Maymont Park

Some gals from our church here invited the kids and I to meet them at Maymont Park yesterday, which I learned is quite a Richmond "thing to do" if you live here. It was amazing. I loved it and can't wait to go back. It's absolutely huge and we got to pet some goats, see some animals, see some amazing trees and pick up some nature treasures to bring home and study. There's also a mansion to tour, gardens to walk through, a nature center (we will be going there soon, for Layla, my little science lover). I would love to schedule some family photo shoots there--would it be weird if I just started offering photo shoots to families I barely know?

Anyway, I took a lot of pics. It was fun :)

 Layla took this one:

 Then Kelby wanted to take some:

He keeps taking them as I'm coming to get the camera from him...

 He thinks this is just hilarious...

 He's belly laughing by now...

 You might notice, I got my hair cut! My friend Becky did it and it's awesome, I love it :) I hadn't had my hair cut by a pro since she moved to VA from CO three years ago. It was time!

 I think the goats were my favorite part. They are just so funny! And photogenic, obviously ;)

 Hahaha!

 Our treasures--things we've never seen in Colorado! We got all excited when we found our first acorn outside the library last week. I don't know that I've ever seen one in person before! The green thing is a walnut! And the spiky thing feel from a Magnolia tree! Cool.

It was great to get outside and be with other women and kiddos. We can't wait to go back there and maybe even branch out to Richmond more often. (I guess it's really not that far ;) And driving downtown in Richmond is way easier than getting around downtown Denver!

On a somewhat related (to these photos, not to their subject) note, I downloaded the free trial of Adobe Lightroom 5. I've been feeling limited by iPhoto for awhile and while I think PicMonkey is so fun, it's a one-at-a-time type of editing program and that's not practical for all my photos.

My thoughts on Lightroom 5 so far:

• It is definitely more user friendly than Photoshop. I got the free trial of that and it wasn't long before I said "forget it". I can see why Lightroom is what people seem to be going to. 
• The price is right. Quite a chunk less than Photoshop and doable for me. I have a birthday coming up in a couple weeks :)
• There is still some "lingo" that I find annoying. They have terms for stuff that if they would call something normal, I wouldn't have to stop and look up what that means in the help section. 
• The help section is unhelpful. Ha! I found bloggers more helpful.
• I love, love, love the editing much more than I've been loving iPhoto! Since I started shooting in RAW files, I found that iPhoto wanted to cool my photos way down, it was weird. It was increasingly difficult to get the colors how I wanted them because minor adjustments are hard--it's major adjustments or nothing. The colors and presets in Lightroom are just beautiful. 
• I can't wait to learn more! I think a book is necessary, though. 

What are your thoughts, if you use Lightroom?

Rachael Ray

When we first got to Virginia, I bought the October edition of Every Day with Rachael Ray. I've long been a semi-fan and have used her recipes many times, but I always thought she was pretty heavy on the cheesey, breaded, fried, sugary food that I just don't eat. The magazine is still so much fun, though, that I took a chance on it and was very surprised at the change! I can eat so many of the yummy recipes in this edition, even being (mostly) Paleo! There's even a sweet potato shepherd's pie (no bread!) and some super yummy popcorn recipes, including PB&J and Lemon Poppy-corn (my kids will love these). I ear marked a bunch of things and have tried several.

She had a carrot raisin salad recipe that I made to take to a potluck at church on Sunday. (I actually couldn't find my magazine anywhere that weekend so I looked it up online). I received a nice compliment on it as I was packing it up to leave :)

I served the leftovers with egg salad for dinner the following night and then the next day, I used up what was left in some yummy wraps with deli turkey for my lunch. They were soooo goood!

I think this slaw would also be tasty on bbq pulled pork sandwiches--or in my case, a pile of bbq pulled pork, haha! Here is the recipe I used. Next time, I'll use less brown sugar. I think it does need a few tablespoons, but not a whole fourth of a cup. I also shredded my own carrots, a much cheaper way than buying bagged. Let me know if you try it! Also, any other ideas for your favorite lettuce wraps would be very welcome in the comments!

As for the magazine, I'm it's newest subscriber :)

winter pattern picks

Is it weird that I stalk the sites of the big 4 pattern companies waiting for the season's latest patterns to come up? Not that JoAnn actually gets them for another month and usually the day after they are on sale, but I just love making my list anyway.

