Seasons of Love

Construction - Work in progress!!!

2011-12-10T19:16:00.000-08:00

Coming soon - my new blog. I have changed the blog a bit and decided it would best to try to start fresh. I will be working on transferring my old posts to the new blog but we'll see how far I get :-)

Come check it out and see if I'm making any progress. Please leave me a note to let me know you've stopped by.

Blessings!

Susan

Mercy Triumphs

2011-12-09T19:48:00.000-08:00

This is the upcoming scripture study I will be doing in January. To say I am looking forward to it would be an understatement. I have never done a Beth Moore bible study but I've heard a lot about them. I have never heard anything bad either and that is a big plus. I really enjoyed Priscilla Shirer's Discerning the Voice of God that we finished last month.

Beth Moore suggests five levels of participation for this study. I'm going for the fifth level. I'm expecting great things from our God! He never disappoints.

Laminin...

2011-12-09T19:39:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this?

You need to see this.

How Cozi????

2011-12-07T19:36:00.000-08:00

For those of you who, like me, are always searching for a helpful tool to keep your life and home management a bit more organized - try this!

It is improving regularly and I think it is pretty user-friendly. I am trying to integrate it along with a couple other tools to help me with the lack of organization going on in my distracted little brain! :-)

It can be totally integrated with Flylady - sweet...

Wow! Who knew???

2011-12-07T19:05:00.000-08:00

I made the most amazing discovery today!!! It's December. Christmas is coming. It will be here entirely too soon and the long, cold winter will ensue. My past experience - too much to do, too little time to do it. The most important stuff gets pushed aside for the not important at all.

Soooo, here is what I discovered today. I don't HAVE to put up EVERY Christmas decoration I own. :-0 !!!!!! I started to have the usual stress attack about the house and all that still needs to be done when I suddenly realized... I could just stick the rest of that "stuff" back in the red totes from whence they came and stack them back in the garage out of the way until after Christmas when they will come back out again only to have the items already out and in use put back to be stored for another year. Bam! Done! The house looks great and very festive. You wouldn't know there is anything missing - which probably means there isn't. I even boxed up a few things that I really don't love to take to the thrift shop.

I continue to learn. There is progress in our home in many areas. One of the remaining monsters to defeat is the clutter monster. But I sense that the battle is about to be waged and I feel confident in our success. After all, we have a little advantage :-) God is a God of order, not chaos - and I am getting messages from every direction that this is an area that must be surrendered and held in strict discipline.

The journey continues...

2011-11-08T20:43:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time since I had time to read through some favorite blog/sites but tonight I took the time. It was no coincidence. If you are a homeschooling parent I encourage you to read this powerful message.

Get the tissues...

It is Enough.

2011-10-14T18:19:00.000-07:00

That is the thought that came pouring over me earlier this week as I was on my knees in prayer. It was actually such a relief. It is the answer to this question - is this all you want me to be, Lord? If His answer is yes, then it is Enough
I once thought I was meant to be a writer. Then I thought I was suppose to be a doula or a mid-wife; then a party planner; then a support group leader; then a youth minister. There have been many thoughts about what I thought I was suppose to be. Thoughts about the gifts that God gives each of us. My kids will tell you they have often heard me harping on them about the gifts God gives us - use them or lose them I sometimes say. If God gives you a gift He has a plan for how He wants you to use them and He expects you to do just that.

But lately, I have found myself pondering just what gifts it is that He has given me. To be honest, I have had some really sad pity parties as a result of deciding that He has given me no particular gifts. I did not say He has not blessed me - I am blessed beyond measure!!! I am referring to talent or giftedness in some area that shows up and is put to good use. It occurred to me in prayer that to be a faithful wife and full time, stay-at-home mom may be all the He has planned for me. My deep seated need for validation says to me that can't be all, can it? What good am I if that's all He has planned for me??? Now there's something to think about. Is it enough? Can it be enough? It might take some time to accept it fully but, yes, it can be enough. I think. I hope. I pray.

Really?

2011-10-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

It seems my previous post was totally incorrect. See if I believe everything I hear from now on :-) I have been known to be pretty gullible, sadly.

I have plenty of pumpkin stored up for the winter now, thanks in great part to my mom and my son-in-law - thank you Mom and Brad!!

The price of the pumpkins for carving... now that's another story. I don't recall the price for a single pumpkin being a flat rate of $10 at Sams??? The really large odd looking pumpkins at Eckert's are $25. That may have been typical and I would never have known because we usually go on the field trips to pick-your-own. Not this year.

KISS

2011-09-28T06:16:00.000-07:00

That is - Keep it Sweet and Simple.

So I have to update an earlier blog post. I thought the planner had me at hello but it turns out it is much like all the rest of the wonderful tools I have purchased in the past. It's quite lovely, probably perfectly useful for many but there is one problem - tools don't work by themselves; we have to put them to use.

I have searched and searched for the perfect thing that would keep me on track every day. I have found it but it's not a planner or an organizer or a website or a system for that matter. The only thing that can keep me on track every day is God. Yep, getting on my knees every day asking Him to order my steps. Sometimes it doesn't feel like I'm on track and that's very frustrating. I have learned that it doesn't really matter if I "feel" like I'm on track - gotta trust that if I'm listening and obeying - I must be on track.

only love god i no he loves me but it fells wanderfol

Did you know...

2011-09-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

check out the post on the impending pumpkin shortage - AND GO GET YOUR PUMPKIN!!!

Refreshed, renewed - so thankful

2011-09-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

I'm Catholic. I'm Christian. I love Jesus. Strange that I would feel the need to say that I am both Catholic and Christian. Catholics know that this is redundant but it seems that is not true of all other non-Catholic Christians. This isn't news to me. I shared recently with a very special friend that I have experienced an odd thing in the years since I went through RCIA and chose to become Catholic. I have witnessed people looking down their noses at others because they are not Catholic and some looking down their noses because others are. I have also witnessed Catholics looking down on other Catholics because they weren't the kind of Catholics they thought they should be. I'm told that this is common in every church, regardles of the denomination. How sad.

Last year I attended a Christian Women's Convention. I was uplifted and encouraged and I came away with a new perspective. Knowing and loving Christ is not about the religion - it's about the relationship. It's about surrendering to God every day, day after day after day. I was brought to my knees because of life circumstances a couple years ago and God used those circumstances and my helplessness to open my heart and my mind. I attended the same conference this past weekend and it was wonderful. There were women from nearly every denomination. Approximately 16,000 women from nearly every denomination. You know what they have in common? They want to know Jesus and they want to come together with others who want to know and love Jesus. They came to worship and grow and strengthen the faith they have. Have you ever been with 15,999 other women who are passionate about their relationship with God? Have you ever listened to 15,999 women surrounding you singing along with an incredible worship team and lifting their arms high in praise? I have. Did you know that the gesture commonly associated with charismatic churches lifting their arms high in the air in praise is the universal sign for surrender? Wow.

When the time comes for me to meet God face to face I don't think He's going to care what the sign on the outside of the building says about the church I attended. I think He'll care about whether or not I took the time to seek Him, know Him and obey him - in love, humility and compassion.

Your Great Name by Natalie Grant

2011-04-04T20:26:00.000-07:00

Can't imagine listening to this without lifting my heart to Jesus. I asked God to teach me how to praise Him and He showed me that this is a powerful way...

Lost are saved; find their way; at the sound of your great name
All condemned; feel no shame, at the sound of your great name
Every fear; has no place; at the sound of your great name
The enemy; he has to leave; at the sound of your great name

Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man
You are high and lifted up; that all the world will praise your great name

All the weak; find their strength; at the sound of your great name
Hungry souls; receive grace; at the sound of your great name
The fatherless; they find their rest; at the sound of your great name
Sick are healed; and the dead are raised; at the sound of your great name

Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man
You are high and lifted up; that all the world will praise your great name

Redeemer, My Healer, Almighty
My savior, Defender, You are My King

Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man
You are high and lifted up; that all the world will praise your great name

You had me at hello!

2011-04-04T20:00:00.001-07:00

Can't believe that I have never come across this planner until now. I attended the St. Louis Homeschool Expo and discovered this little jewel. Actually, it discovered me - it jumped off the display stand and called my name. I fell in love at first sight. I could have told the kind gentleman trying to demonstrate all the wonderful details but I think he knew it anyway - it had me at hello!

The photos simply do not do it justice. I may be getting ahead of myself because the one I purchased starts with July but I just went on line in hopes that I would find one from this past year, discounted - and that I did. I realize I'll only get a couple month's use out of the current year planner that I just ordered but it'll give me a feel for putting it to use before I put the new one into full gear. It does what no other planner I have ever found could do - it brings all the aspects of our lifestyle together as we know it - homeschool and all.

Check it out...

If you ever get a chance to hear Rebecca Keliher speak - do it! What an amazing story and inspiration. They have a magazine and other planners as well.

