Summer’s End

It feels like forever since I’ve written anything here. Summer flew by and we are all settled in to a new year of homeschooling with busy days of reading, writing, and all the math. My kids have split into three different tutorials, creating a logistical nightmare for me while cocooning them in perfect environments for their unique needs and goals.

Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s not good.

We gave away Rosa’s kittens in early August, a little sad but also glad to have less kitty poop to clean. Rosa wandered around, lost, for a few days but we loved on her and gave her a lot of attention which seemed to help. She is back to her old self and Ashton seems glad to have his sister back.

I’ve had a steep learning curve with the goats, but my confidence has grown and I no longer worry they will drop dead overnight. Ha! Parasites are a thing around here, and I had no idea how bad the problem is until I brought home our four sweet ones. I finally have a handle on deworming and herbal prevention, and know what a healthy rumen is supposed to sound like as well as how to check FAMACHA. Yeah, look it up. It’s fascinating.

The chickens are laying well, but have slowed down a bit. Honestly, it’s ok. We had eggs coming out of our ears for a while, which made my neighbor happy! I am told they will be molting come Autumn, so I’ll start saving and refrigerating eggs to get through that season. I am spoiled now, and have no desire to eat store-bought eggs if I can avoid it!

We had planned to build a barn in the Shadow Wood, but material costs are terribly high. We decided to hold off for a bit, praying the prices fall. We would love a space to not only house our goats and maybe even a couple of mini cows while having room to hold larger house shows, but we will have to wait. I trust that if and when that time comes, the Lord will let us know and give us peace about the expense.

With Autumn just around the corner, I’m dreaming of cozy gatherings, a fire in the pit, roasting s’mores and grilling while the kids and their friends enjoy the cooler temperatures. Summer started so mildly, but went out like a lion. I’m not a fan of the heat and humidity, so I’ll just be blunt and say I’m over it! I assure you the animals are, too. Keeping them cool in 106 degree afternoons was a huge challenge. I hauled countless buckets of ice, repeatedly refilled too-warm water troughs and even set up a mister to lower the air temps a few degrees. Thankfully, they made it through and seem happy that the worst is over. I’ve noticed a lot more playing and head-butting recently, which is simply fun to watch!

There are so many things I plan to write about, but time has just been really scarce. I want to tell you about the additions to the Library, the giant pumpkins in my flower bed, and the jars of pickles and salsa I’ve made. I also want to share music that has been a blessing to me as well as tell you about the Marvel marathon I’m enjoying with my teenagers. Time is flying and the days feel so short, so I’m focusing on these last years with my youngest three while enjoying the sweet relationships I have with my adult children. Things aren’t perfect, not by any stretch, but they are good and I am grateful. I’ll write when I can (like now) and hopefully find more time for it as the semester marches on. Even if I don’t, though, I know these last years of homeschooling will be fleeting and I don’t want to miss a thing. Before I know it, I’ll have more time to write than ever. I have less than four years left with my youngest kids. We are in our 12th year of homeschooling. That just feels crazy and impossible.

I’ll be back when time permits, but until them remember you can always find me on Instagram at @arundelle_green and on Facebook at Arundelle Green. I’m in those spaces almost daily, sharing photos and thoughts as inspiration hits, so it’s a great place to see what’s going on around here.

Thanks for reading this far, and please let me know you were here by leaving a comment or liking this page. It really helps the whole algorithm thing. Blessings to you as Summer wanes!

Here’s to a beautiful and much-anticipated Autumn.

Anemones bloom against the backdrop of a pumpkin vine that has taken over a huge section of the yard. Autumn promises to be lovely, this year.