Matching Sailors

Homestead

Ocean

Nat

Sailor and Me

Random Thoughts

Plates: ham steak, broccoli and potato salad prepared with homemade turmeric maple dressing

Listening: Twila Paris Ultimate Collection

Reading: Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Diebler Rose

Hooks: dish cloths

Gifting: homemade bath salts with Epsom salt, sea salt, baking soda, clay and powdered ginger

Kiddos: Matthew is ten!
Nat is 21 months and has decided he is a big boy.  He wears skivvies and goes on the potty! Also, when I figure out what Nat wants he shakes his head yes, smiles and claps.

Neighbors: Last week we met our new neighbors who arrived earlier this year.  They have four children including a sweet four month old baby girl.  Our other neighbor, four and a half year old C, came to play today which made Isaac very happy.

Increasing: the garage sale pile... I have been on a mission to greatly decrease our possessions ... more simplicity and less cleaning...

Missing: my mom!

Looking forward: sitting on the beach... Our last trip turned into a grocery run as a storm arrived before we made it to the ocean.

Isaac's Birthday

Isaac turned four on 7 July.  We had a picnic lunch then went to my IV appointment.  For lunch we had cold hamburg patties, homemade fries, sauted onions and kombucha.  I put candles in Isaac's hamburger, but it was windy so he was only able to blow out one candle. We had rice, burger and green beans for supper. For dessert his birthday cake was gluten, dairy, egg free with very little sugar.  I made peppermint  frosting with melted Enjoy Life chocolate chips and a drop of peppermint essential oil. Isaac was excited to blow out four candles! He received a package from a great aunt and was thrilled with the shirts, socks and shorts! We were happy to have Grandma with us for the day!

Flags from Grandpa

Memorial Day

"When you go home, tell them of us and say, 'For your tomorrow, we gave our today.'" John Maxwell Edmonds

Avocado Fries

Slice avocados

Dredge in gluten free flour, chia egg and crushed crispy rice cereal

Place on greased baking sheet

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes

These fries are delicious!

Chia egg: mix chia seeds in milk...allow to set 15 minutes to gel

Odds and Ends

In the diffuser: juniper, rosemary, frankincense and geranium... Inspired by the Green Earth spray.

On our plates: sweet potato hash with uncured bacon
                         Fresh ham steak, rice, beans, tomato sauce and fried plantains inspired by this recipe

Our weather: yesterday we had rain and a little storm
                         Today has been a beautiful sunshine filled day

Our tasks: after worship service kiddos helped with basic daily house cleaning,
yard cleaning and with other things needed throughout the day.
Matt worked diligently to finish Matthew's bedroom floor.  He is putting the baseboards back now and then putting up a table for Matthew to use for school.

Our play: reading outside, bike riding, watching the neighbor bush hog, driving trucks in the sand pile... And for me: making a batch of goat's milk soap

Reading: The Classical Teacher spring 2016

Sunday Supper

Roasted potatoes, green beans and leeks seasoned with sea salt, pepper, turmeric and cumin

Ham steak cooked in homemade kombucha

Saturday

     Yesterday we had bacon, onion, olive burgers with guacamole.  I made gluten free pizza crust then cut it to size for buns.  I also made most things free mayonnaise.  Sweet potato fries, beans and broccoli with peppers and onions were our side dishes.  It was a delicious meal.
     Matt worked on painting our wood fences.  The fences look so much nicer painted plus it will help the wood last longer.
     Kiddos helped Matt and enjoyed some time to read.  Abby took her plastic chair out to the tree to soak up the fresh air while she read.
     Nathaniel went egg hunting all on his own.  He found a duck egg, brought it in and said, "mine!"  Nat waited while I fried the egg and then he ate it.  He is only eighteen months but is such a big boy!
     We were almost out of laundry detergent, so I made a batch using the following recipe:

9 cups water
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup castle liquid soap

Boil 3 cups water, turn off heat, add the washing soda and borax.  Stir until dissolved.  After the mixture cools add castle and remaining water. Stir to mix.
Use 1 to 2 Tablespoons for a front load washer

Watching and Reading

Cuties

Reading List

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir 

By

R.A. Dick

I wonder if there is something wrong with me, she thought, that I can get so much from so little, because all my joy really comes from not doing- not spending summer afternoons in stuffy drawing rooms listening to women setting their neighbors' morals to right over the bridge table, not spending summer evenings listening to men and women setting the worlds' affairs to rights over five course dinners, not in sewing circles, nor in reading groups.  I must be very selfish, she thought, for I want to set nothing and no one right; all I want is to be left in peace to make what I can of this problem called life for myself and my children.  

But I cannot forgive myself, said the captain.  I should have known better, because interfering unasked in other people's lives, whether from kindness or cruelty, is one of the greater sins, and I knew it.  It was my own pride.  I thought you needed a lesson, and I am the one that should be taught.  I am, indeed, a poor representative of either world, and I shall go away until I have learned greater wisdom.

Mama and Little One

Reading List

Carry a Big Stick

The Uncommon Heroism of Theodore Roosevelt

By 

George Grant

Life brings sorrow and joys alike. It is what a man does with them-not what they do to him-that is the true test of his mettle.

Weasel words from mollycoddles will never do when the day demands prophetic clarity from greathearts.

He would not tolerate in us children selfishness, cruelty, idleness, cowardice, or untruthfulness.

I have a horror of words that are not translated into deeds, of speech that does not result in action.

A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.

Snuggle Bug

Little one is not feeling well... Curled up taking a late nap.

Chocolate Syrup

Heat 3/4 cup water with 1/4 cup maple syrup.  Bring to a simmer, remove from heat then add 1 cup cocoa powder and 1 Tablespoon vanilla.  Whisk until well mixed.  Add a spoonful to milk or use to top cookies or other desserts.  Store in the refrigerator.  If you prefer your syrup to be very sweet you will want to add more maple syrup.