My son put together this model car he received from his grandparents for his birthday.
Sweet little bear cakes I helped the children make, just for fun. They each made their own cake, and then we made frosting for them. Then they each ate their cake after lunch for dessert. We used a healthy (whole wheat) cake recipe, so we didn’t have to feel bad about having dessert on a weekday! But it was so delicious, too!
A bouquet the little girls made. The pink flowers are from their garden, the blue Bachelor’s Buttons are from my flower garden, and the others are from the woods.
My little guy’s traffic jam.
This train track has been his favorite toy ever. He got it for his second birthday last year, and he literally plays with it every day!
We got a wonderful deal on organic broccoli from Azure. It was too much to use right away, so I washed, blanched, and froze it for later.
Broccoli ready for the freezer.
Shaping and storing my 2nd batch of soap.
Lavender soap with fresh lavender from my herb garden.
My Echinacea plants are thriving!
My wonderful husband built this sandbox last year, and it is such a joy to see the children playing in it for hours. You can see some mint growing around the tree in the background.
Raised beds.
This is the first year that we’ve had great success with lettuce. It has been such a huge blessing to have all the fresh organic lettuce we could want. We’ve been eating so many salads these days, and this is literally the best lettuce I’ve ever tasted (my husband did a great job!).
Some of the peppers and tomatoes are strange shapes. When my husband picked up this tomato, he started singing the “Little People” song, because it looks like a little person! 🙂
The Bee Balm is blooming, and it is so lovely. The pinks are also blooming.
So, yes, the days are busy. And I find that I must say goodbye again for awhile. We are planning a garage sale for this weekend, a “big” birthday party is coming up soon that I must plan for, plus I have some deep cleaning to do in the kitchen and garage, a new schedule to create, plus all of my creative projects (including another batch of soap, hopefully)…it just doesn’t leave much time for the computer.
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” ~Ephesians 5:15-17
I hope to be back sometime in July. The time will pass quickly, I’m sure!
Praying June is a month of productivity, creativity and joy-filled moments in the midst of it all. Looking forward to hearing about all your successes and experiences upon your return.
Hey Joy! Oh my sweet Sister… I was so happy to have found you to find that you have to leave for a while. Well, take all the time you need… Blogging and the kids is sometimes a very tough combo!.
And yes, the Lord knows what we need and what we should do… now we should just listen to Him, and be open to hear.
Love in Christ,
Sandy
P.s. till soon! Enjoy the summer, garden, and of course the family! Love all the photo's you posted.
Joy, this is a glorious photo-show! What great abundance God has blessed you with as you seek His ways in your life as a wife and mother! Soap-making is high on my list of "must learn to do's" this summer. I have lavendar growing, but it got a dose of lawn spray…I'm so frustrated! I'll have to get a plant in a pot on my patio soon, so I'll have some buds. Otherwise I'd have to buy them for soap, and that is too expensive, I think.
I had one great season with romaine lettuce…and never again. I wish I had written down exactly what kind of seed I used that year, but I didn't. Lesson learned, and now passed on to you! 🙂
That's too bad about your lavender getting sprayed! One of my lavender plants (the biggest one) has moved from house to house with us (we just dig it up and re-plant it each time), and my mom gave it to me originally. I'm so thankful it has lived through all the uprooting!
Hope you get to make soap sometime!
Yes, thank you for sharing the wisdom about writing down the type of seeds planted. This year I started a gardening binder to record all that type of information. Since my husband plants the garden, though, I'll have to ask him what exactly he's planted! I just keep track of my herbs and flowers at this point. 🙂
Such lovely pictures you take!! I love seeing all that you are doing. It makes me feel at rest. IT's getting so hot over where I live that most of our veggies are dying (but not before I was like a crazy woman canning all I could 😉 By the way I have made that flag cake and if it uses sour cream and brown sugar…it's just sooo good.
Thank you for your kind words, Josette! I'm so sorry to hear that your veggies are dying, but glad you got to can some! So far we haven't had enough to can, but plenty to eat fresh!
OH, I just had to smile big when I saw the photo of the wooden train track with all the little toy cards on it. It reminds me of being stuck in traffic on the freeway when i'd ride in the car with my parents 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂
I just found your blog today. Been "catching up" reading your posts. Beautiful! I will be looking forward to your return. I so understand your busy and full life, as mine is, too.
Beautiful pictures! :o) I am looking forward to my house being full to over flowing in a few weeks with my girls come home! What kind of lettuce is that? We have had some luck with lettuce but I'm wanting to grow some more. :o) Your cake looks like something we will be cooking around here soon as well! Two birthdays for us – one on July 1st and daddy's on July 4th! Have a wonderful break and see you in July! :o)
Thank you! I hope you've had a lovely time with your girls at home (if they've come yet)!
