Hello! Things are busy around here, and somehow I ended up taking a long break from sharing online, my first in more than a dozen years. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about lots of things, and I wonder if I will be able to share my thoughts…not today, but in the near future? Let me tell you a little about what is going on with us, and then I will back up and share photos and happenings from the last two months.
We still have a full house, my oldest three sons are here with us for a little bit longer. One is working 60+ hours per week as an apprentice, one is in marriage prep, and one is leaving for college in August. (I can’t share more details than that!) My plate is full and so is my head! Some days I go from a late-night talk with an older kid to Ambrose getting up to nurse right when I am falling asleep, to waking up with him before 6 am, to a full day and then doing it all again. I’ve moved into the marathon phase of parenting I think. It’s beautiful but also extremely challenging.
Sweet Ambrose is still sleeping fitfully, still nursing round the clock, still bringing us so much joy. I have been very deliberate about allowing myself to let all that I can go in order to be fully present for him. Last week he had chickenpox! Can you believe it? He got it from Jonny, who thought he had poison ivy but had shingles! We did not know that was a thing! We do tend to learn lessons the hard way. Ambrose is fine though, mostly scabbed over and still his energetic demanding little self. He turns one in just a couple of weeks. His first year has gone so fast.
This was an ill-fated day of swarm catching! Two in one day: one on the estate where Keats works, and then one at home. None of the bees stayed where we put them, but it was an adventure!
One of the highlights of spring for me is watching all the perennials I started from seed the year before bloom for the first time! All the while, I’m starting new seeds and making more plans. Now that summer has started, my growing mania has cooled a bit. That’s how it tends to go for me every year. I have lots of flats of perennials that I started in the spring and no time to figure out where to put them. My gardens are full of weeds, and it’s hot outside! But then last night I placed another small seed order. What is wrong with me? I will say that I have particularly spectacular bouquets throughout my house right now. At some point, I will tire of even going outside to cut them. Or maybe I won’t? I’m going to try to keep bringing flowers in.
These beds are full of flowers now. Though garden beds full of children are very nice too. I will try to take updated photos soon!
May was such a crazy month. I know it was for many of you as well. Busy May is a thing, isn’t it? Larkspur went to three different proms. I don’t know what I was thinking when I kept saying, “Sure!” I am not strong in the hair and makeup department (I’m learning, though!) so I tend to get stressed out about dances. Three were too many! Larkspur did have a lot of fun though, and I’m glad. For one of the dances, she made corsages and boutonnieres (I will never not have to look up the spelling for that!) for her friends! She did such an amazing job!
And I must say, I did a pretty good job on hair and makeup for this one! This was prom number three and I was finally figuring things out. Larkspur and her friend Timmy planned to coordinate their outfits and they looked so good!
Gorgeous girls! Larkspur and her friend Dominique! Can you believe Lark made those corsages?!!!
Dapper Gabe went to this prom as well! He was such a good sport to let me take his photo.
On to expensive pet updates: Dobbin the goat somehow basically degloved the upper part of one of his legs. We aren’t sure how. One minute he was fine, the next I was calling the vet. I had a nasty case of mastitis at the time and had to drive him an hour away to the farm vet for an extensive repair. It was tough for both of us. The outer layer of stitches didn’t hold for long because of where they were and we ended up having to do daily hydrotherapy for a few days (fancy term for spraying the wound with the hose for 15 minutes-imagine doing that with a goat…) followed by coating the wound in honey and then bandaging to keep it clean. Bandages didn’t stay put, so I had the genius idea of putting Dobbin in t-shirts which was hilarious and also effective. He is fully recovered now. What a relief that ordeal is over!
I apologize that I didn’t employ the snake warning system in this post, but I wonder how many of you even remember it? I do think it will be sad when the days of little boys bringing snakes into my bedroom end.
First puzzle in a long time!
edited: A couple of you have asked where I got this puzzle. I got it at the thrift store for $1! And it had all its pieces! It came from Gari Melcher’s Belmont gift shop originally (which is down the street from where I live). It looks like you can order it, but it’s an expensive puzzle! So beautiful though!
Silas turned 11!!! All he wanted was money to spend on fishing supplies! This kid is an expert fisherman!
Snakehead!!! I think these are so creepy looking! And I’m sorry to end my first post in months with a creepy fish! But Silas was awfully proud of it so it must be documented.
Oh, reading! I read Gone with the Wind in less than two weeks (benefit of having a baby who only sleeps in my arms or next to me! My house is a mess but I can read!) I’ve never been interested in reading it, but was sucked in by this pretty edition! Wow! What a book!
Now I’m trying to get through The Two Towers and having daily conversations with Seth about it. He’s an expert and I get muddled by all the names…so many names!
Knitting, not so much… but it will be there for me when I have free hands again!
I’ll try to be back soon…because there was Children’s Market and Mabel’s birthday, and more flowers!
