Beloved Lamb

Get Growing Garden Challenge

Posted by The Good Life
12:09 PM, Friday, August 29, 2008 .. Posted in Protager Gardening .. 0 comments .. Link

Lynda from NZ Gardener has set us all 10 things to in the garden this weekend: -

Ok here I sit 5.30am with seed box to plan my challenge. - What fun!

1. Sew one type of tomato you have never grown before.
Rhonda from Down To Earth has shared about her Brandy wine pink tomaotes - so I have ordered some of these - will sow when they arrive. Plus I've chosen Tomato Rainbow Blend

2. Sew Radish seeds
Radish Daikon Green Misato from Eco Seeds

3. Plant strawberries

4. Start planting seed potatoes.
Ahhh I have some NZ Maori Potatoes I have been raising eyes - so will plant these - I think they are called Old Blue.
Plus I like the sound of Pink Fir as Lynda mentioned in this weeks email - my order is in with Koanga Gardens, they are a traditional Irish potato

5.Sow or plant beetroot

6. Sow Carrots

7. Sow Lettuce

8. Plant a new fruit tree.

9. Stake a young fruit tree.

10 Take a before photo & then one every weekend to watch progress.

Friday

Posted by The Good Life
11:39 AM, Friday, August 29, 2008 .. Posted in Daily Life .. 0 comments .. Link

A sunny but cool breeze - and this morning (Saturday) it is a little more than 43 hours till spring Yippie.

Brent felt better today - I am getting there - gosh it's a nasty bug.

We finally got kitten photos up on website for kitten owners - that pleased many people, the hours it takes is huge! But a good day to get it done. Here's a couple of the cute ones to share.

My Cloche I ordered 1pm Thursday arrived at 2pm our place - Excellent service!

Eat your hear out pukeko's you can't eat my seedlings any more

Brent helped me plant broccoli & spinach seedlings & we transplanted the garlic I had started in pots, not sure if you are meant to transplant garlic - but well we did grin.

Then Brent mowed the lawns,

Well he supervised our lawn mowers so they only ate grass! - Ahh tht's the life the lawns get mowed for you around here.

A friend picked me up some fresh milk & salad ingredients - most appreciated!

James went to a friends to play - he needed to get out & about from the sick house.

Abbey cooked up a storm again.
Cheese scones for lunch
Spare ribs & rice for James lunch

Tea she cook lasagna & fresh bread

Plus yummy sorbet.

Open can of fruit with syrup (not juice)
Leave in can with top open & put in freezer.
Next day whizz up in food processor
Place back in freezer & until frozen - really, really nice!

I must be on the mend as I had another one of my new ideas last night & began it - will share what I am up to when I have it completed.

And wonderful news from AMI Insurance - our sewer pump claim was approved & we have no expenses - everyt single thing is covered by AMI - They also wiped our excess for us as a thank you to all the work & coordinating Brent did - Now isn't that awesome - GO AMI INSURANCE

card/mail tip

Posted by Dana
08:21, 2008-Aug-29 .. Posted in daily life .. 2 comments .. Link

Back when I used to mail out TONS of cards (and I will get back into the habit in the next 5 years!), I used a little trick to help me. I preferred to address several cards at once. So instead of having to remember exact dates for when to mail them, I would put the date of the event (bday, anniversary, etc) in the corner where hte stamp goes. That way it was hidden by the stamp when I put it on! It was just a time saver for me and I could keep the stack of cards in a handy place and ppl would get their cards on time.;)

Fast Friday!

Posted by Dana
08:19, 2008-Aug-29 .. Posted in daily life .. 0 comments .. Link

We leave today. Please pray for this weekend! Tomorrow is the party for MIL and Sunday is hte POker Run and I'm really not lookign forward to going. But I kept getting this feeling to buy a bottle of wine at Walmart yesterday (GO ARBOR MIST BERRY!LOL) and really didn't know why. As I sit here typing, I realize that I"ll need it for the Poker Run!ROTFL! Anyway, I got everything done last night, laundry is almost done this am, Mat decided to be an angel and has almost all of his school done (YES IT"S 9AM!LOL), Joey's not seemign to be too much of a dolt about doing school AND they named this dumped, tamed kitten Rockstar.;) He's adorable. I haven't felt affection for ANY cat (or animal really) since Mikey's been gone, but this little kitty is ADORABLE! He's allowed inside, but will not be an inside cat.

I also got some cards addressed and worked out. I need to get cracking on packing. I went to bed after watching Obama give his speech so I was up later than normal.;)

Update: Joey IS done w/school! ANd now I must get the veggie dips made!

