Summer~time

So everyone has been blogging about summer so I think I should too. Uhh, I just love summer. I guess it technically isnt summer yet for a couple more weeks but when theres 80-90 degree weather ya might as well call it summer. Right?

I love everything about summer. The smell of grills in the air cooking really yummy food, dirty feet and toes from running in and out barefoot all day, dirt under your nails from digging in the garden, and the stickyness of your skin from sweating all day. I may have just totally grossed you out but uh I just love those things. It means summer is here.

I love when the main dish for dinner consists of 90% veggies because you just have veggies galore, I love flip flop tan lines and florescent nail polish. I love the way my freckles pop into big brown sploches from the sun. I love tank tops and skirts and the simpleness of a summer wardrobe. I love Petey going shirtless all the time. (sorry too much info huh:)) I love windows wide open and birds churping 24/7. I love picnics and sprinklers. I love iced tea so much more in the summer than in the winter. I love iced coffee ooo and frappacinos from Starbx. I love campfires and smores. I love swimming and being exhausted from simply being in the sun. I love baby legs hanging out all summer long and the fact that is totally not inappropriate. I love love love the beach, everything about it. I love that I get to experience all of these things with my sweet Noni girl for the first time.
I could go on but Im probably boring you.


So have a great summer everyone and let me know what you love most about summer~time!!

To live simply and simply live~

I’ve been contemplating the whole idea of living simply and what it means for my family. I love the idea of living in a way that doesn’t involve indulgence or excessiveness. In this day and age it can be a hard thing to accomplish but then I realized maybe its not so hard after all.
There’s so much hipe these days about being “green” and recycling and natural living. Which don’t get me wrong is a good thing and we should take care of the earth by not littering and doing our best to not pollute the air. But why is this such a new concept? I grew up being taught to respect your surroundings. That’s just what ya do. Clean up after yourself, turn lights off when you’re not in a room, don’t take more than 5 minute showers (if u can help it), recycle the things that can be recycled…lets see what else did we do growing up… we always had to eat what was on our plate, reused Ziploc bags if they weren’t yucky, bought produce, meat, and eggs from local farmers, always ate leftovers, had a compost pile, grew a garden,(a really big one actually) had a woodstove, hung wash out on a wash line and probably more “eco friendly” stuff. As I write this I realize that some of these things would be pretty impossible for those who live in urban areas, but some of the things I listed most certainly are possible no matter where you live. I just find it pretty cool that the fad (or whatever you want to call it) of being earth friendly and “green” as we now call it has been my families way of living all along. I think it is great that more and more people are taking part in this conscious living and being aware that what you do does matter and does have consequences.


That being said Peter and I do live a simple life. We do our part in taking care of our land and appreciate every inch of it’s beauty and acknowledging Him who created it, but we don’t worry about it. Because we know this land will not last forever. There will be a knew heaven and a new earth for His people which I cannot wait to see and experience. Okay I guess I can wait because I am enjoying this earth but I know it too will be amazing. I’m looking forward to it. What I’m trying to say is that I truly love the concept of being “green” but we partake in it for different reasons then a lot of the world. We will continue to live simply and take care of the earth because that’s how we live. And we will teach our kids to live this way as well.

I will say that I love all the “green” products they make out of recycled stuff because they’re usually earthy natural colors. Green, brown and that tannish oatmeal color are my favorite colors.

I’d love to hear some of your thoughts on this topic and what you all do to be “green.”

Trees, trees, trees!

So we had 2 trees fall down in the horrible wind we had a couple weeks ago. A plum and a pear tree. Our yard was looking pretty bare after we cleaned up the mess. Lucky for us we have the “IN” with someone in the tree business. (Peter works for my dad who owns a tree farm) So we got some beautiful, unique trees and formed 2 little beds. They look so great. Peter is so good at making things happen. I love how capable he is. If I were to do something like that it would take me days.



Weaping Learch, Varrigated Birch, Cork screw something, to name a few.

And of course Noni enjoyed playing in the grass and watching daddy work. Every time he started the tractor she would get so excited, put her arms up like this and make all kinds of giggly happy noises. So easily ammused, luv it!

Our first pick!

Our hard work or not so hard work has already paid off. I picked our first batch of radishes today. The collander was overflowing. How exciting! If you dont like radishes then you will be totally grossed out by this post but if you do like them then you should try it.

Peter found a recipe for a radish salad in the country magazine this week so guess what we had for dinner. Yup a pickled radish salad. It was delicious.
2 cups sliced radishes, sliced onion, half cup vinager, half cup sugar, (we did 1/4 cup of both and it was good) and 1 teaspoon salt. MMMMmmm!

