The Fishing Pond

Our sweet Jack turned 5!
We can't always throw big parties, so many of our birthdays are spent in a simple way.
Our family has a fun tradition that the birthday boy or girl gets their choice of breakfast and dinner...and Mom makes them a special cake!
I have had some pretty amazing requests for cake. Last year, Tim wanted a chocolate cake with pudding.
It was sooo delicious.
We also try to do something fun as a family.

Jack wanted to fish, of course, with his new pole.

We found the prettiest little pond and I couldn't help but capture the day with my camera...

 Looking for the perfect spot.

 The happy fisherman with his new birthday pole:).

 First fish!

 Lily's cast...into the trees:).

{Queen Anne's Lace}

 There was a pretty area around back that is a wildlife sanctuary with beautiful trails and gorgeous flowers!

{Wild Iris}

The birthday boy with Mama....doing his famous "cheese."

What a happy day to celebrate our sweet Jack.

Wishing you a wonderful day filled with simple memories:).

~Julia

Garden Markers

There are so many neat ways to mark your garden plants.

This year, though, I was looking for a simple and easy way to mark my rows quickly.

I saw this idea on Homestead Revival and knew I had my solution!

Clothes pins, a permanent marker or ball point pen, and thin dowels or thin branches from a tree are all you will need.

They look so sweet AND they don't blow away in the wind!
I think I will add them to my herb garden.
You could use them in all kinds of places in the garden: whether row planting, square foot gardening, or group plantings.
Simple and sweet:).

Coming up, I will be showing you how I plant my pumpkins...there is hardly ANY weeding involved!!

Have a great day!

~Julia

Because Life is Too Short to Not Make It Worthwhile

Do you ever feel like the older you get, the faster time seems to slip by?

There are some weeks that I feel like only 3 days have passed and it is already Sunday.

Lately, I am feeling like I need to focus more on the vital things in life.

My actions, words, choices...are they fostering a foundation that will last in my children?

Sometimes, I feel like the days just go by too quickly and I've missed out on opportunities to really...completely ...slow down and fully "be there."

If you are a Mom, I am sure you know what I mean.

There are a gazillion other thoughts bubbling in your head at the very moment you are trying to talk about a school project or friendship, making a sandwich, and emptying the dishwasher {because there are no plates in the cupboard}.

We multitask.

I do it well, but more recently I have heard my kids saying, "Mom did you REALLY hear me?"

Ugh. Nope.

I was making a PBJ and thinking of what I needed to do next, or on the computer...again.

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin."

~Mother Teresa

So why not?

Why not begin today spending more time doing the things that are worthwhile...

that count.

Dropping everything to spend time doing something that your kids want...

to make memories.

Smiling at them.

Doing something a little extra to show your spouse you love him most.

Because one day it will just be the two of you:).

Listening...

listening...

to the quiet.

So you can hear HIM.

"Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God speaks in the silence of the heart."

~Mother Teresa

Because all that you do for your family is creating a legacy.

Your legacy.

Motherhood is the highest calling in life.

These gifts to us...we only have a very small window to form their hearts and minds.

What will your children remember?

What actions and responses to life and all of its ups and downs will THEY emulate in their own families when they grow up?

Because it all gets passed down.

"Speak tenderly to them. Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a cheerful smile. Don't only give your care, but your heart as well."

~Mother Teresa

So today...not tomorrow...I want to begin.

Simple as that.

Time moves fast, but it is precious...and short.

And I enjoy it oh so much!

{I think that pig is smiling!}

Today I choose joy, I choose gratefulness, I choose truth, and I choose love.
I choose to forgive all of those problems around me.
I choose grace, to change, and accept difference.
I choose to make the best choices...even if it means sacrifice.

I choose life at its best.

Because it is too short to not make every moment worthwhile.

~Julia

Treasured Up and Pondered Giveaway

Hello!

I hope you all had the most memorable Mother's Day ever!

