Love In Two Portraits

Love In Two Portraits
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

My dad. My parent's wedding portrait.

In May of 2006, 7 months before my mom succumbed to ovarian cancer, mom and dad renewed their wedding vows.... 42 years they were together. Mom had always dreamed of a 50 year vow renewal. When it became evident that she would not make it those next 8 years they decided it was the right time to renew on their anniversary.

Dad was sitting beside my mom (out of frame) and watching every move she made. This was after the service, after lunch. Mom was exhausted, with her oxgen tube on for breathing, trying to stay "pretty as a bride" for the day. But whew, she was tired. So was dad... you can see it in his face.

I didn't know how strong my dad was until my mom got sick. He was always a very strong man, physically, and always there as a husband and father. But the kind of strength I'm talking about doesn't come out until super-human abilities are required. And man, does he have it.

He is my own hero. I love you dad.

For those who have lost... but most importantly, loved first.

Where My Heart Lives

Where My Heart Lives
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Ahhhh, spring break! Its rainy, its cold. But my Mary Grace so the house is warm. This is where my heart lives... right here in the middle of these three people. Ahhhh.

Happy Birthday to me!

Birthday Cupcake - knitted
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I'm 37 today. ACK! I'm 37 today?!?! Just kidding, I'm totally ok with that. I've marked my the day by knitting up this fun little cupcake just to make me happy. It makes me smile. :) The kids have had a great time playing with it in the toy kitchen.



Yarn:
KnitPicks Shite Worsted in Sunflower (bottom)
Lion Chenille in White (icing)
KnitPicks Sparkles in Sunset (sprinkles)

Pattern by: ax174, Pattern Here

365 on flickr

Warm Up
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I jumped into a stream of people doing a self portrait for each day of the year. It encourages you to explore photography as well as yourself. I've only just begun, today being entry number six. Already I can see its a challenge... and the biggest thing I've learned... its not alway so flattering. I immediately, with day one, discovered my eyebrows were LONG over due for plucking.

Sad it takes a photograph to show me that. I do own mirrors, for crying out loud.

View my .:365:. on flickr.

Mom's Comb

Mom's Comb
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

When my mom died on Christmas day, just 3 months ago, after an 18 month battle with ovarian cancer it was hard to make the thousand mile drive with the family down to Alabama, knowing what I'd be facing. The loss of my mother.

As we drove for almost 17 hours, my mind flashed over the years of my childhood and my adult days of going "back home." And oddly enough, the one thing that was part of all of that was this pink comb that belonged to my mom.

We are not sure of its origin. Mom thought she got it from my dad's mom (her MIL)... Dad thinks they may have bought it when they first got married. No one is quite sure. But what I do know is that its older than I am. Its combed my hair thousands of times. I have vivid memories of sitting in the floor on Sunday nights after a bath, eating grilled cheese sandwiches in the living room floor (picnic!!!!). I would nibble, we'd watch Wild Kingdom and the Wide World of Disney (70s!!) as a family and my mother would comb out my long blond hair.

I asked Dad for the comb just a couple hours after we got down the day after Christmas... the day after mom died. And it came back to Pennsylvania with me. It now combs the hair of my family. Its had long service and shows signs of miscoloring and a couple broken and bent teeth. But its my treasure. Its my mom.

Snowflake Cake

Snowflake Cake
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Andrew and I baked a cake today. It is serving several purposes.

1. Happy Birthday Granny! My grandmother is 83 today. Sadly we won't see her because she lives about 1000 miles away in Alabama. We were talking about her birthday last night and Andrew inquired, "are we going to have a party and cake for Granny?" Of course he was sad when I reminded him how far away AL is so Daddy suggested we have our own cake to celebrate her 83rd year. I love you, Granny, Happy Birthday. She was tickled to hear we are having cake today in her honor. Seriously, the boy is going to turn into a chicken nugget!

