Rural Writings

2012

2012-01-15T12:36:00.000-05:00

So far this year....

My beloved husband has broken his ankle. He is in a cast. We leave for the sunny south in 2 weeks, us & the cast....so much for frolicking together in the ocean, or dancing the night away....ah well, at least it will be hot and sunny, I hope....and we're so thankful for our kids who come and take care of our place while we're away.

I have canned 28 quarts of Tomato Sauce, from the Tomato juice/pulp we frozen last fall.

I am crocheting one of these adorable tote bags. I found the pattern here
and am continuing to work on this cable sweater for Henry & Sam...
Most of our main floor looks kinda like this, because we were just about to paint the whole deal, then beloved broke his ankle....
...so, we will be living with the poly-filla and paint sample look for a while.

I am baking bread every other day, using my Cuisinart 14 cup food processor which does a fantastic job of kneading enough dough for 2 loaves at a time. So much nicer tasting than store bought. I'd gotten out of the habit, but I'm fully into it again and love it.

I have made a commitment to lose 25 lbs. in 2012....do I go it alone, or join Weight Watchers online?

I read my traditional Christmas novels, especially the Miss Read's...and have started this one, it seems ok, but I'm not far into it yet, so it may get good...or not....

Monday is a freezer cooking day. The girls and grands will be over and we will make 4 each of Lasagna, Shepherd's Pie, Butter Chicken and Chili. Fill up the family freezers and have a fun day of working together.

Our home is fairly clean and organized after the busyness of the holidays. I have a few areas I want to re-organize and purge, but we're in pretty good shape to kick off the new year.

The big hit this year on TV at our house is Downton Abbey. We are loving it. We watched the first season last year, and this season seems every bit as good.

I'm so pleased to finally have posted a "catch up" blog, hopefully the next one won't take so long.
Have a blessed week ahead,
Niki

14 days late?????

2012-01-14T22:04:00.001-05:00

to wish you all a very Happy New Year and a blessed 2012!

Full post coming very soon,
Promise. :)
Niki

For Unto Us a Child is Born...

2011-12-24T08:03:00.006-05:00

I sit on my comfy chair, in front of our fire, enjoying a warm cup of coffee, and contemplating the busy and blessed few days ahead. I have so much to be thankful for, but I am most thankful for the Babe in the manger, who lights the path and shows us the way.

Thank you for reading my little "journal", for the lovely and encouraging comments you leave, and for the friendship extended to me. I am so grateful.

Merry Christmas!

Blessings,
Niki

What???? A week away!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-12-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

The busy season. That's for sure. Still too much to do, and only a week until Christmas! Some Shortbread made, some Messy Snowballs made, but need to make more of both, along with Peanut Brittle, Caramel Popcorn, and Fiddle Diddles.....The fruitcake is done and wrapped and in the freezer, thank goodness.

Gifts still to finish, and lots of wrapping to be done. I will do this in front of a Christmas movie and enjoy it.

The cookie exchange has been delayed twice now, one needs to have cookies baked in order to exchange....we WILL get there....eventually....perhaps a New Year's Cookie exchange???

A special morning planned in the coming week. Henry (3 1/2) is coming over so that we can make/buy Mummy and Daddy's Christmas gifts and then we will go out for a lunch date :)

I can't believe it's only a WEEK until Christmas.....SHRIEK!!!

Hope your week goes swimmingly,
blessings
Niki

General News

2011-11-23T09:37:00.000-05:00

Thank you for your kind comments about my hospitality series, it's a subject close to my heart :)

On other news, I won a giveaway a little while back from Granny at Granny's Garden.
She makes the most delicious soap and has been making my mouth water with her concoctions for quite a while now. I received a wonderful bar of her Musk soap and I must say I love it! I've used it already, and forgot to take a photo, but there are lots on her blog, and it was wonderfully moisturizing and a nice amount of bubbles, not to mention the blissful scent. Thank you again Granny!

My kitchen as been busy. I always make some beeswax candles at this time of year
to give away and to use at home.

I'm busy chopping dried fruit for fruit cakes. I make quite a few of them as they freeze well, and we have several family members that love them and enjoy them through the rest of the winter.

The Christmas shopping is finished!!! YAY! The wrapping still needs doing, but I feel I can move onto the other, more enjoyable things now, like the baking and cooking and socializing.

I love Christmas and usually start listening to the music, watching the special Christmas movies and reading my beloved Christmas books around December 1st. This year a local radio station started playing 100% Christmas music 24/7 on Nov. 15th!!! Now I love Christmas music, but it did seem early to me! Just seems to begin earlier and earlier every year.

I've borrowed some great books from the library lately.

Louise Penny's A Trick of the Light, great murder/mystery series. A caution that the language may offend some, but such a good read.

Martha Stewart's Entertaining. If you are strong enough to lift it, it's a beautiful browse and full of great tips.

Simple Knits for Cherished Babies

Debbie Macombers' Christmas Cookbook

I've also become fond of the Andy Griffith Show, and am watching episodes as I work. It was so funny, especially Don Knotts, and I love Aunt Bea. A little bit of nostalgia I suppose.

My knitting needles have been busy. I am knitting this sweater for Henry. This is a picture from the pattern brochure.

It is my most ambitious project ever. I've joined a "Knit Your Own Project" class and have learned so much. I was quite nervous about knitting cables, but it's quite easy and hope to have it done in the next couple of weeks, so I can have a Ta Da moment here, and show it off.

For the first time I purchased a little Rosemary Tree. It is sitting on my Cookbook shelf and is so fragrant. I am undecided about whether or not to decorate it...it does look so pretty just left as it is, but the desire to give it a bit of Christmas twinkle is pretty strong....

Henry helped out around the place with the big guys!
Sam wants to be a worker too!

Working at the computers with Grampa

Miss Ella hanging out. (This photo stolen from my daughters' blog)

And speaking of daughter's blogs, do you know that both my girls blog?

A Nest With a View & Hippies in a Small Town

Go on over and say hello :)

Have a wonderful rest of the day,
blessings,
Niki

Hospitality Part 4

2011-11-19T15:00:00.001-05:00

So, what holds us back from extending hospitality?

Money??? Stress & Anxiety??? Pride??? Probably for almost all of us it is all 4. Let’s address each point.

When it comes to the household budget and the financial end of hospitality, we can really choose to spend as little or as much as we want on a meal. There is an abundance of delicious frugal recipes and menus out there, which fit into any budget.

We have been blessed to have been invited to the humblest of meals, but we left feeling so filled with Christ’s love, so refreshed, so inspired by the simplicity of the meal and the home that it remains one of our most cherished fellowship memories.

The food is important, but it’s NOT the most important part of hospitality. Fellowship is what we are really hungering for, and that is what hospitality truly provides .....and it’s free. Do not let your humble home or your humble table prevent you from receiving the blessing of hospitality. And yes, I do meaning receiving the blessing of hospitality, for even though you are the one extending it, you will most certainly be blessed.

Stress & Anxiety: I am 49 years old. I have extended hospitality in my home for 28 years now. Yet every single time I do so, my stress level builds as the event comes closer, it grows in my mind to become a huge event, one that is entirely out of proportion to reality and I grow increasing more short tempered with my husband and, when they lived with us, my children....... Maybe that’s why they married young....

Recognizing my symptoms, calling it what it really is, which is FEAR, and purposefully managing my fears is key. I begin with a strong self dialogue, remembering that He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind 2 Tim 1:7. A second scripture I love when negativity starts to spin around in my brain is 2 Cor 10:5 Casing down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

I also remind myself strongly that this event is only a few hours long, that by ____o’clock it will be over and all will be quiet at home, and finally, that I know once people arrive I will almost always enjoy myself fully and be as blessed by the visit as I pray our guests are. Do not let the spirit of fear prevent you from receiving the blessing of hospitality.

And lastly, Pride. I think pride is one of the most common killers of hospitality. When talking with women, often one of the following excuses is cited as the reason for keeping their door closed. Things like Perfectionism, false humility, and comparing yourself to others are some of the masks that pride wears.

When you can’t invite anybody over because the work required in order to have your house as perfect as you’d like it is so overwhelming you can’t even begin to imagine actually doing it. what is really preventing you from opening your home is Pride.

When you don’t invite anybody over because you feel your home, your stuff, your family or you yourself are not good enough that is false humility which is rooted in pride.

People are not coming over to see your stuff, judge your kids, or your home. They are coming to see you and your family. And, I’ve always thought if they are coming over to judge that’s their problem, not mine, and my door is staying firmly open and welcoming in spite of them.

When by comparing all you are, all you have, or all you do to what you PERCEIVE others to have or to be, and you consistently fall short and therefore are never able to "compete", and so don’t invite others into your home that is pride. I want to encourage all of you to not let pride prevent you from receiving the blessing of hospitality.

I have been told that I have the gift of hospitality. I don’t know about that but I do know that extending hospitality is a gift. A gift to oneself and one’s family. Our family remains very close today, though our children are all married and on their own, I feel in great part, because of the home life they had growing up, which was so enriched by the hospitality we, as a team, were able to extend to those around us. We’ve been so blessed by those that have been seated around our table, received so much more then we gave, and who knows when there may even have been an angel seated amongst us??? Scripture reminds us Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2

So in closing, I ask, if you struggle in opening your home, consider why........if you can’t cook, talk to a woman you know who can, and ask for help and advice, if you are worried about what to talk about with your guests invite a few more guests to share the conversational load, if the thought of hospitality is too difficult or too stressful, .....dive in anyway and be blessed. Hospitality does become easier over the years but only with practice and lots of it.

As the holidays approach, keep an open eye and an open heart for whom you can bless with your hospitality, and go ahead and dive right in!

Have a wonderful weekend,
Niki

Hospitality Part 3

2011-11-18T15:00:00.001-05:00

Food preparation is probably one of the biggest points of stress after the "house beautiful" issue. I hope the following tips will help you organize the food to make it as easy as possible.

4) When it comes to the food, menu planning is the first step. Choose foods that are simple and flavourful. Well prepared, simple food will appeal to a wider range of people, and their dietary needs and is much thriftier.

I like to have 2 or 3 standby menus for warm weather and 2 or 3 complete cold weather menus. Everything from starters, if you are serving them, to dessert to beverages, planned in advance. Most of my menus are cooked in advance, or crockpot meals for the colder months. I love to get creative in the kitchen, and try new things, but if extending hospitality is stressful for you, keep it simple, this may not be the time to try out that new recipe. Homemade soup in the crockpot with a roll, butter and cheese, is a wonderful after church meal to invite people in for, it doesn't have to be complicated or fancy.

5) Preparation is vital. The more you do in advance, the easier and less stressful it will be when your guests arrive. I have learned that every tiny detail completed ahead of time will make everything sooo much easier later. Having the meal prepared in advance if possible, the table set, beverages ready, butter on plates, whipped cream already whipped, salt in the shaker, everything you can think of to do in advance, DO. Even making sure the toilet paper is on the roll, and clean hand towels and soap are in the bathroom, no detail is too small. It will feel like a much bigger deal if you are running around trying to find this or fill that, instead of visiting with your guests.

Prechop veggies, especially things like potatoes and carrots, the night before. They will keep just fine in a pot of cold water until it’s time to cook. In fact, I do alot of my food prep the night before, some times even days before and refrigerate or freeze.

Figure out the timing. What needs to be in the oven when, and what in the microwave. How long for the rice, or for the roast to rest before carving....if you have a firm timeline in your head, figured out in advance, actually getting the meal on the table is much smoother, and everything might actually be hot. This has always been a challenge for me, so I spend extra time making sure I know that I have it figured out.

Use your tools. Sometimes I’ve called them my servants. My crockpot, breadmaker, microwave, and delay timers on your oven if available all make food prep and service so much easier. They are not essential, but if you have them, use them. In the summer, bbqing is a favourite and easy option, in the winter the crockpot can’t be beat. Everything chopped, prepared the night before, and dumped into the crockpot early the next morning will result in a wonderful after church meal ready and waiting for you and your guests. I also love potblessings, each bringing something to share, in the hospitality of a comfortable home. All you need to host is a willing heart and an open door.

Planning and food prep, are really not too complicated, really just takes some focused time planning and organizing before hand....so what holds us back from being as hospitable as we should be? We'll look at that tomorrow.

blessings to you,
Niki

Hospitality Part 2

2011-11-17T15:00:00.002-05:00

So, in order to extend hospitality and not have over-the-top anxiety, as well as physical exhaustion because you have tried to achieve "House Beautiful" here are some practical tips, suggestions and thoughts, which you can consider.

I will post 3 today and 3 more tomorrow. Please excuse the casual writing style, remember this was a talk I was giving, so the notes, while cleaned up a bit, were prepared for speaking not reading.

Your home is not supposed to impress with it’s perfection. It’s not a “staged” home, or a model home. It’s a functioning, busy space constantly being used, perhaps to train children, prepare meals, learn skills, create, comfort, nurse, refresh and love those who live there, and and if it is like my home it is never, ever, close to perfect.

Therefore, trying to present the perfect home when people are visiting, is going to be very overwhelming and stressful, and probably unattainable.

The Perfect Home....let that go. Totally throw that idea out of the window.

Let’s focus on how to make your home welcoming to those that you have invited and hope to bless.

1) Have help if possible. If you are married with children, try to get them to pitch in and help. It makes the whole process a family effort and can help to teach the children the importance of hospitality, as well as some handy home skills. Assign jobs to each, and remember that they may not do it exactly as you would, never mind. The point is they are helping.

I am blessed with a husband who jumps in there and is a true help during the prep time and I would be remiss if I didn’t say so, not only for him, but also to point out that I do not do it alone. Encourage your husband to help out as well, if the inclination isn’t there naturally..... and that’s all I’m going to say about that.

Our kids would tell you that many, many times they helped with the cleaning, or food prep, or table setting, and clearing away when we hosted. They would also tell you that it was alot of work, and they were sometimes pressed into it. But, they would also be very quick to tell you some of their very best memories of growing up included lots of hospitality. Some small groups and many large, filling our home with laughter, conversation and fun.

If you’re single, perhaps a good friend might come over to help, keep you company and make getting ready more enjoyable. Don't let singleness prevent you from receiving the blessing of hospitality.

If you don’t have any help throw open your heart and your door anyway, and simply do you’re best, almost certainly all will be a wonderful blessing both for you and your guests.

2) A welcoming home should offer a degree of comfort, and, if possible, small tokens of beauty. Simple and inexpensive things like candles, perhaps music playing softly. I still remember going to a friend’s home after church, and as I walked through their door hearing the Psalms being sung on the stereo and flowing through the house, with children playing and people chatting to that beautiful background music, a wonderful memory of a warm home.

And, of course, nothing beats good smells, especially from the kitchen, working up everyone’s appetite and anticipation, more on the food tomorrow. Visually, perhaps a small bunch of flowers, or a table laid with care, even if very simply, all tell your guests that they are honored and so very welcome in your home.

3) Having a home that is clean enough. Clean enough to feel comfortable and healthy. Clutter free enough to function in easily, and a space for children to play, if that’s required. I want to stress that that is all that is required.... Not perfection. Not spotless. Not “eating off the floors” clean, as they say. And, most importantly, not a point of pride, hospitality is defeated by a "keeping up with the Jones's" mentality, but, rather, have a goal of creating a warm and welcoming space. Some of my very favourite visits have been in the humblest of homes, but with the grandest of welcomes.

More tomorrow,
have a blessed day,
Niki

Hospitality Part 1

2011-11-16T10:18:00.002-05:00

A month or so ago I was asked to speak briefly on hospitality at our church's womens retreat. With the holiday season quickly approaching I thought I would share my talk.
I will post this in several parts in the coming days.

Christmas Day at our home, several years ago, included a large and diverse group. It included a “stray” student or two, far from home, and a 92 year old farmer, who was ever so silent and who had no immediate family around, along with several of the our family “greys” as I called them, various senior grandparents, aunts and uncles, with varying degrees of needs, .....ironically now it is my generation in the family that are the “greys”.... anyway, to finish off the guest list my hairdresser who had recently separated from his wife.

Our daughters, having been to get haircuts, heard that he was planning to be alone with a few bottles of wine on Christmas Day. His family newly separated, and depressed without his children, his own parents and siblings in England...he was alone. When they arrived home they exclaimed....”Mom, he’s all alone.....He’s going to sit and drink, Christmas Day, all alone...it’s so sad....” Their meaning was clear. “Invite him” they urged me silently, mentally....“let’s invite him” How wonderful that their sense of hospitality is so strong.

.... However, My internal response was inhospitable to say the least. NO my insides yelled, I don’t want to have yet another person, there is enough going on already, lots of elderly are coming, they may require attention, lots of work to get that huge meal on the table, I won’t have the time to make him feel welcome, really I hardly know him, what will I even talk to him about....I had no shortage of excuses going through my mind.

But then, predictably, by this point in my life, the pressing in began, the familiar feeling, the clear leading, that I could either choose to ignore or obey. Sighing, feeling put upon, with a very bad attitude in place, I marched across the room, and picked up the phone. OK, I sighed to the girls, I’ll call. “Tom”, I began trying to make my voice bright and encouraging, the girls mentioned that you are on your own on Christmas Day,... why don’t you come to us. We’re having quite a large group, lots of different people, you’ll feel quite comfortable, come and spend the day with us, don’t be alone....as I spoke the sincerity of my invitation strengthened,and my enthusiasm grew, until by the end of my chatty invitation I was almost imploring him. A long pause followed my invitation....finally he spoke. “ But ...are you sure you want me...after all, I’m Jewish” .... the odd response took me by surprise, No problem, I said lightly, .....so was Jesus. Say you’ll come! (I still don’t know what possessed me to say that...well I guess I do. )

And he did. As far as I could tell he had a good time. He ate lots, chatted lots, drank little, and was skunked at Crokinole by 3 seniors, one of whom was my mother in law who beat him soundly even after he insisted she remove her eyeglasses. Years later, upon running into Tom and his daughter, he introduced me to her, and then said “that was where I went for that Special Christmas I told you about.”

