Completion!

The two baby quilts I'm donating are completed as of tonight!

I chose green binding to bring out the leaves on the flowers for the girly quilt. It's backed with the same blue flowered gingham. You can barely see my machine quilting - it's a stitch my former quilt group leader called "Wild Woman". I think it's fun!

The boy quilt is backed in navy blue and bound at the edges with red quilt binding (I'm trying to use up old supplies and the binding was 'on hand').

**I'm going to put my feet up ... I have no ankle bones or veins in my feet today. I thought that was only supposed to happen in HOT weather.

Thursday DayLook - August 28

For Today: August 28, 2009

Looking out my back porch... the weeds are taller. The soybean field is still growing and green. We’ve started to pull up some of the spent vegetable plants in the Square Foot Gardens. The tomatoes are a complete jungle – I’m not sure if I could find ripe tomatoes, even if I was looking!

I am thinking... how peaceful it is when the kids are outside and … my chai tea treat tastes very good.

I am thankful for... quiet afternoons and ripe peaches.

The produce Angelina, Graham and I picked today.

Peach Crisp - dessert after supper tonight.

From the sewing/craft room… I should venture in and complete those quilts. The Warm & Natural 100% cotton batting arrived on Tuesday, so all the supplies are on hand.

From the school room... I’m really excited for our ‘real’ school year to begin after Labor Day. I am in the process of making Schultütes; the poster board cones are made and I’ve been purchasing little surprises on my trips to town.

From the kitchen... Yesterday, the kids and I went to Jamestown and purchased three lugs of peaches. Two of the lugs are in the refrigerator to slow their ripening and one is on the counter for immediate eating. Angelina and I made a peach crisp for tonight's dessert.

I am reading... I’m still reading a bunch of different books: Introduction to the Devout Life, genesis, How the Reformation Happened, From Tyndale to Madison, It’s So You!, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. None have been finished as of yet.

I am hoping... that I can work up the nerve to get through my phone calls by the end of the week. Have I mentioned my dislike for miscellaneous phone calls??

I am hearing... the hum of the grain dryers on the other side of the wheat field and an intermittently screaming Graham as he walks toward the house. Undoubtedly, someone is not ‘waiting’ for him to catch up.

State of the house… pretty clean, although the laundry room needs a visit.

A successful moment… Dash cleaned and de-stemmed a whole 2 gallon bag of beans from Grandma Golden Acres.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
1. I’ve been watching the plum trees in Grandma Green Acres’ tree row since mid-July. The plums are finally starting to turn and may be ready to pick on Saturday. I have a hankering for plum jelly.

2. Can peaches and blanche/freeze green beans.

3. A bit of baking for a bake-sale fundraiser this coming weekend.

A look at my day, in pictures...

Frustration!

There's a cricket somewhere in the basement. The darn thing is LOUD! ... and I cannot find it's location.

The kids' science project for tomorrow:

FIND THE CRICKET, then crush & flush.




UPDATE: The noisy cricket was found and flushed early in the morning. It was being loud while the kids worked on subjects ... they couldn't stand the noise, either!

Crazy Weekend!

I'm exhausted ... still ... but slowly recovering.

I left mid-morning Thursday for Fargo. I had a bunch of errands to complete (I got them all done!) by noon and then took a friend out for lunch at Green Mill. We visited late into the afternoon. I had one last errand to run and then met my sister for supper at Buffalo Wild Wings. That's her favorite restaurant, so I knew she'd enjoy it. The meals at both restaurants were enjoyed by yours truly - huge treat!

Jules, my sister, and I were both in town for a meeting later that evening. I advise a college women's fraternity, and my sister is joining the group as an advisor, too. It'll be fun to see her about once a month during the college year. We stayed over-night at our brother and SIL's home.

Friday morning, my sis and I shared a breakfast of Chai Tea and McDonald's breakfast biscuits (she's a bacon, egg & cheese ... I prefer sausage, egg, & cheese). Yummy treat for both of us. Afterwards, she headed home and I headed to our homeschool group's booksale for set-up and food prep. The sale began at 3p and lasted until around 7p. I left early to get ready for a birthday meal with my hubby and friends at Santa Lucia's. We had a wonderful time visiting and enjoyed appetizers, salads, main course and desserts. It was my hubby's 40th! The kids stayed at Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres while we treated ourselves to food, friends, and an overnight stay in Fargo.

