Modobject at Home

Spring Remembrance

2010-03-09T15:25:00.001-06:00

Sometimes the simplest, most beautiful sights...

And the sweetest, most natural fragrances...

Evoke the most treasured memories.

My mother and little me, as captured by my father in 1978...

On the daffodil hill that my family used to visit each spring.

Scrubbed and Shined

2010-03-08T14:15:00.002-06:00

Have you heard the story of the very pregnant woman who possessed such a compelling urge to nest that she cleaned her oven with a toothbrush until it was pristine only to go into labor a few hours later?

Well, that was me this morning... except it wasn't the oven, it was the refrigerator... and I only thought about using a toothbrush... and {so far} I'm not in labor, just exhausted. But, my friends, our icebox is cleaner today than it was the day it left the factory and that feels great.

Jehovah-Nissi, The Lord My Banner

2010-03-06T19:51:00.003-06:00

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14

A Day in the Life

2010-03-05T15:40:00.000-06:00

Thursday, March 4, 2010

My day starts with a cup of tea... it's part of the early morning ritual that I savor during the quiet moments before the boys begin to stir.

Before the scramble to school begins there are scrambled eggs for breakfast...

Along with cinnamon toast, fruit, and a dose of sunlight.

It's a big laundry day. My nesting project for the day is to clean out and reorganize the bathroom toiletry cabinets and our linen storage. In addition to our regular laundry {pictured} I wash all the towels in the house. Fresh smelling towels are nice.

With the laundry swishing I tidy the house and join Little Brother for building with Legos and some competitive rounds of Hungry Hippos, then we make a quick {and unfruitful} trip to the thrift store and the drugstore.

Home once again, Little Brother requests that we eat lunch in the "tweehouse" {the wooden swing set and fort in the backyard}. We picnic there which is fun until we're finished and I realize that, like a turtle stuck on its back, I can't get down from the fort via the slide or the ladder without a struggle. No more treehouse picnics for me until after Baby Sister arrives!

After some llama drama on his part due to an injury inducing sweet gum ball, some spilled ice cream, and a tumble from his chair, and because of sheer exhaustion on my part, we settle in on the couch to read and rest.

After navigating the school carpool line {and tracking down a misplaced book} we arrive home. The boys run wild in the yard while I fold laundry and completely reorganize the newly renovated master bathroom. My little men bring me a dandelion puff. Sweet boys. And then it is time to cook dinner.

An easy Thai supper commences after the professor walks in the door {and after he and the boys look at classic cars on the computer}. When dinner is over he cleans the kitchen, oversees the bedtime routine, and reads to the boys while I collapse on the couch. What a guy!

Bathroom Smiles

2010-03-04T13:40:00.001-06:00

Regarding bathroom renovations... there's been a lot to smile about going on lately. Progress... significant, happy progress! I'm eager to show you but finishing touches are important so I'll wait a bit longer. Just know that I'm smiling!

Enjoying the Little Things Today...

2010-03-03T15:55:00.001-06:00

Such as a sunny breakfast table that was quickly deserted because...

A certain school boy was more eager to read about the Titanic than eat his oatmeal.

And freshly baked banana muffins to share with friends who came to play. Some were uniquely and specially packaged to give away {in a jelly jar, of all things}...

By the resident snacker. Actually, these days, Baby and I are resident snackers too!

And let's not overlook the "double fort" or the little feet that crawled into it.

“Enjoy the little things,

for one day you may look back

and realize they were the big things.”

Robert Brault

Captured Moment: Speak and Spell

2010-03-02T14:10:00.005-06:00

This morning I caught him playing with my old Speak & Spell, an item the professor recently brought out of the trunk to be used in a vintage and classic toy display. Little Brother can't read but that didn't stop him from keying in words such as QWYSTBEFG and then asking, "Mommy, what does dis say?" Okay, so he's not so great at spelling but even at this age it's a good tool for teaching letter recognition!

