Today was a perfect day.

I danced and laughed in the kitchen with each of my children during hymn time.

I helped Brooke and Brad to learn hard new math concepts–without losing my temper.

I caught up with a friend at the park while our children squealed and collected sand in their shoes.

I watched my children ooh and aah over the paintings they recognized in the Linnea in Monet’s Garden dvd.

I made honey pork chops and mashed potatoes for dinner–and my family liked them!

I played and sang Christmas songs with my children, who have beautiful voices.

I gave my husband an extra kiss and hug for taking the girls to dance class, and enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

I read an entire novel, The Christmas List, and cried at the end even though I knew what was coming.

I cannot imagine a day more filled with love and peace. Thank You, Lord, for your mighty love. For showing my heart the things that bring true, lasting joy.

So, your turn. What’s your Perfect Day?

Hubby makes sure he includes the children in home projects. Sure, it would be much easier and quicker to do it himself, but he wants the children to learn for their future benefit. He learned how to fix many things from my own father. He’s grateful for that, but I think he wishes he’d learned from his own father.

He even finds jobs for the littlest ones. I wish you could see the smile on her face.

Years ago, before we even had children, a friend convinced us letting a child ride on a mower was akin to murder. We were frightened into banning all grass-cutting activity until our children hit 18.

But I’d grown up on our family’s tractor. I have plenty of fun, and quirky memories from my time on our tractor. Like the time I got the snow plow on the front of it caught in the neighbor’s fence when I was only eight years old. Driving it myself.

So this year we finally broke that stronghold of fear and invited our children to ride on our mower. The smiles on their faces tell the story of growing up enjoying all things in life. The joy of independence. Of trying new things and growing in confidence.

Fear keeps us from so many of life’s challenges. I hope my children grow bold and brave, and say we helped them to become courageous.

Guess who lost a tooth?

…or two?

The new teeth grew in months ago, so there’s no huge gap. But it was uber-exciting nonetheless!

My friend Kathy made this for our homeschool mom get-together last year, and I made some for our Cowboy Campfire last night. The recipe is from good ‘ole Martha, and you can watch her making it online, which I think is hilarious. I don’t want to take the time to watch her when I can be getting it done in my own kitchen. But if you like to watch cooking, go for it.

Warm Apple Pie Spiced Cider

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 quarts apple cider
• 3 tablespoons firmly packed light-brown sugar
• 1 whole cinnamon stick, plus 6 for garnish
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• Pinch of ground cloves
• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup Calvados or other brandy (optional)

Directions

In a medium saucepan, whisk together cider, sugar, spices, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Remove from heat; pour in brandy, if desired. Remove cinnamon stick and transfer cider to a pitcher. Serve immediately, garnished with cinnamon sticks.

Yum yum yum yum yum! By the way, I’ve never used the brandy and it’s quite tasty!

(Serves 6…and yes, it’s okay to triple everything. Two cinnamon sticks might do in that case.)

When warm days

turn cool,

we find new beauty

in familiar places.

And in familiar faces.

As the seaons roll on, we are not unseated,

but find joy

in the change because we are confident in our

Who is

If you’ve been following my garden this summer, you’ll know it’s our first try and we had high hopes. This is what our garden looks like now:

Tomatoes (see some stevia foreground center)

Pineapple Sage (MmmMmmMmm)

Cucumbers and Pumpkins

What a blessing this summer garden has been. If you look hard, you can even find some dirt under my fingernails. ~gasp~

My favorite part of gardening is harvesting the bounty.

We had some good times this crazy summer with folks we love.

Julie, my friend from before I was even married, 

and her son, Ben, who visit every summer without fail.

Our cousins, playing Ring Around the Rosie.

Brooke and cousin Abby, having fun being girls.

There’s something special about living on the water and having a pool–we’re definitely summer people.

Each summer we enjoy snowballs

 and fun

at Chapel Hill Nursery’s snowball stand, Bizzly Bee.

We make sure to stop by the koi pond

to see how much the fish have grown,

and take a photo with the tin man

to show how much we’ve grown.

We meet new friends,

and say hello to old friends.

Our annual visit is not complete without a jaunt on the school bus–it’s the riot!

Until our trip next year…