7 Quick Takes

--- 1 ---

Today is the first/introductory meeting for Women of Grace at my parish.  In the past, I've been quite involved with the women's study groups.  This year, I'm taking a much needed break and am only helping set up childcare.  It feels good, yet very different and somewhat removed.  The women leading the group are amazing and the work will be fruitful.  The response to offering the program has been wonderful and more than expected signed up for the study.  I just know I won't be able to attend as often ... maybe it has something to do with being pregnant and living 100 miles away, now!!

--- 2 ---

I am craving Chocolate Frosted Maple Cookies.  Since it rained last night, I'm hoping that Dash or Angelina will want to do some baking today.  Besides, we could use some home-made treats in the house again.

--- 3 ---

I plan to have the kids clear out most of their square foot gardens this weekend.  We'll dry out the onions (red and yellow) for storage.  Angelina's peas have needed to be composted for at least a week; the rain has held us back from clearing them.  Graham, 6yo,  has taken it upon himself to be responsible for picking strawberries and raspberries in Grandma Green Acres' gardens while they are on vacation.  Last night, his dad helped him pick and they came back with enough raspberries to make a cream-covered bowl for breakfast.

--- 4 ---

The first full-schedule week of school has gone well.  Dash is adjusting to the extra work involved with being a 7th grader; Angelina is usually done early and off to her room to read; and Zeke's reading is improving.  He drags his feet a bit with Sound Beginnings, but he does well ... maybe if we tried doing that subject first??

--- 5 ---

My sister and her son (3.5 mo) are coming for a visit next week while our husbands work booths at Big Iron.  The kids and I plan to attend the event (free admission and parking) on the last day.  The boys love to see the equipment and spend the afternoon with Dad.  I'm not sure how Angelina feels about the experience, but she's never complained about being included.

--- 6 ---

The number of frogs and salamanders around the farm is incredible.  We have a pail in front of the garage for toads and frogs the kids have collected - complete with large rocks for sunning.  I had to remind the kids to wash their hands after picking up the salamanders (I seem to remember they have a poisonous secretion??).  I don't remember seeing this many salamanders since I was a kid in the 70's.  The kids found about nine in our window-wells earlier this week.  Did you know they can climb up cement??

--- 7 ---

I was woken up by a very loud thunder & lightning storm this morning at about 3a.  I'm always amazed that my hubby can sleep through these storms!  He eventually did get woken up by a particularly loud clap of thunder ... wish I had that ability to sleep.  The rain means I will probably NOT be picking the last of the corn today; I have a feeling it would be a bit too wet and muddy amid the rows.

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