It's beginning to look a lot like Spring

2011-03-19T17:34:00.000-07:00

At least some days it's beginning to look a lot like Spring :-) And with that comes gardening fever - yes, I said gardening fever. It's somewhat like baby-fever but with a somewhat less lengthy commitment. We purchased some pre-made raised beds from Sam's Club today. We haven't opened the boxes yet - we want to take some time to consider more carefully if they will work for us. We have one bed that needs completely replaced and one that need repaired. Since John' knees are deteriorating and my abilities will be limited because of my back we have decided to transition to raised beds off the ground. We are looking for low maintenance and simplicity. Hmmm, can those words be used in reference to gardening?

I have six blueberry plants and four raspberry plants to get in the ground as soon as possible. We are trying to start more grape vines from cuttings so they are stewing on the top of the refrigerator in hopes they will take root. Experiments, always experiments in the garden.

I have definitely decided that my real passion is for herbs. I don't even know what to do with them but I am convinced I will learn. There are sooooo many!! What fun.

Preparing for Lent

2011-03-07T18:05:00.000-08:00

My dear husband initiated a conversation tonight about encouraging a deeper experience of Lent for our children (and ourselves). He has become quite good at providing resources for me that I didn't even know existed. The link from the title of this post will take you to an article that says exactly what our conversation really boiled down to. This past year has been a journey - a spiritual journey - for both of us. We made a decision to place and keep God at the center of our marriage and He has blessed us in ways we never imagined. We are no longer content to simply 'check the boxes'. We long for an ever deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father and with each other.

Check!

2011-03-06T16:10:00.000-08:00

I, like most, have a lengthy running list of projects that never seem to get done. Well, I am happy to report that recently I have noticed that each day at least one pretty important thing is able to be 'checked off' that list. Never mind that often times two or more things take its place - pooh! - I'll just be tickled that at the end of the day I can say "Check!" to at least something!! Progress; not perfection.

Today? Pruning grape vines and fruit trees - on time :-) Seeds (lots and lots of them) were purchased last week before the rest of the world figures out maybe they better start a home garden. The number of gardeners is growing by leaps and bounds.

Hmmm, maybe that Sunflower House will actually get planted this year. More raspberries and blueberries will be going in the ground. Strawberry patch will need to be renovated this year if we hope to keep it growing. Two raised beds will need rebuilt. Could be an interesting year with my back in its weakened condition :-( I'm so thankful this is a hobby and passion that John and I share. We make a great team.

May God Bless our garden with abundant fruitfulness!

Invasion of privacy??

2011-03-03T19:18:00.000-08:00

I say yes. It might seem like a rather odd thing for this blogger to write about but I just have one thing to say (well, I probably could think of way more but I'll try really hard not to) after reading several articles about the issue of Illinois AG Lisa Madigan's determination that all Illinois FOID card holders should be a matter of public record. Just one question really; if gun owners shouldn't worry about criminals being able to single them out because only the names will be made available and no addresses, phone numbers or other more specifically identifying information - how is that information helpful to those that claim..."Having those records in the public arena is also helpful in making sure that local law enforcement and the state police are following up with those people who have FOID cards who should be prohibited purchasers"...?

The state police have records of those granted a FOID card and those who actually purchase guns (legally). If law enforcement agencies need that information it is available to them. The simple listing of names with no other identifying information does not assist other entities in their attempts to keep watch on the enforcement of gun control. Isn't the information they want to give the "good guys" so they can be the self-proclaimed watchdogs over law enforcement the same information the "bad guys" would need to find the guns???

I still haven't read anywhere why the AP requested the information. What really gives here????

A curious mind...

Change

2011-02-28T08:46:00.000-08:00

"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading." Lao Tzu

Think about that; are you heading in a direction that will lead you where you want to end up??? If not, YOU have to change your direction.

Are you having a tough day? A tough week? A tough month, year? Just for today or even just for an hour, take God up on His offer to carry your burden for you. Allow yourself to receive the peace of knowing that we are not in control but He is!! Even a fleeting moment of release from the troubles of the day can lift us up and renew our strength.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you... to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Update on the strangeness of reality -

2011-02-10T18:09:00.000-08:00

Well, the story does seem to have a conclusion but I still can't really tell the whole story. I can, however, in my very small way tell people what they have heard and read time and time again - about the dangers of social networking.

I will not disclose details but will say that a recent experience in our family with Facebook and other technology was enough to teach some very valuable, life changing lessons. I have a history of being gullible and naive but time is changing that a bit. There are so many ways of being manipulated, deceived, robbed and hurt by technology that it makes me want to rid our lives of all of it.

I will share one example of technology available that everyone should be aware of if they are not already - ID spoofing apps. With this technology anyone anywhere can call from any cell phone or even a land line and change the number indicated on the caller ID on the receiving phone. This same technology allows the caller to change their voice completely - even from one gender to another. That being said, imagine what an individual or group could do...

Truth is stranger than fiction

2011-01-06T15:06:00.000-08:00

Do I have a story to tell, but I can't tell it because it is a true story and I don't know how it ends yet. I don't want to have any affect on the way the story unfolds so I will keep it cooking up in my little brain. But cooking - stewing - it is I tell you.

While I'm waiting.

2010-12-29T18:52:00.000-08:00

I have been waiting. I don't really know what I have been waiting for. I have been waiting to write - waiting to write something that would mean something - something that might help someone who needs help. I am still waiting. At least, I think I am still waiting. Many other things have been moving along; really moving along. I am so blessed and feel such peace. God has been working so much in my life this past year. Sometimes I wonder if I am even the same person I was then. If I have a gift for writing it is a gift that God gave me with expectations that I would serve Him with that gift. That is what I am waiting for. I don't mean I'm sitting on my duff in other areas of my life - quite the opposite - much growing and changing continue in every area of my life - our life. But while I wait to know in my heart what He wants me to write I will serve Him. That is what is in my heart when I listen to this song. How very far we are from where we were this time last year and where we are now and what miracles we witness without even realizing it sometimes. I hope I have learned to watch more closely for the miracles.

A lesson learned...

2010-11-09T07:02:00.001-08:00

So, after promising my daughter months ago that we would buy her a plane ticket to go visit a friend for a week this month, I got around to checking on the flight and purchasing the ticket - huh, what do you mean there are no non-stop flights from here to there? It's a major hub here to a major hub there! What do you mean it will cost me an extra $100 (each direction!) if I want her to have help getting from one gate to the next to catch her connecting flight (alright - in all fairness I did know this but I ASSUMED there would be a direct, non-stop flight so it wasn't a concern). What do you mean there are no reasonably priced flights - not even if I change the plans and book months in advance rather than weeks!???? Yes, I could drive five hours (in both directions) to get her to an airport that has a direct flight (X's 2 because I gotta get her there and then I gotta get her back!)but I don't wanna and besides that adds to the price of the ticket too because there's the cost of gas and a hotel because her flight would leave in the o'dark-thirty.

If I have learned anything this past year it is how liberating it is to be able to go to someone and say - "I'm so sorry. I made a terrible mistake and I take full responsibility for it." The old me may very well have tried to find ways to avoid taking responsibility for procrastinating and making assumptions that ended in a decision that caused such sad disappointment for many people - people that I dearly love and care for.

The most recent lesson? Check the details before making any promises!!! Also, I don't have to make a second poor decision because I recognize I made a first. I stepped up, took responsibility and rather than coughing up the cost of a ticket that I really couldn't justify in good conscience explained the situation to my daughter and offered to pay half of the cost in the future if she is willing to start saving toward that goal herself.

The upside? She gets to start driver's ed next week in lieu of the trip! :-)

Out of the mouths of babes...

2010-10-27T21:12:00.000-07:00

While sitting at my desk trying to get to the computer my 15 year old sat on my lap intent on showing me her costume idea and the 9 year old tried to nudge her over enough to join her so I said, "Both of you get off me - you're in my personal bubble". The nine year old laughed and said, "You don't have a bubble, you're a mom."

Need I say more?

Flash cards - Apologia Biology

2010-10-14T08:58:00.001-07:00

Made a discovery this morning that is helpful for those studying Apologia Biology. I wanted to make flash cards for the kids to study from and decided to do a quick search - assuming someone else surely would have already done this and maybe, just maybe, made it available to share. It was an easy search. Here is the link.

Happy studying!

Do you need something to lift your spirit today?

2010-10-04T07:49:00.001-07:00

St. Louis was recently blessed with the upgrading of Joy FM radio station. The fully listener supported station was able to purchase a bigger tower and now the broadcast area is much larger and the reception in incredible. FM 99.1 in the St. Louis area. Not in the St. Louis area? No problem - listen online!

You won't be disappointed - I promise!

Keeping it Simple and Using the Tools

2010-10-04T07:29:00.000-07:00

Back to the basics. What's for dinner, Mom? Well, let me tell you what is for dinner this week.

Today - Ravioli with meatballs and sauce and fresh baked french bread

Tuesday - Old Fashioned Beef Stew - my favorite recipe from Taste of Home and fresh baked loaf of bread

Wednesday - Bulgogi

Thursday - Creamy Chicken Asparagus over Puff Pastry Cups

Friday - Homemade Pizza!

