tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85859286941649582732024-03-12T19:11:00.179-05:00Our Life in LettersWe are a young Catholic family with 4 children 5 and under.. including the unborn :)! We strive to live our lives in service to eachother and God, keeping ourselves open to His will... come follow our journey.Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-39137905009144568802011-09-18T21:41:00.001-05:002011-09-18T21:41:44.290-05:00Surgery #1- July 27, 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just wanted to let everyone know Dominic did great with his surgery! The surgeon said everything went just as expected and he lost only 1 ml of blood. He is still intubated and he is medically sedated for optimal pain control. I am sending this picture so you all can see him. Thank you all so much for your prayers and thoughts today. I have no doubt that they all helped so much with the surgery. We praise God in the good and the bad, but boy isn't it nice to have some good!! I will continue to keep you all updated. Thank you again.</div>
Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-31634033292530055362011-07-22T04:42:00.000-05:002011-07-22T04:42:05.835-05:00Dominic Kilian 7/13/11Here are some pictures of our sweet angel Dominic. Enjoy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiu9vQT7t4Ty0pbJwg_RJuTIVKKz2srijIfrQQXHU6Xi5FTFo5_TuENUGIo3xRcCkXd4ZJG0qyCpjeQdxL0_nUmIRvmDaWzbZwUA5DMYZGepbfpNEX9qSYtnVF2aHAltRvef62qD_VIW4/s1600/Dominic+211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiu9vQT7t4Ty0pbJwg_RJuTIVKKz2srijIfrQQXHU6Xi5FTFo5_TuENUGIo3xRcCkXd4ZJG0qyCpjeQdxL0_nUmIRvmDaWzbZwUA5DMYZGepbfpNEX9qSYtnVF2aHAltRvef62qD_VIW4/s320/Dominic+211.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-43227841444087420532011-05-26T14:56:00.000-05:002011-05-26T14:56:35.484-05:00Vetro Glass Blowing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzHYqsaMA-La2xzjpG4wJbFbjBJCJboYuxqHT0TOqz_O-7gy1gakApdsQ8VJTjMGGco6DMBNwarboMNLiVTrT6d_lpYl2SGV6k7Iz1JpztFHocwFRSdz46gxYFnivn9572iuNpyX3fis/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzHYqsaMA-La2xzjpG4wJbFbjBJCJboYuxqHT0TOqz_O-7gy1gakApdsQ8VJTjMGGco6DMBNwarboMNLiVTrT6d_lpYl2SGV6k7Iz1JpztFHocwFRSdz46gxYFnivn9572iuNpyX3fis/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+079.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>Our little home school co-op goes on alot of field trips... but this one takes the cake as BY FAR the coolest one we've been on all year. We visited the Vetro Glass Blowing Studio (<a href="http://vetroartglass.com/">http://vetroartglass.com/</a>) in downtown Grapevine which is owned by our friends and fellow homeschooling family, the Gappa's. David and his apprentice's were so great with the kids (and adults too!) explaining what all the equipment was, how it works, what they were doing with the molten glass, and so forth. We got to learn how the glass comes to them, see the clear glass inside the 2000 degree plus furnace, how they blow it, layer it, add color, shape it, and eventually turn it into a piece of art. You could hear "oohs" and "ahhs" all around as he and his apprentices blew the glass, turned it, molded it into various shapes, applied some serious fire, and eventually into a beautiful plate that was being mounted above a local homeowners fireplace (that lucky dog!). Enough with the talking- check it out:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David on the right talking with the apprentice</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David explaining the color he just added</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HlvBtfGcozdHj84yIUbLCYSzriZT7Q_PTkwkINttbBo4cSq22erMyqrnicFX2Ri481i0SAmnYwx-RsY3KIo0nxF1sW5xb_vBfjp2f1b0xD4OadZ7NjJkRtTWDAQiT8cGtHnfE2lAN-o/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HlvBtfGcozdHj84yIUbLCYSzriZT7Q_PTkwkINttbBo4cSq22erMyqrnicFX2Ri481i0SAmnYwx-RsY3KIo0nxF1sW5xb_vBfjp2f1b0xD4OadZ7NjJkRtTWDAQiT8cGtHnfE2lAN-o/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+093.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David is shaping the piece as the apprentice is carefully blowing it</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAptog8GY6tWP4Op-N0UjkKvEXUxHvPG-SYC74geuQv94vNc9M36I3UF308gQ8r-sC1DR-2B0uISFQYRvOeF6AnlHJ0MdggyhfCdWjfdd_H-NoTqLGitTMs0t8l9fqwrW2Ihgs0FRJxrk/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAptog8GY6tWP4Op-N0UjkKvEXUxHvPG-SYC74geuQv94vNc9M36I3UF308gQ8r-sC1DR-2B0uISFQYRvOeF6AnlHJ0MdggyhfCdWjfdd_H-NoTqLGitTMs0t8l9fqwrW2Ihgs0FRJxrk/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+100.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What started as a small ball of glass is now a beautiful plate- <br />
watching this part was really cool!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a massive blow torch!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2pnMwuu0WyUPlzuScRoTCfCwGMxBjiXMWeMZUXO_hqPr8X15d5KdcrIvgt9sjZYkv0Gajx7oQknxuJng1Gmu9jzzXLhsxSJzsBo5NI0WcLhUq4h2DBKnQP7RJ8xPJPV0_5Pii9mt9OQ/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2pnMwuu0WyUPlzuScRoTCfCwGMxBjiXMWeMZUXO_hqPr8X15d5KdcrIvgt9sjZYkv0Gajx7oQknxuJng1Gmu9jzzXLhsxSJzsBo5NI0WcLhUq4h2DBKnQP7RJ8xPJPV0_5Pii9mt9OQ/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+101.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the piece was done, the kids got a close up look and feel of the 2000 + degree furnace</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRRU6bbh7fmaggt3d1h7VA7JweSmHAshvdu8GLcyrDbDnLX5LC2XsXHs3yuglFErwYBM2y7nX7VMK9ZQgSMAyQzboFqNkQcwLrVR93fYZyKNArhO-TTA-p76CRazBarj7-3VF-49iARg/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRRU6bbh7fmaggt3d1h7VA7JweSmHAshvdu8GLcyrDbDnLX5LC2XsXHs3yuglFErwYBM2y7nX7VMK9ZQgSMAyQzboFqNkQcwLrVR93fYZyKNArhO-TTA-p76CRazBarj7-3VF-49iARg/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+077.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A happy audience!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIV_t-TBDDqBeyQXo1y8ePecgnMJQJcg_qdvfh3o_LA5bvb57Z9FdDiGFcuKrc1hal2X5AAKbiLahZa7U6_JrJsLVrqHePQJZRygFiWOT4Ay4wMW2rU8JGeR2bTXqJ1s6Tr-xdPKcVufY/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIV_t-TBDDqBeyQXo1y8ePecgnMJQJcg_qdvfh3o_LA5bvb57Z9FdDiGFcuKrc1hal2X5AAKbiLahZa7U6_JrJsLVrqHePQJZRygFiWOT4Ay4wMW2rU8JGeR2bTXqJ1s6Tr-xdPKcVufY/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+078.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're excited!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIwaEnyP8X6k5AaCEIYBLDyFvFlIoBZ8fYTjT3fll12FIOHvPFiPKXfFetdJ46xM53UAQQwSLuJA35MHBiFznF9F8YKjZCL65LEg-Q-rMXbmsP0ZEFwQQeX2dn0IH2leVLPWc7QGeGds/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIwaEnyP8X6k5AaCEIYBLDyFvFlIoBZ8fYTjT3fll12FIOHvPFiPKXfFetdJ46xM53UAQQwSLuJA35MHBiFznF9F8YKjZCL65LEg-Q-rMXbmsP0ZEFwQQeX2dn0IH2leVLPWc7QGeGds/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+103.JPG" t8="true" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jake after the presentation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEJFCP0_eMmmHsOdw9_eCLbODL-vBTlId4ZmIgsOFf6RdM2SRzUKPXyHvUCt0CY_Yzj30gHMOGOCDKZ8-P-xVnq-ji_yirdY9ySmGwjXiGkyAdgGj_Qs3c2RnqUAi-hv-gFSI8RGgL8A/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEJFCP0_eMmmHsOdw9_eCLbODL-vBTlId4ZmIgsOFf6RdM2SRzUKPXyHvUCt0CY_Yzj30gHMOGOCDKZ8-P-xVnq-ji_yirdY9ySmGwjXiGkyAdgGj_Qs3c2RnqUAi-hv-gFSI8RGgL8A/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+105.JPG" t8="true" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-23006227959240540102011-05-26T14:00:00.000-05:002011-05-26T15:39:51.567-05:00The Ploughshare<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7EsjG7kb2GWm5EqFJ-g9G8w0SGRcCo94f0vHiwOIg0N7k2GHw-c-qsXTnP9yRJQ8MPdFUkKpNqAe8h27Alh88-nCo0aitTB5xhA3TevojLwIfBQqLTy_xfcsiEr1KeT_WoQwBvyDrsc/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7EsjG7kb2GWm5EqFJ-g9G8w0SGRcCo94f0vHiwOIg0N7k2GHw-c-qsXTnP9yRJQ8MPdFUkKpNqAe8h27Alh88-nCo0aitTB5xhA3TevojLwIfBQqLTy_xfcsiEr1KeT_WoQwBvyDrsc/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+001.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>Last week, my friend Wendi and I went to a sourdough bread baking class in Waco at "The Ploughshare" (<a href="http://www.sustainlife.org/index.php">http://www.sustainlife.org/index.php</a>). It is run by a group of people who about 30 years ago, decided they wanted to learn to live off of the land in a self-sustainable way of life, and as Theresa, one of the first on the Waco land, put it "we didn't know that potatoes grew underground and corn grew above ground" when they started. This community has created a culture of people (working on the 3rd generation now) who know how to do the crafts of old, including their very own Gritsmill, blacksmithing shop, construction and furniture carpentry using hand tools, manual plowing, homesteading (dairy, meat, work animals, vegetable production), kitchen skills such as bread and cheese making, canning, and various household skills such as soap making, knitting, weaving, sewing, and so forth. Basically, these people know how to do everything they need to be completely self-sufficient, and now their community is large enough, they have the man power to do it as well. Theresa told me they had such a hard time in the beginning, using books and trial and error, learning all of these skills, that they decided holding classes to teach the public these old time-honored skills would be valuable. Now, they have a whole community, and business, of teaching the old arts... and I for one, and a fan!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf83u5NnhE9hrm5R0QhW4h003jbs98GypsMaFBeq9PHpJDn_LLmbCzFLZsYacKygCCgrpVW7HkvcisAWAxSRHJvfVK5w-m2fjs7VEQGMPIGxSEmBlt2PL_p5dI1MQNJji3G8XN-eFlGMc/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf83u5NnhE9hrm5R0QhW4h003jbs98GypsMaFBeq9PHpJDn_LLmbCzFLZsYacKygCCgrpVW7HkvcisAWAxSRHJvfVK5w-m2fjs7VEQGMPIGxSEmBlt2PL_p5dI1MQNJji3G8XN-eFlGMc/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+003.