Gardening

When Inspiration Strikes

Happy Independence Day to all my U.S. friends out there! Is anyone doing anything special today? We’re having a picnic at our house with family this afternoon and I can’t wait! 

In preparation for our little gathering, I found myself at the grocery store in search of pork ribs to barbecue. First, I had to pass the produce and inspiration struck. 

Strawberries and rhubarb

Whoever put the strawberries and rhubarb together in the produce area of the store is smart!

Jimmy has been asking me to bake a strawberry rhubarb pie for a few weeks now, and what better time to make it than when we’re having guests over to enjoy it with us 🙂

Strawberry rhubarb pie fillingStrawberry rhubarb pie

Pies are definitely a bit of work to put together, but so rewarding when they’re finished.

We’ve been having some hot, dry days here in Pittsburgh, so we’ve been keeping a close eye on our garden and watering it as needed. I don’t think we watered the garden more than twice last year, but this year it seems like we could water it twice a day.

Sadie helped me pick some zucchini and squash. We are patiently awaiting the arrival of the cucumbers. Can’t wait to make pickles

Zucchini and yellow squash from vegetable gardenToddler eating squash from garden

Sadie and Niva spent some time cuddling in the yard yesterday and it was too sweet. These two seem to be best buds and partners in crime.

Yesterday I let Sadie play with my washi tape collection so I could get some housework done and she shared it with Niva… who chewed a few rolls. I was totally okay with sacrificing some washi tape so I could get a bit done, lol. 

Toddler laying with Siberian Husky in grass

Alright, off to bake those pork ribs for our picnic! 

What are you up to today?

Do you like strawberry rhubarb pie?

A Few Favorites

Sharing a few favorite things lately!

-Jimmy wanted me to mention a very important favorite: we can put toilet paper on the dispenser again! Sadie used to constantly pull toilet paper off the roll, but we’ve been working on leaving. it. alone. and we’re feeling confident enough to leave it on the dispenser. Living on the edge over here!! 

-My mother-in-law gave me a mandevilla vine and it makes me so happy every single time I walk past it. 

Mandevilla vine

-I made and ordered Sadie a little picture book from Walgreens and each page has a photo of different family members (and pets, of course!). We go through the book often and talk about who is in each picture. 

-Reading. Always! I’m about halfway through Simple Pleasures, Sadie is enjoying this set of Biscuit books, and Jimmy and I are still reading The Purpose Driven Life and our Couples Devotional together (<–links are affiliate!). 

-Also enjoying my prayer journal. I’ve found it to be a great place to get all my prayers down and be able to look back on previous weeks and see how God worked in my life. My sister and I always talk about creating our own line of journals, prayer journals, and planners. Some day…

Prayer journal

-We harvested yellow squash from our garden! I’ve been getting lots of arugula, Swiss chard, and romaine every few days, but the squash has been the first non-lettuce harvest of the season 🙂

-“Special” coffee has been a favorite lately. Jimmy got us Starbucks before church on Sunday and I savored every glorious sip!

-I loved the highlighted quote below from a Bible study my sister and I did together in the Bible app. I thought that was so beautiful.

God loves the sound of your voice. Anxious for nothing devotion

What has been a favorite of yours lately?