Harvest Moon by Hand

3 in 30 - February Goals

2012-02-01T07:58:00.017-06:00

This year, I'm participating in the 3 in 30 Challenge. During January I had three goals and worked towards them each week.

During February, I'm continuing to work on my January goals:

- Finish taking photos out of the scrapbooks that aren't photo-safe, and put them in boxes that are archival-safe. This should be done by the end of February.

- Finish the master bedroom by washing all the walls and windows; and then painting the accent areas dark green (behind the bed and over the window on the west side of the room) and the walls white. I also want to go through the books on each side of the bed, and determine if they can be donated or I want to keep them.

- Continue going outside each day for 15 minutes. This will be an on-going goal for the rest of the year.

In addition, my three goals for February are:

1. Do a one-week fiscal fast. I saw this done on "Extreme Cheapskates" and written about on AARP by Jeff Yeager. As Jeff says, "Go for a week without spending ANY money?! It’s spending detox, what I call a “fiscal fast." Give it a try a couple of times a year. You’ll save a few bucks, use up stuff you have around the house, and gain a new understanding of how you spend – and probably waste – money in a normal week. It’s a challenge, but it’s also kind of fun."

2. Reduce diet-pop consumption and increase water consumption. At one time, I was drinking 4 cans of diet-pop a day. I'm now down to 2-3 cans per day. My goal in February: 2 cans maximum per day. (During March and April I'll reduce it even further...with the ultimate goal of not drinking any diet pop at all - or having one occasionally.)

In its place, I will drink 2 big glasses of water each day (1 in the a.m. and 1 in the afternoon).

3. File everything so I can begin working on taxes. During the past six months, I haven't done a very good job with filing because caregiving responsiblities demanded more attention.

I would like to have everything filed so I know that all receipts and paperwork needed for taxes are together. In this way, I can begin working on preparing the paperwork for my CPA who completes the tax forms each year. It would be nice to have them filed early...especially if there's a refund!

Simple Woman's Daybook on 2/1/12

2012-02-01T06:47:00.001-06:00

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...it's completely black. It's too early in the morning to see anything.

I am thinking...that January seemed like one of the longest months of my entire life. I'm remembering that one month ago today began a very difficult and life-changing week. It was not how imagined starting the year.

I am thankful...that I have been able to travel and see 43 states of the United States. Of those 43, I was able to see six of them (the New England states) with my daughters - a first for us all which was a memorable and fun experience.

In the kitchen...I'm using up what I have on hand. During the past seven days, I did a Fiscal Fast in which I did not spend any money (with the exception of having to get $10 in gas to make sure I didn't run out of gasoline on the way home yesterday). In doing this, we have used up boxes, bags, and cans of food that otherwise would have sat in the back of the cupboards while I purchased new food.

During February, I'm going to continue using what is on hand and only buy the essential items we need. The goal will be to use almost everything on hand.

I am wearing...a t-shirt, sweater, pajama pants, and socks. It's still early morning before anyone else is awake.

I am creating...a weekly journal that incorporates a written entry about what's happening in my life, a list of five things I'm grateful for, and examples of an embroidery stitch I learned that week. (This is part of Take a Stitch Tuesday.)

I'm also in the process of making an Embroidered Journal Quilt. Each month I'm going to embroider a 12" x 12" square. By the end of the year, I'll have 12 squares which I'll combine with fabric that I have on hand to create a quilt.

I am going...to take the girls to choir tonight, otherwise I don't have to go anywhere which is nice. We've been able to get a lot done with homeschooling over the past few days because we've been at home more than we've been away.

I am wondering...when I'll feel like I'm totally caught up with everything that needs to get done.

I am reading...an excellent book called Homer's Odyssey - A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat by Gwen Cooper. It's the second one that I'm reading as part of the Heartwarming Animal Stories Reading Challenge.

I read "Saving Gracie" during January about one dog's rescue and rehabilitation from a puppy mill; and the United States' problem with puppy mills and what can be done to close them so more dogs don't have to suffer.

I am hoping...that this month is less stressful than last month.

I am looking forward to...getting outside today and trying to take some pictures of shadows. It's for a weekly photography challenge that I'm doing called P52. The sun should be out today which should give me plenty of options.

I am learning...how to let go (of things and people). This is not an easy process by any stretch of the imagination, but one that is necessary. Especially as I'm simplifying and cleaning the house, letting go of things that no longer are needed or wanted has been liberating - to say the least. Having more space as well as enjoying only the things that bring the most enjoyment and are tied to positive memories is a good "reward" for the work involved.

Around the house...it's very quiet..almost silent...as the girls and pets are sleeping.

I am pondering...about ways that we'll be volunteering and donating this month. Am looking forward to picking some new organizations and continuing with ones that Sophia, Olivia, and I believe in this month as part of the 12 in 12 project that we're doing.

A favorite quote for today...is from Raymond Lindquist: "Courage is the power to let go of the familiar."

One of my favorite things...my camera - so I can capture every-day moments and remember them in the future.

A few plans for the rest of the week...homeschooling, go to the library, do some errands, and work on my 3 in 30 goals for February.

A peek into my day...I'll be making window stars in a variety of patterns and colors.

To see more daybooks that other women keep, please visit Simple Woman's Daybook.

Learning about a Rock's Cleavage

2012-01-31T00:05:00.000-06:00

As part of Sophia and Olivia's multi-disciplinary geography study, they are learning about the state rocks for each state in the U.S.A.

One of the questions on the sheet they complete for each rock asks about the rock's cleavage. Up until this year, I did not know that rocks had cleavage.

So, what is cleavage...as it relates to rocks? According to the Rocks for Kids website, "Cleavage is when a mineral breaks with smooth flat surfaces. Cleavage can be described as perfect, good, imperfect, or poor."

Also, clevage can be described as:

Perfect 1 way ~ breaks on one perfect cleavage plane, crystals break into slices, sheets peel off
Perfect 2 ways ~ breaks into elongated boxy shapes, 90 degree angles
Perfect 3 ways ~ breaks into perfect rhombs, pieces look like squished boxes
No cleavage ~ does not break regularly

To demonstrate this, the girls put one sheet of paper toweling that was divided into two pieces on the table in front of themselves.

Olivia tearing the first piece of paper toweling.

It separated into a rather even line quite easily.

Then they tore each piece of paper toweling in half. The first one they did they ripped from top to bottom. The second one they did they tried to tear it from side to side.

Trying to tear the second piece of paper toweling.

This piece appeared more jagged.

One of the pieces has a more even line while the other piece looks more jagged.

The top piece was tore from top to bottom.

The bottom piece was tore from side to side.

How did this activity relate to cleavage? According to Earth Science for Every Kid by Janice VanCleave, "Paper towels are made on a wire screen, creating a straight line in one direction. Pulling on the paper attracks the weakest point.

"The parallel lines on the paper made by the wire screen are thinner than the rest of the paper, and thus the paper rips easily down one of these lines.

"Jagged and irregular tears result when the paper is pulled in the opposite direction. This is like cutting minerals, such as diamonds, along cleavage lines. The mineral splits smoothly and easily along the lines where the molecules line up, but it can smash into irregular pieces if hit across the cleavage line."

Q is for Quick Cheeseburger Pie - ABCs of Homeschooling

2012-01-30T11:58:00.033-06:00

This is a recipe that Sophia has been looking forward to making. The Quick Cheeseburger Pie is from the children's cookbook Alpha-Bakery, and was easy to make. Everyone enjoyed it, and it will be one that we'll be making again.

The Quick Cheeseburger Pie has all the components of a cheeseburger: meat, onions, cheese, pickles, and a crust (which acts like the bun). It can be eaten plain or dipped in ketchup and mustard if you want to make it taste even more like a cheeseburger.

Ingredients

Pat In The Pan Pastry (below)

1 pound hamburger

1/2 -3/4 cup finely chopped onion

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup flour

1/3 cup dill pickle juice

1/3 cup milk

1/2 cup chopped dill pickles

2 cups shredded cheese

Directions

Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Prepare pastry (below), and pat in bottom and up sides of round pan 8 inches x 1 1/2 inches. Bake 15 minutes.

Cook beef, onion, and garlic in pan until brown, drain. Sprinkle with salt and flour. Stir in pickle juice, milk, pickles and 1 cup cheese. Spoon into dish.

Bake 15 minutes, sprinkle with 1 cup cheese bake until crust is golden brown, about 15 more minutes

Pat-In-Pan Pastry

Ingredients

1 1/3 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup shortening

Directions

Mix these together then cut in 1/2 cup shortening with pastry blender or fork until the size of tiny peas. Sprinkle with 3-4 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Stirring with fork after each addition. Mix lightly until all flour is moistened and pastry almost cleans from side of bowl (add 1-2 teaspoons water if necessary.)

Take a Stitch Tuesday - Cretan Stitch - Week 4

2012-01-29T13:21:00.001-06:00

This week for Take a Stitch Tuesday (TAST), the featured stitch is the Cretan Stitch. I had never heard of this stitch until it was part of TAST.

Booklet that I am keeping which includes the

embroidery stitch of the week

plus a personal and gratitude journal entry.

According to Victorian Embroidery and Crafts, "The Cretan stitch, and its variations, originated in Crete and the surrounding regions. For centuries women in this area have used this stitch to decorate clothing and household linens.

"This very versatile stitch can be used to create beautiful borders with an open plait finish or it can be worked more closely to fill small leaves and flower petals. When worked closely, it gives the appearance of close plaiting. Beads and sequins can easily be added to it. It is also a popular stitch with makers of crazy quilts."

To do this stitch, according to Victorian Embroidery and Crafts,

- Draw two parallel lines.

- Bring the needle from the under to the upper surface of the material, on the left-hand corner of the lowest line but one. The needle in working is always at right angles to these lines.

- Insert the needle in the top line slightly further to the right of where it came out on the bottom line, and take a small stitch downwards.

- Then insert it in the bottom line and similarly take a small stitch upwards. In taking the stitch the thread must be kept to the left of the needle as in the illustration, or the plaiting will not take place.

Photo Source

There are different variations of this stitch depending:

Photo Source

I practiced this stitch and incorporated it onto my journal pages for the week.

Creten stitch around sun, moon, star, and pinecone images.

I tried the stitch with different angles and widths between stitches.

As I have during past weeks, there's a journal entry about what happened and how I'm doing; and there's a gratitude part that includes five people, things, or experiences for which I'm grateful.

Personal and gratitude journal

with an image of Greek architecture.

There are two images from National Geographic magazine of Greek architecture. I like the white-washed buildings, and clean, simple lines - especially of the stairs. Someday I would love to travel to Greece...until then, I can enjoy the images from the magazine.

Heartwarming Animal Stories Review - "Saving Gracie"

2012-01-29T07:21:00.000-06:00

For the first book of the Heartwarming Animal Stories 2012 Reading Challenge, I chose Saving Gracie: How One Dog Escaped the Shadowy World of American Puppy Mills by Carol Bradley.

This is a eye-opening narrative that shares how one dog, Gracie (a sickly and bedraggled Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) is transformed into a loving, healthy member of her new family after being worn out from bearing puppies at a puppy mill.

Gracie, after being rescued, "seemed too closed off to feel anything but numb. She was so tiny, so devoid of personality." Saving Gracie continued to share information about Gracie (at that time known as Dog 132): "She'd been born in a crate, reared in a crate, and forever confined to one. At last she'd been liberated...yet she seemed incapable of deriving pleasure" from being safe, getting enough food, and receiving human compassion.

Athough the book weaves in Gracie's story, it is more focused on exposing America's hidden puppy mills - commercial kennels that breed dogs in horrific living conditions and churn out emotionally-damaged and disease-ridden puppies for sale.

In particular, Saving Gracie examines the raid of a puppy mill in southeastern Pennsylvania, the aftermath of rescuing hundreds of dogs, and the subsequent court case. The book also provides a detailed account about legislative changes in that state to address dog abusers thanks to the hard work and support of Gov. Ed Rendell and his wife, Marjorie.

Based on the title of the book, I thought more of the story would be about Gracie, and her journey from the puppy mill to becoming part of a family. It wasn't, which was a bit disappointing.

That being said, learning about puppy mills; this particular rescue (which Gracie was a part of) and its aftermath; and what subsequent changes that happened in Pennsylvania following the rescue was interesting. There were parts that were a bit overly-detailed and tedious to read; and I found myself skimming through them - more eager to read bout the life of the recovering dogs after the raid.

For example, Saving Gracie describes some of the many challenges puppy mill survivors have to overcome. Even things that many dogs take for granted - solid ground or flooring - is unusual for dogs from puppy mills. "...they were so accustomed to standing on wire that when they finally got the chance to stand on cement floors...it felt so foreign that they tiptoed," the book noted.

It went on to say, "Saddest of all, these dogs had never learned to trust humans. They'd never had any reason to do so, and at the sight of strangers they practically shrank."

The rise of puppy mills happened after World War II in the Midwest. According to Saving Gracie, "Small mom-and-pop pet stores began to give way to corporate franchises...[and] marketing experts...had concocted an easy way to lure customers by putting adorable puppies in shop windows."

In addition, as Americans were becoming wealthier, there was an increased demand for purebred dogs. With pet stores in shopping malls, families didn't have to look in the want ads any more and drive to a farm to examine a litter. They could simply go to a pet store and pick out a puppy. With more prevalent credit card use, people were purchasing animals impulsively, rather than thoughtfully.

To meet this demand, brokers who supplied puppies to pet stores needed more dogs. So, "they zeroed in on Missouri and Kansas, centrally-located states that were home to hundreds of small, isolated farms. Breeding puppies was a boon to Midwestern egg farmers who'd been edged out by large corporations. Farmers could put their empty chicken coops to use by housing dogs in them instead."

The consequence of these early actions could be seen in repeated puppy mill rescues. In Saving Gracie, Bill Smith (founded of Main Line Animal Rescue) dealt with "breeders looking to get rid of older female dogs worn out from having so many litters...The dogs frequently emerged in shockingly bad shape - suffering from mange, bladder stones, multiple tumors, and broken jaws or backs."

In addition, "Smith saw dogs who had undergone more than a dozen C-sections, without anesthesia .... Frightened, malnourished, often without medical attention of any kind, [a mother dog] shivers in the cold days of winter and bakes under the August sun never knowing kindness or the slightest affection, she is a prisoner for profit."

Saving Gracie mentioned many states that have legislation in place to protect dogs. I was hoping to see Minnesota mentioned in the list of states as being proactive and protective of dogs; and against puppy mills. It isn't...at this point.

In Minnesota, there is a Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation Bill S.F. 462/H.F. 702 that, according to the Companion Animal Protection Society, "...was introduced in 2011. It is still alive and has a chance to be heard during the 2012 Minnesota legislative session."

CAPS continues, "Minnesota has no state laws, rules, licensing or regulations to address the care of cats and dogs in commercial breeding facilities. That is why this bill is so important. S.F. 462/H.F. 702 will provide basic licensing and regulation for this industry."

By clicking on the link above, there is a list of ways that one can be involved in helping this bill be heard, and hopefully passed during the 2012 legislative session. After reading Saving Gracie, they are actions that I definitely will be taking.

There's also an animal welfare group in Minnesota called Animal Folks Minnesota whose mission is to "to prevent animal neglect and cruelty by creating a modern system of animal care and protection in Minnesota." Their vision is "for the state of Minnesota to be the recongized leader in animal protection, care, and welfare." There are ways to help and actions to take on this website as well.

Anyone who cares even a little bit about dogs should read Saving Gracie. You will be enlightened, and - hopefully - moved to take action in your own state.

3 in 30 Check-in - Week 4

2012-01-27T08:45:00.002-06:00

This is the last check-in for the 3 in 30 goals for January. I set three goals at the end of December to do during January. Each week, I've been working towards meeting them. Below, I have the final results of the goals for January.

3 Goals in January

1. Remove photographs from all photo albums and put in photo boxes. I began this process in 2011, but never completed it. My goal was to remove all the photographs so that the photo albums wouldn't continue to damage the images. (Many of the photographs are in albums that are not acid-free.)

This week I took photographs out of four more albums and put them in an archival-quality, photo-safe box.

Scrapbooks ready to have pictures removed from them.

There are still about a dozen albums I need to go through; and plan to do finish this project in February. Given the amount of space that the photo albums take up, I need to evenly divide the project over the month so the garbage can doesn't get overloaded.

Photos transferred from the albums to boxes.

Not only does it protect the photos, but it saves a lot of space.

2. Thoroughly clean and repair the master bedroom. I began this process in April 2011 by cleaning the closet and donating clothing that I no longer wore. I removed the clutter from the closet and either donated or threw it away. I had all the blinds repaired so they were in working order.

This week I had an electrician replace two light fixtures on the ceiling.

The light bulbs worked, but the covers

no longer would stay on the fixtures.

It was time for a change.

The old light fixtures were more than 16 years old, and the screws that secured the light covers couldn't hold onto the worn-out metal threads.

This week, two new lights were installed and

the wiring for smoke detector fixed.

She also properly attached two light fixtures next to the bed. Apparently, the reason they were so unstable was that when they were initially put in (prior to moving in the home in 1995), the screws weren't put into the box where the wires are located, so they weren't installed correctly.

The lights by the bed are now properly installed.

The electrician also took a look at the hard-wired smoke detector and noticed that the reason it was malfunctioning was that there was a loose wire connection. She fixed that so now that should operate properly.

The next thing I did was clean off the dressing table that belonged to my grandma after several months of just piling items on it. Other matters took more importance over a clean desk (e.g., increased caregiving responsibilities for my parents for the past six months; my father's death and funeral earlier this month; the girls' and my health issues in mid-January).

Good grief...it's a surprise I could find anything.

This is not how I want things to look or be organized.

So, the craft projects I wanted to do (on the right side of the table) and my blue file container that holds bills and other financial papers (on the left side o the table) are back in my office downstairs. Now I can enjoy the photos and items that have special significance to me.

That's more like it...each of the items represent

something or someone who was/is important in my life;

or trips that I want to remember (Australia and China).

In terms of clutter around that area (on the desk and on the floor),
- I took a bag of craft projects downstairs to my office that I want to do.
- Put three bags of items that belonged in different parts of the home back in their proper places.
- Placed the vacuum cleaner and Spot-bot machine in the closet (and out of sight).

Next, I cleaned one of the two bookshelves (the other one is for homeschooling and was set up during August and maintained each week).

Oh my...

The top shelf has my books and CDs now; and the bottom shelf has homeschooling supplies and some reference books and materials.

