The library

The library Is the perfect place to visit for us.

Our young ones are veracious readers

Dove had several books placed on hold.

Nothing was found and as hard as she searched no avail.

I then asked the librarian in regards to the books of her interest if she had any suggestions.

She showed us the young adult readers sections.

Although Dove is 12 she reads very well. Poor thing does not spell well but when it comes to the spoken word she can read aloud with the best of them.

Dash found books of his interests. Ones he actually has been looking forward too.

He at 9 looks forward to reading!

Love it!

For those of you who do not know...we have read to them every day of our lives together.

Of course me...beading books :)

The best of all.

They each got their own very first library card!

Oh The Magic Box

Our day today at Arizona State University

Some time back Dash was privileged to take Part in a research study on hearing impaired children s hearing aids to better create aides fitted for class room environments and needs.

We were called to have Dove join the study as a control participant.

She earned the same as he did when he did it. 

$30.

We had free VIP parking so...

What better way to expose them to a university then to have an adventure.

We walked over to the fine arts section.

The children saw some dancers at practice.

The felt the class area of a university building.

we then toured the museum

it was free and wide open to the public

we and perhaps 5 other people it was very nice

Photos were discouraged.

We spoke of the mediums used the techniques and the use of culture.

I asked them what the message was that the artist was trying to get across.

The exhibit is on transportation.

Many oils, pen and ink, acrylics even ceramics.

At the end and on the way home we spoke of grants for costs and the difference of college and university. Oh character and dreams. Setting the mind early to consider the goals they might light in the lives they will have to live out. We spoke about the efforts Daddy Man and I are taking in saving for their education. Spoke of cost and benefit and loss in a job market that many graduates are finding no employment. How they MUST simply pursue what the heart leads them into. To Love what ever it is they do.

Then as we were so relaxed in conversation I asked them what they liked best.

It will be that Dove wants to oil paint as her Grandmother does (realism)

Dash wants to use acrylic and splash chunks of paint onto a canvas.

Oh The Magic Box

Better burgers (Butter Burgers)

Out of one Large Rump roast (when they are on sale as a lead in add)

$1.79 Pound

Grind once then a second grind on smaller disk.

Use a paper towel to contain any blood (safe meat handling is really important for health.

Add eggs. Here three pound I guess and about 6 of my hens eggs or say 3 of your large ones.

1/2 tablespoon seasoning

Give her a spin till well incorporated.

Now this is a VERY lean beef.

ONE COW ONE

Store bought has up to 350 cow represented in the scrap they grind up and sell high end.

After all the grinding tools are set over to soak.

I cover a scale in wax paper and set 1/4 pound patties aside to chill well.

That too is an important part Keep the meat COLD!

After the burger is half cooked turn and cook well.

(WE USE NO RAW MEAT!)

Scrape any juice aside.

Now then when all ready melt ya some butter and toast the buns in it.

Once toasted set aside on edge of pan.

Lay the burgers out again and add a slice of cheese if you like

Oh baby!

the kids each ate TWO!

Now the left over was heated up in the microwave and served soft bun style for their lunches today.

Left overs are a wonderful summer tool so more fun time can be had.

If you have a grill remember these are VERY lean (the egg is your binder)burgers! 

Do not over cook.

Deep Freezer Care in the dead of Summer

Empty space in your deep freezer is a waste of utility and the freezer life span.

We have three freezers on property. The kitchen, the deep freezer in the garage, as well as a refrigerator/freezer (an old side by side) also in the garage.

Keep the unused space filled with ice.

Camping season is now upon us. 

By useing zip bags of water we will have not only ice for this freezer but also for the ice chest when a trip calls for it.

It will be in block style and that is a long lasting cold.

Additionally it supplies extra water for use while up in the mountains.

So when your space is open and not intended to be filled soon, fill a bag up to freeze.

We also use old juice paper cartons, soy milk (the red square box)paper cartons too. Cubes and squares are best to utilize the space more efficiently.

Any empty space should be considered a waste.

