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Monday, July 20, 2009

how does this garden grow?


 

I am continually amazed at the handiwork of the Lord. I really don't know how these have gotten to be so large and prolific. All I have done is put a few things in place and then just watch the Lord make miracles happen.
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The creator of us all can do more and do things better than I ever could. I am in awe at His power. I need a small piece of that to be the influence for good to others that I am to this garden. I am asking myself, what can I put in place so that the Lord can take relationships and make them flourish? What things do I need to do daily and weekly that will help the things that matter much more to me than a garden get the same or better results? . . . the lessons learned from the garden. . . .

Saturday, July 18, 2009

creative homemade activities


It has been so fun having my Cowgirl daughter home during the summer. We surprised MyGirl with a partial bedroom makeover on Thurs. night while she was at church by making new floral wall decor to replace the vinyl circles and squares she considers too modern for her current style. I painted, Cowgirl no-sewed and we had so much fun. The day before we had played Scrabble to the point of laughing so hard bathroom breaks were in order shortly thereafter. Breathless laughter and the high pitched giggle of a 21 year old are just as much fun as with a 5 year old. I miss her but am glad for the fun we are creating while she's here. We've been creating all kinds of fun since she's been here. . . camping soup recipes, quiet time for just the two of us to chat, ways to play for not a lot of money, domestic bliss, and arts and crafts too






Yesterday we picked raspberries and then made homemade raspberry ice cream, using PioneerWomen's recipe for Blackberry ice cream. . . OH MY! It was so rich and good. I better not make it too often for fear of addiction, but it was melt-in-your-mouth wonderful and raspberries aren't even my favorite fruit!
We're reading Harry Potter 7 since movie 6 leaves you wanting to resolve all the issues, and we're not good at waiting. Cowgirl, BigBuddy, and I have already read it, but not the youngest two, so that's been fun to share it with them. Creating suspense and anticipation - JK Rowling is a master, is she not?
Picking zucchini and tomatoes every day now feels like the height of creative fruition. I think I shall always have to garden every year from this point forward. I have LOVED it so much. These were the pickings MyMike pulled off today. And, speaking of MyMike, yesterday we celebrated 22 years together. He reminded me in the morning that I have now spent as much of my life with him as without. It just gets better through the years and I am so grateful to be able to create a marriage that has lasted. Of all the creative endeavors, this is one I cherish the most!
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Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Creativity

Creativity . . .
Where has it gone??? I just don't spend much time scrapbooking or card making or creating a wonderful new recipe or repurposing something or anything very creative.
It's summer. I expect a few days of R&R but they're coming in one hour time segments at the end of the day when I'm just too tired.
I signed up for a FREE photography class, but I've only made time once in the past two weeks to even open up the camera case. Fortunately, its saved on-line. I will get to it eventually.


Today, the fish LittleBuddy caught last night, made it onto my digital screen. It's LittleBuddy's first official all-by-himself-no-adults-needed and it stayed on the hook. It had to be remembered! And, there is a story to tell there. Its in a ziploc that I brought because I had faith all along that he would catch a fish, and so he puts it in the bag next to me and goes back to try to catch another. MyMike and I are on a park bench relaxing, chatting, watching the kids, and the bag starts to jump. I was out of that bench so fast and on the other side of Mike, and of course, he just quietly chuckled. Then a few minutes later, it jumps off the bench and onto the ground, which is just fine with me, because it keeps startling me. And basically its supposed to be dead and its still alive. . . I mean, Really! That's startling! Then a couple is walking by and it jumps again. They jumped. I, of course, am still jumping, but not off the bench by this time, and as I explain its my son's first fish, they make some comment about how completely unexpected that was and that was going to give them a heart attack. Mike's getting in a lot of chuckles. Well, welcome to my world. Where the unexpected reigns and where hearts jump regularly as a little boy delights in watching me jump several times a week as he jumps out at me when I least expect it. How could I expect his first fish to do less?? AND, Who knew that the highlight of my day was a jumping ziploc carried home by a little boy who waited all weekend to go and catch THAT fish.
This is my creative life. I am writing it down to remember it, and loving having it in my memory. Someday I'll document it in a creative way. For now, just living is all I can do, and gratefully, I still get to!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Hooray for America





Tomorrow is the 4th. . . where did the year go??? Looking forward to having MyGirl home again tomorrow after a week at girl's camp. She called today and sounded so happy. She said it was her best week since being a 1st year - how glad I am!!! Can't wait to just sit and listen to all the tales. Its fun to look at pics from last year. . . every year is a little different and every year has some of the same traditions too. No waffles this year, but saving blueberries and strawberries for dessert on top of homemade vanilla ice cream instead.

Today our long weekend started. Just having MyMike home felt like a holiday. I was on the go at 8am and only stopped in for short stops the rest of the day. Painting has begun inside. Can't wait for the baseboards to really look white again! My favorite activity of the day, taking LittleBuddy to the lake with MyMike for fishing. This photo is old, but it is the same place we went tonight. We went after dinner and spent a couple of hours there. So wished I'd remembered to bring my camera because as we left to head back to the car, a million fireflies were blinking in and out of the woods. It was like a Disney ride in the dark, lights flickering eerily and also in perfect synchronicity. . . such a magical moment - gotta remember it! And, LittleBuddy caught three fish, and they ALL got away. . . the stories he'll tell someday. As his hand grows, the bigger the stories will be too :-)
I'm continually reminded that I live in such freedom because I was blessed to be born in America. I just can't express enough my appreciation for all those who have paved the way with blood and tears for me to live this life I live. God Bless America, my home sweet home!