Start of classes

and a bit of rambling:

My classes are going great! After 1 session in each of my five classes I know this is where I belong. Don't get me wrong, it will be hard work but being on this campus I feel the calling to be a teacher more strongly than ever. This is my time.

I am hoping to share what is working and not working in the delicate balance of school and home. Now we are pretty much winging it. My darling hubby has taken responsibilities on, which is the biggest help! He takes the kiddos to school and helps Sunshine with homework. He'll also be taking the girls to soccer so I can catch up on studying. I'm hoping to catch a few games, but little thing 1 can't stand me watching anyway so it might work out OK.

I have great news in the garden! I have two baby pumpkins!!! I'm hoping the weather stays nice so that they will grow a bit bigger. It's late in the season here in Maine but I'm not asking for giant carvable pumpkins, I'd just like to see them on the mantel.

Back in full swing

If you think full swing as in the ride at funtown that whips the swings around in a blur..

The blog may take a back seat for a bit while September spins me around, trying to make me puke.

Lets put it this way:

5 college classes
4 bedroom house to clean
3 beautiful active children
2 girl scout troops
1 me

Yes, that's right, just one me! Which means something has to give. I don't want any of it to.... I want do it all and come out looking beautiful, organized and put together. Super mom at her finest. I might possibly be able to achieve that. Just not right now.
Right now I have to find my center, restore my routines, and get back to basics. Wish me luck!

AAAHHHH!!!!

That's a nice long sigh by the way.....

Summer's warm temps are allowing us to enjoy the last bits of summer (not that we haven't lived life to the fullest this summer but you know what I mean).

How did my family survive 90+ degree days after such a cold summer? We suffered at a beach side campground for the week. Rough life I tell ya :)

What did we do in a secluded beach town for a week with three kids???

Searched the surf for sand dollars:: Found sea shells with holes just made for making necklaces:: Built sand castles:: Explored ancient forts:: surf casted for stripers:: boogie boarding... lots of boogie boarding:: walks along the beach:: sunsets on a hill with local made ice cream:: visits from good friends:: fireside chats:: Lots of reading... harry potter is almost finished as is war and peace:: listening to giggles and exclamations of "This is paradise, can we live here???"

Then as we were ending our trip Hurricane Bill sent the sea into a furry. It was really Awesome to watch... from afar. It was like God giving us a push back home.

What did my garden do for a week in the heat???

Flourished!!! Oh what a surprise!!! All of my vines are crawling and sprawling with big beautiful leaves!! I have cute baby melons, yellow squash, cucumbers, peppers and (though the plants have few leaves left) the blight seems to have fried in the sun and I have some tomatoes!!! No pumpkins yet but one of the flowers looks like it might have a roundish bulge growing under it.... only time will tell!!

What are my kids doing as I'm on the computer??
Are they enjoying the warm summer sun??
Nope, they are listening and dancing to the nutcracker ballet!!! Geesh are they really my kids??

SUMMER DAYS

Although summer weather has just begun, it's already back to school time. The girls start Sept. 1st and god willing I start Sept. 8th!!!! We'll discuss that later ;)

I believe because of the rain we have taken advantage of every day this summer.

Days of camping, relaxing, crying over the garden, trips to the library, good books, exploring... beaches, mountains, and even the back yard. Beach trips, sleep overs, play dates, time spent with family.

There has been doing so much traveling that when told about an upcoming adventure Thing 2 said: "AAAAWWWW AGAIN... can't we just stay home and have supper at the pond beach every night?? Daddy can go by himself can't he??"

She will have a blast enjoying the ocean for a week however, it makes it all the more clear that summer is on it's way out. We enjoy the carefree life but crave routine and our own home.

Have a great weekend, enjoy summer!

Mondays in the garden

or should I say site of our new pool???

Oh you think I'm kidding! This is the last doom and gloom garden report you will see. I promise. I'm fed up!! I came home from camping this weekend to find blight on every tomato plant in the garden. Yup, shouldn't suprise me but it did. The corn is going to be mini, the weeds have over grown. I'm pretty sure squash is growning in my cucumber patch (I'm thrilled anything's growning though), and another pumpkin blossom withered and died in the pumpkin patch. It's quite the year for lettuce though! My concept (a heat tolerant variety) is growing great.

As we were weeding the garden the other day, my husband pointed out that where the garden is would be a perfect place for a pool. If we put it there we won't have to cut down as many trees. The way my garden grows, it will make better use of the space ;)

If I do consider his offer, I'll build boxes on the deck and square foot garden. Mother nature may have broken me but I'm going to hang up my hat just yet.

Meanest Mom's photo session giveaway!

I'm not the best about getting our photos done but when I do feel brave enough, and rich enough (to bribe them... gotta go to chuck e cheese after!!) we use the Sears' Portrait studio.

They are always friendly and have more patience than I do!!!

Today I was reading one of my favorite blogs "The meanest mom". She is giving away a $260 studio portrait package from sears! I'm signing up, and wanted to make sure you didn't miss the chance to enter too!

Mondays in the garden

The good, the bad, and the ugly:

I may ramble a lot today. So many going ons in this garden of mine!!

First off the blight has now hit the potatoes. I thought so this weekend, but I let it go. Today, I had to pull the plants, not a leaf left untouched. It's so terribly sad. The good news is that I had a few potatoes under those plants! A yummy supper is in the works for tonight!!!


More harvesting news: Three cherry tomatoes from the blighted plant survived!! I have sprayed, quarantined and keeping a good eye on the infected plants. I just want a few more tomatoes and the fruit still looks untouched.

I picked the last of the first crop of lettuce and thinned the scallions some more. I'll be having Salad with the new potatoes tonight :)

Wild raspberries and blueberries surround my property. They are small but oh so yummy!! A fresh fruit compote over ice cream for desert?? Oh I can't wait for supper!!!


What is left in the garden you ask?? Lots of tomato plants (cross your fingers and toes the blight stays off them!!!), small but budding pepper plants, the cukes have taken off like wild fire, squash and zucchini, still struggling honey dew, cantaloupe, and pumpkins, and corn!

This little round ball is in my cucumber patch. Is it just a sad yellow cucumber or a misplaced squash??? Only time will tell I guess!

Look at this happy sight....Corn silk!! The plant is small but I'm still happy!!!! That's what happens when you have a crappy summer, every little good thing makes you smile!!

I didn't take a picture of it but does anyone know why my pumpkin plant would lose it's blossoms??? It blossoms beautifully then it looks like they are snapped off.... makes me mad I tell you! Haven't I had enough garden trouble???

Til next time!