Hi! Welcome to my blog! My name is Jane (PlainJane) and I am the blessed and happy wife to Jeff and doubly blessed mama of two perfectly wonderful daughters. Please join me as I share our Lifestyle of Learning through Christian homeschooling and homesteading on our little hobby farm with our prairie girls.
Bookworm is our dd14/8th/9th grader.
Our perfectionist and over-achiever. She loves reading, playing violin, her Paint horse, Annie, being a farm girl, and History re-entacting.
Ladybug
is our dd11/5th grader.
Our "girls just want to have fun" girl. She loves to play and has a great sense of humor, but also likes reading, music, her Quarter Horse, Kitty, and History re-enactment.
We are finished reading
the Moody books
By Sarah Maxwell
and HIGHLY recommend them
Please click on images for
information
~ I am a part of... ~
he said to them, "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you -- THEY ARE YOUR LIFE. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess." Deuteronomy 32:46-47
Dec. 12, 2008~ The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 12th ~
For Today ~ Monday, May 12, 2008
Outside My Window...the sun is shining bright against the trees along the river. Two little field sparrows busily pecking for seeds. We are expecting a high of around 63 today and much the same all week.
I am thinking...I have a lot to do today and all week in the house & around the farm.
I am thankful for...my husband and daughters who love me unconditionally ~ even when I'm overweight and terribly goofy. :) Mother's Day was a good one.
Thursday ~ Smoked Ham
Friday ~ Omelets & Hashbrowns
Saturday ~ Pizza
Sunday ~ Chef Salad & Rolls
I am creating...a summer schedule to keep us on track this summer. (still working on this one)
I am going...to be home most of this week, but hope to go to the nursery today to pick up strawberry & blueberry plants ~ and start planting. And taking Bookworm to a local antique store to find a vintage button for a jean purse she is making for Ruby Girls.
I am wearing...denim capris (like always) and black long-sleved t-shirt. Hair is in a pony tail - thinking about heading out to barn.
I am reading...the Book of John and Numbers; Parelli Natural Horsemanship Level 1 material (an all-summer thing) ~ little time for anything else.
I am hoping...we can do something about our latest farm preditor, and but quick! A beautiful red fox came within 25 feet of our family room Friday, and has become an unwanted guest ever since - first killing our neighbor's favorite rooster (I had to give her the sad news) and now one of our hens yesterday. I just saw it run across our field a few minutes ago (sigh). I am in no hurry to let the chickens out today, but I can't stand guard every minute.
I am hearing...Inky (Ladybug's cat) prowling around the house, seeing what kind of mischief he can get into. The girls are still sleeping.
Around the house...everything needs cleaning, dusting, vacuuming; lots of laundry ready to be washed and hung on the line (a perfect day for it). Today I am feeling very domestic and look forward to the challenge.
One of my favorite things...is having a really clean house. I use to be a real neat freak, but then I got a life. :) Now I just do the best I can, but LOVE IT when when everything is perfect...even if it is just for a few hours.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...depends on how we feel (Bookworm has had a nasty cold for nearly 2 weeks now (she tested negative on strep so the dr. does nothing) and I have an annoying sinus pressure headache (with all the trees budding out), but I hope to get EVERYTHING planted & start weeding the flower beds.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing for you...
Our Pastoral Serenity
Please see Peggy for details on how you can be a part of The Simple Woman's Daybook or for links to other Daybooks.
May. 9, 2008~ Show & Tell Friday - Horsey School ~
Although the academics of our school year is pretty much over until fall ~ Bookworm is done and Ladybug just has a bit of math & spelling to finish; our Lifestlye of Learning never ends. Our equestrian studies are just kicking into high gear with the nicer weather (a subject that no matter how long you have been with horses, you are always learning something new). This week we were in for a real treat when our farrier (also horse trainer) was over at our neighbor's for a colt starting.
