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Home ยป Blog ยป Glimpses of a Low-Key Summer

Glimpses of a Low-Key Summer

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane

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Lunch with a friend outside.

A fire for marshmallows.  I ran to get some at the store-Patrick said, “Mom don’t forget to buy sticks too!”  We had to laugh at that one.

Too hot to play outside.  Do you like the pirate flag?  It’s taped to a wooden skewer which was then stuck into my brand new chair cushion that cost a pretty penny.  I have to not care…it was worth all the quiet play time to say nothing at all.

Andrew’s prep for lemonade stand.  If you want to save something in our fridge-leftovers, doggie bags, etc, you MUST put a sign on them.

He made a bundle, and would have one every day if I let him.  Quite a little entrepreneur.  He stood at the corner (yes, that made me nervous) on the hottest day ever, and had so much fun. 

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July 31, 2012 ยท 18 Comments

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  1. Ericka says

    July 31, 2012 at 1:25 pm

    I'm first?! Looks like a perfectly lovely summer:) I'm going school shopping today. Sigh. In July. It seems so wrong!

    Reply
  2. S says

    July 31, 2012 at 1:53 pm

    sounds like heaven and yes, you need the peace before the hoopla, although I'm sure you'll manage it in admirable style! (I almost said eye of the storm but a new baby and your oldest going to college is far from a storm – its amazing!). I wish I could say the same here on the low key – yes, its been very low key but the sibling bickering and nastiness has reached a new level and I am going to have do a lockdown on all technology and late bedtimes to bring the hammer down, I do believe. Which stinks, but I'm so frstrated and at a loss on how to change it here without some drastic measures. Sigh. I wish my kiddos could see how great they have it vs picking at each other all the livelong day. One of my boys cries "its not fair" is making me want to pull out my hair! So I'll live vicariously through you and your pictures of contentment!

    Reply
  3. michelle @ this little light says

    July 31, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    Every time I see there's no new post up in the morning I think "Oh, gosh, maybe she had the baby!" I have to remember he/she is due mid-August.

    I'm so glad you're having a restful summer…I guess I'll wait til the newest is at least 9 months before I ask you to be my blogger mentor! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  4. Maiden Jane says

    July 31, 2012 at 2:03 pm

    The best kind of summer! One of my kids read The Book Thief, so I did too. It's a great book!

    Reply
  5. valerie says

    July 31, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    My dear friend Mindy ( who has the same pregnancy sickness you have) is due the same week as you. I've had her read your blog. So many of the same thoughts.
    Excited for both new babies to be here!
    And my kids do the same fort thing in my living room.
    They love it! (till it's time to clean it up.) Hang in there Sarah!! You're on the home stretch! Look in your fridge you might have milk expires AFTER your baby is here. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    July 31, 2012 at 2:53 pm

    where did you get that beautiful subtle-toned floral chair? beautiful!

    Reply
  7. Amy says

    July 31, 2012 at 3:40 pm

    Once again…thank you for perspective! We are having quite the same summer and many times I express to my husband my guilt at not planning some big trip or having more exciting things planned for the kids. I have to remember that this time at home is precious and it gives my kids a much needed rest from the craziness that is our lives when school starts. Thanks for the reminder…it's nice to know I'm not alone!

    Reply
  8. Simply LKJ says

    July 31, 2012 at 4:14 pm

    I found over the years that those are some of the best summers, and the ones they truly remember…the simple ones spent at home. The kids here go back to school August 6th!! Yikes…so thankful we have Katie a couple extra days since she is starting college. August 6th would have been way to early for me!!

    Reply
  9. Monica says

    July 31, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    Sounds like a perfect summer. I'd be interested to know what Abbey thinks about the Book Thief. At first I didn't think I would like it but by the end I got so attached to the characters. It was an amazing book.

    Reply
  10. Patty says

    July 31, 2012 at 10:29 pm

    What a wonderful gift for you and your family…a relaxed summer! Enjoy these last few days before the next adventure begins! I am so excited for you!

    Reply
  11. Anonymous says

    July 31, 2012 at 11:10 pm

    It looks like a great summer! I hope you're hanging in there. It's almost time to meet that little human inside of you! Such a miracle. I was sad yesterday because my baby turned 7months! I can't believe how fast it's going. Enjoy it Sarah! I'm so excited for you and your family. Your blog helped me realize what really matters…my kids! My husband had wanted another for years, and after reading your blog (and Pam's) I felt like I wasn't too old after all. We went for, and I thank God everyday that we did. I delivered 20 days before I turned 42, and I did great! You will too. My kids are now 14, 11, 9, and 7 months! Such a blessing.

    Reply
  12. Anonymous says

    July 31, 2012 at 11:35 pm

    Watermelon belly photos are so funny!

    Reply
  13. Billie Jo says

    August 1, 2012 at 2:40 am

    Sounds very much like our summer, Sarah. We spent our days baking, reading, swinging, and sittin on the porch. Well that and way too many trips to Dairy Queen! I love summers like this. I have never been one for busy busy busy! Ugh! Best of luck with all your littles!!

    Reply
  14. Kath says

    August 1, 2012 at 6:05 am

    Bring on the HOOPLA!! I say:)

    Reply
  15. Bridget says

    August 1, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    i LOVE the sign on the lemonade. it reminds me of my house, everything MUST be claimed if you want any chance of keeping it safe.

