Happy 6th Birthday, Teresa!

 Today our 6lb. 6 oz. baby girl turns 6! 

Happy Birthday to our Teresa Rosemarie!

Pumpkin/Squash bread

I officially concluded apple season yesterday with a bang--an apple crisp and two batches of apple sauce.  Apples are so patient . . . I only lost a few to becoming mushy in the past several weeks.  I also tried a new frozen coffee cake recipe recently, which was interesting because it MUST be frozen before it can be baked.  We haven't tried any of those yet, but I will share when we do!

 

The logical step, when one has closed the door on apple season, is to enter PUMPKIN season! 

Well, technically, I entered squash season, but it all tastes the same.  (Shh!  Don't tell my family.) 

I found a recipe with no added fat on Pinterest, courtesy of www.domesticrevolt.blogspot.com and, as I usually do, tweaked it just a bit, using whole wheat flour and cutting back on the sugar a little bit.

 

Low Fat Pumpkin (or Squash) Bread

 

1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/4 cups sugar

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp ginger

1 15 oz. can pumpkin OR 2 cups cooked pumpkin or squash

2 eggs

1/8-1/4 cup water

 

Beat together the eggs, pumpkin/squash, and water.  Add the dry ingredients and mix until moistened.  Pour into a well-greased loaf pan, making an indentation in the center (my grandma's tip).  Bake on the center rack at 325 degrees for 80-90 minutes or until the center is done.  Cool. 

Only 2 more days!

Are you ready for Halloween?

We have our scary jack o' lanterns ready to go for the big day!

Helping each other on the journey

This morning, Rachel and I were driving along the highway, commenting on tractors, bales, and all things farm related, when my van sent me a message.  LOW PRESSURE. 
Ugh. 
Thankfully, we were just a few miles from our destination, so we pulled into the gas station and found out that we would need a new tire. 
Obviously, this was not in my plan at all.  I had planned to get a few groceries, a bridal shower gift, and head back home before lunch.
Well, we still did those things, but that was after I enteretained Rachel in the gas station with a huge chocolate chip cookie and plastic jack o'lantern decorations for what seemed like a very long time. 
It was while we waited that a man from our town came in the station.  He had undergone a major surgery in the summer of 2012 and I had followed his Caringbridge site and had left a few brief comments throughout his long recovery, as he and his wife were far away from home for many weeks.  We've seen each other since then, but we hadn't actually talked.
He told me how much that meant to him that I took an interest in his story and recovery.  I told him how much he helped me, as I was so scared for Rachel's upcoming surgery and I was inspired by his experiences.
I didn't know my comments meant so much to him and he didn't know that he was helping me, too, at the same time.

It never ceases to amaze me how God connects us all. 

Thank God for flat tires.
And giant chocolate chip cookies.
And reminders of His presence in our lives.

Chores

It was such a beautiful October day, we all went out to feed the calves today!

Show and Tell

I am OK with the fact, that at this point of my life, Pinterest IS my hobby.  I sit down at the end of the day, pin a few things to my boards, and all is right with the world.  But, recently, I found something that I had a place for and HAD to try.  The girls needed a place for their books in their new room.

 

I didn't follow the measurements exactly as they were given.  I went to the Menard's scrap pile and chose pieces of wood that were the same length (so no sawing would be involved).  The pattern had a 1" piece in the front to hold the books, but I liked these little pieces of trim board instead. 

All I did was sand the rough edges, glue each piece to the front and back, clamped each part until it was dry, and then screwed each part together with 1 1/2" screws to make sure it would be secure.  After that, I painted them and screwed them to the wall using my trusty laser level/stud finder for guidance. 

(The basket on the bottom is from my failed attempt at hanging flowers. Now it is a book holder!)

I love that they hold several books and the books are all still visible.  For now, it is also fun for Teresa to have a place to put her books away and keep them off the floor. 

 

 

(The Day on the Farm book is from my childhood.  It's still one of my favorites.)

Pheasant Opener 2013

You know the drill.  First, we all fill up on a huge pancake brunch.

 

 

 

Then, it's time to separate the hunters from the coffee drinkers/eaters/shoppers, of which I am one.  There is no photo of us.  We were too busy with the above.  :)

 

The Melius Hunters (and a few extras)

 

We brought something new to the family weekend this year.  We decided to celebrate all 6 of our birthdays at once and bring in a couple of inflatables to boost the party yesterday. 

