my blessed life

Does anyone else do that?  Just putter around the house sometimes? I've been doing a lot of that this week.  And it's been nice. I've cleaned out and organized two hall closets.  Gotten all of the laundry folded while watching English murder mysteries.  Pulled some weeds out of our front flower bed (there's many more to pull though, I assure you), picked veggies from our neighbors' garden (with permission), made myself some *chick* food ( gazpacho !), and have even done some cleaning out and organizing in our learning room. Did I mention that my hubby took the kiddos on a brief trip this week and the house has been very quiet? Yeah.  That's why I feel like puttering. While that list above may *sound* like work, it truly wasn't.  It was all done at my own leisure, at a relaxed pace, whenever I chose to do it. I hardly ever get the chance to do whatever I want whenever I want, so that has been kind of nice.  Well, very nice, actually. ...

While I haven't stopped counting, it's been a while since I posted some of my gifts on here.  It's good to share gifts--it reminds me even more to be grateful. 0551.  sticky little-kid chins, stained pink from watermelon 0552.  the clickity-clack of a ceiling fan 0553.  the joy on my child's face when she receives a handwritten letter from a far-away beloved friend 0554.  the satisfaction of crossing off things on my to-do list 0555.  the coolness of a pool on a hot summer afternoon 0556.  watching my kiddos play in harmony (even if it's only for a few minutes at a time) 0557.  receiving a blessing from an unexpected source 0558.  lovely fresh veggies from our neighbor's garden 0559.  scrubbing out that ring of dirt from the kiddos' bathtub and knowing just how much fun they had getting dirty 0560.  falling asleep reading a good book

Just a little note: I have recently created  a Facebook page for my blog   and I would so appreciate it if you would   click over  using  this link   or the box to your top right and *like* my page!  Thank you so much! ***** lovelies from my sweet neighbors' garden This week has the potential to be a whirlwind so I definitely need to be organized!  Besides my regular dinner plans, I have a few other recipes that I'd like to make this week, too.   Things like Gazpacho and Hummus are on the agenda.  Also I plan to make some new things with banana peppers since I have had quite a few given to me.  I'd love to hear what you like to do with banana peppers! Oh--and, of course, I'll be trying out some more gluten-free recipes also!  I am totally in learning mode with regard to that, but I'll get there.  Last night I tried gluten-free baking for the very first time and it was a success!  I'll tell you m...

Just a little note: I have recently created  a Facebook page for my blog  and I would so appreciate it if you would  click over  using this link or the box to your top right and *like* my page!  Thank you so much! ***** I am feeling overwhelmed .  I have recently made the decision to try going gluten-free with my son.  He has not been diagnosed with anything and I certainly don't believe he has Celiac disease, but there are some things that have led me to believe he may have an intolerance for gluten.  So...we're trying it. And I hardly know where to begin.  But here I go anyway! I do have some friends and family who have gone gluten-free and, believe me, I have been pestering them with lots of questions!  They are being very gracious and helpful to me and I SO appreciate it! I would say that I am a total foodie and have a pretty good knowledge of food products, but when it comes to gluten-free foods I am just at a loss. ...

See what's growing in our yard?  Yes, a squash plant!  And, no, we didn't even plant it :)  Sadly, I didn't get any kind of a garden planted this spring. We just happened onto this plant in our yard and thought "hey, this looks like a squash plant!".  Sure enough, there's one growing and there are lots more blooms.  Can't wait to pick them! Now for the really funny part...this squash plant is right by our front steps...by our lilies.  I'm sure people coming to our front door are wondering about our landscaping tastes (no pun intended..haha).   Oh--and, yes, this was the perfect example for my children of "animal dispersed seeds" from our Apologia Botany study this past year :)  

I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating the freedom that our forefathers worked so hard to give us!  I am looking forward to a day filled with family and friends...and good food on the grill!  I don't think we'll be setting off any fireworks since there's a burn ban on in our county (we're praying for rain!), but we're going to enjoy a local public show anyway. Happy 4th of July!  Be safe!

Just a little note: I have recently created a Facebook page for my blog and I would so appreciate it if you would click over using the box to your top right and *like* my page!  Thank you so much! ***** (making *gross* soup from random found items + a little food coloring) We have certainly been busy around here checking off things on our Summer Fun List.  Not only have we been taking lots of fun field trips, but there has also been plenty of crafting, fun and general silliness abounding! (The Princess narrating/acting/directing a play she wrote for her stuffed animals to perform) I love the amazing creativeness of children--and my children are no exception!  They can come up with some pretty great ideas (some of which require lots of *props*, but that's okay, right?)!   Recently my daughter has discovered her love for all things Nancy Drew (pretty sure that was genetic) and turns absolutely everything into a mystery (pretty sure that was ...