Our Cozy Long Weekend

January 21, 2009 By Laura 10 Comments

We’d like to gush just a BIT more, about how much we are enjoying this wood stove. Honestly, I may never get over the sheer joy, of having it. We have gained a room to use in the winter! It’s open to our living area anyway, which is open to the kitchen, which is open the school/eating room… so it’s a perfect extension to the main space of our home. So cozy, and so beautiful too look out our windows, that surround us. We all just spend a lot of time in there — schooling, playing games, reading, chatting-all by the fireside. It’s been lovely!

This past weekend, we had a major shift of plans. We were supposed to have ONE more Christmas celebration on Sunday, gathering with my side of the family-all of whom live long distance. We were all so looking forward to it! But….the snowfall predictions put an end to everyone’s travel plans.

So instead, we had a relaxing weekend alone, together. There was plenty of good food to eat though, as we had just shopped for our big gathering!! So the eatin’ was good for days!! Still is, actually! lol

See that pan on the stove top? That is a delicious hot drink we have simmering. Want to peek inside??

It’s a hot cider drink, and we had no idea how delicious it would be. I got the recipe from another blog, but I’ll be darned if I remember where!! I must say though……I wasn’t sure I was going to love it. Or even like it. But just the thought of the citrus aroma it would likely fill our home with, was enough to encourage me to make it anyway. SOMEONE would probably like it.

We were all set to give it a sip or 2, when it was ready. But it had to simmer for awhile first.

Meanwhile, we had a few things we could get done. Like…..undecorate our very Christmas-sy home, perhaps?! Yes, our tree has been up all of this time! Along with all of our other decorations (of which many of you have all probably seen, with all of the photos I took and posted. BOY that was FUN!!) And we really enjoyed them. But…we were ready for them to get packed up again for awhile! I must say…..our home looked a little….naked….for a day or so after wards. But it seems normal again now.

By the time that packing up was done, our cider was ready!! It sure smelled good. But still….I was leery. Mine was a very cautious first sip. One of the ingredients is orange juice….and the thought of warm orange juice was making me cringe a little bit. But as it turned out…..we all LOVED IT. Everyone had TWO cupfuls, and they all want to make it again very, very soon.

We brought the woodpile in, to keep it dry. Which I didn’t mind much, because I love woodpiles. Remember? We were wondering if any bugs would thaw out in there, and come come scurrying out! But none ever did, thankfully. Nonetheless, we’ll be thinking on better wood-storing ideas, when the time comes to stock up on a huge amount of wood.

The snow was really coming down some parts of the day, and it was nice to have no place to go, and just watch it….

and sip some more.

I’ve got to tell you a little bit about this pot on our stove too………

….. Since we talked a little about treasured family pieces, this is one of our own. It was in this home when we bought it. As I mentioned earlier, we had an inset wood/coal stove in a brick wall we knocked out when we added this sunroom, (and a school room/ eating area…..and a whole second story….). It was a black iron stove, inset into a brick fireplace, with a stone hearth. I did love the look of the whole stove/fireplace, with our crooked brick mantel, but we only used the stove itself a handful of times. Reason being, there were issues with the chimney, which really needed work, if not rebuilding! We felt it posed a possible fire hazard in the chimney. It let awful smoke in the house too. What’s more, it would have been very difficult to keep little ones away from it through those years, being dangerously hot to the touch. They are older now, and know better, of course. Anyway, we never invested in getting the chimney fixed, because we were holding onto our hopes and dreams of remodeling our home anyway, which we really needed for a family of 6. We were finally able to do that, and it has been our little dream come true….even though we still haven’t finished it. (But the journey has been gratifying!) So, the day that excavator ripped that old chimney, entire wall and stove off of our house….we saved this pot of course, before it was buried in the rubble. (My 3 kids, who were 4 at the time, napped right through that event, and woke up to a HUGE gaping whole, where the wall and stove/fireplace used to be, and into their suddenly very messy yard!) I love that the pot is L.L. Bean. That company has great stuff, but we never purchase anything from them because they are beyond our budget! But…we do have this pot!! I should add…..we only keep it filled with water, and it puts some moisture into the air.

