Seven Quick Takes Friday--Volume 44

One.
I've been out all day with Bret and six kids running hither and thither all over town, which is why this post is so late. We left the house just after 8 a.m. and got back at a bit before two. This is how it is living in the sticks--you combine all the errands to be run and spend the whole day out of the house. You'd think that the patterns of the car seat fabrics would be permanently imprinted on my kids' backsides by now.

Two.
I have decided that age two may be the beginning of the Terrible Twos, but with my kids it seems to hit a peak at age three. Dominic, whom I once considered an easy, happy-go-lucky toddler, has become The Monster Boy. He is openly defiant and does whatever he can to get a rise out of his siblings. All day, every day. I told a friend that two weeks ago after a particularly hairy time at Mass with him, I was considering changing his name from "Dominic" to "Demonic".

Three.
I am becoming an affiliate for Sacred Heart Books and Gifts on this blog. Linda Nelson has been the source of many if not most of my homeschooling materials for years now, and I have sought her expertise and advice on many occasions. She loves books, homeschooling and her Catholic faith, and is more like a friend than a mere business proprietor. She takes time to listen and to help, and I would truly be lost if she ever decided to stop doing what she does. Please do look at her site--her prices are better than just about anyone's , too!

Four.
I love nursing--it gives me an excuse to sit down cozily with the kids and read, read, read. I have been reading to the boys, and even curious Una came to listen in (it helps when I refuse to allow her to read a new book until after I have read it). I haven't read so much since Dominic was weaned. And it's fun, because I love reading aloud.

Five.
I found a nice bunch of VHS tapes at the thrift store today for 25 cents apiece: a couple of Veggie Tales, a couple of Little Bear tapes, a Winnie the Pooh tape, "Old Yeller", "Captains Courageous" and "War Games"--which I need to look up in spite of its PG rating for possible language or other issues.

Six.
I am boring myself silly with this post for lack of anything interesting to say.
** Yawn**

Seven.
I'm going to read to the kids now. Sorry about this post. I should have stopped at "One" this week...

And if you would like to read some more interesting Seven Quick Takes, hop over to Jen's Conversion Diary. There are some interesting ladies with interesting things to share over there...

Small Successes Vol 28

One.
I got my workroom cleaned up and my maternity clothes put back up in the attic space. I can actually see the surface of my work table for the first time in months!

Two.
I finished reading The Phantom Tollbooth to Sebastian and Gabriel and managed to find a few minutes here and there to turn a piece of Una's embroidery work into a cushion cover for her bed.

Three.
I finally found the courage to start using my cloth diapers yesterday for the first time. I used disposables for Gemma's first two weeks so that I wouldn't have extra laundry to deal with, and I will still use them for outings. I like the cloth except for the fact that Gemma is so little and the cloth diapers so bulky! It looks a bit funny, but then I suppose that is what I looked like 45 years ago--and I was nearly two pounds lighter!

Read more Small Successes on Faith and Family Live

Luke Has Been Found!

No details as yet, but he is found and well. Deo Gratias!

No surprises here

Well, the total lack of respect for human life has to come to this: culling the population as one would a flock of chickens. The old, the sick, those who are not "productive"...the only difference is that we encourage the procreation of livestock animals.

Simple Woman's Daybook for July 27th

Outside my window…66 degrees and overcast. We are expecting a lot of rain later this week, so I need to hang laundry out today.

I am thinking…about school, still a month away, but looming ominously. I so wish I had a background in education so that I could feel a bit more competent. Better yet, I wish I had a full housekeeping staff, so that I could just concentrate on school and being Mommy!

I am thankful for…Gemma sleeping as well as she does. And the many friends near and far who have been so kind--bringing meals, offering to take the kids, sending diapers and pretty pink things and chocolate. I am indeed very blessed.

From the kitchen...I haven't a clue. Maybe Baked Oatmeal with cream.

I am creating…nearly done with the second wool soaker. I am getting close to the end of the yarn, too...the suspense of whether or not I'll have enough to finish is killing me...

I am reading… Consecration to Mary according to Louis de Monfort and another old book on the Blessed Mother.

I am hoping…to make progress with the lesson plans and to enjoy the next four weeks of summer before settling into school.

