The SS Curry

We have electricity!!!!

2011-12-07T14:18:00.000-05:00

We have switches - and plates!

So exciting to see more changes happening in the basement.

We are truly blessed by friendships and people with skills that are different from ours!

Soon to be future home office of MaryKay!

You can almost imagine lots of great things coming out of this room... maybe even that beautiful Malibu!

Wakadoo!!

Even a light in the bathroom closet - I'm so spoiled. :-)

more lights in the ceiling

Vents look like they've been there for forever!

Jimmy Hertel would have been impressed with the workmanship that this man did for us!

Thanks Jaime!

that's all for now... stay tuned for more updates!

2011-11-02T23:41:00.002-04:00

Reading Room

2011-11-02T23:40:00.000-04:00

So, as you look to the left, the bathroom door is open.
Just beside the door is the office chair, for now.
This 4' wall is the outside edge of the future reading room...
the 'spare oom' if we have company, which will be curtained off for privacy.

Though it is storing all kinds of miscenally at the present.
Soon it will be a quiet place for reading and enjoying good conversation.

The "Entertainment Wall"

2011-11-02T23:35:00.000-04:00

Sim at work taking out a closet!

scraping and preparing!

success!
The Entertainment Wall is born!

drywall is up!

bathroom #2

2011-11-02T23:27:00.000-04:00

functional!!!

functional!

if you imagine real hard, you might be able to see a light over the sink

the reading room outer wall

bathroom taking a more decernable shape...

2011-11-02T23:15:00.000-04:00

the vanity

untiled shower

primed wall where the toilet will be

door in the wall -
looking in from the reading room

A little heat never hurt anything...

2011-11-02T23:11:00.000-04:00

heating ducts added to make it more comfy!

framing

2011-11-02T22:49:00.000-04:00

Measure twice, cut once!

The future home office of MaryKay in the Curry house!

... storage space - and what we thought would be the trickiest wall to build -
amazingly the easiest!
We'll take hidden blessings!

from the future family room looking into the reading room on the left.

will be the future home of the tv and built in shelf!

bathroom work - plumbing to tiling

2011-11-02T22:42:00.000-04:00

Step 2... framing the bathroom

2011-11-02T22:38:00.000-04:00

Step one - Clean it out...

2011-11-02T22:37:00.001-04:00

As with any project I've ever known, a person needs to make a mess before the clean up can begin!
We have been successful!

Thrilled to be back to school...

2011-11-02T22:09:00.000-04:00

One quick picture to document the day...
... all 3 in school all day ...
a day longed for, dreaded, and somehow celebrated
all at the same time!

Guess where this is going...?

2011-11-02T22:07:00.000-04:00

Need I say more?!

Just being silly!

2011-11-02T22:04:00.001-04:00

2011-11-02T21:55:00.002-04:00


Collage of some highlights of my first MK Seminar experience 2011

Truly a night where dreams were born...

The Skyscraper Unit in Dallas

If you don't know Pinkalicious...

2011-11-02T21:45:00.000-04:00

"you don't know pink!"
Probably a comment that will live in the memories of my mind as a favorite one from
my daughter's childhood!
Carol-Jo we are so blessed to have you as a family friend...
and blessed by such wonderful hospitality and love by the likes of Christie!
Thank you ladies for making my family so highly treasured...
YOU are the Treasures!

Uncle Richie's visit...

2011-11-02T21:26:00.000-04:00

Uncle Richie came to visit in the spring time, and brought his 'big guns'... as in nerf!
The kids had a TON of fun... and we were still picking up 'mis-fires' this fall!
It wasn't all about the shots fired, there was also a 'certain' baseball team in town
to play the Tigers that he was interested in seeing play too!
It was a fun week for him to visit

More soccer

2011-11-02T21:21:00.000-04:00

Soccer Spring 2011

2011-11-02T21:14:00.000-04:00

The sisters were the cheerleaders...

Simeon in action

His team the Blazers finished their seaon with more victories than losses, and Sim tied another team mate for 11 goals made!

Kentucky Derby Day 2011

2011-11-02T21:07:00.000-04:00

Every lady needs a HUGE hat and a smile to go with the fun of horses and races... and every brother needs to feel included! Even if he gets skunked!

Since April...

2011-11-02T21:02:00.000-04:00

Well... that's a long trip down memory lane, but the real reason I stopped by to blog tonight, is that I wanted to share some fun photos of the progress we've made in expanding our living space. It's been a long time in coming, and we are happy to be able to report that though we are not finished, we have learned a lot about each other and had many helpers along the way who have both taught and served us in many ways! We are blessed beyond measure (even that silly old tape measure!!!) I'll sprinkle in a few pictures of summertime fun and such before I get to the 'real' posts!!!

Greenfield Village

2011-04-23T21:45:00.020-04:00

So, each year it seems like our family has enjoyed a membership at a local museum or zoo.
This year, we 'finally' have 'graduated' to the Greenfield Village/ Henry Ford Museum... finally... because we've been waiting until we were 'all old enough' to really enjoy it.


