Meet "Marley" the Kitten

Jasper (black tiger) and Tiger (gold Tiger)

I've been working on handmade Christmas ornaments and each one requires drying time. Each morning, for the last two days, Jasper (dubbed Marley) has taken off with my Seashell Milk Ring Ornaments. Grr! Luckily, I've been able to rescue the ornament, but that kitten can still find trouble.

He's taken off with my son's earphones to his MP3 Player, he's knocked over 2 plants and has successfully broken one pot, he's dug into each and every plant in the house, and he's pulled curtains down off the windows. This is all minimal damage compared to other things he's capable of.

I've used an entire roll of masking tape to tape across the tops of all the plant pots that are left. Even though it's there, I still find dirt outside the pot - Grr! Masking tape has not worked, mothballs have not even bothered him, and a spray with jalapeno sauce onto the plants has not worked either. He's unbreakable. He went around the house and took a nibble of each and every mothball he could find, and threw it all up the next morning. Luckily, he's okay and back to his frisky self, but mothballs???!! Hence the dubbed name "Marley".

And now that I know he gets into my room and drinks directly from my water cup, I now have a refillable water cup with a straw that closes down. No more kitty spit in my water!

Yesterday I pulled a desk drawer open. I heard paper crinkling, but didn't see anything, so I pushed the drawer shut. All the sudden I heard something in that same drawer. And this drawer is very narrow, not your typical drawer. So I open the drawer, and out pops Jasper!

In the morning, if someone doesn't get them feed soon enough for him, he'll tip one of the dogs food bowls over, let it spill out onto the floor and have a snack. Our dogs dishes are up on racks for their convenience, but Jasper things they are part of a jungle gym.

Yesterday I cleaned off the counter tops around the computer area. Every day both kittens jump up onto my papers and the floor gets decorated with pens, papers, paper clips, markers, highlighters, and anything else that's within their paws. I just have to remember to put the drying Christmas ornaments some where else for the night.

All of the mothballs are now in the trash, but we stay alert for Jasper's next move. Now I'm wondering what will happen to the Christmas tree this winter. Gulp!

Preparing for Another School Year

My 12 year old is baking a quadruple zucchini pancake recipe. We will be freezing them for the upcoming school year. We are taking advantage of the overload of zucchini so that when school starts, I won't have to buy frozen waffles. These will be much more healthier and are absolutely delicious! The kids and I can just pop them in the toaster or microwave to heat them up in the morning. The recipe link is in the zucchini recipes post.

My computer area is cleaned and organized now too. I have a family life planner and I'm getting ready to add more pages to it. I love the weekly meal planner sheets. They are wonderful to keep my meals organized. It saves us money too.

Temperature here is in the red!

It's 95°F and feels like 103°F. Phew! Wind is the only thing that is helping my laundry on the line dry. Yep. I have laundry on the line on a Sunday. Monday they are calling for thunderstorms and I won't be able to hang anything out. Plus, I have errands and another hearing appointment for our 12 year old.

I just started a third pair of girl's/woman's slippers and have found a nice manly pattern for my son. He's getting a pair whether or not he wants a pair (ha ha ha ha!).

Today, I had to assign a child to make signs that will be duct taped to the tops of the laundry hampers. For some reason, after 4 years of having them, no one can remember that you don't put wet towels and wash cloths in with the clothes. Ugh!

Well, even though the temperature is horrible, I'm about to make us some of my famous baked snack mix and watch Ghost Busters with the kids. It's been many years since I've seen it, and the kids have requested my company. Fun, fun, fun!

Going Back to College

I'm getting ready to take my on-line orientation for Web based courses. Even though the Community College is not far from the house, I have decided to start with one class per semester and take advantage of any on-line courses I need. I could not believe the cost of my book! Yikes!

Now if I can just get my husband to stop ranting and raving when I am writing, I could concentrate and do a better job.

This beautiful Sunday is a bit too humid. We are taking time to try another zucchini recipe so if it passes the family test, I'll be sure to post it on the zucchini recipes post. The brownies we made last night were pretty good!

Rag Rugs and Cleaning

"Honey did the closet swallow you up?" inquired my husband this morning.

Yes I got swallowed up and chewed up and spit out. However, now we can actually see the floor in there! Ha ha ha! Although there is not enough room for all my craft supplies, I have organized, decluttered and found two purses with stuff in them. One of them has a chewed up strap from a naughty dog.

