What Is Your Word?

What child of the 70's doesn't have fondue for New Year's?

Cream puffs and candy for dessert.

Tacquitos per Jack's request.

For the past several years on New Year's Eve, our family had chosen a word (for each of us) that describes our personal goal for the coming year. It must be something positive, something that encourages principles that we believe in. The younger kids get a gentle suggestion for choosing their words. This year we are as follows:

Jon: Peace (though he states his word was actually going to be "independent")

Jack: Self-control (just a little direction in choosing this one)

Madeline: Tolerance

Julie: Sharing

Bill: Joy

Crawling Sarah

Saturday

More snap circuits. This time it was a radio.

Jon, ironing. "I am an ironing fool." he says.

Such a nice and quiet day. Went for a walk this afternoon in the mud. Yuck. This evening found the kids all engaged in their own activities. Madeline read her new favorite book--Rolling Stone's Rock and Roll Encyclopedia. (Thanks to Uncle Jayson for the idea.) Jack graduated to the "big" experiments in the snap circuit book. Jon decided that ironing was the greatest idea ever. Sarah slept. Now, what will tomorrow bring?

Just a Few Christmas Pictures

Sarah, sucking her finger, looking sweet.

Sarah with her new teething doll.

Jack putting together snap circuits. (Which I highly recommend as a toy)


Madeline, reading as always.

Jon, as only Jon can be.

A lovely, simple Christmas. The requisite pajama presents on Christmas Eve, Chinese food for dinner, early morning wake-up call (even by the older kids!), staying in our pjs until mid-afternoon, playing with new treasures. No cooking for me and a nice party with friends to finish off the day.

I spent some time this morning researching Epiphany. Anyone celebrate this? It's a holiday that culminates with a cake, so I'm thinking about hopping on board this one. Any holiday with a cake is a good holiday in my book. The only part of this idea that won't work for me is that you're supposed to leave the Christmas decorations up until the 6th of January. Then have an undecorating party. NO WAY! I am all about putting it all away today. As in the day after Christmas. I'm ready to reclaim the space. Note though, that I do keep up twinkly lights in our living room all year, so we are not totally without cheer.

Only 7 more days until Jack's birthday. I'd better get going on this.

A New Quilt For A New Baby

Started piecing a simple baby quilt for my good friend who recently found out she was expecting. Not sure if it will be for a boy or for a girl, so decided on a brown/blueish/greenish scheme.

Finished top.

This is what I saw outside my window, while sewing.

Cut and ready to sew.

I Won't Ever Make It As A Meteorologist

Well, I said it wouldn't snow. I mean, it didn't even look like a snow sky. I guess I was wrong. This is what it looked like this morning:

We had about 3 inches by last night. Very windy, sleety, and cold overnight. Not sure what today will bring, but I know that we will be warm and cozy inside the house. There might be some snowman construction and fort building by the boys, but it won't last long. Jon always takes his gloves/mittens off, believing that they hamper his ability to handle snow. Then he becomes hysterical when his hands "are freezing/burning!"

While standing in the kitchen, looking out the window towards the chicken coop, I feared I saw a dead and frozen chicken just laying in there. I watched for several minutes and it never moved. Yikes. I woke Bill and made him go out and offer mouth to beak resuscitation. Luckily, Ms. Chicken was only gazing about, enchanted by the winter beauty surrounding her.

An Old Dress

This is Sarah, in a dress that my grandma made for me a-l-o-n-g time ago. This is knit on tiny, little needles in a Fair-Isle pattern. It's amazing! To take the time and put forth the effort to create such a treasure is a quickly disappearing art. I have come to appreciate these little bits of creativity and work so much more in the past few years. Of course, just after the pictures were taken she promptly spit up all over. Now the dress is soaking, to be worn again someday soon.

Helpful Brothers

Jon, feeding Sarah.

Still feeding. Notice the HUGE hole in the arm seam of his pjs.

Jack, snuggling with Sarah. He like to put her in my bed and cover her with blankets.

Bawk

These lovely ladies have been providing us with fresh eggs for several weeks now. I believe it will take 2 months of egg production to recoup our lumber costs for the structure. With a little shock training for Daisy the Dog, we are able to let the chicken roam freely about the yard and woods. Every evening at sunset, they all congregate outside the coup, ready to be shut in for the night. Aside from chicken poop on the porch a few times (the chickens walk right over the sleeping Daisy--she's sure they're responsible for the shocks she received and is now horribly afraid of them), they have become a welcome addition here.

