Hello, FRIDAY!

 Some weeks Friday is more eagerly welcomed than others. This week I celebrated surviving the past week. 

Stacia and I woke this morning glad we had combined girls' study this week.  I was also happy not to have my 0530 zoom meeting this week.  She finished her school week. Allie did some research on a project. The big appointment still left on the calendar for today was Millie's trip to a new groomer. She has always gone to one recommended to us by a couple of folks. She has not liked it. She plants her rump on the ground when we walk in, and we have to drag her to the back. They always shave her VERY close. The cheapest it has ever cost was $95 and most often $125.  We've been trying for over 6 months to get into another groomer we wanted to try. They book 3 months out. Millie needs to be trimmed more often than 3 months. I love her long hair; the matts are not fun at all for her or us. 

We were amazed at the change in Millie's attitude when we went into the new groomer. She ran to greet and sniff the groomers, then came back to us and sat, then ran up to greet them again....no frenzied barking.  One of their gals came in and saw Millie and begged to groom her. She has a doodle too. Millie went right back with her. They tried to leave some length, but it's been months and we knew she'd need to be shaved. Even there they used a 7 on most of her...the other place goes significantly shorter. 

When we picked her up, she was happy. It only cost $80...significantly cheaper. Unfortunately, they are booking 3 months out. We went ahead and booked her 6 weeks out just for a good wash and blow out...and then 3 months for a cut...they'll put her on the wait list and hope that she can get in at 8 weeks. 

Nolan came and picked the girls up to spend the night with him. They'll come back tomorrow for our monthly family celebration. 

I made another 3 dozen deviled eggs as the 2 doz I had put aside for tomorrow were GONE by lunch today. I have found a way to prep eggs they must like. 

Michael and Alex discussed 1 Sam 25 at lunch. 

These are the last flowers of the year.... I am happy with the flowers which grew. Unfortunately, I did not dig the Dahlias before the frost. It isn't supposed to be frosting yet. LOL I'll have to start from seeds again next year.... I'll start them earlier.  I think I'll try some dinner plate sized ones, as well. 

Productive Fall Day

I started meatballs early this a.m. I wasn't sure what else I would make for Life Group this evening but that was started. 

I also got the second box of potatoes laid out and curing before we left the house. We tried the Ruth Stout method with the potatoes. We planted late; we harvested after the first two frosts. It was cold digging them out...but y'all we got way more than we expected. These were all starts from a co-op order that got away from me.... which means they are all organic and free...the purple ones are purple all the way through. 

When I'm out of the house early every morning, it means Michael needs to be up and functioning early in the morning with GG. Quite often Michael has a hard time sleeping. He DID get a referral to the neurologist and we're hoping some meds adjustments are going to relieve a few current issues.  In an effort to lighten the load for Michael, (and slow the pace for me) the girls and I decided to combine for this last week of our Genesis study. That means we won't have to leave the house Friday morning until 10:00 a.m. I'll be able to get Dad up, showered, breakfast and start his laundry before leaving. We headed to our favorite cafe for our last study. Our waitress is always curious what we are studying and asked about the next one. We may have to invite her to join us for a study. LOL 

Genesis? Yep. I told the ladies these aren't going to be the Sunday School version of the stories...and it wasn't. Today, the girls remarked this is not the veggie tale version of the stories. True. LOL 

We left the cafe for the hair salon. I had a haircut yesterday; the girls were due today. 

Next up was a trip to the salon for eyebrow waxing. I joked we should have scheduled mani/pedi...but alas, we didn't. 

Sitting by the fire with a book is a plus of getting brows done HERE rather than Walmart. LOL

The girls scattered at home. Allie to take her last test for her first two college classes. Stacia to work on school. 

I made an ice cream cake for Saturday's family dinner. 

I air fried salmon fillets. 

I cut up peppers, sealed them and put them in the freezer. 

I cut up celery, sealed them sealed and put them in the freezer. 

I baked 5 dozen cookies - for life group and family dinner on Saturday. 

I made deviled eggs - for life group and home. 

Stacia finished Little Buddy's cake for Saturday. 

Prettier without the name blocked out. LOL

At some point in the day Alex returned home with the news he had received a $1.75 raise. He was also invited out with a group of co-workers tonight. We have gotten lax about planning one of the boys to be home for GG. They are always here. Nolan is house sitting. Stacia is staying home as she is still coughing, but GG doesn't behave when he is home alone with her. We are NOT going to ask Alex not to go out with friends...he spends most his time alone. SO....I stayed home rather than going to life group. Michael and Allie took all the food and left for the gathering. 

