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long day.

May 3, 2012

i had a great day.
but it was long.
i went for a run/walk….BOO.
it was so hard because i was so tired.
but i'm glad i did it and didn't bail.
i met up with kimberlee to get going on whatever craft weekend.
we made beds, rearranged furniture, hung curtains, folded fabric, ironed bedskirts and she sorted all the swag.
oh we love the swag!!
we both left to go see our kids after school.
i vacuumed the suburban out for craig to take on his golf trip this weekend.
then i had the girls wash it….it was hot today!
annie sprayed the dog with the hose.
then he rolled around over and over on the muddy gravel/dirt road.
so we gave him a bath on the patio.
my kids ate rice and….??? i don't even know what else for dinner because while they ate i washed the patio off with a hose.
i killed fruit flies for almost an hour total with a fly swatter in our bathroom and kitchen.
it was getting to epic proportions.
i went on the attack.
i loathe them.
annie read three books to me while i dozed in and out of sleep on the couch.
i put the three youngest to bed.
then i hot glued fringe on a lampshade.
and now i am blogging while eating cereal.
such an exciting blog post!
aren't you glad you came over here today to read this?!
how about some chicken pictures?
just because posts without pictures are dull and i have nothing more to say about chickens.

ok….i have to pack my clothes and i head over for craft weekend in the morning.
yay!!!

my poor mom….our house is a mess.
and their are fruit fly guts all over the place.
🙂

but i hope she doesn't mind too much while she watches the kids.
i am sure they can distract her enough from the mess with endless games of Sorry and Mexican train.

i thank you mom for coming….and craft weekend thanks you!!

oh and also….the winner for the Make and Takes for Kids book!

Our favorite craft supply right now are "googly eyes" my two yr old loves them!

Posted by: Lennie | May 02, 2012 at 10:28 AM

email me your info Lennie (and great favorite supply too)

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Tracy - LOVE the pictures… You should get a venus fly trap and it will eat all your pesky fruit flies. They are drawn to the plant too…amazing little buggers yet slightly disgusting.

sonya - lilsoak + friends - You can use apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinger and put a cling rap over the ramekin and poke holes so they get trapped. Should solve your fruit flyvissue!

Darci Weinert - HI Meg, i was reading your blog with my daughter (8years old) and she LOVES Talby’s soccer sandals-she just recently made our Under 9 travel team and would love to get a pair! do you remember where you purchased them? thanks darci (and madalyn)

Shannon - I’ve never tried apple cider vinegar but I put a small piece of banana in a bowl and cover with cling wrap. Then poke a few small holes in the cling wrap with the point of a sharp knife. The flies go in but can’t get out and even my worst infestations are gone in a day.

Amy @ Little for a Little While - I was just going to suggest the apple cider vinegar with a few drops of dish soap thing, but looks like i’m not the only one who knows that trick. Try it. It works. For real. You (and your mom) will thank us all later 😉

Krissy - I HATE fruit flies too. yuck!!! Also, Talby’s mismatched socks are the BEST EVER!!!! I wear mine like that every day. haha.

Sara - I learned the apple cider trip while working at a restaurant (gross, I know. but at least we controlled them!). I was addicted to Sorry! as a kid. My family got to the point where I was so obnoxious they wouldn’t play 🙁
Talby looks tall in all your recent posts!
Are you guys counting down to summer yet?

Mary - death to the fruit flies! ugh!
and ya for cute chicken pics!
random posts are the BEST! 🙂
have fun crafting!

Claudia Bennink-krijgsman - Hi, I visit your blog nearly every day from The netherlands where it still is grey and cold.. I live in quite a big city and when I read your day to day stuff it makes me happy… Have a great craft weekend, if I would live in the usa I would visit you 🙂 Enjoy and relax, have fun…..

Tina I - Love your day-in-the-life posts! Keepin’ it real. Hate it when you have a run where your legs feel like lead and your heart just isn’t in it. I always say that running is such good training for life. Sometimes you just have to keep going, and sometimes life, like running, is just plain hard. Keep moving forward, friend. Worth it EVERY time.
We used to make fruit fly traps w/ disposable containers, bananas, saran wrap, etc. The kids use to love seeing how many they could get in their trap. Good luck!

Carrie H - You have probably already got a lot of tips about the fruit flies, but a quick search of Pinterest gave me these three (similar) options. Hope they help!!!
My family loves Mexican Train too!!!
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2009/07/frugal-natural-pest-control-fruit-flies-ants-be-gone.html
http://www.funcheaporfree.com/2011/09/youre-welcome-wednesday-tons-of-home.html
http://www.curbly.com/users/chrisjob/posts/8736-how-to-make-the-ultimate-reusable-fruit-fly-trap

Heather S. - Great chicken photos! Love Talby’s headband, too.

Ashley S - Was Talby feeding the chicken… chicken? That’s what it looks like! 🙂

christi - hey meg! i know this weekend will be fun. thanks for keeping it real! i have a mason jar with about 2 inches of apple cider vinegar in it and a funnel that fits the jar. place the funnel, funnel tip down into the jar. the fruit flies fly in and go to a better place (aka not in my house!). good luck!

Sue linse - Megan, I know you love your life in Kansas, but I sure miss you being in des Plaines! Wish we could hang out again.

Suzanne - you have been a busy little bee! can’t wait to see the craft weekend pictures – have fun! crossing my fingers that i get to come visit the craft house sometime!

Tina Jacobsen - Fruit flies…total pain!! I love your post and I love that you are keeping it real!! And those chicken pictures…LOVE…that is my dream to have me some chickens…my husband is scared of my dreams!! 🙂 Have a great Craft Weekend!!
Tina

Andrea - OK…seriously, do the chickens peek at you? I know…I am not a country girl….but would like to be. Have a GREAT craft weekend….I am going to have to sign up for one of those!!! I have never been to Kansas!!!!!

Mary - I am thrilled you posted this! We have fruit flies bad! So many great tips on getting rid of them. Made my day.

Tracy Fisher - Loved your blog today. You are real. And the best thing about it is… it makes those of us other “real” people smile. 🙂 Have fun at Craft Weekend. Tracy

Linda Keaveney - I want a chicken!!!!
Cheers!
Linda :o)

Dani - I hate fruit flies! the vinegar trick works!
I love that you have a normal life just like the rest of us. And, I love that you share it with us!
Enjoy craft weekend.
Oh and any chance you could rig the next giveaway so I can win haha!

Meredith Gibson - I was also going to recommend the apple cider vinegar and a squirt of dish soap. It works great! Just don’t mistake it for juice and drink it. Yuck!

Joanna W - the apple cider vinegar folks are right…it works. however, i put a thin, thin, thin, layer of oil on top…they are still attracted to the vinegar but get stuck in the oil. our traps are caked with them right now.

Seriously Sassy Mama - Sounds like my everyday! I like to say I thrive on being busy, but I end up freezing from being overwhelmed. The fact that you get up off the couch and exercise is what is important! I am a cardiac nurse. I see what inactivity can do to the body. Have a great weekend.

Lauryn - Mexican Train is the best game around. My family loves to play it… er, my adult family. Still waiting for the 4 year old and 6 year old to grow into it. The 6 year old is learning.
A card game you should look into is Dutch Blitz. Amazing fun!!! Fast paced, easy to learn. It’s a blast.

mrs. dunbar - love your random posts like this. and the pics of the chicken- fabulous.

Jenn - Your post wasn’t boring at all. Its life and that’s why I visit. I like to see what other people do in a different part of our country. I agree, blog posts with out pictures are dull. The chickens are pretty. My mom told me about a sure fire way to kill gnats/fruit flies. In a small dish put either sweet wine/white wine with a few drops of dish detergent. Works like a charm! They flock right to it.

Jen D - I never noticed how beautiful chickens were before your pictures.

ann - Check the bug spray section of Walmart…I found these little round apple looking things that are traps for the fruit flies. They worked better than the apple cider traps I made. Good luck!

Laura Phelps - lately, everyday over here as been LONG.
and last night I only fed three out of four kids.
oh well.
my kids are big.
they will survive.

Virginia - Hi Meg,
I’ve never posted a comment, but just wanted to let you know that you are bringing back some serious memories for me. My parents moved us (me and 2 older sisters) to a hobby farm when I was six and it was the perfect place to grow up. We had chickens (including a rooster named Boss Hog), cows (mine was named Flo), pigs (Claire) and many other random creatures. There was a pond to muck about it, a fire pit, and great gravel roads for biking on. You are doing a wonderful thing for your family. Love your rural life posts!

Cindy - I’ve been following your blog for quite some time now but I’ve never commented…I love reading about your family life – you’re so inspirational! Love the farm life you’re living too (I grew up on a farm).
P.S Spray Windex on them and those fruitflies will drop like crazy!

Elizabeth MacLeod - Red wine with a drop of dish liquid but you have to change it often because they are attracted to the alcohol and it evaporates. I hope you have a fun weekend!

sara @ it's good to be queen - the chickens’ feathers are so pretty!!
these kinds of posts are great!

jenn stonier - First off thanks for posting the random but true “real” stuff that sometimes takes place!! Kids eating rice while we get “lost ” in other stuff!

Michelle From Australia - Any post of yours is a great post. That’s all 🙂

Kerstie Pederson - Like your chicken photos and your post. You made me laugh….. fruit flies SUCK!
If you have any old wine lying around they seem like that too.
Have a fun weekend.

Brook @ BeingBrook - Apple cider vinegar! Seriously! I keep a mason jar about 1/4 full of it in our kitchen all summer because fruit flies are terrible where I live. Love the chicken photos!
Can’t wait to see the craft weekend photos!

The Lovely One - Those are the cleanest chickens I’ve ever seen! Great photos!

Linda War Bonnet - No need to swat fruit flies! Put some cider vinegar in a little bowl with a couple of drops of dish washing soap. Apparently they are attracted to the vinegar, but the soap doesn’t allow them to fly back out. Use clear glass so you can have fun counting how many little suckers you catch!

Meredith - Please share about Mexican Train if you have not already! Or link to it? Love the chicken photos! Glad you made it through your long day.

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just moved in.

April 19, 2012

we are still loving the neighbor's chickens.

