Mid Week

 

Yesterday we hit 108. Something I noticed about it is that when it gets that hot, it is too hot to swim. Not until the sun goes down is it nice. I also noticed from this year verses last year, having eyes to see is wonderful. Even at 108 it just doesn't seem as hot or as miserable as last year.

Here is my work that I have done so far this week. Well just the canning part.

Dill Pickles

Lovely Dill Pickles

Zucchini Relish

A close up

Green quart and pint jars

 I found quart green jars yesterday. I am going to make my next batch of pickles in the green jars. I thought they would look so pretty. My goal this year is to fill every single jar I have with food. My green beans are just starting to make green beans. I can't wait until I get to start canning green beans.

The one funny thing I have noticed is that you can tell how hot it is going to be by looking at the morning glories. See how they are closing up. This was early like before 7:00 A.M. When it is going to be over 100 the flowers close really early. In the fall when they bloom, and it is cooler, they will stay open all day. Just one of those funny things I have noticed.

Today I have little boys coming over to swim with Grandma. I get to hang out with their Mom too. I can't think of a nicer way to spend a day. I love this summer. It has just been the best. So many good things happen every day.

Have a lovely day,
~Kim~

 

" The answers aren't important really...
What's important---knowing all the questions."

---The Changeling, Zilpha Keatley Snyder, 1970

Chicken Post

Gourds

I haven't done a chicken post in awhile. I thought I would tell you some things I saw today. When I got new chicks one of them turned out to be a rooster. He is very pretty, he is already destined for dinner. He is just getting fattened up. My son is going to do the honors at his house.

He is a pretty rooster. He is big too. The Silkie roosters are always pointing out the dangers of getting too frisky with their hens. Being young, he believes how tough the Silkies are and as of yet has not called their bluff.

This morning I was washing my shoes off when I was privy to something that I really wished I hadn't seen.

I have some older hens. The Silkies have never given them the time of day. The new guy, who is big like they are thinks the older, more mature ladies are beautiful. As I was watching, I noticed Mr. Young rooster sweet talking a older hen. She tossed her head and laughed and the young one took that as a come on. He of course, being young and rather Troglodytish, just jumped on and pulled her neck feathers really hard. Then he started making these sounds to her, which I took to be how he was telling her how beautiful she was and would she like to be his hen and  all sorts of junk like that.

 

 As he was trying to round her up and make her go with him. I had enough. I waited until she walked to me and then sprayed him with water. He ran away with this sound like crying because his hen that he wanted just doesn't want him. You know of course, hens don't need roosters unless you want chicks. Hens are very happy, with just hens. I always thought that was funny.

See those heat clouds above the sunflowers? When we get those kinds of clouds it gets so hot. I always think it is like a bug under a magnifying glass. It should be another day of 106. I am trying not to complain.
Since the weatherman says for us there is no end in sight.

I hope you have a lovely Tuesday. I have more canning to do. My garden is really producing except for tomatoes. I ate three cherry tomatoes, and that is all. Not a single red one to be seen.

Have a lovely day,
~Kim~

Pumpkins taking over.

Many a questioning, many a fear
Many a doubt hath its questioning here,
Moment by moment, let down from heaven
Time, opportunity, guidence given.
Fear not tomorrow Child of the king
Trust them with Jesus, Do the next thing.

From a old church yard in England.
Author unknown.

And Now Quiet

 

And  now...Quiet. No sounds of baby voices, or of the calls of " Grandma where are you?" No sounds of baby songs being sung from the rocking chair. I am back in my office now, and the house is clean and toys are put away, and a house with only five people in it is very quiet from a house with eleven.Bittersweet gifts that we have in our lives. Like butterflies. You can catch them and hold them gently, but it is better that they fly. I am thankful for the gift. I really enjoy watching them fly.

 

 " Hold everything in your hands lightly, Otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open." ( Corrie Ten Boom) I first read that when I was a new Mom and I tried so hard to hold my hands open, but I would end up closing them so tightly that even now, I find they are closed again.

 

Now, I have to remember what normal was and is and I wonder is there really normal? Like the other kids mom who is perfect and never gets mad or makes the kids mind? She lets them eat what ever they want for dinner and always looks great. I think that is what normal is, ever elusive and not real at all. Kind of like a clean house or having all of the laundry done.

My garden has been sadly neglected. My sewing was shoved into corners. My rugs have been put aside for books to read out loud. I always wondered why I never had time to sew or stitch or hook rugs or even garden very well. I know that when you are busy with children, there is just not a lot left over. It is nice to be reminded and to be grateful for this stage.  I am grateful for the blessings overflowing into our laps.

Now for my favorite picture. I took this because when our kids were young there would be six of them piled on Ron just like this. As I sat there and listened to him read, I know that I would in a heartbeat do it all again, and I love this man who always talked me in to just one more baby. He is the best and I am glad we are here, right now.

 

So enough of the mooning around. Time to get back to life and do I have weeds to tackle in the garden!
I hope you have a lovely week.
~Kim~

The Lord says, " Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing!"
(Isaiah 4318:19)

And Now Saturday...

The sun is up. The day has started. We have had two days of non-stop fun. I keep trying to remember to take photos but you know how that goes. Here is a few.

 

The baby has been kissed and held and passed around. She is just the best baby. I have rocked and sang. She is too little just yet to say, " Don't sing Grandma."

This is our number two grand daughter, she loves to just get away by herself and find some patch of bare ground and play by herself.

The living room.  My oldest grand daughter is in there.

My favorite short order cook. He is just the best grandpa ever.

I loved this picture of our oldest grandson and his grandpa fixing breakfast. They have been such friends this trip. They build a pond and  Grandpa was the back hoe.

Grandpa outside pushing people on swings. I just loved watching them out here swinging. We have been falling into bed at night just exhausted. So have the kids.

Lots and lots of swimming going on. I have been in the pool so much this weekend. It has been nice to swim so much.

This is the other bunch on the patio who were not yet swimming. This also before it got crazy. We ended up feeding 23 for dinner. I think Ron took pictures with his phone so he will have more. Ben and Megan cooked out here in 106 degree heat, but the street tacos were the best.

This is pretty much how the whole house looks now. :) As someone told me, controlled chaos.

Time to go start round one of breakfast. The whole bunch are I am sure part Hobbits. They have second breakfasts, and elevensys and then it is time for lunch.

It is all wonderful though, Have a wonderful day as well.

~Kim~

" And now, " Cried Max,
:let the wild rumpus start!"
---Where the Wild Things Are,
Maurice Sendak, 1963