The Countryside

The onset of summer in the countryside has caused us to slow our daily pace a bit.

Not idle, but not rushing…

Taking time to smell the roses. Deliberately – eagerly – getting stuck behind a train. Blowing past bedtimes more often than not.

Working hard in the yard and then nursing our sun-fatigue, observing God’s creation in nature and the company of our visitors.

Simple life, simple pleasures.

With so much landscaping yet to complete, and our short planting season already well underway, I was resigned to a container garden this year. Husband blessed me by pausing his bigger projects to install a couple raised garden beds. I quickly transplanted my tomatoes and sowed some additional seeds in the freshly tilled earth.

*rad Bigfoot Xing sign purchased years ago on Etsy. (It’s an inside joke.)

We enjoyed another tranquil and informative visit to my friend’s ranch, where the kids visited their soon-to-be pet bunnies.

We’re now preparing for our next group of visitors: My mother, sister, and three nieces. Cousin Camp 2015.

How does one prepare for Cousin Camp? In a word: Costco.

I don’t think we’ve ever purchased so much high-fructose corn syrup. The girls were shocked and elated.

It’ll be fun. Since we don’t have a true guest room we intend to throw all six kids in Little Man’s room (three in the bed and three on an air mattress) and close the door. We’ll just throw fruit snacks in occasionally. It will be like The Hunger Games.

I can’t wait.