Saturday, May 31, 2008
I may be addicted
I located some more big buckets, so I will be making more upside down tomato and pepper plants. The side of our yard will look like a bucket graveyard, but I don't care as long as I get lots and lots and lots of tomatoes!
There are days filled with joy too
Today we had a busy and fun Saturday. I ran a quick errand with Haven this morning and then we all loaded up to go to Brittan's last soccer game of the season. Of course we met up with the Fallons at the game and the kids had fun at the game, even though it was really, REALLY HOT!
After Britt and Killi got their trophies, we all went to lunch together. Now six kids at lunch can be difficult, but even with the occasional whining or disgruntled child, lunch was still fun and everyone filled their bellys.
Now we are home and Haven is slaving away at the table working on a random craft and Britt and Gray are watching a movie together. Rain is moving in so we will have a quiet evening, a simple dinner of sandwiches and salads, and hopefully a restful night. Now if I could get Gray to sleep through it!!
These are the best days, we will never have a day where everyone is happy all day, but the days when we mostly all get along, and we are able to spend time together as a family, these are the days I love!
After Britt and Killi got their trophies, we all went to lunch together. Now six kids at lunch can be difficult, but even with the occasional whining or disgruntled child, lunch was still fun and everyone filled their bellys.
Now we are home and Haven is slaving away at the table working on a random craft and Britt and Gray are watching a movie together. Rain is moving in so we will have a quiet evening, a simple dinner of sandwiches and salads, and hopefully a restful night. Now if I could get Gray to sleep through it!!
These are the best days, we will never have a day where everyone is happy all day, but the days when we mostly all get along, and we are able to spend time together as a family, these are the days I love!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Dr. Oatmeal
Grayson really has cute moments, even at almost 4. He is walking around with his toy telescope and wearing sunglasses telling us his name is Dr Oatmeal (or Ooutmeal as he says) He is a funny, funny little man, very creative, always playing pretend and sweet to boot. He's a good egg.
I am not leaving
I am staying home today. I don't care if we need or want anything, I REFUSE to leave this house. I made the holes in the last three tomato buckets and will plant them today. I need to fold clothes and push through some laundry. I am hoping the husband will clean the bathroom, but I am not holding my breath. Tonight we will have spiced chicken enchiladas, which reminds me that I need to get the chicken cooking. I slow cook chicken thighs, then add chilis, onions, spices etc. Layer chicken and cheddar cheese with tortillas, cover with enchilada sauce (red) and bake off. Serve with rice and a huge crisp salad :)
Happy Friday!
Happy Friday!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Over scheduled
So many kids today are over scheduled. I know what I am talking about since I had poor Haven over scheduled in kindergarten and first grade with dance. Now I see the error of my ways, and discovered that having my kids in a million activities does not make me a better mother. Actually I find the more we spend time together and I show the kids how to run a house, draw an elephant, plant a plant, etc is more valuable to their growth and education. Haven is not always the most pleasant child, but I still would rather her spend time at home (crabby and all) then be ferried to a million activities to get rid of her. She does have things she does, but she doesn't need to be in all the sports, all the clubs and all the groups. Kids need play time, and with school days getting longer, and the large amount of homework that kids need to do, they barely have time to eat dinner and take a bath, let alone play or GOG FORBID, do CHORES!!
If the world would allow kids to be kids, to teach them responsibility and how to work as a team within the family, I think our kids would do better in school and be generally happier.
Just my two cents.
If the world would allow kids to be kids, to teach them responsibility and how to work as a team within the family, I think our kids would do better in school and be generally happier.
Just my two cents.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
I have a TV accent
I have always said I have a TV accent, pretty odd for having been raised on Long Island with a mom from Staten Island and a dad from Rockaway. Em had this quiz on her blog and I was curious to see my results.
Lo and behold.....
Lo and behold.....
| What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio. | |
| The South | |
| Philadelphia | |
| The Inland North | |
| The Northeast | |
| The West | |
| North Central | |
| Boston | |
| What'>http://www.gotoquiz.com/what_american_accent_do_you_have">What American accent do you have? Quiz'>http://www.gotoquiz.com/">Quiz Created on GoToQuiz | |
Score!
