Random things....

Look at the boys looking at the fish. They drink the fishy water from the bowl all the time. Just so funny to see them here at the same time lol.
Full moon and look close there are about 6 deer looking for soy bean remnents.

After her visit to Zee's, Annie came home with a hankering for hashbrowns...gotta love positve influences! Way to cook!

Lovely mini daffodils from Chris...beside my still flowering african violet. African violets remind me of my grandmother.

And this is the result of a day in the pottery studio! I'm so glad she enjoys her pottery class and can't wait to see what else she brings home!

Lee

Its cold outside.....

..but toasty inside...thanks to the sun and me cranking up the wood stove!
This is how we dry laundry in the winter.....
and in the warmer weather...

Our house is tiny and we have never had a dryer. Our house doesn't even have the proper electrical hookup for one and we have never had one put in. Instead, we have gotten used to drying our clothes this way. I like to not be using electricity for something that can be easily done without it. I know if I had a dryer I would use it all the time..so this way I'm not tempted. I use the laundrymat when the weather is really rainy and the woodstove isnt on...it just takes too long and takes up too much space to have laundry in the house needing a few days to dry...then we get behind and have to take it to the laundrymat anyway....or sometimes in the winter I like to wash all the bedding at once and take it to the dryer. Other than that, we have managed quite well with drying our clothes without a dryer. I know my grandmother would always use the dryer for towels because she liked them soft and fluffy...but I like the rough feel of towels off the line...they're great for exfoliating!!

Lee

Buuurrrrrrr...!

WOW is it cold today! If our thermometer is correct...its like -15 and its windy...it is so bitter outside!

If we are lucky, we have a january thaw and a decent amount of rain so our neighbours field floods and then freezes...it makes a beautiful huge skating pond. If we are unlucky, like this year, the girls dont have skates! Theirs barely fit last year and we didn't get around to buying any this year. They aren't big skaters so it hasn't been a priority....until now! Lee

I did it!!

This is what I've spent most of the day doing in order to avoid tidying the house...its good to learn new things right?? Zee..look at me!! Zee's help in real life really helped me understand the youtube vids to do this traditional granny square!
4 rounds...I thought I'd stop while I was ahead and not ruin it somehow. I had to use an acrylic/wool mix because I couldn't manage the cotton yarn...I'll try it next though since thats what I want to make the squares to make a blanket...possibly a very small blanket!

This was the delicious breakfast that fueled all that energy practicing crocheting! Plain yogurt, ground flax, walnuts, cherries and a pinch of organic brown sugar that is sort of crunchy and nutty and sweet:)

Ok I did manage to get some house work done too..

Lee

Nothing going on here....

Seriously, I have nothing to say. I feel tired and its cold outside and the house is messy and I dont want to clean it. This is a random picture of 2 very cute snowmen that we made at Kathee's house a couple of years ago. They dont have anything to say either.... Lee

hi ho hi ho...off to work she goes...

Kate is off to make her own money... to buy what she wants (and start saving for drivers ed), meet new friends, learn about customer service, money transactions and start building a resume. She was hoping to find something for when she is 16 in the summer but this job came up and she got it. She is working a shift or two a week for now. She is really lucky to have something now and not have to start looking when all the teens are off school and start looking for summer jobs. I have mixed feelings...As happy as I am that she has some money, is learning new things and being more independant, I think 15 is a little young to be working. I'm happy she's happy. Another bonus is that Annie inherits Kates job of getting groceries for her grandparents and makes some money every week as well. She has alot of responsibilities.... getting the cart, choosing produce, looking for expiration dates, paying, packing the groceries, carrying it into their apartment (no easy task!) and unloading them into the proper places and giving Yaya the receits. Its a big job but I help lots:)
Lee

a yummy gummy....

Who could resist this? Not Kate! A gummy snake...a big treat!
Lee

LATE.... but, Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Kathy.

I hope it was a great day for you, I know it was for this planet... having a Kathee walking these parts is a real gift to everyone. Oh and let yer Ma know Happy birthin' day to her too.

Typical Zee and Lee conversation in messenger

Lee: Funny how in so many weight loss sites they always have the horrible dieting scenerio that involves cheese....the site you sent me calls it the cheese hangover.

Zee: hangover lol

Lee: Or that remorse you have the morning after....lol...why did I hook up with that gouda??

Zee: too funny... Gouda call lol

I think both Kathee and Zee are familiar with my cheese passion!!
Lee

So many changes going on....

The girlz..2004
They are growing up! I am re reading my Buddhism for Mothers book..trying to not freak out at all the changes and how busy everyone is doing their own things. I hope my girls are strong and wise. I hope they take chances and make mistakes....get messy as the Friz would say.
Lee

Footprints

and they are...grouse, squirrel, deer, dog, human!