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Original Homesteading House</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcWl5pEQ-lfLo2ZzPeBVm5QgkRpaRGUjYsEpcwaPg5jPkcRxrQ39WhizF5SuWkt7KEr33ThMoEnLlM0ftsqztAGvrrKN_As0b__PZGGPIsZ0KmEusQPFBkdnX8bFxhbDFERQ-N46mmbU/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcWl5pEQ-lfLo2ZzPeBVm5QgkRpaRGUjYsEpcwaPg5jPkcRxrQ39WhizF5SuWkt7KEr33ThMoEnLlM0ftsqztAGvrrKN_As0b__PZGGPIsZ0KmEusQPFBkdnX8bFxhbDFERQ-N46mmbU/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+004.JPG" t8="true" width="180" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our classroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVYin6zyz3vH2p_i2iR6dJfDc0Ph3MOEPOQgnYju9sRsH_-8noCR45IujfUh6ctgw-BcUVExOldPgI_wTa6jhINrjjrP0I_w3P3ketrk6noOU3T8MDqqHGYT2g9PeDs_yusKus0_7730/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVYin6zyz3vH2p_i2iR6dJfDc0Ph3MOEPOQgnYju9sRsH_-8noCR45IujfUh6ctgw-BcUVExOldPgI_wTa6jhINrjjrP0I_w3P3ketrk6noOU3T8MDqqHGYT2g9PeDs_yusKus0_7730/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+019.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The working stone ground, water powered Gritsmill (they mill flour and corn here)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVR_dRVfF1i9FIWrjydxb_mTUjma5gpE_gN6TqsbXLEIcul9Mil0jksfGkFshaGbJ-ALGK2e-ufjSMjZYosxGCpbIz-9Ga9eZPHf3j2Hc4OOlp9hbUh0AZPe-u0q4R70_Z0WDBQPIYUL0/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVR_dRVfF1i9FIWrjydxb_mTUjma5gpE_gN6TqsbXLEIcul9Mil0jksfGkFshaGbJ-ALGK2e-ufjSMjZYosxGCpbIz-9Ga9eZPHf3j2Hc4OOlp9hbUh0AZPe-u0q4R70_Z0WDBQPIYUL0/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+020.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Blacksmiths Shop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6gVzr-PC9qhxg9XD2MsgTKG1ivoYD5TVfyDgLCronkiLuamKTP00vBOe8_dlvEUVXRqHV7AJlICQimW9zrRqdvUgslaoj1A9DO-LcnBFuZLEZfP7KimE_60B1d7CSczDsVsw3TsUwx0/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6gVzr-PC9qhxg9XD2MsgTKG1ivoYD5TVfyDgLCronkiLuamKTP00vBOe8_dlvEUVXRqHV7AJlICQimW9zrRqdvUgslaoj1A9DO-LcnBFuZLEZfP7KimE_60B1d7CSczDsVsw3TsUwx0/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+023.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and the blacksmith... the smell of sulfur was really strong!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-EP60nmGp8P8ae6aRDOoDQNfwuSI_w-h4tBZlP3kKuDa7X2svtBKn3ZHB0WjMMfaYpUUgVwmtgXs0FQCREoeYG4wL3PWKjjP8Qi1l-ffpYxVOIyExUM-NqNT7sbj6xUhpl1U6IEtQrg/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-EP60nmGp8P8ae6aRDOoDQNfwuSI_w-h4tBZlP3kKuDa7X2svtBKn3ZHB0WjMMfaYpUUgVwmtgXs0FQCREoeYG4wL3PWKjjP8Qi1l-ffpYxVOIyExUM-NqNT7sbj6xUhpl1U6IEtQrg/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+035.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The actual stone mill the flour is milled in. The miller explained that you have to be very careful the flour doesn't catch fire due to the heat and friction, which is where the expression "keep your nose to the grindstone" came from- you can smell it burning before it combusts!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xQU-PFdZJpY_CuGOLDq9U0DWPxJiPBL9F6-fSjJqdq0lVrSbWTo6zLr_ziuFQkugli-6bIndXWG9lov14ziEu4iGLAwvoUQYUVYQOMUFRTFWLvy51ZUNojgAdF-huphi6MmOBW8E9w4/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xQU-PFdZJpY_CuGOLDq9U0DWPxJiPBL9F6-fSjJqdq0lVrSbWTo6zLr_ziuFQkugli-6bIndXWG9lov14ziEu4iGLAwvoUQYUVYQOMUFRTFWLvy51ZUNojgAdF-huphi6MmOBW8E9w4/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+036.JPG" t8="true" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wheel that powers the mill- very cool, and quiet</td></tr>
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Now, you might be saying to yourself "okay, that sounds fine... but you went to WACO to learn to make bread! Come on!" You have to understand, this was just as much about the experience as it was about the instruction. Yes, I could check out a book in the library on "how to make sourdough," but how boring is that! And besides, I would have missed a great opportunity of being exposed to this different culture, and quite honestly, just a plain old good time and day out! After all, my friend and I are moms of 4 kids each, 5 and under (okay... that counts the unborn babies... but still!) who are homemakers and homeschoolers... we NEEDED a break!<br />
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In the class, we learned the basic chemistry of ssourdough and how to make biscuits, pita bread, artisan loaves, pizza crust, and my favorite, cinnamon swirl bread. As I reproduce the recipes at home, I will share them here, under "recipes," so keep an eye out :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3pvl59oU48syoXX6v5bjCMe_hllyDWwoMVx7MDhNvOlsVWOfVJApDCHWRqn4hSr7UoFEgf6v3nFEa9U3XjpFDvhWsw6Lz0zjUpRRnLkUgPvm6LifYU73vDYl_A7j3jR7RD_hBfh3C8U/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3pvl59oU48syoXX6v5bjCMe_hllyDWwoMVx7MDhNvOlsVWOfVJApDCHWRqn4hSr7UoFEgf6v3nFEa9U3XjpFDvhWsw6Lz0zjUpRRnLkUgPvm6LifYU73vDYl_A7j3jR7RD_hBfh3C8U/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+006.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our classroom- there were 8 students and 4 teachers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZWvyAaT8ZEH5s-GTkZEfteUhjrZZavDThcAv560aLLVCKYBbE8yoMnptrwYNG8P_CgHCL7YMlKeAnbCL_fWNo7gCaUUIQGciw2sGWDdgNfOiv-lCm560zXgS7C6RFJvmQVhaCN3S8XI/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZWvyAaT8ZEH5s-GTkZEfteUhjrZZavDThcAv560aLLVCKYBbE8yoMnptrwYNG8P_CgHCL7YMlKeAnbCL_fWNo7gCaUUIQGciw2sGWDdgNfOiv-lCm560zXgS7C6RFJvmQVhaCN3S8XI/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+011.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy sourdough biscuits</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrIDrDsiMRWwF-oQvegPH9B3kO_gTN_nOXHXXcLVwOmOmxTy2_m2CVVnSIMndO-jehUHUhmGDep49ue5m_N-Plme7Ic9tttqaBpFVLNJoNkd9zOXuRexPqRAYjPizO5BGYazFNjtdeEM/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrIDrDsiMRWwF-oQvegPH9B3kO_gTN_nOXHXXcLVwOmOmxTy2_m2CVVnSIMndO-jehUHUhmGDep49ue5m_N-Plme7Ic9tttqaBpFVLNJoNkd9zOXuRexPqRAYjPizO5BGYazFNjtdeEM/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+013.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My pita's puffing on the 500 degree hot stone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXdf04b8NSpaGxLE68Y9CLm6CxIFQxTC-tjQY2LDznIRI-mNcUBGNEHCkePJ0Z2PRu64usOTMPYy8SmTW9k8gUS5Kz7K5vMoyNYfo85oGiFAiZgsYk9V1Ayrergep7NETv1ZI5DPAmfI/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXdf04b8NSpaGxLE68Y9CLm6CxIFQxTC-tjQY2LDznIRI-mNcUBGNEHCkePJ0Z2PRu64usOTMPYy8SmTW9k8gUS5Kz7K5vMoyNYfo85oGiFAiZgsYk9V1Ayrergep7NETv1ZI5DPAmfI/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+028.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling the cinnamon raisin swirl bread</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIy-EcXI52K2TgL3TL8uU97nrdy239CFmHQA8exRlX0Wv_UDrw6VHweG_5HchhTwK0O-eVKAFb5zf6xE0kmSrq8XLu5hq4n8JpkEQYBF59pm58z5sUrhF4M_iTZdehjLDETxnmc2HMVM/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIy-EcXI52K2TgL3TL8uU97nrdy239CFmHQA8exRlX0Wv_UDrw6VHweG_5HchhTwK0O-eVKAFb5zf6xE0kmSrq8XLu5hq4n8JpkEQYBF59pm58z5sUrhF4M_iTZdehjLDETxnmc2HMVM/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+042.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cinnamon raisin swirl loaves before they were baked- can't you just smell the goodness!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-_kjRPo7UydcsAXGkQLEaJxCikgN0KbXsb7o2ygpDuAsngIRSjHfYHxZ3AlsHU5k8TLYkecBCTuEXdxiZfmUHeK9fLevRiNMWl-rOzITmVtPj0NBP5TALncnN2GWLbG1pXjljFzxaVQ/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-_kjRPo7UydcsAXGkQLEaJxCikgN0KbXsb7o2ygpDuAsngIRSjHfYHxZ3AlsHU5k8TLYkecBCTuEXdxiZfmUHeK9fLevRiNMWl-rOzITmVtPj0NBP5TALncnN2GWLbG1pXjljFzxaVQ/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+041.JPG" t8="true" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me showing off my yummy pizza</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-81086919184571527632011-05-25T12:42:00.001-05:002011-05-26T14:32:09.482-05:00Short's Barber Shop- Unlicensed and dangerous!You may remember that I am the official Short boy barber. When Mike was in the Police Academy, and I was in school, we were, how do you say... broke. So, I bought some clippers, watch the enclosed DVD and gave Mike his first of many bad haircuts :). As time went on though, I got better, and by the time he was actually on the streets, I was pretty good. Hey, a hair cut a week adds up when you are pinching pennies! So now, since I know how to do my one style (military fade), all the boys get the same haircut (just at different lengths). It's fun for me, and Mike likes his barber to be on call 24 hours a day (he often reminds me around 10 pm that he needs one... sigh...). Besides, where else can you get a haircut with a kiss?<br />
<br />
Well, since Mike is going back to work tomorrow, and he says he's a meaner officer with a fresh hair cut (Sorry about all you drivers:) ) , today was hair cut day. So, Jake, Anthony, and Mike all got their hair cuts, and if I do say so myself, they all look pretty darn handsome! Mary got a "hair cut" too- really just me making scissor sounds near her so she thinks she is getting one. Mike likes long hair on girls, so I won't be cutting her hair for quite some time... and by the way, this also accounts for my long hair- I've been growing it our since he told me he likes it best long (after 7 years of marriage I might add!). We'll see if this long hair survives the last 2 months of pregnancy... in the middle of the HOT part of the year...<br />
