Summertide Daybook

For today… Friday, June 26, 2009.

Outside my window… It’s pretty hot…actually it’s very hot here in the south. In the south, our hot is always married to humidity. It isn’t pleasant.

Mama Killdeer is still sitting on her little nest of 4 eggs. We peek at her every day, but from a distance so as not to disturb her. I can’t help but want to offer some sort of protection – she’s right in the middle of the big side yard! And, our hummingbirds are still abundant thanks in no small part to the fact that we must supply half the county with sugar water on a regular basis thanks to Rob’s endearing generosity to these little creatures! 🙂 Our bluejay family has been bringing their juveniles to the water bath and pond up front and it is a delight to watch them enjoy the water on hot summer days!

And…I have the most beautiful pumpkin plant growing as a volunteer out of my compost! I’m thrilled! It’s the only success I can laud as far as growing anything outside. I have yet to put in flowers, and the weeding Sparkly and I worked so hard on in the front beds a couple of weeks ago has now been dashed by invasive bermuda grass. I loathe it. I suppose there is nothing to be done but get back out and attack the bermuda in the front beds…again.

I am thankful for… a delightful day at home with my children about me and doing simple tasks. Think we’ll listen to some Rosemary Clooney today! She always sets a cheerful mood and prompts lots of movement! We’re in “clean the house” mode today!

From the kitchen… I’m going to do something simple and cool for dinner tonight so that I can focus on tidying and freshening the home today – maybe a nice cool summer pasta salad.

I am wearing… a denim skirt that is very full and one of my go-to favorites for work days – it’s so light (read: worn)!! I coupled it with a bright and cheerful pink t-shirt. I found this cute little clip that has beautiful cobalt blue flowers on it and complements so nicely all things denim – so I have my hair pulled back in that. And, a favorite pink and blue apron over everything.

I am reading… Transformation in Christ by Dietrich von Hildebrand.

I am hearing… quiet right now. 🙂 It is a moment to savor. It is early here, so the children are taking advantage of the morning coolness (such that it is) to play outside. The baby is napping peacefully. The only sound is the ticking of the clock above me.

Looking to the rhythm of the liturgical year… The Solemnity of St.s Peter and Paul is on the 29th – this Monday! On the Traditional Calendar, the Feast of the Visitation is on July 2. This is one of my favorite Feasts. I love to contemplate the hospitality and generosity offered between Our Lady and St. Elizabeth of the Visitation (my Confirmation name). There is so much for me to learn! And, I’ll actually be visiting on the Feast of the Visitation! I can think of no better way to spend the Feast!

Beyond that, there are many saints to remember in the month of July, which is devoted to the Most Precious Blood. Lots of oppportunities for reading and learning from our big brothers and sisters in the Church Triumphant!

In our learning spaces… they’re refreshed and I’ve jump started planning so that we can start formal days in a couple of weeks. The children communicated a desire to start lessons again because it is so darn hot outside. They would rather have more time off in the temperate seasons of spring and fall – and I wholeheartedly agree. We’ve never started this early, but I think it could be an excellent beginning. I’ve often longed to have more freedom on those early spring days and the waning days of autumn to enjoy the children and the out of doors more intently.

Around the house… we’re doing some deep cleaning today, lots of laundry, and some time spent in the kitchen doing a few chores. I have a couple of birthday projects I’m working on for my mom, sister, and Aunt that I’m dying to share – they’re just so lovely – the projects and the women! But, I must keep them shrouded in silence save my little hint above! 🙂

I will claim a moment for myself… I have a new movie in…Rob promises to watch it with me…Jane Austen’s Persuasion. 🙂 I’m not sure who bumped all my Jane Austen’s up to the top of the Netflix Queue??? We just watched Mansfield Park! I promise it wasn’t me dearest! But, you’re so good to indulge my love of them with a date night! I promise some sort of heavy-on-the-red-meat meal as a token to show my great appreciation of your willingness to watch these with me! 🙂

A few plans for the rest of the week… hmmmm….well, this week I’m posting my Daybook at the end of the week. So, I shall tell you what I accomplished and my plans for the weekend…

:: I finished pretty-ing up my 8th grade plans for the year.
:: I made some final decisions on books and approaches for all my children for lessons next year – these were smallish decisions, but it feels good to have solidified the plan a bit more.
:: The children and I accomplished a heroic level of errand running yesterday (a delightful fruit of the errand running is pictured below!!!)
:: This weekend I hope to further finish the house-cleaning which I will begin in earnest today.
:: I’m re-thinking my summer seasonal menus. I think it could use a bit of freshening.
:: I’m going to spend some time at my bake center – freshening and restocking my supplies from my pantry stocks and giving everything a thorough wipe down.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing… ok…it’s more than one picture…but I had to share them!

I just had to share my latest find! I was looking for something besides a binder to contain my home management files. My binder is falling apart and stretching at the seams. I was thinking of using one of my many baskets to hold some pretty files when I came across this yesterday….marked down to $8! I never would have considered full price for it – $40, but on clearance it seemed such a pretty option for containing all the necessities of home management within. It’s a cranberry-red, toile covered box. The lid lifts off easily. It is the perfect size for containing my home mangagement collection! Can you see me grinning? Doesn’t it look absolutely PERFECT on the cranberry cabinet? I think you could duplicate this without the expense at home with some lovely toile fabric (doesn’t everyone have a yard or 5 of toile hanging about?) and adhesive spray glue and a sturdy box. Add some gros-grain ribbon and the effect is lovely! I’m sorry I didn’t think of that before!

I can’t wait to freshen my home management collection and settle it all within this pretty box conveniently located right in the heart of my home! Perfect!

I wanted to leave you with a picture of the Queen Anne’s lace all abloom next to us here. The heat is oppressive – yes – but doesn’t this picture make you smile?

Hope you’re all enjoying the glowing days of summertide!

Visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more Daybook entries. 🙂