Wohoo!  It was FUN for everyone.  I even bounced a few times.  How often do you have your own bounce houses in your shop?  It was a first for us!

(Rachel gets by with a little help from her cousins.)

 

 

opening weekend

One of my favorite weekends of the year will soon be here!  It's the one where we send the men and older children off to walk the fields and trees in search for birds we have no desire to eat.  While they do that, I get to relax with the women, who have the much better gig-- coffee, sweet treats, conversation and shopping!

It's always a nice little break in the fall.  We will have our Melius birthday bash on Sunday, too.  It's time to celebrate family, friends and our birthday blessings.

I can't wait.

Cranioversary Care Package

Rachel's one year cranioversary is fast approaching.  The months leading up to her surgery drug on, but the following months have gone by quickly.  We are so very thankful for all who prayed for her and our family and who continue to do so.  I want to do something to celebrate this special one year anniversary and the best way I can think of is to send a care package donation to the Cranio Care Bears .  Would you like to join me??? 

According to the site:  "Typical items in our care packages are socks for mom & baby, toiletries, toys, teethers, snacks, gum, chap stick, body wash, tissues, etc. We also send homemade hats, blankets, pillow cases and prayer chains. If you are a crafty person and would like to make something, we would love to include them!"

(The prayer chains are made from pieces of ribbon that people send in with inspirational quotes or verses they have written on them.) 

Although they don't specify, from personal experience, it is especially good to have a toy with textures or some sound for the days when baby's eyes are swollen shut following surgery. 

If you would like to send a little something, prayer chain ribbons, or $$ along, too, you can give them or send them to me before November 14.  I'm looking forward to sending on some love from South Dakota!! 

Cranio Care Bears is also currently holding a raffle. A $20 ticket buys a chance to win a trip for 2 to Mexico, a Coach purse, as well as other prizes.  There is a live shopping event/fundraiser next Saturday in Loveland, CO, so if you're in the area, stop by. :)  Here's the link to purchase a ticket online:  http://shop.craniocarebears.org/products/raffle.

I love the new onesie they put up on their site yesterday.  Yes, room for a brain to grow = PRICELESS!

It's all about chemistry. Not crazy.

A few weeks ago, I was getting pretty tired of my lower back and hip pain.  It wasn't terrible; I was still able to function, but it was starting to get worse and was  keeping me from falling asleep at night.  Should I go to a chiropractor?  That seemed like such a drastic step to take.  It wasn't THAT bad.  Besides, it was a bad time of year, being harvest, and I would have to find a place for Rachel.  I could survive without feeling better. 
Even so, I finally made an appointment with a local chiropractor I had never gone to before.  I was so nervous, because the last time I had seen a chiropractor was probably 25 years ago, and I thought he'd probably tell me there wasn't anything wrong with me.  Even as I was sitting in the waiting room before the appointment, I was thinking, "I don't really need to be here." 
As it turns out, I did need to be there.  The chiropractor was very nice and explained what he thought was bothering me.  If I had waited longer, it would have turned into a bigger problem.  After a couple of sessions on the HydroMassage table (Wow!) and some adjustments, I was feeling much better. 

This week is National Mental Health Awareness Week, and in thinking about that, it struck me that the two situations are very much the same. 

We have come a long way in overcoming the stigma of mental illness, but there is still a long way to go.  Mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. 
It is NOT a weakness. 
It does NOT mean you are crazy, bad, or an unfit parent. 
It does NOT mean you can just think happy thoughts and get over it. 
It does NOT mean you simply need more faith. 

If you had a bad heart valve, I wouldn't tell you to go home and get more faith in your life.  Don't get me wrong, prayer is a HUGE part of coming out of depression, but I think we also need to pay attention to how God has already answered these prayers, though the understanding we now have of these imbalances and ways, medically and naturally, that can treat them and the medical professionals He has given to help us with these treatments.

I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, it took me awhile to seek help for my Post Partum Depression 10 years ago because
1.)  I could still function.  I was miserable, but I could still function. 
2.)  It was a bad time. (Yes, harvest.) 
3.)  Even though I often felt miserable at home, when I was in public, I often felt better, so I didn't want to waste a doctor's time with my "little" problem. 
4.)  I thought my baby would hate me for how I was feeling. 
5.)  I thought everyone would think I was a bad mom. 

