is going to be the flower girl and Meghan,20 a bridesmaid. The shower was fine, but a when a couple is not Christian, somehow the celebration is just not as significant. It's just so sad that they don't know the spiritual aspects of their union.
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<br />This evening has been relaxing, we've read the paper, ate leftovers for dinner, and kids have been picking up their rooms. One of my favorite shows to watch is Ultimate Home Makeover, so I'm kind of watching that right now.
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<br />One of the spiritual subjects on my mind has been about keeping the Sabbath, making the Lord's day special, set apart. I am not sure that I could get cooperation to drastically change our routine. One of the changes that I have been making is getting the house tidied up the day before and having the kids lay out the clothes that they want to wear to church. This is really helping to save time. It also makes it so that I am less compelled to clean house when we come home from church. I am trying to make subtle changes that won't impose changes in our routine that my hubby hasn't approved or implemented, yet am praying that we will honor the Lord on His day and convict Louie if there is to be more change.
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<br />Today I brought Corn Chowder to our Common Meal and everyone loved it, so I will post the recipe.
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<br />Corn Chowder
<br />Serves a crowd.
<br />2T. butter
<br />1/2 sweet onion, chopped finely
<br />1 red pepper, chopped finely
<br />5 celery stalks, chopped finely
<br />1 1/2 lb. chicken breast, cut into small bite sized chunks
<br />saute the above until chicken is cooked and vegies are well sweated (is this a word?)
<br />add the following
<br />10 potatoes diced
<br />4 cups frozen corn
<br />1/2 t. margoram
<br />1 t. salt
<br />pepper to taste
<br />cover the above with chicken stock, and let cook on medium high until potatoes are cooked through,let cool down to a simmer, add 1 qt. half and half. Put half the soup solids with some liquid into the blender and puree, adding it back to the soup for some thickening.
<br />This soup is much better the second day.
<br />Enjoy!
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<br />Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032054.post-1099719821129725512004-11-05T21:42:00.000-08:002004-11-05T22:29:33.533-08:00Welcome to My Home on the Web!<span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">Dear Friends,</span>
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">I can't tell you how excited I am to have this blog of my very own! I was in the "Dark Ages" until </span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">last week when a friend (Thanks Marti!) showed me her blog. A whole new world and an incredible potential for making and maintaining friendships and family ties opened up to me! Wow! OK, I am really a newbie at this, pardon my going on and on. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">I hope that this can be a place where you can check in to find out the newest craziness in the Bond household, what my latest project might be, or just to hear me think. I am so glad that the Lord is always working on me, and is as merciful as he is patient!</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">Blessings,</span>
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">Wendy</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;"></span>Wendy Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12540340911874388011noreply@blogger.com1