My. That was a long paragraph.

SO! Here’s a really easy COMMENT assignment for you:

Say ” I “, if you’d like me to post this DELICIOUS CIDER RECIPE for you. It smells and tastes wonderful!! And you don’t even need a wood stove to make it…..any stove at all will do. It’s a perfect winter treat!

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Expending the Kids’ Winter Energy: tumble, dribble, roll, pass, jump, shoot, balance, block, ….

January 11, 2009 By Laura Leave a Comment

In warmer seasons, we have more options to be active around where we live, than we can count. We reside right at the seaside, for one thing. Talk about a world all it’s own to explore, discover, create, learn, and deplete your energy. We spend a lot of the time at the shore, where we have deeded private beach rights. Aside from there, there’s plenty of places to go and things to do all over town. Beautiful, scenic places to hike, historical sites and experiences by the handfuls, multiple playgrounds, field trips, endless activities; exploring, experiencing, and learning everywhere, right at our fingertips. Most of which is outdoors, where kids can get out all of the energy they have.

Winter is another story!

While playing outdoors can be a blast now and then in the winter, weather has to be just right. And it doesn’t happen often. Temperatures are most times downright bitter. And the wind chill factor is worse, if not dangerous. So we consider other options, and have discussions with the kids about what they’d like to do.

{A} is not a concern. She has is older and has several outlets, being quite involved in multiple activities and services. All of which she is very serious and committed about.

Where organized programs go, we want the kids to be very interested in the activity, if we’re going to pay for it. Wasting money just to keep them busy doesn’t happen with us. They are quite good at keeping busy all their own. They have great imaginations that can keep them going all day. But getting out the energy that stores up in the winter, with limited outdoor time to really run, jump and use some muscle, is very limited.

For the first time, our triplets split up in their choices of activities, which has been one of our solutions to the winter energy that needs to get out. {O} has wanted to try gymnastics for awhile. What’s more, I have been eager to see how she does in that sport as well, because we have always noticed she is unbelievably flexible. {A} tried gymnastics a couple of times when she was little. But she was about as flexible as….say, plywood. {O} is like Gumby. What she needs though is technical training, to put that flexibility to use, and execute the elements properly. At this point, she knows how to do the splits and summer-saults on her own. So I think she’ll be learning quite a bit, if she applies herself. So we’ll see how it goes. She’s really loving it so far. One thing I’m NOT loving; I have to take photos through the glass window! Not sure how long I’ll last before I start getting pushy and trying to get away with what I can.

The cartwheel is going to take some work. ; )

I sign (language) at my kids a lot, when need be. It works for us across a room, or when quiet is necessary, or…when they are on the other side of a window. But I couldn’t think fast enough how to tell her “PLEASE put the tongue away, before you drop to the mat, and bite it off.” Trust me – she’d be at a loss if she couldn’t talk. She is very articulate and expressive. ; )

The boys, on the other hand, are into basketball. And after watching their older sister’s last adrenaline-pumping neck-and-neck game on the big court, they were ready to go play themselves. I’m really impressed with this program. Very organized and progressive, really teaching critical technical skills to playing well, as well as rules, and building their overall knowledge of the game, with no wasting time. (Time is money….and in this case….ours! lol) They’ve been in Hoop-Heaven. It’s obvious they’ve learned a lot watching real games, and playing hoops in their own yard. Someone at this clinic asked me if my boys ever stop smiling. I told them “Certainly not when there’s a basketball in their hands!” I was all over the place with my camera, just taking Mama photos.

Another tongue-shot-but this one more exciting than scary. When I saw {S} do this with his tongue, I knew he probably ‘had it’. My little tongue-trick-talent: I can completely flip my tongue over upside down, and I could see in this shot, that that baby was at least half way there-without even thinking about it. So I called that boy over to me when we got home. I said “Can you do this?” And I showed him my tongue flip. Once he got done laughing, he gave it whirl. And by golly….there it was. An upside down tongue in his mouth. : ) Haven’t found a great purpose for it yet, besides occasional entertainment. But who knows what might come along the road of life.