I'm not a very good blogger ... I brought my camera, but didn't take a single picture. Sometimes the memories are better than a picture.

The book sale continued on Saturday morning, so I headed back over about 8a and Eric headed back to the farm, hopeful that he'd be able to harvest (that was a no-go). The book sale lasted until 1:30;, then the clean-up began. While we sold a LOT of books, there were many left to be sorted and boxed. The clean-up was completed by about 5p. I left and headed to the grocery store for one last errand. I picked up supper for the road and left town about 5:40p. I was very glad to arrive home.

I've been putting my feet up a little, but we are expecting company tomorrow so there's cleaning to be done.

Wordless Wednesday - Yesterday's Garden Pickings

Inching toward completion

Found a few other projects in the sewing room... I've had squares cut and arranged for these two baby quilts for two years. They will be done and donated before the baby arrives! The fronts are completed; I've ordered the batting (50% off coupon for online orders) and am just waiting for it's arrival so I can fill, back and bind. I've chosen backings and bindings for each, so the last few steps will go quickly (as long as I'm able to find the time).

I'm not afraid to combine knits, flannels and cottons so these are a true mix of texture. All the fabrics are left-overs from projects I've sewn. Quilts are a great way to 'recycle', if you know what I mean. The best part, in my opinion, is creating a pattern with the available squares. My goal is to always use the most squares in the most creative way possible!

The Boy Quilt

Airplanes and Peanuts

The Girly Quilt

Blues Clues, Pink Flannel, and a pretty Floral Gingham Border

It finally arrived!

Ok, so I've been waiting impatiently for this catalog to arrive so I can take a look; it finally arrived in today's mail. It's a poultry/fowl catalog, but also includes all kinds of equipment that you might need to raise birds, too.

We are pretty much starting from scratch, so I need to do a bit of research (that's my way) before jumping into the game. I want to know what I need, what it will cost, and which breed will suit our needs best ... I'm thinking chickens only, by the way. Maybe next Spring will be too soon, but it doesn't hurt (or cost) anything to look. If I want Spring chicks, I have to order in January to ensure that I get the breeds I'd like!

Tuesday DayLook - August 18

I just can never figure out (or maybe it's just that I don't have the time to figure out!) the Daybook on Monday with the linking. Because of course, I'm a perfectionist and want to 'do it right'. So, I'm going to skip the formalities and do something similar, but in my own style. This way, I can add or delete along the way.

That said, here I go ...

For Today: August 18, 2009

Outside My Back Porch ... is complete peace and calm. Theres' no wind this early in the morning.

I am thinking... that I'd really like to go through this day in a more calm fashion than the last two! Seems that the mornings always start so loud and the evenings end with a bang, too. Am I the cause or the result??

I am thankful for... being able to stay home.

From the school room... our lighter days in August are going well. The kids are all able to complete their work in less than 1.5 hours.

From the kitchen... today, I'm asking Dash to make another banana coffee cake. I accidentally broke the coffee cake, yesterday, when I removed it from the pan. We enjoyed eating it ... but I need a whole coffee cake! I'm also going to make chocolate chip scones.

I am reading... I'm reading about four different books right now, but the one from which I've gleaned the most is 'genesis'. 'genesis' was a gift from our priest when he visited in July, and it has been a very good read for me in particular. I should be taking notes.

I am hoping... that my to-do list will be completely finished by day's end, particularly the phone calls which I loathe.

I am hearing... absolutely nothing! It's amazing how peaceful and calm I am when there is time to just be, for me in the morning.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
1. Our homeschool group's booksale starts on Friday and goes through Saturday. We haven't held the booksale in the Fall before, it's usually in March/April. We've received many donations this year, too. I hope the sale is successful.

2. My hubby has a MAJOR birthday on Friday. We made reservations to eat at Santa Lucia with two other couples.

3. My mom, Grandma Golden Acres, is staying overnight on Wednesday on her way through to the Cities in MN.

Graham's Announcement

This morning, Graham announced, "I have to go poop, Dad."

We've been trying to train for a good long time, now. And this part of the training has been resisted. So, today is a milestone for Graham.

**Of course, he wet his underwear just a mere 30 minutes later - how do kids do that! However, poop in the potty is a bigger deal.**

Growing Up??

Today, Dash got up before leaving for football practice (he has to leave at 6:30a to meet the group traveling to LaMoure) AND he did his schoolwork without being prompted. He, thankfully, left piano practice for the afternoon.