That's better. Now things are back to the way they were...

minus the books I no longer want or need.

I was able to get rid of 21 books - 15 of which will be donated to the second-hand store, and 6 to church. There also were items that I was able to recycle and throw away.

21 books to donate.

During February, I want to wash all the walls and windows; and then paint the accent areas dark green (behind the bed and over the window on the west side of the room) and the walls white.

I also want to go through the books on each side of the bed, and determine if they can be donated or I want to keep them. Having books on the bookshelf rather than by the side of the bed will help complete the look of a less-cluttered room, and create a more relaxing and calming space.

3. Spend 15 minutes outside each day.

I have been outside each day, although not for the full 15 minutes due to not feeling well. On Monday, I went to the doctor and found out that I not only had bacterial and sinus infections (and needed a prescription and over-the-counter medicine to address those issues), but my blood oxygen level was at 91.

Apparently a person's blood oxygen level shouldn't be that low (it should be 98 or above). With low readings, it means that oxygen can't get into your red blood cells which travel around your body and provide oxygen to important organs (e.g., brain, heart).

I read some interesting information HERE about the impact low oxygen levels can have on your health. It was worth the time to read it since I didn't know much about this issue.

Morning medicine for one day.

(The white container is medicine for my nebulizer

which also helps with breathing - in addition to the inhaler.)

The doctor increased my inhaler use (for asthma) from "as needed" to two puffs a day for four times a day for ten days. Hopefully, that will get that reading up to where it should be by opening up my lungs and making breathing easier. Until then, I have to modify my schedule (and goals) a bit.

*~*~*~*~*~*

The 3 in 30 challenge is such a great way to set goals for oneself. It makes moving towards larger goals possible because of setting smaller ones to achieve each month.

Was I able to accomplish each of the three goals in January perfectly? No. But, in reality, this month was unlike any other month in terms of multiple challenges on many levels. So, I'm okay with not accomplishing everything to the level I expected when I set the goals at the end of December.

What I'm happy about is that I moved forward on several different things that I have been wanting to do, but haven't done. As I look around and see..
...the photos I took out of unsafe albums safely in acid-free/photo-safe photo boxes;
...more space because of less photo albums;
...two new light fixtures;
...a repaired and functional smoke detector;
...two bedroom lights repaired;
...a simplified look to the master bedroom because of less clutter;
...two bags of books to be donated to the second-hand store and church; and
...coats, boots, hats, and mittens that I've been using when I go outside regularly...
I am very satisfied with what I was able to accomplish during an incredibly challenging month.

P52 Photo Challenge - Self- Portrait - Week 4

2012-01-26T00:30:00.002-06:00

When I saw the theme for the fourth week of the P52 photo challenge I cringed. My picture - taken by others or myself - has to be one of my least favorite subjects. If I can avoid being photographed, I will. I much rather be on the other side of the camera.

After taking a lot of different shots with a simple point-and-shoot camera of me looking out the window so the trees and newly-fallen snow were in the background, I didn't like how any of the images turned out.

Took a break...fed the horses and filled up their water buckets...took out the garbage and brought it to the side of the road for pick-up tomorrow...made dinner...and tried again. Except this time it was dark outside. So much for the natural background.

Took some shots with the white walls as the background. Nothing was working.

Decided to lay down, rest a bit, and think about what else I could do for a self-portrait. Ended up holding out the camera and just clicking a whole bunch of times. Picked out a photograph I thought that was workable.

After seeing other P52 participants play around with their photos in photo shop programs last week, I decided to import mine to Paint Shop Pro. I never modify pictures with a photo shop program, so this was something new.

Ended up cropping the image a bit; changing the photograph to black and white; and doing a soft focus.

This is the final image:

...needing to rest...

P is for Pocket Pizza - ABCs of Homeschooling

2012-01-25T05:29:00.000-06:00

Continuing with making recipes from the children's cookbook, Alpha-Bakery, we made Pocket Pizza this week. The recipe as listed in the cookbook makes enough for two dinner-size pocket pizzas.

We also varied the ingredients depending on what each person wanted in their pocket pizza - sauce and cheese only; sauce, meat and cheese; and sauce, vegetables, and cheese.

Pocket pizza that Sophia made

from the Alpha-Bakery cookbook.

Everyone said they would want this again for dinner.

Inside of one of the pocket pizzas.

Pocket Pizza

Ingredients

Pizza dough (below)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup pizza sauce (we used spaghetti sauce)
1/2 cup of each. shredded mozzarella cheese, sausage (we used regular cheese for all but one of them and hamburger instead of sausage)
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
1/8-1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (we did not use this)
1/4 package (3 ounce size) sliced pepperoni (we did not use this)
2-3 tablespoon pizza sauce (we used spaghetti sauce)
1/2 mozzarella cheese (see above comment about cheese)

Directions

Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Prepare pizza dough. Roll into 12 inch circle. (This would result in only 1 pocket pizza for people to share. The dough can be divided into two parts so two people can create their own meal.)

Fold loosely in half; place on cookie sheet and unfold. Brush with oil.

Layer remaining ingredients in order listed, fold dough over filling. Turn edge of the lower dough over the edge of the top dough; pinch to seal. Prick with fork. Bake until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.

Pizza Dough

Ingredients

1 cup flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients together in bowl until the dough no longer sticks to the sides. Turn onto lightly floured surface, gather into ball and knead 10 times. Cover with a bowl, let stand 15 minutes.

We Have a Winner for the Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway!

2012-01-24T20:03:00.000-06:00

Last Monday, January 16th, Harvest Moon by Hand announced a giveway of a beautiful dress from Shabby Apple.

Photo from Shabby Apple.

Readers had a week to enter the giveway. They imagined themselves wearing the dress when they went to dinner, church, election party, the theater, a fashion event, and weddings. Quite a few readers thought that wearing this dress on a date night or on Valentine's Day would be a great idea.

Once all the entries came in, the random number generator was used. It came up with number....

So...who is number 48?

She said that "...maybe the hubs would take me out on a date in this!"

Her first name starts with...

And last name begins with...

Debra Lee...is the winner of the dress from Shabby Apple!

If you didn't win the dress, you still can receive a 10% off coupon by simply using the code harvestmoon10off at checkout. There are many beautiful women's dresses from Shabby Apple, little girls dresses from Shabby Apple, and other items (e.g., jewelry, accessories, swimwear, arts and crafts, fitness clothing).

Congratulations to Debra...and thanks to everyone for entering the giveway!

Embroidery Journal Project - January

2012-01-22T13:15:00.005-06:00

During January, I embroidered a 12" x 12" image that will become part of a quilt at the end of the year. Each month, as part of the Embroidery Journal Project 2012, I'll be doing an embroidery square that has images that reflect something significant that happened during the month.

This month, by far, the most significant happening was my father's death on January 5th. He died one day shy of his 80th birthday.

In May 2009, he was diagnosed with middle-stage Alzheimer's Disease. This is an unbelieveably cruel disease that not only robs one's mind, but one's body. To see the effects of it during the past 2 1/2 years (particularly during the last six months of my dad's life) was devastating and incredibly sad.

However, despite the grasp the disease had on my dad and the effects it had on his speech and communication skills; ability to do basic living functions - like eating and walking...Sophia ,Olivia, and I still enjoyed visiting my dad and trying to find things that he would enjoy doing.

Dad (the girls' "Papa") dancing down the hallway

at the nursing home.

(Photo taken on October 15, 2011.)

Up until the middle of December when he closed his eyes for the majority of each day, he still liked looking at the birds, looking at photographs, and - most important - just holding hands and knowing that we were there for him.

*~*~*~*~*~*

The image I embroidered is a compilation of different elements:

- the heart, swirls, butterfly, and leaves are from an image that I found on the internet.

- the dove was another image that I re-sized and then inserted in place of a matching butterfly on the left-hand side of the heart.

- the hands are traced from a photograph I took of my dad's hand in mine as I sat by his bedside on January 2nd (the image of the hands are re-sized on the computer so they would fit inside the heart).

- the crosses are traced from a photograph that I took of my dad's casket that was made by the Trappist Monks who live at New Melleray Abbey in Iowa. On the top, there was a wooden cross that was cut out from it and given to my mom so she could have it and remember my dad by it.

January embroidered square

for the Embroidery Journal Project.

The dove and butterfly are symbolic for two reasons:

(1) These were images placed by my dad's door at St. Therese (nursing home) when he was in the process of dying and had died. The butterfly was to let the staff know that the resident is dying and to be more quiet around the person's room. The dove replaced the butterfly when my dad died.

(2) Butterflies represent several things: transition, resurrection, time, and soul. According to the Delta Hospice Society, "The butterfly symbolizes the transition between life and death. The caterpillar forms its cocoon and prepares to leave life as he knows it, to become a lovely butterfly."

When I read a bit about doves, a website said that a dove "...is a symbol of the soul's sojourn after physical life has retired. Slavic legend claims the dove is a symbol of the soul's release from earth-bound duty."

The butterfly and dove were important symbols this month.

The swirls and leaves remind me of the colorful flowers that my dad enjoyed growing. When I was younger (elementary-school age), I remember seeing lots of African violets growing in the house. In the first house I grew up in, he had a multi-level shelving unit with lights where he grew the violets.

When we moved to the house that he and my mom lived in for over 37 years, he planted annuals and perennials in multiple gardens and containers.

My dad on May 17, 2011.

We picked out flowers at the Farmer's Market and

then I planted them in containers for him.

He filled the water pitcher and watered each container.

During the last couple years of his life, he took great pride in having beautiful flowers along the front walkway - ones that he could enjoy from the front window he would look out at each day, especially as his ability to walk on his own diminished and his world became smaller. The flowers and birds were things he could see from his window which brought him great joy.

One of the many beautiful flowers that my dad grew

during the summer. This was taken in Summer 2011.

I put the two crosses in the design because my dad was a deacon for over 15 years. When he was younger, he was going to become a priest, but then decided not to pursue that calling. Instead, he obtained his Masters in Social Work and was only a few hours short of getting his doctorate in Social Work.

He chose to work in the public school system as a school social worker - first with junior high youth and then senior high schoolers. While he was at the senior high, he pursued the original calling he had to go into ministry work. So, my dad and mom went through several years of training so he could become a deacon.

One of the display boards I made in January

about my dad's religious life.

Many of the pictures are from his ordination and

work in serving others through the church.

In that role, he baptized over 700 babies (703 to be exact); presided over marriages and funerals; and ran a program for seniors. He reached people of all ages..and ministered to families in times of happiness and sadness.

Hands representing support

enclosed in a heart symbolizing love.

Although the hands that I embroidered are my dad's and my own...they also symbolize the support and help he provided to countless people through his work/career, volunteering, and church.

*~*~*~*~*

As for the embroidery, I chose to use only one stitch for this piece - the backstitch - because I wanted the focus to be more on the image than on using a variety of stitches.

At this point, my knowledge of embroidery stitches is quite limited (straight, back, blanket/buttonhole, and feather). I am concurrently doing the Take a Stitch Tuesday (TAST) challenge in which I'm learning a new stitch each week (this past week was the feather stitch). Hopefully, I'll be able to incorporate some of these new stitches into future designs for the Embroidery Journal Project.

All the floss used is 100% cotton. The fabric, likewise, is 100% cotton in white with a subtle white-leaf print. At this point, I plan to use the same fabric for all 12 squares.

The other squares in the quilt will use fabric that I have on hand. With the exception of batting, all the fabric and floss used will be from what I have on hand rather than purchasing anything new.

Linking Up: Creating a Family Home, Creating My Way to Success, Embroidery Journal Project 2012, Homemaker on a Dime: Creative Bloggers, and The Southern Institute.

Take a Stitch Tuesday - Feather Stitch - Week 3

2012-01-21T13:06:00.000-06:00

It's only the third week into the Take Stitch Tuesday and already I've learned two new stitches (fly and feather) and some variations for one I already knew (buttonhole a.k.a. blanket).

This week, the feather stitch was introduced. Like the fly stitch, I had never heard of it until participating in Take a Stitch Tuesday. This weekly challenge is making me realize how truly limited my embroidery stitching was in terms of stitches I knew and ones that can be done.

I was rather intimidated by the feather stitch - it seemed to be a quite tricky stitch when I read how to do it initially. However, I found a trio of pictures on the Caron website that somehow helped me better visualize how this stitch is done and found it to be equally as enjoyable as the buttonhole/blanket stitch.

What I also found helpful was marking four rows for each set of stitches as the Pintangle website suggested. I used a water-soluable pen which was much easier to learn the stitch rather than counting each column (I still counted the rows (e.g., where letters C and E are in diagram 1 above).

Four rows are marked for each sets of stitches

with a water-soluable pen.

I experimented with different numbers of embroidery floss (the red thread has 2 pieces of floss; the rest have 3 pieces of floss); and different sizes of the "U" by varying the number of rows (either 2 or 3 rows with the exception of the purple section which alternatures between 2 and 3 rows to vary the size of the "U").

As with past weeks, I included a journal entry about what happened during the week and a short list of people and things for which I am grateful.

The gratitude list and journal entry are a part of

each week's activities.

This week, I added natural elements like I had hoped to do at the beginning of the year. The feather stitch lent itself nicely to including feathers I found in the pasture during the summer, but never got around to putting in my nature journal.

Trio of feathers I found in the pasture combined

with postage stamps and the stitching.

I also included several postage stamps. I have seen each of the birds shown in the stamps...even the one on the Australian stamp when I went there in 1996.

The dove is an image I like because it reminds me of Olivia (who is 9 years old now). Her name means "peace" and the image of the dove, to me, conveys peace and hope.

P52 Photo Challenge - I Dreamed a Dream - Week 3

2012-01-21T08:13:00.000-06:00

Monday, January 16th, was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. There is an excerpt from one of MLK's famous speeches ("I have a dream...") that most people have heard many times.

However, in reading the entire speech, there are many parts that are not as frequently heard. One of the parts that stands out for me is this part:

"We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force ..... They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone."

Koi fish taken at Sea Life at Mall of America

on Olivia's 9th Birthday.

(Photo taken on January 18, 2012.)

Why fish for a picture about MLK and "I Dreamed a Dream" theme? When I think of these koi, I remember that just moments before they were peacefully swimming in the water. It was a very serene image.

As we walked by, the koi gathered together quickly and demanded our attention...not in a physically-aggressive way, but by their sheer number in such a relatively small area.

Even as different fish pushed their way to the forefront, they weren't hurting one another - they were just making us stop, look, and appreciate how beautiful they were (and make us want to feed them).

"We cannot walk alone." I reflect also on MLK's statement as we celebrated Olivia's ninth birthday on January 18th (when we saw the koi fish).

Nine years ago this week, Olivia was born in China. Five days later (on January 23rd), Olivia was found in a basket in the middle of the town square, her mother having made a very difficult decision to provide her daughter with the opportunity for a new life.

Thankfully, ten months later Olivia joined our family and has since blessed us and others countless times with her gifts of compassion, laughter, determination, and creativity.

She has gone through many challenges in her short life so far (with her health, vision, learning, and sensory issues), but does not complain. She tries to overcome challenges that she is presented with...sometimes on her own and sometimes with the help of others. Truly, bringing home MLK's words: "We cannot walk alone."

3 in 30 Check-in - Week 3

2012-01-20T04:00:00.003-06:00

I finally feel like I'm making some progress towards my goals after a challenging first couple weeks of January.

During the third week of January, I've been trying to get back into the routine of homeschooling; making and filling orders for Harvest Moon by Hand; taking care of the pets and horses; and taking the girls to their activities, medical appointments, and special education.

I've had to make adjustments to my schedule with Olivia being sick for part of the week and Sophia's appointment at the optometrist taking much longer than expected due to significant vision changes (the first major changes in her eyes was diagnosed in March 2011; and now in January 2012 she's had another major change with both of her eyes. She needs new glasses and contacts to address this drop in vision).

Although there were these medical and health challenges, there was some fun this week when we celebrated Olivia's 9th birthday on the 18th of January. Thanks to complimentary tickets, we were able to do a lot of fun things at the Mall of America: see the aquarium, go on rides, and play miniature golf. It was an enjoyable, educational, and memorable day.

Doing something fun in the middle of the month was a nice break and balance with the more "serious" work of these goals. This break came at exactly the right time...it is definitely what I needed. (Maybe I'll have to include a "fun day" or "break day" each month for the 3 in 30 challenge.)

So, during the third week of the 3 in 30 challenge, I made the following progress:

1. Remove photographs from all photo albums and put in photo boxes. I began this process in 2011, but never completed it. My goal was to remove all the photographs so that the photo albums wouldn't continue to damage the images. (Many of the photographs are in albums that are not acid-free.)

This week I removed photos from 8 albums. Although there are more than triple than that waiting to be completed, I felt happy that I completed 1/4 of the project this week. The old albums are in the trash, the photos are safely preserved now in acid-free/photo-safe boxes, and a lot of room is now available in the closet.

2. Thoroughly clean and repair the master bedroom. I began this process in April 2011 by cleaning the closet and donating clothing that I no longer wore. I removed the clutter from the closet and either donated or threw it away. I had all the blinds repaired so they were in working order.

During the past week, I talked with an electrician and he will be coming on Monday, January 23rd to fix and/or replace four light fixtures and the smoke detector (depending on the condition of each one).

I got paint chip samples and matched the color of the green in the master bedroom that needs repainting. In talking with the salesperson, she said that because the wall hasn't been repainted in at least 16 years, that the paint (most likely) has faded. Doing touch-ups aren't an option...repainting the entire section of the wall where there is green paint is what needs to be done. I'm planning on doing that over the weekend.

I also got paint chip samples for the white walls. Repainting the white part of the walls (the majority of it) will have to be done during another month...maybe the spring when the windows can be open and there is better air circulation.

3. Spend 15 minutes outside each day. Every day this week I've been outside - one time for over an hour; other times for 15-20 minutes; and on Thursday for about 10 minutes.

During the first part of the week, the temperature was in the 20s and 30s - so Sophia, Olivia, and I filled all the bird feeders and did some outside work to clean up the front yard. These were nice days to be outside.

Other days I've worked with the horses - feeding them, cleaning the barn, filling the heated water buckets, and tossing hay down from the loft (in the barn). I also walked around the backyard and picked up items that were left outside in the fall; picked up and stacked cut wood and branches in the pasture; and swept the porch and walkway (I have never done this in my entire life in January in Minnesota!).

