Pass the Torch Tuesday

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Pass the Torch Tuesday is an opportunity for bloggers to celebrate the ways they see kids/young people doing things RIGHT, as well as the ways in which adults pass them the torch. These are the little things we witness everyday.

We all enjoyed supper together tonight. After supper my kids (who had not had a snack, and had not complained:) ) asked if they could be excused and then returned and put their dish up to the sink then my daughter returned and put my plate on the counter and gave the dogs each a scrap of meat.
I know that this is simply manners. Manners make life a better experience for all though. I am so loved when they do these things. It leaves me with a since of life will go well for them. That is a great gift.

Wow a surprise!

After Supper Tonight My beloved asked to see the work I had done on the front entry (he comes in through the garage) I thought wow how sweet of him to think to go check it out. When he opened the door and stood aside(as he is a gentleman through and through) I stepped out with my gaze turned back to him, then I looked to watch where I was going and behold!
With girlish glee I jumped up and down. How delightful! how very thoughtful!
Beloved said" I haven't done any thing like this for some time, so I thought I'd get it for you."

We moved the planter over to cover the side.
He got me a 75 foot hose too. A new hose! The other one kept kinking and leaking. He had replaced the end on it two times. This new set up is a 3/4 inch hose it is beautiful!
I worked in gas stations growing up so I have had my share of coiling hoses. This has a sweet handle crank and coils it right up out of the walk way.

Look how nice it looks on the walk way. No more hose all coiled and kinked.
Wow! That was so sweet!
When I first saw it it was still in the packaging with the hose on top of it. He set it all up and now it is so compact. It seconds as a stool also.

Roast Beef Slicing and Roast Root Veggie Lesson

May I show you how to do this for the best results.

This was begun at noon today and at 3 p.m. I added the sweet potatoes.
After about an hour. I lifted the lid and began to baste the veggies (that is too use a syringe ball to drizzle the juices over the veggies and the roast as well), then cover and the let it roast for 30 min. or so.

At 4 hours I remove the roast to let it rest( not because it was tired) :) this is to let it come down. The roast will still be cooking on the plate for a good 20 minutes or so. I make good use of the stored energy within the hot meat. When it has rested it will not drain the juices when you slice. Uncover the veggies add the carrots. Baste again and every 20 minutes or so.
Speaking of energy I used the bottom shelf to bake some squash for tomorrow. I found a great recipe over at another blog. I'll get a link to it.

Do you see how dry the plate is = juicy meat:) There are garlic graduals on the roast.

Now I am hoping to relay this clearly.
Everything has a grain in its original form.
So knowing this and understanding the ramifications is critical in life as well as in slicing meat.
I have made a slice that was with the grain to show you how it pulls and you wind up eating long fibers that can be hard to chew (especially for children).
Now look at th slices on th right how then are thin. This is accomplished by slicing against the grain.
If you were to imagine a hand full of straws and cutting the end you have several little straws., but if you were to try to cut the straws the other way you would not only cut your hand:) , but you would have long slices of half straws that would be hard to get into smaller pieces without cutting them.
Now many a plate has scratched from this very problem.
A roast that is sliced properly can easily separate the little straw ends (so to speak) with a fork.

because the roast rested it reabsorbed the juices into the meat. Look at the cutting board. It is relatively dry.

Slicing a roast beef can "Make or Break" the meal.
The proper knife is also important here. Using a (saw) or serrated knife cuts lots of tiny straws. a straight edge would just crush them. Think about it.
That is a ball syringe it is used only in a vertical (up/down) motion. Please use care here. So many a new cook gets burned with the hot liquid when they tip the tool to a horizontal or upside down the displacement of the air in the tool causes it to spray out.

Remember now to drizzle the veggies.
I like the baby carrots they are organic and now they have become more easily available to me. I find them to be much more consistent in size and without the grating much faster to use as well. Organic carrots that are of regular form are not to easy to find either without going to a co-op or paying big bucks at the regular stores.

