At Work.

There seem to be little (and big) projects tucked all around the house these days.
I try so hard not to let the clutteriness of it all drive me around the bend, but some days are harder than other with this.
On my windowsills are seedlings, cuttings, and little bits of outside brought in.  I'm rooting mints to plant, keeping tarragon handy for dinners, enjoying the briefs blooms of roses and iris.  Here's the tea strainer, ready to be refilled, the squash from the produce basket waiting to be made into dinner, last year's mint dried in a jar for evening teas. 
On this counter, wild chives and roses are drying for future projects.  A jar sits filled with more chive blossoms and vinegar pickling away. There's a jar of clover Pumpkin picked and filled with water for some purpose.  The jar of honey sits out because each time I put it back I seem to need it. 
There's the camera, having just been used for the above picture, sitting next to a container of roses I'm trying to dry in a desiccant.  The coffee grinder just finished it work keeping me going through this afternoon. 
Next to me on the Hoosier lies another packet of desiccant--which for all its fancy packaging looks remarkably like kitty litter--glad I didn't pay for it.  On my other side sits a stack of things I'm reading topped by my calendar that actually has some special events listed on it.  Along side the stack is a box of kleenex and my sunglasses, testimonies to the last few days spent outdoors tucking seeds into the earth on our first sunny days in quite some time.
Sweetheart and the boys are out again trying to catch dinner.  Let's hope they are successful.  Otherwise I've got to turn a half-frozen block of meat I'm tired of eating into some delightful for dinner.
It's so good to know that my guys are outside together having fun and learning new things.  The morels were quick good that we enjoyed last night.  Mostly, I'm just happy Sweetheart is taking a break and enjoying the reasons we live out here in the middle of nowhere instead of being stuck inside on endless remodel projects.  Yes, there are still quite a few things that need to happen to finish the kitchen, but it's functional and despite it's incompleteness, it still looks better, and works better, than before!
Well, I need to go get Cupcake up.  I was in the attic while she's been napping.  I've been reading old Victoria's and brainstorming new projects.  We'll be doing things differently than last year with regards to the market and I'm trying to figure out how to make it all work.  All the delightful herbal articles in the old Victoria's have been truly inspiring.
Hope you have a wonderful new week.

Roses

We've had such mild weather for the last week, or so that it seemed almost as if Spring was on its way.  Alas, it is gray and snowing today.  The roses painted on these china pieces though add a bit of brightness to the day. I've been drinking potfuls of Mango Tea this week to try and ease my sore throat.  Thankfully, I am the only one who has felt under the weather.  Everyone else is just fine.

To brighten up the week, I have been blessed to visit on the phone with my dear friend twice.  They've been short conversation, but even a few minutes is enough to make me smile.  She is so wonderful.  I wish everyone could know her and have such a dear friend in their lives.

I decided against the scones last night, just doing the dishes and heading to bed to read a bit more.  It was challenging to try and read and drift off to sleep with a certain little girl deciding I must want to be serenaded.  By 10:30 I finally had to just close the doors between our rooms and throw a pillow over my head.  Who knows how long she kept on singing! 

She actually has such a lovely voice and really hits all the notes perfectly.  She can also belt out her favorite tunes.   "Amazing Gwace" and certain Jars of Clay songs are her current favorites.  She also has a hilarious version of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" at warp speed that is quite a hit around here.  And all her lovely hair can only be combed while I sing that Flower song from "Tangled".  Sadly, I do not grow younger as I brush.

She did look a bit tired at breakfast this morning as would be expected after her late concert.  I didn't hear a peep from her after putting her down for her nap awhile ago.  Now, it's time to go wake her up in the hopes that she'll actually go to sleep at bedtime tonight.

It's movie night around here.  Pumpkin is on an Errol Flynn kick still.  I'll pop a big bowl of popcorn as a treat and we'll watch more squashbuckling adventures on land and on sea with "The Sea Hawks" tonight.  Of course, I may sneak out and finish watching "Jane Eyre" myself.  ;)

Questions

I have a few.
I am currently rerererereading Jane Eyre.  What should I read when that is complete?
What is tumblr?  I see links to it from Pinterest, but don't get it.
What happened to my other chicken?  I killed one on Saturday, but we appear to be down by two.
Why did I get 13 eggs the other day and only 5 today?  Is this normal?
Why will it take so long for the next Downton Abbey to be ready?  I want to watch it now!
And was the fact that Mr. Timmins was cast as Mr. Bates the reason for Lark Rise's demise?
And where are our bees?  We haven't seen any fly out of our bee tree yet this year.
Will Cupcake sleep tonight so I can?

