The Inadvertent Farmer

Still doing the Simple Things! Hopscotch

I know summer is over so my 'Summer's simple things' series is officially done...

I still cannot help but relish those sweet simple things we can do as a family...even if we have to brush the autumn leaves out of the way to do them!

What could be simpler than some sidewalk chalk and a driveway for having fun?

Last time we were up at the lake cabin I walked out the front door to see this...

Hubby making hopscotch squares on the driveway!

The kids were helping to decorate it...no boring hopscotch here!

Stripes, and moons, stars, and swirlies!

Daddies are good at teaching little ones new games...

Of course big girls can show up all the boys!

So if you are bored...or boring...go outside and do a little hopscotching.  Its good for the soul!

*****

I just had to share this out take!  Baby Boy was throwing his rock for the hopscotch game...I caught this shot just when the rock was passing his nose, lol!

Ahhh the fun of always having a camera around!

*****

So do you have a favorite simple thing to do as a family this time of year?  Maybe jumping in piles of leaves, or warm cups of cocoa on the porch swing?

If I get enough ideas I may just do a 'Simple Things' list like I did for summer!

 

Dichotomy of Seasons

This is the typical Northwest dichotomy...

Do you wear boots and sweats because it has rained for days and the ground is soaked?

Or do you wear a tank top and sun hat because the sun has decided to make a brief apperance?

Or play it safe and do both...

How about you?

Do your seasons overlap?  Or do you move directly from one to another?

Evening Blueberry Picking and Tantrums

A couple of years ago we built a retaining wall...ok let me re-phrase this.

A couple of years ago my husband built a retaining wall, I supervised, advised and generally made a pest of myself.

Sometimes I use the term 'we' rather loosely around here...ahem.

On top of the bottom level...as opposed to the bottom of the top level which would not work at all... we planted blueberry bushes.

They have simply thrived in their new home.  The soil we back-filled with had lots of organic matter and tons of wood chips which make for the perfect acid environment that blueberries thrive on.  Add to that a drip irrigation system for plenty of water and they have just taken off!

In just 3 years they have grown taller than our 3 year old!

Who takes he blackberry picking very seriously.

Each evening when hubby gets home from work he and Baby Boy go out and pick blueberries together.  I sneak a few berries between photos too.

But it is hard for me to concentrate on berry picking when the sky is putting on a show for us!

Which is a much prettier view than the this...

Which is the look I got when I told the little man it was time to go in and start getting ready for bed.

Yeah he loves it when I tell him that.

But I guess it is better than this...

I suppose pouting is progress from a full blown tantrum at the thought of bed.

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So do you have any summer evening traditions? 

Maybe a romantic walk or a game of hopscotch. 

Or sitting together on the porch swing or reading a book?

Fish Tale 3 year old style

We went to the lake cabin over the holiday weekend.

I spent a lot of time in the hammock reading and looking up...

Somehow staring at puffy white clouds against a beautiful blue sky is calming.  It makes me remember that I am indeed not the center of the universe.

While I lay relaxed in my hammock Sweet Girl played around me dancing and singing and making up nonsense stories as is her great delight.

Baby Boy and his daddy were doing this...

A little father son bonding over the shared conquest of fish!

I walked out to join them and was confronted immediately by my 3 year old son and his first fish tale...

Mama, mama, I caught a fish!

It was this tall...

And it was this BIG!

Wow that is a big fish for such a little boy to catch!

Mama I'm not wittle I'm B I G!

Oh yeah...sorry.

Is it a requirement of fishing to exaggerate?  Are fish tales like a law of fishing or something?  I cannot think of one other activity in which stretching the truth is like...mandatory!  Just wondering...

He proceeded to show me the trout he had caught...

He and his sister kept looking at it and touching it...till they both smelled like fish.

She also had to get in on the big fish tale action!

He went on to catch two trout...he was thrilled!

And hubby?

Well he fished on and off all day...

He didn't land so much as a single fish.

Sorry honey...maybe next time you could get some pointers from the kid!

