This weekend we are trying to get the chicks moved out to a used coop we bought for cheap. Jonny is in the process of making changes and getting it secure. I am excited at the thought of getting the chicks out of our garage. Our garden has done pretty well, definitely better than expected. I’ve made squash casserole, zucchini muffins, and begged friends to take the yellow squash off my hands. I made one batch of refrigerator dill pickles, and there have been plenty of tomatoes and green peppers for my omelets. I wasn’t sure all the effort would be worth it. We have had such a busy summer that I questioned the wisdom of adding a garden on top of it all, but I’m glad we did. We’ve had a truly glorious break in the heat and I have been working here and there in my flower gardens too. I can’t remember if I mentioned this book on pansies, but it got me obsessed for a minute resulting in starting pansies and violas for fall. Hopefully I will follow through all the way to getting them planted out.
Ambrose is four! I’ll say the same thing that all mothers say as they watch their babies grow up: How did this happen? How is our baby four? He is very smart and busy and keeps us constantly going, going, going. He’s our little naturalist and would live outdoors if he could.
I’ve barely been knitting, so I am grateful that I started Elsie’s birthday sweater as early as I did. There was a time when Jonny and I watched shows at night and I got lots of knitting in, but we rarely if ever watch anything anymore. I think as far as family chaos goes, with our current household, we are at a peak. It’s exhausting and Jonny and I have been struggling with it all. But it’s also good. I hope that makes sense. Sometimes the most intensely difficult seasons are also the best. My eyes are often full of tears, but my heart is full as well.
I finished reading War and Peace a few days ago. I should have celebrated, but I didn’t. It actually felt like a non event after being weighted down by it (both literally and figuratively) for an entire year. My feelings about it are probably not popular. I can’t say I enjoyed it very much. I mean there were good times, and there were bad. I did like significant portions of the story. Having the main characters’ storyline end sixty or so pages before the end of the actual book felt like a cruel joke. I was not enthused about reading page after page of Tolstoy philosophizing about war and power etc. when I just wanted to be finished. Then I read the afterword and his statement that War and Peace is not a novel. Oh-well that explained it. Embarking on it shortly after finishing Anna Karenina (loved) I was expecting a novel. I did enjoy the parts that followed the main characters and there were definitely some lovely and insightful passages. I marked those to revisit someday. When I wrote it on my list of books read for this year, I think my comment was, “So glad it’s over.” I have moved on to my latest book club book, The Europeans by Henry James, my first time to read anything by him. So far I like it. It feels quiet. It’s also rather short, thankfully.
Jonny and I have a new hobby and I need to pick up my camera and document it. We finally used the pottery class gift certificate that our kids gave me for Mother’s Day 2024. We are hooked and trying to figure out how to add this to the budget. It feels like just what we need right now. I completely forget everything else when I am trying to bring something out of a ball of clay. Another student asked me what I have made so far, and I replied, “….Oh, just different sorts of vessels.” I have no control of it, and nothing I have made is completely symmetrical, but my hands are learning. Our teacher loaned me a book on glazes and I am fascinated and more than a little obsessed. I need to buy my own copy so I can highlight and take notes. I think Jonny is more interested in all the things he can potentially make and I want to create all the colors!!!
I’ll be back soon(ish) to share my wonky pottery. I love it so much!
Your photos are just so stunning! I miss blogs and glimpses into home life. Thank you. Your life is art!!
Hi Ginny,
I’m coming to this post really late but still wanted to leave a comment. It’s always good to read your posts, no matter what time I get to them :).
I read War and Peace several years ago. While I did enjoy it, I found myself rushing througj the “War” parts so I could get back to the “Peace”! And I’m right there with you regarding the last chapter(s) of war reflection. On a forum, I saw someone commenting once that Tolstoy is like that guest who won’t read the room and just stays and stays talking until it’s well past your bedtime and you just want to kick him out! Haha.
I do love Tolstoy, but I thought that was accurate.
I love the picture of Mabel kissing your “little” cat :). So cute.
Have a good fall season, Ginny!
