Monday DayLook: August 30, 2010

For Today:  Monday, August 30, 2010
Looking out from my back porch... Cloudy skies, breezy, 70’s for temps.  The garden is starting to wind down and veggies (ie. tomatoes) are finally beginning to ripen.
I am thinking about... canning ... my mexican stewed tomatoes recipe.
I am thankful for... another week that is free of schoolwork!
I am reading... ‘Vanishing Acts’ by Jodi Picoult, which I picked up at the book sale on Saturday.  Not sure if I’ll like it, but it’s ‘light reading’.  Also reading ‘Sense & Sensibility’ by Jane Austen and a stack of Organic Gardening magazines (also picked up at the book sale).
I am hoping... for a productive day ... that always a hope!
I am hearing... the kids playing a board game upstairs.
I am wearing... shorts & a t-shirt.
From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)... just laundry & lots of it.
From the school room... a local homeschool grad works for a printing business, so is able to get discards for free.  She brought them to the book sale on Saturday and each family could pick through and take an assortment of papers.  I still need to find a place to store my ‘picks’. 
From the kitchen... soon, I will be chopping peppers, onions and tomatoes to make my Mexican Stewed Tomatoes.
From the garden... lots of cukes.  Both of the zucchini plants have been wind damaged and will take a while to recover.  I have at least 7 large watermelons that I’m hoping will ripen before the first frost.  The tomatoes and tomatillas are also coming on.
State of the house... could definitely be better.  Other priorities come first, besides canning doesn’t create a clean kitchen!!
A successful moment... I only brought back one small box of books from the sale.  I let everything else ‘go’/be donated to a local thrift store.
A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Dash’s first FB game tonight, canning tomatoes
Tuesday: canning either tomatoes or peaches
Wednesday: canning either tomatoes or peaches, clearing a few of the garden beds
Thursday: cleaning the house
Friday/Saturday/Sunday:  enjoying the holiday weekend & probably doing a little yard work
A picture memory... Since it doesn’t appear that I’ll have time to write a real post, here are pics from our visit to The Children’s Building in Appleton, WI.  The kids had a great time … and so did I!


 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Fifteen More Days

Angelina came into the kitchen on Monday and said, with a twinge of wistfulness, “ Fifteen more days.”  Yes, there are only fifteen more days until we, the Lahlum family, start school.  Her comment reminded me that I still need to organize a few more details. 

1. Enter Dash’s Latin lessons into Homeschool Tracker
2. Sort and put away materials in the homeschool room (I can’t see my desk or the counter!)
3. Order one more book for Dash
4. Need to get binders ready for the first week
5. Make the German schultütes for each child

I know, how very ‘Martha’ of me.  Here’s what the list should read like…

1. Push Graham and Louis on the swings
2. Walk out to the chicken coop with Angelina and walk up to the mailbox with Zeke
3. Encourage Eric to play catch with Dash
4. Invite friends out to celebrate Labor Day
5. Enjoy a chai tea out on the back porch

Tuesday DayLook: August 24, 2010

For Today:  Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Looking out from my back porch... sun is beginning to set, so the sky is pinkish over the tops of the trees.  Beautiful!

I am thinking about... what needs to be done this week, the homeschool booksale at the end of the week and my checklist related to the booksale!

I am thankful for... the help of my mom and in-laws in the chicken harvest!  I cannot imagine how much longer it would have taken Eric, the kids and I to do it without their help. 

I am reading... ‘Sense and Sensibility’ by Jane Austen.

I am hoping... for mild weather and a productive week. 

I am hearing... the sounds of water running for showers and baths.  My kitchen table is right under the upstairs bathroom.

I am wearing... beige capris, orange shirt, flip-flops

 From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)... just laundry planned for this week.  Although, my sister gave Angelina a few outfits that need slight alterations.

 From the school room... getting closer to preparedness.  We had a lot of fun with the first day of school ‘gifts’ (poster board & tissue paper … can’t remember the name, but is something like schultute!) last year, so I have supplies to make and stuff again.

 From the kitchen... fresh bread, mexican spaghetti (recipe posted on cooking blog), buckwheat pancakes.  Today, I made us of eggplant in a pasta dish.  First, I showed everyone dessert and then I served up supper.  This is the way to go if YOU aren’t sure if you’ll like supper.  It produces less complaints!!  Got any good eggplant recipes??

From the garden... lots and lots of fresh veggies: eggplant, cucumbers, peppers, onions, corn, tomatoes.

