Disclosure (Delete)

I had a real, true, raw blog post all written up ready to publish. It was an "I can't do everything by myself all the time" kind of post. It was a post about how "I have so many things that I want to do for myself but I feel too much obligation to others to do them" type of post.It was all about how I need to feel valued and don't really. It was how I feel like I have to work harder than anyone just to prove that I don't just stay at home and watch soap operas and eat candy all day long. It was all about duty as a wife and as a mother. But then... I deleted it all. I felt too guilty writing it, like I would hurt some people's feelings. Like perhaps it was just me being selfish. And then I thought of how we all just write about the good stuff on these blogs of ours and that people don't want to read about the struggles and hardships of day to day living.

And then, I deleted my post and decided to post pictures of the garden in full bloom. Of my little love with a handful of raspberries picked from a deserted house next door. Of her in her playhouse, happy as a lark. Of a Mourning Dove whose song is so sad, but really has nothing to lament when it is all said and done.

It is our 27th Wedding anniversary on Friday. I am 45 years old. I have three adult daughters and one 6 year old daughter. I have 3 granddaughters and one son-in-law. My name is Michelle.

Happy Weekend.

Weather Lore

"Red sky at night, Sailor's delight,

Red sky in morning, Sailor take warning."

I love weather folklore. Odd, I know. A Hutterite man told Paul way back in February that all the fog we were having was a sign that we would have a wet spring. Man was that accurate.

Another weather proverb that I find to be true every time is:

"When the rain comes from the east,

its four and twenty hours at least.

When the rain comes from the west,

its just an hour or two at best."

And just today this one held true as well:

"Rain before seven,

quit by eleven."

My very favorite weather quote has got to be:

"There is no such thing as bad weather,

only the wrong clothes."

Yes, I love weather lore.

*pictures by Paul

Summer Studio: Four (One Behind)

As luck would have it, I lost ALL of my pictures off of my computer. All of them. I must have done it. These things don't happen on their own. I am not pleased about that as you can well imagine.

This week's Summer Studio Tour, hosted by Heather is not quite a craft studio but more like a kitchen studio. A kitchen is a place to create, is it not? Well, sure it is. And we have been having lots of great food these past weeks.

A nice light summer salad.

Pasta Pomodoro with fresh garden basil


One of my lost pictures was of a delicious Roasted Cauliflower and Cheese soup. It was mighty tasty. Of course if you have read this blog before, you know that I love soup. In fact, just yesterday when two of my three adult daughters came to town, we had Tyler Florence's French Onion Soup. Oh yes. I love soup.

Athena shucking corn

Chicken Shwarma

(dinner on the deck with these lovely ladies)

My daughter Jill

My daughter Jen

My granddaughter Josie

Just the four of us. All the men and the older girls were camping.

Great way to spend an afternoon.

Summer bliss.

Belated Mother's Day

I have been meaning to post pictures of this Mother's Day card that I got this year from my 27 year old daughter Jen. Meaning to post about it for OVER TWO MONTHS. And this weekend as I was going through my paperwork, I found this little piece of paper. It made me laugh out loud just as much as it did when I first received it.

I know many of you Mamas out there have been gifted with this same card, if your children went to public school so you will appreciate the humor of it. I don't think I'll ever ever ever throw this one out. And so I share it with you today.

PS I showed Jessica and Jillian and they both chuckled and replied: "Yeah right!!" I know. Too cute for words don't you think?

Quiet Summer Friday

Sometimes, words are not necessary. Some times pictures say enough. Paul took a few days off and we are enjoying his company. Happy happy summer weekend to you all.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... it is windy and rainy. Too much rain. The farmers are in trouble. Cold too. Had to run the furnace this morning if you can believe it.

I am thinking... about what direction I want to go in with regard to fall home school plans.

I am thankful for... my extended family. I got to see a lot of them, Paul's side and mine this weekend and it was just wonderful.

From the learning room... lots of new materials await. I ordered some more phonics readers today as well as magnetic letters. It needs to be sorted and prepared for the fall.

From the kitchen... Paul is away tonight so I am thinking of leftovers for me and Athena. Maybe chicken fried rice and some freshly harvested lettuce salad. Tomorrow I'll make another Rhubarb pie...or maybe rhubarb crisp. Still undecided.

I am wearing... a dress, as usual, but I am also wearing a sweater on top and slippers as well. Like I said, it is chilly here.

I am creating... home school plans for the fall. I really need to get this going. I found some great resources on line today for the book First Language Lessons. I am quite pleased with that.

I am going... nowhere, thankfully. We have be overly busy so I am pleased to stay at home for a bit.

I am reading... The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I just got it from the library today. I am also reading The Well Trained Mind The Guide to Classical Education at Home.

I am hoping... that my sister Lyse's move back to Canada goes well for her this week and my sister in law Mona's move back to Quebec goes well too. Both women are experiencing stress over their moves. Who wouldn't. They both just want to be there and settled. Also that Jen's solo trip to Vancouver for Hypnobirthing Training goes well.

I am hearing... the wind blowing hard and strong through the trees and the sound of my dryer balls tumbling around in the dryer.

