A good day for cobbler

I picked blackberries this morning.  Lots of them.  Some are in the freezer already.  More are going to be made into cobbler later.  Here are a couple of cobbler options....

Not sure which one I'm going to do yet.  I've made Grammie's recipe many, many, many times.  It's pretty standard dessert fare around here.  I'd like to try Amber's cuppa, cuppa, cuppa.  I may just have to go get some more berries.  There are still plenty for the taking if you don't mind a few briers.  Long sleeves, long pants, and closed shoes required!

Twenty-sixth Monday

Halfway....

That's hard to believe.

Tired and so ready to fall in the bed, but before I do, I give thanks for...

1054.  A hammock and a citronella candle
1055. A long phone conversation with Erin - oh, makes me wish she was closer!!!!
1056.  The dark and the fireflies; the cicadas and a little frog song
1057.  A big job well on the way to completion
1058.  The "open door" policy - our doors are always open
1059.  The people who know those doors are open and who come, often, to visit
1060.  A house full
1061.  Jobs for all the boys
1062.  Watermelon
1063.  Church business meetings
1064.  Michael, our church treasurer - I so appreciate the heart that is behind all his hard work
1065.  A friend home from a year overseas
1066.  The opportunity for Coty to audit a short class this week
1067.  The energy to work
1068.  Sweet sons and sweet husband

Father's Day Food

A post detailing what we ate...at Erin's request.

Blackberry time....

over here....

The Perfect Size Purse

...AKA the bag I've been thinking of sewing for a couple of months now! The idea for this has been rolling around in my head as I've searched for the perfect purse for me. I wanted a bag larger than the fanny-pack style bag I've carried and smaller than a tote bag; one that would hang comfortably from my shoulder and be exactly the right size for the notebook and calendar I carry; and one with a pocket on the outside for my reading glasses and a pen and a pocket on the inside for the things I want to grab quickly, like my cell phone and keys. I purchased the canvas fabric way back when I was buying quilt fabrics from my favorite place...readers of this blog say in unison...Mary Jo's! The lining is fabric I bought in India last summer. What do you think?

Detail of the side pocket and quilting.  Yes, I did that quilting myself and I love it.  It reminds me of my favorite vest that I bought last year from the Fabindia shop in the Hyderabad airport.  The color reminds me of India, too!

See!  Just the right size for my notebook.  I actually used the notebook to determine the size to make the pattern.

And a nice wide, comfortable strap (pardon my dirty work-out shirt!)

I am thinking of one other little detail to finish it off...a bit of feather stitching along the edge of the contrast fabric on the flap.  Just because....

May I say, though, that with the stitching or not, I already LOVE this bag. 

Stay tuned because there just might be one of these bags (in different fabrics) as a giveaway for one of you!

Twenty-fifth Monday

"My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard.  Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass"; "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply.  "We're raising boys".   - Harmon Kilebrew

"Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope." - Bill Cosby

"One father is more that a hundred schoolmasters."  - George Herbert

"The kind of man who thinks that helping with the dishes is beneath him will also think that helping with the baby is beneath him, and then he certainly is not going to be a very successful father."  - Eleanor Roosevelt

I appreciated these quotes because...

We don't have grass in our front yard, but we do have plenty of bare patches put there this year by friscup;

I gave my dad soap-on-a-rope every year for Christmas - he always expressed happiness in receiving it;

My own husband is not only father - worth a hundred teachers - but teacher as well;

...and he has changed many, many, many, many, many, many diapers in his life and always loved taking care of our babies.  He has washed his share of dishes, too.

So, on this Monday, the day after Father's Day, I give thanks for:


The dads in my life...

-Coty - a thoughtful, wise, loving, game-playing, reading, teaching, tender father whose calm guidance and consistent example have shaped each of our six children.

-My own dad - so very generous, kind, funny, creative, caring -  feeling better after a stroke several weeks back.  In a little note he wrote to me years ago, he helped me to understand how the depth of parental love can overcome the frailty of human parenting.

-Luke, my son-in-law - a new dad who has stepped quite naturally and wonderfully into his role as a father and whose love for his wife and sweet baby girl give this mother and grandmother great joy.

-My father-in-law - also generous and fun loving, whose efforts have helped the cousins on that side of the family to know each other, not as distant relations, but as friends.

And I remember...

-Very dear grandfathers, both of whom died while I was in college, and memories of...
-early morning walks on the beach
-games of Rook
-an outdoor shower and a hammock between live oaks
-a stern rebuke and directive to walk by myself at the top of the beach - I'm sure I deserved it
-folded newspapers in the desk drawer with big news stories from the past
-playing the old pump organ in the church next door
-learning to drive on the road between the church, house, and cemetery
-a prayer to be a safe driver on the dashboard
-a patient quiet servant of a man who helped my grandmother who laid on the bed in traction each day
-Granddaddy Craig never failing to pray for the children, because Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me....