When the monsoons hit (or even you folks in the deep winters) keep your food investments safe.

When times are tight this is also a way to use up the utility wisely.

It is far cheaper to cool a full freezer

 I use the old metal bowl to haul it.

p.s. empty the air out of the bags or it will pop when the water expands

Thankful Thursday

Iris @ Grace Alone is hosting Thankful Thursday today :)

No more braces!

How merciful is the Creator of this child. She NEVER had one issue in the entire time!

Her smile is so bright now.

So amazing the ease of it, and yesterday we took her to have her teeth cleaned too...

NO CAVITIES! after 18 months of braces!

It is a wonderful wonderful thing to behold. It was like the first day of kindergarten I cried.

What an honor and privilege to be able to give this to her.

Thankful? Oh so very! She did so well yesterday. Growing up the 13th birthday only a month away.

She has on a home made night gown that I made at least 15 years ago.

OH a daughter...my daughter. The days are so sweet seeing her grow. 

She has been grounded every since the last day of school and she is doing well with it.

Last night we all had a fun time at the kitchen table. Dash had a Lego man and somehow we all started up a impromptu game of "flick the Lego" across the table like table top football.

It was a blast! When it was my first turn some how I flicked that little thing dead center of Doves forehead. I laughed so hard my ribs hurt. Started me when they did. It was so good to laugh!

I really really hit a funny bone. Just could not hold it back. We all laughed they were laughing at me laugh. Then I looked over at my sweet son and he was crying. He was in pain. Three cavities filled and a swollen lip too. Sweet baby slept on the sofa. He is still there now.

Around the time Dash was born, before I even knew he could be my son there was a choice. We had started and stopped his adoption. The process caught us right in the middle of mass lay offs at Daddy mans employ. After working at the same company for over 25 years we faced unemployment for the first time in his life. 

I was at the dentist where she was telling me I needed to pull two teeth and get braces for my bottom teeth. They were sliding forward as well as the top teeth. I thought it over and refused because I had a son in my heart. Soon after we reopened the process to get our boy . We were matched and soon (well it was really months and months later) we were on the way to Russia to get him.

Now this day, today I wept with joy and gratitude as we were able to see the fruit of all of the mercy and ability...

My girl has the most beautiful teeth.

She had surgery for a supper numerary tooth. It was an adult size tooth that grew in her upper palate right toward the front teeth. She also had a second surgery to remove 4 teeth to fix the damage.

Now she will have the most wonderful grin. Even these years later Daddy Man misses her toothy grin.

Dove is so beautiful and NO CAVITIES!

Oh the hours Daddy Man spent with her at night tending to her teeth while I tended to dinner dishes and chores. WOW!

We just paid them off in full last month.

I am in a depth of gratitude that HE made us able to do this for her.

Oh yes we had corn on the cob.

We stopped and got her a pack of Gum (sugar free of course)

Wordless Wednesday

A memerable weekend

There was fun to be had Friday when a little buddy came to spend the night. There was glee and delight to find the big fort in the dining room all full of stuffed critters and blankets.

They were all very tired the next morn. But with the energy of a child found my wagon a great toy. Loading up stuffed critters and rocks made way up and down the side walk out front.

In came Dove in a panic with a dove. "mom I know best things wild best left wild, but it needs your help!" We tried to see if it was choking but it was not and by and by we had her let it go. It sat on my car a while and them flew up to the roof. We have a lot of wild life here because we make a place for them. The kids know that it is wise to let them be. This time it is the lesson of passage with dignity that was taught well to Dove over the dove.

We had a family meeting to cover the calendar of events to come before the next camp trip, the first of the summer. We showed them that 4 trips total. Two longer trips and two shorter trips. In order to Pull it off what needed to be done. We opened up for every ones opinion. The kids were made to matter and pulled out to get them to give ideas of what they would like to see and or not have . One trip they can bring a kid with, and the next trip the other kid could choose a friend to come. We only have one open seat in the truck to take a kid. So now we can set arrangements, invitations, ask for help with the animals while we are gone. We will all have our ideas matter, for this is FAMILY vacation. FAMILY opinions matter. In budget we have set aside gas budget and used the vacation budget to get new sleeping bags for each of us this weekend. We also got chairs for every one has broken except one. It is time. The bags we were using were 25+yrs old and showed it.

