Dance Recital

Angelina’s dance recital was last Tuesday.  We left early and were there pretty much all day. A friend offered a home to us during the off hours between rehearsal, dress rehearsal & the recital.  We packed lunch, supper and snacks for the day.  Thankfully, Louis slept and played at the most appropriate times.  The actual recital was ONLY about 1.5 hours long.  Angelina was in three dance … jazz, tap and ballet. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday DayLook – Memorial Day – May 31, 2010

For Today:  May 31, 2010

Looking out from my back porch... puffy white clouds in a light blue sky, slight breeze ruffling the trees, our back yard is green … with weeds!  But, it is green; I can imagine how nice a lawn will look.

I am thinking about… 4-H projects and school curriculum.

I am thankful for... good friends who remind me not to take myself so seriously and strangers who remind me to put my
struggles to pray.

I am reading… through the brochures and magazines in the ‘goodie’ bag handed out at the MN Homeschool Conference this past weekend.

I am hoping... for a productive week.

I am hearing... the sounds of laundry drying from upstairs.

I am wearing…black knit capris & a cream t-shirt.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… today Angelina is working on sewing her denim skirt (a 4-H project).

From the school room... still working to memorize the final poems for a one child.  We’ll start ‘summer’ (ie. workbooks to keep the kids entertained while driving to and from swimming) lessons next week.

From the kitchen... Polish sausage for supper with fresh asparagus.  Odd combo, I know, but it’s available.

State of the house… not sure which is ahead … the dust bunnies or the piles.  Let’s just say both are thriving!

A successful moment… the square foot gardens are planted as of this afternoon.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Tuesday:  Pedicure for me – I can hardly wait.

Wednesday: Graham’s 4th Birthday!

Thursday:   4-H Showcase – Angelina will be competing in the Sew & Show and the Buy & Show; Dash will be competing in the Project Expo.

Friday:  4-H District 6 Communication Arts contest.  Both Angelina and Dash will present a Serious Reading.

Saturday/Sunday:   Angelina’s 10th Birthday!  CCM Baby Shower for Louis & I.  Animal Showmanship Practice for Dash, Angelina & Zeke.

 A picture memory...


We have acquired a stock trailer – for transporting animals.

 
Angelina’s SFG – peas above & onions below

 
 
Cucumber plants already blooming!

 
Macalester College – site of the 2010 MN Catholic Homeschool Conference – friends Sarah G. & Julie

 
Louis & I just hanging out on the Macalester campus.  Saturday was hot, but the slight breeze and shade felt wonderful.  I really enjoyed the grass!

 
Remember these??  The kids planted ‘slips’ at a 4-H meeting in late April.  The plants have grown quite a bit.

Newest farmyard residents…

On Monday, May 17th, Eric and the oldest boys picked up three sheep at a local farm.  They’ll be 4-H projects (market lambs) for Dash, Angelina, & Zeke.

The littlest lamb is quite wild; during unloading (I wasn’t present) she got away from Eric, knocked Graham over and stepped on his hand.  Ouch!  … thankfully lambs aren’t as heavy and their hooves aren’t as hard as adult sheep.  Graham wasn’t deterred & stuck around to see the lambs settled in their pen.  Angelina has been given the task of calming the wild lamb … she does a good job of gentling animals.

Today, the kids & Eric took the lambs for a walk.  They’ll be taking them for a walk every morning and most evenings, too.

 

 

SFG – lessons learned & tips to try

1.  This fall, I’ll try to remember to cover the mix/box over winter.  We are unprotected and the wind carried off quite a bit of the soil-less mix.  If I had covered each box with newspaper and weighted it down with rocks (we have plenty!), I’d have protected my beds.  However, since I should be amending the beds with a bit of compost each year, maybe it’s not such a big deal to let the wind create a bit of room. 

2.  To repel the nibbling deer, I’ll try hanging citrus scented soap in nylon or net bags around the perimeter of the garden.  If that doesn’t work, I will fence … in an attractive way.

 

Part I of many …

Because … I’m sure there will be more lessons and tips throughout the year!

Look who’s sitting!

First this way … with brother Zeke in back, just in case Louis gets a little too excited (we still do this)

He’s a happy camper when he can see around and grab toys…

This weekend, he was quite steady

 

Playing with his cousin’s toy … cool steering wheel and noises…

 

makes for a happy, smiley, boy!

 

Playing with a blue Peep!  Who knew they made stuffed Peeps …

 

Must be working on teeth, too, judging by the amount of drool…

 

One of Angelina because she’s such a big help with her little brother.

 

Yep, chubby baby legs …   

Monday DayLook – May 24, 2010

For Today:  May 24, 2010

Looking out from my back porch... breezy, soggy ground, setting sun behind hazy clouds, blooming lilacs

I am thinking about…tomorrow & checking my mental list to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything

I am thankful for... a beautiful roof over our heads to protect us from the thunder storms which are moving through our area today

I am reading…no time for reading today

I am hoping... for a peaceful day tomorrow

I am hearing... some child is playing with a hammer toy … it’s repetitive

I am wearing…denim capris & a yellow shirt

 From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… needed to mend Angelina’s dance costume because Graham CUT IT!  Thankfully it was not in an obvious location.