After I finish my last Halloween costume, I hope to squeeze some clothing sewing in between Christmas sewing projects (I'm excited about my Christmas sewing this year, I have some good stuff planned!)

Natalie's Renaissance princess costume is in progress...

On to patterns!
I thought the Simplicity and New Look offerings were pretty disappointing, but I thought the same about Simplicity's Fall line. What's with so many pajama patterns? I will grab one or two, but they seem p.j. heavy lately.

But, the McCall's are great! Here are the ones I'll get:

This is M6846. I like all views except the long one, that one's not my style. Love the cute details on the other views, though!

Next up, M6844. I love the peplum take on the drapey cardigan and I have the perfect sweater knit in my stash that will be great for this. 

Next, 6839. Hate this print, but like the back detail options for a knit top.

I will probably also get the p.j. pattern 6848, but I will not be making the romper--I think Casey would laugh at me, haha! This pattern is for wovens, not knits, which is why it stood out to me. I think I need some silk pajamas, for sure ;)

I won't get this one, but it is flippin' adorable.

And 6854. Natalie wants one of these.

As for Simplicity, I will probably only get 1501. What can I say, I really like making pajamas! Although, have you noticed how all pajama bottom pattern for kids and adults alike, are like Urkel pants?? On the pattern I use for the kids, I fold the top down two inches before I cut. And on the last pair I made for myself, I chopped 4 inches off the top!! And they still hit at my belly button! Weird.
I can't copy the image URL's on their site. Sorry.

What are your choices??

food, styled

I have a love/hate relationship with cooking. I'm good at cooking. And I do love food! I actually think I enjoy flavors and trying new things more since I eliminated dairy, gluten and refined sugar and added in more healthy fats and veggies. I've experimented more than ever with unknown ingredients and meats and spices. But the food prep and clean-up sure can be exhausting, am I right? I fall in and out of love with cooking pretty often. Having ever-hungry little people compounds the kitchen weariness too, I think. But, I've been making an effort to fall in love with the kitchen again and make it stick. I have prayed that I would enjoy it more, since it is an unavoidable part of my life (just like I pray about homeschooling!) and I know the Lord is faithful.

Thus, I've decided to start a little food photography challenge for myself! Because taking pictures of things always makes me like them more :) I was on Pinterest last night and typed in "food photography" and oh boy, can food be beautiful, or what? I think I bought the cookbook Gather, just because the pictures are so gorgeous! So I started playing with some food styling and it was really fun yesterday.

Also, since we've been here in Virginia, we have finally been able to begin a consistent family dinner. Before, when my kids were all really young and I was in survival mode, it just was not happening. Then, in Denver, Casey's work hours were very unpredictable, which made consistently dining together hard. We did it when we could, but it was a challenge. Things are different here, though, and we are really enjoying the time together at 6 p.m. every night more and more. I think this photo challenge will help me really me make an effort to make these meals pretty and special.

Don't worry, I will try and include recipes when I can too!

Last night I made egg salad. One of the easiest dinners ever, but also one of Casey's favorite things ever.

 I have an old recipe from a book I got when I was first married called, Help, My Family's Hungry. I have since passed that book along, but this is still our favorite egg salad recipe. I made bacon for the side and also had leftover of Rachael Ray's carrot salad. Kids loved it all.

Egg Salad Sandwich Filling

This makes enough for 4-5 sandwiches, but I usually double or even triple it for my family and to have leftovers. 

4 hard-cooked eggs

1/4 cup mayo

2 tsp Dijon or yellow mustard

2 Tbl pickle relish, dill or sweet, your choice

1 Tbl white or cider vinegar

1/2 tsp dried dill weed

salt and pepper to taste

I usually just put all these ingredients in my food processor and pulse, but I have made it by chopping the eggs myself also. If you do that, just chop your eggs and stir in the other ingredients by hand. Enjoy! 

Since I'm talking about eggs, I should also share this morning's breakfast with you, cause it was so good! I enjoy cooking breakfast least of all. It takes me awhile to wake up in the mornings and the last thing I want to do is make a big mess and be on top of my cooking game. I usually give the kids something simple like yogurt and granola and then if they want eggs when I'm cooking my breakfast I add some for them. But, I need a big breakfast, complete with plenty of fat or veggies--filling things. I decided to allow the mornings to be slower and start school a little later to accommodate for this because trying to wake up earlier was not working out, haha!  It's been great, I have time to drink my coffee and read my Bible and generally take my time. 

