Life In General Archives | Page 15 of 16 |

Boot Wall Garden

August 30, 2008 By Laura Leave a Comment

On our way back from seeing the Dewey-Granby Oak Tree, as we drove along the windy country road, I spotted a very interesting and creative site in someone’s yard: a rock wall, lined with old boots, filled with plants and flowers. As we kept on going, and I kept exclaiming how cool that was, my husband finally offered, ‘Do you want me to turn around and go back?” To which I replied “Yes, I do!!”.

Now, the actual site in person is fairly drab looking. After all, rocks are not all that colorful, and neither are old boots that have been sitting in all kinds of weather elements, for probably years. But I knew I could work the image into something. And anyway, it was the creative concept of the wall, and the country feel I was so drawn to. I really just wanted to take that whole rock wall, boots and all, with me, so I had to and at least photograph it! So at the risk of being in that position once again, of someone coming out and yelling at me “Get off my property!!“. Or at least some questions regarding my motives of photographing their property. (People who know and love me, know there isn’t much I wouldn’t do to get a shot I want. So for one thing, I’ve trespassed more than I care to admit. lol.) But all that did happen was some cute kids came to the screen door on the old house. I hoped a parent would come out, so I could offer to send them whatever it was I came up with, with the photo….because I just knew I’d turn it into art somehow. And I tried. I’ll be printing this as a 10×20 piece for my wall, so I can put it in my house somewhere and look at it every day, and enjoy.

One Crazy Fascinating Tree – the Dewey-Granby Oak

August 26, 2008 By Laura 1 Comment

dewey granby oak
We’re got to show you this fascinating tree we visited recently; the Dewey-Granby Oak. But first, a quick update on unrelated happenings.

Life is still pretty busy here, with work still flowing in steadily, but I’ve found I’m getting better and better at this balance thing I have worked at all of my life. For one thing, we’ve been distracted with the excitement of a new school year beginning just around the bend! The more organized we get, the more exciting it is!! The school room is almost ready, from umpteen summer crafts and projects the kids had going on. Somehow, I can look at an after-mess, born from creativity flowing, a little longer, than other kinds of messes. But it was time to tidy up, clean out, pack away and make room for new books and supplies – and all that we’ve begun.

But back to our recent family vacation we’ve mentioned; My father (the kids Papa) was determined to bring us to see a tree he has told us about, for what seems like forever. It was a beautiful sunny day for a drive, so we headed out from his house, on our tree adventure. We knew it had to be something, because he talks about it ALL of the time, and how we just needed to see it. Well let us tell you….he wasn’t kidding! This tree is worth the trip!!

Now let me preface this by saying, it was a bad time of a very sunny day to photograph this tree (or much else). It was not ideal lighting, whatsoever. Really bright out, and pretty much high noon. Had I know it was so photograph worthy, I would have asked to come later in the day. What’s more….this tree is SO gigantic, and crazily spread out, it’s tough to find an angle with a camera, to really appreciate it’s stature. It’s really one of those things you need to really see in person, …walk around…and climb, to appreciate the reality of it. And you would do so in absolute awe. Nonetheless….I took photos anyway. Try to look closely at the enormous width of the trunk, and the great big limbs that so gracefully just flow and dip to the ground.

dewey-granby-oak

The tree is known as the Dewey-Granby Oak Tree. As equally fascinating as the sight of this tree, is it’s incredible history. This tree is rooted in the middle of nowhere, in Granby, Connecticut-just on the other side of the MA line, I believe. It is 450 years old!! The town of Granby goes to great lengths for the protection of this tree. The time, seasons, and changes in civilization that this tree has stood through, is so amazing to stop and consider. If you Google, you should find a great brief history, by Carol Laun. As well as more other information.

Here are the kids hanging out on one limb that comes right down to the ground.

kids-on-dewey-granby-oak-limb

This is on the other side of the tree, on am equally crazy limb. Just look at it!

kids-in-dewey-granby-oak-tree

And to think it was once just a tiny acorn . . .

