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the dirt

i am so happy to be gardening again.

i love it so much….
i dread it around april but by the end of may i am ready!

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i think half of the reason i like it is the quietness.
usually i am alone.
but at the same time i can hear what's going on around me with the kids.
and to see something grow so beautiful from just a seed….
so amazing.
and humbling.
my parents have always had lovely yards.
my dad is obsessed with trees and my mom loves flowers.
my grandmother always had interesting and different plants in her yard.
i remember strawberries, grandpa's gourds and bamboo by the sandbox.
i am grateful to have grown up with a love for gardening.
but i never even touched a plant till i was 24.
except when i HAD to water my mom's flowers as a chore.
when we bought our first house craig's mom helped me plant my first plants.
and i was hooked.
and all that stuff i'd been watching all my life became real to me.
it was so clear why they loved it.
i love that we…my parents and sister, my grandmother & craig's mom
all enjoy this same simple hobby.
to watch my grandmother go through my entire yard asking questions
or giving facts…makes me full of joy.
to see my parents' yard overflow with curly willow and birds & butterflies…joy!
thank you for that.
here is a peek into our first garden in illinois.
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silver lace vine 
it was mislabeled at the flea market…what a great mistake.
i put it on the arbor craig built me 
and it grew up over the roof the first year!
purple coneflower, black eyed susan, bee balm, hollyhocks and tickseed.
and huge sunflowers.
oh i miss this little yard.
it was full of evergreen bushes when we moved in.
jenny and her mom were so helpful too.
sharing plants and answering lots and lots of questions.
in my yard now…
most of the peonies are now down on the ground…it rained really hard.
but inside they look and smell lovely.
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i know i know, enough with the peonies!
but like i told you…they will be gone for 11 more months.
i cut 3 huge vases full and you could barely tell i had touched the bushes.
if you do plant some…
they do take a few years to get really healthy and bloom well.
i am feeling hopeful for this years garden.
i think it's going to be a good one.
everything is coming up so nicely.
and a friend gave me my first tomato plants!  
we'll see how that goes. 

Cindy - I just discovered your blog today and saw this picture with your floral pillow (beautiful flowers by the way) I have been in search of the perfect fabric and there it sits on your chair or sofa. Do you know the name of that fabric or any ideas where I can find a few yards or the order the pillows? Thanks for your time. You are so blessed with a lovely family and home.

mrslimestone - Im so jealous – I love peonies! (And my yard is way too small to have a cutting garden). I just have to buy my flowers from the local shop but they don’t look half as nice as your fresh ones.

Amy - Oh my goodness, those have to smell like heaven! Wow! You are a far better gardener than myself, but I nodded my head at how great it is to do it and to feel that connection with the earth and the people in your life.

Tiffany - Oh my gosh, what a gorgeous yard/garden you had in Illinois! I dream of such a lovely yard, but don’t have a clue where to even start! lol
I’m with you on the Peonies, we have one single little bush in the corner of our backyard and I wait all year for it’s blooms, which are gone in what seems like the blink of an eye.
Have a wonderful day!

Marcie - The picture of the peonies on the table by the fan looks like it’s out of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine!! You inspired me to bring in my pitiful rain soaked peonies to enjoy for a few days! By the way, I’m a friend of Frank and Amy who are friends with Russ and Jenn.

Jill (One Wired Woman) - You have a beautiful green thumb, my dear!! Love your garden history… love your garden now!! You’ve turned me into a freak for peonies. They are gorgeous!! Have fun with your garden. 🙂 ~Jill

amanda - oh to live somewhere green. az is beautiful in its own way, but nothing like the photos you have shown. i would LOVE to garden– to REALLY garden. until a time when i can . . . i will read your blog and drool over the beautiful landscapes you share.
amanda az

Liz - Lovely post. Your pictures are gorgeous.

traci - good luck with the tomato plants. i love your peonies – you can post pictures of them whenever you want – they are just beautiful. i am getting some the next time i go to the nursery or home depot. and that little old fan – so cute!!!

Jennifer P. - I could stare at the picture of your garden forever! I just want to get lost in it! That English garden overflowing with wildflowers look is just what I’m after. I’m only two summers into my house, so I’m still waiting for everything to fill in—but I hope it turns out as lovely as yours! And your peonies are gorgeous! Fresh flowers whenever you want are a definite plus for having a great garden!

