mama donna

Since our first meeting back in the early '00's I found myself drawn to Donna Kristal. It would have happened anyway, as her fun loving, affirming, encouraging personality is naturally attractive, but the fact that she was my high school classmate's mother slipped her into that "could be my mother" category. Probably the fact that I met her shortly after becoming motherless added to the bond but it was not until just before my wedding that she officially became my "Mama Donna". 

It happened during a phone call, she probably called to check how I was doing with wedding plans, as that is a typical call she would have made. During our discussion the fact came up that I was getting married without my mother being present. With compassion and understand flowing through the phone line she offered to stand in for my mom during the wedding. Although there weren't any outward changes that others would have recognized over the next two weeks there was a turning that allowed Donna to step into a special place in my heart where I could claim her has my "Momma Donna". 

She was then, and has continued to be an encouraging spirit when the rain clouds come. 

 It was to this relationship that I was welcomed to Michigan last month. Because of a busy schedule and family responsibilities I passed up staying with my BFF Grace in exchange for a less conveniently located but beautiful retreat-like stay at Momma Donna's beautiful home on Wixom Lake. 

It was a delightful week of country walks, aroma therapy, sharing green smoothie recipes, eating raw breakfast cereal together and praying with friends who came to visit. What a blessing it has been to have a "Momma Donna" in my life.

This photo I took especially for Amy....

I wanted you to see Donna's birch tree hat rack.

honey do day

This weekend we had one of my favorite days....a Honey Do Day where Jay and I are both home working around the house and yard. Jay worked on a watering system for the chickens using run off water from the garden swamp cooler and I pruned the Pomegranate tree (better late than not at all)  I dug up unfriendly and unwanted cactus and hauled them to the neighbors where they were wanted while Jay pounded re-rod around the Pomegranate tree to hold bird netting. Jay harvested Saguaro fruit as I watered the garden. And when we were both so tired that we couldn't spell straight we went inside and processed the Saguaro fruit together. A very productive day.

nieces to pieces

 i

 Love

 

My

 Nieces

 To

 Pieces

 

 and with so many of them there is so much to love....

beet week

 

Last week was designated "Beet Week" at our house. My beets had been ready for harvest before I went to Michigan but I wanted to use them fresh and try some new recipes with them. 

We had Roasted Beets 'n' Sweets,   

 

Quinoa and Beet Salad, 

and our favorite Beets and Bacon (renamed to reflect the taste more accurately). 

Each recipe turned out to be a keeper but the Beets and Bacon earned the "I could eat this every other meal" award.

ready....set....action!

 Here are some action shots from the volleyball game at Libby's graduation party.

 

 

 

 Although this doesn't technically count as an action photo the hat along with the expression would lead one to think Julie wasn't sure what to do with the ball. If I had an after shot you would know she did just fine sending that ball over the net.

 

 

No ball in this photo but I liked the lines. Jay thought it was quite brave that the girls were playing bare foot while the guys stomped around in work boots.

pool party

Much of my Michigan visit was cold, gray, and wet. However, Memorial day, that doubled as Libby's graduation party, was hot enough to bring a steady stream of waders to the cool blue waters of the pool.

How many Cookies can you fit in a kiddie pool?

cookie house

My first visit to the Cookie house happily lived up to it's name. In fact, I think I ate cookies each time I visited. During the animated tour and used my sleuth photography skills to snap shots over my shoulder while remaining engaged in the conversation. The results lack in photo quality but the expressions captured more than make up for the loss. What fun to see these two beautiful girls spreading their wings and making their own little cozy nest.