A Thursday 13

1. Yard sale tomorrow- I know I won't feel truly prepared, but I'll take joy in the fact the stuff is no longer taking up valuable space in my home.

2. Baking brownies, cookies, Rice Krispy treats - DS10 has decided to run a bake sale and lemonade stand along side our yard sale.

3. Date Night on Friday! - That gives me something to look forward to! We're using a $10 off coupon so the fruge in me is happy.

4. Feeling sad about saying goodbye, but I'm learning that goodbye is never forever. I'm just having difficulty coping with the loss of opportunities once that person has gone.

5. Loving the smell of the rain headed my way this morning.

6. I found a class I'd like to take only I don't have a $1000. Going to put on the autodidact hat once again and research "Home Staging" myself.

7. My hour long walks have cured my insomnia. 60 minutes compared to 30 really makes a difference.

8. I have to plan a Chicago excursion. DS10 has expressed an interest in seeing the city. Maybe my last, "Forty First" before turning 41, should be standing on that clear glass balcony on top of the building previously known as the Sear's Tower. That would be an accomplishment for me and my vertigo!

9. I want Sharpie pens. Do you think they are as good as regular Sharpies? I hope they come in the same colors.

10. If I don't get the remaining blueberries in the freezer soon, I will have eaten the entire 5 pound box in two weeks. That's bad right? I'm not turning blue yet.

11. Growing Butternut squash vertically is turning out to be pretty easy. The plants seem to love it and its amazing to see how their vines wrap around the wire frame. Next year we'll have to build more vertical frames.

12. Found a new species of bee in our garden yesterday! Great news! Along with regular Honey, and Bumble bees, we can now add Carpenter to the project list. She was pollinating a butternut for me. Every 3rd bite of food we enjoy comes our way thanks to bees.

13. Perfect timing. Someone else wants to use the computer now.

Have a great weekend!

I feel like I should be baking something, but I don't know what.

Lacing up those shoes once again. Sweaty pits are a good thing. (So are showers- best part of working out!)

I have way too much frozen fruit in my freezer. Anyone want a smoothie?

Sunday July 26th

"Why are you taking a picture of your new shoes?"

"Because Stormmie told me to."

These are my new shoes. They were $70 shoes on sale for $50 and I had another coupon for $10 off. I'm usually more frugal than that, but I told myself its an investment in my health. I really needed good quality walking shoes.

DMIL made it safely overseas. Now if we can spend the next several weeks not worrying about whether she decides to go para-sailing, we'll be ok. Grandma- BE SAFE!

We hadn't checked the garden in a few days and today we were surprised to find tennis ball sized watermelons and ping pong ball cantaloupes. I even found a few butternuts taking shape. I'll have to take photos tomorrow.

The boys are watching over the neighbor's garden while they're away. I told them this could be a great idea for a summer home business. Some people may not need pet sitting, but garden sitting to make sure things stay watered and weeded. I'm not sure I have them convinced.

We saw the latest Harry Potter movie yesterday and it stunk. As with most every movie based on a book, read the book instead. I'm not sure I even want to see the rest now. I'd rather keep my memories from the books.

Our living room smells so nice and fresh. We shampooed the carpet and instead of using regular carpet cleaner, I decided we should try using the natural alternative laundry soap I make. It worked like a charm and thankfully, no itchy feet like the last time we tried steaming carpets using chemicals.

This week the boys and I will have to work hard at purging more stuff. I've promised them all proceeds from the yard sale are theirs towards their ******* fund. (I just remembered I can't tell you what they are saving for.)

Well, I'm off to bed early. I'm finding sleep is as important as exercise when it comes to maintaining a healthy immune system. 

Falling behind on my notes here....

Its not my fault. If I don't wake up before the boys, I have to fight for a turn on the computer!