Staci - What beautiful peonies! By the way, I’m Staci from The Amy Clan–Brian and Staci–came from Emily’s blog. I made your chicken pot pie tonight! YUMMY! I must say I’ve been looking at those pics of your home you have posted and your house is MAGNIFICENT! What a beautiful home and beautiful family!

Crystal - Oh Meg. You just send pangs of jealously through me! I can’t wait to have a yard and garden with lots of sun!! Right now all we have is shade/part sun so I am having to learn to garden opposite of what I usually want…black eyed susans, cone flower, sun flower…one day. 🙂

julie - Gorgeous and dreamy. Makes me want to go outside and dig. I haven’t in so long. Thanks for the inspiration.

April - Oooh Meg…I love that first photo of the peonies with the little antique fan nearby….nice !!
great gardening stories and memories you have too…..your kids will have the same stories….gardening is GOOD ~

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family night

i got some happy mail.

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oh maybe i shouldn't i open this box.
i don't need a lion in the house…i already have 5 monkeys.

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oh jenny. (art by jake…i assume)
you silly girl.
thank you for my gi-nor-mous chandelier!!
i have no idea where i will put it…
but i WILL find a spot.  

2 chandeliers at my door?  

wow.  i am the luckiest girl in the world.

friday night is family night at our house.
we carried out pizza and ate it at the park.
while eating her pizza annie said "look! some slides!"  
i answered "yep…when you're finished eating you can go play!"  
she gave the fist pump and said "YES!"
then lauren said "UGH! we're staying to play?!"
ha.
how cruel would it be to take the little ones to eat at a park
and then not let them play?!

somehow our 13 year old managed to find some fun…
even at the park.

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dad vs everyone.

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good good times.

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what do you think…are these pictures too big?
can you see them well?
the color isn't as clear as it was before typepad changed…
what's up with that?

Dawn - Great pics! Lauren looks just like her dad! You can see it so well in the pic where they are head to head/face to face.

Chicago Jen - Glad you got the package! It took us a year to find a box big enough. Can’t wait to see where is goes. love ya,
jen

melissa @ the inspired room - You have a whole basketball team there, that is great. We put a basketball hoop in our driveway last year because it was one of the few things that every age could enjoy together…to one degree or another. We play a lot of HORSE.
Love the big pictures, but of course, I would love them as mine are gianormous. Must be old age, I like to see my photos in great detail. Well, not photos of ME in great detail. That would be plain frightening. But other photos, yes BIG is good.
Ok, happy cleaning, painting, working around the house. 🙂
Melissa

Jill (One Wired Woman) - Size does matter… the large photos are great. 🙂 I would do this as well… but I have junked up both sides of my blog. There’s no way I could fit in larger photos.
The story of my life… just junking things up. hee hee ~Jill 🙂

Jenny Pocknall - The big pictures look great.
I love your peonies. I planted some over a year ago, but they have not done anything as yet. I was hoping for some big beautiful blooms like you.

kristin - not too big…i love pictures big.
and wow, i love watching you parent lauren…it gets closer and closer every moment here.
pizza at the park…we are going to do that.

April - Meg…the pictures are Stellar….I have never thought to take a pizza to the park….putting that on my to do list…
have a happy holiday !!

Julie K - I love your big pictures. I wish blogger would give me a way to make my pictures bigger! I love them.
And I do know what you MEAN. :o) I’m ready but not too. I think more ready than not, but we’ll see in two weeks.

traci - wow – what a fun package to arrive. can’t wait to see where you put it. how exciting!!!
i know you’ve heard me say this before, but hang in there with lauren – she’ll be back – and better than ever. she’s beautiful – love barefoot basketball.
typepad is kind of making me a little mad. i like the pictures size, you can hit the pulldown size thingie and choose custom and type in your size (i did 450). i don’t know why they changed everything – let me know if you figure out the new link thing (like my terminology – thingie and thing).
have a wonderful weekend.

chris - The pictures look great , no problems at all.

traci - LOVE your big pictures!!!!! I personally wouldnt change one tiny thing about your blog..I just love it to pieces!!! We need to change friends. My friends give me food and one gave me potholders when I got the new stove..lol..NEVER chandleliers..lol..JEEEZ
I literally laughed out loud when I read where your 13 yr. old went ugh and didnt want to stay at the park. That is SO my family.
We have girls that are 9 and 10 and I have a 19 yr. old stepson (just moved out). I think I heard them shriek with joy a few times and he would go UGH..lol

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if you enjoy torturing yourself….