Speaking of showing wear the canopy cover zipper gave out last year and we just made it home on the freeway with it like this. It was un nerving.

So we went to a place called Tempe Sales. For $70 I was able to get the marine vinyl and the zipper, pulls and thread to sew this up

The old one had to be disassembled a big dusty job!

I started this on Saturday and by Monday night had it to a good point.

I was able to sew it on the pfaff tank up until the last part. The machine just can not do the rubber to the vinyl

After a hard lesson learned it was discoverd that a size 20 was way too much!

So a 14 leather needle (they have swords for edges) and regular polyester thread. 

Four passes and then a top stitch for the zipper to be in place and strong!

repeated to the other half.

After final top stitch it is a strong hold and I was to tired to continue...

So a splurge of macoroni and cheese, while it baked a garden raid. Look at what I found!

Rather had fun at it too.

The cheese gave me a bit of a hard time but after recently learning it was not an "allergy" but a sensitivity I relaxed a bit in it's use. Almost 50 years old and I just made it for the first time. Using soy milk bad it alright. I am not to use any milk that is close to the base (milk) buy use hard cheese and the like. No cottage or soft cheese. OH it was so good with the fresh veggies.

We like our veggies raw.

due to the challenges of this thing!

Sleep is still unfriendly. 

I awake choking and pull it off in my sleep. We are still tinkering. I wonder if the cheese may cause too much drainage and that might be causing the choking. 

Now non the less last night an utter frenzy of exasperation all but sent me over the edge!

Steve and I came out to children who were wide awake and activly wantintg to be independant and cook for themself. 

Sounds wonderful and terrifying in one breath.

We were doing budget review so we are both just right on track of where we set.

Wow that is soo good to be on the same page. No bad guy saying NO sorry can't do it or have it.

We are staying debt free baby!

Showed the kids basic budgeting and the thing that happened was so cool.

It was so cool Friday, I brought the kids in and reviewed what keeping a budget was all about. At one point Dove said"what! no cloths money to get new clothes. " I showed her that after school begins she will have some . To that I told them if there is something your wanting you'll need to ask God about making a way.
The very day two hours later a girl friend called. She wanted to know if she could stop by the house because her daughter had gone through her closet and had somethings to pass over to Dove if she wanted them....perfect witness and timing for my kid to have. Cute things too. Two boxes of things in nice condition.

cheesy eggs 10 cent a sample so Steve and I each had a plate. They were so good!

So Steve and I are working and Dove wants to bake a cake....After a bit of being nosed into the affair, I stepped back. She did it she made a cake. This is at days end how I found it.

Well the canopy cover called us into the garage for Steve had to hold all 12 feet of this while we ran it threw the machine three times. The last of the job is by hand. That 12 foot length of rubber to be sewn on by hand! YEP by hand.

Steve used the drill press and pierced the rubber for me and the pliers get needle all the way threw

Long hard job for me to get done this week.

A new canopy would start at $300. not near the canopy quality we have, well especially now.

We had a pizza splurge for supper.

It was our big splurge for the memorable weekend.

As I tired as a stone showered my darling caught us up on the dishes.

And sew I sew 

The rubber onto the canopy

Having a daughter

She is tender with a heart of compasion

gentle with thoughts caring

funny wide smiling laughter she is wise child of vision

she is my daughter.

Happy Saturday !