Tackle It Tuesday

Good Morning!
I had an easy start today . Beloved awoke to his alarm and noticing I was still sleepy lold me to forgo packing his lunch and to just get a few more moments rest instead. He put the dogs in the room and a half an hour later I heard my Dash say"where Daddy?" I reached over to for Dash and got an are full of Lab instead! It was weird. I laid with him and scratched his back and then got up to discover he had fed the dogs, well sorta I think I was not really sure?
Miss fiction had only 30 minutes to ready herself and eat. NO T>V> NO whiny little Caieuo show! Man I really wish the folks who made morning T.V> would show a kid with a sweet attitude. I digress.
When I pulled into the driveway after dropping the kids off I noticed a desolate front entry that had a lot of dead plants and it was dirty with blown in dust and debris from those neighbors who have the good fortune to hire lawns keepers who then in turn blow the neighbors stuff away into never never land (my front entry) :)
So I tackled it.
Pulled all the dead stuff and swept and watered and tinkered.
More importantly was something else I tackled.
The hose out front is pretty poor excuse for a hose. Hubby repaired it twice and still it sprays me and gets me all wet. I have to ware glasses to be able to see, so it is a hassle when they get all wet. I had jeans on that got soaked. Then I scratched my self on the clamp and it hurt! I thought to myself hoe annoying that it all was and started to stew in the juices. The stew you no that becomes so nasty that it is not palatable. YUK. So I tackled that with a SO WHAT! I'm wet, If I get in a bad mood over it I'll STILL be wet!
I enjoyed the rest of my time in my wet jeans and soggy shoes:)

I met this little fellow reminding me I am never alone.

I got inspired and climbed up into the attic (yes very carefully, to my loved ones knowing about my knee.:) I played in the bins of old decorations. Those ones I once used before life got crazy.

I decorated the front porch.
See the table and chairs I found it years ago for under $50. it is so heavy.

It is 10 A.M.
I have so many choices to Tackle so I keep going on with Tackling it.

Post script 12:30
O k! after tackling that, Ironing my aprons Just for me!, unloading/loading the dishwasher and putting the dishes to soak, 3 loads of laundry dried to be folded and one in the washer. A roast in the oven and lunch and a phone call or two.

After ironing them I hug them for ease of use.
I go through one at least one a day.

3:30 P.M.
I was blessed with this $20. roast yesterday for $7.00! They were having a special on Top Round Roasts at the grocery. So I by the largest one for the greatest savings. It has been roasting for 3 1/2 hours. I just put in some sliced sweet potatoes. I also got one for the deep freeze. (I love my clean oven)
Check out my nest post (this is a link) for a tutorial on slicing a roast.

I got a big tackle! Done via a little God intervention.

Wow the long dreaded "I gotta call the old dentist blues", and get my records and films .
I got a phone call from his office~ Wanting to schedule a cleaning!
I greeted her without strife... Told her I was glad she called because I needed to make a call to their office..... I requested my films and records and closed my accounts with them over the phone told her I would be picking them up this noon.