Stacia and I finished season 33 of The Amazing Race. 

Halfway Through THIS Week

 Shew - Wednesday! This week...I have to find a way to slow down the second week of the month. 

The day began with a hair cut - she was a tad bit late and left me racing to make it to Bre's, without time to stop for a hot caffeinated drink. LOL 

These four keep me too busy to take many pictures, but Bre sent this one when they saw the first snowflakes on Monday. 

Jojo (11 months), Gideon (5), Annie (3), Bella (6)
📷by BreAnne

I began the day by getting the kids a bit of brunch. I got the food much more to their liking this time, but it's hard to mess up Ramin. Bella, DID request I add some banana peper and pepper juice to hers. 

Next up we played Candyland and Shark Chase....and before we knew it Bre was home. 

I got home and Allie needed to run across to the next town for a work mandated drug test, she had a few other errands we took the time to finish before we came home.

Michael was moving down the "the do" list outside when I got home. Stacia was watching GG. I got GG some lunch and then went out and helped Michael with the potatoes. I did not take pictures. 

I cleaned up while Michael finished and then Allie and I ran to church. She to her youth group lead gig and me to women's Bible study. 

Halfway through the week! 

Go, Stacia!

Have I shared much from Women's Conference and the words God spoke to Stacia, Allie and me? Probably not. 

Stacia has been joking about all the college things coming her way, and promptly throwing out the invites. However, after conference, her trajectory has been adjusted and now she realizes college is in her future. 

I got home to find her and a pile of mail. Seems she got a keychain, two letters and a booklet from the UA system. 

"Yeah, I'm sure it's another form letter come on, but this time they sent a keychain." 

The letters said she has been selected as a UA Scholar. She has earned a $12,000 scholarship to any of the colleges in the UA system.  

She insisted again it was a come on. I told her we've graduated four seniors in Alaska and never received this before. 

The thing convincing her it was a come on is it said she is in the top 10% of her Junior class. 

"How would they even know or compare that?" 

Um...must be you're in the top at IDEA/Galena School district? 

I think it's doubtful she'll find a program at UA - but she's much more interested in the mail now that she knows it may contain financial benefits. LOL 

Tuesday Morning with the Boys

 The boys were not impressed with the snow. It meant cold. Too cold to go for a walk or play outside. The little boys quickly adjusted. Danny ran for the game closet when he saw me walk in the door this morning. 

Try as I might, I could not get across the idea of picking ONE duck out at a time. The object of the game seems to be Bachan placing all the ducks in the pond and Little Guy and Danny knocking them all out as quickly as possibly. It's a fun game. 

Next up with the ole' jump off the dinosaurs back onto Benny's bed game. I loved how they were so quick to help each other jump. ::snort:: 

I left watching the boys to put in four hours at the food co-op where I am a member. We sorted and delivered loads of organic food and produce...

Back at home I was beat and I think I went to bed fairly quickly. NO, first there was dinner and an episode of the Amazing Race. Do NOT spoil this for us. We are in Season 33 and love watching Penn and Kim Holderness of The Holderness Family compete. 

Working in the Kitchen

 Monday found these two guys, some of my favorite, working in my kitchen. The gas thing was an easy fix and then it was all hooked up and ready to go. 

All six burners work! 

This is going to be a crazy week. I have something EVERY morning for the next 7 days, and a few nights too. BUT I am going to do my best to get some projects done around here too.

The carrots DID survive the moose.  Blanching and packaging carrots is a great first project for the new stove. 

First of five or six sink fulls - Real food comes dirty. 

The vacuum sealer is nice. 

We got 12 bags in the freezer, 5 lbs in the fridge, and all the carrots we've needed for the past couple of months.  The chickens weren't that excited for carrots but DASH (rabbit) loves them. 

FIRST Snow 2022

 I was driving with Allie and we noted a few flakes between here and town. Stacia was a bit bummed everyone was checking in from Eagle River with reports of snow and we didn't have any. I told her it was coming. Sure enough...First snow - Oct 10th!

It just a dusting and it should be gone by tomorrow morning....but it's snow. 

Look how big our two little evergreens are getting. 

More significant than the snow is that this is the first good frost....and it's sure to continue.