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Archive for busy bee

farm tales . “I can’t wait for that to happen”

“I can’t wait for that to happen. It’s going to be so fun.”

Baby Girl has always been an old soul. Deeper than oceans, that one. We were sitting on the farmhouse back deck in rocking chairs eating lunch, and she was talking about picnic tables. Where we might put one in the pasture behind the house. And how we could build bunk beds in the middle bedroom. For when she and Travis and Elisha bring their children out here. “We can ‘kid-ify’ everything again like you did for us. And they’ll grow up together, all the cousins.”

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A World Where There Are Octobers [printable calendar]

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ~ Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

I’m glad, too. I think October may be my favorite month, although it’s certainly hard to choose. When the weather cooperates, we get those first few cooler mornings that are such a blessing after Mississippi’s long, hot summers. October’s blue skies are distinct, and the season’s signature goldenrod and golden light always inspire me. At some point, we’ll probably get one of those yellow-orange harvest moons, and I imagine we’ll schedule a s’more-making bonfire. No matter how much summer wants to hang on, the calendar says autumn is here!

As the temperatures slowly drop, if only by a few degrees, everyone’s spirits seem to get lighter. This year, the month ushering in nature’s season of transition also seems to be bringing some transitions to our family. I feel like my heart is juggling health changes for my parents, the ever-changing flux of children growing more independent and, I guess, more themselves, along with the perpetual array of work opportunities – blessings, to be sure – that all require weighing choices. With October, I seem to be on keen alert to notice every hint of change toward the fall days we love. So, I’m excited to look back at a few of my favorite autumn glimpses along with this month’s printable calendar.

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sojourn . Flora and Fauna from Summer at Busy Bee

Farm days. They are always full of discovery, and the theme for last week’s trip seemed to be green, green and more green! We’ve returned from our annual sojourn to Noxubee County to kick-off summer vacation, and I’m always amazed at the new flora and fauna we find. It was unusually hot this year for May. At least it felt that way. So, lingering in some of our favorite activities was a little uncomfortable. But we enjoyed at least a few drives through the pastures and exploring. So many greens and blossoms. And, although some of my close-ups got a little grainy, we got to see a few critters, too. I hope you enjoy some of the sights of summer at Busy Bee, including some of the inspiration for the Small Pond…

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Hello, June… And Summer [free printable calendar]

Hello, June! It’s a new month, and that means a new printable calendar…. I’m sort of congratulating myself for being more regular with these printables this year. The school year finished up last week, so we are about a week and a half into our summer vacation – excitedly! We’ve spent this week getting lazy at Busy Bee for our annual summer kick-off trip to the farm. The weather seems unseasonably hot for May, but it hasn’t stopped us from enjoying these first days of summer slowness and freedom – early morning quiet time on the deck, pasture walks, pancakes for breakfast, a few wanders through county roads, water fun, bonfires for hot dogs and s’mores, and searching for ripe blackberries and wildflowers. It’s not quite time for wild blackberries yet. They are mostly green and red right now, but we’re spotting them everywhere and hoping to come back in a few weeks when more will be ready for picking.

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frog tales . Princess Replies

Frog Tales is a series of Busy Bee dispatches that’s been floating around in my brain for a while, inspired by fairy tales, and days wandering the pastures, and a one-armed frog I drew when I started Small Pond, and giggles with Baby Girl, and how my littles seem to see the world. It’s also a place I need to help me keep the hurry of client projects and life demands in check — just like the real Busy Bee. I hope you enjoy it, and will follow the full story it unfolds!

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