What June and July looked like...

June and July were craaaaazy but fun!  I think we had something planned every weekend, and we continue to have some sort of commitment each weekend up through our wedding and beyond!  Looks like it's going to be a whirlwind!  Good thing I found my camera charger, I will share some shots of the past two months (in no particular order!)

Pizza dip...yummy!

 

Crock pot baked beans!

A new shelf for my awkward kitchen corner

New kitchen cabinet handles

They used to look like this...not my taste, also they caught 

on a sweater or pants pocket when I was cooking!

Yummy chicken broccoli tomato pasta toss...

Strawberries, fresh from the field

Strawberry jam

Strawberry vinegar

Lots of music...

...Festivals...

...dancing...

...and friends!

Why I don't blog...

First, we were busy.

Then, I was on vacation, and getting mega things done around the house.

Now, it's too hot in the upstairs afternoon-sun-getting bedroom where our computer is.

Also, my camera battery's low, and I don't remember where I put the charger....

I will be back soon.

Why I watch television

I admit it, I'm a television addict.  And not a good television addict either: I watch junk on TLC, The Real Housewives of wherever, Top Chef, Project Runway, reruns, the food network, HGTV.  

It was only the other evening that it hit me:  the only time I relax without doing something is when I watch TV.  I find it very hard to sit outside without something in my hands, or leaping up every few minutes to do...whatever.  

When I was in high school, I rarely watched TV.  I was (and still am) a self-proclaimed bookworm, I always have a book or two (or three) going.  When I got to college, reading was no longer something to wind down with, after reading all evening for classes, the last thing I wanted to do was read some more, so I began to depend on television.  Also, for the first time in my life, at school we had cable.

Since college, I have led a full life, and when it comes to relaxing, I turn to television. I still read, but usually with the TV on.  

This leads me to the other night, when I had my revelation.  We were in the backyard, enjoying the solstice.  My fiance had out his guitar, but rather than sit and just listen, I had to water the plants, empty some waste into the compost, hula hoop, take photos of random stuff, and then sit down with my book.  But as soon as it got to dark to read, I went inside.  

Merely sitting does not hold my attention.  My mind has always been busy busy.  Not worry, exactly, but more always thinking of the next thing, or looking at stuff, or wondering what time it is, or whatever.  I putter around the house, picking up small things, making a snack, dusting, etc.  And that's why I watch TV.  Because sitting in the backyard without a book or something is, well, a bit tedious.  Because its the only thing that I do where I allow myself to relax fully and veg out.

This summer, I will learn to quiet my mind to sit in the backyard without a book and just be.  I will learn to absorb nature without having to interact with it.  I will learn to quiet my mind and relax, television-free. 

Interesting Yahoo Article.

I had a couple of posts planned for today, but then I saw this article on yahoo's homepage.  I thought it worth revisiting the idea the eating whole, healthful foods isn't necessarily more expensive than eating processed, nutritionally-void foods.  

The author doesn't eat organically, but none of those foods are overprocessed, and for a family on a tight budget, are way more healthy than other options.  

Rhythm...

"Change always comes bearing gifts."  

                    ~Price Pritchett

Since we've moved, I have developed a rhythm to my days off and evenings.  However, it doesn't seem to include taking photos or blogging.  

We moved in on April 19th.  Most of the house is unpacked, with the exception of office supplies in the guest room, and most of the dining room as we search for the perfect china cabinet.  We've been grilling most nights that its been warm.  

I've made bread.  My garden is in, I may expand it this weekend, but we'll see.  I have herbs in pots on the deck.  We've had a campfire.  We've met several of our neighbors.  We bought a bed for the guest room, and comfy chairs for the front porch.  Our compost pile is started.  We have plans to put in raspberry bushes and an asparagus bed.  We explored along the creek at the end of our block (it leads all the way to the grocery store! And mint grows along most of it!) Some pictures are hung, others just sit in boxes.  We've entertained many of our friends and family. We're extraordinarily happy in our house, and have received so many blessings recently.

With all this excitement, there just doesn't seem to be a spot for blogging and photos.  I'm trying.  Last week, I had Monday off, and took several photos around the house.  I don't like how they came out, so I'm not sharing them. 

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of buying and moving into a new house, we're also planning our upcoming wedding for September.  Our financially strapped state government proposed closing the state park where our ceremony was planned.  Then they closed it, and opened it again within a span of a week.  Our deposit was refunded, and I gave it back and reinstated our reservation.  

I have a wedding dress, and an appointment to have it altered (3 weeks to loose weight!)  My bridesmaids all have dresses they're comfortable with.  We have our invitations, RSVP cards, and thank you cards, along with matching address labels.  We've booked our honeymoon (Vermont!).  We're working on ordering our favors, and we've shopped for wedding bands, although haven't purchased anything yet.

I guess its no wonder I haven't posted...Hopefully, our lives will continue to refine their daily rhythm, and I can get back to posting on a somewhat regular basis.

Have a great day!

Home...

It's so wonderful to have a place that is actually our own.  The other night, we sat in our backyard, and it was absolute bliss: warm weather, wine, and a good book, all lit by lantern light:

This was after a wonderful engagement party with both of our families (I balked at the idea of a bridal shower...sooo not my cup of tea)

My family

M

Mike's family

E

Every good party has a conga line!

I just like this picture: My siblings, and myself, 

with Mike, and my sister's partner too!

Saying Goodbye

Two weeks ago, I said goodbye to a dear friend of mine.  She was a resident on the unit where I have worked for nearly 4 years now, and she had been there since I started.  She and I just "clicked," not instantaneously, but over a period of months, as we got to know each other, and as I found my comfort zone and hit my stride in a new job.

I can't quite explain our relationship, except to say that for a woman who didn't know anyone's name at the nursing home, she called me (and only me) Geraldine for 3 years.  Never any other name, only Geraldine.  Now that's a bond.  

As I have adjusted to our unit without her, I realize how much she taught me about love, patience, and being yourself; and how much I am going to miss her. 

I love you Eloise, and I miss you, but I'm glad you've gone home to God and to be with your Mother whom you loved so dearly.  Godspeed.