And THAT'S A Week....

 Yes, I do believe this feels like fall. 

Stacia and I haven't made it out in 3 weeks for Bible study. We left the house at 0700 and drove to the top of the mountain...we covered a lot of Matthew...and will catch the rest up next week.  Millie's mealtime training paid off today at study time...she curled up and pouted rather than trying to jump into the front seat. LOL 

Stacia hit the books when we got home. Michael and Alex left for their study. I managed to get 50 minutes in on the elliptical.   I also got today's #everybitcountschallenge done... Day 20 - 8 trays of dried apples.  They were disappearing faster than I could get them off the tray and into a storage container. 

Michael and Alex got home. I left the girls working on school and headed over to spend time with Bella and Annie. It was fun - and I didn't take a single photo! The boys went for immunizations. 

I raced home thinking we had just enough time for our lit discussion before CyRi showed up for dinner. The girls discovered their FRIDAY assignment was to write an essay about Beowulf. In future weeks we'll be sure to look ahead and see if an essay will be required.  We skipped discussion time as Michael was talking through edits with the girls.  Our plan is to discuss Friday's lit over the weekend. 

CyRi showed up and we caught up...and talked logistics for the upcoming week. Guests have begun arriving. The wedding is close.  After dinner they headed home. Carrie has to work tomorrow. 

We had a rare lightening, thunder, RAIN storm during dinner. We were rewarded with a beautiful rainbow. I caught 1/2 of it. 

Stacia began work on her second wedding cake. Carrie wants a "naked cake;" decorating will be a piece of cake, so to speak. We'll also make cupcakes for the reception.  Allie has become Stacia's baking assistant...I think they like to visit, sing and dance as much as bake. 

The yard is greening up nicely. I love the way the sun hits the mountains (or trees) as it sets...in a week Josiah and Carrie will be getting married right in this spot. It's going to be an exciting week. They are predicting 60% chance of rain. We're praying for a clear patch and planning to have fun with umbrellas if we don't get it. LOL 

I am THANKFUL it's FRIDAY! This may not have been the best week to go to a full school schedule. We usually DO wait until after Stacia's birthday, but next week will be even busier than THIS week and I AM happy to see all the progress the girls made this week. It feels GREAT to have the week behind us....in the end starting was probably the best plan...if we have to take a slower pace next week on school, we're still making good progress....it's a marathon, not a sprint...the key is to keep moving forward. 

Tea & Lit...and all the things

 

WAIT! 

We  planned to meet at the  tea table daily....to touch base with one another and check in on school....but school is taking SO long....An idea is born! Brit Lit discussion will be much deeper and EASIER if we can do it daily....why don't we couple it with tea?  We tried it - Tea and Lit. It works.  It took some planning, but it worked...we're figuring out the schedule. 

I enjoyed reading Beowulf. Going through the guided discussion questions from Sonlight with the girls is making the experience even more enjoyable.  I love this line...it so clearly describes how Christ calls us to live - though that may not have been the point of the author. LOL 

Before Tea & Lit I spent a lovely couple of hours with a friend. She is right, my love language is quality time and she filled my depleted tank. 

I got home just in time to grab dad and race him to physical therapy. He thought it funny Michael had to put a gal of gas in my tank from the garage to get us there. 

The weather was clear again today - what a BLESSING -  we missed the mowing window yesterday. I wasn't able to help with the perimeter mowing  as I was discussing lit with the girls....but it looks great. 

And about that pairing of tea with lit - genius. I HAVE to have the discussion with the girls, it's part of work expectations if you will. It enhances their study and helps prepare them for the AP test. It needs to happen.  There is NEVER time to just sit and relax in the middle of the afternoon....but THIS took the guilt away from sipping tea while Michael toiled at yard work....and we all got done what we HAD to get done.  PLUS I love the bit of connection and that will motivate me to do lit on days when I'd rather be done with the whole school scene. LOL 

We got dinner on the table...look at Millie. Stacia has been working  hard the past couple of weeks to train Millie to stay on her bed while we eat dinner. Tonight, she didn't even have to say a thing throughout dinner. She did give Millie a few "mommy looks." 