Towards the end of the week, the weather nose-dived to well below zero. By Thursday, the temperature was -11 degrees with a windchill of -20. It's hard to believe that just a week ago it was 63 degrees warmer than what it was on Thursday.

When temperatures get this cold, it's not a good idea to be outside for a long time. Frostbite can happen...and at colder temperatures one's skin can literally freeze in a matter of minutes. So...15 minutes outside can be unsafe...and unhealthy.

As I look back at the week and this goal, this is the one that I feel like I came closest to meeting.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Despite getting back into a routine during the third week, trying to meet the three goals I set isn't going quite as quickly as I expected. The goals I chose for January could have happened if I had a lot of extra time and nothing difficult had happened this month. However, the reality is that these goals are ones that are in addition to what I'm trying to do on a day-to-day basis....extra challenges or not.

So, I'm thinking that in future months, I'll set one larger goal and two smaller goals. In this way, the challenge won't seem so overwhelming and will be more attainable.

Having some success - however small - each week is important. It's what will keep me motivated to continue trying to reach the goals I set at the beginning of each month.

12 in 12: January Update

2012-01-17T20:05:00.002-06:00

During 2012, Sophia, Olivia, and I are doing a special challenge that we've named 12 in 12. We are doing 12 different activities that help people in need, animals, or the environment.

This is what we did during January:

- Take 1 bag of food to the food shelf. On January 15th, we took a bag of food to the collection cart at church. Once a month, the food is brought to the food shelf for distribution to families in need.

Olivia eagerly put a bag of food in the cart.

The donations are brought to the food shelf in Stillwater.

- Volunteer 1 hour at a community organization that is chosen each month. At the beginning of the month, my dad was under hospice care at a nursing home because of Alzheimer's Disease. From the late-afternoon of January 1st through the early-morning of January 5th (when he died), I was there around-the-clock to ensure he was getting the care and pain medicine he needed.

With the exception of 4 hours of sleep (8 p.m.-midnight) on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights when my brother sat in the room with my dad and mom to ensure everything was okay, I was with my dad about 74 hours during this time period.

Being at a nursing home for that period of time made me acutely aware of how hard the nurses and nursing aides have to work. For example, at night there were 48 residents in the palliative and hospice unit where my dad was living. There was one nurse and two aides there. Granted, this is at night when most of the residents are sleeping. However, my dad (even though he was dying) needed more care than what the staff could have provided.

I held my dad's hand for many hours,

letting him know I was there next to him.

So, this month - rather than choosing another organization at which to volunteer - I chose to spend my time with my dad - which not only helped him, but helped the staff by relieving them of some of the tasks that they needed to do to help him.

The nurses taught me how to do certain things that would provide comfort to my dad; and how to monitor his respiration rate. These were things that I could do during this time that were helpful - both to my dad and the nurses.

I was told that many of the residents go through the dying process and die without anyone there. Being with my dad around-the-clock was unusual...though, they said, a testament to how much he loved and gave to others...and how that was reflected back to him. It is making me think quite a bit about the need for volunteers in the hospice field...and if that may be something that I may be interested in doing in the future.

- Donate 1 bag of clothing to a second-hand shop. On January 14th, we donated two bags of clothing to Family Pathways.

Sophia and Olivia outside Family Pathways

with bags of donations - clothing, toys, and other items.

- Donate 1 bag of toys and other non-clothing items to a second-hand shop. On January 14th, we donated five bags of toys, household goods, and holiday items to Family Pathways. (See picture above which includes these bags.)

- Donate 12 books that we no longer read to organizations needing books. We donated 22 books to the new community library that is opening in a neighboring town. The library will be operated by volunteers from the community after the county had to greatly reduce funding to support the library.

The 22 books that we donated to the new community library.

If they can't use them, they will donate them to the local elementary school

for their spring fundraiser.

Whatever books that aren't used for the library will be donated to the local elementary school when they do their spring fundraiser.

Sophia putting books in the collection box

for the new community library.

- Donate $12 to an organization that helps individuals, animals, or the environment. Sophia, Olivia, and I decided to donate $20 to Northwoods Humane Society since finding loving homes for animals is an issue that is important to us. This is the place where we adopted Gretel on March 27, 2008.

We made the donation in memory of my dad. As a side note, the reason I visited Northwoods back in 2008 was because Casey (my dog) had died in February 2008. I was looking for another dog and saw an ad in the paper for a Corgi that was available at Northwoods. My dad's favorite dog was his Corgi who lived in the 1960s and 1970s.

When I saw the Corgi, it was not recommended for families with children. The Northwoods staff suggested a puppy that they had available. Gretel (who was named "Lucy" at the time) was available and immediately we felt a connection with her.

Olivia, Sophia, Gretel, and me

on Gretel's adoption day in 2008.

Currently at Northwoods there many affectionate, quiet, or playful cats and kittens who needed families. Whatever personality cat or kitten you are looking for, there is one certainly who would fit that description.

One of the cats waiting for a new home.

I enjoyed playing with Scrambles - who kept sticking her paws out of the cage for me play with and to pet. The girls must have taken dozens of pictures of the cats and kittens.

Scrambles is looking for a family.

There are also many dogs at Northwoods (more about the dogs is written below).

- Write 1 letter to someone who has made a difference in our lives. On January 16th, I hand-delivered a letter I wrote to Angie, my dad's nursing aide, who was so caring and compassionate to him during his time at St. Therese.

She shared a funny story about my dad while I was staying with him at the nursing home. I asked her to tell it again when the pastoral care team did a memorial and prayer service for staff right after my dad died. It made people laugh (including me) and recall the happier times with my dad.

My letter to Angie, in part, said, "In a time of such overwhelming sadness and loss, humor and the ability to laugh is healing. My dad truly believed that as well. In fact, when he was going through his training to become a deacon, he did a presentation to his class about the value of using humor in the healing process.

"Your patience, compassion, laughter, and empathy radiated from you when you were around my dad. These skills are ones that he had as well….especially before the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease affected his mind and body.

"I’m sure my dad recognized these wonderful qualities in you, Angie; and it is the reason he trusted you to care for him during his last few months of his life."

- Donate 1 bag of pop cans to places that collect them to raise funds. Since we were at Northwoods this month making a financial gift, we decided to donate a bag of cans to them. While we were there, we visited the dogs and cats (see above about the cats).

The girls ready to donate the bag of cans in the collection holder

at Northwoods Humane Society.

All the dogs available for adoption at Northwoods were adults with the exception of one bulldog puppy that was the last remaining one of nine puppies. Her name was "Dottie" (my Mom's nickname when she was growing up).

Dottie the bulldog puppy.

I made a point of visiting each dog, saying her/his name, and spending some time with each one. Some of the information about the adult dogs is heartbreaking - asked how much hours an owner spent with a dog "not too many" or why the dog came to Northwoods "it was tied to the back of a garage" and the owners had abandoned it. A neighbor found the dog and brought it in.

One of the dogs (the one whose owners didn't pay much attention to it) kept bringing me toys. It was so eager to play and get some attention. Hopefully someone will come in soon looking for a dog just like him.

- Donate 1 bag of Purina Kitten Chow (dry) to Northwoods Humane Society (where Gretel was adopted). Sophia and Olivia brought the bag of kitten food to the 4-H meeting on January 16th since the community service project for the month was collecting food and items the kittens, cats, puppies, and dogs need at Northwoods Humane Society.

Donating a bag of Kitten Chow to help

Northwoods Humane Society.

- Spend 1 hour outdoors doing projects that help wildlife. We have enjoyed filling the bird feeders during the month with a variety of seed and suet (homemade and purchased).

Olivia filling one of the suet feeders.

With the weather unseasonably warm this January, this task has been quite enjoyable to do.

Sophia filling the seed and suet feeder by the house.

Even the dogs were interested in filling the feeders...though they were probably waiting for some of the seed and suet to fall on the ground so they could enjoy it.

Gretel patiently waiting for a drop of suet to fall on the ground

as the girls fill the feeders.

- Make and randomly drop off 1 toy for a child to find as part of The Toy Society. I made a hand-embroidered teddy bear that fits in a child's hand, can be slipped into a pocket or backpack, and tucked under a pillow.

Handmade teddy bear made from a felted sweater and hand-embroidered.

Added a note, "take me home" envelope, and information

about The Toy Society in the package.

Sophia, Olivia, and I had fun putting the teddy bear in the "Customer in Training" cart at Cub, and imagining the child's reaction when she or he would find it and could take it home.

Olivia by the package in the cart.

The teddy bear now just needs a new home.

More information about the project, why we chose Cub as a drop-off location, and what we did is HERE.

- Share 1 time the gift of music (piano and/or harp) or singing with others. The girls sang at church on January 15th at both services.

The girls sang"This Little Light of Mine"

during two church services.

Those were our 12 in 12 activities in January. We enjoyed doing each of these ways of giving, and are looking forward to doing the 12 in 12 challenge in February.

First Toy Drop for The Toy Society

2012-01-16T21:09:00.000-06:00

Sophia, Olivia, and I are participating in The Toy Society this year as part of our personal 12 in 12 challenge. Our goal is to volunteer, donate different items, and make some financial contributions all while trying to make a positive difference in the lives of people in need, animals, and the environment.

The Toy Society is a craft/street art project spreading love throughout the streets of the world. According to its website, "The Toy Society is all about giving you a 'something for nothing' experience. Every Toy Society toy 'dropped' around the world is handmade. You can read about the drops and finds at http://thetoysociety.blogspot.com/."

The first step was to make a toy. I made a little hand-embroidered bear from a felted wool sweater. The bear has a green bow around its neck.

Handmade toy I created with a felted sweater

and cotton embroidery floss.

Then, I printed a "Take Me Home" label. I chose to glue the label onto an envelope. Inside the envelope, I handwrote a short note.

Envelope with hand-written note.

The next step is to print the letter explaining the purpose of The Toy Society and what the finder should do once s/he finds the toy. I found an image from a vintage children's book and glued that onto green paper and put the note from The Toy Society by it.

Letter explaining The Toy Society and

what to do when the toy is found.

Once all the components are ready, Iplaced them in a sealable plastic bag. I hole-punched one corner and put a green ribbon through it so I could attach it to the item where I was placing it. We chose a little "Customer in Training" cart at Cub Foods (a grocery store) near where we lived.

Olivia by the "Customer in Training" cart

where the toy is waiting for its own owner.

I chose Cub as the first drop-off point for a couple of reasons:

(1) It's going to snowing and be relatively cold over the next few days. I didn't want the toy and the contents getting damaged (even though the bag was sealed. Also, fewer children seem to be playing outside compared to the summer; and

(2) When my dad had Alzheimer's Disease and was still able to go to the grocery store (up until September 2011), the employees at Cub near where he lived were always so kind and compassionate towards him. When he no longer could count money, he simply would open his wallet to cashiers he would recognize and trust that they would take only the money for the groceries (which they did).

The employees at Cub's grocery store and pharmacy near him always listened to my dad and made him feel valued...even when he lost the ability to communicate effectively. I wanted the first toy drop to be in a place that had special meaning for our family, and in memory of my dad who died earlier this month (on January 5th).

The toy ready to be discovered by

a young "Customer in Training."

So the toy is waiting in the little cart, ready to be discovered. Hopefully, the new owner will enjoy playing with her/his new teddy bear.

Area with small carts for children.

We're wondering who will find the bear!

O is for Oatmeal pancakes - ABCs of Homeschooling

2012-01-16T11:57:00.039-06:00

This week we made Oatmeal Pancakes for the "O" recipe in the children's cookbook, Alpha-Bakery. Out of all the recipes we've made so far (one for each letter from "A" through "N," this one is one that we will not be making again.

The batter was very runny. Perhaps that might be due to the fact that we used dairy-free rice milk instead of buttermilk and (cow) milk. The other element - the quick oats made the pancakes taste a bit unusual...kind of on the lumpy side.

Homeschooling, to me, is about trying new things; and learning what works and doesn't work - especially when it comes to home economics and cooking. To have one recipe that we didn't care for out of 14...that's not bad.

Next week is Pizza Pockets...and the girls are excited to try that recipe and see how it turns out. Until then...we have the recipe for oatmeal pancakes.

Trio of oatmeal pancakes with syrup that

Sophia and Olivia made for breakfast.

Oatmeal Pancakes

Ingredients

1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
3/4 cup buttermilk (we used slightly less than 3/4 cup of dairy-free rice milk and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice; and then let it sit for about 5 minutes)
1/4 cup milk (we used dairy-free rice milk)
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg

Directions:

Beat all ingredients in a medium bowl with a hand beater until smooth. (For thinner pancakes, stir in 2 to 4 tablespoons of additional milk.)

Grease a heated griddle, if necessary, with shortening, using a pastry brush. (To see if griddle is hot enough, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If bubbles skitter around, heat is just right.)

For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle. Cook until pancakes are puffed and dry around the edges. Turn and cook other sides until golden brown.

GIVEAWAY!! Win a Beautiful Dress from Shabby Apple!

2012-01-16T06:57:00.003-06:00

Before the holidays, Shabby Apple contacted me and asked if I wanted to offer readers a chance to win one of their dresses. I took a look at the many choices of beautiful dresses from Shabby Apple for women and children, and definitely wanted to do this!

Both Sophia and Olivia were given dresses to wear so we could see what they are like. Since it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find well-made, modest - yet stylish and beautiful - clothing for girls, tweens, and young women, my daughters and I were pleasantly surprised at how many choices are available from Shabby Apple that meet these criteria.

Olivia chose Ingrid the Second from the Little Girls Dresses from Shabby Apple. She said it is very comfortable, soft, and loves all the ruffles. Although she's use to wearing dresses that are a bit longer (mid-calf), she has enjoyed wearing this shorter one that falls around her knees. Whenever she wears the dress, she always receives compliments.

Olivia is wearing the Ingrid the Second dress

from Shabby Apple.

Sophia chose Sacred Falls from the Women's Dresses from Shabby Apple. We used the sizing guidelines on Shabby Apple's website, and the dress fit Sophia perfectly. The dresses are true-to-size which makes it easy to choose the appropriate size.

Sophia likes the details of the neckline and all the pleating in the front which makes it different from other dresses she has seen. Like Olivia's dress, this one also is very soft and comfortable to wear.

Sophia wearing the Sacred Falls dress

from Shabby Apple.

And now...for the giveway...and what you have a chance to win: Too Darn Hot - a beautiful, 1940s-inspired dress from Shabby Apple.

Enter for a Chance to Win this"Too Darn Hot" Dress

from Shabby Apple.

(The photos are from Shabby Apple.)

As the Shabby Apple website says about this women's dress, "[it has] stunning details. Carefully constructed from stretch sateen, the Too Darn Hot boasts a high, wide boat neck, fitted bodice, and cap sleeves. The slightly tapered skirt descends from a bouquet of four flouncy ruffles at the low waist, and falls to the knee."

If you live in the United States, you have a chance to win this great dress! Until midnight on Monday, January 23, 2012, simply:

- “Like” Shabby Apple on Facebook and then leave a comment below saying where you would wear the dress. (By liking Shabby Apple, you'll get special promotions and discounts.)

Want more chances to win? Do one (or all) of the following for additional entries. Each one counts as a separate entry.

- Follow Harvest Moon by Hand's blog - look to the right side and there's a place to join as a Follower. If you already follow this blog, just put that in the entry.

- "Like" Harvest Moon by Hand on Facebook. Put your Facebook name in your entry.

- Follow Harvest Moon by Hand on Twitter. Note your name on Twitter in your entry.

- Tweet about this giveaway. Provide the link to the Tweet in your entry.

- Let your blog readers know about this giveaway. Provide a link to the post where you mention this giveaway.

- Write something on your Facebook page (either your personal or business one) about this giveaway. Provide the link to the post that mentions the giveaway.

Very important for all entries:

- Make sure you leave your email address (or a link to your website that has your email address) so I can contact you if you win.

- All entries must be received by midnight on Monday, January 23rd. A winner will be chosen and announced on Tuesday morning.

If you want to buy other women's dresses from Shabby Apple or little girls dresses from Shabby Apple right away...or want to buy other items (e.g., jewelry, accessories, swimwear, arts and crafts, fitness clothing) from Shabby Apple during the next 30 days, you can receive a 10% off coupon by simply using the code harvestmoon10off at checkout.

Disclaimers:
- There are affliate links in this post. If you click on them, you will help support this site...and you have my heartfelt thanks.
- There are no exchanges for the winning dress.

Good luck!!

3 in 30 Check-in - Week 2

2012-01-13T11:30:00.001-06:00

Last week I didn't make much progress towards my goals because of my father's death on January 5th. This week, I am trying to create some sense of order now that visitation, prayer service, funeral, and burial are done.

3 Goals in January

1. Remove photographs from all photo albums and put in photo boxes. I began this process in 2011, but never completed it. My goal was to remove all the photographs so that the photo albums wouldn't continue to damage the images. (Many of the photographs are in albums that are not acid-free.)

In creating display boards for my father's visitation, Sophia, Olivia, and I removed all the photo albums from the closet. Initially, we went through them to find pictures of my dad so they could be used on the boards.

This board was one of six that I did.

It shows pictures from my dad's early years and

those related to his time and/or interest in the Army.

The next step is to go through the photo albums and remove the pictures and put them in photo-safe, acid-free boxes so the pictures stay safe. During the next two weeks I'm hoping to complete this goal.

As a side note, seeing them the photo albums out in one spot made me realize how much space they take up. It will be nice to have extra closet space once this project is done.

2. Thoroughly clean and repair the master bedroom. Unfortunately, I did not have the time this week to do any work towards this goal. Other matters had to take priority.

3. Spend 15 minutes outside each day. I was able to meet this goal on some days, but not all days, given the circumstances. On Saturday, I spent no time outside. The entire day was spent indoors going through numerous photo albums, sorting photos, and selecting 90 photos so a DVD of my dad's life could be made in time for his visitation on Monday afternoon.

After that, I began working on the display boards that would reflect the full life my dad led, and the impact he made on so many lives.

On Sunday, I spent about 10 minutes outside working in the barn and spreading down new wood chips for the horses. Since I was still preparing the display boards for my father's funeral, and it was taking much longer than anticipated, I didn't spend any more time outside.

Monday was spent indoors - with only brief periods outdoors as I loaded and unloaded the car at home, my father's church, and the hotel. Otherwise, the focus was on setting up and attending my dad's visitation and vigil service.

Tuesday I was outside for more than 15 minutes at Fort Snelling where my dad was buried. The burial included full honors - meaning there were flag bearers waiting for us as we arrived; active and retired military men who folded the flag and presented it to my mother as well as saluted my father's casket; and rifle men who shot three volleys, and two men who played taps on bugles.