Thursday I walked over 2 miles in moc crocs, (generic Croc type shoes).  I don't recommend it. I hadn't planned on doing all that walking, but it was great taking a stroll with my homeschool mom posse. First thing Friday I went out and bought myself a new pair of walking shoes. Pain can be a great motivator.

Friday I believe I was fighting off a bug. My stomach was growling and my head felt thick. It was one of those days where I couldn't decide how best to take care of myself. Took a real nap and that helped.

After a sandwich supper, we enjoyed the sky show, watching thunderstorms roll through. We had so much wind the garden was really blown over, but hopefully things will spring back up.

We watched Friday the 13th on the Spike network last night for our Friday Family Fun movie. The boys had heard about this classic and since it was on tv we thought it would be edited a bit. It turned out to be edited too much, making it difficult to figure out which teen camper was just killed. Of course it was the ending that finally gave us a really good scare.

This afternoon I believe the plan is to see the newest Harry Potter movie. Its been so long since we've read the books, I can't remember what happens in which book.

Well, I better get my new shoes laced up and ready to go. Have a great weekend!

Happy Learn Nothing Day!

I need to get back to ruthless purging. It must go!

I need to sleep!!

Dawn's Chocolate Chip Pecan Whole Grain Biscotti

Description:
Cookie Project #4

My first attempt ever at making biscotti. These are not going to last long. At least they are some what healthy.

Ingredients:
2 C whole grain flour (I used 1 C Kamut & 1 C whole wheat)
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1/3 C sugar
1/3 C brown sugar
2 L egg whites
1 L egg
1 1/2 t vanilla extract
2/3 C chocolate chips
3/4 C chopped pecans

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350F

Mix the flour, baking soda and salt.

In a separate bowl cream the sugars, egg whites, egg and vanilla. Slowly mix in the flour mixture. Fold in the chocolate chips and nuts.

Divide the dough into 3, 6 inch long logs, and press each one down to a height of 1 inch.

Bake on a silicon or parchment paper covered cookie sheet for 28 minutes.

Cool on a wire rack, 10 minutes.

Lower oven to 325F

Slice the biscotti into 1/2 inch slices and bake cut side down 7 minutes. Turn over and bake another 7 minutes.

Cool and store airtight.

I feel like reading all day long.

I'm missing the dandelions. Wish they'd resurface.

Our Weekend...

Aren't these cats cute? In another universe where I have more than enough money, I bought several of these guys and they are keeping watch in my garden. I have a weakness for black and white kitties, especially cute round ones!

We spent Sunday visiting with G-Ma, enjoying K-town; thin crust pizza, deep fried green beans, mojos, the art fair, and cool lake breezes.

I'm adding "how to make home made mojos" to my autodidact agenda. They are Italian broasted potatoes, but my husband's family always calls them "mojos."

Sunday evening we watched Apollo 13 with the boys and talked about today's anniversary of men walking on the moon. DS10 asked me if the moon's surface really feels like that, (dusty). I reminded him he'd have to ask an astronaut. I haven't been there.

Saturday we hiked up to the library, about 2 miles. Oddly, my shin splints didn't surface until this morning. DH was sweet. He carried the books, which if you know anything about unschoolers and libraries, you know what a load that was! I don't know what I'd do without him or our Lands End giant tote bags.

On Saturday we also made a popcorn run. I had forgotten about Maxwell Street Days, (State Street sidewalk sales), but we made it through the crowd.

The rest of Saturday we hung out at home, chilling out, with a little responsibility thrown in. I tackled the linen closet, which had become an unorganized mess. I can't believe how many ratty towels I was keeping as "rags." How many cleaning rags does one need? I'll have to post before and after pictures.

Saturday night's scary movie was Nightmare On Elm Street 2. I had forgotten how lame it was, but its been fun sharing these with the boys. We followed that up with another Mystery Science theatre gem, "Overdrawn At The Brain Bank."

