~One Fine Day~

Wow! Yesterday was just lovely! The boys didn't race because the track was too wet from the rain all week. We don't get many Saturdays at home and my mind was reeling with ideas of what to do.

I took my early morning walk and thought I really needed to get the front gardens cleaned out before the summer heat sets in. Our front yard has full sun all day and I don't want to be mulching in the heat of summer! (it has been too many years since we mulched!)

When I got home from my walk we all ate breakfast and set to work on some projects. Kiersten took some time to hang out with me and then would go with a brother or with dad for awhile and come back to me. I got a lot done! I had some mighty fine helpers too! I did not ask them for any help because I figured the mulching would be enough work... but they surprised me and offered me drinks, ran to get tissues, offered to dump the weeds, and offered to keep Kiersten busy.

We managed to fit in some racing before lunch! I can fit in Jordan's new car so I was racing Jordan, Jared, and Eric. Fun! Bumpy! Dirty! Hot and loud!

I happened to have the fastest car... the engine was bigger. Here I am in the lead! Well, actually I am in the lead at the moment. It didn't take long for them all to pass me. Then they all lapped me. That happened a lot! They said I got faster and they were gracious enough to not be too hard on me since I had never driven a quarter midget before:0)

After a yummy lunch we headed out. Gregg and gang went to get mulch and I took a few to the greenhouse for some plants to fill in some holes.

Here is a before and after photo...
The bricks were all laying down two horizontal and then two vertical. It wasn't really helping to keep the grass out and the mulch in. I took the bricks out and laid them more like a wall. I think it will really help! We couldn't drive through the yard because of all the mud so the boys started carrying shovels full of mulch up the steps to the garden. I knew that wasn't going to last long! I grabbed some buckets and filled those for them to dump... much better! I still have a little work left on the front (out of control roses!) and the whole side of the house. Mulching the back gardens will be much easier!

As soon as the mulching was done the big guys cleaned up and headed out to go watch some racing. I took the younger set to the park!
We enjoyed a picnic supper and had a great time playing together. Kiersten was so funny. She tried everything the boys did. She loved it!

We all got sunburn... we all changed clothes because we were filthy... we all were exhausted by the end of the day. What a Great Day!

~Pickles~

Mmmm, four pints!

~Todays Harvest~

It was too hot to do anything today! I waited until 8 pm to pick the beans and noticed there were several pickles ready too! I'm hoping there is enough to can one jar of pickles and one jar of banana peppers. I may end up freezing the beans because we have to many leftovers in the fridge right now to eat them tomorrow.

Tomorrow promises to be even hotter... No worries... I've got fun plans :0)

~The Garden~

Our garden is growing slowly. We haven't had much rain this year so all the plants are on the small side.
Left...mint and strawberries
Right... wax beans, green beans, chamomile
Left... tomatoes, peppers, beets
Right... pickles and onions




I have been using a lot of the mint and got my first picking of green beans!!! Everything else is still growing:-) I added a list in my side bar to try to keep track of how much we are actually getting. At this point I don't grow tomato, pepper and beans to freeze and can... just to eat. The pickles and beets will be canned.

I need to learn how to use my chamomile this year! Any tips!??!?!

~A Little of This...A Little of That~

I finally had a free moment to venture up to the garden...

I found a little bit of everything ready! Isn't it so pretty!

I was disappointed that almost all the pickles were rotting and the green beans were all dried up. My tomatoes are also looking odd. Like they have stretch marks...not enough water maybe!?!? Maybe too much!??! It sure is a good thing I don't have to survive on this! Always learning a little more:-)

~Catching up...~

...on rest :-)



Saturday night was eventful in our house. We had a fairly big rain storm come through and our normally wet basement turned into a basement with rivers and fountains! Gregg and I worked together until 12:30 am keeping the water from rising too much. It is continuous work for two as the water was coming in like a faucet. It doesn't do this often...but when it does...ughh!

Gregg had to remind me that we could be thankful we still had electric and a big supersized vaccum to keep the water moving out!

Anyway, it has taken a few nights and naps to catch up on some sleep!


I picked our first onion on Monday...

and six quarts of beans on Tuesday...

It was so relaxing to sit in the shade on the back patio and snap beans in the afternoon! I canned my beans...for the first time. I usually freeze them.


