The Big 40

Last weekend Greg and I traveled to San Francisco to attend the CCL Annual Conference and celebrate my birthday. We arrived Friday morning and had a great lunch at Zachary's in San Ramon with Robin. After which we visited with Patsy, a nurse Greg worked with for years. She is recovering from chemo. We hit Trader Joe's :) and my dear friend Jenn (just for a minute). The evening wrapped up at Mark and Robin's for Tacos with the family.

Saturday we enjoyed the conference and we able to visit with some folks we hadn't seen since moving to Austin!

Saturday evening we took a long black limosine into San Francisco for dinner at Traittoria Contadina and dessert at Range.

What an amazing weekend! I am so thankful for Greg' generous and extravagant gift of time with him and some of our family. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and hope to do it again!!

"It's a Play on Homonyms"

We were celebrating my birthday with lunch at Pluckers yesterday.

Elise was sharing riddles that she had read or heard and gave us this one:

You are in a room with four walls, a ceiling, a floor, a mirror and a table. How do you get out? You look in the mirror, see what you saw, use the saw the cut the table in half, put the halves together to make a whole and go out through the hole.



Greg and I both said - What? Then she explained it again, ending with "it's a play on homonyms."
 
I love that girl. She amazes me. Regularly.
 
Great fried pickles by the way. The best in Texas!

Church Fellowship

Earlier I wrote about Greg and I obtaining our Safe Food Handler Certificates for the city of Austin so that we may work in the church kitchen.

Today is the first day.

I will be helping with the incoming food for the fellowship meal as well as managing the dessert table.

I will let you know how it goes when we return.

Cleaning, Baking, Teaching . . . an extra 4 kids

Today was a good day. I spent time cleaning downstairs in anticipation of bringing my mother in law home with us next weekend. I also spent time baking cinnamon rolls and pumpkin bread. Early this evening we were joined by four of our nephews.

Their folks were getting some Christmas shopping done. . . I know, I know it is only the 5th of November.
They are on it.
I on the other hand am not.
Not yet.
I am looking forward to a weekend away with my Love next week.

Fancy Cupcakes? I think not.

Last night we attended the 2nd Annual Fall Festival at Veritas Academy. I can honestly say that I did not want to go. My children on the other hand had been looking forward to it with great anticipation. After receiving several emails looking for volunteers for various booths for either the second or third grade, or the fine arts department, I received one that I thought would work for our week.

It was a request for baked goods for the Cake Walk. I thought to myself, I can do that. Especially when I saw that another mom had volunteered to bring Rice Krispy cookies. I can surely do that. They were looking for volume. Mass. Six plates of cookies coming your way.

I mixed the cookies up on Friday morning, so they would be fresh. I even printed the recipe out, rather than rely on my memory. I added coloring. They were cheeto orange. . . They were plated and wrapped.
Not fancy plates or wrap.

Ooops. Lots (not all) of the other baked goods were packaged very prettily - with orange bows, large celophane paper poofs. . . Aagghhh. The cookies tasted ok - hopefully the children that went to Cake Walk last weren't disappointed.

I know I am no Martha Stewart. Now I know to not volunteer for any baked goods.

Responsibility

We have been in Austin for a year and half now. How time flies! It took over 6 months to find and settle in a church. We underestimated how hard that part of the move would be. It has taken another 11 months or so to begin to feel connected at the church we are part of. Sunday evening meetings began about 5 weeks ago - that has been great. The kids are part of the children's choir that meets during the Sunday evening Bible Study. Greg and I have enjoyed the teaching time.

The church we are a part of is in a new building. Their first building. With a new church kitchen. How cool is that? I love church kitchens. In order to work in the kitchen, the city of Austin requires that you have a Food Safe Handler certificate (not a bad idea). Greg and I did the online course to receive our certificates and beginning in November will help with the monthly fellowship meal.

We've served in the nursery once. . . and have been asked to be part of the communion set up team.
That means that we prepare the communion bread for both services and set up the Lord's Table, pulpit and lecturn on Sunday morning.