Because I had experienced anxiety at other times during childhood and adolescence (although I didn't know it had a name then), I knew things that had helped me in the past.  I tried talking to people, my husband, my mom, a school counselor friend, our parish priest, but it ultimately didn't help me much.  Within that time, David's cousin's baby son died unexpectedly.  The news brought sadness, of course, but also guilt because I should have been thankful for my own son.  I remember after finally (maybe 2 weeks, but it felt like forever) making an appointment with our family doctor, thinking, "It's hopeless anyway.  I've already tried talking to people and trying the things they suggested and I still feel the same.  He won't be able to help me either." 

Dr. Jundt gave me what I thought I didn't want, but what I needed, an antidepressant.  It took a couple of weeks to work, but I slowly felt the fog of panic, fear, sadness and hopelessness lift and I wasn't just functioning.  I was living again, and enjoying my husband and new son. 

After the school closed a few months later, I was home full time and not liking this new forced change in my life.  This time, Dr. Jundt suggested a counselor.  I agreed to it, as I had seen counselors at other times in my life and it had always helped me.  I felt pretty silly, though, because I wasn't THAT bad.  I was just going to waste her time.  I just knew it.  Well, as it turned out I didn't.  I learned a lot in the few months I saw her and still use what I remember when I am feeling the anxiety creep in again.  I remember her telling me, "You're not a basket case.  Very few people who I see actually are."  It was such a relief to realize that I deserved help; I didn't have to feel totally out of control before I was worthy to get better. 

Over the years, I have been off and on antidepressants due to preventing PPD again, or to help deal with difficult life events as we lived through last year with the loss of our nephew and Rachel's subsequent craniosynostosis diagnosis.  I am currently off and doing well with prayer, better nutrition and exercise.  Like I said, I still use the tools I learned through counseling, so now when I do feel anxiety creeping in, I can usually keep it at bay.  If something does come up, I am not afraid or ashamed to go back on the Zoloft if I need it. 

If I hadn't gotten the help I did when I did, I would still be battling it today.  And that wouldn't have been a fun 10 years for anyone.  It also would be a MUCH bigger problem now and much more difficult to treat. 

I tell you my story again, not to bore you, but to share that if you struggle with anxiety, depression, or any other mental illness, please make an appointment with your doctor or a counselor.  Even if you feel like you aren't THAT bad.  If it interferes with your life, relationships, eating or sleeping, it is worth asking about.  If your doctor says, "It's all in your head." and you still don't feel well, talk to someone else. 

Now, you can go on just surviving, and some people take a lot of pride in that they don't need any medication, counseling, or other intervention for their mental illness.  In reality, though, people who feel this way often DO need it; they just don't take it.  Last time I checked, these people didn't get any special prize at the end of the day. 

For more information on chemical imbalances, I recommend Blue Genes, by Dr. Paul Meier, as it is a great source of information on the brain chemicals and how they affect mood.  It is very easy to understand with many examples from his practice.

A fiction book, but a very accurate look at living with depression, is Becoming Olivia, by Roxanne Henke. 

Of course, you can also message or email me if I can help in any way or direct you to someone. 

If you are affected by a chemical imbalance, or think you might be, YOU are worth it to get better. 

And YOU WILL.

Corn Harvest

 

We moved onto corn about a week ago.  David's brothers are here this week helping out, so it is fun to have them, and two of our nieces, around to visit.

 

As you can see, Rachel also thinks the combine is a great place to nap.  I've often thought so myself, but somehow it just isn't appropriate for mom. :(

 

We wish you a Happy Harvest!

 

 

Mmm. . . Delicious!

"Mmm. . . Delicious!" is Rachel's seal of approval for everything yummy.  Of course, only I know that she's trying to say "delicious," because I'm her Mama and we speak the same language. :)

 

Today we made my favorite Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from my childhood.  I thought I had posted these before, but it turns out I have not!  I much prefer these to regular chocolate chip cookies, and that is probably because it's the only chocolate chip cookie my mom made when I was little.  Then my sister came along and we expanded our horizons to chocolate chip cookies without oatmeal. 

I now make both for my family, and I'm not known to dislike any cookie, but as I said, these are my favorite.

