Whatcha Up to Lately?

 Whatcha been up to lately?

The Fair.

Yep, gettin' ready for the Fair.  

I'm truly thankful that the Blossoms can man-handle tasks like never before!  They've done this so many times that they understand what we're working toward!  (and the saved annual to-do checklists and menus sure help too!) 

Blossom1 is done showing; she has graduated from 4-H, so it does look a bit different this year. She supervises a local park and teaches piano lessons while she prepares to start teaching 7th grade ELA this fall... and she's ENGAGED!!! 

Blossom2 is in charge of the Junior Fair Board, so there are new responsibilities there.  She works, did a custom wedding order, counselled at camp, and is running for State 4-H Council... on top of the usual animals and her baking exhibits to get ready.

Blossom3 has a job, went to camp, and is assisting with an art camp too, so that's different than previous years.  She's pulling a lot of weight in the micro farm.

Blossom4 enjoyed day camp, but ultimately, still thinks that her summer revolves around her time with Nancy Drew, so sometimes she has to be reminded to actually DO the things that she knows must be done.  The house is quiet a lot though, so I understand, because I'd like to curl up on the couch with a book too.  

Every season looks a little bit different and demands and responsibilities ebb and flow here.  We're focusing daily on communicating with each other and staying connected.  

It's beautiful 

and it's challenging 

and it's good 

and it's worth it.

Zippy Angry Fairies

Hello friends,

I thought I'd share a pretty snap with you!  These pink lilies are gorgeous this year.  Along with my bumper crop of bee balm, the hummingbirds are flitting about like angry fairies.  I'm thoroughly enjoying this, as I was hoping to feed the hummingbirds with the flowers from my gardens, rather than feeders that need my attention.  

Blossom4 and I are pretty sure there are three hummingbirds ferociously zipping about lately and we chuckle as we watch them chest-bump mid-air like tiny football players.  It's been a delightful little bright spot for just the two of us to smile over together each day.  These are the summer moments I treasure.

A Cozy Winter's Chat

Just as if we'd settle around my kitchen island for a cozy winter's chat to talk about "just life," here are a few little things that would likely come up over tea.  

What I'm reading:
Parenting is Heart Work by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller.  It's technically a reread for me, but I'm generally on board with rereading a good book.  I tend to glean so much the second time around.  This has really encouraged me to slow down my parenting, to be willing to delve deeper than the annoying behaviors that disrupt a peaceful family life, truly getting to the heart of the matter.  The Lord is working in my heart and I'm confident He is using that work to do good things in the Blossoms as well.

What I'm snacking:
Mmmmm, I'm enjoying sliced bananas, sprinkled with peanut butter powder, loaded with whipped cream, and doused with a smattering of mini chocolate chips.  I'm also enjoying Quaker Mini Rice Crisps as well!  Oh, and the Honeycrisp apples that Blossom2 snagged while she was out and about the other day have been delicious as well.  I feel so much better when I grab better snacks when I feel like munching!

What I'm sipping:
Irish Cream Black Tea has been my cup of choice in the mornings lately.  Although, there's a cup of chai beside my laptop right now.  For something cold and tasty, I steep 4 green tea bags, 2 fruit herbal tea bags in a gallon of boiling water.  I love a glass of it over ice with a splash of good lemon juice!  Refreshing!  I did hear that my favorite coffee shop is releasing their St. Patty's Day drink menu soon, so I'm excited about that!

What I'm enjoying:
Reading Anne of the Island aloud to the Younger Blossoms.  As always, our lunchtime read-aloud is such a time of happy togetherness for us, even if the Blossoms do have to do a little simultaneous lunch cleanup.  When we tackled chapter 14, in which Anne walks through the death of one of her chums, I did manage to read the whole chapter without crying.  It took a lot of effort.  That probably seems like a tough topic to deal with in a light-hearted read-aloud and it is.  However, it's actually one of my favorite chapters.  Anne comes away from the whole experience, challenged to live for Heaven, rather than for the empty, temporal things here.  How beautiful that a fictional character we love and respect can help teach us about a bigger, eternity-minded life than the deceptive vanity of this world.

What I'm growing in:
How I respond to my family members is an area that always needs work.  Yes, it's true that I have a million decisions and logistics going through my head at any given moment, but the Lord has called me to kind and gentle words.  This seems especially important when my family asks for my help.  I'm finding that often when I weigh my response, I CAN actually take a minute or two to help them out.  A willing attitude and a servant's heart make such a difference in my response.  I feel like the Lord is working this in me, helping me to stop, to find a way to say yes, instead of snapping out a nasty no and letting frustration and stress snowball.  

Hoping you are doing well, dear friends!  

PS - Photos from the Younger Blossoms recent road trip down south with their grandparents.

A New Kid on the Block

There's a new kid on this block!

Two of the three kittens the girls rescued went to their forever homes with fabulous family friends.  The Blossoms are thrilled because they can visit!

Toulouse has joined life here in the Hollow.

("Toulouse" comes from the Aristocats movie!)

Of course, he already has many nicknames.

Tully is probably the most common, but Tiny Tim, T-Bone, and Baby Kitty will do too.

King Thomas O'Malley is slowly adjusting... by doing lots of emotional eating,

And overall taking a cat-like attitude toward this tiny feline... 

He disdainfully believes Tully is a PEASANT.

Miss Bianca doesn't seem to mind much at all.

Clearly, Thomas is still living his best life, with plenty of love to go around for all the critters.

PS - Don't you just love genius brewing in Blossom3's new dedicated art space?

How the Thankful Tree Grew

 This is how the Thankful Tree grew!