The Rising Generation

On Saturday we had a special opportunity to hear from the leaders of our church. They spoke directly to this area. One of the main topics was the rising generation. The speaker really emphasised the importance of supporting the youth. Not only the youth in our immediate family, but cousins, nieces, nephews, and neighbors. I am amazed at how much I love the youth. I think of my nieces and nephews, as well as my own kids, and how many people support and love them. I am grateful for this gentle reminder that our youth needs us. They need us to protect them. tThey need us to guide them and help them navigate this crazy world. Cheers to the rising generation.

Still Summer

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Uninspired

I have been uninspired lately. I really don't know what to write about. Nothing bad is going on, it is simply a down time for our family. I guess I am feeling like the summer is slipping away faster than I want it to. I normally look forward to a change in season's, but with Chad in school, it is much harder to enjoy. It is harder for me to get out and enjoy friends and neighbors. I don't see everyone as much as I do in the summer time. It makes life more challenging. I was thinking about holding a craft get together once a month. People could come and scrapbook, quilt, or anything that they want. However, then I worry that no one will show up or too many will show up. Last winter I tried to have a playgroup, but no one came. Perhaps, I remember how isolated I felt last winter, and I dread the same feelings. Nevertheless, winter is slowly coming and soon fall will be upon us. I am thinking of the pumpkin patches and the leaves. I also love going on the pumpkin walk in Shelley. I love make delicious zucchini bread. I need to find joy in the seasons and not dread the winter months.

Bead Dealing

My friends Stacy and Karen have become obsessed with bead jewelry. I admit that it's cute, but they are obsessed. Last night I went over to Stacy's house and they were at it again. So, I made a bead watch. I'm now hooked. Mine isn't as great as theirs, but I like it. Now I want to make more, and I am thinking what easy Christmas presents they make. I told Chad about it and he encouraged me to get some stuff. I gave him a funny look and asked him if he knew what that meant. I think his idea was a couple of bags of beads and that was it. Oh no, you need to buy at least 20 different styles so there is variety, plus watch faces, and the string, glue,... well you get the point. Had Chad seen the stuff my friends had, he would have never made the suggestion. So, do I add more crafty junk to my growing pile or resist temptation?

Yes, the picture is upside down and there are little hands in it. So difficult to photo a masterpiece with little ones.

Canning

So I told you that we had a lot of produce. I took a large bag to my family in Boise, and then I went and picked some more yesterday. We will eat it, but when? So, I decided to get out my trusty pressure cooker last night. I canned 4 pints of beans, 3 pints of carrots, and 1 quart of tomatoes. These will be delicious in a hearty winter stew. Yum!

I started with fresh, dirty veggies from my garden, and then I put them in the sink.


Then I washed and sorted all of my veggies.


Then I canned them. I can use them as they are or in stews. I am very excited.

Health and Whole Wheat

When I first became a stay at home mom, I had aspirations to cook all of the meals and not buy any processed foods. This became harder and harder as my husband ate lunch and dinner at his work place. I noticed that I don't really cook any more and my kids were eating way too much junk. This week I decided to fix that. I wrote down every meal we would eat, including snacks, and only bought that at the grocery store. My husband is no longer going to eat what the cafeteria at his work provides. He has gained a lot of weight from bad food, over eating, stress, and lack of sleep. I have a little hand grinder for my wheat. It took me some time, but I can grind my wheat. This morning it fell apart. I'm not sure why, but it did. It took me 2 hours to make whole grain pancakes. Finally I sent my husband over to get my mother-in-law's electronic wheat grinder. All I can say is WOW! It ground up the wheat so fast and it was much finer than what my hand grinder can do. I love it. (I promise I will take good care of it and return it!) It's a good thing that I borrowed it because I have whole wheat pasta, whole wheat waffles, wheat bread, whole wheat blueberry muffins, and other things on the menu. It takes some time, but I feel good knowing what we are eating. I am also blessed to have a wonderful garden harvest. We have been eating fresh peas, beans and carrots from our garden. We have tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, potatoes, and pumpkins as well. I feel so blessed to eat of the earth and to teach my children how to do this as well.

So Much Fun

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