Rich fell asleep on the couch Saturday afternoon, so I gathered up the small ones and took them for a walk in the woods. Sarah is old enough to walk on her own so I also walked on my own, hurrying to catch up to the runners, or slowing down to wait for the laggers. 

We found our old friend Toad on the trail.  He looked well and allowed us to pick him up and pass him around.

Just look at the picture I got, of Mr. Toad (anxious to get on with his afternoon plans) leaping out of Sarah’s hands.

We made our way into the woods.  Everywhere we looked there was magic, and Caleb trying to climb every fallen tree.

Sarah walking with small careful steps.

E N C H A N T M E N T

We rested awhile, on a big fallen down tree.  A particular fallen down tree that we’ve visited lots of times before.  As the boys fought it with sticks, I sat down and noticed that someone was at home in the log. 

I wonder who was more surprised. 

He was surprised and rather concerned. 

I was surprised and charmed.

We begged him to come out and introduce himself.  He met us all and then we put him back. 

He told us, as he trembled, that he was going right to work, to make a suitable door.

We noticed that he had a neighbor nearby, but his hole was deep enough that we couldn’t reach him.  The next time I draw a picture of a hollow tree I’m going to draw a toad in it, instead of an owl.

 We noticed some pretty mushrooms nearby.  This one with a red cap.

 This one with a very bright yellow. 

 When we got home I emptied my pocket of what I gathered.

 And Rich was awake and waiting for us.

(Caleb’s first birthday)  He turns seven today.

1. wish Caleb a happy birthday and give him a big hug

2. kiss hubby goodbye (he left for work)

3. hunt for tape and scissors; wrap Caleb’s presents

4.  clean up dog p**p from upstairs (a production which involved a lot of scrubbing)

5.  put in a load of laundry; have David empty dishwasher and Grace clean bathroom. 

6. clean up shards of glass (David was playing tennis in the house and smashed the glass cover on the ceiling light), take out trash

7. take a shower and get dressed

8. serve breakfast to the littles

9. make big brothers wake up so they could watch Caleb open gifts. clean up wrapping paper.

10.  make myself a big bowl of oatmeal w/maple syrup and butter (share it with Sarah) while posting blog.

Happy seventh to my dear son.

Rich said to me, “I love this day.” 

Yes, we had a great 4th of July family day, when the work was put away and we were free to just enjoy ourselves.  We made the same food we always make on the 4th; cornchip salad, hot dogs and hamburgers, we read books, we took naps, we went out for ice cream…..but……..

….the very best part of the day was when we all went swimming together in our pond.  After a while, I ran to the house to get the camera.

Rich and I (and Caleb) leaping off the end of the dock:

The water was perfect, warm on the top and cool underneath.  When I was growing up on the hill, we used to go swimming in my grandparent’s pond.  Rich also spent a lot of time at his grandpa’s pond.  He remembers Grandpa shooting snapping turtles when they came to the surface.  So there are memories for us as we enjoy our own family pond, now.  There is a certain smell at the pond, the buzz of insects, the feel of cool mud under the water, and if water gets in your eyes it doesn’t burn like chlorine does.  In fact, my children are so used to years of pond swimming that if they get into a pool the experience doesn’t satisfy like the ponds do.  (but I understand that pool swimmers may find a pond rather disgusting….that’s understandable, too not everyone likes swimming with fish, frogs, and tadpoles)

We were amused by Seth, who has no fear.  The water here is deep but he couldn’t resist joining the fun.  He flew off the end and then paddled like a doggie back to shore.  I think he was three times more active than the rest of us.  Sarah doesn’t want to swim.  I tried taking her out deeper than 2 inches and she gripped me and cried.

I admire and envy Jacob’s cool moves;

What a great day!   I’m smiling.

Your family and your love must be cultivated like a garden. Time, effort, and imagination must be summoned constantly to keep any relationship flourishing and growing.
— Jim Rohn

“O give thanks to the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.”  Ps. 136:1

“But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love your salvation say continually, great is the Lord”  Ps. 40:16

What fun!  Rich had the day off today so we took the opportunity to go shopping for patio furniture, something we have been planning to do ever since he and the children put in the patio and fire pit.  The area between our house and the garage was useless just a few months ago and now it’s a lovely place to relax with friends and family, and read my books.

I like the bright white and navy blue.  And I LOVE the fact that these pieces were made in the USA. 

Somehow I got a little distracted by the cute girl on the sofa.  It’s easy to do.

Incidentally, I just have to tell you….the dress Sarah is wearing was one that I bought 13 years ago when I was expecting Gracie.  Grace wore it constantly when she was Sarah’s age and I’m so glad I kept it. 

