How does your garden grow?

Well, our garden is planted for the year. Since we've moved next door to my parents we are having a big combined garden. It's gonna be a lot of work, but the end results will be yummy- I hope! Things we've planted: red potatoes, broccoli, onions, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, bell peppers, zucchini, peas, green beans, and butter beans. I think that's it. The potatoes, corn and broccoli are looking good. Now we just need some rain! I hope to share some pictures of these wonderful growing plants soon! Stay tuned!

My Favorite Time of the Year!!!

Don't you just love Springtime? I so enjoy the warmer weather and longer days. This week I began spring cleaning. I got off to a good start and am excited to see what the rest of the week holds. I'm trying to clean one room at a time so hopefully I'll have lots completed by Friday. My children even got in on the "fun" this morning. After playing for a while, they helped by cleaning window sills, light switches, doorknobs and windows. This afternoon I got outside with the kids and we moved some sticks to a burn pile. I'm so thankful for a wagon or we'd probably still be out there. It won't be too long before we'll plant our garden. I'm looking forward to that. Actually, I'm really looking forward to the harvest. The other stuff is just in anticipation of the harvest. :) How are you spending your days lately?

Home school studies: Mexico

We studied Mexico back in August and I'm just now posting these pictures. Oh well, better late than never. During our studies we're trying to cook a meal or at least a few recipes from the country of study. During the Mexico study they recommended having a fiesta at the end of the study. Well, since we were in the process of moving, our fiesta turned out much different than I'd anticipated. But my children seemed to enjoy it anyway. That's what counts. I'd planned to make tortillas with them, but had to compromise on this mix that you just add water to. I don't recommend it at all. It was a mess and they tasted terrible, but I didn't have the time to get anything else accomplished that week. The children had fun patting and shaping the tortillas into balls and then flattening them out. Looks like my pictures are in reverse order, but you get the idea! We also had rotel cheese dip and chips, guacamole and taco rice. Not very authentic, but it worked for us. Overall, our fiesta was a success even though it didn't turn out quite like I'd planned.

Bible Reading for 2010

It's been a few years since I've taken the challenge of reading the Bible through in a year, but I plan to take on that challenge this new year. I'm going to use the Book at a time plan. In years past I have done the plan that goes through the New Testament and Old Testament. I hope to stay on track and spend time learning more and more about the scriptures. Will you take on that challenge and read with me in 2010?

End of the Year Cleaning Out

Well, another year is almost behind us. It's hard to believe it's almost 2010. Did you ever think you'd see those numbers as a year? As a child it seemed unimaginable to think we'd ever live to see that year. Since we're taking a break from our school work, I'm on a mission to get my house organized. Since moving 2 months ago things have just gotten stuck somewhere or hidden in a closet. My goal is to get as much of that organized or thrown out as possible. I worked in my kitchen this morning. It's amazing how much you can accomplish when you set your mind to it. I went through my cabinets and put things that didn't have a home in places suited for them. I, also, worked on my desk area. It was terrible! I just needed to declutter it. It only took about 15 minutes and it was done. What are you planning to work on in the new year? Do you have areas that are in need of organization?

Christmas countdown

My almost 8 year old daughter tells me every day how many days left until Christmas. Well, here we are and we have 3 days left. I have several more things I would really like to get done, but I'm not going to stress out about them. I try not to do that- it's not good for my health :) Well, here goes. My last few things left: - make 12 dozen cookies ( 6 dozen chocolate chip and 6 dozen rolled sugar cookies) I will freeze some of these to pull out when we need a yummy snack. This keeps us from eating too much at one time. -work on pillowcases for each of my children. I make each of my children a special pillowcase for Christmas each year. I'm very late getting this done. I'm using what I have on hand since finances are tight this year. I'm excited to see how they turn out. I hope I have time to finish. - make more Chex mix. I made a big batch yesterday, but I need to make some more for little gifts. - microwave raw peanuts. My father-in-law used to always give us raw peanuts every Christmas. They are so good cooked in the microwave and then adding butter and salt. Yum, yum! -make domino ornaments with kids. I found the cutest idea on the net one day last week. I'll try to find the site and put up the link. Such a cute idea!

Rejoice

This is the day that the Lord hath made; I will rejoice and be glad in it. May we be reminded of the real reason for the season-the birth of the Savior- Jesus Christ.