tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112987982024-02-19T12:22:41.409-05:00ForeverMy BlogAlbertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-53851813227656753562012-01-22T16:11:00.000-05:002012-01-22T16:13:23.842-05:00Nursery Singing Time: DIY streamers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I finally got around to posting the instructions for making these! You can find it <a href="http://nurturingjoy.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/diy-ribbon-wands/" target="_blank">here</a> on the blog I write with my sisters.<br />
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Check out my post about the other things I do for <a href="http://youngcrochet.blogspot.com/2011/09/nursery-singing-time.html#!/2011/09/nursery-singing-time.html" target="_blank">Nursery singing time</a>.Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-40284747945243682011-11-08T22:39:00.000-05:002011-11-08T22:40:30.999-05:00Handmade Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I was growing up, my family gave homemade gifts to each other every Christmas. We each drew a name so we only had one gift to make. With 6 kids I'm sure that's all my parents could handle. My mom would help us with the crafty/sewing while my dad helped with any woodworking. I have some really great memories of those homemade gifts both given and received. My family still puts an emphasis on homemade in our gift exchange. And I've tried to do the same in my own family. </div>
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I only have 3 kids, so this year I decided that it might be nice to have each of them make something for both their siblings. We'll see how it goes! And I might make something for each of them, I haven't decided. My oldest son has already decided what he wants to give his brother and sister and my second son has a few ideas as well. I guess I'll end up deciding for my daughter, and probably making hers as well. Unless someone out there has a great, useful gift that a 3-year-old can make!</div>
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As I've been browsing around the internet I've come across a few fun ideas for homemade gifts. Not sure if I'll use any of these, but maybe you will!</div>
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<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Design Mom on <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2011/11/gift-giving-traditions/#more-14382" target="_blank">sibling gifts</a>: has links to past gifts</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.themotherhuddle.com/tutorial-felt-cut-out-cookies-with-frosting/" target="_blank">Felt Food</a> (so cute!)</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.petitepurls.com/Fall11/fall2011_t_sewpetite.html" target="_blank">Cozy pillow case</a></li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2011/01/braided-headbands.html" target="_blank">Braided headbands</a></li>
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I'll post what my kids are doing for their gifts later on. Since they don't read my blog, it won't spoil anything if I post before Christmas.</div>
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How does your family exchange gifts? I'd love to hear about any cute homemade gift ideas you have!Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-18904575259344081422011-10-07T15:13:00.000-04:002011-10-12T10:20:31.631-04:00Baking Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Math, science, home ec, and PE with a little history and religion. Tasty!</div>
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<br /></div>Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-84216232844482134912011-09-23T20:33:00.000-04:002012-01-22T16:15:13.276-05:00Nursery Singing Time<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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I am the music leader for the primary (children's group) at our church. That means every Sunday you will find me doing all kinds of crazy things to help the children learn the gospel through music. A few months ago, my primary president asked if I could also go into the nursery (children 18 mos to 3 years) and teach them as well. I was more than willing as my daughter is in that class and I know how much she loves music. I will admit that I was apprehensive because is seemed a bit overwhelming to add that to my already busy schedule. So of course I turned to the internet for help. I took most of my ideas from <a href="http://camillesprimaryideas.blogspot.com/search/label/Nursery">here</a> and <a href="http://afprimarysingingtime.blogspot.com/search/label/Nursery">here</a> then modified them for my situation. Here's what I do....</div>
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I decided that the best way for the children to lean the music and to keep the work load down for myself would be to sing the same songs every week. Children this age really thrive on routine. In addition, it takes several repetitions of the same song before they will even begin to join in. So I made up a schedule and I stick to it every week. The hardest part was gathering all the supplies, but once I had them all together everything became easy peasy. (note: cs = Children's Songbook) <br />
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First, I keep all my supplies in a tote in the primary room so they are ready to go when it's time<br />
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When I enter the nursery room the children are always so excited to see me. They are so cute! No one else greets me as enthusiastically as they do. </div>
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In order to encourage the children to stay in place near me, I spread a blanket on the floor for them to sit on. They love to help me spread it out.<br />
