Nancy East

Hiker | Author | Outdoor Educator

Happy Fall, Y’all!

by

I really did have grand intentions of doing this great post on our summer garden and how much it thrived and sustained us this summer, physically of course with it’s bounty, and for me, emotionally. I had even better intentions of posting on the kids first day of their homeschool co op and how cute they looked before we left, both nervous and a little giddy. And I had even better intentions of keeping up to date with the progress on our sweet Jones and where we stand in the process. Well, the road to hell and all that good stuff.

So, how did that garden grow? Quite fabulously, if I do say so myself, and aside from it starting to look like an overgrown jungle by late August, it was beautiful as well. One night, as we were eating on our deck with some family visiting, a guy and his kids walked by on the street, oohing and aahing over it, making comments like, “And look, an eggplant! Oh my gosh, and there’s a watermelon…..Oh, and there they are eating dinner.” I grinned from ear to ear that passer bys not only noticed but were just as psyched about it as I was! We ate like kings and are still reaping the benefits of it all. New life makes me happy. Each spring and summer, I’m reminded of how sustaining it can be to create it in this form.

Our watermelons were great but the kids are spoiled by the seedless varieties in the grocery store!

Throw a pack of zinnia seeds out–voila, bliss!

Volunteer sunflowers from the bird feeder
Caprese Salad with good olive oil is my favorite summer treat
My favorite this year–pink lady peas
Homemade Pizza Margherita–Heaven on Earth
Aidan loved going out every morning and bringing in the bounty
The first day of Deep Young Academy was a success! Lou walked in without a single sniffle or complaint, in her typical form. Buddy had his posse of Lego fanatics waiting on him, so all in all, it was a great start to the year and we absolutely love being a part of this wonderful group of families! Here they are on the front steps before we left that morning. If someone can tell me how to get both of my kids to smile AND look at the camera at the same time, you’d be my best friend 🙂
And if there is any question as to whether or not my daughter would be cut out for an episode of Tiaras and Toddlers or whatever that hideous show is called!
Goof balls on their first day of co-op
And finally, our sweet little Jones, waiting on us still in Ethiopia. We are still waiting on the US Embassy to give us clearance to come for our interview. We think we’ll be traveling around the first of November or late October, but at this point, I’ve learned not to hang my hat on any projections. It’s a crazy process, this adopting. We received some updated photos of our handsome guy a week or so ago, as they celebrated Ethiopia’s new year (Enkutatash) –they rang in 2004!
I have no idea why this keeps loading sideways but I can’t seem to fix it! He’s cute no matter which direction he’s facing though, so enjoy 🙂

Celebrating Enkutatash

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