There were about a dozen of us over to watch the festivities - friends and horse professionals alike. Our neighbor lady (in the navy jacket) currently has 4 horses. This "little" guy is a 2-yr. old Friesian - TOTALLY untrained and uncontrollable just an hour before, pictured with our farrier on his back for the first time. (Note: Usually one should not get on a horses back before the age of 2, as their backs are not strong enough to hold a person's weight and could cause a sagging back).
Friesian's are a big, powerful breed from the Netherlands; known for their long beautiful mane & tail and long featherly hair around their feet. They are "officially" always black, but may have a white star on the forehead. This breed seems to be very strong-willed, and this guy, born on our neighbor's farm, was born with a double dose. Our farrier said that in all his years of colt starting (and he's an old-timer), he has never had to deal with such a strong will - with a hobble on one leg, a rope around his neck, and a rope through this mouth like a bit, he was still a force to be reckoned with for a full hour. Here is the neighbor lady taking her first ride on him. After a rest (for the horse) and about another hour of training, she could ride him with a saddle and without anyone holding on ~ just the colt following one of her other well-trained horses around in the round pen. Our farrier has laid the ground work, but our neighbor will now have to work with him every day. He was responding very well to just the lightest touch of the reigns, but she dares not use her feet to get him going yet.
Our neighbor lady is braver than I - I wouldn't have gotten on that horse if you paid me. :) It's encouraging to me to see other people struggle with their horses - I feel like I didn't make such a bad choice in our horses. When we returned home after spending 3 hrs. next door, we had to get our own horses ready for the farrier to trim their hooves, so we groomed and played with them while we waited. Two of our horses were just not paying attention very well (it was a windy day - not a great day to get them to focus) and Ladybugs' horse reared high in the air for her - a first (thankfully she wasn't on it's back and ran for safety). Our farrier, a wonderful Christian man, is always good to give our horses reminder lessons when necessary. It was a fun, but exhausting day.
Please see Mary if you would like to join Show & Tell Friday and for the Mr. Linky to more Show & Tellers.
May. 5, 2008~ The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 5th ~
For Today ~ Monday, May 5, 2008
Outside My Window...it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood ~ sunny with a high today around 70. Actually outside my computer room/classroom window very little is happening - just a clothes line awaiting today's laundry & trees budding in the nearby woods. Otherwise on our property the horses are happily grazing; robins chirping; bluebirds fluttering; and chickens wandering.
I am thinking...what a perfect day!!! Much to do - I can't be on the computer all day.
I am thankful for...our wonderful daughters and how they are such a blessing! God is Good!!!
From the kitchen...
Monday ~ Hamburger Hotdish
Tuesday ~ Papa Murphy's Pizza
I am creating...a summer schedule to keep us on track this summer.
I am going...to the nursery today to pick up garden seeds & plants. DH's goal is to have garden ready for planting by Saturday.
I am wearing...my denim capris (like always) and black long-sleved t-shirt. Hair is long & wet.
I am reading...Luke and Numbers; Parelli Natural Horsemanship Level 1 material (an all-summer thing); Soapmaking 101
I am hoping...my book orders come this week -- 2 books through Amazon & 1 order from Rainbow.
I am hearing...the computer engine & the clock ticking -- the girls are getting ready for the day upstairs.
Around the house...it's CLEAN! Woohoo!!!
One of my favorite things...is to plan! I'm a planner/organizer and as long as I have something to plan (now it's garden, horse training, & summer schedule), I'm a happy camper.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Bookworm finishes her standardized tests. Ladybug finishes another subject in school and will continue with a few school things for about 1 hour a day. Our last co-op day is Tuesday. We will attend a colt starting* at our neighbor's, violin for Bookworm, and make several phone calls (neighbor, farrier, goat shearer, etc.).
*A colt starting is when our farrier (he's also a horse trainer) will take a VERY unbroke 2-yr. old colt and within 45 minutes to 1 hour, have him ridable. Pretty amazing!
