The Weekly Review IV

Sunday~

Mike used the Bible points for each day of VBS as his key points for the sermon this morning. Now we are all ready for VBS. My class went really well. We have some good 3rd and 4th graders around here. We had our friends Pam and Billy over for lunch. They are moving away to Texas this week so we needed one last time of visiting. They promise to come back for winter visits as they will really miss it. Pam taught Deborah for preschool and so they got to say goodbye to each other, too. Travis and I (with a few little helpers) cleaned our van, in and out. It is so beautiful now!

Monday~

Beatrice woke up at 6:30 ready to start the day, she is too excited about VBS, I do believe. Kyle got here at 7:10 to ride to VBS with us and spend the day here while his mom works. I had a bake-a-thon this afternoon, I guess. I made an orange cream cheese roll (and froze it for Travis next week), a triple batch of persimmon pudding (we ate one third this evening and the rest is for later this week), a potato pie, I mixed up a large batch of chocolate chip cookies (for the VBS staff) and will bake them tomorrow when we return from VBS and I got the wheat soaking for a batch of bread tomorrow. We are going through bread faster than we used to. I made some on Saturday and it was already gone.

Tuesday~

Another day at VBS. Kyle and Gregory are really enjoying getting to hang out together. We had Carline, Mykayla, Megan, Skylar and Choomia over for lunch today and they stayed until it was supper time. The kids had a great time playing, playing, playing. It had been raining some in the morning, but it was nice so they were able to play out on the bikes and whatever else they do. We had one hard fast shower while they were all outside but that was pretty fun. They also played dress-up and pirates. I got my cookies and bread made.

Wednesday~

Another good morning at VBS. My group of girls are very sweet. Two are always wanting to sit on my lap and cuddle, two are big girls that do exactly as we are told and the fifth is in a wheelchair and doesn't communicate real well so we try to include her as we can. Harrison and Margaret had horseshoes this afternoon. We took a picnic lunch and ate at the park right after VBS since there isn't time to go home in between. I think they had a good time. Gregory, Beatrice and I went and got our grocery's for the week, we had a good time, too.

Today Beatrice was tired by the end of the afternoon. Deborah was there before we got out of the van and after a couple of hours being together Bea came in crying for no reason she could think of, I know she was just to tired to deal with friends. They can be so exhausting. After hanging out on Daddy's lap for awhile she also realized she hadn't drawn any all day and so she got out paper and was soon whistling away, life was good again.

Thursday~

We continue to be getting up in good time and heading to VBS almost early. Really quite amazing for us! Gregory was finishing his Father's day letters when Kyle got here so Kyle made one for Gregory's grandpa too. Margaret thought he should send it to his grandpa, but I realized then that he doesn't have a grandpa, that made us all kind of sad for a bit.

We traded vans for the next day or so with the Davidson's so we can take home a van load for the Urban Ministry. I found out today that I am glad I only have four kids and that I have a mini van. Maneuvering this van is quite a challenge in crowded little streets and twelve passengers makes for a very noisy load. Still it is fun to get to be the person to pick up all these folks for a day or so. I made a double batch of cupcakes to take for the crew leaders in the morning. I also made a DELICIOUS chicken and zucchini stir-fry for supper. It also had carrots, garlic and fresh green beans. yummy!

Friday~

We got all of our riders back and we were on our way to VBS in good time. It looked like I had a van load of pentecostal kids. They all wanted to adjust the vents that were in the ceiling of the van, or each others hair a few times, too. The last morning of VBS went swell. Malia came home with us too. Travis was able to go this morning so he mowed the yard at the building during VBS and hauled Harrison and Margaret and Malia to and from VBS so we wouldn't have to double buckle to many kids. We got all of the house vacuumed this afternoon and one bathroom cleaned, and lots of laundry done. It was a productive afternoon. The family fun/VBS finale was this evening. The church building is on its way to being back to normal.

Bea posing for the camera before the Pelicans sang their song.

