Between apple processing and Homecoming week, I have been hopping!
This morning I took a break from the applesauce factory to clean out my stockpot and tie dye a tshirt for Landen to wear tomorrow. After that was done, I cleaned the stainless steel pot again and filled it right back up with apples to boil.
I am done with the applesauce now and was able to freeze several containers for the winter. I feel like a squirrel. I have gathered my food and now I am ready to snuggle in and nap for the winter. Too bad there are many, many acres to harvest before I sleep! :o)
Back to Homecoming . . . today was 50's/Rock & Roll Day. Landen wore a rolled white tshirt and I tried to spike his hair with gel & hairspray. Between his thick hair and the hurricane winds we had today, he was disappointed that his hair didn't stay that way all day! The school cooks dressed up as the band KISS with full makeup. I met my friend Rita, who is one of them, on my way to school and laughed out loud. I can honestly say I have never passed a member of KISS on Highway 20! Pictures from all week can be seen on www.northwestern.k12.sd.us.
Tomorrow he will be ready for Tie Dye day and I have to put just a few finishing touches on the cardboard guitar he will need for the parade on Friday.
Whew! Having a Kindergartener during Homecoming week is hard work. When my kids are in high school, I will have to clear my entire calendar for the week!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Apple Picking
Today our neighbors so graciously shared their abundance of apples with us. Nathan calls their farm the "apple farm" and has been asking all summer when we could go there and pick apples from their three trees.
The boys especially liked using the apple picker. I think they will have a part-time fall job in a year or two!
Tomorrow will be spent making apple sauce and maybe a pie or two. Mmmm! Apples make the house smell SO good.
Have I mentioned I LOVE fall? Well, I do!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Sneaky Trainee
*Part of my reason for keeping this blog is to keep a record of major family events. If you aren't interested in the thrill of potty training, you may want to skip this post.
It may still be too early to tell, but it seems as though God is blessing me with an easier potty training experience with each child. In the past two weeks, it looks as though my daughter may be the easiest one. Teresa is training herself behind my back--literally.
Last Thursday, David came in the house as I was working at the kitchen counter and just as Teresa had gotten up from her nap. I had been putting her in underwear for the previous morning even though I didn't actually expect her to get the hang of it. She wanted to wear her new underwear again and this time I had the time to help her out.
He noticed a funny look on her face and asked, "Are you pooping?" I turned around as she turned, ran to the bathoom and did her business. David and I were clapping and cheering--encouragement that her brothers had thrived on--but she looked at us like she was thinking, "What's the big deal?"
Well, since that miraculous day, we have been busier again and I put the underwear away for awhile as she hadn't seemed interested.
Tonight my aunt and I were talking in the bathroom as our youngest kids were in the bathtub. Out of nowhere, she pointed behind me as Teresa had climbed out of the tub and was ready to climb onto the toilet. I popped on the smaller seat and gave her her new favorite thing--toilet paper. Before I could even hide the rest of the toilet paper roll, I heard an interesting sound. She was actually going potty with absolutely no encouragement on my part whatsoever!
It may still take several months until we are diaper-free, but we are definitely on our way.
It may still be too early to tell, but it seems as though God is blessing me with an easier potty training experience with each child. In the past two weeks, it looks as though my daughter may be the easiest one. Teresa is training herself behind my back--literally.
Last Thursday, David came in the house as I was working at the kitchen counter and just as Teresa had gotten up from her nap. I had been putting her in underwear for the previous morning even though I didn't actually expect her to get the hang of it. She wanted to wear her new underwear again and this time I had the time to help her out.
He noticed a funny look on her face and asked, "Are you pooping?" I turned around as she turned, ran to the bathoom and did her business. David and I were clapping and cheering--encouragement that her brothers had thrived on--but she looked at us like she was thinking, "What's the big deal?"
Well, since that miraculous day, we have been busier again and I put the underwear away for awhile as she hadn't seemed interested.
Tonight my aunt and I were talking in the bathroom as our youngest kids were in the bathtub. Out of nowhere, she pointed behind me as Teresa had climbed out of the tub and was ready to climb onto the toilet. I popped on the smaller seat and gave her her new favorite thing--toilet paper. Before I could even hide the rest of the toilet paper roll, I heard an interesting sound. She was actually going potty with absolutely no encouragement on my part whatsoever!
It may still take several months until we are diaper-free, but we are definitely on our way.
Friday, September 25, 2009
My First Try at Chai
This morning dawned foggy and rainy once again. That meant it was a good day for three things--curling up with a good book (yeah, right!), getting a beef vegetable stew started in the crock pot, and trying out my conglomerated chai recipe.
The verdict? Not bad. It needs some tweaking, though. It is not quite the same "pumpkin pie" flavor experience as The Daily Grind.
