iGive

Outside my Window: Beautiful sunshine but crispy air temp.

What's on my Mind: How to parent teenage boys.  Mine have been a real treat lately.  And trust me, I know they are tame in their rebellions compared to what I understand some people have dealt with.  It's a delicate dance.  You know what they say, "teeangers are God's way of helping us let go." 

Thankful for: Opportunity.   And keeping the bills paid.

My Latest Project has been taken advantage of my employer's generosity and picking batches of grapes for jelly and juice which has also become my Creative Endeavors as well.  My friend Sarah offered her kitchen and we spent a day making several batches of jelly.  She stuck with the traditional Concord jelly recipe while I used some Canadice and Cayuga grapes with natural sugar, honey, and regular sugar (in various batches). 

She made two batches of Concord that turned out fabulous plus had juice to spare for another batch the next day.  I did four different batches with the two varieties, only one set of the Cayuga set, but it IS tasty!  The rest I'm using for a juice base and in granola bars.  Last night I juiced up some Stuebens, they are very similar to the Concord but slightly mellower.  The boys taste tested it and said it didn't even need sugar added.  Next batch is NO sugar, followed by a LOW Sugar, and one HONEY batch.  Fun times.  Also working on a round of Canadice juice.  Yummo!

My 3 Sons: The boys have started to push the boundaries a bit as would be expected with teenagers which has caused some tense days.  Not to mention their poor choices creating much unwarrented distress.  We had a week where it felt everyone lost their bloody mind and now after penanance and discipline measures have taken place we seem to be back on an even keel once again.

Fox recently subbmitted his application for National Honor Society.  Ethan has checked in with the middle school Forensics supervisors and is in the process of selecting a piece to work on.  Ben's soccer experience has been challenging with the rec program again this year but we're sticking it out and making the best of it.

The first Born: Still vegan.  Still working 2 jobs.  May help with some Forensics events with the North Branch School team since little bro is going to be competing.  Alex did in high school and really enjoyed it.

Employment News: Didn't get the position I interviewed for but found out I was second choice.  Not sure how I feel about that.  Probably going to continue working at the farm part-time helping fill online orders.  Still subbing as well, been in the middle school a few times already and high school special ed.

Hoping to Improve: My attitude.  Feeling very crabby and complaintive lately....could be hormonal.  Or that I'm a pink drowning in a blue world if you know what I mean.  Being the only female in the house can push your limits of grace to the brink.

Food for Thought:  Recipes made with love can never be fattening!  (Smile)

Last Words:

Make it a point to do something every day that you don't want to do. This is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain.

~Mark Twain

iGet Sticky

Outside my Window: Morning darkness with a lines of fog as the sun begins to lift into the sky while the moon still glows. At least it was when I started to write this post.  Now, the sun is shining and the birds are singing but the air remains slightly chilly.

What's on my Mind: Simplicity.  Back to basics.  Cash Only.  We've been working towards this for many years and it has started to become second nature.  I'm glad.

Thankful for: A great place to work.  I've really been enjoying my days at Honeyflow Farm, meeting people from different countries, talking with people from the U.S. that are nutritionally and environmentally aware, being in the good outdoors, learning a new skill, working with my oldest son.

Creative Endeavors: I've been bringing a composition notebook to work, and write for a second when there's a lull.  Started to brainstorm ideas for this year's NaNoWriMo story.  Might cheat a bit and pull out an idea I started a couple years ago but stalled on and go for a finish.  But I have a couple fresh ideas that intrigue me as well..... oh, the possibilities!

Latest Project: DECLUTTERING Still.......

My 3 Sons: Enjoying their school routine, classes, and sports.  Right now they are keeping it all As, have been checking their own status and reporting to me before I've even gone and checked!  Wink, smile, nudge.  What's up with that?  Hope it sticks.

Ethan is in Drama class 6th hour and goes over to the high school building for it, interested to see what their final production will be.

Ben has started soccer practices, so far it has worked out with cross country, no problem.  Haven't gotten the game schedule yet.