I scored 5 2.5 gallon buckets with lids, and one 5 gallon bucket with a lid. These will now be used to grow upside down tomatoes (5) and an upside down pepper. We currently have 10 tomato plants in the back, 5 jerseys and 5 yellow plum. I will be putting the upside tomatoes up front and will be growing cherries and beefsteaks. I am really hoping to put up at least 20 jars of tomatoes, the more the merrier!
I lied
Today will notbe relaxing and quiet.
I have already hauled the kids to school and picked up the dehydrator, done the dishes and vacuumed and done some work work. I have a conference call in an hour, but before that I need to trellis my beans and cage my tomatoes. While on the call, I am hoping to get another batch of jam made and work on the freezer strawberries (husband is not helping much). After the call, husband has to run a few errands including picking up supples for Haven's project which needs to be completed tonight. I am guessing Gray and I wll go with him so that I can get the supplies we need. Then home to fold clothes and work on a massive work project due tomorrow as well as write a paper and cook dinner. No biggie right.
I have already hauled the kids to school and picked up the dehydrator, done the dishes and vacuumed and done some work work. I have a conference call in an hour, but before that I need to trellis my beans and cage my tomatoes. While on the call, I am hoping to get another batch of jam made and work on the freezer strawberries (husband is not helping much). After the call, husband has to run a few errands including picking up supples for Haven's project which needs to be completed tonight. I am guessing Gray and I wll go with him so that I can get the supplies we need. Then home to fold clothes and work on a massive work project due tomorrow as well as write a paper and cook dinner. No biggie right.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Another day down...
OK, I am now super tired. We took the girls to school, then did some things around the house. A quick run into the store for more canning jars, lunch and the farm. A stop at Dr. Tom's and then home to vacuum and bake a sponge cake for dessert. Dinner is ready to go in the oven, shrimp stuffed with crabmeat, rice and salad. I have to do the dishes, work, and help Haven with a project. Also on the agenda tonight, hull the rest of the berries and freeze the firm ones, and put the others aside to be made into jam tomorrow.
Ry took off tonight (hooray!) so I will have some help and some company :) Tomorrow morning I need to drop my girlies at school and then go pick up a food dehydrator...gotta love Freecycle. Tomorrow will be a quiet at home day, with jam cooking, strawberry bread baking and laundry.
Ry took off tonight (hooray!) so I will have some help and some company :) Tomorrow morning I need to drop my girlies at school and then go pick up a food dehydrator...gotta love Freecycle. Tomorrow will be a quiet at home day, with jam cooking, strawberry bread baking and laundry.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Ahead of the curve
Who knew that we were trendy?
With the nasty economy, I am seeing reports that more and more suburban homesteads cropping up. We of course seek to eventually move to more land so that we can run a true homestead, but as it stands now, we make due with what we have.
We are close to the nation's capital, on .77 acres, most of which is taken up by house and trees. We have worked to adapt our small backyard area to grow food. We will also be using part of the front yard to grow upside down tomatoes to help supplement the ones in the back. We joined a CSA. We buy dairy and meat at a local farm. We don't use pesticides or fertilizers on our land, especially since we have a creek in the front yard that would carry the nasties. We cook as much as we can at home, we recycle.
We are also human and have to live within our community. Our kids have activities, we have jobs, we are in no way living the most environmentally friendly life, but we strive to do better each day.
For everyone who says they can't make changes, we are living proof that baby steps do get you somewhere. We are almost one year out from deciding to change our lifestyle, and I could not be happier with the progress. We will order more beef late in the summer, we will continue the CSA through fall, we will can all of our extra vegetables this summer, and I will preserve apples and pumpkins in the fall when we pick them. Baby steps, that is all it took, and I believe we are happier and healthier for it.
With the nasty economy, I am seeing reports that more and more suburban homesteads cropping up. We of course seek to eventually move to more land so that we can run a true homestead, but as it stands now, we make due with what we have.
We are close to the nation's capital, on .77 acres, most of which is taken up by house and trees. We have worked to adapt our small backyard area to grow food. We will also be using part of the front yard to grow upside down tomatoes to help supplement the ones in the back. We joined a CSA. We buy dairy and meat at a local farm. We don't use pesticides or fertilizers on our land, especially since we have a creek in the front yard that would carry the nasties. We cook as much as we can at home, we recycle.
We are also human and have to live within our community. Our kids have activities, we have jobs, we are in no way living the most environmentally friendly life, but we strive to do better each day.