Add some fresh juice and some bread and thats dinner!!

Now I need to go find some dessert!!

Gotta love the Wild life!

Nothing like enjoying a sunday afternoon in the great outdoors with family...

BIG random post!

Mamas day!!
It’s a little delayed but better late than never right. I had a very mellow but delightful first mothers day. My husband doesn’t like holidays very much and feels like they are just to help Halmark make money, so we didn’t do much. He made me waffles for breakfast, risotto for lunch and we got Chinese take out for dinner. It was pretty much just another day but he was more attentive than usual. I loved not having to prepare any food what so ever or do dishes. It was very peaceful and enjoyable and I just relaxed and watched Nonah in awe all day long. She is why we we're celebrating!! Petey took some photos of me and Non which turned out great! It is getting harder and harder to get good ones of her, she’s always moving.







Gardening, my new hobby!!
I was not really in the blogging mood this week. I had a case of the Monday Blues that lasted all week til Thursday. I don’t know what is wrong with me but man the weather effects me so much. Whenever its dreary and yucky out I just get down. I try and overcome it but usually end up surrendering and just letting time pass. Not really the way to live.
So on our one day of sunshine we got as much done as possible. Noni and I planted all my flowers (which I got for free from my mom, mother-in-law, and grandma), pulled some weeds, and then watered everything.



Then Peter and I planted our tomato plants. So its official the garden is totally planted now. Cant wait for the outcome!


Noni kept herself busy using these bins as drums. Shes so cute!! And keeps getting braver, look at her standing!!












Just some thoughts I want to share!
I've been doing so much thinking these past few days. About motherhood and how much my life has changed. Im still learning and in some ways still adjusting. Every now and then I miss the good old days. Long for those nights of quiet alone time with my hubby. Its just so so different. I didn’t get what people meant when they said to me that “life is going to change.” I totally get it now. And will say it to couples expecting their first baby but they too wont truly get it until the baby comes. I’m not complaining or wishing things were different, just thinking, remembering, trying to embrace every moment I can.
I love being a mom. It is so satisfying and is helping me find out more and more who I am and how I want to live my life. Having a child makes you have to be accountable for all that you do. It makes you give of yourself like you’ve never given before. Noni asleep on my lap right now as I type this because she just wouldn’t fall asleep any other way. Its just how it is. I love what motherhood has done to me, how its changed me, and made me stronger and given me new purpose. This is my passion now. Being a mother, parenting Nonah and my children yet to come. This is what I live for now. (and loving my husband of course, I couldn’t do any of this without him) With Gods help I am going to continue to do the best that I know how to do.

Inspirational and beautiful!

This is a beautiful perspective from a woman I dont know but I follow her blog because her words and pictures are so beautiful. Shes positive yet real and gives a refreshing insight to life as a mother.
Although this is directed to mamas, daughters may appreciate this post as well. Enjoy!
http://www.kellehampton.com/2010/04/house-of-motherhood.html



And I'll post a picture with this simply because I can! :)

Me and Noni on the Farm!!

So a friend of a friend offered to take some pics of me and Noni at her farm. She said she loves taking pics of babies. Being a mama herself she understands how hard it is to get pics of both mama and babe together. I took her up on her offer this past week. Noni had lots of fun being able to meet all kinds of animals for the first time ever. We saw chickens and chicks, lamas, horses, a donkey, goats and sheep (which were her favorite) and dogs. Heres a glimpse of our day.

FuN TiMeS!

I meant to post this on Monday but never got around to it.
I am lovin this 80 degree weather. It is so nice to feel the warm sun on your skin. Its like thawing you out from the long winter months. We had a wonderful weekend with no obligations or expectations. I love weekends like that.



The race was on Saturday night so therefore we had a free Sunday. Yay. I don’t even know the last time Peter and I spent a whole day together doing stuff together. We went to N. Park which is such a special park. So so so many memories at that park. Horseback riding when I was a kid, my friends and I hung out there a lot in High school and Petey and I had many picnics, kayaking dates, birthday celebrations etc. there. We hadn’t been there in over a year, since we moved in our new home. It was so nice. We just walked around and talked and pushed Noni in her stroller and showed her pinecones and sticks. Everything is just so much more fun with a little one to share it with. Its so cool to be able to be the one to show her new things and teach her about this world.



Then we went to the Market to get our produce for the week and came home to have a cook out. Nothing like venison burgers on the grill on a warm summer…??spring..??? evening. Peter hung up Nonis swing and we gave a try. She loved it. We will have lots of fun with that this summer.