Fox is having a decent running season coming through pain free at the end of races.  He also is working Sundays with me at Honeyflow. 

Sunny day at the Lapeer County Meet!  Fox just finished running and Ben and Ethan were waiting for the middle school race.  Ben medaled. They all had good times on a tough course.

The first Born: Workin, workin, workin' day and night!  I'm guaranteed at least one check in a month when she makes her car insurance payment!

Employment News: Interview tomorrow.......

Hoping to Improve:  Continued fresh eating into winter.

Food for Thought:  The food you eat that is grown closer to you, locally, has more nutritional value than food produced farther away.  The farther away, and the more processing involved, the less nutrition it holds.

Last Words:  

iMade the Tealights

Outside my Window: The days have been overcast lately and the weather cooling.  Perfect yardwork temperatures, love those hoodies days!  Above is a snap from the cross-country course at Brown City High School and Nature Center.  It was a wonderful day for a run.

What's on my Mind: Getting my yoga practice back into the schedule.  Now that the boys will be in school I can get back to my morning routine of practicing while the house is quiet.  It's not the same when everyone is home and I just don't get up early enough to do it before the rest of the household awakes in the summer.

Thankful for: Another fun and educational outing with my choir ladies, this time to Port Huron to see the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse.  There is a 20 year restoration plan for the facility and things are looking wonderful so far.

Creative Endeavors: Still working with my perennials moving plants around and getting the colors and sizes arranged better around the house.  Rob also got the wood chipper going finally so hoping to mulch up all the branches he trimmed over the last few weeks and get a good covering down on the gardens.

Latest Project: Decluttering (an ongoing, neverending project, really) and setting things aside for our massive garage sale next summer.

My 3 Sons: First day back to school could not have come to soon.  The boys were so bored they couldn't wait to get back in the academic routine!  Me, too!  I forgot to explain in the last post that after a couple of regular football practices Fox realized there was too much he did not know about the sport and decided to go back to cross country with a new perspective, refreshed appreciation, and upgraded attitude.  Ben is also going to double sport this season with rec-soccer since he needs to get as much field time in as possible before high school try-outs next year.

The first Born: Loving her two new jobs closer to home, both still in food service but that's fine.  She opens for Tim Hortons and does evenings at Appleby's in different towns.

Employment News: Started this past weekend at the farm, pouring honey, making candles, helping customers.  It was a steady but slow opening but in another week or two when the prime grapes come in things are going to get wild!

Hoping to Improve: Working together on projects with my husband and making the tough choices to let items go that are useless, hold bad chi, or can bring some kind of profit.

Food for Thought: "I have been inspired by seeing folks tackle this challenge [eating fresh] head-on, in unique ways. For instance, the Edible Schoolyard project founded in California by Alice Waters, the head of the buy local, eat fresh movement, has had a tremendous impact on the children involved as well as on the local community in which the project was founded.  I was so impressed by this project that I have worked with Alice and some other folkds in order to bring an edible schoolyard to one of our schools in New Orleans.  As a result, children are eating better, more healthful meals, and have a genuine respect for Mother Earth and the hard work required to put food on the table.  They are learning about nutrition, gardening, and the impact of farming on our environment."  ~Emeril Lagasse - Farm to Fork: Cooking Local, Cooking Fresh

Last Words:

iHave no Expectations

Outside my Window:  We have been having the most wonderful weather lately, warm but not miserable, mixed with some cooler days that start you off with sweatshirts in the morning but by 11a it's t-shirt and shorts all the way.  The activity around the Buddliea bushes in the Gramma Garden has been crazy, very hard to capture these busy creatures on film.

What's on my Mind:  Mental health, forgiveness, family.  I just finished reading the book "Silver Linings Playbook" for our next book club meeting.  I had seen the movie in theaters but it had been enough time that I could forget what I saw and really get into the characters as written.  It really made me think more about the influence of family and relationships; when you need to forgive, let go and keep connection; and when you need to completely release any contact for the sake of your mental well-being.  It's a very fine line and a tricky road to cross. 

