Excerpts from a Journal Junkie

from the homesteading journal . . .

The seasons are changing again, so my daily chores are changing.

Peanut's getting closer and closer to her due date.  I admit, I am a bit nervous.

Spent a day sweeping patios and walks - tree buds everywhere.  We had excellent weather to dry all the bedding, then towels, then clothes - all in one day.

I am starting to clean out the flower gardens and herb gardens.

The garlic is up.

The daffodils and tulips are coming up. 

The thunderstorms came...and then the flooding.  For the first time ever, the field across the street caused flooding across the street, into our property.  It flooded all the way to the front flower beds, and then downhill to the creek.  Thankfully, a long, thin, flower bed kept the water from going further into our yard, and possibly up against the house.


We made signs out of cardboard and sticks, to warn drivers of the high water.  The state department of transportation had not come out this time, and we actually later had to call the sheriff.  They then called for the city to come out, and put up bright orange signs.  Even then, drivers barreled right through it, at an unsafe speed.

from the family journal . . .

..we ate ice cream cones on the front porch! In March!

 from the writing journal . . .

 ..started reading No More Rejections, by Alice Orr - very inspirational.  I borrowed the book Wicked Plants from the library - useful for writing too.
 

from the crafting journal . . .
...crocheting a Christmas lap blanket, and continuing to crochet dishcloths and my knitted blanket.  

from the exercise journal . . .
 ...still getting to the gym for a good work out with hubby.


from the gratitude journal . . .
 Today I am Thankful for:
~the table saw
~chicken wire
~the weather
~shovels and rakes
~iced tea
~my front porch
~my front porch furniture
~the gym
~cooking utensils
~God's Love

We can't make this stuff up. . .

"Mom?  Do you know that "R" is putting the play station in the oven?"

 "Yeah, tell him not to blow up my oven."

Buckwheat Waffles ~ Thrift Store Find

I made these buckwheat flour waffles for the family, and they were delicious.  The kids love to top these with natural peanut butter.  

A week ago or so, I found a set of TV trays with stands, at our local thrift store.  

I spent the afternoon cleaning the trays on my front porch.  These are wider than your normal TV tray and will be helpful with meals on the porch, and to take camping.  I had planned to spray paint the stands on these, but I may just leave them as they are.

I spent time reading a book of writing prompts, and got a laugh out of some of them.  The kids and I shared quick and short verbal stories with these.  I do have a notebook to hand write these in, but would love to "jazz" it up with a fun cover.....adding yet another project to my "project" list (ha ha ha!).

While cleaning a bit in my room, I noticed that I left two flowers pressed in my flower press (from last summer/fall).  I really enjoyed looking through my scrapbook of wild flowers, and adding the last two to it.  I plan to add more this summer.

Porch Furniture is Back

I was thrilled to move a few wicker rocking chairs back to my front porch again.  Not all of the furniture has been returned to it's rightful place, but enough for all of us to enjoy sitting out there.

The furniture will need a good cleaning, but for yesterday, and today, it will do as is.  The weather has been in the 70's, with cool nights.  It's been gorgeous and almost all of us took time to sit for a while, and enjoy the peace that the front porch brings.  Even the barn cats came to visit.

I finally submitted my most recent article.  This time it was a contest piece.  It sure felt good to be writing again.  I hope to be writing from my front porch today.

....of course that will be after chores are done.

Making Jewelry

 I dug through my beads and found a few that match the vintage necklace I bought.  The earrings are simple, yet elegant and will be perfect for a "date night" with hubby.

A Year of Quotes:

"The hardest struggle of all is to be something different from what the average man is."  ~ Charles M. Schwab

Green Dress Event

If you are a parent with teen girls, then you probably know how expensive prom dresses are these days.  I've been praying that the girls find a dress at an inexpensive price. 

Well, our prayers were answered for one daughter.  A friend told them about a dress event that a church held in another city.  

The event was a "green" event for giving a free donated dress to each girl that attended.  My second oldest daughter went also, but found a Homecoming dress. 

Each girl that attended also got one free piece of makeup and one piece of jewelry.  

A note came with each dress that asks for the recipient to donate the dress back, and help the program continue.

(my oldest daughter in her prom dress in 2011 - beautiful, yet very expensive and worn once)

I think this program is wonderful.  My girls only wear their dress one time, and most of the time, they can't be handed down to the next daughter.

And of course, today's dresses are not conservative as they once were.  However, the trend to wear long dresses to prom as returned in our area. 

Another prayer that was answered - a new well dug a the horse stable.  Evidently, the 120 year-old well at the stable went dry.  Water was brought in one day, and they were successful at digging a new well.  If they had not been, my daughter's horse would have had to be moved to a more expensive stable.  Phew!  Thank you God!

A Year of Quotes:

"I think the one lesson I have  learned is that there is no substitute for paying attention."  ~ Diane Sawyer

A Night Away

The younger kids really needed to get away for a night, which gave the older kids a break from Mom and Dad too.

We booked an inexpensive hotel, not far from home, and packed the bags for a night away.  

The kids got an entire night of swimming and fun, and we got the chance to rejuvenate.  

The pool was very busy with kids, but our three that we took with us, had a break from chores and homework.

While the kids, and Hubby, were swimming, I got the chance to stay up in the room to write.  I love to write in places that are away from home.  I have no idea why.  Possibly the "fun" in all of it, or the seclusion, or simply getting away from the same everyday "stuff."

Only seven miles from home may seem like a lame attempt to "get away" but for us it didn't matter. 

When we got home, we were talking about the fox that someone hit in the road, just down from the house.  As I was exiting our vehicle, I looked toward the open barn, and a big white dog walked out.

 Thankfully, the dog had current tags.  We searched the tag number on-line and called the owner.  Owner and dog were glad to see each other again.