Pool Deck 360

We were able, this year, to finish the deck the rest of the way around the pool. It was a joint effort over Memorial Day Weekend...Eric helped, John (a friend) helped, Gramps helped and even I helped when everyone else had given up on Dennis! It was very hot and there were lots of dips in the pool in-between to cool off. Dennis is waiting for some cooler evenings to get the railings and benches done. Since this side of the deck is not as high as the other side, we're not worried about anyone falling off and hurting themselves in the meantime.

I also made relish from the radishes in the garden. Other than the fact that the fermenting radish and vinegar mixture stunk up the house, it turned out beautifully, and tastes delicious too! Basically, it was chopped radishes, red onion, celery, spices, sugar and vinegar. This fermented for several hours, then I boiled it, packed it in jars and hot water bathed it to seal the lids. We had it on hot dogs last weekend at a cookout and it was delicious! My mom served it with some fish and she said that was wonderful too!

The Giving Garden

The garden is starting to produce...I am so excited by some new veggies we have tried out this year and so far have been very successful. Of course, we have been gathering lettuce and spinach as needed for salads, but we don't ever do a mass harvest of those, so no wonderful pictures.

We tried radishes this year and they were wonderfully plenty. I got about 4 cups of radishes- all different colors and shapes! I found a recipe for radish relish, so I am in the process of making that. if it turns out, I'll share the recipe.

And carrots...I have tried carrots before, only to be dismayed by root nematodes and other critters. But evidently our soil must be pretty good and not too much clay, because they have actually flourished! Of course, with all the greens attached, they certainly look like a lot more than when they are trimmed! But I am excited to try them again and plant a whole lot more!

Happy 13 years of marriage!

17 years ago I met my wonderful husband...it seems like yesterday...yet so much has happened in those years!

This weekend Dennis and I went camping to celebrate our anniversary. It wasn't until our 10th anniversary that we got the bright idea to go away for a weekend together to celebrate, and we've done it every year since. This year we decided to go camping...we realized that camping without our children is quite different! It is so quiet!

We camped at Gambrill State Park, and just about had the camping loop to ourselves. (some people were in cabins nearby)

We biked the Western Maryland Rail Trail (22 miles one way). We have wanted to do this section of trail after hearing about it last summer from the folks up at Ohiopyle. It parrallels the C & O Canal Trail from Fort Frederick State Park, through Hancock and 12 miles beyond. Instead of being right down on the river, it runs a bit higher up on the mountain and is paved all the way. It was a very moderate grade, or mostly flat, though at times it seemed we were always going uphill! The weather was perfect, cloudy and cool. We stopped in Hancock and ate our sandwhiches in a little gazebo (that's the picture of us at the picnic table). At then end of the trail (see pic above) we stopped only long enough to take the picture because the mosquitoes found us. After 30 miles we were exhausted and stopped for coffee in Hancock. We were also soaked completely since a steady rain started at about mile 24. After a break we finished the last 10 miles, slowly and painfully. It was a great accomplishment and a wonderful ride. However we were soaked and sore, and agreed that 30 miles was probably more our limit for a ride!

We also spent some time walking around downtown Frederick and enjoyed browsing the many antique and specialty shops. We stopped in at a Yamaha piano shop and I got to play on a couple of beautiful grand pianos! The lady in the shop gave us a great lesson on the difference in mechanics between a grand and an upright piano. Fascinating!

"Local Family Retreats and Finds Peace and Rest"

I don't know why we just don't do this more often or sooner every year...nothing beats a weekend camping trip for our family. There aren't too many escapes where we feel absolutely no obligation to anything and can truly relax and enjoy each other. We visited a park that is new to us: Gifford Pinchot State Park and loved it.

We found hiking trails down to the lake and all around the woods...

Beaches to lounge on with playgrounds for the kids...

Plenty of space to let loose and goof off....

A tadpole pond and soothing fountain (couldn't actually find any tadpoles this early in the season)...

A spacious campsite with no bugs, cool weather and a playground across the street...

We liked it so much we may just add it to our favorites!

Bay turned 7

Bay celebrated his 7th birthday recently. I can't believe my sweet, compassionate, nurturing Bay is getting so big. Just so long as he'll still cuddle on my lap!

Bay and Leah with their recently new pj's and Bay with his birthday breakfast...cereal with milk...

One of Bay's big interests is space. He has had the space helmet for  few years now, but got the space suit for his birthday. He plans to live on the ISS someday...

The ice-cream cake that I have made now for 3 birthdays is gaining in popularity...

Gramps going through Bay's new tackle box and a coupon for a fishing trip with Gramps.

One of the most wonderful things about Bay and his developing personality is seeing his tender heart develop. The other morning I had made some oatmeal and offered some to Bay for breakfast. After a short contemplation, Bay said to me, "Mom, would it hurt your feelings if I didn't want any?"

Homemade Birthday Gifts

Bay's birthday is approaching (turning 7) and since he is not a regular reader of this blog, I think I am safe to give you a sneak preview of what Eric and Leah have created for his gifts from them. I have wanted to do freezer paper stencils with the kids for a long time, but just didn't have the occasion, or maybe it was the time, or was it the organization and pre-thought? Anyways, I buckled down and got all of the materials ahead of time and we did it! They were sooo much fun and I think are a wonderful way for the kids to showcase their artwork. It required a bit of help from me with the exacto knife and ironing, but other than that, it is their work.

If you would like more detailed instructions, there is a great photo tutorial here.

It started out with a drawing. This is Leah's sketch in her journal. I then traced the presents onto freezer paper and spaced them out just a little to fill up the front of the shirt. Then I marked the parts that would be painted and cut them out with an exacto knife.

Next step was to iron the freezer paper on the shirt and then get to painting. Once the painting was done, we let it dry. Then I used silver fabric paint to fill in the ribbon. I did this part because it was a little too detailed for Leah's hands.

Here is Leah's, all done! I think it is adorable.

Eric's went much the same way, except he just had to be so much more complicated. I had all kinds of teeny tiny pieces to cut out of the space ship and the lettering. But I exacto knifed it, ironed it on, and he painted. Then we peeled off the paper and here it is. Front side is the green alien.

Back side is the alien's space ship heading off to his planet!

I think Bay will love his shirts and will appreciate being able to wear the artwork of his brother and sister!

Comfort in Routine

We got out of our routine last week for a couple of reasons, but are thankful to be back in the routine starting today. There is something comforting to the kids and to me with our daily schedule, with the regular chores and school assignments. I have found that it is good for them to have free, unstructured time, but it is almost as if they need to first earn it. After a good day of work, to give the boys some free time makes it so much more valuable to them.

Leah (above photo) worked very hard to pick up her room today. It had gotten quite messy. And once it was all cleaned up, she was able to enjoy herself in there and spent the rest of the morning entertained by her favorite things---her little animal toys.
Of course for Eric, the demands during the day are much more: school assignments, practicing violin and piano, chores, etc. So when he was given free time this afternoon, he quickly retreated to his room to chill. What a difference I see in his attitude when he has been productive beforehand. Last week we had such problems with bad attitudes, and I can almost certainly say it was because we were out of the routine.

Science experiment-pH indicators with homemade test tubes!

Bay LOVES having his desk in his room. I used to keep all of the kids together in the school room, and it still is the central point from which we do things such as social studies, and keep all of our stuff. But when it's time for concentrated work in reading and math, it seems to help the boys to have a space without the distractions of each other to get their work done.

It is getting to be that time of year where I start planning what we will do next year. It is my favorite time...I'm pretty sure that I get more excited than my kids about school at this point in the planning stages.