I agree with most of the recipe authors that the slightly orangey flavor of the cardamom is a must. I think I am going to cut back to 3/4 teaspoon instead of 1 teaspoon next time, though. This is the recipe I used:
Chai Tea
1 cup dry milk
1 cup dry non-dairy creamer
1 cup dry vanilla-caramel creamer (another recipe called for french vanilla)
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups instant tea
2 tsp ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp cardamom
The good news is after we are finished with harvest this fall and my oral interp duties come to an end in early December, I can devote the rest of my winter to concocting the perfect chai recipe. Stay tuned!
The verdict? Not bad. It needs some tweaking, though. It is not quite the same "pumpkin pie" flavor experience as The Daily Grind.
I agree with most of the recipe authors that the slightly orangey flavor of the cardamom is a must. I think I am going to cut back to 3/4 teaspoon instead of 1 teaspoon next time, though. This is the recipe I used:
Chai Tea
1 cup dry milk
1 cup dry non-dairy creamer
1 cup dry vanilla-caramel creamer (another recipe called for french vanilla)
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups instant tea
2 tsp ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp cardamom
The good news is after we are finished with harvest this fall and my oral interp duties come to an end in early December, I can devote the rest of my winter to concocting the perfect chai recipe. Stay tuned!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Little Things
A lot of the time, it is the little things that make my day. Yesterday was filled with all sorts of great little things.
I will start with the earliest little thing. I checked my email yesterday morning and saw one with the subject "Surprise!" from David's aunt Kristi. I was pretty sure she wasn't announcing a pregnancy or anything of that nature, so I was especially intrigued. I was indeed surprised to see her message that she was sending me some cardamom for my chai recipe (and some treats for the kiddos, of course.) Kristi has about a zillion nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, nieces & nephews in-law, not to mention a busy full time job. Yet, she always remembers each of us with a card and letter on our birthdays and several times throughout the year. Thanks again, Kristi!
Then Teresa and I were off to Aberdeen. After two rainy days at home, I was actually glad when the toilet handle broke Tuesday night. Yes! I would be more than happy go to Aberdeen and buy a new one! I also had to find a new jacket for Landen. Last year we went through pair after pair of gloves. He wasn't even a couple weeks into school this year and already lost his JACKET! Our first stop was the consignment store and I found a jacket in his size right away. On my way out, I found all sorts of cute girls' clothes that Teresa will be able to wear this winter or next summer. I LOVE spending around $2 for a nearly new outfit!
My email was another source of blessing when I returned home and received a message from a friend of mine addressed to several area young mothers. She told of some of the struggles she faced with her three children when they were little and how we should appreciate these years, as difficult as they may be. I couldn't stop thinking about that for the rest of the day. Her children are now such pleasant, responsible, hard-working people that I never would have thought they were once colicky, hyperactive, and stubborn toddlers much like my own. It gave me a little boost--a little shot of hope--to tuck into my back pocket when I am knee deep in power struggles and sibling rivalry.
There were other little things--a beautiful afternoon, a productive oral interp practice, a blessedly quiet Religious Education meeting--that helped to make my day.
I wish I could be more in tune with the little things every day. I know they are always there--I just need to be aware of them!
I will start with the earliest little thing. I checked my email yesterday morning and saw one with the subject "Surprise!" from David's aunt Kristi. I was pretty sure she wasn't announcing a pregnancy or anything of that nature, so I was especially intrigued. I was indeed surprised to see her message that she was sending me some cardamom for my chai recipe (and some treats for the kiddos, of course.) Kristi has about a zillion nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, nieces & nephews in-law, not to mention a busy full time job. Yet, she always remembers each of us with a card and letter on our birthdays and several times throughout the year. Thanks again, Kristi!
Then Teresa and I were off to Aberdeen. After two rainy days at home, I was actually glad when the toilet handle broke Tuesday night. Yes! I would be more than happy go to Aberdeen and buy a new one! I also had to find a new jacket for Landen. Last year we went through pair after pair of gloves. He wasn't even a couple weeks into school this year and already lost his JACKET! Our first stop was the consignment store and I found a jacket in his size right away. On my way out, I found all sorts of cute girls' clothes that Teresa will be able to wear this winter or next summer. I LOVE spending around $2 for a nearly new outfit!
My email was another source of blessing when I returned home and received a message from a friend of mine addressed to several area young mothers. She told of some of the struggles she faced with her three children when they were little and how we should appreciate these years, as difficult as they may be. I couldn't stop thinking about that for the rest of the day. Her children are now such pleasant, responsible, hard-working people that I never would have thought they were once colicky, hyperactive, and stubborn toddlers much like my own. It gave me a little boost--a little shot of hope--to tuck into my back pocket when I am knee deep in power struggles and sibling rivalry.
There were other little things--a beautiful afternoon, a productive oral interp practice, a blessedly quiet Religious Education meeting--that helped to make my day.
I wish I could be more in tune with the little things every day. I know they are always there--I just need to be aware of them!
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