weekend.

 

 

 

Major cabin fever going on around here. Last weekend presented us with a forecast of no rain and mild temperatures. Eric found this little walking park a few weeks go. We took the little kids and the Poms, big teenager guy had to stay home and study. It was just what we needed. It feels like we won't get the chance again until April or so. Straight rain until then. Smile.

Have a blessed day, Tami

field trip

 

I am the mom that always signs up to chaperone field trips. I figure that's it a great way to spend one-on-one time with my kiddos. And also, when would I actually get to these cool places on my own accord??? I have been on some great field trips.

The Burke Museum is fascinating. It is located on the University of Washington campus. We had a 30 minute bus ride, not too bad. The bus ride in itself is a treat. Being driven there, meant that I could stare at the beautiful Seattle neighborhoods and sights. A bonus was being able to sit next to a dear mom-friend and have 30 minutes of uninterrupted talk time.

Our focus was the rocks and minerals exhibition. We also studied how the land has changed in Washington State. We had Rhinoceros here at one point. Crazy.

As my kids grow, the field trips will diminish. I am so glad I've been able to join them.

 

Have a blessed Monday, Tami



random junk

I am having internet problems this week. My personal IT guy (hubby) is in Hawaii. He is there slaving away on the family home for 10 days.
Poor guy. :~)
I am here, holding down the fort.
And...I still have no Photoshop, so no pics ready of the chicken garden. Sounds like I need a little blog break.
Our mission for the next 2 weeks until school starts.........beaches, parks, and lots of ice cream.
Tonight, we head up to the elementary school for a back-to-school fair. On Saturday, we have a family reunion a few hours away. What a busy week.
Have a wonderful week, and I will check in soon!
Blessings, Tami

beach = good

Just what we (I) needed.
A family trip to the beach. (with lots of friends of course!)
We finished the day off with fish & chips near the shore.
A truly wonderful and carefree day.

Have a blessed Monday, Tami

July 4th

We went to the fire station this morning for their annual pancake breakfast. A short 10 minute walk for a pancake feast, and now we are home until we walk downtown to the parade at noon. Even though my heart yearns for a country life, this small town life is pretty close to perfect. We are within walking distance of  nearly everything we need. We are just a few blocks from our historic downtown area and that is pretty cool, in fact, we live in the first planned neighborhood in our town established in 1909. I love that.
We are heading to my sister's house in the country for a BBQ after the parade, and then we are home for fireworks when the sun goes down. It is going to be a wonderful day.
Have a blessed 4th ! Love, Tami

urban farm

I just finished reading The Urban Farm Handbook by Jill Cottrell and Joshua McNichols. I waited for months to get it from the library, and it didn't disappoint. What I really liked, is that it is written by folks from the Pacific Northwest, specifically Seattle. Hooray, somebody that can tell me how to do this urban farming thing where I live. And seriously, when she was writing the book, she had goats on her urban lot! She now lives on acreage outside the city.
They give wonderful recommendations for short season vegetables. This is such a help. Many types of vegetables fail in our area because we have a short and rather mild growing season.  I actually have planted many of the varieties that they suggested and had great success. Yes.
The book also had information about all of the happenings around Seattle including urban farming, CSA's, pastured poultry and meats, and loads of people doing wonderful things for this world.
The book is divided into seasons. I loved Jill's seasonal schedule and the recipes.
I am going to try the Whole Grain Crackers, the Whole Grain Sandwich Bread, the Apple Breakfast Sausage, and the Pan Roasted Baby Potatoes and Carrots. I think I will try the crackers first, since I am on a cracker kick lately.
This is a book I may actually buy. It seems like such a wonderful resource.
I can't wait for my garden to start producing more than lettuce. It will take another month of so. I can be patient. :~)
Have a blessed day, Tami

memorial weekend

Fun at the park. (with lots of friends)
Relaxing at home.
Summery outdoor meals.
Projects around the house.
Mostly sunny and warm, with a massive rain shower this morning.
Enjoying the slow pace of this last holiday weekend of the school year.
The kids have 18 school days left. I can't wait.

Hope that you are having a relaxing Memorial Day weekend!
Blessings, Tami

{this moment}

{a beautiful day for a fieldtrip to the zoo}

Joining Amanda.

spring break

The kids have been home on spring break this week. I love having them home during the day. We had a few sunny days and a few rainy. Today, the rain is non-stop. The kids have been outside as much as possible, even in the rain. We went to the park on Wednesday, it was beautiful and warm. We are having dinner at another family's house tonight, they also have 4 kids, so it will be a fun houseful. I am looking forward to a quiet weekend, filled with a just a little baseball. It's back to the heavy schedule next week. I have really enjoyed the pace of our week - sleeping in, lazy breakfasts, baking, and no big plans - just enough of a recharge to get us through until the end of the school year.

Have a blessed weekend, Tami

thursday

Today is grocery shopping day. We have a new Whole Foods Market in the next town. I am pretty excited to check it out. I buy 90% of my staples in bulk. In my quest to reduce waste, I use cotton drawstring bags, mesh bags, and glass bottles. I shop once a month for bulk, because I have to drive about 15 miles round trip to get to my regular market. This new WF is not any closer, but I am hoping that they have amped up their bulk section a bit. I find that at WF they have a great selection in their meat department. This store can be very expensive, as can be any store that you purchase a lot of processed foods. I am into buying organic bulk ingredients, so I don't worry much about it as those prices don't vary too much.
I have my system down. I use a black washable marker to clearly mark the bin #,  and the tare weight of the bag is marked in sharpie. This makes weighing super easy for the grocery checker. My glass jars are preweighed and I write the bin # and tare weight on the bottom of the jar in sharpie. I use an large, round woven basket to carry all of my supplies. I keep a running list of the items I need to buy, I have been doing this long enough now that my list is second nature.
When I get home I will put the food away into my glass pantry jars and wash the cotton bags that need it. I love seeing all of the jars filled, ready to be made into something nourishing and delicious.
Soon, I will don my rainboots and winter coat and head out into the March wetness. I will probably get a big cup of coffee (hard to completely give up in March) to keep my hands warm (it is unseasonably cold here right now), and make a day of grocery shopping. Enjoy your day!

Tami

::one more::

I know that it will soon be gone.
One more post showing all the wonderful snow.
I will miss it.
This has been one to remember.

Have a super cozy day!

Blessings, Tami

Autumn Splendor

We had one of those amazing days yesterday. I couldn't have asked for it to be more full of love and family. We went to early service at church. Which I love to do. Afterwards, we picked up a dozen of the most amazing donuts I have ever had. Seriously, they are the best. (I confess to having a deep love for these donuts :~)

We had a lovely late morning, doing all of those outside chores necessary to prepare for winter. The weather this last weekend was such a blessing, the sun was perfectly warm and so energizing. Weeding, mowing, putting the garden to sleep for the winter. We also did a few little maintenance repairs to the house.

I love the act of "buttoning up" the house for the winter. A small taste of what generations of families have done and continue to do, to keep warm, dry, and safe. These preparations, made so much more sweet, by doing them together.

We took off for some fun, to our "secret" park. This park is situated inside a neighborhood. The perimeter of the park is formed by the backyards of these homes, and it only accessible by 2 pathways. It is a city park, but is so private and special. My kiddos love it. It was snowing tiny Maple leaves when we were there. There has been no rain for several days, so the leaves were dry and light and wonderful for laying on. The picture above is Michael, all buried in the Maple leaves. He was quite pleased.

We headed home near dusk, and gave the kiddos a much needed bath. After lots of wonderful stories, we got them off to bed.

I will always remember this day. It is forever etched on my heart. All day, I was overcome with such gratefulness to our Lord God, for making me a wife and mama. I do love it so.


I pray that each of you had an equally special weekend with your family. Have a blessed Monday, too. In God's Love, Tami

Love of Life

I just love the way children approach life. Full steam ahead, all or nothing, an adventure at every turn.
We had a wonderful Sunday together, enjoying a little festival going on in our town. We walked "downtown" and made a quick stop for coffee and treats.
We have such wonderful little businesses near our home. We are in an urban housing environment, but the closeness and smallness of the town we live in, makes it such a nice place to make our home. The "big boys" took a few turns on the rides and my dear husband peeked a bit a the car show. We headed back home, balloons in hand, very ready for an afternoon rest.
I love days like this. Nowhere we have to be, but just spending time together. Days like this go almost in slow motion, giving us that much more time to enjoy one another.
Thank you Lord for my wonderful family. Help me savor each and every moment I have with them. Amen.

I hope that you had a very blessed Monday, I am ready for rest. Blessings, Tami