Hospitality. Something I have done alot of, and have been exceedingly blessed by doing. It’s not easy for me to extend hospitality. I’m not a Martha Stewart, my home is far from perfect, I’m a plain cook, and a fairly private person who enjoys my private space.

Over the years, however, I have found myself inviting people so many times, unable to ignore the Lord pushing down on me, and sensing their need to be included, or encouraged, or nourished or simply loved....

 Proverbs 31:20 says “ She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.” The poor and needy are not only those lacking in food or shelter, but also those who are alone, or lonely, especially the elderly, and those far from home. We have had many a foreign students at our table, missionaries, a family needing fellowship, new people from church, and those who simply needed encouragement, all who fall into the category of needy.

Prov 31:27 She watches over the ways of her household
And does not eat the bread of idleness. The ways of her household include hospitality. Her household is prepared and ready to extend itself to those in need. She has often planned in advance to extend hospitality...she may not know to whom yet, but her household is ready. Her household is not perfect, but is looking forward to sharing food, companionship, comfort and a sense of belonging with whomever may be seated at the table.

Hospitality is not about you. it’s about making others feel warm and welcome. A welcoming home. How do you achieve that? We will look at this in the next part.

blessings,
Niki

On the 11th hour of the 11th day.....

2011-11-11T07:46:00.001-05:00

The Starlings Play

2011-11-07T08:20:00.001-05:00

What an amazing video, take a look.

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

New Chick on the Block

2011-11-02T09:31:00.004-04:00

Eloise, 2 months old, is the most adorable grand-chick ever!

Sam & Eloise ~ he thinks she is the best toy ever :-)

The Grand Trio, Henry is baseball player. You can tell by his recorder "bat", his ovenmitt "glove" and his ear flap touque "baseball cap".....

Can I get out of this thing yet....???
Have a blessed day,
Niki

A Balmy Thanksgiving

2011-10-12T11:48:00.006-04:00

This year marked a first. We ate our Thanksgiving feast on the back deck. Moved our kitchen table out there, snugged it up to our patio table, set it for 14, and enjoyed the practically July-like weather.

But, first we had a football game. Touch football, of course. Where I majorally wiped out, being the natural athlete that I am, but it did give me an awfully good laugh, best I've had in a while.

After the party...it was nice sitting out well into the evening.
The son and son in law, carrying out one of our Thanksgiving traditions. It wouldn't be the same if there wasn't a good natured wrestle during kitchen cleanup.
Daughter and grandbabies.....Jenny & Eloise
Vanessa, Henry & Sam
So much to be thankful for.
Have a wonderful rest of the week,
Niki

Lancaster County

2011-10-07T15:05:00.001-04:00

We've just returned from a few days in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. We love it there. The countryside is just beautiful, the agriculture is thriving in this mostly Amish county, and wonderful to watch.

Rob stood at a fence line for over an hour watching an Amish family using several wagons, and a 6 horse hitch to cut corn. I guess you need to be a farmer's son to fully appreciate it, and he does.

We also go there to shop. We always have an extensive (but not expensive) list. I love the Amish and Old Order Mennonite general stores. They sell items that have disappeared from our stores. Things like quality clothes drying racks that are mounted on the wall and pull open when needed.

Stainless steel canning funnels, which I really prefer to the plastic. The smallest things thrill me...lol

Good quality, hand made baskets. So much more convenient for schlepping things to the daughters homes. We bought this from Amish craftsman/ basketmaker and his wife who have a wonderful workshop on the family farm, full of every style and type of basket. This one is a large shopping/picnic basket. They were both working busily away and we could have stood there for an hour chatting and watching the beautiful work they do.

A wooden highchair, which we really needed, that didn't cost the earth, and is solidly made.

Some lovely quilting fabric, which will be used to make Eloise's One Year Old Quilt, which cost $5/yd instead of the $15/meter here.

Yummy homemade Rootbeer, Sausage from the Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market, and Cheese, and Butter from Lapp Family Farm, a beautiful dairy farm which also happens to sell delicious ice cream. We always bring a large cooler to bring the bounty home. From Kauffmann's market we bought the most delicious Apple Cider I've ever tasted. We only bought a gallon, next year we will buy 4 or 5 gallons for the family.

**There was supposed to be a photo of the food here, but..... well, you know the rest of that story!**

Good quality MuckBoots, which we bought at Goods store. These should last Rob a good long while...and just to keep it "real" here they are, already mucky!

We stay in a wonderful B&B. As this is our third visit we have gotten to know our hosts fairly well, and we so enjoy returning there year after year. They are Mennonites and have lived in this area all their lives and know it well. We are always well informed about where to go, what to buy, and what to see.

We also love to just sit on the front porch and watch the buggies drive by and the adorable Amish children walking to school.

We discovered a little shop, in the home of a newly married Amish couple, selling homemade soaps and candles, as well as salves and lotions. We purchased an excellent Poison Ivy Salve, as well as beautifully scented candles and some "bug-away" soap.

Another sold the most beautiful wooden toys of all types, and we also found a very large health food store, offering a huge selection at very good prices.

However, not all of our shopping is Amish. Lancaster has some really good outlets. We were able to purchase, on daughters instructions, Henry's winter jacket at 75% off, leather boots for Rob at a ridiculous clearance price, and some little goodies for the grandchildren.

We returned rested, and refreshed. A wonderful 5 days away.

Now, onto canning Apple sauce, the rest of the tomatoes, and some dried apple rings and apple pies for the freezer.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend!
Niki

2011-10-07T09:04:00.002-04:00

A wee little post is on it's way over this Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.
It's been too long!!!
blessings,
Niki

Tomato Season......

2011-09-08T09:49:00.007-04:00

Tomato canning season is officially here. This is the biggest job of the year in terms of canning/gardening. We had our first 1 1/2 bushels of Amish paste ready to go, so the girls (and grandbabies) came over yesterday and away we went.

Sam loved turning the handle, for about 3o seconds, then he was off to other important things.

The result was 17 1/2 quarts of delicious tomato sauce. Only about another 100 quarts to go! It is worth all the work, you can't beat the taste and we like knowing what's in our food.

Of course, some of us just laid around all day, snug and cozy :)

Knitting is big these days as well. Hats and mitts for the little ones.
I am using the patterns from this book and am quite enjoying myself. The author has a website here. She does offer a few of her patterns free on her website.
The weather has turned suddenly chilly. Very Autumn-like, and a nice change, I must say. This summer was the nicest summer in my memory. The days were sunny, and hot, but without the humidity we usually suffer from (at least most days). It was very dry, particularly August, but other than that it was pretty much perfect, weather-wise.

I am working on my fall schedule. My ambitious plans (well ambitious for me, since I am such a homebody) include Aquafit, a knitting class, weekly bible study group, and maybe, if I like it, Tai Chi! I have wanted to try Tai Chi for years, and I'm going to check out the beginner class this afternoon and see how it goes, and hope I don't fall on my...ahem....!

I would also like to have some young mums over for a crochet class, granny squares I think. Perhaps a Saturday afternoon, when little ones can be left home with Daddy. There has been some interest expressed and I would love to do it, so we will see what can be worked out.

This weekend we have grandsons for a sleepover! We should have a wonderful time, the weather looks great so lots of outside play, and a nap for me Sunday afternoon, once they've gone home :-)

Have a wonderful rest of the week,
Niki

The Empty Nest, The Garden & The Big Green Worm

2011-08-16T10:52:00.011-04:00

We're empty-nesters. Have been for some time now, and we love it :) Love having the whole family over, love spoiling the grandbabies, and love the peace and quiet that reigns once they all go home, (although we immediately look forward to the next visit!)

Being empty-nesters meant our main floor furniture and function could be better arranged to suit the just-us-two situation. So, the tv, which had previously been in our large family/living room was moved to the "den" area of our kitchen.
It faces our two recliners, in front of our fireplace and is very cozy indeed. (It also allows for hand holding during the evening, something we are partial to.)

This is the living room, now. The tv was in here previously, and I'm so happy to have this room restored to a room where we can get together and visit without a large tv looming over everything.

We purchased an "Expedit" from Ikea for the tv, and it's bins and baskets allow for the perfect storage place for the grandbabies toys, books, and puzzles. Eventually the plan is to hang the tv on the wall with some built-in cabinetry and shelving around it.

Our newest little one, Eloise, continues to do so very well and is growing and becoming more adorable with every minute. She also has quite the wardrobe, but I think that is a post all on it's own.

Henry was Grampa's helper the other day. Collecting eggs, feeding hens, digging up potatoes, and gathering fallen crabapples to feed to the sheep....not to mention bringing in the cukes, tomatoes and beans required for supper.

A bucket of crabapples makes a tasty sheep treat!

Over the fence they go!

It's pretty easy to draw a crowd.

Sam is so busy, and so cute, he is irresistible. You can tell that I am truly impartial when it comes to the grands,.....can't you???

Yesterday was Peaching canning and freezing day. We canned 14 pints of peach slices and 5 x 4 cup bags of frozen peach slices in apple juice. The plan was for the daughters and daughter in law to be at our house first thing to get the job done and all went according to plan until we discovered Chicken Pox on Henry (not that this slowed him down in the least). Obviously our little Eloise, who is 2 weeks old today, could not be around, so that let Jenny off the hook. We did get the job done, but missed them both. I love the look of peaches in the jar.

The weather has been so very dry throughout the month of August it is truly surprising how well the gardens are doing. My husband has been watering here and there, although not too often, and all is doing well.

Potatoes from the garden

We found a few of these fellows amongst the tomato plants ~ not a good thing!

The cucumber glut still continues. The price for dropping in for a visit is that you have to take 6 cukes with you when you leave!

The Amish Paste tomatoes are still green so no canning tomatoes for a few weeks yet, but otherwise all is coming along.

The plum tree is heavy, so heavy that the lower branches are touching the ground, so plum jam, chutney, and syruped plums will be canned soon. The same is true for our crabapples, so I will make a small batch of crabapple jelly as well.

Today, however, I will rest! :-) Catch up on some knitting, and reading, get this little post published, and enjoy a spaghetti supper.

Have a wonderful, blessed day!
Niki

Super Small Home

2011-08-15T13:13:00.002-04:00

How much space do we really need?

This amazing video really makes you question the big homes we fill up so quickly with stuff.

New Grandbaby!!!

2011-08-11T11:30:00.003-04:00

Beautiful Eloise Marie was born this morning!!! Mama & Baby are doing so well, (and even Papa too). I've just slept for 5 hours, after 28 hours or so at the hospital with my wonderful daughter and son in law, and can't wait to get back to the hospital to cuddle her!

Blessed Day!

Here at our place

2011-08-05T08:18:00.001-04:00

And so it goes....early summer into late summer in the blink of an eye. We've been having a great time back here on our little hobby farm this year.

Gardens are booming, grandbabies are growing so fast, and the middle daughter is just about ready to have our third grandchild. Her due date is August 6th, praying that she doesn't go too late, and all goes well.

I attended Jen's baby shower yesterday evening, which was cutting it a little close I know, but baby cooperated and a wonderful evening together with friends and family showered blessings on this little one. Our oldest daughter, Vanessa, hosted it, and a beautiful job she did. She has that special touch with decorating and making things look so pretty.

Things were so busy we forgot to take a photo of the food table before the snacking began, but here is the cupcake arrangement.

Our beautiful Jenny

Vanessa touch, a handmade banner and pink chinese lanterns

I couldn't share these photos until Jen had received the afghan, but here is the granny square baby afghan I made up. I LOVE the colours, it made me so happy to crochet with this lovely yarn, in a rainbow of colours.

I've started canning, of course, with Strawberry Jam, then Raspberry Jam, (as it happened Vanessa was here so she ended up making the Raspberry Jam and it turned out beautifully), along with freezing of rhubarb, some dehydrating of Parsley, and Zesty Zucchini Relish coming up later this week.

The cucumbers are incredible, all of us are eating cukes every day and still having trouble keeping up. I won't be making pickles this year, as we still have to get through last years, and these are slicing cukes anyway.
My wonderful husband received a Whizbang Wheel Hoe for Father's Day this year...well actually he received the parts. The wooden handles he made according to the templates, and the tire he purchased. Then he put it all together. Nothing like working for your Father's Day gift! But he does love it, it works beautifully and we like the guy who designed and sells it, he has an interesting blog and we've enjoyed reading him for quite awhile now.
The meat birds are getting nice and big. They are scheduled for their fateful day at the abbatoirs on August 10th. We should have 48 birds in the family's freezers, which will be wonderful over the winter. I'm not sure of average weights for this year, last year they were between 7 - 10 lbs. approx.

I tried making Meadow Tea Concentrate for this first time this year and really have enjoyed it. I got the recipe here, and since we had an abundance of mint, gave it a whirl.

The new author in my life is Louise Penny. I love a good whodunit, and she writes a good tale. I am on her second novel, and hubby is on the third of the 5 book series, with a 6th currently being written.

I borrowed the cookbook "America's Test Kitchen" from the library a little while ago. I must say that I so enjoyed knowing not only the recipe given but why to cook things a certain way, that I put the cookbook on my Amazon wishlist. As my birthday rolled around, I was given an Amazon gift card, and purchased a copy....so much for my "no more buying anymore cookbooks after I bought Mennonite Girls Can Cook rule....

On the crafting front, I've discovered a beautiful knitting book, Vintage Knits for Modern Babies. I loved almost every pattern in the book and a good number of them to be at my simple (beginner/intermediate) level of knitting. If you are blessed to have a little one to knit for, see if you're library has it, it's just lovely.
We have the grandsons coming for a sleep over tonight, while Mama and Daddy celebrate their 5th Wedding Anniversary!!! Congratulations to Vanessa and Cory, may the Lord bless your marriage always!

We are thinking of taking our little ones to see the Winnie the Pooh movie on Saturday morning, followed by a lunch together, them home to nap...that should keep them busy most of the day.

This afternoon I'll be driving the tractor while Rob and our son-in-law, Jeremie, bale and toss hay. We have a beautiful day for it.

So that's how things stand around here,
have a blessed weekend,
Niki

2011-06-10T09:08:00.016-04:00

As our daughter Jenny's tummy grows, (only about 9 more weeks, now!) so does my pile of completed, partially completed and to be started projects. I am soooo excited to have found a new source for wool. In our area yarn is available in two ways...Walmart, which doesn't really have the selection and colours I want, and the yarn boutiques, which are very pricey. For my third and final afghan for this precious little one, I wanted to use alot of colours in a granny square pattern.

I was thrilled when I found Deramores website. Although it is located in England, they ship worldwide, and the cost of the wool and the shipping is far less then ordering within Canada (scratching my head as to why this is....) I ordered Sirdar's Snuggly yarn in 12 colours and am having so much fun putting my squares together!

This past Saturday evening I went ahead and placed the order with Deramores online, expecting it to take 10 days at least for it to arrive. Much to my surprise I opened our mailbox yesterday (Thursday), to find it stuffed with a heavy white shipping envelope. I could not believe it had arrived 3 business days later by airmail.

They go together so easily, and quickly. I love contrasting the colours and not planning tooooo much in the way the colours are put together.

My plan is to make a crib size afghan, while the other two, photographed below, are more stroller/car seat size.

Ribbon edging...

Still have receiving blankets to sew up, and then to start planning the quilt.

Other news in our family is the arrival of our first grand-doggie. Little Skylos is a tiny, friendly and excited new member of our family. Jon & Dee decided now was the time! He is a cutie, and is surprisingly non-yappy for a little doggie.

You may recall in a previous post I mentioned we had planted our first row of strawberry plants. Well, they are coming along beautifully.

Lots and lots of green berries and healthy plants. Rob is planning to cover this row shortly, to prevent the entire crop being eaten by various furry critters.

The planting in all 3 gardens is done. My husband has worked hard, and we are praying for a great year in the gardens. The tomatoes are in, 37 plants, most of them Amish Paste for canning, and a new system for supporting them.

Large posts were pummelled into the ground, thankfully he was able to use the bottom of the tractor bucket to do the actual pummelling, and chicken wire will be attached to the rows of posts and the tomato plants tied to it. Our plants grow enormously. By August it is like a rain forest down there, and no amount of staking, or tomato cages can support them. Hopefully this new system will work out.

One of my favourite summer salad recipes is my mother's Cucumber Salad. I love it because it uses so few ingredients and I almost always have everything on hand.

It is best made at least a couple of hours before serving. I usually make it up in the morning for supper that day. Here is the link, I hope you enjoy it!

A nice find at the library this week. A $1 hard cover copy of Gooseberries "Simple Country Pleasures", in brand new condition. I've just started to browse it and it's lovely.

Our screened in back deck is finally finished! The bugs, particularly black flies and mosquitoes are the worst this year then they have been in my memory, so to have a "safe haven" outdoors to read, visit and enjoy meals is such a blessing.

It took my wonderful husband consistently working over 3 summers to complete it as time allowed. He pulled Cedar from our bush, had it cut into boards, then planed and sanded it himself, and then deconstructed our old deck and built the new deck. Every nook and cranny has been enclosed, so unless a 'skeeter sneaks in when you go in or out through the doors, it truly is bug free!

Inside the deck I am just beginning to decorate and make it comfortable.

Love red Geraniums!

Underneath the deck is our hosta bed. Evidently, the hostas have loved our cool damp Spring, because they are huge!!!

The Rhubarb was also very happy with our Spring weather. We cut lots into 1" chunks and froze them in 4 cup quantites in freezer bags.

