::this moment::barefoot::

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late summer

It always seems that just as we settle in to summer, it begins its drawing to a close. There is no pause between the starting and the ending, and no clear moment where you think, "Ah, here it is...it's begun". I've been blessed to have my summers "off" since I started working as a teacher, and appreciate that as the gift it is. But somehow, this summer has been elusive. 

I spend each late winter surveying the monotonous landscape with hungry eyes, thirsting for green and craving the warm touch of the sun on my bare shoulders. I dream of long days of fun with my children once they're released from school, of eating fresh tomatoes and corn on the cob, of sinking my bare toes into the soft grass, of splashing and playing on the beach. 

But this summer was a strange one. 

Spells of heat and humidity that wrung me out so that by the end of the day I was fractious and difficult. September-like cool stretches, where we all donned warm pajamas at night. There were many days when I hesitated to hang anything on the clothesline for fear that the gathering clouds would conspire to pour their rain on my laundry, and used the dryer too often...waiting for real summer to begin. Plans to get to the local farmers' market fell through, and I found myself purchasing produce from the USA at the grocery store instead of enjoying our fleeting local bounty. I felt drained just contemplating the planning and packing it would take to get to the beach, so we just didn't go that often.

Now the time has come to begin washing those hand-me-downs that I've set aside for "new" back-to-school clothes, to pick up the fallen apples and make sauce and jelly. The golden rod is in its glory, and the song of the crickets has shifted into its autumn cadence. The frogs are silent now, and I feel a pang that this is it. I don't feel I made the most of the summer.

The reasons are numerous: my course in July, the unpredictable weather, working around the baby's naps, my reluctance to spend time in the sun and sand with a pale-skinned, just-crawling little one who puts everything in her mouth. I look back on how often I had to intervene in fights between my children, how often they resorted to smacking each other, and how often I raised my voice in frustration, and can see, in hindsight, that they too might have felt frustrated at the way this summer felt different.

Not that we didn't have fun! Our neighbours hosted us often, sharing their beautiful deck, pool, and company. We spent a week at a lakeside cottage, and visited with friends and family. We attended a local library program. We painted lots of peg dolls. I just feel that bit of regret at something coming to a close, simultaneously looking ahead to the quiet days that are imminent when I send three children off to school on the bus.

So it is with some reluctance that I prepare to say goodbye to summer, sensing that I didn't quite squeeze all the juice out of it. By the calendar, I still have three weeks till it's officially over. I'll plan a few more trips to the beach, a few more picnics, and bare my legs to the sun a few more times before we settle in to the rhythms and joys of autumn.

Time to put some more clothes on the line...looks like a beautiful day ahead.

the handsome, the cute, the evil, the hairy, and the ugly (but wise)

The latest peg figures to come out of my kitchen is this set of Star Wars characters for Jude's friend's birthday party. Inspired by images of the real characters, and peg dolls I found on the internet, I'm happy with how they turned out, although C3P0 is a bit of a fail. There's something about the spacing of his features that is hard to capture on a round head. I'll keep working on it, as Jude has requested a set of his own!

Joining in with Nicole's {keep calm craft on}!

the kitten chase: a story in pictures

a whole lot of photos, and a few words

impromptu sun-shades

flying leaps

finger painting, al fresco

quick snatches of rest

botany 101

bizarre moments

sharing summer celebrations

wrestling with cousins

yet another litter of kittens (we're keeping this one)

a family wedding, and a portrait that turned out alright

biggest and littlest, in mama's embrace

hand-washed camping laundry, hung to dry

standing already?

summer curls and hammock play

and unicorns made out of potatoes

That about sums it up. 

In a week or so we'll be doing some back-to-school shopping, and our usual routines will resume. I hope to be a more regular visitor to this space but time will tell.

Hello, Again.

Wow, July.

I powered my way through an intensive four-week course, and am happy to say I now have my Kindergarten Part 1! Two more courses to go before I'm a specialist. It took copious amounts of self-discipline and a willingness to depend on others to get through it. My mom, a local teen, and my husband took over the childcare so I could work every day. It was worth it, but I'm glad it's done!

Simplifying our lives even further became a necessity: after getting everyone out the door for swimming lessons just once, I decided that was an obligation we'd have to let go for this summer. Thankfully, our neighbors have a pool and generously welcome us on hot days. I find the kids are learning to swim naturally and independently, and am amazed at the confidence and skills that grow just by playing in the water!

The baby is learning to crawl and will be moving in to her crib tonight for the first time after crawling off the bed yesterday. No major injuries...lots of tears and much self-beration by this mama, though.

As we head into August, and the beginning of our "real" holidays, my focus shifts to these sweet children and what they want to do for fun. We have plans to camp out on the lawn, attend their uncle's wedding, spend a week at a cottage with their cousins, and cuddle lots.

I've missed you! I hope to spend a bit of time catching up on what y'all have been up to so far this summer.

So long, July. It's been real.

Viva Lucha Libre!

You've got to admire these plucky fellows. It's not easy to put an opponent in a headlock when you have no arms. Your opponent just rolls effortlessly around the ring, making it difficult to pin him down, so to speak.

We, the audience, don't come for the fancy holds. We're here for the glamour and the drama...the sparkly masks! The fierce expressions! The tiny spandex undies!

When I commented over at We Bloom Here about the Luchadors we were creating here at the Homestead, she couldn't resist and had to join in the fun. Then we invited Hinterland Mama to come along for the ride. 

We created this Luchador Link Up because, well. That's what some kinds of blogging women do.

Please visit them here and here to see their creations. We encourage you to pin our photos to Pinterest as you like them, as we hope to spark a Luche Libre Peg Doll subculture. As far as we can find online, these are the first of their kind!

Viva Lucha Libre!