I was up today at five. That’s early for me: too early considering I went to sleep around 1 a.m. Today’s high is 102. I headed outside and gave my bees fresh water and then watered my garden as well. Larkspur joined me. It takes about an hour and a half to water the whole garden by hand, but it’s one of my favorite things to do.
We picked up The Parent Trap at the library yesterday and I think we’ll watch it this afternoon when it’s hottest outside. I must have watched that movie dozens upon dozens of times when I was a kid, wishing there was some way I could trick my parents into getting back together just like in the movie.
Last night the girls wanted me to tell them a story while I was in the bed with them. I am not a good spontaneous storyteller. I have to draw on my experiences or stories I’ve read elsewhere. Somehow I ended up telling them an abbreviated and partially made up version of Mandy. Larkspur was completely enthralled. I might have to pull that book off the shelf and start reading it aloud today. I loved it so much when I was a little girl.
Jonny and I gave up coffee just before Lent this year and haven’t picked it back up again. He hasn’t stopped talking about it though, and yesterday I bought him a bag. I might join him with just a small cup today. I might need it.
Early morning, I like it so much better than late night. I wish I could get myself flip flopped into going to bed early, and getting up early every day. That morning light is so soft and pretty.
p.s. I wrote about Larkspur’s pants here.
Arielle says
I started getting up at 6 am every morning a few weeks ago and it has changed my life! Now I go for a long walk around a nearby lake, take my shower, get dressed, get a cup of coffee, and sometimes even pray my morning prayers before my kids are up. I just got through a whole year of sleep deprivation where this would never have been possible (I have a baby Silas’ age, and she was a terrible sleeper until the week of her first birthday) and this morning routine makes my whole day feel so much calmer and happier.
Victoria @ Mommy Marginalia says
Hi Ginny! Thank you so much for sharing a slice of your beautiful morning with us. Mandy is one of my very favorite books from childhood! I wonder if it resonates differently with families created (in whole or part) by adoption.
Laura says
Beautiful pictures! Mandy is an incredible book. You should read it to your kids as soon as possible!
Katrina says
I remember reading Mandy when my girls were younger. And while I adore the original copy of The Parent Trap with Haley Mills both my girls and my son love the newest version. (sigh) Have you read Lottie and Lisa (Das Doppelte Lottchen) by Erich Kästner? I read it so many times when I was growing up that it was a “must share ” with my little ones. It is so delightful to share beloved books with your babies! Such wonderful light in those photos and Larkspur’s shoes(and socks) brought a smile to my lips. I hope you were able to keep cool yesterday and were kept safe from the extreme weather we have had in the last few days and your family is safe and sound.
Kathy says
I was up early as well and went out to plant a 2nd patch of beans and water the garden thoroughly before our expected high of 102 or 103 today (we are in NC). We’re planning a quiet cool day indoors today, too.
Jessica says
Beautiful photos. The morning light is one of the reasons I get up so early. It definitely helps set the tone for the day once I’ve had my alone time to: pray, work, and do some fun computer things (like read your blog). It feels like I can accomplish so much in that 1 1/2-2 hours before the rest of the house rises.
We love coffee over here. Black. No Sugar. That’s how we roll.
Have a lovely weekend, Ginny.
Heather says
I have always been a morning person. I love those quiet moments in the morning when everyone is still tucked into bed. I am glad you were able to experience it. It has been hot here lately. We are still loving our time eastward as it has been hot in AZ for a long time. Funny we just borrow The Parent Trap from the library. I loved the movie as a child even those my parents never divorced. I loved the chicanery and the idea of one person playing twins. My kiddos also enjoyed it. Stay cool.
erin says
beautiful, beautiful photos, hope you all stay cool during this crazy heat!
Ginny says
I never used to look forward to winter, but I have the past few years! Can’t wait to knit by the fire. For now, I am knitting next to the a.c. vent 🙂
christina says
Lol….I am loving the socks!
How did you give up coffee? It is like my only lifeline in the morning.
Ginny says
I have always been a tea drinker. We started drinking coffee a couple of years ago, and it was never really natural for me, and a bit too much caffeine for my nerves I think. Giving it up wasn’t too hard because I simply went back to tea. Right now I am in a green tea phase. One cup in the morning and one mid afternoon.
Arielle says
Do you have any tips for properly brewing green tea? I want to be a green tea drinker and cut down on (some) of the coffee, but every time I make it it is SO bitter. I know I’m probably just brewing it too long, but if I shorten it too much, it just tastes like slightly yellow water. I haven’t found the balance yet!
Kim says
Stunning photos, so serene and peaceful.
Joanne says
I love getting up early when we’re on a beach vacation and walking along the deserted shoreline. I don’t know why I never think to go for an early morning walk at home.
That is a lovely series of pictures. Kids and trees. Love.
Tori says
what lovely photos – I often think the same too – wishing I could drag myself off to bed earlier and get up earlier too…………
those pictures of Larkspur in the tree are so lovely, took me back to my own childhood, which was mostly spent climbing a tree!
lovely
http://2plus1dotme2.wordpress.com/
Lauren says
I love early mornings if I can sleep/hide indoors between lunch and dinner. I can’t slog through the summer heat from dawn to dusk but I love the early mornings and drawn out evenings. The horses always seem to appreciate doing nothing in the afternoons too, it’s just too hot to work. 🙂
Jessa says
Mandy was one of my favorite books!!! I always wished for a little space to call my own like that.
