Do you ever talk to yourself? Well, I sometimes do. Especially once my husband falls asleep at night and no longer responds to my endless chatter (at least when I'm in a mood like this). Poor fella, he tries to hang in there, but what's a guy to do? He knows I could go on for hours. For some reason my mind is racing, and I just can't slow it down. Sometimes I get this way when I'm overtired. I know it doesn't sound like it makes sense, but it does to me. So just go with it ;)
This post is going to be a review of this week, basically a clearing of my mind. If that sounds boring, feel free to click out at any time...lol.
To start things out, we hit a few records with our weather this week, reaching as high as 107 degrees. Now depending on where you live, that might not be that hot. But we Oregonians are just not used to that kind of heat. So air conditioners and swimming pools have been the coveted items. I was actually trying to figure out just why I had enjoyed this week so much. Then a friend hit the nail on the head when she said that the heat had reduced us to basic cleaning and hanging out with friends... all in the name of staying cool of course!
I am going to take a moment to do some very slight grumbling. The garage sale that I had been preparing for over the last few weeks has been cancelled. Which actually wasn't all bad, as it gives me some time to do some extra clearing out of storage and such. But the downside is that it's been rescheduled for the end of August... 4 weeks from now, and right before school starts. Needless to say, I won't be doing it then (not at least at the parking lot sale) so some regrouping will have to take place. The worst part is that my living room is full of assorted items, including my sister-in-laws and nieces things thrown in as well. The cancellation took place less than 48 hours before the sale was to start, or I wouldn't have taken in the extra stuff. Anyway, do you see why I won't be able to put it off? So if anyone wants to go in on a combined sale, let me know :) Okay, I think that's out of my system for now.
Wednesday my sis-in-law and nephews and nieces came by for a day of swimming and visiting. They live in a (close) neighboring state, but keep such a busy schedule that we don't get to visit nearly as often as we'd like. The time just flew by.
With the brakes suddenly being put on the garage sale plans (no, I am not complaining again) I thought I was in for a nice, relaxing day today. No deadlines, my house was spotless as usual (haha), no Little League practice... hey, was there supposed to be little league today??? Yes, it dawned on me just half an hour before it was time to leave that just maybe there was. I made a few calls, then promptly woke up the kids (yep, it also happened to be the day I decided to really let them sleep in, especially since I was out in the back field walking the family dog and risking my life picking blackberries for jam). Let's just say that even I didn't think I could pull it off. Did I mention I didn't have a car; hubby took it because I didn't think we had practice. But thanks to a very accommodating coach (who picked up my boys) and an equally accommodating friend (who picked up the princess and myself) we did make it. Of course, only 1/3 of the team showed up... guess I wasn't the only one who was a little bit unsure. On the bright side, all the kids there got a little extra attention today. And we ended up spending a relaxing afternoon (need I say of swimming and air-conditioned comfort?) at the aforementioned friend's house. It made the whole scrambled morning worthwhile :)
This evening we made our yearly excursion to pick berries at great-grandma's house. It was somewhat short notice. I thought I was actually going to have to do U-pick blueberries this year.....
I really was going to elaborate on our trip, but I find myself suddenly winding down. So writing this post seems to have served it's purpose. And with that I think I'll find my way to my nice, comfortable bed, and finish the details in another post. Which has to be soon by the way, 'cause the trip to great-grandma's house was simply wonderful.
Good night all.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
How does my garden grow?
I'm glad you asked :) It's truly amazing to watch a few seeds turn into a jungle of plants and veggies. I wonder if that's how Adam felt the first time he sowed the ground and reaped the harvest? You would think after I'd planted a garden a few years in a row I'd get used to it, but it still always surprises and delights me. I'm not a "green thumb" person, but I guess a little care and tending of a few seeds can equal a good result for just about anyone. Here's a few pictures.
BEFORE.. Remember my first garden post? This is 3 weeks ago...
AFTER... what a difference a few weeks can make!
No little round pumpkins yet, but they should be making an appearance soon...
My cherry tomatoes are finally starting to get some color.
My first harvest a few weeks ago. Buttercrunch lettuce, Radishes, and young Zucchinis
Now the bush beans are producing abundantly, and the cucumbers are starting to ripen as well.
What's the best way to use up some of that thriving zucchini? This recipe is a definite favorite.
Can you believe I've done two posts in two days? I'm on a roll, lol.
Enjoy your day!~
BEFORE.. Remember my first garden post? This is 3 weeks ago...
AFTER... what a difference a few weeks can make!
No little round pumpkins yet, but they should be making an appearance soon...
My cherry tomatoes are finally starting to get some color.
My first harvest a few weeks ago. Buttercrunch lettuce, Radishes, and young Zucchinis
Now the bush beans are producing abundantly, and the cucumbers are starting to ripen as well.
What's the best way to use up some of that thriving zucchini? This recipe is a definite favorite.
Can you believe I've done two posts in two days? I'm on a roll, lol.Enjoy your day!~
Monday, July 20, 2009
Time for another Update
It's true that I've been just a tad bit neglectful of my blog lately. Our summer break schedule is so different from our school schedule, which I suppose is the case for many people in the blog world. We're definitely enjoying the change, with the only complaint being that it's going by much too quickly!
