A confession:

If you are wondering how I have been able to blog almost every day for the last two weeks (during the busiest season of my year, especially THIS year!) I will tell you: I haven't!

I have been scheduling posts. (gasp!)

In an effort to keep caught up on the pictures I am taking, I have been blogging them when I have a *very few* spare moments (usually at night) and then scheduling them for a random day.

This is great because, frankly, I have been crazy busy with all sorts of endeavors and my blog would have stood empty otherwise (tragedy, I tell you.) It is NOT great because, well....

it makes my blog feel more like a business endeavor and less like a conversation.

It feels really nice to share something that is on my mind and get instant feedback from you gracious readers that leave me comments now and then- referring to what is on my mind at that precise moment. It is decidedly LESS cool to get comments on things you wrote about a week ago and feel nothing for at the present moment.

So. It is 1:00 in the afternoon- children are resting quietly for a wee bit and I am going to break the 'schedule' and blog real time.

Because~ I want to, that's why.

:-)

A few weeks ago our Friday night movie night consisted of three pizzas (we had company) and A Shine of Rainbows. It resulted in very few leftovers (the company was three children) and, for me, an infatuation with shawls. More specifically, this one:


Said infatuation resulted in immediate shawl replication plans.

I have never replicated anything crocheted from sight before and it may not be exact (no idea how to make those flowers) but it should be close enough to count. Now, if only I looked as good as her wearing it. Especially the scene where it is all wrapped around her head. *LOVE*

People in movies can pull ANYTHING off.

Homemade Wheat Thins (and my newest kitchen mate)

Several years now I have wanted a grainmill.

Several years now, my husband and I have argued back and forth as to which kind we ought to get.

I opted for the reliable, cheap one that was ELECTRIC (Nutrimill) because *I* am the one going to be grinding the flour after all and frankly *I* have enough to do than to grind wheat by hand. (read: Ain't happening.) And I didn't want to waste all sorts of money on the grinder then not be able to afford the wheat!

He wanted the crazy insane expensive one, made in Montana from all cast iron/metal parts that was hand-powered in case the electricity went out. He promised *he* would grind the flour. (right.)

And so for years, we went back and forth~ both of us RIGHT. (But me especially. ;-) ) And so...we never actually GOT one.

Well~ recently my dehydrator went kaput and for the first time ever (outside of trying to sell our bunnies) I went on Craigslist, thinking I might be able to replace it. (I can't live without dehydrating!) No such luck. Then, just for giggles, I searched for 'grain mill'.

And lo, and behold! found an old version of this one.

Manual AND electric.
Solidly built AND cheap.

It was a done deal.

The ONE day I go on Craigslist, the very thing we have wanted for years was up for grabs for a song!

Matt picked it up today and we celebrated by making Homemade Wheat Thins.

And they were deeeee-lish.

WERE being the operative word here.

Jalapeno Surprise

One of our egg customers left us a pleasant surprise in our cooler the other day~ beautiful jalapenos, enough for one batch of jelly.

All of our peppers (sweet and spicy) STUNK this year so that is one more batch than I thought we would get!


The quiet little moments of kindness are the ones that astound me most.

Infinity SOMETHING

Way back when I saw a tutorial for an infinity dress and saved the link for whenever I got the chance. Well, several months LATER.............

I *finally* 'got the chance'.

An hour later my love and I were heading out to an anniversary lunch and I very hastily decided THAT was the right moment to make it. Insane? I know.


I happened to have a bolt of knit fabric I got at Wal*Mart (5 yards, 5 bucks) that had been intended for this very purpose.

The result, after 20 minutes, was NOT a dress. At least, not on this 6 foot tall body. (Yes, I envy you short, petite and sweet people. I am working on it.)


On me, it is more like a.....uh......TUNIC. yeah. That's it.

But I like it anyhow.

I figure in the winter it would be kinda sweet (and warm) with a long sleeve black shirt underneath and a pair of jeans or leggings. Because those days are fast approaching...

The Readied School Room

Summertime is kind of a free for all in this house. I do what I must do (gardening, canning, yada yada yada) and the children can pretty much do what they want (puzzles, drawing, playing outside, making immense messes) with no schedule and very little oversight.

It works for us, all except one small little fact:

My school room is CONSTANTLY trashed. They 'create' in the schoolroom while I 'create' in the kitchen. Their idea of 'cleaning up' consists more of shoving scrap papers and gluesticks in every nook and cranny. puzzle pieces in piles and crayons under, over and around every.single.thing.

I wouldn't ordinarily show you the results of an entire summer of unsupervised creating, but you see.... I was DARED. You know who you are, Missy. Besides, a good "Before" and "After" always makes you feel good.

So I will mortify myself, humble myself publicly, and give you all a great big glaringly obvious proof that "HA! I DON'T DO IT ALL." Unless of course, 'doing it all' means living around a mess for an entire summer. In which case, I "do it all" rather WELL ifIdosaysomyself.

Before pictures:

*shudder*

*yes. I admit. I contribute to the mess-making merriment from time to time.*

*gasp!*

eek!

