What a month! We were busy with school,of course. I really should take some pictures of the Lambies at work, shouldn't I?
We harvested the remainder of the tomatoes and tore them out. Our friend Tammy blessed us with plenty of her pet llamas manure to enrich the soil for our winter garden. We plan to have carrots, lots of varieties of greens, garlic and maybe some peas.
GirlofGod and Trixie went camping with Daddy and Grandpa. Sadly, Daddy forgot to take any pictures.
Trixie broke her arm (you can go to her blog for more about that; she'll blog soon).
Getting costumes ready for Halloween took the rest of the month.
I'm hoping November will allow more time at home. I love the Thanksgiving season!!
I love day-trips! Very little planning and preparation and a wonderful day ensues. We are blessed only have to drive less than an hour to get to this glorious place, full of new spots to explore every time we go.
Do you see what we saw?
Look at those studious Jr. Rangers.
Wading about was fun!
Why does he always look like BigFoot?
Daddy and Troubles during an apple break.
I hope to get up for another trip or two before the snow starts falling up there.
It has been a while, hasn't it? I have been busy with quite a few different projects. Blogging hasn't been high on my list of priorities lately. We began school. We are on Week 4. Things are going well. I have kids in 8th, 7th, 6th, 5th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st and preschool. We are keeping busy with that alone!
I have been continuing canning, freezing, and dehydrating the harvest. Our favorite farmer at the market continues to bless us week after week with large amounts of produce; fruits, veggies, herbs and more. Our garden is producing, too, though not as much as I'd like. I am learning, though.
I have uploaded pictures from the camera. I hadn't done that since the middle of July! I will be posting some of our summer activities soon, and a photo tutorial of how to prepare and use chicken feet. Aren't you looking forward to that?
We love hiking! We took a day and went on a new trail above Hospital Rock. We parked, then walked a mile or so to the trailhead (whew!). We met a couple of Rangers and they gave us an impromptu lesson on forest safety, the jobs and responsibilities of rangers, and plant identification.
We hiked for a while and found this beautiful grotto. The Lambies begged to wade around in the cool water. We let them remove their shoes and go for it. It was beautiful. If we come again, we will add watershoes to our backpacks. A few people (including me) got scrapes and scratches on their feet. Tenderfoots!
Here's a pretty shot of the trail we followed.
We eventually got to a lovely place at the top of the river. My Honey took all the pictures there, though, so I have none. We relaxed on the rocks in the middle of the river for an hour or so, snacking and enjoying the beauty of our surroundings. There were so many water skippers! The Lambies had fun watching them and trying to catch them.
The hike back down sure seemed to go faster that the hike up! Poppa cooked up a picnic lunch for us at Hospital Rock. Some time to play around, relax a little more (see Missy in the background?) and then our wonderful day drew to a close.
I love having this lovely forest so close! We hope to hike Moro Rock in the next couple of weeks.
We've had great weather lately. It's been in the low 80's for a week! In JUNE! Well, that means we have to get out and do some fun things. Today, I took the Lambies to The Dunes. It's around the block from our house, where they started building houses, but never finished. All the dirt piled around has been fashioned into some mighty fun jumps.
All the kids got into the action:
Troubles was scared this first time, but climbed up over and over to ride down again.
Missy was the second to try this hill. Brave girl!
She bore to the left and avoided that jump. Jack did not. He jumped it quite a few times before the inevitable happened.
He hit his mouth on the handlebars. Poor guy. He got up and did the jump again, though! Here's his poor lip a couple of hours after the bonk.
The Lambies all want to go back again with Dad. I'm glad we found out about this fun spot.
Well, it's HAS been a while since I've blogged, huh? I have been using Facebook too much, I guess. I'll share a few pictures of what we've been up to lately.
This is the beautiful sight I was greeted with on Mother's Day: My Lambies awoke early and made Applesauce Oat Breakfast cookies and sliced strawberries and OJ. What sweethearts!
We went to the zoo with the cousins. What a great time we had!
We went to the lovely Sequoia National Forest for the day:
We climbed around on the huge rocks near the river:
I guess all the pictures of the river must be on my Honey's camera! I'll try to get some on soon.
I ate the first red cherry tomato today. There are many more reddening up. I hope the recent rain won't lead to blight...we are expecting more thunderstorms on Wednesday. I hope to have bushels and bushels of tomatoes to can this summer.
School is wrapping up. We should be finished next week, if all goes as planned. We'll see!
I've been making lots and lots of jams and jellies. We went to a u-pick cherry orchard and got buckets of Royal Anne cherries. I've been buying strawberries by the flat and freezing the extras for later. There's a berry farms that is u-pick about 30 minutes away. I hope to get there before the season is over.