I've even cut an old pillow case into strips to sew together for another rag rug, put those absolutely wonderful 3M hooks everywhere to get stuff off the floor (like my boxing gloves), and vacuumed up 2 hairy wolf spiders.

Amazingly, I will still have time to finish a second pair of crocheted slippers, close out my on-line pampered chef party, get some writing done, and make dinner. I'm taking advantage of this wonderful rainy day.

Before the snow arrives, I will have rolls of cut rags all ready for a winter rug project. I'll have handmade presents to share and bless with, and I'll be rested knowing that all the Christmas ornaments are made and in their assigned boxes.

Christmas Handmade 2009

The summer season is the perfect time to get handmade Christmas gifts made. Especially the smaller ones. It's too hot to crochet a large blanket when temperatures are in the 80's. Here is a photo of crocheted slippers the girls will get in their stockings. I do have to measure their feet for accuracy, and they know they are getting them, but they still have to wait for them. I found the pattern in a farm magazine from the tractor supply store. I happen to see the magazine when I bought the chickens a new feeder, and had no idea that crochet and knit patterns were in the magazine. I believe it was about Mary Jane's Farm magazine. If I locate the pattern on-line I will be sure to post the link. There was both crocheting and knitting patterns for this easy slipper.

I found the buttons at a craft store in clearance. Shop around and watch for great deals before buying to keep your costs low.


CROCHETED LIP BALM HOLDERS

* Pattern #1
* Pattern #2
* Pattern #3


Update: I just made my first crocheted lip balm holder. They are so easy and cute to make. I'm using leftover slipper yarn and making a matching lip balm holder for each of the girls. I'll have to get really creative for homemade gifts for a 17 year old boy.

Encouraging Writing to a soon-to-be Fifth Grader

Here is where I slap myself on the forehead for even trying. Having failed to get a complete communication with her reading teacher last year, I am striving to help her through teaching and encouragement at home.

Today I gave her a prompted paper regarding a snow story on a single lined paper. Immediately the tears poured and, "bam" her hand slams the kitchen table. To humor her I dropped a Christmas CD into the CD player, hoping the music would inspire a "winter" story regarding snow.

..........so far it's not working. We've touched on simile's and metaphor's and use of adjectives, but still her "fountain" of writing is not even dripping out. Even though I have researched and written an article on helping a struggling fourth grader, we continue to have trouble. Could it be that once a child misses the "blooming" process and teachers just let them pass from grade to grade (even if they cannot spell the word "because" at age ten), that there is no recovery possible? If there is, I'm going to find the path to it. Christmas music or not.

Taking a "chill" day, as the kids call it

With the yard work almost done, and the flower and herb beds almost trimmed, I can take a few hours to read through some Writer's Digest magazines. I found a few Writer magazines I had not even opened yet. Tsk! Tsk!

My hands smell like fresh rosemary as I type right now. I just put dried rosemary in spice jars, and put more up to dry. My sage was not very bountiful, but put some of that and dill up to dry today. Winter cooking will be blessed with my home grown herbs.

Speaking of herbs, I am searching for a wonderfully tasting dry Italian herb mix that I can make myself. This year I am cutting costs down by making everything I can, such as dry mixes. I won't be buying those packets anymore, nor will you ever see me buy dry onions - yuck!

I have plenty of library craft books and fiction books to occupy my few hours to myself. This morning started great with time alone on the front porch. With my Bible and a cup of coffee, I spent some time with God. It sure felt good.

Laundry is on the line and we have not used it all summer. It has been great! I am getting bed spreads, linens, and curtains washed and dried before the weather changes to the fall cool temperatures. I don't think I have to worry about that for a few months, but with school starting this month, the 17th for two of us, time will limited.

Eggplant Italian is in the crock-pot for dinner. I'm not sure what to do with the zucchini yet. I'll figure something out later. We still have some cucumbers and spread for snacking. I sure feels good to eat healthy.

I'm heading out to my favorite lawn chair. Send up a few prayers my "brain block" dissipates (that's what I call writer's block when the household atmosphere clouds my brain - ha ha!).

Cucumber Recipes We've Tried

With being blessed with lots of cucumbers, I went to the library and searched on-line for healthy recipes to use them with. Here is a list of what we have tried so far and found was delicious.

