Life lately...

Hi,

I thought I would give you a little glimpse of what we've been up to lately along with a few photos from my phone. 

Summer has arrived in the PNW.  We've been enjoying sunny days with temperatures in the 80's for a couple of weeks now.  By enjoying I really mean taking advantage of the dry weather and taking care of much needed projects on our property.  Mostly splitting rounds for desperately needed firewood. We nearly used up all we had last winter.   We've also been cleaning up by collecting the many downed branches, running them through the chipper, and spreading all that mulch where it's needed (hydrangeas beds, chicken run, etc.)  

We come in hot, sweaty, filthy, and completely exhausted!  It feels good to work hard, to feel sore muscles.  It's even better than a workout at the gym- I'm sure we burn just as many calories and notable progress is made on the property. 😀  After work like that, we reward ourselves with ice cream cones, and don't feel a bit guilty about it!  

I even found some gluten free ones at the grocery store.  I'm so glad because we have taken Mary Anne off gluten now too.  She was exhibiting signs of intolerance with very red, rough hands. Hannah suffered just like that too.  Wanting to avoid a Hannah situation with Mary Anne, and with Sarah having been diagnosed with Celiac's... it just seems prudent.  

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We have a small garden this year, but what we do have is growing!  This year we planted zucchini squash (because we love zoodles), spaghetti squash because it's a great substitute for pasta spaghetti, butternut squash because we use that in our breakfast bowls, beets, basil, green beans, and lettuce.  

Oh, and weeds.  😏 So far so good. 

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Once we are done with school for the year, I take the rest of June to absolutely NOT think about any aspect of it.  

Now that it is July, I've started thinking about next year - what we need to study, and what curriculum we have on hand that we can use, what I need to buy, and school supplies we need.  Can you believe we have graduated half of our children?!  This year I will have one new to high school (Dan), and the three little girls.  (4th, 2nd, and 1st.)  I can officially give my kindergarten curriculum away.  😮  I've just about finished deciding on what we'll cover.  I only have a few things I'll need to buy, and then to do the nitty-gritty of lesson-planning.  

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So far this summer I have done ZERO canning.  Usually I buy flats of strawberries, and then flats of raspberries. Some for jam, some for eating.  There was so much rain the first part of June, that it has delayed harvest times of everything.  I kept watching for them - U-pick signs along the road are the first clue that the picking season has arrived.  I never saw a one!  I missed it.  Thankfully, Costco carries frozen organic strawberries year-round! 😀  I do hope we haven't missed raspberry season. Have you ever put a blueberry inside where the raspberry stem was?  So good!  You should try it. You should also try a chocolate chip there too.  You'll thank me!

I like to put raspberries in a quart of white wine vinegar and let it sit for a couple of weeks.  The vinegar gets infused with the raspberries.  I use the infused vinegar to make oil/vinegar salad dressings.  

My other favorite thing (besides just eating them as is) is to make raspberry sauce for pancakes and waffles.  Just cook the raspberries on low and add a bit of sugar (only a little)  It makes for a super delicious ice cream topping too.  

We will try to go blueberry picking, but if we miss that too - well...Costco to the rescue.  Yay for frozen, organic blueberries!

I used to can peaches, but I can not find a source of organic that is affordable for canning.  So - we just enjoy eating them in season.  

Last year I canned a TON of applesauce, and we have only 3 jars left!  Did you know applesauce makes a great egg substitute? (1/4 cup = 1 egg) It also makes a great oil substitute. (1:1) And, if you use a variety of apples you will not need to add sugar!  It's amazingly delicious!  

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We lost a goat.  

Long story long...

I had taken the girls on a little "adventure" day over to Camano Island to check it out and escape the heat.  Hannah thought it would be fun to pack along a secret treat for when we got there.  We thought it would be so fun to pack ice cream and cones to eat on the beach when we got there.  How fun is that?  Kind of a reward for a long drive.

It took us just shy two hours to get there, but when we arrived at the trail head parking, there was an ambulance.  Having never been there before (so not knowing how long the path to the beach was, and not wanting to get in the way, we opted not to get out of the car, but dished out ice cream cones in the car instead.  Believe it or not, the ice cream survived.  The girls were thrilled - almost like eating leftover pie for breakfast!

