Over the Backyard Fence

It’s been a very busy week. On Monday, my dad and stepmom officially moved to their new place, just minutes from us. It’s such a huge relief having them nearby, and no longer facing that 30 to 40 minute drive to their house. Although, moving is a huge endeavor, there was much to make my week a good one.

Gathering around the table

To make things easier, we all ate dinner at our house this week. During the day, we were unpacking, assembling, hooking up, and trying to find things. Each evening, we gathered around our table for dinner. Take out a couple of nights, grilled burgers the next, spaghetti another. A collective sigh of relief for another day well-spent.

Traveling barista

I mentioned in my last post that Joe and Sam have also moved to town. I’ve been enjoying coffee with Joe most afternoons, when he comes tapping at our door to announce he’s here to brew up some breve’s. He likes my espresso machine — I like that he makes a mean breve :)

What I’m reading

When the World Fell Silent by Donna Jones Alward ~ A beautifully written book about the 1917 Halifax explosion. I love the author’s style and each evening I’ve been slipping into this tale of two women who face heartbreak and hard choices.

Years ago, my aunt gifted me a subscription to this wonderful magazine, and I’ve saved all of the issues, adding new ones. I love going through the old copies, welcoming new seasons with timely articles and beautiful illustrations. I pick up ideas to journal about, another favorite part of my week. Autumn signals new beginnings and encourages creativity.

Gardens

With cooler weather, the gardens are perking up. Sitting on the back patio sipping coffee, I notice the zinnias are flourishing, black-eyed Susan’s are thick, and the roses are putting forth new bursts of blooms. 

Preparing for an adventure

Excitement builds as we prepare to leave for a trip next week. We’ll take our travel trailer and explore the northwest, dipping up to British Columbia for five days to see family. Campsite reservations are set for the first part of the trip, and we are scouring maps for places to stop along the way. I’m making soups and chili for the freezer, organizing the camper. We plan to be gone for two and a half to three weeks, the longest adventure we’ve taken so far.

How was your week? Wishing you a happy start to September.

Karen

The weather has really changed this week. It sounds like it’s been the same in most parts of the country. Cooler, with hints of fall, and we’ve had some lovely rain showers every afternoon. The best part is that it seems to have slowed the Japanese beetle population, and at least one of my rosebushes is again in full bloom. The beetles have been the bane of my existence this summer! Mornings and evenings find me outside with my bucket of soapy water, taking great delight in drowning the little suckers!

Changes. So many changes these past months. Many of the readers of this blog are friends and family, but for those who aren’t, a little background. . . Dan and I live in the town I grew up in in Colorado. My youngest brother and his wife live in the actual house where we grew up. But the rest of the family — including my three children — moved away through the years. Long story short, this summer has brought my son Joey and his husband Sam, and my dad and stepmom all back to town. And they are all moving today!

Late yesterday afternoon, I heard a tap on the front door and then it opened and I heard footsteps. It was Joey, popping in to use our garage to change the oil in his car. He and Sam ended up staying for supper. It’s been years since we’ve had such an impromptu visit. 

Joe and Sam came back to Colorado earlier this summer when Sam was job hunting. Some fiends offered to rent them a place by the month, which worked out well because they didn’t want to sign a lease, not knowing where they would end up with Sam’s employment. Lo and behold, he found a position in a town up the road.  

My dad, at 93, and stepmom have been living in a town north of us. Through the years, the drive to and from has become longer as the traffic gets heavier. It makes sense that they reside closer to my brother and I, not that they aren’t quite independent, but the drive was getting to be a lot for all of us. Now, they’ll be within walking distance.

Changes. They are a happenin’. 

Sneaking in a post in time for Friday’s Fave Five. I didn’t mean to stay away from my blog for so long. August has been a difficult month. My eldest brother was diagnosed with cancer early this summer. We thought we would have more time with him, but he passed on August 3rd. Needless to say, my heart is hurting. These are times when it helps to look for blessings that abound, while I treasure the many good memories I have of him. 

Here are some lighter moments from my week.

🌼 After an early morning doctor’s appointment, I went to a new-to-me coffee shop and ordered a small drip coffee and a croissant. It was a beautiful, sunny morning, and I sat at a table looking out the window, enjoying the view of the city street. I enjoyed my late breakfast while eavesdropping on a couple that sat behind me. They seemed to be newly acquainted — perhaps a coffee date? — and I listened to him relay the details of his failed marriage to the woman sitting across from him. She listened attentively inserting an occasional “ahh” or “hmmm.” I made up a story about them in my head and wondered, will they have a second date?

