I am navigating through a little rough patch right now but am going to fight the urge to dump it all here, because who knows what tomorrow will bring?
All day long I kept coming back to this little bottle of roses on the kitchen table. I would tell myself, don’t think about x, y, or z. Just look at those roses. In especially bad moments, I’d smell them too.
Gabe picked them at our neighbor’s house. I am not sure that he had me in mind when he picked them, but I am pretending that he did.
Gabriel and I love this simple squash and potato torte from Smitten Kitchen. We made one this afternoon with the first gold potatoes from our garden.
I took a little decompression walk around the yard this evening. I visited with our bees who were trying to stay cool on this sweltering day, even after 8 p.m.
I wandered my garden a bit. We’ve rigged this bed with bits of this and that for Kentucky pole beans to grow on. It’ll have to do. All of the beans I planted over the weekend are popping up, such a happy event.
But backing up a bit, hours before my evening walk, I came home from piano lessons with the big boys to this:
Silas wearing his sister’s bathing suit. The colors and fit aren’t quite right. I guess I need to buy him his own.
eve says
is it eileen’s time yet???
Kara says
Prayers for you – hope the burdens lighten soon.
Melissa L says
Thanks you for sharing so much of yourself with us Ginny. The good, the great, the messy, the ADORABLE (how cute is that bum and those curls are the sweetest!), and the difficult. I’m getting my daughter into Charlotte’s Web and thought of the song “Chin Up” (lyrics below) in the movie when you said you’d stop and look at and smell your roses, how you and your family seem to “twinkle and sparkle” in your photos and stories, your children’s “happy faces”, and how you seem so good at “letting a little sunshine in”. Such a wise spider. I love the idea of ‘thinking glad’ and our troubles bursting like bubbles. I hope your troubles are very short-lived and ‘burst’ very soon.
Chin up, chin up
Everybody loves a happy face
Wear it, share it
It’ll brighten up the darkest place
Twinkle, sparkle
Let a little sunshine in
You’ll be on the right side
Looking at the bright side
Up with your chinny chin chin,
Chin up, chin up
Put a little laughter in your eyes
Brave it, save it
Even though you’re feeling otherwise
Rise up, wise up
Make a little smile begin
You’ll be happy hearted
Once you get it started
Up with your chinny chin chin!
Chin up, chin up
Everybody loves a happy face
Wear it, share it
It’ll brighten up the darkest place
Twinkle, sparkle
Let a little sunshine in
You’ll be on the right side
Looking at the bright side
Up with your chinny chin chin,
Chin down, you can’t come frowning
Turn around
Starting, clowning
Think sad
Your troubles double
Think glad
They burst like bubbles
Chin up, chin up
Every little time your spirits wilt
Chin up, chin up
Give your attitude an upward tilt
Twinkle, sparkle
Make a little fun begin
You’ll be on the right side
Looking at the bright side
Up with your chinny chin
Chin up!
Ellen says
Sorry for your rough spot right now; I know how that feels (not your details, obviously, but general). Your garden is so pretty, Ginny! And I love that potato dish. A little satisfaction and encouragement having made something from something you grew – wonderful!
Silas’ curls reminds me of my 2nd son’s curls. When it was humid or he was sweaty, his curls would become super curly! Loved it.
Nadja says
I have had a few days like that in the last two weeks. My dad died two weeks ago today while I was on retreat, and although I received a huge amount of strength and grace from my weekend with the sisters in Alabama, coming home to the usual routine has been unusually difficult. Life goes on the same as always, and yet it feels as though it should not be so.
I feel a bit raw and short with the children, with less tolerance for their bickering and noise. Quiet, alone moments are what I seem to crave, and that is something not so easy to come by here, where I can rarely go to the toilet without being followed in.
Sending a cyber-hug to you, dear Ginny.
Annie says
Baking. I always bake when my mind is in a bind. But then you have an amazing garden and gorgeous children to wisk you away. Indulge yourself in the simple!
Anastasia @ Eco-Babyz says
Love that last photo!!!
Carolyn says
Peace be with you.
CrunchyCatholicMomma says
Too too cute, I guess you know who dressed him…I love the use of random objects in the garden. With my pulled stomach muscle, my pregnant belly does not allow me to do anything in the garden and in the past two weeks it has become an unwelcoming jungle. So nice to see you have an escape to yours.
6512 and growing says
Sometimes life is like that, right?
Sometimes a vase of roses is the best healing therapy.
I hope that barefooted baby flashing his bum cheered you up.
Christy says
Oh Ginny, I am sooooo with you on the flowers = hope thing! The day my husband was laid off a few months ago (quite a surprise) I felt my world was crumbling out from under me. But when I went on to choir rehearsal at church that night a lovely little hand-painted picture of a blue hydrangea (my all-time favorite flower) was left behind in my seat. Thinking someone had dropped it, I put it in the choir room and asked everyone about it, but no one had ever seen it before. Now 3 months later it’s still propped up in the front of our rehearsal room. No one has claimed it, but every time I see it, I’m reminded of my heavenly Father’s love for me and His constant meeting of our needs. I think He left it there for me to find on the night I so needed hope 😉
Taryn Kae Wilson @ Wooly Moss Roots says
Sending love.
Mooberry Farmwife says
oh, that last pic…. thank you!! I am thankful those flowers are bringing you joy. 🙂
Christina says
Those curls are a day brightener! Hang in there, keep smelling the roses.
Gretchen R says
I think flowers always help me through a rough patch. I remember reading a study once that patients who lived with flowers had similar relief from depression then those taking medications. Although, keeping flowers around all the time isn’t always so easy for everyone. I try to bring them in the house as often as I can, especially when I’m in a slump. Smelling them just helps sometimes.