And me?

I went back to my hammock...

And my puffy clouds!

*****

While filing away my newest fishing photos on my computer I bumped into these...

He's come a long ways from this...

He used to be quite horrified of fish, keeping his hands as far away from them as possible!

Could it be that maybe this could have been some of the reason for his trepidation?

Yeah...that could have been part of the problem!

Life is Exhausting the Friday Funnies

Sometimes life is just exhausting...

When I was making Baby Boy a late afternoon snack I looked over and saw this...

A little one fast asleep on the kitchen counter...

Of course being the cautious and caring mother I am I would never leave my precious youngest child precariously perched on a kitchen stool so I could go grab my camera.

No that would not be prudent or wise to leave him there unattended so I could get a photo of him asleep in his Big Bird underwear.

I am a better mother than that...ahem

 

Hobbits and Giant Zucchini kinderGARDENS 21

Wow...its September already!

I cannot believe that we have all been doing this for 21 weeks now...we're down to the homestretch.

We've got 3 more weeks then the winners will be announced at the end of the month ...whoo hoo!

I was thinking this morning that the biggest winner of all has been the children.

When I think of the kids of 40 different families getting to have a say in their own little gardens it actually gets me all teary eyed...you guys rock...seriously!

Ok enough sappy stuff...

Onto my garden update.

Our largest sunflower are begining to open, the gourds are climbing across the roof, pumpkins are tucked everywhere in the maze, and picnics are a regular fixture of each day under the smiling faces of our sunflower friends. 

But...

We had a little adventure in forgetting where everything was planted.. 

Yes folks this is what happens when you forget that you tucked a zucchini plant in the back corner of your garden...ahem. 

There were 5 this size...ack!

We scraped out the seed cavity...

Shredded, and froze for this winter's zucchini bread.

*****

And just to tease you all...

Here is a peek at what is coming next week!

I must have one of these.

I will have one of these...

A hobbit house!

Next week you will get a peek at a field trip to the Oregon Gardens and the wonderful ideas found there! 

*****

So do tell...

What have you all been up to this week?

 

 

Guess Where We Are?

Yes...we're at the beach again.

Soaking up the last few warm rays of summer.

Writing our names in the sand...

And etching memories in our collective hearts.

I hope you are having a great weekend too!

 

 

Go to the park a Summer's Simple Thing

Your public playground and park is a great resource for kids.

It is one of the things your tax dollar pays for...you might as well use it!

Besides can you think of anything more fun than...

A head full of static to complete the perfect slide!

Or the feeling of accomplishment for getting clear across!

 

Ready...

Get set...

Jump!

Exploring...right side up.

And upside down!

Right side up...

And upside down!

So go find a playground near you and enjoy a simple pleasure of summer.

Ohhh and don't forget to take a picnic lunch to make it the perfect outing!

*****

If you need some ideas for some simple things to do to complete this summer here is a list that will keep you playing until summer is over!

*****

If I was Supreme Empress of the Universe

Do you ever wake up on a Monday morning and lay in bed while silently going over your 'to-do' list for the week?

Do you ever pull the covers back over you head hoping that if the new week doesn't see that you are awake it will just go away?

Do 'to-do' lists ever go away?

Do they ever get shorter?

If I was Supreme Empress I would outlaw 'to-do' lists!

And while I was the Supreme Empress I would enact a few more laws...

First chocolate would make your thin.

Secondly the sun would make your skin look younger and baby soft.

Third nursing would make your boobs perky.

I would also make it mandatory to dance on the beach no matter who is watching.

Every single person would have a field of daises to run through...

I would have the cosmic bakers make everyone a fresh loaf of cinnamon bread...ohhh wouldn't the universe smell good?

Each would have their own garden...with no weeds!

Jumping in leaves would be more important than raking leaves...it would be the law.

And everyone would have someone that loves them to the moon and back!

Yep that's about it...

If I was Supreme Empress Monday mornings would be a LOT different!

Oh and one more rule...

