Errand Day

I knew it would be a rushed morning. Sadly, no time for tea in the garden. I needed to have Millie at the groomer by 0900.   This doesn't mean I went without my chai. 

Have tea - will travel. 

Luke heard us discussing how I could set out cereal for Dad and rush Millie to the groomer and maybe be back before Dad woke up....and I needed to run a bunch of errands as I'd not been able to leave the house with Michael gone and the girls' work schedules. I actually had forgotten he was here and it was such a relieve when he volunteered to just come up and sit with Dad. Perfect. 

I ran to the groomer, the pharmacy, the library and then the grocery store, taking my tea with me all along the way. LOL Just check out the small mountain views around here. I love living in Alaska. 

I had a mission at the store - purchase all the grand girls' favorite snack foods. I succeeded. 

I looked the biggest junk food addict in the state - and I felt the judgement! But I didn't care. I had a purpose for the snacks. 

I zipped home and Luke headed out for the rest of his day.  I asked Dad if he'd come with me to the cemetery. He was agreeable. The groomers called and we went to pick up Millie. Dad was happy for the outings. She is sitting and staying so pretty here even though Stacia has just driven up and she wants to go so badly. Good girl. 

Another Day in the Garden

What a treat it is to have a morning cup of tea outside!!!! We LOVE being OUTSIDE in the sun during this season. 

Today's mug was a gift from Mona and Kari - Luke's Mom and Sister so practically family as Luke married Krista.  I spent an hour outside and then came in and got things settled for the day inside the house. I got Dad breakfast, started sourdough, unloaded the dishwasher, loaded the dishwasher, got laundry going, and put dinner in the crockpot. Michael is gone and both girls are working. It's been quiet around here. Dad must feel it too as he asks me at least once a day, "When will Mike be home?" 

This is the bed I tackled today. Once every bed is weeded and planted, I will put them on a rotation so that each bed is done once a week - or so. 

I forgot to get a good after shot before I covered the bed with plastic. These are past greenhouse walls - from our first try at a greenhouse. I find laying them over planted seeds is helpful. I'm not sure it warms the soil but it DOES keep the birds and winds from blowing the seeds away. LOL I planted sweet peas down the middle. I experimented with planting other things at the edges of the bed last year and it worked well. This year I planted carrots in two of the quadrants, radishes in one quadrant and more lettuce in the last quadrant. 

I've been getting a lot of sun this week so I grabbed the "garden hat" Vonda gave me last year. 

I spent all afternoon puttering around outside. The weather has been in the mid to upper 60's - a heatwave for us. LOL  I'm still pushing spinach as I need the space to plant some beans, but I don't want to give the chickens the spinach. I picked more...

I came back in to stretch and fold sourdough and to get dinner on the table. Luke joined us and it was nice to catch up with him and talk about their upcoming adventures. 

I took full advantage of the hot tub after a long day of gardening and weed eating. 

Gardens are Made for Kids

This day could be categorized as Garden and Post Garden!  My poor house will be neglected until I get everything planted...and maybe beyond. ::snort:: 

Allie left the house early, but shortly after she left for work, I was in the garden with my Chai. Krista made me this mug to celebrate the conclusion of my homeschooling career. (As an aside I need to go find those photos and blog that).  It says, "Some saw weeds, but you saw potential," and the dates are on the handle. It's 16 oz...the perfect size for chai and it is a great jump off point to remembering. 

I opened the hoop house and the green house, settled the chickens, collected eggs, and picked spinach. I'm ready to plant beans where the spinach is and it's on the edge of going to seed....spinach/bacon omelets, spinach salads, green smoothies... planting early in the greenhouse worked well. It is nice to be able to eat from the garden before the end of July. 

I got Dad settled and then told him I was going to get out in the garden for a couple of hours before his lunch. I reminded him he can yell out the window if he needs me. My goal was to get the broccoli and cauliflower planted today.  I weeded the bed and around it, I added some soil and went about selecting the best starts. I ended up planting 9 broccoli plants and 12 cauliflower plants.  As you can see there are spots where weeds have come through the cardboard and wood chips...but it is so much better than past springs. 

Before

15 plants in this bed and another 6 in the new bed. Eight and half of Eleven beds planted. 

After

The chickens love the pots of weeds I toss their way. Today they also got the starts I didn't use. 