IMG_9459-3

the kids keep asking when we are getting OUR chickens??
i think….why should we get chickens when the neighbors already have some!
if some one would build me a coop and tell me how….i might consider it.
but then what do you do about the dogs?
and what about when we go on trips?
see….complicated.
it's just easier to enjoy the neighbor's for now.

but look who just moved in across the street from my front door!!!

this is LITERALLY the view from my front door. (say that like rob lowe…)

i went out to the fence to see what happens when cows live across the street.
they saw me.
and just kept eating and slowly walking side-by-side-touching-non-stop in a line got closer and closer.

i knelt down and covered my face with the camera but still right out in the open on the other side of the fence.
the fence is barbed wire so i wasn't hiding.
they seemed very curious about the camera.
when my face wasn't covered they would get startled and back down a little.

especially 109.

we were about two feet apart.

eating but keeping an eye on the crazy camera lady…..

they were all so close together it made ME feel claustrophobic!

i love the grass stained knees!

what a show off you are number 132.

my driveway….with cows.

the spirea bushes bloomed last week.

and another sunset picture.
the cows would be on the left side of the road….our house on the right.

this is my outside area that needs work.

my mom said "i thought you were taking a break?"
i guess maybe i could take a break from gardening….but i doubt it.
i was planning on doing some kind of gardening out here.
this little space is SCREAMING to be worked on!
i don't think i can leave it alone.
after SNAP i may have some time to work on it….if i decide to.

this past weekend we had such a beautiful night that we decided to have a campfire.
with s'mores.
behind the barn.

it was pretty much a perfect night.
you can see the whole sky filled with stars when you are out here.

pretty amazing.

i may even agree to do some tent camping in the yard this summer.

maybe…..

*****************************************

btw….i just made it to Utah.
🙂
it's going to be very fun!!!
bring on the bloggers.
or maybe i will just go hide in my room instead….i get so weird about big groups of women!

i can do this.

deep breaths.

smiley face.

i need to go find more deoderant.
i am sweating.

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maggie - Meg i have said this before but admire you for your move and though you have not shared the details, i know it is awesome! I love that you have cows and chickens, i am a total country girl stuck in suburban california…one day, maybe God will bless us too with a move to a slower paced life…for now i enjoy your pictures.

Mary - LOVE the cows!
what a dreamy view! 🙂

Emma - My 2 year old loves the cow pics. Thanks for sharing.

Kelli @ Lolly Jane - My sons are on my lap chatting in my ear about your cows but they request to see a bull, haha. SO glad to have met you. You really put life in perspective in our short chat. I can see why my sis is obsessed with you..
XO

marci - hey meg…it’s snap ugly crier gush girl.:D
you did an awesome job…loved meeting you.
sorry about the ugly crying. you ARE awesome.;D
i am going to email you so watch for me ok?

melody - I live on a dairy farm so I HAD to comment! 🙂 Although we have Jersey cows…:) You know the brown ones with the big soft eyes? 🙂
Your pictures were awesome.

PrairieJenn - Chickens are far easier to take care of than even our cat and dogs! You’d be surprised. Love your photos and the new house. And take your time…work on the front when you want…if you want. You’re in the country now, girl. Things move at a different pace:) Enjoy it!

Chris - I super love your cow pictures. So funny how they stayed so close together in a line. And the grass-stained knees…I love cows.

Suzanne - Cows! I feel especially close to number 109, now that I know what the inside of his nose looks like! My father-in-law has chickens and my kids love them… they freak me out!
Have fun at SNAP – you will do great!

Michelle - I had to show my two children your pictures! They laugh at me because I take my camera with me when I walk and have been known to stop and take pics of the neighbors’ “gorgeous girls”–cows and “cuties”–goats. (named somewhat mockingly by my teenage daughter as I had to stop for yet one more picture!)
I love spring with all the farm life and flowers surrounding our home. So thankful to all the farmers. As for chickens, we are on our way to having our own small flock–I am very excited.
Good luck at SNAP. You will be awesome!

Antonette - Oh my gosh. You are LIVING my dream. I would looove to live in the country again. …Now how can I make that happen for me? Hmm…

Diane - I absolutely LOVE all these pictures.

jen - wonderful as always and you are going to be brilliant this weekend. head held high, deep breaths, shoulders back and remember…smile when you enter the room, it relaxes others and lifts the features of the face! good luck.

Stephanie - Living in the country is the best. We love our chickens and we have a huge variety so that we not only get brown eggs…we get speckled ones and blue ones. We have outside rabbits in a large enclosed area since we live where mountain lions and bears wander through the creek nearby. Animals are wonderful to have because they teach our kids responsibility. I barely do anything with the animals. 🙂 Enjoy!

Tami - Get the chickens. My girls are awesome. We go out of town a lot and we have a dog who loves our chickens. Super easy pets and we always have fresh eggs.

Jen Brandt - Love the pictures of the cows, Meg. Made. my. day. Thank you so much! Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend!

Krissy - I love love love your cows!!!! Especially Mr. 132. That tongue is just crazy!!!! You’ll be great in Utah, I’m sure everyone will love you!! :o)

Gemma - Amazing! I love the close-ups. Cows are so pretty.
You are so lucky!
Gemma x

Benay - Good Morning! The Lord brought you to mind when I read this today, so I thought I’d share:
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will PERSONALLY go ahead of you. He will be with you, he will neither fail you or abandon you. Deuteronomy 31.6
Blessings to you as you bless others!!

Linda - Havign smores in the cool of the evening is a sweet time with family! Lovely place.

elisa - I am loving your farm life. 🙂 My neighbor has chickens. I love them. She has two labs- they leave the chickens alone- sniff them. I get eggs from them. But now I feel guilty every time I eat chicken.

amy cornwell - Love it! I’m so jealous still 🙂 You’re so blessed!! Awesome.

christy - Love the pics! Farm life is treating you well.
I promise you chickens are as easy if not easier than taking care of Waffle. I have 2 adults hens & a new girl, she’s only about 6 weeks. I live in a large metro city in the burbs & it.is.EASY! We have a coop, built by us (under $100), I took 2 storage boxes from Big Lots, cut openings for their nesting boxes, gives them some pine or straw, chicken scratch & a water container ($8-10) as the feed store. Mine free range & go to the coop @ night. I have 2 cats & 2 yellow Labs, they could care less about the chickens. The chicks rule the roost & even hijack food from my boys (dogs).

Katie - The cows are fabulous you lucky girl!!

Mindy Harris - people adore you, megan! you will do great!
i wish i could go to snap.
i love the last pic of craig and annie. so sweet.
are the cows reall stinky?

Kelly - Just pretend you are hosting all of them like at a craft weekend! Then you won’t feel nervous. You’ll know you’re about to welcome them to a wonderful experience!
I love the cows!! Kelly
p.s. thanks for saying the name of that bush. I may just have to plant one. I love them. Any downsides to them?

Jenna@CallHerHappy - #109 is litrally the cutest cow I’ve ever seen! (I like to spell it like that cause that’s how he says it!)
Also, I get nervous around big groups of women too. Prayers!

pam - oh man! it is letting me leave a comment. 🙂
i love the sunsets…
and the moo cows. makes me really miss home…
you are an awesome photographer.
miss you.

Laura Phelps - I am not sure what weirds me out more…a group of cows, or a group of women bloggers!!!!
I think the bloggers 🙂
the cows are actually adorable.

ko. s - How fun! How lovely! How much I dream of a house like that!
Have fun at Snap! Don’t hide missy, you’ve got sooooo much talent to share!

casey - I love the 132 cow picture! I hope that is going to be framed in your house somewhere.
Also.. “More deodrant!!” I know, right?!! I’m the same way! I get nervous and the sweat and I’m not even hot! And then I get even more nevrous because I worry that I have pit stains or something and then end up sweating more! It’s vicious cycle!

Kerry Wiebe - That is the same view but from my screened in porch!!! You are going to be great sister!! Just remember you rock! Love YA!! Can’t wait to hear all about it!

Kelly - All I can think of is Meg turned Pioneer Woman. 😉
What a great place to call home!

Amy @ Little for a Little While - Thos pictures of the cows are beautiful! It would have scared me to have them so close, good for you, brave one!

Kristi Thomsen - I love, love, love the cow pics! Especially #109!

April R - (lol Angie!)
Meg, have FUN at SNAP! 🙂 Be awesome 🙂
ok, you were probably just being funny about the deodorant thing
but for anyone out there that might not know there’s the wonderful Rx: Drysol.
It’s a summertime, public speaking time, humidity busting time friend.
You put on at night, wash off in the morning,
u don’t need the regular stuff, AND you don’t use it everyday.
It works.
And people who have to be around me are glad it does.

Sarah - Awesome.
Love the cows.
Love the campfire.
Love that barn.
jealous.

Angie - Do you feel like PW taking pics of all those cows for your blog? lol
Maybe Mr. Duerksen could dress cowboy for you someday. 🙂

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - LITERALLY 🙂

Jess - Look at you! You are a true farm girl now. 😉

Kim - Love, love, love cows. They are so funny. And their eyes are so kind.

jen - i just love, love those cows and wow your new home is awesome! not something you ever see here in so. ca..just beautiful. but i am for sure bonkers over #109 how could you not lay one on his nose! he is so sweet! love your blog… it’s so so fun!
have fun in utah

Shar - Have a good time at SNAP. And, then when you get home, your front garden would be perfect for an herb garden!
And, the cows and chickens will be asking for a family photo once they learn your talent!

Lisa - What a peaceful new life you have now. I’m happy for you;)

Theresa McCabe - omigosh SO BEAUTIFUL! great photog 🙂

Amnah - Not gonna lie, I miss seeing pics of your old house, or should I say “the craft weekend house” now. But I’m falling in love with your country home. Very cool.

Dian Olivr - loven the chicken and cow and sunset pictures. the thing is…will your kids still eat chicken if they have live ones in their yard? i know they wouldn’t eat their very own! but, will they make the connection? just a thought! have a blast at snap. i know you will!!

jamie - seriously love how you call the cows by their numbers. once you discover their personalities you should name them! you’re super fun…

Dina - I want chickens SOOOO bad! One day my hubs is on board, the next he isn’t…we live in Wichita… the city says we can have up to 3. I can handle that:-)…maybe sneak in a couple more;-)
And cows…cows…my fave animal ever! I should live on a farm but my heart is too fragile for that…ya know what I mean? My farmer friend told me the lifespan of a laying hen…2-3 years:-(…and the way they die…you don’t even wanna know! Have a fantastic time at SNAP!:-)

Sara Torbett - We live on a farm with cows! We love ’em. Our evenings are often spent checking the cows. My 10 month old especially likes them 🙂 the BEST is the new little calves! They are so playful and frolick everywhere. Not so smelly and “manure-y” yet either. 🙂 praying for your conference! You’ll do great!

happygirl - I love your new home. I’m confused, did you move and I missed it? Thanks for sharing the pics.

