special days

These are special days: when the younger family is up for a visit, when their two little ones sleep over at the farmhouse, when all of us -- both young families -- gather here to play, talk, eat together. As special as it gets.

But I had stayed up way too late and gotten up way too early, so whatever reserves I'm coasting on need to be replenished tonight!

I do have an excuse for all this night time prowling around. After the girls went to sleep, Ed and I studied carefully reviews of e-bikes that you can purchase straight off of Amazon and put together yourself. I mean, if Ed can't put a bike together, then no one can. And he's willing to do it for me. So I agree to buy something online. A less expensive model with good reviews. I come to this decision late. But I dont then retire with any smug satisfaction. I begin to have second thoughts, buyer's remorse, great apprehension. What happens if you get a lemon? What happens if it needs adjustments? I'll have to ask Ed -- again and again and again to fix, tweak, figure out. It's exactly why I sold my old car and finally bought a new one. My guy spent too many hours under that old wreck trying to breathe new life into it. I don't want to saddle him with keeping a cheap e-bike afloat.

So the first thing that happened this morning was that I went on line and cancelled my order. 

The simultaneous thing that happened to me is that  the older Chicago granddaughter was too excited to sleep in this morning. She was up early. And I mean early! Her sister in the pack-and-play slept on, but Primrose was ready to get going before sunrise. 

I finally caved and we went downstairs and we did have a lovely time reading together, doing some art, and finally baking. The world's best blueberry muffins!

Two hours later peach-loving Juniper was up and ready to join us.

I decided we needed a little break from farmhouse play and so the three of us walked over to the playground in the new development.

(heading out)

And just as we return...

(discovering the secret flower path)

... the parents came back from their night out and I began brunch preparations. After snipping off some lilies!

The local young family arrives. The cousins go at it. Art, play, perform, improvise... you name it.

I love having everyone here for Sunday brunch. The house fills with the smells of baked goods and yes, bacon, because all the kids love bacon. There's always some eggy dish. Today there were other meats as well. And cheeses. And home grown tomatoes. And the very popular peaches. And the muffins of course.

A gorgeous set of moments for me!

And the special day had to be commemorated of course with a picture of the cousins, together. Boisterous? Of course!

They did all leave in the early afternoon and that is exceptionally sad, except that I will see them all soon again and, too, I had set myself the task for this afternoon of finding my perfect e-bike. Locally. At a place that will take back a lemon (should I wind up with that) and fix and adjust the bike as needed. In other words, I went to Trek.

Not just one Trek store: I tried the one on the far east side and came away discouraged. But on the west side of town, I struck gold -- a helpful salesman who went over all my questions and concerns so that when I found my most perfect bike, I was ready to commit. 

Alpine Blue is what I'll call it because actually that is its color name. It is being put together as we speak. And it offers quite the smoother ride over the B-Cylce e-bikes. I am so very excited about it!

At home again, the house seems soooo empty! The lingering smells of baked goods and bacon are still there, so deeply satisfying because they remind me of all that took place just hours ago.

All so very very special. To the core.

with love...