Chchchchanges

I would like to discipline myself to be more attentive to my blog .... just not sure how to do that. I guess you just make the time!!! I wanted to share these pictures of how much the grandkids are growing and changing. They are so precious and I can't believe Maggy has already celebrated her first birthday :) We are once again experiencing a very busy month of June with graduations (4 nephews) and birthdays galore, throw in a couple of weddings, showers and several reunions and well you get the picture. Hubby who isn't a social nut is trying to hang in there until we get through all of these obligations.

Ready to Camp

Well after an extremely busy start to summer, where we couldn't find 2 extra minutes for anything, we finally managed to get the camper to Starberg. The guys pulled it out there this morning and then hubby and I went out and did some cleaning and started getting it set up the way we want. It is not new and needs a few minor repairs and some TLC but we are really excited to have somewhere to get away from it all :) I look forward to spending time out there -it is so secluded and peaceful. I am getting ready for Creationfest this week so it may have to wait - but I will be home Saturday morning and may find time over the holiday weekend to spruce it up. I can't wait!!

Back to Nature

Spending lots of time on the porch these days - we really are outdoors more than in. Which may be the biggest reason for my blog being neglected. I have been trying to catch some good pictures of nature in action, if there is one thing I am not, is a good photographer - but I am not hanging up my camera yet. The day I catch the hummingbirds, now that will be something. Anyways - I did manage to chase a butterfly around for this picture and when I loaded it on the computer, voila there was a bee too. I guess the answer is to keep shooting pics and surprise yourself :)

Early Harvest

We are well in to the garden season and exciting it has been so far. This photo shows some of our early harvest; first pick of peas (hubby is shucking them while I blog), turnips that grew very fast this spring, and some samples from the first batch of strawberry freezer jam. I was busy all week with Vacation Bible School so my Mom made the freezer jam for us :) I missed getting a picture of the early spinach before it was done - hopefully I am on the ball the rest of the summer. Looking forward to a banner crop this year !

Porch House

This was one of my special birthday gifts - actually the one that made me cry. I am so thankful for my good friends Scott and Lori. They are so kind and generous with their time and talents. Scott made this lighted house for my porch and it fits in so well :) I have had so many compliments, everyone wants to know where I bought it (too bad for them). Glad to be back on my blog .... can anyone tell me where May went? And the first week of June? I have so much catching up to do - I hope to be able to get re-organized and return to normal this week. Right now our lives are so full of blessings we hardly have time to sleep. In the last 2 weeks we have experienced the following; 3 of our children and one daughter-in-law had birthdays, the birth of our new granddaughter, Memorial weekend guests, 2 weddings, a family reunion and the list goes on and on ........... one word that never comes out of my mouth - "bored" !!!!!!!!!

Flowers and The Back Porch

Love the sign?

Birthday present from Mom & Dad

Love my porch !

Container Garden planted by hubby (fake eggs in the nest)

All the way from Adam & Salena in NC

I am going to pretend that it is not rainy and dreary again this week .... and share my summer "retreat" with you all. That would be my back porch, I waited 25 years for this porch and it is my own special sanctuary. We live at the end on a lane so it is fairly private and weather permitting this is where I am all summer. We spend very little time indoors between the garden and the porch. I relax in a rocker to read, sit on the swing to watch the humming birds, or tinker at the table - I just love the fresh air and beauty of God's creation all around me. Everyone thinks I am crazy because I start my flowers so early, but I just can't get enough of them. We have an amazing emerald green hummingbird that we are trying very hard to get a picture of, it looks like something from the rain forest - the only problem is that he has been too fast for us so far. Watching the sun rise and set - waiting out storms and just enjoying the peace and quiet are so soothing and peaceful. Quiet time, that is what everyone needs, when you clear your head of the busyness and feel your heart quicken to the world around you and find an appreciation in your soul for the life you have been given. I hope you have your own "retreat" to enjoy this summer.

Baseball, Sunsets and Sad Eyes

The weeks continue to fly by - 2010 is going so fast. Our sweet girl will be here soon, three weeks from tomorrow is the day, but we really expect her a little early. Life has been tremendously busy as always. We went to Raymond's first T-ball game on Friday night there were lots of laughs and fun for all. Raymond smiled so big when he went up to bat the first time and the Coach says "hard hitter" to warn the kids in the outfield. Then on Saturday night we took our good friends, Scott and Lori to Starberg and showed them around - we were hoping to see a bear but ran out of time. I did catch this picture of the beautiful sky at sunset. And today the kids came up after church and this picture captures Max's sad eyes (aren't they beautiful) he wanted everyone to know that he has a boo boo from falling down the porch steps yesterday. What another blessed weekend ♥

Site For New Camp

Well I guess you can say we are going to blog our progress for the campsite at Starberg. Adam is home on leave so he and hubby spent some time out there getting the campsite ready. We chose the spot more than a year ago, now I would like to think of an appropriate name for it. The location is probably two miles or so from the main highway, hidden beyond a rock quarry and around a bend in the hill is a perfect cove - hidden and protected on three sides by hills and trees. There is a beautiful view and the grand kids can explore forever. So far they pulled all the bushes and small trees and and have mowed it a couple of times to soften the grass up. Adam built the fire ring and weather permitting we are planning a picnic soon. Our plans are for a very old-fashioned wood cabin. We want this to be a restful retreat for the whole family to enjoy. Ray even mowed a couple of extra spots in case any friends want to come out and camp with us.

My Three Sons

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails .......... let me tell you what boys are really made of, perpetual motion! Even though they are grown men now, when I see them together it brings back all the memories of years gone by; of how every activity can be a competition and "tough guy" contest. Spending every waking moment possible outside building tree houses and cabins and playing games. Backyard football could be more intense than the Superbowl (without pads) Hunting and fishing until it was too dark to see. Tearing bikes and battery operated vehicles apart then reassembling them for more speed and power. And using their sister as a crash dummy or paintball gun target. Memories of broken bones, stitches and wounds galore!! I thank the Lord for these three young men who at times I thought would send me to an early grave with worry. Now here they are; a school teacher (Ray) a telephone lineman (Tyson) and a Marine (Adam) This picture of them setting up a canopy for a party was so funny - it became a tug-of-war and he-man tough-guy contest! Little boys really never do grow up ... and that's just the way I like it!

Memories of Summer

I can't think of anything better to do on a dreary Monday, with the bad weather and I have some weird kind of flu bug, than to think of fond memories from last summer. I called it "Back to Nature" year we had some amazing experiences; had a honey bee swarm move into the crab apple tree only 10 feet from back porch. Raymond and I followed a nest of robins from the day the momma robin laid those pretty blue eggs through the day they flew the coop :) Had a beautiful butterfly who visited my hanging basket daily. We had every type of wild critter on the porch and managed to catch a couple with the camera. Wonderful time in the garden - it is so much fun grabbing something from the freezer or can cupboard that was created in our own back yard. It was also the summer we got our pool (my kids think the grandkids are terribly spoiled) and no one had more fun than hubby and Raymond.