We had our annual Vacation Bible school the week before last, and it was as fun (and exhausting) as usual. I worked with the 1st and 2nd grade kids again this year, and we averaged 100 kids in our group each night. Many of these kids have been, or presently are in my Sunday school department, so I really enjoyed getting to hang out with them for the week. But I still have to say that I'm glad we only have it once a year ;)
The boys have been having Little League practice several times a week, and I must say that all of the kids have improved a lot in the past month. So far they've only played during the day, but we're working on getting a few night games scheduled so the Dads can come watch.
Last week I added apricot jam to my store of jam tucked away in the freezer. It's always been a favorite of mine, but I never buy it at the store due to the preferences of the rest of the family. I had my hubby give it a try, which wasn't such a good idea after all... he now likes apricot jam, lol. So much for keeping it all to myself!
I joined Facebook this past weekend... don't ask me why. I'm trying it on an experimental basis, but it's so different from blogging, and to tell the truth it's a little unnerving to me. Which probably doesn't make sense, especially considering the fact that I blog. Anyway, I was able to find some of my blogging friends on there, which I was quite happy about. I realized that I haven't even revealed my real first name here on my blog, so you are the privileged few who know the woman behind the secret identity... you feel privileged, right? :)
After a lot of consideration, this past week we decided to go back to being a one-dog-family. In case you don't remember, we kept one of Ginger's pups from her litter last fall. I have to admit it was mostly my doing; the little things were just so cute. And taking care of them for those first 10 weeks left me a bit attached to Sugar in particular. Anyway, we advertised online, and within 24 hours she had a new home. Her new owners have a large piece of land out in the country, and they also mentioned that their daughter had been pestering them to get a dog for her to take out hiking with her (they lost their long-time family dog last year to cancer). All in all, despite the fact that we miss Sugar, I think it was a perfect match for her, and I suspect that she will be one very spoiled dog. We were pretty happy that they were more than willing to pay what we were asking, which reinbursed us for the several hundred we had put out in shots and getting her fixed. I had prayed about the whole matter (guess you have to have pets to understand that) and so it was really a blessing to have it all work out so smoothly.
My garden is thriving. I think it's all the 90 degree temps we've been having. It's starting to provide food for the table now, and that's always exciting to me. Not just because of money saved, but there's just something about growing your own food; at least that's what I tell myself when my back is aching from all the weeding and watering it takes! I plan to post pics of it tomorrow.
This week I'm planning to go through my shed and storage spots in my house in preparation for the parking lot sale held by our church each year. I'm hoping to do some major decluttering (yes, I know it's not a real word) and organizing. A trip to the blueberry fields is also in the works. And maybe a trip to the river for some swimming if our temps go back up to the 90's as is being predicted.
I hope you all are enjoying your Summer... Have a wonderful Monday!
We had our annual Vacation Bible school the week before last, and it was as fun (and exhausting) as usual. I worked with the 1st and 2nd grade kids again this year, and we averaged 100 kids in our group each night. Many of these kids have been, or presently are in my Sunday school department, so I really enjoyed getting to hang out with them for the week. But I still have to say that I'm glad we only have it once a year ;)
The boys have been having Little League practice several times a week, and I must say that all of the kids have improved a lot in the past month. So far they've only played during the day, but we're working on getting a few night games scheduled so the Dads can come watch.
Last week I added apricot jam to my store of jam tucked away in the freezer. It's always been a favorite of mine, but I never buy it at the store due to the preferences of the rest of the family. I had my hubby give it a try, which wasn't such a good idea after all... he now likes apricot jam, lol. So much for keeping it all to myself!
I joined Facebook this past weekend... don't ask me why. I'm trying it on an experimental basis, but it's so different from blogging, and to tell the truth it's a little unnerving to me. Which probably doesn't make sense, especially considering the fact that I blog. Anyway, I was able to find some of my blogging friends on there, which I was quite happy about. I realized that I haven't even revealed my real first name here on my blog, so you are the privileged few who know the woman behind the secret identity... you feel privileged, right? :)
After a lot of consideration, this past week we decided to go back to being a one-dog-family. In case you don't remember, we kept one of Ginger's pups from her litter last fall. I have to admit it was mostly my doing; the little things were just so cute. And taking care of them for those first 10 weeks left me a bit attached to Sugar in particular. Anyway, we advertised online, and within 24 hours she had a new home. Her new owners have a large piece of land out in the country, and they also mentioned that their daughter had been pestering them to get a dog for her to take out hiking with her (they lost their long-time family dog last year to cancer). All in all, despite the fact that we miss Sugar, I think it was a perfect match for her, and I suspect that she will be one very spoiled dog. We were pretty happy that they were more than willing to pay what we were asking, which reinbursed us for the several hundred we had put out in shots and getting her fixed. I had prayed about the whole matter (guess you have to have pets to understand that) and so it was really a blessing to have it all work out so smoothly.
My garden is thriving. I think it's all the 90 degree temps we've been having. It's starting to provide food for the table now, and that's always exciting to me. Not just because of money saved, but there's just something about growing your own food; at least that's what I tell myself when my back is aching from all the weeding and watering it takes! I plan to post pics of it tomorrow.
This week I'm planning to go through my shed and storage spots in my house in preparation for the parking lot sale held by our church each year. I'm hoping to do some major decluttering (yes, I know it's not a real word) and organizing. A trip to the blueberry fields is also in the works. And maybe a trip to the river for some swimming if our temps go back up to the 90's as is being predicted.
I hope you all are enjoying your Summer... Have a wonderful Monday!
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
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