Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas, surrounded by family & rembering our Savior.
We had our traditional "journey meal" Christmas Eve & opened a present. Then off to bed so Santa could come.
Christmas Day was wonderful & lovely. We were blessed & spoiled more than we should have been & it was a wonderful day. My favorite part was how grateful my 8 year old was for everything he got. Everything, & not just once but multiple times throughtout the day. He said it was better than he hoped for.

Today now it is time to attack the house. Put things away & get this house clean. I am already thinking of New Years resolutions .& setting some new goals for myself.
But now I am off to restore order & take back my house in rooms like this:



Monday, December 17, 2012

Piles high . . .

I need to make my menu still today & a million other things. The wonderfully hubby just took all 3 older boys for their 6 month dentist checkup. I am now going to work like mad & get my knee high piles of laundry & dirty dishes under control. So until I can get back to the blog; here are a few pictures from over the weekend.









Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Sweet countdown

I wanted to make a countdown for Christmas. We made one like it years ago & the boys asked to do it again. All it requires is Saran Wrap, string & candy. Once it's all laid out the boys can do it with minimal effort. It makes each day a little sweeter.





Monday, December 10, 2012

Menu Monday - 12/10


This Week's Menu     
    So everything is pretty mellow this week. Just trying to keep up with life & parties.  The first of the week will be crazy, but hopefully it will all settle down by the end of the week & I can get some long overdue Christmas projects finished!!! I hope you are enjoying this wonderful season as well. 

Monday:
        B- Oatmeal
        L - Sandwiches
        D- Christmas Party!!


Tuesday: 
         B- Pancakes
         L- Quilt Club Christmas Dinner
         D - Soup & Rolls

Wednesday:  
          B- Scrambled Eggs
          L - Leftovers
          D- Shepherds Pie

Thursday:
      B-   Cream of Wheat/Oatmeal
      L -  Sandwhiches
     D-  Something that require leftover Ham, Any suggestions?

Friday: 
       B: Scrambled Eggs
       L: Mac N Cheese
      D - Tin Foil Dinners 

Saturday: 
        B - Breakfast Casserole
        L - Tacos
        D -Egg Rolls & Fried Rice

Sunday:  
        B-  Waffles
        L- Cheese quesidillas
        D -  Roast &  Mashed Potatoes
Baking:  Homemade Wheat Bread,  Something Sweet

As always I am linking up to Organizing Junkie


Friday, December 7, 2012

Life

Sorry I have been meaning to blog. But life has kept me busy. The whole crew has taken rotations of being sick. That is always fun. Right now it's my baby & hubby.
We took a road trip to Nevada. I saw wild mustangs. That was awesome.
We are doing scouts, YW, & homeschool & ranching things.
I am trying to get things ready for Christmas. We finally got our tree this week. Yeah
I am hoping to one day clean my house & have it stay clean longer than 10 minutes. But I homeschool & have 4 kids & sick kids.. It probably not happening. At least not today.
Did I mention my baby is 7 months & he is doing all sorts of new things. Things they I don't think he should be able to do yet. Things that add to the craziness of life. Things Like this:



Saturday, November 24, 2012

Blessed

I had a wonderful thanksgiving & hope you did as well. We ate way too much yummy food & pie. We played, took naps & visited & I didn't take a single picture!

I am so frustrated with myself for not taking pictures. I am going to have to beg some off everyone else. :0)

I was especially grateful for the safe return of my hubby & our amazing neighbors who braved the blizzard to get him & his hunting buddies. He finally got home about 2:30 am on Thursday.

So I have started to think of Christmas gifts. I have a tradition of a handmade present to my kids. I am really hoping to get those started later today. It always takes me awhile to make something.

I hope you are able to continue to enjoy your weekend. Before I go here is a hint to what I will be making this year.


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

My day

This was my day:

I am not whining. But as a mother/wife you would appreciate this: my day so far.

5;15 am
My hubby gets up to go hunting, so now I get to wake up too.

8:00 am
Feed the animals to find out my pigs broke down part of the fence & now I get to fix it.

10:00 am
My little dude gets Legos stuck up his nose until it is pouring out blood, just I get everyone loaded in the pickup it comes out.

11:30 am
I run errand with fighting boys. Enough said.

