11.20.20 poetry night

(I have been working on this post for over a month trying to get the pictures that I wanted inserted. I was so bummed and frustrated that it didn't easily work I gave up time and again, finally Addie figured out a solution and thus after a month and at least 5 times trying I have it ready to post. This was a special night!!)

A few months ago I saw that a family had had a neighborhood poetry night. Being new to homeschool and wanting to enrich my children's learning I asked my adventurous sisters if they would be willing to participate with their children. They agreed and we enjoyed a lovely poetry recitation night. My parents were good sports and shared poems or scriptures. The kids were cleaver and brave. My brother and his wife hosted in their spacious home. 

My good example parents always leading by doing what is asked also shared memorized selections. My sisters Ruth and Rachel were also prepared. 

 All participated some put more time into their selection but all did a great job. It was so good to see the kids so pleased when they were done. They were so excited to share and be a part of the activity. My good example parents always leading by doing what is asked also shared memorized selections. My sisters Ruth and Rachel were also prepared. 

NAtalie a poem about Lady Liberty? This was long and impressively done. 

Mark with his studious selection "The problem with a cat is THAT eventually it becomes a cat." Carl Sandberg.

Megan- FFA Creed

Livy- October

Titania Midsummer's night Dream.

I sure have cute family, both those that live in my house and those that are my siblings kiddos. 

12.17.20 The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I've been working on Christmas since before Thanksgiving. Planning and pondering what would be the right gift, how to bring the Christmas Spirit into my home, how not to hate the season. I've been working hard on this. One element I decided would reduce friction in our family's life was an easy Christmas tree. My grandma offered one she had in "storage." I thought free sounded great and asked if we could take her up on the offer. Well I had a spare day and went to start the project. My heart sank when I realized the free tree was stored about hundreds if not thousands of pieces of antique glass. A small sample can be seen in the background of the picture. 

As we began I was spurred on thinking this grandmother and my mother don't call it quits when a job is hard so I better just quietly and carefully keep wrapping and assessing what needed to be clear to have a successful transfer of tree. It was hard to keep working when I really just wanted to look and look at all the stuff from years past. After about an hour Addie, grandma and I had cleared paths, moved boxes, and made a plan. I got up on the ladder and began removing box after box of collector edition toys. After that Addie climbed up and sat on the empty shelving and helped me maneuver the large box from its platform. With a deep breath and a prayer in my heart we pulled it down. Success. We carefully carried it to our car and breathed deep mouthfuls of air at the relief of done such technical work. 

Those are real smiles at a hard project completed. At home the crowd was excited and leery of such an imposter. However the quickness of setting up the tree with no tools involved proved my point. I ordered tree scent from an essential oils company to quite that complaint and we were in business. 

We made a quick dash back to my grandmas town to see the night parade. Usually we watch then spend the evening with her enjoying soup and delicious gingerbread cookies. Alas with restrictions and reserve we did not go in her house or spend time with her en masse that evening. We also found on our hurried rush to catch the show that our large van has a battery drain and would not start. Thus we piled into two cars and headed out about 10 minutes apart. Harold suggested we go the backway which was inspired because about 10 miles in we saw a car pulled over and people milling about working on a tire change. Those people were my children and the car was Anna's. Greg got out to assist and we proceeded onward to catch the very last moments of the light show. After making the obligatory cruise, I did as Greg would have and splurged for donuts for the family. 

As I walked out with donuts in hand Greg and the other car pulled up. John went in to buy his own box of donuts, which he sold to the passengers in the other car for a tidy profit. Greg drove the rest of us home. 

There wer continued to decorate the tree and our living area. Another gift from all the rearranging of the antique shop was a long lived Nativity set my grandmother purchased when her children were young. Lia has had the best time interacting with these pieces. They constantly move around this spot. They are hardy and holding up well. I love watching my kids begin their journey of understanding with things of God. 

The tree leans but it is still standing, although not decorated so nicely. That's part of the experience is decorating the tree over and over again. 

One priceless part of this season was watching my children watch the Nativity video. They were truly enthralled. Again observing and trying to foster opportunities for them to embed the goodness, miracle, and pure love of God into their hearts is a treasure. 

My busy bee making delicious liquid chocolate aka cocoa bomb hotchocolate. I was trying to show case some beautiful hand made ornaments the girls received from their employer Don Hat. Also seen are Christmas goodies in preparation for treat delivery and snacking. 

John made this lovely holiday door swag. I loved it, so did the little kids who picked it apart some to make their own decorations. 

We always try to do some service projects for Christmas. This year we donated food for a meal to feed the homeless and needy in a neighboring town and donated tied blankets to a womens shelter. The kids had a ball tying the blankets while we listened to audio books on youtube. 

