Pinewood Castle

smile (it's finally spring)

still waiting for spring

Don't ask me about the weather. I'm at the end of my rope. I know Minnesotans aren't supposed to complain, but I'm not a real Minnesotan, so WHAAAAAH!

I do not wish to see another snowflake fall! I want spring to come!

I am downright jealous of everyone's blooms and more than a little worried about all the plants and flowers scheduled to be delivered next Saturday.

However, we may finally receive our just reward this week . . .

Last week we had a gorgeous day or two before the yucky stuff resumed, so outside with the camera I went:

Dear King Winter,

Didn't we already say goodbye?

I thought we even parted on good terms. You left to reign in another part of the world and bestowed a courteous bow to welcome lady spring.

Um, I do not mean to be rude, but . . . why are you still here?

Is there anything we can do for you? Did you leave something behind?

I suspect you are under the impression that we still need you and the lessons you teach. We need to be tested like Job, to praise and thank God for whatever He sends our way. A snow bomb is certainly preferable to a pressure-cooker nail-filled bomb. Preferable to the destruction caused by a fertilizer plant explosion, a powerful tornado, or crippling spring floods. I agree. These tragic events are unspeakably horrific and in comparison we have nothing to complain about. The blanket of snow was almost soothing to our aching hearts.

 

The storm you sent was a perfect reminder of how fragile our lives are, and we prayed as we gratefully huddled by the fire. Our time stranded inside our warm homes was spent comfortably, not in fear like those in Boston, with a man hunt taking place on the streets of the city. Our neighborhood was peaceful, hushed. No sirens, no gunshots.

And you know that we are aching to get outside for exercise. Instead of a family nature hike at the wildflower garden, we communed on the driveway with scooters and shovels. The family that shovels together stays together, isn't that what they say?

 

You also know that we still have those nasty "should" attitudes to cure. We stumbled through Easter, trying to muffle our grumbles about the chilly weather, but we didn't hide our disappointment too well. Now you are challenging us to toss out all of our expectations about what spring "should" be.

 You must know how much character is being built on Minnesota tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields. You gave those year-round outdoor runners the ultimate challenge on Thursday. The Running Man we see every single day was out there in the blizzard, running as faithfully as ever. I'm so proud of him, aren't you? He was a welcome sight as I neared home, after driving for 90 minutes at 30 mph to get home from downtown Minneapolis.

You also know that I still have some "shoulds" that I actually need to pay attention to. As in, I should give my homeschooled kids a snow day if the public schools have one too.

Okay, I did that! See? I let them skip math, music practice, and reading time for an afternoon of sledding! My 5 year old declared that the experience was better than receiving birthday presents.

So, have we learned all the lessons you want to teach us? I hope so.

Thank you for your patience with us. Will you please leave us alone now? We release you.

Sincerely,

Winter Weary Minnesotans

This Weather is for the Birds

 

 

The Winter That Will Never End

For some reason, my kids don't mind that winter has outstayed it's welcome.

Not Funny

Paul Douglas is funny. This forecast is not.

Winter Goodbye

winter good-bye

you may no longer stay

spring time is on it's way

winter good-bye

winter good-bye

Wordless Wednesday

In Case We Were Wondering . . .

Snow Day

Our snow total yesterday measured 9 inches. Not a huge amount, but enough to give Minnesota school kids a rare snow day.

And yes, snow days are rare in Minnesota. Two hour delays are more typical. MnDOT has over 800 plows that work through the night so roads are cleared fairly quickly unless it's too cold for the chemicals to melt ice. Yesterday it was "warm" enough that the roads were clear by afternoon and activities were still on.

Well, most kids. I'm one of those stringent moms who think a snow day is a perfect time to get school done!

But I am relaxed enough to let them stay out longer than usual to help dad shovel.

My kids do go outside almost every day after lunch when the sun is high, for 30 - 90 minutes, depending on the day. With real woolen long johns, Smart Wool socks, and Lands' End outerwear they can stay out until their fingers or cheeks start to freeze.

