Spuds!!

There are few things more satisfying than digging down into the dirt to unearth potatoes!!  I only harvested half of my bed and found some real beauties (lots of them!).  It always surprises me so much... it just feels like opening a present on Christmas morning or something.  I'm going to let the other half of the bed go for a few more weeks to see what happens (more presents I hope!?).  One thing is certain:  I know what we're having for dinner tonight...

Into summer...

Summer is officially here... the longest day actually came and went (how is it already June 23rd?!).  We're settling into our summer rhythm (swimming, bike rides, reading, lots of drawing, world cup soccer, hanging with friends, visiting the library, hitting the parks, playing a little disc golf, pony lessons, and Aikido classes... plenty to keep us very busy!).  This morning, however, it was a "Go outside and stay outside!" start to the day.  I set up the teepee and they set about creating a home away from home (you know... since they had been banished and all!).  

I was pretty impressed with the result...

"Santa" made this little tee pee a couple of years ago.

No tea for Abbey... poor puppy!

A clay pot and a large tile make a lovely table don't you think?!

A pillow-nest inside the teepee... all mama-made pillows of course!

They made "fire" out of bright orange flowers... very clever!

Carrot, tomato, and zucchini soup... and a fried egg.  Good little vegetarians!

Happy Father's Day...

The Littles made their Papa a very special Father's Day t-shirt using fabric markers.  It turned out pretty awesome because what father doesn't need a Rainbow/Disc Golf/Boxer/Dragon/Ninja shirt?!  Seriously?!  Pretty stinking cute...

Summer showers...

I just love the garden after a nice spring/summer shower... and I am so excited for tomatoes and melons and beans (fingers and toes crossed)...

DIY Pokemon...

 My kids have recently become pretty obsessed with all things Pokemon, but I have been very slow to give into their requests (their begging, pleading requests!) for cards (those things are expensive!).  I'm hoping my nephew might have a stash we can raid this summer (he's sweet like that!).  In the meantime, they have each acquired a card or two (gifts from friends at school) and we've been watching the show (what did we ever do before Roku and Netlix?!).  My daughter was still unsatisfied so she took matters into her own hands.  She has been working diligently on her very own cards and I think they are pretty great.  Unfortunately (for them), it has really bolstered my inner strength to say "no" more often!  Who knows what they'll do when deprived of the things they say they "need" so desperately!  Poor kid... she's just reinforced my "say no to the stuff" philosophy of parenting!

They've received mixed reviews at school... though my daughter is unphased by this... she knows they are awesome!

Project Closet...

Our house has a few closets that are sorely in need of some attention, but the one in the kitchen was first on my list.  This little kitchen pantry/tool shed/art supply closet/catchall was in desperate need of some love.  It was one of those spaces that had become really grimy and completely disorganized over the past few years.  It needed to be cleared out and reorganized, but it also needed patching, sealing, and a few coats of paint!  I pulled everything out, got things sealed and patched up, and then I put stuff back (in a much more streamlined/organized/functional way)!  It was a small, quick project, but it has made such a big difference. 

DURING (I didn't actually take a picture of the before... so you'll just imagine this disgusting space overflowing with stuff... it was really really bad!):

Yuck.

Here is some of the stuff I pulled out of the closet in order to clean/fix/paint it!

AFTER (much much much improved!):

All fixed up and painted... crisp and clean... yay!!

And here it is all put back together... clean and functional!

In the garden...

It's time to say goodbye to the snap peas (it was a very good year for snap peas... oh my!!) and hello to pole beans and water melons (hopefully!).  Tomatoes and potatoes are growing well... and greens and carrots seem very happy!  I do still want to plant cucumber and some more herbs and flowers... maybe once school is out.  Life is busy right now, but I do love the way it all slows down for me as soon as I step into the garden.  Deep breaths...