As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Monday, June 26, 2017

Summer . . . So Far




I could not get motivated today. A very busy week is coming up and I should have used the day to get my ducks in a row. Instead I used the day to be . . . summery? As in, summer vacation mode? Coffee with a long-ago friend with whom I have recently reconnected. A little reading. A trip to the store for last minute ingredients for supper. A load of laundry. Praying. Lots of pondering. Not much else. 




Summer is upon us.

It kind of sneaked up on me this year, probably because of the way our school year wound down. And we're still not totally finished! These past couple of weeks, Bekah and her friend have been taking driver's ed (getting up early . . . every day . . . eek!), but I am hoping that 10th grade will be completed next week.



We have been enjoying summer meals. I have another cookbook recipe (two actually!) to share soon. Are you eating summery foods? 




Just because Ron finished the library doesn't mean he has run out of projects! 

Last summer, he didn't garden at all. Having just moved to Pineapple House in late April, there was much to do and starting a garden wasn't a priority. This year, however, he built two raised beds and has planted tomatoes, peppers, and sweet potatoes. (He may add a couple beds more next summer.) He also created a little "entrance" to the garden area in the side yard. We are considering some sort of trailing plant to enhance the entrance: clematis, honeysuckle, wisteria? We are open to suggestions! 



There will be lots of coming and going the rest of this week. It may be a bit busier than I like it, but it is always a good thing to take time for people. 



What has your summer held so far? Projects? People? Pondering? Hopefully, you'll find a day or two to just be lazy restful.

24 comments:

  1. You have a beautiful place to all home.....
    Taking it easy can help you recharge and accomplish more later. Sounds like needed this day. Hope you enjoy the coming week!

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    1. Thank you for that reminder of the need to recharge. That makes me feel better!

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  2. How about a climbing rose? A red one would be so striking on the arbor!

    I have a project but Tim needs to feel like he has the time to do it. (smile) I told him that he, Nate and Kyle could do it the week I'm in California! (bigger smile) So we'll see!

    Time for people is a very good thing. We just had dear friends stay this past week, then other sweet friends on Sunday.

    We always have comings and goings. Tomorrow, I don't have any plans to go anywhere, but you never know!

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    1. A climbing rose sounds beautiful! Do they require a lot of tending? (We do better with low maintenance plants.)

      I am sure that the people in your life felt welcomed and loved!

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  3. Wisteria might get a bit too big, but maybe a mixture of Clematis and rambling rose would be pretty. Or an evergreen Honeysuckle.

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    1. Thank you for your ideas! I know you are quite the gardener!

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  4. The new garden area that Ron built is very nice, I am imagining all sorts of Susan Branch-y ideas for it. 🙃 You are such a thoughtful hostess...one that allows for a busy week with grace. Keep on finding those quiet moments to get you past the hectic quality to the fun bits. (I still can not imagine Bekah driving, but it will surely come in handy for a while. My kids loved running errands for the first month or so. 😏)

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    1. Thanks for your encouragement!

      Ack! The thoughts of my baby driving makes my heart stand still. So mostly I don't think about it. (She will have to have her permit for at least nine months before she can get her license, so I have a bit more time to get used to the idea.)

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  5. I think it's just fine to take a day to be summery, although I do find it hard myself to do that when Mr. C. is away working hard. Summer is his very busy time of year in the contracting business and also the time of year that more family comes to visit. I love it and can't get enough of it. Mostly it's being here in the middle of nowhere, doing a little gardening, enjoying the front porch and sunshine. Have a wonderful day, Cheryl.

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  6. Summertime...and the livin' is easy"...isn't that what the song says? No need to apologize! Grab all of those moments that you can, I say! :D

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    1. Now I'm going to have that song running through my mind all day! Okay, no apologies!

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  7. I have to have those kind of days where I can just be, Cheryl. I'm so glad you allowed yourself a mini vacation. It's a great way to refresh oneself.
    Your garden trellis would be so pretty with whatever vine you decide. Wisteria is quite strong and requires a lot of support. You may want to choose clematis as you said or maybe a passion vine as it blooms most of the summer. Morning glories are a quick growing vine as well, but is annual.
    Our grands are visiting and keeping me busy with games, baking cookies and watching movies. Enjoy the nice respite from the humidity. ♥

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    1. I appreciate your gardening tips, Martha Ellen, knowing that you are such a talented and experienced gardener!

      Have a great time with your grands! (I know you will.) Seven of mine are coming over for a sleepover this weekend, so I am gearing up for some good times too!

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  8. Summertime is a busy time for sure. I like to take moments here and there for a little patio sitting when I can. It seems like I've had to do a lot of driving here and there lately and that's when I get some prayer time in. I really don't mind having to run errands, it gives me the chance to see the scenes along the way. We have a lot of projects planned but we do enjoy our summertime. Work will always be there, I've found. :) Your garden area looks good...Ron is a handy guy! I agree that a climbing rose would be terrific on your arbor.

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    1. It seems like a lot of my friends are suggesting a climbing rose! Is a climbing rose easy to care for?

      Enjoy your patio sitting between projects! Sounds like a great plan. :)

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  9. Oh that elusive restful/lazy summer day! I long for it too. It's so hard to believe that July 1st is just around the corner. Love the raised garden beds. New gardens take time and much effort. Your pineapple house is coming along so nicely!

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    1. Thank you, Rosella! I, too, am having a hard time believing that it is nearly July. It sounds silly, but it seems that summer whizzes by once July arrives!

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  10. Lovely photos to scroll through while reading about your summer so far. Is there something that climbs and has color blooms but then stays nice looking through the winter? Maybe a climbing rose is a good choice but don't bump into the thorns. :)

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    1. Thank you, Ellen! I am not much of a gardener, but I'd love to know if there is such a thing. That would be perfect!

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  11. Taking time to be "summery" is what I'm doing just now - drinking my morning tea on the deck while blogging. There's a garden that needs tending and a list of projects I'd like to accomplish, but those things can wait a bit. A climbing rose would be a beautiful thing over the arbor, or a hardy jasmine.

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    1. As my friends have encouraged me, I pass along that encouragement to you: Take the time for being "summery" when that is what you need. I am sure that rest and time to ponder are exactly what you need during this season of life.

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  12. Hi Cheryl long time no speak! No read! I hope everything is better. Sounds like you are getting quite a bit done. How about some Concord grapes for the trellis? I grew up with an arbor and have such fond memories.

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    1. Hi, Barbara! I was just thinking of you yesterday, remembering that you have an August birthday too!

      We are moving along . . . the summer, although it has had its challenges, is flying by anyway. Things are improving on some fronts. God is good!

      Hope all is well with you. Happy birthday month!

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