Our first harvest!

The girls' have harvested our first veggie of the season!

a beautiful green pepper!

We are very proud!

Beautiful weekend on the farm

We've had a stretch of some really hot, humid days lately.

I'm not really complaining - since we had so much rain in the Spring. Plus, I love hot.

We don't have central air conditioning in our house. We don't have ducts. Our house is heated with baseboard heat.

I grew up with central AC and I wasn't sure how I'd deal.

Our first home had central AC too.

We were spoiled.

But, I have to say, I actually like NOT having AC.

Here's why.

It actually feels like summer in our house.

Windows open, breezy winds.

I'm usually wearing a tank top and shorts. Or a summer dress.

I have memories of Steve coming home after a (hot) day at work, only to find me snuggled under blankets in our 68 degree house.

Now, it really, truly feels like summer in our home.

The first couple of years we managed without having AC units.

We installed ceiling fans in the bedrooms, to help with air flow.

Last year was SO HOT FOR SO LONG that I came home from work one day to see that Steve had bought 3 window units. One for our bedroom, and one each for the girls. LOL.

He couldn't handle it.

So, we have those window units for when it gets stupid hot.

We leave one of the girls' on all the time, in case they want to go upstairs and play.

We leave the one in our master on most of the time as well, if we want or need relief.

Both dogs enjoy lounging in our bedroom on the hot days.

This past weekend wasn't that hot at all. I used the opportunity to get some outdoor chores done.

Fresh water for the chickens! They always have access to water from the little spickets, but I like to make sure with the big waterer.

And we have another rooster. Ugh.

Enjoying the beautiful morning

I feel like my garden is finally taking off!

Heirloom tomatoes

Tomatoes

Green pepper! Ready to harvest soon.

More peppers

Peppers

Corn lol.

Zucchini and yellow squash

Tomatoes mostly. I have a watermelon in the back and 3 eggplants over to the left. 

Lovely day for a swim! I got them that circular water fountain - it lights up for night swimming! 

Here's a better view of the fountain. 

More deck building

20ft boards

Took Bella Boo for a walk around the property. Here's our apple tree!

Tired pup after her walk. Tucked her nose right in! 

Independence Day 2019

Happy Independence Day, everyone!

We've been lucky that our schedule has been super easy this week.

Steve was off of work for most of the week (until Friday) and I'm off starting Wednesday at noon and don't go back until Monday!

Steve worked this last weekend, so we didn't hit up the normal fireworks/parade that we'd normally go to. Steve and I have been going to this particular 4th of July celebration since we were kids. I have fond memories of going with either my family or a neighbor's family and staying until the fireworks.

I also remember watching the fireworks from my childhood home's kitchen windows, because of where our house was in proximity to the local school/park where the celebration was held.

So it's been fun to bring our kiddos there to experience it as well.

Our town holds the celebration on the actual day (versus the weekend preceding the actual holiday like other towns). Steve and I are excited to bring the girls down to the lake to enjoy the neighborhood picnic, live music and fireworks.

If only we had a boat and could do the "Ring of Fire" - maybe someday!

Went down to the lake for the July 4th celebration! So many people.

My kids don't get to eat a lot of fun stuff when we're out - but we know they can have fried dough! 

The only way to eat it! :)

So happy!

such a goof

Playing ring toss on my arm

I would like to point out that we forgot to bring our folding chairs with us. And we parked kinda far away. We knew it was going to get busy.

Realizing that we had 2 more hours before fireworks, Steve asked if I wanted to walk back to the truck, go home and grab our chairs. 

I didn't really want to sit on the ground where we were - just a lot of traffic and people in chairs. And Steve still wasn't feeling great, so I went.

Walked allllllllll the way back to the truck (maybe half a mile?) then drove home, found the chairs, cleaned them off, drove back. 

BUT, during my walk to the truck, I had noticed several "good" parking spots that were much closer to the center of activity. I didn't think any cars would see these spots unless they were coming from my direction...so I kept my fingers crossed that I'd be able to get one of these two great spots.

On my way back to the lake, I took another route - one that would allow me to go straight - and I'm glad I did! I saw that the lane I was in, and the one to my left were all turning left to head down towards the shopping area (Wegmans, DD, etc.) but there were NO signs saying we couldn't go straight (towards the lake). So I just went. 

And well, the police officer grabbed the "ROAD CLOSED" sign and put it up RIGHT AFTER ME.

HALLELUJIAH! LOL. I'm so proud that I squeaked by.

And I got the spot I wanted. 

So much closer than our original spot.

Grabbed the chairs, flung them over my shoulders and walked back.

I was gone about 50 minutes total, which wasn't bad!

We were able to sit comfortably. I also grabbed a beach towel at the last minute in case the girls wanted to sit on the ground in front of us. 

