Christmas in September...

Russell and I have been gathering tomatoes just as they are starting to change from really light green on up to red. The green ones can ripen on the counter - and do in just a few days. Well this afternoon we went out to gather some tomatoes as we had a light frost this morning and didn't want to lose what was growing. I ended up with two huge bowls - making it 4 total with what I already had in the house.
We also picked the remainder of the zucchini so we wouldn't lose that either. There is red and green all over my kitchen! It's looking very festive. :) I love this time of year.

Sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. First it started out as sneezing. Then a runaway nose. Allergies right? I wish. Allergies don't have fevers associated with them to my knowledge. Or achy bodies. It's been a week now.
I was being nice and let Russell go to the doctor on Thursday since he had the same symptoms I do - plus an sinus infection. The diagnosis? A super nasty virus they can't do anything for.
Glad I didn't bother going in.
I am finding out Theriflu tastes horrible but works somewhat. I am hoping to feel better soon. I would like to go to church tomorrow. We are working on our Primary program and I play the piano.

Then as I was chatting with my sister online - the funniest thought came into my head. What if this is ALL in my head and not a virus at all! What if I am having massive hot flashes! That gave me a really good laugh. I've had hot flashes before that have felt feverish but not the achy body. So...
I guess it's back to I really am sick and tired of being sick and tired.

A really neat letter from a favorite author.

Last year in 5th Grade - Christopher's class wrote to different people in the hopes they would receive a reply. Chris chose to write to Cressida Cowell - author of "How to Train Your Dragon" - one of his favorite reads. This was many months ago. Either early this week or late last week he received the following letter. Needless to say - it really made his day!

Cressida Cowell even drew a dragon just for Chris! How cool is THAT?

Cub Scout outing to the Kilchis River Park

This past Friday we took our small pack of boys to the Kilchis River Park. The theme this month is all about pockets and the collection of things boys invariably have in their pockets at all times. We were on the search for smallish rocks so the boys could make a little rock person if they wanted.
All the Wolves and lone Bear needed some swing time before heading out.

Michael emptied his water bottle and used it as an underwater magnifying glass. It worked he said.

We are missing a boy. He and his mom ran up to use the restroom. The boys sure had a fun time though.

The great rock search begins!

This picture I took has nothing to do with the boys. I really liked the little stream with the orange leaves floating down. It's now the background on my computer. I find it a very relaxing picture to look at.

Got Beaver?

We have a new resident on our premises. Russell was out cutting flowers for me and saw a bunch of bushes missing. He was a bit perplexed until he looked closer.

This is the entrance to and from the river where said beaver makes his nightly forages on our plant life.

He/She ATE/TOOK this huge azalea bush. Apparently Russell was wanting to get rid of it anyway. Looks like he had a helper. Some of my favorite flowers have been smooshed to the ground as this said beaver parks/moves his/her cumbersome body around. :(

Well - guess we don't need to hire a landscaper anytime soon! lol Leave it to Mother Nature. She fixes everything sooner or later.

Happy Birthday Nephi!

On this evening 7 years ago - Nephi joined our family! He was on his own agenda and came 5 weeks early. Weighing in at 4 lbs 14 oz didn't stop him from becoming the happy go lucky boy he is today!

And all he wants for his birthday is his two front teeth! (Not really. ) Nephi - we are so happy you are part of our family! You liven things up and keep us entertained. We hope you have a good year ahead of you and that you can be a good example to your friends in school. In another year you can be baptized. This is an exciting time for you!

Garden Gold

In my kitchen pumpkins and carrots are garden gold. I just love this time of year. The harvesting and processing of our garden produce. I find it very fulfilling. I think I was born to be a farmer deep down inside.

These past two weeks have been extremely chaotic (to put it mildly) in my kitchen. I felt like a three ring circus juggling ripening fruit, kids lunches for school and getting dinner on the table at the end of day. I felt overwhelmed at times but plowed through anyway. I've kept a few late nights (much later than I would like - not a night owl). In the end I am grateful for the sacrifices made on everyone's parts as we helped each other in our yearly quest to expand our food storage.

Learning...

My sister and I did a trade. She was wanting to get rid of all her beads and beading accessories and I was one day wanting to acquire such a set. She wanted Mary Kay make-up which I could supply. The trade was a done deal.

For months now I have been saving beading magazines. Mostly for the few designs I have seen in there. What I want to know is how do I get the really cool images I see in my brain to actually take fruition in a set of earrings, necklace or bracelet? Am I artistic enough for such a venture? Could I be good enough to actually make some money at it? Would it be too hard on my eyes/hands over time? These questions keep plaguing me. I have every intention to sit down and try my hand. But when? Not this week. Maybe not even next week.

In the meantime I will reread these said magazines and look at the beads I currently have. It's definitely not like a quilt where you can imagine the finished product in your mind as you work on it. The images I see in my mind are simple and beautiful. I lack the know-how to get to the finished product.

Wish me luck as I learn new things. Maybe I will be good enough that you just might find a little something from me in your Christmas stocking this year.

Peeling. Slicing. Shredding. Oh my!

You know that song from ABBA called the "Dancing Queen?" Replace that with "Canning Queen." I feel like I have been in the kitchen Monday - Thursday all day and about an hour today - probably because I was! I finished the pears, peaches, tomatoes sitting on the counter and worked my way through all the zucchini as well. It has been a very productive week.

Wednesday's, Thursday's and today's productivity yielded 26 quarts of peaches, 5 peach pies in the freezer, 4 quarts of tomatoes, 24 half pints and 5 pints of shredded zucchini pineapple, 2 quarts and 1 pint of the juice used to make the zucchini pineapple and 5 quarts of pears!

Monday's productivity yielded 50 quarts of pears and 6 pints of zucchini salsa. It's nice to be able to sit down and take a break now. Next week I need to be out in the garden getting corn, carrots, potatoes and pumpkin. Whew!

September 2009 Boy Scout Court of Honor

A couple nights ago the boy scouts in our ward had a court of honor. They don't have one regularly like the cub scouts have pack meeting each month. The boys earned various awards at this court of honor - mostly from summer camp. Thanks Russell for taking pictures!

Donovan receiving his awards. He earned: Family Life, Indian Lore, Forestry, Archery and a partial Astronomy. Good job!

This is Christopher's first court of honor. He was able to attend summer camp as well since Russell was there. He earned: Fish and Wildlife, Forestry, Mammal Studies, Indian Lore and a partial Nature. Good job!

Patiently waiting. It's so nice to see all these young men in their uniforms.

Pondering.

The first day of school has arrived!

Donovan's first day of school was the 9th. He's a big 8th grader now and is on his last year at the junior high! How did that happen?

The first day of school has arrived on a foggy day at the coast.

Michael is all ready and not so excited for the 3rd grade. He thinks school is a waste of time because it cuts into his play time. Ah....to be young again...

Nephi is ready and very excited for 1st grade and everything that entails. Especially his very own lunch box!

Christopher was not excited about his picture - but is super excited about the upcoming school year in 6th grade! Almost all the kids in his primary class are also in his school class. How cool is that!

Our morning ritual. We always wave to each other as the boys go down the road to the bus. See you this afternoon! Make good choices! :) Love you!

You do "BEET" all!

This alien life form is the largest beet from our garden! It filled 3 jars when I was canning beets the other day. If you want to know more about canning beets - go to http://candaceskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/09/canning-beets.html .