Captured by Sarah Photography ~ August 29, 2012

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

daybook 7/29/2015 {two in one month–woot!}

 

 

005

Photo doesn’t do these berries justice ~ fresh from the Berry Patch at Sunday’s church picnic.  Yum.

 

For today… Wednesday, July 29, 2015



Outside my OPEN window... sunshine and blue skies, green grass and weeds, mud and standing water from recent heavy rains, happy but dirty cows!


Hearing... crickets [literally and figuratively], the birds and the exhaust fan

{‘the sound of silence’ seems the theme when the only three kids at home this week all leave here at 7:30am!}


Pondering... from Nancy Leigh DeMoss this morn:  “We’ll never fully learn to love unless there are some people in our lives that we consider irritating. Paul tells us that love is patient. We can’t truly learn that kind of patience unless someone is trying our patience.”


Praying... for Denise and her family – last scans were not encouraging; for our ‘kids’ and others in Kansas City, KS, working with VBS this week


Thankful... for the promises of our faithful God.  And for my friend Jill whose son is also in driver’s ed with the Cattleman – as she is helping with transporting them to and from Ames!


Creating... more messes?


Going... to call my mom …as soon as it’s a reasonable hour in AZ ;-)


Reading... 1 Kings


Looking forward to... the Cattleman learning much and passing his driver’s ed course


In the kitchen... so far this week chicken packets, taco soup, zucchini muffins – and leftovers of all!

Some of last week’s baking…

001   002

 

Yesterday’s 9x13 cakes meant to become one half-sheet cake.  Note the difference in heights.  Those who choose the chocolate will have an extra portion of frosting. o.o

0728151308


In the learning rooms... We are talking about starting up speech class next week [and finishing the leftovers from last year]


Around the house... purge piles yet to be removed.  The Cowgirl and the Popper have been painting some things for their room.  And they are determined to paint my school room book shelf today {now that the humidity is better suited} – if we can find the can of paint I am certain that I bought  four or five years ago.  ahem.

0727151804


The Mother Load... laundry [dirty] baskets are mostly empty, but the ironing is of course ready and waiting for me {today!}  Garden produce to do something with today {it’s anti-procrastination day, don’t you know?} – I am dreading the green beans that must be growing overly large in the neglected garden.   I promised to print one of my cook books for Amber, and she has had to ask me twice already sooo another anti-procrastination item.  And then there’s the never-ending de-clutter and re-organize campaign that must see some victories won in the next couple weeks.  And find that can of paint.

One large zucchini shredded yesterday.  Two to go…

007009


Noticing that... parenting is not easy, no matter the age.


Something fun to share... 43 half-pint jam jars.  Seriously?! 

Not to mention the bag of socks or box of sheets.  ha ha 

{My daughter is helping someone else dispose of their clutter… by bringing it home.  Oh dear.}

I might advertise these cookie cutters on the swap, or just heave ho?

006

 


A favorite quote for today... 

In a time of universal deceit —

telling the truth is a revolutionary act.

Attributed to George Orwell, 1984 – Quoted by Senator Ted Cruz

 


One of my favorite things... clean floors.

BAhahahahahaha

 


A few plans for the rest of the week... Today I shall deliver a cake that we trust will be well-received as well as delicious (nervous – I bake, but frosting and decorating, not so much.)  Thankful for the Cowgirl’s ability to pipe the décor – and Tim’s suggestion of chocolate chips in the sunflowers.

011



A peek into my world...  baled oats

003

 

~.~.~.~.~

Giving credit where credit is due:

While I am not linking up with anyone, you could read more weekly news posts at other blogs by following any of these links:

  • Julie for adapting this daybook version as her own ‘Grasshopper Days’ ~ Perhaps I could call it the GHV Daybook. :)

~.~.~.~.~

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Down on the farm

 

Quick update as recorded on my camera.

July 7:  Kate & the City Slicker’s dinner of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn bread muffins, zucchini Mexicali, and melon…

001002003005010

I made zucchini almond cake for dessert…

004013

And a big batch of granola.

006

Eggs.  So many empty shells every day!

014

 

July 9-10:  Tim made good use of a rented skid steer for a couple days {16 hours of running use}

Fine tuning lawn and ditch area

016018019021022023

 

Let’s see if I can find a Before picture…

Cleaning up on April 11:

008

001

 

Filling in ‘floor’ of shed with sand

001005006007

 

Adding more dirt so we can landscape this side of the house

002

 

A view of the new strawberry patch {and melons, etc}

004

 

The Cowgirl and City Slicker got into wild parsnip while weeding at the Berry Patch.  {sad face}

008

 

July 11:  I made ciabatta for panini.  Yum.

009011

The Popper made cole slaw…

012

 

On Sunday we baked the cherry pie!!!

014

 

July 13-17 was Vacation Bible School.  Kate, Abby, & City Slicker taught the 2-3yo class.  Daniel & the Cowgirl helped with 4-6th grade.  The Cattleman and the Popper helped with the PreK-Kdg class.  And I worked with registration and snacks {of course}.

Tues, July 14:

I determined to accomplish something at home as well – haha.  So I finished these book bags {three on right} to send to our missionaries in Brazil. {Done is a wonderful place to be.} 

015016

While my frosting crew decorated the cookies for Wednesday’s VBS snack…

{and listened to Elisabeth Elliot via YouTube give advice for a Peaceful Home}

017022023024

The Cattleman found a few beans in his garden…

018

And Kate baked a cheese cake for Thursday’s celebration.  Then cleaned the oven after it spilled…

025026

 

Wednesday morning…

028

 

Thursday, July 16 was the City Slicker’s HALF-Birthday ~

Dinner included chicken alfredo, Caesar salad, watermelon, and cookie dough cheese cake.

034035038040

Eventually she opened 18 1/2 gifts.  wowsa.  <o.o>

 

Friday, it was time to bake bread I think (?) and THIS is what I found.  With no more Real Salt in the pantry.  Terrible.

041

 

Saturday:  Work day at home!  Abby worked on planting cone flowers.  The Cowgirl gave each of the dogs a bath.  {the feverish Popper napped in the living room}

043046048049

Supper:  grilled pizza!

053051

054

 

Wow.  That was only twelve days?  More July to come…