Nagging At Myself

All these thoughts swirling around in my head, could quiet possibly disappear, if I don't stop and take the time out to  journal about them. 

I've nagged, and nagged, myself about this for weeks. 

I've, once again, declined to a New Year's Resolution. 

About the only thing I accomplish is, when I do so, is to simply set myself up for failure. 

Instead, I always keep trying to better myself from one day to the next. 

There has been sewing....

This is a dress I made for Mia. 

The fabric is Riley Blake

Enchantment/ Cinderberry Stitches by Natalie Lymer 

-front-

I am working on dresses for Laci and Harper too. 

Same style, different fabric choices. 

-back-

The inspiration for this dress comes from a unique line of children's clothing, Matilda Jane. 

I adore the Matilda Jane dresses, but they are very, very, pricey. 

Matilda Jane offers a dress,  the 'Knot Dress' , and this is my version of it. 

I'm working on a quilt just for ME! 

The blocks are almost done, I will be adding another border around each block 

before placing them all together. 

 I'm also working on two new quilts, one for Laci, and one for Mia. 

They have outgrown their 'baby' blankets, at least in size, they can hardly cover themselves up with them. 

The new quilts are 'big girl' size. 

The back is super soft Minky.

The front rose print flannel is Westminster Fabric, 

Sugar Hill/Scattered Roses by Tanya Whalen.

As far as sewing goes, I have several irons in the fire, so to speak. 

Ya know- I love it. Switching from this project to that project. 

There's been a Bon-Fire with the Gran-babies. 

 Laci told me she was a 'gatherer'.

Sitting by the fire time.

Snacking on crackers.

 Apparently eating a cracker is serious business...

and so is fire watching. 

That night Laci and Mia spent the night here with Grammy and Papa. 

These are the moments I want to freeze in my heart and mind, the ones when the magic is so intense, it's almost unbelievable. 

This time, this now, when everything feels just so very, very, right with all the world. 

This year our little family will be growing and changing once again. 

In June we will be gaining another Son-in-law.

In August we will be gaining yet another, #5, Gran-BABY!!!  

Little Harper will be a BIG sister...

All in all, life is good.

I'm fully aware at just how blessed I truly am. 

The Girasole Lady

Remembering November, and Other Thoughts

If one word could described November for me,
 it's Plenty. 

*We had the precious addition of a Gran-SON, yes a BOY, on the 13th.  

Noah Bryce Edwards. 

*Mia had a trip to the ER for respiratory distress, Bronchitis.
she's fully recovered and feeling like her perfect self now

*All the Gran-kids had been sick with colds. 

*I've been watching Harper 4 days a week, she's BUSY and has learned to WALK.
She will be a year old on the 22nd!!!

*I almost warded off two attempts of the cold virus attack on myself, which sadly ended in a relentless cough for 2 weeks. 

*My baby, Beth, turned 27 on the 12th. 

*My sis, Jen, came for a weekend visit (pre-Thnksgiving) the first weekend in November.
Together we put up 3 batches of Pomegranate jam.

*I planned and executed a very successful Thanksgiving Turkey meal,

 -cooking for somewhere around 20ish adults and 6 babies-

*I cooked 2 turkeys this year- one 23lb and another 12lb
(which we demolished for turkey sandwiches on Friday) 

*I repeated the same hustle and bustle for a Saturday Ham meal.  

*Not only were the usual family members able to be with us this year, we had an extra special visit from my cousin, his beautiful wife, and their adorable 6 month old baby girl. 

*My brother, sis in law, two nephews, and my Sis in laws Mom, were able to join us this year as well.

*I cooked.

*I cleaned. 

*I took care of people.

*It's what I do. 

*It's who I am.  

*We finished the back porch addition, just in time for all the festivities, 

the weather was amazing, and we were able to fully enjoy the extra space outdoors for socializing and eating. 

*Our home was filled with love, laughter,and loved ones, making memories to last a lifetime. 

*I couldn't have asked for more. 

*Well maybe except, that I have absolutely NO pictures of any the above.
It just wasn't in me this year to take the extra time out for picture taking.
-unless you count the turkey brine in the stock pot that I made on Tuesday evening-

I started out with the best of intentions...
 Yep- it's true.

Right after Thanksgiving the weather turned COLD...

It seems each year in November I spend a fair amount of time in thought to myself.

I thought about how the last two plus years have been at home since leaving my office job...

I thought how I'd noticed the shadows in my home, as the sun changes them from day to day, especially in the late afternoons. Something I had not taken the time to notice while I was busy working.
I know that must sound a little weird, but in the absolute quiet and stillness
(you know that moment that rarely happens)
I notice how the inside looks, all the while barely noticing it for so many years.

I thought about sewing, quilting, gardening, books, and my family and all the babies that surround my daily life.
That how when I left my job I had only one gran-baby, and now I have FOUR.
Laci-4
Mia-3
Harper-1
Noah- 1 mo.
It's only been 2 1/2 years since then.