1. Creamy Pepporoni Cucumber Rounds, from The New American Heart Association Cookbook, 7th Edition. I also found the exact same recipe on the Internet (click on the recipe title). These are pretty tasty and are a nice snack idea.

2. to be announced.

Finishing up Summer Projects

It sure feels great to finish a few projects this summer. I finally finished the crocheted t-shirt rag rug for my SCRAP Web site. I love the rug and it's perfect for our simple country bathroom. I can't wait to start one made of recycled cotton sheets.

Our oldest earned his driver's license this morning so that is one more thing to check off the summer to-do list. Hooray to him!

I working on another recycling article for the Scrap Web site and creating more Christmas ornaments. Things are looking pretty good.

Goods from the Garden today

Beets anyone? I just printed off a new roasted beet recipe and will try it tonight. Yum!

Cucumbers anyone?

Preparing for the start of another school year

It's that time again. When we search for the best prices on school supplies, clothes, and save up for school fees. This year however, two kids will be eliminated from most of those expenses. I'm so excited for one daughter to give on-line school a try. All of her needs are supplied by the school, no fees, no special clothes, and no extra purchases such as Ziploc bags, paper towels, Kleenex and wipes. It's so nice not to have those inconvenient and expensive purchases.

The oldest is attending a career center school, so the largest expense is for a uniform. Which in the end helps cut my cost of school clothes tremendously.

The last three however will need the monotonous list of supplies, clothes, fees, and those pesky added purchases of wipes, Kleenex and so forth. This year we were ahead of the game by buying some supplies at great prices the year before. There are a few things that we could not, such as glue sticks, which dry up when not being used.

Living in the country now, the kids found ways to entertain themselves outside of the house. We still had our summer of indoor activities, but we all prefer fresh air. I love to sit on the front porch in my wicker rocker and read my Bible.

I am already dreading the kids being gone from the house. As opposed to most parents, I enjoy my kids being home. We've had a good summer even though we could not have a family summer vacation. There are still quite a few days to have some time together before school takes over our lives. I may even sign up for college again and school right along with them. Journalism is sounding pretty good right now.

Recipes that use Zucchini and taste great!

In my search for new recipes I have decided to post the links or book titles of where I find recipes that use zucchini. Since my vegetable garden, and most likely many others, have a lot of zucchini to cook with this summer. Here is an ongoing list as we try them. Of course I am only listing the recipes that the kids have declared tasty. I asked the kids to rate the recipes from 1-5, with 5 being the best tasting.

1. Asparagus-Zucchini Frittata (also uses fresh dill from your herb garden) ~ 4 star
The adults loved this dish, but the kids thought the fresh dill was over powering, so consider cutting the dill back just a bit.

Note:  I now add zucchini to almost any frittata.

2. Zucchini Bread (Mayo Clinic), rated 5 star
This bread recipe does not hold a real sweet flavor. If you are used to chocolate chips in your bread, you may be rating this lower. However, we really enjoyed this healthy recipe.

3. Zucchini-Banana Squares, definitely rated a 5 star overall - Yum!
4. Zucchini Linguini with Walnuts, from The New American Heart Association Cookbook, 7th edition, ISBN: 1-4000-4826-5, page 349 - 5 stars all around! This was a very inexpensive dish to make because we had oregano from the herb garden, and zucchini from the vegetable garden. Next year will will be growing large onions as well. This also tastes good with spaghetti noodles if you don't have linguine. We used whole wheat.

I found a link on-line for this, but they eliminate the mushrooms in the recipe. We do not leave the mushrooms out and we love it. Of course we double or tripe the recipe and add loads of zucchini to it. YUM!

Link to Zucchini Linguini with Walnuts


5. Eggplant-Zucchini Casserole, 5-star! This is also from the New American Heart Association Cookbook, 7th edition. I also found the exact same recipe on the Internet (click on the highlighted recipe title to get there).

I like this recipe, because you put the dry spaghetti noodles right into the pan and bake it. You don't have to boil the noodles in advance. Yum!


6. A variation of Quick Eggplant and Zucchini Casserole, I made this variation, however I did not use the wine, doubled everything but the cheese, and added cooked sliced potatoes to it. I also added basil and oregano and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. I did not have tomato paste on hand so I used one can of Healthy Request Tomato Soup. One of the kids had thirds! What a creamy dinner!


