More than Words

My husband is reading an interesting book. He brought it to the table tonight and read a "standout" excerpt during dinner. What he read was a comment made by Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison during an interview. She was asked by the interviewer why she had become such a great writer. What books had she read? What method had she adopted to structure her pratice? She laughed and said:

"Oh, no, that is not why I am a great writer. I am a great writer because when I was a little girl and walked into a room where my father was sitting, his eyes would light up. That is why I am a great writer. That is why. There isn't any other reason."

It's a beautiful thing, how love propels us on towards greatness. I've become increasingly convinced, especially since being a Mom, that the greatest thing I can do with my life is to love well. Loving someone well changes their life. It changes yours, too.

Lip Tip

If you're a lip gloss junkie like I am, you'll appreciate this ~

Even with all of the teeny tiny tubes rattling around in my powder room, I am never without my "old fashioned" standby:

It has a soft, romantic scent. It's so practical, too:

Blemish reducer? Diaper rash ointment? Who can resist? The container alone makes me want to tuck my hair into 40's-style pin curls.

Just a quick pass over your lips, and you're off in a dash!

Easter Baking

My sweet friend Lindsey sent me a mother-load of limes last weekend. Yesterday morning, my husband ran them through our fruit juicer, which yielded about two and a half cups of tart, almost creamy juice. Part of it went into making Anna's limeade (with Pellegrino for a fresh, fizzy twist). The remainder was the star of this Limey Meringue Pie:

I had never worked with meringue before. It was fun and I was pleased with the outcome. The pie was wonderful, and I'm generally not a fan of lime pie.

And, because I have been elected "Resident Baker" for all family get-togethers, I also brought two trays of cakes, layered with custard and cream then topped with fresh fruit. I am calling them Easter Fairy Cakes:

So, tag Beth. You're it.

Good Good Friday

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulders, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Tea and Thoughts

Yesterday, I went for afternoon tea and a matinee at a theater where my mother used to play. The show was a Cole Porter musical and, while his music alone is enough to make me swoon, the lyrics to one particular number plucked at my heart all evening. Hearing the delicate but forthright reminder of some things I cherish did my soul well:

I am ashamed that women are so simple
to offer war where they should kneel for peace
Or seek to rule, supremacy and sway
when they are bound to serve, love and obey.

Why are our bodies soft and weak and smooth
unapt to toil and trouble in the world
but that our soft conditions and our hearts
should well agree with our external parts?

So hold your temper, wives
and meekly put your hand beneath your lord and husband's foot
In token of which duty, if he please, my hand is ready
May it do him ease.

~ Katherine in Cole Porter's "Kiss me, Kate"

Scenes

Family meals are underrated. I love the simple, relaxed closeness of it all. There's no one to impress and no agenda. Just good food, easy conversation and, best of all, lots of laughter.

Sweetly finished with a heavenly slice of my-oh-my strawberry pie.

10 Things

I really do love my life. Sometimes, in the middle of diapers, late dinners and food smashed into the carpet, I forget that I am tremendously blessed.

Even so, the days tend to look the same. I feel like a broken record at times. Or one of those repeating parrots. Or something.

10 things I say every day:

1. 'Wow, that is a FULL diaper!'
2. 'Good job!'
3. 'Oh, be careful.'
4. 'Be patient, please.'
5. 'Say "thank you Mommy".'
6. 'You have got to be kidding me.'
7. 'Just checking in with you on an ETA so I can plan a dinner time.'
8. 'Could you make sure she doesn't kill herself for one sec while I go pee?'
9. 'No.'
10. 'I love you.'

A Weekly Menu

I am not a natural-born housewife. It requires quite a bit of effort and forethought on my part to make my house run smoothly. Unlike my sister-in-law, I do not have a passion for laundry, dusting and de-cluttering (oh, how I wish that were the case). I'd much rather be baking cookies and sitting outside and eating them.

One thing that has worked for me over the years, though, is a weekly dinner menu. On Sunday nights, I try and put together a unique and appealing meal plan, then I shop on Monday or Tuesday. Once it's done, it's done, which means one less thing to think about. One less thing to potentially forget.

Our dinner menu for this week:

Monday - Bourbon steak, baked potatoes, green beans
Tuesday - Orange salmon, rice pilaf, zucchini, baked apples
Wednesday - Turkey chili, cornbread, cheese and fruit plate
Thursday - Spaghetti with herb salad and garlic bread
Friday - Crunchy chicken tenders, sweet potato fries, corn and baked beans

Simple. Balanced. Planned-ahead.

Spring and Lemons

Springtime makes me think "lemons". Lemonade, lemon curd, lemon bars, lemon chicken. And, currently, lemon madeleines. I am really digging these right now, with a cup of strong coffee. The perfect afternoon snack (or post-breakfast snack; or before and after lunch snack; or spoil-my-dinner snack.....you get the picture).

Here is a great recipe.

Eternity

My little one has been sick for almost three weeks now. Her cold turned into a double ear infection, which led to a course of antibiotics. My happy, playful little girl has become a really cranky, whiny, hard-to-please mega-baby. And, even though it's only temporary, I find myself depressed and hopeless about it all. Ridiculous, really.

It always amazes me how quickly I begin to question God's intentions towards me in these moments. I think, "did you forget that I could use your help here?" or "do you just not care?" every time I feel I'm going to go under.

I'm so grateful that God is not like me; that he has the capacity to carry all that I cannot. That he is loving me in each and every moment.