I've been wanting...

I've been wanting to tell you about all the wonderful things going on here... but I haven't seemed to be able to find the time! You see, we've been too busy picking bouquets of wild flowers, inhaling their light sweetness.

We've been too busy eating fresh cherries, just picked from the tree in our yard. Granted, they sure aren't sweet - they are very tart! - but they are fresh! And to get them the kids have to climb! You can't beat that!

We've been too busy chasing chipmunks and butterflies and watching the little brood of bluebirds, now that they've ventured from their hidden nest. They flit from branch to ground, from ground to limb, learning how to catch bugs and delight their eager observers.

We've been too busy reading books and riding bikes, weeding the garden and harvesting it's goodness.

We've been too busy watching the fireflies and gazing at twinkling stars.

We've been too busy enjoying life!!

Hope you are enjoying yours!

Joys of June

With the warm days of June have come many delights that have filled our waking moments, and even infiltrated our sleepy nights! First, my favorite: the Multiflora Roses! I know - they are invasive and tough as all get out to remove, but MY! the fragrance is intoxicatingly sweet! Earlier in the spring, I thought nothing was better than the lilacs. Then the honeysuckle. But now, unquestionably, the roses are my favorite. All roses should smell as sweet!

Other delights that have flown in on the wings of June are the humming birds, the oriole that sings from the top of the cottonwood tree, the flying gems or butterflies that flit too and fro across the yard. And don't forget the fireflies that silently blink in the night!

And thunderstorms! I love the earthshaking booms that rattle the windows and make everyone jump! The brilliant flashes of lightning that strobe across the sky! The torrential rains that pour from the sky! The kids are gradually beginning to enjoy them, shakily casting aside their fears to behold the wonder and the power of the Almighty!

Then, delights from our garden have started finding their way to our table - green onions, fresh lettuce, swiss chard. Yum!

And the best delights are the shining faces and goofy grins of my wondrous children as they romp and play outside, their creative imaginations running wild!

Welcome, summer!!!

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Yeah, that's me! Here I am today... but its anyone's guess when I'll be back! The daylight hours are shortening as the daily activities are increasing.

Lets see, we've been CANNING like CRAZY! In the past I've canned peaches and apples sauce. Maybe the occasional batch of dilly beans. Really, not much more than that! This year we've been dabbling in LOTS of things: Tomatoes, Spaghetti Sauce, Corn, Black Cherry Juice, More Tomatoes, LOTS of Dilly Beans, too many Pickles, Wild Plum Jelly... it has been fun! I'm also experimenting with drying things like green beans, zucchini/summer squash, and lots of leafy things. We're looking forward to making another BIG batch of sauerkraut, hopefully at the end of the month. We've tried lacto fermenting plums (!), tomatoes, cucumber slices, celery, radishes, garlic... I can't think of what else. I'm looking forward to trying turnips!

The kids are riding bikes, and running around outside like wild indians. Today they made fishing poles and bows and arrows; who knows what it will be tomorrow! We're trying to incorporate some steady schooling, but I confess that with all the harvesting the most we do on some days is read together.

And, much to my discouragement and frustration, my nemesis has returned. I had the upper hand for about 2-3 weeks... and then I don't know what happened! Now I'm swamped with two loads on the line (it is 9:00 and they are going to stay there til tomorrow), innumerable loads of dirty laundry lurking in the far corners of the bedrooms, two loads that need to be folded (in addition to the two on the line), and this one basket full of rags washcloths, dish towels and the like that need to be put away downstairs... but the basket keeps walking upstairs!!! (By now you're probably wondering how we can own so much laundry - and still have extras to wear! I wonder that, too!)

In spite of all that lurking laundry, the days have been lovely! Golden sunshine streaming through the trees, their green leaves just beginning to be edged with the colors that Autumn will unveil. We live in wine country and the vines are laden with their fragrant grapes - we are eager to take the kids picking so they can be surrounded by the heady fragrance (and so we can have grape pie!!). The crickets still chirrup at night and the blue birds still dance from tree branch to the ground and back again - one of my favorite sights! And the golden rod, lovely golden rod! I'm so glad I don't have allergies! Smelling a full stalk of golden rod is like inhaling the scent of honey!

