How Does your Garden Grow?

We got our plants and seeds in the ground! We are awaiting the netting for the vertical frames, but are otherwise done! Now we get to learn about pests, fertilizing organically, disease and harvest! A little overwhelming, but after all that planning, once we actually planted, it seemed like it was too easy! I've got my fingers crossed!

Jonesborough Celebration of the Child

We recently drove to Jonesborough, TN, the oldest town in Tennessee, and went to a little festival called the Celebration of the Child. Lots of fun activities and free candy! We went to a story telling time at the International Storytelling Center:

Every year there is a big Storytelling Festival, which is quite costly. The best storytellers from around the nation are there, telling fabulous tales. This weekend was focused on the children, and much simpler. Jonesborough is a quaint town, with lots of fun shops to browse. If you go, I suggest staying out of the all glass shop if your children happen to be with you. We had a close call!

A Day in the Life of Me...Inquiring Minds want to Know!

I have people say to me all the time, "I don't know how you get it all done!" "What do you do all day?" "How do you do it?". Well, today I decided to write down what we did, as we did it. True life today. This is a good day on the scale of productivity, some not quite as much as this. Maybe I'll do it tomorrow too....

A Day in the Life of Me:

6:30 wake up Morning Routine
7-8 Walk (Frank wakes up with kids, breakfast and their morning routine)
8-8:30 Bible

8:30-9 Math Toby & Zane, Sophia Preschool worksheets
9-9:15 Astronomy Toby, mom checks emails, Zane free time
9:15-9:30 break time, mom on computer tasks

(Jude and Sophia playing with activities while we are doing more school)

9:30- 9:45 Zane phonics Toby independent history reading: The Columbus Story Alice Dalgliesh Narrate
9:45-10:00 Wind in the Willows Reading with mom
10-10:30 Snack & Morning Chores (Me Load of laundry, Toby load dishwasher wipe table, Zane wipe bathroom, Sophia bring toys upstairs)
10:30-11 First Language Lessons Toby & Copywork Zane too
11-11:15 Piano Practice Toby
11:15-11:30 got an eBay customer-kids played Wii Mario Kart
11:30-11:40 Phone Call with Mortgage Person
11:45-12:15 Outside play-kids Mom-schedule an eBay listing
12:15-1pm Lunch outside, play outside, clean up
1-2 Quiet Time
2-6 Leave for town to run errands (not that normal for a Wednesday, usually I get to stay home all day! This time usually spent with more quiet time, and a walk to the park or a show on TV) Paid ticket at courthouse, shipped package, went to Lowe's, Home Depot, Wal Mart, Starbucks, picked up Frank in Bristol
6-7 Home, Outside chores
7-8 Cook dinner & eat
8-8:30 bedtime ritual
And tonight I went out and bought the Wii Fit while Frank was performing said bedtime ritual. Crazy, but true. One for me, some to sell on eBay.
11:30 blog all of this
11:40 fall asleep! Usually in bed by 11....Good night!

Things that keep me from Blogging Part 2 TRAIL DAYS

Trail days is soo much fun! this is our 2nd year, and I think it was more crowded than last for sure! The weather was beautiful, we started off at about 11am. By then, people were already parked up at our house, which is about 1/3 mile from the hub of the activity. All the hikers off of the AT come into town this weekend and camp out and there are lots of events going on. Thursday we were fortunate enough to attend a storytelling event with an internationally recognized Appalachian Storyteller. IT was great! The kids loved the funny tales and spooky ghost stories. On Sat morning, we enjoyed feasting in town, going to the library book sale and some face painting. We ended the revelry with the hiker's parade, throwing water balloons at all the hikers! It was really tons of fun!




Oh, and this guy.....a good friend from junior high! We haven't seen eachother for 14 years, and here he shows up in my little mountain town! We had he and is wife over for dinner, and shared stories until they were ready to head off on the trail again! They have hiked approx 250 of the 2,200 miles on the Appalachian Trail, and are planning to keep on hiking, likely through October. Good luck Millwaters!

My 6 year old!

Zane has had a birthday, and is now 6! No great pics of our impromptu birthday celebration, but I thought you'd enjoy these snaps of him. Our dear neighbors who have no children have this lovely tree swing and are delighted whenever we walk by, because my kids sure do love it!

Mother's Day Feast

We were spoiled for Mother's Day! My mom, Frank's mom and I were served Breakfast and a Steak Dinner, prepared by my wonderful husband! Let me tell you, this dinner was good! It was a great and relaxing day, and I enjoyed sharing it with my 2 moms!

Things that keep me from Blogging Part 1

Trying to mix up our dirt, Square Foot Garden style, for our raised beds. Planting pics to be posted soon! On the menu are: Tomatoes, Beans, lettuce, Broccoli, Spinach, Peppers and more!

A day in Saltville

We are going to be exploring our area a little more this year, and venturing out to learn more about our region's history. Our first stop was Saltville, VA. It is approximately 25 miles from Damascus, and is full of history and unique traits.

Saltville was the main source of salt during the Civil War for the Confederate Army, which made it a target for the Union forces, with 2 battles being waged here. The most fascinating thing about Saltville to me is the mascot: A wooly Mammoth.

Because of this area's salt reserves, a very diverse crowd of animals was attracted here. It created a salt marsh environment, that at spots is saltier than even the ocean! Because of this, the wooly mammoth, giant beaver, and early Native American tribes have all traveled and lived here in these mountains. Rich indeed! Many fossils have been found, as can be seen at the Museum of the Middle Appalachians. We had a great day in Saltville, and will be reading some local books with the kids this week to study the history and unique nature of this area.

This giant beaver is one of the largest rodents that has ever existed....ewwww:There was even some love for our dear friends: