Garden update #4

Update 2
Update 1
Update 3

It's a jungle out there. And I grew that jungle. Sure there are weeds, but there are also flowers, herbs, greens, zucchini, cucumbers, peas, green beans, potatoes and so on and so forth. My only regret is I planted those tall sunflowers in front of our zinnias. I thought I was reducing the size of the garden, but then changed my mind. Oh well.

We are definitely eating from the garden three meals a day. Oh, and the peach tree. Look at this beautiful peach tree... This orchard has been a labor of love, but looks like it is starting to be worth it!

Thankful to be able to feed my kids organically homegrowns.

Thrifted

Books. Brand new classical music boxed CD set. Vintage books and ALL THOSE painting canvases. $10.

A whole bunch of books, next size up shoes, and a miniature picnic basket. $2.50

Mama Made: Lunch Bag

The little lunch bag I made and my little model holding it (wearing a dress I made for Audra, it's so worn and faded now, still a fave!). I got confused on dates and TOMORROW is the day the cast comes off! Her plans are "throw it in trash, take a tubby, go to beach". Game on!

Nature Study

Nature Study at it's finest. How lucky are we that we get to monitor beaver activity? And do our nature journaling in the woods? Our fresh air kiddo said he hated science. At the end of the week, he said he likes the way we do science. We do too. <3

Mama Made: Dress for Birthday #3

It's an 'old fashioned nightgown', made of linen. She loves it.

Fresh Air 2019

In the midst of a very exhausting and challenging week of loss and injuries, we picked up our breath of Fresh Air from a coach bus. This little 7 year old boy fit into our family perfectly. Such a delightful boy, he comes from such a loving and appreciative family too. Experiencing our life through his eyes was nothing short of magical and helps us remember to count our abundant blessings. I say this everytime we have gotten a Fresh Air kiddo...we allow them to play freely in 'our' fresh air, but the true breath of fresh air is having one more child to love dearly. https://freshair.org/

I made sure to make him the same that I make all of our fresh air kids...a little bag with a chicken to remember Maine. He brought gifts for our kids, Anna-Kate loves the dress he gave her. She keeps calling him in the house, wondering where he went. We all loved having him here.

The joy in having him was enough, but the cherry on top was this letter. Our Fresh Air weeks are definitely highlights of the summer. (Interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer, do message me!)

Little Miss

How is Little Miss doing with her broken leg?

She is fast. She runs. She gets into things. And when she's flopping around during book time, that cast hurts those next to her like nothing else. Anna-Kate has such fun little personality that it hasn't phased her.

And I designed and created a cast cover for her. It actually works.

I'm also extremely thankful for my thrifted purchase a few months ago-a toddler Beco soft structured carrier. It has come in very handy and I love it so. I've wanted a toddler carrier with all three kids and I finally have one. Timing couldn't be more perfect!

Movie time!

We hardly ever do movie time, but when we do, we do so in style! The garden is glad for this rain.

Molasses Cake

We read the book Joshua's Song, which is about the Molasses Flood in Boston in 1919. That prompted them to want to make something out of Molasses. It didn't disappoint, recipe below.

Old-Fashioned Gingerbread

15 m
1 h

Recipe By:Reddi-wip

"Traditional gingerbread cake, dusted with confectioners' sugar and garnished with whipped cream"

Ingredients

PAM(R) Baking Spray
2 3/4 cups Ultragrain(R) All Purpose Flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2/3 cup Pure Wesson(R) Vegetable Oil
2 large eggs, beaten
3/4 cup molasses
1 cup lowfat buttermilk
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
Reddi-wip(R) Original Dairy Whipped Topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 13x9-inch baking dish with baking spray. Combine flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in medium bowl; set aside.
Combine sugar, oil and eggs in large bowl; mix well. Gradually pour molasses into sugar mixture; stir until well blended. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to sugar mixture; beat well. Spread batter evenly in prepared baking dish.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before serving. Cut into 12 pieces. Dust with confectioners' sugar and garnish with Reddi-wip.

Mama Made: Birthday Dress #2

Birthday dress #2. I love it oodles. But not as much as I love the spunk in this girl.

Mr. Snapper

I went for my morning walk and jumped a mile when I noticed what I thought was a rock was a snapper. I came back and told my kids and asked them if they wanted to walk back to see if he was still there. They of course did. He hadn't moved in that whole time. That's when I realized he was stuck. We found a stick and I dug out the dirt below/under him until he was unstuck. I am thankful I took a few pics before he scooted away. Quite the experience! You can be sure we rushed home and got out our nature journal.