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Mike and Mary are not pictured... and no, the boys aren't mad, they're intently watching an old school GI Joe cartoon we found at the library.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBz3pCijATYAk_fVennpTz0sUYdQackL9SDgYXVwSFvkNSoqYkNXLLTZYOjhbMpjokEXN7SMxE6B5FetOvRE_Thkc4ed986fDvzHJetP_HGSBWySkssrGVJMJ09HNplBRKQlMXsuVbgY/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBz3pCijATYAk_fVennpTz0sUYdQackL9SDgYXVwSFvkNSoqYkNXLLTZYOjhbMpjokEXN7SMxE6B5FetOvRE_Thkc4ed986fDvzHJetP_HGSBWySkssrGVJMJ09HNplBRKQlMXsuVbgY/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+069.JPG" t8="true" width="180" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_hAu_a2GoUyl3y0ED4iQTj6P2aaVkWjV0KCUiLEXDblm28g6zcZxkdSAK2fvez1tCkUgCObQB6cPGRfVvQFVnaqe2q-Fed-R-nNcKyU8vlfqXkQeW2woBHKckS9c-SvMzMKv_gCOCtQ/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_hAu_a2GoUyl3y0ED4iQTj6P2aaVkWjV0KCUiLEXDblm28g6zcZxkdSAK2fvez1tCkUgCObQB6cPGRfVvQFVnaqe2q-Fed-R-nNcKyU8vlfqXkQeW2woBHKckS9c-SvMzMKv_gCOCtQ/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+071.JPG" t8="true" width="180" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8glW2j9GG2gfMi91nUn6l5PTvVekTGrOuVuDcWC-QtyDYgc55-wYj1_CLhAjX_DC20Iu3UZoZwnGEZ6xblZ2h-FFzxc83jII31tWk0wIHICrdrEbGwCNsNgveUWoPInk_SQGvD41iCk/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8glW2j9GG2gfMi91nUn6l5PTvVekTGrOuVuDcWC-QtyDYgc55-wYj1_CLhAjX_DC20Iu3UZoZwnGEZ6xblZ2h-FFzxc83jII31tWk0wIHICrdrEbGwCNsNgveUWoPInk_SQGvD41iCk/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+072.JPG" t8="true" width="180" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDenCQ42Vxq5BigI543SlmvrYmvSxJohvBmNYYdl3OSxZ6IX6iLoJFUIYNSf8BR2tOITjmsD3wqRQ9edTXyTICF2ARMcMdgYyJQ-L46fh_mqkipq0vG3g68fLSS2_w3SH2lZBjxP1YCRE/s1600/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDenCQ42Vxq5BigI543SlmvrYmvSxJohvBmNYYdl3OSxZ6IX6iLoJFUIYNSf8BR2tOITjmsD3wqRQ9edTXyTICF2ARMcMdgYyJQ-L46fh_mqkipq0vG3g68fLSS2_w3SH2lZBjxP1YCRE/s320/Ploughshare%252C+glass+bowing+074.JPG" t8="true" width="180" /></a></div>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-7691312672178916382011-05-17T22:23:00.001-05:002011-05-17T22:26:07.735-05:00Hundred's Chart- English and LatinIn an effort to make learning Anthony's numbers up to 100 into a kinesthetic activity (I mean, come on, you can only write a hundred's chart so many times!), today we put together a Hundred's chart the size of the kitchen table. I cut index cards in 1/2 and wrote on each a number, 1-100, mixed them up and told him to sort them. He loved this activity. He first sorted all of the "one's", then the "ten's", etc, all the way up to the "nineties". Then he sorted each category to put them in order- the final product was an impressive hundred's chart he felt good about. We did this in both english and latin (roman numerals). The english he breezed through, the latin was a little more tricky, even I had to cheat a bit to make sure I was getting the names correct :) We'll get there though!<br />
<br />
To store these numbers, I punched a hole in the top right of each card and secure them with a ring I got at Office Max. This makes the cards easy to find, keep them organized, and it's easy for him to flip through when we practice. I have done the same thing with all of his syllables we've been working on for latin reading.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQsmTUhP_EPLLt4MbQTial8fsIoiUDekXLHezibfhS0Kg0cNYw9XOcLaLBdVgj2l5XqfAR3CWHSPGpbo9mnrxlbFJr9u8ZEH09okUO65oBlJ7PpgOvRkf06lvAa67CTPTO_DRDaCU_fo/s1600/hundred%2527s+chart+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQsmTUhP_EPLLt4MbQTial8fsIoiUDekXLHezibfhS0Kg0cNYw9XOcLaLBdVgj2l5XqfAR3CWHSPGpbo9mnrxlbFJr9u8ZEH09okUO65oBlJ7PpgOvRkf06lvAa67CTPTO_DRDaCU_fo/s320/hundred%2527s+chart+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see how proud he is after he finished his english numbers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0xcJ26F9Y8PRMUOyc2DCFcV5E0uvDfSBv-mIKbWKWYQFtsAcAbSZ-UGdKu7xGXhYdcDFZugMTWC3AI_GXBQ4LoAAE4VHgDHYtLi9If5TRhi0OWM5hSW0wOeiyOg5H8BANkt9JqtNl1c/s1600/hundred%2527s+chart+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0xcJ26F9Y8PRMUOyc2DCFcV5E0uvDfSBv-mIKbWKWYQFtsAcAbSZ-UGdKu7xGXhYdcDFZugMTWC3AI_GXBQ4LoAAE4VHgDHYtLi9If5TRhi0OWM5hSW0wOeiyOg5H8BANkt9JqtNl1c/s320/hundred%2527s+chart+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up of the english numbers all assembled</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNixvNvtNys0qKx3HjTdK5eAycBidHKutLAjglJYKfknDM6w7yZ0Oz4r1VAih_yZzbVF8J3I84uZgoUQ6DWQpaYTuLuut4E7YAVbPls1Ke-nCy6nNvatlVYTdLtfqZYTNtak__tJt8cIw/s1600/hundred%2527s+chart+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNixvNvtNys0qKx3HjTdK5eAycBidHKutLAjglJYKfknDM6w7yZ0Oz4r1VAih_yZzbVF8J3I84uZgoUQ6DWQpaYTuLuut4E7YAVbPls1Ke-nCy6nNvatlVYTdLtfqZYTNtak__tJt8cIw/s320/hundred%2527s+chart+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roman numerals were a bit more challenging.. not to mention it was nearing lunch time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPJ6p_POCUc8buhDrV0pH2O2MftFCTvlF94uKUjIXvFlhyA1YJT3hSmRmazK53mktpL-z2Mt6A-0wjhZc12ud6E7lAWYkXthqvKGq2PhUXjk3omPsdllzFuLD-wGprMhtWsVA1d48W7w/s1600/hundred%2527s+chart+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPJ6p_POCUc8buhDrV0pH2O2MftFCTvlF94uKUjIXvFlhyA1YJT3hSmRmazK53mktpL-z2Mt6A-0wjhZc12ud6E7lAWYkXthqvKGq2PhUXjk3omPsdllzFuLD-wGprMhtWsVA1d48W7w/s320/hundred%2527s+chart+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up of the latin... makes my head spin!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-77913985146442101782011-05-13T16:59:00.000-05:002011-05-13T16:59:25.972-05:00Whoel Grain Bread = Super-stardomeI have been making my own whole grain bread for a couple of years now, and let me tell you something ladies, there is NOTHING like the smell of fresh bread baking to make you feel all warm and fuzzy, excited and calm, and like the world's greatest home-maker/wife/mother/super-lady... ever! During the easy times, I try to make 4 loaves at a time in the oven and freeze 3 for later in the week, in the less easy times I have a bread machine adapted recipe that turns out wonderful, and in the "this is too hard, I need help!" times, I buy bread at the store... not too proud :)!<br />
<br />
So, over the past 2 years, I would say I'm 50/50... 50% homemade and 50% store bought. But you just try telling my 2-year-ago, new to bread-baking, convicted self that I would be buying bread from the store... gasp!... I would have said you were Crazy and swore I would NEVER do that again. Well friends, life happens, and I have come to learn that home made bread should be a treat, not ANOTHER weight holding you down. So, if you are doing good with the rest of your life, make this delicous recipe... if not, the store stuff sure is good, and sometimes if you're really feeling down, plop the bread machine recipe in and make yourself feel like at least you can do something right :).<br />
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Although I'm in an "easy" place right now, I have whole-heartidly embraced the bread machine. I can prepare it in 5 minutes, during one of our schooling breaks, and by dinner, I AM super-mom (imagine how I feel on the days when not only is all the schooling done, but the house is clean, the laundry done, AND homemade bread is on the table!!). I plan to have Anthony proficient in placing the ingredients in the machine soon, so then HE can be the celebrated super-boy at dinner, and eventually, when the kids are older and I need more for them to do, well be back at the 4... ehhh... maybe 8 loaves a week, hand kneeded and baked in the oven.<br />
<br />
<u>Traditional (oven) Whole Grain Bread</u><br />
Makes 2 loaves (double for 4 loaves... obviously...)<br />
<br />
2 1/4 c water, warmed (or milk or buttermilk)<br />
1 3/4 T yeast (not rapid rise)<br />
1 c whole (not instant) oats<br />
1/2 c + 1 t honey<br />
6 T butter, melted<br />
3/4 T sea salt<br />
1 1/2 T Vital Wheat Gluten (optional)<br />
5 1/2 c whole wheat flour<br />
<br />
-Mix 1/2 c warm water, 1 t honey, and yeast, cover and allow to foam about 5 minutes<br />
-In mixer (ONLY if you have a heavy duty one, if not, place in a very large bowl as this recipe will burn up your regular mixer!) add all other ingredients, except flour<br />
-Add yeast mixture to rest of ingredients<br />
-Add flour<br />
-kneed 20 mins if by hand (come on, feel the burn!), 10 mins with a mixer<br />
-place in a buttered bowl, cover with a towel, and place in a warm place, let double in size.<br />
-punch... yep, literally punch... down, re-kneed and divide in 1/2<br />
-shape 2 loaves by rolling the dough out into a rectangle and tightly rolling them into a spiral<br />
-place in a buttered bread pan seam-side down<br />
-set in a warm place and let rise until doubled in size<br />
-place in a COLD oven THEN turn oven on to 350 degrees, bake for 30 mins<br />
-Enjoy the best bread you've ever sunk your ever-livin'-teeth into!<br />
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<u>Bread Machine Adaptation</u><br />
Now, to give credit where credit is due, a lovely momma from the CLAA adapted this from the recipe above... thank you woman for this heavenly, life saving recipe!<br />
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-In seperate container, mix 1c + 2T warm water (or warm milk or honey) with 1t honey and 1T yeast, cover and let bubble for 5 mins<br />
-In bread machine pan (with it in the machine, bottom stirrer on) add:<br />
<br />
1/2 c oatmeal<br />
3T butter, melted<br />
1/4 c honey<br />
1.5 t salt<br />
1T Vital Wheat Gluten (optional)<br />
2 3/4 c whole wheat flour<br />
water and yeast mixture<br />
<br />
Set to "quick whole wheat" setting, feel good about all the extra time you have now, eat a piece of chololate and wait. In about 2 1/2 hours, guilt-lessly enjoy your homemade bread slatered with REAL butter... mmm... You WILL be a super-star!Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-48970078718535622692011-05-08T15:45:00.000-05:002011-05-08T15:31:25.615-05:00Dad's New DoToday, on Mother's Day, my dad surprised me by asking me to cut his hair. Now, for those of you who haven't talked to him much, you should know this is a BIG leap of trust, him letting me close to his incision sites. So, Dad, thanks for your trust. Your hair looks much better... much less "Frankenstein-ish!"<br />
