The months truly do go way too fast. Six months on February 12, 2013.
He really looks like a Lahlum in the above picture. I can see Miller in him quite often, but that one is all Lahlum.
We went to Mass tonight, as Angelina had another commitment on Wednesday night. Marcus was so wiggly that I had to hold his head steady for Father to make the sign of the cross!
So, our Lent has begun…
…and my baby is six months old.
Ok, so the meal is uncooked in the top photo, but the end result was excellent. Both these dishes are the result of a Wildtree Freezer Workshop that I took part in via Skype. The end result was at least 10 freezer meals for everyone. I ended up with a few more because I doubled some of the recipes. The top is a Rosemary Herbed Pork Tenderloin Roast and the bottom is a Steak Fajita filler. With a million and one things on the calendar, I was grateful that my friend allowed me to take part in this way.
And a couple pics of the yard from the early part of February. Believe it or not, this is the most snow we’d had all winter, and it’s not as much as my family would’ve liked.
Frosted trees are so beautiful. I really enjoy winter and the beauty of it…even when it’s snowing and blowing. It doesn’t bother me when I’m at home looking out my kitchen window!
I also want to note that Angelina, Zeke and Dash all competed in 4-H and FFA Crop Judging at Little I in Fargo on the 8th. They had fun and did well.
My mom came to stay with us on the 3rd. I had surgery on the 4th, so she came to help with the kids for the week. I needed to leave Marcus home, so I felt most confident leaving her with him. I was unable to nurse him for 48 hrs and he refused to take a bottle – no big surprise there. The other option was a medicine dropper, so that is how he ate. He doesn’t eat much during the day anyway, so this actually worked out ok. He still didn’t like it, but at least he was getting something. The surgery went well.
Looking out from my back porch... dusk is approaching and there is a light snow falling every once in a while. It just looks cold, but I’m not going to check!
I am thankful for... babies who make me smile, schoolwork that is finished without complaint, helpful mothers and friends, ice packs that help migraines, my chiropractor, simple meals, and the knowledge that some year I will sleep better at night.
I am reading… Backwoods Home magazine on my Kindle. It’s great! Lots about canning, simplicity, bit of politics, animals, homesteading…etc.
I am praying for... dear friend who had surgery last week and for my family.
I am hearing... the fan over my cooktop. Cheesy broccoli soup is cooling.
I am wearing… today is a sweatpants and t-shirt day.
From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… geez, I should just take this category off until we start up 4-H projects. Oh, ya! I’m in charge of a craft demo at our 4-H meeting this weekend – stenciled glass. Wonder when I’ll find the time to get that organized?
From the School Room... let’s just say it’s once again a challenging year. I’m trying new things and just pray that the efforts present results.
From the Kitchen... meatloaf, veggies and cheesy broccoli soup.
From the FarmYard… I ordered chicks yesterday! Speckled Sussex, Welsummer, Ameraucana, California White, Golden Laced Polish, and Cornish Rock cross slow broilers.
A successful moment… the Christmas thank-you’s are started?
A few plans for the rest of the week…
Wednesday: to town for errands
Thursday: to town for errands & dr. appts
Friday/Saturday/Sunday: crop judging starts on Saturday and kids have 4-H on Sunday
A picture memory... I don’t do much blogging right now, but there is a good reason! Marcus Laurance was 5 months on January 12.
These two pics are noteworthy chiefly because I didn’t take many pics in January! So, these meant something.
This first is a last minute 4-H demonstration that I used to replace my original glass etching idea because I’d forgotten ‘I’ volunteered to do it. But these Rustic Apple Tarts turned out amazing and very tasty! I’m actually thinking one of the kids could use it for a genuine 4-H exhibit if we amend the filling (cannot exhibit baked products that need refrigeration).
And this particularly cold day…why was I going anywhere? Probably because I’d lined up multiple appointments and to reschedule would have been impossibly difficult. Believe it or not, I actually saw it dip to –19. Just a crazy winter.
Now, my dad has a crazy sense of humor. I may have inherited a bit of it, but I tend toward the sarcastic. This is totally my dad! He found these crazy hats at a truck stop and decided that his grandkids would thoroughly enjoy them. And, they did!!
Our family trip wouldn’t be complete without pictures. So, first it’s Grandpa & Grandma with all the grandkids. With this many, it’s hard to get a bad picture …or a good picture depending on how you look at the scenario.
The headbands are a little big for the littlest Golden Acre Grandkids, but they persevered.
The Lahlum Family…and another of the headband conquers baby pictures.
My parents, to whom we are thankful for giving us life and these wonderful family memories.
I didn’t include all my sibling family photos, but I have to include my brother Eric. He has a great sense of humor, too. He was replicating the Karate Kid in the above shot. I have no idea where that came from…
now, this…I take complete creative credit for the idea that began it all. I made an offhand comment to Anna, my sister-in-law, that, “I think they should make NDSU.” Said sarcastically, of course! And, from there we have the following fun…we ladies stood up on the balcony and directed the guys into proper position…and LAUGHED and LAUGHED!
Don’t worry, the guys do get better with practice. From scrunched up on the carpet…
…to rolling up the carpet and moving some furniture..
…to the best we could do with this many people and this little space.
Then, the guys had to have their own brand of fun!!
Happy New Year! Go Bison…a few of the group will be headed down to TX at the end of the week for the championship football game.
While the snow cover on the mountain was sufficient, the night we left…on into the morning of our departure…it snowed A LOT. Wish we could have stayed to ski one more day.
I should note that I chose not to ski this year. Getting all the kids to lessons and having a 4 month old baby would have made it challenging. And, I did want to relax. In addition, there was ‘baby weight’ and I had no desire to shop for post-pregnancy ski pants! This was the year to ‘take a break.’ I enjoyed visiting, reading my Kindle, watching the kids in their ski lessons, and playing Scrabble with my brothers (they actually used a timer!!).
This is the view out the balcony door on the morning of our departure. We left for home on Jan 2. We drove all the way home. Thank goodness traveling wasn’t affected by the snowfall.
Overall, another excellent Miller Ski Trip.
New Years Eve: A personal chef came into our rental home. He grilled steak and shrimp for our main course with an amazing salad and side dishes to round out the meal. The meal was amazing. It was nice not to have to leave the home, and since we all takes turns cooking the other meals, this was a special treat.
Brother Eric and husband Eric. Marcus is enjoying his Sophie giraffe.
Doesn’t the meal just look scrumptious?
The Miller Crew – sans grandkids (don’t worry, they had their own party in the other home!).
My mom and brother, Eric.
I felt terrible on the 31st due to a migraine, but that’s life. I went to bed immediately after supper and didn’t even stay up to ring in the New Year. So, this is the end of the pictures for tonight.
