Growing

 A couple of weeks ago, all of the kids and I went to my parents' cabin on Lake Barkley.  We had a great time, but I got almost no pictures.  

Emry didn't catch any fish, but he is getting pretty good at casting.

Gyunay was excited to walk the dog around.

Also, we said bye to our beloved priest, Father Robert:

We have already welcomed our new priest, and he seems wonderful, too, so we are very blessed.

Acorn finally discovered that she can dig in the dirt (instead of the couch).

It wore her out!

Also, gooseberries are ripe!

Lydia begged me to plant gooseberries a few years ago.  I'd never had them, but she had picked and ate them at her cousins' house.  They are delicious, and I am very happy that we planted them.  The plants are covered in thorns, but, as Lydia noted, it's totally worth it to pick them!

Malachi returned home last night from his mission trip.  He was working with drywall in a lady's house in eastern Kentucky, where there was a lot of flooding.  He had a great trip and learned that he can do the work!  

A Very Catholic Field Trip

Last week, the younger three and I went on a very Catholic field trip.  First, we attended Mass in an old chapel in a modern hospital.  It was a bit surreal.  After walking through the hospital, you come to a large metal door.  When you open the door, it is like you have gone back 100 years.  The chapel has beautiful stained glass windows, some of which feature really lesser-known saints.

After having a tour of the chapel with a very accommodating priest, we headed to St. Martin of Tours for another tour with him.

St. Martin's has a rich history, and it boasts many statues and beautiful windows.  

It also has the remains of two martyrs from 308!

Saints Magnus and Bonosa, pray for us!

St. Martin's was recently named a shrine, the first in our archdiocese (I'm pretty sure).

We went on these tours with our homeschool group.  

Also last week, I made cherry jam for the first time.  I've made many jams, but never cherry.  I wore my new apron, which was a gift from my Mamaw.

She sells aprons like this one in her etsy shop: 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/nanasthisnthat?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1152346162
 

This and That

I never posted the obligatory stair photo.  It's obviously missing some people, but we, as usual, forgot until the last minute.

I asked Malachi if he'd prefer a cat or a dog if he were allowed to take a pet to college.  He said, "Acorn."  I said, "So a little dog like Acorn?"  "No.  Acorn."

The plants are growing.  Some of these are radishes gone to seed.  I harvested the cabbages from this bed.  Kale looks great.  Tomatoes and peppers are very, very small, but I'm hoping to see growth soon.

Harry and the chickens are doing well.

And this guy turned 18 recently!  Pilot has been enjoying his summer so far.  Hard to believe that three of my kids are legally adults now.

 

Finally, the Zoo

 It had been about a year since I'd been to the Louisville Zoo.  We usually go several times a year, but it is a lot of walking, so I hadn't been up to it.  However, the day before graduation, my sister, her kids, and my parents joined me and most of my kids for a zoo trip!

The zoo had extra things set up for their Wild Lights special program.  We didn't go to the night Wild Lights, but the kids enjoyed playing on several of the special things!

These swings were a bit hit with all ages.

We got in the obligatory rhino picture, and then a carousel ride.

2 Graduates

 

Last weekend, two of my boys graduated high school!  It's hard to believe that three of my sons are now adults.

After the ceremony, we headed to the park for a large family and friends party.

Everyone had a good time, and the weather really cooperated.  All the family came into town for the party, and the park was a great place for us all to enjoy.  There were tennis, basketball, kickball, bottle bash, and corn hole games.  We enjoyed tons of food.  Some of the boys' friends stopped by to join in the fun.  Overall, it was a really nice day.

May Harvest Totals

 We finally had a month with a little more than eggs for a harvest!

Chicken - 33.5 lbs (6 chickens)

Eggs- 164

Garlic Scapes - 21

Herbs - cilantro, mint, oregano, sage, thyme

Radishes - 61

Turnips - 1

The egg count is down because we lost a few of our best layers, and another one has been broody.