A veteran presenting the flag that draped my father's casket

to my mother.

It was a touching and meaningful ceremony followed by a prayer service led by a family friend who is a priest.

The flag bearers were in front and

the rifle men further down the street.

On Wednesday I spent about 15 minutes outside with the horses - feeding them, working in the barn, and making sure everything was okay. Sophia and I did some errands, so we were outside for short periods of time as we walked from the car to various places (e.g., stores, library). The weather changed from being in the 40s and 50s (on Monday and Tuesday) to overcast and much cooler - in the 20s.

On Thursday, Sophia, Olivia, and I took the dogs on a walk. It was 12 degrees today, though with the wind, it felt like -5 to 0 degrees. It was bone-chilling weather...especially with the wind. The girls did half the walk and then walked back home while I took the dogs for a longer walk.

There was a dead Virginia Opossum in the street which was of great interest to the dogs. Kept them back from that it so they wouldn't drag it home with them.

Since we homeschool, things like this always turn into a lesson it seems. The girls and I read more about opossums from the book Mammals of Minnesota - Field Guide by Stan Tekiela. Some interesting things we learned:
- They can get to 25-30" (this one was about 27" long - not including the tail which was another 6" or so).
- The feet have five toes. The first toe on the the hind feet is thumb-like and lacks a nail.
- They only live 3-5 years.
- It likes to live in deciduous forest, farmlands, wetlands, and prairies - all of which can be found in the local area.
- They live in a leaf nest in an underground den or hollow log.
- They are omnivores.
- The gestation period is only 8-14 days during January-February. At that time, 2-13 offspring (usually 5-6) will be born and be the size of a navy bean. They crawl to the mother's external fur-lined pouch where they stay for up to two months.
- This is the only marsupial found north of Mexico.
- It has 50 teeth - more than any other mammal in Minnesota.

Came back and watched the horses gallop in the pasture. They kept coming back to the gate to be pet, so I did that for a while. Then they made their way to barn...looking back at me as if saying, "Come on...give us an early dinner!"

Bailey in the pasture. (You can hardly see her -

she's in the lower right corner of the photo.)

So, I fed the horses and checked their water which had frozen slightly despite being in heated buckets (realized the plug had come partly out of the socket).

By the time I came back in, it had been 45 minutes. It felt so good to be outside for that period of time...despite the cold weather. I guess wearing a shirt, two sweatshirts, two pairs of pants, two pairs of socks, a heavy coat, hat, mittens, and scarf was worth it...just to stay warm.

Take a Stitch Tuesday - Buttonhole Stitch - Week 2

2012-01-12T08:36:00.001-06:00

For Take a Stitch Tuesday, there is a different embroidery stitch to learn each week. This week's stitch is the buttonhole stitch.

According to the Pintangle website, "The buttonhole stitch is also known as blanket stitch because it was often used as an edging on blankets .... By altering the lengths of the upright stitches buttonhole can be both decorative and practical. Basic buttonhole stitch is the foundation for a family of stitches."

The buttonhole stitch is one of the first stitches I learned after seeing it used to make felt toys at the local Waldorf school. I wanted to learn how to do this stitch, so I could make toys as well.

Throughout the years, I've made artist trading cards (ATC) that incorporated the buttonhole stitch. Usually, I am doing applique work and need to secure the fabric to the ATC.

Henny Penny Taking a Stroll

(Artist Trading Card)

One of the more labor-intensive projects was a hand-embroidered activity book that I made for my daughters. Each of the 19 pages had different activities to do, and all were outlined in the buttonhole stitch.

One page from the activity book

I made for my daughters.

I also have enjoyed making toys with wool felt and stuffed with wool from sheep I use to raise. The buttonhole stitch is an excellent stitch to use to ensure the toy is secure and won't fall apart when played with and used for many years.

Sandman toy featuring the buttonhole stitch

to secure the embellishments as well as hold the

front and back pieces together.

Another example of the buttonhole stitch was when I made bags for Valentine's Day one year. I fill them with little gifts for Sophia and Olivia.

Each bag has six pieces that are connected using the buttonhole stitch.

The designs on the front are hand-cut appliques that are

secured to the bag by the buttonhole stitch.

So, this week I wanted to try something different. Rather than work with felt and fabric - which I'm comfortable doing - I thought I'd try using aida cloth and cardstock paper. I have never tried to do the buttonhole stitch on either of these items, so it was a personal challenge.

As I did last week, I included samples of the buttonhole stitch in my TAST Journal.

Buttonhole stitching done on Aida cloth

and on cardstock paper surrounding a postage stamp.

Given what happened last week (my dad died on January 5th), I chose to focus the stitching as it related to him. The top stiching in done in shades of blue which was his favorite color. There are five groupings of five stitches each (there are five people in our family: dad, mom, my sister, brother, and me).

Also, as I look at the blues with the green in the middle, it reminds me of the colors of nature - pine trees, leaves, water, and the sky. My dad loved being outdoors and the natural world. He passed that same love of nature onto me.

The postage stamp is glued onto purple cardstock. I stitched around the stamp using the buttonhole stitch. The image on the stamp is one of rainbows and boats. I thought of:
- hope and the promise that things will again be calm and peaceful after a storm (or challenge in one's life);
- a journey to explore a new and different world (as represented by the sailboats); and
- enjoying the wonders of nature.

I also included a journal entry about what happened this week. As I mentioned last week and a bit earlier in this post, my father died on January 5th. He had Alzheimer's Disease during the last few years of his life which was difficult to watch as it robbed him of his mind and ability to function as well as he use to when he didn't have the disease.

On Sunday (January 8th), I created six presentation boards that included highlights from his life. Although it was a lot of work, it was such a joy to be able to look at pictures of my father and the incredibly full life he led.

This is one of the six boards that I made about my dad's life.

It focuses on the things that brought him

joy, laughter, and reward:

nature, camping, theater, joking around,

playing Santa Claus, and

being a school social worker.

The visitation and vigil service was Monday night, and his funeral and burial on Tuesday.

My dad was a Deacon, so before the Eucharist part of the funeral mass,

all the deacons and priests who were present lined up by the altar.

(This photo was taken by my dad's Stephen Minister, Tom.)

On Wednesday and for the remaining part of the week, I have and will be trying to get back into the routine of daily living and homeschooling. It's difficult...to say the least. Yet, having something like TAST to keep me connected to my interests - embroidery and writing - is helpful.

The last part of my weekly stitching journal is a list of some of the things and/or people for which I'm grateful. Sometimes I can lose sight of what is truly important when I get overwhelmed or depressed. I want to be able to look back on this past year and be able to read and remember the positive parts of it.

The buttonhole stitch was used to create a sun.

One of the things I was grateful for this week was

the warm weather - it was in the 40s and 50s

during the early part of the week.

I'm happy to be participating in TAST. The combination of journaling, gratitude, and stitching is something that will be meaningful for me, especially as I look back on the year and go through the healing process.

P52 Photo Challenge - Made with Love - Week 2

2012-01-11T07:02:00.002-06:00

The theme for the second week of the P52 Photo Challenge is "Made with Love."

Herbal and Floral Wreath

(Photo taken on January 10, 2012.)

This was a wreath that I requested be made for my Dad's visitations, prayer service, and funeral mass. I did some research in 2011 about different herbs, flowers, and plants and their significance or symbolism.

When I presented the special request with all the different components, I wasn't sure a florist could incorporate all the elements...nor what the final piece would turn out like.

I was so happy when it was delivered. The florist said they went to five different vendors and his neighbor's oak tree to get every element I had hoped for in the arrangement.

The elements and how they relatee to my Dad are:

- Juniper – Don admired St. Francis’ beliefs and writing; and juniper is said to have been a favorite of St. Francis and also traditionally is a plant of sanctuary.

- Douglas fir – Don enjoyed nature, camping, and the outdoors; and the fragrance from the fir is a reminder of being up north in the BWCA – a favorite place of his to visit during the 1960s and 1970s.

The final vacation that Don took was in September 2010 with Dorothy, Ann, Sophia, and Olivia to Grand Marais. They visited one of the places Don enjoyed the most: the Gunflint Trail and Lake Saganaga.

We hiked on trails, dipped our hands in the lake, fed some ducks, and had a picnic by the shore of Lake Saganaga. Don was able to remember routes he canoed and portages he walked on when he looked at a map of the area.

- Boxwood – This plant’s name – sempervirens – means everlasting life. Don’s strong Catholic faith and belief that Jesus was his savior, means Don will have everlasting life with God as well as all his loved ones who have died before him and who will join him in the future.

- Lavender – Not only is lavender associated with virtue; it is a plant whose fragrance is calming. Don was a virtuous person who sought what was good and chose to act in a good way. Lavender also represents memories and peace.

- Sage – This herb represents immortality. Don’s spirit lives on indefinitely through those whose lives he impacted. These individuals, in turn, share Don’s spirit with others when they act in a way that reflects how Don positively affected them.

- Thyme – Is a symbol of loyalty. Don was a constant and loyal husband to Dorothy; and provided support to her for over 47 years.

- Basil – This herb represents both protection and love. As a devoted husband and father, Don provided both these things to his family.

- Birch – This tree is a symbol of rebirth and renewal. Don believed that once a person dies, they become renewed and restored in Heaven.

- Ivy – Like birch, ivy represents rebirth.

- Oak – This tree symbolizes strength, renewal of the soul, and the healing of wounds. As we continue our lives without Don’s physical presence in this world, we hope and pray that in the days ahead, we become stronger and the sadness that we feel now will be healed.

- Rosemary – This herb represents friendship and happiness. Don was friends with many people and brought happiness to others throughout his life.

- Roses – These flowers represent love and protection. Don enjoyed growing roses in his front yard. Their scent and beauty brought him great joy. During different times during the summer, he would cut a single rose, and present it to Dorothy. They would put the rose on the table in the dinette where they could both enjoy the flower…and be reminded of the love they shared with one another.

N is for Nibble Sticks - ABCs of Homeschooling

2012-01-09T11:56:00.029-06:00

This week for the recipe from the Alpha-Bakery cookbook that Sophia is using as part of homeschooling, she made Nibble Sticks. They were very easy to make; and tasted like a biscuit with shredded cheese and sausage in them. They can be eaten cold or hot.

Nibble Sticks

Ingredients
2 cups of all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of shortening
2/3 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped salami, bologna, or fully cooked ham (we used summer sausage)
About 3/4 cup of milk

Directions

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until mixture is crumbly. Stir in cheese and meat. Stir in just enough milk so a soft dough forms.

Sprinkle a surface lightly with flour. Turn the dough onto the floured surface. Knead gently 10 times. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Pat dough into an 8 inch square; cut square in half. Cut each half crosswise into 1-inch strips.

Bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve warm or cool with ketchup, mustard, or cheese dip if you like.

Take a Stitch Tuesday - Fly Stitch - Week 1

2012-01-07T07:24:00.002-06:00

For Take a Stitch Tuesday, there is a different embroidery stitch to learn each week. This week's stitch is the fly stitch. I had never heard of it until now.

According to Stitch-opedia, the "fly stitch is an isolated stitch that can be arranged in a number of ways to give different overall patterns."

I decided to keep a book that includes several different components:
- the tactile stitch with its name;
- a short journal hand-written journal entry; and
- a list of a few things for which I'm grateful.

In the weeks ahead, I'll also add any natural element that I find during the course of a week (e.g., feather, pressed flower or leaf). I didn't find anything this week because I spent most of the time indoors (not to mention that there is snow covering the ground now...a change from just a week ago).

Rather than going out and purchasing supplies, I use what I had on hand: a lined composition book, scrapbooking paper, linen fabric, and cotton embroidery floss.

For the first week, my journal entry focuses on the fact that my father died on Thursday, January 5, 2012....just a day shy of his 80th birthday. It's not the cheerful journal entry that perhaps some other weeks during the upcoming year will hold...but it is a reality of what happened this week.

I tried a few different variations of the fly stitch in different shades of blue and green. Blue was Dad's favorite color...and both blue and green remind me of the outdoors which he loved.

The last part of this week's page included five items for which I am grateful. I think it will be particularly important this year to keep these things in mind...and remind myself what is truly important.

3 in 30 Check-in - Week 1

2012-01-06T16:18:00.000-06:00

This is the first check-in for the 3 in 30 Challenge. I had hoped to make some progress on each of the goals I set for January. However, my father passed away on Thursday, January 5th. His health took a dramatic decline on Sunday, January 1st; and I was with him at the nursing home since Sunday afternoon.

Staying all day and sleeping overnight in a nursing home is an experience in itself. I certainly gained a much greater appreciation for the hard work that the nurses and nurses aides do on behalf of all the residents there.

Although I didn't accomplish anything, really, towards my goals...I am hoping that next week I'll be able to start on them.

Below are the goals and what I've done so far towards reaching them.

3 Goals in January

1. Remove photographs from all photo albums and put in photo boxes. Although I began this process in 2011, I never completed it. My goal was to remove all the photographs so that the photo albums wouldn't continue to damage the images.

This week, I began going through albums and photographs that my father had in preparation for his vigil and funeral. I did get two photo boxes that are archival quality that I can begin putting my photographs in.

2. Thoroughly clean and repair the master bedroom. I made no progress on this goal.
3. Spend 15 minutes outside each day. Because of the instability of my father's and mother's health (both were staying in the same room at the nursing home), someone had to be with them all the time. On Tuesday, I was able to sneak away for a bit and go outside for some fresh air while my brother and sister watched my parents.

Then, on Thursday (the day my dad died), I spent some time outside...but not 15 minutes.

Friday I have spent all days indoors planning for the funeral, vigil, and going through photographs to create displays and/or a DVD. I can't believe how quickly the day went by.

*~*~*~*~*~*

This, by far, has been a very unexpected way to begin the year. I had higher hopes that I would be making progress towards reaching my goals. Perhaps during the next few weeks I can catch up and reach them. Immediate issues need to be addressed first.

Heartwarming Animal Stories Reading Challenge

2012-01-05T13:00:00.001-06:00

I enjoyed the Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge that I did last year, and wanted to do another reading challenge for 2012. Knowing that this year will be a difficult one (my father is under hospice care right now and has been since the end of November), I know that trying to read over 5,200 pages would be too much.

So, I found another challenge for this year that seems more realistic for me to do: Heartwarming Animal Stories 2012 Reading Challenge.

Like the person hosting the challenge, I, too, enjoy animals. Reading inspiring stories about them would be a good way to spend some of my spare time during the upcoming year.

The two key rules of the challenge are to: (1) read six non-fiction books; and (2) read the books from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2012. There are some other guidelines, but those are the main ones that shape the reading challenge.

I found some books that sound intriguing based on the lists by the Multnomah Library. The descriptions provided are from the library.

Non-Fiction Books about Dogs

Bradley, Carol
Saving Gracie: How One Dog Escaped the Shadowy World of American Puppy Mills
This touching narrative chronicles how one little dog, Gracie, is transformed from a bedraggled animal worn out from bearing puppies at a puppy mill into a loving, healthy member of her new family.

Elder, Janet
Huck: the remarkable true story of how one lost puppy taught a family--and a whole town--about hope and happy endings
Huck is a delight and the book itself is lovely and inspiring.

Levin, Larry
Oogy: the dog only a family could love
What would begin as a terrible day for Levin and his sons suddenly got brighter as the ugliest dog they had ever seen, one who was missing an ear and had half his face covered in scar tissue, ran up to them in a vet's office and captured their hearts.

McPherson, Rachel
Every dog has a gift: true stories of dogs who bring hope and healing into our lives
McPherson draws on her experience as the founder and executive director of The Good Dog Foundation, the largest animal-assisted therapy organization on the East Coast, to share the amazing stories of dogs that bring hope and healing into people's lives.

Plaskin, Glenn
Katie up and down the hall: the true story of how one dog turned five neighbors into a family
Celebrity journalist Plaskin shares a moving story about a man who discovers the true meaning of family after adopting a cocker spaniel puppy. Through the magnetic personality of his mischievous dog, the author makes powerful connections with neighbors in a high-rise in Lower Manhattan.

Non-Fiction Books about Cats

Cooper, Gwen
Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat
Gwen Cooper already had enough going on in her life and then her veterinarian called her and asked her if she would like an abandoned kitten who could not see. Well she had two cats already and didn't need another one, but when she saw the kitten she knew that she and Homer were meant for each other and her heart filled with joy. Homer was amazing and did wonderful things no one would expect a blind cat to even try.

Dosa, David
Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat
An otherwise ordinary cat, Oscar, has the uncanny ability to predict when people in the Steere House Nursing Home are about to die. Dr. Dosa tells the stories of several patients and examines end-of-life care as it exists today.

Myron, Vicki
Dewey's Nine Lives: The Legacy of the Small-town Library Cat Who Inspired Millions
Continuing the bestselling formula that made Dewey so successful, this volume contains inspiring, funny, and heartwarming stories about cats told from the perspective of Dewey's mom, librarian Myron. Includes never-before-told stories about Dewey along with other touching cat tales.

These are some books that I found on Amazon.com that sounded interesting:

Chester, Chris
Providence of a Sparrow: Lessons from a Life Gone to the Birds
In this heartfelt, warm, and entertaining memoir, Chester describes in minute detail the changes that a tiny English sparrow has imposed on his living quarters, his daily routine, and, most significantly, his emotional life.

Heidcamp, Annette
A Hummingbird in My House: The Story of Squeak
This is the story of Squeak, a young, male hummingbird whom the author rescues from the frost and keeps in her sun room all winter long.

O'Brien, Stacey
Wesley the Owl
Biologist and barn owl expert, Stacey O'Brien, chronicles her rescue of an adorable, abandoned baby barn owl - and their astonishing and unprecedented nineteen-year life together.

Stanger, Margaret
That Quail, Robert
Back on Cape Cod in 1962, the author finds an abandoned quail's egg. From the hatched egg, a quail with a lot of personality and affection emerges. What happens when the human world becomes a substitute for Nature? Is the orphaned quail better off with its own kind, or with an adoptive family of a different species?

*~*~*~*~*

That's 12 books - one per month - for 2012. Now the difficult choice: which book should I begin reading?

Learning about Geography through Food - Massachusetts

2012-01-04T07:00:00.001-06:00

Massachusetts is the sixth New England state that we studied as part of the Cantering the Country curriculum. This is a wonderful multi-disciplinary curriculum that we have enjoyed this year. One of the favorite parts of it is trying new recipes that reflect each state.