A fun filled afternoon of all the rides we could enjoy!

So for Spring Break this year the kids and I made a list of all the things we'd like to do -
going to Greenfield Village was one of the things. Most of the week the weather was not really in agreement.
We made it work on Thursday it all came together... complete with meeting a girlfriend and her kids at the park. She made the day even more special by sharing ride passes with our whole family!
We rode the carousel, the Model T's, the steam locomotive and
even the omnibus all in the span of about 2 hours!
What a day... then to complete it we stopped at the barn where the
spring lambs had been born the day before!

We may not ever be able to go to Greenfield Village on foot again!

Boiled Peanuts...

2011-04-23T21:40:00.000-04:00

Olivia helped daddy make some 'bowled' peanuts...
She didn't understand that boiled peanuts might be a little different!

Spring break 2011

2011-04-23T21:36:00.000-04:00

Our first day of "spring break"...
Steve had to brush the snow off of his car before work,
we were snuggled inside dreaming of warm breezes and sunshine days
for playing outside!
Even the daffodils were cold!

Well, you know what they say about Michigan weather,
wait 5 minutes and it will change...
we had to wait 4 days for a sunshine sneak peak!

When I grow up I want to be an...

2011-04-23T21:32:00.001-04:00

Freeze dried ice cream sandwiches...
a NASA shirt and a really cool book!
What a fun day to extend your birthday when a package arrives just for you!
My son is 7!

I'm still here...

2011-03-21T22:52:00.000-04:00

Here's a fun new snapshot of the kids.

They've grown a lot since the last Christmas picture - too bad MY camera didn't capture this!

Time sure does have a way of growing wings!

Redford Theater GetAway Family Date Night!

2010-12-20T16:24:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!


Visiting the Redford Theater

it looks like our chances of having a White Christmas are pretty good this year!

Our wish is that you would know the true meaning of

Christmas -

~ Emmanuel, God with us ~

Christmas on the outside this year!

2010-12-20T16:19:00.000-05:00

I am loved,

by a wonderful man that is willing to put up lights, even when it's REALLY cold outside!

We enjoyed working together on this project, and had lights to go on the bushes and the tree.

Sophie is standing in amazement cause she's never seen our house lit up before!
I love you Steve!

Fall Leaf Raking

2010-12-20T16:14:00.000-05:00

With just a few weeks to spare before the cold really set in, there was time to rake the leaves a few times. I was chastised for raking and bagging the leaves too early! I love my children!

Renovation on State Rd

2010-12-20T16:06:00.000-05:00

Painting in the flower room!

My parents decided to remodel parts of their home. Since they had taken care of the cracks from the house settling, they decided that they needed to make the final repairs to the doorways. We were able to come and help out - it was such fun to relive memories from growing up and helping with remodeling projects.

Soccer Buddies...

2010-12-20T15:51:00.000-05:00

Simeon in action!

my guy!

the team - the last game!

a little too close for personal space... but a great way to keep warm!

Coach naming positions

#6, just like his age and his locker!

Simeon on game day!

Simeon played soccer for the first time this year on a team. It was a fun (busy) way to spend the fall running to practices and games. His team was undefeated and he made at least a goal each game that they played.

Bonfires at Grandpa's house

2010-12-20T15:39:00.000-05:00

It was a fun fall evening when we set down to enjoy a quick bonfire before heading home.
Love you Grandpa and Grandma!

Murder Mystery Dinner Date... October 2010

2010-12-20T15:27:00.000-05:00


Kinza, Craig, Todd, Steve and Lori

Friends from forever ago. Now this time there were more children in our midst than the first time

we had gotten together to have dinner with a script to figure out 'who-dun-it.'

What a wonderful evening.

table is set for some action!

Craig Todd and Steve

Curry's, Dyer's, and Luchies

September - Laboring with friends up north...

2010-12-20T15:15:00.000-05:00

One of many games we played that weekend

Touch football... Steve's team won!

great moments of conversation

Lyssa's day spa

Olivia toes

Dad spa - Sophie style!

The ONE time the sun came out that weekend!!

Einstein, just thinking about a jump in that water

Olivia on a 4-wheeler

In September we ushered in the school year with a great trip to some friends cabin. It was really cold, a precursor to the cold weather of winter now. Steve and Sim decided to take a plunge in the water... polar bear swim. After much game playing and laughter it was time to head home. We are so thankful for our continued friendship with the Laitenen's!

Vacation to the mountains

2010-08-27T23:56:00.001-04:00

Butterflies can find the craziest things to take a sunbath in!

The scratches are from the English Nettles that scraped his legs as he chased the cows down road where they had grazed. Who says cows can't go 'out to dinner' every now and then! City Slicker - not so much!

swimmin in the 'crick'... not creeek!