This years lambs have been healthy and happy. No Coyote incidents so far, let's pray it stays that way after the terrible year last year, (we lost half of our flock).

The meat chicks are growing rapidly, and the laying hens are slated for the chopping block, as they are well over two years old and have mostly stopped laying. The new ready to lay hens come at the end of the month.

I'm looking forward to a Mother&Daughter evening out tonight. We're headed to the Fabricland's 50% off sale, supper out, maybe some browsing....well, definitely some browsing in the nice "home" stores and a good time!

The rest of the weekend will be quiet as we have lots to do here.
May your weekend be relaxed and productive with a good laugh here and there!
Love,
Niki

Around our Place

2011-05-14T10:52:00.002-04:00

Edited to add: This is the second posting, due to the blogger mess. :) Glad to have been able to retrieve it.

Those grandbaby boys of ours are growing so fast. They are now 3 and 1 and keep things hopping. We have such a good time with them, they certainly keep us laughing.

Our daughter, Jenny, is about 6 1/2 months along now and things are progressing just as they should, thankfully. She is a beautiful expectant mum and feeling good. I've been busy crocheting baby afghans, I hope to make 3 in total for her. This one is half finished, and I'm using James C. Brett's Marble Chunky.

It's lambing season here. We have had 15 born so far out of the 30-ish we should get total. They have been easily delivered for the most part and all but 3 have been very healthy and full of vim. I love to watch them, so adorable, gamboling around our vivid green pasture. Cute little buddies coming in from the field.

Baby chicks arrive at the beginning of June. These are meat birds, this year we are growing 50 of them which should stock up the freezers. We've also ordered some ready to lay hens (these are 20 week old hens, that should start laying straight away). They'll come along at the end of June.

The gardens are full of spring colour. Tulips, Daffodils, Forsythia, Johnny Jump-Ups,
and my beautiful flowering Magnolia bush. Shortly our crab apple orchard and our lilacs will be blooming as well...the lilac is my favourite!

In the veggie garden the garlic is doing really well as are the Egyptian onions. The lettuce, peas and onions have germinated, and are showing tiny green growth in our sunny upper garden.

The Egyptian onions are doing super..
A couple of garlic rows...

We have two vegetable gardens, one down the hill by our back pasture which we call the lower garden, (this garden is used for our canning tomatoes, potatoes, squash, zucchini, and some cukes) and another fenced in by the house, which is the upper garden.

The upper garden is handy for quickly nipping out of the house to grab whatever is needed, a slicing tomato, say, or a few herbs or onions. Sometimes this garden is referred to as the kitchen garden. The tomato, squash and beans and peppers are also doing well indoors, we had 100% germination from the seeds we saved last year, so we are very pleased with that. A new experiment this year, our first row of Strawberry plants.

Mothers Day this year was very nice. Lots of us were able to get together and have a grand time, and my husband gave me a Kindle, the sweetheart! I am just starting to get comfortable with it, I think I will like it...it is certainly very easy to read and use and wonderful for purchasing books inexpensively, and is able to store 3500 books!

I will be really happy when I can download borrowed books from the library, which I have heard is coming soon.

I also received the second year of my blog posts, beautifully bound in a book from the kids. So I now have 2007 and 2008. The books are published by "Blurb" and they do a beautiful job. I also received a lovely handmade card, which I really appreciated.

I surely wish the price of gas would come down, which I know isn't likely. We are at about $1.32/ litre on average here lately, (there are approximately 4 litres in a US gallon.) It's time to start watching how many trips into town I make. I really try to combine errands and appointments so that I only have to go in a couple of times a week.

In the kitchen I've been trying a few new recipes. "Crash Hot Potatoes" from the Pioneer Woman are easy and delicious, and a delicious Hazelnut Torte from Mennonite Girls Can Cook. I actually made the Torte 3 times in two weeks, for various occasions, and everyone loved it. It is a super easy blender cake recipe.

By the way, I received my copy of MGCC cookbook (I pre-ordered it months ago) and it is wonderful. The recipes are just as you would expect, absolutely fantastic, and I can't wait to try many of them out. I also loved the Bios on each of the girls, as well as the "Bread for the Journey" pages which are inspiring and uplifting. A beautiful book and I would recommend it highly.

All in all things are very busy here, which is expected at this time of year. We are all healthy, happy and have each other, so we are truly blessed.

Blessings to you, as well.
Niki

Now You See It, Now You Don't!

2011-05-14T09:39:00.002-04:00

So I had a lovely long newsy post up day before yesterday, and in the last few days of Blogger Mess it went "poof" and has so far stayed that way. My google reader is displaying it though, so if you check yours it might be there....and could you comment and let me know if you see it or not?
Thanks & Blessings,
Niki

Amazing Grace

2011-04-22T15:12:00.002-04:00

My husband pointed me to this rendition of Amazing Grace by Il Divo. "Watch it", he said, "it's incredible." And it is. Watch, enjoy, be blessed.

A Blessed Easter to you and your families,
Love,
Niki

Quilty News

2011-04-12T08:52:00.001-04:00

Spring has Sprung! Green is slowly unfolding across our fields, buds are appearing on trees, and the warmth of the sun has been well and truly felt...at last.

I was so pleased to spend an overcast, on-and-off rainy day, yesterday, hand sewing the binding on my grandson Sam's 1 year old birthday quilt. It was finally, finally, finished.

I made the exact same quilt for his older brother, Henry, when he turned 1. Henry's was red, white and blue. Sam's as you can see is a beautiful brown, blue and white.

All of the quilts for the babies in Vanessa and Cory's family will be the same pattern, just in different colours.

My plan is that each of my children will have a "family pattern", and each grandchild will have their own unique colourway for their 1 year old quilt.

These are not heirlooms, rather they are meant to be used, dragged around, washed, and loved. They are lap-sized quilts, so big enough for a small child to feel comfy, but not too big to be portable.

We take lots of pictures of the quilts when they are new, knowing full well that by the time our grandbaby is not a baby any longer, it will probably be worn out, just as it should be.

Our maple syrup season has ended, we produced 276 litres of syrup...(that's alot of syrup), and life has been very busy here. Now we're onto gardens, seeds, and general clean up. Bliss.

Have a blessed day,
Niki

Updated to add: Pictures of the boys, with their quilts, can be seen at my daughter's blog.

Be back soon....

2011-03-12T09:08:00.001-05:00

Things are very busy here. I will post when I can, but am taking a break from my usual semi-regular posting.
blessings to you,
Niki

Winter...........Still ????????????

2011-02-26T10:32:00.007-05:00

I hope you don't mind me saying so, but I am fed up. Fed up with snow, winter, cold, driving winds, gray skies, ice, slush...the whole nine yards! Yep, that's pretty much how I feel at this time every year.

This is the view from my cozy chair, and while still very pretty, is simply too wintery for me. The bloom is off the rose, and I want Spring. Ah well, it's closer today than it was yesterday!
Many of the comments on my last post mentioned how busy I am. Well, I guess I am, some days. But there are plenty of days when I pull up my foot stool, lean back in my chair, pop in a dvd, get a good book, or spend too much time on the internet. Many days when all I accomplish is making the bed and making supper.

This is the time of year when I am most lacking in home-making ambition. I just find my energy bottoms out in the late winter, the house does little to inspire me, and I must fight feelings of discontent. I wonder if any of you have similar feelings, or suggestions to help beat, what I guess are, the winter blahs.

Holding on for Spring,
blessings,
Niki

2011-02-20T11:55:00.000-05:00

Each branch of our family (except one) has sickness. Stomach flu, regular flu, heavy colds, aches, pains, fever....luckily there is at least one healthy body per household to look after the sickies. In our home my beloved is fairly miserable...so a very large pot of homemade chicken noodle soup was made today, half of which went to the sick grandbabies.
I've been administering lots of orange juice, Tylenol Cold, Neo Citran, throat lozenges, tea with lemon and honey etc. There is nothing like Chicken Noodle Soup for a cold. Science has proven it truly has healing benefits.

This past Friday was scheduled to be a freezer cooking day. Vanessa couldn't make it, as she had sick boys, but Jenny and I decided to go ahead anyway. On the menu was Lasagna, Chili and a new recipe, which tasted delicious called Continental Beef. I got that recipe from "Don't Panic Dinners in the Freezer" and it had a delicious flavour, although I did tweak it a bit to suit us, I will try to post my revised version in the next few days.

The day before freezer cooking I browned about 10 lbs. of ground beef, and cubed 3 smallish roasts, and browned the cubes as well. It really gives us a big head start on the actual day to have all the meat prepped and ready to go. We were pooped at the end of the day, but it all went smoothly. This is the only evidence of our freezer cooking, and the only picture I remembered to take! Some of the empty tomato sauce jars and my very large canning pot, used for the big batch of chili, scrubbed clean.

Our pantry and freezers stockpiles are starting to diminish. Sadly we have only about half a dozen quarts of tomato sauce left, and no stewed tomatoes. We canned 75 quarts this summer, and we've gone through them all already. In fact, my canning shelves which were so very full are now looking fairly empty. We will have to try and increase our canning this year. My 2010 canning list is on my sidebar, but please remember I have the help of two grown daughters in getting all of this done. Over the years we've all become quite spoiled with the delicious taste and minimum cost of home canning. I really begrudge buying those items at the grocery store.

Chickens are also going quickly. We grew 35 chickens, but we've had alot of soup making the rounds this winter, not to mention casseroles, and roast chicken suppers. These chickens were a beautiful size, finishing at between 8 - 10 lbs.

As we put two beef in the freezer this fall, we still have lots, but Rob did say that he can see a "dent" in the amounts in our freezers. It is satisfying to see all that we produce being consumed and appreciated by the whole family.

I have become tired of my kitchen hutch. For years and years it displayed our good china, but lately I've been wanting a change. My Rob took the glass cupboard doors off, as I've decided to go for a kitchen "dresser" look, putting some of our regular dishes, pottery and bits and pieces on it. It's not quite how I want it, but it will get there over time.

Samuel's first brithday quilt is coming along. Flying geese are done and just waiting to be attached. Then one more sashing border, and then, a quilting we will go! I am going to machine quilt this one on my regular sewing machine. I think I can do it. It is a lap size quilt, so not tooooo big, but I've only ever machine quilted once before, so fingers crossed!

I've just completed a baby afghan, and I'm well into another one. Two baby girls to be born in the next short while need some homemade coziness!
What I really need is a cleaning day. With the sickness in the house, and the busyness we've had this past week, I want to scrub the house out. Hopefully Monday will be a good cleaning day, praying I have lots and lots of energy! My energy level at this time of year is usually quite low. Probably a lack of sunshine and fresh air, and just general tiredness of winter.

Soon it will be maple syrup season here, lots of family will come and stay at our home, and we will be very busy, both at the sugar bush, in the sugar shack, and here at home. It's kind of like running a small hotel during sugaring season. The guys will start tapping trees and hanging buckets as well as readying the pipeline by the end of the month. The season usually lasts about 6 weeks, and when it's over we are truly into Spring! We know maple syrup season is offiically over when we hear the frogs singing. The picture below was taken last year, and is of the traditional spile and bucket....and of my husbands very worn out and mended coveralls.....

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued prayers, thoughts and kind words for baby Luca. He has now been moved out of ICU, truly a miracle, and will begin the long road of rehabilitation. Please continue to keep this family in your prayers.

The week ahead will be a busy one, but I'm praying it will be a satisfying, unhurried, and productive.

May your week be blessed,
Niki

Update on little Luca

2011-02-15T08:59:00.003-05:00

It's been a little while since I've posted about our friends who were in a terrible car accident. You can read about it here and at the end of the post here.

Little Luca, their 2 1/2 year old son, continues to improve, PRAISE GOD! A huge praying community (And I do mean huge...literally thousands and thousands of people) have rallied around this precious little boy.

Here is the latest update from Jimmy, Luca's father. Within the message is a link two a 2 minute local news clip about the incredible support of the community. It's worth the watch :)

"Today Luca was taken off all his sedation and pain meds. He seemed lethargic at one point, he wasn't coughing, and they weren't sure if they were going to extubate him. As the day went on, they realized they had sedated him too much and before long, he started to become more active. He was moving his arms and legs a little and for some reason he seemed uncomfortable. For the first time, he realized his feeding tube and breathing tube was there. To be honest, I also wouldn't be comfortable if I were him. He looked at me while one of his eyes opened up and it was as if he was listening. For over 4 hrs he was restless and they had to give him a sedation med just to calm him so he could go back to sleep. His PEEP was down to 5 and he was breathing at 21% so they plan to extubate him tomorrow morning. He will also nee to have a helmet on him for a while--he will look like a hockey player. Maybe I'll put some Habs stickers on it :) All in all, it was a good day; he had a more difficult morning, but got himself back together by the afternoon. Please pray that he has a good night and that all will go well when they extubate him in the morning. As he starts to become more aware of things, it will be tough for him to figure out who is who and what exactly is happening around him. Please pray the Lord will make things clear for him and that the peace of God would rest upon him. I read Luca a couple of Psalms and prayed with him before I left, kissed him on his forehead, told him how much mom and dad love him and reminded him that the God is taking care of him and is watching over him. Please continue to pray for Luca and thank you for your overwhelming support during this time."

"P.S. They did about a 2 minute clip on the whole story on ctv this evening. Go to http://ottawa.ctv.ca/ On the right side where the video clips are, click on "Rush Of Community Support For young Boy Injured in Crash."

Blessings,Jimmy

Please continue to pray for Luca if you feel so led,
Blessings to you,
Niki

Cooking Cooking Cooking!

2011-02-07T20:36:00.006-05:00

We've been cooking up a storm the last couple of weeks. Among the most noteable is the Hazelnut Torte I baked, it was super easy and super delicious. I made it with the Nutella & Whipped Cream option....yum.... Thank you Mennonite Girls Can Cook...truly you are my favourite recipe site!!

The torte was for the daughters birthdays and since they are now married, with homes and husbands who treat them to lovely birthdays, I decided to combine our traditional family birthday suppers and celebrate both girls birthdays at once. After all, their birthdays are only about 10 days apart... So instead of cooking two separate meals, we ended up cooking both meals at once. Yes, we had two complete meals in one...not really a time or work saver, but a great food spread, that's for sure.

Daughter # 1 chose Chicken Wings, Honey Garlic Ribs, and Ceasar Salad, followed by the Torte. I will try to post both the Wings and Ribs recipes soon.

Daughter # 2 chose Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, followed by Tiramisu.

The birthday Tiramisu is a tradition. My Rob prepares it every year, and it is delicious!

We had it all...and then couldn't move for several hours.....

A few days prior to that we had our first big Freezer Cooking Day. The girls and I had discussed doing this for quite some time....and we finally did it. It was a great success. We made a huge pot of Minestrone Soup to freeze. We freeze it flat in freezer bags, saves freezer space. Also 6 Lasagnas, 6 Chicken & Rice Casserole, and 6 Cabbage Roll Casseroles.

The day before our cooking day, I browned 12 lbs. of ground beef, and cooked a whole chicken, so the meat was ready to go which really made the actual cooking day much easier. The lovely stash of freezer meals ready to go is just the thing for the one daughter who is a busy mother of two little ones, and for the other daughter who is pregnant, so needs to eat healthy, real food, but is working and so time, not to mention energy is limited.

We're having another freezer cooking day next week. I'd love any suggestions for delicious freezer friendly meals.

Looking forward to my computer class later today, and enjoying the beautiful sunshine we finally have!

Have a blessed day,
Niki

Please Pray

2011-02-07T09:23:00.005-05:00

UPDATED TO ADD. (AFTER MRI)

This is what the doctors have told us:

"The brain swelling in Luca’s left side of the brain has subsided which means they were able to see more black spots which is a very positive sign. The swelling around the brain stem was also reduced which is also a VERY positive thing. Pending any secondary injuries, the doctors said Luca will LIVE and we should be talking about his rehabilitation process..."

The above is part of the note from Luca's Dad, sent out this afternoon. Thank you so much for your prayers, PRAISE GOD!!!

"My dear friends have a very sober day today. Today their son gets a CT scan on which hangs life or death. God is great and is capable of doing the impossible, despite the odds. PLEASE pray for this precious little man. Please pray that the swelling has gone done in his brain. Please pray for his Mommy and Daddy who adore him. For his grandparents and aunts and uncles. Please pray for the doctors, that they would have wisdom. Please pray for the boy that hit them. But above all, pray for this sweet baby boy."

I have copied this from my daughter's blog. The mother of this little one is her best friend. Today is a day of prayer for many, many people in our city. Luca continues to fight. The news has not been good during the past week, and we would covet your prayers for this little one. Here, once more, is the news article on the accident, if you have missed what has happened.

blessings to you,
Niki

My Day

2011-02-02T10:57:00.001-05:00

A very stormy day here. The first really big storm this year, in fact. We are snugged in at home, and I'm so thankful that my husband can work from home, and doesn't have to drive in the mess.
I'm planning on making some potato soup for supper, along with homemade rolls. Comfort food, warming and solid.
My day will be filled with laundry, ironing, cooking, and hopefully some quilting time. I am still trying to finish up Sam's first birthday quilt. This quilt top still needs a flying geese border.
My book stack is a very interesting mix these days. Currently I'm reading Henrietta's War,

as well as a couple of non fiction

The DVD's have included an oldie, which I've never seen, The Corn is Green with Katherine Hepburn

and a new series we are enjoying called MI-5 in North America, in the UK, where the series is produced, it's called Spooks.

I am also watching Season 4 of Lark Rise to Candleford (oh how I love this series) on YouTube.