#1039-1053

Reading

I have not been in that hammock all this time, I promise.  But I have been enjoying the slower pace of this week and the opportunity to read some fiction.  So far this summer...

and now, as I watch and cheer for African teams, listen to those vuvuzelas, and remember little boys chasing a soccer ball made from plastic bags and string across a dusty pitch with stones on the ground for goals, this book that delves into the connections between politics and soccer in Africa....

Grading

I am done.  Done.  DONE!!!!  with grading for the year.  Big cheer!

Giving exams and grading are definitely my least favorite part of teaching co-op classes.  I have come to appreciate the impetus a looming test gives to the less than motivated students to get cracking, and to welcome the opportunity it gives my more self-directed students to shine.  Surprisingly, all of my students have said they need and want tests.  So, I dutifully wrote and graded.

But now, I am DONE for the year! 

Back to the hammock....

Twenty-fourth Monday

"No one who has gratitude is the onliest one. Let us pray to be grateful to the last."  Wendell Berry in Andy Catlett: Early Travels

 #'s 1017-1038...

new friends
bonding on the bus ride and the sidelines
safe travels
fog on the mountains
early morning light over miles and miles of farm fields rolling by
good weather
breezes and shade
thoughtful sons
helpful son who tends, helps, and entertains a young one
encouraging words
pulling together
my sweetheart on the way home from India
home cooking
my own bed
day lilies
hammock in the shade
good books for summer reading
old friend visiting
sun slanting through the trees, illuminating the misty morning air
hardworking son doing maintenance
summer fun
nighttime swims

And now we're home again

After 19 hours on the bus, we arrived back home at 6:15 this morning.  And you know what?  I did land in that hammock to read and nap this afternoon.  Mmmmmmm.....

President's Cup Tournament Wrap Up

When last I left you, our FCCA boys had won their first tournament game in Oklahoma and were resting between games.  The rest must have done them good because that afternoon, they won their second game against the other NC team in the tournament.   They'd already defeated this team twice, including the last time they played them for the NC State Championship. They were prepared for a tough game but ended up winning by a wide margin, 4-0.

Some pretty happy guys, postgame!

We had a celebratory meal at Macaroni Grill that night and then an early bedtime for the guys.  The next game was on Saturday at 12:30 against the third team in our bracket, the Harpeth Hurricanes from near Nashville.  Hard to say just what happened in the game - overconfidence, weariness, the realization that the outcome of the game had no bearing on moving into the semifinals (we were already in), just a bad game.  Whatever it was, the guys lost 1-4.  Yikes!  They were NOT the same team that had showed up winning two games on Friday.

Back to the hotel for food and rest in the air-conditioning and then back to the fields for a 6:30 semi-final game.  As we sat waiting for the game to start we realized that the bleacher behind us was filling up.  It turned out that the NC team we had defeated showed up to cheer our guys on in the semifinal match.  Very, very classy.

 One of the many shots on goal

Our FCCA guys played their hearts out in the semi-final.  They played incredibly well.  They must have had 25-30 shots on goal.  But they lost!  0-1 to a team from Arkansas.  It was pretty heartbreaking.

A very disappointed bunch of players made their way back to the bus....

Kind words from the bus driver who was with us all weekend, encouraging words from the coaches, and a pizza party at the hotel that night helped to lift spirits and put the weekend in perspective.  This was a group of young men from two clubs that merged last summer.  They had to learn to play as a team and get to know a new coach. Over the course of a season, until their last two tournament games, they had an undefeated record, placing  them in the top 16 teams in US Youth Soccer for their division.  Really, quite a season! 

In between

We're in between matches right now.  After a good lunch, the boys were sent to their hotel rooms for rest time.  They need it!  A boy is stretched out on every bed space in our room and the World Cup pre-match show is on.  It's nice and cool.  Good resting going on here.

The morning match was a nail biter.  We played a big, tough team from Waco, Texas, but our North Carolina boys bested them, 2-1!   This afternoon we play the other NC team in the tournament. They got in as a wild card team on points because the Mississippi U-15 team was disqualified for having an overage player.  That's a big no-no!  Anyway, we tied this NC team in the regular season and then beat them in PK's to win the state championship.  So, they are eager to beat our FCCA boys, you can be sure.   I expect a pretty tough game.

Let ya know later...

some of our boys after their first game 

Joel just the right of our goalie, Zach (in blue)

On the bus ride...

..to Oklahoma, I started another one of these.  We'll see how much sweater knitting I get done this soccer tournament weekend! 

If you want to follow along with the progress of Joel's team, I think you will be able to see the scores here.  We are FCCA Red.  Scroll down on the page to see the schedule.

More later.  We're off to opening ceremonies!