In the cookbook Eat Your Way Through the U.S.A., there were recipes for Clam Chowder, Boston Baked Beans, Corn Muffins, and Boston Cream Pie. Since the thought of eating clams didn't appeal to any of us, we skipped that recipe. We tried the other three with mixed results.

Boston Baked Beans - the beans (despite soaking in water overnight) weren't as tender as the baked beans in the can. We all would eat beans from the can over the homemade Boston Baked Beans.

Corn Muffins - the muffins were delicious and we would make them again.

Boston Cream Pie - the flavor was very good. However, the batter didn't fill two cake pans as the recipe said it would. So, we made baked it in one 9" round cake pan. Unfortunately, I dropped the baked cake in the oven, so cutting and stacking the cake was a bit challenging. The frosting was very runny, despite adding more confectioners sugar.

That being said...we would make the cake again - doubling the cake part; halving the cream filling; and thickening the frosting.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Boston Baked Beans.

Boston Baked Beans

Ingredients

4 cups small white beans
2 onions
1/2 pound salt pork or fatty bacon
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 cup molasses
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons salt
2-4 cups hot water

Directions

Soak the beans in cold water for 12-24 hours. Cut the onions in quarters and throw them into the bottom of the bean pot. Add the drained beans. Stir in the salt pork or bacon.

Mix all of the other ingredients with 2-4 cups of hot water; stir into the beans. Add enough water to cover the beans, and put the pot in a 250 degree oven.

Cook 6-8 hours, adding water as necessary and occasionally stirring the beans. For the last hour or so you can leave the pot uncovered to get rid of some excess water.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Corn Muffins.

Corn Muffins

Ingredients

1 cup cornmeal
1 cup flour
2-4 tablespoons sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup oil or butter, melted (we used vegetable oil)
1 cup milk
1 egg, beaten

Directions

Combine dry ingredients. Add oil or butter, milk, and egg; and mix until just blended. Spoon into greased muffin tin. Bake at 400 dgrees for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Boston Cream Pie.

Despite the appearance, it tasted great.

Boston Cream Pie

Cake Ingredients

1 3/4 cups flour (if using all-purpose flour, decrease the amount by 2 tablespoons)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk

Cake Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Cream the butter. Add vanilla and gradually beat in sugar. Beat until fluffy. Beat in 2 eggs and stir in 1/2 cup flour mixture.

Stir in 1/4 cup milk and then add 1/2 cup flour mixture and another 1/4 cup milk. Mix. Add the rest of the flour mixture and beat just enough to blend well.

Spoon the batter into 2 greased and floured 7- or 8-inch round cake pans. Bake the layers 20-30 minutes at 375 degrees. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely.

Cream Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons flour or 1 tablespoon cornstarch
few grains of salt
1 cup milk (we used dairy-free milk)
1 egg (slightly beaten)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Cream Directions

Put the sugar, flour, and salt in a small heavy saucepan. Stir in milk. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens (about 5 minutes). Add the 1 egg and mix. Cook and stir for 3 more minutes. Stir in vanilla. Chill.

Chocolate Frosting Ingredients

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 tablespoon butter (we used dairy-free butter)
1/2 cup milk (we used dairy-free milk)
2 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Chocolate Frosting Directions

Place chocolate, butter, and milk in the top of a double boiler. Cook on medium low until the chocolate melts. Stir well. Take off the heat and let stand until lukewarm. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Beat until thick enough to spread.

Put together the cream pie:

Put the layers together with cream filling. Spread with chocolate frosting.

P52 Photo Challenge - Resolution - Week 1

2012-01-04T06:00:00.001-06:00

During 2012, there's a weekly photo challenge called P52 (Project 52). Each week, there is a different theme to use as inspiration for photography.
Week 1's theme is "Resolution." At the end of December, I began thinking about what I wanted to accomplish during 2012. Using my blog as a calendar, I started mapping out what I wanted to accomplish each month in the upcoming year.

However, my dad's health took a dramatic slide on December 31st, and on January 1st I received a call from the nursing home to come right away since his breathing was stopping for long periods of time. We anticipated January 1st being the last day my dad would be with us...however it is January 4th and we are still at the nursing home with him.

Dad's hand in mine on January 2nd.

What this first week of January showed me is that support and family come before any resolutions. These other things can wait...being with my dad at a time when he needs help and care cannot wait.

Take a Stitch Tuesday 2012

2012-01-03T14:00:00.003-06:00

Starting on January 3rd, and on each subsequent Tuesday during 2012, there's a challenge stitch posted at Pintangle's website for Take a Stitch Tuesday. The idea is that participants work a sample and experiment a bit.

This is an example of a band sampler.

I had never heard of one before TAST.

This one can be rolled up and stored; and

unrolled and used as a stitching reference.

Photo Source

According to the Pintangle website, the samples can be on small "scraps of fabric or doodle cloths. Some people are going to make a band sampler, others are making fabric books, others working the challenge stitches on a crazy quilt block or project, while others are going to use fabric postcards, and ATCs (Artist Trading Cards). The challenge is to work the stitch. The format or project is totally up to" each participant.

This is one of many embroidery panels

that were sewn together to form a quilt.

Photo Source

After the sample is done for the week, participants photograph it; and put it on the web so visitors can share. Then participants return to Pintangle to leave a comment to tell everyone where they can see their sample.

So, after taking a look at what others have done with samplers, I am tending to lean towards the side of practicality again. I could make another quilt - alternating 12 samplers (perhaps one sampler per month which would reflect 4-5 stitches depending on the number of weeks in that month) with fabric squares. However, I am doing another quilt as part of the Embroidery Journal Project in 2012.

Photo Source

I do like the idea of a table runner like the one in the photo above. Although I don't use table runners often, perhaps having something to decorate the table with for at least one meal each month (or one meal each week), might make meal time more special and pretty.

A participant in TAST 2010 did the stitches on scraps of lace.

She put them in an altered book with the names of the stitches.

Photo Source

The altered book, as pictured above, is the idea I keep returning to, however. Rather than altering a book (which I don't have any experience doing), perhaps using a blank book as the foundation would be more appropriate.

Each week, I could add different components:
- the tactile stitch with its name;
- a short journal hand-written journal entry;
- a list of a few things for which I'm grateful; and
- any natural element that I find during the course of a week (e.g., feather, pressed flower or leaf).

Given my father's declining health, perhaps this combination of written words, nature, and art/embroidery might be meaningful and help in the grieving/healing process.

Hopefully by next week I'll have made my decision about what to do.

M is for Mud Pie - ABCs of Homeschooling

2012-01-02T11:56:00.016-06:00

This week we made Mud Pie - a recipe from Alpha-Bakery (the cookbook that Sophia received as part of her homeschool home economics class).

Each week, we are making a different recipe and going in alphabetical order. We've reached the middle of the alphabet this week - 13 recipes made...13 left to go.

Mud Pie

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup of butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1 cup chopped nuts, optional
¼ cup fudge sauce or topping
1 cup chilled heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Additional fudge sauce for topping

Directions

Heat oven to 325º F. Grease bottom and side of round pan, 8 x 1½ inches, or pie plate, 8 x 1¼ inches.
Stir together granulated sugar, butter, flour, cocoa, vanilla, salt and eggs in medium bowl, add the nuts, and pour into pan.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted halfway between center and edge comes out clean (center will be moist). Immediately prick holes in pie with toothpick, and spread fudge sauce over top.
Cool completely, about 1 hour.

Beat whipping cream and powdered sugar in chilled medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff and spread over fudge sauce. Drizzle with additional fudge sauce and serve. Cover and refrigerate any remaining pie.

3 in 30 - Week 1

2012-01-01T00:01:00.009-06:00

This year I'm going to do the 3 in 30 Challenge. Basically, the challenge was formed last year because "there was something missing in the blogosphere – there was a community that was needed – one that would encourage others to make their goals reality, helping them along the way with accountability."

Anyone can participate in the 3 in 30 Challenge. The first step is to make a list of three attainable goals for this month.

Throughout the week, check in with the 30 in 30 Challenge website, on Twitter using the hashtag #3in30, or on the Facebook page. Participants can join the weekly link-up by blogging about their progress or sharing their progress in the comments.

Participants are asked to visit the other participants’ blogs, connect on Twitter and/or Facebook, and encourage one another. The weekly linkup will go “live” each Friday at 8:00 a.m. ET and stay “live” through Monday at 7:00 a.m. ET.

As I was thinking about what goals I wanted to start with this year, I came up with these three:
3 Goals in January

1. Remove photographs from all photo albums and put in photo boxes. I began this process in 2011, but never completed it. My goal was to remove all the photographs so that the photo albums wouldn't continue to damage the images. (Many of the photographs are in albums that are not acid-free.)

2. Thoroughly clean and repair the master bedroom. I began this process in April 2011 by cleaning the closet and donating clothing that I no longer wore. I removed the clutter from the closet and either donated or threw it away. I had all the blinds repaired so they were in working order.

The next step is to wash all the walls and windows; repair a couple of light fixtures and the smoke detector; and clean the bookshelves and desk. I'd also like to paint in a few areas that need touch-ups.

The last step will be to clear out clutter and non-essential items. Any book that I haven't read or plan to in the very near future will be donated to the second-hand store. Any craft project that I'm not currently working on will be placed in my office downstairs. This should help to create a more calming and relaxing space.

3. Spend 15 minutes outside each day. This can be done in any number of ways - working with the horses; playing with the dogs; taking the dogs on a walk; going on a nature walk with Sophia and Olivia; going on a walk by myself (if it's too cold for the dogs); filling birdfeeders; taking the garbage/recycling to the street; cleaning fallen wood from the pastures; or stacking firewood. It doesn't matter...just 15 minutes outside.

As I thought about these goals, I thought of many more. The "I'd-like-to-do-this" and "I-should-really-do-this" set in, and I wanted to continue listing more than the three goals. But that's when failure can set in, and I need to focus only these three goals first.

If I finish some of them in less than a month...great. Maybe then I can add another one. But, for right now, it's important to stick with the 3 in 30 guidelines. Doing and completing the goals, rather than having many that are not reached, will be a very good way to start off the year!

Learning about Geography through Food - Rhode Island

2011-12-31T08:30:00.002-06:00

We're using the Cantering the Country curriculum for learning about the United States. One of the activities that we look forward to doing is making food that is representative of each state.

The recipes in Eat Your Way Through the U.S.A. which is part of the curriculum had a couple of recipes of Rhode Island (Rhode Island Red Clam Chowder and Mocha Cake). However, neither appealed to us, so I chose to look on the internet for recipes from Rhode Island.

There were two that I found that I thought would be interesting to try: Spicy Apple Twists and Spicy Tuna and Avocado Ceviche. All of us liked the apple twists. Sophia and I liked the ceviche, but Olivia didn't care for it.

Spicy Apple Twists.

Spicy Apple Twists
(Rhode Island Fruit Growers)

Ingredients

2 large apples, pared and cored
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
4-5 tablespoons water
1/3 cup melted butter (we used dairy-free butter)
1-1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

Slice each apple into 8 wedges. Mix flour with salt into mixing bowl. Cut in shortening. Sprinkle cold water over mixture stirring with fork until dough is just moist enough to hold together. Form into ball, then flatten to about 1/2 inch thickness. Roll out on a floured surface to 16x10 inch rectangle. Cut into 16 10x1 inch strips.

Wrap one strip around each apple wedge. Arrange in 13x9x2 inch pan. Brush with butter; sprinkle with mixture of cinnamon and sugar.

Sophia sprinkling cinnamon and sugar

on top of the twists.

Olivia is brushing melted butter on her twists.

Pour 3/4 cup water around pastries. Bake in 450 degree oven 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm or cold, plain or with whipped cream.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Point Judith, Rhode Island, is the Tuna Capital of the World. So, we made something with tuna. Since tuna isn't freshly-caught in Minnesota, we opted to use canned white tuna. It's not the same thing as the recipe calls for, but it's what we had on hand.

A modified version of

Spicy Avacado and Tuna Ceviche.

Spicy Tuna and Avocado Ceviche
(Recipe Source)

Ingredients

Juice of 1/2 lime
1 teaspoon sambal oelek (we didn't use this)
1 teaspoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large red or green scallion (we used a green scallion), minced
1 avocado, diced
1/2 lb chilled sushi-grade tuna, diced
2 tsp chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

In a mixing bowl, combine lime juice, sambal, soy sauce and salt. Add remaining ingredients, and toss to coat. The lime juice will begin to "cook" the fish, so make this at the last minute. Serve immediately, while still cold, with crackers, toasted bread slices, or in lettuce leaves. Serves 6-8 as an appetizer.

As a side note, ceviche - pronounced seh VEE chay- is a Latin appetizer of raw fish "cooked" in an acid like lime or lemon.

Weather Experiments - Rain and Raindrops

2011-12-30T05:00:00.003-06:00

We've been enjoying Janice VanCleave's Earth Science for Every Kid which has some easy-to-do activities that bring science principles to life and make them easy to understand. We're currently learning about the weather, so Sophia and Olivia did some more experiments from the book.

Drops

Purpose: To determine how raindrops form.

Procedure: We poured some water into a quart canning jar - not a lot, just enough to cover the bottom of the jar. We turned the lid and band upside down and set it over the mouth of the jar; and then put four ice cubes inside the lid.

Jar with ice cubes on the lid

for the condensation/rain experiment.

About ten minutes later, we took a look at the underside of the lid. Not much was happening, so we waited another ten minutes.

The lid looked wet and finally some water drops formed on the underside of the lid. This was because some of the liquid water in the bottom of the jar evaporated (or changed into a gas).

Condensation formed on the lid.

This represents rain droplets. Eventually, the larger ones

fell into the water at the bottom of the jar.

This, then, continued the water cycle.

According to Earth Science, "The water vapor condenses and then changes back to a liquid when it hits the coool underside of the lid. As the amount of liquid increase, drops form on the underside of the lid.

"In nature, liquid water evaporates from open water areas such as streams, lakes, and oceans. This vapor rises and condenses as it hits the cooler upper air.

"Clouds are made of tiny drops of liquid water suspended in the air. Water drops in clouds range in size from .000079 to .0039 inches in diameter.

"The tiny water drops join together, forming larger, heavier drops. The drops start falling as rain when air can no longer support them. Falling raindrops range in size from .24 to .79 inches."

Bigger

Purpose: To determine how tiny water droplets in clouds grow into raindrops.

Procedure: We didn't have an eye dropper, so the girls used the ends of their hair dipped in water to sprinkle droplets of water on the coffee can lid. They put as many separate drops of water as they could on the lid.

Making do with what they had on hand

to create water droplets on the lid.

When they were done, they quickly turned the lid over. Sophia used a point of a pencil to move the tiny drops of water together.

Sophia using a pencil tip to join droplets of water together.

The larger drops fell to the plate below.

The drops joined together to form larger drops; and then the large drops fell.

The drops do this, according to Earth Science, because "water molecules have an attraction for each other. This attraction is due to the fct that each molecule has a positive and negative side.

Olivia wanted to get a better view...

either that or she missed the feeling of rain.

"The positive side of the molecule attracts the negative side of another molecule. The tiny water droplets on the plastic lid as well as in clouds join to form larger, heavier drops, which fall. The falling drops from clouds are called raindrops."

L is for Lemon Squares - ABCs of Homeschooling

2011-12-29T11:54:00.017-06:00

We've been enjoying using Alpha-Bakery - the cookbook that Sophia received as part of her homeschool home economics class. Each week, we've made recipe that begin with different letters of the alphabet.

So far we've made recipes for the letters A through K. This week, we made lemon squares for the letter L.

Lemon Squares

Ingredients

1 cup of all-purpose flour
½ cup of margarine or butter, softened (we used dairy-free butter)
¼ cup of powdered sugar
1 cup of granulated sugar
2 teaspoons of grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
½ teaspoon of baking powder
¼ teaspoon of salt
2 eggs

Directions

Heat the oven to 350 degrees Mix thoroughly flour, margarine and powdered sugar in a small bowl. Press evenly with hands in bottom and about 5/8 inch up sides of an ungreased square pan, 8x8x2 inches. (If dough is sticky, flour fingers.) Bake 20 minutes.

Beat remaining ingredients in a medium bowl on medium speed until light and fluffy. Pour over hot crust. Bake just until no indentation remains when touched lightly in center, about 25 minutes. Let stand until cool, and then cut into about 1 ½-inch squares. Makes 25 squares.

Learning about Geography through Food - Connecticut

2011-12-29T06:00:00.001-06:00

We're using the Cantering the Country curriculum for learning about the United States. One of the activities that we look forward to doing is making food that is representative of each state.

The recipes in Eat Your Way Through the U.S.A. for Connecticut include: New England Pot Roast and Crumb Cake. Both of the recipes were delicious and ones that we would make again.

Pot roast with potatoes and carrots.

New England Pot Roast

Ingredients

1/4 cup flour
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons salt (this seemed like too much salt, we just used 1 teaspoon)
1 1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 pounds lean boned beef chuck roast
2 tablespoons vegetable broth or butter (we used dairy-free butter)
5 ounches prepared horseradish
1 cup water
8 small potatoes, pared and halved
8 small carrots, halved crosswise
8 small onions (we used two large onions cut into quarters)
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 1/4 ounce canned beef gravy (optional)

Directions

Stir together flour, salt, and pepper; rub mixture on meat. Heat broth or butter in Dutch oven; brown meat over medium heat, about 15 minutes. Reduce heat; spread horseradish on both sides of meat. Add water; cover tightly and simmer on top of range about four hours or until meat is tender. About 1 hour before end of cooking time, add vegetables and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Serve with gravy, if desired.

Note: rather than cook it on the stove, we baked this in the oven. We used a 9"x13" pan and put all all the ingredients in at the same time. We baked it at 325 degrees until the meat was cooked thoroughly and the vegetables were tender.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Crumb cake.

Crumb Cake

Ingredients

2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter (we used dairy-free butter)
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups buttermilk (we used slightly less than 2 cups of rice milk and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice; and then let it sit for about 5 minutes)
1 cup raisins
1 cup nuts (we didn't include nuts)

Directions

Grease and flour a 9"x13" pan. In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, spices, and salt. Work in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Remove and reserve 1 cup of crumbs for topping.

Add baking soda to buttermilk and stir into remaining mixture. Add raisins and nuts while there are still a few dry lumps, and continue stirring only until all is moistened.