Saturday - hmmm, banquet at a conference my hubbie and I will be attending so I guess this one is on Sarah or Amanda :-)

Menu planning is such a vital tool. I have no idea why any of us who eventually have to decide - what's for dinner - fail to use such a simple yet helpful tool. Having that menu means knowing what you're cooking (or what someone else needs to cook), having ALL the ingredients on hand, making sure that anything that needs thawed it taken out in time to do so. This also helps with grocery shopping because if we make the menu plan before the shopping list then we can include it all and won't be making as many last minute trips to the store to get "just a couple things" that result in coming out of the store with three bags of groceries only to get home and discover you forgot the "couple things" you went after in the first place and then calling for pizza delivery because now the plan is just blown - sighhhhh.

I'm not lecturing anyone who might be reading this and feeling guilty - I'm giving myself a good talking to :-)

It really is time to get back to some of the basics - and I have a new tool box full of new tools and I am so excited about getting to work. My boss has a lot of great plans for me - his name is Jesus. Do you know him?

Where-oh-where have all the bloggers gone!?

2010-08-18T19:29:00.000-07:00

Let's face it - facebook has taken over. How sad. I miss reading all those wonderful blogs. I have been asking myself - where have all the bloggers gone? Then I realized I have been gone for some time myself.

Life is moving at the speed of sound - didn't you hear it - that sonic boom?

There is something inside me that wants out - but words still elude me. I'll keep trying to find my way back. I'll be trying to work through The Artist's Way soon. Perhaps that will provide the inspiration I need to start writing again.

Changes, changes, changes, so may changes. People moving, people thinking about moving, new friends, old friends, hopeful friends. God bless them all.

If you're looking ...

2010-06-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

for some good books to help in your prayer life (besides the obvious - Holy Bible) I would like to strongly recommend the following books.

The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children

The Power of Prayer to Change Your Marriage

The Power of a Praying Parent

The Power of a Praying Wife

The Power of a Praying Husband

There are more but these are the ones I personally own and use. They have truly been a blessing to me in my prayer life.

I see there is one for teens. Don't have that one yet - guess what I'll be ordering tonight.

Blessings,

Susan

Yummmmmm!

2010-06-22T16:47:00.000-07:00

Did you ever have one of 'those' days? You know, the kind where you plan to make bean soup for dinner and you even get it started early enough in the day to make it really good bean soup but somewhere along the line the beans disappear from the soup. They just simply disintegrate into the liquid. Well, I had one of 'those' days today. But, fortunately, I realized it early enough to come up with a back up plan. It was quite a back up plan! Tried Pioneer Woman's Farfalle with Zucchini (just happened to have harvested a zucchini from the garden this afternoon). It was delicious!! Christina even agreed. I also happened to have the chives, basil and lemon thyme growing in my herb containers - sweet! Anyway, I recommend it even if you don't find yourself in need of a back up plan but keep it in mind just in case. :-)

Where, oh where have I been?

2010-05-27T21:07:00.001-07:00

I may be making my way back to blogosphere :-) I'm feeling the itch to write and play and post photos.

I miss my own computer. It'll come soon enough. Maybe there's been a reason we haven't gotten around to cleaning it up - it has forced me to loosen the grip that the world wide web had on me :-)

How important is it?

2010-04-16T14:53:00.001-07:00

Just do the next right thing.

Don't tell God how big your storms are...

2010-04-13T18:24:00.000-07:00

tell your storms how big your God is!

For Sarah

2009-09-18T19:17:00.000-07:00

I dedicate this post to my oldest daughter, Sarah, who has a special devotion to the memory of her sisters.

Ten years ago, our family was blessed by the very brief life and sad death of our unborn daughters, Emily and Alexandra. It was not the first time we had experienced the loss of a child through miscarriage but it was the most profound. We grieved deeply, as a family, over the loss of our baby girls. As part of that grieving process, I wrote the following story. I have felt compelled recently to share it in hopes that it might help others who have experienced the loss of a child through miscarriage or stillbirth. It is a child’s story but it comes from the heart of a mother.

Emily's Gift

2009-09-18T19:15:00.000-07:00

“Are you sure they will be okay? Emily asked God as she looked up into His gentle face. God squeezed Emily’s hand and assured her that her family on earth would be okay.

“It hurts to see mommy cry so much and I can see the sorrow in my daddy’s heart too, even though he won’t let her see him cry. I know how much you love them, God, but will they ever know?” A tear ran down Emily’s cheek as she softly asked her questions.

God gently lifted her into His arms and held her close. “Emily, I have a very special plan for your Daddy and Mommy and your sisters and brother. You are very much a part of that plan. You see, I want to give them a gift, but they aren’t ready to receive it. I sent you to help prepare them for my gift. Do you understand?”

“No, but I want to understand. Will you tell me more?”

“I know every soul before it is born. I created each and every person who ever has been or ever will be. I named them all. I love each and every one of my children and I want them to be happy. I want to bring them home with me when it is time. Most souls have work to do on earth before they are ready to come home. Some very special souls do their work quickly and come home to my arms soon. Sometimes very soon, like you Emily, before your earthly parents get to meet you face to face. Your work was done before it was time for you to be born in the way other souls are usually born. But, you did your work, just as I planned and wanted you to do.”

“Are they ready for your gift now, Father?”

“Not quite, but almost. You have another sister that you have not yet met. You have visited with Jesse, your sister who came home before you. But you will soon meet another special sister who will be coming home too.”

“You mean they must have another baby come to heaven before they get to meet her? But that is just too hard. My mommy and Daddy’s hearts will break and they will never know how much you love them. Must it be this way?”

“Let me show you, Emily, that it will not break their hearts. I will hurt, for a while, but it will also make them stronger because they will turn to me and seek my help and then they will be ready for my gift to them.”

God turned and swept his hand over Emily’s eyes and suddenly she could see something wonderful. Her family on earth was altogether and her mommy was not crying anymore. They were all happy and their pain was no longer there. In their hearts was a special place that they had saved just for her and Jesse and Alexandra, her sister whom she had not yet met. But there was something else; there was a baby, tiny and delicate. Their pain had been replaced with love. Baby Rachel was the gift that God wanted so much to give them. And Rachel was a gift to Emily also. She knew that God’s plan was perfect and that one day she would be with her family, here, in God’s home.

“Thank you, God, for showing me their future. I know they will be okay. When do I get to meet my other new sister? The one you said would arrive soon?”

“Be patient, my child, all things happen according to my plan. Do you trust me, Emily?”

“Yes, Father, I trust you and I love you.”

What's been happening in our neck of the woods?

2009-09-02T17:20:00.001-07:00

There's really no way of catching up on everything but I think it's time to add some of the 'highlights' to my blog - especially since I use it somewhat as a journal for myself.

I have to add a recent visit to my hometown. I was a bit excited to see that as my interest in gardening and home preserving was waning others were picking up the bug. These are folks who know how to do it because they really had no choice in the matter as they were growing up. But I heard talk of their kids (my nieces) deciding it was time to put in a garden next year so they could make sure their kids (my grand nieces and nephews) would have the skills should it ever become necessary. I hear a lot of people talking about having a garden for the first time ever or at least in a very long while.

So, while I was visiting I was very happy to help with a couple things I've never done before; picking grapes and making juice for jelly and stripping corn on the cob for freezing. It sure makes a difference when there are many hands to help with the prep work!

No words...

2009-07-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

can describe the feelings of the mother-of-the-bride a week after the wedding. I tend toward melancholy in the aftermath of all special occasions - the anti-climatic affect - and the wedding of our oldest daughter was certainly the most special occasion in our family life since the birth of all our children. It's not a sadness but a natural tendency to cling to the intensity of each and every moment of beauty and love that it brought to us.

All the beloved family and friends have returned to their busy lives and all the trappings of a cherished wedding have been tucked away for now. Time keeps moving ahead, as it always does, and life keeps ushering in that which is next.

I wish I could gather all those people who celebrated with us in my arms and hug them and tell them how much it meant to me that they were here to be witness to those moments in time. I wish I could make time stop for just a brief period so that I could cherish every single moment so much more than possible.

I am so thankful that I can feel that I have not lost a daughter but have gained a son and a really awesome extended family through him.

I thank God for each and every moment, every smile, every tear, every hug, every laugh, every memory that I will forever treasure in my heart. We are truly blessed!!

For those who asked...

2009-06-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

Here's the updated list. I sure hope Sarah doesn't check my blog. I know she hadn't for a long time...

Just a note - they are registered at Wal-mart for all their other wish-list items.

three-tiered stand w/two large one medium plate
appetizer plates & plates caddy
small bowl caddy w/two small bowls
petite squares
rectangle platter
bambo snack bowls
bambo square bowl medium or large
base brush
jamaican jerk rub
medium, small square bowls

This is going to be fun :-)

2009-06-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

You know I like doing things a little bit different than the rest. This is how the wedding shower invitation reads:

We'll be playing
"Bridal Bunco"

Please bring a package
of toilet paper

This is a couples' shower
So please feel free to bring your
Significant other
(unless it has four legs and pees in the yard)

....