My impression of Camano Island - it's quiet and scenic.  It's what I imagine Deer Isle, Maine to be like.  I could definitely see Eric and I living there in years to come (you know the ocean is forever calling to me.) The only thing it seems to be missing is a charming little town with gift shops, an independent book store, etc.  We didn't explore the whole island, so maybe there is one.  

Anyway, the day was a hot (89 degrees - that's hot for Washington!), and once we were home the girls asked if they could sit on the back deck and play with water toys. (a bucket filled with water and toys like army men or pocket dolls or whatever.) Abbie went out first and discovered one of our goats lying on a stairs that lead up to our deck.  She came in crying saying that Kaanapali was there bleeding and missing a leg!  

We immediately thought a bear got to her, but the more Hannah and I thought about it, that didn't really fit the circumstances.  It turns out, as I looked closer, that she wasn't really missing a leg, but she had skinned it, but good and was bleeding a lot.  It was a mess! I'll spare the gore-y details, but suffice it to say, we had to put her down.   We have only three now.

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Ellie's chickens are doing well, even the one that was missing for a few days.  At least I think they are well.  We are only getting an egg or maybe two per day from four hens. 😒  I'm not sure why.   We quit giving them so many scraps so that they would eat their feed to ensure the proper nutrients needed for egg-laying. Ellie is good to check their water each day.  If you've have chicken experience, we'd love your advice!  (she has four hens, one was in the coop.)

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My calendar is filled with doctor's appointments.   For a time, while Eric wasn't allowed to drive due to his broken collar bone, I was taking him to all of them, but now I only go to the ones with the rheumatologist. (for moral support and catching details from the doctor's conversation.) There are appointments for Hannah too (still trying to get to the heart of her digestive issues), and for Mary Anne - she has begun vision therapy.  

Also - for the next few weeks I'll be taking a dear friend to chemotherapy appointments.  Nothing like that to give one a bit of perspective.  I catch myself complaining about something and then realize that I have NOTHING to complain about.  I am privileged every day to do life with my favorite people!

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Eric and I are just about ready to take our coffee roaster exam.  There is so much to know - from seed to cup how coffee is grown and processed, to green coffee buying, to cupping, to brewing and extraction, and of course all aspects of roasting.  It's exciting and scary all at the same time.    

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So life is pretty busy, but the schedule is loose, which is one of the best parts of summer vacation.  

- Carol

Ordinary days and a few thoughts

Hello,

I find I've been at a loss for what to say here on this ol' blog.  Even though we are officially enjoying summer vacation from school, I still remain busy with the typical and ordinary things of motherhood. My days are full, but typical and ordinary don't seem to offer much to write about ~ and worse may come across as complaining, and I would never want that!
Here is a little bit of what's been going on.

It has been so nice to have Matthew and Hannah back home.  Even though Matthew's work schedule doesn't leave a lot of time to interact with him, I still like knowing he is in the same state and time zone.  They had such a marvelous time spending time with family, forming new relationships, and strengthening and deepening others.  They really enjoyed seeing so many different sights and even the warm/muggy East Coast weather.  A change of pace can be so refreshing.
I have to admit, it felt so weird without them here.  Weird because I knew they were across the county.  Weird because we all felt the hole from their absence.  Weird because it allowed us to see just how much they do to be a help and participate in family relationships.  Weird because they were making memories and I wasn't part of that.  I know that may sound proud or egotistical.  I don't mean it that way.  It's just that we have done things, especially big things, as a family usually, so I share in the experiences.  Of course each of us has our own perception of things, and memories are uniquely our own, but this time they were off and my only participation is to view their photographs.  Weird.  I know this is how it is all supposed to go - they don't stay little and at home forever.  I'm ok with that, but it still takes getting used to.

. . . . .

No rest for the weary - and boy was she weary from her very exciting, exhausting, fun, memorable trip.  This week was full of appointments.  Another doctor appointment for Hannah.  This one was with a GI specialist with Children's Hospital.  She is baffled by Hannah's symptoms just like all the other doctors we have seen.  She has ordered an endoscopy.  Perhaps a look inside will help? Meanwhile, my girl suffers so.  I know that God has this particular trial for her to bring her closer to Him.  A close abiding walk is the result of utter dependence upon Him.  I can see a complete surrendering to His will.  That is never easy, when the situation seems bleak.  Will we find answers? Will she ever not hurt?  Will this last forever?  These are overwhelming and terrifying and discouraging thoughts.
So we take one day at a time.