🌼 Dan played in a softball tournament for most the day on Tuesday. I spent the morning listening to a 70s music playlist while working in the kitchen. I made some cheesy ham and bean soup to freeze — we’ll take a couple of containers with us on a road trip in our camper in a couple of weeks. I also tried a new recipe for peanut butter/chocolate chip cookies. The dough needed to be chilled, so I put it in the fridge. Today, Joe and Sam came for supper. For dessert, I baked up the cookies and we watched a baseball game on TV. It’s so nice that they are living in town now.

🌼 I took Brooklynn and Bentley from school to daycare yesterday afternoon. On the 10-minute drive, we listened to Loggins and Messina’s House at Pooh Corner. I remembered playing music when I used to drive the carpool when my kids were in school. Some of the songs are still their favorites.

🌼 Joey stopped by for coffee yesterday afternoon. Sitting on the back patio, he spied a beautiful Swainson’s hawk, perched on a telephone pole a couple of houses down. The bird stayed the whole time we visited and we peered through binoculars, tried getting pictures with our phones through the binoculars, and watched as smaller birds became comfortable enough to sit on the wire attached to the pole. It was a sight to see, all of the little ones lined up next to the big guy.

🌼 One day this week found me at the sewing machine, stitching up a craft project that has been sitting idle for too long. It felt good to create something, even as small as it is. I made a note to take the machine in for a tuneup.

It’s comforting to join FFF this week, where I remind myself of the blessings that abound and how every day of this life — indeed every moment — is gift. 

As I write this post, we are in Wisconsin visiting Luke and Miranda and the kids. Dan and I took a couple of days to drive here. It’s early morning and as I sip my first cup of coffee, I’m taking a few moments to reflect back on a week that has been a bag of mixed blessings. This practice of gratitude is one that helps me through when life throws those curves.

The license plate game. . . At the same time we were driving through Nebraska a couple of days ago, our friends Kathy and Steve were driving through Kansas to attend a family reunion. We were texting back and forth, just being silly, when we decided to play the license plate game — seeing who could spot license plates from different states. It made the time go faster, and it was fun traveling ‘together.’ 

Ivy and her tea set . . . I usually bring small gifts for the grandkids when we see them. This time, I had some special items that we thought they would enjoy.  For Ivy, it was a tea set that was my mother’s and then mine, when we were children. Ivy loves to play tea, and it is our favorite thing to do together. She was so pleased with her new set, and I was delighted to watch her play.

Backroads . . . We take backroads as much as we can on our trips. Driving through rolling, green hills, we made our way through eastern Nebraska and Iowa. On Thursday, we stopped in one of my favorite little towns in Nebraska and had lunch, then shopped at a bookstore. That night, we found a place to stay in Iowa and had dinner at a restaurant on a lake. The waitress was so sweet, and chatting with her made the experience all the nicer. Now, we have a new place to look forward to on future trips.

Luncheon with new friends . . . The day before we left, one of the ladies I met through the bird club invited a few of us for a luncheon in her backyard. It was just what summer afternoons are made for, enjoying salads and iced tea on the patio, admiring her gardens, and discussing books and telling stories. 

Hugs from my grandchildren. . . The next five days will offer plenty of these! Those first hugs when we arrived, barely out of the car, and all four of them come running! So delicious:) It took the littlest one just a short time to warm up to us, but she soon joined her brother and sisters in leaping into the mix. Children are so unabashed in their enthusiasm, offering a spontaneous hug and “I love you!”, anytime the spirit moves them. ❤

As a bonus favorite, we experienced the most magnificent thunderstorm driving through Nebraska. Bolts of lightening filled the sky, and it was as impressive as it was terrifying! This morning, we woke to sunny skies, and a clear weather forecast for the rest of our visit here. 

Happy Saturday, everyone.

Linking up with Susanne for Friday’s Fave Five.

This Friday’s Fave Five will be short and sweet! I had carpal tunnel surgery on Tuesday, and just getting back to full use of my right hand.

