Pondering on Wednesday

I was thinking this morning. When I was a young mom, I was strict. I expected my kids to be respectful and do their chores and obey the rules. Well, somewhere along the line I have changed. I watched my grandsons yesterday. I am nothing at all like I used to be. There are 4 of them and I knew that being out numbered I couldn't let them go swimming in the big pool. So how did they end up going swimming in the big pool? I don't know other than I have become weak and spineless and give in at every turn.

Before they got there I got them some squirt guns and filled up a tub with water so they could play with squirt guns. That lasted five minutes. They kept asking to swim. They hadn't brought bathing suits so I let them swim in their underwear. All the time, I think I am going to be in so much trouble when Mom and Dad get back.

I didn't have any sun block, so as I am trying to think of how to keep them from getting sun burned, I came up with an idea. My husband has drawer filled with old tee shirts. So I brought them in and put the tea shirts on them and then cut them off so they fit. It was a great idea as it kept their backs covered and the sleeves pretty much covered their arms.

So they swam and I sat on the step with the baby and other brother who wasn't sure about swimming yet. We had a nice time. They they told me they were hungry. Did I give them good snacks? Nope, they saw a box of cookies I had got for my older kids to use to make Smores and they wanted those. Did I say No?
I gave them the corn syrup laden fake food. I did give the baby a graham cracker. We went back out to the pool.

They swam some more, they got hungry again. They wanted chips. So I gave them chips. I let them sit on the side of the pool and eat them. Food by the pool? I tell you I have slipped so bad. Finally Grandpa got home and things got a little more normal. Only as soon as he came outside, they told on me. I couldn't believe it. They told Grandpa about Grandma cutting up his tee shirts. They waited breathlessly to see if I would get in trouble. I didn't, they seemed disappointed.

Mom and Dad got back and my husband and I both thought we would get yelled at because there were these wet kids and they were eating pizza pockets that my older kids had fixed. Another bunch of junk food that isn't normally around here but was yesterday. So I keep pondering, how in the world did I become such a pushover. It is a good thing that they have Momma and Daddy because I am pretty sure I would ruin them.

Just some things I was wondering about. Because you know, I think they are just about perfect. I can't wait for them to come over again and swim some more.

~Kim~

Today At My House

One of the maples that my husband collects started getting some new leaves. When they first come in they are this beautiful red color. Japanese Maples really are so interesting and I think what I like are there are so many different varieties.

This morning's sunrise was all clothed in gold. It was so nice to see the sun coming up over Greenhorn mountain. Right now it is as far as it gets in the summer. After the Summer Solstice the sun begins it's travels across the sky back to Bear Mountain where it stays until after winter Solstice.

I finally got some things hung in my new sewing room. I have to get busy and make some more things.

I realized as I was hanging these things I have a thing for chickens and birds. I do need to make some more  quilts. I cut out squares for a tiny summer quilt on Saturday now I have to get busy and finish making it. I also hadn't bound that little chicken rug so I had to finish that last week so I could hang it up.

When my sister was here for the wedding, I gave her my other chicken rug I had made. I have so many ideas in my head that I need to finish up what I am working on now.

Here is my shelf with all of well not all of my sewing supplies up here but a good portion. I have my wool and my cutter down stairs. I haven't moved my sewing machine up here yet.

When I do it will be right here.

I like redwork and one of the first things I made after I started sewing again was that little redwork quilt.

My sewing table folds out so it is a nice little work space with every thing in one place.

With all of the work I did for months leading up to the wedding, my carpel tunnel has really got bad. I have had to do other things and it has really cut down on the amount of sewing I can do. I have even had to limit my computer time because of it. It makes me so sad to have to slow down or stop. :)

I did start embroidering this week and it uses different motion and it seems to help a bit. I just can't do it but about 30 minutes a day. I only can work now until my hand turns blue. Then I have to stop.

It really makes me mad at myself.

Well it is Tuesday, Sasha is really mad that I haven't went for a walk yet so I will make her happy and get off now. Have a great Tuesday,

~Kim~

My Little Garden

Happy Monday!!! On a day like today, I am thankful to be alive. The heat broke last night and today there is the ocean breeze that couldn't come through because of the high pressure system. It is one of those days when I think of things I need to be doing outside. Even though it was 103 yesterday we did get the little garden put in.

I think it is just perfect for me. Since it is so late. I planted sunflowers ( no surprise) pumpkins,
and cucumbers. I maybe planted too many cucumbers. Last year I experimented making pickles.
Ron has this pepper plant called a Black Dragon. He was able to keep it over the winter. It has the
hottest peppers I have ever tasted. I took a tiny piece one day that was just a bit no bigger that the end of a pin and my tongue
burned for 30 minutes. They go from green to black to red. Last year, I picked them and put one or two
in with my pickles to see how they would taste. The first jar I opened we stood around and ate the whole jar.
They were hot but on a sandwich or hamburger they were fantastic.
So that is why I planted two packets of cucumber seeds. I keep wishing I had more pickles in my pantry.

I was chopping weeds while Ron was getting the drip line ready in the garden. He was stringing hoses and
cutting old ends off and as I was watching him, one of the things I like about being married this long is that
being out in the garden, dirty and sweaty, watching him work to me is more romantic than roses, or a fancy date or any present I can ever think of, getting to be just us doing what we love to me is the best gift of all.

My campers got back. My poor Emilie, got back and spent all day in the emergency room because she got sick up there. She isn't back to her old self yet. They had to give her three bags of saline with antibiotics. I think the hardest thing for me with her newly married is to let her and Nik handle it on their own. The Mom part of me spent the weekend in a panic. I wanted to go to her but Ron kept saying, " You have to let them work out this trial on their own. You have to let them pull together, you will be taking Nik's headship as a husband away if you interfere.Nik, has to care for his wife." He had to tell me over and over, they will be fine.

The boys started a new mud ball. They are calling this the evolution of the mud ball. They are going to make different sizes of mud balls.

Here is the giant one now. Look at the disgusted look on Sasha's face because I made her sit there.

 Here is a better shot without Sasha.

It made it through the winter just fine. They had to do a few repairs but it is looking good again. I thought it was funny that when they knew all the cars were going to be back there for the wedding, they moved it and hid it behind the fence. They didn't want anyone to see it. I was looking at some old pictures the other day and there is a place down in Mexico that has huge round rocks that look just like mud balls. I showed them, I could see that it is just a young man thing.

Sasha wanting to keep my chicks and hens in a group. I loved that I caught a sun flare in this shot.
It is a very pretty day.

Such a nice Monday morning, I hope you have a great Monday.


~Kim~

A Summer Day

Today is a summer day. In light of not complaining. Here are some things I like about summer.

1. The swimming pool is divine and feels like I have escaped to a resort.

2. Having breakfast on the patio is warm and the air is toasty.

3. I am so thankful for air conditioning. Coming in from outside is wonderful.

4. Water. What a incredible gift.

5. My campers will be home today.

6. Home made ice cream.

7. Listening to chicks take dust baths in my flower beds.

8. Books to read on hot summer days.

9. Ditto for sewing.

10. Having Neflix to watch Psych on when I want to rug hook.

I hope the rain from Andrea hasn't been too bad for you that are getting it today. My thoughts will be with you.
Stay safe. In the morning, I just couldn't stand it I am putting in a teeny-tiny garden, with sunflowers, pumpkins and some cucumbers. I planted some beets in some garden boxes and they are thriving. I just
need a bit of a garden to play in. Have a wonderful weekend,
~Kim~