Saturday, August 28, 2010
I just love our girl!
Sophie just said to me, "You know the best times of my life, when I'm most happiest? When I'm helping someone or giving something away. It's really true, Mommy!" I don't think it gets much better than that, does it? Out of the mouths of five-year-olds...
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
The Garden, for Cody
Per Cody's request, here are some photos of our neighbor's garden (of which, wonderfully, we have a corner!) Garden at the back of Pocusset 5551:
(pic missing)
Marigolds on the border, to keep away pests. Potted plants (mostly tomatoes) on the outside of the raised bed.
(pic missing)
Rain water collection. The first tank collects, and the other two are overflow barrels. Although, the system isn't perfect, as it sometimes floods into their basement. Note the cool tree with the herbs underneath it (chives, garlic, rosemary).
(pic missing)
The garden from their lawn. It's "a pretty mess" as our neighbor said--we all like it. They have planted in rows (and ripped up some of them, because a bug got the squash and the potatoes just weren't big enough) and replanted when we ran out (cilantro has been a big hit).
(pic missing)
Here is a sample of their rows. I really should be able to tell you how they've had it laid out, but I don't really know, other than that the herbs are on the outside (basil, parsley, cilantro) followed by the greens (kale, arugula) and then the eggplant, tomatoes and squash in the middle.
Our little corner has two types of tomatoes, three jalapenos pepper plants, rhubarb and basil. Like I said, it's only still there because of the kind attention from our neighbors.
(pic missing)
A wee gardener overseeing the crops. She likes to pick the marigolds.
(pic missing)
Marigolds on the border, to keep away pests. Potted plants (mostly tomatoes) on the outside of the raised bed.
(pic missing)
Rain water collection. The first tank collects, and the other two are overflow barrels. Although, the system isn't perfect, as it sometimes floods into their basement. Note the cool tree with the herbs underneath it (chives, garlic, rosemary).
(pic missing)
The garden from their lawn. It's "a pretty mess" as our neighbor said--we all like it. They have planted in rows (and ripped up some of them, because a bug got the squash and the potatoes just weren't big enough) and replanted when we ran out (cilantro has been a big hit).
(pic missing)
Here is a sample of their rows. I really should be able to tell you how they've had it laid out, but I don't really know, other than that the herbs are on the outside (basil, parsley, cilantro) followed by the greens (kale, arugula) and then the eggplant, tomatoes and squash in the middle.
Our little corner has two types of tomatoes, three jalapenos pepper plants, rhubarb and basil. Like I said, it's only still there because of the kind attention from our neighbors.
(pic missing)
A wee gardener overseeing the crops. She likes to pick the marigolds.
Merry-Go-Round
Merry Gracie, on her first Schenley Park Carousel ride.
(The photos are this way because my horse, like Gracie's dragon, was moving up and down.)
She was just hanging out, not sure what to expect, but broke into a dozen smiles when the ride started.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Boys Camp 2010
The first week of August became Boys Camp when Benjamin and Will joined Jackson and Harry here at Camp Amity (along with a tag-along baby girl named Mary Clem).
The Flagstaff Fam had gifted J & H with a castle-shaped bundt cake pan, which became a central part of Boys Camp (Sophie, this is a way you were here with us!). Benjamin asked to make it at the end of the week "as a celebration", which we did, and they had fun decorating it and posting their initial flags (for a few days we called them Camper B, J, H, and W at Benjamin's request, so these are their camper flags at the top of the cake)
Another essential element of Boys Camp was Bug Collection. Here they're flipping through books identifying their finds:
Our youngest camper! Boys Camp this year accepted only ages 2-5:
Swimming in the Big and Little Pools was a part of every day:
A field trip to the Mid-America Museum:
The Flagstaff Fam had gifted J & H with a castle-shaped bundt cake pan, which became a central part of Boys Camp (Sophie, this is a way you were here with us!). Benjamin asked to make it at the end of the week "as a celebration", which we did, and they had fun decorating it and posting their initial flags (for a few days we called them Camper B, J, H, and W at Benjamin's request, so these are their camper flags at the top of the cake)
Another essential element of Boys Camp was Bug Collection. Here they're flipping through books identifying their finds:
Our youngest camper! Boys Camp this year accepted only ages 2-5:
Swimming in the Big and Little Pools was a part of every day:
A field trip to the Mid-America Museum:
Being silly in a crazy mirror:
Friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them (name that Christian camp song):
Early one morning watching deer scavenge for "They were here, I remember!" peaches:
Boys Camp Souvenirs: Wood Elf Knives made by Counselor M
Friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them (name that Christian camp song):
Early one morning watching deer scavenge for "They were here, I remember!" peaches:
'
The last day of Boys Camp ended with an appropriate Grand Finale (beside the Castle Cake), Counselor BB and boys burning fences!
Other Camp Items of Interest (for world-traveling mothers who will want to know!):
Reading:
The Fairy Caravan by Beatrix Potter, 1929. This is one of Meme's books, a penciled childish scrawl "marring" the front of the book, "Mary Clementine, EFGBQQuart, Mary" (she was born in 1922)
Boys of the Bible by Harvey Albert Snyder
Dangerous Journey, the Pilgrim's Progress story for children
Dangerous Journey, the Pilgrim's Progress story for children
Boys Camp Souvenirs: Wood Elf Knives made by Counselor M
Boys Camp Fun Food: Macaroni and Cheese, Plates of cheese/meat/fruit in the shape of faces, Koolaid Fun Fizz & Special Drink, Frozen Pizza, and Castle Cake.
