We're busy celebratin' birthdays (Brookie and Small Fry and me!) and an anniversary (12 years) this month. Lots of blessings for which I am so thankful.
Big Fish surprised me with a beautiful spinning wheel for my birthday. He had found it at an auction; and I truly believe that it is in like-new condition. The biggest tip-off? The wheel was not set up right! Now that I've watched many youtube videos and re-read the instruction packet many time, I'm happily spinning away. My yarn is not pretty, but it's yarn! One of the items included in the auction lot was a basket full of wool that I'm using to practice.
The children and I picked strawberries this morning and then came right in and had some for lunch. We are having a bit of a problem with chipmunks stealing some of our produce!
The hardest part about all these birthdays is trying not to eat birthday cake! I weighed in this morning at 190.0. I'm happy to see the scale moving in the right direction! This is the plan I've been following. I appreciate it's structure and am very happy with the breakfast and lunch shakes/bars. I feel like I'm getting good nutrition instead of grabbing things here and there that don't add up to a meal.
We're thinking we might have a thunderstorm here this afternoon, so I need to refer to my list of indoor activities for the two older kiddos.
Enjoy the warm breezes!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
And so it Begins
First weigh-in today: 195.8 pounds. I cringe to post that number, but I have to start somewhere!
The baby is sleeping almost through the night. She prefers to go to bed late and then sleep late. We're hoping to slowly adjust that, so that she goes to bed closer to 9 or 10 rather than 11! She is in that cute little stage where her eyes are always so wide open; it's like she's constantly surprised!
We've been re-organizing our living areas. The TV has been moved downstairs, and the school area is expanding upstairs. Big Fish and I are starting a collection pile of things to sell at our local flea market. Today was cleaning out the school shelf and cabinet.
One of the next things on my to-do list is refresh myself on how to upload pictures to this blog!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 1, 2
Hello, blog of mine! I'm not even going to look at the date on my previous post; ok, it was last Fall!!
I'm working on a few summer resolutions: losing some weight, marketing some soap at some local events, and using up some of my fabric stash. Maybe this blog could be a little outlet for keeping myself accountable.
Monday is the official start date for my new meal plan. I figured I would get through my birthday weekend first! I'm playing around with the thought of posting a "before" picture, as I start on this weight loss journey. Not sure if I have the courage to put a picture up, though. Still thinking about it.....
I have a phone call in to a couple of farmer's market organizers in the surrounding area. We, as a family, attended one this past Saturday; and I was disappointed in the vendor and customer turnout. I'm glad that I didn't set up a table and only walked around to get a feel for the market. Their were only 5 vendors! I'm hoping that the other market will have a greater attendance both in vendors and shoppers! Even though the set-up fee is only $5, I still want to feel that my time will be well-used.
One of the first projects using some of my fabric is placemats. I've had a few orders placed (thanks mom), so I've cut out 5 sets. Right now I'm assembling and sewing them adding a layer of interfacing for stability.
More to come! We're enjoying some sunshine today....with a handful of fresh-picked strawberries.
I'm working on a few summer resolutions: losing some weight, marketing some soap at some local events, and using up some of my fabric stash. Maybe this blog could be a little outlet for keeping myself accountable.
Monday is the official start date for my new meal plan. I figured I would get through my birthday weekend first! I'm playing around with the thought of posting a "before" picture, as I start on this weight loss journey. Not sure if I have the courage to put a picture up, though. Still thinking about it.....
I have a phone call in to a couple of farmer's market organizers in the surrounding area. We, as a family, attended one this past Saturday; and I was disappointed in the vendor and customer turnout. I'm glad that I didn't set up a table and only walked around to get a feel for the market. Their were only 5 vendors! I'm hoping that the other market will have a greater attendance both in vendors and shoppers! Even though the set-up fee is only $5, I still want to feel that my time will be well-used.
One of the first projects using some of my fabric is placemats. I've had a few orders placed (thanks mom), so I've cut out 5 sets. Right now I'm assembling and sewing them adding a layer of interfacing for stability.