The poor public school kids, though. A girl interviewed on the evening news last night was so appreciative to have time to play outside. She said she hardly ever goes outside because she is usually inside doing homework.

So I just had to tell my kids about that, to help them appreciate the perks of homeschooling. I guess I consider playing outside an integral part of their education!

How about you? Did you get snow too?

 

The Lent of Reckoning

I feel as though my jaw has been dropping more often in recent weeks, with "Really?" resounding in my beguiled brain. Little things, little crosses to carry. Opportunities to pray and practice patience.

The Holy Father abdicated? Has this news sunk in yet? Of course I offer my prayers of thanksgiving for his eight years of service, as well as the upcoming conclave. I trust in Pope Benedict's wisdom, and the beautiful  example he is setting of accepting one's limitations. It just seems like there are some lines here to read between, and I am obviously not qualified to read between those lines. I have read a few articles that offer insight and plausible explanations, but I do not wish to get into that here. What else can we the faithful do but pray, hope, and trust?

(Source: Joe Heller)

Dan Stevens gave up Downton Abbey? His role as Matthew Crawley was monopolizing his career and that was a bad thing? I must not understand the acting profession - one would think he would be grateful, humbled. All I know is that Downton fans cheered this couple on through three seasons, were thrilled to see the leading couple finally married with a male heir and the future of the estate secured. Broody Matthew was elated to be a father, china doll Mary was basking in her maternal glow, the Crawley family had returned from Duneagle with a renewed appreciation of their secure estate and familial relationships, and the next thing we see is Matthew trapped under his roadster oozing blood.

I love this show, but because it's not literature, we don't know where it's going from season to season (unless we read the spoilers). I cried when Ethel gave up her son, but I am too put off to cry about Matthew. And this tragedy would have been averted if he had let himself be chauffeured. And since Season 4 picks up six months later, we won't even get to see how well Michelle Dockery's acting skills can portray a genuine broken heart. Humph.

 Don't like this either? Sign the petition at the White House.gov website to protest!

Did I really give up meat for Lent? How I ever lived as a vegetarian for the better part of my 20's I'll never know. I don't remember feeling this hungry. Everything on our lenten menu seems like a variation of bread and cheese. At least thick, meaty, halibut fillets on the menu for Monday, but . . .

A pound of halibut costs how much? Our local supermarket had several packages of halibut steaks, but with only one little 3 ounce hunk for $9.99 in each tray. So, $70 to feed our family halibut? Really? We went with cod.

Speaking of the cost of food these days,

Cream of tartar costs how much? This bottle set us back $7.03 . Really? Evidently the spice trade is still lucrative. Spices and tea as well . . .

A pound of tea at Teavana costs how much? A few weeks ago I set foot in a suburban shop and unknowingly asked for one bag of coco-caramel sea salt and a bag of youthberry.  My jaw dropped when my $95 bill was announced over the cash register. {heart attack} No, I explained, my husband would kill me if I spent nearly $100 on tea. I left the store with 4 ounces instead of 24 oz, and resolved to buy from Adagio next time. Speaking of hot beverages . . .

A grande caffe mocha at Starbucks costs way too much. I don't even know how much ($4?), because I usually reload my card $20 at a time and use that so I don't have to think about how much it costs to splurge on a mocha. It also comes with 260 calories, and 8 grams of fat. I'm thinking that Lent would be a great time to forgo this once-a-week-or-so habit. These bottled teas are a bit of a splurge, but way less than a mocha and only 40 calories.

I stocked up and plan to grab one from the fridge to enjoy while chauffeuring. And speaking of driving . . .

Have I really gained that much weight? I did not quite recognize myself in the mirror at the hair salon Monday. I was relieved when our consultation was over and she covered me with the big black cape. Fifteen pounds since September (really?), and yes my thyroid checks out ok. Must be the extra mochas and all the driving . . . 

