March On

The month of February slipped by in my house and, quite honestly, I'm glad it's gone! Don't get me wrong, here, in the Pacific Northwest it was a beautiful, unseasonably warm, dry month. But there was that painful Seahawk loss and then flu hit our home and hit it hard. Might have had something to do with sharing those sticky Skittles at our Superbowl party. In fact, the whole neighborhood has been sick.

On the bright side, we celebrated my better half's birthday(and Valentines day) between bouts of flu with our sweet children and a great home-cooked meal, including an incredible chocolate blood orange tart made by my daughter. I also got to make my Cabbage Burgers which I make every year for my aunt on her birthday. Since we can only buy traditional 'Nebraska' cabbage burgers in Nebraska they are a real treat for her. They are a labor intensive treat!

Cabbage Burgers or Runza

I am grateful to have accomplished anything when, for the most part, I just wanted to sit and sleep! The 'tidying up' continues and I've begun listing my de-stash.

Crobots: 20 Amigurumi Robots to Make  in Cage Free Fibers

Yesterday, feeling rested and refreshed, we took a walk through the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way, Washington and discovered more blooms than usual for this time of year! 

Pacific Bonsai Museum

I'm grateful God is with us through the tough seasons. Really, if we didn't have hard times, how would we truly understand the wonder and depth of simple, joyful times?

Philippians 4:11B by GodsWordandWorld on etsy

Here's to a productive, joy-filled March!

Linda <><

Tidying Up

It was Christmas Eve day and we were preparing for an annual tradition; a nearby outdoor candlelight service under the tall cedars, then an intimate gathering of neighbors at our home. My daughter sweeps in having read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo and decides this would be a good time to clean out and organize my kitchen drawers! We survived the ordeal and she has since given me my very own copy of the book. I understand her excitement and it has begun. I hope to share my progress and enthusiasm in the following weeks.

First, and just because it really needed to be dealt with, my husband and I cleaned out our too small pantry.

Top shelf didn't need much 

The rest of it, however, was in dire need

Yikes!

It's now 99% improved, but I'm not posting any pictures until it is 100%!

Here is before and after of one drawer I completed today.

T shirt drawer before

T shirt drawer after

Now it's a t shirt, tank top and cardigan drawer

I won't go into all of Marie's methods, the book is a great, short read. I have concluded that she has found a way to make a living out of her own personal OCD and that's not a bad thing. 

As I complete this process I will be putting my etsy shop on the back burner, leaving it open, but not restocking after the holiday busyness. I feel like I will complete this feeling refreshed and inspired.

Everyone isn't messy like me. However, if you are I suggest reading this book.  A lot of it just made me laugh, but it also got me pretty excited about getting my home in order.

I don't want to call this a New Year's resolution. I don't really like to make them, do you? I'm not saying I don't or have never made New Year's resolutions. In fact, last year on January 1st I began a schedule to read through the Bible in a year chronologically and I finished it December 30th (one day ahead of schedule.) But I think they can be defeating and limiting. One of my favorite verses is Lamentations 3:23 "Great is his faithfulness, his mercies begin afresh each day." Indeed, every day is a new day to our Heavenly Father. For that I am grateful!

Happy New Year!  

Linda <><

Pumpkin Pie Spice and Everything Nice Autumn

Pumpkin field in the Puyallup River valley with Mount Rainier in the distance

It's pumpkin pie spice everything season. I'm not a big fan of pumpkin pie, but that special combination of spices--yum! And I do love a pumpkin pie spice latte, but after reading an article about what goes into the typical Starbucks variety I decided to figure out a way to make my own, healthier version. For my occasional 'cup of joe' I normally go decaf or half caff and make it in my French press. I didn't have to look far, I found this recipe for Pumpkin Spice Latte(vegan, gluten free) and used my favorite, coconut milk. It even has real pumpkin in it! My pumpkin cozy, coaster makes a fun container for it.

Jack of Lantern Mason Jar cozy coaster by CageFreeFibers

I'm not sure if autumn is my favorite season, or if I even have a favorite season, but I know when it is autumn I love it. Especially now as the colors get more and more brilliant and the sky stays blue and the temps are in the 70's. 