March didn't waste any time with her teasing... yesterday was gloriously sunny and warm, today is drearily wet and cold. It's a good afternoon for savoring tea along with your thoughtful words regarding our walk on daffodil hill. Thank you, my friends, thank you... you are all kindness to me.

Walking on Daffodil Hill

2010-03-01T15:45:00.005-06:00

Warm sunshine, blue skies, birdsong... Spring is in the fresh air today that is sweeping into my house through the open window. It seems appropriate for the first day of March to hold such promise and fresh hope after the cold winter months.

March can be fickle offering tidbits of spring only to snatch them back again with hefty doses of blustery, chilly, gray days... but when March marches in so does the promise of awakening and new life {especially this year!} and warmth. It's an enlivening, hopeful feeling for me.

Recently I've been reflecting on why I blog and I'm finding that after 2.5 years of photographing, and writing, and publishing my reasons for doing so are still very much what they were when I created this place, on a whim, one August afternoon in 2007.

At the time my reasoning was twofold: I wanted a motivation that would drive me... force me...to better learn how to use our camera, and I wanted a platform for noticing, sharing, and remembering the blessings and beauty in my life... the fingerprints of the Father.

I love how my friend Anna describes her blog... "this blog is a good times journal..." I've come to realize that is exactly what this place is for me... a record of some {not all!} of my family's good times, a place for sharing bits of personal growth as well as some adventures in creativity, and, ultimately, a means for noticing the presence of One whose presence should never be ignored.

Certainly this life that I'm living is not one set on a daffodil hill where the sun always shines and the flowers are always in bloom. There are messes, struggles, and hardships, seasons of cold winter dormancy... but through them is the Designer's hand crafting purpose and growth, beauty and pattern.

Whether I know you personally or not... whether you comment frequently, occasionally, or never... thank you for visiting. Your quiet presence so often encourages me, and I truly hope that in some small way you too gain bits of inspiration and encouragement by walking with me on this daffodil hill where the flowers just might be in bloom. They are today!

Jehovah-Rapha, The Lord Who Heals

2010-02-28T07:10:00.003-06:00

...for I, the Lord, am your healer.

Exodus 2:26

He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3

Surely our griefs He Himself bore,

And our sorrows He carried;

Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten of God, and afflicted.

But He was pierced through for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities;

The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,

And by His scourging we are healed.

Isaiah 53:4-5

But for you who fear My name

the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.

Malachi 4:2

Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed;

save me and I will be saved, for Thou art my praise.

Jeremiah 17:14

I Dreamed

2010-02-27T08:25:00.006-06:00

Last night I dreamed that Baby Sister arrived. I was resting in my bed {at home} after the birth when the professor walked into our room carrying a big, fat, rosy baby girl. "Guess how much she weighs," he said with a grin... "Ten pounds and two ounces!"

He laid her on the bed next to me and I leaned over and kissed her.

The Boys' Room

2010-02-25T16:01:00.006-06:00

We did it... two boys, two bedrooms, and 200,000 "I can't get rid of this" treasures consolidated into one space.

The room is colorful, boy'ish, and pleasantly cluttered.

Things are neat right now but sometimes this place is a disaster zone. As long as the room is relatively tidy at bedtime I try not to sweat the mess... this is their space.

Each boy has one drawer to hold seasonal play clothes; the third drawer contains socks, underwear, and pajamas for both.

They love having bunk beds... I love the floor space that going vertical allows.

Cubicle bookcases from Ikea {the white one shown here and a low brown one on the far side of the bottom bunk, partially shown in photos 2 and 3} help us maintain our preference that all toys are stored in the boys' room.

In the interest of keeping it real here is the closet. There are more games and toys stored inside while shirts, jackets, and dress clothes hang. I still need to sort through the shoes and settle on a good shoe storage solution.

And here is real life... just hours after having the room neatly picture perfect this is the current status!

One project room finished... two bathrooms and a nursery to go!

