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.  

. . . . . 

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. 

. . . . . 

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.  

. . . . . 

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!  

. . . . . 

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.

. . . . . 

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.)

. . . . . 

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!

. . . . . 

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.    

. . . . . 

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

- Carol

A snow day

 Hello!

They said it was coming and it did!  We woke up to this a couple of days ago.

My camera was by my bedside, so I took a few pictures from my bedroom window.

I am more of a sunshiney, warm weather gal (of course, you know that) but the fresh snow is just so beautiful especially before it has been trodden by foot or wheel.

I decided to head outside before the children went to play in it so that I could grab a few shots.

  

5" from the storm!

Lots of people are pining for spring weather to come - colorful flowers in the garden, warm days, and sunshine.  Honestly, I feel the same way, though I know I should not complain.  It is hard not to after what seems like months of gray skies and frigid temperatures.  I don’t want to be a whiner or complainer though.  It sets such an awful tone for my home and horrible example for my children, who are quick to emulate my attitudes.  Motherhood is a heavy responsibility.  And anyway, I want to show a heart of thankfulness and gratitude because I have so much to be thankful for. 

Happy Days 😊

- Carol

"Age of the geek, Baby"

Hi Everyone,

I'm seeing fewer and fewer Christmas trees on top of cars these days.  I bet most people have them up and decorated by now.   Have you seen some of the themed Christmas trees in the shops and stores? Some with only red and white.  Some just glittery gold.  I especially like the coastal themed ones. 😉

We have two trees.  One upstairs which has all our family favorite ornaments from the children's childhood, and even some from when Eric and I were kids.

The tree downstairs is our themed tree, but we never planned it that way.

Eric is a big Star Trek fan.  I gave him his first Star Trek ornament (Hallmark Keepsake) in 1993.  

What I didn't know back then was that there were limited supplies and they were only available the year they were released.  (Hence the whole "keepsake" idea.  I get it now.)
My dad got the first one in 1991.  It was novel and Eric thought it was great.  I tucked that idea away thinking I'd look at the after Christmas sales to buy one for Eric.

That's when I learned that they don't go on sale and they aren't for sale any longer either.
The next year my dad got the next one.  It was a shuttle craft that had Spock's voice,  "Shuttle Craft to Enterprise..."

When I went to buy one for Eric, I discovered that they were expensive and it was out of our slim budget.  But again, when we gathered for Christmas Day with family and Eric saw the new one, he loved it. (and probably secretly wished for one too.)

1997 U.S.S. Defiant

Christmas of 1993, I was determined and bought the USS Enterprise D - styled after The Next Generation.
Eric was tickled that he now had one too.  Every year since then, I have purchased the Star Trek Keepsake ornament.

1994 Klingon Bird of Prey

There are actually two Keepsake lines - - the ships or the characters.

1998 U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-E

We have only the ships.  Here are a few photos of some of them.

1999 U.S.S. Rio Grande

2007 Future U.S.S. Enterprise

1995 Romulan Warbird

2002 U.S.S. Delta Flyer

2008 U.S.S. Reliant

2004 Vulcan Command Ship

2000 Borg Cube

2001 Deep Space 9 Space Station

2006 U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701 (celebrating the 40th anniversary of the original series tv show.)

So you see, with 23 Star Trek ship ornaments, we had no choice but to give them their own tree!

A couple of years ago, I went to Goodwill and found an artificial tree that was covered in the older style small lights, which is what many of the ornaments plug into.  That's half the fun of the ornaments because most of them have a sound, or song, or a character speaking when you push the button.  (but not if you can't plug them in because the plug of the ornament doesn't fit the newer style light receptacle, but Hallmark got smart and now just makes them to run on a battery.)

So this Star Trek themed tree graces our downstairs family room.  

Like I said, "Age of the geek, Baby.  Age of the geek!"

Do you like themed trees?  Do you have one? 

