Laugh with Me!

Ok, After seeing several ads for the Acai Berry diet(where they all lose about 20 lbs the first month and another 20 in the second month), I decided to look up natural-quick-weight-loss sites. I came across one called FormerFatGuy and looked a second, saw he had a blog and read a couple of posts. You'll haveta scroll down to June 9. The title is MacDonald's hits Africa. Updated: I couldn't get the link to work and finally found and saved the picture. So if the link doesn't work, here's the funny pic:




In other news, here are some pictures of our cherry tree, we pick about 8-10 per day.





Hubby also discovered, while he was mowing back along the fence line, 3 mulberry trees WITH FRUIT!! We have another one without fruit which is likely the male tree. It's enjoyable to watch the children run the length of the yard to disappear in the bushes and eat all the ripe berries they can find!!



Hubby had cut down the trees after we moved in, about 4 years ago. They grew again and we left them. This is the first year there has been any fruit. I love it when God plants the tree (volunteer) and it bears fruit!! Whole-lotta scripture comes to mind! :)

What else? Things are not always as they seem!


The baby's been kicking tons and tons especially when hubby speaks or sings! Yup. Baby #7 will be coming along by the first half of September! I'm doing just fine. I was swelling a bit in the legs and ankles (having nothing to do with temperatures or activity levels), then my mom in law suggested more Potassium & that worked!! Hubby bought a bunch of bananas, nectarines and canned-in its own juice-pineapple. It's wonderful to eat fruit til I'm full!! (that would be about 2 nectarines, 1 banana and 1/2 can of pineapple slices) I have skinny legs and feet again!! :)

So, I'm not super woman thin/fit right now. But if weight gain continues as it has been, I will only put on as much as I did with my firstborn, which was the best I did and well within normal range! We have been walking almost every day.




I've been working alongside hubby mudding and drywalling and sanding and patching and all of that 3-5 times per wall/ceiling! Things are getting closer to being done. Just alot of basic things: window jambs, painting, stretching/laying carpets, trim, a bit more electrical (I worked on my first box almost all by myself!), a little more tiling and a bit more that's not coming to mind. Getting down to the last bit!

I am constantly amazed how God has given me strength to do my regular duties and help hubby. I need to take a few pictures of the downstairs and show off our work! I think I will have mega shoulder muscles from sanding the ceiling in particular! Ohhhhh!! It's gonna be beautiful, it's so close and I can see how lovely it will look!
Yes, we like the house, just not the location. We will miss it, but we know that God has provided the way to move where(ever) we desire and have what we need!

You are always welcome to email or comment! I will be posting regular stuff here but not often, not because of the pregnancy but because of the house construction!! I will get pictures soon and you'll be able to see how much work renovating a house is! It's not difficult at all, just time consuming, but it will be worth everything!!!!!!!!

Don't forget to check over at my sewing blog for more info, especially if you haven't read my story yet! Bella's Sewing.

Right then. I'm done here. Hope you are enjoying the warmer weather (or cooler for those south of the equator) and keeping God first in all that you do!!

Sunshine On My Shoulder Makes Me Happy!

This is of the rain falling over the ridge. Taken before we cleared the blueberry patch, the lot just south of the shed (or to the right in this pic).

We have just been enjoying the outdoors!! Though it's rained off and on, the weather is almost warm-at least the children are in shorts. No garden this year and so one day we cleared out the blueberry patch. It was overgrown with just grass which might have saved several bushes. We put the plants in pots and set them against the shed and hubby mowed the patch. He and the children worked at filling in the holes in the garden-formerly "Jumpy Squirrel's HideAway" and general digging area. After mowing the yard a couple of times, it also looks better. Made more room for the dandelions to grow, go to seed, then leave stems of brown sticking up all over. #6 likes to go and pick these stems and all the other children pick the long flowers and make bouquets or just tear apart the flowers to put the petals in their "pizza" as cheese<--that would be #4!


Hubby and I also cleaned up the back room the other day. I was picking up and sweeping and so I almost cleared the whole downstairs! I organized everything that needed it and threw out the rest...it really made it look better and we could easily see how little we have left to do! Since hubby had to tear out lathe and plaster, old ceilings and such, it was a big mess. Now there won't be anymore tearing out & the new construction can resume!


