This Monday is about over and I am beat

Outside my window the sun is shining brightly through the clouds that scud across the sky. The natives keep assuring me that fall is approaching. I am a bit skeptical since temps keep soaring into the 90s. I guess the weather and our perceptions of it are completely subjective.

I am wearing denim shorts and a blue tee shirt. 

I am sitting here in the cool basement listening to Home Free and the sounds of the little people playing. 

I am reading You Are Enough by Danielle Bean. It is a surprisingly good read. Being one of those people who has always struggled with self worth and self confidence this book has given me a lot to think about.

I am making big plans to do some baking this week. We have been making a concerted effort to fill the freezer and shelves in the pantry in preparation for the projected shortages that are coming. Nothing unusual in a late summer and early fall spent putting away all the food we can for the winter. This habit has been a yearly thing since I was a little kid. I am certain that my siblings and I cut our teeth on canning jar lids. I am sure that my own offspring have their own collection of memories involving bushels of tomatoes, beans, corn and other produce. Did I mention that there is a pig fated for the slaughterhouse and 1/4 of a cow has been ordered. 

I am planning on finishing the cleaning after these little people leave then spending the rest of the week sewing. 

 Some pictures from the past week.

Every morning I get to watch these turkeys wander about the field eating. Every time I send a pic to my son, Jason, he sends back a pic of a turkey all roasted on a platter. 

Last week Uncle had a load going to Upstate New York. He took advantage of the trip to spend some time on the farm visiting the littles and their parents.

My heart swells with love and pride to see my kids enjoying each other's company. 

While the rest of us spend our days working out our salvation this little man's only chore is to grow. 

I simply missed a Monday there.

 

Outside my window it is cloudy, muggy and looking more and more like a storm is on its way. Mornings are cooler, longer these days. Maybe the fallish time of year is on its way. 

I am wearing green shorts and my favorite yucky green shirt. It is Monday morning after all and that is the time to be yucky and get things done. I am a stickler for doing things on certain days and then calling it done until the next certain day rolls around. If that makes sense to anyone then you have a good glimpse into the working of my mind.

I am reading nothing at this time. I have a 2000 piece puzzle started which takes all my reading time.

Believe it or not I have no meals planned to the coming week. For some reason the usual part of me that is compelled to do such planning is silent this morning. Hooray for silence!

Last weekend we went for a train ride on the Hiwassee Loop. One of the attractions on the way there was the home of Mayfield Farms ice cream. They grow some seriously large cows down here in the south.

One of my favorite activities is to pick a direction and take a drive. Finding ruins and exploring them used to be a favorite thing for Doug and I to do. Last week I did just that and found this dam and the ruins of an old grist mill. I have a great deal of admiration for the men of old. Seeing the stones stacked up to for this dam is something that doesn't happen nowadays. Another sight that I admire, which I have no pictures of, is the cuts that the train we rode through. The men who cut through the mountain in order to lay the track were not only resourceful but determined. There was literally only enough room for the train to pass in some places. Had I been so inclined I could have reach out and touched the rock on either side of the train.

MK flew to NY to spend her vacation time between semesters. Wednesday I drove into Knoxville to pick her up at the airport. A picture of these bears is my only take away from that trip. 

A trip to Lowes netted us this air filled source of fun. It makes me laugh to see the kids going up and down and having such a great time. Even Noah Ben Ben got a chance with the help of Annie.

Yesterday, in spite of the heat and humidity and threat of rain we all went out to play mini golf. This little guy turned out to be a boss on the golf course. 

Uncle showing the littles how it is done. What a blessing to have an Uncle who hasn't forgotten what it's like to be a kid.

After a whole weekend of fun this little guy needs his sleep. Keeping up with your siblings can be a tiring thing. 
So here we are back on a Monday with loads of memories in the books and happy times spent with family. Does it get any better than this?

Simply living

Outside my window it is hot and muggy! If I didn't know how to spell that phrase before moving to TN I would have soon learned it after. The city is out paving the highway near our house so it will be a stay inside kind of day.

