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Home » Blog » Midsummer’s Night Dream

Midsummer’s Night Dream

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane, Ordinary Days

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Happiness, loveliness, squishy-ness, busy-ness=Janey-pants.

Hope your summer is going well.  School supplies are out at Target.  Even I, passionate lover of school supplies, am not ready for that yet.

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July 22, 2013 · 27 Comments

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  1. Billie Jo says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:44 pm

    Same here with the water, Sarah! I try and try…but just can't do it! Enjoy the rest of your summer… : )

    Reply
  2. lindley says

    July 22, 2013 at 9:17 pm

    Oh my goodness! I am with you on the school supplies–love em, but not ready for them! And I love sunflowers as well! In just a week or 2, the sunflower patches in our city will be in full bloom, which equals, our annual sunflower photo opp, which equals, Mommy bliss! 🙂

    Reply
  3. lindley says

    July 22, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    And the squishiness is just plain adorable!!!

    Reply
  4. Simply LKJ says

    July 22, 2013 at 9:39 pm

    We finally broke down and got a Vitamix too. Love it!! Love the rainy days and legos! Janey is just precious. So hard to believe she is almost a year old already.

    Reply
  5. LittleLinden says

    July 22, 2013 at 9:54 pm

    Oh school supplies….love them. But this year they take on new meaning as I actually have a little one starting school! So exciting yet scary at the same time to begin this new chapter. I was wondering if you have any pearls of wisdom or rituals on how you get your family or yourself prepared/organized to go back to school? This will be my first of three! Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Stacy says

    July 22, 2013 at 10:03 pm

    I've been following your blog for some time now and just want to say "thank you!" I'm a young, Catholic mother and I so enjoy what you share from the personal to the practical (you got me started on the Picasa scrapbook pages!). Your mention of authenticity struck home with me because I also mention authenticity in my "about me" section on my own blog (www.nativetohappiness.blogspot.com). Your courage paves the way for others, including myself, to feel comfortable being authentic. So again, thank you!

    Reply
  7. Kristin says

    July 22, 2013 at 10:45 pm

    Sarah, you are the the blogger that I "get" the most. I love how I feel when I read your blog because it helps my clarify my priorities. I love how authentic you are–it is so needed in this world!

    Reply
  8. Jenny says

    July 22, 2013 at 10:50 pm

    I understand completely. I always, always enjoy your posts…but no matter what summer hits that bump in the road and we have to kind of pull back. I researched for months on which blender to get. I always thought I wanted the Vitamix, but I wound up with the Blendtec. I couldn't be happier. They are both excellent blenders, can't go wrong with either one. And I'm here to tell you we use that thing every.single.day! I have a juicer too, but the blender is getting a workout! 🙂 Thanks for always being so real. Blessings!

    Reply
  9. Lesa says

    July 22, 2013 at 11:13 pm

    Welcome back! I miss you, but understand the much needed breaks. Did I see you had a massage scheduled? Good for you! Is there a story behind this or a much needed spa day?

    Reply
  10. Sara says

    July 22, 2013 at 11:24 pm

    Your blog is always a sweet little break in my day that gives me perspective. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Midwest Mom says

      July 23, 2013 at 6:02 pm

      Totally agree!!! Sarah makes me feel normal 🙂

      Reply
  11. Magnolia Verandah says

    July 22, 2013 at 11:29 pm

    I always use to say (when I was a young mum) if mum is happy and healthy so is all the family. Take time to re-charge.

    Reply
  12. Sleen says

    July 23, 2013 at 1:23 am

    School supplies?! Say it isn't so. I'm not ready for that either. Baby Janey is cuter by the day. Thank God for your parents–what a gift they must be to your busy family.

    Reply
  13. Isaiah 55:8-9 says

    July 23, 2013 at 1:33 am

    Vitamax – best kitchen purchase ever! 🙂 I have the same one. I throw kale in my son's smoothies all the time with bananas and blueberries – he gobbles them up like crazy! If you get popsicle molds, you can use the smoothie mix to make popsicles too – a great summer treat.

    You're right – going "home" is really the best relaxation there is! 🙂

    Reply
  14. Susan says

    July 23, 2013 at 4:33 am

    I love my Vitamix. Best blender EVER! My favorite smoothie recipe: 1 cup water, one low carb yogurt, 2 frozen oranges (sectioned), frozen lemon wedge (peel and all), handful of fresh spinach, handful of frozen berries if I have them. Soooooo good!

    Reply
  15. Elizabeth says

    July 23, 2013 at 5:21 am

    I'm so glad this post popped up. I missed 'hearing' from you

    Reply
  16. Kathleen says

    July 23, 2013 at 11:55 am

    I can't bring myself to buy school supplies yet either….Not ready for the summer to be over and back in the school routine. It's been a fun summer with my kids …they are 3 and 8…much different than last year. Enjoy the rest of your summer !