Before the clean up, hubby and I laid tile in the laundry room. It extends from the kitchen & it looks so nice now! After working out so much, I had the wherewithal to help put in the flooring. This is my work here in the picture and the towel was for my knees until hubby got the knee pads for me. We needed to make the floor level with the rest and so we laid down plywood and screwed it in and then mud, then the tile board and screwed it down (appropriate screws for each thing), then the mud and the tiles. Hubby put the tiles and I helped with the spacers, then after a couple days of drying, moved the machines back in to do laundry, then back out to finish grouting. We did the tiling while the children were awake and quickly found how much more efficient we are when they are asleep!


In the space of time I've not blogged, the fruit trees have leafed, flowered & fruited!

This is a Santa Rosa Plum

This is one of the apple trees

This is the pear treeI skipped putting the picture of the cherry tree & will try to get pictures of when its fruit is red!


Wanted to show you my counter space. This is when I made Veggies, White Sauce, Marinara, with noodles after finishing the dishes. The dishwasher has been downstairs since January and I do the dishes by hand. I am the more efficient, water saving, better quality dishwasher! This model also cooks :) I enjoy washing by hand, this is the reason I told hubby he could leave the dishwasher downstairs after he offered to bring it up.


To the left


and to the right
That's all I can remember right now. Need to go share the fresh bread and then head outside again! Ciao for now.

"Andre, You've Sunk ANOTHER Submarine?!"

Yet another update.

Exercise:

I have yet to reach failure on most of these. TOO EASY DRILL SERGEANT!!
These are the exercises we do. Of coarse, hubby is much, much stronger than me, but my goal is to come close!

*Bicep curls: 15lbs, 12x's (these are to failure)-these are each arm, so if I had a bar it would be 30lbs.
*Shoulder press: 40lbs, 12x's (to failure)
*Tricep/Overhead extentions: 30lbs, 12x's (I could probably do 15-not to failure yet)
*Bench press: 55lbs, 12x's (to failure)
*Leg extentions: 70lbs, 12x's (TOO EASY STILL)
*Leg curls: 35lbs, 15x's (to failure)
*Squats: 95lbs, 12x's (TOO EASY!)
*Dumbbell rows: 40lbs, 12x's (to failure)

That's it. We are also walking, or trying to, everyday. I've lost 4 lbs in the last 2 weeks and have gained noticeable muscles! The numbers are what I did last workout. I started with much less weight and worked up. For the things that are too easy still we will add 10, 15 or 20 lbs at a time to see where my limit is. If I cannot do at least 8 reps, then it is way too heavy. That's all here.



Housing/Packing:

I've listed my very first-all by myself-ebay items for sale! (just books) I am very pleased, for hubby has wanted me to put things for sale and I just hadn't learned the format yet! I kept counting the pennies and what they might turn into...yarn, knitting books, fabric! Just dreaming! Being the practical family, it would be more likely groceries, bills, gas money!

Hubby is still working hard on the house. He called me one time (you know that call where you drop everything and run!) he was standing in the back room and I know now what "Atlas" looks like. He was putting up drywall for the ceiling and, well, let's say, I'm his right hand man!! So very glad we're done with all that. The people who owned the house before did some renovating and for being in the construction business made HORRIBLE errors in things like the wiring. In layman's terms, they put the wrong "thickness" of wire so that if there were a fire, the breaker would NOT trip and the house would burn with no alarms going off!! Hubby's been redoing so much of this: can't leave such dangers!!
Meal Planning/Cooking:

Meal planning has been great! I have a meal for everyday and everyone is loving it. Umm, except for yesterday. Everyone loves the food so much that there aren't the leftovers anymore! I usually make 1/2 of my 12qt pan and have enough for at least two meals! Do I need to make more? I have that pan and also a 16qt pan (where I make yogurt). Oh, and I also forgot to figure in when hubby goes shopping. It is mostly when he needs something from the hardware store, so that could be 2 times in a week or not for 2 weeks! I try to keep stocked everything, but everyone keeps eating it!!!

Schooling:

Ok, I was wrong. I apoligize. My children will not be skipping a grade or workbook. They will be finishing High School by the time they are 12. I was also mistaken in how long it took for them to complete this grade. Under 3 months: the are just about finished with the 2nd book, which took them a month and the only reason they took longer for the first book was because we took off for visiting family and we were only doing one lesson per day! (though we tried at the time to have school 6 days per week) As we continue through the summer, the older two will work through Math 3 and be ready for Math 5/4 by the time school starts this fall! That's my 2nd grader and my 1st grader will be doing 4th/5th grade math! As far as History and Science, they are doing well learning about trees, flowers, seeds, seasons and geography. I'm thinking of getting some older grades in this area since it is just 'random' facts and not at all like math with concepts that are built onto each other. I am excited to see what's out there and find the perfect curriculum for our children! Yesterday during naptime, #3 had found a kindergarten/1st grade workbook we had bought for the older children a couple of years ago. He was doing the pages (with some of the instructions being read to him by an older sibling) with ease!! I'm going to separate the pages that he can do and keep them for records. I'm sure I have a thin binder, probably packed away already, well, the folders are still out, that'll work. He now reads books to the little girls!

