So instead, we went to the new house. I had steaks marinating, and vegetables ready to saute, and new potatoes. We had our first proper meal in the new house.
When we were done eating, I gathered up the dishes, and popped it all into the dishwasher. It took just a few minutes to put the kitchen back to rights with only two pots to wash. I came out to the living room to where Tim was sitting in a chair and sat down too. I said, "I will enjoy getting used to this."
And I think I will.
Afterwards, we went up to Levi and Mattie's. We had fireworks for the children, which they love. We get the fountains and sparklers, no noisy ones. The kids were beside themselves with excitement as we waited for it to get dark enough to begin. We'd brought the makings for root beer floats which helped to pass the time. Levi and the boys had been in the hayfields all day for the first cutting, so it was quiet. Mattie was making new dresses for the girls when they go back to school in the fall. A neighbor stopped in to visit. Levi said, "We call him 'Blister'. He always shows up when the work is done." We all laughed, 'Blister' as hard as anyone.
Finally, it got dark, and the fireworks were opened. The oldest 3 boys and their daring sister took turns running across the yard to the far end of the horseshoe driveway to light them with a blowtorch. (!!!!!)
It was a satisfactory show, with some surprisingly good fireworks in the box, and there were 60 sparklers to keep the kids entertained.
We drove home and the sky was the faintest pink and blue across the mountains and the lightning bugs sparkled in the hayfields we passed.
It was a quiet 4th of July, but it seemed fitting. I didn't feel like celebrating, and it is not because I do not love my country.
This sounds like such a peaceful and meaningful 4th.
ReplyDeleteYour first meal in the new house must’ve felt so special. Loved the fireworks story too especially “Blister”! Quiet moments like these often end up being the most memorable.
It is the small quiet moments that make the chaos bearable for me.
DeleteThat was the proper way to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteA good first meal at the new house.
It has never been about the law
It felt right. Just relaxing...and listening to the blue herons in the swamp. My gosh! Have you ever heard those things??? What a racket they make! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHnECfBobWA
DeleteYou celebrated the important things.. friends, sharing, kindness.
ReplyDeleteYes. I think that you are right. I've been enjoying your blog posts about your neck of the woods.
DeleteGood to hear that the fireworks were quiet ones! I know so many dogs that are terrified of the bangs...wildlife and horses in fields too! We have only had our dog ( rescue....not the one in the thumbnail..must find out how to change that!!) since January so haven't found out if he is scared or not. November will be the first fireworks here in UK.
ReplyDeleteThe first year that we did fireworks, we just took up some that we had. Levi had specifically said we could if they were the explosions. He didn't want the horses and cows frightened. I carefully studied the labels, but some of them were in Chinese. Don't you know? One of the 'boomers' found its way in there, and it was the first one the kids lit. Levi about fell out of his chair, and the baby cried. I was so shocked and couldn't apologize enough. They remind me of it every single year.
DeleteIt's good to read you are already so comfortable in your new house, all your hard work is coming through, fireworks sounds so much fun for all.
ReplyDeleteA blowtorch! Lovely to hear that you all had such a good time. The night sky sounds so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThat seems like a proper uncelebration to me.
ReplyDeleteI did nothing to celebrate the holiday. I was in no mood to celebrate and turned down an invitation to a cookout. I just wanted to stay home and BE MAD!!! There were no people there that would have needed to be convinced to my way of thinking, I just needed to be alone with my anger.
ReplyDeleteYour Amish friends sound lovely, glad you get to spend time with them.
ReplyDeleteThe meme, what Lana said, powerful, true, and so sad.
That was a nice low-key holiday. And I didn't realize how close to ready the new house is.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to have take forever to get to this point, but really, once we sold the renovation and were able to devote our time soley to this house, things began to move right along.
DeleteNo, it is not about any of those things. It is about deepest, darkest racism and accompanying cruelty.
ReplyDeleteI really am glad that you got to make your first real meal in your own new house.
It did feel special. And the clean up...boy! That was nice to simply toss it all in the dishwasher, shut the door, and not think about it again.
DeleteHow lovely to have a meal in your new house.
ReplyDeleteHow totally AWFUL that Hitler seems to have been reborn in your country . . .
Ah, Jennie...it IS awful. I try really hard to focus on the things that I can do, but these are very trying times.
DeleteIt sounds like a perfect celebration, actually. I laughed at "Blister." LOL!
ReplyDeleteThey slay me with some of their sly little asides. For such a sober looking bunch, they sure do like to laugh.
DeleteKids with fireworks scares me but I'm glad you enjoyed your visit with them. Congrats on the first meal in your new home.
ReplyDeleteThey were so tickled with them. The kids I'm referring to are the oldest ones, ranging in age from probably 12 to 15. In their culture, kids that age are already learning to work hard and take responsibility. When the youngest was born, the kids handled all the chores and Katie kept everyone fed. Grandma lived across the yard if they needed her, but they were pretty self sufficient. In fact, I delivered pizza to them while delivering a message from their father. They had all the furniture off the porch and were busily working together to scrub it all down.
DeleteThe meal in your new house sounds delightful! I am betting you will find a new hobby or project once you are settled in. Because after years of renovating, building, etc, you might have some time on your hands! Knowing you, I am sure you will find plenty to keep you occupied.
ReplyDeletePretty much anything un-Fourth here too. Not much to celebrate.
I plan to read more, play in the dirt more, and just gradually make a berry patch and an orchard.
DeleteWe did absolutely nothing to celebrate the 4th. Actually, I can not recall the day at all at this point. Congratulations on the first meal in the new house, that's a milestone.
ReplyDeleteWe've fixed ourselves sandwiches there, but this was an actual meal, and it was nice.
DeleteI really chuckled at "Blister"!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice, quiet, beautiful 4th. Just what was right this year.
I had a very quiet one with Allie, too. :)
It just felt right to sit with people who don't pay any attention to the world situation. They have no television or radios. They do get papers, but they seem to subscribe to german papers which are full of planting tips, farming tips, animal husbandry, jokes, local sorts of information.
DeleteBlister, I love it! The blowtorch I don't love but I'm a wimp about fireworks. My late husband never let our kids light any and they had to stand WAY back. I feel the same as you about celebrating. :(
ReplyDeleteAmish kids grow up learning how to handle equipment that most 'english' would keep out of their children's reach. It is just a different culture. They were all very careful with it, turning it on and off between trips.
Delete