I am hearing…Gabriel and Adrian as they play.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Clean up my workroom a bit, sew a little cushion using Una's embroidery for its center, work on Thank You notes and lesson plans.

I am praying...for peace to descend upon this house, and for more work for Bret so that he can remain close to home. And, in this period of re-consecration to Mary, for a deeper devotion to her.

A Picture Thought: Gemma (who else?) wearing a dress which I wore as a newborn. My recently deceased grandmother had purchased it on one of her trips to Paris. Girl-babies are so much fun to dress! Peggy is back, so visit her for more Simple Woman's Daybook entries.

Doubtlessly destined to be doted upon...

Thank you, Ruth, for the pretty dress and other lovely things...

Prayer Alert! Get the word out...

My friend Jennifer sent this email to me requesting prayers:

"This is from the Dillier family from Dallas TX. They are friends of ours and we went to church with them, good homeschooling family. He was at music lessons and went back to his car to get something, that was the last they have seen of him."

Luke is 15 and from St, Williams Parish. He's been missing since 10 a.m. this morning. This is every parent's worst nightmare. Please pray for his safe return.

If you have a little girl...

...and you do this to her, your parental rights ought to be revoked!

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Volume 43

1) So far Gemma has been a dream baby. She sleeps a lot and very well. I nurse usually twice per night and only because I start to feel uncomfortable and need to wake her to get a little relief. I don't expect this wonderful thing to continue, in part because I fear being too terribly optimistic and also because I know from experience that all it takes for a baby to change sleeping habits is for mama to settle into the established pattern...

2) In spite of the good nights, I look like death-warmed-over all morning long. What is this? My face gets puffy and I have bags and circles under my eyes. I look a lot worse than I feel, which I suppose is far superior to feeling worse than one looks. It irks me, because when I go out of the house with six kids I want to bear witness to the world, and the witness I want to bear is not, "This is what your average mom of a large brood looks like." Know what I mean?

3) I've been blown away by the sweetness of friends and family in bringing food to us. I have cooked two dinners in the last ten days, not counting the defrosted-beef fiasco. This is better than any baby shower. So if you know a mom with multiple young kids having a baby, skip the cute baby outfit unless you don't live near enough to cook, and bring her a meal. I can just about guarantee that it will be more greatly appreciated.

4) Little girls have nothing to hang onto. In the continuing saga of potty-training Dominic, I have found yet another reason to be glad that Gemma is a girl. Because Dominic still has "wet accidents," and because it is summer, he spends a lot of time wearing only a pair of underpants these days, and he and Adrian seem to be hanging onto their boy-bits just about anytime their hands are not otherwise occupied. It would seem that diapers are thick enough to make this difficult.

5) When I think of how many photos I have on disks and such to be printed out on photo paper and placed in albums, I want to hide. The last photo in the album is of Adrian at age one. It is apparent that I am even worse about keeping up with photos than I am with bank statements...

6) I need to look at my bank statement.

7) I have been suffering from plummeting hormones, the result of which, besides various physical symptoms, is a general unpleasantness. If it is my duty to get my family into Heaven, then I am doing it, or at least shortening their Purgatory. I have been oscillating between dopey-and-in-love, weepy, and unbearably irritable for the last week. I am trying to keep a better grip on myself until things in my system normalize.

Please visit Jen at Conversion Diary for more Seven Quick Takes Friday.

Girl Things

Oh, how long have I contemplated seeing this sight...

Small Successes Vol 27

One.

I cooked enough accidentally-defrosted beef to end anemia in a Third-World country.

Two.
Celebrated twenty-two years of marriage on Saturday with an accidentally-defrosted rib roast, cheddar scalloped potatoes, green beans and brussel sprouts. And I didn't even post about it. Sorry, Bret darling...I do love you!

Three.
I made pesto, three and a half cups of it, from the basil-run-wild in my herb bed. I hope to post the process when I can. Pesto certainly makes my list of favorite cooking ingredients.

Read more of this week's Small Successes on Faith & Family.

Gemma is Baptised

With many thanks to my dear mom, who kept snapping away on the camera, all the while lamenting that she really couldn't see anything and hoped that a couple of photos would be alright. Her reward for such diligence is that I forgot to get a photo of her holding Gemma at the baptism...in fact, she didn't even get to hold Gemma at the baptism.