We sure are enjoying the last not-so-lazy days of summer!

The Mind of a Male

I never had brothers. I never saw the crazy things boys build, the crazy things boys do, the confident walk that proves boys think they are invincible. I never saw a baby boy turn into a toddler, turn into a young boy, turn into a mini-man, turn into a young man, and then into a real man; I've only seen what a real man looks like - just look at the Carpenter. But, I didn't see what it took to make him that way. Now, I've heard stories. Lot of them. Stories that make me shake my head, marveling that the Carpenter is even alive today.

And, now I have two boys. They are both as different as night and day, yet as alike as two peas in a pod. And they are both absolutely different from Abigail... and even more different than me!

Today I caught a glimpse of what I'm in for. Now, mind you, Phinehas is only four. We took a trip down to the neighbors lovely pond after lunch for a wear-you-out-swim before nap time. Into the back of the Suburban went Abbi's and Phin's bikes. Once we got to the neighbor's l-o-n-g driveway, we stopped, got the kids' bikes out and let them ride. They did wonderfully! Then, after our swim, we told Abbi and Phin to ride back up the driveway. I won't tell you about Abbi's ride, but suffice it to say it was very... girly (emotional, challenging, and pretty slow). Well, Phin on the other hand, took off like a shot. When he got to an incline that was a bit of a challenge he jumped off his bike and, running, pushed i til he reached more level ground. Then on again, and off like a rocket. Well, he kept going (we were following in the Suburban). And he kept going. He passed the neighbor's house and kept going. I was starting to get a little nervous. "I don't think he is going to stop, Andrew! Would he really be so foolish as to try and ride home?" Well, he kept going... and Andrew stepped on the gas and whistled for Phin. Fortunately, Phin heard the whistle and responded because, sure enough! Home is where he was headed.

He had no doubt in his little mind that he could conquer riding down the road to our place. You could see that, in his estimation, he was (is) invincible!

Oh, boy! Hang on, mama! Its going to be a l-o-n-g ride!!

Busy as Bees

Wow! This past week seems to have flown by! We made jars and jars of pickles - a batch of regular ol' bread and butters and a whole bunch of lacto-fermented pickles. I'm very excited about those. They are so easy! Basically, you add whatever herbs and spices you want (garlic, onion, mustard seeds, hot pepper flakes, dill, etc.) to the bottom of the jars. Then you pack in sliced cukes (you could use small pickling cukes, but I didn't have small ones so I sliced them a bit less than 1/8" thick with a food processor). Pack them in TIGHT!!! You can cram a LOT! After the jar is full, pour a brine (pre-made with 1 1/4 Tbsp sea salt per quart of water) over top the cukes, release air bubbles, put lids on and loosely tightened rings and let set for a few days at room temperature. I recommend putting old news papers under the jars as a lot of juices will escape - especially in this warm weather!! After a few days, move to cool storage (a cellar would do wonderfully!) Before I moved the 1st batch to cool storage I opened the jars, pushed down the cukes and added a bit of brine to make sure they were totally under water; put the lids and rings back on and wait 4-6 weeks before eating!

How simple can it be!!!

Lets see... we also made pesto; Abbi made biscuits; I made corn-bread with freshly milled corn and wheat (It was AMAZING!!!!); we picked the first beans from our garden; the kids read poems about some wildflowers that are in bloom, found the flowers, then drew them; I went swimming almost every day (SO much better than running - which I don't do. Ever.); Andrew fixed Annie's roof; we played outside; built train tracks; tortured the kittens; and a bunch of other things that I can't remember!!! Today, we're going to make a big crock of sauerkraut! Some friends of ours gave us 18-20 cabbages; we're going to make the sauerkraut and give them back half. I think that is a GREAT deal!

Speaking of kittens, MooShoo passed on. We don't really know what happened, but Andrew found him Satruday morning, unconscious in the driveway. He didn't last long. We had a funeral for him; Abigail wrote his name on a rock with bright blue chalk - to match the color of his eyes. Now, ChowMein and Elroy are absolutely the best of pals! They are like Milo and Otis, playing, sharing food, chasing each other around. Actually, ChowMein is usually the instigator! Elroy follows his lead.