I am caring less and less about my to do list and getting more and more ready to sit and snuggle a newborn. This has certainly been an easier pregnancy for me and for that I am so thankful!

With that said...I'm going to go lie down:-)

~Mint~

I have been bummed to not be drinking mint tea. My iron levels seem to have risen and I'd like to keep it that way! I'd rather have energy then tea...but bummer!

Anyway, it was starting to flower and get overdone. A friend was over and she told me to freeze it!?!?!?! Never thought of that! I washed it, let it dry and bundled it in plastic bags and put it in the freezer. That will be a nice treat this winter!!!!

My mother in law gave me the idea to make mint jelly (thank you!) Did you know, you don't need pectin for mint jelly!!! It is very important to watch your temp...or you will get gooey candy type stuff...like I did...
Ooops! I'll have to try again! It tastes wonderful:-) My boys were very encouraging and decided we could melt it with hot fudge and have it on ice cream!Now I'll be able to enjoy my mint all winter! I would have never "saved" any if I hadn't had an iron problem! Next week, I'm planning on drying some:-)

~Pickles~

We all picked...
Aaron washed...
Jordan and Jared cut...
I mixed...
and canned...

Now we must wait 4-6 weeks to try them! I have never made pickles before...very fun!

~Garden Update~

Here is how my lovely garden looks today!


In the first bed...strawberries and mint

wax beans, pickles and cantalope

green beans and wax beans making a tunnel...

tomatoes and green beans

peppers and onions

Looks like I'll be busy next week. Pickles and peppers are bountiful...green beans aren't far behind!

~Sit and Sip~

I had another Dr appointment yesterday:-) Baby seems to be doing well...I am measuring right on and the head is still down! After a few stops on the way home I was happy to be sitting down! As I was watching the boys play...(it was a beautiful day!)...I got thirsty for some mint tea!

Here is how I make it...

First, I cut a handful of mint...

This is how low to the ground I cut it...

Then, I rinse it in cold water while I boil the water...

Once the water is boiling I take it off the burner, put the mint in and cover it...

I let it sit for an hour or so...I add one cup sugar and add water to make one gallon. I don't need the sugar but if I want to share it with the boys, I know they prefer the sugar!

Mmmmm! What is your favorite summertime thirst quencher?!??!?!

Don't forget to check back later today...I'm putting the finishing touches on my blogversary giveaway! I'm so excited!!!

~Sit and Sniff~

I have been doing a lot of sitting this week. I think it will be something I do a lot more of in the near future! I really have a hard time just sitting...I need to be busy!

These popped up in my garden this week...

I have tried for several years to grow poppies...last year they finally survived and have grown so much in one year! We had a big storm last night and it flattened most of the buds but they seem to be recovering as the day goes on!

The Colombine was at the house when we moved in...one of my favorite flowers now:-) The flowers in the back were given to me by someone dividing theirs...why can't I think of their name right now!??!!?

Anyway, this little guy was singing to me as I was looking around...

The Lillies finally started opening in the house!...

I have found myself just sitting at the dinning room table to work on paperwork...just to smell these!

~Beauty All Around~

I'll be out of town today...for the whole day...by myself. Well, kind of! I'll be meeting up with a friend for lunch in the midst of hundreds of others at a convention:-)

Anyway, these were some of the beautiful things I saw yesterday!

I walked out the front door and saw these little beauties by the front step. I honestly can't remember them being there before...I have a feeling I always thought those long green leaves were weeds. Now I know what they are, and I shall enjoy them:-)

Then I went out to cut some of these for our table...

While I was cutting, I could hear a bird yelling at me. A robin was nearby and wasn't at all happy! I was almost afraid of being attacked! I looked around in the bush and saw these beautiful eggs! Aren't the eggs such an amazing color!


Happy Weekend to You All!

~A Great Day~

We had a very good day today! Everyone seemed to be well and in a good mood:-)

The day started with seeing a mouse...in the mouse trap!!! This mouse has been driving me crazy at night. It climbs and scratches in between the walls! The better news is that I have several brave and strong men that empty the trap for me! Sorry, no photo!

After we finished our morning school, we headed out to find some grain. I am going to start milling my own wheat!!!! Anyway, this cute little village market sells grain, fresh produce, and has a deli inside. The outside is a nursery. We couldn't help but buy a snack (whoopie pies...yum!) and enjoy them outdoors while surrounded by flowers!

