Restoration Place

Slow & Savory

Pepper...also known as Pep-ahhhh. Enough said.

It's a slow and savory summer here. I've intentionally been avoiding my blog so I can grab hold of the moments--in real time--and keep them in my heart. Last summer I blogged about everything we experienced, out of a desire to not let one delicious moment escape us. And that was good, for then.

What's good now is to choose to really be with my children, and not always feel the need to freeze the goodness (with the camera) for later. Though I am still taking photos, I'm giving myself permission to not preserve it all here, in this space.

Oh, I'll be here soon enough, with photo montage of our doings, or posting about all the new nature discoveries of the season. But for now, I'm as laid back as Pepper. And that feels good.

Strep Throat Surprise in June

We're emerging from a strep throat and fever fog here. The last few days (and nights) have revolved around alleviating the misery of just one child, Katie, while I wait and watch for the symptoms to appear in the other children (and pray that they don't).

Poor Katie. First her fractured wrist, and now strep throat in the month of June. I'm realizing anew how the needs of only one very sick child can swallow up everything else. We're all trying to keep her comfortable, if not happy, and now that she's begun her course of antibiotics we know she'll turn the corner to good health again quickly.

I've gotten behind in everything, including replying to blog comments and emails. I hope to catch up in the next few days. So if you feel I've been out of touch, please accept my apologies. I hope to catch up to a normal amount of sleep and get back to my fully functioning self soon. ~smile~

Rainbow Promises

God is speaking through my children yet again, and I hear Him loud and clear:

They shared these drawings with me, made over the course of a couple of days, not knowing that I had just had a deeply moving dream which included a huge, beautiful bed covered with a colorful rainbow quilt. He said to me: Rest in my promises.

Yes.

Purge ~ Clean ~ Organize ~ Pack

I'm in the middle of an irresistible stretch of purging, cleaning, organizing, and even some packing. You see, I've felt for some time now that we're moving. Exactly where and when, I don't know. Sounds crazy, huh?

I thought I'd let you in on my little secret, especially after reading that Amy at Epiphany Springs is in the very same mode: knowing that her family will move, somehow, sometime, somewhere, and she's readying herself, though she doesn't yet (that I know) have firm evidence their relocation will take place at a pre-determined date in the near future.

It's just a knowing, received through much prayer, and seeking His plan for our lives, that has compelled me to this transitional activity. I'm going to go with this flow for as long as it lasts. I'll let you know what happens next. ~grin~

Local Outing ~ Baltimore's Lexington Market

Having heard that the Lexington Market in Baltimore is the country's oldest, indoor, continuously operating market and classic Baltimore, the children and I decided to spend yesterday afternoon exploring it.

The market's some 140 vendors of food and wares, the crowds of people weaving their way through the booths, and the scent of good food, raw fish, and years of layered grit all mixed together made for an interesting adventure.

 

 

 

Most interesting: skinned rabbits on ice, overhearing someone telling someone else that they bought the desired muskrat for dinner (guess that's not just an Eastern Shore of Maryland thing!), the many cultures, languages, and foods represented.

Least interesting: being panhandled no less than four times--two of which happened the very moment we stepped into the market, the stuffy odor permeating the market, managing $40 worth of fresh fish while holding two sets of hands and maintaining a vigilant watchfulness over the other two children.

Back outside in the heat and sun, the children squinted and clutched their hot dogs, drinks, and fudge. We couldn't eat indoors because the tables were designed with standing adults in mind; there weren't any tables on the main floor that we could actually sit at. So we opted for our roomy vehicle.

All in all, it was an interesting trip. Next time, Daddy will come along and carry the fish. ~smile~

The market is open Monday through Saturday, 8:30am to 6:00pm. The most convenient (and safe) parking is in the gated lot adjacent to the market. The rates were very reasonable.