Set Loose in the Candy Isle

The children each received $5 for Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa so yesterday we went to the city to help them spend it, and for us to catch some of the great Boxing Week sales. The boys have been saving a while to buy some Club Penguin cards, so our first stop was Toys 'R Us. Unfortunately, they were sold out.

Shannon wanted to buy some M&M's, so we headed off to the Bulk Barn. We spent great family time in the candy isle. Here is what we all chose. I'm sure there is some great psychiatric evaluation that can be made here (or at least a new Facebook Quiz).

Mark

• 37 rosebuds (not nearly as good as they were when he was young)

Tanya

• 6 pieces of dark chocolate covered ginger (will DEFINITELY be going back for more!)

Shannon

• 5 gummy rockets
• 2 gummy worms
  
• 6 gummy bears (large)
• 7 chocolate dollars
• 16 M&M's (plain)
• 10 Hershey kisses (plain)
• 3 peanut butter cups

(Just a LITTLE bit of everything!)

After much debate amongst themselves the boys decided that they too would buy some candy with their pooled money. (They aren't sure how much they need for the Club Penguin cards.)

Their purchases:

Devin

• 37 sour keys (regular)

Brent

• 1 roll of rockets

Now we could do an evaluation as to how quickly it gets eaten. God certainly included much variety in His creation!

Present Time!!!!!

We opened our gifts last night. Guess what the THREE boys got !!!!!! (Devin, Brent, AND Mark)


Let the fun begin!!!!!

In Thanks for Grandparents (Again)

Friday night Mark and I took a 24 hour holiday and left the kids with my parents. My brother Carl and his wife had come down for the weekend, so they also got to join in on the care giving. While away, we did some shopping and debated buying a gingerbread house kit to make with the children when we got home. For various reasons we decided against it. When we got home, here's what we saw....

and here is what we missed...

The kids practice their decorating skills while Aunt Amy practices her engineering.


Thanks Mom!!!! Can always count on you to fill in the gaps!

'Tis the Season

This one is for you Anjo!

CLICK HERE for a great version of The Hallelujah Chorus.

Well, You're Either Going to LOVE Me Or...

wish you had never read this post.

I was reading through a home school mom's chat room the other day and came across the following amazing recipe.

A must have for any mom that stays at home all day, every day, with all her children, does the laundry, cleans the house, cooks the meals, all while trying to teach them the principles of lowest common denominators, past participles, and electronic magnetism.

Or if you just like having a unique snack to make with the kids (or that the kids can make).

Or if you just like the idea of having chocolate cake in three minutes.

Yes, THREE MINUTE CHOCOLATE CAKE !!

Here's what you do:

Get the biggest mug you have.
Mix in the mug:
3 Tablespoons Flour
3 Tablespoons Sugar
2 Tablespoons Cocoa

In a separate bowl mix together:
1 egg
3 Tablespoons Milk
3 Tablespoons Oil
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla

Add to the mug and mix well.

Optional: Add 3 Tablespoons of Chocolate Chips. I still haven't found out exactly how to keep them from sinking to the bottom...maybe next time I'll try just letting them sit on top.

Put the mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on HIGH.

For your viewing pleasure, the cake begins to rise; right out of the mug; quite a bit actually. But don't be alarmed, it doesn't burst, and neatly settles back into the mug when finished.

ENJOY!!!!

We Remember...

Tooper Brian Good sacrificed his life, January 7, 2009 in Afghanistan, age 42.

I worked with Brian, (a number of years ago) at Erb Transport. Although we hadn't kept in touch, I immediately recognized his face on the evening news reporting his death. Thank you Brian, for your contribution to our freedom.

Warrant Officer Dennis Brown sacrificed his life March 3, 2009 in Afghanistan, age 38.

Dennis was in the same unit as my cousin's son, AJ. Seeing photos of a family member standing at attention as his comrade in arms drove by in a flag covered coffin brought the sacrifice to a whole new level.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn,

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Private Andrew James Langendoen (my cousin's son) currently serving in the reserves.

AJ is currently attending Niagara College working on his International Business diploma. He has thoughts of attending university afterward. He also may apply for a tour of duty when he graduates or possibly go on to Officer’s Training. THANK YOU AJ (and family) for your willingness to serve wherever, however and whenever God sees fit.

Click here for a video tribute to the fallen.

