Spring Freedom

Something I savor about spring time is the freedom.  Large chunks of our days are freed up to "just live," as Pollyanna would say.  Yes, we accomplish tasks and I've found it pleasant to have so many helping hands around.  It is also quite a training opportunity, as I realized as Blossom3 was struggling to buckle down under a little bit of work load this morning as we weeded the garden and all the flower beds.  The rain ceased and the soft ground made weeding as painless as it will ever be on this side of eternity. 

Last week, we were able to do a little garage-sale-ing with my sister and nephew.  We met old friends and faces and meandered past the house where we spent our most remembered growing up years.  My sister's snapshot of our childhood playhouse represents so much of our innocence and freedom.  When I see it, I think of imaginations weaving tales together. 

 

I remember my sister crouched on the stoop, engrossed in a book.  I remember the chilly rainfall as the four of us puttered in there on rainy days.  I remember parking my bike, Duchess, beside the nearby lilac bushes and dashing inside to cook a pretend meal on the ugly yellow stove that sat inside.  I remember my first lessons on how to properly paint, as we repainted the side of the playhouse, each paid according to our effort and work ethic.  Evidently, the painting lesson served me well.  Meandering through one of my favorite small towns ever was a bright spot in a week that included some sadness too.  A friend and former co-worker passed away after a long struggle with ALS.  While attending a memorial is never high up on someone's list for weekend entertainment, I was so, so, SO grateful I was able to attend.  Working with her when I was fresh out of high school, finding my way in the corporate world, appreciating all the wisdom of the Daily Dilbert, was something I enjoyed telling the Rugged Mountain Man about on the night I learned of her passing.  I'm praying for Hope and comfort for her loved ones.

 

Here's hoping your spring days have some freedom this week, freedom to smile and say yes when your "young'uns" want to do an experiment.  Freedom to nod when they ask for freezie pops.  Freedom to push them on the swings or play cat's cradle.  Freedom to smile and freedom to remember,

Dominique

Garden, Girlies & God

I straightened from my stooped stance and surveyed the work in progress that is our garden.  I felt the Holy Spirit whisper,

"This is a lot like parenting." 

This parallel of gardening to parenting took my breath away.  I soaked in the lesson, letting the Lord teach me as I stood there in my cruddy jeans, muck boots and trusty old visor.  If you look at our garden right now, it doesn't look like much even though so much preparation has gone into the soil.  We've composted.  We've planted seeds and young plants.  We put up trellises and tomato cages.  Yes, there are some plants growing.  We've even harvested a few things, so there are some fruits of the work already.  Overall, though it is mostly in, the garden appears immature and sparse. 

I'm always struck by how much faith is involved in gardening.  I often stand at the garden gate and pray that the fruits will come, that He will prosper this little plot.  The same diligence - doing our part without giving up - that brings about an abundant garden is a part of parenting.  The same faith that causes me to plant a seed, to just follow the seed packet directions the best I know how, to water when it looks like it needs watering, to thank God for the sun, that same faith helps me gaze on our Blossoms and see that fruits will come.  Things might look immature or sparse.  There might be a bit of fruit here and there.  The Rugged Mountain Man and I will just keep doing our part ~ nurturing, loving, praying, hugging, correcting, disciplining, trusting God and loving some more. 

The harvest will come.

Dominique

My Poor Cuppa

You know you have kids when you're innocently drinking your warm cuppa Chai tea, soaking up the solitude that only a warm cuppa something can offer amidst the noisy din of a home overflowing with Blossoms and their activity, when you sip and think.  You again sip and ponder.  Then, you hear it.  A clinking.  You gaze around confusedly.  The clinking doesn't seem to be originating from din around you.  In horror, you realize the clinking is coming from inside your cuppa tea.  You reluctantly stare downward into your rich, warm Chai, only to see pink plastic peeking back at you. 

"What in the world?"

Retrieving a butter knife from the drawer, you fish out a plastic pink ring and it all comes together. 

Your littles had been on the counter, admiring the paint color that's about to go on the back door and using their toy hair dryer to lovingly and painstakingly cool off your tea for you.  Someone neglected to mention to you that the end of the hair dryer dropped into your tea.  That must have been the moment when they mysteriously disappeared to play outside. At least it wasn't the blue paint stick dunked in your tea.

Blue Doors

I know I left you hangin' the other day.  I didn't mean to, but the weekend was the busiest of late.

 

The homeschool convention was very productive.  I researched and purchased all the Blossoms' curriculum for the 2016-2017 school year... all while walking approximately 15 miles (I think) over the convention floor in two days.

 

But before that, the Rugged Mountain Man was spending some quality time with his Dad on a fishing trip to the beloved cabin. 

 

I scurried to Lowe's so I could tackle a small DIY project while he was away.

 

I don't like being without him, but I love the advice that when you're husband is away, find something productive to do.  It should be noted that I also spend extra time with the Blossoms when the Rugged Mountain Man is away.  Their idea of quality time is creek time.  No surprise there.  Creek and paint.  That sounds like a good deal.

 

 

The new Mountain Lake blue doors have earned mixed reviews.  For my part, I love the color.  I'm just not sure I love the color with the shutters, as I was shooting for more of a navy blue.  Looking at the pictures, they really are representative of the vast variation of the shades of blue in many different lights. Sometimes it looks brilliant blue.  Sometimes the teal tones greet you first.  Other times the blue gives a darker impression.  It varies widely, but I think it's staying. 

Dominique

Be Well Put Together

Hey friends,

Perhaps ya'll know that my state just so happens to host the largest homeschool convention on the East Coast.  My mama was a faithful attendee for years upon years, always returning refreshed and overflowing with new ideas and inspiration.  I've carried on the torch, attending each year, except the year of Blossom4's birth.  So, convention time is upon us.  I'm excited.  My list is all ready and I'm packed.  That's not to say the Blossoms are packed yet, but we'll tackle that with these cool lists this evening. 


I'll be volunteering as an "ever important" entry pass distributor, so I do have to abide by a simple dress code. 

That really just means that I'm one of the smiling faces you meet at the door who has to look like they didn't just crawl out of bed and show up in their pajamas.   My new striped maxi skirt is already getting a workout!  I like to encourage ladies that looking well put together has nothing to do with shopping at the mall or having tons of money at your disposal.  It has more to do with collecting good versatile pieces over time.

Check it out:
Chambray shirt - thrift store find
Blue tee - Walmart clearance rack
Maxi skirt - gift
Shoes - LL Bean super clearance
Necklace - gift
Earrings - gift
 

Denim vest - thrift store
Teal shirt - Walmart shirt
Maxi skirt - gift
Scarf - consignment store bargain
Shoes - Sam's Club purchase
Earrings - gift
Saddle bag - gift

I'm totally not bragging on my thrift store prowess or my fashionista status (which I DON'T have), I'm hoping to encourage you that no matter what situation or location or vocation you find yourself in today,

be well put together.  

Maybe I'll see you at the convention!

Dominique