Thankful for:  A great first cross country meet at Croswell-Lexington High School this morning.  The weather was perfect, we had the biggest team since my boys have been involved, and Fox had his old mojo back, having fun with his running buddies and taking it all in stride.  Coach wasn't pushing anybody, this was an invitational meet and the goal was just to get a baseline time set to work off of for the rest of the season.

Creative Endeavors:  Putting together a Fundraising Packet for the Lapeer County Concert Choir 2013-14 campaign.  Rearranging perennials from various garden areas.

Latest Project:  Getting the donations to the 4H Feeds Families Committe delivered and/or stored until the organizations can use it.  Since there was so much meat donated I had to get resourceful and got a freezer donated from the Habitat for Humanity Restore.  We gave some to House of Hope which prepares hot meals weekly at various locations, some to North Branch Emergency Aid which distributes weekly food boxes, and some to the United Methodist Women for their shut-in meals that they prepare and deliver to the elderly in the community.

My 3 Sons:  Getting put to work around the property quite a bit, luggin tree limbs, raking grass clipping, push mowing, cleaning out and rearranging the back of the garage.  Still to come, closing down the piggie pen and making modifications for next time.  Went to Junior orientation with Fox this week and got his schedule. These his classes for the entire year:
AP Prep English, Pre-Calc, AP US Government, Economics, Physics, Drafting, 3D Design, Intro Stats, Current Events, You and the Law

Middle School open house is coming up this week for Ben and Ethan although they've already gone online and peeked at their classes.  E wanted to find out if he made it into PreAlgebra....he did!  He's also got Drama class for first trimester and Ben will be in the S.T.E.M. class again which he loved.

I've also asked all the boys to find a non-sport actvity or club to do during the winter months.  Ethan is going to try Forensics, Fox is thinking about Model U.N. and/or Legislative Debate, Ben is not sure what he'll do yet.  We talked about maybe trying F.F.A. (Future Farmer of America) but he's not that convinced.

The first Born:  Putting in applications EVERYWHERE, finally started getting calls for interviews.  Had a job offer today to start training next week.  Has another 2nd interview tomorrow and is hoping to be able to work at both places since they've been talking to her about different shifts.  Both are far closer to home so gas expenses will be extremely less plus no more BK drama.  You go girl!

Employment News:  Did my renewal tutorials for subbing but have also been putting in online applications looking for a regular secretarial or administrative assistant job in the area.  Also going to be working weekends at Honeyflow.

Hoping to Improve:  I've begun reading a very disconcerting book "Pandora's Lunchbox: How Processed Food Took Over the American Meal" by Melanie Warner.  My crusade to cut out processed food began awhile back, this information will certainly propel me to stay on track.  These food scientists are so proud of their preserving accomplishments but what has transpired in the meantime is not even close to real food any more, it's really just food representation.

Food for Thought:  Since our employment change we have been blessed with donations from neighbors' gardens and freezers plus our garden is coming in nicely.  It has been a joy to cook for my men regularly again with locally grown/raised produce/livestock. I've also been working on freezing zucchini, swiss chard, and apples.  From garden to bowl....quick and easy coleslaw!

Last Words: 

Life is 10% what you make it

and 90% how you take it.

~Irving Berlin



iWent to the Fair



Outside my Window: Now it is dark since I've been trying to complete this post for the past couple days and Blogger is being stupid.  When I began there were blue skies, little white clouds, slight breezes, sun, and an empty pig pen.

What's on my Mind:  Raising boys and the stupid things they do that blow my mind.  You think you know a kid's character and then a behavior arises that you never expected.  Not saying girls aren't like that too, but right now I'm dealing with boys.

