Wordless Wednesday – Easter Cookies!

Wordless Wednesday – Kid Fun

 

Unleavened Bread

I could tell you that I had this planned … that I wanted the kids to experience the taste of unleavened bread (what an appropriate day) … that I’m organized enough to THINK of this myself … that I didn’t forget to put the yeast in the bread machine cuz it was planned, but IT wasn’t.

 

I’ve forgotten before.  Distractions.  I’m so easily distracted.  I even double checked the ingredients – consciously, I thought!

  

I just wanted to kick myself when I opened the bread machine cover expecting a nicely risen lump of dough, but what I got was this small ball in the bottom corner.  ‘Uggghh!’ I thought to myself, ‘Not again!  I’m not going to waste it like last time.’

So, Angelina and I flattened out little dough balls, sprinkled them with cinnamon sugar and popped them into the oven.  They were baked about 15 minutes total.

They’re edible.  We all ate unleavened bread.  I was happy that at least I didn’t waste the ingredients, and in fact Zeke & Graham enjoyed eating this ‘bread’ throughout the day.

 

All things considered, it turned out okay, but I’d rather not aim for a repeat.  Here’s hoping I have my wits about me next time I put the ingredients for a loaf together!

 

NOTE:  After I realized my mistake, I did a quick google search for a solution.  It turns out that you can dissolve yeast and knead it into the dough with results that may or may not turn out.  I didn’t have the extra time to try out this ‘possible’ solution.  Unleavened bread was easier!

Palm Sunday – Baby’s First

All kids enjoy Palm Sunday … even the babies!

I was looking forward to the longer reading – with three readers – this morning, but the shorter version was used instead.  I have never attended a Palm Sunday Mass where the short version was read; I was disappointed.  If we had known, we’d probably have made plans to attend Mass last night.  I, and my hubby, believe it’s important for the kids to experience ‘all’.  Why is there a shortened version anyway??  The palms were blessed during the final blessing, too … just not what we are ‘used to’.  It didn’t feel as celebrated or as ‘special’ as past Palm Sundays.  I miss St. Mary’s incredibly on days like today.  The bright spot is that we are meeting a few families that are such a joy and have a visible love for their faith.  I cling to that when I am disappointed.  I also pray.

Over the puddles

…and through the mud, to Grandmother’s house they go!  Well, I’m not so sure they went over the puddles – more likely they went slopping through, judging by the height of mud and wetness. 

 

The path to Grandma Green Acre’s home is just about as exciting as the snacks waiting there to be gobbled up.  Of course, they stayed nice and neat on the way to Grandma’s, otherwise they wouldn’t make it in the door!

 

 

No, the mud and wet they save for ME, their lovely Mother, who tried (in vain) to keep her cool once again yesterday.  How many loads of laundry must I wash??  Why in the world did we carpet the garage stairs leading up to our ‘house’ door??  And, thank goodness it’s sturdy indoor/outdoor carpet!

 

   

 

 

 

In actuality, since their dad was home yesterday, HE dealt with the discipline and the clean-up supervision.  The kicker is that the two oldest boys remained outside to do a little target shooting (the older to shoot, the younger to ‘watch’), and they created a whole new mess when they came in!  I secretly laughed – very short – on the inside, because the garage/carpet/mudroom were soooo newly clean.   This usually happens to me, the MOM, but hardly EVER happens to hubby.  Let’s just say he wasn’t too happy when he dealt with the discipline and clean-up supervision again.

 

We hope to NOT deal with repeat offenders.  Only time will tell if a lesson was learned … well, it was learned … but, will it be remembered??

Tension Reducer

Taking a walk out to the mailbox.  All the while pushing the stroller into the wind.  Yelling my frustrations into the wind and hoping they'll be blown away.  Returning.  Carrying Baby Louis, sleeping peacefully in his car seat, into the entry.  Hearing fighting and screaming.  Praying Baby Louis will continue to sleep.  Feeling still at peace - isn't that a miracle!  Breaking up the noisemakers and setting them in separate areas.  Making a cup of Chai and sitting down to read and relax.  Hopefully it'll be long enough for finishing the tea.

Monday DayLook – March 22, 2010

For Today: March 22, 2010


Looking out from my back porch... well, it’s dark now, so not much.  However, the snow has REALLY been melting.


I am thinking about …  my trip to town tomorrow.


I am thankful for... continued good health and a Red River crest that wasn’t as high as predicted.


I am reading… my MIL gave me a heap of magazines – some about gardening … now I’m thinking about seeds, flowers, and landscaping … and GRASS!


I am hoping... for good weather and a safe trip to town tomorrow.


I am hearing... the sound of the wind blowing and turning the ‘fans/helmets’ on our roof.


I am wearing… my next favorite pair of jeans and a navy t-shirt.


From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… this past weekend, Angelina started a couple of her 4-H projects.  She got a very good start on her doll quilt top, and she cut out her denim skirt.  She’s been practicing serging the last couple days.


From the school room... we are off to a good start.  Angelina and Zeke finished up their current Math workbooks.  Dash will finish his this week.  They all get a break from Math until after Easter – then we’ll start up in their next workbook.  I’m really looking forward to a week off during Holy Week!


From the kitchen... my MIL sent a few goodies home with us on Saturday.  Pecan bars and Pumpkin Cranberry bread.  Both are fabulous and I’ll be acquiring the recipes on way or another!


