What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow. ~ Martin Luther

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Baby Celebration



This is John Murray. The Guest of Honor. And I am now suffering new baby coveteousness.

Last nights' post baby shower was for him and his Mama, Ruth. Personally, I blame you Mrs. Bibby, for all these photos. I couldn't stop posting...thinking you might like a glimpse of the little guy-and his Mama-and all the festivities. I hope you enjoy...



Here is the table decked out, in its second class finery. I had grand plans to make a flower cake at best, a nice arrangement of sunflowers at worst-but the time slipped right through my fingers before I knew what was happening. So I stole my pot of mums from my patio and called it good. Desperate times call for desperate measures...



I put popcorn in jars and added a clear glass votive holder to the top. Tied with raffia it was a two-second fix. Quite fitting for our guests of honor, as their family are real popcorn buffs.



Then, I made a flag banner to say CONGRATS and hung it from the ceiling. There. Now that everything is all set, now we just need to wait for our guests of honor...
Posted by Picasa

When they DID arrive...



It wasn't but a moment before baby was snatched from Mama! :-)

Posted by Picasa

Getting Down To Business



Taking a game quite seriously...everyone had to guess what baby item was in the bag only by feeling.



The fanciest gift of all~ a diaper cake.



Miriam, the oldest daughter,took her job of writing the gifts down VERY seriously....
Posted by Picasa

More




Posted by Picasa

Up close and personal



New babies are the most beautiful photo subjects. Am I right or am I right?

Posted by Picasa


Little John wanted to nurse, so just a few ladies gathered in a quiet corner to chat and I came to admire the baby. I felt I could admire without guilt with his Mama holding him...rather than stalking over others who were trying to get their baby fill. :-)



That is ALMOST a smile!!!



See that? He was looking right AT me! Already observant!!



I do so LOVE baby expressions!
Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Not quite over the hump, just yet

Today is an odd day, I must say. I don't have a slew of photos to choose from for my blog post. This is VERY odd because I usually have TONS to post (and end up not posting them all). I don't know that I have used my little black magic eternalizer machine(that means, camera...)very much this week. GASP! Since I feel that I may be incapable of making a post here at Renaissance WITHOUT a photograph-I quickly snapped the one above this very morning.

Shows a glimpse into my life today. Nothing special other than that.

I am in charge of a post-baby baby shower, more specifically: food and decorations (and the legwork) while another woman is in charge of opening up her home. So, this morning has been spent deep in the thick of preparations. Mostly in the kitchen-with two little snitchers underfoot. Both children wanted to 'help' which meant a stool and a chair both pulled up to the counter. I realized that soon I may not even have room to COOK if I continue to get 'helpers'. :-)

The shower is tonight at 7:00 but, naturally, I have to be there earlier to set up. I have never been to a post-baby shower, but I imagine it will be quite fun. It is fun just to get out and spend some time with other ladies from time to time, ya know? I guess I might be needing that right about now...

Here are some of the goodies I have made thus far:

Autumn Chex Mix
Pumpkin Pie Dip with Gingersnap dippers
Pumpernickle/Rye Dip in a bread boat
Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball with chocolate graham crackers
Taco Salad Dip

We will also be having Pumpkin Bread, Caramal Apple Slices, and Mulled Cider.

This afternoon will be spent doing some decorations, etc. My party decorating style is simple and classic for the most part. I doll things all up with a color theme-simple solid colored table cloth and runner, flowers, candles, an elegant banner... It's amazing how much greater an effect can be made using just simple techniques.

I initiated the whole 'Pamper Basket' into affect here. Our old church did this several times and I have always thought it such a good idea, I kept it going over here. A pamper basket is simply, a basket filled with pamper items for the Mama. Everyone brings something small to include in the basket when they come. I think it is especially appropriate given the circumstances here. A Mama of a newborn is much more in need of pampering than one who is still expecting. Well, maybe. :-)

I'll let you know how it all turns out-and there will be a few more party type recipes at Kitchen Riches after a while, too.

More on Cider~Matt has finally completed the Cider Press Refurbish! It looks GrEaT!!! He and I are both excited about it-though, naturally, him moreso. After all-this has been his pet project for the last few months. This weekend we are going to an Octoberfest party put on by some friends-and we will be giving the 'ole cider press a trial run. It will be really wonderful to see all Matt's hard work come to fruition. I hope it tastes good-and more importantly, that we make enough for EVERYONE!

Well then, I suppose I should be off. No more dallying. There are things to be done! Hope everyone has a happy hump day! :-)
Posted by Picasa

Monday, October 01, 2007

It's a family affair



Crackle, crackle, pop!

What's that smell?!?

Papa is burning the burnables! WooHOO! Everyone-RUN outside.

Who cares if you've recently been liberated from pants and are half stark-naked.

There is a FIRE and Papa is OUT there. Without YOU.



Just be sure to put on your muck boots.



"Wow Papa. That is FIRE!"

"Yes My Son. The Great Fire is your friend, as long as you do not get too close, Little Panda cub."



Even burning GARBAGE is entertainment around here!
Posted by Picasa

Pure Talent



What was HILARIOUS was watching our lab, Dutchie, trying to catch the floating pieces of ash.
Some of the pieces were still ABLAZE as she made her leaps. It was super funny to see...

She was/IS a CrAzY dog!
Posted by Picasa

Panda Chronicles

I think it would be very tiring, to be a person inside a little person's body; to have thoughts and understand but not be able to communicate them well.

My Panda is that way. Poor guy understands everything we say-but STILL refrains from speaking any words other than Mama. Please. (Deez) Thank You (Da Doo)

He has most recently begun saying What's this? It comes out more like "Wa Da?"

Out of my sincerest compassion to his plight, and being the Mama who can read him like an open book, I will offer you a glimpse into his thoughts and innerwords based upon the scenario last night.

To set the stage: We had just finished watching the Papa burn papers. Corynn began to tell Papa about the 10 plagues when a bat flew overhead, which then began a discussion about bats and how they don't use eyes but SOUNDWAVES to hear their prey.



This is what Corynn thought about "screams bouncing off of bats"



Enter: The Panda

"Papa Papa Papa Papa" (As he pounds on Papa's chest...) "Pay attention to me! Talk to ME! Look at MEEEEEE! Do whatever you want, as long as its with ME!"

Papa and Corynn keep talking....



"Fine. DON'T pay attention to me. THAT'S how it's gonna be! FINE! I am just going to JUMP on you and FORCE you to pay attention to me...let's see where THIS gets me..."

Posted by Picasa


"Woo HOO! It worked!"

and again



"WEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeee!"

and again



"I think I might barf..."

and again...



"I think I just peed my pants...or worse"
Posted by Picasa


"Papa Papa Papa. More Papa. Please Papa."

"Not now young lad. Perhaps another day." the big Papa says.
Posted by Picasa


"Golly. That was fun while it lasted...."

Yesterday's Gift




Posted by Picasa