But, it was such a wonderful surprise to come down and see that he was done ... that's a gift for which a homeschooling mom can be thankful.

At it again...

Sooooo, maybe sewing is my stress reliever?? Last night and tonight, I finished off another two flannel blankets. The fabrics are sooo darn cute that I couldn't resist. Do I need this many blankets? No, but they sure are fun and quick.

Football Practice

This morning was Dash's first day of football practice. The team practices in LaMoure, but he's 'registered' through Marion. Dash will meet the Marion suburban at about 6:20a a couple miles from our farm to get a ride into town for practice. He'll be dropped off at the same spot at about 11:30a.

His dad took him to town on Tuesday for equipment handout, and he was excited to already know some of the boys. While in Fargo earlier this week, I shopped for the 'equipment/clothing' we need to provide: cleats, chin strap (apparently the school chin straps rub badly), and compression clothing. If he needs anything else ... that'll be left to he and his dad!

I'm excited for him, in a way, and unsure in other ways. Obviously I don't want him to get hurt, but he's definitely NOT small for his age right now and the likely-hood is slim. - St. Christopher protect him, please. I think this will be a good way for him to get in better shape; that will remain to be seen. More on this as it develops ...

Wordless Wednesday - Mammoth Tomato Plant

Finished Project

Graham has been waiting patiently for me to finish a pajama t-shirt to go with his pajama bottoms. I cut out and fused the knit fabric teddy bear shape to the t-shirt earlier today. (I found inexpensive t-shirts at Michael's when shopping on Monday.)

Tonight, I stabilized the knit and used a zig-zag stitch to sew the teddy bear to the shirt - good thing you can't see the zig-zag up close. Graham doesn't care, but a lot of stitches skipped for some reason - I probably didn't have a heavy enough stabilizer.

He's very pleased with the finished pajamas!

Cooking Double-Time

This week, I've been doing one of the Once a Month Cooking Mini-sessions - very, very spread out. Every time I've made a freezeable meal, I've doubled it (Chicken Pot Pie, Tater Tot Hotdish, Pepperoni Spaghetti Pie) so I've had a dish to freeze. I've also asked Angelina and Dash, who like helping in the kitchen, to make cookies or bars to freeze (Frozen Peanut Butter Bars, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Brownies). When I browned ground beef earlier in the week, I prepped 5 lbs. This morning, I poached and diced 8lbs. of chicken for a couple different recipes. Most of the meals will be good for 3 months, but they'll never last that long!!

Harvest is coming up, so things get a little busy around here. The cookies and bars go in the packed lunches to take to the field. Homemade goodies are healthier and less expensive. The kids and I eat alone more often, too. Usually the meals last a bit longer with one less adult (and maybe one less 12yo!) eating at the table.

If you want to know more about OAMC, check out http://www.30daygourmet.com/

New Pet Peeve

"People" (I have other names for people like this) who shout out their opinions about pregnant women from their open car windows as they drive by in the parking lot. Is there anything more undignified?? I know there is, but sure didn't feel like it at the moment ... talk about violating.

Sandboxes and Perennials

Grandma & Grandpa Golden Acres came to town to see Angelina in Cinderella on Saturday night. She was excited to have both sets of Grandparents at the final show. Therefore, we had overnight visitors on Saturday. My parents went to Mass with us the next morning and then stayed to visit for a large portion of the day.

My mom is always looking for ways to help, so I asked if she'd plant my perennials. The bed had been prepped on Saturday and we only needed to arrange the plants (just in case they don't get moved around next Spring!) and stick them in the ground.



There is a rose bush on the corner with coral bells in front (above). The rest is not a perfect arrangement, but I like it. The daylilies and clematis (of which there are three - not sure where that third plant came from) are along the house. I have other plans for the clematis, but the daylilies will be staying in that spot, I'm quite certain. The hosta will like this location as well, but we'll have to see how the harsh wind treats them. Dash watered everything for us when the planting was completed. No more small containers to worry about!!! Can you feel my relief that this is done??



Grandpa was volunteered to help build the sandbox, supplies for which had been purchased last week. That task didn't take long, and it was a good project for Dash to help build. Zeke & Graham walked to the farm shed with Eric and, in two trips, brought all the sand toys to their new home. After seeing the kids' excitement, I wondered why we hadn't completed this simple task earlier??? Oh well, I can tell many more nightly baths are in our future.



