The Answer

A few days ago as I sat outside with journal in hand, I received the answer to a prayer I had been praying for quite some time. The answer was no or maybe not yet. While there was a tinge of sadness, there was an even greater awareness of God's love and infinite wisdom. This no was not a rejection. It was wrapped in love from a Heavenly Father who knows His child's needs more than she does. At this time - my time - the no is for my greatest good. In His time, the answer will be different. When things are as they should be for the best possible outcome. Because a loving father wants nothing but the best for his children. What an awesome Father we have!

How Does Our Garden Grow?

Peppers & Grenoblouse Lettuce

Very slowly at this point! Our seeds have sprouted but we don't seem to be any closer to getting them planted in containers or a bed. Since I was late in starting my seeds, I'm a bit concerned that by the time the plants get of enough size to transplant, the hot summer sun might be too much for them. Next year I will make it a point to get started earlier and will start my reading now on winter gardening!

Tomato seedlings starting to get their mature leaves

I went ahead and put the basil plants into large pots and moved them outside, although I probably should have waited. They are just now starting to develop their more mature looking leaves. But I think they will be okay. I also put the rest of the seedlings outside in a sheltered area to harden as well. And to protect them from a little, curly-haired 2yo that did a little pruning to some of Mommy's seedlings.

Potato Sprouts

Since I've taken the photos above, the Grenoblouse lettuce has taken on a light burgundy color and the potato sprouts have shot up another couple of inches. I need to get out and mound some more dirt around the potato sprouts per Laura's tutorial. Despite our late start, I'm hopeful our little garden will have a very productive summer!

Pump Up The Jam

My Momma and I have been busy working the load of strawberries we picked over the weekend. Momma did the washing and hulling (she claims I take too much off the top), while I mashed and prepared bowls of no cook freezer jam. We ended up with 25 containers of freezer jam and big bowl of sliced strawberries for the fridge. I'm so looking forward to blueberry season!

Video - How to Make No Cook Freezer Jam

Memorial Day

The Fruits of Our Labor

Ashleigh picked a whole basket by herself


Our haul - WAY more strawberries than I imagined!

Gone Pickin'

There's only a few more weeks before strawberry season ends here. So we're heading out to the field to do some strawberry picking today. With temps in the 80s, it's going to be a hot one!

What About Now?

It's been five years since we've moved into our house. But looking at the bare walls (if you don't count crayon scribbles) and the mostly undecorated rooms, you would think we were just squatters! As we looked at houses with our realtor, I remember asking myself why so many people waited until they were selling their homes to make changes. Why did they live with their home not quite the way they wanted only to make it better for someone else? We too had a list of things we wanted to do when we moved in. But with the busyness of life, the paneling, the peeling 70s wallpaper and bare, off-white walls, faded into the background. We said we'd get around to it when the money was right or when we had more time.

So what about now? A trip to our outside storage revealed enough unused rollers, tape, plastic sheeting, brushes and primer to at least get us started on prepping the dining room. With a little bit of resourcefulness (and not a lot of money), we can take the first steps in making our home a haven and a reflection of us!