(sorry about all the different fonts...can't seem to get them to change...technology...ughhhhhh)

Thanksgiving Photos

Confession Time

A Few More Pictures

I couldn't resist posting a few more pictures of the boys at Upper Canada Village. These were taken by one of the chaperones.

Devin at the blacksmith shop. They both made a lovely wrought iron candle holder (oh, I should post a picture of that too...another day)



Brent at school.


Devin and his friend Zac at the tinsmith, where they each made a wall sconce. What a great experience for them. They still keep coming up with stories.


And just a neat shot of them walking down the road at the end of the day.

On the Cover of Rolling Stone (well, almost)

Look what came in our mailbox!!!! and that of all the other fine residents of North Dundas Township!
Omoe and Opa took the children to a pumpkin decorating day at the Farmer's Market in Chesterville last fall and this photo was taken. It appeared in the local paper a few weeks later, and with no announcement, ended up as the cover to the fall activities directory just recently. Imagine the excitement when they came in with the mail that day!!!!
Please call ahead for autograph sessions.

Back in Time

The boys had the privilege of joining a group that spent forty-eight hours at Upper Canada Village. They dressed in period costume, ate period food, did barn chores, went to school and apprenticed at the tinsmith and blacksmith. Needless to say, they had a BLAST!! Here are a few shots my mom took as she followed them around the village one day.

Devin is finishing up on his slate, while Brent and their friend Zach wait for their recitation time.
Here they are learning a dance for the full moon festival. I think Brent is more pleased with his partner than Devin ;-)

Brent and one of the chaperones taking a little break.

How I Spent My Summer: Part Three

AND since the boys were both doing something, of course Shannon wanted to play too. Fortunately for our gas bill, her soccer team played at the same time, and in the same park as Devin's home games. So I could just drop Devin off at the diamond for his warm up at 6:00pm, watch Shannon play soccer from 6-7 and go back to watch the end of Devin's game until 8:00pm.
Shannon just loved it! She listened very intently to her coach, ran with all her might, and of course was thrilled to be able to get her very own soccer shirt!

How I Spent My Summer: Part Two

And since Brent was signed up for soccer, we had to find something for Devin to do, since he's our
child that can't sit still and is happiest with some kind of sport equipment in his hand. This summer would be his first try at a baseball bat.
As expected it was a natural fit. He had amazing coaches that did their best to teach them all the crazy in's and out's of the game. Devin settled nicely into his role as first baseman,

and pitcher.

His age group is the first where they boys pitch themselves so to eliminate a night of walking around the bases, they have a rule that after 4 balls, instead of walking, you get to hit off the tee. A great rule that keeps the fielders in play!

How I Spent My Summer: Part One

Back in the spring Brent asked if he could play soccer this summer. Brent. My son who since the day he could walk was not fond of going outside. In fact, I remember many a time, when I would tell him he had to go out for at least 15 minutes. After making sure I set the timer, he would sit right by the front door and cry, until he heard the timer go. So, of course when he asked to play, I seriously considered that maybe this summer we should try to meet that request. BUT, I also have 2 other children, which would mean 3 activities, quite possibly 3 nights out, or more.

After making some phone calls, and consulting schedules, I was able to make it work. Brent played soccer every Thursday night. In the pouring rain and in the freezing cold. My winter jacket, gloves and umbrella were always in the van.

Yes, there were a few nice nights, and one of my good friends also sat on the sidelines watching her son so I always had someone to chat with, so it was a good time had by all.

Brent displayed a great sense of teamwork. He was always quick to pass away the ball when approaching the net, and was always the first to offer a high five when they scored a goal. Which, they did a lot of. His team won every game they played.


But, at the end of the year, it was all about getting a medal to add to his collection.

It's Almost Salsa Time!

Many people over the past year have asked me for my salsa recipe. It actually started as my sister-in-law's recipe. I've just tweaked it a little, and tried to 'volumize' the measurements...3 cups instead of 6 medium peppers etc.

Here's what I use:

Tomatoes: 3L
Green Peppers: 1.5 cups (1-2 large)
Garlic: 0.5 heads
Onion: 2.75 cups (2 large)
Jalepeno (Whole): 3 medium
Pickling Salt: 1.5 Tbsp
Vinegar: 0.5 cups
Pepper: 0.5 tsp
Sugar: 6 Tbsp
Cumin: 1 tsp

Here's what I do:

I like to use plum tomatoes because they have less juice and thinner skins. I get them from the farmers market at the corner of Mer Blu and Navan Road. 1 bushes of tomatoes is about 20L.