. . . . .

The other day was National Skateboarding Day!
It's also the first day of summer.  See what they did there?
I had several things I wanted to get done that day, but before the afternoon got away from me, we went for a quick trip to the local skate park in our town.  We had it all to ourselves.

Hannah has been teaching herself how to longboard dance.

. . . . .

Ellie has been having chicken troubles.
She has one hen that is very broody - or at least that's what we think is going on.  She sits in the nesting box all day - all night.  She makes noise at you if you try to move her out of there.  Because of this she is getting hen-pecked when she does come out.  We decided to separate two of the more aggressive hens, and put them in the barn to try to adjust the pecking order a bit.  Later that night, Ellie went to check on them and there was only 1 hen in the barn!  No signs of mischief though,  No feathers, no blood, but no chicken.  She and Dan checked the barn high and low and there was no sign of her. LOTS of tears with thoughts of maybe an owl getting in the barn and snatching her away - or that she flew out and over the fence and was wondering alone in the wilderness.  She tried her best to put on a brave face, but...
4 days later when Daniel was cleaning out the goat pen, he heard noises, and checked it out.  He found the chicken stuck under a pile of wood, behind some fencing.  Not quite sure how she got herself there. She had laid two eggs though.  Suffice it to say, when she was put back into the coop, she drank and drank and drank and ate and ate and ate.  I think we found her in the nick of time.  She seems to be fine.

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Father's Day
We all pitched in to give him just a little something so he knows he is very much loved and appreciated! He is a servant - always fixing broken toys for the younger children, broken vehicles for the older children, household anything for me. He's way better than I am in the kitchen, and he enjoys cooking (how did I get so lucky?)
He knows so much about so much that if any of us needs to know how to do something, we pretty much know we can "just ask Dad" and he will have an answer.

I'm not sure why I chose to only take a "men" picture rather than with all the children.  Duh.
But whatever.  Look!  Dan is just about as tall as Eric.

We have this old fashioned cookie cutter which reminds us of a certain Looney Tunes cartoon. 

It was Ellie's idea to make cookies for Dear ol' Dad. 

If he could have done anything on Father's Day it would have been to spend some time on his skateboard.  He has been off of it since April 30th, and he misses it so much.  He was so hoping that at his most recent appointment with the orthopedist that he would be given the A-Ok.  

The good news is that he is no longer wearing the sling AND there is new bone growth.  It's not completely healed yet so there are still restrictions in place.  No heavy lifting.  No skateboarding. Both for another 6 weeks.  BUT he can drive now - so he feels a little bit of freedom. 

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Summer for me is a time to reflect on the newly completed school year and try to figure out what we accomplished and where we need to make adjustments for the coming year.  It's also a time that I need to take advantage of by using it wisely for training the children in new chores and responsibilities.  But, I love the loosey-goosey schedule of carefree summer days.  

I am having the little girls read aloud to me daily so they continue to make progress there. 

Of course, I don't have to require reading from Dan and Hannah.  Pulling them away from their books is more of the challenge.  😉

. . . . . 

Eric and I have been learning about coffee roasting and how to become coffee roasters.  Not just home roasters, but honest to goodness for realsy reals certified coffee roasters.  

We are excited about this new endeavor/adventure, but scared to death too. 

We want this to be something that can bring Eric home from the corporate world.  Something we can do with the children.  Thinking mostly of Hannah and Daniel, but as the girls grow, they will grow into jobs that they can do.  It is overwhelming though!  There are so many aspects of a new business to think about and put into place.  It can definitely get a little overwhelming.  

Working with the county on a specific idea we have is  s  l  o  w  -  g  o  i  n  g.  It's also frustrating for many reasons that I'll share at a later time, but suffice it to say, that the Lord is showing me areas I need to grow.  One area in particular is patience in His timing.  I have come to discover that I tend to be anxious.  I fret and worry, and don't even realize it.   It's a constant battle of my mind to choose to trust Him.  You know that verse that says, "Oh Ye, of little faith."  UGH!  