Turned out, Steve and Mila took the chairs and Ava and me sat on the ground together.

It was awesome! 

We had a great time. 

This is one tradition I hope we continue! 

What the F you guys

Seriously you guys.

We're barely hanging on.

I have been sick with bronchitis since last Tuesday.

I finally started to feel better...Saturday. I think.

Sunday, Steve woke up with a scratchy throat.

Fuck.

I knew it.

I knew I'd give it to him.

I mean, it's just impossible NOT to share germs with your spouse, amiright?

We sleep in the same bed.

If we're both home, we're usually in the same proximity (what can I say? we enjoy each other's company!)

Let's hope it doesn't hit him as hard as it hit me.

I even told him today "I'm kinda glad you got it...so you know how I really felt, like TOTAL SHIT"

Sometimes, I think he thinks I'm being dramatic.

But let's back up.

<side story>
This one time.

We went camping.

It was a terrible weekend for pollen.

And it rained.

The entire time.

I slept in a tent with no ventilation.

With two dogs.

I had a bad asthma attack.

I tried to tell Steve.

He told me "you sound fine"

I'll spare you the dramatics, but I went to the rink dink hospital, got treatment and got home.

I ended up at the big hospital at home and was admitted for 4 days and was out of work for almost 2 weeks.

That was the first time Steve really saw how severe my asthma can be.

ANYWAY.

Back to now - I'm hacking, coughing up phlegm (sorry, tmi) and literally heaving with each cough, I swear I've broken a rib.

My doc is awesome and called in a Z-Pak for me, since he knows me and knows my asthma (and family history).

But, this fucking bronchitis shit has me on my ASS.

I missed 3 days of work.

Steve's "lucky" in that he doesn't have to go back to work until Friday.

But, he also has a deck to build.

Delivery from Lowe's

That's a lot of wood!

Trex(r) decking

So we'll see. It's supposed to rain a bit here and there too, so maybe that'll give him the break he needs to get better. 

Work has been incredibly busy too! I love it when it's busy. We're looking to hire someone for my team, so that's exciting. My company has been in a groove lately with some wins and I'm just glad to be a part of it. 

I feel like summer just started, but I also feel like we're right in the middle of it. 

We decided to get the girls (and Steve) season passes to a local waterpark. We're lucky that it's literally right in our little town, so about 12 minutes from our house. Since Steve is off fo much during the week, he's able to take them there and spend an hour or whatever, whenever they want. Versus, spending maybe $75 and feeling like you have to spend the ENTIRE day there to get your money's worth. 

I plan on going too, at some point, but it's unlikely I'd go the 4 times needed to warrant a season pass for myself. 

We're coming up on a holiday week here and I'm excited for my family's schedule this week. Steve's off, so he's home with the girls Monday - Thursday, then my office closes at noon Wednesday and I am off Thursday and Friday. The girls don't have to go daycare at all this week! Not only is that a few extra bucks in our wallets this month, they get to have sleepy mornings, bed head, swimming at 10am, jammies all day, etc. SUMMER. I love it. 

Mila went to a sleepover! This is Pinky the Flamingo - made out of fondant! 

Me and Ava just coloring and hanging out.

ALSO, my garden!

I've been so sick that I haven't been able to spend as much time out there as I've wanted to. Weeds were starting to take over, so Sunday when I was feeling a bit better, I went out there and pulled some big ones out. 

My pepper!

Hungarian peppers (I think)

zucchini, yellow squash, broccoli?

Tomatoes and corn

We've been busy! Some Updates!

And now I'm sick with bronchitis. On day 2 of antibiotics and still feeling like garbage.

Honestly, I thought it was just me losing my voice after screaming at the NKOTB concert.

But by Sunday...no voice led to sore throat.

I made it through Monday decently.

Tuesday was my company's off site retreat (we got a sweet suite at Frontier Field) with food, drinks, snacks, it was amazing.

And I was too sick to enjoy it and left after an hour.

It was a perfect day and I'm sad I couldn't spend the entire time with my team.

The weather has FINALLY turned and we're having more nice days than not. We have some really rainy days, but a few sunny ones too! 

Bella girl enjoying the sun!

He spends most of his time outside now.

My morning glories! I have them on 3 of the 4 posts of my pergola. 

The Garden! (The plants have grown since this pic was taken! this was about a week ago)

The baby birds in the girls' playhouse - getting their feathers!

Nothing better than grilling! (and smoking!) I do most all of the grilling and smoking. Even though I bought the smoker for Steve. He's never (NEVER) used it. 

I don't think he knows how to use it, either. 

And finally hot enough to swim! 

Mila had her last day of First Grade! I can't believe she's a Second Grader! 

Cement in the holes