7. Zucchini Brownies, 5 star! Yum! The family devoured these. It took everything to save one for my Mom.

8. "Casual" Vegan Zucchini Pancakes, 5 stars definitely! I did not have Soy milk on hand so we used fat free milk and the texture and taste was delicious! We even added fresh blueberries! You have to make these if you grow zucchini!

9. Zucchini Salsa

10. Zucchini- Corn Saute

11.  Blueberry Zucchini Snack Cake

12.  Zucchini Muffins.  I personally make my own homemade baking mix, and use a recipe from a fellow blogger - Lazy J Bar C (baking mix recipe is on her blog as well).

13.  Chicken Teriyaki.  I simply cook up a mass of vegetables, including zucchini and yellow squash, add cooked, diced chicken, and top it over rice with homemade teriyaki sauce.

14.  Roasted Vegetables. Simply add the vegetables herbs and spices you want.  



Freeze sliced zucchini - I like to blanch mine for 2 minutes in boiling water, drain, and place in an ice bath for 2 minutes.  Drain well and freeze.  I do this with slices and dices of zucchini.

Freeze shredded zucchini - simply shred and freeze.  I measure out by the cup and label it for future use.  I have never blanched my shredded zucchini, and have never had a problem with it.

Zucchini from the garden today

I'm in the process of looking up more side dishes to add zucchini with. Yum!

Photo of the new baby kittens - all five of them and Mom

Here is an updated photo of all five kittens. Two black tiger and three gold tiger. They are absolutely gorgeous and I have no worries about finding them homes.

Turnip from the garden today

Eating from our first vegetable garden ~ Turnips

I just pulled 2 nice sized turnips from the garden to add to my famous heart healthy mashed potatoes. I'm working on getting the recipe published on eHow soon. This is the first year we have grown a vegetable garden and we are loving it so much.

I will also be snipping fresh chives to add when the potatoes are completely mashed. Unfortunately our sweet corn only grew one stalk. We planted it too late I think. We are learning so much and taking note on what changes to make for next year.

We have already pulled several zucchini and added them to so many vegetable dishes and zucchini bread. Some is shredded and already in the freezer. I can't wait to pull some beets and try new recipes. Next year I'd like to add sugar snap peas. I already have recipes for them and most of what's growing in the garden.

I not only feels good to be eating good food grown without chemicals, but it's absolutely fun! The only thing we have put on the garden is organic coffee grounds. I'll try to get some photos posted when I pull more vegetables. I didn't think about it until I cut the turnips up. They were perfect in size and crisp.

Kitten update -

We have 5 kittens! I'll post a photo as soon as I load them. What a good Mom she is being. She purred like a car motor and is "baking bread".

Barn Kitty Gives Birth to Four Kittens Today

Here is an update. After I loaded this photo she started to give birth to a fifth kitten. This photo shows 4 kittens. One is black or dark gray and three are gold. They are adorable.

Barn Kitty is in labor!

It's 11:34am EST here and Aurora is now in labor. She came right to the door to come in to have them, and went right into the box we have prepared for her. If we try to leave the room she follows us, if we stay and rub her belly she purrs up a storm. She's so funny, not like a "normal" barn cat would be, while in labor.

We can see one foot so far, and will up date with photos as she has them. She's such a proud Mom.

New Food Tried Today

It's been some time between posts lately. But that is what happens when a family member has undergone a serious heart surgery and needs assistance. Considering I love to cook, I've been trying new recipes and keeping track of heart healthy meals. I've even taken this into consideration with several new articles on the Web sites I write for.

Tonight we tired okra for the first time. I'm so used to flavorful vegetables now, that I'm not sure about this one. The kids like it so I may just leave it as is. We were excited to be able to add zucchini from our own garden too. Our green beans are not doing so well, so I did buy some of those for this recipe.

For the recipe you can look for the book The Cardiac Recovery Cookbook, by M. Laurel Cutlip, R.D., L.N. with Sari Budgazad, R.D., C.D.N., or click on the recipe link below for an on-line cookbook that contains the exact same recipe (page 96 of the cookbook on-line):

Italian Vegetable Bake

I received favorable remarks from the kids with this recipe. I even did some research as to what benefits okra has for our bodies.

One of our dogs has adopted the kittens and chickens both!

