gratitude...

I am going to pause and take a moment to enjoy this incredible morning.  Hubs had to be to work super early again, so I thought I should take care of the gardens in the coolness of the morning.  I was using cool as a relative word, as it was already muggy and nasty at 5 am this morning.  I wasn't expecting much. 

It seems that mother nature heard my whining and summoned up a beautiful breeze from the south.  It's gonna still be blistering hot, normal for this time of year.  And muggy and the Midwest are pretty much the same words in late July. But right now, it's beautiful!  The breeze is blowing, there is almost no humidity and I am sitting in the treetop garden enjoying my coffee. As I sit here looking around I see a few more things that need to be harvested before the heat sets in, but for this quiet moment in time.  I'm enjoying it. 

The critters in the woods are just starting to wake up, there is that soft buzzing of bugs surrounding me.  I've heard a few birds chirping and calling their families.  And one of my hummingbirds has already been by, checking out the flowers.  

It's gonna be the start of a couple of busy weeks.  I made an impulse decision a week ago, at first I was super apprehensive about it.  But now... well a week later, with most of the details settled, I am starting to feel excited.  My mom has been supposed to take a trip home to Pennsylvania for a hot minute now.  She got I'll the first time and we were coming up on the deadline to use her plane tickets to get her there.  One thing led to another and somehow I decided after 27 years, that it was time to go home too.  Next month, Mom and I are flying home for a whole 9 days.  I can't say I have gone anywhere, except to Europe in 2012 and taking care of mom when she'd had a medical procedure about 7 years ago, for a whole 9 days!  And I can honestly say, that I have never been away from Hubs for that long. 

hello sweet friend... welcome to the garden

But... here we are. The last time I was back was so traumatic that I have seriously avoided it.  I had been trying to get home before my Grammie passed away, she was still alive when I had left Germany.  Sadly, she passed away while I was still somewhere across the Atlantic ocean and I arrived in time for her funeral.  I have avoided Pennsylvania since then. 

And I rarely fly, so... we are just going all out of my comfort zone.  I have to have faith nothing happens to my Hubs or Pups while I am gone, I have to leave them all.  I have to fly and rent a car... and drive in unfamiliar areas in an unfamiliar car.  None of these things are in my top 10 list of things to do on a regular basis. A flight is only 1.5 hours, driving is 10.  Seems like a no brainer.  

As this week begins, I have things that are home and garden related to tackle.  I have a quilt to finish up so that I can send it south with my brother in law when he takes mom back down to Arkansas. I need to do grown up stuff like getting a Real ID, so they will let me on the plane.  It took me all of 15 minutes to gather everything so I am not sure why folks are freaking out about doing stuff like that. Would have been much easier if I hadn't let my passport expire, but honestly, I don't need it anymore, so why keep spending the money.  I wonder how many people in this country, or any country for that matter never even get a passport?

Each morning I wake up a bit more excited for the trip.  After speaking with my aunt for a bit yesterday, I can't wait to see what my cousin has in mind.  The trip is more for mom than me.  No one back home really knows me anymore.  Although I have stayed close to my cousin and my one aunt, and I am excited to see what kind of mischief we can get into.  I love them all, but I don't really chat with them much. And the bonus is that my aunt lives on a farm.  You know this girl is gonna be loving life.

I will still spend a good deal of time in the city with the rest of the family, but I will spend more time outside of the busyness. 

It will be strange to be so far from home for so long.  Although, I know that it will pass in the blink of an eye.  It's the first time mom and I have ever gone on a solo trip, we will see so much family, hopefully she will get to see some of her dearest friends from childhood.  She will spend lots of time with her little brother, she needs it as much as he does, even if she won't admit it. We'll buy chocolate, the ones that connect us so hard to our childhoods, (my Hubs and grands definitely will be waiting for that to come home).  I will explore places that I haven't seen in almost 3 decades, maybe longer.  We'll visit graves and pay respect, but mostly spend time with those that are here.  I've a firm belief that cemeteries are simply for remembering, as our loved ones are not there. 

Well, I can sit here all day and enjoy this breeze and daydream about the journey ahead.  But the humidity is picking up as nature is waking up.  I need to finish watering and head inside. I need to finish Hubs' sweater today and then load that quilt.  So much to do... 

