Hammock Town Upgrade

 

The boys decided to stack the hammocks.

I'm not mad about that.

It looks really cool.

It is really hard to get into though.

The only way I got into the middle was by a ladder.

I love Hammock Town.

I love that we made that fun place to just hang out.

Literally.

Haha! 

Play Time

 

Today we took and adventuer to Pyra's farm to get onions and then to Pioneer Falls.

It's been so fun to have these kids stay at our house this summer. 

I love how excited they get about everything.

We were definitely out of practice with littles around a lot and it has been great.

They will move out to Willow soon and I will miss them, but I am grateful for experiences like today that add to my memories! 

 

Temple Time

 I received a prompting at the beginning of summer to spend more time in the temple.

As a result I invited people to go with me.

Every other week this summer this woman came with me, Linda Wallace.

She is a beautiful and sensitive soul.

I am so grateful for the light she has brought into my life this summer. 

I have learned so much from her. 

This was our last trip together because I start back at work soon.

I'm glad I documented it!

A Smattering of Things

 

Last night I had a surprise visit from the Lucile Lake young women.

They came to serve and weed the garlic.

It was so nice to weed along side of them. 

We got three entire rows done in an hour.

I was so grateful for their willingness to come out and serve.

Matt and Jessie have been messing around with sourdough.

I am not a fan of sourdough but this morning we made cinnamon rolls and they are really, really good.

I might change my mind about not liking sourdough, especially in this form.

I couldn't wait any longer and wanted potatoes for dinner.

So I went out and pulled three plants.

I got enough potatoes for dinner and they were so good.

I have zero regrets about harvesting them early. 

Dinner was roasted beets, kolhrabi, potatoes, garlic and onion. 

We grew all of it except the onion.

I love when those things happen. 

It's no where near Christmas but Atticus found the lights, so we plugged them in and he's been playing with them.

I love the wonder of little kids! 

 

Lastly, Afton and Emry have been out a lot this summer. 

Living their best life on the farm. 

I love this land we live on and all that it provides for us and our posterity.

It's a pretty amazing life!

Chicken Nuggetts

 

Matt ordered chickens again.

There are twenty of them.

I am just counting my blessing that it's not 250 like last time. 

They are super cute at this stage.

 

Andi Pants

 It has been so fun to have Dallin and his family living with us for the last little while.
Andi loves me. 

Not even kidding.

It's serious love! 

She is so excited to see me in the mornings and when I come back in the house from working outside she says, "Ninny's back!" with a squeal. 

She doesn't want to wear shoes, because I don't wear them and she wants to hang out in Hammock Town all the time. 

She is super fun and I am grateful for this time we get together!

Prepping

 

I've been really into prepping lately. 

Every bit of produce that comes out of the garden, I am saving in some way. 

I even experimented and made zucchini flour and then made pancakes out of the flour. 

It was kind of cool that it worked but I wasn't in love with it. 

I've frozen broccoli, peas, cauliflower, rhubarb and kale. 

I've made jam and rhubarb BBQ sauce. 

I've dried chamomile for tea. 

I riced the cauliflower before freezing it because I am a weirdo and LOVE putting it in my morning oatmeal. 

It's been really fun to learn lots of new things and I am making big plans for the garden next year. 

I would love to get to a point where I can grow enough vegetables to have a full year supply. 

Only eat what we grow vegetable wise! 

The fruit will come too. 

We have apple trees, honey berry and blueberry bushes and cherry bushes. 

I want to get a few more fruiting plants. 

I basically have loved being in the garden this year.

Part of me wishes I could just be barefoot in the garden until the snow comes back. 

 

Anchorage Stake Girls Camp

 

I love each one of these faces more than I can really say. 

I got to speak at girls camp for them last night. 

They were so excited to see me and I was so excited to see them. 

They ran up to my car as I parked and opened the door. 

We all hugged it out for a while. 

I love them each so much. 

I don't think words can adequately express how much them mean to me and how grateful I am that I get to be in their lives. 

I am in the presence of greatness!

Camp was wonderful- as it always is! 

I was really emotional as I drove away because I was filled with so much gratitude and love. 

I feel like I might be the most blessed person on the planet. 

 

The Babies are Back and a Giant Sunflower

 

Jessie, Andi and Atticus all arrived today.

They are staying with us until their house that they are going to move into gets remodeled. 

I love these cute faces and am so happy to have them in our home for a little while. 

And we harvested a little broccoli and my giant sunflower is HUGE!!!

I just love summer. 

 

Temple with Rissa D

 

After I took this picture I sent it to Marissa. 

I think we look old. 

It's happening and we can't even stop it!

I love that she was willing to go to the temple with me today. 

She is truly my best friend after Matt. 

I am so grateful that God gave me her as a sister! 

Another Solo Hike

 I needed to clear my head. 

Thoughts of Jamie and Jake have weighed heavily.

Struggles with some of my children as well. 

I was feeling weighed down. 

Plus there are a MILLION weeds growing outside that all need to be picked and my hands keep going numb because I am pulling so many weeds. 

I just needed a moment. 

So I went to the place that brings peace to my soul. 

And I walked to a spot away from all the people. 

And I laid on a rock in the sun. 

And I could see the moisture in the air, which was weird.

And I refueled.

How grateful I am that I know where to go and Who to go to do that. 

Feeling better now. 

 

Sunday Adventure

 

It was just the boys and I today. 

I wanted to check out the missile silos that my sister, Carrie told me about. 

We took a minute to find them and the trail back to them was probably more than a mile, but it was totally worth it.

I love exploring and I love it more when I get to do it with people I love.