Summer Break: Week Three

The week started out so stinking hot it made every part of me hurt. Not really, I don't suffer from chronic pain, so I don't want to make light of that statement. But heat and Beth do not mix well. And since the heat comes so rarely to our part of the world, most people don't have air conditioning. I make do by hanging quilts over all of the West-facing windows, basically turning the house into as dark and cool of a cave as possible. It always works well for the first day or two, but by the third and fourth day of a heat wave, it's pretty much impossible to bring the house down under 80 degrees. Which does not make me a happy girl.

Enter the new swimming pool. Which is still so cold from all of that well water, that thirty minutes soaking in it chilled me to the bone. Afterward, sitting in an 80 degree house, it took 3 hours for my feet to warm back up. It feels good knowing that I now have a legitimate coping mechanism for heat waves. :D

Other than trying to stay cool, there was VBS to take the kids to, and the usual errands to run. The Farmboy took the week off and started tearing the nearly-20-year-old deck off of the back of the house. We ate in the front yard almost every night and tried to relax as much as possible. I even dialed my work back quite a bit, only taking two runs into town to mail orders, and only answering the most pressing emails.

I ate the first blueberry of the season and showed up to band practice wearing the same shoes as the others (minus one) (yay for Converse!). There were two giant Jackfruits at the local Grocery, which impressed the kids. And I got to end the week with a tea date with my Mama and two Sisters and one highly squeezable Nephew.

Saturday Stitches

Stitcher's Resolution

Summer Break: Week Two

The sun returned at last, and with the sun, the bees were out foraging and there was playtime at the new RC Car track carved out at the back of the field. Father's Day was mellow and relaxed, with the Farmboy insisting on doing the cooking: BBQ ribs with all the fixins' and fresh homemade Rhubarb Crisp (made by me) with ice cream.

There was Rhubarb Jam making and sunbeams and music making and way too much fill-stitching (watch for this lovely reproduction sampler this Fall). And with the threat of our first heat wave of the Summer, we surprised the kids with our first "real" swimming pool; one big enough to require tractor work to level the ground plus 4000 gallons of really really cold well water. I'm not going in first!

Releasing Butterflies

For a few years now, my kids have been wanting to raise and release butterflies. I kept forgetting to do it at the right time of year, but at last, I had the presence of mind to order this kit from my BFF, Amazon.

The directions are very clear, and 9 out of the 10 larvae that we received made it all the way through the life cycle process to release. If you have any little people in your life, this is a great learning tool that is also super fun. The Boy child wasn't into it quite as much as the Girl and I, but he still showed interest in the process, especially during the chrysalis phase.

We enjoyed watching the butterflies and feeding them for a few days inside their mesh cage before letting them fly free. The best part was having them land on and walk on our skin. I can't think of many things in life that could be more delightful than a butterfly's feet tickling my skin.

Saturday Stitches

The Parting Hour : Gather Ye Tulips : Simple Bounty Cupboard Sampler

I Love You Truly, Truly Dear : (The Birds & the Bees) Olde Bouquet

(Sarah E. Schall) Sarah's Companion : My Funny Valentine

It Must Have Been the Mistletoe : (Tidings of Comfort & Joy) Noel 1705

French Harvest Basket : Great Grandma Johanne's Birth Sampler

Anna's Prayer : Now Christmas is Come

Cross Stitch Nation: Stars & Diamonds : With One Accord

George & Martha : Great Grandma Dagmar's Birth Sampler

Feniscowles Hall : Never Let You Go : A Weaver's Shuttle

1763 Band Sampler : Baby, It's Cold Outside