You can bet your Easter bonnet that there is plenty going on over here at our old stone home.

The cedar shakes are being installed on the side porch, much to my glee. They will be stained a pale version of the rest of the siding, and then trimmed in white. I can envision it now.

While I am indoors envisioning things where it is 68 degrees, my faithful guys are bundled up against the cold. They rock my world, I tell you.

Who said that one needed to wait until a porch was DONE before using it? Not this lady. Last summer, we partied on this porch the very day the last floor nail was pounded in place. We decorated it with balloons & tropical color and had us a birthday party.

Ahh, memories.

Across from the side porch, the new water treatment plant is getting a make-over. It seems to be the thing to do these days around here.

The LOTM is feeling pretty good about how things are shaping up. Plus, the fragrance of fresh cedar shakes is an exhilarating elixir, for certain.

Have I mentioned to BE CAREFUL recently? You bet I have.

This boy is home for a delicious week from his post in Manhattan.

I would spin a few more yarns for y'all, but I have mucho work to do. Twenty people for dinner tomorrow evening for a new tradition: A home Good Friday service! Also, 10 at the table on Easter Sunday. Oh yes, worship practice tonight with a new song that I have not heard yet. And piles of manuscript paper on the dining room table, awaiting my orchestration expertise -such as it is.

We won't even mention the stack of music on the piano....

Have a wonderful & inspiring Easter weekend!

down by the bridge

Down the bank at the foot of the stone bridge, there are things to do.

These things involve sticks. And frigid water that dashes merrily past sneakered feet.

Here are two entirely happy brothers.

As their dad looks on, they hit things with sticks. They throw stones and sticks into the river. They climb on rocks. They ask if they can go wading, fishing, swimming, exploring.

Please, Dad?

They stop their important work to smile for the camera.

Oh, to be the fortunate boy to have brought his boots!

Then there are those who are too cool for boots.

The camera did not manage to catch the Great Nerfball Toss, an epic event which involved fishing the ball out of the raging stream. With a stick.

A good time was had by all.