Grandpa is finishing up one of the corner seats while Angelina and Zeke stamp down the pile of sand - to make sure it gets into the corners.





Graham (above), I can tell, will be out here quite a lot. Good thing I can see the sandbox from both the kitchen and patio doors on the back porch. Zeke is happy as a clam in the sandbox, too, and probably just as sandy at this point!



Only one task/chore we did not get done this weekend (and I am truly okay with that ... it would've taken longer than I wanted my parents to be busy on a project ... and I really need to be the one doing the measuring because the layout is in my head, if you know what I mean) - putting up a closet system/wire shelving in Eric's garage closet. At least the closet is cleaned out so I can measure and mark. Next Saturday (or maybe sometime this week)!

A Cleaning Saturday

To some this may be cluttered, but to me it's organized (and way more organized than it was earlier in the day)! This desk is where most of my lesson planning, bill paying, organizing, correcting schoolwork, and creating lists occurs. Today, Eric helped me hang the shelf above the desk. I like the little bit of extra space it gives me for knick-knacks and an organizer.

Some of the other accomplishments today:

1. Rabbit pens were cleaned by Angelina (after much hassle over the smell, she finally found that it was bearable if she put perfume on her 'dust mask'!!!) and the 'do' was transferred to the compost pile by Dash

2. The tree rows were weeded by the kids

3. Flower bed on side of garage was rototilled and Eric brought in two loads of fill dirt - the perennials will be planted and over-wintered in this bed

4. All the dishes were washed & put away

5. Dash's room was cleaned & the bed made for Grandpa & Grandma Golden Acres

6. All the door handles in the house were cleaned, courtesy of Zeke

7. The gardens were watered by Angelina - just in time to encourage the rain showers we received

8. Dash washed and disinfected all the garbage containers

9. 3 pictures were hung and 1 box was unpacked in Eric's Office

10. The front and back porches were swept clean by Zeke

Cinderella

Angelina was a Dancing (snooty) Lady in the Cinderella musical performances on Friday and Saturday. She had a great time being involved with this production; you could tell by the excitement in her voice when we asked how practice went for the day. We will definitely be making time for this group next summer.

The entire cast of Cinderella (rags to riches version)!

This isn't the typical Cinderella story ... as you can see by the costumes. The actor standing on the far left is Patches; he's also one of the traveling directors for the company. The second director was behind the stages making sure all the kids were ready to go. Patches was the narrator for the whole show and was onstage for all ... he tied it all together. The show had many twists and turns in the story line and word play was funny. We enjoyed watching and it was fun for the kids to perform. Below is the group of snooty Lords and Ladies, Angelina is sitting on the far left, front row.

Angelina, on the left, gives her best snooty look - she's pretty good at it!

Her brother Dash has been living out the excitement vicariously! I know he regrets NOT trying out, now. When he found out it was Cinderella, I could tell that was a turn off - it's a 'girl' show. But, Angelina has told him every detail, and I can hear them talk, animatedly, about everything ... from tryout songs, expressive individual spoken lines during tryouts, and how kids from town (kids they've met) play their parts. Anyway, it's really fun to see the kids excited about something new.

We attended the Friday show. Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres will attend tonight. Quite funny and amazing what the two leader/directors did with this group in one week.

Landscaping

The paver sidewalk from our garage pad to the front steps is done!!! We plan to have the landscaper add a half circle to the top of the paver pad in front of the steps to add a bit more room (and a bit of character). But, as you can see, there is a lot more work to be done ... with dirt.





All I could think about was covering the dirt with grass when we started summer; now, we'll need more dirt to fill in around the foundation and build up a few areas. I'm okay with the fact that not all the yard will be seeded this fall. It just makes more sense to get the ground 'flowing' right before seeding grass. We plan to seed the east side of the yard for sure - that's where the swingset will be built, so the kids will have grass to play on next spring. That ought to preserve my sanity a little.

I still need to get my poor perennials in the ground. I'm planning a flower garden in front of the SFG & tomato garden, so that's probably where I'll plant the perennials ... at least for winter. At this stage of pregnancy, it's more important to just get the plants in the ground! I can play around with design over the winter and move plants next spring when I'm able to bend at the waist. I sure hope this new little one likes the outdoors, because we are going to be outdoors A LOT.

More sewing

Last night I finished off two flannel baby blankets. I've made quite a few of these over the years as gifts and they've become very easy for me to complete. You do get what you pay for with flannel; that was evident from the few yards I purchased at different stores. I like the thick, soft flannel, for which I paid a bit more.