Julie - I am having cow envy! We would looove to move to an area just like yours, but alas, the housing market is preventing any movement for us. I long for only the sounds of wildlife in the evenings. Keep sharing pictures…I look forward to them! Hmmm..I wonder if my subdivision would frown on chickens.

Amber - I will totally build you a coop. I mean that seriously. I only live 2 hours away. Maybe we could work out a swap of some sort or a discount if my name ever comes up for a Whatever Craft Weekend spot. I have several sets of plans and I’ve been thinking a coop would be a fun project for a while. That and I really wanted to design one after the Williams Sonoma Agrarian collection came out a couple of weeks ago.

sue - What is SNAP in Utah ???

nicole - Oh, these pictures are making my heart sing!
I have been in need of a farm fix the past couple of days.
Since I don’t know when I’ll get to the family farm next, I did the next best thing…. I shared some of my Instagram pictures on my blog.
But man, these pictures are doing my heart lots of good!

Terrie G - I heart #132 and that tongue sticking out!
Just wait until you get a wiff of them in a strong wind when you are ready for a ‘fresh’ breeze in the house….that part of being on the farm I don’t miss so much.
Girl…you will do fine in that crowd of women!
If you get stressed….just pretend they are the chickens or the cows…I mean that in a good way… LOL!! 🙂

Jill - Oh I LOVE it! I love snapping pics of cows – they are bit stinky animals but they are SO PHOTOGENIC!

Shelley - Since you’re a bonafide “country” girl now, I must tell you that you live on a road, not a street-lol!!
And, I can practically smell #109.
Do you want to smell my pigs?!? I can get a pic for ya!
Enjoy your country living 🙂

tiffany gardner - YOU CAN DO IT! (or God can do it through you!)
Wish I were there to hear you!!!

Kimberly - Ha! Great post! (And I think you’re jealous of ol’ #132… not many people can do that! Although my husband can… TMI?)

Cindy - You made cows look so happy! Great pics!!!

Kristen - Get some chickens!!! Maybe your neighbor with the chickens can take care of yours while you’re on vacation. We have a farm across the street that grows strawberries and has chickens…best eggs ever and my kids are obsessed with the chickens.
Whenever we pass cows my husband loves to yell “I won’t eat you” that’s all I could think looking at each picture (he’s a vegetarian).

Karen Gerstenberger - Those cows are adorable – so sweet, with their big, dark, trusting eyes. That tongue! Eeek.
As soon as I saw the chickens, I thought, “They look as if they are wearing bloomers” – you know, big Scarlett O’Hara bloomer-type-underwear. Too funny!
Your new neighborhood -and animal kingdom neighbors- are simply lovely.
Have a wonderful time in fellowship with the other bloggers. I feel the same way about big groups, but you are there for a purpose, and He will carry you.

Meg Carter - Meg! What perfect timing?!?!? This post was meant to be. This weekend I was planning on starting 2 paintings. One of cows and one of a chicken! These are awesome reference photos for me. The paintings are for our first little girl on the way, for her nursery. Yay!!! Jumping for joy!! It is a sign that I am supposed to start NOW!!! Thanks Meg, for the inspiration and help you did not even know you were giving!!!! I will be sure to show you the paintings when I am done!

Jessica - you’re so lucky!! My boys would LOVE it there!! I look out my window and see houses… houses and houses. BUT if I drive for about 15min I’m in NYC!!

jacqui anderson - meg, wait till the cows start running with you!! when we were on the farm and i would run down the road beside the cow paddock/field they would run along the fence line with me and wait till i was coming back and then turn and run with me again!!!

Seriously Sassy Mama - Cows are pretty cool!

Leah - Beautiful pictures. Can I move in? Love the cows.

Amanda - Oh, beautiful cows! A dear old friend of my mom’s called them Meadow Ladies.

Marilyn - Aww… aren’t cows great!? I rode one when I was about 8. Well, I rode it until the lady across the road called my gramma and tattled. It really was different from a horse!

Sharley McMullen - Love love your blog! thanks for the wiww tutorial inspires me to go shopping which I really “don’t love”.
on a different note, I noticed the flower from Joy’s Hope, I’m SO SAD I can’t get on her blog anymore, my computer says it is blocked because of a virus. Do you have another address for Julie’s ‘new’ blogspot? would be ‘forever grateful’ if you do and would share with me
Sharley
ps I’m Don Beverlin’s cousin in Calif.

Dani - Chickens and COWS…. man you are in the country! Miss my country life as a child.
Have fun at SNAP. You are an amazing lady and will be wonderful! You know all your readers already love you, so you shouldn’t be worried!
Prayers for your nerves!

Carrie - Such beautiful pictures! Can’t wait until you share the inside of your home, but that probably won’t come until winter, as beautiful as it is outside. 🙂
I’m weird around big groups of women too. Well, big groups of people actually. 🙂

Holly - I love the cows!

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hunting.

April 11, 2012

what to do when my two girls have two boys over to play?
barbies and littlest pet shops are out.
so i sent them hunting.
frog hunting.

our neighbors have a pond to explore that is full of all kinds of creatures.

and their dog is so sweet.
he just walks along calmly and quietly.
besides waffle….i'd say goldens are my favorite king of dog.

i just wish they didn't shed so much.

IMG_9357-2
it was a team effort to catch the teeny tiny frogs.
and for the most part they were all being quiet to try to be sneaky…..mostly.

she has leaves in her hair. :)
they are smiling because she asked me the password to get through her stick bridge and i said "i don't know" and she said "the password is butt" HA HA HA
oh the comedic mind of a seven year old….so original.

all in all they caught 9 frogs, one earth worm, found one shell and one large egg shell from an animal we were unclear about…they said "it could be a bird or a snake!!? probably a bird."
the frogs are about the size of a nickel or quarter.
these are the frogs were hear in the evenings at bedtime (….like i have on video here.)

after the boys' mom came and we showed her their treasures we put them all back in the pond.

i am pretty sure that this is going to be the best summer we've ever had.
i can't wait to see what the farm has to offer all summer long!!

as i drove home last saturday down the dirt roads with the fields bright green and the clouds covering the sunset
i was a overwhelmed with strong feelings of complete grattitude and joy.
i thought "i can't believe i get to live here"
i have wanted it all my life but didn't think it would ever happen.
as a spazzy teenager i used to say "i'm going to marry a farmer/cowboy"
in high school i took an AG class because i thought it would be easy.
my class went on a field trip to a farm and there were cows ON their lawn…like next to their cars and house.
and they smelled like cows.
and they were muddy and poopy….and snotty.
i remember that moment crystal clear.
i declared "i changed my mind. i do NOT want to marry a farmer/cowboy…i just want to live in the country"
because apparently i thought ALL farmers/cowboys had cows on their lawns and that was a deal breaker.
and that my AG class needed to know these important details about my future husband.
that is the mind of a frivolous over reactive 15 year old.
dreams change at a moments notice.

17 years later seeing mr. duerksen out in the country on his "horse" …..i think i have the perfect cowboy for me.
full circle moment.
🙂

happy wednesday peeps.

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shea B - I’m catching up on my reading and just saw this post. So lovely. I know your kids will love living out there. And if I had to guess, that is the leftovers of a turkey egg. Very cool!

Lori H - I didn’t grow up on a farm but we visited my grandfather’s farm a lot so we got our chicken, cow, barn cat , wandering the in the broom sage, playing in the creek fix! My mom and her siblings kept the farm after my grandfather passed and I still love to visit, especially when 23 + of us pile into the little farmhouse for Thanksgiving dinner. Priceless!

jeana - I love your how your dream is now reality. God sure does outdo himself! It’s funny that your post is about this. I’ve had a dream ever since I was a little girl…and it came true..official on Tues! I’m absolutely on cloud nine. I’m so happy for you and your family!

angie - Love reading about your country adventures. Your kids look so happy and content.
Btw we have a golden retriever and a golden doodle and the doodle sheds way more than our retriever! Not quite sure how that happened! They are my favorite breeds, too 🙂

Lisa - happy. thanks for the fun.

Tracy Fisher - I let my kids get pollywags (sp?) last year at the Little League fields with their friends…. I’m actually not sure what ever happened to them… except that I hear frogs croaking all over our neighborhood… all year long… sorry neighbors. haha. Good memories of when I was a kid doing the same thing.
And by the way, I love Craigs horse!

Missi at Havoc-to-Heaven - What a great post! The landscape is so stunning. You are a lucky girl to live in the country. I have always wanted a farm with funny animals like fainting goats, alpacas, donkeys. I think that would make me giggle everyday.

Heather - Oh, Meg. Everything about this post leaves me with a big grin on my face, and slight envy in my heart. Okay, maybe more than slight, but not enough not to still be smiling. 😉
My grandparents were farmers and I have such very fond memories of my time on their farm. If I could move to the country without making my life ridiculously complicated I’d do it. But for now I’m a city girl who spends time in the woods as much as I can.

Amy @ Little for a Little While - You are brave. I’ve never touched a slimy frog. Or a worm. And I have a son. Looks like this is what I have to look forward to, better get over the fear!!!

Katie - I’m so glad for you that you’ve found your “home”, part of my childhood was spent growing up on old farm land. It was so educational and full of exploring and adventure. I want that for my kids one day, hopefully we’ll make it. I want mountains, country, creeks and a pond, and fields, throw in an old farm house and a barn, oh and a garden that tends itself and I’ll be one happy chick! I do want one cow, for raw milk. Oh dreams! Anywho, I love your blog, but I’m not one for commenting and my reason for commenting today would be to inform the kiddos that the egg they found belongs to a goose. I’ve seen them around our parts lately as well!

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Look at you country girl! Living your dreams, so great. Love your story of your “cowboy”. I can’t help but think of Little House on the Prairie when you post. I always loved that show and still do. I have them on DVD. I mean who lives with a pond in their neighborhood? Not me in suburban LA. You are a lucky puppy. Enjoy your new country life. You are blessed.

Kelly - Gotta love a city boy on his “horse”. Too funny.. but I can so relate!! I’m sure he loves riding on all that open green space, too. Wild and free!! 🙂

happygirl - I love frog catching. It’s fun to play in the country and not be stuck in the apartment or townhouse. Fun to have a password and fun that they let you tag along and capture the pics. 🙂

Suzanne - your beautiful daughters look like they have taken to living in the country….too cute!