My oldest child got the chickenpox when she was six months old, and that was the easiest case for our family — the other four kids got it later on — because she was too young to know how to scratch an itch. The time when all four got it, I remember so much trying to keep the children from tearing up their tender flesh.
I have never seen so many different and lovely colors of foxgloves! All your flowers are wonderful.
So glad you posted. I have been worried. Sounds like lots of lovely change for the older boy (the marriage prep has me esp curious). My son is Silas’ age and I love seeing how he is growing up as they are so different. We are selling our house with land because mine never wants to go out. Sigh …. but I am looking forward to village life and restoring an medival barn. Change can be good. Take care of yourself and you were missed.
Wait! When did you get peacocks?!? How is that around the yard? With other animals?
So curious!!
Those aren’t ours! They belong to the woman that Keats works for. Some are very tame because she hand raised them. 🙂
Hi there! I am not one to leave comments…in fact this might be my first time ever! But I was so excited to get a notification in my email that you had a new post and I felt compelled to say how much I’ve always enjoyed your blog. I stumbled across you once, long ago, through various Catholic blog circles and I was a casual reader from time to time. Then when I had my most recent baby (#7), I was spending long amounts of time tied up in nursing him and going through a “book drought”. Nothing seemed interesting to read! I have also needed to breathe new life into our homeschool, and so I was inspired to read many of your homeschool posts, and before long, I just started going backwards through your entire blog during nursing sessions. It’s an odd thing going backwards through someone’s life, but I found myself doing that, and really enjoying it- especially all the inspiration I got from various things. We have very similiar lives- many children, Catholic, farm animals, gluten free diets, sewing and crocheting (I wish I could knit!) book reading, homeschooling…and I feel like we have a similiar love of nature and raising kids out in the sunshine. I don’t want to sound like a weirdo…this is what keeps me from ever leaving comments, honestly- I know I am a stranger, lol, but I just wanted to thank you for all the joy you bring to the world. 🙂 God bless you!
Hi Talitha! Thank you so much for saying hi! 🙂
Thank you for update and amazing photos! Yes this season is upon us, but I’m embracing it fully. Your post is always a gentle reminder that we are not alone throughout the journey before us.
Is there still a “ Bounty” for catching a Snakehead?
So good to hear from you all again. Love my visits with you. And the pictures are delightful.
Each post is a joy, Ginny. Thanks for it x
My mom loved Gone with the Wind because she loved the name Melanie; she clearly had a thing for 1939 movies since I’m named after Aunt Em in the Wizard of Oz and my younger sister is named Melanie! The book is a lot more complex than the movie, for sure, and gosh, I’m a sucked for pretty editions of books!
Oh Ginny, what a lovely post. You are one amazing woman. I wish I was a neighbor next to you. You have so much to share. Quite inventive with the Tshirt on the goat. Ha! Are you still thinking of maybe moving or did I miss a post where you updated us. As soon as I seen the snake, I thought Ginny forgot to warn us! Oh yes, I remember your warnings to us as snakes are my least favorite. Your flowers are beautiful as well as your children. They are growing up! Love you dear friend!
I just love to see your posts arrive in my inbox Ginny! As I said before, I re-read your whole blog while I was going through cancer treatment and you all just feel like old friends. So happy to see all that is going on for you…I can’t believe Silas is 11!! Lots of love Xx
Such a treat whenever I see some new writing from you appear in my emails 🙂 Thank you. You sure are a busy mum !! coupled with exhaustion, joy pings off the page too. Blessings ~ Linda
Ciao Ginny, it’s always nice to read your thoughts and see your wonderful photos. Thanks for all your effort, un abbraccio. Emanuela
Your flowers look SO beautiful! Seriously, I never get tired of seeing your beautiful children/garden photos! We just had one of our calves have a similar issue with a leg injury. Honey is so amazingly healing! I’ve used it with our animals for several really bad wounds (including rattlesnake bite!) and it’s always so helpful. So nice to read one of your posts again!
How lovely to read this post. I am a long-time reader and treasure your musings. And those photos!
the flowers and children and farm life .. oh my! It just fills me with emotion with how beautiful life is, and you are documenting it wonderfully for your children, and probably future grandchildren.
I was just beginning to be concerned about you and there was your post! Isaiah 58:9 says…”before you call I will answer and while you are still speaking I will hear …”
I am glad to hear all the news. Larkspur is quite talented and beautiful as are your other children-each in their own way. Big happenings in your family and I look forward to hearing all about this. I echo all the other posts and am glad you sound so peaceful.
God bless all.
So love the sweet peek into your world. I had to smile at the chickenpox because it reminded me of the incident when I was 16 and had shingles (very rare so young) and I gave five nieces and nephews chickenpox! We have a cute picture of me cuddling them up with stories one evening…I was really giving them chickenpox!
I almost messaged you yesterday (wasn’t for sure how I would do that though 😁) but had been thinking of you and your family so was thrilled to see a post today and all the pics! Larkspur is beautiful and Gabe quite a handsome young man. I lose track of the kids ages especially that Silas is now 11….remember when he was born. Thank you for taking the time to post as know your life is busy.