I thought about people who have passed through my life,
some staying that I thought would go,
and others drifting that I thought would never leave.
Sometimes, it's painful.
 I learned that this year.
It's ok, I'm ok too.

I thought about some changes I would like to make for myself.
Not big, just small things.

Learning that I just cannot be ALL the things.
Each night I pray for kindness, patience, and compassion.
Each day striving to do better than the day before. 

I thought about spiritual things....
am I religious person?- No I am not
am I a spiritual person?-yes I am
Is there a difference?
To me there is..
I personally do not feel the need for an external validation of my spirituality.
Does that make me a bad person? - No-
It makes me a quiet person...

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands. 
~1 Thess. 4:11

The Girasole Lady

This Fall

This Fall, so far, lots of things have been happening here at Girasole Farm. 

We are patiently awaiting the arrival of Gran-baby #4- a BOY! 

I suspect he will make his grand entrance this week or next. 

We're still working on the back porch addition, finishing up the roof. We have the posts set and the cross beams up. It's been a work in progress that's for sure. 

Caveman's last day of work for the year is November 15th, and he will return to work on January 6th. 

This is the time of year when the long, long, work days of Summer really pay off. YAY! 

We've collected wood from the mountains, and officially had our first fire in the wood stove just a few days ago. 

 I spent a day baking a cake with Laci and Mia. 

I can cook a mean pie, but cake..well... 

I'm not so good. 

I can certainly make a tasty cake, but let's just say there is severe lack in presentation.  

In my cookbook obsession, I purchased this book on cakes...

Most of the recipes make nice small 6" cakes. 

The pans used are 6" round, 3" deep, although the only pans I could find were 2"deep. 

Isn't that cake on the cover lovely?

Simple, clean, and beautiful. 

That's what I tried to achieve...

but it didn't turn out so well...

Yummy none the less. 

I had positively adorable helpers...

Mia

Laci

We had a really great time together! 

That is what really mattered. 

Then there was Halloween...

 which consisted of a Butterfly
(Laci)

A Little Stinker Skunk

                                                                                                                    (Harper)

                                                                          A Ladybug

(Mia)

 Ryan, Tonya,

Laci and Mia

Kristina and Harper. 

In other non-pictured news-

Cousin Aletha came for a visit. 

I put up 3 batches of Pomegranate jam.

I painted  and re-decorated the Hall bathroom.

My sis and her boys came for a unexpected, Pre-Thanksgiving visit, this past weekend. 

My head is swirling with all sorts of ideas for Thanksgiving.

We are blessed enough to have some extra special family coming to be with us this year. 

My home will be full of family, friends, and LOTS of babies this year. 

Our hearts, as always, will be filled of  love, contentment, and peace. 

I see skies of blue, 
And clouds of white. 
The bright blessed day, 
The dark sacred night. 
And I think to myself, What a wonderful world. 

-Louis Armstrong-

The Girasole Lady

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

Sleep Over

On Saturday afternoon the girls came to Grammy & Papa's for a sleep over. 

It's the first time we have had both the girls here for a sleep over since Mia was born. 

When Mia was born with CDH,

 Laci lived with us for almost a month while her mommy and daddy were staying at UCD with baby Mia. 

I wasn't sure if the girls would really end up sleeping over, but they did, and everyone had a great time. 

We ALL slept on the living room floor on a makeshift bed.

The girls snuggled with Grammy and Papa and drifted off to sleep.

Mia woke up about 2AM, and was a little confused, but snuggled up with me and was fine. 

Although I might mention that she was awake off and on until after 4AM, at which point I fixed her a bottle and snuggled up with her on the reclining couch and we dozed together until morning. 

Yes, indeed, it is our job as Grammy & Papa to spoil the babies all we want. 

We spoiled them even more with a kid 'friendly' breakfast. 

Breakfast started with plain shaved ice

and cake pops! 

(aka- a donut hole with a toothpick inserted)

 Oh goodness- my kitchen is a mess. 

Special order pancakes....

a Puppy for Laci

(hand 'carved' by Papa)

and a heart for Mia

I love that our gran-babies are close enough to us to feel the comfort of 'home' here with us. 

I can't wait until Harper is old enough to join in on the fun as well. 

I have to admit I was exhausted by the time Laci & Mia went home Sunday afternoon,

But it was so worth it.

Spoiling is a tough job.

The Girasole Lady 

Baking

I Love being a Grammy and spending time with the girls doing "Grammy" things. 

Saturday when Laci & Mia were here we decided to bake cupcakes. 

Laci loves to sit on the counter and help. I started setting her up on the counter with me when I bake since she was about a year and a half old. 

Mia is almost old enough to join in on top of the counter as well. 

For now she is happy to eat an empty ice cream cone and hang out.

SPRINKLES are very important when you are 3 and helping with the cupcakes.

I'm sure more sprinkles were eaten than were 

actually put on the cupcakes. 

I love theses days. 

The Girasole Lady