This is new!

Apparently, this is where we're now keeping the sippy cups.

A Day in the Life

I had a suggestion to write a post (including pictures!) of a day in our household. Yesterday I tried to make note and photograph most of what I did during the day. I hope I can remember everything! I know I forgot to take pictures a few times.

Upon waking yesterday morning, I aired the beds, dressed in my walking attire, then dressed and cleaned up my Sidekick. Once we got downstairs, DS headed for his toys and I hopped online to check my e-mail for a few minutes. The Little Guy and I had breakfast and I had a phone call from a friend.

I fell behind on laundry over the weekend. I blame the weatherman because he had predicted thunderstorms for Saturday, so I was afraid to hang out the laundry. Wouldn't you know it, Saturday was fine and Sunday was foul, and as a result by Monday morning I was facing Mt. Laundry!

I sorted and started the first load and while DS ran around I straightened up the table and washed the dishes.

The kitchen was a disaster too after a busy weekend. Somehow the Sunday paper, half read, always manages to take over the table. I reshelved some books while I waited for the washer to finish its cycle.

We hung out the first load of laundry and DS ran around picking flowers and playing in his climbing cube. I started the second load and while the wash was washing, we went for our walk!

Once we returned home, I hung the second load of wash outside. Once we came back in the house, I nursed the Little Guy and read a few blogs and updated mine. After that, we headed upstairs so I could take a shower and make the beds.

We came back downstairs for lunch. After lunch, I made the hummingbird nectar and set it in the fridge to cool. While it was cooling, I started the diapers in the washer. DS and I had some playtime, and I tried unsuccessfully to get him down for a nap. After hanging the diapers to dry in the sun, we came inside to test the new breadmaker (Honey Wheat)!

Once the breadmaker was started, the nectar was cool enough to hang back outside. It seemed like my Sidekick had decided against a nap, I did a quick clean of the downstairs bathroom then we hauled ourselves upstairs to do a deep-clean of the upstairs bathroom.

By the time I had finished that (DS watched from his swing), it was 4:00 and I was pooped! We settled on the couch to read Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and then Moo, Baa, La La La. I can't remember exactly what we did after that, but I know I eventually wandered in to the kitchen to start thinking about supper.

Around 5:00, DH came home very excited because the new ignitor we had ordered for the oven came in! He decided to fix it while I made supper (French Toast, ham, and fruit). I had scrambled around earlier in the day for something that didn't require the use of my oven since it hasn't been heating for the past week or so.

He was victorious in no time at all! Yay! After supper, I cleaned up the kitchen and DH and DS played the organ for a little while. I retrieved the wash from outside to fold.

By that time, the bread was done and we just had to sample it! Not bad for the first attempt with a new breadmaker!

We relaxed on the couch for a little while and had some ice cream then I checked my e-mail one more time then took the Little Guy upstairs to get him ready for bed. I folded the laundry and put it away in between nursing DS down for bed (several times).

After that it was time for my bedtime routine and sleep-- at least until the next time DS woke to nurse!

Recipe Box

This beautiful recipe box was a birthday gift from my sister. She filled it with some new recipe cards and sleeves to protect them. I can hardly wait to move my recipes over! The box was handmade by a Mennonite girl who was only six years old at the time!

Before and After, August 20-??

I didn't get very far with my "before and after" project last week, but this week I am determined. I was probably a little too ambitious, but this entire room has been bugging me. I'm trying to create a workable toy rotation and storage system for all of the Little Guy's toys. This is technically our dining room, but we're using the space as a family room.

Here's what the situation looks like currently:

In a few days, I should have very different pictures to share!

Commitment to Loveliness, August 26

Emma is hosting another Commitment to Loveliness! Here is my list for the week:

1. Finish organizing and storing toys.
2. Finish planning DS's "curriculum" for the school year so we're ready to start next week.
3. Try two new recipes in the bread machine.
4. Write letters to a few friends I haven't seen or talked to in a while.
5. Practice patience.

A Step Back in Time

I've lost my yearbook from my last year of elementary school, but my mother managed to locate our class picture and had it framed for my birthday.

Who can spot my husband and me?

(Bonus points to any classmates who can ID some of the kids in this picture. Neither DH nor I can remember a few names! AJC? Help!)

Summer of the Marigold

In the Spring when I was planting my flowers, I had two marigolds, an allysum, and an impatien left over. I really had no one to put them, so I planted them all together in the planter outside the kitchen door. They all flourished, but one of the marigolds kind of took over!

I promise you, that is all ONE plant!