Peaceful Place

The swing on the hill is my little place of peace.


A place to unwind; swing away the cares of the day or world away. A place to read a good book. A place to think deep thoughts or no thoughts. A place to share with someone special. A simple place that brings me so much pleasure.

I hope you are taking time to enjoy the simple moments!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

So far very well, thank you. Some time was spent last night tying up tomatoes and putting up a fence for the cucumbers.


It was way past due! There are baby cukes and Megan is thrilled.


There are also little green beans.


A cabbage ready for harvest. I am looking forward to cooked cabbage with ham. Yum!


I still have grapes on the vine. The last few years they have all dried up and died about the time they ripened. I just used the last jar of homemade grape jelly. I have heard that you can use frozen concentrate to make jelly. Has anyone every tried that?

I hope you are taking time to enjoy the simple moments!

Some Make Overs

I can't believe it has been a week since I last posted. I have been busy taking care of a few things and just didn't make the time to update.

I went to browse a store closing and picked some inexpensive decor. This area of my hutch has never made me happy. After I had everything taken off I realized that I didn't take a before picture. :(


I am very happy with how it turned out.

My mother-in-law is planning a garage sale so I have started cleaning things out. I started with the closet in the living room.


I took anything sewing related and moved it into the third bedroom. Straightening that room out will come very soon.


I am always amazed at the amount of stuff I accumulate. It feels so great to clear out the clutter!.

I also completed a make over last week.

I picked up this quilt holder at Goodwill. It is the perfect size to fit in the corner behind the love seat.


I am pleased to have a spot to put my blanket. It drove me crazy when it was draped on the back of the love seat.


This past week I have been wondering who came up with the saying the lazy days of summer. I feel like things have been anything but lazy. The plan is to slow things down this week. Living life at a harried pace is not how I want life to be.

I hope you are taking time to enjoy the simple moments!

Happens

On Friday afternoon we meet friends at a new to us park. It was quiet and beautiful!


We took a nice long walk where the girls picked wildflowers and tasted some wild raspberries. I am excited to pack a picnic and take Chuck back.


We meet up with a few of the girls that were part of Megan's adoption group. The little girl next to her was in the same foster home. It is wonderful that we all live close enough to get together.

I have been thinking about cutting Megan's hair and finally took the plunge this weekend.


I love it! It got rid of all of the uneven, thin areas and now it looks full. Her bangs were cut a little shorter then I like, but they will grow quickly. I plan to let it grow longer, but now it will be all the same length and hopefully will grow out nice and thick.

Chuck spent some time building a couple of little benches for me.


Megan and I spent some time painting them. I hope to have the finally coat on soon and then I will show you where I will be putting them.

There are many things on the to do list this week. I am looking forward to getting some things accomplished. Have a great Monday!

I hope you are taking time to enjoy the simple moments!

Rainy Day

This what I woke up to this morning.


Dark, dark skies, rain and some thunder and lightening.

Oh what to do on a rainy day?


Look through passed along magazines and cut out yummy recipes.


Put on sunglasses and wish for the sunshine.


Play in the rain.


Take a good friend on a car ride once the rain passes.

I hope you are taking time to enjoy the simple moments!

Contentment

Everyone chases after happiness, not noticing that happiness is right at their heel. ~Bertolt Brecht

Contentment is something that I have struggled with from time to time. I don't know if my heart has changed, my attitude or what, but I am finding that I am much more content.

My nieces spent the night one night last week and Chuck surprised them by putting a tent up in Megan's room.


Saying they were super excited is an understatement!


I loves how when they fell asleep they were all facing the same way. :)

Today the weather is what I consider perfect. Mid 70's with beautiful sunshine. The windows are open, laundry was on the line and it was cool enough to turn on the oven without over heating the kitchen.


Peanut butter cookies are one of the favorites around here. I dipped a few of them in chocolate and they are yummy!

Some time has been spent in the garden.


We borrowed my parent's mini tiller and Chuck ran it through the garden.

I got my first pea harvest!


This is the first time I have ever grown peas and it is exciting to see those cute little pods! I remember sitting on my grandparents front porch shelling peas. As I shelled my tonight and heard the ping as the peas it the bowl it took me back there. I have such great memories of time spent at Mom and Pops.

On Saturday Chuck had to work and Megan and I went out and about for a little bit with my parents. One of the places they stopped was Gordon Foods. I found these adorable scoops for my canisters.


Aren't they cute!

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21


As I become a more content person I realize that my family, home and the life God has given me are my true treasures.

I hope you are taking time to enjoy the simple moments!

Lovin' Life

There has been plenty of sunshine this week and we have been soaking it up! Slowly but surely our fence is coming along.


The privacy panels on both sides to block our back porch are up and the picket section has been started. Chuck is great about taking my vision and making it a reality!


Once he cut the pickets into the desired shape it is my job to sand the top edges.

My dad and Megan have a little ice cream thing going on. Some evening Grandpa calls over and says "ice cream, ice cream" which is exciting for Megan since it means a trip to the ice cream store.


The other night we turned the tables and had Megan call Grandpa to say "ice cream, ice cream!"

Before bed I usually step outside for a breath of fresh air.


I turned and look back at my home and thought how cozy it looked.

The boys I watch returned this week after me taking last week off.


The three peas in a pod were back together and very happy to see each other. Abe came running up the driveway yelling Mae, Mae (which is what he calls Megan.) Very cute!


Some time crafting when the afternoons were too hot to be outside.


As always there was housework to be done. I had all of the laundry washed, dried, ironed and put away. If only for a day it made me happy, happy.


My niece, Alison, and her boyfriend invited everyone over to my parents for dinner one evening. They served salad, chicken parmesan and cake for dessert. It was delicious and I enjoy watching Alison develope a love for domestic things!

Many hours have been spent outside.


A permanent home was found for the bird feeder. I really enjoy watching our visitors.


After much practice and determination Megan has finally mastered swinging. She has been trying hard since last summer to coordinate the pumping of her legs.



My nieces, Lauren and Kayla, have been here playing for most of the afternoon. They are now sleeping over. Chuck is surprising them with something fun! I will share pictures next week.

I hope you are taking time to enjoy the simple moments!

First Tomato

As I was out watering this evening I noticed that the first tomato had turned in Megan's container.

A garden makes all our senses swim with pleasure.
- William Lawson

I knew Megan would be excited since that girl loves her tomatoes!

I hope you are taking time to enjoy the simple moments!

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

I have been eyeing these in different catalogs and magazines for a long time. When Katy showed how she had made her own, I was like why hadn't I thought of that!


This is the soap bottle that I took the pump off of.


Chuck added a step in making this. Once he had cut the hole and put on the soap dispenser he then used a little chalk around the underside so that the pump was permanently attached to the lid. That is just the way he is. :)

I prefer the foam and I find that Megan makes much less of a mess with it.

In the future I will use regular hand soap and dilute it myself. For half a pint you would take 4 tablespoons of soap and then mix it with water.


See it works great!

Wouldn't one of these make a super gift? Thanks for sharing Katy!
I hope you are taking time to enjoy the simple moments!