I wash them, cut the bigger ones in half and throw them into my food processor.

Because I'm not a big fan of super chunky salsa, and am a huge fan of doing things as quickly and easily as possible, I throw all the other veggies in the processor as well. Here are the peppers, not beautiful and uniform, but works for me!

Tea lights seem to help keep the onion juice from my eyes. Oh! and make sure you use gloves if you decide to cut the jalapenos by hand!!!!!

In the pot and ready to boil.

I don't really know how long I boil it. Until everything looks cooked I guess. I don't have the patience to boil off all the liquid, so I usually just scoop the juice of the top. Sometimes I'll throw the juice in a jar to preserve by itself. Makes a tasty sauce to throw over a roast in the crock pot.

Make sure you use a good pan, and/or stir often to avoid it sticking to the bottom and burning.


My canning method is NOT recommended by any of the canning companies, but I know many ladies with many more years of experience who do it this way, and I haven't killed anyone yet, so here's what I do (follow instructions at your own risk).

Wash jars in dishwasher, pop into oven at about 250F, for at least 20 minutes to sterilize. Heat lids in water as per instructions on box. Pour boiling salsa, into hot jar, top with hot lid, and screw on the ring thingy. Set on a towel. Check that it 'popped' before storing. Tada. Done!

Enjoy!

Mornings at Mishewa

We had another GREAT week at Camp Mishewa. This year we especially enjoyed our site right on the water...words can't describe...pictures come close. Here's Mark enjoying a morning coffee; and the moon at night...

An Update on Our Feathered Friends

The baby robins have grown significantly. I snapped this shot May 23.

Ummm, Mom, can I get my own room?!?!

You may remember from one of my previous posts that there was some question as to whether or not a Baltimore Oriole had taken up residence on our property. Today we found the answer.

Isn't amazing how they are able to make their nest hang?!? Good thing we didn't cut down this poplar like we had planned this spring. But it really isn't in a spot where it can grow forever...

As I was typing this post I thought I'd go and take a quick snap of our robin's nest. I hadn't witnessed any feeding times lately, but still frequently saw the robin flying out of the nest as I approached. Well, guess what I found...

No rest for Mamma Robin!!!

And! As we were sitting on the front deck enjoying a tea, I noticed two sparrows approaching a bush in front of me, with worms in their mouths. Devin was pacing, and every time he got close to the bush they would fly away. As he walked away, they would cautiously approach, but never enter the bush. Finally, I asked him to sit for a bit, and sure enough, they quickly dashed into the bush and left, "sans worms." Shannon and I took a quick peak and discovered yet more hungry mouths.


So fun!

And for those of you who also use blogger...do all your pictures land at the top of your post when you upload them, and then you tediously have to drag them to where you want them? or am I doing something wrong?

Today's Class - Construction 101

I always try to schedule our year so that most of the 'book work' gets done by the end of May. This year we have a few grammar lessons left, but for the most part the books have been packed away. Unless of course THIS is the summer that I actually get a program in place whereby the boys have to trade 'book time' for 'screen time.' Here's hoping!

But for today, it was practical learning...construction. Mark's dream of a shop is finally starting to materialize and it was 'all hands on deck!'

We were blessed with having 3 very capable bodies in my brother Anjo, Mark's nephew Stevin ( a general contractor...for hire...e-mail me if you too need a very capable construction guy) and Steve's apprentice, Reuben.

AND of course we had our 3 trainees:

Brent learned how to run a drill.


Devin learned how to use a trowel.


Shannon was very helpful in getting screws, nails and drinks. Lisa helped with this too, once she got home from work. They were kept quite busy since today was a day of no clouds and temperatures reaching the high 20's. Take special note of the super-cute, tiny work gloves (gotta have the right equipment!) and the effective use of the tongue to help with counting!

And of course there was the obligatory class: "How to Walk in Mud."

I'm pleased to say, they passed the mud class with flying colours. While many boots remained in the mud during the stepping process, all socked feet ended up back in the boots, dry and clean. Well, 'construction-like' clean!

And finally a look at the progress...very impressive for one day! All posts placed and leveled; concrete footings poured. Time for inspection; but I think some baths and a good night's sleep are in order first!