signing back in....

Hi folks!  I've been away from blogging for a bit this month and have really missed it.  I was taking some time to be still and focus on not doing anything if that makes any sense.  It's funny how during my everyday doings my thoughts would drift off to all of you here!

The garden is really full now.  I'm enjoying slowly walking through it and picking weeds here and there.  No planting goes on for me in July except for annuals.  There is always the constant moving of pots to fill in where things have fallen flat and trimming back where things look overgrown.

My old milk crate for the garden gate.

 Our first monarch in the garden enjoying the milkweed!!!  

And now some exciting news to share....I'm one of 5 finalist in the Amateur Small Garden design contest over at Gardenista. 

The winner will be chosen by the public vote.  People can vote once a day until August 15th HERE.  If you click on Amateur Small Garden you can vote for my photo...

Thanks friends!  

I will be around to see you all soon!  Hope the season is treating you well!!!   

day trip

With summer approaching and school coming to a close we were able to start exploring today.  I must say that I've never been to the farm we visited this morning and I have lived in this area my whole life.  What a treat when you can find a bit of magic right out your own backdoor.  Kline Creek Farm is a working farm that has been setup to model how the farm looked and ran in the 1890's.  The summer kitchen was in full swing on the property and women dressed in 1890's attire were busy baking cinnamon rolls.  The beans took in story time under the tree and were able to select books that once belonged to the Kline children.  After helping gather eggs from the chicken coop the beans learned about how all the meals that are made daily on the farm come only from what they grow and raise.  A lesson we've been talking about as my bean boy collected greens from our garden to make a salad for dinner last night. The flower gardens were packed with Irises, Columbines, ferns, Alliums and Corydalises.  In the center of the property they had a large vegetable garden growing where all of the food harvested goes to feed the workers and volunteers who run the farm.

A place to clear the head and take in a slower pace.  Something I have been needing with all of the busy that surrounds daily life.  Hope you find a little bit of magic this week too.  Happy June!

beauty and the thief

There is a thief lurking in our backyard and he isn't afraid to strike when people are around!  Mr. Nutkin (the squirrel) as we like to call him, is notorious for taking toys, plants, you name it.  Yesterday one of the beans left a water cup by the tree and Mr. Nutkin picked it up in his mouth and jumped up over the shed with it.  All the while we were chasing and having our words with him.  But nothing shakes this guy!  The most disappointing thing he has gotten away with were my "Bluesette" dahlias.  I was looking forward to seeing these bloom as they are a smaller variety of dahlia and I thought they would compliment the front of the border in the back.  

Luckily he didn't get away with these.....   

"Cafe au Lait"

Ahhh don't flowers make everything alright?!?!  

Happy Making, Baking, and Growing Friends!!!

number five...a trip to the mountains

So we checked off number five from our summer list.  A trip to the mountains with the beans.  We just got home from Wyoming and it was an adventure!  Can it really be called anything less when traveling with three children under the age of five!  I think the trick to traveling with kids is looking for those magical moments and realizing that being on a vacation doesn't mean you won't have melt downs, whining and tired kids.  

So with the expect nothing and appreciate everything approach (my new life mantra!)  we had an outstanding trip!   Targhee Fest is a music festival that was introduced to us by my family who journeyed out last year.  They had such a wonderful time we decided to head out with them this time around.  A small festival with kid friendly activities.  Craft cabin, swimming, horseback riding, euro jumping, and the great outdoors!    

{so much wildlife and this lady hanging by the side of the road}

{my bean and her cousin front row for the show}

 {playing with rocks}

{the guys tent}

{simple combination....lady's mantle, catmint, poppies, and creeping jenny}

{an awesome dad taking his beans for a hike}

{some of my family kicking back}

It was worth the trip!

Happy making, baking, and growing this week folks!