Bridal Bunco - I have lots of ideas about that. Sarah didn't want to play the 'corny' traditional shower games and she wanted to include couples so, of course, I thought immediately about Bunco.

And you know you might be a redneck if your shower invitation has to exclude pets :-)

Do you remember when...

2009-05-26T18:51:00.000-07:00

We used to play in the rain?! When I was Rachel's age I couldn't wait for a good hard Spring rain without lightning because it meant I was free to romp and splash and revel in the cool wet gift from heaven! We lived on a corner and there was always a huge hole on the side of the street that transformed into our personal puddle during these times. I was also allowed to stand under the gutter downspouts. This may sound disgusting to some but as a kid growing up without access to a pool and no air conditioning it was truly wonderful.

So, when Rachel was extremely disappointed this weekend because just as we were leaving to go to the pool and the down pour began I told her to stop fussing and 'go play in the rain!'. She looked at me rather strangely at first but when she realized I was serious she was off and runnng (and splashing!)

I've added some titles to my favorite garden books

2009-05-26T18:42:00.000-07:00

And as you might guess, they are books about growing and enjoying herbs!!

Josh, I have something to tell you

2009-05-26T18:25:00.001-07:00

I'm overriding your decision not to use chemicals while at the farm. You will use a helmet while on wheels of any sort and you will spray with OFF or some other insect repellant the next time you go to the mudslide!!

Signed,

Mom

Speaking of Pampered Chef(s)

2009-05-26T18:17:00.000-07:00

Deb, thanks for coming out of your comfort zone and doing my first party in years!! I had a great time, the food was really good - I have made the pasta dish three times since the day of my party and the pizza, too! Thanks to all those who came and made the party a great success - now Sarah will be blessed with many, many things on her list (but don't tell her - I don't think she'll read my blog anytime soon but if she does I KNOW SHE'LL ACT SURPRISED!!) :-)

Happy Birthday, Christina!

2009-05-26T18:02:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is a belated post but the family celebration was right on time. Never mind the fact that I totally blew it on the cake. What can I say? I went to Sam's early in the week so I could order what she wanted and I couldn't get anyone to wait on me. They were all too busy chatting in the back and talking on the phone. I got impatient and left thinking I would come back later or call it in. Hmmm, I forgot. It's that simple, I forgot. I am such a loser mom sometimes! I have somehow really slacked off on being prepared for these special occasions. One of my really, really important goals as of now - getting ahead of the curve - being ready for special holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, all those things that just deserve our attention. I'll get my head in the game, I really will!

What it's all about

2009-05-26T17:55:00.000-07:00

While attempting to declutter and create what I have been referring to as 'company ready, family cozy', I have to remind myself that this is what it's all about. I have never tried to keep up with the Jones' - whoever they are - but I do sometimes feel like the Clampetts and would like that to happen less often. I don't think that's asking for too much!

The bride and her maid (of honor)

2009-05-26T17:40:00.000-07:00

Sarah would like to think that Mandie will serve as her maid but somehow I just don't see that happening :-) Oh, maid-of-honor... okay, I think she'll like that better - maybe. We went to breakfast together and then off on our mission to the long list of places we needed to check off our to-do list. As always, there were some stumbling blocks (and some torrential downpours) but it was a good and productive day. We were diligent about keeping Mandie awake in the back seat; we poured caffeine down her and turned the music up really loud (what did you say?) but I still spied her cat-napping between errands. I don't know, something about two jobs and having way too much fun between long shifts since summer break began.

It's all good! 53 days and counting.........

T-3 done for now...

2009-05-20T19:23:00.000-07:00

Tonight was the last night for the small group doing T3. I enjoyed doing it and I think I will want to do it again in the Fall.

The 'school' year is winding down and the schedule becoming a bit more free - I am so glad; we really, really need some breathing room.

Pampered Chef for Sarah

2009-05-20T19:16:00.000-07:00

I have had a few of you ask if Sarah would like items from Pampered Chef for shower/wedding gift and the answer is a resounding,YES! Below is the list - this was the easiest way to put a list out there since she didn't actually register. This is a big wish list - it will be good to work from for years from Mom.

three-tiered stand w/two large one medium plate
appetizer plates & plates caddy
small bowl caddy w/two small bowls
petite squares
rectangle platter
bambo snack bowls
bambo square bowl medium or large
large serve spatula
large spreader
all purpose spreader
quickut paring knives
easy read measure cups
mix-n-chop
rectangle stone
muffin pan stone
silicone crown cake pan
base brush
jamaican jerk rub
medium, small square bowls

Sarah tells me this is in no particular order. This is the list she provided and it does not include detailed item numbers :-(

Anyway - there's some ideas for those of you wondering what to get the bride-to-be. They are also registered at Wal-mart.

A flower - for me?

2009-05-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

It's been a while but I took photos and kept it as long as I could. Josh picked it at the farm and gave it to me. He knew the name and told me about it - how cool.

Work in progress!

2009-05-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

Today has been a good day! I have accomplished much and still have time and energy to do more.

I had 2 yards each of mulch and soil delivered today. According to their records this was a small load :-) Two years ago we had 4 yards of soil delivered and last year it was 8 yards. I don't know why I had never considered having them deliver mulch as well. It's so much cheaper this way than buying the bags at the box stores. Of course, the past two years we had been getting our raised beds up and running and now we just have to add a little each year as needed. This soil is mostly for containers that I want to use to spruce up the outdoor living space with color. We also have some erosion issues we need to fill in. The mulch - well, that's self-explanatory.

I brought home a piece that I have held on to for years knowing that eventually I would want to use it for something - an old (very old!) cast iron stove. It had been safely tucked away at my mom's house for years and I loaded it up and brought it back with me this past weekend. Now it has a fresh coat of black paint and is ready to be staged as 'hardscape' with some nice potted flowers.

They say that keeping up is hard to do...

2009-05-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

(to the beat of 'breakin' up is hard to do') get it? Yeah, I'm dating myself, I know. But my title is just as true. Can't keep up with myself, let alone the Jones! I have a list of lists and then other lists. Have I mentioned lately that I HATE shopping!!! Part of the list(s) includes shopping - shopping for home projects, garden projects, vacation preparation, wedding preparation, grocery shopping - it goes on and on. Yes, I am very thankful to be blessed to have a home to improve and therefore have to shop for and a vacation approaching and a wedding and a budget for food that allows cooking great meals (and not so great sometimes, too). I would just rather spend my time doing the projects and hangin' out at home with my family than run around from store to store to store only to have to go back to the same stores to return and/or exchange items that didn't work out as planned.

Wouldn't you like to offer me a little cheese to go with my WHINE! :-0

Seriously, the trees still need pruned. I discovered today that I probably made a bad decision planting my bushes where I did because I think it has poor drainage :-( I still don't have some of the other things planted that probably should be by now but it's not too late either.

Time to get back to work - or at least back to thinking about all the work that needs to be done.

What did you say??

2009-05-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

Love this sign - it says what most people say when they hear where I'm from.

Love Affair

2009-05-07T19:07:00.001-07:00

Have I ever told you about my love affair - with herbs?? I love my garden, my fruit trees and my berries and I'm even beginning to warm up to flowers, but my true love is for herbs. I love they way they smell, the way they grow, the way they look, the way they can be used and enjoyed in so many, many ways - I just love herbs!

I had to go to the green house today - to pick up one more yellow pear tomato because dear husband broke the other one I got for him for his experimental hanging bucket. Rachel laughed at me as I walked across the parking lot and into the building talking to myself saying over and over - self control, self control, only need a couple of things, only need a couple of things... :-) I was only going to get the yellow pear tomato and a basil start because I want it sooner rather than later. But the herbs greeted me with their wonderful scent and laughter and I was lost to them, again. I managed to get out with only the following: sweet basil and cinnamon basil (a new one for me), oregano, chamomile, sage (a couple actually - the pineapple sage has such a wonderful aroma I had to have it along with the purple sage), rosemary and French tarragon. I also added a jalapeno to the plan because the Pico de gallo recipe is perfect and I am growing every single ingredient in my garden now!

As Rachel and I were enjoying our shopping John called to say he was just leaving work which happens to be immediately across the street from the green house where we were. I invited him to join us because I wanted him to see the wisteria I have been drooling over. He arrived and liked the tomatoberry I introduced him to so we'll be adding that to the hanging baskets. He did not seem impressed with the wisteria though.

While checking out he discovered the same planter I had stopped and considered when I entered. I cautioned him that it was expensive but he quickly pointed out that he could spend the money to buy it for me for Mother's Day rather than a bouquet of flowers that would quickly die. Hmm - point well taken. It would be absolutely perfect to grow my herbs on the deck!! Thanks honey! :-)

So, before all this took place I did manage to get into the backyard to plant the two blackberry bushes and the blueberry bushes that had not made it into the ground yet. I feel so much better. We need more dirt. We need more blueberries and more blackberries and more grapes.