Saturday~

We intended to sleep in, and some of us did, but Bea and I only made it to 6:50am and were ready to get up and get busy. So I folded laundry and she read books while everyone else slept for a little longer. For lunch we took a fast and fun picnic to Fort Snelling area and met up with the Ken Cobb family and some of the Kent Davidson family. They were touring the fort and I didn't feel up to doing that, but I wanted to spend some time with them so that is what we did. I took tuna sandwich or PBJ fixings, popcorn, carrot sticks and brownies. Travis' allergies are driving him crazy today! The wind is really stirring up the pollen or something.

What new revelations did you have this week?

~Anna

The Weekly Review IIII

Sunday~

We went to church in Bemidji today. It is always fun to see everyone there. Mike talked about being More than Conquerors. We don't want to remain static we need to keep growing, I Peter 3:18 among others. After church we had dinner at Mom and Dad's as did Abbi's family and Charity and her boyfriend Marty and his father. Marty and Charity are going to canoe the Mississippi, between Bemidji and Grand Rapids, this week. Then we headed home. Travis was there waiting for the kids and I. We made really good time! Barely four hours of driving.

Monday~

Travis taught Harrison how to change the oil and rotate the tires on his Toyota. They discovered where the vibration is coming from on the car and so now it is at Car- X. The kids and I will probably walk there later to pick it up. Travis also cut off Henry's hair. He needed a bath and it was getting a little long for summer. He found several ticks doing the job so it is really good he got that done. I had looked for ticks the other day but with his super thick hair my fingers couldn't feel them. There is now no hiding spot for the ticks! Deborah taught Bea a new rhyme to say while clapping their hands or to jump rope to called Miss Mary Mack.They are pretty cute saying it together.

Tuesday~

Margaret had a orthodontist appointment and all of the kids had their teeth cleaned at the dentist. In between the two places we went to eat lunch at Chula Vista. One of the first restaurants we tried when we first moved down to this area and still a favorite of ours if we are on Roberts St. Travis' favorite is seafood chimichanga. Harrison, Gregory and I all ate it also this time. It is really yummy. What I think is neat is they still have the same wait staff as they did 5 years ago. While they were at the dentist I ran and got groceries at Aldi's. Gregory had a little tiny cavity in the back of his mouth so we took care of that while we were there.

Wednesday~

We got up early and headed over to Farmington to stay with Warren while his sister Summer was delivered. Since we were there for most of the day we took along schoolwork and other projects and had a pretty productive day. Warren is three and a pretty cute guy to hang out with. They only talk Chinese to him so at times the language can be a challenge, but I am always impressed with how well we can communicate when he is with us.

Harrison and Margaret got about half of their CA skills test done while we were there. I got all of my coupons cut and put away from the last two weeks, and Harrison's math all corrected!

Thursday~

We finished up the tests. Now I need to send them in. I am really excited to see how they did. They always get it done in about half the time given for the test so I hope they did alright. I have a lot of plants getting eaten up by bugs outside so when my neighbor Ong came to check on our bean tepee I showed her the holes. She decided I needed to get that treated right away. I got out some Ortho bug-b-gone powder I had and she went around and treated everything planted. I had kind of wanted to skip using it but our communication is stilted and she likes to help so, we should be bugless soon. I had planted a bunch of marigold plants but they weren't blooming yet. We went and did errands this afternoon and I bought 32 marigolds, that are blooming, at Menard's, and they are now scattered around our house. Travis was able to get the part at Menard's to fix Saba's burner she makes bunn (coffee) on. He fixed Miriam's sometime ago and Saba has been telling me he was to fix hers, well today she brought it down for him to work on. I cut Beatrice's bangs, much to her father's chagrin and her pleasure. It is cute.

Friday~

We went in the morning to help with decorations for VBS at the church building. We are doing Sailing The High Seas this year. The decorations are pretty fun to go along with that.