Everyone is tired as the week nears a completion. 

Full time college and 60 hour work weeks can wear a guy down. Nolan finished another course and began one on finances for managers. 

Grandpa went to bed at 8. The girls headed for bed EARLY. Nolan was clearly sleeping. Alex is gaming in his spare time. Michael went out to finish some chores in the garage. 

I processed a few things from the #everybitcountschallenge.  Day 19 -   I dried 4 more trays of kale. It turned into another 1/2 gal of processed kale. I have a few more plants in the garden but the majority of the kale is processed.  I made strawberry apple fruit leather - 4 trays full. I used some of the organic strawberries from co-op and my previously canned applesauce...a no sugar "added" treat.  I had some brine left over from pickling. I've been putting  stray cucumbers in the brine as I wait for a big enough harvest to make more pickles. They tasted pretty good. I had one tray left and wondered if I could make a dill-pickle-chip-like snack. NO - not a good idea. WOW...they are CONCENTRATED and not very good at all. I may play with it a bit. After all I've made kale chips about 20x in the last 10 years before I found a way I like them. LOL 

When I finished putzing with the dehydrator I went to find Michael. I mentioned I had hoped for a campfire but everyone had gone to bed. ::snort:: He said to meet him at the fire ring...where we sat and enjoyed one another's company until 11:30 p.m. ...and hardly missed our young adults or Grandpa at all. 

*dehydrator note...the cucumbers actually have promise after they cooled and crisped. A bit spicy but I can adjust that. The fruit leather, unfortunately, is more like fruit chips...but they'll still eat. LOL  The instructions said to dry until they were "no longer sticky"....and they never reached that stage. I cooled them and they're pretty crisp. I like recipes that give clear time guidelines. LOL 

Packed Wednesday

These first weeks of school can be disorienting for student and teacher...and it seems doubly so for homeschooling families which contain both. ::snort:: 

I hadn't thought through how full the days would be with SCHOOL when I made plans and appointments for this week...oy vey! 

Today, Michael had an appointment in Anchorage. That isn't a big deal except that it means he wasn't available around here....and I'm not operating from my A game this week. LOL 

The girls were down in the basement working, working, working - and I'm not about to interfere with THAT for my convenience. ::snort:: I can handle grandkids alone. 

I set out to entertain Benny and Danny...without  cool Aunties/Uncles or Papa assistance.  CoRielle were off for much needed couple time. I was thrilled to watch the boys. I quickly discovered Danny presents new challenges now that he's MOBILE. I could NOT figure out how to get the gate set up working that Michael had created...and thus the fact that he was gone figures into the day. LOL  Eventually the girls came UPSTAIRS to work on Financial Freedom and the boys were thrilled to see them. LOL  I actually left Danny to be passed between them (because you know that's safer than crawling off the landing of stairs) and Benny helped me with some "chores." 

📷 by Allie 

We made sugar free cookies. I may have discovered it is not wise to pig out on sugar free cookies. Ugh. I think I'm going to have a 2 cookie limit from here on out. 

This is the best little Kale processing assistant in the state.  We ran out and harvested a tub full of kale. Yes, STILL with the Kale. I cut production by 50% but I'm nearly convinced I'm getting just as much as last year. 

You say you want ANOTHER photo of me???? Danny at 9 months. 

📷 by Allie 

Around the same time CoRielle were expected...Bre and kids showed up. They missed out on Stacia's birthday and had asked to take her and Allie to Krispie Kreme to celebrate instead.  I've STILL not made it over there....maybe in September. At this point I have an upcoming A1C and I'm not about to have a doughnut. ::snort:: Note we usually don't start school until the week AFTER Stacia's birthday and I'd just not thought the week through very well at all. 

📷 by BreAnne

Day 18 of the #everybitcountschallenge....8 trays of kale chips - which translated to another 1 1/2 gal of kale chips.  There was a bit of kale which didn't fit into the dehydrator and so I'll do more of that for tomorrow. 