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you should take 5 children with you 
to home depot, lowes AND sam's club in the same afternoon.

traci - did ya leave them there?

Joni - you gave me a great laugh today. thank you!
smiles,
j

Andrea @ Big Creek Cottage - All I can do is laugh……. How funny…..(of course it is funny when it happens to someone else….not so much when it is you!!!!! )Been there….done that…..

chris - LOL you just made my day .

Liz - Hee hee… the next time I go I may see if I can leave Matt in one of the showers while I shop. 🙂

Leslie - All I can think is…”it’s five o’clock somewhere!”

Diane - Oh gosh! I could have posted the same picture with my two. The door section at Home Depot is the worst! They stand on either side and knock and say who’s there, then giggle loudly, when the door opens, they screech, hug, then run around the another “door”. Torture it is INDEED. OH…and my kids can’t keep their hands off the blinds and shades. Open, close, open, close, , and I”m headed over there later today. With both kids.

Jenn - Just pretend you are in a dream and know it will end. We’ve done it with all three kids – and oh the lovely comments you get from them – hearing every doorbell sound five times over. 🙂

cynthia - this looks very familiar but with only one child!

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visitor

look who came to play in the peonies.
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oh she is such a cutie!
annie, talby, jenn and i were jumping up and down trying to get her to smile.
we must have looked so funny to the traffic going by.
miss london has brothers and a sister too.
and a daddy of course.
i forgot to share these pictures from a few weeks ago.
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what fun neighbors to have.
now…when do we get baby-sit?
talby and annie are ready!

Grandpa and Grandma Lehman - Great pictures again.
Adorable, doll, beautiful, cute, edible, awesome, Miss London is all of those.
Great family pictures too.
Thanks for keeping us up to date with the pictures.
Do you have a camera permanently attached to
your hand? You seem to have a camera ready
at just the right times.

amy - Meg, these are awesome! I can’t decide on a favorite… the first one? the feet? Russ and Konley? The are all perfect. We defintely need to sign up with your studio! 🙂

Kimba @ A Soft Place to Land - Those are beautiful pictures. Babies and flowers. Two of my favorite things!

Gini - Dang she’s cute. What a nice addition to the peonies!

Suzanne - one word…PRECIOUS!!!!

julie - She is edible! Even more beautiful than the gorgeous peonies! Love her fun and sweet little name too. Fantastic pictures! I linked the chicken and biscuits on my blog because we are obsessed with it here.

Jill (One Wired Woman) - Cute, adorable family!! ~Jill 🙂

Jenn - Megan – these are sooo cute! I was surprise when I went to your blog this morning and there was London! I am very happy there are some good ones. The grandparents will be very happy. Thanks for all you do and being such a great neighbor! I owe you a lot. Talby told me the other day that I needed to find a day to go shopping so she could baby sit London. Mmmmmmmmmmm I am working on that.
Jenn

CJsmom - Megan,
You don’t know me but I am Russ’ sister. I love your blog and keep seeing some of my favorite people. Especially in these pictures. That little niece of mine is the cutest little smoocher. I have kept up with your blog since Jenn’s shower that I missed. I love your pictures. I am sure Russ and Jenn are very glad they posed for these. And as for my older niece and nephews, they are just the greatest kids. Love ’em to bits. Thanks for the smiles!!!

Shelly - Those are great pictures!! I love peonies and babies… very pretty together!

Lee Ann - Oh so cute! Beautiful. Love the family head shot. They all look so happy!

April - Love the last photo…so creative GREAT JOB !!

carissa - oh how fun! great pics! pretty family too!
love the last one… ugh… too awesome!

traci - she is such a doll. the pictures are beautiful – i am sure they are so happy you took them. great job.

Lanny - Megan, I’m sorry you misses it, maybe next time. Where do you live? E-mail if you want or just leave me a comment… I Love the picture’s what a big family they have.
Lanny:)

jes - oh-so-adorable!

Jennifer P. - That first one is so adorable it should be on a fabric softener bottle! And I loved the one of the whole fam. on the blanket. I’ve seen that pose before, but you make it look all fresh and new! SO cute ;)!

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11 months

that’s how long i wait for my favorite flower. 
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the entire bush grows out of the ground in a month. 
then huge round buds form all over it. 
annie shouted “look we’re growing watermelons!” 
Peonies are just the most feminine flower. 
wouldn’t they make a wedding so beautiful? 
i wait 11 months to enjoy their blooms. 
and inevitably….always…every year…no matter what…. 
it rains within a week and they all fall down to the ground. 
too heavy to hold themselves up anymore. 
and in 11 more months we’ll see them again.

