Hope y’all had a happy 4th!
I just returned from a long drive alone, the first quiet moments to myself in almost two weeks. Most of the drive was country roads–pot-holed pavement winding between forests and fields, a few red barns breaking up the greenery from time to time, but mostly just trees–acres and acres of them. I turned off the music not long into the drive and chose silence instead, and for the first time in a long time didn’t get bored with sameness and quiet.
Per summer bucket list, we took the kids strawberry picking the other day–a 45 minute drive to AJ’s Berry Farm in Lachine, Michigan and the most perfect weather you could ask for–blue-gray skies and a mild breeze, just enough to make stray hairs from ponytails flutter and a little girl ask for her sweater.
Nella picked and ate until the moment we left.
Lainey’s been so happy to have my cousin’s little girl here with her. They’ve choreographed dances, decorated their “dorm room” and perfected their kayak paddles.
Oh, how I miss the wheat fields!
Got a juicy one!
The farmer brought out the baby bunnies after our picking adventures, and the girls were in heaven. They begged Gary to take one home, but chickens are enough to take care of.
We picked enough berries for several rounds of strawberry shortcake and made a Strawberry Saskatoon pie as soon we we got home.
And now, it rains. Hard and steadily while we huddle inside for quiet fun.
Some fun summer crafts and more adventures to come. I feel like a kid again.
****
While I started this post before catching up on the news, I have to add a little love from what I shared on Instagram this morning:
While we assume that of course deep personal beliefs, politics and activism occur privately behind the pretty squares of Instagram for all those we follow, sometimes it feels good to step out and acknowledge it. To simply say we share the sadness for so many hurts today–even if we don’t know what to say. I often refrain from jumping on here too hastily to proclaim my feelings on big social issues because I’m taking in so much myself–trying to listen. I feel far more like a learner than a leader these days, but the hungriest, most open learners are the best leaders, right? And we are all both–learners and leaders, equal forces, dependent on each other. I do know that I don’t ever want not speaking up on these things to fall into apathy. As a white woman living in a suburb of a privileged county, I know I can’t fully understand the racial struggles that are happening in our country today. But I want to learn more, and I want to listen, and I always want to find ways to use my voice, both on and offline, in support of those who need more volume. I texted two friends this morning–my friend who is raising black youth in Detroit and my friend whose brother is a police officer in Houston’s inner city. Both hurting and scared. Enjoying the Summer Magic posts will continue, but know that not even a sunset kayak on a faraway lake can remove us from our responsibility to love and learn and listen…and do something about it.
Que dia incrível!
E que morangos lindos!
Essa torta está com uma cara boa!!! Nhamy ! rs (risos)
Que meninas lindas!!
PArabéns!
Beijo no seu coração!
How sweet. I got my first bunny at a pumpkin patch. Best thing I ever did. Bunnies and the sweetest and pretty easy pets once you get them litter box trained. Love them!
Kelle, what a great summer fun adventure. Thank you for sharing with us. Made me so energized for this upcoming weekend. I love Michigan and may end up at ???? picking with my little one. Where do you find all these amazing dresses/outfits that are so perfect for each story. ? You are simply incredible, your photographs, along with the stories and perfectly planned outings are just inspiring. You are such an amazing mom! Hope you get to enjoy some “me time” this summer and “quiet moments”????
Love Nella’s expression as she is indulging in a strawberry right in the middle of the field, adorable!
I second Bunnies making great pets – very clean, easy to care for and they begin to follow you around like a little puppy as they get used to you.
Hey Kelle! My name is Annmarie and I just wanted to say I am so inspired by you and your special way of writing. A while back I left a comment on your instagram, stating how sure I was of my christian beliefs and how comforted I was by my knowledge in our savior. Well I felt like a giant ass after writing that comment and wanted you to know I was sorry. I was all high and mighty and it was wrong. I’m sorry. I don’t know if you even remember the comment but I wanted to let you know that a couple of months later, here I am, so unsure of what I believe. I am wondering if there is anything to life without a belief system that I have known most my life but honestly, makes me feel so burdened and heavy that I can barely move sometimes. I know there are people that are not christians that are happy and fulfilled but I don’t know any of them, besides you. I don’t mean to say that you’re not religious. I know you are in your own way. Anyway, I just wanted to say I was sorry for acting like my way was the only way. It’s certainly not. I know that now. I just don’t know what that looks like.
Have a great summer vacation! You’re beautiful and so is your family.
I really admire that you took time to acknowledge the injustices, and the responsibility of parents to address those things with our littles. <3
<3