1. I went to the doctor this morning for persistent pain in my middle finger, right hand. It’s not major pain; it’s just mildly irritating, and it’s been hurting for two months, so I figured it was time to check it out. No fractures, fortunately – or not. The doctor wants me to go see an orthopedist (?) and a little fracture would have been, well, easier. 
2. It is really, really cold out there. The temperature plummeted yesterday and we got a nice dusting of snow overnight, enough that the kids are dreaming of sleds and hot cocoa, but no so much that they can actually turn their dreams into reality. By Monday afternoon, it’ll be back in the 50s, so we’ll just suck it up and pretend to enjoy it, right? (Cold weather is not my favorite!)
3. I’m dreaming of my garden this year, thinking along the lines of plans put forth in this book
4. I’m thinking about obedience, which is not one of my virtues. We were married in a secular ceremony, and I intentionally had that word written out of our vows. But I’m contemplating it now, suddenly, in relationship to marriage and am interested in any thoughts you may have on the subject. (I’m reading the book, A Right to Be Merry
5. It just might come to pass this summer that my whole family will visit at the same time. Call me crazy, but I think that’ll be so much fun! I have three married sisters with ten kids between them, plus my parents. Believe it or not, if they want to sleep here, we’ve got room for them all, but I’m beyond flabbergasted at the idea of feeding that many people! Luckily, I’ve got great sisters. I’m sure it’ll be fine. Right?
You don’t know me, but I follow your blog and I may have commented a time or two over the years. Anyway, I am commenting on the obedience thing. It’s tough, I know. I haven’t read this book (because, frankly, I just don’t have the time right now), but I know a good many Catholic women who have and say that it changed the way they looked at marriage and how they “treated” their husbands, all in a positive way. I hope to read it someday. Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs. Here is a link. http://www.amazon.com/Love-Respect-Desires-Desperately-Needs/dp/1591451876. I hope it is helpful. Now, you will have to post on what you said about growing potatoes in hay. What?!
I remember you by your email address. Always makes me sing in my head.
Thanks for the book recommendation, but I can’t tell about the potatoes yet. They grow pretty well just hanging out in a drawer, though, so I don’t think they’d miss the dirt at all, and they do say harvesting is a cinch!
That big family visit sounds great!!
lol! We are pretty excited over here about that visit too! And I’m pretty amazed that you’d be able to sleep us all! lol Will some of us be in the barn? Not complaining, about that, by the way. I think that would be fun. Just wondering! lol And of course we would pitch in and help with the feeding and watering of all those hungry kids. That’s a LOT of mouths to feed. I would pick some easy things that you can make big batches of like… chili or pasta or casseroles and such. We miss you guys!
We are so looking forward to coming out there! Not looking forward to the drive, but to the visit, absolutely! And we can certainly all pitch in with the cooking, etc. I’ll even bring along an extra waffle iron if you want!
It’s gonna be so much fun! It’ll be pretty crowded if you all decide to stay here, but I’m kind of hoping you do. It’ll be a giant slumber party.
The sheer logistics of feeding that many people (what will it be? 27?) is indeed daunting. Do we have any dates set yet? We are planning a joint birthday party for Jeff and Pete the last weekend in July. At this point, that is the only “summertime obligation” we have, as far as that goes! I’d like to have plenty of advance warning so I can prepare our budgets ahead of time for the travel! It’s a short drive for us, relatively speaking, at 5 1/2 to 6 hours. Where would you recommend staying if we choose a hotel (though that would eliminate late night reminiscing
)? We are SO looking forward to the visit! We have children that you haven’t met, and vice versa! And the kids are REALLY looking forward to playing with their cousins! Love you and can’t wait to see you again!
Our only summertime obligation is a baby due on the 4th of July. Miguel’s youngest sister is expecting and everyone is so excited for her! So, maybe in between?
Oh! Don’t forget that summer means lots of cold sides and even meals, so no worries about cooking everything! I make a mean cole slaw that would be very easy to “oversize” for a large group. Salads are always great, and you just need to throw a little meat on the top (grilled chicken anyone?), some dressing, and maybe a loaf or 10 of French or Italian bread! We also love to make a meal out of beans. Our favorite is a layered bean dip, with ground beef (not too much, because the beans have a ton of protein), sour cream, onions, shredded cheese, and we like to add guacamole, but that is optional as avacado is not always cheap. Just some ideas! Love you!