Everyone would get kissed by a camel at least once.

Why? You ask...

Well because it is hard to be too serious when you have been kissed by a camel!

*****

So if you were in charge of the universe what law would you enact?

*****

I'm also over at Not Dabbling in Normal where I'm discussing a 'Cancer Diet' or what we already know is good for us!

 

Some Things Never Change, Unfortunately for Him

Welcome to the Friday Funnies...

Remember this photo?

I had titled it Love Hurts

It was actually my Christmas card photo that year.

Well some things just never change...

Much to the little guy's irritation!

Small Town Life, Not Me!

This is another tale of small town life that did not happen...

While the kids and I were walking to the weekly concert on the lake in our small town...

We read this sign and did not grin and give each other high-fives while a group of surly teenagers with cigarettes looked on.  My daughter did not wrinkle her nose and shake her head at them...no she is certainly that bold or judgmental. 

I of course did not make each of my small children pinky swear that they would never ever take up smoking and did not end with "...it would break your mother's heart."  No I would never try to use guilt to manipulate any of my children.

At the concert we all sat quietly listening...ahem.

My children would never, ever wrestle in public!

Nor would my Marine nephew show off his push-up skills with two children on board...

That would just not be dignified for a Marine to do in public!

And since I had packed a whole bag of healthy snacks my husband would never go and buy elephant ears for our children to eat just before going home to bed...

My children would never enjoy deep-fried dough with cinnamon and sugar on it...no they are way to health conscious for that!

(And I would never get a kick out of posting a goofy photo of any relative of mine.)

Fun was had by all (ok that part is true!)

Come see what else we are NOT doing!

*****

So who did you hear at the concert anyway?

Can you see him?  Any guesses as to whom he might of sounded just like?

Here's a hint...

Country roads take me home, rocky mountain high, Thank God I'm a country boy!

Yep this guy looked just like him and his voice was very similar...of course the original can never be duplicated.

Rest in Peace John...

Sunflowers and Ladybugs kinderGARDENS week 18

After a generally overcast and cool (highs in the upper 60's low 70's F) we finally are enjoying some sunshine around here!

I am hoping that the sun will encourage my woefully behind warm season crops to hurry up and ripen.

Our sunflowers are beginning to open their pretty little faces which makes for some lovely photo opportunities...

At first I was sorry that I hadn't planted all of the very large varieties of sunflowers around the maze.  But I have come to enjoy the shorter ones because the kids can more easily see them... and I don't have to get a ladder to photograph them!

We do although have some mammoth sunflowers growing around the inner circle.

Soon they will be over the top of the fencing, the kids love to go and sit in there and eat lunch or just hang out under the big leaves of the fast growing flowers!

Sunflowers are stunning from all angles...try looking directly down on one and see what you can see!

We have also spotted lots of lady bugs on them.

 

Notice something in the photo above?

I didn't until I downloaded these because I was so busy trying to get a good focus on the ladybug...

I wonder if Mr. Spider was the reason our little red beetle friend was hiding so quietly in the sunflower bud?

We've also been busy doing this...

Gardens are so much more than planting and watering!  The harvesting and putting up is what consumes us this time of year!

So until next week I'll be chained to the canner or dehydrator while the kids chill in their maze!

*****

Public service announcements...

Someone asked last week how long the contest ran.  I actually had to go back to the first post and find out myself...kinderGARDENS is running through the end of September.

I was also asked if I'm going to do it again next year...you bet!  This has been so much fun and you guys are soooo inspiring that I cannot imagine not having this to participate in next summer!

Finally when you click on the kinderGARDENS button in the right sidebar it now takes you to a page that has all of the past weeks of our contest.  So if you want to remember what you did on a specific week just go to that page and find it!

*****

All right then...your turn!

What have you all been up to this week?

Swing Dancing on the Beach

We are here today to share another of Summer's Simple Things.

No batteries, no tv, no usb...just good old-fashioned fun!

Today we go to the beach.  Not the Pacific Ocean Beach but the beach along the mighty Columbia river.