Guess what!? The big apple tree is finally producing!!! It's a big tree and it is loaded with tiny little apples. And the pear tree is producing for the first time! Our nectarine and peach tree both have leaf curl again, how sad. Some serious pruning needs to be done and that will still have to happen even though it's a bit late. My instructor said it's never too late and she is a ferocious pruner like I am. Fungicide will have to be applied in the fall and the pruning will help keep the trees as healthy as possible for now.

Oh, oh I almost forgot!! Rachel spied a spanish peanut plant that says it will grow here [see me shaking my head with doubt] so she will have an experiment of her own. It really does say it will grow and produce spanish peanuts here that can be eaten after drying time; who knew??

We have decided that we need a couple more raised beds - honey do list grows again!

Happy gardening!!

Making believe

2009-05-04T19:22:00.000-07:00

She hasn't lost her sense of imagination - thank goodness!

Okay, Pascual's Kitchen is open again

2009-05-04T19:18:00.000-07:00

I posted the recipes for buttermilk pancakes and the quiches I made for our most recent meeting.

Buttermilk... it's for breakfast

2009-05-04T18:41:00.001-07:00

I don't know how many people keep buttermilk on hand most of the time but I have found that these days I generally do keep a half-gallon on hand. It makes the best pancakes and I love buttermilk-fried chicken. I know,this belongs on my kitchen blog. I'll add some of my favorite recipes that use buttermilk soon.

How about you, do you use buttermilk?

Move over Topsy-Turvy!!

2009-05-03T15:43:00.001-07:00

Perhaps you have seen the advertisements for this neat little contraption - it's a bag for growing tomatoes upside-down in a bag. The idea is to take up less space and be easier to harvest. Well, my dear husband had been contemplating trying this in his own way with the decorative hanging baskets. I cautioned him that it probably wasn't enough room for the root system but we'd try it anyway. Then, yesterday at our family picnic Danielle was telling me about her brother who grows his in 5-gallon buckets using the same concept. Perfect! We had the buckets and it was exactly what John was looking for. It's experimental, no doubt, but it will be very interesting to see how it works.

The secret to keeping a hungry teen-age boy content

2009-05-03T15:24:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know it's basically junk food and has no redeeming qualities accept they taste really good. If you don't have teen-age boys yet you might not know that they go through stages of favorite foods. They will find one food to be their absolute staple that must be available at all times unless you want to see them act like a small child whining about not having anything in the house to eat (never mind that both pantries, all refrigerators and the deep-freezer are pretty much full to the brim!). I am thankful that at least it's no longer hot wings - less frying for me :-)

I would look for a recipe to make them rather than pay the rather expensive price for each box but about the time I figure out how to make them so he'll accept the homemade rather than the store-bought (if ever) he'd move on to the next favorite. So I am thrilled to find them on sale like I did today - hence, four boxes.

And so it begins...

2009-05-01T13:09:00.001-07:00

the weeding! The seedlings are already popping up through the soil. Planting was complete (amost) last Saturday and the week of sunshine and rain has been a perfect combination for a good start.

We added a few things to our collection: two new grape plants, three raspberry, two blackberry and two blueberry plants! We do have a few things that didn't make it into the ground last week and we'll have to wait for it to dry up a bit before getting them in but we are running on schedule so far so we should be good to go. Corn, zucchini, yellow squash, watermelon, pumpkin, cucumber will all be added below the hill out of the beds. These plants really don't do as well in raised beds as they do in an open field - imagine that! I plan to plant the squash inside a collar of ice cream buckets, 2-liter soda bottles or milk jugs to project them from borers and mowers :-) The squash borers have been a problem the last two years ending their growing season very early and very abruptly. I really hope to avoid that this year. I purchased many straw bales early on and they are waiting in the garage to mulch around the beds but more importantly for our hopeful field of pumpkin and watermelon. We have a plan - it's a good one - and I really pray that it works well.

I never did get around to planting a sunflower house last year but I am absolutely determined to do it this year. I have all the seeds and am going to plant them inside protective collars as well to make sure they get a good start without the threat of mower injury.

I'd love to include some photos but it's rainy and chilly out today so it will have to wait for the sunshine to come out.

Carrot Club!!

2009-05-01T13:00:00.001-07:00

If only their mother shared their passion equally...

What a blessing Roam-on-the-Range has been and continues to be to our family.

A Proud Accomplishment for Mom

2009-05-01T12:57:00.001-07:00

Rachel's First Holy Communion

2009-05-01T11:00:00.001-07:00

A new season of life is certainly upon us. We are actively planning our oldest daughter's wedding, preparing for our second youngest's confirmation and just recently celebrated our youngest's First Holy Communion. While it may just be the gloomy weather outside today, I sense a bit of melancholy - "sober thoughtfulness". Perhaps that is not the right word because I am definitely not depressed or sad - these are all wonderful, holy sacraments to be celebrated with joy. I believe it is just the sense of change heading our way that leaves me in sober thoughtfulness.

You must listen to this...

2009-04-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged for a while and I don't really have time now but I was looking for a recipe on another blog and hit this link at the author's urging - unbelievable - my skin is still tingling!

Wow! It's April

2009-04-06T17:53:00.000-07:00

Although you wouldn't know it from the blustery weather this morning!

Blogging has been replaced with !Wedding Planning! The date got moooooved up a bit :-) The best man, who is an irrepaceable friend to both Brad and Sarah will be deploying this fall and will not return for nearly a year. So, the date has been changed to make sure he is present and accounted for! I doubt you'll see much blogging here in the next few months unless something gets hold of me and says I must. The new date is July 18th!

Now, where was I on that list of things-to-do...??

These are my people...

2009-03-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

These are my people
This is where I come from
Were givin' this life everything we got and then some
It ain't always pretty
but it's real
It's the way we were made
Wouldn't have it any other way
These Are My People

Uh-huh - I was inspired by Daniel's blog posts. It suits me very well today as I suffer from Spring angst. Every year I wonder around the house thinking of all the things I hope we finally get around to this year... and then worrying about how much that work will interfere with the garden and family time. No time to blog - I have too many things to worry about!

Lost and found - again!

2009-02-11T12:22:00.000-08:00

Ask me if I have time to be sitting here blogging and I will tell you, honestly, no way! But I had to say that I FOUND MY CALENDAR!!! Thank you, Christina, for your effective prayer :-)

Now it is interesting to note where I found my calendar and the irony ;-) I found it in the pages of the - ehmm - lesson plan for the kids. Why then, you ask, did I not find it earlier? Well, that would be because Susan, the unstructured, disorganized, feeling like she is failing her kids homeschooling mom hasn't looked at the lesson plan in ___________ we wont' even put a number of days in here. That's not to say they haven't been doing their work but it certainly is to admit that it's not being done consistantly and well. The call went into the superintendant today from the frazzled teacher that she just can't do this anymore!!! I at least accepted a good portion of the blame. They don't know what to expect from one day to the next!

Being unstructured is okay for someone whose personality leans that way but mine does not! I love structure and routine - I thrive on it - but I am just struggling so much with getting it in place and keeping it in place!

It's a good thing that the Lord called us to this whole homeschooling business because if He hadn't we would have thrown in the towel a long time ago...

By the way, when the superintendant heard the lamenting of the teacher he offered to come home and help but didn't even have a hint of suggestion that sending them back to school was an option. Thank goodness!!!!

Something lost, something gained...

2009-02-09T17:42:00.000-08:00

Well, the last post announced gleefully that I had rediscovered our school room. This post will distressfully announce that I've misplaced my calendar. I said - I've misplaced my calendar! Did you read that? I've lost my calendar!!! Unfortunately, that doesn't make time stand still just because I can't find my calendar!!!

If you find my calendar could you please return it? I'm sure it's very lonely where ever it is...

I found it!!

2009-02-01T21:27:00.000-08:00

I have been looking and looking for my 'school room' and I just couldn't seem to find it amongst the piles of papers and extra tables and chairs and filing and craft stuff and, and, and --- I found it!!! When I went to the basement this morning I heard this tiny muffled voice calling out to me, "Help me, help me! I'm under here, get a shovel - go for help! I can't breathe under all this weight!!!" Well, this was one of those plates that had to be spun today, before another week begins in chaos!!

Sigh.... sweet success.

Oh, BTW - Steelers are awesome!!!!! Yea, baby :-)

Too many distractions...

2009-02-01T13:46:00.000-08:00

Some days just seem like the plates that you have to keep spinning are completely out of control. When you have many days in a row like that it really can drag you down. I really think, for me at least, it is much about my perspective. Some days I get up feeling like I can accomplish everything I really need to and some days I know before I ever get out of bed that I won't accomplish enough to feel like I even got out of bed that day.

I think we tend to forget the lessons we learn along the way. Lessons like turn off the television, the ringers on the phone and the computer. I need to admit to myself that I cannot focus on my vocation if I am constantly distracted by these tools. They are wonderful tools and I am greatful for the fact that we can benefit from their use. But where do we draw the line between their usefullness as tools and their drawbacks as distractions?