Another sad thing happened: two of our chickens, Gertrude and Josie, mysteriously disappeared. One evening, they just didn't come home! We're still hoping that they might show up, but as time goes on, the chances of that happening are less and less.

So, that is a bit of what we've been doing!

Incredible!

Our neighbor has a lovely pond out behind his house, tucked amongst some trees. It is fairly hidden from view of anyone - a beautiful, calm, quiet spot. The water is clear; gazing into it you can see scores of Sally and Mander's cousins (remember our newts from this spring?) Frogs chirrup and croak along the edge of the water, jumping in as soon as someone steps too close. Above the water, myriad damsel flies hover and swoop. They are the most brilliant turquoise blue, like little flying jewels, delicate yet bold. There are larger dragon flies with buzzing wings that dart from shore to shore. Along the edge grow wild flowers: Queen Anne's Lace, Crown Vetch, Bird's Foot Trefoil, even Forget-me-nots. Swallows swoop right down to the water, gobbling up tasty bugs, then swooping high up into the air only to turn and come back for a second course.

Yesterday we all went down there for an afternoon dip. The children giggled and squealed, splashed and kicked. I got to take off across the pond for a nice swim. It was so incredible to have my eyes skimming right along the surface of the water viewing the damsel flies, the swallows, and the flowers from an entirely new perspective. It makes me stand in utter awe of the Creator - He who created vast mountain ranges... yet attends to the minutest detail on a brilliant turquoise insect; He who filled the oceans deep... yet fills hidden ponds with treasures waiting to be discovered by eager children; He who created all of humanity... yet formed and fashioned me, knowing the depths of my heart better than I. Incredible, Amazing, Wonderful Lord, worthy, so worthy of all my praise and adoration! Incredible!

Whew!

Wow! I feel like I've been running around for the past few weeks like a chicken with its head chopped off! For the past three weekends we've taken some mini trips with Annie (the Duck Bus), coming home in time for us to get our vegetables from our crop share we are a part of, to do laundry, to repack Annie and be off again! I'm ready to stay home for a couple of weeks - long enough to put a new roof on Annie, put up some summer veggies, visit with people around home, and plan for our next adventure. Anyone want some visitors?

So, what HAVE we been doing? Well, we visited great-grandparents that first weekend (you saw a few pictures from that!) The next weekend was SO FUN! We journeyed to PA and went camping with three other couples and their kids. We were at a private little camp-site that was right on a lovely little river. Tall trees grew up along the banks of the cool river; the bottom was mostly soft, slimy clay that the kids coated themselves with! One of the other ladies and I rode little floaty tubes down the river - we saw so many different kinds of dragonflies and birds. The air was pleasantly warm and the water perfectly cool so that we could have floated forever with out a shiver! I hadn't had that much fun since I don't know when!

We cooked meals over the fire, roasted marshmallows, drank campfire coffee, talked, laughed and enjoyed watching the kids be kids! It was wonderful!

We came home late Monday night (it is NICE to travel in an RV! The kids can eat, sleep, and be merry with no problem at all!) and turned around and pulled out again on Thursday for a mid-summer get together with all of Andrew's family. We did have a good time!

Now we are home. This morning (you won't believe this) the kids ALL slept til NOT 6:30 (the usual), NOT 7:30 (the occasional treat), but til 8:30!!! We (the kids and I) took the day off and did not much more than laundry and lounging - Abigail listened to Black Beauty for 2-3 hours, and only stopped because I mandated it.

And now, they are all in bed... and I soon to follow!

Date Night

Here's a new one: Worm Catching.

Yup! The Carpenter... uh... King Worm Catcher and his Lady Robin just got in from hunting Night Crawlers! Golly, I've not done this since I was a kid (and then only once!) I couldn't believe how FAST those suckers were! 3 or 4 would be visible under the light of the flashlight and as soon as you reached for one ZOOM! they were GONE! And when you did grab one, my goodness, they're LONG!

Anyway, that was fun. Next time we'll make it a family event; I'm sure you'll hear giggles and squeals clear across the country!

