Little Things

Miss Prim sipped her tea and nestled down into the store room armchair. She too believed in the value of the little things.  Her first coffee in the morning drunk from her Limoges porcelain cup.  Sunlight filtering through the shutters of her room, casting shadows on the floor.  Dozing off over a book on a summer's afternoon.  The look in the children's eyes when they told you about some fact they'd just learned.  It was from the little things that the big ones were made, it definitely was.

 The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera

News of the World

Hello!  Long time, no see!  I regret that I have missed weeks worth of stories and accounts of the happenings of daily life here in Spring Valley, yet the Tyranny of the Urgent combined with the Expectations of Christmas and the General Operations of the House have left little time for writing. 

Instagram has become a lot more attractive for relaying daily life; it's just so easy.  But hashtags and short sentences don't allow for telling complete stories, full accounts of memorable moments. So if only for my own amusement and as a digital scrapbook of sorts, I will write.  More often, I hope. 

Tired

This is what happens when you have a weekend of fun.  Think I will take a nap, too!

The Rhythm of our Days: Summer Edition

I'm calling it the Summer of Fun.

Sure, most people probably call it that.  But I feel like I've not been at my best for the last dozen summers or so, what with either being pregnant and/or nursing, generally sleep-deprived and drained.

This year is different.

It sure didn't hurt to start the summer with a trip to Florida.  And then there was a LEGOLAND and Lake Winnie.

We've settled into a comfortable routine at home that looks more or less the same from day to day.

Naturally early risers, the kids don't sleep in during summer (or weekends or any other time).  By 6:30 almost everyone is up and stirring (usually begging for Woody Woodpecker or Tom and Jerry).  Doug and I sneak off to the backporch with a cup of coffee to talk and listen to the birds.

Breakfast is served and chores are done (there is great rejoicing if this happens without grumbles or searching).  The kids head out while I start a load of laundry, make a half-gallon of tea (unsweet, decaf with mint or blueberry), and cook something (sandwich bread, load bread or yogurt - summertime makes for hungry kids).

I head out to tend to the garden (we are in desperate need of rain!), chat with the neighbor (sometimes chats take quite a while!), and come back in to switch some laundry.

Joining a pool has been the greatest investment for the summer.  The kids love it and are worn out; we received some relief from the heat; I can completely concentrate on and enjoy the kids; and a healthy tan is the added bonus!  Mid-morning we pack our lunches and head out.

Nap time is still necessary, but flexible.  Everyone needs some downtime before regrouping for a snack and game or stories.

The kids will often head back outside to play, explore and just mess around.  I take care of housework and start dinner.
 

There is reading practice at some point, and read-alouds for everyone.  And then bedtime so we can start again tomorrow.

Marriage on Her Mind

Josie came into the kitchen and announced that she was getting married.  When I asked to whom, she replied, "A boy who lives across the street...and down an alley.  His name is Dirt King because he likes to play in the dirt."  

The alley Kat with the bride

A few years ago a friend explained her marriage talk: "You will meet someone who loves Jesus and fall in love.  And he will ask Dad if he can marry you.  And if Dad says 'Yes,' then he will ask you and you will get married."  The little routine has come in handy on more than one occasion, but it doesn't always satisfy all the questions.  "But what do I say?"  I explained that if you want to get married, you say "Yes" but if you don't, just say "No."  Josie thought about it for a minute and then replied, "Well, I hope he doesn't have a big belly.  Some mens have big bellies and I don't want to marry someone who has a big belly."

Top Three Choices for the Drought Tolerant Garden

Despite the lack of rain lately, there are still a few bright pops of color in our yard.  Here are my top choices of plants that can take the drought.

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

 

I picked up these two small plants ('Arizona Sun') off the "dead-and-dying" racks at Lowe's a few years ago, and since that time it  has become my top pick for perennial color.  I may or may not have said as much last week to another customer shopping the reductions.

In our climate it will bloom from early May until frost in late October or November.  The dead blooms are easy to remove, and it will continue to flower profusely.  As a bonus, the bees love it!

Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)

This is another one of those plants loved both by humans and insects.  It blooms continuously throughout the summer if the dead-heads are removed, and the butterflies and bees are attracted to the lovely blooms.  We have both the taller versions ('Black Knight') and a dwarf purple, one, too.