I truly love my life! 

take care, stay cool, drink LOTS of water, 

much love, b

resting...

It's been a lazy morning for the Hubs and the Pups.  We decided to pop down to Arkansas to surprise Mom.  Couldn't do it on her actual birthday, but a few days late just extends the celebration.  We still think we are in our mid to late twenties evidently, as we opted to squish it all into two days.  With a pup that hasn't done a long trip since being diagnosed with epilepsy. Whew, what a trip!  The journey down was a bit long, Beau hadn't quite figured out how to keep from feeling out of sorts, so we made a TON of stops.  Let him reset his balance and run it all out.  

They loved all the new spots, the runs and especially their aunt's huge fenced backyard.  Beau was excited to meet the Danes and really wanted to play.  Belle, was beyond terrified.  Lil' Miss Toughie isn't so tough when the pups are more than twice her size.  She didn't even want to bark at them, choosing instead to stay close by mom or dad.

In 48 hours we drove a little over 600 miles, saw most of our Arkansas family, loved on the littles, pet the ducks and watched chickens. Visited every state park and rest stop between us and Little Rock and had a blast!

One sister and hubs let us stay in their camper, eliminating the need to find a hotel that will allow my big babies.  It was so much less stressful and allowed for an incredible visit.  We were able to sit around and chat, laugh and commiserate over life in general.  We talked about crocheting and finding patterns and ideas while watching the pups romp and our Hubs visited with each other. We were blessed to be able to spend time with mom to celebrate her and to catch up in person, share a few hugs and I love you's. Then off to the other sister and her hubs. Where we shared time with most of their grands (our great nephews are so fun!), their chicks and hens with more chatting and laughing.  The youngest grand is hysterical and entertained us with his animal impersonations and his incredible three year old knowledge of dinosaurs. It was wonderful. 

Through it all we forgot to take pictures, we were simply wrapped up in living in the moment.  I have to admit, I think I enjoy that a million times more than snapping away.  I cherished the time, the conversations, and the laughter.  The hugs even from the older kiddos were warm and genuine. 

While we were in Arkansas, I shared some seeds with my niece, sister and mom.  It was so nice to share the bounty of my garden with theirs.  They will be able to plant sooner than I will, I truly hope they all grow into something beautiful and/or they produce lots of bounty for their meals. 

It was such a welcome change.  We haven't been doing many spontaneous things lately.  I guess life has just been getting in the way of living.  I was beyond exhausted from the trip and was in bed the moment Beau had his bedtime meds almost 10 hours later, I am full of energy and ready to tackle the world. 

So while Hubs and the pups are snoozing, I got a few things off my to do list.  

Comparatively it is so cold here, yesterday we sat outside with our coffee watching the pups play, today, I slowly opened the door trying to avoid the arctic blast of cold air.  Outside tasks will definitely be waiting.  At least until after lunch.  I believe it should be above freezing by then.  

Instead, I worked on planning out the side yard transition.  I can already smell the lavender I am going to plant and see the brightness and beauty of the zinnias and sunflowers.  I can almost see and smell the herbs.  I started doodling the rock paths and the dry river bed that I imagine wandering down the hill.  Pondering what herbs and useful plants might flourish in that setting.  Ones that do not take over a space, but will enhance it. 

As usual for me, I quickly needed something else to tackle while they napped away and as I abhor waste of any kind I had a project I've been wanting to tackle. I will reuse things as much as possible and I've been collecting shampoo bar scraps for a year or so, in a jar, the same way I do soap.  I wasn't sure I could grate them up and make new bars or not.  But this morning, I finally did.  Those bars of shampoo cost between $13 and $20 depending on the brand.  It took very little time and I now have 4 bars of shampoo drying out.  The kitchen smells heavenly.  An experiment worth trying.  

I do the same thing with my handmade soaps, carefully salvaging the bits and pieces.  The rebatch soap is Hubs' absolute favorite.  It seems like the best of every bar ends up in those odd gray/green colored soaps.  And we don't waste anything.  How can you go wrong.  I don't have enough bits of soap saved up again yet to tackle that, it wouldn't be worth the time, but we will eventually have enough to make another batch. 