They even play 1-on-1 already! So cute, at this age. {S}’s challenge is to stop laughing enough to get the job done. I feel really bad that I missed all of the shots of {J}’s 1-on1 play. It’s my husband’s fault really. Before I left, he reminded me (as he often does) “Don’t forget to talk to the other parents.” Sad to say, I need to be reminded to make a conscious social effort sometimes. Especially when I am watching my kids, and/or have a camera in my hand. So……I was talking to another parent (actually talked to a few over the hour), and missed {J}’s 1-on-1. But I’ll get it next time, if their Daddy doesn’t beg to go instead.

A couple of happy dribblin’ shooters, who have a little less energy on this day. Mission accomplished.

As I type, another winter snowfall has begin to gently cover the ground, and it’ll be snowing all night and possibly well into tomorrow. If it doesn’t turn to a wintry mix early in the day. Which could get messy. whether wet or frozen > not great to play in. So we’ll see. I may get out there and take some winter photos, just for fun.

I have a few plans for new posts coming up soon. I have NOT forgotten about revealing our Christmas Craft Gifts. It’s just that we have one more Christmas celebration coming up after all, here at our home, next weekend. (Our Christmas tree is even still up!). So once we get past that, I’ll be posting all about what we really made. I think you’ll love it! If you and your kids are crafty-inclined, you can put them on your idea list for next year to consider. How would that be for being ahead of the game? I’ll also be posting about some of our favorite recipes/snacks. Including photos and recipes/directions, in case you’d like to try them yourselves.

Meanwhile…..thanks for stopping by once again! Hope you’re finding plenty of winter-fun yourselves, if you live in real winter/cold elements, as we do this time of year. If so, feel free to share how you get through the winter, with either indoor or outdoor activities with your own kids. The more ideas, the better, as this can be one-long-winter. We love the storms and snow-fun – but by April, the cold can get a little tiresome. But so far, we’re enjoying the season!

How about you?

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A Horse Education

January 7, 2009 By Laura 4 Comments

After a nice long Christmas break, we’re happily back to our familiar (home) school day routines, with some new experiences for all of the kids getting thrown into the mix. There will be more on the other kids coming up soon, but this happens to be another post about {A}.

{A} has always loved horses, about as much as I did when I was her age. I have always wanted a horse. As a kid, I had horse posters all over my side of the room walls. I can’t remember if that was before or after the Shaun Cassidy posters. (My sister, preferred Parker Stevenson, so I think she didn’t mind the horse posters as much.) Back then, I was getting a great horse magazine subscription called “Horse, of Course”, or something like that. In it, there was a lot of great horse photos, articles, and stories, and a pull out poster in each! So {A} and I definitely share a love for horses. But she has already had the opportunity to be with horses more than I ever did at her age. We have a friend who owns a horse rescue farm, where we go from time to time, and {A} hopes to work there some, as soon as she’s a little older and strong enough.

So for Christmas, on Christmas morning, we gave {A} a gift certificate for horse riding lessons, with an experienced trainer, Pamela Ring, at Dreamer Stables. When {A} opened that envelope and read the certificate she pulled out, she let out a big “WHOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!“, even startling some in the room, who weren’t paying attention at the moment. She about knocked us over with her hugs, too!

A couple of days ago was her first lesson. The wonderful thing is, she’ll be learning a lot more about horses, than just how to ride them. She’s learning all about them; how to interact with them, how to care for them, and how to dress and undress them, which she’ll be needing to do herself before and after riding riding. She has read so many books on horses, and knows quite about them, and their gear. But nothing beats hands on experience and spending time with these magnificent and beautiful creatures. She was beaming at her first lesson.