* and NO. I am not going to get a close up of the summers-worth of pizza night crumbs under that table or the milk stains atop it. I am not ready to be THAT humbled.*

Thanks to an rainy, dreary AWFUL week, you get a school room that is clean and readied for the fast approaching homeschool year but rather awful pictures of it. :-)


There was a loaded-to-the-brim basket of paintings, drawings, etc. in that corner before. I sorted through it, emptied it and put it back on top of the shelves where it belongs. The bulletin board is fresh and ready for new artwork! Yay!


I am *kind of* addicted to school supplies. Especially crafty stuff. ESPECIALLY when you can get them for pennies or free during back to school sales, which is the only time I get them. One thing I am passionate about is children having access to create WHENEVER, WHERE EVER, and with WHATEVER they can and part of that means always having ample supplies available to them. So I stock up on glue, crayons, colored pencils, scissors. paint and PLENTY of paper.

I don't think you can ever have too much. This basket is full of EXCESS stuff to be added as it is needed.



I took down the waterways poster, but kept up the human body stuff so that we can review it one more time at the beginning of the year.


You wouldn't believe how much JUNK I cleared from these shelves and then burned. It was a massive bonfire, you can be sure. wow.

*ahhhhhhhhhh. Refreshing.*

Now, if I only had my plans in order......

Foto Friday

I have been horrible about doing the weekly 'challenges' lately, and this week is no different. Too bad too, because last weeks SUNFLARE challenge, would have been really fun. It rained almost all week or was overcast or I was busy. SO it goes.

Thankfully, participating in the CHALLENGES isn't a requirement to participating in Foto Friday.


Here is my favorite photo for the week:

And here is one of my Adele' that I accidentally WAY overexposed but the result was an incredibly clear reflection of me in her eyes.

I realize that it is slightly freaky, but it is captivating to me as well. Kinda like a picture in a picture.

Looking forward to seeing more Foto Friday Favorites!

Winner #1: Our Peculiar Lives

This is one amazing photo. I want to sit right down and wait for the fairy tea to begin!

Winner #2 : Photos By Lindsey

Speaking of teaparties.... Um.... Can you be MY mom? What a delightfully sweet tea!

Thanks for all who participated last week! I love my weekly rounds!

Next Friday, join up with your favorite Foto of the week! It could be anything, really, or you could challenge yourself to snap a photo that "Reminds You of Childhood" in some way. ~See you then!

9 years ago today

Praying for many, many, many more.

At dusk

She tells the most emphatic stories.

Out to dry

When I designed a multi-level clothesline those four years ago, I had another little blondie in mind.


It does my heart good to have another little helper join in these days.

Feeling just a little bit reminiscent today.....



...and a tad bit emotional at the goodness of my life.

Penpals unite!

Thanks for all the feedback on my questions post! I remembered another question I had but I will ask it later. (That always happens...)

There was such a great response to my penpal idea that my children couldn't POSSIBLY write to everyone (sadly!) But that got me to thinking.....

If you are interested in getting a penpal for your child, email me with your child's name/age/gender and I will pool them together and pair them off! That way EVERYONE wins! Do give me your information please, if you are willing to commit to one mailing per month. I would hate for any children to be disappointed.

My email is sgrbear724@yahoo.com.

On Monday, I will pair off all the names and get the emails sent out. You can exchange your addresses with your partner privately. Sound good? Good!

Here's to good old snail mail! ;-)

Foto Friday Favorites

Well now! I have posted something EVERY DAY this week! I deserve some kind of award or something!!!!

Didn't get to any silhouettes this week~ too busy with the two c's of summer. Canning and Cleaning.

SO you instead get my favorites for the week. Oh my, I bust a gut every time I look at these pictures. It was the funniest afternoon.


I have this awful, hideous, old and dilapidated playpen on our patio for our Judahbear. It is positively the ONLY.WAY. I can garden. I tried having him down there with me and he nearly choked to death a handful of times before I gave up.

It isn't like the small, measly portapacks nowadays. There is room to stretch out in these. Or to play with Adele' when she inevitably climbs in. Truth is, Judah loves being in it, as long as he can watch people and be outside. And I *LOVE* it too, for the ease of mind it gives me, despite its hideousness.

So one afternoon, I am canning squash and look out and he is making the funniest face at me.


And I start laughing! Say something silly. Then get back to work.

A few minutes later, I glance out again:


ha! Too funny!

Back to work.

Then:



and again:



And I just about die laughing.

Because, as if the crazy faces weren't enough, in between each funny face, he stands up, throws his head back



and gives a deep belly rumble laugh.





What a game he had made!

How I love this boy.

Anyone else for sharing a favorite photo for the week? Come on....I know you want to.................

Remember to link directly to your Foto Friday POST! And try and share the comment love, ya'll.

My favorites from last week:

Winner #1: Terri at Hearts in Service

I can not even fathom getting this close to a deer. Or getting a shot this focused of a deer. I have tried. It doesn't work. (For me.) Totally impressed.

Winner #2: Lindsey at Lindsey Richmond Photography



What a great perspective this is shot from! And so crisp, lovely colors. Great job. Plus, I want ducks. ;-)

Next week's optional theme is....... SUN FLARE. You can do it, or you can not. No matter. But do come back and share your favorite photo for the week!