31/52

Joining Barbara in commemorating the year in once a week posts … just whatever is going on in your life: the mundane, the crazy, the normal, the everyday.

This has been a fun, action-filled week.  I forgot about taking pictures on Monday and Tuesday – just too busy enjoying our visitors. 

 

Monday: Eric, Dash and Angelina left at about 5pm to run their 4-H exhibits to Clover Days in Litchville.  By the time they returned, the Methe Family, from NE, had arrived in time to share supper with us. 

Tuesday: Eric and Dash left early for Fargo and dentist appointments; Kevin and his oldest son, Mr. J, tagged along for the ride and to visit.  Michelle, I, and the rest of the kids hung out at the farm chatting and prepping food in the kitchen.  Getting re-acquainted with old friends is the best way to spend a warm summer day.  Overnight rain left the fields too wet to harvest with only a couple hours left to go…the Methe boys were happy! 

Michelle, Angelina and I headed to Litchville to pick up the 4-H exhibits.  Dash and Angelina received blues on everything they entered.

Wednesday: The oldest girls, Miss M and Miss R whipped up a batch of Mocha Brownies.  They were enjoyed by ALL!

In the afternoon, the guys all headed out to harvest those last strips of the winter wheat.  They finished up, even with a break-down!  Mr. J (Methe) was absolutely thrilled to ride in the combine and even drove for a short time. 

We finished the day by leaving the kids at home to have pizza and root-beer floats while the adults enjoyed a quiet meal at Centerfield’s in LaMoure.  Great food and great friends.  Always lots to talk about – everything from homeschooling, to food, to kids, to curriculum, to discipline, to faith, to Regnum Christi, to old friends, to gardens, to health and back again!

Grandma and Grandpa Golden Acres arrived late that night, in time to share a glass of Red Ass Rhubarb wine and a bit of cheesecake.  The wine was tart.

Thursday: Bright and early start to get the chicken butchering area set-up and ready for action.  This year, we had an amazing group to get the job accomplished.  Went fast and smooth.  Everyone chipped in and did their best to get the 35 chickens cleaned and ready for freezing.  The Methe family, Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres, Grandma & Grandpa Golden Acres, and a neighbor and her two children showed up (thanks to Facebook!) to help.  That’s a total of 9 adults and 13 kids (although one of the older girls did stay inside to watch the four youngest kids who were too little to help in the process). 

Anyway, there’ll be more on this day, later!  Lots of great pictures of all the action.

By 11am, we’d started to clean up outside and the carcasses were all in water, cooling.  I headed inside to get lunch/dinner ready at about 11:30am and we were eating by Noon. 

The Methe family packed up and we said our long good-byes around 2:15pm.  Promise it won’t be so long before we see each other again!!

Grandma & Grandpa Golden Acres, Grandma Green Acres and I thoroughly washed, tied and sealed the chickens in bags for freezing.  We started at about 2:40pm and were done by 5:30pm.  Eric kept the kids entertained and out of the kitchen.  Grilled pork chops, green beans, and a lettuce salad for supper tasted wonderful.  My parents, Eric and I sat with our feet up, Bulldog in hand to end the day.  Beat, but happy.

Friday: A day of catch-up on laundry, errands, emails, phone calls, and fly-swatting (will it never end! … I suppose with the first frost.).  Angelina left very early (6am) Grandma & Grandpa Golden Acres to head to her Aunt Julianne’s home.  She’ll help watch her cousin while everyone else does a few projects around the farm and home.

Loving life on our little farm.

Peanut Butter Finger Bars

Fresh eggs from the layers … fewer eggs now due to fewer hens.  That’ll all change in a couple months time!

My dad, Grandpa Golden Acres, on the right.  Eric on the left with Zeke, Graham and Louis in front.  Examining the wheat field and learning how to eat wheat berries.

Grandma & Grandpa Golden Acres’ mode of transportation and boarding on this trip … we are the first stop, then on to my sister’s, then on to a grandson’s 4th birthday, back to my sister’s, then to Bismarck for a meeting, and finally back home again. 

Monday DayLook: August 1, 2011

Looking out from my back porch... it stormed this morning.  All is very WET!

I am thankful for... newly cleaned bathrooms.