Here is a picture thought I am sharing for you...
from Ladybug's Kid's Choir (church) musical ~ "Living Inside Out in an Upside Down World", performed this past Saturday & Sunday. Our Ladybug is on the top of the pyramid. This was Ladybug's (3rd from left) last performance (here) as she is now too old for the church's Kid's Choir. She was in it for 5 years -- with 2 musicals per year. (There were 50 kids in this musical).
15 years ago today was a very special day in my life...
our wedding day!!!
So, in meme style, here are a few facts about our special day...
Jeff & I dated about 2 years before he popped the question. It wasn't exactly a surprise and he's not exactly the most romantic fellow. We went to the Conservatory, one of my favorite places, but Jeff was so nervous that instead of proposing to me in one of the beautifully flora-ed rooms, he proposed in a not-so-attractive in-between room in front of the pop machine. :) I still said yes.
That was on February 6th. We set our wedding date for May 1st - less than 3 months later. I wanted an easy-to-remember date as I'm so bad at names and dates. It's good we decided on a small wedding! We didn't want to make it too big of a deal since we were older (I was 34 years old at the time - my first & only marriage - a late bloomer I guess).
The big day was cool and rainy. The wedding was in a small chapel of the large church that Jeff & I were attending. And the reception was in a room in the lower level. I wanted a small but tastefully formal wedding and so there were less than 30 in attendance - including the wedding party. We didn't even have a rehersal the night before.
Finding a gown was a real adventure....after visiting countless bridal shops and looking through many bridal-type magazines, my mom and I stopped in at a bridal consignment store in a posh area of the Cities. My mom found a gown the SHE loved, a replica of Jackie O's gown ~ it was everything Mrs. Kennedy complained it was -- super heavy, and I looked like Little Bo Peep, not to mention it was so tight I was afraid I'd pop the zipper in the middle of the wedding. My mom loved the dress and told me to lose weight (my ribs can only get so small) and offered to pay for it, but I hated it and declined. Instead, we ended up going to one of those bridal sales at a hotel where about 200 young brides stampede into a ballroom at 8 am and start grabbing gowns off the racks (very fun). I already knew what I was looking for, and found a near-perfect match - a candlelight white, dupioni silk gown with a very full skirt. It was slightly big on me, but it would have to do, I didn't have time for alterations. Of course, my mom (pouting the whole time) was mad that I didn't get "her" gown, so she didn't volunteer to pay for any of this one, but I bought it just the same and made my own vail (I still have the silk roses I had glued on the headpeice).
Pictured: Jeff's brothers were his groomsmen & two of my best friends were with me. A third friend I would have loved to be up there too, but I had her with the guest book, lest I have more up front than in the pews. Btw, fushia was not my top choice for the maid's dresses; I love blue, but since my best friend/matron-of-honor had "my color" for her wedding, I decided not to do the same.
Of course that wasn't the only thing that didn't go smoothly or perfectly (and I won't go into all those that involved my mom), but if I had to do over again, I wouldn't have had my hair put up. I had/have fairly long hair and even though some of you gals look great with short hair, I never have - I should have wore my hair down, but after spending lots of time & $$ that morning at the salon, I was afraid to let me hair down.
Also, my bouquet & the fresh flowers on the cake didn't turn out anything like I ordered, but once they arrived at the chruch, it was too late to do anything about it. I really wanted a long bouquet with some pink & lavander flowers - I even gave them a magazine picture and told them to make my arrangement EXACTLY like the picture - it was NOTHING like it. The perfectionist in me was crushed. Also, I forgot to tell the florist that my wedding cake was small, so you can imagine my surprise when I find the cake topper almost as big as the cake itself. lol There were other little (or not so little) problems with the caterer; with forgetting my Seiko watch in Jeff's tux pocket ~ never to see it again; and with my mom in a YELLING rage at the price of catering (boy did that put a damper on the day).
All in all, it ended up being a tiring, so-so day. We spent our wedding night at home (Jeff owned a little house already) and opened our gifts the next day at my parents' townhouse. A couple of days later we flew off to the Florida Keys for our honeymoon - which even then we had flight delays and missed a connection and spent way too much time in airports.