Saturday~

I learned the songs for VBS and had crew leader training. I also got my class material ready for in the morning. I am teaching 3rd and 4th graders.

We got more rain today. A lot of it. It has been a really rainy week, with some pretty days in the middle. Now we are ready for a busy week!

So how was your week? Did you learn any new songs?

~Anna

The Weekly Review III

Sunday~

We are still camping. It has been very lovely weather. Quite hot but, there is water we can cool in, shade and a nice breeze. Today we tried out the swimming lake, it didn't take the kids long to acclimate to the temperature of the water. At the evening service the speaker talked about different times the Bible refers to the palm of God's hand and Wade carved a giant hand out of cedar. He also made a nail on a forge telling how we need to be malleable by God just like the iron is made malleable by the heat of the fire. He does some neat art work, but is very faith only and that is sad. Last night we listened to the Alzen Family in concert. They are a very talented family and a lot of fun to listen too.

The kids raced their turtles, none of them won, but it was fun anticipating the big event.

Monday~

They had a nice Memorial service and flag raising. After that most of the kids went swimming in our group, just the older four boys stayed back and played tether ball and carpet ball. Hans and Harrison also got in a quick canoe ride. Then the big job of hauling all of our belongings back to the van and cleaning up the campsite. I was totally exhausted by the end of this day. We all walked several miles each day I am sure and often times I was carrying a light load. You can watch a short video of the weekend here. It isn't up yet but they said it would be soon.

Tuesday~

I woke up with terrible pressure in my sinuses so I ate an orange, a garlic clove and drank three glasses of water right off the bat and felt much improved, although rather smelly. I did three huge loads of laundry today and we did our school work. We all seem a little tired from the busyness of the past several days.

Wednesday~

We did some running around and finally made it to Fleet and found Margaret some nice sandals for her to play in this summer. I made meat pie for lunch because we are studying Australia and that is what they eat the books say. It was yummy, I also made an apple and a pumpkin pie. We aren't having normal classes for the next three weeks at church so tonight just Harrison and Margaret had a gathering in our family. They had a party/ class with their group. It looked like fun. While they were there we took a long drive around the countryside looking for a dairy that would sell us raw milk. Travis had heard of one that might on the other side of Woodbury and so we searched for it and drove in very beautiful country. It turns out there are 2 dairies over there but both farmers are very sure they will not sell to anyone. It is illegal in MN and they don't want to risk their farms for us. Makes my life easier not needing to run somewhere else to get milk, but Travis was very disappointed. For a late supper/ early birthday meal for Travis we went to the Outback. Our food was good, of course. Our waitress messed up our order so we got an extra plate of grilled chicken and ausie fries, and a cup of potato soup.

Thursday~

Travis and Beatrice mowed at the church building. Margaret made Travis' birthday cake. His favorite, angel food with a caramel sauce. We got the sauce just right in flavor and consistency. Harrison grilled hamburgers for supper. I shaped them and they didn't stay together to well, but they tasted pretty good. The kids and I got started packing for heading up to Bemidji on Friday.

Friday~We traveled north. It was a beautiful day for driving, sunny and pretty clouds, but not real hot either. I had hoped to get heading north pretty quickly, but it didn't go as fast as it should have in the morning. We had waffles for breakfast that were really slow in getting cooked. They did turn out very nicely though. Once we got to Mom and Dad's, Keren got to dreaming about tie-dye shirts and getting a kit from walmart to do a little dyeing. So we ran in there to get what we needed for that. We drove through Bemidji on our way home. I had not been through for some time. It has really been changing since I left. We had a yummy supper of Hamburgers grilled by Keren and broccoli and potato wedges.

Saturday~ We took a walk up on the new pipeline north of Mom and Dad's. It was fun to look around. It has really changed the look up there. They used about 8 foot lengths of some heavy rope in their work up there. We had fun pulling it out and hauling some back. They had it in some piles around partly underground. Keren's Graduation Open House was this evening. We played croquet, volleyball, water balloons and much visiting about while eating yummy food.