Mea maxima culpa. I hate the postpartum fog. God, I know, will forgive me. I hope mom will, too!

Feast of St. Mary Magdalen

My confirmation patroness' feast day. Last year I posted my reasons for having chosen her as such. I use her name as my middle name, as I have none on my birth certificate, and I thought to give her name as a middle name to Gemma, but Eliana won out, so I was adamant that at least Gemma should be baptized on this beautiful penitent's feast. I hope my little one will always stand beside Our Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross, embracing our Lord in love and gratitude.

It is a cool and wet day. Sebastian commented that it didn't seem like a nice day for a baptism, and my mother called wondering if we ought to postpone, but no, I think the weather actually fits my patroness quite well. She is so often in tears when we read of her or see images of her. Somehow a hot, sunny day would seem less suitable.

True Heart Award

True Heart Award

Gae of Cherished Hearts at Home has presented me with this award.

The True Heart Award: "Those who receive this award are of the sweetest nature. They are kind, friendly, funny, loving, eager to share their love for Jesus with others, and brave in their efforts to reflect Him to this darkened world. They are the kind of folks you're blessed to know, even if it's only in the bloggy-sphere."

I don't know that this description fits me at all...I think of myself as more salty than sweet, and that I am not so good a friend as others are to me, but I am humbled and honored to be placed among the ranks of some of the other Blog-Moms Gae chose for the award. She chose many of the mothers I'd have listed below myself. And those whom I do choose to pass this two may well have received this award already.

In no particular order I pass this award onto:

Marilyn (okay--Marilyn is first on the list for a reason!) at Enjoy the Journey

Kimberly of Catholic Family Vignettes

Regan at A Place for Everything

Jessica at Shower of Roses

I would add to the list at least five others, but as I said, they've received the award from Gae already.

Thank you, Gae!

A week old this evening

Gemma will be a week old this evening. This is a crazy time: happy, chaotic, painful, sentimental, nostalgic...all the stuff of which a family's "growing pains" consist. It is a sweet time, and yet difficult, fraught with the anxieties that plummeting hormone levels tend to bring on and tensions within the ranks of siblings who are trying to re-establish their pecking order.

Mostly, though, it is very good.

Gemma has a bit of jaundice, as did all her other siblings, so she has been sunbathing in the late afternoon light as it slants through the windows. She is finally opening her eyes to look at our faces. One can only imagine what she is thinking. Perhaps she is trying to connect the faces with the voices she has been hearing--now at much higher decibel levels--for so long.

And this, friends, is what ten years of diaper changes looks like beneath the diaper pad cover. My sister bought me a new one, since at this point, as you can well see, even duct tape is not an option.

Simple Woman's Daybook for July 20th

Outside my window…61 degrees and the sun just breaking through the mist. We've had a lovely streak of unseasonably cool weather. This is the coolest weather we've had in this area since 1897 or something like that.

I am thinking…about a number of things, and trying to fight some anxiety. Every year I come up with a lesson plan, and it seems no matter how simple I try to keep it, it ends up being more than we can handle and we wind up doing just the core subjects, which is a bore for the kids. I am hoping to concentrate on living the liturgical year first and foremost and hoping that God will help me find the time and place for everything else. I look to the blogs of lovely ladies like Marilyn, Ruth and Allison for the inspiration and guidance I need.

I am thankful for…Gemma's birth. Last Monday I was told by my OB that I was still at 1.5 cm. and only 50% effaced. Bret canceled my 39 week appointment for this morning. I am also incredibly grateful for the care of my midwife, my family and all my lovely friends. And a decent night's sleep last night.

From the kitchen...blueberries with yogurt and granola.

I am creating…still working on the second wool soaker. I haven't found a way to knit with one hand yet, and I haven't made much use of the baby carrier either.

I am reading… Consecration to Mary according to Louis de Monfort and another old book on the Blessed Mother.

I am hoping…that the sudden descent of chaos in this house is merely "growing pains" and that everyone will adapt to "the New Normal" soon...

I am hearing…Gabriel making sound effects as he plays, Dominic shouting in the house somewhere, Una clanking about in the kitchen making hot cocoa (I told you it is cool here!)

