Thursday, October 30, 2014

Seamus Pics

Just a few pictures. 



Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Honey Butter Ambrosia

I saw this recipe for honey butter ambrosia several weeks ago and have been waiting for the chance to make it. In the end, Alan made it for us since Seamus is against Mom putting him down ever. This butter spread is super yummy. A bit on the sweet side and even with refrigeration, it stays soft, almost liquidy.  We'll have to make something to serve it with this weekend.
The recipe only calls for a cup of heavy cream so we had extra left. I realized the younger kids have not had the chance to make butter so we poured some of the leftover cream into a canning jar and set them to work. Yes, it is much quicker to make butter in a mixer but not anywhere near as much fun. Just don't use multiple glass jars and have the kids roll them to each other. They just might collide in the middle of the room and break.



Pumpkins

I do normally enjoy taking the kids to a farm or pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins directly out of the field. But things being what they are, that just was not happening this year. Instead I scoured the grocery ads for the cheapest price on pumpkins because, well, one pumpkin is no big deal. Nine pumpkins sometimes gets expensive and the darn animals ate all of the pumpkins we planted this year (yes, the garden will be properly fenced next year). So $22 later and we arrived home with 9 jumbo sized pumpkins.



The kids all got busy emptying the innards and carving up their gourds. Seeds were cleaned and roasted, a huge mess was made of the dining room, and the kids had fun.

And you see these teens? You know the ones society tells you will want nothing to do with their family? Yup, those teens. Well, ignore the idiots in society and keep them involved.  Because they do want to be involved. And the little ones want them involved and just love working with them. Because you will treasure these memories a wee bit more than the ones when they were little because they will actually share them with you.  And because they are part of your family, too. Even if they are taller than you are and occasionally grumpy and sometimes a mess. Please don't make the mistake of thinking that because they are teens, they won't want to be involved and in accepting that skewed view of things, push them away from you and out of your lives. Take the time to enjoy their last few years at home with the family because they will be grown and making memories of their own all too soon.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

The Latest Additions

We have added a few new members to our crew. A sheep, a dairy goat, and one more chicken. We are still debating adding a new barn cat since our last one decided to find a new home after not being fed for a while. Hopefully we can find another one for free and before the cold weather sets in.
We just might get crazy and try breeding these guys.

Happy Birthday Katie!

Katie turned 10 this weekend. Double digits are a big deal around here. Your first ID card, your first time getting an allowance.

Katie is a tremendous help around here and is becoming a beautiful young lady. Happy birthday!

Life Chain 2014