Mine was relaxed and full of hugs, kisses, flowers, notes, dishes being done, and a handmade birdhouse from my oldest!

I felt so loved. 

Even though I feel like such an imperfect Mother at times...I'm humbled that my kids are absolute treasures and love me anyway. 

It was a great day.

Then my washer decided to call it quits:).

 My Hubby managed to find a refurbished one...on a Sunday...on Mother's Day...AND have it installed and ready to go.

I didn't even miss a load:).

{4-5 loads a day adds up quick!}

He's my hero.

Everyday...in the smallest and biggest ways.

I am so grateful for him and feel like the luckiest girl that he picked me...and that he gave me one of the greatest gifts in Motherhood.

On another note, my bloggy friend, Bevy at Treasured Up and Pondered, is hosting a wonderful giveaway.

I made a couple of ruffled rubber gloves...

that you can enter to win!

She also has some very cute recipe cards and a notebook included.

Bevy's Mother, who has 9 children, wrote a beautiful post about motherhood...she is an inspiration.

Click HERE to go and visit Bevy.

Her blog is full of encouragement:).

Hope you have a lovely day!

~Julia

Shabby Apple Giveaway Winner!

Happy Mother's Day

Sara!!

She said...

"I really love the North Shore - pleated dress...so cute and looks so comfy:) I liked Shabby Apple on Facebook.                 Thanks!!"

You are the winner of the $50 gift certificate to Shabby Apple!!

I'll be contacting you promptly:).

Thanks to everyone who entered and to Shabby Apple for the wonderful opportunity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you are looking for something fun to do tomorrow in the greater Seattle area, you might want to pop into 

Ruffles and Rust in Monroe, WA.

Our dear friends, the Anderson's will be there.

They have an absolutely wonderful new line of baby products...

baby lotions,

all natural diaper salves,

goat milk baby soaps, and so much more!!

Ruffles and Rust looks like a fun show and a great place to do a little Mother's Day shopping!

You will have to stop by and say hello to the Anderson family and enjoy a "spa moment."

I think you will fall in love with their products!

Wishing you a lovely Friday!

~Julia

A Shabby Apple Mother's Day Giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed!
Thank you to everyone who entered!

I was contacted by a sweet representative from Shabby Apple the other day, and asked if I was interested in a dress giveaway.

I have perused their lovely site before and really like their vintage style, modest, and adorable clothes.

Of course,  I was on board....and what a FUN Mother's Day giveaway!

Here are just a few dresses that I would wear in a heartbeat...

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They even have darling maternity dresses!

So, I am going to host this giveaway until Friday and then choose one winner who will receive a $50 gift card to use toward the purchase of any dress on Shabby Apple.

You can pick out a little Mother's Day gift for yourself...or for a special someone:). 

TO ENTER:

Visit Shabby Apple and tell me which dress you would love to have AND "like" Shabby Apple on Facebook...click HERE.

One entry per person, please:).

Also, make sure that you leave a way for me to contact you!

Have a lovely day!

*I am extending this giveaway another day..I hope you don't mind! I have some sick little ones that need my attention:). Be back Friday sometime to announce the winner!

~Julia

A Sunny Sunday

Today was just plain beautiful and I couldn't help but capture some moments of the day.

The kids worked and played with Dad, and even came home with their 4-H piggies.

I just got my hands dirty in some rich soil...that had grown some very rich weeds.

They sure are hard to keep up with!

I love to just listen to the sounds of my happy family around me.

Giggling....the sound of Darren and the littles changing water.

The boys working with the calves and then on lawn mowers.

Peeps from the darling baby Banties.

And the cold wet nose of my favorite pup, Ruthie, begging for a pat.

Slowing down to enjoy the little moments...that's what it is all about:).

 Our old dog, Bobie.

  

Our new Birchin Cochin Banties.

Have a great day!

Perhaps you can slow down a bit and enjoy the sweet moments:).

~Julia