Pour batter into pan; sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees until the top is browned and a toothpick comes out clean, about 50 minutes.

Weather Experiments - Thermometer & Hygrometer

2011-12-28T14:25:00.000-06:00

Sophia and Olivia are learning about the weather, so we recently did some experiments to demonstrate different aspects of weather. We used Janice VanCleave's Earth Science for Every Kid which has some easy-to-do activities that bring science principles to life and make them easy to understand.

Up and Down

Purpose: To demonstrate how a thermometer works.

Procedure: The girls held the bulb of the thermometer between their fingers.

Sophia watching the temperature rise

on the thermometer.

Heat from their fingers increased the temperature of the liquid inside the thermometer. As the liquid is heater, it expands and rises in the thermometer tube.

Olivia holding the thermometer bulb between her fingers.

She's watching the temperature slowly increase.

Next, they placed the thermometer in a cup of room-temperature water. The cooler water removed the heat from the liquid in the thermometer.

The girls observing how the temperature decreases

when the thermometer is placed in water.

Then, we placed a few ice cubes in the cup of water and watched the temperature decrease even further. As the water cooled, it contracted and moved down the tube.

Olivia was especially surprised when the ice cubes were added.

The temperature decreased very quickly.

She's saying "Oooo!" as she watches the temperature drop.

According to Earth Science, "Outdoor thermometers are used to measure the temperature of air. Any increase or decrease in the heat content of air causes the liquid inside the thermometer to expand or contract, thus indicating the temperature of the surrounding air."

Wet Air

Purpose: To demonstrate the use of hair in measuring humidity.

Procedure: The girls used a small piece of tape to secure one end of Olivia's strand of hair to the center of the toothpick. We colored one end of the toothpick with a black marker.

The girls working together to attach

the strand of hair to the toothpick.

Then, we taped the free end of the hair strand to the center of the pencil. We placed the pencil across the mouth of the jar with the toothpick hanging inside the jar.

Placing the toothpick into the jar

with the pencil resting on the top.

The toothpick wasn't hanging horizontally, so we added a couple of drops of glue to the light end to balance the toothpick. They made a hair hygrometer (an instrument used to measure humidity - or the amount of water in the air).

The toothpick changes direction during the week. Why? According to Earth Science, "The hair stretches when the humidity increases; with a lower humidity, the hair shrinks. The stretching and shrinking of the hair pulls on the toothpick, causing it to move."

Weather Experiments - Frost and Snowflakes

2011-12-28T14:11:00.000-06:00

We are using Janice VanCleave's Earth Science for Every Kid which has some easy-to-do activities that bring science principles to life and make them easy to understand. We're currently learning about the weather, so we did some more experiments from the book.

Frosty

Purpose: To determine how frost forms.

Procedure: Sophia and Olivia placed glass jam jars in the freezer for 30 minutes. They removed the jars and allowed them to sit on the table undisturbed for 30 seconds.

The girls waiting as the glass frosted.

(Apparently the 30 second waiting period was not too exciting.

They both look like they're sleeping and/or bored.)

The glass began to look more frosty, and a very thin layer of soft snow seemed to be stuck to the outside of the jar.

According to Earth Science, "Frost is not frozen dew. Frost forms when water vapor changes directly to a solid. The glass is cold enough to cause the water vapor in the air to cool so quickly that it sublimes (changes from a gas to a solid without forming a liquid)."

Olivia scratching a design in the jar.

They scratched the cloudy/frosty formation on the outside of the jars with their fingernails to create patterns.

Sophia scratched a design

in the frost on her jar.

Floating Flakes

Purpose: To demonstrate why snowflakes float.

Procedure: The girls took one piece of paper and divided it in half. They crumpled one of the sheets into a ball and left the other flat.

Cutting and folding the paper to simulate

a raindrop and snowflake.

They held the flat sheet in one hand and the crumpled sheet in the other hand. They dropped both sheets at the same time.

Sophia holding the two pieces of paper

at the same distance from the floor

before letting them drop.

The crumpled sheet hit the floor first each time they did the experiment. The flat sheet floated slowly downward.

The crumpled pieces of paper are on the floor, and

the flat pieces of paper are floating down.

Why did this happen? According to Earth Science, "The downward pull of gravity is the same on both sheets of paper, but the upward force of air on each sheet is not the same.

"Raindrops and snowflakes are both made of water, but they have different shapes. The raindrop, like the crumpled paper, takes up a small amount of space and falls more quickly than does the flat sheet of paper, which behaves like a snowflake.

"The flat paper, like snowflakes, falls slowly because it has a greater exposed area and thus receives more upward force from the air."

12 in 12: Thinking Ahead to 12-12-12

2011-12-28T04:38:00.001-06:00

Last year, Sophia, Olivia, and I did a 52 Weeks of Giving challenge as part of homeschooling. I wanted to think of something new for us to do together this year that would continue with making a difference in the lives of others (people or animals) or for the environment.

This year, December 12, 2012, has a numerical significance with three twelves repeating themselves: 12-12-12. Because of special date, we will do things each month - from January to December 12th that involve the number 12. We're naming it "12 in 12."

Each month we will:
- Take 1 bag of food to the food shelf.
- Volunteer 1 hour at a community organization that is chosen each month (can be the same one or different one).
- Donate 1 bag of clothing to a second-hand shop.
- Donate 1 bag of toys and other non-clothing items to a second-hand shop.
- Donate 12 books that we no longer read to organizations needing books.
- Donate $12 to an organization that helps individuals, animals, or the environment.
- Write 1 letter to someone who has made a difference in our lives.
- Donate 1 bag of pop cans to places that collect them to raise funds (e.g., Northwoods, local Lions Club).
- Donate 12 bags of Purina Kitten Chow (dry) to Northwoods Humane Society (where Gretel was adopted).
- Spend 1 hour outdoors doing projects that help wildlife.
- Make and randomly drop off 1 toy for a child to find as part of The Toy Society.
- Share 1 time the gift of music (piano and/or harp) or singing with others.

By December 12, we will have donated:

- 12 bags of food
- 36 hours of time (12 per person) to one or more community organizations
- 12 bags of clothing to a second-hand shop.
- 12 bags of toys and other non-clothing items to a second-hand shop.
- 144 books that we no longer read to organizations needing books.
- $144 to organizations that helps individuals, animals, or the environment.
- 12 letters to people who have made a difference in our lives.
- 12 bags of pop cans to help various non-profit organizations.
- 12 bags of Purina Kitten Chow (dry) to Northwoods
- 12 hours doing outdoor projects that help wildlife.
- 12 handmade toys to children in different parts of the community.
- 12 performances of harp, piano, or voice (as part of a choir) in front of audiences at various organizations.

Are you doing anything special to celebrate 12-12-12 this year?

Embroidery Journal Project 2012

2011-12-27T08:00:00.002-06:00

During 2010, I particpated in a monthly journal quilt project. The concept was to create a small quilt that reflected the happenings of the month. I made 12 quilts that were each about 9 inches by 12 inches. They used a variety of quilting methods, with the majority of them incorporating embroidery.

Embroidered journal quilt.

August 2010.

I also wrote about the month's happening and how the activities or experiences were incorporated into the quilt. These two pieces - the textile/tactile one and the written one - were a meaningful and different way to record the happenings of the year.

Journal quilt from March 2010.

During 2011, I took a break from the making journal quilts. In a way, I wish I hadn't because as I look back on the quilts that I made, I remember exactly what the quilts represent.

April's journal quilt.

However, I came across a project for 2012 that intrigues me. It's called the Embroidery Journal Project 2012. According to the website, "The idea is to make a small (or large) embroidery every month that reflects something in your life. It can be anything: how you are feeling, the weather, important events, a holiday, a season, interactions with nature. The list goes on and on.

"You can choose any size or any format you like: ATCs, postcards, inchies, circles, quilt blocks, or anything else you can think of. There will be one post every month where you can post your links to your works, and probably a Flickr group or something else to send your photos to.

"This is a challenge of sorts - to make it through the year with 12 embroidery projects that are personal and have a story to tell. You can use the chance to experiment with colors, stitches, fabrics, design, anything you like. The important thing is that it comes from inside and is tells the world something about you."

Journal quilt from November 2010.

So, I thought about what I would want to do with 12 embroidery projects - ATCs, postcards, and inchies didn't seem large enough to work with nor have any long-term use. I'm not sure what circles were - except the shape - and those are quite difficult to work with when sewing and doing embroidery (at least they are for me).

May 2010's journal quilt.

I began to think more about doing quilt blocks, and have decided to do a quilt. The quilt will be about 45" wide by 80" long. Each square will be about 15" by 10" (raw size is 15 1/2" by 10 1/2" - giving 1/4" seam allowances on all sides). The quilt will be three squares across by eight squares long.

In addition to the embroidered squares, there will be an alternating square of fabric that represents the predominant color that I see when look outside or think about that month.

Journal quilt from June 2010.

All the fabric and embroidery floss will be from what I have on hand. As I have done with the past two quilts that I have made in 2011, my goal is to use up what I have on hand rather than purchasing new fabric.

Summer of Color quilt made from June-August 2011.

This will help me use what I like and, in the process, donate what I don't want to work with for this or future projects.

Minnesota state quilt

made during November 2011.

More about the Embroidery Journal Project and some visual ideas are HERE.

Celebrate Christmas - Countdown to Christmas - Day 25

2011-12-25T23:00:00.000-06:00

Bright and early, Olivia woke up about 5:15 a.m. and was eager to celebrate Christmas. "You know, I've been up for a couple of hours and was just waiting to get up," she said.

Olivia went downstairs and looked at the glass table with the Christmas socks on them.

Sophia's and Olivia's stockings.

She wanted to make sure Santa left treats for the dogs, cats, and horses.

Filled stockings for the pets and horses on top of the piano.

If they were any lower,

Montague would eat them all in minutes.

Then it was time for her to open the gifts in her stockings.

Shadow watching Olivia open gifts.

She went back to bed to rest for a bit more until Sophia got up around 7:30 a.m. Sophia opened the gifts in her stocking.

Gretel wondering what Sophia is holding

(it's a glass straw).

We checked out the table where the cookies, water, and notes for Santa were; and where everything was for Flossie, the Tooth Fairy.

Looks like there was quite a party during the night.

Lucy is checking out the note that Santa left.

We read the notes that Santa left for each of the girls.

Above and below: Notes from Santa placed over

the ones that the girls wrote to Santa.

We gave the pets and horses some special treats before heading to my mom's/Nana's home.

After eating a light breakfast (delicious cinnamon rolls and caramel rolls that Mary brought from Breadsmith), we opened the stocking that mom/Nana had filled.

Sophia and Olivia opening the gifts in their socks

with my brother and part of his family.

We opened gifts in the living room.

My mom/Nana opening one of the gifts we gave her.

This is a very warm sherpa blanket

that she can use when she naps in the afternoon.

My brother (Jim), his daughter (Ashley), and I visited my dad at St. Therese.

From left to right: Me, Dad, Ashley, and Jim.

Although we brought some gifts for him, we had to describe them to him because his eyes were closed the entire time. He alternated between listening and sometimes responding with a word; and other times sleeping.

Placemat that Sophia made for Papa.

She picked lots of images of cardinals since

cardinals are one of his favorite birds.

We had dinner and dessert at mom's/Nana's home.

The cousins enjoying a meal together.

Then we came home and rested a bit.

Sophia opening a gift from Roseanne.

She's excited to have checkers with

the traditional red and black pieces

instead of images of

Disney princesses which she's had for years.

We opened gifts, and then called it a day.

Olivia picked this hat out earlier in the month.

It actually fits, but she couldn't get it on

with her hair up in a bun.

She likes it because it's warm and fuzzy.

Lost December - Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks - Week 52

2011-12-25T16:02:00.000-06:00

Lost December marks the 52nd book that I read this year as part of the Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

When I was in the library the other day, Lost December was one of the books on the display as you come into the library. The library staff pick out books from its collection and displays them up front as a way to encourage people to read books that they may not normally see when they are looking for books.

Lost December is written by an author who I've read several stories by recently - Richard Paul Evans. I enjoy his style of writing. It's simple, straight-forward, and the plots are never complicated. His books are easy and inspiring to read; and are great for those people who either have a lot on their plate but want to read, or who get interrupted a lot. (Evans' books tend to have short chapters which is nice for people who like to complete a chapter or two in a sitting.)

With that being said, Lost December is a modern tale of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The main character, Luke, leads a sheltered, yet full life. Working at his father’s business from age twelve, he quickly advances to be a very astute manager in the family's national business chain.

After college, Luke planned to take over the business he knew so well, but his father insisted that he attend graduate school first. The goal was not only to receive an advanced degree, but to “see the world.”

Luke goes to Wharton and lives away from home for the first time. He becomes friends with several people and is introduced to "the world" rather quickly. Many of the lessons he learned and life experiences he gained were painful and unfortunate. Some were his choice (excessive drinking) while others (like the death of a good friend) were not in his control.

Graduating, and with a million dollar trust fund, he returns home to tell his father he does not want to return to run his business. Rather, he wants to “see the world” by traveling with his college friends. This is devastating news to his father, who subsequently retires (though maintains a majority of shares in the company) and has a triple bypass surgery.

So, Luke goes on an extravagent European tour with his "friends." Luke, although "book smart," is still naive and basically pays for not only his trip, but those of his companions. Almost immediately, Luke's traveling companions lavishly indulge themselves with money that is not theirs to spend. Expensive meals, hotel rooms, and gambling become the norm.

Up to and including this point in the story, I am having a very difficult time identifying with Luke or his friends. Staying in $4,000 per night rooms, buying extraordinarily expensive meals...it's just not something I've ever done or can even comprehend.

To me, that's such an incredibly wasteful way of living. If I had that kind of money, I would want to help others, the environment, or animals. Think of how many people that $4,000 could feed...or what that could do to help a family who is struggling...or how much land could be preserved for generations to come. So many ways to make a difference.

Anyways, I almost put down the book because I was having such a hard time finding anything in common with the story. However, I'm glad that I didn't.

Within a short period, Luke finds out that his entire trust fund is gone. He and his friends have wasted all the money; and now he is broke and - literally - homeless.

Luke's girlfriend (who he was going to propose to on the trip) left him because she didn't want to struggle to survive. She didn't want to have to watch her money or clip coupons. In essence, she liked Luke more for his money than for who he was as a person.

This is when Lost December starts to become more meaningful. The author shows the impact of Luke's decisions; and how he went from a riches to rags story. Then, through hard work, describes how Luke overcomes being homeless.

I have learned that if you have something to eat,

a roof overhead and clean water,

you should be most grateful -

you number among the world's most blessed.

(Quote from Lost December)

As Luke said at the beginning of the book, "It has been said that sometimes the greatest hope in our lives is juts a second chance to do what we should have done right in the first place. This is the story of my second chance."

Truly, one can understand after reading Lost December how difficult it must be to get out of being homeless and/or poverty. The challenges and obstacles that are placed in the way of those struggling to survive and to make ends meet are accurately described.

As the book said, "The world only offers you what you don't need....You can't get a bank loan until you can prove you don't need it, and it's tough to get a job if you don't already have one."

The story also shows the difference that a person can make in another person's life, particularly someone who is in need of help. Taking a risk, reaching out to provide some assistance, can make all the difference in the world to someone who is stuck...for whatever reason. A lift up and out...such a simple concept with far-reaching impact.

Lost December is a very believable story that reminds us all that life is not just fun and games. Sometimes the best things you receive in this world are those for which you work. And, even more important than work and success, is love and family.

Prepare for Christmas - Countdown to Christmas - Day 24

2011-12-24T21:00:00.001-06:00

As we do every year, we went to the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service at church. The church was beautifully decorated with poinsettias, trees wrapped in white lights, and a huge tree in the fellowship hall decorated with Swedish ornaments.

The girls sang two songs with the children's choir. In addition, because the choir sat together in the front two pews, the choir director (Neil) and his wife (Ellen) encouraged the children to sing the Christmas songs loudly (and nicely) throughout the service. Everyone could hear the joyful voices of children throughout the service.

Afterwards, we drove around for a bit to look at Christmas lights. We visited some areas that we normally don't drive around, so it was nice to see how people decorated their home and yards for Christmas.

I made a simple "Christmas Around the World” dinner to celebrate our “roots.” Chinese and German are the two nationalities/cultures represented in the meal.

Olivia, Sophia, and me.

For the Chinese part, I made lettuce wraps with rice (there's a vegetable/meat filling as well as rice that each person puts into a lettuce leaf and rolls up) and found coconut cookies from China in the international section of the grocery store. For the German part, we had sweet pretzel cookies made in Germany.

After dinner, the girls each could pick one present to open.

Olivia picking a present to open.

Olivia's present was a weather station that she can assemble. She enjoys reading the weather report each day in the paper, so it's a gift she was very excited to receive. Since we're studying about the weather for homeschooling, it's something that will be used right away.

Sophia's gift from Yoshiko, who lives in Japan.

Sophia picked out a gift from Yoshiko. I've known Yoshiko since high school when we became penpals - 30 years in 2012!

Since that time, our friendship has continued and we've had several opportunities to visit one another. Yoshiko has visited Minnesota twice (including once when she stayed here at the farm and the girls got to spend a lot of time with her which they enjoyed). We also met in New York once; and spent time in Japan on a layover when adopting Olivia. Hopefully, we can persuade to visit us again soon...we always have a lot of fun together.

The girls checked the computer to see where Santa was on his journey at http://www.noradsanta.org/ . They enjoyed touching the presents on the map to see the names of cities and countries around the world; and watching the videos about different cities. (Learning about geography on Christmas Eve...as a homeschooling parent, that's always a plus!)

Sophia and Olivia looking at the map where Santa has been.

When they touched an image of a gift or video camera,

they learned more about

different cities and countries around the world.

We cut carrots and and mixed up some bulgar wheat and sprinkles for the reindeer. (Normally we use oats, but we used them all making the homemade bird suet the other day.)

Reindeer food that Olivia made.

This year, I had the girls put the reindeer food and carrots in two bowls. In the past, they would sprinkle the mixture over the mudroom roof and lay the carrots on the roof (a bedroom window opens to the mudroom roof).

Olivia holding two bowls of treats.

Notice how she managed to borrow

Sophia's gift from Yoshiko?

Olivia said she wanted to be warm, and

the fleece shirt from Japan

helped her stay comfortable all evening.

As a side note, the reason for the bowls is that one year a carrot rolled down the icy mudroom roof. The girls had always been so happy when the food was gone in the morning, so having a lone carrot that wasn't eaten would be somewhat disappointing.