 State of the house... let’s not worry about the house!  There’s so much to do in the garden and all the produce needs to be stored or preserved.  And, then the dining room is covered with piles of books to be priced for the homeschool booksale at the end of the week.

 A successful moment...chicken harvest is complete! 

 A few plans for the rest of the week...
Monday: Dash had an orthodontist appt. & Eric was in a golf tournament.  While his dad golfed, Dash spent time with friends in Fargo.  I priced all the books and educational toys I plan to bring to the booksale.  Pickled around 7 pints of cukes.

 Tuesday: Juicing plums and baking – Prairie Woman’s Mocha Chocolate Brownies – yes, that was dessert tonight.  Believe me, they are delicious.

 Wednesday: Zeke & Graham have dentist appointments today.

 Thursday:   Pickling cukes or juicing plums or freezing corn.  Baking goodies for the bake sale at the book sale.

 Friday/Saturday/Sunday:   FMCHE (our homeschool group) book sale set up on Friday and sale on Saturday.  Angelina, Leo & I are staying overnight with friends!

 A picture memory...

Remember these little guys?? 

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my husband, Eric!  His birthday was on Saturday, and he was thankful we were done with the chicken harvest (originally we planned to split the harvest into two days … I’m glad we did it all on Friday, too.).  His mom made fried chicken – yep, fresh fried chicken – and an assortment of garden veggies for the noon meal.  I made German Chocolate Cake – his favorite.  Served with a scoop or two of ice cream, this is an August treat!

Since my mom was visiting, we took advantage and went out to eat for supper, just the two of us.  We both ordered the Triple C Burger & split an order of fries.  Not the same as a steak, but boy was it a great burger! 

    Eric with the kids – from left – Angelina, Dash, Louis, Eric, Graham (in front) and Zeke.

Our Vacation

    

Well, I’m finally getting around to posting about our last vacation/trip of the summer … CCL Convention 2010 in Green Lake, WI.  We left – twice - on Saturday, August 7th.  We had to go back and get the watermelon, which had been prepped for the trip.  After celebrating at a cousin’s 3rd birthday on Minnesota’s Lake Sally, we traveled to a hotel north of the cities (MN) to stay for the night.  The kids swam at Lake Sally all day and then I MADE them swim at the pool.  There was a possibility of ‘itch’ in the lake, so after precautions earlier in the day, I figured a swim in chlorinated pool water would take care of anything else.  (This is just my opinion, but no one came down with a case of the ‘itch’, so all was good!). 

A leisurely Sunday morning was perfect for our family.  We planned to attend opening Mass that afternoon, so we had plenty of time to eat and pack up the crew.  Ironically, our friends, the Goettle’s, whom we would be renting a home with at the conference, happened to stay at the same hotel!  Unplanned, but really cool to run into each other in the morning and have a good laugh.

Meal plans & snacks were decided upon beforehand, so each family stopped at a grocery store to pick up last minutes essentials.  By the time we arrived and registered for the conference, our house was ready for move-in.  It was a beautiful 2-story home with a wrap around porch, air-conditioning (an essential for me & nursing baby) and fully equipped kitchen.  Plenty of room for two families with a total of 10 children.

The Goettle’s & The Lahlum’s (missing Eric)

This is our third CCL convention.  I’ve enjoyed each; this was no exception.  The company was excellent and the speakers were inspiring and intelligent.  Each day begins and ends with Mass.  While I would love to be able to attend the morning Mass, that just isn’t practical with the ages of our children, so we went (as often as we could) in the afternoon.  The oldest four of our kids attended day camps, which they thoroughly enjoyed.  I was worried about Graham because he tends to be shy and reserved in new situations.  I was prepared to have him come with me on some days, but he did great and was excited to go each day.

Adults began the day with 3 speakers in the morning and then divided out into smaller workshops in the afternoon.  I heard most of the speakers in the sessions I had hoped to attend. Louis is such a trooper.  He took naps during the morning and afternoon; only once did I miss – completely – a talk.  The morning series of speakers was in a room large enough to push around the stroller, so as long as I kept moving Louis stayed content.

Eric’s National Sales Meeting was also this week, so he flew out on Tuesday morning.  Not ideal, but we’d had this trip planned since knowing the dates (and that was two years ago at the end of the last conference).  Yes, I am thankful for our good friends, the Goettle’s, who helped get the kids where they needed to go and for the ability to split meal prep!  I couldn’t have done this without them.  Eric would meet up with us on Thursday evening in Appleton, WI.