Today

Started early with the storm blowing in. 
The windows in this old home rattle something fierce and the wind howls loud. 
Cupcake awakened at one point,singing.
She has the sweetest, clearest voice when she sings that makes smile~even when it is way too early.
I let her sing for a bit.  When she started to talk though I went in.  She asked for Daddy.  I told her he was sleeping and she needed to be.  I covered her up and smoothed her hair.  We prayed and she drifted back off to sleep.
I finally did myself for a bit.

This morning the folks who are buying Buttercup came over for milking time.  They are planning to get her on Friday after work.  I am glad.

Last night at dinnertime the boys asked why Buttercup was in the backyard.  Sure enough, she was right there at the dining room window eating the grass just starting to grow.  She's had the run of the place for several days, but this was the first time she had ventured that direction. 

After dinner I went out to move her, but couldn't find her!  She ended up behind the garage over in the garden area from last year.  I directed her where she needed to be and hung the electric fence wire back up that Sweetheart took down last week.  I walked her up to the big pasture and told her to have fun.  I closed the yard gates on my way back which was good as she was soon staring at my over the gate looking longing at the backyard.

Today is Tuesday and so I will bake bread.  Not sure if the neighbor who wants to learn will be joining me or not.  Tonight I will get together with my new friend just to visit for a bit.  The whole group will get together next week, but tonight it will be just she and I. 

Well, it smells like breakfast is ready.  I put an egg casserole in the oven before I went out to milk. I made a pot of coffee and set it on low in case the buyers wanted some.  The percolator takes more time, but the coffee is so much better!

 I also made a pot of a new tea~Vanilla Spice.  It is an Ashby's tea.  I have enjoyed their Vanilla for years, but had to try this new kind with the addition of cinnamon and nutmeg.  I am nuts for fresh-grated nutmeg.  I had a cuppa and it is good.

I still need to strain my milk and do clean up.  I will miss the fresh milk, but not the mess!   I am hoping we can buy milk from her new owners.  They are excited to get her and I am excited for them.  And me.  :) 

And I will be sleeping in on Saturday.  Woohoo!
 

Hello Friends

Today we went to the zoo. My Dad and Stepmom gave Pumpkin a membership to the zoo for his birthday. We love going. It is usually just the boys and I as we go on weekday mornings. We had a wonderful time going a few weeks ago with Sweetheart and my Dad and Stepmom when they were in town. Sometimes we'll meet up with friends. It is also nice to go with just my guys because we can go at our own pace and just spend as little or as much time as we'd like to that day.

We were only there about an hour or so today. We stayed on the shady side and just meandered around. Pumpkin loves the penguins. We also got to see some baby flamingos. They were just little, white puffballs on legs. Noisy though!

It was quite warm out so on the way home when we passed a lemonade stand we stopped. I almost always stop whenever I see a lemonade stand. I chatted with the Mommy while her three kiddos got the drinks together. It was a nice little break in the day and the cold lemonade sure was nice. Pumpkin's sugar buzz afterwards was pretty funny. He ran around jabbering a mile a minute and running everywhere. Luckily, it wore off before naptime.

It reminded me of me. I had a coworker a few years ago who loved Starbucks and always came in with a venti triple something-or-other at least once a day. Occasionally, she would bring me something. The students thought it was funny because I would start teaching at warp speed as soon as the caffeine hit. I don't know how my co-worker survived on that much caffeine all day long. I couldn't.

I finished canning all the strawberries (that we didn't just eat) and all the tomatoes. So after nap today the boys and I piled into the van after naptime and hit the farmer's market around the corner for a half-bushel of cucumbers to make Sweetheart some pickles. I'll put them together tomorrow while the boys nap. I've been up w-a-y too late canning every night.

I used the pressure canner last night on the tomato sauce and am happy to say that nothing blew up. It was my first attempt at ever using a pressure cooker. Now that I've done it once, I'm ready to pressure cook everything! Ok, maybe not, but at least I'm not afraid of the thing anymore.

I am not able to be at Bunco tonight as my Mom is still at my sister's in California. I wish it was just because she was having too much fun to leave, but unfortunately it is because she fell yesterday and really messed up her knee. It's a good thing to be home tonight as I plan to clean up and go to bed early.

