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.

A Hunter's Widows Prayer

Pictured 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.

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! ;)

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. 

Menu Monday - 10/8

This Week's Menu     
    I had a couple of questions last week, on me cooking lunches & how I have time to cook. First of all cooking at this house, is just the way it is. I can't afford to eat out & cooking I really enjoy cooking. (Cleaning up.  . . not so much.)  As for cooking at lunch. Let me clarify. I cook at lunch when my husband is eating with us. If this usually means we/he has been working hard all morning   & needs that extra good fuel to keep going until dinner. If it is me & the boys only, lunch is a lot simpler. Sandwiches, mac 'n cheese, soup. You get the idea.  Here is what dinner is going to look like this week. I got a couple of ideas of pinterest & others from friends. 

Monday:
        B- Sausage & Eggs
        L - Sandwiches
        D- French Dip sandwiches & Veggies


Tuesday: 
         B-
         L- Sandwiches
         D - Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken from Meal Planning 101

Wednesday:  
          B- Breakfast on the Go
          L - Ramen Noodle Stir fry
          D- Clam Chowder, there is local restaurant with amazing clam chowder I have been trying to recreate from the day I tasted it. This is the closest I have found to it, still not quite the same, but still Yummy.

Thursday:
      B-   Cream of Wheat/Oatmeal
      L -  Ramen Noodle Stirfry
      D -  Chicken Alfredo Roll-ups (Making 2 pans, 1 to eat & 1 to Freeze)


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

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


Sunday:  
        B-  Omelets
        L- Creamy Bacon Carbonara from Get of your Butt & Bake
        D - Ham & Mashed Potatoes 

Baking:  Homemade Wheat Bread,  Something Sweet

As always I am linking up to Organizing Junkie. 

This Week's TO DO

• Laundry, cleaning, & laundry 
• Editing Pictures!!!! 
• Getting Ready for Company this Weekend.

Menu Monday - 10/1

This Week's Menu     
      Okay, so this may almost be the exact same menu as last week, but I planned a menu & I didn't even come close to following it. So we are going to try, try again. 
Monday:
        B- Pancakes
        L - Sandwiches
        D- Chicken Alfredo w/ Hot rolls


Tuesday: 
         B- Eggs & Sausage
         L- Sandwiches
         D - Beef Noodles

Wednesday:  
          B- Breakfast on the Go
          L - Tacos
          D- Chicken Pot Pie

Thursday:
      B-     Cream of Wheat/Oatmeal
      L -  Ramen Noodle Stirfry
      D -  Tuna Noodle Casserole


Friday: 
       B - On the Road
       L  -Shepherds Pie 
       D -  Tin Foil Dinners/Take out (On the way Home) 

Saturday: 
        B - Sticky Rolls
        L - Fajitas
        D - Apple & Maple Porkchops


Sunday:  
        B-  Omelets
        L- Creamy Bacon Carbonara from Get of your Butt & Bake
        D - Ham & Mashed Potatoes 

Baking:  Homemade Wheat Bread,  Pumpkin Cookies

As always I am linking up to Organizing Junkie. 

This Week's TO DO

• Laundry, cleaning, & laundry 
• Editing Pictures!!!! 
• Thank you cards written & mailed
• Make & Freeze Hashbrowns, 
• Make & Can Refried Beans