Pensive

2010-02-24T15:40:00.004-06:00

couch view

These days it seems that I feel sluggish and contemplative more often than not. After lunch I find myself gravitating to the couch {it's bathed so nicely in warm sunlight in the afternoons} where I read with Little Brother and then stretch out to doze like a cat or think about how our foursome that will soon be a fivesome.

Yes, I desperately need to mop floors, vacuum, and cook meals to freeze but such tasks are requiring a three-day pep talk to motivate myself. I wonder, when will I get another burst of nesting energy?

This morning we had beautiful, peaceful snow showers. Because this is the deep south and snow of any sort is a marvel I tried to capture it with the camera through the bedroom window. It was a lot prettier in person.

An afternoon cup of tea with a dose of solitude was a nice pick-me-up today... that and a ginger lemon creme cookie. Yum. Such niceties help carry me through the school carpool line, the flurry of after school snacks, play, and homework, then dinner.

Can you see the fourth item up? Bows! Every little girl should have one.

Yesterday I started placing tiny socks, nightgowns, and sleepers in the baby's chest of drawers. What delight! As I worked my mind started racing, "Oh yeah, we're going to need diapers and wipes... Where are the receiving blankets... Don't forget about baby wash for bathtime... And hooded towels... Do we even own a bottle {no} or pacifier {no}... Baby Sister needs a hat."

Why didn't I think about these things before now? Clearly it's been a while since we've had an infant in the house. I seem to have forgotten about all the little necessities {like Tylenol drops} that we'll want to have on hand... so I started a list. But I'm still feeling kind of spacey about it all. What would you put on your list?

Window Simplicity

2010-02-23T20:01:00.000-06:00

Captured Moment: Weekend Reading

2010-02-22T13:51:00.001-06:00

Mouse Soup

by Arnold Lobel

Jehovah-Jireh, The Lord Will Provide

2010-02-20T22:03:00.001-06:00

And Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide,

as it is said, "In the mount of the Lord it will be provided."

Genesis 22:14

And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Casual Clutch

2010-02-19T11:16:00.004-06:00

I'm small but I have enough room for keys, phone, and wallet essentials. I look great with jeans and boots. Take me out with friends, haul me to the gym, or stuff me in a purse, I don't care. I'm a casual kind of girl. I'm a casual clutch.

*pattern and inspiration from Bend-the-Rules Sewing by Amy Karol

Slow'ish Day

2010-02-18T19:55:00.002-06:00

I wasn't feeling great this morning...

So, when he asked if we could watch The Polar Express {upside down} I said yes. "Tomorrow, we'll watch Da Grinch Dat Stole Chwistmas," he informed me.

We took pictures of each other {don't you love the Instamatic?!} and played with Legos. When we actually ventured out it was only for a quick trip to the drugstore which yielded some make-up that was free after coupons!

Several loads of laundry were conquered, snacks were consumed, books were read, and we I rested.

When Big Brother came home from school everyone smiled and we went out to enjoy the fresh air where I lay in the dry, prickly grass under the bright, winter sunshine.

And then there were leftovers for dinner.

More Clips

2010-02-17T15:55:00.001-06:00

Last night after finishing The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, after tucking the boys into bed, I made more colorful clothes pin clips while mindlessly watching reruns of The Office with my feet propped up. {As an aside, Baby Sister is doing quite a number on my legs these day. Varicose veins, support hose, and all... let's just say that I really glad that it's pants season.}

These simple, colorful clips really make me smile. With magnets glued to the back they're perfect for displaying masterpieces and greeting cards...

And, I'm finding that I love having them on hand to clip tags to gifts and to seal bags of goodies. I'm even using them as chip clips.

When not in use, seeing a bowl of them in my laundry room is just nice.

Peanut Butter-Banana Granola

2010-02-16T15:47:00.001-06:00

Because snacks are very popular at our house... and so is granola.

Cook {generous} 1/3 cup crunchy or creamy, natural peanut butter, 1/3 cup honey, and 3 T. canola oil in a small saucepan over medium heat for two minutes. Stir in 1/2 to 1 ripe banana, thinly sliced, stirring the mixture briskly to break down the banana until the mixture is mostly smooth. Remove from heat.