A Sunday at the Seashore

August 21, 2008 By Laura Leave a Comment

I had planned to blog more about VBS, but honestly, I am pretty much VBS’d out, although the kids aren’t! They are still singing and dancing all of the songs. lol. There are other little recent things, though, that I’m looking forward to blogging about, but still have some highlights we wanted to post from our little vacation!! (I may backtrack to that in the next few posts.) Business is still booming (thankfully), though we work daily to find some balance. So I think we’ll bypass blogging about the rest of VBS. Most of the photos have other friends in them anyway. But suffice it to say, that VBS was very successful and FUN. I was impressed with the collective efforts that made it all possible and run so smoothly. The lessons of service have seemed to stick somewhat.

This past Sunday we were invited for a cookout, and some QT, with some very good friends of ours. These folks are a little just a bit older than us, (but very young at heart and appearance : ) and serve as extra grandparents of sorts to our children. The kids call them ‘Mammy and Papa Dave’. We’re very blessed to have them in our lives, and we love them dearly. Having some real time with them all together was very much overdue, so we were happy to accept their invitation. Their home is right on the shore, and it is simply beautiful, as is the view and atmosphere.

We decided to head straight over right after mass, and decided on the way out the door to change there instead of stopping home first after mass, thus grabbing the 3 top shirts off the laundry basket– the matching of the 3 little ones wasn’t purposeful this time, but what a great color with the blues!! Thought we’d share a some photos of the day. If you do not live near the seashore, hopefully it’ll give you a little virtual experience. The kids were born and raised near the seashore, so they feel pretty at home there. We had a wonderful meal together of grilled cheeseburgers and fresh salad, out on the deck that they have set up so elegantly, overlooking the spectacular ocean scenery. What a great time we had!

{O} and {S} exploring.

A seaweed rock {J} found. Now if you’re thinking ‘Boy, does that boy need a haircut’, that’s exactly what I thought when I saw this photo! So he has had one since, and so has his brother. I am always astonished at how fast their hair grows. I actually like long hair on boys, but it doesn’t suit this boy right — he has LOTS and LOTS of hair like his Daddy. Anyway, he carried this funny rock around for awhile.

{S} shows me a little seashell he found. He knocked, but no one was home inside.

{S} just hanging out in the shade.

I don’t know how long {A} spent exploring and looking for crabs. She has loved doing this since she was 3 years old.

Pretty good at it too!!

{A} brought the bucket up to the deck, and Mammy decided to google how you can tell if a crab is a boy or a girl. She found that you can tell by the design on their bellies; boys have the shape of the Washington Monument, and girls have a shape like a honeycomb, or the Capitol Dome in Washington D.C. ! See? Ocean Science and U.S. History all wrapped in one! lol

Looks like this one is a boy, Mammy!

Summer is flying by, and even though we are looking forward to the coming Autumn season, these are the days we hold onto, in our hearts and memories. And photos, of course.

Practically a Perfect Saturday.

August 16, 2008 By Laura Leave a Comment

We had SUCH a fine day today, all the way around. After such a scheduled and active week with VBS and 5 early mornings in a row (big deal for us), today was just what we needed. It was practically a perfect Saturday.

We slept until 8:30 and then had a leisurely morning . just the way we like them, and almost always have any day of the week. Lingering, sleepy cuddles, and then up to hot coffee sipping and playing, until breakfast in pajamas.

Once we were all ready for the day, we headed out on a mission or 2. We had to deliver a job to Michael’s customer, and then we were on a quest to find dried lavender, for a craft project. I had called a few places before we left, but no one seemed to have it. So we thought we’d try the Farmer’s Market.

Farmer’s Markets; another one of those things I get silly-giddy about. I just love everything about them. The colors everywhere, the scents on the air of freshly-picked-this-and-that, and so many items hand or home made. We can appreciate the work that went into every produce or craft, and the hopes of the sellers to make profit. We love to support local businesses, and our community as a whole, anyway. It’s fun to go, and it’s wonderful to bring home such fresh and locally grown foods to enjoy together. Today, we picked up apples, tomatoes and 1/2 dozen ears of corn.