Very few moments later a 2nd call (I could just see him standing over her) I hear her... voice "you cant have your records they belong to the dentist...We will print out the running forms of services and what tooth ect. and price and balance.. balance sheets ... " She then asked me if I wanted her to print those out. I said "yes and I want my films and a copy of my records too, she said "that they belong to the dentist" I said That they are legally mine. I want a copy of them . She said let me have M. talk to you....I was on hold long enough to fill the sink with water.
M. comes on "hello: Dr S. office you called"...I said "no your girl called me back and I have been on hold." "Oh!" said she. I said that I wanted a copy of all of our records and all of our films including my children's. At that she said that she would speak to the dentist (I could just see him over their shoulders and felt strife, I refused the strife.
"Please prepare my films and copies of my records" I said" perhaps I should speak them to counsel regarding a copy of my records. Thank you I'll pick them up later."
The Phone rigs again (a3rd call) 4-5 minutes later... The other office girl calling to see if she had offended me in any way or if there was anything she could do to make it right. I greeted her. I told her "no, you have not offended me in any way. I actually am very grateful for all your kindnesses with helping me by letting the kids be in the lobby for me while I had work done". She said "Was it someone in the front office?" I told her "no, All of you have just been lovely and I have enjoyed knowing you". "Is there anything I can do?" she asked. "No, You have done nothing wrong" I told her. Was it the doct...pause....I spoke telling her that I have addressed with the party in question, and I now must do what I believe is right. I neglected to do so and got bit in the butt for it. Now I choose to take care of myself and learn from my dragging my feet. "I need to request my records and my films". She said" you are so sweet I am really going to hate to see you go."
I thanked her and she then began to say that there will be a charge for a copy of the film. (a little rage began to stir the thought of a loss of her sincerity stirred me...) Breathing deeply I asked "how much of a charge". It was only for my daughters films because they were in a storage shed and they would need to be copied. I declined to pay for it and she assured me all my records and films for the family would be mailed tonight.
I was pressed more for the reason. I explained for her to go tell someone else to call me is inappropriate. If there was a query it must come from the person directly or what good is it. She paused and said. "I'm going to miss you Donetta".
There was peace, no strife, no abusvie tones or defensive gestures. Just peace.
That was a BIG TACKLE!
Now I just have to make sure I get them.

Marriage Monday

I just saw a post where a womans 83 and 89 year old parents were baptized!
I was deeply touched that it is never too late in life to see the fruit of purpose.
We are now surrounded by marriages on the brink all around us. Another post spoke of purpose. I think that purpose has been replaced with expectations.

I am purposed to marry myself to the quest of supporting my husband to be all whole and full of life and he is purposed to me. We live that way though. We also have a mutual purpose to provide a loving growing environment to each other. Of course to the children. Without the parents unified in purpose what example do they have of the team gain to keep life goals.
My marriage is such a gift to me. It is a jewel and a treasure of great worth. If we have each other beyond just to dwell together but if we give each other our own selves as a living breathing gift we have everything. It is my purpose to offer all I am able to see Beloved grow into all he is intended to be. I am purposed not to tolerate but to confront IN LOVE WITH RIGHT ATTITUDE with the purpose to be "his gain in character" not just my own expectations. He in turn loves me in that way. We have years of trust earned and developed.

Selfishness rules and expectations demolish all around us and we grieve! Keep focused on your purpose as a spouse and mate. Every evil thing will come and divide and unity will be the first thing assaulted. I still have hope that the unity will return to these lives but God does not push himself on the free wills of his created. Our choice is so powerful to open the doors of battle toward our favor. We are in a battle and the unity of family is on the front line.

Remember to pray for Amy

Amy over at "Laughing through the tears" had a hip replacement today..
You all remember her in your prayers now and give her a little welcome home comment if you think of it. It would be a favor to me. Thank you.

A full day. So much to be grateful for .

Math Man and his 10 math commandments!
He came up to me the other evening with this. Too cute!
He has been doing math around the house and with the lab all afternoon. Telling the dog to point to the right answer.

This is "mens group" evening around here. One fellow said to me Wow have you lost weight? I thought is he trying to score points for cool brother here. I said yes but only four pounds I cant believe you can tell that. He said in your face you look like you have lost weight. Well it has been 14 days since he last saw me that was two days before they pulled the tooth. My face was that swollen! I did not even realize before the extraction due to the bone infection my face was rather swollen He pointed it out to me. Every time I answer someone telling them about a dry socket they wince. I guess if you have ever experience it or know someone who has it is something to remember! I don't think I'll forget this for some time to come. The pain is so much better that even though it still hurts substantially it is doable compared. I am so growing tired of the hurt though. Blaa blaa blaa :)

Anyway...:)...What a full day. So few hours sleep last night too. I was up late sleepless yet peaceful. I have three or more marriages around me so rocky that one is close to the "d", the dreaded "d" that is the "I give up" of all that was once intended to be a life long vow of selfless devotion. Before the "I" got so neglected and overwhelmed that it became the thief that stole such precious ground. Sorrow about all that and just standing back in prayer. Personality conflict really ought to be addressed in school or wherever to get folks set out with a better understanding of what they are in for. The dynamics of two different personality types can really give unique challenges to every union or even friendship. I love to understand why? So I have studied personality a lot. I have a few cut little things on my side bar under "billboards".

