Restoration Place

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.

Orange Cream Popsicles

These orange cream popsicles take me right back to the hot summer of 1974 when I would sprint barefoot down the hot, bubbly, black asphalt on Elmcrest drive to the ice cream truck to buy a creamy, icy treat.

I discovered the recipe in my new favorite cookbook, Williams-Sonoma Family Meals: Creating Traditions in the Kitchen:

 

I can't share the exact (sorry) recipe from Family Meals that I used to make the Orange Cream Popsicles, but I can provide you with a link to a similar one below.

I combined high-quality vanilla ice cream with frozen orange juice concentrate in my stand mixer, poured it into this 8.5 x 11 (inches) glass pan lined with plastic wrap, froze it overnight, and sliced it into 10 rectangular popsicles, more than enough for my crew and friends:

After lifting each popsicle out of the pan, I inserted wooden popsicle sticks (also known as craft sticks) into the bottom of each one:

They melted very quickly in the 80 degree F heat, so it was lick fast or plop it into a bowl and use a spoon:

 

Here's a version to try, sans the egg (which is mysteriously mentioned in the instructions, but not in the list of ingredients): Homemade Orange Creamsicle.

Next time I make these, I'll skip lining the glass baking dish with plastic wrap and cover the dish with foil instead.

Photo Posting Trouble

You know I don't post without photos, so although I've been wanting to tell you about our homemade popsicles, strawberry jam, and books I'm reading, all that will have to wait until I can resolve my problem with uploading photos.

Back as soon as possible!

Happy Birthday, Katie ~ Big Girl 7!

Happy birthday, spunky Katie! You are our bold adventure girl, brave enough that Daddy calls you "Katie the lion." May you always roar with Aslan!