3:00 pm
I find out my hubby is stuck up in the mountains somewhere hunting. He is at least hunting with friends.

4:30 pm
I find out my wonderful neighbors are going to go help my hubby

5:00 pm
I am trying to make dinner with whining baby & hungry kids. Fun as usual

6:30 pm
My baby chokes on a piece of a plastic bag, luckily after several traumatic seconds that feel like hours we get it out

7:00 pm
I find out the rescue party is on their way. Yeah!

7:26 pm
I am trying to put kids in bed & get packed for tomorrow

Sometime later this evening I am hoping my hubby will get rescued & get home.

Thank goodness it's a holiday tomorrow!

And that that I have awesome neighbors!!!



Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Menu Monday - On Tuesday


This Week's Menu     
  This week is a short week, so cooking should be a breeze. I still haven't made the   Creamy Bacon Carbonara from Get of your Butt & Bake & still have every intention on trying it, so that is why is continues to be on the Menu. We are joining family for Thanksgiving & that will be nice. I hope you holidays are enjoyable as well!

Monday:
        B- Oatmeal
        L - Sandwiches
        D- Chicken


Tuesday: 
         B- Waffles
         L- Sandwiches
         D - Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu from Chef in Training

Wednesday:  
          B- Scrambled Eggs
          L - Leftovers
          D-Beef pot pie

Thursday:
      B-   Cream of Wheat/Oatmeal
      L -  Thanksgiving feast!

Friday: 
       B, L , & D - Still out of town

Saturday: 
        B - Breakfast Casserole
        L - Tacos
        D -Creamy Bacon Carbonara from Get of your Butt & Bake

Sunday:  
        B-  Omelets
        L- Cheese quesidillas
        D -  Roast &  Mashed Potatoes
Baking:  Homemade Wheat Bread,  Something Sweet

As always I am linking up to Organizing Junkie


Friday, November 16, 2012

Giving Thanks

I have an amazing mom. She does so much I really have no idea how she accomplishes all she does.
She gave us a present to open & boy were my boys excited!
She gave us the present a few weeks early. So I had to intially hide it for while so my kids wouldn't open it sooner. Finally the big day arrived. 
Thanks Grandma! 
It is an awesome Thanksgiving Countdown. So every day we open a present & thought, with something to be grateful for & an activity to go with it. It has reminded us we have a lot to be grateful for & my boys have loved it.

Yep, my mom is amazing. Thanks again. 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Mosaics

We have been studying the Byzantine empire this week. When the emperor Justinian had to rebuild the Hagia Sophia (a large beautiful church) he has a lot of mosaics put in it.
So we thought it would be fun for our this week Art to make our own mosaics. Since I was slightly short on glass, gold, silver & other precious metals like they used in the church; we ended up making ours with tissue paper.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Jungle Book

We have started reading jungle book. So today we decided to have a little fun. We built a blanket fort, which turned into our wolves den. So we had a picnic on our "wolves den" eating lunch & reading more of jungle book. We have designated the baby to be "mowgli". These are good days.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Menu Monday - 11/12



This Week's Menu     
  Sorry I have been out of it the last few weeks on posting meals. Here we are back to trying it again & hopefully a few more posts later this week.    

Monday:
        B- Oatmeal
        L - Sandwiches
        D-Beef Noodles


Tuesday: 
         B- Waffles
         L- Sandwiches
         D - Ham & Bean Soup

Wednesday:  
          B- Scrambled Eggs
          L - Leftovers
          D- Oriental Chicken Wraps

Thursday:
      B-   Cream of Wheat/Oatmeal
      L -  Leftovers
      D -  Creamy Bacon Carbonara from Get of your Butt & Bake


Friday: 
       B - Cold Cereal
       L  - Sandwhiches/Leftovers 
       D - Rice, Potato Hamburger Carrot Casserole

Saturday: 
        B - Breakfast Casserole
        L - Tacos
        D - Homemade Pizza (Making 2,  1 to eat & 1 to Freeze)


Sunday:  
        B-  Omelets
        L- Roast &  Mashed Potatoes
        D -  On your own

Baking:  Homemade Wheat Bread,  Something Sweet

As always I am linking up to Organizing Junkie




Wednesday, November 7, 2012

The smell of Autumn

I have this on my stove today & oh how it makes me happy. It is the smell of fall & holidays. Want to try it, it's simple & beautiful.