What a great Mom!

Trying new foods again...

Well it was time for a new food to try. Last night it was Yellow Watermelon. I didn't find any of them whole for sale, but found slices in the produce coolers.

It was delicious. It had a slightly different flavor, but delicious. I would love to serve up a bowl of cut watermelon and mix in the yellow with it. It would make a colorful dessert and healthy too.

It was gone so fast I never got a chance to take a picture, but added the link to an Internet image. If you haven't tried it you should. Yum!

Yellow watermelon will be added to our spring and summer Yellow Food Nights!

BlueBell Island, Grand Rapids, Ohio

Here is a photo of Bluebell Island, Grand Rapids, Ohio on January 5, 2003. Currently it is undergoing renovations. Here is were my husband married, however it wasn't covered with snow at the time. When the renovations are completed I will add an "after" picture.

Library Summer Reading Programs

The kids are enjoying the summer reading program at the library. During the time they are in their program I am able to have 60 minutes to myself. I can crochet, read, write, browse - all without interruption. Woo hoo!

The programs are free. Right now our family is getting the most from our libraries, especially during a financial time where money and jobs are extremely limited. Our libraries are currently being threatened by another state funding cut. If this goes through, there will be more jobs taken from Ohio residents, and the wonderful resources the libraries provide will no longer be available. How will school students complete homework assignments? How will I be able to review books? How will we survive without their important and much needed resources to Ohio residents? It's sad for most Ohio residents right now. Hopefully they will find other areas where funding can be cut from anywhere but out libraries.



I was thrilled to be able to crochet the set of Wagon Wheel Coasters for one of the kids. These are on the left in brown colors and will go into her Hope Chest. The other set is for my mother, and are made from a free pattern on www.coatsandclark.com.

Spring Has Brought Us a Fawn

I never thought I'd see the little guy again but I did. I first saw him/her last week while hanging my laundry on the line. At first when I saw a brown animal streak through the corner of the mowed grass and the tall grass, I thought it was a bunny. But after getting a better look, it was a fawn, complete with white spots.

Just prior to seeing the fawn we heard a car horn from the 2-lane highway. Our first thoughts were that it was a deer, raccoon, cat, or someone's dog. Then I saw it just minutes later. The funny thing is that I am the only one who has seen it.

And then yesterday morning as I took the dogs out, there it was again. However, it was right next to the garden which we have yet to fence in. So far we have not seen any adult deer with it, or even in on the property. We are praying that the Mom finds him/her soon, or that an another adult deer adopts it and moves on.

There is so much activity here in the country. Even though the house sits along a busy 2-lane highway, we are experiencing quite a bit. We found a wonderful book at the library to help the kids identify animal tracks.

This is our first experience raising chickens, and have already had all but one killed by an animal or animals. The one that survived had been named "Road Runner" and she was the survivor. She definitely lived up to her name. Since then we have built a secure housing for her and added 6 new pullets. She acts like a mother to them also. We are in the process of building their outside coop, as they are growing very quickly. Here we have found the dangers to chickens are raccoons, owls, hawks, rats, probably more we haven't discovered yet. We have even discovered bats in an old barn we don't use.

Now that we have seen 2 black water snakes, I watch were I am walking and gardening a bit more carefully.

The herb garden is growing nicely, and we have added curly parsley, more rosemary, cilantro, dill and sage. The kids are now in the habit of going outside and snipping green onion for scrambled eggs in the morning. Pretty soon we will have have eggs too.

Sadly, we must get the barn cats spayed. They both make beautiful babies, but we cannot raise anymore kittens, nor let anymore stay in the barns. They are great mousers, and Aurora brings us a mouse or bird weekly. She is the strangest barn cat I've ever seen. She's out hunting and will devour a mouse in seconds, and then the next minute come to us purring and wanting loved up and held. I can't imagine how eating wild mice and birds affects her tummy - blech!

The kittens are so fun to have around the house. Although last week, every lump and bump in our bed was being attacked at 5:15am. I laughed so hard as I watched them play with an empty shoe box. They pounce and play and are such a delight to have, even if they do rise early.

As for the dogs, Jesse James, the one who used to chew up flip flops, chewed up a partial roll of toilet paper yesterday. We left for a few hours to go out for lunch for Father's Day, and when we arrived home, there was toilet paper all over the kitchen floor. It's been a long time since he's done something that bad, but we still love him.

