{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Amanda, aka Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

~~~~~

~~~~~

In gratitude this week for:

• 
  
  A Christmas craft supply shopping trip with two of my girls


• 
  
  Wreath making with our awesome homeschool group


• 
  
  A voice teacher that so inspires my oldest daughter


• 
  
  A cosy home with a blazing wood stove

Wishing all of you a glorious weekend.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Amanda, aka Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

~~~~

~~~~~

In gratitude this week for:

~hot water

~a SUCCESSFUL community dinner and all those who helped

~a healthy family

~a well stocked pantry

~winning a book I have wanted to Rebekah

Wishing all of you a blessed weekend!

Healthy Banana Oat Muffins

Healthy Banana Oat Muffins

1 ½ cups white whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ tsp cardamom
½ tsp nutmeg
1 cup oats
½ cup rapadura (or brown sugar)
½ cup evaporated cane juice (or your choice of sugar)
1 egg
2-3 bananas mashed
¾ cup raw kefir (or milk)
½ cup coconut oil (or oil of choice)

Preheat oven to 400 and line or grease muffin pan.
Combine flour through sugar in a large bowl
In a separate bowl mix egg through oil
Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix until well incorporated
Pour batter into muffin cups and bake for 17 or so minutes.
Enjoy!

Menu Plan ~ Week of October 23rd

Sunday

Breakfast: Cinnamon Toast

Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: Black Bean Burritos

Monday

Breakfast: Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins

Lunch: Red Quinona with Sauteed Veggies

Dinner: Cheese Ravioli, Garden Salad and Garlic Bread

Tuesday

Breakfast: Bulgar Wheat with Fruit

Lunch: Creamy Mac & Cheese with Peas

Dinner: Hamburger Stroganoff over Brown Rice with Broccoli

Wednesday

Breakfast: Poached Eggs on Toast with Fruit

Lunch: Hummus, Veggie Sticks, Crackers and Apples

Dinner: Potato Leek Soup, Garden Salad and Sourdough Bread

Thursday

Breakfast: Oatmeal

Lunch: Roasted Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Dinner: Pork Ribs, Sauerkraut, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Friday

Breakfast: Homemade Yogurt and Maple Almond Granola

Lunch: Tuna Melts with Kale Chips

Dinner: Homemade Pizza

Saturday

Breakfast: Pancakes with Sausage

Lunch: Nachos

Dinner: Chili with Cornbread

Looking for even more menu planning inspiration? Head on over to Menu Planning Monday hosted by I'm an Organizing Junkie.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Amanda, aka Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

~~~~

~~~~~

In gratitude this week for:

• Firewood


• Good friends and coffee


• The color of Autumn


• A certain four year old's imagination
  
  

Wishing all of you a blessed weekeng!

Yarn Along

Joining in the fun of the weekly Yarn Along hosted by Ginny over at Small Things. In Ginny's words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

I'm still working on my February Lady's Sweater. I can't figure out why the sleeves are taking so much longer than the body. It is the same pattern and obviously a lot less of it. But I will keep plugging away. A friend wanted to take a peek at Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac so of course I had to thumb through it as well. Now I have plans to make at least four pairs of leggings for the girls and I. Perfect to keep us all warm on the wold New England days that are right around the corner. Lots of knitting, but hopefully they will go quickly. I just need to find the yarn.

The little snowman is needle felted, but I did knit his scarf. I added his branch arms but they are hard to see in the photo above, so here he is again.

All he needs is a hanger and he is ready to adorn the Christmas tree. Just can't tell you who's tree he will be gracing. That is a surprise.

Hopefully next week I will have moved on to the next project in line. They seem to be lining up faster than I can knit them. Requests from everyone for new hat, mittens, and such.

Handmade Holiday ~ Snowman Ornament

Inspired by Tonya over at Plain and Joyful Living I've started getting my Christmas crafting organized and moving right along. Do stop by and see what she is making as well as others.

