our own garden!

So this is so exciting for me I have to post!
I now have a fenced in garden with raised beds and everything. There are lots of finishing touches I'd like to add but we have the foundation for garden goodness laid!
And, I have basil growing in the new garden. My own basil that I do not have to fork over $$ every time I want to make things with basil!!
These years since we've moved back to the US have been both inspiring and frustrating for me, especially when I visit the farmers market. It looks so great and creative and healthful but part of me just wants to say, I can do this myself! Especially when I see the price tags. It's just hard to fit much into the budget. But now after almost 6 years, I have my own super cool growing space again!
By God's grace! Wow!

Off to bathe Dragonbaby!
~Pilgrimama

teething makes a week interesting!

can't find playmates? Squirrelgirl's solution: use stuffies

 

We are at the end of a very long week of dealing with Dragonbaby's teething issues.
I think we may be on the upswing end now.
Maybe. We've counted 7 teeth now.
Will he get an 8th one in time for his 8 month birthday next week?
Time will tell!

We were gifted some of the Naked brand of drinks last night that have chocolate in them.
The number of items Squirrelgirl has soiled while drinking them is astonishing.

Jess had a very challenging soccer game this morning.
Ah well.
Lee,alex,and Jess all went out this afternoon to play football at the park. I think that was a more relaxing time.

Lee is hauling hay for the goat and I need to wash dishes before we go have dinner with family.
Happy Saturday!
~pilgrimama

dragonbaby's mood today..

Sorta ok....

teary..

teary...

Dragonbaby has a cold.
He is not experiencing a great day.
Poor little dude.

Right now he's nursing.
Then I may feed him a bit of a fresh plum.
Then maybe he will hang out with his sisters while I take a bubble bath.
Hhmmnn.

Happy Tuesday!
~pilgrimama

Easter from a parent's perspective

some of the hens and Rufus the rooster...

So Easter, one of my favorite times of the year, is over.
Praise God, Jesus is Alive!

This year I found myself really thinking about Easter from a parent's perspective,thinking of how Abba Father let His only child be cruelly killed.
I would shuddder to let one of my abundance of children go even for a "good" person's salvation.
The Father gave his only Son.
For anyone.
Stuart Townsend says it better.

"How deep the Father's love for us,
 How vast beyond all measure
 That He should give His only Son
 To make a wretch His treasure

 How great the pain of searing loss,
 The Father turns His face away
 As wounds which mar the chosen One,
 Bring many sons to glory"

There are no words for this kind of love.

And thank God for the beautiful sunshine this morning! I find it so cheering and cheerful!
Happy April,everyone!
I think we've gotten through the winter!
~pilgrimama

choosing joy in the snow

Usually on the 26th of March Spring is in full swing around here- at least so I seem to remember. Or at least starting nicely.

Today, it snowed.
But the sun came out quite a bit too.
I am choosing joy in this day, in this sunshine.
The days can feel heavy with cranky babies, loads of schoolwork and teaching decisions, a woodstove  that I long to shut down for the summer and etc.
To choose joy is important!

Today we pulled the pig and cow? bib out of storage for Dragonbaby.
Coolness!
Squirrelgirl used to wear it!

Happy late March Tuesday!

~ pilgrimama

little happies on a snowy monday

• sending a brightly colored envelope full of happy and stickers to friends
• sprouts that are almost ready for consumption
• two lovely plates of happy spring cookies that my girls happily decorated last night
• children playing joyfully in the snow
• awesome lego creations
• the new moveable chicken coop by the front door

Happy Spring and happy Monday!

~pilgrimama

the paparazzi !

Oh! Hi!

Cool toy,huh?

Help! It's the paparazzi!