Daddy and Livia

sharing a new 'backyard'

check out my frog mom... we found it in the crick!

I've heard it said, "You can take the boy out of the mountains, but you can't take the mountains out of the boy." I think it should be said that you can make a home most anywhere, but the one grown in the mountains will be most at home there! We returned to the mountains near Roscoe and played, conversed with friends, worshiped The Creator, and shared the mountains and memories enough to last a a lifetime with our children, even sang in an impromptu duet at the church.

Thank you Mike and Laurie for sharing your hearts and home with us when we are with you we feel like family! It was a balm to our souls!

Olivia turns a crazy 8 brithday!

2010-08-27T22:15:00.000-04:00

We managed to sneak in a quick birthday party complete with candles, cake and ice cream and the perfect birthday balloon just before we left for vacation! She chose to purchase her own gifts this year, it was the perfect option! And, a fun day. We had mac n' cheese (her favorite) with Octopus Hot Dogs. It was a fun dinner and a fun day to spend with my 8 year old.

Come and ride in my Pink Cadillac

2010-08-27T21:49:00.000-04:00

I am a Mary Kay Consultant.
My Mary Kay Director, who also is my National Sales Director, and friend, Dawn Otten-Sweeney
challenged me to take my business to the next level by earning my star in the 3rd quarter of my first year.
When I completed the goal, she came to take my kids for a ride in her
Pink Cadillac and we also went for Ice Cream!

It was a day that the kids will not forget.
They watched as I ran through my goal to learn how to keep a decided heart and keep my word.
Then we got to celebrate! It was so much fun... and the kids really enjoyed the experience of riding in a 'talking car'...

Kindergarten Celebration of Learning

2010-08-27T21:34:00.000-04:00

Simeon's celebration of learning with his buddy's and Mrs. Ciufettelli
Ryan, Owen, Brady, just a few of the names of the kids that were in his class.
He had a great start to his school career.

Grandpa & Grandma's visit

2010-08-26T23:48:00.000-04:00

Simeon the archeologist

Grandpa and Grandma's visit

After what seemed like just about forever, we got to enjoy some time with our grandparents for a few days.
They came bearing gifts from the south... birthday presents for Sim and curtains for mom! Simeon became an archeologist just like Jonathan Parks' dad... and Grandma helped dig for treasure. Was fun watching and listening to them explore. There were games played and stories read and just fun family time spent together.

How Tall am I?

A fun weekend at home!

2010-06-08T15:23:00.000-04:00

Hillbilly Golf Current Champion!

Our toothless grin for 2010!

first kabobs on the grill!

Carpenter project...

2010-06-08T15:16:00.000-04:00

Mothers Day 2010

2010-06-08T15:00:00.000-04:00

Our flower garden has increased in color and variety.
My favorite tulip is in the bottom left corner of this collage.
My favorite children ever are pictured in this collage too...
their daddy is taking the picture!
He planted this garden so that I would be able to enjoy flowers year around!

Tim Chartier... Friend, Mime and Mathematician

2010-06-08T14:40:00.005-04:00

A long time family friend who is also a mime and a professor of applied mathematics visited a conference near us, so we took the family on a field trip to see Tim Chartier. You can tell that Simeon totally enjoyed the time. We had been listening to the Adventures of Johnathon Parks from Vision Forum... and had learned about Fibonacci Numbers... Tim taught us some more about them! Pretty fun to tie learning into things that we find of importance in our family!

Garden Progress - 4.19.2010

2010-06-08T13:18:00.000-04:00

Garden progress - 4.10.2010

2010-06-08T13:08:00.000-04:00

my little Sophie loves the flowers almost as much as her mommy!

grape hyacinths, daffodils and early blooming tulips

mini family adventures

2010-06-08T13:06:00.000-04:00

When I was growing up, brother and I got to go on a lot of fun family adventures.
Little did we know that when we were "grown up" we'd get to enjoy adventures
together with our own families in places near where we adventured as kids.

Love you brother!
Your family is pretty special to us too -
even if we don't get to hug your necks as much as we should!

Jenny Brown's wedding in Mio, MI!

Painful Family Pictures...

2010-06-08T12:55:00.001-04:00

I wanted to share this attempt at
taking 5 people's pictures all at one time!
Thanks to my cousin Amy for trying to snap a shot of us...
I wanted to be shot myself for suggesting such a monster!
She graciously tried at least 25 times to get all five of us smiling at the same time.

more fun with birthday weekends!

2010-06-08T12:51:00.000-04:00

Bemily's present arrived in the Monday mail...

"Mom, how did she know that I needed more of these?!"
:-)

Uncle Josh & Aunt 'Mara's present arrived the same day...
'Mcceldonnles' gift card + birthday = big time win!

We did it Uncle Ben!

Simeon turns 6!

2010-06-08T12:47:00.000-04:00

Hot Tires... are Sim's favorite for the year!