Oh how I have neglected all of you dear hearts out there. It might seemas if I have simply stepped away. I have been rather introverted for a while now. Please forgive my absence all you who care so deeply. This blog has dried up so. All things go through transition yes...
simply a phase trials challenges and the dross up to the top can do such things. That dross a real bad reflection leaves the view rather dimmed. When I am not clear I try to keep silent more. I have already spewed out some uck coming up and out over the months. :)

So this day clearly I see and so I am sean.
Sleep so sweet gifted me last night with rest, real rest. The mask of the CPAP machine stayed on, once having to get up to use the bathroom it was pulled off. Coming back to bed half in rem my dear husband gently suggested to put it back on. When so asleep it is easy to just go back to sleep and overlook the efforts to put the straps of the head gear back on. Last night NO AIR LEAKS! It went very well and even though bedtime was late at midnight sleep gave me a fresh since of well being this morning.

Please pray
A very dear friend has a boy child who had to be amitted to hospital last night and is facing either a surgery this morning or a procedure. Please pray for M. and his MOTHER T.
T. has recently lost her mom and many trials have stretched her far and she really could use some hearts and hand to hold her up right now.

"I'm Bored" Summer's Magic Idea box

"Oh the magic box"

This is our solution to the lack of activities during those hot summer days.

Most are free and many have lasting memories.

For example here are a few...

Exchange a secret and keep it all day

Create a secrete code word

Play a board game 

Set out a large puzzle on a cardboard leave it out sit down a few times during the week together

Alphabet biscuits

build a fort out of chairs and sheets, spread stuffed animals on blankets

Decorate and parade bike rides

Be a detective solve a mystery

Organize a scavenger hunt

Write a letter to a friend, include at least 3 great things that have happened this summer

Paper plate crafts

Ice cream Sundays

Shaved Ice cups

Watch the stars

Macaroni collage

Water the plants

Feed the wild birds and watch in the cool through the window

Eat watermelon outside , let the juice run all over the place

(MOM) sit outside and drink ice tea

Make sun tea

camp out in a tent in a secured back yard yard

Make fresh lemonade (frozen juice from the winter here)

Catch fireflies (I wish)

Take pictures of the kids having fun

Walk in the grass bare foot

Paint your toenails

Use lotion, soap or shampoo that smells like coconuts

Put on a theatrical performance

write the play, line, costumes

Create food sculptures then eat it
Build a fun house

Make friendship jewelry

Make a pizza

play hide and seek

tour an observatory 

Learn about different religions

try playing gulf

go to a drive in movie

have a block party

visit a clock maker

make cookies

learn about winter wild flowers

discuss marriage

go horseback riding 

start a rock collection

tour a train station

make a homemade musical instrument 

try archery

visit the airport 

climb trees

visit a farm

have a discussion about sexual issues

play kick the can

swing on swings

Have a family talent show and record it

try a walk in the rain get all wet during the monsoon here

Learn about boating

Have a fire drill

paint a picture by numbers, acrylic for kids NO OIL PAINT FOR KIDS

Make a shoebox cinema

visit different parks in town

discuss being an adult

pick your own fruit

take flowers to a friend

visit a senior care facility

Talk about the galaxy

Tour a college campus

go for a train ride or the metro

Study local cacti

pan for gold

Play charades

discuss the effects of alcohol on the body

write a family history

study a culture

make mud pies

visit the fire station

Make a wind chime

attend a city council meeting and discuss

take turns playing favorite CD's

visit a tree farm

try decoupage

visit a museum

Play 20 questions

write a poem 

have a taffy pull

do a soap carving

explore the attic

Let adolescent/teenagers sleep in and play with the little ones

Make paper hats

Plan a surprise birthday party

Paint a mural

play a card game

discuss sexual abuse and what to do

raise money for charity

write a story

go to a high school graduation

visit a mining town

Study dear and visit a forest

make popcorn balls

skip stones on a nearby lake

go jogging  or power walk a mall

flay Frisbee

pick up litter off the streets

clean the closets

learn about adoption

go to an auction

wash the dishes together

make someone breakfast in bed

try sponge painting

read a biblical scripture and discuss

go fishing

play "I see something you don't"