Well after my return from the City I had an unexpected THRILL! I drove past a sign that said BEADS!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) BIG GRIN,,droll and a little giddy.... I used some FREE TIME!!!!!!!!! Radical! It is the first time this school year I just stopped and took care of that part of my artistic heart! They have classes and BEADS!!!!!!!!!!! drool, glee tantalizing excitement. Have I ever told you I LOVE BEADS. Well I love beads and everything beads make up (most everything). I meandered around that store for almost 45 minutes it was so inspiring and surprising how much money they charge for the beads and the classes too. I must have a gold mine here in all the collecting I have done over the years through all the estate sale stuff and E-bay lot sales ( I sorted 12 pounds of mixed beads, many many hours of mindless relaxation last year when I really needed it). So I think I'll bead something and maybe do a class one time. The classes are a dream to me. I have self taught for 20 plus years. The projects also need the supplies were talking $ to d it. I wont just ignore the thrill and I might search the class lists to see if there is one I have the beads for, or at least most of them.

I also stopped at the grocery and got some great meat deals, The butcher just put out the discounted items and I snagged up several and will freeze them up (this is a great mid day trick). I found a yummy freeze dried fruit item yesterday, that you sprinkle on cereal and such. It was Clarence for .75 cents so I grabbed 10 of them and will jar them for breakfast for everyone. I was able to get two nice new insulated lunch bags for the kids at $2.50 each. Wow I came away with over 250. for 95. approximately. Got home to put it all away.

I went over to the school and had the nurse copy all the documents and told her how excited I was to have them in hand. She put them in the psychologist box for tomorrow, won't she be surprised. Kids were so giddy and a little one other than my own wanted to come home with us or have us go to her house :) I told her how her mom will need to invite us and thanked her.

Dash had to do a homework page and Miss Fiction awaited T.V. time (no T.V. until after homework. I mad them the taco's and did that post. Now they are playing all is fed and Hubby has the mens group going. Beloved embraced a happy wife and was grateful for the tacos. So I sit and enjoy the relief of the half a pain pill I took while making great effort to keep my hazel blues open just a few more hours while the young (er) ones play in the cool (relative) of the evening outside. I hear water running and they are at it again selling water (Beaver episode) You know if you have kids those old DVD sets are great for the preservation of innocence.

Well Dash just called me to CLASS in the dining room...Oh mercy what will I find in there better run. I hope your enjoying your evening

Fun Monday...Good deed. Just be who we are and open handed with our talents

This week’s Fun Monday is being hosted by Nikki, and she has challenged us to do a good deed.

I am not looking for a story of when you have offered your help in the past, I actually want you in the next two weeks to go out and help someone. Go visit a nursing home, cook dinner for someone sick or with a new baby, donate to a charity or even send just a “thinking of you card” to someone who needs it. It doesn’t matter what your good deed is, or how great it is. It just needs to help someone.

Well today it was me who seemed to be the recipient. I walked into the clinic and there was Dash's Therapist walking down the hall right towards me! I smiled and lovingly pointed at her and said" you....I need that report that you were going to send me..." she got to task she was on her way to record when I bumped into her. So she said she would get the report post haist and fax it over to the school. I then went up to second floor phyc. to see if I could get the other records that The wonderful psychiatrist was going to send for. I signed every release I could think to need, she was so kind to get for me(at no cost) the other office (one of the kids providers wanted to charge me $40. a report x2 kids and several reports!) She saved me big! Her secretary tapped on the door to see if she was busy... Opened the door and there was the Speech therapist talking to her to get Dash's file from her. The S.T. took all the papers and copied them all for me!!!!! I left with all of in IN HAND!

