I was going to blog yesterday but ended up with a typical full day even fuller.

My son crashed his bike going fast down the road and we had to get him checked out in the ER just to be sure he didn’t fracture anything and thankfully, he didn’t.  He has sprains, aches, scrubs, and pains.

When we got home there were extra people here who Jacob had brought over with him and my husband was away for the night because he has a business meeting in NYC.

I made dinner for 9 teenagers (7 of them boys, 2 girls) and 3 children.  And then made milkshakes.  We watched a movie (Goosebumps) and it was fun but I have to be honest and say I was really tired by the end of the day and went to bed early, as soon as I put Seth, Sarah, and Caleb to bed.  (it was 9pm).

Isn’t the shagbark hickory tree interesting?  I came across one the other night as I rambled in the woods.

Just look at the bark shagging = God-art.  Living, real, true, and quiet.  Never asking for attention.  People with the hearts and eyes to see go searching and even then don’t witness all that God does in His creation.  But they see enough to feel gratitude, peace, and are fed spiritually.

Just days after I confessed to my sisterinlaw Cassandra that I hate making pie crust, I made pie crust!  I just did it differently this time, which is to say without fears, and with confidence.  Very quickly the crust was made ( life is exciting, even in the kitchen making pie)

We had quiche for breakfast.

And I made a homemade, *I picked the berries myself and the rhubarb came from the garden*, Strawberry Rhubarb pie for tomorrow!  (ethan’s graduation party)

They did this all on their own but I did tell them with the voice of an experienced Mom not to go too far into the woods.  Seth and Sarah put on their backpacks.  Seth’s had one big water balloon it it (yellow), and Sarah had food in hers.  They took along walkie talkies.  And left side by side for an adventure!  Grace and I watched them from the porch.  They did just great and came back before I could worry.

David found a formula on youtube for lightening his hair.  It consisted of lemon juice, salt, shampoo, and not sure what else.  He did it the other day.  I’m not used to it yet but I don’t mind in the least.  I like what he does.  He also found a walking stick from the woods and has been working on it.  Sanding it now and then painting it soon.  Look at his toe keeping the stick still.

Seth took one look at dinner (Shepherd’s Pie) and said accusingly, with a grimace, “You put eggs on it.”  Home-raised chicken eggs, when scrambled, ARE that yellow, but this was in fact, cheddar cheese.

Table full of loved ones; my kids and my kids’ friends who are also my kids because I love them allllllllllllllll……….

Isn’t she lovely?  She made the daisy wreath for her hair and when I saw her walk into the house I said, “Wait let me get my camera”  the flower wreath on the door made it even better.

two wreaths when just a moment before I was in the living room tidying up!!!!!

Life is full of surprises, gifts, and blessings!

Some of the surprises aren’t that great though!!!!

milkshakes for everyone

scarlet tanager!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

another gift.  I like to wander down to the end of the yard by the bushes and stream at the end of the day because the sun is still shining on the treetops.

and there are a lot of birds

This morning I witnessed tragedy.  I was sitting on the wooden bench on the porch facing the road and the trees across the road.  Gypsy moth caterpillars are continuing to eat leaves and Baltimore Orioles are up there eating the caterpillars.  I was drinking my coffee in my nightgown and robe and looking through my camera photos with the bird book because I take pictures of any bird I see so I can identify them later on.  Well, I heard a *bird scolding sound* and looked up just in time to see this mother oriole chasing a crow up the road.  I quickly lifted up my camera and miraculously got a clear picture of them.  I wasn’t expecting them to return, but moments later I looked up again just in time to see them SOARING BACK DOWN ABOVE THE ROAD BUT THIS TIME THE CROW HAD A TINY BABY BIRD IN IT’S TERRIBLE BEAK.  The mother was still scolding and chasing it out of my sight.  I didn’t see them come back.

Seth and Caleb sat on the porch with me while all this was going on.

Then, not only did I get exciting news from my brother, but this package came!  All before nine o’clock in the morning.

And now I’m on my way to Costco with Seth while the children clean the house.

Party day is tomorrow!

Happy Friday, my friends.

You are loved.