I felt a bit gloomy today, for no apparent reason and considering what all those helpless people in Haiti are going through, I had a hard time justifying those feelings.…nevertheless, I just didn’t have a lot of pep this morning. So I decided to go for a walk outside, first thing this morning, in the newly fallen snow and bring my camera along. A walk in the woods always lifts my spirits.
This morning I decided to walk around the yard and gardens. I don’t cut back much of my flower beds in the fall, mostly because I don’t have the energy or desire, but also because the chickadees and goldfinch love to eat the seeds come winter. They somehow cling to these brittle little flower stalks, pulling seeds out of the Echinacea and Rudbekia, as they sway back and forth in the snow and wind. It’s amazing to watch. This morning I took the time to really look at the now-dead flowers with the fluffy flakes of snow covering them. Instead of a scraggly, brown, dried out flower head, there sat a dark stem contrasted against the clean white snow, with a little puff of flakes sitting high like a crown upon the flower. Everywhere I looked there was a different kind of beauty to take in….Astilbe covered in snow looks like a stand of mini-Christmas trees. The weight of the snow on the feathery strands of ornamental grass looks like a bunch of little old men, hunched over. The trees too, beckoned to be photographed as their trunks and branches formed beautiful lines and contrasts. The Hemlock especially caught my eye, as the flakes of snow filled in the spots between the needles and weighed the whole branch down, pulling it closer to the ground and forming a ‘wall’ around the trunk. It just makes you want to crawl inside and hide there.
There were lots of tracks in the new snow too. We saw deer tracks in the woods yesterday, but to find them in the yard is exciting. It looks like they came in closer to get a drink from the one spot in the yard where the creek is open. I love the idea of them sharing our yard (at least in the winter when there’s no lettuce to munch on…) But I’m not sure Buddy is as fond of them being around…the first thing he does when he is let out in the morning is to bark and bark and bark. I’m sure it’s to let the deer know, and any other creatures that have been romping around in the yard, that he is now up and out and this is his yard and they’re to leave immediately!
Here's some of the photos of my walk…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope you have a fabulous day Jan 16...(now written on my calender for next year!) You are such a vibrant, energetic, fun loving person and I'm so glad we are friends!!
HUGS!!

You find beauty in ordinary things. Do not lose this ability.

Annie enjoying her absolute fav meal..I bought take out today for a treat.
She orders shrimp fried rice and I share my bean curd tibet with her. Its full of veggies, bean curd and a spicy sauce that you add to your steamed rice:) It is delicious!!
The title of this post is what my fortune said today and it is so true!

We dont have money to eat out very often so this was a nice treat.

Lee

Miep Gies

On Tuesday this week, Miep Gies, the secretary who hid and provided food and supplies to Anne Frank and her family, died at the age of 100 years. Miep wrote her won account of that experience in her book, "Anne Frank Remembered". I read that book last year, and was truly moved by it. Just thought we should remember what an incredible, humble person Miep was. Here's a link to a newspaper story written this week after she passed away. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100112/ap_on_re_eu/eu_netherlands_obit_miep_gies

Happy New Year greetings Lee and Zee!! I have just got caught up on all the blogging you two have been doing...so nice to connect again...Christmas vacation with the girls home was so lovely but it took me a while to get back into the swing of things. But here I am finally. This time of year i my favourite of course, because it's garden planning and seed ordering time! I just finished my plans yesterday and will be sending in three different orders today...the bulk from William Dam, then Upper Canada seeds for tomatoes, and Terra Edibles for a few others. I am actually hoping to order just two things from Johnny's seeds in the States, but haven;t figured that out yet. I wouldnl;t bother, except that I can;t find those particular varieties anywhere else-Lipstick peppers and Sungold tomatoes- and my stash of seeds from an order three years ago has now ran out. We have been skating on our pond! It is so nice to be able to pop out there and get a good work out in the fresh air. We also got our tobaganning hill going, which is not very steep, but with the help of our old picnic table, we've made a good lead-off! We'll be planning our skating/tobaganning party soon! Well I look forward to blogging again and staying in touch through our blog....'til next time...Kathee.

Happy Winter Days....

Kids coming in from sledding....the big hill is behind them...it goes down from the road so you can't see it. So happy to homeschool where on a brisk wintry day, they can stay outside as long as they want (sometimes thats only 20 mintes but the point is, its up to them!)and do something fun! Fresh air and vitamin D!
My garden is fast asleep and cant imagine the plans I have for it come spring!!

This photo was taken at dusk...it was so cold out but not windy and the lighting of the sky was beautiful!! This is looking out from our house and down the driveway.

Lee

KATHEE!!!!!!

Calling Kathee...Hello??? We will not be ignored!! These little gnomes want you to come out and play

Spring Rolls

More food from the Homestead!

DH thought it was a good time to make some springrolls. These ones are stuffed with split peas, tofu, cabbage, carrots,onions, garlic, wood ear mushrooms and spices to make it even tastier. We used rice paper wrappers, fun to dip them in water and watch them get soft and easy to roll.