I am a see'er and I kept seeing myself hand the Phyc. a lanyard that had what looked like a world globe from space, and I kept thinking "global" so I waited until we were alone and told her so and gave it to her. She was so moved and just surprised and very moved by the gift. It's the simple ways we each just walk it out in who we are.

Have a great day.

Morning was a rocky start for my son had no knit shirts left. Now if you are tactilely sensitive you must live by the demands of your Nero system! Don't you just love when they announce their needs right before school. I loving told the little dude that I could not oblige him on the spot and found one of many button down woven shirts...Oh but NO! just cant handle it I see it in his eyes that it really mattered so I went to check if perhaps the little pile of shirts on the coffee table might rescue him, but before I could get it back to him...MELT DOWN!! door slams in protest! KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK<>
Five minutes before loading into the car the city school audiology department calls, sweet lady but kids are in a tiff and they are swinging back packs at each other and I on the phone an doing my best, caught off guard to assimilate the information coming at me. So Dash was not denied due to audio? So it was a speech eval that was too old?(now I have been waiting a month for a new report!) by the way he was still upset because he got a hair on him! a hair!
I pulled over to sit in the car. Told the kids if we cant get along then we will just sit here untill we get to the bottom of this! I told the kids they had no business going out into the world if they cant even get along as a family . So after apologies and amends and a limit to that snotty little Caiou show we were off.
I went to the dentist after dropping the kids off and then to the eye glasses place.
1. O.K. so I need to go to the city today and I better get my pocket full of stones.
2. Gotta address the speech therapist as to why I don't have what she promised me
3. Get the records from the phyc,
4. Drop off Dash hearing aids for another repair
5. Get a loaner pair
6. and sell the lanyard if she likes it
7. Drum up the courage to try to sell some other ones. I do not like to sell :{ If it were me I just would rather give them away and I often do. But it does help the budget.

I was able to get good news at the dentist this morning.
I have a "healing dry socket", the pain in it has calmed to a more manageable level and only a little bone is still exposed but it is much better.. He packet it with a soft goo. It is intensely strong of clove and misc flavors.
I stopped by to also get new nose pads on my glasses. she said to me "oh you have some free time now>>>" Wow I hadn't thought about that yet here I am three weeks into the school year! Of course I hadn't really experienced that yet either :)
I went back to the school and pulled Dash out of class and told Him that I love him and hoped he had a better day. That I am proud of him for who he is.

Well the traffic may have slowed by now I best get off to the city, and look for some more beauty in the day.
Ya, tooth socket better, new nose pads, no new audio test required. I got food in me (even if It did taste too much of clove :)
Grab the day!

Sunday Smiles, It's a good life.