I think that's all the news here. Slowly selling things and it clears out space for hubby to work. Getting phone calls of interest on the house. Spending all my time with the children to keep up on training so that there isn't a lull into poor attitudes and bad behaviour. Refiguring lessons, incorporating Biblical principles, keeping the Word ready in our hearts. Ah, and we finished reading The Man in Bearskin!! The children loved it and asked what the next book will be. Right, I already had them sent to storage. I guess hubby will go get the well marked box. Not knitting-REALLY wanting to sew or even make dishcloths, but I can wait and continue designing in the meantime! I came across this quilt...looks like it would be fun to make & I love the colors! Caution to all who quilt: you might be inspired by all the quilts this mama makes!! Much like this site, not simple one patch quilts but very beautiful!! And visit this site with so many tutorials...I think I'll be finishing quilts before I get around to actually sewing clothes once we settle in AZ!

Just finished making bread and spent a bit of time outside. It was not too cold, but the wind made us shiver. It was nice to come inside and eat the bread with butter and honey or honey and crunchy peanut butter!! Now, we are just chillin' and enjoying the warm house.
I've been thinking of taking out my sewing machine, but then I've been talking with hubby about helping him more on the house. I knitted 2 rows last night and it didn't have the same wonderfulness as before. I am so very ready to quilt and sew. If I help hubby, he said we would really be done in a week. On one hand: sewing, on the other: helping hubby with house which equals moving sooner. I guess we'll be doing some tiling tonight! I need to finish the laundry so we can take that out of the room. Later all ya alls!!

Occupy

Here's just another update on what we've been doing.

I'll start with the boring stuff

Workouts and Exercise:

Well, hubby asked if I wanted to work out with him lifting weights...what can I say, "YES!". It's a completely different mentality than working out to lose weight. In fact, I'll be gaining weight , but I will definitely be leaning!! Hubby's done this workout before and had amazing results! We work out twice per week-yes, only twice-all the major muscle groups. You workout to "failure", this in turn makes your body produce the growth hormone hGH, which makes it easier to put on muscle. I've already improved in lifting 50-100% more! We are not changing what we eat (nothing to change there!!) and I'm already seeing benefits in lifting everyday things as well as more energy! I'll let you know how it goes!!

House/Packing:

Yesterday I packed ALL of our storage items, having switched seasonal clothes & put away all non-essential items. (I have one closet I couldn't reach to do and I actually packed up almost all of my knitting things-gasp!) Hubby is taking them to a storage unit (we don't have a garage) until we move to make more room for a better house showing. Our house is now on the market to generate interest as hubby finishes the last of the work. We will have private showings. If we apply ourselves, we should have everything done and ready in as little as two weeks with the max. of 4 weeks. Hubby has been working on the back room, put in a closet last night and finished reinforcing the floors under the tiled upstairs kitchen. He has the ceilings and walls to dry wall, then mud. He likes to have several running projects, while he waits on things like the mudding to dry he is able to work on one or two more.

I am so very excited as this ball rolling downhill is increasing in speed!

It was fun to consolidate all the boxes and I had 3 more buckets (rubbermaid type containers) and 6 boxes that were suddenly empty!

I've been called "The Queen of Organizing and Alphabetizing", so naturally, as I excel in one area, my mind is quick to plan the next step in another area (but all comes from God as He gives wisdom and out of His mouth comes understanding!). I've possibly figured out a weekly menu for our family:

Sunday: Meatloaf & Mshd Spuds

(beef meal-since we are finishing the last of our cow)

Monday: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Meatloaf and Salad

(leftover day)

Tuesday: Veggies & Noodles with White Sauce &/or Marinara

~BREAD~

Wednesday: Lentils and Rice

(this will be once per week)

Thursday:B'fast-Oat Cereal

Lunch-Leftovers

Dinner-Eggs & Toast (b'fast everyday)

Friday:Creamy Chicken Noodle Veggie Soup

(soup or stew day)

~BREAD~

Saturday:Leftovers (also made pumpkin bread)