Greer says
I so want to be a morning person…alas I am not. I can spend the whole day exhausted then come evening, I’m full of energy and forget to have an early night. But you’re right, early morning light is beautiful.
Jen H says
I love your the pants that your daughter is wearing in the photographs. Did you make them or can they be purchased??
Ginny says
Thanks! I made them-they’re very simple. I posted about them here: https://gsheller.com/2012/04/who-she-is.html
connie says
hi ginny……a few years ago we started drinking teeccino instead of coffee. have you heard of it? it can be found in most health food stores or online (like vitacost, or i’m sure amazon). it’s all organic and made from carob, chicory, dates, figs, and some other things, depending on what flavor you choose. it brews just like coffee, smells great, and tastes great! although if you’re missing the caffeine, this doesn’t have any. lovely photos. early morning is my favorite time.
Ginny says
that sounds super interesting! we’ll have to try it!
Erin @ Wild Whispers says
I adore these pictures of your beautiful Larkspur. Thank you for sharing them with us!
Taryn Kae Wilson @ Wooly Moss Roots says
It takes a long time for us to water our garden by hand too, but it’s such an enjoyable thing to do. Lately it’s been raining so all the watering is being done for us, which is nice too.
Elisabeth says
Oh my goodness, Mandy! I had forgotten all about that book, and may not have read it since the age of ten, but it’s magical, and one that I know I’ll want to share with my kids someday:) I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, but felt inspired to comment today. I always enjoy your photography and reading about your remarkable family.
Cory says
What a great series of photos.
I wake up every morning and have my 1 cup of creamy coffee. I never drank it until I had kids. Enough said. ; )
XO
C
heathermama says
I love the early morning as well. i think it is the sunshine, and the freshness of the new day. that said i am always staying up super late. bleeeh. i need a flip flop as well.
swanski says
I need coffee every morning. Mandy was a favorite book when I was little. I am up every morning at five-ish, it’s the only time that no one else is around 🙂
Meryl says
It has been so awfully hot in the afternoons, but the morning are not too bad yet. Love Larkspur’s watering outfit!
Heather says
Goodness! 102 sounds quite warm to me! I guess being in Maine, when it hits 90 we are sweating 🙂 I’m glad I am not the only one that gets up early though! There is something about the quiet of the morning that energizes me!
Sara says
this is so strangely serendipitous – I was JUST thinking about that book, probably for the first time in 25 years, last evening, and trying to remember the name of it. I loved it when I was growing up, too, and I was wondering if my son, who is around Larkspur’s age, would like it. Thank you for refreshing my memory – I’m going to go check it out of the library!
Ginny says
I love it when that happens!! We started reading it today.
Jenn says
That is awesome that you still haven’t come back to coffee. I drink a cup like every day! Well, have a good weekend and stay cool!
Erin says
Oh! I forgot all about that book! That was one of my favorites as a little girl!
anneke says
o wow! I had to look up how hot 102 F was, because we live in Celsius-land. But that’s really, really hot. We don’t know that hot here in the Netherlands. Today is about 72 F ( I looked that up too :-))
so I’m not complaining.
Good luck with the heat and the kids. I’m NOT a morning person, but I agree with you about the light and the nice temperatures during hot days.
teresa c says
I gave up coffee when my baby was born. I decided to to drink coffee because I was afraid that the caffeine would go into my milk. I must say that I didn’t miss it. Now that I nurse just once a day I could go back to it, but I like not being addicted… Still, I sometimes miss a little coffee, and last week I drank a decaf 🙂
Lilli says
Hello Ginny,
I too rise as early as I possibly can, especially during summer. Being part of the magical morning light, which is really just a continuation of the night before, is well worth it. For a short time, the sun doesn’t really set here in Norway, and it still fills me with wonder.
We read your blog every day, even my 19 year old son pops in now and then. Finally I built up enough courage to leave you a comment. Thank you for all the inspiration, Ginny.
Kindest greetings,
Lilli
Ginny says
Thank you Lilli! I’ve visited your blog-your photos and writing are beautiful!
Francesca B. says
I’m sorry it’s so hot there…waking up early is nice because of that, isn’t it(if you don’t go to bed at 1, that is…)…anyway… I don’t drink coffee, I am a tea person. But…in the Summer, if it’s really , really hot and I am kind of stunned, i may get an iced coffee(well, rather a mochaccino or however you call it). Just to keep going. As for the Parent trap, I absolutely love it. After all these years. Have a nice day and hope you’ll manage to sleep tonight
Ginny says
I took one sip of Jonny’s coffee and then decided to stick with my tea!
Tracey says
I usually rise about 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. each morning, sit outside with my coffee watching for the sun to make an appearance, it’s my favorite time of day. I gave up coffee last year, but picked it back up after a few months, too many hormone changes to add no coffee to the list! We are in the 100’s here today too making me wish for winter. Stay cool and have a great weekend.