Thankful for: A great week at the Eastern Michigan State Fair.  The weather was fantastic with just a little bit of rain one evening and for a while one morning other than that the temperatures were tolerable which is not always the case with Fair week.  Ethan did well in his first year showing rabbits, he needs to work on his showmanship (5th in age group) but his animals all placed well.  His meat pen weighed in at 20.10 pounds and he got $9 per pound at the auction, donating $10 of his earnings to the 4H Feeds Families Committee.  We have an appointment this week to take them in for processing, with small animals the sellers take care of the processing and deliver them to the buyer.

Ben did not get any ribbons this year, he was one out for placing in his showmanship age group and in his weight class.  No worries, he's got a plan for next year and is looking forward to having another chance at it next year.  I must admit it can be hard to compete against kids who come from large working farms.  Zelda weighed in at 275 pounds and he got $2 per pound again at auction from the same buyer as last year.  Fox held his own amongst some pretty seasoned showman but did not place, nor did he expect to.  His pig Dagney received a 4th Place in her weight class, tipping the scale at 286 pounds and bringing in $2.20 per pound at auction.  He donated $35 of his earnings to the 4H Camp Scholarship fund, which made me quite proud.  I give Fox credit for stepping up and trying pig raising and showing to support his younger brother who did not want to be in the project alone but understand that it is not his "thing" and he will refrain from showing again.  He is however going to apply to work at the Fairgrounds next summer since he'll be old enough. 

Also, Ethan got the prize for getting the most sponsorships for the Swine Department for the second year in a row.... a nice fresh Benjamin!  Cha-ching!  He's already planning to go for it again next year.

Creative Endeavors: This photo I took in Italy got 1st Place for Phototgraphy-Architectural.

My three Handicrafts-Paper Goods entries were the only ones in the category!  My Wildflower Arrangement and Perennial Arrangement both got 2nd Place.

But these two Handicrafts-Other made from scrap tile and molding that I spent the most time and thought on didn't get anything.  I was quite proud of how these turned out.  Go figure.

Latest Project:  Got the flashdrive of pictures from Ben's Space Academy week, put together a couple collages from the hundreds and hundreds of photos that their sponsor and the camp staff took.  Very, very cool.

My 3 Sons: High School Football starts this week for Fox.  Middle School Cross Country begins the last week of the month for Ben and Ethan.

The first Born: Officially engaged.

Employment News: Applied for another position in the Lapeer 4H Extension office, already spoke with the county coordinator, hoping to get a call for an official interview this week.  Also going to be helping a friend out, well we're helping each other out, at his vineyard and honeybee farm during the fall picking season.  Robert is also seeking employment after a devastating turn of events at his place of work.  Yes, the fun never ends.

Hoping to Improve: My resourcefulness.....

Food for Thought: Dr. Miracle's approach was much less confrontational and more civilized. According to him, there are two selves in each of us: the one who wants to be slim and healthy and the on who wants something else.  One sees the big picture -- well-being, self-esteem, fitting into the lastest fashions. The other wants pleasures aplenty, and now.  One is Narcissus leaning over his pool; the other is Pantagruel leaning over his table.  The key, he said, was not to conquer the second, but to broker a rapprochement: make friends of your two selves and be the master of both your willpower and your pleasures.  That was the French way.  ~French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure by Mireille Guiliano

Last Words: 

iDon't Know Where the Time Goes

Outside my Window:  Beautiful blue sky and cool weather with sweet breezes after some crazy thunderstorms and a week of humid 95+ temperatures.

What's on my Mind: Embracing the Process of Growth and Change.  There really is no such thing as standing still in life.  You are either moving forward or sliding back.  Growth is the natural state of all living things. ~From Ten Habits of Naturally Slim People   The last chapter of this book explains the upward spiral of growth and change and how your intense feelings are the catalyst that make you take notice of a discomfort and use the awareness to catapult positive change.  While I know I can promote positive change my challenge comes with consistency and continuity, in otherwords keeping the motion going forward as opposed to sliding back.  Now I sit on a platuea knowing it is imperitive to ride the wave forward and not get swept under by the current of adverse circumstances.

