Bow Hunter in Training

Dylan is counting down the days until he turns twelve and is able to go elk hunting. Seeing this one sealed the deal! He's ready to go pick out his bow right now.

More Yard Stuff

Luke said he wouldn't be happy until we had a fence. He's been working on it non-stop, and it is looking great. It will provide some much needed privacy, and now I feel like I can start filling in the flower beds. What a difference it makes!


The garden is doing so well! We have been eating beets, peas, zucchini, squash, chard, basil, thyme, carrots...you get the idea. We even have a few new potatoes. Yummy.


The orchard is doing great, too. We have been spoiled with handfuls of ripe raspberries. Watching Izzy and Dylan picking them, laughing with each other...priceless.


The trees are full of peaches, plums, pears, and a variety of apples. Also, if you look closely, you can see that we actually have grapes this year! It seems all the waiting is worth it, after all!


Man, I love summer.

Indulge

I think everyone has one item that they'd really love to have, but don't get because it isn't sensible. My friend and I were trying to figure out what our item would be, and I have settled on mine. The Patagonia Merino classic hoody.

I know I should direct my thoughts toward world peace or something profound, but I'm talking about getting in your car right now, driving to a store, and buying that one thing you've always wanted.

So I'm dying to know...what would you buy?

Summer Swimming

2 hours at the pool + 1 good dinner = sleepy kids!

Hindsight is 20/20

After dinner last night, I asked the kids to please take the butter into the house before it melted (we usually eat out on the deck, and yesterday was pretty toasty). I wanted to do a couple things in the garden before I cleared the table and headed inside to do dishes. I finished what I needed to do in the garden and smiled as I walked onto the deck, noticing that Izzy and Dylan had cleared the entire table for me. Then I walked into the kitchen and found that they had rinsed the dishes, as well. I was also surprised to find the leftover pasta salad in a storage container in the fridge. And I didn't even have to ask! Honestly, if I had known how nice it was to have help with something that simple, I would have done it a lot more as a kid.

I bet you wish I could have learned that lesson about twenty years ago, right, mom?

Neighborhood Play

Last night, we had the chance to see the kids perform The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Our darling neighbor Annie had the fabulous idea to put it all together. She wrote a hilarious script and practiced with the kids every night. Everyone did a great job. All of the kids had their lines memorized and delivered them perfectly. The costumes were great. It was so much fun to watch, and it was easy to see that the kids enjoyed every minute of it. We were so proud of them, and I think each one of them walked away from this project a little more self-confident. It was evident on each of their faces. Annie is one of those people that you just know is going to do great things...I can't wait to say "I knew her when..."

The cast:



Three ugly trolls:



Three darling goats:

Recycle

We got one of those cute little gazebo things a couple seasons ago. You know, the square ones that have the fabric cover that you can buy at home improvement stores? Well, an unexpected snow storm hit and weighed the poor little thing down until it was drooping to the top of my head. I thought the best way to solve the problem was to take a broom and hit the snow off from the bottom, thus saving the day. It seemed brilliant, and I was quite proud of myself. That is, until I poked the broom right through the fabric. I'd give a thousand bucks to be able to see the look on my face...I was truly shocked. Luke was sweet and laughed when I called to tell him. He said he wanted to build something permanent, anyway. So, he did end up building the permanent cover, and it's fabulous.
Long story short, Luke saved the metal frame from the gazebo. It's just been sitting in the basement waiting for him to think of a great way to use it. And he did! Kelly gave us some hops, and we planted some morning glory in our planter box. If all goes well, both will grow up the divider and give us some shade. What a smart boy I married.