Remembering Zippy.

 

Heavy doesn't even describe the day we found Zippy had passed. We have been so blessed to love Zippy for all these years. Zippy was so so so loved and snuggled us every night. He just showed up in the barn, decided he wanted to live here and we decided he could. He spent his days roaming and his nights inside with us. 7 years ago the vet didn't think he'd make it through the night, we were blessed with him all these extra years. He died from natural causes on the farm he made his home. My gardening buddy, we decided to bury him near the garden. We will forever have a Zippy sized hole in our hearts.

Merry Christmas 2024

 

Merry Making

 My homemade gift, couldn't be more proud of the builder! I love it so! 

And a couple of pockets of decor.  

Happy Seven and a HALF, Anna-Kate!

 Anna-Kate is seven and a HALF! 

Anna-Kate, 

First of all my apologies that we are celebrating weeks later than we should have, oops!  This actually shows your personality so vividly.  At your age, the other kids would ask and ask when it was their half day and you just never asked when you turn seven and a HALF.  That's because you are so adaptable and go with the flow. 

You basically love everything.  You love people, activities, food, learning, reading, writing, going places, staying home, being inside and outside. You are up for anything and everything.  You'll play with tiny pieces for hours, you'll craft with anything or you'll just go outside and talk to yourself without a single thing to play with. If you could pick anything to do, it's hard to think what you'd do, you'd want to do everything! 

You talk a lot.  So much talking. You love to narrate everything you do, share all your inner thoughts and read everything you read aloud.  You've never met a stranger and can strike up a conversation with anyone. You have enjoyed our kitty fostering journey, talking to them all the live long day. You also enjoy snuggling animals and snugging your parents. 

The things you hate:  Black beans. Waiting. Not having something to keep your hands busy.  Showering. Someone else brushing your hair. Carrying your own things. Coats. Shoes.

Your favorite places to go are places with friends, swimming and the library.   

You are a marvelous grand finale and we are so blessed to have you to love. 

Happy seven and a HALF, Anna-Kate! 

Love, Mama

Here are previous posts: 

Seven

Six and a Half

Six

 Five and a HALF! 

Five

Four and a HALF

Four

 three and a HALF.

Here she's three

Two and a HALF

Two

18 months
She's One
9 months
6 months
(Here's 3 months, newborn.)

Snow

 The wee bit of snow was lovely while it lasted. Gone now.  I'm requesting more, just when it's not during my husband's commute.  

Kids' Night!

 I got to be a wrapper at the 2nd annual Kids' Night at the thrift shop.  Kids shop for 50% off, get hot cocoa and sweets, meet Santa and get their presents wrapped.  I love it. 

Mama Made: Christmas PJs 2024.

 Mama Made PJs for 2024!  The bottoms are a queen flannel flat sheet that I thrifted for $5.  I did buy two out of the three tops and appliqued the tree and star for my Mainer children.  Adrian asked if I would still be making him Pjs when he's an adult.  I suspect my arm could be twisted...

Merry Making

 Every year, in partnership with our Tree Farm neighbors, our 4-H club creates dozens of centerpieces and delivers them to helpers and people who need cheering.

My big kids worked so hard to collect what we needed.

Our annual winter gear swap was a smashing success.  We did this for a solid week. It was a huge commitment, but a great way for community to support community. 

We went to the annual ornament swap and Audra won the door prize arrangement for the 2nd year in a row. 

Mama Made

I think I stitched this Halloween costume when I was in college. It fits Audra perfectly now. 

It just so happens that the Christmas dress I made Anna-Kate last year is the same color and it still fits. They were having fun dressing as royalty.  Love seeing them wear what I stitched. 

Merry Reindeer

Adrian invited Audra to do a woodworking project.  Not only did this mama's heart soar that they decided to work together, but I also love the outcome. 

Tootsie Travels.

 We brought Tootsie with us.  What a marvelous traveler. 

Thanksgiving!

 We left before the sunrise to make a quick trip to my dad's cabin for Thanksgiving.  A solid day's travel it takes us.  We definitely made memories. 

Gifted myself some noise canceling headphones. I could definitely use them. 

Changing Seasons

 Oddly enjoy, October in Maine I'm still in the garden.  Did some work in the orchard, still planting and transplanting. Garlic is finally in.

Still eating a few things directly from the garden (parsley below) and going through my homegrown stores.

I'm back to fiddling with my sour dough (home grown herb crackers). 

More soaking lately. Garbanzo beans for roasting, bulgur for tabbouleh, alfalfa for sprouts.

The early sunsets brings us in for sewing and board games.  Went through my mending pile tonight and made a half dozen new reusable paper towels. It's been about a dozen years now of upcycling flannel sheets into reusable paper towels. I make a few new ones every year.  I really enjoy this time of year when the darkness brings us all in sooner for both gathering and indoor homesteading tasks.