More to come! We're enjoying some sunshine today....with a handful of fresh-picked strawberries.
Monday, September 19, 2011
"Fall"-ing into a Routine
Now that Fall is practically here, we have started to settle into the routine of errands or appointments in the morning and school for Brookie in the afternoon. Small Fry has been attending speech therapy sessions two or three times a week and seems to enjoy the individualized attention and help.
For blog purposes, I will call the baby (who is now 9 months old - yikes!) "Minnow". Minnow looks a lot like those tiny fish, as she wiggles across the floor to get where she needs to go. She is a busy little soul whose happiest moments are in mama's arms or sucking on a teething biscuit while seated in the high chair.
The chickens do not seem to mind the extra time I take to let them out in their pen these past several chilly mornings. We are eagerly awaiting eggs; thinking that the first ones should appear in the next month. We did bid farewell to the rooster, for he was becoming a nuisance both in his noise and his abuse of the sweet flock. Peace seems to be restored, although I did have to shoo a couple of the girls out of the garden today. We still have a few tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants we hope to enjoy.
Big Fish has installed a tree stand up our back hill, so we are officially ready for hunting season. He is turning our children into bargain hunters, as he has been taking them along to a weekly flea market and any auctions that are in the area. They did come home with a cute, vintage "Fresh Eggs" sign a couple of weeks ago. Now we just need those eggs......
Boy is it chilly outside; the thermometer registers 59 degrees. Time for a hot dinner and maybe some post-dinner hot tea! Hope you are warm and cozy in your corner of creation!
For blog purposes, I will call the baby (who is now 9 months old - yikes!) "Minnow". Minnow looks a lot like those tiny fish, as she wiggles across the floor to get where she needs to go. She is a busy little soul whose happiest moments are in mama's arms or sucking on a teething biscuit while seated in the high chair.
The chickens do not seem to mind the extra time I take to let them out in their pen these past several chilly mornings. We are eagerly awaiting eggs; thinking that the first ones should appear in the next month. We did bid farewell to the rooster, for he was becoming a nuisance both in his noise and his abuse of the sweet flock. Peace seems to be restored, although I did have to shoo a couple of the girls out of the garden today. We still have a few tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants we hope to enjoy.
Big Fish has installed a tree stand up our back hill, so we are officially ready for hunting season. He is turning our children into bargain hunters, as he has been taking them along to a weekly flea market and any auctions that are in the area. They did come home with a cute, vintage "Fresh Eggs" sign a couple of weeks ago. Now we just need those eggs......
Boy is it chilly outside; the thermometer registers 59 degrees. Time for a hot dinner and maybe some post-dinner hot tea! Hope you are warm and cozy in your corner of creation!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Summer Updates
We've been enjoying an unusually (for southwest PA) sunny summer! Everything is growing: the kids, the chickens, the garden, the weeds, etc! I look around the house and see lots of signs that summer is in full swing:
1. There is watermelon in the 'fridge and ice pops in the freezer.
2. Every day brings a new opportunity to pull weeds. My mom blessed us last week with the edging (by hand) of our sidewalk while I baked a cake.
3. Big Fish has been industriously watering our garden and even stringing hoses together to water the pumpkins and squash down our back hill.
4. My 4 basil plants in the garden are in desperate need of a picking. I've already made a pesto batch and pizza with basil and cheese.
5. Shhh! Don't tell my mom, but Small Fry is carrying around a mason jar with a baby ring snake in it. I must remind Big Fish to let the thing go tonight!
6. The honey bees seem to be expanding. I checked them on Saturday and actually placed a honey super on the top. The bees have been quite busy in their two hive body boxes, so to my inexperienced eye they looked like they needed more work space. Maybe we'll have a tiny bit of honey this year! I'm starting to read up on how to care for them through the fall and winter. Plans are being made for a second hive next year.
