Yesterday's soaking fall rain gave me the chance to tinker with my *new* camera's super-macro mode--ultra up close. It took me quite a few droplet-laden shots to get what I wanted, but man-oh-man I sure had fun!
The month of October is rife with memories for me, the spectrum swings wide from joyful, exciting events to shattering, life-changing events. It never ceases to amaze me how human beings can feel utter happiness and complete sadness at the same moment--joy and grief walking hand in hand, smiles and tears nestle heart to heart. Amazing.
Nothin' like crisp fall evenings and bonfires, smores and snuggly blankets.
**I have the BEST husband, as I know y'all are aware :D and thanks to him, I've a spectacular new camera (WHOOHOO)!! Check out my website link over on the right hand side for more pics**(if you're viewing this from my website, you see 'em lol)
Here's a few of the latest titles in my 'read that, take it back' library stack :) Heh a rhyme.
*Lean, Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich- A laugh out loud riot, this book was. Just like the other twelve in this Stephanie Plum series, a fantastic light read.
*Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver- My first by this author and definitely not my last. I really liked this book. Ms. Kingsolver has created characters with great depth and passion, that ability makes a great author and a wonderful book--in my opinion o' course.
*Alibi Man by Tami Hoag-I've liked all the Tami Hoag books I've read thus far, this one fits right in there where it belongs.
Tis hard to b'lieve the summer is just flying by us, that this is the last full week of July!
Our tomatoes and peppers have been good, for a first real go at growing them ourselves. We didn't plant enough to put up any, but will do that next spring--the ones we did plant did well and we've been eating them up. In the meantime, I've put up some of both from the farmer's market and have about 3 dozen ears o' corn to put up today.
By complete accident we have pumpkins! Apparently when we tossed last fall's pumpkin remains into the compost pile at the back of the property, the seeds made themselves at home LOL! We have a HUGE pumpkin vine back there--at least six big white pumpkins as of last night, amazing!
Hot, sunny days, warm firefly-filled starry nights....I love summertime :)
I'm sharing a coupla sites I've been impacted by lately-- I find so many good links from other bloggin' folks out here that I feel the nudge to share some good ones I run across now and again as well.
http://www.livefire.us/articles/what-are-we-doing-in-iraq-- this is a great article, please don't judge on the title you see here alone, but go check it out. I'm convinced our soldiers--our defenders, our protectors--are undermined and hurt by all the politickin' that's goin' on...tis a shame. Chuck's article at this link is one worth seeing.
http://www.home-ec101.com/-- Heather and Ivy do a wonderful job over at Home Ec with lots of tips n tricks n answers to everyday home n hearth happenings. This blog is not overwhelming yet offers alot. Grand humor they've got going on as well!
Extraordinarily ordinary days...that's how I like to describe our day to day life here. Life is so good. Oh, sure, everybody has their ups n downs n allarounds, and that in itself is fabric of life. Such rich fabric we have.
We're living, loving, learning and laughing with one goal in mind every single day: to live it to the fullest, to enjoy the sights, the sounds, the smells, the touches--the very air we breathe.
I realize this blog post is shaping up to be, like, a sermon or somethin' ;) but I must wax on(however not-eloquent it may be) because it's what's in my heart and therefore on my tongue to speak and my fingertips to type.
Extraordinary ordinary days--nothin' better, my friends,nothin' better.
-------------------------------
Let's talk about books for a bit :) My library stack is...tall lol.
I've recently finished:
*'The Red Gloves Collection' by Karen Kingsbury- a compilation of sweet, inspiring holiday stories, these were nice.
*Another Nora Roberts/JD Robb book from the 'In Death' series-I'm hooked, what can I say?
I've finished others but I'll have to go look at the 'finished' stack before returning it to recall a few.
I'm currently reading:
*'A Town Called Ruby Prairie' by Annette Smith- I can say already that this book is refreshing and I'll be looking for more by this author. Tis my first of hers.
*'Bread Alone' by Daniel Leader- a simply delicious book on bread making. I adore bread, could be why I'm really likin' this book lol.
*'The Diary of Anne Frank'- reading this in bits n pieces with the hooligans. I want to sit down and pick out quotes n notable passages in this one sometime.
While I like yard sale-ing, I don’t LOVE it enough to do it every weekend during ‘the season’, or even every other weekend. I know there are deals to be had and fantastic scores to be made--like a four slice toaster for one.single.dollar!! (So what if we don’t eat toast every morning?!?) But, while I like yard sales, I just don’t love ‘em enough to buy used things just ‘cause they‘re cheap--ya know?
