Give me a home where the buffalo {and the wild horses and the prairie dogs} roam...North Dakota.

Early in the morning, on the last day of July, our family...

{minus our oldest..insert crying emoji..my how things change when kids get older}...
..and two of my younger brothers, packed our cars with tents and pillows and trail mix
and whipped cream and cocoa powder and a whisk and a tiny pot.
...because there is no reason to camp withOUT your posh, morning coffee!

With cars bursting at the seams, our little caravan headed out west.
Like the cowboys. Like Lewis and Clark. Like the pioneers.
...only we had paved roads {most of the way} and perhaps slightly better gear.
We were headed to a campground with a fancy built in pool and a hot tub...
...and really nice showers and running water and an ice cream shop.
We also stayed two nights in a hotel along the way.

I imagine this was pretty much the same as those who followed The Oregon Trail.

We were on our way to Glacier to meet up with our best-est friends and neighbors.
..but first, we made a stop in North Dakota.

Which I never knew was SO pretty!!!
{...hello sunflower fields!}

We...
 ...spent a day in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
..hiked many miles through the North Dakota badlands.
...saw bands of wild horses and lots of bison{or buffalo..this is a great debate}
..learned prairie dogs were plentiful.
.....saw the world's largest buffalo... {as seen below}

The weather was perfect...
{...and for those who live in the Midwest..NO humidity!}

So worth visiting!

Rosemary grows wild EVERYWHERE!
The air was filled with it's fragrance...it was lovely.

{I could live here...}

..my fearless girl.

My favorite part?

...having him at my side for two weeks.

North Dakota..you were great.

Thanks for having us.
XxOo

I wasn't planning on being one of those people...

...that tosses her blog to the wayside and posts only on Instagram.
Lately..I have been her. Blogs take a long time. ..but I will try and keep up.
For myself. I want to.

Our neighbors are family.
The kids have been blessed to grow up with each other the past 14 years...{and counting!}

It's nice to have a casual.last minute.hot dogs over the fire dinner.
To kids it's the best...followed by s'mores of course.

End of day..the golden hour is so pretty.

He's my favorite...the way he turns into a 14 year old boy on the 4th of July...
his love for shooting off fireworks and wearing light-up fedoras makes him
all the more cuter to me.

Riding scooters around town.Cucumbers from the garden.
Paw Patrol flip flops on the wrong feet...can life get any better?
He thinks not.

Happy Summer Days.
XxOo

Wrapping up the week...come follow.and Hey! Jude! ..how about yesterday.

It's Friday...
If you're not doing anything tonight, you should head on over to the
McEachran Homestead Winery. We'll be out there making pizza!!!


We've now entered summer craziness.
We work with Savino's Brick Oven  ...and I work with Twin Gardens.
We don't sell at the markets anymore...it's been a while.
I do miss it...but I LOVE what I do now with the farm! ...which is their social media.
So I still get to visit the farmer's markets..and really..who doesn't love markets?
Come follow us on Instagram and Facebook at both the farm and the brick oven!

I'll be doing a write up next week on the farm's blog about their flowers!
They are AMAZING!!! If you know of a bride in need of a bouquet,
we've got that covered for you.
...and if you need a wedding or any party catered for that matter..I know people. ;)

One of my boys had me listen to these two ...I am in love.
Seriously the PERFECT wedding song EVER!!!

Hey Jude! ...how about yesterday?
So..if you're going to click only one, I'd go with Yesterday.
Such great harmonies.

Happy Weekend.
XxOo

My pathetic.sad.eaten.rained on.garden.

First it was the rabbits.
Then the rain came....and I mean raaaaaaaiiiiin.

Now my garden... {what is left of it..goodbye 31 sunflowers..Grrr...Rabbits! ..sigh}
...is full of weeds and mud.

I'm looking forward to the sunny Saturday morning the weather man is promising.
If you need me, I'll be planting and pulling weeds in my garden. {smile}

XxOo

Wrapping up the week...broken bells.this season.two songs.changing my perspective.

My bicycle bell broke...sniff, sniff. It was pink and pretty and I liked it a lot.
My dear husband said he'll buy a new one for me..I just have to pick it out.
I'm thinking.. this one or this one. I'm still deciding.

 This season...{those two words encompass SO very much}
..when the weather is warm.
....the ages of my kids.
..the things I want to do.
...the things I don't want to do.

...it can all be draining. It can be wonderful.
Life is busy and crazy and fun and full and stressful and great.

THIS was exactly what I needed to read at 5:45am..the start of a very busy next three days.
Loved, loved, loved what she wrote!
Why is it so hard for me to keep the right perspective?

It truly is a minute by minute surrender.

I Need Thee Every Hour
...the more aware we are, the more we realize our need for a Saviour.
One can walk through life without knowing God deeply..
...let me tell you, if you are, you are really missing out!
{Also...is that guy not amazing?}

Life is such a gift! I seem to forget that sometimes. {slap across my face!}

The biggest bed Hog you EVER did see!

{...from my son's sweet girlfriend...<3 her.}

This Song ...it is played on the guitar by all in our house often.
Going tonight with a very handsome date to see him play.
Have a wonderful weekend.
HaPpY Father's Day to all of you dads out there!
XxOo

I'm going to do a "So far this..."

....spring {even though it feels like I should be typing summer}...

We've been up to the lake a couple of times.

We've caught fish...well, those who fish have caught fish. I am not included in "those who fish".

We've been working with my sister and her husband... Savino's Brick Oven.
{Check it out..follow us on social media...book us for your next party!}

We've been to two parades..Frankie was able to sit in the driver's seat of a firetruck.
Day Made. Cross that off his toddler bucket list!

We've been a part of the 1920's Model A Day celebration
up in Sharon Wisconsin for many years now.
My sisters and I sing...the kids all participate in skits and this year Sam sold popcorn.
You should come next year..it's simple, cute, lots of fancy cars and lots of fun.


We've planted the garden...and if you follow me on Instagram
...you know I have been at war with the rabbits.
Remember all those seeds we planted? 
..well, I transplanted..the cute fluffy baby bunnies FEASTED!!! Grrr...
36 tomato plants...I have 5 left.
21 pepper plants...I have 10 left.
9 Chinese lanterns...I have 4 left.

I actually had to BUY more plants...and I couldn't get the same ones I started from seed.
...and I would like to inform you that we will NOT be canning tomatoes this year.
...but I have a new plan to rid the garden of bunnies...
...I'll fill you in soon and let you know how it works. Fingers crossed.

Papa and the boys. {well, some of them at least..wink}
...and thanks to Grandma..the little boys each had their own can of pop AND their own chips.
This was huge for them! Haha.

Hope you're having a good spring..a few more days and I can type..
...Summer!
XxOo