We have been lucky not to have temperature dip below freezing yet, but luckily this little snowman wont melt. He is a needle felted and knit ornament. Simple and cute! And I really think he will look great hanging on someones tree. Of course I can't tell you whose, that would ruin all the fun. I do think I will add some twig arms, but it is too dark to go out searching tonight. I have quite a few other little ornaments in the planning stages. As well a some sewing project and lots of knitting. Hopefully, I will be able to share more soon.

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of October 16th

Can I just tell you how frustrating it is when events are scheduled during the dinner hour?! We have always eaten dinner as a family. There are very few dinners that we miss and there usually is a really good reason for not eating together. Gathering the family around the dinner table nutritious not just our bodies, but also our souls and the soul of this family. It is when, after a long, day that we are able to come together and share our joys, our accomplishments, our failures and our needs. It is a time when memories are made. And while I have know that gathering around the family table for supper is becoming a thing of the past, I now truly morn this loss especially for those who don't even know they have lost anything.

You see, our daughter Sarah is in a local production of Peter Pan. And while she loves theater and this company is fabulous, rehearsals begin at 5:30pm a little more than 1/2 hour from our home. That means at least three nights a week our dinner has been a little crazy. Sarah and I eat before we leave for practice, the rest of the family eat when Dad gets home. At first planning meals that would hold or could be reheated and still taste fresh was the hard part. However, then I started to miss the family dinner table, I missed the stories shared, the laughter, the bonding. All these so much more important than the food that was actually served.

So while Sarah will continue with the play - the show must go on, and will audition for next years production (yes she is already talking about it) I will cherish all the family dinners we do have together and look forward to the end of the show when all our dinners can be shared together.

If you aren't eating your dinners as a family or are eating them in front of the TV I challenge you to set your table, light a couple of candles and share your meal together. I guarantee you wont regret it.

So now that my rant is over, on with the meals for the week.

Sunday
Breakfast: Cinnamon Toast and Apples
Lunch: Harvest Supper at Church
Dinner: Baked Cod with Spinach and Tomatoes served with Brown Rice

Monday
Breakfast: Homemade Yogurt and Maple Almond Granola
Lunch: Chicken Cesar Salads with Garlic Bread
Dinner: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole with Broccoli

Tuesday
Breakfast: Buckwheat Porridge with Blueberries and Cream
Lunch: Creamy Mac & Cheese with Peas
Dinner: Roasted Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Wednesday
Breakfast: Poached Eggs on Wheat Toast with Cantaloupe
Lunch: Picnic - Hummus, Rye Crackers, Veggies Sticks, Apples and Cheese
Dinner: Spaghetti , Garden Salad and Garlic Bread

Thursday
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch:
Dinner: Baked Chicken, Red Quinoa with Roasted Veggies

Friday
Breakfast: Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins and Kifer Smoothies
Lunch: Tuna Melts with Kale Chips
Dinner: Sausage with Onion & Pepper Subs with Tater Tots

Saturday
Breakfast: Blueberry Pancakes with Sausage
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Black Bean Burritos

I'd love to hear your thoughts on family meals.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Amanda, aka Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

~~~~

~~~~~

In gratitude this week for:

• A food co-op delivery and the wonderful ladies who share the bounty with me
• Autumn's beautiful colors
• Time, even though short, to catch up with my best friend
• Lots of yummy things coming out of the kitchen
  
  Wishing all of you a glorious weekend.

Yarn Along

A day late I know, but I have been missing the fun of the Yarn Along hosted by Ginny over at Small Things.


I have had lots of minutes to knit during play rehearsals, but not much time for reading. I am working on the February Lady Sweater for a Christmas gift. I only have the sleeves left to knit. Then to block and find buttons. It really is a lovely pattern. And once you get going the lace pattern is easy to remember. I can see myself making one of these for myself one day.

As for reading, I have found time to thumb through my well loved copy of Nourishing Traditions I've been on a mission to add a wider variety of whole grains to our diet and this book has lots of great information as well as recipes. Next up - Barley Casserole!