Over the past several days, our community has been praying fervently for a little guy, 2 1/2 years old, who, along with his mum and dad, were in a very serious car accident on Sunday evening. He is in critical condition, and I know the family would covet your prayers, if you think of them. The news article is here. We have known this family for many years, and in fact my daughter is best friends with the mum, so this is very close to our heart.

May your day be blessed, safe and warm.
Niki

Special Gifts

2011-01-22T17:30:00.000-05:00

This Christmas was so special for our family. Henry at 2 1/2 was just starting to get the idea of it, which was a delight to share in. We haven't had a little one in our family, or extended family for so many years, that I think we all enjoyed it that much more. Sam at 8 months was, of course, most interested in wrapping paper and smiled and "talked" with everyone, cheerfully putting up with being passed around from aunt to uncle to grandparent.

Gifts in our family are usually very thoughtful, and often homemade. This year I was given two gifts that were extra special.

The first is a small book, written by our daughter Jenny. "Our Christmas" describes all our family traditions and some incidents over the years, and is so heart warming and touching that she succeeded in bringing tears to my eyes.

We have a small local book binding business not too far away from us. She had a copy made for each of her siblings and for Rob and I. I'm planning to share the story in a series of posts next Christmas on my blog. The picture on the cover, drawn by Jen, is of our house.

The second gift is another book. Imagine my surprise when I opened the package to find my header photo facing me on the front of a beautiful blog book. It was a book, complete with photos, of my first year of blogging (2007), and it is beautiful. The girls used a company called "Blurb" to format the book. Blurb "slurps" up the blog content and you format it into a book. It's absolutely beautiful and a little bird has told me to expect the subsequent years over coming birthdays and Christmas :-)

The pictures should enlarge when you click on them.

I am hoping one day my great grandchildren may find these journals both online and in book form a peek into our lives. I know I would have loved to read a journal written by my great grandparents. I wonder how long online blogs and journals will remain online, once inactive?

blessings to you,
Niki

Family News!

2011-01-19T19:48:00.002-05:00

We are so excited to announce that our daughter Jenny and her husband Jeremie are expecting their first little one at the beginning of August! Another wee one in the family ~ how blessed we are.

If you think of it, please keep them in your prayers.
YIPPEE!!!

Hawaii

2011-01-16T09:28:00.002-05:00

We are back from Hawaii! A major check on the bucket list. We spent 4 days in Honolulu, staying here, right on Waikiki Beach, then boarded the Pride of America cruise ship for a 7 day cruise through the islands (definitely the best way to see most of Hawaii), and then spent 3 days back in Honolulu. We experienced so much, saw such beautiful places, truly, glimpses of paradise, and even got to rest and relax a little.

The view from my chaise lounge at the pool....

Our hotel grounds were the most beautiful I've even seen. Lush, tropical and full of surprises. Ponds of tropical Penguins, Koi fish, Pink Flamingoes, colourful Parrots, and a variety of unidentified odd looking birds are everywhere.

Beautiful swimming pools, restaurants, and shopping.

Live music playing everywhere, all the time, and at night the tiki lamps lit throughout the property, fireworks and the stars. And the beach. Waikiki beach is beautiful, huge and has lovely swimming and snorkeling. A wonderful place to stay if you're ever in Honolulu.

We went to a Luau on New Year's Eve, on Waikiki Beach...

Our cruise ship, the Pride of America, Norwegian Cruise Lines.

The cruise was an great experience for us. We didn't suffer from motion sickness, and in fact we both loved the "motion of the ocean" finding it very soothing, especially to fall asleep to. The ship was also beautiful and run so very well and efficiently. There was never any waiting, or issues, and the service and of course, the food, was exceptional. We decided before the cruise to stay away from the buffet. Although it was excellent, we weren't tempted to over indulge and we enjoyed the dining rooms much more.

Whale watching, and witnessing a breeching whale (that's when they throw their body up out of the water) was probably my personal highlight. The massive magnificence of the animal really brought home to me the "incredible-ness" of God's Creation...a truly heart stopping moment. We went out on a catamaran into the Lahaina channel, off the coast of Maui, which is a nesting area for female Humpbacks returning with their babies. It is also a mating ground, and the breeching whale we saw was one of several whales that were showing off with lots of tail slaps and pectoral fin slaps as part of a "competition" as several males vied for a female.

The first minute or so of the video is pretty boring just a couple of whale "blows", fast forward to the 1:00 minute mark to see the breech.

After whale watching we toured the town of Lahaina on Maui, stopping for lunch at Bubba Gumps, need the waiter? Flip the sign on the table to "Stop Forrest Stop"

Don't need him, back to "Run Forrest Run" ....kinda cute :)
That's some yummy shrimp they're serving up at Bubba Gumps...

Snorkeling at the Molokini Crater, in Maui. A first for us, and so amazing. The coral reef and variety of fish is amazing. It was like "Finding Nemo" down there.

The Na Pali Coast, on the island of Kauai, is one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, but is so rugged it cannot be traversed, even on foot. The only way to see it is by air, which we did! We went up with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters...they fly Eco-Star helicopters which seat 6 and are very bubble-like. I, being the one terrified of heights, got "lucky" and was seated on the seat closest to the bubble like window....the views were magnificent, but the heights...well, took some getting used to!

NAPALI COAST

The Big Island of Hawaii, land of volcanoes. We visited Hilo, a town on the east coast. It's very wet, semi rain forest, very lush. Here we walked over a huge lava field, onto a black sand beach. This flow happened in 1990, wiping out 180 homes. Mount Kiluea is still active and flowing molten lava at this time. We cruised by the molten lava flow which is currently flowing into the ocean. The black lava field was, surprisingly, harboring life. Ferns grew everywhere, and as a re-greening process, people drop coconuts on the lava field, which crack and quickly coconut palms grow up. A Macadamia nut farm visit and a long soak in a natural hot spring finished off our day in Hilo.

LAVA FIELD

BLACK SAND

The people of Hawaii were so gracious. I was a little surprised, I must admit. I had sort of expected that residents of an island constantly inundated with tourists might get a little tired of dealing with them. I mean, I know tourism is critical to their economy...but still...Was I ever wrong. The people we met could not have been more helpful and warm spirited. The welcome we received and the way we were treated will remain one of my most cherished memories of Hawaii. Hopefully one day we'll go back.

For now, back home is a wonderful place to be..I missed my grandbabies and my grown up kids so much, there really is no place like home :-) although I probably could have been persuaded to stay a little longer.... ;-)

blessings to you,
Niki

Aloha!!!

2010-12-26T09:36:00.003-05:00

Hope your Christmas was wonderful, and the day filled with joy.....we had a beautiful family Christmas...hosted by our eldest and her hubby, it marked the first time in my adult life Christmas wasn't hosted by me....and I must say, it was a lovely change! Thank you so much Vanessa & Cory. It was also a little bit of an arranged pot luck....the benefits of having married daughters in the family....another first....and a resounding success...excellent cheesecake Jen!

Now onto the next. big. event. ......Aloha Hawaii....here we come...I'll be back in a couple of weeks, Lord willing, and might even have a few thousand pictures to share! To our house/farm sitting kids, we thank you. You know we couldn't have this holiday without your help!

Blessings,
Niki

For Unto Us A Child Is Born....

2010-12-20T15:00:00.000-05:00

Take a moment to reflect and rejoice in the busyness of this blessed season.

From our home to yours, Merry Christmas....
blessings,
Niki

Baby, it's cold outside....

2010-12-12T08:36:00.003-05:00

well, it's not the cold that has us cozied up in front of our fire, but the 6 hours of freezing rain we have ahead of us...not to mention the snow that's coming, and then more snow to follow tomorrow...and that our heads are stuffed with colds...

We woke up to the cars coated in ice, and the tap, tap, tapping of ice hitting our windows. sigh. no church today, and lots of time to follow the storm track on Environment Canada's radar system...which is one of my favourite things to do...the weather junkie that I am.

Today is my wonderful husband's birthday, and though we have had to delay his family birthday supper (due to our glorious weather, don't want kids driving in it!), we will enjoy each other's company, I'll make a nice supper for two, and we'll trim our tree....which will be kinda different, the first time without any kids to help! But we will have a lovely time, just us two! :-)

Have a cozy day,
blessings,
Niki

This week....

2010-12-06T11:15:00.006-05:00

So, on the Not For Christmas crafting front, I have been immersed in this....a very odd pattern, you actually drop two "stitches" after each knit, but it is very easy, and quick and will be perfect for our vacation away....(more on that another time). The pattern is here. I'm using Berroco's Seduce yarn, which is lovely.

Sam's first birthday quilt is coming along quite nicely too. It is the same pattern as Henry's but in a different colour scheme. I have decided that each grandbaby will hopefully be given a quilt from me on their first birthday, and that each of my children's families will have their own pattern, with each quilt done in different colours.....clear as mud, ... right?

Anyway, here is Sam's quilt top...there is still a border of flying geese and some sashing to add.

I'm just finishing up the latest Miss Read novel, Christmas in Thursh Green, it is the first new novel from her in 10 years. She wrote it with the aid of her assistant, as she is now very elderly. I actually thought she had already passed away, but in "chatting" with Nan, I learned that she is in fact 97! A quick google search confirmed it. The novel is true to form and a comfy read, so if you're a Miss Read fan, you're sure to enjoy it.

A busy week ahead....Christmas errands, some Christmas baking...at last, our final ballroom dance class, which we really enjoyed, supper at a daughter's house one evening, Salvation Army shift, and my wonderful husband's birthday this weekend, so a family get together to top the week off! And, last but not least, our Henry is a sheep in our church's Nativity play this Sunday...I wonder if he'll baa.....

I've been knitting and watching more of Emily of New Moon, and Season 1 of the Murdoch Mysteries, which are quite good, as well as a few Christmas favourites like The Bishop's Wife, and Holiday Affair.

I also have a delicious stack of library books awaiting my attention....

and since today is my home day, I may spend some time digging into it!

Oh, and my daughter is doing a lovely job decorating their first home for Christmas...check it out here.

Have a wonderful week,
Niki

Merry Merry Here we Come...

2010-12-02T21:38:00.004-05:00

The Merry Merry season is upon us, and as it draws ever nearer, the pace quickens, the anticipation grows more keen, and the excitement, even at my rathermiddleage....is felt more and more.

However.....the house hasn't a single seasonal decoration as yet. The tree, not even purchased, never mind trimmed, nor is a single gift wrapped, the lovely photo below is of our home....last year, .......that's right....so far not a single string of lights has been strung.......we will get there...and enjoy the doing of it...

I have enjoyed the hours spent standing by the kettle for the Salvation Army, participating in our local Santa Claus parade (what is more fun than being the person throwing candy out to the kids as we parade along???), our church Ladies Gift exchange and Carol singing, completing all my Christmas shopping (amen), and planning some Christmas baking (am woefully behind schedule in that department this year), all these events make me more aware than ever how blessed is this season of ours, how rich in tradition, and brimming over with love...the love of friends, of family, of a small babe in a manger.....the love of our Saviour. Christmas fills me with overwhelming gratitude for the life and the family I've been blessed with, as crazy as it sometimes may be.

How are your Christmas preparations coming along?

blessings,
Niki

2010-11-14T19:25:00.002-05:00

** Updated to add: I completely forgot to thank all of you for your well wishes for our son's wedding, they meant to much to us, what a wonderful bunch you are!!! ...and...I've replied to comments in the comments section of this post, blessings, Niki

This is a heck of a long, rambling post....you might want to get a cup of tea...

We have all been blessed with busyness the last few weeks. After the wedding of our son, 5 weeks ago (already!) life didn't slow down as I had planned. Not that I am complaining, as it has all been so good. Time with the grandbabies, the kids, and my wonderful husband is nothing to gripe about! One last note about the wedding.....the cake!! Kris (who makes the most amazing cakes...and lives in an amazing place) pointed out that I was quite remiss in not showing a photo of the cake, specially made by the bride's sister. It was lovely and delicious
There has been lots of work around home, which I love, as well as getting organized and ready for Christmas. It may seem early to some, but it is approaching fast and I like to have gifts finished and ready to give by December 1st so that I can really enjoy the month of December without all the crazy rushing around and shopping.

This will be the second year I will be a bell ringer for the Salvation Army Kettle Drive, which I absolutely loved doing last year, and have committed more time to this year. The stories people share about the Sally Ann, and the impact it has made in their lives is incredible. I leave each 3 hour shift feeling very blessed and very Christmas-y. It's a great cure if you are finding yourself lacking Christmas spirit, they are always looking for volunteers.

I've finished up some gifts, (which of course I can't share right now.....) and the girls and I have set aside Wednesdays through the rest of the month, and into December to make beeswax candles, soap, some special preserves and special baking.

Canning was finally finished up last week...finally...30 quarts of tomato sauce, and 24 pints of apple sauce to add to our pantry. We processed tomatoes through our food mill last month and then froze 10 gallons of pureed tomatoes in buckets, until after the wedding, when I would have more time to finish canning it...that happened this past Wednesday. A relief to have it done for the year, the whole family will enjoy it through the winter.

I'm watching a new series, from the same producers of Road to Avonlea. It's called Emily of New Moon, and it's quite good.

Also an old British series, The Duchess of Duke Street.

We crossed the border into the US a couple of weeks ago, to pick up the snow tires we had ordered, which are half the price of the exact same tire here in Canada. While there I stopped at a Joann's Fabrics and chose several yards of cotton, suitable for making table napkins at $2.99 per yard. I was able to get 14 - 16 inch square napkins, as well as a dozen smaller size napkins out of 3 yards. They made up quickly, a small double fold hem around the edges, and ready to be used. I love cotton for table napkins, they become softer with each wash, and are absorbent.

Also this past week Beefy and Bob, our two steers, came back from the butchers and were organized into freezers...we had a family birthday Friday evening, our baby boy turned 21!!! (Happy 21st Birthday Jon!), and Rob bbq'd some steaks. They were delicious....although I will miss Beefy and Bob...they were so cute...OK, enough of that, not allowed to think of farm animals like pets....I'm not going there...

Our home is slowly getting readied for winter, apart from having the pantry shelves filled and the freezers full. The chimney's cleaned, firewood stacked on the front and back porches, cocoa runner nailed to the front steps and porch...nothing is slippier than snow on a wooden porch step.

A new wreath to welcome family and friends on our front door. I like that it is not too Christmas-y, so I can leave it up all winter to brighten things up! I bought it from a friend at a local craft fair, she makes the most beautiful wreaths.

All that we have to do now is string up the Christmas lights, (a quick and easy job at our place. No climbing on roofs or up tall ladders for us! ) and bring up the two small evergreen trees that stand on either side of our front door....and put the patio furniture away...and take down the screened porch roof...hold on! I'll stop now, this is turning into a To Do List...

Have a wonderful week,
love,
Niki

A beautiful day for a wedding...

2010-10-26T16:07:00.006-04:00

Our son Jonathan married his love, Deanna, on Thanksgiving weekend. It was, as you can imagine, a very special day. The ceremony was moving, the party was fabulous and the day was a blessing to all. Here are a few pics.....

Jonathan, waiting for his bride...

Here she comes!!! She was absolutely stunning...

...just previous to the Bride's Entrance was a wee ring bearer named Henry, only 2 1/2, who performed his duties perfectly :-)

During the ceremony

They look pretty pleased with themselves...

Whispered sweet nothings....
Portraits, the park setting was spectacular

The first dance was very romantic...
Before we knew it the limo had arrived and off they went....

Well, we are officially empty-nesters now....the next season of life begins :-)

blessings,
Niki

2010-10-13T09:10:00.006-04:00

Happy Belated Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends :) and thank you for your messages.
All is well here, just very busy celebrating our son's wedding this past Thanksgiving weekend. We have had a houseful of guests, and lots of get togethers, and many happy moments...

As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words", so here is a bit of what we have been up to....

Our tiny fall fair...the bake table...I'd hate to have to pick out first prize among these!

Family visiting...in anticipation of the BIG EVENT!
Bringing the vegetable harvest in...and preparing some mini pumpkin tea lights for decorating at the rehersal supper.....

Touching up the many, many pumpkins we spray painted gold, for hall decorating....

A big rehersal supper at our home, and I forgot to take a picture of the buffet table!!! The menu was all the bride and groom's favourites....Spinach dip, Hot Artichoke dip, Sausage rolls, Shrimp platter, Maple Sugar Salmon, Crispy chicken wings, Honey Garlic ribs, Greek Pork kebabs, Rice Pilaf, Ceasar salad...the food went on and on.....

I cooked for two days straight, and had plenty of help from my wonderful husband and our equally wonderful daughter Jenny, who showed up the morning of the rehersal supper carrying a pumpkin spice latte for me, and ready to work....

Our son, the groom, (holding nephew Sam, ) and the best man.... Jon stood up for Michael as his best man just this past June....

The rehersal itself....and, finally, a picture of the beautiful bride and her groom....

I kept Sam amused during rehersal......

Hall decorating...it looked beautiful...

A whirlwind of a time....wedding day post coming.....

Have a blessed day,
Niki

Waste Not Want Not

2010-09-15T13:45:00.004-04:00

I stumbled across this World War 1 poster in my Canadian Housewife book. I just love it.

It came from the Canada Food Board. The caption reads "Help the war effort on the home front by being thrifty and industrious; Grandma encourages Mother to preserve fruit and vegetables, thus ensuring that nothing edible is scrapped."

We are very familiar, here in Canada, with America and British posters and slogans from the World Wars. It was nice to see a Canadian example of war time thrift.

blessings,
Niki

PS...and aren't I on a posting blitz??? I'm sure it will wear off, and I'll shut up again soon :-)

PPS..I have noticed some new followers and readers, thank you for your comments, I LOVE them and welcome!

