Rebekah's Insights

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Recently, Liam spotted a photo of me from about a decade ago. It is usually displayed on his father's computer table, but Liam has never before commented on it. As he looked at it, thoughtfully, he asked, "Mommy, is that my Auntie Erinn?"

I replied, "No, that's me when I was a little younger."

At this he looked confused for a moment and again studied the photo, while thinking. Finally, he smiled and said, "Oh, yes. This is you when you were my age."

Ten years have made a bigger difference than I knew, I guess.

:)

There is an appointed time for everything.
And there is a time for every event under heaven—
A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

"Love through me, love of God.
Make me like Thy clear air,
through which unhindered, colors pass
as though it were not there."

Amy Carmichael

One of the benefits we enjoy as a homeschooling family is that on those rare and special occasions when family or friends come to visit, we are able to schedule our "breaks" to coincide. This flexibility served us well this past month of March when Auntie Erinn came to visit for three weeks! :)

This means that during that time we did not follow the "plans," yet the beauty is that since educational opportunities abound while traveling, creating artwork, listening to music, and playing--we really never took a break from "school" itself. However, since we did not follow our "plans," I will not be reporting on our little students' March progress and activities.

April is off to a great beginning here--inside and out. Today we savored the unusual delight of a day with the temperature at sixty degrees Fahrenheit! We rarely saw that temperature all of last SUMMER season, so it was a WELCOME TREAT! The daffodils are in their glory right now--gazillions of them everywhere, chasing the crocuses, and ushering in the beautiful blooming season. The sun arose in our sky at 6:30 AM and set at 7:30 PM. This alone is enough to put a dreamy smile on one's face--no really, after the "dark" months with the sun up at 8:00 AM and setting by 3:50 PM this REALLY puts a smile on one's face. I'm sure we will not have any more nice, warm days for a while, but I am thankful for THIS one.

1000 Gifts List 2009

13.) dew glistening on green, Spring grass
14.) symphonic birdsong
15.) sunlight
16.) spontaneous hugs and kisses from busy little loves
17.) Spring air
18.) the ability to capture moments of joy in memory--a picture saved in one's heart

Some time ago I referred to oatmeal bars which I make with oatmeal leftover from the Baked Oatmeal recipe I shared previously. As promised, I am finally getting around to sharing the bar recipe. It is a great healthful breakfast treat (tastes more like a dessert) and convenient/economical in that you make the oatmeal one day and use the leftovers to whip up these bars to eat for the next day or two. Hey, maybe it's just me, but I love to save time, money, and eat something tasty, that is still good for me. :)

Oatmeal Bars

2 C. leftover oatmeal
1/2 C. honey
1 egg
2/3 C. natural creamy peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 C. whole wheat flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2-3/4 C. mini chocolate chips

Combine oatmeal, honey, egg, peanut butter, and vanilla. (I also like to save dishes, so I use the baking dish in which I baked the oatmeal as a mixing bowl for this recipe. Go ahead, YOU can call me lazy, but I choose to think of it as "wise time and resource management"--cook twice, wash once!) Combine flour and baking soda; mix into wet ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips. Spread into a greased 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy warm or cold. (Or cold but slightly re-warmed in the microwave oven!)