Don't forget to hop on over to the Yarn Along and see what everyone else is knitting and reading. I guarantee you'll find lots of inspiration.

Handmade Holiday 2011

Can you believe it is that time again? The holidays will be here before you know it. So now is the time, if you haven't already, to start making that list and checking it twice. For the last few years we have been making many of our gifts for family and friends. There is such joy in both the making and the giving. This year we will be joining in the fun of Handmade Holiday hosted by Tonya over at Plain and Joyful Living.

I don't have much to share in the way of projects today. But my notebook is full of ideas and patterns for those on my list. I have also begun collecting supplies. I am also trying to figure out how to share what we are making without spoiling the surprise.

So for now I will leave you with some delicious yarns that are destine to become beautiful gifts for someone.


So there will be knitting, and sewing, concocting and cooking. Lots of handmade goodness for those I love this year. I hope you'll consider making at least of few of your gifts this year.

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of October 9th

So assigning a meal category to each day is definitely making meal planning easier. but I am finding that I need to work the plan and not let it work me. You see Sarah has a part in a local production of Peter Pan and most of their rehearsals begin at 5:30. This is definitely throwing a kink in my menu planning. Trying to come up with meals that I can have ready for her and I to eat at 4:30 that will still be yummy and not a lot of work for hubby and the other girls to eat at 6:15 isn't all that easy. The play opens the first week of November so this really is a short term obstacle, but I need to be flexible and let the organizing plan fall be the wayside for a bit I think. Other than crock pot meals (I don't have one), what are your fast favorites that hold well? I'd love it if you would share.


SUNDAY
Breakfast: Wheat Bagels and Cream Cheese
Lunch: Garden Salads
Dinner: Pot Roast, Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and Maple Gingered Carrots

MONDAY
Breakfast: Poached Eggs on Whole Wheat Toast
Lunch: Quinoa with Roasted Veggies
Dinner: Cheesy Bow Tie Pasta with Peas and Ham

TUESDAY
Breakfast: Bulgar with Fruit and Milk
Lunch: Roasted Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Dinner: Sausage and Potato Frittata with Cantaloupe

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Cinnamon Toast and Apple Sauce
Lunch: Hummus, Pita, Veggies Sticks with Apples
Dinner: Meatball Tortellini Soup with Sourdough Bread

THURSDAY
Breakfast: Homemade Yogurt with Maple Almond Granola
Lunch: Creamy Mac & Cheese and Broccoli
Dinner: Baked Chicken, Brown Rice and Green Beans

FRIDAY
Breakfast: Oat and Fruit Scones
Lunch: Tuna Wraps with Apples
Dinner: Homemade Pizza

SATURDAY
Breakfast: Waffles and Sausage
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Black Bean Burritos and Corn

Menu Planning Monday is hosted by I'm an Organizing Junkie. Head on over for some more menu planning inspiration.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Amanda, aka Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

~~~~

~~~~~

In gratitude this week for:

• A trip to the apple orchard with friend


• The return of the sun


• Soup, lots and lots of yummy soup


• The annual trip to the fair

Wishing all of you a glorious weekend.

Fall Match Box - Tutorial

As we have worked to establish rhythms to our day, we have used the lighting and extinguishing of candles to signify the beginning and end of many activities. Candles at meal times, candles at circle time, candles at bedtime. There is just something magical about candles, don't you agree?

Well with all the matches we have been using I had to come up with a way to make the ugly match box a little more presentable. So the quick and easy solution was to make a wool felt cover.


You will need:

• a piece of felt the same size as the top of the match box


• Scraps of felt to make your decoration - we chose leave as it is autumn now


• templates for you decorations - clip art is great for this


• scissor


• fabric glue
  

First trace the side of the match box you want to cover onto the large piece of felt. Cut out.

Next glue the felt to the match box.

Next pin the templates onto your scraps of felt. Cut out. Arrange on top of the felt covered box. Once you like the arrangement, glue the pieces in place.