KID FUNNY

Words from a 7 year-old girl:

"Mom, why can dogs leave their toys everywhere and we can't?"

KIDS INVENT NEW SANDWICHES

This one is not the only one they have invented. The above photo is homemade macaroni and cheese topped on a hot dog (we where out of buns). As for me, I did join the fun, but chopped my hot dog into my mac'n cheese and skipped the bread. They found these delicious!

Yesterday my 12 year-old invented a 2-1 sandwich. This one I did not try yet. She topped a slice of bread with creamy natural peanut butter, layered with mini-marshmallows, then topped with slices of turkey and mayo. Top that all with another slice of bread. According to her, it was like to sandwiches in one and very tasty.

Summer Kids Activities and Kittens

The younger girls are being "moms" to the kittens. You can see that the "goldie" in the top photo is fast asleep and very comfortable. That picture was taken while our 7 year old daughter rocked him in a rocking chair (ha, ha, ha!).

Rain has arrived and the humidity is pretty thick. We are a bit uncomfortable but entertaining ourselves. Older teens are exercising, reading, and drawing. Younger kids are putting newly printed photos in family and kids albums and giggling at old photos. I'm reviewing children's picture books and Dad is busy at work

I slept in until 10:00am this morning. I could not believe it! I never do that. My body must have needed it, because it sure felt good. My bed is not made and the house work has not even been started. Some times the daily routine needs to not be a routine. Yeah for slipper days!

Crocheted Heart Dishcloth

I have been practicing my crochet abilities and made this

Crocheted Flower Dishcloth, Cup Coaster

This is a flower dishcloth pattern I found on

Summer Kids and Parents Activities

Today is Saturday and hubby has to work. It's the first Saturday he's had to work with his new job. So today I asked the kids to make sure the house is completely cleaned and looking clutter free when he gets home.

Inside Kids Activities today: toys, playing with kittens, modeling clay, 9 year old cooking "eggs in a nest" (coordinated with the egg cooking movie from the day before), teaching 7 year old to sort and fold socks, teaching 9 year old how to properly sweep the porch/patio

Outside Kids Activities today: water painting, play parachute, reading, squirt guns and bathing suits

Inside Mom Activities: writing, reading, crocheting
Outside Mom Activities: gardening, reading

Inside Teen Activities: Computer movie making program, reading
Outside Teen Activities: animal care, yard work, running (exercise)

Family activity: visiting the library, hanging out on the porch/patio together

...........and of course all of the daily housecleaning and upkeep that's done regularly.

Summer Kids Activities

Today is the official day in which all of the kids are out of school. With so many ages in the house, it now becomes a challenge to keep computer time and video game time to a minimum, especially for the teenagers (who haven't found a job yet).

For the younger ones (9 and 7), our indoor activities are modeling clay, and reading. Outside activities are a 10 foot parachute, putting up a tent to read and play in, and for the evening a movie called "Kids Get Cooking", The Egg (for ages 5-12). The library is full of ideas.

Kids Get Cooking: The Egg, Goldhil Learning Series, DVD, Endorsed by the National Education Association.

Kids Cooking: Frugal Internet Resources

This is a compiled list to help parents with frugal resources for teaching kids how to cook:

APPLES:
Printable Nutrition Facts, New York State Apple Country
Kids Cooking Activities, Apples Recipes for Kids


CHEESE:

Printable Cheese Activities
How to Make Homemade Goat Cheese


EGGS:

Kids and Family Section, Kid Friendly Recipes, American Egg Board
Eggs 101 How to: Cooking School, American Egg Board
Kids Pages, Georgia Eggs

POTATOES:

Kids Are Cooking Potatoes, Washington State Potato Commission (pdf)
The Amazing Washington Potato, 14-page printable activity book (pdf)

Another Snake Came to Visit

This snake showed up on our patio.

Spring and Flowers and Saving Money

Start your flower seeds at home to save the most money, including hanging pots. However, if you don't want to do that, you can still shop around before you buy. A discount grocery store offered this hanging pot for $5.99, which would cost between $12.00 to $20.00 at most garden centers and produce stands.

Laundry Day

Funny as it sounds, I used to do my laundry on a schedule so that could have a day off. With so many kids to take care of, it always felt like there was never a day off from laundry. Now that we live in a house in which the electricity is from the most expensive in the area, I plan my laundry day by the weather.