A few plans for the rest of the week: I still have some beef to cook up from last week's freezer mishap; my basil is going to seed, so I really would love to make pesto--I've used up the last of last year's frozen stock of pesto, and I use it in so many things! And on Wednesday we are going to have Gemma baptized on the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen.

I am praying...for some calm in this house! And for more work for Bret so that he can remain close to home. And, in this period of re-consecration to Mary, for a deeper devotion to her and to her mother, St. Anne, whose novena I am praying.

A Picture Thought: Pooh and Owl are friends. Peggy is still on vacation apparently, but Grandmother Wren is filling in for her. Check out some of the other Simple Woman's Daybook entries.

Gemma Eliana's Homebirth--14 July 2009

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Volume 42

One.
Hey, I had a baby this week! I am bleary-eyed and ought to be napping with Gemma right now, but the midwife will be here in 20 minutes to do her PKU and 3 day check up, so what's the point? We'll catch another 2 hours tomorrow morning between 4 and 6 a.m....

Two.
The Catholic Church has brought me the best friends a mom could have. The day I gave birth there was a meal brought for us. The following day, Wednesday, my friend Cindy picked up my kids and took them to a movie, Mass and lunch at another friend's home, and then brought them home. Yet another lovely mom came with a meal--and dessert!--served it to us, cleaned up and graciously departed, offering to take the kids to her home the next day. My gratitude knows no bounds!

Three.
Minor disaster has kept me from resting quite as much as I would like: the door was left open on the meat freezer and we accidentally thawed out about 30 lbs of beef. So I am marinating and cooking a lot of meat! I have a chuck roast in the dutch oven, a round roast in the slow cooker and Bret will grill a London Broil. On a Friday! Since we won't be eating it today, I take it we'll be freezing a lot of it. I still have spare ribs and a gorgeous rib roast in the fridge. Think I will do up the latter for tomorrow--it's our 22nd anniversary.

Four.
Bret has taken Gabriel and Adrian for hair cuts. Sigh of relief!

Five.
We have finally settled on Gemma Eliana for the baby's name. Eliana is Hebrew for "My God has answered", or "God listened", which seems apropos since we have wanted another girl since I was pregnant with Sebastian! I was rooting for "Magdalena", my confirmation Saint, but Bret expressed a preference for Eliana, and he has never before expressed a preference to one name over another (yes, I know I'm fortunate--I've heard many a tale of the battle between parents in naming a new baby!) She will hopefully be baptized on the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen.

Six.
My cups runneth over...

Seven.
Yes, this is actually a photo Bret took of me in labor. I chatted and smiled right up to my water breaking, after which it was impossible to chat or smile. Thankfully, Gemma was born 7 minutes later and I could smile more than ever.

I promise I'll post more baby photos as soon as I can see well enough to pick and choose among them. And don't forget to stop by Conversion Diary to see more great 7 Quick Takes.

Welcome, Gemma!

Born at home on Patch O' Dirt Farm on Tuesday, July 14th (Feast of Bl. Kateri on the new calender & St. Bonaventure on the old) at about 6:10 pm. 6 lbs 13 0z, 21" long.

Baby doing fine, mama just tired, siblings excited and the whole family thanking God for entrusting us with another little soul.

This is really neat!

Want to take a little tour of a baroque church in Austria? It takes a while to load, but it's really worth the wait!

Simple Woman's Daybook for July 13th

Outside my window…very quiet and wet from last night's thunderstorm.

I am thinking…about yesterday. My Grandmother died on Saturday, and yesterday I pulled out my St. Andrew's Missal (we were at a traditional Latin Mass for the first time in ages), and there was a holy card stuck in the back in the Burial Mass section, which I have never used. Then Father's homily was entirely on the Catholic funeral rite...

I am thankful for…too many things to list this morning. But specifically for being at the end of this pregnancy. I have savored it, knowing that it is likely my last at my age. But Gemma is getting big and uncomfortable, and I am ready to see her!

From the kitchen...Strawberry Yogurt parfaits with granola on top!

I am creating…still working on another wool soaker. I have finished the first but for the drawstring for the waist, and I will do another like it, since I bought yarn for two.