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<strong>1.</strong> <strong>Hello Friends,</strong> cs 254a (actions)<br />
We always start with this song. We sit in a circle (I kneel on the floor as well), hold hands and shake hands as we sing.<br />
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<strong>2. Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes</strong>, cs 275a (actions)<br />
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<strong>3. I Love To See the Temple,</strong> cs 95 (pictures)<br />
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I cut pictures from the <a href="http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product3_715839595_10557_21123_-1__214504">Temples</a> magazine and glued them onto card stock for stability and to hide the other side. Then I slipped them into plastic page protectors. I give each child a picture to hold and look at while we (I) sing the first verse of the song. I had to tape the tops closed or the children would take the pictures out of the protectors. :)</div>
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<strong>4. Smiles</strong>, cs 267a (actions, pictures)</div>
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I cut out and laminated these faces then taped them on opposite sides of a large craft stick. I show the face that matches the words and encourage the children to smile and frown along. You can find the faces in the <a href="http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product3_715839595_10557_21135_-1__195909">Primary 3 visual aids</a> or <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/ldsmhlibrarycutouts/home/Primary-Manual-3-Cutouts">here</a>.</div>
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<strong>5. If You're Happy,</strong> cs 266 (actions, bells)</div>
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I made these bell bracelets with craft supplies I had on hand: some stretchy silver cord and small jingle bells. You could also use ribbon, string, or pipe cleaners or glue the bells onto craft sticks. No substitute for the bells (at least not that I can think of!) We sing one verse clapping our hands then another verse waving bye-bye with both hands to really hear the bells. They love it! </div>
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<strong>6. Once There Was a Snowman</strong>, cs 249 (pompom, actions) OR <strong>Popcorn Popping</strong>, cs 242 (actions) OR <strong>Rain is Falling All Around</strong>, cs 241b (actions)</div>
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We only do one of these songs, depending on the season or the weather; <em>Snowman</em> in winter, <em>Popcorn</em> in spring, and <em>Rain</em> all the other times substituting the current weather for rain. For <em>Snowman</em> I have small white pompom "snowballs" for them to hold. I usually ask them questions about the weather to introduce <em>Rain is Falling</em>.</div>
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Example:</div>
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Me: "Is it snowing outside?" Them: Nooo.</div>
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Me: "Is it sunny outside?" Them: Nooo.</div>
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Me: "Is it raining outside?" Them: Yes!</div>
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Then we do actions suggested by the lyrics. I think once the leaves start falling, we'll use 'leaves' in place of 'rain'.</div>
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<strong>7. Primary Song of the Month </strong>(flipchart)</div>
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This is actually something new I'm thinking about adding. The plan is to bring in my flipcharts I use in primary and sing them part of the song the rest of the primary is learning that month. I haven't tried it yet, so I don't know how it will go, but it think it would help them to be at least a little familiar with the songs (as much as they can tolerate).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFmmH5fx6nz_5Z7Z5JdjpIQhtzDSCshCqj1zrje2oyuqCYl6n5ODAXgGGku2zrZYYNI08aboxqLX5jNLR1orrP7fFsnG9EtAMIAtYkRc-Y21N-kqR2hdNlkx40gkWw5RQ_B84/s1600/Nursery+Singing+props+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFmmH5fx6nz_5Z7Z5JdjpIQhtzDSCshCqj1zrje2oyuqCYl6n5ODAXgGGku2zrZYYNI08aboxqLX5jNLR1orrP7fFsnG9EtAMIAtYkRc-Y21N-kqR2hdNlkx40gkWw5RQ_B84/s320/Nursery+Singing+props+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>8. Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam</strong>, cs 60 (streamers)</div>
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The children each get two streamers to wave while we sing. Of course, we have to throw our arms in the air on "sun-BEAM". Here's the <a href="http://nurturingjoy.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/diy-ribbon-wands/" target="_blank">tutorial on making the streamers</a> that I posted to another blog.</div>
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<strong>9. The Wise Man and the Foolish Man</strong>, cs 281 (actions)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgeh8cODK4wGvsMaoBH7uGqbZKrWzR6paPP_RgkDw97W8LbslXDiXJfgEF7qsWvoare0zOk7b5LjDi6rrpHTb6AAqHANchJXtJhDrJEVRCKchJMte7OgeRLXQeFQL5M16T75W/s1600/Nursery+Singing+props+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgeh8cODK4wGvsMaoBH7uGqbZKrWzR6paPP_RgkDw97W8LbslXDiXJfgEF7qsWvoare0zOk7b5LjDi6rrpHTb6AAqHANchJXtJhDrJEVRCKchJMte7OgeRLXQeFQL5M16T75W/s320/Nursery+Singing+props+015.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong></strong></div>
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<strong>10. Do As I'm Doing</strong>, cs 276 (shakers)</div>