This has already eased my cooking schedule-though I spent yesterday going full steam for 17 hrs. I got up at 6 this morning (after only 4 hrs of sleep) and finished putting away the bread and straightening the kitchen AND I was able to read the Word-very refreshing-while I watched the pinks and reds in the sky. Yup, it's cloudy & it's supposed to be raining right now, but the high is supposed to be 73 degrees!! A wonderful day, now, if only we could dodge the raindrops and go outside!! I was getting a bit upset because it was raining/going to rain, but then the Lord showed me that He was cleaning the air for us! Yesterday, the neighbors decided to burn (at least this time it wasn't trash) and the wind blew most of the smoke right into our house. So, today, the Lord blesses us with rain to clean the air & we are able to open our windows again...umm, right after I find the screens.

Schooling:

#1 & #2 will be finishing the Math 2 by the end of the 'school year'. (It only took them 3 months to finish the second book) I need to get Math 3 (or maybe reassess to see if they could skip a grade with a bit of added effort on my part). I need to think of what Math to do for #3. I'll look into the Math 1 and see how it is. I need to get a workbook for writing for him & start that as well. I'll probably couple #3 & #4 in a grade, since she is right there with him. Then #5 always does everything with #4 and will want to join her....hmmmm, incorporating 3 beginning students is a new challenge for me. That would increase my classroom size-I'd have 5 children at the table. I had the younger ones for less time and different types of lessons-more verbal-than the older two. By the way...we year-round school. Learning doesn't stop, neither have we.

Knitting: (more boring stuff)

I finished my vest 2 weeks ago. I really like it...just the right warm without getting in the way while I work! I finished almost one sock, but I won't be wearing wool socks until next January-ish. My shawl I also packed, it will be quick to finish-when I have the umption! I am already thinking of things to sew. I would love to make the girls matching sundresses for Sundays and 1 or 2 matching dresses for everyday. We'll see, the little girls already have a number of summer dresses, so maybe I'll just be sewing for #1-unless G'ma T is willing to get out a few of the "heirloom" dresses. I remember a sleeveless lavendar dress and maybe one or two more. I haveta remember when we stop by on our WAY TO ARIZONA!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I'm calm. I'll go, since this is getting a bit lengthy.

"And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them,

Occupy till I come."

Luke 19:13

Happy Birthday Blog!

This is the second year I've blogged! I can't say that time flew in this instance!

Today was really windy, but much warmer (around 50 degrees). We went outside for 40 mins. I was able to walk around the yard 12 times & I paid attention to keep a fast pace & even ran a bit-that was a great feeling, sorta like coasting downhill on a bike!! I have a workout tonight also to do & look forward to a really great week!

It was wonderful to be out in the sun-my whole attitude is more of a calm, collected mama after the exercise in the sunshine! I just wonder how fulfilling it will be to have so much more sun & so many more months to be outside in Arizona!!

Today we also got up earlier & I feel so wonderful for all that I accomplished today before the children went to bed!! I straightened some books & then the children "found" them again--I thanked God we don't have television; they were reading to each other, and not only that-they were TEACHING each other how to read!! (#1 with #3) It's so cute when the baby girls (3 & 2) play with each other, the elder teaching the younger with much praise, "You did it! YEAH!!"

Just finished helping hubby hang more dry wall. He's working on the stairwell with its partition wall. He's prepping it now to mud-which I may be able to help on this side of the stairs! :)

That's all for now. Ciao.

Grease for the Squeeky Wheels

For all you out there that must have pictures, I thought I'd grease the wheel.

So this is the floor in the kitchen. Tiles are real, with real mortar and real grout. It was fun to help hubby, I mostly cleaned up and he did the actual hard work! I'm looking for a before picture...hold on.
Here's a sample of the old peel 'n' stick linoleum that was in the kitchen. The black dots are the staples used to hold down a thin layer of plywood underneath.

Finished making the bread while hubby worked on moving and putting in the lights. I've also been knitting the last two days! I'm making a shawl and thought you'd like to see it.
Click on it to see a bigger image. It's called the Weaver's Wool Mini Shawl...all the others I've seen on ravelry have been mainly solid or in chunks of stripes, but nothing like mine!

Have a good day and don't forget to be a blessing!

The Old Church House

Just wanted to address a couple of areas in regards to the house.