We ended the evening sitting around the living room at home while Dale played the guitar and Luke played the dobro and we all sang along randomly. It was pretty music.

Here is the lovely graduate preparing the water balloons.

~Anna

The Weekly Review II

Sunday- We all got up in good time and didn't have to rush to make it to church in plenty of time. It is always nice when we aren't rushed to make it out of the door by 8:30am. I tried a new recipe called Curried Chicken and Sweet Potatoes for lunch. It baked while we were at church and was done very nicely when we came in the door. It was yummy, but we probably won't do it again, just wasn't quite perfect. We love curry and we love sweet potatoes but not together, I guess. After Travis went to work the kids and I took a bike ride to lake Phalen. It was hot out but really nice for a bike ride and the water was very refreshing for them. I read my book I Captured The Castle. Margaret, Beatrice and I planted the last of the plants and Gregory washed rocks for us when we got back.

Monday~ Hannah Elizabeth G. was born so Margaret didn't have violin lessons after all. We were kind of happy because that left us free to ride our bikes to the library and then on over to the lake. It made it a fairly long bike ride for a 95* day but we were leisurely about it and took a lot of water bottles along. It turned out the route we took from the library to the lake was mostly down hill, so that was very nice. We didn't have too long at the lake because we had to get Travis back home so he could head to work at5:30 or so and he wanted some supper before he left, silly guy. Harrison was able to get a pretty nice moat and castle done in the sand before we left.

Tuesday~ Harrison had his last trumpet lesson until July. We worked hard on schoolwork for the week.

Wednesday~ We cleaned house! We had exciting company coming and we had beds to make, toilets to scrub and floors to vacuum. My aunts Ramona and Merna came for a quick visit this week as well as my Mom and Dad, Keren, and my cousin Paige. We also were visited by Keren's 3 bunnies. That kept my children more than a little excited and happy being able to care for them with her. For my class at church this evening we had David and Jonathan so I took our little compound bow and arrow and we did a little archery practicing. Most of the kids in my class had never shot and it was fun to share that with them. Thursday~ We all went to the Mall of America and listened to my cousin Donna's Orchestra play there. They did a very nice job. My cousin Charity and her boy friend Marty met us there. We did just a little browsing in the mall afterwards and then we came home for lunch. Charity and Marty hadn't had breakfast so it was either find something healthy there for them or just hurry home to have lunch, and that seemed the better choice. We did a lot of fun visiting and remembering on Thursday. At supper Margaret had questions for the sisters about their childhood. It was fun to hear their answers. First she asked them for their most embarrassing moment growing up. They each were given a turn and then on to their happiest, their saddest and so on. We also did some arm wrestling. I am the champ, although I didn't wrestle anyone older than myself. I am sure my dad could still beat me. Friday~ Was going home day for our company. Parting is such sweet sorrow. We didn't have very much time, but we did have some and it was a lot of fun. We did get new company though. Hans and Garrett are here now to go camping with us this weekend.

So Friday was saying good bye, saying hello and a lot of quick cleaning and and fast packing. We had hot dogs round the campfire for supper. Yummy, yummy!

Saturday~ We did some archery at camp, tried a little fishing and searched for turtles. Listened to some lessons from the Bible while they carved a picture to go with it out of wood. Visited with good friends.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day!!

~Anna

The Weekly Review

I am planning to do less blogging this summer and I decided to do a once a week, weekly overview. This will help me to not get completely out of touch and serve somewhat as a journal for me.

Sunday~

It was a big day for us! Naturally we went to church, it was also Gregory's 5th birthday, and Margaret had her first Violin recital. For Gregory's part we had the Morgan family over and a few random other kids for lunch and a playtime. He had opened gifts on Saturday so it wouldn't need to be rushed. The girls and I decorated his cake like the game CandyLand. We had fun doing it. Margaret's recital was at 5pm but we needed to be there about 4 so she could practice with the piano at that church building (really so I could, since I accompanied her). A couple families from church came and watched her and then we had supper together afterwards. Margaret did a really good job doing her song. We are glad to move on and have that past us since neither of us are performers at all!