Boys Camp Movie: Pinocchio (about becoming a REAL boy)
Boys Camp Song, which you'll hear them sing here in the video, and popping "firecrackers", pods filled with pollen. . .
Boys Camp Song, which you'll hear them sing here in the video, and popping "firecrackers", pods filled with pollen. . .
(to the tune of Fried Ham, Fried Ham, Cheese and Bologna) *note to understand song: The Counselors made them Special Drink every day at lunch, which was Sprite with some form of fruit juice and bits of fruit floating in it
Boys Camp, Boys Camp, Cousins on Amity!
After the macaroni, we'll have Special Drink, Ice Cream and Castle Cake,
And then we'll have more Boys Camp,
Boys Camp, Boys Camp, Boys Camp!!
(video missing
)
(video missing
)
We look forward to more Cousin Camps to come, this time with Sophie, who was missed!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Mary Clementine Baldwin Wright
I hesitate to write anything about Meme's passing here in a "blog" post, and yet as I post about this summer, about this family this summer, I can't ignore what permeates.
So with a wet face I offer a few pictures. We miss you like crazy, Meme.
Mary Baldwin Wright, January 16, 1922 ~ July 26, 2010
The Obituary Read:
Mary Baldwin Wright died peacefully at home in Hot Springs on Monday, July 26, 2010.
Mary was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas on January 16, 1922 to William Alexander Baldwin and Ethel Clement Baldwin of Plainview, AR. She grew up in Russellville and graduated from Russellville High School in 1939. She attended Gulf Park College and the University of Arkansas. She was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. She was an associate member of Hot Springs Junior Auxiliary, the Symphony Guild, Lake Valley Community Church, and Hot Springs Women of Prayer. She was married to Dr. Jack Wright.
Mary hosted many Bible studies in her home and later at The Trinity Mini-Mall (formerly The Wright Medical Clinic). The Mini-Mall was also home to the Green Herb Tea Room, which Mary opened with friends, Nancy Smith and Winnie Goodrum.
She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law: Dr. William Jackson Wright and wife Sarah, the Honorable Judge John Homer Wright and wife Karen, and Jack Baldwin Wright and wife Twila; seven grandchildren: Dr. Cody Wright and wife Keri, Matthew Wright and wife Ruthie, Joshua Wright and wife Emily, David Wright and wife Lynn, Susannah Wright, Mary Elizabeth Wright, and Jack Paris Wright; and eight great-grandchildren.
The family extends special thanks to Mary’s caregivers: Betty Davis, Annie Harrington, Pauline Young, and Bobbi Ingram, as well as Stacey Davis and the other nurses from Arkansas Hospice. We also thank the faithful friends who regularly visited, celebrated, and cared for Mary (Meme) throughout her life and especially in her final days with us.
On the day Meme died, the Lord made sure Keri and I came upon this in her earthly home:
So with a wet face I offer a few pictures. We miss you like crazy, Meme.
Mary Baldwin Wright, January 16, 1922 ~ July 26, 2010
The Obituary Read:
Mary Baldwin Wright died peacefully at home in Hot Springs on Monday, July 26, 2010.
Mary was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas on January 16, 1922 to William Alexander Baldwin and Ethel Clement Baldwin of Plainview, AR. She grew up in Russellville and graduated from Russellville High School in 1939. She attended Gulf Park College and the University of Arkansas. She was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. She was an associate member of Hot Springs Junior Auxiliary, the Symphony Guild, Lake Valley Community Church, and Hot Springs Women of Prayer. She was married to Dr. Jack Wright.
Mary hosted many Bible studies in her home and later at The Trinity Mini-Mall (formerly The Wright Medical Clinic). The Mini-Mall was also home to the Green Herb Tea Room, which Mary opened with friends, Nancy Smith and Winnie Goodrum.
She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law: Dr. William Jackson Wright and wife Sarah, the Honorable Judge John Homer Wright and wife Karen, and Jack Baldwin Wright and wife Twila; seven grandchildren: Dr. Cody Wright and wife Keri, Matthew Wright and wife Ruthie, Joshua Wright and wife Emily, David Wright and wife Lynn, Susannah Wright, Mary Elizabeth Wright, and Jack Paris Wright; and eight great-grandchildren.
The family extends special thanks to Mary’s caregivers: Betty Davis, Annie Harrington, Pauline Young, and Bobbi Ingram, as well as Stacey Davis and the other nurses from Arkansas Hospice. We also thank the faithful friends who regularly visited, celebrated, and cared for Mary (Meme) throughout her life and especially in her final days with us.
On the day Meme died, the Lord made sure Keri and I came upon this in her earthly home:
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tomatoes, Anyone?
(picture missing)
Gracie wants to share our harvest!
Gracie wants to share our harvest!
These are from our tomato plants in the backyard. Yes, don't I have a green thumb?
(Don't believe it for a moment. Although we did plug these plants into the garden, our neighbors have been mulching, composting, watering, tending, de-bugging and speaking tenderly to them, and I'm still surprised that they produced fruit.)
We love you all--
L
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