At Home Journal (vol. 1)

So, I'm sure I won't be the last to try this but a few friends have been doing some online journaling and I thought I might give it a go.  I've never been much for journaling but  sometimes it would appear especially as things continue to be busy around here that it may be the way to get a blog post out and still keep family and friends updated. We shall see...

October 30, 2012
Outside my window:  Well, its chilly!  Fall in WI is definitely here to stay.  I'm grateful for the sun and the clear blue sky especially after all the Sandy Storm news from out east.  Guess, I'm also happy enough to be land locked.

Clothing myself in: maternity jeans, black long sleeve cotton top and gray and black scarf tied in a Celtic knot. 

Around the house:  Well, the girls are in the midst of playing house and they aren't the tidiest players.  So the living room even though I've picked up things numerous times in there is cluttered, again and so is the kitchen table, the counter tops and the sink.  I've got to empty the dishwasher before Kurt gets home.  That should help somewhat...at least in the kitchen.

The baby:  I know, everyone is interested but the baby has definitely dropped and I have to go to the bathroom constantly it seems.  And this kid is certainly the most active child thus far.  Maybe it will have some sort of kicking in its future?  Yikes.  I actually got on the computer to print out an updated copy of our birth plan to bring to the clinic next week...yeah, I got side tracked.

The girls:  Have been playing really well together A LOT lately.  Mostly it is imagination play... they and their babies take on countless names identities and adventures.  Sometimes including, train trips to Grammazona (Julia's version of Arizona), bands, fire departments, dance parties, school...with names like Hannin, Mike, Kale, Totty, Lily, Ike and Nina.  They totally crack me up...of course, my identity changes, too,  usually I'm Gramma though.  Which gets confusing when they call for Mom and I'm not the Mom they want, oops!

This week is 'G week' for us...we've been talking goats and had grilled 'G'eese sandwiches for supper last night.  It is also green week at the library story hour which coincides nicely!

In the kitchen:  We've continued to process tomatoes (7 pints this weekend) and apples (still waiting in the canning kitchen...there may be a few fruit flies enjoying my procrastination) from our harvest.  I was pleasantly surprised with the quantity and quality of our late tomatoes this year.  Kurt, Dad and I picked a huge tote full for green ones before our first frost and nearly all of them in the past month have now turned a beautiful red.    I made some homemade tomato soup yesterday that was in my opinion delish!  Though it gave me terrible heartburn...

Bringing me joy:  I've not had nearly the back pain this pregnancy as the last!  My Kurt is so sweet and patient with me these days.  What blessing!  Also, the girls are so excited for Halloween- Katie, Captain Hook/pirate and Julia, Tinkerbell and the All Saints party we're hosting at our home on Thursday- Katie, St. George and Julia, St. Bernadette.  I'm handing out treats and wondering if there are any very pregnant saints I could be on Thursday without much effort...hmmm, two years ago my friend and I went as Elizabeth and Mary and acted out the Magnificat...I thought about the woman in Revelation *including wailing and moaning aloud!  But the costume is tricky for that one.  Ideas?

Thinking about: The election and upcoming birth of this baby...

Picture to share: Felt like this was out life here for awhile...just fruity!  Isn't this a pretty piece to have in the kitchen though?

Ok, best print out that birth plan and order a car seat online!  Tata!

Portland Marinara

Portland Marinara
20 pounds of tomatoes
3 pounds of onions
3-4 bulbs of garlic
1 bottle of red wine (Cabernet)
1/4 c. Sea salt
black pepper
1/4 c. dried oregano
3 c. fresh herbs (oregano, basil, cilantro,  parsley)
1 1/2 c. bottled lemon juice
Roast tomatoes (halved), onions (quartered), and peeled garlic cloves for 40 minutes @ 375° on a cookie sheets.  Puree in pot and add wine, salt, pepper (to taste), and dried oregano.  Simmer to desired thickness (3-4 hrs.).
Meanwhile prepare hot water bath canner (jars, rims, and lids) on stove. 
To marinara add lemon juice, and chopped fresh herbs. Simmer 5 more minutes.  Transfer to hot jars, wipe rims, lid and cover finger tight. Process for 35 minutes (quarts).  Makes 9 quarts.
Christine in Portland's recipe is slightly different but my recipe is based off of her's.  I discovered it last year and loved it personally but a thicker sauce was definitely more to my families liking.   It is definitely worth the read for other tips and its entertainment value! If I wasn't 6 months pregnant gin and tonic would definitely be on the ingredients list!
Happy Canning!