Fall Art Printable by TheHoneyBeePaperie

Today my daughter and I went to the local pumpkin patch and corn maze. Two hours and 5 miles after we started we found every checkpoint in the maze.  What line did we hear most from folks we passed in the maze? "Are you lost?" And, yes, I was just following the daughter whose inner GPS is more fine tuned than my own. 

Corn maze fun at Spooner Farms

Then we picked out some pumpkins and gourds for decorating. I'm so grateful for times like these when I'm left completely exhausted and just glad I have feet to carry me on.

Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins

This has been a busy, spectacular autumn here. My garden had a bumper crop of tomatoes. My brother taught me how to dehydrate the tomatoes and that is now my favorite way to put them up. Last night we ate our first ever Brussels sprouts from the garden pan seared with apples (I used honey crisp because it's what I had and it was great). 

I know our rainy season is just around the corner and I'm okay with that. God has blessed us with beauty in every season and every place here on this planet.

One last set of pumpkin beauties.

Halloween Pumpkin Earrings by InspiredTheory

What is your favorite thing about autumn?

Autumn Typography Quote Art by IslaysTerrace

Happy autumn to you!

Linda <><

Under the Steps

When I was young, probably fifth or sixth grade, I decided I wanted to wear eye shadow. My mom was old enough to be my grandma and didn't talk much about makeup, besides saying she had to 'put her face on' before leaving the house. So I put on my tween-age thinking cap and found my first eye shadow in the form of an aqua highlighter. I thought it looked pretty cool on my eyelids. Once my dad noticed,  he did not. He was furious and yelled (and yelled) at me. I was crushed. I didn't take time to find out if it was makeup in general or the fact that I had used highlighter on my eyelids. I retreated to my own private hiding place to cry. I remember, like it was yesterday, crouching among the boxes in the dark under the steps. Since then I have withdrawn there often.

That urge to flee, to hide has been a life long battle. How about you? If so, you're not alone. This is my nature in most difficult or uncomfortable situations. Though it is my nature, I know, with all my heart, I can call on a higher power and I can be at peace! When I want to flee to my hiding place rather than face circumstances head on I thank God for I know...

Philippians 4:13 by SoulSisterPalletShop on etsy

and...

Nehemiah 8:10 by Prims 'n Posies on etsy 

As I look back I can tell you for certain, in all the most difficult times of my life, God has been my strength! 

God blessed my husband and I with a child who started her formal education in Special Education pre-school. In time she was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. She is now a college graduate and job hunting. I'm challenged every day, by this Asperger's, to keep from hiding under the stairs. Thank God, hiding is not in my sweet daughter's nature. She has been a blessing to me and I ask my Abba Father every day to cover her with His grace and build her up to be her best for Him.

We all face turmoil on life's journey. We chose how we react. I firmly believe Romans 8:28...

Romans 8:28 by Simply Zofia on etsy

Last weekend the three of us went kayaking on Lake Washington in Seattle. This was our first big adventure in urban kayaking. We paddled under highways, by lily pads, houseboats and, out of my comfort zone. We rowed through the Montlake Cut along with motor boats and sail boats of all shapes and sizes. The waves tossed and turned us and splashed into our boats, but we never capsized. Our boats were built for stability. 

Highway 520's bridge to nowhere

This is my hope for you and me. To journey through this life never in fear of the waves. Instead, knowing God's strength will always provide in every circumstance.

Lake Washington Arboretum trail

And we will always be brought safely to shore to rest in Him!

Linda <><

Praying the Alphabet

As waxing moon

Slips listlessly across

The night sky

Playing hide and seek

With cirrus

I smile

From my wide eyed

Restless cradle

I pray for you

{Linda O'Rourke, 2014}

Waxing Gibbous by photosbynicolelynn on etsy

Some nights I just can't sleep. I know full well how important it is to my health, but occasionally it simply eludes me. I'm certain worry and anxiety have come into play, but I like to consider worry a reminder to pray. So last night as I watched the moon cross the sky through my open window I talked to my Abba Father. 

