Now that my {pretty, happy, funny, real} right-hand man is otherwise occupied traveling across the country — towards me! hooray! — I find it's a good time to take a pause and maybe just a break from our fun meme that has perhaps seen its last days, our Thursday tour of contentment.
That's okay — I find that I am needing more time to write. And also, Lordy, over the years I think I've recorded every little detail over here. You must be getting a bit sick of pictures of my towels or windowsill or dog or what have you. In any case, the feel of the deadline isn't as helpful as it once was. Need to figure things out… and life is moving on… but we're still content, right, team?
We can connect on Instagram, anyway. Come on over there!
There've been some things taking some attention. Writing, as I said — it's hard to do the blog and write at the same time elsewhere. The garden. The bathrooms (never ending because old house). Needing a new washing machine (ridiculous — how is it that cars, as the Chief points out, get better and more reliable and more efficient, but appliances are undeniably worse than, say, 25 years ago?).
All these things take energy. Also, it's summer, and maybe we are all just in need of a break! In the coming weeks the pace will definitely be a bit slower here, heads up.
Yet we're being chatty, so here are some photos anyway!
This summer has been amazing with its sunshine. However, for the garden, it's been rough. Things feel a bit crispy out there, and I don't know that I'm committed to watering to that extent.
The bunnies or something did a number — a total, complete number — on my beautiful beans. Crying. Maybe they will come back. I don't know! I feel like in the past I've thrown up a little fencing in a completely half-baked way and that's thwarted intruders. Not this time.
There should be mounds of zinnias, but they got those too.
The tomatoes are okay… but crispy.
Here is a sneak peek of one of the new bathrooms:
I hope to have a good tour for you very soon!
What's going on with you?
Julie Whitmore says
My guess is that the culprit is a groundhog. (I’m not “nogroundhogs” on instagram for nothing). Groundhogs are not choosy. If they can’t get at your vegetables, then the flower garden will suffice. I caught one in a hav-a-hart trap the other day (baited it with canteloupe), but not after it decimated the marigolds, zinnias and cleome(!) that surround my doubly fenced vegetable garden.
Leila says
Hmmmm. We do have a resident groundhog! He is old and lives up by the stable (or under it). I haven’t seen him down by the garden. But maybe it’s a new one.
Time to get the gun.
NY Mom says
Just want to share that I ordered two copies of the Ottolenghi cookbook “Jerusalem” that you recently referenced in a previous post. (The Amazon reviews also sold me. One’s for me; the 2nd’s a birthday gift for a son who likes to cook.) Wow…totally fascinating to browse and dog-ear (too hot and tired to move away from the fan to search for post-it notes) pages with “looks good enough to try soon” status. You may fear that because you’re not inspired to write much that we are, in turn, not inspired by the reduction in volume, but I’m here to say nay. Keep at it – your homemaker’s confidence and cheerful perseverance is infectious and I love reading whatever you toss up here.
Leila says
Aw, thank you, dear NY Mom! You are so sweet.
Try the yogurt and tahini sauce. For anything. It’s so good.
Anel says
[since we’re chatty]
First thing that sprung to my mind was: “Tannie Leila, het jy ‘n nuwe kamera?!” ~ “Auntie Leila, do you have a new camera?!”
All the photo’s are so crisp and clear!
I think you need a goose. Not? I’ve heard they are wonderful guard dogs against all sorts of unwelcome visitors. But then again – won’t the goose then be the unwelcome visitor..?! Conundrum..!
I can’t WAIT for the bathroom tour. I’m very interested in how you did your curtains like that. Our house is very close to the street and there is a fair amount of foot traffic past. So we need shear curtains [keeps people from peering in during daytime] in addition to normal curtains [keeps people from peering in during night time]. I need to pimp my current curtains to hang from higher up, closer to the ceiling from rings on a rod [so need to lengthen], not from the normal little thingies that look like forks which you stick into the curtain and then hang from a too flimsy hook on the rod. That sounds easy enough. But I need a rod *behind* the rod to hang the shear curtains from in just the same fashion you have done above with your pretty orange curtains. That and even more challenging: how do I lengthen the shears!!??