Friday night we met DH after he got off of work and gambled on trying The Parkway's fish fry. The restaurant is located in a not so great part of Madison. To our surprise the restaurant was terrific. It was clean inside, with friendly staff and great prices! Our fish was delicious and the service very quick. We spent half of what we did the week before at Christy's and everything was better quality. We have to remember not to judge books by their cover and take that chance.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Description:
"Mom. I just want peanut butter cookies. No chips, no frosting. Just peanut butter cookies. Thanks."

(Cookie project #3)

Ingredients:
1/2 C butter
1/2 C creamy peanut butter
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 t vanilla
1 1/4 C sifted flour
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 salt


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350

Cream together the butter, peanut butter and sugars. Add the egg and vanilla and mix in. Add dry ingredients gradually and don't over beat.

Bake for 10-12 minutes

The cool breeze is making this Sleepyhouse too sleepy. Time to make a little noise to get this day moving and grooving!

Poor Mama Robin is making such a ruckus. She's trying to find her fledgling. How can she make such a racket with a mouth full of berries? I feel like telling her not to squawk with her mouth full.

An Autodidacts Agenda

My latest list of things I want to learn more about;

Immunity diets- What should we be eating, and not eating, to boost our immunity. I'd like to get through another cold/flu season unscathed and not count on a vaccine.

HTML Code- Why pay for someone else to do what I should be able to learn to do myself?

Butterfly Garden Design- Looking forward to getting rid of more over rated suburban grass

Cookbook publishing- Family reunion less than 1 year away!

Furniture upholstery - Don't ask.

Tree pruning- Maybe mulberries are a nuisance after all.

Wills and living trusts- Embarrassed to report we haven't completed one, which since we have children, is even more stupid to have procrastinated on.

Chemical free decorating- creating a healthy environment

Small business ideas that succeed- More procrastinating I need to correct!

Tie Dying- Only did this once when as a kid. I'd like to know how to create all those cool, swirly patterns.

This should keep me busy for awhile.

What a crazy thunderstorm we had last night. I was sure lightning was touching down in our yard, but this morning the few trees we have are still standing. Garden looks beaten down, but hopefully it will spring back up.

My mom is disappointed we rescheduled our visit. I knew she would be. Its not easy for us to travel because we don't have money and need to work. Personally, I don't understand why parents move away from their children. I hope I can always live near ours.

What Our Unschooling Day Looked Like on 7/13/09

We began our day with computer games. DS10 has been trying to build his rank in the Wizard game on Fun Orb.

We made the chocolate oatmeal no bake cookies.

The teenager rolled out of bed.

We next watched a show about women who have climbed K2 and lost their lives doing so, while I blogged & checked emails.

Captain Underpants is the current read of DS10 and DS13 just finished The Talisman. He's moving on to The Stand, extended version.

After reading awhile, we headed outside to tend to our garden. We finished construction on the vertical frame for the Butternut squash. We used telephone wire, hoping since its colorful, the birds won't fly into it.

Since the weather was perfect, we remained outside and did our Bee project. We are collecting data for the Great Sunflower Project. We were excited to see real honey bees, (not wasps) so eagerly enjoying the blooming Milkweed we left for the Monarchs. Although its fun to have the Milkweed growing up through our decking, its really inspired me to create a butterfly garden island somewhere in the yard for next year.

After lunch, we decided to play with the digital camera. We took photos of our Lego guys doing various things, posed for silly photos of each other and last but not least, the scandalous Domo photo shoot in big brother's bed! When the teenager's away, (on the computer), the pre-teen will play!

We fed our parakeets, unloaded the dishwasher, moved laundry mountain and took the garbage and recyclables out. (Always have to do the chores sooner or later.)

DS10 lost a tooth.

Our friends came over in the later afternoon and we played video games until dad came home.

We made supper with DH and gave him the update on our day.

He helped us go through boxes of books, trying to find a book we know we should have, but we couldn't find it. (We really need to purge more!)

We settled down to watch a Mystery Science Theater movie while I researched immunity diets online.

We wound down with reading again before going to bed.