Laundry day is the day in which the sun or wind is at it's best. To avoid the dryer and over use of the washer, I rely on the outdoors to dry the clothes. Today it's raining so I get the day off.

Reading the Bible in a Year...continued

Today marks 14 consecutive days of reading the Bible, with my goal of completing it in 365 days. So far, I've have not used busyness or other excuses not to read it. I'm learning a lot by reading it in smaller increments as well.

Initial Post on Reading the Bible in 365 Days

Spring Cleaning Started

No one ever said they loved to clean, especially after a long, cold winter. However, the thought of everything "fresh" brings in a new perspective regarding the process of "spring cleaning".

Even after several moves, I am finding I can live without a lot of what I have - books! For a long time I would visit every book sale in the area, and then some. We'd buy more book shelves just to accommodate them.

Then came the hardships of our economic financial crisis. Less money, less money for gas, layoffs, decline in jobs...........less everything. Extras have to be eliminated. Even some thrift stores have raised their prices to the point in which they are not even affordable.

Soon, my boxes of outgrown clothes and books I no longer want or need, were donated. Yet, a box ready to be filled awaits my decluttering and reducing. With a simple house I can wake up every day with a smile.

This week, since the wind is pretty strong, throw rugs are being washed. Even though rains may come again this month, it is nice to know they are clean and the job finished.

Next on the list is undecided, but starting in the kitchen or living room is a possibility. I can say that I will not be throwing myself into it 24 hours a day and obsessing with it, but taking it one day at a time.

Kids Cook Night: Chicken Chilindron with Bolillos (Spanish Hard Rolls)

I am proud to say that my 15 yo daughter, who has a distaste for cooking and baking, successfully made dinner last night. Not only that, but it was delicious. Spanish class in school required her to take part in a project for a classroom grade. Unfortunately I did not get a photo of it, due to her filming the process, the eating and end of the meal. If it wasn't for her Spanish class project, I don't think she would have discovered she can enjoy cooking.

Once again, the recipe was one from the Nintendo DS game, Personal Trainer: Cooking. Not only can the kids get step-by-step instructions out loud, but they can stop it and continue by talking directly into the game. It records the meals that are made, and it's really helping the kids expand their knowledge, confidence, and independence.

The meal was a success and I had the chance to finish a book while she cooked with her younger 12 yo sister. Yum!

Newest Crochet Project: Another blanket

(Back side of blanket)

My son is the first to graduate, so I am working on a blanket for his hope chest. Who ever said boys won't need anything when they move out and are on their own? His choice of colors were black and red. This blanket is experimental, so if it doesn't turn out nice, I'll be making another one. I'm simply using single crochet, and working in the new color using a spike stitch. I never heard of this stitch, but found out about it in the book, "Teach Yourself Visually Crocheting" by Kim P. Werker and Cecily Keim. I'm only a beginner, so bare with me. I'm not yet ready to move onto the fancy stuff.

This book is wonderful and has step-by-step pictures for stitches and projects.

Teach Yourself Visually Crocheting, by Kim P. Werker and Cecily Keim

Check your local library before buying a copy.

Watching the Sunrise Today

Today I showered early, took my Bible and a hot steaming cup of organic coffee to the front porch. Even though our farm house looks over a 2-lane highway, I was determined to watch the sunrise. My daughter soon joined me, and together we watched.

Just as the pink clouds were dissipating, and the sun was barely rising from the Earth, a fascinating thing happened. Out of no where a young deer ran through the farm fields and stopped directly in front of the sunrise. He/she stopped for a few minutes looking in the direction of the sunrise, and then ran back to our side of the highway, and returned to the woods behind us. We almost had a runaway dog, but managed to keep him from seeing the deer.

What a wonderful way to start the day. Absolutely beautiful!

Blast to the Past - Summer Library Theme for 2009 - The Oregon Trail and Westward Expansion

As an avid reader, and profound love for the pioneer life, I went searching for more books at the library. I found a series by Al Lacy that I had not read and have already started the second in the series. Be sure to include these series in your summer reading.

The Angel of Mercy Series, by Al Lacy
*Book 1: A Promise for Breanna
*Book 2: Faithful Heart
*Book 3: Captive Set Free
*Book 4:

After starting to read this series, I found that a series was printed prior to this one. I am searching inter loan locations to read them.

