Our Tiny Tiger

The last Tiny Tiger karate class ended very quietly with only H and one other to instruct. Vacation season IS here!

She says she'd like karate, ballet, or swimming next. After our vacation and camping trips are over we'll see what we can fit in.

It is truly a joy watching her have fun learning with different teachers and gain new skills in the process.

(dodging the noodle)

(push-ups and jumping jacks)

(a mix of karate moves)

Name That Baby Product

Hanna works her photography skills lately. She has an old school camera without batteries and film that she cranks, requests/arranges poses, and clicks away.

Waiting to take off to visit my sister and her kids this morning, we had been playing together on the floor. Hanna, with the digital camera this time, took a few pictures of us, and then proceeded to take shots of toys in the room from all angles.

This one makes me smile. With the background "props," there is no denying that children rock the house!


By the way, 1=tray to highchair, 2=old, once-blush baby blanket, 3=exer-saucer, 4=Boppy pillow, 5=storytime book, 6=repainted school desk (ok, really passed "baby" here), 7=car seat, and 8=open toy drawer with magna doodle. There are a couple others, but I'll stop.=)

What to Do with Weeds

Our second summer here, Espi and his buddy on a whim chopped down enough yucca plants in our pasture to pile high and overflow our flatbed trailer. And we took on a downtrodden, leafy spurge infested pasture that is now mostly grass where the horses can graze much of the time.

Weeds are hard work and not a pleasant sight most of the time.

Looking out at our property several days ago, Espi and I saw sporadic towering weeds in the pasture. We talked chopping and spraying. Then we decided to have a little fun with it. Espi took the mower over each one and, in the process, created a maze for the girls.

Since, evenings have been full of running, exploring, and pretending adventures on the maze trails. The prairie grass is standing about a foot and a half tall right now making the paths fun for the girls and safe for us to see them while weeding away in the garden or working near the barn.


See the wee-girls exploring?? Feels a little like having our own little hiking trails right out our back doors.

Sharing a Beautiful Day

After the Cold

Stepped into the garden to work this afternoon after two unusually cold (plummeting as low as the upper 30s) and rainy June days. We had our fireplace cracking with mesquite last night as we cuddled around to watch a family movie. It has been chilly!

But weeding was cut short when thunder started rumbling. Before heading inside, the girls and I slipped back to find a bowlful of berries worth picking. Our small berry patch was a "propagation gift" from our neighbor two falls ago when she encouraged us to take nine of her runners. It has been so fun watching them make a home in our soil. Now I hope I can pass on the same gift to others in the years ahead.

Before the thunder turned into another down pour, I eagerly check in on our new neighbors for the first time since the weather turned winter on us. I am so sad to report that they didn't make it. The tree was quiet as I approached. No mother in sight or heard anywhere, which caught me by surprise. There the babies were grouped together at the bottom of the nest so still. Espi suspects that we frightened the mother away with the mower and sprinkler system going. I wonder if the weather has been too cold. What is the likelihood of such survival, too, when nests are so close to the ground? Those little beauties will be missed.

(the baby robins 3 days ago)

Lovin' Aunt Jeanne

The cold didn't stop her. The rain couldn't hold her back.

She even faced early morning fog and drizzle in flip-flops as to say, "Bring. It!"

When half of the merchants whimpered and decided a "no-show" was in order after just LOOKING out their windows, she was already setting up shop downtown Castle Rock, mind you, with her flip flops.

I pity the one who let's ANYTHING get between THIS woman and her flea market endeavours!

(A: "It's cold. My pants are getting wetter every minute. HOOOME!"::AD: "I've got LOVE!::H: "Mom, can I stay and help Aunt Jeanne decorate?")

(Seeing the fountain was A's highlight; although she had no smile to accompany her soaked pant cuffs::H was ready to jump in and fish for coins)

It was impressive the merchants who took the effort to set up shop this morning for the downtown Castle Rock flea market. We visited my sister mid morning with temperatures in the 40s. Top that with the rain, and it was a little messy. However, it looks like there will be a nice variety of collections for shoppers, especially when all the merchants show in the months ahead.

By the way, my sister's friend's husband was kind enough to pick up her boots from home to trade out the flip flops. But the courage and even the hope that led her out of her home this morning...

We love you, Jeanne!

From Radishes to Sweet Peas

Weeding this morning. The girls helped investigate the progress of the strawberries and taste-tested some baby-reds. We should have a bowlful in a few more days. Is it just me, or are Colorado gardens slow going?

Little A helped me wash off a bunch of my least favorite veggies in the garden, radishes (yet, I am trying to come around because they grow like the weeds!). I couldn't resist the sight. I told her, "Keep cleaning the dirt off in the water bucket!" while I rushed in to grab the camera. She looked as dirty as the fresh plucked vegetable.


And this year, we are growing peas for the first time. They are my favorite sight in the garden with whimsical, delicate vines and blossoms.


As mundane as weeding really is, the time can be such a fun "schoolroom" when the girls are close by, and when they are off playing, it is the one of the best time to think of family and friends, dream a little, and just pray.

Wishing you a wonderful week. And happy gardening!


The prayer of the farmer kneeling in his field to weed it, the prayer of the rower kneeling with the stroke of his oar, are true prayers heard throughout nature. {Ralph Waldo Emerson}

Our New Neighbors

Watering plants just less than 2 weeks ago, I found the prettiest blue eggs in one of our young pine trees. Two days ago, I noticed the first baby robin hatched. Today, they are all out nestling together. Such a common spring occurrence. Such a miracle!