Taking a Blog Break

To enjoy the wildflowers

And the cute kids

The sunshine

And the shade.

See you in August!

Highlands Presbyterian Camp Video- Sorry for the poor quality!

Why So Many Great Stories Were Penned by Pioneers and Homesteaders?

Because they had so much to write about.

Those people in the cities, they had interesting things to write about, too.

But when you live out in the country, every day is an adventure.

Since we have moved out here nine years ago, we have been snowed in for days at a time, taken one trip in an ambulance, had run-ins with elk, lots of rattlesnakes (not as many these days), tornadoes, flash floods in the nearby canyon, fires, hail storms of Biblical proportions, rodents of unusual size...

And we don't even own livestock, grow wheat or live near hostile Indian tribes like in days of yore.

Today Jacob and I were just hanging out waiting for Brian and the girls to get back from Lowes so he could finish another home maintenance project and we smelled smoke. Our neighbors' stacked hay bales were on fire from a lightening strike. Thankfully the fire department came quickly, but the rain wasn't enough to put it all out I guess because another fire truck carrying water just drove down our road.

When we lived in town, sometimes I took a nap in the afternoon. Now afternoon is when all the action starts.

When I read the "Little House" series these days vs. those quiet days living in suburbia, I find myself relating more and more - and looking for helpful hints on survival from the seasoned pioneers!

Have you seen this yet?

Summertime

Jacob graduated from the Junior Ranger program today along with his friends.

The boys were cheered on by their brothers and sisters.

We stayed for a bit afterwards to have more time for visiting and reconnecting (and for the kids and Brian to have the biggest fight with acorns as ammunition this side of the Mississippi).

"Make new friends but keep the old.
One is silver
And the other's gold".

Job Update

Brian is still employed as of this week. He has sent his resumes out but we haven't heard back from any of the "headhunters" he has contacted. We continue to pray for a good job while being thankful that he hasn't been let go yet.

Around the House

Eleven duck eggs in the field.

Eggs discovered while mowing with the neighbors tractor.
(No eggs were harmed in the mowing- for all you animal lovers out there).

The back porch before.

During.

And after. See those posts?? Starting to rot (sob). Brian put in new posts (twice because the first time he did it wrong per his architect brother). Now we have mosquito curtains up and we are spending as much time as possible outside. We have even slept outside the past two nights. I don't have any pictures, but just imagine children bundled up on cots watching "National Treasure" on the laptop late at night with the cricket noises and gentle breezes blowing.

In the Sewing Room

Abby finished the hand sewing portion of Hope's quilt- yeah!

It only took a year and a half and two people to finish it! Next time I'm in a fabric store and think to myself , "That doesn't seem too hard"- I'm going to remember this quilt.

In other sewing news, I think *everyone* should sew with elastic thread! How fun and easy to smock a little summer dress...

or a nightgown for a teenager...

No elastic thread on the slipcovers (sigh. It would be a lot more fun if I could use it...). I need to add the trim around the bottom and sew the cushion cover (times 2 since there are two chairs) and then I'll be done. If I have the desire to sew any more this summer, which is doubtful, I'll see about the pile of quilt tops waiting to be quilted!

Pictures of the Camp and Retreat Center- Estes Park area (Family Reunion Info)

I concentrated on taking video of our visit, so these pictures are not the best! But perhaps you can get an idea from them.

The deck outside the eating area.

The hallway leading to the meeting rooms and eating area.

The eating area/meeting rooms.

Juices, teas, coffee available all the time.

The drive to the retreat center.

On the way to the retreat center.