I am reading… I haven't chosen my reading, but since I have my annual renewal of my Consecration to Mary coming up on the Feast of the Assumption, and I know I will not be able to keep up with all the prayers while dealing with a newborn, I will peruse my bookshelf and choose something on the Blessed Mother.

I am hoping…that my OB will tell me that I am further dilated and effaced today! If not, I may resort to having Bret ride me around off-road on the 4-wheeler!

I am hearing…Nothing! Gabe is up, is lying quietly on the sofa.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I have an OB appt today. I still haven't cut Gabriel, Adrian and Dominic's hair, so I am going to make appointments for the two older ones and tackle only Dominic on my own (I wouldn't put a hairdresser through his antics). The basil is booming, so I need to make pesto. And I am wishing I could come up with good gift ideas for all the birthdays coming up in our family over the next few months! I will have to give it some real thought.

The children are...asleep, but for Gabriel. Oops! I spoke too soon--Adrian just stomped his way into the livingroom...and I can hear someone in the bathroom...

A Picture Thought: Have you ever seen anything so ugly/cute? It is a Great Blue Heron hatchling that one of our barn cats must have brought up from the pond. Luckily, it appeared totally uninjured and we could see mama heron by the pond, so Bret brought the little thing back down and placed him/her where mama had stood. I hope they are reunited...these little babies are almost impossible to keep alive without the parents!
Peggy is still on vacation apparently, but Grandmother Wren is filling in for her. Check out some of the other Simple Woman's Daybook entries.

Please pray for the soul of my grandmother

She passed away this afternoon in Charlotte, NC. Absolve, we beseech Thee, O Lord,

the soul of Thy servant, Adele Samuelson, from every bond of sin,

that being raised in the glory of the resurrection,
she may be refreshed among the Saints and Elect.
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Belly Shot--37 and a half weeks

Well, I couldn't interest any of the kids in taking my photo (we just got back from the library and thrift store, so they were preoccupied with various books and things). So here I am, taking a shot in the mirror again.

The midwife said that she thinks Gemma is at about 6 lbs already, which is more than the estimate given for any of my others at this point in the pregnancy.

Milehimama, this one's for you!

Two teeth in 48 hours!

Lost this one eating watermelon at the breakfast table. And the adult teeth are right there already, too!

Seven Quick Takes Friday--volume 41

One.
My big girl really needs a little sister, and I for one am happy to be able to finally oblige her. Yesterday she was running a "Spa" in the playroom, and painting her brothers' finger and toenails.

Two.
Gabriel lost his first tooth the night before last and is about to loose the second any day now. So, this is how years of orthodontia begin...

Three.
Three of my boys are still in desperate need of haircuts. I am so glad to be having another girl. I love making pigtails and braids almost as much as I hate cutting hair.

Four.
What is this with having morning sickness in the third trimester? My sister has had it twice before, but this is a first for me. Here I am, days from giving birth, and right now I'm not sure whether I want to eat or throw up.

Five.
My midwife is coming today, and I am wondering if there has been any change since Monday. I don't hit 38 weeks until next Tuesday, but all five of my babies have been born during that week, so of course I am getting a little bit antsy.

Six.
I was running out to bring the cordless phone to Bret yesterday and stepped on a bee or wasp. That makes six of us in two weeks. Usually we have one sting all summer long, so this is borderline weird.

Seven.
My complete lack of humility is showing itself in the fact that I feel somewhat bummed by the lack of comments I have had on the blog this week. Is that pathetic or what? After all, I started this blog to keep up with friends and family--not for ego gratification.

Join Jen at Conversion Diary to read more 7 Quick Takes!

"God plus one is an army"

With many thanks to Fr. Bill Casey, CPM and to John, who does all the great video and editing work. If you enjoyed this clip, take a look at what else the Fathers of Mercy have to offer on their website and support their missions.

Agony!

Do not browse this site if you are hungry!!!

Small Successes Vol 25

1) I made a huge batch of healthy granola, four loaves of zucchini bread, beef stock, a batch of meatballs, two meatloaves, some hamburger patties, and a gallon of yogurt. My fridge and freezer are looking well-stocked.

2) I finished one wool soaker for Gemma and am working on a second. I also hemmed the big piece of gauze I purchased to make a Moby Wrap-type carrier.