I am wearing my nightgown, still. Today is a slow moving kind of day. The house is clean enough and the laundry is going. There's really no hurry about getting myself dressed for the day.

Yesterday Matthew and Jason prepared a sumptuous repast yesterday and there was a birthday dinner the day before so I am pleased to say that there are enough leftovers for at least today. 

I am thinking that I was born in the wrong time. Last week I drove to Bryson City, NC for a few days away. The pull of a ride on the railroad was more than I could resist, so I didn't. Pulled by a steam engine and punctuated by the frequent sound of the whistle, I rode through the lush forest and by the rushing river. I closed my eyes and imagined a country as yet unsettled. A gentleman on the train entertained the passengers with tales of long dead settlers and the faint cries of the Cherokee as they traveled the trail of tears away from their homeland. Since the builders tried as best they could to follow the river's path when laying the tracks it was easy to look out through the trees and imagine settlers struggling through dense forest and down rushing rivers.
 

Then there are the mountains. They are ever present and worthy of all the adjectives that have been used to describe them. When I stand in the presence of such vastness I wonder about the God who fashioned them. The contrast between the strong peaks and the delicate flowers that grow on their sloped is an assurance that He will not neglect one of His own.

A Simply Glorious Monday

 

Outside my window it is cloudy and muggy. Uncle is cutting pieces of rebar for the front retaining wall and otherwise making a big noise. 

I am wearing denim shorts and a green t shirt. 

I am thinking about taking an adventure this week. I have two nights booked at a hotel in NC and tickets to ride on the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad. 

On the menu for tonight will be a stir fry using fresh beans, greens, tomatoes, and herbs from the garden along with some sausage. 

A few pictures to share:

Yesterday Matthew and I met some people from church at the range and spent a fun hour honing our drawing and firing skills. Matthew is trying to establish a once a month thing with a group of folks who are like minded. 

Bottoms up, Teddy! He was determined to get into Noah's saucer.

Now that the high heat and humidity seems to be moderating Uncle is graciously working to finish the retaining wall out front. First step, cut the rebar into useful lengths.

Next drive them into the ground inside the cement blocks and pour the cement in. I will be very happy when this job is completed. Once we backfill and smooth things off I won't be using the lawnmower to level the ground. 

Last week Nate had a birthday. His parents got him a skateboard so what else would grandma get but protective gear. I love this boy so much,

A part of Nate's birthday celebration was to take him to the county fair and watch the truck and tractor pull. His dad was bummed that a Dodge won overall. This tractor nearly knocked the fence over. 

While Jason is out in the driveway working on his truck the boys spent time working on their Jeep. I love to see them admiring their dad so and trying to be just like him. He's a good man boys. You couldn't find a better example.

Teddy and Ferdinand are getting to be good buddies. He likes to pull grass and feed it to "Nand."

Goofy animal! He follows me everywhere when I go over there. 

This past spring I bought four hibiscus roots. Three prospered and are now flowering. I cannot explain why this lovely bloom enchants me so but looking at them open each morning is a sure sign of hope. 

And some weeks I just live...

Outside my window the atmosphere seems to be purging itself of all the moisture that has accumulated in the past couple of weeks. I have recently become resigned to the presence of weeds in my gardens. I abhor being soaked in sweat thus you will not find me in the gardens when the temperature hovers in the 90's with dew points above 60 degrees.

I am wearing an orange tunic with black bike shorts and a brown hoodie. Don't ask and you won't actually know how strange I am.

I am reading (again) The Mindful Catholic. Slower this time with a resolve to really learn to be more mindful.

My plans for the rest of the day include things like reading, sewing, thinking, and generally staying in out of the rain.

Picture thoughts I am sharing...

I have to laugh at the memories that pop up on FB. This was Layn 10 years ago. I took him for his first haircut. He was a good boy and sat very still. Judging by the look on his face I think he actually wondered what Grandma was all excited about. Now he is twelve and those eyes are just as expressive as ever. 

Another picture that popped up in my memories last week. Papa just loved being with his grands. 

