I’m looking back over May thinking what a full month.

We had a getaway with Matt’s family and celebrations for Mother’s Day, Matt’s Dad’s birthday, and several of Ellie’s friends. There was a quick work trip plus getting set up for a new contract I’m starting this fall.

We toured a local regenerative farm, and came home to our first cut of hay for the year. I sold Ellie’s little play set and received a load of mulch to go around her treehouse—all preludes to building her new swing set. We hauled home some rolls of fencing from the end of someone’s driveway, so that’s a prelude to the coop. We had our first asparagus harvest, our vegetable seedlings are growing so well, and I’m crossing my fingers that the garden is somewhat manageable this year.

There’s goodness and work and challenges and fun. I know I say it often, but we truly try to fill our lives with as much joy and love as possible. As May comes to an end, I feel like we’re doing that well.

Here are some timely links

Ticks have been bad for us this year. Cigo has been their main target. Here is an article I wrote about protecting your dog and yourself from ticks.

My favourite source for rhubarb recipes (and most recipes)

Required reading. This book shows how racism becomes so embedded in a culture.

I first used Oxiclean when I washed Ellie’s diapers. This month I used it to whiten a pair of pillowcases. It’s still magical. (The generic brand has always worked fine for me.)

My first weeding venture through the vegetable garden left me with a sore back–then a sore hip. These stretches helped.

I owe you an update on Ellie’s new room. Here’s a beautiful, thoughtful, fun room in the meantime.

We’re ending the month by starting a big project. Our patio kicks off today. I am so excited to see this space come together. I will be back next week with an update.

How was May for you? Do you have any exciting projects underway?