3) I cleaned up my workroom (somewhat) and cleaned the schoolroom cabinets. On to the bathrooms now...

Read more of this week's Small Successes on Faith & Family.

The mad scientists are at it again.

Here they go, delving into further uses for embryonic stem cells. I just want to throw up...

Today I have...

...paid some bills, made breakfast, made beef stock, baked four loaves of zucchini bread, put a chicken dinner in the crockpot, washed two loads of laundry, washed a few sinkfuls of dishes, emailed my midwife, hemmed four yards of cloth to make a Moby-type baby carrier and taken Dominic to the bathroom a dozen times.

I will sit around until it is time for our Rosary, then I'll call it a day and turn in. G'night, all.

Nuns with Guns

With many thanks to Patrice Lewis at Rural Revolution for the great image.

Does this kid need prayers, or what?

So read the caption of this photo my sister sent of my nephew, Thomas. Actually, I think he'll be fine in the long haul, as his very best buddy is a priest...

Nothin' much to report...

I had my 37 week OB appointment this morning and there's been no real change since last week. The obstetrician noted, measuring my tummy, that I am on the small side, and I told him my secret: I have no internal organs.

I did have a nice lunch out with my mother, no kids, no diaper bag. It will be a while before I do that again, so I really did appreciate it.

At home we had two casualties of summer within a short time: first Sebastian stepped on a bee and was stung on the toe, and then Dominic somehow ended up with a wasp or yellow jacket under his shirt and was stung three times. I held a cotton ball with cider vinegar to the stings, gave him homeopathic apis and then, when he was calm enough, gave him an ice pop. He's fine now. See for yourself:

Simple Woman's Daybook for July 6th

Outside my window…it is getting light. Everything is wet from the weekend rains.

I am thinking…about how I have neglected this blog! I know that I have not run out of good posts nor good photo opportunities. I just have such limited energy these days and it takes forever to accomplish even the least of tasks. I hope to get better about it once I have my lungs back!

I am thankful for…good health. I cannot even imagine what it would be like to be 45 and pregnant if I had a chronic health problem. And I am equally thankful for the fact that my children have been relatively healthy. Thank you, Lord.

From the kitchen...berries with yogurt cream and banana bread.

I am creating…another wool soaker. I have finished the first but for the drawstring for the waist, and I will do another like it, since I bought yarn for two.

I am reading… The Splendor of Sorrow. Still on it. I just have the strength to either read a bit or knit a bit before bed, and so with the knitting, I haven't been reading. There will be time enough to read when I am nursing Gemma.

I am hoping…that my OB will tell me that I am further dilated and effaced today!

I am hearing…birds. Last night I went to bed listening to the most amazing symphony of frogs! They were obviously overjoyed by the rain.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I have an OB appt today. I still haven't cut Gabriel, Adrian and Dominic's hair. I have another list of things to make up and put in the freezer, and my midwife will come to check on me on Friday. I'm excited about that!

The children are...asleep. And it is nearly 6 a.m. what are the chances of that?

A Picture Thought: Adrian again, back from fishing at the pond. Actually, papa and the older boys fished, and Adrian ate blackberries! And he didn't bring a single one home for me!
Peggy is on vacation, but Grandmother Wren is filling in for her. Check out some of the other Simple Woman's Daybook entries.

7 Quick Takes Friday--Volume 40

One.

I didn't bother with Small Successes this week because my only real success was getting four
meals into the freezer. The list of what I hoped to accomplish and did not is way longer. I am spared the publication of this list because as of yet there is no "Small Failures" link.

Two.
I am so ready to see this baby of mine. I will hopefully take care of the rest of what needs to be done (assemble co-sleeper, finish putting together my homebirth necessities, make up my bed for labor, etc.) this weekend. I am hoping that when all is in place, I will relax and Gemma will make her debut. So different from when Una was due ten years ago. I never felt more than 7 months pregnant, and I had such a backlog of work in the bindery that I thought it would be great if she would be a few weeks overdue so that I could get more done!

Three.
It is only 57 degrees here this morning! Praise God!

Four.
The wool soaker for Gemma I have been knitting all through last month? I unraveled it on Wednesday night even though it was about 3/4 of the way done. The trouble was that it was so big I knew it wouldn't fit the baby until she is 18-24 months, and I lost interest in it. So I cast on a smaller one before bed on Wednesday, and I am now about 3/4 of the way done with it--and it looks like it will be in the 3-month age/size range.