It's not a new house, it was built in 1914. I say renovation, but it's necessary construction. We are not putting in the newest things because it hit our fancy. We spent the least amount as possible to still have a quality product. ANYTHING we've done has improved this place that had, for example, the peel and stick "linoleum" in the kitchen that was worn through, carpeting that has been over worn, in fact, we had to get this tar paper off the wood floors downstairs before we could sand and poly them before we moved in 4 years ago. We've been working on the house since we bought it, but hubby had a job with rotating shift work and it was difficult to just maintain a normal life, let alone work on a house! Our main goal in working on the house is to prepare it to sell-this has always been the priority and we've just recently watched as the Lord opened doors for us and we can see all the way down the corridor. We will only have a short time to enjoy our labors before we move!! My husband has done the majority of the work, but I've been his right hand man!! : )
So, to recap: this is a major construction of a 2 bedroom 1 (3/4)bath apartment that was above an old construction worker's store/business place with 1 (1/2) bath As-is/DIY/Handyman's special. Now, it will be a 5 bedroom 3 bath (1/2, 3/4 and full) with 2 kitchens and new carpet and tile throughout and refinished hardwood floors, newly painted and ready to move into!!

We've been blessed with this place after looking for a place just like it for the first 4 years we were married. We saw it a month after it went on the market and for the perfect price! Not everyone is a "handyman", but everyone can work with his hands. We've learned much, researched more and have done it.
We haven't bought unnecessary things like new furniture or new vehicles or things of that nature, but have learned to live with less and work to make more. We decided that it's not good to live in debt just to satisfy the desires of the flesh for the moment. We don't have cable t.v. (not any for the matter), we don't eat out, we don't eat processed foods which means I cook alot of homemade foods and we don't buy the latest things of any nature (except the freshest foods). It's not difficult, it's not harder, it's actually easier to be at home and not take a zillion trips to the store. Essentially, we have learned to be content with what we have. It wasn't until we were content that the Lord provided many ways, opened many doors and has made our marriage sweeter as opposed to those who say that working on a house may cause problems!

So, we just came in from outside: It was pleasantly warm and very sunny!! The children helped with getting the burn pile ready and adding to it as we had a bonfire, mainly to get rid of scrap wood and old papers. It was warm by the fire and easy to stay out. We came in to the wonderful smell of fresh baked bread & devoured one of the two loaves. I might, Lord willing, make a full batch of bread tomorrow (4 loaves).
I feel refreshed and the children look so also. They ran the length of the yard (1/2 acre) several times keeping up with daddy getting more fuel for the fire. I'm am looking forward to the babies sleeping through the night!

okie, second post for the second day could get too tiring, so I guess I'll go and finish straightening the kitchen in preparation for tomorrow (like FlyLady recommends), switch the laundry, wash the children, help hubby with grouting the kitchen tile (YEAH!!) and maybe, just maybe I'll be able to knit tonight. I say maybe, 'cause if my brain is not functioning anymore or my fingers, then I must go to bed! I've fallen asleep in between stitches just trying to finish a row!!

Ok, really going now. Hope you alls enjoy the picture, please feel free to suggest anything (after I post 'em) I try for the best angle. K, later all.

Going UP!

**this is not my house, my stove or mine at all. I thought it was pleasantly minimalistic!**
We've moved back upstairs! It's much better and what I'm used to!! Have caught up on most everything and have helped hubby more with the switch-er-roo of rooms. He finished painting and putting in the carpet in all but the old dining room. He'll leave that so that we can eat there again & not dirty the new carpet! He just fixed the OLD Frigidaire electri-clean 50's or 60's stove. I like it because of it's flat burners not the coils of electric yuck that always seemed to burn things! I look forward to using the oven...that I've been without for the past month! Hubby is also okay-ing getting rid of stuff. I happen to have the most of those rubbermaid/sterlite tubs filled with sewing and knitting things. We consider it equal to "potential energy", things I can make for the family, like unto the idiom: A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. I'm not sure what we're gonna get rid of since we are extremely practical! Hubby was saying things that we haven't used in 5 years-I can think of kitchen things and I'm sure there's plenty more we could do without and still live comfortably!

What else? Handling the everyday in the construction zone. Since the tile is just about done in the kitchen, I won't have to walk on boards to pass or lean over large newly set areas. I look forward to walking through any path without extension cords. I am so pleased with the progress that it is so easy to put up with these inconveniences. I enjoy house hunting with hubby and knowing what we can do to fix a house and put up with instead of buying perfectly new and paying with "an arm and leg"! We like looking at the different layouts of the houses and figuring what would be more suitable for our family-tons of fun for us!!