That being said, I do try to plan on scoping out our spectacular ‘town wide yard sale’ every year--well, this would be my second annual ‘town wide yard sale’ since moving to this wee southern Indiana community. I went this morning with the intention of looking for a few baby/toddler toys to enhance our babysittin’ stash--just as I did last year. Last year’s finds of a kid-sized table for $3, a looked-like-new Little Tykes xylophone for $2 and various puzzles(with all their pieces) at 25 cents each were all inspiration enough venture out again this year. Even though my tween/teens had a spontaneous sleepover last night involving other tween/teens and we ALL stayed up til sometime early this morn, I still donned my trusty red Crocs and slipped out the door before seven, sweet iced tea in hand and cash in pocket. I’m glad I did.
Today’s finds/scores/coups whatever you want to call ‘em totaled $12.00 and I’m rather proud of two things: 1) I only bought babysittin’ toys, like I planned to do(those who know me know that me and ’plan’ don’t belong in the same sentence--ever) and 2) I closed my eyes and refused to look further--well ‘cept for driving home--once I knew this seat full o’ toys(several name brand ones that will last a long time!!) was plenty, any more n I’d be in need of another room for babysittin’ toys.
Here’s my victory list:
*A ball tower toy--put the balls in and they spiral around n down n out the bottom (Fisher Price)
*A foam ABC floor puzzle
*A busy table--has things to push, pull, make noise with AND it opens to reveal a space to hide other toys (Fisher Price)
*A rain stick--colorful tube with colorful wee beads inside, makes a way coolie noise
*An electronic steering wheel thingy--makes lots of noises and sounds. (Vtech)
*Several trucks n jeeps--not matchbox size, bigger ones.
*An outside playset to climb in and around--a circle with a hole, a door and a wee slide(this will be great to keep my wee crawler occupied and close by when outside) Little Tykes
All that for twelve bucks!! As I’ve said only ten times thus far, in my opinion, I scored--WHOOHOO! (That man o’ mine was supremely impressed--that I only spent $12. Ask him what I spent it ON n you’ll most likely get a blank look…’Um…toys, yeah toys.’ He’s just beyond thrilled that I came home with cash left LOL!)
I thought I'd share a few links I've enjoyed lately. I always like it when I run across blog-folks that do that, I often find places/pages I've not been that I enjoy and want to visit again.
http://orgjunkie.blogspot.com/search/label/Menu%20Plan%20Monday A great blog for menu ideas, I've gotten lots of ideas n recipes from here over the last few weeks. It's one of those where folks post their blogs and their menu ideas, so there's a list with lots n lots of options. I like options.
http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ I'm sure I've shared this site before, but it bears sharing again. Ree does a great job sharing her ranch life with us, her photos are fantastic and her stories always bring a laugh.
Sights: fireflies dotting the yard in the just-fallen-dusk, train off in the distance--appearing toy-sized from here, light spilling from the windows of my home (I'm sitting outside as I type)...
Sounds: birds settling in for the night, dogs barking at the girlie as she settles them in for the night, that man o' mine's voice as he talks to his mother on the phone whilst walking about the yard, train whistle in the distance...
Tastes: cold, sweet iced tea
Smells: fresh mown, sun-dried hay, roses on the rosebush against the house, fresh, cool evening air...
I've said it many times before and I can only hope I'll want to say in many more times--over and over again...what a wonderful world :)
I heard/read the phrase 'life well lived' somewhere out here on the internet (I recall not where or I'd give credit where it's due--if it's you, do let me know!!) and it's one o' those that immediately clicked and has since stuck with me.
Defining life well lived? In our terms...
*Eating cereal all day long til the box is empty--because it was good~shrug~
*Reading 'Skippyjon Jones' aloud to each other, to the dogs, to anything that would listen--howling with laughter--then reading it(yes aloud) again...and again...to the point that Skippyjon Jones quotes make it into everyday life. (Y'all really should read this book)
*Filling the bird feeders almost daily and watching the cardinals, finches, doves, woodpeckers, hummingbirds and all those feathered wonders--hearing their scolds, their songs.
*Debating, researching, wondering which new video game to buy with saved allowance, having finally arrived at the 'spending date' on the 'money schedule'(this would be the boy)
*Being called to the backyard to marvel over the dark sky full of stars above and dark field full of fireflies below-- a magical sight.
*Watching 'Mythbusters' marathon(yes again)til 2am, then leaving notes for Dad about a particularly cool episode. (HE has to get up early in the morn)
*Playing fantasy baseball online with that man o' mine and having my team(I'm a bona fide rookie manager)come out on top LOL!
*Planting and tending flowers and vegetables. I've always enjoyed flowers, but never knew just how much joy my own would bring me.
I always get quite a few great reading ideas from browsing blogs, so I thought I’d note a few titles that have been picked up from the various bookstacks around this house: (most are library books, we’re very loyal patrons)
Chocolat by Joanne Harris--refreshing, out-of-the-box characters always get my attention.