Whirling

It feels just a wee bit like a whirlwind around here at the moment...

AP's

Graduation

Soccer tourney and then the

Trip to Michigan

for J and K's

Wedding!

Getting Coty off to India,

Company

And today M, J, and 

I are off to

Oklahoma for more soccer

Whew!

I told my friend, Amber, that this was going to be a stay at home, rest, refresh, recharge summer.  Well, summer doesn't officially start til June 21st, right!  So, the three r's can start then, yes?  That's my current plan, anyway.

I must say, though, that despite the incredible pace of the last month, I have enjoyed it ALL!  Huge life moments, passages, events that have been full of love, joy, accomplishment, family, fun, friends, and a great deal of food preparation!

So, despite feeling that there's been a lull in creativity in the kitchen, truth be told, I think it's because I've been focusing on mass production!  Lots of food for lots of people.  Hundreds of pinwheel sandwiches, five pies and a pound cake, breakfast for 27, salad for a slew of people, gingersnaps for a busload of boys.

Hence the lack of creativity and the feeling of just getting it all on the table.  Whew, again!


When I get back from Oklahoma, you know where I'm going to land....

Right here!

Need a little chuckle?

Watch the antics of the Friscup competitors as Epic Athletic competition continues...



Never a dull moment.  Except when someone's sick.  Joel has a touch of pneumonia so competition is on hold til we get back from Oklahoma.

Cooking lull

It is rather sad that I have not posted anything on this blog since February.  That reflects the state of my kitchen endeavors in the last months...(continue reading here)

Phone call

I am slightly amazed that I can dial a number, hear a ring and then on the other end of the line, the voice of my sweet husband who is almost half a world away.

I also love that in the background, I hear another language and the persistent honking of car horns.  Ah, India!

photo from last summer's trip

Coty and the team are doing well. They've attended pastors' conferences in two different villages so far this week. They slept in the church in Ventrapragada the first two nights, but tonight move to a hotel in a town nearby. They'll appreciate the air conditioning in the hotel, I'm sure, because in Andhra Pradesh right now it is hot! 

I got to speak to both Coty and Amy last night and they both expressed deep gratitude for their incredibly hard working and gracious Indian hosts.  Thanks to all of you who have helped make this trip possible through your generosity and prayers.

Twenty-third Monday

And now the wedding's over, and the summer's begun, and Coty is in India, and we're heading to Oklahoma!


Ah, summer.  Lots of thunderstorms lately.  The garden drank in water last night.  The sky turned yellow in the late evening, and then the clouds opened and rain poured down.  The boys watched basketball inside and I could see flashes from the screen on the back porch boards while I stretched out in the porch swing and listened to the rain and talked to Erin and drank in peace and rest and no hurry.

This morning was cool, the edge off the humidity.  I got back to walking and push-ups and my regular exercise routine...at least for two days til we get on that bus!  Every morning is a fresh beginning and this morning felt very fresh and new...

I give thanks for...

1001.  safe travel for Coty and Amy and the Memphis team to Hyderabad
1002.  travel glitches worked out for the team from Memphis
1003.  expected reunion with our Bapatla friends coming for Coty
1004.  people here who offer to help if needed

Last night, some of our church family gathered to pray.  I am so thankful for...

1005.  corporate prayer
1006.  sweet fellowship
1007.  a God who hears

This morning, after my walk, I had to take a sick Joel to the doctor.  He has a touch of pneumonia and is on heavy duty meds to, we hope, get him feeling better before the weekend and soccer games.  I am thankful for...

1008.  the health care readily available to us

1009.  a good doctor who is patient, listens well, discusses options, moves aggressively when needed
1010.  the body's defenses (praying they kick in in high gear now for Joel)
1011.  a God who heals

Thomas called this afternoon from camp and he, too, is sick.  I may need to head over to camp tomorrow to bring him home for a few days.  Thank you, Father, for...

1012.  being here now
1013.  medical tests
1014.  care for T near camp
1015.  the option of coming home if he needs to

In everything, give thanks.  In the freshness and glory of a new day, in the feeling of health and fitness that the morning walk brings, but also in the trial of sickness and the blessings of care and healing.

Dear reading friends - I'd sure appreciate your prayers for my two boys.  As I write, asking this, I give thanks for...

1016.  You

Soccer continues....

I mentioned a little while back that Joel's club soccer team won the NC state championship for their division.

Well, the next step is a trip to.....Oklahoma!  Matthew and I will join Joel and his team and lots of parents and other family members this Wednesday on a charter bus ride to Broken Arrow, OK, for the Region III Championships.  We're in a region with Oklahoma???  Yep.  Here's the map of  US Youth Soccer Regions.  And here's the list of teams.  We're U-15, FCCA Red.  Scroll down on the page to see the other teams in our division.

