Catch of the day

Mark, Mary and Grace were in a local fishing tournament last weekend. We had typical summer weather-several thunderstorms that caused them to have to come in. Unfortunately, the fishing wasn't as good as they would have liked it to be. They still enjoyed the daddy-daughter time.

Mark and a friend did a little better yesterday. Here's one of the fish Mark caught (king mackerel).

Blueberry Picking

It's that time of year again. The blueberries are ripe but not quite as plentiful as last year. The lady at the farm we visited said the late frost in April adversely affected their crop. Emma and I picked alone this time (Mary and Grace are at Drama Camp). She was such a trooper-never complaining-just picking away.

We ended up with almost 8 pounds! That's just a start. As much as we love blueberries, we're going to need a lot more. I don't even bake with them anymore. We like them best just as they are.

Our little garden

The garden is a ground plot for the mind.- Thomas Hill, 1577

Here's our little vegetable garden in all its glory! Yes, I know there are weeds that need pulling. You should have seen it about an hour before I took this picture! LOL! Mark planted it-egg plants, cucumbers, okra, tomatoes, peppers (rosemary and lavendar from last year) and it's up to me and the girls to maintain it. Let's hope we have a better crop than last year. We planted a little late, so we're just now seeing some of the veges get ready to pick. I just love growing our own food-almost as much as I love eating it!

A small garden, accordingly, gives its owner a far greater opportunity to express himself ... in a garden any man may be an artist, may experiment with all the subtleties or simplicities of line, mass, color, and composition, and taste the god-like joys of the creator.- H. G. Dwight, Gardens and Gardening, Atlantic Monthly, 1912

My Dream Sewing Room

It doesn't get any better than this!! Sure it was hot and humid, but sitting in the shade with the ceiling fan on, it was actually kind of nice. I hate being cooped up inside to do my sewing. Today I decided to set up camp outside. It was perfect. I'm working on a rag doll (finished), dress (gotta put the elastic in), apron and bonnet for Emma as part of her "school work" for next year. It was so relaxing to watch the butterflies and hummingbirds a few yards in front of me as I sewed. I think I'll make this my permanent sewing room!

Happy First Day of Summer!

It's felt like summer here for quite a while! Hope you're enjoying the season as much as us.

Just Jane

Those who know me and my girls know that we love anything "Jane Austin". We've watched all the movies, actually read some of her books and even have the board game (Pride and Prejudice)! We just can't get enough!

The other day I wasn't really feeling well. Mark took Grace to the store with him to get a few things. While there they decided to purchase a book to make me feel better. :) Grace, knowing what I "really" like, chose "Just Jane" even though her daddy suggested another book. My baby girl chose well! I'm so enjoying the book. I realize it's historical fiction, but it's nice to have a little insight into her world.

All you Jane Austin fans need to check it out.

ChristianWomenOnline.net

"This book was a comfortable friend, one I was sad to see end."

Catching up

(Here the little ones are in 2008-Bailey(another friend), Emma and little Grace)

Isn't it funny how time has a way of just slipping by. It's like years go by in a wink of an eye.

The other night we had some friends from out of town over for a shrimp boil. I started thinking about the last time we'd had them over. Their daughter had been about 3 then; now she's 5!

It was so nice catching up with them. I wish they lived closer because they're such dear people. I know we'd enjoy spending lots more evenings together. Let's hope it's not another 2 years before we get together again!

Here are the girls a few years ago-Mary, little Grace, Emma and big Grace)

Here they are today-Big Grace and Mary in the back; Baily, Emma and little Grace.