His buddy Ryan made a fun addition to the family for the evening!

Garden progress - 3.22.10

2010-06-08T12:42:00.001-04:00

Even though there has been little visual change,
it appears that a lot more of the tulips made it through the squirrel invasion of the fall!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

2010-06-08T12:26:00.000-04:00

We enjoyed the Natural History Museum at U of M
for my birthday this year.
The kids explored the various exhibits and
really had fun talking about dinosaurs...

March's first hints of spring...

2010-06-08T11:53:00.001-04:00

This is my favorite time of year to be reminded that
Christ makes ALL things NEW!
(it's also fun to see what the squirrels left for us)

Math Night for our kids!

2010-06-08T11:50:00.000-04:00

Sophie was working on making a pattern for her bracelet...

Simeon was busy making his way through a math game...
he was victorious

...borrowing some additional fingers to make his move!

...well apparently we have some work to do on understanding a pattern!
But I'm sure it will come!

Re-purposing is my way of recycling!

2010-06-08T11:36:00.000-04:00

I found this idea on www.tipnut.com
I used a collection of 'old t-shirts' that had been retired
cut the shirts and then crocheted them together.

Finished product -

NOTE: It wears really well as a bath rug
and can be tossed into the washing machine,
then dried in the sunshine.

Friends from the south!

2010-06-08T11:25:00.000-04:00

We always have fun when our friends from Georgia come to visit.

They say they come to visit for the snow...

but we really know that it's for the popcorn and giggles and fun memories!

There were conversations around the popcorn bowl about eating it slowly

so everyone could have some!

better than TV!

2010-02-05T20:46:00.000-05:00

Turning 40... yeah something like that!

2010-02-05T19:10:00.000-05:00

Steve turned 40 this past week.
40 and fabulous...
40 noses...
40 candles (?)
... nah it's a fire hazard in our tiny house that was filled to capacity with friends to celebrate!

We had a great time with exactly 40 friends (including children) to celebrate...
there were others who were invited...
we had actually considered renting (for a second) a heated tent for the backyard... but we didn't!

There were so many that we didn't take pictures (it would have been rude),
we had to swap the position of the couch and the table, and there was literally standing room only!

YIPES!!!

2010-02-05T19:00:00.001-05:00

So this is NOT what you want to see the week before any big party...
and especially what you don't want to see the day before a 40th birthday celebration...

After Steve's handiwork in defrosting and unfreezing the freezer... :-)
Hip hip huzzah... my man comes through again!

Actually - it was a fun time (yes I did say that!) while we worked together all 5 of us cleaning out the fridge and wiping it all down so that we could all hope together that it would run properly again.
It's been almost a week now, and the temp in the fridge has remained the same,
and the ice cubes are still cubing in the freezer!

Sledding fun... 2009

2010-02-05T15:03:00.002-05:00

Having a Pre-Decided Heart!

2010-01-21T14:57:00.000-05:00

I am learning that in this life there are somethings that really are non-negotiable. Surprising that it has taken me this long to figure it out or maybe not figure it out, necessarily, but come to recognize it and call it what it is.

I heard a conversation about living with a pre-decided heart a few weeks ago... and it has continued to stick with me. It's something that I am pondering on as I go through my day - the notion of this idea pricks my conscience as I excuse my inability to accomplish the tasks on my list... it challenges me to 'get busy' and do the things that I don't like to do. I imagine that eventually it will touch on the areas in my life where there is self-discipline lacking.

So, in this first month of the new year, I am re-writing my thinking processes and beginning to work with my pre-decided heart. So far, I've finished my part in the bathroom project! It's now a 'marshmellow' white... and finally all the rooms in our home have been re-painted! Soon it will have other fabulous touches of color that will make it a happy room to be in! I have made it a point to start listing things that need to be done in our home to streamline other projects. I am learning to make choices that will benefit goals that I have set... not to be re-written and changed but to be 'stuck with' so that they can actually get accomplished! Funny, a pre-decided heart is really energizing!

A favorite wreath

2010-01-19T17:37:00.002-05:00

I love visiting colonial places, this is no secret if you've spent any time wandering around my blog. This year we returned to visit Williamsburg, VA. And, the gardener at Colonial Williamsburg, who happens to be a personal friend taught me how to put fruits and other interesting pieces of nature on wreaths. So, we walked down "DOG" Duke of Glauscter (sp?) street to see some of his art work. He mentioned to me that it wasn't just him... but 4 other ladies that helped him to make up these decorations. I'm not sure if this is one of them, or a privately done one. But I think that it is beautiful just the same. I'll share some others when I get the chance.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-02T17:53:00.000-05:00

much better...

Merry Christmas 2009

Our new tree...

2009-12-02T17:52:00.000-05:00

Olivia's turn to trim the tree...

Daddy's assistance

She's almost tall enough to do it herself

we think the star might be a tad big... hmmm.

Black Friday...