Now before moving on here, I just have to say, first…. that these are some of the absolute worst photos I have ever taken. Ugh. But..I was very limited in what I could do to get better shots. Despite how the photos look now, the stable was actually very, very dark, with horrible hanging lighting. I lightened them some, but a little flash would have been ideal in this case, with very little natural light source (and none in the arena.) But, flash is not allowed, as to not possibly startle the horses, or something. So….that’s the end of my excuses about the lousy photos. Here we go…..

{A}, brushing twice, with 2 different brushes.

Using an ice pick tool, to remove ice and any rocks (or what-not ; ) from their shoes.

Learning how to dress the horse properly, layer by layer, for riding.

Getting comfortable riding, and learning all of the commands.

One happy rider.

Unbuckling buckles to remove the horse’s bridle off of his head.

She can’t wait to go back next week. Horses are in her heart, much like chipmunks and training them are, along with good handful of other things that mean a lot to her.

One of the many, many reasons we decided to home school our kids, is to give them an abundance of free time. Time to imagine and create. Time to listen to, and follow their own hearts, and explore what calls them. Time to have lots of experiences out in the real world, hands on, and be educated through them. Time to discover some of their passions, and follow them if they choose to. Time to be with themselves, enough to focus on themselves, be who they are, and develop into all they want to be. Time to hear the whispers of God in their heart. Time is such a gift, for anyone! But more time to just be a child, whose heart and mind may not yet be inundated with wordly stuff, pressures and distractions, is a gift all it’s own. It’s these kinds of experiences out in the world, at a young age, that will certainly be remembered, and influence the rest of their lives.

Speaking of time, it’s time for my nightly routine before bedtime. Thanks for dropping by once again. We hope you all find that 2009 is going pretty well for you so far!

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Mama Brag Alert!

January 3, 2009 By Laura 5 Comments

Ok, how much ‘pride’ is allowed, before it really counts as a sin?? Some? A little? Because I might be in trouble here. I just went to penance and I don’t want to screw up already. BUT…………I’ve got a Mama brag alert here, and I’m about to spill!

{A} had her 3rd basketball game of the season today. Her team has had 1 loss and 2 wins so far. Today was one of those wins, and she was quite the player out on that court today! Her team won 18 – 11. 12 of her team’s points were hers!! She made SIX BASKETS!! A few were by lay-ups or close shots, and the other few were almost at the 3-point line, and real swishes. She even had a few rim bounces to boot. Her coach called her a ‘diamond in the rough’. Her team as a whole performed really well together, too. I was hootin’ and hollerin’ from the bleachers, as usual. I’m sure the parents in front of me were really glad they sat there. lol. I don’t expect to see them anywhere near me for the rest of the season. lol

It would be awesome if you had a moment to leave {A} a little congrats or message-comment of some sort. She just loves this game so much, and has worked really hard at being physically fit to play her best. Also, if I really need to get back into the confessional booth a.s.a.p., you can let me know that too. lol (yikes!)

GO SUN!!

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La Salette Shrine – Our First Day of the New Year

January 2, 2009 By Laura Leave a Comment

We finally got to the last activity on our Christmas-to-do list, on New Year’s Day; Taking another trip to Our Lady of La Salette Shrine. With everything else we were doing to prepare for Christmas, this trip was one thing that we just couldn’t find a day for. Because we truly needed a whole day. The Shrine is over an hour away from us. Decidedly, New Year’s Day was the perfect day anyway, in some ways.

But let me backtrack first.

On New Year’s Eve, all 6 us of us were going to stay up until midnight. Do you know HOW exciting that is to 6 year olds?? Ridiculously so. It was pretty low key–we were still feeling a little partied out from all of the Christmas excitement. But {A} was making treats, and the little ones were enjoying watching her. As the night went on, they talked more and more and more. I truly think they were afraid if they stopped talking, they would fall over in slumber. Except one of my little boys. He wasn’t tired, so he said. Surely did not want to go to bed. But….he was really enjoying the snuggle with me for a very-long-time. Perfectly content, still and quiet….watching the lights on the Christmas tree.