Plus, my friend Terri is coming over to visit in the morning since we didn't get to see one another tonight. There are a few things I'll do to have things nice before they arrive in the morning. Then we'll go get my Mom tomorrow afternoon from the airport. I am hoping she'll just want to stay with us if she's not able to get around. I'd rather have her here where I can help her out than have her at her home and wish I could do something. We'll see what she decides.

If you think of it, please pray for her. She is the greatest Mom ever and the sweetest person you could know. It's hard to think of her in pain.

Can I just say this isn't my family's best summer? Recap: Dad-pacemaker, Son-injured foot, Brother-in-law-major surgery on his ankle, Me-miscarriage, Mom-injured knee. Guess it is just how it goes sometimes. Looking forward to Autumn...But still enjoying each day as I can!!

What I've Been Up To

Lemon Honey Pecan Tart
I love this dessert. The first time I made it was for my very first Tea Party. I was in college, but out for the summer. My friends Joy, Kristin, Kari and Lisa all came over to my Dad's house for tea. I served us in the backyard under the giant pecan tree. We drank iced tea. It was Phoenix and summer. After our tea time and croquet, we jumped in the pool and swam for awhile. Doesn't everyone swim at their teas?
This tart is incredible. The lemon peel and hint of cloves make it spectacular. I'll add the recipe. Eventually.

Pumpkin

He's growing up. He's now eating at the table in his Big Boy Chair. He loves it.

Here's Pumpkin pretending to sleep on his new pillowcase.

I put two rockets on it and embroidered his name on it as well. He loves it!

That's Bunnie, by the way. It is his best friend. Next to Dumpling, of course. However, watch out if Dumpling takes Bunnie. Tears ensue. From both Pumpkin and Dumpling.

Here's the book I got for Christmas for the embroidering. It's good. It has some basic stiches and tips. Most of the book is simple iron on patterns that you can use and reuse. That's nice. I've used the rocket one three times now and could probably use it a few more times.

Anna has some examples of her work from this same book. (It took me a lot longer than her fifteen minutes!) I'm working on the teacup runner right now. It's just a linen sqare from the thrift store, but I've put some teapots and cups around it. I'll freehand some flowers as other things as well. It'll be awhile until it's done probably.

Kitchen Tools

I love kitchen tools, don't you? I've given away all the ones I don't use, or don't seem to work well for me. The ones I've kept must earn their keep.

My Mill

This is my new mill. Sweetheart and I got this a few months ago with some Christmas gift cards we received. It's gotten a lot of use already.

Oddly enough, I mill everything on top of the washer. The mill is really loud and the only times I seem to be able to use it, someone is sleeping. So, I put it on the washer and shut the down to the Laundry/Powder Room.That would explain these photos. I was milling more flour after the boys went to sleep. I turned it on, and left the room because it is so loud.

This is what I returned to. Oops! I thought it wouldn't run if I didn't have the bowl pushed in all the way. I was wrong. It does run. It just spews finely milled flour all over. And I mean all over. Sweetheart took the pictures then grabbed the shop vac to clean it all up. I had to wipe down every surface several times after the dust all settled.
But I love the mill. Really! It's so nice. I've just got to be more careful next time.

Here's what you can make with the freshly-milled flour and my French Bread Recipe. Just roll out one loaf worth of dough into a rectangle. Smear some butter on the dough, then sprinkle a little brown sugar and a lot of cinnamon onto the butter. Roll the dough as tightly as you can. The tighter you roll, the more it swirls.

Pumpkin says, "Mmm. Good stuff."

The Green Thing

Everyone got one of these for their anniversary, didn't they? What is it, you say? It's a Becky Porter, of course.

Yeah, that's what I thought when it appeared on the counter a few anniversaries ago. Here's a hint:

This baby cuts potatoes into the perfect fries amazingly fast. I think it took me longer to take the pictures than it did to get these ready. This is a fun gadget. I'd use it more (Pumpkin wishes I would!) but french fries aren't the heathiest thing going. I fried this batch because I was in a hurry, but they work well for oven fries as well.

Pumpkin doesn't care, so long as there's ketchup!

*****************

Last week he and I were having a little reminder chat about what would happen if he hit me. He's two. He's good at being two. He was unhappy with me about something and started to swing. I stepped back and said, "Remember what happens if you hit Mommy."

Pumpkin, "No Bunnie."

Mommy, "That's right."

He starts running through the list of things on his bed that disappear when he has to be in there for time-out.

Pumpkin, "No bear. No water. No pillow. No blankets. No more blankets."

Mommy, "Yes."

Pumpkin, "No...ketchup."