Dispite all the faux pas of our wedding day, our marriage has gone swimmingly. Oh, not that there is never any hiccups, but I praise God for a happy and strong marriage and a faithful husband.
ps - Bookworm was born nearly 11 months later and we felt God calling us to homeschool even before her birth. I Love my life!!! Thank you Lord!!!
Oh, and btw, tonight we will "celebrate" by just going out as a family to Applebees -- boy, are we ever partiers.
Outside My Window...it is dreary and cool (32 degrees), possibly a few flurries expected this morning with a high of only 45. We were gazing at a large bird down in the pasture ~ maybe a turkey
I am thinking...about our busy week with Ladybug's last week before the Kid's Choir Musical at church this weekend (3 preformances)
I am thankful for...my handy husband who fixed our 11.5 yr. old oven on Saturday by replacing the heating element ~ perhaps it will hang in there for a year or two more. And this week is our wedding anniversary ~ 15 wonderful years!
From the kitchen...tonight will be Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Wings (I make my own marinade using 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup brown sugar, & 1/4 cup soy sauce)
I am creating..."horse books" for the girls ~ log books to keep track of their progress in training their horses
I am going...to be shuttling Ladybug back and forth to church a lot this week for rehersals
I am wearing...my denim capris and warm navy fleece top, white sports socks (lol, same as last time), but today my hair is in a pony tail and no jewelry - ready to throw on my heavy winter jacket and lace up my barn boots to head out to the barn for chores
I am reading...Luke and Numbers; literature from the MN Horse Expo; Parelli Natural Horsemanship Level 1 material
I am hoping...Spring will come to stay soon and I can get out in the garden in a week or two
I am hearing...the girls happily playing doll house in the parlor
Around the house...it's a absolute mess, "Please nobody drop in!"
One of my favorite things...watch our foal, Sundance, run in the pasture ~ he's poetry in motion
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Bookworm is now finished with school for the year and Ladybug will be finishing up a couple of subjects, so I will begin administering the dispised (by mom) standardized tests. We will continue working with the horses (a pleasure); lots of choir practice; a dentist appointment for Ladybug; and plenty to do around home.
We had such a nice time up in Duluth at the MACHE (MN Assoc. of Christian Home Educators) Conference. The highlights for me besides being able to spend four days together as a family at the hotel's waterpark was meeting Jen Ig live and in person ~ Jen is such a warm and genuine person (click on the link to read about her success); and attending the Maxwell's (Titus2) workshops.
Here is a view from our room's balcony of a ship on Lake Superior.
The weather was pretty cold & rainy most of the time up there. On Sunday, it was so foggy you couldn't even see Lake Superior and cold (40) and rainy - but as we drove home (headed south), it warmed up to a sunny 68. We didn't bring along enough warm clothes as the forecasters said otherwise, so we were content to spend most of the time indoors.
The girls had a blast at the small, but adequate waterpark. It was so nice in that Thursday night there was basically only homeschoolers there and most everyone was wearing modest swimwear of some sort (too bad it didn't stay that way throughout our stay). What made it extra fun is that some of our girls friends were there too, so they just went off and played while us parents sat and gabbed.
I didn't buy too much in the exhibit hall, 4 dvds & 4 books -- that's all! Can you belive it? I was surrounded by books and homeschool goodies on every side, and that's the best I could do. (sigh) After we returned home and said hello to all of our animals, we just vegged out and watched one of my purchases, "The Return of the Daughters." WHAT A GREAT FILM! I highly recommend this one if you have teenage daughers or if your daughter will be a teen someday :).