Today was our second time setting up. I need to make notes about the order and placement of everything. I am not a graceful person (naturally clumsy) and have to carefully remove the containers from the candles that contain the wick and oil and fill the oil. Aagghh. If you pull on the wick, I was told, the candle will smoke. Not what you want to see during the worship service. Greg, (the careful one of us) fills the commuion cups, while I set out the paraments, fill the bread trays and set out the pastor's bread plate and goblet.

I am enjoying the responsibility of being part of a body and serving that body in various ways.

Not to say we don't miss our COTK. We still do. We pray regularly for the body there in Santa Cruz and it's leadership.

God is good to us and has provided a church home, where we are beginning to feel settled.

Thank you Lord for your special provisions.

Providence?

For the past year or so we have been doing Taco Thursday every other week for a family of seven whose Mom has been diagnosed with cancer. I call each Wednesday to be sure it is ok to bring the tacos the next day.

Two weeks ago on the 23rd, I didn't call. The taco delivery two weeks before that Jil didn't look good. She had been in hospice care for a few weeks at that point.

On the 23rd, the kids and I knock on the door and the oldest daughter who isn't usually home answers the door. I notice, but for once don't start asking a million questions. I notice that Jil's sister is sitting in her chair. I mention to the other kids that we are going to get our puppy on Saturday - their dog Bella was part of the inspiration for Abilene.

As I drive home I wonder how Jil is. Didn't want to ask. Trying to be gracious and not too inquisitive.

I get home and find an email has arrived letting me know that Jil had passed away on Wednesday morning the 22nd.

It is hard to imagine being a mom knowing that your days are drawing to a close, trying to care for your husband and five children.

My heart is heavy for Jil's husband and her children as they live life without her.

We aren't going to stop Taco Thursday's until we are asked to.

When this began Greg asked what we could do long term. Until.

Well, until has happened and I believe that this family still needs Tacos every other Thursday.
I don't believe it has to be on the "Care Calendar" to care.

It just needs to happen!

Cuter than . . .

May I please introduce the newest member of the Kloster household . . . .

Abilene!

She is a seven week old black and silver Miniature Schnauzer.

I am sure that you will hear more about her here soon.

The Book of Household Management published 1861

I found a copy of "The Book of Household Management" by Mrs. Beeton for my Kindle - free - as it is pre-copyright. So far it is a pretty interesting read . . .

Preface

I must frankly own, that if I had known, beforehand, that this book would have cost me the labour which it has, I should never have been courageous enough to commence it. What moved me, in the first instance, to attempt a work like this, was the discomfort and suffering which I had seen brought upon men and women by household mismanagement. I have always thought that there is no more fruitful source of family discontent than a housewife's badly-cooked dinners and untidy ways."

Ouch!

I am curious to see what else she has to say. . .

Ever had this happen?

Ok, not this exactly. . . Saturday evening, we were finishing dinner, Thai Grilled Street Chicken, 3 Bean Salad and some fresh bread that had been given to us by some friends, when the doorbell rang.

Greg answered to the door to find three giggling teenage girls. They were attending a party at a neighborhood home and were playing a game called Bigger or Better. . . could we give them something bigger or better than the bread machine (with instruction manual) that they were holding?

Greg offered up the remaining topiary that I brought home from a garage sale months ago (he didn't care much for them, but Elise had decided she liked them, for a time). We brought the topiary to the door, much to the excitement of the young ladies, and swapped it for a bread machine.

Funny thing is, I had been talking about wanting to get a bread machine, as we have started to eat more bread. Yet, I didn't really want to buy one.

The Lord brought one to my door (with the insruction manual, which has recipes).

Today before Calvin and I picked up the big kids, we bought some bread flour at Sprouts Farmers Market.

When we returned from school, Elise and I made our first loaf of French Bread. It sure smells good and should be great for toast in the morning . . . or alongside dinner tomorrow night, Bacon Tomato Capellini, if it lasts that long.

I'll let you know how it tastes. . .

A Shield About Me

One of my favorite songs - from long ago:

Thou O Lord art a shield about me, your my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Thou O Lord art a shield about me, your my glory, and the lifter of my head.

Halleluia, Halleluia, Halleluia, your the lifter of my head.
Halleluia, Halleluia, Halleluia, your the lifter of my head.
from Psalm 3

I am thankful for The Lifter of My Head!