In a recent devotional the writer suggested that on those sleepless nights they pray the alphabet. From A to Z bringing to God all their loved ones, all the concerns and praises. As I myself have learned to do this it has brought me great comfort.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest. -- Matthew 11:28

Here in the Pacific Northwest summer doesn't really start until after July fourth, so any night or day without full cloud cover in June is a special bonus. I've enjoyed many of both this year.

May your nights be sweet and rest filled and may your days be sunny and fruitful.

Linda <><

Cool Stuff -- Snack Time!

What's your guilty pleasure? I've got a t.v. show or two, like Revenge and Mad Men, that I'm hooked on. And when it comes to treats there's one I can't keep in the house. If I do, it's okay until it's opened, then in a flash, it's gone. For that reason I like to make my treats from scratch most of the time. We like to make baked sweet potato chips and popcorn on the stove with coconut oil. When it comes to store bought snacks I can pass up the chips and Doritos! But we recently discovered Cosmos Creations and I fell in love. My favorite is Sea Salt and Butter with Cinnamon Crunch and Salted Caramel both a close second. We are not able to just keep these around. For us they are a special snack time treat!

Sea Salt and Butter Cosmos Creations

We have thrown a bag in the car for after hiking. It was gone in minutes! When we hike we usually bring some trail mix, jerky and fresh fruit along with our water. Then we treat ourselves to a meal we might not normally eat when we're finished.

 That's exactly what we did Sunday.

Wallace Falls was a beautiful five and a half mile hike starting under some major power lines complete with the crackling, continuing along a rapid filled river with three waterfalls. 

Lower Falls

Middle Falls

One of my favorite things about hiking through an old growth forest like this is the tree stumps with their own mini bio systems. 

The vastness and varieties of moss here was also fascinating.

Like many woody hikes here in Washington much of the hike reminded us of the  forest moon of Endor or the Hobbit's Mirkwood. 

Emma thought it was a much better hike than the grueling eight miles of Mount Si we did for Mothers Day. Every other hike we do this summer will be a piece of cake!

Micah 6:8 by MySweetCoconut on esty

This is but one way I like to walk humbly with God. I am awed and humbled my His vast, yet deeply intricate creation. As I finished this hike I as completely exhausted and trail grungy, but my soul was refreshed! 

What do you find refreshing on a Sunday afternoon? What's your favorite 'guilty pleasure' snack?

Linda <><

Scrubby Love

I took this photo of Em on a Ruston Way walk last week. We had taken a nice long drive so she could experience busier highways and some bigger city driving. She did great. I can get good pics of her as long as she doesn't know I'm doing it. I love how this turned out, except Mount Rainier was visible with the naked eye, but the haze is just heavy enough to hide it with the phone camera (it's right by her elbow).

I've knit or crocheted almost all of my dish clothes and and scrubbies myself. Most of the scrubbies are worsted cotton and tulle. I love how they work, how well they wash up and how long they last. This week I'm experimenting with a new scrubby made from t-shirt yarn and tulle. So far I'm really pleased. Emma made a bunch of yarn from old t-shirts and I've crocheted a few baskets with it. I take mine on nearly every road trip we go on. It's really handy and strong.

I love the look and feel of my first t shirt scrubbies. I'll let you know how they wash up. I think they will be a new favorite for dish washing. I'm doing something looser with the cotton worsted and tulle for scrubbing veggies. Here's how I make them.

Materials needed: t shirt yarn, tulle cut in one inch strips, tied together and wound around something (I like using a wood clothespin),  size 15 knitting needles

1)    Hold the t shirt yarn and tulle strip together and

       cast on 8 stitches. 

2)    Knit rows until it's about 4 1/2 inches long

3)    Then cast off and weave in ends.

It's simple and super quick. I think they would be a great addition to a kitchen gift basket and they are very environmentally friendly. They can be used for dish washing or as a veggie scrubber.

Psalm 24:1 on etsy by Makewells

Hope you, too, can find fun ways to be greener this May!

Linda <><