For everyone who says they can't make changes, we are living proof that baby steps do get you somewhere. We are almost one year out from deciding to change our lifestyle, and I could not be happier with the progress. We will order more beef late in the summer, we will continue the CSA through fall, we will can all of our extra vegetables this summer, and I will preserve apples and pumpkins in the fall when we pick them. Baby steps, that is all it took, and I believe we are happier and healthier for it.
Lessons learned
We have had a busy day.
We went to Target for a few key items, then I took the kids to lunch, then out to pick up CSA and home to make more jam and get some of the berries into the freezer. It is much more difficult to complete all my tasks with all the kids home, but we still tried to make it fun.
I made 7 half pints of jam, and one full pint that will go straight into the fridge. I need to straighten the house, somehow whenever people visit it goes from perfect to trashed in just a few days :)
One big lesson I learned today, don't try to process all the berries while having the kids alone. Next year I will make sure Ryan is home to help, it takes a really long time when you have to keep stopping to get drinks, break up fights, etc.
Now I am off to vacuum the house and switch the laundry. Then on to making dinner, I think we will have chicken stir fry, quick and easy. The kids are clamoring for a strawberry shortcake, but they may have to wait until tomorrow since I just don't have the time or energy to bake a cake right now.
Off to clean!
We went to Target for a few key items, then I took the kids to lunch, then out to pick up CSA and home to make more jam and get some of the berries into the freezer. It is much more difficult to complete all my tasks with all the kids home, but we still tried to make it fun.
I made 7 half pints of jam, and one full pint that will go straight into the fridge. I need to straighten the house, somehow whenever people visit it goes from perfect to trashed in just a few days :)
One big lesson I learned today, don't try to process all the berries while having the kids alone. Next year I will make sure Ryan is home to help, it takes a really long time when you have to keep stopping to get drinks, break up fights, etc.
Now I am off to vacuum the house and switch the laundry. Then on to making dinner, I think we will have chicken stir fry, quick and easy. The kids are clamoring for a strawberry shortcake, but they may have to wait until tomorrow since I just don't have the time or energy to bake a cake right now.
Off to clean!
Holding them close
Gray spent a few hours last night just talking to me. Now I love chatting it up as much as the next gal, but not at 2 am. He was so cute though that it made it hard to get mad at him. Finally after two hours, he went back to sleep and so did I!
The girls got up this morning and the fight over breakfast began....they all always want something different, and this is not a diner. They finally all agreed on french toast, and they came to the decision pretty quickly, so I dressed it up a bit and made stuffed french toast (cream cheese in the middle) with fresh strawberry compote. Yummy
The girls got up this morning and the fight over breakfast began....they all always want something different, and this is not a diner. They finally all agreed on french toast, and they came to the decision pretty quickly, so I dressed it up a bit and made stuffed french toast (cream cheese in the middle) with fresh strawberry compote. Yummy
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Success and fears
First off, the reprocessing took and my jars are all sealed :) I will be busy tomorrow processing more berries.
I am planning to plant more tomato plants and think I will grow them upside down. I am hoping to secure some free buckets, and we will set these up in front of the playroom. I am quite concerned about the tomato plants in the garden, so this will make sure we have some for the summer. I also have a pepper plant that needs to go in the ground, and I am on the lookout for two eggplant plants to replace the ones that died in the floods. Tomorrow I will venture into the main garden to assess the damage and figure out what we lost.
On to the fears...
Everywhere I look I see articles on how bad things are. I see how my dollar doesn't stretch, and with three growing kids, we feel the pinch. I wish we could move to more land, it would allow me to raise hens and more produce, but alas, we can't move. I have found a place to purchase huge stores of flour, sugar and other grains. I am going to have Ry help me rearrange the pantry this week, and I will order the stores so we have them before they raise the prices. It may seem crazy to get 50 lbs of flour, but we cook from scratch a lot, and I want to always know that if pasta gets to be $4 a box, I can make it cheap at home. I also love to bake bread in the winter, and we have figured out a good place to for the bread dough to rise in summer, so I think we will make two loaves per week year round. Trying to keep the family in healthy natural foods is expensive, so I need to find ways to get the food we need, without emptying the bank account.
I am planning to plant more tomato plants and think I will grow them upside down. I am hoping to secure some free buckets, and we will set these up in front of the playroom. I am quite concerned about the tomato plants in the garden, so this will make sure we have some for the summer. I also have a pepper plant that needs to go in the ground, and I am on the lookout for two eggplant plants to replace the ones that died in the floods. Tomorrow I will venture into the main garden to assess the damage and figure out what we lost.
