peachy...

We went peach picking today.

She loved this game...

We gave them to her and she threw them really hard into the basket.

They will need to be canned right away. I'm so glad Hubby likes to can.

This reminds me of a Mary Engelbriet notepad I have that says...

Step out on a limb...that's where the fruit is.

I made some tomato soup with just about the last of the tomatoes today.

It is so very delicious, maybe the best I've ever tasted. The recipe is from here. I used a fraction of the sugar and forgot the basil-even though I have a ton of it in the garden-oops.

What is with me posting 3 days in a row?

homeschooling...

Like so many, it is something I never thought I'd do. Frankly, it's not something I had ever heard much about until moving to Lancaster 9 years ago with our then, 2 children in 5th and 6th grades. Here we are 9 years later, 2 more children 7 and 1.

We homeschooled dd7 through preschool, I wrestled with the idea of Kindergarten and we wound up sending her. As it turned out I learned I was pregnant that fall. Go knows, pregnancy is hard for me. I know that is why she went to Kindergarten that year. She was home for first grade with her infant sister and we began 2nd grade this morning.

Sometimes I have doubts about homeschooling, like today, as I peeked out the front window and saw the Moms chatting after all their little ones had left on the bus. I asked/prayed, are you sure Lord that you wouldn't want my time freed up so I could do other things...? I felt a little tinge of jealousy as I thought about those Moms going into there quiet, soon to be spotless homes with the day spread out before them all to themselves to do what they wanted. (Yes, I know that is a total exaggeration-it just felt like that)

Then, I recalled once more what my daughter said during prayer time this morning. She said, "thank you Lord for the gift of homeschooling"! It came freely from her lips, from her own heart and mind.

These words were an incredible gift to me!

We proceded with our lessons, they went very well. In religion we talked about where God is, everywhere! She did handwriting, language arts, science, math. She made a banana/strawberry/blueberry smoothie for us for snack time. She flew her kite at recess, she read a book to me. Then her big sister came home and offered to take her and the baby to the park for a picnic lunch.

I am feeling very blessed at this moment. I really do know there is nothing better or more worthwhile that I could do with my days then to raise/teach my children to know, love and serve God.
He knows so well what I need. Be it a little affirmation, maybe a few minutes to myself, both of which I was given by Him through my daughters today.

I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.

-Robert Frost

back to school tomorrow...

oh those bangs...

Not sure what to do about these bangs of hers...

cut them? keep them?
She doesn't like hairbows...

It is reeeealy hot in these parts this week.

I spent her nap time making this little outfit.

The skirt is made using the idea from this pattern.

I added four layers of fabric and a bit of lace to the collar.

I'm happy with the way it came out.

And.....

My daughter and I set up shop in another space locally----weee!!

Bad picture, but you get the idea.

June...

June has flown by. It's been rather busy around here, all good stuff.

There has been jam making, bread baking...

skirt making,

horse back riding lessons begun...

Had the first one the other day and she loooooved it!!!

Black raspberry picking, YUM!

I turned another year older and last but not least, My daughter and I opened a stand locally where locals peddle there handmades. So far so good. Very fun!

A recipe for you...

Black Raspberry Muffin Recipe

2 C flour

3/4 C butter
2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

1/2 C butter melted

3/4 C milk

1 egg

1/2 t vanilla

1/1/2 c fresh raspberries

Heat oven to 400. Line or grease 12 cup muffin tin. In medium bowl 1/3/4 c flour, 1/2 c sugar, baking powder, salt. Add butter combine. In another bowl whisk, milk, egg and vanilla. Add milk mixture to flour mixture until just combined.

Toss berries with remaining flour and a little sugar. Fold berries into batter. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full and sprinkle with remaining sugar.

Bake about 18 minutes. Cool 10 minutes and enjoy.

These are so yummy!!

1!

Our baby girl turned 1 this weekend!!!

I often think, how did I/we ever get so blessed to get to do this all over again?!

I am in awe of God's ways!

If I have learned anything in my life thus far it is that His ways are far better, beautiful, wonderful, exciting and absolutely perfect and I don't want to get in the way of them.

Wish I had learned that a bit earlier in my life...

We just finished our first year homeschooling dd7 and it has been very good.
I am so glad we have chosen this path for our family.

She has learned/we have learned so much about so many different things.
She amazes us with her enjoyment and love and growing knowledge of God's creation.

She waited so long for her little sissy and has been able to spend this year watching her grow, bonding and playing with her in a way that simply would not have been possible had she been away at school so many hours a day.

We went strawberry picking earlier today.
It was a lovely cool morning...
They feasted.
It makes my heart sing when I see my children eat such fresh healthy food.

Blessed indeed.

what to do...

Looking out the kitchen window the other day, I saw dd7 and her friend

munching away among the lettuces.

They weren't completely happy with the leafy taste.

I gave them each a little ranch dressing for dipping and the munching continued until bellies were full.

It was a precious sight.