High Point Salsa

So, a nurse at our clinic for my last appointment not only gushed over those previously posted ultrasound pictures but shared her newest favorite recipe for salsa out of the garden.  She's a GEM!  I'm dubbing it High Point Salsa (named after our clinic) to give it distiction from what has been my normal salsa recipe the past 5 years with 'chunks' in it that the kiddos (and Kurt) don't eat as well.  High Point Salsa is what I'd call a 'kid friendly' recipe with those veggies hidden in there.  I've yet to figure out if I can can it.  If you're a home canner any suggestions would be appreciated!

High Point Salsa- from Nurse Ally

10 roma tomatoes, cut in half (face up)
10 garlic cloves, peeled
2 peppers (she's written in 1 pubbelano and 1 sorleno, I've used whatever came out of our garden and varied depending on how spicy I want it)
2 onions quartered
Roast @ 375 degrees F for 40 minutes on a cookie sheet.

Add
1 T of sea salt
2 T of fresh cilantro
Juice of one lime

Blend (in your blender or use a handy immersion blender and save on dishes!!).

Enjoy!

Baby #3 Photo Shoot

I think I mentioned the baby pictures in my last post...I've finally scanned them but didn't crop them  so excuse the extra gray spots, please. 

There will probably be more pictures in August as I got called back to get another ultrasound (they didn't get a good picture of the heart).   Next week I'll have my 'third trimester' appointment- time is going too quickly.  Hopefully come November I'll be a bit more ready for baby to make his/her debut...right now it scares me!  My to do list is LONG and I feel out of practice with babies.  I am, much to my surprise, feeling great- better than I was my last pregnancy at this time.  I am so grateful as Julia continues to be a bit of a challenge some days.

Things, obviously from lack of posts, have been BUSY here.  The girls and I spent a WONDERFUL week up north at the lake with my family.  The garden has been bringing forth much fruit.  Thus far I've done two batches of fresh salsa (I need to post that recipe) 4 quarts each.  And this weekend I processed 9 quarts of  Portland Marinara Sauce (I need to post that recipe, too).  YUM!  We've also had homemade french fries, onion rings, Chinese cabbage salad...you get the picture.  We've also had company and are getting ready for more!   

Picking up where we left off...

Well, you may or may not have noticed a brief hiatus.  There are many reasons-
One is that ever elusive balance of a life as a stay at home mom and homemaker. 
Two is that I haven't hardly been able to make it though a day without a nap this pregnancy.  So when the girls go down I've been going down and then have to manage, supper, laundry, tidying and cleaning while they are awake which seems to perpetuate a cycle as I am more tired in the evenings...do you get the picture?
Three could be that there just has been a plethora of other things to do and keep busy with around here.  It is our first summer here and I must say I have tried to enjoy every minute of it.  Each day seems to bring a new discovery (most of which have been out doors). 

Regardless, you're due for an update from our life on the Mississippi....

The garden is in full bloom.  And with Kurt's encouragement and perseverance on both our part is it the best looking garden we've had yet!  Weeds be gone! 

The Trumpeting Vines are announcing the beginning of June!

Everything in the landscaping has got at least a year to prove/show itself.  These massive trellises of Trumpeting Vines were a big question mark but they look BEAUTIFUL full of flowers.

Our orchard was spared frost this season and the apples, pears and plums are coming in like CrAzY!  With the mild winter and early spring here we'll be harvesting before we know it! 

Parties interested in helping with the harvest will be paid in fruit!

And in the fruits of the fruit...this is the beginnings of something old

Being made 'new'

Kurt purchased this cider press for his birthday while we were in MI and is in the process of restoring the basket and a few other pieces.  We were in awe of the size and are excited to see it evolve.