 From the school room... just poetry memorization & piano lessons

 From the kitchen... two loaves of bread

 State of the house… well, the bags are unpacked & a serious dent was made on the laundry pile … three more sleeping bags to go …

 A successful moment… my friends and I did finish the 5K!  We walked, Louis rode in his stroller, the distance in under an hour and we were not last!  It was very crowded (over 5000 participants) …. but fun.

 A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Catch-up

 Tuesday: Dance Rehearsal & Recital

 Wednesday: FMCHE pizza party & annual meeting

 Thursday:   Angelina dances in the Briton Recital

 Friday/Saturday/Sunday:   Louis & I leave for homeschool convention

 A picture memory...

 

 

 

 

 

 

5K

I don’t care for ‘formal’ exercise, you know the kind where ya join a gym and go every day or every other to loose weight or get in shape.  Can’t stand being on a machine or lifting weights … it’s boring, IMO!  I’d rather be out in the yard working or getting a physical workout from cleaning/carrying laundry around the house – we do have stairs, so that helps.  If I could dance, now that would be a different story.  I thoroughly enjoyed dance throughout my primary, elementary and high school years.  Tap is a great workout and I’d do it again in a heart-beat, if I could swing the time away from kids and there was a class available within 20 miles!

Back to 5K’s …  In college, friends talked me into walking 5K’s with them at least once a year.  I did it because it was for a cause, it was fun to walk with friends, and there was a souvenir t-shirt involved.  There was also the community walk/run in Kearney, NE back in the late 90’s; I don’t remember the length.  Someone in the group (Jaycees) even talked me into running on a relay … I hadn’t run a 400m since high school … I didn’t make any great impressions that day, either!!  I haven’t done any form of racing since. 

But, for some reason, I’m doing it again!  All for the joy of being able to chat with friends … there is no other sane reason why I’d want to walk a 5K.  I would never have done it if left to my own devices, because I’m just not motivated to walk this much in one day.  Baby Louis will be joining me on the walk, in his jog stroller. 

The 5K is part of the Fargo Marathon weekend.  I really hope I’m not extremely sore the next day.  The race starts around 6pm today … please say a prayer for me and my friends!!

5K

I don’t care for ‘formal’ exercise, you know the kind where ya join a gym and go every day or every other to loose weight or get in shape.  Can’t stand being on a machine or lifting weights … it’s boring, IMO!  I’d rather be out in the yard working or getting a physical workout from cleaning/carrying laundry around the house – we do have stairs, so that helps.  If I could dance, now that would be a different story.  I thoroughly enjoyed dance throughout my primary, elementary and high school years.  Tap is a great workout and I’d do it again in a heart-beat, if I could swing the time away from kids and there was a class available within 20 miles!

Back to 5K’s …  In college, friends talked me into walking 5K’s with them at least once a year.  I did it because it was for a cause, it was fun to walk with friends, and there was a souvenir t-shirt involved.  There was also the community walk/run in Kearney, NE back in the late 90’s; I don’t remember the length.  Someone in the group (Jaycees) even talked me into running on a relay … I hadn’t run a 400m since high school … I didn’t make any great impressions that day, either!!  I haven’t done any form of racing since. 

But, for some reason, I’m doing it again!  All for the joy of being able to chat with friends … there is no other sane reason why I’d want to walk a 5K.  I would never have done it if left to my own devices, because I’m just not motivated to walk this much in one day.  Baby Louis will be joining me on the walk, in his jog stroller. 

The 5K is part of the Fargo Marathon weekend.  I really hope I’m not extremely sore the next day.  The race starts around 6pm today … please say a prayer for me and my friends!!

Lilacs

The lilacs are starting to bloom!  The wind is picking up, so their scent doesn’t reach my porch, but they are a beautiful sight.  Purple is my favorite, but the white is right at the end of the row and frames the corner of the farmyard beautifully. 

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Small Success

My small success for today was to finally get the next ‘pen’ set up for the chicks.  They’ve been too big for the box & metal water tank brooders for at least 5 days, but there just hadn’t been time to get them moved.  Thankfully, Louis took a nap this morning and I was able to build the pen and move the chicks to their new home.

Old Brooders

Their first pen, was just the metal water tank, then at about 2 weeks, they were split into two groups.  The above photo was taken right before  moving the chicks to their new, larger pen.

New Pen/Brooder – Before and After Chicks!

This new pen is set up in my hubby’s garage stall.  Plastic garbage bags on the cement floor, next is a newspaper layer, followed by a 2” layer of sawdust.  I switched to the gallon sized waterer and was able to hang their feeder.  I anticipate less food waste and that the water will stay cleaner longer.  As the chicks have grown, their love of scratching around has grown as well!  It creates a lot of dust and mess.

Another taller piece of cardboard was added around the perimeter for good measure.  The last few times I’ve driven away, I’ve been worried about coming home to a garage full of chicks running and roosting on whatever they can reach!