Well I hope each of you found some joy in your day. I found great pleasure this morning in actually waking to the sensation of very little pain! It has been the extreme opposite for 10 days now. So that right off started the day on a great note!
I had actually woke in the middle of the night in the middle of a dream where I shouted out loud at my husband "JUST STOP!" . It was so clear and scared the poor guy out of his wits! I was having a dream that he was pouring glue on something and I asked him to put some paper under it to protect the counter top. He grabbed a little 2x2 inch piece and I said No really get something to protect the counter. All of the sudden he got all upset in the dream because the end of the tube of glue split and the glue went all over! So in the dream he goes over and starts hitting his head against the screen door. It was bending the frame and so i told him "just stop it"!
Only it came out my mouth and woke us both up. There I go yelling at him in his sleep and he didn't even do anything GIGGLE ha ha.
So when we both woke up he was humored at me. He was also so happy to see me out of the intense pain. We had a real sweet morning around the house and just enjoying each other. The kids really like each other and that is so cool! They played independently too.
I began my challenge to better care for myself by sloughing and shaving my "beautiful" (hubby said so as he came in the room) AW... Legs, I also did a pedicure . I can not walk yet but I can take better care of myself.
This was the third day in a row I stopped and did make-up and my hair (just for me). I have realized that I am neglecting myself in far to many ways. After I dolled up I went to hubby to tell him I was going to the store and got a wide eye pleased smile and a, wow! I see that this is going to benefit me in more ways than one :) He delights in me:) ! It is thrilling to him to see me care about the woman he loves so very much.
I went to the grocery where I knew there was a clearance on several end caps. The store had just remodeled and were selling out several boxes of cosmetics at 1/8 the price. So I took the time to go through them. I have been wanting to get some play make-up for Miss Fiction, I looked at the kids play stuff and would never want to put that on her beautiful skin. I found a transparent powder compact (Gold would have been cheep end in compare when she opened it!)
Clear lipstick to match the royal blue compact, Some neutral blush and a bottle of clear nail polish all Cover Girl or Sally Hanson no cheep junk. So I brought it home opened all of it and went into her room sat on her bed and called her to me. "yes momma?" she chimed, asking her to sit down I showed it all to her. She was ecstatic! She was so touched and deeply grateful. She was going to show her little girl friend and they can make up together. NO COLOR MESS! I taught her the process and she is so CUTE!
After lunch and several "Leave it to Beaver " episodes the Daddy Man left for his folks to help his Mother with her new computer. (She now has bragging rights:) We tease her because she has a better computer than her girl friend. She is a local artist and the women have a web site with their work on it. They have been guild members for many years. Art is a big part of our family. Daddy Man spoke of that last night we all went to the Rain Forest Cafe for a night out last night and both kids were enthralled with the art books.
Anyway...After he left, and the children were done selling water for a few cents a glass ( a re enactment of a show they watched). They did this with my permission (water slide). They were already all wet. So with the hose on top of the slide they played swamp rescue.

After the maiden was safe and all was rather soaked in the moat, The queen determined it was time to dry of and clean the bed chambers. Miss Fiction called my name to flash this picture of me. She is so sweet, she then went to her fair knight and took his image as well as the successful cleaning spree. Mind you they did not give me a hard time. It was so wonderful it just gives me chills. I just told Dash little projects and one by one he came and asked "what should I do now?". I found the princess FOLDING ALL HER BLANKETS! Of course I rushed out of the hall so she would not see me looking!

I was putting the blender together. Hubby was waylaid by a bad modem connection, so I stopped dinner production and made the kids smoothies.



Dash's response to his sissy taking his picture.

Hubby came home with another main frame to dissemble and grandfather into our existing machines. He thinks it might be a better one than Dash is using. We have so many grandfathered or passed down computers that we often are able to help others with parts. Hubby can dismantle and reassemble one of there in his sleep.

We took the kids over tho their school so they could have some use of the place without the crowd. This helps them a lot. They feel more like they are at home there during school. We did this before they started school too. If they can play on the equipment without on looking peers they get more relaxed on it.

can you see why I call him Dash Hawk, that boy can fly fast. There is no stopping him.


Daddy Man threw several balls for them each.

Dove or Miss Fiction showed me some new tricks she learned.

Soon Dash followed and showed us this newly mastered maneuver. Big things to little ones. So they are big to us.
Baths are done story time over. The house is quiet. Beloved in playing with his new prize. I am looking forward (I think ) to going in tomorrow to get the socket (my) re-packed in the morning after I drop off the kids at school. I have a trip to the city. Dash has a problem with his hearing aides. I have to take them in for repair and get a loaner pair. He has been without them since last Thursday. I just was not able to drive down town. So If I can be without pain Medication after they pack up my socket I'll go to the city. I also have some records to pick up and a lanyard (the black one) to deliver. I sure hope she likes it.

Photo Hunters *Music*

Piano Mania

Video Photography

Video Photography becomes a joy to our young ones. The "Daddy Man" gave the kids an old camera today. They are so entertained. After filming they are watching it on the T.V.
Dash filmed a documentary about his family including the dogs, his sisters bear collection and a battle.

