Such Things

Point Roberts Garden Tour

It's been at least three years since we've attended one, so I was excited to see that it was on this year.  It was one of the cloudiest days we've had this month, but still enjoyable.  Here are some sights and corners that inspired me:

Lots of ideas for the new deck that Mark is building. 

Hope you are enjoying your July!

Corn Husk Dolls

The kids were so excited to eat from our meager corn harvest. 

Miranda collected the husks and ran to get her I Can Make That book. 

Within a few minutes she had created this adorable corn-husk doll by bending a husk around some "corn silk" for the hair.  Then she tied wool around the neck, waist and you could separate the bottom to make legs (our husk was a bit short for that).  The arms were made by sliding in a second husk and tying wool around the arms.

Miranda painted on a face, and enjoyed her cute little corn husk doll.  I think if she had a blog, she would have posted this herself!

Hope you are enjoying the last few days of September!

Garden Zucchini

It's been exciting growing our very first garden.

I've actually been surprised at how eager and involved the kids have been

watching things grow, picking,

and of course eating.  We eat the zucchini raw,

or baked into things like these chocolate zucchini muffins.

I also noticed a few zucchini recipies in the August issue of Martha Stewart Living.  We are looking forward to harvesting a few more veggies before summer is through...

Planting a Tree (or a few)

When we cleared our property to build, we had to remove most of the trees because they were in the way of construction or turned out to be dead. 

This spring and early summer, we did a lot of tree shopping.

We picked out an ornamental cherry, apple, oak and spruce tree to plant in our newly-landscaped yard.

Each of the kids helped to dig the hole and plant his or her special tree,

in it's specially chosen location.

Now a month or so later,

we are greatly enjoying watching these little trees continue to grow!

Soakin' It In

One idea that stood out from the book and movie Eat, Pray, Love is the statement (by the Italians) that Americans (and perhaps Canadians) work too hard.  They don't know how to sit back and enjoy life. 

So the sunny days that we've been having, have given me opportunity,

to fully enjoy.

Both with my kids,

and with my students at school.

Relaxing, exploring, noticing,

and working peacefully in the midst of all the enjoyment.

As my pastor points out, we don't have to "do", because it's already been "done".

And we can rest in that.

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." 

Romans 5:1-2

Basil Days

These summer days are slipping by, some with a great deal of festivities and others with a restful ease.

This summer I have enjoyed continuing with herb gardening, both indoors and outdoors too.

A particular favourite for me this year has been basil. 

I had one early batch become infested with aphids, but then bought a new flat which thrived in the garden and in our window. 

We were excited to make pesto for the first time, following this recipe from a favourite post that inspired me last year.

And here's a new favourite pasta recipe, using fresh basil and parsley.

Ahh... Cooking with fresh herbs brings a special something to a dish.

Breakfast in the Garden

I just love the relaxed feel of mornings in the summer.  Mark has finished teaching summer school, meaning things will slow down even more for us, but I did enjoy being at home with the kids while he left for school. I love a sunny morning early before it gets hot with a breeze blowing gently through the balcony doors next to our bed. I love to go for an early run, before Mark leaves or to just sit in bed for awhile reading and sipping a cup of coffee and watching the sun come in through the window. Usually some little feet are soon heard coming down the hallway, "Mommy, mommy? I'm awake!" Then another set and another set. Next thing I know there are four of us on the bed, hanging out, laughing, hugging and planning our day.

One thing I enjoy a lot in the summer is the garden. Morning is such a lovely time, when there is still dew on the grass and the air is cool. 

We have a lot of our meals outside in the summer, but there is something romantic and relaxed about having breakfast outside.

Of course it's fun to wear p.j.s in the garden too.  I hope you are enjoying relaxing summer days.

Happy June!

It's been busy lately.  You know how there's happy busy and stressful busy? 

Well, it's mostly been happy busy around here.

beach time,

 

an outing to the farm,

 

a trip to see our friends on Granville Island,

discovering,

more beachtime,

and some good old summer treats.  Did I say summer?  

Well it feels a lot like summer around here!

Happy June to you!!!

Now I'd better get back to writing those report cards...

Wee Garden

Seed packs,

a space for planting,

making,

labeling,

getting dirt,

planting,

watering,

waiting,

Wee veggie garden.

Consider the Lilies

I actually didn't mind this winter.  Unlike last winter, there were lots of sunny days and I enjoyed a bit more snow, brightening things up.  Lately though, I have been noticing spring flowers appearing here and there.

Crocuses, tulips, daffodils and primulas are such a welcome sight popping up in gardens and filling the flower stands. 

 Have you ever noticed that flowers aren't particularly shy? 

They don't shrink back, but openly display their beauty, colour, and luster.

We can learn something from flowers.  Sometimes we strive to improve ourselves.  To be better, do more, do this, do that, cut back on this, add a little more of that.  Striving to fit that "ideal" in our minds.  Wouldn't it be a relief to discover that in Christ we already are that ideal?

The only thing that prevents us from knowing it, living it, is our own thoughts about ourselves. 

The flowers lift up their heads in worship to the Lord, and so can we: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."  Psalm 139:14

Knowing that we were created in His image, created with boldness, strength and perseverance.

Just like the spring flowers.  Happy Spring!!!

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you..." Matthew 6:28-30

For more flower inspiration, visit these posts from Simple Sparrow and PeaceLiving (new to my blogroll).