"Romaction" movie request

Yesterday my children were asking for a" Romaction" film. Which to them, means "really princessy and really fighting"

The only one I can think of off the top of my head is -

Princess Bride

Can you suggest any other "Romaction" films?

Dealing with fear at the Snake Farm

Lest you think from my previous post that there weren't any snakes at the Snake Farm, think again. I had to face one of my biggest fears (the others are: fire that is out of control and deep, deep, deep water). I had to walk through three areas that had snakes on both sides. Aagggghhhh. I don't like snakes. Ok, I hate snakes! and I am deathly afraid of them. As I walked through the Snake Farm I jumped several times as I felt something strange touch my back, or arm, or foot. And my family laughed. They know my fear and don't waste any time making fun of me. . . That is ok. I don't have to love snakes, or like them, or go the Snake Farm any time soon. We did spend some time watching a replay of a "Dirty Jobs" about the Snake Farm. . . the host had to help them clean out the Rattlesnake Pit. The day we were there the rattlers were quiet and still. Apparently they had been fed the day before and it was too loud for them active. I think the rest of my family wants to go back and watch the snakes being fed . . . I may see if I can go the nearby quilt store while they watch the feeding.

This is one of the four enormouse pythons they had housed in a glass and mesh enclosure. Did I say I hate snakes?

Yes that is the same snake. . . on the tree both directions.

First Day of School 2010

Snake Farm - some of the creatures we saw. . .

Summer, going, going . . .

Summer is almost over. I can't believe how much I didn't do that I wanted and intended to.


Caleb's quilt was completed.
Greg's quilt has been cut out, two colors sewn together and then cut again. One more color to sew together, cut and then begin piecing all of the 9 patch blocks.
Calvin is potty trained!
We were gone for 5 weeks over the summer.
Caleb worked on reading.
Elise read.
I read some.
I purged the school room/office bookshelves.
Organized my closet.
Purged the kid's closets.
Shredded lots (at least 4 trash bags so far)

Last day of our summer

Today is the last day before school begins for Elise and Caleb, and we are making good on the promise to take the kids to the Snake Farm in New Braunfels. I'll let you know how it goes when we get back.

I am posting this from the car on Greg's fancy Ipad. He is trying to get me to say that I want one . . .

Tomorrow school begins. Elise is beginning the 3rd grade and Caleb is beginning the 2nd grade.

Disneyland 2010 Grandma's 70th Birthday Bash

A quick look at our week in Anaheim.

For more, visit:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2074108&id=1306623832&l=8921a61fdd

Quilting and Loving

I had hoped to get the John Deere quilt done for Caleb before we left for our trip . . . it didn't happen. I was able to devote some time to it last week and am now just finishing hand sewing the binding.

As I was wrapping up the final quilting, I found myself frustrated with the mistakes I was making as well as those that had already been made. A strange thought came to mind - this quilt with all of it's quirky stitch patterns and mistakes is a picture of my love for Caleb - imperfect and not easily moved. I have a fierce love for my son. I believe he has a fierce love for me. He is honest to a fault - which I respect and appreciate.

Hymn of Gratitude and Praise

The words to this hymn ministered greatly to my heart yesterday. . .

What-e'er my God ordains is right: his holy will abideth;
I will be still what-e'er he doth, and follow where he guideth.
He is my God; though dark my road, he holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to him I leave it all.

What-e'er my God ordains is right: he never will deceive me;
he leads me by the proper path; I know he will not leave me.
I take, content, what he hath sent; his hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait his day.

What-e'er my God ordains is right: though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart, I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true, each morn anew sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

What-e'er my God ordains is right: here shall my stand be taken;
though sorrow, need or death be mine, yet am I not forsaken.
My Father's care is round me there, he holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to him I leave it all.

Beautiful Memories

I must say how thankful I am for my husband. He graciously spent time putting together the collages above for our family to remember the wonderful vacation we just returned from.

We have one of them in a frame (20x30) ready to hang. . . just haven't decided where.

It is a joy to watch the kids looking at the collage, pointing out specific pictures, remembering all that we did on vacation!

On the road with some comforts from home

Comfort on the road.

Each of the kids took a special piece of home with them on our trip. Beda made each of them a quilt - which bring lots of comfort and familiarity in unfamiliar situations.

I am thankful for the treasure of quilts!

Wiped out!

 

Calvin is worn out after visiting Jamestown Settlement and taking a ferry across the James River to Scotland, VA and Surry, VA.

The monument to the three ships that landed at Jamestown in 1606 from England.

Caleb being Caleb onboard a replica of the "Elizabeth" trying to move a piece of rigging?

Calvin being Calvin, trying to be like his big brother. . .

All three Kloster kids aboard the "Susan Constant" at Jamestown Settlement.

Calvin testing out one of the berths . . . yucko

The boys defending the Jamestown Settlement. . . don't you feel safer?

Across the James River we drove through Scotland and Surry, Virginia and took a quick look at what is left of Bacon's castle. The driveway was beautiful, tree lined with a vast lawn . . . Gorgeous!

Going, going, going

We have been going each day - this week we've been to Busch Gardens twice, Colonial Williamsburg three times and Water Country USA once. Holy Schnikes that is a lot of going! It's been great having the Bounce pass that Greg found on line when we got here last Saturday. It was a better buy than individually purchasing tickets for each place. We had 7 days to go to any of the three parks listed above. It has been very nice to not feel the pressure of super full days - we've been able to spend a little time or more each day and still have a good time!

Tuesday, after lunch we visited the Yankee Candle Flagship store - man o man did they have candles and knick knacks and Christmas knick knacks and ornaments, oh my! The kids each dipped a souvenir candle - Caleb a baseball glove, Calvin a tow-truck and Elise a Yankee Candle Jar.  We also found some Leather scented air spray. . . Nice!

After the candle extravaganza we headed to Colonial Williamsburg and visited the Bindery - where they bind books. Not necessarily printed books - but books for ledgers and record keeping - like they would have in 1774. Fascinating. All the paper they work with is linen and had to (at the time) be imported from England! We learned that binding a book is a 28 step process. To apprentice as a bookbinder takes seven years. The gentleman doing the binding (or talking about the binding did his apprenticeship in the south of England and it took 6 years.

We stopped in to the printing shop - where the day's work was done and prep work for the next day's work was beginning. The gentleman there was inking the sheep skin which is then put over wool attached to a stick that is used to put the ink on the typeface. It appeared to be a tedious process when we were able to see the printing process in motion on Thursday afternoon.

The Gunsmith and foundry was also on our list of places to visit. There are apparently only two gunsmiths on staff and the backlog of work for private orders is seven years long - they charge $15,000 to 20,000 for a custom made rifle. Greg was of course immediately trying to figure how many gunsmiths you'd have to apprentice to get the backlog gone. . . Always thinking!

After the gunsmith, I believe we made our way to the Govenor's Palace - which was occupied by the man appointed by the King of England  . . . agghhh. The entrance hall walls were covered and I mean covered with swords and rifles. . . up the stairs, the walls were also covered with swords and rifles. We took a peak into the pantry, the little girl's bedroom - the governor's wife's dressing room - which had been his office - she took it over when she arrived from England and booted him the the breakfast room. This dressing room had walls covered with hand tooled gilded leather. Apparently when the builidng was restored - by Mr. Rockefeller in the1930's he spared no expense!  The walls were exquisite! We also saw the master suite, the ball room - blue walls - the supper room - green walls with wooden trim - that had been painted white. The wooden trim took 2 men 4 years to carve for the original palace. Mr. Rockefeller employed two men for 4 years to carve the trim for the restored supper room.

After touring the inside of the palace, we walked out in the gardens. The kids enjoyed running through the maze and tormented a few small creatures as we walked through other bits of the vast gardens. It was a beautiful afternoon!

Wonder of wonders earlier in the day we had driven around some and found a Trader Joes! I could barely contain my excitement when Greg offered to go back that way - so we could get our bread for dinner there. I haven't been in a TJ's for almost a year. I think I was able to visit one last August when we were in California for Hannah's wedding.

The kids and I had a blast - enjoying our coffee sample and finding new snacks! and some bread for dinner . . .  which we ended up not using - as all of the sudden tacos sounded better than pasta! 

The snacks were a hit! and still are.

Will write more later!

Since we last met . . .