As a long-time reader, I so appreciate how you have never gloss over the challenging aspects of family life but choose to celebrate the beauty and joy – and there is a lot of that in all of our lives if we choose to see it. Thank you for keeping “in touch!”
Hello from Tasmania Australian Ginny, I like many others have followed you over the years. Lately I have been thinking of you and how privileged I have been to be able to read about your family and yourself. I can honestly say you have provided inspiration and comfort. I wanted to just say thank you!!
My baby (um, he’s 20) got chicken pox when he was two from someone at church who had shingles …
Your poor goat!! Gracious. Glad he’s ok, and you with the mastitis, ergh. I had so many bouts of that, finally got it sorted with homeopathy …
Marriage and college and prom, oh my. Exciting times. And the foxglove is beautiful …
Hi Ginny, Happy to receive this latest post. I was worried that something was wrong. The children are getting so big. Larkspur is not only a beautiful young lady,but talented,too. Her dress is gorgeous. Gabe is one handsome young man. Glad you enjoyed reading “Gone With The Wind'”. I have just started book 2 in The “Tales From Ivy Hill” by Julie Klassen. Your flowers are lovely. Hope you are feeling better. Sorry about Jonny’s shingles and Ambrose having the Chicken Pox. Take care and God Bless.
Marilyn
I have wondered if you and your family were okay. Happy to see the posting! Best wishes to all!
So, so good to hear from you!! I thought of all of you the other day and said a prayer for you. God bless!!
Yes!, to all the wonderful comments here. I love seeing and reading a post from you, it is always such a treat!
beautiful post … beautiful flowers …. beautiful children growing up way to fast 🙂
Hello! I’m a long time reader of your blog and find the photos and the update on your children so beautiful it makes me cry. Probably because it also reminds me of the changes in my own family in these years of following along. Life is so sweet, so full, so very full of hope. How exciting to have a son preparing for marriage. None of mine have found their special someone- hoping and praying it is soon!
I hear exhausted joy!💕
LOVE Larkspur’s dress, she looks beautiful. Gabe is quite handsome as well. Hope life just settles down a bit for you now…
Thanks so much for the post!!! Your children and flowers are beautiful. That puzzle looks great. Can you send me post details (as if you have time) or where you got it, etc??
If not, I understand and have a goodo day. Be well
Hi Bianca! I just added puzzle details to the post. 🙂
Ginny! I love that puzzle! Where can I find it? Also, I’ve been following your blog so long, it is so amazing to see your children growing big. I remember when Silas and job were born!
Hi Emily! I just added puzzle details to the post. 🙂
I was just here the other day, wondering how you were doing, and now there’s a post! How lucky. I’m glad you took/are taking some time to just “be,” though. Take all the breaks you need.
And did I read marriage prep? I need to know more, unless I’m misunderstanding…ha!
All your kids look so well. Love the goat in the t-shirt, Larkspur in her prom dress and Gabe in his vest (both looked so good) and the kids in the flower bed!
I’m overusing exclamation points in this comment…take it as a sign I’m glad to hear you’re well. All the best to all of you, Ginny.
You are not misunderstanding! I will share more when I can!!!
It’s all so lovely. You honestly amaze me. I love when you share
Ginny, I have had a rough start to my day and your post is a balm for my soul! Many blessings to you and your family.
Wonderful pictures, as always, Ginny. Thank you for all of your posts, however frequently or infrequently they arrive, because they always fill me with peace.
Your flowers are absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing.
I love your posts! You make your life so joyous but It must be hard, with so much to take care of. You are truly a wonder to me! I find your posts so soothing and your photos and love of plants so wonderful! God bless!
Gosh Ginny, I remember when Silas was born and Lark little. It’s been such fun seeing your family grow. And Gabe, so handsome! Wow, it goes by quick.
Your flower photos are gorgeous and Ambrose still looks like Jonny in baby form.
Love your posts!❤️
I confess you have been on my mind for perfectly selfish reasons. I enjoy every one of you snippets of life. They remind me of the many and varied bountiful blessings that God gives us every day.
And, one day you will wake up to veiled memories of sleepless nights because you are too busy marveling in grown children and their adventures.
Thank you for enriching my life..
p.s. Love the puzzles!
You’ve come a long way, Ginny, haven’t you, from feeling like you *must* be knitting all the time? This whole post seems so peaceful, or – not exactly – but happy or something. I don’t know.
It’s so nice to see the different abilities of the children and must be handy to have an expert fisherman in the family! Your flowers are all breathtaking. Larkspur is a great beauty, and I can’t believe one of your boys is getting married! God bless.
Lisa, yes!!! You are so right about that. I’m not chasing productivity anymore. (Not that I don’t struggle with it at times.) What a relief!
Hi Ginny,
Your digitalis are beautiful. Enjoyed all the pictures. Keep enjoying your summer days.
Becky