All the pictures used in this post were taken by JJ exceept the one of him.

I received a call mid-morning that peaches were available about an hour from here for about a third of the best price I had seen in this area. I quickly got on the phone and called or texted a few friends and after learning how many peaches they could use, JJ and I drove off leaving Jeremy and Justin with a list of chores to complete before our return. When we got to our destination, JJ lifted 18 milk crates out of storage and I loaded them into our van.

By the time we had delivered 14 of the crates and arrived home with four, I wasn't sure I wanted to work up that many peaches, but the boys pitched in and we worked up the ripest ones before supper. The next morning we began working on another bushel and in between cutting peaches, JJ snapped pictures.

Justin took on the job of slicing all the peaches after I had them peeled. He also helped take the seeds out of the peaches if JJ couldn't keep up.

Jeremy ended up running the canner end of the operation. He dug out supplies, filled jars, put lids and rings together and closed up the jars before putting them in the canner.

I saw quite a few slices disappear into mouths, but the jars were filling faster than I expected.

After we had the second canner on, we began bagging peaches for freezing.

We had plans to meet friends at the pool, and we left soon after we pulled the last jars out of the canner.

And the last peachy, thing of the day? We put a pie in the oven for supper.

We had two very peachy days, we got to see friends while delivering the peaches, we spent time with more friends at the pool and we had fresh peach pie for supper. Hopefully in the middle of winter when the boys pull out a jar of peaches, they'll remember these two peachy days.

Yesterday, we browsed the upcoming events in the newspaper trying to decide what we would do for the 4th. There were several events to choose from, but we finally decided to head to Port Royal. We were up early this morning so that there would be time to eat breakfast and pack a lunch before leaving.

Sometime around 1650, one of Dean's ancestors was killed in an Indian raid near Port Royal, and he wanted to check out the museum to see if he could learn anything further. When we arrived, we saw signs for event parking, but we headed to the museum instead. It didn't look like much was happening, but a couple of guys said they would be opening soon. We waited to give them time to open up, but when we walked up to the door at 10:00, it was locked. We stood there awhile reading the flyers and maps that were posted around the door and discovered that we were very near the farm where John Wilkes Booth met his end. We also noticed a place in Maryland named Port Tobacco and we took off in that direction.

We hadn't gone far when we noticed a sign that read "James Madison Birthplace Tours". Since James Madison was a very distant cousin of Dean's, we turned in and drove down a tree-lined driveway towards a house sitting on the north side of the Rappahannock River. We admired the house and took pictures, but we didn't see any signs directing us towards the tour, so we traveled on up the road. We hadn't gone long until we stopped to buy our annual pack of fireworks.

We crossed into Maryland, and soon the boys were asking about lunch. Never mind that it wasn't lunch time. We found Port Tobacco and drove right on past because there wasn't much there to indicate that we had arrived. We turned around and found another museum that wasn't opened. The signs indicated that it should be open, but after trying a couple of doors we left and passed out the sandwiches.

On our way home, we stopped at the first museum only to find that it was still closed so we headed home munching on our lunch. We saw a farmer's flag-decorated haystack in time to snap a picture. There was a flag on both sides of the stack and one hanging from his silo as well.

We had a pleasant outing even though we hadn't accomplished our goal. We enjoyed the countryside and each other. Now as the sun begins to set, the boys are watching the sky for darkness. JJ came to me and let me know that he was ready for the 4th of July.

Family time, flags, history, fireworks, closed museums and mismatched shoes. We've enjoyed our day.

We were doing good for a Saturday evening. Supper was early and the dishwasher was chugging away. All the men of the household had haircuts and the boys headed straight to the showers afterwards. Jeremy had his second load of laundry in the washing machine and the dryer was working on his first load. I had cleaned up the kitchen and decided what we'd have for Sunday dinner. The boys were in the middle of a video game. Dean was in his study and I had just opened my Bible to prepare a Sunday school lesson.

The lights blinked once. Then they blinked again and stayed off.

The house was quiet for a split second as computers halted, the washer stopped mid-spin and clothes dropped to the bottom of the dryer. Water dripped in the dishwasher and the boys stood motionless with game controllers in their hands. And then the the silence was broken as the boys raced to find flashlights. A light shown quickly from the study as Dean turned on a flashlight and I stood up the watch the trees bending in the wind. Our neighbor called to see if we had lost power and Dean called the electric company.

Soon we were gathered around the table. We pulled out the glow sticks to find that there were only two that were still good. I had a flashlight angled so that it shown on my Bible and JJ thought that he needed a light to shine on his book as well. We talked about the weather and began to wonder how long it would be until the power came back on and soon it was time for bed. I read to JJ while holding a flashlight and the boys soon settled down. We left a battery-powered lantern on in the hall and several times in the night I realized that it was still on.

One of the first things I heard after waking was Justin saying that he was hungry. Since our stove is electric, he began to think of ways to fix breakfast. He dug out a clean tin can and a stuffed a roll of toilet paper into it. He then poured a cup of alcohol into the can and set it on fire. Using a cooling rack and two taller cans, he soon had a makeshift stove.