Monday~

Is almost always violin lessons and a quick run to the library. We had hoped to ride our bikes to the library but ran out of time. It would have been lovely weather to do it in. Margaret and Harrison have been super into the Warriors cat series and got several more to read. They are going through these books like crazy, and they aren't little books. They don't look interesting to me but they sure love them.

Tuesday~

Harrison had his trumpet lessons. Travis and I worked awhile trying to figure out why some of our street lights are not working. Hence the picture above. We found out one is not getting any power and one is. Two lights work and two don't but they are at either end and seem to have different problems. We just keep running into dead ends on this. Travis changed the light bulbs last week (with the kids and I holding up the pole and ladder trying to keep him from crashing to the ground). He also worked on the grill today replacing some wornout parts. Now we need a chance to grill!

We, Nahum and Deborah went to Chuck E Cheese for supper with Gregory's gift card from Granny and Pappa.

Wednesday~

Gregory had his 5year old check up and went to see Dr. Goble. My kids love to go see the Dr. and I really like her. We don't get to see her near as much as we once did and for that I am grateful, but even so I am really happy with their Dr. I think I like her because she Oohs and Aahs so well over my children in important ways. When ever she looks at their legs she says some thing like "I love kids with bruises here, it shows they are up and moving", or "here's some busy feet". She often has practical tips for things rather than medicine, like "a nice vinegar bath should take the itching away". She is always impressed with their cognitive skills on the interview paper she has me fill out by asking them questions. Gregory is 55 1/2 pounds, 46 1/2 inches tall and he passed his hearing and eye test wonderfully.

We went shoe shopping for Margaret on the way home from the Dr. It took awhile and we were so worn out when we quit. We found tennis shoes and a pair of dressy shoes for Bea but No Sandals for Margaret that she and I agreed upon. She wants very sturdy playing sandals and none of the places we went had any. I guess we need to try Fleet. We went to church early for a teachers meeting. Margaret and Travis stayed home because Margaret didn't feel well at all. A head ache and stomach ache.

Thursday~

Now Gregory is sick. We had a homeschool end of year picnic with our group. It was very warm out with a nice breeze. Perfect weather for a picnic. The kids all played kick ball and Basket ball while we moms chatted. Travis stayed home with Gregory and they watched Lord of the Rings (the first one). He thinks that will be the next series he reads to the kids. I am really enjoying reading To Kill A Mocking Bird this week. Beatrice planted some carrots and cilantro seeds. I gave her my opinion on how to sow them. She also hosted a Tea Party. Deborah, Kristina and Margaret attended. They had mint tea, brownies and frosted vanilla wafers, She and Deborah did the decorating of them and I found blue frosting everywhere when I came back in the house!

Friday~

We did Schoolwork! What a novel idea. Travis and Harrison mowed the field and our yard. It looks so nice right now. I planted a few plants and some bean seeds. We got a few sprinklings of rain, and we tried out the grill. It works marvelously! Travis was pleased at how much better it works. We had pork chops that I rubbed a lot of paprika and steak seasoning onto. They were so yummy! Nati has been sick all week with a cold that keeps bothering me every time he comes in. At supper I prayed for him and when I got done he was grinning so big and said "that was nice when you prayed for me!". We read a few stories from Russia for bedtime stories (we have been all week, actually). I finished To Kill A Mocking Bird, such a good book!

Saturday~

I went grocery shopping. I have spent more on groceries this month than I do typically because I am trying really hard to increase my omega 3's, to clear up my skin issues. The verdict is still out on whether it is helping. Dr. Goble thought it was a good idea for Gregory's dry skin problems too though, so that was nice.

Harrison and Margaret had a Middler event at the Countryman's. A cook out and games. Margaret made truffles to take. They were so yummy. She has made them once before and I wasn't too impressed with the recipe, but this time they are really good. Practice makes perfect!

