Allow me to get a bit off the topic of this little blog and share some exciting news. Our oldest son graduated from our homeschool last weekend! We’ve been busy enjoying this special milestone with lots of friends and family. Things around the homestead have been a bit neglected, but those things can wait while we enjoy all the trappings of having a graduate, with lots of friends celebrating their graduations too.
Soon we’ll head to Arkansas to visit my mom, who was not able to attend commencement. I’m looking forward to spending time with her in the garden. She says they have over 100 hills of potatoes. Guess I know what we’ll be having for dinner 
The garden is changing as the days are very hot and getting more humid. Out went the broccoli, kale, and lettuce. The onions have been harvested and are waiting to be chopped and frozen. I have watermelon, eggplant, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers seedlings in the ground and the tomatoes are really growing and starting to produce ripe fruit. The yellow pear tomatoes are delicious! When I get home, I plan to get some seedlings started, and try getting bush beans to grow. It may be a bit late, but I’m willing to take my chances. I’m really working at increasing our food production this year and figuring out how to keep stuff growing and feeding us year-round.
I recently had someone notice a simple little coaster I crocheted for my desk. Seemed only natural to whip one up with some left over yarn rather than throwing away that last bit. Plus, now I don’t reach for a paper towel to serve as a coaster. What I realized in my conversation with my friend is how much I am changing in my attitude toward consumption. What once was a challenge, or something I had to really think about when it came to living more simply, is starting to become more natural. Yea! Of course, reading other blogs reminds me of just how far I have to go, but it is still good to realize that we really ARE creating a life that is slower, simpler, and more satisfying for our family.