Cooking: this has been a bit difficult without a stove. In fact I need to go make a vegetable soup and we already had refried beans with cheese and chips for lunch. Everyone really enjoys these stovetop meals, I'm just ready for a few meals that I can throw in the oven!

Schooling: going well, we've stopped almost all t.v. and video games. We have our obedient smart children back! Also taking Cod Liver Oil (Carlson's Lemon flavor!) is helping alot too. I found my McGuffey Reader and will see where the older 2 are-they are probably ready for the next book. #1 is doing handwriting beautifully and #2 has neatened his penmanship. #3 is reading simple books and doesn't "like the long words so (he) just skips them"-funny! I guess I need to read to him and see where he really is. #1 & #2 read to the children and #3 is constantly asking for another book to be read! #4 is working with #5 on speaking correctly, "no, we say banana, not babana"...she is always anticipating and helping everyone! #5 is speaking clearly and is so cute when she asks for a bottle for #6 and herself. I just love their little baby voices speaking in coherent sentences!! #6 is walking so very well, almost to the running stage. He has a few sounds that sound like several words: Ha for yes, mama, dada, ba-ohl for bottle and many more. I enjoy his face lighting up when we actually guess what he's saying!

Well, children are off to bed, hubby is finishing the tile in the kitchen, I just finished cleaning up dinner (cheesy cream of vegetable noodle soup) and changing the laundry. I was thinking that once the kitchen is done, I might actually put a picture. I'll find something with the "before" and then you'll see how great it looks now!! I forgot to mention that we moved alot of the storage things into the children's old room. We have more things downstairs to move up, then I'll be able to finalize what we will keep and ready everything for the move! **Did I mention that I love to organize and consolidate??!!**

Okie, I'm tired and I haven't knitted in 2 days!! Need to finish my shawl, I might post a picture since it looks so different from the usual! :)

All-you-alls have a blessed week and keep putting God first!

Whatcha been up to? (forget the dangling prepositions and read it as the common greeting that it is)

Well, got the computers moved and online downstairs. Hubby cleaned up the construction zone and we moved downstairs. Still moving the kitchen and misc. that is in the way. Won't be moving the bedrooms, at least not yet. It is so wonderful to see the sun and feel so much better and organize and get rid of the last of the stuff we don't use!!

Hubby started on the room upstairs and hopefully by tonight will finish framing in the room and closet. Then it's just drywall, painting, carpeting, and the final touches, oh, and the tiling. The other night I helped with stuff in the basement: too cold, too tired, but I helped! Things are really starting to pull together and looking closer to being done!

Ok, just wanted to update, not that you'd really notice. So are you gonna leave a comment already? I'm waiting. Oh, well...I enjoy having one-sided conversations, I always can give my opinions and know I am right...of course, I'm right! See, I can be my own "yes man"! :)

Ok, all you alls. I'll just get back to my busy schedule-which none of you can match!! I can think of ONLY one other homeschool mom that probably does, if not as much, more than I do! If you think you come close: LEAVE A COMMENT! Otherwise, quit your fussing like a little baby and learn from the pros!!

Toodles *worms.


*Taming of the Shrew, William Shakespeare

Winter Eating Holiday Festivities

The countdown has begun. It feels like a Sunday, but there's too much work to do! Enjoyed coffee with breakfast and a Lindt chocolates after lunch! NOW the festivities may begin. I will probably be up after midnight, but it won't be to eat; the other night I put up dry wall...ok, dh helped me hold it up & put in the first screw so it wouldn't fall on me, but then I placed all the others and started on another wall. We have to grout the bathroom tile still, so if the children go to bed well, I will offer to do that for hubby...I'm better at that then the screws-takes a whole lot more "umph" to drive a screw straight and in line with the others after the first few. The drill gets heavy, the screws become stubborn, etc. I'm not complaining, just pointing out that it's not as easy as hubby makes it look! I thought I'd quick take some pictures while I was waiting for the internet to connect again! (Yeah, the cable here is not very good, especially when the whole town is on the computer-makes it more difficult and longer than dial-up, but then it costs almost twice as much for the landline phone...so we use the Magic Jack (just $20 per year-long distance included...great deal if your cable works!) and when the internet works and we have time, then we make calls. Keeps us doing what we need to do everyday, rather than talking too much. But that could be done here as well.

This is the other side of the wall I did. The other side had the closet door resting on it. I guess the pictures will look better when we've finished walling in the rooms and clearing them to carpet et al!