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Now, Dad, Mike, and my boys all have identical hair cuts... the one hair cut, besides a burr, that I know how to give (there is a big back story here... should I go on? Yes? Ok, here goes...). When Mike was in the Police Academy and I was in PT school, being newly married, I'm sure you will understand that $15 a week for his hair cuts was just more than our little budget could stretch. So, I went to Sally's Beauty Supply and bought the cheapest clippers they had. After watching the 1993-ish video of "How to cut hair," which featured a very outdated woman giving a fade to a little African American boy, there sat poor Mike, terrified and grimmacing in the kitchen chair, while I began a process that would end up being a MAJOR learing curve. After several months of crooked fades and just plain ol' bad haircuts (about the time he graduated from the Academy), I found my grove and Mike finally looked presentable. Now, several years, another purchase of better clippers, and 4 kids later, eventhough we could afford for him to go get his hair cut by a professional, we both still really enjoy that time together. And besides, where else can you get a top-rate hair cut at 10:30 at night, sealed with a kiss ;) ?<br />
<br />
So, coming back full circle, here I present to you Dad, with his Mike-Anthony-Jake-Look-Alike hair cut. Thanks for your trust, Dad!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWi-KGGhz8HTfcMergSi_cMwljC8r3Q-cvm94zzH0R5fjHqj5nhbqsI7_QwJXraQxWDRkGCpYAtC8BrdW2uYlQX1oOe1erbYwUNGyo-q92U6KAS8gotU__wvFR6vb6JWcy-JZSk-Iq_k/s1600/Dad%2527s+hair+cut+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWi-KGGhz8HTfcMergSi_cMwljC8r3Q-cvm94zzH0R5fjHqj5nhbqsI7_QwJXraQxWDRkGCpYAtC8BrdW2uYlQX1oOe1erbYwUNGyo-q92U6KAS8gotU__wvFR6vb6JWcy-JZSk-Iq_k/s320/Dad%2527s+hair+cut+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What you can't see is my huge belly, which is why I'm having to lean...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgoZct8V9LfA2p9oB0GigJxAAKqgPbHRmjnsCKkduNokhDhWrRRbL9caEFQx-F2H_r7v3Ph0bhU1jPq-P4NSllt66S1LjGQXjLrBFS1hPff-ak_71x_9EQrR8Nmml2ybFGFEqoxNZlBY/s1600/Dad%2527s+hair+cut+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgoZct8V9LfA2p9oB0GigJxAAKqgPbHRmjnsCKkduNokhDhWrRRbL9caEFQx-F2H_r7v3Ph0bhU1jPq-P4NSllt66S1LjGQXjLrBFS1hPff-ak_71x_9EQrR8Nmml2ybFGFEqoxNZlBY/s320/Dad%2527s+hair+cut+004.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Right side of the fade is not perfect, but I blame that on the surgical tech who <br />
shaved his head before surgery... she should have planned better :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-46834792198872069912011-05-08T15:30:00.001-05:002011-05-08T15:32:00.650-05:00A Short Meditation on Mother's Day"The Most Important Person..." <br />
...on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral- a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body... The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation... What on God's good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother.<br />
<br />
by Joseph cardinal Mindszenty<br />
<br />
<img class="rg_hi" data-height="275" data-width="183" height="275" id="rg_hi" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRvnH6JFO832b-m77Oh3gg4JyM4nJNtrOmczi62D3-bMSqpEHEp7Q" style="height: 275px; width: 183px;" width="183" />Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-21296219918445532972011-05-06T17:33:00.000-05:002011-05-06T17:33:42.858-05:00Lap BookHere is a lap book done in Co-Op about the betrayal, Last Supper, Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus. A lap book is just made with a file folder, folded in thirds, and can give alot of explanation about a particular subject. Under each circle picture in the middle of the lap book is another piece of paper that gives a description of what each picture means. Along with this, the kids did a "Resurrection" Easter Egg hunt where they had to find eggs with the objects shown on the picture (ie. one egg had nails, another had rope, another a cracker to symbolize the Eucharist, etc).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_APF7XzJwS3lGxQ8YtxC6FIPXBjmD-hEj2zzlMZVgffIFDydZTsJRi_0mDMeN6ng5bKKvvgwDXG8Wb18MkEEfUU5BZVh1_gtpL_PCuAy3P2WXFS2ZLr6gwURLaMSHTs8y_M1TfHpe6I/s1600/HS+extras+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_APF7XzJwS3lGxQ8YtxC6FIPXBjmD-hEj2zzlMZVgffIFDydZTsJRi_0mDMeN6ng5bKKvvgwDXG8Wb18MkEEfUU5BZVh1_gtpL_PCuAy3P2WXFS2ZLr6gwURLaMSHTs8y_M1TfHpe6I/s320/HS+extras+015.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrFRZ-yqysiHsR_BeHCV145qJHzgjeQPWm-KoNja2ZBPRHExbUblgqcKvRAcPdtCYCv02D3D3NGeXYdEcjwxXmbdTIbHKmZ4fYzp_rLEHk79XS_IlCaSqRQ_dJWW2_BefRCTLomYzuR4/s1600/HS+extras+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrFRZ-yqysiHsR_BeHCV145qJHzgjeQPWm-KoNja2ZBPRHExbUblgqcKvRAcPdtCYCv02D3D3NGeXYdEcjwxXmbdTIbHKmZ4fYzp_rLEHk79XS_IlCaSqRQ_dJWW2_BefRCTLomYzuR4/s320/HS+extras+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuWQHSNsTr1EDEV_qSTyhuyPjiZs_UUlmBNCdb4Bo-1BFPCFLPlyojZkpoqjrqnRJ_5DxXCkM9TyQMx8tAfgYwvmSCzwLaVPiljgVddfDGAOihKz3xBOB34270UHSw6_xrPy1ox6-JBg/s1600/HS+extras+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuWQHSNsTr1EDEV_qSTyhuyPjiZs_UUlmBNCdb4Bo-1BFPCFLPlyojZkpoqjrqnRJ_5DxXCkM9TyQMx8tAfgYwvmSCzwLaVPiljgVddfDGAOihKz3xBOB34270UHSw6_xrPy1ox6-JBg/s320/HS+extras+018.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-25561473395216568382011-05-06T17:27:00.000-05:002011-05-06T17:27:17.498-05:00CalenderHere is a picture of our wall calender the boys make each month. I cut out the squares (just cut index cards in half), Anthony writes the numbers, Jake color codes them, Anthony places them in order, and Jakes stick them on. I just bought a piece of foam board and made my own lines with a paint pen. We finish it with a picture for the month that goes on top (here is April). If you are feeling especially brave, you can print out pictures of the Saints for the major Feast Days... I for one, am not that ambitious...<br />
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You can see here the purple numbers are for Lent, the Black for Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and the Yellow are for the Easter Season.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAX0yGD5vqwIs5b2l4swhlAsOCoMfJLOU9UIPzZ0jfS-0iyydh0lqYKYcTQJTV0TZ7jWu4MEhiwDP0XBO5ddV9hx-bDo9F12HpwXoNsNBFvBlDTz0WCPngNgQp5jlgNafr0eyxfFc5YU/s1600/HS+extras+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAX0yGD5vqwIs5b2l4swhlAsOCoMfJLOU9UIPzZ0jfS-0iyydh0lqYKYcTQJTV0TZ7jWu4MEhiwDP0XBO5ddV9hx-bDo9F12HpwXoNsNBFvBlDTz0WCPngNgQp5jlgNafr0eyxfFc5YU/s400/HS+extras+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-46079460107627346952011-05-06T17:20:00.000-05:002011-05-06T17:20:42.406-05:00InsectsWell, I do DO NOT keep all of the bugs the boys bring me... at least not for more than a day or so... so the only evidence of our numerous insect explanations is this sheet, which was done in Co-Op, that explains the parts of the insect, and divides them into "good, fun, and bad." Boy, that bug-sucker Anthony got for his Birthday has REALLY come in handy for this particular subject... ewwww...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR-X0yN-sVBPW4YmDpBpuvZrCj7z6xTAITg8QDHRYEA2hVGG5Uf3IVzvtZXdrrXbYmIn2QkKiizL58MoMGzl8Or8D1RYh3SUIQgQv64iU61uYnxu8npuujEF1j9M2Wsz2Ap_eUSXo94o/s1600/HS+extras+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR-X0yN-sVBPW4YmDpBpuvZrCj7z6xTAITg8QDHRYEA2hVGG5Uf3IVzvtZXdrrXbYmIn2QkKiizL58MoMGzl8Or8D1RYh3SUIQgQv64iU61uYnxu8npuujEF1j9M2Wsz2Ap_eUSXo94o/s320/HS+extras+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-22306330444926653482011-05-06T17:15:00.000-05:002011-05-06T17:15:48.906-05:00Seasons, Plants, Water CycleWe have done a few lessons on the seasons, on plants (their parts and how they work to get fed) and the water cycle. Below you can see a paper-plate season craft, a construction paper plant/water cycle explanation that the kids had to construct as the explanation was given, and finally a Noah's ark picture that reinforced the water cycle lesson. Along with this they made their own flower pots which they modge-podged pictures of the last supper on and planted a flower in... it is on the window sill by the kitchen sink so I don't forget to water it :).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0qRz8ONofQOFdFfq0J8O44fKH5jnj0_2QIzVXxj4qt29V5aCKBgrUqFemrLAZJ0MB7_wHdyT2DVgeWo3QVwANj9UZ7YZqlK8J7GGeIjjFWhPiFNj7_VWy2ZOBaDwacB0oLsw4XWzLC8/s1600/HS+extras+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0qRz8ONofQOFdFfq0J8O44fKH5jnj0_2QIzVXxj4qt29V5aCKBgrUqFemrLAZJ0MB7_wHdyT2DVgeWo3QVwANj9UZ7YZqlK8J7GGeIjjFWhPiFNj7_VWy2ZOBaDwacB0oLsw4XWzLC8/s320/HS+extras+009.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ev_QGMa4HDymnqdHuJ9d_KCFmH7Z0HYIr1SjXO1SJ7GhxwmuguCYJs7stmpFI39PlkDVRSCBZo39jJ2po4nL3lbqbCH4mjiEdblOuhFmxz_x3J1DP0q9Xc__byQRtoRA5nMhYggUxhM/s1600/HS+extras+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ev_QGMa4HDymnqdHuJ9d_KCFmH7Z0HYIr1SjXO1SJ7GhxwmuguCYJs7stmpFI39PlkDVRSCBZo39jJ2po4nL3lbqbCH4mjiEdblOuhFmxz_x3J1DP0q9Xc__byQRtoRA5nMhYggUxhM/s320/HS+extras+007.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkXa_oq5FHOpr1EA8kuTkux2tQ1PP9W7Y46nEQ0jghmNxdnOUPT-S4ff220m2DEjH5CtNEq4VSA5Na8ILlglBKRWlWCw_wdamVX95rkvy1pOsz0IrhHlqARDGubg8A1WnrV_0InCsUZ4/s1600/HS+extras+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkXa_oq5FHOpr1EA8kuTkux2tQ1PP9W7Y46nEQ0jghmNxdnOUPT-S4ff220m2DEjH5CtNEq4VSA5Na8ILlglBKRWlWCw_wdamVX95rkvy1pOsz0IrhHlqARDGubg8A1WnrV_0InCsUZ4/s320/HS+extras+008.