Anyway, this morning I tried the avocado boat idea I've seen floating around Pinterest! It was pretty tasty. I topped mine with bacon leftover from dinner last night and I think that made the dish. It added crunch and salty flavor. Mmmmmm. 

 I cut my avocado in half, scooped out a bit to make more room for the eggs, then cracked an egg into each half. I salted and peppered the tops and baked them at 425 for about 15 or 20 minutes, I think.

It was really tasty! And, I didn't have to stand over the stove and actually cook anything--best part ;) I had coffee and read some blogs while I waited.

What do you think about food photography, or do you notice it at all? Or maybe you just notice when it's bad and looks unappetizing, haha. These days, when we get so much cooking inspiration online, I definitely think the photo can sell the recipe! 

Oh, Kansas

I forgot that I had wanted to blog about Natalie's travel journal from our trip until it turned up the other day and I finally took some pictures of it. It's just so cute and funny. This journal kept her busy a LOT on the drive. She spent so much of the time just looking out the window for things to add. Some states had plenty and some states ... not so much. She illustrated and labeled the things that stood out to her. Enjoy :) Click on the pics to make them bigger if you need to.

This next one says "going to a state is like going through a different dimension". LOL!

I saved the best for last. I don't think she found Kansas very inspiring, haaaahahahaha! Kansas according to Natalie: It's the most boring state in the world. It stinks. And it's "not busy". I'd say that's an understatement.

Coffee!!

I love coffee. I don't think that's a secret to anyone who knows me ;)

I bought a new coffee pot this week. I picked it out, read reviews and saved my allowance. I didn't have room for a coffee pot in our old house because counter space was a precious commodity. I like using my French press sometimes and mostly used my moka pot to make a latte. When we were staying at my mom's for a couple weeks, though, she always had coffee made in the mornings and it sure was nice to have coffee there all the time. So I put my plentiful counter space here to use and bought this beauty!

Ain't it purty? It's this one and I got it at Target. The riskiest part of coffee pot buying is getting home and seeing if the carafe drips! This one does not, at all, whew!

I get all nostalgic when I talk about coffee because coffee comes with memories somehow--people, homes, cities, all are attached to coffee memories.

This is not my first coffee post. I blogged here about how to make a perfect latte and here about how to make your own coffee syrup, in case you're interested.

"Who was the first guy who figured out coffee beans? If we take these beans, cook them, grind them up, and then run really hot water through them, we get a comfort drink that tastes really nasty for the first six months. But if you persevere in the making and drinking of it, it gets to be really good. So God gave us the great concept of the acquired taste--strong coffee and dark beer and black licorice."

                                                          -Doulas Wilson

homeschool tidbits

Homeschooling is an epicenter for the sin of comparison. Nothing in my life has so often caused me to sinfully compare myself to others like homeschooling has. Even when I feel like things are going along great, I will open up a blog post on what someone else's third grader is doing or see someone else's awesome project of some sort or other and immediately feel my spirits sink. Am I doing enough? Are my kids behind? Should we plan a more traditional way of doing things? Should I be using a more intense curriculum?

This school year, with three grade levels, one child with a very unique learning style, one very advanced child and one child who just likes to make noise and be busy and EAT, and, oh yeah, a cross-country move, there has been nothing left to do but to just give the whole thing to Jesus. Daily. Hourly. Every moment, actually. Because even though the academics are important, Jesus values discipleship even more. And when I feel like homeschooling is a huge disruption in my life, I know that it's my priorities that are out of whack because these children are my ministry and it's the other things (what I'd rather be doing) that are the disruption! So I pray for a change of heart and He is always faithful to give it.

My kids are learning. And we are unconventional in the way we do things. It's ok! It can be hard to gauge progress when you do things this way, but progress is happening nonetheless.

A couple weeks ago, I ordered Volume 2 of Five in a Row. Things were not going well and Volume 1 had worked so well for us last year, that I felt like this would give me some direction because I was, ummm, floundering. It's been nice and we have finally eased back into a successful school week. The ideas in these books are simple and it's very, very, very inexpensive.