All finished. Now the matches can sit out and not be an eye sore. The bees wax candle was made by Bekah as part of our Michaelmas Celebration.

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of October 2nd

Simplicity has been a big word around here lately. The whirlwind that life has become just doesn't appeal to me. I long for the slower days of years gone by. Where gathering around the table to a home cooked meal was a daily event, not one that just happened at the holidays. However, with three busy girls and a husband with a crazy schedule that isn't always easy. So I have set out to simplify my meal plans a bit.


I have been loving adding a wider variety of grains to our diet. So I am planning to continue trying to follow the daily grain. I'm still looking for millet, barley and rye recipes so please share if you have any fabulous and kid friendly ones. The next step in simplifying the menu is having a category for each day's evening meal. Once I assigned a day a category, I made up index card for each day with our favorite meals. Now I quick look at the index cards and I can plug dinners in quickly. I think we will end up with more variety as I often get stuck in a rut and make the same chicken, rice and veggie or casserole far to often. Of course I will still be on the look out for new family favorites. This is only week one for this new little plan so only time will tell if it really simplifies things a bit.


Sunday~wheat/roast
Breakfast: Cinnamon Toast and Yogurt
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Ham, Mashed Potatoes and Glazed Carrots

Monday~rice/pasta
Breakfast: Poached Eggs on Toast
Lunch: Roasted Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
Dinner: Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells, Salad, and Garlic Bread

Tuesday~barley/casserole
Breakfast: Barley Porridge with Honeyed Almonds and Roasted Apples
Lunch: Creamy Mac & Cheese with
Dinner: Chicken Divan with 90 Minute Rolls

Wednesday~millet/soup
Breakfast: Pumpkin Muffins
Lunch: Perform It Picnic
Dinner: Ham and Bean Soup with Corn Bread

Thursday~rye/meat-starch-veggie
Breakfast: Oatmeal Bar with all the Fixings
Lunch: Ham Salad Sandwiches on Rye Bread
Dinner: Hamburger Steaks with Mushroom Gravy, Fried Potatoes and Green Beans

Friday~oats/pizza,burger,sandwich
Breakfast: Oatmeal and Fruit Scones
Lunch: Fryeburg Fair
Dinner: Hot Dogs, Baked Beans and Corn

Saturday~corn/Mexican or Chinese
Breakfast: French Toast with Sausage
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Tacos

So do you have any menu planning tips or tricks? I'd love to hear what works for your family. And if you haven't taken the plunge into menu planning you really should. You can find more inspriation at Menu Planning Monday hosted by I'm an Organizing Junkie.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Amanda, aka Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

~~~~

~~~~~

In gratitude this week for:

• Being able to sneak away for a few days in the woods with family.



• Some time to knit - Becca's sweater is done for the second time.



• Lots of new recipe successes.



• Welcoming the fall, my favorite season.

Wishing you all a glorious weekend!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Amanda, aka Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

~~~~

~~~~~

In gratitude this week for:

• A pantry that is overflowing with harvest goodness and co-op deliveries


• A day of exploring at the colonial encampment


• A house project finally being completed that has been in the works way too long


• Finishing the first fall sweater

Wishing you all a glorious weekend!

Yarn Along - Almost Done

Joining Ginny in her weekly Yarn Along. In her words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a single photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

I so wanted to have this little sweater done for this week's yarn along. I was knitting along quite well and then life just seems to get in the way. I only have about two inches left on the sleeve. Really this shouldn't take long, but there have just been so many other things to do as of late. I do have to say I am loving this little sweater. And I think a little girl is finally liking it as well. A couple of weeks ago when I had her try it on for size she told me she didn't like it and wanted to give it away. This mama heart was broken, but I didn't let on and said we could find a little girl who would like it. Move on to this week, and she tried it on again and screamed with delight! She loves it! She even remembered to tell me that she no longer wanted to give it away, but rather keep it. Oh how my heart sang! I'm so glad I didn't make a big deal about her not liking it at first. I think it was the fact that it only had one sleeve. I think she was afraid I was going to leave it like that. Hopefully, by next week this will be off the needles and finished. I found the perfect wooden heart button to complete it. Oh and for those of you have asked it is the Seamless Blue sweater. A free pattern on Ravlery.