Now if you will excuse me, I need to clean off my desk from all this Conference literature and make up this week's school schedule. ttfn
What a nice day we had yesterday! A beautiful day (a bit windy with gusts over 40 mph) and a great day to get things done. Our chickens are smiling with a clean coop and our foal was running & kicked up his heels with joy when I let the horses in another pasture for a while to graze on some new grass. It was fun to visit with friends at co-op, have a pizza dinner (our tradition for co-op days), and then it was off to the Skywarn Storm Spotter's class. This year the class was extra special since our daughters joined us (we are studying weather this year). Bookworm really liked the class (and I did think it was the best yet), Ladybug might have been a bit too young yet to really enjoy herself - but than again, excitement (and extra energy) abound here with us going out of town. :) At any rate, Jeff & I need to attend these classes at least every other year to keep our Storm Spotter status current. Here in Minnesota where most of our natural disasters are in the line of tornadoes, it is a great way to learn the difference between funnel clouds, tornadoes, or just SLC's (Spotter lingo for Scary Looking Clouds). teehe
Today is super busy, getting everything ready for grandma & grandpa as we prepare to leave town -- things like updating the chore list for grandpa, cleaning house and the oven (grandma always checks), packing, picking up a few grocerys to take with (we like to eat lunch in our hotel room), getting everything in order with the animals, vacuuming the van - a busy day indeed.
Yet in all our joy and busy-ness, I am thankful for each day/moment the LORD gives us and reminded again this morning of the frailty of life as Marilyn Moll and her family, of The Urban Homemaker, are sorrowing from the sudden and unexpected death of her dear husband, Duane (age 56), on Sunday night. May the LORD carry them through this time. May we never take "today" for granted.
Outside My Window...it's a chilly 21 degrees, but promises to warm up to 55 today, with 70 on Tuesday. The snow has been melting nicely from last week's winter storm and should disappear Tuesday
I am thinking...the next three weeks are busy, so where do I begin -- I need to type out a list of books I want to check into at the upcoming homeschool conference
I am thankful for...my two wonderful daughters and my dependable husband
From the kitchen...will be chicken fried rice supper ~ a family favorite
I am creating...a to-do list for everything that needs to get done this week before we leave town
I am going...to see if I can find a jean skirt for myself; make a run to the library, and then go to the feed co-op for goat feed, cracked corn for the chickens, and wood chips for the chicken nesting boxes & stalls while Ladybug has choir practice for the upcoming church kids' musical + added practice for her part and Bookworm will hang out with a homeschool friend in the church library for a study hall while their sisters' practice.
I am wearing...my denim capris and warm navy fleece top, white sports socks, hair is long & straight (a bit tossled) and no jewelry - ready to throw on my heavy winter jacket and lace up my barn boots to head out to the barn for chores
I am reading...Luke and Numbers, "Update" (The news magazine of Christian Home Educators of Colorado), and articles from the "Home School Digest"
I am hoping...to get three full days of school in this week
I am hearing...the stillness of the morning ~ the computer engine and the clock ticking 5:45 a.m.
Around the house...there are dishes to wash, Monday laundry day, ironing to finish
One of my favorite things...is to wish my daughters good morning as they make their way downstairs
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...tomorrow is co-op and possibly a friend coming over for a bit; Wednesday we shop and pack for a 4-day trip to Duluth; Thursday thru Sunday we will be at the MACHE Conference (MN Assoc. of Christian Home Educators) in Duluth, which is Friday & Saturday, but we tacked on a couple of extra days for a mini family vacation while grandma & grandpa look after the farm. I am very excited that Thursday morning (just before we leave) our buyer's club delivery is due to arrive and my dh will be able to join me in picking up our first order of 75 lbs. of organic wheat, barley, and a few other goodies.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing for you... This Morning at the Barn
Our poor spring arrivals! It was so nice to once again see the bluebirds and hear the robins sing their songs, but then winter arrived again. We have a flowering crab apple tree in our front yard that we leave the apples especially for the spring birds. The robins LOVE their treat when we get late snows. Yesterday I counted over 50 robins in and under our tree - it drove our cat crazy to be inside.
Apr. 11, 2008~ Show & Tell Friday - Spring & Whatnot ~
Spring may mean a lot of things to a lot of us, but here in Minnesota, it's all relative. The winter storm we are experiencing right now is very typical for April here, but I think it's because we had such a long, cold, snowy, icy, winter that we are wondering if winter will ever end. Here are a few scenes...
