When the temps start rising this time of year, it gets harder and harder to turn on the oven. With minimal cooking and the ability to incorporate almost any vegetable the season offers, pasta salad becomes a go-to meal around our house for the summer. Diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes (not too bad-tasting out of season … Continue reading Summer Cooking
Pain and Beauty
As the days get longer, our family often spends the hour(s) after supper working, playing, and enjoying the outdoors. The heat of the sun becomes screened by the trees on the mountain to the west, and though it is not dark yet the air is much cooler and pleasanter. I was puttering about in my … Continue reading Pain and Beauty
Shortcake
I can hardly let May pass by without mentioning strawberry shortcake. We've been having a hard time finding strawberries to pick around here--apparently the rains hit at just the wrong time this spring. I feel bad for the strawberry farmers who had a short, wet season last year too. We did find some already-picked strawberries … Continue reading Shortcake
Rabbit Trail: Natural Pools
You know when you're researching "chicken manure application" and then one of the websites you've visited has this gorgeous click-bait picture of a natural pool off to the side . . . no? Hasn't happened to you? Just me, then. Well, I went down the rabbit trail. I mean, look at this! found at: http://simplepooltips.com/building-natural-swimming-pools-eco-diy/ … Continue reading Rabbit Trail: Natural Pools
Soup for the Soul
I don't know if it's the up and down outdoor temps that did it, but my family's all got the mid-May sniffles. *sniffle* Not so fun after the gorgeous summer-like weather we were having during the past few weeks. So, to chase the chills away and bring us all back to health there's a pot … Continue reading Soup for the Soul
Queen for a Day
We celebrated a birthday in our family recently. In the weeks and days leading up to it there was the usual discussion of what kind of cake the birthday child wanted, what we would have for dinner, any special activities we would do that day, etc. It ended up being a full day, with a … Continue reading Queen for a Day
Four Lists I’m Constantly Curating
Why do we love making lists? Here is a list suggesting 10 Reasons why. Get it? A list about why we love lists! Then there's the the question about why we love to read lists on the internet (and elsewhere). Here's a list addressing that. Whether it's an attempt to control chaos in my life, … Continue reading Four Lists I’m Constantly Curating
Eat your weeds!
First off: I am thankful today for friends who could hear me literally sob about car seat woes and then offer a compassionate hug. Next: do you eat weeds? No, not weed. Weeds! this beast Every spring before we can plant, the garden sprouts up and is quickly carpeted with a plant called dock, which … Continue reading Eat your weeds!
Little Things: Beauty
Sometimes we need to just take a moment to focus on the little things. Like this bouquet on my bathroom vanity last week. You will notice I don't have the most photo-worthy bathroom. Not because I don't clean it (but, seriously, with four kids under 8 years-old living here cleaning never lasts long anyway); rather, … Continue reading Little Things: Beauty
Behold, a New Thing!
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43.19 NIV) I finally did it. I planted pea seeds in February. And, yes, I did feel a little proud of myself. And then I … Continue reading Behold, a New Thing!
Mennonite Women of Virginia 