The only starts left in the greenhouse are Tomatoes (I already planted THREE BEDS of tomatoes) and Brussel Sprouts (I've planted 3 and will plant more as I have space). My next project is to figure out where to plant these seeds. 

I learn a little bit more about gardening each year. This year three things are making life in the garden easier. I found a pair of gloves small enough for me to actually garden while wearing them... this has eliminated slivers, many cuts and stings from stinging nettles and I am avoiding the "garden manicure" look.

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The Extra Tuffs (boots) Carrie bought me are making for many less turned ankles and no noxious weeds are grabbing my feet...though I do sorta like flip flops in the garden. Finally, I borrowed Michael's knee pads as he's traveling anyway. GAME CHANGER. They are much more comfortable than the foam rectangles made for kneeling in the garden....and I don't have to mess with moving the foam when I move. 

It's the small things that make life happy! LOL 

Stacia had gone to her first day of work. She came home and I realized I had lost track of time. She made GG a late lunch, I put things away outside and thought I'd better hit the shower. 

Cory called and their family came over. The battery for the riding mower has been charging and it started up. The push mower is still out of commission. He mowed all that he could on the riding mower. 

Arielle has given the boys haircuts. Benny wanted his hair buzzed for the summer. Charles wanted a "hair cut like GGs" (bald) and Danny sat still long enough for the bottom to be cut, leaving the top long. They are all darling.  Charles, as is often the case, was ran up the ramp yelling his greetings.

 "I got my hair cut like YOURS, Bachan." ::snort::  

Mine isn't quite that short, buddy. 

I heard him say, "GG my hair is like yours!" Now that's closer to the truth. 

The boys were all determined to fill the watering cans and help water the garden. LOL 

Then it was time to play! 

Danny and Charles like to "help" GG with his puzzles. We got a laugh out of Charles' technique. GG went to put a piece in, and it wouldn't fit. Charles said it was o.k., and he took a couple pieces out to make room for the offending piece. 

I got dinner going which led to Little Miss exploring Bachan's cupboards. She discovered all sorts of wonders.  None of the kids have ever gotten into these cupboards. 

Allie came home, CoRielle and the kids went home, we had dinner and settled into watching "Mig Big Fat Greek Wedding."  Luke came home via New York. It will be nice to have everyone back home by the end of the week. 

I love being able to be outside so much of the day now. It feels like winter is far, far away. LOL 

A Great Flannel Monday

Another beautiful morning in the garden with my chai. There is MUCH to do in the garden, but I'm trying to simply take joy in what IS accomplished and not stress over what isn't.  There is something about a quiet neighborhood, bird song and tea. It's a great place to center in on what is important in the day. 

This is the mug Allie gave me for my birthday. Armed with the baby monitor and chai I settled in to pray over the day's priorities. It's a juggle when Michael and I are not both around. LOL 

I checked on the cucumbers and tomatoes - they seem to be doing a bit better. The flowers and plants I planted on Saturday look great today. I set out the rest of the plants to harden, got the chickens fresh water and collected eggs before the monitor alerted me to the fact that "GG has left his room." I left the garden with vague plans to come back during GG's naptime. 

Allie and I touched base as I got Dad's breakfast. She was off for a hike at Government Peak with Joseph and his kids. She went into work this afternoon for 4 hours. 

I spent the morning blogging and doing laundry. 

Stacia headed out for a hike with Andrew and Lorelei. Millie was happy to get OUT. 

After lunch Dad DID take a nap. I spent another 1 1/2 hours in the garden. I had thought I might get the cauliflower and broccoli shown above planted. I didn't. I took care of the weeds around the bed of my choice, and planted all the cabbage starts. I direct seeded more spinach, lettuce and kale. I also transplanted celery starts. Just like that two beds are planted. I'm committed now. Praying for no frosts!

Dad woke up and it began to drizzle so I called it a day. I'll work on transplanting the other starts tomorrow. I WANT to weed the potato patch and go find a zucchini start - I just realized I didn't start any seedlings at all. LOL  Dad was a ready for a mid-afternoon snack. 

Sugar free cookies and coffee for Dad,
Hibiscus tea for me

We didn't feel like making a heavy dinner tonight...we are in a big hurry to get back to our books. Stacia made quesadillas and I made a giant salad. It was yummy. 

I'm reading a Grisham book. Stacia is reading "Wind and Truth," by Brian Sanderson.  Dad is reading a Ralph Moody biography. Allie is reading a Robin Williams biography. We were set for a late afternoon evening of reading...with rain and tea. 