Five.
Our chickens are moulting and suddenly we are getting only two eggs a day from the nine hens. Two of the hens are "broody" and won't leave the nesting boxes as they are trying to hatch the wooden dummy-eggs in them.

Six.
Both the cow and the heifer have now been bred. It will be another three weeks until we know if it "took" with Nuala, but Naomi does seem to be pregnant if the ice cream and pickles are any indication (Yes, I'm joking...). If they are indeed both bred, we can look forward to a calf in mid-February and another at the beginning of April.

Seven.
Just a couple of photos of the view from Patch O' Dirt Farm this morning.

Join Jennifer at Conversion Diary for more Seven Quick Takes!

Marilyn's World Tour!

I love it when someone much more organized than myself puts together a fantastic unit study! That is why I am encouraging Marilyn's daughter, Abby, to keep prodding her mother to put all her hard work on this World Tour into e-book form.

So far she has only posted her Australia and Africa "itineraries", but they look wonderful, and the children and I hope to tag along when she begins.

Taking a day off...

After two days spent pretty much in the kitchen, I couldn't resist goofing off today. The temperature is an unbelievable 75 degrees, breezy and partly cloudy. After a few necessary household tasks I made a big bowl of popcorn and took it and my knitting outside. I watched the kids ride their bikes and munch popcorn. After a while, I came in and washed a bowl of cherries for the kids. Some of them had never tasted a fresh cherry and the older ones couldn't remember the last time they had had them (I usually don't buy cherries because they tend to be pricey and are not my favorite fruit anyway). We sat on the picnic tables eating cherries and having a pit-spitting competition, which I won by only a hair.

When we came in, I showered the little ones because living in the country, they are always covered in filth and I have this dread of someone stopping by and seeing a bunch of dirty kids running around like they have no mother (or one who is in the house drinking Buds and watching Oprah). With Dominic potty-training, it looks even worse, as I usually let him run about half-dressed in a T-shirt and underpants.

Right now they are watching a video until lunch, after which I will figure something out for us to do...something relaxing. I am thinking of some summer reading. Any suggestions? What are you and yours reading these days?

Recipe-- Boost Your Peanut Butter!

I came across this great idea for boosting the nutritional value of your peanut butter, and thought I would pass it on. We get great, big tubs of all-natural peanut butter from a Mennonite store near us (ingredients: peanuts) and of course there is always a layer of oil that has separated from the peanut butter. Instead of stirring this in, pour it off into a measuring cup and after noting the amount, discard it. Replace this oil with an equal amount of organic coconut oil and stir it in to blend (I actually spoon everything into the bowl of my stand mixer and beat the heck out of it--I haven't the muscle for hand mixing it), then add to this some organic, milled flaxseed, using as much or as little as you desire. Keep what you will use over a week or two in a cabinet and put the rest in the fridge.

That's all there is to it.

Life is good...

The weather has been a bit cooler over the past few days, making things a lot more pleasant around here. I can actually shove the kids outdoors without feeling cruel.

Bret is just about done building my sister's horse barn, so he will be working here at home, in his shop, for a while. This makes it more likely for him to be around when I go into labor. I tend to have fairly quick labors and we don't own a cell phone, although my sister has offered to loan us hers when we get a bit closer to baby-time.

Things are back and forth with potty-training Dominic, but on the whole I think we are moving forward. This is very good, as he will be three in August and I really want to have to deal with only one in diapers.

I grated a mess of zucchini yesterday and made curried veggie-burgers and delightful zucchini slices (thank you, Paula, for the great recipe!), as well as "Spaghetti Pie" from leftovers (thank to Dandelionmom for that one). I now have a few things in the freezer and hope to put a few more in there before the week is out.

I still have a few things to do in preparation for Gemma's birth: get the infant car seat, Boppy Pillow and bouncy seat down from the attic, make up my bed for labor and wash a few more baby outfits. I would also love to have a postpartum menu plan, a lesson plan for the coming school year and a chore chart for the kids in place, but I think that is ambitious beyond practicality.

Well, I'd better get on with the day ahead!