Showing posts with label Summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Summer. Show all posts

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Summer Fun






This summer my plan for our family was to have fun when possible.  Summer is just so short that we have all the other months to work more.  Of course, our business requires at least 40 plus hours a week but we are afforded flexibility to choose when we work those hours.  We have a very modest unpredictable income but there really are so many possibilities that don't require a lot of money.

Like so many other places around the county, this summer has been extra hot here in midcoast Maine. 

We feel have been swimming at a state park just 7 miles from us nearly every very hot late afternoon.  We like to go after the crowds have left and the sun isn't as likely to burn.  These visits to the lake have resulted in meeting two homechool families that live in a nearby town and already Sarah has connected with one of the girls.  Truly an answer to prayer.

We enjoyed a family gathering at my Mom's in Connecticut.  My mother and aunt surprised Mike and I and our children still at home, by flying Nolan and his wife up for the weekend.  They live in Virginia and it had been nearly a year since we had seen them.  What an amazing surprise.  The last picture was taken at that gathering of us with our seven children and two spouses.  (There was a tropical theme for the get together.)

So this past week, we went to a state park in New Hampshire and stayed two nights in one of their cabins.  Part of the trip's purpose was to meet my mother on our last day so that Abby could spend a week with her in Connecticut.  The state park was a good midway point.  The park was just wonderful!  The lake was beautiful and the walking and hiking excellent.  

Not to mention the weather - oh the weather this summer.


Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Summer Joys



Our family's handwork business is now full time and we are blessed that the flexibility allowed us the opportunity to take a day to drive down to Woodstock, Vermont to enjoy the beauty of the town, some live jazz,  meet my father (Poppa) who took Thomas and Isaac back to Massachusetts for some time to work for their Poppa as well as go to
the Red Sox on the Fourth of July! 


Making strawberry jam from our local organic pick-your-own.


Going to a little local fireworks display and being just a little nervous because they were being shot off so close to the people.

Happy Summer Week,
Tonya

Friday, July 1, 2011

A Flower Shop

The other day, while the weather was beautiful outside, and the two little ones were not too motivated to go outside and instead were not getting along very well, I suggested they open a flower shop.

So outside they went with a pair of scissors for each and tray of "vases".


gathering the flowers on top of the chick tractor


Of course I had to buy some bouquets at just 50 cents each.


Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Simple Summer Joys













~ Popsicles
~ Playing electric guitars outside
~ Lavender
~ Sun Tea


Would love to hear what others you can add...

Warm wishes,
Tonya

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Hot, Hot, Hot

....but I am not complaining, no, we get very few days like these so no complaining is allowed.

So what do we do when it gets really hot?

Get motivated enough to make screens for the older french style windows that have heavy wooden storms without any screens.

Mike used some left over wood scraps and a roll of screen that was left here when we moved in.
Nothing fancy, but oh, to have more air flowing through our home.


Visit a craft and music fair and spend most of the time under the mist from the fountain.


Wash wool outside... the chicken is finding the wash tub handy for taking a drink from.


Play in our well's overflow water.

Stay comfortable and as cool as possible during these hot days but remember to enjoy the moments as well.

Warm wishes, Tonya

Friday, July 2, 2010

Summer Issue of Plain and Joyful Living

is done and copied...
so sorry for the delay.

This issue includes three guest writers - Elizabeth of Heartfelt Homemaking - writes about Oats; Suzanne of Blueberry Cottage - writes in her column, Over My Garden Gate; and my dear homesteading neighbor and friend, Pati, writes about poop:) Other articles include filling a hope chest and finding joy.

All new subscribers receive a little handmade goodness with their summer issue.
May it be a blessing to those that read it and please consider handwriting and mailing your thoughts and questions to share in the autumn issue.

Warm wishes, Tonya

Over the the Last Few Days

  Over the weekend we worked on our property, went for a hike at Camden Hills (gorgeous ocean view), and worked on some handwork. Yesterday,...