We participated in the annual homeschool fair. The older Lambies made a big pulley system with Dad, among other things. Look for pics to be added to this post soon. They are also in Dad's camera.
We have birthday parties, family visiting and a used curriculum fair coming up in the next weeks. June is always busy! I hope yours is going well!
I am woefully behind in posting, but I guess I'll blame it on Grandma! We have had a great and busy week of fun while she visits. I'll have lots of photos of our activities, but for now, I'll share a picture of the Lambies on Easter Sunday.
What is your favorite salad dressing?
It's a toss-up between Homemade Blue Cheese or Creamy Italian
What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
Chili's
What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it?
Mexican...there's a lot of variety!
What are your pizza toppings of choice?
Cheese, bacon, and chicken.
What do you like to put on your toast?
Butter and homemade strawberry preserves
TECHNOLOGY
How many televisions are in your house?
Four.
What color cell phone do you have?
Burgandy
What does the first text message in your in box say and who sent it?
I don't text, so nothing!
Who was the last person to call you?
My friend Jennifer.
BIOLOGY
Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Right.
Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
I've had a tooth pulled.
What is the last heavy item you lifted?
50 pound bags of wheat and oats
RANDOM-OLOGY
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
No. I'd be too concerned about that to enjoy the days I had.
If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
When I was a child I REALLY wanted to. Now I am resigned to my awful name. I always thought Olivia was a lovely...
Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
Yeah, I think I would try!
DUMB-OLOGY
How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
Not one. I HATE flip-flops!
When is the last time you had a run in with the cops?
I was pulled over last year for not having current tags. I had already paid it, though.
Missing someone?
Everyone especially dear to me is right here. However, I am looking forward to my dear MIL coming soon
Mood?
Satisfied and tired. We had a great day at the zoo today.
What are you listening to? Bolt discovering he has no power.
Watching?
My computer screen and the TV playing Bolt.
Worrying about?
Not a thing
RANDOM-OLOGY
Last movie you saw Hulk....not my kind of movie, but not too bad, I guess.
Do you smile often?
Not enough, probably.
Do you always answer your phone?
Almost always.
It’s four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
I would have no idea! I don't text with anyone!
If you could change your eye color what would it be?
Oooh, blue! It might look funny with my brown hair though.
Do you own a digital camera?
Yes, we do.
Have you ever had a pet fish? Yes, but I very much dislike taking care of tanks. We sold our big tank not too long ago. :happydance: My dd has a small tank, but takes care of it herself. :anotherhappydance:
Favorite Christmas song Joy to the World
What’s on your wish list for your birthday
Uh....uh....I can't really think of anything I need...or want.
Can you do pushups?
Yes, and I do them a couple of times a week. Gilad tells me to.
Can you do a chin up?
Probably not. I don't think I've tried.
Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
I'm thrilled about it! I see the Lord working and lining things up quickly for things to come. Maranatha!
Ever been in a car wreck?
Only minor fender benders. My poor husband has had THREE major car accidents in his life. :(
What is the last song to make you cry? "As Deep Cries Out To Deep" We were learning it at church when I had a miscarriage and it was very meaningful to me.
Plans tonight?
Cutting out the next to last skirt.
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
Thankfully, no.
Name three things you bought yesterday.
Nine baskets of strawberries, two jars of peanut butter, and oranges.
Have you ever been given roses?
Yes, in high school.
Do you have an accent?
Not to myself, but if you are from Arkansas, I probably do. :)
Current hate right now?
dust
Met someone who changed your life?
My husband!
What were you doing at 12 AM last night?
Sleeping! Is there anything else to do at 12 AM?
My Lambies were being so silly this afternoon. They made a pile of pillows at the end of the hall and were taking turns running full-speed and jumping onto it. I took a few pictures, but these are my favorite:
My friend, Ginger, surprised me a couple of weeks ago. She wrote me a short note and told me that I had won a contest. I didn't really know what she was talking about, but clicked over to The Wooddell Word to investigate. You see, Ginger's sweet sister Jamie delivered a gorgeous little boy on New Year's Day. She had had a guessing game for the baby's gender, birth date, time, weight and length. I was the closest!!!
Jaimie offered me a choice of Target or Amazon giftcards for a prize. Being the bibliomaniac I am, I chose Amazon, of course. My package arrived the other day. Here are the books I chose:
I have read the first two books already and highly recommend both. The third will be put to good use next Term by my eldest daughter. I've been looking for it used for a long time and had just resigned myself to buying it new when I won. Thanks so much, Jamie, for the gift! It really made my day in a tough week.