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Each child gets two eggs to shake while we sing. This is their favorite prop; they look forward to it the whole singing time. They're just Easter eggs that I filled with a half tablespoon of rice (the least amount I could and still have them sound good) then glued shut with a hot glue gun.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwhWKx_zaWlemdwoZzEzU6riAlpZcDl1A6jyNQ00orP7YMx2my8vvjY5K6FerI405z2htvEnrEyfIpYccwVjbm9jpwPmnOIS_YJWM7ae8YExf6iMJMI3YiJd9Cow3IULZIsdK/s1600/Nursery+Singing+props+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwhWKx_zaWlemdwoZzEzU6riAlpZcDl1A6jyNQ00orP7YMx2my8vvjY5K6FerI405z2htvEnrEyfIpYccwVjbm9jpwPmnOIS_YJWM7ae8YExf6iMJMI3YiJd9Cow3IULZIsdK/s320/Nursery+Singing+props+017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
BTW, the open egg is one that one of the children broke open last Sunday. That's why I put in the smallest amount of rice I could. Hopefully the rest of the children won't follow his example this Sunday. I'd hate to not be able to use these anymore!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68VVGEBYvtsb7GqNUXk9HHjgofaT_zeH6qiMooGVT0fXVN2ozq1MIdRWWUt88w8Ix1ENeNFidMOVUu5E2puP6W67qLbNl03RFRrUDxRat1-IuemZq-U_GidnV6IXv7UMdOddA/s1600/Nursery+Singing+props+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68VVGEBYvtsb7GqNUXk9HHjgofaT_zeH6qiMooGVT0fXVN2ozq1MIdRWWUt88w8Ix1ENeNFidMOVUu5E2puP6W67qLbNl03RFRrUDxRat1-IuemZq-U_GidnV6IXv7UMdOddA/s320/Nursery+Singing+props+019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>11. I Am a Child of God</strong>, cs 2 (mirror)<br />
I like to end on a reverent note and this is my favorite primary song of all time. I used puff paints to decorate the mirror. The children fold their arms while I hold the mirror and move it around so they each get a chance to look in it. Here's a closer look at the mirror:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEyWTIHpJrrBBW5_XRq0im8Ualfhq7JxloG9z8bKKDp6w0rtGVkvjw_kWNLWBIP5o8YbPs8GSaliiXmYEr-jhgOlbixtZRJFMWfNylxcmimayTvhJor-U8_yX2NALobakW9wp/s1600/Nursery+Singing+props+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEyWTIHpJrrBBW5_XRq0im8Ualfhq7JxloG9z8bKKDp6w0rtGVkvjw_kWNLWBIP5o8YbPs8GSaliiXmYEr-jhgOlbixtZRJFMWfNylxcmimayTvhJor-U8_yX2NALobakW9wp/s320/Nursery+Singing+props+021.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
The kids are so funny: they love to make faces at themselves:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56DiUbh0VKlJYAGhkZawkPiTk2GwxBEux7j_GGR7vmLyEoUi8yYxfuVdh5eJII7AkKr5MiG5dzdbOL1YVCaFL6OKbOHClAwE4Wmjt2qlZdLyfJa34vqjsLYWN7-Z_arekVLqw/s1600/Nursery+Singing+props+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56DiUbh0VKlJYAGhkZawkPiTk2GwxBEux7j_GGR7vmLyEoUi8yYxfuVdh5eJII7AkKr5MiG5dzdbOL1YVCaFL6OKbOHClAwE4Wmjt2qlZdLyfJa34vqjsLYWN7-Z_arekVLqw/s320/Nursery+Singing+props+018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After we're done singing I give each child a sticker, then they help me shake out and fold up the blanket. Finally, they all yell 'bye-bye' as I leave. They're the best. :)</div>
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There you have it. I hope you can use some of my ideas in your nursery. And please share your ideas as well!</div>
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<strong>Happy Singing</strong></div>Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-1449665958912341062011-09-07T21:26:00.001-04:002011-09-07T21:27:25.764-04:00Science!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnqN0cc3MqPYcjrio_Qk8tZLpLqv0aTXWrUSfmnlcIkVVly3vO5vmqfdSdxJcf1xZVJMdzFxUomscq8WgYkdeQmbaAlRo56iNVqNisFFawJ5-Umxzr6bf34EuWAPj8TNSSdAb/s1600/spider+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnqN0cc3MqPYcjrio_Qk8tZLpLqv0aTXWrUSfmnlcIkVVly3vO5vmqfdSdxJcf1xZVJMdzFxUomscq8WgYkdeQmbaAlRo56iNVqNisFFawJ5-Umxzr6bf34EuWAPj8TNSSdAb/s320/spider+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This spider built a web right outside our kitchen window this morning. So for science today we observed it catching and consuming bugs. Awesome.</div>
Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-943019187856528562011-09-05T16:55:00.001-04:002011-09-05T16:56:31.107-04:00Number Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivon908ZjX1x7CUlh1WCHlyoDfh5YuNNdWD7kxagrlD5Tnq0p9utbDrFTI2PTAIly8bnqrPypas1dgctNEWbMqEFhZk7NeEOuuvU1k98SPtWFqWBNuO-JfTHc6tSLjT4CL6bWI/s1600/Arwen+may+2011+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivon908ZjX1x7CUlh1WCHlyoDfh5YuNNdWD7kxagrlD5Tnq0p9utbDrFTI2PTAIly8bnqrPypas1dgctNEWbMqEFhZk7NeEOuuvU1k98SPtWFqWBNuO-JfTHc6tSLjT4CL6bWI/s320/Arwen+may+2011+003.jpg" width="240" xaa="true" /></a></div>
I just heard from a friend today that she is expecting! So exciting! Her story is very similar to mine, and it got me thinking and remembering the path it's been to get our family where it is today. Two boys, two years apart. Three years later I lost one at 12 weeks, and when I finally got pregnant after trying for three more years I was so afraid I would lose that one as well. I had so many ultrasounds just to make sure she was fine. It wasn't until the first trimester was over that I finally felt safe enough to admit to myself that I really was pregnant without making 'just in case' plans. It was probably my hardest pregnancy. But we got her here safely, and I'm so happy to have her! All of them! Truly, my cup runneth over.<br />
