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Note from Jac:
Welcome, earthlings - this is a place of documentation of a girl plummeting into a parallel universe. Come along with me :)
August has reminded me to take my time and do things with more intention. It's been a month full of learning and healing ~ I've loved learning how to can and preserve foods and harvesting my own seeds for next year. I've always gardened throughout the years, but this has been my first year also harvesting the seeds and it's so exciting and fun to me! We picked a bountiful number of cucumbers, so I decided to try and make pickles for the first time, and I'm so pleased with how they came out. Perfect for me and Piper, who are absolute pickle QUEENS. Not only did we have tons of cukes, but we also managed to grow a TON of basil. Previously, I wasn't always the best at growing this herb, so this year I bought extra in case some didn't work out. Well, they all worked out... and really well too! I wasn't using fresh basil fast enough and I didn't want it to go to waste- I popped those bad boys on a tray and dried them up in the oven and now our spice cabinet is full of dried basil and dried chives. 
 Ending off the month with a fresh "re-set" for little miss Piper. Since school will be starting shortly (how is she already in kindergarten?!), and because she's been an amazing big sister in helping with her baby sister Alice- I decided to spoil her and give her a room makeover. The first photo is the atrocious before, followed by two after result photos. I can easily say it's even my new favorite room in the house- the vibes are amazing! The decor and paint colors were all picked out by Piper, I just ended up doing all the hard work over a few days while she stayed at her dad's house. So thrilled with how it turned out and so excited that she loves it as much as I do.    I've been taking some time to teach myself to be a better cook and baker. (I usually have two little minions that like to help too, so it's been fun to watch the girls as well). Making weekly dinner menus and trying new things has been a highlight this month. It's truly been a great month, and this mama is feeling very grateful.
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July has been oh so sweet to me; even despite being stuck in a depressive funk for a week. This month has been full of explosive blooms in the garden, lots of cake, painting/creating, and also reflecting. 
Thanks for enjoying the month along with me ~ hoping August is just as sweet and full of sunshine!
June has honestly been filled with sunshine, blooms, and lots of smiles. I started off the month being a little nervous since I hadn't gotten the veggie garden done yet, but I had the perfect little helper (helpers- Thank You, Patrick) and was able to get everything planted! It's been really hot here lately, so we've been spending a lot of time by the pool or lakeside to cool off- even baby has loved splashing in the water! Because of all the heat and rain we have gotten, my father's gardens are absolutely STUNNING (proof in the photographs). I've been loving filling the house with fresh cut flowers- that really gets the happy hormones bouncing around. I've been having a lot of fun letting my inner child out- thanks to my daughter Piper. We've been crafting a ton; painting, making "summer snowflakes", jewelry, and all kinds of structures outside with rocks and sticks. I love seeing her creativity flow but can't help but get some inspiration out of it. The lack of perfectionism, the pure joy in just creating- I love being in that moment with her but also seeing her explore in that moment. She reminds me that there is intention in everything I create if it's something that brings me joy- she also tends to be my biggest hype girl and is always cheering me on. We ended off June with a family camp trip, which was very much needed. I will say, there is something so great about no cellphone reception... Loved this month, the memories created, and love my little family - feeling so grateful for life. Cheers! -Jac 
 Starting somewhere around late April/May timeframe; I decided that I needed a giant garden in my back yard- even more so that I needed to fill most of my lawn space with flower beds as well, but we will save that for another post. For now, let me showcase my hard work and dedication into making a veggie garden that will hopefully provide us with bountiful harvests. Here's how it started: (my wonderful boyfriend was patient and kind enough to let me take over the entire living room space for the first stages of my plant babies; of course they need the best sunlit spot in the house).
The number of seeds I planted may have been a bit overkill (more than 150) BUT I truly didn't think they would do as well as they did. Especially since I purchased some of the seeds from places that don't have the best reputation for plant related items, like the dollar store. At this point I was starting to get a little nervous because the seedlings were almost doing 'too well'. They were growing so fast and most of the pods had sprouts, so I was about to have my hands full with a lot of babies and I still hadn't made a space to sow them. I was stressing... Finally, I kicked myself in the booty and determination won; I grabbed my shovel and started digging. It took about 4 days (a few hours each day). My boyfriend ended up helping me at the end for the home run and I'm so pleased with how it turned out. After getting the garden bed prepared, it took a lot of my anxiety away. I had noticed while digging up the lawn that the soil isn't the best quality, but this is our first year at our home and for this garden so I will build it up along the way and as my pockets allow; but for now, we are making do with what we have!    Now for my favorite part; getting all the plant babies safely into their new homes! It was a bit rocky at first due to the quality of the soil and the extreme sun/heat we've been getting in my area in Maine. It left leaves looking a bit yellow and had some screaming for more water. I'm still finding ways to improve the soil but I've found a few things that helped get my plants to finally take off: - getting them on a regular fertilizing schedule (best to do at night/when the sun is going down - using things like coffee grounds for bug deterrent and epsom salt to help my tomatoes and peppers - learning that even though the surface may look damp, check the soil at least an inch down because it's likely dry and your babies are thirsty!
Beginning progress photos:
 Current progress photos: 
That's all for today- I'll let the plant babies continue soaking up those sweet rays! Thanks for coming along with me. :)
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