I am vowing today, Sunday, that I am returning to my original commitment to turn the ringers off, keep the television and the computer off until a certain point in the day when I believe they will no longer simply be a distraction from the more important things to be done.

The Vinn diagram is about to become my planning tool. Too many thoughts swirling and too many things demanding my attention. Must get focused, must get focused...

Today it snowed - even more!!!

2009-01-27T16:55:00.000-08:00

and my baby got engaged - officially!!!

Last night it snowed - a lot!

2009-01-27T16:49:00.000-08:00

And then...

And my baby got a new car. Here's Dad and baby in that snow by the new car.

I've never really paid attention...

2009-01-23T15:17:00.000-08:00

not like now. I wonder if my parents ever really paid attention to things that happen after a new president takes office.

The continuation of my last post just isn't going to happen. I was in a dream state of optimism. Sometimes it doesn't pay to be an optimist, really, it doesn't.

Who cares what I think anyway?

2009-01-21T19:45:00.000-08:00

I ask myself, why bother to write what I'm thinking here or anywhere. I guess because it's my blog and maybe one day I'll want to look back and remember what I was thinking at a given time - who knows, who cares?

Well, what I've been thinking about a lot lately is how it saddens me to hear people say that they didn't even bother watching the presidential inauguration because they weren't happy with the outcome of our election. I'm not thrilled with the outcome either but I'm still, as cliche as it sounds, proud to be an American. This is my country, my government and my elected president; not elected by me but by the majority of the American voters. I'm not particularly optimstic about the things that will happen over the next fews year but I'm willng to give it a chance. All things happen for a reason - all things.

As Christians who are deeply concerned about the policies of our new president, we need to pray about our role in this new era. We can't change other people, we have to start with ourselves and that has to be enough. Are we doing enough in our own homes to raise Godly children? Children who will grow to be adults who know good from evil and will choose good even though evil surrounds them and is expected of them by others who do not know the difference or refuse to acknowledge the difference?

A dear friend's favorite quote - "Do small things with great love" - and change the world!

To be continued... maybe

So, what do homeschooled kids do on a 'snow day'?

2009-01-21T19:07:00.000-08:00

Well...

Who has time to blog, I ask you?

2009-01-11T18:14:00.000-08:00

I'm blogging during commercials... I have been trying to find time to change the color and background on this blog to something ELSE. I haven't liked anything I've come across yet. I guess when it really comes to the top of the list of priorities I'll find something I like better. I may be fifty-something rather than forty-something by then... :-)

The January schedule has started to fill up and with great things I might add! The most excitig to me is probably the Master Gardener training course I start on Tuesday. I'm sure I'll be posting more about it in the weeks to come.

24

2009-01-11T17:58:00.000-08:00

Are you watching? John enjoyed watching the Steelers beat the pudding out of the Chargers! Now it's on to my favorite addiction...

This Christmas - Our Christmas

2008-12-28T16:56:00.001-08:00

Some photos to share...

Caution! Construction Zone

2008-12-08T15:53:00.000-08:00

Looking at my house you would never guess that I had 12 kids and 5 adults here today building these beauties! I will have more pics to share when Jen and Robin send me their's (hint, hint). These are from left to right: Rachel's, Joshua's and Christina's. Good thing I don't have to store everyone's - they took their own home to display and enjoy.

No, silly, it's not an early Christmas present...

2008-12-06T08:43:00.001-08:00

it's a late birthday present! You don't get off the hook that easily!

This is one of those things that defines my personality somewhat. I know women who love receiving beautiful jewelry and perfume and other such things on gift giving occasions. Me, not so much. Don't get me wrong, I think jewelry is great and I have some favorites - most of which have far more sentimental value to me than dollar value. Examples are the beautiful cross of rubies and diamond my mom had custom made for me for my birthday this year. It truly is priceless because it is made from rubies she and my grandmother received for their years of dedicated service to the same company and a diamond that belonged to my father. She had it set in a cross for a necklace. Another is the Christmas necklace made of fabric and marbles (yes, you read that right, marbles)by Christina as a school project. She was surprised to discover that I still own that necklace and still wear it during the season. I also received a beautiful heart necklace from my oldest daughter for my birthday this year. I have many special items John has blessed me with over the years. He especially likes perfumes from many of the places he has traveled. But whenever it was even suggested that I needed a pricey diamond to replace my original wedding and engagement ring I made it crystal clear that I do not want nor will I wear a ring on my finger that would have made half the payments on a car. The way I work with my hands the chances of losing something like that just seems unreasonably high to me. Not to mention the fact that I would much rather see that money put to some other good use.

However, kitchen gadgets, that's another story entirely! I love being in the kitchen, I love gadgets that make preparing meals and other edible wonders easier and more fun. *Please note: washing dishes is not included in the things I love to do in the kitchen! I have become more selective in the gadgets I have though. Most take up too much room and are too limited in what the can do. I prefer good quality tools that can perform several functions and I don't mind spending a bit more on those types of items. You can find good deals on them sometimes. Both of my favorites were good deals. The Kitchenaid mixer was on the shelf of the BX in Puerto Rico as a return. Whoever ordered it didn't like the color and when they put it back on the shelf it was at a discount price significantly lower than the regular price. It was mine, I didn't mind the color so much. The other was my bread machine. I was introduced to bread machines in California by a neighbor who made the most delicious pizzas! As I began my search for a bread machine I was assured that a Zojirushi was the best. I became convinced after sampling breads made from several different machines. Sadly, I discovered the Zo was one of the most expensive machines available. Imagine my childish glee when I came across the exact machine I wanted at the base yard sale :-) This is also the first moment I ever really came face to face with the fact that my dear husband knew what he was talking about when he said "cash talks". I don't even remember the price that was marked on it but I knew what I had in my pocket and it was about half. I couldn't imagine that they would accept such an offer but I took a chance anyway. I think the heavens really wanted me to have that bread machine so my timing became key in the deal. I approached the family that had it for sale and just moments before the wife had left to tend to something and her husband was left to do the bartering... I don't think he had any idea what was about to happen but I've always wondered what kind of conversation took place after I walked (skipped) away with bread machine in hand. He didn't even bat an eye. I offered him what I had, in cash, even though it wasn't close to what they were asking and he took it on the spot.

Now, you might be chuckling thinking I'm the one who got suckered but I can tell you I was not. That bread machine lasted through five more moves and made countless delicious breads and doughs for our family and friends. I never regretted the money spent on it and I knew that when and if it died on me it would be replaced immediately by the same type. Imagine my disappointment and frustration when the only thing that ever happened was the gasket going bad and the fluid leaking from the bottom of the pan. All I needed was a new gasket. No problem I thought; I'll call the company and get a replacement part or even a new pan if necessary. Hmmm, sorry ma'am, we don't make that model any longer and there are no replacement parts available. It's been replaced with this big beautiful, even more expensive model :-) That was put on hold for a long time. The machine sat in my basement awaiting it's fix but, alas, there would be no repair. I even checked e-bay and online at all the parts suppliers. Nothing. I could buy another used machine, the same model for $75 and $25 shipping and handling... (that was as much as I paid for the original over ten years ago)

Since I have been seriously contemplating a return to more simple things, including making our own breads again, I started the process of looking for the newer model. I found it, on sale with no tax and no shipping. There was that check my mom sent for my birthday that I had not decided how to spend yet and there was the fact that I still didn't have my promised creme brulee set dear husband promised for my birthday :-) Okay, I'll take it.

It arrived three days later and the first loaf of hot steaming bread was ready to serve about six hours later (I had to unload groceries first and make dinner - give me a break!) I am so glad I took the plunge! I love hot, fresh baked breads!

This appears to be an even better machine than the original. I guess some things really are worth the price.

Hello Tim & Vicky!!

2008-12-05T06:57:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,

I just discovered you're 'following' me :-) Cool!!

I haven't had much time to work on my blog lately and although I saved the template before toying with it (as suggested by blogger!) it won't load back up and I lost some of the gadgets :-( Oh, well.

For those of you reading and wondering who Tim & Vicky are - it's my wondeful sister-in-law and her husband. Did I tell you the man can cook?! I'm hoping he'll be co-blogging on Pascaul's Kitchen if I ever get time to work on it!

Love you guys!!!

Susan

Market Correction?

2008-11-23T17:04:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer! This is truly a rant which I don't usually post but I thought I would today. Don't shoot me! I'm just thinking outloud (on my own blog).

Call me crazy, I can take it. I don’t really know what a real ‘market correction’ is but it occurred to me recently that all that is going on in the world today could be another type of ‘correction’; maybe a societal correction.

A few months ago, at my husband’s (command) request, I started stocking up on all our staples along with some other things that probably couldn’t really be defined as a staple. In any case, I did just what he asked and stocked up heavily on everything we regularly use that will store for long periods. I’ll see if I can still find the photos I took of the stock up and load them. That experience is a whole other story!! We were in some ways preparing for the worst while hoping it would prove unnecessary in the end.