tell each other about school experiences

Learn how to budget money

learn how to get water in the desert

FLAG DAY?MEMORIAL DAY learn about patriotism

Tell stories about your ancestors

start planning a summer vacation or camp trip

prepare a menu together

roast marshmallows

play hopscotch

set up a lemonade stand (remember to stop at one)

build a wooden toy

learn CPR

learn about clan systems

Have a family awards night

bake bread

make up puns

go bowling $$set up in a long hallway with the doors closed

go to the library and check out a book or a film

father's day talk about male role models

visit grandparents

make the grocery list together

spend an afternoon at a local flea or farmers market

work on a crossword puzzle

talk about gun safety

learn about herbs

visit a lake

try canoeing

go wading in a creek

visit a hospital

have a wiener roast in the park

go to a baseball game

play badminton

learn about archaeological history

discuss what it is like to be in the hospital

have a family portrait taken

attend an arts and crafts fair

make a greeting card for a grandparent

design your own wrapping paper

play charades

attend an athletic event

visit the solid waste plant

have a bonfire

visit a neighboring state

make a wind chime

visit a relative

build a house of cards

visit the neighbors

whistle together

learn a new dance or just dance to rock and roll or big band

Watch the full moon come up

tour mom/dad's work place

listen to a radio show (we love prairie home companion)

wash all the windows in the house

visit the snow bowl

exercise or diet together 

find a new recipe and make it

learn how to save energy

find and read a very old newspaper

make and fly paper airplanes

cook a meal and eat by candlelight

play miniature gulf

talk to each other in pig Latin

invite friends over for breakfast/lunch/supper

Watch for meteors

have an indoor picnic

create and tell jokes

learn a new game (check out a trift store watch for all parts to be there)

Have an indoor scavenger hunt

make caramel corn

go to a movie

hug one another

dig out old yearbooks and share experiences

switch roles for the evening

discuss water safety 

hike a canyon

read a book together taking turns out loud

sew a stuffed animal

study the clouds

make your own trail mix

talk about love

have a backgammon or checker tournament

feed some ducks

visit the post office

take pictures

discuss ice safety

discuss the importance of the civil war

read poetry out loud

have a sing a long

watch a TV show and discuss

so many more but I do hope that this is a fun list for you too

enjoy the summer with the children

making memories is a gift that gives for a lifetime

copy by
high lite the list
control c, then control v
over to word and then cut and paste on 3x5 cards

The last day of School

Summers here and I am so jazzed! I love having the children home. The giggles and fusses make everyday a teaching and pleasure opportunity. Yes I know I am a strange bird. But it is the summer that we have so many chances to tie ropes that bind us together. It is the time of ease when they slow down in conversation that and have time to build up the courage to ask questions that are on their mind.

Dash said to me this morning...
"mom I am sad to leave my old class. Even though there were a few rotten kids they were my class. I am going to miss Mrs. M. so bad mom. She is an awesome teacher. I will miss you almost as much as when my dog got out on the big road and almost got hit.

"I really do not want the school year to end mom"

Yep we are uncommon alright.
I am excited the kids will be home and my son does not want the school year to end. Ha!

This pup will be happy for all the play to come.

Dove had an end of school hard lesson. Yes mom really does love me.

She had be deceiving us that she no longer needed her planner signed everyday.

Repeatedly she has been asked..."no mam we don't do that anymore"

Well yesterday I found that planner when she left her back pack home and ...

Since February she has forged not only mine by Daddy Man's signature.

You may ask...Well why did the teacher not tell me?

Well she has the other kids Peers stamp the planners each day for a parental signature.

???

Two weeks restriction and the loss of the End of year Slumber party that her friend was having.

I called the mom and cancelled with her support.

Dove found it all out after school.

A terrible fit for a good hours time (during a visit for the allergy shots)

I kept my cool! almost lost it one time but sucked air :)

I let her know I was really angry. That I was so looking forward to playing and now that we will just have a lot to do around here, housework and chores. She was reticent.

  ret·i·cent  (rt-snt)

adj.