On to the fears...
Everywhere I look I see articles on how bad things are. I see how my dollar doesn't stretch, and with three growing kids, we feel the pinch. I wish we could move to more land, it would allow me to raise hens and more produce, but alas, we can't move. I have found a place to purchase huge stores of flour, sugar and other grains. I am going to have Ry help me rearrange the pantry this week, and I will order the stores so we have them before they raise the prices. It may seem crazy to get 50 lbs of flour, but we cook from scratch a lot, and I want to always know that if pasta gets to be $4 a box, I can make it cheap at home. I also love to bake bread in the winter, and we have figured out a good place to for the bread dough to rise in summer, so I think we will make two loaves per week year round. Trying to keep the family in healthy natural foods is expensive, so I need to find ways to get the food we need, without emptying the bank account.
Canning 101
Today was my first attempt at canning. We have about 40 lbs of strawberries from Haven's party yesterday, and I have a family who LOVES strawberry shortcake and jam.
I decided to make some preserves today and it was my first time using my new canning pot. Everything went well until I tried to process the jars, the bottom of the pot started smoking a lot and there was all this residue being left on my stove top. I stopped processing and checked the bottom of the pot (that I had washed before use) and cannot figure out what the problem was. Right now I am trying to reprocess the four pints of preserves that I had in my large stockpot. I can't use my rack, but I am hoping I can get the jars sealed.
Tomorrow I plan to hull a few quarts of berries for freezing, and if all goes well with the new pot, I will pack whole berries and process as well.
Ryan seems to think we need more strawberries (scary I know) so if I get through these, I will take him with me to the farm and we will pick a few more flats (10-30 lbs) Maybe this year we will have enough berries to last us the year.
If anyone has any advice regarding the canning pot, I really could use it. I have a lot to do this summer, so I need a pot that works well :)
I decided to make some preserves today and it was my first time using my new canning pot. Everything went well until I tried to process the jars, the bottom of the pot started smoking a lot and there was all this residue being left on my stove top. I stopped processing and checked the bottom of the pot (that I had washed before use) and cannot figure out what the problem was. Right now I am trying to reprocess the four pints of preserves that I had in my large stockpot. I can't use my rack, but I am hoping I can get the jars sealed.
Tomorrow I plan to hull a few quarts of berries for freezing, and if all goes well with the new pot, I will pack whole berries and process as well.
Ryan seems to think we need more strawberries (scary I know) so if I get through these, I will take him with me to the farm and we will pick a few more flats (10-30 lbs) Maybe this year we will have enough berries to last us the year.
If anyone has any advice regarding the canning pot, I really could use it. I have a lot to do this summer, so I need a pot that works well :)
Saturday, May 24, 2008
They grow up so fast!
My oldest, Haven, turns EIGHT today!!!
Where did the time go? It is like she went from precocious two year old to a big girl who is into music and clothes and horses. She is by far my most dramatic and entertaining child, and while it can be a bit much some days, she is often the source of our laughter and smiles here at home.
She is becoming quite the young lady, deeply compassionate for those who need help or just a friend. She can be an incredible big sister when she chooses to, and both Britt and Gray look up to her, and I know that if I need help, she will be right there to lend a hand. We love her deeply, and we couldn't imagine our lives without her chatter and pizazz!
Happy Birthday Sunshine-I hope your party is a blast!
Where did the time go? It is like she went from precocious two year old to a big girl who is into music and clothes and horses. She is by far my most dramatic and entertaining child, and while it can be a bit much some days, she is often the source of our laughter and smiles here at home.
She is becoming quite the young lady, deeply compassionate for those who need help or just a friend. She can be an incredible big sister when she chooses to, and both Britt and Gray look up to her, and I know that if I need help, she will be right there to lend a hand. We love her deeply, and we couldn't imagine our lives without her chatter and pizazz!
Happy Birthday Sunshine-I hope your party is a blast!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Two minutes for lunch
I am on my two minute lunch break.
So far I have run errands, done course checks, ryan steam cleaned the downstairs, we replaced the toilet seat downstairs, i cleaned the bathroom, did the dishes, dusted the downstairs and did some laundry.