Robin has recently been contemplating making big changes to a more natural and wholesome diet for her family. We were discussing all the possibilities and we came to the conclusion if we were doing more from ‘scratch’ we wouldn’t need all the convenience foods we have sitting on our shelves. We would save money, space, waste (I am disturbed by the sheer amount of packaging we throw away each week) health and so much more. Shopping would be made easier because it would consist primarily of staples – in bulk. There is so much that we buy ready to serve, just add an ingredient or two, heat and eat – everything to save time and effort. In truth, most items that we buy that way could be prepared with just an extra step or ingredient and would be much healthier and save a lot on the budget and storage space in our homes.

That got me to thinking…

In order to really implement such an idea we would first need to learn what we can make from scratch and what we really cannot (is there anything that can’t be made from scratch that goes into a conveniently wrapped (three layers thick) package?) There certainly shouldn’t be… Then we would need to decide what staples we needed to stock up on and how best to store them. We would want to find those items at their best value – noting that the best value isn’t necessarily the best price; it might well be a moderately priced item but a much better quality. We would need to take some time to learn the art of preparing wonderful breads, pastries, cookies, pastas, rice dishes – anything we now have sitting on our pantry shelves as a convenience food.

This leads me to my next point – finding the time to learn these lost arts might require we take some things off our busy schedules. How many of us would welcome a legitimate excuse for having a lighter schedule with more flexibility to do the things we want without the pressure of being committed to being here, there or everywhere if we decide at the last minute that there is something else we’d rather be doing or would benefit our families more?

In the bigger picture, what if a huge sector of our population is forced into simpler living because of our current economic crisis? Would all the implications really be negative? I think not. Families may be forced to live within their means – smaller homes, fewer cars requiring less insurance, maintenance, fuel (pollution), fewer purchases of disposable and unnecessary items that litter our landfills and take up physical and mental space within our homes and our lives.

Here’s a real challenge – I may get hate mail for this – but just hear me out and please realize that I am a totally old-fashioned minded woman. One income families – period. It can be done – many of us prove it with the lives we lead. That doesn’t mean that people who are passionate about their career field have to stop work in that field if they are married. They can volunteer those gifts to benefit others as they see fit. How about this insane idea – no childcare facilities, no latchkey programs; just a parent at home taking responsibility for the care and safety of their own children? Does that mean they can never work in their chosen career field or volunteer their time and gifts? Of course it doesn’t. It means they would prepare for that career before they have children or after they are old enough to safely, legally be left alone. It means they could work part time during the day when their children are at school. This would require the work force to create an environment that allows for flexible and cooperative work schedules. What about those single parent families – they especially need those flexible work schedules and better pay and benefits. We need to empower parents to be actively involved with their kids and encourage and support couples to work through the challenges of marriage and parenting that often result in divorce (which I’m pretty sure is due in large part to finances and parenting issues).

To be continued...

On my shopping list!

2008-11-19T05:30:00.000-08:00

THE HOLY TWINS: BENEDICT AND SCHOLASTICA
written by Kathleen Norris
illustrated by Tomie dePaola

Pascual and the Kitchen Angels

2008-11-18T20:32:00.000-08:00

Oh, how I do love books!!! I had forgotten until recently how much I absoluely love going into the book store and just wandering - for hours - finding new and wondeful books. I want to share this link with you. While working on some of the book baskets I found this wonderful story of the inspiration for Tomie DePaola's book Pascaul and the Kitchen Angels, which is the inspiration for my kitchen blog

For the record... duck work

2008-11-18T17:24:00.000-08:00

In answer to the most asked question - yes, we did eat some of the duck. I didn't expect the kids to even try it so I froze all but two small breast halves. Per the donor's instructions, I soaked it in milk for 24 hours to help remove the wild taste. Then I wrapped it bacon and ended up baking it (although he recommended grilling it) because it happened to be a particularly chilly evening and I didn't feel like standing in the cold to grill :-) I think I overcooked it just a tad. John and I both agreed we wouldn't mind eating it again at all. We also agreed there are probably better ways of preparing it. I took the easy route because when it was given to me I fully informed the giver that I had less than zero knowledge of what to do with the little bugger. He said there are other ways but this is the most simple and proceeded to slit it right up the center of the breast, carefully cut back the skin (and feathers) until he could cut the breasts easily from the rest.

I took three home and waited until John arrived to clean them. I thought he would want to do it. He had less know-how about it than I started with so I showed him what I learned that day. It really was the first time I think I ever remember seeing pride for me in his eyes (at least that kind of pride - maybe it was shock - dunno).

The kids did not want to try it and I did not force them. I was actually pretty surprised at how well they took the whole thing, especially Josh. It's been a very long time but in the beginning of my blog I shared about the gosling we hatched and raised until it came time to take him back to the farm. He died upside down in a bucket that he couldn't right himself in. We also had a bunch of ducklings and chicks that we hatched and every one of them ended up being killed by predators once they were returned to the farm. Sidenote: if you have never hatched eggs in an incubator with your children you really should consider it. It was an experience we all took part in and will forever remember fondly - even my dear husband.

Back to Daffy - if you wonder what it tastes like I can only offer this; prepared the way we did it tastes similar to the gizzard and heart of a chicken or turkey (that explains why I think it might have been a bit overcooked). Of course, I just lost some of you right there, period. However, as the child growing up in a household of people who happen to love these little morsels and had to 'call' them or lose out on them, I liked the fact that I can enjoy something similar without the cholesterol issues (I don't have issues with it but wouldn't want to either).

If and when I ever have another duck to clean and cook I will choose another method to try and will post it here, I promise :-)

What we're listening to (Read Aloud)

2008-11-18T09:18:00.000-08:00

Sea of Trolls

24

2008-11-17T20:46:00.000-08:00

I confess, I am a 24 addict. If you can know that about me and still love me then you're a true friend!

Season seven is coming - it's around the corner.

The interesting thing about my addiction is that I actually got myself hooked, on purpose. At the time I had absolutely no idea how addicting a television series could be. I listened to my friends and extended family members talk incessantly about whatever series they were watching and I realized that I had recently suffered the grievous loss of the only television series I had ever truly worked my schedule around - West Wing. At that time there were constant previews for 24 and it piqued my interest a bit. I told John I wanted to try watching it to see if we liked it...

For the next weeks we spent hours and hours and hours watching entire seasons of 24 back to back. At first it was just so we could 'catch up' and know what the story line was. Then it was because we would suffer from wretched, painful withdrawals until we could appease our cravings for more. We held up on the sofa, screened phone calls and cooked and ate around the DVD breaks. Trips to multiple area video rentals were required to acquire the DVD full seasons. Finally, we caught up and prepared ourselves to watch the newest season with the rest of the world from one week to the next (complete with commercials). Hmmm, that wasn't as much fun -at all. We finally just stopped trying to watch it weekly and when it was available on DVD at the end of the season we watched it on a long dedicated weekend (or two).

My entire family shared in this experience. Rachel usually hung out somewhere nearby enough not to feel alone but she was close enough to catch most of the story line. This was revealed to me when Jennifer shared about the conversation she and Rachel had one day when she was giving my kids a ride somewhere. Oh, the guilt... yes, I know better!

So, that's one of my deep dark secrets. Although it's not much of a secret. Anyone who knows me very well knows about it and some even share my addiction :-) Then others have husbands who have also become 24 fans and are encouraging them to come along for the ride. But some folks can't find those darn DVDs - and some sold their's!!

Thanksgiving Preparation

2008-11-15T18:32:00.000-08:00

Browsing for ideas to share teachable moments with the kids for Thanksgiving, I ran across this article. I have already requested some of the books from the local library and ordered a couple from Amazon that they didn't have or were already checked out or on hold.

Here's what we'll be reading:

The Pilgrim's First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember

Sarah Morton's Day

Samuel Eaton's Day

Tapenum's Day

Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving

What are your plans?

A must share

2008-11-15T18:29:00.000-08:00

My dear friend posted this at her blog. Grab your tissues and be ready to be touched deeply.

Survivalists

2008-11-10T17:54:00.000-08:00

My husband has been accused, and rightly so, of being a survivalist. He has always talked about a home on a piece of property out in the middle of no where and being as nearly self-sufficient as possible. He dreams of solar and wind power, geothermal heating/cooling and rain water recapture systems. Did I mention there would be a rather large greenhouse?

Well, to be a true survivalist, one really must know how to hunt. Although the man has been master of a weapon for most of his life, it was never to hunt and gather. The time has come and he is convinced that it was, perhaps, divine intervention that brought three ducks to me today from the generosity of an avid hunter. When asked if I wanted them I stunned even myself and said yes. Later, I stunned my husband and cleaned the little buggers myself without flinching much at all. He was pretty impressed, enough so he hunted down my camera to snap a couple shots. Rachel was the only one interested enough (tough enough) to stick around for the adventure.

