Yesterday was one of those days where you walk across the room doing one task, and by the time you get to the other side of the room, you're on a different mission completely. My to-do list was in full swing, and so were the sidetracks. Basically, I ran around the house wearing myself out, avoiding the big jobs that were hanging most over my head. I was glad to be getting the little things done, but I'm sure I could have done them more peacefully knowing the bigger tasks were done or underway.

When I finally took a moment to sit down at our table, and talk with Jesus, and read a little Spurgeon, I found this (see quote above). This passage had been underlined by Grant years ago, but it was perfect for me at that moment. It talked about how we all think "later we'll attend to the serious things" and it ends up being a lifetime of later. Which can either be a lazy or an exhausting way to spend a life, ironically. For me constantly avoiding a job takes effort- it saps my energy and thoughts. My time at the table ended in asking for His wisdom to know how to catch the flying hour instead of flying around my house, refusing to be caught.

So what was on the agenda for the day? (because some day I will come back to this post and wonder what I was so supposedly "busy" with)

Laundry, printing invoices and processing orders from my little shop, vacuuming, a bath for Hadley, potty training, baking and photographing some cookies for a blog contribution I'm doing soon, dishes, going to the chiropractor, making a new batch of homemade diaper wipes, washing bedding, cooking some soaked quinoa, cleaning the kitchen and our bedroom, washing out the crockpot, making a packing list for Thanksgiving, planning a meal to bring on the road trip to Grandma's, cleaning out the fridge, and making my sister-in-law Heidi's yummy honey mustard chicken.

Blogged 2 years ago: Simple Roasted Cauliflower Soup

     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?

lately i'm discovering more and more reasons to love you..


you keep my stainless steel pots looking.... stainless.
you clean my bathroom counter, without putting fumes in my face. 
you help my bug bites stop itching. (yes, i have bug bites in october.)
you keep my fridge from reeking.
you make my pancakes light and fluffy.
you fight the hard water stains in the kitchen sink.
you exfoliate. (really, you are the perfect facial scrub.)
you scrape my cast iron skillet clean.
you polish the faucets until they shine.
you make my flowers last longer.
you help the sourdough not be too sour.
you can clean anything. toilets, tubs, sinks, shoes, the fridge, my retainer.. 
you can be used as my deodorant? i need to try this. 
and you are super cheap. 


thanks for everything. 
you are my favorite product in the whole house. 
.. summer

"When I married Grant, I was so excited to tackle the job of cooking for two (or any cooking, for that matter). I knew it would be different than making family-sized meals, but I wasn't quite sure of the logistics of it. I experimented often (and still do), but after a bit it became second nature. If you're willing to make it work, it does! In my newlywed kitchen, I learned a few things right of the bat. To become proficient in cooking for two, you must be willing to..."

hello again, everybody!
thanks for commiserating with me about the squash, and the good ideas for next time. wanted you to know: today on the smithfield blog i'm giving my top 3 tips on cooking for two! 
head over to read more!

look! aunt debbie brought me a new apron, all the way from california. thanks, debbie! (and brea, i heard that you were the one who mentioned my name.. thank you so much! you are too kind.) doesn't it look like it's fit for a tea party? that's why i love it. the pocket is pretty cute, too.

a little reveal..

news from today.

take a peek at what we did on monday, and our three new additions..