Our family uses an average of 132 gallons of gasoline a month? According to our fuel bill and average mileage, we drive about 97 miles a day between the two of us. Makes me wish we could move a little closer to the places we go, but . . .

Did he really say that? It's been nearly ten years, but I still hear the words of our (former) financial planner like it was yesterday, "No, I really don't believe the housing bubble will burst." And speaking of bursting . . .

There's really nothing serious causing the pain where my gallbladder used to be? It feels like a balloon is being blown up in my upper right abdomen and is about to pop.  After six months of sucking it up I went to the doctor and endured a battery of tests. So far, everything is normal and I am being told this discomfort could be merely from scar tissue. Here I thought I was dying or something. Nope, just have to die to myself and the discomforts of an aging and out-of-shape body.

Is that man is out jogging in the freezing cold again? Seriously, I see the same gentleman in a Nike jacket with an orange hood out running pretty much every time I drive in or out of town. That's dedication! Reminds me of a news segment I saw (that I can't seem to find on the web to share) featuring a couple who walks around Lake Harriet every day. They have a custom made mitten-built-for-two and their eyebrows and eyelashes were all frosted over and hanging with icicles. Really? People do that?

I admire their stamina, but personally I would rather exercise indoors during the winter months. After my haircut, I did pay a visit to the YMCA, gathered info, and submitted my plea to The Chief for consideration. Ultimatum, really - everyone helps clean the basement (and keep it clean) so I can use my treadmill or I fork over time and money to go to the Y.

Is winter is not over yet? But I hear the birds singing in the morning! I see ice fishing houses being hauled off lakes! These are signs of spring in Minnesota - but the forecast is definitely not looking like spring!

 

Little things, little crosses to carry. Opportunities to pray and practice patience.

winter

Thankful Thursday - Springtime Goodbye

The spring of 2012 was kind to us Minnestoans. The usual forecast includes a few gorgeous days tucked in the midst of rain, cold wind, and even an occasional snowstorm.This year has been splendid.

Summer is now at our doorstep. The leaves, once miniature decorations on the tree branches, are now expanded to capacity. The flower garden is weeded and supplemented with annuals. The square foot vegetable gardens are bursting with promise.

Before the crisp and refreshing weather morphs into hot & muggy, I simply must take the time to remember the glories of spring:

:: The noisy crimson cardinals announcing their territory from the tippy-tip-top of our neighborhood pines.

::The force of rebirth - tulips pushing mulch out of the way.

:: Deer repellent.

::The absolutely intoxicating hum of the nectar hungry bess coupled with the fluttering wings of the painted ladies.

::Itsy bitsy baby tree leaves.

:: Dandelion Princesses.

:: Magical bleeding hearts.

:: Lemony daffodils.

:: The fragrance of lilacs - before a late frost stunted their growth.

::That my children are starting to understand for themselves that there's more to the universe than we can see with our eyes alone. An evening at an observatory gave them the opportunity to view planets and their moons. A recent investment in a microscope from the home school store has them marveling at the intricacy of God's creation.

 

And for the family happenings independent of Mother Nature:

:: That my mother and sister travel this far north once or twice a year to visit. These are precious times together.

:: For the five hours spent in the ER comforting my son who had a high fever + awful headache + neck pain, and for all the lab tests that indicated he just had a virus. Any one of those symptoms individually would not cause me to worry, but I am so thankful that the combination of all three was just a virus, nothing more, and I rather enjoyed nursing him back to health.

:: For ER meds that relieved my misery during an acute gall bladder attack several weeks ago and for the rapidly approaching date of Monday June 4th - surgery to remove this failing body part and hopefully the constant dull ache that goes with it.

:: For a busy but fulfilling end to the school year and the recitals, concerts, performances, and travels that culminated another year of study. I love these upper elementary school years. It's like the Country Bunny, when her baby bunnies were older, "Now it's time to have some fun!"

Catching up with these events will be a formidable job in the coming weeks!