Prairie Jenn - The country is the best place to raise your kids!!
Glad you’ve come around to liking it;)

Jenn - It’s amazing to me how life always seems to work out the way it’s supposed to in the end….sometimes it may take a bit longer than we expected. But that’s okay. I guess we’re more fateful for it when it finally happens. So happy to hear you and your family are loving the country life so much. My hubby and I grew up in the country but have lived in the city for years. We bought 5 acres in the country this summer and are so excited to build and move there. We’re going to have to wait a bit longer though before that dream can come true….until then, we’re having fun planning and preparing for our big move. 🙂
Love all your pictures in this post….

Megan - You are fueling my fire for wanting to live in the country!

Londen - I think you’re right about having the best summer there, looks like so much fun! Our six year old explorer would love it! Be tick aware while out in the woods…we found one latching onto our dauthers scalp! We were only in our suburban back yard which freaks me out.

Lisa - I’m a bit jealous but feel torn. I would love to live more in the country but am afraid it’ll be so much driving. To and from the store, practices, friends homes. How has that part been? Or are you guys not too far away from everything? We are looking to buy and looked at a house further out but it just felt too far away from everything. I’d love to hear how that is playing out since you have a large family with sports, activities etc. 🙂 PS-Your pictures do remind me of why my heart wants more country…room to explore, the beauty etc. (sigh)

elisa - This was an awesome post. Those frogs are so stinkin’ cute. Way better than my spider. Which I didn’t kill. Spiders eat mosquitos. Or however you spell it. I too am enjoying a more rural life- although I do wish I had a barn.
And “butt” really is a good password. 🙂

Laura Phelps - my dream at 15 was to grow up to be a famous actress, living in NYC.
Well…I married an actor.
And I am train ride from NYC.
good enough 🙂
love the tiny froggies. so cute.

Tanya H - LOL! ME TOO! The part about wanting to live on a farm, taking Ag Bio at 15 becuase it would be “easy”, deciding to never, ever, ever, marry a cowboy, but still wanting to live in the country. haha!! I love the pictures of your new area, and all the fabulous adventures your kids get to have!

sara @ it's good to be queen - oh this post makes me so happy. this is my dream. so very happy for you!!

Becki - That little bridge over the stream is amazing! It reminds me of where I grew up! (We had no bridge though- just a “crick” as we call it!)

Kerry - What a clever idea to send them frog catching, and those froggies are just minature-too cute!
I live in the country too, and also feel so so blessed 🙂 x

Suzette - I’m married to a city boy engineer with a nature boy son and a shedmeister golden named Lucy. We live in the burbs in CA but were right on the edge of the country. I wish we’d nudge a little more into the country but I don’t think it’ll happen. I’ll just have to live with one foot in each place. Oh, and with my newly turned 13-y-o son, the password would definitely be p – n – s! Why are adolescent boys so fascinated by it?!

virginia - goldens are my fav! i have one named flapjack, and the shedding was driving me bonkers. one day at the dog park a guy was telling us all about furminator shampoo and conditioner, and i am not kidding, it works! little to no shedding & i bathe him about every six weeks. btw i named him flapjack to be like waffle, but not to copy :0)

Di - You didn’t tell me Katie had a twin!? Love the pics…what a blast! and the password? hee, hee…know you were laughing too!:)

Tracy - my husband has a ‘horse’ just like your hubby’s! He LOVES it!!
My kids are going out right now to check the creek and see what’s going on with the tadpoles 🙂

Pamela Gordon - What a fun time your kids are having! I’m so glad you and your family are getting to enjoy the farm/country life. There is so much to see and learn isn’t there? Just think of the millions of kids that don’t have any idea where our food comes from. A trip to the farm should be included at least once in a child’s early years. We live on 2/3 of an acre in the country and I wouldn’t trade it! Blessings, to you and your family. Enjoy!! Pamela

Jennifer@beautyinbloom - I love this so much. I teared up reading it! 🙂

Seriously Sassy Mama - Too cute! I dream of living in the country.

Gretchen - We have our house on the market because we are making our dream come true, too! Moving to the country!!! I totally get it! 😉

Jacci in Ohio - Ha ha… Ok 🙂 you’re doing GREAT with the transition. I’m truly thankful and happy for you.
Glad it’s been so good for everyone! That the rental really will be a time of rest… A break for you. Love the
Little froggies!

Lori Austin - I love this post and you are really making me rethink living in the country. 😉

Kirsten J - So cool – I really wonder what that egg held?!?!? I grew up with a creek in the woods in my backyard ( and love that my folks still live there, so my kids can play ) – and we’d capture water skippers and minnows for our pets. I only wish I had pictures of me and my brother playing in that creek – reminder to self: take more pictures this summer when we visit Meme and Papa.

Sara Torbett - I said I would NEVER marry a farmer and I did. Including cows that sometimes break into the yard and all. And I love every minute of it. 🙂

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - Hahaha…love the full circle comment. I always said I could NEVER marry a farmer or a military man. I married a teacher. Now that we’re both teachers we have the same vacations=BONUS!
We’re into so many different hobbies though(beekeeping, making our own food, ice cream, honey,etc…) that my sister in law says she thinks we’re trying to be Amish. I just tell her to back off. Everything is better homemade:)
Love the frog pics.Country life is the best! You can always drive or fly to a big city for that kind of life. But the quiet country…there’s just nothing like it.

Melksham Mum - Looks like a lovely day. Glad to see you released the frogs, the pic of the frogs in the jar brought back memories of E.T.! Lovely pics x

gina - Glad to see you guys have the right kind of “horse”. 🙂 My dad has worked for Excel for YEARS.

Jen Brandt - Meg, I work for a park district and I don’t know if you’ve ever heard the term “Nature Deficit Disorder” but it’s a growing problem in the US. I applaud you for getting your kids out in nature, letting them get dirty, and letting them learn and grow. As you know, it is SO GOOD for them.
Love the “password”. 😉

Terrie - Best years of my life were in the country!!

Peggy in TN - Keep Manhattan just give me the countryside!

Shelly - I live in the Flint Hills of Chase County and I thank God everyday for our little farm and all that we are able to provide for our two kids. We truly live in a beautiful place. Your kids will thank you some day for giving them such a fun place to grow up.

Elizabeth - Ahhh! I love it! I grew up in the country but not on a farm and it was a BLAST! We spent all summer playing flashlight tag with the kids that lived near… the best!

Talysa - I DID have the privilege of growing up on a farm..snotty cows and all…and let me just say this: YOUR KIDS WILL THANK YOU FOR THIS ONE DAY!!!
Best memories of my life were hot summer days picking watermelons out of the garden, finding a shade tree, and digging in. Or setting up “store” under a big oak tree and using the leaves as money. Or catching fireflies at night. Or how sticky I was every single night…baths were not optional.
You did a good thing friend. I’m envious. I am in suburb hell and hate every minute of it. I did marry a city boy though. 😉

Holly - love it!

christiejayne - What a beautiful place to live! So much fun!

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clean.

April 9, 2012

oh these goofball dogs.
they loooove to wrestle.

L O V E.

they wrestled for at least 30 minutes straight without stopping.
rolling and running and tackling each other…..like maniacs.
in the dirt and my weeds.
all for fun…not hurting each other….just full on PLAY time.

waffle is the happiest he's ever been.

and then this happened….

they sat.
together.
just totally chill.

first time ever.

they were TIRED.

it's about time!!!

i think waffle was having the best day ever.

until i declared "BATHTIME!"

ha ha ha.
wet dogs are so funny.
they always look so crazy and scrawny.

shake it. shake it.

shake it like a polaroid picture.

he actually doesn't mind any part of a bath but his favorite part is when when we towel dry him.
he enjoys the massage.
he's a smart dog!
he hangs out for towel drying….he doesn't want us to stop!

since the girls had their suits on and were already wet they said "let's have a carwash!"
even though i thought it was totally cold outside, they were fine in their suits and cold hose water. brrrrr.

brilliant plan.
my truck was filthy.
and so was craig's car.
country living in white cars….dirty dirty dirty.

annie's suit is new this year from the walmarts.

clean dog.
clean cars.
clean kids….they took a bubble bath inside after this.

we have had such a good weekend!
my kids are still off school today….who knows what we will do.
maybe some art.
it's been awhile that we have gotten crafty.

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Katie - I love that your girls are NOT wearing skimpy ‘lil suits they make for young girls! They look very sweet!
Also, what kind of car do you have??? with baby 5 on the way, we are trying to figure out what is best!

jean anne chez - I just experienced carma from your post. relived my life for a few moments through your beautiful pics. ;0)
I too wanted to marry a farmer, live on a ranch..on a lake instead and loving every moment. We have a standard poodle who romped around with his dog cousin (just like Waffle) until they were completely content…ahh such bliss. thank you.

Jamie - Great photos.. We have a black lab that needs a buddy like Waffle to play with. He would FREAK OUT to be able to play with a four-legged friend to the point of exhaustion. And we love Wal*mart bathing suits around here too.

Christy Brenneman - Oh my goodness…..Waffle is smiling so huge. And they actually reached a “chill” moment together. It took a lot of wrestling to get to that point I’m sure. I’m so happy for them and for you. Ky began to really grow on me and I was quite attached to that girl when we left. Perhaps I will bring Josie out to help her get some energy out when it warms a bit. Thanks for sharing your special memories! They make me smile as big as Waffle was in that photo! Christy B.

Sara - I love your blog, your dog, your spontaneity. Waffle posts and photos are the best! You’re a fun and easygoing mama. I hope I can remember to laugh about messes and embrace the moment! Thanks for the bursts of happy your blog provides. 🙂

Lynne - The dogs are just priceless. That really made my day! Waffle looks like one happy pup!

Becky Smith - Ahhh. A dog and picture post. Nothin’ better!

jackie - Cars got a bath last week, then it rained. Dogs will get a bath before traveling this weekend. How long do you think Waffle will stay clean?

The Lovely One - Happy dogs! They look so stinkin’ cute!

Donna R - Love your doggie pics and that super happy pic of Waffle. Super cute swimsuit find at Wally World…of all places!

Aby - TLOL (Totally lauging out loud) (I just made that up) lol. “the Walmarts” I thought my 80 year old mother in law was the only one that said that! Too funny! Except she’s not making a joke.