I am reading… articles about combining flocks and poultry breeding in the Backyard Poultry magazine which arrived on Saturday.

I am praying for...good harvest weather and an end to the mosquitos and HORSE FLIES!

I am hearing... Dash mowing outside – even with the wet.

I am wearing…moss green capris and an orange shirt.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… there’s a load of towels (mainly beach towels) every other day.  Caught up on laundry for the time being.

From the School Room... minor cleaning and organizing of art supplies.

From the Kitchen... cherry crisp – never tried it before, but it was excellent.  The lug of Bing Cherries had quite a few with bad spots…couldn’t just pop ‘em in your mouth and eat ‘em.  In searching around for a way to use them, I came across a Cherry Crisp recipe on King Arthur Flour.

From the Garden…  green beans galore, peas are at the end, strawberries are blooming again, Huckleberries are starting to ripen, there have been a few more blueberries, green zucchini are doing well and the yellow still continue to rot on the vine, can’t find many tomatoes set, onions are drying (although some were moved and replanted to see if they’ll start growing again).

From the FarmYard…  plan to merge the Barred Rocks, Buffs and Ameraucanas later this week (after the Broilers are butchered on Thursday/Friday).  One of the sheep has a nasty wound – we thought it was ring worm and are treating it – that is taking a long time to heal. 

A successful moment… Dash built a garden arbor (from a kit) on Saturday; it looks great!  He also put together another garden hose holder.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Last minute cleaning.  Friends and Dash’s Godparents (The Methe Family!!!) from NE are coming to visit for a few days.  Clover Days in a nearby town mean the kids can show a few of their 4-H static exhibits again.  There is the possibility of harvest all week (or until the Winter Wheat is done).

Tuesday: Dentist appointments for Dash and Eric.  Hang out with Methe’s.

Wednesday: Hang out with Methe’s.  The guys may golf this morning.  In the evening, the adults may be able to enjoy a night out while the kids feast on pizza.  Prep for chicken butchering.  Grandma & Grandpa Golden Acres may arrive late.

Thursday:   Chicken Butchering and Methe’s leave for home.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday:  Chicken Butchering, Angelina wants to attend the Missoula MT Children’s musical production in LaMoure, Cousin’s 4th birthday celebrated at the Lake Sally, 1st class in our next CCL series.

A picture memory...

This is the last time the Methe and Lahlum families were together!  Back in July of 2007 – four years too long ago.  Above are all the kids we had at the time … one more has been added to each family.  Below are Kevin and Michelle with Dash – they are his Godparents.

Eric and I are sitting with our Godson, Mr. Methe (in the middle) and a 1yo Graham. 

An Online Curriculum Sale Blog Hop!

Shower of Roses: An Online Curriculum Sale Blog Hop!
I’m participating in the Used Book Sale Link-up hosted by Shower of Roses!!
Since our homeschool group (FMCHE) has hosts an annual book sale each year, these materials will be available until August 11th – at which time, they’ll go to FMCHE’s book sale.  If any supplies remain after August 14th, I’ll post again on my blog. 
Jessica is right, in that it’s great to go through our supplies each year to weed out materials and evaluate what we have on hand.  Bless someone else with what it sitting idle in our homes!
If you are interested in purchasing any of the books listed, please leave a comment with your email address.  I’ll reply to let you know if the materials are still available.  If they’re available, I’ll send your total with shipping and my PayPal info. You can also email me directly at nd(dot)bisonfan(at)gmail(dot)com.

Shipping will be $3.50 for 1-2 items and $5.00 for 3-6 items, to cover the cost of packaging and media rate in the continental U.S. If you end up ordering more than 6, or you would like the books mailed elsewhere, I will get back to you with the actual shipping costs.
Thank you for checking my blog!  I’d love these supplies to go to a family who needs and will use them.
LITERATURE:

Illustrated Classic Editions (Abridged) 3 book set includes: Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson, The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.  Quite a bit of shelf wear, but still have a number of ‘reads’ in them!  Asking $1.00. (Sale Pending)


Great Illustrated Classics (Abridged) 2 book set includes:  The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss.  Like new condition, asking $2.50. (Sale Pending)



Dover Thrift Editions (unabridged) 3 book set includes:  Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, A Dog of Flanders by Ouida, and Aesop’s Fables.  The later two are Children’s editions in easy-to-read type.  Great condition.  Asking $3.00. (Sale Pending)



Goliath’s Christmas by Terrance Dicks.  Duplicate, some shelf wear, Reading Level 3.  Asking $1.00. (Sale Pending)



Babe Ruth: Home Run Hero by Keith Brandt (Troll Associates).  Great condition, asking $1.00. (Sale Pending)






Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.  Like new condition, asking $1.00.

Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop.  Minor shelf wear, asking $1.00.
ART & MUSIC:


Art With A Purpose: Artpac 2 (partially used) FREE with purchase of Sound-Noise & Music and Creative Crafts from Cardboard Boxes.  Books in like-new condition, asking $2.00.


Music from the Summer Carnival Mission Camp.  K4J (Kids for Jesus) Songs with David Howie.  Asking $3.00.


Making Music Praying Twice: Ordinary Time-FALL.  Asking $3.00. (Sale Pending)



The Rosary for Teens.  2CD set from Ignatius Press.  Asking $3.00.
KEYBOARDING:

Keyboarding Skills by Diana Hanbury King.  Good Condition, asking $4.00.
LATIN:

Latina Christiana I set.  I would like to sell everything as a set for $75.00.
LCI Teacher Manual/LCI student book/LCI Pronunciation CD ($39.95), LCI DVD’s ($55.00), LCI flashcards ($14.95).  Retail price in parenthesis.  The teacher manual, pronunciation CD and DVD’s have been used once.  The student manual and flashcards (though separated) are brand new.
SCIENCE:

A Guide to Field Identification: Birds of North America.  Duplicate, good condition, asking $2.00.

BRAND NEW – NEVER USED.  MODG Concepts and Challenges in Life Science Teacher’s Manual Using Concepts and Challenges in Life Science – 2nd Edition – Copyright 1986 or 1989.  Asking $15.00.

Exploring Creation with General Science by Dr. Jay L. Wile.  Student Text and the ‘Solutions and Tests for Exploring Creation with General Science’.  Excellent condition, asking $30.00.  Due to weight of this text, there may be extra shipping charges.

HOMESCHOOL HELPS & RESOURCES:

Keeping It Catholic Series: Home Education Guides.  Volume 1: The Foundations and Volume 2: History both by Marianna Bartold.  Excellent condition, asking $5.00.

Family Blessings: Celebrating Catholic Family Life!  booklet package.  Eleven booklets, each 28 pages, published between 1999 and 2001.  Feature uplifting stories of Catholic family life, recipes, living the liturgical year, and a kid section, among others.  Like new condition, asking $5.00.
MATH:

Math Facts Now! CD for Windows 3x, 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP.  (We’ve purchased the online version).  “Aids in speed and retention of the basic math facts of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division!”  Asking $5.00.

Math-U-See Delta: Teacher’s Manual and DVD.  Good condition, asking $20.00. (Sale Pending)



Math-U-See Zeta: Teacher’s Manual and DVD.  Good condition, asking $20.00. (Sale Pending)



Math-U-See Delta: Teacher’s Manual and DVD.  Good condition, asking $20.00. (Sale Pending)

30/52

 

Joining Barbara in commemorating the year in once a week posts … just whatever is going on in your life: the mundane, the crazy, the normal, the everyday.

Been in a baking kick this past week.  Every few months I get in a sourdough mood – I need to be home for at least two days in a row – and not stressed about other things!  I was craving sourdough grilled cheese (with tomato soup) for lunch tomorrow.  Ya need to start early with sourdough!  And then, I’d always wanted to try Breadchick’s Sourdough Sweet Rolls with Butter Crème Frosting.

 

I cheated just a bit in the rising times and used a warmed oven to speed things along.  Above is the rising, below is the done and ready to eat.  Frosted with orange flavored butter crème frosting…MMMMMMmmmmmm.

Dash, Eric and Grandpa Green Acres started the wheat harvest today.  Eric was disappointed with the yield on the winter wheat thus far, but the protein is super high.  We have entered the Fall Lunch-Box season.

The oldest three boys and Eric headed into LaMoure for a haircut this morning.  Louis had his haircut at home, via the in-house barber.  Not too bad!  Darn he’s cute!!

