a simple life

Today is the first day I have all 3 kids at school since last Thursday! Hubby is out of town, boy10 is over his illness, girl6 has been on antibiotics for strep and is ready to go back, and my boy 4.... well, he's back at school too.
Hubby has been in STL for work this week, So today is the first day I am home alone in months. So how do a celebrate such a momentous occasion? A quick shower and shopping with Mom.
I love my Mom. She is imperfectly perfect. She is my go to source for any information I may need. She has raised 9 kids that she never had to bail out of jail,. She loves to cook ( I don't ), and she usually has something she just made that she will force upon you to eat. She and Dad are retired now and spend their day much as I would imagine they would have expected. Dad will make sure the farm is taken care of even though my brother #4 is the one who runs it, My mom will make sure the house is taken care of. And together they will plan their garden, work in their garden, dream about their garden.
Their home is my fall out shelter for when the big one hits (whatever that may be)!  These people live off the land. There basement shelves are packed full of canned jam &jellys, vegetables, fruit, all kinds of pickles, relishes even mustard and horseradish. There freezer is full of meat from the farm or deer from their woods. My mom loves to bake, my dad seems to enjoy making obscure meat products.. liverwurst, souse, paun haus?, pickled pigs feet, lard, etc.. etc..
The have this lovely farm house on 30 acres that has 5 bedrooms, 2 bath, kitchen, living and tv rooms. The room that everyone seems to gather in is the BASEMENT. It is well furnished with a porch swing, picnic table, card tables and a butchering table. Snacks, pop and beer are free flowing. It has a stove, sink, and two refrigerators. My dad makes the best popcorn that they grew from their garden. He also orders peanuts to roast. He has XM radio and has now upgraded to a small tv for if "the guys want to watch the game" while they are butchering. He has no interest in it, but is the most accommodating host. You never know who is going to show up or why... My mom keeps a journal of the comings and goings. I guess someday we will read, remember and laugh.