This pair of house finches kept me company in the garden late this spring and into early summer. I haven’t seen them much lately, but then it’s a million degrees and my garden is a neglected wilderness. I step out the front door and look with dismay at all the weeds going to seed. I think how bad they will be next year if I don’t get them pulled, and then I turn around and go back inside.
I have been knitting this summer. This little vest (my 12th Milo!) was mostly knit in a rental car on the way to Charleston last month. And this book, aptly titled The Summer Book was read around the same time. I loved it so much that I sent a copy to my Aunt Genie and wish I could send copies to all of you too. The first chapter begins with a hunt for Grandmother’s false teeth which have fallen out in the garden. I read that passage aloud to my children and we were all shocked that (spoiler alert!) there was no mention of her rinsing them off before popping them back in her mouth. I found myself insisting that Jonny let me read parts of the book aloud to him as well. I don’t usually do that. Sometimes I (quite ridiculously) think that I ought to record videos of myself reading my favorite bits of books and post them somewhere because something strikes me as so good or funny, but then I remember that I can hardly write a blog post anymore and I am not sure there is an audience for “Ginny’s favorite passages from the books she reads,” anyway. Ha ha!
Father’s Day fossil hunting. Jonny and I took the younger kids and had a nice day. We’ve been doing this with our family for so many years now, and it’s still Jonny’s favorite thing to do.
Mabel turned seven and we had a fancy party for her. Fancy parties aren’t my strong suit, but it went pretty well! I pulled out some of our most special things for the occasion and told Mabel that if anything got broken or stained, we weren’t going to worry about it. (Nothing did!) I had the perfect flowers blooming, lots of pink for Mabel!
I’m struggling with both my second mitten and A Passage to India. I am very excited to have green mittens this winter, so I’m pushing through. It’s just more fiddly knitting than I am up for right now. But, the end result will be worth it. A Passage to India is for book club and I’m afraid I’m going to have to cheat and watch the movie instead. I got distracted by Mozart’s Starling and it’s unlikely that I will have time to finish the other before book club meets.
I planted Mabel a bed of pink zinnias this year. 🙂
It’s been too hot to make Ambrose model this sweater for a photo, but I surprised myself and knit a fisherman’s sweater for him really quickly, just in time for his second birthday (his favorite gift I’m sure-more on his birthday next post). I felt like the knitting Ginny of ten years ago knitting this sweater and think I need more projects like this instead of fiddly little cabled mittens.
So there’s a little knitting and reading update for you and a cute little fledgling as well.
Now I’m headed outside to do something I haven’t done in quite awhile: dyeing headscarves with indigo! So be on the lookout for those in my shop sometime, maybe late August. I’ll let you know! In the meantime, I have a bit of soap listed! There is spearmint patchouli which is one of my favorites-so refreshing this time of year, along with a batch made with chrism essence and those bars are really special.
Sarah says
Hello Ginny, just wanted to quickly let you know that I would definitely watch you read snippets of your favourite books! I also always love your recommendations!
Olivia says
Hi Ginny! If you feel comfortable sharing them, I’d love to see pictures of your son’s wedding from earlier this year! Watching your kids grow in your beautiful pictures has been an absolute joy.
Sue says
From the looks of it, Mabel had a wonderful birthday! She’s as cute as a button, like she always was from Day 1! I can’t believe she is 7 years old already! What a darling!
I’ve been reading your blog since forever! 🙂 I’m thinking maybe since before Job and Silas were born.
I look forward to reading your posts. I try to wait to open/read them until I have time to relax, focus and enjoy your family! 🙂
I do miss hearing about your older sons as well as Larkspur. How are they all doing?
Have a great weekend, Ginny!
Best to you and yours!
~Sue
Leanne says
Hi Ginny! I love it when you have a new post 🙂 Happy birthday to Mabel! Can’t believe she’s already 7. Your knits all look beautiful. Still don’t know how you manage to do all you do with your full house!
Stephanie says
Oh my!!! What kind of Zinnias are those? Mine definitely DO NOT look like that.🤣. They are absolutely beautiful.
GretchenJoanna says
I read The Summer Book a few years ago and loved it, too!
Your pink zinnias are enviable! This summer few of the zinnias I grew from seed made it, and they are just starting to bloom. So last week I bought two robust yellow zinnia plants at a nursery, to bloom through October, and today I bought two pink ones at a different nursery. Now I can relax into a flowery summer.
Ashley says
If you ever do decide to make your read-aloud videos, I think they sound delightful!