Pour hot mixture over 3.5 cups of uncooked, old fashioned oats. {Feel free to get creative with your "dry" mixture by adding flaked coconut, other grains, sesame seeds, or nuts.} Stir well until coated.

Spread mixture in a greased jelly roll pan and bake for 10 minutes at 325. Stir. Turn the oven off and leave inside five minutes longer, keeping a watchful eye to prevent scorching.

Remove from oven and cool completely. Add dried fruit or chocolate chips if desired. Store in an airtight container and serve over vanilla yogurt for a satisfying snack.

Monday, Monday

2010-02-15T17:30:00.001-06:00

Monday morning beauty.

I spent most of the day trying to reclaim the house...

It was definitely showing the effects of a four-day, snowy weekend.

Monday morning outdoor play. Baby, it's cold outside.

Bench Monday

"Mommy, why didn't you get me a whoopee cushion for Bawentine's?"

Oh me.

Jehovah, The Self-Existent One

2010-02-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' " Exodus 3:14

Then the LORD [Jehovah] came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed His name, the LORD [Jehovah]. And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD [Jehovah], the LORD [Jehovah], the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin... Exodus 34:5-7

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Deep South Snow Day

2010-02-13T13:30:00.001-06:00

February 12, 2010

Colorful Clothes Pin Clips

2010-02-12T12:45:00.001-06:00

Wooden clothes pins + 3/8-inch wide ribbon + Strong glue + Magnets =

Colorful Magnetic Clips

Using what I had on hand, this is my spin on clothes pin magnets.

Very easy. Very fun. Very useful.

I heart them.

Treats to Share

2010-02-11T14:35:00.001-06:00

This is what my guys and I have been working on over the past 24 hours: simple store-bought lollipops tagged with hearts cut from card stock... little Valentine treats for the boys to share with friends over the next few days.

Last year I was busy creating marshmallow bouquets, truffle-a-blooms, and hot chocolate goodie bags and, oh, it was fun! This year seems to be my time to learn {once again} that sometimes ultra-simple is not just good enough but very best of all.

Nursery Inspiration

2010-02-10T19:42:00.006-06:00

It's time to change Little Brother's big boy room into a nursery for Baby Sister!

This room doubles as a guest room when needed so the queen sized bed will stay in place. We'll move the bookcase and butterfly chair out and bring in our contemporary styled maple crib along with my grandmother's antique rocking chair. The space will be cramped, to be sure, but I think we can still achieve a light, cheerful atmosphere.

The main source of inspiration for the new room decor comes from the Cathedral Window quilt that the professor's grandmother made for us during our first year of marriage. I've always kept it folded at the foot of the bed but now I plan to use it as the actual bed coverlet.

Taking his cue from the saturated colors used in the quilt the professor suggested that we design the color palette for the room based on the CMYK color model -- cyan, magenta, yellow, and key black, the four inks used in most color prints. Toss out the key black and add in a little bright green and I think we'll be able to create a fun and feminine feel without being overly pastel.

In moving away from the primary colors I'll replace the red bed skirt with a white, tailored one; a pair of beautiful vintage pillow slips from my great, great-aunt will look much more feminine than the current red pillowcases.

These images should give you an idea of the color palette that we have in mind, as well as the overall feel that we're shooting for... kind of a shabby chic meets classic mod look in saturated tones.

For the most part we'll be using what we already have, what we can find, and what we can make to create Baby Sister's room. I would love, love, love to get my hands on enough of the Alexander Girard fabric {top left} to create a stretched canvas wall hanging to go over the bed, but yardage is big, big bucks! I hate to see the current Eames fabric panels leave the room but am confident we can find a home for them somewhere else in the house.

Overall the nursery should be colorful, cheerful, and feminine yet remain in keeping with the simple, mod'ish look found throughout the rest of our home.