Wandering Wednesday

Had an adventure today! It occurred to me this week that we seldom take full advantage of the freedom our homeschool schedule allows. We don't often venture outside of our local area, unless you consider our weekly bank outing to be an adventure. And we don't. After searching the web for zoos in VA, we happened across this local(ish) gem: an animal rescue zoo called "Bear Path Acres." You can see it here:

http://www.bearpathacres.com/

It was a bit of a drive, and we took the llloooonnnnggg way home, but it was a real treat to spend the day out adventuring. The weather was lovely, though a bit windy. We saw some amazing old farms in rural eastern North Carolina, no one threw up in the car, and we had the opportunity to listen to Jim Weiss read about Lewis and Clark (that was from a CD I purchased at a homeschool conference I recently attended). We rounded out our day with batting practice for Jonny, a run for Mom (with my trusty bike-riding sidekick, Jack), and Waffle Wednesday. I really am thankful for how fortunate my family is to be able to do simple, fun things like this.

Oh, and this is a link to the many Jim Weiss CD's that are available on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jim+weiss&sprefix=Jim+Weiss%2Caps%2C320

Friday Favorites

Changing out the sofa cushions with the seasons. Now we take away the cozy fleece and put on the cooler cotton fabric.

What's that?!!

Yes, I admit it. I use duct tape to attach the fabric to my sofa cushions. I'm too lazy to sew cushion covers. Duct tape is the perfect solution. Quick, easy, and simple.

Thrifting

Had a successful thrifting adventure on Sunday. Madeline found new Doc Martens for $3.50 and I found a new "Rocket Chef" for $8.99. I love infomercial products--especially when you don't have to pay full price for them. On the menu for this week: guacamole, salsa, hummus, popovers,......

Oh, and you can watch YouTube videos of "Rocket Chef" recipes! Awesome.

Our St. Patrick's Day

Green drinks.

Irish stew and soda bread on the deck. And Irish beer, drunk out of A&W mugs.

Jon's famous shamrock cookies.

New Recipe

I tried something similar while in Oregon, and while I loved the taste of the broccoli in it, I was gagging at the filberts. Gross. I replicated this salad and left out any nuts altogether.

Broccoli Salad:

Cut up 1 bunch of broccoli into bite-sized pieces. I used fresh. Not sure what would happen if you used frozen. It would probably end up too mushy, so don't do it.

Dress with a mixture of:

2-3 Tbsp. vinegar. I used cider vinegar, but any would work, except plain white vinegar, which is nasty. I don't know why you'd even consider using that.

3 Tbsp. sugar

Some minced onion

Enough mayonnaise to make an appropriately thick dressing. Or thin dressing, if you prefer that consistency.

Mix in 1/2 C. or so of sunflower seed kernels and a few handfuls of dried cranberries. Raisins would work too, but no one here likes raisins. Except for me. Grapes might be good.

That's it. I'm sure there's a million versions in every church cookbook around, but this is my version.

Friday Favorites

We think Vader looks like an Orvis catalog dog.

Jon on a swing.

Madeline in the sun.

Sarah.

The log planter that Bill and Jack made for me. Idea found on Pinterest. Of course.

The weather has been so warm this week that we're being tricked into thinking it's late spring. I'm sure it will change soon.

ETA: Madeline took her permit test today and passed with only 1 wrong answer. Did you know that you have to dim your bright lights when an approaching vehicle is 500 ft. away? I think my average dimming length is more like 50 ft. Or for Bill, it's like 0 ft. Great job, Lisa!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday

Every baseball season I like to have a large, mindless project to work on. This is the 2012 project: a blanket. Knit on the bias with cotton yarn.

Tortillas

I attempted to make homemade tortillas last week. Good flavor, bad presentation. The Amigos that work with Bill mocked me when they looked at the burritos he brought for lunch.

Today I was gifted with an authentic Mexican-made tortilla press by Abraham (you must pronounce it Abe-ra-haaaam). Wasn't that nice? I can't remember the last time I received a real, live present. And just in time for "Taco Tuesday."

Bike Riding!

Jon has learned to ride his bike.

Sarah likes to join in the fun.

He's off.....

Yes, I know that most people's children can ride their bikes at a much younger age. I'm not writing this to say that Jon is a bike-riding prodigy or anything. Certainly not. He's just excited about his new skill. And we are too.

By the way, Madeline was closer to 9 years old when she finally taught herself to ride. I believe that the benefit of teaching an older child to ride a bike is that you don't have to run along behind them, holding on to the seat. Exhausting! When a kid is older, they just teach themselves.

Friday Favorites

New running shoes.

My running partner. My VERY TIRED running partner.

Post-run pedicure. A most-springish color.

Back in October I turned 40. Ahem. Each year on my birthday, I like to test myself and see if I can still do things that I was able to do when I was younger. It's usually stuff like cartwheels, belching, and singing the chorus to "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." But definitely not limited to those things. This year, I was most anxious to see if I could still run a few miles after a several-year hiatus from regular running. I started the "Couch to 5K" program the first week of October and by mid-December, I completed it, running 3.1 miles in 30 minutes. Yes, I know that's not fast or a long distance, but I was still pleased with reaching my goal.

Since then, I've stopped figuring my distance and focused on time instead. I aim for 3 times per week, 30ish minutes each time. I love how I feel AFTER I'm finished. I don't run with headphones on while listening to music and I prefer to run alone. 30 minutes of solitude and significant physical effort. Just might be my recipe for sanity.

Will I train for a 10K now? Nope. Will I increase my time? Nope. Will I run in a race? Nope. I'll just keep running along with my puppy, enjoying the scenery and feeling a proud sense of accomplishment in my 41st year of life.

Work-in-Progress Wednesday

Remember the yo-yos? Some of them have been turned into a springish garland.

A new taggie for my nephew's 1st birthday.

A little spring outfit for a friend's new baby girl. These are the bloomers.

This is the matching smock top. I love this pattern. http://www.themayfly.com/weblog/2007/02/happy_smocket.html

It can be used as a dress when the babe is small and then as a shirt when they grow bigger.

Today We Are

Outside.

Watering the peas.

Riding.

Painting.

There might have been some illegal burning before 4:00PM. I'm certain there was some compost rearranging and garden digging. I was told that someone escaped from the POW camp/dog pen in the afternoon. Others of us might have spent their time inside watching fictitious court dramas.

And Now I Know What's Missing in My Boys' Lives

Tricycles! This picture was taken a few days ago. That's Jack riding Sarah's new (old) trike, Jon riding Sarah's old trike, and Sarah riding her scooter car. And this game went on for at least an hour. And then it resumed the following day. And the day after that as well.