Updates from the Homestead

Posted by Crystal Miller
07:54, 2008-Aug-29 .. 2 comments .. Link

Yesterday was such a nice sunny day.. a day to enjoy our pond and the sunshine

. Today is promising to be the same. The nice weather is an appreciated change from the stint of cool wet weather we had; looks like we are back to summer weather for a few days. I am not really ready to head into fall quite yet. The cooler weather however did get me in the soup making mode. Yesterday I made veggie beef soup and it was yummy. I put a couple individual servings of it in the freezer for Tobin’s lunches while I am gone.

My oldest daughter, Carolyn, is due to have her baby in about one week. My friend Sarah and I will be flying out there as soon as she gives the word that things are looking serious. We don’t want to arrive too early but we don’t want to arrive to late either! Sarah and I delivered Carolyn’s first baby. That was a bit easier since at that time she was in California (I am in Washington) but this time she’s in Maryland so there are less flights out daily and the flight time is a lot longer… but if it is meant to be that I am there, all will work out as it should so I am leaving it the Lord’s hands and not stressing over it all.

While I am gone Emily and Leanne will be holding down the fort. I have meals lined up for them to cook, groceries in the house, and should have just about everything I need to do, done! It is a blessed feeling to know that my girls are able to handle the house, the kids and the meals and pack dad’s lunch while I am gone. I will try and update you when I leave and who knows, maybe while I am there if I am not too busy.

I started school this week with the kids. I usually don’t start until well into September and in the past it has even been October before I finally got things going. I think the wet cool weather just made all the kids think “school” and they were ready to get going. I have only started math with them. We will add in the rest of the subjects on the 8th.. even if I am not here Emily and Leanne have said they will get the ball rolling with everyone.

I really only have 3 students this year! It seems like such a nice relief in many ways. This will be my 21st year of homeschooling and like anything done for that many years I have lost some of the newness and excitement I had for homeschooling way back when.. but I have not lost the reason my hubby and I chose to homeschool and we are both committed to continue onward. I still value and treasure the time I spend with my children and would not have it any other way. I have enjoyed the “new school year” excitement this year.. Just watching Isaac get all excited about new note books, pencil sharpeners and all was sweet.

This school year Leanne will be getting ready for her GED and working through Saxon’s Calculus book as well as teaching Isaac his math. She taught him last year and did a great job. She will also be deciding if she would like to join Emily in working towards a degree of some type through College Plus. Right now Leanne is looking at an English degree as a possibility.

On Wednesday the girls and I (and Isaac) went to town. Emily took her Western Civilization 2 CLEP test and passed (YEA!!). Then we went grocery shopping at Costco and then went to Starbucks and got our coffee and ended up at Ikea perusing the store with coffees in hand. Emily bought a book shelf for her bedroom. She has a really small room and was drowning in lack of organization. So now the books have a place to go. We saw some cute little baskets that hang on the wall.. but they were out of stock. We will check back next week (or when I get back.. something I keep saying often now). She thought that would be a perfect way to make a place for things and look pretty. She will be all organized before you know it and then there won’t be ANY reason why we can’t see her bed on some days.. right???

Today I have house cleaning on my list and laundry. I really need to get some soap made before I go so I will try and get things set up to do that so I can make it tomorrow (if I am still here

). Sierra, Isaac and I will be heading to the recycling center to take in our recycling. Jacob has been working all week for a neighbor and will continue that today. And we have school to do as well. Dinner tonight will be chicken pot pie and a salad. Emily and Leanne won’t be here so I will have to adjust my recipe so I don’t have too many leftovers.

Emily and Leanne are house sitting and watching Miss Margaret. I have mentioned her before. She is the little 90 something year old lady they watch when her son and daughter in law go out of town. She loves playing Skip Bo but has very little recent memory so she never can remember how many games she has played and would keep on playing all day if the girls were willing! The girls don’t mind but after 12 games they are ready for a break..

That is all for today… Hope you all have a great weekend on your homesteads!

The tooth is GONE!

Posted by Dana
06:38, 2008-Aug-28 .. Posted in daily life .. 1 comments .. Link

Today was decent. FIL is having a party for MIL (she's been gone 1 yr) and there was finally some communication. I just hate feeling like we contribute nothing..... so at any rate, I offered dips cuz I have TONS of htem in my larder. So I bought three 16 oz sour cream for those and we needed a dessert so I had a dip (ROTFL!) and bought three 8oz cream cheese for those. Then SIL mentioned buyign zucchini bread and I emailed her htat I have some so there are 2 of those in the oven. The dessert dip is done, too, so I just have to whip up the veggie/chip dip in the morning. We're also taking our cukes to slice and eat and DH brought home about 1/2 gallon of cherry tomatoes from a work function. My OOP today was $12 maybe? .99 for sour cream 1.09 for cream cheese, $5 for those 'stick' crackers (for the dessert dip) and .99 for nilla wafers. We also got Mat's hair cut. FABULOUS! I love when we get a good cut! Then we bowled for free for the last time. I did walk out of Walmart (on the way to the car) and remembered that we forgot Mat's melatonin so we put those bags in and went back in!LOL I also spent less than $20 on my nephew's 1st bday gift--bandaids, neo-to-go, toys, tossable toddler silverware, and some finger foods. I was trying to get consumables cuz he's got tons of toys and I know she'd appreciate the other stuff more.;)