There are more good books to be read than you could read in a lifetime. If a book is not good enough for you, stop reading it. You could be reading something else that you enjoy. Xx
I also am barely knitting. I have several projects in a queue for my grandchildren, but no motivation. Usually little people knits spur me on but this time, I have nothing. This space of still having my own 4 year-old and being Marmee to three younger people has my mind a whirl.
I always enjoy your beautiful photos and little life catch-ups. 🙂
And I am glad to hear about your experience with War and Peace. I tend to have very unpopular opinions about some of the most raved about classics (example: I really don’t like Jane Eyre). It’s always kind of refreshing to hear someone say a particular classic was not their favorite. 😉
I agree with the above commenter that I feel a sense of Deja vu looking at the photos of your youngest children – they look just like your older ones did and doing many of the same beloved activities. I have been following your blog since my oldest was an infant – 14 years! – and can relive the younger days of my boys through your photos. And, yes, tears are not uncommon here, either. I think that’s what happens when your heart is so full it leaks from time to time. Best wishes for the remainder of Summer and a gentle glide into Autumn.
Lovely Ginny 💗
Love your updates Ginny! Your photos are beautiful! Especially love the zinnias!
Can’t wait to see the pottery!
You have such a beautiful blog, and I’m so grateful I stumbled upon it.
The Waldorf celebration ring you did is gorgeous– our family has recently gotten into that, too, and they’re so beautiful.
I’m impressed you even read or finished “War and Peace.” I have never worked up the courage. Here’s to the next book you read being a favorite.
I haven’t visited for quite a while, but it feels like visiting the same old friend again. I can’t believe how much the younger kids look like your older kids. It seems like they never grew up and I’m looking at them again with the animals, making mud pies, etc. Glad you found joy in the pottery. I hope that grounds you with new excitement for creativity. I have seen how that is important in my life. After years of making soap and skin care products with herbs, I’m finally learning how to use them medicinally (tea, tinctures, etc). My other new hobby is making chocolate – from picking the cacao, fermenting & drying and then roasting it and making the final chocolate. So much to learn in this life.
So wonderful to read your post. Where does the time go??? HB to your “baby.” Will be anxiously waiting seeing your pottery. Good for you and Jonny. Beautiful photos as usual. You capture your subjects so beautifully that it brings tears to my eyes and satisfaction to my heart. Thank you; God bless your family.
I can’t believe your baby is four, either! Always enjoy your posts, thank you for sharing. 🕊️ I loved War & Peace, but never could engage with Anna Karenena, so there you go! 😁
Love the fabric you used for these pencil pouches, especially the snails! Do you have links you can share for the fabric, please?
I would love to know this too. Thank you. I always enjoy your pictures so much. You translate your chaos into so much beauty
I’m really sorry but I can’t remember where I bought it. It is by Heather Ross, so if you search for her fabrics hopefully it won’t be too hard to find!
In early 2024 my daughter’s husband passed away from a sudden and unexpected heart attack. She took a pottery course and became obssessed. She works in an archeology lab and her fellow lab mates joined her. They started gathering and processing natural clay….in their tiny urban apartments. A very messy process. They practiced different firing processes, pit firing, raku ( ?) , joined a local pottery guild. Her and an equally obsessed workmate went to a kiln conference in Colorado last fall.
She poured all her sadness and love into pottery. It has helped her heal from the worst tragedy she will ever suffer ( I hope )
Pottery is a wonderful pursuit. I look forward to seeing your creations.
The link to the pansy book?
It’s linked in the post! 🙂
So nice to enjoy a post from you ! Thank you so much for sharing your dear thoughts & life . I truly enjoy it .
Love to you & your sweet family . Happy Birthday to your ‘baby’ .
So nice to enjoy a post from you ! Thank you so much for sharing your dear thoughts & life . I truly enjoy it .
Love to you & your sweet family . Happy Birthday to your ‘baby’ .
Quickly reading your post b4 the house wakes. I usually plan a half hour without children to re-read and enjoy a cuppa all by myself. Thanks Ginny 🙏
We can’t wait to see some pottery in your shop:)))
Always LOVE your posts.
Hi Ginny. I just love your pencil pouches!!! Do you ever have a pattern you could sell?