Last week wrapped up the last of (most of) our classes and activities for this academic year. We homeschool, of course, and all year long, but there are so many outside the home places and times in which we learn, most especially falling within the traditional academic school year. And while summer for my kids - especially the oldest boys - has its own list of things to do and places to go, I am grateful that we're slipping into a bit of blissful summer scheduling now. We all are happy really, with the car sitting parked for longer stretches of time and days. And open hours for time in the woods, time in the garden, and time in the pasture. It's a big exhale into this fun and full time at home for us. Last week, we were busy rushing about to recital and homeschool co-op....and in a few weeks, we'll be driving the boys off to thier summer adventures and dance classes once again. But right now, this rainy May week we've had at home, has found us lingering in quiet family time together. Games and bedroom rearranges, guitar and knitting practice, kitchen dance parties and stories by the fire. I keep my eyes open wide, so as not to miss all of this. I try to pay attention, so as to remember.
We've just said goodbye to the lily of the valley - my grandmother's favorite that's become one of mine too. I read a book about cottage gardens recently that defined those gardens by a place to sit and ponder and the inclusion of flowers with a story (and while that may not be exactly what the author said, nor what you believe cottage gardens to be, I'm going to run with the idea for now because I really do like it). Our lilacs are blooming right this very minute - outside my studio window, outside the bedroom window too - and in a vase in every single room of the house. There were five or six old lilacs planted when we first moved in, and I've put in just as many more in that time. They were blooming the week miss Annabel was born. I think I always loved them - the lilacs, or the lily of the valleys or whatever else was blooming - but as I've gotten older, I find I appreciate them so much more. How quickly their time passes becomes clearer each year, and with it, my noticing and savoring of them too.
Today we have sunshine and nowhere to be but here and with each other. I'm holding on that.
Wishing you a Memorial Day with those you love, and a gentle start to your week.
