Not Quite Ordinary Observations

For Today...Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy Independence Day!

Outside my window...occasional teasing clouds on this hot July day.

I am thinking...that the bananas we bought the other day have ripened much quicker than expected. I might have to make a batch of banana bread.

I am thankful for...

• my country. There are a lot of things I don’t like, but I am still proud and thankful to be an American. Happy birthday, USA!
• 10 plus pounds of fresh corn (weighed after cutting it off the cob), a blessing from several different church members. Corn is a HUGE favorite in our household!
• a hubby who likes to cook, is GREAT at it, and is constantly hunting down ways to make his delicious concoctions even better.

I am wearing...denim capris, red Razorback polo, hair pulled back.

I am creating...plans for Angela’s birthday, both gifts and celebration; also trying to design Steven’s birthday cake. He has very specific requests – now to see if I can actually make it the way he wants it!

I am remembering...celebrating Independence Day growing up. In Jordan we would sometimes go to the American Community School where there was almost a fair-like atmosphere. Other times it was cookouts at the Browning house – we lived in one of the most beautiful (and coolest in the hot summer) spots in the country. Friends would come from the city for a bit of a break. When we were in Arkansas, we would gather at my grandparents’ house. I remember the watermelon most of all. We always had watermelon.

I am going...to get pictures sorted eventually. I have gotten over 1400 of them separated into categories, and I have about 900 still requiring that task. Then I’ll make sure they’re all renamed and matched with the right date. Then I need to commit to not waiting nine months before I tackle this task again.

I am reading...too much at once! I think I’m trying to catch up after several weeks of practically no reading. Johann Sebastian Bach by Rick Marschall; Desiring God by John Piper; The Fitting Room by Kelly Minter (for Bible study); and I’m about to start Route 66 by Krish Kandiah, an 8-week Bible study I’m reviewing. Like I said – too much at once!

I am praying…for more rain this week. 

I am hearing...music, the whir of the fan, the tapping of my keyboard and Doug’s, quiet in the house thanks to rest time.

On my mind...several prayer requests that have been shared with me. I want to fix them. But the best thing I can do is pray over them and leave them in the hands of the only One who can fix them.

From the learning rooms...one more week off.

Noticing that...I like productivity.

From the kitchen...corn taken off the cob and prepared for the freezer; apples cooked down to be made into applesauce (we were also blessed with lots of apples!); delicious burgers.

Around the house...corn husks laid out and drying a bit so they can be used for an experiment in making corn husk dolls. The girls have had their hearts set on trying it since we planted corn back in the spring!

One of my favorite things...relaxing family days.

A few plans for the rest of the week...doctor’s appointments (annual – no one’s sick) tomorrow and Thursday; hopefully a hair cut this week if I can get an appointment.

A picture worth sharing...Happy Independence Day!