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-44805866284879420412011-05-06T17:08:00.000-05:002011-05-06T17:08:15.427-05:00DioramaThis is a St. Patrick's diorama that we did in Co-Op. The kids learned what a diorama was and practiced coloring, cutting, and pasting (with the exception of the hot glue used!) all of the elements to make a complete scene. You will see this popular scene showing him, as Bishop, commanding the serpants into the sea, with a lamb as a symbol of his flock. Not pictured is the short history of St. Patrick that goes with it, along with his prayer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOES-pXMASh3NrWAvZgzpiaBp4IR0LAzJ_Euo2RfwNxYpEIinWZGQECtZi2omo0j7H-jOdYo_q7YKnxCzOU1uxnjgg9XvDj4AA-MUwGkEQeFUQ3f0CuMcRT-eTXI6VJjcxTAkDQtRtwA/s1600/HS+extras+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOES-pXMASh3NrWAvZgzpiaBp4IR0LAzJ_Euo2RfwNxYpEIinWZGQECtZi2omo0j7H-jOdYo_q7YKnxCzOU1uxnjgg9XvDj4AA-MUwGkEQeFUQ3f0CuMcRT-eTXI6VJjcxTAkDQtRtwA/s320/HS+extras+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-85916019369051167172011-05-06T17:04:00.001-05:002011-05-06T17:17:34.434-05:00Letters, coloring, extra activitiesAnthony is really into coloring things "rainbow." As a matter of fact, he asks me why I don't color "prettier" when I color something just one color :) First-School, a free website, has these sheets along with mini-books, and several ideas for every letter, including some combinations of letters (such as Ch, etc). It has really come in handy for us for reinforcement as well as working on fine motor skills, such as coloring, cutting, and pasting. We use these activities when all of the "meat and potatoes" of a lesson are complete, as a reward. Find them all here: <a href="http://www.first-school.ws/theme/alphabet.htm">http://www.first-school.ws/theme/alphabet.htm</a><br />
We also sometimes "free style" with reinforcement projetcs, as you can see with our igloo, for "I."<br />
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Here are some examples:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEauFBfKkWWzr1LddXvqRME_X-HgPyJdC8EHNeJW-9aBrPWS38YyPR-LZA5RDkRSWafUbd2vRRcQlKx8uu0UFTWqK5RfNFGoW7_DGWWPLg7m7bh1jyTKGuoOgz9WV4K_TVKtHEziqQ7w/s1600/HS+extras+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEauFBfKkWWzr1LddXvqRME_X-HgPyJdC8EHNeJW-9aBrPWS38YyPR-LZA5RDkRSWafUbd2vRRcQlKx8uu0UFTWqK5RfNFGoW7_DGWWPLg7m7bh1jyTKGuoOgz9WV4K_TVKtHEziqQ7w/s320/HS+extras+006.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtetUx70JN2hweno7MPC_P4pTU6_IMpZ8_HkFZeTneA33-O35ur35g18wTrO459vBZW7S_8kyDaBESU8YMQ9RUrGWcx5Y8ue_BI1FA_m_Mte7-4R0hgIAm1J6cOFjrybpKG_buJv8NHQ/s1600/HS+extras+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtetUx70JN2hweno7MPC_P4pTU6_IMpZ8_HkFZeTneA33-O35ur35g18wTrO459vBZW7S_8kyDaBESU8YMQ9RUrGWcx5Y8ue_BI1FA_m_Mte7-4R0hgIAm1J6cOFjrybpKG_buJv8NHQ/s320/HS+extras+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1nPSGD42ghBwSfjUx0NF7DAg3NxGmiILRA2zQmazkzGHXOPicHlnHB19585SnEZOY8VUSOfeF1LOuVvcixRJ7PT4InN4g0FChibcmbOdTV2pKTGXhSMl9YsfkGfhLC37BszDmDKPBTg/s1600/HS+extras+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1nPSGD42ghBwSfjUx0NF7DAg3NxGmiILRA2zQmazkzGHXOPicHlnHB19585SnEZOY8VUSOfeF1LOuVvcixRJ7PT4InN4g0FChibcmbOdTV2pKTGXhSMl9YsfkGfhLC37BszDmDKPBTg/s320/HS+extras+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-13360067804391188962011-05-06T11:32:00.000-05:002011-05-06T11:32:48.286-05:00Virtual Open House Intro.Well, in an effort to be blatantly unashamed and self-promoting of my super-star kids, I am starting a new label called "Virtual Open House- HS," which is an on-line show-off session of some of the stuff Anthony does for his school projects (and Jake too sometimes). Actually, it is really just a way for our extended family to see some of the extra's that you normally wouldn't get to see, since a "real" open house for his school work would require WAY to much preparation and cleaning on my part, not to mention storing all of that stuff :). As you all know, I SO do not look favorably on hoarding, so alot of his past projects for this year have already found their way into our recycle bin, but here are some that have survived. <br />
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Usually these are extra's, or add-on's to our core curriculum of reading, writing, and arithmetic. He is involved in a Kindergarten Co-Op class that focus' on science, art, and a small religion lesson, so some of the projects come from there as well. Enjoy!Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-61208928348963140932011-05-04T22:47:00.001-05:002011-05-04T22:59:01.155-05:00Attack of the Killer... I mean... Honey Bees!On days I work, Mike always find adventure at home. Today the conversation was as follows:<br />
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<em>Mike</em>: "Well, Jake has been throwing up, Anthony is doing his school, and oh yeah, we're bee keepers now"<br />
<em>Me</em>: "What? Poor Jake, is he okay? What are you talking about?" (thinking a honey bee colony would be a nice Mothers Day gift, but not in our current house in the suburbs!)<br />
<em>Mike</em>: "Jake is doing okay but we have a swarm of bees under the trampoline. I called the City Animal Control and they said they don't deal with that, so a Bee Keeper is on his way to get them."<br />
<em>Me</em>: silence... I mean, what do you say to that!? "OK... a bee keeper, really??"<br />
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So, I hurried up to finish my work and I headed home. As we were loading Anthony in the car for T-ball practice (poor Jake couldn't go due to his illness) a BIG red diesel truck pulled up and out jumped a very busy little Bee man. After assessing the situation, he donned his white suit and little hat and sucked up the swarm in a carry case. I was thinking: "come on now, I have a shop vac, I could have done that!" He said the normal hive he sees is 15-20 thousand, but this one was unique... we had about 50 thousand... and they were aggressive (he got stung 3x despite the bee suit). OK, OK, maybe I <strong>couldn't</strong> have done that... the first sting and I would be running around the yard screaming like a crazy lady, arms flailing about like an old-time cartoon character!<br />
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After the Bee Man was done, he told me they were honey bees who most likely outgrew their hive. The queen is very heavy with eggs so she can't fly far. Most likely she landed on the trampoline to rest and the rest of the bees surrounded her to protect her. Scouting bees were then probably sent out to find a permanent home and we were lucky they didn't find a crack in the house... or else the whole hive would have moved in and he would have had to remove dry wall to get them out! Phew... what an adventure of an evening!<br />
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So, $189 later, we are, spare 100 or so stragglers, Bee-Free! The left over bees will move on in 1-5 days he said, once they can't find the scent of the queen anymore. As I handed the nice little Bee man the check I said "you could charge ANYTHING for this.. people would pay it!" After all, he did come from across town... Irving I think... 1 1/2 hours of driving to do 15 (maybe!) minutes of work. Considering the price of diesel and my ooged-out-ness, that price seems pretty fair to me :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFOeFfj77nTJ9I6EyVtg2oOJ3WoB0S6zvbfOQAJxeC7o4kFIqFxDJOUk0n5Y5A-iLa7u6UwdwwaYsAdjUN_6xc8vEgwhD6VhgB9ko68M-KAxkbyMRPdp1HshtUOdaV1NBaawvjjAzFZU/s1600/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFOeFfj77nTJ9I6EyVtg2oOJ3WoB0S6zvbfOQAJxeC7o4kFIqFxDJOUk0n5Y5A-iLa7u6UwdwwaYsAdjUN_6xc8vEgwhD6VhgB9ko68M-KAxkbyMRPdp1HshtUOdaV1NBaawvjjAzFZU/s320/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+068.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">50,000 bees doesn;t look that big!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqyGWY6LFtqT-zgxUTLie00GF_HMAq9LwYoIsm4VeXi4IIMQ4SZhPu2Jyqpf52GbsFUs7xCjeRW5cNGW9RxDYTSrFnx1v5iPF7dccormRZI2sI7yG4JkGDHeYXy7MSguMeLuzns5KK6o/s1600/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqyGWY6LFtqT-zgxUTLie00GF_HMAq9LwYoIsm4VeXi4IIMQ4SZhPu2Jyqpf52GbsFUs7xCjeRW5cNGW9RxDYTSrFnx1v5iPF7dccormRZI2sI7yG4JkGDHeYXy7MSguMeLuzns5KK6o/s320/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+069.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little Bee-Man</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqokzpUqfx_Yc7n59zZ1W5hGbGAYuxEv0ZgSXwoNM6Ywq_8mqgzPT5h7_fmAtUFRSiBj8oIBo1uMxuIR5dAWmRjuRaZwa2xWb7sBmy17gq32OiPZduR0jKe1uQnZgjVZ2rJD__bhyphenhypheniK8w/s1600/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqokzpUqfx_Yc7n59zZ1W5hGbGAYuxEv0ZgSXwoNM6Ywq_8mqgzPT5h7_fmAtUFRSiBj8oIBo1uMxuIR5dAWmRjuRaZwa2xWb7sBmy17gq32OiPZduR0jKe1uQnZgjVZ2rJD__bhyphenhypheniK8w/s320/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+073.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sucking it up... he stopped to take a picture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-37452852602462919022011-05-04T22:00:00.001-05:002011-05-04T22:59:53.148-05:00Easter 2011<div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq9r8HcRC2h8h9mkGmcA3zmIeAhRNOnai3X34psqqJhmUCTvPv_u0C70A5TjO-wdh-Na6k9VESXit0p464XXEhXjxenurm-gj-RxSPpQyJi7vwD8iTitvnmsDbVzmtT9grgXabFaRUwo/s1600/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+040.JPG" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603070106912592114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq9r8HcRC2h8h9mkGmcA3zmIeAhRNOnai3X34psqqJhmUCTvPv_u0C70A5TjO-wdh-Na6k9VESXit0p464XXEhXjxenurm-gj-RxSPpQyJi7vwD8iTitvnmsDbVzmtT9grgXabFaRUwo/s320/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+040.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary in sheer terror by the giant Bunny</td></tr>