Well, as you can see, hubby is busy grouting the tile as I sit here and type (and do laundry and feed the children and all that good stuff). I guess we'll be able to start on another project after bedtime.
It snowed again and we have a whole new batch of 4-6" outside on top of the already 3-4". After being inside for too long, it was time to bundle everyone and romp outside until fingers and toes began to numb. Hubby began to shovel the snow and the man who was snowblowing the school sidewalk drove over & plowed our driveway!! What a HUGE blessing. What would have taken a half hour or more took only 5-7 minutes! Thank you Mr. Neighbor!!



I made chili for dinner last night with leftovers for another meal...yummy. Today I decided to make another Broccoli 'n' Rice Soup. There's enough for another 2 meals. I know it's not the traditional Raviolis, but to a hungry man any bitter thing is sweet! (It's not bitter at all, very warming and stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal!)

What else? Making myself a pair of bedsocks. I'm doubling the yarn from the sweater my mom knit me (3 different yarns-twice) it's a bulky weight and it will keep my toes warm. They will only be ankle high. I also made 3 headscarves/headbands (calorimetry)...they are so wonderfully warm & better than a hat for me.



So, same 'o same 'o. It's a whopping 6 degrees (windchill of -11) and it was just barely warmer when we went out. The wind was around 15-20 mph and bit into my wet hair. Maybe I was hoping for freeze-dried hair, hehe! (I was wearing 2 hats and a scarf)


Oh, just saw the labor and birth of Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar's 18th baby, born by C-section on the 18th (just the other day). I guess I should vent on my other site. So you know...it's about the birth and not the number of children.

Ok, can't think of much more. Have a great day/week/month. Until next time.

On the -1st day of Hanukkah...

I know, it'll be Hanukkah starting tomorrow evening, but who says we can't start celebrating now?? And who says you can't continue all through til Spring?? I really dislike it when the holidays are over...then it's just cold and dreary and nuthin' to look forward to anymore!!

Anyway, Progress!! *singing* "Arizona here we come..." Ok, still working on the house, but definitely making progress!! I went through, in one evening, 1 file cabinet and 2 more boxes equivalent to the cabinet & dumped the old and have just a bit more filing to do!! Unseen progress, but progress nonetheless!! Then I consolidated 5 Rubbermaid/Sterlite/Whatever big boxes/buckets and 2 other boxes of misc. junk into 2 of the bucket things!! Then I organized my desk and made more horizontal space!!

Here's a promised construction pic: The second bedroom wall, the closet has since been added here and doors (sliding double) are ready to be installed.oops: I guess this pic isn't the one I thought I took. (see previous post) Will be getting that for you soon.

Biggest and Best of ALL -- I returned to being a Geek!! I (yes, finally for the first time since it's power supply was fixed) hooked up my oldest computer! It just beeped and I air cleaned the dust and reseated the components. Then I read online that it was the ram. Fearing a busted piece, I tried reseating the memory & HEY!! it works!! Then later I tried the CD player...it came on, but didn't do anything. I heard that wonderful still small voice say that it wasn't connected. I thought it must be connected-the power light came on. I knew that it needed to be connected to the motherboard. In I go, my own geeksquadette, get the cable-thing I had found while I was sorting through the boxes and plug it in...VIOLA!!! All in working order!! Now, I have a computer for the children to use and one for each my husband and I!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!


And here it is...our first batch of Kombucha. It's been interesting to say the least! Dear Hubby is taking care of it with precise temperature measurements and calibrations. It came with instructions, but not being satisfied with limited information, we turned to do extensive research online. Found plenty of pictures of healthy s.c.o.b.y.'s and unhealthy. Reading all about the process and chemical reactions that occur. I have really enjoyed learning!





So, are you satisfied with all these goings on? Right, meal planning: here's my list though I don't have days assigned.

Empanadas (meat turnovers)
Meatloaf 12-20
Grilled Cheese 12-21
(with leftover Meatloaf)
Lentils 12-16
Tacos 12-17
(with leftover Lentils)
Quiche 12-17
Pizza 12-18 Leftovers 12-19
(with Taco Meat)
Chili
Sweet Potatoes
Broccoli with White Sauce
Beans
Mixed Rice with Veggie Saute 12-20
Giant Omelet with Broccoli
(with leftover Taco Meat) 12-17

Ya think we don't eat meat-think again. We just eat alot more bean meals and/or mix beans with the meat, not to stretch it necessarily but to make it more digestible or to use leftovers. Breakfast is either omelets or just scrambled eggs with my bread toast and Gingermonhoney-(tm). We don't have sandwiches (except when I make meatloaf & use it in grilled cheese) and we don't have Mac'n'Cheese or Ravioli-O's or other processed foods. We are making our own yogurt again.

