A breath of rose scented air trickled by on the breeze, while above the sun blazed in a clear blue sky. The deck boards were warm beneath my bare feet, and the laundry was welcomely cool as I moved it to the line to dry. Cleaning was not one of my favorite tasks, but it was a blessing to have clean clothes and such pleasant surroundings to dry them.

We have officially crossed over into summer here in northeast Wisconsin, but last week's weather gave us a precious taste of the spring we missed earlier in the year. With highs in the low to mid 70s (even dropping into the 60s), it was a welcome respite for tackling outside chores.

The forecast for the coming week shifts us back into the heat and humidity (along with much of the rest of the country). It's always been interesting to me that although the daylight hours begin to shorten, the warmest temps of the year are yet to come. A person can change temperatures within minutes, a house may take hours, but a planet? That takes a bit longer. It's a good reminder of the scale of creation and the virtue of patience.

Speaking of patience, this year's garden certainly requires some. We've started watering, as rain continues to be lacking. This may be surprising to some people, as we are near Green Bay, Wisconsin, which made news this week with torrential rains and heavy hail. I'm thankful we didn't get the hail, but would have gladly taken some of the excess rain so that they avoided flooding.

We're working systematically through the gardens to get everything well-mulched, which will help. There's rain in the forecast, too, but too many times it's dried up or gone another direction of late. Is it just me, or do you think that the weather forecasts have gotten less accurate in recent years, even with all the technology they have now? Maybe I'm getting older and grumpier and remembering "good old days" that didn't exist?

This Week's Resilience & Abundance Boost

• Savor an ordinary blessing. Fresh laundry on the line, birdsong in the morning, or the scent of blooming flowers can turn an ordinary day into a memorable one.
• Work with today's conditions. We can't choose the weather, but we can choose how we respond. Adjust your plans and make the best use of what's in front of you.
• Invest in tomorrow. Mulch the garden, sharpen a tool, or weed one bed. Small, consistent efforts often accomplish more than waiting for perfect conditions.
• Build moments of margin. When the weather is pleasant, take a few extra minutes to enjoy it. Those quiet moments often become the memories that stay with us.
• Practice patient optimism. Gardens teach us that growth rarely happens on our timetable. Keep tending what matters, even when the results aren't immediately visible.

Resilience isn't about controlling the seasons. It's about learning to find joy, purpose, and opportunity in each one.

All our best to you and yours,

Laurie, (and August IV, August V, and Duncan)

Making the Most of the Season

Summer has a way of reminding us that the best things are often the simplest—a cool house on a hot afternoon, the fragrance of roses drifting through an open window, or finding one more way to make the most of what's growing around us. If you're looking for a few ideas to help you enjoy the season a little more, here are some favorites from the week.

Roses are more than just pretty faces

If your roses are blooming, don't stop at admiring them. Learn which petals are edible, how to dry them for later use, and one of my favorite ways to enjoy them - a soothing cup of homemade rose petal tea.

​What to Do with Rose Petals ​

​Are Rose Petals Edible?​

​How to Dry Rose Petals​

​Rose Petal Tea​

Keep your home cooler—without sending your electric bill through the roof

Hot weather is settling in across much of the country. These practical tips can help keep your home more comfortable while reducing the strain on your cooling system—whether you rely on air conditioning, fans, or neither.

​How to Keep Your House Cool Without Air Conditioning​

I know it can be a bit toasty for baking (we've switched to baking in the evenings), but Nutrimill is having their Summer Savings Sale. They have deals on everything from mixers to popsicle molds to sourdough starter kits.

Use code "COMMONSENSE1" at checkout for an additional discount.