Angel

photo~Flicker

My sister-in-love watched Oliver while Keith and I headed to some appointments. She rained special attention on him, taking him to McDonald's, playing cards, and taking him to the book store. She bought him a set of cards. When we got home Ol and I had a great conversation:

Ollie: It was so nice of Aunt Christa to buy me these cards!

Me: I know, she is special. She is my friend.

Ollie: A friend with wings.

Me: .............yes Ollie, a friend with wings.

Decade

You know you are gnarly when

Your husband asks tentatively "May I please use a cup",

in other words

"Please do not rip my face off if I dirty a cup after you have loaded the dishwasher"

Soaking my Wild Oats

Some people "sow" their oats, other like me soak 'em.

Here is a recipe for a healthy baked oatmeal breakfast, it may be from Nourishing Traditions or just NT inspired.

A good Breakfast by Maurice Flower

I double this recipe and make it at least a few days per week.

2 cups rolled oats

2 cups filtered water

1/4 cup whole milk yogurt

1 egg

3 Tbs. melted butter

1/3 cup raw sugar (I cut this way back)

1 1/2 t non-aluminum baking powder

1 t cinnamon

3/4 t sea salt

The night before mix oats, water and yogurt in a bowl, cover with a clean tea towel and set out at room temperature overnight (at least 7 hours). In the morning grease a 9 x 11 casserole with butter. Whisk egg, sugar and butter together in a seperate container. Stir baking powder, cinnamon, and salt into the oats. Add egg mixture and stir to combine. Pour into casserole dish and bake at 350 for 35 minutes. ( I bake mine for about 20 minutes longer) Optional :

add diced apple or frozen blueberries and walnuts.

Treat for Educators

http://classroom.history.com/america-dvd/event/form

The History Channel is giving away free DVDs on the History of America.

Book-It Time

We love the Book It Program! We go on a weekday at lunch time and enjoy the buffet.
http://www.bookitprogram.com/Enrollment/homeschool.asp

This picture was taken in 2007 when Christian used to volunteer at dinners at the Shen Senior Center with Nana.

Diabetes Storage

I hope I didn't already post these pictures.

I needed a place to store all of our diabetes supplies. I took these pictures back in

November before we were pumping. We have a ton more supplies now.

I decided to use my dining room hutch.

I used some Laura Ashley fabric to cover the glass to hide the contents.

The hutch has been a great solution to many storage problems.

My Aunt Sue gave us this hutch (among other things!) when we moved here

and we are so thankful for it!

Martyr in Training

Gillianne, upon finding that there was not a fork at her place at lunch today

"Oh, that is ok. I just won't eat lunch."

Update

This week was one of our best ever. (I am sorry for the lack of pictures, I misplaced my camera. again.) We went to Up Yonda Farms and collected Sugar Maple Sap and learned how it is cooked down. We saw friends and had fun. This morning was not fun. I will give you the partial list of what I remember. It started with the rude washing machine repair man. Then Sophie painted herself and the stairs green. Someone "Sharpied" my entryway tile. Quinn chewed up a diaper, Ollie and Quinn alternated on trying to escape outside. Then Ollie came to me and said

"I have bad news"

His pump tube snapped. As I looked closer the line was full of blood. We switched out the site and he is good now.

An update on Crystal~ she came through the surgery well and should be coming home tomorrow.

Thanks for visiting :-)

Friends

Today we went to see Frog and Toad All Year at The Egg. We loved it! I enjoyed watching each child's different responses to the songs and stories. The stories were about friendship.

We are still singing "I'm the snail with the mail". I discovered that I can download the songs from Amazon~score! We also watched a few songs on you-tube.

Of course the normal theamusingreadhead-ish things happened while we were out. It wouldn't be a day without those little mishaps.

The email I never thought I would receive

Kari,

My husband found your headcovering in the drug store parking lot. I have it here.

What are the chances? I am glad it was found because I made it out of Nanette's old curtains and I think it must crack her family up to see it perched on my head.

Nancy

The girls and I went to Grace's Fancy Nancy party today.

For anyone who doesn't know her mom, Nanette; she should have a blog...tv show.....consulting business...something. Nanette is her name, hospitality is her game. She works with her theme down to the smallest detail.

Nanette started the party by gathering the girls and explaining that when Grace discovered Fancy Nancy she was a bit "too old" but there was a draw (besides the darling illustrations and whimsy). Nanette's mom's name was Nancy and she loved fancy-ness. (That is only a word on my blog.) She was a collector and adoptive mom of all things lovely and she saw the hidden beauty that some of us miss or are too busy to see.

I wish I had pictures of all the gorgeous decorations (hint hint) but my favorite was the mantle. Above the white cutout lanterns on a string were pictures of Nancy, on her wedding day, on Nanette's wedding day, pictures with Grace. A more fitting tribute couldn't be found.

Gratuitous Party Picture

You can't see the best part~ a huge table scarf that my Grandmother made. Also, I made this banner before I started making them 2 sided so you are seeing the back. You can also barely see the afghan Aunt Rum sent for Abby when she was born. My Nana made it and it is the loveliest spring hyacinth color.

I saw this quote the other day.

Security depends not so much on what you have, but on how much you can do without.

Abby is 4!

Abigail turned 4 yesterday. She has been anxiously counting down the days. We enjoyed a quiet dinner with my parents and Keith's mom. I tucked her in last night and she was smiling in her sleep.

What to say?

Today I went with my 43 year old friend to the neuro-surgeon . Her husband passed away 8 years ago and she still has 5 children at home. The doctor said she has a 95% chance of having cancer in her brain. She will be having brain surgery next week. This is not a cure but hopefully will prolong her life. Please pray for Crystal and her family.

Free Artist Unit Study

http://resource2.veritaspress.com/epistula/helps/art_reports.pdf