Yard Work

Several years ago, I built four raised garden beds for my tomato empire (which never really took off). As with many of my hopes and intentions, the tomato plants produced a lot of leaves but less fruit (or vegetable, depending on where you fall in the great “Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable” debate) than I had expected. The first step is determining where you would like to plant your tree, whether that be in the front, back, or side of your house. Different trees will thrive more in certain areas depending on the amount of sunlight they require, soil type, and amount of water. It is essential to look into the zoning and neighborhood association rules to ensure you’re following all guidelines as some place limitations on the types of tree as well as the location in which they can be planted. Determining your property lines is another factor that should be considered as the expected size of the tree in its adult life may sway your decision, If you want to know how to properly plant a tree? Then visit to KG landscape website.

My sweetie in yard-work mode.

My sweetie in yard-work mode.

Now we are dismantling the garden beds, one by one, leaving only one to house a few, paltry plants. Kathy got tired of waiting for someone else to do it, so she’s out there this evening hacking at the weeds that cover the structure.

The messy covering of hay offends Kathy, and it must be removed.

The messy covering of hay offends Kathy, and it must be removed.

Once she’s removed the hay from the garden bed, we can remove the sides and use the dirt as topsoil for our front yard (where we hope to plant some shrubs or ground cover).

Kathy's cool extendable hoe is really earning its keep.

Kathy’s cool extendable hoe is really earning its keep.

We seeded the ground with grass seed, where the other two garden beds used to stand, but one seems to have produced only weeds. There is a particularly prolific and fast-growing weed that seems to spring up wherever we leave a little unattended dirt. I only wish our grass would grow like that.

Mystery weeds

Mystery weeds

Related posts:

Another Graduate

Tonight we went to another graduation party. It is so amazing to watch the young people in our community grow up into such godly adults. We are so proud of Jacquelyn, who graduated high school and is going to the Coast Guard Academy! Our families have been friends since we first moved to Washington in 1999. That probably makes their family our longest friends from our beloved Washington.

wpid-20150622_180718.jpg

We love you Jacquelyn and family. Praying for you as you begin this new adventure.

Friends

Friends

Project 365 – Day 173

Kathy

Related posts:

Beautiful Friends

We had the opportunity to attend a wedding this June. There is something so alive and hopeful in watching two people come together to pledge their love and devotion. The bride and her bridesmaids are beautiful in their wedding colors. The groom and his attendants are handsome and dashing looking. The family – big or small – work at making the day special. Sometimes solemn, sometimes playful, every wedding is unique and special. This particular wedding was no exception. There were tears, laughter, scene stealing little ones, and the breath-taking glimpse of God’s redemption in the midst of it all.

I am constantly amazed at how the Lord takes our weakness and reveals His strength, transforms our ugliness into a thing of beauty, and shines His love through a broken, flawed people.

Tomorrow's hope and future.

Tomorrow’s hope and future.

I never did get a picture of the bride and groom. I was too busy celebrating with friends and delighting in the sweetness of the day. Oh, and I also managed to take some silly pictures with my oldest daughter.

Sassy time with my girl

Sassy time with my girl

Smile pretty, girls.

Smile pretty, girls.

Tim and David were out of town, but the rest of us dressed up and joined other dear friends to attend the wedding.

AWANA Commander Jim and Daniel

AWANA Commander Jim and Daniel

Niki and Tony are beautiful inside and out.

Niki and Tony are beautiful inside and out.

What a good looking couple!

Chris and Kirstin – another incredible couple!

I somehow lost the “Mom Picture,” but I did find this one. Love these two women. They bring joy, laughter and true friendship into my life on a daily basis.

The sunshine and a moving ceremony brings out extra silliness in some people.

The sunshine and a moving ceremony brings out extra playfulness in some people.

We were honored to be included in this day, and I can’t help but cast my eye toward December when my baby will wed his love in Tennessee. Joyous times indeed.

Project 365 – Day 171 (June 20th)
Kathy

Related posts:

Girl’s Night Out

Hello, it’s Rachel again. Wait, don’t go, my mom asked me to blog, okay? Today my mother has been extremely busy organizing, cleaning, and rearranging our home. Sarah has been kindly helping her all day. What a blessing it is to have a mother who works so hard to make our house a home. She strives to create a welcoming atmosphere where fellowship and hospitality is not only encouraged, but demonstrated. I hope to someday be as gracious of a wife and mother as she has shown herself to be.

