The Princess and the Goblin

I am part of a local book club...one I haven't been able to attend in over a year. But, I still do the reading. This month was "The Princess and the Goblin" by George MacDonald (1872).  I love fanasty, so naturally I was excited about this choice. However, after reading "The Princess and the Goblin" I loved it so much I had to share it!

The first thing I noticed about this book is that MacDonald does an exceptional job of understanding the mind, rational and heart of a child.  MacDonald, thankfully, strays from the normal Victorian model of writing that doesn't take childishness into mind... I have actually put down classics about children because they aren't believable in their representation of the character of children.  However, one should think MacDonald would know the mind of a child, because he had 13 of them. Even with this, he still allows the fantasy to play out and the unique character of Irene, a princess-child to be all her own... honest, loving, mature, sweet, thoughtful, confused and innocent all at once.  I love that Irene knew right and wrong, loved others weaker than her and was loyal, and still curiously afraid... I love her complexity.  

The other characters were just as richly written.  I loved how Luttie, the nursemaid, was concerned with her job, had fondness for Irene, but was also a bit drawl and had lost her curiosity... like many adults.  She treated Irene how most adults treat children... with a pat on the head and a brush off.  I loved Curdie... the hero, miner; all boy and yet a man at 13. His love and affection for his mother in working overtime to buy her a new red petticoat because she was a good mother. I loved his chivalry, his honor, his quick wit and good manners despite his lower situation in life... the truth that nobility is of the heart.  

I loved the mystery involved... the fantasy, yet believability of the whole book.  MacDonald's description was very believable and clear.  Most of all I loved that the book seeped out goodness, love and sweetness, yet with out being sickly sweet or moralistic or preachy. It gave lovely glimpses of "heaveness." I learned that "oldness" doesn't mean weakness or less beauty. I loved the illustrations to Biblical truths: omnipresence, sovereignty, destiny, faith, perseverance, doubting, and purity in love. 

"The Princess and the Goblin" is a seriously under appreciated children's classic... it should be right up there with "The Chronicles of Narnia" and I am disappointed that it is not! I am adding it to my favorite's list... right near the top! Do read it! You won't be disappointed. 

Helpful Habits

I was thinking recently of things I do as a mother that really help me, my children and our family to enjoy each other and live in harmony. I love verses that paint a picture of what our homes are to be like... 

"Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!" Psalm 118:15

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain." Psalm 127:1

"Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table."  Psalm 128:3

"Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars." Proverbs 9:1

"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." Proverbs 14:1

Words like joy, wisdom, fruitful, and victory are wrapped up all in them.  As if the habits of our day reflect these qualities...

Our home isn't always delightful, peaceful, full of wisdom or joy... but I am thankful for older women who have taught me some habits to help our home be full of these qualities:

Habit 1: Get rest and a full nights sleep. 

More than any other thing this helps me to be joyful and a better mom. I have put lots of time and research into developing a plan that fits our family... but honestly, I always think... nothing is worse than sleep deprivation. Get your babies to sleep... any means! Recently I was talking to another mom who said, "I use to think it was weakness to take a nap or get rest during the day. Then I realized if it makes me a better mom, it makes our family better."  Get rest, you'll find your children are much happier when you all get rest.

Habit 2: Speak lovingly and no shouting.

I often find that my children model what I do... recently I've been practicing speaking even softer when I am serious... it is amazing how it works... shouting does no one any good!

Habit 3: Alone time.

Starting when my babies are a year old they do "room time" or a measured amount of time playing alone (30 min-1hour). Right now all my children are in there rooms playing happily while I finished vacuuming and am now getting some TLC... in 10 minutes we will all play together. I don't know how to express how much this has helped me during hard seasons, pregnancy, sickness and busyness.  And, they learn to love it too... my oldest daughter askes, "Is it room time, yet. I want to play doll house."  

Habit 4: Breast feeding.

This isn't really a habit, but a method or feeding your baby. But, it has saved my sanity on many occasions... easy, warm milk, ready any moment you need it... no cost, no preparation needed.  Plus it gives me a reason to sit down, relax and enjoy my sweet littlest one. 

Habit 5: Reading aloud.

Reading aloud to my children use to be a chore to me... I thought of all the other things I should be doing while reading a drawling boring book for the 1000th time!  Not so since I decided to start reading chapter books... everyone listens, 4 year old, 2 year old and baby playing on the floor... It is an instant calmer and most of the time I end up crying when I read "Little House." It inspires me to be a better mom.  

Habit 6: Conversing with the Almighty.

I am really working on "practicing the presence of God."  It is discouraging at times.  As I seek to always be in God's presence, conversing through out my day with Him, coming to Him as I work, teach, train and care for my children... I find I am hardly ever in His presence... but even that makes me long more for Him and that is a good thing.

Habit 7: Laugh!

I laugh easily, maybe too much so... but it keeps me joyful and puts my heart at peace... laugh when you are frustrated, angry or overwhelmed... it will give you joy.

Habit 8: Seek out wisdom.

"If things aren't working for you, change it..." - A friend/mentor and mom of 7 once told me.  Those words have often reminded me that wisdom makes a difference in our daily lives and that I am not a victim of my circumstances. 

Snow!

It came...

Chai Ice Cream

About a year ago I had a wonderful pear tart topped with Chai ice cream at one of our local nice restaurants... I was hooked! Ever since I've been hunting for Chai Ice Cream... had it one other time at an ingenious ice cream parlor known for odd favors.  There and then I determined to make my own... Here are my results.