Morning speakers included Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, S.V.; James McKenna; Dr. Joseph Corbo; Bishop Ronald W. Gainer; Michael Schwartz; Dale Ahlquist; Fr. Tad Pacholczyk; Dr. Ray Guarendi; and Bishop Jean Laffitte.  I’m not sure I could pick a favorite, but I learned a lot by listening to Michael Schwartz talk about the health care bill, Dr. Ray is always funny, and Fr. Pacholczyk is incredibly knowledgeable about In Vitro fertilization and infertility.  Marilyn Shannon gave afternoon talks on nutrition for women and also for men.  I attended both and was very glad.  The women’s health topic is not new, in fact, it is a workshop that is generally very well attended.  However, when do we EVER see a talk on men’s health??  No, I wasn’t the only woman in the room.

The only workshop I regret not hearing was Dale Ahlquist’s afternoon session on G.K. Chesterton.  I sat in the lobby and let Louis crawl around while I visited with a young woman from NE.

Thursday morning, I was able to attend the 7am closing Mass (everyone else attended the 4pm Mass the night before).  I left Louis at the house in good hands.  Upon returning from Mass, both families packed up their suburbans, dropped off keys and made our way out of the resort.  The kids and I drove up to Appleton where we’d spend Thursday night.  We had a bit of time to kill between our arrival and check-in at the hotel, so we had a blast playing at The Building for Kids (that’s another post!).  We spent Friday night at my sister and brother-in-laws in Lowry, MN and finally arrived home on Saturday afternoon.

Above:  The youngest Mr. Goettle & Zeke.  These two are also inseparable and had a great amount of fun each and every day of our trip.

Above:  Angelina having a bit of fun with the youngest Miss Goettle!

 

Above: Miss Goettle & Angelina – these two have been fast friends since … well, forever!

Above: Louis & Dash relaxing on the porch.

Harvesting

Friday was chicken harvest day at the farm.  We are now down to 17 pullets … besides the 12 laying hens in the older flock.  Friends will be taking 5 of the pullets, which will leave us with a laying flock of 24 over the winter.  The pullets should start laying eggs in about 4-5 weeks.

This is the last batch of cleaned and bagged chickens to freeze.  We started around 12:30pm on Friday and finished up the bagging at 10pm that evening.  We processed a total of 35 (33 cockerels and 2 runty hens).  Note to self:  Do NOT attempt more than 35 in one day, and less would be better!  Not too bad for our first year.

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While we wouldn’t normally work out in the garden on Sunday, but the plums needed harvesting, too.  Eric mentioned that he’d seen red fruit the other day, so after brunch, I drove over to check for ripeness.  The first tree I checked was filled with plums ripe enough to fall into my hand.  Dash, Angelina, Zeke and I drove over and harvested a five-gallon bucket of fruit.  Some fruit is ripe, some will need to wait a few days.  Jelly and syrup making is in our future … YUM!

 

The larger plums were ripe enough to eat.  The skin is tart and a bit thick, but the flesh is wonderfully sweet.

Monday DayLook: August 16, 2010

For Today:  August 16, 2010

Looking out from my back porch... slight breeze, sunny with a few clouds in the bright blue sky.

I am thinking about… my day and my week … such big plans.  Nothing grand, mind you, just a lot to get done in the garden and around the house.

I am thankful for... family.

I am reading… ‘In Name Only’ by Ellen Gable.  This is her second Catholic fiction book and she won an Independent Publisher Book Award on this book.

I am hoping... to figure out our family’s schedule by the end of the week!  I say I’m flexible, but things always fly a little better when I have a schedule for reference.  Also, a nasty cold has been making it’s way through our family.  I hope it ends soon.

I am hearing... the boys are downstairs playing & chattering to themselves.  Angelina is quietly reading.

I am wearing…jean capris & a light blue t-shirt.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… since we just returned home, the laundry is REALLY occupying the room.  It’s being tackled, though.

From the school room... I sure hope to finish up Dash’s Latin lesson plans later this week.  Otherwise, my last shipment arrived this past week, so I’m set on all my supplies.

From the kitchen... Zeke and I made chocolate zucchini cake and Angelina made banana bars this morning.  My MIL called to let me know she has extra apples … applesauce will be made this week (or next week).

From the garden… who knew that eggplants were just as prolific as zucchini.  One plant is great plenty and I certainly didn’t need to look for a 2 pack that had a bonus third plant! 

State of the house… Dash vacuumed this morning … his little ‘punishment’/thank you for me taking him to his FB practice this morning at 6:20am when the practice was actually at 3:30pm this afternoon.  Yep, I was a bit steamed!

