Gram's Place

I have a feeling I might have some girls mad about me posting this breakfast-early-morning-I'm-Not-Ready-For-The-Day-picture on my blog.  Hat: compliments of 10 year old and made especially for the day Tie: Made multiple years ago by the three older ones... the official Father's Day tie Homemade gifts, memories, 4 beautiful daughters, some mean steaks, and a new cart = I great weekend for a great dad. Technorati Tags: fathers day , family

This weekend we ... * mowed 2 acres of grass * weeded the garden (minus the corn and pumpkins, we're not talking about them) * attended church outdoors in the blustery wind (but it was a great service about Joseph) * found a new home for the screens in our garage (a rack built by shawn) * washed and waxed the car inside and out (then promptly went out and drove on a gravel road) * took the mound of recycling to the recycle center * layed in the sun * sat in the hot tub * grilled pork chops twice * finished the laundry * put up some string for the peas to climb on * built a couple fences to control the pumpkins (I don't think there is any controlling to them) * harvested the last of the spinach. * harvested cilantro, basil, thyme, onions, lettuce * decided the iceberg lettuce is just decoration and not edible. * took a nap * read a book We need a few more productive weekends like this one.

I am truly amazed at gardens.... that it can go from this...(note: please ignore the weeds.... ) to this.... in just a few weeks.   Tomatoes carrots beans Brassicas On the days it hasn't rained, I've been pretty faithful to water. I heard a seasoned vegetable gardener say "it's going to be a great year for potatoes!"  I can't wait.  Even though this is my first year of a big garden, I already know a few of my mistakes.   18 pumpkin seeds = 18 pumpkin plants = 1 big mess of pumpkin vines.  Why didn't I read a little more on this before I planted? Not NEARLY enough onions.  We could eat these things every day. And we do.  Therefore, I am not sure how many of them are going to make it to maturity.  So, a couple days ago, I planted more... just in case. Corn takes up a bit of space.  And 1 stalk = 1 ear of corn.  We might get enough for 3 meals if we're lucky.  AND... when large winds come, this is wh

I was going to title my post "reminiscing" but I don't know how to spell it right and I didn't want the first word you see on this post to be spelled wrong. This morning I wandered to our n'er used computer and did something random. Clicked on the "favorites" star. Then I started visiting blogs that were saved there...ones that I apparently saved long ago and didn't transfer to my bloglines account. Get this... some of them haven't posted in YEARS. Some of them post to readers I have never even "met". And... SOME of them don't exist anymore. AND... SOME of them have switched over to "invitation only" blogs... and I apparently didn't make the cut. I'm such a slacker blogger. I wonder what blogging will be like in 20 years. Well, I'm off to do what zillions of other people are doing right now... getting ready for Monday Morning At Work.

  My devotions lately seem to be centered around a few things: God's sovereignty, humility, pride, my ability vs. His ability, trust, ....  it's pretty tough stuff.  Stuff I haven't even really wanted to talk about or share a whole lot.  Just tough. Deep Deep Deep. I had a conversation with our pastor last week.  He asked what's going on in our lives.  It was probably then that I realized how difficult it was to put anything into words.  Next to impossible. How do you voice all that God is doing in mere words? How do you explain the unexplainable? This morning, I was talking with Shawn about Genesis 11 - the Tower of Babel.  Interesting story really when I think about it.  God's people felt pretty empowered.  The couple chapters before detailed God's covenant with Noah - the flood - the saving of Noah and his family - and the descendants of Noah who were rescued by God in a mighty way. Then comes Genesis 11.  The people, blessed so much by God, were empo

Todd is my beloved brother.  On June 10, he celebrated his birthday.  I wrote this blog post before then...but didn't post it because I was going to take a picture of him.  But, didn't.  He turned be 44.  I know because he's three years older than me.  Let me just say.... I have adored being his baby sister.  There is absolutely no other love greater in life than a brother for his baby sister... and no hero greater to a woman than her older brother.  I don't think he knows this, but Todd is my hero.  Throughout my entire life, he has always been there for me, an example of not only a good brother, but a good man.  There are a lot of things I love about Todd.... of those, I list a few... 1. He is a card shark. My memories of him playing cards began when we would travel and stay up late (probably only 10 but it seemed like all night!) playing cards.  He always kicked my butt... and still does. 2. He's a pool shark. I can not challenge him to a game of pool or he w

  Nothing says summer vacation like the end of the year dance recital.  It always surprises me how my 10 year old grows up so quickly when we add a little stage make-up for the bright lights on stage at the recital.  And excuse me if I get a little sentimental here... My heart melts at the little toddler who stood on this stage 6 years ago in her charming pink tutu barely moving to the music and grinning from ear to ear as we clamored over her ability to do a sashay to one side.  Another summer means another spring has gone and another fall is coming... another year past and another year ahead.  And another year that my children grow and learn and change.  It all goes far too quickly.  Technorati Tags: Emily , family , seasons

As we were sitting in the office the other day, we glanced out the window and saw this... The river is right next to the office...but Mother Goose and her babies were headed in the wrong direction.  It was adorable... kind of looked like they were just out for an afternoon stroll.

I planted my garden about 2 to 2 1/2 weeks ago.  So, sorry bloggers... but you are going to have to hear about it all summer long. These are the newest photos I have... but as of yesterday, it's different already and I didn't take any new photos.  It has been so dry lately... and every day I have to water.  On this particular day, I didn't get there in time and the ground was dry dry dry.  Happy to report that my little potatoes are watered now. ;) We weren't going to plant sweet corn.  Our garden isn't that big and we were worried we didn't have enough room.  But, our ten year old begged... .so we conceded with 5 short rows.  We might end up with about 30 ears of corn.... but we'll have a happy ten year old right? I have a feeling you're all going to get sick of seeing the backside of our house this summer.  But, here it is.... the first stage.  Now we just water and water and water... and fertilize and fertilize and fertilize... and weed we

School is almost out.  This is the last week.  Actually, only 1 1/2 more days left.  And today... on the verge of summer, I'm dreaming about vacation. Last year, we took a trip to Minnesota... and visited the Mississippi River.  That's where I took this photo. I have always loved this tree.  It's one of those trees you want to lay under and listen to the boats buzz by... and watch the fish jump... as you lazily slumber on a hot summer night. I'm looking forward to some fun times this summer.  I can't wait.