Around the house... I am getting the laundry done, the beds changed and some general tidying up. Athena just came home from her Summer Fun Program and she is needing a snack.

One of my favorite things... is homemade soup. I love soup. I plan to make Yam Chipotle soup with Avocado Aioli very very soon.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Cut down the ailing apple tree. We have tried to save her for years but she is beyond saving. Write down general home school goals for the year and start to make monthly and weekly plans. Organize the craft cabinet and weed and sort the books. Hopefully get out on the boat. Not because I want to but so Paul will stop asking me to.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing:

( The only good thing to come of Paul's sister's move. I got her plants!!)

Summer Studio: Three

I promise that this will be the last time you see this sweater. At least in the Summer Studio series. I do hope it will be worn and therefor appear in pictures from time to time.

So... I told you I bought the wrong zipper. When I went to the fabric store to get one, the wee one decided she didn't want a zipper. Okay, so we bought some buttons and some elastic. When we got home, she decided that she didn't want butttons either. (No, she isn't a brat, this story does make her sound a little spoiled I admit.) Easier for me anyway.

She wore the sweater a few times and it kind of stretched at the shoulder seam. Fantastic. I didn't want this ruined so I picked up the stitches around the neck line and made a ribbed collar. This should do the trick. After an emergency call to my mom for knitting advice, here you have it. All ready for cool summer nights and crisp fall days.

I am still not decided on my next project. I'd like to try something for myself but the girl really is in need of clothing. Perhaps I'll put the needles down for a while and take out the sewing machine. But then again, maybe I won't.

Weekend Update Or All About My Brother

We had a busy weekend. Lots going on. First of all, I turned 45 on Friday. 45. I don't have age issues like some women I know. (Hi Mona) I like my age. I own my age. I've earned my age. We went to Regina and I spent the day with my Mom, my daughter Jen and granddaughters Abby and Josie and went out for dinner with Paul's sister and her husband. It was kind of a dual celebration, their going away party and my Birth Day celebration. Fun times, mediocre food.

Next day Jen and I went shopping for a bit to the store she and I always go to together. Fun stuff. She made us a fabulous lunch of Grilled Vegetable sandwiches and Broccoli Cheddar soup. Delicious. Next we headed to my brothers house (Hey Mike, I am mentioning you in my blog like you asked) for a family BBQ. That was great to see everyone again. The food was yummy and the fellowship even better.

Now about my brother Mike. Let me see. He is 36 years old. He is married to Kendra, the love of his life. They have been married 7 years. They have a little princess, Ella, who is 3 and who has every toy imaginable. He is a District Manager for a Canada wide company. He is an avid golfer. Pretty good I understand, but not quite so good as Kendra I am told. He is a devoted Daddy who would love nothing more that to spend his days as a Stay at Home Dad. (How is that Mike?)

The highlight of the weekend for Athena was that she lost her front tooth as she bit into a pickle at the BBQ. She lost the second one on Sunday when we returned. It amazes me that there is such a big space where such a small tooth once was. This is good news as we will not have to shell out for braces. Fingers crossed. She speaks with a lisp and it is so cute. At long last she can eat properly again. I have been cuttin her apples like she is a toddler. It won't be long until those big bumpy grown up teeth are firmly in their positions.

**I really need to get my camera cleaned. That black spot in the lower corner is driving me nuts!

So now we are back at home and I have a lot planned for the week. Some Home school plans, some more Summer Studio pictures and a whole lot of organizing and purging to be done. Paul is away until Wednesday night and then he has a few days off. Finally! We hope to get Ruby (his boat) on the water on Thursday, weather permitting. Stay tuned.

PS This last picture is what happens when you leave Nature Girl alone in the yard while you are inside ironing.

She released the baby robin minutes later. No mother robin to be found though.

Easy Summer Living

Summer is in full swing here on the prairies. Although I am not a fan of summer, I kind of like the laid back feel of the season. We eat every meal we can on the deck, including breakfast. Bed time is a little later for the girl. A little earlier for me. The weekly work has to be done of course but the urgency about it is gone.

We have more company. In fact we had 17 people (Paul's side of the family) over for dinner and a sleepover and breakfast just this past weekend. More about that later. We travel with Paul more too. Why not?

There are some things that I would like to do this summer too.

:: Begin a new crafting project. I have no idea what yet.

:: Watch a few movies.

:: Read a few books.

:: Practice yoga a several times a week. I just did this afternoon and boy oh boy I am tight!

:: Putter around in the garden. (My garden across the street is a bust. Paul will till it under soon.)

:: Enjoy some refreshing Bud Light Lime on those hotter than hot days.

:: Start and finish my home school plans for the coming year. Oh my, I can't forget about that.

:: Have our neighbors over for a barbeque.

:: Simplify my menus so I spend less time in the kitchen and more time on the deck. With wine.

:: Take Athena to the zoo in Saskatoon and the museum in Regina.

:: Spend the day at the beach. (nothing seems worse to me except maybe camping)

:: Host another big barbeque with my side of the family.

:: Most importantly, relax. I really am not good at it. At all.

And now, some quick pictures of what summer has been holding so far.