Cut up an orange & lemon. Throw in some cranberries, cloves & a cinnamon stick. Fill up with water & just keep it simmering all day. Your house will soon smell amazing. I usually keep a pot for several days up to a week & just keep adding water. You will know when to throw it & make up some more. Enjoy. I also just love the looks of it.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Field trip

Last week, we took a field trip with other local homeschoolers to a local pumpkin patch. It is always so enjoyable to be outside on beautiful days. We had a great time: here are a glimpse of our day. Sorry about the low quality pictures. All pictures were taken with my phone.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Lego words

Yesterday, we decided to take a break from the norm of writing in our journals & instead see if we could build words & sentences out of Legos.

Not sure if you can read them very well in our pictures.
One says : The pig digs & the other one days : the pig eats.

Monday, October 15, 2012

A Hunter's Widows Prayer

a monster mule deer buckPictured borrowed from Here


  This has been posted, once year every couple of years or so on my family blog.  But every time this season comes around my thoughts all go to the same direction. Except this year, I must say I am quite excited for the meat to fill my empty freezer. But still wish the days would go quick.  I wrote this little poem a few years ago.  So for those who understand oh so well, I thought I couldn't help but once again share.


A Hunter's Widow Prayer

   As I lay be down to sleep
,
 I pray oh Lord this prayer you'll keep.


That at first morning light,
 
A monster buck will walk in sight.

That my mighty hunter, may shoot it for dead,

and hunting season may be over before I return to bed.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Mystery Quilt Along

 I go to a quilt group, once a month. I think I have mentioned it here before. I love it.  It close & local & well I just love it. Did I mention that already??  Well, I happened to be the President of the quilt group for the year (it rotates every year,) so this year I happen to be in charge. We decided last month to do another Mystery Quilt Along. I thought I would invite you to join along. The way it works, is you can go along with us on this mystery if you so desire. Or not. The mystery is you are making a quilt without actually knowing what the final result will be.  .  . .
        So this month we are just gathering supplies. The end quilt is one from a Quilter Online & at the end of it all I will give her all the credit. There are 3 sizes of finished quilts to choose from.  
    For now, here are the instructions:
       Mystery Quilt Along




The  original quilt was done with a combination of warm & cool Fabrics, but you could also choose light & darks, Colors & Neutrals. This would also work great with Charm Packs.

SIZE 1: Mini – 20” x 20” - Choose 32 fabrics: 16 Warm, 16 Cool

1/4 yard, fat quarter or scraps of 16 Warm colored fabrics
1/4 yard, fat quarter or scraps of 16 Cool colored fabrics
3/4 yard (24” x 24”) of backing fabric (or pieced!)
3/4 yard (24” x 24”) of batting
1/4 yard binding fabric (95” of binding, total of 3 – 2.5” x 42" strips)
HST Size: 3” unfinished, 2.5” finished

Choose 32 fabrics: 16 Warm, 16 Cool and cut:
32 Warm colored 3 1/2” squares
32 Cool colored 3 1/2” squares
Cut 2 squares from each fabric.


SIZE 2: Baby – 40” x 40” - Choose 50 fabrics: 25 Warm, 25 Cool
1/4 yard, fat quarter or scraps of 25 Warm colored fabrics
1/4 yard, fat quarter or scraps of 25 Cool colored fabrics
1 1/4 yard (44”x44”) of backing fabric (or pieced!)
1 1/4 yard (44”x44”) of batting
1/2 yard binding fabric (175” of binding, total of 5 – 2.5” x 42" strips)
HST size: 4.5” unfinished HST, 4” finished

Choose 50 fabrics: 25 Warm, 25 Cool and cut:
50 Warm colored 5” squares
50 Cool colored 5” squares
Cut 2 squares from each fabric.