2009-12-02T17:49:00.000-05:00

Steve declared on Thanksgiving day that he thought it might be 'fun' to go shopping on Friday!
I was pretty shocked, because he doesn't ever really like to go shopping... why would he brave the busiest day of the year?

Well - he left at 10minutes to 5am and made it to Target, Meijer and Wal-mart...
he returned with all the shopping finished before 7:30.
My HERO!

Our shopping is mostly finished - and now we can enjoy the season!
Merry Christmas Shopping!

New kitchen floor - Pt. 2

2009-12-02T17:46:00.000-05:00

the newly finished floor -
there's little that stands up to the feeling of a project finished
(almost)
like most home projects there will always be something left...
or a surprise addition to the project
stay tuned - paint was purchased to touch up the cupboards!

2009-12-02T17:43:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving 2009
for these and many more things we are thankful

Thanksgiving... preparation day

2009-12-02T17:40:00.001-05:00

The kids had the day off of school so they each took the opportunity to help me make a recipe that we would share.
Simeon made Great Grandma Mathew's Date Pudding.
Olivia made Aunt Nancy's Potato Rusks
Sophie helped me make Donna's Sweet Potatoe Casserole
from our days in South Carolina

They all turned out deliciously... and the kids really enjoyed helping me make a special dish for our dinner!
I'm thankful for my children - they are such a blessing to me!

Thanksgiving

2009-12-02T17:21:00.000-05:00

When I was a girl my mom enjoyed painting ceramics. One year she spent a lot of time painting a pilgrim man and woman. They have decorated their home since then as a great reminder of being thankful.
This year, as I was getting ready for Thanksgiving, I found these plus an Indian man to decorate my home. I love that they are simple enough to not have faces, but detailed enough that you can see the honest labor of their hands and efforts. If it weren't for the Indians and Samoset along with his entire tribe our forefathers would not have made it to the spring to learn to plant and harvest. Having seen Plimoth Plantation this summer - these important people have earned a very new place of respect in my mind... yet even more than them - God has so richly blessed me that how could I NOT but sit and be grateful for so many things.

Happy Birthday Sophie

2009-12-02T17:09:00.002-05:00

My little Sophie turned 4 just last week... a month earlier she told me very specifically what she wanted her cake to look like. Thankfully it was the little brown piece of paper with polka dots that caught her eye... stacked, please, and with white cake. You'd never know that she was a pretty sick little girl on her birthday - but in the end she told her daddy that it was "the bestest" birthday she ever had. Complete with birthday wishes from loved ones and a dolly head to play hairdresser with.

As the sun was setting...

2009-12-02T17:04:00.001-05:00

While we were visiting in Van Wert, to drop off the tree bound for Texas, we had to take advantage of all of Grandpa's leaves and 'help' him take care of making some piles. It was a great time to watch the kids and Steve play in the leaves.

New kitchen floor - Pt. 1

2009-12-02T17:01:00.000-05:00

We decided that after the kitchen was painted, that this old flooring had to come up. It couldn't even be scrubbed (on hands and knees) and stay cleaned any longer. So... we cashed in some sony points and got a gift card for Lowes. The day was spent chipping away at the old lenoleum. I still have a blister on my thumb three weeks later to prove how hard it was... only to find out that we could 'heat' the tiles and they'd come "right up"... The kids got in on the action and we spent the day on our knees in the kitchen working together.

Catching up...

2009-12-02T16:19:00.001-05:00

Life has whizzed by in the past 2 months... I look at my pictures and realize that I have not accounted for the many things I've learned and enjoyed. Nor, have I taken account for the experiences of life. I have enjoyed the and focused on the experience - but haven't related them as I can or ought. So ... here in the next few moments I'm going to attempt to bring the picture back into focus. Enjoy!

Celebrating a well-lived life!

2009-10-08T14:57:00.005-04:00

My Grandpa has been part of a lot of this summer's events. We helped close the chapter in his life this summer by finishing up a long project of parcing out 60 years of living on the farm in Ohio. He was an amazing farmer - just ask any of the people from around where he spent a good deal of his life working the soil and making it work just as hard for him. We've also been blessed to spend a lot of time with him when we visit my folks - so when the calendar said that his birthday was this past Sunday - we went to visit and share time with Grandpa. Most of our family were able to gather on State Road and eat cake and share ice cream. What do you get for an 85 year old? Well - we decided on making cards and just giving him the gift of our time and smiles. Of course that also meant time to be with family and cousins... and since we can't just seem to get enough of that - the camera's were clicking and rolling.

special birthday kisses...

Grandpa did mention that he thought I had taken enough pictures... this coming from a man who has seen most of Europe and all 50 states in his lifetime! He's got slides to prove it too! If you ever get to read this post Grandpa - I love you so much.

all the cousins - hanging out watching the setting sun and the combine

By the way - I think that farmer rich blood has gotten into the veins of some of your family too - the kids sat for hours watching the combine across the road taking off the beans from his field... and who can forget the sun setting on a well enjoyed day!

