I’ve been full of good intentions – sort of like my intention to can and freeze everything in my garden last summer (which I did!), or my intention to get rid of all of Addie’s old clothes (which I didn’t!).
So, just in case there is someone out there who is still actually reading this – a quick recap is in order (get comfy):
So, just in case there is someone out there who is still actually reading this – a quick recap is in order (get comfy):
Last summer was full of fun in the sun, and a VERY productive garden. We just did our first planting for garden 2011 this past weekend, and I’m already starting to panic about trying to keep up with the bounty! We certainly have been enjoying the frozen veggies all winter. I’ll try to remember that when I’m up to my armpits in tomatoes come September!
Addie started Kindergarten in August with very little fanfare. She is still at her same school and in the same classroom. The main difference is that she started attending school all day, every day. She was one pooped little girl by 4:30 this fall, even zonking out in the car on the 5 minute ride home from school. But she has now adjusted to being a full-time school kid. She’s learning to read, and reads me a book each night before I read to her. It’s been so fun. (esp. last week when she misread the word “fort” as fart. Mommy couldn’t help it- we both laughed until we cried.)
Addie started Kindergarten in August with very little fanfare. She is still at her same school and in the same classroom. The main difference is that she started attending school all day, every day. She was one pooped little girl by 4:30 this fall, even zonking out in the car on the 5 minute ride home from school. But she has now adjusted to being a full-time school kid. She’s learning to read, and reads me a book each night before I read to her. It’s been so fun. (esp. last week when she misread the word “fort” as fart. Mommy couldn’t help it- we both laughed until we cried.)
We spent Labor Day weekend with John and the boys in Columbia, MO. We had a great time riding bikes on the Katy Trail and just hanging out. I think Addie has a crush on Jackson. Smart girl.
The holidays were a blast from Halloween right on through Valentine’s Day. We hosted our first Thanksgiving with me
making my first Thanksgiving dinner (whew!). Christmas was crazy-fun in Cozad. Granny had our week jam-packed with great activities that included swimming, shopping, movies, and a dance (yes, my fundamental friends, a DANCE!) Who knew my family had all those pinned up dance moves? It was a wonderful time together.
On the farm we re-roofed the house this fall and have the replacement windowns in. We have kept all of the chickens alive except one who died a very mysterious death. They stopped laying eggs this winter, but are swiftly making up for lost time. We have a new little kitty on our farm. We’ve named her Phoebe. Albert isn’t pleased, but is putting up with her OK.
We took our annual trip to Florida to spend a week at the beach with grandma and grandpa Pope the last week of February. We had beautiful weather in the 70s every day – which made up for me having the flu and the other health challenges we dealt with on the trip, which included a trip to the Florida Department of health (everyone is fine). One highlight of the trip included meeting up with my folks at Wakulla Springs State Park. What a magical place!
The holidays were a blast from Halloween right on through Valentine’s Day. We hosted our first Thanksgiving with me
making my first Thanksgiving dinner (whew!). Christmas was crazy-fun in Cozad. Granny had our week jam-packed with great activities that included swimming, shopping, movies, and a dance (yes, my fundamental friends, a DANCE!) Who knew my family had all those pinned up dance moves? It was a wonderful time together.On the farm we re-roofed the house this fall and have the replacement windowns in. We have kept all of the chickens alive except one who died a very mysterious death. They stopped laying eggs this winter, but are swiftly making up for lost time. We have a new little kitty on our farm. We’ve named her Phoebe. Albert isn’t pleased, but is putting up with her OK.
We took our annual trip to Florida to spend a week at the beach with grandma and grandpa Pope the last week of February. We had beautiful weather in the 70s every day – which made up for me having the flu and the other health challenges we dealt with on the trip, which included a trip to the Florida Department of health (everyone is fine). One highlight of the trip included meeting up with my folks at Wakulla Springs State Park. What a magical place!
Time with family has become even more precious after experience the lost my grandma Edith Marie in October and my step grandpa Aldeberto Castillo in December. As different as they both were, they had a lot in common. Both were talented, self-taught artists, both loved to garden, and both loved their spouses - Mamo and Papo were married 71 years, and Grandpa Al and Grandma Ruth were married 32 years. Mamo was someone I grew up with at my side. She loved to sing, paint, bake, plant, and laugh. She had a wonderful laugh - more like a girlish giggle. She taught me to appreciate healthly food, the gift of singing together, and family. Grandpa Al married my grandma Ruth when I was 6. He was a soft-spoken giant of a man who would never leave the house without his cowboy hat. He was a WWII vet and a die-hard liberal who wrote scathing letters to the editor. He had a tremdously dry whit that was never mean spirited, but laugh out loud funny. I will miss both of these beautiful souls forever, and am so thankful they were a part of my life.
And so that brings us to spring. Even though it's still cold you can feel the hope of spring. The birds are in the air, tree buds are swelling and the sedges and crocuses are beginning to poke out of the ground. We took a 1 hour family hike yesterday at Spring Creek Prairie despite the cold and ice pelting us from the sky. Spring is coming – I just know it is.
I shouldn’t rush it. Spring means yard work, garden work and no more long cozy nights by the fire playing endless games of Crazy 8’s and Old Maid. Maybe winter isn’t so bad . . .
And so that brings us to spring. Even though it's still cold you can feel the hope of spring. The birds are in the air, tree buds are swelling and the sedges and crocuses are beginning to poke out of the ground. We took a 1 hour family hike yesterday at Spring Creek Prairie despite the cold and ice pelting us from the sky. Spring is coming – I just know it is.
I shouldn’t rush it. Spring means yard work, garden work and no more long cozy nights by the fire playing endless games of Crazy 8’s and Old Maid. Maybe winter isn’t so bad . . .