I had a huge basket of yarn odds and ends, nothing really useful, or so I thought.  I was pondering if I should donate them somewhere, or what, I just didn't know what to do with them.  They seemed destined to be something to make me crazy.  The other day while mindlessly scrolling, I came across a reel, someone had made baskets out of their scraps.  I'd seen the patterns before, I'd made a mental note to try it one day, but like most things I put in my memory lately, it got lost.  

After watching that reel, I decided I needed to give it a try.  I always need a task to accomplish while Hubs is watching his movies, so why not? Now, I have another addiction. I've already finished three, I'm halfway done with a fourth and I am making a great progress through the left over scraps.  They will probably end up in my booths this fall. 

This space and time suits me perfectly, I feel I am flourishing. 

Well, it's time to wrap up.  It's Hubs' mom's 102nd birthday.  We are going to head over to the cemetery.  I'm gonna wake up my sleepy babies.  They are catching up from two very long days, but I am sure they will wake up for a R*I*D*E...

love and prayers for all... 

coming home...

It is wonderful to travel, to be part of family events and enjoy your loved ones, even if it is a quick trip that only lasts a couple of nights. As I slid into my own comfy bed and pulled my weighted blanket up, just where I like it, I couldn't help but feel peace. Our trip to Arkansas was a fast one.  My baby sister is a care giver and needed to be able to get back and take care of her people.  It's all good.  At least we were able to celebrate with family for a moment. 

Sadly, families are often separated by great distances, time together is fleeting and often rare.  Each of us busy in our own bubbles, living our lives to the best of our abilities. For a moment as I was pondering where that thought would lead, I started to stay unlike in times past.  But truthfully, when you really think about it, families have always separated.  If they hadn't countries wouldn't have been discovered, migration would never have happened, shoot go back to the Bible, or further, folks have always been moving and changing.  It's simply life.

As I jumped back into the doings yesterday, it occurred to me that I have one month from tomorrow before my craft event.  I needed to stop being frozen by fear and really start working.  I dug around in the garage and pulled out the old fan blades, I still have a few that I need to strip the hardware off of so that I can clean, sand and paint them.  I have seven of them in progress at this moment.  Need to wrap those up first.  I simply ran out of counter space.  This morning I need to pull out the saw and do a bit of cutting, I am using up some old scraps of wood to make stems and hat brims.  

work in progress...

work in progress...

Waste not, want not.  

I also found myself stitching for a bit while watching a bit of television with my sweet hubs as we wrapped up the day.  Almost have another hat finished and ready to tag.  

It made me smile yesterday and today when my sweet hubs woke me with a cup of amazing coffee and asked if I was going to be working today.  He was being so supportive and sweet.  He knows that I work hard taking care of him, the pups and our suburban homestead.  It was his way of acknowledging my creative side, of supporting my dreams.  

Beau definitely disapproved of mom being gone

While I was in Arkansas, instead of relaxing and taking in a couple of movies and a few hours at the cigar lounge like he had planned, he spent his time making things easier for me. He cleaned up the cantry and added another set of shelves.  He rearranged the man cave and my work space to give me better access in a way that didn't cause me pain.  He cleaned up the entire house so I didn't have to worry about it when I got home. 

work room improvements

there is a middle shelf now

He started to put a light that he had gotten me into my sewing studio, as I had voiced a concern with how dark it was on the one side of the room. One step into the mayhem in there and he walked right back out, terrified of moving something, knowing that while it looks like a chaotic mess at the moment I know where everything I am working on is.  To be fair, I walked in yesterday morning because he was hoping to finish his honey do list and put it where it needed to go and even I turned around and said not today.  Sometimes, you have to honor your limits.  We both respected that. 

After all of that, he even got 11 clocks made for the event.  I am fairly positive he didn't get much rest in, I am equally positive that I appreciated all of that effort more than he could even imagine.  

I was catching up on the garden a bit yesterday and today, harvesting, cleaning, getting ready to plant a fall garden.  I think I am finally going to jump in and plant garlic.  It's been on the list forever, just never felt confident enough to try it.  Tomorrow I think I will harvest what is left of the potatoes, today was the green beans.  They are pretty much spent. All the rain of the past two weeks has definitely stressed some of the garden to the point that harvest season is just about over.  