He quickly fried up eggs for himself and brothers and I fried some eggs for Dean. The can was still burning so we put water in the teakettle and heated enough water for tea. The house began to smell like we were camping out, but bellies were filled.

The power still wasn't on by the time that everyone had eaten and we had no way to shower and clean up for church. (Remember only the boys had showered before the power went out.) We enjoyed a nice morning at home even though we missed being in our usual places at church on a Sunday morning. Just as I began to see what we had that I could cook on the grill, the power came back on and we didn't have to use our survival skills any longer.

The end of school is just around the corner and it's all this teacher can do to keep focused. The boys seem to be doing fine. They've run for the camera while watching birds.

They've asked to go fishing.

More than once.

They've showed off the first catch.

More than once.

The rainy days can be difficult for this teacher, but the boys have handled it okay. They've drawn pictures of God's garden (and made sure it was okay to include a playgound).

They've hung together (and had their share of squabbles.)

They've been found in the kitchen preparing familiar recipes and trying new ones.

They've found beauty around them.

They've shown up for school looking quite dapper.

After two years of seeing doctors, physical therapy and four surgeries on his feet, Justin was released from his doctor and celebrated by driving the last half mile home. (He doesn't have a permit yet and has to be satisfied with driving down our private road.)

With just six more days left in this school year, they finished up their testing today and are slowly finishing up one subject at a time. All three boys have let me know that they'd like a holiday tomorrow, but this teacher thinks that they should at least attempt some work and finish the year strong.

There were smiles all around when the announcement was made. "Today's the day." I've been watching the yard green up and I knew that this was the last day this week that we could work in the yard. JJ gave a big fist pump and grinned from ear to ear and then promptly asked if he could drive the mower. He's been working on obedience without whining and he knew that he's making improvement. He also knows that he won't be allowed to mow, just drive around a bit after the mowing is done. That job goes to older brothers.

During the morning each of the boys came to me and let me know which job they wanted outside. I've always done most of the mowing, but as they take more and more responsibility, I can take care of some other things (today I fixed the steps on the fort in the woods and sprayed weeds).

Justin set to work getting some of the equipment going. He and Jeremy took a small engine repair class last fall and have been itching to get some long-unused motors going. He had left the push mower in good shape and it started right up. The tiller which has been idle for years started but needs gas. The weed whip took more time.

JJ started out by getting the cart and filling it with sticks for the burn pile. The boys had already built quite a pile, but he found a couple of carts full of debris. Of course, he was watching as each piece of equipment roared to life. Soon he was pushing for all he was worth. The mower is self-driven, but still takes a lot of muscle to get it everywhere it needs to go.

The riding mower was the first piece of power equipment to be put away and Jeremy manhandled the gas-less and thereby powerless tiller back into place. I sent JJ for the cart and then we realized that even though today was supposed to be the day, it hadn't been. He pushed aside his disappointment with the promise that I would try harder to remember next week. I'm thankful that he was able to swallow his tears and that all three boys worked so cheerfully and willingly.

This afternoon, we set off on a little excursion to make true on my promise to Justin to go fishing after his cast was removed. Both he and JJ were so excited that their sleep had been interrupted and it was difficult to focus on schoolwork in the morning. In fact, we had to take a little break part way through the morning to look for worms. They weren't the nicest worms in the world, but they would do. As we were driving, Justin was reading fish recipes to me and he was trying to decide on one that he wanted to try. Never mind that he almost always throws his catch back.

Jeremy and I stayed in the comfort of the van. He and I both had books so we read a little, I fiddled with my phone, he played an electronic game. I helped with worms and hooks and tangled lines. We read some more, fiddled some more and snapped a selfie.

The only real excitement was a visit by the game warden and everyone was legal so it wasn't real exciting. The fish weren't biting, the bugs were swarming and the wind was blowing through the open windows of the van. And then JJ came running and calling out, "We saw a snake!" I grabbed my phone about the time that I saw Justin pack up all his equipment and head for the van. Usually it takes him quite a while to tire of fishing.

I sent the picture I snapped to Dean who replied, "Oh. My. Word. A copperhead!! Where?" The answer was not a cheery one. The snake was nestled in the grass about two feet from where Justin had been standing for the past two hours. JJ had spotted him just inches from where he had spilled out his worms on the ground.

We went on our outing hoping for some good fishing and perhaps the chance to take some fish pictures. We came home without any fish, but we did have a good story and a picture we hadn't planned to take.

Memories of the cold winter days are fading. We no longer watch the weather and wonder if roads will be clear in the morning. Even though we did have snow this winter, we didn't choose to capture its beauty in pictures. As I looked back through our winter pictures, I discovered that we looked for beauty in other places.

JJ and Justin were both determined to capture some of the birds which fluttered around the house wondering if the bird feeder was full.

We even tried our hand at some night shots.

