i'm just thankful

We hit the book fair today.
It was opening day.
And we were there when they unlocked the doors.
Because we also had plans for later.
I thought it would be mobbed,
but just the usual crowd.
Although, the longer we stayed the crazier it got.

Luckily, K's much like me,
she can't go more than 3 hours without eating.
Or at least having a snack.
So, at the 2 hour mark,
plus, add on a little over an hour that it took to get there,
she was spent.

This has become our trip.
Just us girls.
The two of us.



Yes, these are old, really old!

I let her spend her own money this time.
The threshold,
not set by me.
Only her.
And I was taken aback by her cautious spending.
She even put a few down,
saying if they were there next time,
she'd get them then.

She kept a running total.
At any given time,
 you could ask "how many do you have?"
Just meaning the number of books.
And she would tell you her running tally in dollars. 

Surprised me, she did.
I really thought she'd go all out.
And she used a coupon to get $5 off!
This all made me feel alright in the world.
Like I was raisin' this girl to be frugal,
a good steward.

We're even checking into selling the books online that we've read.
I'd like to think of it as kind of recycling.
Sort of.

Me, personally, I finally decided on these...
Chosen Forever is "a memoir of a horse, a book, and finding love" by Susan Richards.  I read her previous book, "Chosen By a Horse" and it was fantastic!  So, I can't wait to get into this one.

The Ten-Year Nap just sounded familiar, "the past decade has been defined largely by marriage and motherhood, but it wasn't always that."  I usually try to research the books on the preview page and while there were quite a few that had great reviews, they just didn't appeal to me, but this was one that wasn't previewed and it has mixed reviews, equally good and bad.  We'll see how it goes.

The Silent Gift, I found in the Christian Fiction and it just sounded interesting.  While I could've taken home quite a few from here and believe me, the lady standing next to me kept telling me this and that and this was great too.  She wasn't helping any, just made selecting one too difficult, but at least I know of some good reads I'll look for next go round.

My Book of Devotions about Obedience - A Guide for Parents & Kids was something I'd had my eye out for.  Just so happens, I found it discarded in the wrong section and it was meant to be, so I scooped it up!

Now, I couldn't forget the man, so I picked up 2 of the series that we have all come to know and love!  Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble and Skippyjon Jones and the Big Bones.  As soon as we arrived, he exclaimed that I had to read these to him!  And then, he listened to the CD where Judy Schachner reads the story.

Later, we headed out to see a free showing of Dumbo and spend our Kohl's cash because it was the last day to use it!  K even splurged on these, using her own money again.  My argument being "you have enough shoes for 3 kids".  She'd been wanting them for some time since she adores the ones her cousin has.  In her defense, they were on clearance (cheaper than the price online even), and with 15% off coupon in hand, I put them on my card so she could get an even better discount and she paid me back when we got home.  I got the man a pair of dress shoes for when the cool weather ushers in for $6.81!  It was a good day for shopping!

The evening, mixed with fatigue and hunger, was trying my nerves.  It all ended well when I got a text from my SIL saying to call if we were still up.  It was C's nephew's birthday and since they live a good distance away, we don't see them as often as we'd like.  We had called earlier to wish him a happy birthday, but had to leave a message.  Being the only one up, I hit send and I was happy to ask the details of his special day while I sat alone in the living room, soaking in the conversation in the hushed stillness of the house.  I was excited to hear about his special gift and how he'd occupied his day, the upcoming party he was having and the woes of having an older sister.  We talked about his chickens, how they were starting to lay, and the excitement of getting eggs.  Things all too familiar, effortless to talk about really.  Nonetheless, it was good to hear their voices and the whole manner of it all eased me into a pleasant mood.

I am thankful for the little things today.  Time spent bonding with my daughter, time as a family, savings, and the simple, sweet conversations had with innocent youth.  Sometimes, the best things in life are free (and then some are discounted.)

the man

These eyes speak volumes to me.

With the little freckle that comfortably sits next to his cute little nose.

This tiny boy whose mind works like no other, amazes us every single day.

We went shopping today for lunch box groceries.

He took the money that he's made from doing chores.

And bought a Hot Wheels.

Which he will carry everywhere he goes for days.

We also got this.

We've had these types of cds before,

but none that contained all of his favorites from Awana.

It was a must-have.

He sang and sang along.

It's on now.

It's hard to believe.