I love your patch of pink zinnias. I have a kind of silly question, but I am new to growing my own flowers…. do you ever have trouble with bugs in the flowers when you cut them and bring them inside? I’ve had trouble with earwigs in particular in my zinnias. I’m wondering if this a normal nuisance and how people deal with it. Any experience you can share is appreciated. 🙂
Joan says
Hello Ginny, It is nice to hear from you. I never could learn to knit. I prefer crochet which my maternal grandmother taught me when I was a little girl. How can Mabel be seven already? I remember when she was born. Happy Birthday Mabel. You had a nice party.
Joan
Heather M Schwarzen says
These spaced out, random, chatty blog posts have begun to feel a bit like letters from a well-loved friend. I knew your Mabel must be closing in on seven, as my Jude turned 8 this spring, but it’s still shocking to see. And knitting has become somewhat elusive for me these past months. I keep pulling yarn to start a project and never quite casting on. I fear it’s a sign of my mental health; I struggle to knit when I’m blue. At any rate, so lovely to see bits of your happiness as you go about your days.
Marilyn says
Hi Ginny, It is always a treat to receive a post from you. I have started to pick up my knitting. I was taught knitting when I was in the ninth grade. The class was called apartment. I taught Marion to knit /since she was not in my class. Mabel 7 years old seems impossible. She is a beauty. The birthday party is lovely. Happiness and blessings to Mabel throughout her birthday year. God Bless. Happy Belated Birthday Mabel. Ambrose is getting so tall. The birds are beautiful. We have a lot of weeds ,too. Have a good week.
Marilyn
Marion says
Hi Ginny;
As usual it is so nice hearing from you. Glad that you are knitting once again. I have to get back to my knitting. Also want to start practicing my flute and tin whistle.
Love that delightful birthday party for Miss Mabel . The pretty pink Zinnias are lovely. I adore the birds.
Happy 7th Birthday Year Mabel full of happiness and blessings.
Have a good week
Marion
Nancy says
Oh I think Mabel jumped from age 4 to 7. I honestly am in shock!! Always love the photos and love that you read so much and love to share funny tidbits. Maybe you could record those on IG reel. Love the finches and the flowers. Happy summer!!
Kim Stock says
Thank you Ginny for sharing your life! You comforted me with your garden weed story. I care for my elderly mom and am only home a couple days each week. Chokeweed is rampant & my time is too short, as it has mastered the art of invasion. Lovely party & pink zinnias for Mabel! Glad you are knitting again. Always interested in your book selections! Thank you!
Linda says
I thought a garden bed of Pink Zinnias for Mabel was the sweetest thing ! Happy Birthday Mabel 🙂 Little Ambrose is looking so big too….it seemed like not long ago he was a baby ! How time flies. Blessings to you ~ Linda (NZ)
Myriam says
This post is classic Ginny! Great to have you back!! I’ve been reading your blog since living overseas and dreaming of homesteading… I am back in Canada now and have a farm, complete with fiber sheep. Dreams do happen, even if they are bumpy sometimes. It’s all about the little things. Hope you keep writing.
Myriam
Jan says
If Mabel is seven, that means I’ve been following your blog for close to seven years. She was a baby at that time! Time flies when you’re having fun!
Elizabeth says
How lovely Ginny! I am glad for each good thing / event in your life ❤️
Andrea says
How lovely to see Mabel’s birthday post!
We are heartsore here. My daughter lost an 18-week baby two days ago, after several past miscarriages. We thought this was the one that ‘stuck’.
Can you recommend any readings to help with the grief of a baby that didn’t happen?
Norma says
Oh Ginny!
You do the best birthday celebrations!
Simple but sooo special!
Love the photos!
Mabel turning 7!!!!!
Oh my gosh , where does the time go!
Happy Summer!
Elli says
Well, along with everyone else, I can hardly believe Mabel is 7!! I, too, have been reading along since your oldest boys were small! Time, huh?! And … Gosh those pink zinnias are lovely! What a nice thing to do. (To plant the bed for her, I mean).
I used to read bits of books out to my family all the time! Books are for sharing! 🤗
Lucy, Netley Abbey, Hampshire (England) says
Loved your catch up.
You and your children would probably enjoy the Moomin books by Tove Jannson, I first read them longer ago than I can remember and at 66 I still enjoy them.
Barbara S Waldron says
Oh Ginny, what a delight to open my email and find this post from you. It’s always a pleasure and a little bit sad for me. My heart yearns for home keeping and children being present in my home. I have a heart for mothering and home making. My kids are grown and they have their own lives – not close by. I have 4 grandchildren who are growing-youngest is going into 2nd year of high school. I saw and cared for them a great deal when younger but now….