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I'll save the frilly-words on this post and get right down to what you want to see... that is my precious, adorable children enjoying Easter!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MbGenuplkaB32DiCZXif-E1Yi-xKdW3_BJs6Uepq_NnAZKSAh8escIkM67qMpL-sQhV-7TZiPGix5bMVqplQW8-v23fS9nND5W2V9n6Lc-OSy7G251jd1vXnOTuEFv1jfT8ORaxD1lQ/s1600/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+034.JPG" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603070109317957010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MbGenuplkaB32DiCZXif-E1Yi-xKdW3_BJs6Uepq_NnAZKSAh8escIkM67qMpL-sQhV-7TZiPGix5bMVqplQW8-v23fS9nND5W2V9n6Lc-OSy7G251jd1vXnOTuEFv1jfT8ORaxD1lQ/s320/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+034.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jake loves the Bunny!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRIi1Fb3FsXlBkHIa88evP3bcc2Z3VIuF-SSpt5RxEGGv4vMjb4QPr_MG9fgLw_BRX3wkEPdQUfnOVDQbh8OdLVPyETIVvKsMBvuQyp-IM34mohDy4Q_vDgBhq6sJWLMYSIWP1Q7Nrg8/s1600/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+029.JPG" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603070103021236146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRIi1Fb3FsXlBkHIa88evP3bcc2Z3VIuF-SSpt5RxEGGv4vMjb4QPr_MG9fgLw_BRX3wkEPdQUfnOVDQbh8OdLVPyETIVvKsMBvuQyp-IM34mohDy4Q_vDgBhq6sJWLMYSIWP1Q7Nrg8/s320/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+029.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Easter Bunny always comes to Mom and Dad's house!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjce4NjW0HOYab2wcQwFDqrAjNv9UJrY7s3F0IdaqZ0C0S_OFdXTd8JkL3EhGMOHHnHI9u_eg4EvvEYUTBSfy6CnabcLiRLaPifkuTbwYMj0Bo4w8AdzMSbL1Q7Vtb0cOTeZJl66mIGhHM/s1600/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+019.JPG" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603070098781669282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjce4NjW0HOYab2wcQwFDqrAjNv9UJrY7s3F0IdaqZ0C0S_OFdXTd8JkL3EhGMOHHnHI9u_eg4EvvEYUTBSfy6CnabcLiRLaPifkuTbwYMj0Bo4w8AdzMSbL1Q7Vtb0cOTeZJl66mIGhHM/s320/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+019.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary, post chocolate bunny :)</td></tr>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdHBXAILFjxlacSHBjY8EeBnD3uKhYz6wzF-MwEr7l7d5uAq5OCAa7UD1y8i7__umV2FI-FET7zRA0EAoN7-uW9hyphenhyphenSsB_NWxdASlmgeM7A-E90fNW6vZJJgwe5Xymix05GV_yjpzY5iY/s1600/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+017.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603070100759501218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdHBXAILFjxlacSHBjY8EeBnD3uKhYz6wzF-MwEr7l7d5uAq5OCAa7UD1y8i7__umV2FI-FET7zRA0EAoN7-uW9hyphenhyphenSsB_NWxdASlmgeM7A-E90fNW6vZJJgwe5Xymix05GV_yjpzY5iY/s320/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+017.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo-QmUqBlG-hJ26qXF0SAHBPv0Yu9lhyphenhyphenQgJgIFAGGWO2DL2ErYLCtfthKgsb-3zTgbEVLzqGQYHpi26PLUinXRbV0H-zm38GlzDmdykanPrm1qwDx91fbsE1t7iROJ9mG9SMjJeK4HzA/s1600/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo-QmUqBlG-hJ26qXF0SAHBPv0Yu9lhyphenhyphenQgJgIFAGGWO2DL2ErYLCtfthKgsb-3zTgbEVLzqGQYHpi26PLUinXRbV0H-zm38GlzDmdykanPrm1qwDx91fbsE1t7iROJ9mG9SMjJeK4HzA/s320/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter Egg Hunt at Uncle Craig and Aunt Colleen's!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mkzWqe-3M_yTdiCZu2AAk5_uDs5qnE7hQpXHmqo0Ey9zwu0Ahz5qcH-PcajrvS2C46uNZvNbSRquxBVeHgRP3XY2m8k0vxfBJZW48TDwz1bLO2_ZQsBcoljHtDVWcHZESkuQam3u2QM/s1600/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mkzWqe-3M_yTdiCZu2AAk5_uDs5qnE7hQpXHmqo0Ey9zwu0Ahz5qcH-PcajrvS2C46uNZvNbSRquxBVeHgRP3XY2m8k0vxfBJZW48TDwz1bLO2_ZQsBcoljHtDVWcHZESkuQam3u2QM/s320/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+050.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Mary content with her 4 eggs</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnw9z5IFrhcjkEw9mvXVEgl6ZhIokSv0e7D8g-QtSTXzgDvadUOYaTyKkp7pKVbr35eajEcLSzkBojqVciFPlDX6cSgspGCgotop2sJxFk4K0N1snvDGbuMfw_4T3TYPSwctu6Ors7rk/s1600/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnw9z5IFrhcjkEw9mvXVEgl6ZhIokSv0e7D8g-QtSTXzgDvadUOYaTyKkp7pKVbr35eajEcLSzkBojqVciFPlDX6cSgspGCgotop2sJxFk4K0N1snvDGbuMfw_4T3TYPSwctu6Ors7rk/s320/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+053.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoUdou77wzSo0A50zlPjLiFwW97rfKADFhQ93l3qu_rFl-5wNXi1UoJYn1pJ9g340TNGpen-FakAOZxCk8ZwZiNN6l5PQHbdRh9p1FjfU6dXv9TnnJYLjJqyUpLjjSfUp2IItCLZ_Btw/s1600/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoUdou77wzSo0A50zlPjLiFwW97rfKADFhQ93l3qu_rFl-5wNXi1UoJYn1pJ9g340TNGpen-FakAOZxCk8ZwZiNN6l5PQHbdRh9p1FjfU6dXv9TnnJYLjJqyUpLjjSfUp2IItCLZ_Btw/s320/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+055.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike congratulating Anthony on a hunt-well-done!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgTjQ0Cj42OtGVX_wGx_YqpgZmgOHBbA39ZWT3QtspbLsT8Ulf4Lp0yQlWxtsr-lsYOSQKSGuW8U63fIwl18ITkscatCrM5a6hoHcaJIqwQ1Z4zZoUQsHhzv1oX3wBszym82sPHnuMg0/s1600/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgTjQ0Cj42OtGVX_wGx_YqpgZmgOHBbA39ZWT3QtspbLsT8Ulf4Lp0yQlWxtsr-lsYOSQKSGuW8U63fIwl18ITkscatCrM5a6hoHcaJIqwQ1Z4zZoUQsHhzv1oX3wBszym82sPHnuMg0/s320/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpunaAx3IELXhutbGpEdYnVi0K9ynNcIsvn2cZsxTHs0eViuWAA9TqmrGpSXCYnhvKm7ylydoEl3v0kjbMkGmZ1ZwxketYdUDdyGlaZ6gMtIMyzQP4YO0-Gc4gGooVFCw5a-A-tDEp280/s1600/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpunaAx3IELXhutbGpEdYnVi0K9ynNcIsvn2cZsxTHs0eViuWAA9TqmrGpSXCYnhvKm7ylydoEl3v0kjbMkGmZ1ZwxketYdUDdyGlaZ6gMtIMyzQP4YO0-Gc4gGooVFCw5a-A-tDEp280/s320/April-May+2011%252C+Bees+051.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just because... she is so cute.</td></tr>
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<div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-86551059694010793522011-05-02T22:17:00.001-05:002011-05-02T22:18:22.030-05:00Our own sort of "Passion:" My DadThis past Holy week I had planned on fasting (pregnant girl style), going to daily mass and trying my hardest, in the midst of the craziness of having babies, to unite myself with Jesus through his betrayal, mock trial, sorrowful passion, crucifixion, and finally his resurrection. I had no idea at the beginning of the week that I, well, my whole family, would be able to unite in such a powerful way to Christ this season.<br />
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On Thursday my dad called while we were at a home school field trip at the Christian Art Museum, to tell us while he was getting a brain MRI for weeks of weakness and falling following a fall a few weeks ago, he was told he had a brain bleed and should go directly to the ER. His doctor had called ahead and he was admitted immediately to the ICU. The whole family was there in a matter of minutes to hurry up and wait. All day, we were full of anxiety, fear, sadness, tearfulness, and turmoil awaiting the neurosurgeon to come, much I suspect like Jesus was, knowing during his last supper that his betrayal was near. Finally at 9:30 Thursday night the neurosurgeon came and explained to us that Dad had a subdural hematoma that was already of considerable size and that Dad would be undergoing surgery the next day for it. He showed us the MRI which revealed a large right sided bleed that had shifted the midline of his brain and compressed the 4th right (inside) ventricle in the middle of his brain. Perhaps the timing was similar? Jesus being in the Garden of Gethsemane pleading with His Father to let this cup pass, but not His will, but God the Father's will be done.<br />
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The next Morning, Good Friday, the whole family was bedside, waiting for them to take Dad back to surgery. We were undergoing our own sort of Passion, indeed feeling great suffering with the knowledge that this surgery could either be successful, or worse case scenario, result in a tragedy none of us would ever get over. I heard them announce over the loudspeaker that the Bishop of Fort Worth was in the chapel leading The Way of the Cross. I remember thinking to myself there is no need to go- despite the Bishop being there- we were united with Jesus' Passion more truely by dad's bedside. Mid morning through early afternoon we were in the waiting room, full of pain and anxiety. I imagined how Jesus felt carrying His Cross, the weight of the world pushing him down. Jesus' suffering wasn't over until 3 pm... thankfully ours was relieved earlier than that. The surgeon came out and said everything went just as planned and dad was waking up, complaining about the catheter they had inserted. We all cried in relief. It seemed he was going to be alright.<br />
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After cleared by the ICU staff, we were allowed, 2 at a time, to see him. He was still pretty out of it, head wrapped up with a drain coming out, drifting in and out of sleep. As the day went on, the pain increased, and my stoic dad, who asserts that all pain is in your head and should be dealt with as such, was asking for pain meds. "Hard" does not describe how it felt to see dad, who is the one who takes care of everything, in that condition. It was a day full of suffering for him, and us alike, mingled with a little bit if relief.<br />
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The day after was better, he was more alert, but just as Holy Saturday is an empty day, so was this. He was recovering, but we were still on edge that it may continue to bleed and a repeat surgery might be necessary. I never can explain the feeling of Holy Saturday... the Passion and crucifixion has past, but the joy of Easter is not yet come. The day is just there. Waiting. Perhaps when I get older and wiser, I will understand this day more deeply.<br />
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Easter was a better day. Filled with the joy every Christian feels after a long 40 days of Lent, uniting and pondering the suffering of Jesus, peppered with self-denial, the utter anguish of recalling and "re-living" in sorts the Passion and death of our Lord, Easter is a welcome feast. I came to visit dad, who was sitting up, talking, being reflective, and no doubt sharing in the joy of not only his renewal, but the victory of Christ over death.<br />