After this brief break, I will go clean out the dining room and mop it, scrub the kitchen counters and cabinets, dust brittan's room and clean the upstairs bathroom. I also have some work work things to do and a paper to write, need to make a treat for haven's class, cook dinner, and ry needs to steam clean the upstairs. Plus we need to plant the flowers I got yesterday in the window boxes and hanging baskets and haven has riding. So busy.
So far I have run errands, done course checks, ryan steam cleaned the downstairs, we replaced the toilet seat downstairs, i cleaned the bathroom, did the dishes, dusted the downstairs and did some laundry.
After this brief break, I will go clean out the dining room and mop it, scrub the kitchen counters and cabinets, dust brittan's room and clean the upstairs bathroom. I also have some work work things to do and a paper to write, need to make a treat for haven's class, cook dinner, and ry needs to steam clean the upstairs. Plus we need to plant the flowers I got yesterday in the window boxes and hanging baskets and haven has riding. So busy.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Girl fights suck
when they are your kids fighting.
Since getting home from school, my girls have been going at it. You have the usual suspects, yelling, screaming, dramatic expainations, door slams, and the occasional arm squeeze or slap. So much fun.
I have decided to just let them beat the crap out of one another. I usually try to settle things, but it doesn't help. Let it run its course I guess. Worst part is, they are going to wake their father up and he is going to give them hell. Tough way to learn a lesson.
Since getting home from school, my girls have been going at it. You have the usual suspects, yelling, screaming, dramatic expainations, door slams, and the occasional arm squeeze or slap. So much fun.
I have decided to just let them beat the crap out of one another. I usually try to settle things, but it doesn't help. Let it run its course I guess. Worst part is, they are going to wake their father up and he is going to give them hell. Tough way to learn a lesson.
Time Management
I am usually an excellent multi tasker, but with the gloomy weather and change in my schedule, I feel a bit off.
This morning I got some errands run, then a conference call. After my call I need to feed Grayson lunch and attack the dining room and kitchen, I also have at least 10 loads of laundry to wash, and three to fold. Tonight I have to run a call, and get the bathrooms and Brittan's room cleaned in anticipation of my parents.
Between all of the chores, my papers I need to write, conference calls and work, I keep having to switch hats quickly, and it is a bit overwhelming. Tomorrow morning I will go get the big steam cleaner, and Ryan has agreed to be the steam cleaning man while I dust and organize.
I am happily looking forward to Monday, the kids are home and I am planning a quiet day at home, and if the weather agrees with us, we will do some gardening and outside clean up.
This morning I got some errands run, then a conference call. After my call I need to feed Grayson lunch and attack the dining room and kitchen, I also have at least 10 loads of laundry to wash, and three to fold. Tonight I have to run a call, and get the bathrooms and Brittan's room cleaned in anticipation of my parents.
Between all of the chores, my papers I need to write, conference calls and work, I keep having to switch hats quickly, and it is a bit overwhelming. Tomorrow morning I will go get the big steam cleaner, and Ryan has agreed to be the steam cleaning man while I dust and organize.
I am happily looking forward to Monday, the kids are home and I am planning a quiet day at home, and if the weather agrees with us, we will do some gardening and outside clean up.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The aftereffects of insomnia
I am tired, very, very tired. All in all, I had a productive day, even though it began with Haven in tears (I think she is ready for school to be over) and the afternoon was filled with Grayson melt downs (no nap and he has a fever, looks like an ear infection brewing) Gray and I did some clean up this morning and lazed a bit. We left home around 11 am, and went to the craft store to get supplies for Haven's party this week. Then we went to lunch and to the farm. I love that we know the folks at the farm now, they see my car coming and get the milk ready, they know my name and Grayson's name and they always look so darn happy to see us! We picked up some plants for the pots we are making for my mom as well as our milk order then headed over to Justice to get Haven a few outfits for her birthday. Then home to start making the candies, feed the family, vacuum the house, work, etc. All I have left for the night is to do the dinner dishes, wipe the table and run a conference call. Tomorrow morning I will get some flowers for the flower pots, a new ink cartridge and the index cards for the favors I am making. Then home to fold clothes, clean bathrooms and wash sheets. Thursday will be the big clean day, we are steam cleaning all the carpets, and I am scrubbing the rest of the house down to get ready for the family. Best part about tomorrow, husband is OFF so I have help!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)