Grains of Sand

FOR TODAY July 31, 2012 Outside my window... summer sun, sparrows and sun-kissed children. I am thinking... that today is the last day of July and tomorrow starts the celebration of my birthday month! I am thankful... for my vulnerabilities. In the kitchen... there is no milk, eggs, bread, oatmeal or cheese.  Can you guess what some of my plans for the week will be? I am wearing... a black tank top and very old gray shorts because today is a cleaning day and you need to be comfy to clean efficiently.  :) I am creating... a grocery list. I am going... to see what's growing in the garden today. I am wondering... why two of my evergreens are dying.  Possibly from drought, but I've been watering them.  :( I am reading... Captivating , The Uncommon Woman and historical fiction books on my Nook. I am hoping... the laundry will clean and fold itself. I am looking forward to... watching some olympic swimming today. I am learning... to make lists to keep me on t...

I thought it was a garden gnome's job to protect and enhance the garden.  I dare say these two are not doing such a good job.

FOR TODAY July 23, 2012 Outside my window... beautiful sunshine, not a cloud in the sky and I can see my new red outdoor lanterns that make me smile. I am thinking... of the weekend.  My husband and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary over the weekend.  Amazing how much our lives have changed since we said "I do". I am thankful... (okay there is a running theme in my head) for my husband and sweetheart of 16 years. In the kitchen... yummy coffee in my cup and a refill in the carafe. I am wearing... tank top and shorts, perfect attire for a near 100 degree day. I am creating... I have to shake my head at this one because most of the time it makes me feel un-inspired.  I don't have 'crafting' hobbies and therefore am usually only creating clean and organized spaces that are not much fun to blog about.  With that being said, my summer project is to purge the basement of unwanted items and organize what's left. I am going... to the eye doctor today w...

FOR TODAY July 9, 2012 Outside my window... sun is high in a beautiful blue sky with big white puffy clouds. I am thinking... of adventure. I am thankful... for modern conveniences such as a washing machine, dishwasher, air conditioner and coffee maker.  These items have made my day a bit more pleasant today. In the kitchen... fresh veggies from our garden and the CSA I'm participating in. I am wearing... a teal tank top and denim shorts. I am creating... a blog post.  ;) I am going... to give 100% of myself today. I am wondering... what to prepare for a snack or dessert for two wonderful ladies tomorrow night. I am reading... at least one book every three days.  Yay for summer reading time! I am hoping... summer will slow down and stick around for a while. I am looking forward to... enjoying many more sunsets with my family. I am learning... many interesting historical facts from the historical fiction books I've read in the past few days. Around the...

I talked about getting Mason's hair cut this week so I thought I'd give you some before and after pictures...but first a few words.  My dad used to cut all the kids hair.  In fact he cut my hair all my life up until about a year ago.  We were lucky enough to have him give Mason his first haircut.  Sometimes he would look at Mason's hair and just shake his head or smile and then say something about all the cowlick's on Mason's head.  He's got at least three.  One strong one in front and two in back that are side by side and swirl in opposite directions.  (What's a mom to do with that?!)  I say this in a joking way, but I'm pretty sure my dad was afraid to cut Mason's hair and that is one of the reasons he passed away so soon.  God had mercy on him.  :)  I bet every time Mason gets his hair cut now God will nudge dad in that inside joke kind of way.  ♥ before: after:

Early Sunday morning we roused our sleepy kids from their cozy beds, packed the van with the essential diaper bag and water bottles and headed into farm country for breakfast on the farm. Upon arrival we boarded the horse drawn carriage and were delivered to the breakfast queue.  Our breakfast was served by friendly people with ready smiles and consisted of a generous helping of ham and cheese omelets, porkies (sausage links), deep-fried cheese curds, cinnamon rolls, bagels and cream cheese, yogurt, milk and cheese and cheese and more cheese!  We found a seat under the big blue and white striped tent and began eating the large breakfast.  I learned that eating down-wind of the cow barn isn't pleasant and is rather tricky to keep your appetite, but I soon dug in and filled my tummy in spite of the aroma.   I ate more cheese at this breakfast than I had in the past two weeks, but it was oh so goo...

FOR TODAY June 4, 2012 Outside my window... clear blue sky and kids waiting for the schoolbus! I am thinking... of all the chores I'd like to get done today. I am thankful... that my kiddos and I are already done with school. In the kitchen... amish cinnamon bread, pb&j for lunch and dinner is TBD. I am wearing... black shorts and blue t-shirt.  Guess you could say I'm black & blue all over. I am creating... wonderful memories with my family. I am going... to enjoy my quiet time out on the patio this week. I am wondering... why I can't get more coverage of the French Open on television.  Oh I could if I wanted to pay extra for the tennis channel but come on!  ESPN did such a good job too.  I miss it. I am still reading... The Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman.  Also reading The Vegetable Gardener's Bible by Edward C. Smith I am hoping... to finish my chores early in the week so I can dedicate much of my freetime to read...