I planted a little more. It is funny how long I can take at it and I have so little to plant. Today we made a bean teepee. Travis gathered the poles with Gregory, Beatrice and my help. We can't wait till we have a living tent in our backyard.

Happy Spring to You,

~Anna

Green

Travis read Ted Dekker's book Green. Here is his review. I found this book to be a good read but not on par with the first (last) three. It does bring the Thomas Hunter thing full circle. I did identify with the doubts of the Circle and was convicted when reading about Samuel. I was rather disappointed with the ending. In case you have read Red, White, and Black by Ted Dekker this is either book zero or book four. If you would like to read this book go to cbd. This is a review for BookSneeze."

Pumpkin Rolls and Cream Cheese Orange Rolls

Keren got me thinking about Jelly Rolls last week as she endeavoured to master the art. I have tried a few different recipes at different times but the one I go back to always is this Pumpkin Roll recipe as I cook to please a pumpkin loving Man. Even though I have made it many times over the years it has been a really long time since I last made it.

I also created a fun orange cream cheese roll that we really enjoyed a whole lot. I took it to our life group meeting on Thursday evening. I am going to put its recipe here so I will know what I did if I ever want to make it again.

Pumpkin Roll

1 cup sugar

3 beaten eggs

2/3 cup canned/frozen,thawed/cooked and mushed pumpkin

3/4 cup flour, I used 100% whole wheat flour this time and they taste great but they were a little harder to work with as they wanted to fall apart more than normal.

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 375*.

Mix the sugar, eggs, and pumpkin in a bowl, add next 4 ingredients and mix well.

Grease a jellyroll pan with oil and line it with a greased wax paper (all of this oiling is really important). Extend paper over the sides of the baking sheet. Pour batter into pan and spread to edges. Sprinkle batter with pecans (I used almonds I had slivered this time and that was tasty).

Bake for 15 minutes, or until done in the middle and turning golden.

Sprinkle a clean dishtowel generously with powdered sugar ans flip cooked cake onto the powdered towel. Gently remove wax paper:

Roll your cake up with the towel on it. My recipe says to roll loosely and I tend to roll it tightly. I guess you can try it both ways and see what is best for your cake. My philosophy on tightness was that would hold it better and not allow cracking. Let it stand until cooled, not cold though.

Filling

1-8 ounce package cream cheese

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 Tablespoons butter

1 cup powdered sugar

Beat ingredients together until smooth and creamy.

Unroll cooled cake and spread frosting across it. Roll your cake up again (without your towel).

If it is fragile you can use your towel/cling wrap to help you roll it by evenly holding one end of the towel higher and letting gravity roll the cake for you. You will need to start the rolling with your fingers though.

Wrap you roll in cling wrap and aluminum foil. Place in the freezer. Unwrap and slice while still frozen. They thaw fairly quickly.

They keep for sometime very nicely in the freezer and make for a great quick desert when surprise guest arrive. And now the:

Orange roll

1/2 cup flour ( I used whole wheat)

1 teaspoon baking powder

8 egg whites

Zest of one orange (leave about 1 teaspoon for filling)

2/3 cup sugar Oven 375*

2 Tablespoons slivered almonds

Whip egg whites until very frothy. Add the sugar and orange zest and thoroughly beat together.

Mix flour and baking powder and stir into egg mixture until well mixed.

Grease a jelly roll pan with oil and line with greased wax paper. Extend paper over sides of pan. Sprinkle slivered almonds across wax paper and then, pour batter into prepared pan and spread to edges evenly.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cake springs back when touched lightly near center.

Filling

1-8 ounce package cream cheese

1 teaspoon orange zest

1 teaspoon orange juice

2 Tablespoons butter

1 cup powdered sugar

Follow directions above for compiling the roll.