State of the house… we gave the house a thorough cleaning on Saturday.  Next week we’ll hit the bathrooms hard & spiff up any areas that need it.


A successful moment… I was able to take three short walks out to our mailbox last week (one was solo!).  It’s probably just under a quarter mile … not much, but more than I’ve been able to do in a LONG time.


A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Eric’s Aunt & Uncle from Bismarck stopped by to visit his parents this morning.  They came over in the afternoon to see baby Louis and our home before heading back home.  Eric drove Angelina to dance class.
Tuesday:  To Fargo for Angelina's Ortho appt. & a bit of shopping.
Friday-Sunday:  Angelina, Dash & Zeke are signed up for 2 workshops each at the 4-H Southeast Activity Day on Saturday.  Our local club has a meeting on Sunday afternoon, too.


A picture memory...

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Exciting Delivery…

Well, it’s not as exciting as the chicks, but it’s a start!

The kids all crowded around as I unpacked the brooder kit.  Now, we just need to order the chicks and get their ‘home’ prepared.

The other ‘eggciting’  chicken news is that we are going to purchase a few (possibly a dozen) laying hens from friends of my parents.  Grandma & Grandpa Golden Acres will bring the hens when they visit for Easter … no chicks for us at Easter, we’re just going for the full-grown hens!!

So, we’ve got a bit of prep work to do in the old chicken coop, too.  Before the hens’ arrival, we need to purchase feed and bedding, build or acquire nest boxes and a roost, clean the coop, and set up feeders/waterers.
I do expect the hens to lose a few days, or maybe even a couple weeks, of laying, but I hope to get 8-10 eggs per day when they get going again.  Enough eggs for our family, Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres and possibly some for selling.

**UPDATE** 

The chicks are ordered!  Just this very morning a couple minutes ago.  50 Silver Laced Wyandotte chicks will be arriving at a post office near me sometime in mid to late-April (or maybe even early May - said the order taker). 

Yard Clearing & Prep

Remember the HUGE drift that blew into the front of our home???  Well, the weather is warming up and helping melt it away.  On Tuesday, Eric & the kids used shovels and the snow-blower to take down all but the ice pack at the bottom. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hopefully the sun will loosen up the ice and we can get that cleared in the next couple days.

 

The dirt is finally starting to poke through out in the fields and around the house, too.  The sloughs are growing, as well.

 

Detached garage & driveway…

 

View of my backyard (above) and garden area…

 

 

Snow melting & water draining away from the front of our home …

Wordless Wednesday – Lenten Amusement

 

 

Wordless Wednesday – Happy St. Patrick’s Feast Day!

 

 

 

Monday DayLook – March 15, 2010

For Today: March 15, 2010

 

Looking out from my back porch... the black patches of soil in the fields surrounding the house are getting larger!  Of course that means my fight with the mud begins…

I am thankful for... a reliable plumber who was willing to travel to the farm on Friday and help take care of another pressing sewer/drainage issue.  We’re taken care of for now, but in hindsight, I’m SOOOOO very thankful we did NOT plant grass last year!  The drain tile pipe burst, causing a 2’ diameter sink hole, & it will need to be repaired when the ground dries out – probably May.

I am reading… still only in the first part of the introduction of ‘Introduction to the Devout Life,’ but I’m enjoying it.  I keep re-reading certain paragraphs … reading this book might take me a while!

I am wearing… my favorite jeans & a long sleeved white t-shirt.

I am hoping... for a slow snow melt as the weather warms.

I am hearing... the electronic whir of Leo’s swing rocking him back and forth, keeping him in his peaceful sleepy state.

From the school room... Zeke is excited to be so close to finishing his current math workbook.  Last week he did three pages in one day, just so he’d be closer to the end.

From the kitchen... ‘cooking from the pantry’ is going well.  I’ve been trying to keep our non-perishable food shopping to a minimum.

State of the house… there are fewer piles (and they are shorter, too) on the kitchen island.  I need to get the papers filed TODAY!

A successful moment… we’ve been using our stations of the cross grottos almost every day, the kids have been calmer during the meditations.

Lenten Musing and Observations… we are halfway through Lent and about half our snow cover is gone, too.  The snow starts to look dirty and old at this point and you just want it GONE, but that’s not the way Spring works.  We need to wade through the muck, clearing away the dirt as we go, to reach the beauty of Spring.  Lent is hard at this point, too, but the end is in sight.  With hope, I’m working my way through these last weeks.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: The boys and I get to stay home tonight, as Eric is taking Angelina to dance lessons!

Wednesday: St. Patrick’s Feast Day!

Friday/Saturday/Sunday:   Solemnity of St. Joseph on Friday and Eric is a delegate at the state Republican convention this weekend.

A picture memory...

 

Our drain tile & septic system is located on the east side of the house – there’s no easy way to get there.  So, we don rubber boots and trudge through the muck, hoping we don’t loose our boots in the process.  It’s a great workout!  And, yes, we are temporarily discharging on the surface … better than into the basement.

 

It’s not really puzzle season; but with the drizzle and mud, we’ve been a little house-bound.  So, I unwrapped the puzzle Grandma Golden Acres brought us.  Angelina, Zeke & Graham sorted out the edge pieces.

Angelina and I finished it up last night around 10:50pm.  It was fun … we’ll leave it out until we have time to read all the cool facts about the American West.