As for reading, I saw this book in a giveaway on another lovely blog. Then while we were at the library I stumbled upon it. Quite literally. It was sticking out of the shelve and caught my shin. I figured that was a sign and I needed to bring it home. I have enjoy flipping through the pages and hope to have a little more time for it in the next week, we are going to try and sneak away to the woods for a few days! A perfect place to knit and read!

The Raccoon and the Bee Tree

Rebkah and I have been loving her "schooling" so far. After circle time had become part of our daily rhythm it was time to add a story telling time. Rebekah was excited for this, it was I who was as little apprehensive. Waldorf stresses that you tell the story, not read the story. I have always read to my girls, read lots. But tell a story. A story teller I'm not. Luckily there was lots of advice to be gleaned about ways to make story telling easier on me and better for Rebekah. But how to be a better story teller is a post for another day. Today I want to tell you about our first story, The Raccoon and the Bee Tree. This is a sweet story from the Earthschooling curriculum. I had never heard the story which made telling it harder, but I persevered. It is a nature story about a little raccoon who sets out to look for his dinner. He doesn't catch any birds around the pond, steers clear of the skunks, and can't lure the squirrels out of the tree. However honey seems free for the taking until the bees come to protect their golden sweetness. The poor little raccoon is stung all over and falls from the tree. Being covered in honey he ends up covered in leaves. When he cries for help another raccoon comes to the rescue but is frightened away by the scary leaf covered beast. Finally the little raccoon is able to wash himself off and return to his hollow tree to lick his wounds and nap.

Story time begins with lighting our story time candle and saying our verse that helps the little one settle in for a story and keep her hands quiet. We followed the three day story rhythm: On the first day I introducing the story, telling the whole thing myself. the Rebekah draws a picture from the story in her main lesson book.

On the second day Rebekah wore a raccoon mask I made for her and she helped retell the story. It was easy to tell what parts of the story spoke to her. Then we went on our nature walk to collect leaves just like the little raccoon had been covered with.


We brought our leaves home and made a leaf print shirt. Rebekah loved designing her shirt just the way she wanted it.


We covered it with wax paper and hammered the leaves until they left an impression on the shirt. Now Rebekah could be the little raccoon covered in leaves.


On the third day we told the story again. It always surprises me how many time a young child can hear the same story and not tire of it. Of course I got better and better at telling the story as well. Then we made buttermilk biscuits and had them with some honey comb from a friend's hive for snack. We got to eat honey just like the little raccoon did.

Thanks to Earthschooling and a few other Waldorf groups I have Septembers stories and activities planned out. Hopefully all of them will go as smoothly as this one. And hopefully I will be come a better story teller.

Heart Swap - Recieved and Sent

I had so much fun participating in the Sending Love Heart Swap hosted by Linda of Natural Suburbia. I was paired up with a lovely lady from Switzerland. It was fun getting to know her and them make her some special treasures. I can't show you what I made for her as I don't have confirmation that she has received her package. However, I can show you all the lovely things she sent me.

First I must say this was more than I expected! I was so in need of a new dish cloth. She noticed I had a pattern listed to do on this blog and knit me one for the swap. I'm still trying to figure out how she new my kitchen was blue. Then there was the most incredible needle holder. I have wanted one of these for a while now. I have had plans to sew one, but you know how plans go. So now I have the most beautiful needle holder for my double pointed needles. You can see the inside below along with my needles. Doesn't it look lovely?

And of course their was chocolate! As she said a package from Switzerland wouldn't be complete without chocolate. I'm so glad, as I LOVE chocolate. We have tucked it away and are rationing it out to make it last.

I have to say that participating in swaps is so much fun. I have met some wonder ladies from around the world. I have received the most beautiful treasures. Hopefully my swap partners feel the same way. I would urge you to join in the swap fun if you have the chance. Thanks to Linda for hosting this one.

