Eckenrode Family

Sprucing Up Our Outside Space

It feels like we have officially settled into summer. Tball came to an end and now our schedule is wide open and full of possibilities. We've had lots of friends over to visit and play, picked our first round of zuchinni which was promptly made into bread and eaten, made blackberry jam and have had several lazy days to loaf about and get lost in play.

All of this outdoor time has given me some inspiration to spruce up our outside deck a bit. I made an outdoor garland out of oil cloth and also got a new table cloth from some of the wonderful oilcloth from Sew to Speak. 
When we bought this house one of the biggest draws was the yard and outdoor space. We acquired this great deck that overlooks one of my favorite features of our house - a trail leading to hundreds of acres of nature preserve. I think the garland and oilcloth tablecloth do a great job to make the deck look more welcoming. It makes me want to have another party.

Morning, Noon & Night: 2

Morning, Noon & Night

Feelin' Good in My New Underwear

Spanish Pipedream

Blow up your TV throw away your paper
Go to the country, build you a home
Plant a little garden, eat a lot of peaches
Try an find Jesus on your own  - John Prine

The Weekend

Mid Morning Nap

This & That

New paths being discovered.
Meet Bitsty & Slim. They are our solution to the snakes & mice we've found in our shed and garage.


We've had a lot of rain and almost equal doses of sunshine, so the garden has been happy.

Hello to our first pepper.
This is from early one morning after he's crawled into our bed. He does this almost every morning. Tonight while putting them to bed I was reminded of something I'd forgotten. I laid down with them one by one, and in their darkening bedrooms we talked. Without distractions, the conversations were pure. With just our two voices responding to each other, I got a glimpse of their souls.

 

 

Growing Garden

Our first blossom in the cutting garden!

Hello Summer

Miles on last day of preschool

Once again, the changing season has us trying to redefine the rhythm of our days. The boys are beginning to get a lot more independent but at the same time, more adventurous and ornery and resourceful – a lethal combination.

 



All of the fresh air and sunshine has left them spent at the end of the day, sometimes deliriously tired. We’ll figure it out; our rhythm will come. 

In the meantime I’ve been given a great lesson in patience. What a blessing, this challenge.