By the way, I continue to be AMAZED at how fast these birds grow!  Lots of feathers coming in all over, combs starting to develop, feet are bigger, and they’re starting to fly a bit - not out of the pen, yet, thank goodness.  It sure is fun to see the black and white color patterns developing.

  

Monday DayLook: May 17, 2010

For Today:  May 17, 2010

 Looking out from my back porch... light blue sky, slight breeze, sea of yellow dandelions within the tree rows, almost blooming lilacs (I am in anticipation of their sweet scent!), newly tilled earth waiting for more seeds!

 I am thinking about…this past weekend.  We all participated in Mass at the Cathedral & then had fun at the Spring Festival.  Angelina and I attended her old dance troupe’s (Camria Ballet Academy) Spring Recital – Thumbelina.  We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend!

 I am thankful for... peaceful Monday’s and a happy baby in Louis.

 I am reading…just catching up on my magazine pile lately.

 I am hoping... for a few calm and sunny weeks – right in a row.

 I am hearing... Zeke and Graham trying to decide (LOUDLY) which game(s) they are going to play.

 I am wearing…my hair in ponytail and flip-flops on my feet.  The middle is clothed relaxingly!

 From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)…hopefully Angelina will be working on her quilt later today.  I’d also like to get the kids’ wood art projects for 4-H started today.

 From the school room... A.L.M.O.S.T. done with our formal school year.

 From the kitchen... well, since I forgot/didn’t take the time to do a menu plan, I’m half-ways thinking about dinner plans while I type this short post.

 State of the house… good enough, but I really need to wash a load of jeans.

 A successful moment… all of my plant starts are in the ground or potted.

 A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Angelina’s last regular dance class is tonight.  Grandma Green Acres is coming along so she can check out the Ellendale garden center.  Planting of corn & soybeans has resumed.

Wednesday: Angelina has an orthodontist appointment today.  Also need to make a couple quick errand stops while in the ‘city.’  Dash is headed out to the FMCHE Father/Son Camping trip a couple days early … he’ll be under supervision of another willing Dad.

 Thursday:   My sister’s little guy turns 1 year old today!  Happy Birthday!

 Friday: Did I tell you a friend (Sarah G.) talked me/twisted my arm into walking the 5K with her and other friends.  Actually, I’d walk 5K to chat with these friends on almost any occasion!  Eric, Zeke & Graham will join Dash at the FMCHE Father/Son Camping trip for a couple days.

Saturday:   Confirmation/1st Eucharist Mass/Celebration at the Cathedral on Saturday night – Eric was asked to be a sponsor; we know quite a few of the confirmands. 

Sunday: A good friend of Angelina’s receives her Confirmation/1st Eucharist on Sunday & we’ve been invited to her celebration, as well.  My first Godchild graduates from high school this year … her Senior Vocal Recital and graduation celebration are this afternoon.

 A picture memory...

Graham and Zeke are determined to bring the sand toys to the sandbox…

 

 

 

 

Dash – photo op after Aeropsace Camp

 

Fresh rhubarb, perfect for a Rhubarb Crisp!

 

Gazanias … fun orange & yellow flowers for the back porch.  A little slice of sunshine!

 

Gardening on the Feast of St. Isadore

 

 

Isidore, whose feast day is May 15, has become the patron of farmers and laborers.  He is also the patron of Madrid, Spain, and of the United States National Rural Life Conference.

At a young age, Isidore faithfully worked for John de Vergas, a wealthy landowner from Madrid, on his estate outside the city. He married a young woman as simple and upright as himself who also became a saint—Maria de la Cabeza.

Isidore rose early to go to church and spent many holidays devoutly visiting the churches of Madrid and surrounding areas.  He spoke with God all day long, as he worked in the fields.  Sometimes his fellow workers complained that he showed up late because of lingering in church too long – he was devout.

He was known for his love of the poor, and he had a great concern for the proper care and treatment of animals.

He died May 15, 1130, and was declared a saint in 1622 with four other well-known saints: Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila and Philip Neri. Together, the group is known in Spain as “the five saints.”

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How fitting that I was finally able to get into our SFG & old-fashioned gardens yesterday and today to plant the starts I had purchased weeks earlier.  It was quite windy today, so all the tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, broccoli, cabbage, egg plant & cukes are covered with either hot caps or milk jugs.  Both  provide needed protection from wind, bugs, heavy rain and too much heat.

Morning … Eric readied the tiller and started working up the ground.  Graham, in the right corner of the sandbox, was so excited to be out ALONE with dad.

Late Afternoon – another sfg is added to the line-up, cukes under the milk jugs, tomatoes and other veggies under the hot caps on the right.  A good and productive day.  Thanks hubby!

 

My Mary Garden – herbs surround (lemon balm, spearmint, peppermint, and oregano) and a Gerbera Daisy in front to frame her.

 

Close-up of Mary and her garden.

 

A Juliet tomato with parsley and cilantro … salsa in the future.

 

My favorite brown-eyed susan vine in the center will fill the trellis.  It’s surrounded by gazanias and moss roses.