I'm not really sure what kind of lettuce it is. My husband grew it, and he had 3 kinds, but I think it's a Romaine-type. We're hoping to have a fall garden with some more lettuce, too.
Hope you've enjoyed your birthday celebrations! We have one at the end of July that I'm still planning for (my daughter's 13th).
What a gorgeous post! Hope you are able to return soon. Have a great summer!
Thank you, Hannah! I hope you have a great summer too!
Joy ~
Praying June is a month of productivity, creativity and joy-filled moments in the midst of it all. Looking forward to hearing about all your successes and experiences upon your return.
Blessings ~
Jarnette
Jarnette, thank you so much for your prayers and blessings!
May the Lord bless you as well!
Hey Joy!
Oh my sweet Sister… I was so happy to have found you to find that you have to leave for a while.
Well, take all the time you need… Blogging and the kids is sometimes a very tough combo!.
And yes, the Lord knows what we need and what we should do… now we should just listen to Him, and be open to hear.
Love in Christ,
Sandy
P.s. till soon! Enjoy the summer, garden, and of course the family!
Love all the photo's you posted.
Sandy, what a sweet and encouraging comment! Thank you so much!
Joy, this is a glorious photo-show! What great abundance God has blessed you with as you seek His ways in your life as a wife and mother! Soap-making is high on my list of "must learn to do's" this summer. I have lavendar growing, but it got a dose of lawn spray…I'm so frustrated! I'll have to get a plant in a pot on my patio soon, so I'll have some buds. Otherwise I'd have to buy them for soap, and that is too expensive, I think.
I had one great season with romaine lettuce…and never again. I wish I had written down exactly what kind of seed I used that year, but I didn't. Lesson learned, and now passed on to you! 🙂
Blessings,
Lori
Oh, thank you, Lori! God is so good!
That's too bad about your lavender getting sprayed! One of my lavender plants (the biggest one) has moved from house to house with us (we just dig it up and re-plant it each time), and my mom gave it to me originally. I'm so thankful it has lived through all the uprooting!
Hope you get to make soap sometime!
Yes, thank you for sharing the wisdom about writing down the type of seeds planted. This year I started a gardening binder to record all that type of information. Since my husband plants the garden, though, I'll have to ask him what exactly he's planted! I just keep track of my herbs and flowers at this point. 🙂
Blessings to you!
Have a blessed time away! Summer is full of busy days…
What lovely pictures!! 🙂 God bless!
I hope you're having a blessed summer, Tanya! Blessings to you!
Take your time! Hope to see you again in the future.
Love from Holland ;o)
Thanks, Monique! It's always lovely to hear from you! 🙂
I love your pictures. They could have been taken at my house. I like to she kids being kids and families enjoying the out of doors.have a nice summer.
Debbie, thank you so much. I hope you have a lovely summer as well!
Such lovely pictures you take!! I love seeing all that you are doing. It makes me feel at rest. IT's getting so hot over where I live that most of our veggies are dying (but not before I was like a crazy woman canning all I could 😉
By the way I have made that flag cake and if it uses sour cream and brown sugar…it's just sooo good.
Thank you for your kind words, Josette! I'm so sorry to hear that your veggies are dying, but glad you got to can some! So far we haven't had enough to can, but plenty to eat fresh!
OH, I just had to smile big when I saw the photo of the wooden train track with all the little toy cards on it. It reminds me of being stuck in traffic on the freeway when i'd ride in the car with my parents 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂
I am so glad you're sharing this photo's. I like them! I like the beauty in ordinary days.
Thank you, Jedidja!
It all looks so wonderful! So glad your garden is doing well. All the best with your garage sale and please do, come back 🙂
Thank you so much, Jean!
I just found your blog today. Been "catching up" reading your posts. Beautiful! I will be looking forward to your return. I so understand your busy and full life, as mine is, too.
Welcome, Amy! Thank you so much for visiting, and for taking the time to leave a comment. I hope to see you again here! 🙂
What lovely images. Good luck with all your busy days and I look forward to your posts when you return. Lily. xxx
Thank you, Lily!
Beautiful pictures! :o) I am looking forward to my house being full to over flowing in a few weeks with my girls come home! What kind of lettuce is that? We have had some luck with lettuce but I'm wanting to grow some more. :o) Your cake looks like something we will be cooking around here soon as well! Two birthdays for us – one on July 1st and daddy's on July 4th! Have a wonderful break and see you in July! :o)
Thank you! I hope you've had a lovely time with your girls at home (if they've come yet)!
I'm not really sure what kind of lettuce it is. My husband grew it, and he had 3 kinds, but I think it's a Romaine-type. We're hoping to have a fall garden with some more lettuce, too.
Hope you've enjoyed your birthday celebrations! We have one at the end of July that I'm still planning for (my daughter's 13th).