2010-09-15T07:41:00.008-04:00

A productive and fun day yesterday. We made 22 quarts of tomato sauce, which took a little less than 2 bushels...and talked pretty much non-stop all day. Here's a peek at our day.

The daughters and grandbabies arrived early, and we started washing those tomatoes.....

Once washed the tomatoes are cut into fairly large chunks, with any "suspicious bits" cut out. Nessa did alot of chopping!

I don't have to peel tomatoes for sauce because we use a food mill. Jenny's working hard.

Good thing Henry is around to help out

Here is a closer look at the food mill...the chunked up tomatoes go into the hopper at the top, the handle is turned, and the sauce comes out the shute, while the skin and seeds go into a separate bowl.

See...here are the skins and seeds....

Sam enjoying his rice cereal

The sauce is poured into my huge stock pot, where it will simmer for a little while. I add Tomato paste to thicken it.

Once ready we fill the jars with sauce, add a tablespoon of lemon juice, a teaspoon of salt (per quart) and seal it up. It's then popped into the water bath canner to be processed for 40 minutes. For those not familiar with canning, a water bath canner is simply a big pot of boiling water, with a rack in the bottom. We have two canners, one on the stove, and the other on our porch. It's on a propane burner, and having 2 canners going at the same time helps us get through the large number of cans much more quickly!

At the end of a busy day....tomato sauce

We do have a good time doing this, everybody pitching in. We hope to make about 100 quarts of sauce, 100 quarts of stewed tomatoes, which is a very different process from sauce, a batch of salsa and a batch of pizza sauce before the tomato plants are done...

On another front, we have a soon to be married son...only about 3 weeks away...and Deanna had a lovely shower this past weekend, with another one this coming Friday! The girls and I made a kitchen gift basket for her.

This Sunday was the first reading of the Banns at church, so we took a picture of them :) Cute!

I thought I'd end today with a little Appalachian folk music....if you haven't heard "Green Beans in the Garden" you're in for a treat!

Have a blessed day!
Niki

I say tomato....

2010-09-14T08:07:00.003-04:00

Guess what we'll be up to today???

Yup, tomato day...sauce is the name of the game...and we'll be at it all day.

blessings,
Niki

10 Commandments for Wives

2010-09-12T18:35:00.000-04:00

The time is drawing very near when our son Jonathan will marry his love, Deanna. We are so thrilled to attend two showers for Dee this week....and both asked us to bring favourite recipes and words of encouragement/wisdom/scripture to share with the Bride.

I wrote out these words for my girls, and shared them with Deanna at her shower....I re-read them every few years, they always ring true. The "Olde English" is kind of tongue-in cheek, but not the message. I hope you enjoy them.

10 Commandments for Wives

1. Honor thy own womanhood, that thy days may be long in the house which thy husband
provideth for thee.

2. Expect not thy husband to give thee as many luxuries as thy father hath given thee after
many years of hard labor and economies.

3. Forget not the virtue of good humor, for verily all that a man hath will he give for his wife's
smile.

4. Thou shalt not nag.

5. Thou shalt coddle thy husband, for verily every man loveth to be fussed over.

6. Remember that the frank approval of thy husband is worth more to thee than the sidelong
glances of many strangers.

7. Forget not the grace of cleanliness and good dressing.

8. Permit no one to assure thee that thou art hard done by; neither thy mother, nor thy sister,
nor thy maiden aunt, nor any of thy kinfolk, for the judge will not hold her guiltless who letteth
another disparage her husband.

9. Keep thy home with all diligence, for out of it cometh the joys and memories of thine old age.

10. Commit thy ways unto the Lord thy God, and thy children shall rise up and called thee
blessed.

Love,
Niki

2010-09-07T08:50:00.002-04:00

One of my favourite authors is Francine Rivers. Have you ever read the "Mark of the Lion" trilogy? Have you? If not, you should, it's sooooo good...but be warned, it takes a little bit to get into it and once you do you won't be able to put it down, so make sure you have some time available, or you can stay up reading all night....

Currently I'm reading her newest book "Her Mother's Hope" and I am really enjoying it....the pages just fly by...

In the kitchen, things, are, as always, busy. When we were haying last week I mentioned that the girls had tacos and fajitas ready for supper. I didn't have any Taco Seasoning packets at home. I've been buy these packets for years and years...without every thinking about how easy they would be to make up from scratch...a quick "google" search later and there you have it..easy, and even better tasting than the packets.

Click here to get the recipe. It came from allrecipes.com, one of my favourite recipe sites. I used about 1/2 a cup of seasoning along with 1 cup of water for 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef. I'm never buying those silly packets again...this cost a few pennies compared to the 1.29 the packets cost!

I'm loving what our garden is producing...that along with our freezers and pantry are keeping us out of the grocery store. This weeks grocery list: Bananas and Milk.

So, I said to my husband on Saturday afternoon, "I think I'll make a cake for Sunday. A real, two layer chocolate cake with homemade chocolate icing, from scratch."

"Yum," said my husband.

By Sunday morning the cake still hadn't been made. "Well," I said to my husband, "there's still time to whip up that cake" ....

and then ....

he looked at me and said..."it's been years since I've made a cake, I think I'll do it"....

and he did!

Did I mention he is my beloved husband????

Rob's Chocolate Cake was delicious...and it is all gone....but we did share!

Have a blessed Monday,
Niki

Dehydrating...

2010-09-02T08:16:00.004-04:00

I dry herbs and apples every year...this year I thought I would try something new....and I can't remember which blog I originally saw it on...but I'm so happy I gave it a try.

Most vegetable gardeners know if you plant Zucchini....you've got ALOT of zucchini......no middle ground, no moderate amounts, only a ton of the stuff....truly amazing what one plant can produce.

So I've started dehydrating it. We LOVE Zucchini in pasta sauces, soups, and chili...and esp. in baked pasta casseroles...so dried will be very handy for cooking this winter.

My first "test batch" I sliced too thin....I found the perfect thickness to be about 1/8" thick or slightly thicker....they don't take very long to be totally dry. I'm storing them in mason jars.

This week and into next will be Tomatoes, (they are just starting), Pears in a light syrup, and maybe a new recipe, Plum Chutney.

Have a happy Thursday
Niki

Making Hay While the Sun Shines

2010-09-02T08:01:00.003-04:00

We've had a second heat wave here in Eastern Ontario....and several days of hot sunny weather...and a hay field that could stand a second cut......it was way to much for my husband to resist.....

Two son in law's came over.....and I drove the tractor, while bales were thrown....

Here's Cory, trotting along beside me on his way to the next bale...

My Sweetie was the Chief Stacker....

A stop in the field for a minor repair to our ancient wagon....hmmmm....I wonder what happened? Could it have been the tractor driver (me) turning to sharply and thereby "causing the tie rod end to come out" if you want the farmer husband's explanation...or in my lingo..."broke the steering on the hay wagon"......luckily, easily fixed.

Once we were done, the guys headed for the swimming pool, along with Henry, of course....and I headed into the kitchen to help get supper on the table....the girls had everything ready...a supper of Tacos and Fajitas waiting....and the hay done. Amen.

Have a blessed day,
Niki

In the meantime...

2010-08-27T08:20:00.001-04:00

I've been reading some interesting books....

One of my top three favourite authors is Gene Stratton-Porter, she is so goodgoodgood...I love every book she's written, although I do confess to Girl of the Limberlost being my favourite! I've just finished up A Daughter of the Land, and I loved it too, of course!

Another fast, worthwhile read was Food Rules by Michael Pollan...you won't go far wrong if you follow these rules for healthy, smart, eating. We are blessed to be able to follow a very clean diet here. We produce much of our own meat and produce, as well as eggs and have access to raw milk. I liked that he simplified the craziness of "eat this and not that", and that, for once, common sense prevailed in a book of this type. This is worth the half hour it will take you to read. I think I may buy this book, for when I need "reminding."

Jenny lent me The Canadian Housewife; An Affectionate History and I'm really enjoying it. From the earliest times in Canada to the present day a commentary on the work, social position, politics, and lifestyle of housewives. It sounds boring but it really is written in an easy to read style and full of interesting and fun facts, as well as great photographs and drawings.

I have finally started The Poisonwood Bible....I'm having trouble getting into it....I hope I'll enjoy it, I've heard such good things about it...I bought it used for 25 cents!

I've also been skimming through Hawaii the Big Island Revealed, as well as the rest of the series. These are supposed to be the best travel guides written for the Hawaiian Islands and I must say they are full of info.....wonder why I'm reading these?????? hmmmm?????? ;-)

Have a relaxing, productive, and joyful weekend!
Niki

Quilty News

2010-08-24T04:28:00.000-04:00

When our Henry turned 1, we gifted him with a quilt....

When our Sam turns 1 (in April...did I ever mention both of our grandsons were born on April 1st????....it's true!!!) Anyway, when Sam turns 1 he will have a quilt from us as well....same pattern, different colours...here are the delicious fabrics....I love the colours Nessa chose, and I picked the fabrics.

I've got to get busy... :-) He'll be 1 before I know it!

Blessings,
Niki

WooHoo....a gettin' stuff done weekend...

2010-08-22T16:11:00.007-04:00

We've been like squirrels getting ready for Winter around here....

Freezing blueberries

Canning beans

Dehydrating Parsley from the garden

Draining juice from our Crabapples...Crabapple Jelly...yum

...along with a huge pot of Minestrone soup and fresh bread for Sunday supper....

A good day.

Have a blessed week ahead,

Niki

Peachy Keen

2010-08-17T16:45:00.000-04:00

The freestone Ontario peaches are in the markets, at a great price, and this year they are just delicious! The daughters and I will spend tomorrow canning peaches in light syrup, peaches for the freezer, and peach jam. My sweetie is providing supper... one of our 10 lb. chickens, beer can style, on the bbq, so we don't have to worry about cooking. The son-in-laws will join us after work for supper and to pick up their wives and babies....

Those peaches will be tasty in January :-)

Hopefully we will also get beans and crabapple jelly made this week.....
Niki

2010-08-12T09:05:00.002-04:00

Time has sped along, as usual, at this time of year. What have we been up to??? Well, let's see...

Canning pickles, relish, with beans and peaches next week....

Dehydrating herbs....gonna try Zucchini next...

Butchering Chickens, 26 of them, all between 8 - 11 lbs. Most of them were 9-10 lbs each, just perfect!

Staining our back deck...6 hours straight, just to do the staircase and one wall...more to do later today...

Spray painting our outbuildings.....seemingly unending acres of wall to be painted....

Babysitting our Henry, who helped with the farm chores for the first time, and carried the egg bucket to the house....

Being the main baby Sam holder, while we followed Nessa and Cory from one car dealership to another...hey, it's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it! :-)

A few relaxing days at a friends cottage, since this is, after all, my sweetie's summer vacation....

Along with the everyday stuff, the laundry, the meals, the cleaning and general tidying up....

and though all the busyness, an awareness of how good life is in this season, and how thankful we are.

Have a blessed day,
Niki

2010-07-25T08:17:00.011-04:00

Several weeks ago I came home with a bolt of outdoor fabric, intent on making a canopy over the table on our newly screened in back deck....and...........voila..........

I am pretty pleased with it, it was a quick sewing job. I had to join two pieces together to get the width I wanted, and then hem the four sides.

I love that it is different from what you see everywhere....I'm really noticing that homes are starting to look more and more identical...same patio sets, same leather furniture, same neutral colors, same, same, same. Everything seems staged, like a showroom... I really want my house to be individual, to reflect my husband, myself and our family...the best way is to make stuff yourself. It may not be perfect, but it will be one of a kind! :-) The second best way is to look for things for your home in thrift stores, vintage stores etc.

Our married kids have done the used/thrift shopping alot for their homes, and have homes that look wonderful and are very unique...in a good way! Our son, and his fiancee, who are to be married in about 73 days....have already purchased most of the furniture for their future home, and all of it is used and will look great, I'm sure!

Absolutely brilliantly coloured Phlox
Every day seems to rush by lately. But I am blessed as they are filled with tasks and people that I love. It just doesn't allow alot of blogging time :(... especially at this time of year, when things are very busy on our little farm and with the family.

Our meat birds and turkeys are getting big....chickens are facing D-day on August 11th. We have lost quite a few this year, especially during the heat wave we had. Rob had fans on them and the buildings windows and doors open, but it was just tooooo hot. Anyway, still lots left and they will help fill up the freezers.

Hosta beds

Our steers, Beefy and Bob, are filling out nicely, which is terrific. They are the most easy going, placid pair, never startling at any sound. Rob took a shot at a coyote quite literally right under their noses and they never even blinked. Well, that's what we like around here, easy going animals :)

The lambs are almost as big as their mamas, and thankfully we haven't lost any more of them to coyotes recently. It has been the worst year ever for predators, and I'll be glad when these lambs are sold and gone.

Hello

Sheep in the field

On the crafting front I have been busy...but must remain secretive, as Things Are For Christmas. I am about to purchase fabric for Sam's 1 year old birthday quilt. He is not one until next April, but I will be starting soon. I will make the same quilt as I made for Henry, only different colours. Nessa has chosen brown and blue, and we found a beautiful line called peekaboo, from South Seas Imports.

Henry's quilt top (I can't find a photo of the finished quilt, for some reason!)

Henry loves his quilt, it goes everywhere with him...we have started calling him Linus...

Our gardens are doing so beautifully, and I can take none of the credit for it. My sweetie is an exceptionally gifted gardener. Some recent pictures.

Pole Beans

Bush Beans, Peppers, Basil, Carrots, Lettuce, last of the Sugar Snap Peas

Yellow Onions

Shaggy tomato plants, just starting to see some small green tomatoes, and a cuke plant in their midst...

the pumpkin patch

However, once he has harvested, and the bounty hits the kitchen, then my work really begins and the canning starts. That time has arrived. On Tuesday the girls are coming over and we begin canning Zesty Zucchini Relish, and Sweet Pickles. We have already started the never ending Zucchini harvest and our pickling cukes are early this year, so let the games begin....once I start canning, it doesn't really stop until apples are done in October....

Pickling Cuke

Rob and I are having a home day today. We are spending the day quietly at home, nobody is visiting today, that we know of, and we are looking forward to a peaceful, hanging out together kind of day after a very busy past week.

Hollyhocks

I have some new to me magazines to browse through...I often buy older magazines at our library, for my mum, who loves magazines and goes through a good sized pile every week. She isn't particular about the age of them, she just loves browsing through them. I think I pay $1 for 6 of them. This past week the stack I bought included August 2010 Good Housekeeping, August 2010 Family Circle and June 2010 Canadian Living....and I usually get the current Reader's Digest as well!

Tonight for supper I am trying a Braised Rib recipe. I have never cooked braising ribs before, so I'll let you know how this goes, the recipe looks good though.

Our day today, here in Eastern Ontario, is set to be a high of 25 and sunny, with a few clouds. Perfect!

Have a blessed Lord's Day
Niki

Such a mishmash of stuff...

2010-07-14T08:37:00.001-04:00

I hope you can wade through it all!

In the garden, Rob has spent several years nurturing his garlic bed along...and this year it looks like all his hard work will be paying off. We are starting to harvest huge heads of garlic. The taste difference from the grocery store variety is incredible. If you ever have the opportunity to buy some fresh local garlic at a farmers market, go for it, you won't be sorry! Here is a comparison of last years garlic clove to this years...

Saturday I went to the mall with Nessa. First time in two years I've been to the mall, and I still hate the place. Nessa needed to pick up a couple of things, and I came along to help with baby Sam, so at least the company was good. I did come away happy in the end though, as I found the dress for our son's wedding in October!!! I knew it as soon as I saw it on the rack, and I liked it even more on. What a blessing to have it done so early, quick and easy. Finding my dresses for the daughter's weddings was a long, drawn out, painful affair. Now I just have to find the shoes.....

This past Sunday we had the whole family over for a World Cup party. Our son in law, Cory, has Dutch ancestry so naturally we were all cheering for the Netherlands, who, sadly, lost to Spain, as you probably already know.

Sad Netherlands fans....

However, the food at our place was great...Bacon wrapped water chesnuts and bacon wrapped Pineapple, hummus and pita, chips and dip, Spanikopita, tortilla and guacamole, and salsa, veggies and dip (we like dip in our family), and then an quick, early, supper of jumbo hotdogs and a tasty homemade potato salad, with ice cream sandwiches for dessert.

Monday was a home day for both Rob and I. We spent a couple of hours working out side, I was cutting grass, he was weed whacking, and then we goofed off the rest of the day and swam and hung out. We joined Nessa and Cory for supper, I brought along some oven fried chicken, and we visited with the grand's.

My bookshelf has been kind of mixed lately, well, actually, it usually is...

Well written and beautiful pictures...this is the second time I'm browsing through it and am enjoying it just as much.

Clara's Kitchen, the book based on the famous youtube's of Clara, 93 years young, and her Depression era recipes....

On the fiction front, life has been a little...flat.... I borrowed the latest Debbie Macomber, I like her Blossom Street series, and felt like a little light summer reading....well, it was pretty ho-hum.....

I heard somewhere that this is a good read, I've just started it, so I'll let you know.

I'm thinking it's time to get back to my reading list....maybe Pickwick Papers....

DVD's have included everything from Panda's in the Wild, to Berkley Square, with a little Hollywood thrown in here and there.

I did acquire, after much thought, and some trepidation, another tech-y item...For a long time I have pondered whether or not to buy an mp3 player of some description, just a basic, inexpensive one, that would allow me to download books and music, for working days in the kitchen or on long drives....well, after a friend demonstrated her iPod Touch for me, I decided to take the plunge. Now I have no more paper lists, or paper calendars, which, if you know me, is MAJOR....I love my lists, seeing them, touching them, writing them out...checking things off.....but I am LOVING my iPod, and as an extra bonus it talks to my Mac, so calendar items can go back and forth between the two...

