Summer Fun - Camping

Summer is filled with amazing things; swimming, Farmer's Markets, family picnics and bbq's.  But there is nothing I love more than camping in the summer time.

The day starts early and brisk.  Quite and alone while everyone else is still asleep is a perfect time to catch up on some reading.  And there is something surreal about campfire coffee.  Rich, woodsy coffee that is deep and creamy.  What a way to start out the day.And while I'm still alone, I get to "play" with a bird.  Tossing it grapes that it flies down to take away back to the nest like some exotic treasure

Then there is the fun of camping with a 3 year old.  Everything is fresh and new.  And everything must be done in his boots - green frogs rain boots.  That is ok.  Everything is also explored in his PJs (even with a little crack showing).  That is the fun of camping.  There is no schedule or agenda, no dress code, no worrying about getting dirty.  No texting, cell phones going off, facebook updates, tweets (other than those from the Jays).  Just enjoy nature and each other - spending time loving each other and building memories.  A time to relax, fish, talk, walk, Explore. 

Explore and finding a bow and arrow made from a tree branch.  The arrow really flies and made for so much fun for the whole family.  

We have our favorite place to camp.  La Wis Wis at the base of Mt. Rainier.  Beautiful, surreal, quiet.  Definitely created by God.

I enjoy my time camping with my family.  I hope you do too.

with love,

Tammy

Yard Sale

Yard Sale.  Just the term is daunting.  I hate them.  But I hate a garage full of stuff that I never should have bought, yet for some reason at the time thought life would just not be the same without that precious piece of junk that is too priceless to give to the local thrift shop that I have to make a quick buck on it at a YARD SALE****Whew! 

Every yard sale we "swear" is our last one.  Never again.  Yet, this is somehow justified by our moving to a new house so the things that can't find a place in the new house must be sold.

So we start tonight - sorting, pricing, packing up the truck to haul it to a better location to hopefully get more traffic to get a better price.  I hope its worth it.  After all, I'm sure there is another priceless gem just waiting for me that I can get with the proceeds from this sale :)

Happy Shopping!
-t.

the Stork arrives

Friday morning we got the call early- Postmaster says the chicks are in.  So I quickly get dressed and Jarrett and I head over to pick up our girls.  As soon as we get inside the post office, we hear "peep peep peep".  Its so adorable.  Everyone on the place is excited about the new little chicks; wanting to know what kind they are, how many, what we are going to do with them, etc.  Its so fun.  I must say that I was suprised to see what a small box they were in.  I expected something better and better to mail chickens I guess.

We get them home, get our "broader" (a.k.a., rubbermaid tote) set up and the chicks get in.  They are adorable, tiny, fluffy, so cute for only a few days old.  The temperature is set just right, we tip each beak in water so they will start drinking, and the mother begins.  So much can go wrong with these little gals.  I've heard horror stories, and the thought of losing even 1 is devistating.  So I'm watching them constantly.  One starts to choke, so I am quickly there to help and keep this one alive.  So glad I was there.  Had I been away, I think we would have lost that one.

That afternoon, I bring a few inside to take some pictures.  Baby chicks pics - gotta love it!

We had to order a larger quantity than we wanted, so little by little the other chicks have gone to their new homes.   And over these two weeks, it is so amazing to me to see the rapid growth and development of these little girls.  Whoever said that "life was short" must have had chickens.  Already they are 3 times their size.  they have feathers on their tails and wings and are starting to get them all over.  The soft dewy down feathers are quickly disappearing.  The girls are becoming ladies right before my eyes.  Lets just hope that they are all ladies - no roosters please!

So, now just to find homes for 3, maybe 4 more. 

Next project:  chicken coop.