The idea is something like this but more on the antique scale.  I'll try to have a few more updating posts...I've had some painting done.  We've been to the zoo, MI, MN and celebrated two birthdays and an anniversary since I've last posted!

Quick Takes Friday

1.  Julia has been reaching new heights literally!  She has figured out there are certain things she can manipulate to get her to where she wants to be.  Oftentimes this chair will be moved to the kitchen counter where she will assist me in cooking and mess making.  She is also experimenting with dumping her cup of milk on the floor, writing (usually not on paper), ripping books and pulling her sister's hair.

2.  Its not all 'bad' so to speak.  Julia is REALLY FUN to be around.  She's learning in leaps and bounds.  And has mastered some of her animal sounds so well I wish I could record them here for you, a-dorable!  Her favorite words/sounds include cock-a-doodle-doo!, apple, acorn, egg, thank you, please, bye-bye, book, bath, star, Nicholas (a character from one of her favorite books), night-night!  She's smart, hilarious and cute and you can't help but love her to bits- I should know.

3.  We're wrapping up G week on the Alphabet Path.  Kate really enjoyed the Glitter Glue project and you can see in the background of this first picture the Garden we planted.  I had my doubts as to whether or not this would be a fruitful endeavor (pun intended).  However....

4.  Today at lunch Katie spotted some growth from the grass seed and as we looked further a couple of our beans had sprouted, too.  She was needless to say thrilled with this news.  Evidently she has more of a green thumb than her mother. (In case you were curious, Marla and Jason, the gifted plant is still living however, perhaps a new house record...if it makes the winter then...WOW.)



 5.  Also on the agenda to wrap up G week we're doing a November family literacy project in hopes to post it at Work Play Read.  Can you smell the Gingerbread?  Can't wait for Daddy to get home to let the fun begin.  The post is coming SOON!

6. Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFM) has been part of our week in review and will be keeping us cooped up for the most part till late next week as it is contagious especially to other little ones.  Julia developed the sores in her mouth today but has still managed to eat a few of her favorite things.  Hopefully it won't get much worse for her.  The plus side is she's been getting better sleep (she'd been so restless with teething I think) and that's good for me, too!  Kate has the sores on hands and feet but has yet to develop them orally that we've noticed.  She is however enjoying the special treatment when it comes to eating.  A friend made some recommendations as her son recently had HFM and we swiftly took action. 

Sucking on ice cubes, Popsicles (homemade), gogurt, hummus, soups and other smooth foods have made the menu.  Though she hasn't complained much my dear Julia is really covered in rash.  This picture is just a small  peek.  Poor thing.

7. One of the things I've yet to try on our new laptop is video chatting.  Though, I did manage to take this picture of the three of us one day.  Maybe next I'll take a video.  Kind of inconvenient for catching some moments but it might work. ;-)  Anyone Skype or the like?

Have a great weekend!  

All Hallow's Eve and the Holy Ones

Painting "Minka" her pumpkin.  Strange kid, she named her pumpkin.;-)

Dad took the girls out for a few treats on Halloween.  Sounded like Dad got more 'treats' than the girls.

For the All Saints party that we didn't get to do (Welcome Hand Foot and Mouth Disease!) Here is St. George.



And the Dragon! Do dragons have hooves?  Perhaps that's were the HFM came from. ;-)

St. George and the Dragon (its G week here, folks!)

We're cooped up for the next 7-10 with HFM, ugh.  Go away blisters, go away! But counting our blessings it certainly could be worse.  Both girls are chipper considering and Daddy is bringing home things that will be fun to eat with mouth sores. ;-)  Hope to post some educational things here soon...but we'll se with sick kids how that goes.  For now, pictures will have to do.

7 quick takes (not on Friday)

I haven't done one of these in awhile and it seemingly will fit my needs at the moment as a bit of catch-up here in Kieler.  Since I'm ready before Friday I'll post it now and if I remember link it to Jen's at Conversion Diary on Friday.

1- We've had some company here in Kieler.  My aunt Katie and cousin Heidi paid us a visit in September.  It was fun to have them for the weekend.  We hit Galena to do some window shopping and just enjoyed a visit.  Heidi even stayed to watch the Packers that afternoon! 