We all know how sad it makes me to see the garden fading away each year.  Today I will slice up a few more of the masses of tomatoes and get them in the dehydrator.  We've discovered they are amazing as a veggie chip and that way there is no waste. I am also going to use the last of the green beans and add them to a mixture of veggies and make up a huge pot of veggie soup.  I'll can most of it, so that in the cold of winter we can remember the flavors of summer.  

I also harvested a fairly large amount of jalapeno's.  Not enough for cowboy candy, but definitely enough to make up a batch of jalapeno jelly.  And I am starting to run low on that.  The colors and flavors will pop, it will taste great and look so pretty.   

do you see him?

I don't know if you can see my little friend from the garden, this year has been full of surprises, including the baby copperhead snake I almost ran over while mowing last week.  This had to have been the biggest dragonfly I have ever encountered.  Easily the size of my palm. The green bean hanging beside him is over 5 inches long.  He was resting in my green beans as I reached in to harvest.  I'm not sure which of us was more startled. 

Belle deciding sitting on the humans
is okay...

Well, as much as I am enjoying sitting here being lazy, I am also deeply enjoying being back in my space working on all of my projects, taking care of our home and garden.  I love to travel, to visit, to savor the moments.  I equally love to come home again...

finding inspiration...

Wasn't it only yesterday that I was removing all of the heavy sun blocking curtains from the windows to allow more of the natural warmth to shine in?  Raising blinds to allow the brilliant sunshine?  Pretty sure it was. Yet this morning found me hanging them back up to block out the heat and keep the house cooler. It seems like we were under strong freeze warnings just a few days back, and here it is pushing almost 79°.  

I am definitely not complaining, simply wondering how time has flown past so rapidly.  I don't even feel I've slept in between.  I guess it is true what they say about time flying the older you get. 

Hubs and I ran away to the country this weekend, it was not only resurrection weekend, but also his birthday weekend.  Definitely causes for celebration.  Top it off with a tulip festival at one of my favorite Heirloom Seed farms with two of the people that inspire me beyond belief speaking and a chance to be completely disconnected.  Yep, sign me up.   

Hey sis, Dad has the snacks on the other side
I think I can reach them...

Mom, Dad is not sharing

nothing like a campfire

There is so much going on in the world, so very, very much. I needed a moment.  A chance to step into peace and rest.  So did Hubs.  Things are so intense.  I feel in my gut that they are going to be getting even more intense.  I know we needed a chance to completely disconnect. 

The campground was definitely not a favorite, in fact it's officially on the will not return list.  Sad.  Because it has incredible potential.  I would love to own one like it and really put some time, love and attention into it.  As it was... I 100% do not recommend it.  Thankfully it had very few folks staying at it, so it was relatively peaceful, as long as you could block out the incessant noise of the highway.  

He needed a better view of the campground

He's not spoiled... geez...

too much time running in the sun... nap time

It didn't matter, we weren't there to simply sit and stare at the highway.  We are fussy about the kind of campgrounds we select, I loathe feeling like we are camping in a parking lot.  I love green space, walking areas, a little bit of distance between us and the folks around us.  I seriously prefer to not camp in front of a massive burn pile that is almost the circumference of my home, thank goodness we were able to move our spot and not have that up against the back of the camper. 

So we loaded up the pups and went exploring. 

We spent time in a little town called Ava, traipsed through several antique shops.  Found a few things at the second shop, including a beautiful antique appliqued quilt top for a mere $29.  It's pristine and I cannot wait to spend countless hours quilting it. 

We tried to find a nice hiking trail that didn't include a water feature, because frankly Belle is a pure water dog, if it is there she will find it.  Beau is just as bad, although he usually displays a touch of restraint. Sadly the only one we found was far more difficult than either Hubs or I were up to. Shoot, even the pups were struggling with the steepness of the hills, so we didn't feel like we were completely out of shape.  Mildly, not completely. All in all we found spaces for the pups to romp and wear themselves out, we gathered firewood and roasted marshmallows in the evening as the sun was setting and putting on a beautiful display.  We played cards late into the night and early in the morning. 

The tulip festival was wonderful, if a bit overwhelming for me.  I spend so much time either solo or in incredibly small groups that I was frazzled by it all.  I couldn't wait to hear Rory Feek and Jess Sowards speak, they both are strong Christians that live a faithful and devoted life.  They inspire me to no end.  