    Reply
  17. Maiden Jane says

    July 23, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    Hi Sarah! I had the same title to my blog post last week. But I subtitled it "or What is a Weekend with Teens?". Summer is speeding along and we are fulfilling all our obligations but I would love to retreat to "home." I'm so glad you can find respite there. We just returned from our family reunion at CP and I couldn't wait to have dinner together – just the six of us – which didn't happen during our trip! I have the awful feeling right now that summer is slipping away and I haven't spent the kind of time I want to spend with my kids….a lament, I suppose. But they are off working or going out with friends. I don't know…maybe I just miss those baby days!

    Reply
  18. Unknown says

    July 23, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    I have to say that your family brightens my day. I have three grown children, one entering her fourth year in college. I told my son last night that school supplies were out and I miss school supply shopping. He then informed me that he misses it too and if I want to take him to Staples or Target for school supplies, he is up for that. Now I guess we call them office supplies. Have a great day.

    Reply
  19. stephanie says

    July 23, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    I live in Chandler Arizona and my kids went back to school yesterday, i know…crazy!

    Reply
  20. Brian and Staci says

    July 23, 2013 at 3:54 pm

    I just wanted to pop in and say…I don't comment often but I am SO thankful for you and your insight. You help remind me that in this techy world…I don't have to have the shiniest new organizer or whatever…just figure out a system that works for ME!!!!! I adore your simplicity Sarah and I thank you for reminding me through this lovely blog of yours!!!! And I'm with you on the water….I tease my friends that I will set up a rotation schedule of my dialysis needs because my kidneys will be shot because I don't drink enough water ;D I tease…but I am kind of worried about that ;( But that is living in the future….and because of your sweet quote…I"m going to choose to live in the present 😀 Thanks Sarah!!!!

    Reply
  21. Kathy Olson says

    July 23, 2013 at 7:41 pm

    I love our vitamix, too. Love seeing your kids and no, I'm not ready for school supplies yet, either. However, I know that my holiday stuff will be on the back shelves of Target before I know it. They tend to put a few boxes of lights out in Sept. I keep track of important stuff like this.

    Reply
  22. Anne Marie says

    July 23, 2013 at 11:32 pm

    Once again, I read your blog and it makes me take a deep breath and relax. I've never read another blog that makes me do that.

    Thank you for the perspective, and for the Janey pictures. Her smile is infectious!

    Reply
  23. Katie says

    July 24, 2013 at 5:08 am

    How much tv (if any) do you let your kiddos watch? Would love to hear your wise words about screen time or how your family handles it!

    Reply
  24. Rose Jorgensen says

    July 24, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    Sarah…do you think this blender is better than Kitchen Aid? I own a Kitchen aid and have had it for years!!! Thinking of giving it to my daughter who starts college this fall, and buying this one you have. Let me know!

    I love the quotes, and I'm so glad I read those today. We might be moving out of state (again), and I want to continue living in the now with peace instead of feeling anxious and desperate to move. This really helped so thank you!

    I'm with you on the mid-summer issue. I find myself spending a lot of time with my younger kids, and focusing on them more than blogging, spending time on the internet, tv, or any social media. Maybe that's the "old school" girl in us! Need to catch up on my reading too!

    I love your blog, and always happy when you do post. Have an amazing day!

    Reply
  25. Ruth says

    July 24, 2013 at 4:56 pm

    I remember having to make myself drink a tall glass of water BEFORE I nursed the baby, just to make sure the milk would let down. Even if the baby was screaming. I usually stopped nursing at 10 months. Good Luck!

    Reply
  26. María Isabel says

    July 26, 2013 at 7:56 pm

    Sarah, would you make your fabulous quote printable for me and others who like it?
    Thanks. Happy summer!!!
    Saludos desde Chile!!!

    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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Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular. Just an o Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular.  Just an ordinary Monday morning breakfast counter after the kids leave for school.  Because ordinary gets the short hand in our culture but really it's extra special. 
It's a symbol of unselfishness, contentment, prudence and gratitude.  There is a certain peace about the ordinary.  It's the opposite of temporary-it holds the joy of contentment and gratitude and prudence all in one hand.  It's lends itself toward peace, and a settling in, not a constant search for more or less or anything.  Ordinary is authentic and good enough- in short it's a gem in disguise. 🍃
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! 🏡
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. 
🍃
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! 
🍃
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. 
🍃
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! ☀️
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. 
🍃
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. 
🍃
Clip on bed lights save space. 
🍃
A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
🍃
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. 
🍃
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. ☀️🌷🌱
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.
☀️
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. 
☀️
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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