I love how your garden is turning out. Way up North here, it’s just so barely starting.
amy says
Adding my thoughts for you on getting through a brambly hedge as we call it around here. (Did you ever see those children’s books? I have my sisters’ copies from when we were kids.)
I like what you said – “who knows what tomorrow will bring?” I’m squirreling that questions away in my brain for days when I’ll need to hear it.
Meanwhile, sweet roses or a baby’s bum peeking out of his big sister’s swimsuit make for great distractions from the day’s worries. Thank you as always for blogging.
Kathy says
Hoping that the rough patch will smooth out, and/or that you will find strength and wisdom as you navigate its ruts and bumps. I always appreciate your honesty and the beauty that you find in the everyday. Many blessings.
Diane says
SOOO CUTE. I’ve got a definite *thing* for baby butts. 😉 love it.
I hope today is a better day for you, Ginny. Remember, you’ve got a lot of friendly ears if you feel the need to ramble a bit.
((hugs))
swanski says
I am hoping that by the time you read this your heart is a little lighter. Love the soft curls that Silas is sporting! Very wispy and sweet 🙂
Joy says
I’m in love with both the curls and that last photo. Squishy baby tushy and sisterly dress up. <3 Thanks for the squash recipe. We are up to our ears, of course. I actually just posted yesterday on the multitude of ways we are using them up, but this one sounds good too. I hope your rough patch smooths out soon.
Heather says
It has been warm here the last few days for sure. Love the little curls and the outfit. I have seen many of those in my time as mama. Hope today brings a bit of light and space in your life.
Jacq says
Oh, I love your vegie patch! the curls are pretty great too!
Karin-Ida says
Whatever the trouble is, I will pray for you!
I come here a lot, your blog inspires me, as well as my daughter who is 20 and right now trying to find her path in life.
When life is tough it´s important to be able to see the small things in life and cherish them, which it seems you are already very good at.
Hang in there!
When one door is shut, god always opens a window!
God bless you Ginny and all of your family!
Megan says
That last photo made me laugh out loud! I hope that you were able to do the same when you saw it. I’ll be praying for you in this rough patch. -Megan
Sheila says
Those little butt cheeks gave me just the chuckle I needed tonight. ;). I am sorry you had a rough day. Too bad Bea wasn’t here to play with us and the awesome boats we discovered….I blogged about them. http://Www.thesecondtwinsews.blogspot.com I just have to commend you….you are gracious even when things get you down….may God’s peace surround you my blog friend.
lori says
oh my ginny, those roses, that photo. that baby bum. and that photo of you and jonny holding hands. i’m glad you were able to take a little time just for you tonite.
Debbie says
We all go through rough patches, believe me, I do totally know what you mean. Going out to the garden is always great therapy for me too. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better. Your children are darling. I enjoy your blog.
kyndale says
I’m sorry you’re having a rough patch. I am too but I keep on telling myself the same thing…I just have to keep on moving because life is just a series of events that may not always feel good. ho hum. Deep breath. I have to tell myself this all day long sometimes! xoKyndale
Jenn says
Too cute. Praying your day will get better! 🙂
Meryl says
I hope that tomorrow is, indeed, another day…although it looks like, despite whatever was weighing on you, you did alright today. Hang in there.
Amanda says
oh, just getting out with my camera will do my heart a world of change and good.
looks like it does you too;)
I laughed out loud in that last photo. It’s the funniest, yet cutest thing.
Carey says
Visiting this space is always such a blessing to me. I appreciate your candor and authenticity–both in your words and in your photographs. It’s refreshing to gets glimpses into both the highs and lows of your days at home. I so often find myself laughing aloud, nodding in agreement, particularly when it comes to Beatrix’s antics. (We, too, have a child prone to painting himself with black paint and giving himself haircuts–and the like. And we have enough children that I know well the feeling of trying to accomplish the simplest errands while holding myself together. I often joke that there’s nothing like a few kids to keep one humble. Just yesterday, my two-year-old, upon seeing a man wearing an eye patch, shouted: “Look, Mommy! A pirate!”)
And yet, you have a penchant for finding the beautiful–for saying yes to the messy craft when you’d rather keep things tidy, for stopping to admire the roses when you feel the pressure rising, for making space and time for your own passions–and for those of your children. (I still remember well the story of Keats and the violin resting on his lap on the way home. The thought of it still makes my heart swell.)
I’m glad to “know” you through the lens of your blog. And I wanted to say thank you for inspiring me every time I drop by.
Jennifer says
I ditto the above comment about appreciating your authenticity, and please know that I have just prayed for you dear Ginny!
Renee Anne says
I love the fact that Silas’ little bum is poking out. Little Man’s bum doesn’t poke out but I see his diaper a lot because his shorts are too big for him (but the size down is too small).
I miss Little Man’s curls, too…he needed his hair cut when he was about 15 months old (okay, he needed it done before that but that was when it happened). Luckily, his curls come back a bit 🙂
melanie jennifer says
Those roses are gorgeous and so small! Sending you love across the distance Ginny.
Marcie in Canada says
Oh, I also wanted to say how lovely that potato/squash dish looked. Alas, we cannot make such dishes in our house as our eldest has a potato allergy!!!!! Like epi-pen-serious-enough allergy. Sometimes my husband and I can’t take it and we cook up two baked potatoes in the evening just for us!
Marcie in Canada says
Adorable Silas! I will pray for you. Will you kindly pray for me? And I will ask Good St. Ann to please, please, please ask her Blessed Daughter to bring our intentions to the throne of Jesus. Isn’t it lovely how we use a walk around our gardens, no matter how big or how small (mine is tiny) just to unwind? I love going out in the evening with just the baby and letting her run free with those cute toes in the grass. God bless you Ginny!