This post is so simple and so purely summer fun that it is being brought to you not in technicolor but plain old-fashioned black and white.

May I present to you 'Girl on the Beach'

There are two things that Sweet Girl does when she goes to the beach.  One is writing and drawing elaborate pictures in the smooth sand.

The other is...

DANCE!

Sometimes she even has a partner!

SWING dancing!

A little water, a little sand and a free spirit...the perfect summer combination!

So what simple thing have you done this week that brought you JOY???

Keep Away or Monkey in the Middle, the Friday Funnies

Do you remember when you were a kid playing Keep Away, or as my kids call it 'Monkey in the Middle'?  Where you have two people throwing the ball over, around, and under the person in between them.  It was the job of the middle person to get the ball.

When they got it they got to go to the outside position and throw the ball trying to keep it away from the 'monkey' in the middle.

Well I got to observe a little game of Keep Away the other night in our backyard...

Sweet Girl spent a LOT of time in the middle.

You see she plays all sports for fun, for camaraderie, for something to do.

Unlike all my boys that play for the thrill of victory and the hurt they can put on the opposing side.  They are pretty much out to win at all costs...

Sweet Girl cannot even keep her eye on the ball due to wanting to talk the whole game...

Its behind you sweetie!

LEFT!  Go left!

Almost got it!

You need to make sure to wash those feet before you come in the house...sheesh.

Its OK...at least you're having fun!

#3 Son on the other hand NEVER takes his eye off the ball.

Even when its behind his head he knows where it is.  Notice he's playing on his knees to help even the playing field.

But unless there is a personality transplant the playing field will never be even.  Not when when one is playing to win and one is playing for a chance to visit!  Heck they are not even playing on the same field...

Its ok though, I love that she doesn't care who wins her soccer or softball games but can tell you everything about her teammates.  She is sweet and caring and frankly there is more than winning...

But it kinda fun when you do!

Guess who finally got the ball?

*****

So my dear readers I need to know...

Are you fiercely competitive?

Or are you an easy going and chilled out not caring who wins?

Or maybe you somewhere in between?

Grass Hill Sledding, Simple Summer Fun

Welcome to Summer's Simple Things where the people are relaxed and the fun is simple!

My kids have been doing this since the big ones were little ones.  You can use either a sled or a large piece of cardboard.  All you need is some grass and a hill...

And maybe a daddy to pull you back up!

Enjoy...and don't forget to link up at the end of the post.

Ready...

Set...

GO!

Again Daddy!

WoooHooo!

Daddies are so very useful!

Oh the anticipation!

Until...

Will he get up?

Will he cry for his mama and want to stop sledding?

Ummm....

No!

Daddy...Daddy...wait for me

Me do it again?

OK...just one more time.

Or two!

Now its your turn...what simple summer things have you been up to?

Plum Berry Jam Recipe

Good Monday morning to you all.  For the next few Mondays I am going to be sharing a recipe with you to take advantage of all the delicious fruits that are in season right now.

The first of the series will be a jam made from plums and berries.

You can use yellow plums like I did or traditional purple plums.

I used Marionberries but any cane berry would work, raspberry or blackberry, loganberry, etc.

First start with the freshest ingredients you can find. I found them on my sister's plum tree!  Here is a little plum picking hint...

Wear a skirt!

On the way home I stopped at the farmers market and bought two flats of organic Marionberries...

I washed all the fruit and then chopped the plums.

And crushed the berries.

Now this is very, very important...

It is crucial that you take the time to play with your food a little.  One cannot let a good photo opportunity pass one by!

When done playing, measure out your fruit.  I chose to go with a ratio of 2:1 with the plums being the two since they were free!

For a batch of jam you will need 4 cups of chopped plums

And two cups of crushed berries.

Mix the together in a heavy bottom pot.

And try not to sneak a spoonful of two...which I would never ever do!

Add one box of regular pectin gradually.  Stir over high heat until it comes to a full rolling boil.

