I don't think I ever mentioned that before my son was born I worked for my dad who is a land surveyor. Over the years I worked outside, in the office, and in all of the local court houses doing deed research. This week I started working for him again (part time, from home). I've been trying to remember how to do all of the cad drawings and deed research I once did. Thankfully, it's coming back pretty quickly! 
   We used to run into some crazy situation out in the field. Some were hilarious, others were a little scary (rattlesnakes for example). Here are some pictures from my earlier surveying days:

  Over the last couple months I've been creating more items with my embroidery machine.  I spend a lot more time than I'd like on choosing fonts and layout, but I enjoy the process. Once I get an idea in my head, I have to work it out with my embroidery software right away so I won't forget! Here are some of the items currently in my shop:

2017 Fabrics and Colors!

Use Coupon Code Summer16 for 10% off your purchase until Sunday 7-17-16!! 

I also added a several items to the SALE section of my shop yesterday (including the skirt, pictured)! 

  Wow, it's July! To say that June was busy would be an understatement. We crammed vacation, church camp, neighborhood yard sale, Bible School, etc, etc.....all the summer fun...into one month. I finally feel like things are slowing down a little bit activity wise, but our garden is not slowing down so that's continually keeping us busy. This is the first year since Levi's been born that we've been able to manage the weeds in our garden. He has his "area" that he works in (he's digging a giant hole) while we weed the garden. Levi also "helps" us pick raspberries....most go in his mouth. Here's a little look at our summer and some of the items I've been working on for my shop. 

 those fighting the forest fire near our house. Also, I am thankful for the volunteers in our town who are feeding the firefighters regularly. 

 songs that come on at just the right time

our little forest and the love of playing in the dirt.

I've been a long time follower of Nickel Creek (when they have been together and apart and together again). Somehow I missed this Sara Watkins song from a couple years ago. It came up on my Google Play radio this morning!  Love it... had to share

I've been reading One Thousand Gifts  by Ann Voskamp. It has really inspired me to become more aware of and write down what I am thankful for. Most of these things are very ordinary, but being aware of blessings makes me more aware of God's presence each day. 

Levi, always  curious, asked me what I was writing. I told him I was making a list of things I was thankful for. "I want to make a list," he said. Levi loves to write with a pen and to make lists (not sure where he gets that from....hmm...oh wait). 

So we made a list of things he was thankful for and it was good :)

     The Shenandoah Valley is a beautiful place. We live near Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Both have hiking trails, amazing overlooks, waterfalls, and more. We live near a fire access road that leads to Skyline Drive. One of my short term goals is to walk the entire road up to Skyline Drive. It's not a very big goal, actually. :)  You can take other hikes off of this road that are more scenic. This is a picture of the fire road in the fall.  

What a beautiful Saturday it was in Virginia! We were outside the entire day. Joe and I cleared out the greenhouse area while Levi played and "helped".. We've had a greenhouse since 2008, but it's been neglected the last couple years . Wild blackberries and other weeds crept in along the edges and took over, making it impossible for us to even get in and use the greenhouse at all. Oh wait...I am feeling a metaphor coming on...
   It's a lot like our spiritual life, right? Life gets busy. Instead of taking a much needed time out, we feel the need to keep going. We get tired, negative thoughts take over, we're on edge (dare I say, prickly?) .... ok, you get the idea. The longer we fail to take those much needed time outs, the more work we might have to do later. If we would've taken even a little time here and there to tend to our greenhouse, maybe we wouldn't have had so many weeds and thorns to pull out this past weekend. When I started this post, a spiritual metaphor totally wasn't my intention....

​Sunday was a rainy day. My college friend was in town and I got to see her at church, which was such a great surprise! I made an apple pie after lunch while listening to the radio. This came on:

​The weekend ended at a friend's house, where we gathered for some good laughs, homemade stromboli and apple pie! :)  

​Have a great week!