Before and After VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Angelina and I canned cherries on Thursday.  They turned out OK; I think there are at least two jars she’ll be able to exhibit for 4-H (might need the Grandmas to pre-judge!).  Some skins split, even though we pricked each with a pin … guess we’ll have to use something bigger to do the pricking next time.  And then, some floated up and are touching the seal; big no-no for showing/exhibiting.  Neither of these problems affect the taste of the cherries, thank goodness.

Wednesday DayLook: July 27, 2011

Looking out from my back porch... The grass is freshly cut and the garden is almost fully weeded (had about 2 feet left before I got rained out of the garden yesterday!).

I am thankful... the thunderstorms have been small and passed quickly without serious wind or hail.

I am reading… only time for reading newspapers and cookbooks.

I am hearing...Louis jabbering to himself and the St. Gerard statue he’s holding.

I am wearing… brown capris, a navy t-shirt, flip-flops.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)…the room is clean, but alas only laundry has been happening.

From the school room... fully prepped and prepared for our ‘after Labor Day’ start.  The room has been rearranged to my satisfaction and the largest piles (some two years old) have been sorted/filed/stored/trashed.

From the kitchen... Chocolate Sheet Cake, two Cranberry Swirl Coffee Cakes, Tropical fruit bread, and Mini-Chocolate Chip scones.  (I’m getting ready for harvest and LUNCHES!!)  And, I picked up 80 lbs. cherries – both Bing and Rainier – from the fruit truck about 35 minutes from our home.  Cost is approx. $2/lb vs. over $4 in store, so the drive is well worth it.  I plan to can at least half.  The rest will be eaten and shared with my MIL.  The flavor is absolutely wonderful.

From the Garden…  the green beans are in full production mode, and the zucchini are starting to produce.  I’m having trouble with blossom end rot on the zucchini due to the wet conditions.  The sweet peas have started to bloom.

From the FarmYard…  the Ameraucana chicks are soooo beautiful.  Their feather colors are  varied and it’s just been fun to see them develop.  However, they love to fly the coop!  Hubby and I fenced their pen higher, but they STILL find a way to fly to the top of the chicken wire.  Pretty soon, they’ll just fly over and join the Buffs, Barred Rocks, and broilers.

I’m praying for… 1) Louis and Dash who have colds with slight fevers (Dash is at the end of his illness – Louis’ fever broke slightly this morning).  2) That I’ll lose my ‘thirst’ for soda/pop.

A successful moment… a baby gift and a book promised to friends (both should have been sent months ago!) were sent by mail.

A few plans for the rest of the week…

Thursday-Friday: Weed the gardens, bake scones and a coffee cake, pick beans, roast two chickens and pull the meat, can cherries.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday:   Clean house, create flexible menu plans for the next two months, help the kids complete their 4-H animal record books.

A picture memory...

Family day trip to the Buffalo Museum and Frontier Village in Jamestown on Monday, July 25.

World’s largest Buffalo.  Yours truly is taking the pictures, but all the other rascals are accounted for.  Graham looks like he’s ready for a race … that’s pretty much what I did for the rest of the visit.  Race with the stroller to keep up with Angelina, Graham and Zeke.  You know how kids are at a museum!  Well, maybe yours like to take their time and read everything.  By the time I’d get to an exhibit and just look at everything … that’s not even taking time to read ANYTHING! … they’d be off and running to the next building.  At least most of the viewing was free.  The museum’s charge was $10/family.  That’s a great price.

 

This preserve is also home to the famous white buffalo.  Can you see the speck off in the distance??  We didn’t get to see it close up, either.  I should probably show this pic to the kids so they can say, “I was there when mom took this picture of the white buffalo!”

The viewing magnifier was free and the stage coach below was a huge hit with Graham and Louis.

Kids love to be locked in the old time jails. 

The Caboose was fun, too.  I stayed with the stroller, but assume it was cool because the kids stayed in there longer than most of the other exhibits.

 

Well, the park day trip wouldn’t be complete without a couple of these type of pictures. 

So long everyone!  We finished the trip by taking the kids out to eat at Paradiso.  The kids were very well behaved.  Thank goodness!