1. Inclined to keep one's thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs to oneself. See Synonyms at silent.

2. Restrained or reserved in style.

3. Reluctant; unwilling.

However...

Last night it was amazing !

I trimed her poor hair.

She had torn it out badly  due to anxiety over expecting when her menstruation would start.

Poor thing. We used an instruction book and she got a nice hair cut. Then we started sharing. She told of things she was experiencing at school. Boys saying crude sexual things and kids that were being hurt by their parents. After all of the talk and the cut she went to get her night clothes on. 

She said 

"mom I will meet you on your big bed alright?"

I heard the opportunity to bind our hearts and did so.

That child who had just lost every privlidge for 2 weeks and even the party ...

She met me there to have tickle bug time. 

She sang for me and I was so stunned at her talent, really she is soprano and clear clean strong voice. She drummed on my back and the rhythm that child has is amazing even with complex beats.

She was so happy! As am I.

Summer time and the living's easy...

A lesson in contentment

This morning while counting out the change collected around (the only cash on hand) the house to cover Doves roller skating field trip today...

All of the coins collected counted up into $9. or so, an uneven amount. Dash and I were sitting there and he asked why I was counting up all the coins. Upon telling this child of mine that Dove needed $5 for her field trip and that I was trying to see how much I had so I could share it evenly with him.

he said

"Mom you keep that extra for yourself for I do not want the money, there is nothing I really need or want"

Trees were dancing in the wind

We were so fortunate to have used our budget wisely enough to take a trip up to the high country yesterday. I love it! Knowing right where we stand to the dollar.

Dave Ramsey knew his stuff.

This was the stopping point for the wind was so stiff that we ate our sandwiches fast on the court house lawn. That breeze was at 50* or so. Strange early summer weather.

We drove on into the national forest of Thumb Butte.

This is a large granite outcrop of a stone butte. The image makes it look too small but then we were half way up the trail. The sun warmed us just perfectly on the trail and the trees kept the wind off of us.

Do you love the forest like I do?

Boy the children sure do. It was so hard for them to understand that they had to stay on trail. Our populous has grown so that if not there would be no forest left.

My two play so well together. They were playing army and had all the guns and ammo they could imagine and boy did they imagine. 

That is the best part of children in the forest don't you think?

Explain this to a kid...

The cattle is one thing but this was really made just for them to have fun on.

The elevation change was so that on the low land of the trail the jojoba berries were plenty, up the hill the bushes were just coming into full bloom. Jojoba is a very useful plant used for centuries by the Native North American Indians and now often in hair care products.

I am always so fascinated by wild life and the history of both flora and fauna.

My hopes are to see what grows in your area

This is Lambs Ear...=bum wipe in the history of pre-paper. Soft almost succulent like this native is as cotton ball soft. Leaf is large enough for the practical purpose of old.

The image is one of four like it. Looking off left, then right, then up finally forward.

The movie Night at the museum...My dear daddy Man is so fun always full of humor

Are your families silly that way?

At times it is a little frustrating but the lessons I have learned about lightening up are so wonderful.

Humor was never much in my childhood.

Good thing to add to life folks.

Dove took picture of the old folks...:)

Oh the vista. Everyone must stop and stretch the vision sometime.

It is far too long a time in between. We realized we had not come up here in 3 years time.

It is only a few hours drive and a nice road to travel if the freeway stays clear. We had a traffic jam due to a very bad accident and were stalled for a good 45 minutes. 

Just took the time to pray for the responders and the victims.

If it were not a fatality I would just know God gave them angles to watch over them.

It was real bad.

 

LIKE A ROCK!
My Beloved stands a man of honor who could desire more?

This is granite a large as you can see, specimen.
It was real nice of him to hold it up while we passed.

Stones like these fell down off of the butte over many many decades.

You just know they make the trail go around it. 

I hope all of you enjoyed your trip to Prescott Arizona, Granite Thumb Butte we sure did.

Are you getting away from the city at all.

It was so refreshing to do so. 

Many many events and adventures. Just got to love adventure.