Speaking of haircuts. The Tennessee boys had haircuts this past weekend. Nate is a veteran of trips to the barbershop. He sits still like the good boy he is.

Theodore on the other hand, is still a good boy but he is his own brand of good. But he managed to sit still till the end.

Not a lot you can do with all that thin, fine, blonde hair but I think the man did a great job. Of course he was cute to begin with.

These days of heat and humidity often bring some spectacular light shows in the evening. Watching the lightning playing over the mountains is better than any movie.
 

The simplest of women living the simplest of lives

 

Outside my window the sun is baking the laundry on the line and generally making itself known and felt. The weather prognosticators are calling for severe weather later in the day. Thank you Matthew for getting the lawns mowed. Perhaps in a little while I will brave the heat and humidity and finish clearing the squash garden in preparation for a second planting.

I am wearing green cargo shorts and a green and cream plaid top. The order of the day is to stay cool and I am all over that. Actually since I moved my sewing area down into the basement and created a neat sitting area staying cool isn't as difficult as it has been. I hate to run the AC and run up MK's electric bill.

I am currently reading The Art of Praying by Romano Guardini (I needed to take a break from Anne Catherine Emerich)

I am listening to Michael Buble and contemplating what circumstances prompted the composer to pen The Best of Me. 

Breakfast? A banana and hemp heart laced protein drink. Tonight supper will be chicken thighs in a white wine sauce with spinach over fresh spaghetti squash. 

My plans for today? Well there are still two more loads of laundry to fold and put away. After Matthew's job interview I have to drive him to work. If it rains I will happily spend the afternoon sewing. I have one project on the frame, one on the small quilting machine, and another being pieced on the regular machine. Tomorrow I have two ladies coming over for sewing. The three boys will be over as well while mom has an appointment with the dentist. That should make for a full and busy day.

Here are some pictures from the week past:

Teddy enjoying the new sitting area in the basement. 

A rare picture of Teddy sleeping. This boy wakes in "full out" mode and stays that way until he is made to settle down then he passes out and sleeps like a log.

I have dubbed this area my Princess Annierose garden. Everyday when I go out here the sight of the flowers smiling up at the sun makes me think of my granddaughter.

These flowers are miraculous to me. Just a couple of months ago this was a seemingly dead stick. 

A dear friend who lives next to the farm is generous with his talent, sharing glimpses into my memories and the life of my son and his family.

The girls wrapped up their soccer season. They didn't win their championship but to their grandmother these girls are champions anyway. Annie and Kaycie will never know how proud they make me.

Noah is growing far too fast for his grandmother's liking. I mean seriously, reading already?

He's working on his next accomplishment, crawling. My husband would say it's about time to make another one. 

Happy 4th of July

A quick disclaimer: though today is the 4th of July there will be no fireworks, cookouts, or historical pictures in this post.

Outside my window the hot muggy weather persists but being the winter-hardened Northerner that I am am I adapt and muddle through each day.

This being a holiday weekend the family spent much time together. Of course any weekend is an excuse for this family to spend time together. So much so that they little people were left behind when the parents went home last night. I must have consumed more beer than I thought I did to overlook that happening.
 

Everyone is up and about but Noah, I think, is the smartest of all. He's got a full belly, clean diaper, and his trusted paci. What more can a man want?

Yesterday, since off and on thunderstorms kept us inside these two got to have control of the remote while the adults played games.

Farkle was the game of choice and Jason and MK are the farkle on the first roll champs of the day. If you've ever played then you know how amazing a feat that it.

Another favorite activity is coloring and grandma, being a sucker for new crayons, brought forth the 200 count box. 

The garden is thriving and producing more that one fat old lady and young girl can keep up with so last Thursday was "use up the zucchini" day. I managed to bake 6 loaves of bread and shred and freeze another 8 cups of zucchini.

I cannot take too many pictures of this kid. Having him around is like going back to when his dad was a boy. He is happy, smart, inquisitive, and knows no fear.

He is also into everything and keeps his grandma on her toes. I thank God for these little people every day because they are the reason I get up every morning and go to bed each night.