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of September 12th

Monday (rice)

Breakfast: Poached Eggs on Toast
Lunch: Grilled Cheese and Green Smoothies
Dinner: Chicken Divan and Corn Muffins

Tuesday (barley)

Breakfast: Barley Porridge with Honeyed Almonds and Apples
Lunch: Creamy Mac and Cheese with Pears
Dinner: Taco Baked Potatoes

Wednesday (millet)

Breakfast: Banana-Millet Muffins
Lunch: Hummus with Pita and Veggies
Dinner: Hamburger Stoganoff over Brown Rice with Peas

Thursday (rye)

Breakfast: Pancakes and Mellon
Lunch: Rye Crackers with Cheese and Tomato
Dinner: Grilled Chicken, Red Quinoa with Roasted Vegetables

Friday (oats)

Breakfast: Homemade Yogurt and Maple Almond Granola
Lunch: Tuna Melts with Carrot Sticks
Dinner: Pizza

Saturday (corn)

Breakfast: Swiss Oats
Lunch: Pigs in a Blanket with Corn on the Cob
Dinner: Spaghetti with Italian Sausage, Garden Salad and Garlic Bread

Sunday (wheat)

Breakfast: Cinnamon Toast and Apple Sauce
Lunch: Left Overs
Dinner: Sweet and Sour Pork with Peppers over Rice

Following the grain a day has been fun. We are still looking for recipes to make eating a variety of grains a little easier. It is amazing how few grains we really eat. I thought we ate a varied diet, when in reality it was a lot of the same things in different forms. So far rye has been a big hit. Everyone love the rye crackers as well as rye bread. Anyone know of any other ways to incorporate rye? We'll see how the barley porridge goes. We all like barley in our soup, but none of us has ever had it as porridge. Actually, I don't think we eat much porridge. Brings to mind scenes from fairy tales of my youth. I'll let you know how it goes.

So what are you eating? Are you in a rut or are you adding some variety to your menu?

Turtle Rescue

The girls and I had to stop and help this little snapping turtle make it to the other side of the road. He wasn't too happy letting off his stinky smell and trying to snap at me. However, after a few minutes in the grass he lumbered into the woods.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Amanda, aka Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

~~~~

~~~~~

In gratitude this week for:

• A day with family and friends at Story Land!


• A joyful 4 year old, giggle, smiles, kisses and all


• Support and fellowship from a wonderful group of likeminded mamas


• A handy husband who's working hard to repair heating pipes before it gets chilly

Wishing you all a glorious weekend!

Yarn Along - Just One More Sleeve

Joining Ginny in her weekly Yarn Along. In her words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a single photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

Finally some progress! I finished one of the sleeves. And so far so good. The sweater fits. Hopefully I will be able to finish the second sleeve this week. Believe it or not it is getting to be sweater weather here in New England. Hopefully, Rebekah will be glad to have a new sweater as the weather turn chilly. She goes from loving it to hating it in typical 4 year old fashion. I believe I mentioned it in the first yarn along post about this sweater, but I know that was a long time ago and many have asked about the pattern so here is the Ravlery link with my note to increase the size.

As for reading, I was blessed to find a friend who had not only a Ebelskivers pan but also a recipe book to accompany said pan. Oh, the girls and I have been drooling over these dainty filled pancakes. Today is the day we will try our first batch. A perfect snack for a chilly rainy day, don't you think.

Don't forget to hop on over to the yarn along. The inspiration, both knitting and reading, is amazing. So many talented women and good reads all in one place. And of course a huge thanks to Ginny for hosting. Wednesday is definitely one of my favorite days.

Kale Chips Better Than Potato Chips!

Even though I was seeing Kale Chips all over the Internet accompanied by rave reviews I was still skeptical. Could these really be that good? But as I am always on the look out for healthy and frugal snack I thought they might be worth a try. So armed with a few recommended recipes from my favorite blogs, a bunch of kale, and a day that we were stuck home without my junk food loving husband, we set out to make kale chips.