Add 8 cups of sugar (I use organic evaporated cane juice)

Bring back to a full boil and boil for one minute.

Ladle it into hot sterilized jars (I used 1/2 pint jars).  Put on lids and rings which were also hot (don't boil lids).  Tighten, but not overly so.  Put in canner and process for 10 minutes.

Spread it on some homemade bread...

Enjoy...napkins not included.

Recipe

6 Cups Fruit (4 plum, 2 berry)

1 box regular pectin

8 Cups Sugar.

Process according to directions for Plum Jam in the pectin box.

And lets not forget the secret ingredient...

A little girlie sweetness makes your jam extra yummy!

Visit me over at Not Dabbling in Normal where I am ranting about the neighbor's well manicured lawn invading my wild blackberry pasture borders...oh the nerve of some people!

A Summer Poem about Green Feet

Summer is here which could mean anything.

From weeding, to watering, to harvest full swing.

But even more summery than my green garden hose.

Is to look down and see those little green toes.

When I watch them run 'round on little green feet.

I know in my heart that our summer's complete!

 

Splish Splash Taking a Bath, of sorts

Taking a Bath...

Well sort of!

And since you already have the song stuck in your head you might as well hear the original!

Potatoes Plums and other Harvest Pleasures kinderGARDENS week 16

Welcome to another addition of kinderGARDENS its week 16 already...wow!  We are finally in full harvest mode here on the funny farm...

Raspberries sweet and juicy...

It's now that all the hard work of planting and tending pays off!

Digging in the straw for potatoes.  Planting potatoes in straw is by far my favorite way to plant them...they come out clean and no heavy digging involved!

Fresh potatoes roasted on the BBQ with olive oil and spices...somebody just can't wait!

We are still harvesting a few peas, lots of greens and the summer squash is coming on!

I'm lucky to have a sister that does not like plums.

She doesn't like plums you ask?  Yep so we get to pick all the yellow plums on her plum tree...silly girl!

I say 'we' pick, but more accurately 'I' pick and kids watch and play under the great old tree!

What are your going to do with all those plums?

Ah its a secret...you will have to visit next week to find out.  But be assured it involves  tons yummy fruit and lots of sugar!

Finally we have a couple of additions to our maze...

We now have two little red Adirondack chairs to lounge upon while hanging out with the sunflowers!

We also have a pretty little flag fluttering from the top of our maze to go along with the great summer banner!  Now if the plants would just hurry up and grow faster (and the kids slower) the maze would be perfect!

*****

I know this time of year is so very busy for we gardeners, but make sure to share your kindergARDEN posts.  We are getting near the end of our series and will need as many great posts as we can for the final judging!  If you have forgotten what you can win make sure to check back to the first kindergarden post!

*****

Next week we have another wonderful guest writer so make sure to come back ready to learn and share!

50 Simple Things to do this Summer

Ok fellow parents/grandparents/godparents and anyone that has a child, or may someday have a child, or has had a child that is now grown-up, this is for you!

As part of the Summer's Simple Things Series we have been sharing our very best and favorite things to do in the summer.

These things require little to no money and very few if any 'props'.

They are simple old-fashioned straight up fun!

Here is the list I have come up with so far.  I would love to make it bigger and better...so if you can think of anything let me know in the comments and I'll add it (and give credit of course!)