Justin had foot surgery just in time to miss out on the biggest snow of the season. He wanted to be out in it, but had to content himself with standing on the deck and poking holes in the snow with his crutch.

JJ celebrated his birthday with what the boys called "a playdough cake". I tried (and failed) for a tie-dye look. We all enjoyed the cake despite its appearance.

He also had so much fun with his science experiment that he broke a water glass.

As the weather began to warm up, the boys were more inclined to get their BB guns out and I once again discovered how elusive those silver spheres are when chased by a broom.

And then the day arrived when Justin was feeling well enough to lower his foot from its elevated position, the fishing pole came out and the angling bug hit.

Jeremy and JJ worked on their ball skills and I showed them that I can still shoot.

We've been inside all day today because of the rain, but when we look out the window, we can see that it's warmer than the last rainy day. The yard will soon need to be mowed, the dogwoods are just about to burst into bloom and the daffodils are nodding their heads near the mailbox.

Since I don't enjoy the cold winter weather, I'm glad for the changing seasons and the beauty that comes with the spring.

God's word and begins and ends each day reading from her Bible.

things of beauty even in a Walmart parking lot.

young love and seeing each of her children happily married.

those who are hurting. Many receive a card or note.

visiting with friends she hasn't seen for a long time.

keeping her mind sharp by playing games that challenge her.

outings with her great-grandchildren and anticipating more great-grandchildren.

the Navajo people and getting to know the fifth generation in some families.

long-lasting love and the years she had with Dad.

me.

75 years in the Lord's care. Birthday Blessings, Mom.

It's the middle of winter so what do you do? You shake a jar of cream until you have butter.

You dress for success and then claim that you did it just because these clothes were warmer.

You think deep thoughts.

You introduce yourself at Joseph Chef.

Read ahead in Shakespeare. Way ahead, into next year's reading.

Or stir up some concoction and pour it in a mold

before setting it on fire

and watching the smoke roll. Notice: no snow. On the days it's cold enough to snow there's no precipitation and on days that we get moisture, it's too warm for snow.

And, yes, that was Justin's concoction.

As we left New Mexico, we had mixed emotions. It's never easy to say good-bye to family but we were excited about the adventures ahead. Instead of heading straight east as we usually do, we drove straight south. The last time we had taken this route we drove during nighttime hours and we hadn't been able to enjoy the beauty of Southern New Mexico.

We crossed the Texas state line on Interstate 10 and the mile markers began going up. We drove and we drove and we drove and we were still south of New Mexico. We drove and we drove and we drove some more and we enjoyed the speed limit.

We drove and we drove some more and we still hadn't seen a town boasting more then a couple of small eating places and gas stations. We drove and we drove and we drove for hours and we wondered if anyone actually lived in this part of the world. We were enjoying the scenery, but the road seemed to go on and on and on.

The next morning we started early and arrived at Sea World in San Antonio before the gates opened. We weren't the only ones with the same idea and by the time the gates did open, there was quite a line.

Of course at the top of our list was the dolphin show and the whale show.

It became quickly apparent that the water ride was at the top of JJ's list. Since he was unable to convince his older brothers to ride with him, I told him I was join him. Never mind that this was only five days after Christmas. We got on that ride twice and managed to get quite wet. That's us in red in the front of the boat heading for splashdown.

Photo credit: Justin Shaffer

Our focus changed the second day in San Antonio as we headed downtown and wandered around until we found the Alamo. We really enjoyed the courtyard that surrounded the church but none of us spent much time inside looking at the exhibits.

We had lunch in the largest Mexican restaurant that I've ever been in. The tortillas were wonderful and we discovered a new dessert- Tres Leches Cake. We ordered a slice to share and after we had taken a couple of bites, we were ready to find a recipe and try it at home. (We haven't.) I snapped this photo of the boys in the restaurant lobby.

The boys and I decided to walk to the Tower of the Americas and found another stone head. Justin did a little sleuthing and discovered that it wasn't made of stone, but we still had to have a picture.

The tower is slightly higher than Seattle's tower that we visited four years ago but for some reason it didn't seem as scary. Perhaps it's because I didn't get as close to the edge this time. It was very windy and cold on the observation deck and I chose to stay out of the wind.

When we left San Antonio, we were back on Interstate 10. We drove and we drove and we drove some more. We drove until we got to mile marker 880 and said hello to Louisiana. None of us are ready to drive all the way across Texas on I-10 again.

We pulled into New Orleans about the time that Jeremy and Justin turned 15. It seems that we are often traveling on their birthday and this year we spent part of the day at the National World War II Museum. The boys were quite interested in the exhibits and we managed to include a second day of learning during our vacation.

All the boys wanted to climb into the personal bomb shelters. I can't imagine that they were very cost effective since the boys don't think more than two people could get in at one time.

Our trip required many hours of travel, but it also included much beauty, history and family times.

We came home glad that we had gone and glad to get home. We had been there and back again. Now in the midst of our busy days, we bring up things that happened on the trip, or we begin to dream about another adventure that it still out there.