There are different qualities of blanket binding too, but I haven't figured out how to tell the difference yet. I've only seen one kind of packaging/brand.

I'm hoping that I'll have a use for the purple blanket ...

Sewing and such

Last week, I found a bit of time to go through some of my sewing tubs. It started out as a mission to find fabric to match a pajama top for Angelina and layout/cut-out/sew a pair of pajama bottoms for Graham. In the process, I found quite a few old projects ... even one that was not MY project, but was given to me (I must be nuts cuz I agreed to take someone else's partially finished project!! Please don't send me yours ... although, now that I'm in this mode, yours might get done if it arrives on my doorstep.). I made up a bag for my quilt group, and I took out all the unfinished projects and put them in a tall pile on my sewing table.

The almost-finished pajama bottoms (they are now finished).

Slowly, I'm sewing to completion. At least two of the old projects had been cut out for SIX years! Yes, the boxers were for Dash when he was six ... he's now twelve. The other pair of boxers are for my husband.

Why I thought I should make boxers for my boys, I do not know. The pattern is simple to cut and sew ... maybe it has something to do with the cost of boxers ... the going rate is about $7/pair for men! That's a big price for one pair.

Proof of how long the project has been in my tub ... Size 6.

Unfinished no more! Both boxers are completed and ready to be put away.

The unfinished project I was given is a blue plaid flannel shirt (medium men's). Too small for hubby and probably too big for Dash, but I figure Dash will grow into it at some point, right???The front, back and facing were sewn together; all other pieces were either cut or ready to cut. Oh, did I mention there were no instructions - that's the crazy part - why did I take this project? And, why in the world am I sewing it this week???

I took this pic because it shows the plackets ... I haven't sewn plackets (the overlapping part on a sleeve just above the cuff) in years. I could not remember, for the life of me, the whole process. Thank goodness I had an old pattern that showed how to 'do it' so I could refresh my memory. One placket turned out great; the other not so great. But, Dash is not a clothing judge, so it will probably fly by without scrutiny.

Then, there's the casual suit (skirt & jacket) for me that is already cut out. I think I'm just silly enough to sew that right now, even though I won't be able to wear it for months; maybe it would fit next summer. The thought of it being done is tugging at me, but the verdict on whether this will be completed is still out... there'll be a pic later if I actually attempt this silliness.

Amid all the old projects, I've been finishing up a few new baby projects, too. I have an assortment of flannels for burp cloths and flannel blankets. I have three burp cloths left to embellish and about four blankets. Not all are for the Baby Lahlum.

The fish patterned flannel was irrestible AND it was in the remnant section at a discount.

Froggy's Mother

Have you ever read this book?? It's one of those children's books that even I enjoy reading over and over because it's absolutely hilarious.

Today, I felt like Froggy's Mother ....

"Ange - liiiiiinaaa, I need your history workbook so I can finish correcting."

"Zeeeeeeke, please come and put your binder on the shelf."

"Ange - liiiiinaaa, you need to correct this answer."

"Daaaash, you need to do your handwriting on a hard suface."

"Zeeeeeke, read the word. Don't guess!"

An Audition and Pre-Registration

Today, Angelina tried out for a part in Cinderella, presented by The Missoula Children's Theatre, a traveling theatre company that brings direction and all the costumes needed for the performance. It's a one week commitment - perfect from my stand-point! Practices are from 1:00-5:30p each day this week (depending somewhat upon the parts) and the two performances on Friday and Saturday are at 8:00p. Then, we are done.

Angelina will be in a group of Lords and Ladies ... snooty Lords and Ladies! The try-outs were fun to watch. The leaders lined all the kids - approx. 54 - up by height and then asked each child to speak together as a group and alone in front of the group. Each child was also asked to show movement (marching and large, expressive motions to go with their speaking) and sing. From this, they were able to choose children for all the parts. I can't wait to see the show.


After theatre auditions, Angelina and I traveled to Ellendale (about 60-70 miles from our farm ... yes, still a drive, but closer than the 100 miles to Fargo/Moorhead) for dance registration. She'll be enrolled in ballet, tap and jazz. The great part is that all these classes take place on ONE day in the span of 1.5 hours. This will fit our 'getting busier' schedule much better.

My bonus for going tonight was that we were able to find used ballets, taps and jazz shoes! That's quite a huge savings.