1.       Go for a walk

2.       Blow bubbles

3.       Run through the sprinkler

4.       Grow a garden

5.       Swing

6.       Ride bikes

7.       Outline your family in sidewalk chalk

8.       Finger paint

9.       Make homemade fruitsicles

10.   Go on a picnic

11.   Play in the water (ocean, lake, river)

12.   Go fishing

13.   Go canoeing

14.   Make bread

15.   Go on a photo tour of your hometown

16.   Have a water balloon fight

17.   Visit your library and read a book

18.   Go to a local farmer’s market

19.   Make a homemade slip ‘n slide

20.   Make s’mores

21.   Collect Seashells at the beach

22.   Build a sandcastle

23.   Watch the sunset

24.   Watch the sunrise

25.   Take flowers to a shut-in

26.   Call Grandma

27.   Write a letter to an old friend

28.   Having a watermelon seed spitting contest

29.   Find the constellations in the summer sky

30.   Go grass sledding down a big hill

31.   Play flash light tag

32.   Make Sun tea

33.   Sleep in a tent in your yard

34.   Eat breakfast outside

35.   Float down a lazy river

36.   Climb a tree

37.   Make a daisy chain

38.   Grow a sunflower house

39.   Walk a dog at your local animal shelter

40.   Skip rocks

41.   Play hopscotch

42.   Dance in a summer rain puddle

43.   Find cloud shapes in the sky

44.   Go berry picking

45.   Fly a Kite

46.   Take a nap in a hammock

47.   Play Frisbee

48.   Make Pizza on the BBQ

49.   Make homemade ice cream

50.   Blog about it all!

So what Simple Summer Things can you add to the list?

Here are some more...keep 'em coming!

  

Go to the zoo

Play in the Rain

Visit a Farm

Go for a Hike

Set up a Lemonade Stand

Host a Tea Party Outdoors

Make a Weather Calendar

Learn to Knit or Crochet (or teach someone)

Hang out under a big old Shade Tree

Stay up late around a campfire (sing a song or two!)

Go pick Wild Berries

    thanks Enya, Alayne and Amanda!

Press some flowers

Make a seed picture

Wash a favorite stuffed animal outside

Thanks Sara...

How to make Homemade Popsicles your Kids will LOVE!

Welcome to our little Tuesday get together here at the farm.

Its called Summer's Simple Things.

This is the day we share the simple things we have been doing for fun this summer.  Those things that require no batteries, remote controls, or electrical outlets. 

Just good old fashioned summer fun!

Today is one of my kids' favorite simple things of summer...

Yummy homemade popsicles...or fruit pops as we call them.  I made 40 of them at a time for the breast cancer fundraiser last week.  As the weather turned a little chilly not many were eaten.  The brownies and peanut butter cookies on the other hand were devoured!

That means my kids have had the difficult task of eating them for me....ahhh poor babies!

I need the freezer room for freezer jam so I have been pushing fruitpops for breakfast lunch and dinner...yep that's the kind of mom I am.

Now you can either make these in plastic popsicle forms or as I did in paper cups.  Even I don't have 40 forms on hand!

My first flavor (and my favorite) is Orange Mango Strawberry Banana.  Start with a small bottle of organic orange mango juice.  Put it in the blender with a peeled, cored mango.

Add strawberries...

And finally a banana.

Whir it up.  You can leave little chunks or make it perfectly smooth...which is what I did.

Pour it into little paper cups. Since I made these for a grownup party I used 5oz cups.  For kids you might want to go with a smaller cup.

Put them on a cookie sheet.

Cover tightly with plastic wrap.

Insert a craft/popsicle stick into the mixture. (if you have really tough plastic you will have to make a tiny slit first to start it, trust me this helps tremendously!)

Pop them in the freezer till solid. (ok, little disclaimer here...I realize that technically this requires an electric cord but at least we don't sit on our butts and watch the freezer)

Peel off the cup to eat.  If it is hard to peel let it sit for a few minutes to soften or if you are in a really big hurry run it under warm water.

Sweet Girl and I liked the Mangosicles!

Baby Boy preferred the Blueberry Pops.

Apple juice, blueberries, banana, and a touch of vanilla

Ya, its a tough job but somebody's got to eat all those leftover frozen treats!

*****

Raspberry patch with new Gravel paths and Gate

Good morning Kim!  What have you been up to?

Well its so nice of you to ask!  I have been working on the raspberry patch...laying fabric and hauling gravel.

But your raspberry patch already has gravel paths.

Ummm well the thing is, I used cheap landscape fabric and weeds, specifically wild blackberry and thistle, have been coming through.  So I'm not fooling around anymore and am using heavy duty fabric from my hubby's work.