Zinnia

For years my mom had told me to plant zinnias, and then she finally came and did it for me.  Since that time they have become a staple in our summer garden.  Althought they are nott perennials like the gaillardia and buddleia, they will sometimes self-seed and volunteers will appear (this year some popped up in the cracks of the driveway).  Seeds can be found at Dollar Tree (and other box stores), and it's as easy as covering with dirt and keeping moist until established.  After that, they will grow without care, providing blooms until the fall.

 And one more for good measure?

Get thyself some sedum!  It comes in countless sizes - tall and small - and beautiful colors ranging from purple, blues, dark green and chartreuse.  Blooms if any are insignificant, but the texture and color is perfect for setting off the leaves and blooms of other plants.  Plus, no maintenance needed.

The Divine Friend

On a table of free books I found this collection of essays from 1892, and flipping to the following section, knew I had to take it home.

Many of you are women at the head of households.  Every morning you plan for the day.  The culinary department of the household is your dominion.  You decide all questions of diet.  All the sanitary regulations of your house are under your supervision. To regulate the food, and the apparel, and the habits, and to decide the thousand questions of home life, are a tax upon brain and nerve and general health absolutely appalling, if there be no divine alleviation.

It does not help you much to be told that Elizabeth Fry did wonderful things amid the criminals at Newgate.  It does not help much to be told that Mrs. Judson was very brave among the Bornesian cannibals.  It does not help you much to be told that Florence Nightingale was very kind to the wounded in the Crimea.  It would be better to tell you that the divine friend of Mary and Martha is your friend, and that He sees all the annoyances and disappointments,  and the abrasions and exasperations of an ordinary housekeeper from morn till night, and from the first day of the year to the last day of the year, and that at your call He is ready with help and reinforcement.

Trumpet Blasts by T. DeWitt Talmage

The Upside to Clutter

The one good thing I've found about clutter is the surprise of space when it is gone.  Here's to The Urge to Purge!

Snapshot - 3:01 P.M.

Jonathan gathering rocks by the road

The Tide is Shifting

When we first purchased the house twelve years ago, Doug bought a push lawn mower.  We didn't have the exact lot size at the time and it was a lot cheaper than a riding mower.

 

The realtor came back with the details: 1.15 acres.  I decided maybe it would be better not to tell Doug.  But after a year of push-mowing (and 3+ hours at a time) we were both ready to move up.  

And now, a decade later, we are grooming our own lawn crew.  

Andrew dove into the job with gusto and nary a word of complaint.  Now to teach the others.

After the Rain

"April showers bring May flowers.  What do May flowers bring?"

Washing Machine Monster

Maybe this explains the missing socks.

Citrus Salad in the Sun

Berry season is not too far away, but the last of the citrus is still delightful to mouth and eyes.

Signs of Spring

"...for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone.  The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land...the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance."    Song of Solomon 2:11-13

It is often said that the darkest hour is just before dawn, and perhaps spring would seem slightly less glorious if it wasn't preceded by February.  Personally, I could skip the entire month (or maybe relocate to a warm, sunny location for a few weeks).  The first two months of this year have been hard: we've been blessed with good physical health, but the strain of endless rain, family togetherness, and cloudy days have taken its toll for sure.  

"Blessed be the Lord!  For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.  The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him."  Psalm 28: 6-7

It's officially a week away but there are certainly signs of spring!

Cabin Fever Cure

Winter always has me looking at houses.  Bigger houses.  With nooks and crannies.  And places for people to play when they are stuck indoors.  And just when I think I can't take it anymore, the sun appears and the kids go out. 

Instant cure (and a lot less expensive).

December Photo Project: Day 22

"And mom & dad can hardly wait 'til school will start again!"

I'm not sure that will change anything.

December Photo Project: Day 15

"Greeting cards have all been sent, the Christmas rush is through...."

I was so proud of myself for ordering and having our Christmas cards in hand before Thanksgiving.  Two weeks ago I addressed them with the intention of writing an amusing letter to include.  Wittiness has eluded me and the clock is ticking so I finally just stuck the plain pictures in the mail today.

December Photo Project: Day 12

"Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?"

At the last minute I remembered that I needed to prepare a treat for a party Doug and I were attending.  And thankfully I had all the ingredients for my grandmother's Date Balls.  Her-too would have been 85 yesterday, and she is especially missed during the holidays.