We took the pups and they did incredible, although you could tell it was all a bit much for them also.  Hubs had been resting on a bench with the pups while I looked at some of the covered tents to see the wares that folks were selling inside.  Those truly are my people.  

The ones that go to homesteading festivals.  Where you can step back in time, where ladies are in their long skirts and men are wearing their jeans or overalls. Seeing folks walking around with their shopping baskets loaded with a variety of plants, seedlings, essential oils and natural healing items.  The beautiful things that you would have found in a pioneer village found at every corner. 

As I returned to tell Hubs that I had found the garlic bulbs and the seed potatoes that I was wanting and we could pick them up as we were leaving, he was excitedly calling me to hurry to him.  I found myself feeling a bit frantic, like I'd left him in the sun for too long and he was not feeling well or something of the sort.  

Hubs and I were blessed to meet Rory

No, it wasn't that at all.  I was intent on taking him over to listen to the live music playing at the top of the hill.  He was equally intent on letting me met Rory Feek.  I can't even remember how the conversation started, but it was wonderful.  He and his daughter's teacher we complimenting me on my puppies and how beautiful and well behaved they are and telling me that they loved my sweatshirt.  I was busy complimenting him on the inspiration that he has liberally shared with the world.  He offered to take a picture without it even occurring to us. I was intent on gathering more information about his Homesteading event that is coming up, as he was asking us if we were going to come and sharing all about it.  We ended up with a few photos and great memories.  We both shared why that particular part of Missouri draws us back.  It's such a blessing when you realize you share so many thoughts and ideals with someone that has blessed your life without ever knowing you.  A bit later I was blessed to meet his little girl, she is beyond precious.  

We went our way, they went theirs.  After enjoying some live music sitting on hay bales in the sunshine I really was worn from the swarm of people.  All so kind and loving, friendly and considerate, but oh so many of them.  My anxiety was high enough that I was ready to go.  I really wanted to hear Rory and Jess speak, but I simply couldn't take all of the swirling wonderful chaos. I told Hubs we needed to go.  

He argued intently with me, knowing that was the sole reason I had wanted to come.  I was content with having shared an incredible conversation with Rory, I was willing to leave. It was well over two hours before they were speaking and I simply couldn't.  I tried, I wanted to, but I simply couldn't. 

I definitely felt peaceful driving back to the camper.  I had designated myself the driver for the weekend, Hubs has been under a lot of strain lately, so I chose to give him the freedom to rest and unwind. 

Hubs was not okay with it at all. Tucking the pups in the air conditioning for the nap, we headed back out to the farm.  A big jar of fresh squeezed lemonade and front row seats later, that he made sure we got and we enjoyed over an hour of story telling and listening to the difference that pure faith had created in both of their lives.  My inspiration factor was through the roof.  

Rory Feek and Jess Sowards

While Hubs was getting us seats inside, I had the opportunity to say hello to Jess inside one of the planting tents.  I'm not a big one for hero worshiping.  I am a firm believer in the fact that we are all equals and no one is above another. But having the chance to tell people that you have been inspired by that they have made a difference in your life, is super powerful. 

We spent our resurrection Sunday among people of strong faith.  Surrounded by blessings and the bounty of this life.  My heart was bubbling with joy. I had wanted to attend a sunrise service, those are the ones that fill my heart with absolute joy for some reason.  But try as I might, I couldn't find one.  Instead I spent time in prayer and thankfulness while Hubs was out romping in the woods. I cherished the solitude as I reflected. 

I am finding so much in my life that is connecting with the path Jesus prepared for us.  I finally feel I am walking the path I was long intended to walk.  I closed my calendar this morning as I was carrying it to the other room. I'd picked it for the colors it had, for the calming sense it brought me daily, I'd forgotten the verse on the cover... "for I know the plans I have for you" Jeremiah 29:11.  I guess the Lord thought I needed the reminder and the conviction to step out further on things.  The ones I've been looking at longingly, but afraid to take the running leap off the cliff. 

The final sunset of the trip... always bittersweet

It's been a busy morning, it will be a busy day.  I hope that you are taking time to pray, to reflect on everything that is going on at this time and to prepare.  I feel we have been lulled into complacency in many ways.  We need to break out of that.  

