Don't Judge a Book by Its Color

This is the lesson I learned this week. I had heard about the book The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brockett on a few blogs awhile back and flipped through its pages one day at the bookstore. I was honestly put off by all the pink and orange that seem to dominate its pages. I set it back on the shelf without actually reading it.

A few days ago a friend mentioned reading it on her blog. Brenda and I usually like all the same things, so when I saw the book at the library last week I decided to check it out. I am glad I did.

I love it. Yes, it still has more orange and pink than I personally enjoy, but I love her thoughts and prose. I am also taking the time to look and study each picture on each page and appreciating each one in its turn.

I have been copying quotations from this and another couple of Highly Domestic Books I've been reading to share with everyone. Gee, more blog posts NOT involving moving! What a treat for us all! There is no new news on that front and that's all I can say at this time.

I am on the third computer of the week and have not taken any pictures since I got back from Phoenix as I know downloading them is too challenging given the computer situation. So, blog posts will be lacking my pictures for awhile.

Today is an at home day. Sweetheart is even working from home today as well. He is sitting across the table from me. The boys are playing on the floor at our feet and Mom is upstairs working in her office. It's cozy.

I've got a batch of dough for bread rising in the kitchen. I will toss it in the oven in a few minutes and get going on lunch. I finally broke down and had to unpack my mixer and mill after buying countless loaves of bread from the store. My, but decent bread sure has become expensive!

I was so used to my own routines and baking that I hadn't noticed how much bread we go through. We usually have it for both breakfast and lunch nearly everyday and sometimes for dinner. That's a lot of dough!

I enjoy making our breads. There is something so soothing about the process and I love the warmth of the dough in my hands as I knead it. Plus nothing beats the smell of fresh-baked bread.

Well, it is time to go for now. I am looking forward to having more ideas to share from all my reading over the next few days. I love the library, don't you?

BTW- Do check out Brenda's list of cozy books and movies for summer reading & viewing inspiration when you get the chance.

Also-Jane has her own blog, yarnstorm, you may enjoy.

Have a lovely day!

Summer Smiles

Just so you don't think I've disappeared entirely...

There are no further updates at this time, but just thought I'd share some fun pictures from our trip a few weeks ago.
****Grr. Blogger is not playing nice. Maybe I'll get more posted later.

Little Farm Update

I just realized that I never posted about what happened with the little farm. We let the offer expire at the end of last month. Some other circumstances changed that I am not at liberty to write about at this time that made it not the place for us.
Which is fine as it had been our prayer all along that if it wasn't the place for us, we would know for certain. We have not found anything else at this time and we are still in a holding pattern as we search due to some of those changes. :)

Sitting

This is one of those rare moments since we've moved that I find myself alone. Well, not really alone as Pumpkin is sleeping across the room, but alone enough. Now I am sitting here in blessed silence and find I have nothing to write. Ironic.

I would like to share a new recipe, or project, or bit of news, but I can't. I am just cooking the basics as we need them, all my crafts and special projects are packed, and I having nothing new to share. Although I did figure out how to upload some pictures from our trip.

Stuck in this place between all that was familiar and all I am dreaming of, I am feeling the uprootedness of it all. This is not a complaint, nor do I regret what has happened. I find myself thinking in the few moments of quiet about a lot. How I see things, my ideas of home, my identity and more.

So while I may not have much to share at this time, my heart and mind are so full. And I am grateful.

I have traveled a bit back in time these last few weeks from staying with my Mom to traveling to my Dad's and stepmother's home. Driving past the home I was raised in during our trip back for my reunion, seeing how altered everything is is interesting. Fourteen years in one home and a lifetime of memories.

Hanging out with old, dear friends visiting a few of the places we spent spent most of our lives: home, school, church. It is all still there, but so different. As were we. And yet, still at our roots, the same. Wishing I had more time with them all brings tears to my eyes even now.

The joy of sitting at a table with two of my dearest friends just talking, laughing and eating was a balm to my soul. Smiling as one of them sang along with the music playing as she ate, probably not even noticing she was, as she always was, singing. The comfort of knowing we would all be friends, forever. (Wondering who of my old friends will catch that song reference.)

Our pasts, our faith, our lives, and our futures will always be intertwined I think. And I am so glad. I only wish that we still all lived just a few miles away from one another. I would love to be raising our families together and simply hanging out laughing with each other. I am truly blessed to have them in my life.

Smiling as I think of these friendships, and looking at these wonderful pictures of the special guys in my life, I know that even though this is not an easy season it is just a season.

(Can I just say how much I miss my garden though?)

Hello My Friends

Just wanted to try and post to let everyone know we are doing well. I have tried several times to post, but I am not having much luck with that because of Internet connections and computer troubles. :) I also haven't had anything new to say. We are still just waiting for the next step.

We took a few days off from everything and went to visit family and friends across Colorado and Arizona. It was a good time. I was able to see some wonderful friends I haven't seen in a long time. I even made it to my reunion which was a blast.

I'll be honest that I have been debating what to do with this blog. I have enjoyed it, but find that people's thoughtless comments really aren't necessary to my life. No, I do not personally know the person who left the one in the last post and since she chooses to not allow herself to be contacted directly, I never will.

While I am totally honest on this blog, I do not share everything about me or my life on here. There are plenty of things that remain private-including most of my prayers. God hears them and while they are not always answered as I would wish, or in my personal timing, I know that they are answered. There have been things that have happened through all of this that definitely shown that He is right alongside me. By faith I believe that He is, even when I can't see the next step, or when I have to simply wait on Him.

This has not been an easy time for me and I certainly wish that I had more answers when I have wished for them, but that is not the way life works. At least not mine. I hardly think that means I am wrong or stupid. If you disagree, you are welcome to stop reading here. I also have a direct email link on the sidebar for people wishing to really contact me and have a dialogue about anything I have written. But personal insults just aren't helpful.

I will continue to post as I am able. Thank you for the many sweet comments that have been left. They have been encouraging. I hope to be able to stop by and catch up with you all later in the week.

~Kimberly