I apologize for turning this into me!
Mabel is such a little sweetheart. Fabulous job with her party! Ambrose is a great little guy.
Your photographs are outstanding as usual.
God bless you and your brood. Thanks again for the update!
Hugs (since I have been following you for years now) Barbara
Jenny says
I also meant to tell you that I read The Summer Book years back and absolutely loved it!!
Jenny says
That’s such a sweet party you had for Mabel, and I loved that you told her it’s okay if something got broken. Ambrose is getting so big!! All of your children are beautiful!
Nicole says
Ginny,
Always love seeing an update from you. Your lifestyle is such an inspiration to me to slow down and simplify. Wondering if you have a smartphone and how you handle the use of technology to keep it at bay. I cannot believe Mabel is 7! Been reading your blog since your big boys were little 💕
Nicole
Nicole says
Ginny,
Always love seeing an update from you. Your lifestyle is such an inspiration to me to slow down and simplify. Wondering if you have a smartphone and how you handle the use of technology to keep it at bay. I cannot believe Mabel is 7! Been reading your blog since your big boys were little 💕
Nicole
Lynette Pruett says
It’s delightful, as always, Ginny to hear from you. I put “The Summer Book” in my Amazon cart, but I’ll probably try to find it at the library before I buy a copy. My bookshelf overflows!!! It sounds like a book I’ll enjoy. I do use my Amazon ‘Save for later’ part of my cart as a convenient reminder to look for things I hear about all the time! Very convenient.
I actually have a book recommendation for you and maybe other readers! I recently watched an Amazon prime movie, “The Pianist”, one evening when I was at home by myself. I didn’t realize that it was based on a true story of a Jewish man’s survival from 1939-1945 in Warsaw besides being based on his autobiography! I liked it so much that I found a used copy of the book on Amazon and decided to buy it because the story is just that good. I like reading historical fiction in the period of WWII, but having access to a true story from that time from a Jew is even more of a treat!
Hooray that you’re back to knitting! I haven’t gotten back to mine yet, as the past year has been anything but conducive to relaxation. However, just this week I’ve gotten back to scrapbooking and I’m so glad. Finding and doing the things we love is so important.
Mabel is 7!!! I started reading your blog before she was born, so it’s wonderful to see her grow! Our boy-girl twin grandchildren are only 6 months younger than your Mabel. I wonder what kind of parties we’ll be planning early next year? One other thing, THANK YOU for using your “good things” for Mable’s party, and especially for telling her in advance of the party that “if something gets broken or stained, we’re not going to worry about it.” It is truly a gift to our children (and grandchildren, for me) when we show how treasured they are by using the “good things” especially for them. When our children were growing up, I used my good stuff, and often. I do it even more with my grandchildren. I always reassure them by saying, “There is nothing in our house, yard, or car that is more important than you. You are my treasure, because the others are all just things. They will pass away. You are the treasure God has given me, and you are not going to pass away like these things will.”
Last, your house finches are beautiful! I’ve seen some remarkable ones at our feeders in Ohio recently, and it’s been a delight. Their color seems so much more brilliant this year, for some reason. Maybe because they’ve been few and far between, or maybe because I’m not seeing many goldfinches this year, who certainly steal the color show at the feeders!
Thanks always for sharing your life with us, and for letting us share bits with you.
Valerie Heck-Hoppes says
Oh My Gosh Mabel is seven years old! They grow up so fast! What a beautiful party to celebrate… I can always count on you Ginny to make me laugh when you mentioned the description of your garden-I can so relate to “the neglected wilderness”! I was doing so well attempting to keep up and then just like that there is an explosion of weeds. The other night I attempted to begin to pull some of them but it was so hot I just went back inside. Thank you for brightening my day! I have not read “The Summer Book” but I am going to see if my library has a copy.
Peace and Blessing to you and your beautiful family!
Val 🙂
Carrie Drake says
Love your post as always. Your pictures are so lovely. I also read The Summer Book and wanted to send copies to everyone. I would so enjoy hearing you read from books you find share worthy ♡
Theresa D. says
Ginny, you sound like your old self again! Vibrant and optimistic! Your children, your flowers so beautiful! Wish I had half your energy!
Here is a great book, West With Giraffes! Loved it!
Emily D. says
I have Mozart’s Starling on my list too! The Summer Book sounds great; I didn’t really like A Passage to India (I haven’t seen the movie, though, so maybe it’s better?).
Asmita says
Its a great book really–worth pursuing to the end! Happy birthday to your seven year old. I have been reading your blog for a while and really enjoy it (We just had the first without parents part for our newly minted nine year old, and that was fun).