Pinterest is a great way to supplement the lessons and get even more ideas and usually some free printables.

But I have released myself from doing things too methodically ;) Layla is really into science. So I get kids science books at the library and often she peruses them during her free time and picks a simple experiment to do. Last week she made a little cloud in a baggie. She followed the directions and we taped it to her window. It was cool!

I also signed Kelby up for ABCmouse.com. There is a free trial and I knew it would help keep him busy occassionally, which would solve a huge portion of the problems I was having! He doesn't like to do it everyday, but he also has some workbooks that he likes, he likes to make file folder books sometimes and he builds Lego sets some days with us at the table. And I try to read books to him everyday. I loosened up my expectations of him because he is not a sit-down-do-this-everyday type of guy.

I have tried to incorporate more art and more science into our weeks because those are the things each my girls really love.

I do Body Math with just Layla each day (her choice of all my I love math books) and last week she was also really into a library book on the human body so when I saw this cute idea on Pinterest, I knew we had to try it. We had some glow in the dark paint leftover from something else, so we added that to ours. And googely eyes, obviously ;)It was super fun trying them out in the bathroom!!

This week we studied Owl Moon and on Monday we discussed rules. We decided to make a poster of some house rules, but I wanted them to be straight from Scripture, so we took a few from Exodus 20, two from Ephesians 4:32 and one from Matthew 5:9. The girls took turns writing after I read each verse and then they decorated it. It's now hanging in our dining room and it's been a wonderful reminder that God has told us how to make our home a peaceful one. The "make peace" rule has gotten a lot of discussion especially!

Today we made some resist paintings with oil pastels and watercolors, to go with our Owl Moon theme.
We sprinkled salt on afterward and now that they're dry, they're really cool and snowy!

The girls are also working on homemade books about an animal of their choice. I was wanting Natalie to learn some simple research and report writing skills and they are really having fun with it!

BUT, my biggest epiphany happened last Tuesday, when nothing was going well, the kids had attitudes and were being ridiculous and I melted down in my room :) We all do that, right?? No sugar coating it, homeschooling is hard and not always fun.

Anyway, Natalie has always been extremely resistant to math. Of any kind. I have never found any bookwork that she either liked or that she actually learned from. But, the problem is not that she's not good at it. When I had her keep score during a game we played recently, I taught her to add two digit numbers, carry the one, etc... and she got it just fine and had fun learning it. So I went to her room and handed her a paper and started making up a story. "A ballerina lost her tutu. She had to go searching for it and opened a closet that had 32 tutus in it..." The story went on from there and we added two and three digit numbers for awhile. Then she started making up the stories: "A fashionista went to the mall and had one hundred dollars to spend..." Then we moved onto subtraction. The next day, she was begging to do more story math!!!! My plan is to order this math book, Beast Academy when she's ready. I think it is right up her alley and absolutely perfect for her, but we had to get some bigger basics down first. A variation of this story math idea came from this book, which I highly recommend.

I also got this book from our library last week and it's pretty great too. Today we played a game out of it with Uno cards and learned about place value to the thousands.

Another gem I stumbled onto at the library is Everyday Graces.

It's a fat book of stories, poems or parts of stories (classics, no twadle ;) that teach kids manners and values. It's really lovely. I have the girls grab a coloring book while I read to them and then we talk about it. I'll be adding both these books to my Amazon wish list.

We've also been opening each school day with Bible time, using The Big Book of Questions and Answers . It answers theological questions, but is easy for the kids to understand and see for themselves through the Scriptures. When we finish this one, I'd like to try Long Story Short, which I've read great things about.

If you've made it his far (this was a loooooong post), you will enjoy this funny story before I sign off. One of the neighbor girls, age 8 (the neighbor kids switch back and forth from being fascinated by the homeschool thing and thinking we are complete weirdos) told me the other day that I should at least let my kids go to high school to they can be taught things and they can go to college. And I said that they can learn and be smart and go to college even being homeschooled in high school. And she said, "Well, you're kids aren't smart, though. I told them I take pills and they didn't know what that meant. They don't even know what pills are!" I told her they don't take pills, so why would they know?? And then she just once again decided we are weird and ran off to play. Ha! Are meds just the norm for children these days?? Funny story, but very telling also.