Apple time

It is time to trim the apple tree and sort through the apples in my refrigerator to find spotted and squishy ones to give Charlie.

Grow

Decorating eggs

Intercultural Night

Our host, Dr. Who

"Around the World in 80 Minutes" was the theme of this year's Intercultural Night hosted by SVSU's International Club. Last Friday night we did just that--traveling around the world, through song, dance, and presentations, in less than an hour and a half.

Pakistan

Azerbaijan

Saudi Arabia

U.S.A.

Japan

Pennsylvania spring

I brought back some clippings from Judith's hedge and now I have forsythia blooming on my table. 

Pattern

Dishes

By any other name

At the grocery store last week I noticed a sign advertising this "rose plant". For $2.99 I brought it home. I only wish I had brought the sign too because I doubt people will recognize its true identity. 

Go

I am privileged to be able to go by staying. 

Blue egg

Last week, in celebration of Naomi's birthday, most of the family visited a Polish town near Detroit. While I couldn't go because I had a meeting at work, I was able to sample the pierogi and sausage they brought back. Mom also brought back wax and packets of dye, and we tried our hand at decorating eggs. 

Vitamin C

Since I returned from Pennsylvania I have been battling a cold. One day this week I succumbed, called in sick and spent the rest of the day sinking deeper into my couch. Yesterday, I finally felt measurably better, but I am still keeping the orange juice, herbal tea and extra vitamins within reach. 

Butterflies

 Yesterday we took four vans of students to the butterfly display at the Dow Gardens. The beauty, color and energy of the butterflies was a much needed break from the gray and cold of the past few months.

Mud

It's been such a long, cold winter that I am excited to see mud. It means the season is changing. 

Clean-shaven

Progressive dinner

The Cookie House was the last stop on our church's progressive dinner a week ago Saturday. Since I had returned the night before from a week in Pennsylvania, I simply provided the venue. Some of the girls made the dessert. Betsy brought cake, bars and jelly beans, and Corrie contributed cookies. I did offer hot drinks, though, and when I set them on the counter I found out I had quite a collection, including cocoa, cappuccino, apple cider, and tea--lots of tea--from white to green to black to mint to herb to spiced. After leaving the Cookie House, most of the young people went ice skating before church in the evening.  

New life

Reading

Open

From Julie

Pink

Photograph subjects--another reason to do the laundry.

Young artist

My grandma, aunt and mom delighted in watching my artistic ability develop when I was a child. They gave me art materials, introduced me to art books, took me to art museums and art fairs, and praised my creations. As I watched Kaelyn explore ideas with paper and markers, I caught a glimpse what my grandma, aunt and mom saw so many years ago as they watched me. 

Cloister

Since before Joel and Judith moved to Pennsylvania, I've wanted to visit the Cloister in Ephrata. Thursday, while Judith and the kiddos were at MOPS, Libby and I braved the cold weather and toured the buildings of the former religious community near what is now Route 322 in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.

The Cloister was founded in 1732 by German immigrant Conrad Beissel, who separated from the Brethren to form what later became known as the German Seventh Day Baptist Church. The Cloister consisted of three groups, the celibate brothers, celibate sisters, and the households, who lived simple lives and worshiped on the Sabbath as they awaited the return of the Lord. At its peak, around three hundred members lived at the Cloister. Members of the Cloister contributed to the welfare of the nearby community by running a printing press, a mill, and a school. 

After Beissel's death, the Cloister faced much internal controversy and dwindled. In 1813 the last celibate member passed away. By 1934 the few remaining members were engaged in such a bitter dispute over the property that the courts revoked their charter. In 1941 the Cloister became the property of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is now a National Historic Landmark. 

  

Happiness

Princess

 Want to guess who designed her wardrobe for this royal photograph?

Photo shoot

 

Blue

Forsythia

Judith's kitchen

Latch

One of my favorite parts of my kitchen is the built-in cupboard with glass doors. One of my favorite parts of the cupboard is the latches. 

Nephew

Smiles

Simple