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<strong>Feeling blessed...</strong>Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-16520654474890653512011-07-07T21:40:00.000-04:002011-09-05T16:53:33.743-04:00Blueberry Nectarine Freezer Jam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OiWFbFEsMowBPFfOyUrda04e2dh7BzYOGtDnZvL3_eaV9nbbLrvN24p7BnOF_LBzcy8ptCiybfaRw3gTA0UTyBDCwLZEMmwXP0BTyJhT6RNMQX61ODQ7YQkTfbhN-P8nC2zw/s1600/blueberry+nectarine+freezer+jam+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OiWFbFEsMowBPFfOyUrda04e2dh7BzYOGtDnZvL3_eaV9nbbLrvN24p7BnOF_LBzcy8ptCiybfaRw3gTA0UTyBDCwLZEMmwXP0BTyJhT6RNMQX61ODQ7YQkTfbhN-P8nC2zw/s320/blueberry+nectarine+freezer+jam+005.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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It's blueberry season! I never really appreciated how good blueberries are until we moved to NJ. The blueberries I buy here are FRESH! Unlike the blueberries you get in UT that have been shipped across the country, probably from NJ. And you can't beat it when they go on sale 6 pints for $7. So what do I do with all those blueberries, other than eating them like popcorn? Homemade jam, of course! My favorite is the blueberry butter recipe from my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Complete-Book-Home-Preserving/dp/0778801314">Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving</a>, but today I thought I'd try an easy freezer jam recipe that caught my eye from the same book. One tip, measure the fruit after crushing/chopping. Happy preserving!<br />
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<strong><u>Blueberry Nectarine Freezer Jam</u></strong><br />
1 cup crushed blueberries<br />
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar<br />
1 pouch (1.59 oz) freezer jam pectin<br />
3 cups finely chopped pitted peeled nectarines<br />
1 Tbsp grated lemon zest<br />
1 tsp lemon juice<br />
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1. In a glass pie plate, heat blueberries in a microwave oven on high, stopping the microwave several times to stir and crush the berries, until the mixture reaches a boil, about 2 minutes.<br />
2. In a medium bowl, combine sugar and pectin, stirring until well blended. Add blueberries, nectarines and lemon zest and juice. Stir for 3 minutes.<br />
3. Ladle jam into plastic or glass freezer jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Apply lids tightly. Let jam stand at room temperature until thickened, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately, if desired. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to 1 year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87BEeLUFNzVph83sHGZATBymkl9Aj_au8HH25iWKa-mFqdtQgdlQBE2G6Ds6ikwzsG1fs2KKTKQ5K3cUFRac3KbUfEuo_t8NXLwlMgsEMxsEuJd32A8Irbc9veFgNlrAbWJbh/s1600/blueberry+nectarine+freezer+jam+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87BEeLUFNzVph83sHGZATBymkl9Aj_au8HH25iWKa-mFqdtQgdlQBE2G6Ds6ikwzsG1fs2KKTKQ5K3cUFRac3KbUfEuo_t8NXLwlMgsEMxsEuJd32A8Irbc9veFgNlrAbWJbh/s320/blueberry+nectarine+freezer+jam+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Aren't they beautiful?</div>
Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-88081803146269602722011-04-24T15:18:00.001-04:002011-04-24T15:24:44.044-04:00Happy Easter<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oXrOG02NMB0?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
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"In our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning: “He is not here: for he is risen.”" - <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/he-is-risen?lang=eng">Thomas S. Monson</a>Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-70972336286907550232011-04-05T21:17:00.001-04:002011-04-05T22:17:25.331-04:00Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xrKruyB6l-ytJqcxQeaCJY8tq9eFE7oEW9cqFkt3mKNqR4X7Lx4DWk2N5XKm6e4vtdXHY6PaL1sXos8lKGd3Z8aXxv3kEhSrXkgDHZ9RbajJNAfTfqWoWi0X7jN522cFAUXU/s1600/cccookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xrKruyB6l-ytJqcxQeaCJY8tq9eFE7oEW9cqFkt3mKNqR4X7Lx4DWk2N5XKm6e4vtdXHY6PaL1sXos8lKGd3Z8aXxv3kEhSrXkgDHZ9RbajJNAfTfqWoWi0X7jN522cFAUXU/s320/cccookies.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>My younger ds made chocolate chip cookies today!<br />
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I've put together some "adult skills" courses for the boys, and the first one is baking. In a nutshell, they learn to bake several things independently and when they 'graduate' they throw a party for their friends and serve some of their favorites. (There's also meal preparation, grocery shopping, and home maintenance classes, but that's another post.) <br />
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Anyway, he choose to make the cookies for his first lesson so I told him that it was the very first recipe I learned how to make from my mom. He thought about that a bit then said maybe he could teach it to his kids and did grandma learn it from her mom? I didn't know the answer to that. But I'm excited that he's excited about baking/cooking.<br />
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Making the cookies with him and then having creamed egg on toast for dinner got me thinking about learning to cook as a child. Those two recipes are the oldest of the handful I can make from memory. What I like to cook has changed a lot since then, but I'll never forget my first lessons. I feel very fortunate to have had a mother who took the time to teach me. Oh, and those first chocolate chip cookies are still the best.<br />
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What about you? What was the first thing you learned to cook/bake? What recipes can you cook from memory? Who taught you?Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-14348089162151717102011-04-01T20:29:00.000-04:002011-04-01T20:29:38.404-04:00April FoolsWe've always had a little too much fun with April Fools' Day at out house. We've mixed up cereal bags, made meatloaf 'cake' and 'cupcakes', candy veggies, and traded beds in the middle of the night. Here's what we did this year!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFoiEOctDOMVdhKzwdPN6efFJkA5VsfQiV_6jC2UrB4IE3ixS6EWH2bj9I6obbF_FgdAsLOUuKd-5YhAQZracsJEtq-RqM_CnoozLD0CAbehxHy0i8JLoVQURQoE1fLgwlkkG/s1600/appealing-prank-banana-games-april-fools-photo-420-FF0403ALMDA01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFoiEOctDOMVdhKzwdPN6efFJkA5VsfQiV_6jC2UrB4IE3ixS6EWH2bj9I6obbF_FgdAsLOUuKd-5YhAQZracsJEtq-RqM_CnoozLD0CAbehxHy0i8JLoVQURQoE1fLgwlkkG/s320/appealing-prank-banana-games-april-fools-photo-420-FF0403ALMDA01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>For breakfast, this <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/april-fools-day/practical-jokes/an-appealing-prank-847649/">sliced banana</a> prank.<br />
