As I write this, I have a lovely woman in my living room teaching my 8 and 12 year old daughters how to crochet. They are finishing up little purses so that on Monday we can all go to the basket supply store in the city to gather goodies to weave baskets. It just sounds like fun!

Speaking of fun, these two little girls baked a belated anniversary cake for my husband and I last week. They decorated with playmobiles all of the members of our family doing various (realistic!) tasks. And yes, the cake was delicious! They served it up with china, old photographs from our wedding, and romantic music. So sweet.

Yesterday a friend of mine came over and in exchange for feeding her half dozen children lunch, she finished painting the rails on my porch. I hope you can get the idea from this picture that this was no small task! And I also ought to mention she had her baby on her back most of the time, too. She’s always said that she loves to paint. Now I believe her.

In the meantime, my 10 month old maremma hung out on the porch trying to stay out of trouble. He is now learning to roam around the property, guarding his “flock” (his family and our livestock). Isn’t he adorable? And smart. He is one smart doggie. He is learning not to be so naughty with his mouth.

While my friend painted, another friend and I worked on our sewing. She had her children here, too. There were (1…2…) 17 children happily playing here! I finished up the dress for my 8 year old using a “jelly roll” of precut strips. Here is a place you can get the pattern.

Because my friend finished the paint job (finished! I couldn’t believe it!) before lunch, I had time to enjoy a goat-milk mocha that afternoon (yay! I can have mochas again!) and get caught up on my reading for the Principle Approach yahoo group. I am SO enjoying my reading; these books are treasures of old writings and current thoughts about American Christian education. Very, very thought-provoking, and very, very worth my time.

This was my view when I looked up from my reading: my 8 and 6 year old stripping lavender buds to store. The room smelled wonderful!

To finish off the day, last night I took my painter-friend’s children also for supper so she could go out on a date with her husband. We had fried chicken (doubled for a meal that I delivered for a family in need today), mashed potatoes and broccoli. And chocolate-walnut brownies. And raspberries. Mmmm….

The day was full of people and pleasures and projects and play. What a delight to be home. I wouldn’t want to trade my apron for a business suit. Ever. Truly.