Rebekah is always up to help out in the kitchen. She thought the kale was kind of funny looking. Any drying it after I washed it wasn't an easy task with all the ruffles in the leaves. But she persevered and did a great job.

I tore the kale into smaller pieces. Not too small mind you as they shrink a TON when cooked. Rebekah added a drizzle of olive oil. I got to toss it as Rebekah hates for her hands to be dirty.

We spread the kale on parchment lined baking sheets and sprinkled with a little salt and granulated garlic. Baked in a 300 degree oven for about 20 minutes. The first time we made these I couldn't get a picture of the chips as the girls were eating them faster than I could make them. And when they were gone there was a very unhappy four year old. She wanted more. A great thing, but I didn't have any more kale, and this was during Irene so I wasn't running out for more kale. I offered her some of her father's potato chips, a treat she usually loves, but she wasn't having anything to do with potato chips. She wanted kale chips! In her words they are so much better!!! Oh my mama heart was overflowing.

I finally was able to snap a picture of the second batch we made, but they didn't last long as well. Next year you can bet there will be kale in the garden.

Hands On Learning

Hannah has really been enjoying school so far this year. We switched curriculum and have found it to be a great fit. She is using Oak Meadow and studying American History. I love how the curriculum focus on head and heart. It is hands on with an appropriate amount of writing and little to none fill in the blank. As you can imagine Hannah loves the hands on part.


One of her first projects was to make a boat. Wood, tools building with dad are all some of Hannah's favorite things to do. So the boat project was a total success. Above you can see the boat. She is painting the sails, which she later starched. Now she is planning a trip to the pond to sail her boat.


Moving on to Jamestown. She was asked to build a diorama of the fort. Between stormy days she went about collecting a whittling sticks for the walls surrounding the buildings. Then she built building out of Popsicle sticks complete with thatched roofs.

The finished fort after it survived a storm.

Science has included lot of fun hands on as well. We had a trip to the frog pond while learning about ecosystems. We caught a few frogs, counted lots of tadpoles and were glad to see the pond thriving with little signs of pollution.

There has been measuring and converting us standard to metric system.

I think the constructing the wetland model and seeing how wetlands filter water has been the most fun. Hannah even added "pesticides" to the water to see how/if the wetland would filter them out before the water reached the pond.

Not sure what's up next, but I know Hannah will have tons of fun building and creating as she learns. It is a great journey to be on with her. Sometime I think I learn more than the kids. How did I miss all of this in school?

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of September 4th

Last week was a fun adventure in adding some new grains to our diet. While I am always excited to try new foods and recipes, my family isn't usually as excited as I am. I do have to say they are good troopers, but I have to add new things to our diet a little at a time. That being said I didn't make the millet cakes last week but will be making them this week. I'd love to add some buckwheat, spelt and quinoa to the menu. If you took a look at Becca's post that I referenced last week. You know that all the grains have properties unto themselves. I would love to know the properties that go with buckwheat, spelt and quinoa. If you know or can point me in the right place to look please leave me a comment.

Now on to the menu:


Monday
Breakfast: Poached Eggs on Toast
Lunch: Creamy Mac & Cheese with Peas
Dinner: Smothered Pork Chops Brown Rice and Glazed Carrots

Tuesday (Barley)
Breakfast: Yogurt and Maple Almond Granola
Lunch: Garlic Hummus, Pita Bread and Sliced Veggies
Dinner: Veggie Omelets, Home Fries and Mellon

Wednesday (Millet)
Breakfast: Green Smoothies and Millet Cakes
Lunch: Salmon Patties with Fruit
Dinner: Black Bean Burritos

Thursday (Rye)
Breakfast: Banana Muffins
Lunch: Rye Cracker Bites with Raw Cheddar and Tomato
Dinner: Mahogany Chicken with Vegetable Fried Rice