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In the afternoon, the <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/april-fools-day/april-fools-day-printable-pranks-kids/amazing-origami-rock-craft-704373/">Amazing Origami Rock Craft</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPCI-Yy2SUkUNsAloXfiSMQCUF9UVvvak_2FMWTlwhnLgcPlZLtY-mrTS_Nxcll9OkmuXWMYn13n3qB56Omktmmup5-JuIgIaFovCyC98W_5Zc6ra4JCC_keSaWVk1nL9HWiv/s1600/april-fools-day-dinner-recipe-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPCI-Yy2SUkUNsAloXfiSMQCUF9UVvvak_2FMWTlwhnLgcPlZLtY-mrTS_Nxcll9OkmuXWMYn13n3qB56Omktmmup5-JuIgIaFovCyC98W_5Zc6ra4JCC_keSaWVk1nL9HWiv/s1600/april-fools-day-dinner-recipe-photo.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And for the grand finale, a <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/april-fools-day/april-fools-day-recipes/family-traditions-april-fools-day-dinner-714547/">crazy, mixed-up dinner.</a> I think this one may become a tradition.<br />
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Now you know who the April Fools are! Are you one too?Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-36580748935062196962011-03-25T20:17:00.001-04:002011-03-25T20:22:27.322-04:00A good day for art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh0pkMGcuFOAWGp6NEtlLkNuDH5BNBO0mYjmc9bzalKF3O8fN1a5_AqidC8Yq3dz3W9C2kG2E1a4GvUVyUIYDjtOcmUGkZWKomoKJcSS5RivTqTNtcgD6OkGBXiVhY7_NiQZ_/s1600/Arwen+finger+paint+mar2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh0pkMGcuFOAWGp6NEtlLkNuDH5BNBO0mYjmc9bzalKF3O8fN1a5_AqidC8Yq3dz3W9C2kG2E1a4GvUVyUIYDjtOcmUGkZWKomoKJcSS5RivTqTNtcgD6OkGBXiVhY7_NiQZ_/s320/Arwen+finger+paint+mar2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Today was a good day. We went to the homeschool art day at a different county library. The kids really had a good time putting their projects together and looking at what the other kids had brought to display. All the projects were so unique. My older ds drew a LARGE picture of him and his cousins battling a dragon in oil pastels. Younger ds did a Lego mosaic of Mario. And dd did a finger painting (pic). There were acrylics, watercolors, paper mache, Lego, etc on display. One of the moms demonstrated a watercolor painting that really impressed the boys. I don't have an artistic bone in my body, so I'm glad they could get a chance to see someone who does in action. They also played with some <a href="http://www.crayolastore.com/product_detail.asp?T1=CRA+57-5050">air drying clay from Crayola</a> that was fantastic. I'm going to have to get me some of that.<br />
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And the kids were so well behaved. The boys said nice things about every project. Older ds sat with dd and shared his snacks with her. He even listened when I told him he couldn't have any more snacks except carrots (after his second trip the the snack table). I was so impressed with them.<br />
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Hooray for art, libraries, and homeschooling!Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-51938786459202646922011-03-22T09:47:00.000-04:002011-03-22T09:47:39.574-04:00My maple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQrdi8spnVeEnCMCot8Pc11RXTqg9ATo0SYMi5btI9AzfHY94GfNgdjox8wUmjwM3AxJkECIYYwkws5702EcfrnWRYUrzTz8WLO5CHtuzVKqh4X9n5-UyVXxx-KH1meicaUV3/s1600/Japanese+Maple+Fall+2010+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQrdi8spnVeEnCMCot8Pc11RXTqg9ATo0SYMi5btI9AzfHY94GfNgdjox8wUmjwM3AxJkECIYYwkws5702EcfrnWRYUrzTz8WLO5CHtuzVKqh4X9n5-UyVXxx-KH1meicaUV3/s320/Japanese+Maple+Fall+2010+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I just had to share this photo. It's my Japanese maple from this past fall. It looks even better in person. When it turns red like this, it gives the whole house inside a rosy glow. When we were looking at houses, we looked at a few that had Japanese maples and I made the off-hand comment that I would love to have one. Of course it wasn't even on the radar for things we were looking for in a house, just on my "probably not going to happen" wishlist. We didn't buy this house for the Japanese maple, but I'm so glad it's there. It makes me happy to look at it, no matter the season. It even looks beautiful in the winter.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwz6cykXSu9sIqxQ-WFjyonniUGv7QM0YvV58k3SiMeEdQib5_d_OI2HEUJAqWPqywKZzpeuZFyAzGn3L9DQwtP4hyJq_uJtiBmNhpuq3Vb14-Ft6-OdCkJalo-1aLVAH2j2uR/s1600/winter+maple+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwz6cykXSu9sIqxQ-WFjyonniUGv7QM0YvV58k3SiMeEdQib5_d_OI2HEUJAqWPqywKZzpeuZFyAzGn3L9DQwtP4hyJq_uJtiBmNhpuq3Vb14-Ft6-OdCkJalo-1aLVAH2j2uR/s320/winter+maple+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Thankful for Tender MerciesAlbertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-43644653806945367292011-03-15T20:56:00.009-04:002011-03-16T15:32:41.495-04:00Bobotie and Sambal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShnCnarEfPLC6ZZ1cdJdn0ia9FWcNV2e9MrTCEaIJMOQBWL8LQg9Zhgec-XDG78pKoZTFzMQyOddzsvsFkxclCPSBfmcU9llyANkZ7WsTUQyMlt_s0sJDQcgzJRtrYs-nw9Qa/s1600/South+African+meal+007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584476050166061666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShnCnarEfPLC6ZZ1cdJdn0ia9FWcNV2e9MrTCEaIJMOQBWL8LQg9Zhgec-XDG78pKoZTFzMQyOddzsvsFkxclCPSBfmcU9llyANkZ7WsTUQyMlt_s0sJDQcgzJRtrYs-nw9Qa/s320/South+African+meal+007.jpg" /></a><br />Saturday night is 'international night' at our house, for dinner at least. I use a 4 week rotating calendar to plan our meals, so that's 4 different international dishes each month. We've got the usual stuff (stroganoff, curry, stir fry) but I wanted something else a little more exotic. When I ran across a recipe for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobotie">bobotie</a> in our <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Around-World-Cookbook-Abigail-Johnson/dp/0756637449">"Around the World Cookbook"</a> I knew I'd found what I was looking for. But it needed a side. Foodnetwork.com is the first place I go to find recipes and that's where I found this recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tanya-holland/south-african-sambal-recipe/index.html">South African Sambal.