I remember being a camper. Whenever we sleep with the air conditioning turned off and the window by our bed open, I'm taken back to sleeping in a camp cabin. I remember the feeling of laying in my bunk, surrounded by unfamiliar girls who will soon be my friends, wondering what they'll serve for breakfast, exhausted from a day of playing hard in the sun, and so thankful for any whisper of a cool wind from the open windows. I remember what it felt like to wake up in the chilly morning air of the quiet cabin.. I would try to move soundlessly in my sleeping bag and get ready to bolt to the bathroom when the morning bell rang. Totally camp. I hope you guys have campy memories too.

For a more in-depth camp flashback, you can read this one. It's one of my favorite chapters of my own history. And for those who will ask: Yes! I am eventually, someday, definitely going to finish writing our love story! I promise!

This will be my 7th and Grant's 26th summer at Camp Shetek, but it's still just as exciting as the first! Hey, remember last summer when we moved out to camp after I had just had a baby 9 days ago? Wowwwww. That one was crazy! (Note: newborn babies and camp schedules are basically like oil and water.) Someday I will tell Hadley how she was a camper from the very, very beginning! And if you're wondering what camp will look like for us this year, here's the story:

     Lately I've been motivated and in the mood to do chores. Maybe it's because it's the end of school; the changing of seasons. I'm usually very dependable when it comes to ordinary chores- the dishes, making the bed, laundry, wiping counters, and general tidying up- it's the unordinary chores that I'm iffy on. The ones that maybe don't need to be done and aren't on my daily to-do list. And it's those iffy chores that I am talking about now. I am totally hooked on doing them!

   I've been putting a new chore on my regular list of things to do each day. So far I've washed the bathroom rugs, organized every item in my closet and re-folded the things on shelves, sorted baby clothes, vacuumed the hard-to-vacuum places, scrubbed hard-water stains, washed all of Hadley's toys, helped Grant get everything off the basement floor and onto shelves, and cleaned the kitchen floor on my hands and knees (twice!).

    Now that we are gearing up for the move to camp for the summer, my focus is drifting to other things, but I do still want to clean the fridge inside and out! There's nothing like putting one's affairs in order. It's so satisfying. and a little addicting. What unordinary chore do you want to put on your to-do list today?

I have a lot of maturing to do. The last 4 years of life have helped me grow up plenty, but I know there's still an endless amount of wisdom to gain. I am embarrassed to think what I must've been like when I married into my husband's family. What kinds of humiliating things did I say? I was 19 when I started attending Harms family things, and I'm sure it showed. I'm even self-conscious thinking about what I said/did last week, so I can't imagine years ago.

In Titus chapter 2, Paul says that older women should teach and train younger women; sharing their wisdom, teaching what is good, and showing us how to be godly wives, mothers. We need a lot of wisdom poured into us. Don't you agree? There is some older girl in your life right now, I'm sure, that could teach you a thousand things from her life experience. I'm thankful for all of the wise women in my life, and specifically right now, my sisters and sisters-in-law. It's been on my mind the past few months, and I've been noticing how many things I do in my daily routine that I've learned from them. So much! I'm very grateful for my loving, godly sisters! I'm thankful for their wisdom and any opportunity I get to glean from it.

What a blessing they are to me, just being able to sit around the table with them and share a conversation, watching them interact with their family, or preparing a meal alongside them. It's not like we sit down and have training sessions, not that that would be a bad idea. The actual "teaching" they do is more like me observing and admiring them when we get to be together. The best way to learn something is to see it modeled in front of you. I've seen them


They've also taught me some great tricks. Some are pretty major and some seem minor, but all are good. and applicable for a happy, well-ordered, creative, godly home. Here are a handful.

coconut oil has about a hundred uses
attitude is everything.
pancakes are perfect for Sunday supper
rainy days are not bad days
don't pig out on tv
wear earrings
play games with your husband, or whatever he enjoys 
chili and rice. together.
how to chop an onion and mince garlic like a chef
sometimes it's worth it to buy garlic that is already minced
sort your laundry by darks, whites, and lights, and possibly pinks
dry cloth diapers in the sun
use honey on bee stings
store your guacamole with the avocado pit still in the bowl
you are the best mother for your baby
make zucchini red onion flatbread
use fresh herbs
get a food processor!
teething = diaper rashes
be content
all manner of birth and healing-after-birth info :)
white vinegar gets rid of ants
buy things for other people spontaneously
how to eat pizza with peppers and stuff (and like it)
enjoy your kids, have normal conversations with them

Thanks, sisters, for everything you show me. I love you all.

We found a smoke bomb in a bag of bouncy balls this morning. (kinda scary. but awesome.)
So we had some driveway fireworks for Memorial Day!
And that is a match in Grant's mouth. Not a cigarette.