2. To say, "goodbye," HOPEFULLY to old man winter, who was late arriving but is a guest who just won't leave!

3. As an incentive to Andrew to try peas today (pending the reward of cake). We are implementing a new "you must try 4 bites of each dish" policy. He is 4 for crying out loud... its time for him to eat real meals. I'm sick of being a short order cook! Seriously, the boy is going to turn into a chicken nugget!

Their Chudders

Chudders
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Anytime Andrew means to say "each other" he says "their chudder." He's been saying it that way since he started using that phrase. Well this morning he patted the chair for Abi to come sit with him. She climbed up and he offered her some of his bowl of cheerios he was snacking on and put his arm around her.

He said, "Mom, brothers and sisters take care of their chudders." Made me all teary and giggly at the same time.
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Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and Dumplings
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Mmmmmhmm yummy comfort food. Yesterday I made my mom's recipe for chicken and dumplings.... our Sunday, stay in your jammies through lunch, meal.

Its one of those meals that just gets better after a day in the frig, so I can't wait for Don to get home from work so we can re-enjoy them!
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Nana's Chicken n Dumplins

whole chicken
salted water to cover
2 cups all purpose flour
milk
salt
pepper

Simmer chicken on the stovetop in a large pot until meat is done and falling off the bone. Remove the chicken. If you are a lightweight you can skim the fat off… but why on earth would you do that really?

While the chicken is cooling, mix flour and milk until ball is formed (like a biscuit consistency). Roll out dumplings on wax paper or foil, dusting with flour to keep from sticking, until 1/8 inch thick. Yes, super thin. Cut into strips (I like to use a pizza cutter) and place back into boiling broth, a few at a time.

Pick chicken while dumplings are cooking and add back in with dumplings. Add a half cup of milk and salt and pepper to taste. Dumplings should take about half an hour until tender and cooked through. Serve hot from the stove. If too thick, add water if desired.

Choo Choos & Cheese

Abi's language is beginning to explode. I can't even count the number of new words she's gotten in the last few weeks. Its so much fun to watch her attempt new words, then get so excited when I parrot them back to her. Here she is from a few nights ago... sitting at the kitchen island watching me get dinner ready. (click the link below)

Choo Choos & Cheese

Wilbur!!

Since moving to Lancaster County PA over 7 years ago I've always wanted to pay a visit to the Wilbur Chocolate Factory Museum and Store. So after our plans for a second annual trip to see friends in Montreal came to a screeching halt, we decided to console ourselves with some chocolate.

The Candy Americana Museum is pretty small in scale but by no means is it a lightweight or low in calorie. There are 3 rooms full of delicious memorabilia from all kinds of candy made in America over the years. The walls are lined with tins that once held cocoa, hard and soft candies and chocolates. I've never seen so many different kinds of chocolate molds, there must be over 100 chocolate Easter Bunny molds alone. They even have a collection of fine china chocolate pots with cups and saucers to match.

Don's favorite discoveries there were equipement used for all aspects of candy making. From a cocoa bean mill for grinding up the beans to a candy crimper used for making ribbon candies. He has a love for iron parts of pretty much any kind of machine, having been a moulder at a local iron foundry for several years before we met.

Andrew finished up our visit by picking out a chocolate airplane on a stick, which he devoured at home after dinner last night. What a fun day, you can view all our pictures by clicking on the one above...

Mom went to Heaven on Christmas Day

I haven't been keeping up here with all that has been going on with traveling and mom passing. But for those who have been praying so faithfully I wanted to let you know that mom went to be with the Lord on Christmas Day. She is a stinker... her favorite day has always been Christmas and we truly believe she was holding out. What an incredible fighter she was. She wanted to arrive on the day of the big birthday party! What a day to go to Heaven!

We miss her terribly but are so relieved that her pain and suffering is over. She had a new body now and is living among the angels. For us its hard to be without her, but its just a blink of an eye really in the eternal timeline.... we'll all be together one day.

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I've been taking a blogging break with all of the busyness but soon I plan to be back. With a new look and lots of updates on the children and my knitting adventures.

