Life on the (sort of) Homestead

UHi There! Summer is in force in our little valley and we are quite busy. There are inside and outside projects in progress, animals and kids to care for (though some days they feel like the same thing). We have gardens to weed, food to put up in jars and freezers, and an awesome God the serve.

The garden is producing nicely, both veggies and weeds. I haven't been able to get down there to keep the weeds to a respectable level so Saturday I spent over 5 hours on my bum weeding. I only accomplished about 1/2 of the garden before my back and hands gave out. The next day Mother Nature had other ideas and the temps soared into the mid-90s, the humidity went up drastically, and we were put under a heat warning with heat indexes about 105°!  And we have been there ever since. Too dangerous for weeding it any other projects!

One project on hold due to weather is the remodel of pur front porch! I love this porch! Its all screened in, faces the road, has a wonderful porch swing and has been the family gathering spot for quite some time, but was in desperate need of help. We intended to just sand and paint the floor and make new cushions for the swing and wicker furniture and replace the screens. However, when we got started, we found rotted wood, which led to new lumber, .more paint, extra expense and now with the weather, extra time. Honey needs to sand the floor before we can go any further on it. Praying for cooler temps and lower humidity soon!

Another activity at our place is that I am learning to knit! I k ow, knitting in 100° heat how silky, but I am loving it so much I can barely put it down! I've made a few dish clothes, scarves,  and the sweetest little hat for a friends newborn soon to arrive. I'm even trying my hand at a matching sweater! I want to make matching mitties but can't seem toaster knitting in the round that witty bitty. (Any suggestions?)

Updates on the kiddos? Sure, since you asked...

Cookie Monster will now enlisting in the Air National Guard at the end of the month. He will leave for Basic Training in 4-6 months so he is hoping he will still be here for Christmas. He has elected to become part of the security forces (police) and will do his Basic and his School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. He will be gone for about 6 months which will be an eternity for this Mama!

Princess Pea is enjoying time at the local swimming pool with her friends, sleep-overs, and just hanging out. She will be attending dance camp for 3 days in August. She is so excited! She loved the volleyball camp she attended in June.

So I'm loving my little life right now. So blessed even in a heat wave. I pray blessings on you all! She is also learning how to play the clarinet! She has been playing the flute for a year but wants to be in jazz band and polka band too, neither of which have flutes, so I picked her up a clarinet at the pawn shop and she loves it!