The chairs go ’round and ’round so of course that’s where Sethie wanted to sit.

When we sit on the sofa, this is the view we see; (now with Sarah taking a turn on the chair)……

Seth can entertain us by racing down the walkway on his bike.

 I just can’t help it….I am now making plans to decorate with containers of flowers and who knows what else.  I’ll have to find my stack of Country Living magazines to look for ideas.

 *****************************************

The children are toasting marshmallows this evening.   When Grace isn’t eating her treat, she’s singing for us.

I honestly need to go find bug spray, however.

Happy 4th of July to all my fellow USA citizens!  I hope you have a great day with your friends and family.  You are loved.   xoxo

“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.”

Ecclesiastes 8:15 NIV

The world’s big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.  John Muir age 74

Which way to the black and white moth?  I shall give you directions.

Go up the trail and through the meadow.  There is no need to hurry; gather a bouquet of wildflowers to carry in your arms.  Travel into the woods, through the ferns big and green, by and through the meandering stream.  Look for a big broken tree, broken from last October’s snow storm.  There is a boulder nearby, with a coat of moss.  Lean against it, without thinking of moths at all, and look down, it’s right there.  Something never seen before.

Caleb and I went for a walk yesterday afternoon.  I wanted to go….alone….(for I had a headache and was out of sorts) but he begged to go with me (thinking of, not time with MOM, but “perhaps I will see more snakes”).  I complied and off we went, holding hands.  We didn’t see any snakes but we did make another discovery; a lovely black and white moth.

                flower from the milk weed plant

                bumble bee sipping a “crown vetch” blossom

                                 my pretty flowers

                  hiding in the ferns

           in the stream

D  I  S  C  O  V  E  R  Y

 The moth was quite hidden, it was amazing that I even noticed it.  (a “thank you, God!” moment)

I believe it was a brand new moth, just out from it’s cocoon.

I hadn’t seen anything like it before, a new discovery to document for my nature journal.  (yes, I was excited!)  I looked online and I think it might be a Giant Leapard Moth.

I lifted it carefully from the moss with a stick.  I think it’s front legs have little hooks for hands, it was so firmly attached.

But, in lifting it, I discovered it was wearing blue jewelry.

I left it where I found it, but I sure would have liked to see it with the wings spread out.  I would have taken it home in a box, to see it in the evening taking it’s first flight.

Caleb and I made our way home, stopping to take one more photo…..of our lovely wildflowers, which are now in a fiesta vase in the livingroom.

It had rained on and off, just a sprinkling, during our adventure, but as soon as we were safely indoors, the skies opened and it poured. 

Refreshed.

The little cares that fretted me,

I lost them yesterday

Among the fields above the sea,

Among the winds at play;

Among the lowing of the herds,

The rustling of the trees,

Among the singing of the birds,

The humming of the bees.

The foolish fears of what may happen

I cast them all away

Among the clover-scented grass,

Among the new-mown hay;

Among the husking of the corn

Where drowsy poppies nod,

Where ill thoughts die and good are born,

Out in the fields with God.

~Elizabeth Browning

pictures from the weekend

The kids have been playing monopoly a lot.

Sarah tried on my shoes.

Davy read his book in our bed.

My brother Dave sent the children some used books…..these are just some of the wonderful titles he chose for them.  Summer reading!

We sat on the porch together, watching the rain. 

But then the thunder got loud and someone ran back indoors:

Seth didn’t feel good on Saturday so we made beds on the porch.

As we snuggled, I could look up at the hummingbird feeder.  I couldn’t resist getting my camera……..

What an amazing little creature.

Rich planted a rosebush for me.  It has yellow flowers and smells so good.

Jacob had a baseball game.  He played well and was eager to tell me about it.

Seth

Caleb lost his two front teeth!  He looks so adorable.

Down at the stream, we found a dead crayfish and the boys studied it.

Caleb, David, and I went for a walk on Saturday and we found four snakes.  The first was only a skin……

The second is what we think is a MILK SNAKE.  Caleb almost stepped on him and he slithered away into the woods.

I’ve mentioned this once before, but I’ll write it again:  CALEB LOVES SNAKES and studies them from books and the internet. 

The third snake was a crispy corpse.

You can tell by their expressions that they were disturbed.  “Poor snake.”

The fourth snake was alive and we almost stepped on this one, too.  We aren’t sure what this one is, do you?

Caleb was so excited about finding four snakes (in about a half hour time) that he named the day SNAKE DAY. 

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.  Rachel Carson