Sarah Wolfe - I love Annie’s suit. Do they have one in my size? Also love the car wash pics, and how the sun is setting in them. Looks like the country suits you 🙂

susan - LOVE the backlight in your photos, especially the one of Talby and the hose! Gorgeous!
It’s nice to see that everybody is enjoying the country life.

Mary - so cute!
but oh my, it makes me shiver! 🙂
have a wonderful week!

Lisa - Ohhh! I’m so happy for Waffle! Dogs need friends, too 😉

Shannon - love it! waffle cracks me up! loved this whole post. especially the great photos of the sun behind the water droplets!!!

Stephanie - Enjoy your blog,but i just don’t get why you call Walmart “Walmarts”? 🙂

shauna - that looks so fun.
what perfect light!
who knew dog and car washing could be so fun…

elisa - Waffle looked so sad during his bath- haha!

Adrienne s - I was going to ask about the black dog also. New?

Kelly - Never pass up the car wash request! I am cold from the picture of the hose on the head!! Swimsuits and flip flops… wow!! I was in a sweater today. Glad you had a wonderful weekend!

Vonda - Awwww, I think Waffle is a country dog at heart. He looks SO happy. And the picture of him right before your daughter with the hose, I SWEAR that dog is smiling in that picture, eyes closed tight smiling. Cracked me up.

Lori H - The difference between the laughing Waffle and the next picture (bath time- bummer) was hilarious. I love to see dogs play!

LadiesHoliday - There are few things better that puppy-dog and little kid smiles!

Marianne - Aw. so happy that Waffle has found a best friend! They look so cute together.

Leah - Waffle and the other dog look so cute! You can really tell how much dogs are pack animals when they find a doggy-friend playmate! I love the pic of them sitting together, just chillin’.

Jennifer - Ahhh…a prelude to Summer!! It all looks like it was such fun. Sometimes I think our black lab mix goes out into the rain just so he can get his towel drying. He loves it! Especially around the face. So glad you all are enjoying the country!

jessicakiehn - Show us pictures of the inside of your house, please?! Can’t wait to see what you do with your space. So fun and exciting to get to make such a big change as a family.

Sara Torbett - Loved the simplicity and fun in this post! The shot of Talby with the hose is awesome! 🙂

Melanie - Waffle DOES look happy – he actually smiles! I got a good laugh out of how dirty he was; even his tongue had dirt all over it! Looks like you’re having so much fun living out in the country. I love how you chronicle every day life with gorgeous photos and great writing. Ya know, it’s kinda fun to live vicariously through you with young kids still at home and a dirty dog. 😉

Shar - I would so love to have a goldendoodle! My daughter has a golden (regular) and I have 2 std poodles (regular. Great combo!!

Seriously Sassy Mama - I need your kiddos to come on over and wash my van.

happygirl - Doggie BFFs, so cute. We dog wash and car wash together, too. You know what they say about the Great Minds. 🙂

Lia - I think I forgot to comment this. At the end of February we brought home a 8 week old goldendoodle puppy!! Waffle was the first goldendoodle I had seen so I wanted to thank you for posting about him. We couldn’t imagine a better breed of dog for us and love our Pippa girl! Have a great monday!!

Pink and Green Mama MaryLea - I was wondering the same thing — new dog or neighbor’s dog?
Looks like everyone had a blast, water play in all forms is always a big hit around here.
Girls are playing playdough and eating jelly beans from their easter baskets this morning, I’m cleaning out the pantry. Might make a batch of homemade watercolor paints later too! : )
A crafty day sounds like the perfect way to wrap up the last day of spring break. That’s what we’re planning to do!

Lyn-de-lou - Is the black dog an addition to the Duerksen household or new neighbour??

Dee - How fun! My kids love washing the dog, cars, or anything else that involves getting to use the hose.

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taking a walk.

April 5, 2012

i said to my little girls after school "let's go for a walk".
while they went to get "ready" (always have to get ready) i promptly fell asleep on the couch.
it just hit me really fast.

so 40 minutes later….we went for a walk.

it was a very overcast day.
raining on and off earlier in the day.

the girls took me out through the field behind our house.
they have seen deer out in this field.
this day we saw wild turkeys…..oh so ugly.

annie brought her purse and her baby.
talby had a net and binoculars.
and as usual…we had a tag along guest.

hello weed/wildflower.
i like your yellow.

we explored hills and trees.
they climbed fences and old forts.
the dog just ran around.

if we are outside….she's right there beside us.
it makes waffle crazy.

hello my two cuties.

i was trying to take a picture of my feet in the tall grass.
someone was spazzing out at my feet.

that was the shot i was looking for.

we walked the entire field….just enjoying the outdoors.

the sunsets here are so happy.
nothing to block them….you can watch it go down over the field.

these are on the walkway around our porch.
brick path with flowers?
big love.

🙂

after a 5 day break i am going running again in an hour.
i didn't mean to take that long of a break.
yesterday i showed up at the gym with exactly one hour to work out and i forgot my headphones.
i left.
it's just not worth it…im not that kind of runner yet.

i finished 100 miles last friday.
this month i am going to run a lot but focus on arms and abs.
(7 minute abs…not 6….who works out in 6 minutes? name that movie)

ha.

happy thursday everybody.
lets just pretend it's not dark and gray and gross outside ok?

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sara @ it's good to be queen - i love everything about this. that field is amazing.

Kelly - Those white flowers clustered together are beautiful! So delicate. Yea for flowered brick paths and old forts! I don’t know if you can do anything with them since you’re renting but I would paint those triangle trim pieces leaning against the barn white and hang them up somewhere! So fun! Kelly

Kat - I love your pics and I love taking walks and exploring with my 4 kids around here – beach and bush.
That sunset pic is beautiful!
Abs abd arms, this is my focus for the next 3 weeks so I can look good in my new dress for my 40 is the new 30 dress! (Having a cocktail party.)
I really admire you with the running, as I just don’t know if I could do that.
I have been walking, doing Zumba classes and aqua aerobics and handweights, but running?! Nope!
Keep up the great work!
Ps How did you get into the running?

Kelly - Beautiful photos! My boys would love playing in that fort. Thanks for letting us join you on your day of exploring!

Kerry - stunning part of the world you guys live in! I’ve been looking eeevveerryywwwherree for silver sparkle converse, obv’s not here in the uk yet! xx

Amber L Peters - Hi Meg! Beautiful photos! May I ask what lens you used to take them?

Haven - What a wonderful walk! I love the creativity and beauty in your pictures! What lens do you use?

Tina I - Cute neighbordog!! Your exploring walk looks like it was loads of fun. Made me long for country life and an exploring walk, not an afternoon of homework, swim team practice, eating in shifts, driving, and hubby travelling.

courtney child - Something about Mary…haha, love that movie.

Donna R - Always love your photos, but this batch is especially fun. That’s one happy dog for sure…I bet waffle is big time jealous! Happy Easter!

Jennifer - I love your dandelion pictures. Very artsy. I also love your Labby neighbor. He looks just like my black Lab Hank when we adopted him a few years ago. Labs stay spazzy and puppy for soooo long.
Enjoy your weekend and your Easter!

karen - aww. poor waffle!! that dog looks like a sweetheart!

Jenna - LOVE your country pictures … they say “home” to me!

erin - haha! There’s Something about Mary!!! I love the first picture of the cute dog, it reminds me of the do in “up” …….squirrels!? lol!!!!

Jen Brandt - I want to “like” some many of the above comments. Love that you get out and enjoy nature with your family. I hope you have a very blessed Easter!

Londen - Oops, I meant photos…

Londen - I love your beautiful photo of nature and the girls. You are inspiring with that camera!

Michelle From Australia - It’s bright and sunshining here in Brisbane, Australia. And it is supposed to be Autumn (aka Fall) here. Love living in the subtropics.

se7en - So love your walks in the country!!! LOVE!!! Hope you have a fabulous long weekend together!!!

Prairie Jenn - Love the photos…looks just like home to me.
The sun setting on the country road is my fave!
And even country girls have to “get ready” before going for a walk;)

April R - so many pretty photos that it kinda feels like I took a walk in Kansas 🙂
and now I want to go outside and take our own little walk-about!
btw – sunset envy! ours are blocked by lots of trees and neighborhood stuff….
feel free to post lots of sunset/sunrise photos (thanks!)
(and I’m w Suzanne, tell the girls to Slow Down!!!)

Stephanie - Ok, that settles it…I am SO taking a vacation to Kansas. Gorgeous. Seriously.

Seriously Sassy Mama - It is bright and sunshiney her today!

Laura - The quote is from There’s Something About Mary, right? Love all the pictures!

shannon - I was wondering where Waffle was, poor guy jealous of the neighbor 😉
Looks like you guys have so much fun exploring around your farmhouse, my girls would love it!
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Easter Weekend.

Tiffany - Can I rock Annie’s style at almost 40!? Pretty photos gurl, pretty ..pretty.

Alicia - Such a tranquil way to spend the afternoon. After being in CO for 18 years, we have made our way back to the midwest and I am very thankful…your pictures show why.

Laura Phelps - i first fell in love with you when you wrote about taking a walk with annie…you walked to pre school…
a walk..so simple…love it…love you

Jessica J - What lens do you use to get these shots? I love them!

Dani - Reminds me of Sunday afternoon hikes with my cousins. We couldn’t wait to finish lunch so we could explore the woods behind our houses.
Sad thing is I wouldn’t let my kids do that now for anything. So much bad in this world….
I love how you can take a picture of wood and make it so beautiful!

tiffany gardner - thanks for sharing your days with us. makes me smile. 🙂

Jessica - Something about Mary!
Made your chicken enchiladas recipe last night. So good, but way spicier than I thought they would be.

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Oh meg… this is so beautiful!

Debbie Smallie - I am that kind of runner too. My son jokingly erased my playlist on my ipod and replaced it with Alvin and the Chipmunks Greatest Hits. I made it one block before I turned around and came home. No way can I run with only my heavy breathing to listen to 🙂

Elizabeth - BEAUTIFUL! I grew up in Nebraska but now live in Texas…. I miss home. Thanks for giving me a taste of it 🙂

angela - There’s Something About Mary!!!!!

lindsey - These are great pictures! I love the butterfly picture! It is so green down there!

Marianne - Ha ha! Your neighbourdog is hilarious!!

Suzanne - Dear Annie~please stop growing!

Jessica - I have to know… Living in Kansas and walking through tall grass and fields and being by a creek, do you not see snakes, poisonous snakes?! I only ask because I hate and fear them. Like more than anything.

