22 More Books

I set a goal to read one book a week this year. Some weeks I read a couple, and sometimes several weeks go by without reading a single book. I used to always find time to read, but lately I seem to busy to find the time. Or the boys get to bed and I just drop into a fatigue haze. So here we are...three months left in the year and I still need to read 22 books. Usually the fall months are a good time for me to read because it's cool and I'm not working outside so much. But this year I have a long to do list for the house and a list of unfinished craft and sewing projects as well. I've made the commitment not to start anything new until I finish my list. So will I get those 22 books read? We shall see.

I do have my Nook loaded and ready to go...just in case the reading bug hits me.

By the way, I just read Of Thee I Zing by Laura Ingraham. I loved this book. Although she is a high powered career woman, I think we could sit down and have some good conversations together.

My Only Gems

“She came tonight as I sat alone, the girl I used to be…
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye and questioned reproachfully;

Have you forgotten the many plans and hopes that I had for you?
The career, the splendid fame, and all the wonderful things to do?
Where is the mansion of stately height with all of its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you and the jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad for I wanted her please with me…
This slender girl from the shadowy past the girl that I used to be
So gently rising, I took her hand, and guided her up the stair
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay innocent, sweet, and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems, and precious they are to me;
That silken robe is my motherhood of costly simplicity.
And my mansion of stately height is love, and the only career I know
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls for the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest, she smiled through her tears at me.
And I saw that the woman that I am now, pleased the girl I used to be.

- Author Unknown
Quoted in Womanly Dominion by Mark Chanski

Smile

He had to get a hernia fixed. At first he was just goofy, but the closer he got he started to get pretty nervous. This is the before picture, while he was hamming it up.

This is after. He was very crabby. Apparently anasthesia makes him grumpy. This was Thursday, today he is feeling much better. I can see it's going to be hard to keep him from being too active while he heals.

Pantry Door

My brother and his wife have a cool pantry off their kitchen. When I saw this picture I immediately thought of them. Isn't this a cute idea? (of course you would have to keep your pantry orderly eh?)

Some Alphabet Fun

It's Here, my favorite season of the year!

Here are a few things I like about Autumn:

Cooler Nights
Sunny Days
Trees starting to turn
The sound of marching bands practicing
My Autumn Joy Sedum turning a dark rusty pink
Cleaning up the garden and putting it to bed for the season

I love it when Spring comes around, but there is something so inviting about Autumn. I intend to enjoy it!

The Oldest Grandgirl

Looks like someone is having some fun at the beach.

Molly and Emily

A Bit of England

When we lived in England, many eons ago, I fel in love with this pottery. It's called Carlton Walking Ware. I used to see it in the shops and I thought it was cute, whimsical. But I never bought any. Why? I don't know, I guess I was busy making sure my kid had clothes and food. And I thought there would be time for fun stuff later. Well, now is later, and wowsers this stuff is pricey! And I really don't have a place to display it anyway. So I'm displaying it on my blog. Enjoy a bit of whimsey.

 Cute cookie jar, look at the detail on the socks



Egg cups, all different



 What a fun cuppa this would be!

See the details?



They make me smile!



I hope they made you smile too!

Garden pics

 Watermelon grown on a trellis and held in a sling until ripe

 Boys and Beans

I have to tell you a funny story. I have geen beans growing on towers and for some reason I didn't have any beans growing down low. My husband said he bet the dog was eating them. I just rolled my eyes at that suggestion. Sure enough one day I was sitting out there and saw the dog reach in, pull out a bean and eat it. We have the weirdest dog...

First Day of School 2011

 Here they are, anxiously waiting to leave. I actually had to  bribe them to sit still for pictures.

 Preston, age 7, second grade

 Alex, age 6, Kindergarten

Come on mom, let's go already!!

I've been very busy this summer, and I haven't had time to keep things caught up. I had posted that we were going to homeschool. And we had planned too, but I found that although I love homeshooling and I think it's wonderful, I was suffering from some pretty severe stress related health issues. And the closer we got to starting school the worse I felt. Then we found out that Alex would no longer be eligible for speech and OT if we homeschooled and paying for it privately was out of the question...so I called the schools and got the boys enrolled. They seem to be very happy and I'm happy that they're happy. I do miss them, but I'm working on trying to relax a bit. I have a very long to do list of projects here at home, starting with deep cleaning each room. I feel good about their schools and teachers and I remind myself that I don't have to feel guilty if I can't do it all. 

Finishing up the harvest

The garden is just about finished. There are still a few tomatoes out there. And I have to pull carrots and potatoes, but most everything else is done growing and has been harvested. I have almost of my empty canning jars filled. Hopefully we are prepared for winter.