</a> <br /><br />Of course I've modified it, though this time it was a serendipitous mistake rather than an intentional change. First, it turned out that I didn't have enough apples so I added some sliced grapes I had on hand to make up for the missing sweetness. Then I accidentally added the salt after the soak and squeeze rather then before. But it turned out to be a really nice combination of salty and sweet so I kept it along with a few other changes. Here's my version:<br /><br /><strong>Ingredients</strong><br />2 cups grated carrots<br />2 cups grated apples<br />1/4 cup bottle lemon juice (it just gets discarded so no sense using the good stuff here!)<br />Kosher salt<br />1 cup black grapes, halved<br />1/4 cup chopped cilantro<br />1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger<br />1 (scant) tablespoon sugar<br />1/4 cup rice vinegar<br />Juice of one lemon (works out great as the bobotie calls for zest but no juice)<br />Freshly ground black pepper, to taste<br /><br /><strong>Directions</strong><br />Toss carrots and apples with lemon juice and 1 teaspoon salt, let sit 1/2 hour (about, I usually only manage 15 minutes), then squeeze with hands and discard any excess liquid. Add the grapes and cilantro. Combine remaining ingredients plus 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl and mix well. Add to the salad and toss. Allow to sit refrigerated for several hours before serving (I almost never have time to do that!)<br /><br />I've used blackberries (see photo) and other types of grapes, but black grapes are my favorite, if I can get them. Altogether it's a nice salty, sweet, sour, and spicy side and a vast improvement on the typical carrot/raisin/mayo salad, IMHO! Enjoy!<br /><br />How do you plan your meals? Does this sound like something you'd like to try?Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-9093613375019958732011-02-27T20:05:00.004-05:002011-02-27T21:11:46.889-05:00If I had a million dollars....I entered to win the <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/dream-home/index.html"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">HGTV</span> dream home</a> (who didn't!) and ever since reading through <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv-dream-home-2011-giveaway-rules/package/index.html">the rules</a> and seeing that the winner could take 1 million dollars instead of the house, I can't stop obsessing about what I would do if I won. Yeah, the house is nice, Vermont is beautiful, BUT it is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">COOOOLD</span>! So, yeah, I'd take the million. Anyway, I've got to stop thinking about this and I thought the best way to do that would be to get it written down so my brain could let it go and give me some peace! And so.....<br /><br /><strong>What I would do if I won a million:</strong><br /><ol><li>10% to <a href="http://www.mormon.org/faq/#Tithing">tithing </a>(that's okay for prize money, right? It's not like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">winning</span> the lottery.)</li><li>The same amount to Fast Offerings and other donations.</li><li>Of course Uncle Sam would have to take his cut.</li><li>Pay off the mortgage, student loans, and car loan.</li><li>Adopt a 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> child.</li><li>Set up trust funds for all the kids.</li></ol>After that it's not so easy to decide.<br />Would I remodel the house or landscape my 1/3 acre yard? or move closer to family? I'd probably invest the rest and wait to see if <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">dh</span> gets tenure first.<br /><br />In the meantime, I'd get some "incidentals":<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.kitchenaid.com/flash.cmd?/#/product/KSM150PSER/">a stand mixer</a>, black, 'ice', or 'persimmon'.</li><li>a wheat grinder</li><li>a fridge with the freezer on the bottom and french doors</li><li>a freezer of death</li></ul>Oh, and I'd trade the SUV for a more fuel efficient commuter car. And/or a really cool bike for my bike commuting husband.<br /><br />This really is an exercise in ridiculousness. Hopefully this will get it out of my head! I really am grateful for what I have. I have been blessed so much and it probably wouldn't be good for me to get everything I wanted!! So there it is.<br /><br />What would you do if you won a million dollars?Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-90134890135675216672008-12-06T18:11:00.004-05:002008-12-06T18:18:49.417-05:00When will she come?Well it's 9 days till my due date, and no baby yet. So how about a little contest? Enter your guess for birth day and weight in the comments. The winner will get the satisfaction of being a better guesser than everyone else!