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He is home now, doing much better, with my mom lovingly at his side. They have ventured out, and in true dad fashion, won't listen to any of us kids that he is just doing too much. So dad, if you read this: SLOW DOWN! You have staples in your head. A few days ago you had BRAIN SURGERY! Hello! :)<br />
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In The Church, the Easter season is 50 days long. 50 days of celebration, of thanksgiving, of proclaiming the Risen Lord. For our family, this Easter season holds a special meaning. Along with Christians around the world who are celebrating the saving power of God, we are united in a special way to our joyful Lord, thanking him for saving our dear dad. This past Sunday, the feast of Divine Mercy (and the Beatification of our beloved Blessed John Paul II The Great!) I was filled with such overflowing joy. The mercy of our Lord is unfathomable. To think, of all the people in the world, he loves us so much that he answered our prayers. I am thankful for his unending mercy, and this joyful Easter season, I am thankful for my dad.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UDkI5rKTOzxh6829iUQsMZTdHm3bG29CpA3NWDW4e5TWYhpiF8_LJdaHXSanE0QjuEjzpbkiPMrfcyyvZojWLxL1tKODLMJs17yzWAux9O5vB_g5adOYnMu-hKdGdi2PVzzAgj0Ivyw/s1600/dad+surgery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UDkI5rKTOzxh6829iUQsMZTdHm3bG29CpA3NWDW4e5TWYhpiF8_LJdaHXSanE0QjuEjzpbkiPMrfcyyvZojWLxL1tKODLMJs17yzWAux9O5vB_g5adOYnMu-hKdGdi2PVzzAgj0Ivyw/s320/dad+surgery.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After surgery. The drain is the tube coming out of the wrap. It was in for 3 days.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiku7x4T4mcXUQa3j03UBk9kriqj1_OUlu1Fdqqhi1vW6q-TTgMmqP55AZYK2AvPl3kuK7wg0ULCYSqJvN_DiW1Gy2ZYwSxqn7WpqnnEU0aKe4OfSpei89Nam2_i1Hv7z9ofM75ChgL7zA/s1600/dad+post+surgery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiku7x4T4mcXUQa3j03UBk9kriqj1_OUlu1Fdqqhi1vW6q-TTgMmqP55AZYK2AvPl3kuK7wg0ULCYSqJvN_DiW1Gy2ZYwSxqn7WpqnnEU0aKe4OfSpei89Nam2_i1Hv7z9ofM75ChgL7zA/s320/dad+post+surgery.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His incisions, with staples. Notice... ear bud... already back to working.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-Kcnh6wgCf-QZBKfhWfTmtbldxsqtffJaW-tBm0Csik46k3U9CplHiM1n6MWDf6_vwqg5mhr8vYwwkHkiNnPp13IXaWnYEEZReigJrYxR7QCb7ihV2UFVAJBKOMWBmsI5MISfHF82J4/s1600/dad+post+surgery+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-Kcnh6wgCf-QZBKfhWfTmtbldxsqtffJaW-tBm0Csik46k3U9CplHiM1n6MWDf6_vwqg5mhr8vYwwkHkiNnPp13IXaWnYEEZReigJrYxR7QCb7ihV2UFVAJBKOMWBmsI5MISfHF82J4/s320/dad+post+surgery+2.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But Happy and Thankful. He says he has a modern hair cut now :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-23814973842113361572011-04-18T14:53:00.001-05:002011-04-18T14:55:16.311-05:00NAS JRB Air Power ShowBecause of Mike having so many classes during the week lately, he was able to flex off this past Saturday. We took the opportunity to have a fun family day and bring the kids to the 2011 Joint Reserve Base Air Power Show. Cool doesn't even start to explain it. We spent the entire day out there and didn't even get to 1/2 of the military planes they had on the tar mat. The actual show was awesome, with the grand finale being the Blue Angel's. The boys just couldn't believe it was the REAL Blue Angel's! So, we left with an awe of jets, a killer sunburn (thankfully only momma!), and a new goal for Anthony: to be a fighter jet pilot!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaa9s0ttW-x9YrYEpgfD_8beCxxSYFO2KuYhdU81Sqh6zMr1UKmg5biEaWrfTe3bFPnXEVilpuKbdIRUYTTxjRJZoTLd45DW7bl2hRJz8LJoXDWfGvxMHnYT_LuZWnJLJUovRBC9sAK_A/s1600/April+2011-+air+show+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaa9s0ttW-x9YrYEpgfD_8beCxxSYFO2KuYhdU81Sqh6zMr1UKmg5biEaWrfTe3bFPnXEVilpuKbdIRUYTTxjRJZoTLd45DW7bl2hRJz8LJoXDWfGvxMHnYT_LuZWnJLJUovRBC9sAK_A/s320/April+2011-+air+show+006.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gunner Anthony (notice the Park Ranger hat!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gunner Jake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary being sweet... as usual!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oYKlDyUJFcJXZqMRUJ5aa6x_QrjUQmEs2za6IyLQqXp2O13NyNGVIzJQxdzAemyZwiVOXmCQyM5crdq9hNRseyi2-alM8MelTu59TBHL6zXKSrdGpwRcApLSdIeJIOS6CusJn95z5Ds/s1600/April+2011-+air+show+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oYKlDyUJFcJXZqMRUJ5aa6x_QrjUQmEs2za6IyLQqXp2O13NyNGVIzJQxdzAemyZwiVOXmCQyM5crdq9hNRseyi2-alM8MelTu59TBHL6zXKSrdGpwRcApLSdIeJIOS6CusJn95z5Ds/s320/April+2011-+air+show+029.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthony confiscated Mikes hat and he was left with the play Park Ranger hat... very, very cute!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_7iltWOPBcI9gQ1hiH_VERFBYj8UwA9xT94iLutQvdq3EymNcEsr4c4iRFHrc6uLEi39JY4udiUCaBI2r30tsMgYl9kGNO9rK4Cflbj286k-xRcc2b6p87aj6OZVFCjPHLTPrenkau0/s1600/April+2011-+air+show+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_7iltWOPBcI9gQ1hiH_VERFBYj8UwA9xT94iLutQvdq3EymNcEsr4c4iRFHrc6uLEi39JY4udiUCaBI2r30tsMgYl9kGNO9rK4Cflbj286k-xRcc2b6p87aj6OZVFCjPHLTPrenkau0/s200/April+2011-+air+show+019.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTZQrCpZOJS54aubv0_rCju6S_HesHchx4olYj9jn_ttP_BV3yPgo2vxee0KmTvsvWl_KIVBDR_CTbVKHaGsW6Uj8rbiK4Ipy0aEfD6RahYAWQtASHTWnYrAkp_0PD_6z_JnahB1AqlE/s1600/April+2011-+air+show+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTZQrCpZOJS54aubv0_rCju6S_HesHchx4olYj9jn_ttP_BV3yPgo2vxee0KmTvsvWl_KIVBDR_CTbVKHaGsW6Uj8rbiK4Ipy0aEfD6RahYAWQtASHTWnYrAkp_0PD_6z_JnahB1AqlE/s200/April+2011-+air+show+021.JPG" width="150" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhid9E3BUq2zBGWOrDAdGm4C7upNEN9uwz9ViUu8F7HJJrWvYttPVnx2rUC07svd1D6E58x74Yb4l9uUSLoGLLIMxAqynBYmowEki9gTGRRq_u8UXsZ-qmwTZDTJogb72AH2-GPOAzMIgc/s1600/April+2011-+air+show+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhid9E3BUq2zBGWOrDAdGm4C7upNEN9uwz9ViUu8F7HJJrWvYttPVnx2rUC07svd1D6E58x74Yb4l9uUSLoGLLIMxAqynBYmowEki9gTGRRq_u8UXsZ-qmwTZDTJogb72AH2-GPOAzMIgc/s200/April+2011-+air+show+020.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4m82WGKIBDumqaUmacHyHCvxW89kOPQwhOnX8vqc-cBIOsQu3YkHTZNc6cSwbq-C8mG3veNsDI6ZN8miPOX43YaRlY-2F4NCcHv0oI7d3eEadcAKC-PV74b8mEgbhDGG5TUeaLbqXjk/s1600/April+2011-+air+show+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4m82WGKIBDumqaUmacHyHCvxW89kOPQwhOnX8vqc-cBIOsQu3YkHTZNc6cSwbq-C8mG3veNsDI6ZN8miPOX43YaRlY-2F4NCcHv0oI7d3eEadcAKC-PV74b8mEgbhDGG5TUeaLbqXjk/s400/April+2011-+air+show+030.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-85361653152884424992011-04-18T14:35:00.000-05:002011-04-18T14:35:19.321-05:00Windy City?Just a short post to show you the result of crazy straight-line winds mixed with living on top of a hill: our humongous play fort was blown down! Thank God it was during nap time so none of the kids were outside. Any muscle men wanna volunteer to come lift it back up? We pay in beer :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YltlK17BF5ToejJsLWZXTwVfFTvwAsNLMyfZN3kKOAkx_venT4wlETbC2eyUeahNl2VQDXCObUDIPJGIsmFaGE-0Ro8UdEvxDdTH7tHRsqehk0-gTVwNB56JfJXHTaO74Xva7876Pqk/s1600/April+2011-+air+show+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YltlK17BF5ToejJsLWZXTwVfFTvwAsNLMyfZN3kKOAkx_venT4wlETbC2eyUeahNl2VQDXCObUDIPJGIsmFaGE-0Ro8UdEvxDdTH7tHRsqehk0-gTVwNB56JfJXHTaO74Xva7876Pqk/s320/April+2011-+air+show+032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-40028843220993498122011-04-14T21:57:00.001-05:002011-04-14T21:58:32.368-05:00Beans, Beans, the magical fruit...Don't worry, this is NOT going where you expect it... rather it is taking a much sweeter turn. In our house, beans are not merely a healthy, protein-rich dinner food, but are literally a sweet treat. No, I don't make bean-flavored candy... when added up in a big enough quantity, beans equal that respite we enjoyed on hot summer days as children (and still do now!)... ICE CREAM! Lost? Hang on, let me explain.<br />
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In some classrooms, like my niece Maddie's, children acquire marbles when they do a good job, for some, it's check marks... well, here in our house (thanks to the big bag of beans I use as pie crust weights which have been baked so many times, no amount of cooking could resurrect them), that coveted item that any given child will do ANYTHING for is the lowly, humble bean.<br />
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I can not tell you what I have gotten accomplished with the promise of a few beans. The children will turn from unruly goof-balls to straight as arrows big-helpers in 1/2 of a second with the luring of a few measly beans. Of course, this only works because they know that 500 beans equals a trip to get ice cream, thus bringing us full circle... it truly IS the magical fruit! I can hear you now: "500 beans, you big meanie, that's too much!" <br />
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Slow your roll, let me explain the system: the primary winner of the petrified bean is Anthony, and the primary way he wins them is through doing neat, thoughtful, concentrated school work. In one day, between our reading, writing, and arithmetic, he can easily earn 100+ beans... IF done correctly, neatly, and in a timely manner (messy writing gets re-done, without beans). That boy will write 2 full pages (remember he's in pre-K!), and finish with a beaming smile ready to count his beans. (As a double-whammy for me, I use the counting for English and Latin practice, as well as tens place and units place practice.) So, I am certainly NOT mean... if he does well in his studies, he has the potential to earn, for the WHOLE FAMILY, one ice cream a week... 100 beans PER ice cream). With that being said, we average an ice cream every 1.5-2 weeks :) Hmm, now that I think of it, once Dominic gets old enough I'll need a bigger jar!<br />