The Journeys of the Stranger Series, by Al Lacy

I hope you enjoy these books and take time to read this summer. Children who see their parents read are encouraged. Encouraged children succeed.

Dandelions in the country - a different view

Growing up we'd pick dandelions and give them to our Mom thinking they were the most beautiful flowers. Then as we grew up, married and went our separate ways, my siblings and I found ourselves cringing at the sight of dandelions. Money was spent on killing them and money spent on fertilizing and growing new grass. Killing them for the sake of a green yard became a part of city life.

Now, in the country, dandelions have a different look.

"Look at all those dandelions coming up", I said disgruntled to the kids.

"I think they look pretty against the red barns", said my 15 year old daughter smiling.

Living in the country gives us a different perspective on something, that at one time in our life, was seen as a nuisance. Amazing.

Today, the Lord has provided us with gleaming sunshine and a strong breeze. My laundry should dry in minutes with this wonderfully provided weather. The dogs are begging to run and play already.

I am hoping we can afford supplies to fix the chicken coop this weekend. The chicks are growing quickly and have outgrown their chicken wire covered box that is in the house.

Last night we watched the move, "Faith Like Potatoes", and thoroughly enjoyed it. We all need faith like potatoes in our life. If you haven't seen this movie, which is based in Africa, you should check your library for it. It truly is a good movie.

Okay.....who ate my cheesecake?!

Not even ten minutes after I hid a single serving of chocolate cheesecake, did I open the trash compacter to view the empty carton. I was saving it for my "stress" food and my son ate it! Little does he know how a woman needs her chocolate! We live too far from the nearest grocery store to just go out a buy another piece, but my son knows to ask first now.

Crocheted Scarf Project

Completed one scarf today using some yarn I already had. I'm one step ahead for next winter. This pattern is found on the free crochet patterns from Bernat yarns. When you register, you have access to free crochet patterns for any skill.

To sign up for benefits like free crochet patterns on Bernat (Click on the highlighted word)

The pattern I used was actually a free pattern for a child's scarf and hat. I just adjusted my length to about 62 inches long.

Kid's Cook Night!

My 12 year old made Spinach Cannelloni for us last night, using her trainer cooking game on her Nintendo. It was her second successful cooking experience. If you haven't seen the cooking trainer for Nintendo, it's really neat.

You can talk directly into your Nintendo and say "next" to go from step to step. There is even a timer at the end, and you can make a grocery list and take it with you shopping. It's a great way for kids to learn how to cook.

However, some of the recipes call for wine. You can either do that step for them, or eliminate it from the recipe. Either way, your kids can learn to be independent and gain confidence in themselves. It also gives Mom a break from daily cooking and baking.

He ate my CHOCOLATE!

Grrrrr! I was saving the very last Lindt truffle for today and my husband ate it without asking me. The nerve of men! Grrrrr! Doesn't he know what happens to women who don't get their chocolate daily?! They turn into man eating, screaming maniac, widely waving hands in the air, crazy people! Good grief, he should know that. Ugh!

Crocheted Blanket Finished but not the Last .....

This full size blanket is finally finished. I quit counting skeins, but think it was about 10. This pattern used a lot of yarn, but will be very warm. One down and so many more to go. These are part of the kids hope chests. However, the child that this one was for, wants to keep it on her bed. I feel good knowing this project is completed. Now onto the next.

Sunny Spring Weather

The weather is absolutely gorgeous out today. A perfect day to finish up all the laundry and take it outside to dry on the clothes line.

I have two Lindt Lindor Truffles left from Easter. I bought myself a bag and that was the extend of my chocolate. They are so good! The inside feels cool as it melts in my mouth. The only way to eat them is to put the entire ball in your mouth and let it melt. Never chew it! Yum!

Tonight is "Kid's Cook Night". However, only one kid will be cooking. With the help of her Nintendo Training game, she will not be needing my help. I can't wait to taste it. In exchange for her cooking, I am doing her dish duty for tonight.

The kittens are growing fast, and a second one has almost opened his eyes entirely. I pray we find homes for them all.

I have learned to keep a house key in my pocket when I am taking laundry outside or sitting on the patio. Jesse (smallest dog) gets antsy and will chew on the door knob, pushing in the button lock, and locking me out.