Ingredients:

2 cups of heavy cream

2/3 cup of sugar

1 t. vanilla extract

4 of egg yolks (this thickens and adds nice favor)... really don't leave them out, I was skeptical too.

1 cup of whole milk

1 T. cinnamon

1 1/4 cup liquid chai concentrate (the stronger the better)

 

Directions:

• Heat cream, sugar and vanilla over med heat until simmering.
• Meanwhile place egg yolks in medium bowl and whisk.
• Whisk 1 cup of the hot cream mixture into egg yolks then add yolk mixture back into the rest of the cream mixture and heat to 160 degrees or until slightly thickened.
• Remove from heat and add milk and chai, mix in cinnamon.
• Chill to room temperature and then refrigerate to cold before freezing in an ice cream maker.

If you make this, please let me know what Chai you used... I'd like to hear what you think is best!... I used Oregon Chai... it was a bit too sweet and didn't have the "bite" I wanted. 

Rag Rug

A friend inspired me to make a rag rug.  I crocheted it with a huge hook. I cut an old king size sheet into strips and made this approximately 3 foot round rug for in front of my kitchen sink. It is very nice and cushy to stand on. I love it!  I have new appreciation of rugs and rags now...

Monumental Mothers

“The most important person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral—a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby’s body...Even the angels have not been given such a grace! What is more glorious than this—to be a mother.” 

Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty Reason 

The Thoughts of a Two Year Old

My two and a half year old is just killing me lately with the thoughtful and funny things that are coming out of his mouth.  I just love to see how they think and process things when they start to talk. He hasn't quite gotten down proper sentence form, but his thoughts are still priceless. Last night we told him he couldn't have more bread, mainly on account of his allergy, but also because he was whining about it. Big mournful, broken hearted tears started to drip out of his eyes. As he reached up to wipe them away, he looked at me in almost a surprised way and said, "Rain on cheek."  It was all I could do to hide my giggles behind my hand and show mock concern for his lack of bread.

A few days ago I sent the two big kids out to play. After a little while I went to the back door to check on them. Elias came bounding up covered... seriously covered... in a fine layer of dirty dust. His runny nose wasn't an exception. Honestly, I think the only way he was able to get so dirty was by rolling back and forth in the dirt! Boys...

Then this morning my affectionate charmer looked up at me and grabbed a curl of my hair and said, "Pretty hair mom!"  My heart melts daily because of him. What a funny, sensitive and sweet boy he is.

Remember the Time?

All over the Word of God we are told to remember... remember what we were like before we were rescued, remember the amazing things that show what God has done in us and through us, remember His providence, remember His faithfulness, remember so that we can give thanks, remember so that our children can know Him.  

Deut. 5:15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. 

1Chr. 16:12 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, 

Neh. 9:17 They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them, 

Psa. 22:27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 

1Sam. 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the LORD helped us.” 

Psa. 78:4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. 

A few weeks ago I got to thinking that I want create a tradition of remembering in our family God's goodness in our lives. We are putting up a "Ebenezer Box" in our house this week. It is a cabinet that we hope to fill with objects... "Ebenezers"... of God's goodness and faithfulness to us. I am excited to share what we have to put in it. 

Once a Month Cooking

I've tried my hand and "Once a Month Cooking" several times now. Since all our meals are camp meals during the summer I only get to try it out every fall and winter and usually by spring I grow tired of it.  Also, I don't really do as they recommend...buying and cooking all a months meals at once. I do a more gradual approach of just making double or triple a meal and freezing it as I go or one week a month.  I just don't have a whole day to cook and shop.  And I certainly don't want to hire a babysitter for something like that.  So, here is this months planned meals... most of them I am making in double or triple and really that feeds our family about twice as much because our little ones only eat about 1/2 a portion.  

Chicken Pot Pie - You make the stewish part and freeze it and then cover it with puff pastry prior to cooking and serving.

Italian Chicken - A creamy chicken pasta dish that is prepared in the crock pot.

Pumpkin Soup - A Miller family fall favorite! Easy and sooooo good! 

Tamale Pie - Chili with a corn bread topping. It is a perfect way to use extra chili leftovers.

Chinese Lemon Chicken - Another favorite in our family, basically chicken covered in sweet lemon sauce over rice. 

Roast Chickens - Really the extra meat will go in the Pot Pies and African Stew or just cut off and frozen. I may try to make broth out of the bones too.  

African Stew - Full of sweet potatoes, chicken, squash, beans and spice! 

I am hoping to get at the very least 16 meals out of this... but I bet it will be more like 20.  I can't wait to get cooking. 

Here is the recipe to Pumpkin Soup!

Ingredients

- 2 medium onions

- 2 tablespoons butter

- 1 tablespoon flour

- 2 cups chicken broth

- 2 cups whole milk or half/half

-  1 can pumpkin pie pumpkin 

- 1 can plain pumpkin (or sub with freshly cooked pumpkin)

- salt and pepper

- 2 Table spoons Agave Nectar or sweetener of choice

- nutmeg

- 3 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, toasted

 

Directions

-First, steam a pumpkin, cut into pieces, for 30 to 45 minutes (If you'd rather do that than use canned).  Puree in electric mixer or food processor.

- Set aside. Can be prepared a day or two in advance. When ready to make the soup.

- Saute onions in butter in a large saucepan over low heat until soft. Sprinkle in flour and stir 2 to 3 minutes.

- Gradually add chicken broth, half and half, then pumpkin puree and agave nectar. Cook gently for 15 minutes.

- Salt and pepper to taste. Pour into bowls, add dusting of nutmeg and pumpkin seeds.