- Carol 

A winter wonderland

Hi Friends,

SNOW!

What is it about snow that is so fun and exciting?  Especially with Christmas just two weeks away.

The children wake up with glee and excitement in their voices and begging eyes..."can we pleeeeeease go out in the snow?"

Thursday night our Bible study had a Christmas party.  Snow was forecast for the evening. All day Thursday we watched the weather forecast, not knowing if Bible study would be cancelled or not.   The children were so excited at the prospect of snow.  Their anticipation kept building throughout the day, but the wind picked up and seemed to dry the air.   The weathermen kept moving the time frame later and later.  We enjoyed a fun night of good food and fellowship, and made it home on dry, bare roads.  Eric and I were kinda thankful for that. 

We went to bed a bit doubtful that it was going to snow. 

But ... we woke up to a snow globe.  😊  It wasn't deep, but deep enough to play in.
Eric called a snow day for the kids!  (He's a great principal that way.)  He called a snow day for himself also.  😊

The wind remained steady and it looked a bit blizzard-like at times, especially as it blew the accumulated snow from the roof.  It was crazy cold (especially for having to dig a big pit first!) 

All bundled up, the kids enjoyed building snowmen, making snow angels, and sledding all day.

I think that fresh snow, with no footprints or tire treads is beautiful.  Like a white woolen blanket, it covers everything, and hushes and muffles the sounds all around, making it feel so peaceful.  But I have to say, I like it best when my loved ones are home and safe.
Matt didn't have the privilege of taking a snow day.  He had to brave the slick roads.
S - L - O - W   and   S - N - O - W   rhyme!
Eric grew up driving in the snow.  He knows how to handle it confidently.  Me?  I'm a California girl, I have no experience.  Even after living here in the PNW for over twenty years.  When snow comes, I just stay home and enjoy it. There has never been anything so urgent, that I couldn't reschedule. (Trust me, it's drivers like me, you don't want driving in the snow.  I am sparing you the headache.  😉 )

I have mixed feelings about wishing for it for Christmas.  We've only ever had a couple of "white Christmases".  They are magical. Snow on Christmas is festive and fun, but it does complicate traveling.  Caleb will be here for the Christmas weekend, but will need to head home to Portland Christmas night. Matt will need to work the next day as well.
It makes me long for the classic Dickens scene of Victorian dressed gentlemen bundled up in a one horse open sleigh and wishing that could work for them.

Looking at the snow outside makes me thankful for the warmth inside.  Warm coffee, cocoa, and soup to warm us up from the inside.  A wood stove that radiates heat and thaws out cold fingers and toes, and hot water for showers.  Speaking of which, we discovered this morning that our water heater decided to give its last ounce of hot.  😲 Matt said his shower was painfully cold, and that his normal towel felt like an electric blanket compared to the cold!
You know... everything hinges on hot water - showers, dishes, meal prep, laundry.  So that thought of idyllic Victorians riding in sleighs pales when I think of the modern conveniences like indoor plumbing and HOT water!  Perspective is everything, isn't it?


- Carol

 

The colors of autumn - crimson

Hello Friends!

Can you believe this is the last full week of October?  That's just crazy. 

It's also the last week of the autumn colors photo challenge with the prompt - crimson.

The Pacific Northwest has experienced a color explosion.  Here are my shots of crimson.

This fall seems to be especially vibrant here in the Pacific Northwest, more than I can remember of other autumn seasons here.  It's really beautiful.  When a gust of wind sends leaves twirling and floating in the air, it feels just like a autumn kaleidoscope .  

Seriously, New England, you have some competition here. 

Temperatures have been in the 50's with lots (and I mean downpours for days) of rain which mean sweaters, beanies, and boots. 
The fall colors coupled with cozy clothes makes me all heart-eyed emoji.   
Autumn is just the best. 

What is your favorite season and why?

Linking with Life-n-Reflection and Life thru the Lens and Image-in-ing


~Carol