This & That

We have a 30% chance of rain here and there for the next few days, so I went out to the garden this morning and scattered some seeds of Marigolds, Carrots and Radishes, in the raised garden beds. 

I'm settling into the comfort zone of having a smaller garden and less work. 

On the average day I spend 15-30 minutes pulling a few weeds, mulching up the soil, and adjusting the sprinkler heads. I have a timer on the faucet, sorta like a kitchen timer, that I turn to whatever amount of time the plants need watering, and then it shuts off automatically. 

I'm coming to terms in regards to my limitations as to what I can, and cannot, accomplish. 

Our local farmer's Market, and surrounding road side fields, have been filled to the brim with all sorts of local berries. 

A Summertime favorite here at Girasole Farm is Blackberry pie...

Fresh berries...

Homemade pie crust...

YUMMY pie! 

I made some yummy Blueberry muffins too--- (sorry no pictures) 

and while I was in the baking mode, I made some homemade pizza too...

I'm not really sure what happened, but I started to take pictures of the pizza process, but apparently only got as far as the recipe. hmmmm  

My nephew, my sisters boy, graduated from High School this year, so we headed to the Bay Area last weekend for a graduation party!    

Whaoo---- I took 2, as in  t.w.o., pictures-

Bubbles

(my sister was obsessed with the bubble machine)

and Miss Mia swinging in her night clothes, with crazy morning hair.

Way to go...NOT... 

I just couldn't find the picture inspiration, which I now regret. boo-hoo

But I can say we all had a great time, and the memories will just have to stay in my heart. 

I've been sewing, and spending lots of time outside. 

The weather has been just lovely. 

Caveman and I are still working on the back porch addition. 

Last night we finished the plumbing for the water, and the line for the electrical. 

It's been a slower process than I would have liked, but Caveman has been working 73.5 hours a week. 

That's right!

 6am-6pm Mon-Fri, and 6-2:30 on Saturdays and Sundays. 

And yes, he is TIRED, really tired. 

(we're not as young as we used to be)

I hope this afternoon/evening we are able to level the gravel and set the re-bar.

That should just about finish up our part.

We have hired someone to do the concrete pour and finishing. 

As far as the roof to cover the addition, it will probably have to wait until our slower time in the Fall.

Speaking of the Fall... we will be Grandparents again! 

Tonya is having BABY # 3! 

due to arrive in November.

We get very excited about every baby that gets to join our family. 

That will make 4 Gran-babies....

we already have 3 gran-baby girls...maybe a ... boy?

Tonya will find out next month. 

Be good to yourself.

Even if that means accepting your own limitations. 

I know, for me, that I cannot DO IT ALL. 

The Girasole Lady

The First Monday In January

Monday....

Caveman is gone to work. 

I miss him. 

Today I'll be sewing.

It's foggy outside. 

Tonight for dinner...

Au Gratin Potatoes

Bratwurst Sausage

Salad

Promptly served at 4 O'Clock.

Have a really good day.

The Girasole Lady

Frosty Mornings

We've enjoyed some great Sunshine this week, and I am loving the break from the rain. 

The mornings have been COLD.

I wished I would have gotten out earlier this morning for picture taking,

but this is what I got...

Frozen Bird Bath

Irish Shamrock

                                                                                                                 

Yarrow

My Sister and two of her boys, baby Justin and Ryan, have been here visiting all this past week. 

We've had great days of Sunshine, and have been able to get the kids out to play. 

As always, we're having a wonderful Holiday together. 

Enjoying time, and of course good food, at everyone's different homes. 

Tonight is the last family dinner together before she heads back to the City tomorrow.

We'll be hanging out at my Mom's all day and having chicken tacos for dinner tonight. 

I love these days spent together. 

Caveman goes back to work on Monday, after having almost 7 weeks off. 

We really enjoy the time we have together, especially not having any schedule what so ever. 

It's the pay-off we enjoy after him working 

All the Days Of Summer

Monday morning I will be sorting and re-organizing my craft/sewing room and getting it ready for a project.

I've learned that I am most happy when I have some sort of a project going.