Sarah's View

A picture, by Jon, of where Sarah is most happy. Carrier courtesy of my parents. Can you believe this carrier (it's an Ergo, for anyone who's interested--highly recommend it) was found via Craigslist in Salem and shipped to me in VA? I cannot find one here within a 100 mile radius. Crazy!

She has the best laugh

Still Here!

There's been a new chicken coop AND the accompanying chickens. New forts for boys, complete with flying flags. Lots of winterizing the house. Undecorating for fall and redecorating for Christmas. Visiting family. Lots of knitting and sewing for Christmas. A little shopping. Plenty of reading. Advent. Good cooking and baking. Lots of baby rocking.

Pictures to follow.

Crazy Sarah

The End of Baseball--At Least Until March

Jack's Fall baseball team. Jack is on the far left, bottom row.

Just a funny side note: The guy on the left side, top row, is a salesman/deliveryman for Lay's. That means he is surrounded by chips all of the time. On the days he restocks store shelves, the outdated bags of chips get thrown away--or in our case, re-gifted to us. Not being a chip-eater myself, I didn't know much about the variety of chips and chip products available. Now, I feel like a true chip expert. We have boxes of chips in our utility room. Strange combinations such as cheddar and jalapeno Cheetos, spicy sweet chili Doritos, tacos at midnight Doritos (Bill's favorite), and cheddar and sour cream Lay's. All kinds, really. I'm not sure yet if I'm grateful for his generosity.

Bananas Are Good!

Sarah has started eating. A little cereal earlier in the week and this morning, bananas. I see that a stack of newly sewn bibs in my future.

The Boycott Continues.....

We are now more than 6 weeks into our Walmart boycott. We haven't set foot in Walmart. Not once. Though there was a tempting afternoon where we needed craft supplies. We fought it and walked away. I feel strangely liberated and free. Can we make it through Christmas?

Sleeping In A Hole

So Jon has been playing outside a lot lately, even after dark since the time change. He usually brings a "lantern" (flashlight) to light his way. There's a large hole, near the driveway, that he's been diligently digging. You get the picture. Anyway, the other evening I went outside to check on him around 6:30 and I couldn't find him. I called for him and he didn't answer. I put on my shoes and walked around the yard looking for him. I found him laying down in his hole "taking a little nap." According to him, that is. What a little freak!

I Think I'm Going To Need To Babyproof Soon.

Cookies

The stem NEVER comes out on this one! Never.

My favorite. Needs to be washed.

Every fall, for probably my whole life, I've used these cookie cutters to make gingerbread cookies. Same recipe, same cookie cutters, same everything. I thrive on change, don't you know.

Oh Golly, the Chocolate.

Easy recipe for truffles:



10-12 oz. of good quality dark chocolate (we use Ghirardelli 60% Dark)

2 Tbsp. butter



Pour 1 C. heavy cream, scalded and hot, over the chocolate and butter. Cover and let sit 5 minutes or until chocolate is melted. Whisk until smooth. Add any flavoring at this point too. Vanilla is good, but so is mint, or Bailey's, or Frangellica, or orange zest. Put the bowl in the fridge for several hours or until the chocolate is thick enough to scoop. Be sure to dip your finger in the bowl and lick it several times. It's especially good when the chocolate has thickened enough that lots sticks to your finger.



Scoop thickened chocolate into balls, roll them into nice round shapes if you want. Freeze for 20 minutes. Now, dip in melted chocolate, roll in nuts or cocoa, or just eat. Super easy and so good. No pictures to share because we ate the examples!

An Autumn Walk

Sarah's new pumpkin hat.

Looking across the pond. The ripples are from Jack's BB gun that he uses to skip BBs on the water.

Another view. Aren't the leaves too pretty?

Another gorgeous day in Virginia. Took off for a walk this evening, across the field by what the kids think is a haunted house. We've been hearing logging machines in that direction and seeing loaded trucks come by the house but weren't sure exactly where they were working. We found the landing, machines and all, by our favorite pond. Didn't seem to be bothering the beavers as there were plenty of freshly fallen trees on their dam.

What Fun!

Gosh, we had a fun day today. Woke up at 5:00 this morning when the power went out (and the kids came in) and rewoke at 8:00 to find it still out. Since Saturday mornings are Donut Shop mornings (I do love keeping to a predictable schedule!), I figured we'd fare well for breakfast without needing to open the fridge. Turned out the power was off in our entire part of the state. Every business (even Walmart) was closed. No donuts, no coffee, no nothing. Now that wasn't the start to a fun day. What were we to do?

