Q and A Day

1. Where have you been?  Yes, summer has taken a toll on my blog, but it's all good stuff.  When school fizzled out finished, my life got crazy. Aside from a glorious week at the beach, spending time with my kids as their mom (not the teacher), and squeezing pool visits between rain showers, I picked up 2 free lance writing jobs and started my own business.  

2. Say what? Yeah.  It's been crazy good and I've learned a lot about myself.  I started writing curriculum for a company published by Navpress.  It has proven to be different than I imagined; more like lesson planning than the "meaty" writing I expected, but it has been good experience in the "real" world.  It has stretched me in ways I needed to be stretched.  It has consumed many hours and brain cells but it has helped the family budget and given me opportunity to grow.  I've also been writing for a real estate agency.  Again, different than I expected but it keeps my fingers in the stuff I love.  Eventually I will meet with clients and help them stage their homes for the market.  That's the fun stuff!

3.  What's your new business?  It's really my dream job.  The official job description is "Interior Design Consultant."  I help people create a space they love.  I often help make flooring/paint/fabric/color decisions.  My clients have been the best!  The Lord has uniquely placed each one in my life at just the right moment.  It has been a huge blessing to see the variety of tastes, budgets and personalities. 

4. How did this come about?  A few years ago I started helping friends make interior design decisions.  Most of it was pure pleasure, however, a couple of times my generosity of time got taken advantage of and my feelings got hurt.  My sweet protector husband suggested that I start charging for my help.  The hardest part of the process was convincing myself that my talents were worthy enough to actually advertise.  The Lord placed a few unexpected people in my path who encouraged me to go for it.  Last spring, when my part-time nanny job fell through, I knew it was time to take the plunge.  The response from clients has been overwhelming!  

5. What about homeschooling?  God is a wonderful, creative God.  I never imagined that I could have a part time business and homeschool.  With this business I get to set my hours and keep my focus on my kids.  Growing up, my mom didn't work outside the home and none of our friends' moms did either.  At one point, actually I believed working outside the home was a sin.  Funny, our perceptions as kids.  I've since learned that it is NOT a sin.  I've realized that the important thing is to follow God's leading.   My most important job is my family.  As long as I keep that perspective, I know my priorities are in check.  Prayer.  Lots of prayer.

6. Will you homeschool all three kids this year?  No.  Our lives are getting ready to take a giant turn in the road.  Our eldest daughter will attend public high school in August.  

7. Did you say public school?  Yes, yes I did.  It will mean a huge change for our family, namely the traditional school calendar and the early mornings (not a morning person).  But we all have a peace about it.  She is super excited.  I vacillate between happy and throwing up in my mouth.  Too dramatic?  It's reality.

8. Why did you decide to send her to traditional school?  When we started the homeschool journey four years ago, we said one year at a time... and probably not high school.  I learned to not say "never" back when I said I'd never homeschool.  For now, we believe this is the right course of action for our family.  There are a myriad of reasons, including 

a.) she is ready and excited b.) I don't feel qualified/disciplined enough to take her through high school curriculum c.) we cannot afford private school, so the Lord pretty much made that part of the decision for us d.) we have prayed over this decision e.) we have prayed some more

9. Are you nervous?  Me?  Yes.  Her?  No, other than the typical first day jitters.  I have the typical mom-fears that I have to lay at the feet of Jesus on a daily basis.  Did I prepare her?  Will she be ruined?  Did I already ruin her?  Am I feeding a lamb to the wolves?  Is she ready?  Am I ready?  How can she be old enough for high school?!  

10. Are you planning on blogging about farm life anymore?  Yes I am!  We have been at the farm for 10 months and I feel that I am still settling in.  I'm ready to show you some  finished spaces in our home as well as some fun things that keep us busy.  Thank you for hanging out with me.  I've missed you!

I've Decided I Love July

 I used to dread July and her evil twin August.  The jury is still out on August, but July has won my heart.  Maybe because she is nestled in between the craziness of the beginning of summer (June) and gearing back up (August).

Maybe it's because she dons herself in stars, stripes and sparklers.

