Porch Lights Restored

 I purchased a set of vintage Phil Hinkley & Co. light fixtures from Midland Theory on Etsy for our back porch, in June, of last year. I had been searching for just the right fixtures, looking for period accuracy and something that mimicked what we already have on the house AND was a set. These were just the ticket. However, one of the lights was damaged during shipping and I had to contact the seller. We corresponded a bit and I promised to send her pictures of the lights when they were restored and hung. That's when I realized that it took me a YEAR to finish this project! Have I mentioned how slow we are?

First we had to repair the broken light (gratefully the glass was intact) I stripped the lights down to the original brass using steel wool, dismantled them, cleaned them, primed them, put two coats of black paint, rewired them with new sockets and bought new screw covers for the tops that were missing. Steven used his mad wiring skills and ran the electricity and hung them outside.

I love old light fixtures. Have I mentioned that before? Now searching for a vintage light for the back door.

North Porch Sangria

Krystina’s North Porch Sangria

3 lemons

3 oranges

3 limes

Strawberries

2 peaches

1-2 kiwi

1 fresh pineapple

½ cup raw turbinado cane sugar

½ cup water

1 750-milliliter bottle dry red or white wine chilled

1 bottle Sprite

1-2 cups brandy (depending on taste)

Cut one lemon and one orange into wedges. Placed half of the wedges from the lemon and orange in a sauce pan; set aside remaining slices. Cut remaining fruit in wedges, slices or cubes for inclusion in the final mixture.

For syrup, add the sugar and ½ cup water to the saucepan. Add one to two strawberries and slices from a peach.  Bring to boiling. Stirring till sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; cool for 30 minutes (or until fruit is cool enough to handle). Squeeze juice from cooked fruit into the syrup. Discard cooked fruit. Strain syrup mixture to remove seeds if desired. Pulp is okay.

In a pitcher or large jar combine remaining fruit slices, syrup, wine, sprite and brandy. Squeeze some of the citric fruit to release fruit flavor. Chill for at least 2-3 hours. Serve over Sonic ice.

Sweet Potato Farmers

It all started when we had open spots in our square foot garden. I casually mentioned it would be fun to grow sweet potatoes and the next day Steven put a spud in a jar of water. On April 17 we had our first sign of success. We had NO CLUE what we were getting ourselves into...

It took 17 days for that little sprout to produce these slips.

Three days later the slips were broken off and placed into water to sprout their own roots.

Once we realized that we might actually have viable sweet potato slips, we decided to read about growing them. That lead to us having to build a separate box just for potatoes.

Did I say us? I meant Steven. I've started calling him my Potato Farmer.

Slips are in the ground. Now we wait until September to harvest.

Once we harvest they'll have to season for another six weeks. There's no getting in a hurry when it comes to sweet potatoes. Having lived in this old house for over 10 years, we're getting pretty good at patience.

Now to find something else to fill the empty spaces in our square foot garden.

Back Patio

Here is what this area looked like in 2009.

Since then we've had the house painted and a tank less water heater installed, but otherwise it's been pretty ugly. It's also problem area for water running under the house. Steven and his dad have worked to change the fall of the yard, and these concrete pieces were the last of the projects necessary to keep the house dry underneath.

Here are shots of the dirt work and form setting that was done in April.

Steven and his dad poured the concrete on April 23, 2014. The girls had front row seats for the show.

In May we built a flower bed and planted hydrangeas and hostas.

I'm hoping this can be an nice area to set up a gardening table and an outdoor sink.

Easter Tradition - Family Foot Washing

We began a new Easter tradition this year: A Family Foot Washing.

As the girls get older the more I realize the importance of sharing with them the beauty of Easter that lies beyond the eggs and bunnies. I want them to see the beauty of God's love for them in Jesus. What better than the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet the night he was betrayed?

We began the evening by reading "The Servant King" from the Jesus Storybook Bible.

"One by one, Jesus washed everyone's feet. 'I am doing this because I love you.' Jesus explained.

'Do this for each other.'"

So we did.

To help things go smoothly I took two cups. On one I wrote "Dirty Feet" and on the other I wrote "Washer." I placed a piece of paper with each of our names into both cups. Then we drew one name from each cup and each person had the chance to wash and be washed. It was a simple foot tub with warm water and essential oils with a towel nearby for drying.

As we washed each others feet we said these words:

"Like Jesus, we will offer humble, joyful, loving service."

There was such a beautiful and tender intimacy between all of us. I guess it was due to the focused attention to the person being served and the nature of lovingly washing someones' feet.

The girls LOVED it. 

We closed with this prayer:

O Jesus, in this Holy Week you prayed

that we would love one another

as you have loved us.

Tonight we have tried to practice what you have taught us!

Let the love, joy and humility

we have known here with our family

continue to bless us,

and let us share that blessing with world

you love and gave your life for.

May the peace we feel together in this place

Point us toward the hope of Easter.

Plastic Bag Kites - A Windy Day Activity

We've had some SUPER windy days this April with beautiful blue skies and cool weather. The perfect setting for getting outside. While looking for "windy day outdoor activities" for the girls I stumbled upon plastic bag kites. This simple, quick activity provided literally hours of fun for the girls.

All you need is a plastic shopping bag and yarn.

Resurrection Garden

Spring! New life. Fresh beginnings.

We created a Resurrection Garden as a reminder of these gifts.

Waiting for Easter and waiting for this to sprout.