So, someone in the middle of the night crawled onto the mudroom roof and slipped on the ice as she reached for that carrot. One more step, and falling off the roof would have been a reality. From that point on...bowls.

But, I digress. Back to Christmas Eve. Sophia and Olivia each wrote letters to Santa, including many questions they hoped would be answered.

Sophia writing her letter.

The girls put cookies and water on the table. Sophia even folded the napkin so it looked like a flower. The cup of water was placed in the center. (Santa gets milk instead of water since milk can spoil and make Santa sick.)

Sophia folded a napkin.

Olivia put three cookies on a plate.

Just as things looked like they were done for the evening, Sophia remembered: "My tooth! I have to put my tooth out!"

"What?" I asked.

"I've been holding on to it for about a month or month and a half now. I'm going to put it out like I did last year on Christmas." So, she brought a tooth, tooth holder, note, miniature table, tiny cup and plate, and bedding for Flossie (the tooth fairy).

"This is the 15th tooth I've lost!" she said.

After that unexpected addition to the evening, we checked one last time to see where Santa was - the Falkland Islands. He was heading to Argentina next.

With that news, the girls headed to bed immediately. They were asleep within a half hour. Santa waited until they were definitely asleep and arrived around 1:10 a.m. and delivered gifts, wrote notes, ate cookies, and drank some water until about 1:45 a.m. Santa was very tired at this point and needed some rest.

Give Cookies to the Mailman - Countdown to Christmas - Day 23

2011-12-23T13:00:00.001-06:00

In appreciation for delivering the mail and newspaper (which comes with the mail Monday through Friday), the girls put a Christmas card with a plate of homemade different types of cookies, slices of pecan pie, chocolate peppermint fudge, and rocky road bars in the mailbox.

Olivia and Sophia ready to

head out to the mailbox.

The mailman came by to deliver the mail, and left a note in exchange for the plate of goodies. It said, "Thank you very much!! Merry Christmas. Dave." That made the girls happy to read the note from Dave.

Decorate a Gingerbread House - Countdown to Christmas - Day 22

2011-12-22T21:00:00.000-06:00

The girls have been looking forward to decorating a gingerbread house since the beginning of December. On the 22nd day of December, they finally had the opportunity to do one of their favorite holiday activities.

Sophia decorating the gingerbread house.

After last year's challenge with trying to assemble the pieces of a gingerbread house into a structure that would stay together, we opted for a pre-made house. This is so much easier to do, and much more enjoyable for the girls.

Olivia adding red icing to the Christmas tree.

The tree came with the house, so it was smaller version than what Olivia usually decorates. Next year, she asked for the tree that has the stackable pieces.

Adding candy decorations.

They spent time decorating the house and tree.They used icing and a variety of candies.

Olivia with her finished gingerbread tree.

Both were very happy with how their creations turned out.

Sophia with her completed gingerbread house.

As they do each year, they bring the item they made to their room. Not only does this add a festive touch to their bedrooms, but it keeps it safe from the dogs who would easily consume a gingerbread house and tree in a matter of minutes.

Now Sophia and Olivia just have to wait for four more days until they begin to slowly remove little pieces...a section of the roof, a limb of a tree. Like Hansel and Gretel, gradually, the house and tree are eaten and enjoyed by the girls.

Make Treats for Birds - Countdown to Christmas - Day 21

2011-12-21T18:00:00.000-06:00

Today we made some treats for the birds. Sophia, Olivia, and I made Amish Bird Suet - a recipe I found in a cookbook many years ago.

Olivia is mixing the oats, cornmeal, flour, and sugar

into the melted ingredients.

The birds enjoy this suet; and there seems to always be a bird at the feeder when this suet is in it.

So, we filled the regular wire suet feeders as well as mesh bags (the kind that onions come in) with squares of the suet once it had cooled. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 cup lard, at room temperature
2 cups quick-cooking oats (not instant)
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
Leftover nuts of any kind

Directions
Melt the peanut butter and lard together over medium heat. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into pans. Cool and then cut into squares. Wrap extra squares in plastic wrap and store in a cool place until needed.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Sophia collecting pinecones.

After the girls were done making the suet, we went outside and they collected some pinecones.

Olivia selecting a pinecone.

On the way to the pine trees, they discovered a little door in the pine tree. Needless to say, they were thrilled and completely fascinated by the little hinges and door knob.

A little door was discovered by the girls.

It's at the base of the pine tree in the front yard.

We went back inside and they spread peanut butter on the pinecones.

Spreading the pinecone with peanut butter.

Then rolled them in birdseed.

Rolling the pinecone in birdseed.

Later, we put them on three trees. Within an hour, the black-capped chickadees had found the feeders on the cherry tree on the west side of the house.

Look at Lights and Constellations - Countdown to Christmas - Day 20

2011-12-20T20:00:00.102-06:00

Today's activity that the girls talked about all day was going on an evening drive to look at Christmas lights...in pajamas. This is a pretty big deal for them because when we leave the house and get in the car, we never are wearing pajamas - not even pajama pants like we've seen people wear to the store.

Almost ready to head out

to look at Christmas lights.

So after dinner, the girls put on their coats and boots over their pajamas, and we walked outside. It was a very clear evening and Olivia said, "There's Cassiopeia."

Cassiopeia.

Photo Source

She pointed Sophia in the right direction so she could see it, and then told me to stand right behind Sophia and look up. "See the 'W'?" she asked. And there it was...right overhead. "I've seen it about three times now," Olivia said.

The Cassiopeia constellation is one we just learned about for homeschooling (we're doing a year-long constellation study). The constellation was named after Cassiopeia, the vain and boastful queen in Greek mythology.

The Greek astronomer Ptolemy first catalogued this constellation in the second century. It is easily recognizable in the sky because of its distinctive W shape.

As we drove onto the road in front of our home, there in front of us was the constellation Orion, low on the horizon. Orion is a character is Greek mythology who was known as a giant and hunter.

Orion.

Photo Source

The four stars marking his body (e.g., Betelgeuse, Bellatrix, Rigel) as well as the three stars in a straight row that mark his belt were very clear.

According to Donna Young's website (a homeschool mother who has a wonderful array of information and forms to help with homeschooling), "In Orion's shoulder is Betelgeuse (BET el jooze or sometimes called BEETLE juice), one of the rare supergiants and is close to 600 million miles across (1,000 million km). It is a superb red color and contrasts with Rigel, the blue star in Orion's foot."

She continues, "Rigel is a blue supergiant. Barely one-tenth the size of Betelgeuse, it is still almost 100 times the size of our Sun."

We drove around to enjoy the lights and displays in several neighborhoods. One of the homes that we all liked was beautiful in its simplicity. It was different than any of the other homes that were lit with Christmas lights and decorations.

We liked the front porch and

the simplicity of the swag, wreath, and poinsettia.

We stopped by Gammelgarden which had all the candles in the windows. We've never been by Gammelgarden at night, so it was nice to see it decorated for the holiday season.

Gammelgarden at night.

In a few days, on Christmas Eve, we'll go out again and look at more lights in different neighborhoods. We do this each year after the girls sing at the family service at church. It's become a tradition, and one that we look forward to doing each year.

Donate Toys to Santa Anonymous - 52 Weeks of Giving - Week 52

2011-12-20T15:00:00.001-06:00

Although it isn't the final week of the year, the girls participated in another service project this week - donating toys to Santa Anonymous. We're going to count it as the 52nd - and final - project in the 52 Weeks of Giving challenge we did this year.

Sophia and Olivia with toys that

they donated to Santa Anonymous.

The toys that were collected at the 4-H meeting on Monday night are being donated to Santa Anonymous. Santa Anonymous is a program in the local area where families in need go on a certain day and are able to select toys and gifts for their children. The toys are all unwrapped, so parents can choose what they think their child(ren) will enjoy and use.

4-H members showing some of the many toys

they are donating to Santa Anonymous.

The 52 Weeks of Giving challenge has been such a fun, rewarding, and meaningful year-long project that we incorporated into the homeschool curriculum.

When the year is over, we will look back on the projects that we did and choose an area (or more) that we want to focus on during 2012. In this way, we can concentrate our efforts on the causes as well as people and/or animals that mean the most to us.

It will be interesting to see what Sophia and Olivia want to do during 2012, and how we will continue to give to and serve others individually and as a family.

Play the Piano at a Nursing Home - 52 Weeks of Giving - Week 51

2011-12-20T10:16:00.032-06:00

This week Sophia and Olivia participated in a piano, voice, and instrumental recital at Arden Hills Presbyterian Home. The nursing home is located on 27 acres that are wooded and adjacent to a lake. There are over 200 residents living there.

This is the second year that Sophia has been a part of the holiday recital, and Olivia's first year. All the children performing in the recital attend the local homeschool co-op.

Olivia played "Cat Walk" by Garcia and Sophia played "Sonatina, Op 39, No. 1" by Lynnes.

Olivia playing "Cat Walk" on the grand piano.

Both girls memorized their pieces and were able to perform them well without the sheet music at the recital.

Olivia and Sophia after the recital.

The recital was well-attended with at least one hundred people. There were 26 pieces performed during the one-hour recital.

Go Christmas Caroling - Countdown to Christmas - Day 19

2011-12-19T07:18:00.020-06:00

In the evening, the girls did some Christmas caroling at Linnea Residence which is a group home for adults with physical and developmental challenges.

Sophia and Olivia singing at Linnea Residence.

They sang along with other members of their 4-H club. This is something that the club does annually since one of its members now lives at Linnea Residence.

The residents joined in with the singing.

After they sang, the 4-H club held their monthly meeting, the children collected toys for the Santa Anonymous program, and they enjoyed some treats before heading home.

K is for Kart-Wheels - ABCs of Homeschooling

2011-12-19T07:00:00.001-06:00

Just in time for Christmas: a new recipe that is easy to make and looks festive with the bright, red cherry pie filling.

This week, for the recipe from the children's cookbook called "Alpha-Bakery" we tried a recipe that starts with the letter "K": Kart-Wheels.

This recipe makes six kart-wheels. Although they are on the larger size, the recipe would be best doubled so an entire can of pie filling could be used, rather than just half of the can.

We thought the kart-wheels might taste good with some whipped cream on top...maybe even a few red sprinkles.

Kart-Wheels

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup of margarine or butter, softened (we used dairy-free butter)

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoons milk (we used dairy-free rice milk)

about 1 cup of pe filling or jam - any flavor (we used cherry pie filling)

Directions

Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Mix flour, margarine, powdered sugar, baking powder, and just enough milk until dough forms. (If dough seems dry, mix in more milk, one teaspoon at a time.)

Divide the dough into six equal parts. Shape each part into a ball. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet; flatten slightly. Make an indentation, 1 3/4" in diameter and about 3/4" deep, in the center of each flattened ball.

Fill each indentation with about 2 tablespoons of pie filling.

Bake unti lthe dges begin to brown, 20-25 minutes.

Makes 6 kart-wheels.

Music Performances & Dinner by the Tree - Countdown to Christmas - Day 18

2011-12-18T20:00:00.071-06:00

Sunday, December 18th was a very busy day. The girls sang in the choir today at both services.

The children's choir.

This was a special performance because they sang with the adult choir and were able to wear choir robes - just like the adults.

The combined children and adult choir singing "Christmastide."

It was an amazingly beautiful song that was

brought both goosebumps and tears to those listening to it.

It was a very moving piece.

Sophia also played the harp along with her instructor at both services. They played two verses of O Come O Come Emmanuel which led into the choir and congregation singing the song.

Sophia playing the harp as part of a duet with her teacher.

The choir and congregation sang after their prelude.

The music director at church sent me an email that brightened Sophia's day: "Please convey my deepest appreciation for Sophia's playing on Sunday. She did a marvelous job. I hope she enjoyed it. I heard many compliments and I hope the congregation told her." (Many people did come up to her afterward the services and complimented her on playing the harp. That certainly made her feel good about performing for the first time!)

In the afternoon, both of the girls participated in a piano recital at a nursing home about 40 minutes from here. All the children who played in the recital attend the local homeschool co-op, and take lessons from one of three of the piano instructors.

Both girls did a very good job. Olivia played "Cat Walk" and was happy how she did at her first piano recital.

Sophia played "Sonatina, Op 39, No. 1." When we were driving home she said she was relieved when all the performances for the day were over.

Out of the three types of performances, she said, singing was the easiest since the focus isn't on one person...it's on the group. Piano was next in terms of ease, and then harp was the most difficult. However, all were enjoyable and she is read to perform again...but not before January, she said.

The girls by the grand piano.

Once the girls finished playing, we could all relax and enjoy the rest of the concert. There were piano pieces as well as violin, saxophone, and vocal pieces; with a nice mixture of Christmas and non-Christmas music.

We all needed to end the day on a relaxing note. So, we had dinner by the Christmas tree. We spread out a tablecloth on the floor, turned on the lights by the Christmas tree, and ate dinner - pizza and cheese bread from the local pizza shop. (I would have put a picture of the dinner except the only thing you can see are the lights and outlines of people.)

Moccasin Trail - Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks - Week 51

2011-12-18T04:52:00.000-06:00

The book for the 51st week of the Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge isn't one that I've read in only one week. In fact, Moccasin Trail by Eloise Jarvis McGraw seems to have taken several weeks since we've been reading it aloud as part of Sophia's history curriculum this year.

I'm using Sonlight's book list for this year for history. Sophia is learning about the time period between the Civil War and the present day. There have been very few books that we haven't enjoyed as part of Sonlight's recommendations. The books are usually very engaging and educational.

Moccasin Trail is no exception: it is a fascinating book...albeit a challenging one to read aloud. I began reading it to Sophia and she took over half way. Despite reading a book that is written to sound like the characters are talking, she was able to read it well and understand it as she was reading it.

The story centers around Jim Keath who ran away from his family into the wilderness of the Oregon territory. He had a near-fatal battle with a grizzly, but was rescued by the Crow Indians. For the next six years, he lived with and learned the ways of the Crow Indians.

Jim learns that his two younger brothers and sister are journeying west to take up land. Although Jim finds it difficult to fit in with the family he hasn't seen since childhood, and though they are wary and distrustful of him, Jim feels it is his responsibility to help them.

Slowly, they survive the dangerous trek west and the kidnapping of their younger brother; and discover the difficulties of frontier life. Through all this they realize that they need to accept one another and reunite as a family.

Moccasin Trail is a Newbery Honor Book. (The Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association for "the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.")

Participate in a Christmas Play - Countdown to Christmas - Day 17

2011-12-17T18:10:00.000-06:00

Yesterday evening and this afternoon, Sophia and Olivia participated in "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" written by Barbara Robinson. The play was adapted and directed by Neil and Ellen Johnson of the St. Croix ArtBarn.

There were 20 children who were in the play, and they all did a wonderful job. There were many funny parts in the play; and the kids had the audience laughing at both performances.

They sang many songs throughout the play - some were familiar tunes that are heard around the holidays while others were unique to the play.

Although practicing for the play required a lot of time - initially once a week, then it increased to practices twice a week, and then went up to three times a week during the last week leading up to the play - it was well worth it. Asked if they want to do another play, both Sophia and Olivia said in unison "YES!"

Now that the two play performances are done, the girls just have Sunday to get through: two choir performances at church in the morning, two harp performances (for Sophia) also at church, and a piano recital at a nursing home in the afternoon.

Both said they would like to rest a bit after the piano recital...there's no question that they will have earned a rest after all their hard work!

Celebrate Las Posadas - Countdown to Christmas - Day 16

2011-12-16T07:17:00.026-06:00

Today we were going to celebrate Las Posadas. However, it ended up being a non-event. Normally, we read a book about Las Posadas and make a Mexican dinner.

I even had the special beverages made in Mexico as well as an avacado for fresh guacamole...which we were looking forward to making and eating.

This year, the girls both were performing in a Christmas play at church in the evening. In addition to homeschooling in the morning; Olivia's time at the local elementary school for work on reading and speech; and getting ready for the play...there wasn't much time to spend with this holiday. It's okay...there will be next year.

We didn't read the book about Las Posadas like we normally do. (Although it probably will be one of the books we read before Christmas.) Sophia and I made black bean burritos during the day, but we decided that the burritos probably weren't the "safest" food to eat before the first performance.

There were jittery stomachs and nerves...so the girls chose to eat a lighter dinner (e.g., homemade cinnamon rolls, crackers).

So, the black bean burritos will be enjoyed another day...once things are a bit more calm and relaxed. The burritos might even be frozen so we can have a good meal after the holidays have passed.

Make Christmas Cookies - Countdown to Christmas - Day 15

2011-12-15T17:43:00.000-06:00

Today we made a batch of chocolate peanut balls. It's a new recipe that I've had for some time, but we just haven't had a chance to make it at Christmas.

It's a simple recipe - just stir, form, dip, and chill. No baking required. Olivia took the lead on making these cookies while Sophia made peanut butter cookies that will be turned into ice cream sandwiches.

Chocolate Peanut Balls.

It's like eating a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup with

crispy parts in the inside of the candy.

The recipe for the Chocolate Peanut Balls is:

1 cup peanut butter (we used creamy)
1 7 ounce jar marshmallow creme
1 1/2 cups crisp rice cereal (we used 3 cups so the peanut butter didn't stick to our hands)
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (we used dairy-free chips)
4 teaspoons shortening

Stir together the peanut butter and marshmallow creme in a bowl until well-blended. Add cereal and stir until coated. Melt chocolate chips and shortening in microwave until melted. Stir until smooth. Roll cereal mixture into balls. (It's a good idea to put some shortening on your hands so the cookie dough doesn't stick to them.) Dip in chocolate, and then place on waxed paper to chill until set.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tonight the girls have a 1 3/4 hour dress rehearsal for the Christmas play they are in this weekend.

Make Homemade Pizza - Countdown to Christmas - Day 14

2011-12-14T18:08:00.000-06:00

This is one of Sophia's and Olivia's favorite dinners: homemade pizza. Several years ago, I found a recipe through Better Homes and Gardens for making homemade pizza dough and doing a pizza bar for dinner.

The recipe for the pizza crust uses only five ingredients: flour, yeast, salt, vegetable oil, and warm water. Yet, the taste of the crust - combined with a good pizza sauce and fresh toppings of your own choosing - make for an easy and delicious meal.

I made the dough and divided it between us all. The girls pressed the dough onto the cookie sheet. They added some Green Mill pizza sauce and then chose the toppings they wanted.

