Mom Jeans

When I named this blog, I didn't realize how much of life 

is truly defined by seasons.

Take for example ... jeans.

My favorite jeans in my teens were tight, flared, high waisted Seafarers.

Since then, between low rise, boot cut, boyfriend jeans, 

embellished, cropped, and stretchy fitted or legging style jeans ...

I continually find myself looking for that illusive perfect pair

that never stays perfect forever.

We see today's relaxed trend going high waisted, with a looser fit ...

a style that looks cute on young girls,

but maybe, if we try,  us older ones can work with it as well.

What I want to know is why they call them MOM jeans.

Which mom are they talking about? 

Certainly not the moms of today's teens

maybe not even their grandmas.

So I tried on these Mom jeans from H&M

 and they have a different feel,

a flashback to how I envision my mom in pants.

Simply put, they feel, "mom-like" ...

much like the plain old jeans of the past,

not fitted, stretchy - showing every curve. 

The only part they hug is the waist,

especially when cinched with a belt

which is why tuck in or cropped tops work well.

I went for the casual, comfy look

and then tried dressing them up just a bit.

A jacket, a frilly top, a scarf, different shoes ...

you can never underestimate the finishing effect of shoes.

Seeing options, gives one confidence 

and confidence goes a long way to feeling comfortable.

A new pair of jeans is good in every season.

I'll keep them.

PS ... This really is a good exercise. Put on a pair of jeans, pants or a skirt and shop your closet for as many combinations as you can find. Take pictures for future referrence. You may be surprised what you'll come up with when there is no pressure to go anywhere. 

Happy Birthday, Monika

Sixty years ago today I may or may not have been excited about a baby sister. 

I don't remember. 

I was three years old and I already had a baby brother.

But I have to tell you that today I'm so thankful for the gift of you,

my only sister.

One who shares my earliest memories,

rooted in the home we once shared

and the values we continue to go back to.

It's hard to believe how much of life has passed us by,

but always we have a reason to connect,

building on the memory blocks of yesterday

to make the most of the present.

Today I'm mindful of the season we're in,

and want you to know that facing hard days together

has deepened the reality of how special it is to have a sister.

I wish for you, your heart's desires,

sprinkled with extra wonderful surprises along the way.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Happy Birthday, with love.

🤍🤍🤍

Perishky

Time for a good "summer in winter" treat ...

A family favorite recipe that my  mom used to make is posted on the MGCC blog 

here

It is a pastry that gets mixed like a pie crust.

I used frozen plums here.

The pastry gets rolled out and cut it into strips or squares,

filled with fruit and a sugar/flour mix,

then pinched shut.

I pinch it in waves so it doesn't open as easily while baking.

I like to freeze these for a quick, warm, freshly baked dessert.

Some call it pie by the yard. 

And ... I finally found a way to import a video from my phone,

so here it is for a quick peek.

 

Where have all the Children Gone?

Back in August I shared about the beginnings of a treehouse

in a post called Of Treehouses and Growing Up

It's all a memory now.

This lonely treehouse ready, 

waiting for the children

who were waiting for it to be done.

I did my own little tour of it to take some pictures.

This is the view straight ahead,

coming into the front door, the back door open.

To the right there is a staircase going up.

At the top of the staircase there is a landing 

with a rope bridge to the loft.

The loft in the dormer

above the front entrance. 

Back downstairs, out of the back door,

you get to an outdoor porch.

And a view from the rope railing

looking toward the back door.

This treehouse was designed by my H and Chris, 

the pilot who became a builder on his furlough.

A childhood memory that stays with me is one of how I 

envisioned a playhouse under an outdoor staircase.

It was fun to plan and decorate it, even if only in my imagination.

Never would I have thought that real playhouses 

would become reality once I was too old for them.

But really? 

Maybe you never are too old if you can still dream.

The kids have their own plans about what they will do,

things such as having sleepovers or decorating it, 

oblivious to the virtual reality this becomes for their Grammy

who was once a girl with playhouse dreams.

My Little Builder Man

Christmas break was a beautiful new experience for us to have Tehya stay with us,

observing on a day to day basis what a special young lady she has become. 

A couple of days after she moved back to her dorm,

I picked Jack up at pre-school and we had a few hours alone.

The feelings in the switch from oldest to youngest 

fill my heart yet again

with poignant awareness to seize the moments we have. 

Conversations are precious.

I love seeing how he organizes his thoughts and

how practical he is in his talk and play.

He seems to be okay with predictability.

Just as I am. ...

because that is how he will remember. 

We baked buns, read, made pancakes and played.

I see sweet glimpses of a mom whom he adores,

one who makes him feel special and free to make others laugh,

with obvious tendencies to want to be just like his dad.

I see both building into his life,

daily small things, time spent talking, playing and teaching -

qualities to define

the true measure of the man he will become.

For the New Year

Look at the birds of the air; 

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, 

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not much more valuable than they?

 Matthew 6:25,26