If the guys win and advance to Nationals, we'll head next door to Murpheesboro, Tennessee for Nationals.

This is all rather exciting!

J and K's wedding, Part 3

Father and son. The morning of...

 There is a story to the shirts.  "Pig" is a term of endearment among the Pinckney men and they all have t-shirts (made by Thomas and Kay) that say Pig Crew and have a piggy nickname on the back. 

 Obviously, some people looked better than others the morning of the wedding!

Remember those Daughter/Granddaughter dresses. 

I am a very thankful, blessed mother.  I love this picture of my six but I keep wondering when they got so OLD!  (Thomas 21, Joel 15, Jonathan 24, Erin 26, Andrew 19, and Matthew 17)

Central Park Chapel...what a lovely little church, open air and just down the street from the lake.  Simple and lovely with saris draped from the rafters.

Jonathan and Kandyce were driven away from the church in this beautifully restored Model T.  Sweet!

J and K at the reception....

and their first dance.

I have such happy memories of the wedding weekend....

Full moon over the lake when we arrived; visiting with J and K the next morning and laughing as the sprinkler system on the front lawn turned on and sprayed Kandyce and Kay as we sat outside opening presents; seeing Kathy again for the first time since last summer in India; decorating the mansion and seeing Luke pitch in to hang saris; cute, cute little ones lured down the aisle with bubbles and then during the wedding the ring bearer shooting off his nerf dart gun and hitting one of the bridesmaids (oops!); people dancing on the lawn and learning the Bollywood dance to Jai Ho at the rehearsal dinner and later at the lake house; Gordon friends playing cards on the big old porch by the lake; fires outside in the fire pit every night; meeting Tom "Trouble with a Big Heart" Kingsley for the first time - what a delight to get to know him and Tyler; chauffering my mom and dad and driving along Lake Michigan in the evening and seeing the sun set over the lake and a lone boat making it's way over the water; meeting Dave at Scooter's Pizza and ordering for a big crowd; the flaming lotus candle from Bapatla - a surprise repeat from last year's engagement party in India; Erin's help making pies; seeing Jonathan's smile as his bride walked down the aisle; feeling the tears start to well up as he spoke his vows; seeing Daryl's slideshow with childhood photos of J and K; saris and candles and Egyptian lanterns;  so many family members all together - a rare treat!  So much laughter.  Such a sweet time.

J and K's wedding, Part 2

Saturday morning and another bright day at the lake house for all the assembled gang.  More volleyball and friscup, and then in the early afternoon, a couple of hours of setting up tables and chairs and decorating at the Felt Mansion ballroom for the reception.  Things sure do go alot more quickly with a crowd to help.

I did a bit more running on Saturday with helping at the mansion, then going to the rehearsal dinner venue to take food, picking up my parents from Saugatuck and then back to the chapel for the rehearsal.  Andrew was my set-up helper for the dinner.  I was very, very thankful for his help, and for the way all the guys pitched in with whatever needed to be done.  Everyone should have lots of brothers to help them when they get married.  Makes things easier!

A few rehearsal photos.... 

Saris draped from the rafters of the chapel frame the line-up of bridesmaids and groomsmen

The cutest ring bearer and flower girl ever...lured down the aisle by one of the dads blowing bubbles at the front!

Kandyce and her mom and dad

Kathy and Tom 

We did have fun!

Just practicing...

And then when we were done with the rehearsal...

...on to this beautiful spot on the Kalamazoo River for a casual, relaxed rehearsal dinner.  Pizza, salad, soda, and some homemade pies and pound cake.

We sat out on the wrap around porch and watched the swans and kayakers on the river...

Clara and Will get acquainted...

Kisses!!

And then it was time to practice the Bollywood dance to Jai Ho on the lawn.  I hear there's going to be a youtube version of the group dancing at the reception.  I'll link to it when it gets posted!

What a fun evening!  Thanks to Kathy and Tom arranging with their friends, the Lambs, for the use of the house for the evening.  It was really a special place for a special gathering!

About that Wedding Quilt...

...which I can now show you.

It began in January with a long visit to Mary Jo's to choose reds/pinks/yellows...

and blues/greens/teals.

which were cut into strips with the rotary cutter,

sewn into five strip pieces, and cut into 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 sections....

 

 

which were then pieced into 5 x 5 squares.

and arranged in an alternating pattern with 2 x 2 squares at the corners.

The night before we left, I finished the sewing the quilt top together.

The pattern is called Moutain Paths, from the Spring 1992 issue of Quiltmaker magazine.

Thanks to my sister-in-law, Lindele, for helping me choose a pattern that was manageable for a novice quiltmaker!

 

So glad I got the top done in time!

 

It did, of course, come back home with me for quilting and binding.  I've promised to have it done before the cold weather comes, so since J and K will be living in Denver, it'll be top priority summer project!