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The pride beaming in his face when he gets to tell the whole family that we are getting a treat because HE did so well in his studies is priceless... only the rays of the August sun could rival it. Today is the coveted day. His bean jar is full, and as soon as Daddy gets home, Anthony gets to treat his whole family (minus Mike, poor thing gave up sweets for Lent) to a ice cold cone... oh Happy Day!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So proud to "buy" his family ice cream!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQM_oLRsWl7086K5tpSLiTMyHoeZNxwn3vQC4WOAK_LohegUGEEMLla-nFiAMlkvLWVVLmQYUsOG1wfqD-gRYN5TVzEqHuxSrTLsi1rFNcymQvWsNIoO9AYPO_BTaY08Acs1kgRC5zS8/s1600/April+2011+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQM_oLRsWl7086K5tpSLiTMyHoeZNxwn3vQC4WOAK_LohegUGEEMLla-nFiAMlkvLWVVLmQYUsOG1wfqD-gRYN5TVzEqHuxSrTLsi1rFNcymQvWsNIoO9AYPO_BTaY08Acs1kgRC5zS8/s320/April+2011+060.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jake is ready to go!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblBRpnO1bcPnIpHw-3aTIgYvhF8qvG64AF8cG-tWzH_DW5iSYq60EDEjMWEbSDhbZSnQIoGaHzk18oa3psdF4eMZ89-fqSXn6cy_l1QYP1BPqSwI5h4FFmZyHWmLLpnG_zgIf3FR1qNI/s1600/April+2011+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblBRpnO1bcPnIpHw-3aTIgYvhF8qvG64AF8cG-tWzH_DW5iSYq60EDEjMWEbSDhbZSnQIoGaHzk18oa3psdF4eMZ89-fqSXn6cy_l1QYP1BPqSwI5h4FFmZyHWmLLpnG_zgIf3FR1qNI/s320/April+2011+063.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary knows a full bean jar = ice cream!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaMSSvn0TD3tE0tGkH_E9clTKa3XgDu_0m9z-dutjFHknnC8Pc1oqZV4XF0EikD1bU8goL5-JZmw6LCohfXNYdjMqyr6qZshQrND9rP_G7wflT6wBaLJ8iAW8lGs240k8LDYT_RbnoK0/s1600/April+2011+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaMSSvn0TD3tE0tGkH_E9clTKa3XgDu_0m9z-dutjFHknnC8Pc1oqZV4XF0EikD1bU8goL5-JZmw6LCohfXNYdjMqyr6qZshQrND9rP_G7wflT6wBaLJ8iAW8lGs240k8LDYT_RbnoK0/s320/April+2011+065.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's ice cream was Chick-fil-A Ice Dream- yummmm!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-39505359544139695012011-04-14T21:00:00.000-05:002011-04-14T22:14:32.996-05:00I need to eat HOW MUCH protein?!?!Well, as many of you know, I am expecting our fourth child in July... sweet baby Dominic Kilian... who is sure to make a grand entrance a week or two early (a girl can hope, right!!). During my pregnancies, I have been advised to get lots and lots of quality protein... up to 80-100 grams per day! Doesn't sound like much? Just read that label next time you grab a yogurt... you will find eventhough a healthy snack, it touts little protein when comparing it to the magic *80 grams* number... sigh.<br />
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Enter here: creative cooking. I would like to share some of my recipes that help bring my total daily number up while providing a nourishing meal the whole family loves. To start things off, the most important meal of the day: Breakfast!<br />
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"<u>Cheesy, bumpy eggs</u>"- so named by my old man Jacob by the 2 qualities he likes best in eggs... bumpy (scrambled), and cheesy!<br />
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For me and the 3 kids (increase eggs by 3, other ingredients as well, when Mike is home):<br />
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-6 organic, hormone-free eggs (there is a difference- try cracking a regular egg, then one of these- the shell says it all!)<br />
-1/2 cup cottage cheese (I LOATHE cottage cheese, but you can't taste it in this recipe!)<br />
-1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese<br />
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Mix eggs, salt and cottage cheese, put in pan with melted butter (we use the real stuff... mmm!) and scramble until ALMOST done. Add cheddar cheese and mix just a bit more. With these eggs, if you cook them trying to make them look dry, they will turn into stiff, inedible, crumbly gross-ness swimming in lots of liquid from the cottage cheese... so cook just until done, not dry.<br />
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"<u>Hulk Muffins" </u>- named by me to make the kids like them... b/c they are green :)<br />
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These were inspired actuallt by Mike, wanting to eat dairy-free... I took the liberty to add extra veggies and cheese- I believe you can never have enough cheese!<br />
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- 12 eggs, scrambled well<br />
-1/2 bunch of asparagus, chopped small<br />
-2-3 handfuls of fresh, organic spinach<br />
-1 zuccini, cut up<br />
-1-2 carrots, peeled and chopped small<br />
-1/4 red bell pepper<br />
- few slices nitrate-free bacon, cooked and chopped<br />
-couple of handfuls to cheddar cheese<br />
-sea salt and pepper to taste<br />
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Place veggies and bacon in food processor and pulse until very small pieces, add to scrambled eggs with other ingredients, and pour into cupcake pans. Bake at 350 for about 20 mins, or until set in middle. Voila!<br />
These can be refrigerated and reheated for on-the-go meals. If your kids don't like the Incredible Hulk, give them another name :)<br />
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More to come... it's almost pumpkin time for me :)Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-14432371778066344172011-04-10T22:25:00.000-05:002011-04-10T22:25:54.124-05:00First ThingsOne of the most marvelous things about childhood is how many "firsts'" you get to experience... and so close together. One day you can have your first time watercoloring, the next your first time baking bread, the next your first time typing... it is endless. I think this is why children are full of such joy, such wonder. Like the other day when the kids found the first ladybug of the season and spent the next 10 minutes examining it, letting it tickle their skin, and ever-so-patiently waiting their turn to hold it... I have to remind myself the darn grocery store can wait... they will never have THIS moment again.<br />
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Well, today was a BIG first for them... today they water skied! After watching their brave cousins Samantha and Madison ski like champs, they boys decided that today would be their day. In their true fashion, Anthony insisted on the wetsuit (thank you for sharing Maddie... or is it Maddy now!) while Jake was okay with going in just shorts (I swear... Anthony is what is going to save Jake during their teenage years... eeek!) With the gentle and patient instruction of their Uncle Dave, and their Dad within arms reach, they took that big brave step, another first, under the competent driving of Uncle Bubba (that'd be Michael for you non-Texan's!). I can not tell you... nor will I bore you with, every little detail of the pride overflowing from this little mama's heart seeing my babies be so brave!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYgArX3c9WlBm21n2n7RxIiI3aUN56U8HTh2IeIH8Zx9lQrFgCAW54hWakj8DtEDdm8ScleEcnRskGy2ltithRm-gEXJtvmUoWgg-hoG2LsHv17JYk4bMYPFtz6PEkZ8BcVZ-oHBB68Y/s1600/Anthony+skiing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYgArX3c9WlBm21n2n7RxIiI3aUN56U8HTh2IeIH8Zx9lQrFgCAW54hWakj8DtEDdm8ScleEcnRskGy2ltithRm-gEXJtvmUoWgg-hoG2LsHv17JYk4bMYPFtz6PEkZ8BcVZ-oHBB68Y/s320/Anthony+skiing.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUbV_-hmfNCuxS7XjBZtQYs1ADlmazKxsbY9s4shEGpG_Mh4bUryGljGc8FK24MHwaOCSHCGCtH7RozlNoAhqX9UCIqni5DpJtCbXjV7JW0mHCehXGs0W_MPkesHfO3xQI2hEzUy8RcA/s1600/Jake+skiing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUbV_-hmfNCuxS7XjBZtQYs1ADlmazKxsbY9s4shEGpG_Mh4bUryGljGc8FK24MHwaOCSHCGCtH7RozlNoAhqX9UCIqni5DpJtCbXjV7JW0mHCehXGs0W_MPkesHfO3xQI2hEzUy8RcA/s320/Jake+skiing.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>So, here they are... and here's to hoping you can take a minute to become like a child, finding wonder in something ordinary. Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585928694164958273.post-64121189012164100962011-04-08T14:05:00.003-05:002011-04-08T22:19:15.738-05:00Blog Attempt #2OK, here it is... our second attempt at keeping a blog! We don't get to see all of our family as much as we'd like, so we want to provide this blog for our family and friends to follow what in the world the Short's are up to these days. With 4 kids 5 and under, we're an exciting group, so you can look forward to such <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">riveting</span> subjects as: <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">home school</span> humor, mom's newest bread recipe, updates on Anthony's school progress, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">CrossFit</span>, homemaking topics, new additions to the clan, Catholic family life, and in the near future... farm life ;). We hope you find our posts enjoyable and we look forward to entertaining you. If you like, you can "follow" us with e-mail notifications so you don't miss even one adorable picture. <br />
For our first funny story: 2 weeks ago, Anthony got to go to Home Depot with Mike (alone!), they stopped at the convenience store and went in (rare...we usually pay at the pump... actually I can not recall a time we have ever gone in). Upon entering and seeing the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">plethora</span> of candy, sodas, slushies, and snacks, Anthony exclaimed "this is a great store of JOY!" Yes... to us an old germ-filled corner store, to a 5 year old... heaven! Hope to see you around!Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546917715173624974noreply@blogger.com1