Thrifted!

The curriculum sale. And yes, I needed all this. or maybe I didn't. But it's mine. And besides, I made more money selling than I spent, so we'll call that a win.

Balance that out with a like new life vest free from markeplace for my rapid grower.

And muck boots, water shoes, all those books for $10. 

Pumpkin Valley

 We took a trip with our homeschool group to Pumpkin Valley Farm. Hay ride, seed planting, bounce pillow, baby animals and the very very dusty corn pit were the hits.  I mostly have pics from Anna-Kate since the others ditched me for their friends.We enjoyed our date! And she wants a few baby animals. Of course.

Sunday Funday and Open Fire Cooking Pit

Our day was a mix of unexpecteds (with a sick Holly, who seems to be doing better) and fun at home sweet home. 

We traded a very kind arborist a cookie cake for a truck of woodchips. Kids played here much of the day.

And rested under the maple I worked so hard to get going 10 years ago.

And I got out the swings I got last year. They spent a ton of time here too. 

And my dear husband helped me wheelbarrow all the rocks over to this spot. Look what I made! I spent a ton of time on it, it's actually nice and sturdy.

Planning on opening our ice cream stand and cooking hotdogs with friends this summer!

Feels like summer!

 This morning I had two catching butterflies and one cutting down a tree.

This afternoon they spent a solid hour all in, fully submerged for their first swim of 2022.

We were given one wet suit (thank you!!!), thrifted two others.  Three wet suits, each a different subsequent size.  One is a bit too big, one fits Adrian now, one fits Audra now. Nothing for Anna-Kate.  Flew into the thrift shop yesterday and Audra found a wetsuit that fits Anna-Kate (still a wee bit big for her to grow into).  We'll apparently be extending our Maine swimming with a trio of wetsuits, which the kids think is the absolute best!

Spring Service

 Everytime I lay out various activities to choose from at 4-H, it never fails that our club goes for the service activity first.  Our club has earned the county Community Service Award for a number of years because our kids are just so generous. 

Spring door hangers for the nursing home residents.

Homesteader ways

Although we have access to local grocery stores, I am in the habit of rarely going. I like buying in bulk and using what we have/making from scratch/using our homegrown.  It's been weeks since we've been to a grocery store.  Looming is a field trip and a need to pack a lunch.  I realized that the foods present aren't really quick/on the run meals. 

While I could get up early and make a hot meal that our camp crock would keep warm or go to the grocery store, I opted for plan C. Plan C seems like the most work, but to me, it's way easier to make late night bread and jam than it is to go to the store. (No more transitions/unexpecteds for my hard to transition kid!) It's especially easy when I have a Rolodex of recipes in my brain, so I don't even have to look up or do much measuring. 

So that's what we did. Now we're all ready for a picnic of PBJs.

(Blueberry Rhubarb....rhubarb harvested and chopped by Adrian)

Unfortunately our prospects of having Audra's homemade cookies for a picnic are dim thanks to her dad the cookie monster.

It was 17 years ago I started this homemade/homegrown focus and tonight I'm thankful for the journey and for the opportunity to bring the kids down a similar lane. 

Orchard

We've been in the orchard as of late for two reasons: 1) It needs mulching.  2) The blooms!!!   The trees are starting to bloom and Anna-Kate's bulbs are in full bloom too. We've planted about 300 around the trees. Adrian and Zippy are very helpflul.