I had started a roast early in the morning....good call, me. I roasted veggies,  sliced fruit and set it all on the table with time to eat and make it to the church for youth group and Women's Bible study. 

Pastor and I had agreed to have youth and women both end at 8 p.m. I was EXCITED when we finished on time....and I was happy to visit for a bit while the kids finished up their rousing Back 2 School Olympics.  Here's a photo of the team with most gold.....The teams were randomly chosen - I was glad both girls were on the winning team. LOL 

Brittany, Stacia, Pastor Shannon, Josiah, Allie 

We are now fully into our fall schedule - and  THIS happened.... Do you know what this IS? 

📷 via Facebook feed

Yes - THIS is termination dust on our mountain....the Fireweed is almost ready to go to seed - but not quite....so while it's not a HARD FALL....termination dust does indicate a change in seasons. It also gives us fair warning it's time to wrap up projects and prepare for winter.  Here's a fun youtube song about termination dust....and the feelings are accurate. LOL 

Endless School

 There was box day...and then we had a "rolling start"... and Monday we added in the AP courses and Science. Just like that we've gone from a relaxed pace to  school from 7:00 a.m. - 4 p.m.  pace.  We have entered the "endless school" phase of the year. 

Seriously, the first couple of weeks are hard as we establish new routines, get familiar with new topics and courses, both girls are taking several online classes (each with their own set of requirements to learn)...and the AP courses are requiring daily discussions with "teacher" - that would be me.  Within a month we'll have routines down that will work well for THIS school year, the expectations in each course will be old hat and I bet we shave an hour off the day. We'll see. 

Nonetheless - EVERYONE has been posting "First Day of School" photos and it seems I was remiss not to post a first day of school picture on Monday when we went "full bore." 

First Day of School 2021/22

It looks like some odd monkish commune around here. ::snort:: Not to worry that we're stressed - we're simply nose-to-the-grindstone-focused. I have to remember they may not be available to help with projects...and they can't run out to play with grands, or see something cool in the garden...at least not this week. LOL Believe it or not THIS is a class discussion....Millie is opinionated about Beowulf! 

No, life isn't all about academics and we don't school simply for the academics...but then again if one IS going to homeschool academics do need to be a priority...and so we are working back into a balance that will work well for this year. It's a familiar dance...thus begins my 33rd year of homeschooling; and this year I have grands schooling too - but that will be another post.  Both girls are doing well with the pace. 

Tuesday's Garden

 Tuesday.....the boys have work. The girls have school - their work. Michael worked on storage solutions in the garage. I puttered in the garden and took Dad to Physical Therapy. 

We have cherries. The Rainier are sweet. The Meteor are tart.  I  will pick them soon.  We don't even have any apple or plum blossoms and the peach trees died! 

For today's #everybitcountschallenge  I pulled Kale. 

I dried it all and ended up with 2 gallons of dried kale and 1/2 a gallon of dried kale chips. 

What am I going to do with dried kale? I'm not 100% sure but we weren't that thrilled with frozen kale. I rehydrated a piece and it tastes like kale. I can rehydrate and use it in breakfast scrambles. I can munch on it. I can crumble it like an herb which I can throw into EVERYTHING....the last couple of mornings I mixed a handful into Grandpa's avocado toast. LOL 

I put a brown layer on top of the green layer in the bed I'm building up. I've begun putting more green into it. Many of our kitchen scraps we would compost go to the animals. 

Yes, that really is IT for the day. LOL  School and projects have taken over. LOL 

Stacia Turned 16 Today - WHUT?

 Stacia turned 16 on the 16th! That hardly seems possible! But there you have it! Our baby is 16. 

When we began to talk to select a date to celebrate August's birthdays (Stacia's) and family get together we realized,  CyRi was going to be out of town Stacia's birthday week,  the week before and the week of the wedding were full, and BreZaak had company the first weekend. Stacia opted not to have a big family dinner. CyRi's wedding will check the family celebration box quite well.  We planned to go out for a birthday dinner at the location of her choice and then do gifts and cake here at home. 

As we began to execute the plan, various ones called to see what we were doing and ask to join us...turned out to be great fun at Sakura Sushis - a wonderful Japanese restaurant in the Valley. 