*pause*

Mommy--Cracks up laughing. "That's right, no ketchup." Laughs some more.

Pumpkin laughs.

That certainly diffused the situation.

In case you were wondering: we don't keep ketchup in his bed even when he's not in time-out.

Well, that's pretty much what I've been up to! I won't bore you with the endless dishes, laundry and cleaning I've been doing, since I figure you have your own to go do.

Did I mention the diapers? There's a lot of diapers around here...I'm just hoping to get Pumpkin potty trained before #3 arrives. Three in diapers might just push this Mommy over the edge.

And just so that Dumpling doesn't feel left out, here he is. One of the top teeth popped in this week. Ouch. It hurts both of us when he gets teeth.

Dumpling

Life

Pumpkin Enjoys His Scone at the Outdoor Market

I've been finding it hard to post much lately. I've got a pile of things to blog on sitting next to me, but I haven't seemed to do much. I had a couple of posts to write that went with some pictures I took, but I accidentally deleted the pictures when I downloaded them. Oops.

I've also been so tired and do the bare minimum around the house that I'm not getting any writing done. I'm at 29 weeks and starting my midwife appointments every two weeks now. It's hard to believe I'm on the downhill stretch! I never seemed to get my energy back like I did in the first pregnancy. Doubt it will happen now! Life is going very well right now for us. We are happy and healthy and enjoying our growing family.

All spare time right now is being spent converting our guest room/craft room into Pumpkin's new room and preparing the nursery for the new little one. It's a lot of work. It's hard to not just be able to bust through it all in a few days. Thank goodness Sweetheart is strong!

Right now we've moved the Hoosier cabinet from the room to the loft, rearranged the entire loft, moved the bed to the basement for storage, and I'm stuck in the mire of what to do with all the stuff that has lived in that room for four years. Several bags are in the trash, some en route to the Salvation Army, and piles are sitting everywhere in the loft and the room.

Books seem to be a major problem: we have too many! I've gone through the book self in our bedroom and moved out a bunch of books. I've replaced them with the books I love and reread the most. Now, I'm sorting through Sweetheart's books and my books and Pumpkin's books to see what to keep and where to keep them.

Sorting out the craft supplies has been easier than the books. I've reloaded the Hoosier with my favorite things and am filling up a tub of things I want to keep, but can store in the basement for now.

Plus, there's the fun part of trying to decide how to arrange Pumpkin's new room. I saw some darling sheet sets from Pottery Barn Kids. I love their Little Builder pattern, but it's too expensive for us. Sweetheart asked why we needed a theme. I told him: Grandmas! I think we'll just go with a lot of primary colors and some retro style toys and things that we already have tucked here and there.

I should have taken "before" and "after" pictures, but I'd of probably deleted them anyways... Now, I'm too embarrassed to post "during" pictures as it is all quite a disaster. Maybe I'll get it together by the end of the week and post some pictures then. Maybe.

Questions for you all: How did you transition kids from cribs to beds? Pumpkin's just 18 months and I'm not sure he understands to just stay on the mattress on the floor. He strikes me as the type who will be up at 5:00 a.m. playing with his toys.

When should we ditch the pacifier? What's worked for you? I'm leaning towards trying to get him settled in bed first.

Why is it Pumpkin loves to stick his entire face in the water in the bathtub, but screams bloody murder when I try to rinse his hair after shampooing it? Yes, it is a no-tears type, but he apparently can't read the label yet. Suggestions?

Last item: Pumpkin has allergies. How in the world to I teach him to blow his nose? He'll tell me when he has boogers (nice), but I can't seem to be able to get him to blow not sniff.

Sweet moment with Pumpkin reading the book God Loves Me:
Mommy: Who's this?
Pumpkin with Big Smile: Jesus.