    Reply
  16. Jody says

    August 1, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    you inspire me to keep the tv off! ๐Ÿ™‚ totally understand if you don't answer-but what brand train set is that, please? so happy for you! best of luck!

    Reply
  17. Unknown says

    August 2, 2012 at 1:54 am

    The Book Thief is one of my more favorite books!

    Reply
  18. April Perry says

    August 4, 2012 at 8:10 am

    Sarah, that pirate fort photo is my FAVORITE. Someday, there won't be anyone building forts like that, and we'll miss it so much, won't we? I love that you're capturing moments like this. Thinking about you and your pregnancy!

    Love,
    April

    Reply

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Welcome!

Sarah Turner

When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty five years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 26-8), I still feel the same. I blog here about motherhood, how to make a house a home, easy recipes, and simple living. You can read more about me here.

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Happy Easter! A beautiful day filled with hope an Happy Easter!  A beautiful day filled with hope and new beginnings - focus on the future, the blessings, the cycle of life where darkness doesn't triumph, but light and love and fresh days ahead - and sunshine - does.  We grow and change and let the old shed, the suffering transform, and rebuild with energy and hope to become closer to Jesus.  Love to you all.
I love my home and I hope you do also. With all t I love my home and I hope you do also.  With all the imperfections and maintenance it requires, when I pull up and walk in I want to stay, to relax, to feel safe, for daily life to be easy, and to care for "home". I want simplicity, ease, convenience.  To me when my home is simple, without being filled to the brim of things that just take up space I love it best.  I hope if you've participated fully or even partially as time allowed in 40 Bags in 40 Days you've found that joy and pride in your home.  I plan to share more little challenges and tips as the year proceeds to trouble shoot areas and keep maintenance effortless and the house love flowing.  Daily life in our homes should bring us joy and ease while we care for our families, we should be thoughtful stewards of our money and of our time and simple living is the answer to that. 
Thank you for participating! ๐Ÿก
I think this is one of the best things about the 4 I think this is one of the best things about the 40 Bag decluttering process.  When I know what I have and have removed all that I don't, it cultivates more discretion and caution about what I bring back in.  I think there is also some realization of how much money is wasted on fads, or thoughtless purchases.  It's quite eye-opening.  I've become so much more careful, and find we all take better care of things, as do my children.
The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days! I've tackle The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days!  I've tackled all the areas of my home with exception of my oldest daughter's room (not the photo)- which she is excited to work on this week.
The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean an The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean and straighten up.  And then the more enjoyable it is to actually sit in that room.  It's not a hard equation, all it takes is ruthless purging-and not just little things but larger items also.  Functional furniture is the key and very few decorative pieces especially when children are in the home, makes life so much easier. 
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As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge I'm hearing from so many of you what a difference it has made in your appreciation of your homes, a certain contentment, and at the same time a thrill of looking in on the organized kitchen, closet and living space.  I agree!  I love purging, cleaning and organizing a space and then going back later that day just to get that wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It makes such a difference! 
๐Ÿƒ
A lighter, fresher, calmer home is the result of de-cluttering.  I even had a participant who had been planning on listing her home, start 40 Days just to get her house ready to sell, and then was so ruthless in the process and also thrilled by the results that they decided to stay put in what seemed like a new home to them.  What a savings of time, money and energy. 
๐Ÿƒ
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! โ˜€๏ธ
Tips For Shared Kids Rooms- This bedroom has seen Tips For Shared Kids Rooms-
This bedroom has seen every configuration possible.  With kids spread out 18 years apart, I've had to be creative over the years-which I think is the key to sharing rooms.  It is all possible-I consider it a rare luxury and privilege to not have to share a room although I know that is not the norm today. 
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I like to create a simple look with white furniture (this ends up making room transitions easier also when moving someone out and someone else in.) I also like to match bedspreads for a cohesive look. 
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Clip on bed lights save space. 
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A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
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When my kids were younger I had my dad build me a large wooden roll out box for under each bed.  This held each child's toys. 
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All clothes are kept in a closet instead of dressers to save space.
I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags progress and tips.  My excuse is the stomach flu ravaging us all here in the last week with me being the last to fall and the slowest to recover.  On top of that the weekend before I tried to roller blade (don't even ask how many steps I made it) and majorly bit it.  Thankfully I think I just sprained my arm. So I've been using one arm for nursing sick children back to health, and doing whatever cleaning and cooking and straightening I can do.  Alas, last week was a wash.  We have two weeks to go.  I'd like to continue and end on a high note.  How about you?  Even a little de-cluttering counts! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to throw open my windows and let fresh clean air circulate through my fresh clean orderly home. โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒฑ
Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to th Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to think that the more things they have the happier and more occupied and loved they will feel.  Nothing can replace human interaction and I've found that too many toys has the reverse affect.  They cause overwhelm-just like us - we'd rather sit in an orderly space than one filled with too many things to do and too much stuff.
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When it comes to kids closets here are some tips-
1. Hand me downs don't all have to be received.  Or received at all.  Be choosy and keep just what they will use and need.
2. When children are presented with too many choices, tension and acrimony can exist.  Being able to open a closet with a reasonable amount of outfits can create more peace.
3. Cultivating independence in care of clothes is easier when there is less and the space is simplified and organized. 
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More tips coming on the blog this week.  I am moving my blog platform so I can't make any promises - it's under construction and that's exciting!
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