Elizabeth says
Try googling “Nester window mistreatments” for some great ideas for putting windows together quickly, simply, and on a budget. I love her ideas in this area.
Anel says
I’ve heard of Nester.., Elizabeth. Thanks – that is a very good idea.
🙂
Kate says
Is that some Afrikaans I am reading? Maybe time to start a South African pocket?
Anel says
Whoa – you have one? Are you SA, Kate? I’m in Stellenbosch.. 🙂
Kate says
I don’t! But I have managed to find a few like minded friends here in Durban, and I haven’t quite worked out how to start a pocket without Facebook – and really I keep saying I must set aside time to go through the posts, but I never do – I am at the phase of life where there is always a new baby on the way or just arrived. And there are quite a few ladies who would love a pocket group out there in Cape Town (I moved from CT to Dbn 2 years ago), so I think you should start one!
Leila says
Do it! That would be so great! Here are the directions:
http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/st-gregory-pockets/
Only one of you needs to be on FB. When you post your Pocket here, you can add an email separately for contacts outside of Facebook.
Leila says
Anel, no — not a new camera! Hey, didn’t you think that the baptistry in Florence was mighty sharp?? 🙂
Since I have a dog and a cat, I really draw the line at a goose. I’ll just have yet another freeloader out there…
Here is an idea for adding sheers easily, seems to me: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/191684527862587410/
Would that work?
anel says
Oh yes! Thanks Leila. I’ll be showing this to some hardware and curtain supply stores to be sure!
B-)
thanks for the great tip!
anel says
And yes. Of course Leila, those photos were sublime! Hehe
I think when I saw these, it was a moment after about 6 weeks of 12-14 hour office hours plus weekends and I had a major breakthrough/minor miracle (depending on your viewpoint). So I was receptive of some sharpness. 🙂
So tired. Kissed the kids goodnight in their beds when I got home. :-/
B says
We have sheer and blackout curtains on some windows, and got double curtain rods from home depot for them. If you need to lengthen (I had to shorten instead), what about adding some lace trim to the bottoms? Or you might be able to get one of the sheer scarf valances to add length at the top.
Tacy Williams Beck says
I think that’s fine! I will miss the link-up, but I will still be around to read your posts! :0)
Allison says
I havel loved phfr! It has been a bright spot in my week, but totally understand the busyness and the need to have time for other writing. It has surprised me how much busier I have gotten as my kids have gotten older. I thought the busy time was when they were littles!
Donna L. says
I have been so thankful for the Thursday links! It caused me to stop and really take in all that I have in my life and to remember to be in deep appreciation~ I was often inspired by others’ pictures of pretty, happy, funny and real although I never took the plunge to join….
I am quite amazed that everyone out in the blogosphere has the time to keep up a virtual life~I can barely keep up with my *real life*! Our family has been so blessed by this online memory space–thank you~
I look forward with great anticipation hearing more about the writing that is taking your time. Is it, I hope, to become another wonderful book?
priest's wife @byzcathwife says
pretty please…. one more {phfr}??? I was planing (best intentions, gulp…) to do one!
Leila says
Feel free to leave your link in the comments!
Taryn B says
I’m hiding indoors in Wis as we weather an “excessive heat warning:” heat index is 100-110 degrees! Too hot for us Wis folks. And I am 8 weeks pregnant and have a 7.5yo, 5yo and 13mo old, so your morning sickness post recently was perfect timing. I’m around Defcon 2-3. Oh, and did I mention that we are considering selling our tiny house to make room for #4 and have a couple coming to see it this weekend? I am overwhelmed, weepy, crabby, tired, so nauseous, and surrounded by children and clutter (I am a book reader, not a good housekeeper), so I am remembering many of your excellent and relevant posts. Thank you for your wisdom over the years. Some of it has been the seed for huge change in our family’s life.
Leila says
Aw, Taryn — you’re going through a tough time. Hang in there. It’ll be over soon and you’ll have a baby! Yay!
Karen says
I completely agree about appliances being more reliable and durable 25 years ago. When we had 3 kids in diapers our used washing machine went kaput. We had to buy a new one. It lasted 15 years. My new one had to be fixed within 1 year! As for crispy vegetables and flowers in the garden, we’re putting down soaker hoses. At least it’s not 100 degrees 10 days in a row this summer.