Oh Happy Dog Day!

Grace

School Year Resolutions

To Pass the torch
Is Hosting a new meme, I thought I would conceder my goals. To join in click on the site and join us.

September:
Detox Daughter off Medication if possible, keep a calm home so she can relax.
Keep up work toward the I.E.P. for both of the kids
Continue to pursue the injections for my knee. The shots last 6-9 months!
Eat Less and healthier. consider my body a living sacrifice.
Take much better care of myself.
Catch up around house
Finish extension on the taxes. (this is the first time in 25 years I have ever had to do an extension!)
Finish investment forms,
Sew fall/winter clothing
Practice other talents with creative arts and writing
Decorate for fall
Get rid of give away stuff.
Go through Dash's clothes
Register for the craft show.
Get more Bible time scheduled.
Work on all the odd jobs around the house
Set up a night for the ladies to come here for crafts once or twice a month.
October:
Implement interventions and testings for kids.
Exercise every morning, work on weight loss goal 1-2 pounds a week off.
Manage affairs more efficiently.
Set a Christmas Gift list
Christmas Card list
News letter for cards.
craft nights
November:
Exercise daily and continue weight loss goal 1-2 pounds a week off.
Plan thanksgiving dinner
Serve a formal Thanksgiving Dinner.
Make crafts and invitations with the kids
General house cleaning and preparations for formal dinner.
Decorate for Christmas
Do the craft show at the church
Adopt a family for Christmas
Craft Nights
December:
Dash's adoption day cake and party
Exercise every morning, work on weight loss goal 1-2 pounds a week off.
Prepare for formal Christmas Dinner.
Christmas Day!
Craft Nights
January:
Exercise every morning, work on weight loss goal 1-2 pounds a week off.
Decorate for Valentines Day
Craft Nights
February:
Exercise every morning, work on weight loss goal 1-2 pounds a week off.
Beloved Birthday!
March:
Exercise every morning, work on weight loss goal 1-2 pounds a week off.
Miss Fiction's adoption day party.
Dash's Birthday party!
Decorate for easter!
Plan Easter Buffet.
Craft Nights
April:
Exercise every morning, work on weight loss goal 1-2 pounds a week off.
Easter Celebration!
Craft Nights
May:
Exercise every morning, work on weight loss goal 1-2 pounds a week off. 8x4x1=32 lb.'s go bye-bye! :) Happy birthday to me!
Craft Nights
Prepare activities for summer
Plan camping trips.

Friday Feast

Christine over at Ate we "There Yet Mom" is hosting Friday Feast




Using only one word, how does grocery shopping make you feel?

Peaceful.
I go without the kids. I meander and look for bargains and get inspired. I often think, pray and just zone out for a while

Soup

What is your favorite part about the season of Autumn?

Harvest
I love to celebrate the bounty of the earth. I don't do Halloween, I celebrate Gods Provision.

Salad

Have you ever had any bad experiences online?

I was selling on E-bay and found that it was more of an expense than a profit.
Main Course

Name three things that make you happy daily.

My Husbands loving eyes and embrace.
My Children's wonder and wide eyed excitement over life.
Comments on the posts that let me know someone is out there.

Dessert

What one household cleansing or organizing item would you not want to be without?

3 year calendar. I get them from Fuller brush/Watkins. I have used them for twenty years. They allow me to have life at my finger tips when my memory might fail to recall a detail or event in recent history (when was the last yearly apt for medical check ups or kids well visits). Pet shot record and general over all record of when, what who and where. I use them each year for the Christmas news letter. To schedule appointments, make note of upcoming bills of projects/goal.

Join in the fun and remember to post it at her sight. Just click on her address and scroll down.
She is also doing some give aways, go check her out!

Grinding the Grain

This is My Mill.

It was past to me from my husbands family. It was once his Mothers but she purchased a more modern unit. this is a grist mill.

Within are two stones one is stationary the other spins (loudly) :).