This was taken last evening, in the thick of it. We had no snow and then everything came blowing in. (some of our back field)
Our front yard.
Our back field this morning - about 3 inches of heavy wet snow - with more snow & sleet coming down (NWS says to expect 4-7 more inches by Saturday.) If it hadn't been so warm & wet, we could have easily gotten a couple of feet.
Just another scene from our patio door.
We thank the LORD for a nice warm, cozy, home! We had finished off Ladybug's apple pie, so last night was a good night to bake Bookworm's apple pie.
Yum!!! I had a small slice, but have to save the rest for those that aren't on a diet.
This morning I was surprised by an order that came - already (I just ordered it Wednesday). Just a few goodies - not necessities...
These I ordered from Keepers of the Faith(KOF). A woodburning kit, a calligraphy set (we have some calligraphy things, but this came with 3 pens - just right for the girls and I), a dvd of Mt. St. Helens (part of our curriculum for next year), and the book, "Little Daisy and the Swearing Class." I appreciate the books that KOF recommend as they are very selective in what they recommend and sell (unlike our Christian bookstores - another soapbox).
The Little Daisy book I saw a while back and wanted to get it; not that we have a problem with swearing around here, on the contrary, but I thought it would nicely illustrate something that I have always taught the girls -- something that I was always taught, but realize from conversing with other Christian/homeschool friends, that by their speech, they were not taught the same. Here is what Keepers of the Home say's about this book...
"It is just delightful. It is the story of a little orphan girl and her great love and respect for God. By her example and testimony, the other children learn not to take the Lord's name in vain. A good discussion takes place about the Bible and God, including how even the words spoken lightly, such as mercy, my goodness, etc. are really just Christian swear words."
I was always taught never to even use the words like, "gosh", "golly", "jez", or "heck" as they are only slang words for God, Jesus, or hell and it doesn't make them any more righteous. This we put into practice at home, but it grieves me when our friends use such words. I think this will be a good book!
Thanks for visiting!
I see the snow is coming down in great big flakes now & I have much to do. ttfn
If you would like to join us for Show & Tell Friday or would like to visit others', please see our sweet hostess, Mary, for details and Mr. Linky.
My dh (my hero) fixed my photos & imaging and I'm back in business. So just to get caught up a bit...
First of all, my friend Deb, tagged me quite a while ago (2.5 wks to be exact) on a "What's on Your Refrigerator?" meme, and although I now reserve the right to do or not do tags, I decided to play along, although I won't pass this one on unless you want to play. Here's mine:
Kinda boring I know...I have my monthly menu, the girl's chore chart, Ladybug's choir schedule, a magazine photo with a paint color (nutmeg) that I am contemplating for the family room, a couple of pictures of my one and only nephew, a postcard from a dear friend in CA :), a library book due slip, and misc. magnets from a few trips, the vet, and the Paint Horse Association.
Deb and I are swapping fridge magnets -- I get one from Ireland and she gets one from Minnesota. Somehow I think I got the better end of that deal. lol Hi Deb!
Next I'd like to brag a bit ~ yesterday we had our Ruby Girls Bible Study and for our Proverbs 31 life skill, the girls were taught how to make pie. Bookworm & Ladybug each did a wonderful job of making their first pies. We froze Bookworm's, and baked Ladybug's pie as soon as we got home last night -- here it is fresh from the oven.
It was delicious!!! Flaky crust! Oh, and it's apple!
Well, our snow is finally gone...just in time to be again under another winter storm watch -- as of the last update, we are now expecting 10-14 inches of snow here by Saturday, but I do so hope they are wrong. (But now you know why I haven't started my garden yet).
Lastly, the first one to comment on this post will be my 2000th comment. Woohoo! I can't think of anything to give away - why don't you just come for a piece of pie and some warm conversation. :) I soooo appreciate all of you who stop by ~ so many of you have become more than just cyber friends. I appreciate each one of you!