 

Sharing this recipe is long overdue, so here you go!

 

You will say, "Mmm. . . Delicious," too!

 

 

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

1 cup shortening

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup white sugar

2 eggs (well beaten)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp hot water

1 tsp soda

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups quick oatmeal

1 1/2 cup flour

1 pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips

 

Mix in order.  Bake on greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees until slightly browned.  (My Airbake pan takes about 14 minutes.) 

Daddy turns 36

Yesterday was David's 36th birthday.  Yes, for a little while I am married to a MUCH older man. :)

 

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Reunited

I didn't last very long . . . 3 days short of a month to be exact.

Today the appliance repairman came out and managed to get our dishwasher going.  One.  More.  Time.  Who knew the old friend had a little more life in it? 

At first, I didn't want to stick any more money into it--not even a service call that may or may not find a solution.

Well, the ball is rolling somewhere on our house project, but it's not rolling here yet.  And with a busy month of cooking and baking coming up, it was apparent that I wanted to do something besides stand in front of the sink. 

So, at the beginning of this week, I rationalized, (as I often do when it comes to spending money on myself), that I work hard around here and it was at least worth a shot.

Less than an hour later, I had it back! 

It really wasn't too bad, but if I have to choose, I will take the dishwasher any day.

The highlight reel, but still real

I have a confession to make.  (Well, nothing too earth-shattering, but still.)  I don't read many blogs.  The reason?  Blogs written by people don't know in real life tend to leave me feeling less than adequate.  If I know the writer, I know a few of their not-so-great moments and know they are human just like me.  I can appreciate their words.  But, if I don't, I can only assume the writer I only know through a blog lives the happy and charmed life portrayed in the always-positive posts.  Even though I know it, I FORGET

THIS IS THEIR HIGHLIGHT REEL.

 

What used to be reserved solely for Christmas letters can now be updated infinitely if the writer desires not only on a blog, but Facebook or Twitter or whatever.  (I still don't hashtag--I feel like I'm about 90 years old.)  I think there's even a coined term for this feeling of inadequacy--mom jealousy, or something like that.  

 

The best compliment I can receive as a blogger is that my blog is real or honest.  I don't want to portray some sort of perfect rural South Dakota existence.  If you think that we do live in a fairy tale, please come and visit.  After five minutes, your illusion will be shattered.  Guaranteed. :) 

 

But, there's a fine line when it comes to how much postive or negative to blog.  How real can/should I go?  Of course, I am not going to share anything too deeply personal for all the world to see.  (Not that I have any deep, dark secrets . . . unless the kids' bus drivers and teachers say otherwise!)  No one likes a Pollyanna, but no one likes a complainer, either.  Thanks to my genes, I wake up nearly every morning feeling nervous/anxious/worried for no reason and working out is my natural Zoloft. . . do people really want to read that?  Probably not.  Like everyone, I end most days stressed and needing to decompress . . . wondering if I planted any seeds in my children's lives that day.  I acknowledge that sometimes people can confuse sharing faith with preaching.  My faith is my foundation not because I am some holy person, but because I WANT to be.  To tell you the truth, I don't know how anyone could navigate this world without a faith life.  At least I can't.  And that's why I keep trudging on the faith journey and sharing it with you.

 

And, so, this blog will remain our family's highlight reel with a little real-ness mixed in.  Yes, my kids and I make real apple pies, but we eat plenty of hot dogs, too.  Yes, I have had the opportunity to be home with my children, but I have spent more days than I care to admit begrudging that I didn't have a job outside of home. 

 

I will continue to write is as I try to write our yearly Christmas letters--how I really try to live--acknowledging that our family faces adversity, but trying to concentrate on the blessings of life. 

 

Because none of us live a perfectly charmed life, no matter what impressions our blogs give.

 

But, we all are blessed--maybe in very different ways--but we are all BLESSED.

 

 

 

 

 



Just wanted to share . . .

 

We farm a field a couple of miles from our home and this gravel road runs beside it. 

I love to see this tree covered section all through the summer and fall.

In South Dakota, there aren't many places where trees canopy over roads.  Most of our trees are strategically planted in (boring, but functional) rows to slow the wind and protect our livestock.

 

That's why I love this natural little tunnel each time I visit.

No matter what the weather, it is always beautiful.