SIZE 3: Twin – 65” x 88” - Choose 44 fabrics: 22 Warm, 22 Cool

1/3 yard of 22 Warm colored fabrics
1/3 yard of 22 Cool colored fabrics
4 1/2 yards (69” x 92” ) of backing fabric (or pieced!)
2 5/8 yards (69” x 92”) of batting
5/8” yard binding fabric (320” of binding, total of 8 – 2.5” strips)
HST size: 4.5” unfinished HST, 4” finished

Choose 44 fabrics: 22 Warm, 22 Cool and cut:
176 Warm colored 5” squares
176 Cool colored 5” squares
Cut 8 squares from each fabric.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Feel free use more or less fabrics than I've indicated, it's up to you and the size of your stash! You can use as many different fabrics as you'd like, the numbers above are just a starting point. This quilt is all about using what you have, the scrappier the better! On the flip side, if you have a smaller stash, you could easily do this with 10 different fabrics, you'd just need to cut more squares from each fabric! Simply keep track of the # of squares you have as you cut, and be sure to only cut squares for one quilt size, unless you're making two quilts! ;)

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Our Homeschool - Last Week Summary

I have a friend who is an amazing homeschool mom. Who told me once that she just jots down everything they do & then she keeps track of what they have learned & done. Last week we were at the ranch most of the week & decided this would be a good day to try this out. I just typed up, in short notes on my phone as I could. I wasn't really descriptive. Just main ideas, so I could know. I snapped pictures with my phone as I could, so I could have a picture or two of what happened. I normally use my nice camera, but while working is isn't always convenient.  I liked how it was not only convenient because it was on my phone, but it was nice to look back & remember some of the stuff we got done. I think I will keep using this method of recording our week.
  Many people ask me how my kids are getting an education, when I have them working most of the week. Most of the people that ask this, only believe in public school, to begin with. It is my personal belief (there is a whole blog post about this), but I believe you don't only need public schooling to gain an education, here are some of the fun things we were able to learn about last week, while "Working".



10-2 - Tuesday
Headed to ranch, packed bags, did chores (basic living) , journal writing & drawing, spelling,
 history - Romans & the roman empire & it boundaries.
Science- mutations in genetics, the 2 headed snake & other animals.
Social studies - Italy, & Rome, Mediterranean Sea
Math- Constructions, numbers, counting.
Practice Sight words
Working witho a backhoe, safety with machinery

Starting to set concrete blocks for the base of the new lambing shed.










2 of the Boys Riding Along 


10-3 - Wednesday
Journals, stacking hay,
History- The fall of Rome & barbarians.
Reading - aesops fables
Social studies - Where is the Mediterranean Sea/ eastern & western roman empires
Construction - building of a privy, measuring, cutting, machine safety,
Basic construction, how to use power tools
Math - greater & less
Practiced sight words
This little boy is the "main" supervisor of all our working crews!!! 


Getting Help from Dad on Using A Drill







Helping Dad cut wood with the Chop Saw





Measuring Boards, we were looking for only boards with a width of 8"







Getting taught how to use the drill, so he can do it alone. 

10-4 Thursday  
Putting together trusses, hard work, perseverance, matching numbers, building parts, order matching letters, Setting electric fence, driving at night, working until dark, singing primary songs & talking about gaining testimonies: everyone is helping & happy. Good memories.
Drew pictures, made up stories
The oldest & youngest hanging out together. 
 

10-5 - Friday
Setting electric fence, power of electricity, solar power, herding sheep, keeping order, counting,
Definition of rhythm,
History: Celts & British, the legend of craith & his 3 magical warriors,
Social Studies: Location of Britain,
Math- greater, less, & inbetween. Before & after
Spanish- left, right, straight.
Science: Characteristics of an owl, learning to tell the difference between 2 animals, nocturnal creatures
Addition & subtraction practice, practicing language ladders
Practiced sight words

10-6
Math: random addition, journal writing, general conference,
This cutie boy, hanging out on the ride. 
Math practice - Somehow writing in dirt is so much cooler than paper. 
Moving sheep in the early morning. 
Setting Electric Fence. You can't see it, but each boy has a wire in hand. To put on the insulator, Top, Middle & Bottom wires. 
Another picture of moving sheep in the early morning. It is such a gorgeous sight. When I am not helping one time, I will grab my better camera & try to get a picture that does it justice. 
Working on that fence. 2 miles worth of electric fence, these boys help set.

So there you have  it, last week at a glance, besides the owl video I forgot to add (maybe tomorrow),  this sums up last week.