It snowed all day today. We had about 4" when I checked around 3pm and I didn't look again. Dare I brave the wind and weather for a true measurement for you....ok, be back in a jiffy.

Sorry, can't open the back door to the deck-frozen shut, mostly at the bottom.

So, are you done reading my blabbings? I'm getting hungry...need to eat...hmmm....Peanut Butter Balls.

1 jar of Smuckers Peanut Butter
equivalent Honey to PB
1 TBSP Molasses
2 tsp Vanilla
2-4 cups Oats (to your own consistency)

Refrigerate til workable. Form into balls, put in baggie and freeze. They may stick together this way, but it's no big deal.

Okie dokie, I'm off to eat. Talk to me...leave a comment...cause a ruckus, have a cream soda -- do something already Sidney!

Very Thankful Thursday

Happy Birthday to MEEEEE!!! Today, my niece and I share a birthday; she'll be 10!

Last night after all the babies were asleep, my hubby and I worked on the house. We laid tile in the new bathroom. Today we've been going through boxes/tubs of stuff - reorganizing and consolidating. Hubby has been putting up a wall to the second bedroom downstairs. Things are really coming together and looking like it too!! I'm so encouraged by our progress and am ready to get things moving up here. We're going to have to move downstairs when it's finished so hubby can work on the upstairs. It's really fun and challenging at the same time, but all in a good way. The more progress we see, the better we feel and are ready to tackle the next project! We have a 5 week time-line and we're going to be done!!

This is to the left as you enter through the main door:

This is to the right, standing in the same spot. The pictured door is the entrance from the master bedroom.

I will have better pictures and maybe a sketch of a bird's eye view of the house when we're close to done. It's really beautiful!

This is the wall to the second bedroom that hubby put up this evening.
I am thankful for all this great progress while still caring on a "normal" life! I've heard it said that a couple is really tested when working on a house (remodeling, repairing, refurbishing, etc.), but I know for a fact that letting your husband make the decisions and not getting upset because he uses you as his sounding board for ideas and plans, then things run so very smoothly and there are no problems! I am enjoying working with my hubby on this house and helping as much as I can.

"Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." Psalm 127:1

Go to the Thankful Thursdays site for more who have posted of their thankfulness!

"...But the Fire's So Delightful"

We are staying very warm!! My dear hubby finished installing a wood stove. It is such a blessing!! This is our very first real fire-place.

We've or rather my hubby again (I was watching a little)has made yogurt. The first time it came out perfect and the second time it was just about the same.

Here's what we did:

Raw milk in 1/2 gal jars

Put jars in large double-bottom pot (16qt) in lukewarm/cool water

Add starter (dannon plain yogurt) to milk approx. 1/4 cup per 1/2 gal of milk

Warm slowly to 108-112 degrees Fahrenheit, no less-will take a long time to set, no more-will kill the starter.

Leave for approx. 5 hours (it started to separate, which means it "cooked" for too long)

Put jars in refrig. and eat when cold.

*The 2nd time we heated the milk (to supposedly kill the "bad" stuff that fights the yogurt culture) added the started and let "cook" for about as long. It came out tart and a little less set!

So that's what we've been doing. And it did snow for Thanksgiving. Just flurries, but it was gone as fast as it came.

In The Last 10 Days

Am I really caught up on the laundry, again?! I didn't realize how much one can accomplish when modivated with knitting. After taking the night to blog (and not knit) I'll have a little bit of catching up to do in the dishes. You see, if I was going to knit, I would have made sure to get the dishes done during the day!!

I need to make Honey-Oat Bread and I think I'll be making Banana Bread-since the bananas are turning brown and I'm sick of the 80 cookies I made yesterday! (I didn't eat all of them and there are a few left.) I made some yummy soup that was just missing the little alphabet letters. Maybe next time. The children's eyes lite up when I mentioned alphabet soup and they started to ramble about spelling and reading while eating. Ok, now I'm really really really hungry....mmmmmm, soup...mmmmmmmmmm doughnuts!! LOL, Yes, I still have cravings!!



And dh had been able to do so much!! He tiled and put in the side door. That is sooo simply put, for those of you who have done these jobs know there are several steps before "just putting in tile" or "just putting in a door".


The 1st pic: Taking out the wood floor (gasp) to the edge of where we wanted the tile. 2nd pic: More than half way done tiling.
3rd pic: Door framing partly done. It's now complete, but I'll get better pics later.