After another attempt to find the lavender, we gave up, and ended up having a spontaneous picnic. The weather was SO nice. We found the great grassy and shady spot, and had a mini feast on apples, clam strips, fries and ice tea. Afterwards, the kids played some old fashioned yard games (Red Light -Green Light, What time is it, Mr. Fox?, etc.)–as us parents laid on the spread watching them, and the fascinating clouds in the blue sky float by. Every moment was so enjoyable.

When we got home, I got so sleepy, and ended up taking a little cat-nap. (We went to bed way too late last night, again. ) As I awakened and blinked open my eyes, I found one of my little boys cuddled right up to me, just gazing at me with such love in his eyes — wide awake. If that didn’t make me smile enough, my little girl came in and gave me another incredible foot rub!! (She seriously could make a good living at this, already, even though she’s only 5. lol)

Soon it started storming – AGAIN!! We have had more summer storms this summer, complete with thunder and lightening. We all just love storms. The kids get downright excited — running from window to window, watching the flashes and counting down to the big crack-ba-ba-BOOOMMmm!!! Next thing we know, it was HAILING like mad, and that just pumped their excitement. They have never seen hail before, and boy was it coming down!!

I reached out on the deck and grabbed some, and all of the kids touched it. Then they had a spontaneous lesson on hail: why it forms and when it comes down in storms. Weather science at it’s best!! It really was amazing, and the kids were very amused at the way it bounced all over the place. I was having fun taking photos — even though I got wet every time, trying to quickly open and close windows or doors to take the shot. My favorite is the Little People shot on our deck table at the top of this post. I wanted to scream at her “Will you just get in the boat, already??” lol

Then it was time to start dinner. I had a perfect and simple summer dinner planned; tomato sandwiches and corn on the cob. As I was filling up the pan, which was on the counter, with water, {A} started urgently yelling for us to come see this:

…..the rain just pouring off our hillside into our not-yet-done retainer-planter walls. We were worried it was going to ‘take out’ our pumpkin patch! The water that was rushing off was just unbelievable, and of course was also photo-worthy. So I got my camera, and opened the window to get this shot too. Next thing I know, {A} is yelling again, from the kitchen this time. Guess why?? Remember the pan I was filling with water for the ears of corn?? Yeah……………..I never shut off the water when I dashed away to see what she was yelling about the first time. Typical-ADHD-me. : ) I didn’t feel the need to take a photo of that.

By the time the water in the kitchen was cleaned up, the sun was out!

Dinner was just….well, perfect!! Most especially the corn……WOW!!! It was the perfect corn we’ve tried to make 100 times before, the same exact way. But this time….it was all that we’ve dreamed. And we know why: It was farmer market fresh!! We really wished we got a dozen, and have plans to get more at the next Farmer’s Market Day. We have GOT to have some next time the kids Papa (my Dad) comes down. He just loves corn-on-the-cob that’s ‘just-right’. (He’s a natural-born food critic. Trust us.)

So that was our exciting and practically perfect Saturday. Just a simple day together, full of the kind of moments we love, that make up our life together. Just makes us look forward to tomorrow.

Baltimore Oriole Bribery…

June 6, 2008 By Laura 2 Comments

Once I really saw the Baltimore Orioles this year, I got my heart set on wanting them to nest in OUR yard. But I think I learned the tricks of the trade a little too late this year. I know I did. Surely they were already building nests, if not settled in already, by the time I heard about using Baltimore Oriole bribery, of leaving string and such to help them along in building their nests. They’d been around for a couple of weeks by then. The Baltimore Orioles do come to visit in our yard quite a bit throughout the day, though. I think they realize by now, by the abundance of other birds and critters who hang out here, that our yard is the place to be! But the Orioles do seem to be nesting in neighboring yards, and frankly, I’m jealous!

Nonetheless, I’m still desperate enough to hope that, like people, the Orioles might decide to move! To our yard, of course. At the very least, I am showing them that this is where all of the GOOD STUFF is, and maybe they’ll remember that next year, when they fly in from South America. I’ll be ready for them, and on time. Meanwhile, this year they are welcome to come over and perch, sing, play and feast, anytime they’d like.

And to think it was once just a tiny acorn . . .

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