Blue

Apparently it's a blue-sky kind of week. The weather has been gorgeous and we've been enjoying every second of it. We only have a couple of weeks until the black flies come out, and then we're stuck inside again. Such a short window to enjoy the lovely weather!

Stephen took the day off to work on our deck. The floor is almost finished, then we'll be working on the railing. Finally, a screened room will be added and stairs that lead down to the ground. We think a hot tub would look fabulous up there in the future...

We've discovered Otay is definitely an outdoor cat. She whines and meows and jumps all over you until you open the door to let her out. She's just like a dog and will chase us all over the yard, comes when we call her, and digs large holes in the garden. Oh, and the sandbox...she thinks that is the best thing ever.

The little one has requested that every minute be spent outside, evident from the tantrums she displays as I try to get her in for lunch and dinner. She'd happily play outside until the sun went down, and I admit to expending a great deal of energy chasing her all over the yard, mostly trying to steer her clear of the road. But we have been enjoying ourselves. We've been walking everyday down the road to see the horses, chickens, tractors, and our friend "Mamee's" house. There are buds on the trees and flowers popping up everywhere.

This internet break has done me good. I've enjoyed it and do not intend to stop. I think I'll say to expect random posting for a while. I'm just enjoying everything that's been going on here. Books have been read, seedlings have been ordered, gardens have been prepared, flower beds have been raked and weeded, we've baked everyday, Stephen and I have been enjoying our quiet time reading at night, but mostly I feel like there is a certain "frantic" feeling that has disappeared. Trying to check e-mails, upload pictures, etc. all while multi-tasking left me stressed and frazzled. It's allowed me to be more present with myself and the little one. I almost wish we were back in the computer-less age.

As the little one and I were raking the garden yesterday I began to think of my mother. We had beautiful flower beds around our house growing up. We were always outside gardening or inside baking. I was trying to imagine how much of that would have been lost if we had a computer in our living room. How would I have felt if my mother was online instead of getting her hands dirty in the garden? (And this is in no way said to make anyone feel bad about their computer usage! It's just my feelings about how my time is spent.) Those times spent gardening and baking are some of my fondest memories. I want to make sure the little one has that too.

I have two new things to introduce to the shop, and while I felt I was under a time crunch to do so, I am just taking it easy. I'm enjoying the orders coming in and spending whatever time is needed in my little green room. I've made a goal of dressing the little one in only handmade this summer, so I'm excited to get working on some special things for her. Of course, I'll share some finished pieces here in the future.

So now I'm off to get some reading done in the sun on our half-finished porch before the little one wakes up from her nap. Enjoy your week! I hope you're sky will be as blue as ours.

Comments

[heather]

you sound so relaxed erin, i'm very inspired...

[molly]

your new deck looks like it is going to be a wonderful place to relax.

I think a blogging break is always good for brining back balance to life. It is hard to make a computer fit comfortably into life sometimes, without it taking over or replacing more important moments. It definitely has perks, but can be so tempting and time-consuming, too.

[Gypsy]

Erin, I love your thoughts about how you would have felt as a child if your mom was on the internet. Its something I really fight here - the temptation to just quickly log on and check something! Your post has really inspired me.

[periwinkle]

Your decking looks great- is there a lovely view to go with it?
I so agree with you about "outside" ,one of my fondest memories is of helping dad in the garden and collecting worms...
Lisa x

[Heather W.]

Oh the weather has been so so so perfect! we have been out soaking up every last bit of it =)

I have cut down emensly on internet time & we down-graded the cable so we only get network and pbs (we had the full blown package) .... life is so much enjoyable! and my husband and boys are noticing a more relaxed momma! LOving it!

When do you get those chicks?

[Bluebirdbaby]

THanks everyone!!

Heather-The ducklings arrive mid-May and the chicks arrive early June! Did you get my e-mail?

[Heather W.]

oh wow I just came back to see if you replied and my spelling error in the above comment...how embarassing!

[melissa]

lovely post erin- that's an interesting thought, what about if our mums had been online all day!!??
i'd never thought of that before...

[Felicia]

What beautiful photos :)

[Knitsational]

So glad you're enjoying your time off! You have definately inspired me to get away from it more. My girls are the same. They run for the door every time it opens.

[emily]

what's the deal with the black flies?

[Grace]

I am feeling the same way as you about the computer and the blog. I think that overall, computer and blogging are going to be making up a smaller piece of the pie around here. It's just not fair to my kids or to me for it to take up such a big part of my life. Blogging myself is a big part of it, but the bigger part is reading others'. Which I love to do, but it's going to have to be less. Which might mean less visitors to mine. Which is OK afterall. :)