August - Selfridge Air National Guard Air Show

2009-10-08T14:39:00.004-04:00

Simeon has said when he grows up he wants to be a 'spaceman,' a 'football guy' a fireman and maybe a soccer guy... we laugh when he says that these are just the things he wants to be... but somehow since he's been making these declarations he always comes back to the spaceman or the outer-space guy or the astronaut. We've only heard about the Air Show but never been able to go to it... except this year, we made it... the kids had a great time. We learned a ton of things - and Simeon got to talk to some people that work for NASA and we also got to explore a lot of different air planes. It was fun to experience a first time thing for our kids through their eyes. And, I must say - that even weeks after the experience, Sim hasn't stopped mentioning things that he learned... just maybe God has impressed on his little boy heart what he was made to do - explore the heavens.

a robot used to detect and un-arm an IED in Iraq -
they are maneuvered by a gameboy control... so there is a purpose for all those silly games!

Inside an army helicopter - we did have to remind him to not touch anything!

the girls were exploring just as much as Simeon was - this was their first time in an airplane... and it had a movie screen in the seat in front!

August - A Fort-tuituos Weekend

2009-10-08T13:43:00.008-04:00

As a little girl I loved going to historical sites with my family. I remember several trips to the site of Fort Miami (Fort Wayne, IN) which in the 1750s was one of the furthest outposts of the "west." As fortune would have it - or maybe just a girls dream... I spent some fun Friday evenings and Saturdays as well in the early 90s (circa. 1900s) 'playing' at the same Fort that I adventured to as a child. Sadly, the Fort closed in the 90s due to lack of funding... and so I packed up my clothes and figured that days of play had passed.

Major Whistler's Kitchen was a fun time to enjoy fire cooked foods and retrieve some skills of cooking that aren't often used!

Then, a friend of mine Catherine invited my family of now 5 to come and play at the fort during the weekend in August... amidst a flurry of sewing for 4... and outfitting 4 others and updating my clothes (time is merciless) we made it a weekend of much fun exploring a lot of new things for each of us in our house it was a different memory - but one thing has remained consistent... we all fell in love some for the first time and for me a renewed love of history... and being a part of sharing it.our borrowed quarters for the weekend

Sophie running across the parade ground... notice her barefeet!

Needless to say - there will be more memories for the family spent around 'playing' at history. George Santanya said, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”... hopefully my children will learn from these glimpses of our American hertitage passed and bring some valuable lessons into the 21st century.

the world through the 21st century eyes of lovely children...
playing dress up in the 18th century

the newest powder monkey and his 3 lovely children -
no man ever had such a cheering section!

Backtracking a few weeks...

2009-10-08T12:38:00.001-04:00

Apparently it's been a few err... months since I've posted on my blog. I'm not excusing myself just drawing attention to the fact that I've noticed! So... let me update the blog for those that read!

And, BTW - Sophie is sitting on my lap pretending that she is reading what I am typing. We've become quite the pals since her sister and brother are in school all day!

Tales of a Teddy Bear Tea Party

2009-08-12T15:32:00.000-04:00

Olivia decided that she needed to have a tea party one day this summer.
So, she invited her favorite bear along to tea.
They talked and talked and had a wonderful time even as there was much to be done.
Too bad us adults can't remember that there are times when we just need to sit down
and have a good friend to friend conversation with our bear friend about life.

Who knows what all kinds of life problems were solved at that tea party,
but I'm sure that Mom learned a good lesson about stopping and having a cup of tea now and then.

Another corny collage!

2009-08-12T15:22:00.000-04:00

Many hands still make light the work - at the end of a long tiring love labored week...
we can still enjoy time working together - even shucking corn at Grandpa's house!

Love all you kids -
and miss seeing you and hearing your squeals of delight while you play together.
Aunt Sarah

Sweet Corn Summer Time Fun!

2009-08-12T15:15:00.002-04:00

What is more fun than shucking corn on the cob knowing that the deliciousness of it all
will
in a few minutes be running down your arms!

One of the many fun times remembered with Uncle Ben and Aunt Emily this summertime in OH!

Mile marker 1050 ... Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth MA

2009-07-14T15:55:00.004-04:00

I have wonderful friends in this world. On the day we chose to see Plimoth Plantation (a place I have dreamed of seeing since I was a school girl) it was rainy, drizzly, and cool. Weather.com assured us that there would be a respite in the weather, so we pressed on... picking up the good doctor after he'd logged some office hours... we arrived in a rain shower and it subsided a bit after lunch enough that we could explore the Wampanoag Homesite.These boys were demonstrating how to tie a fish net.

Then on to the 1627 English Village.