Now here comes the most pathetic thing you may ever have heard. By 11:20, most of us couldn’t take it anymore. I HAD to go to bed, and I wasn’t much sad about it. By the time all the kids were ready, and we were all in bed, it was 11 MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT!! And I do believe every one of us were asleep my 10 minutes until.

So the next day, we all REALLY wanted to go to the La Salette Shrine. Time was running out, and I really need to do something that day. As Michael got all of the shoveling done, I contemplated and re-contemplated the VERY frigid temperatures of the forecast that day and night. Once Michael got in, we hemmed and hawed and discussed it until we were blue in the face, while the kids begged and asked repeatedly, to go. So I gathered in my head everything my father had ever told me about dressing warm in cold weather (he likes to talk about that topic), and dressed my whole family accordingly. (Well, not physically. But I’m the planner in the family. By default. lol) We were going, and the kids were ECSTATIC.

On Our Way

As we drove, we all answered 10 great questions that apply to the our own selves in reflection of the year behind us, as well as the year ahead. It helped us all better formulate what we have learned, how we can grow from it, and what we want for ourselves in the future. I was so touched by some of the kids answers.

So, the National La Salette Shrine is quite a place. It’s a Catholic shrine, honoring Our Lady of La Salette, with beautiful grounds, a church, candle sanctuary, gift shop cafeteria and bistro, and even a carousel. We all just love to go there. We went last Christmas for the first time, and knew we’d be back this year.

So on our agenda once we got there was Penance for 3 of us, Mass, lighting a perpetual candle for my mother in the sanctuary (for her birthday, and the repose of her soul), walking the grounds to enjoy the festival of lights and huge nativity IF we could stand the cold, going to the gift shop so the kids could spend some money burning in their pocket from their uncle, and dinner.

We were devastated to learn that Penance was over being received at 3:00. But by the grace of God, and a conversation with a deacon who was drawn to talking to us, a priest was beckoned, and we were all able to confess with great relief. Honestly…..it was a very-big-part of our trip, and our hearts just really wanted it by then, being overdue and the first day of a whole new year. So we were very, very grateful to the priest.

Mass and the Crucifix

From there we happily went to Mass. It was a holy day of obligation anyway. But we would have gone anyway, being my Mother’s (and the kids’ Mémé’s) birthday, and the first day of a new year. IS there a better way to start a new year, than with Mass? We think not. The church at the La Salette Shrine is just beautiful, too. Architecturally fascinating. But the kids were absolutely taken with Jesus crucified over the altar. They have seen Jesus crucified in many forms, but this was the most dramatic they have ever seen….and I think it was hitting a little more home with them.

I think we (adults) all know, that most images of Christ crucified are very much ‘cleaned up’, as to not be too difficult to see. I think we also know that what we see is far from the reality of just how horrific, gruesome and brutal His death really was. A death he suffered, for each one of us. This cross of Christ crucified was closer and a bit more realistic though. (But not even close, really, as in truth, He was brutally beaten and tortured, beyond recognition.) I believe it’s made of carved wood. I couldn’t stop photographing it after Mass. Mass was very nice….filled with peace and hope.

Lighting a Candle for Mom/Mémé

After Mass we went and lit a perpetual candle for my mother / Mémé’, in the sanctuary, which is a non-heated virtually all-glass building…but so beautiful with the candles that encircle the Blessed Queen Mother and fill the whole building.

Last year, as I lit that candle, I was a mess as we tried to say a prayer for my Mother. This year, I was stronger, and it made me realize the grace of healing God has brought me. Of course I knew better than to push it, missing her so much this time of year, and being her birthday to boot….so Michael said a beautiful spontaneous prayer, {A} said a Hail Mary with the kids in a huddle, and we were on our way.

The center candle was lit and is burning for her. It will burn for 6 days.