You know, when I started this blog, I could do email...and that was it. One of the reasons I chose to begin keeping a blog was to learn more about computers, technology,...you know..., but now, here I am, with all these gizmos....and actually using them!!! Phew...never would have thought it would be something I would/could do!!! My pretty iPod case...

Today will be another home day. I will hopefully get started on the canopy for our back deck, and have Pork Kebabs planned for supper, general puttering around, and before I know it, the day will be done...

Have a blessed day!
Niki

2010-07-02T14:10:00.002-04:00

Belated Happy Canada Day everyone!

We had a lovely day, spending it with friends at their cottage, mostly playing Bridge, chatting, eating and playing Bridge.....very relaxing. I hope your Canada Day was lots of fun, good family times, or just a quiet relax....whichever you prefer :-) We are blessed to live in this wonderful country!

As I was cutting the grass the other afternoon it occurred to me that I hadn't posted any garden pictures yet this year. Our veggie gardens are coming along, despite a very late planting.

40 tomato plants in this one, along with onion, drying beans, potatoes,and a few cukes.

Lots of yellow cooking onions

The pumpkin patch...hopefully we'll get a very good crop of miniature pumpkins for our son's wedding in the fall.

The upper veggie garden filled with garlic, peas, beans, lettuce, and green onion.

So, all in all, not a bad start.

In the kitchen I was excited to try a new Strawberry Freezer Jam. I've made old fashioned cooked jam every year for years, but it uses soooo much sugar! This product uses one 1 1/2 cups of sugar per 4 cups of fruit (I actually used 5 cups of fruit). Not only did it thicken beautifully, but it had the texture of cooked jam, none of that granular-not-quite-dissolved sugar texture you often get with freezer jams....and no, this is not a paid ad....lol...just my humble opinion :-)

We attended a wedding last weekend, the son of friend's of ours. We're at that stage...lots of friend's children's weddings. It was a very nice wedding, lots and lots of people. I believe the reception was for around 400!

I was asked to help a Mum with her twin babies during the ceremony...they are so adorable....This is Maggie, with very blue eyes!

My handsome son was honored to be the Best Man (although they're both good looking, he's the guy with the white shirt)

Today my hardworking husband is putting together a new patio set for our back deck. After 13 years, we passed our old set on to Nessa and Cory, since we finally found one we liked. All the sets we looked at were the same, nothing interesting, nothing new...at least this one has a little going on, design-wise, and the price was right...and on sale...

2 more chairs still to be constructed...

I'm browsing through an interesting book. It's given me a few really good tips on dressing to suit your body type.

I'm also enjoying our favourite magazine. We've subscribed for years and years and keep them all. They have excellent articles on all things rural.

In the kitchen today I've made some homemade hamburger buns, for the back bacon on a bun (How's that for a Canadian supper...eh?) supper we have planned. We'll add some veggies and some garden peas, we're having a bumper crop of them this year, and maybe some corn on the cob.

CORY***DON'T READ PAST HERE...SOCCER SPOILER********!!!!!!

Nessa and the boys are coming over for the evening, as her hubby, Cory, is watching the a replay of the Netherlands/Brazil game with some friends tonight. He is spending the day desperately trying to avoid finding out that Holland won!

Hope you have a beautiful weekend,
Love
Niki

2010-06-24T07:43:00.006-04:00

T'was my birthday yesterday and a lovely day it was. I spent the day with our oldest daughter, doing the major "just moved into a new house" grocery shopping.

They bought they cutest house

My main responsibility was holding my delicious Sam for alot of the day, which was heavenly. He is almost 3 months old now, and is talking, talking, talking, smiling and "agoo-ing" all over the place.

Brothers

When I got home from shopping, we had the whole family over for Pork Souvlaki (my hubby made them gooooood), along with veggie kabobs, potatoes and a lovely green salad...and, of course, Uncooked Strawberry Pie.

Lots of goodies, a new game called Spy Alley, some delicious Crabtree and Evelyn bathsalts, and other scented goodies and a gift certificate for a pedicure, which I can really use, as I haven't had my summer pedi yet, (a yearly treat). All in all a wonderful birthday, and just to top it all off a dear friend is bringing me a container of her homemade Strawberry ice cream! Isn't that wonderful???? I might even share a bit of it ;-)

Speaking of new games, I bought one for Rob for Father's Day called Quiddler. It's a word-card game, and we are quite addicted. Great game for two players.

Today, it's back to normal. Which is nothing to complain about. I'm thinking about making a Salmon Mornay for supper, and baking some Rock Cakes. There is general tidying up to do, along with some ironing, and maybe a little sewing squeezed in. Henry needs a little bag to carry around his Thomas the Train, along with all Thomas'es friends....and I have some John Deere fabric a bloggy friend sent me a while ago, waiting to be used...

Have a blessed day,
Niki

Strawberry Salad

2010-06-15T09:09:00.001-04:00

Strawberry Season is finally here!!! We look forward to this big time in our family, mostly because of this . But also because of this delicious salad. I hope you enjoy it.

Strawberry Salad

1 large bag baby spinach or lettuce, either or both may be used.
1 pint strawberries, washed and sliced (reserve 3/4 cup for the dressing)
A small handful of almonds or pine nuts.

** I often double the strawberries.

In blender, combine:
3/4 cup strawberries
1/4 cup raspberry or apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup canola oil
2 Tbls. sour cream
2 Tbls. brown sugar
1 tsp. Dijon mustard

Blend until smooth.

Combine sliced strawberries with lettuce/spinach. Pour dressing over salad then sprinkle with almonds or pine nuts, and toss.

Uncooked Strawberry Pie

2010-06-15T08:51:00.003-04:00

This recipe is an early Christmas present to you :)
Try it, you'll thank me.

It's my "birthday cake" every year, since my birthday falls smack into Strawberry season. My husband (pie maker extrordinaire) makes it without fail, usually in triplicate, because everyone has seconds....or...thirds.

Uncooked Strawberry Pie

1 quart strawberries
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 Tbls. corn starch
1 baked pie shell (bought or from scratch)
1 Tbls. butter

Mash 2 cups berries, with sugar and cornstarch, Cook in small pot over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in butter, then stir in remaining whole berries.

Fill pie shell with mixture, chill in fridge, and enjoy. Garnish with some whipped cream if you like.

Merry Christmas :)
Love,
Niki

Home & Farm Doings

2010-06-10T19:30:00.003-04:00

Edited to add: click this link for the coffee can antenna instructions.

Our home has been seeing some improvements lately. Rob has just about finished the screened in back deck, and we've purchased some outdoor fabric which I will make a shade canopy out of. My plan to construct it should be a very basic sewing job and I think it will work beautifully....fingers crossed....pictures to follow.

We've repainted our shutters, they were originally a dark green, which had faded to an ugly greenish gray. We chose a glossy black, and they came out really well. Just be sure you pick the right spray paint...you want the stuff that adheres to plastic.

One of our porch lights had broken. They were original to the house and were really cheap builders' standard stuff, so we replaced those as well.

Now we just have to get around to painting the porch itself, which is on the list this summer and we will be very spruced up!

The doors on the back deck still need to be stained and we will get around to it soon, I hope, weather permitting.

Our farming news is not so good. Our lambing year has been a disaster. We've had a serious Coyote problem in our area, and we know we've lost at least 6 lambs to them for sure, probably more. Rob has been able to shoot 2 coyotes, which is, sadly, very, very necessary or the coyote population explodes. Here is a picture of the dead coyote along with the lamb he killed. Sorry for the graphic nature of the photo, but it is a part of life here. Anyway we are down to 13 lambs (we should have had about 35), and have even lost a full grown ewe to the Coyotes.

Hopefully we won't lose all our lambs before they are ready for market, and next year will be a better one. I'm thankful we don't try to make our primary living from our lamb. This year we will be taking a loss financially.

On a happier note, the meat bird chicks and turkeys are doing great, and Beefy & Bob, our two beef cattle (ahem...steers), are staying home and seem to be doing very well...the laying hens are producing lots of beautiful eggs and Jim the rooster wakes us up every morning.

A while back we decided to give up on satellite tv. We just were not finding enough that was worthwhile watching to justify the expense. But there are a few programs we enjoy, so we thought we'd try this out....

Yes, I kid you not. An antenna made from a coffee can....(I'm sure there's a "redneck" joke in here somewhere)...We'd heard about them on the radio, checked it out online and Rob built one...and you know what........it works! We get about half a dozen channels, one in HD! More than sufficient for the little time we spend watching tv, dvd's being much more preferable. I enjoy tv shows so much more when I can watch the whole season on dvd, commercial free.

Classic Redneck joke: " You might be a redneck if your old living room furniture is your new patio furniture" teeheehee.....

Blessings,
Niki

2010-06-07T07:35:00.005-04:00

Although I try to live purposefully and deliberately I must admit last week was a bit of a blur. Between cooking, baking, cleaning, a hair appointment, time with kids and grandbabies, and the usual round of errands I blinked and it was Sunday.

Cory, Nessa, Henry & Sam

Sunday being a very special day. The Baptism of our Samuel, 2 months and 5 days old. Lots of family and friends attended, it was great to see everyone and be able to visit. After the church service, a pot luck lunch was hosted by the congregation, followed by a nice visit at the home of our son-in-law's parents.

Our gang, it's wonderful when we are all together.

So, after the full week last week, and the full day yesterday, a home day is in order. Laundry, general tidying up, and a steamed supper, for supper tonight.

What's a steamed supper? In a tall pot, put peeled and large chopped potatoes and carrots on the bottom, in a bit of water, then quartered cabbage next, and several smoked sausages on top. Good snug lid on the pot and bring to a boil and then simmer until all the veggies are cooked. Serve with mustard for the sausage and butter for the veg. YUM!

Have a wonderful Monday!
Niki

2010-05-28T09:12:00.002-04:00

It's been a scorcher in our part of the world. We reached 39.3 deg C. according to our home weather station...and a high humidity level...so we are working slowing, taking lots of breaks, and several dips in the pool to keep cool.

My Rob was able to install two doors on our screened back deck this week. One leads to our backyard, the other to the pool. We'll be staining them this weekend. He's been on a weeks' holiday and had quite an impressive "to do" list. He got quite a bit of it done, such is the life of a hobby farmer.

We had a visit from our grandsons (and other assorted grown up kids) on Monday (a holiday here in Canada ~ Victoria Day).

Henry approved of his pool, we supervised from our surprisingly comfy Muskoka chairs.

We spent the day visiting, eating, swimming and lounging around. I got a lovely 2 hour snuggle with my littlest grandbaby, while he napped in my arms...just delicious.

Sam just hanging out..The menu for our holiday Monday was easy as well. Since some were here for lunch as well as supper, I made egg salad, and chicken salad (left over chicken from the day before) for lunch-time sandwiches. For supper a mixed grill of pork chops, knackwursts, and skewered shrimps were bbq'd.

Along with my homemade potato salad ~ did you know that the best 2 ingredients for a delicious potato salad are dried dill weed, and a small dollop of dijon mustard? If I were going to add a third ingredient it would be finely chopped dill pickle ~ along with a macaroni salad, and a large green salad. Dessert was super simple, a fresh fruit salad, served with cream. Couldn't be easier, and everything was prepared in advance except the green salad.

Thursday was chick pick-up day, as in day old baby meat bird chicks. We've ordered 40 meat birds and 3 turkeys. We got 45 chickens and 5 turkeys, they often throw in a few extra "just in case." Once we have them set up, that will be the end of incoming animals. We will have a "full house" or, more accurately, full animal housing. Our humble sheep, and chicken sheds are full and the pasture has as many animals on it as it can support. So we will all settle in together for the summer and Autumn until it's time for filling the freezers. Gardening update next time!

Have a wonderful Weekend!
Love,
Niki

Amazing Amazing Amazing Grace

2010-05-24T09:19:00.001-04:00

Moved me to tears, so beautiful. I hope you take the 8 minutes to watch it :)

New!

2010-05-20T13:39:00.001-04:00

Lots of "new" news....as I mentioned earlier in the week...

This is new...let's just say it's a love/hate relationship.....

Rob says I must persevere for one more week before making a decision as to whether or not it will be a permanent member of our household. A BIG Thank You to Kris & Nan for their help in getting these photo's into this post! (And, of course, to my saintly husband as well!)

Yeah, so, the big space at the top of this post...don't quite know how to get rid of that yet..., nor any other awkward space for that matter, but I'm working on it... now... moving on....

These guys are new...a second steer is hiding by the fence.

This little darling is still very new...

Our wee Sam is doing so very well, gaining weight and starting to smile and show off his personality...I'm in love....again....Grandbabies are the most wonderful thing ever!

Henry is growing so fast, I am now called "gwanmraw", and according to Henry I am very, very, silly....as in "Oh, oh, silly gwanmraw!!" which he delights in saying to his mama when I make him laugh, or tickle him. Here he is, with PawPaw's shoes on...

The "cows" are actually Black Angus steers we are "finishing". They are affectionately known as "Beefy" and "Bob" and will be filling up our freezers and our daughters/son's freezers come November... We are raising Salad Bar Beef, a very healthy, lean and tender beef.

This dynamic duo arrived the other morning around 8:30 am..... by 10:00 am they were strolling up our country road, completely disregarding fences, having decided to return to the home from whence they came...

It took us, plus 3 neighboring farmers to "encourage" them back into our fenced pasture.

It was about 10:30 or so at this point...

...we finished the electric fencing at 2:30...sigh...that was work. I got very good with the drill, insulators and clearing overgrown brush and vines. The beasts are still fenced, and seem very calm and content..so all is good.

My days continue to be very full. Usually I spend 2 days a week at Nessa's just helping out and visiting. A couple of days each week are my home days, so I can get laundry, cooking, cleaning and baking done.

Yesterday was a typical home day. I made 6 dozen oatmeal raisin cookies, (stocking up the freezer) an Apple Crumble (for Henry, he calls it Apple Cake and loves it), Potato Salad, Cucumber/Onion salad, and Oven Fried Chicken, from one of our home raised chickens which Rob cut up into pieces for me. 7 loads of laundry were done in the last 2 days, great weather for line drying! Floors mopped, sheets changed, and general tidying up accomplished. Since I was spending a good part of my day in the kitchen I put this audio book on my cd player, absolutely wonderful, and relaxing to listen to. I like to work slowly, not rushing and enjoying what I'm doing, so it was a perfect accompaniment.

We are getting the vegetable gardens ready, planting will happen this week. The grass has been cut twice already and could use it again, and the perennial gardens mulched. We are planting lots of flowering shrubs this year. The baby chicks are scheduled to arrive next week, along with a few turkeys and that will finish up this year's "crop" of livestock arrivals.

Today is a Nessa day, actually just an afternoon, hopefully Henry will be up from his nap in time to visit with me for a little while.

Have a blessed day,

Niki

HELP!!!

2010-05-20T08:30:00.002-04:00

So life is not all smooth sailing since I purchased a Macbook Pro. I looked forward to all the great features I'd read about, and the very long battery life, and the wonderful media capabilities....but I've hit a major wall.

Is Blogger not compatible with a Mac? Especially in the compose mode? I cannot move my photos around in the compose/edit mode of Blogger. This is a deal breaker for me. If I cannot blog easily, I'll have to return my lil' Macbook.

Can anyone offer any help or advice??? Pretty Please With Cherries On TOP!

Thanks

Love

Peace,

Niki

Happy Monday Morning!

2010-05-17T08:12:00.001-04:00

I am still here! ....and with a shiny new macbook....my ancient laptop finally gave up the ghost...posts to resume shortly, after I've figured out iPhoto, and a pile of other stuff :)

Love

Niki

Home Again

2010-05-04T22:02:00.003-04:00

We've been away! A wonderful anniversary weekend spent in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We enjoyed the beautiful countryside, taking many relaxed drives through the back roads. Stopping here and there, enjoying the farming, the Amish, and the beauty of our surroundings.

A round hay bale wrapper, Amish style

We ate, (too much), and did a little shopping, especially for the grandbabies, and just had a good time being together.

The low clouds....

A chance to re-charge our batteries and enjoy the change of pace.
More soon!
Blessings,
Niki

2010-04-23T08:06:00.000-04:00

Life is slowly returning to normal. Everybody is growing...healthy and happy, and I have enjoyed spending lots of time with Nessa, Henry and our family's newest addition, baby Samuel. We are so thankful.

Spring is breaking out all over our place. The forsythia bush is blooming, the daffodils are up and gorgeous, the tulips are coming along, the lilac bush is in bud, and progressing rapidly, and the fields have a particular, brilliant, shade of green that comes only in the very early spring.
Frogs are singing to us in the evenings, and the birds are waking us up every morning, along with Jim the rooster. The birds are really a full and very loud symphony, in fact. Our crabapple trees are budding as well (our home is situated in a very old crabapple/apple orchard)....in a few weeks, for a very short time, our little hobby farm resembles a postcard, before the true heat of summer settles in and the spring blooms and blossoms fade away. It is my second favourite time of year, second only to the harvest and Autumn's brilliance.

Our wee grandbaby Sam is looking chubby and strong...nursing well, sleeping well, and generally being a delightful bundle. Mama is looking terrific, it's hard to believe she gave birth such a short time ago. Big brother Henry approves of him, thankfully. Two years old is young to adjust to a new baby in mama's arms! Henry is always happy to give Sam hugs and kisses, brings Sam his "souse" (pacifier) and his "gip" (blanket) and is generally being a very wonderful help in his own small way.
Our lambs are so much fun to watch...they like to hang out together, we call them the "brat pack." Daily they charge back and forth across the pasture, in mob formation, all "braking" simultaneously, turning and charging, en masse, in the direction from which they came. Every once in a while, a lamb will spring up from the pack, straight up, kicking it's little back legs in the air....or two will decide to head butt each other...we can stand at the pasture gate and watch them for half an hour or more, they're so entertaining.