Yummmmmy! For your tummy
Cooking the spring rolls on the cook stove is awesome, loads of room, fire it up as hot as you need it. I don't have to worry about getting the stove top too hot and scorching the back of the stove.

The finished food. DH made some rice noodles on the side, topped with olive oil green onions and garlic.

We put some uncooked springrolls in the freezer to see how well they cook up after being frozen. If this works then I'll make a few batches and freeze them for later, kinda like making perogies. A lot of work and well worth it if you have lots of left overs.

sock sleeves

Lee in the house...I told her not to look at me, not to pose but she couldn't keep a straight face! Annie often takes holey socks or old clothing and creates things, usually for her stuffed animals or polly dolls...this time she took a pair of knee high socks and made sleeves for herself..she said to wear under a t-shirt to keep your arms warm.
Just cut off the foot......

and voila!

I think they are quite stylish!

Last food pic...

at least for a while....I get too excited over food! The salmon patties were so yummy and I love green beens...cant wait to grow them again in our garden! Lee

art project

Lee here....this was all Annie's idea! It started simply enough....
and then got a little wild!

Off to shower!

6 week challenge

I'm going public! This is my 6 week challenge for myself so I can really focus on what needs to be done.
The Plan: excercise everyday and be active in general like sledding with Annie and walking the dog even tho its cold and I'd rather be inside watching the Food Network.
: eating healthy food in proper portions....focusing on lots of raw veg, any grains will be whole and in a small amount, water and green tea for drinks
: Not eating after dinner. This has been a tough one recently.
: weigh in once a week and when I do eventually reach my goal, I will weigh in everyday to keep things in check

So I hope to lose weight slowly and surely. I am all about fast results but I just dont think that is realistic. The weight I take off needs to stay off. If I can lose 1 or 2 pounds a week consistently, I will be very happy! I will be patient and not expect my jeans to be loose next week lol. Cheers! Lee

Knitting Projects

I've posted some pictures of things I created with my crochet hook last year! last year, how crazy that sounds... feels like it was just last month, which technically is last year.

Rogue Knitters



I'm working at learning Catherine's Wheel and The Star Stitch to make more dish cloths and a few pot holders. I think I'll be happy with this and can move onto some sewing and more knitting projects. I think I know enough crochet to get me by now.

Life is Good

More Food For Thought

DH experimented with the older apples and oranges. He sliced them thin and placed them in the warming oven of the cook stove. They turned out perfect! The only thing I need to do is get a thermometer to keep tabs on the temp. I'd like to be able to keep it below 115 degrees to maximize nutrients in the food.


DH at it again, he made an incredible curry soup! No need to say a whole lot it tasted as amazing as it looked.

I bought all the ingredients to make homemade Chai tea. We use to make it from scratch years ago. Its cheaper to make your own, and tastier, as you can add and delete spices to your liking. I have a huge pot on the stove that's been there for two days now. I want to eventually experiment with make a syrup for the kids that they can add to soy or almond mylk.

DH was making the kids grilled cheese sandwiches today and i got to thinking... "humm wonder how accessible roasted garlic could be!" Kids won't be impressed because it only went into the oven when things were being baked for long periods of time. Wasteful to just roast garlic! Guess what!!! All you need to do is wrap it with foil, a little olive oil and sea salt and voila! I tossed a cast iron pan over it and left it on the stove top for 20 or so minutes. Next time I'll place the garlic in a pan and cover with another pan, hopefully I won't need the foil. I think Dd might be impressed.


Having said all this and showing all these pictures of cooked food, I'm trying to keep to eating 75% plus RAW. I'm having fun cooking for others.

Whats for dinner?

Feeding the birds...

We get a few birds to our feeder...these 2 bluejays are regulars that enjoy the handful of seeds we put out each day.

New things....

Lee here.... Chris got me this beautiful little stool for Christmas.

..and a few days later he found this wall plaque at Value Village.
Funny that he doesn't like the colors in our house but now he is buying things that match!

New Year 2010

Happy New Year!

What a great few days we've had. Hunkering down with family, eating too much food! Not me actually, but the rest of the clan. I've been keeping to my goals and hope to be able to keep it up over these next few months. This is a pic of the warming oven, tatters and pancakes keep warm until the eggs are done.

Here are some more food pics! Its all about the food... I'm not eating it so I'm going to obsess over it in other ways. I even baked croissants in the oven! (don't get too excited...Pillsbury junk..) .


I wanted to post a pic of our first attempt at roasting something in the cook stove. DS was given a turkey for Christmas from his employers. Finally got to test the dutch oven! We cooked everything on the stove today, mashed tatters, broccoli, calamari, mussels, and salmon.



Katheeeeeee. you need one of these babies!!!!! I can see it where the Vermont Castings is, right smack dab in the living room. It does make the house a little too warm sometimes, but I can crack open a window or turn the ceiling fan on.

Once again, Happy New Year folks.. its going to be a good one :)

Zee