Thursday, June 30, 2011

June Beauty

It's been awhile since I last checked in, and in my last posting we were getting ready for our trip back East.  It was a lovely trip, and I will justify it by writing its own posting in a bit.  But for now, I wanted to slowly wade my way back into Blogsphere and share some June Beauty.


Well there is time left-fields everywhere invite you into them.~Mary Oliver

Monday, June 20, 2011

Parting Shots

Hi All!  We're in the throws of packing for a much anticipated trip to the East coast to visit my 99 year old Granny, woot!, family cabin, and do a little sight seeing around our Nation's capital.  These people and places have been a part of me for a  l-o-n-g  time and I'm super excited to share it with my family.  Brad has planned some new and exciting things to see and do along the way, yes, we are going to the see the Nationals play ball in their new ballpark, woot woot!

So I will wish you all a very beautiful and safe week during my absense from blogland.  I plan on taking lots of photos of the area and can't wait to share upon our safe arrival back home.  In the meantime, thought I would share a few photos of the babe who is sprouting some fine wing feathers.  I do wonder what she will look like?

The Only Way to Grab a Few Photos, Bribe Them With Food!

Could Be We Have Another 'Barred Rock' On the Way?

Enjoy!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Finding Our Rhythm

Is There Anything Prettier Than Pink Peonies?
Seems like every summer we go move through an adjustment to school being out and a new routine being established.  This time can feel awkward and more than a little uncomfy.  As the kids grow they need to assert themselves more and more as far as how they want to spend their vacation.  And yet, someone needs to be there to guide them, and at the very least DRIVE them.

After a bit of a bumpy start things are starting to settle.  As Max learned at Scout Camp, and obligingly shared with us, one of the most important components for survival in the wilderness is good moral.  And one essential element for good moral is establishing a rhythm.  Fantastic.  This hearkens back to Rachel and Max's preschool teacher's mantra "Rhythm, Routine, and Consistency."

So, after too much back and forth this week, my hero came to my rescue.  Thank you Brad for getting the kids to their early morning swim practice so I could enjoy a quiet house.  I revelled in the time to straighten, dust, vacuum, and fuss about the house without disrupting anyone.  Glorious.

To cap it off, I was able to bike to work.  What a treat!
My Commute
To think I may have missed this view if I hadn't slowed down long enough to leave the car at home.

Here's hoping you all are finding your own rhythm within your summers.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

What New Surprises Lie In Store

I tell you what.  These chickens are just too much fun.  They never cease to amaze me.  Our family spent the day at the ball park.  It was youth Baseball day, so my husband and son's Little League team and families were out in force.  What a great day!  And a full day as well.

When we got home we were greeted by yet another surprise.  We found Momma and Baby cruising the run with the rest of the flock.  Holy Moly!

So much for keeping to their own private space in the Broody Hen Palace.  I guess three days old is old enough to venture into the great outdoors.  We all enjoyed watching them roam the area together.  They moved as one and Momma clucked to her babe the entire time.  If ever one of the more curious ladies came near, Momma would ruffle her feathers and protect her babe.  And of course watching this got me to thinking about Motherhood.  How simple it would be to act on impluse and never second guess our Mothering instinct.  This Momma knows that her babe is her responsibility and she doesn't care who she offends while protecting her.  She will ruffle her feathers, sqwak, and even peck if she needs to.  As long as at the end of the day, they are together as one happy, healthy family unit.
Thank you dear hens for your simple message.  I hear you loud and clear.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Good Things Come In Small Packages

I was given a wonderful surprise when I checked on the ladies yesterday.  I opened the Broody Hen Palace, was greeted by the Hen, and who was this peeping out at me?  Our new baby!  I had just about given up hope, shame one me!  What a miracle. 
One day nothing, the next a fluffed out bundle of love.
 
Everyone is very excited by our new arrival.  We had a grand time showing the baby to neighbors and now we get to share with all of you!  The baby is very dear.  She likes to stay close to Momma, and peeps when she is removed, so we are trying to leave them in peace.  But gosh, so irresistable!    Momma likes to keep her close, as in sit on her.  It is very dear to see them snuggle.

It's a good life afterall.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Wordless? Wednesday

Clematis "Violet Charm" & Apricot Bearded Iris
To create a garden is to search for a better world.
In our effort to improve on nature,
we are guided by a vision of paradise.
Whether the result is a horticultural masterpiece
or only a modest vegetable patch, it is based on the expectation of a glorious future.
This hope for the future is at the heart of all gardening.  ~Marina Schinz

Monday, June 6, 2011

Why Blog?

Beauty is Everywhere, Especially if You Look For It!
I'm grateful for this space to record my thoughts, feelings, images, hopes and wishes.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to share with family and friends.  I'm grateful for the potential to connect with other like-minded people who I may not ever have the chance to encounter otherwise.

For the most part the posts actually write themselves.  Ordinarily my experiences have a way of collecting and connecting in my brain with some alacrity, thank goodness.  I'm blessed to live a full life that way.  And all these little thoughts have a way of bubbling up, filling me with a certain amount of energy, so it's nice to have a place to put them.  It's kinda' like lifting the lid on a simmering pot of rice to let off the steam before it bubbles over.  Such a blessing to have yet another practice that brings clarity.

But there are moments, not many, when it's hard to share.  When I can't necessarily tie a pretty bow on my life.  That's not to say that my life is difficult.  It's just hard to find the bright side sometimes.  Yesterday was such a day, and boy, I think I have a negative attitude hangover.  It's quite a vicious circle, worry, doubt, anxiety.  It feeds on itself.

But I've been given a new day, with new possibilities and I'm not going to waste it.  So with a "parting is such sweet sorrow" I must log off and find out what life has in store for me today.

What does it have in store for you?

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Gotta Get Your Head In The Game

Who doesn't love American's favorite pastime, Baseball?  Well, I haven't been so sure, even after living with arguably one of the game's biggest fans for the past 20 years.  What can I say, my brain just isn't wired to follow the plays, or so I thought.  Turns out this season was going to be different.  My son has played Little League for years, but this was the first time with his dad coaching the team.  So it would seem there was no better time to get my head in the game.

Luckily, we discovered a lovely little thing called a scorecard.  Turns out I have quite a penchant for keeping score.  It's a lot like Sudoku, or a cross word puzzle.  I love it!  Finally a way to help me focus on the plays.
Now if they only made one for managing teens.  This past weekend we had the misfortune of finding out what happens when you "take your eye off the ball."  Let me tell you folks, the risks are too great and the consequences scarey.  Raising teens is a slippery slope, kinda' like nailing jello to a tree, but nothing could be more important than establishing those ground rules.  It's tough.  Sometimes it feels a little like "Who's on first?"

"Where are you going?"  "Who's going to be there?"  "How are you getting there?" But we love our kids, and the game, and nothing could be more important.

And if you're going to get your head in the game, why not do it sporting a little "Granny Chic?" 

Click here for this Crochet Headband Tutorial.  I hope you all enjoy, and "Play Ball!"
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