Aliza and Addie made centerpieces for a young women's activity. Simple yet so tasteful and elegant just like these amazing daughters, graceful, intelligent, stealth, and so smart!

This year as something new we shared some apple pies. I was gifted the apples from a tree on my parents property. The apples have been waiting to be shared. Thus Reed peeled and peeled about a bushel of them and we made pie. Mark was the willing model for the pies. He is mostly found out caring for the animal's who are eating cornstalks. he is a busy guy. I'm thankful for his many abilities. 

While we delivered on Sunday the weather became Christmassy. Because of the cows and the desire to go a lot of places this was not a welcome sight. It was completely nerve wracking when coming down a steep hill we were unable to stop and slid through a stop sign into oncoming traffic. The heart stopping experience was followed by extreme relief and confirmation that angels indeed had pushed the car away from us so we did not collide. I am so thankful for that gift. 

And this guy is my gift for the year. He has his first tooth or two, he is pushing up into crawling position and his trainer Reed is working to get him moving. He loves to eat and is much more pleasant when full. 

 We are truly blessed with lots of goodness, lots of excitement, and lots of love. We learned tonight that love of God is what makes the Christmas spirit. That God loved the world enough to send his only perfectly obedient son to give us an example to show us that even though life is hard it can be good. That love we try to capture and emulate year after year in this one month. I think this year more than most the world is hungry for that true love and peace. The water (love, forgiveness, peace) Christ gives allows us to never thirst again, if we can hold onto it amidst all the distraction and busyness of life. 

12.16.20 Foodies

One adjustment to everyone being home is the amount of food that must be prepared and is then eaten. There is always someone hungry here. I'm pretty sure my teenage sons will say they were always hungry growing up, no matter how much chocolate, bananas, or oranges I buy it is never enough. Oh well they seem to be doing ok and growing into strong men. And I keep buying pound after pound of the aforementioned staples to keep them going.

A better part of having lots of time together is all the cooking lessons. Livy and Millie helped Grandma Saunders make a cake with some old bananas. 

Addie was delighted to be surprised with healthy cookies by her dear friend Lia. 

Addie has also been experimenting with cocoa bombs and hot chocolate recipes. The little kids are demanding taste testing experts. It's not that cold but we drink a lot of chocolate everyday. 

Lia all bundled up ready to go for her ride in the jogging stroller while the kids were working on their 100 miles a week. 

Warm homemade chili to keep the bodies warm. 

Lotsa pie after thanksgiving. This crowd is not into one and done, rather some of this and some of that and a sliver of that one too. No worries that Bruce being the little brother misses out there is plenty to go around with so many cooks watching the serving. 

Our contributiions peanut butter chocolate and sourcream lemon meringue. 

Make ahead mashed potatoes. So so yummy we had to make extra to replace what we ate fresh. We eat about 50 lbs of potatoes a week on average. 

Reed and Millie were my kitchen help as Aliza was busy with college classes. Tasting is a must when preparing food to share. Risky job but Reed is all about service so took one for the group. 

This recipe takes over half and hour of stirring Millie was a champ to keep after it. 

My girls are not good at taking no for an answer. Here Addie is helping them make an individual pie. 

I do love most of the time we spend in the kitchen. I love being together and I love knowing their needs are mostly met. There is a lot of good memories I have of meals shared and special treats. I'm thankful to have enough. 

 

12.10.20 Corona year

It's so hard to accurately express the year of 2020. There have been so many great parts. These pictures showcase a few of the good times. 

Carhart makes winter so much more bearable. We have it in all sizes meaning more can enjoy working on the farm. 

Covid meant more time with Anna, and she has had many eye opening experiences as a working woman. 

My kitchen is the center of my home. We spend so much time there. And Merle who we call Man is growing up. He loves to play.

Our personal family bedtime, wake up routine has not been tied to the school schedule. Thus the kids get to see their dad at night. That has been a help!

Learning happens all the time I've worked hard to get and keep good books in front of my bookworms.

Sometimes after a week of work they enjoy a movie. We don't have a big screen TV so we gather around a laptop. Close is good. One of the major losses in COVID times is human to human touch. We don't generally lack for that here. With little ones to hold and sharing life we are blessed. 

Even the dad wanted to watch with Addie next to him. Yes he was sore but sometimes a break is just so nice. 

Cross age playing! Man was being driven around by Reed the girls were adding pillow traps. It was a busy fun night. 

Through the thick and thin of this year the happiness of our children has sustained our hope. I'm thankful that the one lasting part of this year is this family. Even though there has been a lot of yelling and some crying the dominant noise in my house is laughing, comradery, and friendship. We are blessed and thankful.