Yesterday was a busy day, filled with doctor's appointments and shopping. That type of busyness, I can do without. I greatly dislike crowds, and I especially dislike driving when traffic is heavy. But today was a busy day of a different sort; today was filled with activity at home. And those are the days I love!
This morning after breakfast, I left the children with Chris for a few moments and ducked over to my mom's house (she lives only a few blocks away) to go through her box of vintage patterns. She kindly let me take home some patterns for children and babies, which I can't wait to try out!
She also gave me some kits for designing my own patterns, for children's clothes, and women's skirts and shirts. I'm really looking forward to examining these more closely. Because while I love the idea of designing my own clothes, I think at least for now I need a bit of assistance in this area!
Our dryer broke down today, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because it forced me to hang the laundry outside. Normally I feel like I don't have the time, and besides, I don't have much line and it's hard to cram everything on--but today I did hang all the laundry, and it was wonderful! It was so hot today that even towels were bone dry in about an hour and a half. So I was able to dry two loads this afternoon in our very small yard.
In the kitchen this afternoon, I made some homemade granola bars which are just delicious--I plan on sharing the recipe here once I perfect it. And I made up another batch of homemade bread. After that, I whipped up some chocolate pudding for dessert, some chocolate popsicles for tomorrow, and put a chicken in the oven to roast. (Let me tell you, our house smelled awesome with bread, and chicken stuffed with onions and fresh rosemary in the oven!)
After supper (and a delicious one it was), Kira took her brothers to the park while I cleaned up the dishes. Then I put Amy in the stroller (it was too hot for the wrap) and went for a walk myself. I have to say, I enjoy walking with a baby in the stroller...because I get to look at those tiny baby toes all the way!
(Don't worry, she wasn't chewing on the daisy, she was chewing on her fingers.)
I went over to the far corner of the park, where last year I picked some black raspberries growing wild, and sure enough they are still there. And still, all the mosquitoes in this part of town are seemingly congregating on those bushes! So I picked as many as I dared, and then joined my other children over at the play structure so we could munch on the berries together.
On days like this, filled with baking, fun with the children, and domestic tasks, I feel so happy and blessed to be living the life I am. Dedicating my days to being a good wife, mother, and homemaker is deeply satisfying to my soul. Like the poem in my sidebar says: "Very close to home the great joys are."
oh my GOODNESS that baby is squishably sweet!!!
Posted by: Amy McGregor | July 5, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Sounds lovely Laura.
As of late I have been baking a lot as well. Haying season means men need to be fed three square meals and they are hungry. I will enjoy seeing your granola bar recipe. I like to try different recipes.
Thank-you for your email last month. Pure craziness around here. Wish I could say all good, but............ life goes on.
Marlyn
Oh and the mosquitoes are so bad up here this year I can't get into my garden until 10:30am and have to be out by 4pm or I don't stand a chance. they are bad even in the sun this year.
Posted by: Marlyn | July 5, 2011 at 10:43 PM
I love roast chicken! Not only is it extremely delicious but the leftovers are so versatile. They can be frozen in broth or reused fresh in salad, soup, stew and my favourite - hot chicken sandwiches with extra gravy on home made bread!
Posted by: Shannon | July 8, 2011 at 11:53 AM
Gotta love days like that, when everything seems to come together. -I've copied the poem in your side bar and posted it on my fridge!
Posted by: Leah | July 8, 2011 at 01:32 PM
I also dislike crowds- and I love home days best too. :)
You really do have the same berries as us! They're wonderful, aren't they? I'm not sure we'll get enough for jam, they ripen in smallish groups at a time. We're enjoying eating them, though and I think we'll begin to freeze some.
I love vintage children's patterns!
Posted by: Melanie~ Our Ash Grove | July 10, 2011 at 08:19 PM
Your bread is wonderful ~ I love it when I can stay home and accomplish fun task like making bread and even hanging laundry. Anything but riding in a car.
Posted by: Only in Louisiana - documenting the adventures we call life | July 11, 2011 at 07:43 PM