Something Sweet from 2020

I'm sure everyone has seen the memes... the cynical statements about how much 2020 has sucked so far... the politics, the environmental decline, all the terrible human tragedies, COVID-19 and the 'murder hornets,' and we're only halfway through it all.

It's enough to really get ya down, isn't it?

Well, I'm happy to report that despite all that, we found a little golden lining this week... we found a little something sweet in 2020...

Our strong last-man-standing original hive from last year has been finding nectar from somewhere (despite the drought-then-flood and early heat) and has managed to fill out their own stores in their bottom boxes and a honey super just for us (or at least that's how we'd like to see it)!

Six medium frames (we could have taken nine), about an hour invested in the process (pre-cleanup), and a gallon and a half later, and everyone was in agreement- this is and forever will be a highlight of this unruly and considerably dismal year.

I'm also happy to report that it's really, really good. Even Audrey agrees.

A Buried Moment in Time

Let the record show that on this day, the twenty-fifth of June two-thousand twenty, we buried a time capsule in our front flower bed behind the northern boulder. There is some debate over when it will be dug up again, but we can all agree it will be a minimum of ten years from now. Audrey will be in her early twenties. Henry will be in college (or off on some worthy adventure). We will be empty-nesters and maybe planning a worthy adventure of our own. 

So just in case we forget about this, which is a very real possibility...

...note to future self: go dig off the north-eastern corner of the house, even if that boulder is gone, whenever it's been long enough and everyone's forgotten.

Something special is waiting there.

Dad.

Happy Father's Day, Dad.

Thank you for all you've done, for all you do, for all you've gone without so we could have everything we needed. Thank you for teaching me to value what I have, to fix and problem solve and save, to enjoy being home, and to consider both sides of every story.

You are the best Dad and a most excellent Pappy, we couldn't wish for better. We are all looking forward to seeing you again soon. We love you.

Hidden Portraits

When it rains, it pours, or so they say. Last week our refrigerator went out, followed closely by our down-stairs air conditioning. While Kyle was able to fix the air conditioner this weekend, we ended up having to get a new fridge. What that means for us presently is our old fridge has been left sitting awkwardly in the living room, awaiting it's lift outta here, and an empty alcove in the kitchen, awaiting it's new occupant.

We just couldn't let that alcove sit completely empty, though, knowing we have a few more days to go before it'll be filled again, so this morning we took action... 

...and now we have something fun to look at while we wait! It will also be fun when, another 15 years or so from now (hopefully), when we have to pull this unit out to replace it once more, we'll get to see these little hidden self-portraits of our goofballs and remember these good ol' days.

Home Again

My Littles are back from a week-long visit to their Grammy, Gramps, Aunt KK and Uncle John's neck of the woods, also known as "Camp GGJK." So far they've slept in past 9:30am, spent a lot of time with their animals, practiced their instruments, finished their trip laundry, and lamented the fact that they can't go swimming every day (which they quickly became accustomed to last week, apparently).

I personally am enjoying their goofy stories and am super thankful that no one came home with a sunburn... but really, I'm just glad they're home. This place is a little too quiet without them!

Photos from Grammy

In the Garden :: June 9th

This week has felt like full-blown summer, and although most of my plants haven't succumbed to that reality yet, it's right around the corner, I'm sure. I can only really spend mornings and evenings out there these days because any other time of day suffocates me, so this morning I slipped out to document the green-before-the-browning. Here's what's going on out in the garden...

Our beans are going strong, mostly yellow bush and dragon's tongue

The desi summer squash are coming in despite their early stink bug infestation

We've also had a great start with our dragon's egg cukes... enough to share with the guinea pigs!

Magical carrot flowers

The first long bean vine to make it to the top of a trellis

A stunted 'muncher' cucumber

Sweet corn!

The giant monster taking-over-everything pumpkin I didn't plant

Lots of green tomatoes, but only a few have turned red so far

My bed of greens and zinneas that has turned into my bed of just zinneas

I think I've come to terms with only going out there in the cool of the morning or evening, and it hasn't been too hard, really, because in that golden light before it turns to the Eye of Sauron, everything is just so dang pretty. It's still my happy place.

Chickens Meet Chickens

We intermingled our chickens this weekend. The littler girls spent two nights in the chicken tractor within the yard with the big girls, and yesterday I let them all out. Libby didn't care one bit, but Paprika spent about half the day chasing the flock of teenagers around the yard and picking out a feather here and there whenever she got the chance.

At night I'm still having to go out and gather the blob of babies and move them into the hen house to roost, but I think they'll get the hang of it soon enough.

So far they all seem a little suspicious of each other, but they're making it work. I feel confident it won't be long before they're one big happy family.

And now that the old chicken coop is vacated, I can't help but let my mind wander to who the next occupants could be................................ turkeys? Geese? Guineas?

Don't you think my flock could use a little more flair?