<br /><br /><strong>I hope she comes tonight and weighs 8lbs</strong>Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-5969007530026172542008-11-10T16:17:00.008-05:002008-11-10T16:42:18.869-05:00Halloween!!I figured I'd better post this pic before Halloween is too far behind us:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-tANiQThCWtwtMe1NWDg52EA_p43UYBU2LZyaaYeyzAkr8Tfu6SMF6itd4lxEWMU6dmuLpc0_tIlSEm8b6k-Mg6lLE-JGoCp0Ow2u_TsPjSqAuB08A8BVrXItBsTGX2Yc2j9/s1600-h/Halloween+2008+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267141420798509218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-tANiQThCWtwtMe1NWDg52EA_p43UYBU2LZyaaYeyzAkr8Tfu6SMF6itd4lxEWMU6dmuLpc0_tIlSEm8b6k-Mg6lLE-JGoCp0Ow2u_TsPjSqAuB08A8BVrXItBsTGX2Yc2j9/s320/Halloween+2008+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="center">Underdog, House, and Darth Vader</p><p>Homemade costumes really are much cuter then storebought. I'm especially pleased with how the Vader costume turned out. It is really quite impressive in person. Don't know who <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_(TV_series)">House </a>is? I'm sorry. DH had a great time playing House for all his students on Halloween, complete with attitude and 'vicodin' (m&m's in a perscription bottle). Me? I did my best impression of a pumpkin by wearing an orange shirt and sitting around while the boys went Trick-or-treating. You don't want a picture of that, trust me.</p>Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-27208831310942136472008-11-03T13:55:00.004-05:002008-11-06T14:12:56.364-05:00WishlistI was going to make a list here of things I wanted that weren't available at Amazon, but with the new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/wishlist/get-button/ref=cm_wl-item">Universal Wish List button</a> I can add ANYTHING to my Amazon wishlist. Cool.Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-136313277546548852008-09-19T23:12:00.001-04:002008-09-19T23:16:18.195-04:00In honor of "Talk like a pirate" day<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JImcvtJzIK8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JImcvtJzIK8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-55227361054603626692008-07-29T12:01:00.003-04:002008-07-29T12:07:31.955-04:00BTWWe've finally moved into our house!! It is really nice, but there is dog hair EVERYWHERE! It's driving me nuts. I'm a little neurotic when it comes to housecleaning. Thankfully the floors are mostly hardwood, much easier to rid of doggie mess than carpet.<br /><br />Also, the baby is a girl!! Rather, it is most likely a girl, we can't be 100% sure.<br /><br /><strong>Just thought you'd like to know...</strong>Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-58602194181646301602008-07-03T16:39:00.004-04:002008-12-10T00:13:31.157-05:00Family FunEver been parasailing? You should try it! A family in our ward owns a parasailing business so when my sis and her dh were visiting this past weekend, we thought we'd try it out. FUN!! The boys enjoyed it so much my older ds keeps suggesting we go parasailing every Friday.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GiTRLBb47NWblS_Y-zBdgJPEhlbiOSBzlpUy2WoBUeCmurTU8339cxIYbIlQ1d1BrzlImk77Xr9XcFcysUk0s-TMIwheBOZzK4oLROTZAU0aXI5pw6zRXQIUc5BAtTdgxY50/s1600-h/Parasailing+6-27-08+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218891818417510994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GiTRLBb47NWblS_Y-zBdgJPEhlbiOSBzlpUy2WoBUeCmurTU8339cxIYbIlQ1d1BrzlImk77Xr9XcFcysUk0s-TMIwheBOZzK4oLROTZAU0aXI5pw6zRXQIUc5BAtTdgxY50/s320/Parasailing+6-27-08+011.jpg" border="0" /></a> dh and younger ds</div><div align="center">"Everything looked like toys!"</div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvUSkNBlxMH4TMNLfOECwIQcBVg4ArYVI2HgCq3fUiNIwwB7NUm84HVUWC2R12xsD29X4Tez_K8ugHYBaqk7jhGC51vL4bIQthydkZRylmxZxY0V3FEKNYJxIL2Tryqa_0gAF/s1600-h/Parasailing+6-27-08+044.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218891822050140258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvUSkNBlxMH4TMNLfOECwIQcBVg4ArYVI2HgCq3fUiNIwwB7NUm84HVUWC2R12xsD29X4Tez_K8ugHYBaqk7jhGC51vL4bIQthydkZRylmxZxY0V3FEKNYJxIL2Tryqa_0gAF/s320/Parasailing+6-27-08+044.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Sister and bil getting dunked </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEVNBSJ-MFV36uUiZfr05iuz-jBQY1bNkuzuCJOvzNYYqQhKZM-3XwTJWqRnLkN71Ey-TorMeLmJb3CaHH92LrYF7AW54I6Xs2veCDGnezv6z51FDwf7wkUSK9BzWxeYzWTrI/s1600-h/Parasailing+6-27-08+067.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218891826022793634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEVNBSJ-MFV36uUiZfr05iuz-jBQY1bNkuzuCJOvzNYYqQhKZM-3XwTJWqRnLkN71Ey-TorMeLmJb3CaHH92LrYF7AW54I6Xs2veCDGnezv6z51FDwf7wkUSK9BzWxeYzWTrI/s320/Parasailing+6-27-08+067.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p align="center">Me and older ds after a dunk</p>Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-80955993904601529972008-06-11T09:18:00.007-04:002008-12-10T00:13:31.277-05:00Details<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGu2ROXGC-M02BHjTt-Xiv83vazKTSwORPHfYQ2Wfxesd1SQxK-1IvwTYh4_bOF6D1tdKwMsOceUPsH4HXxLtKk7SAE0Y3A1kdkeILfkl2DwxFqeMSsLvR8rV2m9D6UBkopp_V/s1600-h/Ultrasound+1+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210613061501287618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGu2ROXGC-M02BHjTt-Xiv83vazKTSwORPHfYQ2Wfxesd1SQxK-1IvwTYh4_bOF6D1tdKwMsOceUPsH4HXxLtKk7SAE0Y3A1kdkeILfkl2DwxFqeMSsLvR8rV2m9D6UBkopp_V/s320/Ultrasound+1+002.jpg" border="0" /></a> I'm about 13 weeks along now, just entering the 2nd trimester. The baby is officially due Dec. 15, but both my boys were born 2 weeks early so we'll be ready for it to come by the end of Nov. That's three Dec. birthdays! (I think we're going to start celebrating half-birthdays instead.) I've been feeling pretty sick, but it seems to have subsided a little so I'm hopeful that stage will be over soon! The ultrasound picture is from 11 weeks. I was having a hard time really 'connecting' with this pregnancy. My last pregnancy ended in miscarriage at 11 weeks (the baby had died at 6 weeks) and I just couldn't get over the fear that this one would end the same way. So the ultrasound was purely for my reassurance that everything was okay. I can't tell you the relief I felt when I first saw the baby on the screen and it was moving! The heartbeat was strong and it's growth on target, even a little big (this is my family after all.) After that I felt confident enough to tell the boys. They were/are soooo excited! They immediately told everyone. My older ds keeps saying "I can't believe it's not a dream!" I think he's more excited about the baby than about Christmas. It's really cute. <p>This next part may be TMI, if you're not into NFP or other fertility stuff. You've been warned!