Ethan (red bandana) at his last year at camp as a camper next to big brother counselor Fox (pink shirt)

at Larger than LIFE 4H Overnight Camp

Thankful for: All the boys having an amazing week at camp.  Fox really liked being a counselor for both day and overnight camp and plans to take part again next year.  Ethan made the most of his last year and is looking forward to moving on to day camp counselor next summer.  Benjamin had an incredible time in Huntsville, AL and was pretty proud that he made the astronaut laugh during the graduation ceremony.  The boys made friends with a couple brothers from Korea and had fun sharing words from each other's language and of course iPod apps and games.  I will share more after I get the disc of photos and he can explain more of the missions to me.

Creative Endeavors:  Making games for camp like a Super Twister board on a King size sheet using a pizza box stencil.  We also played human foos ball, Super Swatter balloon badmitton, Beat the Bear (with add-on variations), and Bandana Grab which got pretty intense at times which added to the hilarity.

Latest Project:  Working on some crafty Fair entries using scrap molding and tiles.

My 3 Sons:  In the area of sports we've had a bit of a shake up.  After years of cross-country Fox has decided to jump ship and try something new.  It started with him just wanting more of a workout but it is looking like he will actually stay for a season.  Never thought any of my boys would go this route but it looks like we'll be heading out to some football games this year!  He's been going to as many training sessions as he can and has talked to the head coach about a game plan.  Official season starts Aug. 14.
Ben and Ethan will still run Middle School Cross Country.

Pigs and rabbits are doing well, this week the boys delivered their buyer letters.  Everything is on track for Fair, they've got all the suppies they need and made sure each has a showmanship outfit before they head off to Port Austin to relax before the crazy week of Fair begins.

The first Born:  Aggrivated with her job, threatening to give notice and go back to college full time.  I can only hope.

Employment News:  Starting to work on my renewal tutorials for subbing.  Fun.

Hoping to Improve:  My exercise routine, need to get back in my regular Yoga practices and add some toning sessions.  There's a new fitness studio in town that I have on my list to check out.

Food for Thought:  Much to the complaint of my family I have been working on cleaning out the cupboards using up all processed products with a shelf life and also finishing the meat stock in the freezer.  Alex's vegan sensibilities have inspired me although I'm not going totally vegan I am working toward as fresh as possible and a greater percentage of veggies and fruits.  Cereal is probably going to be what they give me the most resistance about.

Last Words:



iCelebrate America

Outside my Window:  Blue skies, thin white clouds, and lots of sun!

What's on my Mind: How do you define happy?  Can you be happy in an imperfect situation?  Do the behavior and actions of others affect your happiness?  What are the ways that help contentment remain through all senarios?

Thankful for:  A beautiful day and an awesome 4th of July Parade!  Old time cars, Veterans, high school band, horses, motorcycles, tractors, dancers, civic groups, everything you need for a wonderful hometown celebration.  Fantastic firework display in the evening as well.  Nice job North Branch Days Committee!

Creative Endeavors:  Worked on a few more collages for my Fair entries.

Latest Project:  Started a major repair project.  There was once an old chimney for a wood stove on a platform at the entryway of the house.  Rob knocked out the top of the chimney long ago but the hole in the ceiling remained.  I finally took on the challenge with Fox's assistance and a quick consult from my father-in-law and neighbor.  Biggest pain was the styrofoam insulation balls that come cascading down from the attic!  Knocked out a wall to have easier access since I was working over the stairs.  Got the drywall up eventually.  Phase 2 complete for now.

My 3 Sons:  My baby boy is now one step away from teenagerness, turning 12 today! 

July is camp / camping month.  Ethan is doing the 4H Overnight Camp and assisting me during Day Camp, Fox is counselor-ing at both camps, during that same week Benjamin will head to Alabama for Space Academy.  Then Fox will be traveling to Grand Valley State University for a cross-country camp, the younger boys and I will probably do some enrichment activities in the area during drop and pick up.  And to top it off they will all spend the last week in Port Austin with gramma and grandpa as is tradition. 