I have decided this year that I want to quilt more. 

I have quilted lots in the past, and am feeling a renewed energy for it. 

My first goal is to make each of my girls a quilt for their Birthday this year. 

( I had planned on doing it for Christmas, but well... the time thing was getting away from me)

Yes-I had to tell them because I wanted them to pick out the pattern/fabric. 

I better get started too- as Kristina is first up, with her Birthday in February. 

Yesterday when I wrote about my family, I forgot to mention that Beth writes about her 

 life HERE...

she only writes about 4 times a year... but it's well worth the wait. 

Leave her a comment- she'll love it!

Have a wonderful day.

The Girasole Lady

Family

This is my FAMILY...

This is Caveman

(my husband)

I've been married to him TWICE...

(another story for another time...maybe)

Papa and Laci

&

Papa and Mia

These are OUR daughters...

Tonya...

and her girls Laci & Mia

(Summer 2012/Santa Cruz)

Tonya & Aletha

(Aletha is actually my cousin)

I really, really like this picture of them together...

(Thanksgiving 2012)

Tonya is married to Ryan, and she talks about her FAMILY HERE

Ryan & Laci

(Christmas 2012)

Kristina is married to Myles

and they just had Baby Harper...

 Baby Harper arrived just in time for Christmas

December 22nd

 She just couldn't wait to join our crazy family...

 I don't have very many pictures of her...YET...

AWE- My girl Beth

(she'll always be the baby in my heart)

Beth says to me the other day, "Mom, you don't have very many pictures of me."

ha- yes I do...

Beth & David have been together for a long time, 

I think about 8-9 years. 

 David is a Fireman/EMT

Beth & Laci

(Thanksgiving 2012)

Random Laci & Mia pictures....

Family...

My family would not be complete without my Sister..

(Santa Cruz/Summer 2012)

I love You all so very, very much.  

The Girasole Lady

myself

All The Days Of Summer

Indian Summer last a long time here in Northern California.

In Summer... all the days feel the same.

Caveman works at a job that requires him to work 7 days a week from around July 4th to late September.
Yes- even Sundays. I love when people ask me 'even Sundays?', yes- even Sundays, as it is one of the days of the week. This year the long days of overtime started in early Spring, and were 12 hours days, but since July they have been 8 hours days.

Since I left my 'office job' last year, the days of Summer are just days, no weekends or week days. Half the time I never know if it's a Tuesday or a Saturday, as it makes no difference one way or the other. I can't say that is a bad thing, it's just the way it is.

In addition to keeping a tidy and organized home, I keep up with all the watering and outside chores myself. I work harder physically than I ever did sitting at a desk in my office chair all day, I love that most about my stay at home job.

I love that when I am done with chores, time permitting, I am able to sew, craft, or bake.

Being home full time is a privilege, and certainly one I do not take for granted. 

There was a time, not so long ago, for many years, that this wasn't an option for me, for us.  

This is a personal choice, and it works for our life together.

 I love most that Caveman allows me this opportunity to take care of our life here at home, inside and outside.

 I'm not so sure he was convinced, when I decided to leave my previous job, that having me home full time was going to make all that much of a difference, but I can tell you it certainly has. As for Caveman, well, he is sincerely happier having me home, meals are cooked, shopping, cleaning, and laundry is done, occasionally a pie is baked and ready for him when he comes home. Call me old fashioned (don't worry, for me there is no higher compliment), but having something for Caveman to eat at the end of his work day is the least I can do to show my appreciation for his financial contribution to this life we live together. Sure, there are times it gets crazy, maybe the gran-babies have been here all day, I was out in town for most of the day, or I was involved in a sewing or crafting frenzy, and dinner wasn't planned for the evening. Caveman is OK with that too, some evenings dinner is as simple as grabbing some cucumbers, tomatoes, corn from the garden, and serving it with some bread.

There is a peace and contentment in our home that surpasses anything money could ever buy.
 I've been asked, 'Do you have children at home.?' No, not now, we are 'empty nesters', but we have 'us'. I love being a wife and a Grammy at home, yes- even on Sundays.

The Girasole Lady