Pruning

It's officially spring, but in Redding, it seems as though we never had winter. We bought our home in November and the roses were blooming then. As everything started to come to life in January and February, we could see that our yard was going to get out of hand. We have 10 rose bushes, all of different varieties, lavender, daffodils, iris,tulips, lilacs, grapes, a fig tree, an orange tree and 2 other trees, yet to be identified.  And grass that has had to be mowed 3 times already.  

I was out mowing the grass and pulling weeds last weekend, when my neighbor stopped by.  He said the only way to tame the roses was to cut them back.  When you think you've cut enough, cut some more.  "You just can't kill 'em," he said.  I've learned that pruning a rose bush, or any other plant, can actually make it stronger and healthier.  

I think we all see the analogy coming.  

When our family moved to Redding from Estes Park, it was painful. Branches were being cut off left and right. Ripped off. Hacked. Torn. It wasn't pretty. What had been a large, healthy bush was reduced to a few bare branches.  I felt like  a lot of me had died.   Hopes, dreams, realities--everything looked different.  After a while, though, the feeling started to come back.   Some green began to appear. New life was happening.  These new branches are a little stronger, and overall, the bush is healthier.

After hours of yard work, I ended the day by pruning the largest of our roses.  Cutting, snipping. Poking myself in the process. Although this bush was quite tall and growing quickly, it didn't have very many blooms. As I cut back a few more branches, I spotted a beautiful red rose deep inside the bush. I hadn't even seen it before. What beauty we can find when we do the sometimes painful work of pruning. 

Basketball is life...

It's a little melancholy over here.  Bear with me...Here we are, on the day of Jonathan's final high school basketball game.  He started playing ball when he was 5 with the Rec. district in Estes Park.

 He did that for years until he was old enough to play with the middle school.  Then he played Gold Crown in 7th and 8th grade, only to get sidelined mid-season with a broken collarbone.

 Then he played 2 years with Estes Park High School and now 2 years with Liberty Christian School.

  I can honestly say that I have loved every minute, and I'm pretty sure Jonathan has too.

  I wish I knew how many games that added up to.  It's been a lot of road trips, a lot of Gatorade and countless hours of practice.  Jonathan has had some good coaches and some really great coaches.

  But, now, I don't know how I feel about this chapter being over.  It's kind of odd, knowing that this is the last game.  How often in life do we get to really let it sink in that this will be the last time we get to do something?  Not often.  It seems cliche, but we hear people say, "Live every day to the fullest; you never know if it will be your last."  It's true, though.  We don't know if today will be the last day we can hug one of our friends, play catch with our kids, make dinner for our family, or hear our grandma's voice on the phone.  I don't mean to get morbid or anything, but it's just something I'm thinking about today.  I'm going to watch this game more closely than I usually do.  I'm going to take more pictures,  I'm going to cheer a little more loudly, if that's possible. (Sorry, Luke)
But it's the last time I'll get to do it.

  Life is such a gift.  Each experience is meant to strengthen, enrich and fulfill this life that we've been given.  So tonight, I'm going to put on that red shirt, camera and Colorado flag in hand, and watch a basketball game.

Home

Here I am, in the middle of Nevada. Headed home to California. Still sounds weird to me. Home to California.

One year ago, this week, we were heading out on the biggest adventure of our lives. Leaving Colorado was a heartbreaker. It was a difficult decision, but Doug felt confident that it was the right one. 

So, we left home. The home we built with  our own sweat and tears. The only home Luke ever knew. The home we loved. We packed up all that love and 12 years of memories, and took them with us to California. 

It leaves me contemplating the word "home".  Is home where you were raised? Is home where you lived the longest? The place you loved the most? Or is it where you currently live? I suppose it could be all of those things. 

After 2 weeks of visiting our old house, catching up with friends, taking in all the familiar views and spending time with family, I'm ready to go home. 

Home to California.

 

Carrots

I was making Carrot Cupcakes the other day, for Luke's birthday.  Because when your 14-year-old asks for Carrot Cupcakes for everyone at your homeschool co-op, you start grating carrots.  I couldn't help but think of this scene.



Any chore that makes me think of Anne is worth doing.

New Growth

It's Spring around here.  Big time.   Luke, Jonathan and I went out in the woods the other day, and I spotted one of my favorite signs of new life.  I just love the bright green tips!  You can see so plainly the new growth that is taking place.

 

I started thinking about growth and change in my own life.  Is growth evident in me? As I spend more time with His Word and in His presence, do I love Him more?  Can people see the change in me?  Am I more patient with difficult people? Do I love my husband more deeply?  Do I serve my family with more joy? Do I have more hope for the future? 

 

I pray that as I live my life, encountering various seasons,

that I would grow and that the growth would be evident.

 



December 31--Breakfast of Champions

 

Ahhh...the final breakfast of December!  I always love planning this menu and carrying it out.  Mostly it's fun cooking and baking for an appreciative family.  They come to the table with anticipation and delight. And they're usually pleased with the result.  But, I am always relieved when January rolls around and we can pull out the cereal, oatmeal and plain old eggs and toast. 

 

 The family really loved this one--as much as I love to bake

sweets, they enjoy the savory breakfasts the most, I think.

I called it "The Breakfast of Champions". 

 

I cooked some beans (pinto, navy, cannelloni, black...whatever you have) with onions and tomatoes. Then topped with eggs and let them cook in the sauce.  Just before the eggs are done, sprinkle with cheddar cheese.  By the way, this dish is a perfect example of why I love my cast iron skillet.  It

heats evenly and enables the eggs to cook well, even in the center of the pan.  I love, love,

love my cast iron.   I served the eggs with buttered toast, but it was hearty enough to be eaten alone.

 

So long, 2012, and Happy New Year!



December 30--Egg Nests

This was a fun, little breakfast.  The boys could have eaten 4 of them, with toast on the side!

 

You simply press shredded hash browns into a greased muffin tin and bake until golden brown.  Then, crack an egg on top and add bacon and cheese.  Bake for another 10 minutes or so.   Voila!