Thank all of you for your fantastic prayers and support of my mother and my family. You have been so faithful to us. We are grateful in a way that mere words cannot express. You are a blessing!

A different kind of holiday

Its been a while since I updated on my mom. Sadly, once she got over (if you can really call it that) the pneumonia episode and started the maintenance chemo, we soon learned that the cancer had taken a radical turn. The final stages were on the way. Less than a month ago we were told that her CA125 numbers had seriously jumped, more than quadrupled, actually. The oncologist didn't want to give a prognosis, but since mom and dad asked, he said his best guess is that she'd have about 3 months.

Mom is still hanging on at home, but the day to day care has gotten tougher. I jetted down last weekend and spent 4 full and treasured days with her. Since that time she has been faced with new struggles daily. Its sobering for me to consider how she was just 1 week ago while I was there, and compare it with what my dad is sharing with me now.

She is fighting, he believes, to make it through Christmas at home. And then he thinks she will be ready to go on to be with our Lord. No one can really know, only God, when her name on the Roll will be called. But she is ready. And has been a glorious testimony to peace... the peace that only comes from above. She has been strong and steady and sure through every step of this trial. She is focused on the prize, on the promise. I am so proud of her.

We ask that you pray for mercy and peace for my mother. I ask that you pray for rest for my brain, as I'm burdened with thoughts about how the next few weeks will play out with holiday travels, Santa for my kiddos, and what will happen with my mom in the mix. But surely... I can cope with the details, if she can cope with what the Lord has given her. She is amazing. She is a blessing. She is my hero.

The Battle Is Not Ours

The battle is not ours
We look to God above
For he will guide us safely through
and guard us with his love

I will not be afraid
I will not run and hide
For there is nothing I can't face
when God is at my side
No, there is nothing I can't face
when God is at my side

The battle is not ours
We look to God above
For he will guide us safely through
and guard us with his love ~

Appreciation

You know, I am just enjoying my knitting circle so much. Last night as we sat around the tables at Barnes & Noble one of the girls spontaneously spouted out, "I love you guys. Did I say that before?" It was so dear. And I think the majority of us feel the same way.

Sitting around that table are women of all ages, backgrounds, walks of life, stages of womanhood. But we all leave our own little worlds for a few hours each week to come together and share something we love. We appreciate each other for the things we have in common and the things we don't.

I'm fairly certain that if I'd met some of them under different circumstances, we'd not have clicked. Some of us are just that different. But the thing we all hold so valuable, time spent knitting things for those we love, brings us together and builds our friendships. Its just amazing. I'm so thankful to be a part of it.

He's just a regular guy!

We were at the mall yesterday and stopped by so Andrew could sit on Santa's lap and see him for the first time this holiday season. Andrew had stars in his eyes. This age, 4, is such a fantastic age for Santa... they really grasp the "magic" of it all.

While Andrew was on his lap rattling off his list, Santa did a little discrete yawn behind his white glove and I said, "Andrew I think Santa needs a nap." Santa said, "yes, I just had a yummy lunch, now I'd like to lay down and rest a while. Ho ho ho!!" (this was a great Santa). Andrew screwed his face around as he processed that. As we walked away, he asked me, "mom, why does Santa have lunch like we do?" I told him Santa was a regular person, just like us, who has a special job at Christmas time. His eyebrows raised up and his eyes got as big as saucers... he didn't say a word as we walked on. But I saw the light go on. It was so wonderful watching him take it all in.

The Nana Report

After coming home from the hospital a few weeks ago, mom saw her oncologist and they decided on a low dose, weekly dose of chemo, instead of the high-powered dose every 3 weeks in cycle. So far, she's having a much easier time of it with Paxotere, this new chemo drug.

The newest hitch is that she found a lump in her breast last week. Yeah, crazy isn't it? Why can't my mom get some breaks??? On Tuesday of this week she went for a mammogram so we're hoping to hear back from that pretty quickly. Prayerfully it will just be a glad that is swollen or irritated, and NOT more malignancy.

