Sunday Funday....Last day of Summer

Summer isn't officially over....

There are technically 39 whole days of Summer left!

I will never agree with the kids going back to school so early in the summer. It's too nice outside. Too many glorious days of sunshine left. There are things we haven't done yet!

You know all the projects and adventures you had planned in your head. All the neat things you had "pinned" on Pinterest and determined to do.
(What am I going to do with all those toilet paper rolls we've been saving???)

 All the fun places you read about and swore you were going this year!

But, alas...
The days have come and gone. Along with it the excuses, priorities, responsibilities, and of course the crazy, hectic, ridiculous schedules!

Tire blowouts...Speeding tickets...(*sarcastic cough...Sean*)
The yard work needed done. The softball games had to be played. The bills had to be paid. The weather didn't cooperate....

We've had some mini-adventures.
Driving through the country, seeing new places.
Just enjoying God's natural beauty and feeling the breeze and sunshine.
Quick impromptu ice cream dates
Days spent at the park. Either watching the game or playing on the playground
Endless trips to McDonald's and eating in the van... before, between or after the game
Lots of unforgettable cookouts, parties and stop in visits with family and friends
Splashing around in the kiddie pool
Going to the Strawberry farm...that didn't have ANY strawberries. LOL(That's another story!)
Sitting on the porch with a good book and coffee in hand
Sunsets, summer storms(not enough)...
Working in the garden
Bonfires and marshmallows...
Movie/game nights with popcorn
Young's Dairy and seeing GOATS!
Card games, Wii games and playing Legos...Endless hours of Legos

As I sit writing this...

I realize our summer may not be fancy or extravagant. No lavish cruise or trip to Disney.
Sure there are TONS of things I wish we could have done. As I'm sure any of my children would have a list of things "To Do" but I see how truly blessed I am. We are.
Everyday, we are together. We have each other and are surrounded by others who love us, enjoy us, and want to be a part of "our summer".
Every year I get a little crazy thinking...
Thinking how fast they are growing up.
How many years do they really have to be TOGETHER?
D #1 is already 19. She has her own agenda, her own responsibilities. I am blessed beyond words that she still wants to spend as much time as she can with us.
D#2 is in her last year of junior high. She has sports, church, all these friends and things she wants to do...without mom and dad.
D#3 is only 3 years old but I already know all too well how fast the years will go.
I treasure each of my girls so so much and try to never take a second for granted.

I joke that God loves me more because I always wanted all girls and that is what I have been so blessed with.
I have always taught them they are each others best friends. No matter what and to treasure each other.
If God and I have taught them anything...
That is it!

I can honestly say that they have such a bond.
Sure they tease and aggravate each other to no end some days. They bicker and fight. The stomp and scream. They throw hairbrushes and kick.
Have I mentioned I have 3 girls???

They are typical, yes.
But, at the end of the day, they still want to snuggle and be together. They still say their prayers together and always want sung a lullaby or some song I have sung thousands of times before. They pretty much fall asleep simultaneously.
They are sisters no matter what. No matter what life throws at them or what one may be going through individually. They will always have each other.

Even on those boring Summer days. The days when we did....Nothing!

WIP Wednesday... Granny Square Fiasco

Welcome to WIP Wednesday!

I can't believe it is Wednesday already! This week has flown by...or maybe it has been drug out and I'm just still in a daze.

So, I've been trying to expand my crochet knowledge and really learn this great art. As I have said before I cannot read a pattern. I seem to be more of a visual person, as in what the final product looks like. I can try to figure it out by how large the stitch is or by visually counting rows across.

I understand a few of the "symbols". Not nearly enough to finish any project exactly like it was written.

So as I have Googled, Pinterest, and a few patterns I have saved from skein labels, I decided to really try and figure this out. 

I read that the "Granny Square" is supposed to be like the most basic, simple, pattern to learn and follow as it is just repeating a few common stitches.

Lies, Lies, Lies, I tell you!!!

There is not one thing about these little geriatric blocks that is simple or easy!!

I have spent hours...hours trying to work a magic circle into a block of four corners, double crochets and chaining around to the next "block"!

And, it isn't just me! My bestie across the pond, Sarah has also been trying to master the wonderful UK version of this maddening "Granny Square".

We have text and sent pictures back and forth and neither of us blondes can figure this out.

I know your thinking...We are way too young to be bothered learning such a thing called a Granny Square. ;)

But I am determined to get it right.

Here are a few pics throughout my work in progress(WIP)...

Here we go with a good looking start(an actual square)...

With 4 actual corners...

Sooo, the second time around it turns into a circle?? Did I miss a stitch? Add too many?

Take it out and we're back to the first "square"

Woo Hoo! I made it around to a bigger square...

Annnnd, round three, we have a....wobbly circle!

I actually did and re did this about 10 times.

UGGGGHH!!

In the nicer version of my besties words...

"Screw the bloody Granny Square!"

Here is where I found the "easy" tutorial....Granny Square

I'm still considering this my WIP for now, although I think Granny is getting put back in the bag for awhile.

Has anyone had any success with these? Any tips, pointers, tricks??? What am I doing wrong?

I've done the 

ch 4, sl st(make a ring), ch 5, 3 DC(in ring), ch 2, 3DC, ch2, 2DC.....and on and on. around and around....

Help us newbies out!!!

WIP Wednesday...My garden...where I find peace.

It's not a secret. I am truly a country girl at heart. I am simple, humble, grateful. I love being a child of God, a wife, a momma. These things give me my greatest joys. These things define who I am.

Throughout our days, life will give use so much. Heartache, trials, doubt, worry and questions so much about our selves, our lives.

But these three things, for me will always be true. My Truth. I am a Christian. I am someone's wife and I am a mother. Those won't change.

When life gets confusing and chaotic....

I need to find the rest of me. I need to pray, refresh and find my own calm.

I'm not a total outdoorsy person. I have no desire to climb Mt. Everest or hike around with my backpack. I don't want to live off grid solely on berries and fish.

But, I love my garden.

Well, our garden.

Secretly, it's just mine.

It is my "place". Where I go to clear my head, breath in the fresh air. Where I can take pride in the knowledge, the skill, the patience and the able body God has given me to learn, grow, teach and provide something for my family.

I go there to pray, to thank God for so many blessing I will never be deserving of.

So many possibilities...

fruits of our labor

I am amazed at all the things we have at. The choices, the variety. 

I can pick and choose what I will plant. How can/will I use it. 

I'm not saying our garden is big enough to feed us all year or that I don't wish for more land but it is enough to get me through. Every little bit helps.

Gardens are always a work in progress(WIP).

I'm no scientist. I don't test the soil or water.

I'm no botanist. I don't know exactly which plants grow best or where.

I'm not an engineer. I didn't spend months or years designing the perfect spot or layout of my garden.

I am a country girl learning and growing. I do what I know and pray it keeps getting better!

What is your WORK IN PROGRESS today?

P.S.....My little helper...