Sara Torbett - Are you sure you didn’t magically end up on our property yesterday? 🙂 Your walk and words about country life are my normal and happy place. We had a groundhog cross the yard yesterday and eery sounding coyote wake me up! Love the flower bricks. 🙂 Happy Thursday!

Rachel J - We have a neighbor dog just like that. If we are outside, she is right beside us. She thinks she belongs to us. We like her……most of the time. Except she started in the garden……oh dear. Your photos are beautiful, even with gray skys. Have a great Thursday!

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phil.

March 28, 2012

while i was on a run on sunday afternoon my girls found a turtle in our yard!

they named him Phil.

sean, talby and annie came up with a great plan to keep it in the area that we think is a trough for horses?
but honestly….what do we know?
i have seen Charolette's Web…the original….and that is about the extent of my knowledge of farm life.

but the trough had probably a year or two of leaves in it and the week of rain made it a perfect turtle world!
it's very wet and muddy.

turtles are amazing little creatures.
so much detail on their entire body.

just look at that face!
he is an art project waiting to be made!
the lines and the colors….oh i love turtles.

sidenote: one time when i was annie's age i had a box turtle i found and i went to the pool and asked my dad to watch my turtle in the laundry room while i was gone. when i got home he told me it had escaped.
i believed him until just recently when i remembered that story and relaized i had been tricked. turtles can't escape a laundry room!! REAL nice dad!

why would God put orange on the bottom of turtle shell?
it's so interesting!
there is probably some reason…..there always is.

then on monday i found another turtle in the middle of the road.
i pulled over and jumped out and put it in a big pot i had in the trunk, took it home and put it in with phil.
🙂
they can be buddies.

this photo is called Ode to Spring. or maybe it should be called Ode to Allergies. HA HA HAAAA.

craig mowed the yard on saturday.
it took all the time it takes to play all the avett brothers songs we have.
ha!

and last night i laid in bed at midnight with the windows open and i heard four things.
1. craig breathing
2. frogs
3. cows….or should i say COW…just one…MOOOOOO. pause. MOOOOO. pause. MOOOOOO… repeat.
4. owls

i like this place.

my running….
i am at 86 miles.
i have 4 days left.
totally going to make it!!
a w e s o m e.
i would have LAUGHED IN YOUR FACE if you had told me last year i would be running 6 miles in march.
but i did it on sunday by myself with no one to make me finish but myself.
and Lance Armstrong came over my Nike+ thing on my iPod congratulating me.
i know it's just a recording but still it feels pretty sweet.

ok…WINNER for the elissa Hudson prints?! *********************************

Oh soooo many choices….it's gotta be, the Busy as a BEE print!

Posted by: Monica Williams | March 27, 2012 at 06:37 AM

******************************************************

send me your information Monica and i will hook you up with elissa!

aren't giveaways so much fun?!

don't forget to enter these: ———————————————————————————————

enter to win a starbucks $100 gift card HERE.

enter to win a $100 gift crad to walmart from IHOP over HERE.

enter to win a $100 visa gift card from Hostess HERE.

thanks.
happy wednesday.

show hide 63 comments

add a comment

DOMA - Ohhh! Such a beautiful photos! I absolutely love it! You’re kids are adorable.
I found your blog today but I’m sure that I’ll stay here longer 😉

Diane - My two bits regarding your turtle. Make sure your children wash their hands with warm water and soap after holding him. Turtles can carry salmonella.

bri epp - you should free the turtle because 1.) i believe in KS it is illegal to snag wild turtles and keep them as pets, but mostly 2.) it is what is best for the turtle.

Fat Cowboy - Free Yertle!!!

Faith - Dear Meg. HAVE YOU SEEN THIS??? https://www.facebook.com/thecolorrun
The Color Run. Like your super fun color throwing photo shoot except while you run! Immediately thought of you when I saw it.

tina - When you write a blog, it’s out there for all to see. I think ‘hater’s’ is the wrong term. No one is hating on Meg! We love meg and that’s why we come here and comment. Nature and the eco-system is a touchy subject, especially in the past 10-20 years. We know more now, so we are aware of the effects on the environment. Animals are truly the most innocent creature’s on “God’s” green earth….so i can see how many people perk up there chests when something so innocent like this happens.
With all do respect to Mandy friend…it’s not just two turtles…because if 1000 reader’s view this blog and half of them would like to try the same thing…then that’s 1000 turtles which have been displaced and so on and so on.
No hater’s meg…just animal lovers 🙂 Your blog is awesome!

mandy friend - i’d have let my kids keep the turtles for a while too. sheesh. it’s a couple turtles for pete’s sakes! the kids memories of hanging with turtles for a few days far tops the ‘let the turtles go’ cries;) tons of turtles get hit by cars out at my mil’s place. you saved it…right?!:D
you’re awesomefor running. i always say i’ll run when someones chasing me with a gun;)

Sandy W - If you are going to keep the turtles just please make sure you give them a container of water large enough for them to get in and a way to get in and out. They do need water to survive.

Lindsey Jo - i had tons of turtles as pets as a kid. but mine were box turtles, unlike phil 🙂 if and when you let them go, you should write your phone number on their shell. it’s fun to see how far the turtle gets before someone else “holds it in captivity” 🙂

sue - Laura….Thank you.

Laura - I have to add my voice to the other “let the turtle go” people for a couple of reasons.
First, you may be breaking the law. You need to research the laws in your state in regard to keeping turtles as pets, as they can be quite strict. Certain turtles are endangered in number, so the laws are very restrictive. By the size of Phil, he is of breeding age, so you more than likely interrupted his attempt to locate his water source of choice so he could get his turtle groove on with the ladies.
Second, many turtles do not thrive in captivity. Their little constitutions don’t do well with a lot of human interaction/interference, so he may decline in health, thus removing another turtle of breeding age from the ecological system.
So, cool as he is, the right thing to do would be to let him go. If you want your kids to have more hands-on experience with turtles, locate a breeder in your area that specializes in turtles as pets. They don’t allow adoption of wild turtles and exclusively work with domestic pets.

Julie - I think you need to paint Phil’s shell! He would be the coooooolest turtle eva!

Meaghan - One hundred miles? Holy moly…. You are one amazing person. I can’t get over it, 100 MILES?!!!?

Maggie T. - Pi love the turtle! Such amazing detail, what an amazing God! Thanks for sharing….

Michelle B - Turtles are so cool! My neighbor used to have a turtle pond at her house and we would spend a lot of time there playing with them!
So when do we get a house tour of the new place ? 🙂

holly S - oh my there are a lot of haters on this post. I love your blog and all your pictures. You have a beautiful family and are a very inspiring person! Thanks for sharing your wonderful life with us on your blog.

cath w - Amazing. Someone voices an opinion that may not be the same as that of the blogger, and they are labelled a ‘hater’. It says ‘Post a comment’ not ‘Post a compliment’.

Christina - Congrats on your running!!
And your thoughts/comments on the turtle were awesome…I have lost my ability to wonder (as in, be in awe) at creation. Thank you!

Kathy P - you shouldnt move the turtle, you should put it back where you found it in your yard, or it wont survive. they are actually fairly fragile creatures.
the orange on its stomach is to ward off creatures if it rolls over on its back

sue - meg gave me and others the impression that she was going to keep the turtles. She never said it was just for the over night or till the morning and i think if she had made that clear we would not be discussing this the way we are. Having a blog is alot of responsibility and i don’t think she made it clear on what she was going to do with it. we are not haters but just like wild life to roam free.

Winnie - I’m sorry I didn’t read so much but the photos captivated me!!! You are a great photographer and the story is beautiful.

Tracey Garcia - Oh good gravy! I read through all the responses the the “save the turtle” folks seem a little over the top. ya’ll found two turtles, put them in a big trough, and are observing them. It’s not like you threw them in a pot to make soup! I have every confidence folks that Meg does not intend to make these forever pets. The turtles are not being tortured or mistreated and the kids are learning about them and nature. Yes, it is important for kids to learn about animals and their natural habitat. Yes, wild animals are wild and not pets. But the kids ARE learning and being respectful of the animals. They’ve kept them outside in a turtle friendly environment. Relax for goodness sake.
And Meg, I think your 100 mi is AWESOME!!!! Big congrats. Maybe I’ll try to walk a 100 mi in April (I only run if I’m being chased—-which I may be my the turtle folks after I post this comment)

Ashley - Love Ode to Allergies! I laughed.
As for Phil, isn’t it amazing how God creates us each so intricately?! I’m glad the kiddos are getting to see nature up close and personally. Country life is so interesting.
And BIG congrats on your running goal! I can walk or bike anywhere, but running is a feat. Kudos!

Jolene (Homespun Heritage) - HA! That is so cool!
We have a tortoise called Bubba. He’s pretty awesome!

Tracy Fisher - Congrats on your run! You go girl!!! I love your turtle(s) but can’t show my kids. We went to get 2 the other day at the stinky pet store. I kind of freaked out. Their legs had stripes on them and they looked like snakes. And I am absolutely terrified of snake. Left home without turtles and two unhappy kids. Oh well. LIfe goes on. Tracy

lisa k - Over the past year of reading your blog, you have inspired me to do many things. This past month I have decided to join you in running 100 miles in march, I think it is such a great personal goal that you cant cheat yourself out of, and I’ve been looking forward to going on jogs everyday now 🙂
Im at 82 miles, and congrats to you 86!
Thank you thank you for your inspiring, down to earth blog 🙂

Terri - Meg,
I read in your last post that your family went to the movies the other day. My husband and I did too. We went to see October Baby. I can’t tell you how good it is! It tells a story that sooooo needs to be heard! I am taking my daughters to see it tomorrow (they are on spring break). They are 19 and 14. It is necessary that they see it. Let me know what you think of it after you go. You won’t regret it.
Terri

holly - OK, so it seems like there are a lot of hater this morning….anyways, it is a water turtle. Phil has webbed feet. Land turtles are really dry and scaly.I had one when i was a teacher. not only did I take it out of it’s natural habitat, but I took him to school, kept him in an aquarium. He lived several years and got very big. Finally I had to let him go, so I did. Sorry haters.
congrats on the running! You will meet your goal!

Reese - Hey there- Love farm life and glad you heard the cow and the owl while relaxing in bed – nothing better than that! I am going to repeat what has already been said. You should let the turtles go. Totally not cool to keep them captive when they should be free and wild. You’re doing your children a disservice by letting them keep them and think that it’s OK. Maybe as an overnight but not as a pet. Hope that doesn’t offend you – that isn’t my intention!
Love your blog!