My dearest friend from WA, Jenny, graced our home with her presence this weekend. (This is literally the second time I’ve seen her & I’ve been home for a month so she’s lucky I still love her.) But, bitterness aside, any time spent with her is wonderful. We spent the day together – running errands, cleaning, playing cards, laughing, and enjoying each other. Unexpectedly, we both had the evening free and decided to have a “date night.” We dressed up (heels, dresses, hair, the works,) and headed out on an adventure.

Our outfits may clash, but we don't. ;)

Our outfits may clash, but we don’t. ;)

Sarah was kind enough to take a few photos of the “finished product.” (I don’t normally dress up, ok? It has to be duly documented when it happens.)

We love to laugh almost as much as we love each other.

We love to laugh almost as much as we love each other.

We ended up in Steilacoom right as the sun was setting. We ate at a little bar & grill located near the water. Sitting at a little corner booth near the window, we simultaneously joked and discussed life. (What best friends are supposed to do, right?)

bffs

bffs

We ordered a delicious slice of cheesecake and two cups of coffee. (Also delicious.) What a fun treat for both of us.

Isn't she so pretty? (The cheesecake is pretty too though.)

Isn’t she so pretty? (The cheesecake is pretty too though.)

What a joy it is to have this wonderful woman in my life. Jenny, today was an absolute dream, and it wasn’t because of the cheesecake. It was because of your sense of humor, your compassionate heart, your positive attitude, your brilliant mind, and your beautiful soul. You have been my best friend for 10+ years and I never want to give you up.

xoxo

xoxo


xoxo

Project 365 – Day 170
Rach

Related posts:

Train Trip to Portland

Every year our homeschool co-op organizes a field trip to Portland. The field trip coordinator (who is amazing!) secures for us an educational discount, and we can take the 2 hour train trip to Portland and back for only $15! Our group gets 2 full train cars all to ourselves. It’s a fabulous deal and one of our favorite events of the spring. This year we went in June rather than May, and Rachel was home from college and could join us. We also invited some other dear friends (NOT homeschoolers, shhhh, don’t tell) to come along.

We got up early and drove to the train station. David was in California with Tim, so he wasn’t with us. We missed him the whole day. Felt strange not to have him there. Daniel took off work from Chick-Fil-A and was able to come. The train ride is a good part of the fun – roaming the cars with friends, eating in the dining car, reading books, playing games, being silly.

Goofy kids

Goofy kids

Rachel was smart and brought a book.

Rachel was smart and brought a book.

We’ve been on this trip several times. It’s always an adventure exploring Portland on foot. This year we were treated to a private tour of the Lan Su Chinese gardens in the center of town. Fascinating information, beautiful gardens, and great setting for pictures.

Our garden tour group.

Our garden tour group.

My beautiful college girl - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE having her home this summer.

My beautiful college girl – LOVE, LOVE, LOVE having her home this summer.

Nancy and I tried to keep track of all these teens.

Nancy and I tried to keep track of all these teens.

And, of course, we had to go to Powell’s Book Store. How could a bunch of avid readers and homeschoolers skip the largest used and new bookstore in the world?? Powell’s occupies an entire city block, and claims to stock over a million new and used books.

I wish I could have given each child $100 to spend on books while we were there. That would have been an amazing surprise and treat for the day. Ah, well, not in my budget.

Powell's Book store

Powell’s Book store

After all that book shopping, we definitely needed some sugar to sustain us. Time for some donuts.

People argue whether our very own Lakewood House of Donuts BEAT Portland's famous Voodoo Donuts.

People argue whether our very own Lakewood House of Donuts actually BEATS Portland’s famous Voodoo Donuts.

And, of course, nothing goes as well with donuts as some coffee. Off to Starbucks.

I don't know where all this silliness comes from.

I don’t know where all this silliness comes from.

Friends who photo bomb are the best!

Friends who photo bomb are the best!

This beautiful friend is an absolute joy and treasure in my life!

This beautiful friend is an absolute joy and treasure in my life!

I think we logged in miles of walking throughout the day. We enjoyed Thai food at the food trucks. Saw friends from our group as we walked around the city. And were so thankful for the gorgeous, sunny day.

A last look at the water before heading back to the train.

A last look at the water before heading back to the train.

Daniel spent the day with James and other friends, so I didn’t get any pictures of him. Funny what you realize you did or didn’t capture throughout the day on your camera.

All in all it was a lovely day. Friends, coffee, books, donuts, walking, gardens, laughter, train rides, water. Thank you, ACTS Co-Op, for providing a great family adventure for us. Thank you, Tung and Debbie, for letting Angie and Zach come with us. Thank you, Nancy, Julia and Daniel for being our Portland buddies for the day.

Project 365 – Day 168 (June 17th)
Kathy

Related posts:

The musings and ravings of a bloggart family