Mother's Day

At the end of Mother's day, the grand total of two pictures on my camera roll: 2. Two. That's it.

Mother's Day is always a blend of my husband (last minute) trying to dream up of something special, with me saying "It's 100% okay to keep our normal", with one of my kids getting nervous and adding negative behaviors all because the day may be different and me always with some silent grief that sneaks up on me (even though it's been 26 Mother's Days since I lost my mom).  It's a day full of celebrating for some and I seem to be in the "Let's just skip to Monday" category. 

The first picture was this, which Anna-Kate took herself.  I was just doing what I do, making sourdough pancakes for my family in my kitchen that becomes our whole house's catchall.  Wearing my ratty old sweatshirt that I've had since high school.  Taken from the perspective of where she always stands.

I had no idea she was taking this and I sort of love this picture.  I ordinarily do not love any pictures of myself. There is no one more critical of myself than me. This picture, though, embodies what I hope to be from the lens of my child. The mama who always, always, always tries.  The results may be imperfect but the intent consistent. 

Here's the other pic of the day.  My trio with leftover take out pizza (thank you to my husband for a meal off from cooking), with that same shabby old sweatshirt from high school that I finally ditched. 

Motherhood is the least glamorous activity of my lifetime, but I'm praying it's the one that reaps the most fruits.

Nature Days

 In between our intense timeline today, we had a little escape doing what we love.

Marshland today

Highlights: Five Egrets 

Frog eggs and look closely and see the tadpoles.

And this one would say the gall attached to the oak leaf.

This one talked the whole time.

After we had company for lunch. 

And I took a family portrait at our last stop. 

I may or may not have gotten some more plants. Okay, so I definitely did. Spring fever has captured us! Happy Mother's Day!  

Pillowcases

 

Been on a burrito pillowcase sewing kick lately. 2/5 of the latest pictured. The spring to do list is long, a brief reprieve at the sewing machine makes no sense in some ways, but makes all the sense in others. Sometimes doing what you love instead of that to do list is just as fulfilling. 

Out of Doors

 How nice that my husband got the outside dining area all set up!  This set we have moved all over the property, but I think it has found a steady home under the maple I so lovingly have encouraged along.  A plan for this year is to move more granite stones around to have a high and solid fireplace area for open fire cooking. 

This little one foraged for asparagus. (She thinks she found it anyway, really I planted it).  She decided it was all going to be for her since it is her favorite.  She loves her asparagus.  The first of many meals of asparagus, I hope!

At home

 Yesterday we were home all day.  You know it's funny, some folks assume that because we are homeschoolers that we must be always home and often bored. Not true. It is very very very rare that we have a day with nothing going on.  In fact, most days we have many things going on. The kids always seem to have an activity, a virtual class, a service project, a playdate...something.  And I still do my regular job as a speech language pathologist and have regular meetings and commitments for all my volunteer gigs.  Sometimes it's hard to fit in the homesteading that I also try to keep to.  Yesterday, we had nothing on the calendar.  At first my kids were trying to get me to add something to the calendar.  The tide shifted as the girls remembered their old fashioned dresses. They suddenly had loads of ideas and found plenty to do at home sweet home. 

I suspect these two prefer the days our calendar is filled. 

More Nature

Another day, another hike with my nature loving crew! Spring is such a great time for discovery. 

Picnic Season

 The warmer weather reminds me it's time to switch over the car bags from mittens and hats to more seasonal clothing. It's also the time of year to stock our trunk with our picnic gear.  I try to keep a picnic blanket, silverware, napkins and our tinware in the car at all times so we are ready for a spontaneous picnic. Over the years, I've aimed for a picnic a week.  I think it's about time to start up our picnic fun again! My friend introduced me to this insulated camp crock (although it was less than half that price for a Christmas sale). It's a game changer! So easy to toss hot food in, seal and tote along.  We started with a gorgeous spot, Hamilton House.  More picnic ahead, I guarantee!