Beverly - I agree with you (all). They are the most beautiful and fragrant flowers, and yours are just lovely. I remember reading somewhere that they’re the only flowers that can’t be grown out of season…I wonder if that is true. Almost makes them more special.

Nina - I’m with you……they are my favorite! I just went out in the yard yesterday and cut some to fill a vase in the kitchen and they just bring a smile to my face! My sister just married and she had lots of them at her wedding…..

Sara - these remind me so much of our wedding…nine years ago this coming june 5th…ooodles of peonies in the cellar of my grandmothers house…Lorel and I got to make all the table arrangements for the reception and I think that was pretty close to heaven. 🙂 Thanks for bringing back memories. I too think you should make a calendar!

mom - These are beautiful. Mine are blooming too. I want you to know that I’m using the one with the faded out background on my powerpoint for worship this week. It’s perfect.

Andria - Peonies are my absolute favorite flower. Unfortunately, I live in Houston, TX which is not a spot where they grow well. I miss peonies, lilacs and old fashioned flags (irises) from back home in Ohio!!!

chris - They are the best aren’t they , you must cut them and enjoy them inside , don’t they last for ages when cut.
I need to plant some here, I had them at my old house .
Thank you for the pretty photos, you guys have the best weather , it is freezing here .

julie - Just gorgeous! Martha would be proud!

emily loria - I want some! You should pick them and make lavish and luxurious boquets and garlands to drape all over your beautiful house while they are still alive! 😉

Adla - such a worthwhile 11 month wait, the peonies are lovely!

candy - BEAUTIFUL!!!

April - so pretty Meg…thanks for sharing…
have a happy day

Andrea @ Big Creek Cottage - I also love peonies. Mine are getting there, but not yet ready to bloom….thanks for sharing yours…..Cut some of those and put them in a vase….little ants and all.

Jill (One Wired Woman) - Pretty, pretty peonies! Reminds me of how our azaleas bloom… so pretty but for such a short time. Great photos. 🙂 ~Jill

Jennifer P. - Mine are going to pop any day now. And we just had a big rain today–so I’m actually glad they weren’t open yet! I love to look at mine on the bush, but I really love to just go cut all of them off and bring them inside in a big vase. And they WOULD be gorgeous in a wedding!
Beautiful photos!

Lanny Stanard - Oh my goodness girl that’s my favorite flower also I was just out side looking at mine there not in bloom yet, but I’ll let you know when they are, do you cut your and take them in the house?
~Lanny
did you enter my giveaway yet come over!

lorel - These are so pretty, I think you should publish a calendar, so then while you are waiting for the next 11 months, you can be looking at photos of them. 🙂

carissa - those are beautiful! almost look not real!
amazing… blooms… a sweet gift to look forward to every year!

Kimba @ A Soft Place to Land - Those are beautiful pictures! Are all those peonies in your yard? Love them. I’ve had peonies before but I would get so bummed when they would fall to the ground and get overrun with ants. Maybe I should give them a try with a hoop.
I just have to tell you that I get a kick whenever I see that you’ve left me a comment. Your picture is so cute! I don’t know why but it just makes me giggle.
OK. Enough weird stalker behavior for today. 😉
Kim

Gini - As as ex-florist of 17 years before becoming a mom, those, too, were my favorites – seeing I could have my choice at any time – oh, to have a flower shop again….(sigh)

Beth - My favorite flower too!!! I just love them!!!

amy - meg-
you need to get some peony hoops!
you slip them over the buds, the peonies grow through them (so you can’t see them and they still look pretty), and the hoops help keep them upright!
those are beautiful pics! now i need to go get me some for next spring! thanks for sharing.
amy

cynthia - i love these flowers! my mom has a ton of them and you’re right, as soon as a rain comes they fall to the ground!

Suzanne - those pictures are incredible!! i’ve never paid attention to that kind of flower before, but i will now…GORGEOUS!!

traci - those are beautiful meg. i don’t have any. maybe i should get some – are there a bunch of different varieties?

seve - I just love how bulbous and about-to-burst they look right before they bloom!

jes - those are gorgeous! perfect pics 🙂

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family fun

my sister came to visit us for the weekend!
they got here as soon as we’d started a campfire.