Rory has spent almost a full year disconnected from the internet.  I am not sure I could do it.  Although listening to him speaking on Sunday has definitely inspired me to step back a bit from many of the things that are clouding my vision and spend a bit more time leaping off cliffs.  I am moving back into my busy time of the year, the garden is waiting for love, there are many tasks and projects that need my attention. I may not have acres and acres surrounding me, but I am still very much a homesteader, and my home needs tending. 

Well... time to build a potato box and learn how to grow spring garlic... 

much love and prayers... 

a trip to the countryside...

Been on the struggle bus today.  My wake up time was 1:11 am.  Not by choice.  Seems the neighbors had friends over and that was the time they decided to move their screaming argument outside.  It was loud enough to not only wake the puppies sleeping on the second floor in the back of the house, but sustained enough for them to not go back to bed for quite a while. 

There are times that I am so envious of sweet Hubs and his hearing loss. Once the chaos started it was on-going for about 30 minutes.  I'm really sorry that her actions led his friends to think he was a total asshole - yup that one is a direct quote.  The fact that the world was slightly a dumpster fire yesterday, led me to refrain from opening the door and yelling out that the neighbors would have to agree. Sadly those particular neighbors are not very neighborly or considerate, so it was a reasonable assumption that their friends fell into the same category.  That and the fact that they were screaming at each other in the middle of the night in a neighborhood they do not live in...

I tried for hours to get back to sleep, I was so very exhausted.  My brain was simply not taking the hint.  Just like now.  Hubs is snoozing away, the puppies are snoozing away and my brain is marching forward with its to do list.  All of the things it wants me to get done today. All of the things I need to do today. 

Around 7:00 am I decided I'd just get up.  Wandered to the treetop garden with my coffee and sat, the puppies wanted attention and I figured sitting there half asleep was just as useful as lying in bed staring at the clock that didn't want to stop moving forward. Hubs joined me for smoothies and chatting while I finally got motivated enough to harvest all those pretty little yellow tomatoes, they were glistening like gold nuggets in the early morning sunshine. 

Going over our plans for the day I mentioned that I had wanted to go to the farmers market, but wasn't sure I was willing to go into the city. I also said I wished that Farmington wasn't so far away as their was an awesome Mennonite/Amish market there that I was longing to go back to. Honestly, with gas the way it is I felt like I was being a bit selfish wanting to do something like that. 

sheer joy heading out for the day

so tired on the trip home... 

Hubs on the other hand jumped at the opportunity! We showered the pups (yikes did they ever need it) and got ourselves ready.  Jumped in my little SUV and we were off on an adventure.  The pups were excited to get to go for a ride, I think they have been missing their adventures. 

I had only been there once with one of my friends last summer and had misplaced the flyer with the address, I have no idea why I never thought to simply look it up online.  Maybe I didn't figure it would be there, but there it was - only 83 miles from our doorstep. It's cash only, although I did notice they take checks for a fee.  There is a sign asking that you dress conservatively and do not wear low cut tops.  I'd chosen to wear a v-neck this morning and felt slightly guilty for it. 

Anyone need 2 turtle doves
or a bunny?  These young men 
can help you out!

As we wandered around the pole barn filled with amazingly fresh produce and handmade items, both Hubs and I had a great time.  I can assure you I have a large amount of canning to do this afternoon, but the produce was literally fresh from the farm, they kept bringing it in the whole time we were there. It was beautiful, fresh, firm, ripened in the field.  We determined it was worth the drive and then some.  We bought several heirloom varieties and Hubs even found himself two new belts.  And I will admit to picking up a few packets of seeds, saved fresh from their harvest. 

After spending a bit of time there we headed back to the blueberry farm that we'd passed driving in.  Puppies were welcome and we wanted to pick some berries.  Hubs got distracted with the babies and took them running in an empty field while I picked berries.  It's been so long since I picked blueberries.  It was something I always took my kids to do when we lived in Washington state.  The whole time I was wishing my youngest grand wasn't out of town, because I am fairly positive that she would have loved the experience. 

It wasn't what we planned to do today.  It was 100% spur of the moment.  It was absolutely wonderful.  

Here in the city, things are a little out of sorts right now.  Folks are highly charged and the fire is being force fed.  Out there, in the country, life was very different.  Very calm, very nurturing of one another.  It was definitely what I needed.  