Photo Extravaganza

At long last I am posting some pictures of our recent past! Below you will see Phin's wound (the stitches are now out) our garden, my modest beginnings at "Preserving Food Without Canning or Freezing", my drying rack (made by the Carpenter), and some photos from our resent maiden voyage with Annie, the Duck Bus. Hope you enjoy! In no particular order...

Phin's Wound - pre stitches

My Drying Rack - with celery leaves spread atop

Preserving Food!!!

(Back Row) "Rumtopf", Dandelion Wine, Swiss Chard Ribs (SCR), SCR, SCR

(Row of 1 qt Jars) Black Raspberries in Brandy, Sauerkraut, Radishes, Celery, (little jar) SCR

(Pint jar in front) Broccoli Stem Kraut!

Lilly Digging

Garden View

Potatoes in Sacks

Calendula About to Bloom

Wind Swept

Dirt Eater

Garden View 2

The following pictures are from "Camp" - Andrew's Grandma's little home up on Lake Ontario.

And these are from "Schroon Lake," where my grandparents live during the summer.

Annie, the Duck Bus

Annie, the Duck Bus

Meet Annie, the new addition to our family – named by Abigail, of course. We picked her up yesterday and brought her home. She is a Mallard Sprinter – hence “Duck Bus.” Today, the Carpenter has become the Mechanic and is changing filters, sparkplugs, and a bunch of other things I know nothing about. Both Phin and Abbi are trying to help now and again: “Phin, hand me that filter.” “What filter?” “The thing I gave to you a little while ago!” “I don’t know where it is.” “Find it!” “Oh. Is this it?” “Yes, son. Thank you.” In a couple weeks we are going to take a trial trip up to Lake Ontario to visit G-G (Great Grandma). The kids have been told that, yes, they can be excited about a trip to “Camp” but that they need to NOT whine or beg about wanting to go sooner. Their solution? “Elroy [the dog]! Do you wanna go to camp TOMORROW?! Yeah, boy! Sure you do! Mama, Elroy wants to go to camp TOMORROW!” Hmph.

On a different note, after we had been singing on the car ride home from getting Annie, I got all teary eyed when Abigail said, “Mama, if you were silent for 100 years but you were still alive that whole time, I would really miss your voice.”

Random Ramblings

You'd think that since I now have more regular internet access I would post my rambling thoughts more often. I guess not. But here are a few of them, in no particular order:

Summer snow: The cottonwood fluff floating on the warm breeze, sticking to wet, dewy feet in the morning sunlight. I like this snow!

Multiflora Rose: Invasive, persistent, threaded with thorns, choking out other life... but such a heady scent! I can't bring myself to dislike this glorious plant! Now it blossoms in splendor; in the autumn it will be laden with tiny hips, tart on the tongue, full of goodness.

Ice Cream: Whoever invented it was a genius. I hope he died fat and happy.

Lady's Smock: That white and purple fragrant flower that we all call wild phlox. I've had armloads of them brought to me by the children! And there is even one persistent plant growing high up in the crotch of a tree! We had fun imagining the fairies planting it... or the chipmunks... or the birds... or the wind.

Orioles and Full Moons: Last week we had a full moon. The nights were crystal clear and when the moon was at its highest the quiet night was shattered by the voice of the oriole we have nesting in a nearby tree! Incredible music. Breathtaking. Clear, simple, pure, lovely!

Anniversary Apricots: Yesterday was our anniversary! The Carpenter and his wife have been married for 8 years; each grows sweeter than the last. To celebrate we had "Anniversary Apricots" - apricots soaked in brandy with pieces of vanilla intermingled in the jar. They sat for two months; it really was a coincidence that they were ready on our anniversary, but we took advantage of it! They are yummy. Not something that you would necessarily crave and want to consume vast quantities of (like the afore mentioned ice cream). But they are refreshing! If you come and visit, we'll share!

Well, that is all for now, except for a quaint little funny that Abigail said earlier today:

Twice today our Suburban would not start; the battery is old and lacking. So, after the second time, Abigail declared that "Papa needs to get us a new battery. He can get rid of the old one and put the new, baby one in and it can grow up to be BIG and STRONG!!"