Sophie playing near a hen house that was being "mudded" - they were adding dirt, clay, dung, and straw in between the cracks of wood so that it would be able to stay dry during the rain and snow!
A single chamber home
Outdoor oven - baking for a family happened only once a week (maybe)
A wood mound -wood piled in a ring with extra pieces tossed into the middle and then mounded for stackability
Simeon feeding the goats
The Shepardess
a colonial garden

It all felt really surreal as I explored and feasted my eyes on things that my head had only imagined seeing for many years. I loved every second of it (except the ones that I was wondering wether everyone else was having as much fun as me) ... though I think that I would more easily have lived a few years forward - maybe in 1676.

Mile marker 935 ... Lexington/ Concord MA

2009-07-14T15:42:00.002-04:00

Two patriot volunteers who led a group of people in an intriguing dialogue on why the American Revolution was such a pivotal piece in our history.
Sadly, there were many there who could not recall important parts of our history...
If a nation does not know what it stands on, how long will it take for it to fall?
It was a challenging moment for me as well as a few other of us that heard the conversation.

The kids probably don't know why in the world Mom and Dad would be interested in seeing this bridge - but one day, we'll make sure they do!
The Old North Bridge,
Concord, MA

"By the rude bridge that marks the flood,
Their flag to Aprils breeze unfurled,
Here the once embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shots heard round the world."

Home of the Lexington Minutemen
Lexington, MA

Sam, a boy who shared the significance of the Lexington Green behind him.

Minute Man Statue in Lexington, MA

Mile marker 902 ... Boston... July 4th

2009-07-14T15:32:00.003-04:00

We arrived in Boston on the 4th of July! What a patriotic place and a patriotic day.

We celebrated with the Boston Pops and Richardson's Ice Cream...
our friends the Luchies in Michigan would be proud to know that their "mini" cup of deliciousness was a "Luchies" dip!
HUGE, YUMMY, and every single bite savored!

Bridges of many unique sizes and shapes

2009-07-14T15:11:00.003-04:00

The Goerge Washington Bridge looking into Manhatten, NY.

At the foot of the "Old North Bridge"
where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired.

on the way to Boston - this one is in Hartford, Connecticut.

We can't even count how many bridges we crossed during our vacation -

on one day alone we crossed at least 10 that had to be paid for the most expensive one was $10 in NYC... the Verazano... we crossed on the bottom where we were reminded that no photo's were allowed - a good reminder of life's changes due to 9/11.
I think this one was my favorite.

1926 miles and counting...

2009-07-14T15:08:00.000-04:00

Ellicottville, NY - our first stop on a long, fun trip to see many friends and family on the east coast...

on the road to Downsville NY - seeing the mountains always reminds me of the awesome power of God's creativity.

Mountain Laurel, Indian Pipe, and a friendly Newt found at a friends cabin (where they have to climb to a "certain spot" to get internet connection or phone service) - I love finding places like this in the US. While few and far between... it's refreshing to me (one who is NOT tied to the computer) to be "totally away"...

Olivia turns 7!

2009-07-14T12:45:00.003-04:00

My girl knew exactly what she wanted for a b-day cake this year... a chocolate stacked chocolate frosted cake with orange polk-a-dots! She got exactly what she asked for! That's a LOT of cake.

Note to self - only 1 box of cake will still feed 5!

has been a little crazy around here... June recognized ...

2009-07-14T12:39:00.004-04:00

The school year ended in a frenzy of lasts... we made efforts to celebrate and recognize completed milestones.

Olivia read her 50 books and got to take a trip to the Ice Cream Parlour in Jackson! We loved the celebrations of a hot fudge sundae so much that we treated the Mathew's in Jackson to some cream too!

Firehouse Field Trip

2009-05-11T21:53:00.000-04:00

Today was the "last parent day" of Simeon's preschool adventure... we've had fun together this year...
but today was the most fun, because he interacted with other adults and asked great questions (even if I have a biased opinion!).
He wondered why there were lights on the trucks...
he answered questions about what he thought things might be for... correctly without mom prompting him!
He is a curious little guy one that is happy to explore his own world and see why things work the way they do!

I think he migt be ready for kindergarten - I hope kindergarten is ready for him!
It was a treat to enjoy the morning watching you love learning...
I love you my son.

Fireman Simeon -
I wonder if the world is ready for what you've been made for?
I wonder if I'm ready for what you've been made to do...
if I'm not, look out world, here comes Simeon!

Hail to our Alma Mater, ... her heritage is knowledge of Christ and life anew...

2009-05-11T21:36:00.002-04:00

Perhaps one of the most sad things about life is watching good things either come to an end, or watching good things change (and not in a way that I would choose to have them change). This spring has brought about an amazing amount of change for many that I personally know. The death of a daughter (not mine), the passing of an uncle, the passing of a dear friend, the death of a friends father, the closing and discontinuation of my undergraduate school. These things are sad, and while they too mark the passage of time, they are things that become bittersweet in memory. They make me take stock in the priorities that I deem to be important... they make me reanalyze the things that consume my time. They call to attention verses that challenge me to be part of kingdom minded things because the rest of life is temporal... and it passes like sand through an hour glass.

