LOOK!!!

As we were driving home from the cabin on Saturday evening, we saw a couple vehicles stopped on the road.  We immediately figured there must be some sort of wildlife.  We looked around for a bear, but we were even more delighted when Blossom2 shouted, 

"Look, a white deer!!!

Of course, we were scrambling to snap a pic and she eventually trotted away, but we were thrilled to catch a glimpse of such a unique piebald whitetail deer in the wild.  

She doesn't classify as an albino deer, because she lacks the pink eyes.  Looking closely, you'll noticed a V patch of brown around her eye.  

Amazing!

My Tea Came!

 I love it when my tea order comes!

Corrie at the Herb Shop was so helpful in person the few times I've been able to dart over to her stand while in Lancaster for homeschool conventions, that now I faithfully order from her online.

I only wish I'd ordered more this time!  The girls have been sipping tea like crazy, so I don't think our supply is going to hold out very long.  Here's what we ordered:

Vanilla Black

A favorite here for school mornings... or any morning.  I made the mistake of not ordering enough last time, so I didn't skimp this time around!  We love Yogi Vanilla Spice Perfect Energy, but we find the Herb Shop's blend to be tastier and more affordable!  I should note that when I have friends over for tea who aren't necessarily "tea people," I always serve this tea.  It's a favorite EVERY time.

Pomegranate Black

We once received a box of Pomegranate Black tea as part of a sweet hostess gift from the classy friend.  Blossom1 loved it, but I wasn't able to find it readily around here.  She was thrilled when the Herb Shop's blend was spot on!

Apricot Black

The girls have been doing this one as small batch iced tea.  It's divinely refreshing!  I'll be keeping this blend on hand in large quantities going forward.

Vanilla Rooiboos

This is a comforting caffeine free blend that we all love for evenings.

Chai

I always refill my jar of Chai.  It's a staple tea for me!  Now I just need to get myself a new frother, so I can make my own Chai tea lattes again!

Maybe you should stop by theherbshoplancaster.com and check out her selection!

Dominique

Quilts and Fresh Color

My uncle is a plant man.  Actually, he's THE plant man!

Visiting him in Wisconsin was like visiting a private botanical gardens with a guided tour.

Though the growing season is drawing to a close, we were fascinated as we learned all about his zinnias and this pretty red streaked hybrid he's developing.

An old friend of mine taught me that zinnias are the easiest way to add loads of low maintenance, vivid, long-lasting color in your gardens.  I'm already a huge fan.

And my uncle taught us more!  He even showed us how to harvest the seeds from Zinnias.

His Zinnias were taller than Blossom4!  I was astounded!

In other parts of his garden, he had popcorn and other decorative corn that will harden to a lovely, translucent jeweled color.

And his mushroom enclosure!!!!  

Oh my goodness!  Mushrooming is fascinating!

He is also an accomplished stained glass artist.  

Because I am enamored with crimson roses, these are my favorites of his masterpieces.

He showed us his workshop and talked about the process, showed us his current work in process and talked about how he uses new glass alongside hundred year old antique historic salvaged glass. It was riveting!

My aunt is an artist in her own right.  

I could barely keep my phone in my hands.  

The Blossoms kept snagging it to capture vignettes of color that spoke to them.  

This is simultaneously endearing, invigorating, and mildly annoying to me.  

I love photography and beauty, so I want to take my own pictures, and yet, it thrills me that they are developing an eye, appreciation and skill in this area also.  

We experienced this tension the entire trip, with me always doing my best to be generous and share my phone, as well as snag the pics I wanted.  Mama's always growing, y'all, just like our girlies are.

My aunt quilts with a delightful array of patterns, blocks, color combinations, and arrangements.

The Blossoms were fascinated by her workshop.

I was so pleased that they took the time to listen and appreciate her skill and expertise.

Later, she led them into the jewelry area of her workshop, where they browsed.  She then showed them her supplies and patiently taught them all about the ins and outs of beadery, wire, earrings, tools and tips and tricks.  

This thrilled their souls.

Blossom4 and I snuck outside for the vegetable garden tour.

Blossom4 said her favorite thing was tasting the Nasturtiums.  

While I didn't care for their strong peppery flavor, it was fascinating to walk through a garden, pluck something fresh and impulsively pop it into your mouth to have a taste.

My uncle specializes in heirloom or rare plants, which made the tour all the more intriguing.

And the barn quilts!  

I have a board on Pinterest for making one some day.

I love their rural, classy charm!

My favorite thing I tasted was the ground cherry, which delighted me with it's burst of mini pineapple like sweetness. Unfortunately, I didn't snap a pic of them.

There were so many amazing and beautiful things to behold.

The Blossoms declared it the best field trip we've ever taken!  

Dominique

PS ~ They're already busily employing new jewelry techniques.  

We're Game!

Yes!  Let's go!!

To Wisconsin!!  With Grandma!

It's been a busy two weeks here lately.  You know how trip preparations can be with four children.  That's a lot of stuff, even when you're trying your best to pack light.  I am not good at packing light.  I LOVE to be prepared, which usually means a lot more stuff.  Evidently, the Blossoms also love to be prepared.  We got 'er done though.

We really enjoyed seeing more of the USA, especially rural America.

The sights along the way were fascinating.  

There was great excitement when we spotted a hot air balloon one morning on the road.

Much of the drive was through farmlands and foliage.

I feel like the Blossoms got to SEE a lot in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, but especially Wisconsin. It was an opportunity we were so grateful to have.  

They did so well on the road.  Sure, they had their moments, but watching them hustle through the rest stops, clamber in and out of the truck and roll with the punches like seasoned travelers made my heart happy.  

There's room to grow, for sure, but I shared with one of the Blossoms, that's life.  It's a journey of growing.  Needing to grow and change in an area doesn't mean you're a failure.  It just means you're on the journey and God is still working on you.  On me.  Always.

I'm excited to share more of our adventure with you in the days ahead.  We're all glad to be back to our mountains and our little hollow though.

Dominique

Rambling About

Exploring Ravensburg State Park for Blossom2's birthday was an intriguing sort of day.

The Blossoms were delighted with this quaint little dam.  

There were old and steep stone steps in the side of the banks, making us wonder if this had a been an official "swimming area" back in the day.

The water was so clear and the sunshine so warm, that we longed to indulge.

We obeyed the adamant "no swimming" signs... this time.

Jake and Rory did not.

Bunch a redneck dogs. 

We savored our picnic in a nearby rustic pavilion, while we ogled people's dogs as they strolled past.  

I have vivid memories of the Rugged Mountain Man helping Blossom1 dip her feet in the water at the very same spot the Blossoms are standing. 

What a difference thirteen years can make!