Happy, Happy, Happy

 My happy place...

 

...just got happier!

(Rustoleum Ultra Cover in Aqua)

Be blessed, 

Ginger

Hello Monday: Of Birthdays, Beaches, and Brownie Batter Pancakes

Hi, Y'all.

Didn't intend to disappear for the week; in fact, I find myself with so many potential blog posts that I might have to make myself a list so I remember them all.

Gasp.

We slipped away to the shore for a few days and discovered there was no wi-fi.

Double-gasp.

It was, as DD#1 declared, probably a conspiracy to enhance family bonding.

Undoubtedly.

We had lots of family bonding and lots of sitting around doing nothing.  

I realized sometime Friday that, other than Bible study (which was definitely thought-provoking), I'd not thought about anything important (truthfully, not anything at all) for three days.  

Quite lovely.

So now it's back to real life and lots of things to think about, not the least of which is that today is DD#2's birthday.  

I now have two in high school.

In other news, I got my hair colored for the first time two weeks ago.  

It's possible those events are related.

Now that's she's 14, she wants things low-key.  Time with a friend later this week, but today, a favorite meal and 

brownie batter pancakes for breakfast.

(Chocolate for breakfast.  That's my girl.)

via Chocolate Covered Katie

These are the moderately healthy pancakes floating around Pinterest for a while.  I'll let you know if  they're as good as they look.

Be blessed,

Ginger

Hidden

Look closely...

Peer around the geraniums...

 

and you'll spot a metal watering can. 

 

Last summer, it was full of flowers as well, but this year it's pre-occupied.

Come in a little closer (and ignore the dirty window.)

 

See the straw?

A busy mama and daddy have found the perfect hiding place for their little family.

It's under the eaves, buried deep in the can, out of the sun and rain.

She sits on the edge of the flower tub,

flies to the edge of the watering can,

looks around to see if the coast is clear.

(You can almost hear her thoughts- innocently whistling "La-dee-da, just ignore me.  No nest over here; nope, not a nest in sight...la-dee-da.")

Down she goes.

Now back up. 
 

Make sure no one's watching.

Be blessed today,

(It's the little things.)

Ginger

All Summer in a Mantel

So...the bunny mantel stayed up through the end of May.

Yeah.

'Cause ain't nobody got time for decorating in May.

With the arrival of summer comes lighter clothes, lighter food, and lighter mantels.

DD#2 and I added the banner today, and after much fiddling and fidgeting, got it placed just where we wanted.  

The bike was a thrift store find a few years back.  Isn't it fun?

 

All the flowers in my yard are off to a slow start because of our delayed spring, so I made some from circles of tissue paper and twigs. 

 

 The paper pack used for the banner is the best $5.00 I've ever spent at Michael's; it's shown up in all sorts of projects.  

Lighter and brighter.  

One project down, about 122, 345, 875 to go. 

Be blessed,

Ginger

linking here

Hello Monday: First Full Week of Summer Edition

Hello, Monday!  

Hello, June.  I heart you and your sun and flowers and lazy days projects!

 

Hello, near-death experience. 

Recovering with a nap on DD#1's bed.  Excuse the unfolded laundry.  Teen believes bed=closet.

 Katniss slipped out the back door this morning and into the jaws of the dog.  I awoke to the sounds of vicious battle,
 but Big Red prevailed. 

My hero--plants gardens, does dishes, saves lives.  

 In typical feline fashion, Katniss was traumatized but not particularly grateful.

Hello, dental work.  I weally wuuve having a numb mouph. 

Hello, summer Bible study. 

 

 Day three and you're already eating my lunch.  

Hello dirty house.  I've ignored your piles of junk, but now it's crunch time.  I shall be relentless...

right after I finish my new library book.

Be blessed, 

Ginger

Linking back up here.

The Merry, Merry Month of May

Though for several reasons it shouldn't be, May is one of my favorite months.  

It's a month of new green, daisies in ditches, lavender sunsets, misty sunrises.

It's also a month when those things whiz by, glanced at in passing as we dash from one end-of-school responsibility to the next.  

Then one day, the calendar is empty, and the green and the daisies and the sunsets are still here,

and I breathe deeply for the first time in a long time.

In Dickens-ish terms, this school term was the best of years and the worst of years, much I would deem successful and much that I'd deem..not so much.

On the personal front, there's much I learned and much I'm still muddling (muddying?) through.

2013 is half over (!!!), and in it, I've pondered what makes a good pastor and what women's ministry looks like and how one navigates teens and mid-life and whether I really am a speaker or a blogger or a teacher.

I've chewed on 1 John and wondered if I love people, really. 

I'm still thinking and praying, but now it's from the porch 

with a view of new green and daisies and lavender.

Be blessed,

Ginger

May in Memos

Attn: School Board

Re: calendar

Whoever decided to have a month of school after testing does not teach.  Just sayin'.

Signed,

A Tired Teacher

Attn: Blogger

Re: Font Sizes

I can't get happy.  Every font I like is either microscopic or gigantic.  Apparently, "normal" is for people without bifocals and "large" is for kindergarteners.  Please remedy.  

Thanks,

A Bifocal-ed Blogger

P.S.   While you're at it, could you write a few posts for me?  Thanks.

Attn: Waistline

Re: Size

Pls. ignore dessert helpings.  Sugar needed to survive next few days.  Thks.

Signed,

Distracted Dieter

Attn: Weather

Re: Rain

Go away.  Come again another day.

Thanks,

A Soggy  Seed Sower

Attn: Katniss the Kitten

Re: Advice

Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

Thks,

The Mgt.

Attn: Slow Cooker

Re: Supper Every Night

We are BFFs.

Attn: Bloggy Friends

Re: Apology (With apologies to William Carlos Williams)

I have read your posts.

I liked them

And you probably expected me to say so.

Forgive me;

May is busy,

and my children have kidnapped the computer.

Be blessed,

Ginger