Georgia - So cute!

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Hmmmm, turtles??!?!…not really a fan but the girls look like they’re enjoying Phil and his buddy so when it comes to being a mama that’s what counts 😉 Congrats on your running accomplishment. Way to go MEG!!

Jacci - One more thought… judging from the photos, it’s hard to tell whether or not Phil is getting any sunshine. Because Phil is cold-blooded, he needs to be able to keep his temp regulated by moving in and out of sun. So, he needs both shady spots and sunny spots. The end 🙂

ktmade - Delightful! I had a little turtle when I was a kid that looked almost exactly like Phil but with a yellow belly. His name was Frankie D. He was with us for many, many years.

Jacci in Ohio - Okay… First of all, I really enjoyed this post! The pictures are lovely and
Phil is a looker 🙂 Now… About the wild turtles. It’s true, your turtles may be trying to mate or lay eggs right now. BUT it is most definitely NOT true that your turtles might need to “take care of babies” or “teach other turtles to swim.” God has made turtles to lay eggs and never look back. They do not care for their young like birds or mammals do. So no baby turtles are in distress because of your actions 🙂 Don’t you feel better already? 🙂 decades ago, when children were far more in tune with the creation around them, it was not at all uncommon for classrooms to teach “nature study” in the early school years instead of science. Nature study is hands on, focusing on close observation, and natural habitat. We approach science this way in our homeschool. We often observe creatures for an hour or two before letting them go exactly where we found them. Children that learn to care about turtles the way yours do are going to be far more likely to truly understand wildlife issues as adults than those that merely saw turtles behind glass and filled out some worksheet about their habitat needs.
Maybe this should’ve been an email 🙂 the only other things I’d mention are that Kansas may have laws concerning whether or not you’re even allowed to keep Phil and for how long. Here in Ohio, if we keep a wild caught turtle for longer than 4 days, it’s illegal to return it to the wild afterward. And the salmonella concerns are legit, but washing hands well is enough 🙂

Sarah Wolfe - Way to go on the running. That’s a really big deal… I need a running partner and more hours in the day… sigh! But that’s all just excuses. I just need to do it!

Kelly - So, does this mean you are starting your own turtle farm now?! 🙂

Tina I - Congrats on your running progress! What an accomplishment! I’m a long time runner myself…never speedy, just consistent, but can say that without a doubt, running has saved my life on more than one occasion. I wouldn’t be the person I am without it. Sometimes its hard, sometimes it hurts, but I never regret having gone. Hope you keep going!

happygirl - We had a turtle named Cynthia for FOUR years. Turtles are horrible pets. Don’t bring this one in the house. They poop A LOT. just sayin’. Awesome running. I am so impressed.

Allison - I lived in the country growing up so I know all about catching turtles. I caught a turtle and named it Sally, but my Dad made me put it back in the stream. I found another one a couple weeks later in the yard and so I decided to call it Sally 2. Very original for an 8 year old 🙂
Congrats on all the running. Someday I’ll make it there.

sue - You know your going to get alot of mail on this but please put the turtle back where it belongs. I know you have good intentions but that turtle has to teach other turtles how to swim. You know its the right thing to do .

megan - You should sell your photos. I’d buy an Ode to Allergies!

karen - very cute turtle. i would let the turtles go. your kids are lucky enough to have hundreds of wild ‘pets’ in the country. FREE THE TURTLES!!! lol!

Karen Gerstenberger - Your Ode To Spring photo is lovely – it deserves to be framed.
I have wondered the same thing about the inside of a clamshell that you wondered about the bottom of Phil’s shell: why would God make something so beautiful where so few would see it? I don’t know the answer, but those shells encourage me to believe that God cares about every detail, and loves and creates beauty for the sake of pure joy. Such extravagent love! God bless you, Meg.

Jen Brandt - Going to hit your running goal – YEA FOR YOU!!! That is awesome. Love Phil. Yes, he does have beautiful colors!

Mandy - Oh my goodness. I LOVED this post, it totally made me smile! I am a country girl who grew up on a big farm. Us kids always played with turtles and we never got sick. Also judging by the fact that I still see turtles out everywhere, it would appear that they didnt go extinct as a result of living on my porch for a week or two. Life is an adventure and I’m so happy that your children are getting to experiance the country!

Terrie G - I’m having a hard time reading your posts…they all make me cry.
I miss living on the farm….so many memories of our kids growing up.
And the sounds..I miss those the most at night.
we went to the farm to clean up last week and I took a good look around the place…
with my camera. It was probably one of the last times I’ll go there…so I reminisced…and cried.
A lot.
Happy Wednesday!
PS – You’ve inspired me to start walking…not up to running yet. 🙂

erin - phil is awesome!
and i hate to be one of THOSE people, but turtles can carry a TON of germs, including salmonella. i’d have a hard time denying my little one the chance to hold/touch one, but i’d also be inclined to scrub her hands down to nothing afterwards. just be careful! 🙂

Kate S. - You’ve openly admitted you know little about farm or wildlife, so why are you attempting to keep turtles as pets? They’re wild animals and you’ve unwittingly trapped them and are forcing them to live their lives in captivity.
I’m reminded of this quote: “God loved the birds and invented trees. Man loved the birds and invented cages.” –Jacques Deval.
Please let the turtles go. Your children can learn about turles elsewhere.

GB Jost - Never mind Meg, I found it! Sorry! GB

jeana - The turtle is gorgeous! God is amazingly creative, and just to imagine none are exactly the same?! Wow. Congrats on the running. I hate running, it always seems so miserable.. maybe I’m missing something?

GB Jost - Hey Meg, I would love to sign up for the $100.00 Starbucks give-a-way, but the link takes me to another blog entry! Love seeing Scott play basketball…GB

Rebecca - When you look at Phil’s most perfect design, isn’t it hard to believe someone wouldn’t believe in God?

farmhousemama - My kids found a painted turtle last weekend. We let them keep it overnight so that it could go to school for show and tell. Then we let it go back into the creek so that she (you can tell by the tail) could be free and happy… and lay eggs if she needed. 🙂 I agree with MaryMargaret. Wild animals are not meant to be pets. Glad your family is enjoying country life though!

Susan - Turtles have been on the move in our neighborhood lately…we have tons of creeks winding around our neighborhood…a couple of times I have seen one crossing the road and wanted to stop and get it for our back yard. I have two cats and worried about how that would work out. In my case the turtles are probably better off in the street!

Han - Go you with the running! Well done awesome lady!!
Our friend had a turtle called George – he regularly escaped under the fence into our garden – it was like having a pet without the responsibility lol. We’d pick him up and post him back under the fence or pick him up and take him for a walk round to next doors house lol.

Jana - Also, in our area (central Illinois) tiny painted turtles make a pilgrimage to our neighbors pond and it is a pretty remarkable feat! I am sure your children would enjoy that as well! Mine always did!

Jana - I think that is a painted water turtle and I believe that MaryMargaret is right! You unintentionally stopped the turtle from it’s natural instinct to mate or have babies! Please place the turtle back where you found it…..and let it go make more turtles 😉

Jenn - Yay for you on being so close to your goal! That’s awesome! And a BIG thank you, too! You have inspired me. I have three children and back in January lost a baby at almost 18 weeks. It was crushing. I’d lost two other babies, but much earlier in the pregnancy…because of that and the constant nausea, I hadn’t exercised in a several months…and I was packing on the pounds…and it wasn’t very pretty. And you have inspired and encouraged me to start running. I am only up to a mile and a half five days a week, but wow! I’m not dying at the end! And I’m doing it! And the weight is beginning to come off! And I feel so much better! And I never would’ve done it had you not been sharing about running. Thank you!!! Thank you!!!

deborah@applesinwonderland - @MaryMargaret, my little conservationist son (11) would love you. 🙂 There really is so much more to learn and appreciate from animals when they can be observed where and how they live naturally. Turtles are super cool. Your running has me thinking about running….it’s something. 😉

beth - That is a huge turtle! And the fact that you had a large pot in your trunk really cracked me up. I’m so glad you’re enjoying farm/country living! So, what’s next? Your own chickens? A little goat maybe?

Seriously Sassy Mama - I run in the burbs. Not like the country, but the sunsets are still pretty.

MaryMargaret - I know that I’m going to get some flack from this, but please, please put the turtles back into their natural habitat. You may have good intentions, but taking a turtle off of the road may be taking a mother from her nest. Wildlife is called “wild” for a reason, please don’t upset the ecosystem. If you explain that to your children, they’ll learn to respect that now and later in life. Sorry for sounding so preachy in the morning, but I’m a country girl that believes in nature.

Leah B. - I am pretty sure Phil is a water turtle. Probably why he has orange on his belly. Congrats on being so close to your goal on running.

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NATURE! (goulet)

March 18, 2012

one of my most favorite skits from SNL is will ferrell playing robert goulet out in the woods.
if you've seen it then you will understand my title.

ha.

please enjoy 30 seconds of my nature.
this video was taken in the dark on my porch.

how was your weekend?

i am going to go cuddle up next my man and watch the KU game.
cause i am tired.

no running this weekend.
boo.
we were too busy.
i was going to go now but it's super windy and my gym is closed….cause it's at a retirement center.
oh darn i guess ican't exercise tonight.

are your kids off for spring break?
are you going anywhere?
we are NOT.
5 full days together…..oh my…..i had better make some plans for us before we all go crazy.

any ideas?

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Cindy - Meg, I just wanted you to know that your Craft Weekends totally inspired our spring break activities this year…kid style! And we LOVED it! We even included a trip to a vintage toy store and Sonic! You can check out what you inspired here: http://crayonwishesandpopsicledreams.com/our-spring-break-craft-week/ But just know the photos are horrible 🙁 My camera was in Haiti with hubby that week 🙂

Heidi Jo the Artist - Love nature!
Do you have a state park near by? We love ours and just last weekend we went to 3 and 1 county park. We had our first picnic of the year. We like to explore, hike, play, and go geocaching too. We’re loving the spring weather!
Love the garden planning idea. We already planted lettuce and other greens, I think it’s the earliest I have ever planted outdoors because it has been so nice. Hoping we won’t have a hard frost.
Enjoy your time together!

nicky - “Poppa, l like it when you call me big poppa” hahaha. I had to go watch that skit just now. Still hilarious. And my city dog perked up at your nature sounds too, I don’t think she’s ever heard stuff like that before 🙂

susan - Have you heard of geocaching? It’s a “treasure” hung using latitude and longitude coordinates. The treasure is a generally a bunch of odds and ends left by other geocachers. When you find the treasure, you take something and leave something in its place. You can google geocaching to find places in your area. I haven’t done this yet, but I have a 13 yr. old (boy), 11 year old (girl) and 4 year old (boy) who all think it sounds great! Oh, yeah, one of the most important parts – you can download a geocaching app to your iphone/touch, etc. so that you have the coordinates.