Wouldn't it have been better to do it right the first time so you didn't have to redo it?

Yes...thanks for the reminder.

At least I've got help!

Yes he is hauling gravel while eating a fruitcicle (recipes tomorrow)

This is what I have planned.  Another great cranberry colored garden gate, a fence to keep out the chickens with grapes growing on it. And no weeds growing in the paths!

But for now we'll just keep hauling gravel...

And slowly but steadily we'll get it done. Although it would go faster if he still lived here...

But he had to graduate college and get a job and a life...far, far away from his mama.

Sniff...

*****

So do you have any interesting gardening or yard projects going on?  Maybe some raised beds, or a rabbit hutch, or even a lovely gazebo?  Do tell...

The Conversion is Complete, Friday Funnies

This is the scene I found when I walked around the corner of our house onto the side patio.

Baby boy along with his trusty motorcycle were hanging out by the pool.

Hey baby, watcha' doing?

Playing.

What's with the boots?

Me don't want my feet to get dirty.

So you're wearing your boots while playing in the swimming pool?

They not boots...they my muck boots.

OK...you're wearing your muck boots while playing in the pool?

Yep.

And where are your pants?

Don't know...

The conversion seems complete, we've now officially gone from regular people...

To farm folk...

To complete hicks.

Baby did you know that wearing muck boots and just your underwear makes you a baby hick?

Huhhh?

Never mind...carry on.

*****

What makes it funny that he's wearing boots to avoid getting dirty is that just a couple of hours before he looked like this...

 

As you can see he avoids getting dirty at all times!

*****

 Are you just regular people, maybe a city slicker?  Or are you a country bumpkin...maybe you've gone completely hick too?

So what are you?

Mama's Hiding, A Simple Summer Pleasure

This is a little tale about a mama who really, really loves her kids.

She also really, really loves her husband.

She loves her house, her garden, and even all the pesky critters that inhabit her farm.

But sometimes...

Just sometimes...

She needs a little alone time.

A little peace without constant chatter.

A little bit of land that is not screaming to be weeded or watered or harvested.

A place where there are not animals to be fed or tended.

She actually needs to run away and hide... for just a little bit.

So down into the lower pasture...

Hiding in the daisies she goes.

And just between the curvy and straight paths on the way to Grandma's hides she!

Nothing but blue sky, summer breezes and the buzzing of tiny bees surrounded her.

Her silent shadow her only companion...well, that and her camera, which seems to her more like an extension of herself.

The daisies are bobbing their lovely heads in the warm breezes...

Softly dancing a summertime ballet with the grasses...

She can see her house...but those at home cannot see her.  She is close enough if needed but far enough to find just a little solitude.

Until...

The sound of a familiar little girl voice,

 

Mama, mama...where are you?  I'm hungry...can I have ice cream?  My brother wet his pants.  Why are you out here?  Does daddy know where you are?  Will all these bees sting me?  When are you coming in?  Can I sit with you?

And so she sits...

We visit until she convinces me that very important things...pressing mama things...need me back home.

So I follow my sweet daughter back up the hill.

Back to my family, back to the laundry and the dishes. Back to the wet underwear...

Hello dear family...how can I serve you?

*****

But don't worry about me. I will not forget my hiding place, or my few moments of stolen solitude. 

But next time I'm going to hide in with the camel...

Pretty sure they won't think to look there!

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So I've shared my simple (and secret) summer pleasure...not its your turn!

Friday Funnies my Messy Monster and the Party

Well today almost 40 people are coming to my rather impromptu BBQ to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Our 1000 cooks for the cure party!

I just filleted a a salmon, I've got teriyaki chicken marinating...

There are veggie burgers and turkey dogs...

The desert is made and the vegetables are all prepared for grilling...

My only problem is...

How do I keep my little messy monster...

Away from...

The white linen tablecloths?

Wait a minute...

I don't have white linen tablecloths.

I have a very good reason for not owning white table linens...

Any guesses as to what it might be?