Maybe because she brings forth the colors of her Creator

And wraps herself up in family gatherings.

 She woos me with her vine ripened delights and hot summer nights.

She gives us reason to celebrate

 Yes, July has won me over with her s'mores, fireflies, afternoon thunderstorms, and long lasting twilights.

 I am smitten.

Happy 4th of July!

I'm so thankful for the gift of freedom.  Today is truly a day to celebrate!

My babies, circa 2004

Be safe and enjoy!

My Week: I've OWNED it!

 Ya'll.
When us Southern girls us the word "ya'll" as a complete sentence it means that the following sentence or thought is significant. 
Ya'll.  This has been the best week.  Seriously, the best.  Do you remember when I was all wadded up in the corner over the fact that my girls didn't want me to come to youth camp?  Well, I'm totally over it.  Sure, I've missed them.  A little tiny bit, but not much.  Don't judge.  We all need a break.  I decided that I would make the most of this week and
make.
it.
mine.
I declared it and the rest of the world listened.  Okay, only my hubby and son knew about it, but they are my world.

I had a date day with my sweet boy on Monday.  Within hours of kissing my girls goodbye my boy and I settled in nicely with the only-child-thing.

 I love that he loves milk in a coffee cup.  My husband totally rolled his eyes at this photo.  Starbucks and Old Navy.  Happy campers.  Err, I mean non-camp-ers.

I scored mom points when I suggested McD's for lunch.  We never eat McD's so this was a special treat.  I couldn't bring myself to eat it, but I sure had fun watching him devour enjoy chicken parts and preservatives.

 My dear sweet friend called and offered for my son to have a sleepover.  I thought about it for approximately .385 seconds.  With an offer like that, I feel the need to send her flowers and rub her feet.  But then, that would be a little awkward because she's ticklish.

  A few weeks ago I had purchased a Groupon for our favorite Italian restaurant.  Little did I know that it would come in handy so soon!  DATE NIGHT!!!!

We even ended the evening with drinks:

 Campfire Mocha from Caribou is the best!!!  Except for when you drink it at 7:24pm and it's not decaf.   Oh well, it's staycation, so I can sleep in, right?  Since my girls (namely the animal caretaker) are out of town, puppy poop duty fell on me.  So the term sleeping in is relative.

I have had some much needed work-alone-in-the-house time this week.  I caught up on some projects that just never seem to get done in the school year.  My mom let me borrow her fantastic sewing machine and so far I've made 7 pillows and a pair of curtains.

Mid-week, my mom and I had a much needed date-day.  We shopped and lunched and laughed.  We put miles on the car and had a coffee refuel.  We even went to the mall.  It was a little different than when I played bodyguard for my daughter and her friend.  We shopped so long, that we called the boys to let them know that they needed to scrape the bottom of the peanut butter jar and call it dinner, because we were sitting down to California Pizza Kitchen.  Oh the shame.  My sweet dad spent the day with my only-child-boy doing boy stuff that included golf and swimming.  

Another dear friend offered my son a playdate yesterday.  Oh the joys of being an only child!  Actually, he admitted that he is missing his sisters.  From there he went to my in-laws for another sleepover.  Wow, his social life should be published in Towne and Country!  After dropping him off, I met a bestie for a girls night out.  When I have the opportunity for a GNO, I like to try new restaurants that my man wouldn't like.  Do you do that?  I knew we had hit the jackpot when I read words like quinoa and falafel on the menu.  You had me at Baklava.

  

My week is quickly coming to a close.  Tomorrow we pick up the girls from camp, but until then I am enjoying a quiet house, listening to my choice of music in the car, and spoiling our only child.