This world of ours is definitely going through some stuff.  Honestly, this year is harsher than the two previous.  And I don't think it's going to calm for a long while yet.  Who knows if it will happen in my lifetime.  I've opted to just keep living my life. 

If anyone is looking for me, I'll be expanding and tending my garden. Taking care of my puppies, loving my family, doing the things.  I might be knitting dish cloths, I might be working on quilts, I might be making soap or g-tube bibs.  It all depends on the needs of my suburban homestead on that day and at that time. 

What I won't be doing is loosing my stuffing over things that are swirling around about me.  It all feels like a "b" movie or a game.  I'm watching people being manipulated and feeling shock at the sheer volume of misleading and inaccurate statements being bandied about.  And honestly, it's from every side, so... the television doesn't need to be turned on. 

Instead, I'm going to stay very, very busy.  I am going to continue my happy slide into the life that Hubs and I are creating for ourselves.  My little house in the burbs is my happy place.  There are battles that are mine to fight, and those I will participate in.  The things swirling right now, are not mine. 

Well, I'm still super tired, but I have so much beautiful produce that is waiting for my attention.  The garden needs an afternoon watering - it's crazy hot today.  I need to focus on what truly impacts Hubs and I.  

love and peace...

planning, cooking, packing...

Super duper busy day stretched out ahead of me before Hubs and I head off to an evening of leisure.  Dinner and a baseball game, should be a super good time. Although I am already feeling very accomplished.  When I ran out of sleep I started on my chores.  Laundry is going, ironing is up to the minute, pups walked and fed and a quick run to the grocery before Hubs leaves.  My car is seriously blocked in by the camper and he will be gone all day.  I didn't want to not be able to get things ready for leaving tomorrow. 

I have some canning to finish up this morning.  Those pickled brussels are now my favorite thing in the world, one can never have too many.  I finished up a few more jars of salsa last night, again... one can never have too many.  And I wanted to make use of the $10 cases of tomatoes while they were available.  Don't know when I will be able to get that good of a deal again. 

Today will be mostly finishing up a variety of things to be ready for our latest adventure.  I am looking forward to this camping trip so much, it's the longest we've been on since we had our property down in Sullivan. By tomorrow night we will watch the sunset on the Ohio river.  I hope the babies love it as much as we will.  

We spent a lot of time playing and running errands yesterday.  Picking up the camper meant a stop at the babies favorite dog park.  They are going to be in heaven when we get our fence installed.  Hubs and I have decided we need to build them some ramps like they have in Pacific, they love them!

It's also Quilt week in Paducah, I'm looking forward to it.  I absolutely love spending time looking at all of the amazing work and marveling at the talent it takes to create them.  I have one project to work on while we ride tomorrow, and I am simply not sure what to bring to work on while we camp.  I love having something to sit and putter with while we relax, the challenge is the babies. 

They also like to putter with what I am working on and that makes me a touch fussy. I need to figure out at least one more project to take with me.  I simply don't know what it will be.  Part of me wants to bring one of my block of the months, they have been stashed while the babies have grown and learned to sit for a bit.  Part of me want's to bring a featherweight with me and work on the family quilt project, I'm just not sure how well that will go with the babies in tow.  

I have a couple of needlework projects, but those are hard to do in the truck while towing a trailer.  I guess I should feel blessed that these are the only challenges that I have to worry about right now. Maybe I will bring one of my skeins of sock yarn and a favorite sock pattern and get started on expanding my winter sock collection?  That might just be the way to go.  Easy, portable and I can quickly shove it in a bag so babies can't destroy it. That is definitely sounding like a solid plan. I am not bringing that darn sweater with me, that's for sure.  I don't have the time or patience right now to sort that mess out. 

I need to raise the mesh over the garden beds today and make sure they are all watered.  Everything is really starting to grow nicely and I don't want the time away to ruin all that hard work. I was beyond excited to look this morning and see the start of so many beautiful little radishes. The bright pea tendrils starting to wrap around the frames and trellises.  I absolutely adore springtime. 

Sounds like Hubs is just about ready to bug out and I need to get busy!  Just heard the dryer calling me, time to work.  Have a blessed day, well week.  I am not planning to take my laptop with me, I am planning an old fashioned week... 

love and peace...