Monday, November 28, 2022

Sense-ations of Love



When one of the first sounds I hear in the morning is coffee grinding, and the man grinding it is a firmly acclaimed Coffee Non-drinker, I know- this is what love sounds like.

When I feel those little fingers grasping, gently curling and uncurling around mine, I know- this is what love feels like.

When the smell of that coffee surfs the air current into the living room, just waiting for me to finish feeding the baby, I know- this is what love smells like.

When I look outside, and see lights in the barn because he said that since there are fewer calves again, I don't need to help feed them every single feeding, I know- this is what love looks like.

When I finally get to taste that morning coffee, and it tastes just a little bit better this morning, I know- this is what love tastes like. 

When I find myself spinning in the balance of exhaustion and exhilaration, of wants and needs, of hugs and quarrels, of offenses and forgiveness, of calm and LOUD, I know- this is the proprioception of love.

Now it's your turn! I'd love to hear about YOUR sense-ations of love today!

How did you hear-feel-smell-see-taste-sense love today? 



Bonus material
Obviously, when I wrote this, Morning Coffee was heavy on my mind. I could have written these alternative Sense-ations, as the day progressed:

When I catch a whiff, and go to change yet another powerfully scented diaper, I know- this is what love smells like.

When I bite into that Pancake-egg-meat-cheese sandwich that he made when he came in from chores (because I was neck-deep in several business-related projects), I know- this is what love tastes like.


Thursday, November 24, 2022

Thanksgiving Day Thanks

 


In this Moment of Quiet on Thanksgiving Day

I pause, and give thanks.
I give thanks
for the beauty of quiet, 
for I love it
yet rarely get to bask in it
save in the dense darkness
of the mid-night hours.

I give thanks for the treasue of spending this day with My Family
My family
Not the family I came from
But the family that came from me
And my husband.

My husband.
How can I so quickly forget the sheer pleasure and security that rest in that reality?
I have a husband, 
My husband has me
And together, we have a little family
A busy, noisy, precious little family.



I was sad for a moment
To spend this day with Just Us.
But I'm thinking maybe it should be a tradition.
We get so few days
Of just us. All of us. Together. At home.
It is precious.
I love it.

I thought my energy bank
held not enough wattage
to cook up a feast.
But, with the scoop of Humble Pie
that allows the daughter of a "famous" baker
to eat Pumpkin Pie from Costco,
and the Mennonite pride to bow 
and buy ready-made mashed potatoes,
We had a Thanksgiving Feast
served with Thanksgiving
right there with the Whipped Cream swirl
sprayed on top of the iced coffee
made just for me
by my hubby.



In this moment of quiet
I pause to remember those who suffer today
in the cesspools of illness, grief, relationships, trauma, loneliness.
Life is hard.
Even on Thanksgiving.
Especially on Thanksgiving.

May the God of hope grant us joy and peace.
Amen.


Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Beef up your Thanksgiving!

This little ditty flew off my brain in the middle of the night, when I was trying to write a marketing email for our beef.

If you actually ARE interested in our beef, you can visit millerfamilyhomestead.com

__________

Cows don't fly

And the facts don't lie

The risk of Beef having Bird Flu

Is not very high.


Instead of a Thanksgiving Turkey or Ham

The Millers can help make a better plan!

Roasted Beef Roast, grilled Ribeye, Sirloin or Filet,

Are fit for the In-Laws who come on that day.


Dried Beef & cheese sandwiches, Beef Dogs, and Sticks

Chili and jerky can add to the mix.

Smoked Short Ribs or Brisket-

Oh, how you could fix it!


A big, juicy burger, a big pot of Beef Stew

Would be perfect to warm up the really cold you!

Fajitas with flank steak, Bologna with cheese

You can serve up a feast with the greatest of ease!


Beef bacon for breakfast, Steak for lunch,

Tacos for supper- munch, munch, munch, munch, munch!

We’ll even bring your meat right to your house!

So get gas for the grill, and talk to your spouse.


If you order by Saturday, November nineteen,

We'll bring it to you before Thanksgiving- yippee!

So shoot me an email or give me a call.

Your Beefed-up Thanksgiving will be greatest of all!


Saturday, November 5, 2022

DAY TEN: Today I noticed...

 Day Ten

Today I noticed that, even though arts and crafts are generally my nemesis, I was able to complete a couple 10 minute projects (with the supplies and ideas provided) without making this world an uglier place to live. 



I noticed a few tender moments between siblings.



I noticed how nice it is to have a baby to feed while watching the other ladies play Limbo 😆😆

I noticed that it's the 10th day of my 10 day challenge. I have enjoyed this little mental exercise immensely; thanks for walking along with me!


This post is part of a personal challenge: For 10 days, spend 10 minutes each day writing.  Start with "Today I noticed..."

Friday, November 4, 2022

DAY NINE: Today I noticed...

Today I noticed how lovely rain sounds. I almost forgot!

I noticed how refreshing it was to sit down and eat a meal together with my family.

I noticed the striking resemblance a field radish bears to a field mouse. Only the whiskers are at the wrong end. 





I noticed the joy when a child starts to grasp the building blocks of reading.



I noticed that the 3 year-old is telling his own bedtime stories to himself. 

I noticed the adoring eyes of Baby Girl, who finally gets to fall asleep in Daddy's arms again.

This post is part of a personal challenge: For 10 days, spend 10 minutes each day writing.  Start with "Today I noticed..."

Thursday, November 3, 2022

DAY EIGHT: Today I noticed....

Today I noticed how very very ready I am to return to regular sit-down meals with our family. This has been a beautiful harvest time, and the weather has been amazing. We're done with our own harvest but today Craig harvested someone else's beans.  Plus we have All These Calves (58 on bucket/bottle is latest count) we have committed to keep alive! Somewhere in the middle of the muddle, mealtimes have gone kuh-plew-ee, and we all eat when and where we're able.

Our "normal" is to eat 3 sit-down meals a day, starting with breakfast after chores are done. Seasons like this help me realize the blessings of this routine.

I always have had an admiration for the strength of single moms who carry the heavy weight of All the Everything. I don't personally do well when All the Everything lands on me for very long.  I welcome the close of Harvest, when Daddy Time is a little more readily accessible.


This post is part of a personal challenge: For 10 days, spend 10 minutes each day writing.  Start with "Today I noticed..."


Wednesday, November 2, 2022

DAY SEVEN: Today I noticed...


This post is part of a personal challenge: For 10 days, spend 10 minutes each day writing.  Start with "Today I noticed..."

---

 Day Seven

Today I noticed the creativity of our 5 year old.

He always chooses brilliantly vibrant colors that match his personality: energetic and a bit unpredictable, but never lacking in imaginative expression.











He, with the help of a brother or two, designed, built, and photographed this structure in our living room today. I think it's a train station.


I also notice that whenever he knows I notice his creativity, he smiles from the inside of his soul, and beams all over.

I hope that as he grows, and his creativity blossoms, that it will bless many people around him, and make this world a better place.




Tuesday, November 1, 2022

DAY SIX: Today I noticed...

This post is part of a personal challenge: For 10 days, spend 10 minutes each day writing.  Start with "Today I noticed..."

----

Day Six

Today I noticed that agriscience class was tops.




I noticed how thankful I felt when I heard a friend's surgery went okay.

I noticed the colors of the squash.



I noticed the wonderful weather.

I noticed the blessings of generous friends and neighbors.

I noticed how refreshing it was to spend some time with a couple other moms.

I noticed that our 3 year old has some pretty amazing Stay Awake tactics.

I noticed that Heyn's Apple Pie ice cream is worth eating one's green beans for!