Bill decided to load us in the car and head south, having heard a rumor that the power was, indeed, still on in NC. A quick 25 minute drive found our hungry family in a small town called Warrenton, which just happened to be hosting a lovely little Fall Festival in the town park. Lots of silly junk, a few talented craftsmen, some local produce, and many nice shops to browse through. After eating a hearty brunch (I had to convince Jon that it was okay to combine breakfast and lunch into just one meal) we wandered about for several hours just enjoying the day. The weather was gorgeous and warm. The leaves are really peaking in color right now, and the wind was blowing them all around as we walked. Jon was certain that they weren't "real" leaves. Just a few treasures we found:

A wildly bright table cloth.

New Pyrex goodies. All bought separately. I think I had a green thing going on today. Madeline cannot use this pitcher, as she was the breaker of the last one I owned.

Can't show you the awesome chocolate we had because we ate it. I think there will be some truffle-making going on tomorrow.

An all around great day, spent with my favorite people.

Tonight

On our way home.

Sarah, asleep in the backpack. Drooling.

Crossing the creek.

Just pretty leaves.

Such a nice night for a walk. Bill got home early tonight and there was no baseball practice so we decided to get in a walk before dinner. The weather is so nice here right now. The leaves are so pretty and the bugs seem to be leaving so walking in the woods is just lovely. Knowing that there was a roast and mashed potatoes waiting for us (already cooked!) was lovely too.

Not too busy of a week. School work, outside play, baseball, drooling and teething, and hopefully more walks.

A Completed Project

Boy, does that feel good. I love it when I come to the end of working on a big project. Or at least big to me. I finished my poncho last weekend while at Chincoteague. Unfortunately, it hasn't been cool enough to wear it. Yet. I believe there's rain and cool in the forecast for the week ahead.

This poncho is really simple to make (all my brain can handle). It's a repetitive pattern, which puts you in a near trance-like state while knitting it. I was able to knit in the car, on the beach, at our house, even in the dark!

It Came, It Came!!

After exhausting all sources providing movies, including my own stash, I have succumbed to the power of Netflix. The available choices are incredible. However, only one choice can really tempt me. Only one choice can really offer me the thrilling, well-acted, exceptional story lines including both drama and romance. Yes, people, Netflix offers "Nash Bridges" complete seasons for your viewing pleasure. Oh, how I look forward to sitting down, rocking and feeding Sarah, and watching quality TV this weekend. Can they (at Netflix) drop you for having the strangest, most eclectic queue? If so, I'm in danger of losing my membership. And WHY is queue spelled that way?

Just a few pictures from our trip.

Posing on the beach.

Sarah. And mom.

In front of "our" house.

Weird Viking statue.

Sleeping Sarah on the beach.

Off We Go!

Heading out today for a birthday weekend trip. How come the planning and preparation for a trip is great, but when the day of departure arrives, I actually dread leaving? Will someone get sick? Will the house we've rented smell bad and be dirty? How will I feed everyone something other than fastfood? Did I pack everything? Who will feed the animals while we're away? What if our house burns down (Jon always asks this question)? Is this really supposed to be a vacation for me? By the time we pull out of the driveway, my patience has already traveled approximately 238 miles in the opposite direction. Really, I'm no fun to take on vacation.

Immy, we're hoping to stop in Machipongo--will be thinking of you!

Rheann and Alexander, you've traveled with me and can substantiate my claims.

Mom and Dad, thanks for having a baby in 1971. (I can't make myself type my actual age)

Bill and Chris, thanks for the birthday gift!

Marguerite Henry, thanks for writing a book about a real place that inspired a girl to visit the actual place and see the actual ponies. A favorite book really comes to life.....

Walmart Will Be The Downfall of the World

Okay. After one too many bad experiences at the local Walmart, I am deciding to boycott. Now this is not an easy decision to make considering where I live. Our community is small and rural, lacking retail variety and many specialty stores. What little we do have available can be antiquated and expensive. Let's face it, it's nice and easy to run to the local Walmart and get everything you need in one place. We have decided that we will no longer be supporting a store that flourishes despite their non-existent customer service. I'm also fairly certain that Walmart has some other major flaws within the entire scope of its existence, so maybe we also have a moral and ethical obligation to turn our backs to them as well. Here's a list of some ways we will be able to break the chains of bondage (a little dramatic, yes, I know...) to Walmart:

1. Shop at the only other grocery store: Food Lion. This will be more expensive and with fewer organic choices, but usually with better produce and meat.

2. Look into buying grass-fed beef and free-range chicken every six weeks from the natural grocery store in the city and freeze for later use.