7. Hummingbirds have drained their feeder - need to fill that today before they get too angry!
8. The chickens are enjoying their "big girl" digs. The coop is ready for its first clean-out already! They come running when they see us because we usually have a slice of bread or some old lettuce for them. I did hear on the radio that homegrown eggs don't really taste any different than grocery store eggs. They do definitely look different, though. We'll have to test that ourselves in a few months!
9. Brookie spends large amounts of time on her swing. It's just a disc hung from a tree branch. Another favorite activity of hers is sidewalk chalk drawing on our driveway. We need a rain just to give her a clean slate!
10. A recipe for rhubarb custard bars will be posted this week, so see you back soon!
Enjoy some iced tea on the porch swing!
1. There is watermelon in the 'fridge and ice pops in the freezer.
2. Every day brings a new opportunity to pull weeds. My mom blessed us last week with the edging (by hand) of our sidewalk while I baked a cake.
3. Big Fish has been industriously watering our garden and even stringing hoses together to water the pumpkins and squash down our back hill.
4. My 4 basil plants in the garden are in desperate need of a picking. I've already made a pesto batch and pizza with basil and cheese.
5. Shhh! Don't tell my mom, but Small Fry is carrying around a mason jar with a baby ring snake in it. I must remind Big Fish to let the thing go tonight!
6. The honey bees seem to be expanding. I checked them on Saturday and actually placed a honey super on the top. The bees have been quite busy in their two hive body boxes, so to my inexperienced eye they looked like they needed more work space. Maybe we'll have a tiny bit of honey this year! I'm starting to read up on how to care for them through the fall and winter. Plans are being made for a second hive next year.
7. Hummingbirds have drained their feeder - need to fill that today before they get too angry!
8. The chickens are enjoying their "big girl" digs. The coop is ready for its first clean-out already! They come running when they see us because we usually have a slice of bread or some old lettuce for them. I did hear on the radio that homegrown eggs don't really taste any different than grocery store eggs. They do definitely look different, though. We'll have to test that ourselves in a few months!
9. Brookie spends large amounts of time on her swing. It's just a disc hung from a tree branch. Another favorite activity of hers is sidewalk chalk drawing on our driveway. We need a rain just to give her a clean slate!
10. A recipe for rhubarb custard bars will be posted this week, so see you back soon!
Enjoy some iced tea on the porch swing!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Kid-isms
A couple of days ago I snipped a miniature rose and put it in a vase by Brookie's breakfast plate. She loves flowers! She was very pleased and buried her nose in it for a few seconds. "It smells like cookies and birds!" I smiled and tried to hide a laugh. She then elaborated that the rose's fragrance was that of "chocolate chip cookies and bluejays".
Just today we're doing some preparatory baking and cooking for tomorrow (an eventful day - mother-in-law is moving from our basement to her new house next door; also a visit from grandparents and newly-married brother of mine). We're hoping to make homemade ice cream. I'm making the custard today, and I told Brookie that we'll use the ice cream maker that's in the garage. She immediately asked me, "What's his name?". Clearly we need to use the ice cream maker more often, my friends!
Just today we're doing some preparatory baking and cooking for tomorrow (an eventful day - mother-in-law is moving from our basement to her new house next door; also a visit from grandparents and newly-married brother of mine). We're hoping to make homemade ice cream. I'm making the custard today, and I told Brookie that we'll use the ice cream maker that's in the garage. She immediately asked me, "What's his name?". Clearly we need to use the ice cream maker more often, my friends!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Sunshine
We have sunshine on our minds around here......we dash out between thunderstorms to clear a patch of weeds, plant some herbs, check the bees, or hammer a little on the new chicken pen!
This morning I was cuddling with Brookie and told her she is my sunshine. She told me no! She said that she is not my sunshine but rather her brother is. I asked why she is not my sunshine? She replied, "I'm your daughter!"
Get it? She is thinking son-shine!
This morning I was cuddling with Brookie and told her she is my sunshine. She told me no! She said that she is not my sunshine but rather her brother is. I asked why she is not my sunshine? She replied, "I'm your daughter!"
Get it? She is thinking son-shine!
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