Now that winter is back I felt like something warm and sweet would be a pleasant drink. Margaret was craving an ice cream treat but our house is way to cold for a cold treat right now. I don't feel like starting a fire or turning on our furnace so it might be chilly around here for awhile. At least until Travis returns, he is always in the mood to start a fire.

I had seen this recipe a while back but never tried it. It was very well received by everyone. Margaret made it with lots of help in stirring from the boys and Beatrice.

Warm Vanilla Soother

3 cups milk

3 egg yolks

1/3 cup real maple syrup

2 tablespoons cornstarch

Mix all of these in a saucepan and stir over medium high heat until it begins to thicken. Shut off burner and add:

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 Tablespoon butter

Mix well and serve warm in mugs.

The kids enjoyed adding a sprinkling of cinnamon to theirs. For our crew we doubled this recipe. We got this recipe from here. I hope you like it too.

~Anna

What to do with a few Rubberbands

These guys have been going through a lot of rubber bands recently.

Aaron is the only one around here that seems to know how to tie them as they call it. Today he told Gregory, "I will show you one more time how to do this and then you will need to do it on your own". But anyways, yesterday when they had made their bow and arrows Nahum and Nati each needed one too and it was pretty cute seeing them ask Aaron for tips on how to put them together and the right sticks for the job.

So the best way to make these, if I have been listening right, is to find the right stick. Smaller guys need smaller sticks. Then get several rubbers and knot them together until you have about the same length of band as the stick. Put it onto the stick ends and find some nice straight twigs for arrows.

Have fun hunting small game. Another thing you can do is make a musical instrument. Find some handily placed knobs and stretch them across.

Have fun making beautiful melodies. These are whatever you want them to be. They thought you could use them like helicopters or lots of things. Knot two bands together and have fun with your imagination.

Thanking God for imaginations!

~Anna

Making Salt Crystals, a fun recipe

Here is a fun science expirement to do to revive the last few days of school for this year. It would be especially good for you if you are doing a study on salt or salt water like we were.

Here is what you do to grow your very own salt crystals.

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and remove water from the heat.

Add salt 1 Tablespoon at a time until the salt no longer dissolves.

Pour the salt water into a clean, clear glass jar.

Tie a paperclip to the end of a string or thread. Tie the other end of the string to a pencil and balance it on the top of the jar.

Allow the paper clip to hang in the water about 1 inch from the bottom of the jar.

Place the jar in a sunny window where it will not be bumped. This is one day later. Two or three days later. One week, four days later.

It was really exciting to see it growing at first, and to see how perfect the cubes always were. The growth has really slowed down now.

People are now regularly asking what are you going to do with them and I don't know. So I need to figure that out I guess. Maybe if I shellac them they could work as jewellery. What do you think? I don't want to loose them by eating them in our supper.

Enjoy!

~Anna

Springtime Walks

With the warm days and beautiful green we have been taking a lot of walks this past week. It helps that my van wasn't working for a few days so we walked to and from Car-X and took a bike ride to the library to return over due books during that time. Also we had company and that seemed like a good source of entertainment. You can't help but want to get out and see the colors of the new flowers and leaves opening right now. It was beginning to mist and sprinkle at the beginning of this walk but we went ahead and started out. We never really got wet. There were a couple very brief showers that dampened the pavement but that is all. I think it sharpened the colors though. Doesn't Keren look very sweet explaining her thoughts to the girls? At every flowering plant some of the girls thought they better try to add more to their bouquets. Our arms were quite laden with lilacs, apple blossoms, wild mustard, lilacs and a few other varieties by the time we returned home. The boys, they gathered sticks. We had a mock wedding under the trees of one vacant lot. Here we are doing a bridal dance?

Live! ~Anna

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday to the Best Mother ever, the most wonderful example of being a godly wife and mother and friend a girl could ever wish for, my Mom! May your next year be awesome.