Friday (Oats)
Breakfast: Oat and Fruit Scones
Lunch: Tuna Melts with Tomato
Dinner: Homemade Pizza

Saturday (Corn)
Breakfast: Blueberry Pancakes with Sausage
Lunch: Corn Dog Muffins with Veggie Sticks
Dinner: Cheese Burgers, Ranch Fries and Corn on the Cob

Sunday (Wheat)
Breakfast: Cinnamon Wheat Toast and Banana
Lunch: Left Overs
Dinner: Spaghetti with Italian Sausage, Garlic Bread and Garden Salad

Don't forget to head on over to I'm an Organizing Junkie for even more menu planning inspiration.

The Desire to Grind My Own Grains and a Giveaway!

We have been on a path to eating better for some time now. Those of you that know me know that I love to prepare healthy and frugal meals and snacks for my family. Over the years I have rid our diet of premade and processed food. Most of what we eat I make. One area that had always interested me has been to grind my own grains. There is such a health benefit to grinding your own grains, and it is also a frugal way to get the best for your family. The caveat: Grain Mill are EXPENSIVE. I always have my eye open for a great deal on one, but it just hasn't panned out yet. But maybe, just maybe now is the time. Laura over at Heavenly Homemakers is hosting an AMAZING giveaway! A brand new Nutrimill from Paula's Bread! Oh I am already dreaming about fresh ground wheat, corn, kamut . . . and all the yummy baked goods that go with it.
So if you'd like a chance to win head on over to Heavenly Homemakers and sign up. And don't forget who sent you.

(this moment)

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Amanda, aka Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

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In gratitude this week for:

• Irene passing by my family and home, yet we are praying for great destruction around us


• A joyful 4 year old, giggle, smiles, kisses and all


• A highschooler who is dedicated to both school and family


• The one in the middle who keeps us all on our toes

Wishing you all a glorious weekend!

Yarn Along

Joining Ginny in her weekly Yarn Along. In her words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a single photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

I'm back to reading Simplicity Parenting. You know what they say about old dogs and new tricks. Well I think I may fall into the camp of an old dog when it comes to truly simplifying. Slowly, so slowly we are working on this and seeing benefits. This time I will persevere.

As for knitting I didn't get much done on Rebekah's sweater, only half of the first sleeve. However progress is progress and it is still a little warm for a sweater. I did, however, start and finish another Capucine. This one is headed across the ocean.

Hopefully I will be able to get more done on the little sweater this week. I have a list of Christmas gifts that need to get on the needles lest they wont be finished in time. Why is it that time seem to move so fast anymore. See I really do need to simplify.

Don't forget to stop by the Yarn Along over at Small Things. Of course beware, visiting all the lovely participants is probably where my knitting time disappeared to.

In the kitchen

While we have been busy putting up food for the long New England winter months, we have also been enjoying the bounty of fresh fruits and veggies at meal times as well. A platter of cucumbers, peppers, carrots, celery, pita bread and garlic hummus is the perfect lunch.

The bounty of zucchini has been made into this incredible chocolate zucchini cake as well as this potato & zucchini torte. The chocolate cake was a huge hit with everyone. And that is saying a lot considering we really aren't a cake family. As for the potato torte, I substituted zucchini for the summer yellow squash and thought it worked wonderfully. Most of us loved this, but our picky one didn't. No surprise there. Next time I will make it in my cast iron skillet. I think the bottom will brown nicely if done that way.

Blackberries have found their way into pancakes, yogurt and of course just a handful at a time into the mouth! Sarah has been making these muffins. They are fabulous!. She sprinkles the tops with a little cinnamon sugar before baking. Yummy!

We were blessed to be given about 12 pounds of peaches from a friend. The picked their tree clean before Irene rolled into town. Let me tell you these are the best peaches ever. The juice runs down your chin with every bite. We have been eating them with every meal. I was able to sneak a few to turn into a delicious peach cobbler/crisp desert. Yummy!

What's happening in your kitchen now? I'd love to hear.