This time next week, I'll be home all alone.

a little monkey business

School looms over our heads.  We're squeezing in last minute play dates and sleepovers while summer vacation swiftly winds down.  Miss P is gracing us with her silliness today, tonight and tomorrow.  She's really come out of her shell since kindergarten and I love it.  She's my kind of silly!

We've had a few thunderstorms this past weekend and continuing through the week.  Last night's storm split one of our trees in half, although it had been hit once before.  So, we went out to assess the damage while the girls monkeyed around...

jam and biscuits

You know the best and worst thing about canning your own jams?

They always taste better than store-bought and are readily available in your basement.

We're on jar #3 of mulberry and I'm solely devouring jar #1 of blackberry.

You know the best thing about making biscuits slightly bigger than a silver dollar?

You'll soon forget how many you've eaten and won't feel one bit guilty about it.

I lost track last night, but my waistline won't lie.

It's screaming "Enough, enough already!  Drop the bread, lady!"

just another day

Again, I canned.

18 + 24 pints.

All the apples are done.

Was gonna make banana bread to freeze too,

didn't happen.

Tomorrow.

We did harvest corn, that I will freeze.

And potatoes.

And transplant our pumpkins.

Tomorrow, she and I will run errands in town.

Heck, maybe we'll all go.

Or maybe not.

She's dying for books.

So, we'll hit the library, too.

She loves her chickens.

Kisses them on top the head, strokes their feathers

 while she talks quietly to them.

This's one of her favorites.

But she's a spry ol' girl.

She can't be caught.

Applesauce

Late this morning, we drove fifteen minutes to mom's cousin's farm,

Kipps Family Grapes & Fruit Farm.

Sixty cents/lb. for apples or grapes.

(half price if you picked them up off the ground or if they had bad spots)

Three 5-gallon buckets of apples!

My intention...applesauce!

The Kipps encourage LOTS of tasting.

"Sample everything, so you'll be happy with what you've picked" they said.

So we did and we came to a tree that had massive apples.

Only, we really didn't understand exactly how massive they really were!

Completely enthralled at what an awesome time we were having,

we eventually made it around to the garage with buckets of apples and kids in tow.

Cousin B asked who wanted to guess how much this monster apple weighed.

I guessed 10 oz., K guessed a pound, Mom guessed 12 oz. I think.

Well, that sucker weighed in at 1.05 pounds!

K was closest, so she got it for free.

It was the size of a grapefruit,

I kid you not!

(Maybe BIGGER!)

We came home and I got straight to work.

We were engulfed in a sea of apples.

At the smell of apples cooking, C and I both recalled fond memories.

His Grandma has apple trees in her front yard and it brought to mind

the smell of her kitchen when he was a boy,

apples always cooking on the stove.

For me, it was making apple butter in the fall as a youth sports fundraiser.

I recollect staying at the Young Farmers' Grounds all night.

When we became dog-tired, we'd lay in a lawn chair and snooze for a bit,

while the parents continued on, stirring long into the night and early morning hours.

When it was almost morning,

I remember going to Laurie M.'s house where she made from-scratch cinnamon rolls and

I marveled at how she worked the dough and carefully sprinkled cinnamon and sugar,

then gently rolled it up and cut it.

Afterwards, she made the icing and we headed back to feed everyone.

We had a family-style breakfast that was beyond words.

So, now as my table lay heavy-laden with jars upon jars of applesauce,

I can't help but feel my heart swell.

Sweet love in a jar.

That's what food is to me.

From the heart,

made with love.

Hopefully,

when my children are grown

they'll catch a trace of something that sends them back in time

to a place they'll never forget and

they'll smile as they recall that memory to their children.

So, as I hang my apron up for the night,

my heart is full,

my table is abundant

and it has surely been a blessed day.

Today

Today, life is about perspective and more importantly, relying on God.

I'm feeling swallowed by all that needs to be done. Content that it will be there the next day. Unraveled because I have big plans for tomorrow and again, all the rest will have to wait another day.

Though my cup is half full.  I've canned tomatoes, picked up my camera, decided on dinner and we'll be in God's house tonight.

Some great friends sent an article today.  I'd been anticipating reading it.  Richard D. Emmons writes, "Navigating trials requires patient endurance.  It requires trusting God day by day and waiting on Him to make things come around."

I am trying to be patient today, I am.  But truly, I'm feeling a little impatient.   A little like giving in and giving up for the day.  Reading under the tree and forgetting all that calls.  Today, I'm struggling and I just want a break.  I am praying for strength and endurance, guidance and direction, wisdom and His will.  He will not forsake me.  He will not leave me.  My cup is half full.