I finished knitting up a scarf for next winter. I used a very soft bamboo yarn, and followed this pattern. Very easy, reversible, and so pretty.

On our dvd player this week is The Young Victoria. We thoroughly enjoyed it, excellent photographic settings, ( I love beautiful scenery) wonderful costumes, and super performances.

This weekend is very busy. I am, along with two friends, hosting a bridal shower. We expect over 50 guests and are holding it in a community hall in a small local village. So, the weekend will be filled with food and shower preparations, and setting up/decorating the hall. Lots of platters of sandwiches, fruit, dips, and goodies will be prepared on Saturday for the shower on Sunday. Luckily I have my Jenny coming to help with the slicing, dicing, stirring and preparing!

In the vegetable gardens we have green onion, and lots of garlic up. The spring has been so mild that Rob has already planted lettuce, spinach, and bok choy. Radish and Carrot will be going in as soon as he has time. In the house our seedlings are doing very well, especially the tomatoes.

We have our planters by the front door. This year it's all about Pansies...I love them. Even the piglets who guard our front porch stairs have their own little pot.

We've ordered our meat birds (chickens), they arrive as day old chicks, and turkeys for delivery in late May...and hopefully a couple of beef animals will arrive around the same time.

We've been busy, yes indeed,....and looking forward to our Anniversary weekend away in the next few weeks... some time together to enjoy a nice long drive, a restful B&B, some sightseeing, and great meals, and lots of feet up, book in hand time.

There, I feel so much better, now that I've had a more proper visit with you :-) I've been missing you!

Blessings,

Niki

Yes I am Still Here...

2010-04-14T18:22:00.003-04:00

and enjoying our new little grandbaby, as well as the sheep, and the lambs, and our big boy grandbaby, Henry, and our kids and their spouses, and all the cooking and laundry I've been doing, and time with the best husband in the world, and....well.....I won't go on...I think you've got the picture....

I'm confident life will return to a little more normal schedule soon, and I'll have time to visit in my usual way.....

I'm glad you enjoyed the video of Henry and the Lamb, but the sound of my own voice........

oh.

my.

word.

Love,

Niki

Henry & The Lamb

2010-04-08T08:53:00.002-04:00

While wee Sam was still in hospital, along with Mum and Dad, recovering from birth....we had Henry...and a bottle-fed lamb.....

Have a blessed day,
Niki

Introducing....

2010-04-02T08:11:00.002-04:00

Our beloved grandson, Samuel, arrived safely at about 3:40 yesterday afternoon! He's a solid 8 lb 7 oz, and is, of course, gorgeous!

Thank you for your prayers during this time, mama and baby are doing great.

Have a blessed Easter everyone!

Niki

Babies Babies Everywhere...

2010-03-23T16:35:00.007-04:00

11 lambs so far, with another 30 or so to come.....every year I fall in love with these sweet babies all over again...and speaking of sweet babies, Henry's great-aunt and uncle brought him a uniquely western gift from Alberta, and he loved it!

Play time with PawPaw

3 more sleeps until our precious little one is welcomed into the world....counting down with great anticipation!
I'll post with the blessed news, please continue to pray for mama and baby.
Blessings,

Niki

2010-03-20T08:48:00.003-04:00

So, the busy times are here. Lots of fun, but so much going on this week...actually...month.

Family arrived here Thursday evening, for a couple days of syruping, with more arriving today and staying until the end of the month, the 29th to be exact. Lots of outdoor work, lots of big famly meals, lots of great conversation and laughs, maybe a little touring around to some picturesque small towns. A great time!

That gives me two days exactly to get ready for our new grandbaby's arrival (Lord Willing). He/She is expected on April 1st at 3:00, so please, dear friends, continue to pray.

Lambs are DUE, and lots of them. We have enormous sheep right now, between their wool and their bellies, they can hardly walk.....so amidst the family, friends, syruping and baby preparations, we will catch a few lambs, and perhaps carefully pull a few along.....not to mention the inevitable bottle feeding, and in house nursing, that always occurs with a few, hopefully not to many this year....

I still have to get binding sewn on the bassinet quilt, and some other little things ready, inbetween the goings on....

All of this to say, if things are quiet around here for the next little while, or I don't comment or visit you are often as usual, you'll know the reason why.

Hugs
Niki

2010-03-15T20:54:00.002-04:00

A busy day at the sewing machine.....

Rainbow baby afghan blocked and ready for our little grandbaby ~ ~ ~ CHECK!

Flannel crib quilt with Minky backing machine quilted ~ ~ ~ CHECK!

17 Days to go until Grandbaby # 2 arrives....

If you feel so moved, your prayers would be coveted.

Blessings,

Niki

Seeds & Maple Syrup ~ Spring is on the Horizon!

2010-03-07T07:48:00.004-05:00

Seedy Saturday was a smash hit! We loved our time there and I was able to buy some wonderful and unusual seeds, mostly because my friend Margaret, who is an avid seed collector and gardener (she always has the most interesting stuff in her garden) encouraged me to branch out and try some different stuff.....

like Strawberry Popcorn.....a reddish corn on the cob, wonderful for decoration or popping

...and Yellow Pole Beans....we grow Green every year, but Yellow beans are our favourite and I like pole beans better than bush beans....they seem to grow better here.

We also found some multi coloured carrots, which looked very interesting

....and some St. Valery's Carrots which, Marg told me, store in sand beautifully all winter, she is still eating hers.

She also decided to get into something new & exciting....I'm not sure I want to go there......

After the Seed market, we went for a long lunch, followed by a walk through a good consignment store, fabric store, green grocery, my favourite gardening store, and a quick stop at a shoe store, and home again...phew.....quite a day! We enjoyed browsing, and shopped very little, in fact all I bought were the seeds, but we had alot of fun!

While I was out gallivanting around, my hard working husband spent the day in the sugarbush.

With help from our daughter Jen and our son in law Jeremie, they finished off all the tapping for a total of 503 taps, and collected 5 barrels of sap, and have made 17 litres of syrup ~ a busy day's work!

Today there is more of the same, although now that all the taps are in, it's all about collecting and boiling. Our son Jonathan is helping his dad this morning, and I will work on some homecooking for supper tonight, (it's been a couple of days) Lasagna sounds good, as well as some jobs around the house, and a walk out to the sugar shack to see how things are going.

I must get to some quilting as well!!! I have to finish that bassinet quilt in good time. I'll probably pop in an old movie and quilt away for a good part of the afternoon. So goes the rest of the weekend,

May your day be blessed,

Niki

Spring so SOON????

2010-03-05T08:20:00.002-05:00

Unbelievably we are tapping already....maple trees, that is. Several weeks early, and the sap is running! We are having very beautiful, sunny days, and mild temperatures, with just the right daytime/nighttime temperature range for the sap to run, so yesterday Rob, his brother and friends, began tapping. All these pictures are from last year.

Rob is tapping the "spile" into the tree.

So far they have about 400 taps in, with about another 100 to go....and then there is the pipeline, which is also hooked up, cleaned out and flowing.....So, who knows, by tonight they could be boiling.....steam will be rolling out of the sugar shack....along with that unmistakable, delicious smell, as the golden syrup is produced.

We use mostly food safe plastic buckets with lids these days, but always hang a few of the old fashioned variety as well....

Can you see the black pipeline?

We don't know what to expect from the rest of the season...is this going to be the only syrup season this year, very early?.....or, perhaps a short one now, a little more winter to come, followed by the traditional 4 - 6 week season?.....we'll see....

Tomorrow is a highlight around here, well for gardeners and seed swappers/keepers. It's Seedy Saturday, a sale that occurs every year. An incredible range of heirloom, organic seed for sale, so much fun....and of course, crafty things, and nibbly things...a wonderful hour or two. I'm so looking forward to it! Going with a friend, and having a bite of lunch together after, maybe a little shopping/browsing...just a nice day...and since I am a "Maple Syrup Widow" this weekend, it's perfectly timed!

The knitting is coming along...I have half of one sleeve left to go, before I face the ultimate challenge. Picking up the stitches around the neck and knitting the collar..Yikes!!! I have never done this before...I may have to visit my local "sit and knit" for some help.... I hope I can do it.

I also have to finish up my bassinet quilt, I am about 1/3 of the way done, machine quilting it. And we are going to need it soon. Nessa has a date of April 1st for this little wee one, so both of our grandbabies will share an April first birthday!!! What are the odds????

With all the busyness in the sugar bush, I will have meals ready to go for the most part this weekend. Fried chicken tonight, can be eaten hot or cold, whenever they get in from the bush.
Tomorrow, being Seedy Saturday, is a very easy meal....pizza, and Sunday we will probably bbq since the weather is so beautiful. Sandwich fixings on hand, along with fresh fruit and maybe a little baking to have with the tea....should do.

Have a blessed weekend,
Niki

2010-03-03T07:42:00.002-05:00

The Navy Sweater began two years ago, optimistically planned for Henry's first winter. It has languished. Every so often I pick it up and add a few rows, until this week. When. I. Plan. To. Finish. It. It is really coming along now, and will be a great fit for Henry's wardrobe next Autumn, I hope.

I was a good girl this week....Monday I met a friend at Aqua-fit. I jumped and jiggled through 45 minutes of vigourous deep water exercise, all the while wearing a floaty belt....quite a picture I'm sure! But I did feel the better for it, especially as afterwards we joined a few more friends for a Vietnamese lunch...which was delicious and eaten guilt free!

Yesterday was filled with a hair cut, followed by eye appointments, and new glasses. I knew when I was putting magnifying eyeglasses over my prescription glasses to sew or knit in the evening, that it was time for a new pair...and they are pretty cute! I'll have them in a week or so.

The best part of yesterday was a supper invitation to our daughter Jen's and her husband Jeremie's new apartment. Their nest is just lovely. It is right beside a river, complete with falls, and a dam, and surrounded by a quaint small town. The town is very "artsy" which suits Jen to a "T".

Even though they have only lived there a few days, it is already looking very homely, and cozy. I can't wait to see what they do with it over the coming months. An old Victorian building, the apartment has 10' ceilings, old fashioned baseboards, unusual closets, antique kitchen cabinetry ~ in a good way ~ and tons of character.

Today is a Henry Day. A visit I'm looking forward to....

May your day be blessed,
Niki

2010-02-24T20:00:00.002-05:00

We are totally into the Olympics! Cheering on the incredible hockey, figure skating, and alpine events especially. Canada is doing fantastic, better then we ever have.

Today was a busy day. We left our home at 7:45 this morning, dropped my wonderful husband off at work and headed over to Nessa's who is now 34 weeks and counting....and looks so beautiful. Nothing compares to a pregnant woman for true beauty, I think. They just have that "glow," and our Nessa is definitely glowing. Jenny and I babysat Henry, (sooooo much fun) made some delicious soup for Ness and Cory's supper, and had a good visit.

After picking Rob up at his office, just after lunch, our next stop was a visit with my mum. She is really following Olympic hockey!!! Never, ever, in my life, did I expect to have a hockey conversation with my mother!!! Hilarious :-) As far as I know, she has never, until now, even watched a game on the tv....but she is sure into it now!

Library, grocery store, milk store, gas station....it was supper time when we got home, and I was pooped! Rob made some delish pancakes for supper, ( I am married to the best man in the world!) and I put some sausages in the oven to have with it...supper eaten, with our feet up, in front of the hockey game...Canada/Russia!!! It's the end of the first period as I type this, and the score is Canada 4, Russia 1. Go Canada Go!!!

Tomorrow is a home day...woohoo!!! More work on my baby quilt, swiss steak for supper, a husband needs a haircut, and helping my Jen get her packing done, as she and her hubby prepare to move into their new apartment on Saturday.

I've started a new shawl for....wait for it..... ME!!! I've made so many and now it's time to make one for me. My current shawl is an old pattern that didn't work too well, and I'd like a shawl using my current, favourite pattern, which is much prettier. I've chosen a nice burgandy, some wool from my stash, and I will show you a photo as soon as there is a little more to show.

We are supposed to get alot of snow in the next day or so, or alot of rain, depending on which weather report you believe...either way it's not going to be very nice....so really nice to not have to go out.

Oh, going to go,...second period of hockey has started.....
Blessings,
Niki

Our Canada

2010-02-21T09:19:00.002-05:00

A wonderful piece by American newsbroadcaster Tom Brokaw, about our beautiful country and our relationship with our good friends to the south. Worth every second of the 6 or so minutes.

Hope you enjoy it!

Oh Canada, The True North, Strong & Free!

Thanks, Nessa, for finding this!

Blessings to you this Lord's Day,

Niki

Newsy Bits

2010-02-17T09:13:00.000-05:00

I hope your Valentine's was a love-filled day...we enjoyed the evening at home alone together. A romantic supper for two, a fire in the fireplace...and...the Olympics on....lol...(but not until after our "date") It was a beautiful evening and I am a very blessed wife indeed.

Monday in Ontario was a provincial holiday "Family Day", so we were at home, puttering away at various things. I did start machine quilting the baby quilt last week, and it wasn't tooooo difficult....
Sorry for the picture quality, this is the backing, it's a plush, "minky" fabric.

Rob has been busy. Building seed starter/grower shelves with lights. After seeing this beauty at Lee Valley, for a mere $529.....**gasp**

...he decided to build our own, for about $30. Much Better. Again, sorry for the pic quality, I think my faithful, old, hardworking camera is finally starting to give up the ghost.

Had a few of the family for supper last night. Which is always very nice. So we grilled some Pork chops, had some homemade applesauce on the side, along with potatoes and a baked Cauliflower/Broccoli Cheese, dessert was some stewed cinnamon sugar apple slices (from apples I'd frozen last fall) and custard. Yummy comfort food.

Granny, over at "Granny's Garden", has kindly bestowed an award upon me. Very Nice. Thank you Granny, and I will forward it on to all who read and comment on my blog. We really do form a circle of friends around the world.
Other happy news is that Jenny and Jeremie have found their new nest! A large, bright apartment on the river, in a nearby small town. It's in an old building, so lots of character, but still in very good shape. Visit Jen's new blog to see pictures.

Today is my cleaning day, so I will press on....

Blessings to you,

Niki

My week so far....

2010-02-11T08:08:00.000-05:00

I'm having a catch-up week after a busy weekend. We celebrated Jenny's birthday on Sunday, and everyone was able to be there, which was great! 9 of us, including Henry, a nice size group.

Henry always quickly jumps up on the lap of the birthday person, to assist in candle blowing-out....Rob made a delicious Tiramisu for the birthday cake, I made Roast Chicken, veggies, Yorkshire puddings and a big salad. A game of Apples to Apples, which was great fun, and a very loud game of Pit which sounded hilarious.

Monday I climbed Mount Laundry, and generally tidied up, so I can then clean. I enjoyed the day at home alone, as everyone was out, a very rare occurence. It's nice to have some alone time, every once in a while. Time to slow down, take a deep breath, think things through.

Tuesday I deep cleaned. Big, thorough dusting, glass and windows filled with cute little smudgy Henry fingerprints, shined up, bathrooms gleaming, and then a vac/mop of the entire main floor. Oh it looked nice when it was done, and felt even better! Not very exciting reading, I know, but I love the sense of accomplishment when the house is done.

Wednesday Jen and I went to Nessa's house to babysit our Henry. Her preggy check-up was excellent, baby is very happy and healthy. She is about 7 weeks away from the big day! I can't wait to meet our new little grandbaby.

So, here we are at Thursday. The day will be a quiet, home day, I hope. I'm going to tidy, do a little more laundry and then get busy on the baby crib quilt. I need to machine quilt it. I've never machine quilted anything on my sewing machine, ever. I have taken 2 classes on machine quilting...I have to admit I'm feeling rather nervous about it...I hope it comes out looking halfway decent. I plan on doing a "meandering" quilting pattern that wanders over the quilt.
I've been procrastinating, because of my nervousness, I guess, but today's the day!

Supper will be chicken noodle soup. I've enough chicken left over from Sunday's Roast chicken and it will be good to use it up. I have several bags of frozen homemade chicken stock in the freezer, and will throw in some chopped up onion, carrots and celery, and dried parsley from the garden. Along with fresh buns from the bakery, located very conveniently across from the library, so they will be good on the side.

The library hold shelf was a gold mine for me yesterday. I have a very large stack of delicious books to go through, and a couple of interesting dvd's. I've started the "Irish Country Girl", which is promising to be excellent. I've enjoyed this series immensely.
Also some great non-fiction. Kaffee Fassett's new book, Quilt Romance, which I love. His fabrics and colours make me giddy! I am thinking the next new quilt project will be one of his, probably from this book.
A charming little book, I found by accident. "Simple Pleasures: Soothing Suggestions & Small Comforts for Living Well Year Round" by Robert Taylor, Susannah Seton & David Greer. I'm enjoying this one as well.

Jamie's Food Revolution has some excellent basic recipes and some new twists on them.

Rob and I have been enjoying the TV series "A Touch of Frost". The library recently added the whole series to it's collection (14 seasons), and it is excellent. I loved David Jason in the Darling Buds of May, a wonderfully funny, touching series, and he is equally good as Detective Frost.

Tomorrow the usual rounds of the grocery, errands, and a visit to my mum. Then, we have a nice quiet weekend planned, enjoying the books, dvd's and the hopefully brilliant weather. Sunday, being Valentine's day, may include a romantic supper for two....