Under the stones sits a beautiful stainless steal pan. The ground floor is deposited in the pan.

The shoot sits atop the stones and the grain goes in here. Gravity sends it to the stones.
The stones are adjusted from behind for finer/courser grind.

After grinding the spelt I sift it. Note the two sifters the plastic one would make good fodder for the recycle can but the good old fashioned metal one is a must. If you go to an old antique store you just might be able to find someones grandmas sifter. Many folks collect these old kitchen tools for a cute decor. I find then utilitarian as well.

After the grain is sifted the grain remaining in the sifter can be set aside. It is the groats. They can be cooked as cereal or boiled in soups or if a very moist baked meat (meat loaf) they can be added for substance.

These grains were given to me by Michelle from Life in the midst of writing, She took a trip to Montana and got them right at the growers little store. Fresh! I have had them in the deep freezer until I was set to grind. I grind as I use the floors and keep my whole grains in a frozen state to keep away pests and such.
Turn these grains into....

Floor. (left to right) Spelt flour,whole grain and spelt groats, oat flour, rye floor and Millet flour
This is a book I purchased years ago when I began to take an interest into varied grains for my family.
Try a new grain. Now sometimes they need to be used in special ways because they may not have a high enough gluten content to be used alone for breads so do a little research and try something new. If you have questions you are free to ask. I'll help you if I can.:)

My beloved

I want to send a great big hug out there to you.
I know how hard you have been working honey.
I see the hours add up in your long days
I am so honored by your patient gentle kindness as the chores pill up each day.
I want so badly to dive in and put them all away.
If I could I would have it where you would come home
to a palace clean and a dinner exquisite prepared.
Laundry all washed, ironed and put away.
With all clutter that annoys us in the proper place.
Oh what I want to present to you in this my frame.
All of fifty pounds removed. To be as gorgeous as before.
Legs freshly shaved and hair washed and adorned.
Hands and feet manicured like they once were.

You enter to see me next to pains door with my face all worn from the long day
Children are happy and tackle you before I can get near to you.
I am just a ball of "can't take this anymore"
I long to dance before you once more with the glee and delight that you again have entered or door.
I know that this will pass and again I'll return to my common expression of peace like before.
You , you have been too gentle so kind at evening time when tired and worn you ask me if you can get a glass of water for me.
A servant , a servant you are and have always been
Giving and giving and this is the life you are living.
I know it is a gift with no expectation of anything more.
I give you the sunshine the children's glee.
I give you the true heart within me the one who celebrates you all the more.
I give you a wifes heart. A woman you adore. A promise that I am not to sure I can keep, one to lose this weight and regain my strength. A focus that is a big o' challenge.
I fear the discipline like a little child that throws a fit.
Yet I hold on to those old jeans hoping someday they might magically fit.
When I can I'll get those shots for this old knee and maybe perhaps it will help me get free to walk and to roam all this sedentary lifestyle gone.

Mother and Daughter Blog Carnival

Having a dayghter is the best!
Wow! A spectacular joy, my little girl!
Whirling and twirling
Skating in socks.
Horses and flowers on a bedroom wall.
Stars on her ceiling, clouds white and blue.
Stuffed animal families of make believe.
Sweet Street cities.

Oh wonder! My darling Dear.
The world her oyster, joy her pearl.
Dresses at Easter and pumpkins in fall.
Washing her hair
The glory of youth in her heart strings.
The wonder of life the lyrics she sings.
The sweet response to her name when I call.

This actress of mine.
New characters to meet in her mind.
Bracelets, lip gloss, powders, perfume.
The look in her Fathers eyes.
The mellow dramatics we see when she cries.
Then those sweet coy little smiles
tears wiped from her eyes.

Ah, It is a marvelous thing to behold.
All those sweet secrets to be told.
Pink party favors.
Fairy tale wands.
giggles and laughter
Story book pages unfold

Sewing and cooking
lessons on how to forgive
opportunities to gain
chances to give.
All rolled into the joy
as I teach her how to live.