On Sunday, we visited a PCA church here in Williamsburg http://www.gracecovpca.org/#/home and enjoyed the sermon. On our way to lunch Elise was filling out the visitor information sheet and under the line titled: "I would like more information about" she wrote why the pastor's hair looks like Spock." Now we all wondered this - but hadn't written it out. Only Elise!

After a delicious lunch at Hot Dog King, we headed back to the coach for a quiet afternoon - I was blessed by my husband, who graciously watched the kids play outside so that I could take a nap. It was an amazing nap. Thank you love!

We had stir fry for dinner here before heading back intoColonial Williamsburg to attend a Capitol Concert - which I was sure was at the Parish church - however it was at the Capitol. Thus the name Capitol.

The concert was played on a harpsichord by a gentleman acting the part of chief musician to the govenor in Williamsburg  in 1774. It was an experience to listen to him both talk and play. Calvin fell asleep on my lap moments after sitting down - and missed almost the entire concert. We heard talk of Frederic Handel and other musicians of the time. We only heard music that had been composed by English composers.

On Monday, we headed to Busch Gardens arriving at a little after 11 am. The crowds were not as intense as we expected for a holiday, the heat however was intense!

Historic Williamsburg

Today was our first day visiting Historic Williamsburg. After picking up our tickets at the visitor center, we rode the shuttle downtown and enjoyed a nice lunch together - the highlight of which was freshly made mixed berry sorbet, blood orange sorbet and burnt sugar ice cream.

We watched this woman spin wool - and listened to her talk about how life was in Colonial times. Interesting times they must have been! On our journey to Virginia we began listening to a lecture from the Teaching Company on the Revolutionary War. I am excited to learn more about this period of history - especially since it is part of what Elise will be studying next year in school.

We were able to tour the home of the local silversmith, visit the shoe shop, see the church that Patrick Henry, George Washington and other men of influence attended so many, many years ago.

The kids are plumb tuckered out and I am heading that way after I gather the laundry from the 24 hour laundry room here at the American Heritage RV Park.

Summer Plans

Today was the last day of school for the oldest two kiddos! We left Austin in the coach around 5 p.m. - not the best time - that is how it worked. We passed through Carl's Corner, TX  pop. 134,  Milford, TX Bardwell, TX, Italy, TX (saw the coolest little complex of  Dome houses), Ennis, TX (serious Friday Night Lights football it appears happens here). Each of these towns had a busy Wednesday night church service going on. We even saw a tent meeting of sorts - at a church called Living Faith something  . . .

Tonight we did something different - instead of staying at a Walmart - which we usually do on our way out of town - we found a nice RV park and even though it was late - we found a spot and can sleep well, with power and water for the coach. We are watching the American Idol finale - and the kids are in the back watching Chicken Little.
-
Tomorrow we'll get on down the road - making it to Williamsburg, VA by Friday-ish.

First time for everything

Last night Greg and I had a date planned - to see the free Shakespeare in Zilker Park - "Dream: A Midsummer Night's Dream" set to 60's music with a live band on stage. Hmmmmm, sounded interesting.

However in our planning we assumed (bad) that we could do what we always do at Shakespeare - have in fact done since before our engagement at "Taming of the Shrew" in 2000, drink wine!

Well, come to find out you may not drink alcohol in Zilker Park. Who knew?

The plans had to be changed and now there was another couple involved. One of our employees and his girlfriend. . . We ended up having a lovely dinner with Dan and Kristi at Trulucks downtown Austin.

Tonight we will have the meal that was prepared for our Shakespeare picnic before we dash off to Elise and Caleb's first piano recital. Ever.

The meal is Basil Dressing Vinegrette over pasta with cold shrimp, french bread, salad and wine of course. I splurged and bought some nice cheeses to go with our bread last night. The kids have already eaten the bread and Greg has agreed to buy another loaf on the way home.

Looking forward to our dinner tonight - it is actually almost the same meal Greg prepare the night he proposed almost 11 years ago. God is so good to us - I can barely take it in!

Field Trip to CiCi's pizza and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Listening intently to instructions on field trip to CiCi's pizza. . .

Working on Pizza fractions while waiting for his turn to make his own pizza, onto which he didn't want to put anything other than pepperoni.

Finished pizza!