Danny thinks yakisoba is o.k. 

GG, Benny and Nolan, Alex, Michael, Allie, Stacia, Jamin 
Luke, Krista, Arielle, Danny, Benny

Sixteen - in the blink of an eye 

Benny was the official birthday helper. Weather help was needed with candles, clothing or gift transporting - he was johnny on the spot. 

Stacia got lovely gifts...lots of cake decorating tools, work out clothes, painting/crafting supplies, runners backpack, laptop (WHUT Alex has upped his gift giving game) and this fantastic survival kit...

The wearable blanket she purchased for Allie's birthday was such a hit, Allie got her one for her birthday. LOL It looks like some odd order of monks around here. LOL 

Happy Birthday sweet girl. You truly bless us all - we couldn't think of a better caboose to this crazy family train. 

Yard WORK - A Family Endeavor

When  CoRielle brought the girls home for berry picking, they and Jamin stayed to help with the fun we were having!  Jamin eventually went to show a house; CoRielle stayed for dinner. It turned into a fun and productive day for all. Compromises are fun...I'm still hoping for another berry picking trip. 

Michael and Alex were clearing brush and trimming the limbs from the bottom of the trees they planned to fell - all dead from spruce beetles. 

Grandpa was enjoying time in the sun. 

I had begun harvesting the garden. My hope is to make way for some of the slower growing plants to thrive. It's a race to see if the beets and beans will produce. I planned to turn one of the current beds into a lasagna bed...My no-dig lasagna beds are producing much more food than the traditional raised beds. This raised bed was about 1/3 full of dirt and so I'm filling it with layers of green and brown compost and giving it a better chance at production next year.  I had cleared it and harvested cabbage (lots of leaves for the lasagna bed) when the crew showed up. 

I weeded around the beds and discovered lots of slugs hiding in the chickweed preparing to broach the walls of the beds. Dastardly pests. Benny arrived in time to happily  help spread Epsom salt around beds and plants. 

Alex dragging brush to the woods behind the garden. Michael plans a big bonfire when the snow comes. 

Yes, I DID seem to grow a lot of the garden for the chickens and rabbit. This cabbage DID have lots of slugs...seemed fair to let the girls enjoy it...which will produce wonderful eggs for us. 

Michael is a great grandpa. He took the time to fashion a little bunch of brush Benny could drag just like Uncle Axe. 

It's hard work. 

Some of the tree felling/clearing crew...

Alex, Stacia, Allie, Michael 

I feel  this is not safe...Michael is trying to convince me it's normal. He stepped back, lost his balance and fell, and turned the chain saw off when he landed. I, of course, kept taking photos while helpfully yelling, "Turn the saw off! Are you ok?" Yes, we have had plenty of talks about buying chaps and such...what's a wife to do? There was lots of laughter. Sometimes its best to simply laugh. 

Michael and Alex 

Jamin 

It's like he deliberately made a spot for this little one....

Benny discovered tree sap - and was not impressed - at all. 

I pulled vines and brought them to Dad. He harvested the peas for us and then took the vines to the chickens. 

Benny was impressed with the sprinkler INSIDE the greenhouse. To his left are cucumbers, to his right the new lasagna bed. He is getting "rained" on and LOVES it. 

Today's harvest included cabbage, chard, broccoli, cucumbers, radishes and KALE. 

After I sent things home with CoRielle I still had lots of kale left. I planted 1/2 the plants I planted last year. I thought about it and decided to try drying kale. I dried 7 trays. We'll see how it turns out.  This is todays contribution to the #everybitcountschallenge.

We were so very thankful to our kids here at home, and Jamin and CoRielle for their help today! We still are NOT going to get all our home projects done - but we're making progress. 

*Note - the kale is great. I was able to reconstitute it and it tastes like fresh kale. I threw some crumbled kale into Grandpa's avocado toast and he didn't notice it. I think it will be great to use for breakfast scrambles, soups and maybe I can sneak it into smoothies too. It's much less offensives when dried and crumbled. LOL