Loft Mountain- July 2008

We had our first tent camping trip of the year last weekend. It was a wonderful time with friends in the Shenandoah National Park. We drove up Friday morning (yes, in the Civic!) and arrived at Loft Mountain campground around lunchtime.

On our way up Skyline Drive, we saw this little guy crossing the road. Unfortunately, we weren't quite fast enough with the camera. We did get a shot as he slipped into the forest.

Our massive tent! Home away from home!

Brandon taking a break from building our weekend home!

Boomer wasted no time getting stung by some woodland bug. His eye and lip swelled.

Poor boy!

Evelyn taking a break!

Eden loved snuggling Cooper the great dane!

Enjoying the campfire!

This big guy came right through our campsite! No fear of humans in the park!

We chose a hike based on the description that it was easy. It was a 1.8 mile hike from Ivy Spring Overlook to Ivy Spring. It only took us a short while to decide that the hike was not going to be easy enough for the little ones and we put the toddlers in carriers. The part we weren't prepared for was the part where Boomer's knee gave out. We were only about 1/4 mile into the hike and Brandon had to take Boomer back to the car. He is still recovering. Cooper also managed to tear his pad on one of his paws.

Brandon, before he left us.

The view at an overlook while hiking.

Amy and Eden.

Playing and having lunch at Ivy Creek.

Eden was worn out on the trip home. She put her silk over her head (presumably to play hide and seek) and put her sunglasses overtop! Within minutes, she was asleep!

What a wonderful trip! I am ready to get out there again! Anyone want to go camping?

July 4th

We spent the 4th at my cousin's wedding.  It was a beautiful event at Berkeley Plantation and we really enjoyed ourselves!  Eden did too!  She loved the band and danced her little heiny off!

Little Eden all dressed up for a garden party!

The happy couple...

Casey and Jennifer Stockdon

The incredible band!

Hamburger James

Casey played a little bit with the band...

while his bride "cut the rug"!

Some new pics of the girl...

We had Eden's pictures done, in May (18 months), for the first time since her birthday, in November (12 months). The pictures all turned out great! I highly recommend Portrait Innovations in Short Pump. They did a great job and the price was right!

Eden loves to help with everything from cooking to
cleaning to cutting the grass.

When Grandma came for a visit, we went to the beach. Eden LOVED the ocean (she calls it the "lotion") and playing on the beach. She talks about it daily. I guess we will have to plan another trip soon!

Another beach shot with Eden's hands-behind-the-back "at ease" pose.
She stands like this a lot... So funny!

What's New With the Rollogas Crew?

I have been so terrible at keeping up with blogging. Sometimes life just takes over and something has to go. Unfortunately for you all, it has been the blog.

Our little family seems to be in constant transition these days. I am working hard to get my little childbirth education business off the ground. I have been doing some teaching here and there and I love it!!

My job of the past 3 years is about to end. My last day as part of the Burijon (childcare) Team is tomorrow. I have mixed feelings about it coming to an end. I will miss seeing those crazy kids twice a week (and so will Eden). Fortunately, we will still be seeing them a lot! I am ready to be at home serving my family every day. They ("they" being Jesus and Abraham Lincoln) say that "a house divided against itself cannot stand." They must have seen my laundry pile! I have certainly been "divided" and while I won't ever be a June Cleaver, I am hoping to hone my home-making skills and learn some new stuff, too! Canning is at the top of my list! Always looking for ways to "find" money in our budget is quickly becoming a pastime of mine- mostly to supplement the ever-increasing food budget (cursed fuel prices!!)

Eden is changing every day and keeps us on our toes. She is amazing. The child is just shy of 20 months and she talks in sentences. She communicates so well, that I sometimes forget that she is really still a baby. It is both a blessing and a curse to have a talkative toddler. She can tell me what she wants and needs and that is wonderful, but she doesn't understand that she can't always have it. That can be frustrating for both of us. Fortunately, she has an age-appropriate attention span! I can usually distract her!

I'll post again a little later with some pics!

Garden Photos!

A Purple Finch at our window bird feeder.  The dogs have added their nose prints while watching the birds.  The birds don't seem to mind being watched.

Eden loved planting beans with me!

My mini greenhouse.

Worms in my vermicompost bin!

I made a bamboo teepee for my pole beans to climb!

Strawberries!  

I have them hanging on my front porch!

Rosemary , Basil, Peppermint, Chamomile and Cilantro.

In addition to the plants I have growing in my herb pot, I also have Chamomile, Rosemary, Lavender, Greek Oregano and Parsley growing in my herb garden out in front of the house.

Springtime!

Gardening is civil and social, but it wants the vigor and freedom of the forest and the outlaw. ~Henry David Thoreau

I never had any other desire so strong, and so like to covetousness, as that one which I have had always, that I might be master at last of a small house and a large Garden. ~Abraham Cowley, The Garden, 1666

Some of you know that I long for the country life.  I want a big garden and chickens and fruit trees and a milk cow.  For now, though, I will settle for my crops in pots and my "herd" of worms!  

Crops in Pots

I am growing my garden in containers on the front porch!  Right now, I have strawberries in hanging baskets, an assortment of herbs (in pots and in the ground), peas, pole beans and lettuce and my  tomatoes are on their way (from Seed Savers).  I have a shady back yard and have never been able to have a garden there.  I decided that enough is enough!  My front porch and yard are south-facing and wonderfully sunny!  I'll post some photos soon!

Vermicomposting

Worms eat my garbage!  I have a worm compost bin.  I have a herd of Red Wiggler worms in a Rubbermaid bin.  They take care of our family kitchen waste.  When they finish with it, I am left with the most wonderful compost for mixing in to my soil and for fertilizing plants.  For more information, check out this site (it is a UNL site... just for you Sweetie)!