One highlight to her week is that over the weekend my brother came up to visit with his 4 children. They stayed with mom and dad which is pretty rare and was a huge treat for mom and dad. Generally they say with my brother's ILs but his wife stayed behind for some job training so they got to stay with Nana and Papaw this trip. It was a delightful visit and mom was all a-buzz about the kiddos.

5 years

In all the craziness of the last months travels and birthday and day to day life, Don and I managed to celebrate our 5th anniversary of marriage.

This photo was taken at one of the two adult-only moments we managed to squeak in last month, a wedding of one of Don's coworkers. It was an interesting day to say the least, but much needed time with my hubby. A couple weeks later, a week after our actual anniversary, we enjoyed celebrating our occasion by having dinner out. Alone. Date nights are so nice, we really should make an effort to do it more often. Of course, once you figure in the cost of a baby sitter and a real meal out in a non-smorgasboard environment, you're pushing the budget of a one income family of 5.

I love you, Don! Now more than ever! Thank you for being my eternal companion.

Bag-O-Rama

Not so long ago I said 2 things that now seems just down right silly, regarding knitting. I said I am not the type to start something new before I finish knitting another. And I said I would probably never knit socks. Riiiiight. I have 3 bags planned for felting on the needles at the present time. And I have 2 skeins of Socks that Rock waiting in the wings for after holiday knitting is done.

I picked up this delicious wool yarn by Debbie Bliss while at Stitches last weekend. Its called Soho and is in colors of purple, pink and a nice variegated mix. The plan: Felted Bucket Bag I've just cast on the bottom yesterday. I'm a bit under the weather at the moment so I'm getting more "sit still" time that usual, so I've used that to knit a good bit. I'm very pleased with the progress as this one is a Christmas gift.

My second French Market Bag, I wanted this one to be in wintry colors as the first one definitely screams "fall!" I'm using Butterflies and Bullfrogs in Prairie by Lornas Lace, the yarn I picked up on the farm escapade last month. I plan on using it from just after Thanksgiving until the crocus bulbs begin pushing up their greens in mid-March.

Also, the recycled alpaca from my good friend L is now on the move. I have only just cast on and worked a few rows in garter stitch for this lovely Baby's Got a Brand New Big Bag. Can't wait to see how it turns out. No hurry on this one as its not for Christmas.

Sunset Lancaster County

I stepped out my back door last week to toss something into the trash and was greeted by this beautiful sunset across the Lancaster County sky.

The Two Black Sheep

Wow, I'm so very honored! Two of my knitting circle buddies (Heather and Becky) have decided to open a yarn store here in Lancaster Co, PA in the next year. Heather asked for submissions for a store name, just for fun. I submitted a number of names, as did others in our stitch n bitch. She picked her favorites then opened a poll so knitters could vote for the favored name. Turns out I won the contest!!! I submitted The Black Sheep and it was a top voted choice. They have decided to name the store The Two Black Sheep. I'm so honored. Oh and I get a prize too! A skein of Socks that Rock from Blue Moon Fiber Arts... only the most yummy sock yarn in the world!! Wahoo!

I wish the girls a fantastic success with their endeavor. I'm so proud of them. If you'd like to keep up with the goings on you can find them here: The Two Black Sheep

There's a Cello in my Toaster

There's a Cello in my toaster
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

And dice. Life is fun with a 1 year old. Dangerous but crazy fun too.

I was making some waffles for Andrew the other night and something inside the toast caught my eye when I went to get the waffles out. Something lavender and polka-dot. It was not food.

It was a little plastic dice piece. A junk toy from a vending machine at the mall. I keep my toaster on a shelf on the bottom of my kitchen island. Readily accessible. To everyone it seems.

I called Don in to see the dice, sort of giggling under my breath knowing that we'd successfully escaped a fire. He looked in. And he said, "keep looking, there is something down there besides dice."

Sure enough, a little metal cello Christmas ornament rested on the bottom with the crumbs. I think we'd better keep an eye on the VCR and the disk drive.