So Much News

   The problem with taking a hiatus, I am discovering, is that now I feel a need to catch you up on all of the things that occurred while I wasn't writing.
   A week and a half ago, my eldest niece, KS, arrived from Arizona to spend the summer in Colorado. She is staying with Meme and Papa, but we get to see her every day. She has been helping on the Ranch, doing everything that Meme and Papa ask her to do. At seventeen, she is what teenagers should be like. Responsible, self-aware, intelligent, caring and hard-working. She is a kick-butt soccer player for her high school. She gets good grades. She plays with my kiddos and doesn't even mind when they want to keep playing tag when she is already worn out. She will most likely be very embarrassed to read what I have written. She was born when I was thirteen and therefore has been a major part of my life. I love her in an odd combination of aunt/sister/mother. I want the very best for her and hope that she knows that every day of her life.
   Through our weekly paper, I was able to find a raw milk source. This pleases me to no end. We have consumed raw milk for the last four years or so and the taste of any other milk makes me gag. We drove out to these peoples' farm to meet them and were very pleased with their operation and their attitudes towards their animals. I believe that the way people are with their animals translates to their animals overall well being. Happy cows, healthy milk.
   Our 4-H club held a spaghetti dinner fundraiser. This is the first year our club has been in existence. We needed some funds and the dinner was a huge success. How great to have such a supportive community.
   The kiddos are participating in the summer reading program. They have to read ten hours to fill up their page and receive a new book. They can do this up to three times this summer. S has filled two pages in less than a month by reading the Harry Potter series. M and T have filled one by Hubby and myself reading to them. S and M are also participating in our libraries' gardening program. They just started last week by planting pumpkins, squash, peas, marigolds, eggplants, and cauliflower. More will be added this coming week. They are also going to be turning ladybugs loose, learning about vermicomposting, making freezer jam and pesto, harvesting their own veggies and visiting a farm.
   That about sums up our lives, other than one small thing...