Lisa says
Similar story here. We just got a Speed Queen- nothing fancy but a work horse guaranteed for 15 years!
Melisa says
Hello, Leila
By way of introduction, I am a homeschooling mom of 8, and a Catholic convert.
I think this is the 2nd time I’ve actually posted (though I do read your blog often, and admire it). You clearly possess two things that are not so common anymore: sense and decency. Love your book suggestions (I, too, am an avid reader).
I wanted to ask about the possibility of Japanese Beetles being the culprit of eating your beans… Do you suppose it’s so? I’ve had the same thing happen to our beans last year, and some this year – until I discovered the little buggers in our yard on many of our plants. I did a little research, and it seems the best (but most tedious way) to get rid of the pests is to pick them off (they are said to be slowest in the AM) and put them in a bucket of soapy water. There are apparently traps, though it is said that they attract more than the traps can actually kill. So, my solution is to pick them myself when I want to get outside, or pay some of my children a nickel a beetle. Just a thought… I hope you figure out what’s eating your beans… In Christ, Melisa
Leila says
Thanks, Melisa!
The destruction was so complete, so fast, that I think it’s an actual walking-around animal. I’ve seen japanese beetles and they chew holes, but this is something else. Just eaten to the stalks overnight! 🙁
Mary says
I second the Speed Queen suggestion. We just replaced our washer and dryer after 11 years with a Kenmore. I researched this a lot and talked to a few appliance repair men. With a large family, I wanted a work horse that would just get the job done reliably and would last beyond a few years. We got the simple version so it doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles but it has all the functions I need. Have had them both for a couple of months and love them!
Annalisa says
I want to hear from you Speed Queen users in 10-15 years, because the talk is good, but the price tag! If it’s as reliable as they claim it could be worth it.
ASH says
My guess is that you may have moles. Do you have slugs in your yard or tiny mounds of dirt? We had sod put down that was infested with slugs. The slugs attract the moles.
Caitlin says
Auntie Leila, did you grow bananas?! Color me impressed!
Leila says
Ha! nor avocados neither 🙂
B says
Perhaps this is elsewhere, I keep forgetting to search, but what do you do when clothes wear/tear beyond your repair skills? There’s lots of good chunks left, just not enough to continue as the current garment.
Stephanie in Germany says
My oldest lives in Munich – she is safe at home. What is next?
Cristina says
I can only speak for myself, but let me tell you that I never get sick of your pictures of “towels, windowsill or dog”. While it is true that one of the reasons why I visit your blog is to absorb every new piece of wisdom that you share, I am definitely not here for the “new and flashy”. Most of the time, I just stop by because your posts are a reminder of how wonderful and timeless family and the simple (but not simplistic) things in life are. Your pictures are encouraging and uplifting.
On the other hand, if it is time to take a little break to rest and focus on other projects, by all means, you deserve it! 🙂
Love,
Cristina
Wendy says
I agree with Christina. I come here for normal. For inspiration for moving on to the next thing with grace. I never tire of your straight forward way of encouraging what ought to be. Thanks for your continued time, whatever that may be in this place.
Leila says
Thanks for dropping in, ladies, and for the sweet words!
Lisa G. says
I love your black faucet!!!! Anyway, I can see why you’re giving up the p,h,f,r – it never seemed to turn into the community that it might have. But, you tried hard. 🙂
Lindsey says
Hi Auntie Leila,
I am late to comment on this post, but I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all you do on the blog! And to say that {phfr} has been a real blessing to me. My ability to blog seems to be decreasing as the children increase in number, and it’s been awhile since I linked up. (Although, you are partially to blame! Because of you I have been inspired to get up and get moving in the morning, instead of sitting in my pyjamas on the computer for as long as possible!) Anyway, I was looking through my blog the other day and tears were coming to my eyes with all the life I chronicled under the {phfr} banner. Thank you for giving us a way to capture contentment. And, as another commenter said, thank you for the “normal!” This blog is still my go-to for homemaking and child-rearing advice and inspiration – I really hope you will write a book along those lines! 🙂
Leila says
Thank you so much for this sweet comment, Lindsey! I really appreciate it!