Today is a relatively quiet day.  At least this afternoon.  I just finished planting the tomatoes in our garden.  A funny little aside here:  My daughter Sophie was helping me plant.  And she methodically began to name the plants:  There was "Happy," the red pepper plant, "Isabelle," the green pepper plant, Sally and Tommy--tomatoe plants and about five other names.  I murmured my approval as we went, trying to affirm her little creative streak.  Wouldn't you know I'd get quizzed?  I should have seen it coming from the queen of the absent minded... "What were their names again, Mommy?" she asked as I finished patting the last bit of soil down.  Oh boy! 

     Yesterday we planted seeds of beans, herbs, canataloupe, pumpkin, squash and carrots.  Now all that's left is the corn.  Last year almost our entire garden was a failure.  If it hadn't been for a prolific crop of tomatoes, my confidence for gardening would be shattered forever.  Of course, right after we planted last year, we had a torrential rainstorm that probably washed half the seeds away, then we left on a 3 week vacation and nothing got watered.  That most likely didn't have anything to do with our lack of success, eh?   

     Some old friends stopped through last night and stayed with us with their three children.  Now they're gone and I get to enjoy the serenity of the house I slaved to put in order all day yesterday.  (Slaved means never sat down once to refresh and have a cup of coffee.)  Why do we do that to ourselves?  My husband made the remark, "It doesn't have to be perfect."  I really didn't think it did, but usually clean sheets and towels are in order...vacuumed floors after a week of 14 feet and more trafficking throughout through the house, surfaces upon which one can inscribe one's name in the dust being wiped, toothpaste splatters removed from mirrors so there is actually a reflection to be seen.  You get the idea.  Nothing really remarkable or perfectionist in that, right?  But I really do love to offer hospitality.  It is quite a joy.  It's being joyful in the seemingly futile efforts at housecleaning that poses the challenge.  I think I forgot to put in my ABBA soundtrack to Mama Mia...that'll get me goin in happier spirits next time!

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Posted by grace4gayle

I kill myself getting ready for company too! Then I started to realize that after the company has been here for 15 minutes, there is so much clutter you'd never be able to tell that I cleaned. Now I've got it down to about an hour of work and then a big nap before company arrives. Ahhhh!

Gayle

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Posted by kindredspiritMom

I got off a lot easier than you ~ we had two trees removed last year from the side of our house (off the sidewalk) because of a tree disease. This week the city replaced them with a lilac tree and a hardy rubber. My dd6 named one "Rose" and dd8 still hasn't come up with a name for hers. I love the way they humanize everything :)

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Posted by javamamma

You ARE an ambitious gardener! I still haven't got my tomatoes in - probably have another week before it's "too late". I'm thinking about skipping the corn this year, as much as we love it. If I don't have time or motivation to get it IN, that gives a glimpse of how I'll take care of it, eh? You, on the other hand, will be enjoying the fruit of your labors before too long!

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Posted by WaitingontheLord

That's so funny! When my DD was a couple of years younger she would name the flowers that we had picked and put into a vase. When she would ask me what each one's name was I'd come up with a random name, and she would correct me. She was testing me! :)

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Posted by shallbe

I get that a lot too. "The President's not coming over." I know! I know! But when someone is going the bathroom at my house I don't want them to look down and see a stream of cat hair lining the baseboards, come on! We've all read the Mary and Martha verses too......BUT! God does say a lot about order. In fact, there's a book called, Making Your Home a Haven, by Cyndy Salzmann. I love it! She pulls out all sorts of bibical reasons to keep your house in order. But, Christa, my dear....your house is HUGE! That's a two day project! Smile! You have a beautiful home and every time I see it, by the way, it is absolutely lovely!

Conner was a doll tonight...you must be proud.

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