It's April in Minnesota, so after several beautiful spring days, we are returning to snow again - it's currently 34 with snow/sleet and the snow is sticking a bit - go figure. But I am thankful that I don't live in northern MN, where they just got 2 feet of fresh snow.
Let's see, what's on the agenda this week...
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Kid's Choir
Ruby Girls Bible Study
Swimming or maybe company
Me Dentist
Peanut's 11th Birthday
Violin Lesson
Outside of school, a pretty light week! We have only 15 more full days of school left in our school year - woohoo! We are taking a couple of days off for the MACHE (homeschool) Conference and a day off for our annual trip to the MN Horse Expo. (both super fun & educational). I do plan on continuing Ladybug's math throughout the summer and probably history too. I'd like to finish up American history (an impossible goal) as next year we will be implementing the Student of the Word curriculum and start the cycle over again with Old Testament History.
I have now finished reading through all the Student of the Word material and I don't know what I thought was so confusing - I've already made out a preliminary weekly schedule for next year (to be tweeked as we go) and plan on doing the first week myself to try it out and have examples to show the girls. I think this will be great and I can hardly wait to get started ~ a very indepth inductive Bible study, focusing on God's Word and God's World for all of our schooling.
Meanwhile, diet & exercise are going relatively well. I lost about 2.5 lbs. last week and went swimming 1 day and took a walk down our road 2 or 3 days last week - thanks to the nice weather. This week's forecast doesn't sound quite as nice with a lot of snow/rain, so may just have to walk a lot of malls.
I seem to be having some technical difficulties with my photos this morning (wish dh was here to help), so I guess I won't post what I was intending too.
We have a busy day planned today ~ I am attempting to get back on the diet and exercise bandwagon. Last night our family went on a walk down our little country road - only 1/2 mile each way, but hey, at least it was something. We are expecting another beautiful day today. The girls & I are going to make an early start at school and then head for our local hotel pool this afternoon - mommy needs the exercise and the girls love the pool.
I'm very excited, my Student of the Word curriculum arrived yesterday and so I am spending every free moment pouring through it - I think it will be a goodie for us!!! The more I read, the more happy and excited I become over this Bible-centered curriculum. My only regret is that I hadn't heard of it earlier.
The Famous March saying might say, "In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb", but we certain left March like a lion this year! Ya gotta love Minnesota's ever-changing weather. They say about our weather, "If you don't like today's weather, just wait a day or two" ~ and how true that is.
Yesterday at 7 a.m. we had practically no snow on the ground - just some here or there in shady spots or where snowbanks were high. Today at 7 a.m., we have 6 inches of fresh snow.
Meteorologists love to work in Minnesota, there is so much variety -- not your typical sunny Florida (although I'd be willing to trade). A local meteorologist has referred to our weather as the "Super Bowl" for meteorologists. And outside of hurricane trackers, I guess this would be hitting the big time as far as weather is concerned. Some of you don't know this, but there was a time when I seriously considered being a meteorologist. I love weather - and love being a trained storm spotter for the NWS. But I never wanted to be a "weather girl" on tv. One of my current local favorite meteorologists is a new young guy named
Sven Sundgaard
- don't ya just love the name - lots of Scandinavians up here.
We are expecting above freezing temps the rest of the week with Friday suppose to reach 55, so this won't last long.
Oh, and just to dispell any rumors that we are rich stuck-up snobs, here is a photo of our snow plow truck...
tee he. Rather embarrassing, but my fil found this gem for only $250 and bought it for us. We did put an addition onto the barn just to help hide it. lol (why do most all their gifts cost us money?). I have yet to ride in that dirty old thing (that we have had for at least 3 yrs) and I highly question the trucks' history with the former owner, but hey, it was cheaper than a hand-push snow blower and does the job - beggers can't be choosers.
Today she turn's 14 and we have had a pretty busy day --
After chores I made egg bake for a sit down breakfast with daddy and she opened gifts.