(Sunshine performed a selection from The Newsies for theater dance class.)

:: For your overwhelming support and encouragement to continue blogging - however frequent tor infrequently I get around to it. Clearly, you understand the shifting priorities we mother face!

I have taken all of your comments to heart and have pondered your reassuring words.Thank you for helping me realize that there is a place for bloggers of all levels of commitment. Some of my favorite bloggers post something short and sweet every day, others share very long, but infrequent posts - and I love them all equally!

The bottom line (for me) with any sort of discontent or envy or "I wanna do thaaaat!" feeling is to prioritize. If it's a high priority and God helps you with the time, money, and energy to accomplish it, go for it. Otherwise, don't waste your time feeling jealous just because you are not willing to put forth the effort to have what someone else worked for.

A dear reader lovingly reminded me that this blog is a gift, not an obligation, even though I sometimes enslave myself into thinking it so. Most of all it is a gift to my husband and children (since I gave up printing photos for albums long ago and have never even started scrapbooking) and it's a great place to regain sanity by reflecting, appreciating, and sharing the highs and lows of life. Your readership and support is an unexpected, but very much appreciated bonus!

Remember: Comparison is the death of contentment!

AMDG,

Tracy

 

 

This One Qualified

 

Blizzard (according to the National Weather Service): Winds need to reach sustained speeds or frequent gusts of 35 m.p.h. or greater, and visibilities have to be repeatedly reduced to 1/4 mile or less by falling and/or blowing snow for a period of at least three hours.

With Nutcracker rehearsal cancelled and the Choir Boy concert cancelled we stayed in by the fire, did our weekly cleaning, shoveled snow, strung popcorn and cranberry garlands and baked gingerbread cookies. I wish we had blizzards more often!

Today's Hot Item in MN & WI

Find out here!

Fall Break and a Homecoming

Do you take a fall break? I have been noticing from reading other blogs that I am in good company with others who do. After all, there is the Seasonal Clothing Exchange project and cleaning and baking and just taking time to enjoy the fall weather, if you do have fall weather where you live. Sometimes the school work just has to be set aside to accomplish such tasks.

I did do all of these things on our break and more, which is why it turned out to be a little longer than expected. You see, my mother turned 80 this month. While I had hoped we could get away for a visit, it wasn't until a cousin organized a joint birthday party for her and two other relatives that I knew we really needed to get there. I was not at all sure I would make it, based on how I felt most of my first trimester. After quitting Zofran two weeks ago it took about five days until I felt well enough and confident enough that I could make the 12+ hour trip to Oklahoma and survive 4-5 night of motel living. But I did, so we made our hotel reservations and drove out of Minnesota's dreary cold and rainy weather.

My mother has two cousins (who are brothers) with October birthdays - one turned 80 and the other 90. It was a surprise party of sorts - each thought the party was for the other two! My mother had no idea we were coming, can you tell from this expression?

All of our family attended: my two brothers, my sister and all of mom's grand kids. 

 

Each birthday honoree explained the photos on the posters made for them and it was fascinating to hear the life stories of two octogenarians and one nonagenarian.

I just have to say that my mother's 90 year old cousin (on the left) is a complete hoot and thoroughly enjoyed joking with the kids. He is an accomplished woodworker as well and brought wooden spinning tops for the children.

The next day we met my mother for Mass and drove around my hometown. It is quite comforting in some ways to revisit the environment in which you were raised and humbling in other ways. The place where I would have most liked to enter into again was our old church, abandoned after it was deemed "structurally unsound". A new contemporary church was built, a controversy that caused a huge rift in the parish, even though they did have the decency to re-use some of the stained glass windows and all of the stations of the cross.