I'm a real woman now; I've cleaned an animal for food with my own hands. Now the true test - we'll cook some of it tomorrow evening for dinner and see how it goes over ;-)

P.S. I nearly labeled this post "Honey, get yer gun" but decided that might seem a little strange. We've always planned to own guns for the time in our life when he/we would need/want them and we've decided this is the right time to take action on that. Apparently, so have a lot of other people. Have you seen the news about the increase in gun sales? Interesting

Why?

2008-11-06T17:32:00.000-08:00

Why, one might ask, would Susan post a poem on her blog? A poem that she did not write anyway... The answer is, I don't know. I just wanted to share something that I love. This is and has been my favorite poem to recite to my children since the first time I ever read it.

I remember riding in the car with a friend of mine when I was about twelve or thirteen. She had a younger brother and to help keep him occupied she was reciting all these cute little poems and rhymes from memory. Stuff I had never heard before and I was pretty impressed. I felt sad and curious at the same time. It was obvious that she knew them because someone had recited them to her at some point and often enough that she comitted them to memory. I was curious to know why. Of course, now I understand.

I don't recall ever being read to as a child until I was in school and then I remember some of my teachers reading to the whole class aloud. I don't know if I don't recall my parents reading to me because I was too young or if they just didn't read to me. Since I recall details from my childhood very clearly, freakishly so my mother says, I am guessing it is because it wasn't something that happened in our house.

I need to read even more to my kids...

Wynken, Blynken and Nod

2008-11-06T17:30:00.000-08:00

by Eugene Field (1850-1895)

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
Sailed off in a wooden shoe---
Sailed on a river of crystal light,
Into a sea of dew.
"Where are you going, and what do you wish?"
The old moon asked the three.
"We have come to fish for the herring fish
That live in this beautiful sea;
Nets of silver and gold have we!"
Said Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song,
As they rocked in the wooden shoe,
And the wind that sped them all night long
Ruffled the waves of dew.
The little stars were the herring fish
That lived in that beautiful sea---
"Now cast your nets wherever you wish---
Never afeard are we";
So cried the stars to the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

All night long their nets they threw
To the stars in the twinkling foam---
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
Bringing the fishermen home;
'T was all so pretty a sail it seemed
As if it could not be,
And some folks thought 't was a dream they 'd dreamed
Of sailing that beautiful sea---
But I shall name you the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
And Nod is a little head,
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
Is a wee one's trundle-bed.
So shut your eyes while mother sings
Of wonderful sights that be,
And you shall see the beautiful things
As you rock in the misty sea,
Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

What was for dinner tonight?

2008-11-05T19:06:00.000-08:00

My dear husband kept his promise and took me to this highly recommended restaurant. The food was, indeed, delicious. We had a room completely to ourselves and very personal service. What a unique dining experience! No one else in the room and the phone didn't ring once; now there's a first!

Thank you, John.

Mansion Calamari

Lightly floured tubes and tentacles, fried and tossed with white wine garlic and banana pepper fusion.

Chicken Valdastano

Breast of chicken layered with proscuitto ham, roasted red pepper and mozzarella cheese in a marsala wine cream sauce. Accompanied by Parmesan Risotto.

Right & Responsibility

2008-11-04T04:49:00.000-08:00

Perhaps 'right' isn't the accurate term. I'll have to explain later (reminder to self: Jesse Jackson article in The Nation). Privilege would be a better term. Responsibility is, without a doubt, the correct term. I have fulfilled my responsibility and exercised my right/privilege! Strange experience after 20 years in the military casting absentee ballots - lines! John and I were in line at 5:50 a.m. and we were in a pretty long line at that. I won't complain; I'm thrilled to know that a lot of folks joined us in exercising their right and responsibility.

I plan to pull Robin's Electoral College curriculum out even though we didn't accomplish using it during these past weeks. I'll learn plenty as the nation anticipates the crucial results of the Electoral College.

Have you voted today?!

Advent planning

2008-11-02T18:02:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad she's my friend!!! So, Robin had a great idea that she shared with me tonight and invited me to join forces with her. We are actually going to PLAN for advent! I realize this isn't a new idea for many but it is for me. I have used Elizabeth Foss's Advent Curriculum a couple of times. Although I haven't fully accomplished everything in it either year we attempted to, I do own most of the books now. We are going to create a custom plan for our families that include the local attractions and activities. I will probably incorportate many of the activities from the Real Learning curriculum and update the book list by browsing through the site. I have already pulled the books off the shelf tonight so I can inventory and see what additions I would like to make this year.

Thank you, Robin!!

A gift from my husband (and Kelly)

2008-10-31T15:15:00.000-07:00

He says he hasn't given me anything for my birthday. I told him he is wrong - he gave me a wonderful gift. He gave it to me days ago when he sent me an e-mail with a very simple subject line: 'quote'. The body contained the beautiful quote from Maya Angelou that can now be found at the top of my blog and on my signature block.

Kelly put the finishing touch on this gift when she presented this specially created tray to me last night. Thank you, John and Kelly!

A beautiful day in October

2008-10-31T14:20:00.000-07:00

It is simply perfect. I slept in a bit late; the first call of the day was from my mother to wish me a happy birthday; my daughters brought me St. Louis Bread Company for breakfast and then offered to let me stay at home (in my pajamas) while they went to volleyball. I chatted at great length with my dear friend (one I tried to reach but had to leave a message - I'l catch you later!); played around on my computer checking out new blogs and picked the kids up mid-afternoon. If I had known what an incredibly gorgeous day it was going to be I might have made plans to stay at the farm. But, instead I took the girls to check out a newly opened Maid Rite restaurant and brought Taco Pizza home for dinner!

The house is in decent order, the kids have their costumes at the ready and I plan to relax and enjoy my evening after trick-or-treating is over.

The perfect birthday!

Mind over madness

2008-10-27T14:16:00.001-07:00

It's Monday and, boy, do I feeeeel it! Every once in a while I wake up looking forward to my cup (pot) of hot coffee and for some mysterious reason it doesn't taste right. This was one of those mornings... I thought perhaps it was the coffee creamer so I opened up another. I always keep Coffee Mate on reserve; coffee just isn't right without it :-) But it had the same strange sour taste to me. I am wondering if monthly hormone levels affect taste, hmmm? So, I just couldn't stomach the coffee this morning or this afternoon when I tried it again and now I find myself in the beginning stages of the dreaded caffeine headache.

Today the theme is 'mind over madness'. Since I can't seem to exercise 'mind over matter' - you can bet my house would be better kept and a lot of projects would be running themselves while I journeyed through my days enjoying my kids if I could, I will have to suffice with 'mind over madness'. If I can just get through the day without losing my mind I will consider it a success.

Sundays, once dreaded, now cherished

2008-10-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

Some folks would read that title and gasp, "How could anyone ever dread Sundays?!" Well, I did and so did some other people I know. Not so much anymore. What happened? Some major changes will go unspoken but I thank the Lord for it from the bottom of my soul and He knows exactly to what I refer. But the biggest came from making it a priority to get everyone together for a meal. Now, mind you, I never said at the table for a meal :-) Actually, we do try as often as possible to make room for all at the table but sometimes we find ourselves scattered around the kitchen, dining room and at the sofa watching the remaining minutes of the Steelers game. But the point is that we are together, in the same home, sharing loud and whispered conversations and all octaves of chatter, laughter and stories. There's wrestling and teasing (good natured, of course) and debates about politics, religion and just about anything else you can imagine.

I have also realized that my expectations were simply too high. I imagined a picture perfect scene with a perfectly decorated and cleaned house and no stress... When I realized you just have to work around the mess and the stress and enjoy the moments you have everything got better. John and I have started 'fencing' our Sundays for our family and it has made a world of difference!

Preparing for Advent

2008-10-24T14:55:00.000-07:00

Advent is still a few weeks away but I want to encourage anyone who has not read the Arnold Ytreeide books with their family to do so this Advent season. They are truly beautiful stories that beckon to you each night to continue the journey with their characters. Take the time now to find these books, at least the first one, Jotham's Journey, so you will be prepared to experience the wonder of a heartwarming story with those you love.

Over the highway and through the rain

2008-10-24T14:44:00.000-07:00

to Robin's house we go! Okay, so it's not Grandma's house but it is something to look forward to :-)

It's one of those days, you know the type, fuzzy, you can't really get focused on anything and you keep hoping you haven't forgotten anything really important. Maybe it's the fact that the weather has turned blessedly chilly! Yes, you read that right. I love cold weather and I know for a fact that I am not alone. I have not turned on the heat yet, even on the mornings when the kids arrive in the kitchen with their winter fuzzy blankets wrapped around themselves from head to toe. "Touch my nose, Mom," they complain. Lessons are more interesting when you can only distinquish which child you are looking at by the blanket they are wrapped in.

These days cry out for relaxed, lingering read alouds of wonderful books that take you to another time and another place. Hot chocolate and cookies or fresh bread baking in the oven... now that's what I call cozy!

A new signature for me

2008-10-21T16:06:00.001-07:00

My husband sent me the most beautiful quote this morning. I will be adding it as my signature...