2- As you may or may not have been wondering.  I made it to Norway and back.  I returned with some special treats for our Moms Group.  Here are the pictures recording our celebration.  I can't imagine life in Kieler without these ladies from the environs.  They are such blessings to me as friends, sounding boards, support, and comic relief.

3- We harvested our pumpkins a few weeks back.  There were some dandys!  I haven't decided if I am going to process them for pie or just enjoy them for seasonal decoration.  Kurt says according to his favorite t.v. show that pumpkin is the one thing you need not make from scratch for the best taste/most effort. Hmmm.

Isn't she a posing pumpkin?

4- We've been enjoying the fall sports season here in Wisconsin.  The reigning Super Bowl Champs aren't doing so bad, the Badgers had a great win this past weekend and the Brewers- we're not the only ones rooting for them!

Notice Katie's hat?

Root, root, root!!

5- We've as mentioned started our way down the Alphabet Path here at home.  It has been a work in progress for me but that'll have to be a whole post in itself.  Beyond Elizabeth Foss' Serendipity site with all its Alphabet Path links and book recommendations I have been reading her book, Real Learning- Education In the Heart of the Home.   I also must mention that I have found these sites and the work of these folks very helpful and insightful--

On Montessori, Homeschooling, Reading/Literacy, and More-- Heidi's blogs at Work And Play, Day By Day and Work, Play, Read are gems that I continue to return to over and over.

Here's Julia having some sensory play with cornmeal.  She LOVED it!

On all the extras, crafts and fun stuff Catholic as well as great links for Religious Ed--Lacy at Catholic Icing is worth reading.

On trying things out for the first time, Monica and I have found ourselves in similar experiences.  She is full of ideas and as always is keeping it real.

6- We spent some time up north the end of September.  This is the only picture I took. It is my littlest nephew snitching some waffle, that Julia snitched from her cousin Kaylee.  He can't walk yet but was totally cruising on her so he could have a taste or two. 

We came home on Wednesday and brought Kaylee with us!  It was such a treat for the three girls to play together for an extended stay.  They were really well behaved.  We had so much fun!  My folks and family came down for the annual Kieler Parade (have you read about it the past three years?).  The weekend weather was pleasant.  The kiddos just wanted to play and for the most part that was fine by us.  The parade was the best yet in our opinion.  I enjoyed it to the fullest not taking one picture the whole weekend (shame).  Perhaps, this will entice others to come check out this one of Kieler's main events- you'll have to see it for yourself!

7- I found this at The Badger Catholic's blog.  I had to repost it here because nearly half of the people in it are from Kieler (or environs) and/or I know them!  Very fun! 

St. Pauls promo video from Backflip Films on Vimeo.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Many of my friends have been posting garden updates of recent (see, here and here and here and here, oh and I guess this could count, too).  So I thought I, too, would answer the question, "How does your garden grow?"  Ours is growing "like a weed" and that is why we worked so hard weeding it this weekend.   Both Saturday and Sunday we worked in the garden we've planted and are sharing with a couple who have a beef farm in the environs of Kieler.  In years past we've had a garden in our backyard but decided to try something different this year.

Here is a picture of the garden from one end to the other.  You can vaguely see people at the far end, past the rototiller and the stroller.

 Of course, Daddy has been doing most of the work but the girls and I came out to help both days and actually accomplished more than I expected.  Kate is great at the farm.  She's for the most part self entertained.  Tromping here and there to see the cows, kittens, and back to the garden to see the ever fascinating worms.

 Julia and I however are not 'farm girls' at least not yet.  I know we had a garden growing up and I remember Mom taking us there so she could weed and work in it.  But I didn't gleen a green thumb from the experience.  Even my house plants beg for water or death.  And Julia, well, she's just a babe.

 However, as I mentioned we were pleasantly surprised.  Saturday, I brought Julia out in her stroller with bug netting and snacks and she lasted well over an HOUR!  So, I did get some practice weeding.  See the picture above for proof.  Then this morning we drove out again and Julia slept in the car the whole time.

But it was way more fun having the whole family outside and working together.  Oh and the fruits (or vegetables?) they're coming up.  The spinach has been delicious this past week and soon enough the late growers will follow.