After lunch, we ventured outside to plant the strawberries...here are my helpers...

See those cute stripped garden gloves...my boys brought them back for me on Saturday. Jared remembered Mom's gloves were in really bad shape...Awwww...I love the stripes!

I didn't have extra time to make bread today so I whipped up some biscuits to go with this soup...

Salsa Chicken and Black Bean Soup

It may not look very yummy but it was just wonderful! You can snag the recipie from Heart(h) Management. So very easy to make and top with cheese. In true Ma Ingalls style, I used the good dishes...after all, special dishes aren't for special occasions but for special people! The family devoured it!

Ahhh, the laundry is put away, we caught another mouse tonight, and I am so very ready for bed!

~Reviewing the weekend and planning the week ahead~

I love weekends! This one was no exception:-)

Saturday morning I did a bit of cleaning and was able to cross one more pile off my list! I "helped" two boys clean the room they share. I am a firm believer in you clean up what you messed up and this was no exception. I "helped" by pulling on the mess out of under their beds, dressers, and the bottom of the closet. They couldn't believe how much stuff mom could find!

Gregg took all five boys to Lowe's for their kid's clinic. If you haven't checked that out yet...it is a free workshop once or twice a month. My guys love it! While they were gone I wrote a list of all the stuff I needed to do and places I needed to go. Then I got busy!

I headed out to purchase my strawberry plants!!! I was too late buying them last year:-(

I ran a couple other errands and my last stop was our local thrift store. Inspired to keep thrifting by my blog friend Diane (she has the touch when it comes to thrifting!), I had a list of what I was looking for. Soapmaking supplies and church pants size 14 were on the list. I didn't find any soapmaking supplies but came home with three pair of pants ($11 total!) and three huge skeins of cotton ($3.20 for all three!)!

After lunch was play time! I finished my March quilt block that I posted this morning. I also have a bunch of works in progress that I will hopefully be showing off later this week! Sewing again...or is it still!!?!?

My Sunday afternoon project was using some of my new cotton to learn to crochet! Here is my already finished dishcloth! A little loose and wobbly, but for my first try...I love it!

Pattern thanks to Design Sponge! It is done in a half double crochet stitch if your interested.

As for today, we took a big trip to a big library. The boys were getting tired of our little library. Look at these books I'll be looking through...

Here are a few the boys found...

That "How_Big_Is_It?" book is really neat!

I just finished the federal taxes. Tomorrow I'll be trying to do the state and local. Wednesday is the day I complete the church bulletin. Thursday is grocery day.

Friday! Listen to this...I'm taking on online class through Joyous Home! I'm really excited. The three topics are A Walk through Girls' Edwardian Apron with Jennie Chancey, Let's Make Homemade Soap, and Basic Hand Embrodery. I don't want to miss the soap class and we will see how much the boys cooperate with the others! If you don't already subscribe to their magazine, be sure to check them out...the new spring issue should be out in the next week or two!

~Nature Walk~

We finished our bookwork for science this morning. Yeah! Now the fun begins! It is difficult to study botany in the winter so our remaining weeks of school will be spent making a nature notebook. Sorry to say, the mom is way more excited then the sons!


What a lovely surprise to have a beautiful day! We were able to spend a good amount of time outside looking around. At first glance, things are still very dead outside...

empty bird nest

praying mantis nest

lavender

Even my once beautiful crocuses are drooping...

But looking closer, here is what I found!

fern


daffodils about to bloom

lilac

Here are a few bonus shots...

a single pine cone hanging

cute little bird feather

I also took a closer look at one of our trees...just to see what I could find.

lichens - sign of fresh air!

something I learned this year

bud from the tree...I always see these dead...

they are really cool looking when they have just bloomed!

I truly could hibernate for the winter...I was thrilled to be outside this afternoon! I saw one female and one male cardinal and a few robins but was unable to get a photo. I love nature walks...especially when I can go right out my back door!

We also took a few minutes to plant our onions! We have NEVER had onions grow...I'm hoping this year, with getting them in early, we might have some tasty red onions to put in our potato salad!

Time to cut off those fingernails and get out those garden gloves!