Unfortunately, I was gone ALL AFTERNOON!LOL Oh and at the beauty college, I pulled JOey's tooth out! I just took his 'tooth' pics and it was sticking out vertically (LOL!) and I knew if he'd let me get my fingernail behind it, it'd be gone and it was! No pain! So the tooth fairy will loose some money tonight.;) But at least the tooth fairy can deal w/that HERE and not at the ILs!LOL

Jars, Jars, Jars

Posted by April M
06:22, 2008-Aug-28 .. 0 comments .. Link

Today we canned. And canned. And canned. We completed corn, green beans, zucchini, enchilada sauce, beets, and applesauce. I may even squeeze in the last of the blackberry jam.

This weekend my husband is having about a dozen people at our house that are coming in from different states and another country. We are hosting these people starting tonight until Sunday. I found out on Monday that I had to be prepared to feed all these people meals during their stay. DH had previously told me he had it covered.

Thus the reason we are canning as fast as we can. Tomorrow morning we will have to start baking for the various meals. With our family, we are cooking for 21-25 people for the next 3 days. We also have to finish our cleaning tonight and finish preparing linens.

Busy, busy, busy on the homestead.

Homeschool Memoirs weekly part 2.

Posted by The Good Life
1:38 PM, Thursday, August 28, 2008 .. Posted in Home Schooling .. 0 comments .. Link

This assignment is sharing our plans for the hs year.

Here in New Zealand our school year begins early February and ends December for summer holidays.

I believe in school everyday - I think it is too easy to not to do school - so very rare that we have time off - we also start in January before schools go back - this gives up a few weeks up our sleeve for life - eg like sickness & sewage pump break downs. I like Charlotte Mason style for learning & pretty much use a similar style to this plan.

Abbey (just 15)

Math - the biggest struggle this year - mathusee Algebra 1 just didn't work - too dry I feel mean saying this on blog as I really like mathusee & it has worked up till now. We have switched to NZ Maths with the plan to do NZ maths via correspondence school next year to get NZ NCEA qualification.

Accounting We own a cattery so Abbey has her own real life shop selling to new owners - lots of hands on learning & suing MYOB accounting software. She also runs her own cashbook for clothing allowance & pocket money. We also play Cashflow game - good lessons in that game!

Science Apologia Biology - highly recommend Apologia! We use Donna Young's schedule - it works well for us.

Unit Study Where the brook & river meet. - Covers geography, history & English - really enjoying this study.

English - Write shop & IEW - I prefer Write shop as it has lesson plans for mums - I let IEW slip often so much easier for me to just have the plans there & I adapt them to suit unit study writing assignments. But I like the dvd's form IEW as I am a visual learner - so I think you need both grin

Spelling The Essential Spelling book by Fred J Schonell & Spelling Power

Drivers licence - can you believe it she can learn to drive - she is just waiting for cold symptoms to leave & then we will get her licence as you need a photo taken & that stays with you for a few years. She is meant to do 2 hours a week driving for 6 months

Sport Bowling & walking

Life Skills embroidery, quilting, knitting, cooking & next thing to learn is smocking. Has a herb garden & flower garden

James (just 12)

Science Apologia Zoology - land animals ( A lovely curriculum)

Geography & History - Story of the world vol 3 Early modern times

Maths - using a Business unit from Simply Charlotte Mason - just begun & I am pleased with it. Also plays Cashflow & runs his own clothing budget & pocket money account.

English we use write shop for writing & IEW like Abbey - But also do Progeny Press units.

Spelling same Abbey - above just different level.

Sport bowling, walking, bike riding, cateboard - he is very much an out door boy.

Life Skills James is learning to cook meals he can eat - allergy free. Does many job around home - stack firewood, light fire each night, tend to chickens & sheep and he is a keen vegetable gardener. He also didn't want to be out done in skill level by his sister & learnt to cross stitch (he disliked this - nearly has it completed & quilting - he is a whizz on th sewing machine - peddle flat to the floor & would say look mum no hands & do a really grand job! - Nearly finished we just work on it when in the mood.

Our kids do a lot around the home, farm & cattery - Brent & I are not big fans of TV, computer games or X box. I believe kids get great satisfaction from contributing to the family chores - it takes time to train them up - remember I've been doing this for 11 years - sharing with them how to put cleaner over house - yes sometimes when they are learning a new skill they don't do it as well as I would - but next time they put the cleaner over I try to remind them to move the mat etc - and so what if it is not perfect they have tried & done it with a willing heart - it doesn't take too long & they are doing it as good as or if not better than you.

