Deer Hunting 2011

Our oldest is ‘old enough’ this year.  He was very excited to take part in the hunting party and not just as a ‘walker’.  My relatives and a few invited friends form a hunting party each year for the first weekend of the Deer Season. 

Dash getting prepped for his 1st real hunt. 

 

The evening before and the morning of the opener is spent preparing equipment.  You might remember that my dad maps out the areas they’ll hunt…. I’m sure they spent part of the morning going over where they’d start the hunt.

Dash had a doe tag this year.  Although he got off a few shots, he didn’t get his tag filled on this trip.  He did however, shoot a coyote with his very first shot of the trip.

DayLook: Monday, November 7, 2011

Looking out from my back porch... it’s a clear and cool day.

I am thankful for... weekends at home, kids who eventually get their chores done, smiling toddlers, and a husband who brings flowers home for me.

I am reading… a number of books on Purgatory.

I am praying for... my children to have the desire to desire to do their chores and schoolwork without my constant reminding.

I am hearing... Zeke practicing piano.  I held off on starting him, but he requested lessons … and he really enjoys it!  Of all my kids who play, he’s the only one to practice without prompting.

I am wearing… jeans and a teal long-sleeved t-shirt.

From the School Room... last week went better than the previous weeks of school.  Now, THAT is something for which I am truly thankful.  For the most part we are back on schedule to complete 16 weeks of schoolwork by Christmas break.

From the Kitchen... I’m experimenting to find the recipe for my aunt’s sausage and artichoke quiche.

From the Garden… the kids and I cleaned out the remaining debris from the garden.  The tomato cages, garden ornaments and soaker hoses were stored in the garage.

From the FarmYard… my older laying hens are not producing much anymore, prompting me to believe 3 years is tops for Rhode Island Reds and 2 years for Wyandottes … at least on my farm.  We still need to butcher the 5 Ameraucana cockerels later this month.  So, those older hens may just be on the block for becoming stew meat.  We’ll have to see how ambitious I am when the time arrives.

A successful moment… the floors were all cleaned and washed this week and I started writing up the Christmas gift lists.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Louis’ Birthday supper & gift opening

Tuesday: Dance for Angelina

Wednesday: Trip to Fargo for me

Thursday: Home, thankfully.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: NDSU Bison game on Saturday and 4-H meeting on Sunday.

A picture memory...

At some point, a little one switched my camera settings, and I didn’t catch it right away!  So, this is Zeke in his Indian garb after studying India in his CHC Social Studies unit.  We both had a good laugh.

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Louis! 

He turned two on Saturday, November 5.  Since Dad and Dash were deer hunting, we are celebrating his birthday tonight with a meal and cake.  Grandma and Grandpa Green Acres are invited.  I made cupcakes on Saturday for ‘the day’, and picked up an ice cream cake for tonight.

Here is a pictorial review of his birthday celebrated over the course of a few days…

Don’t pay attention to the number on his cake… he’s really two.  I just spaced it and grabbed this candle instead of my ‘2’ candle.  Didn’t realize it until later when I asked Angelina to get the ‘candle with balloons’ for our celebration with Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres and SHE noticed!  So, that’s not really me noticing, is it?

37-44 (or there about)/52

Boy!  Have I fallen behind in the 52 Weeks posts.  Here’s a huge ‘catch-me-up’ that shows just a bit of what’s been going on around our home.  Sorry, Barbara, there is no linking up with this one, but she started this commemoration of the year.… just whatever is going on in your life: the mundane, the crazy, the normal, the everyday.

Zeke is enjoying the tour of countries in his history studies.

Graham and Angelina made Marian Grottos for art.  Just really enjoy Illuminated Ink art projects.

Zeke and his lego creations and Louis is on the go with anything that moves.  Thomas the Train is a big hit.

 

We were all entertained with another Awesome Magic Show by Graham, the Awesome Magician.  His assistant, the lovely, Angelina was dressed appropriately, as always.

The next five are of our family in various stages of getting ready for a family member’s wedding.  The wedding was on October 21 and we had a wonderful time seeing relatives.

 

Fun swimming at a hotel pool (we were in Fargo for a Bison game – they beat UNI and are #1).

I skipped a few, but those are another post.  My dad and I flew to CA for a wedding and had a great time.

All Saints Day!

On a whim (that means just this weekend!), Sarah and I decided we could pull off an All Saints Day party for our kids this year.  She emailed and I responded with a loud email “COME”!  We had a feast – St. Patrick’s Irish Stew, St. Lucy’s eyeballs, St. John the Baptist Brew, Holy Ghost cookies (btw, Keebler Elf cookies work when the grocery store is out of Nutter Butter’s!), Bone Salad, and Saint Halos (powdered Sugar Donuts).

Louis’ birthday is coming up, so Sarah brought his gift along (she is his prayerful Godmother).

Our little Saints in the making portraying Saints:

The Holy Ghost by Miss S.

Graham as St. Simeon and Miss E as…. St. Elizabeth of Hungary!  She’s beautiful, though, and getting so grown up.

Zeke chose the character out of Tomie De Poala’s book – Clown of God.  It’s been a long time since I’ve read the book.  I didn’t supervise their choices this year and am not sure the character portrayed is actually a saint… but he had fun dressing up and the juggler certainly did love Mary and the Christ Child.

Blessed Lucia by Miss N.

Angelina as St. Cecilia, above, and Mr. L as Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, below.

Dash didn’t have much time to prepare, so didn’t come as a saint.  He and Mr. L had a good time with this wig, though!

Sarah and I.  Crazy day, but it’s worth it, right Sarah?? 

My gosh, I just realized that I took NO pictures of my dear God-daughter!  She’s adorable and so good natured.  Sarah said this is the first longer car trip she’s taken, while awake, where she didn’t fuss and cry (or make Sarah wonder “Why am I doing this!”).  Dear sweet God-baby, may God bless you always.

Happy All Saints…

and for All Souls:  Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May they rest in peace. Amen.