We got a taste this weekend of summer weather and summer activities. After Friday of this week we will officially be on summer break, and I will officially be the mommy of a first {gasp} grader! I love the change of seasons and living in a state that fully experiences all four. The anticipation of the changing seasons brings security to my life and joy. I love that we serve such a creative God who is in the details.
Looking forward to....
long days warm nights sun tea summer storms giggles new books snuggles popsicles flip-flops hiking beaching farmer's market warm tomatoes little dirty piggies hair that smells of sunshine later bedtimes slower days dripping icecream talks on the porch swing evening strolls riding with the windows down iced coffee sunkissed babies
Summer and all of it's warm goodness is slipping out the door.
I've enjoyed it.
I've loved being at home, for the first time ever, during the summer with my children. It has been busy. Not slow and relaxed like I had expected, but that just makes me anticipate the passing of the baton to autumn. (It has to slow down then, right?!)
This week I have been preserving summer.
I have been preserving it for those brisk autumn days, and the bitter winter nights. I will enjoy so much what I have preserved and the memories that will roll in with each preservation.
Here is a sampling of what I have preserved this week.
peaches,
roma tomatoes,
and hot sauce.
This hot sauce is an heirloom family secret recipe from Jim's grandma.
I spent the better part of Tuesday in my kitchen with my mom-in-law preserving the above. It was a special time.
I have also been preserving this.
A moment cherished here and there.
These beauties did not get preserved. Nope, they just took up residence in our bellies cushioned by warm biscuits and whipped cream!
We are feeling our way through what a summer is "supposed" to look like and be like. Remember, my hubby and I have spent six out of our (going on) eight married summers at a summer camp where he was the program director. So the long sunny days that lazily loom ahead of us without any schedules or bells or people is rather....different.
And dare I say lovely? I am embracing this new phase of life with both arms.
I really desire for summers to be a special part of my childrens childhood. We have very special memories of our camp summers together. Why does being home during the summer have to be any different? I want our summer days to look very unique when next to our "rest of the year" days. I have been mulling this over in my mind trying to figure out how to do summer.
Our breakfast has taken on a summer look - yogurt and granola. I am thinking of even adding a few green smoothies once in awhile.
Our dinners have taken on a wardrobe change as well, as I learn to implement summer recipes.
Stuffed green peppers. One of my favorite recipes growing up. The dinner is simple when prepped ahead of time. I cooked my meat and scooped out my peppers a few days ahead.
Of course there are things that still have to be done - like housework and laundry and cooking, but I am going to loosen up a bit on those during the summer. Some nights we may even have ice cream - as our main course. And some days I may skip the laundry and the floors.
Our mornings will be spent lounging in our jammies just a bit longer.
And of course we will read tons of books. I can remember being a child and spending a large amount of my summers getting and reading new books from the library. We went together as a family yesterday. I indulged in a large stack of books for ME! I plan to enjoy every last one of them - guilt free. Cadi and I spent a long time this morning in the sun reading. {bliss} A mountain of books, the warm sun beating on our backs = summer.
I gave Cadi a summer trim today as well. I keep trying to talk her into an inverted bob - to no avail. So we did away with five inches instead. It's not too noticeable, but it is healthier now.
I hope this summer affords me opportunities to continue to get to know Roxie - my sweet camera. I worked on aperture and sunlight this morning and spent time with my daughter in the process. When I focus my lens on her I find my heart tuning into hers as well.
Scotty got in on the action a bit when he awoke from nap. Boy is he hard to capture lately! He is so lively and fun and active!
We were goofy for a bit on our porch swing. Growing up I had a huge pink mirror in my bedroom. We tried to sell it at our yard sale with no luck. It sits on our porch right now. (I think I may end up putting it in Cadi's room after all.)
I love the little hand print smears on the glass.
I love the little children that belong to those hand print smears.
I look forward to what's ahead this summer.
Little toes peeking out of sandals.
Long summer mornings spent with a good book and some iced tea.
Adventures at some nearby parks.
Afternoon walks around our small neighborhood.
Homemade popsicles.
Ice cream for dinner.
Dirty little bodies from a hard day's play.
The smell of sunshine in my childrens hair.
Tucking freshly bathed children into crisp, clean sheets.
This blog is my story - well God's story - of how He is taking a scared, shy girl on the adventure of a life time. He is writing a story over me that I didn't ask for, but it is more breath taking that I could have imagined. This is where I pen my story - all for God's glory. You are welcome here. The ending of this story will be a surprise for us both.
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