Their choices included: mushrooms, onions, pepperoni, and cheese (regular mozzarella or a dairy-free version). I could have had more choices - roasted red peppers, green peppers, olives, and so forth - but these choices were more than enough for them.

Olivia and Sophia ready to eat homemade pizza

that they made.

The pizza only takes about 9 minutes at 450 degrees. It's an easy dinner to make....especially when each person takes a role in making a personal pizza.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The girls also made placemats from Christmas cards that Mary (my respite care volunteer) brought. She had about ten years worth of cards that she thought the girls would enjoy cutting into circles and then overlapping slightly to create a placemat. This week she's going to laminate them for the girls and bring them back next week.

She said they ended up working on the project for a couple of hours - they were very focused and excited to see the completed placemats.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

In the evening, Sophia and Olivia had play practice for about 1 1/4 hours. They have the dress rehearsal tomorrow night, and then the performances on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

The money that the children raise through ticket sales will be donated to an organization that will purchase livestock to help people in developing countries establish sustainble farms.

Enjoy a Chocolate Christmas Breakfast - Countdown to Christmas - Day 13

2011-12-13T10:29:00.000-06:00

Today we made homemade donuts using a baking pan that we purchased from King Arthur Flour in Vermont. Rather than deep-frying donuts, this pan bakes eight mini-donuts at a time.

Olivia decorating her mini-donuts.

The girls enjoyed frosting the donuts with chocolate and vanilla frosting, and adding sprinkles. Some sprinkles didn't have any flavor while other ones were flavored with peppermint.

Sophia frosting her donuts with vanilla frosting.

We each had a cup of hot chocolate. Whipped cream and sprinkles were available...which were special toppings.

Hot chocolate with whipped cream.

In the evening, we'll continue reading Christmas books. Although we haven't been doing this each night like we had hoped, we have read 8 books so far this month. Most likely by the 25th, we'll have read at least 25 Christmas books. There are many favorite ones that we enjoy reading each year that we haven't yet read.

Buy Livestock for Those in Need - 52 Weeks of Giving - Week 50

2011-12-13T10:15:00.039-06:00

On Friday night and Saturday afternoon, Sophia and Olivia participated in a play at church (The Best Christmas Pageant Ever). All of the proceeds from ticket sales, donations, and the spaghetti dinner benefited the ELCA World Hunger Campaign.

According to the ELCA website, "ELCA World Hunger responds to hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world by addressing root causes. Through a comprehensive program of relief, development, education, and advocacy, people are connected to the resources they need to lift themselves out of poverty. Between 70-75 percent of ELCA World Hunger funds are spent internationally, and 20-25 percent are spent domestically."

As part of the ELCA World Hunger Campaign, there's a program called "Good Gifts." Basically, people can purchase items that are donated to people in need throughout the world.

The 20 children in the play set a goal of wanting to raise enough money to buy an alpaca ($175). They felt this was an ambitious - yet attainable - goal.

This afternoon, at the end of the play, the pastor shared more about the program and the children's goal. At this point, no one knew - except the pastor - approximately how much had been raised. He shared the good news: the children had raised enough money to buy an alpaca for an individual or family in need.

Even better news: they had raised over $1,200! They could buy the alpaca, an entire farm, chicks, and even more. The children were THRILLED! Sophia and Olivia's mouths literally dropped when they heard the amount of money that could be raised. The smiles and excitement from them - and all the children - was inspiring!

Truly, the children are going to make such a significant impact on people throughout the world because the community helped support their goal.

Here's a bit more about what the children are able to buy. The information is taken from the Good Gifts website, with links to particular items that can be purchased and donated to those in need.

A Whole Farm
A cow, a couple of goats, 10 chicks, two pigs, a duck, farming tools—plus training and marketing support—can help a family farm its way to a fresh start. With new tools and techniques, crops will grow bigger and stronger than ever before. Eggs, milk and meat from farm animals will provide enough food to eat and sell on the market, helping a family escape the cycle of hunger and poverty for good.

Alpaca

The soft fleece of an alpaca can be made into colorful clothing, bedding and rugs that are much warmer and softer than those made from sheep's wool. These products sell for a high price at the market. And since alpacas have a long life span, a family can depend on this steady source of income for 20 years or more.

Chicks

Ten little chicks make a big difference! When they are just months old, these chicks begin laying eggs, which make nutritious meals for families who are hungry. The many extra eggs are often enough to allow a family to start a small business by selling them for additional income.

Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Countdown to Christmas - Day 12

2011-12-12T23:59:00.001-06:00

On the 12th of December, we celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe by remembering a trip we took to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in July 2010 as well as having a Mexican dinner.

Sophia, Olivia, and I took my parents to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe - a place that my parents had wanted to visit for many years. Both were unable to drive (my mom due to vision issues and my dad due to Alzheimer's Disease), so we rented a mini-van and took the trip together.

The Shrine is in a very scenic and lovely part of LaCrosse, Wisconsin. The grounds are immacuately kept; and the buildings and sculptural art are tucked into groves of trees and placed along paved pathways.

Sophia, Olivia, and I didn't know much about Our Lady of Guadalupe before the trip. After spending part of the day there, we knew a lot more and understood why this was such an important place for my parents to visit.

Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

On a Wikipedia site about our Lady of Guadalupe, "According to Roman Catholic tradition, on December 9, 1531, Juan Diego, a recently converted Aztec indigenous peasant, had a vision of a young woman while he was on a hill in the Tepeyac desert, near Mexico City. The lady asked him to build a church exactly on the spot where they were standing. He told the local Bishop Juan de Zumarraga, who asked for proof in exchange.

"Juan Diego went back later and saw the lady again. He told her that the bishop wanted proof, and she instructed Juan Diego to go to the mountain top, where he found Castillian roses, which were native to Bishop Juan de Zumarraga's hometown and could not possibly bloom during wintertime. Juan Diego cut the roses, placed them in his apron-like tilma and returned to the bishop; an imprint of the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared on the tilma from the residue of the soil and roses.

"Today, the icon is displayed in the nearby Basilica of Guadalupe, now one of the most visited Catholic shrines in the world. The Virgin of Guadalupe is Mexico's most popular religious and cultural image, with the titles 'Queen of Mexico', 'Empress of the Americas', and 'Patroness of the Americas'."

In LaCrosse, there's a beautiful bronze image of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the tilma of Saint Juan Diego in the presence of Bishop Juan de Zumárraga that is located in the plaza of the Shrine Church.

Saint Juan Diego's showing the tilma with

the image of the apparation of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

After learning more about Our Lady of Guadalupe, it would be interesting to visit Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Saint Juan Diego's tilma is there and is kept behind glass to protect it. Until then, we have memories of a wonderful trip that we took during the summer of 2010.

Sophia, Olivia, my dad, mom, and me at

the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in

LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

In the evening of the twelfth day of the Countdown to Christmas, we enjoyed a Mexican dinner (tacos) with beverages from Mexico. The girls tried a pineapple pop and a mandarin orange pop. Sophia liked both of the beverages, while Olivia liked the latter one.

Sophia and Olivia having a Mexican dinner

with beverages from Mexico.

J is for Jelly Roll - ABCs of Homeschooling

2011-12-12T11:53:00.025-06:00

We have never made a jelly roll before, so this week's recipe from the children's cookbook "Alpha-Bakery" was a learning experience for us all.

Jelly Roll

Ingredients

3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
about 2/3 cup jelly or jam
powdered sugar

Directions

Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a jelly roll pan (15 1/2" x 10 1/2" x 1") with aluminum foil, then grease with shortening. Beat eggs in a large bowl on high speed until thick and lemon color. Gradually beat in sugar.

Beat in water and vanilla on low speed. Gradually beat in flour, baking powder, and salt until smooth. Pour into pan; spread to corners.

Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 12-15 minutes. Generously sprinkle powdered sugar on a towel a little larger than the cake.

Immediately loosen cake from pan and turn over onto the towel. Carefully remove the foil. Trim off any crisp edges of cake.

While hot, carefully roll cake and towel from narrow end. Let cool on wire rack at least 30 minutes

The jelly roll is filled with homemade wild blackberry jam.

The wild blackberries grown on the farm, and

are picked each summer.

Unroll cake and remove towel. Beat jelly with a fork just enough to soften; spread over cake. Roll up cake and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Makes 10 servings.

Celebrate St. Lucia Day - Countdown to Christmas - Day 11

2011-12-11T23:59:00.001-06:00

Each year (with the exception of last year when there was a huge snowfall and we couldn't get out of the driveway), the girls sing at the St. Lucia service at church.

Sophia and Olivia singing in the children's choir.

According to the information from church, St. Lucia Day is the commemoration of a young woman from Syracuse, martyred for her Christian sympathies in A.D. 304. Before she was pierced by a soldier's sword, she miraculously withstood efforts to move her from the spot and burn her to death. The flames of the pyre encircled Lucia, but would not touch her.

The legend goes that at this time when Christianity was outlawed, she made a pilgrimage to a Christian holy place when her mother was ill. Her mother was cured and, in gratitude for the miracle, Lucia devoted her life to bringing hope to the hopeless, light to those "who lived in darkness" by sharing her wealth with the poor.

In Sweden, St. Lucia Day is December 13th, and marks the beginning of the Christmas season. Early in the morning, the eldest daughter in the house dresses in a white gown with a red sash and a crown of flickering candles. She wakes the household singing traditional music and serving coffe and Lucia buns (lussekatter).

Swedish treats for people to enjoy

in between services.

The days that follow are filled with feasting, merriment, singing, and the spirit of good will and friendlliness that lasts all through the holiday season.

The church celebrates this Swedish tradition of honoring St. Lucia on the Sunday closest to her feast day. The celebration centers on the saint's message of bringing light and hope to a dark world.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The children singing while the crown of candles

on "St. Lucia" shine brightly.

The first song that the children sing are when the teenage girl who wears the white dress and the crown of candles walks down the center aisle. The children follow and sing:

Into our hearts she walks, telling her story,

candles in shining crown, lighting her glory.

Symbol of love sublime, moving o'er space and time,

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.

Now in the winter night ,Good folk are waiting.

See now the maid of light, darkness abating.

Into this winter night, come maid of shining light,

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.

When on this earth she walked, bravely confessing,

All to the poor she gave, all felt her blessing.

Symbol of love sublime, moving o'er spacea nd time,

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After singing at both services, the girls enjoyed lunch with the choir members and director and then had play practice for a couple of hours. The performances are Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

All the money raised is being donated to an organization that purchases animals and donates them to individuals and families in developing countries. The intention is that sustainable farms can be established which not only helps those receiving the animals, but their communities.

The Sunflower - Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks - Week 50

2011-12-11T09:13:00.079-06:00

I can't believe I'm almost done with the Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge! This week is the 50th week, and I returned to an author who has written books that I've enjoyed.

Consistent with Richard Paul Evans' other books that he has written, the story is engaging and meaningful; and the characters are ones with whom a reader can easily connect.

The Sunflower is an easy and quick read; and the chapters are all quite short. This is a perfect book for someone like me who seems to get interrupted quite often.

Having adopted two daughters from orphanages in China, The Sunflower held a special interest in my heart. Although the story is set in Peru, it is located at an orphanage called El Girasol (The Sunflower). The orphange there is a bit different than the ones that Sophia and Olivia lived at for the first ten and eleven months of their lives.

In Peru, at El Girasol all of the children (with the exception of one) were male. In China, the majority of the children at the two orphanages where the girls were from were female.

The story begins by focusing on Christine whose fiance calls off their wedding a week before it is scheduled to happen. Although this is sad, it is the following chapters that center around Paul's (an E.R. doctor's) night of repeated stress and tragedies that, to me, are more moving and lay the foundation for the book.

These seemingly unrelated experiences that happened at two different time periods (years apart) become connected via a volunteer/mission-type trip to El Girasol in Peru.

The author paints an accurate picture of the condition of an orphanage that is struggling to survive, and the children who live there. The type of work that the volunteers in the group from the United States do at the orphanage as well as its impact is described.

As I read the book, I did not know El Girasol existed. In looking up an image of the book cover, I happened to come across images of people working - just as the author described. Further reading revealed that El Girasol does, in fact, exist.

El Girasol in Peru.

The real El Girasol - just like the one described in the book - literally saves the children from the streets and gives them a new life.

The book said, "El Girasol (the Sunflower) is sanctuary, as much to me as to the orphan boys we rescue from the Peruvian streets. But I have considered that it might be more. For in a world where evil seems to triumph more often than not, El Girasol is evidence that we might be something better - evidence that we might be good....The Sunflower is more than a place. It is hope."

If money were no object, I would head down to El Girasol and Peru right away. The Sunflower is an inspiring book, and is a great reminder that any help can make a difference in the life of a child. Something as simple as freshly painted walls in a classroom, a new toy, or even hair bows to make a little girl who had nothing feel special. - all can make a difference to a child.

It's generally the things we take for granted that have the biggest impact on children. We wouldn't even think twice about some of the most basic items we have...yet, for many of the children at these orphanages, these items are luxuries or, often, not even available.

In the book, there is a passage from Paul's (one of the main character's) diary. In part it said, "There are none so impoverished as those who do not acknowledge the abundance of their lives." This is a good reminder, especially at this time of the year.

Later this another passage that I found interesting to think about: "The secret of success in this life is to realize that the crisis on our planet is much larger than just deciding what to do with your own life. The only work that will ultimately bring any good to any of us is the work of contributing to the healing of the world."
The Sunflower was well worth my time, and certainly will re-energize my interest in helping those who are in need.

Make Holiday Treats - Countdown to Christmas - Day 10

2011-12-10T19:35:00.000-06:00

Today we made Lucia buns for St. Lucia Day. Although the holiday is actually on December 13th, the girls are singing at the St. Lucia service at church tomorrow (December 11th). So, we celebrate the holiday on the same day that the girls sing and the church holds the annual celebration.

Lucia buns that Sophia and Olivia made.

Many years ago, I was given a cookbook that was published by a local Lutheran church. For the first 25 pages in the cookbook, all of the recipes are traditional Swedish ones.

One of recipes that I picked out when we first celebrated the holiday (when the girls were 5 and 7 years old) was for Lucia buns. It seemed like a relatively "safe" food that they would enjoy...and they did.

Every year since I first made them, they look forward to making and eating them in December. We make the recipe with cardamom and a few drops of yellow food coloring rather than the saffron (which is a bit on the expensive side).

Creating the shape for the Lucia buns

by using two "ropes" of dough and

twisting the ends of the dough into swirls.

Once the dough is made and rises, it is punched down and the buns can be made. Each one is made from two "ropes" of dough. The ends are rolled in towards the middle, with the swirl going in the same direction for each point.

Some of the rolls have raisins pressed into their points, while others (at the request of both of the girls) do not.

Tomorrow we'll enjoy a roll for breakfast....although someone (whose name begins with an "S" and ends with an "a" and it's not "Santa") chose to have one of them for her dinner since she wasn't too hungry tonight.

I think she was just trying to see if they turned out okay. She said they did...and there were nine left so not to worry...there are plenty for breakfast in the morning. That's unless either of the girls sleepwalk and make their way to the kitchen for a night-time snack.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

We also finished making the peppermint shortbread cookies. The recipe for the cookies was given to me by a friend several years ago. Each year since trying the cookies at her home, we've been making them - but adapting the recipe so the cookies are dairy-free.

Sophia's cookies.

The cookies taste like plain shortbread. The frosting is made from powdered sugar, dairy-free milk, and peppermint extract.

Olivia's cookies.

The toppings are a variety of decorations: no-flavored sprinkles, peppermint-flavored sprinkled, and crushed peppermint candy canes.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Between making the cookies and Lucia buns, the girls had a two-hour rehearsal for an upcoming Christmas play they are in. Sophia also had a rehearsal at church for a harp duet she is doing with her teacher on December 18th. It's been a full day...and we're all needing a bit of a rest at this point.

Get and Decorate a Christmas Tree - Countdown to Christmas - Day 9

2011-12-09T07:15:00.081-06:00

This is the one of family traditions that Sophia and Olivia look forward to each year: getting and decorating a Christmas tree. So, on the ninth day of the Countdown to Christmas, we selected a tree, brought it home, and decorated it.

Olivia arranging the lights so

they are easier to string on the tree.

Gradually, through the years, the strings of lights no longer worked leaving about 100-200 lights last year. It's not too many lights for a Christmas tree.

So, this year I bought three strands of lights that hopefully will last many years. The girls were very excited to have lights for the tree, and helped lay them out so they were easier to put on the tree.

Sophia took the lead this year and put the lights on the tree. Standing on the piano bench, she could reach to the top of the tree. Easily.

Sophia putting the lights on the tree.

(There are 900 lights on the tree this year.)

Sophia and Olivia went through the boxes of ornaments and picked out ones they liked and/or absolutely had to go on the tree.

It was interesting to watch which ornaments had special meaning for them and were important for them to have a prominent spot on the tree (not the back side of the tree facing the window where only the birds can see them).

Olivia making sure there are ornaments

all around the tree...not just on the front.

Midway into decorating, the girls suggested putting down the blinds and turning off the lights so that they could finish decorating by the Christmas tree lights only.

Sophia putting an ornament on the tree.

She made the blue and white felt ornament last year.

The last ornaments to go on the tree were ones that hold special significance to us all: ones purchased in China when the girls were adopted. The two main types from China are the clonaise ones that are handmade and in the shapes of balls or a Santa; and the jade and red tassel ones.

Decorated Christmas tree.

According to a website about Chinese culture, "The Chinese love jade because of not only its beauty, but also more importantly its culture, meaning and humanity. As Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC) said there are 11 De (virtue) in jade.

"The following is the translation: 'The wise have likened jade to virtue. For them,
- its polish and brilliancy represent the whole of purity;
- its perfect compactness and extreme hardness represent the sureness of intelligence;
- its angles, which do not cut, although they seem sharp, represent justice;
- the pure and prolonged sound, which it gives forth when one strikes it, represents music.
- Its color represents loyalty;
- its interior flaws, always showing themselves through the transparency, call to mind sincerity;
- its iridescent brightness represents heaven;
- its admirable substance, born of mountain and of water, represents the earth.
- Used alone without ornamentation it represents chastity.
- The price that the entire world attaches to it represents the truth.

"To support these comparisons, the Book of Verse says: 'When I think of a wise man, his merits appear to be like jade."'

That probably explains why jade jewelry and sculptures were all over China. There wasn't a place - it seemed - that didn't have at least one jade item in it.

Tree with the room lights turned off

so only the lights on the tree shine.