Love,

~Anna

My Kitchen Window

Every-so-often I get comments from friends saying, "your house is so clean, your kids are so nice, you home school, you make all your own food, whatever, how do you do it?". I always think it is funny because I do Not have it all together and I am well aware of that. Right now one of the many places that reminds me that I have more clutter than not in my house is this window! Is that ridiculous or what? I thought you might like close-ups of both sides just to see it better :) We are growing tomatoes, marigolds, asters, salt crystals, and cosmos, basil and parsley. We are washing coffee filters and drying them on empty pop bottles. We are keeping elephants and violets, candles, feathers, short straws, mortar and pestles and nappa cabbage flowers over here.

When a friend was telling me the above last week I told Travis about it when I came home later. Margaret walked in and said you should have them over just so she can know the truth! I really do.

~Anna

Sundays

Last Sunday we took a bike ride to a local park. We wanted to because we like to take rides on pretty, sunny Sunday afternoons, but also because a friend of Beatrice's came over that afternoon from church. The first thing she told me when we got into the van is Travis won't have to help me learn to ride the bike anymore because I learned how now. As soon as Travis got in she told him also. So it was a fun thing for her to share with us.

The cool activity on this ride (aside from Tea sharing her new skills) was a guy at the park with his kids and birds. He kept whistling every once in awhile and they would stay near by him. I think being able to train them that well is pretty cool. He said he has another one at home that does a few more tricks. He has had him longer. I was happy watching from afar, but as soon as Malia saw them she went to check them out. The white one is a fiddlederoo, afigilreuu or something pigeon and the yellow one is a love bird parrot. The parrot likes to stay in the trees and the pigeon is happier on the ground and they both seemed to be happier in Margaret's hair. She has a very sensitive scalp and was not too happy to be their favorite landing perch. It was funny though.

Beatrice was smitten for the next few days and kept begging for a bird, any bird, one that would be hers and she could care for. Then for some reason since I wouldn't let her have a bird (they stink and I do not ever want one to live in my house :) she decided that a pig would be fine so she had Travis looking on craigslist for pigs. No luck. Except for a guinea pig which we all agree they stink (except for Bea).

Can you find the Love bird?

This Sunday we had a couple over from church that have been coming for awhile but we have never had over to our place. The food was fine, but I tried a Lime Cheese Cake Recipe and it was REALLy good. They were so sweet and thankful to come. It was fun. I have been really trying hard to be ready to have a decent dinner on Sundays ready so we can invite a family over every Sunday Travis is able.

This morning Gregory was the first one up besides me and he got all dressed for church right off. Often he fusses about needing to go to church and hasn't wanted to go to class for a really long time. So that was neat that he got ready so perkily. Then he got out the bowls and spoons and cereal and milk for everyone and started eating his breakfast. (This is the only morning of the week we do that but to get to church on time I want the kids to eat as soon as they are up) Once Gregory got all set up at the table he asked me if it was morning church and I said yes. He said, oh, good because then we will have friends over afterwards. That made me feel so good. Then at church he went to class without me asking him too, or anyone!

I like Sundays!

~Anna

Airplane rides

Today Margaret got to realize a dream of hers. She has long wanted to fly and today she did. She was so excited!

This is a homemade airplane that you can buy a kit and make. It is considered a two passenger. I think it would be very crowded! It is cute though. While the kids waited for their turn to fly they flew Styrofoam gliders. Beatrice's is just behind Gregory's shoulder in the air. The boy in red, his airplane, is above his head.

More waiters.

Before getting into the plane the pilot gave them a little walk around of how an airplane works. Here they are learning about how the aileron works, what it does.

Harrison was allowed to be the co-pilot and Margaret and DJ sat in the backseat. They all wore headsets. When they got out of the plane after their twenty minute ride Margaret was jumping all around so excited about it her experience. This is a Piper Archer. They received certificates of flight.It was a really neat experience.

It is hosted by EAA an airplane flying enthusiast club and their cooperation with Young Eagles which is a club that encourages young people to get excited about flying and dreaming big.

So any of you can come visit us on the third Saturday and we will take you to watch and ride airplanes!