The biggest box you can imagine came from Grandmaofmany a few days before Christmas. It promptly went into my bedroom until other gifts were wrapped and under the tree. The Lambies were *dying* to know what Grandma sent! It was a bit fun to keep them waiting.
The gift joined the others eventually and became the Christmas Eve gift. We had them pose first of all.
Then they sat around the gift and closed their eyes. When told to, they all ripped into the wrapping together- with eyes still closed - until allowed to open them.
Then, after celebrating, they posed again.
Thanks, Grandma! I can't wait until April so you can play with us!
We have been blessed to have Daddy home for many of the last days. He has 10 days off in the last 2 weeks of December, and gets paid for all of them! I’m so thankful for his job!
We went to the park last week and all had a great time.
There’s a platform that is perfect for “King of the Hill” playing. Years ago, it used to rock, but now the springs have rusted solid.
It’s sure easier to play this with it solid. It seems, though, that King of the Hill inevitably leads to injuries.
She was all right, though she complained of a headache later in the day. She even played more King of the Hill a little while later. I played with her, and promptly (accidentally!) stuck my finger right into her eye...hard. She has sworn off King of the Hill!
The climbing logs were another popular challenge.
Everyone took a turn, even Missy. I held her hand and suggested where to step when she was stuck.
Twice today I said "I'm going to blog about that!". Now I can't remember for the life of me what occurred. I guess my brain is tired.
We went to Costco today and found a wonderful deal. They had stainless steel water bottles that I am positive are made by Klean Kanteen for 2 for $19.99. I certainly bought a box! I'm sipping from it right now, as a matter of fact! Kimi at The Nourishing Gourmet just featured The Tickle Trunk, who offers the same bottles for those of you without a nearly Costco. I have several items calling my name at The Trunk!
We were driving back from a friends home and there was the biggest, blackest cloud hanging over us, while all around horizion was bright and sunny. It was very interesting to the children, who don't see thunderclouds very often. When it finally began raining, the drops were big and loud on the windshield. Troubles was especially impressed and excited by it. Later on this evening, we even got a little lightening and thunder. Very fun!
I made The Very Best Banana Bread tonight for tomorrow's breakfast, and for My Honey to take to work. It smells really good in here!
I think this is the end of this rambly post. Hopefully I won't remember what I wanted to blog about at three in the morning. That can cause insomnia!
My MIL wants to make burrito beans tomorrow, since she tried a jar and LOVED them. We'll also be cooking hamburgers and rib eye steak. I think I'll be done in the kitchen for a day or two when Monday rolls around!
My darling little son, Troubles, has a way with words. Really, he is such a thoughtful little thing! Grandpa is visiting today, and Troubles had the courtesy to ask him "how he shaves like that?". He asked Grandpa several times, but Grandpa didn't understand his question. Finally, Troubles touched the top of his head and asked again: "How does he shave like that?"!
Do you guys know the "Mother Duck" song? The one where Mother Duck's babies disappear one by one then all reappear at the end of the song?
I was singing it with my 3yos, Troubles, by his request this evening. When I sang the "Sad, Mother Duck" verse, my strong, aggressive, manly little man put his face in my chest a started CRYING!
I stopped singing, of course, and asked him why he was crying. He said "Because that song makes me sad!" I hurried and sang that they all came back and he was still sniffling away, face buried in my shirt. I asked him if he wanted another song...he said "Sing that one again, Momma"
I love fall! I do believe that it's my favorite season! I do look forward to spring, but fall holds the top position, since I hate the heat of summer. I also hold dear the fun traditions we have for fall. We have gone to the same pumpkin patch for the last six years. Here's the crew in the obligatory pumpkin patch picture. I love having the kids in matching, or at least complimentary clothes for activites. It makes keeping an eye on everyone much easier. I have my friends, Phil and Jill, to thank for these great ones.
Here's my Honey with Troubles in the cattle car of the train we ride at the pumpkin patch.
We also love carving the pumpkins. Here are the Lambies collecting all the seeds for yummy snacks.
Fall cooking goes on; canning, too. Today I put up five quarts of beef barley stew and 2 quarts of cooked chicken. Apples get another turn tomorrow. I think I'll do some more applesauce and and maybe some apple pie filling.
I'm the blessed wife of My Honey of 14 years, and Momma to eight wonderful Lambies aged 13 and under. We live in Central CA, and use Ambleside Online for our curriculum. I'd love to meet you , so browse a while and feel free to leave a comment!
My Lambies awoke early and made Applesauce Oat Breakfast cookies and sliced strawberries and OJ. What sweethearts!
I love having the kids in matching, or at least complimentary clothes for activites. It makes keeping an eye on everyone much easier. I have my friends, Phil and Jill, to thank for these great ones.