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with s’mores…and neighbors and dogs…and beers.
the neighbors wandered over for the fire and i was so glad.
i love warm weather for this stuff.
all the kids love to play “mallow toss”…
throwing marshmallows at them while they jump on the trampoline.

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saturday was perfect.
craig made a yummy breakfast for us.
then we headed outside for the bright warm sunshine.
we blew bubbles, washed the truck, played in the baby pool,

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laid in the grass, talked with our grandma, splashed on the trampoline,

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stuck stickers on maya’s belly, went for a long walk
and had lots of girl time together.
(the boys were gone for most of the day)
we finished off the day with a walk downtown for ice cream cones.

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we ate our treats on the steps of the historical museum.
near…………..

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FAR!
(just like on sesame street)

lorel i am so happy you came to visit.
i love spending time with you and your girls.
someday we will have visits together
with no crying, throwing up or injuries from sword fights.
but for now i am loving raising our families together
and all the “fun” that goes along with it.
have a wonderful last week of school!

grandma thank you for coming too.
it always fun to have you here.

Kimba @ A Soft Place to Land - I meant to comment before but forgot…The Grover on Sesame Street reference cracked me up! I used to be able to the best “Near/Far” impersonation. I’ll have to try it out on my family tonight. 🙂

traci - what a wonderful weekend treat – time spent with your sister. her kids are adorable too. i love the look of your street. such pretty houses with wonderful front porches. very welcoming.

traci - WOW..you can have bonfires in town? Jeepers that would be fun but here the fire dept. would be here in 10 mins..lol
Looks like fun but your house ALWAYS looks like fun.

jes - wow! great blog! fantastic photos…love time with family 🙂

mallory Heffron - Looks like you had a great family weekend…

Allikayes Mama - Near…far! So funny! I want to jump on the tramp with water!

Jennifer P. - Everyone looks like they had a great time. The little one with star stickers on her belly reminded me of Dr. Seuss’s “the sneetches”—too cute ;)!

carissa - time with family… nothing better! nothing!
you live that close… you can walk for ice cream? that is AWESOME!!!!!!!

Sara - Seeing you both together made my little heart ache, you have such a great gift in eachother. It makes me wish so much that I lived closer to 1. my mom and 2. my brother and 3. Lorel.

Suzanne - Super fun & yummy food to boot! Sisters are great to share adulthood with!

lorel - I am so glad I came too! I (mostly)enjoy the roller coaster ride of raising kids, and I enjoy our sisterhood. Sat. was a wonderful day. Our ride home was mostly really nice – both girls slept for almost 2 hours, so I drove the “cowboy trail” thru Cottonwood Falls. Just beautiful. When Macy woke up though, her right front tooth was really loose and bleeding (whine, whimper -“It tastes gross!”-then Maya says,”gross” too.) It finally fell out last night at 8:55! thanks for everything. See you in June.

Diane - Looked like a glorious day!

Jill (One Wired Woman) - Looks like a fun weekend! Smores, ice cream, waterplay… just makes me want to go outside and soak up some sun. 🙂 ~Jill

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it’s all good

looking at these pictures just makes me feel so blessed.
they are just everyday things but i am thankful.
finding a robin’s egg…

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another outing with annie
wearing pigtails for the first time this year!
she’s always got her hands full of her stuff she can’t live without.

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craig was out of town so dinner was a picnic in the yard.
with crocodiles and mermaids…

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and bald eagles in their nests.

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and bike rides around the driveway.

its all SO good.

emily loria - You know I love a good dinner picnic! No crumbs to clean up inside! I love the costumes!

traci - a picnic complete with costumes – how very enchanting. cute pix.

Allikayes Mama - You are such a fun mama! You inspire me!!!

Jennifer P. - How those everyday moments bless us! I love all the costumes involved in the picnic, and the outing with the arms full of babies. So sweet!

Suzanne - fun, great pictures!! 5 kids??? wow!! i bow to you!! your children are beautiful!!

Jill (One Wired Woman) - I’m still drooling over those dad gum biscuits below… ~Jill 🙂

Jill (One Wired Woman) - Life’s precious moments!! Wonderful memories… ~Jill

Gini - Posts like these that you create always feel so “magical”. I enjoy reading them.

carissa - soooo good!
something about picnics… what is it? maybe being so close to all the goodness? the fresh air? something!
we’re fans of eating out on a blanket too… next time i want to wear a mermaid costume! 🙂
happy day to you & yours!

Lanny Stanard - Megan, I love it!!! Great picture’s we should all be thankful,I know I am…
~Lanny

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