Monday Musings

It's been a while since I posted anything.  Partly because July was a busy month, and partly because I haven't felt very inspired during the past few weeks. When my to-do list starts to grow out of control, I have a really hard time being creative.  I was also feeling really worn-out.  Physically, mentally, and emotionally.  A little rest and relaxation has certainly helped to recharge my batteries and I woke up this morning feeling such a sense of urgency to get back into some sort of routine.  So, without further ado, here is today's edition of Monday Musings...

Out in my yard today... 86 degrees and gorgeous! A lot has been happening in my garden.

Big beautiful plants!

Lots of yummy summer squash.

Enormous zucchini blooms that will become...

delicious zucchini to eat!

Fresh cabbage

One of many blossoms on my eggplant.  Soon we'll be having eggplant parmesan, ratatouille, pasta with eggplant... 

and lots of fresh tomatoes!

The trumpet vine is in full bloom and attracting lots of hummingbirds.

Fragrant chocolate flowers- yes they really smell like chocolate!

The butterfly bush has brought many varieties of butterflies into our yard this year.  More than we've seen for a couple of years.

We also have an unwelcome guest in one of our flower beds.  Something has been busy digging several tunnels.

We have found about 15 holes like these so far.  We've tried to flush him out with the hose, but he must have an escape route somewhere.  I'm convinced that he's built an elaborate system of tunnels throughout the neighborhood.  I'm sure he wears a headlamp, chatters with a New Jersey accent, and smokes a cigar, all the while laughing at our attempts to catch him.  This week we're getting a trap, so look out Mr. Mole or Gopher or whatever you are!

I'm grateful for... the completion of our big summer project!  After getting a few bids from some local guys to have the exterior of our house painted, we decided to save money by doing it ourselves.  It was a huge project indeed, but now it is finished.  My persevering hubby deserves much of the credit.  Thanks for hanging in there, honey!

One of my favorite things... is this cute little sign that now hangs on the freshly painted wall of my patio.  It could be my life motto.

This week I'm reading... upon the recommendation of my daughter I'm in the middle of The Year I Turned Sixteen Four sisters. One wish by Diane Schwemm.  I especially like it because one of the main characters has the same name as me.  Strange and a bit shallow?  As a little girl, I never really liked my name.  It was unusual and everyone had a tough time pronouncing and spelling it.  I was in my 3rd year of college before I met another person with the same name as me and I've only met one other one since.  So yeah, it's kinda fun to be reading about another Laurel. 

I'm also reading The 4:8 Principle by Tommy Newberry in preparation for a study on living a joy-filled life that I will be teaching in the fall.  I've done a lot of studying about joy in the past couple of years due to some circumstances in my own life and this book really compliments much of what I've already learned.

I'm looking forward to... having coffee on the patio each morning with my hubby, playing some fun games with my family, and walking with Baxter every day.

Simple life tip for the week... take a stroll through your local farmer's market.  Fresh food, flowers, and homebaked goods are all waiting for you to enjoy.  Support your local growers!