Then we went to the History Center with my inlaws.
Then a late lunch at Pizza Hut
Then she played her new video game that her sister bought her for her birthday and is now watching the Anne of Green Gables dvds that we bought her (we have seen them MANY times before, but she wanted her own set).
Here are a few photos as I briefly walk down memory lane.
Our little girls' birth announcement photo taken at age 13 days. (okay, this photo decided it wanted to be at the bottom and won't move!?!) Moving along...
Our happy little family! Bookworm is our first-born (age about 6 months)
Our Christmas photo of Ladybug & Bookworm a "few" years back. It is such a blessing that our girls are best fiends!
And jumping way ahead to today at the History Center.
I am so filled with greatfulness for both our blessings.
Bookworm, I am so proud of you and happy for the young lady you are becoming! May God bless your day and your 14th year!!!
There were about a dozen of us over to watch the festivities - friends and horse professionals alike. Our neighbor lady (in the navy jacket) currently has 4 horses. This "little" guy is a 2-yr. old Friesian - TOTALLY untrained and uncontrollable just an hour before, pictured with our farrier on his back for the first time. (Note: Usually one should not get on a horses back before the age of 2, as their backs are not strong enough to hold a person's weight and could cause a sagging back).
Here is the neighbor lady taking her first ride on him. After a rest (for the horse) and about another hour of training, she could ride him with a saddle and without anyone holding on ~ just the colt following one of her other well-trained horses around in the round pen. Our farrier has laid the ground work, but our neighbor will now have to work with him every day. He was responding very well to just the lightest touch of the reigns, but she dares not use her feet to get him going yet.
from Ladybug's Kid's Choir (church) musical ~ "Living Inside Out in an Upside Down World", performed this past Saturday & Sunday. Our Ladybug is on the top of the pyramid. 
This was Ladybug's (3rd from left) last performance (here) as she is now too old for the church's Kid's Choir. She was in it for 5 years -- with 2 musicals per year. (There were 50 kids in this musical). 
Finding a gown was a real adventure....after visiting countless bridal shops and looking through many bridal-type magazines, my mom and I stopped in at a bridal consignment store in a posh area of the Cities. My mom found a gown the SHE loved, a replica of Jackie O's gown ~ it was everything Mrs. Kennedy complained it was -- super heavy, and I looked like Little Bo Peep, not to mention it was so tight I was afraid I'd pop the zipper in the middle of the wedding. My mom loved the dress and told me to lose weight (my ribs can only get so small) and offered to pay for it, but I hated it and declined. Instead, we ended up going to one of those bridal sales at a hotel where about 200 young brides stampede into a ballroom at 8 am and start grabbing gowns off the racks (very fun). I already knew what I was looking for, and found a near-perfect match - a candlelight white, dupioni silk gown with a very full skirt. It was slightly big on me, but it would have to do, I didn't have time for alterations. Of course, my mom (pouting the whole time) was mad that I didn't get "her" gown, so she didn't volunteer to pay for any of this one, but I bought it just the same and made my own vail (I still have the silk roses I had glued on the headpeice).
Pictured: Jeff's brothers were his groomsmen & two of my best friends were with me. A third friend I would have loved to be up there too, but I had her with the guest book, lest I have more up front than in the pews. Btw, fushia was not my top choice for the maid's dresses; I love blue, but since my best friend/matron-of-honor had "my color" for her wedding, I decided not to do the same. 
This Morning at the Barn
Our back field this morning - about 3 inches of heavy wet snow - with more snow & sleet coming down (NWS says to expect 4-7 more inches by Saturday.) If it hadn't been so warm & wet, we could have easily gotten a couple of feet.
Yum!!! I had a small slice, but have to save the rest for those that aren't on a diet.
These I ordered from 
Our happy little family! Bookworm is our first-born (age about 6 months)
Our Christmas photo of Ladybug & Bookworm a "few" years back. It is such a blessing that our girls are best fiends!
And jumping way ahead to today at the History Center. 