This Week

I am amazed that it is already Thursday evening! It's been a very busy week here.
I've spent most of my time working on a few big projects.
I created a scrapbook for my stepmother for Mothers Day. As her mother just passed away last month I wanted to make a special gift for her on this first Mothers Day without her mother. I am my own hardest critic, but I was pleased with the final result of the book. I had planned on taking pictures, but was too tired when I finished the book at midnight on Tuesday. We mailed it Wednesday morning in the hope that it will arrive in time.
As a part of the memorial service for Eleanor her four children pulled together quite a collection of family pictures going back to when their mother had been a little girl. She was almost 94. They gave the pictures to someone who made a memorial video to show during the service. My Dad secretly gave me a copy of the video on disk. Sweetheart did his computer magic and saved the pictures for me to get prints made. I did and used those for the scrapbook. I talked to my stepmother's sister on Sunday and she shared all the information about the pictures with me as we each watched the videos on our computers at the same time. I took notes and was able to add information and names to the pictures in the book.
It took a lot of time, but was fun to make as well. I hope it will be something Eileen treasures for years to come and may even pass on to a niece or nephew someday. I only met Eleanor once, but I know she was loved and will be missed.
I was able to spend a few hours in my garden the other afternoon as my mom came over to watch Pumpkin so I could work out there. I was so happy to get to spend time out there in good weather. I didn't get the garden really taken down for winter last fall as the harvest time was right while Pumpkin was in his cast. I picked all the herbs and vegetables, but didn't really do the maintenance I usually do so I have a big mess out there now. Here's picture from a few summers ago when it looked nice. This was apparently before pregnancy and babies! I am planning to try and keep it simple this year, but I've got a mess of weeds to get out first. I've learned to not really plant anything until Mothers Day because we still often have snow in May. I was surprised to find some herbs and my lettuces I planted last year up and going. I picked a bunch of them for dinner last night.

I was hoping to have Sweetheart roto-till for me this weekend. However, when he went out Tuesday night to get the lawn mower out of the shed he was in for a surprise. I guess it will be a few more weeks of pulling everything by hand and waiting to plant seeds outside of the beds!

I am imagining this is the Robin's wife from The Secret Garden. What do you think? We're planning to keep the nest when she's done with it! (Future homeschooling lessons abound!)

I ended up hosting my Bunco group last night in our home. I was supposed to be the hostess in January, but ended up canceling because that was the day I thought I might be miscarrying. It turned out to be apparently nothing as I am constantly being kicked and gaining weight rapidly at 25 weeks along! Our group meets once a month and whomever is the hostess is in charge of food and beverages. The gal who was supposed to host canceled on Monday, so I volunteered to have everyone here.

Due to several others canceling I ended up making dinner for 10. We had spaghetti and meatballs (100+), garden salad, bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, garlic bread, toffee and a three-layer carrot cake. I made the bread and toffee on Tuesday and spent Wednesday rolling (and rolling) meatballs, baking cakes, and generally cooking up a storm. We ended up having a lot of fun with plenty to eat!

By the time that ended and Sweetheart and I washed up I collapsed into bed hardly able to move. We had Bible Study this morning and both Pumpkin and I took long naps this afternoon. It's all caught up with me. I'm going to post this and head off to bed. We'll go to see the midwife in the morning for our regular appointment.

All in all, it's been a much busier week than I've gone accustomed to. It's been filled with many wonderful things. I am tired, though. I plan on taking tomorrow slow and trying to recoup. Of course, there is a growing pile of laundry to tackle...

Here's picture from the weekend before last. Grandma babysat and Sweetheart and I drove up to the mountains for a few hours. We took a nice stroll as I cannot hike these days. This baby is sitting so high I have trouble breathing just on level ground at our regular altitude.

We found this fun little treasure at the Forest Service Ranger place. He'll grow into it! We were only gone a few hours, but missed Pumpkin so much. It was time to have time with just Sweetheart, but I think next time we'll put Pumpkin in the backpack and take him along. He is sooo much fun!

Pumpkin & Sweetheart

Monday Funny

This was in our Mops newsletter last month. I love the Give a Mouse/Moose a Cookie/Muffin books, so this made me laugh. Just a little something to brighten your Monday!

If You Give a Mom a Muffin

If you give a mom a muffin,
She'll want a cup of coffee to go with it.
So she'll pour herself some.
The coffee will get spilled by her three year old.
She'll wipe it up.

Wiping the floor, she will find some dirty socks.
She'll remember she has to do some laundry.
When she puts the laundry in the washer,
She'll trip over some snow boots and bump into the freezer.
Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan supper for tonight.

She will get out a pound of hamburger.
She'll look for her cookbook. (101 Things To Make With a Pound of
Hamburger.)
The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail.
She will see the phone bill which is due tomorrow.
She will look for the checkbook.

The checkbook is in her purse that is being dumped out by her two year old.
She'll smell something funny.
She'll change the two year old.
While she is changing the two year old the phone will ring. (Of course!)
Her five year old will answer it and hang up.

She remembers that she wants to phone a friend to come over for coffee on
Friday.
Thinking of coffee will remind her that she was going to have a cup.
She will pour herself some.
And chances are,
If she has a cup of coffee,
Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it.

Written by Kathy Fictorie

Based on If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff