Lantwin

Yesterday, because of an all day rain, the children got to spend their time in the house. In the afternoon they invited me to a memorial service. After following them to the kitchen I found the table with a folder stuffed to the capacity plus several sample pieces of the folder spread out for me to view. "We're saying good-bye to Lantwin and putting it to rest," they said. Sunbeam rose to the occasion by sniffing quietly and wiping pretend tears.

 

 

Lantwin is the name they gave to their imaginary pioneer town that they had on the steep hill behind the house. I still remember the day they chose the name. We had just finished reading a book called Lantern in the Window and by condensing the name they came up with Lantwin. It would be a place of hope and welcome to everyone.

 

Sailor put the most effort into Lantwin, drawing detailed maps, creating laws, and everything else it takes to run a successful town. And all three of them spent hours playing on the hill.

 

"I think we've grown out of it," Sailor told me. "It used to be a lot of fun, but it doesn't seem the same this summer. So we decided we will be throwing all this stuff away and Lantwin can just be the hill behind the house again."

 

They each shared some fond memories of their time playing there, but before the folder could be disposed of I asked if they would mind too much if I got to keep it.

 

They agreed. I gathered up all the papers and tucked them away where they would be safe while wiping a not so imaginary tear from my eyes. My babies are growing up and I find it to be so bittersweet.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Summertime is a season of reunions, weddings, and other family celebrations and gatherings...are any of the above on your calendar in the next two months?

There are no reunions, weddings, gatherings, or other family celebrations on our calendar. But we do have a trip planned to go visit LV's parents later this summer.

2. June is National Iced Tea Month...are you an iced tea drinker? If so, how do you like yours (sweet, flavored, etc)?

I enjoy making and serving iced tea. Flavored, sweet, plain, and what ever else I decide to try. However, I don't drink it, ever. I simply don't enjoy it. LV and the children love it so we have it in our house often.

3. When were you last nervous?  Looking back, was the 'event' actually nerve-worthy?

The last time I was nervous was when I did my first talk at a book signing. After the first few minutes I started feeling better and enjoyed the rest of the event.
 

4. The bristle toothbrush was invented in China on June 26, 1498...not sure how that date was pinned down so precisely but, on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being sick to your stomach and 1 being not at all, how nervous do you feel when you're headed to the dentist?  Do you see your dentist twice a year?

Probably an eight. I don't enjoy visiting the dentist for any reason. Having my teeth cleaned is creepy, but have a filling done is so much worse.
 

5. What's making news in your town this week?

I don't pay too much attention to the news, and I honestly don't know anything newsworthy that has been happening in our town this week.

6. Curtains, drapes, blinds...your window treatment of choice? Are there any bare windows in your house? Is that by choice or because you haven't gotten around to covering them? 

I like curtains, but most of our windows have blinds. I have been meaning to get curtains for several rooms for close to three years already but somehow it isn't happening. We have several windows that don't have a covering that I want to get blinds for soon.
 

7. Summertime is officially here (in the Northern hemisphere anyway)...what one song is a must-have on your summer playlist?

 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Buddy is loving his new sandbox.

Sandbox

We have been wanting to get a sand box for Buddy ever since the weather has turned warmer and he enjoys spending time outdoors. Sailor chose some wood from a scrap pile and set to work.

Here he is putting the finishing touches on the sandbox.

For painting he chose to wear a pair of pants that I thought look great and he's not on the verge of growing out of them tomorrow. For some reason he hates the color so a few dabs of red paint on the legs helped assure he would not have to wear them in public. 

So the pants may be ruined, but I think it was worth it if Buddy will soon have something fun and safe to play in outside.

Corinthian Bells

It's a beautiful morning, our ancient refrigerator is taking a rare break from humming loudly, and I am actually able to hear sounds outside even though the windows are all closed to keep the morning chill out of the house. Birds are singing cheerily, which happens to be one of my favorite sounds. But even sweeter is the sound of the wind chimes as they move in the gentle breeze.

I had dreamed of owning a set of wind chimes for almost as long as I can remember, and not just any kind. I love the Corinthian Bells, their beautiful melodious tones are unsurpassed.

A local store sells them, and every time I visited I couldn't help but admire them and envision a set on our front porch. Maybe once we're grandparents living in a little white house, I will be able to have a set, I kept telling myself. The scene in my mind looked perfect. LV and I would each be rocking in a hickory rocking chair on the front porch, he would have a fly swatter to get rid of any annoying flies or mosquitoes that come pester us. I would be knitting something, and a nice Great Pyrenees dog would be dozing off at our feet. And of course wind chimes would be serenading us.

I don't know why I keep seeing me knitting since I really loathe all types hand sewing and knitting.

~~~~~

Last Christmas LV surprised me with the very wind chimes I had only dared dream about. They sound every bit as beautiful as I thought they would.

Life is good, happy healthy children, a wonderful husband, and my wind chimes. = Happy me.

Daily Treks

I enjoy going on walks, but after we decided to go on a somewhat more challenging daily hike that includes steep hills I discovered carrying a camera with me to take pictures of anything that catches my interest also works as an excellent excuse to stop and catch my breath.