Circle Trilogy by Nora Roberts--mythical and fascinating, totally fantastical, best I’ve read by this author in awhile (besides the ‘In Death series she writes aka JD Robb-- I enjoy those tremendously).
Van Gogh’s Diary--intriguing, I enjoy the details given of the places he writes from, of what he paints. This is one of those I pick up and read a bit of from time to time as opposed to reading from cover-to-cover.
Cooking With Paula magazine--lots n lots of great articles and recipes in each issue I’ve browsed thus far.
Evening Class by Maeve Binchy-- The richness of her characters make them so real, they have such depth. The Irish detail/flavor is wonderfully alluring. This was the first book I’ve ever intentionally re-read. I just don’t do that, usually.
Poetry of Robert Frost--I won a complete anthology of Robert Frost’s works in our library’s recent Silent Auction. I’ve read and enjoyed quite a few Frost poems in the past, owning this book has me marking passages.
That’ll do for now, as there are no further titles within easy reach of this ‘puter and I’m far too comfortable here next to that man o’mine watchin’ baseball to go in search…. :)
This is Kira, she's 7 months old and has forgotten everything I taught her before the long cold winter. Except 'sit', thankfully! So lots n lots n LOTS of my time is spent with this dog--I hope to take her places and eventually do therapy dog things with her, so tis important that she'll mind when she needs to.
Need another reason? Okay:
This is the Principessa--she learns EVERYTHING and forgets NOTHING! Remember the hooligan trip to Sears? The brand-new Daddy-toy air compressor? Yep, that's it, clutched in his girlie's wee hand there.
Cute excuses, eh? Oh, I've more lol...for another time.
Not only are these colorful lit'l blooms pretty and fantastic first notes of the spring symphony to come, but they're sentimental--in their very first year. Our first crocus blooms on this homestead...awww. They already bring back memories of planting the bulbs together a few months ago...we had so much fun! This homestead is our dream, planting flowers on our homestead is our dream. So, these perky lit'l flowers are full of our love and hope. I think that's what home is all about. Our love and hope.
At the risk of sounding like some kind of junkie/addict/pusherperson, I want to share with you my latest fascination--well, okay, it's a...fixation.
I don't drink coffee--so help me I've tried to.
I don't keep cokes around the house all the time--so help me I used to and I still sometimes want to. (I adore Coca-Cola)
I DO drink LOTS n LOTS of sweet tea--so help me it's not the same caffeine surge as the above two items, I don't care WHO you are.
Enter JOLT gum into my life *fanfare*
I scoffed and laughed....and tried it anyway. First time, hmm....nah just a typical energy spurt, the gum a mere placebo, a minty-fresh mental kick. By the fourth time, I was a believer. By the eighth time I popped those shiny white n green speckledy pieces into my mouth....
I've another blog link to share with y'all today--I know, I know, I'm making a habit of link sharing as opposed to original-mindnumbing-thrilling-adventures at Sears n the like....but~shrug~ like the others, this is a coolie link to share:
I heartily agreed with her cookin' comments today and I think many of you will find her a good stop along the blogway. Let me know what ya think.
Okay....I am just beside myself today, y'all....in a good, goofy, giddy way. Not only because the above blog is a coolie entry among several I've browsed today, not only because I'm enjoying a lengthy browse, either, but because.......*drumroll please*
*DDDRRUUMMRROOLLLLLL*
I post this riveting window view today from my NEW LAPTOP!! WHOOHOO!! And....I'm wireless! Okay, now, I'm NOT gloating or bragging here, I'm merely celebrating and reveling--which I know y'all fellow 'puter junkies can appreciate! (And forgive) :)
While I have the stage here, I'd like to personally thank/grovel at the feet of/thank again that husband o' mine--for all the fantastic things he is/does for us and high on that list today is this 'puter o' mine.
I read alot. Alot. I get many ideas of books to read from other folks' blogs, so I thought I'd take a minute and share a few authors/books I've enjoyed lately. The list of books I've enjoyed is endless, for I really do read alot (always have a book within reach).
Here are a few recent titles I found to be good reads:
Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek Quilt Series- a five book series that I've enjoyed far more than I thought I would. I'm currently on book three, with the other two waiting in my stacks>>>
Adriana Trigiani's 'Home to Big Stone Gap'--back up and read 'Big Stone Gap', 'Big Cherry Holler' and 'Milk Glass Moon' first, as they're all four the saga of several characters' lives. Adriana's other books are great as well--'Lucia, Lucia', 'Queen of the Big Time' and 'Rococco'.
Last but oh-SO-not-least, Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. Have mercy, Jamie and Claire's story is fantastic. 'Outlander' hooked me, hook-line-n-sinker. Don't be intimidated by the big books, just give 'Outlander' a go--you'll see.