3. Buy local eggs on the way to the library every week.

4. Utilize the Internet for more of our shopping.

5. Shop in the city (combine this with the meat buying trip) for fabric, crafting supplies, etc.

6. Try the local department store for clothing and shoe needs.

7. Grow more of our own vegetables.

8. Buy fruit from the local farm stands. Though this fruit isn't organic or completely local, it is at least from VA. It's also supporting a small, local business.

It used to be that if you needed hardware, you went to the hardware store. If you needed plants, you went to a nursery. Need groceries? Go to the grocery store. We've become so used to one-stop-shopping (thank you, Fred G. Meyer) that I believe we are lazy. I also believe that our patronage of these Big Box stores has lowered our expectations for quality products, knowledgeable service people, and good service. I am going to take a little more time, energy, and money and search for stores where quality and service matter. In the end, I'm hoping that my hard-earned money and time will be spent in a way that makes me feel content with my consumer purchases. Not bewildered, cheated, unsatisfied, and taken advantage of.

4 Months Old

Sporting her rather large elf hat.

New duds. Very fallish.

Jack's out sawing logs.

I'd rather not remember where I was at this time 4 months ago, but without it all, there wouldn't be Sarah.

Have We No Shame?

I've been the lucky recipient of several friends' cast-off girls' clothing. Lots of fancy stuff I'd never buy but enjoy dressing Sister Sarah in all the same. Another HUGE bag found its way to our home yesterday so be prepared for more photos of our sweet baby!

Sick

What do you get when you care for one sick 5 year old, then an under the weather 10 year old, finishing up with loving on a snotty-nosed 4 month old? It's a sick mother. How come everyone else is feeling better and I'm sinking into a deeper, worser sickness? Worser, yep, worser. And how can my nose be so stuffy and still run, nonstop? I foresee lots of resting (who am I kidding?) this weekend.

Anyone Have A Thighmaster?

These are Sarah's new babylegs (just like baby legwarmers). So handy for changing diapers without having to pull off pants. You can find them here.

Working out.

Chubby legs.

We Are A Sight!

If you're ever in LaCrosse some evening around 6:30, maybe you'll see us. We're the funny looking people, running laps around their field. You'll surely recognize us: a tired-looking woman with the industrial-strength sports bra (nursing four babies has that effect on a person), the taller-than-her mother teenager who unhappily plods along, the mid-sized boy who jogs effortlessly along with no concept of personal space, and lastly, the littlest boy who runs exuberantly, just for the joy of running. Oh, what a sight we are.

This is the third week into our running adventure. Can't say it's my favorite thing to do, but I do enjoy my company while doing so. Gosh, I forgot to add that we are usually accompanied by a big, yellow dog who hops like a kangaroo, a cat who looks bewildered by the activity, and a goat who simply stares blankly. It really is a family affair. Now, off to Sonic for our after-run treats.

The X-files

Oh my. For his birthday, Bill decided to splurge on a 12 DVD set of the X-files (it only cost $19.99 because no one else could possible want such garbage). This would be season 1 and 2. Because I sit down quite often during the day to nurse Sarah, I find myself watching movies more than usual. We don't have cable or satellite, so it's just the DVD player or VCR and me (and I guess Sarah too). I've watched Andy Griffith, Peter Pan, Chocolat, and almost every other movie I can find in our house. I've rented from Redbox too. Oh, and let me not forget the offerings from our library as well. Because I feel as if I've nearly exhausted all local movie opportunities, I have (only out of complete desperation) taken to watching The X-files. From the beginning. I'm currently on Season 2, disk 2. That's 8 disks that I have already consumed visually. I will never be the same. The truth is out there.



On another note, I have also done a bit of calculating while feeding this baby. In the 16 weeks that we've had Sarah, if she's been fed 5 times per day, I have assumed the position in my chair 560 times. How's that for impressive?

Madeline's Birthday

The unfortunate cake.

Supposed to be "13" but have no idea what Jon is doing.

I know you're not supposed to take their picture, but I was discreet. I made Bill follow him so I could snap a quick one. I wish I could have taken a picture of the Amish girl mowing the lawn with a push mower and the man cutting hay with a horse drawn cutting machine. Is it bad that I stalk the Amish?

The teenager (that's how Jon refers to her now) had a full day. Started with donuts and presents for breakfast and a trip to our favorite bookstore in Charlotte Courthouse (that's really the name of the town!). A drive through Amish country and lunch at Chick-fil-a in Farmville VA. Baseball games, really awesome yarn store in the middle of no where (http://yarnbarn.com/), and dinner on the deck at Charlie's in Farmville. Lastly, cake and ice cream at home with a request by the teenager for a retelling of her birth story. She said this was the best birthday ever.