Uncategorized | Love, Laughter, and Life

May 5, 2016
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Encroaching

Beautiful yet encroaching and taking over a flower bed

By Angie Quantrell Angie Quantrell

Encroaching.

honeysuckle

crab grass

pink flowers

vines

raspberries

strawberries

parsley

pumpkins

sunflowers

evergreen tree

birch branches

moss

slugs

sow bugs

daddy long legs

yellow jackets

aphids

white grass bugs

ants

gossip

television

news

media

politics

pollution

violence

wars

famine

drought

Encroaching.

In my yard. In my community. In my world.

Aggressively encroaching vines grasping for toe holds

It starts small, but once you start looking, it’s everywhere at every level.

Encroaching.

What is encroaching in your life?

Yet. There is always hope. Big or small encroachments, He is here.

Raspberries escaping and encroaching throughout yard

But you are a shield around me, O LORD;

you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

To the LORD I cry aloud,

and he answers me from his holy hill.

I lie down and sleep;

I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

Psalm 3:3-5 NIV

May 4, 2016
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Four Feet, Two Sandals ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Four Feet Two Sandals is the perfect book to read when learning about new families moving to our country

Four Feet, Two Sandals

By Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed

Illustrated by Dough Chayka

(Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007)

Lina and Feroza met at a refugee camp after traveling to escape war torn countries.

One day, while gathering clothing from a relief truck, two girls secure one sandal from the same pair. Eventually the girls decide to take turns wearing both sandals and they become good friends.

Everyone at the camp is waiting for a new home. Life goes on as they wait. Finally, the day came when Lina’s family reads their names on the list of those who get to travel to America.

What to do with the sandals? The friends figure it out in time to say good-bye.

Four Feet, Two Sandals is a story about current events. This picture book tackles a difficult subject in a realisic yet simple way. Almost everyone has heard about refugees, wars, and relief work. Read this book to help children discuss the challenges and transitions that some families face.

KID KANDY:

Donate Outgrown Clothing

Many families in America, both newly arrived and those who have lived here for a long time, need help. You can help by giving clothes to agencies that help families.

1. Ask mom or dad to help you go through your clothes. Put everything that doesn’t fit anymore in a box or bag. Shoes, coats, pants, shorts, shirts, dresses, and other items are all needed.

2. Help mom or dad find a nearby organization that collects clothes for families in need.

3. If you can, go with your parent to deliver the clothes. If you can’t go, I’m sure they will tell you how the clothes will help other boys and girls.

Way to go! You just helped families that need our help.

I always have a bag or box ready to go. As I find clothes I can’t wear anymore, I place them in the bag. When the bag is full, I donate it to a place that helps others.

I’d love to hear where you gave your outgrown clothes!

May 2, 2016
by Angie Leave a comment

The Bird

The window

By Angie Quantrell Angie Quantrell

I had just finished reading two separate blog posts.

The first post was about clean windows and how they look great – until the sun streams through and we can still see the smudges and streaks left despite our efforts. You can read this Lynn Austin post here. A Clear View

The second post asked the question “Just How Big is God?” The author encouraged readers to consider how God knows every little detail, even down to when a sparrow falls to earth. Every sparrow! Read this post by Leslie A. here. Just How Big is God?

A few mere moments after completing these readings, I heard a loud thunk.

In our house, a thunk usually means a bird has flown into our large picture window.

This window, speaking of clean windows, streaks, and smudges, defies my every attempt to make it clean and sparkling.

I raced towards the front window, glancing down into the flower bed beneath the brick ledge.

Sure enough, a stunned sparrow twitched on the bark. I went out and saw that it barely breathed. I gently picked it up and stroked its back, watching for signs of being stunned or on the edge of death. Some birds survive our window. After a few moments of being knocked out, they flip over and fly away.

This little guy did not. He didn’t take more than 2 or 3 breaths as I held him cupped in my hand. I watched the still breast, hoping that I just couldn’t see the ribs move. But the glass wall was too much for his tiny body.

And there I was. Crying for a tiny sparrow who died from smashing into my window. Even though I could see the dirt and smudges on it, it looked clear and invisible for my feathered friend. There was nothing I could do.

But God knew. He knew the exact moment the sparrow crashed into the window and the second it took its last breath. And He cared that it happened.

God knows all things. He cares about everything in our lives, down to the tiniest detail. Though He is the God of the Universe, He knows and cares.

About us. About that poor sparrow. About me crying when the sparrow died. About my frustrations with daily life or big events or fears that seem silly. He cares.

God cares.

April 28, 2016
by Angie 2 Comments

Don’t Eat the Baby! ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

No one is going to eat his baby!

By Angie Quantrell Angie Quantrell

Don’t Eat the Baby!

By Amy Young

(Viking, 2013)

Don’t Eat the Baby! is a funny story about new babies, big brothers, and misunderstandings.

Tom is not sure he wants a new baby. In fact, he names the baby The Blob. At first he is jealous of all of the attention being placed on baby Blob. But soon, Tom hears people saying they want to eat the baby because it is so adorable.

What? They can’t eat his baby. Tom decides he has to save the baby. His baby.

Families with new babies will love reading this as they merge the new family member with older siblings. This book also provides humor as discussions take place about silly things adults say.

KID KANDY:

Baby Doll Play

Materials: baby doll, doll clothes and accessories, doll bed or toys

Do you have a new baby sister or brother? They are noisy, tiny, cute, and here to stay. While mom and dad are busy taking care of the new family member, this is your time to play and take care of your own baby.

Pretend the baby is your baby. Feed, rock, burp, and put the baby doll to bed. You can even give your baby a name. It’s fun to pretend, isn’t it?

You can also ask mom or dad how you can help with your new sibling. Maybe you can go get a diaper for mom or hand dad the blankie. Snuggle in close while baby is sleeping. You used to be that tiny!

Congratulations on being the big brother (or sister)!

April 27, 2016
by Angie Leave a comment

New Life

This is my daddy and I’m keeping him.

By Angie Quantrell Angie Quantrell

startled gasp for breath

mama’s trimphant labor

wrapping up daddy

Haiku by Angie Quantrell

Welcome, Autumn Nahara.

Born April 26 at 10:08 AM.

Another piece of Nana’s heart…

April 26, 2016
by Angie Leave a comment

The Plank – 10 Steps to Success

My idea of a perfectly-formed plank.

By Angie Quantrell

No. Not that kind. The exercise kind. Planks are hard to do.

I don’t like them.

Does anyone really like them? This is what it looks like when I try to do a plank.

1. Gear up. Avoid doing planks following a recent meal.

2. Collapse to floor level.

3. Set timer. Otherwise, I will be positive that 15 seconds is a full complete minute.

4. Start timer.

5. Assume position. Elbows and forearms on floor. Toes on floor. Nothing else on floor.

6. Tighten stomach, back, and buttock muscles.

7. Immediately begin to breathe harder. At 5 seconds in, notice trembling limbs.

8. Sweat.

9. Fight the feeling of giving up or falling on my face.

10. At 30 seconds, convince self to keep going. Or pause for a rest (I like that one better).

1 minute? DONE.

What a workout!

I’m sure I’m not the only one who experiences these physical manifestations of pain when doing a plank. I mean really, shouldn’t a 53 year-old be able to handle this?

True, I haven’t even done a sit-up since, well, I don’t know when. Maybe shortly after my last baby was born. She’s 25. Years-old. Wanna know an embarassing fact? When I started this new build-core-strength-workout-program I could NOT do one sit-up. Not one, folks.

But I digress.

Planks are not fun, easy, or pleasant. But I have to admit to a certain joy in knowing that I can hang in there and do a minute. On most days.

Care to join me? On to sit-ups.

What is your most hated, feared, or dreaded exercise? Let’s commiserate.

Planks AND flowers.

April 23, 2016
by Angie 2 Comments

National Get Caught Reading Month

Promote LITERACY! Promote READING to CHILDREN! Promote GIVING CHILDREN EVERY ADVANTAGE in LIFE from the GET-GO! If these statements have you shouting YES! YES! YES!, then you will want to take p…

Source: National Get Caught Reading Month

Coming in MAY! Wonderful idea. Thanks for sharing, Ann.

April 22, 2016
by Angie Leave a comment

Happy Earth Day!

Blossoms in the spring

By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

Happy Earth Day, Earth!

What a wonderful world we live in – beautiful, fascinating, safe, peaceful, dangerous, harsh, mysterious, vast, surprising, and awe-inspiring.

I’m glad I live here.

In honor of Earth Day, I think it appropriate to give a gift.

So I will do something good for the Earth today. Maybe several somethings.

My gifts shall be:

– picking up any trash I see

– making sure I water only what needs water, not the sidewalk, gutter, or driveway

– turning off electrical devices I am not actually using

– planting something pretty (or tasty)

– giving thanks to God for such an amazing place to live

Tulips opened to catch the sun

Earth Day Haiku

Earth home, designed gift

fashioned by God’s mighty hand

habitat for us

Fruit trees in bloom

What will your gift be?

April 21, 2016
by Angie Leave a comment

The Curious Garden ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

A garden that is curious?

By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

The Curious Garden

By Peter Brown

(Little, Brown and Company; 2009)

The Curious Garden is a picture book that was inspired by the Manhattan Highline Railway.

I’ve read articles about the Highline that tell how the lonely stretch of railway has been transformed into beautiful public gardens. But this is the first picture book I’ve found on the topic.

The Curious Garden tells the tale of Liam, a young boy who explores the empty spaces to find railways breaking down and nature taking over. Liam decides to help. Together, Liam and the garden grow and explore the empty spaces.

“The garden was especially curious about old, forgotten things.”

I love that sentence. The garden is not just a thing in this book, but one of the main characters!

The Curious Garden (doesn’t the title take on a new personna after you’ve read the above sentence?) will delight explorers and nature lovers.

KID KANDY:

Nature Walk

I walk almost every day through my neighborhood. When I walk tomorrow, I am going to look for places that nature is acting curious and spreading in unexpected places.

How about you?

Ask a parent or sibling to walk with you.

Look for:

– weeds growing in sidewalk cracks

– flowers springing up in odd spots

– old rusted things covered in grasses or vines

– moss creeping along damp, shady areas

– nature that is being mysterious and curious as it expands to new areas

What did you see?

April 20, 2016
by Angie Leave a comment

Unexpected Gift Perfectly Suits

A purrfect gift. @AngieQuantrell

By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

We were recently given a handmade gift that perfectly suited our family.

As we served an appreciation luncheon for co-workers, a certain woman, well-known for her hospitality and kindness, walked up to me and delivered a gift.

Since this luncheon was for them, I was not expecting a gift. We were doing the giving. But in her thoughtfulness, she remembered us with a hostess treasure.

When time allowed, I dug into the package and discovered a large, white hand-embroidered dish towel. Beautiful!

The homemade varieties are the best sort, are they not?

I quickly went to her table to thank her for the thoughtful gift. That was when I discovered four reasons the unexpected gift perfectly suited our family.

1. We are facing a shortage of decent dish towels. I prefer to use them until they are rags. We are breathing down the neck of the rag stage.

2. The embroidery neatley featured a cat. We love cats and have two terrorist cats of our own.

3. The embroidered cat was gray. Aha! Both of our monsters are affectionately called the Gray Girls.

4. The towel design included a cat clock of the old fashioned sort. We have a cat clock, of the new fashioned type.