</p><p>This baby is actually sort of a surprise. I say sort of because we've been trying for another child for over a year now, though without much hope. I use NFP and my charts were showing that my pre-peak cervical fluid was not of the quality or quantity so important to fertilization. We finally went to see a fertility specialist who uses the same NFP system in her practice that we use to see what our options were. The first step was to do several blood draws at different times in my cycle to determine what my hormone levels were. After some thought (and prayer) we decided that it was too much to undertake right now and that maybe adoption would be the best option for us. So that's where we were when, to my amazement, we were pregnant! My cervical fluid hadn't changed at all, and according to our "timing" I really shouldn't have been pregnant. So this is our miracle baby, there's really no other explanation!</p><p>I'll let you know in 8 weeks if it's a boy or a girl</p>Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-66843701140878077612008-05-30T12:33:00.002-04:002008-12-10T00:13:31.696-05:00Guess What!?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDg0fAM1lG2rITvCl4CWv8OzpuOzQDIsNQX-2cZ6tuh7hEmsKjK7JZvMkyvfSrxVSTtHbr90iXaGpMmrla9niL0BVyGcVjXIoZHNCG4XcrsNJOZD4bTQkRzdfR2kAcLulRHaw/s1600-h/Test+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206210474401772882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDg0fAM1lG2rITvCl4CWv8OzpuOzQDIsNQX-2cZ6tuh7hEmsKjK7JZvMkyvfSrxVSTtHbr90iXaGpMmrla9niL0BVyGcVjXIoZHNCG4XcrsNJOZD4bTQkRzdfR2kAcLulRHaw/s320/Test+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvp-yr9hwhMKsYppKLt__Gy8Dtzvzx02FC54ZLnL1QmVVtYQQmE3BvV_amn5CNSwqngCAKVsEKksxqV7ZOrjuHqIRTQWd9lPgtNo-9kNNyWjS2LiIN-NYU4o9rUrVDNcqoxHaE/s1600-h/Test+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206210487286674786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvp-yr9hwhMKsYppKLt__Gy8Dtzvzx02FC54ZLnL1QmVVtYQQmE3BvV_amn5CNSwqngCAKVsEKksxqV7ZOrjuHqIRTQWd9lPgtNo-9kNNyWjS2LiIN-NYU4o9rUrVDNcqoxHaE/s320/Test+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-19170954171538568092008-05-11T19:25:00.001-04:002008-05-11T19:25:06.907-04:00Mothers<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/awsyoung/1483839072/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1034/1483839072_83449e28a3_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/awsyoung/1483839072/">Ladybug</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/awsyoung/">awsyoung</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>Isaiah 40:11<br />He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.<br /><br />Happy Mother's Day<br /><br />This photo was taken in my mother's garden last year. I'd love to have a garden like her's someday.</p>Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-8625390113297025102008-05-06T15:01:00.003-04:002008-05-06T15:15:45.324-04:00Breastfeeding in the newsNew study results!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1930117/Breast-feeding-boosts-a-child%27s-IQ%2C-says-study.html">Breast-feeding boosts a child's IQ, says study</a><br />By Roger Highfield, Science Editor<br /><br /><em>"Researchers looked at almost 14,000 children over a period of more than six years and found that those who had been breast-fed performed far better in IQ tests."</em><br /><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1930117/Breast-feeding-boosts-a-child%27s-IQ%2C-says-study.html">Click here for the full article.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/05/05/scimilk105.xml">Breastfeeding makes children smarter</a><br />By Roger Highfield, Science Editor<br /><br />A more detailed article about the same study.Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11298798.post-67287281784404335392008-05-01T20:46:00.003-04:002008-05-01T21:16:48.942-04:00Resolutions continued...Time to bore you again with my resolutions update!<br /><br />1. Keep up my exercise routine.<br />I'm changing this one to 'establish a new excercise routine'. My knee is finally better and I have been out walking a few times, but now I'm having difficulty finding a consistant time. My dh's schedule isn't condusive to walking it seems. Maybe I can find a good DVD.<br /><br />2. Eat more.<br />Good. I can't wait for the local farms to open so I can get really fresh fruits and veggies!<br /><br />3. Write in my journal once a week.<br />Still good.<br /><br />4. Write in my blog once a month and once a day for one month.<br />Not bad for my first 30 days attempt; I only missed one day. It was fun and I hope my posts were interesting enough! I didn't do so well in my additions of blogging once a month on the family blog and posting on the LDS homeschooling Yahoo! group. Time to regroup for this month!<br /><br />5. De-clutter one room a month.<br />I managed to finish organizing the choir music, but I still have a pile of stuff to get rid of. I had bad luck getting anyone from Freecycle to pick any of it up. :P I'll try Craigslisting it all next. Once it's gone, I'll choose a new room to declutter!<br /><br />6. Find some service to do.<br />The best think I can come up with is crocheting leper bandages, so that's what I'll do. I'll work on it at least one night a week.<br /><br />7. Say "I love you" to my children and husband every day.<br />Good!<br /><br />Thanks for listening!Albertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04310740215533221944noreply@blogger.com0