When we drove past the corner of the old church I was shocked to see that the church was GONE! Leveled. Steps leading up to an empty lot. I was too shocked to even take a picture, but here is what it used to look like:

The rest of Sunday was happily spent meeting an old friend and her husband for lunch, swimming with the kids, my sister and niece, and taking my mother out to dinner. For some reason I don't have pictures of that day either; sometimes I guess I don't want to ruin the moment with the interruption of the camera, but just want to keep the memories safe in my heart. The friend we met was one I have known since elementary school all the way through high school. We were in band together and part of a little group of friends that ate lunch outside under a tree. Now that's a photo I do have if I can figure out how to scan it in:

 

My friend Stephanie is on the right in the back row. I am on the right sitting in the front row. I am still in touch with a few friends in this photo, some through Facebook and one much more personally.  Two of the girls were foreign exchange students. I still exchange Christmas cards with the one from Japan! Stephanie and I were just so happy so see one another happily married (finally!) and to sense so much of the same heart and soul in one another still intact.

Monday morning after a quick tour of the city in which I attended college and had my first teaching job we headed down the turnpike for a side trip to Fantastic Caverns. They were indeed filled with fantastic formations!

One more night in a hotel and we were crossing the border back into Minnesota, finding the weather to be exactly the same as when we left: cold and rainy.

The rest of the week was busy with unpacking and laundry, lessons and errands. We joined some friends on Thursday to make a frosted sugar cookie rosary and on Friday we cleaned out the girls' room (again) and filled an entire trash bag with Pack-Rat's stuff. My dh's grandmother turned 80 something and we had yet another birthday party to travel to on Saturday, this time only a few hours away. While we were out that way we stopped in a museum to see the Kensington Runestone and Big Ole. Vikings territory indeed.

Of course you may have heard that the weather here worsened over the weekend. The rain turned into snow. This really isn't funny to me - the leaves are still green! The grass is still green! Our tomatoes have yet to ripen! And there is more on the way!

We only accomplished two days of seat work in our two weeks off so tomorrow we will have to get back to our normal routines. We are praying for an Indian summer so we can enjoy our usual fall pleasures - pumpkin patch, fall nature hikes and apple orchards.

Weather Report

Temp: 76

Dew Point: 55

Humidity: 48%

Translation: Too cool to turn on the air conditioning, too humid not to!

If Only for a Day

Last Saturday -

This Saturday -

 

Snow Day!

Forecast: 5-9 inches of snow by tonight!

A wintry mix this morning will transition to mainly snow for the afternoon. High around 30F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. 2 to 4 inches of snow expected. Tuesday night: Windy. Snow this evening will transition to snow showers overnight. Low 2F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of snow 80%. 3 to 5 inches of snow expected. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph.

To Do: Snow Ice Cream!

Aching for Spring

In case you listened to A Prairie Home Companion this weekend, G. K. was joking. Spring has not yet arrived in Minnesota - it is all wishful thinking. The choral adaptation/spoof using the music of Carmina Burana exactly sums up what we go through up here. After three solid months of winter we are tired of freezing faces and coats and mittens and hats and scarves and messy van floormats and dirty piles of snow and wind chills (whine, whine!). We ache to see the daffodils blooming in the yards of our southern relatives and friends. Spring doesn't fully arrive here until around Memorial Day when we are generally safe from overnight frosts and everyone plants their garden. May showers bring June flowers in Minnesota!

This is what our backyard looks like after a much needed fresh snowfall. Yes, that is my husband refilling the bird feeders for their all-important mating season.

This is what this week's forecast looks like:
 

What's a Minnesotan to do if a trip to Florida (or Hawaii or the Bahamas . . . ) is out of reach? Splurge on flowers! I put three things back on the shelf at Costco to justify buying this bulb garden. I purposely chose one without any blooms to heighten our anticipation. I have never before seen the children so excited about seeing a living plant! They are all begging to water it.

Here's what it looks like today. Yes, those are flower fairies adorning the stems. This is turning out to be quite the novelty.

I usual hold off on spring flowers during Lent so I hope the bust of Christ wearing a crown of thorns that will be coming out of storage soon does not look too incongruent beside blooming flowers!