Krista reports she and Luke picked up Michael and they are a hotel near the Denver airport. Luke flies home tomorrow, and Krista and Michael begin their road trip back to Alaska. 

All in all, it's been a great day...flannel, memories, blogging, gardening, reading and tea. 

Gideon's Friend Party

Gideon, our NICU wonder, has turned 8 years old. Today he had his friend party. We raced home from church to the valley to attend! This is always a fun time to celebrate with family and do a quick connect with dear ones from our prior church. 

The theme today was Pokemon. I would love to know where Bre gets her party planning theme making abilities. She is good at this. 

There were tattoos, face painting, games and food - all the fun elements of a good birthday party. LOL 

Joelle and Rebekah are getting good at face painting!

Stacia and Allie 

Myself and Arielle - I like this photo!

God has blessed us good with our son in laws! Luke included! 

Izaak (Trudy and Gideon in background) & Cory

Benny 

A cute shot of Jojo and Gideon playing with Ellie. But check out the little feet in the upper left corner. My guess is Trudy finally managed to climb the counter to the goodies. LOL 

Annie and Trudy! Check out that face art! 

We arrived before CoRielle. They had to lead a church service and celebrate a friend's graduation before coming to the party. As they walked in Charles sized up the room. He ran over to me very excited and screamed, "Baachan!!!! YOU BROUGHT GG!" His love of Dad is sweet. I asked if he wanted to go say hi to GG and he didn't, but he was very happy to see he was at the party. LOL  

Charles and Danny seem to be enthralled with coffee huts or drive throughs. They found all the pieces to play the game at BreZaak's as well as our yard. LOL 

CoRielle's 4 year olds

These days always fill my love tank with joy. I don't take for granted the blessing of living near adult Gherkins and the way they allow us to be a part of their families. By fall two of the girls will have moved out of state. A son is contemplating a similar move within the year...God shined on us when He directed us to Alaska instead of to Japan in 2015. We couldn't see the plan then, but we are blessed beyond measure on this end. Yes, "That'll preach!" 

Note: all photos are from BreAnne. I tried to keep children other than family off the blog....since I didn't expressly check in for permission to publish their images. There WERE lots of friends at the party. 

Mornings in the Garden are Back

 I set my alarm early this Sunday morning to be sure, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of getting everyone to Eagle River without Michael, I had time to sit in the garden. There's not much but weeds and dirt out here just now. 

Ah - but I have set my chair out and it was waiting. I bring a nice hot cuppa chai with me, and I sit and listen to the birds, and the occasional moose moving out in the woods. I sit with the weeds and the potential represented by the beds, and I dream and hope.  I sit with my thoughts, and they seamlessly become prayers and with no effort at all I sense His still and quiet voice of comfort and hope.  If nothing but weeds grow, these mornings make gardening worth the effort in this season. If the moose break through my bungee corded deterrent and eat all my little starts, these early morning garden moments are still worth the effort. 

I have come to realize there is a whole lot more than dirt and weeds out here. There is the awareness of Jesus and there is hope, comfort, peace and possibilities out here. 

What IS this? 

I had 30 minutes before I had to begin the morning routine. The girls knew what time we needed to leave. The problem this morning was me and GG. The shirt I gave him didn't fit any longer. He was a bit slower moving than I expected, and we were JUST making it out of the door on time. I started the van and discovered...

...I had less than a 1/4 tank of gas.  I WANTED to take the back hwy in and avoid construction - it's closer to our home. I did NOT want to go into town for gas. I googled how many miles it was from my door to the church's door - it is 33 miles. I checked the cars nifty readout to find out how many miles it estimated I had left in the tank - 21 miles. There isn't a lot between here and the church on the back hwy. 

We had to run into town, where it too 15 1/2 gallons to fill my 16 gal tank.  We usually show up at ACF 11:15 and save seats for all the Gherkins. I could tell we wouldn't make it by 11:15...however, we were the only Gherkins at church this week, so we weren't letting anyone down. 

I would like to say right here there should be a special place in heaven, or at least at ACF, for someone who can make it from the Valley to the church in 27 minutes. I believe, in Liberia, they called it the sinner's bench at the back of the church. 

Church was so worth the effort to get there. Randolph did an excellent job of presenting the difference between religion and relationship. I'm excited to journey through the book of Romans this summer.  Worship reminded me once again, death doesn't win. It's been conquered.