The Flipboard app owns the title of my favorite app. A few months ago I switched my google reader over and I've been smitten ever since. Flipboard makes everything you read look like a beautiful magazine page. Plus I've found that it cuts my reading time in half. Do you Flip too?

Other apps I rely on lately.. Reminders, Olive Tree bible reader, Evernote, and of course, Instagram:

Hey, happy girl. I love watching your eyes lately, because they are understanding so much. You're figuring out where things belong and how they work and who mommy is talking to on the phone. I am amazed at how smart you are! Your hair is long enough to be bed-headed and you're starting to look more like a little girl than a baby, but you still smell babyish... mmm. Lately you are:

getting your first batch of teeth, lifting the heaviest possible things you can find, taking awesome naps, using a whispering voice when you're deep in thought, putting a pen to paper and pretending to write, pushing a pink stroller around the living room, stirring and handing a cup to mommy, being so gentle with everything you touch, and hugging. and always smiling.

You know I'm all about homemade snacks. My brain is always planning the next snack to make/eat/share/eat again. Other than fruit and nuts, I don't buy a lot of snacky things at the store, but I'll sometimes splurge and buy them together, in Larabar form. The PB & J Larabar is one of my faves, along with Chocolate Coconut Chew and Banana Bread. They're so handy for car rides and the insanely-hungry stretch between church and Sunday dinner. What is it about Sunday morning that makes us absolutely ravenous by the time church is over?!
I picked up some dried cherries last time I was at Trader Joe's with plans to create my own pb & j bar at home. They turned out a little soft and sticky, but cheaper than the real deal, and they taste wonderful. I even pulled a Martha Stewart and wrapped the "dough" in plastic wrap, pressed it into a neat square, then sliced into bars. They keep nicely if you store them in the fridge. They'd probably be amazing a little bit frozen, too.

are my snack of choice this week. What's yours? Mangoes aren't usually my favorite favorite, but I really love these! They'd be great in a mango salsa.

I spend an inordinate amount of time collecting recipes that could possibly be my birthday cake. This year I picked a classy, grown-up german chocolate. A true german chocolate with the coconut pecan stuff that I used to think was so gross only grown-ups could stomach it. Of course now, I think it's pretty amazing.


I baked the rich cake in 2 extra-thick layers, drizzled it with velvety smooth chocolate syrup, and stacked them together with sticky, nutty, sweet coconut pecan goodness. Then I put it all into the fridge to chill, because in my house, cake will be served cold.
What kind of cake will you pick for your next birthday?
Okay, this recipe looks forever long! But it feels very simple when you're actually doing it.

German Chocolate Coconut Cake
grain free. makes one 9-inch round or 2 smaller rounds.

6 T. coconut flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life brand)
5 eggs (room temp, if you can)
1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla
1/2 cup melted coconut oil (or butter)
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup crushed dates

Combine dry ingredients and chocolate chips in a small bowl and sift well. Using a hand mixer, blend eggs, vanilla, oil, honey and dates. Add dry ingredients to the mixing bowl and blend well. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or 2 smaller round baking dishes. I used some 4-cup glass pyrex dishes that we usually put leftovers in. Pour batter into pans and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes, or until center is just set (it will still be a bit loose/wiggly). Do not over bake. Allow cake to cool, then remove from pan and pile the coconut pecan topping on top of cooled cake. If you're really look for the lap of luxury, feel free to make the chocolate sauce to drizzle on top of cake, or use as a garnish when serving individual pieces.

Coconut Pecan Topping
1/2-3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup crushed dates*
2-3 T. coconut oil
pinch of sea salt
In a small bowl or the bowl of a food processor, combine dates with coconut and pecans and a bit of coconut oil and salt. Feel free to play around with the amounts to fit the taste and texture you're looking for.
*To make the crushed dates, here's what I do: put a 4 or 5 ounce package of dates into a small pot with about 1/2 inch of water. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 5-10 minutes. It doesn't really matter how long, just gets them a bit soft. Put into a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth.


** Summer's Dairy-Free Chocolate Sauce, optional
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 T. cocoa
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla
2 T. honey or maple syrup
While cakes are cooling, combine chocolate sauce ingredients in a 1 or 2 cup measuring glass and place in a pot of simmering water. Heat, stirring, until everything is melted and well combined. Spoon sauce over cooled cakes, with lots of poked holes.

I'll be the billionth one to say it...

Being a mom is hard.

The hardest thing I have ever done. Last year, I would have read that and thought, "Sure, I know being a mom is 'hard' and moms definitely deserve to be thanked." But did I really know anything? No. Not a clue. I had to become a mom myself to get it. Without a doubt, I knew I was in for a life change and a ton of hard work when I wrote this post, but I had no idea. NO IDEA. You can't know until you're in it. Well this year I'm in it, and on Mother's Day I can wholeheartedly say:

Today is our 4th anniversary! or anniver-shur-y. How do you say it? I say it without a"sh."