Homeschool Memoirs weekly part 1.

Posted by The Good Life
1:26 PM, Thursday, August 28, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

I'm a bit late playing - last weeks assignment was to share all about you.

Hmm well most of that is on this blog GRIN.

We are into our 11th year of home schooling - wow that has gone fast!
I never dreamed I'd be a stay at home mum - let alone a homeschooling one - life had other plans for our family.
And I am pleased - the life style is awesome & I think home schooling has made us a closer family

We began our journey with Five in A Row - Jane & Steve Lambert really heard my cry for OH My goodness I can't do this! And they tucked me under their wing as they have helped many home schoolers on the journey. I worked on the FIAR boards & met some awesome folks from around the world.

Meet our family

James, Leanne, Brent & Abbey (Photo taken 2006 so a tad old but one of my favourites)

Wee small hours

Posted by The Good Life
9:43 AM, Thursday, August 28, 2008 .. Posted in Daily Life .. 1 comments .. Link

Here I am awake in the wee small hours, chest infection is starting to break & I don't want to be coughing keeping Brent awake - so I'll have a nana nap this afternoon.

Thursday was a fine day
Sheets got changed & Brent helped me hang them on th line - oh lungs are soo useful - I hate being so breathless & have to potter & rest. But I am listening to my body - promise I am!

Kids did cattery for me - thankfully kittens haven't been making too big a mess from their play for the kids. Abbey took Caro who is on call for a walk on the cat lead - she loves it!

Brent took his book out to cattery outside run & sat among the 3 girls Rosemary sat on his shoulder, Cinders & Caro on his lap - wish I had taken photo to share - it's odd seeing Brent rest, but I am thankful he is also listening to his body - this flu is a nasty one to knock Brent so!

I smiled at the neighbours cat sitting under the dove cote - better not let Mack catch you on property

James was sure I was way too sick to do school - he tried to tell me to just rest GRIN.
We began his new Charlotte Mason business maths & it is soo refreshing - to do - James enjoyed it as far as maths went & I loved seeing his creative side come out of running a small business, he put policies in place for if he ran out of stock - or if a competitor was cheaper - made me smile & once again thankful that I am so lucky to be part of his education.
We then did spelling & yes I was puffed out.

Abbey worked on her own & got a science test done & some writing - then most of her day was life skills, cattery, she even ran cleaner over the house - ahh nice! She cooked up a storm again - making tacos for dinner & gingerbread for the tins - plus a sorbet for James.

I missed out on going to a home school evening - I felt stink as they had delayed it last week for me due to Abbey's birthday & I couldn't attend & then I still couldn't go - but best not to share goobies with them.

James was very successful at out witting Geraldine the goose - she has been sitting on her unfertile eggs (unless she visited some neighbours gander down the road at night). Geese are excellent guard geese - I respect them highly! And a goose with eggs - James was a very brave lad! - He did admit he didn't like those sharp teeth he saw.

He successfully took 4 of her eggs & placed 4 fertile hens eggs under her as he felt sorry for all her hard work of sitting & no gain. But after sleeping on it I think he had best take the hens eggs out today - it could end in tears. We have many pukeko's at our place and they do eat chicks by pulling them apart & we have Hawkes so not being in a cage might just end in tears - of course there is the BIG chance that Geraldine Goose may be a bit big & heavy or not even accept them if born.

Rear are goose eggs, brown eggs are hens.
Interestingly the goose eggs weigh 6 3/4 oz (205 grams) & the hens egg weighs 2 1/2 oz (65grams) 65 grams is the birth weight of some kittens.

James & I will water test for freshness of goose eggs today buy filling a big bowl with water - placing the egg in - if fresh it will sink to the bottom - if an egg floats to the top it shouldn't be eaten. Well it works for hens eggs - wonder if it will for such a big goose egg.
Other way to try is crack it open onto a flat plate - not a bowl. The yolk of a fresh egg will be round & compact & sit quite high up on the egg, the white will be thick & stay close to the yolk. A less fresh egg's yolk will often break easily & will have a thin white that spreads over the plate.
Of course a rotten egg is usually lightish in weight & stinks!

Fresh eggs can be kept in fridge for 3-4 weeks.

Goose omelet on the menu for Brent today.

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Beloved Lamb

Get Growing Garden Challenge

Friday

card/mail tip

Fast Friday!

Updates from the Homestead

The tooth is GONE!

Jars, Jars, Jars

Homeschool Memoirs weekly part 2.

Homeschool Memoirs weekly part 1.

Wee small hours

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