My Summer Reading List

What are you reading this summer?  I'd really like to know.
These are the books on my list.  Right now I am half way through three of them.  One is checked off the list and the other is still waiting patiently to be chosen.
I flew through The Devil in Pew Number Seven.  It takes place in NC.  I love reading books that take place in settings I'm familiar with.  How about you?   I never read biographies.  Ever.  I don't know why.  Maybe this is the start of a new me.  Hmm...
I'm halfway through Tidewater Inn and it is definitely a good summer read.  It takes place on the NC coast.
The hardest books for me to read are thinky books.  I labor through them.  Maybe it's because I don't want to miss something important.  Maybe it's because it feels too much like work.  Ha!  Tough Guys and Drama Queens is definitely worth the effort.  If you have a teen, pre-teen or a child approaching those ages, I HIGHLY recommend it.
If you are a mom of a boy, I also highly recommend Six Ways to Keep the Good In Your Boy.  It's a sweet, thought-provoking read.
I have always loved a good mystery.  Terri Blackstock is one of my favorite authors.  I can't wait to crack open Truth Stained Lies.  I think it will be a good by-the-pool book!

It's your turn!  Tell me what your favorite summer book is.  Pretty please?!

June Highlights

How could I only have two posts in the month of June?  Where has the time gone??  We finished up school and then I started several free-lance jobs that have kept me busy.  Crazy, happy, busy.   Throw in a few days at the pool and June is half over.

1. It has rained enough to make a duck happy.  In NC it is hard to find a good summer shower that isn't  accompanied with thunder and lightning.  Last week we had a deluge and I got mom of the week award when I announced it was time to go play outside in the rain.    Moms, next time it's raining, surprise your kids with this free gift.

2. I discovered that I have a problem with culinary balance.  It was past time for a grocery visit and my kids were in the fetal position due to snack deficiency.  We didn't have a loaf of bread or a cup of milk, but we did have 7 varieties of pickles and 12 varieties of cheeses.  Can't kids live off of cheese and pickles?  What's wrong with you people??

 3. I have been looking for a double walled cup with a lid to take to the pool, but I didn't want to spend $19 on a Tervis tumbler.  Looky what I found at Walmart:

It's even dishwasher safe!

4. It's time for foster puppies again!  This is one of the sweetest, cutest batch we've had yet.  

They make my girl very happy!

5. Last week a dear friend from college days stopped by with her boys.  It had been 16 years since we last hugged each other's neck but we picked up right where we left off.  A nasty storm hit as she was ready to leave so we turned it into a slumber party.  What a blessing life-long friendships are!

 We didn't even plan our outfits!

6. Our favorite baseball team has made it to the college World Series.  

I showed my full support by introducing my kids to the real reason I go to sporting events:

7. We decided to try the food truck rodeo.  It smells infinitely better than a real rodeo.

 Unfortunately half of the population of NC decided to join us.  The lines were insane.

8. One of the hardest parts of leaving our old house was my hydrangea bush.  If I could have dug it up and hauled it to the rental house I would have.  So instead, we planted three when we moved to the farm and I am already enjoying the first blooms.

9. Father's Day was celebrated a little differently this year.  One of our girls is sick, so I stayed home with her.  Before my handsome boys left for church I snapped a picture.  Bow ties make me as happy as hydrangeas.  Is that a southern thing?

 I celebrated my dad this morning with a kayaking date.  I had to type this today because I won't be able to move my arms tomorrow.

Easy Key Lime Cupcakes

I love Key Lime.  I love easy.  Someone must have told Pillsbury!  The summer collection is out (found mine at Walmart) and calling your name!  The collection also includes pink lemonade and dreamcicle, but I haven't tried them yet.

You can buy the icing, but it doesn't taste homemade, so I'll share my easy Key Lime Buttercream Recipe.  

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter , firm but not cold

1/8 tsp. salt

3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 Tbs + 1 tsp. key lime juice

1/2 tsp. milk 

Follow the directions on the box to bake the cupcakes.  Once the cupcakes are cool, poke the  middle and add a couple of drops of key lime juice (I like Nellie's) to the center of each cupcake.

Beat together butter and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed and slowly add confectioners' sugar; beat until well combined. Add vanilla, 1 tsp. key lime juice and milk; mix until just blended. Do not overmix or frosting will incorporate too much air. Frosting consistency should be dense and creamy, like ice cream. Frosts over one dozen.  Put frosting in zip loc bag and snip a corner off.  Use the bag as a pastry bag and swirl the yumminess onto each cupcake.