I used to say the word "nursery" like "nurshurey" until Grant taught me the right way. He has probably taught me thousands of things since I've known him. I'm thankful to be married to such a brilliant guy! From him I have learned:

1. to keep a car clean
2. how to say less and be okay with it, you don't always need to explain everything
3. to love salt and vinegar chips and cilantro
4. not to pick the dandelions when they're at the Beauty and the Beast point (the fuzzy stage)
5. about X-men, Mike Tyson, and the Kentucky Derby
6. how to use Photoshop, knit, and pay off a loan
7. how to drive and just enjoy the quiet
8. not to drink tap water
9. how to invest in the stock market
10. to do a not fun job and make it fun
11. how to be more patient and less defensive
12. not to gossip
13. not to worry that people are gossiping about me
14. that a good lawn and an early bedtime are things to strive for
15. how to care about cool, meaningful things
16. how to not care about petty things
17. how to fall asleep without music
18. to buy something nice the first time, so you don't have to replace it next year
19. to pray specifically
20. the difference between real peanut butter and fake peanut butter
21. the difference between the NFL and college football
22. the importance of not tucking in bed sheets at the bottom of the bed
23. the importance of a solid white t-shirt
24. how to hunt gophers and drive a jet ski
25. how to live without ceiling fans, a garbage disposal, stoplights, Target, pop, or a 2nd car (some of those I don't even miss)

and so much more! Tons of things I can't even write down. I have changed so much being Grant's wife. I'm grateful to him for helping me grow, protecting me, loving me, leading me. Thank you to my amazing husband for an excellent 4 years of life together.

            in case you are reading me in a reader and didn't get to see the new blog banner, here's a little peek. 


Friends! You have no idea how fun it was to hear your familiar comment voices again yesterday. Thanks, everybody! missed you. By the way, if you've never commented before, I still want to say hey! I really appreciate you! (but of course, I would love to hear your voice sometime, too!) Okay, I said we'd catch up. let's get started.

Things I did while I was not blogging:
1. got a new camera lens
2. discovered turnips
3. went on a picnic
4. had a birthday
5. baked a cake (i will be sharing more on this)
6. took some road trips
6.5 snacked on larabars
7. found out about some food allergies*
8. got the new iPad
9. discovered rice pudding
10. saw The Hunger Games and The Avengers
11. decided that tacos are my favorite meal
12. made about 19 pots of soup
13. painted my toenails
14. read a book
15. visited my family
16. wore shorts
17. thrifted some vintage Fire King mixing bowls
18. posted on Facebook (i love that it's like quick-blogging. think i should do a fb page for the blog?)
19. introduced Hadley to Fred Astaire
20. taught the word "no"
21. watched my beautiful, brave girl take her first steps (such a rush)
22. played with cousins
23. went bowling
24. got a haircut
25. received a few pounds of giant California raisins, which were promptly eaten
26. started planning another summer at camp
27. reached 175,000 miles on our car
28. got water in our basement
29. bought new shoes
30. fell in love with the Filpboard app

of course all of these things were just little bits in the bulk. the bulk of what we did this spring was real life! and as a friend wisely told me the other day: life takes a lot of time. we wouldn't be truly caught up if you didn't know about the diaper changing, decision making, mashing bananas, checking the weather, wiping cheeks, kissing cheeks, watching the stock market, staining clothes, clearing the table, emptying the dishwasher, picking up scattered toys, and peeling carrots. just keeping it real. :)

ok, your turn. tell me something you did this spring!

*yep! some food allergies going on for both grant and me. we weren't surprised. not the end of the world. we still love what we eat :) but my recipes might reflect our adjusted diet for the time being. just wanted you to know what's going on! does anyone in your family have food allergies/intolerances?

I'm back.


If you'll have me, that is. I owe you all a big, sheepish apology for totally bailing on the blog this spring! Don't fret, we're not out on the streets or mysteriously in quarantine or helplessly without internet. All is well! We're great. I don't pretend that my little stories here make or break your blog roll, but some of you have been telling me that you've been checking in every day for the past couple months! Wow. I love you for that. I don't take it lightly. Really, it's a privilege to be missed and cared about. Thank you so much. You are such dear people. Thanks for still talking to me, because I have to admit, I'm kinda scared I may have lost some friends!


(Seriously, though. I have missed you crazy. Are we still friends?)


So here I am and thrilled about it! I even have a new look to get us officially reinstalled and onto a new chapter of the blog. I hope you like it. 


Sincerely, excitedly, familiarly yours,
Summer Elizabeth Harms 


ps. let's catch up in the next post, okay?