A successful moment… the luggage is unpacked and stored.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday:  Dash starts FB practice, Eric is off to the Clover Classic Golf Tourney, Small Grain Harvest

Tuesday-Wednesday:  Small Grain Harvest, Canning (pickles, applesauce), Cleaning/Laundry

Thursday:   First EC meeting of the new school year this evening.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday:   Chicken Harvest, Eric’s Birthday on Saturday

A picture memory... it’s almost time for peaches … in lugs!!!

Home, finally.

 

We are HOME!  No more packing for week-long trips and traveling in the suburban for extended hours.  Yes, we had fun and I’ll tell you all about it later … but for now, I’m just thrilled to be home.  I’m gonna rest for a while, then I’ll let you know what & where.  I LOVE HOME!!

9 months

Where have the months gone??  Nine months old on August 5th.

 

Just FYI, I noticed the other day that his little thighs are bigger than his 10yo sister’s legs!!!

Monday DayLook – August 2, 2010

For Today:  August 2, 2010 … Happy August!

Looking out from my back porch... the weeds need a mowing … thank goodness Dash is home!

I am thinking about… an upcoming trip, meals for the trip, packing for the trip, school and related planning for the start of our school-year, football practice for Dash, dance registration for Angelina (do I really want to drive that far??!!??), the start of Women of Grace and my involvement (do I really want to drive that far??!!??), putting up garden veggies, peaches (YUM!), chicken ‘harvest’ … it’s Fall on the FARM!

I am thankful for... good weather and the fact that the latest storms have left without damaging our property, garden, yard and crop.

I am reading… “Homeschooling: A Family’s Journey” by Gregory and Martine Millman and “Boys Should be BOYS: 7 Secrets to Raising Healthy Sons” by Meg Meeker, M.D.

I am hoping... for a productive week.

I am hearing... kid music from upstairs in the kitchen where Angelina is baking & the youngest three boys are creating a circus-like atmosphere.

I am wearing… knit capris and a grey t-shirt, ponytail in hair and barefoot!

 From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)…I sure hope to get a bit of sewing done this week.  I’d like to make at least one more skirt, and I’d like to alter two tops and a pair of pants for Zeke.

 From the school room... organization is the goal.  I’ve finally, ‘really’, gotten through last years files and pared them down to the papers/workbooks I want/need to save.  All materials for the new year are laid out and I’m slowly organizing my digital lesson plans and putting books on the shelf.  I’m done with Zeke & Angelina, except for a bit of copying.  Dash’s digital lesson plans are the ‘biggie’ that I’ll be trying to finish up this week. 

 From the kitchen... plan to enlist Angelina and Dash to do some baking (cookies and bars).  Meals will be kept simple this week so I can sew, wash and organize.

From the garden… a handful of peas and beans.  The cukes will be in full production by mid-week ARE in full production (maybe enough to can a few jars of pickles) and the eggplants are coming right along, too.  I’m a little disappointed in the tomato plants.  The plants, at least a couple of them, are not as disease resistant as I’d hoped.  So, I’ve had to toss some of the fruit.

 State of the house… well, when we aren’t around the only thing that collects is dust! 

 A successful moment… we are fully unpacked from our trip to the fair and laundry is washed.  I spent a bit of time in the garden weeding out those weeds that could be pulled by hand.

 A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Baking, gardening, hang around the farm.

 Tuesday: Haircuts for Angelina and me.

 Wednesday: Baking, gardening, hang around the farm.

 Thursday:   Baking, gardening, hang around the farm.

 Friday:   Baking, gardening, hang around the farm.   

Saturday/Sunday: We WeFest III – my nephew’s 3rd Birthday party on Saturday.

 A picture memory...

What BISON fan wouldn’t take a picture of grazing bison??  They were in the pasture right next to the Hjerdahl Lutheran Church near Bergen.

 

Eric, Angelina, Graham, Louis, and Zeke next to the cornerstone of the Hjerdahl Lutheran Church.  Eric’s parents were married in this country church and it’s still in use today.  I didn’t think to snap a picture of the church as a whole … sorry … and it wasn’t open, so no inside shots either.

  

Beside the church is the cemetery where Eric’s mom’s parents are buried.  On our last trip (to check out the grain truck) we drove by because we didn’t have time to stop; this time we took time to stop and find the grave site.  We were out this way to pick up a grain truck we purchased from relatives who live on a farm near Bergen/Voltaire.  Eric drove the truck (no air conditioning) home last Thursday on our way back from the ND State Fair.  I and the kids took the suburban … and made it home a little quicker and in the comfort of air conditioning!