Is the plural of squash, squish?

So, when we moved into our new house back in January, one of the things I was excited about was the opportunity to finally have a garden. I confess I tried to grow a tomato plant in a pot, in the shade by the front door of our little condo. Needless to say, over the course of the whole summer, I produced one, pathetic, itty, bitty tomato that tasted like crap.

I am undaunted.

So, come April of this year, I took my shovel to the clay soil, dug up the ground and planted my little fledgling plants. And lo and behold... would you believe it!? They are still alive, and dare I say, some may even be thriving! Here are my first fruits!

Now, I can take or leave squash quite honestly... it's the tomatoes that I am really waiting for. But in honor of actually having my own produce, I made fried rice tonight, and you know I diced up some squash in there and it was dang good! I would have made a hibachi chef proud! :)

So, as long as I can keep Sassy A and Mr. Jenkins from picking the unripe veggies (see picture below of what would have been my first ripe heirloom tomato), I hope to enjoy and share more garden delights in the coming months.

Maranda

Celebrating Sacrifice

It's memorial day today. Rarely do I stop to think about the freedom I enjoy here in the U.S. and sadly, I probably even more rarely consider those who have given their lives so that I can enjoy the benefits of freedom. I hate to confess that, but it is true. 

We had friends over tonight for a cook out and to let all of our kids play, and when Brent blessed the food, he took a moment to thank God for those who had paid the ultimate price for our freedom here in the US. Then taking the logical next step, he thanked God, for sending his son to pay the ultimate price for our freedom from sin and death. I was convicted that I had not meditated or honestly even really thought on the reality of that sacrifice today - when on a day dedicated to sacrifice, you would think that it would be on the forefront of my mind.

Thank you God, for sending your son. Thank you Jesus for dying the death I should have died.

Romans 5:7

⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Lately, the days slip away from me quickly and I fear that I am not living with the intention I want to (and that I am called to). I pray that tomorrow, by the power of the Holy Spirit I might live a life that is focused on the Gospel and that my life would demonstrate the hope for which I live. Christ in me, the hope of glory. 

Maranda

Let's get this party started... hello?

I really want to start a blog. But it is so intimidating. I mean, what in my life is possibly entertaining enough to share with the masses? Ha! I guess that’s rather presumptuous of me isn’t it? As if “the masses” would find my thus-far-non-existent-blog worthy of their readership!

Well, I guess at this point, I am going to just start jotting down a few things... if for no other reason than for myself. I hear it can be a great outlet and Lord knows I could use an outlet. Also, I’d love to chronicle these early years with my kids since living in survival mode can lead to a rather non-reflective life.

I used to be a fanatical journaler. I have not the time or energy to pull out that now dusty notebook and I need to just die to the fact that it is not going to happen. Sitting down at the computer to check email and facebook however does work its way into my day. Perhaps adding a few quick thoughts on the day will not prove to be too demanding.

We shall see...

So, in an attempt to be bloggy, I will share a few random snippets from the day:
We have been trying to spend time with Gittum (my dad) this weekend. It was his birthday on Friday and he honestly just isn’t in town much these days with his work schedule. Anywho. He has a house boat up on the lake... and as nice as one would think it would be to spend the day up at the lake, do you think me a horrible person for not being excited about it? Let me share:

1. His boat is at the end... and I mean the very end, of the dock. I don’t mind the walk, except when I am trying to keep 22 month old Mr. Jenkins from plunging over the side into the murky marina water. Also, being at the end, right at the mouth of the marina exit to the “big lake” makes for a very rocky boating experience, which can make for a nauseous me. 
2. My dad keeps the boat at a subarctic temperature. Well, in truth he keeps everything that way... his house, his car, etc... Since it is hot as snot here in the south, I don’t mind a little A/C, but the contrast from the outside world to my dad’s world can truly be painful. I think Jenkins got frostbite today while trying to take a nap... which leads me to #3
3. Naps... the Jenkie boy is a creature of habit. Napping in unusual places, even with the beloved “blankie b” is quite an impossible feat. Let’s just say it sounded like he was being tortured wasn’t a success. However, Sassy A. (who does not require a nap) fell asleep while watching the ipad. What the heck!? She however was looking forward to her “rest time” as she had asked me if she could, “please, please, please, sleep with the spiders...” Which leads us to #4
4. The boat is gross. It just doesn’t feel clean to me. Sorry dad, if you are reading this... but you know how I feel about those toilets. It is like there is a garbage disposal attached to them and it just raunches me out. Plus the spider invasion, carpet moss growth, leaking ceiling didn’t add to the ambiance much, and quite honestly, it gives me the “pee shivers”.

Well... now that I have complained... let me just say that aside from fearing greatly that I would lose Mr. Jenkins to the murky depths, it was a nice day at the lake. I got to spend time with my sister and dad and that is always a blessing.

Maranda