Have a blessed day,

Love,

Niki

Lots of Stuff

2010-02-04T18:41:00.005-05:00

Life has been very busy around here. Vanessa and Henry have been here for the last 5 days. Vanessa is in the third trimester now and is having some challenges which are making her very tired, so she came to rest, and let PawPaw and Gramma play with Henry. If you could consider keeping her in prayer, I would be grateful.

Aunty Jenny and Henry got to spend lots of time together. Here they are, talking to each other on cell phones, (very old, non-working cell phones) Henry would flip his open and begin with "Hewoh?" ....."Hewoh?" and the conversation would commence until Henry flipped it shut, only to begin again. I love his very cool pose...

Now, I still have some questions to answer :-)

Kimberly said...
Funny you should ask! I was thinking of you last night, I have a quilt top made for my sweet little Emma {it's very colorful, just like her!}, I'm pretty sure I want to make a quilt back from big blocks of various fabrics, possibly flannel {her request} my hang up is in the batting. I'm a Warm n' Natural fan, but I would like this quilt to have a little bit of fluff to it. Any idea of what I might use that is natural? What about a double layer of Warm n' Nat? Let me know what you think!!

Hi Kimberly, I am not a quilt expert by any stretch, in fact more of a beginner! I have used Dream Cotton, and also Hobbs Heirloom Cotton Batting....but remember I am in Canada, and don't know if they are available in the U.S. I would refer you to my good friend, Bren, who would be able to help you much more than I.

~Bren~ said...
I would love to hear about some childhood stories. Also some posts on when your kids were younger and you homeschooled. Even though you are finished home schooling, you could share some of your best and worst choices, and tips!

Hi Bren....those are big questions...I will take some time to consider and write some childhood stories. I've not shared any of my childhood stories yet....I've not even thought to do it...but I should!

As far as homeschooling goes, we never used a packaged homeschooling curriculum. We used a bit or this and a bit of that. Our first few years homeschooling, we were at home everyday, schooling, and just doing stuff around our property. I loved the Pathway Readers published by the Amish publishing house Rod & Staff. They have questions at the end of each chapter, and also have a workbook you can order to accompany each reader. As an extra bonus, they are quite affordable.

All of my children were big readers, in fact, threats to remove the current book would usually guarantee good behaviour! We read alot of children's classic and children's Christian literature and loved to read aloud. We really loved the World Literature highschool text from Abeka, and both kids used this in grades 10 - 12, as well as other selected reading.

For math we used Saxon for several years. It suited Jon just fine, but not Jenny. We found it extremely repetitive. In the end, we used Light units for Jen's math through highschool, and a private math tutor for Jon's last 3 years of highschool, which ensured he had an academic math level suitable for math in Trades, or at College. Once he got into the higher levels of math, I didn't feel comfortable teaching him, and although Rob has his degree in Math (Computer Science) we felt Jon would do better under a tutor, and he did.

For Science we liked Apologia for grades 8 & 9, then joined a homeschooling co-op, that offered some science programs. In grade school we used Christian Light. They had some nice Creation textbooks I liked.

History was a favourite, we did big unit studies on Pioneers, Ancient Rome and Egypt, and well as both World Wars especially WW2, and of course, Canadian history and civics. Abeka had a good senior high text we liked, but we drew resources from all sorts of places, depending on what we were studying. Greenleaf Press was a super resource.

I always seemed to have trouble choosing between so many great options in homeschooling curriculums. We really loved "living books" and the Charlotte Mason approach to learning, but also a bit more structure and traditional texts were worked in here and there.

I will do some future posts on our kids and homeschooling and tips, what worked for us and what didn't. Gosh, it's taken me back a few years, I even had trouble remembering some of what we used...

Irene said...
What are your plans for your gardens? What types of veggies are you going to grow differently than you did in previous years?

Hi Irene, (Irene is the mother of our soon to be daughter in law, Deanna!) I don't know that we are going to be planting alot different this year. We will be planting the beautiful, white Lumina Pumpkin, and also trying to grow Potatoes again!!! We've failed miserably every time we try. They must not like our soil. Rob is determined, however, and has a new spot in the garden he wants to try. We may try some different corns, like broom corn, or popcorn...other than that, pretty much status quo this spring...and I can't wait!

Thanks for your questions, they've helped me get my writing juices flowing again, and given me lots of great ideas for future posts.

My week this week has been taken up with lots of cooking as we've gone from being almost full time empty nesters to 5 adults at home this week plus Henry. I've made Shepherd's Pie x 2, Spagetti (with a huge pot of homemade sauce), a Leg of Lamb, we ordered all our legs of lamb de-boned and rolled from the butcher this year and we love it this way! A Beef Pot Roast, and a large pot of soup with the leftover Lamb. I also made a double go of Hummus with Pita Chips. Phew.....Friday night, we're invited to friend's for supper...no cooking!!!

Pita Chips are so easy....buy a package of Tortilla wraps

Use scissors to cut into bite size...bake on an ungreased cookie sheet 375 for about 7 minutes or until golden brown...

and serve....goes lovely with Hummus.

The weekend will be blessedly quiet. Rob and Jon are off to our bush to chop down a large Ash tree that they will use to make a bed for Jon and Dee. Rob is also pulling alot of Cedar out of our bush to make flooring for our new screened in back deck .

I am going to quilt, finishing up the crib quilt,

and blanket stitch the last of 4 panels for my Heart and Home quilt...

with my feet up....and a mug of Candy Cane Lane Tea.....and maybe a good old movie on ......and a frozen pizza for supper on Saturday night :-)

But, Sunday is another story. Jen's Birthday! Her request is Lemon Roasted Chicken, with Gravy, Mashed Potatoes and Beans, and Yorkshire Puddings! I've never served Yorkshires with chicken in my life, but there's a first time for everything and it is her birthday, after all. Rob pointed out that the gravy from this recipe is sooo good, Yorkshire might be quite nice with it! She's asked for Tiramisu for dessert, which Rob makes for her every year. The whole family will be here for a midday dinner, should be fun!

May you have a blessed weekend!

Love,

Niki

The Good Earth ~ Book Review

2010-02-01T08:30:00.001-05:00

I finished reading The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck about a week and a half ago. I needed to mull this novel over in my mind before writing my brief review. First, let me say it is excellent. Good enough to keep me awake and reading at night...which very few books can do. This novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932.

It's a beautifully written story, about a simple farmer, in pre-revolutionary China (that is prior to 1949). The authors' familiarity with this complex country and history comes from living most of her life in China. In fact the Chinese themselves referred to her as a Chinese writer, although she was born, and died, in the United States. My mother, who is an admirer, said her writing was "akin to painting with a fine brush," her writing was so beautifully crafted and detailed. She was right.

The story of a simple farmer's life, his love of the land, his marriages, fall to desperate poverty and rise to wealth, and his changing life values, are woven around the traditions, culture, and daily life of China at this time in it's history. It was a brutal time, in many ways. Women were no more than chattel, and infant girls referred to as "slaves." Poverty, hunger, life in mud huts, with very, very little, is so fully described, but at the same time, the characters are imbued with such thankfulness for the land, simple food, and crude shelter. Honor, family traditions, work ethic are the very fabric of their lives, the purpose of their back breaking labour.

It's sounds very heavy, doesn't it? But, really, it's not. It is an easy read, but I would caution that there are adult themes in this book. I, personally, found nothing offensive in it, and I would recommend it.

I'd love to hear from any who have read it, or will be.

Blessings,

Niki

My Pantry.....a question answered

2010-01-29T09:45:00.001-05:00

Hello Hello! I LOVE the questions and comments...and look forward to sharing with you all that you've asked me about...and, will, in the process, hopefully, step out of my word slump.

joolzmac said...
I am curious about all your stores of preserves etc. Do you have a large pantry where you keep them - could we have a picture of all this yummy goodness?Cheers - Joolz

Well Joolz....finally......

Joolz asked me about my pantry months ago...and I forgot.......sorry....

My pantry and food stockpile is stored in two spots in our home. First a large cupboard in our kitchen. The cupboard is divided into three sections. The bottom section contains my square, large, buckets (these are food safe plastic and available from free to cheap from local bakers).

I store flour, rice, brown and white sugar, sucanet in them. I do keep large cannisters on my counter of flour, brown and white sugar, so that I don't have to manhandle one of the big buckets everytime I want 1/2 cup of sugar.

Above the buckets is a slide out shelf. I keep teas, canned fruit, and the uber important Henry section of the pantry :-) He knows where his snacks are stored, and can help himself.

The middle section of my pantry contains lots of canned and boxed goods. Also my Ikea cannisters which I keep filled with rice and pasta, my cereal keepers, and my replacement condiments, sauces, pickled stuff and crackers.

The small top cupboard is filled with cake tins, muffin tins, spring form pans, bundt pans, lots and lots of pans.

The second main storage area is actually a room in our basement. My darling hubby fitted it out with shelving along two walls. There is a very large chest freezer running along a third wall, as well as a second refrigerator. All of my canning, my paper supplies, extra pasta, canned foods from the grocery store, unopened cereals, and bits and pieces are stored here. We also store our Squash, Onions, Potatoes here. This is the spot that I "grocery shop" out of every few days, bringing up goods to the kitchen to replenish supplies in my cupboard. It's also a handy spot for my larger serving pieces, rarely used or seasonal canning appliances and supplies.

We have already made very significant dents into my home canning. On the shelves are sweet pickles, a variety of jams and jellies, canned peaches and pears, relishes, tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, salsa, pizza sauce, and maple syrup.

Stockpiling food/building your pantry I believe is an immense benefit to your family. To see why, read this post I wrote a while back.

We are off to pick up some fresh produce, visit my mum, and generally get ready for the weekend ~ Vanessa's Birthday Supper is Saturday night, so lots to do!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Love,

Niki

PS...I'm making this cake....and have been assured that 2 Tbsp. of Flour is correct...and in a blender....???? Well, I'll let you know how this birthday cake turns out....

2010-01-28T07:38:00.002-05:00

Seeds were mailed out last Friday! I am hoping they will cross the border into the States without a problem. Would those in the U.S. let me know if they have received them or not by sometime late next week?

Thank you so much for your questions and I look forward to answering them, a new post by the weekend, PROMISE!

Love,
Niki

Where Are My Words?

2010-01-21T20:00:00.001-05:00

I haven't posted in several days...and I should have stuff to say, but, I don't. Often once I get writing a post I go on and on and on, as you know :-) I have opened my Blogger "dashboard" to begin writing several times and nothing.....

just....nothing.

Perhaps I have my first case of "bloggers block?" Which isn't bad, given I am 2 1/2 years into this thing called blogging...I am approaching 100,000 hits, far more than I'd ever envisioned. I really thought only my daughters would read find it interesting enough to read.

So, anybody have any questions, anything they'd like me to write about? Any ideas to inspire me and you? Anything?

Just asking.....in case my words don't show up soon.

Blessings,

Niki

A Seedy Post!

2010-01-17T10:30:00.001-05:00

The seed catalogues are starting to trickle into the house....we are big seed savers and swappers here, and don't order many seeds. Those we do order usually come from our favourite heritage vegetable seed seller, a small family owned business.... and some years I've visited Seedy Saturday in our nearby city. It's a great gathering of seed sellers, swappers and a few soap sellers, bakers, and crafty kinds of stuff...

I received a lovely gift of Lumina pumpkin seeds from Deb a few weeks ago in the mail. I've never grown these before, and am looking forward to trying them this summer.

A few months ago we offered up our Cinderella Pumpkin seeds and our Butternut Squash seeds to anyone interested in planting them. We will be mailing them out this week, so look for them!

Our giant butternut squash...

and beautiful Cinderella Pumpkins...(also known as the Rouge Vif d'Etampes Pumpkin)

I'd love to get emails/pictures of how your seeds do this summer. Maybe a post of everyone's harvest would be fun!

Have a blessed week!

Niki

Amazing!

2010-01-13T21:58:00.000-05:00

My Bookish Days

2010-01-11T01:00:00.001-05:00

This is the time of year when I read...alot....and look forward to what's to come. My 2010 reading list...yum! I can't wait to dig into these. I've read so many top notch book lists on various blogs, like this one, and this one...not to mention this one, in the last couple of weeks, it would be easy to end up with a book list that would take me 10 years to get through.. not that's there's anything wrong with that... it's just that I would become overwhelmed, lose focus, fall back on all my old favourites and not read anything new....a very sad outcome....

My list does not include my crafty, knitty, crochety, quilty, or cooky bookys, and I do browse/read through several dozen of these every year...lol....

So here it is so far,

The Pickwick Papers

The Good Earth

Atlas Shrugged

Lark Rise to Candleford

Cranford

Your Money or Your Life

Few Eggs and No Oranges

Walden

Gifts from the Sea

Wolf Hall

Poisonwood Bible

The Art of Simple Food

A nice tidy pile of 12, one per month...I know a few re-reads of old favourites will be in there as well...and I haven't added a few authors I still want to investigate...Elizabeth Goudge, D.E. Stevenson, Elizabeth Taylor...and several others.....actually many others, but Rome wasn't built in a day...

I'm starting with A Good Earth, I'm planning to do a brief review once I've read it. What are you reading this year? What was the best book you read last year?

Have a blessed week,
Niki

2010-01-08T13:47:00.000-05:00

It's a crafty-bake-y week over here.

But first Henry had to climb Mount PawPaw...once on top he would proclaim "ON PAWPAW!"

with his arms up in the air, followed by all of us applauding and yelling "YAY!"! Tooooocute....(am I biased do you think???

We had about a 1/4 bushel of wrinkly apples in our cold storage room, which could still be used for baking. We decided to have a morning of apple pie making...yum.
Peeling...peeling...peeling...

Jenny is a dab hand at pastry...

An egg wash and sugar topping

One baked straight away for dessert...

and some for the freezer

On to the crafty side of things...months ago I had seen this post on glass bead magnets, (scroll down to almost the bottom of the post to see this craft) and I loved them. They seemed easy, and inexpensive....a visit to the dollar store to purchase glass beads and some small round craft magnets, some scrap paper that I had at home, and my glue gun and mod-podge.

The flannel baby quilt is coming along, all the squares are finished, now just to plan my design...

Spending the afternoon sewing it up....lovely....maybe a visit to the library, homemade pizza for supper tonight......

Have a blessed weekend,

Niki

Slow Week...

2010-01-06T08:32:00.009-05:00

It's been a slow week, so far. That's a good thing. Puttering about the house, getting a few small jobs on the TO DO List done and generally putting things back to rights after our lovely Christmas.

I've been crocheting away, the red lap blanket growing nicely....the perfect evening craft project, as it covers me up quite cozily while I work on it.

Jenny and I enjoyed a couple of good old movies, (isn't it wonderful that she loves old movies as much as I do!!)

I borrowed the Pioneer Woman's Cookbook from the library. I'm enjoying it. Very much like her blog, beautiful photography, wonderful recipes, and lots of humour. Alot of the recipes are on her blog, but many are not. Would I buy it? I would if so much wasn't available on her blog, but since there is....I probably wouldn't buy it, hmmm.....well....it is good.....we'll see.........

I'm reading another Miss Read....The Caxley Chronicles....and love it. I can re-read Miss Read (how many times can the word "read" appear in one sentence and still make sense?) over and over and never get tired of her. I first discovered her in my teens, and have never stopped reading her books, collecting almost all of her writings over the years.

There really isn't a whole lot else to do in the evenings, at this time of year, other than watch movies, play games and read. We do have a basic satellite tv package. We got it a few years ago, after years of having no tv in the house, and I must say that night after night there is nothing on!

We watch Masterpiece theatre on PBS, and the odd TV Ontario (Ontario Public station) program, and that's it....hardly worth the monthly expense, especially when dvd's are released of everything Masterpiece broadcasts shortly after they are on tv. And, frankly, I'd much rather spend my satellite tv dollars on buying a few of the wonderful programs like Cranford and Lark Rise to Candleford.

So, we are seriously considering whether to disconnect from the satellite tv world.....we will wait until after the Olympics, though, as we really enjoy that, and we are the hosting country this time. But, still I wonder, how can you have soooooo many channels and still have nothing worth watching? I guess we're too picky?

I've been cooking some serious comfort food. Salmon Mornay, Venison Pot Roast with a delicious gravy, Potato soup (one of our favourites), and trying desperately to get rid of the Christmas chocolate and not by eating it! Some I was able to give away, some I have frozen, and some, sigh....is still lurking about, tempting me....but it is almost gone!!! I feel I cut back every year on the amount of goodies I buy and make for Christmas, and still every year it feels like too much!

Anyway, Venison (or Beef) Pot Roast recipe to follow, it's soooo good, you'll love it!

Today, Jen and I are planning to go into town, do a few errands and maybe visit the used book store and a couple of consignment shops she loves and has been missing. A pot of soup for supper, I think.

Blessings to you,

Niki

Slow Cooker Venison (or Beef) Pot Roast

2010-01-06T08:30:00.003-05:00

Let me first say that last time I made this, I made it in the oven and I think it was even better than in the crockpot, which is already pretty darn good... The gravy is delicious.

3 lb. Venison or Beef Roast
1 large onion sliced
1 Tbsp. Soy sauce (I use a little more)
1 Tbsp. Worstershire Sauce (again I use more)
1 Tbsp. Garlic powder
1 tsp. Pepper....or to taste
1/2 cup Onion Soup mix (or 1 package)
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1/2 can water

Put meat in crockpot, combine soup, onion soup mix and water, pour over venison. Sprinkle with soy sauce, Worstershire sauce, garlic powder and pepper. Top with onion slices.

6 hours on high.
Serve with potatoes and veggies.

In the oven,
Do the same as above, except check every couple of hours to make sure there is enough water, and halfway through cooking turn roast over. I had to add water to the gravy a couple of times.

Cook about 3 hours at 350 deg then turn down to 300 for another hour or so, or until it is as tender as you would like.