The Little Things (lately)

Remember these posts??

I've been wanting to get back into routine because the little things in life seriously make life sweeter.  And I've found that if I document what it is that touches me, I live life more grateful, in awe, and in general, more happy.

so the little things...

the lawn chair sitting in the middle of three acres waiting to be sat in with a good book.
running in the sprinkler with giddy kids.
a shipment of Spark after being a week without.  hallelujah.
it's the wheat grass blowing in the breeze and the hen and chicks newly planted in my flower beds.
it's a good cry and conversation with a friend; and the agreement that tough times are just seasons and not a life.
it's hot pink nail polish and messy hair buns.
gathering fresh eggs from our backyard.
the curious questions of a four year old and the maternal instincts that are developing in my six year old.
it's the elderly neighbor who loves the kids, makes frequent visits and phone calls, bakes lemon bars, cuts flowers from the garden and sends us away with them, who teaches us about all the plants and flowers around her property and ours, who invites us to her immaculately-kept pool, and who snips articles and leaves magazines and color books on the doorstep for the little ones.  she's truly a gem.  she's like a grandma we never had.
it's the mentor who reminded me--"God never loses a prayer."

Off to celebrate the 100 degree heat! 

A Colorful Clothesline

When the wash machine breaks and service department doesn't have an appointment for another ten days, executive decisions have to be made.  The last thing I want to do is spend an entire day at the laundry mat, or take over someone's wash machine for a day, so I took the matter into my own hands.  Literally. 

Truth is, I've wanted to line-dry for a while. Not regularly, but to give it a whirl and to feel resourceful, self-sufficient and the whole bit. 

I sorted through the kids clothes, pulled out necessary items for washing and got to work...in the tub.  Hope those items got as clean as I think they are!

But it was work.  Especially with two little ones who wanted to help wash.  The heat from the tub and the heat in our non-air conditioned house got me irritable, and it was then that I remembered, we aren't destitute!  Our dryer still works (and I know people with working washers).  But Brooklynn had already envisioned her hot pink denim shorts hanging on the line, and Asher had began to gather my red, glitter mini clothespins, so I felt I needed to go with it--minus the glitter clothespins.

We've had this line up for about a year now.  It's been used as a dog run, a zip line and now a clothesline.  Works perfectly!

This vintage clothesline sack and clothespins came from a storage auction we won last year.  Lucky for me, the unit had originally belonged to a woman who loved to craft.  Score!

What I learned: I sure take matters of convenience for granted, 

and it's quite a bit of work living like an Ingall. 

But it is rewarding to see clean clothes hanging on the line!

NOTE:  Husband just fixed the washer.  Seriously.  As I was writing this. 

Off to cancel the service call!