Prairie Jenn - Declare each day of Spring Break to be its own holiday…
Ice Cream Day
Craft Day
Play Day (games or sports)
PJ day (pjs and movies:)
Cookie day- just because you should start and end the week with yumminess!

Jen - Thanks for posting those night sounds. These were the sounds outside my window growing up. Now I live in the city and I miss those sounds dearly. I’ll come back often for a little bit of sanity for myself:)
We don’t have spring break until the 1st week of April. I’m hoping grandparents will step up for some sleepovers, because we don’t have anything planned, either.

Nichole Kopp - Every Spring Break my boys and I make t-shirts. We buy plain white shirts at the local craft store and use our fabric markers to draw on them. They can draw anything they want, Star Wars characters, robots, military jeep… Last year on my t-shirt they each drew a flower. Too sweet! Another idea, check out your local library. (yes, I’m a children’s librarian) Our library is playing the new Muppet movie complete with snacks for free!

Tanya - We just finished Spring Break. We went to the maple sugar bush, that was fun. We traveled three of the 5 days to see friends and cousins ~ just day trips. And we hit the park, went to a puppet show and of course did some baking, crafting and watched some movies 🙂
It still felt long 🙂

Heather - I grew up in Hutch and I used to housesit/dogsit for a family who lived outside of town. The dumb dog would always take his sweet time coming back to the door at bedtime and I’d be on the porch calling him to come inside. Then coyotes started yipping. I hated staying in that huge house by myself knowing the coyotes were out there in the dark and I had to find the darn dog. I miss the frogs and the stars but I don’t miss the coyotes.

Krissy - I love the video! I miss those sounds so much now that i live in a big city instead of out in the country! 🙁 GO KU!!!!!!!!

Colleen - Have you tried letterboxing? I”m certain they have it in Kansas… check it out!Can’t believe you are all unpacked.. how do you do it? ( you know that’s how I’d be spending my spring break if i had just moved w/ 5 kids!)

Betsy - Thought of your blog last night as we watched March Madness. We are huge Purdue fans. 🙂 Wish the Boilermakers were going to the Sweet Sixteen, but congrats to KU!

Vicki - I’m going to steal that garden planning/planting idea posted up in the comments! What a great plan! and it’s an investment in your future. :o) and I liked the “5 kids 5 days let them each plan a day” idea, too. My kids are still pretty little, 3 & 5, but we do have a spring break! So – off to my parent’s farm for an over night, for sure. One day at the Portland Art Museum (kids are free anyway), probably a day at the zoo, a day at the science museum (new lego exhibit!) and there is definitely a Lorax viewing in our near future. Unless it’s too scary for a brave 3 year old… we’ll have to ask around. ENJOY IT! Love the froggies. *sigh* All we hear all night is drunken wanderers and ambulances. nighttime in the city = blech.

happygirl - I finally completely recovered from my horrible bronchitis. Life is looking good again and I missed all the pretty weather and was healthy for the rain. I’m good with this. 🙂

JustMommer - My little dog Hermione stopped what she was doing and listened to your nature, she was very confused, she doesn’t really know much nature except the backyard.

Kimberly Dial - Meg, it sounds exactly like my deck … so relaxing … the spring peepers are my favorite harbinger of Spring! Enjoy!

April R - I’m w Michelle’s idea – staycation! We did that one year and it was some good memory making and easy and you didn’t get that “I need a vacation from my vacation” kind of thing when it was over.
Have fun!

Jill - Meg! When we moved to the country (4 yrs ago) I was UP at night AWAKE because of Bull Frogs! Now, I love them! (I DO NOT, however, love the sound of the coyote’s howling! OY!)
So beautiful! To hear the frogs and crickets NOT the coyotes! 🙂

sonya - lil'soak + Friends - we just finished our spring break. I only have one child and it was a challenge. Lots of going out to the park running around, eco friendly crafting and the sorts. Lot of train building and helping to cook 🙂

Deb Meyers - peepers are like a rocking chair to me.
I think you should sleep on the porch every night during SB. Before mosquitoes and flies come. Pray for a thunderstorm, too, so you can watch that.
Talk about a simple garden with your kids…
decide what veggies and flowers you want. (Simple is better)
go buy those veggies, try a couple recipes using them this week to be sure you want them.
Find the sunniest spot in your yard for the garden.
If you’ll do raised beds, build them and make your dirt mix.
Fill in a calendar backing up from harvest for when to put in your seeds or nursery stock. include vacation and who will care for it while you are gone.
Everything else in the week will be gravy.

Lori Austin - Loved the “video”. 🙂 Reminds me of my childhood.
We are camping for SB. Can’t wait.

Leslie @farm fresh fun - Welcome to farm life ya’ll!!! Loved your froggy music. I just posted on that ~ they’re peepers! 🙂
I bet you find lots of impromptu country activities to keep everyone amused… Like you said, now you can just let’em run loose and entertain themselves sometimes. I’m on my way out to collect eggs, feed critters n go JUNKING myself. Wishing you all a world of happiness in your new home.
THANKS for all the color you add to my world!
(((hugs)))
Leslie

georgia - Have a sports day! Invite friends and have a picnic in your garden, arrange games, silly ones and serious ones. Like egg & spoon race, football, play tag, have a bbq! It would be fun, invite new neighbours, old friends etc 🙂 xx

Jacci - Sure… let’s see… go to an art museum? lame? boring? ha ha. Um… do art and make cupcakes? Oh, you thought of that already? Let’s see… paint rocks to make them look like strawberries (pinterest)? Go for a hike & picnic in the woods somewhere. Do you do woods? Do Spring Break list like the Summer List only *much* smaller? Buy vanilla ice cream and a bunch of add-ins a let everyone make their own coldstone type dessert? Have special alone time (shopping, playing horse, whatever) with one child for one of the five days? OR since you have 5 days and 5 kids, maybe let each kid choose 3 things to do/eat on one of the days?
Have fun!

Kelly - Love that video! I just read this post: http://leslieautumn.blogspot.com/2012/03/slumber-parties-are-our-new-favorite.html
don’t know if you read her blog but sounds like lots of fun things to do, some of which you could do over spring break maybe.
Kelly

Michelle From Australia - Pity you can’t make it to Australia and back in 5 days 🙁 We’d love to have you come and visit!

sandi - you can breathe now! good grief that was a close one. congrats on the win… maybe you will meet carolina in a few.

Susan - Love the video, my dog went nuts. We just finished spring break so back to the books tomorrow. We didn’t do much. Served at the food bank and Sydney had 3 sleep overs an
and multiple stops at TCBY.

christy - Loved the video, it made me smile. Thank you! Reminded me of spending summers at my grandma’s farm.
We are also on break this week & no vacay until summer. We are planning on a Spring training game (lawn seat & picnic), a museum, drive-in movies & jumping at the indoor tampoline park.

Julie - There was an article in the Wichita paper last week on inexpensive ideas that you can do in Wichita over spring break. At least I think it was the Eagle. I read it online. You might google cheap spring break Wichita.
I am planning on taking the kids to Hutchinson to the zoo, Carey Park and then Dillon Nature Center. That is if we get a day where it isn’t raining. Hutchinson isn’t on spring break until the next week. You could also get tickets to the Juco tourney if your kids like watching bball.

sandi - we recently had winter break and took the children snow skiing.
watching the ku game right now ~ i need someone to cheer for since duke is out (booooo!). carolina is my husbands team ~ yep, we have a mixed marriage come basketball season. of course, they are on a collision course with your team ~ i think the committee likes potential matchups like that. plus we have spent the last three years watching james macadoo in high school so i guess i will cheer for carolina and the local boy turned tarheel freshman. this is a great time of year!

Karen Gerstenberger - Our son is on his way back to Gonzaga after spending his spring break with us. We went to Cali to celebrate my dad’s 85th birthday with him & my mom…we are so blessed that they are still “up and at ’em” snowbirds. So today was “goodbye” to our young man, until Easter weekend. I know you’ll think of something fun and creative for all…and I bet it will include a trip to Sonic. YUM.

Brooke - we just enjoyed a little staycation in wichita this past weekend and had a BLAST! how about going on a picnic to the Keeper of the Plains and then go on a hunt to find the troll (do you know about the troll??!! Google it.)…your kids would LOVE looking for the troll! I have two year old’s…so their attention span didn’t last long enough to find it. 🙂

Dina - You need a screened in porch…with a bed:-)

Shauna Howington - Ahhhhh, peaceful sounds to sleep to. I love country living!

Emily - Ship them off to Grandma’s!

Kristin S - Eggs from new farm neighbors. Game to see how many different things you can do with the eggs. I mean, don’t waste them but it could be fun!
Haven’t had a spring break since 1993… oh, that would be dreamy.

colleen from alabama - We are stay at homers for spring break too. trying to sane and not kill the kids is at times difficult. My husband is a High School teacher so he is at home too! That’s the best part 🙂 Ideas… tonight both of my kids have a friend over to spend the night. I’ve planned a shopping trip with my daughter (i have one boy and one girl) We have given her a modest budget for spring and summer clothes so we are going to attempt to get what she needs on one day! HA! We got Globe Trotters tickets on groupon so my husband and son are going to do that one night. We try to load up on “groupon” type restaurant coupons so i don’t have to cook so much. We go to chuck e cheese (my 4th & 6th graders LOVE it still!), we also go to a place with laser tag, putt putt and skating all in one. Honestly we just try to stay busy and be together.. which is at times extremely hard given their ages & stage of life. Just praying for happy memories!

Michelle - What about a staycation where you look at your town from the point of view that a tourist would and go do all kinds of touristy fun things?

Terrie G - Your recording makes me miss living in the country…
Enjoying time with our son while he is home on spring break!
And DARE I say it…cheering on KU?!! That should make you smile! 🙂
Surviving 5 days?? Go to Pinterest and see what you can find!! I know you’ll come up with something AwEsOmE!!

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