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

A "Yummy" Quilt

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind of events. 

Tonight I am tired, and somewhat ready to settle down.

My Sis went home this morning, and as always it leaves me feeling a little blue. 

Before she left we enjoyed a big family breakfast together at my Mom's house.

After saying our good-bye's to each other, Beth and I headed up to Paradise to 

Morning Star Quilts 

for some fabric/quilt shopping. 

The weather today was cold and gray and I was glad when I finally got home 

to have a cup of hot tea and enjoy a warm fire. 

This is the quilt pattern/colors I am using for Kristina's quilt. 

This pattern is "Yummy"

by Jaybird Quilts

This quilt will be a lap size when finished. 

Tomorrow is Sunday, and it will be the first 'real' Sunday in a long time. As I mentioned yesterday, Caveman will be returning to work on Monday. 

Tomorrow's plans, hopefully, will consist of a early morning trip to the grocery store, and then just hanging out at home relaxing and enjoying our last day together. 

I do plan on getting somewhat organized so that I can possibly start sewing on this quilt either tomorrow or Monday. 

My other goal for the next few weeks is to have dinner ready by 4 O'clock ish. 

I'll try to plan Slow Cooker meals. 

Typically, I'm not one for making resolutions (why set myself up for failure),

but this year there are a few things I would like to improve on...

1. Be more understanding.

2. Live a more simple life. 

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

Sisters- This One's For You Fire Ball...

To:  Fire Ball

From:  Skippy

This is my sister, Jen, she was born when I was 15 years old.  

 This is her newest son, Justin. Jen has 3 boys, Brandon-17, Ryan-7, Justin-3months. 

When I was 17 and she was 2, I got married. Shortly after I married my Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister moved 180 miles away, back to the Bay Area. Though we saw each other frequently, usually once a month or so, we never created a sister bond between us. Rather Jen was more to me like one of my own daughters. 

Circa 1982

When my sister Jen was 5 years old, I had my first daughter, Tonya. In the above picture- Jen is on the far left, she was 7 then.  Kristina is in the middle, she was 1, and then Tonya, she was 2.

She played with my daughters, and my relationship with her was mother-like.
As a matter of fact she was more of a sister to my girls. They grew up together creating the memories that sisters often do. There were camping trips, Country Fairs, bicycle riding, playing at parks, trips to the zoo, swimming, eating ice cream outside on hot Summer days, and lots of sleep overs.

When Tonya was 7, and Kristina was 5, I had my third daughter, (1986) Beth. 

Tonya and Kristina came to see me in the hospital when Beth was born. 

When Beth was born she joined the circle of sisterhood. 

I continued to be a second mother to my sister. 

As time passed, Jen and I lived very different lives. While Jen grew up in the big city, I was safe in my country life tending to my family. 

For so many years I couldn't grasp her lifestyle and she thought mine one of mere simplicity and dullness. 

During those years we never talked much. She stopped coming to the country to visit, only on rare occasion,  and when we traveled to the city for a visit, she was busy with her social activities and had little time to hang out with us anymore. 

Time just moved on, as it always does. 

One Summer (1999) my safe content country life fell apart. 

(Caveman - yes the same one I now share my life with-walked away from me and the life we created, after 22 yrs of being together. We divorced /2000, and re-married /2005/ 5 years later. Another story for another time.)

I don't remember how or when it happened but I called my sister, who was then 25. She had been married and divorced herself, with a 5 year old son, and I needed someone to talk to. She listened while I cried my heart out. She never judged me and I never judged her, we just listened to each other. We talked almost every day, she was my confidant, and we talked about unspeakable things. Somehow the gap between us vanished, as if it never existed, and for the first time in my life I had a sister, a real sister. 

Jen pleaded with me to come to the Bay Area for a visit. I had never spent time with her since she lived on her own. I desperately needed to get away, away from the small country town, where is seemed everybody knows everybody, and everything. I couldn't wait to get out of town and head to the city where no one knew me, or my story.  I packed my bags, and Beth and I headed out for the 3 hour drive ahead. 

Jen decided she was taking me out on the town, in true "city life" style. 

This is us together getting ready for our very first "sisters" date. 

One of many, many, to follow. 

Jen was 26, I was 41. 

Summer of 2000

Oh- the times we had. 

(umm... stories never to be revealed)

The city became my grown-up play ground with my sister by my side.  

The stories from the city never traveled to the small country town. 

  

I love you Sis. 

I love that we can tell each other anything. 

I love that we can call each other and if we're not in the mood to talk, we can just say it, and agree that we'll chat later. I love that we can just sit on the porch swing, eating Corn Chex, not saying a word to each other at all, then get up to leave and feel as though we both just had the best time. I love that we don't care about money or things, and that family is all that matters. I love that we both agree NEVER to combine your telephone, cable or internet services, because when you only have a couple of nickles to rub together you want to have a choice of which one to keep for the month. I love you because if we only had a dollar, we'd split in in half and be happy with 50 cents.

 I love you too because you are a sister to my daughters as well. 

I love you because one day we're gonna take that Road Trip together that we've always talked about. 

When we do, the world better look out because FireBall and Skippy will be on the road together. No plans, just where ever the wind takes us, wild and free, following the sun during the day and the moon at night. Who knows Fire Ball, we just may end up in White Rock. 

Love- Skippy

p.s. see you tomorrow sis

The Girasole Lady