This past weekend, I and my family along with a lot of other people celebrated the heritage of an institution. It was much like a funeral, it was sad, it was a celebration of what God has done with the vision of a group of mortals. It was a reunion of friends, fellowship and conversations sprung up as if time had not passed long since our last conversations... we've changed... expanded in many ways (:-) most have families, some have expanded in talents, and all kinds of other physical ways... we've aged... grown more mature in our walk with Christ... lost hair... added other forms of letters behind or in front of the names we once knew each other as.

I wonder if heaven will be a grand reunion of the gathered... when we spend time - eternity - speaking of the things God. We won't need to find encouragement through words, the Word of Life will be in our midst. Ah... glorious words will be on the lips of everyone gathered. And it will be a wonder filled eternity of life together.

2009-05-11T21:09:00.000-04:00

Our tulips have grown up - must be spring time... because so have the kids!

Our first "fire" for the season...

2009-05-11T20:59:00.000-04:00

Campfire, s'mores and good friends...

a little smoke, and some snuggling makes for a good ending to a fun day

what a great way to use some of that recycled wood!

Circle saw+hammer+sweat equity=hopeful returns on the container garden!

2009-05-11T20:54:00.000-04:00

Our neighbor says, "what's new in the Curry garden for '09?" as she looks across the fence into our newly established container gardens. Steve and I decided to "go green" this year and recycle some free pallets to use them for a container garden. Better Homes and Garden's featured the layout in one of their issues this spring, and we thought we'd give it a "go."

Steve spent the better part of 2 days tearing apart pallets and remaking them into boxes for raised gardens. Theoretically, the yield should be better than a "normal" planted garden - we'll see!

We've got tomatoes in, and the seeds for lettuce, pickles, green beans, zucchini, and peas. We're hoping for some canteloup too! We'll keep it updated so that you can see it! We're praying for an abundant crop so that we can share with others.

Piano Lessons have begun at 24321!

2009-05-03T00:54:00.003-04:00

Almost 10 years ago, I promised my love that I would teach him to play the piano. A few nights ago, this promise was begun. I gave 4 lessons... it was great fun... and the kids are still talking about their lesson. We'll see what happens next week!

Sophie at the piano...

Thomas the Train...

2009-05-03T00:48:00.002-04:00

Our family was invited on a spur of the moment kind of thing last Sunday to see Thomas the Train at Greenfield Village. We had a great time. The kids had no idea that "Thomas" existed outside of a few video's they have seen and the trains that we have in our toy collection. It was great to see their wide eyes look even more amazed at the first site of this fun surprise.
They each got tattoo's of Thomas on their arms... which at bathtime tonight, I was instructed NOT to scrub off! :-)

Sophie's Singer Class

2009-03-31T09:57:00.003-04:00

Our Sophie is growing into quite the little lady. She was given "Singer Classes" for Christmas... they meet each Thursday and it's a music and movement sort of class. I got to go for the first time last week and snuck in a few pictures while they were playing with the balls and dancing to the music. The older two get to go and participate as well - even though they are a little on the "too old" side to really be in the class. It's been a lot of fun to listen to her bring home music to share with us!

Hat Day at school

2009-03-31T09:50:00.002-04:00

The 5th grade challenged the school to participate in Hat Day
... the homework assignment was to pick a word and decorate a hat with it.
88% of the kids in Olivia's class participated. They were pretty close to winning the pizza prize.

Here is her word and her hat! What a sweet princess my girl is growing into!

Simeon's Birthday

2009-03-31T09:40:00.002-04:00

Our big guy turned 5 this year. So, we had a party... March in Michigan is not the most predictable month for weather, but when the 5 year old says, let's play ball... there isn't much to stop the ball game. It was a very fun afternoon - complete with a little March Madness in the background and some Race Car McQueen to enjoy too!.

St. Patty's Day Fun

2009-03-31T09:20:00.002-04:00

So, I ruined the corned beef, cabbage, potato boil.
Lesson learned: Don't skimp on the sodium for the corned beef... you miss out on the flavor! And... don't forget the Irish Soda bread!

We did enjoy the day
Next year, we're going to fly an Irish flag!

Olivia Breaks a Board!

2009-03-18T10:54:00.005-04:00

The warm up. Practicing the form and making sure it is just right!

I did it Mom!

She finished well!

Piano Curiosity

2009-03-18T10:48:00.002-04:00

My parents gave me their piano when they moved to Ohio. It was the one that I learned to play on as a child.
I have had a great time taking the cobwebs out of my fingers and mind to remember how to play the music ... and I'm looking forward to the day I can teach my own to play music. Even the dog doesn't mind the "noise" too much!

just a few more

2009-03-18T10:41:00.000-04:00

the cafe on football night!