One ~ I’m extremely thankful for my awesome surgeon, Dr B, and Alicia his wonderful PA. This is the second CT surgery they’ve  done for me, and both have gone so smoothly.

Two ~ Joe sent me this photo of an American white pelican that he snapped this week. Isn’t it gorgeous? 

Three ~ On Monday, I went for a nature walk with this group — awesome organization by the way — and we explored a prairie preserve. The weather was just beautiful that morning, just a little overcast and the air so cool. The views were magnificent, and I am reminded of this quote from author Willa Cather ~ Anybody can love the mountains, but it takes a soul to love the prairie. 

Four ~ America’s birthday!! We need to celebrate our country more than ever! especially after this horrible week and the powers that be that are trying to ‘tank’ everything that is sacred. I’m grateful for those that still believe in the values upon which our nation was founded, and continue to fight for them.

Five ~ I am grateful, as always, for my amazing hubby who completed a landscaping project this week, while I was resting up and recovering from anesthesia. He’s a hard worker, and always upbeat and encouraging to me. I appreciate him so much.

I’m going to take a little break from blogging for a couple weeks. To do a bit of camping. Spend time with family. Take a road trip. Enjoy summer as it should be, with as few obligations as possible. Happy fourth to all of my American friends, and happy Friday to all.

Karen xo 

It's hard to believe that this is the last day of the month. This year, more than ever, I anticipated the arrival of summer, and here we are a third of the way through it, according to the seasonal calendar as I know it. It's been a good month! After being so busy throughout the Spring, June unfolded just as I had hoped it would, with lots of time at home. Some things about the month:

🌞 I've been on a mission to update the interior of our camper. I scoured P!nterest for ideas, thought about going all out and painting the dark cabinetry. Finally, I/we decided to just give it a facelift and update the window coverings, bedding and cushions. So, I went online and ordered several samples and FINALLY found something that works. It should arrive soon, and then I'll get out the sewing machine.

🌞My laptop started its death dance, and Joey set me up with a new iPad. I don't like it -- yet -- but I'm learning to work with it and we'll see.

🌞Kathy and I have decided that we're going to explore new neighborhoods and indie coffee shops this summer! We're having so much fun with this, venturing out of our usual stompin' grounds and finding places in between. 

🌞 Reading Jane Eyre. I set a goal this year to read more of the classics that I missed growing up.

🌞Tomato sandwiches on sourdough bread with lots of mayo, salt & pepper, and Italian seasoning. Iced tea with lemon. 

🌞Sunday barbecues with the kids and grandkids.

🌞A June quote by a favorite author ~ Summer is a promissory note signed in June, its long days spent and gone before you know it. (Hal Borland)

🍉🍒🍦

Yesterday, I posted about things that lift me out of the doldrums. I should have added Friday's Fave Five. This weekly exercise in gratitude reminds me that God's compassion, grace and provisions are constants in my life. He works through all of us. As I look back at my week, I'm thinking of His people who share their goodwill, their art, and who make my life richer. 

Book Give ~ This wonderful organization collects books to redistribute to individuals, schools and organizations. I've been on a decluttering frenzy of late, and after sorting through my kids' books collected over the years, I was looking for a place to donate them. Book Give is a non-profit, set up in a tiny abandoned gas station of all places! using the bays to organize books that will go to school libraries,  homeless shelters, memory care units (these receive coffee table books with beautiful pictures). Their volunteers are thoughtful about how books are distributed. 

Art Walk ~ Our community has some neat summer programs to get folks out and about to enjoy all of our beautiful parks and artwork. I picked up a passport for the program this summer and my goal is to use it to find new places to explore. This week, I took a lunch to the sculpture garden. I'm thankful for artists who share their talents with the rest of us.

Talented storytellers ~ I just finished watching a wonderful series on BBC, Lark Rise to Candleford. I'm grateful that, through the magic of television, I am transported to a different times and places. 

Cooks who share! ~ I'm on a mission to find a good recipe for sourdough pizza crust. And I think I've landed on it! I'm grateful for all those talented cooks who share their recipes online.

Brothers ~ My 8-year-old grandson Sawyer called me last night. At first I thought something was terribly wrong, because he was crying and could hardly speak. Well, he called to give me the news that, after being a brother to THREE sisters, the new baby that is on the way is a baby BROTHER! I rejoiced with him!

Happy Friday, everyone!