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The weather outside is // 
As I look outside my window // I see the results of two days of constant rain – everything is soggy and there’s so much mud. We actually had to move pigs into new paddocks on Saturday because they were at the far end of a slope (the worst possible paddock for this weather!) and the rain had flooded their house and made quicksand of the entire area. You should have seen us slipping and sliding as we worked to move everything to drier land! Definitely looking forward to some sunny days this week.
As I look around the house // I can tell that summer break is near because the list of house projects in my head starts growing! So far, I’d like to do another round of decluttering, organize a few trouble areas, paint my back doors and finally finish the laundry room (the project that never ends…).
Thinking // deep thoughts as I’ve been spending hours upon hours outside these days. There is a propulsion to grow as much as possible, to buffer ourselves from the precarious financial situation our country finds itself in. At the same time, I’m driven by something more noble: I want to create something lovely and beautiful in this space! Do I sound a little crazy? I feel a little crazy.
Keeping // this quote from Wendell Berry front and center: “We have the world to live in on the condition that we will take good care of it. And to take good care of it, we have to know it. And to know it, and be willing to take care of it, we have to love it.”
On this week’s to-do list //
– finish up the last few remaining school subjects before testing next week (summer break is on the horizon!)
– design stickers for our chicken packaging and order
– clean and vacuum out the cars
– weed the front flower beds
– unsubscribe from a ton of marketing emails
– decide on reusable hankies (I’m thinking this set or this set?)
– decide on a new way to read my favorite blogs (Bloglovin’ has had problems off and on for months now…does anyone use/like Feedly?)
Smiling // about the daily question I get asked by my five-year-old: “What day is it?” And when I respond, whether it’s a Monday or a Tuesday or a Saturday, he always answers, “Oh I love ____!” From the mouths of babes…a good reminder that each day is a gift.
Currently reading //
- Fiction: News of the World by Paulette Jiles
- Nonfiction: Escape from Camp 14: One Man’s Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West by Blaine Harden
- Religious: The End of the Present World and the Mysteries of the Future Life by Fr. Charles Arminjon
On the menu this week //
Monday: one pot sausage, peppers and rice
Tuesday: pasta with homemade meatballs
Wednesday: chicken leg quarters with mixed vegetables
Thursday: Refrigerator Cleanout Night
Friday: sourdough pizzas
I love your deep thinking!!! I have those same thoughts, like can i grow enough tomatoes and peppers this year so i don’t have to buy some for all our canning needs, while also trying to grow more flowers for the simple sake of beauty.
My 17 year old son is officially in charge of all vehicle cleaning/detailing and it’s great incentive since he wants gas $$$!!
Look forward to seeing the sticker designs.
Yes! Your thoughts are so similar. I’m even thinking about garden design and what can be grown together that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but also functional. In a world that feels quite dim right now, I’m craving something good and beautiful!
You do not sound crazy. I love the quote and your 5 year-old’s attitude towards the days of the week (I only love Fridays and Saturdays, unfortunately)
I’m working on adopting his attitude too – why is it harder when you’re a grownup? 🙂
The “what day is it?” story is too cute!! What a sweetheart!