Can’t Miss the Gift Shop

From there we went to the gift shop, and spent a good hour there. Helping little ones figure out for themselves what they want to buy can be a time-consuming and exhausting feat. And it certainly was this night. In the end, the little ones each chose a necklace, and a holy water bottle which they are chomping at the bit to fill up on Sunday at church. {A} bought a statue of her favorite saint, St. Michael the Archangel, and a pocket coin of some sort. All of the kids got in line, and paid for their own purchases by themselves. Which their Daddy and I loved to witness. The little ones were so darn proud, taking care of buying their own things, with their own money, and proudly taking their bag as they responded to the cashier, “Thank you, and Happy New Year to you too.”

The Frozen Shutter Hand Incident

We decided we were starving, and wanted to eat somewhere on the way home as the cafeteria options weren’t inspiring us. Daddy-Boy, {A} and some of the little ones also determined it was way-too-bitter cold to even think about walking around. (As in, dangerously low and frigid temperatures.) I agreed. However. I needed my photos of the festival of lights. It’s the highlight of the La Salette Shrine! Now understand….to really experience the festival of lights at this shrine, you just need to see it with your own naked eyes. To really take it all in cannot even begin to be done with a camera. (It’s not easy to photograph either.). But, I was taking photos anyway.

Thankfully, my family understands that taking photos sometimes IS a NEED for me, more than a want. So as starving and tired as they all were, Michael drove the van around the lot, and I hopped out here and there to attempt to photograph this and that. I started with the Bridge of Angels, and caught a couple on the way back to the van. It was BITTER COLD. Like…hard to breathe, can’t feel your face in 2 seconds, kind of cold.

Jumped back in the van, and thought I’d just open the door, stand out from where I was, and take a shot of this. Not sure I like it, as there were 3 kings on camels all lined up but anyway…….

Then we were coming around to the stuff I really wanted to try and capture. An amazing HUGE nativity scene, lots of stone steps, statues and light set ups everywhere. I especially love the light snowflakes everywhere. Now all of these were quite a hike for me from the running warm van with my family in it. Lots of snow, ice, wind, and sub-zero temps. But I needed my photos…..

As I came back around to the van, many parts of me were frozen numb. But before I climbed back in I had to take a shot of this one last statue……

And then I got in the van…..and began to experience THE most excruciatingly painful shutter hand thaw I have ever had to suffer! I am telling you….it was all I could do not to cry out loud. I tried to suffer quietly and get through it, but my little ones in the back kept asking me what was wrong, as I whimpered. To which our oldest daughter answered them “Mama is suffering her natural consequences“…with a hint of satisfaction in her voice. I talk to my kids ALL the time about ‘natural consequences that come with the choices they make.’. And I did HAVE to take photos, despite the sub-zero temps, right? How right she was, my little smarty pants. I really thought I was going to lose 3 fingers. In fact, if it would stop the pain, I was almost hoping they would just fall off. Finally, the pain subsided, and I was able to keep them.

We headed to dinner at a really nice pizza place, and then took the long ride home. It was another night we were happy to get to bed. But the next morning, (this morning), I had a photography gig very, very north. My daughter/assistant came with me, and it was a good job we were happy to do…despite how tired we were.

Hope in Faith For the Coming Year

So here we all are on the 2nd day of the year. I feel hope and happiness about the year ahead, in my heart. Excitement. That’s what the new year brings me every year, with maybe just a tinge of fear that the year may hold something not so good. But that is what our Catholic faith is for. Our Heavenly Father takes care of us. He always has, when we give all we can to Him. And doing so brings us greater faith, hope, and inner peace. So let us begin living the year of 2009, and when the year comes to a close, may we feel we have grown closer to Him, to each other, and be closer to the kind of people He created us to be.

Once again, we wish you all a new year filled with your own happiness, health, blessings, peace and every-growing faith.

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GO SUN!!

But let me backtrack first.

On Our Way

Mass and the Crucifix

Lighting a Candle for Mom/Mémé

Can’t Miss the Gift Shop

The Frozen Shutter Hand Incident

Hope in Faith For the Coming Year

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