Five on Friday

1.

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900); novelist, playwright

2.  Last week I bought corn at the Farmer's Market (ours needs a few more weeks to grow) and I wanted to grill it on the BBQ.  This post at Our Best Bites outlined 3 awesome methods, including one that did not require soaking.  I've done it twice now and it's. absolutely. the. best. way. to. do. corn!  Try it - I guarantee you'll love it :)

3.  The garden is still going strong with peas, beans, beets, carrots, cucumbers and cabbage all ready. I think the only thing we are still waiting on is the corn and it's coming!

4.  This morning I picked a small yellow squash, which was delicious steamed and served with butter and a hint of maple syrup for lunch.   The good news is there are lots on the plants.

5.  Photo of the week:

Roasting Marshmallows

(and really interested in how the stick was cut!)

Five on Friday

1.

Laughter is the fireworks of the soul. ~Josh Billings

2.  You. must. read. this!  Kelle Hampton writes about her beautiful daughter, Nella.  So, so precious - make sure you watch the video too.

3.  The weather for most of July and the first 10 days of August was cool, with highs in the mid-20s.  We had periodic showers and things grew slowly and steadily.  This week the temperatures have gone up - and everything is growing like crazy again!  The chickweed is taking over my garden.  So now I have weeding to do, right when everything is ready to pick and preserve.  My days do not have enough hours in them!

4.  I shredded the first big zucchini of the year and made muffins and chocolate cake today.  It. was. delicious!!

5.  Photo of the week:

Fun with Grampa

At the Playgroundgrand

Pantry Inventory

Peaches from last year's trip to BC

There are only a few full jars on my shelves:

2 salsa

1plum

2 peaches

2 apricot

12 pears

 (over-estimated on that one)

3 sauerkraut

8 relish

0 beet relish

(that was a hit!)

2 raspberry jam

Definitely time to plan another trip 

and work hard to restock!

2013 Joy Dare

#776 - #842

- gifts that made me really smile - playing boats with laundry baskets, taking turns jumping on the trampoline and clapping for the performer, a puzzle building marathon
- gift at 8 a.m. - feeding chickens in morning light
- gift at noon - lunch at home
- gift at 2 p.m. - text saying Kelsey, Peyton and Gramma Hank were coming for a visit - big surprise, bigger gift!
- gifts painted - words on the store window "Life isn't a dress rehearsal - dare yourself", robin egg blue bedroom walls, frames for photos

- gifts full - sacks and pots full of new potatoes, scrapbooks full of photos and stories, fridge full of good food
- gifts smelled - van full of flowers coming home from greenhouse cleanup, lilacs under the bedroom window, onions and herbs sauteing in a pan
- gift unexpected - row of beautiful colorful scarves in J. Crew (no purchase, just enjoyment of the colours)
- gift unwanted - weeds growing but it means plants are growing too
- gift unlikely - library book culling leading to a box of books for summer school

- gifts in His word - "Seek and you will find - Ask and it will be given - Knock and the door will be opened"
- gifts in moving - kids on playgrounds, clouding roaming across the sky, car driving me to work
- gifts in my Dad - his love of children, his attitude of doing it right, his clear mind and great memory
- gifts from Heavenly Father -  beautiful colours in plants growing, the miracle of seeds growing, people to love and cherish
- gifts I became in serving - thankful that I have been blessed in so many ways, aware of needs in so many buried so deep, humbled that I can be His hands and feet

- gift bent - weeds picked out of the garden
- gift beautiful - pansies blooming in pots
- gift loved - memories of my Gramma Hetman
- gifts found in light - moon shining through the night, lantern lighting kale for picking, warmth for chicks
- gifts that are difficult - storms and the possibility of hail, juggling time and finances, doing housework

- gifts found around a table - grandchildren gathered, sunshine salad bowls for supper, craft supplies and markers and glue from project time
- gift found in water - washing little feet at the end of the day's adventures
- gift found in words - conversations as we play queen and tractors farming and hospital
- gift found in white - Naomi's bread pan used as a foot bathtub
- gifts found in someone older - gentle nurturing and caring for others, wisdom about cooking, stories of the past and coming to Canada

- gifts found in fabric - beautiful colours, the joy of creating by cutting and sewing, a new quilt top

- gifts framed by a frame - inspiring words, pictures of our families, photos and memories of our travels

- gifts eaten - fresh cherries, new potatoes from our garden, lettuce & kale & spinach from the garden

- gift small - new baby chicks

- gift big - wide open yard

- gift just right - our home, not too big & not too small

- gifts you gave today - birthday gifts for Blake, Meadow, Naomi & Jerry

Oh, the blessed, beautiful counting of all that He has given to me!

Five on Friday

1.

Never squander an opportunity to tell someone you love or appreciate them.

~Kelly Ann Rothaus 2.  I spent this week working at a high school and noticed quite a change from the elementary scene.  Secondary students come, write an exam or two every day and by Wednesday noon most of them were finished.  That means teachers have lots of time for marking, organizing, cleaning and other tasks.  At elementary schools, kids attend to the very last day and teachers are so, so busy with student centred activities - which means that there are lots and lots of jobs to do at the very end of the year (often on their own time!).  [Thought captured from the end of June!} 3.  Doing lots of berry picking and freezing these days!  And there are so many good things ready in our garden.  This morning I gathered up beets, carrots, onions, a big head of lettuce and potatoes.  I need to pick the peas again and I'm sure the beans have more on too.  And there's one little red tomato on one of my plants - can not wait to try it!  Good stuff! 4.  For your weekend reading - and pondering - The 1 Mantra That Everybody, Every Family and Every Kid Needs - recommended by Ann at A Holy Experience. 5.  Photo of the week: 44 Years Ago  they were all in high school together