And that has been how our days are rolling.  Mostly home, doing a little of this and a little of that with some fun thrown in for good measure.  

- Carol

Life lately

Hi Friends, 

It's a funny thing.  I am not a good craft mom, but I am so enjoying our Funday Mondays. 

A couple of weeks ago we studied texture, and used some ordinary objects to see what kind of texture they would/could create.

It was quite interesting to see how each one of the kids approaches the challenge.

. . . . . 

This week we took a break from art, and did a little crafting instead. 😲

We made Valentine's cards. 💗💟

All those old scrapbooking supplies come to use now and again.

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Ellie has also been crafting.  She has learned how to felt, thanks to a kit that Caleb gave her for Christmas.

 The little bird was created from a kit given to her from her great aunt for her birthday last year.

Ellie does well with hand crafts, and she really enjoys doing them. I love that.  I need to dig through my supplies to find some new projects for her... and the other little girls too.

. . . . .

And a little fun for me too.  I found these bar stools at a local store.  On sale too!

They match the painted dining room chairs perfectly!  The kids LOVE sitting at the counter and that has made school a bit more exciting too.  Yay.

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Date night is Tuesdays.  It started because the local theater has "Tight-wad Tuesday" - where tickets are half price.   Eric and I have kept Tuesdays as our date night.  Sometimes we go out for dinner, but this last date we went to see  Hidden Figures.  Have you heard of it?  It was fabulous!  I highly recommend it.

. . . . .

We are entering into birthday season with Daniel's golden birthday starting it off on Tuesday/ Valentine's Day.  It's gonna be a crazy couple of weeks!


Happy Valentine's Day.💕
- Carol

Adventure Day

Hi Friends, 

 Yesterday was our second Adventure Day of the year, and the first with our "adventure friends"!

We had plans to go to MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry).   The last time we went was for Daniel's birthday a couple of years ago. You can read about it here, if you like. 

We really enjoyed it because it is such a great museum for young ones with lots of hands -on/interactive things to explore. 

We made good time down into the city.  Hannah sat shotgun to run the GPS.  Taking us the shortest route, it took us by way of the floating bridge, which is a toll bridge, 😒 but by the time I realized the route, there was no other way to go.  I figured, hey, it's adventure day, and the kids have never been over the floating bridge so...
They thought it was pretty great.

Driving in the city can be confusing and frustrating!  The signs are sometimes hard to find, and there are lots of one-way streets, and of course, there is always construction of some kind.  Anyway, I missed the road leading into the parking lot so we had a little city tour too.  😉
Once we were back at the parking lot, we discovered there were NO parking spots, and that we would need to find street parking (and not free).  Around the block we went a few times for a little more city touring...
NO parking still, BUT I had an idea.  The Center for Wooden Boats is a fun little historical center - and it shares the parking lot with MOHAI.  All the free spaces for the CWB were available... and since it was adventure day - we decided to be adventurous and enjoy a new plan - we would visit the Center for Wooden Boats!

It was super fun to walk on the docks and check out the boats.  It was a beautiful sunny day, but it was sooooo cold because of the wind that whipped across the Sound.

We walked past the boat house where a couple of gentlemen inside were restoring a boat.

Look at this perfectly organized workbench.  I particularly like the bottom left drawer. 😉

All the boats along the docks can be boarded for you to check out!  All they ask is that you where a life vest.  We decided to just check them out from the dock, because it was super, super, cold where the buildings were not blocking the wind, and no one wanted to take the time to fit the vests over their jackets. 

Once we were all thoroughly frozen popsicles, we decided to head into the MOHAI and meet up with our friends.

We said our parting "Good-byes" a little early as Margo's little one wasn't feeling too tip top.  It worked well for us too, as Hannah wasn't feeling too tip top either.  But we had this adventure day planned for a while.  I was hoping the outing would be a bit of a distraction.  Good friends, always help.

We drove home a different way (to avoid the toll again).  I figured we could add one more thing to adventure day 😀...

a clean car!

In spite of the hiccups in the beginning, I'd say it was a very successful adventure day.  The kids enjoyed the day, and I am always so happy when we can find something fun and memorable to do together.


- Carol