The first Born:  Back on closings lately, still mumbling about wanting to get back in school but no major movement made to get it happening yet.

Employment News:  << cricket, cricket>>

Hoping to Improve:  My training schedule.  Doing the Freedom Run tomorrow with Fox and Ethan but don't feel very prepared....it will be what it will be, for me.  Hope the boys have a great run and get some good times.

Food for Thought: "To change the printout of the body, you must learn to rewrite the software of the mind."  ~Deepak Chopra, M.D., Perfect Health

Last Words:

iSaw the Signs

Outside my Window:  It's been quite sunny lately with spatterings of rain, temps have been in the 80s all week.

What's on my Mind: Oh so many things.  Spoke with a lunch lady from one of our schools and asked if they are allowed to even cook for the kids anymore?  Like if someone donated meat to them that was raised locally to use.  All the food in the schools is "government packaged" to meet all the required "standards" and is basically warmed up and put out.  Wow, how sad is that.

The lack of success in my veggie garden is annoying.  Things are growing nicely then a critter comes in and feasts!  My corn and zucchini still look untouched but the beans, spinach, and peas gots wiped out.  Used to have a kitchen garden up by the house, perhaps I need to work closer in again.

Finding ways to keep my boys on track when it comes to their schooling.  We had some dips in grades and I don't want that to become a habit.  I know they are capable of better and sliding will not go on for long.  There's a fine line between nagging and encouraging.

Thankful for:  Having the time to get things done in my gardens and around the property.  I have a row of beautiful perenniels that got overtaken by grass and trumpet vine that was finally conquered.  Ben and Ethan rescued an area of hollyhocks, helianthus, and rose of sharon and pruned two humungus spirea. Got a great deal on impatient flats and added some color to the shade and gramma garden.  It may seem like a small thing but gardening represents a type of progress to me at this stage in my life.

 

Creative Endeavors:  While Fox was up at grandpa's property helping with the cabin construction I took the opportunity to clear out his room and remodel.  We had changed out the windows a while back but they were never framed in, plus there was some drywall issues to deal with.  I had a great time transforming the room and finally getting it finished.  This room is on its third metamorphesis, it was Alex's bedroom at one point and then my office before it became Fox's lair.  Still working on some finishing touches but the result has received favorable compliments.

Latest Project:  Ethan and I built this cage frame from scraps of wood Rob brought home from the shop.  The rabbits are getting to the age the genders need to be separated.

My 3 Sons:  Fox worked all week and the younger two for a couple days helping grandpa build a cabin on his property.  I hope they were good workers.

My relentlessness on putting the video games away for periods of time has prompted the boys to find other interests one of which is Dungeons and Dragons.  I'm all for it, let the imaginations run wild! 

Ethan did not make the All-Star team but it's fine we're all ready for some down time to putz around at home.  Ben is starting to make sure he has everything in order for Space Camp and has been invited to be in the 4th of July Parade with the other crews.  He said he would do it.  Both of the boys have also helped with the 4H Feeds Families Committee by giving presentations at the Freemasons and Knights of Columbus meetings to raise funds to use at this year's Fair.  Fox is going to present to our orthodontist who like to support 4H each year as well.  We're still waiting to find out about some grant money.

The first Born:  ...just got a letter sent to the house from BK Main Office.  I let Ethan read it to her since we were driving....it was to announce she is getting a raise and to thank her for her hard work and loyalty.  Sweet! 

Employment News:  Summer vacation.  Working for free.  Workin' on me!

Hoping to Improve:  Still contemplating the "Garbage Project".  So many products, so many processes.  I admire Alex's vegan loyalty, it is not easy to change eating habits especially when you live with others beside yourself.

Food for Thought: "Why don't I do things I say I want to do?" The answer is in your subconscious beliefs. Learn how to detect these sabotaging beliefs and how you can change them.  ~Ten Habits of Natually Slim People

Last Words: