Merry & Mod at home

a brood of my own

Yesterday, I brought home a peeping, cheeping box of fluff from the farm store.  This moment was the realization of a dream I've held for years.  Introducing, from left to right, my chicks: Bonnie, a Welsummer; Lulu, an Australorp; Ella Bella, a Silver Laced Wyandotte; and Sophie, an Ameraucauna who will lay blue eggs.

(Though I question the wisdom of naming these girls, it was unavoidable.  After all, I had two great lists of girl names that went unused when my boys were born!)   

 

 
Dear readers, forgive me if over the course of Spring and Summer I begin to sound as though I - with my small raised bed garden, rhubarb patch, worm farm, and chicken coop - have discovered urban homesteading.  The sun is shining, leaves are budding from the lilac, and there is a box of chicks in the garage.  I cannot contain my enthusiasm - and I don't want to, either.  

 

counting

 

It's been quiet in this little space recently.  I try to keep my silence when I don't have anything to share, lest I venture into insipidity.  So I will simply state a few truths:  I am blessed to be so well loved, and to love so deeply.  

a welcome visitor

A few weeks ago we noticed a new bird visiting our back yard.  With his crimson capped head and graphic white and black feathers, he created a dramatic contrast against the scrub jays, flickers, and robins that frequent our feeders.  E looked through his bird books and we identified our visitor as an acorn woodpecker.  

After consulting with a colleague, who is also a seasoned birder, we learned that there are only four previous documented sightings of acorn woodpeckers east of the Cascades - and two of those only stayed in the area for a day or so.  We are tickled that this avian pioneer of sorts has chosen our back yard as his new hangout.  

This particular woodpecker appears perfectly content in our neighborhood.  I've noticed him flying from tree to tree in the cul de sac among the neighbors' homes.  And he's been rather industrious pecking a hole into one of our numerous juniper and feasting on the bird feeders.    

I've enjoyed observing him so much, I find myself wishing he'd bring some friends over the mountains to join him.  

childhood home

 

Recently, I walked through my childhood home, for the last time.  As I reflected on all the memories I take with me, I also wondered what future celebrations will take place at the new house. 

 

My nostalgia was tempered by my excitement for my parents. 

 

You can go home again, I think.  It's just that home is always changing.  Trees come down, rooms are remodeled, patios are rebuilt. 

 

The bedroom of my girlhood, a refuge for so many fanciful daydreams, is now where my children sleep during our visits.  The stuffed animals, Daddies posters, journals and beads are long gone. 

 

People make memories together.  Any place will do. 

 

 

first day of school

 

Today was the first day of preschool for my oldest son.  A new lunch bag - personalized and machine washable - was in order.  I'm looking forward to a fresh routine, comforting soups, and a vacation for two.  There is a decade to celebrate.  Welcome September. 

big summer 2010: the back patio

Yes, yes, my husband is handsome, charming and handy.  But what about me?  You didn't think that I spent our staycation shopping and marvelling at my new pedicure did you?  Hardly.  I had a small project of my own - laying a flagstone patio in the back.  Now to be honest, these big babies are only level because of my father, and the planting was completed with considerable help from my mother, and they both helped me haul the stones from the pallet in the driveway to the space in back, but still...I like to think of it as my project. 

If you're going to spend a week working in the dirt, I strongly suggest you follow my mama's example and lay in a healthy supply of gin, tonic and limes.  And don't slip up on the ice, people. 

And while I'm dispensing advice, should you decide to tackle a similar project, I cannot stress enough the importance of accurately measuring your space before you order your stones.  I always seem to neglect the math involved in my projects, and therefore spend a good portion of my time and money waiting for the next delivery of rocks, or yarn. 

 

Between the flagstones we planted corsican mint, a creeping, stepable ground cover that will - hopefully, eventually, if it survives the winter - grow into all the nooks and crannies.  So when you walk out there in the morning for a breath of fresh air, hot coffee in hand, your bare feet will release a heady aroma of mint and you just might feel refreshed and ready for your day. 

 
 
 
 
  

big summer 2010: the wall

Dearest E:

Here is the story of the wall you built.  Looking through these photos, I am reminded again of the herculean effort you undertook to create a backyard for your family.  Every time I feel the grass between my toes, or look through the gate, I take a deep breath and enjoy the overwhelming feeling of pride in your work. 

 

And, indeed, it was a lot of work.  Each block weighed seventy-five pounds.  Not to mention the numerous loads of dirt and gravel (let's not mention the gravel!) shoveled, hauled, and shoveled again.

 

Fortunately, you had excellent - and cheerful - help from my parents, our good neighbors, your brother, your son.

 

I watched in satisfaction as the wall grew.  Beautifully strong and level, a lovely curve that follows the natural contours of our property, this wall is magnificently secure.  Such integrity is impressive, but it doesn't surprise me that your work is so well executed. 

 

At last: grass!  And a sprinkler system!  The boys and I returned home from a weekend in the valley and we walked through the gate to this marvelous green sight.  M's exclamation perfectly summed up all our feelings, This is awesome! 

Yes, our list continues to grow - like our grass, our garden, our children.  But let's take comfort in the never-ending series of tasks before us.  We are doers; we are builders.  Our life is a constant work in progress and we will never see the end of projects.  Each completed challenge adds comfort and beauty to our lives. 

Still, we must remember to celebrate and enjoy our work - both while we're in it and when it's complete.  I want to lay in the grass and count the stars in the evening.  I want to run through the sprinklers.  

 
 

Let me say it again: thank you for our beautiful wall. 

All my love,

Shoogs

 

another

 

We are having another one of those days.  Work gets done, house is relatively tidy, we are relaxed. 

hot dog!

 
 

My new favorite easy dinner: hot dogs and marshmallows over the campfire.  Sure, it's not healthy.  But after a dirty day of working in the yard it is simple, relaxing and fun.  For once we aren't worrying about appropriate table manners or nagging someone to finish their vegetables.  Instead, we enjoy the new swing (thanks, Mom and Dad!) and talk about the day's accomplishments.  There are no dishes...just a big pile of laundry and two exhausted, filthy boys to bathe and cuddle off to bedtime.  I've vowed to keep all the necessary ingredients (the giant marshmallows came from Food 4 Less and must be replenished) on hand throughout the summer. 
  
  
  

light rain in the evening